Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Wow, I am still so amazed at how many people like this story. So anyway, we are getting closer to the trial each day. How will Harry handling seeing his former girlfriend when feelings begin to stir for his bond mate? Let's begin.
Harry lay in the dark, wand held tightly in his hand underneath the blankets. The light snores of the other bed occupant filled the gloomy darkness. The green eyes shot to the side, over his shoulder to where the other wizard was lying on his side.
He counted in between the breaths, wondering if Snape was really asleep or not. He shifted a bit in the bed but since no immediate gesture or a scratching comment came or a hand that grabbed the blankets tightly, he breathed a sigh of relief, finally Snape had fallen asleep.
He eased the blankets off of him, cautioned putting one leg out of the warm confinements of the bed. He put his weight on it slowly, easing out of the bed with a quietness he had managed to breed through his years of living in a dorm and sneaking out at night to prevent waking the other boys from their nightmares.
For years he had managed to get by on as little sleep as possible in order to escape his nightmares. The board underneath his foot creaked and Harry stilled immediately, turning back to look at Snape.
The older wizard merely shifted and gave a snort before settling down again. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, he really needed time to think and he couldn't pry his mind away from the wizard lying beside him.
Besides how would he explain himself now if Snape woke up and would see him with one leg out of the bed, clutching his wand and the other leg still in the bed? He slowly eased out of bed. Little by little, easy does it, just quiet, it is just like back in the dorm, only it would be hard to explain yourself if he finds you like this. It would be like leaning over him to kiss him….
Harry's stomach did a swoop at that and he had to swallow thickly, slipping away from the bed. He smoothed out the blankets, standing with both bared feet on the wooden planks for a moment as he took a deep breath to try and stop his heart from hammering.
He slipped his wand in the pocket of his baggy sleeping trousers and then took a step forward when suddenly a cold hand clamped down on his wrist. Harry froze, the tension making his heart hammer in his chest again and he turned, an explanation on his lips before his eyes even took in the sight.
His husband was lying on his back on Harry's side, one arm thrown out to catch the younger wizard's arm. Snape was still asleep; the older man's breathing a bit laboured and a pained expression on his face. Harry allowed his magic to rise and he then gently pried the tense fingers from his wrist. The pained lines in the weary face eased and Harry breathed a sigh of relief, for a moment watching the older man as Snape murmured something incoherent before he rolled onto his side again.
Harry backed away slowly, his footfall soft and then the moment he was out of the room and down the stairs he rushed to the sink, splashing the cold water over his face. It had been too close for his comfort.
He needed time to think, to get away for a few moments just to get his mind sorted. He pressed his wet fingertips against his eyes, trying to elevate the sudden pounding inside his skull. This particular hard headache had been plaguing him since he had come back from the Dursleys.
His last crying bout had finally escalated into this headache which he couldn't seem to get rid of, neither this heavy feeling he had been experiencing where his heart was. The disastrous visit had only led to one discovery that it was exactly like the Dursleys had said that it would be. He was not fit to be alive.
Perhaps he should have died, Snape had certainly always said so and now even his family said so, so why was he here? He wanted to make it right but he didn't know how. He never knew how.
He was weary and he couldn't shake the feeling he had gotten when he had turned the Resurrecting Stone in his hand. That he could finally stop struggling and accept the inevitable, that he was going to die.
He had hoped so badly that everything would be a little bit more peaceful after all of this was over but it seemed like it had all gone haywire. Everything was screwed up and Harry had fallen apart at the seams. He had always been strong so why was it so different now?
Was it because Snape was equally strong or even stronger? Was it because the older wizard didn't brook anybody else bossing him around? Or was it because somebody was starting to take care of him, picking up pieces that Harry hadn't remembered ever breaking off of him?
He was so used to Ron and Hermione, their quiet understanding of his ways and oddities and Snape always wanted to challenge him, somehow see him through and see what it was doing to Harry and all he wanted was some time to think. Just some time alone to gather himself, was that so much to ask?
Apparently it was as a cold voice demanded from the doorway, "Nocturnal habits playing up again, Potter? Pity there are no wide corridors for you to wander now, isn't it?"
Harry could feel the dark eyes of the Potions Master prickle the back of his neck, the overbearing presence of the older man who hadn't left him alone for one moment since they had returned from the Dursleys. The dark shadow sitting opposite to him in the sitting room, choking Harry, haunting him, and making him wish to get away so he could think straight.
