Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thank you so much for the reviews. Wow 400 reviews, now on for the 500 shall we? Anyway, the Malfoy trial, the public trial and Harry's first public appearance since the Final Battle and the wedding, how will that go? I will leave you no longer in suspense and just say: let's begin.
I have come to the conclusion that I have made a mistake. Draco had taken the mark and then in the scene where Harry meets him in his cell, he says that he hasn't taken the mark. Forgive me for the error, I just caught it.
I am not in love with Potter!
Severus stared moodily up at the cracked ceiling above them with his dark eyes, tuning out the soft and nearly hesitant snores that came from his left side. He hmfed at said ceiling, reasoning with himself.
I cannot be in love with Potter!
Is that the reason why I am having this debate with myself at 2 o'clock in the morning?
He sighed and uncrossed his arms, flexing his fingers. He couldn't sleep, even when he was tired but he had too much on his mind to find any comfort in sleep. It was not strange for Severus to have many things on his mind. As a spy it was more of a demand of the job than anything else, but why of all things was he mulling over it if he was in love with Potter or not.
The better question would most likely be why Severus couldn't sleep until he had figured this out. He ran a hand through his hair. There had been many times when words ran through his mind and yet they had never bothered him like these words.
He glanced to his left, at the sight of his young husband lying on his stomach, hands tucked under the pillow as the sheets pooled around his waist while his shirt hitched up a little, providing Severus with a lovely view of the pale creamy smooth skin of Potter's lower back.
He frowned and went back to contemplating the ceiling. Was it really so bad to be in love with Potter? Potter was young, unspoiled by any other male except Severus and he was a very agreeable companion. On the other hand, he was a Potter and well, Severus' past with Potters was not a very lucky one. He seemed to bring out their bad sides just as food drew the Giant Squid to the surface.
But Harry was also hurt, damaged and unsure of how to accept intimacy. Sometimes Severus wondered if Harry was too damaged, his wounds too big to heal by a wizard who couldn't even think about his past or future without wanting to hex himself.
If Severus had been any less brave or any less of a man he would have done so a long time ago or at least packed his bags and applied for asylum in the nearest country that would not deliver him straight back to Wizarding Britain.
But he had believed for a long time now that he should atone for the wrongs he did and if it meant being send to Azkaban, then so be it. It might be another flaw in his character, the way he saw himself as not being worthy of being forgiven and loved came perhaps from his childhood or….
Severus growled at himself. He would not get into it, this wasn't the question if he was capable of love, and he was. He had loved Lily for so many years that he had lost count. But now he wondered, had he really loved Lily for who she was or had he loved an imagine and an idea for so long?
Had he perhaps loved the idea that Lily would forgive him if only he changed his ways and showed his errors and atoned for them? Albus certainly had happily supported that picture because it kept Severus in the perfect position. A spy, ready-made who had been heartbroken and who would agree to anything, even allowing himself to be bound to the memory of a dead woman.
No wonder Albus had been so surprised to learn that Severus' patronus had been a doe, still, after all these years. Who in the right mind would love a childhood sweetheart for so long without having that affection returned to him? Severus Snape, that was who.
It had always been nice to dream that somebody would show some forgiveness and would allow him to be who he was, an unpleasant man who had a past to show for it.
He glanced back at Harry to slowly turn on his side as he reached out with one hand, allowing it to hover uncertain over the younger male, wondering if he would be allowed and welcomed to touch.
Why did this frighten him so? He had stood up to enemies countless times his superior in power and he had done it without thinking twice. Why was he being so adamant about this? Would it really be so bad to allow himself to fall in love with his husband? They were stuck together after all.
Or was it the danger that if handled wrong it could all backfire and he knew that it would hurt even worse than it had done all those years ago because when he opened his already bruised and battered heart now, it could very well break.
His hand slipped underneath Harry's shirt and for a tense moment the younger male startled. Severus held his breath, his hand warm on the younger male's lower back before Harry mumbled something low underneath his breath and with a loud sigh, which echoed in Severus' ears, relaxed.
Severus allowed his hand to lightly remain on Harry's warm skin as Harry's breathing evened out. It was strange feeling for him to touch Harry when the young wizard was asleep and unguarded and Harry did not even start except because he had been awoken by somebody. Harry had settled down immediately when he began to realize it was Severus who touched him.
His dark eyes watched as the messy head turned and Harry blinked up at him sleepily.
"Severus?" Harry whispered, confused no doubt as to why his bond mate was touching him because Severus normally always did so either to still Harry or to move him, not to comfort himself.
Severus was mesmerized by the green eyes, the sleepy awareness as he said, and the words rolling off his tongue effortless. "Nothing is wrong. I just…."
You just what? Want to touch him in order to really make sure that he would welcome it? That this innocent young and pure wizard would welcome you, a dark, bitter, mean man twice the boy's age? Well you have proven your point, snatch your hand away….
Despite what Severus was telling himself, his hand remained frozen in that spot as Harry's green eyes continued to stare into his own before he said, wishing he could rip his tongue out the moment the words left his mouth. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't suffering from any nightmares, whelp. You would only keep me awake then and…."
The full lips curled into a genuine slow and oh so very sweet smile as Harry, instead of frowning and pulling away like Severus expected him to do, actually shuffled closer so Severus' hand fell a little to the side and Harry was underneath his arm, his hand touched the warmth of the boy's ribs which he could cup with his hand if he wished to do so since the boy was so thin and for a long moment Severus stared down at Harry.
Harry gazed back at him with eyes full of veiled insecurity and anxiousness and Severus' arm tightened before he rolled onto his back, aware of the heat in his cheeks. It was too much, he couldn't do it…he just couldn't….
