Behold! I am alive! Voldy didn't kill me this time! :D As I like to say, this summer was not a vacation at all. Nothing but work, fixing the car, taking the dog to the vet, and dealing with my backpain - which finally ended by mid August, thankfully! Now, I am back in writing business and catching up on my fun! :)
So, enjoy!
If one thing, Harry had to readjust the quarter into an appropriate setting. It was not what he ever thought to rush into, but his lacking to sleep provided plenty hours. He often checked over his mate and knowing the punishment still held high.
If one thing, he saw little Voldemort curled closely to the potion master's as any child should. Harry had difficulty wrapping his mind that child would be wise to accept. For some reasons, he trusted his mate to be certain no harms to come to the child. Regardless of who the child was rather known as, the sound of things from Severus' voice to claim he hold no memories.
If anything, he hasn't expected his uncompleted work would use in that duel. He only showed the wand movement and chanting, but he told the man himself that it wasn't ready and unavailable to use. He knew his mate was deathly afraid to die. Harry sensed his strong emotions easily, but he didn't sense the desperation to escape.
He didn't know what Severus would be planning with this…child. All he thought was having his house elf arranged hot breakfast and his hot tea. He kept sipping, refusing to sit down or relax, and waited for them to join in the morning. If anything, it was a long day yesterday and worn down from a powerful dueling.
Severus blinked his eyes open and glanced down. He saw the child sleeping soundly and at ease from danger. Now, he knew yesterday was real and everything did happen. Then, it had occurred to him that his dominate must be watching him and unable to accept any privacy for the submissive mate. The potion master sat up and saw Harry drinking his tea by the table.
"When did the black cup changed to blue?" Severus blurted, without thinking.
The brow rose on the dark savior, "Last night. I assume you want the place to be…more colors to it." His emerald eyes glanced at the current person now living with them, almost.
Severus gaped, but understood that he would still need colors for the child to see. If concealed in nothing but one or two colors, might not be an ideal childhood lifestyle.
"Thank you…" He spoke softly, "…is…breakfast ready?"
Harry nodded, "Yes. Wake him up."
"Tom."
"No. Pick a different name. A name that will not trigger from the life he had."
Severus blinked and stared at his mate. That was unusual, yet, he understood why. Yesterday, when he looked at the child's eyes, he could see no memories existing and only seeing Severus at that moment. He was about to engage to the child, but Harry caught him in that pro-shield before anything else.
"He was given this name from birth, why change it?" The Slytherin looked at him.
Harry turned his head, "He hates the name Tom. Always hate it and resort to Voldy most of the time. I don't want him to hate a new one. So, pick a different one that would make him appreciate his own name."
To have a morning conversation, this was not what he had in mind originally. For now, he decided to pick a name that was more…approving to his mate. He did have other names prepared…in case he found a chance to have a family one day. Perhaps, now would be a chance to use a name that might not be used.
"Elario," Severus declared.
The dark savior nodded, "Good. We will talk more when…he's not around."
The Slytherin stiffened, "What do you meant not around?"
"Someone's babysitting him, nap time, or playing, I supposed." Harry's eyebrow raised at his mate, "I cannot take him away from you. It was clear you already began an attachment bond to him as your own child. I did some a few…changing here." He huffed, "But we will need to talk about your running away."
Severus almost flinched. He regretted his action, not understanding the risk he was at, and hasn't been patience to learn the truth.
"…now?"
"After breakfast," Harry decided, "I floo-called Albus, I hadn't told him why to come down here. He should be fine with babysitting him for an hour."
Severus pulled the chest closely to his chest, "Don't tell him, Harry, I don't know what he might do."
Harry shook his head, "He will not know. You will say he is your child and I will say that I allow you to adopt him. Considering that is the truth, but he will realize it by the time he sees him grow into the boy he knew. I will prepare a story."
Severus hasn't expected to see such…sudden commitment. He was becoming more at ease to know Elario would be safe for time being. Harry sensed his calming down was working much better.
"Do I need to demand you to the table or are you able to do that yourself?" His arms crossed, smirking.
Severus sighed and decided to this for himself. He softly shook the little boy up and saw the dark eyes revealed. It wasn't much to see and there were only confusion in the young child. Elario did not remove his eyes off the man and remained close to him. Severus softly smiled at him and picked up him. He gathered themselves off the bed and joined at the table. He placed the toddler onto his lap and handed him a sippy cup of milk. The potion master didn't realize they have items for the child and rather glad now.
Elario accepted the drink and took in comfort. Severus wrapped his free arm around the child's waists and watched him.
