Chapter 10

Hey guys, sorry for the long delay. Here is the next chapter for you all to enjoy. Thank you for being patient with me. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to review. Chapter 11 is currently being Beta'd so there will not be a big delay this time.

Special thanks go to Silver Moonbeams for Beta reading. Thank you for doing such a good job

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Artemis sighed, resting his large head on his huge furred forepaws. His mate was once again in his wolf form, swimming contentedly in the lake. The Werewolf felt something akin to depression. He had been pushed so far down in his hosts mind, that all the Werewolf was able to do for weeks was watch his mate. Watch as he struggled to come to terms with the exhaustion still plaguing him, because the bond had not been completely sealed.

The Werewolf exhaled loudly, his breath rising up from his nostrils. Where as before Artemis had been able to take advantage of his hosts exhausted form and creep into bed with his mate, the host was no longer allowing that. Artemis could now only watch as events unfolded.

His mate was miserable; Artemis could see it through the host's eyes. He was being forced to sleep in a cold den and then his host would disappear for the remainder of the day. Artemis would sometimes catch a glimpse when the humans all converged for eating, and on occasion in the smelly room where humans created things in huge stones.

The host would not speak to his mate at any other time, only when it was liquid making time. Then his mate was with his friends, and the host would upset him with cruel words that made the other humans laugh nastily. When his host returned to his den for the night he would stalk past his mate and slam the door on him. Even when they had all been eating and that sneaky female once again tried to take Harry away from him, Artemis could do nothing to prevent it.

His host had also watched with narrowed eyes as the female tried to lure his mate away with funny smelling water. That had enraged the pair of them and it had been the only time Artemis had been in complete agreement with his host's actions. He had spoken with the old female that could change into a feline and gotten the younger female in lots of trouble. Then the host also ridiculed the young female at very chance he got. That had made them both feel much better.

Artemis lifted his head and watched his mate powerfully swimming in the water, his tail flared out behind him. The Werewolf wished there was more he could do to protect his mate from harm. This snake human seemed to be worrying the host and his mate tremendously, but Artemis wasn't allowed to break his neck. Artemis could do nothing but watch everything from his host's cold eyes.

The Werewolf heard himself whine quietly. What use was he if he could only be allowed to appear for one night? The host wouldn't allow Artemis to share his mind. He was as useless as a cub.

He stood stretching his long limbs and padded over to the water's edge. Inhaling deeply Artemis could smell that the coldness which had taken over the land for the last few months was nearly gone. The light breeze held promise of new leaf and prey was beginning to grow fat once again. It had been almost a year now that Artemis had been alive, and he was proud of what he had achieved in the short time.

His mate barked happily from where he was in the dark, cold water, encouraging Artemis to come swim with him. The Werewolf wrinkled his black nose in disgust. He did not like to get his fur wet, and could not understand his mate's desire to. However if his mate was happy, then Artemis would watch him. Protecting him from what ever lurked in the lake.

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Eventually Harry padded up to where Artemis was, shaking himself free of water. Harry loved to swim and what better way when you had four legs instead of two. His powerful legs designed for running glided effortlessly through the water, propelling him to great speeds. Harry had been a little upset that Artemis did not want to join him, instead choosing to sit on the muddy shore and keep an eye out for danger.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked Artemis in their limited way of wolf speak.

"Keeping you safe." Artemis responded in his head.

Harry sat beside his mate, tail thumping the ground in affection. He pushed his muzzle into Artemis's side, who in turn licked the top of his head. Artemis pinned him down with his glowing amber eyes. "It is you who is not."

For a second Harry was confused as to what Artemis was talking about, and then he remembered his earlier sentence. Harry transformed back into himself. He found it easier to talk to Artemis in this form, even if he could not understand what the Werewolf said in response.

He sat beside the Werewolf and threaded his fingers into the beast's soft fur. Artemis trained his giant amber eyes upon him, before lying down to listen. Harry didn't know where to start. How could he speak his mind freely? He knew that Snape was there lurking inside Artemis's mind, eavesdropping on their only time together.

In understanding, Artemis whined softly and pushed his head onto his lap, his nose breathing in his smell deeply. There was nothing Harry could say; all three beings knew why Harry was miserable.

He looked up at the night sky, lit brightly by the huge moon. Harry softly scratched Artemis's ear before whispering. "I don't want to die." There! He had said it for the first time ever. Living in Snape's quarters he could live with, being ridiculed he was used to. But Harry Potter did not want to die.

Artemis suddenly reared his head up angrily, ears standing on alert. His lips drew back menacingly and his inch long fangs came out in a furious snarl. Harry momentarily wondered if Snape would have that same reaction.

Harry knew it was for the good of the world. There were many people relying on him. Honestly Harry did want to do everything in his power to save this new world he had grown to love. Artemis did not settle down, he sat up-right; chest still rumbling angrily. "Even if this plan that Dumbledore has works, we all know I have to die in order for Voldemort to be finally destroyed. There is no way around it." Harry stood and walked slowly towards Artemis who was clawing the ground up in fury.

"I think that I must be one of these Horcruxes he's talking about. It would make sense. It would explain why I have some of his powers and why I am linked to him in such a way. If they have to be destroyed in order to destroy him, how am I meant to survive?" Harry grabbed the angry Werewolf's head and rested his forehead against the furry one.

Artemis looked impatiently at him and Harry guessed the wolf wished to speak with him. He transformed once again and looked up at the now gigantic Werewolf. Artemis stalked around him and pushed his muzzle into Harry's chest fur. "Will not die!" Artemis growled in his mind. "Others may die, you stay safe with Artemis."

