"I… I think I will go to my chambers, Albus… excuse me," he pushed away from the table, giving silent thanks for his large, concealing robes, before stealing one more glance at Harry.

Once more, they made eye contact. Without thinking, Severus gave a slight tilt of his head, indicating Harry should follow. To his surprise – and delight – the boy smiled, laying down his spoon.

Chapter 23

Harry smirked, watching Severus leave the Hall. As horrible as it was, he was going to make the man squirm. It'd hurt that Severus had just up and left when Harry had opened his heart.

Sure, he understood that Severus was emotionally stunted and probably found it difficult to let anyone into his cold little heart… but he should know better than to just leave!

So, he picked up a piece of toast and took his time to finish his breakfast before deciding whether or not to follow the cranky old git.

Beside him, Hermione sighed. "That was a little harsh, don't you think?"

"Yes. So?" He grinned evilly. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm all for making the grumpy old bastard suffer, mate," chimed Ron, sipping his pumpkin juice, "but you know… you don't have to ignore him to do it." Harry almost choked on his toast.

"How did you – huh?"

"Please. I'm not as thick as everyone seems to think," said Ron, rolling his eyes. "Besides, he makes his students squirm every day. He doesn't ignore us, he just makes us nervous… makes us feel like we're doing something wrong all the time." He nonchalantly scooped up some eggs, shovelling them into his mouth. "Give him a taste of his own potions, so to speak." Harry was amazed. The redhead was being so… supportive!

"Ron… you're ok with it?" The Weasley shrugged.

"Yes and no. I still don't like him, but you do. I'll still happily punish him for being a right arse to you, but I accept your… whatever you have together. Just don't expect me to sit and listen to you talk about him snogging or anything," he pulled a face. "I love you, but there are limits."

Harry laughed, kicking Ron under the table. "Git."

Hermione had a pleased look on her face, she was obviously proud of her boyfriend.

"He's been waiting for a while, you know," Ron said, piling more food on his plate. Harry laughed again, standing up to make his way to the dungeons.

X

Severus scowled, crossing his arms over his chest, as he sat staring at the hearth in his quarters. He'd been waiting for fifteen minutes! He was about to give up and occupy himself with something else, when there was a knock at his door. Finally.

He swung it open, glaring fiercely at the scruffy teenager. The little brat was smiling calmly.

"Severus," he greeted, walking in like he owned the place.

"Potter," he replied, closing the portrait door with just a little too much force. "How nice of you to drop by."

"Severus… don't act like you're doing me a favour by letting me in. I'm here to listen to what you have to say for yourself." The boy calmly, gracefully, took a seat in Severus' armchair, raising an elegant eyebrow, indicating that the Potions Master should start grovelling.

Severus suddenly felt very small. He swallowed nervously.

"I… sent you a letter," he said dumbly.

"Yes," prompted the Gryffindor.

"I refuse to beg!"

"You don't have to beg me; I've told you that once before, Professor." Harry smirked, leaning back in the armchair.

"Potter, I don't know what you're playing at –"

"I'm not playing," he sounded serious. At Severus' confused look, the boy rose from the chair and approached his teacher, still standing by the door. "You have to explain your actions. You're the one that left; the one in the wrong. I'm giving you a chance to make amends." He cupped Severus' face with one hand, the other sliding to the Slytherin's hip, pulling him close.

Severus felt his breath hitch when the boy leant in, stopping centimetres before their lips could touch. He could feel the warmth of his student's breath puffing on his lips.

"Why'd you leave, Severus? If you love me, like you wrote, why did you disappear?" He shivered, closing his eyes at the soft demand. "Tell me. Explain to me… am I not good enough? Are you ashamed of me? Embarrassed of me?" The words stung Severus, though he knew Harry knew none of that was true. He swallowed, not wanting to speak. But he had to say something.

"No. No, I'm not ashamed of you. I…" his voice caught in his throat, making a strangled sound when he gasped.

"What, Severus?" Harry was so close, Severus could almost taste him.

"I love you," he whispered, opening his eyes to gaze into the boy's deep green ones.

"But you left me."

X

Harry suppressed a shiver of joy at the words. Finally, Severus spoke the words aloud. He loved him. Severus Snape loved Harry Potter. He forced himself to keep calm.

"You left me. When I needed you most," he watched his professor's face crumble. The man's eyes closed once more, a frown marring the aristocratic features.

"Yes," came the whispered reply. "I did."

"Why?" He prompted, fingers stroking the man's cheek, his thumb caressing the all-but quivering lower lip.

