See disclaimer in Chapter 1. Not mine. Thanks to Kamerreon for the beta!
The bit in the kitchen is dedicated to Chi.Z.B. It's swapped from your request, sweets, but it made more sense this way, since it was Harry's kitchen. *grins*
They made it up to the bedroom eventually, partaking in the scented bath Harry had drawn – perfect for sore muscles – and the soft sheets he had procured – deliciously soothing against sex-chafed skin. Harry stretched and yawned, resisting the urge to ruffle the blond hair on the pillow next to his.
They'd chosen not to sleep in the delectable silk pajamas Harry had purchased, preferring as much skin-on-skin contact as they could get to keep the bond happy. Even in sleep, Draco stirred, wrapping an arm tighter around Harry's torso and hooking his foot around Harry's leg.
The dark-haired wizard squirmed, feeling foggy from oversleeping. They'd spent the entire night making love, finally falling asleep sometime around dawn. He looked out the window, frowning at the pitch-black expanse outside. He had no idea what time it was, but he was sure it was late – probably the middle of the night.
Harry eased his way out from Draco's grasp, wincing as his muscles protested when he stood. They'd been a bit over-enthusiastic in some of their positions the night before, and he was suffering for it today. He grinned as he thought back to some of the more promising ones they'd tried, making a mental note to use them again – soon.
He ducked into the bathroom to relieve himself and cast a few freshening charms. Draco was still out cold when he left the room, padding naked downstairs. The Floo was still warded against company, and the house-elves could care less about his nudity. He figured Draco would prefer him naked, anyway, so he didn't waste time with clothes.
Draco woke to the smell of crisping pancetta and strong coffee. He allowed himself a languid stretch and debated heading downstairs to pounce on Harry. His hand settled on the sticky mess that covered his abdomen, remnants of last night's sex marathon. They'd been too exhausted to even manage a weak Cleaning Charm before falling asleep. He grimaced, deciding he had time for a quick shower before heading down to find Harry.
Harry stuck a spatula in the pocket of his apron, whistling softly to himself as he opened the oven door and checked on his frittata. It was browning nicely around the edges, but a deft shake of the skillet's handle proved it wasn't set in the middle yet. He shoved it back inside, letting the door slam as he turned to check on the coffee.
He grinned when his eyes lighted on Draco, who was standing in the doorway of the kitchen clad in black silk pajamas. His hair was still damp from his shower, framing his face in messy blond tendrils that Harry was quite sure were not usually allowed to air dry.
"You're naked!" Draco cried, his eyes still wide from watching Harry, clad only in an apron, bending over the stove.
Harry slid his hand into his pocket, grabbing the silicone spatula by its wooden handle. He was a bit of a gadget buff, and his kitchen was stocked with Muggle appliances and tools. He slapped the flexible yellow head against his open palm, a wicked grin stealing across his face.
"Yes. And?"
Draco gaped, his grey eyes darkening with lust as he watched Harry slap his palm repeatedly with the spatula. His mouth went dry as he imagined the feeling the silicone would make against his arse.
"But – you're cooking," he said, aware his voice had taken on a whiny quality.
"I repeat: And?"
"You can't cook naked," Draco said, his burgeoning erection tenting the silk sleep pants.
Harry quirked his eyebrows thoughtfully, spinning to check on his frittata again. Draco licked his lips when Harry's bare arse was on display as he bent to see to it. He carefully lifted the finished egg dish out of the oven, resting it on the range so it could cool.
"Looks like I can cook naked," he drawled, nodding toward the pancetta and goat cheese frittata.
Draco's eyes glazed over as he noticed the front of Harry's apron was tented as well, swallowing hard at the sexy sight in front of him. He assumed they'd be living at the chateau after they were married, but Draco vowed to find a way to make Harry cook naked for him again. Maybe they could keep this house just for that purpose?
"You've got thirty seconds before I sink my cock into that naked arse of yours," Draco growled, his eyes flashing.
