Old Lovers, too New

by anon hufflepuff

Carrying on from, The Veela Inheretence. It has been 6 days, 14 hours and 30 minutes since Harry showed up at the castle and demanded his mate make a choice. He did make a decision, but now Severus is floundering, and Harry is unsure if he made the right decision. It doesn't help Draco is at the castle, and it just gets more complicated as time goes on.

The long awaited second book is here.

trigger warnings

sexual male on male acts and full blown ritualised sex. if thats not your thing don't read.

Suggestion of rape. After affects of attempted rape. Actual attempted rape.

Discrourse of mpreg.

Language or the fact I can't write without swearing like a sailour.

The fact i am dyslexic and have other medical issues. Therefore there will be issues with spelling and grammar. This may trigger a few people and no amount of editing on my part will stop that from happening . ven if i edit for a very long time. I will be blind to some mistakes.

Oh yeah there is a murder as well, does that need a trigger warning. Don't worry the dude deserves it.

I am a little nervous to let this be published. the first book was easily within cannon and this has moved away from that and is thoroughly in the land of fantasy. Well maybe not as much as number three but more than number one. iI it isn't what you expected I am truly sorry for it. I tried to hint at this one at the end of the second.

book three will be a long time coming but this book could be considered an end of sorts, as well. book three is hard to write witha title like action's have consequences. It was never going to be easy. mpreg will ne heavily involved in that story. if that's not your jam consider this second book the end of the trilogy.

enjoy KM

Severus leant against the lintel of the window and took in the view of the grounds. The trees were turning early this year. Already dappled with oranges and reds. His eyes swept over the great lake and then wondered back over to Hagrid's hut. A small figure chopping wood out in the front garden, just set forward from the autumn blooms. Swinging an axe with a practiced motion. His stomach felt like a hipogriff was trying to break out of it as he watched the languid sweeps and motions of the axe.

I wonder why he doesn't use magic. He mused as he sipped his coffee, letting his eyes rest on the heaving chest of the man, as he went through his morning routine. One deep stroke of the axe at a time. He looked so tranquil, so controlled. His stomach flipped.

"He doesn't use magic if he doesn't see the need. " A woman's voice cut across his thoughts. he didn't startle, he had heard her approach just a few moments before. He carried on watching the swing and slice.

"It seems a waste of time to me." He drawled.

"Harry has always preferred the muggle way." He could picture the younger witch shrugging her shoulder at him. As she stood looking out of the same pane of glass. Maybe the odd furtive looks were cast his way. His eyes never left the scene, however, to see. He really didn't care.

"Have you spoken to him yet? " He asked voice soft, knowing that this potentially could be overstepping. A great gush of air left his companion. Almost like a sigh but it could of been a huff.

"No, I haven't really known how. Have you ? That seems more important." He considered her words before turning to her. Hermione Granger always knew how to get under his skin, it seemed. She had been working there for little over 2 years and in that time she had proven herself very perceptive.

" I can understand. I am unsure myself." It had been nearly a week since Harry had strode into the great hall and forced his hand into accepting him as his mate and in that week there had been but a few conversations. Harry had seemed quiet, held aloof and stoic. Something he had never thought he would think of when thinking of him. He had been unsure and floundering on how to deal with this extreme change from the person he once new. Had loathed, then protected and couldn't resist before separating himself from. He was a true anigma. One that made him feel uncomfortable, as his stomach flip flopped around in his pressence.

"He has changed I guess but i think he is still him. Deep down. He has just been through so much. Who even knows where he has been the last 3 years." Hermione reminded. It was true that after the war Harry had spent a year as a ministry poster boy, before deciding to go and get his N.E.W.T.s abroad at Durmstrung. The ministry had been furious and in that year they had let the Prophet tear him apart, painting him as cruel and dark. Using his veela as proof of that. Once he left the school, nobody knew where he went or where he had been until he turned up here. Severus could have found him. Had had the tug to do so on many occasions. He just couldn't do it. Facing something he was too scared to face and a responsibility, he didn't take up and couldn't bare if it all went the wrong way anyhow.

"Will you speak to him soon?." He ignored the previous statement. Knowing that there was no point in dwelling on something he had no answers for. A sigh did escape Hermione then and he could see the frustration and determination on her face.

"I will most likely today. I think you should too. The tension between you two is rather difficult to be around, at times. " He arched an eyebrow at this. He really did enjoy Grangers take on life and philosophies but sometimes he wished she didn't feel so free to express them. He turned back to the window and stared out again. Watching the movement of wood being placed up and then the swing of the axe and the cutting of it. The hallways became more crowded as students wondered down for breakfast. He sighed and reluctantly decided he would have to make a move in that direction himself.

"It seems to be the breakfast hour, Miss Granger. We should go." They ambled their way down to the hall and to the waiting hustle and bustle of castle life. Miss granger suggesting that he may need to find some way of communicating soon, as they walked. He was relieved when he was finally sitting a few seats away from her.

--'--

Fucking nothing. His inner monologue was screaming. Nothing. In a week. He had practically nothing. No meetings set up, no visits, nothing. Just a lousy few comment's here and there and for this, I have stayed here. Fucking idiot.

Swish thump.

What was the point. What was the point of claiming me and then acting this way.

Swish thump

Why do I even stay. What is the point of this at all. To have nothing just one chaste kiss and then ignored so thoroughly.

Swish thump.

He looked about himself and the neat little pile of wood that was swiftly growing by his side. Fuck it all, if things don't improve he will leave. This is not some half life that he was prepared to live. Lining up a log again he heaved the axe onto his shoulder before letting drop aim and

Swish thump.

