Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise. All HP characters and places belong to JK Rowling.

Chpt 14

#the writer's block continues...#

Days Like These

"How could you do this to us Harry!" Hermione rushed around his and Severus' chambers as he lounged in his chair.

"I'd help if I could!" He laughed nervously. "God knows I'm anxious enough myself!"

"How the hell do you think we could manage to put together a wedding in a few days?" She screeched again as she pushed the final script of the Bonding invitations onto Severus' desk in front of Remus for him to write out at least thirty invitations.

Harry flushed. "It was kind of a sudden decision." He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself with a shy smile.

Hermione paused to look at him before shaking her head. "Still. If Ron and I hadn't been able to come and we hadn't been able to get Remus and Arthur and Molly and Albus and Minerva and," She made a noise of frustration. "You are so lucky you have us all to help!"

"I know." He said softly with a grateful smile.

He sat watching all his friends and family scurry around desperately to have the wedding plans finished by tomorrow so the invitations could go out the next day. It would still be short notice with the ceremony on the thirtieth but it was better than nothing. He looked around hopefully. Since Severus wasn't here he could get up and help…he still had to pick flowers and decorations so he could just get that magazine from over there for a look…

Except his chair was so comfy and warm and squishy…and it didn't seem to want to let him up. He frowned really trying to push up before he noticed Hermione smirking at him.

"Why can't I…?"

"Severus. He did something to your chair." She laughed. "Just tell me what you want and I'll get it."

"Bastard." Harry muttered under his breath. "I won't break. I just need the decorations book. I wanna help…"

"I think he's more afraid you'll go into labour." Hermione replied quietly as she came back with the book. "If this baby is born a Potter-Snape it'll be harder for Draco to get custody of him from you. And he certainly won't be able to have it snatched from you right after it's born. So you just have to keep rested until after the ceremony."

Harry breathed deeply as Hermione left to go take care of something. She was right. He had to take it easy. Calm as possible. Severus was taking care of the case and he just had to relax and watch his wedding be planned. It wasn't anything like what he'd dream of his wedding being but…he was loved. And that was all that mattered wasn't it?

By the day before his Bonding everything was set. His and Severus' exquisite Bonding robes had come, the gazebo was set up on the lawn by the lake, the flower arrangements had been brought in and set up, the food was ready, the people who had accepted their invitations had written back, Albus would be blessing them, Remus would be giving him away and Pearson had somehow become Severus' best man! There was only one thing he was worried about…

"Are you sure this won't get out before the ceremony is done?" Harry whispered anxiously, plucking at the robes he'd be wearing the next day that were hanging in Severus' bedroom.

"Ms. Skeeter will have a Secrecy charm on herself until the ceremony is over and she leaves the grounds. And the children will be inside during the ceremony and ushered out for the reception when we head inside. They won't be able to get back in until late and then it's straight to bed. And they won't even realize they've been cheated out of something until the next day." Severus smirked.

"I can't believe you got Albus to agree to that." Harry turned and shook his head with a small smile.

"But if they were allowed to watch then they might run wild. Ruin the ceremony. Then word would get out." Severus said offhandedly.

"You know they wouldn't. They'd be in shock." Harry laughed.

"Greasy old bat marrying Harry Potter?" Severus asked wryly.

"Big scary, Slytherin, Potions Master marrying a Gryffindor." Harry quipped back. He kissed Severus lightly before stepping back with a flush and heading for the door. "I'm going to sleep in my room tonight."

"Superstitious Potter?" Severus arched an eyebrow. "There's enough room."

"It's not traditional." Harry smiled. "Night Severus. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

The morning of the thirtieth dawned pink tinged and crisp, dew on the grass, glimpses of the sun promising a bright day and by the time he woke Harry was gone.

He did not see Harry for the morning and he did not see him until he was ushered around the bride's side of the guest aisle, from Hagrid's hut, up to him in the gazebo for the ceremony. Then he was glad only the people who already knew he was 'gone' for this man could see him staring speechlessly at him. Harry's eyes were fixed demurely on the ground before him as he walked slowly towards him, a vivid flush on his cheeks. The white and tawny fabric and embroidered gold stitching accentuated the skin that was tanned golden again from lounging in the sun and cream colored feet flashed and peeked from under his robe as he walked barefoot up the silk carpet.

