Pledges Epilogue Disclaimers etc.. See part 1
Author's notes: Its DOOONE!! *does the happy dance* Now to edit it and get rid of the little
things that are bothering me. But maybe AFTER the semester ends.
For those of you who want to start at the begining, here's the link
Thanks to ALL of you who have responded. I'm terribly bad at replying to feedback and half of it
is stuck on my other computer. Know that I appreciate every words that's sent. Thank you to
everyone who's help my hand through this.
Epilogue 1/1
Severus woke up just as weary as when he'd fallen asleep. The last weeks of school had never
been this tiring, but then he'd never gone through them as Potions Master and Headmaster. The
title still confounded him and made him weary of his own shadow. Also, the castle had been used
to someone with a more exuberant sense of humor and it felt he needed to lighten up. Thus, he
occasionally found himself running into a wall that had not been there seconds before. Oddly, it
did not annoy him so much as clarify how much he missed Albus.
Harry moaned beside him, "Tell me its not morning already." Harry was also carrying a larger
burden, aside from the newts, Harry was also taking the tests that would give him his teaching
credentials in both Potions and Dada. It was the only way to convince the Ministry, and Arthur to
let Harry out of most of his classes in favor of private tutoring.
They had learned, through some spectacular explosions that thanks to the spell he had all the
theoretical knowledge as Severus, but not of the practical experience The private lessons had
covered much more than the standard curriculum because Severus had several years of University
experience and several decades of life. The newts had taken on an entirely new meaning, because
of the way they were scored, Harry couldn't use the more advanced magic from Severus'
repertoire.
So a new set of lessons had been added, so that he could learn to perform with the imposed
limitations.
Then the DADA teacher, a more wretched person Severus had never met, had tendered his
resignation. They never had seen eye to eye. Apparently he had several Aurors in the family which
had been regularly casting aspersions on his background, competency and all around status as a
human being. His marriage had been the last straw. After Harry had related the story on how the
teacher had tried to 'save him', he had no problems accepting the resignation.
But that left him with two, possibly three vacancies to fill. It had become apparent that he could
no teach potions any more, nor be head of house, the latter was easily solved, Sinistra would take
over. Then Minerva had announced that she was ready to move on. That left transfiguration,
Head of Gryffindor and the deputy position open. A completely untenable situation.
Harry had suggested a private dinner to discuss the problem. After much wine, Minerva
eventually agreed to stay on for at least another year to train her replacement, Harry. They'd had
an argument with the castle over removing the wards from Harry's protection, and if he ever had
another one it would be too soon. He did not appreciate his rooms being moved to the roof. It
had not wanted to give up Harry and Harry had agreed. It made sense, in an odd way.
The dinner had eventually brought about the suggestion that Harry take over, one of the empty
positions. Severus felt the need to point out her recent bout of temporary insanity, by stating that
Harry would be scarcely older than most of his students.
"How about first year through fourth?" Harry suggested.
"You would be old enough, but that still leaves the rest." Severus pointed out.
"No." Harry shook his head, "First through fourth for BOTH Potions and DADA."
Minerva nodded, "It could work, you could teach the older ones Severus, hire an assistant," she
said before he could object, "Make him do all the marking and preparations, maybe take over a
class or two when the need arises."
And thus more classes were added to his schedule.
Finding an assistant had been easy. Most Universities with advanced potions degrees had a year
internship. Hogwarts being a top school, got a top candidate. Of course, Severus nearly had a
heart attack when George Weasley's file came across his desk.
It was only several hours later when he was overcome with uncontrollable laughter at the thought
of the sweet, sweet revenge the next year would be.
Harry moaned beside him again, "We should get up, I'm not in the mood for any tasteless jokes
today."
Severus silently agreed, but didn't move.
Over the course of the last few months, the silent stares had given way to whispered
conversations to out right accusations, to full out brawls and harassment and finally, when it
became apparent that none of what was being accused had or was currently going on, tasteless
jokes.
Beside him, the bed shifted as Harry started to roll out of bed, "What's on your schedule today?"
"Meetings, paperwork, meetings, classes, paperwork, meetings and tests." Severus muttered.
Harry stumbled to the bathroom, "You're repeating yourself."
Severus swung his legs off the bed, "You haven't seen my schedule, those things bear repeating."
Harry's head poked out from behind the door, a tired smile graced his face, "Suddenly, I find my
schedule entirely relaxing. I'm having lunch with Sirius, by the way. So I won't see you 'till
potions."
He sighed, "Don't let that man distract you to thoroughly, today's lesson needs your full
concentration."
"You always say that!" Harry yelled from behind the door.
"And its always true!" He yelled back.
Severus shook his head, he was having a conversation, through a door. What had happened to
him? He didn't even want to contemplate it.
Harry swept out of their rooms in the sort of whirlwind that only the young and running late
seemed to be able to accomplish. A, "See you later!" was yelled in his general direction even as
the outer door was closing.
Severus muttered incoherencies to himself as he prepared for the long arduous day ahead.
******
Severus was running late. Of course, that had started about 4 hours earlier when his class had run
late with a spectacular explosion that had shifted his entire schedule. Walking down the hallway,
he heard muted voices coming from his classroom. The bond told him that one of them was
Harry, but it wasn't until he was at the door that he recognized the other's as Black's.
"...How are you really, Harry? You look horrible. Both of you do." That was Black's voice, he
did sound genuinely concerned.
Severus inched closer to the door, seeing if he could peek in. He hoped that Harry was sufficiently
distracted not to notice him.
"I'm just tired, Sirius. It's been a long week." Harry was setting up his cauldron and gathering
ingredients.
"So everything's alright then? With... Severus?" Black looked uncomfortable even asking.
Harry was carefully scrubbing out the cauldron, "Fine, not that we've had much chance to talk
recently," Harry gave a small snort, "Hell, we haven't even been in the same room to anything
other than sleep in nearly..." he trailed off, a shocked look coming over his face.
"What? Harry?"
"We haven't... we haven't had sex in... over a week." It was a shocking revelation. For both of
them.
What did that mean? Severus leaned back against the cool dungeon wall, his mind spinning with
possibilities.
Black's voice wafted over to him again, "...that means?! Harry! That's terrific!"
What in the HELL?? What was the flea bitten mongrel going on about?
"...you can get away Harry! Go on vacation, away from him!" Black was babbling.
Harry was... silent.
Severus was... unable to comprehend the concept.
Black continued, "Harry. Harry? What's wrong? Don't you understand what this means?"
"Yes." Harry's subdued voice answered, "but remember, when this started, we could barely go
several hours without shagging. This could be, well, a loosening of the noose."
A loosening of the noose? What the hell was that supposed to mean? He faced facts. This may
very well be the beginning of the end. He admitted to himself that he liked his life the way it was.
Sure he still felt like a ridiculous old man. But he was still a man. A man who was having sex on a
very regular basis. There was something very soothing in that.
"Harry, you're not listening to me." Black persisted. "Don't you want to get away for a while?
Have some time to yourself? Some privacy?"
Harry stopped his almost, at this point, obsessive cleaning of the cauldron and stared down at a
nonexistent stain. "Sirius." He began, in a steady, but hushed tone. "I don't think that going
halfway around the world would grant me the type of privacy you're thinking about. Just because
we don't feel the need to have shag like there's no tomorrow doesn't mean that all the rest that
came with it is suddenly gone." His hands began their movements again and he let out a quiet
sigh. "And just because that part of the spell is... fading, it doesn't mean that I'm so eager to get
rid of the rest."
That was enough. That conversation was not one Black should be privy to, at least, not before
Harry and himself had, had a chance to talk about it. Alone. Privately. Without nattering little
blowhards trying to get their way.
There was a startled silence in the room and he took his chance. Making loud sounds with his feet
he deliberately began speaking before he reached the door, "Harry, I know that I'm late, but if
you've made any sort of mess in there I will drag you to the highest tower and hang you from it
by your toes... and I'll use your entrails for wall hangings!"
Harry looked vaguely startled but he snapped out, "The castle would never let you. It likes me
better."
"No," he countered, "it just hasn't figured out how to annoy you to the point of insanity."
Harry snickered. "Probably. But until that happens, I'm going to stick by my previous statement."
Sirius was looking at them in confusion. "I think I'll just be going." He was already edging his
way to the door.
"The best thing that's happened all day." Severus said.
"You," Harry pointed to him, "behave. You," he turned to Sirius, "Go, I'll see you later."
The lesson proceeded without much more conversation. They both had little energy for it. Just as
Severus was leaving for another meeting, he turned to Harry, "I've been thinking."
"Yes?"
"Let's have dinner in our rooms tonight." He said. It had been something they had avoided
because it just caused more trouble with the general population of Hogwarts. But they were both
genuinely exhausted and there was a much needed conversation that needed to happen.
Harry stared at him intently for a few moments before nodding. "That sounds... nice. Might even
be worth the jokes we'll get the next morning."
He let out a soft snort, "I'll see you tonight then. I'll talk to the house elves."
"Ok." Harry seemed like he was about to say more, but he stopped and shook his head and said
only, "I'll clean up here." He put a hand to forestall any protesting, "I know, I know. Mess up
anything and I'm strung up by some uncomfortable body part from a very tall place."
He nodded and swept out with his customary swiftness.
*****
Ron, Hermione and Draco were sitting at a small table in the corner. Sometime after
Dumbledore's death, the hall had rearranged itself and instead of 4 very large and long rectangular
tables there were now, many, many more smaller round tables. They could each fit about 10 to 15
people.
