Disclaimer: Do I sound Brittish to you? No. Do I type like I'm a Brittish person? No. Am I blonde? No. So I cannot be J.K.

Beta: Shadowfax999, cuz she's amazing- you shoulda seen this chapter before she got to it -shudders- it was horrible. Oh- and any mistakes you might find are mine, as I added to it after she sent it back to me. :)

Title: The Ties That Bind

Summary/ Warning: Dom/ Sub, HGRW, PPBZ, RLSB, LVBL …and of course HPSS.

A/N: Bottom

Chapter 5: Testing the Demon

:Parseltongue:

"Conversational thoughts"

Private thoughts, memories

A half of an hour later found Harry walking towards Gryffindor Tower with a small smile on his face. He ignored the scolding he got from the Fat Lady- "What do you think you're doing, gallivanting about the school? You should be in the Tower already, young man"- to which he politely replied, "I'm sorry for causing you such trouble, but may I please enter?"

She blushed and stuttered at his tone, saying "Well, I suppose just this once, young man. If only because you were polite."

He thanked her profusely for her indulgence, and walked into the Common Room looking for Hermione.

She was sitting in front of the fireplace, reading a textbook across the way from Ron- a sight Harry was shocked to see of course- and he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her neck, planting a kiss on her temple. Hermione, once she got over the shock of some random person molesting her, looked up at him in concern and started firing questions.

"Where were you last night? How's the pain? Are you okay? Why are you smiling at me like that?" Immediately Hermione's eyes widened and she cast Muffilato around the two of them as she leaned forward and said, "No you didn't." Harry just nodded, and covered his ears as she squealed. "Oh, Merlin," she said when she got her breath back, "Well, how was it?"

Harry didn't answer her right away; instead he looked at Ron, who was calmly reading the Daily Prophet. "Why's he not freaking out about me manhandling you?" jerking his head at his friend.

Hermione said, "I told him, of course. He understands that this is something we can't share with anyone." Harry nodded, still gazing at Ron. The boy in question lifted his head to see what was going on and smiled a greeting at Harry. The black- haired boy nodded back, and waited until Ron was reading his paper again before turning to Hermione, who was staring at him, an intent expression marring her features.

"Twice." He said, wondering if she would figure it out. Never one to disappoint, she promptly caught on. Her eyes widened comically, and she let out a low whistle under her breath.

"Are you sure it was your first time? I barely stayed awake after the first one when I lost my virginity." Harry grinned slowly, remembering Severus' tactics to keep him awake.

"It was well worth staying awake for," he said, and added, "Don't let him know I told you, but he's a cuddler."

Hermione stared at her friend in shock. She had not expected him to actually go to Professor Snape, but it seemed that, despite all predictions to the contrary, he had... and enjoyed it too, apparently.

"Spill!" Hermione demanded, "Tell me everything." Harry laughed at her, but proceeded to give her the edited version of the night's events.

When he'd finished, they both sat back in silence, Hermione to contemplate what this would mean for her friend, Harry to listen to Severus.

Apparently, he had quite a lot to say. …oh fucking hell, doesn't she realize that the teachers need their weekends free?… What is wrong with her? Her and her bloody Masochistic tendencies, why doesn't she take a Snargaluff and swallow it… No, I do not have enough supplies to last me for the next two weeks, Albus you imbecile, or I wouldn't have asked… if Minerva doesn't shut up about Granger and her precious Gryffindors I swear will take Filch's Cane and…

Harry had to ask. "Is it always that bad in staff meetings?" he inquired curiously.

"No, actually Potter this is quite tame. Normally my proposed death threats are made quite verbal and well before this point."

Harry considered that. If the staff meetings were milder than normal, why was Severus still trapped in one? "Why are you still there if they're being so cooperative? Surely you could have finished by now." Severus' answer was strained.

"Albus has decided that we must deal with every issue that comes to light right now. And I'm tired," he complained jokingly in a sudden mood swing, "Apparently I was up all night."

Harry smirked to himself. "And this is my fault how?" He shivered as Severus' mental voice took on a husky timbre.

"Considering you managed to keep me up all night, I would say it is your entire fault."

Harry laughed out right at that, earning him a semi- curious glance from Hermione. He shook his head and mouthed "Later," and she nodded before going back to her thoughts. Oh hell, for all he knew, she could be having a conversation with Ron right now.

"Well, I didn't hear you complaining at the time," Harry retorted, and Severus snorted into his mind.

"I'd never complain about that. In fact, I might even invite you back tonight, if only to prove that you can keep me up all night."

Harry trembled as Severus' words washed over him, and he replied "Tell me when and I'm there."

"Oh, I'll tell you, alright. Eight o' clock, the snake will let you in."