The voice was firm and it held no room for arguments, just like Snape's. How could you explain to a wolf that it wasn't alright to let other people die just so you could remain safe? "Others are my pack." Harry tried to explain it in wolf terms.

"No. Artemis and mate are pack."

Harry felt unexpected warmth spread through his body. His wish for a family had been answered in an odd way, but at least he achieved something before he died. Harry's canine ears pricked forward as he heard something shuffle in the forest. Artemis, who had also heard, had crouched down into a hunter's pose and Harry hesitantly copied.

For tonight, he could forget.

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Harry padded back up to the castle with Artemis, already sensing the Werewolf was fading away. His heart felt heavy as he realized it would be another four weeks until he could see Artemis again. The Werewolf had been the reason he had bound himself to a man who clearly still despised him despite what he said. Snape had told him before that he did not hate him, merely disliked him. It didn't seem that way to Harry. However Snape had been under the influence of Veritaserum when he admitted that he didn't hate Harry.

He felt his tail droop between his legs. Surely someone as accomplished as Snape could manipulate his answers. Dislike might have been just another word for hate, or it was only a degree below hate. He had also admitted his feelings would never change, and that was something Harry just had to live with. He knew what he was getting into when he agreed to bond, there was no use complaining about it now.

Harry would move on just like always.

There was still the war with Voldemort to consider and his school work. Harry felt his grey fur stiffen along his spine; the jibe that he did not try in school still lingering in his mind. He would show that arrogant bastard. Harry might not pass potions but he would sure as hell pass everything else. He still had his future to think of after all, and if he could only see Artemis once a month, then so be it.

Hopefully Dumbledore would come up with a plan in order for him to survive. Then when the war was over and Snape was free from this "forced" bonding, then Harry and Artemis could visit each other. He didn't need Snape after all.

Harry felt slight guilt at that statement but he pushed it away angrily. It wasn't like the man had done anything to make his stay easier, or let up on him in classes. Harry at least thought that the man could speak to him on the weekends. Once Harry had stayed in their quarters to see if the man would actually speak to him, Snape had disappeared for the entire day. So now Harry left as soon as he was able, which was six in the morning, and he returned just after curfew. That way they never saw each other.

Artemis quickened his pace through the castle, and Harry knew why. The night was barely holding on by its fingertips and the Werewolf was eager to be somewhere. Briefly, Harry wondered if it was Artemis in charge or if Snape had suddenly regained control of their mind.

Approaching their door, Harry transformed once again into himself, and laid his hand on the door handle, allowing them to enter. The Werewolf pushed past, almost knocking Harry to the floor in its eagerness, and Harry's question was answered.

Harry shut the door behind them and picked up his wand from where he had left it. Yawning he lit the fire absentmindedly, content to get some sleep. His eyes widened in shock as he turned to get on the sofa. Artemis was a jumbled heap on the floor, writhing in what was clearly agony.

Shocked, Harry knelt down, timidly holding his hands out to the beast. He had assumed Snape would just go to his room like always, shutting Harry out. Clearly, he had not had the strength and collapsed on the floor. He was a little nervous; Artemis' eyes, which were normally so clear and focused, were hazy and a little wild.

His jaws were snapping in pain, his claws thrashing about dangerously. Taking a risk, Harry grabbed the wolf's massive head and laid it on his lap, holding onto Artemis as he rode out his painful transformation.

The black hair of the Werewolf began to give way to the soft peach of flesh, claws and teeth retracted and the limbs began to contort into ways Harry never thought possible. Still he held on, even when the howls of agony gave way to small screams of pain.

Harry waited until the spasms had subsided before looking down at the vulnerable and very naked form of Severus Snape. Exhaustedly, the man's dark eyes met his own. It had been the first time in weeks since they had held eye contact. Snape usually looked next to him or above him in classes, and they never saw each other in the quarters.

Immediately, the bond was tightened once again; Harry could suddenly feel his body responding. It didn't help that the man was completely naked and that he actually found him attractive.

He wasn't sure when he had realized it, but it was clear from his reaction to Snape's naked form that he definitely found him attractive. It must have been lurking there for some time, heightened by their bonding. Their union seemed to have opened Harry's eyes to who Snape really was.

He was tall and broad shouldered, with dark, smouldering eyes, and a commanding voice that just begged you to listen. His nose, which Harry had once thought looked broken and hooked, now seemed regal, completing the sharp features of the man. Now naked, Harry could see that the man was lithe and sinewy, complete with a strong back and firm legs.

Perhaps he had always been attracted to the man, yet years of torment had forced him to ignore his attraction. It hadn't helped that Snape had taunted him about going to the Prophet with the fact he was gay. That had been a new realization in itself. Had he always fancied men? As he recalled, he never really fancied anyone, always being too preoccupied with people trying to kill him. There had been no time for him to explore his sexuality or potential partners, until Artemis had thrust himself into his life and made him his.

Harry saw that Snape was also having the same problem, if his darkening eyes were anything to go by. However, this was not the time; not when the man was drained from his transformation. Snape might not have respect for him, but Harry had too much respect to take advantage at a time like this, even with the bond screaming at him, heating his blood into a frenzy.

He stood, lifting Snape with him as he went. He could see surprise lighting the man's face, but Harry didn't have the time to explain himself. Lifting the taller man's pale arm over his head, Harry supported him as he half carried, half-dragged Snape into his bedroom. Snape opened his mouth a few times to speak yet only a dry rasping sound escaped. Harry ignored him and pushed open the door he knew was Snape's with his shoulder.

