Deliverance

by Nightstar Fury

Two years after Voldemort was defeated for good, the Wizarding World has put itself back together with everyone living in peace. Except for Severus Snape, who survived and can't seem to let go and move forward…That is until he finds himself back in the presence of Harry Potter.

For all his grumbling about hating to teach, Severus Snape not only stayed at Hogwarts after the war ended as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but remained the Headmaster too. Severus, to this day, three years later, still couldn't figure out what possessed him to stay on after everything was over; he chalked it up to being comfortable and as much as he enjoyed being a potions master, Defense Against the Dark Arts had been the position he wanted upon Albus offering him a job at Hogwarts all those years ago when he defected from the dark side.

That was all well and fine until he had a chat with Minerva about the school not responding to her as Headmistress, it was deduced quickly that Severus had been the Headmaster after Dumbledore died and while he was seemingly working for Voldemort, the school knew that Severus was playing a role and did everything he could to hold his position and protect the students within her walls. The school still recognized him as Headmaster, so he took up the mantle as Minerva returned to her place as Deputy Headmistress.

Things were fine for a year, then Horace turned in his resignation. The man admitted that he hadn't wanted to come back, but with the state of things during that time when Albus asked, couldn't refuse the protection the school offered. Horace said he stayed because he wanted to keep the kids safe after Albus died, and then there was so much work to be done during the rebuild. Now that it had calmed down, he was ready to retire in full. This left Snape having to figure out how to replace the man, either with himself or someone else. Thankfully, a visit from his godson, Draco Malfoy, worked out for the best.

After the Death Eater trials, Draco took his NEWTs privately at the ministry, and went on to become a Potions Master like Severus. So the Headmaster offered it to Draco, and along with it, to become head of Slytherin House. The blond accepted right away. Another old student who stayed after further training was Neville Longbottom, taking over for Pamona Sprout as the Herbology teacher, and in turn, head of Hufflepuff House.

Things had been fine for the last year since then, but now Severus found that with the Wizarding World back on track from Voldemort's reign, he was simply too busy to remain the Defense teacher and Headmaster. As the school wanted him to stay in charge, for now, that meant he needed to hand over the reins of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Regrettably, despite Severus having all charges against him dropped; it was because of his past that a lot of people didn't want to work with him or in this case, under him.

Severus felt it was time to bring the others up to speed and get their opinion on where he should be looking for a willing person to come aboard and take over the post. It was a week into August, he had about three weeks to find someone to become the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

"Misny." Snape summoned while sitting back in his desk chair.

The elf appeared. "Headmaster has called for Misny?"

"Indeed I have," Severus started. "Set up the Staff Lounge for a meeting, if you would. And let the other professors know I expect them to be there right after dinner, please."

"Misny be doing this right now!" The elf popped away.

. . .

The rest of the day seemed to pass by rather quickly. At 8:00, dinner concluded and the teachers began to leave the room. Severus hadn't eaten with them, though he knew it was expected once term began in a few weeks. Severus was already in the Staff Lounge when the teachers began to file in and take their seats.

"Good to see you again, Severus," Minerva greeted.

"Minerva," The man acknowledged.

"Alright, I believe we're all here now. What is this meeting about, have we missed something for term to start in a few weeks?" Filius wondered.

"I have decided to step down as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Severus began as they waited patiently for him to continue. "While it is my preferred teaching subject, next to Potions, at least. The school itself has refused to relinquish me of heading it just yet. As such, I must sacrifice one for the other. The workload of being both is taxing."

"Well understood, Severus and wise." Poppy spoke up.

"Who is to replace you as teacher?" Minerva inquired.

"That is the cause for this meeting." Severus informed. "Despite being cleared of charges, I am still seen as what I was and the things I did. Which is of no offense to me, people will grudge. I do not blame them. However, being that is the case…The choices are very slim as far as being qualified to teach the subject and also being willing to stand the post." He paused. "There are still many who know the post was cursed and do not believe it was lifted upon the Dark Lord's death."

"What do you need us to do? Take shifts on the post?" Neville inquired.

"Nothing of the sort. I simply pooled you together to offer suggestions of who you feel would take the post up." Severus stated.

For the next twenty minutes, names were thrown out as possibilities. But others in the group would bring up points as to why it wouldn't work out. So far, they were getting nowhere and time was of the essence to ensure a new teacher could have time to move their things and settle in, learn the school, and whatnot.

"Alright, here's a suggestion I don't think anyone can refute…Except perhaps if some people can't lay the past to rest," Neville paused for a moment.

"Go on, Longbottom. As I said, the options are slim. We're in no position to be picky as long as they can do the job required." Severus began. "And be fine working under me…" He added with a small grumble. He'd never admit how much it bothered him that people still shot him angry or fearful looks to know he was on the loose.

"Who do you suggest, Neville?" Draco asked.

"Harry Potter." Neville said.

The room went silent, all eyes on him with surprise. Minerva was first to snap out of it. "I think that's a lovely idea, and I certainly have no complaints."

"Nor do I." Filius nodded.

The other teachers all basically said the same thing, except Severus and Draco. "What problems do you have with Harry taking the post, Professor Malfoy?" Minerva pushed. "I had thought you two got over that school rivalry after the war…"

"Y-Yes, Professor McGonagall. Potter and I don't have any problems with one another. We buried the hatchet after the trials, when he had spoken for me and my parents." Draco replied.

"Then what is the issue?" Neville questioned.

"For starters, it would be a distraction to have the boy who lived twice, and who defeated the Dark Lord be teaching students here who idolize him." Severus remarked. "Now, I know he hates his fame and certainly doesn't relish in it," He started when he saw Minerva's firm warning glare.

"However, he is famous regardless of where he goes or what he does. Merlin knows he's always in the paper, his successes as an auror." Severus explained. "Now, Potter and I don't have issues anymore despite our past…" He had paused. "My second point is how qualified is he to-,"

"Harry is more qualified than anyone, Severus. If not the same, right under yourself." Filius commented.

"He knows nothing about teaching," Severus interjected.

"Headmaster Snape…I remind you that Harry is the one who rallied students of all years as a fifth year student himself to teach all manner of defensive spells in Dumbledore's Army. Including the Patronus Charm. That was a class of thirty or so." Neville responded.

"I assure you, he's very capable of teaching, Severus. And qualified. I mean, with the exception of fifth year because Umbridge was purposely destroying his work and saying it was incomplete or not turned in to fail him…" Minerva began.

"And torturing him with that Blood Quill in detention." Neville added, scoffing hatefully.

"And that, yes," The witch paused. "Harry always had top marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts when the teachers were competent, abusing their power, incompetent or trying to kill him." Minerva said. "He's a natural defender."

"And he's now got two years of being an auror under his belt." Draco added. "I have to agree that Potter is a damn good choice for the post."

"I was not going to argue how good he is at defending, or his ability to teach. It was a reference that he doesn't know how to be a teacher in this setting. Dumbledore's Army, while impressive, did not have study. Nor assignments for class and outside of. And the grading." Severus stated.

"The Army was his demonstration and the rest followed until they got it. Teaching students as a student is not the same as teaching as an adult." The man paused. "And, as my godson just pointed out, what you all seem to have forgotten is that Potter is an auror. I very much doubt he'll give up that job to come here and teach." Severus reminded.

"Oh, that is right…" Filius frowned.

"Actually…" Neville shrugged awkwardly. "Harry isn't an auror anymore. Hasn't been since June." He informed.

"Wait, what?" Draco faced the Herbology teacher now, though he was only voicing what they all were thinking when the information was given to them.

"Please don't ask…I wasn't supposed to say anything. It was only to make the Headmaster aware that Harry being an auror wasn't viable for reasoning why we can't ask him to come work here as the defense teacher." Neville shyly admitted. "Please don't push the matter, it was Harry's request that no one knew until he revealed it himself…"

"And how do you know this?" Minerva inquired.

"Ron told me two weeks ago, when we met for our monthly get together." Neville replied. "Luna inquired as to why Harry had been absent twice. Hermione only said Harry was dealing with some personal things and needed time, but Ron reminded Hermione that we were friends and deserved the truth."

"What rules did he break this time?" Draco sighed.

"None," Neville sighed. "Back in May, a week or so after the two year anniversary of the second war ending, Harry ended up really hurt from a mission and rushed to St. Mungo's. Ron said after Harry recovered…There were," He paused. "Rather, there are permanent side effects and the department let him go."

"They didn't want to, but they had no choice." Neville added after a moment. "Don't ask for more than that because I don't know the details. Just that he was hurt, and it left damage that can't be healed. The healers tried everything. In the end, they said he'd have it for the rest of his life and then he was let go."

"You seem worried about him," Poppy pointed out.

"According to Hermione, Harry returned to the Burrow after that day of being let go, and told he'd have the side effects for life. Harry, apparently, ate dinner with the family and announced he was going to be moving out into his own place." Neville said. "They haven't seen him since that night."

"If he's up and disappeared, how would you propose we offer him a job?" Severus asked.

"Ron had a letter on his desk from Harry the next morning explaining that he was still in Britain and to respect his wishes in wanting to be left alone to sort things out. In return, he would send a letter weekly so they knew he was alright." Neville enlightened. "True to his word, he has sent a letter once a week. We're all just concerned that he secluded himself away and no one knows where."

"Ron said he tried to find Harry's address, but it's as if he's dropped off the radar." Neville stated next. "We have suspicions he's somewhere unplottable or under Fidelius, which means none of us can access him until he makes himself known or says where he is." The man muttered.

"That doesn't answer my question, Longbottom…" Severus remarked.

"I was getting to it, Headmaster." Neville said. "The last letter Ron got had Harry saying he was doing better and they'd see him soon, but for the moment, he was spending his time furnishing his place and looking for a new job. I…Figured that perhaps we could send one of the elves to find him?"

"If he were not hidden away, that would be possible. How is Weasley getting the letters?" Draco pushed.

"Ron finds them on his desk every Monday morning." Neville replied.

"He's probably using his elf…I know that Dobby died in the war, but I believe I heard mother mention that she and Andromeda got notification that a new Lord Black was instated two years ago, July 1998. They didn't understand because Sirius Black had been the previous lord and he's been gone for years, but…We've staked a guess that it's Harry as he inherited everything from his godfather." Draco informed.

"That means he's using the Black family elf. Kreacher…" Severus realized. "I didn't realize he took up his lordships."

"Not many do, you think he would want the extra publicity? There was a signed letter from him when the bank sent the notifications, asking us to not reveal his identity. So, I didn't tell you anything." Draco mentioned.

"We won't reveal what we know." Neville assured. "As long as it's kept quiet that I brought up why he was let go from being an auror? Ron told me the same, act like I know nothing and if Harry asked why I knew he was let go to tell him Ron just said he was rethinking his career choice after spending basically seven years fighting the Dark Lord."

"He will be far more understanding over the truth, Longbottom. Don't do him a disservice as a friend by lying to him. You were told out of concern, and you told us when it came up in conversation." Severus remarked. Neville nodded softly, knowing the man was right.

"Back to the matter at hand…Kreacher would only serve his lord, and that, if we're right, would be Harry." Filius offered.

"That's…Not necessarily true. Kreacher is a Black family elf, he would come to any member of the family as long as his lord doesn't have any immediate tasks for him to do." Draco said. "And I'm part Black blood from my mother. I could call him and ask him to deliver Harry a letter to come for a meeting?" He suggested.

"It's our best bet, Severus. Lest we wait for Harry to make a public appearance." Minerva suggested.

Severus sighed. "Fine. Send the missive to request a meeting with him here at Hogwarts for Sunday, 11 am. He can floo to your office, or apparate to the gates and meet you. Then you can bring him to me."

"I shall do it tonight and Mr. Malfoy, we can send it tomorrow morning before breakfast." Minerva bowed her head.

Draco nodded and Severus dismissed the meeting. The man returned to his office for the night, sitting at his desk and reclined back slightly in the chair while his thoughts wandered. In two days, he would see Harry Potter once more. It was unlikely that Harry would refuse a chance to come to the school. Severus always knew Harry saw it as his home, as many children who didn't have great home lives did.

Severus hadn't seen Harry since he was acquitted of charges during his trial, which Harry spoke for him at. He did it with the Malfoy's too. Knowing Harry was Lord Black now, it made sense why he protected Narcissa and Draco. And it was likely the love those two had for Lucius that Harry ensured Lucius avoided Azkaban too.

Though the man was made to pay reparations for his crimes by either donating money or helping the rebuild. The whole family had dropped their elitist pure-blood views after the war. Lucius worked honestly at the ministry now, helping Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was the Minister of Magic, and other places in the ministry too.

When Harry tried to bury the hatchet with Severus two years ago after the trials, Severus admitted to himself he acted like a git to the teenager who kept his sorry arse out of prison, telling him he just wanted to live the rest of his life in peace. Harry only shook Severus's hand, thanked him for the years of protecting him, then told him he was glad that he was still around and wished him well in future endeavors before saying goodbye and leaving the ministry.

The truth was that Severus harbored some resentment towards the teen for saving him. Severus never expected to live through the second war, just long enough to pass onto Harry the information he needed to secure the victory. But when Severus woke up in St. Mungo's, learning he was found in the boathouse during a search for bodies by Harry and then confirmed he was still alive, but barely.

Poppy had stabilized him, then he was sent to St. Mungo's. The healers informed that Harry had been his most frequent visitor while he was unconscious. Severus vaguely recalled some arguing, but he was too out of it. When the man woke fully and healers said he was healed to leave, Severus was immediately arrested and Harry promised that he wouldn't go to prison. Severus had told him not to fret and it was only what he deserved.

But Harry showed up to his trial, and argued fiercely for his freedom and it worked. Severus supposed he was happy to not be in Azkaban when he was proven innocent, then awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class for his bravery and help in defeating the Dark Lord. When everything settled, Severus wished he hadn't survived. The looks he got from people, those who still called him a Death Eater.

The guilt and shame he carried for all those who died because he was a stupid teenager who hated his life after he lost his best friend. Severus had hoped his death would bring him some peace, but he lived somehow. That's why he ended up just staying at Hogwarts. He was safe there, and…It was comfortable, familiar. Most of Severus's resentment of Harry wasn't even resent, it was the fact he knew he didn't deserve to be in Harry's life any more than he already had been.

Snape was the reason Harry was targeted, why they died to protect him. And Harry knew. Severus hated himself and he would for the rest of his life. But now…There was a very high chance they'd be back in each other's lives again, and Severus found himself miserable because Harry was the one reminder of how much he screwed up and no matter what he did to help the boy, it would always be his fault.

No amount of what he did would be enough to redeem himself for the pain and suffering he put Harry through. And that animosity Severus showed Harry two years ago might end up costing him a possible defense professor. It could not be refuted that Harry was powerful and skilled. Hopefully, this meeting could go well and not be awkward.

. . .

As it had been planned, Minerva wrote a short and to the point letter to Harry then Draco was able to call Kreacher and request he deliver the missive to Harry. At first, the elf tried to refuse saying his master did not want to see anyone and would not be happy with Kreacher being summoned but Draco assured Harry wouldn't be upset with him and likely forgot that any member of the Black family could summon the Black family elf to them.

Thankfully, Kreacher obeyed and delivered the letter right to Harry, who had been surprised that a missive came for him because Draco called on his elf to get it to him. The letter was from McGonagall, asking if he could come to the castle today at 11 am for a meeting. It didn't go into detail other than telling him he could floo to her office, which included the address, or he could apparate to the main gates and walk in, then meet her in the Great Hall.

Harry opted to floo in, but from the Leaky Cauldron. Dispute apparating as long as he had, he still hated the feeling of apparating and port-keying anywhere. At 10:59 am, Harry stood in his fireplace with the powder and called the address he'd been given, then tossed the magical dust down and was swallowed up by the green flames.

Minerva was in her chair when the fireplace flared and Harry stepped out. Minerva noted the time on the wall; 11 am precisely.

