Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.
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Chapter 13: Pleasure and Pain
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A week had passed, and Ron was deeply saddened that his last chance to talk to Harry was gone. He knew he made a huge mistake sending that letter, and he was desperately hoping to make it up to Harry soon.
"Now I'll be alone for good," Ron mumbled, sitting on his bed again. "Harry's gone, Hermione isn't speaking to me, Dean and Seamus are too busy running off together, and here I'll sit, all alone."
He looked over at the bed that used to be Harry's. He had spent six years sharing a room with Harry, and now that it was over, Ron was miserable.
Suddenly, he got an idea. He grabbed a quill, ink, and a piece of parchment and started writing a letter. He hoped beyond hope that Snape knew what to do.
~*~
After putting his clothes in the wardrobe, Harry felt incredibly at ease. He was sharing rooms with Severus, and things between them were going incredibly well. There were still a few minor disagreements, but things were much smoother.
Harry went into the living room and sat on the couch. Severus was off at a meeting, and he had told Harry that he could add some things to the rooms if he felt it necessary. So far, Harry had just added another bookshelf to throw his books into, a small Gryffindor banner on his door, and he changed the color of the throw rug to a deep gray.
"And it all falls into place," he said, glancing around the room. He had a real home, with a real partner, and a real life to look forward to.
~*~
Severus was bored beyond belief. The old coot had called a meeting for no reason.
"Before we start, there is something you all need to know about a certain student," Dumbledore started, standing before the staff.
"You had better not be spreading what I think you are, Albus," Severus said, standing as well. "You know what that would do to the student."
"It's for the safety of the student body," Dumbledore said, glaring at Severus.
"And think what it would do to the student's control. Everyone taunting him, talking behind his back, and the pranks would be unbelievable," Severus said, glaring right back. "You know that I'm right."
"Fine, I won't tell you that. I'll just tell you this," Dumbledore started again.
"And you'll leave that out as well," Severus said, his voice sharp.
"Fine, you may all go," Dumbledore said, sighing. "Except for you, Severus."
"Very well," Severus said, taking a seat as the other staff members left, confused.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's for his own safety," Severus said, standing and walking over to Albus. "You know what a bond does to two people. You know how important Harry has always been to me. You surely know that now, I'd do anything for him, even if it risks being ridiculed by my fellow staff members."
"You are pushing your luck, Severus," Dumbledore said, attempting to glare at Severus. "There are things that you don't understand, and I need to take care of."
"What? Your little plan to keep Harry as a pawn? Your little plan to separate Harry and I because Mr. Weasley is too stubborn to accept that things have changed?" Severus asked, his demeanor becoming more threatening. "If you follow through on any of those, I will write to the papers about what a manipulative old man you are, Albus. Don't you forget that."
After his speech, Severus swept out of the office. He had left with the last word, and Dumbledore knew he was serious.
~*~
"Hey," Harry said, noticing Severus enter the rooms. "What's up?"
"Dumbledore was going to tell the staff about your predicament and our pairing," Severus said, sitting next to Harry. "I put a stop to it, and I threatened him to keep him quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, lacing his fingers with Severus'.
"It wasn't your fault, Harry," Severus said, looking to the young man beside him. "He's a manipulative old man who thinks he can do whatever he wants."
While the two were chatting, a school owl flew into the room and dropped a scroll into Severus' lap before swooping out.
"That's Ron's writing," Harry said, staring coldly at the scroll. "What the hell does he want?"
"I'm not sure," Severus said, looking at the scroll. "I'll read it later on. Let's focus on us for a while."
"Okay," Harry said, his eyes skimming over Severus, drinking in every detail.
Severus watched as Harry took him in, feeling slightly self-conscious. He knew that the bond had a lot of pull in both of them, but he wanted to believe that Harry was growing to appreciate him outside the bond. He leaned forward, looking into Harry's deep, emerald eyes.