Remus helped him up the three small steps carefully to stand besides Severus before stepping aside until only the two of them were before Albus' sight alone.

"Welcome, closest friends and family…and one invited guest." Albus twinkled at Rita Skeeter before turning his eyes over the gathered people. "We meet today in joyful union to Bond Harry James Potter and Severus Sceptimus Snape."

Severus wasn't listening to Albus, instead his eyes were fixed on the tops of Harry's cheekbones, his sooty eyelashes. He could see his eyes darting under them, looking anywhere but up and his hands playing nervously with the tie on his robe. He really didn't want his hus…Harry, to embarrass himself by undoing that tie and reached out catching the scuttling fingers.

"Huh!" He held the smaller hands tighter after Harry's startled jump and smiled slightly as the green eyes finally looked into his.

'Everything is okay.' The other man's hands relaxed into his as his eyes told him he'd got the message and they finally squeezed back. Telling himself it'd be improper to kiss his…gah, 'Harry!' now, in the middle of the ceremony, he focused his attention back on Albus.

"…not been undertaken lightly." Albus waved his wand then and two shimmering chalices appeared floating before them. "If you would both take hold of a chalice," His and Harry's gazes flitted back together before they let go of each other's hands and took one. "The chalice you hold, represent your separate lives, separate hearts, separate bodies and separate souls. With this Bonding you are giving your life, heart body and soul, to your Bonded. If anyone here believes these two are entering this joining in the wrong spirit or mind speak now, or hold your silence."

It was almost perceptible, all eyes turning to glare at Rita Skeeter who huddled in her chair and tried to look inconspicuous. Albus smiled and turned back to Harry and Severus. "All here believe you enter this union of right spirit and mind. Please, looking into your chalice." He looked away from Harry to the small goblet-like urn he was holding and unscrewed the top carefully. His chest tightened painfully as he looked into the potion in the goblet. He knew what this potion was, which would explain why he was looking at a reflection of Harry instead of himself. Harry smiling at him, teasing, talking to him, face suffused with color as he came to pleasure under his hands.

Heart's Desire.

He looked at Albus, who was twinkling at him before turning hesitant eyes to Harry. What if he didn't see him in his potion? This didn't need to be done, damned Albus! It was supposed to be simple wine!

"What do you see?" Severus ground his teeth at Albus' question.

"Harry." he muttered. The damnable blue eyes twinkled some more and turned to Harry.

"What do you see?"

"I see…my son." Harry whispered, looking up from his goblet. His eyes were welling and Severus was becoming angry at Albus for doing this. Harry wasn't ready to do this. Look into himself to see what he wanted. Why did he have to arrange for this bloody potion…! "My son…and Severus is holding him." Harry smiled goofily, eyes wet. "I'm there with them. And we look…so happy."

Harry wanted him? A family with him? Severus' face was blank but eyes tumultuous. He didn't know what he felt. Disbelief? Hope? Harry's wet green eyes finally blinked up, his happiness shining in them and…he couldn't really explain it. But he was having problems breathing. His chest felt tight with…something. He'd stopped listening to Albus and was surprised when Harry's hand came out to squeeze his, pulling him back to the present.

"Severus, do you take Harry…" Albus' voice droned on.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. He'd never before felt like doing something totally spontaneous but at the moment he felt like grabbing Harry and running off with him to somewhere safe where no one could ever bother them again…

"…For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, together for eternity?"

"Yes. I do." Severus said quickly, the words almost flying out making Harry laugh quietly at him. Albus twinkled annoyingly at him before turning to ask Harry the same muggle drivel. The words didn't matter, it was the Bonding. When their magics would join. When he could…feel, Harry.

"I do." Harry said softly, biting on his lip enticingly. He reminded himself again not to take liberties yet and focused on Albus.

