Chapter 29: Bondmates

*Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters therein


In another part of the castle the resident Potions Master was waiting impatiently for his Gryffindor. He wondered if the brat had read about the bond as he hinted, or if he had forgotten in the excitement of the morning. He decided pacing his quarters would be unproductive and only serve to make him more and more impatient. He grabbed a book from his shelves, and began to read about transmogrification of plants and animals for potions. He had to force himself to focus and soon found himself interested in the topic as it spoke of a potion he had played with recently.

Severus was surprised when he heard a knock on the door to his rooms. Few people knew which portrait entrance was his. Usually students went to his office, which triggered a ward to alert him so he could slip into his office via a side door and pretend that he had only been making them wait for a dramatic effect.

Severus rose, wand in hand, and went to the door, opening it. He shielded his body with the door in case spells began flying, but none were forthcoming. Instead a tall, dark-haired, green-eyed figure stood in his doorway.

"Pot-. Harry." He remembered that he'd shown the boy to his quarters, and asked the only thing on his mind, "Have you read?"

Harry nodded solemnly, trying to read the Potions Master, trying to find even a hint that any feelings he held were reciprocated so he didn't make a fool of himself. "I did. You said to return when I understood, and while I don't exactly understand why, I do know what happened. I...um, may I come in, Sir?"

Severus blinked and opened the door further. "You may. Tea?"

"Mmm. Please."

Severus called for a tea setting from Kippy again and they sat. Severus sat in his customary armchair while Harry took the corner of the couch closest to him. Harry felt awkward, unsure of what to say or how to broach the subject. Severus made their tea and handed Harry's cup to him made perfectly. They sipped at the drink, eating a biscuit or two before Severus began the conversation.

"You say you understand what but not why this bond has formed. What did you mean?"

Harry took on a look of shyness, his self-confidence for once fleeing him in the face of this challenge. "I guess, I mean, well, why me, you know?"

Severus felt his face contort into resigned hurt at the offensive question, but it was quelled as the boy continued. "I mean, what is so special about me? Wizarding society either sees me as their Chosen One or abhors me for some new reason I'm not privy to, but really I'm just a street rat that got lucky." Harry looked up to watch the older man through his lashes. "But you...you're more."

Severus calmed himself and closed his eyes. For as much as Harry looked like James Potter, the boy's personality was as far from his as could be. "You are very powerful. In terms of magic and charisma. Your magic is some of the strongest Light Magic I have ever seen. This is why you are so good at Defense, it is also why children are so drawn to you. I have an affinity for Dark Magic."

He saw Harry tense and shushed him. "Let me explain, please. Light and Dark do not have the meanings you think they do."

Harry nodded and Severus continued. "Everyone is born with a Light or Dark Magic Affinity. The affinity typically runs in families, but there are some born with an opposite affinity for different reasons. Light Magic, as I said, is a grouping of spells and rituals that are defensive and protective in nature. It does not, as people think now, mean that it causes no harm. Spells currently called light like Bombarda could easily kill someone if cast on their person, but the Ministry has made an arbitrary list of "light" spells and Dark Arts. There is another example of a light, defensive spell used in warding, but if it overpowered it can act to vaporize any foreign matter, even people, that try to cross the ward line. Light Magic can kill."

Severus stopped to refill his cup, and allow what he'd just said to sink in. "Dark Magic, in turn, is a group of spells and rituals that are used offensively or that need the intent of ill will to cast, like with the Killing Curse. Dark Arts are not exclusively Dark Magic, but most of it is. Things like the Unforgivables are Dark Arts and Dark Magic; however, some of the Dark Arts spells are purely defensive. Rituals like your mother did to save you are Dark Arts. She knew when she started the ritual casting that it would protect you, but at the cost of her life. Lily was very in tune with Light Magic almost as much as you are. Conversely, James had a special way with Dark Magic, he was able to take spells generally deemed light by the populous and turn them for harmful uses. Your dogfather was the same. I can understand, now, that they could not control themselves when it came to Slytherins, but you have to understand that they were not kind with their gifts."

Harry understood, and did not argue the man. Severus continued. "I have explained this as I doubt your Introduction to Magical Theory class came anywhere near this topic. Information on Magical Affinities has been limited by the Ministry for longer than you've been alive. I say all of this to say that in order for a Sympathetic Bond to occur the partners must have opposing magical affinities in similar power levels. That is why our magic was able to create the catalyst. Your Light Magic reached out to my Dark, and it sparked the first layer of the bond."