His breathing was quick as he threw his arm over his eyes, the hand which had just touched Harry and was still burning with the heat of the younger male's skin. How could he touch somebody who trusted him so? Even when that trust was so misplaced. How could he find it in himself to love somebody who smiled at him only because Severus had used a see-through lie to touch his bond mate?
If it had been a mocking smile then Severus would have happily snatched his hand away as if burned and shoved the brat away but it was a true smile, a happy smile. A smile he had never once been on the receiving end of and now to have it directed at him by an old student he had never once saw as a full person except a copy of his father sent to torment him seemed his undoing.
He startled badly and was wrenched from his thoughts when a hand on his chest made him pull his arm back to look as Harry glanced down at him. Harry had tucked himself in against Severus' chest and was currently looking at him, biting his lip as he asked. "Is it alright if I….?"
Severus could only give a mute nod because his breathing and voice had suddenly left him as with a smile, the shy smile Harry shuffled a little before the messy head came to rest on Severus' chest as Harry held himself tensely, despite how much the brat was trying to relax.
Only when Severus moved his arm around Harry's shoulders to pull him closer did Harry fully relax and turn his head to smile up at him. Severus gave him a hesitant shaky smile back; just a quick turn of the lips and Harry settled down, closing his eyes as his hand came to rest on Severus' stomach.
There was nothing sensual about the way Harry moved his hand but the trust was clear in the action and Severus' hand came to rest on Harry's back, pressing his bond mate close as he continued to stare up at the cracked ceiling.
Perhaps the better question would be, when did I fall in love with Potter?
And despite everything and really those questions should by all rights keep him up, Severus Snape fell asleep for perhaps the first time feeling oddly at peace with himself.
Hp
The day that Harry had dreaded since reading the papers yesterday dawned bright and early. Yet inside the still dark bedroom, Harry Potter merely closed his eyes tightly, moved his head and wished to go back to sleep.
He didn't have to appear for hours yet and if he could still try and quell the nervous, anxious and stupid feeling in his stomach that he really shouldn't have done this, he could try to get some more sleep. Or at least enjoy the comfort of the warm arm around his shoulders, the chest that rose and fell with each breath underneath his cheek or the hand that somewhere in the night had crept over his own where it rested on Snape's flat stomach.
And Harry found that he was enjoying it. The steady beating slightly to his right of Snape's heart, the fingers that curled with around his shoulders with a pressure he enjoyed and which made him feel at ease, the fact that he should probably move before Snape woke up and found him like this….
He opened his eyes and shifted his head so he could look up at Snape. Snape's face was relaxed in sleep, his breathing steady, lips parted to reveal the yellow teeth and yet to Harry, he had never seen the older wizard so content.
He found himself fighting a smile and with a small sigh, he put his head back where it had originally had been and relaxed. This felt good. It felt right and above all, this was what he wanted.
But wasn't it strange that for a few months he had dreamed and envisioned that Ginny would lay like this with him and now he was lying quite comfortably here with Snape? Well truth be told, if he had pictured Ginny like this with him the roles would have been different, he would have been holding her and….
Harry sighed again. The truth was, it had only been for a few months that he had allowed himself that dream. It had been the only few months that he had felt normal when he had Ginny as his girlfriend but even then he was asking for time that wasn't his own. He wasn't normal, Harry Potter just wasn't. He had always lived on borrowed time and his time with Ginny hadn't been any different.
But this time…this was his own and he had chosen subconsciously or with full consciousness to spend it with Snape. That time he had spent with Ginny and those dreams of the future he had sought after with her had been from a different life. He couldn't focus on the past any longer and he simply refused.
Even if Snape and him were doomed to live most of their life as simply easy companions and sometimes lovers and nothing more then so be it. But somehow, Harry got the feeling that what they were sharing went far deeper than that. Harry had seen enough to know better than to foolishly dream of true and pure love, they could very well be far too damaged for that but what he did know, at least at the moment, was that they were both willing to make the effort to try and it was enough.
But wasn't it strange that he wasn't holding Snape? Why was the older always holding him, kissing him, bossing him around? Why was Snape looking after him and Harry not after Snape? Or Harry was looking after Snape but just not in the same manner or…
He moved, a little uncertain. He suddenly realized that he had another slightly more pressing problem. Namely, he had to use the bathroom and badly too.
He could try to ignore it but the fear that had been installed into him by his family to not wet the bed, made him move hesitantly and certainly careful out of Snape's embrace. Getting his hand out from underneath Snape's was the easy part but to move the warm arm away, was not.
He carefully pulled away, allowing Snape's arm to fall away as he moved the warm blankets away and with a last careful glance at his bond mate, who was still asleep, Harry walked quickly to the bathroom to relieve himself.
Hp
The flushing of the toilet woke Severus from his sound slumber. He glanced around the room, something was missing, though he dismissed it almost immediately. He yawned and turned on his side, away from the window that had the light streaming in which was hurting his eyes.
His hand encountered warm blankets and Severus blinked sleepily at the empty spot next to him. Where was Harry?
His mind simply refused to even kick start into action so early so Severus closed his eyes firmly, resolving to answer that question next time when he was sure he would have some of his old sharpness back. He drowsed for a moment as he heard the door open that led to the bathroom and the soft footsteps that came closer.
The bed dipped and Severus could feel the cold air as the blankets shifted as Harry lay down. Severus forced his breathing to stay even, pretending he was asleep a moment longer. He wondered what Potter would do. Would he simply go back to sleep or….
It took all of Severus' experience as a spy to keep himself still and his body relaxed when a hesitant hand moved his arms, rearranging them around a warm body but Severus could feel the nearly taunt string of Harry's body where it pressed against his own.
