A/N: NaNoWriMo 2015. Is that enough of a reason to slack on updates? Parkinson puts her foot in her mouth and there are a pair of nice intimate scenes between our couple. After you finish this chapter, do you think I need to raise the rating?

Eleven- Hierarchy

Ever since that day in Potions, Harry felt a great deal more confidence moving through his last year of schooling. It had been a turning point, as had been the conversation with his husband and McGonagall, both in their official capacities. The fierce matron of Gryffindor had been at first in denial of her students behaviour, then when Severus had summoned both Filius and Pomona as well as a Pensieve, the three Heads had literally backed her into a corner. The Gryffindors had paid, severely, for their past unpunished actions against a house member.

Filius and Pomona had promised to sort out their own students as well, particularly Pomona Sprout, who had been shocked and appalled that several of her Hufflepuff students in Harry's year had actually attacked him during the debacle of his second year. But of all three houses Gryffindor had been the worst and they were paying for it. Severely. Filius and Pomona had forced Minerva to give over punishment of her lions to them as she was of a mind to be lenient, considering it had mostly taken place up to five years ago.

They were having none of that. The whole of Gryffindor had been brought to the Great Hall and told that their behaviour was unacceptable. They had removed every point the lions had gained so far that year, given several of the worst students detentions and sent home notifications to the parents of the students that had trashed his belongings with a price tag for replacing their portion of his things. Harry had been lenient, amiably cutting the price back by half, which still left a considerable amount since the students were being billed for trashing his things two years in a row, during his second and fifth years.

Within Slytherin house, Harry was slowly but surely gaining to confidence necessary to deal with his housemates, defending his position outside of the ranking and dealing with a few that didn't believe he deserved it. Currently the thorn in his side was Parkinson, she was beyond irritating and well into harassment, however he wanted to deal with the situation himself. He would do so, tonight. She had been verbally attacking him since his first day of classes, using much of the same terminology and arguments as Ronald Weasley, though she would no doubt be horrified to be compared to a lack wit Gryffindor.

He gritted his teeth and ignored her, staring at his book for Ancient Runes, which was the class he was currently in. Seated between her and Draco, he could not only feel the heat of her stare and the hiss of her demeaning words, but also the fierce, angry stare of one Hermione Granger, seated behind him to his left. He was not comfortable with her behind him, tempted to take out his wand and lay it under his book. However, he trusted Professor Vector to take care of her should any situation arise.

Ancient Runes while fascinating had been an incredible headache for Harry at first. Coming into it in his seventh year was not ideal, he had to catch up on 3 previous terms of information. He'd been studying all summer. It had paid off well however, he was placed in the same year as his fellow seventh years, much to the incredulous stare of Hermione when he'd first walked into the classroom. Apparently she still suffered under the delusion that he wasn't in fact very intelligent. He looked forward to knocking her off her high horse, along with Draco.

Today they were working on deciphering the runes that were inscribed on a very old box dug up at an archeological site in Israel. Of course they didn't have the box there with them, just the magical version of a panoramic photograph, which spun slowly around all four sides. There were also two traditional magical photographs showing the top and bottom. Harry studied the runes carefully, they looked familiar…

His eyes widened in surprise as slowly the runes on the base began to change into words in front of his eyes. What had been squiggles before were actually what he now realised to be the written form of Parseltongue! Of course he was the only one able to read them, only he and the now-deceased Voldemort were capable of speaking it. He took the photographs carefully in hand and stood, ignoring the blatant stare he was getting from Hermione and the snigger from Parkinson, who clearly thought he was giving up on it.

He approached the Professor seated at her desk and said, "Professor Vector? I have translated the runes on the base."

The woman's brown eyes widened in surprise and she said quietly, "You have? Not even the best, fully-qualified people on site can translate them."

Ignoring the tone of the words that suggested perhaps he was lying, Harry continued. "They are the written form of Parseltongue, so I am not surprised no one else can read them. Only myself and the deceased Dark Lord are capable of even speaking it to my knowledge."