"Please place your chalice next to each other." Severus put his down after Harry and pushed them together gently feeling the tingle of magic at work. "Your magic might say you're compatible. But I want you to remember something both my boys," Albus said quietly, just for them, looking Severus in the eye before looking to Harry. "It's what you make of your life together. You learned that Harry. And I figure you know Severus. So don't lose your love, don't take each other for granted…and please, stay happy."

Harry gave Albus a little nod as he stared. They didn't need words.

"Push your chalice together gently until they have joined. When the light emanates from it do try not to pull away." Albus said in a normal tone again, jovial.

He watched as his and Harry's goblet's melted together both of them seeming to disappear as they merged into the place where they became one. With the final inch where the two outer rims merged there was a gentle light that made his breath hitch as his body was flooded with heat. A quiet, just there, heat. He looked up to Harry to catch his eyes fluttering shut as he gasped soundlessly.

Harry's face was glowing, a bliss on it that seemed beyond words as he just reveled in the feeling he was getting from their joined magics. His green eyes finally opened and with a tiny smile, he looked down at their two hands still holding the chalice. From the winding design on the chalice, a golden twine was unfurling, curling up his ring finger slowly.

Bonding ring.

He thought to look up to Albus but instead watched as the golden band was formed around his finger, the gold twine winding again and again until a thick gold band of the twine was on his finger. It flicked off the goblet and trailed away merging with the rest on his finger and with another small flash…he was wearing his wedding band.

He blinked before looking to Harry, whose eyes were sparkling tears again, as he looked at the smaller, more feminine gold band he was wearing. Ecstasy was scuttling under his skin and he unsure where it was coming from until Harry's other hand reach out to his free one again.

Harry.

"With the union of your two chalice into one, you are Bonded, bound together until such time as the world as we know it ends, for after death you still shall not be parted. You may kiss."

Severus didn't disengage his gaze from Harry's as he leaned in and finally kissed his new husband as Harry made a small sound and shut his eyes as welled tears finally spilt over. Their friends and family clapping was like a small buzzing in the background as he kissed Harry a little harder, a promise for later, before he pulled away. He stepped back as Harry opened slightly dazed eyes, leaning imperceptibly into him and looked around vaguely before blushing before all the eyes.

"Thank you so much." He called out to the gathered people making Harry's family laugh.

"They're laughing at you because it's silly to think that they'd ever not come to your Bonding." Severus leaned into his, husband, and whispered into his ear. The red on Harry's cheeks deepened before he turned his head slightly to Severus' and smiled.

"What would you like to do first? Dance, toast or cut the cake? Or in what order?" Harry amended with a laugh.

"Toast, cut the cake, then dance." Winding an arm behind Harry's back Severus pulled him close. "We also have a contract to officiate."

"We'll get there." Harry whispered back.

"I feel naked."

"And why do you say that?" Severus was sitting on his bed watching Harry look out the enchanted window he'd got the castle to add so Harry could see the children out enjoying their reception. He looked round, in the middle, and happy and red…

Harry was blushing brightly as he turned around. "Because I can feel you staring at me and I know you're…naked," His eyes flicked away. "under those robes."

"It is not comfortable." He said evenly, arching an eyebrow. He could feel Harry's embarrassment tickling him at the back of his mind and hid a smirk.

"And so am I." Harry flushed redder. "And you're staring at me."

Severus' lip quirked as he looked away. "Better?"

"How are we supposed to…" Harry swallowed, stepping towards the bed awkwardly. "Do…this?"

"It does not have to be intercourse and I would not dream of inducing labor by my…covetousness of you," he turned his eyes coolly back to Harry who went redder again. "So a simple exchange of fluids will do."

"So…just what you usually…err," Harry covered his face with an embarrassed groan. "That sounds so wrong you know? For people who just got Bonded. You'll just do what you usually do to me."

"And you'll have to do it back. And not every Bonded couple is virgin to one another. It's not necessary. Or expected in these times." Severus shrugged.

"Would you like it if it was that way?" Harry sat tentatively next to him on the bed. "I know you're a bit traditional even if you try not to seem…all stuffy and conventional."

