Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. If there are any ideas feel free to post them. I just want to thank my wonderful beta readers for always tweaking the story, listening to me complaining or bouncing ideas off of them. Thank you also for the readers who pointed out some helpful tips. I realized the last chapter was overloaded with information, due to lack of time I can't edit the chapter the way I wanted to without changing it drastically but I will make sure it doesn't happen again. This chapter is for everybody who reviewed, read or otherwise helped me. Let's begin. This chapter picks up where the other chapter left off.
Harry breathed out deeply as the door banged shut behind him. His green eyes met the cool ones of Professor McGonagall and he inclined his head, passing a quick hand over his clothing in case it was rumpled or showed anything of what he had just been doing.
His wand shot sparks and Harry winced at the soreness of his body. He tried to keep his face blank but the grin kept threatening to break free, he was no longer a virgin. He had had sex. So that was what all the fuss had been about.
Harry frowned at himself; he couldn't particularly say he enjoyed it because it had hurt, a lot. It had been fast and dirty and that had been it. Perhaps he had expected more but it was done and all he could do now was to suck it up and deal with it. He was Harry bloody Potter, he would deal with it, and he always did.
He would find a way to make it work for the best, for both him and Snape. He would find out what would happen to the bond now but he felt loads better. No matter what may happen he had shared something else with Snape nobody had ever shared with him before and he was going to keep that thought close to his heart.
He lifted his head. The bond wasn't only for him if it was going to give Snape a chance to flee when it became too much for the older wizard. He closed his eyes, savoring the feel of his magic returning. It felt so good, he had nearly forgotten how it felt.
He pocketed his wand, smiling at Professor McGonagall. Her lips thinned as she frowned at him and Harry remembered lips that had nibbled on his throat barely a moment ago, had the older wizard left a mark by any chance? He flushed when a warm feeling settled in his stomach; he had been claimed by Snape. Snape had been his first and he would never forget that.
"I am ready to go." He softly said his voice a bit rough. He felt better than he had in days and he was sure it could be seen in his eyes as well.
The Headmistress frowned at Harry, taking in his appearance and the way he carried himself. How strange that the simple twenty minute talk with his husband had such a profound effect upon Potter. The green eyes were no longer glazed over with exhaustion and though the younger wizard still looked pale there was a determination and strength in the set of shoulders that showed Potter was feeling better than he had in days.
He winced again at the sharp pain in his arse, deep within himself. He was rubbed raw, weary suddenly with the exhaustion and the conflicting emotions. He was so glad that it was over and that he was stronger now or could grow stronger but on the other hand, had he done it alright? What if Snape was laughing at him for the poor shag he had been?
He shook his head, telling himself. I can't think this way about Severus. I. I have to be the strong one for now, until this mess is cleared up or over and we know where we stand. I am not going to fail him and myself. No matter what, the bond has been consummated and I will deal with it even if I only have the memories to carry me through to the end, whatever end that is.
"I need to give Severus' potions to his guard and then I will escort you home. Madam Pomfrey is there to go over the report we are filing to the Ministry."
Together they walked back to the doorway where the guard was waiting for them as Harry sharply said, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? What report?"
The Headmistress turned to him, her eyebrows knitted together in surprise and the thin lips pressed together tightly. "The report she filed in response to your collapse, Mr. Potter after the trial. We are trying to get them to see that sending Severus to Azkaban was a big mistake and will jeopardize both of you with tremendous health issues."
"And you think that this will get Severus released?"
"Yes, I will appeal to Shacklebolt's concern for you and the oath he swore to Albus to aid the Order. Severus is a very important part of the Order and a part of the Order's work is to see their members through. I however do expect you to consummate the bond as soon as possible. It cannot possibly get any worse between you two."
You want to bet?
"What if Shacklebolt is honor bound not to release Severus?" They walked out the door which closed with a resounding bang behind them and Harry looked back to the second door that cut him off from Snape.