"Arry." A call caught his attention as the big broad man stomped out of the forest beside the hut. His dog Fang bouncing and playing at his heel. "Breakfast." He grumbled something and lifted up the axe.

Swish thump.

"Now arry, you must eat." The man said, approaching him.

"I did an hour ago. " The larger man sighed and stomped up to the castle.

Swish thump.

He had to come up with a plan. Severus was never going to make a move and Harry had stubbornly waited for one to be made. He had initiated the kiss after all. He thought he couldn't of been plainer in his intent. The older man had said he wanted to get to know him but no move had been made to do so. So what now? His stomach squirmed.

Was he even into this? He wondered, was it the bond? For the hundredth time this week he asked himself the question. He resolved himself to the fact that maybe he didn't, then he would see Severus striding down the hall or talking to another professor, his stomach would roil with butterflies. At least physically, he wanted this. The man was attractive. Dark and pale at the same time, brooding yet so easy for him to read. Strong legs and wiry frame. What was not to like. He had seen his looks, and new the man at least appreciated his frame. A stale mate was still a stale mate though and he had no idea how to break them out of this position.

He looked over at the great lake and decided to go for a swim to wash off the sweat from the mornings wood chopping. He was bare chested already and walked into the lake still with his trousers on. His only concession was to move his wand holster to his arm and leave his belt on the side of the lake.

Should he just show up at the headmasters door?. Maybe with a bottle or two of brandy. Should he wait for him to approach however long that may take?. He growled at the thought and swam for a while without thinking, letting the cold water do it's work on his body.

He walked from the lake dripping wet and shook himself like a dog. Giggles could be heard lulling over from the grass and a group of what he presumed or at least hoped were 7th years sat and watched him admiringly. He looked away. Gods, there are children everywhere. He sighed inwardly.

He grabbed his belt and strapped it back on before making his way to the path and up to the castle itself. Being Hagrid's assistant had its perks. Nobody cared what schedule he held as long as his jobs got done for one thing. Estimating most students would be in class by now. If they didn't have a free period, he made his way up to his room. He changed into a blue long sleeved thick, almost fleece shirt and his brown leather trousers. Socks and boots came on next. Bare feet felt amazing. In the forbidden forest, you didn't want to take risks. He fastened his belt again and then sat on his sofa. Drumming his fingers on the latest payment for past deeds, he would need to send that to the council soon. He sighed. Yes, he really would. He truly hoped she respected his wishes to have at least a year.

What was he going to do about this though? His mind went back to its annoying initial thought of the day.. What would Hermione tell him to do? A small part of his brain asked. Still trained after all this time to repeat the mantra of his teenage years, even when he was in extreme and unusual circumstances. He thought about it for a while. He had no idea anymore. Well she was here. She was available to ask. It felt awkward with her now though, like the year's apart had distanced them with more than miles. He shook his head from the thought. Where was the muggle studies class room anyways, he wondered. Before long though he set off to find out.

He found the class room with little effort but it was full of students listening to their professor. He smiled as he watched through the small window of the door. Hermione was holding up a toaster and showing them the buttons. Probably explaining why you would even need such a device in the first place, a microwave sitting on her desk. Eventually the door swung open, students began to exit. 5th years by the look of them .He Leant up against the wall with a foot resting against it under him. He was sure he could here whispers and soft giggles as they spied him. Gods, this was awful he decided. Finally the last had left and he pushed himself off the wall into the room before he could change his mind.

'Ptofessor' He said his face all serious. Hermione spun around and then beamed at him.

'Harry." She sounded so excited. So reminiscent of their childhood, he couldn't help but twitch his lips in a smile.

"How are you? How are you settling in? its been ages, what have you been up to?" He held his hands up in suplication from the barage of questions.

"Wait, wait. How can I answer if you don't give me a minute." She crossed her arms across her chest but the smile on her lips showed it was mostly in jest. " I'm good, it's actually a good job, I'm enjoying it. Finding it hard being here though." She cut across him.

"Because of the war?." This stumped him. He had meant because Of Severus but this place had always felt homely and he guessed being so far away in time it was easier for him to connect the castle with fondness, rather than the couple of hours of mayhem. He wasn't going to lie at least to himslrf. The initial sight of the castle had been full of booming noises and scraping of stone on stone. It lasted for but a brief moment at seeing it. How many experiences had he had since that first war? That first battle?. Probably to many for someone who wasn't even 25 yet. The first so easily brushed off and put away.

"No. " The answer was quite gruff making him wince in his head over it, so he quickly added. " I have always felt like this was a home you know Mione. It's just other things."

"Severus." How did she do that? Just read him like a book. Even with his masks now.

" It's been a week and nothing. Not anything of any worth anyway. I think he regrets his decision. " He bit his lip. A gesture he hadn't made in years. He hadn't meant to reveal so much. Around Hermione though his walls just crumbled. In that way she was more than a witch. he felt a little shakey after that. she brought out his true self so easily. Except maybe that was what he actaully needed. It was a possibility

"Oh Harry. I think it will just take time." She crossed over to him and rubbed her palms on his arms. A particularly Hermione esq thing to do he knew. "You have changed so much and this is Snape. I think he finds these types of things very difficult..." She trailed off.

"It's been 6 years Hermione, what am I supposed to do wait another 6.?" He laughed but it wasn't a happy noise to his ears. It was a bitter sound.

"Did you and he. ... That night did anything happen?" Harry sighed but in for a penny in for a pound, he may as well reveal it all.

