AN: Aren't you guys lucky? I have re-picked-up this story because my Stargate one hit a slight roadblock. I would like to give a huge thanks to all of those who took the time to review – even it was only one sentence, it shows me you read it and liked it! – and those who favorite-ed! THANK YOU! ^^

Chapter Eleven. "When you're with me, oh boy, it's my heart beat that I hear." -'Ooh Ooh Baby' by Britney Spears.

Banff turned out to be even more rocky and barren than the pictures implied. Harry found the mountains a little terrifying, as they sat just outside their cabin window. When he mentioned it to Severus, the Slytherin swept him into a happy embrace and dragged him to bed for the rest of the evening.

The next morning, a few minutes before their bonding ceremony, Harry marveled at the happy Severus Snape in his arms. He had seen it so many times in his visions, but the real thing was so much better. They had just stumbled out the door into the morning light to find Amelia Bones patiently waiting for them to let go of each other. When they finally did, she began the ceremony. Magic swirled around them as the witch spoke the first words, at the ready, and each of them could feel its pull.

It came crashing down when she said "and now you are the bonded pair, Severus and Harry Potter."

Overwhelming love and protection coursed through Harry like a tempest. He felt his magic respond and he stepped towards Severus.

Harry held up a hand above his lover and drew on that love and protection. Severus seemed to sense something and looked up. What he saw took his breath away. Harry was more a Roman god then ever before. The hand he held above Snape's head was bathed in a golden light that seemed to drip down; only to disappear before they hit Severus.

"I, Harry James Potter, vow to love and protect Severus Tobias Potter for all of time and forevermore. I vow to take care of every aspect of his person, his needs and wants until he says otherwise."

The Gryffindor drew his arm down and something slipped onto Snape's arm. It tightened around his wrist and he gasped. His other hand flew to the new band and caressed it with reverence. He looked at Harry with wide eyes and he could feel his magic responding to Harry's.

He held up his hands to Harry, his green magic coiling up his arms and encircling his hands.

"I, Severus Tobias Potter, vow to love and protect Harry James Potter for all of time and forevermore. I vow to give every aspect of my person to him and to always obey him."

A wristband lifted from his palms. He watched as it slid over Harry's outstretched hand and settled itself around his wrist.

"Yours."

"Mine."

They embraced and felt as though they could not let the other go. Harry burrowed his face in Severus' neck and gave a shuddering sigh.

"I'm sorry, I really wasn't expecting that so soon."

"A warning would have been nice. A romantic dinner, perhaps." Severus teased.

Harry laughed and they both felt infinitely relieved. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"I think you've made enough promises for today." Severus' eyes were drawn to the band around his lover's wrist. It was still charged with magic and tingled under his fingers. The bracelet was about an inch wide and made up of a series of celtic knots. Golden serpents made up these knots until the middle. Here the heads joined over a beautiful emerald, one snake appeared to be in the process of consuming both the other snake and the precious stone simultaneously.

"Is mine the same?"

"To every detail," Harry agreed, also enthralled with his examination.

"I feel," Severus paused, considering how to describe the new part of him he seemed to share with Harry. "More powerful."

"You should, we shared our magic cores a minute ago. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some side affects."

"Such as?"

"I don't know. But I do know we should let Mrs. Bones go."

"You guys are nuts," she stated and stalked off.

They headed back to their cabin and were apparently unable to help themselves, they shared many heated kisses on the way like a pair of horny teenagers. By the time they arrived, they did not hesitate in going straight to the bedroom.

The feeling did not dissipate by the time they came back to Hogwarts. At breakfast that Monday, McGonagall's haughty sniff could be heard half way down the table as Severus sat down next to her. "Can you two take your hands off each other for just a few more hours? Today is the first day of classes."

"Seen far too much of our escapades already, Minerva?" Harry joked and bit into his toast.

The Headmistress glared in reply.

"Should a position manifest itself," Severus drawled in reply, "I'm sure Mister Potter would be willing to reserve it for you."

Harry had to fight from cackling at the shocked expression from McGonagall, but did share a wicked smile with his husband.

Harry rewarded Severus with a teasing hand on his thigh. It slowly progressed throughout breakfast but never quite made it to the straining erection. He spread his legs as a hint, but Harry only smiled. The Slytherin threw many a dark look in his direction for it.

After Harry had finished his first class, he wandered the halls in a sort of blissful state. He fiddled with the gold wristband hidden beneath the cuff of his shirt. It felt as though Severus were standing right next to him. Which certainly helped his vision so he wouldn't have to rely on Severus' literal presence anymore.

He wondered vaguely if the bonding would be recorded in the Ministry. But the thought didn't go far, as a whirlwind of blonde curls suddenly enfolded in a warm hug.

"I knew you'd come back, Harry," Luna Lovegood said into Harry's chest.

"Hello, Luna." Harry hugged back, all the more happy that his friends had finally returned.

Luna withdrew and looked him over. "You look good, Harry. Sorry we missed the war, it was pretty busy on our end too."

"Wasn't all that bad, I hear," Neville added, smiling at Harry, "you offed old Voldie like he was nothing."

Harry laughed and gave Neville a hug too. "I wouldn't say that. My own blast of magic blinded me. If it wasn't for my power as a Time Mage, I wouldn't be walking by myself right now."

"Wow, Harry! A Time Mage? What does that mean?" Longbottom asked just as Harry cast a Tempus.

"Sorry, Neville, but I've got classes for the rest of the day. Why don't you come by Professor Pot - I mean, Snape's - quarters later and we can talk more over dinner? Say, at about six?"

"That would be wonderful, Harry!" Luna twirled on the spot in her excitement, while Neville looked on in shock.

Harry smiled and took his leave, hoping Neville wouldn't back out at the mention of dinner with Severus, never mind his slip of tongue.

Four o'clock finally rolled around and Harry was ridiculously relieved to see the last of his students out the door. He gathered his lesson plans and made his way down to Severus' chambers. The Gryffindor hoped that Severus wouldn't mind having company for dinner. He knew he could simply command his lover and everything would be fine, the bond allowed for it. But Harry didn't think that was fair to Severus unless it was for his own good. Something as trivial as dinner with ex-students did not fall under that category.

So lost was he in his own thoughts, Harry didn't notice Severus had fallen in step beside him, until a hand slipped into his.

"Severus! I'm sorry, I was thinking."

"I could tell. Sweeping up the cobwebs, I imagine."

Harry flashed a smile at him. "Probably. I met Neville and Luna today."

"Ah, I was wondering where you had run off to during lunch."

"Actually, I lost track of time while marking the fifth year quiz I gave out this morning. Dobby brought me lunch which I ended up eating during class." Harry snorted. "Apparently second years think it's terribly entertaining to watch their Professor eat."

Severus chuckled in answer and slid his hand up to Harry's elbow. His lover took the hint and bent his arm to hold it there. "You have much to learn about teaching."

"Mm. Yeah... Well, I invited Neville and Luna to dinner. If that's alright?"

"So soon? Did Longbottom faint out of shock?"

Harry laughed. "No, but close. Luna will probably explain it to him. Are you okay with it? Can you tolerate-"

"Harry, I am sure Mr. Longbottom is intelligent outside of my classroom. But I am afraid it is my very presence that will relinquish him of all the capabilities for coherent conversation."

"Good point. He'll probably have a coniption after, 'hello, how are you'." Harry paused in thought. "Maybe you should be nasty to him for the sake of his sanity."

Severus snorted in turn. "You would not tolerate it, dear husband."

They shared a happy smile at the endearment and Harry kissed his husband's cheek. "Alright, but if he dashes out, I'm not going after him."