Her eyes widened. Unlike some people, there was no fear in her eyes, just immense curiosity. "Please translate them for me, Mr. Potter-Prince. I will send them to the site in Israel, you will gain full credit for the translation of course. And full marks for today as well as 50 points to Slytherin."

"Thank you, Professor. I will have the translation on your desk by the end of class."

She dismissed him and he returned to his seat, taking out a fresh piece of paper. "Submitting your resignation from the class, Potter?" Pansy sneered. "Knew you wouldn't last very long."

"Actually, Parkinson, I am translating the base for the Professor, which will then be sent with my name Potter-Prince credited for the translation. It seems I possess at least one skill that you do not."

Draco sniggered on the other side of him, clearly appreciative of his retort. Parkinson paled in anger and turned back to her own photographs. Once Harry began translating he added in an amused voice, "I also gained 50 points for our house in one go. When was the last time you did that?"

Parkinson glared at him and snarled, "At least I don't have to spread my legs for a member of the faculty to boost my grades and enter classes I am not capable of passing. Enjoying the perks of being a slut yet?"

Harry froze in his seat. He settled his quill down, hands shaking in fury. He had heard enough of comments in that vein. It was time to make an example of her. "Be prepared to defend yourself tonight, Parkinson. I am calling you out for a formal duel tonight, not the honour version. You insult my blood and my conduct, you will pay for it in your own."

Parkinson tried to smirk, not really managing it as her face had gone slightly pale and drawn. "We shall see who pays for what, Potter."

Harry handed in his finished translation at the end of class as promised, Professor Vector looking delighted. Despite the fact that the Parseltongue was only on the base, having some idea of what it was talking about would open up possible means of translating the rest. She thanked him for his clear, easy translation and promised again to make sure he was credited as translator.

Harry gathered up his things and departed the classroom, Draco on his left side and Blaise Zabini on his right. "Professor Vector looked like she was about to start dancing, Potter-Prince. What in Merlin's name did you do now?"

"I gave her a full, complete translation of the base of the box we were working on today, Blaise. Turns out it was in Parseltongue."

The dark-skinned boy chuckled. "Is that why Parkinson looked so peeved as she took off? She knows full well if a student correctly translates something it's published with them listed as the translator."

"Partially. I also finally challenged that stupid bint for her behaviour over the past month or so. I meant to earlier than this, but she never gave me cause to officially do so. It's a proper duel, not those Honour ones. I look forward to finally making an example of someone over the degrading comments that have been thrown my way."

Blaise looked at him appraisingly. "Out for blood, are we?"

"Perhaps," Harry stated, though his tone implied nothing less would do.

"I have a free period next, I will alert the Princess as well as our Head. Traditional duels begin two hours after dinner, it gives both participants time to dress appropriately and appoint Seconds. Is there someone you wish to approach as your Second?"

Harry knew that Draco and Daphne were both eliminated from being chosen since they were required to oversee the duel along with their Head of House. He considered it for a moment before he stated, "Would you do me the honour of being my Second tonight, Blaise Zabini?"

Blaise looked surprised but didn't even hesitate, "My life for yours and my wand for your cause is gladly leant, Harry Potter-Prince."

Harry dipped his head in acknowledgement and Blaise bid them both goodbye, headed no doubt to Severus' office to alert him of the duel.

"Well done, Harry," Draco commented. "It is difficult to get Blaise to chose sides, but clearly he felt your cause was worthy. Do not waste the alliance you have forged with him, within or outside of Hogwarts. Having an influential family like the Zabinis on your side can be nothing but beneficial."

Harry said nothing in reply. He was well aware of how stand-off Blaise could be, so he was as surprised as Blaise when the boy had agreed. He had learned a great deal about Slytherin politics, he knew what an advantageous agreement he had just made. He straightened just a little bit more, proud of himself and how far he'd come. He would never have even known how to go about doing this just a few months ago.

