Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks for all the reviews. Alright, now I have a small contest. The one who is the 100th reviewer will win a hug from Severus, or Harry, depends upon your choice. So review, review, review people. Did I happen to tell you all how much I appreciate your reviews? Well I do so thank you so much for all the feedback. The wedding is finally here, so let's begin. I will try to stick to O.C as much as possible but no promises.
Harry Potter had known many depressing days in his life. Days when his life had taken a turn for the worst. There was the day when he saw Voldemort return when he was 14, the day his godfather died when he was 15 and the day he saw Dumbledore being murdered by the man he was going to marry today at the age of 16. Now, at the age of 17 he would marry Severus Snape, today, the person who had murdered Professor Dumbledore.
He glanced in the mirror at his own reflection. This was going to be one of the worst days of his life, he already knew it. Normally a wedding day was supposed to be bliss, but not for him, and why would it be?
He was going to marry his least favourite teacher, the man he had hated half his life, who had hated him for looking like his father and probably for having the eyes of his mother. Well, he was most likely hating Harry now for just being the man who had managed to link their magic together and thus saving him from an untimely death, but like he had stated before, linking their magic together and making sure that they would never be separated again. Though that wasn't really his fault, he could blame the Headmistress for that, it did not help.
Oh and yeah, let's not forget, he also hates you because you are a virgin. Not like it is going to last long anyway…
The green eyes in the mirror were not quite like his own, Harry mused. They looked older and uncertain, Harry knew. In the past few days he had tried to stay away from Snape as much as possible while he was sharing quarters with the man. Unfortunately the quarters weren't so large to begin with, at least not to spend nearly six days without seeing each other.
He might be able to hide out in the library for a day as he had done after he had come back from that meeting with his friends. Their reactions still stung very much and Harry wondered if they would be there for the wedding.
He felt as he had done after Sirius had died. He didn't know what to feel anymore, like it didn't matter. He couldn't wrap his mind around it but he knew that Lupin and Tonks had already been buried, and yet nobody had asked if Harry had wanted to be present. It was as if they didn't care what he thought, like he was being punished for linking his magic with Snape, doing something that they didn't want or expected him to do.
It wasn't as if being linked by magic to Snape wasn't bad enough, or having to marry the wizard who he had hated and who hated him with an equal passion…
Well, at least Snape is passionate about something…
Harry shook his head; it would do him no good to dwell on things that couldn't be changed. He would marry Snape and he would have to grin and bear it because, really, who cared about Harry Potter anyway…
Hp
Severus paced his sitting room for a second time in the span of 5 minutes. He checked his pocket watch, about the only useful thing his father had ever given him, and then glanced at the still closed bathroom door. If Potter didn't hurry, they would be late and hell be damned if Severus was going to be late for his own wedding, brat or no brat.
That particular thought sent Severus thinking about Potter again. The boy was behaving as he had done when Black had died. The same emptiness in the emerald green eyes, the same carefully blank expression, the flinching when somebody spoke to him, not that they spoke much anyway, the hiding and staying away from Severus.
He had seen it all and, truth be told, it had frightened him. It had begun when Potter had learned that the funeral for that feral werewolf had already been held. Since then he had begun avoiding Severus' company, not that they had been in the same room many times before of course.
But it wasn't strange now if Potter spent the whole day in the library, not reading because Severus checked the library plenty of times to make sure. He just sat in the room, staring at the fire for hours without end.
Severus closed his eyes, now, once again he would sign his life away, to spend it at Potter's side or in Azkaban, it didn't matter much either way. But if only Potter would respond normally it would make Severus' life so much easier…
Hp
Harry eased open the door, nearly closing it again when he saw Snape standing there. He wasn't ready to face the man and to go to the Ministry to get married. He closed the door, resting his forehead against the wood for a moment, trying to gather his strength and courage.
Gryffindors are brave and I am a Gryffindor…
He took a deep breath and opened the door again. Snape's face was blank, except for the raised eyebrow as the older wizard drawled, "Afraid of me, Potter?"
Annoyance flashed briefly through Harry and he said. "No! Never that…sir."