"I… was," the man's voice caught once more. It was obviously difficult to say. But Severus pushed through. "I was afraid."

"Of what, Severus?"

"Of you. Your love." He didn't open his eyes. Harry knew tears would fall if the man opened his eyes.

"Why?"

"I was afraid… it wasn't real. That you were just… lying."

"You knew I wasn't. You wouldn't have run if that was true."

"I was scared to let you in. Your… your mother was the only person I loved. And… look what happened." He finally opened his eyes again. "She married your father. And died. Because of me." Harry could see the tears welling, close to falling.

"Yes," he murmured, allowing his thumb to dip inside his lover's mouth, feeling the tongue caress it softly, before he removed it again. "But you've made up for that. And… look. Look at me, Severus," Harry moved Severus' face up when he looked down, tears trailing his cheeks. "Severus, she gave you me. I'm here. I love you."

He closed the gap, pressing his lips to Severus', coaxing the older man into a slow, deep kiss.

His professor's arms finally rose from the man's side and encircled Harry, pulling him close. They peppered kisses over each other's lips, deepening them occasionally, but mostly content with light kisses, basking in each other's presence for a while.

"You know," began Harry, pulling away slightly, "you're going to have to be punished. What you did was wrong." Severus nodded, seemingly unsure of how this was going.

X

At the boy's words, Severus didn't know how to feel. The punishment could be either very good… or very bad.

The boy in his arms gave nothing away. He leant in to latch on to Severus' throat, sucking the pale flesh into a bruise.

A low groan escaped his throat as the boy nipped him, fisting a hand in his strawberry-scented hair.

He could feel the heat of his arousal burning. When Harry's crotch pressed into his, he moaned, pushing back. The hard length beneath Potter's robes rubbed along his own, teasing him. Impatient, Severus slipped a hand between them, rubbing Harry through the layers of fabric. He earned himself a breathy gasp and a buck of the narrow hips, before a smaller hand reached over and reciprocated; rubbing him through his many layers.

Then, all of a sudden, it stopped.

Harry pulled away, a devious smirk in place.

"Your punishment, Snape," his smirk broadened to a wicked smile, "begins now."

Groaning, Severus let himself be led to the bedroom.

X

Severus' hand felt so good… it had been way too long since they'd been intimate at all. But, to get past the recent hick-up, Harry had to 'punish' his lover. He knew Severus would never truly forgive himself, so Harry decided to punish him to help him move on from it all.

That, and he was possibly a little sadistic.

He gripped Severus' wrist and dragged him to the bedroom.

Pushing the door open, Harry flung his lover inside, making the man stumble a little. He almost softened his gaze at the confusion on Severus' face, but decided he needed to suck it up and dish out some punishment. For both their sakes.

"Take your clothes off," he ordered, not bothering to close the door. He knew that would worry Severus even more.

He watched as Severus glanced to the open door and hesitated, obviously weighing his options. He raised an eyebrow at his professor in the same way the man had done to him so many times in the past.

He was pleased to see the man's cheeks flush slightly as he swallowed his argument and went along with Harry's punishment.

Harry watched the elegant fingers deftly unbutton the heavy teaching robes. He watched Severus shrug the garment off, placing it on the bed. His eyes roamed hungrily as every piece of clothing was placed on the bed. Every inch of Severus' pale skin exposed to him as the man slowly stripped.

X

Severus placed the last item on the bed, standing naked before his student. He made to cover himself with his hands, but the boy's commanding voice stopped him.

"No. Don't cover yourself. You're going to be as naked as I was. Just as vulnerable as I was when you left me. And I'm going to watch every moment. Put your clothes away. Slowly. One by one."

Severus swallowed, refusing to meet the boy's gaze. It was fair. He knew he deserved this.

He picked up his trousers, folded them and went to the closet, putting them on top of the pile of other trousers. Usually, he'd put them in a hamper for the House Elves to collect, but he knew this task was meant to punish, not to keep his room tidy.

As he made his way to the bed to collect more of his clothes, Harry gave another order.

"Stop. I want you hard. You're going soft. Touch yourself." Severus held back a shudder. He knew Harry wanted him vulnerable, and the bastard knew how to make him so.

He gripped his penis and stroked, not bothering to tease himself. He soon had a solid erection once more. It bobbed between his legs as he grabbed his undershirt, folded it and put it away again.

This continued in silence. Every-so-often, Severus had to touch himself before putting something away, and because of this, it took about ten minutes. Those ten minutes felt like an hour.

