Hey guys, thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you are enjoying it. I'm sorry about the spelling errors, believe it or not, i do check these stories carefully, usually editing them two or three times before i post. I am simply really bad at it. Anyway, on the with show.

Harry was delighted that he was able to spend time with his friends without it causing problems. It was about respect, he was starting to see that now. And he couldn't exactly blame Severus, it was asking a lot, Harry living with him and everything. He knew how private the man was. He resolved to be better. In fact, Severus could have left things alone then, and they would have had a relatively pleasant, if unremarkable, marriage.

And he tried, for a very brief period of time. For a couple of day, he was able to keep his world relatively placid. But one night, of course, he was called in by the Dark Lord, his dark mark burning so viciously he felt that his arm would surely melt off.

When he came back, it was late- far too late. He struggled inside his home in a daze, fresh from a fight and exhausted by having to constantly concealed his mind, hide his secrets.

But Harry was still awake, fragrently disregarding his bedtime. Severus was furious to see him, so casually stretched out on the couch as if he was doing nothing wrong. Rage like he had never known flared inside of him. Could the boy do nothing on his own?! Would Severus seriously have to manage his every movement, dictate his every waking hour?! He was ready to kill.

"Why are you still awake?!" He barked, or, tried too, his voice was extremely horse. He had been doing a lot of screaming that night.

Harry jumped as soon as he saw him, automatically pulling his wand. Severus still had his full death eater mask on, and it was a horrifying sight. But it was the wrong move. Severus was already extremely defensive, had not yet shaken off the horror and paranoia of his night. He raised his wand too and fired a curse before Harry could even open his mouth. A jet of orange light shot towards Harry. He dogged, missing it by a fraction of an inch. He threw himself behind the chair, crouching, ready to jump at a moments notice. But he was a little more clear headed than Severus, and yelled "What are you doing?"

Severus took a moment to calm himself down. Aiming a curse at Harry had been an extremely foolish move. It was just...so strange, to go from a battlefield, where every move counted and every threat could mean instant death, to….some child waiting at home, foolishly raising his wand.

"Teaching you how to behave yourself." Severus said, his voice low and cold. "I have warned you not to be up so late. You never know who you'll see creeping about here."

Harry gulped. He looked down and realized he was shaking slightly. It was an extremely unnerving experience, to see a death eater so close, to know they were right there, behind you, waiting for you… But Harry was a gryffindor. He cleared his throat and stood, facing Severus bravely.

"I was waiting for you. I was worried about you."

Severus tutted.

"And now, seeing my mask and remembering my place, are you still worried, boy?"

Harry didn't flinch. "Yes." He said, bravely, stupidly.

Severus scowled, though Harry couldn't see it. "Next time i curse you, i won't miss." Severus promised, before stalking up the stairs, yelling a harsh "come!" as he went.

Severus threw himself into bed, angrily. He had been stupid to assume Harry would behave himself, the boy was so thick headed and arrogant he couldn't follow even the simplest of rules. Hatred boiled inside of him. He felt it was his duty, and moreover, his right, to tame Harry. No more of this ridiculous rules breaking, the stupid risking of his life- and others- no. He would be broken and used.

Severus began in earnest the next day, with a modified version of what muggles called Blanket Training. It was essentially to help children learn to resist impulses and respect authority- a lesson Harry desperately needed to learn.

"I am working on a particularly delicate and dangerous potion today." Severus warned Harry early one morning. "Stay away from my study."

Harry nodded- he had no plans to go anywhere near it anyway. Until… later that afternoon, Harry heard a strange noise coming from the study. Was that crying? He stepped tentatively up to the door. Yes, it was, he decided, pressing his ear against it, it was muffled certainly, but it was there. Was it Servus?

It was not. At least, not directly. Severus stood, lazily stirring a potion, and casting a simple charm, making it sound as if someone was crying.

Harry knocked tentatively. "Is everything okay?" He asked.

Severus responded with more fake sounds, a gasp, the sound of a body falling, an explosion.

Harry burst in, wand raised. He stopped, bewildered when he saw Severus so calm. But he wasn't for long.

"I-" Harry started.

"POTTER" Severus bellowed, rounding on Harry.

"I thought I heard-"

"I told you not to come in here."

"I know, but-"

"Potter you have just ruined three months work." He lied.

"I heard crying…" Harry said timidly. He had no idea what was going on. He flinched, Severus really looked like he was about to hit him. "I know what you said, but-"

"Will you never learn?!"

"I just- "

"This WAS a potion of illusion, designed to trick the user into believing they were hearing and seeing all anything to brewer wished. Merely by your presence you have ruined it."

There were potions that existed like this (as Harry ought to know, there's been a week of lectures on it last year) but of course, that's not what Severus was brewing. If is was, he'd be wearing a protective mask himself, but Severus was entirely confident Harry was too stupid to notice this.