One leg hesitantly slipped in between his own but there was nothing hesitant about the way Harry kept himself from rubbing against Severus or the tenseness in the younger male's body. Harry was unsure, Severus knew, he could feel it in the slight trembling hand that came to rest upon his bare arm.
"Who am I kidding?" Harry murmured finally and moved away, or tried to because in that moment Severus made his move. He moved so Harry was in his arms and he pulled the younger male's body closer to his own as he stared down.
Apprehensive green eyes met his own as Harry chewed on his lip. The sleep tousled already messy hair was begging to be touched but Severus fought the urge as he raised an eyebrow and said, voice chilling for a better effect. "You just think that you can arrange yourself as you see fit in my arms and then just slouch off when you feel like it?"
Harry flushed and the emerald eyes widen before they narrowed with anger and Harry hissed. "Well I was hoping that by now we had come to a place in the marriage where we would be comfortable enough to touch one another but I am sorry if that does not fit your plans, Professor."
Severus leaned in closer as he growled. "My plans did not take into account of you moving out of my arms to use the bathroom, insolent imp! You were to stay put!"
"I….what?" Harry yelped, thoroughly confused now. Severus fought his smirk as he leaned in closer and softly whispered.
"You were not to move, Mr. Potter, not until I told you so nor until you had woke me up with a kiss had I still been sleeping." He drew back a little to see the disbelieve in the green eyes as Harry stammered.
"A kiss?"
"Yes, you know, like this." And with those words Severus crossed the distance between them to press his lips against Harry's. With almost practiced ease he nibbled gently on the plump lower lip until Harry parted them with a sigh.
His hands moved, one upwards to curl into the dark messy hair and the other to Harry's thigh encouraged Harry to spread his legs slightly so Severus' long and firm leg could slip in between them. His tongue curled around Harry's and Severus nearly bit down when Harry's hands began to move as well.
One hand crept down and Severus crushed Harry to him, deepening their kiss. He did not care when Harry moaned as Severus nibbled on the very kissable lips of his husband but then one of Harry's hands, the hand which was free and was not trapped between them, moved Severus' shirt up to slip underneath.
The warm hand came to rest on his side and Severus knew they would have to move so either that he had to roll on top of Harry or Harry on top of him. Severus was too busy contemplating when Harry's hand sneaked around his back and then pinched his bum.
Severus broke the kiss to stare down at his impossible brat as he said, trying to keep the color out of his cheeks though he could tell by the impish smile he got that he wasn't entirely succeeding. "That is not where your hand goes, Mr. Potter!"
Instead of the hurt Severus was sure would blossom in the heavenly eyes of his bond mate Harry merely moved his hand to Severus' hip as he said, smiling cheekily up at his former professor as he said. "Well, I could squeeze that or this…."
Harry's hand moved towards Severus' groin but the older wizard was quicker and within one moment he had Harry's hand trapped underneath his own as his dark eyes captured the green ones.
"Are you sure?" He hissed. His eyes bore into Harry's with an intensity that would not have been wrong during their famous Occlumency lessons. Severus refused to back down unless Harry was absolutely sure and so he continued to stare into his bond mate's eyes.
Hp
Harry met the dark eyes without flinching and without looking away. His hand was still trapped underneath the steady pressure of Snape's hand and finally Harry looked away as he shook his head. He could feel his cheeks burning as he refused to look at Snape. The older wizard would see that Harry wasn't sure in the slightest.
How did he even know he would be welcome? Hell, he didn't even know if it was alright when he kissed Snape. He had only ever kissed the older wizard once and then Snape had frozen so it was not really very beneficial for Harry's almost nonexistent confidence.
Snape's hand moved to curl underneath Harry's chin and he was forced up to look at Snape as the older wizard hissed sharply. "What did I tell you about these things unless you want to do them?"
Harry felt annoyance well up within him. Why was this always a sore point between them as he said. "I want to do it, really I do but…."
"But?" Snape pressed, ruthless as ever.
"I don't even know what I feel." Harry finally bit out sharply and this time he didn't need the fingers to look up at Snape as he pushed himself away and into a sitting position before he continued. "I don't know, alright? I don't know what I feel….You kiss me and it is the most wonderful feeling and I want to go further, hell, we went further so why aren't we doing it now? And I know that you want to go further, Severus and…."
He fell silent, too choked up to say anything further as he watched Snape struggle into a sitting position as well before the older wizard said. "This isn't about what I want or need, Harry. I can wait…."
Harry snorted at that. Come on, sex was amazing, surely Snape wouldn't deny something if it was offered to him. "Come on, I mean you loved my mum surely it has been years since…."
The expression on Snape's face made him pause and something inside him tightened something Harry wasn't even aware of that existed within him as Snape gave a dark chuckle and said. "I may be many things, brat, but I am most certainly not a saint! While my looks certainly may not have attracted the best of suitors I can assure you that I was by no means innocent or…."
Harry found that suddenly his voice had abandoned him and Snape stopped before he sharply said. "Not all sex is associated with love, Potter!"
Harry gasped for breath and immediately he looked away. He was feeling faint all of a sudden. He knew Snape didn't love him, who would love a freak like him but this….to hear it said like that, it was almost too much. His breathing was suddenly stuck somewhere in the vicinity of his throat as he desperately tried to act as if nothing was wrong, that his world just hadn't shook the tiniest of bits with what Snape had said.
How could he even expect Snape to feel something for him? He had been so foolish. How could he have thought something like that? Simply because he was beginning to feel something for Snape didn't mean the older wizard harbored anything for him except for loathing.
Snape had loved Lily for most of his life and he had hated James for the same amount of time so why should he even feel anything except perhaps attraction to Harry? And that might not even be there.