"Harry," The witch smiled as she rose from her seat and quickly crossed the space between them. She set her hands on his cheeks, then his shoulders. "Oh, let me get a good look at you…" Minerva couldn't get over how long it had been since she'd seen him. Harry only stuck around the school until August of 1998, helping with the rebuild, and then he said his goodbyes, thanking her for the best six years of his life before leaving.

"Another one of my lion cubs is all grown up," The witch sighed softly. "It's so good to see you again. Thank you for coming."

"Of course. Is there trouble?" Harry inquired.

"Not of the sort you need to endanger yourself to save the school," Minerva chuckled. "Come, we don't want to be late for the meeting."

"I'm not having a meeting with you?" Harry said with surprise.

"No, I'm just taking you to the Headmaster's office. Your meeting is with him," Minerva informed.

Harry blinked a few times, but followed his former professor regardless. If Minerva wasn't Headmistress, then who had taken over? Coming to the statue, Harry was stunned to see that it was no longer a Griffon rather a totem pole consisting of all the animals representing the four houses in Hogwarts. What a nice touch.

Minerva spoke the password and they ascended on the moving spiral staircase. Coming to the door, Minerva knocked and the door opened without anything said from the inside. "Headmaster, Mr. Potter has arrived." Harry couldn't see who was sitting at the desk because the chair back was facing them.

"Thank you, Minerva." Came the familiar voice of Snape. Harry tried not to let his shock show. Snape returned as Headmaster!? Finally, the chair turned as Harry could see the man. It had been so long since their last face to face confrontation. "Welcome back to Hogwarts, Mr. Potter."

"Hello, Professor Snape. Or should I say Headmaster Snape now," Harry greeted. "It's good to see you again, sir."

"I share your sentiments." Severus replied. Harry fought rolling his eyes, the man's snarkiness hadn't changed. Nice to know something hadn't changed, it was a…Comforting feeling.

"Well, I shall take my leave then." Minerva patted Harry's shoulder. "If I don't see you before you leave, Harry, then please know you're welcome here anytime. I know how much you called this place your home. I must insist you visit more. We can spend an afternoon or evening over tea and snacks." She smiled. "I shall ensure there are Treacle Tarts in excess…" The witch tempted.

"Oh, well, how can I possibly say no to that kind of bribe? And I could never tell you no." Harry replied. "I promise to leave room in my schedule for tea and snack dates with you, Professor." He set a hand over his heart as the promise he would keep.

"Still such a good boy. Well, man now. Though I never had any doubts in how you'd turn out despite your abhorrent upbringing by those muggles and following in your father's, godfather's, and uncle's footsteps of always ending up where the trouble was or causing it." Minerva stated.

Harry flushed a bit, shrugged as he rubbed the back of his head. "Alright, now play nice you two…" Minerva gave a giggle. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you around more soon, Harry." Then she left the office.

Harry now faced Snape. "Well, you certainly made her entire year by agreeing to come by more." The potions master remarked.

"There is no use denying that I was definitely a favorite among most of the teachers," Harry remarked.

"Indeed." Severus nodded. "Please, have a seat, Mr. Potter. There is something I would like to discuss with you."

Harry took the seat motioned to in front of the desk, looking at the man. "You have my full attention then. Why did you summon me, Professor Snape."

"Near impossible that the situation has arisen, I find myself in a tight bind and would like to ask if you might assist me in relieving it." Severus confessed.

"What is it you need help with, sir?" Harry inquired.

"I would like to request if you would agree to take the teaching post I will be vacating for the upcoming term." Severus said as Harry regarded the man before him with curious, but hesitant eyes.

"While I am better at potions than I was as a teenager, I know that I'm not as good as you, a potions master. Nevermind teaching it to a variety of students." Harry stated.

"Potions?" Severus raised a single one of his brows. "Oh, no, Mr. Potter. You misunderstood, I should have been more clear." He paused. "Currently, I am sitting as Headmaster and the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Unfortunately, as well as how I handle stressful situations, I can admit that it is simply too much work for one person." The man looked at Harry. "I am requesting, Mr. Potter, if you would take over my place as the Defense Professor." Severus finally said.

"You…Want me to be a teacher here at the school for Defense Against the Dark Arts?" The green-eyed man questioned.

Severus nodded to him. "That is correct."

"Why?" The younger male pushed.

"It was your best subject when you attended here, and you already have experience teaching students of all ages. You are more than qualified to take the post." Severus stated. "Minerva mentioned the army you created in your fifth year during Umbridge's reign. Impressive, really, and I don't get impressed easily." A pause. "I hear you not only taught the Patronus charm to your class, but also learned that spell yourself at thirteen."

Severus then added, "I believe it would be a good fit, and do remember the defense professors who have worked here during your time. Barring myself and…Lupin, it is fair to say the rest were definitely not qualified for the post. But if they could teach and students pass, I am certain you, with your experience, can manage." He paused now. "I do apologize for springing it on you, but with things finally settled down into normal from the war, my work as Headmaster has increased, and I can't push it off for teaching."

"Springing it on me? It's still three weeks until term begins. If it were the day before, I might consider it short notice." Harry replied. "I'm more surprised you got Draco to call Kreacher to deliver a message to me. How'd you know he'd come?"

"Two days ago, I called a staff meeting to see everyone's opinions on who we could bring in as a teacher. Regardless of my acquitted charges, many still see the Death Eater I once was and refuse to work under me." Severus admitted. "Everyone else doesn't trust the curse on the post is gone and doesn't desire to end up dead."

"Well, that's just ridiculous." Harry said. "Both things. How'd you consider me an option? Last we spoke, you asked to live your life peacefully. I assumed you hadn't wanted to continue associating with me after the years you spent protecting me, which, I understand fully."

"Longbottom suggested you, actually." Severus informed. "The topic was discussed and agreed on that you'd be the best choice for the job. I'm not going to lie to you, Mr. Potter, one of my own arguments to the idea was that you already had work and Longbottom said you were no longer an auror and looking for a job."

It didn't go unseen by the headmaster that Harry's posture sagged a bit in defeat at the reminder that he lost his job. "Your absence was noted among a friendly get-together, Mr. Weasley is the one who told Longbottom you were injured on the job and then let go by the department." The man confessed.

"Do not be upset or angry with your friends, they were just concerned for you and Longbottom, I assume, was aiming to help find you work in something you have experience with and would probably enjoy." Severus went on. "We were given no further details of the situation. Longbottom only revealed what he did to assure you might be interested in the job offer."

"I wasn't mad or upset, it's just a sore subject." Harry stated.

"My apologies. I shan't bring it up again, Mr. Potter." The man promised. Harry nodded gratefully. "But to answer the original question, as Longbottom mentioned you moved out of the Weasley home and into your own place and no one could locate you…" He paused, seeing what reaction it might get, then he continued. "Draco let slip that you were probably using your elf, Kreacher, to send letters."

"When we inquired how that would work in our favor to reach you, Draco said that he could summon Kreacher to him as a person with Black blood, and that you were Lord Black." That one got a reaction, and Severus put his hand up to calm the man. "Rest assured that we shall keep that information to ourselves. But knowing we could reach you, Minerva wrote the letter and Draco summoned Kreacher to deliver it to you." Severus explained.

"Clever, actually. I would have been reachable soon, just been busy with getting my place set up, but I can understand your haste." Harry said. "I had Hogwarts on my list of places to stop by and ask if there were any jobs open, guess it worked out."

"Well then, excellent. You need a job, and I need a teacher. So I believe we can assist each other if you are willing to take the offered post?" Severus asked.

"Willing and happy to, Professor." Harry responded. "Thank you.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Severus replied. "Now then, how much time do you have today to get an orientation for the job done?"

"I'm free as long as you need me," Harry told him.

"Then I believe we'll get everything needing to be accomplished done before the day ends." Severus mentioned.

. . .

The rest of that day was spent with Harry and Severus first going over the employment contract. It was just a small packet of parchment stating everything a new teacher of the school would need to know. Things included with their employment, code of conduct, etc. Harry and Severus both signed it as the employer and employee, witnesses for each other that it was explained and agreed upon by both parties. Then they went over school rules, as some had changed, curfew, taking away and giving points, also detention times.

After that, Severus took Harry around the castle for a tour of the spaces that he would have not had access to as a student, but could now as a teacher. Obviously, Severus took Harry to the classroom he'd be using, and up into the office where Severus had kindly left Harry all of his lesson plans and schedule that had been made for the new term ahead of time to use. For this year and others, though the schedule might change every year.

Severus revealed where Harry's quarters would be, informing him that he was free to ward it however he liked and had a personal fireplace within his private rooms that allowed him to call and travel beyond the castle walls. The fireplace in his office, however, was for only inter-castle calls and travel. Harry was also given free reign to decorate and arrange his office how he wanted. The same went for the lower-level classroom, Harry could arrange it as he wanted to suit his teaching style.

When all of that was over, Severus invited Harry to remain for lunch where he got to see nothing but familiar faces and obviously needed no introduction as to who he was or why he was there. Severus did inform that Harry accepted the job offer and with everything signed and submitted, he was now officially Professor Potter. Harry learned that Neville was the Herbology teacher, and Draco, the one for Potions. Everyone seemed to have remained the same from when he attended.

Minerva, of course, inquired if Harry would like to take over for her as Gryffindor head of house. Take some weight off an old woman she had worded it, but Harry agreed regardless once Snape had said it was entirely his choice. Lunch was nice, and Harry returned to Leaky Cauldron. It's where he'd been staying since leaving the Weasley house, and now that he didn't need to make the decision to find a flat or restore Grimmauld, he got everything ready to move to Hogwarts.

After all, he'd be there most of the school year anyway, so it made sense to just fully move in. If a time came in the future he didn't want to teach anymore, he'd probably just go to Grimmauld. That was the task Harry gave Kreacher, to get the Noble House of Black back up in running order. Updated, cleaned, fully furnished. The elf was more than happy to take on the job because it needed a lot of work. Harry only took a week to prepare, then once in Hogwarts, another week to unpack, settle in, and decorate. The last week was ensuring he had everything he needed to teach his classes, went over lesson plans and made some adjustments to them. When September 1st came, Harry was…Excited. A new chapter in his life.

Severus had made it a point to check on Harry after the first day, and the first week to see how he liked being a teacher. Harry's classes were an even mix of book work and hands-on practice for all students, but he always made it fun for everyone. Despite him being Harry Potter, while students were thrilled to be taught by him, they didn't act like many others regarding his fame. Harry got to be just Professor Potter in Hogwarts, and Severus had to admit that he saw that a lot of Harry's teaching style and demeanor were that of Remus Lupin's.

It made sense to Snape why though. Remus had been a pretty prominent figure in Harry's life, as had his godfather, Sirius. Both of them were dead now, along with Harry's parents. Severus learned that Remus and Nymphadora's son, Edward Remus Lupin, or Teddy for short, was Harry's godson, but he lived with Andromeda as she had lost not just her daughter, but her husband and son-in-law in the second war.

Severus had allowed Harry to take his godson on the weekends, and overnight within Hogwarts, as long as he didn't neglect his duties as a teacher and obviously the only times it wasn't permitted was if Harry had patrol, or it was his turn to supervise the Hogsmeade trips. Of course, Harry had to be able to maintain the child. There would be no running about the castle or causing mischief.

Going into the third week, Severus began to notice odd things about his former student. There were times that Severus caught Harry's hand or hands trembling slightly during meals or meetings, but as if Harry could sense he was being looked at, he'd shift slightly and set his hands into his lap to take a breath and relax, then it would have stopped. Then Severus would find Harry just leaning against walls, as if he needed something to brace himself against.

The man always assured he was fine, relaxing or tired from a busy day. Severus had brushed the instances off, they weren't reasons he could refute as he understood. That was until today when Potter missed breakfast and lunch, plus now, a staff meeting. It was a Sunday, the 17th.

"Where is Potter?" Minerva inquired when Severus was about to begin.

"Haven't seen him all day." Draco shrugged.

"Me either, but I know he had breakfast with Ginny in his quarters. I had floo'd him after breakfast in the hall about overseeing one of my students for a detention tomorrow night since I have that thing with Hannah for our wedding this December. I only know she was there because I heard her say hi to me." Neville stated. "I believe she added that she and Harry were also discussing wedding things."

"Wedding?" Draco blinked. "I didn't know they were back together, let alone getting married."

"They got back together after Harry took his NEWT exams at the ministry before auror training." Neville informed.

"I thought Kingsley waived the restrictions for anyone who fought in the battle that was seventeen or older?" Minerva mentioned.

"He did, but Harry wanted to be an auror while having said he finished school and earned his way into the program." Neville shrugged. "Anyway, from what I heard, Harry proposed to Ginny on her seventeenth birthday, which was…Right before she returned for her seventh year, and wedding planning was agreed to be held off until after she graduated and also Harry finished training."

"So when is their big day?" Hagrid asked.

"Hasn't been announced yet." Neville replied. "By the time Ginny graduated, Harry was already a full auror and she got recruited for the Holyhead Harpies as a Chaser. Things were busy for both of them, so they kept putting off the planning to settle into their careers." He explained.

"I believe they were going to talk about it again when Harry ended up hurt, then got let go from the auror force and disappeared for two months." The man added. "But last I'd heard from Ron and Hermione, the two got into a pretty heated argument because Ginny wasn't too happy or understanding when Harry suddenly announced he was moving out of the Burrow into his own place, and then only sent letters to Ron."

"That's probably what the breakfast date was for this morning then, to make up from the fight and finally start planning the wedding." Draco remarked.

"If I had to take a guess." Neville nodded.

"Well, there's nothing in the rules that says he can't have personal guests as long as he's not neglecting his duties as a teacher." Severus commented. "I told him the same when his godson stays on weekends."

"Godson?" Draco inquired.

"Lupin's and your cousin, Nymphadora's son." Severus informed.

"Oh, Teddy. I didn't know Harry was his godfather." Draco sat back a bit. "And here I thought I was done learning new things about Harry." he chuckled.

"Indeed." Minerva agreed. "Shall we go find Harry?"

"No. I will go in search of him and we'll move this meeting to after dinner." Severus said.

Everyone nodded and left the room as Severus headed for Harry's classroom, then up the few stairs to reach the man's office. The door was shut, and locked. Severus knocked, but no answer. Severus assumed Harry wasn't in there, so where would he go? Severus left the classroom and set his hand on the castle wall.

"Hogwarts, old friend, can you lead me to Harry Potter?" Severus inquired. He felt a small shimmer of magic touch his hand and then it guided him to the seventh floor where a door appeared and opened as Severus glanced inside. Sure enough, Harry was inside.

The room of requirement. Severus had never seen it before, but heard plenty of stories. The room appeared to those who paced in front of the blank wall three times thinking of what they needed and the door would appear, then the room beyond the door would be what the person needed. Severus found Harry in a room filled with training dummies that were both moving and stationary, as Harry was shifting about to disarm all of them and immobilize the moving ones.

Had to be the auror training for him to handle so many at once, and Harry was a naturally good duelist. Severus watched for a while, but noticed things like before. Harry couldn't keep up one steady pace in his movements, it appeared like one or both legs got weak causing him to misstep or stumble. The same for his wand arm, Harry couldn't keep it up for longer than one or two spells and then there were the shaking hands.

Severus never noticed it before, but Harry's whole body seemed to twitch involuntarily. Finally, Harry's legs gave out against the wall while having dropped his wand and trying to work out the cramps in his hands. The targets had all stopped and disappeared, the room shifting just a bit to set a conveniently placed chair under Harry to sit in. The younger male seemed to groan in frustration, putting his head back against the wall with a sigh of defeat and his eyes closed.

"God damn it…"

Severus felt the castle's magic try to push him into the room more, as if it were telling him to go make sure Potter was alright. Caving to the castle's whims, Severus tapped his knuckles on the door to alert Harry someone was there. Of course, the younger male's head snapped back to normal position and looked as Severus walked into the room.

"Headmaster!" Harry said quickly. "What a surprise to see you here. Did you need something?" He tried to stand up, but failed miserably.

The door to the room closed behind Severus walking in. "What's wrong?" Severus asked in a calm tone.

"Wrong? Nothing's wrong, sir." Harry replied.

"Potter, I saw that whole thing. What is wrong with you?" Severus questioned again.