He fixed his eyes upon the stern face, the dark eyes glistering and then he asked. "Can I just be alone for a few moments?"
Snape narrowed his eyes maliciously and then said in an icy whisper. "Excuse me, Potter? I believe I didn't quite hear you correctly. You dare to ask things of me?"
Harry sighed; it seemed that Snape was in that particular mood again. He glanced at the door that led to the small enclosed garden and took a step forward when Snape suddenly demanded. "Where do you think you are going, Potter?"
"Away, I just want to be alone. I need to sort out my mind."
"You need to sort out your mind? I think that you will find yourself more than capable of doing it right here, Potter, under my watchful eye." Harry turned to look over his shoulder at the older, taller man who had crossed his arms over his chest and was leaning against the doorway.
"Why? I thought that you would be jumping up and down for a change to get rid of me," He snapped out behind him, anger rising.
Snape straightened as if struck and there was a calculating gleam in his dark eyes as he yelped, "Excuse me?"
"Oh come on, I mean you keep telling me that I should have left you to die and now Aunt Petunia says that I should have never been born. It seems to me like that solves a huge number of problems. I mean, Voldemort would have never bothered to hunt down Lily because I wouldn't be there. Cedric wouldn't have died. Those 50 students would still be alive and Hogwarts wouldn't have been a battle ground. Oh but I forgot, you would have been in Azkaban, rotting away because I wasn't there to pull you back from death in the first place and my marriage to you wouldn't have saved your skinny butt from the cell that awaits you in Azkaban."
All his anger and frustration burst forward in those angry words. The dark eyes narrowed and Snape growled low in his throat. "I shall pretend I didn't hear that, shall I, Potter?"
"Why should you? It is the truth!" Harry shouted, slamming his fist down on the kitchen table and rattling the old vase that stood there.
"What do you think you know of this subject, boy?" Snape's voice could have frozen the deserts.
"Because you have been telling me so at every chance you got! The wedding night? You said I disgusted you and yet it is expected of me to bond with you. Well, it isn't going to happen, I thought you would be glad if I would go away. You can get back to the wonderful life you will lead without me, in the dark cell of Azkaban! You don't want me around. You push me away and tell me that it would have been so much better if I had died, so the students wouldn't have died and everything would be alright."
Much to his amazement Harry found that his tears didn't come or they at least didn't spill over. This time it was only anger that sought to escape.
"Where do you get these ridiculous notions, Potter?" Snape stalked forward but Harry felt no fear.
"Perhaps from Aunt Petunia. She said so and nobody stated otherwise. Nobody stood up for me. No, Harry Potter will do it all alone, right? You merely grabbed me because Apperating meant that your magic would be depleted and you would have to rely on me, such a pity right?" Harry snarled at the older wizard.
A muscle was jumping in Snape's temple and the older wizard growled at him. "Stop this, Potter! You aren't making sense and this really isn't open for discussion."
"No, that is always the case. Everybody always stops discussing everything they want. Well guess what, I don't want to stop discussing. Don't you like hearing that your bond mate would rather serve a lifetime in Azkaban than to bond with you because that is how disgusting he finds you? I do wonder why you married me. Looking for another master to serve perhaps, lucky for you I am not as mad as the other two you served before, nor do I demand that much."
Snape was shaking with rage and Harry felt a vague pleasure in making Snape hurt as much as he was hurting, "Potter, that is in the past…."
Harry could feel his magic rising, responding to Snape's fury. He growled low and then said, going in for another hit, "Yeah because we are so good at leaving what belongs in the past in the past."
The thin lips curled in a futile attempt to control himself as the Potions Master balled his fist before Harry said, "I do wonder if my mother would have been proud of the both of us now. Look what we had made of our lives. You, awaiting trial and I, not even worthy to be alive."
"Don't speak about her in such a way!" Snape snarled, his voice barely suppressing his rage.
"Why not? Everybody else doesn't say anything about her so why shouldn't I? I thought you would be happy to hear about her, knowing that she survives in me, or aren't you? I guess not because my dad also survives in me, pity really. Everybody wants James to survive and Lily but not Harry. No nobody wants Harry to survive and you are married to Harry, poor you."
"Potter, I don't need your pity!" Snape seemed on the verge of losing control and Harry's hand tightened on his wand as a grim smirk twisted his face and then he said.
"No, you need me for everything else but to pity you, I mean you do that so well on your own, right."
