Chapter 15:

Free At Last:

"Ahhh," Harry sighed as he flopped back on the leather sofa in Severus' old chambers. Minerva had given them permission to occupy the rooms while they were at Hogwarts, Severus not wanting to return to his manor until Harry was all right. Today's trip from the infirmary to their chambers had been Harry's longest yet. He'd never admit it aloud and Severus knew it, but he was still quite weak.

Harry had gone stir crazy after waking, and finally, after two full days of hearing him rant, Poppy reluctantly released him, ordering Severus to look after him in her stead, not that the man minded much, though he put on a show of it. Harry had gotten stronger over those two days, eating plenty at every meal and walking around his room a little more each day. Poppy noticed it was never one trip, but six or seven through out the day and never without Severus by his side, even if the man wasn't assisting him, he was there in case he was needed.

Severus sat down at the end of the couch, drawing one leg up as he twisted his position and propped his chin in his hand, his elbow on the sofa as he looked at his lover with guarded concern as they sat before a roaring fire. Harry sighed once more, closing his eyes. "I'm fine, Sev," he said, not opening his eyes though he felt his lover's gaze upon him.

"Are you sure?" Severus asked quietly. He wasn't used to this; this was not swooping in to save Harry's life, and plucking him from danger, but this was new to him and he felt so bloody helpless. God, he thought, rolling his eyes. I sound like some damned knight in shining armour.

"Yes," Harry answered, drawing his attention and he noticed the young man still hadn't opened his eyes. He shifted tiredly, allowed his body to slip down and laid his head in Severus' lap, twisting his body to put his feet on the sofa. "I'm pregnant, Sev, I'm not made of glass," he said, opening his eyes slowly as he looked up at the man. "I'm not going to break."

Severus arched an ebony brow at this as he began to run his fingers though his lover's hair. "Then why is it you're acting like it?"

Harry exhaled softly, relishing the feel of Severus' touch. He was still angry with Remus and had not seen him since he woke up and they had their fight two days ago. He couldn't say he regretted it at the moment, after all, the man had tried to have his lover arrested, not to mention forcing him to admit his intentions and it was not really how he'd wished to tell Severus how he felt.

Ron and Hermione had come to visit him yesterday while he sent Severus off to get some rest and spend time with their daughter, assuring him that he was fine. Harry hadn't told Severus what they'd talked about; he was waiting for the right moment, but it was starting to look like the right time didn't exist.

"I just feel safe," Harry softly answered as he gazed up into the fathomless onyx gems of his lover's eyes. He'd noticed when he woke for the first time three days ago, that they carried a warmth that he could not recall seeing before, even when they'd first come together. "I don't feel like I have to be on my guard any more."

"I suppose that's a good thing," Severus said as he carded his fingers through Harry's dark locks, staring down at him. "You deserve it."

"Sev," Harry said quietly, shifting slightly.

"Yes, Harry?" Severus asked, arching an ebony brow curiously. Harry shifted uncomfortably, and Severus noted that he grew tense and looked nervous.

"I, um," Harry said swallowing dryly, lowering his eyes a moment. "Well, Ron and Hermione came by yesterday…"

"Yes," Severus drawled, beginning to feel uneasy. "I remember."

"Well, um," Harry said, his gaze flitting back to his lover. "They're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow and – I want to go," he finished quietly, lowering his eyes once more.

Severus relaxed slightly, but remained silent a moment. It hadn't been what his paranoia had led him to believe. He still couldn't seem to wrap his mind around the fact that Harry wanted to be with him and part of him simply screamed that Harry had told Lupin that he was his chosen mate merely to help prevent the man from separating him and Abbey. He was still a Squib after all, and Harry was currently the most powerful wizard in the world.

Harry shifted in his lap, looking up at him curiously, his neck at an odd angle. "Sev?"

Severus shook his head, banishing the unwanted thoughts from his mind and sighed quietly. "It's nothing," he said quietly. "But, Harry… do you really think a trip to Diagon Alley is such a good idea? You just got out of the infirmary after all, and had enough trouble getting down here."

Harry scowled. "I haven't seen either of them in years! Hell, I imprisoned myself with that fucker the whole time; don't I deserve to see my friends?"

Severus frowned. He'd not expected the young man to take it that way. "All right," he said, sighing. "We can go with them if you want."

Harry blinked. He had not anticipated his lover to resign himself on the subject so easily, nor had he thought that he would agree to accompany him. This was not what he wanted. "Erm," he murmured, looking away. "I – I really wanted to go alone, Sev."

"Oh," Severus intoned, looking away to stare at the flames as he stilled his hand. "I see. Well, you're a grown man, Harry. I can't stop you."

