Chapter 3:

Explanations and Reunions:

Severus led the way to his study, and walking to the cabinet in the corner, withdrew a Pensieve, and turning to set it on the desk, he saw Harry look at him apprehensively. "It's all right, Harry," Severus said realizing why the younger man was uneasy. "You asked me to prove my innocence, and I intend to."

Severus looked at him for a moment, and then withdrew his wand, taking a deep breath. He placed the tip of the wand to his temple, and drew it away, pulling a thin, gossamer-like, silver thread with it, and released it into the Pensieve.

He did this a few times while Harry looked on, swallowing nervously as he sat down in the chair across the desk from the man. Finally, Severus swirled the gas-like substance with his wand, not trusting to take Harry into his thought, he decided to bring the memories to him.

"Severus," the voice of Dumbledore came as Harry watched an image of the man form before him out of the Pensieve. "I want you to go locate Voldemort, and see if you can't find out anything new. I am aware that he hasn't been in the same location every time you are called."

"Do you think that wise, Sir?" Harry heard Severus ask though he could not see any one but Dumbledore in the Pensieve. "There are those who already suspect me of betrayal, especially since I did not appear at the Ministry to help them when the Order arrived to assist Potter and his friends."

"Ah, yes," Albus replied. "Bellatrix and her husband, Rodolphus... Tell me, Severus, do you know of anyone among the Death Eaters who is still away on a mission? Or perhaps someone none of the others have heard or seen for a while?"

"Yes, Jackson O'Malley; Voldemort has him trying to get to Rufus Scrimgeour."

"Then, I suggest that you give yourself the glamour, using O'Malley's appearance. Make sure that Voldemort will not be able to remove it. Use it whenever you are off Hogwarts grounds in case there are new recruits, and they are on the look out for you. If you need assistance, you can come to me, as I'm sure you know."

The image of Dumbledore rippled, but did not disappear as Harry continued to watch.

"Hello, Severus. Welcome back."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Were you able to find out anything?"

"Yes sir, quite a bit, actually, and it is not good."

Harry saw the gaseous Dumbledore's expression sombre. "I see."

"Sir, I heard Bellatrix arguing with Narcissa, and I also heard something about a mission given to Draco. It didn't sound good."

The gaseous Dumbledore nodded. "What all did you hear?"

"Well, Bellatrix was scolding Narcissa for thinking that she could trust me. She said something about the Unbreakable Vow. They're up to something, sir. Someone's parading around as me."

"Have you any idea who it could be?"

"No, but from the sound of the conversation, it wasn't just me they were trying to prove as traitor, but Narcissa as well."

"Yes… Do you know what mission has been given to Draco?"

"No, Sir."

"Very well, Severus. I would like you to do everything you can to find out what his mission is."

"Yes, sir," Harry heard Severus' voice reply and the image of Dumbledore floating above the Pensieve faded as another took its place and Harry recognized Draco.

"So put me in detention!" The gaseous form of Draco said, and Harry gave a start. He remembered that statement from the conversation Severus had with Draco, which he had spied on, having snuck out of Professor Slughorn's party. "Report me to Dumbledore!"

"You know perfectly well that I do not wish to do either of those things."

"You'd better stop telling me to come to your office then!"

"Listen to me; I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco -"

"Looks like you'll have to break it, then, because I don't need your protection! It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it, I've got a plan and it's going to work, it just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"

"What's your plan?"

"It's none of your business!"

"If you tell me what you're trying to do, I can assist you -"

"I've got all the assistance I need, thanks, I'm not alone!"

Severus prodded the silvery substance in the Pensieve, and they swirled once more.

"So - so you were trying to get him to tell you what he was really up to?" Harry stammered nervously and Severus nodded. "But how do you know it was Rodolphus?"

"Watch," Severus said, and prodded the gases in the Pensive once more. This time, the form of Jackson O'Malley emerged.

"You called, my Lord?"

"Yes, O'Malley." Harry was surprised to hear the voice of Voldemort come from the Pensieve. "Have you gotten any closer to Scrimgeour?"