"He said he wanted to get to know me.. You know, some business about not wanting to bond and then one of us regretting it. Hasn't spoken to me about it once since." He bowed his head as his cheeks heated. Was it him?. Was there something wrong with him that wasn't what Severus wanted? Did he have an idea of what he had done? What he had seen? What he had carved out of stone for others and it made him back away? Was it just that Harry wasn't what was expected and therefore not wanted? "We kissed." He wasn't expecting the squel and winced at the sound being so close. He looked up at her and she was flapping her hands about. It had been more than a while since he did this. so it took a moment to realise what was gojng on, she was highly excited he realised.

"What was it like? was it good? come on Harry spill."

"I can't believe you just did that. It's so unlike a professor." He chortled, her exictement maybe making him feel better about it all.. He didn't know why he was surprised. Really, she had demanded every piece of gossip about him and Draco and made that noise every single time. " It was... soft... and tender and like we were teenagers, who had no clue what we were doing. " He smiled softly at the memory before Hermione squealed again. "That's really annoying. I thought you would of grown out of it."

She blushed crimson and then hit him on the arm. Then looked at the clock. " I have a class coming in 5 minutes. We could finish this at lunch if you want? Come sit with me at the great hall. " Harry shook his head slowly. What if everyone heard. What if his first was there?.. "Harry we can do a muffolo spell. Come on." She whinged. "I have missed you so much please. " He chuckled again. Her desperate want making him feel, well it made him feel more relaxed about it.

"OK OK. I will come... but only for you."

She patted his arm again before he left her to her class prep. Ducking his head as he passed the potions master of the castle. The rest of the morning was spent with Hagrid, who was teaching him the art of forest maintenance. He didn't inform him he didn't need the lessons. Actually, he knew the earth and the trees very well. That way no questions could be asked. They were looking for rot and disease in the trees. Which ones needed limbs removing and which would need felling to make room for the others. Being clapped on the shoulder for a good job before lunch. So he was starving by the time he made it to the great hall.

His ears burned red as he entered. People turned to follow his walk down the aisles to the teachers tables. His face ached from being held so still. If it hadn't of been for Hermione already being there and tapping a chair beside her, he would of turned around and left. He hesitated once he had got up onto the platform and was met by steely grey eyes staring at him. Draco being here had been very hard. He felt shame every time he saw him. He was the second reason not to come here for meals and had avoided him out of respect for their past. He walked past the man and noticed Neville looking at him oddly too. He would need to speak to them both at some point he guessed. For now he let the eyes slip off his face like water on stone.

Finally he was at Hermione's side and she placed a charm around them.

"So was it good? Was there butterflies? Come on tell me. " He laughed again at her enthusiasm. Only Hermione could make him laugh like that so many times in one day.

"It was good if not a little, er ..." He floundered for the word. " Safe?" He said almost as if a question but he pushed on. " I kissed him and my nerves were ... awful." And just like that they fell into their old friendship as if nothing had ever happened. Like years hadn't past and he hadn't been like that with anyone else since he left Britain

At that very moment the man in question entered and almost glided to the table. Harry noticed his stride nearly break when He saw him and then he pushed on, as if nothing really happened.

"You should talk to him Harry honestly, I just think his out of his depth." She said following his gaze. He turned to her again eyes unreadable.

"I made the first move Mione, in fact I have made all the moves. It's kind of his time. " He said firmly voice coming out gruff. He didn't try and correct it or smooth it over this time.

He pulled his plate toward himself and started heaping food onto it. They chatted about class and about the new clearing Harry had been working on that morning with hagrid and felling in general. His face relaxing from his normal stony one. Curves to his lips and movement in his eyebrows. It felt good to just be. As he raised his fork to his mouth he noticed a small piece of parchment, that was slightly under his plate. Curious he picked it up.

"It's good to see you at lunch, how have you been?

ss

He stared down the length of the table to Severus. Who seemed to be paying him little mind. He noted though that he had angled his face so that Harry was in his peripheral vision.

"Pass me a quil Mione." She looked at him puzzled before handing him a quil. Her eyes going wide as she watched him scratch out a message. He looked it over before sending it down to Severus with a wave of his hand.

Yes I have been OK. I wasn't expecting you to ever approach me. So I'm glad you have.. How have you been?

h

He watched as Severus glanced down and inconspicuously unfolded the note. Soon it was next to him again. He had noted he had lightly bit his lip while writing. He wondered what would of caused that. He new exactly where he had got that habit from .

It's hard to approach someone when you feel like a ball of nerves everytime you see them. I don't know how to do this. I have never done this before.

ss

Harry blinked at the message and looked at Severus and then looked at the message again. That was more forward and honest than he would of ever believed that man could possibly be.

I haven't either. I didn't know I made you feel that way. If it's any help, when I see you I feel like butterflies have taken residence in my stomach.

h

You can't be serious. Have you seen yourself..I just feel bad that you could potentially be stuck with me. I'm not an oil painting. I am not young. i have massive flaws and issues

ss

He looked at the words and then over the hall. Is this what this had been all about. That Severus didn't think he was attractive enough. Or... His past...

Is this what this is about. You haven't spoken to me in a week because of this. I know your past. we have spoken about your age. Is this really about your looks ... really..

h

He sat impatiently for the reply. Trying not to glance at the man. Hermione was watching him from the corner of her eye. Eyes gleaming with questions.

It's highly complicated. I must go back to work.

ss

Was that it. He watched as Severus got up from the table and stalked out. He looked at Hermione with wide eyes.

"What,. What happened? " She whispered.

"Come outside and we can talk." He answered and they both went out of the hall. Coming into a court yard they sat on a stone bench.

"What happened?" He passed her the peice of parchment with their conversation. She stared at it in awe for a moment.

