Haunted Jaded Eyes
Chapter 35
"Master Severus, you have a letter from the Headmaster," Dobby said his hand outstretched with the aforementioned letter clutched in his hand. He was alerted every time a patronus or even a letter even went anywhere near Severus' quarters at Hogwarts - despite the fact he wasn't actually there. It was a complicated charm, and how it worked in the time bubble the House-elf had no idea and didn't even try to work it out. He had gotten there just in time once to only hear the end of the Patronus message, since then he always made sure to go the second the charm alerted him. It wasn't so bad now since Salazar had instructed Severus to put a portrait in his room, and the founder used a series of snake portraits so nothing was missed.
"Thank you, Dobby," Severus replied in kind as he accepted the letter, and quickly opening it. He had just gotten back from a Death Eater meeting, and the last thing he truly wanted was to attend an Order meeting next. Fortunately for all of them the Dark Lord had been in quite frankly the best mood he'd ever seen him. He'd actually been amused, though he didn't seem inclined to plan any attacks on Hogwarts - and for that he was utterly grateful. It had been one of the shortest meetings to date; as he got the information he required without doling out punishments, that probably was mostly why the meeting had been so short.
Dobby beamed, it had been a whole since Master Snape had thanked him, the entire time Harry's Moony had been down, he hadn't once said anything to him just nodded his head curtly, Harry had done most of the talking. He was extremely glad things were going back to normal, he just had to celebrate, perhaps cooking them a big meal? He didn't let the fact he hadn't said much upset him, he knew most Wizards preferred to keep their true thoughts and feelings to themselves, not letting others in on them. Although his old master had been different, he'd only show his feelings at the manor, outside he remained passive and un-aggressive.
"What does he want this time?" Harry asked, his face peering a Severus' in curiosity. This was nice; it was good to be able to be close to Sev again during the day and not just when they were in bed. As much as he missed Remus' company he was glad it was just the pair of them. Sighing inaudibly he continued to contently lay there.
"I do have to read it first," Severus chided dryly, smirking slightly when it only made Harry laugh and burrow more comfortably into his side. Staring down at the dark hair of hear, his heart jerked slightly, he wondered absently if he would ever get used to this feeling. Of completeness, contentment, seeing worry, fear and fondness in the eyes of another person. Harry had so many different facets of his character, he was so innocent in ways of sexual contact, seeing that blush though, made him harder than anything else could with the possible exception of Harry speaking Parseltongue. It had made more than one potion lesson extremely difficult to say the least, and he was sure Salazar had done it on purpose! Yet he was strong, powerful, and graceful when it came to his own powers, his belief though needed some work, Harry had learned everything he could possibly teach him, yet he didn't believe himself powerful. Severus believed it had something to do with the Dursleys. Nothing he really said broke through; too long in being told you were useless would do that to you. He wasn't keeping Harry at arms length, but was reluctant to go further; he didn't understand why Harry would want to be tied down to an old man. He knew some aspect obviously, he could understand Harry in a way his peers never could, but he was far from the most attractive man. Yet Harry didn't seem to care, he could have anyone, and Severus did admit even only to himself he was rather smug in the fact that Harry wanted him not anyone else.
Severus read it, an eyebrow arched in surprise, "I think he's finally losing it."
"You think?" Harry snorted in amusement as he read it with his…lover? Boyfriend? He wasn't sure which label would suit Severus but bonded popped up, he still wanted it but Severus had never brought it up now that Dumbledore had other problems to worry about - and he couldn't be forced into marriage. "Does he seriously think having me there would lighten the sentence?" not that Dumbledore had said that, he just demanded that he be brought to the courtroom while Dumbledore was on trial.
"I think its more of a game, he's hoping that despite what's happened you will still feel dependant on him and it will show." Severus mused, "That and he probably thinks I have 'control' over you. Albus always did demand I come to each meal, the fact he did not speaks volumes, he thinks by my keeping you isolated you will be grateful to get out."