The next moment the vase next to him burst into pieces with the blast of magic that came from Snape's wand. Harry barely had the time to throw up his arm to cover his face as the shards embedded themselves in his upper arm and his side, tearing through his shirt.
Moving felt like agony as Harry moved his arm away from his head, feeling the magic in the room spend itself as Snape had directed it at the vase. He felt suddenly extremely tired as he always did when his magic was spent.
Their magic was still recovering but Harry had never quite managed to get hexed, shouted at, or being wounded so many times in his life as in the past month. He tried to move, feeling the shards embedded in his skin tear and one fell out, leaving the small wound bleeding at his side.
"Do you have a death wish, boy?" Snape shook him hard and Harry felt his glasses slipping to the edge of his nose. The shards were pushed in deeper as a few more fell out and Snape froze when the older wizard noticed the tiny glass shards on Harry's arm, the small rivers of blood that ran down the pale arm.
Immediately the older wizard raised Harry's arm, inspecting his side and his arm. The shards protruded some small and others larger. The dark eyes had widened and Harry found the older wizard trembling ever so faintly with fatigue. Snape seemed to deflate suddenly and he collapsed nearly against the kitchen counter.
Snape's breathing was quick and Harry, fascinated, reached out with one hand to lay it on the painfully bent thick back. Surprisingly he felt strong muscles underneath his hand and the dark head snapped up. The dark eyes caught his and then after a moment Snape nodded, saying in a hoarse voice. "Sit down at the kitchen table. I will need to retrieve the kit I use for Potion making and a pain medication. Don't try to move your arm."
Moving sluggishly, Harry sat down at the kitchen table. His mind was still throbbing with pain as he played the events of the last half hour over in his mind. He hadn't anticipated that his words would push the older man so hard that Snape would have need to direct his magic someplace else then to nearly lose control.
It had been an unfortunate side affect that Harry had been so close to that vase. Would it mean that Snape did care a bit about how his bond mate felt? Harry sure didn't mean to make Snape so angry at him. If he was being truthful with himself, he had wanted to see if Snape thought of him as something more than an obligation that he had been forced to take on.
His skin was tingling where the long fingers had touched him and his blood was singing in his veins a bit. Harry shook his head to rid himself of these thoughts but for a stray moment he couldn't help but think what would have happened if instead of sneaking out of the bed, he had have leaned over and kissed him, but truth be told, if he had seen the look of disgust in Snape's eyes then, he wouldn't have been able to take that.
Snape returned barely a moment later, having his potion's kit in one hand and a small bowl in the other. The pockets of his sleeping trousers were clinking together with the vials and Harry was glad for a very embarrassing moment that Snape slept without the long grey nightshirt he had seen in his fourth year.
He blushed red as he realized how that sounded in his mind and Snape frowned at him. He was glad the man didn't sleep without anything on because he wasn't sure if he could handle it. He ducked his gaze and stared at the floor instead.
Hp
Severus moved steadily, glad that he had not forgotten to take his potions before he had come back to Potter. He couldn't believe he had wounded the brat unintentionally with his magic. He hadn't meant to lose control but for some reason what the brat had said tonight had made him lose control.
The worst of it was, it had once been true what Potter had said. Severus had said it to the brat himself. The haunting green eyes had been blazing with anger and Severus had wondered what had been bothering Potter.
It would bother anybody he suspected. It had been true; they had been so focussed upon getting the signature that they had not paid attention to the words Petunia and Vernon had spoken. Harry, it seemed, had.
He was sure that if they had, Minerva would have been saying different to Harry but since nobody had, well it only came back to bite him in the arse, the same with the words he had spoken earlier to Potter.
He would need to exercise caution but Severus had found that most people never focussed upon the words or forgot them as soon as he had said them, but Potter was like himself. He focussed upon words and their meaning. Severus knew it was a habit learned early in childhood when one had to focus upon the words and how they were spoken, so as to make sure that it was safe to walk into a room, or to say something. Sadly it was a habit they shared.
It had been smart for Potter to see where he stood in the marriage; to see if he could say what he wanted but Severus had not honestly wanted to lose control, harming Potter in the process. If he hadn't directed his magic at the vase instead, he could have harmed Potter pretty badly.
His nerves were stretched thin and Severus knew that his overbearing presence since yesterday must have been getting to Potter. Potter was used to doing things on his own and Severus' steps echoing his own, afraid Potter would lose it, was enough to ensure that the younger male lashed out at him.
