Warnings: Slash sex (edited to M level, the whole scene is on AO3 as usual), truckloads of fluff, happy endings, and mild violence.
Summary: Severus and Harry bond in body and soul, get new job offers (and old ones), take a trip to Italy, and take down the last of the Death Eaters, this time without major catastrophes. Both boys move on to new and better times.
CHAPTER 16
Sealing the Cracks
Severus waited, dressed in midnight and silver silk, at the altar for his soon-to-be husband. His heart fluttered as he examined the décor and hoped it would live up to Harry's standards. He had tried to choose something the man would like without giving away the surprise, and so had settled on a forest glade in a British location. Well, at least as far as the newly-installed miniature Room of Requirement could approximate one. The trees ended about ten metres into the glade and became a mural of a forest against the walls, but it was a damn realistic mural, and combined with wizarding painting effects, it was as close to the real thing as possible.
Again, he surveyed the arrangements and chewed on his lip. Maybe he should have chosen a different locale. Should he have used white seats or plain wood? Would Harry like that he had chosen lilies and lupines to decorate the clearing, or would it remind him too much of what he had lost? Would he be upset that they had snuck Regulus' portrait in here for him? And Albus'?
Merlin, Severus had no idea what to do. This wasn't his forte. He wasn't cut out for—
The doors opened, and Harry came in on Hermione's arm, the man dressed in emerald and silver, and the woman in the traditional white robes of bonding ceremony attendants.
The moment of truth had come. Severus sucked in a deep breath, preparing himself for a blow.
Harry's eyes went wide and filled with shimmering tears. "Oh gods. H-how? I … this is amazing!"
Hermione nudged his side. "Thank your husband-to-be. It was his idea."
"Severus did this? Oh Merlin. I …." Harry wiped tears from his cheeks and beamed. "It's brilliant. But how on earth … where is this?"
"Your drawing room," said Draco from the altar. "Get up here already, Harry, before your poor groom passes out from nerves."
Severus thwacked Draco in the head, and everyone but Draco laughed.
"That hurts, you know."
Severus snorted.
"Seriously, Harry," Ron called from the other side, "come on, before he thinks you've gotten cold feet!"
Severus' blood drained from his face. Oh gods. Had Harry changed his mind?
"Nice work, you oaf," Draco muttered.
Ron shrugged and gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry!"
Harry laughed, joy and love bubbling over in the sound. "Gods, what would I do without you? All of you … thank you. So much."
With a smile that eclipsed the sun and tears shining on his lashes, Harry made his way up the altar. Severus breathed a sigh of relief and welcomed his fiancé with a kiss on both cheeks for tradition, and a kiss to his forehead out of sheer love for the man.
"You are happy, Harry?"
"Dead chuffed, love! It's amazing! H-how did you do this?"
"We made a Room of Requirement in your drawing room," said Hermione with a laugh. "Draco and I did. Ron helped. Sort of. Well, he brought us food anyway."
"Oi!"
Harry laughed and hugged her tight. "Thank you."
Hermione gave him a sad smile. "Maybe you can forgive me for being such a prat when you were sick now?"
"Water under the bridge." Harry laced his fingers with Severus' and gave his fiancé a blinding smile. "However long it took us to get here, whatever pain we faced to make it this far, I'm just glad to have you, Severus. I'm so … so glad to be …." His words choked off with emotion.
Severus gave Filius, their attendant, a smile edged with his own tears. "Perhaps we should start the ceremony before we get carried away?"
Filius beamed and hopped aboard a tree stump decorated with flowers and ribbons. He conjured a cloud of golden butterflies to flutter about, to Harry's delight, and cleared his throat.
"Beloved kith and kin, we have gathered in this place of sanctity to join these two men in love, magic, and soul …."
Severus hardly heard the rest of the ceremony, so fixated was he on the emotions in Harry's eyes. Gods, he swore he could see to the man's soul sometimes. He was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and Severus could not believe he had been so fortunate as to win his heart. He still saw himself as that cold, ugly, bastard of a man who had made Harry's early years so miserable sometimes, but Harry had begun to teach him of his own beauty, and regardless of whether Severus saw it in the mirror or not, Harry did.
Severus had never felt so loved, so worthy as he did in that moment, with Harry's adoring eyes fixed solely on him.
"I take you, Severus Tobias Snape, as my bonded mate in all ways. I offer you my heart, my life, and my soul, yours to share and love for all time. I vow to love and care for every part of you, and honour your gift to me this day, and for eternity."