"He isn't that stupid is he?" Harry queried glancing up at Sev, his head cocked slightly, yet despite his thoughts he felt warning bells flare up inside of him.
"Do not mistake stupid for overconfidence," Severus admonished gravely. "He thinks he had everything under control, that the Wizengamot will not sentence him to Azkaban, due to the image he has portrayed to everyone over the years. There is also the knowledge that the Dark Lord won't attack Hogwarts with him there, or so they believe at any rate, he does not think he will receive a sentencing. You being there is merely an added security measure he has in place to showcase his reach and influence."
"I wonder if the hat wanted to put him in Slytherin," Harry chuckled, realizing just how smart that was despite his general distaste for being paraded to the masses and manipulated. Yet he had a feeling that this wasn't all Dumbledore had up his sleeve, he desperately wanted him under control, and Harry not being in his sphere of influence was bound to make Dumbledore jumpy, was there another reason for him wanting Harry there?
"I wouldn't be surprised," Severus admitted somewhat distastefully, the thought of Dumbledore in the house of the snakes was enough to make him feel sick. "It looks like we will be leaving."
"I have a bad feeling about this," Harry admitted, "I haven't always listened to them in the past…but he's up to something more than just using me….I can feel it." he looked away so sure that Severus would think him being overdramatic, and he wasn't sure how he would take Severus dismissing his feelings so easily. Even if they came to nothing, he just had to follow his instincts right? They didn't ever steer you wrong.
Severus cupped Harry's face with his long nimble fingers and turned him so they could see one another, "Then we must be prepared for all that comes our way won't we?" Severus stated, watching surprise and shock filter into those gorgeous green eyes, did Harry seriously think he would dismiss his worries so readily? How he wished he could kill the damn Dursleys for doing that, he certainly was going to have a long conversation with Minerva once Hogwarts started back up - after all he'd learned he would be able to get her fired and would have done so if he wasn't actually fond of her, or rather as was Harry was it had been Harry that was adamant about not getting her fired when he brought up the prospect.
"Bond with me," Harry begged, his eyes never wavering, gazing at Severus in trust, pleading, love and longing so profound that Severus was unable to breathe for a few short seconds as he stared at Harry, seeing everything as Harry deliberately let his guard down. Proving just how far that trust went, and it was complete, nothing and nobody could ever say anything to Harry about Severus and have him believe it.
"Harry…bonding is a permanent thing, nothing can undo it, with the obvious exception when one of us dies," Severus told him, wincing at the nails digging into his chest when he suggested such a thing. Harry was happier to talk about his own inevitable death, but when he suggested his own Harry couldn't handle it. "It's not like a marriage, or magical contract,"
"I know." Harry stated sharply, "I've read up on them all, Sev, don't pretend like you don't know I have." Severus wouldn't die; he wouldn't be able to survive if he did. He wasn't going to let Severus try and make him think he didn't understand what he was getting into either. He wanted someone that was his and his alone, and bonding to him he would be able to feel him all the time, and would be able to take some of the pain away when he was cursed. Not that it was a problem since Sev himself had told him he didn't get called often during the school year. "If the thought of bonding doesn't sit well with you, just say it, I'm not going to think any less of you."
"When have you known me to hold my tongue when someone I abhor comes up?" Severus sneered just lightly, "I am not a Hufflepuff or worse a Gryffindor."
"Hey!" Harry said shoving him playfully unable to hide his grin; Severus in his own way had just told him he wasn't adverse to the thought of bonding to him. It was going to be an uphill struggle but he would succeed, he wanted Severus more than he had wanted anything in his life - even his own parents and that was saying something.
"We wil-"
"If you say we will discuss it later, Sev I swear I'll hex you so bad you'll not be able to sit at Dumbledore's trial!" Harry warned him, "You've not got any excuses this time, talk to me, you've never had that kind of problem before."
