A/N: I'm happy for every feedback and constructive criticism but I will not respect straight out hate or trolls in the comments.

DON'T LIKE DON'T READ! This is an M/M story with mentions of infidelity, violence and abuse (all of which I don't condone).

Thank you for all the reviews, follows and faves!

mizzrazz72: Who needs lawers when they have oaths? ;)

HZKE: There have not yet been any, thankfully. I just found it easier to forewarn people :)

thephoenixandthedragon4ever: Yeah I thought that was rather neat ;) Sorry Gringotts will only happen when the school year is over, so a few more chapters.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling - I just played a bit in her universe.

Thanks to miu-sama95 for prereading, betaing and helping with the storyline ;)

Chapter 14: House Hunting

Words: 3409

To say that Severus was worried was an understatement. Harry had done brilliantly during the press conference but then he had walked out without a backwards glance and now he had no idea where his son was. Usually that wouldn't be such a big problem but today the castle was full of strangers and he would bet his potions stock that not all of them were amicable minded towards Harry.

If that were not enough, in the middle of his son's explanations his wards had signalled him that someone was in his quarters. Thankfully it was not the burglar alarm so the person must at least know the password. While there were not many people with this honour, most of them detested Harry Potter for killing their Lord. He could only hope that it was Marvolo dropping off the file he mentioned last night.

He needed to adjust his wards to tell him who entered and if they had left again. Especially since Harry was now keyed into the wards so they would not alert him to his son entering their quarters. He also needed to key Marvolo into the wards, finally. Back when he first started as Potions Master at Hogwarts, Marvolo was firstly not sane and secondly couldn't get past the Hogwarts wards. Since he now had a new body there was no such problem anymore.

The sound of footsteps following him brought him out of his musing but when Severus looked back he couldn't see anyone. Weird. He could have sworn there was someone there. With a shrug he continued his walk to the Slytherin common room only to stop again at the sound of steps. This time even closer behind him.

He spun around and quickly grabbed the air, hoping he could grasp his son who was obviously hiding under his invisibility cloak. No such luck. Harry was quicker and had stepped back just in time to avoid his Dad's fingers. This was fun. Especially since he knew that his father knew he was there but couldn't prove it.

'Fine. Have it your way.' the Potions Master grumbled after staring at the space where he suspected his son to be. He stomped down the corridor, not caring for the footsteps that were coming closer and closet. Or so it seemed.

Mid step he suddenly spun around and managed to grasp the cloak just as Harry collided with him after not stopping fast enough.

Severus steadied his son before pulling that blasted piece of magic off him.

'Are you alright, Harry?'

'Sure, Dad. Why wouldn't I be?' Harry was confused that his father wasn't even angry at him for being a nuisance.

'Good. Then what the hell were you doing sneaking around like that?!'

Ahh… there was the anger.

'I wanted to know what happened after I left the Great Hall so I snuck back down. And since Ron and Hermione left for Hogsmeade with the Weasley clan I didn't have anything to do.' Harry explained, trying for an innocent look but failing completely.

'So because you didn't know what to do you decided to sneak up on me? How about you go to your room in our quarters and write a letter to your dog of a godfather?' Severus sneered. 'Before I have you scrubbing cauldrons!'

'Sirius! I completely forgot!' Harry exclaimed and after extracting himself from his father's hold he picked up his cloak he scampered away in the direction of their quarters.

For the second time today Severus was left standing alone in a hallway, trying to hide his amusement, before finally making his way to his snakes, his ward alert completely forgotten.

Meanwhile Harry entered the Potions Master's quarters and stopped short when he found Marvolo sitting in an armchair in front of the fireplace, reading a book. He looked so… Normal? Domestic? Not like a Dark Lord, that was for sure.

At the sound of footsteps Marvolo looked up with a smile for his mate only to stare into the bright green eyes of Harry Potter. Not knowing how to behave he decided to let the teen make the first move.

'Erm… Hello?' Harry began, unsure of what to do.

'Hello, Harry. How are you?'

'Better, thank you. Why are you here?' His upbringing had him answer although he was wary of the older wizards intentions. It couldn't hurt to show proper decorum.