" But this is good he finally opened up."

"And then left before I could find out what's wrong." He sat and brooded. " at this point I'm starting to think it's an excuse and that he just regrets the whole thing. I better go I need to find the thestral herd today. You have classes." He started to walk away from her.

"Harry it's going to be alright. "

"Of course it will" He replied over his shoulder. " That's just how things work out for me, isn't it." And before she could say anything else he walked through the court yard gate into the grounds proper. so the students at the first oak tree on his path muckimg around may have got the brunt of his feelimgs. As one boy was holding up a rememberball in the air and another was desperately trying to get it. the taller flushed and grinning, trying to get a grils attention.

" Just a little tip" He bit out as the ball flew to his hand and they all turned around in terror at him stalking over to them. "If you want to get someones attention, say hello." he told them as they all backed up a little and he held the ball out for the smaller student " and don't be arrogant or a prick while doing it " He caught the boy's eye. Who was blatantly doing this to get the attention of the girl

" yes sir " The boy said small. Gods they were only 12 or so. So small

" I will leave you to Professor Malfoy." He said as he watched the man rush over, so he truned on his heel and left.

He brooded for the next several hours over Severus, pushing the blonde from his head. Of course it was complicated but for the life of him he couldn't understand why they just couldn't make it simple. He was attracted to him and vice versa, why did it have to be anything other than that. It wasn't until he had located the herd and started stomping back up to the castle that it dawned on him that anything lasting would need more than a physical connection. If one of them also believed that physical connection wasn't there then...

Just maybe it would seem impossible. That was also without their complicated past.

--'--

He sat and resided over that evenings banquet. Sitting in the headmaster's chair. He sat and brooded about the simple interaction. It should of been simple, that was all he had meant it to be. Of course Harry would of turned it into something more difficult to handle. Why could he not see that it wasn't just about his flawed looks and he knew they were flawed, he had a mirror, he had eyes.

No it was about there past as well. A large tapestry of history, every woven strand was mixed and tainted somehow. He hadn't expected in his wildest dreams that Harry would of come to dinner. He was obviously adverse to the great hall but just as the food arrived he entered through the teachers entrance. This time wearing a shirt of white cotton and rolled sleeves and some form of black trouser. He had never seen him look like this before. He schooled his eyes on the table but the sound of Draco choking on his food didn't escape his notice. Nor the patting of the chair next to Hermione.

He leaned ever so slightly in their direction but felt the flare of Hermione's magic not a meter or so away. Cursing in his head for their need for privacy. A sharp pang of jealousy crosseed his chest and he pushed it away. It was truly ridiculous to feel that strongly about him actually talking to another instead of himself. It was an act he hadn't been sure the man was actually capable of anymore. He should be pleased he was but he supoosed it was soma weird instinct. He idly wondered what was wrong with his godson, who had been acting strangely. Before looking down at his plate and noticing a note, tucked slightly under it. He eyed it for a moment before laying it flat in front of him.

I understand that we need more than a physical attraction for this to work for a lifetime. Just so you know I have a specific type though.

I like angular faces and strong jaws Severus, as well as slim figures. I am also partial to slytherin house. A man who likes potions seems to also be something I like.

Now my experience in these things are limited. I did not lie when I said I have never done this before. I meant that I had never been with my mate before. My DOMINANT mate.. I have however been with men.

Can you trust me that I am attracted to you physically as well as mentally. That our past is just that and can be moved away from. I had moved away from it mostly a long time ago. I am very sure we are who we are supoosed to be. After all that is why we are mates in the first place

h

What he had expected he hadn't known but this was not what he had expected. He shifted his eyes sideways without moving his head, brain blank and whirling a mile a minute. He saw Harry and Hermione in a heated discussion. He was sure he saw Hermione mouth

You're going to scare him.

This made Harry throw his head back in what would of been a boom of laughter. Before he seemed to say.

Maybe he needs to be.

He looked at the parchment again. Other men. His mate had been with other men. This seemed to be the only part he was fixed on. Anger flared. How many other men. It curled round the jealous feelings of before. He said it was limited but there had been others. Didn't he say he had already left behind someone he cared about because of their bond a week ago and now he was talking about other men. His eyesight tinged red. His nostrils flared and it took all the control he had not to pin him to his chair and demand answers. His insides twisted and sharp pain ran from his chest where it had started down into his gut. To roil there.

Meet me at 7 my office

ss

He looked over his words, not that there was much to it and sent it on its way. Without waiting for a reply and with the food turning to Ash in his mouth he got up from the table and left.

00000900

Harry was a nervous wreck. Finally, finally he was going to see severus alone. It had to be perfect. He decided to stick with his outfit not wanting to seem like he was trying to hard but Hermione suggested taking a bottle of something as they talked rapidly about the exciting event. He was now standing by the gargoyles of the entrance of the headmasters office and he had just had to stand for a minute and breath. He needed to compose himself. Walk into this with everything held together but as the gargoyles let the door swing open, he couldn't help but climb the stair two at a time.

He knocked before entering, noting he was exactly on time. The office was empty but just as he was looking around in bewilderment Severus came out of his personal quarters. The feeling of calm that swept over him felt off however and normally it would of hit him on the stairs . Shaking it off though he took in the tall man as he entered the room and then went to go and take a seat at his desk. He had taken his headmasters robes off and underneath them it appeared that Severus wore a black soft looking shirt and smart trousers with a crease down the centre. His shirt was tucked in and the belt sinched so that his waist was shown at its most slender. He couldn't help it he lick his lips. He strode over to the chair on the opposite side and raised an eyebrow at his mate.

