A/N: If you don't want to read about sex then you are in the wrong place, my friends. Click away fast!

This somewhat rough but passionate scene in Chapter Seven is meant to draw a very stark contrast in comparison to the cruel and mechanical sex in Chapter Three. Harry and Severus have made significant progress in their relationship since then. When I initially wrote this scene, I thought it was needed in order for Harry and Severus to properly move past the damage done in Chapter Three and to continue making progress together. (It's also just highly enjoyable to write.)

Be warned now that there are many more details in this sex scene than the previous sex scene. It might be too much for some readers so please consider that thoughtfully before proceeding. Also, just so none of you are surprised, I tend to imagine Severus in a more submissive role sexually and I see Harry as more assertive. In my mind, "vanilla" sex doesn't quite suit them.

I really hesitated to post this particular chapter. Hopefully it's not too much.

*Fingers crossed*

— CHAPTER SEVEN —

Severus lay down on the bed and Harry was a little startled when the other man pulled him down on top of him. Severus spread his legs wider to accommodate Harry's body and their hips fit together perfectly. Harry smiled and pressed a line of slow kisses down Severus's throat. Severus sighed softly and turned his head to give Harry better access. Harry murmured against Severus's pale skin, "I have to say, I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd let me have any control."

"I prefer it," Severus admitted, then he seemed to pause and he questioned carefully, "Is it… disagreeable to you?"

"Not in the slightest," Harry replied happily.

Harry slowly removed Severus's clothes, kissing every inch of the skin he revealed.

Harry stripped quickly afterwards, eager to feel Severus's bare skin against his own. He pressed his lips to Severus's, kissing the man heatedly. It felt so good to finally taste his mouth. He continued to kiss Severus as he slipped his hand between Severus's legs to prepare him. He cast a very specific nonverbal lubrication charm before pushing a single finger into Severus's tight ass, very slowly.

Harry broke the kiss to say, "Spread your legs wider. Raise your hips for me."

The words came out like a command, which hadn't been what Harry had intended at all. He would have apologized, except he'd been paying very careful attention to Severus and he noticed how Severus's breath hitched quietly and his cock twitched in response to Harry's tone. The other man spread his legs wider without hesitation and raised his hips.

Harry studied Severus for a moment, speculatively, then pushed a pillow under the other man's ass to make him more comfortable and allow him to relax. Harry pressed his cock against Severus's ass, then hesitated. It was pretty clear to him that this was what Severus wanted but he needed to be sure he wasn't moving too fast so he asked, "Is this okay?"

"Yes, Harry," Severus insisted impatiently, with the faintest touch of humor. "Hurry up, won't you?"

After a second lubrication charm - just to be safe - Harry pressed into Severus fully, reveling in the heat and tightness. Severus's soft gasp of pleasure thrilled him further.

Harry forced himself to hold still, in order to ensure Severus was well-adjusted and ready for him to continue. As he waited, he experimentally let his magic creep out from under his skin, letting it resonate in the air. He was careful not to let it extend beyond the room to the nursery, but it felt good to relax his hold on his magic, even if just a little.

The experiment had very favorable results. Severus's breathing noticeably hitched and his hips rolled forward in an effort to rub against Harry. Harry took his cue and began moving. Slowly at first and then much faster, when it seemed like Severus wanted more. Harry thrust deep and hard, marginally altering his strokes until Severus moaned outright and actually trembled beneath him.

Harry let more and more of his power slip from beneath his skin as he increased his pace, ruthlessly hitting the spot inside Severus that made the man pant and gasp.

Harry leaned forward, dipping his head to speak by Severus's ear as his hips continued to smack against Severus's own. He questioning breathily, "Do you like it… when I command you, Severus?"

Severus's head turned and his lust-glazed eyes met Harry's own. Harry decided to experiment again and he demanded lowly and authoritatively, "Answer me."

Severus shivered slightly and whispered eagerly, "Yes."

"Do you like to be dominated?" Harry questioned in the same tone as before.

"Y-Yes," Severus answered unsteadily, biting his lip to smother a cry of pleasure. Then he made a request that both shocked and thrilled Harry, "Can you be rougher too?"

Harry impulsively nipped Severus's throat and sucked hard. Severus cried out, ever so softly, and his hips jerked again. He was mere seconds from coming. Harry slowed his pace and reached down between their bodies. He gripped Severus's balls firmly but carefully and pulled them downwards a bit, away from his body. He also spelled a small band in place about the base of Severus's straining cock. In a commanding tone Harry said, "You will cum when I give you permission and not before, do you understand?"

Harry was grateful that he sounded much more sure of himself than he actually was. Severus shuddered again, eyes closed tightly in rapture and pale skin flushed with passion. Harry stopped and pulled out abruptly when Severus did not answer. He needed Severus's active participation if he was going to try to give the man what he wanted. Severus eyes snapped open and he gave a wordless cry of protest before he pleaded breathlessly, "Don't stop now!"

"Severus, I need to know if you understand," Harry insisted, unmoved. He rolled Severus's balls in his fingers and squeezed lightly, in a kind of warning.