Something was pulling at the thin lips and if Harry hadn't known better, he would have said it was amusement. The older wizard tugged at his stiff collar as if it was choking him, with the bandages Harry could imagine it would, and then his hand drifted to his wand.
Harry fingered his own wand, in the past few days his magic had come back a little. He still couldn't do any hard spells but a simple spell didn't make him fall over anymore. It was better, but at this rate it would take months to recover.
Hermione would probably be able to calculate just how much, but Harry hadn't been in touch with them. He swallowed again; perhaps they would be there for the wedding. He hoped so, he needed somebody familiar there, somebody who was there for him.
"Well, done packing, Potter?" The dark voice drifted hoarsely through Harry's thoughts and the messy head snapped up.
"Packing?" Harry echoed dimly. He was drawing a blank; he had no idea what Snape was talking about.
This time annoyances flittered so quickly through the pale face that Harry took a step back. The dark eyes narrowed and then Snape snapped, his patience already running out. "Yes, packing, you dumb child. It is what people do when they are leaving one place and going to the next…"
"We are leaving?" Harry couldn't help himself and then Snape's face suddenly appeared closed as the older wizard softly said his voice dangerously low and silky.
"You do know that we are leaving, don't you, Potter?"
Harry could only shake his head mutely and then Snape turned so swiftly that his robes swirled and swished as the Potions Master snapped, "Damn her, she had 6 days to tell you and still…"
Snape growled, a low feral growl, and Harry took a step back as he felt Snape's magic beginning to rise. Since a few days before both his and Snape's magic had been bursting forth when they were angry about something or had strong emotions. The older wizard had his magic under control quickly, though beads of sweat ran down the sallow face as Snape turned to face Harry again.
"We, Mister Potter, will be staying at Spinner's End." At Harry's curious look, he added. "…my parental home." The disgust in Snape's voice was evident and Harry remembered with startling clarity the memories he had seen of the child that Snape had been when he had met Lily.
He also suddenly remembered their occlumency lessons in his fifth year, where he had once managed to break into Snape's mind and had seen two people shouting at each other, with a child crouching in the corner, trying to remain hidden from sight.
For Snape to have to return to Spinner's End, after all these years, would be, for Harry, as if he was forced to return to the Dursley's. The memories of that place would be overwhelming and Harry wondered strangely why Snape hadn't bought another house to make his home.
But one look at the furious face of the other wizard and Harry only nodded dully. He looked about the room. It looked empty, not that it had looked full before, but everything was packed and Harry wondered if they would ever be returning here…
"Potter, I am sure the house elves can pack. We don't have the time now or else we are going to be late at the Ministry appointment. Come on, now, let's go." Snape seemed impatient and unsure of how to address Harry.
The younger wizard frowned. "Everything is still in my trunk. I didn't unpack anything…."
The dark long head snapped up and Snape sneered after a moment. "Good enough then. It will make it easier on the house elf, I am sure. Now a few basic rules…"
"Rules?" Harry's head shot up so fast that he was dizzy for a moment. There were even rules to a marriage to Snape? He immediately ducked his head when he caught the look on Snape's face. He had finally hoped to be free of any rules or expectations but it seemed he had been wrong. Never could he be himself…
"Yes, Potter, rules. You know the things that you always insist on breaking," Snape snarled sharply. Harry flinched and quickly nodded at the rug on the stone floor. He could hear the older wizard take a deep breath, and knew he was probably pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Potter, look up! This marriage is a secret except for a select few. We will go to the ministry through the floo where we will be awaited by the Headmistress and Madam Pomfrey who will be our witnesses. We will take vows each, standard marriage vows, I am sure and then we will both sign our names. Since you are of age, it will bind you to me and I to you. I don't think that a magical vow will be necessary but I am not entirely sure. You must understand that this wedding will be binding until we nullify this marriage or if one of us dies. I don't know what will be in the marriage contract, but I suggest that you read it before signing anything."
"Who will be the ceremony master?" Harry wasn't sure what entitled a proper wizarding marriage, he had only been to Bill and Fleur's and he could barely remember it. He had only had eyes for Ginny that day.
That particular thought and the vivid image of her in his head shot a lump the size of a small rock into his throat. All he had ever wanted when he defeated Voldemort was that he would have another chance with Ginny, a chance to be normal.