"Just keeping up on my training, Headmaster. It's been a while, guess I'm not up to-," The younger man started.

Severus gave the male one of his signature I don't believe you looks that also doubled to say Don't lie to me. "I saw what you were doing, Mr. Potter. I know what a training duel looks like. What I want to know is why you kept faltering your footing, unable to keep your wand up, and everything else."

Harry knew he was caught. "I've been seeing it outside of this too. In staff meetings, at meals, in the halls." The younger male glanced down, closing his eyes again before his shoulders sagged and lowered his head. "It's not just you relaxing or tired from a busy day, is it?" Harry shook his head. "Talk to me, Harry," He paused.

"Are you injured, or suffering some kind of illness?" Severus asked. "Is it recent, old? Unknown or not diagnosed yet? Should I take you to Poppy?" He was sure he sounded more concerned than he intended, but this had been something he had been pondering for weeks since he first noticed. So yes, he was worried about the young man. He was certain he admitted that to Dumbledore when he asked if Severus cared about Harry.

It was obvious that he did. Severus had always cared about the boy he had basically orphaned. It was guilt that made him promise to keep Harry safe, and despite the Dark Lord being gone now…Severus felt compelled to continue that promise. Harry was, after all, the boy who lived twice. Vanquisher of Voldemort. Just a few of the titles, Harry would always be in some kind of danger and Snape would likely always protect him if he could.

"It's residual side effects of an old injury…" Harry said softly. "There's nothing I can do about it."

"Harry, there are ways to fix-,"

Harry shook his head slowly. "It's a permanent set of side effects, Professor." He informed. "Nothing can be done to fix it. The healers at St. Mungo's tried everything they could before deeming that it couldn't be repaired and it was something I'd have to live with."

"Are these side effects the reason why the auror department had to let you go?" Severus inquired, now sitting down as the room provided him a chair to do so. Harry nodded to him.

"I'd be a liability due to the side effects interfering during duels on a case. They didn't have a choice after the healers confirmed there was nothing they could do." He revealed.

"What happened?" Severus pushed.

"I really don't like talking about it."

"Maybe I can help?" The headmaster offered. "I may have had basic healer training, but I am a potions master, Harry. Were you hit with some kind of curse? A potion? Tell me, please?"

Harry sighed. "It was a high-profile and priority case so I can't go into details of where or who…" He paused as Severus nodded in understanding. "It was a mission where Ron and I got separated. I ended up in a duel with two others. I had it under control until one more showed up and then I couldn't call for backup…"

"A fourth came and I didn't see him until he threw the Cruciatus at me. Once upon a time, I used to be able to withstand it…But I was already tired. With that was also other spells that cut, throw, whatever. I'm certain I got hit with your spell, the one I used on Draco in sixth year…" Severus visibly tensed knowing that. He knew that meant Harry was attacked by those who knew that spell.

Death Eaters from the inner circle. Someone could die if they didn't get that treatment right away. "At some point, there wasn't even pain anymore, but I knew I couldn't move. I felt my sanity slipping…" Harry paused. "I heard a muffled Killing curse get cast, I had no chance of escaping it…Then a boulder or something cut off the path and it burst into pieces."

"I saw Ron show up as I was going unconscious from blood loss. I heard someone call orders, Ron got to me…Last thing I remembered was him shouting my name." Harry looked at his hands. "Next time I woke up, I was in St. Mungo's…Being informed that I'd been unconscious for eight days." He mentioned.

"What did they tell you about your injuries?" Severus questioned.

"All the usual. Magic drain from dueling, cuts, blood loss, bruising. Most of it was healed, leaving some scarring. I agreed to stay the rest of that week for them to run tests that I was all good from being under Cruciatus. Mind still intact, motor functions working." Harry stated. "I was cleared to leave and return to work. Of course, they have their own set of tests to ensure an auror can return to the job…"

His hands started twitching again and he hissed at the pain. "That's when all this became a problem?" Severus turned his attention to the trembling hands. He wanted to reach forward to hold them to try and inspect more, but decided against it.

"It's not just this," Harry sighed. "There's involuntary twitching. Shaky hands. Muscle weakness. Random bouts of sharp, shooting pain." He informed. "I got sent back to the hospital, and more tests…Healers determined that it's all side effects of the Cruciatus curse, being held under it in sections for an extended period of time."

He paused again. "They tried for a week to fix it. Spells, potions, physical therapy…" Harry explained. "Eventually, they declared that the prolonged exposure caused permanent damage and I'd have these side effects the rest of my life. When that got back to the department, it had been decided that I couldn't continue as an auror because if the side effects took hold on a mission, someone, or myself could be hurt…"

"A liability," Severus understood.

"The muscle weakness is my legs, wand arm and hand. When it hits, I usually have to find something to keep myself from falling. The arm and hand thing affects my ability to hold my arm out for spell casting consecutively. Bursts of pain go through the whole body, lock it up for a moment or two. The shaky or twitching or my hand can cause me to screw up my aim." Harry revealed.

"I'm surprised your hospitalization wasn't in the papers." Severus mentioned.

"Kingsley forbade the papers printing anything about me without his approval first after the war ended. One of his staff receives the drafts and goes over it with a general list of things not allowed to be mentioned. If there's anything that person is unsure of qualifying, they'll pass it onto Kingsley himself." Harry stated. "Very few people know about this…The Weasleys, Hermione, Kingsley, Head Auror, Head of the DMLE, and those who worked on me at the hospital."

"I assume Kingsley did not allow for anything to be printed regarding you being let go from the force?" The older man eyed Harry, who nodded. "There was truly nothing the healers could do for this? There are potions for the Cruciatus curse exposure. I used them all the time during the wars when the Dark Lord was displeased…"

"They tried those, but the exposure was too long." Harry replied.

"Is the work you do as a teacher setting this off?" Severus asked.

"There's nothing that sets it off, Professor. It just happens at random, but I suppose more movement could get it going." Harry informed. "I'm alright, Headmaster. It sucks, but there's nothing healers can do. Nothing I can do but live with it."

"If more movement activates this, why would you come in here and train?" Severus wondered.

"Just…Needed to clear my head. I got zoned in it, miss the force too…" Harry admitted.

"I can imagine so. It was the only career you wanted, and to have made it there for a bit, and then lost it would be upsetting." Severus responded.

"That's how my life goes." Harry shrugged.

"Getting something and losing it?" Severus arched his brow.

"Trying to be happy and something happening to take it away. Trying to live a normal life, but something always happens." Harry told him. "After I got fired from being an auror, I started feeling the way I did before the war ended. Something always happened, things never stayed good for me."

"I think I spent everything after third year wearing a mask. Looked happy, felt miserable. Learned Sirius was my godfather, couldn't live with him because he was a felon and Dumbledore refused to let me leave the Dursley's. Sirius couldn't be proven innocent while Pettigrew was hiding out." Harry mentioned.

"Got stuck in that tournament, Voldemort came back. Ministry called me a liar, Umbridge tortured me. Sirius died trying to protect me and he wouldn't have if I hadn't gone to the ministry. Or if I'd learned how to shield my mind when you tried to teach me, I wouldn't have been tricked by the visions…Dumbledore died, the Horcrux hunt…I had to die." Harry shrugged.

"Dumbledore didn't die, Harry, and you know that…He was killed." Severus reminded.

"He was dying anyway, Professor. He got cursed by that ring Horcrux, and would have died before the year was out. You probably saved him from a year of pain and suffering with what you did, and it was something he asked you to do. You did not kill him because you wanted to. It was mercy." Harry paused.

"That is why your Killing curse was blue, not green." Harry remarked. "Don't blame yourself. We all did things we didn't want to, sir. We did what needed to be done to defeat Voldemort. Everyone says it was all me, and I'm the savior, but everyone forgets that I didn't do it alone. Everyone helped in their own way. It wasn't my victory, it was our victory."

"Still so positive." Severus chuckled.

"Someone has to be. It's always been my job…Be everyone's beacon of light and hope. If I'm not okay, everyone panics. It didn't matter what I suffered, that's why the mask was in place…" Harry revealed.

"I suppose I understand that line of thinking. I too wore a mask to maintain my position as a spy." Severus nodded. "The danger is gone now, Harry. You don't have to keep wearing the mask to appease others. You shouldn't be forced to hide what you feel…A lot of people were affected by the war."

"I know…Everything was just so busy after the war, though. Rebuilding, the funerals, the awards…Training, working…When I got fired, I didn't even go home right away. It was the first time I hadn't been busy, my mind went into overdrive of everything that got shoved back to focus on what needed to be done." Harry said.

"It's nothing to be ashamed about." Not that he had room to talk given the wars he survived left him feeling nothing but shame and guilt for what he'd done. "Admittedly, to what you said about Occlumency…I should have taught you better rather than make all those remarks about your father. I wasn't an easy person to work with. You not learning was not just your failure, but mine too."

Harry nodded to him. "I don't hold it against you, sir. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to see me every day when I look just like my father and he, with his friends, bullied you through your Hogwarts years. You also had to deal with me having Sirius for a godfather, and Remus as an uncle. And I'm sure you despised having to deal with Pettigrew during meetings."

"I will not refute that assumption." Severus said. "Regardless, you looking like James did not give me an excuse to treat you so horribly during those lessons, and even in potions. I am aware these days that not all your brewing failures were your fault. Draco admitted that he and his friends tossed things into your cauldron."

"All in the past." Harry waved it off. "I don't hold grudges, Professor." He added. "The night I got back to the Burrow after getting let go, I ended up moving out. I told everyone I needed time to get my head together, and figure out what I'd do next. For a while, I contemplated not even working again, but as the days went by that I stayed hidden alone…I realized that not working was making me more miserable."

"Too much silence, nothing to keep you busy…It makes you think a lot about the past." Severus agreed. "You suffered more than a lot of others during the war, you were allowed your time to grieve. I know quite a few who started seeing mind healers to cope. They've reported that it helps." He informed.

"I might have taken that idea after things first ended, but now? There's just a lot going on. My time is pretty well spent here," Harry smiled. "Mind healing is nice and all, but I'm old fashioned…I find talking far more therapeutic, and I can't exactly go to a muggle therapist about the things in this world."

"I can understand feeling like you don't have time with your responsibilities here, but…If you prefer talking, and ever wanted or needed someone to talk to about things regarding the war or your past, you can talk to me." Severus offered.

"I appreciate that, Professor." Harry replied, trying to massage his hand.

"Harry, why don't you let me try to reverse, or at least, minimize the side effects you have from prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus…?" Severus suggested.

"Not meant to be an insult here, but what can you do that the healers couldn't?" Harry questioned.

"I am a potions master, and I'm quite skilled in spell-crafting, as you well know." Severus reminded.

"But the healers said that nothing can reverse the damage once it's been done. That's why the Longbottoms are still the way they are after being tortured to insanity…I know the Anti-Cruciatus draught the healers tried did nothing, and that potions is supposed to cool off the firing nerves…The healers said that that potion doesn't work when the damage has been done." Harry remarked.

"I am well aware of what that draught does, thank you very much. I am the one who invented it." Severus commented. Harry blinked a few times. "I created that potion over the summer between Voldemort's return and your fifth year. That was made as the assist to recovering from the Cruciatus when we got it from the Dark Lord."

The man paused. "I marketed it after the war ended. But my point is that I made that potion…And I think with a little work, I could make something to reverse the damage you have, or at least minimize the effects. Give me a chance to try, and it could double that you're with me when I work on it."

"Why do I need to be with you when you do it?" Harry inquired.

"So I can study how the side effects are when they're active. There are…Spells that act like muggle X-Ray, brain activity, blood pressure, all that. We even have one that focuses on the magical core." Severus stated. "I collect data about the situation and then I can work on a spell or potion to help make the effects subside or lessen."

"And if you wanted, the time I'm working on things, you could get your therapy in. Or at least maybe once or twice a week." Severus added. "I'm not guaranteeing that I can do anything more than the healers, no…But I am saying that I can try and maybe be successful in creating something that could help you and others who suffer this kind of thing."

"I suppose there's no harm in trying…But you're not gonna use me like a lab-rat, are you?" Harry wondered.

"I promise nothing painful or fatal." Severus told him.

"I'll accept those terms then." Harry agreed. "And the one to talk to you as well. I've got too much on my mind, you're probably the only one who would get it for war things. And you're a third party with no connection to other things I have a problem with."

"What would be a problem for you if not something war-related?" Severus asked.

"I need someone to rant to about my fiance and give me their view of things right now. And I can't with any of my friends because they'll say something to her or tell me I'm the one being unfair or not understanding…" Harry rolled his eyes.

"Fair enough. That is fine with me." Severus nodded. "Now, since these side effects hit at random times, I believe it would be wise to meet up in my personal lab during times that work for both of us."

"Makes the most sense." Harry replied. "Well, you have a copy of my schedule. And if I'm not teaching, at a meal, in a staff meeting, patrolling, overseeing a detention, or it's my turn for Hogsmeade…I'm usually just in my office grading. So I guess you could just fire-call me when you're free, Professor."

"I could do that. What are your tea nights with Minerva?" Severus inquired.

"Twice a month on Saturday nights, but tea is just code for drinking," Harry chuckled.

"I knew what it meant. Once a month, at least. We'll meet for drinks as well." The potions master said. "What's your poison?"

"Whiskey, rum now and then." Harry shrugged.

"I enjoy Whiskey too. Wine occasionally." Severus informed. "Perhaps a time or two while we're working on this cure for prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus, we can have a couple."

"I'd be down for that. I should get back to my office and get some grading done, there's a staff meeting later, right?" Harry inquired.

"It was an hour ago, actually." Severus chuckled as Harry sighed and muttered something about being forgetful. "It's alright, you didn't miss anything. I rescheduled until after dinner to come looking for you. Longbottom mentioned not having seen you, but knew you were with Ginerva for breakfast…May I assume that she perhaps caused your frustration to come here and annihilate some targets?"

"Yes…" Harry confirmed.

"Well, I'm sure you'll tell me about it when we meet up over the week." Severus stood up from his seat. Harry went to get up, but his legs started to give and Severus took a stride forward to ensure he didn't fall back down. "Are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah," He found his footing and Severus slowly let go. "Fast movements aren't my friend. Thank you."

"Of course." Severus stepped away. "So I will see you tonight at the meeting and beyond that, I shall reach out to you for our project."

"I will be there tonight, Professor." Harry assured.

They left the Room of Requirement and stood in the hall as the door to the room disappeared. They walked until it was time to break off.

"Harry?" Severus paused his movements and Harry looked at him.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm no longer your teacher, you're no longer a student. We're colleagues…You don't have to call me professor or sir anymore. We only call each other those titles to encourage respect with the children." Severus told him. "When it's just us, among the teachers, or other adults…You can call me Severus."

"I shall endeavor to remember that, but unfortunately…Old habits die hard." Harry smiled. "See you later, Severus."

"See you later, Mr. Potter…" Snape grinned. "Old habits die hard."

. . .

For the next month, Harry and Severus met when both of them were free to work on the cure for extended exposure to the Cruciatus curse. It started with a full account of the amount of times and length of each time Harry was held under the curse, then scans and other tests to gather information for Severus to research. And the man pulled out his old notes for the Anti-Cruciatus potion he'd already made to see what could work in the new one, as well as going over ingredient properties for what might help reverse damage.

Severus worked on both a potion, and a spell. More to the research was seeing the side effects in full, how often they happened, if anything made them spark more or worse than normal. A lot was going into this, but Severus still felt confident that he could come up with something to help Harry not suffer this anymore. On the weekends if they met up, the two would share a couple drinks and chat. During the week, there was therapy talking.

Not official therapy, but Harry could talk about things that bothered him current or past without worry of judgment from Severus, and he'd offer similar experiences or his own advice. It was nice, they got along pretty well to consider one another friends. Harry's friends were happy to see him genuinely in a good mood, and Harry told them that he and Severus were working on something that might be able to cure his side-effects.