"Good. Now, lay on the bed, on your back, facing me. Spread your legs." Holding in an uncharacteristic whimper, Severus obeyed. "Summon your lubricant. The strawberry one," Harry murmured. The bedroom was so quiet that Severus could hear every word. Obeying, he waited further instruction. "Coat your fingers. Good. Now, finger yourself. Slowly. Don't touch your prostate. Or your cock. You're only to stretch yourself." Severus nodded, complying.

He didn't know why he was allowing this. He didn't have to listen to the boy! He was a grown man, for goodness' sake! He was this boy's teacher!

But, he knew… he'd done something wrong (stupid!) and he was receiving punishment. The punishment made him feel better, though. It made him feel like Harry could forgive him. And if Harry could forgive him, he could forgive himself. So he took it. Because he loved the brat.

He pushed a finger inside himself, pausing to allow his hole to adjust. It felt strange… but not bad. He moved his finger, pumping it in and out, wiggling it; circling his anus to make room for the second finger. Even without prostate stimulation, the feel of his finger inside himself felt good. It made his cock throb impatiently. He groaned, not caring that Harry could hear his pitiful sounds.

"Good. Add the second finger." He heard only the smallest hint of arousal in the Gryffindor's voice. Complying, he quickly inserted his second finger.

It stung slightly, but he ignored it; pumping it inside with the first finger, sending a pleasant shock of stimulation to his aching penis.

He crooked his fingers, wriggling them around, stretching himself as much as he could, as quickly as he could.

But, then it happened.

As he pumped his fingers inside himself, he hit his prostate, making him gasp and buck his hips. He'd never really fingered himself before – only a brief fingertip around his rim, but nothing more. When he touched the nerve, it almost hurt. But in a good way. He knew Harry had heard his breathy little curse, however, when he was ordered to stop.

"I told you not to touch your prostate," he said softly, approaching Severus quietly. "Take your fingers out. Now, roll onto your stomach." Severus did as he was told, groaning at the softness of his comforter against his prick. "On your knees. You're not to stimulate yourself until I say so," the boy's voice was close. Just behind him. Severus felt so exposed.

Then, a sharp blow landed on his arse, stinging his cheek.

Potter was spanking him!

He squirmed, uncomfortable. He hadn't been struck like this since he was a child. He didn't like it.

"Stop," he knew he shouldn't be asking or demanding anything… but this was… he didn't know.

"Very well. But I'll just have to do something else instead."

X

Harry's chest tightened at the soft 'stop'. He'd smacked Severus' cheeks five times by then. He was going to stop at ten, but the unusual timidity shocked him.

"Turn over and sit up," he demanded, stepping back. It was a shame – he liked looking at Severus' hole, stretched and waiting. He repressed a groan, feeling his cock throb at the thought of plunging into his Potions Master.

Severus obeyed, sitting on the edge of his bed, penis still hard and jutting from between his legs. Harry wanted to take it in his mouth. He could feel himself salivating at he thought.

"Reach in and take out my penis. But don't remove my pants." He stood close enough to Severus for the man to reach. He didn't know what to do with his hands, so he placed them on Severus' head. "Good. Kneel on the floor," he stepped back. The deep, dark eyes looking up at him were so beautiful. They almost looked innocent. "Close your eyes, Severus," he caressed the man's scalp with his fingers before taking one hand away, using it to aim his cock at Severus' mouth. He traced the head along the lips he loved to kiss; hissing in pleasure when a swipe of Severus' tongue sent a jolt of pleasure along his spine. "Uh-uh. Not until I say so," he gripped his shaft, pulling back, only to let it go; slapping Severus on the cheek. He closed his eyes against the needy moan, repeating the action four more times.

Severus let out a gasp when Harry pulled his head back by his hair. It sent shivers down the Gryffindor's spine. He felt powerful when he had Severus Snape on his knees, his dick in the man's face. It gave him a thrill like nothing else.

"Open your eyes. Look at my cock. Lick it. Just the tip," he hissed again, the feeling of his professor's tongue caressing the head of his penis making his hips jerk slightly. "Suck the head in." The warmth of his lover's mouth enveloped his prick, making him buck completely. Fuck, this is good, he thought. He tightened his grip in the inky strands. "Now… bring your hand up and play with my testicles. Mmm… a bit rougher… Yes," he said, hissing the last word.

He replaced his hand in Severus' hair, giving the man a massage, running his fingers through his hair, lightly scratching his scalp, tracing lazy circles with his fingertips.

The pressure on the tip of his penis was so good… it was hot and wet and fucking perfect.

He gently guided Severus' face down, over his erection, until he felt the tip touching the back of his teacher's throat. He didn't gag. He simply waited for further instruction.