Yet when he looked upon the harsh tall wizard before him, he realized that Snape would never allow him to go back to Ginny. If there was any chance for the older wizard to stay out of Azkaban, it would be through a marriage to the Saviour of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter.
Snape ignored the question and paced towards the couch, sitting down, dark eyes boring into Harry's green ones and then, in his soft voice which Harry remembered from the classroom, said, "Now a few expectations to make this as pleasant as possible for the both of us …"
Harry felt his skin beginning to prickle and a ball of ice had suddenly dropped into his stomach, as he sat down opposite Snape. He would not like what he was going to hear. His throat had suddenly gone dry and the keen black eyes focused upon his face before Snape continued in a business like tone.
"As a married couple there are certain expectations that we will have to live up to. Such as sharing a bed, not quarrelling in public, pretending that we get along, there is no need for displays of affection in public. I will be forced to attend certain events as your bond mate. You will be forced to be supportive of me and I of you."
An idea suddenly struck Harry. It was like the Malfoy's. Even when Lucius Malfoy had been sent to Azkaban, his wife still had to uphold certain customs. It was like holding up a certain scene. Out loud he said, "Like the Malfoy's…"
The pale face snapped back to his own and the thin lips curled into the resemblance of a smile. "Very good, Potter. Like the Malfoy's indeed. There is no better example than that. Now, a few expectations of my own…or more what I want from you…"
Harry could only stare wide eyed at Snape. The older wizard was clearly savouring the moment, drawing out the next words with glee and Harry feared the worst. What would Snape do to him to punish him for linking their magic together?
Would he send Harry away and only come and get him at his convenience. But then the older wizard sighed and said, "You are in a position of power here, Potter. I am a former death eater who has murdered Albus Dumbledore. You are the Saviour of the Wizarding World and therefore everybody's pet…"
"I don't want to be everybody's favourite pet!" Harry bit out sharply. He was tired of having to be put on display for everybody to see without any regards for his feelings.
"Then you shouldn't have done this! You could have gone home to the Weasley chit and married her and sired a bunch of children, which I am sure would have made you exceptionally happy, Potter!" Snape snapped at him, teeth bared and Harry shrank back, surprised.
The older wizard took a deep breath and then, in a forcibly calm, dangerously soft voice, said, "I expect fidelity from you, Potter! There will be no lovers on the side. If you have condemned me to this then you will suffer as well! I don't care if you fall in love or with who but you will remember that I am going to be your husband and I demand fidelity…"
A horrible thought suddenly occurred to Harry. That of him, when he was older, that Snape would force him to make love to the older wizard, time and time again, taunting him with love, something he couldn't have. Because Snape couldn't have love, neither could Harry.
"You said you would not force yourself upon me," He choked out, realizing a heartbeat later that it was the wrong thing to say when Snape was up on his feet and roughly shaking him.
Severus' eyes narrowed dangerously and magic crackled through the air between them, as he hissed out, "I said I am not the kind of man to force myself upon anybody, Potter! I may be many things but I am not a molester or a rapist! Do not take me for those things, boy, for you have no idea of the damage I can inflict upon you, as if you aren't damaged enough already!"
Tears prickled at the corner of his eyes and Harry closed them tightly. Fear gripped him, a primal fear, and the same fear that had kept him from opening his mouth whenever Uncle Vernon spoke to him. He went slack in Snape's grip, choking out, "I didn't want any of this…"
He wasn't only speaking of the linking of magic or the forced marriage between them, but all the more about everything else. The fame he had found, the people he had lost, what had been his fault and everything else.
Snape moved away from him, speaking in a disgusted voice. "Get a grip, child! You are pathetic!"
The older wizard's words were like a whip that stung Harry, but he knew he shouldn't expect anything else. He had always been alone, always had to go through his pain and grief alone, why would it be any different now that he was going to be married.