At first, the houses had retained their strict delineation. But eventually Draco had stood up and
said something to the effect of, "Damnit, I'm shagging them, I should damn well be able to eat
with them." It seemed logical and no one was willing to argue. Especially since it involved
confronting Hermione.
Now, while there were still several tables that contained only a single house, there were a few that
had a curious mixture.
"Where's Harry?" Asked Ron.
"He said something about Dinner in his rooms." Hermione answered.
Ron made a face, "I wish he wouldn't do that."
"Do what?" Draco asked, knowing full well the basic idea of what disturbed Ron.
"Make it easy for people to hurt him." Ron answered.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Now what on earth do you mean by that?"
Ron shrugged, "Its just, by not eating here, Harry's just drawing attention to his... situation."
Now Draco raised an eyebrow, "I'm curious. Why does everyone treat this like some sort of
horrible affliction?" Ron looked at him incredulously. He continued, "Really, the way I see it,
they're getting laid on a pretty regular basis and don't you dare make that look, you know as well
as I do, that man has some definite merits. Also, its not like they're badly matched. Have you even
watched them together?"
Hermione's eyes glazed over a bit as she was trying to recall as many incidents as possible
between the two in question, "I'm not sure I know what you mean, they try so hard not to be
together in public."
Draco nodded, "But think about when they are, do they look unhappy? Resigned? Seriously
wishing they could be anywhere else but where they were?"
Ron shrugged, "I don't know. Whenever they're forced to be together in public they look awfully
uncomfortable."
"But Ron," Hermione interupted with a look on her face that said she had finally gotten what
Draco was trying to say, "That's only when everyone is looking at them. Think about when we've
been alone with them, not here, in the great hall with all those prying eyes, but that time Professor
Snape let us use his rooms for the study session."
Draco nodded in satisfaction, "Right. No tension."
"What about all that snapping they did?" Ron asked.
Hermione just looked pointedly at him and then at Draco.
"Oh." Ron squeaked. "You mean they..." He trailed off, obviously too horrified to voice the
thought.
"Yep." Draco confirmed. "They are definately using each other for more than a good shag."
Ron didn't respond, he just dug back into his food with a gusto, obviously needing some time to
get used to the idea.
"The question is," Hermione voiced Draco's unspoken concern, "Do *they* know that?"
Draco snorted, "Probably not, but if they don't figure it out soon. I'm going to have a little talk
with 'Daddy'"
Ron choked at the mention of the nickname that Draco and Harry had used to thouroughly
confuse the rest of the school, yet once more time several months ago. But wisely, remained
silent.
******
Harry was sprawled on the sofa in the living room, book perched on his chest, eyes half closed,
enjoying not doing anything for the first time all day. The dinner weighed heavily on his mind. He
had a vague idea why Severus had asked, he wasn't oblivious and if he hadn't figured it out
before, Harry's own revelation had to have triggered it. Their connection had a way of supplying
information without them realizing it was being supplied.
A quiet click from the door signaled what Harry already knew. Severus had come back. The
house elves had set up a table sitting in the corner. It was covered in linen and hat two elegant
candle sticks glowing softly. There was wine and simple meal that had been taunting his senses
from the moment he arrived.
They didn't need to speak as they moved to the table. The hunger was palpable. They dug in,
enjoying the savory meal, their bodies thankful for the fuel they were giving it. They conversed in
muted tones, telling each other of the ups and downs of their day. The amusing moments, the
annoying ones.
Finally, Harry looked up and met Severus' eyes directly, "I had an... interesting conversation with
Sirius today."
"I know." Severus, sipped the wine before him.
"I figured you might," Harry gave an awkward smile, "I realized that we haven't... that we
haven't done more than sleep for about a week."
"That had also come to my attention." Severus studied his wine glass, waiting for Harry to
continue, to see where he was going.
"I want to try..."he paused, gathering his words, "Could you stand up?"
Raising an eyebrow, Severus did as he asked.
Harry walked around the table and stood in front of him. "I don't feel... that is, the compulsion
isn't there."
Severus shook his head, "The same for me."
"Good." Harry nodded, "Then you'll know that when I do this," Harry tangled his fingers in
Severus' hair, his palms framing the high cheekbones, "You'll know that it was my decision." He
swayed forward, brushing lips against lips., The soft kiss went on for a few seconds before Harry
pulled back to whisper harshly, "Mine."
Severus stared into the green eyes in front of him and watched the pupils dilate in desire. Harry's
desire. Not some god forsaken spell pulling their strings. It was the most arousing thing he'd seen
in years. Something uncurled in the pit of his stomach, spreading warmth to the tips of his fingers.
He wrapped his arms around the now familiar waist and tugged Harry into his embrace. "Yours."
He agreed, "And mine."
They kissed again. It was strange, at first, with no compulsion to urge them on. So they stood
there and enjoyed the new sensation of simply kissing. They eventually found their way back to
the sofa, with Harry straddling Severus' lap. Severus' longer torso just made it easier in that
position.
The heat of Severus' thighs burned against Harry's own and the slow exploration of tongues soon
became marked with small gasps of pleasure. Robes were shrugged off and shirts unbuttoned. The
flickering firelight gave unaccustomed color to pale flawless skin. The deep shadows of the room
hid imperfections that unhurried caresses stumbled over. Knowledge that had been gathered
fleetingly on previous occasions was explored thoroughly.
Eventually Severus' hands grabbed possessively at Harry's hips and pulled them into alignment
with his own. That brought gasp and moan from both of them before they settled into a slow and
steady rhythm. They pressed together, chest to sternum, eyes locked together letting the feelings
build slowly, the harsh panting becoming uneven, the moans louder, until finally Harry plunged
forward into a harsh, demanding kiss before jumping off Severus' lap entirely.
A protest died on Severus' tongue as he watched Harry frantically undoing his trousers. Instead,
he followed the example set before him, unbuttoning and then shoving everything down as far as
he could make them go. He struggled bravely with the bends of his knees, but his wildy beating
heart and sweaty, shaking hands wouldn't let them get any further down. He looked up to see
how Harry was fairing and nearly exploded at the sight of Harry, lube in hand, obviously
summoned from their night stand, preparing himself.
Wandless magic was a wonderful thing.
A few more seconds and Harry let out a frustrated sound, capped the bottle, a dropped it, none
too gently onto the carpet before practically jumping back into Severus' lap.
A quiet hiss was let out as bare skin once again met. Harry's right hand, glistening, coated his
length. Rising up on his knees, he scooted forward, braced himself and slowly sank down.
Oh god! There was nothing like that. Like that hot, tight, heat capturing him. Nothing like being
able to enjoy it. To hold out on it. To take it slowly, at his own pace, not some preordained
cadence.
They ground their hips together, not moving more than needed to send sparks racing through
their bodies. Finally the pressure built and they needed more. Severus' slid down on the couch,
allowing Harry more purchase. The younger man raised his hips and dropped them. Faster and
faster. Harder and harder.
A fine sheen of sweat coated both of them as their pace increased.
Pleasure built into a bowstring, taught and powerful.
Hands clenched tightly, knuckles white with exertion.
Muscles tense, hips moving like well oiled machines.
This is what he needed. What they needed. No one pulling strings. No one making decisions for
them. No one else, *nothing* else but them and the now overwhelming pleasure building inside
them.
"Severus..." Harry's rough voice filtered into his foggy brain.
"Harry..." He ground out. He removed one hand from Harry's hips and grabbed sweat soaked
hair, pulling the flushed face before him to his lips. Teeth and lips and tongues clashed in a near
violent expression of emotion.
They broke apart, taking huge gulps of air, Harry murmured against his lips, "More... need
more..."
Severus slid them off the sofa, /Yes... more/.
Harry fell back and Severus fell with him, pushing Harry's legs up and back, gaining purchase and
starting their rhythm once more. Faster, deeper.
/God yes/ Harry whispered in his head.
/Oh yes/ Severus responded.
It was only a matter of time before the movements became frantic. Severus wove a hand between
them and grasped the heated length resting at their stomachs.
Harry arched up into the touch, panting, muscles twitching. A few more frenzied thrusts and he
stiffened, mouth open in a silent scream, he convulsed.
Severus was swallowed alive in that clenching heat and with one final plunge, ecstacy flew
through his body, leaving him shaking and spent.
They lay sprawled on the floor, boneless heaps, muscles jelly. Chests heaving and sweat drying on
their cooling bodies.
Harry mumbled something. Severus felt the warm breath against his ear and a small residual shiver
went through his body. A blanket covered them both. More wandless magic.
Where did the whelp find the energy?
Severus shifted them both onto their sides, still intertwined. "This is going to be hell on my back."
He mumbled.
Harry smiled into his neck and answered, "But just think about your ego."
"Mmm, yes, sodomizing the boy who lived into unconsciousness, I'll be most popular one in the
playground." He grumbled, eyelids slowly lowering.
"That's what you get for marrying up." Harry quipped and then punctuated it with large yawn.
"Shut up and go to sleep you annoying little twerp."
"That's annoying little twerp who's an incredibly good shag, to you."
"Do you ever shut up?" Severus asked, not one to let the last word be that easily surrendered.
Harry opened his mouth to comment, but found it invaded by a questing tongue.
"I said," Severus hissed, "Go. To Sleep."
Blessed silence pervaded the room for several long minutes until he heard a soft whisper, "Good
night, Severus."
Annoying obnoxious, stupid, incredibly shaggable, brat.
******
Severus apparated just outside of the house at #4 Privet Drive. The family inside were sitting and
staring blindly at the square box in the corner. For all its supposed advantages, the television had
to be a detriment to muggle society as a whole.