"No, my Lord, he is well protected. Scrimgeour was head of the Auror department; he is no fool. I have a plan to get to him though, I remain hopeful. It will not be long now."

"My Lord?" Harry recognized the voice of Bellatrix. "We just received the signal from Malfoy. Everything is ready."

"And Rodolphus?" The voice of Voldemort asked.

"He's ready. He took the Polyjuice Potion a short while ago. It will last until the mission's completed. Dumbledore just left Hogwarts. Malfoy said he heard from Rosmerta that Dumbledore said he was going to the Hog's Head for a drink."

"And Snape?"

"We're not certain, my Lord. Malfoy claims that he tried to discover the plan, but no one has seen him except during classes and meals. We think Dumbledore has him off on some mission, but we're not positive."

There was a pause, and Harry looked up, but Severus shook his head. "Very well. Just make sure he's out of the way. It would not do for him to discover he's merely a pawn, and Rodolphus managed to get a sample to use for the Polyjuice Potion."

Severus sighed as he rose to his feet, and was about to return the Pensieve to the cabinet when Harry spoke. "S-so it really wasn't you."

"No, Harry," Severus confirmed. "It was not. I knew something bad was about to happen, but Voldemort held O'Malley back, to further discuss the plan to get to Scrimgeour."

"But, why would he want to get to him?"

"Well, I believe, as did Dumbledore, that Voldemort wanted to take over the Ministry itself. He was not ready to reveal himself in your fifth year, he had not planned on meeting Dumbledore at the Ministry that night, and had hoped to be there, get the prophesy, take care of you and be gone by the time Dumbledore showed up."

"So-so, what happened to you? Why didn't you come back?"

"Well, I think that would be quite obvious, Harry," Severus replied. "Rumour was you had seen me kill Dumbledore. The Ministry was looking for me, believing that I really killed him. No one would have given me a chance to explain what happened; the Minister would have likely sent me to Azkaban without a trial." I could not go back to Voldemort, nor could I return to Hogwarts. So, I went to the only place that no one would count on me going."

"Where?" Harry asked curiously.

"Here," Severus replied, waving his arm in a sweeping arch, indicating the house in which they stood.

"Sev?"

"Yes?"

"Rodolphus…"

"Yes, what about him?"

"I-I chased him, thinking he was you, a-and he asked me about using his magic against him."

"What do you mean, 'his magic against him'?"

"W-well, do you - you remember Professor Slughorn told you I was a natural at Potions?"

"Yes, what about it? You were."

"W-well, I – what?"

"You were a natural, Harry."

"B-but, you – you always made it a point to pick on me. I felt like a failure. You gave me failing grades."

Severus sighed heavily. "There were two reasons for that, one that I'm ashamed of… That being that I was taking my anger at James out on you."

"And the other?"

"I was trying to push you, get you to realize you're potential. Now, what were you saying?"

Harry was about to speak, and then something hit him. "Wait," he said uncertainly. "What about Professor Trelawney?"

"What about her?"

"S-she told me that you had been listening at the door when she had her interview with Dumbledore."

Severus signed heavily, and sat down. There was no way out of this one. He swallowed hard. This was one reason he hated James so much. James had saved his life, no matter how loath he was to admit it, and he had unknowingly handed him and Lily over to Voldemort that night. He had thought that Voldemort would just capture the child the prophesy spoke of, he had not known that Lily and James would be killed, nor that he would try to kill Harry.

He had merely thought Voldemort would raise him to be a Death Eater, and it was because Lily died protecting him, that the boy was now marked. Yes, he knew. He had realized it when Voldemort had vanished, and the child remained. It was then that he had gone to Dumbledore for protection, having realized Voldemort was not all-powerful, as he would lead everyone to believe.

"Sev?"

Severus swallowed hard. "Harry, I'm so sorry. I-I didn't know, didn't realize…"

Harry was quiet for a long moment. On one hand, he was happy to know that Severus hadn't killed his friend and mentor, but on the other, it was because of Severus that his parents had died.