Harry laughed, grabbing his wand and casting a Warming Charm over their breakfast. It could wait, but Draco obviously couldn't.
"Twenty seconds," Draco rasped, his hand stealing down the front of his silk pajamas and wrapping around his leaking cock.
Harry laughed again, fumbling to untie his apron. He lifted it over his head, tossing is onto a chair before pushing past Draco and running for the stairs. He was too old to be fucked on a kitchen table, he thought as he tore toward the bedroom.
"We really should think about Fire-calling someone and telling them we're still alive," Harry panted, his legs trembling as he slid to the shower floor.
Draco had made good on his promise to fuck Harry, and the dark-haired man had returned the favor a bit later during their shower. He fervently hoped their uncontrollable urges would calm soon, since he didn't know how much more he could take. He was edging toward thirty, and at the moment, he felt every one of his twenty-eight years.
"Are we?" Draco gasped, rolling his shoulders under the scalding hot spray. Every muscle in his body ached.
"It's got to slow down, yeah?" Harry asked, accepting the hand Draco offered to help him stand. They leaned against each other under the shower for a moment, propping each other up. "I mean, we're not kids anymore –"
"Hey!" Draco cried, pushing at Harry weakly. "You make it sound as if we're old."
Harry laughed, pressing a kiss to Draco's warm, wet neck. His eyes were closed, and if he wasn't careful, Harry worried he might fall asleep right there.
"I just meant I'm not used to walking around with an ever-present hard-on," Harry murmured in Draco's ear. "It's like being sixteen again."
Draco let out an exasperated sigh when Harry's breath against his ear made his cock twitch. Though he didn't voice it, he was hoping the same thing Harry was – they definitely weren't fit to be around other people at the moment, and he'd really like to see Cal soon.
"That's what Pepper-up Potion is for, Potter," he growled, pulling the other man fully under the spray and devouring his wet mouth.
" – three days, Draco," Blaise said, his tone somewhat awestruck. From the sound of it, Harry and Draco had been going at it nonstop since the bonding ceremony, with no hint of slowing down.
Draco smirked, winking at his oldest friend. "Jealous?"
Blaise laughed, a rich sound that Draco had missed over the last few days. "Hell yes I'm jealous!"
Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist, crouching down so he could see Blaise in the Floo. They'd already called Hermione and Ron, letting them know it might be a few more days before they were ready to see anyone.
"How're things, Blaise?" he asked, not wanting to mention Cal's name. Draco was getting antsy at not seeing his son, and Harry could only imagine what Cal must think of the situation.
"Fine," Blaise said, a sad smile on his lips at Draco's pained expression. "You've owled him several times a day, and he loves the present you sent him, Harry."
Draco turned in Harry's arms, shooting him a questioning glance.
"A junior potions set," Harry said with a shrug. He'd had George pick one out and Neville had delivered it. "You mentioned he took after you in potions, so I thought he'd like his own mini lab."
Blaise laughed, shaking his head. "A mini lab?" he asked incredulously. "That thing took three adults four hours to set up! He's been engrossed in experiments ever since it came. He may give you a run for your money, Draco. I have a feeling you won't have the highest Malfoy Potions N.E.W.T. score in a few years."
Draco grinned, pride filling the empty parts of his heart. He missed Cal fiercely, but he and Harry were still working out the bond. Until they did, it was a bad idea to have anyone else – even his son – in the room. They'd tried going out for a coffee the day before but hadn't made it three steps past Harry's house before a woman had winked at Draco and Harry had almost exploded with jealousy. The bond needed to settle down so not everyone looked like a threat. The scene had been repeated in the afternoon when they'd tried to have Neville come over for a visit, this time with Draco feeling possessive and jealous.
"Is he around?" Draco asked, peering deeper into the room through the Floo.
"He's out in the vineyards with Nev," Blaise said. "Call tonight before bedtime? I'll make sure he's here."
"Who's today's test subject?" Draco asked, looking up over the copy of the Daily Prophet he was reading. Miraculously – or maybe not, considering who had performed the ceremony – news of their engagement had not been leaked.