Severus repeated his vows for Harry, uncaring of the tears that coursed unchecked down his face. Merlin help him, he had never imagined this day would come, and dignity could go to hell. This once, he would let the world see just how much Harry meant to him.
Harry placed his right palm against Severus' left and murmured the bonding verse. "I, Harry James Potter, now bond my soul, my heart, and my life to yours, Severus Tobias Snape. I place my spirit in your hands. Vinculum animae in aeternum!"
A rush of heat and light surged down Severus' midline. Pieces that had been broken, disconnected for so long, he had forgotten the pain, healed and merged, leaving him whole once more. He swayed forwards, overcome by the feeling of Harry's spirit, Harry's joy mingling with his own, his heart and his love spilling from Severus' core and all throughout his body. A gasp escaped him, but he managed to stay silent. Any words other than the vows might interfere with their bond.
With a little shake to recover his equilibrium, Severus aligned his right palm with Harry's and gave his vow. "I, Severus Tobias Snape, now bond my soul, my heart, and my life to yours, Harry James Potter. I place my spirit in your hands. Vinculum animae in aeternum!"
A second surge of heat and light, stronger this time, knocked Severus to his knees and golden and white light swirled around him, blinding him. Across from him, he realised Harry had fallen as well. He held onto his bonded partner's hands from sheer willpower and edged forwards in spite of the overwhelming sensations, to offer his shoulder as a brace for his reeling love. Breath hitching, tears dripping off his chin, Harry buried his face in Severus' shoulder and braced him in turn.
The lights grew brighter and brighter, and the love pouring between them multiplied and grew until Severus thought he might go mad if this was the kind of sensation he had to live with every day, all the time.
Filius cried, "Iungere eorum vinculum in amore! The bond is complete!"
Something clicked in Severus' chest. The lights and overpowering sensations vanished, leaving him panting and dazed in Harry's arms. When had they moved to hold each other rather than holding hands? Filius said something else, but Severus could hardly care with the sensation of Harry kissing his neck, tracing his jawline and moving toward his lips.
"You're mine now, always," Harry whispered against the corner of Severus' mouth.
Severus whispered back, "Yours," and let himself be claimed in a passionate, adoring kiss. Tears mingled on their cheeks, their guests clapped and cheered, and a butterfly tickled Severus' ear, but he cared for nothing but the feel of his new bonded mate on his lips and in his soul.
Harry pulled back panting, his hands half cradling Severus' face and half in his hair, his forehead pressed against his mate's. The sound of cheers and congratulations dimmed in the incredible wave of love flooding his spirit.
"I love you, Harry," Severus whispered against his soulmate's lips.
"I love you too, my Severus."
Severus caught his mate into a fiery, deep kiss, audience be damned.
The forest glade had long since vanished, and a beautifully-decorated reception hall stood in its place. They had laughed through Ron's and Draco's 'toasts' and shared a few emotional toasts of their own. Molly's cake had been the highlight of the evening, decorated with white roses and fairy flowers, and so light it practically melted in Harry's mouth. Harry had never enjoyed dancing, but he had given everyone a turn who had wanted one—and even managed not to mangle their feet too badly—but dancing with Severus was something else altogether.
The party was winding down. Andromeda and Teddy had already gone, the boy nodding off in a top hat Harry had brought for him. Flitwick and Albus' portrait had gone next, both wishing Harry and Severus happiness in their bond. Severus hadn't quite been able to meet his former mentor's eyes. Even Ron and Katie were ready to go, judging by the weariness in the pregnant mother's eyes.
Still, Harry had enjoyed the day. In the back of his cupboard, where the spiders were his only friends, sometimes he had imagined a grand ceremony with streamers and flowers and a princess to carry him away—of course, the idea that his ideal partner might have been a Prince had never occurred to him in those early days. He had pulled out all the stops on those private daydreams, imagining everything good his cousin got that he was allowed no part of, but his true bonding, simple as it was, had crowned even the most elaborate of his fantasies. He had never conceived of a love like this until he met the real Severus the day after saving his life, when the man was still mute and held Harry's hand for comfort.
Severus laid his champagne aside and held a hand out to his new husband. "Take one last turn with me."
Harry smiled and let his husband lead him to the floor. It could hardly be called dancing, this slow swaying in each other's arms, Harry's head pressed against Severus' shoulder and Severus' breath in Harry's hair, but it felt wonderful nonetheless. And the best thing was he needn't worry about stomping Severus' feet when they had no need to lift them.