Harry looked into Severus' onyx eyes, reading the uncertainty in them. He was afraid that Severus doubted his feelings. He knew that the bond was pulling them together, but he had began to appreciate the finer points of Severus. His slender frame, his graceful movements, and his gentle demeanor.
~*~
"That fool!" Dumbledore fumed, his office in disarray. "He had to stop me from telling them about his precious little Vampire. What he knows needs to be known by all the teachers."
There were broken things all over the floor, from Dumbledore's rage.
"This will get out," he said, an evil plan coming to his brain.
~*~
"God, Sev," Harry sighed. "That feels incredible."
"Just relax, Harry," Severus said, continuing his movements. "I'll get all the knots out for you."
"Thanks," Harry said, closing his eyes and relaxing into the skilled hands of his mate.
Severus continued the massage, applying more pressure when needed and lightly running his fingers along Harry's shoulders. After a few minutes, Harry's shoulders were knot free.
"Wow, I feel great," Harry said, rolling his shoulders a couple times. "Thanks, Sev."
"Not a problem, Harry," Severus said, smiling.
Harry had struggled to keep control as Severus gave him the massage, but he hadn't told the older man.
"Are you in need of anything, Harry?" Severus asked, noting the slight differences in Harry.
"Um, actually, I think I may need to feed soon," Harry said, his nerves starting to get the best of him.
"How long has it been?" Severus asked.
"Since the day you offered me your wrist," Harry said. "It was about a week ago, I think."
"Would you want to feed in the forest or would you like my wrist again?" Severus asked, looking at Harry.
"Um, could I have your wrist again?" Harry asked, feeling foolish.
"Of course," Severus said, offering his right wrist.
Harry gently bit down, creating a wound. He gently suckled the wound, Severus' blood rolling over his tongue. He continued to suckle for a short time, careful to stop before any damage was done to Severus. He gently licked the wound clean and healed it.
Severus pulled Harry into a passionate kiss, the aphrodisiac in his venom causing him to act irrationally. The two kissed for a long while, Harry's control being incredible after feeding. Harry's tongue battled Severus' for dominance, causing the two to end up lying on the couch with Harry on top. He could vaguely feel Severus' arousal against his thigh, causing him to groan appreciatively.
Severus had noticed the position they were in and smiled into the kiss. He gently wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, pulling Harry's body to his own. Harry's hands were braced on either side of Severus' head, allowing him a bit of leverage.
After ten minutes, Harry pulled away from the kiss. His eyes were a deep shade of emerald. Severus opened his eyes to the smile on Harry's face.
"That was nice," he said, smiling up to Harry.
"Definitely nice," Harry said, leaning down to kiss Severus' neck.
"Gods," Severus said, closing his eyes and succumbing to the pleasure.
Harry continued to place soft kisses along Severus' neck, noting which places caused his breath to hitch. His hands stayed on the arm of the couch, just above Severus' head, allowing Harry to maintain his dominance. After thoroughly kissing Severus' neck, Harry began gently sucking on one spot, biting down after a minute.
"Now you're officially mine," Harry said, lifting his head to look at Severus' face.
"I'm already officially yours, Harry," Severus said, slowly opening his eyes. "What was that supposed to accomplish?"
"Exactly what it did," Harry answered, lowering his body onto Severus'. Their arousals briefly coming into contact, drawing a sharp groan from both men.
In a lust-fueled haze, Harry kissed Severus again, his hips moving slightly, causing friction between them. Severus' arms wrapped around Harry again, drawing the young body to his. Harry's tongue entered Severus' mouth, his tongue still carrying remnants of the older man's blood. The kiss became a battle for dominance quickly, neither man wanting to give in.
A few minutes later, Harry's body stilled. He kept his hips carefully away from Severus', knowing exactly how he was affecting the older man. He broke the kiss, smirking at the man below him.
"Bloody tease," Severus snapped, his eyes filled with lust.
"Of course," Harry teased, lowering his hips before quickly pulling them back up. "What fun would there be in giving you everything right now?"