The rest of his classes finished surprisingly quick, Harry had thought the time would drag as he anticipated humiliating Pansy. Soon however it was time for dinner and he was sitting in the place on the right of Draco, his by his position in the hierarchy. He enjoyed his meal, setting out portions that were neither skimpy nor too rich, not wanting to be overburdened nor stupid during the duel. The house elves had stopped creating his portions for him after his last appointment with a professional Healer, which showed that he had gained almost a stone and a half in the past month, thanks to rich, steady meals and the first class nutritional potions brewed by his husband. He was still taking the potions but now it was only once daily instead of with each meal.

As his husband crossed his mind he looked up, scanning the Head Table. Severus was of course seated in his customary spot on the opposite end of the room from the Slytherin table, as near to a corner as the ex-spy could get. With a bit of his improved observational skills Harry had noted many things in his husband's day-to-day lifestyle that were remnants of being at war, the little things he had been unable to shake. He always slept on the side closest to the door with his wand under his pillow, he always locked and silenced a room before speaking and he preferred sleek, close-fitting clothing that wouldn't get in the way of a fight.

As a bit of a compromise Harry had tried to tailor his own behaviour so that Severus didn't have to alter what had become ingrained habit over the course of twenty years. It wasn't much but it made him feel better that he was making Severus' life a bit easier and he could tell the man appreciated it even though he wasn't the most verbal of individuals. Which was strange considering how eloquent the man could be when he wanted to.

He had also found that Severus was something of a closet romantic however. He'd come home the other day from an exhausting round of classes to find a bath waiting with a soft new set of silk sleepwear warming on a small stone. After being able to relax his muscles and unwind a little in what he was sure had been potions-enhanced bathwater he had dragged himself from the bath to find that Severus had ordered a meal in for them, which was waiting on the floor in front of the fireplace in their living room.

He'd smiled and thanked the man, keeping himself from being too profuse or annoying about it. He'd noticed how uncomfortable Severus was with being overly praised for things, but he still refused to not voice his appreciation for the man's thoughts and planning. The dinner had been simple but exceptionally satisfying and afterwards they had retired to their usual settee to read and work on the next day's paperwork. Harry had grown comfortable enough with the man over the past few months to rest quietly against his chest as he studied, the man's steady breathing ruffling his hair.

Harry finished his dinner and stood, accompanied by Draco and Blaise. They made their way quietly and without words to Severus' private quarters, where they dropped him off to get ready. Blaise stated that he would be back in thirty minutes to accompany Harry and no doubt Severus to the common room, where it would finally begin.

Harry placed his bag on the chair of the desk that Severus had thoughtfully acquired for him from the school's immense collection of spare furniture. He decided to skip the shower, waiting until after the duel so that he could wash away the sweat and relax from the adrenaline that would no doubt be coursing through his system. He was excited but not keyed up and it surprised him at how little he was worrying about the upcoming confrontation. But really, after trained Death Eaters one student would be very simple. He refused to get cocky however, he knew just the slightest mistake could cost him dearly.

Harry removed his school clothes, tossing them into the laundry basket, which promptly emptied. He would find them tomorrow washed, pressed and neatly hung for another day of classes. Such was the wonder of house elves, who were more than willing to help out students who respected them, unlike Granger. They hated her attempts to free them and so she never had the foods she liked within reach at meals, her clothing was often not properly washed or left crumpled instead of folded. They couldn't express their annoyance with her verbally, but they were certainly making her life miserable in all the little ways one really never noticed until they weren't done right.

He dressed carefully in the close-fitting dragonhide trousers and crisp top, which echoed a military-styled uniform from the Muggle world. Harry had commissioned them himself from an elite designer of battle-gear during the height of the war, having to defend himself from the Order afterwards since the owner's shop was on Knockturn Alley. He'd also obtained his wand holster from the man, designed to fit onto his left forearm over the top of his gear and blend into the shirt so that it was practically invisible. There was an Anti-Summoning Charm on it, as well as numerous hexes that would cause a variety of unpleasant affects from someone who tried to take his wand by force.

