Author Warning : There's a certain element of character humiliation in the last few paragraphs. I thought I'd warn you because sometimes it's nasty to stumble across without a warning.

Chapter Three – Crime and Punishment

Severus Snape stared at the sleeping boy. It irked him how much the boy reminded him of his scum of a father. He detested how with every action Potter was a light wizard, not a dark one. His family would be turning in their grave at the thought of marrying a Potter, but it felt good to be one up on Malfoy for once. That wasn't his only reason for marrying the boy, it was still a positive though. He sighed and got up, potions were definitely better than thinking about the insufferable brat.

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The next morning, Harry woke to find an empty bed. He wasn't surprised but still a bit relieved. He didn't particularly fancy an early morning conversation, nor the chance to get a whiff of Snapes morning breath. The professor didn't join him for breakfast, so Harry ate alone in the lounge, attended by one of the Hogwarts House Elves, a situation he wasn't about to inform Hermione of.

"You have breakfasted I see," the potions master said silkily entering the room. "These arrived from the Weasel and Granger," he placed two letters on the breakfast tray. "Unfortunately I will be away today, however, I should be home by night fall."

"Okay sir," Harry said picking up the letters. A strong hand grabbed at his wrist.

"Severus," the older man snapped squeezing his wrist. "It would do you well to remember it."

"Don't hurt me," Harry snapped wrenching his wrist free, his wandless magic rose up and swirled around, wanting to defend him and protect him.

"I will do what I want," Snape replied before leaving the room.

Harry looked at his wrist, it didn't look broken but it damn well hurt. Fuck Snape, Harry thought bitterly, I'm his Husband, not his punching bag. He turned to the letters knowing full well they'd be packed with sympathy and Harry was in the mood for some sympathetic words today.

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After reading the letters, Harry decided to go pay Hagrid a visit and Madame Maxime if she was around. Oh Harry, I can't believe it, Hermione's letter had said, tough break mate, but still better than Malfoy right? Ron had added. His friends words had bolstered him but it still didn't change the fact he was married to Snape. Nothing would ever change that, forever until we should die Harry thought bitterly.

Hagrids words were of no help, Madame Maxime was at Beauxbatons preparing the staff for the new year approaching and Harry felt as though Hagrids recently developed friendship with Snape might've inspired a bit of two sided talking. Harry had thought his friends would be a bit more supportive so far, but then what could he expect? He sighed knowing that he was projecting his anger at his friends and not to the man that had left large bruises on his wrist.

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After an afternoon spent helping Hagrid prepare a secret weekend away with Olympe, Harry felt thoroughly resentful. Why couldn't he be in love? Why didn't he have someone good? Why was he stuck with the terminally cruel potions master who had never ever liked him? Instead he just heard about how good everyone else's life was, Ron couldn't resist telling him how Hermione's brilliant, did you know that she's fluent in Spanish? All his husband was fluent in were dark curses and sharp words. Why is my life shit? He grumbled as he headed towards the Dungeons.

"Mr Harry Potter," a voice called out primly as he crossed the Entrance Hall. Harry turned and stared into the irritatingly blue eyes of Dolores Umbridge, aka toadface.

"I am not Mr Harry Potter anymore Madam," he said in a tone of false politeness.

"Mr Potter, this is not a time to play games," her voice was airy, he knew that this was her at her most dangerous.

"No games Madam, I am now Mr Harry Snape," Harry said simply. Toadface glared.

"Mr Potter, I really do insist, it is an offence to lie to a Ministry Official,"

"No lies, no games, no nothing," Oh how I wish it was a lie, Harry thought angrily.

"No Mr Potter, as I understand,"

"Do not call my Husband Mr Potter, his name is Mr Snape you insufferable woman," a voice said austerely. Snape was standing at the top of the staircase, his eyes glittering angrily. "Now I suggest, you return to the Ministry and check the paperwork and kindly cease wasting our time." If looks could kill Harry surpressed a snicker. "Now, Harry, Minerva would like to see you in her office,"

"Severus," Harry inclined his head, looking into his Husbands eyes, he is a legilimens Harry remembered suddenly berating himself for not having thought of it before.

"I will see you later this evening dear," Snape said when they met on the stairs. Harry fought not to hex him. Dear? Harry growled in his head.

"Of course my little nest of vipers," He retorted knowing that he was going to pay for it later, Snape raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

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"Harry," Minerva McGonagall looked up from her desk, "take a seat," she offered. Harry took his seat, still smirking about his insult to Snape. "Is Severus being reasonable?" Harry nodded, the bruises on his wrist weren't anything he was about to share with the elderly professor, especially not as he was bound to Snape for life no matter what happened anyway. "Now Harry, I would like to talk about your career, I can assume that you do not wish to be unemployed or a house-husband?" When Harry shook his head, she continued. "Well, now that I am Headmistress, I have been having some trouble getting someone as Head of Gryffindor House. I was wondering whether or not you'd be interested?" she asked kindly.

