Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. I am still honored by how many people are responding to this story. Now, let's begin. Mentioning of sex in this chapter. I need questions for Rita Skeeter.
Harry dried his hands on the towel as he surveyed the kitchen. It was clean and all the visible signs that two had eaten here had been erased by him. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing outside through the dirty window. They really needed to clean this place up, he decided. Snape may have transfigured a table from an old book but it could hardly be called sturdy.
He sighed and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. Talking about clean, he needed a shower and badly. He had only changed into his old clothes when he had come back but his skin still prickled where Snape had put his hands and those eyes, Merlin, could those cold black eyes ever show such warmth?
I am Snape's lover.
Why that one sentence made Harry feel like grinning like a fool was beyond him. He had never been anybody's anything. Sure, he had been somebody's enemy but somebody's boyfriend, husband, well he was Snape's husband but that word had such a bad ring to it that Harry would rather not mention it.
He sobered when he thought of his next task. Well it was not a task really but he had to ask Snape something. No, wait, he wanted to ask Snape something, yes that was it.
He had wanted to ask it for a while really but he had never been truly comfortable with it. He was such a private person by nature and he knew that Snape was as well. Though, truth be told, the older wizard never locked the door anymore. It was almost as if Snape wanted Harry to come in and to join him…
But that was wishful thinking, wasn't it? Or was it? There was only one way to find out and so Harry took a deep breath and walked into the sitting room.
Hp
"Severus?"
The paper was lowered slightly as the black eyes regarded him. Harry stood in the doorway, observing the deep fathomless eyes of his bond mate as the dark eyebrows slanted forward in inquiry. He wrung his sweaty hands in his shirt.
"Yes?" The deep voice was silky and Harry focused on his own picture on the front page for a moment before he glanced back up as he blurted out. "?"
"Come again?" Snape yelped, glancing at him. Harry took a deep breath as he blushed slightly and he said slowly.
"Do you want to join me for a shower perhaps?" Snape's eyes widen slightly as Harry silently counted the seconds away. The first few it became apparent that he caught his bond mate off guard. After the first five it became apparent that Snape was thinking the question through thoroughly.
After ten seconds Harry was regarding the pale face and only kept his dinner from resurfacing by swallowing thickly. Blimey, he had never felt this nervous before. It was just a stupid question so could Snape just turn him down already and he could get on with his life.
The snitches in his stomach were fluttering their wings wildly and Harry really hoped they wouldn't resurface in the form of his dinner. What had he been thinking? He was a freak for even thinking such things…
He wrung his hands anxiously and was just about to blurt out that it had been a stupid idea and that they should just forget it when Snape folded the paper neatly, glancing up at him and said. "Very well."
"What?" His mouth dropped open. Surely he had heard wrong.
Snape rose and smirked at him as he said. "Yes, I will join you for a shower, Harry."
Harry realized he was still staring when Snape moved closer and said carefully, his voice pitched low. "You realize that we will be taking a shower together, or at least that is what your question implies."
Harry gave a nod. Right, he needed to move now and so he smiled, a bit dazed but a brilliant smile none the less as he walked towards the hidden door. He opened it, not waiting to see if Snape followed him or not, what did it matter anyway? He had asked and Snape said yes, surely he was floating up the stairs right now.
He whistled underneath his breath, unaware of the fond look that was aimed at his back as Snape followed him silently up the stairs.
Hp
Severus was silent as he glanced around their bathroom. The room was small with the big tub that stood on clawed feet, the one sink with the mirror in front of it and the toilet. His father had attached a showerhead to the top of the bath so it could be used as a shower and function as a bath as well.
It was about one of the only useful things that his father had done, before his drinking habits had managed to destroy even those small talents that his father used to hone.
Harry was fumbling with his buttons, his hands shaky and Severus glanced out of the corner of his eye at his bond mate. Harry was skittish around him, looking at him and looking away again as they undressed.
"Harry?" The messy head snapped up to look at him and Severus took a step closer.
"May I make a suggestion?" The green eyes were watching him with apprehension and Harry nodded.
"Instead of taking a shower, shall we take a bath together?" Harry looked at him, incomprehensible and Severus reached out to easily undo the buttons Harry had been struggling with as he spoke.
"Showers are quick and while they are certainly enjoyable, I would rather that we take the time for each other and just converse, if of course that is what you want?" He kept his voice light, asking Harry his opinion because he knew what the younger male was doing.
Harry was offering him something. Harry had obviously not thought past the point where Severus would turn him down so Severus would gladly take the lead. He offered Harry another smile, watching as the green eyes probed his face as he fought the urge to slam his Occlumency shields up, even knowing that Harry did not possess one ounce of the talent needed for the tricky branch of magic.