"Yes!" Severus insisted desperately, "Yes, I understand, Harry. Don't tease me, just keep fucking me already. Please!"

Severus's hands remained limp above his head and he made no move to relieve himself, even though he easily could have. This, more than his words, assured Harry that Severus liked playing in this way.

Harry pressed inside of Severus once more and continued pounding into Severus's tight asshole. He kept the other man's balls still firmly gripped in one hand, since Severus seemed to enjoy the power dynamics behind the gesture so much.

Harry was rapidly coming close to the peak of his own pleasure. He ordered lowly, "Squeeze your ass tight, Severus. Try to close your legs."

Severus obeyed and the resulting tightness was more intense than Harry could have imagined possible. Harry came violently and unexpectedly, falling forward and pressing his teeth into Severus's collar as his hips jerked uncontrollably.

When he came back to himself, he sat up and withdrew again. Severus actually whimpered but he did not protest verbally this time. Harry gentled his hold on Severus's balls and bowed his head, taking Severus's thick cock into his mouth. Severus's hips bucked reflexively and Harry scraped his teeth lightly over the head of Severus's cock in warning. He used his free hand to press down firmly on Severus's hip. Severus went still and Harry rewarded him by sucking hard. He bobbed his head and moved his mouth up and down the length of the shaft until Severus was pleading for him to fuck him again.

Harry's own cock rapidly hardened once more - he'd never been so excited in his life. He straightened and pressed into Severus yet again, resuming the relentless pace that they both loved. He kept Severus on the verge of orgasm, incoherent with pleasure. Then, at last, he vanished the band around Severus's cock and demanded, "Cum for me now."

Severus nearly shouted when he came and Harry followed him quickly. Severus was utterly limp under him when he finally came down from his climax.

Harry rolled over off of Severus and onto his side, bracing himself up with his forearm so he could look down at Severus's face. The man looked nearly insensible. Harry was concerned as he asked, "Was that good for you? All of it?"

Severus's thick dark lashes parted halfway, black eyes still dazed but also somewhat amused, "You have to ask? Isn't it perfectly obvious that I enjoyed it?"

Harry shrugged a little, "I just want to be sure. It isn't as if I've done it before, you know. Well, aside from our wedding night of course… I just don't want to disappoint you."

His words had a sudden and profoundly sobering affect on Severus. It was as if he'd thrown a bucket of cold water over the man. Severus was abjectly horrified.

"Gods," Severus whispered brokenly, with disbelief bordering on denial, "You were a virgin? I was… your first? No, I couldn't have been. You… No."

Harry smiled a little in an effort to conceal that he was feeling even more insecure now, "Well, yes. I've hardly had any time over the years to date casually and there has never been anyone else I've wanted except for you. I have educated myself, of course, but I have had little practice."

Severus's looked stricken to the point of agony. Harry was confused about why the man was taking this so very badly. It didn't make sense to him.

When Severus spoke again he did so haltingly, "Harry, when I said… that you would disappoint I was being cruel but certainly not truthful. You are and have always been extraordinary, in every way. Stunningly beautiful, singularly powerful, and impossibly good. Even when I hated you, I recognized that. My treatment of you our first night together was unforgivable, Harry. You didn't deserve it at all."

"I'm not upset about it anymore, Severus, really. If you can forgive me for taking your choice from you, I can certainly forgive you too. Perhaps we can just consider ourselves even," Harry replied gently. He was still reeling over Severus's earnestly spoken compliments. It would take a while for those words to fully sink in. Right now Harry could scarcely believe that he had not imagined it.

"It is not the same," Severus insisted, intent on self-flagellation. "I gained you, your love, and the chance for true happiness. In return I took from you your virginity - callously and with cruel words."

"The way I see it, you gave me Nicolas and freed my magic," Harry said, just as insistently. "I never expected you to love me straight away. Hell, I worried you might never love me at all."

Severus still looked dismayed but for now he offered no further protest. Harry hesitated then said softly and reluctantly, "I'm sorry, Severus, I have stayed too long as it is. I hate to leave like this but I really must go. I have no choice now."

Severus sat up as Harry stood and dressed slowly. Severus merely tied a black bath robe around himself and he followed Harry out of the bedroom. Harry glanced at the door to the nursery, his expression wistful. Severus caught sight of the look and he laid a gentle hand on Harry's arm, "I am sorry. I took too much of your time."

Harry shook his head and forced a smile, "I'll come again as soon as I can. A month's time perhaps. Maybe when you write me you could include pictures of Nicolas? He's growing so fast…"

Harry cast Severus a hopeful look. Severus nodded quickly, "Yes, of course, Harry. I am sorry for not doing so sooner. I will send copies of the earlier photos I have as well."

Harry stepped slowly towards the main door, steeling himself for the war he would return to. He paused before the door and looked at Severus again, "One of my greatest fears about having a child, was that that child could possibly grow up without ever knowing his parents - like I did. I am so grateful that Nicolas has you, Severus."

"He will have you as well," Severus replied surely.

"I know," Harry said. "I cannot fail. It is simply not an option."

Harry stole one last, lingering kiss and then left without another word.