He got a good look at the interior of the room and let a malicious smile spread across his face.
And then, just for the hell of it, he apparated. Right into the center of the room.
The man, Vernon, spluttered indignantly. The woman and the boy squeaked like vermin.
"Who the hell are you? What in the HELL are you doing here?" Vernon spat, obviously having
recovered. Severus was rather surprised the man hadn't had a heart attack, considering his
obvious physical detriments.
"I am here to inform you that you are relieved of your duties as guardian of one Harry Potter."
Severus informed them and then waited for what he had been assured would be a spectacular
show.
The littlest, and that was only relative, vermin spoke up, "You mean the freak's never coming
back? What'd he do get himself sent away or something? For being too freakish?"
A minor twinge of rage raced through his veins, but it was kept in check by what he planned to
do. "No you annoying little twerp, he did not get put away."
"Don't you call me son names you monstrosity!" Vernon was positively molting. "As for the boy,
it wouldn't surprise me, all the trouble that he was."
"I will call your poor excuse for a son anything I wish you pompous overgrown pig!" Severus
shot back, "As for Harry," he emphasized the name, just to rub it in, "He found relations that are
of a closer degree than you and considering your primate status, it wasn't that hard. He has
chosen to spend the remainder of his time before becoming 18 with him."
Severus stalked closer to the bloated man and continued in a harsh tone, "As for his supposed
behavior, Harry has caused me more trouble than your feverish imagination could ever dream of
and I have never treated him the way you have. I have been privy to much of Harry's childhood
memories and you are extremely lucky that you did not venture too far out of the realm of verbal
abuse. But if I ever find out that you did. That you engaged in physical or psychological torture of
ANY kind, you won't even have the time to pray to whatever deity you have the misguided belief
to think might be watching over you before I strike."
Vernon leapt, or as close to a leap that he could manage, Severus, simply waved his hand and he
fell to the floor with a loud thud. There was shriek of noise from behind him, he whirled and did
the same to Petunia and Dudley, who had been attempting to sneak out the back. He levitated
them back to the sofa and put a simple binding curse on them.
"You're incredibly lucky that," he started again, "that young man is not in fact going to stay with
you this summer, or ever again. In all your years of hatred and scorn, did it ever occur to you that
one day he would reach the age of majority in the wizarding world and not have to worry about
little things such as a restriction on the use of magic. You think I am powerful you should see
him." He was satisfied to see that by the time he'd finished, all three of them had gone white
faced.
He began to pace in front of them, stopping to face Vernon, "And really, what did you expect to
accomplish by leaping at me? Even if I didn't have my wand drawn, that is if I had actually needed
it, were you planning on bludgeoning me to death? Or merely suffocating me with your massive
girth." He smirked at all of them, "A bit of advice for the future, that rash attitude of yours
probably doesn't endear you to many people. Maybe that's why you haven't had a promotion in
years. Stop trying to find other people to blame your faults on. It isn't very becoming."
He adjusted the hex a bit, it would get progressively more uncomfortable for several hours before
releasing. Severus let loose another wolfish smile and said "Have a good day." and apparated
away, making a mental note to share the memory in its entirety with harry for his birthday.
******
Harry's birthday came as surprise to both of them. In the final streams of tests for Harry and
meetings and interviews for Severus a letter came from Mrs. Weasley for one Harry Potter and
guest, inviting them to dinner, in a weeks time, at the Weasley house with the whole family.
Harry had blinked repeatedly at the invitation and looked at Severus.
Severus held up under that gaze for a matter of minutes before he gave in with rolled eyes and a
tired nod.
Harry thanked him by pouncing him and dragging him to the floor. All in all, not a bad day.
The evening of July 31 found Severus and Harry taking the floo to the Weasley's humble abode.
They tumbled out one right after the other landing, somewhat awkwardly, right on top of each
other. Harry looked up into the slightly reproving eyes of Mrs. Weasley and quickly scrambled off
Severus.
They dusted off and found their way to the table. Fred, George, Arthur and Ginny were already
there. Bill and Charlie, apparently couldn't make it.
"Ron and Hermione should be here any minute dears, get comfortable." Molly yelled from behind
the stove. Harry sat down next to Severus and counted the plates, there were four empty. Harry
wondered out loud about it.
"Hermione is bringing a friend." Molly answered with a singsong type voice that said she
suspected that whoever Hermione was bringing, it was more than a friend.
Harry and the rest if the Weasley's made small talk, killing time. Severus sat, tense, next to him.
Not saying a word. Harry made no move to include because the one and only time he'd tried,
Severus had sent a mental warning. As Harry didn't want to be suspended out of some high tower
somewhere, he didn't try again.
A loud commotion from the fireplace signaled the arrival of the last of the guests, Molly rushed
out to greet them, eager to see who the third guest would be.
They could hear her muffled voice, "Ron! Hermione! So good to see you again! And... oh!...
Draco... I wasn't expecting you."
Everyone at the table save, Harry, Severus and Ginny were surprised at the newest guest who was
walking into the room.
"Thank you for having me Mrs. Weasley." Draco said, showing the room, that yes, when he
wanted to, he could have manners.
Molly stuttered and shushed him, "Its Molly, dear. Call me Molly."
Draco smiled and took the place that was offered him at the table.
Most discussion stopped in favor of eating the sumptuous meal placed before them. As plates
emptied and refilled themselves, the shoveling slowed and words could be gotten in edgewise.
"Hermione," Molly started, "Tell me what you're going to do now that you've finished Hogwarts.
My own son won't give me the satisfaction. Keeps muttering something about a surprise. It
would be nice to hear about someone's plans."
Hermione finished what she was chewing slowly and swallowed. Gathering her courage she began
speaking, "Well, the magical division of Oxford accepted me for their advanced Charms
curriculum. I suspect I'll stay there through my doctorate. I have some fascinating theories about
muggle advances and how they can be applied to our world."
Instead of the expected derisive mental snort from Severus, Harry got intrigue instead.
Severus leaned forward and commented, "Are you planning on working with the scientific
equipment, or just the comforts?"
Hermione smiled that brilliant smile that she got when someone was not only interested, but
capable of following on her level, "At the moment, a little bit of both. But I must admit, I was
quite intrigued by the thought of applying some of their technology to potion making. I imagine it
would make trial and error and entirely new process."
Severus raised a sardonic eyebrow, "That it would Miss Granger, that it would."
Harry smiled, "Don't let his attitude get to you Hermione, he's really interested."
Severus threw him a look.
Hermione just waved him off, "Oh don't worry Harry, I could tell. It's the same look he gave me
when I went to him with my senior project. And please, Professor, call me Hermione."
Severus twitched, "I'll try. And you may call me..." He tried to say it, really. He did. Finally he
gave up and simply said, "Whatever you wish, as long as it's properly respectful."
Hermione smiled, "Its ok. I don't think I could call you anything BUT Professor. We'll reevaluate
after my next degree."
Severus nodded in agreement.
"And you, Draco?" Arthur piped up.
"I'm also going to Oxford. Advanced transfiguration. Hermione and I are thinking of combining
our later projects." Draco said between bites.
Molly looked pointedly at Ron, "And you young man?"
Ron squirmed in his seat but answered. "I'm also going to university. The Aurors are offering
extra classes. Its like becoming a specially trained Auror."
Arthur nodded, "I know the program you're talking about, but aren't there several tests before
you're accepted?"
Ron blushed beat red, "I take the last one next week."
"Well Ron!" Molly was positively busting with pride.
Harry was also very proud of his friends, but he was sensing that there was something else going
on as well.
"Hermione, are you going to live in the dorms on campus?" Molly asked with a wistful sigh, "I
remember my days at university."
Hermione's shoulder's stiffened fractionally and Harry knew that this was where the whole thing
was going to blow up.
"I'm a... I'm getting a flat in the city." She answered tentatively.
"In Oxford?" Arthur questioned, "Isn't that a bit expensive."
"I ah... have a roommate who's helping with the rent." She blushed slightly and looked down,
hiding her face in her hair.
Molly took in the situation and quicky added up the facts, "Draco?"
The blonde actually blushed. "Um, yes?"
"Hermione." Molly was starting to get especially motherly.
"Yes?" She squeaked. "Draco is one of my roommates."
Molly visibly deflated, obviously happy with her answer, "And who is the other?"
Ron tentatively raised his hand. "I am."
Molly's smile said, 'Aw, isn't that sweet.'
Arthur's did not, "Draco, you're really going to pay for a three bedroom flat?"
"Uh.." The blush was spreading, "Not three."
"Two?" Arthur's voice was getting hard.
"Uh..."
Molly looked confused again, "What's going on here?"
Severus finally gave up the pretense and rolled his eyes, "For Merlin's sake, the three of them
have been shagging for nearly 6 months, and you three," he turned to the reluctant trio, "If you
can't talk about it, you shouldn't be doing it."
Silence.
Utter and absolute silence.
A silence like none other ever seen at the Weasley table.
Until the clapping started. Two hands, at the same time. Soon joined by a third.
Ginny, Fred and George had huge grins on their faces.
"We're proud of you." Said Fred.
"Didn't know you had it in you." Said George.
Ginny just smirked and said, "It's about time."
Molly's shocked voice rang through the room, "Ginny! You knew?"
Ginny snorted, "The whole school knew."
Molly let out another indignant yelp.
Severus leaned closer to Harry and sent, /We should have sold tickets/
Harry elbowed him in the ribs.
"Mum, Dad. Listen." Ron spoke up, "We... that is, the three of us, have spent a lot of time talking
about this and... its something we need to do."
Molly raised her eyebrow.