He reached Potter, settling the bowl and kit down on the table. He frowned when he had noticed that Potter had blushed, but why he couldn't understand. Potter is a virgin, not used to having sexual feelings….
Severus frowned at himself at that, just as Potter glanced up. Surely Potter couldn't be developing feelings for him. That was as ridiculous as the Cambridge Cannons winning the league this year.
But first things first, he needed to fix certain things.
So Severus drew up a chair and sat himself down heavily, focussing upon the youth in front of him.
Hp
Long fingers curled underneath Harry's chin and it forced him to meet the dark eyes. Snape's face was unreadable and then lines around the stern mouth had tightened with pain. "I didn't mean to follow you, Potter…I am unaccustomed to sharing quarters with somebody…."
"I was trying to get you angry, though…"
"You were what?" Instantly the lines around the stern lips tightened even more and Harry glanced up as he said, ducking his gaze.
"I wanted you to understand what it does to me when somebody says that I am not wanted..."
"Surely you should know, Potter, that there have been people who wanted you in your life." Snape's voice was oddly detached and Harry laughed bitterly.
"Yeah right, Professor, my parents died when I was one and I grew up with people, well you met them, and when I came to the wizarding world, nobody got to know the real me. They loved or hated a real image, not me and then I learn that I was raised as a pig for slaughter, well it doesn't really help for one's self esteem."
The older wizard's voice was rough as he said, hiding his gaze from Harry, "You should know that in my days as…The Dark Lord's servant, I spied on Lily…not on anybody's orders but because I had to know if she was happy. For years I was away from her, unable to see her happiness until I learned of the news of her pregnancy. James had been boasting in a bar to his friends, not knowing I was there, hiding under my cloak. I loathed the pride in his voice, thinking he had knocked Lily up out of purpose to boast about it so I followed him to his home. I would have hexed him on the front step but Lily was outside, throwing herself into his arms when he came and he held her tightly. Months after that I sometimes went by the house to look at her as she grew with you. James would rarely leave her side and it was hard for me not to be seen. I finally left her alone for she was very happy and you were never more wanted by both James and Lily…It showed in their faces and in the ways they prepared for your arrival."
A small rock had lodged itself in his throat and Harry swallowed thickly. His heart was suddenly beating a bit too heavily and he nodded as the dark eyes carefully probed his face. His own voice was just as hoarse as Snape's as he finally said. "Thank you…"
He was unable to say what it meant to him but suddenly the thin lips curled up into a smile as Snape gave him a final nod but Harry felt his heart skip a beat. That smile made the wizard seem years younger and Harry once more hid his blushing face.
Hp
Harry literally stumbled into the big kitchen that had once belonged to his godfather Sirius Black. The big secret townhouse in London, Grimmauld Place had changed considerably since then. The weathered table where they had spent so many hours eating and discussing plans, him, Ron and Hermione had been scratched and showed signs of fire.
Mrs Weasley was just polishing it and she glanced up. Her face lid into a smile when she saw Harry who was glancing around the kitchen. "Arthur, they are here!" She shouted upstairs before she proceeded towards the male wizard as Harry turned around, looking for more destruction done to the house by the death eaters.
Footsteps upstairs came hurrying into the hall and Mrs Weasley explained when she saw the green eyes. "We have been cleaning up. The house is a right mess. I have left some things for you that you might like to have, Harry. You look like a right mess yourself, dear. I will fix you something to eat. Professor McGonagall will be here soon and then we can get some things sorted."
Harry now only noticed that she spoke to him. The mentioning of food sounded good to him and he nodded. He hadn't eaten anything this morning, just getting dressed quickly after an even quicker shower. He had overslept; somewhere during the night he had fallen asleep on the couch after Snape had left him alone to go back to the bed.
This morning he had woken up to the call of his name and the gentle shaking of the Potions Master as the older wizard leaned over him to rouse him. Harry had been mortified to learn that he was late and he had feared that everybody was here already when Snape had patiently explained that they would be meeting in the old order house, for it would be easier to travel there and it would accommodate more people.
It was strange to be back in Sirius' old house. Harry suspected that any moment now his godfather would come bounding to the door to draw him into a hug, or to be able to hear the bark like laughter and Sirius and Remus arguing. That memory brought a jolt through his heart and Harry took a deep breath.