Harry sat down and sipped his tea, "His bedroom is arranged. I was not certain what is appropriate since I lack parenting. I sense you know well in that field?"
Severus nodded, "Yes, children always have been a part of my life for so long, I knew naturally."
The child was quite thirsty and completely harmless. It wasn't something he thought would be possible since most people didn't like his attraction until Potter had claimed him.
They spent time in silent, eating, and feeding the child. Mainly Severus feeding Elario, Harry had no issue with the man, and kept things quiet. Then, Harry did not waste his time to open the door to find the elder as expected. Albus greeted him with a smile and entered into the quarter.
"I hope everything is alright, Harry. What is it you need me to do?" His hands folded, not daring to observe the quarter at interests.
Harry glanced over to his submissive, "Severus, why don't you introduce?"
Albus' brows united, uncertain what this was about, and checked over to his former spy. The man stood up and held the child. The bright blue eyes twinkled as soon as he saw Elario with such delight.
"Headmaster, meet Elario." He glanced down at the child, "Elario, this is…" He hasn't thought what to call him, "…mind grandpa be alright, sir?"
Albus looked over to the dark savior and back to the former spy, "Not that I would deny that, Severus…I do not recall any speedy chance of up in the duff?"
Harry shook his head, "No, but I took Severus out for a date and found out he waited too long for a family. So, we were able to adopt while we are slow on our relationship. Besides, you should have seen him demand Elario," Harry smirked.
The blush appeared on the Slytherin and the headmaster chuckled as he accepted what he learned. He leaned over to the child and offered his hand. The dark eyes stared at the old man and remained quiet.
"Hello little one," Albus smiled and his fingers waving that caught the boy's attention, "It is nice to meet you."
Elario eyed the man's fingers and determined to 'catch' them. His hand reached out and caught the elder's finger without difficulty. That made the elder's day and hummed quietly. Severus eased in to the fact that there wasn't any difficulty.
"If you do not mind, Albus," Harry took over, "That you would babysit him for an hour? Severus and I need to talk more."
The blue eyes twinkled, "Certainly would love to. Is he a wizard child?"
Severus nodded, "Yes, but he will reveal it when he is ready…so we have been told."
The elder waved his finger to get the little wizard eager to grip his finger, "Ah, understandably for a child to be like this. He will be in my office." The twinkling eyes glowed with delights.
Severus lifted the child, allowing the headmaster to hold onto young wizard, and carried him. The emerald eyes watched the elder leaves with their 'son' out. He had to wonder if his spell would alter, however, he chose not to risk it. Once they were alone finally, Harry fixated his attention towards his mate. Severus' head faced down, staring at his feet, and not a single hint of easing from the looks of it.
"…I was hoping to find him and defeat him again. Clearly, he found a way around it to my tracking spells." He took deep breath, seeing his mate won't greet eye contact, "While you knew I wanted you safe and protected, you did not know the true reasons."
Severus glanced up. Now, he was realizing they were going to be civil about this. He straightened himself up properly. Harry was pleased to see this was going well and he helped himself a seat at the table.
His arms crossed, "I'd like to know why you attempt to run off?"
"I was petrified. I," He sighed, "Am not certain how to feel that I have this much control over to you, but you hold much powerful control."
Severus felt his heart drumming hard. He hadn't dared to believe he could be so…openly to his dominant. It was surreal to him, yet, he knew last night was beyond to what he thought.
The dark and unruly raven nodded, "And why did you not confront me to this?"
"Why should I?" The man frowned.
The emerald lightened up, "I am your dominant, Severus. I want you to trust me, need me, seek me, and love me. If you push me away, close me off, and avoid me, how could we succeed anything?" He sighed, "I was rather proud that you used my spells. I checked what spells you used until the end and your instinct to protect yourself was wise." Harry wanted to hold his submissive, but he knew better.
The long dark hair covered his face and views. Harry was having not of that. His fingers slipped under the man's chin and lifted it up slowly with deep concern towards his submissive mate. His emerald eyes exposed such caring and loving within him.
"I know you, Severus. I know you do not like to show a side you believe is weak." He softly smiled, "No one else shall know what goes between us, not even the Gryffindor friends. I assure you that what we have is private." The dark eyes bored right at his mate, "I knew I did not need to protect you, but I did not want you to fear for your life." Harry cupped the man's chin, "You are the only one that will not fear me. You will never fear Voldy again, not while I am around." He sighed, "I am only harsh because I want you to understand how I feel."