Would the older wizard be sitting in his cell right now, thinking about what they had just done and perhaps smirking in knowing that he had brought his son's enemy to his knees and dominated him in that one moment? Harry sighed and turned back, he gave Professor McGonagall a tight lipped smile.
Smith spotted them and frowned, ending his conversation with another guard as he approached them. Immediately Professor McGonagall moved forward and said. "Give these potions to Professor Snape. He needs them three times a day. Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts mediwitch has already given you several potions but I was told to deliver more. He needs those, they are essential to his health."
"Yes, ma'am, I will make sure he receives them." The eyes of the older wizard shot to Harry, taking his obvious changed appearance. He seemed hesitant suddenly and Professor McGonagall drew herself up as she spat.
"Out with it!"
The guard gulped and then said. "Another prisoner has requested a word with you. Draco Malfoy deems it necessary that Mr. Potter will want to speak to him."
"And why would I wish to speak to him? I have nothing to say to him." A wave of anger suddenly washed over Harry. He hadn't forgotten Malfoy's testimony or his betrayal and nearly getting them killed in the Room of Requirement. What did he want now?
"He has requested to see you and he says it is of great importance. It concerns Professor Snape." Harry frowned. It didn't sound right. He sighed tiredly; all he wanted was to go home and to think things through at the moment. So much had happened in the last few hours.
He gave a curt nod and said. "Very well then, I will see Draco Malfoy."
A cold feeling was settling in his stomach, this wasn't good. Why would Malfoy desire to see him all of a sudden? Harry didn't want nor had anything to do with Malfoy. They had been caught and brought to Azkaban shortly after he had married Snape and he had been so absorbed in his own problems that he hadn't even thought of the Malfoys.
He glanced at Professor McGonagall who frowned at him again. His former Head of House seemed at a loss for words and Harry steeled himself. He knew what he had to do. He couldn't afford to make any more enemies, especially with the Malfoy trial getting as much attention as Snape's trial.
If Malfoy had something to say to Harry about Snape, something important, then he better find out what it was. He knew that what professor McGonagall was trying to do, to get Snape released because they were weak and wounded, it wouldn't work. Nothing like this ever worked. He gave another nod and then followed Mr. Smith through another door.
The cold air hit him and Harry shivered. He forced himself to take even breaths, slow and steady. His mind kept presenting him with dark eyes locked with his own, hands ghosting over his skin making him moan, the burning pain deep within him, the feel of skin upon his own, the warmth spreading through him, his magic returning, the feeling his very blood was screaming with Snape's voice and every breath the older wizard took making him moan, every thrust deep within him that hit that nerve that made stars appear.
Harry tore himself back to the present with a fierce scowl. This was not the time but one thing was for certain, no matter how much pain it may have been, he wouldn't be so opposed to doing it again.
He allowed his mind to wander a bit. Was he feeling so well because he had just consummated the bond or simply because for the first time in weeks he had reason to smile again? The future was still dark, uncertain and the losses he had suffered were still there but he had shared something very special with Snape.
He called himself to order again. This wasn't the time to put any special meaning to it. Everybody lost their virginity at one point. He was just a big freak to make a big deal out of it and expect the world to change overnight because he had lost his virginity to somebody who never wanted to touch him in the first place.
What did it matter that words had been whispered to him in the throes of passion? Words he would remember forever and would allow them to be a link to a wizard who had never wanted to marry him in the first place. It just made him more a freak that he had learned nothing and that he valued words when he had learned a long time ago that they meant nothing.
The cell door they came to was so similar to Snape's door that Harry wondered for a moment if he had been taken to the wrong cell. He choked back a sob, what he wouldn't give to share a bed with the older wizard? To get back to the comfort of Spinner's End and the difficulty of their marriage.
Instead he squared his shoulders as the guard opened the door. The older wizard's eyes were guarded and then he stepped into the cell first, wand drawn.