The next moment a loud pop sounded and Kreacher, the older house elf arrived as he wheezed. "Master Harry is back, sir, how be you? Kreacher can fix you dinner." The house elf had a towel wrapped around his waist with the insignia of Hogwarts on it and a bright golden locket resting on his chest.
"Hello Kreacher. I am sure that you can help Mrs Weasley with the food. Uhm…."
"Sir, you never came back for Kreacher. Kreacher waited and waited for you after big battle but you never came. The Headmistress said that Kreacher was to make Mistress' old house liveable again." The big pale eyes rose up to meet Harry's eyes and Harry felt his cheeks colouring.
He was Kreacher's master now and he should have sent for the ancient elf. But he wondered what Snape would think if Sirius' old elf would be serving at Spinner's End, chances would be that Kreacher would be back at Hogwarts by the end of the week.
"Kreacher, I am sorry but where I live right now, well it would be dangerous if you were to live there. I think it is best that you listen to Professor McGonagall for now."
"Agreed, Master Harry." The old elf bowed for Harry before he wandered to the stove to cook dinner. Harry shuffled his feet, uncertain where to go now.
"Uhm, Mrs Weasley, has everything been destroyed?" The maternal woman glanced back at him and then her face fell into deep lines which hadn't been there before as she said.
"Most of the house has been hexed but they couldn't destroy everything. The bedrooms upstairs are mostly intact for they couldn't enter as has the hallway. It seemed that Moody's inventions to keep Severus out have worked to scare most of the other Death Eaters too. It is a shame that they couldn't destroy Mrs Black's portrait once they were at it. Though she must have liked having to entertain Death Eaters. But why don't you go upstairs, dear? Arthur, Ron and Hermione are there cleaning."
That didn't need to be said twice and Harry proceeded into the hallway. The hallway bore marks of battle too, scorch marks and empty portraits dominated except for one as the curtains flew open to reveal an ugly, elderly witch with long black hair who screamed at him the moment her eyes found him. "BLOOD TRAITOR SCUM! DEFILING MY HOUSE WITH YOUR FILTH!"
"Oh shut up!" Harry snapped at her, running a hand through his messy hair and righting his glasses.
"Oh, married now are we? I do hope that your husband treats you as well as my son did with me…" Her smile was malicious and nasty and Harry narrowed his eyes at her.
"Oh, I thought I heard screaming. Hey Harry, up here!" A redhead appeared above the banister and Harry was relieved to see it was Ron. His best friend smiled at him for a moment as he waved him up.
Grinning in relief, Harry preceded upstairs. Inside the room where he had stayed during the summer before the fifth year were Ron and Hermione, busy repairing things. Harry took the time for them to finish their spells as he glanced at Ron. His best friend looked pale and years older, his eyes alive with fresh pain.
"You alright, mate?" Harry waited as Ron twirled his wand to aim it at something else as he rested his hand on the taller wizard's shoulder. Ron tensed against his shoulder and then the older wizard shuddered and said, fixing a smile upon his face.
"Yeah, I am okay, mate. But I should be asking you the same thing. C'mon and give us a hand, will ya?" Hermione had caught Harry's glance and shook her head, sending her frizzy hair hanging over her shoulders.
Harry knew that Fred's death had hit Ron hard and he was glad that between the two of them, at least Hermione could be there for him. He needed somebody, "Can't, remember? No magic…"
"Still not recovered but it has nearly been a week, Harry." Ron frowned at him and Harry sighed as he said.
"Well, I have been recovering a little but Severus has…"
"Severus!?"
"Yeah, Severus, I am married to the guy, Ron, what else am I supposed to call him? Anyway, since he has been wounded, he has needed to have the biggest magic, more than me, anyway and since I can only do about one spell a day and that has already been done. Besides Severus blew up a vase last night, I am depleted, again," Harry sighed, it sounded really pitiful when he told it like that.
"You would be recovering much sooner, Harry, if you made sure to sleep regularly and eat normally. But I guess it might be a bit hard, huh, with everything that is going on."
Harry shuffled his feet, drawing up a box and sitting down as he looked at Hermione before he said. "Yeah a bit. We visited the Dursleys yesterday. It was hard being back there though they were as normal as ever. And now we are here to prepare for the trial even while he is still being an impossible git."
"It sounds like he hasn't changed at all then. But I thought that Professor McGonagall said that your magic would return to normal once you had, you know, slept together." Hermione was blushing and Ron was looking faintly ill.
"Well, yeah, it might. I don't know but in case you are wondering, we haven't so far."