He kept staring into the expressive green eyes as they slowly changed from weariness, to shocked, thoughtful and then to acceptance as Harry beamed at him but the young wizard bit his lip as he glanced away before he gave a shaky nod and then Snape said. "Good, then finish undressing and come into the tub."
He moved away on purpose to give Harry some much needed time to gather himself. If he was reading the situation right and he suspected that he was, and then Harry had never connected being naked with anything other than sex. Their one coupling had done more harm than good and Severus once more swore to make it right.
Severus undid his shirt as he moved to the tap. He opened both the hot and the cold water faucets to allow the water to acquire a nice temperature. Wands were useful and enjoyable for the most parts of life but in this case, there was something to be said for the muggle way of allowing the bath to fill.
Severus took a small vile of the special oil he brewed to use in the baths at Hogwarts to relax him further. The scent of lavender filled the air and Severus could feel some of the tension that had been with him this past month leaving him as he poured a little in the water.
He dipped his hand in the water and adjusted the faucets a little. He stood to unzip his trousers and as he took his wand out of his pocket, he placed them on a neat pile. He refused to look at Harry to see the younger male hesitantly following his movements. He slipped out of his underwear and stretched for a moment, aware of the intensity of the moment as Harry's eyes focused on him.
It was the second time that Harry saw him naked and Severus could feel the gaze of the teenager as it passed over him. Harry's eyes were fixed on his too thin chest as Severus stood tall, allowing the inspection.
He knew that he was too thin, his ribs showed and he had gained a little weight but it wasn't enough. He would never be muscular and then Harry's gaze dropped lower. Severus could feel the heat of Harry's eyes upon him as they passed over his penis.
It was a credit to how much Harry had matured in his care that he didn't even blush or avert his eyes. He glanced away once, just once and then offered Severus a tense smile.
Severus knew what it was about. Harry had only seen him naked when they had first coupled and now…this was no doubt awkward for the younger male.
Severus turned to step into the bathtub, swallowing a groan of pleasure as he did so. The water was warm and he could feel it rising up his legs and he sat down, relaxing back against the edge with his arms on either side as he stretched his legs.
The tub used to be a lot smaller but once Severus returned, he had waved his wand, added a spell and voila, the tub was big enough for him and for Harry no doubt. He glanced up at the young wizard, wondering what Harry was thinking.
Hp
How does he move so casually as if it doesn't matter that he is naked? He just sits there, looking at me, like he is expecting me to do the same?
Harry took a deep breath and then pushed his jeans down over his hips. He should stop behaving like a blushing thirteen year old witch and just get on with it. He had asked Snape to take a shower with him and here he was waiting for directions like a first year.
He hooked his fingers over the edge of his boxers, hesitating. He glanced up but Snape wasn't looking at him but had closed his eyes and was resting his head against the tub's edge. There was a small smile playing around the thin lips and Harry found himself watching. He felt like he was intruding upon a private moment and for a moment he wondered if he should leave Snape be.
He would only be intruding and no matter how much he wanted to be a part of it, it couldn't be. Harry had never been a part of anything and….
But before he could make up his mind, Snape opened his eyes and said. "You will need to remove those unless you want them wet."
"I am a teenager, Severus; they have already been wet today." Harry could hear the soft chuckle and that sound inspired confidence. If he had managed to make Snape laugh, then why was he making things worse by waiting?
He stepped out of his boxers and moved towards the bathtub. Snape was sitting in the bathtub, long legs stretched out and Harry wondered where he would fit. He had thought at first that he could sit opposite Snape if the older wizard pulled his legs in a bit. Or he could sit in between Snape's legs. He took his glasses off and set them on the nearby stool.
A hand touched his wrist as Snape said. "Let me guide you."
Harry focused on where he thought Snape to be. The fingers slid down over his pulse point and over his sweaty palm to trace to his fingertips. The gentle pressure made Harry's skin crawl a little as his mouth parted in a soundless gasp of pleasure.
The fingers curled around his hand and gave a small tug. Harry stepped into the tub carefully, the warmth of the water surrounding him and welcoming him. His footing was uneven and the space where he stood was small.
"Turn towards the sink and away from me." Snape's voice echoed from his left and Harry did as instructed. Snape's other hand touched his other elbow and Harry carefully turned his head slightly so he could look over his shoulder.
He hated his eyesight right now. All he wanted was to be able to see everything around him. Why had he been so foolish that he didn't keep his glasses on or had gotten his eyes fixed? He wanted to see the expression on Snape's face and….