"You think you can get the better of me do you?" Severus replied silkily, watching as Harry inhaled and shiver at his tone of voice, smug satisfaction thrumming through him, he didn't even need to touch him for Harry to be affected by his presence. "I'd like to see you try, little one."
"Sev!" Harry whined, "I am not little," as much as he hated being called little one he also loved it at the same time, no one had given him a nickname in his life, absolutely nobody. There wasn't one for Harry, so his friends hadn't even given him one - not that he blamed them for that but it was just so nice to have a nickname.
"Would you prefer pet?" Severus whispered into Harry's ear, watching as he flushed bright red, it always backfired on him, he thought to himself in consternation as he tried to unobtrusively placed one of his palms down on his engorging erection. He failed spectacularly if the sudden laugh Harry let off was anything to go by. The blush went to extreme heights despite his laughter, oh how he wished he could show Harry everything so he wasn't so blatantly innocent. Even his own best friends had probably slept together by this point, considering how many times he'd caught them in the corridors - but before curfew - Hermione Granger would never change. Although he had the best excuse of anyone as to why he hadn't taken on a girlfriend or boyfriend. Too busy figuring out mysteries like that silly cartoon he watched as a child with Lily, Scooby-Doo if he remembered correctly. Then added to the fact he was no doubt scared anyone he got close to ended up dead, which of course was proven correct at the end of his young mans fifth year, when he lost Sirius Black. Many girls had approached Harry during his sixth year; all of them were seen scurrying away like their backsides had been lit of fire.
Severus inhaled sharply, as Harry stroked his fingers over the swelling lump next to him. "Don't." he said, gritting his teeth despite the fact his body throbbed and his mind wanted to take it back. Hissing softly, he pressed both his and Harry's hand down on it, grinding it in a desperate effort to get some relief.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked slyly, his fingers twitching but unable to touch properly due to the fact Severus' hand was firmly pressed down on his own.
"Harry," Severus croaked, cursing at the fact his own voice rasped. They had gotten well off topic, was one of the last coherent thoughts in his head, as he gave in and allowed his little minx to do as he pleased, moving his hand and dragging it through the silky tresses and just laying his hand there at the nape of Harry's neck with his thumb stroking the side of his face.
In a bold move, he moved to straddle Severus, surprised that he was letting him, despite the fact he had given into his feelings, he had been keeping anything sexual off the tables so to speak. Although it might have had something to do with Remus being there, since he could smell things greater than any normal wizard. He still would even though he was no longer a werewolf, he could still turn into a wolf though but it was more of an Animagus form. The ritual had twisted it enough so that he was no longer forced to turn each full moon.
"I'm yours if you'll have me, Sev," Harry said, steadily meeting Severus' penetrating gaze as he slowly began to rock against him delighting in the low moan that tore out of Severus' throat. He loved the feeling of power it gave him, that he could reduce Severus to this, that he could see past the walls he'd built up to keep himself safe. Nobody else but him, and it was a very heady thing to Harry who had never known how good it could feel to have a partner, someone to talk to - to cherish. His own erection began to swell rapidly between them; given the sudden glint in Severus' eyes he knew he could feel it too.
Severus cursed himself for letting it get so far, he couldn't for the life of him put a stop to it, so he wrapped his arm around the back and brought his squirming lover closer to him, and latched onto his mouth in a heated passionate kiss, exploring him thoroughly. Only once he began to feel light headed did he pull back, and began to nibble and kiss Harry's throat, feeling each and every shudder that passed through Harry's frame. Delighting in the desperate edge Harry's squirming took on as he nibbled at Harry's ear his breath ghosting against his neck. Merlin, so innocent yet had a seductive quality to him.
"Severus," Harry whispered desperately, wantonly, groaning as his head pressed against Severus' shoulder, he wasn't going to last much longer. "Fuck!" grinding down desperately, not just trying to get relief for himself, but he so desperately wanted to make Severus come too. His head came up, watching him closely, he wanted to see Severus come, the look on his face even now was more than he let anyone see…grasping Severus' shoulders, gazing at him, his head was against the couch tilted somewhat, his eyes closed in obvious pleasure. His throat was bared; Harry couldn't hold his temptation, green eyes sparked deviously as he licked at Severus' neck, nibbling playfully, before he sucked hard against the skin, before moving to his thin lips and kissing him some more swallowing the groan Severus released.
