Warnings: Slash sex, again edited as best as I can manage to be M rated rather than MA. The full scene is on AO3.

Summary: Harry and Severus move into their new home, get married, and adopt a little girl who's been waiting for them all this time. After this, there is only the epilogue remaining. It's been a long journey, but I hope it's been a good one.

CHAPTER 37

A NEW LIFE

The house Harry had chosen was everything Severus had ever dreamed of. White picket fence and all, it was the perfect home to raise children. The animals liked the woods nearby too. He hoped one day he could convince Harry to carry a child for them, but in the meantime, he couldn't wait to adopt and finally have the family he had always longed for. Even without the crushing weight of guilt breaking him down, he wanted so much to bring a Blackpool child home and sanctify their tragedy with love. And with Harry out of school and done with the war, they finally could. Well, once they were officially bonded, of course.

Severus had never been one for giddiness, but as he walked into his home, Harry grinning beside him, he thought he might come close to it.

"Merlin, Harry. This place is beautiful. I can't believe it."

He stepped into the living room and smiled with excitement. The house was full of boxes and stacked furniture in odd places, but soon it would become a home—their home. He was almost too joyous to contain it.

"Are you happy, love?"

Harry beamed. "I'm on cloud nine! I can't wait to show the place to Brian and Cináed."

Severus chuckled and blushed. "Well, they'll be here in a bit. I asked them to help us move in."

Harry launched himself at Severus and kissed him hard. "You wonderful, lovely man. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Severus smirked. "Won the war, ended the darkest age of the wizarding world, saved me from certain death—twice—destroyed a great bloody menace of a snake, saved the entire Grey clan fr—"

"Enough, enough," Harry said with a blush. "Merlin."

Severus laughed and smoothed Harry's hair. "Come. Let us get started."

"Right."

They went to the sofa, settled awkwardly in a corner, and each took one end. After a bit of huffing and puffing, they had it settled in front of the hearth, with enough room for a cosy rug between them. Harry and Severus settled end tables and chairs on each end, and they were halfway through settling a bookcase into position against the back wall when someone knocked on the door.

"I'll get it," cried an exuberant Harry. He dashed to the door and grinned at the sight of their Hearthstane friends, each wearing brilliant smiles. "Brian! Cináed! You made it. Come in. We just got the living room … sort of in order, so feel free to rest on the sofa if you'd like. I'm not sure where the teapot is, but I'll find it if you'd like some tea."

Brian laughed and clapped Harry on the shoulder. Severus snickered at the way Harry shuddered under the contact, glad he had avoided Brian's 'friendly pat' this time. The burly barkeep just didn't know his own strength.

"Rest?" Brian shook his head, making his beard flop about. "We came here to work, lad, make no mistake. Well, and to catch up. Cináed says you're both well and happy, but a man likes to see some things for himself."

Harry grinned. "We're doing great, Brian." He motioned them to the other bookcases. "Sev and I have a library of books between us, so if you'd help us get these three lined up in here, that would be great."

Brian nodded and led his partner to a new bookcase. "We'll just carry this beside Harry's, yes?"

Cináed nodded and helped him lift it. "How is your project with the orphanages coming along, Harry?"

Harry blinked. "How did you kno—never mind." He laughed. "It's doing well. Percy Weasley—well, he was estranged from my friend's family for a long time. He was too ambitious and wanted to advance in the Ministry, but once he realised the Ministry was actually aiding Voldemort rather than otherwise, he took his head out of his arse and said he wanted to help us clean up the Wizarding world. He's good with organising things, and so we have him in charge of the paperwork and legalities and such for the orphanages. He's doing a good job."

"Glad to hear it," said Cináed. "Have you found caretakers yet?"

"Yeah. As it happens, Percy's mum is having a bit of empty nest syndrome—"

Brian guffawed.

Harry grinned. "She has seven kids, but they're all grown—her youngest is in her last year at Hogwarts now. So we asked Molly to help us watch over the children. She found a lot of other mothers and fathers who miss having a little one at home and a bunch of younger people who like kids, and now we have three orphanages fully staffed and running. They've already started finding homes. Er … you wouldn't be interested in adopting one, would you?"

Brian hesitated. "I'm not sure we could, Harry. It's a lovely idea, but Muggles don't look fondly on gays. They look even less kindly on gays with children, lad."

Cináed smiled. "Our own gift is coming soon, Brian. Not quite yet, but soon."

Brian blinked. "It is? Well, that's good then."

Severus chuckled. He had a feeling that many of Brian and Cináed's conversations went something like that.

"We've also started up a rehabilitation centre for the junior Death Eaters who weren't in too deep," Harry said after a long silence. "Percy's running the administration for that as well, and Narcissa Malfoy is running the centre and going a great job of it. Her son and husband were Death Eaters, but Lucius helped us win the war—sort of—and Draco didn't want to be involved at all. Dumbledore messed with his mind and forced him into the battle, and now we're left to pick up the pieces." Harry shook his head. "A lot of the younger Slytherins are in similar situations. Narcissa has proved to be really good at getting them to open up and heal. It's been great—a few are even volunteering at the orphanages or the revolution centre."