"George," Harry said absently, typing furiously as he finished his thought. He had a deadline at the end of the week, and he was struggling to meet it.
"Did Hermione get the flowers I sent?" Draco asked, lowering the paper.
Harry sighed, looking longingly at his laptop before setting it aside. "Yes. She said thanks."
Draco snorted, reaching for his cup of tea. "No need to thank me," he said bitterly. He'd nearly hexed her for touching Harry's arm during their now-daily test of the bond yesterday. "I'm just glad I didn't hurt her."
Harry smiled, kicking Draco lightly under the table. "She knew you didn't mean it," he said, returning his attention to his laptop screen. "It'll settle down soon."
Draco growled in frustration, pushing away from the table to pace around the kitchen.
"It's been nearly a week," he said, forcing himself to take a calming breath. The Healer they'd consulted with via Fire-call had suggested meditation and relaxation techniques, saying those would help them master the impulses the bond awakened. She was Harry's personal Healer, sworn to secrecy with an oath even more stringent than the normal Healer's Oath. "But you're right. It will eventually pass."
Harry sighed, closing his laptop. He wasn't going to get any work done with Draco so agitated. He crossed the room, wrapping his arms around the other man, stilling his nervous motions.
"Close your eyes," Harry said, his voice low and soothing. He tightened his arms around Draco, letting him feel the warmth of his body. "Just let everything go."
He felt Draco relax against him at the same time the Floo came to life. He could have cursed George's poor timing. He nearly dropped Draco, who was leaning heavily against him, when he heard Hermione's voice from the study instead of the one he was expecting.
"Harry? Draco? I have some books I think you two should take a look at," she called from the other room. She knew enough to stay there until they came to her – the last person who had surprised the couple, Ron, had been Stunned.
"Just a minute," Harry responded, doing the same deep-breathing exercises he could hear his bond mate going through.
"Can you do this?" He asked Draco, his voice low.
"I think so," Draco whispered, straightening when Harry dropped his arms. "Just don't get between us. Let me stand between you and Hermione."
They'd found a few ways to lessen the bond's response to other people, though nothing failsafe enough to risk going to see Narcissa or Cal. Harry knew how frustrating it was for Draco not to be able to see his son, and they'd been working hard on their meditation and relaxation techniques. Hermione had been researching the bond and how to minimize its effects.
"We're coming in," Harry called, holding Draco's hand tightly in his own as they made their way to the study. He was both relieved and alarmed to see Ron standing next to her, both of them nearly pressed against the wall.
"I'm sorry to drop in on you like this," Hermione said with an apologetic smile, "but I found something I thought you should look at straightaway."
She held a book out in her arms, waiting until Harry Summoned it from her. There was no question of one of them getting close enough to take it the normal way – it simply wasn't safe.
"There's a chapter on promissory bonds in there," she continued, still eyeing the couple warily.
Harry noticed Ron had edged up so he was blocking her slightly with his body. He felt no tug on his bond, no reason to think they were a threat. He glanced at Draco, who looked similarly untroubled.
"I brought Ron because the bond will accept that we are not a threat since we are married," she said, receiving a tight smile and nod from Draco. "We still won't stay long. If what I've read is true, you two are physically uncomfortable in the presence of others, yes?"
Harry nodded. He could feel the bond buzzing in the back of his mind, and his magic was agitated. Despite that, he still felt no threat from them.
"I'm afraid there's only one remedy," she said, biting her lip. Draco was leafing through the chapter on bonds, half-listening to what she was saying. "You have to get married."
Harry frowned in confusion. "Well, yes," he said slowly, looking over at Draco. He looked confused as well. "We are going to get married. Just as soon as we can manage being around other people."
Hermione shook her head, wringing her hands. "No, your bond won't calm down until you are married," she clarified, wincing at the shocked looks on Harry and Draco's faces. "I'm so sorry, but you'll have to be married immediately if you want the bond's reactions to diminish."