"Sit down carefully." Harry slowly sank to his knees, feeling Snape's hand shift to push against his back.
Finally with a splash he sat down and he stretched his legs. He held himself stiffly, glancing around to get his bearings. Snape's legs were stretched out on either side of him and Harry could feel Snape's presence behind him. He didn't know how he felt it but it was an actual awareness of the older wizard's presence as if something inside of him shifted.
His magic rose a little and Harry pushed it out a little. It brushed Snape's magic and Harry gasped at the powerful sensation that suddenly erupted over his skin. It flashed deeper than his skin and his cock hardened.
He glanced over his shoulder to meet Snape's dark eyes. They bore into his own with intensity that made Harry flush but he didn't avert his eyes and something flashed deep within Snape's eyes. A spark that had disappeared the day he had been attacked by Nagini. Snape's magic swirled a little and then Harry could feel it clearly wrap around his own.
The sensation was overpowering and it tugged on all his senses but the feeling was the same when Snape had kissed him. He smiled tentatively at Snape and then the older wizard's lip curled up a little and then Harry leaned back into Snape as the older wizard moved his hand to come and rest over Harry's chest.
Harry shuffled a little, allowing his magic to be pushed a little bit outward and he could feel it folding around both him and Snape. He glanced back at Snape to wonder if this was alright but then, after a long moment in which Harry held his breath, could he feel the distinct difference between his and Snape's magic.
Snape held up his hand, staring at it for a long moment as he softly said. "Accio Harry Potter's glasses." The glasses came soaring from the stool to hang in front of Harry. Harry extended his hand to place the glasses on his nose. The room flared into life again and he glanced back at Snape as the older wizard said.
"Did you know that we are capable of combining our magic?" The voice rumbled a little through Harry's chest and he shook his head.
"Mmm, it isn't very common. You can combine spells but each caster of the spell has his own wand. I just tapped into both of our magic without any of us suffering from magical depletion or breaking into your mind. I did not use a wand."
"You used wandless magic." Harry stated.
"Indeed, it is the most basic form of magic and every magical being can use wandless magic but most do not desire to learn it since they'd rather channel their power through their wand." Snape stared at his slender hand, holding it up and dipping it back into the water before the black eyes fixed onto Harry and the older wizard said. "This is unsettling. I never thought that we would be so in tune."
Harry must have looked perplexed since Snape shifted a little in the bath, the warm water flowing over Harry as the older wizard adjusted his arm slightly and laid his hand flat against Harry's stomach as he said.
"Normally magic stands alone in a person and people are capable of combining magic by different means. What we teach at school is that if each caster uses his own wand and magic then you can combine spells to increase their strength. What most people do not know that it is considered dark magic to be able to tap into the magic of other people. When you link your magic to another person, you basically remove the boundaries that separate your magic from that other person. Usually the bond will separate our magic from one another by creating a boundary which can be block by using our emotions."
"But you don't agree?"
Snape dipped his head once, his eyes gleaming before he said. "Indeed not. We are capable of blocking our magic from reaching the other but subconsciously we are linked with our minds and our magical cores. Our magic is attached now on a level that cannot be broken unless you would be ripped brutally from me, by death."
"So instead of two individuals we are one and the same or….?"
"No, we are still two individuals but our magic has grown and was fused together if you will. We can only separate a part of it but we will always be linked. We finalized the bond between us when we consummated the magic. It has grown stronger because, instead of rejecting it and moving apart, we chose to stay together and we accepted the bond."
"How did that happen then?" Harry frowned up, his nose wrinkled in contemplation.
"Because, instead of being separated for a time, which would be normal for most couples, we were brought together very quickly after that and I must admit, Harry, we always have brought out the more intense emotions in one another."
"Okay, let's say that you are right and the bond does develop further between us. What will that mean?"
Snape's eyes were brutally honest as the thin lips curled into a slight smirk as he answered. "There is a chance that it will end here. We do not have the necessary means to link mentally, though we could, if we tried, I am sure. Of course it could go much deeper to a point where we would be aware of each other constantly. Very much like you were once aware of the Dark Lord."
"But it isn't the same, is it? I mean, I had a piece of his soul in my scar so…." Harry found that he didn't like the sound of that at all.