"Harry," Severus said after a moment, but the young wizard didn't respond. "Harry," Severus tried again, as he walked over and knelt before him, and took the younger wizard's hands. "I understand that you're upset with me, but please listen."

Silence met Severus' request, so he continued.

"I made a mistake, one that cost your parents their lives, but please understand I am not wholly to blame. It's true that I forced James and Lily into hiding under the Fidelius charm because I went to Voldemort with what I learned from Trelawney's interview. I was forced to lay low when I found out that James, Lily, Dumbledore, Black and Lupin suspected that there was a spy in their midst. I thought that they had caught on to me. Rumour was that Black was their Secret Keeper, and you know what things between us were like when we were in school."

Severus paused, smiling slightly, but Harry didn't respond, and his smile faded.

"Harry," he murmured. "I stayed quiet and alert. I didn't even appear before Voldemort when he summoned the Death Eaters to meetings. It was agony, but I knew that they were watching, I'd heard talk of trying to uncover a spy. It was then that Black suggested that your parents make Pettigrew their Secret Keeper. Harry," Severus pleaded as he searched the young man's vacant eyes for a moment before lowering his gaze. "Pettigrew was the one who betrayed them. He was their friend remember? I am not trying to pass blame here; I have had to live with my mistakes and the guilt that comes with them. I didn't even know that Pettigrew had joined Voldemort."

Severus started when he felt a teardrop hit his hand, and he looked up once more to see tears rolling down Harry's cheeks. "Harry," Severus began, but the young wizard cut him off.

"You're right, Sev," he cried in anguish, and withdrew his hands from Severus' grasp, and buried his face as he cried. "God, I'm such a fool!"

"No, Harry, you're not," Severus murmured as he reached up and drew the young wizard's hands away, caressing his cheek. "You were right all those years ago – partially at least. I was no longer working for Voldemort, but I had been, and after your fourth year, when you said that he'd returned, Dumbledore asked me to return to him, only this time as a spy for the Order. It would have been stupid of you to trust me fully." Severus sighed heavily before he continued. "I know that I am at least partially to blame for your parents' death, Harry. I will accept whatever punishment you decide is fitting."

"What?" Harry asked, raising his head to look at the man. "No, Sev, you've punished yourself enough over the years. I-I couldn't do anything like that…"

"Harry," Severus drawled. "What was that you were saying about Rodolphus?"

"What? Oh. Well, as I was saying, I thought that he was you, and I chased him. You said that you remembered Professor Slughorn saying that I was a natural."

"Yes," Severus confirmed.

"I - I'm not sure if it was really you," Harry murmured, smiling slightly.

"Not sure if what was really me?" Severus asked quietly as he searched Harry's face.

"I-I hurt Draco," Harry muttered, lowering his gaze in shame. "I used a spell I'd never used before – I didn't even know what it did. I had gone in to use the bathroom, and he drew his wand and attacked me, I ducked and used the only spell that came to mind. I'd never used that one before, but it was all I could think of. The next thing I knew, Draco was really hurt, and bleeding all over, and you, or at least I think it was you, came in to see what was going on."

"Yes, that was me. I had to give you detention, and yell at you to keep Draco from suspecting anything. I didn't know then if he could be trusted, he was working for Voldemort, after all."

Harry nodded slowly.

"Then, you saw my Potions book in my mind."

"Really?" Severus asked, arching a brow with innocent curiosity.

"Yes," Harry answered. "It was one that Professor Slughorn lent to me until I could get my own. I followed some of the notes made by someone who called himself 'The Half-Blood Prince', and found out by watching Hermione, that Libatius Borage had been wrong about how to make the potions in Advanced Potion Making. It was then that I realized that the Prince, as I had come to call him, was teaching me things that you and Slughorn had tried, and I was retaining the information."