Harry took a step closer to Draco, taking his hand again. Though he doubted it was real, he could have sworn he could hear Draco's rapid heartbeat. Then again, it could just have been the echo of his own.
"Immediately? But how?" Harry looked down at the floor, afraid he might lose it if he looked anyone in the eye. "Alone, then. No friends, no f-family?"
Draco squeezed Harry's hand reassuringly as his soon-to-be-husband stuttered over the last word. He knew the bulk of Harry's anxiety was over him, since this meant he couldn't have his mother or Cal at their wedding.
"A simple ceremony with Kingsley, then," Draco said, his voice rough. "We can re-take our vows in front of all our friends and family at a later time."
Hermione nodded, tears clouding her eyes. She wanted Harry's wedding to be special, but circumstances were preventing that. It was complicated, just like most of the rest of Harry's life. Just once, she'd love for her friend to have a normal experience.
"Maybe not totally alone," she said, smiling sadly at them. "I've already spoken with Kingsley. We think if he's there in his capacity as Minister your bond will allow it."
Harry nodded woodenly, his shoulders straightening with resolve. He looked over at Draco, who had a similar fierce expression. If this was what needed to be done, it's what they would do. They'd be married in the end, and that was all that mattered.
"When is he free?"
Twenty minutes later, Kingsley stood in front of the same tall table they'd used for the promissory ceremony. Harry had dragged it into the study, thinking it would be best to minimize the amount of time the wizard spent in the house and limit his access to the room with the Floo. It seemed safest, just in case the bond didn't accept him as a non-threat. Kingsley's wife stood off to the side, looking both sad and excited for the man she considered a son and his bond mate.
Pansy and Oliver were there, pressed against the far wall, holding hands. Ron and Hermione had stayed, and they were closest to Harry and Draco, standing next to the Floo. Neville and Daphne stood behind Harry's desk, watching with guarded expressions. Hermione had lobbied to invite George and Angelina, along with Ginny and Theo, but Harry hadn't wanted to risk any more guests. He figured their presence at the promissory ceremony had to mean something, and it was likely the bond would see them as safe for the wedding as well.
"I'm sorry to be rushing this, gentlemen," Kingsley said softly, pulling Harry's attention back to the task at hand.
He shifted closer to Draco, their hands still tightly joined. "It is what it is, Kings," Harry said with a nervous laugh. He just wanted this to be over with. "Let's just do it, shall we?"
Kingsley nodded, placing a piece of blank parchment on the table in front of them.
"I, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, bear witness to the joining of two kindred spirits, two bonded souls, Harry James Potter and Draco Abraxas Malfoy."
The parchment shimmered, the words 'Certificate of Binding Marriage' appearing across the top in regal script.
"Do you Harry James Potter, Head of the House of Black, Head of the House of Potter, swear on your magic that you have no other bonds or entanglements that would prevent you from legally wedding Draco Abraxas Malfoy?"
Harry cleared his throat, pressing his wand against the parchment.
"I, Harry James Potter, Head of the House of Black, Head of the House of Potter, do so swear on my magic that I have no bonds or entanglements that prevent me from offering my hand in matrimony to Draco Abraxas Malfoy."
Harry's names and family seals appeared on the parchment, earning a satisfied nod from Kingsley.
"And do you, Draco Abraxas Malfoy, Head of the House of Malfoy, Heir to the House of Black, swear on your magic that you have no other bonds or entanglements that would prevent you from legally wedding Harry James Potter?"
Draco swallowed, sending up a silent plea to Merlin that his divorce had been properly handled.
"I, Draco Abraxas Malfoy, Head of the House of Malfoy, Heir to the House of Black, do so swear on my magic that I have no bonds or entanglements that prevent me from offering my hand in matrimony to Harry James Potter."
He sighed in relief when his name and family seal appeared next to Harry's. He felt Harry squeeze his hand reassuringly, though he knew the man had harbored similar fears.
"Mr. Potter, you may now complete your vow of intent."