"I don't want you to think of me as antique." Severus said quietly. "But there is nothing wrong with a bit of tradition. And technically, we are still virgin to each other. I got you off…once. And you've never touched me before."

"I've felt…guilty about that. Like if I've been stringing you along and…I don't know if I've even been frustrating you but," he blushed at Severus' snort. "Okay then. Well I'm sorry."

"In a seven day week you suck on a piece of chocolate at least five days of that week and the other two days you're licking something else off your fingers. Yes Harry you have frustrated me many times. But the times you allowed me to…please you I never let you reciprocate because…when you did it I didn't want you do it out of a sense of obligation. I wanted you to do it because you wanted to." He played with the sheets, not meeting Harry's eyes. "I'm sorry this puts you in the position of still having to…be forced, but at least this time it's for a good reason."

He looked up to find Harry digging into his robe pocket before he pulled out their marriage scroll and set it on the bedside table.

"The last time…" Thetan cheeks tinged again before Harry looked up. "The last time it wasn't out of a sense of obligation. I wanted to…I was wondering why you wouldn't let me…but you were awfully skilled at shuttling me off to bed. I thought it was supposed to be some kind of tonic to get me to sleep." Harry's laugh faltered.

"Actually it was. But never think it was because I didn't want to. It was a win-win situation." He reached out a hand to Harry's back and ran fingers down his robe smiling as Harry shivered. He turned from arranging his pillows in the middle of the bed and flushed with a shy smile.

"I don't know why I thought I wouldn't have passion with you." Harry silenced him with a finger across the lips. "It's not because you're older or rigid or anything like that. It's because I can't wrap my mind around how…caring you are for, to, me. I always thought you were cold. But it's stupid to have never thought of it. If you were really so unemotional as all the kids thought in my years at school you'd have never needed Occlumency, would you?" Harry moved his finger and caressed his cheekbone lightly, making his eyes widen. "The fact you need it shows how emotional you are. Else you wouldn't need a way to mask your emotions."

"I'm not some emotional well of sensitivity. Don't romanticize me please Potter."

"I'm not saying that's what you are. Just you have strong feelings." Harry smiled softly and leant over to kiss him. "Lots of them. I can feel them." Severus felt his breath catch in his throat as Harry's lips met his again. And again. His fists flexed at his sides as their lips started to part once more before Harry moaned and pressed into him. And nothing but Hogwarts crumbling around him could have stopped him then. Maybe not even that.

He raked fingers into Harry's hair, cupping his head, tilting his mouth for better access as the soft lips spread. He tasted every inch of the cavity now offered so freely to him, and glided his tongue along his mate's. He didn't stop until Harry's frantic hands had curled into his sleeves and he seemed to be pulling him down. He finally released Harry's mouth, gasping in air and watched dazedly as Harry panted breathlessly and tugged on him again before lying back. His eyes darkened as he pushed Harry more onto his pillows and settled down next to his flushed, and now obviously, excited body.

"Harry," He was almost appalled, at how husky, raspy and needful his voice sounded. Or he would be if he didn't want the man lying next to him so much.

"I'm not being forced. I don't see this as being forced Severus." Wide, wild green eyes looked, frenzied, into his. "I want this." He let himself be pulled into another passionate kiss and pulled back tasting his lips. "Believe me, I do." Harry's cheeks reddened deeply as he smiled shyly, embarrassed.

"I do. And Circe, I need you!" He leaned over Harry and claimed his mouth again, trying not to ask for too much, pulling away when he thought he was. His blood was throbbing so hard he couldn't think, he could feel Harry's own excitement and need beating under his skin, he ignored the lips following hungrily after his and instead moved his mouth to the neck bared to him. His hands fluttered over Harry's body, fingers skimming his robes from his chest down to his hips, to where he couldn't help wriggling down so he could straddle his legs and have better…access.

"Sev…"

"Ssh." He undid the ornate tie of his robe and shrugged his shoulders out of it. Harry made him feel hot, bothered, overprotective, loving…so many things. Gods, he was in love with this man. "Ssh." He whispered again and pulled slowly on Harry's tie, looking back into the green eyes as they flitted from his to some vague part of his face demurely. When it opened Harry gasped slightly at the freedom and Severus leaned back as he spread the fabric.