Severus rose from his chair, moving around the room. "If...If you have no desire to further develop this bond, I will understand and give you the space you so need. It is barely formed, and easily broken." He wasn't sure if that was true, but he'd done impossible things in the past. Because his back was to Harry he did not see the teen's horrified face at the prospect of breaking the bond. "I am not a nice person, and I am a hard man. I do not fault you for being adverse to conti-"

Severus broke off as he felt Harry's hand on his shoulder, pressure sure and even. He turned to see an emerald-eyed teen with a hard edge glinting in those eyes. He was angry that the man was already pushing him away, shutting down any opportunity for them to be together before they had even begun. He growled softly at the man. "Stop deciding this for me. I want this. All of it. A full bond with you."

Severus couldn't believe it and took a step forward, hoping to intimidate the teen into the truth. His voice rose with a passionate anger as he spoke. "Do you? And why, pray tell, would you want to throw your life away to fulfill a bond with me? A man who is old enough to have fathered you, a man who is neither nice nor kind, I will not coddle you, nor can I offer you more than I am. Why, Harry?"

Harry smiled, surprising the panting man. "Did you know Ronan Prewett started dating Elsbet when she was 45 and he was only 28. He'd just left Muggle University when they met. Now, he's 35 or so and she's in her early 50's, but they've made it work. Severus, we're wizards. An age-gap of twenty years or so here or there isn't going to make a huge amount of difference in the long run and Ronan has shown me that age is literally just a number in the Wizarding world when we live decades past our 100th birthdays."

He considered a point for a moment, holding up his hand slightly to show he was thinking. "I know there may be some contention because you are a professor, but I know the school rule book states that bonds fall under a law unto their own. I just don't know those specifics, so I don't think it is as big of an issue. As to the other?"

Harry sighed and looked into his eyes, trying to convince the man that he was baring a piece of his soul here. "Well...I'm not used to kindness or coddling. I don't want to be treated as a child, I never was one. I'm independent, and can take care of myself. All I want is someone who cares about me for me, not for the titles I have, or the gold in my vault. Someone who understands that I have a lot of people who I am responsible for. I need someone who will understand that sometimes my priority list will change, and they may not always be number one…"

Severus opened his mouth to comment, though to say what he wasn't sure but Harry shook his head.

"Did you know that being around Dark Creatures like werewolves can dampen the Moribus?"

Severus shook his head.

"They do. My third year, I spent all the spare time I had with Remus. He didn't tell me about the dampening, he didn't know at the time, but we figured it out together. That year my hatred for Slytherins in general was lessened, and something strange happened. Do you remember that was the year I melted more cauldrons than Neville."

Severus remembered. "Yes. You were constantly daydreaming in my class, and I assigned more detentions in that class alone than my previous two years together. I also recall that you were easily able to create an adequate sample of every potion during the detentions I assigned for makeup work." He gave the teen a look of suspicion.

Harry held a look of chagrin. "Yes, well, I was only able to concentrate when you left the room. I was constantly daydreaming about you in class, out of class, during meals… I almost set Ron on fire during Charms. I couldn't help it. The Moribus didn't affect my thoughts and actions towards you as forcefully from that year on, you know? I think the bond started forming then, but with my magic bound it couldn't reach out to you with enough power to make any difference."

Severus gave him a pensive look, thinking. "That is...unexpected, I must say." Inside he was, confused but hopeful. The brat had not hated him as long as he thought, and there was hope for them in that. "I suppose you are trying to tell me that you are not as averse to this bond as I originally suspected."

"Mm. I'm not opposed at all," Harry said, as he looked Severus over from their close stances. Severus had shed his robe earlier and was only wearing a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up a few times and black dress trousers. His feet were bare, which Harry found unbearably sexy in that moment as he realized he was seeing his Professor in his own space. A relaxed and at home Severus without the barriers that he put on for the outside world.

Severus, in turn, looked the teen over as well. Harry had truly grown up over the years. He was at an almost even height with Severus, though Severus had an inch more at most. His dark hair was just as messy as it always had been, but it was the eyes that were truly the window to Harry. He said everything in his eyes, and at the moment Severus was scorched by those eyes. He was wearing another pair of hip hugging jeans and a t-shirt, though without the graphics the last one had.

Severus' gaze returned to his face and he looked deeply into those eyes, mesmerized as he drew out a questioning, "Indeed?"

Harry, instead of answering, leaned forward, bringing their lips together in a small kiss. "Indeed. I want you." He spoke in a whisper against the other man's lips, waiting for him to take advantage, but realized the older man needed an invitation to take what he so wanted. "Kiss me, Severus," he whispered, then mewled as Severus kissed him with the fervor of a starved man all at once. And he was, starved for someone to share in a heated passion.

Their lips moved, melded soft and damp together, a hint of tongue against a lip teasing and enticing. They lost track of time, it could have been seconds or minutes as their kisses dragged on. Eventually they drew apart.