The door did not resist, which surprised him; Harry fully expected a ward of some description to repel him.

Snape's room was simple. The floor, covered in a dark navy carpet, unlike Harry's floor of cold stone, left the room feeing a lot warmer. There were yet more books in there, and another desk covered with pieces of parchment. Harry could see a few essays there, and realized Snape had been doing marking recently.

The bed was an impressive four-poster, carved from deep wood, which did nothing for Harry's predicament. Sudden images of him, being tied down to the bed, or laid out and covered by Snape suddenly filled his head. Harry could suddenly feel the tentative probing that was Snape's Legilimency and quickly replaced the image with something different. Quidditch was the first thing that came to mind, not surprising as Gryffindor had a match soon.

Harry pulled back the dark bed covers, thick and soft and lay Snape down onto his comfortable looking mattress. Without looking, Harry pulled the warm covers over Snape's naked body and sighed. Not with longing, but with the effort it took to bring the man here.

Snape's eyes watched him carefully, narrowed with suspicion and Harry gave a small smile in return. When nothing was said, Harry turned to leave. He was suddenly presented with two doors, which left Harry feeling a bit confused. Come to think of it, he could never recall Snape coming out of his room to use the bathroom, maybe it lead to his own personal one?

Unwilling to dwell on it, Harry picked the one on the right and was relieved to see it lead to the corridor.

"You don't have to leave, you know," came the thin whispery voice of Snape.

Harry paused. He could hear it in the man's voice; he wanted him as well. Harry chanced a look back, green eyes wide at the invitation. Was it a trap or had the man simply been worn down by his transformation?

"Yes I do." Harry strengthened his resolve and closed the door behind him, heading towards his sofa.

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Despite his overwhelming exhaustion, sleep did not come to Severus Snape. Instead, he was left troubled over what had just happened. It had been the perfect opportunity. He was vulnerable, he was naked, and yet Harry had just walked away. Why? Severus knew the bond was hurting the pair of them with its intense pull.

Glowering, he looked at the ceiling. Was it him? Was he that repulsive? No the boy wanted him, Severus had seen it often enough in the boy's eyes. Harry was not subtle in his lustful looks in Potions, or even in the Great Hall. It wasn't him that was the problem. Severus sat up irritably. Why did it even matter? Severus had already decided that he was not going to complete the bond. He wasn't going to take advantage of such a student, especially one he didn't particularly like.

Severus had gone out of his way to avoid him, and it had worked very well. He would retire to his rooms early, and leave before Harry was even awake. They didn't need to see each other, and Severus was now safe so it suited him just fine. Harry could carry on with his own pathetic life and Severus could with his.

Now he was lying to himself, and he was usually better at it.

His protective urges, which he had long been denying, kicked up a notch at the realization of Harry's death. That had been why Albus had been so quick to allow an old man like himself to bond with a mere child. No, Harry was not a child. He was seventeen, old enough to be an adult. From the snippets of the memories Severus had seen, his childhood had not been a happy one.

Nevertheless, he had ignored it, blinded by his own hatred by the boy. Convinced he was a mere boy, trying to play at being a member of the Order. Foolish in risking his life at the end of nearly every school year, to prove he was as good as the rest of them. It had enraged Severus how Albus had always calmly accepted this rashness of Harry's behaviour, how the old man almost encouraged the boy not to focus on his school work, and instead play at being the hero.

Severus had been wrong.

When Albus had informed him of Harry's fate, everything had clicked into place and Severus had a moment of perfect clarity. It hadn't been Harry running blind into danger. Albus had placed him in it. He had been testing the boy of his worth, but also preparing him slowly for what he had to face. Harry, a boy who had nothing to lose, had fallen for it every single time and grew stronger for it.

And Severus was mated to that person. Severus had always found power irresistible and Harry was positively radiating with it. In some twisted way, he was almost drawn to Harry like a moth to a flame. Tonight had nearly broken his resolve.

True he had taunted the boy for being gay, even ridiculed him on his appearance, saying that Harry would never be an adequate sexual partner. Tonight, when he had been vulnerable, he felt disgusted with himself, for allowing anyone to see him like that. No one saw Severus Snape exposed like that. He had far too many enemies and he still half- expected Harry to take advantage of him. It would have been easy for Harry to kill him or even worse humiliate him.

Harry had done neither. Instead, he had helped Severus into bed despite his natural urges. Even though Severus had been such a bastard to him… If Severus were Harry, he would have left him on the cold stone floor and gone to sleep in a warm bed. There was a brief glimmer that Harry might actually care for him as well as the blasted Werewolf. It hadn't been Artemis that needed help.

It caused Severus to think that maybe being bonded to Harry was better than he originally thought. That instead of ridiculing the young man, he could instead trust someone, for the first time. He could literally feel his heart opening a crack, enough to tell Harry it was ok to stay. Had it been respect for Severus that made Harry walk away?

Severus locked his long fingers together and looked at them thoughtfully. Harry had guts, he gave him that. Even now, Severus was tempted to walk into the living room and take Harry as he wanted. With his messy hair that just begged Severus to run his hands through and those damn full lips that quivered on occasion. The fact that Harry was attracted to him made it all the harder to stick to his morals.