"So formal." Severus took a minute to meet his eye. As they locked in Harry's though his insides began to squirm. Something had happened, the fury that burnt there made Harry's insides quiver. They locked eyes for a minute before Severus rose and leant forward toward him. Menace surrounding him like clouds.

"Exactky how many men has my mate been with exactly?." Harry leant back and blinked in surprise at the ferocity, as the words were spat at him.

"T, 2" This was not good, he thought. He battered himself to death silently in his head. How could he be so stupid.

"2 ." The man looked down his nose at him as he rose back up to his full height and stalked around the table. " 2." He came up behind him and sniffed before putting his hands down at the back of the chair making Harry lean forward slightly trying to create distance. He had tucked his chair under the desk slightly unfortunately, so he couldn't just get up and leave. His brain buzzed but a fury of his own crept in.

"Yes 2. It was not like my mate wanted me at that point. Was I supposed to be a monk. 2 is hardly going to make a difference. " He could hear heavy breathing from behind him but he didn't want to turn around and meet those eyes so he stared ahead.

"When" Was the eventual reply. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew that this would be coming.

"6th year and before I came here. He was the reason I came here actually." His heart was hammering through his chest.

"You came here to be with him?." At this something snapped in Harry.

"I CAME HERE TO SEE IF I COULD BE WITH YOU. YOU FUCKING IDIOT."

The silence was deafening and Harry closed his eyes realising he had probably just screwed up everything, all in one sentence.

He stiffened as he felt breath on the back of his neck and then inhaled sharply as he felt the wooshing breath of Severus scenting his neck. Snuffling up into his hair and then back down to his shoulder. Harry instinctively lulled his head to the other side giving him free ran to do what he willed. A small gasp escaped from behind him before lips, warm lips met his skin. He sighed into the feeling of breath tickling his skin and a seering heat where lips touched it over and over again. Up and down in patterns, from shoulder to hair line behind his ear. A low growl sounded in his mates throat and a low moan escaped Harry's in responce. As teeth met flesh and worked there way over his skin. Skimming. Searching for that sweet spot.

Harry squirmed beneath him desperately trying to keep his body still but failing. His mind was beautifully blank just focusing on the touch. He almost sat bolt upright as Severus's hands snaked across his shoulders and down onto his chest, nimbly touching and feeling across his pecs . Slow brushes against his abs before steadily going back up again to feel every inch of him. He bit his lip to stop from moaning but as the teeth bit into the skin where his neck met his shoulder, he couldn't help but gasp and moan. The feeling was sharp and painful and amazingly pleasurable. As Severus sucked and ground his teeth into his flesh before moving the teeth away and rubbing the area with his tongue, sucking and licking all at once. Harry was nearly completely undone. Stars dancing before his eyes.

Severus drew away slightly.

"mine" He growled into Harry's neck before moving away completely.

Harry lifted one trembling hand to touch where Severus had been on his neck and then shifted in his chair so he could watch the man go into his quarters. His mind still blank from the experience. He slowly rose and followed him into his living space. Uncaring that this was the mans private qaurters. He followed up behind him and as the man turned moved his body flush to his.

For the second time in a week he had startled Severus, whos eyes were already wide as he turndd. He looked down slightly at him as he pressed his body against him. Harry wrapped his arms around him, cupping his hands around the back of his head. Pulled him into a feirce kiss.

This was not chaste It was passionate and as their tongues colided and fought for dominence Harry pulled his body closer feeling with satisfaction the other mans hands placed on his back for a moment. Before they travelled up and down it like he was making a map of the plans and dips there with the palms of his hands. His hands travelled lower and the dextrous fingers and large palms squezzed his arse. Then tugged him even closer making Harry moan into the mouth connected to his.

Severus siezed control and possession. Harry's legs nearly gave way at the sheer ferocity of his mouth being plundered, his body flushed up against him. Severus easily held him in place with his large hands, still gripping him close. Harry rubbed his arousal into his thigh making him gasp and Harry moan against the feel of Severus's own hard member against his lower stomach.

He made circular motions with his hips simultaneously rubbing his cock on Severus's thigh whilst also giving the other man glorious friction. Severus slowly moved them against the closest wall and then dug his hips into Harry in return making it all the more intense as they moved against each other.

A knock sounded at the office door in the other room just loud enough to break there conection. They both growled at the intrusion, before connecting their lips back together. Harry started moving his hips again the thrists quickly matched by Severus. Panting slightly into Harry's mouth. Deep primal feelings welled in Harry's groin. A moan escaped Harry from just feeling his mates lust, heightened his own.

"Sev." A voice called from the office. Severus stood up straight imediately and Harry nearly fell to the floor. Staring up at him accusingly before another call.

"Uncle Sev." Severus quickly crossed the room and retucked his shirt as he went. Before running his fingers through his hair to flatten it.

" Draco. What brings you hear tonight?." Harry crossed the room, tugging on his shirt to make it straighter and adjustrd himself in his trousers. He listened intrigued by the conversation. He would wait here until Sev. He laughed at the name in his head. Came back to finish what they started.

"Are you ok uncle you seem. ... flustered?" Harry bit his lip to stop him laughing out loud.

"I'm fine Draco, what can i help you with? Are the Prewitt twins giving you trouble again.?

"No, no that situation seems to have been resolved since you er... spoke to them."

"So what can I do for you?" Harry could hear the slight frustration in Severus's voice.

", I, I need to speak to you about something... er... I ... would call personal. "

Oh no. Oh no no no. This can't be happening. This just can't be happening. Wny now of all times?.