"So good… touch yourself, Sev. Five strokes only," he gave his lover a reward.

X

Severus' hand glided over his aching dick. He was so turned on. The feeling of letting Harry take control was… indescribable. He knew he should probably feel ridiculous, taking orders from a sixteen-year-old brat… but the surrender of power, even if only for this one time, as a punishment, felt incredible.

The gentle hands in his hair felt so good… then they were guiding him down his lover's shaft, making him take the boy completely in his mouth. And then, the reward of being allowed to touch himself – even if only briefly – made him throb in anticipation.

He curled his long fingers around his prick, giving himself five slow pumps; twisting upon the last up-stroke, squeezing the head. The feeling made him moan and swallow around Harry, making his student twitch. It was the best feeling.

"I'm going to fuck your mouth, Severus… and you're going to take it all. I want you to play with my sac until I stop, ok?" Severus hummed in assertion, earning a harsh buck.

He cupped Harry's balls, squeezing and rolling, just how he knew they boy liked it. He gently tugged them, rubbing firmly along the middle with his thumb.

The boy moved his hips, thrusting into Severus' mouth, steadily building his pace.

Soon, Severus' lips were numb, he back of his throat ached and his jaw became tired, as Harry fucked his mouth furiously. The testes in his hand tightened, telling him the boy was close to orgasm.

But, just as Severus was sure he'd be swallowing his student's load, Harry pulled out.

"You did well, Sev. Get back on the bed on your hands and knees. I want to see your arse. I want to know that I can see that part of you. Only me," he helped Severus up, out of consideration rather than any necessity. Even when punishing, the boy was gentle.

He posed on the bed as told; the feeling of being completely exposed returning, full-force. He took a breath. This is for Harry. Just Harry.

A small, warm hand ran over his cheek, the thumb caressing the line of his crack, pulling the muscle to the side, briefly, before letting go. Then, there was a hand on each cheek, cupping and kneading before spreading him wide. He closed his eyes tightly, burying his face in one arm.

"This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen," the boy's voice was husky with arousal. "Look at you. You're open for me… bending over for me. Your hole's clenching, Sev. It looks so good… so inviting." One hand was removed, only to be replaced at his entrance. A finger swiped over his anus, gathering lubricant, then, suddenly, plunged inside him.

He gasped, unable to keep it in. The boy's finger was smaller than his own… but it felt incredible. Just the fact that it was Harry touching his most intimate place aroused Severus. He clenched around the bony digit.

"Do you have any idea how hot this is? I'm inside you, Severus. Am I the only one to do this?" Severus nodded. "Out loud," demanded Harry, voice soft, but punctuated by a sharp pump of his finger.

"Yes!" He gasped, wriggling under his lover's touches. He was rewarded with a caress to his bottom, a slight pinch soothed with the boy's tongue.

"Good," he added a second finger and immediately wiggled them around, harshly crooking his fingers back and forth, pummelling Severus' prostate; the sensation somewhat painful to his unused little nerve. But, it soon turned to pleasure when Harry's finger tips circled it, teasing, before assaulting it once more.

Severus couldn't help himself. He pushed back into Harry's hand, moaning like a whore. He didn't care that the sounds he was making were loud and undignified. He brought a hand to his penis, intent on coming, when Harry pulled his fingers out, grabbing his wrist and pulling his wrist away as well.

"I didn't say you could do that, Severus," came the softly-spoken reprimand. "Get up."

X

The feeling of Severus' passage squeezing and clenching around his fingers was unlike anything Harry had experienced. Sure, he'd fingered himself, but this was different. His fingers were inside his teacher, making the man feel good; making him moan and writhe around, fucking himself back onto Harry's hand.

But, the Slytherin was impatient. So, Harry decided to continue with the punishment.

When Severus stood, Harry took pity and cupped his face, giving him a soft kiss.

"Get into the bath," he led the man to the bathroom, his penis feeling heavy, hanging out of his school robes, bobbing up and down as he walked. It felt odd, being clothed, but having his penis exposed. "Run the bath," he ordered, sitting on the closed seat of the toilet. He watched Severus move; watched the way his cock bobbed, the way his balls swayed softly. He stroked his penis, careful not to let himself come. "Severus," he called softly, holding his hand out. The man stood before him. "Give me your hand," he said, still stroking himself. "Your final punishment is…" he paused, making sure Severus was paying full attention. "You're not allowed to touch me tonight, until I say. You can touch yourself, but only in my presence. Am I clear?"

"Yes," he murmured, clearly not happy.