Hermione jumped to her feet, her eyes wide. "But, Harry, you must hurry then. A marriage won't be valid if it hasn't been consummated. I looked it up."
Ron tugged her back down, smiling at her and saying, "I am sure it won't be that bad. Maybe the council will take pity on Harry and send Snape to Azkaban anyway…"
That earned him a smack from Hermione as she hissed, "That isn't funny, Ronald. Don't you get it? Of course, you don't but Harry will be in trouble if they send Snape to Azkaban while their magic is still linked together. Azkaban is still a terrible place and Snape will weaken once he is in there…."
"Hush, mum says that there is enough evidence that we are sure to get the greasy git released and else surely the marriage to Harry will do the trick. They wouldn't want their Chosen One to suffer, now would they? Besides, Kingsley is on our side so there won't be any worries." Ron had his arm wrapped around Hermione who was shaking her head and opening her mouth to say something when a voice shouted from downstairs.
"You lot, come and eat!"
"Oh that is mum, let's go. She will fuss about you not eating enough," Ron was the first to exit the room and despite his unease about the upcoming discussion and seeing so many people again, he had grown quite fond of the peace that hung around Spinner's End, Harry felt quite hungry.
He was the second to exit the bedroom, echoing Ron's steps to bound downstairs.
Hp
The table in the kitchen was big but somehow it seemed cramped to Harry. He picked a spot beside Snape, more out of habit than anything else, especially when the older man frowned at him before drinking the potion he held in his hand.
The dinner was tense, as if people were afraid to say something and Harry kept his eyes on his plate, feeling Ron's shoulder bump into him from one side and Snape's arm on the other side. The warmth coming from his bond mate was reassuring however and Harry glanced up, saying, "Thank you for the meal, Mrs Weasley, it is quite good."
The female head of the Weasley clan smiled at him and said, "You are quite welcome, Harry…."
"I could never quite cook as well as you can, try as I might." Harry could feel Snape stiffen beside him and Mrs Weasley huffed before she said.
"I am sure with practise you will learn, Harry, dear." The mood had shifted and tensed again and Harry turned his attention to Snape, asking.
"You could say that my cooking was, what was the word you used, Severus?" Several people choked on their drinks, Ron being one of them. Mrs Weasley was glaring at Snape, her eyes shifting between Harry and the older wizard when Snape's hand tightened on his fork before the Potions Master spoke.
"Adequate was the word I used, Harry. Your cooking was adequate in comparison to the meals served at Hogwarts. But the meal was certainly memorable." The dark eyes were glittering and Harry put another potato in his mouth, not saying a word, though the mood had lightened some.
Normally he would have laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Them, sitting together at a table with Snape, it was absurd but he was saved from having to explain himself when Professor McGonagall Apparated, startling them.
The commotion that sprung after that when Mrs Weasley jumped up from the table to greet the Headmistress and Ron and Hermione moved to help her unshrink several of the binders she had brought with her, causing Harry so startled when long fingers brushed his side for a moment, drawing his attention to Snape.
Harry peered uncertainly into the dark eyes of his husband as Snape finally nodded and said, dabbing at his lips with a napkin. "Thank you, brat, for that enlightening comment."
Harry wanted to challenge the name brat when he felt a flare of something rise in his chest. Never before had somebody, anybody, used a kind nickname upon him. There had been an amused touch to the velvet like voice and Harry nodded, a smile suddenly lighting his face without him knowing why.
The floo flared and Charley Weasley spun into view. The second eldest Weasley climbed gracefully out of the fireplace and nodded at the headmistress, waving a big hand at Harry, giving Snape a curt nod and accepting the hug his mother bestowed upon him, petting her upon the back for a moment when she gave a tearful snort.
"Yeah, I got it. Was right where he said it was. I haven't viewed them yet so I don't know if it will help."
The dragon handler put a bowl on the table and Harry felt Snape tensing again. The pensive was glowing and Charley put another vial of memories beside it. "They are the memories that Dumbledore kept and I took the liberty of taking your memories along too, Professor. They could be used as evidence in court."
"We have a written account from Dumbledore as well, he has stored it in his fault, which I have with me as we speak. Then of course there is your testimony, Severus and they will probably want Harry to testify as well. I think that they will use Veritaserum to see if the marriage is valid…and speaking of a valid marriage, Severus, you really ought to do something about it. This could cause problems, you know."