"I'll be waiting." Harry ended the conversation, and looked up at Hermione.

She was grinning as she watched him, and when he raised his eyebrow, she said sweetly, "Nice weather we're having, isn't it? It makes one wonder why you were shivering just now." Harry stuck his tongue out at her, and they both laughed.

"So, who else found their mates?" Harry asked as they settled themselves on their chairs.

Hermione lifted her hand, and started ticking people off. "Neville and Draco, Pansy and Blaise, Seamus and Dean- shocking, I know- and you, and me and Ron," she paused to think. "Well that's just Gryffindor and Slytherin. Makes you wonder about the other Houses." Harry laughed at her.

"So, those are the ones who cemented the bond?" Hermione nodded a positive.

"Then the rest don't have mates, or what?" he asked her. She thought for a moment before answering.

"I think that if you don't find your partner the first time, you can still find them later on. But I would have to look it up to be sure."

"No, don't bother. It doesn't concern us, anyway. So, what are the symptoms?" Harry asked, and Hermione shuffled through the bag at her feet until she found a sheet of paper.

"I figured you were going to ask, so here's a list I made up." Harry perused it as Hermione spoke. "It should have everything on there- if it doesn't I'll add it on to my copy and it will transfer to yours." Harry nodded absently- he had gotten to the part listing what the Dominant in the relationship will do.

The Dom will feel the need to give their partner orgasms whenever the chance presents itself. The Dom will not necessarily feel the need to bring themselves to completion, as most Dom's are perfectly happy to serve their Sub's and neglect their own sexual needs in order to make sure their Sub is happy. The first week of the bonding will seem to be full of pointless sex, but it will in reality prepare the two partners to be with each other.

"Thanks Hermione." Harry waved the sheet slightly in her direction, and she inclined her head, "This has answered some of my questions already." She laughed.

"No problem, hon. I had some questions too. Don't be surprised if it turns out they were the same ones you had." Harry made as if to say something, but a half- heard thought from Severus caught his attention. …clueless hag, if she propositions me one more time, I'll hex her.

The demon in him that demanded that Harry protect Severus reared its ugly head and Harry's voice slid into Severus' mind like silk. "What was that, Severus? Who is bothering you?" Harry could barely contain the primal urge to go to his mate's side, or beat the crap out of the woman thinking about taking Severus from him.

The answer from Severus was immediate, as if he had sensed the rage coursing through Harry's innocent question. "It is nothing, Harry, it is harmless." Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say, because Harry was up and out of his chair, halfway out the portrait by the time Hermione realized he'd moved.

Cursing, she followed Harry, asking Ron with a look to be her back up, ignoring the looks they were getting from the rest of the Common Room. They both chased after Harry, finally catching him on the third floor, and pinned him to the wall.

"Whatever it is, unless it's Voldemort, let it go." Harry stared at Hermione expressionlessly as she tried to reason him out of the rage he was in. She knew how hard it was to think rationally when the possessive urge struck. "Think, Harry. Would he want you barging in there? You don't know, do you? Ask him."

Harry considered the other Dom's words. Perhaps she knew more than he did on this subject. He reopened his mind to Severus, and immediately heard the other man. "Harry? Potter, dammit, answer me!"

Harry slid into Severus' thoughts easily, and reassured his mate. "I am right here, there's no need to yell. I haven't done anything stupid... yet. What happened?"

Severus sighed in relief, and said, "Just look for it yourself. It will save time, anyway."

Harry reached into Severus mind gently, afraid to touch anything for fear of hurting his mate. He found the memory of what had happened, and watched.

Severus was sitting in his usual seat, looking as bored as he felt. Minerva and Poppy were fighting about the way the Hospital Wing was set up. He desperately wanted to go back to his rooms and fall asleep, but he had to stay here unless an emergency happened; which was, most unlikely.

Severus had perfected the art of appearing fully attentive while his mind wandered years ago. He used that handy skill now. He slipped into memories of last night, and allowed his body to relax slightly as he remembered the feel of Harry's lithe form beneath him, ready to be impaled and stretched and pounded by his cock.

The meeting went on around him, for no one really needed anything from him today, and he slipped further than usual in to the trance- like state he had placed his body in. The memories he had recalled were worth it. Until, of course, a hand landed on his leg, and he pulled himself out of his memories to see that Hooch had dared to think that just because he allowed himself to relax in one meeting she could take advantage of him.

"What exactly do you think you are doing?" He had asked in an emotionless voice, and the reply made him seethe.

"I wondered if you are free this afternoon, Severus. I was thinking that maybe we could pass the time together. You know, take a stroll about the grounds, clean air, fresh cut grass...I'll even let you blow my whistle." And then she batted her eyes in a freakish way as Severus stared at her.