Harry moved a coffee table into place before he spoke again. "And speaking of the new revolution centre, it's been doing well too. Hermione's at the head of that one. She's working to reform the legal aspects of the wizarding world and get rid of stupid prejudices and outdated laws. She's been doing a damn good job of it too."

"That girl will be minister in twenty years," said Severus with a chuckle.

"Eleven," said Cináed.

Harry gaped. "Minister at twenty-nine? Damn, Hermione."

"She is rather impressive," Severus conceded. He nudged the coffee table he had just placed a bit to the left. "Come and help us with the kitchen, gentlemen. This is enough in here."

"For now, anyway," Harry agreed. "We're just doing the big stuff first, then comes the real unpacking. I'm not looking forwards to going through all Sev's knick knacks. Merlin, who knew one man could collect so much!"

Severus snorted and waved the others into the next room. The barkeeps followed Severus and Harry through the hallway into a large eat-in kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Oh, lovely," said Brian with a grin. "You lads picked a treasure."

"We certainly did," said Severus with a smile. "It was the last property left to my name."

"We fell in love with it at first sight." Harry grabbed an end of the dining table. "Cináed, wanna help m—Merlin."

The Seer was already there and lifting up the other end.

"I have no idea how you do that," Harry said with a laugh.

"Practice," said Cináed, grinning.

Harry snorted and guided the table into place in front of the tallest windows. He and the others each grabbed a chair and pushed them into place.

As Cináed set his chair down, he set his silvery gaze on the potions master. "How are your projects coming, Severus?"

Severus jumped, surprised. "Oh. Well, I am almost finished with a … er, a special potion for Harry. Besides that, I am making progress on a hovering wheelchair and a potion to … well, perhaps I shouldn't speak of that one. I would not like to dash anyone's hopes."

Cináed was not to be fooled. "The squib reactivation potion is going well then?"

Severus gaped. "Oh … I … y-yes, I believe so, but I cannot be sure without thorough trials. It will be some time before it is ready, and that is assuming I can complete it at all."

Cináed gave the man an enigmatic smile. "Hmm. I believe in you."

Harry grinned. "If he does, I know it's going to work."

Severus blushed. "Well, I do hope it does. It would certainly put paid to the pureblood ideology, though that is not the reason I am pursuing it."

Cináed laughed. "We all know that, Severus. No Sight needed."

Harry chuckled. "So we do." He leaned against the wall for a bit to catch his breath. "Whew. This is hard work."

Brian nodded. "Why not use your wands, lads?"

"Because it is good physical training and we have not had time to indulge in much of that since the end of the war," said Severus with a smile. "We need the exercise."

"Well, moving in is certainly good for that," said Brian with a chuckle.

"That it is," Harry agreed, mopping his forehead. "Brian, Cináed, we're going to need your place on June thirtieth to bond. Is that all right with you? You'll have to close up for the day because we can't have any Muggles about."

Brian nodded. "Fine with me, lad. We owe you more than a day off."

"Well, I wouldn't call it a day off. We're going to need some crowd control and I plan to have Cináed and Molly cook up a storm for us. And we'll be paying you for it."

Cináed grinned. "Looking forward to it. I'll be sure to have plenty of treacle tart and cherry cheesecake."

Harry's eyes darted to Severus and they both flushed.

Harry covered his face. "Dear Merlin."

Severus snorted. "Never take up spying, Harry. And Cináed, that sounds lovely, however you got your information."

Cináed smirked. "My spirits are very thorough sometimes. Too thorough."

Harry choked on air. "Dear gods. I hope they're not that thorough."

Severus laughed. "It does not matter as you just were!"

Harry blushed crimson. "Well, shite."

Cináed snickered. "They are telling me a subject change would be good for our ears right about now." Harry nodded profusely, and Cináed laughed out loud. "Ha! Well then, tell Brian how your Muggleborn and Squib integration project is going."

Harry sighed. "That one is meeting obstacles. No one can seem to agree on the right way to teach Muggle parents about us, or who to teach, or whether it breaks the statute of secrecy or not." He shook his head. "We'll get it going. It's just going to take a while to wade through all the red tape."

"Yes, you will," said Cináed with a smile. "You'll do well, and bring great hope to the world. I'm quite proud of you, Harry and Severus. We both are."

Severus' cheeks flamed. "T-thank you." Embarrassed at the praise, he cleared his throat and motioned to a pantry. "Perhaps one of you might help me get this situated in the corner by the stairs there?"

Brian gave him a knowing smile. "Sure thing, lad."

~…|…~

Severus' heart thundered as he descended to his lab. The final test on this round of potion should have been finished by now, and Severus had a feeling that he would finally have the result he was hoping for. The last two trials had worked, and if this one did as well, he would be satisfied that he had a reasonably effective potion.