"As I warned you, it is incredibly dangerous and the fumes alone are enough to make those nearby question their senses."

Harry stood, shaking, he didn't know what to do. He wanted to stand up for himself, defend himself, but, well he was so clearly in the wrong.

"You are entirely worthless Potter" Severus hissed, getting ever closer. "It is the greatest misfortune of my life that I have been forced into your company for a mere moment, let alone been imprisoned in this ghastly marriage with you."

There were tears in Harry's eyes. Good. But Severys wanted him bawling. "You have, in so many ways, ruined my life." Severus actually considered this to be true. "Everyday with you is a curse I can barely manage to endure. Everything you do is abhorrent to me."

Harry hung his head, not wanting Severus to see his tears beginning to fall. But that was all Severus wanted.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you!" He bellowed. He knew Harry was crying, could see his shoulder shaking slightly,could hear his ragged breath. His cock twitched slightly. Harry looked up shyly, his large eyes welled with tears. Severus vowed to make them fall.

"You are worthless, Potter. You are a burden to everyone around you, you were dumped on your aunt and uncle, and now you've been dumped on me."

That was enough, Harry started to cry outright. But Severus wasn't done. He advanced on Harry, speaking slowly, prowling forward like a panther.

"Haven't you ever noticed, boy, the only people who take you in are those that are obligated? Your aunt and uncle were threatened into it, I was forced, even hogwarts had no choice- they have to take all magical students, no matter how troublesome."

By now Harry was pinned against the wall, the taller man whispering insults down his neck like a twisted lover. Tears ran down Harry's face, his breathing coming in short gasps. Severus loved it, he leaned as close as he dared, not wanting Harry to feel his steadily growing erection.

"You are a burden in every way." He finished. "And it's all your fault."

Harry shuddered. It was his every worst fear come to life.

"Im so sorry." He spluttered, fat tears rolling down his cheeks.

"You are sorry you got caught. As always. Not for the damage you did"

"No I am!" Harry promised ."I just thought…"

"You thought what?" Severus asked. "Because I suspect you of thinking nothing."

Harry shrank back, pressing himself against the wall. "I thought I heard crying. And an explosion. I thought you were hurt."

"Aw, were you worried about me?" Severus mocked. He bent even closer, his face inches away from Harry's, bracing his elbows against the wall, on either side of Harry's head, trapping him in.

"I was just trying to help." Harry said pitifully.

"You failed." Severus spat mercilessly.

"Im so sorry. Let me make it up to you"

Severus grabbed Harry by the chin, forcing his head up. Hie green eyes went wide with fright and Severus had to bite back a moan.

"How?" He asked.

"I don't know. Whatever you want. You tell me."

This time Severus couldn't help it, he let out a slight groan of pleasure. What a good boy, finally starting to learn his place.

"Are you really sorry?

"Yes!"

"Really?"

"Im so sorry. Is there anything I can do? Please." He whined. Severus tutted. Harry couldn't stop himself from adding "Lets...lets just calm down and talk about this okay? Properly?"

Severus raised an eyebrow and still said nothing.

"Ill do anything…"

"I Would be amiable to discussing how you will make it up to me." Severus said finally.

"Anything you want." Harry said, his voice cracking.

"Anything?"

"Yes!"

Severus couldn't resist, he grabbed Harry by the neck, and kissed him, hard. Harry's face was wet against his own, his lips salty. Severus bit them, he couldn't resist. Harry jumped and pulled back.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Trying to make up with you." Severus said, acting hurt.

"I just..i'm not in the mood." He sniffed. "Can you give me a few minutes?"

Severus fake gasped. "I thought you said 'anything'? Fine! Throw my forgiveness in my face, don't even try and make amends, or make me feel better. Obviously your personal happiness is more important-"

"No, it's not that. I didn't mean- okay."

And Harry, eyes still rimmed with red, leaned in and kissed him again. Severus tore his clothes off, hungry to see his lily white flesh. "Get on the floor" He ordered. Harry whimpered, but did as he was told. He summoned a pillow for himself and lay on his front, his perfect round ass exposed. Severus salivated. If you just looked at Harry's ass, he was rather attractive. He gently stroked it and Harry jumped. Severus bit back a moan. He was already hard, and he didn't care if Harry was or not. He picked him up by the hips, forcing his ass in the air and his head into the floor.

He hadn't liked that Harry had used magic without his permission, but he could see the logic. The floor was cold and hard under Severus's knees and after a moment he relented too and transfigured the boards beneath them to a soft blanket.

He squeezed Harry's tight rear end, digging his fingernails in and dragging them along, watching the red indents they left behind, loving Harry's silent acceptance. He spread the boys cheeks, exposing his hole. Severus moaned, god it was a good sight. He couldn't wait to lay claim to it. He prepped Harry as roughly as possible, holding his breath to better hear the boys whimpers.

