CHAPTER 3

Harry went through the next three days as if he were about to die on the fourth. He regarded those three days as the very last ones on which he would be able to enjoy himself as much as he could and be free. Marriage with Severus Snape was a pit, a prison for him out of which he would not be able to crawl until Voldemort was defeated. And no one knew how long it would take. What if it took years? Decades? He hated everyone at the moment. Dumbledore for meddling with his life all the time. Snape for being sadistic and cruel. Ron and Hermione because they were enjoying their new relationship as lovers, and the same applied to Lupin and Tonks. Everyone seemed to have a best friend or had grouped up with someone, thus drawing comfort and strength in a Voldemort-infested world.

On the last day, he received a message from Madam Pomfrey, asking him to see her in the hospital wing. He went, and she performed a few tests to check his blood and condition.

"This is compulsory before blood bonding ceremonies," she informed him. "Before, the bonded participants pressed their bleedings wrists together, but it was fortunately dropped, to be on the safe side. One never knows, especially if one or both of the participants is or are suffering from something which affects the blood. Severus already came down yesterday – everything is fine with him."

Harry, too, was soon sent off with a clean bill of health. He cried himself to sleep at night and woke up only three hours later. He lay in bed till it was breakfast time. Dobby brought him his meal and disappeared to prepare Severus for the wedding. Harry wondered how Dobby would possibly manage to accomplish his task without ending up sliced or diced. To his relief, the elf returned a short time later, armed with an army of brushes, dress robes and other accessories. Harry tentatively asked Dobby about Severus's mood.

"We thoughts he would kill us with one gaze," Dobby squeaked, "Professor Snape was terribly angry and we tries to brush his hair…"

Harry swallowed.

"You tried to…uh…brush his hair?"

"We succeeded after we tell him that we would haves to fetch the Headmaster," Dobby whispered, spreading the dress robes, which were a sober pearl grey colour. Outside, the sun was shining happily, not caring about the trials awaiting Harry.

Dobby fussed around Harry for an hour and even summoned Winky, who had finally got over her Butterbeer addiction, for a second opinion. She gazed at Harry and clutched at her chest.

"Wonderfuls!" she gasped. Dobby beamed. Harry sighed softly.

The way to Dumbledore's office was one of the worst trips he had taken to any location. His legs seemed to become heavier and heavier as he went along, and a lump was in his throat. There was a prickling feeling in his eyes, and his chest ached with a mixture of helplessness and resentment. He numbly gave the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office-stairway the password. The door was open; Dumbledore and Severus were already there, together with a tall witch who was in charge of holding the ceremonies. Tables and chairs had been removed from the room, leaving a large space. Even Fawkes was absent.

"Ah, Harry, my boy. Please come inside. This is Mrs Natalia Greene; she will join you in marriage, bond you and guide you throughout the process."

Harry greeted her and then looked at Severus, who stared back him coldly. The man's hair was no longer sticking to either side of his face. It was combed back and fell over his shoulders in soft clean waves. His robes, the same pearl grey as Harry's, fitted him very well, accentuating his tall lithe figure. Severus gave him a glacial bitter smile, revealing white teeth.

"What an honour, Potter," he said, rancour soaking every word, especially the last one.

Dumbledore threw the Potions Master a half beseeching, half irritated glance and, with an elegant gesture, indicated that Harry was to stand next to Severus. Harry obeyed. He could feel waves of hatred radiating from Severus. He himself felt empty and dull now. Dumbledore slowly closed the door of his office. The silence was heavy. Even Greene seemed to sense that this was not a happy event at all. Harry knew that she was trustworthy, which was why Dumbledore had chosen her, and that she had probably been informed about the circumstances. Her face, however, remained neutral; her manner was friendly and helpful.

The wedding ceremony was very brief, lasting for about only seven minutes. Harry and Severus repeated the lines after the witch. Severus's voice was cold and flat. Harry supposed his own voice sounded the same. Dumbledore watched everything solemnly, the twinkle gone from his blue eyes. Plain gold rings, ordered by Dumbledore, were exchanged. Severus did not bother glancing at Harry as he gripped Harry's left hand and put the ring on him. He released Harry's hand very quickly, as if in fear of contamination.

"You may kiss each other," Greene finished.