Of course, he couldn't exactly test it in the field as he had no potential subjects save one, but he'd assembled a reasonable facsimile of a field test using blood from Harry's abdomen charged with the boy's life magic. If this test showed no change in the sample after the massive influx of power Severus had inundated it with last night, then he would be able to tell Harry.

Just in time, too. Their bonding was tomorrow. Severus had never been so excited and nervous all at once. Had they done everything? Had they gotten the rings right and the robes and the flowers and—

Severus jerked himself out of his racing thoughts as he entered his lab and went to his titration setup. He had to finish this project before the bonding—well, if he could manage it—then he would worry about the bonding preparations.

He checked the final phial with simple sight first. It looked the same as last night, only a bit drier, which was to be expected. With a frown, he passed a wave of magic at the blood. When it didn't push back, he grinned and performed his final test—a diagnostic scan. There was no change from yesterday.

"Ah! Finally!"

A thump sounded upstairs. "Severus? Are you okay, baby?"

"Yes, yes." Severus set the titration kit in the sink to clean and rinsed the final phial free of blood. "Harry, love, come into the lab."

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and after a moment, Harry's wild head poked into the door. When he saw Severus was just washing up, he came in all the way.

"Hello, love. How'd the test go?"

Severus grinned. "It's complete. The contraceptive potion works, at least as far as I can test it without a human subject."

Harry smirked. "Really? How would you like to test it on me?"

Severus shivered. "Oh. Tomorrow? I would like our bonding to be special. And you will need to take a dose of the potion twenty-four hours prior anyway."

Harry smiled. "Well? Where's my dose, love?"

Severus kissed Harry and Summoned the potion. "Here you are."

Harry lifted it as if to toast Severus and tipped it back. He shuddered at the taste and wiped his mouth. "Hmm. Unpleasant going down, but if it means I get to feel you inside me without worrying about starting a brood, it's worth it."

Severus groaned. "You are not making it easy to resist, love."

Harry smirked. "Who said we had to resist? Or do you not like it when I take you?"

"Oh gods." Severus ran some water through his kit. "That's clean enough for now. Take me to bed."

Harry laughed and led his mate upstairs.

~…|…~

Severus, dressed in black velvet robes with white trim, paced the floor in front of the door and tried not to remember all the trauma he had once suffered in this very room. While he was to wait for the bonding ceremony to start, Brian had placed him in the same bedroom he'd shared with Harry while they were still hunting horcruxes. No doubt Brian had thought it sentimental, but hell—Severus had almost died in this room!

Despite his best efforts, sorrow-tinged memories kept creeping in. That day, the day the horcrux attacked him and tried to steal his soul, Severus had been prepared to say goodbye to Harry without ever telling the man how much he loved him. He had hoped the young man would then be able to move on with no strings attached. He hadn't known they were already mates and bound to each other's lives. If Severus had died, Harry would have gone with him.

Thank Merlin, fate hadn't been that cruel. He didn't want to think of what would have happened to the world had Harry not managed to save him that night. Severus looked around the room and shivered. They had come so close to losing it all right here, but as always, Harry had come through with shining colours and saved the day.

Merlin, Severus was a fortunate man. How many people were lucky enough to find second chances? Or in Severus' case, more like fifth or sixth. Or maybe even more, considering how many times he'd come close to expiring as a result of the Dark Lord's anger.

Severus sat on the bed and took a deep breath. It was truly over. Voldemort was dead, never to return. Already, Draco's mark was barely a pale shadow upon his forearm, soon to be gone forever, its magic as dead as its creator. Severus had checked two weeks ago, just to be sure. The world was safe again, and Severus still had his Harry. They had overcome evil despite all the odds, and had even found love along the way.

And they were to be bonded soon! In mere moments, he would join his mate at the altar and bond with him as wizards, for all eternity. A giddy thrill rushed through Severus and set his belly a flutter. Gods, this was such a beautiful ending to the grim horror story that had been their lives until recently.

Severus looked to his engagement ring and smiled. No. It was a beautiful beginning. A new day to start a life of love and happiness with Harry by his side. He couldn't wait.

A knock sounded at the door and Brian's deep voice drifted through the wood. "Severus? Are you dressed, lad? It's time."

Severus' heart skipped. "Yes, I am dressed." He stood and moved to the door, giving the bedroom one last look. "The darkness is over, and new life begins."

Brian opened the door, a bright smile on his face. "Cináed said you needed to face your demons here. I reckon you're ready to leave them behind you?"

Severus smiled back. "I am ready to embrace the future for the first time in my life." He gave the big barkeep a hesitant hug. "Thank you. For everything."

Brian patted Severus' back and, when Severus pulled away, the man was blushing. "Ah, it's nothing, lad. It's us who're in your debt."

Severus shook his head and smiled brighter. "No. No debts, no chains. We're free now."

Brian chuckled. "So we are." He offered Severus his arm. "Are you ready then?"

Severus shivered. "Harry is … he is …?"

Brian laughed. "Just as antsy as you are! And he's not skipped town yet. Now come on and get ready for your husband."

Severus beamed. "Husband. Merlin, that is a beautiful word."

"Well, come then and meet him."