The ice cold air washed over Harry and he pulled his cloak tighter about himself, searching for his wand. The young blond dirty male on the bed shot up, his grey eyes narrowed as they took in Harry's green ones. Azkaban did not agree with Draco Malfoy,
The otherwise perfectly groomed blond hair was dirty and Draco had pushed it back from his face. The pale face twisted in a look of contempt before he smoothed it out in a carefully blank complexion and Harry suddenly knew that Draco had looked a lot better in the courtroom.
"Malfoy, you wanted a word?" He said his voice controlled, aware of the guard behind him.
The cool grey eyes, so like his father, assessed the guard behind him and the raised wand and then Draco said his voice curt and soft. "Yeah, if he leaves. I won't talk otherwise."
"It doesn't matter to me, Malfoy, if you talk or not." Harry crossed his arms over his chest and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He kept the wince from showing in his face because he didn't need Draco to think that he was any weaker than he already thought he was.
Draco's eyes narrowed and he smirked smugly; Harry felt a growl rise in his throat. "Oh, I think it does, Potter, or else life might get very lonely at Spinner's End without your bond mate."
Cursing Malfoy under his breath, careful not to make his magic react to it, he turned back to Smith. "Could you leave us?"
"I don't think that is a very good idea, sir," The guard said carefully, his wand still raised and his eyes upon Malfoy.
Harry turned back to Draco and then said. "Oh, I think it is. Leave us!"
"You foolish boy, you will get…."
"Don't forget who I vanquished. I can take on Draco Malfoy if he tries anything but he knows better. He expects a favor in return and my name carries a lot of weight around the Ministry and Malfoy knows that. He won't try anything," Harry said with grim determination. Draco scowled but shuddered.
Smith glanced from one young male to the other, so different in appearances as well as legacy and he nodded. "Very well, 10 minutes, Potter!"
Harry merely gave a nod, not taking his eyes off of Malfoy until the door banged shut. He raised an eyebrow. "Well, talk!"
"Your bond mate wasn't pleased with you, Potter or was he buried too deep within you to care?"
With a cry of outrage Harry had taken his wand and he leaped forward, pushing it against Malfoy's temple. Magic crackled through the air and Harry hissed through clenched teeth. "You forget who you are talking to, Malfoy. I have no problem with walking out of here regardless of what it is that you have to say to me about Snape! You on the other hand need something of me so spit it out!"
The grey eyes narrowed with rage and anger and then Malfoy gave a curt nod, hissing in the same cold tone. "Release me!"
Harry complied and he stepped back, watching the blond sink down to the floor before picking himself up. He appeared angry at himself and Harry settled against the wall to watch as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Draco paced the small dingy cell for a moment, running a hand through his dirty hair and Harry was relieved to notice that the normally perfect manicured and trimmed nails were clipped and looked to be torn off. Draco finally turned back to Harry and said.
"You were right, Potter. I do want something from you! I want you to speak at my trial!"
"I am not going to clear you and your father's name, Malfoy, your information surely is not that important!" Harry snarled.
""Not my father, Potter, only me! I don't care what happens to my father, he deserves to be punished for his crimes but I had no choice in this! I was as much a victim as you were. How do you think my father would have regarded me had I expressed that I didn't want to be a Death Eater…"
"Are you one then?" Harry asked coldly and he watched how Draco paled and he seized his left arm before he pulled up his sleeve and showed Harry the unmarked skin. Harry merely raised an eyebrow. He didn't know if the mark had disappeared after Voldemort had died because he hadn't even paid attention to Snape's arm when they had made love.
"I wasn't marked if that is what you mean. I was supposed to be marked the night you and your friends were caught by Greyback. I suppose I was lucky that you stole my wand and escaped because you successfully divided the Dark Lord's attention from marking me but I paid foolishly for allowing you to take my wand."
"I was glad to be of help." He snarled at the blond and Draco smirked at him,
"Now, I need you to testify at my trial. You were there the night Dumbledore died."
"Only those with a mark could pass up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower," Harry frowned.
