HARRY POTTER AND CO. BELONG TO ROWLING!

"Till Debt Do Us Part…"

HP/SS

AN: Although it is not a scene Ch. 10 does mention Rape. If it makes you uncomforatble please don't read. Like I said it's only mentioned not described.

Chapter ten. It means something now.

Harry and Severus walked to their rooms in silence. Their footsteps echoed through the dark dungeons and except for the occasional wailing of Peeves nothing else was heard on their way back. They arrived to the entrance sooner than they thought possible. Whispering the password Severus took his husband by the hand and the pair entered side by side. Harry couldn't help but feel that it meant something but he didn't ask.

They passed the large living room and walked into their dark bedchamber stopping before the large bed. Harry looked at it nervously and then looked at Severus who was watching him closely. Snape waited for Harry to take the next step. As ready as he was for their union to be consummated he was older and had to be sure that his younger spouse was as ready as he was.

Harry bit his lip agitatedly. This was the moment of truth ...he had told Severus that he wanted him...but could he let him? He had to! It couldn't be so hard, could it? Memories the youth had worked hard to ignore came rushing back and he stiffened in alarm. Looking at the imposing Wizard before him Harry found himself hesitating. What if he freaked out? He had to tell him!

Harry's breathing was slightly altered and Severus frowned as to why. Was he nervous? He hadn't acted it in the tower.

The youth wanted Severus to make love to him; a big part of him needed it but he found himself unable to move. His memories had pinned him where he stood. Merlin...he had to tell him about Ron and the Dark Lord. He opened his mouth and closed it, minutes later he still couldn't say anything. His mind was in a panic. It hadn't mattered before or so he had thought but looking at Severus he knew the Wizard had to know. Clearning his throat nervously he began, "Before we have...," he looked away unable to say the word, "I...need to tell you something." He continued shaking his head unconsciously.

Snape frowned worriedly. He had initially thought that the youth's hesitation might have something to do with it being Harry's first experience but now he wasn't so sure. "Is it that important?" he inquired giving his spouse a way out.

"No..." Harry shook his head and then contradicted himself seconds later, "Yes! Yes it is! Yes it is." The youth murmured twisting his hands.

Snape nodded and moved to Harry."Very well." Severus took Harry's hand and led him to the sofa by the fire. The pair sat next to each other. Harry hugged himself and looked at his husband's dark eyes, they waited for him expectantly. Swallowing hard he sank his hands in his pockets and looked away. Would he understand? Would anybody? Dumbledore, Poppy and Ron, at one time, were the only ones who knew.

"When I was captured by Voldemort..." Harry sighed exasperated with himself and looked at the fire wishing he were somewhere else. Merlin if only the Ministry hadn't interfered he would be! Looking at Severus briefly he sighed, but then he wouldn't have someone who wanted him...It was so twisted!

Severus's brow went up. Captured by Voldemort? "Go ahead." He murmured bracing himself for the worst.

Harry's green eyes locked with Severus's onyx ones and he began, "...Ron had been captured two days earlier...when I was captured he was put under the Imperius Curse...he was ..." Harry stopped and then continued. "One of the reasons I don't like men is because ..."

Snape swore mentally. Harry didn't have to say anymore he knew what was coming. The Dark Lord had been known for that particular cruelty. Unfortunately for him Harry continued almost inaudibly. "Voldemort made Ron torture me and then... rape me." Severus didn't know what to say and Harry turned away in desperation.

After a while the Potions Master touched Harry's shoulder lightly, "He had Mr. Weasley rape you..." Harry nodded tears sliding down his face. Snape shook his head and pulled Harry into his arms. Grateful for the support the teen slowly relaxed and laid his head on the older Wizard's shoulder .

Snape groaned mentally, Dumbledore probably knew about it. That was why the Headmaster had been so troubled by the Ministry's plans. Merlin! No wonder the man had pleaded with him to give Harry time! With as much control as he could muster Snape cleared his throat and asked, "Anyone else?" He had to know everything.

Harry pulled away ashamed. Unsure of what to do Snape allowed him to move away. "I don't their names they had masks on." Harry whispered looking away. "Ron didn't mean it," Harry murmured, "and he felt horrible after wards, we were put in the same cell. He wouldn't even look at me. I hurt like hell but I knew it wasn't his fault. I kept telling him that. He lost it. It was horrible! I had never, we had never...neither one of us! He's in love with Hermione! He couldn't take it! After Ron was done...Voldemort lifted the curse and healed me and then he raped me himself. Son of a bitch, he healed me only to tear me apart a second time... I tried not cry out so Ron wouldn't...it didn't do any good...he made sure it hurt." Harry mumbled in defeat.

Severus felt physically ill. He had been a Death Eater for too long not to know what exactly had happened and how it had probably come about. While in the Dark Lord's service such gross events had become an almost daily occurrence. He had managed to detach himself from such things because he did not know the victims but how was he supposed to do it now. Looking down at Harry who clung to him he knew he had to find the strength and wisdom to do so.

"Mr. Weasly does not act in anyway different. Has he recovered from the experience?" He asked after a while. Snape looked at Harry closely the youth was twisting his hands apprehensively. Indeed Mr. Weasley seemed like nothing had ever happened. Snape stopped himself knowing he had stumbled onto something. Harry had been so affected by his rape and torture that he had planned on leaving the Wizarding World but the red-head was moving on...it wasn't yet two months and he would be getting married soon!...Something was definitely wrong. If he had been as distraught as Harry said... Where... How was it that Mr. Weasley...acted so normal? He had to know everything that had occurred. Reaching over he pulled Harry's hands in his and held them. "Tell me what happened."