He'd just finished fastening the buttons that ran down the right side of the top and sliding into his ankle-high boots when he heard the door to their private quarters open. Picking up his gloves with ribbed fingers to give extra grip on his wand he headed out into the living room, where Severus was just realising he was probably in their sleeping quarters. The man stilled, staring at him in his fitted dueling outfit.

"Shall I do your hair for you?" Severus asked quietly, indicating his hair which was past his shoulder-blades in length now.

"That would be appreciated," Harry replied softly, taking a seat next to the man on their settee. Severus summoned a brush and a tie before settling his hickory and dragon heart-string wand on the side table, his long fingers combing through Harry's hair and gathering all of the loose strands.

Harry closed his eyes and relaxed, enjoying the touch from the man's sensitive fingers, which were skilled at other things besides the deft measurement and preparation of potions, as he was coming to find out on their more adventurous evenings. He could feel his skin flushing slightly in remembrance, he was coming to greatly enjoy the evenings that he spent getting to know his husband on an intimate level. Who knew those lightly calloused fingers would feel so good on his bare skin?

Severus set the brush to the side once he was sure that Harry's hair was free of tangles, beginning to braid it in two places on each side, one at the temple and one just above the ear. As he worked he stated, "Do not underestimate Parkinson's skill. She held the position of Princess for four years due to her dueling abilities and little else. She stoops to the lowest level aside from cheating during duels, her Sire was much the same during the war."

As he began to gather the rest of Harry's hair and plait it into the four already existing braids he continued. "She favours powerful spells from the beginning, if you can wait and draw her out she will tire. This also gives you the benefit of making her feel cocky, since she will feel that you can do little other than defend yourself against her. I know you want to humiliate her, just wait for the right moment."

He tied off the braid with both a spell and a physical tie, preventing Harry's opponent from just Summoning the tie and distracting Harry with his own hair. Harry turned to him and kissed the corner of his husband's expressive mouth, stating softly, "Thank you. Both for the hair and the advice, which is appreciated. Also I must thank you for not trying to persuade me to cancel the duel entirely."

"I would never do such a thing," Severus stated firmly, ignoring the praise entirely as was his usual. "I have heard what the students like to say about you, despite what you may think. As much as I would like to, I cannot fight all of your battles for you. I swore to keep you safe and happy, but I know you have reached your limit."

"I am happy," Harry said quietly. "I have never known such a freeing life yet. I went from being the equivalent of a house elf to being a hero for a world that didn't care what I wanted. Marrying you has been a liberation for me, both emotionally and physically. I have never been one with a forceful personality, though I feel guilty at times for putting that much control and responsibility on your shoulders. I sometime worry that I am not so much an equal for you as a burden."

Severus cupped the curve of his left cheek in his hand, thumb running a soothing line along his throat. Looking directly into Harry's eyes he said in a firm, unyielding voice, "You are never a burden to me, Harry. I feel much the same as you about our union and I am glad to be that steady person for you. I know Black and Lupin have tried, but their own lives have been so distracting that they have had little time for you. I am doing my best to pick up where they left off and make sure that you are always the focus in my life."

"I am not an emotional man, Harry," Severus continued, his voice a bit gruff, "but I care deeply for you."

Harry smiled. "I know," he said softly, "I can see it in your eyes and the way you treat me. There are other ways to communicate besides words, Severus. You are a most eloquent individual, both in spoken and unspoken words."

There was a firm knock at the door, finishing their conversation for them. They both stood, Harry sliding into his gloves and strapping them closed, flexing his fingers to make sure that they weren't too tight or stiff after being stored for almost a year. Severus moved over and answered the door, where Blaise Zabini waited patiently.

"I am here to escort you and Harry Potter-Prince to the Common Room. Preparations have finished and Parkinson awaits."