The only thing bothering Harry now, in Severus's eyes, was the fact Ginerva seemed to be pushing Harry to set a date for their wedding, and continue the planning part of it. And Harry had mentioned that he wasn't sure he felt the same for her anymore. Not that he didn't care, but unsure if he still loved her the way they had been as teenagers. At least that was their talk right now. It was a Saturday afternoon. Severus was working on a prototype potion while Harry had brought work he had to grade.

"Have you two always liked one another?" Severus asked.

"I don't know. I didn't feel anything for her until maybe sixth year, but she was dating Dean Thomas at the time. Hermione realized it before I did. Typical me, oblivious to the obvious." Harry muttered.

"Your Hogwarts years weren't exactly normal nor relaxing, Harry. Anyone in your position of being attacked every year or facing some kind of danger wouldn't have had their mind on feelings for another person." Severus reminded.

"Yeah, I guess that's fair…" Harry agreed. "But still. We didn't even start dating until…I don't remember the date, but it was…After I had hit Draco with your spell. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all told me it was time to get rid of it. Me and Ginny went to the Room of Requirement, she had me close my eyes and she hid it."

"Hiding my book in that room was the start of your relationship with her?" Severus arched a brow.

"Admittedly, if you swear not to laugh…" Harry paused as Severus nodded. "While the other three said it was time to hide the book because it was dangerous…I think Ginny was jealous of it."

"My potions book made her…Jealous?" Severus inquired. Harry nodded. "Why in Merlin's name…?"

"I was kind of obsessed with the Half-Blood Prince, and I think she was put off and jealous by the fact someone else had my attention." Harry confessed.

"Wait," Severus stared at Harry now, genuinely surprised. "She got jealous of me?"

"Well, we didn't know it was you until the night Dumbledore died…But yes, that's about how I feel was why she wanted me to get rid of the book. Not because it was dangerous, but because my attention would be on her again. Nothing else made sense, especially because after she hid the book, she kissed me when my eyes were still closed and then left the room before I opened them again." Harry explained.

"Are you saying you had a crush on the Half-Blood Prince, Mr. Potter?" Severus smirked.

"You said you wouldn't laugh, you arse!"

"I'm not laughing, I'm smirking. It's different." Severus defended. "So…Did you?"

"I-...!" Harry huffed next. "Fine, yes. Yes, I did. Shut up," He said when the man snickered. "You said you wouldn't laugh! I was sixteen! And the half-blood prince was brilliant and talented…It was a confusing time, okay!" He muttered.

"Mr. Potter…I assure you that while that book was written when I was a teenager, I am still brilliant and talented," Severus motioned to the table he was bent over with all his research out. "Literally over here doing exactly what you apparently developed a crush on."

"Well, that fact cannot be disputed…You are still very talented and intelligent." Harry made another mark on the paper he was working on.

"And then your confusing time was obviously settled when Miss. Weasley kissed you after my book was hidden away in a room that had Fiendfyre go through it?" Severus chuckled. "Draco told me what happened. You're a good man for saving him and Mr. Zabini."

"I couldn't leave them. I may not have liked Draco much back then, but he didn't deserve to die because his friend, at the time, was an idiot who cast something he had no chance in hell of controlling." Harry remarked. "Plus, he saved my life at the manor by knowing who I was and not telling Bellatrix."

"Still, I'm sure your confusing time was well set when you discovered who the book belonged to." Severus grinned.

"If you mean by confusion in wondering who the guy was, then yes. Curiosity was well settled." Harry informed. "But…Confusing time for me was my preference in attraction, as I'm sure most teenagers wonder at one point." He added. "And yes, that was also settled when I discovered who the half-blood prince was,"

Harry could see Severus over his table, working on some ingredient preparation. "Ah yes. It is such a fun time to go through wondering about your preference," Severus agreed. "I knew sixth year as well, after I'd lost the friendship with your mother. At that point, my only friends were in my own house and were all males. I set myself at being attracted to both male and female, though admittedly, I've only been with male partners in the past."

"I am bisexual as well. It was hard to deny the crush I formed on someone I hadn't known at the time, and even after you told me it was you, it didn't change my choice." Harry admitted.

"The knowledge of me being the one behind your crush wasn't a turn off?" Severus looked shocked.

Harry shook his head. "Not at all. Why would it have been?"

"Maybe because I'd been a git to you for six years, and I am twenty years older than you. And this would constitute that you had a crush on your teacher for almost the entirety of your sixth year of school." Severus remarked.

"Yeah, and?" Harry looked at him. "For one, there was nothing morally wrong with the crush. It's not as if you knew about it until now and returned the feelings. Also, we weren't doing anything. I kept my attraction to myself, and by the time you revealed it was you, I was almost seventeen. Not a big deal, Severus."

"This means that I'm the one who made you realize you were bisexual…I don't know if I should feel honored or creeped out that I, inadvertently, helped a student realize their sexual orientation over a crush that was for me…" Severus stated.

"It's not like you were the one actually doing it. You had no idea I had your book until after I attacked Draco, and you didn't reveal the truth of you being the half-blood prince until basically the end of the year. Yes, I developed a crush on you, but I didn't know it was you." Harry told him. "It's not like I was sneaking into your office to snog and figure out if I liked it or not with a male. Relax a little. Feel honored, not being confused about it was helpful with everything else going on that year."

"I suppose." Severus shrugged. "Alright, go on with your Ginerva story?"

"Well, like I said…We started dating that day in the room, but I left her before the Horcrux hunt." From there, Harry began to explain how things had been since he got back with Ginny, up until the fight they had when Harry announced he was moving out of the Burrow.

"Hermione is the one who spoke up when I had left after the fight. I just told her we'd talk later and left. Hermione got her to calm down and see why I was upset and needed time. I figured she understood, I was wrong." Harry muttered.

"This brings us to why you were angry the day I found you in the room?"

Harry nodded. "I had invited her to come for breakfast and we'd talk things out. It started nice, but then she was trying to explain her side of why she was mad. We'd been putting off wedding plans for a while and people were getting anxious to know when the big day would be."

"The problem is that no one outside of our small friend's circle and the Weasleys knew Ginny and I were engaged. And she made the mistake of telling me the papers were inquiring from her when the big day would be. Thank god that Kingsley had been monitoring everything or the wizarding world would know we've been engaged since August 1998…" Harry sighed.

"So it started another fight…She wants to get married, but I reminded her that she's still with the Harpies, and I'm here now. She said we could live at the school, I told her no and that you'd probably say no too." Severus nodded that he would have. "Then she said that we could live off campus, or I could just quit and stay at home with the kids while she's away." Harry groaned.

"Eventually, I told her to leave and stop pushing the wedding thing because I wasn't ready to settle down yet." Harry added. "Ever since, I've just been going over everything. It was great when we were teens in school…"

"But?" Severus pushed.

"Things changed on the Horcrux hunt…I grew up. Rather, I always had been. I was forced to grow up early." Harry stated.

"Yes, you were. It was unfair to you." Severus agreed.

"Things just weren't the same anymore between us when the war ended. Admittedly, I didn't even want to get back with her, but…I figured it wasn't fair to her to not even try." Harry said.

"And you have now, so what's your verdict?" Severus asked.

"All the pushing for engagement was a warning flag. The pushing to plan when she was still in school. While she was traveling. Everything just seems…Wrong. I care about her, yes, but…Not the same way I used to." The younger male confessed.

"Our relationship isn't a relationship anymore…It feels like a huge news story. And she knows how much I hate having my life out in the public. I hate saying it," Harry exasperated. "I hate that it's even a thought in my mind, but…"

"You feel it's not so much about feelings anymore, and more like she wants her big time career highlighted on with her celebrity husband. The marriage would boost her popularity, not to mention she'd gain Lady of the House titles with your…Status as Lord Potter-Black." Severus said.

"She doesn't know about the Black one."

"She'd find out when you got married, she would automatically receive the ring meant for Lady Black, and Lady Potter. The goblins would see to it." Severus assured him. "I might be a half-blood, but I grew up learning pure-blood traditions. That's where that alias came from, you know…Half-Blood Prince."

He chuckled. "Prince was my mother's pure-blood family name, but she married a muggle so I had become the only half-blood in the line at the time. Thankfully, while she was disowned and disinherited, I was not. I am what you consider a…Last resort if there are no other heirs by the time the current lord dies. Last I checked, there were no others and grandfather is getting quite on in age." Severus explained.

"That is…Extremely clever, Severus." Harry grinned. "How you came up with the name."

"Thank you." Severus responded. "But in regards to your dilemma, Harry…If you do not feel as you once did with Ginerva, despite pressure for others, then it would only be fair to you both to end things and explain to her that things have changed for you and that it isn't working."

"Logically, that answer has been right in front of me all the times I think about it…I suppose I hesitate every time we talk because it won't be a clean break. She'll make it an argument and I would really hope the rest of the family doesn't get dragged into things and feels like they have to choose between me and her of who to support." Harry said.

"I understand the hesitation, but do you really want to keep putting it off until wedding plans begin, or even right before the wedding itself. The best path is not often the easy one. There's nothing wrong with breaking it off, despite time in, if you're no longer happy and no longer feel the same." Severus stated.

Harry nodded. "I know, you're right…I have to sit down and talk to her."

"If you'd like to go call her up now, you can." Severus offered.

"I would, but I have to get all these finished first," Harry motioned to the stack of his fourth-year assignments. "Almost done, though."

"Well, at least get up and stretch, Harry. You've been in that position too long," Severus told him. The younger male set down his quill and twisted a bit before he rose out of the chair and stepped away from the table, but it was at that moment when one of his legs went through the weakness and he started to fall forward. "Harry!"

Severus quickly got in front of Harry so he wouldn't hit the ground. Severus's arms were wrapped around the young man while Harry had instinctively grabbed the fabric of Severus's shirt to hold himself from dropping until the feeling in his leg returned. Harry's face had been against the man's chest, but then he lifted it to look up. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…The weakness thing activated mid-step…Thank you for the catch…"

"You're welcome. Do you want me to back you into the chair so you can sit again?" Severus inquired.

"Yeah, please?" Harry asked.

Severus carefully helped Harry walk backwards, letting him stay against Severus's figure for some kind of ground. The older male helped in adjusting Harry to be straighter, so now Harry's head was up by Severus's shoulder, forehead down on the shoulder itself.

Not even a minute later, there was knocking on the door to the lab as Severus raised a brow when it opened before he'd said anything about coming in. Minerva walked in with Neville, Draco, Molly, Ginerva, Hermione, and Ron behind. "Severus, there's a few people here to see…" She paused to see the scene. "Harry…" The woman finished slowly.

"Minerva, I would have fully expected you to wait until I said come in…" Severus remarked. "We've worked together since 1980, you know the rules with my lab when I'm brewing. Don't just barge in."

"I know, forgive me, Severus. I forgot you were with Harry this afternoon, I only hunched a guess that you might be in here." Minerva stated.

"Now why have you brought such a group with you?" The potions master demanded. "And Draco, since you're here, go put my potion into stasis, if you would."

"Sure thing, Uncle Severus," Draco went over to the cauldron and waved his wand over it, then turned the burner down to low.

"The Weasley's, and Miss. Granger came through Harry's personal floo and were wandering the castle looking for him. They ran into Neville first, then Draco before being brought to me to be reminded they couldn't come without permission." Minerva said. "Then I brought them here to see if you knew where Harry might be."

"Well, as you can see…" Severus remarked with Harry in his arms.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd have called it a loving embrace," Minerva grinned.

"Minerva, there are a great many things you excel at…Grinning like I do is not one of them," Severus stated. "Harry's leg gave out and I moved in front to stop him from falling. Now I'm just helping him back to sit down."

Ginny went over to help, but Harry's hands started to twitch and shake, then grip the man's shirt tighter as his legs bent slightly once and Harry's arms shifted up and to grip his shoulders. Severus understood what was about to happen, he's picked up signs over the last month. Harry's whole body was about to spasm, which meant his legs would give out, so Severus ensured he had a tight hold on the younger male.

"I can take it from here," Ginny remarked, trying to put herself in Severus's place.

"I have it, Miss. Weasley." Severus told her. "It wouldn't be wise to shift his current position, unless you desire to hurt him."

"I won't hurt him, Snape. He's my fiance, and I can handle helping him to sit in a chair." Ginny countered.

"Ginny, don't be rude to Severus." Harry grit out. "He's just trying to help me."

"Get your arms around my neck," Severus murmured next to Harry's ear and the male obeyed. "It's alright, I won't let you fall. I've got you." He said immediately after when Harry's body tensed up and his legs gave out, then he was able to back Harry against the table and ease him down on the edge just as the spasms started, which caused general shaking and twitching.

"He's got you leaning on a table, I could have done that." Ginny remarked.

Harry groaned. "Breathe, Harry…It'll pass soon." Severus informed.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked quickly.

"He's having an attack, Miss. Granger." Severus informed. "Are you not familiar when he goes through them?"

"We've…Never seen them." Ron admitted. "Not like this, at least."

"This is the full extent of the side effects," The potions master stated.

"Well, I'm right here so I can take over." Ginny touched Harry's arm, which only made him hiss in pain.

"Don't touch him, Miss. Weasley." Severus commanded firmly.

"You're touching him!" Ginny argued.

"I was already touching him when the attack started, I'm not adding any extra feeling while he's in the middle of a spasm." He narrowed his eyes on the girl. No wonder Harry was getting annoyed. "Are you completely unaware of the damage done when he was injured back in May?" The man said.

"The injuries have all healed, but yes, I'm aware of how badly he was hurt." Ginny huffed.

"Just because the injuries have healed does not mean all the damage has been." Draco interjected. "He was held under the Cruciatus curse multiple times in quick succession from one ending to the next starting for almost half an hour, Ginerva." He informed.

"Well, Harry can throw off the Cruciatus curse." Ginny stated, folding her arms over one another.

"Not when it's four against one while one or two cast the curse, then the other two are casting other spells in addition for thirty minutes, Miss. Weasley." Severus scoffed. "You're playing this situation off like no big deal when in fact it was an excruciatingly painful thing to go through, as well as still be suffering from it. And you don't seem to care that as powerful as Harry may be, he is still human. He can still feel pain and he can still get hurt!"

The young red-head witch seemed to flinch at Snape's fierce protectiveness over Harry. It was known the man had protected Harry from the background for years, excluding the one time he stood between Ron, Hermione, and Harry against a transformed Remus Lupin. But to see it like this was different and so very clearly showed that Severus had always cared about Harry.

"It's the fastest way to drive someone insane," Neville frowned, obviously thinking about his parents. "When Crucio hits, it feels like a thousand white hot knives piercing your skin at the same time. It overloads the nerves and pain receptors, and even when the curse is lifted, it takes time for the body to register…So the nerves keep firing in short bursts, which send shocks of pain through the body until the nerves cool off."

"Harry's side effects mean that even though it's been months since he was under the curse, the damage was done to fry his nerves to the point of them firing off at random." Severus told her. "And muscle weakness. This is what healers call a full spasm. Where everything fires at the same time, and the pain tricks the brain into believing he's back under the curse." He remarked.

"So he feels everything as if he were. He has no control over the twitching or his body locking up, when his legs give out. And every time you touch him while this happens, you're setting off more nerves and it hurts him. I told you to stand back before you did." Severus commented. "You claimed to understand the damage done and wouldn't hurt him, then you would have known not to touch him right now."

"Oh, Harry…" Hermione frowned.

After a few more moments, the twitching stopped and Harry's body sagged tiredly. Severus moved one arm to summon two vials to him from a cabinet and moved away from Harry slightly to hold them out to him. "Here, Harry. Take these…Anti-Cruciatus and Pain Reliever."

"I thought the Anti-Cruciatus didn't work for this…?" Draco inquired of his godfather.

"It can't take away the side effects permanently, or stop them before it hits, but it can still assist in calming the nerves that are firing after an episode like this. Otherwise he'd just sit for a while as the shooting pain continued to fire until it dulled out. And even then, too long and another could start." Severus replied.

"It's not a perfect solution, but it helps to a degree while we find something better or make something entirely new to reverse the damage. We're making some progress, but it's a slow process that we work on as often as we can when we both have the free time to meet up." The potions master added.