Severus allowed Brian to guide him down the stairs and into the main tavern, which had been magically enlarged for the day and organized like a small chapel. Black and white damask draped the pews and red roses decorated either end. A white arbour decorated with more roses and black and white ribbons stood at the top of the aisle, and Severus' stomach gave a little lurch at the sight of it. Where was his Harry?

"Don't you worry, lad," Brian murmured. "He wants to come to you on the fuzzy lassie's arm."

"Hermione?"

"Yes, that's the one. 'Fraid it's been a bit difficult to learn everyone's names in such a short time. Cináed's much better, but then again, he has help!" Brian rumbled a rich laugh. "All's well, Severus. Your lad will be here in just a bit."

"Thank you," Severus said as Minerva moved to his side.

Minerva sniffled and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "Oh, Severus. You look simply radiant. Lovely."

Severus flushed at the praise and lowered his head. "T-thank you."

Lovely—well, that was a bit of a stretch. Severus had tried to clean up as much as he could, but the war had done him no favours. On the best of days, he was still too thin, still all nose and crooked teeth, and his hair still lay flat as a board. But he had put a whitening spell on his teeth, washed his hair twice and brushed it till it shone, and let the one white streak hang free beside his face—Harry liked it that way. He hoped it made some kind of difference, even if he would never win any beauty contests.

"Come then, Severus. You have a bonding to attend." She wiggled her elbow, and Severus took her arm with a hesitant smile.

She held his forearm and turned him toward the altar. Severus flushed as the guests stood and turned to face him, each wearing a welcoming smile. Some of the worry in Severus' heart eased. Even after everything he'd done, he had still been afraid someone would make trouble for them today. All was well.

Cináed began playing an old Scottish ballad on his violin and, as a fall of red rose petals dropped from the ceiling and onto the aisle, Severus stepped forward, his head held high and tears of joy pooling at the corners of his eyes. He blinked them back. He would not spend his bonding sniffling. It was a happy day.

With a deep breath, he took his place on the altar and tried to calm himself as Minerva took her place beside him. At the top of the altar, Filius stood on a stack of books atop a chair, officiating for the men that evening. Ron stood opposite Minerva—best man for Harry and woman for Severus. A gap in the next tier was reserved for Hermione, Harry's best woman, and Bill Weasley—who had always been kind to Severus—stood opposite her in the position of Severus' best man. Once, it would have been Filius, but with Albus' betrayal, Filius had taken over as their officiant.

Cináed's song ended, leaving the tavern silent but for a few sniffles from the guests, and Severus' heart raced. Where was Hermione? She was supposed to bring in Harry, wasn't she? Shouldn't she have come already? Severus searched for her, but not seeing her anywhere, he began to panic in earnest.

Where was Harry? Had he changed his mind? Had he found some younger man to mate with instead? Or had he decided a life without bonding to Severus would be better? Maybe Harry had simply tired of him. Last night he'd been happy, but maybe Severus hadn't done enough to please him, or maybe he hadn't been affectionate enough. Gods, he still had so much trouble letting his sensitive side out. What if it wasn't enough? What if—"

The stairwell door opened once more, and Hermione stepped through, leading Harry. Severus couldn't suppress a sigh of relief, but as he got a good look at his mate, it turned into a gasp.

Harry had dressed in white silk robes trimmed with blood red and with delicate crimson embroidery. Rather than attempt to tame and flatten his hair—which never worked anyway—Hermione had fixed it into a mass of glorious curls that left Severus' mouth dry. Thanks to a temporary vision correction potion Severus had given him the night before, Harry had forgone his glasses, and his luminous viridian eyes knocked the breath from his mate. His cheeks held a soft pink flush and his eyes were bright and clear, tears of happiness shining on his lashes.

Dear Merlin, the man was stunning. Severus swallowed a rush of emotion and smiled at his beloved.

Harry caught Severus' eye and looked the man up and down. Severus blushed under the scrutiny, but the widening of Harry's eyes and beaming smile filled the older man with warmth and joy. Whatever the world thought of Severus' appearance, Harry loved him and thought him beautiful. That was enough for Severus.

Harry looped his arm through Hermione's and, as Cináed began to play again, Harry slowly walked up the aisle. He beamed at Severus, his expression radiant with joy and love. Severus could not take his eyes off the man. His world narrowed to one point, his Harry, his love, his life.

After today, Harry would be his in the eyes of the world, and he would belong to Harry.

In spite of his former resolution not to cry, tears pooled on Severus' lashes as he took Harry's hands and said his vows. He hardly noticed what he was saying, so deep was his focus on Harry. Tears streamed down the younger man's cheeks, and Severus cupped his face and brushed them away. Harry was speaking his vows now, and Severus tried to listen, but all he could think of was how beautiful Harry looked when he was happy.

Harry took Severus' hand and slipped a bonding ring on his finger. The prickle of new magic brought Severus out of his daze a bit, at least long enough to realise he should do the same for Harry. As Severus slid Harry's ring on and watched it resize to fit his mate, a thrum of joy filled him.