"Have you enjoyed the bonding, love?"
Harry smiled against Severus' shoulder. "Mm. It was perfect."
"No last-minute plans to run off with Draco, hmm?"
Harry lifted his head and gave Severus a mock-glare. "Merlin. I'll have nightmares about that for the next century or so."
Severus chuckled and eased Harry close again. "Truly, are you happy, pet?"
"Sev, I'm so happy I feel like I could float. Can't you feel it?"
Severus nuzzled closer and nodded against Harry's hair. "I … it is sometimes hard to believe you feel so much for me, but I … your love is … gods. I never imagined I would have such a privilege."
"Not a privilege. A gift. I don't love you because you deserve it. I just do, just because of who you are."
Severus ran a hand through Harry's hair and pressed closer. Twin drops fell on Harry's head, and he looked up to see Severus trying to conceal tears.
"Love …." Harry held his face and wiped his tears away. "I hope those were from joy."
Severus nodded and kissed Harry's palms. "I have never felt so much happiness, Harry. I have never felt so much at all, not until you."
Harry smiled and kissed his husband with slow, sweet love. "I imagine our emotions will calm down soon, after the novelty and the excitement of everything wears off."
Severus chuckled, though it carried the sound of tears. "Thank Merlin! I am not maudlin like this, not usually."
A feminine laugh sounded behind them and made both men jump. "Ach, Severus, it's your bonding day. If you cannot show emotion here, when can you?"
Severus turned and gave Minerva a hesitant smile. "It is not something I enjoy having displayed for the public."
"Only for Harry, hmm?" She chuckled. "Well, that is how it should be, I think."
Severus nodded and slipped his arm around Harry's waist, drawing his husband against his side. "Thank you for standing in for my mother, Minerva. I felt the place was rightfully yours, since my mother is no longer here to fill it."
Minerva bowed her head. "I should like to think Eileen would have been honoured. I hope so."
Harry kissed Severus' cheek. "I think she would've been happy if Severus was happy."
Severus said nothing. Harry knew the man had some unresolved guilt about his mother's death, but that was all right. They still had plenty of drawings to go through, and plenty of time to heal each other.
"Ach, I remember you both when the sorting hat was too big for your heads, and now look at you! All grown up and bonded!"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "I never took you to be the type to reminisce, Minerva."
She snorted. "Even stern old ladies like me are prone to bouts of sentimentalism at soul bondings, you curmudgeon."
Severus laughed. "I suppose I will give you a pass for one day then. One."
She snorted. "A generous offer from Master Deadpan himself, to be certain."
"Thank you for that."
Minerva chuckled. "I'm only teasing a bit, Severus. Do lighten up." She patted his arm and gave him a wistful smile. "I do miss those days, bantering with you after the students have gone to bed. What would it take to convince you to teach for me again?"
Severus groaned. "More than Hogwarts has to offer, to be certain."
"Ah, are you sure?"
"Minerva, those were … miserable days for me. I am not teacher material. Not of so many students at least. Perhaps I may consider taking an apprentice or two down the road, but my days in the classroom are done."
She sighed. "I thought as much. Still, I had to offer."
Severus nodded in acknowledgement.
"Harry, I had wondered if you were happy in your position at the aurors," she said with a smile. "Of course I understand if you would like to stay where you are, but if you would like a less … risky position, then I would love to have you as the Defence instructor."
Harry gasped and swayed into his husband. "M-me? But I … I'm not … do I have the experience for that?"
Minerva and Severus both snorted.
"I-I'm sorry," said Severus, eyes full of laughter, "did the vanquisher of Voldemort, auror captain extraordinaire, and self-made expert on essentially all forms of dark magic just ask if he has enough bloody experience to teach a classroom full of star-struck dunderheads basic defence?" He dissolved into full-on laughs. "Merlin, Harry. If anything, you should be teaching the aurors!"
Harry's cheeks burned. "Um … well, I did, sometimes, before the curse."
"And there you are." Severus rubbed Harry's curls. "Of course you could teach them, if you so choose."
Harry lifted a thumb to his mouth and pressed it into his lip, considering. "I … are you sure I'd do well with it? I mean, I just … I don't want to mess things up for the kids."
"Have you forgotten your DA, Harry?" Minerva smiled. "Child, if you would consent to teach defence, I believe the children of Hogwarts will be in the best of hands."