Harry, you foolish, foolish, sentimental Gryffindor! How could you expect that? Snape is a Slytherin and they will use any situation to their advantage so why did this surprise me so much? I should have known better. How could I have set myself up for a fall like this?
It would be like heaven to Snape to have somebody there who was always willing because he believed in an illusion of love that wasn't there. If Snape just hadn't said those words. How could Harry have expected love? Nobody had ever stayed there to love him, the Dursleys, Sirius, Remus, his parents….
A hand on his cheek made him glance at Snape with the tears that were threatening to fall as he was again seized by the pain and then Snape pulled him closer and into his lap, securing his arms around Harry as he softly whispered. "But for me, sex has never been without feeling."
"That doesn't mean anything! You could very well hate me!" Harry pulled away to look into the dark eyes, trying to uncover the secrets Snape was keeping before the older wizard remarked.
"Do you remember what I told you when we first consummated the bond?"
How could he even ask that? The words had been etched into Harry's memory and he gave a shaky nod as he said. "You called me beautiful."
Snape's thumb moved over Harry's lip as he said, still staring into Harry's eyes. "And I have never lied to you!"
The simple fact made Harry's lips ease into a smile and yet one tear fell. The words were a balm on the wound that was too big to be healed and he breathed in deeply, leaning in to give Snape a quick peck, knowing that while Snape might not say it, the emotion behind those words were enough for him as he rose for the hard day ahead.
Hp
The hallway that led to courtroom number 10 was one of the biggest corridors in the Ministry for Magic building. The most public of trials had been held here in this very courtroom and while all the Wizarding Press, from the most respected news to the trashiest magazines was banned from this place it did not mean that they wouldn't gather in the hallway.
Even despite the Press Warding Bubble that had been placed by the aurors camera's were clicking, questions were being shouted to all those who walked through the hallway and the press was as obnoxious as ever.
Luckily they had not seen him just yet or Harry knew that the cameras would be turned on him faster than anybody could say his name. He rubbed his hands together, should he really go through with this? Surely the Malfoys were brought in through a different entrance than to have to go through this ritual each day.
He glanced up when a hand was placed on his shoulder to find Arthur Weasley looking at him. The balding, tall, red haired wizard said with a kind smile. "It will be fine, Harry. We will walk fast and the aurors will protect you and besides, you have to make an appearance in public one of these days. Now you can make your own statement."
Harry fingered the gold band on his finger. He had gotten so used to it now and out of habit rubbed at his scar. He was not used to this or in any way at ease but Arthur was right; he had to make an appearance someday and why not today?
Snape had laid out his clothes, robes that Harry had never seen before, dark ones, much like Snape used to wear and the older wizard had explained that Harry needed to look his best, not pale and trembling because in the eyes of the public it would say more than any word Harry could utter.
He straightened a little and Arthur said. "Good boy Harry. Let's just march in there and give them a piece of our mind!"
And as Harry took a deep breath, plastered his smile upon his face and swore to not let his anger cloud his judgment because come tomorrow, his performance within the next five minutes could be read all over the Daily prophet.
He gave the head of the Weasley family a nod and they stepped out of the side corridor and indeed within moments a cry went up. "There is Potter!"
"Over here, Harry!"
"Harry, are you here for the Malfoy trial?"
"Mr. Potter, what does your bond mate think of the fact that you slept with Draco Malfoy?"
Harry froze in mid stride and turned, the flashing lights making him partially blind as he growled out. "What did you just say?"
The reporter, a young male with dark curly hair and somebody Harry had never seen before shot him a nasty grin. The pale grey eyes twinkled oddly as the young male gestured with his wand at the quill and parchment floating beside him while he said. "That is why you are here, isn't it? To defend your lover. It is what you are good at, first Snape and then now the Malfoys. I must say, boy, you are busy after defeating a Dark Lord. So first the Slytherin House and then Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff perhaps, or first your own house perhaps?"
Harry was seething with anger suddenly. How dare they? Was that what everybody thought? That he had slept with Malfoy? Even Snape had thought the same. Nasty pricks, the lot of them!
The reporter was watching him, his nasty smile only increasing and Harry allowed his own smirk to slide to the surface as he said. "The only lover I aim to please these days is my bond mate, surprising as that may be."
The sour look on the reporter's face showed Harry that he had succeeded. They had no doubt hoped that he would blow up and start screaming at them, giving them a very interesting article and lots of pictures.
He held his head high; he was no longer one of those young males who were shocked by everything that was being said about him. He might be shocked and angry but he would show that in private.
While the articles that he had read last night were far from true, like most things concerning him were, Harry hadn't really been surprised. What was there to be surprised about? He knew that they loved to print rubbish about him rather than the truth. People liked to know that their hero was a lying git rather then somebody who could not help it that he had bound their magic together. It was much easier to dislike Harry that way, than to think that he had actually cared enough to try and save Snape.
"So, Harry, is it true? Did you marry Snape after the battle to save him from Azkaban?"
The next question made him frown. He was glad that Snape's trial had been mostly private because else the general public would know that their marriage was because of their linked magic, not because he wanted to save Snape from Azkaban.
He blinked up at Rita Skeeter who gave him a sweet smile before she purred, pushing her blond curls away from her face with long nails. "Harry, Harry, Harry, still as innocent as three years ago I see. I would have thought that your liaison with Snape would have surely robbed you of that. So did you marry your lover right after the Final Battle when you were both in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts? It must have been intoxicating to Harry Potter, the Golden Boy to have a lover whose very power and alliance is to the dark? Is that why you did it? And your quick and secret marriage raises another question; did this affair take place during your school years?"