"I'm basically his lab rat." Harry remarked after taking the vials and taking a few breaths as he finally unlatched his arms from Severus's neck and he pulled back to sit up more, then ease full weight onto his feet and legs. Severus backed off slowly, but wasn't out of arm's reach in case Harry's legs gave out again. There was a slight buckle once on full weight, but Harry recovered and relaxed.

"Are you alright?" Severus asked.

"For now, we both know it'll hit again at least six more times before I go to bed." Harry sighed. "Thank you, Severus."

"My pleasure, Harry." Severus nodded. "Now, perhaps we can explain why you four have come without permission?"

"Harry said I could come whenever." Ginny commented.

"I said you could come whenever I wasn't busy. If I wasn't in my quarters or office, Ginny, then I wasn't free to hang out and talk. And I told you that you had to call first." Harry sighed.

"You're never free anymore…" Ginny pouted. "But I came to talk to you."

"We just came to see you, mate." Ron told him as Hermione nodded.

"I thought I'd come to help you and Ginny plan the wedding, she thought you might be feeling stressed about you two trying to plan it alone." Molly stated.

"I'm not stressed about planning it because planning was pushed back by the various things going on since the end of the war and that's not likely to change any time soon." Harry remarked.

"I will maintain these three, Harry. You can go speak with Miss. Weasley privately in the main part of my office." Severus offered.

"Thank you, Severus." Harry bowed his head gratefully. Then he grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her out of the lab and into the main part of Severus's office.

. . .

It was nearly an hour later when Harry and Ginny returned to the lab quietly.

"You and Ginny have things all worked out now?" Molly wondered with a smile.

"Yes, things were worked out with the understanding that she and I are not working," Harry said. "We've broken the engagement and are no longer together."

"Harry…I know things have been busy for you both but you two could have just held things off, there was no reason to call it quits," Molly stated. "Come, come now…We can find a way to-,"

"Mum…It's over," Ginny said softly. "Harry's right, our jobs would never allow for us to keep them, and have a normal marriage and family…"

"You two went through so much just to be together," Hermione frowned.

"Yes, but we were teenagers. Situations change, people change, feelings change." Harry informed. "I do care about her, but I'm not in love with her and with the jobs we have…It'll never work. There is no scenario where Ginny and I could make this work out happily. She doesn't deserve that frustration, and neither do I." He mentioned.

"And no one has to pick sides in the break up. It was mutually agreed on by both of us, so after some time, we'll be back to being friends." The twenty-year old said. "Alright. Now, I have papers to grade and be a lab experiment for Severus. You four need to go and we'll catch up soon." He added.

Knowing they couldn't argue, they said their goodbyes. As Ginny faced Harry, the tears formed in her eyes again. Severus noticed the look, as if Ginny was pleading silently for Harry to change his mind, but he wouldn't. Harry had said earlier tonight that he didn't feel the same anymore.

Harry's eyes remained firm that his choice was final and a warning for her not to start with him. Ginny lowered her head and sighed, then went to leave. "Ginny…" Harry said. She turned to him quickly, a spark of hope in her eyes. Harry held out his hand to her, palm up. "Hand it over."

"What?" Ginny asked.

"The ring." Harry reminded. "If I had bought it from a store, I wouldn't care and let you keep it. But that ring was out of the Potter vault, and I can't let you have it." He informed. "That is the ring passed down to the firstborn heir, or lord, to propose with until the wedding. Then the ring is replaced with the wedding band and the ring goes back to the vault until the new couple's firstborn son is ready to marry." The man explained. "It's been tradition since the beginning of the Potter family creation. It's my duty as Lord Potter to see the traditions of the family are followed."

Ginny hesitantly removed the ring and set it back in Harry's hand before she took a deep breath and turned to stand with her mother. "Kreacher!" Harry called.

The old elf popped directly in front of Harry, who had written a quick note on a spare piece of parchment. He pricked his finger and let three drops hit the paper as he dragged his cleaned quill tip through the blood to sign his name; Lord Harry James Potter-Black. Then he attached the ring to the letter and folded it up in an envelope that he addressed to a goblin at Gringotts.

"Master Potter-Black summons Kreacher?"

Harry gave him the letter. "Will you take this to Gringotts for me, please, Kreacher. It goes to my account manager. Instructions inside for him."

Kreacher bowed his head. "Kreacher will do as Master Potter-Black asks!"

"Thank you, and then you can return home for the night." Harry told him. Kreacher popped away.

"I'll lead them out, Headmaster." Minerva said, motioning for them to move towards the door, but once they were out the door, she paused to pat Harry's shoulder as a show of I'm here for you. And then she left with Draco and Neville following as well.

The door to the lab closed as Harry stood there quietly, head facing towards the ceiling and sighed. "If you would like to pick up another day, Harry, that is perfectly fine with me." Severus stated.

"No, no. It's fine, Severus." Harry took a deep breath and set his head right again, looking at the man. "Thank you though. After all that, a distraction would be nice."

"As you wish then. If you'd like to talk, of course, I can play potions master and friendly therapist at the same time." Severus informed with a small smile.

Harry returned the smile and brought his things over to the bench Severus was working at where the man indicated for him to join. After that, the two got back to chatting casually while Harry graded his papers and Severus returned to working on the potion from before.

. . .

After that day when Harry left Ginny, Severus attempted to keep the younger male's spirits up with random tales of brewing with Lily. Harry confessed that Sirius and Remus had only mentioned stories of James, not Lily. So Severus decided to share some of their younger years before the friendship ended because Severus messed up while angry at the Marauders.

It took a couple more times hanging out before Harry revealed to Severus about the break up with Ginny. It wasn't mutual at all, they argued like hell. Ginny angry and upset, Harry just annoyed and broke it off over all the pushy behavior, and lies. Harry called Ginny out on how she was telling people about their engagement, and tried to set a date without running it by him. Things that would have been in the papers if Kingsley didn't have measures in place of running stories about Harry being checked for authentication first.

Severus understood the frustration Harry had about everything, and reminded him again that eventually he'd find someone to spend the rest of his life with. Every time the two of them met, they had a good time. It wasn't always work for a cure to Harry's side effects, they'd drink together and just relax. They continued to grow closer as friends, sharing stories and knowledge. Harry even revealed the Marauder's Map to Severus, explaining why his patrols were so successful.

However, it was now October 31st. Harry and Severus both knew what the night was to them and Harry assumed on his own why Severus had been distant for the past week. Harry didn't like the feeling he got knowing Severus was upset, or when they were apart. He should have realized it sooner, and maybe he did and just tried to brush it off. Getting to see Severus crafting spells and new potions was all just a look inside the person Harry began to like back in his sixth year.

The Half-Blood Prince was, no…Is Severus. The crush never left, it just got buried. But it came back, and ran deeper than it had as they got to know one another. Harry wanted to do something for him, cheer the man up. The younger male knew what was wrong, Severus held so much guilt and shame for the things he'd done as a Death Eater that ended up with a chain reaction to affect Harry's life.

Harry didn't blame Severus though, and he wished there was a way to prove it. That he'd been redeemed and forgiven. So right now, Harry sat in his office trying to figure out how he could help. Severus had been amazing to Harry since he started as a teacher at Hogwarts. The man flopped back on in his chair with a sigh and hands thrown up in defeat.

"A little help would be nice! How do I show him he's been redeemed and forgiven…You knew him best, Mum…Tell me what I can do…" Harry closed his eyes. In the silence of the room, Harry heard a whoosh and then a light thud on the desk. Harry cracked an eye open to see a black box there and then he sat up quickly to see it better. Oh, god, why hadn't he thought of it before. "I know what to do now."

Harry immediately got to work setting up his plan. It would be perfect and Severus would love it!

. . .

Harry got everything ready and just in time for dinner in the hall with everyone. The meal was fine and Harry could see Severus was withdrawn from the feast. When dinner ended, Harry got up when Severus did and followed him out of the hall.

"Did you need something, Harry?" Severus asked softly.

"I haven't seen you much this past week," Harry smiled. "I've found myself missing your company, and wondering if you're okay? You can talk to me, you know, if something is wrong. I might not be as good as you, but like you said…Sometimes just having someone listen can help,"

"My apologies, Harry. It's just…The time of year. It's been-..." Severus began.

"Nineteen years, I know." Harry nodded to him. "I understand, I've been thinking about her too, and dad…" He paused. "You don't have to mourn on your own, we could have a drink and miss her together. What do you say?...I had Kreacher bring me a bottle of whiskey from Grimmauld's store room…" Harry tempted.

"Oh, that's just not fair, Harry…" Severus mentioned. "Alright fine, you win. You sure you weren't supposed to be Slytherin? Because that was very Slytherin of you, Mr. Potter…"

Harry chuckled. "I was absolutely supposed to be Slytherin,"

Severus stared at him while they walked. "You're a terrible liar."

"You knew that years ago and still bought all the lies I told you to get out of trouble…But alas, my dear Severus…I am not lying to you this time. I was meant to be in Slytherin, you can check my memories for yourself…Or go ask the hat. It'll still tell you where it believes I should have been." Harry told him.

They got to Harry's office, then into his room. "You'd truly allow me to check?"

"I trust you." Harry told him.

Severus stared into Harry's eyes, slipping into his mind where Harry already had the memory of his sorting ready. After a moment or two, Severus pulled back in surprise. "Why'd you fight it?"

"I met Draco before the sorting and was a right git who reminded me of my bully cousin and after I saw he went to Slytherin, I didn't want to be stuck with him for the next seven years. And at eleven, Ron told me that there hadn't been a witch or wizard who didn't go bad there. Call it a biased decision as a child." Harry shrugged.

"Fair enough." Severus agreed. "Does anyone else know you were picked for Slytherin?"

"Dumbledore, but only because during the Chamber of Secrets thing, I saw the hat on the shelf in the headmaster's office. I asked if it made the right choice, it told me it still believed I belonged in Slytherin and would have done well there." Harry paused. "I brought it up to Dumbledore because Voldemort said he and I were alike…"

"Absolutely not!" Severus remarked. "You're nothing like him, Harry."

"We were, in some ways. I just wasn't insane and murderous," Harry stated. "Relax. I know all the ways we're different. Dumbledore said I possessed qualities that Salazar Slytherin looked for when he hand-picked students. Including a disregard for the rules."

"Indeed." Severus sighed.

"Tom and I were similar. We were orphans, grew up in places where we were hated, bullied. Didn't know we were wizards until someone came and told us at eleven. Always had to go back after the end of term." Harry told him. "You think with everything I dealt with, being forced to endure didn't make me want to go dark?"

"Even I had temptations to say screw it if it meant I got to live my own life." Harry revealed. "Voldemort offered it to me once, when I was eleven…When I faced him to protect the Sorcerer's Stone." Harry confessed. "Told me there was no good and evil, only power, and those too weak to seek it. He said we could do extraordinary things, that we could bring my parents back. All I had to do was give him the stone."

"But in the end, you didn't…" Severus said. "He wouldn't have done what he promised, he didn't for me."

"When you asked him to spare my mother?" Severus nodded. "He tried." The potion master's head snapped so fast it cracked. "He asked her to stand aside three times, then pushed her out of the way to get to me. Mum got back up and put herself between the curse and me."

"How do you-," Severus stared in disbelief.

"He showed me. At the end of fifth year, when he possessed me at the ministry. His last ditch effort to get me on his side, prove he would do as he said. At eleven, I called him a liar." Harry informed.

"He wanted to kill you, Harry. To fulfill the prophecy that I told him…" Severus sighed and looked down.

"You told him about part of a prophecy you heard where a boy born as the seventh month died to those who thrice defied the Dark Lord would have the power to vanquish him." Harry reminded. Severus felt Harry's hand on his face, turning it so he'd be looking into those green eyes again.

"You didn't know the prophecy was about me. Voldemort decided to go after a half-blood child because he was a half-blood. And if he could become so powerful, then so could another one like him." The younger male explained. "What you did, Severus, was save me. You were the reason I had the power to defeat him." Harry revealed.

"Harry, no. I-I didn't…" Severus said.

"If you hadn't told Voldemort the prophecy that made him choose to target me, he wouldn't have tried to kill me. Which means that your warning to put my parents into hiding made them ready to do whatever to protect me. Mother's sacrifice caused the Dark Lord's spell to rebound and destroy his body…Which is how a piece of his soul latched itself to me. And it was that soul piece being destroyed that allowed him to become mortal and be killed." Harry remarked.

Severus stared at Harry with surprise. "If he hadn't come after me, I never would have ended up with that piece of him. The power I had to destroy him was love, Severus. Something he couldn't understand or feel. My power came from the willingness to die to protect the people I love." Harry said. "But none of that would have happened, Severus, if you hadn't told him about the prophecy. His desire to be all powerful made him come after me, and in doing so…Set the prophecy in motion, as well as his own demise."

"But your parents died-,"

"My parents would have died for me whether it had been this night nineteen years ago, or when I was married with kids at twenty-five, Severus…It's instinct. Even if Voldemort hadn't gone after me that night, if Pettigrew hadn't ratted them out…Voldemort would have tried to kill me another time, and they still would have done the same thing. I do not hold you responsible for their deaths, and they don't either." Harry said.

"You don't know that for sure…" Severus replied.

"I do, just like I know you've been pushing me away this week because you feel guilt and shame for all I've suffered over the years, blaming it on yourself for telling Voldemort the prophecy." Severus looked down but Harry made him bring his head back up. "You're still living with that shame and guilt when it's not your fault, Sev."

The man's eyes widened some, surprise gracing his features when Harry called him Sev. "I know maybe you were upset with me when you learned I found your body and realized you were alive still, that I saved you…You'd been just as ready to accept your death as I had been…Peace for the things you believed you did wrong." Harry said.

"And I couldn't let you die believing that lie. You've more than redeemed yourself, Severus. No one blames you, and you've more than been forgiven for the past." Harry now took the man's hand, linking their fingers. "And I'm going to prove it to you."

"Pray tell how you intend to do that? The only forgiveness I had wanted was from your mother for my foolishness as a teenager, and I very much doubt that even you could-," Severus's words were caught in his throat as Harry waved his other hand, and five people appeared before Severus and Harry in the room.

Lily. James. Sirius, Remus. Albus.

"I-I don't understand how…?" Severus couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Don't doubt me, Severus…I can still surprise you after all these years," Harry winked. "Just don't let go of my hand or you won't see them anymore. "It's a ritual, to call back spirits of the dead on Halloween night. They're corporeal too…But it only lasts one hour. I set it up before dinner in the hall, and completed the last part when we arrived here."

"Harry, this is…Incredible." Severus was still awe-struck.

"It takes a lot of power, and was done in Parseltongue. I found it in the Chamber of Secrets." Harry revealed. "And I see that look on your face, so yes…I'll take you down sometime. Maybe over the holidays, when there aren't students here and no classes to worry about."

"Thank you…" Severus replied gently before he looked back to the group.

"What Harry said is the truth, my boy." Dumbledore began. "No one blames you for how things happened. Remember that I asked you to do what you did, Severus. I had to take measures to make sure that the end was favorable towards lives spared." The man continued. "Of course, there were unforeseen circumstances, but it all worked out in the end. As it always does."

"We're not in this for you, Severus. We came along to see Harry, of course…But third party view from what Harry said…" Remus paused.

"It wasn't your fault." Sirius spoke up.

"I don't blame you," James stated. "Not for any of it. Though, you definitely hated me with good reason. I was awful to you, and I fully apologize for the trouble I caused you. I hope you'll accept it, years on from when it was owed." He added.

"Apology accepted, Potter." Severus nodded.

"We're sorry too…" Sirius and Remus said together when Lily narrowed her eyes on them.

"You're forgiven, Black, and you too, Lupin…" Severus replied.

"Thank you. For the warning you gave Albus when you learned who Voldemort was targeting, had you not…We might not have made it into hiding for Lily to even give birth to Harry." James bowed his head. "And thank you for all you've done to protect my boy over the years."

"I made a promise to protect him from the Dark Lord." Severus replied.