Harry recognized this as the part where the thought he had caught happened, and his body flushed with rage.

Memory- Severus had stared at the presumptuous flying instructor, not noticing that the room had been deathly silent since he had questioned her. He picked up her hand from where it rested on his lap and had dropped it in disgust, saying quite clearly "I believe I have already rejected you once this week, Madame. Perhaps you should stop before Bulbadox Powder gets slipped into your morning tea." His icy voice had hidden the panic he felt when he couldn't get in touch with Harry. The woman in question had pouted, probably thinking that he was playing along with her.

"Come now, Sev. Just a walk around the lake? The grounds there are best for goal scoring…" her voice was teasing, as though amused by his reticence.

His nostrils had flared, and he had stood to look at the Headmaster. "If you have such little control over your staff, Headmaster, then I shall take my leave now. If I had wanted to get hit on by a decrepit old hag, I would have visited the Hog's Head." He moved towards the door, but stopped as he came next to Dumbledore. "If she touches me again, I assure you that she will be inflicted with an affliction not even St. Mungo's could cure."

He made no effort to lower his voice, keeping it devoid of emotion, and his biting words had Hooch slinking lower and lower into her seat. Severus left, and started looking for Harry.

Harry pulled out of his mate's memory, still livid as he told Severus where he was. He returned his attention to Hermione and Ron, and intoned carefully. "Please let me go." As they did, he glanced at Hermione and said tonelessly, "He is coming to get me. I don't care if you stay." Harry then turned to stare down the corridor as if he expected Severus to be coming around it now.

Hermione had a quick conversation with Ron, and he said "Later, mate" to Harry as he walked back to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione decided to wait with her friend. Not three minutes later Snape came around the corner and Harry, still burning with rage directed at Madame Hooch, snagged Severus as he came near and crushed his mate's mouth to his, needing to enforce his position as Severus' mate.

Hermione, though she had sighed in relief as Harry set about calming the demon loose inside him, stared wide-eyed at the scene in front of her. She knew intellectually that Harry had slept with their Potions Master, and had formed the Bond with him, but seeing it was another thing. Hermione watched with eyes as wide as Hedwig's, as Harry attached himself to the teacher, and froze.

Snape, their formidable and viciouslyfeared teacher, was pressed against the wall. His hands were gripping Harry's wrists, and Harry had both his hands clenched in the front of Severus' robes, attacking his mouth with a barely restrained fury that would be an aphrodisiac to the older man. Hermione knew from experience that their simple kiss could turn into a full session at any moment, so she backed away until she hit a portrait frame.

Turning to the shocked painted person inside it, she raised her hand to cup her mouth and whispered, "They're mates. The Subdo Revilio Potion brought them together. It would be awfully big of you if no one knew about this. Will you tell the others for me? Can you all keep it a secret?"

Hermione leant forward as the now- understanding person inside told her in a low voice "Jamie and Robert, over there in that frame-" Hermione nodded, she could just see that picture from her position- "That happened to them too. So don't fear, dear one, no one will learn anything from us." Hermione thanked the nice lady, learning that she was one Catharine Harcourt, and took one last look at her boys before she left.

The kiss was not violent now, but soft and sweet. Harry's hands had flattened on Snape's robes, and Snape had his hand in Harry's hair as his mouth was ravished gently, Harry still leading. Hermione turned back to Catharine, and asked "I don't want them to get caught, so once I'm gone, could you make a noise or something to bring them back to their senses?" the lady nodded, and Hermione thanked her, and left, asking Ron if he was in the mood for some action.

Harry felt nothing but rage as he waited for Severus, white- hot rage directed at his once favored instructor. He barely noticed when Ron left, and waited impatiently for Severus to get to him. The soothing presence in the back of his mind kept him calm for the moment, but he needed the real person.

His relief when his mate came around the corner unscathed and whole was intense. He forgot Hermione was waiting with him, forgot he was in a corridor with a lot of portraits in it, he just knew that he had to touch Severus, and he had to take him now.

Harry wasn't even aware he'd moved until his lips crushed Severus' a moment later, and his hands were full of his mate's robes. He felt Severus' patrician hands wrap around his wrists, but he didn't care, because he could feel Severus responding, could hear his mate's pleasure in the action. Harry wheeled them around so that Severus was pressed back against the wall, and angled his head for better access.

Harry released his frustration at not being able to avenge his mate by plundering his mouth, stroking Severus' tongue with his own, finding the extra sensitive areas and caressing them. Severus moaned in the back of his throat, sending delicious vibrations through Harry's body.