"I would gladly substitute the double 's' with a double 'l'," Severus ground out.

"Severus," Dumbledore said sharply. Harry flushed and stared at the wall. Greene displayed excellent self-control and ignored the spiteful remark.

"Gentlemen, may I ask you to kindly sign the marriage contract?"

She held up a piece of parchment. Dumbledore summoned a coffee table. Severus signed first. He thrust the quill at Harry, who signed next. Finally, Dumbledore provided his signature, confirming his role as a witness. Greene carefully folded the parchment and flicked her wand. It disappeared in a shower of sparks.

"The Ministry will register your marriage automatically. Do you wish to proceed directly with the bonding ceremony or would you prefer a short break?"

"Directly," Severus said curtly. Harry nodded. Dumbledore moved towards the door and opened it to admit Poppy Pomfrey, who would supervise the bloodletting ceremony.

The newlyweds were asked to remove their footwear, as the bonding ceremony was always accomplished barefoot as a sign of naturalness and also modesty in the face of such a powerful and intimate form of magic.

"Please sit down on the floor and hold hands," Greene instructed them. Harry and Severus did as they were told, clasping hands. The witch drew dark-red circles around their left ankles with her wand.

"The circles will disappear after you have fulfilled the bond," she explained. Harry knew that she was referring to the consummation thereof. His stomach lurched a little, and he pressed Severus's hand convulsively without realising it. Severus spread his hand abruptly, forcing Harry to loosen his grasp. Greene drew out two long fine needles. Their tips were serrated.

"Severus Snape, you have chosen to be Harry Potter's protector; you will be pierced with this needle first, and your spouse after you."

Severus rolled back the sleeve on his left arm, revealing the Death Eater's mark. Greene maintained her professionalism; nothing in her face changed as she placed a shallow container underneath Severus's arm. Sitting down, she plunged the needle into Severus's vein. Madam Pomfrey kept her eyes fixed on the Slytherin. Severus's face was blank; he did not give the tiniest sign of pain as the blood trickled slowly into the bowl; the pressure of his fingers around Harry's remained the same. The bloodletting took five minutes. Afterwards, Greene healed Severus's wrist and turned to Harry, the second needle in her hand while Madam Pomfrey put aside the first needle. Harry was sure that he was pale. He bared his left forearm and managed to suppress a gasp of pain as the needle tore into his skin. It was painful but not too difficult to bear. Harry was relieved that he had managed to avoid squeezing Severus's hand a second time and thus betraying a sign of discomfort. At last, the needle was withdrawn and his wound healed. A small gold bowl was produced; Greene muttered an incantation over Harry's and Severus's blood. She picked up the receptacles and poured their contents into the bowl at the same time. A red tongue of flame shot up from the heart of the bowl.

"Albus," the witch said, and the Headmaster came forwards with a beautiful flask, bejewelled with rubies, pearls and tiny colourful beads. He took out the ornate stopper, and Greene transferred the mixed blood to it. Dumbledore closed the flask and sealed it with a spell, followed by an Unbreakable Charm.

Finally, the two wizards had to walk, hand in hand, three times around the room in a circle with the witch following them and chanting protective spells in Latin. They left a shining trail of gold in their wake; it fluctuated and slowly disappeared after the three rounds had been completed. Severus dug his nails vindictively into Harry's palm as the young wizard walked next to him, not hard enough to actually hurt, but hard enough to express his resentment. Harry stared straight ahead of him, years of endurance and painful experience sustaining him.

The bonding ceremony ended with the signing of another parchment, the bonding contract, and blessings from the witch. She and Madam Pomfrey took their leave of the wizards; Harry and Severus remained with Dumbledore, who studied their faces gravely.

"I wish you all the best, Harry and Severus, in spite of the circumstances. Take care of yourselves – and of each other, my boys."

He embraced each wizard separately. Harry could have cried as Dumbledore hugged him.

Then everything was over for good, and he and Severus were standing outside in the corridor, making sure not to look at each other.

"I suppose you shall have to accompany me to your new…home," Severus said a tight angry voice.

Harry chose not to speak.

"Come along instead of sulking, Potter," Severus hissed, striding away.

Harry followed him. He did not want to even imagine how they were going to consummate their bonding in two weeks.

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