Gods, he couldn't believe they had made it this far. Sometimes he still found himself waiting for the other shoe to drop, but in his heart, he knew Harry had never let him down and never would.

Harry lifted a tear-streaked, smiling face to meet Severus' gaze, and the older man gasped as he felt Harry's fingertips against his cheeks. Wet cheeks. So Harry wasn't the only one completely overwhelmed with the sheer joy of the moment.

"I now pronounce you wed," said an exuberant Filius. "You may kiss!"

Harry cupped the nape of Severus' neck and drew him down into a soft, emotional kiss.

"I love you, I love you, I love you," Harry whispered between more kisses, as if he couldn't tear himself away.

Severus embraced his husband—husband!—and whispered in his ear, "Gods, Harry. How much I love you."

Harry gave a little laughing sort of whimper and buried his head in Severus' shoulder. Severus held him there, eyes closed and tears streaming unchecked down his cheeks. He kissed Harry's hair—Merlin, whatever Hermione had done to give him those curls had made it soft as silk—and cradled his love close.

Only when Harry pulled away to smile at the guests did Severus realise they were all cheering. And many were sniffling too. Severus gave the guests a hesitant smile, still unsure of his welcome even at a time like this.

"To Harry and Severus!" Brian raised a tankard of ale and clinked glasses with a sobbing Hagrid.

Hagrid blew his nose in what looked like an orange-spotted tablecloth. "Oh, wee Harry, all grown up and married ter our very own Perfessor Snape. Prince now, I s'pose." He raised a tankard in salute. "Many happy years ter ye!"

Brian and Hagrid tossed back their drinks with a cheer. Once they'd finished their toast, several people flicked their wands at the tavern and the wedding chapel setup transformed into a dining area. Cináed reappeared then with a giant tray in tow, Molly hot on his heels with a number of silver serving dishes floating before her.

Cináed grinned as he laid his burden on the bar and removed the lid to reveal a fluffy white cake with borders made of fresh cherries and dark chocolate swirls. "Your favourites, Harry and Severus, all in one cake."

Severus flushed from head to toe. "Dear gods. That man will never let us live that down now."

Harry laughed and led Severus to the food. It was utterly delicious, but Severus hadn't much of an appetite. He was too busy staring at his new husband and anxious for the honeymoon to start.

Harry stood and held out a hand. "May I have this dance?"

Only then did Severus realise the other tables had been cleared and Cináed was playing again, this time with several other witches and wizards on various instruments. Luna was playing a tambourine and dancing to her own beat—the sight made Severus chuckle.

"Of course, my love."

Severus swept his husband onto the dance floor and swayed with him, knowing Harry wasn't skilled at dancing and wouldn't want to embarrass himself. At least not on the first dance. Later, when everyone was drunk, it might be another story.

Harry laid his head against Severus' shoulder. "Are you happy, love?"

Severus kissed Harry's forehead. "I have never been so happy in my life. Are you?"

"I'm bursting with it. I just know it's bubbling out of every pore."

Severus chuckled. "You are glowing a bit." He sighed into Harry's hair. "Beautiful. You are simply lovely today. I cannot keep my eyes off of you."

"So are you. Merlin, I was afraid for a moment when I saw you in this gorgeous velvet that I'd embarrass myself before I even made it to the altar."

Severus snorted. "Oh, to be a young man again."

"That had nothing to do with my hormones. It was all you."

Severus smiled and rocked his husband closer, enjoying his warmth and his scent.

The party went on well into the night, and once the moon had risen, Ferin and his closest family stopped by to offer their congratulations and to officially accept the leaders of Clan Prince into their kinship bond.

Their greeting brought it home to Severus that he was no longer a Snape. He was Severus Tobias Snape Prince, husband of Harry James Potter Prince. They were really married. It wasn't simply a beautiful dream.

He spent the rest of the celebration in a quiet kind of giddiness, so happy he thought he might melt from sheer joy.

At ten, the barkeeps began ushering people out. Cináed and Brian had an early morning, and business wouldn't wait. Harry and Severus were the first to leave, after thanking everyone for coming and accepting one last toast on their behalf.

"I am so ready to try out that potion," Harry whispered in Severus' ear as they walked up their front path—the house had anti-apparition wards, of course.

Severus shivered. "Yes, Merlin, yes. Only let me give you another dose and … ghn." Harry was more than ready, apparently, as he had slipped his hand into Severus' robes right there on their front lawn.

"Ohh." Severus stopped and moved with Harry, arching with pleasure.

"Mm. Like that, my husband?"

Severus groaned at the title. "Merlin yes, but you must stop now, or I shan't be able to walk to the bedroom and we shall be forced to try out that potion right here in the grass."

Harry laughed and let his hand fall. "Sorry, love. Got a bit impatient."

"Mm. I am impatient now too."

Severus gripped Harry's hand and dashed inside, a laughing Harry sprinting behind him. He wasn't sure how they made it to the bedroom in one piece, given that they were kissing and stripping each other all the way to the bed. He wasn't sure how Harry had managed to get his trousers off on the stairs without killing himself either, but neither was he in the mood to question it.