Marvolo had to use all of his knowledge in Occlumency to keep himself from smirking at the boy's direct approach - so typical Gryffindor.

'I came to bring you and Severus the file with our possible future houses.'

'Future houses?' Intrigued, the teen slowly inched forward until he was standing next to the couch, still in a position where he could run to his room in an instant.

'Yes, possible houses. We will need some place to call home at the end of this week.' Marvolo explained, happy that Harry had not yet screamed at him or hexed him. 'Neither Severus nor I have a suitable house at the moment. After the last war everything known to belong to Lord Voldemort was confiscated by the ministry and the Riddle family never had much. The only manor they had is known by all Death Eaters, so not safe for a family.'

Harry seemed to work through that information for a moment before slowly sitting down on the edge of the sofa, still facing the older wizard. The teen was still wary of the older wizard but his Dad was right - he had no idea who Marvolo was and they would be living in the same house really soon.

'But what about Dad? Doesn't he have anything?'

'Severus sold the house he grew up in after both of his parents had passed. He inherited Prince Hall from his mother's parents after their death since he is the last Prince. Maybe he will take you there one day.'

'Why can't we live there?' Now Harry was really curious and the one thing everyone knew about him was that if he got curious about something he wouldn't stop until he understood every single detail.

Marvolo was happy to see the teen start to slowly relax and he did not mind explaining these things to him if it helped their relationship.

'Well… We actually lived there before and after our marriage. But after I… after I ceased to exist, Sev couldn't stomach staying there. I guess we'll go there to get a few things for our new home.' Marvolo hoped that his stepson would be okay with this explanation and he wouldn't have to go into more detail.

Stepson… what an odd word… and still it made him feel warm and fuzzy in his chest. No matter Harry's reaction he would chalk this up as a win. After all they had been having a civil conversation for the last ten minutes. Time to make an offer.

'Do you want to see the options?'

'Options?' Harry asked, pulled out of his own thoughts.

'The houses we can choose from. There is a castle, a manor and a townhouse. We want you to feel at home there so I thought you and Severus would like to choose.'

The look of pleasant surprise on Harry's face reminded Marvolo once again what the boy had been through because of him. He understood that the teen would have a hard time accepting him and the whole situation they were in but he had sworn to himself to do everything in his power to give Harry the life and family he so deserved.

'Okay, show me!'

The Dark Lord opened the manila folder that had been sitting innocently on the coffee table and showed Harry the first pictures.

The more they talked about the homes, the more comfortable they got around each other. It was still awkward at times and even hostile now and then but they had managed to forge some kind of ceasefire for the moment. Both of them were sure it wouldn't hold forever but for now it was enough. They ordered tea from the elves at some point but otherwise they only worked on the pros and cons of each property to be able to make a sound decision.

By lunchtime they were both sitting on the floor, the coffee table pushed aside to create more floor space and all kinds of papers strew around them.

That was how Severus found them when he came by to drop off the answer sheets and look in on his son after his first exam was finished. His husband and son were so engrossed in their little project, they didn't even notice him until he couldn't hold back his laughter anymore.

The Dark Lord sitting on the floor like a child pushing around papers. When both of them jumped at the sudden sound he started laughing even harder.

The Dark Lord being scared by laughter. Severus laughed so hard he had tears streaming down his face while Harry watched gobsmacked. He had never seen his father laughing at all. Ever.

'Are you alright, Dad?'

'Yes, just peachy.' Severus wheezed out while trying to calm down and catch his breath.

Marvolo slowly got up from the floor - he was too old for this - and moved to embrace his husband. When Severus had calmed down enough he gave him a chaste kiss. Severus was not satisfied by that and moved forward for a real kiss. His husband gasped at the harsh clashing of their lips and Severus used that to start exploring his mouth. Soon their kiss had turned into a steamy snogging session, both adults completely obvious to the teen in the room.

'Erm… could you maybe get a room or something?' said teen interrupted, clearly embarrassed by the display.

'Sorry, snitch. Forgot you were there.' Severus said sheepishly after breaking away from his lover.

'Right.'

'Have you had lunch yet?' the Potions Master asked to change the subject.