He could feel himself slowly begin to trust the boy. Harry had done everything Severus had asked him to. None of his friends had been brought down to his quarters. The boy stuck to curfew and he ignored Draco. The Vow Severus had demanded of Harry prevented him from even speaking to Draco. Now knowing Harry a little better convinced Severus that he didn't need to make the boy promise. Harry had respected all of his wishes, including the strict one of no sleeping together.

Harry was miserable; Severus could feel it. Yet he had still stuck to his promise. Tonight, Harry had unwittingly created a bond between himself and Severus that hadn't been forced. That had almost been Severus' undoing. Thankfully, Harry had left the bedroom; otherwise, Severus' morals would have been torn to pieces.

Severus knew he was not going to get any sleep this morning, as he reached under his bed he pulled up his own version of the pepper up potion, giving him enough energy to get through the day. Immediately he felt it flare through his veins, forcing his body into alertness.

He entered the bathroom for a long hot shower and brutal tooth brushing session before he concluded he could safety go to the Great Hall for breakfast without rousing suspicion, not that he even cared.

It was relativity quiet in the corridors, being a Sunday morning. When he entered the Great Hall, he noticed a few Ravenclaws were up reading books with their breakfast. Draco was up with the Slytherin Quidditch team, looking haunted and haggard as usual.

Severus needed to keep a closer eye on his well being. He had promised Narcissa after all. Severus frowned at his Quidditch team. Was there a reason they were up so early on a Sunday? Did he approve a training session? Severus could not remember anyone asking him for use of the Quidditch pitch.

"Now now Severus there's no need to look so proudly at your beloved team. I'm sure they might provide some entertainment for my Gryffindors. I have to say I'm looking forward to seeing what young Potter has done with the team. I heard he made some radical changes to the team," McGonagall said as she sat down next to him, wearing that superior smile she had.

There was a Quidditch match on today? Harry had only gone to sleep a few hours ago! Severus instantly felt guilty. Quidditch to Severus was a complete waste of time. In Severus's opinion, people were paid too much for something as trivial as catching a small, winged ball. Yet Severus knew how important it was for Harry to enjoy something in his life.

"What has Potter got to do with the team?" Severus responded in his usual drawl, helping himself to some toast.

"Why Severus, have you not heard that Potter was made Quidditch Captain at the beginning of the year? Honestly Severus, we're nearly half way through the school year. I've heard he has done remarkably well. Considering Miss Bell had to be taken off the team."

Ah yes. Severus remembered that Katie Bell had been under a spell trying to take a bewitched necklace to Albus. He had strict words with Draco that day. It was all well and good having someone else do your dirty work for you, but Draco had been sloppy. It was like he wanted to be caught.

So Harry was Captain, was he? Severus had not been aware of that fact, usually he didn't pay much attention to what happened outside his own lessons. Had Harry told Artemis in one of their catch ups? It showed how little he really knew about his mate.

"I trust the matter with Miss Vane has all been taken care of?" Severus changed the subject onto one he truly cared about.

McGonagall looked surprised at Severus's concern but she nodded.

Severus was satisfied with that and he resumed eating his toast. He knew instinctively when Harry had walked through the door to the Great Hall and he saw out of the corner of his eye that the boy was completely knackered. Perhaps Severus should have left a potion for his young mate as well? Well it wasn't as if Severus forced him to stay out all night with Artemis. If the boy wanted to stay awake then that was his choice, and he would suffer the consequences.

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Yawning Harry tried to pay interest to what was happening around him. He was too exhausted to even think about playing Quidditch today, let alone play a match. The sun was annoyingly bright in the sky, just as you would expect for a day in early spring. Harry had already drowned out the boos and cheers of both teams regarding Ron as a keeper.

Yet Harry had seen Ron at try outs and he couldn't remember Ron being that bad. True, the fact that he was Harry's friend probably coloured Harry's view slightly, but he had been an acceptable Keeper. He sighed deeply, readjusting his grip on the warm handle of his broom. Perhaps if Harry had actually spent time coaching his team like a proper captain would, they wouldn't be losing so badly against the Slytherins, of all teams.

He didn't recall the score, but he had heard enough of the crowd to realize he needed to catch the snitch and fast. Thankfully Ginny was proving to be a fantastic chaser, and had scored most of the points Gryffindor had. Almost lazily, Harry circled the pitch once more from his vantage point.

Harry was usually able to function without sleep. His nightmares over the years, and visions of Voldemort had haunted his nights, and he usually only got a few hours of sleep anyways. This year had been different; Voldemort was relatively quiet and it was now Artemis that plagued his nights.

Still, his limbs felt like lead, and his head ached just behind his eyes. Harry could think of nothing better then to fly down to the ground and find a patch of soft grass to sleep in. As fatigued as he was, it was nothing compared to Malfoy. Subtly he looked at his opponent who was still deathly pale. To Harry, he appeared a few steps away from death, what with those black circles under his eyes.

Something was happening, Harry was sure of it. Last time he had tried to find out, he had ended up in a fight and had lost. Then Snape had made him promise not to go near Malfoy. Which he had promised and now Harry could no longer follow him or investigate. Briefly, Harry thought of asking Hermione to find out. He trusted her above all others and he was sure she could find out.

Even now as he tried to fly near the Slytherin Seeker it felt as if a magnet was forcing him away and Harry could not get any closer. This now made the game impossibly harder. How was Harry meant to catch the snitch? He couldn't even go near Malfoy, Merlin help him if he found the snitch first. Harry was thankful Malfoy seemed as tired as he was.

Malfoy appeared to be actively looking, but Harry had seen his eyes were unfocused and the pupils were unmoving. The Slytherin was here only for appearances sake.