He feasted his eyes on what he remembered. The creamy skin, lithe muscles and dusky nipples. His hands were drawn to them involuntarily and the corner of his lip lifted slightly at Harry's hoarse moan when he pinched lightly.

"Tender?" He smiled crookedly, gently, at Harry's nod. Then moved his hands to the swollen stomach. His son. Now he was his son. He stroked along the full length of Harry's distended stomach, from one side of the hill to the other and smiled again, more introverted, as Harry laughed slightly and the baby moved under his hand.

"What…are you thinking about?" Harry asked quietly, relaxing under his calming hands.

"We need names. Nothing too muggle." He kissed the hill gently.

"I've got some. Mordecai and Alex and Ryan and Dylan and Sebastian and Luigi." Harry giggled softly at Severus' face. "What?"

"Mordecai is too…dark. And Alex? Ryan? Dylan? Muggle. Hell no, to Luigi. But I like Sebastian…" He stroked Harry's sides mindlessly. "My mother wanted to make that my middle name."

"Sebastian it is then. And…?" Harry's breathing hitched slightly as Severus' fingers smoothed over his inner thigh.

"Alexander. Alex is too plain muggle but Alexander isn't too bad. Sebastian Alexander Potter-Snape." He came back to himself, to a flushed and slightly breathless Harry, arching his hips into his hands.

"No complaints!" He squeaked out.

"I suppose it isn't fair to choose names with you in this position as you can't really voice any clear objections hmm?" But he sure as Hades wasn't going to stop!

"We've decided! Don't stop…" Harry groaned out. And he wasn't wanted to…

"I wasn't planning to." He whispered back with a wry smile and smirked at Harry's cry as his fingers finally wrapped around his erection.

"Gods! It won't take much. I feel like I've been…" He panted out trying to jerk into Severus' restrictive fist. "Half-hard all day!"

"Likewise." Severus grated out. And he was even harder now. Seeing Harry now. So beautiful. "Circe…" If it had to be done like this…He started to stroke Harry while rubbing off awkwardly against his leg.

"Don't…wait!" He paused as Harry's hands worked between them and with Seeker speed he was pulling Severus' robes from between their body with a blush. "It's easier…like this."

He stopped himself from shifting awkwardly as Harry's eyes trailed over him and held back the urge to fidget at his resultant flush.

Tentative fingers rose and traced along his shoulders and arms over muscle and scars, through the patch of hair on his chest, following the trail down…he grunted softly as a hand brushed hismember and Harry withdrew suddenly with a bright blush.

"Well."

"Don't revert to blushing virgin on me now, please." He caught the retreating hand and placed it on his stomach with a shudder. "Yes, I have one too."

"I know that!" Harry said indignantly, keeping the fingers on him light. "It's just…different."

"I should bloody well hope so. Malfoys are deficient. Well, Lucius was anyway."

"You are longer. Thicker." He bit back a reply as Harry's fingers drifted down again. He hissed on contact and couldn't resist bucking into Harry's hand. "Feels different too." Harry squeaked. "Draco felt soft…even when he was hard. But the skin was smooth and tight like yours…" He gasped as Severus pushed his hips forward into his hands and went back to wanking Harry off.

"Stop…talking…" He leant gently over the baby and kissed Harry fervently, stroking hiserection between them. He kept kissing until Harry was whimpering under him and then groaned harshly as his arousal was gripped tighter. He pulled his lips away and slowed his strokes on Harry. "Do it like…this. Just like…this-yesss. Harder!"

They spent time just kissing, touching, letting their need build before coming back to getting off again. Until they were close.

So bloody close! He pressed his forehead against Harry's desperately trying to cling on as the need to climax battered him. His sight blurred as Harry finally arched under him and sobbed as wet heat spread between them. Yes! He groaned as Harry's fingers squeezed him in a chain-reaction and Severus let go.

"Love you!"

A/N : I look at my other stories. Stare at them for minutes. I know what I want to write. But i can't make myself do it.