"What prey tell is that?"

No no no no. Please don't. Please don't go there. Harry thought furiously.

"Well its about 6th year Sev. I , I don't know how to tell you this but speaking over it with Neville ..." The voice trailed of again.

Well i guess its time to face the music. He reached a shaking hand out and then stopped himself. Taking a moment to compose himself. It was all quiet on the otherside of the door. He didn't want to do this but he pushed the thought aside and then pushed his way into the room.

" I really dont know how to tell you this.." The silence stretched at Draco's mutter as the door creaked open.

Severus was seated behind his desk once again with Draco sat lazily in the chair that he had sat in just moment's ago. His heart was hammering out of his chest as Severus's eyes shot up to him. Shocked that he would enter the room.

"Severus." his voice made Draco turn to see who had just entered the room and his eyes fluttered at the sight of Harry before him. As if it was to much to take in at that moment. Had he done that everytime that Harry diverted his eyes as he walked past.

"I hate to interupt. "

"Then don't." Draco snapped at him. Harry just caried on taking measured steps into the room.

" Severus you know I told you about 6th year, about the man i was with in sixth year." Sudden dawning spread across Severus's face as he looked between his godson and his mate.

--'--

This couldn't be, it just couldn't. How could he just moments ago be marking his mate. After moments before that, finding out he had been with others. To get to the point where he found out his godson and his mate.

He could feel the blood draining from his face. Of course this was the case, he berated himself. You can never have anything for yourself Sev. You should know that by now.

"Severus" Harry interupted his thoughts. "I didn't even know who you were at the time. I just didn't understand "

"And that would of made a difference" He answered his voice sounding dead to his ears. He stood and moved to the small window in the room. Staring out with blind eyes.

"Uncle Sev. " The shaky voice of his godson. He couldn't look at them.

" It may have changed some things, yes.. How though I can't say, I can't go back and find out either." He could tell by the clipped tones of this that Harry was becomeing annoyed. He sighed but still couldn't face them.

"Do i regret it. No i don't. I needed someone to love me Severus, someone for me that actually cared and that I cared about too. You can't be angry at me for that. There were lots of things in play I didn't even have control over. Choices that were made, without ever consolting me." He turned then and saw Draco gapping at Harry. His insides twisted and his mind growled. Was that longing in his eyes. He shook his head. Draco turned back to him and whatever it was he saw there, he knew that Severus caught him gawping at Harry's words or because there was something in Severus's eye Draco stood up very quickly.

"I should go." He anounced to the room in general. Shuffling quickly out of the room. He watched him leave and then turned his gaze on Harry.

"I'm sorry." He said plain and simple.

"You knew you had a mate or you would. You knew. How could you have done this.?,"

Harry looked at him with pleading. His need to be understood had stripped away all his masks and Harry the real Harry stood infront of him. He hung his head.

"How long did you know I was your mate?" The question took him by surprise.

"When you recieved that stinging hex from Hermione."

"So before I started anything with Draco then?." And the implication stung. He should of been the one to give him comfort. He should of been the one to be there and he wasn't.

"You were a child and you saw Dumbledore, he forbid it." He tried to justify.

"And if I was a child, I was making a childs mistakes. A child Who had never experienced love and care. You could have given me that without it being sexual Severus. But you followed an old fool. You have no idea of the laws or power that surounds being a veela because if you did, you would know this doesn't lie with just me."

The words floored Severus. The vehement way they were spat at him. The truth in every single word. The way they made his stomach quak.

"And the man recently?" Harry scoffed. "You werent a child then."

"No but I had waited 6 years for you and I had hope to start with but then... then there was nothing. As I said before I am not a monk." He strode to the door." I am fed up with justifying myself. What about you Severus? What about your actions? You are not innocent in all of this. You made choices. You took actions, It isn't my fault that this has happened. Only my fault that I succumbed to it and who woukd blame me ? You have no idea, none at all of what my life actaully is" Quietly he exited the room..

Severus was stunned. He was right he had never admitted his own part in all this. He found his desk and sat with unseeing eyes. He was as much if not more to blame than Harry could ever be. How could he have been so stupid. He had pushed him away from the very beginning and although he knew the basics, it had been years since he read of his kind. Mostly the rituals as most teenagers do. When he had it wasn't overly much beyond that, not really. Of course, someone like Harry would not be alone, could not be alone, should not be alone, not after all of that. . Why should he be? Why did he expect him to be with no promise of anything?. Didn't normal relationships mean that there was a past. Didn't he infact have a past even if it was an unwilling one. He sat like that for how long he did not know. He blinked and came back to his office. He needed to fix this. He pulled a quill, ink and parchment toward himself and began to write.

Dear Harry.

I am truly sorry for everything. Especially for tonight. You are right I should hold myself responsible and I think for us to move on I should give you the same courtesy that you gave me. So let me explwin the best I can. Firstly, I do not know a vast amount about this, that is something I should and will rectify. Let me discuss our past I feel this is most important right now.

In the beginning, I didn't know what to do. I knew that i was in a percarious position and without the support of Dumbledore and my usefullness to the Dark Lord, I would end up dead by one hand or the other. I will be honest and say it never acurred to me to be a support for you. For that I was very wrong. I spent the 6th year avoiding you thinking of my own position. Even as it tore me apart in ways I will never be able to write,

In the 7th year I had a dire need to be with you. I was certain I would die at some point and to be close to you didn't seem like it mattered much or would be something that would last long. I took comfort in being near you. Indulged in it. It was unfair and selfish but I thought, why reveal myself when one day soon I would be dead.