She was interrupted as the other reporter, the male one Harry had spoken to earlier said with a gleeful smile. "You must be really bad, Potter, if you could barely afford a passing grade for putting out for a teacher. Or did you manage to secure your passing grade by trading it off on your knees for your abominable skill in Potions?"
"Oh I have no doubt that Snape got his hands on you the moment you set foot in that school, it fits right into his alley! Is that why Lucius Malfoy hated you for so many years? Because Snape got there before he did and marked you as his." Another one shouted.
"The only one who marked Snape as his was Voldemort with the Dark Mark!" Harry hissed, his anger finally bursting forward.
"Ah then is Malfoy trying to get even with Snape for ditching him and moving onto somebody younger?"
"Uhm, what?" Harry looked around, confused now. What were they all talking about?
"Malfoy stated that Snape was involved in the mass breakout three years ago and we were merely wondering why." Rita smiled at Harry.
"Malfoy is married to a very respected witch and for those years he has held a respectable place in the community so why should he….?" Harry frowned.
"And for all those years the Malfoys have lied so why should their marriage be any different? I am sure that it is the same in your marriage, Potter. It is only a matter of convenience. Surely you wouldn't touch your bond mate with a three foot pole if you could help it. But it does raise the question why somebody like you who has it all, would put that all on the line to be with somebody like Snape? Blew you away, did he boy? Or should I say that he blew you?"
Laughter went up around them as Harry bit his lip, his fists balled and anger shooting through him. How dare they? They knew nothing about his marriage to Snape.
"Is that why you defend Snape and then now the Malfoys, Harry? Because they showed you all the wicked things little boys aren't supposed to know and learn about. So who else is it? The older Malfoy or are you going for the younger one now? Tired of black hair and now going for blond? I am sure that a pretty boy like you has a taste for brown curls as well. But don't worry, Potter, I will make it worth your while. I will take the pictures and record every little sound that leaves your pretty little mouth while you suck me off…."
Harry hated the way the voice dropped as the reporter with the brown curls looked at him. The disgust in the eyes before he raised his wand and even before the aurors could take a step forward, Harry had his wand placed right between the young reporter's eyes as the reporter went pale as he hissed.
"Let me make it very clear for you! I am Snape's bond mate and the only reason that you are all still standing here and not taking the Dark Mark or proving your blood status right now! I defeated Voldemort and nobody else! You were not there or even fighting to save your miserable little life so don't you dare to say anything to me about my bond mate's past or what we do in our spare time! You are lucky he isn't here for he would have hexed you for thinking such a thing alone and I would have stood there laughing."
Out of the corner of his eye he could see the quill writing with confident and quick strokes: Harry Potter Loses It When His Sexual Past Is Mentioned. Has Snape Been Rubbing Off On The Wizarding Hero?
He could feel his magic rising as he tried to keep himself from hexing the reporter on the spot. He was aware of the commotion around him and then Skeeter hissed in his ear. "And exclusive interview, Harry? I will print the truth."
He looked to his left to see her eyes regarding him, glittering with curiosity and he nodded as he hissed back. "Contact Hermione Granger, she will oversee the terms!"
And with a last glare at the reporter that looked back frightened out of his wits, Harry lowered his wand and turned, aware of the murmurs behind him, the triumphant smile on Rita's face at the promise of the exclusive interview and the camera's that flashed, knowing that he should have kept his temper in check instead of losing it completely.
Hp
"The Wizengamot calls to the witness stand Harry James Potter Snape!" Harry rose from the visitors' bench that was full of wizards and witches who had come to enjoy the Malfoys' downfall as he felt Arthur pat him on the shoulder reassuringly.
Harry stood there in the same bench he had stood before, only weeks ago to give testimony of his marriage with Snape and what had happened on that faithful night. He had been followed by Draco Malfoy which had been an unexpected move by the Minister.
Harry glanced around the courtroom. It was exactly the same as where Snape had been on trial and most of the elderly witches and wizards in the Wizengamot cleared their throats, shuffled in their seats a little and some gave him hard glances while others nodded kindly at him.
He glanced at the left to see a sight he had never anticipated to see. The tall man with the dirty matted long blond hair glared at him, the eyes cold and his lips pulled back in a sneer. To see the man fall from grace to such low lows and then to see the expression of hate on Lucius' face seemed Harry's undoing.
He looked away, chewing on his lips. Normally Lucius had always seemed to pretend he liked Harry, even when they had fought in the Ministry for Magic during Harry's fifth year and now to truly see the older man's feelings without the mask, it made Harry realize the lengths to which Lucius was willing to go to.
Yet it also hardened his own resolve. Lucius could have turned to Dumbledore and asked for protection. The man's wealth and influence would have been greatly appreciated but his love for pure blood had blinded Lucius to the point that nearly his son had paid with his own life and Harry knew that the man had to atone for his sins.
His eyes shot to the shackled youth in the booth beside Lucius. Draco looked very much like he had done when Harry had seen him in Azkaban yet the lights in the courtroom showed the older male's grey pallor. The cool grey eyes bore into Harry's and Harry could see the mask crack to reveal despair. He allowed himself to smile, hoping to reassure Draco. He would do everything in his power to make sure that Draco wouldn't pay for his father's mistakes.
"So you crawl at the feet of Potter now, Draco?" The cool voice made Harry glance back at Lucius. The cool blue eyes that regarded him were filled with hate and Harry could see how Draco recoiled. Lucius sneered at his son and Harry answered.
"It is better than crawling at the feet of the Dark Lord, Mr. Malfoy." The use of the surname was not lost on Lucius and his lips pulled back to reveal white teeth bared in a growl.
One of the aurors flicked his wand at Lucius and Harry could see the expression of pain as the hex took effect. He had no idea what the auror had used to subdue Lucius but as the icy blue eyes returned to him, he looked away.