"Live together, without Hogwarts. See how things turn out."
Molly and Arthur stared at each other, communicating in some sort of parent code before slowly
nodding. "We want to visit this place of yours." Arthur said.
"Arthur!" Molly looked at her husband in shock.
"Molly, now is not the time to discuss this." Arthur tried placating.
Molly shot up out of her chair, pushing it back, nearly toppling it. The table shook with the
violent motion. "No Arthur, I think this is the perfect time to discuss this, we are, after all
discussing their futures. Or what will be left of them after they go off and do something foolish
like this!"
At that Ron stood up as well his chair actually falling over, "It's not foolish!"
Draco placed a placating hand on Ron's arm, "Ron, calm down."
"Get your hands off my son!" Molly all but roared.
"Oh please mum, it's a little late to worry about touching isn't it?" Ron's entire body was quaking
with unexpressed anger.
"Don't you talk to me like that, young man! I am your mother and you will treat me with
respect!"
"Fine!" Ron pushed himself from the table, making it shake, "You first." He turned on his heal
and walked away.
Molly's mouth simply flapped up and down, unsure of how to respond.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled after him.
"Ronald Weasley!" Draco yelled, "Get your stubborn arse back in here this instant!"
At the red heads silence, Draco cursed under his breath and stood up as well, following the same
path Ron had taken.
The poor kitchen door which had been abused beyond recognition by the two forceful exits did
not completely close and allowed the remaining occupants to hear the conversation going on in
the next room.
Severus leaned closer to Harry, /Draco did that on purpose. His foot stopped the momentum of
the door before it swung back./
Harry looked at Severus sharply, before returning his attention to the overheard conversation.
"Ron get back in there."
"I can't. I just... It feels like we just finished this argument at school and here we are, starting all
over again.
Draco's voice deepened, "I don't care what you feel, you're going to go back in there and discuss
this rationally. My father may have been bastard for most of my life, but his death affected me in
way you can't imagine. So you're going to go back into that room and make sure that those two
people who raised you stay in your life, by whatever means necessary."
There was a short silence, where the only things that could be heard was deep uneven breathing
and the rustling of clothing.
"Fine." Ron's voice sounded rough, "I'll go back in there, but I can't promise anything."
The two men re-entered the room to find Hermione being comforted by Ginny, the twins looking
dumbstruck, Severus and Harry waiting patiently and Molly and Arthur staring in shock at the
door.
The entire room was silent once more.
Ron took a few deep breaths, readying to speak when Arthur interrupted.
"Draco."
The blonde's head turned.
"You..." Arthur's calculating gaze assessed the couple, "You care for my son?" Hermione's's
hand had snuck up to take Ron's, "both of you?"
Hermione nodded.
"More than I ever thought possible." Draco whispered.
Arthur and Molly shared another parental look.
"Fine," Arthur said, "But as I said, I want to see this flat of yours."
"And I expect the three of you here once a month for dinner." Molly added.
The three, as a whole relaxed.
"Thank god." Fred said.
"We were worried," George continued.
"That's we'd have to wait forever,"
"For the mashed,"
"Potatoes."
The words hadn't been out of their mouths for 5 seconds when two large plops of potatoes
landed square in the twins faces.
Harry could have sworn he heard a mental whistling in his head.
An awkward silence descended, which was happily broken by Fred, George and Ginny talking and
eating as if nothing had happened.
Harry attempted to do the same. He turned to Molly and said, "Thank you for inviting Severus
tonight."
Severus tensed beside him and he instantly realized why that topic was a bad idea.
Molly smiled a very motherly smile and answered, "Well I understand you can't go very far
without each other."
Harry wasn't sure what to say to that, since in the intervening weeks, that had discovered that
Severus and he could indeed separate for an evening if necessary, it had been very helpful in
allowing Harry to take the tests he had needed to take.
"What's the matter dear?"
The ever observant parent had noticed the tension and felt the need to butt in.
"Uh... I.. That is he and I... we don't need to be around each other all the time anymore." The line
got spit out in a jumble of words.
"Oh." Molly said, "Then. Severus, thank you for coming." She was obviously not sure of what to
say.
"So what are you going to do now?" Arthur asked.
"Well. I'm almost done with the qualifications required to teach, after that, Severus and I are
going on vacation. Far away... and we're not telling the governors." Harry smiled thinking about
how many people that would annoy.
"You're going on vacation?" Molly's face had turned a bit red. "Together?"
Harry and Severus nodded, gearing up for whatever she was about to say.
"When you don't have to?" She was obviously very confused.
Harry took a deep breath, Severus' mental voice had implied that it was his problem and he had to
deal with it. "Molly. We want to. We kind of need to, the last few months have been, so out of
control. We finally have some of that back, the ability to make decisions and not be led around by
our..." Harry's voice broke off abruptly, realizing what he was about to say, "...bonds." he
finished lamely.
Severus' mental chuckling was not helping.
She was nodding absently, "I understand, you both look like you could use a vacation. I wasn't
going to mention it now, but you both look very tired." She tilted her head to one side, "But
together?"
A mental eyeroll was Harry's way. "Yes, together."
"Why?"
Draco let out a quiet snort.
"Why do you and Arthur go on vacation?" Harry's voice had taken on a decidedly sarcastic tone.
"But.. But, you, he.. Spell. It was a spell." Molly sputtered.
Ah, and now they had gotten to the one thing that the article had not touched upon or at least,
had glossed over it enough to imply that there hadn't been any improper coercion, but had not
been specific enough to go into the details of each spell.
"The spell was," Harry searched for the right word, "It was the push that we needed. There was
something we were both looking for, unconsciously on both of our parts I think. The spell just
helped us fill that role." Harry remembered the feeling of always knowing someone would be
there for him and he for them, "From there it wasn't much of a leap to want to keep that position
filled."
"But then how do you know that this is... that there isn't someone else?" Molly was trying to get
at something.
Harry shook his head, "There's a bond between us, one that won't go away, I could never BE
closer to anyone. Why would I try?"
"Why shouldn't you?" Molly snapped.
"Molly..." Arthur's tone was mildly reproachful.
"Really have you tried? Separated, or is he being selfish and not letting you?"
"Mum!" Ginny Weasley's voice punctuated the babble that had arisen.
"Stay out of this Ginny, its not your concern." Molly reprimanded.
"The hell it isn't!"
"Ginny!"
"No!"Ginny shook her head violently, "I will not stay out of this. Harry is my friend, he's
practically a member of the family and I've never seen him happier! You're going to tell me that I
shouldn't stand up for him?"
"Yes he's happy now, but for all we know it could be some telltale affects of all those spells, what
he's feeling might not even be his at all."
"Of all the people here, I think I'm the most qualified to say that these two do not act like they're
under some sort of compulsion," she blushed fiercely, "er.. Emotional compulsion."
"Qualified.?" Molly's voice held the shrill air of incredulity.
Harry shook his head, he knew what she was talking about and knew that she had always avoided
talking about it because of the painful memories it evoked.
"My first year mum. I was compelled to love someone, to want to do anything for them. To feel
the need to be theirs in every way."
Severus gasped and suddenly a wave of information went through Harry and he understood what
had been held back from him at the time, all of them it seemed from the shocked looks form
almost everyone at the table. Except for Molly and Arthur.
Molly's eyes swelled with unshed tears, "Oh my baby. I'm sorry."
"They're not in any danger," she finished shakily, "Let them be."
The rest of dinner was a quiet affair until Arthur tentatively asked George if he'd gotten notice for
his internship yet.
"I believe I can answer that question." Severus spoke up.
George turned wide eyes at them.
"I'll expect you a week before the term starts, we have several lesson plans to go over as well as
your other duties."
George squeaked.
Fred nearly fell off his chair laughing.
*****
Vacation was bliss.
Calm, children, meeting, test, reporter free bliss.
And after the one hotel manager had the gall to give them the honeymoon suite, the death glares
that had been directed his way stopped any other comments of that nature from the rest of the
staff.
Severus surprised Harry by suggesting a place with no interesting sight seeing places or tourist
attractions. Just a beach, a pool, a Jacuzzi and a very large library.
And a bed.
Sirius had been adamant about separate vacations, Harry had smacked him in the head and said
that he was an adult now and could what he damn well pleased and if being able to see directly
into Severus' mind and determine that there were no ulterior motives, other than the ones to get
laid, then Sirius was an idiot and should register somewhere for remedial classes in 'the bloody
obvious'.
He'd found out later that Sirius had come to talk to Severus. It had apparently been a very calm
talk. And just before Sirius left, he'd suggested the very place they'd ended up going. It was as
close to Sirius' blessing as they were going to get, but it still made Harry happy.
Drowsing lazily in bed for the first time in months, Harry drew lazy circles on Severus' pale flesh.
"Are you happy?"
"Am I ever happy?" Severus drawled.
Harry tried another tactic, "Would you change anything?"
"Yes, I'd have you stop asking insipid questions." Severus muttered.
Harry smiled and nipped at the closes piece of flesh. "That's it?" he asked.
Severus sighed, "Other than killing several wizards on the board of Governors? No."
"Good." Harry rolled on top of Severus and kissed him firmly on the lips, "I'll remind you of that
in 10 years."
A snort, "I expect you'll have to do that sooner."
Harry rolled his eyes and kissed him again, "Prat.
"Brat."
"Old man."
"Mr. Potter." This time in a growl.
"Professor Snape."
"Mine." His voice softened infinitesimally.
"Mine." Harry countered, just as softly.
Worries forgotten, they kissed again, lost in their newfound ownership.
And together, once again they found what they had been searching for.
