Disclamier: I do not own any of this. I just like to mess about with it.

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Chapter 2

Harry's hands shook but he tried to remain still. It was seven in the evening and he sat with Ron and Hermione. He had not mentioned a thing about the meeting with Professor Dumbledore earlier for fear that if he said it; it would suddenly become too real.

"Harry? You alright? You have been really quiet?" said Hermione in a concerned voice.

"Yeah...Just thinking about that potions homework."

"Pfft! The greasy bastard has no right to give you extra homework like that," exclaimed Ron.

Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry stayed quiet. In all fairness he was grateful for the homework, showed that someone didn't think he was too good for it. Recently all the teachers had been whispering into his ear that with the war effort he wasn't expected to hand it in. But good old Snape could always be relied on for making Harry feel a little more normal. But he still didn't want to marry him. Harry had imagined marrying for love once all this Voldemort crap was over. He desperately wanted to have a family, a luxury he had never really experienced before and being forced to shack up with his cold Professor did not really fit into this.

Harry did even really think he was gay, he had feelings for Cho. Well he had, they had long since faded when he realised she just wanted a hero figure to replace Cedric. He also found himself drawn to Ginny a few times in the past month but he also realised the slight flutter in his stomach every time he heard that trademark Malfoy drawl escape from Draco Malfoy's mouth. Of course both options seemed rather impossible considering the current state of Harry's love life but the idea of being Snape's husband also seemed equally unfeasible.

Claiming he was tried Harry snuck into the dormitory hoping to catch an hour or so of blissful solitude. Upon entering he heard a weird noise, it almost sounded like someone crying. He padded through the room, walking closer to the source of the sound only to find that Hedwig had managed to find a mouse under the bed and was ripping apart its fragile body. Harry's mouth spread into a small smile as he watched his beloved pet carry out her natural instinct. In a way he felt jealous of the strong white bird, she had all the freedom she wished and her life was so simple. Harry's was a tangled mess of Voldemort, classes and a forced marriage, Hedwig only had to think of visiting him once in a while, delivering letters and eating.

Harry sighed reaching out his long fingers to gently ruffle Hedwig's feathers. The reality of the coming day began to seep into his mind as Harry lay back on his bed, letting his owl rest on the bedside table next to him, as he tried to tempt himself into sleep. Dreading the next day.

In Severus' bathroom an unusual occurrence was happening. He was washing his greasy hair to almost appear half decent. He did want to present himself in such a way to Harry to show that he had some personal hygiene. In all honesty the grease was just an anti-inflammatory potion, saving his long black hair from explosions. He kidded himself that this wasn't a desperate attempt to attract Harry while he sat down, carefully brushing every single tangle out of his hair and putting on freshly ironed robes.

He rose, his cloak falling behind him in true Snape fashion as he marched to the Headmaster's office, trying to blank his mind from the reality of his journey. It wasn't that he thought being married to Harry would be all that bad. He just knew it wasn't what the boy wanted from life and he knew he would have felt the exact same at that age. But, at the same time he wanted to show Harry a good life and he intended to make the time they had together…expectable at least.

He forced the smirk from his face and the glare from his eyes as he said the password and gained entry to the room which held his fate.

"Ahh! Severus, wonderful. Punctual as always," smiled Dumbledore rising to pull out a chair from Severus.

Severus nodded and turned his head discreetly to look at Potter, he sat with his hands in his lap endlessly twisting his fingers into knots.

"Now, we need to discuss when the actual bonding will take place. I thought Saturday?" said Dumbledore casually as though they were discussing a simple family picnic.

"Saturday!" exclaimed Severus. "That gives the boy no time to prepare or anything."

"I'm not a boy anymore Professor," said Harry, strangely calm in the background.

Severus looked at Harry and for a moment they locked eyes, both staring helplessly into the others. Hoping to catch a glimpse of life and maybe even hope for their future.

"Its fine, the sooner the better," said Harry.

"Good thinking Harry. Now Severus I thought we should invite very few people, anyone you would like there?"

"No one."

"Harry?"

"The Weasleys and Hermione I guess."

"Super," smiled Dumbledore as he began to trail off, talking about irrelevant details about a wedding neither groom particularly wanted.

On the way out Severus grabbed Harry and pulled him to the side.

"I understand this isn't what you want but I honestly will try and make this as good as it possibly can be."

"its fine, I know it's not really your fault sir."

"Call me Severus."

Harry nodded and offered a quick smile before running down the spiral staircase and escaping out of the door. And as always, Severus watched him leave.

It was Friday night and Harry stood nervously outside the common room trying to find his Gryffindor courage and confess all to his best friends but the words would not come. Fear and shock seemed to prevent him from acknowledging his impending marriage but he knew now was the time to tell.

"Hey Harry," said the gentle voice of Neville Longbottom. "Forgotten the password?" Don't worry, you know me. I do it all the time."

Harry forced a laugh and then caught sight of a deep purple bruise on the left-side of Neville's neck. At first Harry felt a small surge of anger, thinking that people had been picking on Neville only to realise what the mark really was. Harry didn't mention it knowing that Neville was easily embarrassed as it was and it didn't seem fair to give him hassle just to distract his own thoughts. He did reach out though and pretend to fix Neville's collar hiding the vibrant hickey from sight.

Once he poked his head through the door Harry was confronted by the eager faces of his two best friends. He felt the corners of his mouth lift naturally for the first time in ages as he was wrapped in the warm embrace of Hermione and given a small nod from Ron.

"Where were you?" asking Hermione when she let Harry go.

"I had to talk to Dumbledore about something really important and I really want to tell you but it's hard."

"You know you can tell us anything mate," smiled Ron.

"Yeah…And don't take this the wrong way, I mean I don't even like the bastard but it's meant to help the war and stuff so I guess I have to put up with it."

"Harry? What is it?" Hermione questioned.

"I need to bond with Snape…"

"What the hell?!" exclaimed Hermione Granger to her shocked friends.

"I dunno Hermy, it was Dumbledore's idea."

"Has he gone completely nuts mate?"

"I dunno Ron, all I know is we are getting bonded tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!"

"Yeah…"

Hermione let out a huge breath and sat down heavily on a giant armchair behind her.

"Well you don't do things in halves do you Harry," she laughed shakily.

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