Snape slammed his hands down upon the desk, his magic still swirling about his body and breathing heavily. Harry opened his eyes when no blow came. Snape was standing at the desk with his back to Harry. He could hear the heavy breathing, but then Snape spoke in such a soft voice that Harry had trouble hearing it. "And another thing. When in public, it is custom for married couples to address each other by their first name…"
Harry twisted his sweater in his hands, wondering what else to say. It would be strange to view his Professor as having a first name. He knew what the older wizard was called but the word would surely taste strange on his tongue, and he wasn't sure if he was comfortable with the closeness.
An idea suddenly occurred to him. If Snape could make demands of their marriage, then could Harry do the same? It might not hurt to ask…
"Professor?" The dark head turned to his direction, eyes locked with his own, daring him to continue and Harry swallowed thickly, trying to gather his courage before he said, "If you have expectations of this marriage, does that mean I can make them too?"
Something horrible suddenly flashed over Snape's face and Harry took a step back. But then the wounded Potion Master sighed wearily and said, "You may, Potter…Harry…."
Harry could see the balled up fist and he could feel the tension coming from Snape as the older wizard wondered of course what Harry could possibly demand from him now, after everything Harry had put him through. Pity stirred inside and then Harry said with a soft voice, "I expect the same thing as you expect, uhm."
"Severus," The older wizard offered quietly.
"I expect fidelity," Harry finally concluded. He could see the tension drain from the shoulders and then Snape turned to him and nodded.
"Then we are in agreement." The older wizard held out his hand and Harry took a step closer, a smile pulling at his lips. He shook the slender hand and suddenly something occurred to him, perhaps if Snape could show this side more often and Harry could go the extra mile, then perhaps this marriage wouldn't be so bad.
Hp
Using the floo, even after seven years in the wizarding world, was a method of transportation that Harry didn't favour and it probably wasn't going to be something he would ever be good at. He thought this as he stumbled out of the fireplace and onto the carpet of the Ministry Office for Magical Marriages.
He looked around. Other than Professor McGonagall, who was wearing the ugly tartan dress again and Madam Pomfrey, dressed in white robes and smiling at Harry, there was only a tiny bald old wizard.
The bald wizard beamed at Harry, reminding him strangely enough of Flitwick, the Charms Professor at Hogwarts. Harry smiled back, uncertain, before he heard the floo call and Snape stepped gracefully out of the fireplace.
"Good gracious, Severus, what on earth have you done to Harry?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly, frowning at the older wizard who limped slightly, his face a bit grey.
"What on earth are you babbling about, woman? Potter is fine," He snapped in her direction without turning around.
"He looks pale and he appears to have been crying, or at least on the verge of it," She answered, a bit ruffled. Snape turned towards her, eyebrows raised as his gaze fell upon Harry, who tried unsuccessfully to hide his annoyance. He was virtually powerless, his magic nearly depleted, and bound to a wizard who was wounded, and he was supposed to marry somebody who didn't care about him. How was he supposed to look?
"Honestly, woman, what kind of happy picture were you imagining? I am here to marry Potter, not fix him up for a date." The snaky comment and the raised eyebrows made Harry choke on laughter. The dark eyes flew to his own and Snape frowned at him as the older wizard hissed, "What is so funny, Potter?"
"Oh, nothing sir, you just don't strike me as the dating type." Harry knew it was dangerous to answer the older wizard cheekily, but then the Potion Master snarled, at which Harry sobered immediately.
"Yet here I am getting married, imagine my surprise…"
The door suddenly flew open before Snape could finish the statement and a breathless Ron and Hermione hurried inside as the ginger haired male huffed out, "Are we still on time? Harry Potter is still Harry Potter…."
"You are on time, Mister Weasley, though perhaps cutting it a bit close," Professor McGonagall spoke in the same stern manner that Harry remembered from the classroom, but his heart had suddenly expanded ten fold. His friends were here; his two best friends were here for his marriage…
"But Harry will soon be named Potter Snape and Severus…"
"Absolutely not!" The wizard in question suddenly roared, his black eyes wide and furious and Harry, who had went to greet Ron and Hermione, looked around startled.
Madam Pomfrey had Snape's arm in a bruising grip but the older wizard didn't seem to realize it as his magic twirled around him. Harry could feel his own magic responding, agitated and he took a quick step away from Ron and Hermione. He knew that his magic in such a state could hurt people.