Harry paused, and Severus merely nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"Well, Professor Slughorn only lent me the book until I received my own. Hermione was livid, but I just couldn't give it back, not now that I was learning so much. My own book came, and I switched the covers, keeping the Prince's under the guise of a brand new book. I hid the book when you asked me to bring it, I-I didn't want it to be taken, and showed you Ron's instead."

Harry paused and swallowed hard.

"Then, when I chased Rodolphus and cast some of the spells in the Prince's book, he said that I was using his own magic against him… Are the Lestranges really half bloods? Had that book really belonged to Rodolphus, then?"

Severus shook his head slowly.

"No, Harry," he said quietly. "That book was mine, handed down to me by my mother, Eileen Prince. Those notes were mine. I tried several potions in it when my mother told me that nothing came out right, and made notes in it when I found what worked."

"Severus?" Harry asked uncertainly. "If that was indeed your book, you taught me more in my sixth year than you ever did before. Was it wrong of me to keep something I learned so much from?"

Severus sighed.

"That is a hard question to answer, Harry," he murmured. "I must say that it was rather disappointing to see one of my spells used in such a way, against another student. I had hid the book in hopes that it wouldn't happen. Draco was such a self-centred prat, a little prince in his own right. I wanted you to bring me the book because he said that you had attacked him with a spell he'd never heard of. I knew that the only way that he could have been hit with an unknown spell was if it had come from my book."

Severus rolled his eyes and continued, "He always had a tendency to play up the circumstances. Dumbledore had me watching him since he set foot in Hogwarts. I did what I had to do in order to maintain my status as a loyal Death Eater. It took a lot of explaining to make Voldemort grant me leniency when I returned to him after ignoring so many summons over the years."

"Then he-he didn't?" Harry asked, and Severus shook his head. Harry sighed in relief, and slouched in his chair, suddenly feeling exhausted. "Sev, I'm so sorry, if I'd have known what that spell did, I wouldn't have used it."

"There was no way that you could have known, Harry," Severus replied. "I didn't put notes on it because I didn't want anyone to know what it did. In hindsight, I should have, but I was young and stupid. There was no way to test such a spell at Hogwarts."

"Sev," Harry murmured, as he reached out and touched the unfamiliar face of Jackson O'Malley. "Please, take it off."

"I can't," Severus whispered, lowering his gaze. "It was a disguise; one Albus asked me to use during the war. Albus assisted me in making it so that Voldemort would be unable to remove it. By that time, Voldemort knew I was a spy, and would have killed me if he'd known who I really was, or would have continued to use me as a pawn. Since Albus is gone, it's become a curse. I cannot remove it alone."

Harry's heart fell, and he lowered his head. All these years and he might never look upon the face of his love again. Suddenly, an idea dawned on him, and raised his eyes to meet those unfamiliar sapphires of Jackson. "D-do you think the glamour would come off if I helped you?"

Severus cocked his head a moment. "It might," he said in a non-committed tone. Harry nodded, waved his wand in an intricate pattern before Severus, and muttered a spell. He smiled when a shimmer appeared around him, and the guise of Jackson O'Malley faded into nothing. Severus sighed in relief to have his own appearance back, and arched an ebony brow when he saw fresh tears rolling down the young wizard's cheeks.

"Merlin, Severus," Harry whispered. "I missed you so much! I thought you were dead! No one had seen or heard from you, the Ministry was looking for you, thinking you'd killed Albus, but no one ever saw you again after that night."

"You-you missed me, Harry?" Severus asked, taken aback. "You were just trying to apprehend me, or kill me, I don't know which, and now you're saying you missed me?"

"Sev, I don't think I would have been able to do either of those things. No matter which I chose our daughter would be without a father."

"Ou-our daughter?" Severus asked, dumbstruck.

"Yes, Sev," said Harry. "She was my reason…the reason you gave me to fight and win over Voldemort. She's the love of my life, Sev," he whispered, and Severus caught his eye. "That is, aside from you."

"Me?" Severus asked uncertainly. He had often hoped that Harry might love him, but upon seeing the article about his marriage to Draco, that hope had been dashed. He had only been looking for Harry to ask his help in ridding himself of that accursed disguise.