"You are summoned here today to give testimony about Draco Malfoy's role in the death of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and in the aligned Battle at Malfoy Manor." Kingsley's voice ran out clear and Harry gave a nod.
"We know that Draco Malfoy was given the task of murdering Headmaster Albus Dumbledore by He Who Must Not Be Named and we also know that he did not succeed in said task…."
"Yes, another succeeded in that task and yet he is not punished for it…." Lucius' voice was soft but it filled the room.
"Mr. Malfoy, be silent or you will be removed from this courtroom and brought back to your cell in Azkaban where you will be held under contempt of this court and you will be informed of your punishment when we see it fit to deal it out." The Minister's voice was just as soft and clear.
"As if this trial is not a joke for the common folk anyhow." Lucius murmured but he bowed his head and kept silent.
Harry stared at the male wizard for a long time. He knew how Lucius had suffered in the war but the man's refusal to accept what had happened and to atone for his wrongdoings was rubbing him the wrong way. Why should Severus be held responsible for his actions and atone for them and yet not this man? This man who had done the same if not worse things, out of fear, envy, hatred or belief, it did not matter. Not once had Lucius shown remorse or tried to help Harry as his wife had done.
Harry would never forget her lie to Voldemort that had saved his life and had allowed him to defeat the Dark Lord. Had it not been for her, somebody else might do it and he would be dead and Voldemort victorious. And she had done it all for Draco. To know if her son was safe. It filled him with hope, just as long as Draco knew to what lengths his mother was willing to go to to save him and acknowledged them, there might still be hope for the self appointed Slytherin prince.
"Harry, kindly tell us what happened the night that Professor Dumbledore died."
Harry sighed, surely it had been chewed out so many times that anything he had to add would just be a repeated sentence in the last trial but he took a deep breath and said.
"Like stated before Professor Dumbledore and I returned from obtaining an item far away from the school grounds. When we Apparated back to Hogsmeade the Dark Mark could be seen above the Astronomy Tower and while Professor Dumbledore was greatly weakened by a poison he wanted to fly to the tower immediately to make sure that nobody had died. We acquired broomsticks from Madam Rosemerta from the Three Broom Sticks who later turned out had been under the Imperious Curse. I don't know who placed her under the curse but she alerted Draco that the Headmaster was on his way. I was under the Invincibility Cloak from my father because Dumbledore thought it best if nobody knew I was not at school…."
Harry paused, aware of the silence that had fallen. Not many people had heard this tale outside of the people who had been privy at Snape's trial and those who had been present when the event took place. The press would have a field day with this and his own role would be known in the events as well but nothing could be done about that.
But how much should he reveal? He paused, lost in thought. To reveal that Draco's disarming of Dumbledore had caused the Slytherin to acquire the Elder Wand and when Harry had disarmed Draco had caused him to become the wand's new master and finally being able to defeat Voldemort would mean a real riot. No, he would have to keep that hidden, for his own safety just as well as Draco's.
"When we landed on the tower and got off the broom stick, the door flew open and Draco disarmed Dumbledore. But in the split second before, Dumbledore bound me with the body bind curse. I couldn't move or make a sound and I couldn't have helped him. I don't know why he did this except that he didn't want any help."
"During the next few minutes Draco didn't kill the Headmaster. No, Dumbledore discussed with Draco the failed attempts on taking his life, such as a poisoned bottle of mead and a cursed necklace, both items which never were delivered to Dumbledore. Dumbledore offered Draco the protection of the Order of the Phoenix but even before Draco could answer, the Death Eaters arrived on the scene."
It was painful for him to relive those moments but he knew he needed to tell them as accurately as possible or as he remembered them.
"Can you tell us the names of the Death Eaters, Harry?" Kingsley's voice was oddly detached and Harry closed his eyes in order to see the faces pass before his mind eye as he connected the names with the people.
"Yaxley, Greyback and the Carrow siblings. Those were the only one I know of." He opened his eyes to see Kingsley bending down as a witch murmured something in his ear. The Minister straightened and asked.
"What exactly happened before they arrived, Harry? Do you remember that?"
How could Harry have forgotten that? This could be it, the moment that everything might turn around for Draco so he looked at the older male to see the frightened eyes stare back at him and then he said.
"Draco lowered his wand right before they entered."
Gasps went up around the room and Harry could see the expression on Lucius' face. For one moment it seemed so hopeful that Harry's breathing was stuck in his throat for he suddenly understood Lucius' love for Draco but then it was gone, drowned in a mask that nobody could penetrate.
"What happened when the Death Eaters arrived?"
"They celebrated that they had Dumbledore wandless and cornered and ordered Draco to kill him. Draco still didn't do it and then Severus entered…." He was unable to say anything more and it seemed Kingsley understood as he asked, gently.
"What happened after Dumbledore had been killed, Harry?"
"Severus grabbed Draco and ordered them to leave because they had done their duty. They fled. I ran after them and stunned the Death Eaters that I came across in order to get to Severus. I caught up with them halfway across the grounds and I engaged Severus in a duel. He turned and ordered Draco to go ahead. We dueled and he would have won but a Hippogriff interfered and chased him off. I have no doubt that by that time Draco had already Apparated."
"Yes, very good. Now, what happened at Malfoy Manor? It is my understanding that you were caught by snatchers and brought there last year somewhere near Easter."
Harry took a deep breath, trying to force the memories of his duel with Severus and the hatred he had felt then to the side. He gave a nod and said.
"I had gone into hiding, trying to stay alive and I didn't know Voldemort's name was Taboo. I broke it and the snatchers found us. Hermione hexed me so they wouldn't recognize me and Greyback, who was in charge, brought us back to Malfoy Manor. They found out pretty soon that I was Harry Potter and they wanted to call Voldemort. For some reason they didn't and Lucius and Bellatrix got into a fight as to who would get the credit. We were thrown in the dungeon and Hermione was tortured by Bellatrix to reveal information."