Severus dipped his head in acknowledgement and stepped aside to let Harry exit their quarters first. Blaise bowed his head respectfully and stated to Harry, "As the one who challenged you have the right of arriving last. Parkinson has chosen Astoria Greengrass as her Second."

Harry's eyes widened in minute surprise. Astoria was a sixth year but that wasn't why he was so surprised. "Daphne is probably not very pleased with that development."

"She is not," Blaise confirmed. "Astoria is the younger and as such she has suffered from jealousy and an inferiority complex. She sees this no doubt as the first stepping stone to her desire to supplant Daphne both in the eyes of the House and within her family."

"Instead it will do the opposite," Severus stated.

Blaise inclined his head to his Head of House. "Just so, sir. House Greengrass will not be pleased to hear that one of their children so openly opposed a respected member of the House, she will be lucky if her father does not decide to pre-empt a betrothal and get her married off as soon as she is seventeen. Unity is important within a school house, but more so within a Noble family."

Blaise gave the password ('Aristocracy') and they passed into the Slytherin common room. They took a left, opening a door Harry hadn't really noticed before in his perusal of the Slytherin common room. Within was a large bare room with stone pillars and a vaulted ceiling. There was a series of plaforms for observing students to sit on but the majority of the room was empty. Severus departed from Harry's side, moving to stand with Draco and Daphne, who waited outside of a shimmering silver ring.

The enchanted dueling ring was oval shaped and probably fifty feet from end to end. It's edges marked the area that was within regulations for a duel, moving outside of the ring was an immediate disqualification. The shimmering ring would also produce a barrier to absorb wayward spells, protecting those observing the duel.

Word had spread through Slytherin house and from where Harry was standing in the shadows he was fairly certain the entirety of Slytherin had showed up to watch. Good. Blaise stood to his left and two steps back, waiting for his cue. He stepped forward smartly, walking confidently to stand just outside of the ring. He knew he was an impressive sight in his formal dueling gear, certainly a contrasting sight to Parkinson, who stood directly across from him in clothing that protected her probably little more than her school outfit.

Harry savoured the rising murmur of voices, noting with cold satisfaction that Parkinson appeared to be getting paler by the moment as she observed his fitted, well-worn battle gear. She had apparently thought he was going to back out. Harry could admit right here at this moment that he was greatly looking forward to this.

Draco raised his wand and quickly flashed a 'Lumos Maxima' over the crowd, gathering their quiet attention. "Today we witness a formal duel between the parties of Pansy Parkinson of House Parkinson and Harry Potter-Prince, Lord of House Potter and Consort to House Prince. Challenge was raised by Potter-Prince against Parkinson due to verbal offenses laid against blood and conduct."

The noise level rose a bit with his final words as students discussed the terms with each other. They fell silent again as Daphne spoke, listening carefully. "Terms are as follows: no Unforgivables or illegal spells will be used, fight is until one opponent is disabled and unable to continue. The Second can chose to fight for their fallen Champion or back out in the face of superior skill and abilities. To do so they need to vocally surrender."

"Are both Champions clear on the terms?" Draco called, to which both Harry and Pansy answered an affirmative. "Then enter the dueling ring."

Harry accepted a graceful bow and verbal encouragement from Blaise, stepping into the circle. He felt a buzz of magic along his skin as he stepped inside, setting both feet firmly to balance his weight and drawing his wand, holding it loosely in his right hand. Parkinson mirrored his actions but instead of standing steady she moved into an aggressive beginning stance.

"Begin!" Severus called firmly.

As Severus had predicted, Pansy aggressively threw a Blasting Hex at him, which he chose to simply dodge. Her next spell was an Entrails-Expelling Curse, up a few ranks power-wise from her hex. Harry dodged this one as well, staying on the balls of his feet and using an economy of motion, not wasting time in elaborate flourishes.

By using such powerful spells right off the bat she was putting herself at a considerable disadvantage. As the fight wore on she would not only tire quickly as Severus had told Harry, but she would eventually be unable to power the stronger spells at all and would be forced to fall back on the simplest of jinxes and hexes. It was one of the things Harry himself had warned the DA against back in fifth year.