Harry felt the air move behind him, and fell off his broom sideways to avoid being hit by a bludger. A risky move, but one he knew he could pull off. The crowd roared as they thought their boy wonder would fall off and cheered when Harry pulled himself back up onto his broom. Paying them no attention, Harry resumed his search, now looking within the stands.

As he moved to look at the teachers stand, Snape's intense gaze caught his own. His heart sped up painfully in his chest, and his throat became dry. Images of the early morning leapt into his mind and Harry looked away, his cheeks burning. When he had calmed, he looked again, but Snape had not moved, still pinning him with a determined stare.

Looking back again, Harry began to feel something that he wasn't quite sure belonged to him. It felt like concern. Concern at his well being suddenly flooded him, before being snatched away in anger. Was this what Snape was feeling? Towards him? Was this the bond's doing? Snape turned his head away first and the bond was broken, but Harry could still feel the residual effects of it.

Harry had known that it was a side effect of their bonding; however he was surprised that Snape had let his guard down and let Harry feel what he was thinking. It was more likely that Snape was just as tired as he was, and hadn't realized that Harry was picking up on it. When he had finally realized that, he had abruptly slammed down his mental shields once again.

Dean suddenly flew past him with the Quaffle and Harry was once again thrown back into the game. It appeared now that the tide was turning in their favour and Harry was glad that Dean had replaced Katie. Instantly he felt guilty at Katie's predicament, but the combined efforts of Dean and Ginny seemed to be pulling the team forward.

Deciding to forget Snape for the moment, Harry paid real attention to the game and eventually spotted the Snitch lurking about near the Slytherin goal posts. Without wasting any time, Harry flattened himself on his broom and sped towards it. Within seconds, Malfoy seemed to have cottoned on to what was happening, and flew after Harry.

Harry knew he only had seconds in which to catch the snitch, before Malfoy would be upon him and he would be forced away from the Slytherin. Thankfully his broom was the superior one, and he easily kept ahead of Malfoy, and pulled his broom upwards as the Snitch decided to fly higher.

Vertically, Harry flew; higher and higher into the clouds. He could feel gravity trying to pull him from his broom, but Harry's hands kept a firm grip, his feet pushing against their rests. Harry was now standing upright, and he gingerly pushed his right arm out to brush at the snitch. Taking a hold of his courage, he pushed himself forward with a powerful thrust from his feet and caught the illustrious object.

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Severus walked into his quarters, fully believing that Harry would be celebrating his victory with his friends. Considering it was also the weekend, Severus did not think Harry would even be back tonight.

Just reliving that match had been enough to make Severus angry once again. Honestly what was Harry doing, always flying recklessly like that? For a few moments no one had been able to see the boy as he had flown so high. Severus had just made up his mind to hex the boy down and then kill him, when Harry had floated back down gently, golden ball clasped within his fingers.

The team had converged upon Harry, and they had landed as a heap together on the floor. When he finally saw Harry amidst all the crimson robes, Severus had been bewitched. The boy was laughing, a massive smile stretched across his face, his eyes alight with laughter. It was a look that Severus had never seen before, and one that would never be directed at him.

Whilst everyone else was celebrating their good fortune, Severus had quietly slipped away, just as he always had.

The remainder of his Sunday had been spent in his Potions lab next to his class room, where he eventually fell asleep upon his desk, among all his ingredients. He had awoken angry at himself; with a sore back and neck, and had decided to retire for the remainder of the day. If he was going to sleep, then it might as well have been in his bed.

The first thing he noticed was how warm his living room was. Usually the room was ridiculously cold, so it caught him unawares. The sight of Harry made him stop dead in his tracks, his jaw slack.

His young bonded was sprawled out on his stomach on a thick rug in front of a crackling fire. Clad only in a simple pair of black boxers.

The room was saturated in a warm amber glow adding a flair of orange to the boy's usual olive skin. The black of the boxers contrasted sharply against the boy's supple, tanned skin, making Severus focus primarily on the firm globes of the boy's behind.

Harry hadn't looked up when Severus had entered. He would wager that the boy was too engrossed in whatever he was reading. Severus circled around the boy, eager to know what had him so enthralled. Since when did Harry read anything?

At Severus's footsteps the boy was instinctively on edge, looking up ready to fight. That caught Severus unaware, why was the boy so jumpy? When Harry saw who it was, he relaxed. His eyebrow rose in question, and the boy simply stared at him. It appeared his submissive mate was challenging him in a way.

"What are you doing?" Severus questioned quietly.

The boy remained silent, clearly thinking if he should even bother answering. Severus almost dared him to say something disrespectful. "Revising," Harry offered simply.

"I meant your lack of attire."

Harry looked down at his chest. "I had a shower, I wasn't tired yet, and I have a test tomorrow in Transfiguration."

"Why am I not surprise? Of course, Quidditch would come first to you. How do you actually intend to move forward in any of your studies if you revise at the last minute?" Severus berated angrily.

Harry didn't look up. "Actually, I've been revising all week, and I've been in the library instead of being at Quidditch practice. There's just this one thing I'm trying to get my head around, and Professor McGonagall wasn't willing to elaborate any further." Harry said the last part more to himself, biting his lip in thought.

"Why bother trying?" Severus bent down to see what text Harry was reading. He briefly caught a glimpse of the title of the page, before the boy covered the book up with his elbows, glaring at him.

"To prove you wrong," Harry hissed at him angrily.

Severus looked into the boy's anger infused eyes and for some reason, began to laugh.