"Severus, calm yourself! This is not good for you! Your magic is already out of control and these strong emotions will have you blowing a fuse. You knew that this was going to happen. You will be known as Snape Potter and you will share a room, a bed, your life, magic and your money with Harry, as is agreed upon by all wizarding marriages. Harry in turn, will do the same for you."
An angry glare was sent his way, but the main force of anger was focused upon Professor McGonagall. Snape stepped towards Professor McGonagall, towering above her and hissing in her face, one finger pointing and hitting her shoulder repeating, "I will not pick up the pieces of a damaged weapon that Albus created and failed to see through. Too many times have I had to clean up the mess that old fool left behind! Too many broken promises have already spoiled my past and future and certainly the one of the Boy Who Lived, preventing him from having a normal life!"
"Severus! You have to remember that it was you who gave yourself into Albus' service. He may have bound you to the memory of a dead woman longer than was absolutely necessary, and I have had many arguments with him about this so that in turn you were unable to move on. You hold yourself responsible and punish yourself for whatever you have done in life more harshly than anybody else could ever do. I agree, by no means did Albus do right to both you and Harry, but now you have no choice other than to accept the circumstances and make the best of it!" The stern voice of the Headmistress snapped out and Snape took a step back for a moment but she didn't stop as her eyes shifted for a moment towards Harry, who had shrunk back a bit, before she continued.
"Harry bound his magic to you and you have been given a new chance and a precious gift. I know that you have always had a feeling for the bleaker sight of life, but even you must concur that living as Harry Potter's husband is much more favourable than rotting away in Azkaban."
"It is not to escape the future in Azkaban that I am marrying Potter!" Snape said softly and gasps went up around the room. Snape ignored them and continued with a black glance at Harry, who stood frozen. "I would rather spend the rest of my life in Azkaban than to know that Albus decided that Potter is worth so little that I am the best chance that he is going to get at a relationship. For what it is worth, Potter deserves better…"
Professor McGonagall smiled thinly as she said, "All the more reason to go through with this marriage, even if there is the small aspect of your linked magic. You will simply have to work harder at proving that you are innocent."
Snape growled low in his throat and cast a look at Harry, daring him to speak. The hero of the wizarding world was too stunned to truly speak. He knew the older wizard had always done certain things for him but his hate for the Potion Master had always clouded his judgement.
"Blimey, the greasy git has a heart," Ron whispered in his ear, laughing nervously as they moved forward towards the no longer beaming tiny wizard.
The Ministry official seemed to be a bit uncertain when Professor McGonagall approached him with the request to begin. They began discussing in low tones and Harry caught the tiny wizard gesturing towards him and Snape, obviously doubtful as to why they were getting married in the first place.
"Mister Stevenson is a smart old wizard and he will keep his mouth shut. We are trying to keep this marriage as secret as possible, as a possible advantage when the trial is to take place. If they learn that your magic is linked and, by sending Severus to Azkaban, they could endanger you, we hope that they will not send him there, of course with all the other evidence we have managed to gather to show Severus' innocence," Madam Pomfrey explained.
She was smiling sweetly at Harry as Snape cast very dark looks at Ron, which was making the ginger haired man nervous as he looked at Snape where the older wizard was standing, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Ron whispered, "Why does he keep doing that? He should be shooting these looks at you; you are the one he is marrying, not me. What did I do wrong?"
"I think he overheard your comment, Ron," Harry chose to inform him as Hermione giggled softly, both of them looking at Snape who smirked at them.
"Well what is he going to do?" Ron whispered furiously.
"Perhaps you have forgotten, with the small brain capacity that you have, Mister Weasley, that I am about to marry your best friend? I know that tact is not your greatest strength, but I had hoped that a year in the real world would have taught you when to speak and when to shut up! Now, let's get this show on the road so I can get back to the comfortable aspects of my home. Up here, Potter!" Snape drawled.
Harry nodded at Ron and Hermione as if it would be the last time he would ever see them again. He joined Snape at the front of the desk, sitting down upon the edge of the seat nervously as he whispered, "I thought you were going to call me Harry?"
"If your friends insist upon calling me a greasy git then I will continue to call you Potter," Snape snapped.