Harry shifted through some of his memories. It wouldn't do to reveal all so he picked up his story. "Dobby, the Malfoy's former house elf came to our rescue. We had a wand from Wormtail because we had overpowered him when he came to check upon us because Ron kept screaming for Hermione. When Draco entered the cell, I disarmed him and we fled. Dobby was killed when he took us out of there."
"Good riddance!" Lucius snarled and Harry could feel his anger rise. His head snapped back to look at Lucius. How dare he say such a thing but before he opened his mouth Kingsley snapped.
"Final warning, Mr. Malfoy!"
It occurred to Harry as he looked at Lucius that because of Lucius' fall from grace, the older man did not care who he took with him in his fall just as long as he could take down as many people as possible as he fell further and further. Lucius wasn't even trying to slither back into society, he knew that nobody would forgive him for what he had done this time so he allowed the mask to slide and accepted his punishment with barely concealed venom.
"Good then and during the Final Battle, there was a time when you were alone with Draco in the Room of Requirement, wasn't that right? Would you tell us about that?"
"We weren't alone. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were with us as were Ron and Hermione. We went into the room to search for the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw and we encountered them. They seem to have been waiting for us. Crabbe used the Killing Curse but Draco stopped him. In the past Crabbe would have listened but he said that Draco and Lucius were finished and had fallen out of grace with Voldemort. Crabbe use fiendfyre but he couldn't control it and he died, destroying the Diadem as well. We used broomsticks to escape the room but not before rescuing Draco and Goyle. We encountered Draco again a little later and Ron stunned him because Draco was trying to hex a member of the Order, sufficient to say, I know Draco wasn't entirely sure which side to appeal to."
Laughter went up around the room and for a fleeting moment Harry saw the smile on Draco's face. It was a tiny one but it was there and that was all that mattered.
"Thank you, Harry. Is there anything you would like to add?"
"Yeah, there is actually. It is about Narcissa Malfoy and after the Final Battle…"
"Don't you dare say anything bad about her! She saved your life!" Lucius was on his feet in an instant, an expression of rage consorting his features.
"Lucius Malfoy!" Kingsley snapped his wand out in hand as Harry called out, his eyes on Lucius.
"I wasn't going to! She saved my life in lying to Voldemort when he asked if I was still alive. If it hadn't have been for her love for her son, I wouldn't be here! I owe her, despite everything. She was only trying to protect her loved ones, as should have been your duty, Mr. Malfoy; it is just a pity that you put your faith in the wrong side!"
Harry swallowed and held up his hand, indicating he wanted to continue. The next words cost him a lot to say but he needed to say them. "During the Final Battle I watched as both Lucius and Narcissa, instead of fighting searched for Draco! I believe that like most families in the war they are lucky that they escaped alive and in the end, they didn't know which side would keep them safe. I am just sorry that they didn't come to that realization sooner because we might have actually helped them."
"You would have done that, Potter?" Lucius drawled.
"I am doing it now, aren't I?" Harry shot back, grimly.
"You are merely protecting your bond mate, Mr. Potter!" Lucius said with seemingly great weariness.
"You have your family, Lucius and I have chosen mine since nobody else was ever prepared to protect Severus, not even Dumbledore." And with the final word as he watched as Lucius' blue eyes grew dim with sorrow for no doubt his own fate but Harry merely got up to go back to his own seat.
"Good job, Harry, well done. Just a few more moments and you can go home." And as Arthur clasped him on the back, which was exactly what Harry wanted, to go home.
Hp
Blast the old thing! Had my father been a wizard, he would have warded the thing!
Severus reached for his wand which was lying beside him next to the pitcher he was cooking upon when the floo flared. It might not be potion brewing and Severus had, in all of his life, cooked for himself perhaps a handful of times. His family had been too poor to afford a house elf and for most of his adult life he had lived at Hogwarts where he had taken meals in the Great Hall each evening.
"Severus?" Minerva's voice was soft and Severus waved his wand to put the stew he was making under a preserving charm as he called out.
"In the kitchen!"
"What are you doing in the kitchen, Severus?"
"Cooking, woman, what else?" He sent a glare at the Headmistress as she entered the kitchen, ignoring her smile.
"You are cooking? Now that is a nice surprise. What are you making?"
Blast curious Gryffindors as Minerva peered over his shoulder as he growled at her. "What do you want? Can't you leave me in peace for one day?"
He turned around and his heart slowed to a stop as he hissed. "Nothing has happened to Harry, has it?"
Minerva gave him a glance before she sat down and said. "Harry is fine, though he is the reason I am here. And since when has it been Harry, Severus?"
She smiled again and Severus fought the urge to hex it off of her. He turned back to check upon the food to make sure it didn't burn. Normally Harry always prepared the food but tonight, Severus couldn't ask it of him. The brat was most likely tired from his day at court and it would prove to everybody that Severus was more than capable of taking care of himself…not to mention that he got a funny feeling whenever the impossible boy smiled at him and food surely would produce a smile, at least he hoped.
"What is the matter with him now then? Has he complained about the dust that this place seems to attract or…."
"Harry hasn't complained once, Severus. I would even go as far to say that he is content here…"
"Nonsense woman, nobody is ever content with me."
"Severus, really…"
"What, Minerva? Is it the truth! I am not a good catch for a husband or a friend." Severus did not care how bitter his voice sounded. It was the truth. Lily had seen it very soon in their friendship and had done her best to discourage any of Severus' veiled attempts at trying to encourage more then friendship between them.