Snape cocked his head a little to the side as he traced his lip with his index finger before he said. "As far as I understand it, when he cursed you when you were a child, he transported some of his power and abilities to you, kept alive by that piece of his soul that was implanted in your scar…." Snape's finger tapped Harry's faded scar as Harry turned so he was fully facing Snape as the older wizard continued. "…and when he used your blood to create a new body, he bound you further to him and ensure that if he perished, so would you or vice versa. The images that you kept getting from him was because a part of his soul was still connected to the soul residing within his body and because of your blood. You were aware of him because of the connection between your minds. You were aware of when he would appear because of the pain in your scar. Do you understand so far?"
"Yes, I think so." Harry nodded.
"Good. Now, the final battle. Because of that you had linked your magic to mine, the moment the Dark Lord attacked you and killed you; you didn't die because your magic was wielded to mine. The only part he killed was the only part of you that he could destroy in his power, the piece of his soul in your scar. Our combined magic was much stronger, even with my wounds, then his own. The small part of the powers that you have been given from the Dark Lord, disappeared the moment the piece of soul in your scar was destroyed but because our combined magic was so large, you didn't notice the effects as you would have had you been on your own."
"Alright, I get that. But why didn't I collapse until after the battle because you dominated most of our magic for a longer period because it was struggling to heal your body and kept you alive?" Harry was a little puzzled. The rest made sense, at least he thought so.
"That is easy. I used a vial of Nagini's antidote which I mixed to put me into a magical sleep. It was a potion that I worked on which is the same as the Draught of the Living Death. My heart stopped and I was put in such a deep sleep that it resembled death. The moment my heart started beating again, was the moment that you collapsed."
"Oh, but if our magic is capable of combining, it has to be similar, right? Does that mean that my magic is dark like yours?" Harry was sure that Snape would get angry but the older wizard merely smirked at him and said.
"So little that you know, brat but no. Magic in itself is unbiased and only when you direct to use it in a spell for either dark or light does it take that shape. It is our believes and personalities that shape the magic within us and how we use it. The Dark Lord was more than capable of using light spells but because of his own beliefs did he never attempt it and was thus unaware of it. It is easier for people to understand that we are born either dark or light instead of coming to terms with the fact that it is our own choices and actions, consciously or subconsciously that define us."
"So I could use dark spells and light ones as well and it wouldn't make any difference for my magic?"
"No."
"Then why are so many people attracted to the dark?"
Harry could feel Snape leaning in a little and he looked up to see the dark eyes glittering dangerously before the older wizard said with a seductive purr. "Because the dark, unlike the light, is a mistress that always changes and seduces. It doesn't require anything and it will greedily swallow your soul should you offer it. It will beckon you with a gentle caress, leaving you begging for more and needing it, wanting it like a drug when you have come in contact with it…."
Harry was transfixed as the fingers slowly traced up his arms, over the sensitive skin of his forearms as Snape drew Harry in.
"You feel the magic like a caress on your skin…." A finger traced his skin, heightening his senses. "….feel it humming in your blood as you beg for the release…." His magic hummed a little. "….and you weep when you know that it is gone as you crawl to the shadows, wishing for more, keeping it like a dark secret hidden away for secret pleasure and…."
Harry couldn't take it anymore as he could feel his cock hardening as he tried to keep the moan inside of him. Hands that pulled him closer as they fastened around his back drew him flush against Snape, flush against the older wizard's arousal and Harry's lips opened over Snape's as he clumsily slipped his tongue in.
Snape groaned as Harry's enthusiastic attempt as Harry turned in the bathtub to come and lay on top of him. Neither wizard cared as the water splashed over the edge as Harry tore his mouth away from Snape's to lick the left side of his neck, away from the bandages. The sensitive skin left him gasping as his hand sought to take control of the situation but Harry was far too fast.
Hp
Severus gasped, flexing his hands as they curled around Potter's shoulders. His attempt to slow things down wasn't working as Harry licked his way down, a clumsy attempt but so arousing.
The magic that continued to swirl around them both wasn't helping him in the slightest, making him all the more sensitive to Harry. His husband's mouth closed around a nipple and the groan tore from Severus' lip.
His hands finally fastened themselves in the messy hair and he gave a tug but in response Harry merely bit down lightly. The younger wizard's hands slid over his flat stomach and over his lower belly before Harry grasped his erection firmly with one hand. Severus' mouth was working to form words but Harry's thumb brushed his hard erection and Severus could feel himself arching up.
He pulled Harry's chin up, probably hard enough to bruise as he kissed his brat urgently. The firm grip around his prick was slightly intoxicating and Harry pulled away and Severus could see that he had bit down hard upon the lower plump lip.
"Well?" He demanded with a raised eyebrow. Why in the name of Merlin was the brat hesitating?
"Uhm, I don't know…."