Harry's cheeks flushed with anger and he pushed himself up by his forearms. "I'm smarter than you give me credit for. Considering I've had a mad man try and kill me nearly every year I've been here, the fact that I even passed any of my O.W.L.S is a miracle, and I even got good marks."

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic Potter! Some of us had school a lot harder than you. What with Dumbledore worshiping the ground you walk on, and teachers fawning all over you… The only reason I allowed you to remain in my class was because Dumbledore intervened on your behalf!"

"I don't recall asking him to do that. All I want is to pass school and do it on my own merit." Harry sighed irritably and rested his forehead on his book. "Not as James' or Lily's son but as Harry, then I will decide my own future." His jade eyes rose at this, glaring at the man.

"Your future is that you will be tied to a Werewolf forever, an eternal zookeeper. Maybe Care of Magical Creatures should be what you focus on." Severus told him snidely.

"That won't be forever. I have saved Artemis as I promised I would do. As soon as I defeat Voldemort, we are both free."

Severus found himself irritated at the boy's simple tone. How arrogant was this young boy to think that he could defeat the most powerful Dark Lord at the mere age of seventeen. A small part of him was shocked at the boy's willingness to let him go after the war.

"How does a mere boy propose to do that, where countless people have failed? What makes you so damn special Potter?" Severus sneered.

"I am the only person with an insight to Tom's world. I have seen his thoughts, his ambitions and I understand parseltongue, and only I understand what he orders his followers to do. It is a gift any Death eater would kill me to possess, and yet I have never been swayed to join him. When I looked into the Mirror of Erised, I saw how to stop Voldemort in my first year, nothing else."

Harry sat up onto his knees, closing his book with a thud. "I will destroy Voldemort. I know you know of the prophecy, everyone in the order now does. Only I can destroy him, and I will do so." The passion rang clear in his voice, and Severus was a little taken aback by it.

It was true. Any Death Eater would kill, maim or destroy for the insight this young boy had. Heck, once upon a time, Severus himself would have strangled him for it. It was a tough burden on one so young. But Severus was curious, why was the boy not swayed by the power Voldemort possessed? Severus could feel Harry's own magic pulsating through his body, and it was strong enough to rival the Dark Lord's. What was more important to Harry?

"Why are you not tempted, Potter?" Severus asked him gently, no malice, no scorn, just a simple question. Severus truly wanted to understand what made this boy different. How did he keep true to his ideals when so many, including himself had fallen to the lure of the dark?

Harry watched him, a little cautious. Eventually he answered, whispering so quietly that Severus had to strain to hear it. "My parents… How could I join someone who killed my parents? You might not understand sir, as you disliked them, but they gave me life. They were meant to look after me and keep me safe, but he took it away from me."

Harry was right, Severus could not understand. After all, his own parents did not raise him well. Severus was not raised in a loving home, filled with laughter and warmth. Severus hated his parents and they, him. Severus's ideals were his and his alone; he could not imagine fighting on someone else's behalf. Well that wasn't strictly true; he fought for the Order and for Dumbledore, who he looked up to in a strange way. He also fought for Harry, to keep the boy safe and to aid him in the war. As loathe as he was to admit it, he was protective of the boy.

Who wouldn't have been? Severus could remember the boy's first year. How he had stared at everything in amazement, like he had been Muggle born. Reality came crashing down on Severus. Of course he acted Muggle born. Severus recalled the pitiful possessions of his mate, at how the boy had always worn scruffy clothes at the weekends. Severus had thought it all an act, the poor little orphan boy, desperate for attention. Severus had soon fixed that, by being abysmal to the boy in classes. He wasn't going to be taken in by the boy's act, as attention seeking as his father. No, he would bring the boy wonder down a peg.

Severus had ignored the mutterings of teachers about how horrible the boy's muggle relatives were. So Harry didn't get everything he wanted, it was none of Severus' concern. But what if Harry hadn't gotten anything? The boy wasn't exactly well fed or clothed.

"I still don't see how you, a mere boy is going to stop the Dark lord. Last I heard, your marks in Defence against the Dark Arts were slipping." Severus couldn't help it. He was just a nasty bastard at heart. This was precisely why he didn't want to bond with the boy. Even though he seemed to be coming to the conclusion that Harry Potter was not who he thought, he could not change his snarky ways. He would only damage the boy mentally in the end.

Severus Snape could not afford to have people close to him.

"It doesn't matter what you think. I've already been having meetings with Dumbledore since school started. We have a plan and I think it will work." Harry turned his wand to the fire, adding to the dying flames.

Suddenly Severus was alert. He briefly remembered the old man mentioning something about Horcruxes. An image of his withered black hand suddenly sprang to mind. Surely Dumbledore was not so foolish as to include Harry on these missions, an untrained boy? Had Albus forgotten that Harry was now the mate of a Werewolf? Even as he thought that, Severus could feel that Artemis had snapped to attention.

The mere mention of the word Horcrux suddenly had the Werewolf snarling and attacking the mental hold of Severus' mind. Had Harry told it something in their last encounter?

"You are not destroying the Horcruxes," Severus told him firmly.

Instantly, the conversation took on a different edge. Both men could feel it in the air.

"What I do with my life has nothing to do with you." Harry told him angrily.

"You are not putting yourself in danger. And that is final!" Severus all but snarled. He could feel that Artemis was still struggling to take control, his concern for the boy adding fuel to the Werewolf's rage. Artemis didn't need to worry. Severus was not going to allow Harry to walk into that much danger. Who knew what would happen if they found another Horcrux.