"I know! Will you stop interrupting me?" Draco snarled before he forced himself to be calm as he ran a hand over his face and continued. "The Death Eaters that followed me put up that barrier. I was already waiting up on the tower even before they appeared. Anyway, what I am about to tell you is a warning. Father is angry, very angry with Snape. Not that he doesn't have any reason to be with him being a traitor and all, but I felt I should tell you for saving all our asses. All I ask in return is that you tell the Wizengamot about the night Dumbledore died."
"I will be signing Snape's death warrant."
"No, you won't. The memories you gave the Wizengamot, if they are true, will plead for his innocence and that he was being forced in killing Dumbledore. Anyway…."
"What do you want to tell me?" Harry asked again.
Draco took a deep breath, his eyes cast down before they rose up to meet Harry's. Grey met green and Harry gave a nod as Draco whispered. "Father is angry, like I said before. He wants revenge. He is terrified of going to Azkaban. He doesn't want to go down alone and he is determent to take Snape with him or to at least see him trip and hit the ground. Father doesn't look past his own wounds. He would take you down if he could, disgrace your name but instead he knows he can't so he is going to focus upon Snape. He claims that the night of that massive breakout of Azkaban, the one back in our fifth year, Snape was there along side of him, helping them escape."
Hiding the blow and the pain Harry asked. "Was he?"
"I don't know. It will be father's word against Snape's and guess who they want to believe. You can prove it. Ask McGonagall or Dumbledore. If they say that Snape was with them and they can prove it, father won't have a leg to stand on. Do not say I told you this!"
"That is all?" Harry pushed himself away as Draco gave a nod.
"Okay." He merely said as he turned to the door.
He opened it as Draco called out. His voice cracking suddenly. "Potter, my trial?"
"Consider it done! Add my name to the testimony list and tell me when. Now if you will excuse me I have other things to do, like proving my bond mate's innocence."
"Thank you, oh and Potter, get some healing paste on that wound. Works much better than anything else!" And with the cold smile and a feeling of shame and rage, Harry closed the door on Draco Malfoy.
Hp
The way they arrived in Spinner's End, the flurry of excitement that heralded their excitement was anything unlike Harry had ever seen before, except after the Final Battle but since he had been unconscious at the time, he was shaking as both Hermione and Ron nearly pounced upon them.
The tiny living room was full of people suddenly, too crowded and Harry felt the need to escape. Madam Pomfrey approached him, wand raised as Harry backed away from Professor McGonagall and the portkey. "I am fine." He forced out, his magic crackling over his skin, agitated and fueled by his emotions.
"Mr. Potter, it is very important that you do not over extend yourself. Azkaban is a terrible place and you may be experiencing some shock affects because of Severus' imprisonment."
"So then your next stop will be Azkaban and you will go and see about him, if he is alright?" Harry bit out. Madam Pomfrey's eyes widen and she glanced at Professor McGonagall, whose lips thinned as the Headmistress snapped, temper running high.
"Watch your words, Mr. Potter. We understand the difficult position that you are in and the stress you are going through but if you had done as requested, namely consummated the bond between you and your bond mate and thereby validating your marriage, none of this would have happened!"
Rage welled up within him and Harry drew strength from it. He was already feeling much stronger and he pulled all his magic towards him and his wand, making the wooden stick crackle with the power as he hissed. "You would have condemned him either way! If he had consummated the bond you would say he would have taken advantage of me and if he hadn't well then that would have been another point you would have fallen over. Don't blame this on him, start by blaming that senile old man who is now nothing more than a portrait on the wall and a body rotting in a marble tomb! Severus may have done terrible things in his time but he was nothing compared to Albus Dumbledore, who sacrificed innocent children to get what he wanted. Yeah he was sorry in the end, no doubt but it does mean that we are left to deal with this mess. Well don't worry anymore, it is done, the marriage is valid!"