Harry's wand trembled slightly as he raised it.
"Draco Abraxas Malfoy, I seek to be of one mind, one spirit and one life with you for all eternity."
He registered the gasps of everyone in the room but Kingsley, though he was focused completely on Draco and the spell they were about to invoke. No one else had known of their intent to pursue the highest level of all wizarding bonds.
"Vester Mens Mentis," he said, laying the tip of his wand against Draco's forehead. "Meus Mens Mentis," he continued, repeating the same motion against his own forehead.
"Vester Pectus," he whispered, tapping his wand over Draco's heart. "Meus Pectus."
"Vester Animus," he continued, his voice barely audible as he circled Draco's heart with the tip of his wand. "Meus Animus."
Harry's wand tip glowed bright silver when he finished, and runes appeared on Draco's skin, etched in silver over the places Harry had tapped his wand. Hermione strained forward slightly to read them, smiling as she recognized the symbols for intellect, heart and soul.
Kingsley motioned for Harry to tap the parchment once more with his still-glowing wand. The words he had just spoken transferred to the page in silver script.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you would."
Draco's gaze never left Harry's face as he raised his own wand.
"Harry James Potter, I seek to be of one mind, one spirit and one life with you for all eternity."
"Vester Mens Mentis," he said, brushing a lock of Harry's thick hair out of the way so he could lay the tip of his wand against his forehead. "Meus Mens Mentis."
He followed the same pattern Harry had, placing his wand against his own forehead after finishing with Harry.
"Vester Pectus," he said, tapping his wand over Harry's heart before mirroring the gesture on himself. "Meus Pectus."
"Vester Animus," he continued, his voice steady as he circled Harry's heart with the tip of his wand and then did the same thing to himself. "Meus Animus."
The same silver runes appeared on Harry, and Draco touched the tip of his wand, also glowing silver, to the parchment. His vows appeared there as well.
Kingsley placed a hand on both men, careful to gauge their reactions. This far into the marriage ceremony, it shouldn't cause a problem, but few things ever went according to plan when Harry was involved. He nearly sighed in relief when both Harry and Draco nodded slightly, looking up to meet his eye.
"Today we witness the joining of a silver-bonded pair," Kingsley said, his deep voice reverent. "As is their right as a couple of such distinction, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter have chosen an eternity bond. Few in the wizarding world are granted the opportunity to even consider such a bond, and fewer still have chosen to invoke one."
Kingsley paused, his gaze traveling around the room. He knew how much Harry had been looking forward to a big wedding ceremony, and he wanted to give him as much of the pomp and pageantry as he could, even here, amid only their closest friends in Harry's study.
"Iugo Saecula Saeculorum," he said, releasing the couple.
He was prepared to see a physical manifestation of the bond after what happened at the promissory bonding, but Kingsley was still awed to see their auras swirl around them. The silver of the Promitto Intentio was still there, but it seemed to be weaving the two auras together, combining them until none of the colors were distinct.
Harry felt like he was enveloped in a warm cocoon of dancing color. The runes were hot against his skin, pulsing as though they had a life of their own. It seemed like an eternity passed as he and Draco stared at each other, their skin reflecting flickering colors from their joining auras. They'd discussed this over the last week, so sure in their love and devotion to each other that nothing less than an eternity bond would do. It would be impossible for them to divorce, and they'd be bound together even in the afterlife. You'd better age well, Potter, Draco had threatened, I won't have myself bound to an ugly ghost.
Draco had no words to describe the awesome surge of power he felt when their auras separated and merged with their magical cores once more. He felt warm, secure and full, as though part of Harry was now inside him. He didn't have to try to cast anything with Harry's wand; some part of him knew the slender piece of holly would respond just as well for him as it did for Harry. His own wand twitched slightly in his loose grip as though seeking out its other master's hand.
