
The hand on the back of his neck flared hot as the long incantation came to an end. There was a moment of stillness, and then the pressure on his nape eased.
"You can open your eyes now, Sev."
Harry's voice, soft and low and rough, seemed to have a new quality to it he hadn't heard before, although he couldn't tell exactly what it was. He obeyed, looking cautiously around the room. There didn't seem to be anything different there. Then Harry came from behind him, cradling something in his arms that looked as if it was moving.
"Say hello to her."
It was a snake; a large and beautiful one, although Snape wasn't quite sure of its species. Feeling a little foolish, he said, "Hello."
"Niccce to meet you," the snake replied.
Snape stared.
He kept on staring as Harry said something to her, quietly, and put her back in her tank. Then he pulled him into a long, lingering kiss.
"Ssso," Harry hissed in his ear when they finally broke apart, "do you like your birthday pressent?"
There was only one reply to that.
"It's jussst what I alwayss wanted."