"But you'd still protect him even now with the Dark Lord gone, my dear old friend…" Lily spoke up now. "You know that deep down."

"He doesn't have to know it, he does it without even thinking," Albus laughed. "Did you see how fast he protected Harry from Ginerva last week? Didn't even have to think about it. The reaction was instant."

"Severus…" Lily moved forward to touch his cheek. "I may not have taken you back as a friend, but I want you to know that I did forgive you for calling me that name. I knew it was said in a frustrating moment when you were being bullied. I understood when you came to apologize…"

"Why couldn't we stay friends then…?" Severus asked.

"I knew your Death Eater friends were pulling you to follow them. The spells you created to cause harm…How deep your knowledge went of cursing and hexing. I knew it was only a matter of time before you'd join them." Lily smiled sadly. "As your friend, it would have been wrong of me to ask you to choose between them and me, ask you to give up what you liked doing, what…Seemed to make you happy."

"I knew once you joined the others, it would have been inevitable that we crossed paths and ended up having to fight one another. So I made a choice to lose you as a friend rather than have to fight you as one. If you'd hesitated, he would have killed you…" Lily informed. "I protected you the only way I could, by being your enemy. I had always hoped that one day you'd realize it wasn't actually making you happy…That you'd come back…"

"And you did," She smiled. "You warned Albus of Voldemort's plans, risked your life to do it too. You became a spy to protect us, and Harry…When Albus revealed your warning, I forgave you for everything and knew you'd finally seen the light. All I wanted was for the war to end, so I could hug you and thank you. Demand my friend back…Make you do everything you missed."

"Like what?" Severus wondered.

James sighed, but smiled. "She wanted to have a second wedding, so you could be her man of honor."

"And wanted another baby, so she could name you godfather." Remus added.

"Open that potions shop you two always talked about." Sirius folded his arms.

Severus snorted a bit, but it was clear he had no issues with the things suggested.

"The point is…" Lily glared at them to hush. "You redeemed yourself of the past with joining Voldemort when you defected to protect my family. You had our forgiveness when you did that, and got it many times over every time you protected Harry. We've forgiven you, Severus…It's time for you to forgive yourself now."

"Told you," Harry smirked.

"Oh, shut it, brat!" Severus snapped.

"Awe, you do still love me," Harry grinned cheekily.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Always have, always will."

"Good. I love you too." Harry hugged his arm. "Now, please…Forgive yourself? It's only been a week, but I miss our little get-togethers."

"Fine. Okay…Fine…I forgive myself." Severus agreed.

"Now…We have some time left, Tell us everything that's been going on," Lily demanded.

And so Harry and Severus answered whatever questions they had, catching them up on things they missed. It was a delightful hour, and Severus truly did feel better. He needed to find a way to thank the boy after this was over. When the time was just about up, Harry got to hug his parents, though with one arm, then Sirius and Remus too. Severus shook hands with the four males, Lily gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

As she pulled away, she whispered, "Keep taking care of my son. You two belong in each other's lives…"

"You have my word, Lily…Just…Tell me you don't hate me for…-," Severus paused.

Lily smiled. "I could never. As I said, you belong together. If you need further proof, my friend…Remember your patronus." She pulled back with a wink.

"I suppose it's that time." Albus said. "Remember boys, everything that happens…Happens for a reason, and always works out the way it should."

"Behave, both of you. But have fun, and be happy. I feel we'll see each other again soon." Lily stated.

When the clock struck 10:00 pm, the five figures went from corporeal to ghost and then vanished. Harry continued to hold Severus's hand as he stared at where the five had been.

"You alright?" Harry asked him.

"Yes, Harry…For the first time in years, I'm alright." Severus replied. "If…The offer is still there, can we have that drink?"

Harry beamed with a nod as he summoned over two glasses, with ice, and the bottle of whiskey. He poured two and set the bottle down before handing one glass to Severus, and then holding the other for himself. "To moving forward into the future?" Harry asked.

Severus tapped his glass to Harry's. "To moving forward," He said. They both took a drink. "Thank you, Harry…For tonight. I needed it. I suppose I've always known, but…It felt good to hear it."

"You're welcome." Harry responded.

"I don't suppose you'll ever tell me the truth about how you got them to appear? I know it wasn't a ritual. There's no candles, no circle…And everyone knows you can't start it, leave, and come back. The second you leave the circle it ends." Severus stated.

Harry chuckled. "I knew you wouldn't buy it, but I figured I'd try anyway."

"So do I get to know how for figuring it out?" Severus asked.

"Maybe one day," Harry said. "For now, let's leave it at what you said before they appeared…" He paused. "Me with all my power," He winked.

"You and your mother with that revealing but not revealing everything cryptic nonsense…" Severus rolled his eyes.

Harry giggled. "What did my mum say to you that doesn't make sense?"

Severus flushed a little, glancing off to the side. "She said…We belong in each other's lives, and if I needed proof, remember my patronus."

Harry smiled as he leaned closer to the man, head on his shoulder. "You have a doe, like my mother did."

"Yes, I'm aware…Not sure what it means in regards to us…Belonging to one another." Severus mentioned.

"Did you know my parents were soulmates, Sev?" Harry inquired.

"I heard they and others believed such," Severus responded.

"It's because my dad had a Stag for his patronus, a proper mate to a Doe." Harry explained.

"I've heard that belief." Severus nodded. "But what's it to do with me and you?"

Harry sat up a bit, holding his drink in one hand and his wand in the other. He waved it around once as a silvery light shimmered from the tip and formed into a Stag in front of Severus. "Because you have a Doe and I have a Stag. We're soulmates."

Severus's eyes widened. "And yet you say it so calmly like it's not shocking to you…"

"In your memories, when you showed Albus the doe. I realized it was you who led me to the sword." Harry admitted. "It was part of why accepting my death was so easy. My soulmate was gone…That wasn't a pain I was prepared to live with."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Severus asked.

"You kept pushing me away. You made it clear you didn't want me in your life, so I just…Left you alone to be happy. That was enough for me. Besides, I figured you'd never feel that way about me. Why complicate things."

"I…Thought you didn't like me." Severus looked down. "Or never could."

Harry smiled gently. "I told you a couple weeks ago that I liked you when I was sixteen. Obviously, I couldn't say anything due to where we stood during that time. You were my teacher, and pulling double spy work, and I was only sixteen. The age thing didn't bother me, I knew there was no harm in having a crush as long as no one knew." He informed.

"But obviously it would have been illegal at the time with me not being an adult yet." Harry reminded. "I always planned to tell you, Sev. It's why I didn't get back with Ginny right away. I wanted to tell you after the trials were over, when you were healed and not at risk for being locked up for the things that happened during the war." He stated. "But when I approached you, you made it clear you didn't want me in your life, so I wished you the best and walked away."

"But why not tell me when you started teaching here?"

"Well, for one, I was back with Ginny and had buried my feelings for you. And secondly, I kept my distance because of you telling me you wanted to live the rest of your life in peace. We didn't start…Talking and becoming friends until you discovered the side effects I suffer." Harry revealed. "It didn't take much of watching you try and make a cure for me to resurface those feelings."

"You said that was just a crush you had on the Half-Blood Prince," Severus remarked.

"Which is you, and I knew that at the end of sixth year. I told you before that it didn't stop what I already felt just because I knew who the Half-Blood Prince was." Harry chuckled. "I was angry with you when you killed Dumbledore, but I didn't know until your memories that he'd asked you to do it,"

"I forgave you while also being heartbroken that I realized you were my soulmate and you were dead…Or so I'd believed at the time." Harry mentioned. "I told you tonight, in fact, with five witnesses, that I love you."

Severus did recall Harry saying that. "And I told you I always have and always will." He admitted. "Well, not romantically…But I always cared about you after I learned Voldemort was targeting you, and made it my mission to protect you the best I could."

"So when did you love me more than a friend?" Harry inquired.

"When I saw how miserable you were with Ginerva, and then later that same day, saw how she behaved while you were in an attack. I saw that jealousy you mentioned regarding you and the book," Harry snorted a laugh. "I suppose that it was easy to see how possessive she became with you in my arms, and knowing that I was the Half-Blood Prince you liked as a teenager."

"Still liked as an adult, still love now." Harry said. "I told you she was jealous. I liked being in your arms during the attacks, normally any kind of touch made it worse, but with you…It was comforting." He explained.

"Because we're soulmates, we know what our other half needs." Severus smiled. "And now that I know this, I'm never letting you go again."

"I'd hoped that would be the case." Harry shifted closer and leaned up to capture the man's lips with his own. Severus, of course, kissed the younger male back. It was no surprise how mind-blowingly good the kiss was, or the fires raging in their hearts for one another. Finally, they broke apart. "Well, that was every bit of the way I imagined it going."

"I'm so glad you approve." Severus chuckled. "So, soulmates?...Where do we go from here?"

"Wherever you want." Harry replied.

"Take it however, but my want and wherever would involve a bed…" Severus admitted, and Harry flushed at the hint. "I've told you before I'm no stranger to having bed partners, not that it was ever more than that. That's all they were, hookups. Never a relationship."

"Is that what we're starting now, a relationship? I've got no hesitation about the suggestion." Harry responded.

"It would be my first, so I'll apologize in advance if I screw something up." Severus stated.

"I'm sure it won't always be perfect, but we'll stick together and work it out. My only relationship was Ginny, but didn't feel like one considering how little we saw each other." Harry mentioned.

"I feel that we shall not have that problem as both of our jobs happen to be in the same building." Severus chuckled as Harry nodded in agreement. "Tell me, Harry…" Severus paused for a moment as Harry grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured them both another drink. "Are you familiar with…Courting?"

"I've read about it, not in great detail. But I understand how it goes." He responded. "I think. It's like…Dating with intention of marrying, right?"

"Informal explanation, but yes. Given there is intention to marry at the end, I'd view it more as a short betrothal with a promise of marriage at the end." Severus stated. "I thought perhaps we could start a formal courtship, get to know one another on a more intimate level. Find time to go out on dates? Learn about each other's pasts."

"I feel that's a good idea. How long would it last? I know that courtships usually have a set length." Harry inquired.

"Well, I believe that without setting an exact length…It should go, at least, until the school term ends. Anything sooner may be difficult given our positions here. Trying to plan a wedding, that is." Severus suggested.

"Why don't we just make it for a year from today? We could still plan everything after term ends, but have the wedding be Halloween next year." Harry offered.

"Any reason you want us to be married on Halloween?" The potions master asked, though, he already had a guess as to why.

"I could do the ritual again. Have some of the people we lost be present…" Harry mentioned gently.

"You mean bring back more than who we saw tonight?" Severus wondered.

Harry nodded. "Fred, Tonks, Edward with the five from tonight. I know it might be emotional, but…Just once after everything over the years of being selfless and thinking of everyone else over myself. Just once, I want to be selfish. I want to be able to marry my soulmate with everyone I love, those still here with us and those who are not."

"With all you sacrificed for this world, Harry, I don't believe anyone would argue with you over being selfish one time for one night. And I will fight anyone who tries." Severus promised. "Now then, with that settled…" The man pulled his wand and held it up. "I, Severus Tobias Snape-Prince, formally request to enter a courtship with you, set to end and be wed on this date one year from now. Will you accept my proposal?" Severus asked. His wand tip let off a golden glow.

Pulling his own wand now, Harry smiled. "I, Harry James Potter-Black, do accept your courtship proposal set to end and be wed on this date one year from now." He replied. The tip of his began to glow too.

Their wand tips touched as golden sparks emitted between them for a moment, then it faded as they put their wands away and leaned in to share a kiss.

. . .

It definitely took everyone by surprise when it came out that Severus and Harry were courting on Christmas, and the news spread like wildfire. There were mixed feelings about it, but it didn't stop Severus and Harry from continuing. The biggest negativity came from Ginny, who made a scene on Christmas Eve. Severus and Harry had invited everyone to the school for the day before and day of the holiday, then made the announcement they were in a formal courtship, set to end one year from when it began on Halloween, and be married.

It hadn't been hard to see Harry get upset when Ginny was scolding him about not wanting to rush marriage with her but basically got engaged to Snape and set a date in one evening. Severus shut her up with one simple fact; he and Harry were soulmates. The rest of the negativity came from those who still believed Severus caused everything, and didn't deserve to have been acquitted of everything. Harry was the one to speak out against those who didn't agree in a formal interview with the papers. The soulmate thing was mentioned in that too.

Severus and Harry stayed strong until people finally got over it and accepted that there was nothing they say or do that would change things. The two lovers continued their work for their jobs, and met up to cure Harry's side effects, and they took part in the courting traditions of exchanging gifts, and whatever else there was. When term ended, as planned, Harry and Severus started planning the wedding itself in July and setting living arrangements, as well as celebrating Harry's twenty-first birthday. In July, as well, the last of the betrothal gifts were exchanged.

Harry gave Severus the Potter and Black engagement ring, which had been combined into one for the time worn, but after tonight, the rings would separate and return to their respective vaults. And Severus had gotten permission to use the Prince ring for Harry, but the same, it would return once replaced with the wedding bands they would exchange tonight upon saying their vows. Harry and Severus didn't get anyone's help in planning their wedding, it wasn't hard to do. Everyone had already eaten dinner given the time it would be at, so just needed the ceremony and a little party.

At last, the day had come. Well, night. Much to the public's dismay, the event was being kept private and being held after curfew so that students didn't have to be maintained. Harry and Severus would be going on a honeymoon, but saving it for summer time to travel around the world. For tomorrow, though, Minerva would stand in for Severus while Kingsley sent someone to cover Defense for a day, just to give the newlyweds a peaceful night and next day together. And Kingsley was performing the ceremony too. All guests had arrived, it was being held in the Great Hall.

When choosing the venue, nothing made more sense than to have it be done at Hogwarts. This allowed for all the teachers to attend too, Head Students and Prefects were keeping their houses in line. Harry and Severus were already dressed and waiting outside the doors while everyone was grabbing their seats and preparing for the event, no one knew why things were being held at 10:00 pm, but if it's what Harry and Severus wanted, then who were they to question.

"Did you set up the ritual?" Severus inquired.

"It's ready." Harry replied.

"Or have you already done it and they'll just appear like last time?" The man wondered. "Do I finally get to see how you did it?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Harry winked. "Now come on, before anyone thinks we're having second thoughts." He held the man's hand.

"Perish the thought." Severus said as they shared a kiss.

The doors opened as the two walked in and took their place at the front, Kingsley stood waiting with a smile. "It is my esteemed honor to officiate your marriage," Kingsley said.

"It is our honor that you agreed to marry us, Minister Shackebolt." Severus replied.

"Are we ready then?" Kingsley asked.

"I believe so, Harry just has to bring a few more guests in." The potions master stated. "So, however you are doing that…" He stated.

Harry pulled a box from his robes and set it on the table before he waved his hand over the object and it opened. Severus peeked curiously at whatever Harry had in the box he brought out. The box was black with a silver symbol for the Deathly Hallows, and the box had a lovely sheen over it.

The younger male pulled out a triangle-shaped fabric that was multi-colored, but on it sat a wand, and a stone. The wand and stone immediately went to Harry's right hand while the fabric unraveled and hung loosely over Harry's shoulder. "As you master, Death, I summon thee to me," The stone levitated above Harry's left palm and pointed the wand at it. "Bring forth those I wish to see for only tonight on All Hallows' Eve."

The stone turned three times before Harry closed his fist around it, along with his eyes. The room's candles dimmed out and a soft breeze caused the flames to flicker. It was only moments later when nine ghostly outlines appeared, and then took form. The shock of the room was clear, but Harry only smiled.

"Now see? Didn't I say it wouldn't be long until we saw one another again?" Lily teased. "Hello, sweetheart."

"Hi, Mum," Harry smiled as Lily hugged her only son tightly, and pressed a kiss to his forehead before using her fingers to fix up his hair.

Severus seeing them wasn't the shocker, it was how Harry called them forth. "You're the Master of Death?"

"Surprise?" Harry shrugged after he'd hugged his father, then Remus and Sirius.

"Harry! You destroyed the wand, we saw you do it! After the battle, you tossed the pieces over the bridge!" Hermione said quickly.