"Shite." Harry caught Severus into a fierce kiss all the while struggling to get the man out of his undershirt. "Too many buttons. Why do you always wear so many buttons?"

Severus chuckled and pushed Harry back. "It keeps away the raving masses. Deprimo." Their buttons all opened at once, and Harry groaned.

"Must remember that one."

Harry pushed Severus' shirt off his shoulders and shrugged out of his own. After a bit more frantic squirming, both men were naked. Harry pounced, letting his Avenger features out, and straddled Severus' hips.

Severus cried out and arched up. "Harry, oh. Please."

Harry groaned and turned around so his legs were around Severus' shoulders. "Not this time. This time you take me, remember, love?"

Severus gasped as Harry ducked his head, kissing wherever his lips fell. "M-Merlin. No, I haven't forgotten."

With an heroic effort of will, Severus kept control and set to work getting Harry ready for him.

Merlin. Harry had imagined what it might feel like to have Severus inside him, but the real thing put his fantasies to shame. It was heat and pressure in just the right spots, but more than that, he could feel how much Severus cared for him in the slow pace, in the way the man cradled him close and kissed Harry's face as they made love. Harry slipped his fingers through Severus' hair, still silky-soft even with sweat dampening it, and followed Severus' movements in a dance of his own.

"Love you, love you, love you." Like at the wedding, tears stung his eyelids and dripped down his face, the sheer joy of their union overwhelming him.

Severus stopped and cupped Harry's cheek. "Have I hurt you, love?"

Harry gave him a smile and shook his head. Words would hardly come.

"Just … just love you so much."

Severus' eyes filled with softness and warmth, and he kissed Harry tenderly before he would move again. "My angel, my love." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to his shorter mate's forehead. "I love you with everything I am."

"More," Harry breathed against Severus' lips. "Please. Need more."

Severus brought Harry into a tender kiss and resumed his slow pace, but Harry was done with gentle.

"Faster, Severus. I'm not going to break."

Severus groaned. "I was aiming for romantic, you dunderhead."

Harry laughed and held Severus' shoulders. "Well, romance accomplished. Now I want to hear you scream."

"Dear gods." Severus anchored himself against the headboard and began making love to his husband in earnest.

Harry lay trying to catch his breath, exhausted and exhilarated at once. That had been incredible. Better than incredible. No wonder Severus liked to be taken so much.

With a moan, Severus flopped onto Harry's chest.

"Holy mother of Merlin," Harry panted. "Is it that intense for you every time?"

Severus could only groan and turn onto his side. "You are … when you are inside me, my world narrows, there is no one but you, nothing but the feel of your body and mine."

Harry smiled. "Yeah. Me too." He gave a wry snort. "How can you be so eloquent two seconds after sex?"

"It is a gift."

Harry laughed and cradled Severus close. "You are a gift. My gift. I love you, Mister Prince." He frowned. "Wait, is it Master? Your masteries—it is, isn't it? Master Prince. Sorry, love."

Severus smiled and cupped Harry's cheeks. "Do not be sorry. My name from your lips is lovely, whatever title you use." He kissed Harry softly. "I do not care what you call me, Mister Prince, so long as you stay by my side."

"Always, Severus. Always."

Two weeks went by in a whirlwind. Severus and Harry spent every moment together, sometimes relearning each other's bodies, other times just reading together or talking, curled up by the fire. Severus had to admit, he loved those moments the most, the ones he spent with Harry curled in his lap as they spoke about everything and nothing, making plans for the future and just sharing their lives. It was lovely, and it gave Severus hope that they would survive whatever trouble the future might bring. As long as they could talk to each other like this, they would be fine.

On occasion, Brian and Cináed stopped by—conveniently every time they were feeling lonely for outside companionship—and brought them fine ale and piles of Cináed's best food. Harry was ecstatic when the man brought them fresh lamb stew. Severus smiled over the dish, remembering how close they had been to losing everything that night and how far they had come since.

"I am so happy you're with me, Severus," Harry said after a long, quiet moment. "I'm so glad I could save you."

Severus could say nothing through the lump in his throat, so he simply held Harry's hand and smiled.

The end of their honeymoon came both too quickly and not quickly enough. Severus had loved every minute of those quiet days spent at his new husband's side—and Merlin, had they ever needed some time to just relax—but he was eager to get started on his new life. Severus had already built up some stock for an owl-order potions business, and he couldn't wait to open it to the public.

Besides that, the day their honeymoon ended, Harry had planned to go to the Blackpool orphanage with Severus. Harry wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do as a career yet, other than helping with the hundred and one community improvement projects he'd taken on, but he did know he was ready to adopt.

Despite his husband's youth, Severus had to agree. He wasn't so young, and he was ready too. They would be raising the child together—Harry would care for the little one while Severus was working on his business, and Severus would care for them when Harry was about town, working on the community. When neither of them could watch the child, they had no lack of eager babysitters.

