Severus gasped in surprise when Harry pressed him down onto his knees shortly after they entered his quarters. He heard himself let out a whimper, cutting it short when Harry gave him a hard look.

"You are being punished," he told him. "It is not supposed to be comfortable."

Severus nodded before turning his gaze down to the floor.

Harry crouched down to his level, moving his head up as he cast a wandless spell to rid him of his clothing. Severus hissed in a breath when the cold air touched his skin, surprised when the floor below him suddenly became softer.

His eyes shone with gratitude, but he did not speak.

"Spread your legs further," Harry ordered. "More. That's it. Now keep your back straight, no slouching."

Severus did as he was told, feeling himself grow warm as he realized how much he was on display.

"This is how you will kneel when it is requested of you," Harry told him. "You will kneel like this before punishment, but also when you are waiting for me. You should be submissive, yes, but you should also be proud."

Severus nodded.

"Vocalize, pet."

"Yes, sir."

Harry gave him a nod of approval.

"Now, it is time for punishment. Tell me what you did wrong."

Severus felt his eyes lower in shame.

"I disrespected you, dominant."

Harry hummed.

"How so?"

Severus looked up sharply.

"What?"

Harry sat in his chair a few feet from him, proud and in control.

"How did you be disrespectful? Be specific."

Severus nodded.

"Vocalize."

"Yes, sir. I yelled at you, sir."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Is that all? Surely you do not think that you are in punishment because you yelled at me."

Severus blew out a breath.

"No, Dominant. I also accused you of wanting me to be your toy."

Harry leaned forward, his eyes showing hurt.

"And why was this bad? Why did I not wish you to do that?"

Severus shook his head, feeling tears fall from his eyes.

"Vocalize, submissive. You will speak in response to me."

Severus huffed out a breath.

"Because I hurt you."

Harry jerked to him.

"Is that all?"

Severus crinkled his eyes in confusion, and Harry sighed in resignation.

"And why did you do it anyway?"

Severus wanted to shrug, but he knew that wouldn't be an acceptable answer.

"I do not see much other use for myself," he whispered, feeling as if the world was crashing down on him.

Harry stood, moving toward him. He pulled back Severus' head gently.

"You are being punished not because you hurt me, pet," told him with conviction, "but because you degraded yourself. I require your trust, yet when I tell you that I want you for you, you do not believe me. You accuse me of wanting a toy, but I could have that from any submissive. If I wanted a sex toy that would do what I say, I would've gone for one of the young willing things that called to me."

Severus felt himself nearly choke on his tears, and he was surprised when Harry pulled him up to sit across his lap.

"But I do not want that. I want you, my intelligent, sarcastic, powerful, strong submissive. I want a mate, not a toy, and I want you to be that mate. You are that mate. You are my mate."

Severus clung to Harry, sobbing into his neck.

"I am so sorry, Dominant. I am. I didn't mean to doubt you."

Harry soothed his mate with calming nonsense words and circles on his bum.

"I believe that we will test your trust," Harry said, and suddenly Severus was blinded.

He tensed and whined in sudden fear, but when he felt Harry's arms tighten around him he relaxed. Harry would not hurt him.

"Very good, pet," his mate called in praise.

"Now," he said sharply, pulling Severus up to stand but not releasing him. "We are going to make a potion."

Severus stilled.

"A potion?"

"Just a simple calming draught. I have made it many times."

Severus stuttered.

"But I cannot see to chop, or to—"

"And that is why you will listen to me," Harry told him firmly and without room for argument.

Severus swallowed, allowing Harry to lead him through the halls to his own lab. It wasn't his lab right now, though. It was Harry's. Everything was Harry's, including him.

Severus felt his vision clear, but he kept his eyes closed and kept leaning against Harry.

"Your punishment is done," Harry whispered. "All is forgiven, and your slate is clean."

Severus felt his spirits lift with those words, and he clung fully to his mate. He wrapped his arms and legs around him, sighing as Harry carried him back to their quarters.

Surely, he could've crossed the path of a teacher doing rounds or perhaps a wayward student, but he did not care. His dominant was taking care of him, and he was proud of that.

Harry sat on the bed with his mate in his lap, holding him as he eventually opened his eyes.

He was nearly asleep when Severus pulled back to look him in the eyes.

"Yes, Severus?"

The man in question shifted before speaking.

"I, Severus Tobias Snape, with sound mind and body, do accept this bond with Harry James Potter. I will trust him to lead me, to love me, and to always keep me safe as his submissive. I give him my will and my obedience, as well as my love. I accept this bond to him as my mate, my keeper, and my dominant. So mote it be."

Harry stared at him in awe, crushing him to his chest.

"You are ready to begin our bonding?"

Severus nodded.

Harry hummed, feeling the magic thrum through them.

"I am very blessed to have you as my own."

Severus felt the urge to kiss him come, but he knew that it was not the right time. Within the bonding, that would be seen as the first intimate touch. It symbolized him giving Harry his body, and though he wished to he knew it wasn't time. Soon.

Severus sighed, relaxing into Harry's arms.

"Sleep well, my heart."

TBC