"You saw me destroy a transfigured stick that looked like the Elder Wand, but I did not. The real one was inside my coat the whole time." Harry informed.

"But the stone, you said you left it in the forest!" Ron reminded.

"It must have found its way back to me because it was in my pocket when I changed into my pajamas that night." Harry admitted. "And you know I never gave up the cloak."

"I-I don't understand how?" Severus stared at his soon to be husband. "Voldemort killed me to become the wand's master…If I didn't die, how did he wield it to kill you, but now you're the master of it without killing me?"

"Like I told Voldemort…The wand never belonged to you, Severus." Harry remarked.

"But I killed Albus…"

"But you are not the one who defeated him, love." Harry smiled. "That night on the tower, Draco is the one who disarmed Albus before you killed him. Disarming counts as defeat, therefore, from that night on…Draco was the wand's true master, even though he didn't have it in his possession because the wand had been buried with Albus. At least until Voldemort desecrated the man's grave to steal the wand from him…"

"Okay then if Draco was its master, how did you become such?" Narcissa wondered, having been invited to attend the wedding along with Lucius.

"Because when my friends and I escaped Malfoy Manor, I disarmed Draco by taking the stack of wands he had been holding, which included his own Hawthorne wand. When I disarmed him, I became the Elder Wand's master. That is why Voldemort was unable to kill me in the forest. The wand would not harm its master, the only person it killed was the piece of Voldemort's soul that lived inside me." Harry explained.

"But…Harry, you said you destroyed the wand to prevent people from making a big deal over its existence…" Hermione mentioned.

"And who could make a big deal about the wand, or any of the Deathly Hallows if no one knew they were still in existence. Everyone believed they were gone, so they've been completely safe with me since." Harry remarked. "Allow me to be clear that despite having the power to bring these people back from the dead entirely…I have not. They are here for tonight only, spirits with corporeal forms."

"W-Why would you torture us with having them back to lose them again?" Ginny cried.

"I brought them as a courtesy that no one here would call me unfair if I only brought my parents, Remus, and Sirius for the wedding." Harry stated. "As I told Severus…For once in my life, I've chosen to be selfish by having everyone here when I get married. I lost my parents as a baby. I only got two years with Sirius, and most of it was him on the run for something he didn't do, and I didn't get much time with Remus either."

"And by the time the war ended, four of the most important figures in Harry's life were dead. Harry lost his childhood due to having to grow up fast to survive his time at the Dursley's. Albus, sorry, I know you meant well…But Petunia? Bad choice, blood magic or not." Severus said.

"Harry was forced to fight Voldemort, and he died, then came back to see the bastard defeated for good. Everything Harry has done in his life has been for other people. I agree with him, that he deserves the right to be selfish this time. And even in this, it's not like he thought of only him. He brought back your loved ones too to be able to have everyone he loves and cares for together when he gets married." The man explained.

"I mean he could have been an ass and just not revealed he's the Master of frickin' Death, kept this power to himself." Kingsley shrugged.

"Well, no one is revealing it. The hall was charmed when you all entered it to be held under a vow of silence regarding this. You can't talk to anyone other than who is present in this room right now about what you've seen or heard. You could call it a Fidelius level secret, and can't ever speak of it to those who don't know." Harry said.

"Ever the secret Slytherin," Severus smirked.

"I'm not going to reveal I'm the Master of Death without a little insurance." Harry laughed a little. "And this is the only time I will be doing it. It has been a desire of mine since I realized what I am, that when I get married, I'd be surrounded by the people I love and care for. So enjoy the time now. They return at midnight."

"This one time is more than enough," Lily stated.

"Yes, we get to see our baby all grown up." James added.

"But, as we've told you before…" Sirius chuckled.

"We never left." Remus assured.

"You'll always be right here." Harry put his hand over his heart. "Because the ones that love us never really leave, you can always find them in your heart."

"Atta boy." Sirius nodded as he patted Harry's shoulder, not wanting to ruffle the boy's hair because Lily would beat him.

"Now then, there will be plenty of time to catch up during the party." Remus informed. "Let's get you married, nephew."

"Yes, absolutely. Harry, dear…Where is your best man?" Lily inquired.

"Right here, mum," Harry motioned to Ron who had been on his way over to Harry's right side. "Ronald Weasley, Molly and Arthur's youngest son."

"And Severus, your best man?" Lily wondered.

"I-I knew Harry would be bringing you tonight, so I had hoped that…You might be my best woman, Lily?" Requested Severus.

"It would be my esteemed honor, Sev." Lily replied.

Kingsley clapped. "Alright, let's get this union going!" He clapped his hands.

It didn't take long for everyone to get into their places. Lily was next to Severus, Ron next to Harry. Sirius and James were sitting up front, Remus was too along with Tonks and Teddy. Edward and Andromeda were sitting in the next row behind them. Fred sat between his mother and twin brother. Dumbledore was among the teachers and Kingsley stood at the front between Harry and Severus.

Kingsley looked at Severus and Harry now, smiling. "We're ready," The two said to him.

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Severus Snape and Harry Potter. In the years that they have been together, their love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you." The minister paused, hands raised in praise. "Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together."

Kingsley then began again, "A true marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting."

"Today," Kingsley remarked joyfully. "You declare your commitment to each other before family and friends." There was a small pause as Kingsley looked around. "If anyone believes these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…" No one dared. "Didn't think so. Moving on," He motioned with his hands for Harry and Severus to join their own. "Harry, please repeat after me,"

Kingsley spoke the vow for Harry to say. A pause as Harry nodded. "I, Harry James Potter-Black, take you, Severus Tobias Snape-Prince to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?" Harry recited.

"Now you, Severus?" Kingsley urged knowing the man hadn't forgotten what he was supposed to say.

"I, Severus Tobias Snape-Prince, take you, Harry James Potter-Black, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?" Severus stated.

"And now for the rings?" Kingsley held out his hand as Lily and Ron set the rings they were holding in the minister's hand. The man handed a ring to Severus, who gently held Harry's hand, smiling at him.

"Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is unbreakable, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life." Severus slid the ring into place on Harry's left hand ring finger.

"Harry," Kingsley handed the other ring to the younger male.

"Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is unbreakable, my commitment to you will never fail." Harry set the ring on Severus's finger. "With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life."

The two went back to holding hands as Kingsley raised his hands again in joyous praise. "Severus and Harry, having proclaimed your love and commitment to one another in the eyes of these loved ones, and with the power vested in me as the Minister of Magic, I am so happy to pronounce you husband and husband! You may kiss!"

Severus wasted no time after the word kiss left Kingsley's mouth in yanking Harry towards him and leaning forward to kiss him deeply while the congregation jumped to their feet in applause. The kiss lasted a few moments and then they separated to hold hands and stand side by side to face their guests. Everything had gone perfectly, now, they got to enjoy the party before they went off to enjoy their night.

. . .

The reception of Harry's and Severus's wedding was a grand time. The living got to spend time with their loved ones who had passed in either the first or second war, while also enjoying the party itself. As Harry expected, while people were confused and upset about bringing the dead back for a couple hours…But ultimately, it gave a lot of people closure to know that those who passed went peacefully and had no regrets, also that they were always there watching over.

There was music, light snacks, and of course, cake. Pictures were taken. Dancing. It was a fantastic evening, and now coming to a close. Midnight was upon them, which meant that the night was over, and so was the time that everyone got with those Harry brought back. There was only a little time left as Harry stood with his husband after they'd enjoyed another dance together.

"I have something for you," Severus said to Harry.

"We agreed no gifts to each other," Harry smiled.

"Ah, well…This isn't so much a wedding gift as it is something I started a while ago for you. I just see no reason to wait." Severus pulled a small green box wrapped in a silver ribbon bow out of his pocket and gave it to Harry. "Go on, open it."

Harry undid the ribbon and opened the lid up to see one of Severus's small crystalline vials filled with a liquid that resembled the anti-cruciatus draught, but not quite. "You finished it?" Harry asked softly.

"Well, I'm hoping so. It hasn't been tested on you yet, but this is the final product of all the research and testing we tried since beginning the adventure." Severus informed. "It's up to you if you'd like to try it now, or wait until tomorrow." The man added. "But I know the most we've been able to do is lessen the effects with a variation of the spell I created to reverse the effects and heal the damage from my spell, Sectumsempra."

"But I noticed that the full spasms do still hit you harder than the twitching hands does, and you still get minor weakness in your legs. But I'd like to think your aim is infinitely better than it was when these effects first came up after your injuries were sustained." Severus explained.

"It is better. Not perfect, but better." Harry admitted.

"I saw you needing a breather after all the dancing, I thought no time like the present to give you a present that might help." Severus smiled.

"Might as well." Harry agreed as he held the vial in hand, then pulled the stopper. "All of it?" Severus nodded to him. Harry did a fake cheers motions and downed the potion before setting the bottle back in the gift box. "I don't feel any different."

"We deduced that your attacks strike up when you're moving too much. How about another dance? Or trying to keep your wand arm up, firing off multiple spells?" Severus suggested.

"I'm not attacking you, though…" Harry said firmly.

"I'll take him. We trained together," Ron offered. "Up for it, mate?"

Harry looked at Severus, and he motioned clearly that it was up to Harry. "Yeah, alright then." The male agreed.

The two took up their places like they had during auror training, then went into stance to duel. Severus made sure himself and the guests were protected from stray spells, Kingsley helped too being a former auror. Ron and Harry must have dueled for a good twenty minutes and Harry didn't have one attack from the old side effects from being injured.

Harry could keep pace without misstepping, as well as fire off multiple spells without getting weakness in his arm. His aim was perfect and there was no twitching of any kind. Kingsley jumped in at some point too, giving Harry a two on one fight. Still, no problems.

"You still got it, Potter." Kingsley smiled.

"Potter-Black-Snape-Prince." Harry corrected with a bright smile before he turned to his husband and wrapped his arms around him tightly. "You did it! Thank you…" He could have cried. After over a year of work, between the created spell and this potion, Harry didn't have any more side effects from being under the Cruciatus curse by two people for thirty or so minutes.

"We did it," Severus told him. "I might have created the spell and potion, but I wouldn't have been able to without you being my lab rat." The man chuckled as Harry rolled his eyes, but still blushed. "But you're welcome, love."

The two shared a deep kiss. "I'd like to think you could go back to being an auror now, Harry," Ron said. "I can talk to Robarbs?"

"You know what…I think I'm good where I'm at, Ron," Harry admitted. "A year ago, I might have taken you up on it, but I love teaching my kids and being able to be around Sev all the time. So…Thanks, but no thanks. You can let Robarbs know that I'll still help as a consultant or whatever."

"No problem, mate." Ron nodded.

Harry was beyond happy now. Today he got married to his soulmate with his loved ones present, even those who had already passed away, and he had no more remnants of the injuries he sustained. Today was great, and tonight will be amazing too. At 11:55 pm, those returning to the land of the dead said their goodbye with final hugs and kisses, promising they were never far even if they couldn't be seen.

"Thank you for bringing us back for a bit to see everyone, son." James stated as he hugged Harry, then kissed his forehead.

"And letting us be part of this moment." Sirius said as Remus nodded.

"We love you so much, sweetheart. I know you're in good hands between all your friends, and now, your husband." Lily embraced Harry tightly, kissing both cheeks, and his forehead before giving him a smile.

"Alright, let's depart," Albus rounded up the other seven spirits. "It's late for those still living, and I'm certain Harry and Severus want to get to the rest of their wedding night. Morning, rather." The man smiled. "It was wonderful to see you all again, rest assured we're always with you."

At midnight, the figures went from corporeal to transparent and then faded away with smiles and waving goodbye. No one really knew what to say, so Kingsley stepped in to inform the party was over and it was time for those who did not stay at the castle had to leave. So there were more goodbyes, though while Severus was talking to Minerva as Harry said his goodnights to the others, the potions master heard Ginerva say something.

No doubt it was said to be snide because she was still mad that Harry left her over a year ago, but it did get Severus's attention because he wondered if it was true. It could be something they talked about tonight as it would have to do with the consummation. Severus and Harry left the hall and made their way to the headmaster's office, then on through to their newly formed quarters. All of Harry's things had already been moved there from his personal quarters, but he would keep his office that was above the DADA classroom.

Harry did have an office within the headmaster's office, and then everything in their quarters was more like a personal flat now. The two meshed well together and now, here they were; married. The two were relaxing in the bedroom at the moment, removing the extra layers of their clothes to be comfortable and sitting with a glass of red wine each.

"You really did a thoughtful thing in bringing everyone's loved ones back for a couple hours." Severus told his young husband.

Harry smiled softly. "It was kind of dicey in the start, but glad everyone came around."

"I am still surprised by the Master of Death thing. That is incredible, Harry. Is that what you did the first time, last year?" Severus inquired.

The twenty-one year old nodded. "To be honest, I had forgotten about being Master of Death. I haven't really broken the items out since the end of the war. The cloak more than the wand and stone. Like I said, everyone believes they're gone." Harry shrugged. "I've used them to visit Siri, Remy, mum and dad on special days, but only for a little bit. I guess it's a small way to keep it normal. Let them be part of my life in some form."

"There's nothing wrong with what you do, Harry. Yes, you have the power to bring them back completely, but you don't abuse the power selfishly. Visits, I'm sure, are fine." Severus assured. "And as you informed the rest, no one will ever know because they can't reveal anything. Very smart, by the way."

"Do you have any idea how much trouble there would be over people knowing? The jealousy and hate, the fighting?" Harry sighed. "I think that's originally why I just put everything into a box and locked it shut, then put it away."

"You did the right thing." Severus kissed the man's cheek gently. "And again, nothing wrong with what you did in bringing them for major events, while also knowing from them that they're always with you even if you can't see them. That is a comforting feeling you have, and now so do the others."

Harry smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Severus said. They shared a passionate kiss, and got into making out when Severus recalled the question he wanted to ask Harry from the thing he overheard Ginerva say. The potions master broke the kiss and lightly stroked Harry's cheek. "I wanted to ask you something, but I don't want you to get upset or ruin the night."

"I don't think anything can ruin the night, so ask away. I tend not to get upset without good reason." Harry invited.

"Tonight, when I was speaking to Minerva and the other teachers, I happened to overhear Ginerva say something and I suppose that I just want to know if it's true." Severus paused as Harry motioned for him to continue. "She had made a comment that tonight would be bad for both of us because you have no experience." Harry's eyes widened a bit and he pulled back a little. "Not that I'm judging, or care if you don't, I just want to know if it's true."

Harry looked at his husband for a moment, then sighed and lowered his head some. "Yes, it's true." The younger male admitted. "She only made the comment because she's pissed I left her and got with you a week later, and that we got engaged and almost immediately started planning our wedding. And that we set this date before we even got engaged."

"I assumed as much." Severus replied. "You've…Never had sex with a male before?"

Harry shook his head. "I've never had sex with anyone, Sev." The potions master was visibly surprised. "That's the other reason she made the comment. I never slept with her, no matter how hard she tried to get me to agree."

"Again, not judging, but why?" Severus inquired.

"Call me old fashioned, but while everyone else in Hogwarts fourteen and up was giving it up to friends, or whoever they were dating at the time…I had refused because I wanted to save it for my wedding night." Harry admitted. "I didn't want my first time to be with someone who only dated and got close to me for my fame or fortune. I didn't want it to be with someone it wouldn't last with."

"So…I was never tempted by teenage hormones to do anything with anyone. I dated Cho for about four months, but we didn't last because she was still hung up on losing Cedric. We never did anything more than kiss. Then you already know the history with Ginny. I was never tempted or even desired to be intimate with another person." Harry informed softly. "And, you know, my teenage years weren't filled with worry of getting laid…Just surviving the year."

Severus chuckled a little. "That's fair. You certainly didn't have it easy, something was always happening to keep you distracted from such things." He paused. "You've never done anything with anyone? I understand no sex, but not even…Foreplay?"

The younger male shook his head again. "Nothing more than make out, and only with Cho and Ginny. And Ginny used to get pissed that even in the making out, I never got aroused by it. We used to get into arguments that I wouldn't do anything with her."

