Hello Readers! Yes I update slowly, but I try to make it worth the wait. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Remember to review and give me your ideas for what you would like to read! I have no planned direction with this so I will try to include any idea that I think works. Enough waffle, on with the story;
Chapter 6 – The Aftermath
Harry dozed fitfully most of the morning; waking up sweaty and anxious and not in the least interested in getting out of bed. He repeatedly rolled over again pulling the covers back over his head. When he finally awoke with a start it was to the turning of the bedroom door handle.
"Morning." A voice greeted. Harry sighed in relief at seeing it was Snape.
"Come, the elves have bought us some lunch. I would like you to eat with me." Severus said firmly. Harry sighed again but dragged himself out of bed, dressed and obediently sat at the table.
"You were gone early this morning." Harry commented, picking at his bacon unenthusiastically.
"Mm." Severus grunted in reply through a mouthful of egg. "I had an errand to run." Harry hardly even heard Severus' response to his own weak attempt to make conversation. "I've informed your teachers that you are ill and will not be in attendance for the rest of the week." Severus continued. Harry looked up at this news, surprised. "I think you could use a few days of rest. I do however expect exemplary homework from you handed in to all your teachers on Monday." Severus smirked a little.
"Thankyou." Harry replied, a wave of relief crashing over him. I don't have to go back yet. Don't have to face Malfoy…
A swiftly-approaching brown blur in the left corner of Harry's eye incited him to turn his head and look. It was a brown speckled owl carrying a small, delicate letter addressed to: "Harry J Potter. Hogwarts." Harry thanked the owl, gave it a bit of bacon and set to the letter. The finely scribed letters read;
Harry,
I wanted to say how sorry I am for the night of the party. I didn't know what Lucius had planned… even if I had it wouldn't have mattered. I had no choice. He threatened my new husbands' life if I didn't do as he commanded. I just hope you may understand… and forgive me.
Truly sorry,
Lisa.
Severus leaned over to read the letter over Harrys' shoulder, concerned at the look on his husbands face. A thousand thoughts and memories began to erupt in Harrys' head, overwhelming him.
Fear… hands touching… her leading him… how could she? She knew! She must have! The nice side of Harry wanted to forgive her. How could he blame her? She was a child, married into a family of monsters. Hands pulling at his clothing… the cold breath on his neck… her voice insisting "no please you have to come now." But Harry was angry and hurting. He wanted to blame her. They could have waited for Severus! He would've saved Draco. But they would've been punished later…Lucius would have made her pay dearly for not obeying him. The voice in the back of his head argued.
While Harry sat with his fists clenched staring out the window and battling a thousand painful thoughts, Severus made him a fresh goblet of tea (with just a splash of calming draught…. Well… Okay, maybe a lot).
"Harry." He commanded firmly. They boy looked at him, his stoic features barely concealing the raw emotions underneath. "Open your hands." He placed his own hands over Harrys' until they unfurled and gripped his fingers.
Harry looked at his hands quizzically. They were strong and much larger than his own.The hands handed him a warm drink. "Drink it." Harry took a few minutes to figure out what the strange voice wanted. He felt so disconnected from everything…
Once Harry sipped the drink he felt a flood of warmth into his tense body. The minty freshness cleared his head some and the calming draught soothed his frazzled nerves. He sighed in relief then looked up at Snape. The man was searching him thoroughly with his eyes, clearly judging the effectiveness of his brew.
"Thankyou." Harry kept sipping and followed Severus to the couch.
"Did you sleep last night?"
"Not much," Harry admitted to his tea.
"I'm not surprised. There will be some dreamless sleep potion ready for you tonight. I'm afraid I didn't have all the ingredients this morning; thus the early morning shopping trip."
"Wow… that's really nice of you." I don't deserve this. Harry thought with a miserable frown.
"Taking care of my husband is not a duty I take lightly."
"Well… thank you." Harry mumbled. Still somewhat taken aback by the thoughtfulness. Odd man… sometimes he doesn't seem to care what I feel. Heck, he never used to at all. But now he seems to be trying to help… even if he is doing it by stuffing me full of potions. A potion masters solution to every problem. Harry almost giggled at this random thought. Severus caught Harrys' smirk.
"I'm sorry if I made the calming draught a bit strong… are you feeling… giddy?" He enquired seriously.
"No, its not too strong. I was just thinking about something…"
"Ah, I see." Severus crossed the room to the desk and grabbed both their reading books, handed Harry his one, then settled back onto the couch next to him.
Comfortable silence didn't come for Harry today; his slightly drugged mind kept drifting away from the pages and onto other thoughts again.
'The Ghost Cap. Potion ingredient. Also used in some class 5 spells. The poison of this mushroom is so potent…' "Finally I will try the great Harry Potter!" The voice hissed from Harrys' memories, causing him to shiver violently. Shutup, I'm reading. Harry insisted.
