Disclaimer: Nothing related to Harry Potter belongs to me. It belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Thirty Four: Freedom

When Harry opened his eyes, the first thing he was aware of was the smoky black eyes staring back at him. Blinking slowly, he glanced around the room, noticing that he was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts - again. His bonded were all there as well, staring at him in concern. Groaning and placing a hand over his eyes, Harry asked, "What the bloody hell happened to me? I feel as if I've been placed under the Cruciatus while being pummeled by bludgers."

There was a small chuckle from somewhere off to his left, probably from Remus, but it was short-lived and an uncomfortable silence fell around the room. Harry uncovered his eyes and noticed that Remus and Draco were both staring at Severus expectantly, while the dark man was staring down at his hands where they lay in his lap.

Dumbledore spoke from behind him, startling all four wizards. "I would like to know that as well. Seeing the state that young Harry arrived in, I'm rather concerned. I saw no visible evidence of injury and no sign of the Cruciatus, but Severus here has not yet told me what happened at the meeting."

Harry looked at Severus searchingly. He knew how much the old man meant to his mate, but he hadn't spoken of what had happened. Severus locked eyes with him and Harry understood. He was waiting for Harry's permission and consciousness to tell anyone, because he didn't want to have to repeat it more than once.

Harry sighed and nodded slowly, giving permission to Severus to tell the story. Truthfully, he was curious as well about what had happened from an outsider's perspective. He remembered the helplessness that came with his inability to move, or to absorb the magic that held him, the searing agony as the Talisman was burned into his skin and soul, the overwhelming darkness that followed, and the dim voice - Severus', he now realized - that had called for him as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Severus opened his mouth and began explaining, with the other four people listening attentively. "When we arrived there, the Dark Lord greeted us and had Harry shift into his human form. He spoke of the Talisman and asked if Harry was interested in seeing it, since he considered the boy to be a very powerful ally. Apparently, Morkeleb's Honor Bond to him was enough to assure him that the boy would not try and harm him as long as he remained unprovoked."

"Harry agreed, and they left the room. I was prevented from following by a powerful shield, but he opened a window in the wall so that I could look down into the dungeon room in Malfoy Manor that held the Talisman. A few moments later, Harry and the Dark Lord entered the room and I watched as Harry moved closer to the Talisman, then froze, just staring at it."

"At first I thought he was just trying to figure out what it did, but I quickly realized that something was wrong when the Dark Lord began circling him. Harry would have never allowed the Dark Lord to leave his sight if he could prevent it. I, however, was still unable to leave the room due to the shields, so I was trapped, watching helplessly as the Dark Lord spoke to Harry."

"Finally, he removed Harry's shirt and pulled out the Talisman. He placed it against Harry's skin and it started glowing. The shields went down, and I ran as fast as I could down to the dungeon room they were in. When I got there, Harry was screaming in so much pain, it made my blood run cold. As I watched, unable to move myself, due to additional shields in the room itself, I saw the Talisman literally disappear into Harry's body. Only after the process was complete did the spells holding me in place collapse so I could run to him."

"Where the Talisman had touched, Harry was marked, although it is very different from the Dark Mark. I am not entirely sure what it does," Severus summarized, gently pulling the sheet down to Harry's waist before tapping lightly on his chest, indicating for him to remove his shirt. Harry did so, and glanced down at his chest as he heard the others gasp around him.

He couldn't see the Mark very well from his position, so he summoned a mirror - wandlessly - and stared at himself. The Talisman stood out in bold relief over his heart. It was just as colorful as it had been on the pendant. Harry shuddered. He was Marked now, and nobody knew what it was supposed to do, other than that it wasn't like the Dark Mark that Voldemort's Death Eaters bore.

Suddenly, he felt a presence invading his mind. Fuck! So this is what the Mark did - or at least, it was one of the things. It made his mental barriers virtually non-existent, so that Voldemort could enter his mind at will. Dammit all!

Glancing casually around the room, Voldemort took in all the people there, cataloguing them in his mind as he pulled information out of Harry's. Let's see...Severus, the intimidating Potions Master who was now Harry's bonded and mate; the young Malfoy, silver-grey eyes, normally so arrogant, showing concern for his 'brother'; the werewolf, amber eyes narrowed as they watched Harry closely; and lastly, the old fool himself, Albus Dumbledore, his eyes still holding that damn twinkle.

It was Severus who first noticed that something was wrong, as he felt the ebb and flow of Harry's power. Something was going on with him. Reaching forward, Severus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. As the teenager turned to stare at him, he froze. Those eyes - they weren't Harry's eyes. They were still a vibrant shade of violet, but they lacked the sparkling warmth and life that was seemingly always present in the boy's gaze. These eyes reminded him eerily of his Dark Master.