"Good lord, do I have to show you everything?" Severus knew he was scowling heavily but he was just a tad impatient, most people would be if their delicious husband finally had his hand on their cock. Harry pulled back a little, his green eyes wide but a small smile playing around his lips as he said.
"Hold on, I want to try something…." Severus opened his mouth to say what he thought of being an experiment when Harry tugged lightly. The only sound that came from his lips was a moan he was too late to hide and Harry grinned.
The green eyes held Severus captive as Harry slid down, planting kisses slowly as he gave another tug, harder this time. Severus' eyes widen a little as Harry moved further down and gave him one last grin before Harry removed his hand and ducked his head underneath the waist deep water.
Severus was about to tug the impossible brat up when he felt the warm mouth suckled on the top of his cock. Good lord, he would have fallen over had he not been sitting down. A sigh escaped him, soft but Harry came up a little so that the green eyes could watch Severus above the water splashed glasses.
Harry flickered his tongue and Severus' hand gripped the edge of the bathtub. He could feel Harry squeezing him lightly as he sucked Severus fully into his mouth. Severus spread his legs a little to give Harry some more room. Harry's hand dropped down to fondle his balls and Severus let out a guttural moan.
He tried to keep his hips from bucking so he wouldn't harm Harry but as the young Gryffindor sucked a bit harder Severus couldn't contain himself anymore as he allowed his head to fall back. He closed his eyes, feeling his body tensing.
How long had he been since he had been pleasured this way? His lovers had always been experts but the clumsy attempt that his husband was making was so overwhelming and Severus allowed the moment to pull him away. It had been such a long time since he had indulged himself so much.
The green eyes were watching him and Severus could feel the heat building in his stomach. Should he warn Harry? The moment was close; he could feel it in the trembling of his limbs and the fact that his mind could only focus on when the climax would come.
He tugged at Harry's hair to give Harry a warning as his balls tightened before he did buck his hips involuntarily. His hand tightened around the edge of the bathtub and around Harry's hair as he gave a sharp tug before his world exploded into hot spurts of pleasure the likes of which he had known when he had been a teenager himself and he saw stars.
His nerves were raw and Severus struggled not to slumber in the bathtub. Harry came up sputtering; coughing as he tried to clear his lungs from the water he had no doubt swallowed. With a new awareness spurring him on, Severus moved his arm.
Hp
Good lord that was bitter. Couldn't Snape have given him a warning before he climaxed? Harry had been so startled that he hadn't only swallowed the semen but also a good mouthful of water. He coughed violently to clear his windpipe.
Hands petted his back, another one holding him and Harry glanced up. Snape was watching him, dark eyes a bit unfocussed and glazed over. Harry found himself blushing a bit. He had done that, he had been responsible for making Snape come.
"Was it good?" He managed to choke out.
"For a first attempt at fellatio, it wasn't half bad."
"Fellatio?" Harry leaned back. God, he was hard just by the sounds Snape had made. Snape stroked his cheek with the back of those sinful fingers and Harry glanced up through his lashes. He was blushing slightly but somehow, he also felt a little proud. It made him feel proud that he had brought Snape to climax with his mouth alone.
"Yes, fellatio…." Snape purred into his ear, teeth nibbling at his neck as he continued. "…to suck cock. You know a blow job." Harry shivered as the deep voice washed over him. He rubbed at his lips, gagging a little with the bitter taste of Snape's come.
Harry rested sideways against Snape's chest, his shoulder digging into the older wizard's sternum as he took his glasses off. He saw better without them at the moment anyway. Hands took them from him and Snape placed them on the stool beside the bath.
His mouth was caught in a hungry kiss as Snape tasted him. The fingers gently scratched his back and Harry turned to wrap his arm around Snape's neck. He ran his fingers through the slightly damp hair at the nape of Snape's neck and slowly allowed himself to drift away on the emotions.
He had heard the other boys in his year brag about doing it underneath a shower and how they had talked about kisses but Harry had never experienced them himself. He groaned a little, his mouth moving hurriedly against Snape's own. His mouth was plundered but he didn't care as his nose caught the scent that drifted up from the warm water.
When Harry was sure that he was either going to pass out from lack of oxygen, or he would have to touch himself to stop the waves of pleasure that were threatening to overwhelm him, did Snape's hand slowly sneaked down.
The older wizard broke the kiss so the dark eyes could fix on Harry. They remained fastened on him as Snape's mouth set in a thin line before the older wizard glanced down for a moment as Harry felt the long fingers wrap around his cock. Harry gasped as Snape's thumb slid across the slit and he closed his eyes.