But then I lived and you left and I was scarred and broken from all manner of things. Some I am very sure you were well aware of and I'm sorry for that. I'm exceedingly sorry you had to experience those terrible things. I took time to heal but everytime after that when I thought of you it seemed impossible. In all honesty, I thought you would reject me. I would have rejected me. I am not young. I am not anything to look at. I do not have an easy smile and I'm difficult to get on with. I treated you horribly.

You . You, on the other hand were young and beautiful. You lit up a room even in 6th year and you always made friends and was easy going. Why would I want to tie you to someone like me?. Who spent years struggling to deal with what happened and truthfully was in such a dark place for so long even after the war. I didn't want to tie you to a broken soul and for a while I couldn't trust that inwas not still broken.

It is only now that I realise I did more damage than good by this. Especially after the war. Especially when i was healed and still ignored my instincts, wants and wishes, in fear and sadness.I should of let you decide and make a choice for yourself. I should of at least explained in some way done anything other than what I did.

I have let you down. I'm sorry.

Severus.

He didn't even bother to read it through twice before folding it up and settling into his robe pocket. He checked the time, it was 4 am. So he pulled the never ending paper work towards himself on the desk and plowed through it the best he could, with his head full of cotton. His heart was bursting out of his chest. As it banged against his rib cage. This would either make them or break them, he thought. Move them forward or forever pull them apart.

It was a slow walk down to breakfast that day. He didn't stop at his usual spot to look over the grounds and for Harry. It was unlikely he would make three meals in a row, so he tapped his pocket with the letter in it, almost like a nervouse tick. Deciding to go to the owlery after the breakfast hour. He had nearly completed his meal, when the staff door pushed open and Harry walked in.

Harry looked at him with almost fear on his face, before crossing behind his chair and taking his normal seat with Hermione. no pop of Hermione's magic was present as he sat down, so he leaned slightly in their direction trying to catch some words of their conversation.

"Are you ok Harry? You look awful" There was some muttered response to this that he couldn't make out.

"Severus looks a wreck are you sure your ok? What happened last night?"

"We had an arguement." Came the lower response. Severus pulled the letter from his pocket and with a wave of his wand, sent it to his mate.

He held his breath waiting to hear some kind of responce. The ebb and flow of quiet conversation washed over him as he sipped his coffee.

A small gasp could be heard from that side of the room but who it was he couldn't tell. He shifted his eyes sideways so that he could see what was going on. Harry's cheeks were red under his dark freckles, his hair was pushed back in one hand as he studied the parchment in the other. He couldn't read the expression but he smiled inwardly as Harry's lips moved as if he was speaking the words he read to himself. He darted his eyes back to his plate.

He heard a whispered conversarion and then the feel of Hermione's magic spiked. The feeling of calm washed over him and he hadn't even realised he was missing it before until it hit him full force. He sat and nursed his coffee unsure of how to proceed. Should he go over and talk to him or wait here and wait for his reaction. His eyes slid back to the two a seat or two down. He saw Harry waving his arms around turned slightly away, Hermione grinning at whatever he was saying. Before her head darted out and spotted Severus. He quickly pulled his eyes back to his empty plate.

He should leave he should definitely leave.

This was a stupid idea. What had he been thinking?. His brain couldn't make sense of it at all. Harry was obviously upset, yelling even but miss Granger had been smiling. The thoughts swirled in his brain.

His face held in the empassive glare that he had mastered long ago but he was stuck in indecision, he brought his cup to his lips. He should move, he should go but before he could move to get up the scrapping of a chair sounded, then hot breath was on his neck.

"Thank you. This has meant alot." Harry's breath tickled his ear. He looked up and over his shoulder and Harry was leant over him hands gripping the back of the chair. The memory of the night before made pink creep up Severus's cheeks he was sure. As Harry leaned in his heart stopped. Was he going to kiss him like last night in front of eveyone in the great hall?

But his head just hovered by his ear again. Hot breath against his skin for a moment before his lips moved lightly tickking his ear as they brushed across the sensitive skin.

"I will be waiting for the details of our first date Severus... With baited breath."

And then his pressence was gone. All the noise from the hall surged into his ears. Severus slowly pulled himself back together. He was defintely going to need to wait a moment before he could leave the table.

000000000000

Harry had waited only a few hours for an owl to arrive with the offer of a date that Friday night to a restaurant in Hogsmead. He stared at the note for a moment and then tucked it into his pocket with his letter. He shooed the owl off. Knowing it was waiting for a reply and waited for the right moment to send a yes back.

He worked on, feeling a little dizzy and relieved about it. Stoically shifting from one tree to another lopping limbs where needed and always making sure he was alone when he did so before hand. Some things were best if people didn't ask to many questions about. Like how he was using magic that way?. Why did he look like he spoke to the tree first ? When did he learn to climb a tree like that?. So he was already on high alert, which meant he caught the light snapping of twigs and rustle of leaves well before anyone entered that part of the forbidden forest.

" Sir" He turned around and blinked at the man

" I'm on a break " He told them gruffly turning away.

" The bank" The man trailed off

" I haven't worked for the bank in over a year and they know why... Leave "

" I have been instructed to make quite the offer though. I think it would mean you wouldn't have to do such menial things " Harry chuckled darkly at that

" I've never needed to do these things... Get out and tell the bank never to approach me again" Thank God the man took the bloody hint.

He was still pretty relieved to be leaving the forest for lunch that day, though. How had they even gotten onto the property? He had no idea.He was also grateful that Hermione had agreed to have lunch in a courtyard that day instead of the great hall. Especially after the night before and having to bite his tongue even further when he did see Draco. The third relief was that she was already there.