Belonging.
THE END
Author's notes: Its DOOONE!! *does the happy dance* Now to edit it and get rid of the little
things that are bothering me. But maybe AFTER the semester ends.
For those of you who want to start at the begining, here's the link
Thanks to ALL of you who have responded. I'm terribly bad at replying to feedback and half of it
is stuck on my other computer. Know that I appreciate every words that's sent. Thank you to
everyone who's help my hand through this.
Epilogue 1/1
Severus woke up just as weary as when he'd fallen asleep. The last weeks of school had never
been this tiring, but then he'd never gone through them as Potions Master and Headmaster. The
title still confounded him and made him weary of his own shadow. Also, the castle had been used
to someone with a more exuberant sense of humor and it felt he needed to lighten up. Thus, he
occasionally found himself running into a wall that had not been there seconds before. Oddly, it
did not annoy him so much as clarify how much he missed Albus.
Harry moaned beside him, "Tell me its not morning already." Harry was also carrying a larger
burden, aside from the newts, Harry was also taking the tests that would give him his teaching
credentials in both Potions and Dada. It was the only way to convince the Ministry, and Arthur to
let Harry out of most of his classes in favor of private tutoring.
They had learned, through some spectacular explosions that thanks to the spell he had all the
theoretical knowledge as Severus, but not of the practical experience The private lessons had
covered much more than the standard curriculum because Severus had several years of University
experience and several decades of life. The newts had taken on an entirely new meaning, because
of the way they were scored, Harry couldn't use the more advanced magic from Severus'
repertoire.
So a new set of lessons had been added, so that he could learn to perform with the imposed
limitations.
Then the DADA teacher, a more wretched person Severus had never met, had tendered his
resignation. They never had seen eye to eye. Apparently he had several Aurors in the family which
had been regularly casting aspersions on his background, competency and all around status as a
human being. His marriage had been the last straw. After Harry had related the story on how the
teacher had tried to 'save him', he had no problems accepting the resignation.
But that left him with two, possibly three vacancies to fill. It had become apparent that he could
no teach potions any more, nor be head of house, the latter was easily solved, Sinistra would take
over. Then Minerva had announced that she was ready to move on. That left transfiguration,
Head of Gryffindor and the deputy position open. A completely untenable situation.
Harry had suggested a private dinner to discuss the problem. After much wine, Minerva
eventually agreed to stay on for at least another year to train her replacement, Harry. They'd had
an argument with the castle over removing the wards from Harry's protection, and if he ever had
another one it would be too soon. He did not appreciate his rooms being moved to the roof. It
had not wanted to give up Harry and Harry had agreed. It made sense, in an odd way.
The dinner had eventually brought about the suggestion that Harry take over, one of the empty
positions. Severus felt the need to point out her recent bout of temporary insanity, by stating that
Harry would be scarcely older than most of his students.
"How about first year through fourth?" Harry suggested.
"You would be old enough, but that still leaves the rest." Severus pointed out.
"No." Harry shook his head, "First through fourth for BOTH Potions and DADA."
Minerva nodded, "It could work, you could teach the older ones Severus, hire an assistant," she
said before he could object, "Make him do all the marking and preparations, maybe take over a
class or two when the need arises."
And thus more classes were added to his schedule.
Finding an assistant had been easy. Most Universities with advanced potions degrees had a year
internship. Hogwarts being a top school, got a top candidate. Of course, Severus nearly had a
heart attack when George Weasley's file came across his desk.
It was only several hours later when he was overcome with uncontrollable laughter at the thought
of the sweet, sweet revenge the next year would be.
Harry moaned beside him again, "We should get up, I'm not in the mood for any tasteless jokes
today."
Severus silently agreed, but didn't move.
Over the course of the last few months, the silent stares had given way to whispered
conversations to out right accusations, to full out brawls and harassment and finally, when it
became apparent that none of what was being accused had or was currently going on, tasteless
jokes.
Beside him, the bed shifted as Harry started to roll out of bed, "What's on your schedule today?"
"Meetings, paperwork, meetings, classes, paperwork, meetings and tests." Severus muttered.
Harry stumbled to the bathroom, "You're repeating yourself."
Severus swung his legs off the bed, "You haven't seen my schedule, those things bear repeating."
Harry's head poked out from behind the door, a tired smile graced his face, "Suddenly, I find my
schedule entirely relaxing. I'm having lunch with Sirius, by the way. So I won't see you 'till
potions."
He sighed, "Don't let that man distract you to thoroughly, today's lesson needs your full
concentration."
"You always say that!" Harry yelled from behind the door.
"And its always true!" He yelled back.
Severus shook his head, he was having a conversation, through a door. What had happened to
him? He didn't even want to contemplate it.
Harry swept out of their rooms in the sort of whirlwind that only the young and running late
seemed to be able to accomplish. A, "See you later!" was yelled in his general direction even as
the outer door was closing.
Severus muttered incoherencies to himself as he prepared for the long arduous day ahead.
******
Severus was running late. Of course, that had started about 4 hours earlier when his class had run
late with a spectacular explosion that had shifted his entire schedule. Walking down the hallway,
he heard muted voices coming from his classroom. The bond told him that one of them was
Harry, but it wasn't until he was at the door that he recognized the other's as Black's.
"...How are you really, Harry? You look horrible. Both of you do." That was Black's voice, he
did sound genuinely concerned.
Severus inched closer to the door, seeing if he could peek in. He hoped that Harry was sufficiently
distracted not to notice him.
"I'm just tired, Sirius. It's been a long week." Harry was setting up his cauldron and gathering
ingredients.
"So everything's alright then? With... Severus?" Black looked uncomfortable even asking.
Harry was carefully scrubbing out the cauldron, "Fine, not that we've had much chance to talk
recently," Harry gave a small snort, "Hell, we haven't even been in the same room to anything
other than sleep in nearly..." he trailed off, a shocked look coming over his face.
"What? Harry?"
"We haven't... we haven't had sex in... over a week." It was a shocking revelation. For both of
them.
What did that mean? Severus leaned back against the cool dungeon wall, his mind spinning with
possibilities.
Black's voice wafted over to him again, "...that means?! Harry! That's terrific!"
What in the HELL?? What was the flea bitten mongrel going on about?
"...you can get away Harry! Go on vacation, away from him!" Black was babbling.
Harry was... silent.
Severus was... unable to comprehend the concept.
Black continued, "Harry. Harry? What's wrong? Don't you understand what this means?"
"Yes." Harry's subdued voice answered, "but remember, when this started, we could barely go
several hours without shagging. This could be, well, a loosening of the noose."
A loosening of the noose? What the hell was that supposed to mean? He faced facts. This may
very well be the beginning of the end. He admitted to himself that he liked his life the way it was.
Sure he still felt like a ridiculous old man. But he was still a man. A man who was having sex on a
very regular basis. There was something very soothing in that.
"Harry, you're not listening to me." Black persisted. "Don't you want to get away for a while?
Have some time to yourself? Some privacy?"
Harry stopped his almost, at this point, obsessive cleaning of the cauldron and stared down at a
nonexistent stain. "Sirius." He began, in a steady, but hushed tone. "I don't think that going
halfway around the world would grant me the type of privacy you're thinking about. Just because
we don't feel the need to have shag like there's no tomorrow doesn't mean that all the rest that
came with it is suddenly gone." His hands began their movements again and he let out a quiet
sigh. "And just because that part of the spell is... fading, it doesn't mean that I'm so eager to get
rid of the rest."
That was enough. That conversation was not one Black should be privy to, at least, not before
Harry and himself had, had a chance to talk about it. Alone. Privately. Without nattering little
blowhards trying to get their way.
There was a startled silence in the room and he took his chance. Making loud sounds with his feet
he deliberately began speaking before he reached the door, "Harry, I know that I'm late, but if
you've made any sort of mess in there I will drag you to the highest tower and hang you from it
by your toes... and I'll use your entrails for wall hangings!"
Harry looked vaguely startled but he snapped out, "The castle would never let you. It likes me
better."
"No," he countered, "it just hasn't figured out how to annoy you to the point of insanity."
Harry snickered. "Probably. But until that happens, I'm going to stick by my previous statement."
Sirius was looking at them in confusion. "I think I'll just be going." He was already edging his
way to the door.
"The best thing that's happened all day." Severus said.
"You," Harry pointed to him, "behave. You," he turned to Sirius, "Go, I'll see you later."
The lesson proceeded without much more conversation. They both had little energy for it. Just as
Severus was leaving for another meeting, he turned to Harry, "I've been thinking."
"Yes?"
"Let's have dinner in our rooms tonight." He said. It had been something they had avoided
because it just caused more trouble with the general population of Hogwarts. But they were both
genuinely exhausted and there was a much needed conversation that needed to happen.
Harry stared at him intently for a few moments before nodding. "That sounds... nice. Might even
be worth the jokes we'll get the next morning."
He let out a soft snort, "I'll see you tonight then. I'll talk to the house elves."
"Ok." Harry seemed like he was about to say more, but he stopped and shook his head and said
only, "I'll clean up here." He put a hand to forestall any protesting, "I know, I know. Mess up
anything and I'm strung up by some uncomfortable body part from a very tall place."
He nodded and swept out with his customary swiftness.
*****
Ron, Hermione and Draco were sitting at a small table in the corner. Sometime after
Dumbledore's death, the hall had rearranged itself and instead of 4 very large and long rectangular
tables there were now, many, many more smaller round tables. They could each fit about 10 to 15
people.