"Good. Now, have a bath. Don't masturbate. Let yourself go soft." He led the man to the bath and helped him balance as he stepped in, eyeing the neglected arousal bobbing between his legs. But, before he allowed him to sit, he pulled him in for a quick kiss, his hand sliding around to Severus' bottom once more, groping him, caressing a cheek and pressing their pelvises together briefly. At his professor's groan of frustration, he pulled away and left.

X

Severus sunk into the warm water. His mind wandered over the events of the last half-hour or so. As unusual as it was, he liked being able to give control to Harry. He trusted the boy, of that was certain. He found the Gryffindor's ability to command and take charge arousing. Though, he knew he couldn't do this very often. He needed control in his life. Taking away his control like this was certainly punishment.

He was told not to touch himself. And he'd never been so hard in his life! He knew there was nothing stopping him from wanking until he was dry and shrivelled, but Harry trusted him to obey. And it was a part of his punishment. When Harry felt he'd been punished enough, and only then, could they continue in their complicated, oh-so-fucked-up relationship.

So, he merely cleansed himself, resisting the urge to touch himself more than necessary.

He washed the lubricant from his arse and made sure the sweat from the morning was washed away.

When he finished, he let the water out, and dried himself. As he wrapped the towel around his waist, Harry called out.

"Hang up the towel. I want you naked."

X

Harry heard the water draining away and called for Severus to emerge naked. He wasn't done yet.

It was too soon for sex. He wouldn't let that happen until everything between them was fixed. It could take a day or a month. Even longer. But Harry loved Severus, warts and all. He loved that the man was grumpy and sarcastic with no social graces, but hid a heart of gold. It made him sad that his lover felt the need to hide his soft side, but he felt so close to the man when he knew he was the only one to see that aspect of Severus' personality.

That night… had been amazing.

He liked having control. And he marvelled at the fact that Severus trusted him enough to give it to him. Watching the older man obey him made his chest swell; he liked that Severus shared his most private self with him. It was a privilege.

And now, healing their relationship after a stupid misunderstanding, Harry felt happier than he had in a long while.

So, as much as he wanted to simply forget everything that had happened, and jump straight into bed with Severus, he knew he needed to take things slowly.

Severus came out of the bathroom, dry and clean. He saw the man was still half hard, not completely deflated from earlier. It made his mouth water.

He watched as Severus' penis bounced as he walked. He knew his professor wanted to cover himself, but he ignored that. He liked to look.

The whole time Severus was in the bath, Harry had kept himself on the edge of completion, stroking himself until he was almost there, but stopping himself just before he couldn't turn back.

His cock was so heavy. It was starting to ache. His balls were tingling, needing to be touched.

He ignored it all in favour of watching Severus.

Patting the bed next to him, Harry told Severus to lay with him.

"Come here." When he settled next to Harry, the boy took a hand. "That was part of your punishment… not coming." He brought Severus' hand down to his aching cock, wrapping the elegant fingers around his shaft. "Touch me," he ordered.

"But –"

"Make me come."

So, Severus obeys. And God, does it feel good.

Harry bucks harshly, swearing, revelling in the feel of contact.

Soon, he brings himself to lay atop Severus, swinging a leg over the man's hips, while the large hand continues to bring him closer and closer to orgasm.

X

As the boy rides him, his balls bounce upon Severus', arousing him once more. The soft slapping of Harry's testicles on his own wasn't enough to bring him any real relief, though. He clenched his teeth, pumping faster and faster, using the boy's pre-ejaculate as lubricant.

The moans and curses flying from Harry's mouth were arousing him more and more; the soft, pink lips so close to his own.

As his lover came, he kissed Severus deeply, his hands burying themselves in the long, black hair once more. Severus' hand was covered in the warm, sticky fluid.

"Lick it up," a sated, nearly sleepy voice orders. He's only too happy to oblige. "Good," a small hand wrapped around his cock, pumping harshly, the boy lazily grinding his hips over Severus'.

He came all too soon; a breathy curse tumbling from his lips.

"And this; lick your semen from my hand." He does so, unsure of the taste. He thought it was bitter, but not too bad. "Good night, Severus," and Harry was out like a light, curled up on top of him.

Sleep soon took him. After a rather disappointing orgasm and an emotionally draining reunion with his lover, Severus welcomed Oblivion. Though, he supposed he should be grateful that Harry allowed him release.

XXX

A/N: I'm sorry! I know. It's been… just over a year. I hope this chapter and the next make up for the horrendous delay. Double post! Woo!

I dedicate this double post to whoever read, reviewed, favourited and alerted my story. Thank you!