Harry closed his eyes in frustration. That had not gone over well. "Severus?" Harry pleaded, sitting up and turning to the man. "I'll be fine, really. I'm not going to be alone and I thought it would give you a chance to spend some time with Abbey. You haven't left my bedside, I know, and all the while, she's been off exploring with Dobby. Poppy told me yesterday."

Severus nodded, turning his gaze back to his lover. It seemed Harry was thinking about him when the idea of this excursion blossomed. He really hadn't had a chance to spend time with the girl – his daughter – and he did so loathe the crowds. Perhaps it would be possible after all. His gaze travelled to a doorway off to the left, not all that far from the fireplace. It was a new chamber; Minerva had Dobby come in and transfigure it for Abbey once Poppy had released Harry. Both she and Severus had slept in the private room that he had stayed in when he was still in the infirmary.

"All right," he said finally, looking back to meet Harry's eyes. He rose and extended a hand to the young man. "Shall we check on her before we retire? It is getting rather late and it sounds as though you'll have a big day tomorrow, as will I."

Harry nodded with a grin. "Just a quick peek," he said taking Severus' hand and was drawn to his feet. He slid his hands up over his lover's chest, purring softly. "Bed sounds wonderful."

They walked over to the new doorway and peered in to see Abbey sleeping peacefully. Harry had been concerned about her reaction to the separation from Draco, even though she seemed to be all right and wondered if she would have trouble sleeping, especially in a new place.

"Thank you, Merlin," Harry murmured as he watched Abbey sleeping.

"For what?" Severus whispered huskily in his ear as he wrapped his arms around him from behind and smiled when he saw a shiver course down his lover's spine.

"Mmm," Harry moaned softly as he relaxed in the man's arms. "For giving me Abbey, bringing the man I love back from the grave, for giving us both a chance at life – together, and for giving us a child to raise together." Harry gasped in surprise as Severus swept him up off his feet and carried him to bed.

Once in their bedroom, Severus lowered Harry to his feet once more and gazed into his eyes as he started to undress him. Starting with his shirt, Severus slowly kissed his way down his lover's body as he undid the buttons with each section of soft, golden skin he revealed.

"God, Harry," Severus groaned between kisses as his lover arched into him. "You're beautiful." Harry moaned as Severus moved down his body, placing soft kisses interspersed with an occasional lick. Severus slid his hands up the contours of Harry's chest once all the buttons on his shirt were completely undone and pushed it from his shoulders to pool at his feet before falling to his knees and beginning to unfasten his trousers.

Harry moaned once more and closed his eyes, relishing in the attention Severus was giving him. He lowered his head and opened his eyes, smoky with desire, and breathed through slightly parted lips, his breath already coming in soft, shallow gasps. "Merlin, Sev," he whispered. "I need you."

Severus paused, blinking in surprise a moment later, when Harry's words registered in his foggy brain. Need, he thought in disbelief. Heneeds me… Severus blinked again and looked up to see the smoky emeralds of his lover gazing down at him.

"Harry, I –," Severus started, but broke off, swallowing over a lump that formed in his throat. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Please, Sev," Harry whispered, kneeling down before the man and reaching out to caress his face. He watched as his lover closed his eyes, relishing in his touch. "I need you."

Severus opened his eyes and stared in to the still smoky emeralds looking back at him. Then before he could stop himself, he returned the gesture, drawing Harry closer and kissed him hungrily.

Harry whimpered, wrapping his arms around the man's neck, moving flush against him. He arched his hips, rolling into his lover, causing him to groan, feeling his hands slide down to grip his hips. "Harry," Severus gasped, breaking their kiss. "This really isn't such a good idea." He saw Harry's face fall, lowering his head in rejection and hurried to explain. "It isn't that I don't want to… Merlin knows I do, but tomorrow is a big day for you, for me, too, and you should rest. Perhaps," he murmured silkily, drawing his lover's attention and arching his brow. "Something not so exhausting?"

Harry smiled and closed his eyes as he kissed him chastely. He sighed softly before slowly opening them once more. "I don't care," he said breathlessly. "So long as I'm with you."

Severus kissed him once again and then held out his hand. Harry took it, and Severus helped steady him as he rose once more. Then Severus continued to undress him. Once his lover stood before him unattired, he rose to his feet and lifted the young man in his arms, laying him gently on the bed before he also began to disrobe in a slow, seductive fashion, holding his lover's emerald gaze.

Joining him on the bed, they made love by mere touch, relishing in the feel and taste of each other, quickly drawing their completion before falling asleep in each other's arms.