"Start small, finish strong," he'd advised. "You can have the best physical endurance in the world but your magic has only the capacity to handle a limited amount of constant use. Don't be flashy, stick with what is small and works well. Chain your spells when possible, eliminate flourishes in your casting and you will stay alive."

He used his own advice now, dodging gracefully and chaining progressively more powerful Shielding Charms. Parkinson was becoming cocky and even more aggressive, thus not noticing when his shields went from passive to the more aggressive type, not only stopping spells from hitting him but rebounding them back against the barrier ring.

Sensing the opportunity for his first hit against the girl he moved left and carefully angled his shield. As he had hoped, the girl's Blasting Hex backfired and struck her in the knee, earning a shriek of pain as it broke her leg. Her spells were already losing power, normally a correctly cast Blasting Hex would have shattered her kneecap.

Harry used her temporary incapacitation to smoothly switch from defensive to aggressive, throwing a 'Diffindo' in her direction. The spell sliced open her left cheek, earning a gasp of pain and a wildly thrown 'Expelliarmus' which he easily dodged.

Harry had decided enough was enough. It was time to humiliate this stupid little bitch. He threw one of his most complicated spell chains in her direction, watching in amused satsifaction. The first was an Expelliarmus which she didn't manage to dodge, throwing her wand across the dueling ring into the disqualifying space beyond. Second was an overpowered Petrificus Totalus, which bound her body entirely. Last but certainly not least was a normal Knockback Jinx, which threw the girl's bound body out of the ring before she even lost her balance, slamming her into the floor a good five feet out of the circle.

He kept his wand steady and aimed in the direction of Astoria, daring the girl to come into the circle against him. She was pale with fright and her eyes wide. "I y-yield to your superior skills, Potter-Prince."

"The duel has finished, Potter-Prince has won his claim against Parkinson. What price do you lay against House Parkinson, Potter-Prince?" Draco asked formally.

"She is to be demoted," Harry called firmly, so that everyone could hear him, certainly Parkinson could from where she was still bound on the floor. "I have had enough of those students who would doubt my intelligence and magical skills. She will have the rank of a third-year student until such time that she earns back the right to her privileges as a seventh-year. Let her humiliation and loss stand as a warning to anyone else who would accuse me of lacking intelligence or buying my way through classes with sexual favours. You doubt and disrepect not only myself and my rank within the House but that of my husband as well, who has more than earned and deserved your respect."

More than one student lowered their eyes, abashed by his words. There were a few that still remained defiant, but they were also clearly cowed by his magical abilities and would not dare cross him. Satisfied, his eyes swung to Parkinson. He noted with a snort that she was still bound stiff on the floor, the students unable to remove his Petrificus spell. He flicked his wand, freeing her suddenly and gaining wary, respectful glances from the students who had been working to free her.

Severus handed over potions to Astoria with curt instructions to heal Parkinson, one of the other seventh years having already correctly set the broken leg to the accompanying pitiful screams from Parkinson. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes and turned his back on the sight, instead looking to Blaise who watched him with respect clear in his dark eyes.

"I thank you for your willingness to stand with me, Blaise Zabini. Should you have a similar need in the future, I will be more than willing to return the favour."

"It was an honour to stand with you, Potter-Prince." Blaise replied formally, before adding with some amusement, "Even if that aid turned out to be unnecessary. Please do remind me never to get on your bad side however."

Harry snorted in amusement at Blaise's dry words and nodded, exiting the dueling chambers. He walked quietly back to his quarters, taking his time as he knew Severus would stay behind to make sure Parkinson was correctly healed, or at least healed enough to attend classes tomorrow without suspicious behaviour. He would do nothing for the bruises she would no doubt have tomorrow morning, nor would he completely heal the cut on her cheek. She would have to hide that with a Glamour.