The coiling in his stomach was intense, he knew he wasn't going to last any more than a few seconds, but what made him lose himself completely was the red hickey mark that marred Severus' pale slender throat. Digging his hands into Severus' shoulders, his head was thrown back as he arched into Severus his body out of his control as he surrendered to the intense pleasure of release. In his bliss he heard a stifled grunt as Severus came as well making him feel smug as he rode on the fumes of such a spectacular orgasm.
Severus opened his eyes in time to see Harry fall apart above him, the bite marks stood against his pale skin, marking him. The thought of anyone else experiencing this, seeing Harry lost in bliss was almost too much for him. There and then he decided that he would bond with Harry, before they went back up to the school. He was at the end of the day a Slytherin, and he was possessive to boot, it was perhaps partly why he had refrained from any sexual activity. Seeing him like this, he knew there would be no going back. Pressing Harry more firmly against himself unable to help it, he wanted this boy as his and he couldn't care less about anything else. Then just like a puppet that had its strings cut Harry slumped against him boneless.
"Do you, Harry James Potter, wish to bond with me, until death do us part?" Severus spoke strongly; despite his nervous he was about this. Summoning a blade from the potions lab, and grabbing it before it got anywhere near Harry. A strong cleaning charm was cast on it, so no harmful residue that could have potentially been left behind would hurt them. Using the knife he carved the rune symbol for eternity on his hand as well as two others, loyalty and love, as the bonding dictated. Surprisingly enough, to bond to someone didn't require sex, but it did make the bond stronger and enabled the easier transition of sharing magic and thoughts, although of course, Occlumency did help you to keep them from hearing everything from your partner.
"Yes," Harry said seriously, sitting back a little but remained firmly on Severus' knees. His hand out waiting for Severus to draw the runes on his hand for him. Severus took it delicately, his fingers drifting over the scar 'I must not tell lies' his black eyes glinted darkly in anger at that. Yet it didn't stop him from quickly drawing the same three runes into him as well. "Do you, Severus Tobias Snape, wish to bond with me, until death do us part?"
"I do," Severus responded bonding was never done in the company of others, of course most people usually celebrated the next day. Regretfully neither he nor Harry had anyone who they could tell, well that wasn't accurate, and Harry did have his friends. Still it wasn't as if they would be celebrating it, but if things went the way he hoped with the trial he would definitely be celebrating with Harry at least a little.
"I promise to be faithful, to honour you, cherish you and make sure all your enemies lay at you feet so you are safe." Harry vowed, his bleeding hand rose upwards, as he swore his vows so to speak.
"And I promise to be faithful, to cherish and spend our lives; however it may be making you see you are worth it." Severus replied, neither of them was very prepared for it, but that just meant they were completely honest with one another in this, and that was perhaps the best way to go. It didn't need to be anything flamboyant seen it was just them. Severus pressed their hands together, nodding briefly at Harry, and then they both began to speak the words that sealed the bond completely. The happiness on Harry's face as he spoke made Severus realized this was worth it, as abrupt as it was, he would do anything for that smile of pure contentment. It was very rare to see him so happy, be dazzlingly happy.
"Iungo nos pariter semper propense symmetria medeis," they both said together as one, and magic flashed out both of them. Harry gasped in shock at the feel of Severus' magic entering him, it was darker than his, he could feel it, but that wasn't unexpected. It immersed within his core, just as he knew Severus was receiving the same treatment. Bit by bit, their magic returned to them, filling their cores back up with their own magic, but it wasn't as it used to be, he could feel subtle differences. Once it was over he slumped back against Severus, unable to stay upright, exhaustion prominent in every line of his body. Until he knew no more, as unconsciousness claimed him.
