For sake of the story, I have deleted Fleur. She doesn't have any place in the HP series after GoF. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm not a big fan of her.
On another note, I couldn't help myself. Wrote a second chapter today. I'm sure no one will complain about the double update.
Worth
Severus knocked on the portrait leading to Bill's quarters.
The lady guarding it offered him a sweet smile.
"He loves having you over, I don't know why you don't just stay."
He turned red before knocking again, ignoring her comments.
"Severus!" Bill greeted, smiling wide, "Come in. Have a drink."
"Thank you for the invitation William, but I'd rather my mind remain unmuddled tonight."
Bill nodded in understanding, summoning two glasses of water instead.
"Do you want to go ahead and remove the mark," Bill asked, "or would you like to put that off until later?"
Severus hesitated, "I am... uncertain, as to whether or not i wish it to be removed."
"Why?"
His dark eyes pierced Bill's blue ones.
"It reminds me of past mistakes."
Bill placed his glass on the table, moving to sit next to his guest.
"But you don't really need it to remember do you?"
Severus bit his lip, looking away.
Bill continued, taking Severus' hands in his own.
"You don't need to punish yourself by keeping it Sev. Let it go. You have paid for your mistakes dearly. You don't need to keep a constant reminder. All it does is bring you pain."
Severus gazed down at the hand in his with a pensive expression, his vision traitorously blurry.
Bill brought Severus' hand to his lap, turning so he could see his face.
"Let it go Sev. It's time for you to move on."
Severus scooted closer before turning away again, noticing his own movements.
"I can't," he whispered, "I can't just-"
"You can," Bill interrupted. He wrapped an arm around his back, only holding tighter when he resisted.
"Don't deny yourself the comfort of my embrace," he persuaded, "I offer it as a friend if you do not wish for more, but I still offer it. Let it go Severus."
"I'll break," he rasped, "I can't do it alone."
"You don't have to," assured the ginger, bringing his other arm around to envelope him, "I am here. I won't make you do this alone. I'll hold the pieces Sev. Just let go."
And then, the ex-death eater, stoic potions master, unforgivingly cold man broke down. He sobbed openly into his holder's chest, letting it out. Bill only held tighter, rubbing soothing circles onto his back.
"It's okay. Let it out. I'm here. I'm here Sev."
This seemed to only make Severus cry harder, twisting Bill's shirt in his fingers and burying his face into the strong chest.
It seemed like hours when in reality it was only minutes later that he settled, moving back out of Bill's arms. Bill still kept a hold on the man, shifting so that he was more comfortable.
"Take it please."
Bill took the offered arm, placing a kiss to the dark mass. When Severus winced he only kissed it again.
"Your past has made you the man you are today, and though I wish it had never happened, I am thankful for who you are now."
Bill pressed his wand to the darkened skin.
"You are stronger now than you were before. You treasure the small things you have been given now. The world has made it's mark on you and you have made a mark on the world."
Severus closed his eyes at the pain, biting his tongue to keep from screaming.
"It's gone."
He looked down at his arm, surprised by the clear, pale skin.
"Gone," he whispered.
Bill kissed the now unblemished skin, "You're free Sev."
"Why do you do that?"
"What?"
"Kiss my arm? Why do you do that?"
Bill cocked his head to the side.
"You have not yet given me permission to kiss your lips."
Severus' eyes widened before narrowing. He stood and snarled, "Do not play with me Weasley. I do not appreciate it."
"I'm not-"
"Enough," Severus bit out, turning to wrench open the door, "Good night."
And with that he stalked out, leaving a befuddled man behind him.
Bill let out a heavy sigh, collapsing against the couch.
"I will prove to you your worth my Severus," he promised the empty room, "and I will prove to you my honesty."
Severus slammed the door closed before sliding down the wall.
"Who are you kidding Severus?" he yelled, slamming his hand to the floor, "No one. You're alone."
=============In another part of the castle==============
Harry thrust into Draco slowly, making sure to not hurt his small lover.
"I love you Draco," he whispered.
"I love you too," Draco smiled.
He looked up at his mate. Taking note of the caring way Harry was looking down at him.
Then it wasn't Harry anymore. It was Voldemort. And it hurt.
"He will never love you," the snake man snarled, tearing into the blonde, "He could never love a coward like you. TRAITOR."
"No! Harry! Harry!"
"He will not save you. You are not worth saving."
The monster cackled, staring down at him with evil eyes.
He shot awake, covered in sweat though he was shivering. He gazed around, noticing he was in their new bed and that Harry was next to him, looking at him in concern.
"Are you okay Drake?"
He nodded shakily, "It was just a nightmare."
Harry scooted closer, waving his hand to cast a light drying charm on him before enfolding him in his arms.
"What was it about?"
"I don't want to-"
"Draco. What was it about? What happened? You can tell me."
"I can't."
"You can. It will help I promise. Tell me Dray. Let me make it better."
Draco paused before breaking down in choked sobs.
"We were- and then he- he came and said you- but I'm not worth it- and I'm scared and-"
Harry rocked him back and forth, trying to muddle through the nonsense.
"Take a deep breath Draco. If you can't tell me then show me, but I need to know. I need to know so I can help you."
Draco's grey eyes strayed to the bed as he blushed. Could he show Harry the dream? What if Harry was disgusted by- no. No, he could do this.
He looked up into probing green orbs, letting down his shields.
"You may look."
"Legimens."
Harry searched the mind before him until he saw the memory that was causing Draco so much grief.
He turned pink when he saw how it started, but did not look away until the end.
Harry pulled out looking down at the nervous boy in his arms.
"My dragon, he was wrong," he whispered, not mentioning the early part of the dream, "You do deserve love and you are worth it. Voldemort is dead, and he can't hurt us any more. He cannot hurt you."
Draco nuzzled Harry's neck, "You mean it?"
Harry pulled back, bringing Draco to face him.
"I do. You are worth so much to me. Don't you ever forget that."
He only nodded in response.
Harry came down to give his mate a chaste kiss, "Sleep a bit longer Dray. Tomorrow is still a few hours away."
Draco laid down on the sheets, shivering again though it wasn't cold. Harry pulled him close again, pressing his lips to his forehead.
"Goodnight my dragon."
Draco sighed comfortably, "Goodnight my Harry."