Then, just as quickly as it had arrived, it was gone, and Harry slumped back in the bed, closing his eyes wearily. "Well, I know one thing. My mental barriers are now virtually useless against him. Fortunately, he was just testing today, not actually searching for information. If he actually looks for specific memories and knowledge, then we'll all be in over our heads."

The others nodded silently in agreement, horror dawning on their faces as they realized the implications of Harry's words. Remus would be discovered as another bonded. Harry's true intentions concerning Malfoy would be discovered, as well as his plan to defeat Voldemort. On top of that, Severus would be discovered as a spy, and they all had the feeling that the Dark Lord would not be so inclined to forgive him for that.

Harry sighed, "It's stronger than I am right now, but there's a chance I can force him out if..." he trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging, but everyone understood. If Harry was grounded, he might have enough power to force Voldemort out of his mind as well as destroy him. However, he no longer had any time, because the Dark Lord was unpredictable and could return at any moment to rifle through Harry's memories once again.

Dumbledore rose to his feet with a sigh. "You two may go back to your rooms, and you will be given privacy for this night. I am truly sorry that this happened in such a way," he murmured softly, staring at Harry, his eyes pleading. Harry nodded in understanding and offered him a tentative smile. In return, the Headmaster smiled back at him, his eyes regaining some of that sparkle, and motioned for the others to follow him, probably up to his office to discuss what was going to happen next, leaving Severus and Harry alone.

Wordlessly, Severus stood and helped Harry to his feet, letting the boy wrap his arms around his waist for balance. Slowly, they made their way out of the Infirmary and down to the dungeons. The two wizards passed no one on their way down, for which they were grateful. They'd have to remember to thank Albus later for the favor.

Once in their rooms, Harry bit his lip and stared at the floor, shifting nervously. He knew what he had to do, and he knew that it would most likely save the lives of all his bonded, and give him the key to saving the wizarding world, but he couldn't help it. Severus had been helping him greatly, and he no longer shied away from the man's touch, but still...Harry was scared.

Beside him, Severus cleared his throat, startling Harry. "Harry, if you want, you could control this, you know. I...I wouldn't mind," he stammered slightly, flushing and falling silent once again. Harry took a moment to comprehend what his bloodmate was saying, but then his eyes widened. Severus was offering to let Harry take him, rather than the other way around. He was offering Harry the control of their mating.

Smiling up at Severus, Harry murmured, "That won't work. For me to be grounded, you have to take me. However, I think we can manage to solve both dilemmas if you let me bottom on the top," he suggested hesitantly. Severus looked at him in surprise, then nodded, leaning down to initiate a kiss, which Harry eagerly returned, opening his mouth to invite Severus to come play.

Their mouths still connected, they sent hands roaming, hungry for the touch of their mate as they stumbled towards the bedroom. The Headmaster had assured them that they'd be undisturbed tonight, and they planned on taking advantage of it.

Slowly, careful not to startle Harry, Severus slid his warm hands across Harry's chest. He hadn't put his shirt back on since showing everyone the Talisman Mark. Harry just pressed tightly against him and ran his warm hands under Severus' shirt, giving it a gentle tug and letting Severus know in no uncertain terms that he was to remove it as well.

After Severus' shirt had been removed, the two men maneuvered backwards until Severus' legs hit the bed, and they collapsed upon it, with Harry on top, still lip-locked. Harry squirmed and hesitated only briefly as he felt Severus swell against his hip. There was no time, and Harry would be damned if he'd let Ole Snake-Face discover so much vital information.

Reaching down, Harry made short work of Severus' pants, followed by his own, and soon they were pressed skin to skin. Harry attacked Severus' chest, and the other man moaned with pleasure. Reaching haphazardly into the nightstand by Severus' bed, Harry found the lubricant and removed it, placing it in his mate's hand.

Severus quickly opened it and sent a finger questing. He very slowly and carefully prepared Harry, using a total of three fingers to do so. Only when he was sure that Harry was relaxed did he lubricate himself. Then he relaxed, letting Harry dictate what happened next.

Harry was well aware that Severus was ready for him and vice versa. Sitting up slowly, but leaning over so that his lips maintained contact with Severus', he sat on his mate, hissing in slight discomfort. However, Severus had been true to his word and held still, letting Harry move at his own pace. He had also kept his promise not to hurt Harry, and the teenager smiled brilliantly down at him once he was fully seated.