He shed his battle gear and placed it carefully on a rack. It would be specially cleaned and then returned to him by the morning, when he would replace it in the special clothing box that kept it supple and ready at a moment's notice. He also unraveled his husband's careful braiding job with a spell, running his fingers through his hair to undo any tangles.

He entered the bathroom and ran a hot shower, stepping in and shuddering in pleasure as the water coursed over his body and his tight muscles. He hadn't been relaxing for very long when his senses alerted him to the fact that he was not alone. He turned carefully and a blush crept up his skin when he realised that Severus had quietly walked into the bathroom and promptly chosen to join his young husband in the shower.

This was new territory for them both and Harry couldn't have possibly even begun to stop his blush from spreading as his eyes darted over his husband's naked form. Severus kept the situation from becoming too awkward, reaching deliberately past Harry for the shampoo and indicating for Harry to turn so that he could wash his hair.

Harry did so, hyper-aware of Severus' position in relation to his, his breathing escalating slightly. The man's fingers were soothing however, deftly smoothing the shampoo into his hair and massaging his scalp as he worked it into a generous lather. He nudged Harry forward into the spray with a gentle hand on the nape of his neck, causing Harry's skin to tingle at the contact.

Once he'd conditioned Harry's hair as well Severus reached for something else but was stopped by Harry, who motioned for them to switch places. He did so without a word, watching Harry with sharp, dark eyes as he did the same for Severus, washing the man's hair for him which was thinner and smoother textured than Harry's own. It was surprisingly silky, even when wet. This made Harry realise that he'd never actually touched Severus' hair before and he was surprised at the revelation.

From his current position it was easy for Severus to grab the bottle of body wash, pouring a generous amount into his hands. Carefully, he reached out and touched Harry's shoulders, wordlessly asking permission. Harry took a deep, shaky breath and nodded. His skin felt like it contained a thousand live wires, every touch of Severus' calloused fingers alighting a set of nerves he'd either never noticed or just ignored.

His breathing hitched when the man ran his hands down his front to his ribs and flat stomach. Harry calmed himself of a sort and didn't stop the man's fingers from their gentle exploration of his skin. Long digits ran slowly in circles over his hips before sliding down his thighs. He turned without needing a prompt and sighed as those same fingers trailed over the slightly tense muscles in his shoulders and back. He trembled slightly however when they ran to the small of his back and over his arse.

It was shockingly sensual situation and he bit his lip, unable to stop his body from taking interest in what was going on. Not that he wanted to do so. Even though he was slightly embarrassed and overwhelmed with the new situation he was enjoying his husband's firm touch. It was unexpected but certainly not unpleasant. He rinsed the suds off, turning lightly and questioningly taking the bottle into his own hands. Severus surveyed his face, searching for hesitation. Finding none, he nodded, relaxing and closing his dark eyes as Harry tentatively reached out and touched his skin.

Overwhelmed by the trust Severus was showing him, Harry's touch was light, trembling at first. He slowly gained confidence however as he followed the same lines Severus had used on his own body, stroking over a slender body that he was quickly discovering hid a wealth of wiry muscle and toning underneath. There were scars from the war, both on his chest and back as well as his arms, but Harry had his own scars from his life and the white lines mattered little to him. If anything they proved to him that Severus was a strong individual, a survivor. He was as well, according to his mind-Healer.

He was slightly disappointed when Severus rinsed off the lather and they exited the shower, drying themselves thoroughly. That was until Severus stopped him from dressing in his sleepwear and lead them both naked into the bedroom. Harry's breath caught, the nonverbal question Severus was asking him obvious. Trembling a little, Harry stepped closer, taking the man's sharp, angular face in his hands and kissed him firmly on the lips. After a single, surprised moment Severus took control of the kiss and Harry submitted gladly.

That night, their relationship turned a page that Harry would never regret taking, not for a single moment in his entire life. Lying quietly in his husband's arms, head on his chest and their bodies both still entwined and intimately joined, he smiled softly against the man's skin. No, he would never regret making the decision to wed Severus Snape.