When he heard Hermione's hushed whisper that no one had thought to buy wedding rings for them, a laugh bubbling up in his chest. Harry smirked as well, and Draco knew he'd heard his friend's lament, too. What's more, he could feel Harry's amusement through their bond. He stared at his husband in awe, knowing his emotions were being channeled to Harry as well. He had no hope of retaining even a shred of his Slytherin Ice Prince self with Harry now; the man had a backstage pass to all of Draco's innermost feelings.
Harry laughed softly, and Draco's eyes widened. It wasn't possible for their bond to transmit thoughts or images, though in that moment he could swear the Gryffindor was reading his mind. His emotions must have been crystal clear for Harry to pick up on his internal disappointment at losing the ability to use his Malfoy Mask with his husband.
"Mr. Potter, if you would please exchange rings with Mr. Malfoy," Kingsley said, his snicker barely hidden. He had obviously overheard Hermione's comment as well. "Please repeat after me: I give you a symbol of my love, devotion and fidelity."
Harry grinned, pressing his wand to Draco's ring finger.
"I give you a symbol of my love, devotion and fidelity," he said, his smile growing. "Insignio Vinculum."
Silver light shot out of Harry's wand, winding around Draco's finger. When he lowered it, the runes that had marked Draco's forehead and chest disappeared, etching themselves in a thin band around his ring finger. The silver tattoo looked just like a ring.
"Mr. Malfoy, please repeat after me: I give you a symbol of my love, devotion and fidelity."
Draco's eyes sparkled as he raised his wand to Harry's hand, resting it on his ring finger.
"I give you a symbol of my love, devotion and fidelity," he murmured, the words loud enough to reach the entire room but spoken only to Harry. "Insignio Vinculum."
As the silver tattoo on Harry's ring finger faded from blinding to merely conspicuous, Kingsley clapped both men on the shoulder and forcibly turned them toward the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce Messieurs Potter-Black."
Harry was grinning like a loon, and Draco was absolutely beaming. They looked out over their friends, proud to be able to share this moment with them, even if it was sooner than planned and a much smaller gathering than anticipated. Draco felt a twinge of sadness that Caleum hadn't been there to see them marry, but he knew the boy wouldn't mind the fact that he didn't have to sit through a stuffy ceremony. He'd be so over the moon at having Harry as a part of their permanent family – 'for keeps,' as Cal had put it last week – that it wouldn't matter a bit that he hadn't been there to see it.
Hermione whispered the traditional greeting for a newly married couple as she wrapped her arms around Harry in an exuberant hug. "May the blessings of Merlin be with you."
Harry tensed, waiting for a surge of jealousy from Draco but feeling only love and happiness through their bond. Hermione had been right – the bond was completely satisfied with their fidelity now that they were married.
She grabbed Harry's hand, taking a closer look at the tattoo on his finger. "It's brilliant," she said, kissing Draco on the cheek when he joined them. "Congratulations."
"Stop hogging the newlyweds," Pansy complained, sidling up to them and kissing both men on the cheek. "May the blessings of Merlin be with you."
She winked at Draco, raising an eyebrow at his silver tattoo.
"A silver bond," she marveled, shaking her head. "Who'd have imagined it? A silver bond from a match made over the internet!"
Oliver laughed, shaking both Harry and Draco's hands before stepping back, making room for Daphne and Neville, whom were both gushing over the eternity bond.
"We've been passionate about each other since we were eleven years old," Draco said dryly, drawing a groan from Harry. "It's true. It takes passion to hate that fervently."
Everyone laughed, including Harry. He wrapped his arm around his husband's waist, keeping him close.
"Seriously, though, the silver bond was a surprise. Our lives have been interlinked since before we were even born, so perhaps the soul bond shouldn't have shocked us so much."
Harry pressed a kiss to Draco's cheek, inhaling the spicy scent he loved so much.
"We couldn't pass up the chance for a true eternity soul bond," Harry added, feeling a pulse of affection come through the new bond.
"Let's see how Slytherin he can be now that he can't hide things from me!" Harry laughed, ducking when Draco pretended to choke him.
TBC: One more chapter left and then the Epilogue!
