An: Here's the third chapter for you. Sorry for the long update. My grandfather just died and I have to go up to his funeral this weekend and after that I have school starting and an online class to finish so I might not update for another few weeks. I hope this chapter can tide you over until then.

Chapter 3:

Harry had been dreading this night for weeks. He had ran it through his head over and over and over again until even Severus was beginning to get a headache from it. Still, Harry couldn't help but worry, couldn't shut that small part of him up that demanded he make Severus stay home with him instead of going to the Order meeting.

Normally Harry wouldn't mind, in fact, he often encouraged Severus to go and not worry about him. It would be good for him to get away, he always told his mate when he was worrying to much about leaving him too often, that he would be fine on his own and when Severus got back he could make it up to him. Severus always did as he said, and the second his feet touched the living room of their home Harry would hurtle himself down the stairs and Severus would catch him and they wouldn't let each other go until long after the town's lights had gone off and darkness had set in, Severus telling Harry all the details he demanded about the meeting and how everyone was doing.

Harry never minded these meetings, until Severus let it slip that this wasn't going to be a normal meeting but rather a mission. Harry had pressed for more details but Severus had merely shrugged it off with a kiss and an explanation that he wouldn't actually know anything more until the night of the mission, and even then full disclosure was not typically given until after everything had transpired.

As soon as Harry expressed his worries Severus was always quick to sooth, promising nothing bad would happen and no matter what he would be back before he woke up the next morning. Harry didn't quite know if he believed that but didn't dare voice his thoughts. Severus had been extremely sensitive to him these last few days and Harry wasn't sure if it was a reaction to his stress or the mission but either way he wasn't going to test it any further.

"Harry."

Harry was pulled out of his thoughts by the soft growl of his name. he turned around and smiles slightly up at his mate, reaching up his arms and winding them around Severus's neck. The Veela pulled him closer, wrapping his arms tightly around the thin waist and burying his head in the soft hair. "I know you're worrying about this, my love, but please relax. If I thought it was too much of a danger to myself I would not be participating," Severus pulled away and gave Harry a real smile before kissing him gently on the lips. "I have someone else to take care of now, and while I would have never hesitated before, I know that I have to think about you just as much as I do myself."

Harry opened his mouth to protest but Severus quickly smothered it with another one of his toe-curling kisses. "I promise I will do nothing to further risk myself. You have my promise that I will do my very best to stay out of the middle. I will fight tooth and nail to keep myself safe."

Harry scowled at the poor joke and slapped Severus's arm, or at least tried to. It was a bit difficult seeing how that very arm was pressing him tightly to his mate, giving him no leeway.

"Stop pouting, love," Severus's eyes shined with amusement as he detached himself from the huffing submissive. "I will be back before you know it and you will see how silly you were for worrying so much."

If anything, Harry's scowl deepened at that. he was not silly for worrying about his mate when he was about to go off into an unknown mission!

"Do you trust me?"

Harry looked up at the softly spoken question before nodding minutely, a stubborn scowl still firmly planted on his face.

"Do you trust me to take care of you? Protect you?"

Harry's expression softened and he nodded once again. "You know I do."

Severus smiled at the response and tilted Harry's chin so he was staring straight into his black eyes. "Then you must trust that I can do the same for myself."

Well, when Severus put it that way...

"Alright, I trust you," Harry finally conceded, his lips twitching upwards in a smile when he saw how pleased Severus looked with himself.

"I still have an hour before I must leave, Love, shall we settle in on the couch?"

Harry nodded in agreement and let Severus lead him into the living room and pull him into an embrace. He snuggled in tightly to black cloak and wrapped it around him too before laying his head against the chest and smiling up at his dominant. "You'll be back before I wake up?"

"I will," Severus nodded.

"M'kay," Harry finally conceded his struggle. There wasn't anymore he could say. He had told Severus his worries and each and every one of them had been answered without hesitation.

Severus felt Harry nuzzle his head into the hand that was cupping his cheek. He gently began stroking the warm, fair skin and ghosted his lips over his forehead. "Go to sleep, Harry. I will be here when you wake up."

Harry made a noise of protest in the back of his throat and raised his head. He still had an hour left with his mate and he intended to spend every minute of it conscious. Soft hands that were previously stroking his waist now pressed against his neck in a soft yet no less controlling gesture, pushing his head back between the junction of his neck and shoulders.