Silence greeted him and for a moment Harry took pride in being able to shock a room into silence. Hermione's lower lip was trembling as she looked at him and Ron was simply staring at him. Madam Pomfrey had lowered her wand, too shocked by his angry outburst to say anything and Professor McGonagall was staring at him in shock but her lips were pressed together tightly.
The spell was finally broken as Hermione whispered, stepping closer and peering into his eyes, making Harry slightly uncomfortable with the obvious regret he saw in there as she whispered. "Oh, Harry, you didn't! Not in Azkaban, you didn't?"
He felt a growl rise in his throat as he stepped back, his eyes upon Hermione as he bit out, the words for all the people in the room to hear. "Don't you dare judge me, Hermione! You haven't got the right! All of you kept pressing for us to consummate the bond and we didn't! True, Severus landed in Azkaban because of his own stubbornness but I won't have you judge us when we have done exactly what you asked! For years nobody looked out for us or judges or even stopped us when we needed you to and now you dare. The nerve of you people!"
"Harry James Potter, we are trying to help!" Professor McGonagall boomed and Harry rounded on her.
"That still doesn't give you the right to judge how and in what manner we consummated the bond, that is between me and my bond mate and as long as we can live with it, then it shouldn't be any concern of yours! Why don't you focus upon what Draco Malfoy told me because it is much more important than events that are in the past? Bemoaning the fact that we consummated the bond in a dingy cell with dirty blankets within a 10 minute space of time really isn't what we need right now!"
Silence greeted him again and Harry turned to see Ron gaping at him as his best friend whispered. "Mate, that is gross."
"Better than being told when to shag and probably also how to do it!" Harry growled. He was out of patience.
Professor McGonagall finally stepped in and snapped at Harry, reminding him of when he was a first year. "That will be enough, Mr. Potter! I understand that you are upset but this isn't the time or the place."
"No, it is never the time if I had to listen to you when I wanted to shout out my frustrations. And besides, this is my place so if I want to vent my frustrations then so be it. This is my house too, in case you have forgotten!"
Professor McGonagall sighed and glanced around at the dirty and small sitting room before she pinched the bridge of her nose and shot Harry an angry glare. "Very well. In a moment you may 'vent' all you like, Mr. Potter but for now tell us about what Draco Malfoy was so keen to discuss with you."
Harry took a deep breath as he pushed his frustrations down. There would be a time to address the issues he had raised later as Ron exclaimed. "What did that slimy ferret want with you?"
"To testify at his trial for information about what Lucius is planning to tell the Wizengamot about Severus. Apparently the elderly Malfoy is not so keen on spending his life in Azkaban without taking somebody down with him. He would have loved it to be me but he knows he can't touch me without the whole of the Wizarding world falling over him, and if he ever wants to step back into society, well let's say he is smarter than that. No, instead he focuses upon Severus because Severus was a spy for the light side, and Malfoy can't stand the thought of being played by somebody he considered to be a friend."
"Lucius is a very dangerous individual. He is prepared to kill to get what he wants and he is quite cunning."
"Yeah a true Slytherin," Harry agreed with a smirk as he sobered a little before he continued. "According to Draco, Lucius wants to accuse Severus of o having a hand in the massive breakout of Azkaban back in our fifth year. The one where all the loyal Death Eaters escaped that we later saw in the ministry."
"But everybody knows that Voldemort was behind the attack, so Lucius will have a hard time proving that." Hermione said with a frown.
"No, Hermione, when Severus killed Dumbledore, he showed the world that he was a Death Eater and one of Voldemort's men. My word won't exonerate him from that, you know who the people believe, the papers instead of us. We had enough proof of that in our fifth year too. But it is quite easy to prove Malfoy's claim false. Somebody just has to testify that Severus was with somebody that faithful night and Malfoy won't have a leg to stand on."
Harry's mouth went dry when he noticed suddenly the look that passed between Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. He crossed his arms over his chest as he swallowed thickly, this wasn't good.
"What is it?" He asked, his voice a sudden whisper. Ron and Hermione must have noticed his distress because they too looked from one witch to another.