After that, low murmurs filled the room as the two wizards whispered endearments and sweet nonsense to each other. Harry was still a bit skittish, but every time he began falling into memories of his uncle, Severus would grasp his chin and force him to meet his eyes, which were full of tenderness and encouragement. Their love-making was slow and beautiful, and Harry knew then that his mate would never hurt him.

As they slowly reached towards climax, both wizards felt a nameless something building up within them. Crying out in pleasure and release, the power exploded outwards, shaking Hogwarts to its very foundation. It was raw, uncontrolled power, and it rolled throughout the school, being contained only by the powerful wards that surrounded Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Shuddering, Harry rolled off of Severus and collapsed on the bed, not even having the energy to snuggle into him. Severus turned on his side and pulled Harry close, running long fingers through his hair and murmuring softly in his ear in a language that Harry felt he should know, but could not seem to recall at the moment.

Suddenly, he blinked, recognizing the language. Looking up at Severus with wide eyes, he hissed back Severus, my mate, you do realize you're speaking parseltongue, do you not?

Severus blinked down at him, startled. What do you mean, Harry, love? I am speaking normally.

Harry just shook his head. That's what I thought too when I first spoke Parseltongue. Ron and Hermione had to tell me that I was speaking snake, and that everyone thought I had been egging that snake on in second year. Severus grimaced, remembering the rolling silence that had followed that particular episode. The uproar was ferocious and the tension almost palpable, as if it could be cut easily with a knife.

Harry blinked, then frowned, aware of Severus watching him curiously. Reaching inside his mind, he found the link that Voldemort had established and began stretching it, thinning it slowly so that he didn't alert the Dark Lord. Eventually, it was worn thin enough that it snapped, and Harry sighed in relief. Voldemort hadn't caught on, and now it was too late.

Sighing, he reached deep inside himself again, this time searching through his own magic for the link that tied the Talisman Mark to the Dark Lord. He found it quickly, a black stain against the silver, green, red, and gold strands that represented his magic. Finding it, he tried banishing it altogether, but found that it wasn't working.

Sighing, he concentrated on the Talisman Mark and tried to discover what it was supposed to do. He found connections that tied him to the Dark Lord, made him smell and feel like a leader where other Dark Creatures were concerned, kept him from hurting Voldemort, made him more aggressive than usual, and even one that fed his life-force to the Dark Tyrant, ensuring that he'd live as long as Harry did. Fuck. He had a lot of work to do.

Furrowing his brows in concentration, he focused on removing the magical connections created by the mark rather than the actual Mark itself. This time, it worked, and he felt the bond dissipating inside of him. Opening his eyes, he glanced down at his chest. The Talisman Mark was still there, but it no longer held any menace. It was more like a tattoo than anything.

Closing his eyes in weariness, his body damp with sweat and heavy with fatigue from the effort he had exerted, Harry Potter relaxed. He forced his eyes opened again when Severus gasped in pain, glancing over and noticing that the man was clutching his left forearm, where the Dark Mark was, pain showing brightly in his onyx eyes.

Harry let a growl trickle out of his lips and Severus locked eyes with him. "Howl for me, Harry," he whispered softly, and Harry understood. Quickly, he drew up his power and shifted into Amarth, maintaining eye contact with his mate the entire time. Once he was fully transformed, he threw back his head and howled, long and low, baying at the Dark Lord.

Sending his power out, the Jachyra reached down and closed his jaws firmly over Severus' forearm, careful not to bite. Reaching into himself for that coil of magic that was intended for this very purpose, Harry thrust the power into his mate like a sword, slicing through the Dark Mark and severing its connection with the Dark Lord.

This time, it was Severus who howled as he rode the power flowing through his body. The magical tidal wave that was coursing through him was unlike anything he had ever felt before, and it crashed through him, freeing him and cleansing his soul of the Dark Lord once and for all. The Dark Mark on his arm faded away before disappearing altogether, replaced instead with the mark of a Lightning Bolt, binding him as Harry's mate forever. He couldn't bring himself to be upset about it.

When the power slowed, finally dying, Severus went limp, collapsing back into his bed. His body was heavy and he felt the remains of a great pleasure coursing through him. He realized idly that he could now feel the ebb and flow of Harry's magic coursing through him, as well as his own, and he sighed in contentment.

Part one of their plan was now complete. Now they just had to get to Voldemort, although that might not be too difficult. After all, the man was bound to be furious and would most likely seek Harry out, saving everyone a great deal of hassle.

Severus just sighed as he drifted off to sleep, Harry held tightly in his arms, in human form once again. Removing the Dark Mark had sapped him of his strength and energy, but he'd recover quickly, in the matter of a few hours. For now, Severus slept peacefully, his dreams for once not plagued by nightmares and fires that danced merrily inside his soul, devouring him.