"I don't know," Severus said, his hands running along Harry's sides. "The fun of getting to experience intense pleasure at the hands of someone you love."
"Sounds tempting," Harry said, dropping his head to kiss behind Severus' earlobe. "But this is pretty fun as well."
Severus couldn't respond. He was too focused on not exploding in his pants. Harry's lips on that particular spot was making it extremely hard.
"I'm tired," Harry said, moving himself off of Severus.
"Like hell you're tired," Severus said, standing up and wrapping his arms around Harry.
"It's tiring work, keeping your partner from getting off without even touching them," Harry said, getting the groan he was hoping for.
"You had me there for damn near ten minutes," Severus said, moving his head to kiss Harry's neck. He found a few spots that earned him a sharp inhale, noting them for future torture.
"Glad to know I had that effect on you," Harry managed, his voice strained. Severus' lips were distracting him from controlling his body.
"Time for bed," Severus said, leading Harry to his bedroom.
The two men stripped down to their boxers. Harry noticed a great number of scars littering Severus' back and chest. He felt compelled to run his fingers over each one. He walked over to Severus, his fingers running over his lover's chest.
"What are you doing?" Severus asked, watching Harry.
"Studying your body," Harry answered simply, his fingers tracing each scar. "Are all of these from your summers and your days in the Death Eaters?"
"The vast majority are," Severus answered, curious of Harry's intentions.
"Which ones aren't?" Harry asked, looking up to Severus.
"These," Severus said, showing Harry his biceps. "These scars are from my days at school. I wasn't the most popular student, and I was often the butt of numerous jokes. I would hide in my bed and cut to run from the emotional pain."
"I'm sorry, Sev," Harry said, running his fingers over each small line.
"Come on, let's get to bed," Severus said, slightly uncomfortable talking about this piece of his past.
"I know what it's like to try to run from emotional pain, Sev," Harry said, taking Severus' hand and placing it on his left forearm.
"You cut as well?" Severus asked, his fingers ghosting over the slim lines on Harry's arm.
"Not often, and mostly at the Dursley's," Harry said, offering his other forearm. "I needed a way to escape from the hell I was stuck in for three months. The abuse was a decent escape, because I could separate myself from the pain."
"Harry," Severus said, his fingers tracing a particularly large scar.
"That one is from the summer after fifth year," Harry said. "After Sirius died in the Ministry. I blamed myself for it, and I needed a way to punish myself and get away from the emotional trauma of losing the only family I had left."
"Why hasn't anyone noticed these?" Severus asked, looking at the younger man with sincere sadness in his eyes.
"I conceal them with magic at school. I didn't need Ron and Hermione worrying over me anymore than they already were," Harry said, sitting on the bed. "And at the Dursley's, no one cared enough to notice a few little lines on my arms."
Severus then drew Harry into his arms, holding the young man close to him. Harry gratefully placed his head on Severus' shoulder, his arms slipping around the older man's waist.
"You're not alone, Harry," Severus said, looking into Harry's eyes.
"I know, Sev. Thank you," Harry said, slipping away from his lover. "Why don't you get some sleep? I'll lay with you."
"Alright," Severus said, slipping into the bed.
Harry slid in next to Severus, snuggling up against the older man. He felt an arm slip around his shoulders, and he felt a kiss on the top of his head. He smiled slightly as he placed an arm on Severus' torso.
Severus knew that sleep wouldn't come easy after what he learned about Harry. There were some incredible similarities between himself and his young Vampire. He wasn't sure how he had never noticed the scars in Harry's fifth year Occulmency lessons. He had seen a number of unsettling things, but he had never guessed that there were things like that in Harry's past.
An hour or so later, Severus drifted into an uncomfortable sleep.
~*~
A/N: So, we have the first taste of lemon in here. It's not much, but you take what you can get.
After this Saturday, I'm afraid updates are going to be come pretty erratic. I've prewritten the first 14 chapters, and now I'm going to be writing when I can to get the remaining story out.
Reveiws and stuff make everything better, and motivate me to write faster!
-KD