All in all, Severus was excited to bring a child into their home and their lives, and thrilled about the prospect of healing the damage of the past with love.

Severus and Harry arrived at the orphanage at half-past nine. Nervous, Severus slipped his hand into his husband's—to hell with what the Muggles thought, he needed the comfort—and knocked at the door. A harried-looking woman with frazzled grey hair answered. She blinked at the sight of them, looked to their joined hands, and frowned.

"You're together?"

Harry glared. "Does it matter? We're here to adopt, and we have the proper papers and qualifications already taken care of." He waved a stack of Muggle papers at the woman. They had started as a copy of the Ministry of Magic's adoption approval, charmed to be whatever papers the Muggles in Blackpool needed, but she couldn't know that.

The woman sighed and motioned them inside. "I never said I had a problem with it, dearies. It's only most gay couples aren't so brave in these parts. Can't say I blame them what with all the narrow-minded idiots around here." She gave them a wry smile. "If you're here to take a child off my hands and you're good parents, I am not going to get in your way. Lord knows these babies need proper loving homes, after everything they've lost."

Severus' glare softened. "Yes. That is why we chose this place. We wished to bring love and joy into a child's life, one who has known pain and sorrow."

"Our childhoods were pretty dark and painful too," said Harry in a soft voice. "So we both know what it means to be alone. We want to … be a family for at least one child. It's … well, it's really not enough to fix it, but it's all we can do. At least right now. Though … if you don't mind me asking, Madam, are you understaffed?"

She frowned. "I'm not sure what business that is of yours."

Harry blushed and ran a hand through his hair. "Er, I didn't mean to be rude. It's only that I'm the … well, I suppose you could call me the owner of several orphanages about Britain, and I wondered if I might be able to help."

The woman gaped. "But you're—what, twenty-five?"

Harry touched his face and frowned. "Do I look twenty-five, Sev?"

Severus smiled sadly. "Trouble has aged us both too soon, I'm afraid. I must look sixty if you look twenty-five."

"You don't look a day over thirty."

Severus held up his white lock and raised an eyebrow.

Harry chuckled. "I keep telling you that white streak is striking."

The woman smiled. "It is that. But if you don't mind me asking, how old are you? We would question giving an orphan to a sixty-year old. Just because they mightn't live long enough to raise them to adulthood, you understand, and then the little one would have to go through the pain of losing their parents twice."

Harry nodded. "Severus here is thirty-eight. I'm eighteen—nineteen in two weeks—and yes, we know it's a big difference. I had to grow up too soon and Sev's always been alone. We had … too much in common not to fall in love."

She gaped. "But you're so young—to have the run of several facilities, I mean. Age doesn't matter in love."

Harry beamed. "Gods, it's refreshing to find someone so accepting of us. Thank you." His smile faded. "The reason I run orphanages is, well, I'm an orphan myself, you see. And I had a hard life until I came into my proper inheritance, which is, to be honest, far more than I could ever reasonably use, so I've been trying to, er, give back to the community. And growing up without love as I did, orphanages hold a special place in my heart."

The woman gave him a hesitant smile. "Well, if you're really interested in helping, a donation wouldn't go amiss. We're understaffed because I can't afford to pay more than I do already, or I'd have had help in here long ago."

Harry nodded. "I'll be glad to help out as soon as I can get to my bank and arrange the transfer. In the meantime, though it's a drop in the ocean, perhaps taking a child off your hands would be of some assistance?"

She grinned. "Come, come. Let me just look over your paperwork." She flipped through the sheaf with a speed that left even Severus awed. "Yes, this looks to be in order. Let me take you to the children. They've just finished their breakfast and will be in the playroom. In the winter, they attend public school—" She sighed and shook her head. "Well, they did until the school was destroyed. The new one isn't fully built yet, and it's been more than we can manage to teach them properly with only five staff and over a hundred children."

"Gods," Harry gasped. "That is understaffed. I'll help you take care of it as soon as I'm able."

"Bless you," she said with a smile. "The children will thank you for it, I'm sure."

Severus squeezed Harry's hand and followed the matron through the orphanage, sorrow filling him at the sight of the woebegone furnishings and peeling wallpaper. The building was clean and whole, thank goodness, but the stark rooms and tattered furnishings reminded Severus too much of his own childhood. He hoped the children were at least treated well, because it was clear they had little to call their own.

They moved past a kitchen where two women as harried as the matron stood washing towers of dishes—Severus performed a surreptitious charm to make them easier to clean without being too obvious—and into a large living room full of scattered sofas and aging toys. A bookshelf in the back held several children's books in varying states of disarray, and beside it, a large toy chest was open and mostly empty, as the children had taken the toys to play with. There were at least fifty children hanging about—Severus supposed the rest must be either too young or too old to find much entertainment in this particular area—and all of them looked up when Severus and Harry stepped into the room.

"Well, here are most of the children," the matron said with a sad smile. "There are several babies and young toddlers down for naptime, if you'd like to look at them?"

Harry looked to Severus.