"I can't be held responsible for my friends' behaviour. That isn't fair," Harry whispered back, a bit angry.
The black eyes held his own but Harry didn't waver once as the green eyes continue to hold the black ones. "Shall we discuss fairness, Potter?"
Luckily, at that moment, Mr Stevenson joined them at the table, shooting doubtful looks at Professor McGonagall as he began in an eerie similar voice, reminding Harry with a start of Binns, the ghost who taught History of Magic, the most boring subject in Hogwarts. Snape seemed to have the same reaction as he looked at the ministry official for a moment, before his face went carefully blank again.
"Well we are here gathered today for the joyful…binding of these two individuals. You both consent to this binding, saying you are of age and that you will spend the rest of your life together in agreement of the marriage contract." The elderly hand lay down on the parchment before the old wizard.
"I do." Snape's deep baritone preceded Harry's.
"I do."
Harry was glad that his voice sounded firm.
"Very well then," Stevenson seemed to bit overwhelmed by the lack of enthusiasm or even joy before he found his voice again and continued. "Yes, I have been informed that this marriage cannot be nullified by anybody else except for the two wizards sitting here, or by the death of one of the wizards, but let's continue with the ceremony shall we?"
He tried unsuccessfully to beam at both Snape and Harry but since Snape was scowling darkly and Harry chewing his lips uncertainly he didn't quite succeed. He sighed, and then instructed, "Alright let's start with the younger of the two. Harry, repeat after me."
"With this vow and ring I will bind body, power, house and name to you as my bond mate. I, Harry James Potter, promise to abide by the wedding contract until the day comes when I blow out my last breath or you precede me in death or when we come to an agreement to nullify this marriage. With the kiss I seal the…." At this Harry stopped and glared at the elderly wizard who asked.
"Is something wrong, Harry?"
"Nobody said anything about a kiss!" The young wizard huffed.
"It is a custom, Harry, please proceed," Professor McGonagall snapped as Harry took a deep breath, focusing upon Snape who seemed amused and picked up the golden ring which had appeared upon the parchment.
"Where was I? Oh right…with this kiss I seal this marriage," Harry finished. He took Snape's hand in his own, noticing how warm the slender hand was in his sweaty palm, and slid the golden band over the ring finger of the older wizard, noticing how the ring immediately fit.
"Your turn, Professor, if you will…."
"Like I have much of a choice," Snape muttered, taking Harry's hand at which a strange jolt shot through Harry's stomach of the dry fingers against his own. "…With this vow and ring I will bind body, power, house and name to you as my bond mate. I, Severus Tobias Snape, promise to abide by the wedding contract until the day comes when I blow out my last breath or you precede me in death or when we come to an agreement to nullify this marriage. With this kiss I seal this marriage."
The wedding band was heavy on Harry's finger. Snape released Harry's hand immediately and the confused younger wizard hadn't even noticed that his magic had calmed down and was simmering softly beneath the surface.
Snape signed his name quickly in the spidery handwriting Harry had been seeing when getting his essays from Potions back for nearly 5 years before handing the quill to Harry. Harry hesitated before he signed his name.
He felt a tug on his magic as the parchment glowed for a moment before it rolled itself up and disappeared. "Good, now this will be going to the correct administrative office and all that is left to do is for me to say…you may kiss the groom."
Harry's throat felt suddenly so dry and he hoped that Snape wouldn't do it. That he would be too disgusted with Harry and the whole ordeal to even kiss or touch the young wizard. But strong fingers hooked underneath his chin and Harry's face was tilted back as Snape closed the distance to place a quick peck upon Harry's lips.
The thin lips felt wonderfully warm against his own for the mere second that they were there but they left an impression. Harry's magic settled down completely, feeling oddly complete, as it hadn't done since Voldemort had been defeated, and Harry sighed mutely, feeling himself surrender.
It seemed to startle Snape but then Harry felt him softening for a mere second before he pulled away. Releasing Harry he then stepped away.
Harry was embraced by his best friends, barely believing he was now married, his mind still too focused upon the kiss. Snape's eyes lingered upon his form for a moment and then the older wizard shook his head, sending his dark hair flying and said, "We should go!"
"Can't he even stay for a while…" Ron immediately said.