Harry rested his forehead against the man's chest as they both took a moment to breathe deeply. Severus, eventually, wrapped his arms around Harry and moved them both to the couch. He sat and pulled the slightly smaller man onto his lap.

They sat together for a few minutes before they were kissing once more, though neither could say who moved first. Harry purred low in his throat as he felt his lion roar in approval, and Severus lifted his fingers to Harry's chest, fisting his hand in Harry's shirt. Harry, in turn moved his fingers up the buttons of Severus' shirt, opening them and unable to stop himself. He needed to feel his mate's skin, and he was not going to wait.

"Take it off."


In another part of the castle Neville was sitting in the Room of Requirement, a starry night on a hill the landscape around him. He lay on his back with Blaise next to him as they watched the stars and talked.


Flashback

Neville had spent a while trying to discuss the events within Hogwarts with his Gran. It took a long time to convince her that what he said was truth. It was when he mentioned his Father and any strange mood and personality changes after his first year that she quieted. She began truly listening at that point and he was able to describe what Dumbledore and McGonagall had been scheming under the noses of everyone. He was careful to mask some details like the torture and threats that they sometimes endured, but Neville thought he could see the understanding in her eyes. She knew. He didn't know how, but she knew.

Having finally filled in his Gran of the happenings with Hogwarts, and successfully convinced her that he was unharmed, he then had to calm her down and keep her from going straight to the Founders' Dungeons to finish Dumbledore off. Instead he showed his Gran his animagus form, feeling his confidence swell at the pure joy and pride in her eyes. "You are a treasure, my boy," she said as she softly pet the panther's ears. "I am sorry for doubting you these years."

Neville changed back effortlessly and knelt at her feet, giving her hands a slight squeeze. "You couldn't have known. There is nothing to forgive."


Soon after the adult representatives had gone together to see that they each had their own rooms for overnight stays in the castle and to set up the Offices to their specifications. Arthur left soon after to escort Argus Filch to his new home.

Neville had left the meeting room to find Blaise waiting on him. He knew he should look for the Greengrass siblings, knowing that what he'd heard earlier was very important to Harry, but he also knew that he'd missed six years with his friend. Neville decided to be selfish for once.

The two had gone to the Room of Requirement, Neville choosing the room this time. They had lain beneath the stars as Neville told Blaise why. This was the room Neville always conjured when he needed a moment of peace, and he wanted to share that peace with his old friend.

As they talked they told stories. Some focused on their childhood times together, some on school memories, and some on dreams. It was then that Blaise first rolled to his side. "Neville, can I ask you something?"

Neville turned as well, looking curiously at the other boy. "Yeah, you know you can."

Blaise, looking slightly nervous closed his eyes as he leant forward and kissed Neville. Neville gave a squeak of surprise that he would later deny, and closed his eyes as well. This was familiar, like coming home.

The two boys scooted closer to each other, lips brushing before lips parted to allow more. The air around them became thick and heavy and they couldn't stop even for a moment to breathe, they were so desperate for each other. It wasn't until they parted, panting for air, that they said anything. Neville looked deeply into Blaise's eyes, trying to read something in his expression. Soon enough he found what he wanted and smiled.

"I don't think I quite understand your question. Maybe if you try asking it another way?"

Blaise gave him the happiest smile Neville had ever seen and they moved together once more, their kisses interspersed with small breaths so they could stay together longer.


"Take it off."

It wasn't until Harry felt hands at his waist tugging at his shirt that he realized Severus had spoken. He had thought something similar and as his shirt was pulled over his head and thrown, he pulled at Severus' shirt as well. "You too. Off."

They both groaned at the sight of the other and Harry planted a foot on the ground as he quickly turned and straddled Severus' lap. He moved down the man's legs, kissing the man and running his hands over the chest before him. Where Harry's muscles were defined, Severus' were lean and wiry, but the man was fit. His fingers brushed over Severus' chest as the man leaned forward and nibbled on the teen's neck. A gasp and a hiss of pleasure filled the air that was heavy with delicious tension.

Harry felt excitement shoot through him as he listened to the gasps that fell from parted lips, his own and Severus'...until the one gasp that wasn't.

Severus hissed and grabbed his left arm in pain.

The Dark Lord had sent his summons.


Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you think, and "Sorry, not sorry" for the cliffhanger. I couldn't bring myself to change it once the thought entered my mind. Please don't kill me? :)

*A/N: I'm going to keep scenes here at FF in the T range, but will post the higher rated ones in Archive of Our Own. If you see


Censor


Then that means a piece is missing, and can be found at AO3. This is for both violent and sexual scenes.