Professor McGonagall's voice was stern and Harry turned back to look at his husband. Snape was giving him a strange look and then the older wizard nodded at which Harry's heart began to hammer. So they would try again, right? Tonight, since it would be the only time to do it for tomorrow was the trial.
The table was clearing in a few moments and wand movements as Harry shifted. He could hear Mrs Weasley argue with her husband and he straightened when he heard Ginny being mentioned. "I don't think that she should be home alone, right now, Arthur. You should go and ask her to come along. I am sure that she would love to see Harry again."
Arthur Weasley glanced up and caught Harry's eye, drawing his wife away from sensitive ears. By the angry gestures Harry was sure that Ginny would not be so happy to see him. Yet he wanted to see her. He wanted to know if she was still mad at him but above all he wanted to…
He wasn't sure what he wanted. One part of him wanted to hold her and to tell her that everything would be alright and yet another part never wanted to see her again. He wouldn't be able to hold her ever again, he couldn't, and he was bound to Snape now.
Mrs Weasley returned alone and immediately gestured for everybody to sit down at the kitchen table so that they could discuss the plans for tomorrow. The trial would commence in front of the full Wizengamot at 10. Severus would be bound during that time and sitting in the chair that Harry had seen in Dumbledore's pensive.
Harry would be separated from him during the trial, sitting on the witness' chair and on the defence side, trying to prove that Snape was indeed innocent. He wondered how they would do it. It seemed to him that it would take more than one day to prove that Snape was innocent and usually the accused were send to Azkaban during that time.
It seemed that everybody was relying on the fact that it would weaken them both considerably if Snape was send to Azkaban and they relied on the bond that a bonded couple shared. Harry had been glad that they weren't at full power because else the claim wouldn't be justified.
The floo flared and Arthur spun into view, followed immediately by Ginny. Harry's heart did a flip at this but she regarded him coolly before she went to sit with Ron, staring at him. Harry couldn't focus on the conversation around him, he only had eyes for Ginny but she didn't meet his gaze and then he couldn't take it anymore.
The desire to talk to her, to even sit next to her was overwhelming and his heart was torn between his duty to Snape and his desire. He stood up, muttering an excuse of having to use the bathroom and fled upstairs.
He stood in the drawing room, breathing heavily, staring unseeing at the large family tree of the Black family. "He is really leaving an expression on you, isn't he? You have the same pale complexion as he does and truthfully, it doesn't look so good on you."
The voice that had been haunting some of his most pleasurable memories caused him to turn. Ginny was standing behind him, arms crossed over her chest and a cold expression on her face.
"Oh, is that why you came to find me, to tell me that my complexion is off?" Harry found himself growling at her. He had come up to leave her and yet she had followed him.
The shirt she wore showed off her curves and Harry forced himself to keep his eyes up to her face, reminding himself of what was going to happen tonight. He would be having sex with Snape, Snape would make him his, making him scream out in pain or whatever it was and he would have nothing more to do with Ginny besides friendship.
Besides but what was more important was the fact that Severus had requested fidelity and Harry would be damned if he made the older wizard doubt him. Snape might have reason to doubt Harry with his past but he was going to keep his word and protect their future.
"No, I came to tell you that I wonder how you can stand it. How can you stand to look at him and know that you have given everything up to be with him? You could have me, Harry. I still don't get how you could have been so foolish." Her eyes were filling with tears and she leaned against the doorframe, choking out.
"I need you, Harry. I was waiting for you. For so long I have been in love with you and now you are married to another, by your own choice as well." She was sniffling and despite himself Harry drew closer.
"Ginny, for a moment our destinies have been intertwined but never joined. I am with Severus now and can't go behind his back. I won't! You, he and I all deserve much more than that, and only grief and heartbreak will come from it. I knew you had never given up hope and that this will sound harsh now, but perhaps you should and find somebody who will stay with you and who chooses you unconditionally. You deserve that."
"But Harry, if you had the choice, what would you have done?" She had looked more beautiful to Harry and he has his fair share of crying women but he answered all the same.
"Ginny, I don't have a choice so it won't matter. But I would have given us a chance but I think that I have made my choice. I have chosen Severus and for better or for worse, I am stuck with him. Look, I am not going to say things I don't mean and I still do feel strongly about you but Severus is who I am with now and I will be damned if I don't give it a try to make this marriage work. I have to try, you know."
Hp
Severus slowed his steps up the stairs down. Potter's conversation with Weasley could be heard through the open door. He stood still, hearing the youngest Weasley question Potter's choice.