"Open your eyes. I want to see what you feel when I touch you so intimately." Snape's voice had dropped lower and was dropping over his senses like honey on bread and Harry gasped as he opened his eyes. He bit his lip as he saw the expression on Snape's face.
The dark eyes were warm but the look on Snape's face was so tender that Harry soundlessly gasped as Snape tugged gently. Harry continued to worry his lip in between his teeth, hoping that much like in the dorm when he had indulged in the occasional wank, he wouldn't make a sound.
Snape's hand on his cock stilled and then the older wizard's thumb brushed his lip as Snape softly chided. "Let me hear you, brat. You make such lovely sounds…."
Harry moaned then as Snape squeezed.
"You like that, don't you?" Snape purred his lips close to Harry's ear. "You like it when I touch you there? You like it when I do this?"
Harry could only nod breathlessly as Snape squeezed, tugged and stroked him fast and then slow. He sobbed dryly in his throat as he turned to meet Snape's lips and whispered. "Severus…"
The lust in Snape's eyes was too much for Harry as he began to buck, hoping to create the necessary friction to come. He hated it when the pleasure was denied to him but then with a rush of warm breath against his lips did Snape say. "Oh Harry…."
The other hand pulled him forward to meet the thin lips as Harry moaned hungrily to finish it. Snape's hand moved faster and faster and Harry's hips bucked, again and again to match the rhythm. He bit down upon Snape's lip as the older wizard hissed in pain as he came, spurting himself over Snape's hand and as he collapsed against his bond mate and Snape pulled him closer, Harry knew that the other boys hadn't been right. The afterglow was far better than the actual sex.
Hp
Pushing his slightly damp hair out of his face, Harry sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of tea as he drew the Evening Prophet towards him. He pushed it away just as quickly when he saw the front page.
Harry Potter's Big Mouth; Potter Loses Temper at Sexual Advances!
He felt sick as he looked away, pushing the tea mug away. Now the whole world knew of his words that he had spoken to the reporter. He sighed, when would they ever stop watching him and dogging his every move?
"Shall I owl the paper with what we have just done?" Harry glanced up as Snape bend over the paper to read it. His bond mate was leaning over the paper. Harry's heart sped up a little as he saw the way Snape was dressed. The dark trousers were tight over the firm buttocks and the black shirt Snape wore, sleeves rolled up so that it just covered the elbows, displaying the long elegant hands for Harry to see made him smile.
He briefly wondered how Snape would look in jeans as he glanced up. The dark damp long hair was tied back but the smirk that was playing around the thin lips made Harry grin as he said. "Are we in need of money then? If you feel the need to share, then I am sure that we can ask Rita Skeeter to cover that in her interview as well."
"Speaking of questions. We have mail." Snape raised an eyebrow as he put the paper away. Harry sat up straight in a moment as he asked. "The Ministry finally released the letters?"
"The Ministry finally released part of the mail today to us. They opened most of the letters and scanned them for any curses or any other nasty stuff that might be in the letters. There wasn't much left of some of the letters other than ash."
"Is it that bad? And here I thought that I had improved their views of me a little with the latest article. Lucius isn't going to like the fact that instead of his trial, I am front page news and all because I came to testify for a day." Harry grimaced at the paper.
"Lucius won't see the paper in his cell, other than to use it to wipe his arse." Snape waved his wand and a big sack flew in to empty itself on the table. Harry had the sense to grab his tea mug before it would be buried underneath the flood of letters. Some envelopes slipped to the floor but Harry didn't care as he stared wide eyed at the letters.
"All those people wrote to us?"
"Yes, and these are just the ones who didn't try to put a hex into the envelope or something equally nasty." Snape drowned his own tea before he placed the mug in the sink and draw a chair closer to the table as he instructed. "One pile for the trash and another pile…for something you might like to frame, Potter?"
Harry didn't even grace the comment with a responds as he grabbed the first letter that was directed at him. His finger slid underneath the opening easily even before he got a good look at the name on the envelope: Harry James Potter Snape
He hadn't even realized that his name had been changed. It probably should bother him more though.
It doesn't seem that only Dumbledore's death was arranged between him and Snape but also You Know Who's!
I knew that you would turn out to be a little prick, Potter!
Poor little Potter, growing up in a cupboard isn't strange enough, no; you have to marry one of your Professors as well. I say that they should have locked up that cupboard for good!
When you are done with frolicking around with Snape, I have a better proposal for you. Marry me instead!
It went on and on, letter after letter filled with threats directed at him, marriage proposals, people who pitied him and other things. His hands shook as he opened another letter.