'Ground up finely, it can even be used in…' "I just want to be friends." the voice lied, he felt a wand prick his back. Harry rubbed his back quickly. Theres nothing there, you're being silly. He told himself firmly.
'Even with such a small amount you must be careful not to…' "I'll show you how a real man does things." the voice growled. Harry snapped his book shut and sighed, giving up on reading. Perhaps a nap? He snuggled his face into the couch and closed his eyes determinedly.
When Harry awoke, panting and sweating from a bad dream, he was alone… and evidently Severus had laid him on their bed while he was sleeping. Nice thing to do. He thought. For him taking care of his husband probably includes making sure he has good posture while sleeping. He smirked slightly to himself. The sky beyond his window was darkening – Severus must be finished with his classes by now.
Harry trudged into the bathroom; he felt like shit. He had caught up on some sleep today but, despite Snapes' efforts, his neck was stiff and he still felt tired and unhappy. I just need to get over it. He instructed himself firmly. Snape came and saved me… he got *him* off me, he didn't…he didn't manage to… get it in… Even as he lectured himself he felt filthy; a shower was definitely in order.
The scalding water soothed him slowly, calming the thoughts roaring in his head. He aimed his face into the spray, closing his eyes tightly. He stood there for a while feeling the vileness wash down the drain. A and suddenly gripped him firmly on the shoulder. Harry let out a yell, spun around, slipped and fell landing painfully on his wrist.
"Harry! Relax, its me. Sorry if I scared you." Snape. Thank god its just him… Harry let out a very relieved breath, trying to slow his panicking heart. He got to his feet, cradling his wrist. "Let me see." Snape ordered, pulling Harrys' arm towards him. He prodded it and twisted it a little, testing the response, then announced that Harry had a sprain. "It'll be fine in a few days, just don't fly too outrageously."
Harry nodded, not looking at him and swiftly grabbed his towel, and wrapped it around himself. Severus followed him slowly out of the bathroom and admired his form for a moment, before finally stating; "I think you should get on the bed."
"No." Harry said firmly. Anger flaring up in his veins.
"No?" Snapes' voice turned icy, making Harry inwardly shiver.
"I'm not your sex slave, you cant just use me whenever you please, it isn't fair." He argued with more conviction than he felt. Just the thought of being touched right now made him squeamish.
"Actually, Harry, I can." Snape walked slowly towards him, each movement so controlled that Harry could almost feel the anger radiating from him. "You are my husband now, you belong to me, body and soul." Harry backed away from him slowly until he hit the wall, once he had him pinned Snape slowly raised his hand and put it around Harrys' throat. "What did you think marriage was about Harry? Its an unbreakable vow between two people." Although firm, his grip did not inhibit his breathing. Harry froze in place, his heart thumping wildly, his anger had quickly faded into fear. "You made a promise Harry, to be mine in the bonds of marriage. In the wizarding world such things are not taken lightly. I am the older partner and as such, by wizarding law I am in charge. I have needs Harry, and as my faithful new husband you will see to them." He flipped Harry around and crushed him against the wall.
"I thought you understood already Harry, you've been so compliant until now. I know what Lucius did scared you, but he cant hurt you again. You are mine, and only mine, and I will protect you, and I will have you." His voice faded into a growl as he lifted Harrys' towel up to expose his buttocks, then lifted his own robes to free his eagerly awaiting erection.
Harry breathed deeply, trying to calm himself in his head. Okay this is going to happen whether you want it to or not. Don't make it harder on yourself, just let him have you. Its not that bad remember?
Severus bit the boys neck gently, pleased to feel the resistance leaving his young husbands body.
"Very good." He purred. "Too bad you weren't this cooperative from the beginning, now I have to punish you." It was a pity, Severus thought, he much preferred to treat his husband gently, but he couldn't let the young man think he could disobey him.
After quickly lubricating, he held the boys cheeks apart and pushed himself in hard. Sweet ecstasy! The boy gasped beneath him and tried to wriggle but Severus tightened his grip on his neck again. "Just relax." He ordered, starting to fuck him slowly but firmly.
Harry opened his legs wide to make it as easy as possible. Severus gave a very happy growl and nibbled his ear. "Very good…" He breathed. Pleased, he wrapped his arms tightly around is prize and half-carried him to the bed. Once there he directed the boy onto all fours in front of him, as he stood behind and began to thrust blissfully deep, gripping the slender hips firmly with his hands and pulling him close again and again. He groaned happily. Despite the dislike he had used to feel for the boy, he felt blessed that he was now able to fuck him. The pale, delicate skin… his clean innocence… It was delicious and refreshing every time. His personality was also generally agreeable. What more could he really hope to ask for in a husband? Yes….Harry was quite a lucky score. And he, Severus, was claiming him.