"You know as soon as I leave you'll be much to stressed and worried to fall asleep. Please, love, I will be much more relaxed and focused if I know you aren't up wearing a hole in the floor worrying so much,. I can't focus on myself if I'm too worried about you, Harry." Severus knew if was a dirty move, telling Harry he wouldn't focus on the mission if he didn't sleep, but it was effective nevertheless.

"M'kay," Harry mumbled again, his eyes obediently drooping as he nestled closer to his mate and wrapped himself more firmly in the black cloak. "I love you, Sev. Promise me, dominant, please promise me that if it gets too dangerous you'll come home?" Harry peered up at him with sleepy green eyes and a heartbreaking pout.

Severus brushed hair out of Harry's eyes and smirked, it seemed as if his little mate was playing dirty too. He knew what that adorable pout and word did to him. He could never deny Harry anything, and especially not when he called him dominant with that little heartbroken look. "I promise you."

Harry nodded, satisfied with the easy admission before closing his own eyes as sleepiness overtook him. It was nearly midnight, Severus would be leaving soon, but at that moment, all Harry could think about was the soft hand stroking down his back and the other resting against his stomach, soothing and protective.

"I love you, Harry."

He heard the softly whispered words just as he succumbed to the hazy darkness.

Severus sighed as he leaned back against the back of the couch, one hand still caressing his mate's body while the other mindlessly fondled his wand. He was quite confident in his own abilities - he'd faced many missions like these. He's fought much harder battles, even spied for the dark lord successfully for several years. He knew what his abilities were, his limitation, and he knew not to risk pushing them too far. His concern was reserved for Harry. His sweet, innocent mate...submissive, he knew despite all his reassurances the little lion was worrying. He knew nothing would be able to reassure him until Severus was back and in his arms, nothing would permeate that head of his until he could see it for himself. Perhaps in a few weeks Harry would get used to the idea of him taking on missions.

Severus hoped so.

He cast a quick tempus charm and noted that it was just about time that he had to leave. He looked down at the fast asleep Gryffindor and debated for a few seconds between carrying up to their room or leaving him on the couch and decided that it would be better if he simply stayed put in order to avoid waking him up.

He gathered his cloak closer to his body and checked that his wand was secured in his arm holster before making his way to the fire place and throwing in the power. He clearly called out the name of their headquarters and threw one last glance to Harry's sleeping form before he was whisked away in the green flames.

Hp

As soon as Harry woke up he noticed that not only was he curled up quite uncomfortable on the couch but that he was curled up uncomfortable on the couch alone.

Liar.

That was the first thing that cross Harry's mind when he noticed his mate's absence. His mate was a liar, he had told him he'd be back by now! His second thought was a bit more worrying. His mate never lied. In fact, he was so bluntly honest with him that at times Harry wished he lied more. He wasn't stupid, he knew Severus lied all the time, but never to him. He withheld truth, avoided question, sometimes even ignored him. But he never lied.

With that in mind Harry slowly rose from the couch and walked to the kitchen, hoping that his mate was simply making tea or resting.

The swell of disappointment and worry immediately took root in his stomach as he saw the empty room. With a growing feeling of dread Harry took the stairs to their bedroom. Not in there either.

Harry tried to ignore the growing panic, telling himself he was being too sensitive and that he was probably only running late, that he wasn't injured, that maybe even he was so tired that he fell asleep at the headquarters. Yes, that would explain it. But after twenty more minutes with no sign of his make Harry began to worry even more than before. He knew he hadn't woken up that early, the sun was already high in the sky before he rose from the couch so it couldn't be that he was up too early. His stomach began burning with fear for his mate's safety.

He went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea - he knew his stomach really wouldn't be able to handle breakfast - and sat down as he waited for the water to being boiling. It didn't take long for that task to be completed.

Hp

It had been an entire hour and Severus still wasn't back yet. Harry had abandoned his tea long ago and now he just sat on the couch, a drawn out look on his face as he waited in vain for the floo to pop up in green flames and his mate to walk on through and tell him how ridiculous he was being.

He was just about to go and floo somewhere himself when the fire lit up and his haggard looking mate stumbled out of it. Harry was up and at his side in a second. He helped him to the couch and lowered his down, resisting the hands that tried to pull him down on the lap.