"Mister Weasley, I assure you," Snape spun around furiously but then Professor McGonagall cut in and said.
"Severus is right, Mister Weasley. You better return to Spinner's End before they know that you are here. Good luck Harry, and we will see you in the morning."
This brought the reality crashing back down upon Harry. He would have to spend his first night with Snape. Granted, he had been alone with the man before, even at night, but this was their wedding night and wedding nights usually meant one thing…
Harry wanted to protest but one look at the stern face of his former Head of House and Harry nodded mutely, feeling the elevated mood lifting immediately, leaving the gloom behind which he had been feeling for quite a while. The loss of another part of his formerly comfortably world was evident in the lump in his throat.
He already had had days to adjust to the idea of being married but somehow he had always hoped that somebody would come and save him, rescuing him from this marriage. But like everything else in his life, Harry had to save everybody else and there was nobody to save him.
He accepted the coin Snape held out to him, realising too late that it was a portkey, and they were suddenly spun away. He wanted nothing more than to flee to Ron and Hermione, begging to remain with his friends and not go to an uncertain future with a man he barely knew.
Hp
They arrived in a sitting room that was dusty, with one side of the room filled with books and a couch facing the window, showing a depressing street and houses opposite the road and a small chair.
Snape didn't help Harry up when the younger wizard stumbled onto the threadbare carpet and went to a hidden cabinet, opening a bottle with amber liquid and taking out a glass. Instead of pouring himself a drink, the Potions Master took a long swing out of the bottle before grimacing in a pained manner, fingers massaging his neck as the gold band flashed mockingly at Harry.
Unsure how to handle a drunken Snape, Harry cleared his throat, drawing the black eyes to him and asked, "Uhm, the bedroom where I can unpack…"
Snape pointed wordlessly with a slender finger at the bookcase which opened to reveal a hidden staircase. One last look at the harsh looking face of his bond mate and Harry fled up to the bedroom.
Hp
Severus heaved a sigh when Potter scrambled out of sight. He nursed his drink, fingers massaging his pained neck. He shouldn't be drinking in his condition but he couldn't get through the evening without a good bit of liquor behind his teeth.
He sighed again, heavily this time. He was now married to Potter, he was a Snape Potter. If he had known that this would have been his future, he would have killed himself a long time ago. Killing himself now would result in spending the afterlife with Potter because he would drag the younger wizard down with him in the deep down abyss where his soul would rot for all eternity.
For the price of just my soul…
Severus angrily remembered that particular conversation as he thought that his soul had been cleansed a hundred times over with all the things he had done for the price of just his soul.
But speaking of dark abysses, he needed to pull Potter out of his depression; though he wasn't sure how to do it. There were so many hidden depths to the wizard that Severus was unsure of where the hurt began.
He sighed again and finished his drink, setting the glass aside before going up to the bedroom to unpack.
Hp
Harry took a deep breath as he heard the soft steps of his former teacher and now husband on the stairs. Snape was coming up. This was it…
He hoped it would be alright…that he would be alright…
Hp
Severus opened the door, lost in thought before he froze at the scene in front of him.
Harry Potter stood before him, naked as the day he had been born and wringing his hands nervously, the fear evident in the green eyes and the pale face as the younger male swallowed thickly before he said, "Well, you said to consummate the wedding bond, so how do we do this?"
Severus' mouth fell open.
Hp
Harry wasn't sure how to respond as he saw the black eyes widen as they focused upon his naked form. They were supposed to have sex, right? Snape had said it himself so why was he so surprised?
Harry felt nervous…was he even bad at this? But he really hoped that Snape would say something because seeing the older wizard with his mouth hanging open didn't do anything to ease Harry's nerves.
"Well go on and take me!" He finally whispered.
So what should happen? How will Snape respond?
About the contest: first review who is the 100th review will win a one of a kind Severus or Harry hug. So that said, review, review, and review.
In the next chapter: The first night at Spinner's End will be strange for our heroes. How will they spent it? The future comes knocking in the form of Teddy Lupin and the Weasley's as well as the past as Severus seeks to learn more about his bond's mate past, is Harry willing to share? That and more in: Spinner's End.