At first, the houses had retained their strict delineation. But eventually Draco had stood up and
said something to the effect of, "Damnit, I'm shagging them, I should damn well be able to eat
with them." It seemed logical and no one was willing to argue. Especially since it involved
confronting Hermione.
Now, while there were still several tables that contained only a single house, there were a few that
had a curious mixture.
"Where's Harry?" Asked Ron.
"He said something about Dinner in his rooms." Hermione answered.
Ron made a face, "I wish he wouldn't do that."
"Do what?" Draco asked, knowing full well the basic idea of what disturbed Ron.
"Make it easy for people to hurt him." Ron answered.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Now what on earth do you mean by that?"
Ron shrugged, "Its just, by not eating here, Harry's just drawing attention to his... situation."
Now Draco raised an eyebrow, "I'm curious. Why does everyone treat this like some sort of
horrible affliction?" Ron looked at him incredulously. He continued, "Really, the way I see it,
they're getting laid on a pretty regular basis and don't you dare make that look, you know as well
as I do, that man has some definite merits. Also, its not like they're badly matched. Have you even
watched them together?"
Hermione's eyes glazed over a bit as she was trying to recall as many incidents as possible
between the two in question, "I'm not sure I know what you mean, they try so hard not to be
together in public."
Draco nodded, "But think about when they are, do they look unhappy? Resigned? Seriously
wishing they could be anywhere else but where they were?"
Ron shrugged, "I don't know. Whenever they're forced to be together in public they look awfully
uncomfortable."
"But Ron," Hermione interupted with a look on her face that said she had finally gotten what
Draco was trying to say, "That's only when everyone is looking at them. Think about when we've
been alone with them, not here, in the great hall with all those prying eyes, but that time Professor
Snape let us use his rooms for the study session."
Draco nodded in satisfaction, "Right. No tension."
"What about all that snapping they did?" Ron asked.
Hermione just looked pointedly at him and then at Draco.
"Oh." Ron squeaked. "You mean they..." He trailed off, obviously too horrified to voice the
thought.
"Yep." Draco confirmed. "They are definately using each other for more than a good shag."
Ron didn't respond, he just dug back into his food with a gusto, obviously needing some time to
get used to the idea.
"The question is," Hermione voiced Draco's unspoken concern, "Do *they* know that?"
Draco snorted, "Probably not, but if they don't figure it out soon. I'm going to have a little talk
with 'Daddy'"
Ron choked at the mention of the nickname that Draco and Harry had used to thouroughly
confuse the rest of the school, yet once more time several months ago. But wisely, remained
silent.
******
Harry was sprawled on the sofa in the living room, book perched on his chest, eyes half closed,
enjoying not doing anything for the first time all day. The dinner weighed heavily on his mind. He
had a vague idea why Severus had asked, he wasn't oblivious and if he hadn't figured it out
before, Harry's own revelation had to have triggered it. Their connection had a way of supplying
information without them realizing it was being supplied.
A quiet click from the door signaled what Harry already knew. Severus had come back. The
house elves had set up a table sitting in the corner. It was covered in linen and hat two elegant
candle sticks glowing softly. There was wine and simple meal that had been taunting his senses
from the moment he arrived.
They didn't need to speak as they moved to the table. The hunger was palpable. They dug in,
enjoying the savory meal, their bodies thankful for the fuel they were giving it. They conversed in
muted tones, telling each other of the ups and downs of their day. The amusing moments, the
annoying ones.
Finally, Harry looked up and met Severus' eyes directly, "I had an... interesting conversation with
Sirius today."
"I know." Severus, sipped the wine before him.
"I figured you might," Harry gave an awkward smile, "I realized that we haven't... that we
haven't done more than sleep for about a week."
"That had also come to my attention." Severus studied his wine glass, waiting for Harry to
continue, to see where he was going.
"I want to try..."he paused, gathering his words, "Could you stand up?"
Raising an eyebrow, Severus did as he asked.
Harry walked around the table and stood in front of him. "I don't feel... that is, the compulsion
isn't there."
Severus shook his head, "The same for me."
"Good." Harry nodded, "Then you'll know that when I do this," Harry tangled his fingers in
Severus' hair, his palms framing the high cheekbones, "You'll know that it was my decision." He
swayed forward, brushing lips against lips., The soft kiss went on for a few seconds before Harry
pulled back to whisper harshly, "Mine."
Severus stared into the green eyes in front of him and watched the pupils dilate in desire. Harry's
desire. Not some god forsaken spell pulling their strings. It was the most arousing thing he'd seen
in years. Something uncurled in the pit of his stomach, spreading warmth to the tips of his fingers.
He wrapped his arms around the now familiar waist and tugged Harry into his embrace. "Yours."
He agreed, "And mine."
They kissed again. It was strange, at first, with no compulsion to urge them on. So they stood
there and enjoyed the new sensation of simply kissing. They eventually found their way back to
the sofa, with Harry straddling Severus' lap. Severus' longer torso just made it easier in that
position.
The heat of Severus' thighs burned against Harry's own and the slow exploration of tongues soon
became marked with small gasps of pleasure. Robes were shrugged off and shirts unbuttoned. The
flickering firelight gave unaccustomed color to pale flawless skin. The deep shadows of the room
hid imperfections that unhurried caresses stumbled over. Knowledge that had been gathered
fleetingly on previous occasions was explored thoroughly.
Eventually Severus' hands grabbed possessively at Harry's hips and pulled them into alignment
with his own. That brought gasp and moan from both of them before they settled into a slow and
steady rhythm. They pressed together, chest to sternum, eyes locked together letting the feelings
build slowly, the harsh panting becoming uneven, the moans louder, until finally Harry plunged
forward into a harsh, demanding kiss before jumping off Severus' lap entirely.
A protest died on Severus' tongue as he watched Harry frantically undoing his trousers. Instead,
he followed the example set before him, unbuttoning and then shoving everything down as far as
he could make them go. He struggled bravely with the bends of his knees, but his wildy beating
heart and sweaty, shaking hands wouldn't let them get any further down. He looked up to see
how Harry was fairing and nearly exploded at the sight of Harry, lube in hand, obviously
summoned from their night stand, preparing himself.
Wandless magic was a wonderful thing.
A few more seconds and Harry let out a frustrated sound, capped the bottle, a dropped it, none
too gently onto the carpet before practically jumping back into Severus' lap.
A quiet hiss was let out as bare skin once again met. Harry's right hand, glistening, coated his
length. Rising up on his knees, he scooted forward, braced himself and slowly sank down.
Oh god! There was nothing like that. Like that hot, tight, heat capturing him. Nothing like being
able to enjoy it. To hold out on it. To take it slowly, at his own pace, not some preordained
cadence.
They ground their hips together, not moving more than needed to send sparks racing through
their bodies. Finally the pressure built and they needed more. Severus' slid down on the couch,
allowing Harry more purchase. The younger man raised his hips and dropped them. Faster and
faster. Harder and harder.
A fine sheen of sweat coated both of them as their pace increased.
Pleasure built into a bowstring, taught and powerful.
Hands clenched tightly, knuckles white with exertion.
Muscles tense, hips moving like well oiled machines.
This is what he needed. What they needed. No one pulling strings. No one making decisions for
them. No one else, *nothing* else but them and the now overwhelming pleasure building inside
them.
"Severus..." Harry's rough voice filtered into his foggy brain.
"Harry..." He ground out. He removed one hand from Harry's hips and grabbed sweat soaked
hair, pulling the flushed face before him to his lips. Teeth and lips and tongues clashed in a near
violent expression of emotion.
They broke apart, taking huge gulps of air, Harry murmured against his lips, "More... need
more..."
Severus slid them off the sofa, /Yes... more/.
Harry fell back and Severus fell with him, pushing Harry's legs up and back, gaining purchase and
starting their rhythm once more. Faster, deeper.
/God yes/ Harry whispered in his head.
/Oh yes/ Severus responded.
It was only a matter of time before the movements became frantic. Severus wove a hand between
them and grasped the heated length resting at their stomachs.
Harry arched up into the touch, panting, muscles twitching. A few more frenzied thrusts and he
stiffened, mouth open in a silent scream, he convulsed.
Severus was swallowed alive in that clenching heat and with one final plunge, ecstacy flew
through his body, leaving him shaking and spent.
They lay sprawled on the floor, boneless heaps, muscles jelly. Chests heaving and sweat drying on
their cooling bodies.
Harry mumbled something. Severus felt the warm breath against his ear and a small residual shiver
went through his body. A blanket covered them both. More wandless magic.
Where did the whelp find the energy?
Severus shifted them both onto their sides, still intertwined. "This is going to be hell on my back."
He mumbled.
Harry smiled into his neck and answered, "But just think about your ego."
"Mmm, yes, sodomizing the boy who lived into unconsciousness, I'll be most popular one in the
playground." He grumbled, eyelids slowly lowering.
"That's what you get for marrying up." Harry quipped and then punctuated it with large yawn.
"Shut up and go to sleep you annoying little twerp."
"That's annoying little twerp who's an incredibly good shag, to you."
"Do you ever shut up?" Severus asked, not one to let the last word be that easily surrendered.
Harry opened his mouth to comment, but found it invaded by a questing tongue.
"I said," Severus hissed, "Go. To Sleep."
Blessed silence pervaded the room for several long minutes until he heard a soft whisper, "Good
night, Severus."
Annoying obnoxious, stupid, incredibly shaggable, brat.
******
Severus apparated just outside of the house at #4 Privet Drive. The family inside were sitting and
staring blindly at the square box in the corner. For all its supposed advantages, the television had
to be a detriment to muggle society as a whole.
He got a good look at the interior of the room and let a malicious smile spread across his face.