"Really?" Harry was excited.

"Yes Harry," the elderly professor smiled. "I doubt this will make Severus happy, but I do think you're the best person for the job,"

"I'd love to do it," Harry said accepting the job.

"Excellent, Belasius here will show you to your room," A House Elf appeared.

"Thank you," Harry smiled, this was going to be brilliant.

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Belasius showed Harry to his room on the seventh floor, not far from Gryffindor tower. It was a large, airy room decorated in bright gold and yellow. In one corner it had a lounge and some cushions, on the opposite side was his desk, there was a bookshelf on the wall loaded with books on Gryffindor history and then some desks for misbehaving Gryffindors to serve detention on. It was perfect.

"Mr Snape, if you would come here," the elf said quietly whilst standing by a portrait. It was a lovely portrait depicting a snake and a lion playing in a field. Harry didn't appreciate the symbolism, even although he knew it was well intentioned. "If you tickle the snake, this portrait will take you to your home in the Dungeons with Professor Snape. When you are in the dungeons, you only need to tickle the lion to get to here." Harry smiled, it was ingenious really and meant that he didn't have to walk up all those stairs everytime he needed to go to work.

"Thank you Belasius," Harry said, "Thank you for showing me,"

"No!!" the Elf cried. "You must never thank me! This is my duty to protect and honour Hogwarts and all of its inhabitants, particularly its staff!"

"I didn't mean to offend you!" Harry said quickly remembering the events of his fourth year.

"If you need anything Master, call on Belasius," the house elf said before disappearing like Dobby used to. Harry shook his head, House Elves could be tricky creatures.

"Excuse me everybody," Minerva McGonagall stood up, "I am happy to announce the new Head of Gryffindor house will be none other than Mr Harry Snape," Harry blushed furiously realising that he hadn't yet told Snape, who was looking at him angrily.

"Congratulations," his husband said slickly. "I see the Gryffindor bravery didn't extend to you telling me yourself."

"Severus, I," Harry began before noticing his stupidity. "I didn't think you'd care," he said acidly.

"You're right," the potions master was brusque. "I don't care,"

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When they got back to the Dungeons, Harry instantly went to dress in something more comfortable, the fitted pants were nice, but sometimes he wanted a bit of the comfort that his cousins baggy jeans could bring. He relaxed on the lounge reading one of the books on Gryffindor History, he expected that some of the stories could come in handy to reassure the scared first years he was likely to encounter. Snape was nowhere to be seen, Harry assumed that he was somewhere, probably brooding, sulking or both as Slytherins were wont to do.

"What did I tell you about dressing nicely?" Snape snapped as he entered the room. "I will not have you wearing Muggle rags,"

"I will wear what I want," Harry replied hotly, "You are not the boss of me,"

"Oh yes I am!" Snape yelled furiously.

"What are you going to do Severus?" Harry loaded as much contempt as he could into the name. "Take off house points, give me detention?" he sneered.

"No," Harry realised that he was scared of Snape, especially when the older man was threatening him with his wand. Snape waved it slightly and something invisible began smacking Harry as hard as it could.

"Stop that!" Harry cried.

"Or you'll what?" Snape leered at him. "Incarcerous,"

Harry pushed against the ropes that bound him, but it was no use.

"How dare you," he yelled, "You evil bastard." he kept hurling insults at Snape who simply looked demure as he carried Harry to their bed. He left Harry on the bed whilst he went to the wardrobe and selected Harrys pyjamas from the drawer. He used severing charms to ruin all of Harry's hand-me-down clothes leaving Harry completely naked.

"You will wear the clothes I bought for you, or you will wear none at all," Snape said whilst putting Harrys silk pyjamas on. When he noticed the bruise on Harrys wrist he said nothing, but merely vanished it. Harry said nothing, embarassed by his lack of clothes, embarassed that his potions professor had seen everything, especially when the Professor put on his pants and tied the drawstring. Those were his private parts, Snape had no business looking at them.

"I will be dressing you for the next week, as it appears that you cannot be trusted to dress yourself." Harry frowned, but knew that there was nothing he could do about it. "Now go to bed," his husband ordered him, releasing the bonds and pushing Harry under the sheets. "I will join you momentarily."

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Harry tried to ignore it, the burning, searing hate that he had for Snape, the humiliation and the shame of being naked before him and the hurt of all his words. But he couldn't. He knew that Snape was awake and listening, as he cried himself to sleep.

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A/N : Okay, so the fighting scenes have been harder to write than I expected and I'm feeling to desire to let the characters fall lovingly into each others arms, make babies and be happy. But I won't. I still have no idea whether or not they're going to be together by the end of this. I guess I'll have to leave it up to Severus and Harry, maybe they'll either mature, or put aside some of their differences to try and make the marriage work. Or they could resort to charming objects to hit each other, who knows? I certainly don't!