Severus blinked dazedly, moving to rub his chest where he felt sore, only to realize that someone was lying against him. Harry, the bond, they'd done it. His eyes widened, he was marginally more powerful, but Rowena had been right, they were meant for each other at least magically - seen as their power levels weren't all that different.
"Dobby?" Severus managed to get out through his parched mouth.
"What can Dobby do for bonded Masters?" Dobby asked eagerly, a big beaming smile on his face, he made no attempt to hide his giddiness. His Harry Potter was happy and bonded at last; he had known it would happen.
"Pepper-Up Potions, some juice and perhaps a light snack," Severus asked, amused by the look on the House-elves face.
"Right away!" Dobby insisted and scurrying over to the kitchen instead of popping as he normally would.
Severus shook his head at the sight, before glancing at the time, sighing in relief when he realized they still had time before the trial. As much as he would like to ignore Dumbledore's insistence, it was best not to rock the boat too much. Especially seen as he didn't know if the Wizengamot would actually imprison Albus too-many-names Dumbledore. They didn't have as long as he would like though, but hopefully the Pepper-Up potion would take the edge off his tiredness. Grimacing, he desperately needed to shower, screwing up his nose slightly; he slid his wand from his holster and cleaned them both up, removing the sticky messes, although he would definitely need a shower still.
"Harry? Harry wake up," Severus said softly, knowing better than to shout when Harry was sleeping and vulnerable. His hand once again carding through his hair, smiling slightly at the grumbling as Harry was reluctantly brought out of his little rest.
"Sev?" Harry whispered, wincing at the pain in his hand as he unattached it from Severus', his head arched slightly into the soothing touch of Severus' other hand though almost purring. Any touch was welcomed, he had gone so long without any kind touches that he could just lay there all day and relish in this closeness with a man he loved. He didn't dare tell Sev that, he wasn't sure how he would take him saying anything like that. "We bonded," Harry said in a hushed delighted whisper. As if he was afraid that it would all be a lie if he said it any louder.
"We did," Severus agreed, "We must get ready for the trial."
"I'd rather stay here," Harry murmured as he reluctantly moved so he was no longer straddling Severus but sitting next to him, he did nudge his hand so he continued his caresses, smiling slightly at the soft chuckle his bonded let out but he did continue petting him.
"As would I," Severus admitted, "Thank you, Dobby." he added as the House-elf brought the platter towards them and placed it on the table. Stepping forward the elf passed the two potions to them before with a winning grin popped away to give them their privacy.
"What's wrong with him?" Harry asked curiously.
"I think he's happy," Severus stated dryly.
"You don't say?" Harry replied wryly, it had been a long time since he took even the slightest bit offence to Severus' sarcastic nature…since he had acquired one of his own, but it wasn't so bitter anymore.
"Drink," Severus stated, handing him one of the Pepper-Up Potions.
"You know, this potions supposed to cure symptoms of the common cold, yet people take it when they're tired, I've never understood that," Harry said quietly, as he uncorked it and swallowed it in one go, closing his eyes as steam bellowed out of his ears.
"Understandably because it does just that," Severus said, "Gives you energy as well, to get you through the day. That has something to do with the fact this potion in particular needs a spell to complete It." it was extremely rare to need spells in potions, and he had found that out when he was ten or so.
"After being told you didn't need 'silly wand waving' it is ironic, you know?" Harry grinned impishly, showing Sev that he was only kidding with him. Sev unfortunately still wasn't used to anyone doing that, but he was determined to get him used to it.
"Indeed," Severus replied, nodding thoughtfully, it was ironic as he had found out the first time he had brewed that particular potion. Shrugging his thoughts off, he drank the potion and didn't even so much as tense as the steam poured out of his ears causing the uncomfortable sensation of his ears popping many times until the steam stopped. Already he felt renewed, he definitely would have enough energy to deal with whatever came their way at the trial.