"The night of the outbreak, I knew Severus had been summoned. He would notify another person, usually Albus if he left to go to a meeting and Albus informed me because of the assigned detentions that I took over from Severus, and to delay Dolores Umbridge in case she needed Severus. I didn't see him leave the castle, nor did I see him return but Madam Pomfrey here did."Professor McGonagall fell silent and she glanced at the mediwitch.
Madam Pomfrey took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Harry's furious green ones as she said. "Severus returned to the castle shortly after midnight. I was notified by Albus the moment Severus left and I decided to remain awake in case he returned wounded. He did, he was trembling with the aftermath of the Cruciatus Curse and I applied the potions he needed. He looked unsettled but he wouldn't say anything about what had happened that night, he never did."
"But if you saw Severus that night then it means that Lucius Malfoy is wrong. He…he can't say Severus was at the breakout."
"Harry, Severus was summoned and we have no idea at what time the breakout was. The reports of the breakout are unreliable and we don't know if Severus was there or not. He could have been manipulated into it by Voldemort for all we know. We have no proof except for Severus' word and perhaps, if he is willing, his memories of the event."
It was like the ground had suddenly disappeared from underneath his feet as Harry shook his head to try and get his thoughts into a clear order.
"But surely Lucius Malfoy isn't so foolish as to say that he had a part to play in the outbreak of very dangerous criminals? He will be digging his own grave," Ron softly added his face pale.
"Lucius Malfoy is angry enough not to think clearly, it was clear in what Draco said. He doesn't care who he will see fall or destroy with his words, but he knows the impact his words will have if he tells the public that Severus had a part to play in releasing very hated, dangerous and mad followers of Voldemort. Lucius is digging his own grave but he will see Severus fall just as hard as he does, or possibly even harder, he has taken the fact that Severus was a spy for the light side very badly." Professor McGonagall's voice was trembling faintly and hatred shone through it.
"But then how can we proof that Severus is innocent of this last crime, if he is innocent at all? We need to hurry because of the Malfoy trial, if I am correct; Lucius is planning to reveal this to the Wizengamot next week." Hermione sighed and ran a hand through her bushy hair.
Madam Pomfrey stepped forward. "I need to finish this report to the Ministry so that Professor McGonagall can try to get Severus out of Azkaban, regardless of what the future might bring, that is not a healthy place for him, especially in his condition, even with the now improved bond between you." The mediwitch huffed as she nodded at Harry.
Hp
Harry's mind was reeling as he sat alone on the couch. The house was empty and everybody had left, finally he had some peace. He curled his feet underneath himself, pointing his wand at the fireplace as he whispered the incantation to build up the fire.
His magic had come back nearly instantly after his return from Azkaban. He could feel it when he moved and the power he had taken for granted for so many years was slowly coming back. He hadn't dared to use any big spells that took up lots of power and he was in no fit state to duel anytime soon even if he wanted to.
But there had been a huge improvement. He was no longer so tired and his magic had settled down, no longer being pulled in different directions or blocked but his again. He was hesitant to explore anything without Snape or knowing what it was doing to the older wizard.
Madam Pomfrey had placed him under a lot of diagnostic spells, finally humming lightly in response and smiling at him, writing down upon her scroll that they were still weak but recovering and she suspected that the recovery would be aided by close contact and Snape's release from Azkaban.
Harry sighed and cleaned his glasses on his shirt, the dark sitting room unfocussed for his tired eyes. The candles flickered but he paid no mind to the shadows that were in the room. Now it was all up to Professor McGonagall to appeal to Kingsley Shacklebolt and to try and get Snape out of Azkaban.
Harry wondered how long it would take. The Headmistress had been the first to leave for the Ministry with the scrolls tightly in her hand. Time was of the essence here for as long as they were still weak it would be much easier to get Snape out of Azkaban.