'We forgot.' Marvolo said.

'So what were you two so engrossed in that you forgot about lunch?'

'We were looking at the houses!' Harry was very excited that his opinion was valued and that he was allowed to choose with them together.

'Houses? Why don't you tell me all about them over lunch, son?'

At Harry's nod the tree wizards moved over to the kitchens and ordered some sandwiches from the elves.

Severus was curious but happy that somehow the two men in his life had come to an understanding of sorts and he wouldn't have to play referee in any fights.

Harry happily chatted away about the three properties, relaying everything important to his Dad without trying to sway him in any direction. Marvolo added tidbits of information here and there but left the main parts to the teen.

Although they both tried very hard it was easy for Severus to see from their facial expressions who liked which house. Marvolo obviously would like the castle and Harry was leaning more towards the manor house. Neither of them were very fond of the townhouse although Harry did mention that he had never been to the beach and would like to go sometime. Severus filed this away for a later date, maybe a short holiday this summer.

After they had finished their lunch they made their way to the living room to decide on the house. Marvolo quickly cast some spells to stack all the parchments and put the table back where it belonged before they all sat down on the couch.

'Okay, show me the pictures.' Severus said while getting comfortable leaning against his husband. Harry quickly handed over the pictures and waited for his Dad's vote.

'I believe we can throw the townhouse out of the equation.' At Marvolo and Harry's surprised look, Severus had to chuckle. 'You both don't like it and it doesn't have a potions lab.'

'Right. That leaves the castle or the manor, love. Which one do you like more?'

'Yes and since you like the castle and Harry likes the manor my vote will be the deciding vote.'

'Take the manor, Dad!' Harry started campaigning for his property but before he could continue his father held up a hand to stop him.

'Harry. I have already decided.'

'Really? Which one?' the teen was bursting with excitement. Although he liked the castle it seemed cold and the manor had a quidditch pitch. That was what sold it to him.

'I won't tell you.'

'WHAT?! WHY?! Why does he get to know?' Harry pouted.

'I'm telling neither of you. I will owl Yaxle personally and tell him to keep it a secret until Friday. I want to see each of your faces when we arrive there together.' Severus told them with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Now both Marvolo and Harry were pouting at him.

'But what about furnishing?' Marvolo tried.

'Yaxley will take care of it and no torturing him Marv or I'll take an oath from him!'

'That's not fair, Dad!' Harry lamented.

'Maybe but I promise it'll be worth the wait. Now I assume you haven't written to your dogfather yet?' Severus successfully tried to change the topic.

'Sirius! I completely forgot!' the teen exclaimed again and jumped up to start running towards his room before calling back. 'Don't call him dogfather, Dad!'

Even Marvolo had to chuckle at that and since he finally had what he came for right in front of him, he wasted no time at all to pull Severus closer and claim his mouth.

Severus hands moved to card through his husband soft curls while said man plundered his mouth. At Severus' groan, Marvolo moved his hands further down his mate's body. One hand brushing over the bulge in his pants while the other used wandless magic to undo all those buttons on Severus' robes. After pulling off the robes and throwing them over the back of the couch he stopped for a moment to simply take in the beauty that his husband was.

Severus let out a small whine when his husband stopped his ministrations. Thankfully that got him out of just watching and he started touching Severus alabaster skin, slowly moving his hands until they came across his nipples. They were hard and waiting to be touched and at Marvolo's first touch Severus couldn't hold back a moan and they were both lost to their pleasure. The two wizards undressed each other as fast as possible, all the while kissing and touching each other.

As soon as they were both naked Marvolo took the lead and pushed his husband to lay down on the couch so he could ravish him. He kissed Severus' body every inch he could reach, all the while leaving out his hard member, slowly torturing his mate to make him beg.

'Marv! Please! I need… I need you, please!'

'Where do you need me, love? Say it or I won't know.' The older wizard commanded before catching his lover's nipple with his mouth and slowly sucking on it.

'Please! I… I want you in me! NOW!' Severus practically screamed.

Marvolo didn't need to be told twice and after a wandless lubricating spell he swiftly entered his husband's tight channel, making them both groan in delight at the mix of pain and pleasure they loved. Still the older wizard stilled for a moment to give his partner time to adjust to his size.