"As I recall, the instructions were to stay away from you. At no point was I told to reveal my plans to you. It doesn't concern you." Harry got up to leave.

Acting on impulse Severus caught Harry's wrist, holding him into place. "It does concern me." Severus spoke firmly.

"Why? As I remember you dislike me. Immensely," Harry stressed the last word, pulling away from him.

Severus pulled him back onto the floor forcefully. Ignoring Harry's pained gasp when he landed on his back, Severus sat on his hips and glared down at him. "You are my mate; I will not allow you to put yourself in danger." He growled angrily.

Harry frowned in irritation and struggled to get himself free. Severus pinned his tanned arms above his head and stared down into the gorgeous green eyes of his mate. His glasses had been knocked off in his fall, revealing the hidden treasure that was his eyes to Severus. Harry suddenly stopped struggling, transfixed on his face. There it was once again, the bond demanding to be fulfilled.

Neither moved…

Harry's breathing was fast and Severus could see the boy's pulse jumping erratically in his slender throat. With his heightened sense of smell, courtesy of Artemis, Severus could literally smell the boy's desire suddenly flare up. Was it the bond that made the boy desire him? Or had it been there all along? Could someone really lust after him?

With the bond tugging at him and Harry's delectable smell washing over him, Severus forcefully pushed his lips against Harry's. The smell of desire sharply rose, engulfing Severus in its warm haze. He could feel Harry beneath him responding and it urged Severus forward. Snaking his tongue out, he stroked it against Harry's warm ruby lips, demanding entrance.

The boy yielded, emitting a small moan which only added fuel to Severus' desire. As he plundered the boy's warm mouth with his tongue, Severus felt all rational thought leave his body. So what if he was meant to hate the boy? Nothing felt more right than what was happening at this moment.

Harry pulled away first, ending the kiss, panting loudly. Severus offered no mercy, attacking the boy's throat with kisses and nips that had Harry writhing underneath him. Agonizingly slowly, Severus trailed his finger tips over the underside of Harry's arms still held above his head.

"Ugh…Sir," Harry groaned, arching his body flush against the older man's.

Severus couldn't stop, further spurred on by his young mate's actions. Severus moved to attack his collar bone, suckling gently, his hands now mapping the contours of Harry's sides.

Severus could feel that Harry was in heaven with all the sensations coursing through his body. His hands tangled into the rug beneath him and his body pressed eagerly into Severus's of its own accord.

Severus licked a path of flame across Harry's collar bone and the boy's hands came to grasp onto the older man's back, clinging on for dear life. Harry met the man's gaze and brought his head closer, hesitantly initiating the kiss. It was the first time Harry had kissed the man himself, and he was rewarded by a low moan in the back of Severus' throat.

Harry's arms circled around Severus' neck as the man deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to map out his younger mate's mouth. Severus' fingers tangled in the messy, raven locks, tugging gently as he forcefully continued the kiss.

Harry's leg slid up of its own accord, to better accommodate Severus' weight upon him. Instantly, one of Severus' hands was freed, and it was dragged across Harry's thigh, eliciting louder and more frequent moans from him. Severus growled his approval, rubbing his finger pads over the soft skin of the top of Harry's foot.

Severus's thumb pressed into the arch of Harry's foot, rubbing more firmly, drowning Harry in sensations he didn't think were possible.

Both were completely lost to their lust.

Severus was fighting the urge to simply grasp the boy by his hips and turn him over. In response, his hands did indeed grasp Harry's protruding hip bones but he had to fight the urge to flip Harry over.

Harry was young and whilst by no means was he unwilling, the boy was inexperienced. Severus would go slowly to accommodate his mate this first time and then he would be free to satisfy his mate in whatever way he saw fit. So Severus settled for lifting the boy's hips, his fingers splaying over Harry's cheeks. Roughly, he brought the boy up to grind against himself and he was pleased to feel an equal hardness from his partner.

The boy gasped aloud and buried his face into the crook of Severus' neck. Severus could feel the sweat dampening Harry's temples, and he let Harry's hips go so he could grab the boy's neck gently with one of his hands. Gently Severus prised Harry away from him, with a firm hand cradling the back of his neck.

Harry's eyes were clamped shut with a fierce blush staining his cheeks. Severus could do nothing but look on in wonder at what was presented to him. Tenderly, he kissed the skin just next to the closed eyes, which made Harry open his emerald orbs. Severus did nothing further except look in to them, stunned at the trust he could see within.

Severus probed the boy's mind ever so gently so that Harry would not be aware and he could see that the boy had wanted this to happen for a while. If that was because of the bond or because of Artemis, Severus wasn't sure, but right now it was only Severus Snape that Harry was craving.

He sat back and pulled Harry with him, so the boy was straddling his hips as Severus's back was turned towards the fire. The boy was swathed once again in an orange glow and he was now beginning to look hesitantly around. Severus grasped his chin and brought him in once again for a kiss.

The atmosphere around them had changed once again. A few minutes earlier, their passionate union had been brought on because the pair of them had been angry, and the result had been them clashing together. Now something was different. The anger was gone but the passion still lingered, but it had taken on a new edge.

Now Severus had regained control of himself. The bond between them lurked in their subconscious, demanding the two of them to complete it. Severus no longer had the anger controlling his motions. His free hand moved Harry's hips impossibly closer to his own, which made Harry break off the kiss and fling his head back. Severus could not stop himself, morals be damned. Here was someone who was immensely attractive, bending and writhing under his own touch.