Why don't you pick up one of your wands and stuff it up your arse since you like to take it that way? You can use the other one to kill your bond mate!
The letter fell from limp fingers as anger coursed through him. How dare they all? How dare they judge and condemn him? He had done the right thing. He had done the thing that they had expected him to do and still they were threatening him like public property. Why should they care who he married or who he could fall in love with?
Why would they thirst for revenge like he had done for so long? They hadn't cared when he had been hunted down by Voldemort to show their support and now, when he had finally defeated the most evil wizard of all time, him a boy of seventeen who had never asked for this and now they could condemn him because he had done something stupid?
Sure, the thing he had done had been permanent and that Snape was condemning him for it, fine, they were in this after all and it did affect the older wizard but the rest of the world? No, he wouldn't settle for that.
"How dare they write this to us? How dare they? I mean, how can they even write these things and still go to sleep at night! It isn't right!" Harry was angry as he burst out.
Snape glanced up at him immediately, frowning at him. The older wizard worthlessly extended his hand for the letter and Harry had to fight the urge to thrust it in the older wizard's hand. It wouldn't do him any good to destroy the newfound peace between him and Snape simply because he was angry.
He fumed silently until Snape said, with more care than he had ever displayed. "You will find that no matter what you do right, people will always, always see the wrong side. They clap you on the back for a moment and then go back to judging you for your mistakes. Forget them, they do not matter and they are a waste of your time."
"Yeah but still, it makes me angry that they just have the audacity to condemn us. They sit there and take out time of their day to write this so that they can put their petty thoughts on paper so that they can sleep peacefully at night. I wish that was the things that kept me awake at night instead of these memories…" Harry fell silent as he ran a quick hand over his dry eyes. He still couldn't shed any tears for the people that had died.
He glanced up when he felt a warm hand settle on his neck as Snape glanced down at him and said. "For all those horrid memories that you keep, your sleep has been remarkably…." The older wizard paused as he searched for the right word and then settled on. "Undisturbed from what I could tell."
Harry wanted to say something when Snape's eyes hardened and he hissed. "You haven't been putting up silencing spells, now have you?"
Harry shook his head. "No, you asked me not to and besides, you would have known had I put them up."
"And since I have not felt a touch of your magic at the bedside, there should have been another reason why you are not suffering from nightmares." Snape raised an eyebrow. Harry glanced down. He knew the exact reason why he wasn't having any nightmares.
It always happened like this when he was feeling secure and comfortable with somebody, the same when he was at Ron's house. He never suffered from nightmares then or woke up screaming. Ron had always promised to wake him and somehow it had helped Harry feel better to know that there was somebody there to wake him from a nightmare and he let the fear go of suffering from one.
"It is you." He finally confessed when the silence between them stretched to a nearly uncomfortable heavy blanket that descended upon them. But it was nothing compared to the stunned silence that was now descending upon them.
He glanced up to see the black eyes widen as Snape asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it is just, you are there and it is like, when I don't have to be afraid that I am going to suffer from a nightmare, I don't suffer from them and even when I do, there is somebody there to wake me before I get in too deep and can't wake on my own. It makes me feel secure that it is alright to suffer from a nightmare." Harry hid his blushing face.
He had learned at a young age never to scream because the punishment would always be worse than even his darkest dreams. That was of course until he had come to Hogwarts and his suppressed memories and dreams were worse than whatever his uncle could do to him.
"Of course it is alright to suffer from a nightmare. I have no idea who put that ridiculous notion in your head, Potter, but you would do well to remember that there is always somebody to wake you." Snape suddenly said gruffly as he put some much needed distance between them.
Harry stared up at his taller bond mate but it wasn't in anger or dismay, no, it was in astonishment for he could see how Snape averted his eyes as if he was embarrassed and the pink spots in the gaunt cheeks told him so.
"Of course, I will remember that, Severus. Should we get a pet so I can train it to wake me from a nightmare?" He asked as the dark eyes snapped back to meet his own as Snape growled.
"No animal will ever set foot in this house!"
Harry did his best to hide his snickers but as Snape growled at him and stalked from the room, Harry's laughter followed the secretly amused Potions Master.
Hp
"Ronald, come quick!" The surprised shout from his Muggleborn girlfriend Hermione Granger had Ronald Weasley rushing from upstairs where he had been getting some stuff to bring with him to Grimauld Place. The Burrow was still crowded but Ron had been staying with Hermione at Sirius Black's old home to make sure that the house wasn't going to become Ministry's property because Harry couldn't attend to the affairs at the moment.
"What is it?" He pulled out his wand the moment he entered the kitchen, expecting to see a flash of black and masks but instead there was a much nastier person standing there in his opinion.
