Severus looked at Harry who had fainted and was not sure why he was all that surprised and he had to admit he could not really blame the boy either. He would have been shocked to as well to have that dumped on him. Severus was still reeling with the news after three months and he had known from the moment Harry had agreed to perform the ceremony. He admitted he was attracted to the young man, though Harry could definitely drive him up the wall. He was not sure he could imagine being married and sharing a home with Harry, he thought one of them might kill the other. But he was reminded that if they were not they would have to live with the fact if one died the other did including the fact if one got hit by a muggle car crossing the street, the other one would drop dead as well. He was willing to be wed and bonded, knowing it required consummation. Harry had sacrificed a portion of his magic core to save his lie and he would not allow Harry to face death because of that.
Harry slowly started to come around and when his eyes settled on Severus he saw questions there. He knew Harry was asking if this was some kind of joke or not. They had barely seen each other in over a year and when they had Severus had been usually taunting him in class. The last two times they had seen each other they had been saving each other's lives. They definitely did not have a traditional start to a relationship and he was not sure how they would co-exist.
Harry finally found the words. "How soon would we have to be wed?"
The elf smiled. "You have a year as I have said but the sooner would be better. Until you are bonded, you will still risk the threat it one should die, the other would."
Harry turned to look at him and there were a different question in his eyes this time. He could not make it out though, and some how the young man seemed to have learned better occulemency or he himself just did not have the heart to invade the young man's mind without his permission. He wondered for a moment if Harry would bond with him just long enough to find some way to of him. But he knew he was being silly, Harry had far too good a heart. Besides he would not have risked making an unknown pledge in those woods if he meant to kill him.
The elf seemed to know they needed some time to talk and made a comment of going to see the gardens Severus had out in the back. Severus thought about the home, wondering what married lie might mean. They had to consummate but he assumed Harry could move into one of other three bedrooms and they could go on. Neither could marry till the other died, which really was only a problem for Harry as Severus had no great desire to wed.
Severus looked at Harry. "I am willing, we do not have to be real husbands per say, and I would not let you risk your lie after the sacrifice you have made for me."
Harry shook his head. "I am gay; I don't deny the idea doesn't repulse me. But I have always imagined marriage for love. But I would rather neither of us die."
It was far from the proclamation of love or a bright out look on marriage but Severus could have expected no less. Harry was facing marriage with a man twenty years his senior who had made his life a living hell. Harry had been willing to save his life and in return giving up so much of his own. He had not been expecting Harry to suddenly fall in love with him and while he definitely could not deny he would not enjoy taking Harry to bed with him, he had been hoping for a slightly better reaction. He had been told by the elves there had to be some kind of connection between them for the spell to have worked. Perhaps Harry just needed time to feel that connection or perhaps it had been nothing but a feeling of needing to repay a debt which had made it possible on Harry's side.
Harry watched the man he knew was about to become his husband. He had wanted to marry and have kids one day, realizing this last year that he was gay. He had in fact shared his first kiss with Draco though he and Draco had become friends instead, Draco ending up with Blaise instead. Ginny had been hurt at first but they had remained friends. He had told himself after the war he would have time to date and find love. It seemed he had been wrong about that.
Harry looked at Severus. "I know this is your home but if we are meant to live together I ask it be at Grimmauld. I need to be there for my Dad and baby brother."
Severus grimaced a moment but nodded. "I and the wolf were once friends and the house has a potions lab. I take that as you will marry me."
Harry didn't answer verbally but nodded his head. The two o them had mixed emotions about this but they headed out for the garden. He assumed if they were living platonically they didn't have to actually live in the same home but if he was bonded for the rest of one of their lives with harry he assumed he should make some effort to get to know him and perhaps build some kind of relationship with him. He assumed living at Grimmauld could not be too bad and after what Harry had given up for him he could live with it. He could understand Harry needing to be close with Remus and the baby.
Elsor was pleased to learn they would bond. "I will perform it myself in a week. You will choose at least a witness a piece to be a part of your bonding of course."
When he was gone Severus turned to look at Harry but Harry seemed ready to go. "I assume I should go and tell my Dad at the least, not want to drop you on him,"
He felt like reminding Harry that he was the one who decided they should live with Remus and between the two of them, thanks to the Prince, Potter and Black estates they had several dozen options, but he held his tongue. Grimmauld was where Harry needed to be. He sighed and assumed he better go tell Lucius of his pending marriage for he would have to be his best man.