"I understand you not wanting yourself to be touched, but why not at least pleasure her?" Severus asked.

"Wasn't into it and knew she wouldn't keep her hands to herself." Harry shrugged.

"Have you ever experienced any kind of pleasure?" Severus wondered.

"If you're asking if I've ever masturbated, the answer is yes. But rare that I ever wanted or needed to." Harry told him. "Sometimes I did it out of sheer boredom, others were to attempt to de-stress, and only a few were waking up hard and not wanting to walk across the dorm with an erection. And it was rare because we knew about the link with Voldemort, it was kind of a turn off to know he could slip in my mind anytime."

"So then I assume any of these instances were before Voldemort returned to his body, and then again after he was destroyed?" Severus arched his brow curiously.

"Mmhm," Harry nodded. "It wasn't a big secret that I'm a virgin. It went around the school, and in the office when I was an auror. Ginny only said it to be a bitch because she tried for so long to get me to sleep with her and never would. That's why she started pushing us to get married so hard towards the end. She wanted to get married so I'd sleep with her, I figured that out in the fight when we broke up."

"Now, she's just pissy that you and I got to this point in a year and she knows I'm sleeping with you tonight and she'll never get that chance." Harry remarked. "I planned on telling you tonight before we did anything." He added. "Sorry you had to find out from here rather than me."

"Well, technically I did find out from you. She might have said what she did, but as I said…I didn't believe it and wanted to check with you about if it was true." Severus smiled. "I'm not upset with you being completely untouched, Harry…On the contrary, it's quite the turn on that I get to take your virginity in all forms of intimacy."

Harry blushed. "And I completely respect your choice to have waited until marriage, as well as I admire it." Severus added. "I only wanted the confirmation so I know how to proceed tonight. I know you've never done anything, so I don't want to jump right in and scare you."

"I'm not scared. I did more than enough reading about everything and I talked to a couple bisexual and gay friends on how everything works." Harry stated. "I know what to expect, and now that I'm married, I'm bursting with anticipation and anxiousness to finally get to experience it with the man I love who happens to be my soulmate."

Severus laughed a little as he leaned forward to kiss Harry deeply, then pulled back to look in his eyes. "Well then…If you've no objections, dear husband of mine…I saw we get on with curbing your anticipation and anxiety."

"No objections whatsoever." Harry replied.

"I only have one rule with my bed partners…" Severus paused as Harry waited for him to continue. "You must promise me that you'll use your voice. I've done this with everyone I've ever been with, be they virgin or not. Using your voice means you'll voice if it's going too fast and you want to slow down. If you need a break, or want to stop. And also voicing your enjoyment of it, so I know what to do next time. Okay?"

"I promise to be vocal." Harry told him.

"Good. Then off to the bedroom we go." Severus finished the rest of his drink, as Harry did the same, then the older male stood and offered his hand to his new husband. Harry, of course, took it and intertwined their fingers together while walking to their room.

Once inside and the door was closed, Harry wasted no time in leaning in and kissing his husband deeply. Severus, of course, had no complaints and returned the action fully. Making out was nothing out of the ordinary for them, they did it often since getting together, but never more than the kissing or maybe hands wandering over clothed skin and never below the belt. But tonight, they'd be going all the way.

It didn't take long for clothes to start coming off on their walk into the bedroom and reaching the bed. Harry was obviously letting Severus lead because while he knew of what would happen, he'd never experienced it. By the time Harry's legs were pressed to the edge of the bed, the only clothes remaining on them were their underwear, and it was clear to see they were both aroused so much already.

Severus murmured to Harry to let him handle tonight, to let him make love to him. Harry didn't have it in him to argue. They had a lifetime together, there would be plenty of times that Harry pleasured Severus down the line. The older male took point on shifting his kisses along Harry's jaw, then down his neck to suck a hickey into place then kiss it and whisper mine. Severus continued his trail of kisses down Harry's body and long, nimble fingers playing with Harry's nipples.

Harry gasped softly at the feeling. Severus took it as his sign to keep going, so he let the tip of his tongue flick out over the two hardened nipples, then sucked them a bit which elicited a moan from his young husband. Oh yes, Harry was very vocal. Severus worked his way down, hooking his fingers on the waistband of Harry's boxers and glanced up to meet those green eyes. Harry blushed in the dim lightning, and nodded to Severus to go ahead.

It was the only confirmation that Severus needed to continue. Harry lifted his hips a bit as his trousers were pulled down and his cock bounced free. Severus wasted no time wrapping his lips around it, one hand on Harry's hip to steady him. "Oh, God..." Harry breathed out at the feeling of his husband's lips on his cock. Merlin above, everything felt better.

Magical marriage was amazing, and Harry knew this was only the beginning of their night. His hands rested on Severus's shoulders, gripping the fabric of his robes and fingers playing in the man's smooth hair. "Sev..." He moaned, eyes closed and head faced towards the ceiling. He took Harry to the edge again and again, always stopping just as he felt the familiar swell of flesh in his mouth, refusing to allow Harry to orgasm.

It was incredible and infuriating at the same time to be brought to the edge over and over again, but not get to come. At the same, Harry knew it would be worth it in the end. Obviously Severus didn't want to bring him to finish too early or Harry would never make it to the main event.

That's what he called it, at least. His mind was fogged, pleasure still running through his body even without the orgasm. It was like he forgot to breathe, all he knew is that he was still breathing and finding it harder to hold back relaxing. Thankfully, Severus came up to kiss him.

"What would you prefer to consummate our marriage, to penetrate me, or I penetrate you?" He gently pushed Harry down, crawling up Harry's body to capture his mouth again.

Fingers carding through Harry's tamed hair, preferring the messy look and destroying the styled locks. The question took him by surprise. Severus would let Harry penetrate him? The teen wouldn't have the faintest idea of what to do. The choice was easy to make, of course. He was grateful when Severus pushed him back on the bed and crawled over to kiss him.

"I might take you up on that offer one day, just to say that I have..." Harry told him, near breathless. "But tonight, I want you inside me..." He met the man's eyes. "Like now. Take me, Severus, please?...Make me yours..." Yes. He was on the verge of begging. But he knew what he wanted. Needed. And he needed his husband.

"Hmmm, yes, perhaps another day," he purred, wandlessly summoning a jar of lubricant he'd made a few days ago. Severus settled between Harry's thighs, dipped his fingers into the lubricant and circled Harry's hole carefully. "Deep breath," he murmured, sliding his finger into the knuckle.

At the first touch, Harry didn't flinch. When the digit slipped in, Harry fought himself to immediately tense up. The younger male breathed evenly, despite heart pounding fast in his chest, and stayed relaxed. The hot tightness around his digit was what his dick would feel and he had to occlude slightly to stop himself blowing his load before he'd gotten inside him.

Waiting a few moments, he slid a second finger in and scissored them, grateful he'd had the forethought to brew the lubricant with a mild analgesic. "Fuck, you're going to feel amazing," Severus growled.

Harry kept his eyes on his husband, and when the second finger entered he could feel that bit of stretching. He only clenched for a second or two, then let out a breath he'd been holding to relax again. Not painful, but still something he had to adjust to. It was only slightly uncomfortable, but as he breathed through it, the feeling faded and he looked back at his husband.

"I'm okay..." He assured, knowing he was being watched for any sign of it being too much. If he didn't speak and Severus felt otherwise, the man would stop as to not want to cause him any pain. A third finger was in and he crooked them, searching for the little nub that would drive Harry wild, and he knew the second he found it. At the third finger, Harry ended up grabbing Severus's shoulders and closing his eyes.

Harry threw his head back with a moan while breathing heavily. "W-What was that?" Harry groaned. "Fuck...You do that again and I might just go off." He stated, but a smile still on his lips.

"That, my delicious husband, is your prostate, and much as I want to torture you with it, if I'm not inside you in the next ten seconds I'm going to lose my mind," Severus growled. Pulling his fingers free with a soft squelch, Severus scooped up the lube and coated his length in it.

Harry blushed furiously at Severus saying that he'd lose his mind if he wasn't inside of Harry in ten seconds. His brain temporarily went over what his husband said, about torturing his prostate. That was obviously getting tabled to another time when either of them weren't desperate for one another.

The pleasure was dizzying, he suspected neither of them were going to last very long once they started. That was fine, they had a lifetime together. He moaned when he felt the fingers leave him, but watched with anticipation as his husband prepared himself. Severus used the slicked hand to guide himself to Harry's entrance and then took hold of his husband's cock, the lube giving him ample glide over the engorged organ.

"It may sting for just a moment, keep taking deep breaths, and stop me at any time," The older man reassured his husband. At the warning, Harry nodded. He wouldn't stop him, he knew that sting only lasted a few moments. It was worth it.

Then, unable to hold back any longer, Severus pressed forward, letting a lewd moan out at how tight Harry was around him. "Oh fuck," He snarled, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself from going too fast. The feeling of his husband's dick pushing inside him made Harry's hands dig into the man's shoulders. Yeah, he could feel the sting. The pressure of being stretched. It was different from his lover's fingers.

Bigger. Longer. Still, the teen remembered to breathe though the exhales were heavier. The younger man shut his eyes tightly, getting used to the feeling though he knew he'd tensed and clenched up once his husband was buried inside him. "S-Sev!" His voice was between a whimpered moan.

"Oh, Merlin..." Harry panted, finally loosened his grip and worked himself to relax. As he expected, the sting had already faded and once he's loosened up, it felt comfortable. Harry tried to pull him closer, and gave him a kiss. "Move..." Harry whispered against his lips. "Please...Move, please, Sev..."

Severus had to take a break anyway or he was going to shoot off like a bloody teenager. He'd known his husband would be tight but fuck if that wasn't the tightest arse he'd ever been inside of. "Fuck, give me a second," He said, voice strained.

Even when his husband hadn't been moving, it felt pretty amazing just with the man's cock inside of him. The strain of Sev's voice only made Harry want him to move more, but he knew how to be patient. However thin his remaining bit of it was. Severus had already brought him to the edge of orgasm a bunch of times over, so he wasn't too far off from cumming anyway. The younger male only needed a little push over that edge.

Severus pulled back slowly and pushed back in, loving the feel of Harry around him. "Gods I love you," he croaked.

When Severus finally began to move, the pleasure shot through Harry's body like electricity. "I...Love you too," Harry moaned. He had been about to ask Severus for more, but the man seemed to read his thoughts almost and picked up speed in his movements. Severus thrust more then, slowly increasing his speed until his hips were slapping against Harry's arse.

And his hand jacking the thick cock in his grasp in time with his thrusts. "Oh God..." Harry moaned out. It was unreal how close he was already. Between the thrusts and husband stroking his throbbing length, he'd go off in moments. Harry was sure that a thin layer of sweat had formed on his body, face and chest flushed from their love-making. "Fuck! S-Sev, ah..."

The potions master was determined that Harry came before he did, how brow already sweaty from exertion. Lowering his head, he captured Harry's mouth in a bruising kiss. "I am yours, always," He whispered.

Harry returned it fully. When they broke, he was breathing hard. "I'm...Y-yours, al-Fuck, mm! Always!" It came out of nowhere. No warning despite having known how close he was. Harry's lower back arched off the bed, his legs locking around the man's waist, as did his arms around the back of his husband's neck. His entire body locked up, head thrown back with a rather high-pitched shout of his husband's name as he came. "Severus!"

Tipped over the edge by Harry's sharp cry of his name, Severus tumbled into the abyss of climax and shuddered through the rolling waves of pleasure, spurting inside his young husband and sinking his teeth into Harry's collarbone. Severus growling loudly then collapsing, rolling so he could pull Harry atop him, their bodies still connected.

For Harry, the orgasm that went through him was more intense than ever before. Maybe it was the feeling of them having sex for the first time, but Harry could have sworn he felt two orgasms shoot off at the same time. His cock and his ass. Was that a thing? If it was, then it felt incredible. At first, Harry didn't even feel his husband bite into his collarbone. He was too overtaken by the pleasure coursing through his body.

Like waves, or ripples in a very still pond. Centered at the one beginning spot, then expanding out to the edges. Harry was certain his vision blinded out in white for a few moments when the release hit. The roll of him being brought atop his husband made him lightly scream at the movement, but he giggled to take a moment to admire his lover's face as he shifted to sit upwards on Severus.

Now, his legs were on either side and straddling his husband. He'd never seen the man look the way he did right now.A sight now forever burned into his memory. Harry saw the glow from their rings and he smiled, also loving that somehow they were still connected.

Harry thought for sure he'd have gone soft by now after all that, but he hadn't. And from what he felt neither had his husband. The younger male grinned innocently as he put his hands on the man's chest and started rocking his hips back and forth slowly, riding the man. He didn't know what possessed him to do it, but he wanted to and loved the way it felt.

"Ha-Harry…Fuck," Severus groaned when Harry started moving in a steady rhythm. Normally, he would be too sensitive to get a second round going straight after but he remained hard and desperate to bring Harry to another orgasm.

Being still so sensitive from the first orgasm, surprisingly, Harry could already tell it wouldn't take long to get to his next one. "A-Ah..." He moaned when Severus started pushing up into him. "It's so much deeper like this..." He closed his eyes, loving the feeling and was sure that like this, he could almost feel his husband's cock reaching that spot from earlier that was hit when fingers were used. If that is what he felt, no, it wouldn't take him long at all.

"Fuck, you're going to be the death of me, " Severus growled, pushing up into Harry he deepened the thrusts and wrapped his long fingers around the still hard length of his husband. He didn't move it, letting Harry thrust through his fingers in time with his rocking. "You're perfect, " The man whispered.

"Better not be the death of you. You're not allowed to marry me and die on the same night..." Harry told him. "Or any time in the next sixty years." He added. "You're mine...And this might have just become as addicting as drugs can..." Obviously, he'd been referring to the sex, and the high he got off releasing. His cock twitched in Severus's grasp as the teenager sat up more, face to the ceiling, and began to bounce on his husband's length.

"I'm…The Master of Death…I'll br-bring your ass back!" Harry swore. "Fuck...It's so good..." His breathing picked back up, though it hadn't recovered from the first time. The next orgasm is already building quickly and nearly there. Harry sought it out, starting to move faster and taking all of his husband into him. "Mm...Sev!" He cried out.

And then it hit again. The release, though smaller from the first, let out across his husband's hand and chest. Harry's nails gripping the man's upper chest hard, leaving indents, or maybe scratches. His chest and stomach painted in Harry's release, watching his face as he went over the edge yet again sent Severus over as well, his howl of pleasure shrill even to his own ears.

He did deflate that time, his release slipping out of Harry and coating his thighs, though he was uncaring for the mess. Harry giggled like an idiot at the feeling running through him, enhanced by the fact he had still been feeling the first orgasm. Of course, now, he was completely spent and his shaking arms were threatening to stop holding him.

Harry felt his heart pounding in his chest fast, his body still shaking from release. The teenager felt Severus slip out, and he laid forward on his husband. His arms refused to hold him any longer, fatigue was creeping in. It had been a long day, and now night as well. Severus, of course, wrapped his arms around his husband, uttering a cleaning charm on them.

Harry shifted forward only a bit to be able to kiss his husband deeply. "I love you, Severus Snape...Forever and always." Harry whispered against his lips before laying his head back down and darkness began to come into his vision.

Brushing his lips over Harry's forehead he tucked the blankets firmly around them. "As I love you, Harry."

"I think I need sleep..." Harry uttered tiredly with a yawn, summoning the blanket over them.

"Sleep, husband. I'm not going anywhere." Severus assured. It didn't take long for him to knock out while still laying against and atop of his husband.

Severus laid awake in bed, holding Harry close to him as his mind went over how it all happened. In the end, Severus could only leave it at his prayers having been answered. Severus prayed to be rescued, set free from his guilt of the past. And in came Harry needing a job. The two started working together to resolve Harry's after effects from his injuries as an auror. Harry was set free and rescued from Ginerva's obsession with his fame. And Harry set Severus free from his guilt.

Together, they were able to give the other deliverance and now got to live the rest of their lives together.