He ducked, cheeks flaming under her praise. "T-thank you. Um, well then, will you send me information on the particulars, Minerva? I … I'd want to take Dolohov down first, and I'd have to talk it over with Severus before I make a decision, but it's not a bad idea."
Minerva beamed. "I'd be happy to." She gave both men a brief, one-armed hug, as much affection as the woman was wont to show. "Congratulations, my boys. I wish you all health and happiness for your new life together."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Leaving so soon after getting what you came for, Minerva?"
She smirked. "Well, as it happens, it seems I do have a teaching contract to write up. Bit of a sudden arrangement, if you understand."
Harry chuckled. "Go on then. And thank you. I'll think about it."
She laughed and patted Harry's shoulder. "Thank you, child. And I will see you soon."
With a little wave, the woman apparated away. Harry leaned against Severus and clung to his hand. "Do you really think I could do it?"
"I do. I have faith that you could do anything you put your mind to, love."
Harry grinned. "Well, that's good enough for me."
Harry leaned against Severus' shoulder and resumed their dance. Maybe he could teach. If it wouldn't interfere with Severus' work—they would have to work that out—and Harry couldn't leave his team until the last of the Death Eaters was in Azkaban and his replacement trained. But then, it was only May. There was plenty of time to prepare.
He smiled at his husband. They would work out the particulars later. For tonight, he had other plans.
"How much longer do you think this party will last, Severus?"
"Not long. Everyone is packing up, I think."
"Good. I'm ready to have you to myself."
Severus shivered and held his husband tighter. "Soon, pet. Soon."
"Can't wait."
Merlin help him, Severus was on fire. Everywhere Harry touched, every place his lips branded left a trail of lightning in his wake. He was like fire and water inside of him, and Severus thought he would die before the night ended if Harry did not pick up the pace.
Severus whimpered. "Damn it, stop teasing me! I will not break."
Harry grinned devilishly. "Your wish is my command." He tugged Severus up and took him into a fierce kiss, bending him double, and began making love to his new husband in earnest.
Severus threw his head back and keened, his entire body ablaze with pleasure. Gods help him, he had never had such a powerful, demanding, and yet considerate lover. As much as Harry was gone to passion, his eyes never left Severus' face, always searching for signs of pain or alarm. Harry loved him as much as he wanted him, and the feeling left Severus breathless and crying out with need.
"Come, Sev," Harry said, breathless and flushed. "Come for me."
Severus groaned, the words sending him on a spiral towards ecstasy. White-hot pleasure rushed over him, and he howled his lover's name. Somewhere in the haze of release, Severus registered Harry had cried out for him as well and collapsed atop him.
Severus rolled them to their sides, panting and breathless. "Gods, Harry. That was—" His words cut off in a wordless cry of surprise as golden light surrounded them.
"The bond," Harry breathed, eyes wide with wonder.
"Yes." Severus whispered too, humbled in the magical proof of their eternal link.
They watched in awed silence, tears building on their lashes, as the golden glow sank into their skin, glowing brilliant white along the midline of their bodies before it vanished.
Harry cupped Severus' cheeks and gave him a tearful smile. "It's done? We're joined forever now?"
"Yes, love." Severus settled beside his soulmate and held him tight, joy and wonder bubbling over inside him. "Oh gods. My Harry. I can hardly believe you are truly mine!"
Harry kissed him softly. "I am. I wear your ring, and you just saw the evidence of the union of our souls." He held Severus' face, still-dilated green eyes full of understanding and acceptance. "This time, Severus, nothing can separate us. We're together now, from now until the end of time." Harry kissed his forehead and brushed damp hair from his face. "I will never leave you."
Tears dripped down Severus' face. "And I, too, will stay by your side forever."
Harry blinked tears back of his own and kissed Severus passionately. "I'm glad. I'm so glad."
"As am I, pet." As Severus lay in his bondmate's arms, he felt he had finally learned what true joy meant. This was his home now, and though the future wouldn't be perfect, they would face what issues might come together.
They would never have to face the world alone again.
The next morning, Harry stood, shaking and pale, on the stoop of Grimmauld Place. Kreacher was standing by with Essence of Dittany and a healing kit, and Severus had Harry's hands in his own and was trying to convince the younger man to take that first step to freedom.
"You saw our souls fuse last night, love," Severus said, smiling softly. "You are safe."