"Yes, Sev," Harry said softly. "I love you." Severus exhaled a trembling breath at Harry's revelation. "I have for a long time. I was heartbroken when I thought I'd never see you again… but I refused to believe that you were dead. I never gave up hope – that is, until today."

"Harry," Severus said softly, drawing him close, running his fingers through the young man's dark locks. "But… Why, what would give you cause to think that I was dead? I'm not a careless person, I knew how Voldemort thought, and knew how to protect myself from him."

"Draco," Harry said, sobbing into Severus' chest.

Severus scowled, and tightened his hold on Harry. He held him as he cried his relief. After a long moment, he cleared his throat. "Perhaps," he said in defeat. "It would be better if you were with Draco."

Harry raised his head, a look of shock on his tear-streaked face. "What?" He couldn't believe his ears; Severus was turning him away after all this time?

Severus shifted uneasily, releasing his hold and moving away. "Harry," he said softly. "I lied." He sighed heavily when Harry gazed at him in confusion. "The glamour," he clarified. "It wasn't a complex spell. It didn't need two people to remove it. I - I just couldn't do it." Harry wrinkled his brow in confusion and disbelief at what he was hearing. "I'm," Severus broke off and looked away, unable to finish his sentence.

"Oh, Merlin," Harry whispered. "It's my fault. You're a Squib, and it's my fault." Severus had flinched when the words tumbled from Harry's mouth, but he looked up and shook his head.

"Harry, it's not your fault," Severus said. "You did nothing wrong. It was my mistake; one I made over twenty years ago. I-I suppose you'll want nothing to do with me now," he said hurriedly.

Severus stood, and started to walk away, when Harry called after him.

"Severus Sebastian Snape! What on Earth are you talking about?" Severus stopped and turned to gaze down at him, an ebony brow arched curiously. Harry stood and strode over to him, glaring. "I would rather die than go back to that bastard! He lied to me, he's tried to push me into extending my family against my will, he's managed to get in the good graces of our daughter, and he's kept us apart! I wouldn't care if you were a Muggle, Severus. It's you that I want to be with."

To prove his point, Harry reached up, and drew him down for a kiss.

Taken by surprise at Harry's revelation, Severus didn't realize what was happening until he felt Harry's tongue gliding over his lips, seeking entrance to his mouth. He moaned deep in his throat, and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him flush against him as he took control of their kiss and devoured him hungrily.

"Stay with me?" Severus asked huskily when they broke apart.

Harry groaned at the lost heat of Severus' mouth on his. "I never want to be anywhere else," Harry replied breathlessly, and Severus' mouth found his once more. Harry turned them around, never breaking their kiss, he steered Severus back over toward the desk before finally breaking their contact.

"Harry?" Severus asked his voice filled with uncertainty.

"Shhh," Harry crooned, and reached down to unfasten his trousers. Severus swallowed dryly as he watched Harry undress, toeing his shoes off, dropping his trousers carelessly, and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. "Severus," Harry murmured huskily as he moved closer. "I want you so much."

Severus swallowed once more, and cleared his throat nervously as Harry pushed him back against the desk. Severus grasped the edge of the desk, his face flushing nervously. "Harry," he said breathlessly. "I don't think–" but he fell silent when Harry gently placed a finger to his lips.

"Please, Sev," Harry begged. "It's been so long… Make love to me, please." Harry thrust his hips against Severus' as he spoke. The man groaned at the friction, and closed his eyes briefly before gazing into pleading emerald ones.

"This isn't the place for that," Severus said quietly, and Harry's heart fell. He cried out suddenly when Severus swept him off his feet, and flung his arms around the man's neck to steady himself as the thought of toppling backwards flew through his mind, but then he felt Severus draw him closer, holding him securely. Severus smiled gently when Harry drew back to look at him curiously. "I said this wasn't the place for that, Harry," he said softly. "I didn't say no."