Harry began, "After Voldemort, I was given to two others..." Harry couldn't help the involuntary shiver and pushed the memories of the experience back. He had seen what Voldemort was capable of through his visions and had known what could happen if he was ever caught. Voldemort, he had expected, even the other Death Eaters...but never Ron. "While I was...while it happened," Harry swallowed trying to still his stomach. Merlin don't let me throw up!

Snape noticed his husband's pale parlor and tried to interrupt him. "We can stop."

Harry shook his head adamantly. He had to tell him tonight or it'd be twice as hard tomorrow! "No! Now." Taking a deep breath Harry continued, "Voldemort crucioed Ron until he passed out. I think I passed out to...must've cause hours later I was in a cell with Ron, I was healed from the rapes but my hands were still shaking from the hexes. When Ron came to he started crying and beating his head on the stone wall. He couldn't take what he had done to me. I tried to comfort him but I couldn't go near him, not so soon. He kept saying he was going to kill himself...I knew he would do it or at least try to...I knew it wasn't his fault but he didn't see it that way...I was grateful when he finally fell asleep...when you showed up ..you handed me my wand and left us for a couple of minutes..."

Suddenly realizing the cause of the young red-head's patchy memory Severus lifted Harry's chin until he was looking into the luminous green eyes, "Harry, did you obliviate him?"

Harry only nodded. No wonder the Weasley boy couldn't seem to remember much of his capture. "Does he know you were raped?"

"Yes, but not that he participated. I took that memory out. Hermione doesn't know either but she's really smart so she might suspect something...I don't know really." Snape was at a loss for words.

"I couldn't let him hurt like that. I know he's emotional but he's my mate and I couldn't let it ruin his life. When you gave me my wand and left ...he started waking up. When he saw me he started crying saying he wanted to die...I had to do something..." Nodding in understating Severus held Harry while the youth buried his face in his heavy robes.

Severus couldn't help but feel confused. Harry had been acting just as normal. Well maybe not as normal but certainly not as one would after such an ordeal or had he? He had planned to leave you fool! What had Granger said... 'Harry is hurting.' He had plans of leaving the Wizarding World. Plans of settling down alone...maybe never to be heard from again.

Snape like everyone else had heard the rumors about a supposed relationship between Harry and the red-head but knowing that Draco had started the murmuring and too caught up in his own problems he hadn't paid much attention, he should've known better. "The rumors about you and Mr. Weasly?"

Harry groaned and clutched Severus's arm. "Malfoy started them...he doesn't know anything for certain...but I think Lucius was one of the two so maybe he does."

Snape closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. And here he was! Helping Draco and imposing his presence on Harry. But the boy aside from their usual rivalry hadn't let on that something more could be behind his dislike for his Godson. Harry even refused to admit that Draco had somehow caused him to be trapped in the Potions classroom. Remembering the kiss in the Headmaster's office and their kisses not an hour ago he commented, "You don't seem as affected by it."

Harry sighed exhaustedly, "I don't think about it. I ignore it. Push it from my mind...I do that a lot Severus. It's really easy. If I don't think about it...it didn't happen..." he finished with a shrug. "I can put on an act like the best Slytherin!" Harry exclaimed smiling. Studying Harry's seemingly joyous face Snape slowly nodded in understanding. "I almost got away with it too but I told the Headmaster about leaving and he told the Ministry and then it all came out!" Severus arched his brow questioningly. Harry clarified quickly enough, "My instability!" He continued the smile firmly on his lips.

Harry's nonchalant behavior was all a front! "But now..." Snape began carefully.

The smile faded slowly, "...you had to know, I want us to get along now."

"You care?" Snape interrupted.

"If I didn't, I would've just...let you do it and I would've ..."

"Subjected yourself to me?" Merlin the boy was a Martyr! Well nothing was going to be happening if he had a say so and he did.

"It wouldn't have meant anything before!" Harry explained noticing his husband's tense features. "You're my Professor! My father was a git to you and ... and we hated each other for the longest. It wasn't important before...," he trailed off only to continue seconds later, "...now it's different. You want me! That's all I ever wanted, someone who wants me. I'm telling you because I didn't want you to think that if I... reacted badly to ...s ...sex it was because of you, because it's not true. I want you to...I really do but it's just that...It means something now...and I don't want to spoil it. It means something." Harry finished trying to keep his voice from braking.

Listening to Harry's explanation Severus was able make some sense of the youth's mental state. He didn't want to spoil it? He! He was acting as if it were his fault! Still yourself Snape! He's young! He'doesn't know any better! "I understand." Severus interrupted knowing the teen awaited his answer tensely.

Lying his head on Snape's shoulder Harry closed his eyes. He wanted Snape ...he really did but at the same time...he was scared of his reaction...everything had been so much easier when he thought Snape didn't care one wit about him. He should've never kissed him in the Headmaster's office but he had panicked so badly! Now that he had seen Snape's human side he felt nervous about letting him down. "Would you mind if we didn't do anything tonight?" Harry continued hopefully.

Severus cleared his throat. "No I wouldn't." Harry would need time and that was that. He would wait until he knew the youth was well enough to take it to the next step. Two months be damned!

"Thanks." Emotionally and physically exhausted Harry succumbed to sleep in his husband's embrace. The Potions Master sat for hours looking into the fire while Harry slept fitfully.

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