"See? It's not so bad to be mine. If you are good, you even get rewarded." Snape said softly, reaching down to cup his young husbands balls. The surprised gasp made Snape grin. I'll bet mine are the first hands to touch him there, besides his own. That thought reinforced his pleased smirk. He fondled him some more, stroking and rubbing gently in ways he knew his young pet would like.
Harry felt his emotions fading into nothing. Physical feeling: that's all there was now. He had never been touched before by another's hands before in such a gentle, purposeful way. His body went slack beneath the experienced hands. As Severus pushed himself in he stroked up the length with his hand, and on the way out he brought the hand back down to the base of the shaft, he repeated this movement again and again getting a swift, skilled rhythm between their bodies. All Harry knew was he needed more from that hand touching him… more…more….! he bucked into it again and again, and bucking back onto Snape at the same time. With some careful aiming on Snapes part every thrust hit Harrys prostate, sending him exploding wildly in his husbands hand. Snape came swiftly after him, the tightening muscles around his shaft milking him dry, then collapsed happily half on top of his prize.
They lay panting and trembling a while, Harry enjoying the blissful feeling of release he just experienced. Living in Gryffindor tower had had its disadvantages; touching himself there wasn't really an option. So he was only able to do so at Pivet Drive – while having to avoid the paranoid snooping of Aunt Petunia. You can imagine what a rare pleasure it was for Harry to be touched in such exquisite ways. This was an entirely new feeling from the hurried, semi-satisfying ultra-quick self releases he had had. He felt… spent, used, complete, and mostly just relaxed.
"Um… thankyou, for um..." Harry stammered. Snape grinned.
"You are welcome. I'm here to look after your needs too Harry." He nuzzled his husbands smooth neck then reluctantly stood up. "I must check my potion." They both cleaned themselves up, dressed, and headed for the living room. They were barely there a moment when a knock rang loudly on the door. Harry jumped visibly then blushed. Snape ignored him to spare him further embarrassment and opened the door, scowling deeply at the unexpected intrusion in his day.
"Professor Snape?" Asked the short plump wizard outside the door.
"Yes."
"Sorry to disturb you. Gertrude and I are from the ministry, Aurors, we have a few questions for you and your husband, if we may…?"
"Certainly." Snape admitted them and lead them to the table.
"You were in attendance with your husband at the Midcarde Manor party on Sunday evening?"
"Indeed" Snape replied.
"Did you see Mr Malfoy at the party?"
"Briefly."
"Did you speak?"
"Briefly."
"And what time did you leave?"
"Approximately 9.30 pm. Harry was ill so I took him home."
"I see. So you were home the rest of the evening?"
"Indeed." The auror looked rather perturbed at the continued lack of detailed response from Snape. Harry inwardly repressed a small chuckle.
"And I assume that your husband can vouch for your whereabouts…?"
"Severus was here with me." Harry confirmed immediately. The wizard simply nodded at his parchment.
"And what time did you leave for work in the morning?"
"My first class was at 1pm."
"I see. Going back to the party for a moment, do you remember Mr Malfoy speaking to anyone in particular that night? Having an argument perhaps?"
"He spoke to most of the guests, I would assume. I wasn't exactly watching him. But socialising is usually expected in such gatherings." His replies were so slow and cold they were clearly dripping with disdain.
"Mr Potter, did you see Mr Malfoy speak to anyone unusual at the party?"
"I hardly know him, I don't know who would be unusual for him to talk to." Harry replied earnestly.
"Well thank you for your time gentlemen, if you think of anything which could help us in our investigation please don't hesitate to owl or floo into the office."
"What exactly IS your investigation?" Severus sneered
"Mr Lucius Malfoy was found dead in his residence early this morning. We are simply making some routine enquires." The aurors packed away their quills and left, clearly unsettled by Snapes cold mannerism. Harry sat in a state of shock, thoughts pounding his brain. Lucius dead… how… I shouldn't feel so relieved… But I cant help thinking at least he cant hurt Draco or Lisa again… or me . He shuddered and Snape handed him another tea.
"It has a slow release dreamless sleep potion in it, very mild. Over the next two hours it will gradually make you more relaxed and sleepy. We'll have some dinner then you can go to bed once your ready." Harry took the tea with relief and sipped it – it tasty slightly bitter but with a refreshing and relaxing after taste. He decided he liked it.
They ate a quiet dinner, Snape complaining about a few of the imbecilic things students had done today. Harry got the feeling that this was Snape's way of making conversation – clearly not something he was overly skilled at. This thought didn't surprise him much. But Harry wasn't much better at idle rambling than he was, so they were well matched really. Harry spoke a lot more in his head than he did out loud – much to Ron and Hermione's annoyance. After dinner both men washed up and lay in bed reading until, Harry very quickly, and Severus not long after, they both fell into a relaxed sleep.