Severus felt angry and for a moment he considered storming in there to demand that Potter answer. His head snapped up when he heard Potter say. "I have to try, Ginny. Severus deserves that and so do I. Besides it wouldn't be fair to you if you had to wait around for me. You can't wait on a married man and besides, I want to try to be happy, one way or another."
"I doubt that that greasy git will be capable of happiness…"
"Don't say such things! He is capable of loving, one way or another," Harry's voice sounded angry for a moment before it faded out again. Severus' mouth had opened. He had married the Boy Who Continued To Baffle Him. For a moment he considered doing what Minerva had asked him, but no, he would take his chances with the Wizengamot, for truly Potter deserved something more than just a quick shag against a wall to save his bond mate.
Hp
Harry shook his head as he walked out of the room. Ginny angered him with her questions. He had been pretty clear on the subject but she refused to listen. He stopped in his tracks when he found himself staring at Snape who had stopped on the stairs.
For a terrible moment Harry thought that Snape had heard but then the older wizard said. "Come, we are going home. There are…things we need to do."
Harry's heart was hammering in his chest and anticipation curled in his stomach. This was it; they were going home to have sex. He found butterflies were flying in his stomach suddenly and his mouth had gone dry.
He followed Snape into the kitchen, barely having the presence of mind to say goodbye to those assembled. They seemed to understand his anxiety and Harry was the first to step through the floo.
He had a moment alone before Snape floo'd into the sitting room as well. The older wizard raised an eyebrow at Harry's glance before he said. "I will give you something for the nerves."
"We really are going to," Harry realized he was stammering and for a moment an amused expression filtered across Snape's face as the older wizard paused on his way to the kitchen.
"According to the Headmistress we should. Go and sit down on the couch…it will be …enjoyable." Harry's mouth had gone dry and he smoothed his hair or at least tried to as he watched the retreating back of his bond mate.
Hp
Severus knew that Potter might take offence but he deserved more, so much more. His long fingers grabbed the vial he took every evening to sleep and he held it in his hand loosely. If Potter was naked again, Severus wasn't sure if he could contain himself then.
But Potter was wringing his hands on the couch, rubbing them together as Severus entered. The green eyes were wide and just a hint fearful. Severus nodded at him and then extended the vial, seeing the brat unscrewing the lid as he stood by to catch Potter when he fell.
Hp
Harry sniffed the vial but he couldn't smell anything. He glanced up at Snape but the older wizard seemed to be waiting for him to drink it, even appearing a little bit anxiously. Harry frowned at that, why would Snape be nervous?
He took a sip and his nerves did ease a bit so he drowned the vial, yawning when a wave of sleepiness suddenly overcame him. He fought against it. He didn't want to be half asleep when they were making love.
Fingers caught the vial before it could fall from his suddenly limp fingers and Harry began to realize what had happened.
Hp
Severus saw the green eyes becoming unfocused immediately. He plucked the vial from Potter's fingers before it could fall to the floor. The green eyes flew up to his face and Potter was on the verge of saying something but instead he yawned loudly.
The brat was swaying and Severus crouched down before him, knowing that he would only have minutes to make Potter understand. He caught the small shoulders in an easy grip and said. "Potter, listen. It is a simple sleeping draught and it will do no harm. I am sorry for doing this but you deserve more."
The green eyes were surprisingly soft in the young face and without accusations.
Hp
Harry felt Snape catching him as he swayed. He felt peace beginning to blossom that always happened when he fell into a deep sleep. It was alright, Snape meant no harm.
He was eased down onto the couch and a pillow was placed underneath his head. Fingers stroked his hair until Harry was sure that he couldn't stay awake any longer and he closed his eyes.
"I am truly sorry, Harry, but you deserve more than just a quick shag to save my soul." With those words and a kiss pressed against the top of his head, Harry drifted off to sleep and knew no more.
I hope you liked it. I am definitely delaying the moment, aren't I? Review of course. We are now going for 200 reviews.
In the next chapter: prepared with documents stating the true story, two prensives filled with memories, the testimonies of Harry and Severus, they face the Wizengamot, but will it be enough? And will Severus' decision not to consummate the marriage affect if he has to go to Azkaban or not and will it be a good decision for all decisions have consequences but are our heroes prepared and ready to face them? How will Harry react to what has happened or didn't happen between them? Find out in the next chapter: The Wizengamot.