"What's wrong, are you hurt?" Harry questioned urgently.

Severus met his gaze and smiled slightly, motioning again for Harry to join him. Harry wasn't having any of it. He could see how dead he looked and he fully intended to take care of him for once.

"Let me see it," he demanded.

Severus took one look at his submissive set jaw and groaned to himself before carefully peeling back his robe and revealing his bloodied arm.

Harry tried as hard as he could to keep a stoic face but he couldn't help the small crumpling of his forehead that gave away his distress. "Stay here," he pleaded before stepping away from the couch. He gave the Veela one last stern glance before quickly walking upstairs to his trunk when he dug out a roll of medical gauze and a tiny bottle of disinfectant liquid.

He rushed back downstairs to find his mate in the exact spot he had left him, only this time the dirtied back robe was crumpled on the ground and Severus's undershirt had joined it. Harry brought the medical supplied over to his mate and set them down on the couch next to the injured man. "I know you have potion that will take care of this, but this will stop the bleeding until you have enough strength to make more."

Severus nodded and laid his head back against the couch, avidly watching his mate. He wasn't too worried about his injury. It was shallow but it was on a fleshy part of his arm, making it bleed more and giving it the illusion of a much worse wound. He wouldn't have even gotten it if he hadn't been distracted and allowed for one of his enemies to hit him. Even with his distraction though Severus had managed a quick doge that saved himself the brunt of the spell.

Harry stuck his tongue out and carefully gripped Severus's arm in his left hand before grabbing the bottle of disinfectant. He didn't bother telling his mate that it would sting, he probably already knew.

Severus grimaced lightly at the feeling of his skin tingling and stretching as the liquid was applied. Harry shot him a slightly apologetic glance but he merely replied with a soothing smirk and his trademark eyebrow raise.

Harry snorted at the false look of bravado - he'd seen that smirk - and grabbed the roll of gauze and expertly wrapped the arm. He'd had a lot practice tending to these types of injuries. His cousin had made damn well sure of that.

As soon as Harry finished bandaging his arm and had set the roll down Severus's arm struck out and quickly pulled Harry towards him, making him lose his balance and fall on top of him.

"Oi!" Harry cried out indignantly as he tried to right himself before finding himself in locked in Severus's embrace. "Severus," he scolded. "You're hurt, now let me go."

The potion's master snorted and simply tugged Harry closer to his chest. "Hardly, and even if I were seriously injured that would not stop me from holding you." Severus shifted so Harry was facing him. "I'm sorry I was so late, love, I know how worried you must have been."

Harry rolled his eyes and offered Severus a quick kiss. "Of course I was worried about you, but it's not your fault."

Severus smiled at the quick forgiveness and returned to kiss with a more passionate one of his own. Once they had pulled away, however, a thoughtful frown crossed the elder mate's face and he held his arm up for inspection, carefully noting how well done and practiced the bandaging looked, not to mention how calm his mate had been when faced with the bloodied arm. "Where did you learn to bandage arms like this, love?"

Harry followed his gaze and blushed a little when he noticed Severus's concentration shift to his face. "No where," he answered evasively. "it was just something I picked up."

"From experience?" Severus pressured, noticing how uncomfortable Harry looked with the conversation.

"Severus, please," Harry pleaded softly.

"Where did you lend to tend to wounds so professionally," Severus demanded again, this time, however, he remained unyielding. Harry was going to tell him even if he had to pester him all day and night to get the answer.

"I..." harry paused and cringed when he realized how furious his mate would be once he told him. Surely it would be better to risk his mate's anger at himself than to tell him? Then again, did he really care that much if his mate was furious with his family. They had never cared for him...he didn't owe them anything. Besides, Severus didn't even know where they lived.

"My cousin wasn't the kindest," Harry finally answered. "They-I...I learned quickly that bandaging them was the quickest way to heal them."

Severus's eyes went flat. "Your cousin wasn't the kindest?"

Harry winced at the flat, calm tone. He had well learned to recognize Severus's moods based on his body language and tones, and judging by the grip that had suddenly tightened around his waist and neck, his mate was furious.