'Move, Marv!' Severus commanded after a moment and Marvolo was only too happy to comply.

He slowly started moving in and out of his lover's heat, torturing them both, and only at Severus' shout of 'Faster!' did he pick up the pace. He set a fast pace, picking Sev up by his hips to change the angle slightly so he could brush against his prostate with every thrust, quickly bringing them both to the beginnings of their orgasms.

Just as he felt his own pending release he grasped his lover's member and stroke his length a few times, pushing Severus over the edge. He felt his husband contract around him and let himself be pulled over the edge as well, spilling his seeds deep inside his mate.

Breathing heavily, Marvolo sagged down on top of Severus, both trying to catch their breath.

'I love you, Marv.' Severus whispered while peppering his face with kisses.

'I love you too, Sev.' he said and gave his lover a passionate kiss.

'Hey, Dad! I'm going to the owlery to send Siri my le…' Harry stopped mid sentence when he saw the discarded robes on the ground. Following the trail of clothes, his eyes fell on Marvolo and Severus, still locked in a tight embrace.

Understanding dawned on his face and after a moment it turned beet red in embarrassment.

'Get a room!' he mumbled before throwing his invisibility cloak over himself and darting out into the corridor.

The two wizards left behind looked at each other and broke out in laughter.

'Well that was awkward.' Marvolo finally said after calming down.

'At least he is gay as well, otherwise this would have been even more weird.'

'He is?' Marvolo asked while pulling out of his husband and getting up from the couch. 'Come on, love. We need a shower.'

Severus pouted but took his husbands offered hand and let himself be pulled up until they were standing chest to chest.

'Yes he is. Maybe not just a shower?'

'You mean getting even dirtier before getting clean? What an enticing offer, love. Why don't you show me what you want?' Marvolo whispered in Severus' ear while kissing his neck.

Severus didn't need to be told twice and quickly pulled his husband into his room.

Harry was slowly making his way to the owlery, his face still felt hot in embarrassment at finding his Dad and Marvolo like that. Couldn't they have gone into their bedroom for that? All the way he grumbled to himself although in the end he had to concede that the quarters were his father's and they had been separated for 13 years. By the time he reached the owlery he had calmed down considerably again and seeing Hedwig always calmed him completely. She was his very first friend and so far she had never let him down.

The snowy owl flew down from her perch to land on his arm straight away.

'Hello, beautiful.' Harry greeted her and offered her a few owl treats which she happily ate.

'I have a letter for Sirius. I hope you can get it to him or Padfoot as fast as possible. It is important.'

Hedwig accepted the letter and after nipping Harry's finger lovingly she took off to find his godfather.

The teen was left staring after her before slowly making his way back to the dungeons. He managed not to run into anybody and even his Dad and… Stepfather? were nowhere in sight when he entered the Potions Master's quarters.

Harry went to one of the bookshelves and after looking for a bit he found a muggle mystery novel that sounded interesting. Taking the book he got comfortable on one of the armchairs - there was no way he was going to sit on the couch anytime soon - and started reading.

When Severus and Marvolo came out of their bedroom a while later they found Harry asleep curled up on the chair, his glasses askew and the book laying on the floor spine up where it must have fallen when Harry moved during his sleep.

Severus picked up the quilted blanket from the back of the sofa and draped it over his sleeping son before following his husband into the kitchen for a cup of tea.

'I'll need to wake him soon to get ready for that blasted banquet tonight.' Severus commented while sipping the last of his tea, breaking their silence.

'Oh yeah. You need to go as well, don't you?'

Severus only grumbled and Marvolo took that as his assent. He hated formal gatherings.

Marvolo only chuckled and after finishing his tea he gave his husband one last kiss before heading to the floo. 'Don't forget to write Yaxley, love. I'll see you soon.'

'See you, love.' Severus said before Marvolo stepped into the flames of the fireplace and he accioed some parchment and ink to start his letter to Trevor while keeping an eye on his sleeping son.

Another hour, then they would have to get ready for the banquet.

TBC

First posted on: 04. June 2017

Next update planned: 11. June 2017