Harry swallowed hard. "I know. I know I've nothing to be afraid of, and yet …."
"Yet, you cannot help but be afraid."
"Y-yeah."
Severus tipped Harry's chin up to meet his eyes. "Look at me, love. Keep your eyes on mine and trust that I will let nothing harm you."
Harry gave Severus a shaky nod and clasped his husband's hands tight. Slowly, Severus backed away, guiding Harry to follow. Harry thought his heart might hammer itself to pieces as he touched his toe past the stoop, and waited for pain. When nothing but Severus' loving arms met him, he took a deep breath and stepped down.
And nothing happened.
Harry gave Severus a tentative smile. "A-am I really free?"
Severus smiled back. "Try one more step with me."
Harry took a deep breath and moved a shaky leg forwards. He stumbled a bit, but Severus caught him and braced him up.
"I will let nothing harm you," Severus murmured, holding Harry close. He smirked. "Not even irrepressible Gryffindor clumsiness."
"Clumsiness is a Gryffindor trait?"
"Well, it is certainly not one of my house."
Harry snorted. "Remind me to bring you along next time Draco decides to get sloshed."
Severus chuckled. "He is a remarkably Gryffindorish Slytherin."
"You would know."
Severus kissed him lightly. "I am half-Gryffindor now, remember?" He nuzzled Harry's cheek. "Come, show me that lauded Gryffindor courage I remember. One more step."
Harry grinned and obeyed. The playful banter and Severus' calm support had taken the edge off his fear, and he followed his husband slowly to the edge of the property. His feet stalled at the kerb.
"This is it," he breathed. "The edge of the wards. If I can take this step, I'm really free."
"Yes." Severus moved to Harry's side and wrapped a sturdy arm around his waist. "Shall we take it together?"
Harry braced his arm around Severus' shoulders and reached across their bodies to link their hands, too. "Together." With one more deep breath and a prayer that this would not prove to be a disastrous mistake, Harry squeezed Severus' shoulders and stepped off of the kerb.
And wasn't cut to shreds for it.
With a whoop of joy, he threw his arms around Severus' neck and kissed him hard, not caring if their Muggle neighbours noticed or not.
"I'm free! Severus, I'm really free!"
Severus chuckled and nodded. "I did tell you."
"Yes, but I couldn't really believe it!" He buried his face into Severus' shoulder and struggled to contain another wave of tears. "Gods, I'm such a prat. All I've done for the last two days is cry and I've never been happier!"
Severus laughed. "I have not been without tears myself."
"Congratulations, Master Harry," said Kreacher with a toothy grin. "Kreacher is being happy you are free again, too."
"As are we all." Severus kissed Harry and moved back, taking his husband's hands. "You are free, love. You said you did not wish to tell me where you would like to go for a honeymoon until we knew if your curse would break. It is broken. Will you tell me now?"
Harry grinned. "I've alwayswanted to go to Italy. Down by the sea, where it's nice and hot and the food is authentic."
"Ah, that does sound lovely. Do you have a specific location in mind?"
Kreacher held up an old hairbrush, less several bristles. "Miss Granger and Master Draco are being making reservations in Positano for Masters Potter-Snape. This is taking us straight to the wizarding inn."
Harry grinned and grabbed Severus' hand. "Let's go!" With a boyish laugh, he grabbed the portkey and whisked them away.
Severus stood at the balcony of their honeymoon suite, sipping a cup of delicious local coffee and watching the sun rise. Merlin, but he had fallen in love with the delightful coastal city. If Severus hadn't already established a life and a family back in England, he might have considered staying here permanently. He would need to plan some return trips for vacations at least, even if the northerner in Severus did find the heat a bit too oppressive for his taste. Perhaps they could come during the Easter hols, when Britain would still be too bloody cold by half and Positano would just be warming up for the summer. Severus doubted Harry would object, even if he did take Minerva up on her offer before the new school year started.
To that end, Harry had been training Ron to take his place—much to Robards' dismay—but he refused to leave the aurors until all the Death Eaters were safely behind bars. They had only Dolohov left to catch of the old crowd, and Draco knew enough about the new blood to handle them on his own, but the sadistic old bastard had escaped the aurors a thousand times if he had done it once. Severus scowled and stirred his coffee. Dolohov had always been a wily little shite. Severus would sleep easier when that monster was off the streets as well.
Harry yawned and sat up in the bed. "S-Severus? Where are you, love?"