And then, just for the hell of it, he apparated. Right into the center of the room.
The man, Vernon, spluttered indignantly. The woman and the boy squeaked like vermin.
"Who the hell are you? What in the HELL are you doing here?" Vernon spat, obviously having
recovered. Severus was rather surprised the man hadn't had a heart attack, considering his
obvious physical detriments.
"I am here to inform you that you are relieved of your duties as guardian of one Harry Potter."
Severus informed them and then waited for what he had been assured would be a spectacular
show.
The littlest, and that was only relative, vermin spoke up, "You mean the freak's never coming
back? What'd he do get himself sent away or something? For being too freakish?"
A minor twinge of rage raced through his veins, but it was kept in check by what he planned to
do. "No you annoying little twerp, he did not get put away."
"Don't you call me son names you monstrosity!" Vernon was positively molting. "As for the boy,
it wouldn't surprise me, all the trouble that he was."
"I will call your poor excuse for a son anything I wish you pompous overgrown pig!" Severus
shot back, "As for Harry," he emphasized the name, just to rub it in, "He found relations that are
of a closer degree than you and considering your primate status, it wasn't that hard. He has
chosen to spend the remainder of his time before becoming 18 with him."
Severus stalked closer to the bloated man and continued in a harsh tone, "As for his supposed
behavior, Harry has caused me more trouble than your feverish imagination could ever dream of
and I have never treated him the way you have. I have been privy to much of Harry's childhood
memories and you are extremely lucky that you did not venture too far out of the realm of verbal
abuse. But if I ever find out that you did. That you engaged in physical or psychological torture of
ANY kind, you won't even have the time to pray to whatever deity you have the misguided belief
to think might be watching over you before I strike."
Vernon leapt, or as close to a leap that he could manage, Severus, simply waved his hand and he
fell to the floor with a loud thud. There was shriek of noise from behind him, he whirled and did
the same to Petunia and Dudley, who had been attempting to sneak out the back. He levitated
them back to the sofa and put a simple binding curse on them.
"You're incredibly lucky that," he started again, "that young man is not in fact going to stay with
you this summer, or ever again. In all your years of hatred and scorn, did it ever occur to you that
one day he would reach the age of majority in the wizarding world and not have to worry about
little things such as a restriction on the use of magic. You think I am powerful you should see
him." He was satisfied to see that by the time he'd finished, all three of them had gone white
faced.
He began to pace in front of them, stopping to face Vernon, "And really, what did you expect to
accomplish by leaping at me? Even if I didn't have my wand drawn, that is if I had actually needed
it, were you planning on bludgeoning me to death? Or merely suffocating me with your massive
girth." He smirked at all of them, "A bit of advice for the future, that rash attitude of yours
probably doesn't endear you to many people. Maybe that's why you haven't had a promotion in
years. Stop trying to find other people to blame your faults on. It isn't very becoming."
He adjusted the hex a bit, it would get progressively more uncomfortable for several hours before
releasing. Severus let loose another wolfish smile and said "Have a good day." and apparated
away, making a mental note to share the memory in its entirety with harry for his birthday.
******
Harry's birthday came as surprise to both of them. In the final streams of tests for Harry and
meetings and interviews for Severus a letter came from Mrs. Weasley for one Harry Potter and
guest, inviting them to dinner, in a weeks time, at the Weasley house with the whole family.
Harry had blinked repeatedly at the invitation and looked at Severus.
Severus held up under that gaze for a matter of minutes before he gave in with rolled eyes and a
tired nod.
Harry thanked him by pouncing him and dragging him to the floor. All in all, not a bad day.
The evening of July 31 found Severus and Harry taking the floo to the Weasley's humble abode.
They tumbled out one right after the other landing, somewhat awkwardly, right on top of each
other. Harry looked up into the slightly reproving eyes of Mrs. Weasley and quickly scrambled off
Severus.
They dusted off and found their way to the table. Fred, George, Arthur and Ginny were already
there. Bill and Charlie, apparently couldn't make it.
"Ron and Hermione should be here any minute dears, get comfortable." Molly yelled from behind
the stove. Harry sat down next to Severus and counted the plates, there were four empty. Harry
wondered out loud about it.
"Hermione is bringing a friend." Molly answered with a singsong type voice that said she
suspected that whoever Hermione was bringing, it was more than a friend.
Harry and the rest if the Weasley's made small talk, killing time. Severus sat, tense, next to him.
Not saying a word. Harry made no move to include because the one and only time he'd tried,
Severus had sent a mental warning. As Harry didn't want to be suspended out of some high tower
somewhere, he didn't try again.
A loud commotion from the fireplace signaled the arrival of the last of the guests, Molly rushed
out to greet them, eager to see who the third guest would be.
They could hear her muffled voice, "Ron! Hermione! So good to see you again! And... oh!...
Draco... I wasn't expecting you."
Everyone at the table save, Harry, Severus and Ginny were surprised at the newest guest who was
walking into the room.
"Thank you for having me Mrs. Weasley." Draco said, showing the room, that yes, when he
wanted to, he could have manners.
Molly stuttered and shushed him, "Its Molly, dear. Call me Molly."
Draco smiled and took the place that was offered him at the table.
Most discussion stopped in favor of eating the sumptuous meal placed before them. As plates
emptied and refilled themselves, the shoveling slowed and words could be gotten in edgewise.
"Hermione," Molly started, "Tell me what you're going to do now that you've finished Hogwarts.
My own son won't give me the satisfaction. Keeps muttering something about a surprise. It
would be nice to hear about someone's plans."
Hermione finished what she was chewing slowly and swallowed. Gathering her courage she began
speaking, "Well, the magical division of Oxford accepted me for their advanced Charms
curriculum. I suspect I'll stay there through my doctorate. I have some fascinating theories about
muggle advances and how they can be applied to our world."
Instead of the expected derisive mental snort from Severus, Harry got intrigue instead.
Severus leaned forward and commented, "Are you planning on working with the scientific
equipment, or just the comforts?"
Hermione smiled that brilliant smile that she got when someone was not only interested, but
capable of following on her level, "At the moment, a little bit of both. But I must admit, I was
quite intrigued by the thought of applying some of their technology to potion making. I imagine it
would make trial and error and entirely new process."
Severus raised a sardonic eyebrow, "That it would Miss Granger, that it would."
Harry smiled, "Don't let his attitude get to you Hermione, he's really interested."
Severus threw him a look.
Hermione just waved him off, "Oh don't worry Harry, I could tell. It's the same look he gave me
when I went to him with my senior project. And please, Professor, call me Hermione."
Severus twitched, "I'll try. And you may call me..." He tried to say it, really. He did. Finally he
gave up and simply said, "Whatever you wish, as long as it's properly respectful."
Hermione smiled, "Its ok. I don't think I could call you anything BUT Professor. We'll reevaluate
after my next degree."
Severus nodded in agreement.
"And you, Draco?" Arthur piped up.
"I'm also going to Oxford. Advanced transfiguration. Hermione and I are thinking of combining
our later projects." Draco said between bites.
Molly looked pointedly at Ron, "And you young man?"
Ron squirmed in his seat but answered. "I'm also going to university. The Aurors are offering
extra classes. Its like becoming a specially trained Auror."
Arthur nodded, "I know the program you're talking about, but aren't there several tests before
you're accepted?"
Ron blushed beat red, "I take the last one next week."
"Well Ron!" Molly was positively busting with pride.
Harry was also very proud of his friends, but he was sensing that there was something else going
on as well.
"Hermione, are you going to live in the dorms on campus?" Molly asked with a wistful sigh, "I
remember my days at university."
Hermione's shoulder's stiffened fractionally and Harry knew that this was where the whole thing
was going to blow up.
"I'm a... I'm getting a flat in the city." She answered tentatively.
"In Oxford?" Arthur questioned, "Isn't that a bit expensive."
"I ah... have a roommate who's helping with the rent." She blushed slightly and looked down,
hiding her face in her hair.
Molly took in the situation and quicky added up the facts, "Draco?"
The blonde actually blushed. "Um, yes?"
"Hermione." Molly was starting to get especially motherly.
"Yes?" She squeaked. "Draco is one of my roommates."
Molly visibly deflated, obviously happy with her answer, "And who is the other?"
Ron tentatively raised his hand. "I am."
Molly's smile said, 'Aw, isn't that sweet.'
Arthur's did not, "Draco, you're really going to pay for a three bedroom flat?"
"Uh.." The blush was spreading, "Not three."
"Two?" Arthur's voice was getting hard.
"Uh..."
Molly looked confused again, "What's going on here?"
Severus finally gave up the pretense and rolled his eyes, "For Merlin's sake, the three of them
have been shagging for nearly 6 months, and you three," he turned to the reluctant trio, "If you
can't talk about it, you shouldn't be doing it."
Silence.
Utter and absolute silence.
A silence like none other ever seen at the Weasley table.
Until the clapping started. Two hands, at the same time. Soon joined by a third.
Ginny, Fred and George had huge grins on their faces.
"We're proud of you." Said Fred.
"Didn't know you had it in you." Said George.
Ginny just smirked and said, "It's about time."
Molly's shocked voice rang through the room, "Ginny! You knew?"
Ginny snorted, "The whole school knew."
Molly let out another indignant yelp.
Severus leaned closer to Harry and sent, /We should have sold tickets/
Harry elbowed him in the ribs.
"Mum, Dad. Listen." Ron spoke up, "We... that is, the three of us, have spent a lot of time talking
about this and... its something we need to do."
Molly raised her eyebrow.
"Live together, without Hogwarts. See how things turn out."