A few minutes later, they had mounted the stairs, and entered a dark room. Harry looked at Severus curiously, but the man ignored him as he paused and flipped the switch that ignited the old oil lamps. Harry gasped when he saw that they were in an elegant bedroom that bore the same deep blue dressings the man had conjured the day that they had joined.

"Harry," Severus said, drawing his attention. "A-are you sure about this?" Severus' old insecurities were rising once again. He had no doubt that the man loved him after all, but couldn't understand why he would wish to be with a Squib.

"Yes, Severus," Harry reaffirmed. "I've wanted this for a long time."

Severus nodded, and moving to the bed, set Harry upon it gently. He started to draw away, but Harry pulled him back, and captured his mouth in a searing kiss. Severus moaned as Harry laid back, drawing him down atop him, and running his fingers back through his hair. "Merlin," Severus groaned when they broke for air. "It has been so long." Harry drew him back, and began kissing him in earnest.

They broke apart once more a few minutes later, panting heavily. Severus moved, and opened a drawer in the bedside table, pulling out a tube of lubricant. "Sev?" Harry asked as he watched the man open the tube and squeeze some clear liquid onto his fingers.

"Yes, Harry?" Severus asked when he noticed the uncertain look on the younger man's face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Harry murmured. "It's just… I don't want you to prepare me with anything else. I want to feel you inside me. I-it's been so long, Sev… please – nothing else."

Severus watched him for a moment, but nodded. He gazed into Harry's eyes as he moved his hand down between the younger man's legs, and gently slid his oil-slicked finger over his opening. Harry gasped at the contact, and arched his hips as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut, and bit his lip. Please, he thought. Don't let this be another dream!

"Harry?" Severus asked; his voice filled with concern.

"I'm all right," gasped Harry, opening his eyes as he willed himself to relax. "Please."

Following Harry's wishes, Severus withdrew his oil-slicked finger once he thought the younger man was ready for him. Harry opened his eyes, releasing a breath that he hadn't known he was holding, saw Severus disrobe and slick the head and shaft of his penis, and looked up at the man wantonly.

When he had finished, Severus gazed down into the cloudy emerald eyes that had haunted his dreams. He knelt on the bed between Harry's legs as the younger man drew them up, opening himself to allow him room to move. "Are you sure about this, Harry?" Severus asked wanting to allow him every opportunity to back out of something that he might regret later. "I don't want to hurt you… in any way."

Harry swallowed dryly, and nodded. He might be nervous, but he wasn't planning on backing down from something he had wanted for nearly four years – once more feeling the man he loved inside him. "I'm sure," he confirmed softly. "Please, Sev… I – I want this."

Severus nodded.

He took hold of Harry's wrists, and drew him gently into a sitting position. He reached out and caressed his face before drawing him closer for a slow, passionate kiss. He broke away a moment later, and pulled Harry onto his lap. "Are you sure that you don't want to be more prepared?"

"Yes," Harry answered over the lump in his throat.

Severus nodded his ascent and adjusted so that the head of his penis grazed Harry's opening. He felt Harry tense, and wrap his arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly.

"Its okay, Harry," Severus murmured, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "I don't wish to hurt you. Relax, and we'll go slowly."

Harry nodded against Severus' neck. "All right," he whispered, still clinging to the older man. He took a deep breath and willed his muscles to ease their tension. "I'm ready."

Severus shifted once more, making sure that he was in line with Harry's opening, and thrust gently. Harry gasped when his lover breached his body, and tightened his hold on the man as he squeezed his eyes shut against the painful intrusion.

"Harry?" Severus asked worry filling his voice. "Are you all right?"

"Yes!" Harry said through clenched teeth. "I'll be all right. Can you j-just give me a moment?"

"Okay, Harry," Severus said, and encircled the younger man in his arms, holding him protectively. He waited, his head bowed to Harry's shoulder, and his eyes closed, listening to Harry's breathing while it regulated once more.

"All right," Harry said a few moments later. "I'm ready."

