Chapter 22

The return home that evening was quiet. All three of them refused to tell Harry what happened. Even Ron wouldn't answer. He and Draco simply returned to their room and closed the door. The look on Severus's face didn't dissuade Harry, it made him want to know more. In the past several nights, Severus had invited Harry into his room as a sort of a shaman that kept his nightmares away. Holding the younger man made him feel at ease. It wasn't a surprise when Harry followed him into the bedroom and closed the door behind him, "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it. The point is that we were successful." Severus avoided Harry's eyes. He walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Harry heard Severus undress and his belt buckle fall to the floor. Then he heard the taps to the tub turn on, but he didn't hear Severus get in. Instead, he heard a man sobbing. Harry's heart couldn't take it anymore. Severus had his head hung low with one foot at on the edge of the tub as if he was just about ready to step in. His hand covered his face, and his shoulders were shuddering from his uncontrollable emotion. Harry put a hand on Severus's bare shoulder which made the older man jump into the tub and close the curtain.

"Severus," Harry started.

"Could you hand me the washcloth?" Severus asked trying to ignore what happened. Harry grabbed it off of the counter and reached his hand around the curtain to hand it to him. Severus tried to sit down in the tub, but hissed as the hot water touched his bottom, "Ow.."

"Severus, were you hurt?" Harry opened the curtain. Severus used his hands to cover his private places and bent his knees up. The tears started streaming down his face again. Harry looked Severus over, "Where were you hurt?"

The look on Severus's face darkened as he spread out his hands to cover more surface area. Harry's eyes widen as he understood, "Now that you know, could you turn away please."

"Is there anything I can get you for the wound? You have a salve, I remember." Harry asked.

Severus's eyes softened as he thought that Harry had a good idea, "It won't work until I am dry."

"I hope that you've realized by now that you can trust me, Severus." Harry said softly, taking the washcloth that was floating in the water. He washed Severus's back and arms like he had previously done when Severus went through something traumatic. When he was done, Harry held out a towel for Severus.

"I do trust you, Harry. I do" Severus put his head on Harry's shoulder after he wrapped the towel around his waist, "More than anyone that I've trusted before, Harry. I trust you."

"Where is the salve?" Harry asked. Severus pointed to a cabinet under the sink. Harry grabbed the vial and told Severus to lay on the bed. Severus just stared at him and tightened his grip on the towel.

"I…uh.. can.. do that myself" Severus stuttered, his face suddenly turned red. Harry handed Severus the vial and followed Severus into the bedroom. Severus sat on his bed with is back against the back board and bent his knees up. He tried to keep himself covered as he tried to apply the salve. He tried not to bend his knees all the way so he wouldn't put himself on full display in front of the younger man, "Could you turn away? This is difficult with the towel on."

"Oh right, "Harry turned around. Severus hissed as the salve touched the sensitive skin.

"It stings," Severus said, "Don't turn around I can do this."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Harry asked genuinely concerned.

"I'm not alright, Harry." Severus's eyes welled up in tears again, "Gregory had us stripped and bound to chairs, but the ropes were there to violate us. One of the ropes was inside me."

"Oh I…"Harry turned around to comfort Severus to find him arching his back with his bottom in the air trying to reach behind. Severus gasped when his eyes met Harry's. Quickly grabbing the towel to cover himself again.

"I said don't look." Severus buried his face in his hands. Harry took the vial out of his hand.

"Severus look at me." Harry spoke removing Severus's hands, "I'm going to help you put the salve on, "Lean back"

"No, don't look" Severus was more embarrassed than anything else. He already admitted to himself long ago that Harry was important to him. Severus was holding his towel down to try and prevent Harry from seeing all of him.

"Severus, let me help you." Harry said softly again. Severus reluctantly bent his knees up. He felt like his face was going to explode when Harry knelt between his legs. Harry took a small bit of salve on his finger and reached under the towel. He never lifted the towel once. Harry found Severus's most intimate place and realized that the area around the entrance was dry and probably raw. It's probably what was causing the most pain. Severus winced as Harry began to rub the salve into the sink. His hand were still over his towel covered member. He relaxed a bit as the salve went into the skin and made it soft again. Harry took some more salve and slipped his finger inside Severus.

"Ahh," Severus gasped.

"What's wrong does it hurt?" Harry looked concerned.

"No, it doesn't hurt." Severus did not what to tell Harry what it actually felt like.

"I think it should be okay now, may I look?" Harry asked. Severus thought his face was going to explode. He didn't even want to answer Harry in that moment. Harry lifted the towel slightly, but Severus pushed it right back down.

"I think it's good too." Severus grabbed a pillow off the bed and placed it on top of the towel. Harry suddenly realized why Severus was embarrassed, "Severus, did you think that it felt good?"

"Stop talking Harry" Severus covered his face again. Harry was a Gryffindor, and boldness was in their genetic coding. Severus jumped when he felt a hand on his member, but gasped when a finger touched his tip, "Ahh, Harry stop."

Harry stopped, and removed his hand. Severus almost cried in disappointment, "Did you really want me to stop?"

Severus couldn't answer, so Harry took that as a no and took him in his hand again. Harry began to stroke him up and down until some liquid dribbled out of the top. Before he could say anything, Severus felt his member enter something wet and warm. He threw his head back because it was so intense, "Harry, I can't."

"It's okay, you can let go" Harry said softly. Severus came in Harry's mouth, "Did you like that?"

"Harry," Severus breathed heavily. He sat up with the towel still around his waist and pulled Harry close to him. Severus held Harry close to him so that the younger man could hear his heart, "I don't want to lose you, Harry"

"You won't lose me." Harry promised.

"You can't promise that, but I promise to protect you until I can no longer do so." Severus breathed into Harry's hair. He lifted his chin up with his hand, and their lips met. Deeper and deeper, their kiss became. Severus laid down on the bed and Harry was on top of him, "Don't forget to breathe, Harry"

"I love you, Severus" Harry whispered. Severus's own hand snaked down to touch the waistband of Harry's pants. Harry pressed his own pelvis into Severus's. Severus could feel his desire. Severus's hands were calloused after so many years of war. The roughness felt incredible against Harry's skin. Severus's body began to react again, but he realized that he was basically naked. Harry was still completely dressed. Severus grabbed his wand.

"Divesto" Severus whispered. Harry gasped at the sudden breeze from being undressed quickly. The members touched instantly. Harry and Severus both buried themselves into each other's shoulders. The rubbing was intense. Harry had never felt anything like this before. It was as if he was learning to feel for the first time. Severus kept trying to push him closer. Then Harry reminded himself, that Severus had basically been violated.

Harry and Severus came together. Harry grabbed Severus's wand, and cried "Evansco"

Severus pulled the covers over their bodies, and closed his eyes for the evening.