Harry slowed the kiss now that he was a bit appeased; making it gentle, slower and less frantic. He slid his tongue around Severus' mouth, exploring everywhere, and his hands splayed across Severus' chest, feeling the hard lines of muscle as they moved beneath his hands. He concentrated on pleasuring his mate now, the monster within him calming yet began yearning for him.

Severus slid one hand under Harry's sweater and rested it on the younger man's wash board abs, and grabbed a fistful of Harry's hair in his other. Harry pressed against Severus in need and made the kiss tantalizingly slower, thrusting his tongue in and out of his mate's mouth seductively, vaguely acknowledging the need for Severus, inside him now.

Instinctively he knew that Severus wanted the same, not caring that in any other circumstances the Potions Master would be checking their systems for illegal aphrodisiacs, or even the evidence of an Imperious.

A loud noise that sounded suspiciously like glass breaking jolted them apart, and Harry glanced around in concern, looking for the culprit. A handsome couple in a portrait a few feet away drew his attention, and he caught Severus' hand as his curiosity got the better of him and the two lovers went over to them.

"Hello," Harry said cautiously, "Do you know what that noise was?" The standing man smirked while the man who was sitting in the chair behind him covered his eyes, and pointed to the bottom of his portrait.

A shattered vase rested there, and Snape merely cocked an eyebrow at the man and asked

"Why would you shatter such a lovely vase?" Harry was standing in front of Severus, in a stance vaguely reminiscent of protection, and he placed his hand on his mate's shoulder in acknowledgment. The boy probably didn't even realize that he had taken a protective position.

The man said, "I'm Jamie, and he's Robert. Catharine asked us to make a distraction so you two could join us here in the real world."

He laughed wildly, and Robert only sighed as he came to the front of the picture as Harry and Severus nodded to the woman who had waved when 'Catharine' was mentioned, and said "I apologize for him. We've been very bored recently, and he's taking it a little too hard." They all gazed at the quietly cackling Jamie, and went back to their conversation.

"Catharine said a nice young lady told her you are mates. Is that correct?" Harry nodded slightly, and Robert immediately guessed the reason for his curt answer. "Oh, no, dear boy. I'm not going to say anything to anyone about that. No, gracious no. I only wanted to make sure before I told you that Jamie and I are mates-"

"My condolences," Severus intoned in a low voice as he interrupted, watching Jamie out of the corner of his eye. Robert sighed, and shrugged.

"Thank you," he replied in a long-suffering tone, "As I was saying, though, if you ever need advice on this whole business, or even an understanding ear to use, we'll be here waiting for you. Never hesitate to seek us out." Severus nodded, grateful for the offer. It was hard enough wanting the brat every second of the day- and this was only the first day- but learning to be able to function normally with such a spectacular distraction would be difficult.

Harry frowned up at him. "I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, Severus."

The normally dour man chuckled, and said "Consider my choice of words carefully, Harry."

Harry thought back, and his eyes widened as he caught it. "My, aren't we feeling amorous. 'It was hard enough' indeed, though I bet I can make it harder." Harry smiled as Severus' eyes glazed. I think I'm getting used to this mate thing, he thought, and smiled as Robert laughed at them, knowing full well what they were doing.

"Go, go. I've taken up more than enough of your time. Have a good day, fellows." Jamie stopped his antics long enough to wave bye, and Harry and Severus went out the way Harry had entered.

"What are you doing for the rest of the day?" Harry asked as they walked out of the odd little corridor.

"I should probably go apologize to Albus for my little display of temper, which he will probably blame on himself, at which point I will complain of a migraine and request the solitude of my rooms for the rest of the day." Severus smirked as he saw the wheels turning in his little Gryffindor's head. "You may be able to arrive significantly before eight if I manage to guilt trip the Headmaster correctly."

"Guilt trip him into the next century, if that's what will happen." They came to the corner where they had to part ways for now, and glanced around carefully before continuing their conversation. "Just tell me when you want me, and I'll get there as fast as I can." Severus nodded, and pulled on his 'Professor Face', as Harry was starting to call it, and headed immediately towards the Headmasters office.

Harry chuckled as he listened to Severus plotting his guilt trip, and headed for the Quidditch Pitch. Maybe he could make life interesting for Madame Hooch and have an 'accident' with the case as he looked for a Snitch to play with and accidentally let the bludgers free and set on 'high'. He snickered. That would be fun.

...um...hi?... sorry it's late, but I forgot that yesterday was Memorial Day, and that I wouldn't have access to a computer until midnight, and by then I was too tired to post. Sorry- but it's here now, and I hope you all like it.

As an apology, though, I've typed a short one-shot Snarry for you since I was late with this... I hope you like that too, it's entitled "Thunder and Lightning".

Bye,

Netrixie