Harry didn't even know what to think. This morning, before he had the chance to speak to Draco Malfoy he would have given anything to get Snape to come home but now he didn't even know what to think.
What if Snape had been one of the wizards who had been there when those Death Eaters got out of Azkaban? Could Harry still look him in the eye and feel at ease with the older wizard? He didn't know anything about Snape. He didn't know how he thought about certain things or how he regarded Harry?
Though hopefully it isn't with the same loathing or disgust as previous years because I won't be able to cope. I know I can't ask for love, it is too much and there is too much history between us for there to even be hope for such a thing, but I want happiness of some sort, or friends. I can handle friends.
Harry sighed again, he was even getting weary from his own thoughts but he needed time to sort through it all. Yes, the first step, he decided, when this mess was over, was to get to know Snape, the real one, the one hidden behind the nasty appearance or the loathing he displayed, because surely there must be something worth holding onto this bleak future for?
Hp
Severus pulled his cloak a bit tighter around him. He felt a bit warmer since Potter's departure. He glanced down at his hand, feeling his magic dance over his skin. He had forgotten how good it had felt to be powerful again.
He allowed a rare smile to curl his lips. What Potter had done, no matter how foolish it may have seemed at first, it had been what they had both needed. The bond had been consummated, Potter's skin saved….
Just now his own. Severus kicked at the empty potion vial that rolled over the dirty floor. He had been amazed to see his potions for the snake bite in the guard's hand but he drowned them quickly enough, nearly sighing in relief when he felt the ache disappearing from his neck.
He pitied that he hadn't been able to utter a spell after his quick fumbling with Potter. The younger wizard was probably in pain and the least Severus could have done was to heal the younger male. Ah well, knowing Potter he would have gotten a healing potion as soon as he got home, no doubt cursing Severus about his inconsiderate nature.
Severus glanced around the cell. It was dark and he was unable to tell if it was still light outside or whether darkness had already fallen. The darkness and cold were no longer affecting him like they had done this morning. He felt warm inside and safe with his magic, but surely the bond wasn't that strong…
Severus merely sighed, only time would tell.
He had noticed the changes within himself. Within an hour his magic had come back, little by little, teasing him and making him feel better than since this whole thing started. He was no longer so damn tired all the time and the pain had all but faded to a mere annoying twitch when he moved.
He lay down, rolling himself up in the warmth of the small tattered and dirty blanket, allowing himself the faint comfort of the dreams of Potter's warmth because he knew in real life; he would never be able to get such a thing.
Hp
"Kingsley Shacklebolt, for everything that the order meant to you and for what Harry Potter has done, the least you can do is get his bond mate out of Azkaban and under house arrest especially with them suffering so!" Minerva boomed, startling the dark skinned, tired looking man in front of her.
Shacklebolt took a deep breath and he glanced up from the scroll she had thrown onto his cluttered desk the moment she entered, startling his assistant who merely shuffled out of the room.
The woman before the Minister for Magic was agitated and Kingsley gave a loud sigh as he finally said. "Minerva, if this is true,"
"It is, young man. Poppy Pomfrey has confirmed it! She is willing to be tested under Veritaserum if it makes the Wizengamot happy, but you will write out a consent form to allow Severus Snape out of Azkaban right now!" She bristled.
"I can't do that. That man is a murderer," He hissed, forcing himself to be patient. Growing angry at the older witch simply because he had been having a hard day wasn't going to be received well by the formidable witch before him.
It hadn't helped that he received three owls from Lucius Malfoy, each one insinuating that the blond wizard had some big shocking news to mention at his next trial session. Plus the fact that Harry Potter suddenly would testify in the Malfoy trial, though that was to be kept a secret from everybody but the Minister, was something that made Kingsley's head spin.
There was something wrong with Potter, he knew it. If Potter was indeed as weak as they say and Snape - well Kingsley wouldn't be sad to see Snape imprisoned or dead but imagine the reactions of the public if they found out that he would be responsible for Potter's death as well. No, that wouldn't do. He wasn't sure about the bond between Potter and Snape and truthfully didn't really want to know, but this wasn't a gamble he was going to make. Too much still needed to be cleaned up and the Ministry had already suffered too much damage to make an enemy out of Harry Potter as well.