"Your glasses are on the nightstand, pet. And I am on the balcony."
Harry replaced his glasses and walked to the balcony to lean against Severus' chest, wrapped in nothing but the sheet. "Mm. I'll be sorry to leave this place."
"As will I. It is incredibly soothing here, if a bit too warm for my blood."
Harry kissed Severus' chest. "Wanna come back."
"I was thinking we could come over Easter?"
"Yeah, that sounds great." Harry snuggled into Severus' chest. "I'm so happy, Severus. You are too, right?"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "You can feel it, can you not? I know I feel your emotions when they are strong."
Harry nodded. "S'just nice to hear it. Sometimes it's hard to tell if I'm feeling it or you are when we're feeling the same."
"Hmm." Severus ran a hand through Harry's curls. "Yes, love. I am happy."
"Good. Don't want you to be sad anymore."
"I—"
The crackle of flames behind them made both men jump. Severus conjured a robe onto Harry's shoulders and stood in front of him so he could tie it in relative privacy.
"Harry? Uncle Sev?"
Draco. Severus turned, heart sinking, to see his godson in auror red, his expression tense and excited at once.
"Is everything all right, Draco?"
Draco nodded. "No trouble. Well, not exactly." He blushed. "Merlin, I'm sorry to bother you two on your honeymoon, but it's just … it's Dolohov, Harry. We've got his location. And I thought you'd want the option to come or not."
Harry came out from behind Severus. "Love, would you be angry with me if I did go? I … he's too dangerous. I wouldn't feel right abandoning them to tackle him on their own, but neither do I feel good about leaving you."
Severus snorted. "If you are going, then so am I. I will be damned if I will let that bastard come between us on our honeymoon."
"Er … hunting bad guys isn't exactly a romantic way to spend the day together," said Harry with a grin.
Severus smirked. "Who says?"
Harry laughed. "All right. It's okay with me. Merlin knows, we could use your help. But what about Robards, Draco? Will he let Sev come?"
Draco chuckled. "Let's just say we anticipated that answer. He's already given Severus clearance. Just get into your gear and meet us at the corner of Diagon and Knockturn in … say, twenty minutes?"
Harry nodded. "You're on."
Half an hour later, Severus followed Harry and his team down Sidewinder Alley, a half-deserted side street off Diagon Alley even less populous and more sinister than Knockturn. Under heavy glamours, Notice-me-not spells and silencing charms, Draco led them past several boarded-up buildings, dark arts shops, and a hags' coven, stopping at a woebegone shack a bit away from the road.
"Wait," Severus whispered before they entered, "I know this place. Let me take point."
Draco hesitated. "I … Harry is our dueller though."
"And the last time I didn't listen to Severus," Harry rebutted, "I came back from the mission in pieces." He looked to their Seer. "Parvati?"
She nodded.
"Let him lead." Harry stepped into place behind Severus and at his right. "I'll play back-up. The rest of you fall into your usual placement."
Draco sighed. "It's not exactly regulation, but if we bring in Dolohov for it, Robards isn't going to care." He grimaced. "I hope."
Harry stifled a chuckle. "So do we all. Are we ready then?"
Ron's shields snapped into place. "We are now. Let's go."
Severus nodded and led the team into the shop, guiding them around old traps still active and new ones bearing Dolohov's signature. With his detection magic active, the man couldn't hide from him for long—neither his tricks nor his person. Severus guided them to a trapdoor leading to the basement and pointed to it, and the dark-red outline crouched a short way beyond it.
With a grim nod, Severus mouthed, "He is there."
Harry turned Severus' head to look into his eyes. [Disillusion yourself. The moment we drop down, I'm going to start attacking—that's what he'll expect. It's the way we usually work, but he doesn't know about you. He likes to slip away in the chaos of battle, so be ready to take him down from behind.]
Severus nodded. [Be careful.]
[I swear it. We have a life together to look forward to. I wouldn't jeopardise that.]
[Good. I love you.]
Harry replied by kissing him soundly. Severus touched his lover's face, then hid himself from sight and slipped into the shadows behind the team. The others watched as Harry mouthed and mimed their plan, and after a brief moment, nodded understanding.
Harry slipped into the lead and, with a sharp jab down, his team assumed battle position.