The Slytherin blinked. The fear of no magic not being there made him feel lost, no secured, and uncertainty. The privilege to privacy was a protective need to hold himself together, but without it, how could he consider a moment to know everything was alright? Harry was right there to explain the true purpose of his punishments. His shoulders eased down.
The potion master frowned lightly, "You did not know what to do without me, Potter?"
Harry smiled, "Yes, Severus. From the moment I realized you weren't in that building, I panicked. I didn't know where or why you left." The emerald eyes scanned the man's face, "I thought…Voldy got you and knocked you out. Until I sensed your fear, I had to locate you quickly and took a while to remind myself about the tracker spell." His hand dropped, "Once I knew where, I came immediately. I saw you using that last spell, but I was angry because you did not listen to me, that I was not trying so hard, and that I could have cost your life to him."
The fingers danced onto the soothing pale skin, almost like a baby soft sensation, and the warmth drew it so welcoming. Harry saw no reasons to add on more.
"Why not tell me sooner? I would have remained in the building."
Harry tilted his head, "I was about to, but you ran off…destroying the opportunity to learn more last night." He sighed, knowing it would be a while to adjust.
Severus nodded, but he did find the touch so calming, "What of…Elario?"
Harry hummed, "You wanted him, he's your child now. Unless, you no longer wish to be his care-taker."
The onyx eyes blinked and stared at his dominant, "Are you absurd? Who'd take him when he's practically the man we feared?"
Harry shook his head, "No one knows the existence of my spell, how will they know it is him?"
"The headmaster, McGonagall, Hagrid, the ghosts-"
Harry chuckled, "They would recognize him if he acts exactly the same person, but do realize he has you and myself to raise him. You showed him love immediately, love is a powerful weapon."
The potion professor eyed his mate cautiously, but understood where this was going. He knew Elario would need the love in his life, with proper discipline.
"The behavior would have a different outlook and unable to recreate the familiar person." Severus added in.
The dominant agreed, "Yes. Now that we have sort things out with last night," Harry exposed the small smile, "There will be some changes. Magic is need for protection to use until I allow complete privileges. You will receive your wand after we talk to Elario and put him to nap. As for privacy to loo room, you will have that back, but there will be prevent from you leaving."
"And reading?" His eyebrow raised.
"Reading," He smirked, "will be arranged time by me."
Severus scowled. His books were rather important to read and timing can be rather a challenge. To have a pleasure moment…but he would not dare to allow that happen. His fingers clenched on his robe and the dominant did not miss what he witnessed.
Harry tilted his head, "Unless…you prefer the other options? Where all privileges are restored, with securing prevention, and you move in."
The man sat there. Harry knew this would be changing, but he thought of it through the night and accepted the consequences, but the chances were easy.
"Why," Severus grew weary, "There is no need to do that."
The dominant stood up and walked over to the counter to collect his tea, "The others would be curious about the child that spends with us frequently. Albus is aware of our status, he would interfere, and cause embarrassing scenario." He shrugged and sipped, "Elario would be confused with two separate living home and may lead to a different kind of enemy that we hadn't thought we feared enough." Harry sipped once more, "After all, you have been sleeping in the bed that I hadn't slept in years. It'd be pointless for having it here when no one uses it."
The man scowled, "And why here? I am accommodated to my quarter." His arms crossed.
"Your students will ruin the moments. They know where your office is, but how can I expect privacy when their questions could distract us for quite a while? No one knows of my location, it is safe and less likely to be interrupted."
The Slytherin knew better than be sly on the matter, especially against a soul twin dominant mate to his better judgement. He hoped to merlin this would be over with Harry once he was free to leave, yet, there wasn't a chance. There was no doubt of it, Severus thought that for certain. He did not have a chance to think more about having a form of relationship, let alone with Potter. With the offering to regain everything back, in return for preventing him to leave without his mate's notice and moving in. It was rather a tricky situation for him, but one thing was lingering in the man's mind. Elario.
"Fine. I'll move in, but it is for the boy." Severus stated clearly enough, his back straightened up.
Harry grinned darkly, "Excellent. I'll have your things moved here, aside from the office into here during your asleep." His hand gestured to a new door, "I do need your fixing on the kid's room before he sees it."
The potion master saw no arguments on his say, which he was rather grateful for this time. Harry noticed, yet, remained silent on the matter. After all…the days were still counting down. His submissive mate was a thrilling challenge and the story to still tell was not an easy task. There was more than entering another universe, but the experiences there. Harry decided to wait until the matter would be taken care of later.
Severus rose from his seat and helped himself to the new room for the child.
A knut for thoughts?