Molly and Arthur stared at each other, communicating in some sort of parent code before slowly
nodding. "We want to visit this place of yours." Arthur said.
"Arthur!" Molly looked at her husband in shock.
"Molly, now is not the time to discuss this." Arthur tried placating.
Molly shot up out of her chair, pushing it back, nearly toppling it. The table shook with the
violent motion. "No Arthur, I think this is the perfect time to discuss this, we are, after all
discussing their futures. Or what will be left of them after they go off and do something foolish
like this!"
At that Ron stood up as well his chair actually falling over, "It's not foolish!"
Draco placed a placating hand on Ron's arm, "Ron, calm down."
"Get your hands off my son!" Molly all but roared.
"Oh please mum, it's a little late to worry about touching isn't it?" Ron's entire body was quaking
with unexpressed anger.
"Don't you talk to me like that, young man! I am your mother and you will treat me with
respect!"
"Fine!" Ron pushed himself from the table, making it shake, "You first." He turned on his heal
and walked away.
Molly's mouth simply flapped up and down, unsure of how to respond.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled after him.
"Ronald Weasley!" Draco yelled, "Get your stubborn arse back in here this instant!"
At the red heads silence, Draco cursed under his breath and stood up as well, following the same
path Ron had taken.
The poor kitchen door which had been abused beyond recognition by the two forceful exits did
not completely close and allowed the remaining occupants to hear the conversation going on in
the next room.
Severus leaned closer to Harry, /Draco did that on purpose. His foot stopped the momentum of
the door before it swung back./
Harry looked at Severus sharply, before returning his attention to the overheard conversation.
"Ron get back in there."
"I can't. I just... It feels like we just finished this argument at school and here we are, starting all
over again.
Draco's voice deepened, "I don't care what you feel, you're going to go back in there and discuss
this rationally. My father may have been bastard for most of my life, but his death affected me in
way you can't imagine. So you're going to go back into that room and make sure that those two
people who raised you stay in your life, by whatever means necessary."
There was a short silence, where the only things that could be heard was deep uneven breathing
and the rustling of clothing.
"Fine." Ron's voice sounded rough, "I'll go back in there, but I can't promise anything."
The two men re-entered the room to find Hermione being comforted by Ginny, the twins looking
dumbstruck, Severus and Harry waiting patiently and Molly and Arthur staring in shock at the
door.
The entire room was silent once more.
Ron took a few deep breaths, readying to speak when Arthur interrupted.
"Draco."
The blonde's head turned.
"You..." Arthur's calculating gaze assessed the couple, "You care for my son?" Hermione's's
hand had snuck up to take Ron's, "both of you?"
Hermione nodded.
"More than I ever thought possible." Draco whispered.
Arthur and Molly shared another parental look.
"Fine," Arthur said, "But as I said, I want to see this flat of yours."
"And I expect the three of you here once a month for dinner." Molly added.
The three, as a whole relaxed.
"Thank god." Fred said.
"We were worried," George continued.
"That's we'd have to wait forever,"
"For the mashed,"
"Potatoes."
The words hadn't been out of their mouths for 5 seconds when two large plops of potatoes
landed square in the twins faces.
Harry could have sworn he heard a mental whistling in his head.
An awkward silence descended, which was happily broken by Fred, George and Ginny talking and
eating as if nothing had happened.
Harry attempted to do the same. He turned to Molly and said, "Thank you for inviting Severus
tonight."
Severus tensed beside him and he instantly realized why that topic was a bad idea.
Molly smiled a very motherly smile and answered, "Well I understand you can't go very far
without each other."
Harry wasn't sure what to say to that, since in the intervening weeks, that had discovered that
Severus and he could indeed separate for an evening if necessary, it had been very helpful in
allowing Harry to take the tests he had needed to take.
"What's the matter dear?"
The ever observant parent had noticed the tension and felt the need to butt in.
"Uh... I.. That is he and I... we don't need to be around each other all the time anymore." The line
got spit out in a jumble of words.
"Oh." Molly said, "Then. Severus, thank you for coming." She was obviously not sure of what to
say.
"So what are you going to do now?" Arthur asked.
"Well. I'm almost done with the qualifications required to teach, after that, Severus and I are
going on vacation. Far away... and we're not telling the governors." Harry smiled thinking about
how many people that would annoy.
"You're going on vacation?" Molly's face had turned a bit red. "Together?"
Harry and Severus nodded, gearing up for whatever she was about to say.
"When you don't have to?" She was obviously very confused.
Harry took a deep breath, Severus' mental voice had implied that it was his problem and he had to
deal with it. "Molly. We want to. We kind of need to, the last few months have been, so out of
control. We finally have some of that back, the ability to make decisions and not be led around by
our..." Harry's voice broke off abruptly, realizing what he was about to say, "...bonds." he
finished lamely.
Severus' mental chuckling was not helping.
She was nodding absently, "I understand, you both look like you could use a vacation. I wasn't
going to mention it now, but you both look very tired." She tilted her head to one side, "But
together?"
A mental eyeroll was Harry's way. "Yes, together."
"Why?"
Draco let out a quiet snort.
"Why do you and Arthur go on vacation?" Harry's voice had taken on a decidedly sarcastic tone.
"But.. But, you, he.. Spell. It was a spell." Molly sputtered.
Ah, and now they had gotten to the one thing that the article had not touched upon or at least,
had glossed over it enough to imply that there hadn't been any improper coercion, but had not
been specific enough to go into the details of each spell.
"The spell was," Harry searched for the right word, "It was the push that we needed. There was
something we were both looking for, unconsciously on both of our parts I think. The spell just
helped us fill that role." Harry remembered the feeling of always knowing someone would be
there for him and he for them, "From there it wasn't much of a leap to want to keep that position
filled."
"But then how do you know that this is... that there isn't someone else?" Molly was trying to get
at something.
Harry shook his head, "There's a bond between us, one that won't go away, I could never BE
closer to anyone. Why would I try?"
"Why shouldn't you?" Molly snapped.
"Molly..." Arthur's tone was mildly reproachful.
"Really have you tried? Separated, or is he being selfish and not letting you?"
"Mum!" Ginny Weasley's voice punctuated the babble that had arisen.
"Stay out of this Ginny, its not your concern." Molly reprimanded.
"The hell it isn't!"
"Ginny!"
"No!"Ginny shook her head violently, "I will not stay out of this. Harry is my friend, he's
practically a member of the family and I've never seen him happier! You're going to tell me that I
shouldn't stand up for him?"
"Yes he's happy now, but for all we know it could be some telltale affects of all those spells, what
he's feeling might not even be his at all."
"Of all the people here, I think I'm the most qualified to say that these two do not act like they're
under some sort of compulsion," she blushed fiercely, "er.. Emotional compulsion."
"Qualified.?" Molly's voice held the shrill air of incredulity.
Harry shook his head, he knew what she was talking about and knew that she had always avoided
talking about it because of the painful memories it evoked.
"My first year mum. I was compelled to love someone, to want to do anything for them. To feel
the need to be theirs in every way."
Severus gasped and suddenly a wave of information went through Harry and he understood what
had been held back from him at the time, all of them it seemed from the shocked looks form
almost everyone at the table. Except for Molly and Arthur.
Molly's eyes swelled with unshed tears, "Oh my baby. I'm sorry."
"They're not in any danger," she finished shakily, "Let them be."
The rest of dinner was a quiet affair until Arthur tentatively asked George if he'd gotten notice for
his internship yet.
"I believe I can answer that question." Severus spoke up.
George turned wide eyes at them.
"I'll expect you a week before the term starts, we have several lesson plans to go over as well as
your other duties."
George squeaked.
Fred nearly fell off his chair laughing.
*****
Vacation was bliss.
Calm, children, meeting, test, reporter free bliss.
And after the one hotel manager had the gall to give them the honeymoon suite, the death glares
that had been directed his way stopped any other comments of that nature from the rest of the
staff.
Severus surprised Harry by suggesting a place with no interesting sight seeing places or tourist
attractions. Just a beach, a pool, a Jacuzzi and a very large library.
And a bed.
Sirius had been adamant about separate vacations, Harry had smacked him in the head and said
that he was an adult now and could what he damn well pleased and if being able to see directly
into Severus' mind and determine that there were no ulterior motives, other than the ones to get
laid, then Sirius was an idiot and should register somewhere for remedial classes in 'the bloody
obvious'.
He'd found out later that Sirius had come to talk to Severus. It had apparently been a very calm
talk. And just before Sirius left, he'd suggested the very place they'd ended up going. It was as
close to Sirius' blessing as they were going to get, but it still made Harry happy.
Drowsing lazily in bed for the first time in months, Harry drew lazy circles on Severus' pale flesh.
"Are you happy?"
"Am I ever happy?" Severus drawled.
Harry tried another tactic, "Would you change anything?"
"Yes, I'd have you stop asking insipid questions." Severus muttered.
Harry smiled and nipped at the closes piece of flesh. "That's it?" he asked.
Severus sighed, "Other than killing several wizards on the board of Governors? No."
"Good." Harry rolled on top of Severus and kissed him firmly on the lips, "I'll remind you of that
in 10 years."
A snort, "I expect you'll have to do that sooner."
Harry rolled his eyes and kissed him again, "Prat.
"Brat."
"Old man."
"Mr. Potter." This time in a growl.
"Professor Snape."
"Mine." His voice softened infinitesimally.
"Mine." Harry countered, just as softly.
Worries forgotten, they kissed again, lost in their newfound ownership.
And together, once again they found what they had been searching for.
Belonging.
THE END