Severus shook out his muscles a bit and prepared for a stealth battle, the thrill of the hunt singing in his veins. Merlin, but he was looking forward to testing his skills. After so many years and with the war behind him, a dust up with a Death Eater felt more like a challenge to be met than a life-or-death struggle to survive. Still, he needed to remember that he had been out of the game for years, while Dolohov had perfected the art of fighting on the run. Severus couldn't afford to be overconfident, not with Harry depending on him.
With a nod to himself, he settled his mental shields in place and focused on his target.
Harry mouthed, "Now!" With a sharp jerk of his wand, the trapdoor shot open and the five aurors dropped into the space below. Severus admired their courage and made sure the area was clear before dropping down himself.
He found himself in a battlefield. Red and green streaks shot every which way, sparking off Ron's shields, Harry ducking and rolling under them like a madman and shooting return fire every second he could free his wand arm. It was fascinating—and terrifying—to watch the captain in action—Merlin, Harry could fight with the best of them—but the first time a curse shot too close to Severus' head, the former spy remembered he had a purpose here and standing still would get him killed.
He ducked between curses towards the red light. Dolohov crouched behind an old table, a second trapdoor open behind him and one foot in the hole. Severus leapt into position behind the man, taking care to keep himself well-shielded from friendly fire.
A nonverbal Stupefy later, Dolohov dropped like a puppet with his strings cut.
"Gotcha!" Harry staunched a bleeding gash on his face with a dirty hand, grinning like a loon. "About fucking time too!"
Severus whispered a chant against his husband's face, healing it. "You're welcome."
Harry snickered and gave his husband a congratulatory kiss. "Awesome work, Sev." He saw the trapdoor and grimaced. "Would've gotten away again, if not for you."
"Well, he shall go nowhere now." As if to emphasise his point, Severus made damn sure the bastard was wrapped in ten layers of rope before releasing his foot from Dolohov's neck. "Even I could not escape that."
Harry chuckled. "Thanks, love." He petrified Dolohov for good measure and levitated him into the middle of the room. "Could Sev and I borrow a portkey to the holding cells, Ron? We didn't exactly bring ours to the honeymoon suite."
Ron laughed and held out two old shoes. "Robards fixed these for you the second we knew you were coming."
"Tally-ho, then." Harry grabbed one and passed the other to Severus. "On three."
Severus clutched his old shoe with a grimace of disgust, grabbed Dolohov's ankle, and let the portkey whisk him away.
After reporting on the battle, ensuring Dolohov was locked away in the highest security cell the Ministry could offer, and returning to the honeymoon suite, Severus had taken Harry into the shower and checked every inch of him for injuries. Twice.
With that behind him, both men lay in the bed, snuggled tight and enjoying their last night in the suite.
Harry murmured into Severus' throat, "Well, that was one way to end the honeymoon with a bang, huh?"
Severus chuckled. "Indeed." He stroked a hand up and down Harry's spine. "What will you do about Minerva's offer, now that all the Death Eaters have been accounted for?"
"Now that I'm free to put the war behind me, you mean."
"Indeed."
"Well, I'm not sure." Harry traced patterns in Severus' chest hair. "Teaching defence—well, like you already said, they recruited me to teach a lot at the academy anyway so it's already something I'm good at. But if I went to Hogwarts, what would you do about your business?"
Severus laughed. "Carry it on. I can work in the shop during the day and use the school laboratory for emergent orders after hours. I can't imagine Minerva would deny me that small request if it gets her favourite lion in the Defence position."
"But … are we supposed to leave during the day?"
Severus snorted. "You? Absolutely not. You must remain at the school for most of the day, but I am not a professor any longer and thus am not similarly shackled. I can return to you at night. And, as neither of us will be a head of house, we are free to leave the school at night, so long as we do not do so every night and let Minerva know if we will be off-campus." He looked down and bit his lip. "That is, if that is an acceptable arrangement."
Harry grinned and caught him into a fierce kiss. "Acceptable? It's bloody brilliant. I would've accepted sooner, only I didn't want to uproot your business. Knowing you can just go on as you have done until now is a relief!"
Severus smiled. "And knowing you will not be laying your life on the line every day from here on out is a relief for me. Though your team will miss you."
"They understand. And they'll probably still ask me for advice and help every now and again. Is that okay?"
Severus brought Harry into his lap. "Mm, as long as you are careful."
"I promise. I'm carrying half of you around in me now. I have to keep you safe."
Joy flooded Severus' heart. "Yes." He kissed Harry softly. "My guardian angel."
Harry chuckled. "Always, Sev."