"Mr. Weasley, what a pleasant surprise. You said that you were getting somebody important and you bring out your boyfriend. Are you trying to show me that you can keep one, girl?" Rita Skeeter righted her horn glasses with one hand with long nails.
"If you want an interview with Harry Potter, then insulting me is not the way to do it! And besides, you really don't want me to start talking now do you? Especially with the new stand the Ministry is taking to those who don't take the laws very seriously!"
Rita flushed an uncomfortable color and Ron pocked his wand as he asked. "You want an interview with Harry? What for? To ridicule him even more in the Daily Prophet!"
Rita sneered at him as she said. "Harry offered the interview to me himself!"
"Oh, well that changes things, doesn't it? Harry condoned the interview so you can print all you want about him!" Hermione leaned against his arm but her face was consorted by fury.
"He told me to go to you to oversee the terms, you stupid girl!" Rita snapped.
Ron grimaced as he shared a look with Hermione. What was Harry up to?
"Very well. I will go and consult with my important boyfriend. We will be right back. Refrain from snooping about, Mrs. Skeeter, I know it is hard to overcome those beetlelike sensations of scenting the food but try to behave." Hermione pulled him into the sitting room.
"What is Harry playing at?" Ron immediately asked as Hermione held up her hand and muttered. "Muffliato."
She waved her wand and then sat down, running a hand through her bushy hair to pull it away from her pale face as she said. "I think that he wants to tell his tale."
"Yes but why to her?" Ron glanced into the direction of the open door in which they could see Rita glancing around and feigned polite interest as she glanced around to see if somebody could see her. She examined a pot and lifted its lid but when the spoon smacked her upon the fingers and settled itself close again before shuffling behind the other pots; she bristled in annoyance before she saw Ron looking at her and sat down at the table.
"Because she will print the truth, however gruesome it might be and incidentally, it seems that she is the only reporter that he knows and trusts."
"Or she could lie. She has done that in the past." Ron sat down as well.
"She won't. I will ask Professor McGonagall for some advice and some charms to draw up a document that if she goes through with this interview that she can only print the truth and that it can only be sold to the Daily Prophet. Like the quill she uses, the charms will ensure that the parchments we provide will ensure that nothing but the truth will be printed on them and they can't be edited except by Harry, Severus and either one of us or Professor McGonagall."
"Severus?" Ron spat out the word. Hermione shot him a look as she said.
"Yes, Ronald, Severus. You know the man who Harry linked his magic to and who he is married to now? The man who currently is taking care of your best friend and who may snarl and snap at anybody except Harry Potter?"
"Come on, Harry can hardly be in love with the git?" Ron tried to laugh but it sounded forced to his own ears and Hermione merely smiled gently as she said.
"Would it be so bad for the both of them? I have been reading up on the subject and more often than not, when the bond between them grows stronger, those people end up being blessed and capable of great love and strength between each other. The bond cannot be turned into something dark but it merely dissolves if they don't grow any closer and decide to go their separate ways, even when they still need to be in touch fairly often to make sure their magic functions properly. It is quite fascinating."
"You are telling me that Harry and Snape were meant for each other all along?"
"No, it is just. The people who can link their magic together have to be capable of inspiring strong emotions in each other, such as deep love or loathing. And besides, there is a fine line between love and hate."
"Hermione, that is gross."
"Might be, but it is Harry's life and I think that he is entitled to some happiness, don't you agree?"
"That might be so but Snape better not hurt him cause I will show him that he wish that Snape had killed him because there are worse things than being Harry Potter's bond mate and he will see them if he hurts my best mate!" Ron growled and despite being a little worried about his best friend, he did really hope that linking his magic to Snape, wasn't going to come bite his best friend in the arse in the end.
I think I revealed a little about the future for our heroes. Now, I know I promised some things but once again, my Snarry inspiration struck and I ended up having a long bath scene then I originally planned. So some things will be moved to the next chapter, which I hope you don't mind, of course you don't since I did give you some Snarryliciousness. Review of course and send me some questions that Rita Skeeter can ask.
The next chapter: Harry and Severus go to the Wizengamot in answer of Lucius' accusation, but will Severus' answers satisfy them or will the Wizengamot demand that the older wizard testifies under truth serum? How will Harry cope when not only the Elder Wand is discussed but the truth serum produces a relapse in Snape as well? Can Harry take care of his bond mate once or will he crack under the pressure? And Rita Skeeter is on full force for her exclusive Potter- Snape interview but she may yet be find things she hasn't expected. That and more in: The Truth.