Severus felt an unexpected rush of protectiveness at the boy's vulnerable form, aching to be touched and satisfied by him. Not Artemis, but him. Severus's hands moved down into the boy's boxers and suddenly something in the air snapped and Harry was scrambling off of him, away from his hands and their caresses.

Bewildered, Severus looked up at a breathless, who clearly wanted this as much as he himself did.

"No I can't. This is too painful." With that as his only explanation, Harry grabbed his glasses and a pair of trousers from the back of the sofa and fled their quarters.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Severus waited all of five minutes to allow his body to calm down before chasing after the boy. He felt rejected and angry and despite his initial reaction to just go to bed and forget about the boy, he had gotten up and gone to look for him.

What was so painful? It was clear both desired the other, wasn't it? Well, it was clear that Harry desired him, but he had no idea what the boy was thinking. Severus hoped that no teachers or students would find Harry running about the castle in only a pair of trousers.

The Astronomy tower was empty, as was the room of requirement. Severus did not think Harry would go back to Gryffindor tower and truth be told, Severus did not know where to look. Where would Harry have gone if he was upset?

Trying to piece all the facts he knew about the boy, he eventually recalled that Harry was friendly with Hagrid and the house elves. Severus doubted the boy would have gone to Hagrid half naked, and the kitchens would have been empty and a place he would have never thought to look. If he had been Harry, he would have hid there.

Eventually Severus found Harry, cowering within the kitchens. Clad only in his trousers the boy looked cold and miserable. His back was covered in Goosebumps and his head was bowed towards the table. Severus said nothing; he just sat opposite the boy and waited.

Slowly Harry looked up at him. The air remained silent, even the house elves seemed to have retired for the night.

"That's twice now." Was all Severus offered the boy.

Harry sighed and looked down at the table once again. "I know."

Severus folded his arms and leant back. He knew he looked intimidating in this pose, but he couldn't help it. This boy had all but rejected him twice now and his pride was wounded. Even Artemis was angry at the boy for running away; this was not how a submissive mate was supposed to act.

"I'm sorry." Harry told him.

Severus wanted to rage and shout at the boy. Did he not understand how it went against his morals to be with a student in this way? Did Harry not understand that Severus was beginning to see him in a different light?

"Look Sir." Harry got a dose of courage from Merlin only knew where, and Severus held back on being nasty to hear what the boy had to say for himself. "I appreciate that the bond is making this really hard for you. I can only imagine what it must be like, your own body trying to be with someone you hate. It's no different from Romilda trying to put a love potion in my drink nearly every week."

Harry scratched his hair line absentmindedly. "Whilst you may not like me, and I understand why I am sorry for letting you get so swept away earlier, I should have stopped you sooner…but I…" Harry trailed off.

Severus said nothing, but he could feel his face beginning to set in stone.

"I won't let it happen again I promise you. I promised that I would stay out of your way, and I would like to be known as someone who keeps his word."

Severus nodded in acceptance and felt something heavy and uncomfortable fall into his stomach. What else did he expect? Harry looked relieved and Severus was glad for his mask. He wanted to ask Harry what was so painful about their union, but he could not.

"The problem with your homework earlier, what was it?" Severus asked him.

Harry was visibly startled at the notion of Severus actually speaking to him. His eyes narrowed marginally as if he was trying to work out what the older man was up to. "Gamp's law of elemental transfiguration. We briefly touched upon the subject in O.W.L.S and I know that one of the five things that you cannot transfigure is food, but I don't know if my theories for the other four are good enough."

Severus laced his fingers together and rested his chin upon them. He remembered this assignment it was a very hard one unless you had the mind set for transfiguration. It wasn't something Harry would be able to find out from a book, unless he cheated and went to the restricted section. Severus knew that for all Harry's flaws he was not a cheat.

"Let's hear them, then."

Harry suddenly went mute, and looked nervously at the back of his hands. Severus suddenly wished he hadn't criticized the boy so much, he was genuinely interested in hearing what the boy had to say, but he had no way of conveying that to Harry. He would have to wait and hope that his Gryffindor courage would encourage him to take a risk once more.

But there was still a small, niggling part of him that insisted that Harry's ideas would be stupid and that he was wasting his time. The only flair the boy seemed to have for school was within Defense against the Dark arts and that was probably the Dark Lord's influence more then his own.

"I think they are love, life, information and metals." Harry rushed out in a mumbled whisper.

"Why." Severus to his credit did not allow his jaw to fall slack.

"You cannot recreate the feelings of love. You can, with potions; but a spell would fade in time. Life because there is nothing to bring back the dead. You can manipulate the dead but you cannot give them back their lives. Precious metals such as gold cannot be made out of thin air, otherwise there would be no need for galleons and the like, and our economy would crash. Information was the one I was stuck with. If we could recreate information then we would be able to know were Voldemort was hiding and what he was planning. We would know about Umbridge before she had a chance to do the terrible things that she did." Harry trailed of uncomfortably.

Severus tried to reign his shocked mind back in. Had Harry actually always been intelligent? Or was it his own wisdom rubbing off on the boy? Or was it the boy's stubbornness to prove to Snape he wasn't who he said he was. That had been what Harry had said earlier. "I'm impressed Potter, those sound like reasonable rules." That was it. No bitterness, no belittling the boy, nothing. Severus was proud of himself.

He was rewarded with a smile, like the one he had seen at the Quidditch match, but it was only meant for him. Severus Snape was losing himself.

TBC

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