Kingsley looked up into Minerva's eyes. She was weary, they all were, but if he could put Potter and Snape under somebody else's responsibility until they were done with viewing the memories, well it would be one less concern and he had already had too many concerns.
So he took a deep breath, drew an empty parchment to him and said in his deep clear voice. "May it be clear that they are under your responsibility, Headmistress. I will release Severus Snape into the custody of house arrest at Spinner's End; let us hope that this won't be a mistake."
"No, Minister, I will make sure that it won't be." She offered him a tight lipped smile and as he handed over the sealed scroll and watched her disappear, he could breathe a little easier in knowing he was hopefully doing Potter a favor.
Hp
Severus opened his eyes and shot awake, hand searching for his wand as the door to his cell opened and the lights went on. He blinked into the harsh strong light, cursing whoever sought it fit to wake him in the middle of the night.
"Get up!" Smith's voice called out and Severus rose, pulling his cloak about him as his dark eyes fixed on the wand tip that was trained at his chest. What was the meaning of this?
His mouth fell open when Minerva McGonagall entered, a thick travelling cloak in her hands which she held out to him and his wand, Severus' fingers inched to hold the magical object but he resisted the temptation.
He looked at his former colleague and said. "What is the meaning of this?"
She gave him a faint smile and said her voice soft and tired. "I am taking you home. You have been placed under house arrest, Severus."
His heart had surely slowed to a stop as Severus was perhaps for the first time ever, at a loss for words. He started forward, only to be stopped by a wand pressed against his chest. He glared at the guard and Smith smirked. "Be careful, Professor, many prisoners seemed interested in your bond mate."
Severus froze and he turned back to the other wizard. "And just who expressed such a keen interest in my husband?" He sneered.
"Draco Malfoy, sir. Must be hard to compete with such a young wizard unlike yourself," Smith sneered but Minerva's restricting hand on his shoulder reminded Severus to check his temper.
He merely said. "Potter is not pure blood enough for Malfoy, not even for the youngest and especially tainted with traitor blood. Malfoy wouldn't sully himself with that." And with a nod of his dark head and a smirk at the speechless guard, he followed Minerva out of his cell, no matter what may happen, he was going home.
Hp
Harry startled awake when the floo suddenly flared and the wards flared as he shot up from the couch. He brought a hand to his neck, massaging away the ache. He had fallen asleep on the couch, too lazy to even move to the bedroom.
His wand was in hand even before he saw Professor McGonagall. She smiled broadly at him and Harry was about to snap at her to finally leave him, he was quite capable of fending for himself for one night when his eyes grew wide as the floo flared again.
This time the person spinning into view was Snape and Harry felt his mouth go dry. His heart was suddenly hammering a little too fast but he kept back as Snape stared at him and the older wizard merely inclined his head.
How did you greet somebody you barely knew when all he wanted to do was to throw his arms around Snape and to bury his face in Snape's chest? But could he, if the older wizard had done what Malfoy accused him of then how could Harry look Snape in the eye?
Neither wizard noticed the faint pop as the Headmistress Apparated away, leaving them both staring at each other, both unsure of the next step because while the bond may have been consummated, they were still treading on thin ice, and so it was going to be a long night while they were both torn between instincts and their past, but would they manage?
I am leaving you here. So I made Snape return, you all love me now, right? Review of course.
In the next chapter: Severus and Harry struggle with the new familiarity between them but can they find a middle ground or will it once more result into drama and a shouting match? A long night is ahead of them when they are unsure of what to do and how to respond when the bond forces them closer but will they resist or simply for once, give in? How will Severus respond when Harry says what Lucius Malfoy is planning? How will Harry react to Severus' worry about Draco Malfoy? That and more in: A Silent Night.