He savoured the sound, a kind of low, quiet keening, before shoving his cock inside of him. He held his hips so hard he knew it must hurt, but that wasn't his concern. He fucked Harry like a dog. At one point shoving his hand into that ugly mass of hair and yanking his head back, letting it strain, letting his neck tense, letting his scalp sting, before slamming his head once more into the pillow.

He fucked Harry harder and harder, Harry's whole body rocking with the force of it, his balls slapping into Harry's ass. Finally, just as his moans reached a peak and his dick was so hard it hurt, he pulled out, flipped Harry over and came in his face. He just had time to see Harry's face- still red and wet with tears, with a look of stupid shock and horror written across it, before he obliterated it all with his cum. Harry had no idea what was happening, his eyes wide, his mouth open to ask "what-" when he was hit in the face. Severus was sure he'd never come this hard in his life, spurt after spurt hit Harry, dripping down his nose and onto his chest.

Finally, he was done. Panting slightly, he lay down next to Harry. Harry cleaned himself quickly, vanishing it all with a quick spell. He didn't know what to feel. He hadn't really expected Severus to vent his anger in such a sexual way. But maybe that meant he was forgiven? If he was accepting Harry's over? It would be worth it, he knew immediately and without regret. Tentatively, Harry snuggled over to him, moving the man's arm so he could rest his head on his chest. It was bold, but he felt so uncertain, so shaken after what had just happened...he needed to be comforted, he suddenly needed it the way other people needed food or water. Inwardly, Severus rolled his eyes. The boy was so needy. But he knew he needed encouragement, and so he curled his arm around Harry and held him tightly. He didn't have to look at Harry to know how happy with would make him.

"Do you hate me?" Harry asked softly into his shoulder.

"I find you...increasingly tolerable" Severus said, honestly. Knowing he had to add a bit more, he said "I could see us being happy together, in time. Well, I could see me being happy with you. I suppose I shouldn't speak for you." He said, going for bashful modesty. It worked.

"That's okay!" Harry said, eagerly. "I...I think I could be happy with you too."

Severus doubted it, although it was a matter of complete indifference to him.

"And I'm sorry, again, sir."

"Just don't do it again."

"I won't." Harry promised sadly.

"Alright, well… I forgive you."

Harry looked so genuinely happy that Severus was taken aback. Was it really that easy to make someone happy? It called to something deep inside him, but it felt like a memory, or a ghost. He shook it away. He had to concentrate on Harry's training after all.

Honestly Severus expected him to fail the first time, he rather enjoyed it in a way. And he knew it was going to take time, Harry was particularly insufferable after all.

Severus allowed them to snuggle for half an hour more, precisely. And then Harry was told to leave. He wondered outside and tended to the small patch of earth he was building into a garden, thinking hard. He really wanted to talk to Ron and Hermione about everything, but he was too ashamed. He didn't want them getting angry at Severus, it just put him in the awkward position of having to defend him. He was his husband, after all. So he didn't. Despite Severus's contempt for his upbringing, in many ways, he actually had been perfectly primed for a relationship like this. The Dursleys had been rather vicious as well, Harry had so many memories of Mrs Dursley hitting him with various things, a soapy frying pan being her favorite. And so, what was happening to him did not seem that unusual. The sexual element was...new. But he enjoyed it, sometimes. And he wanted to be a good husband, and he felt that was part of it. He just wouldn't do anything stupid again, he decided. That was the way forward. He could fix this.

Severus continued with the same basic formula. Give him an order, tempt him away, and punish him when he enviably failed. It was slow work, but bit by bit, he began to see progress. Harry got timid and shy, withdrawing a lot. He developed a habit of jumping at small noises, then checking to see how Severus reacted. That was good, total submission meant obeying Severus's will, even (or perhaps especially) when it was contrary to Harry's.

Finally, Harry passed a test. It was a rather simple one, Severus instructed him not to go outside that day, and tempted him with a hurt kitten outside. Harry didn't actually notice since he had his head in a quidditch magazine, if he had, he certainly would have failed. He would never leave an injured creature to fend for itself. But he didn't notice,and it was just an illusion anyway.

He decided a reward was in ordered, and took the boy out for ice cream. It seemed an apparently simple reward for a simple task, but Harry took great delight in it, reading affection and concern in the gesture.

His main concern was weather or not this good behavior would translate to Hogwarts. This was now becoming rather pressing, july bowed to august and soon they were barely a week away from the start of term. At home, Severus had been able to passively control much for what Harry did. What he ate for instance, they simply didn't have anything Severus didn't approve of. Hogwarts would be very different. Harry, for one, couldn't wait. He was certainly banking on having a lot more freedom at Hogwarts.