"No thank you, madam." He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling vulnerable. "Most couples are seeking babies—they will find homes soon. No, we would like one a bit older, one that we could help recover. And perhaps one that mightn't be adopted so easily."

The matron beamed. "Oh, bless you two. In that case, I think I know just the one. Unless you'd rather a son than a daughter?"

Harry shook his head. "Girls are fine."

"With me as well," said Severus with a smile. "Which?"

The matron pointed out a little girl of about three, playing with her back turned to them. The girl wore her hair braided into two blonde tails down her back, and she had on white stockings and simple black flats, much like her playmates. But while the other children looked clean and well-cared for in their navy blue uniforms, her bright pink shift dress was stained and torn.

"She hasn't taken that dress off since the explosion," the matron said with a sigh. "Well, except to bathe, but no one can get it away from her when she's finished. We've even had people try to hide it, but somehow she always finds it and puts it back on, no matter what we do. It's like she calls it up out of thin air sometimes. Nothing will convince her to part with it."

Severus raised an eyebrow. Was the girl magical? Hmm. A surreptitious core push gave him his answer: she was most definitely a little witch. A powerful one. Perfect for their family, if she could be convinced to come with them.

Harry frowned at his husband. "Severus?"

Severus whispered in his ear. "I tested her for magic. She is a witch."

Harry's eyes widened. He whispered back. "Oh! Well, that settles it, if she wants us." He frowned and turned back to the matron. "Um, do you know why she's so attached to her dress?"

The matron ran a hand through her hair, a sign of distress. "Well, she says she can't take it off because if she does, her proper family won't recognise her. I keep trying to explain to her that her parents are dead, but … well, she says she's not talking about her birth family." She shrugged. "I can't make heads or tails of it, but what it comes down to is that no one is willing to adopt a little girl who wears dirty things despite having access to better clothing."

A Seer, perhaps? Severus found himself more intrigued by the little child by the moment. "We'll talk to her," he said in a soft voice. "Perhaps we're the proper family she's looking for."

"Oh, but I hope so. She's a sweet little thing, it's only that dress she's so stubborn about. She deserves better than this place, for certain." The matron raised her voice. "Diana, come and talk to us, sweetheart."

The little girl looked up, and Severus' heart skidded to a halt. The child had huge green eyes the exact same shade as Harry's, a button nose and pink cheeks, and those blonde braids and her shift were undeniably familiar. In an instant, he was carried back to the day they had visited Blackpool when it was little more than rubble, when he had tugged a little girl's doll out of the ash.

"My gods," he breathed.

Harry had gone similarly still and white-faced. "The doll," he breathed. "The one we buried!"

Severus blinked tears down and clutched Harry's shoulders. "I believe we have found her owner."

Harry buried his face into Severus' shoulder. "She's alive. Oh my gods, she lived, Sev!"

"I know. I know." Severus had trouble suppressing his own tears. "I can't believe it."

The matron looked between them with a bemused expression. "Whatever is the matter? Wait. Gentlemen, do you recognise her?"

Severus could only nod. "She is meant for us. I am sure of it."

As if on cue, the little girl squealed and rushed to them. "There you are!" She let slip a tiny sob and threw her arms around Severus' legs. "I've been waitin' for you for so long." Big tears filled her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. "I thought you forgot me."

Severus' breath hitched, and he knelt to the little girl and wrapped her in a tight hug. "We did not know you were waiting, but we are here now."

Harry gave a sobbing little laugh and nodded to the matron. "She's ours for sure."

The matron gaped, then her expression brightened. "Well, perhaps we can get her into a new dress now that she's found her family!"

Diana shook her head and buried her face into Severus' shoulder. "Don't wanna let go."

Severus didn't want to either, but he knew the girl needed new clothes. If only for the sake of her health.

"Diana, little one, that dress is dirty and it could make you sick. We can buy you a new one just like it, if you like, but for now, will you let Harry and Madam …?" He gave the matron a questioning look.

"Brown," the woman provided, wiping a tear from her eye. "Madam Laura Brown."

Severus nodded. "Will you let Harry and Madam Brown help you dress, love?"

She sniffled. "Not Harry. Daddy. You're Papa."

Severus' heart melted. "Yes, baby. Yes I am."

Harry threw his arms around them both. "Oh, Severus. I can't believe it."

Severus petted Diana's hair and smiled. "Miracles do happen then. And even to us, my Harry."

"And me too," Diana chirped.

Harry gave a tearful little laugh and held her tight. "Come on, little one. Let's get you dressed and finish up here, and then we can go home."

Diana squealed in happiness and ran ahead of Harry and the matron as fast as her chubby little legs would go. Severus followed at a more sedate pace, wiping tears and wondering when he had gotten so fortunate.

"Thank you," he whispered to whoever was listening. "Thank you for them."

He could've sworn a voice whispered back, one he recognised from his time in the realm between worlds. "You are most welcome."

Severus smiled brighter than he ever had, making muscles unfamiliar with the expression ache, and went to help his husband and new daughter prepare for the rest of their lives. Now that they had found each other, they would never be alone again.