The pain was no more than a faint throb now but the slap to the back of his head made him yelp as he turned, startled. "What was that for?"
Minerva merely raised an eyebrow as she said, bringing her hand up. "You know what you are saying is not true, Severus! Many would be honored to be your friend if only you would let them! Now, sit down and stop wallowing in self pity. We have something to discuss regarding your bond mate's birthday."
That certainly got his attention as Severus rubbed at the place where the impossible woman had hit him as he asked. "Harry's birthday?"
"Yes, I don't know if you know this but Harry's birthday is the thirty-first of July. I only think that it is appropriate to get him a gift."
Severus paused, Harry's birthday, less than two weeks away. What was he going to get his bond mate indeed? A broom? No, not a good gift. A new familiar perhaps? Harry's snowy owl had been killed last year but would it be appropriate or would Harry hate him for it?
Or…
No, that was too Slytherin, or was it?
Couldn't he use those two weeks to find out if his bond mate would consent to the gift that Harry had been trying to coax between them? Could he make love to Harry on that night? Seduce his young husband and take the time to explore as should have been done when they consummated the bond?
Severus could but would Harry like it as well. It was certainly something to look forward to find that out. And he allowed himself a smirk as he thought of another gift that Harry could show his friends while the other would be between them in private, as it should have been from the beginning.
And as Severus began planning, he didn't even notice the fleeting smile on Minerva's face.
Hp
Harry stumbled into the dingy sitting room with his wand in hand. He managed to catch himself in time before he slammed his head against the small table that stood there. He straightened and glanced around. Snape wasn't here.
There was a wonderful smell drifting in from the kitchens and the sound of pans being moved in the kitchen caught his attention. Unbuttoning his robes and tossing them over the couch, Harry moved towards the kitchen.
Snape was muttering to himself as he stood at the stove, moving a pan over the fire. Harry stood in the doorway, watching, a lump forming in his throat. Snape was cooking, cooking for him and the sight of the broad back of his bond mate was making him choke up and instead of turning around and going to the bedroom, Harry took the few steps it took and slipped an arm around Snape's waist and pressed his cheek against the soft cloth on Snape's shirt, inhaling the scent that stubbornly clung to his bond mate even when he was away from his beloved potions.
He felt Snape stiffen against him and then the dark voice rumbled against Harry's cheek as Snape asked. "Is there a reason why you are clinging to me, Harry? You are hindering my movements."
"There is no reason." Harry muttered.
"Funny, normally no reason would indicate release but by the tightening of your arm around my waist, I gather that there most definitely is a reason. Did something happen at the trial today?" Snape's voice revealed nothing and Harry loosened his hold.
Snape would know eventually so he might just tell him everything. It was far better then that the man learned about the day's events than reading it in the paper tomorrow.
Harry pushed himself away and said as he walked to the table that had been set up for their dinner. "I was seeking reassurance that you aren't angry with me."
Snape turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised as the man said, dangerously calm. "And why would I be angry with you? Have you done something that would make me have to be angry with you?"
Harry shook his head but he refused to look up. "No, though I might have promised Rita Skeeter an exclusive interview."
"I should have known that letting you go out in public unsupervised would come back to bite me in the arse." Snape muttered as he lowered the fire and turned to take the pan to the table as he asked. "And how would you propose I reassure you?"
Harry shuddered as he said. "I don't know."
"Mmm….." The dark voice dropped into a low seductive purr that held Harry captive as the dark eyes focused on him. All around him everything else ceased to exist as Harry found the words filling him, making him tremble as he heard them and his cock harden.
"Should I reassure my bond mate with a kiss and a cuddle on my lap or should I resort to more nefarious ways such as tying you to the bedpost and having my wicked way with you and do things to you that even in your darkest dreams you have never thought possible?"
Harry realized his mouth was hanging open and he closed it with a snap. His cheeks were burning and he was sure that if it had been a moment longer he would have been drooling. His mind was helpfully supplying him with the imagined scenario Snape had so lovingly described to him.
His bond mate was smirking at him before he lightly purred his voice dangerously silky. "But why should I reassure my bond mate or is this more of reassuring myself?"
Harry forced himself to swallow thickly as he looked down at his empty plate and said. "When I spoke to the reporters today they were making assumptions that I would like to suck off their cock and that…." He could barely say it but he forced himself to as his voice came out a tad bit high. "….and they were suggesting that I liked to spread myself around, if you know what I mean."
"Well, we all know that the Daily Prophet prints rubbish." But Harry flinched at the cold tone in his bond mate's voice. He refused to look up and his hand curled painfully tight around his cutlery. He was shaking suddenly; of course Snape would believe them, even after what Harry had said. The man had suggested it himself but then Snape's hand came to rest upon his balled fist and then the older wizard said. "But I know that there is only one who you put out for and rest assured, I am quite confident that I will keep you begging for more as my lover."
And Harry found his own lips easing into a smile that was echoed in the warmth in Snape's eyes, he knew that no matter what the outside world thought as long as Snape knew what he meant, then everything was alright in their little world, at least for the moment.
I have decided to end on a slightly happier note then I have done before. I know I haven't included the letters but they will come next chapter. I simply did not have the time. So review of course and send ideas and tell me what you liked, hated or anything else.
The next chapter: Harry and Severus get a good look at just what the press is implying but will Severus manage to keep his cool when he sees what his bond mate is accused off? How will Hermione react to seeing Rita Skeeter again and Harry's request for an interview? And when Severus is called back to court to answer the Wizengamot's questions regarding Lucius' accusations, will his answers satisfy them? Will Harry worry needlessly when the Eldar Wand is discussed? And our heroes answer the mail. That and more in: Reactions, retaliations and answers.