Severus raised his head, and opened his eyes, drawing back to gaze in the younger man's, searching them. Harry swallowed dryly, and nodded. Severus released his hold on him, sliding his hands down to rest on Harry's hips before gently thrusting against him once more, working his way inside. Harry gasped once more, and Severus paused.

"No!" Harry cried out, his breath coming heavily once more. "Don't stop – please!"

Severus searched his eyes once more. "I don't want to hurt you, Harry," he murmured.

"Please," Harry begged, and wrapped his legs around Severus' waist. "Don't stop."

Severus nodded slowly, before pulling Harry closer and kissing away his tears of pain before capturing his lips as he thrust against him, easing his way into the tight heat of the younger man. His movements were slow and fluid, and he withdrew only slightly before thrusting inside once more, each time moving a little closer to his goal.

Their kisses were passionate, intended to distract Harry from the pain and discomfort, and they worked. In a matter of minutes, Severus seated himself fully within the younger man. He paused, waiting for Harry to get used to his full intrusion, but as he waited, a thought kept pestering him. Why is he so tight? He's married to Draco and has been for years… Why would my intrusion cause him pain? It is as though he were a virgin.

His musings drew to a halt however, when Harry signalled him that he was ready to continue, by rolling his hips. Severus reached up and withdrew the younger man's arms from around his neck, and pulled back slightly. "I know what you'll like," Severus murmured, and in his mind, Harry replayed their last encounter. To his surprise, however, Severus shifted on the bed to lie beneath him, and then laid back against the pillows, leaving Harry perched atop him.

"Sev?" Harry asked, looking bewildered.

"Shhh," Severus crooned, and placed his hands on Harry's hips, guiding him forward as he thrust his hips against him. Harry gasped at feeling Severus deeper than he had before, and moaned softly as his body went almost completely limp. "Like this, Harry," Severus murmured as he watched the younger man's eyes close, and his head lull. "You like that, don't you?" Harry merely moaned in response.

Severus smiled when he felt Harry take over the motions that he's been guiding him through, and allowed his hands to glide down and rest upon the man's thighs. "That's it, Harry," Severus whispered. "Just like that. Merlin, that feels good, doesn't it?"

"Yes!" Harry cried out breathlessly. "Gods, Sev. I'm so close! Touch me. Please – touch me!"

Severus complied by wrapping his hand around Harry's shaft and stroked him gently. Harry gasped at the sensations coursing through him at the feel of Severus' hand upon him, and began rolling his hips in earnest against Severus' thrusts.

"Oh, Merlin," Severus cried in his honeyed baritone.

"Yes," Harry whimpered, riding him in a feral manner. "So close, Sev. I'm so close."

"Let go, Harry," Severus urged. "Give it to me."

"Merlin, Sev," Harry said breathlessly, rocking against the man in wild abandon. "I want to. Come with me," he pleaded. "Come inside me, Sev. Please, come for me!"

Severus groaned as Harry's words pushed him over the edge, and his body began to tremble. Harry cried out once more as Severus' quivering member caressed his prostate; he followed Severus over the edge to release. He collapsed against the man's chest, both of them sweaty and breathing hard. It was a few moments before either found the strength to move.

When he managed to get his limbs under him, Harry raised himself up, and moaned as he felt Severus' shaft slowly easing from his body. A sense of emptiness came over him, combining with a sense of being complete once more, and he rolled to the side. Laying his head upon Severus' chest, he slid his leg over the older man's, and closed his eyes, sighing contentedly.

"Harry?" Severus asked, but received no immediate response. "Harry?"

"Shhh," was Harry's sleepy reply. "Just hold me, Sev. I'm not going anywhere. We can talk later." He yawned then gave another sigh of contentment after cuddling close to the man he loved.

"Goodnight, Harry," he heard the man whisper, and felt strong arms encircle him protectively. He tried to muster a response but he was fading quickly. He felt a soft touch on his brow as the man's cool lips ghosted over his skin before sleep finally claimed him.