"It's not that bad, Severus," Harry soothed. "I've learned to deal with it and-"

"Learned to deal with it," Severus echoes again, though this time the calm detachment had evolved into a furious growl. "This muggle boy...your cousin, was he the only one in the family to hurt you?"

Severus had tried to remain calm, he really had, but the knowledge that his mate, his submissive, had leaned to bandage himself in order to heal from injuries inflicted by his own family...

Harry's reluctance to answer only fueled his rage. "I'm going to kill them," Severus hissed violently and Harry grimaced lightly at the feeling of fingernails morphing into claws that held him closer to the shaking form of the Veela. It wasn't that he was fearful of them, not in the least, he was fearful as to what Severus could do with them, especially to unprotected muggles. "Severus, love, please calm down. You're making it seem worse than it is," Harry tried in vain to calm his mate down.

"Did your entire family partake in this?" Severus hissed again.

Harry bit his lip but recognized the danger in not answering. "Yes," he whispered, his face taking on a red quality as he tried to turn his head away. Severus didn't let him.

Harry grunted in annoyance at the hand that softly carded through his hair and turned his head to face the enraged Veela again. He was surprised when the previously furious black eyes softened and a kiss was placed on his lips. "I am not angry with you, love. There is no reason to fear my presence when I shall never harm you." Severus pulled away to bury his head in Harry's neck, breathing warmly against the pale column.

Harry blushed and squirmed lightly at the erotic feeling. Severus smirked against the skin when he smelt Harry's beginning arousal and huffed a small laugh before lightly biting into the skin and suckling it before dragging his tongue around the spot. Harry shivered again and relaxed in Severus's grip, immediately noticing that the hands loosened in response his his acceptance.

Severus pulled away once he noticed Harry was relaxed and comfortable once again and stared straight into his eyes. "I will take care of your family," he vowed.

Harry made a noise of protest but Severus quickly quieted him by growling and tugging his closer to his body, rubbing his body into his for good measure and making Harry moan again and his face heat up.

"I will take care of your family," he said again and this time Harry made no protest. "No one is able to hurt my mate and get away with it, especially not his won family."

Harry sighed and nestled in closer to Severus's body at hearing that. His family had hurt him...Harry had always known this but somehow it had been okay when it was only he who had known. Now that Severus new though harry wasn't sure how to feel about it. He was positive about one thing though. "Not my family, Sirius and Remus are my family, and you are my mate. They're not my family."

Severus smiled at the response and kissed Harry again, this one longer and sweeter and Harry moaned into the kiss and gripped Severus tighter, making sure to avoid the injured arm. Harry hissed into the kiss as a hand demandingly pushed into his pants and-

Harry made a muffled noise in his throat that Severus eagerly swallowed before pushing away at his elder mate. "Wait, no," Harry tried to protest, squeaking when he felt himself harden at the sly hand that had slipped down his pants. "AH! No, Severus, we're not having sex on the couch."

"The bed, then," Severus easily replied, not looking even the smallest bit disturbed by Harry's protest.

"Not the bed either, you're injured!" harry huffed, his eyes clearly pinning the injured arm the Severus had wrapped around his waist.

"Doesn't mean I can't pin you down," Severus smirked and brought up his injured arm to tangle his hand in Harry's hair and pull his head back, holding it there as Severus's lips descended on his own, nipping and sucking and even biting at one point when Harry attempted to pull away.

Harry nearly whined at all the sensations assaulting his body. "Bastard," he mumbled under his breath.

"Is that so?" Severus questioned, grinning before he maneuvered his thigh between Harry's legs and gently forced them apart and grinding down.

Harry banged his head down and let out a muffled groan of pleasure before trying to gasp out a protest. "Aren't you supposed to be mad still?"

"Oh I'm mad," Severus agreed with a sly smirk. "But I find it more more agreeable to express it in this manner. After all, can't leave you unclaimed can I?" he asked archly. "Been much too long since we've done this, think you might've forgotten who's the dominant in this relationship."

Harry fought the blushed trying to climb its way up his neck as Severus shifted their positions so Harry was beneath him. He rocked his hips against the older male's but that only fueled him to rub against him harder, making Harry whine and arch up at the contact before giving in to the pleasurable assault and relaxing. "Still a bastard," Harry grumbled under his breath, smiling when he felt a huff of laughter against his neck and a particularly hard thrust.