"So he has asked you for dinner?." Hermione's eyes grew wide.

"Yes and he explained alot of things as well. I'm sure we will talk about it some more at some point. " At this point he waved his letter. " I just feel like we have actually got some kind of chance."

"Oh harry, I'm happy for you...but" She bit her lip.

"But..."

"Don't rush into this just because you want love. Really find out about him first."

"It's Snape how much more do I need to know? I have literally seen the worst."

" I know, I know but see what you have in common. See if it will work for a long time. He has said he wants that but last night didn't seem like there was much waiting involved. " She blushed. Harry smirked. Her words though did ring true. Wizards did live for an awfully long time and he was part veela as well. He sighed

"I know you're right Hermione but I have just waited a long time for this..I suppose a little longer wont hurt. "

They talked for a while about what he would wear and what the place was like that he was being taken too. The anticipation of what the evening would bring and things to talk to the stoic man about. Eventually they separated and headed to their respective jobs. Harry had to admit he was getting pretty used to speaking quite so often, he should of known that Hermione would get under his mask she was always good at that.

Soon I'm going to have to ask him what his been up to the last three years. Hermione thought to herslef as she watched her best friend leave through the gate.

Harry spent the next few days in quiet excitement. To the outside world he was still quiet and brooding but within him his stomach would flip and the nerves were building. As Friday aproached he was almost convinced that he had come down with something. He couldn't really eat and time was going immeasurably slower than usual. On the actual day he walked across the grounds wondering what he was even going to talk to Severus about. It was one thing to talk about what to talk about, it was another to do it when nervous. Giggles and calls followed him but he was too distracted to notice.

He had to do something special. He had finally decided. Something that maybe the other man had not had before but what? It seemed cliche to get him a gift or to write a poem. Especially considering what would rythme with Severus or Snape or Stoic and Dour. He chuckled away in his head. flower, sour, flabower. He didn't know what he was doing anymore. He came up to Hagrid's hut and nodded to the man before making his way into the woods.

Maybe a charmed braclet, but it was too late to get one of those, and was that a bit much for a first date. He could get him a bottle of firewhisky or brandy or something. Would that imply he needed to be drunk to be there. He sighed, deeply swishing his hand and then grabbing the axe that had appeared. These thoughts ran circles in his head until he felt dizzy. The swish and thump of his axe helped to ground him, but the thoughts wirled and danced none the less. A crunching sound came from the direction of Hogwarts and the sound of snapping branches. Harry straightened up and adjusted his dagger on his belt. Eventually, Neville Longbottom came out into the clearing that Harry was working on. He had changed over the years. Outstripping Harry in height by quite a few inches. Thinner than he was at school but still with noticeable muscle along his arms and chest. Must be hauling plants from the greenhouses all the time, Harry thought. He straightened up and threw his axe at the stump he was working on clearing. He strode toward the new man in the clearing.

"Neville it's good to see you brother. I have meant to come and say hello."

"Good to see you too, Harry. It is my fault for being so hard to find." At this, Neville blushed there seemed to be an underlining issue here, Harry mused. As if he had truly been trying to avoid him. He stopped in front of him and leaned up against one of the old trees and just observed. He had learnt that waiting would often lead to more information rather than asking outright. He was not wrong.

"I'm dating Draco now you see."

"Ah." Was all Harry could think to say. Well that explained alot. He wondered what it had been like the last two weeks dating Draco.

"Yes welll. I take it you understand why that may have been an issue then." Harry nodded but kept his mouth shut.

"I know it was a very long time ago but Draco has found the whole thing hard. I think he believed that you used him."

That made Harry straighten up and anger flarred wthin him. He literally did everything he could to make him as comfortable as possible. He took steadying breaths to calm himself.

"Perhaps I did to a point but it didn't mean my feelings were not real. That it didnt mean everything to me at the time." He muttered at the end. "Will we be ok?. I have missed you."

"I think we will. Eventually but it depends..." That took Harry back but he sat tight lipped waiting for a reason. "Are you really with Severus?"

"Yes." he didnt understand how someone who saw what they did would question it but then remembered that he had left in the middle of it all. Attention probably on Draco at the time and Draco no doubt had not told him of his encounter with the head or have all the information as he left too.

Neville visibly relaxed. As if Harry had been some kind of threat to him but now was seen as nothing but his old friend.

"What are you doing?" He asked, casting an eye over to the axe and large stump of a fallen tree. A couple of hours were spent together as Harry explained what he was doing and then Neville explained what he had been up to for 5 years. Harry let his words wash over him, not really joining in the conversation.. As the hour got later Harry started to feel fidgety, he wanted to be away to get ready.

"So what have you been doing the last 3 years. " Harry's head snapped up at the question. Did he even really want to say and did he have the time. Probably not.

"That my friend is a long story that I can't get into. I have a date tonight. I must go and get ready." Neville smiled broadly at him and as they trapsed up to the castle, Harry told him about his date, leaving out the part about his nerves. He got pulled into the green house and handed him a small plant .

"Trealius Tactarner." He said in way of explanation but Harry just cocked his head to the side unsure of what it meant. He knew the plant was healthy and happy but... Latin, " It grows as your relationship does. It's a very good present and has magical properties, once it matures to a certain age. Snape will love it."

Harry thanked him alot. It was nice to have Neville back in his life. It felt like it had with Hermione just slipping back into normality. As he left he felt a surge of hope for his future. In his wildest dreams he hadn't thought this was possible.

00000000000000

Severus paced the anter room of the great hall..only now being aware that meeting here, with curious eyes around, may not have been the best plan. He checked the time with a tempus charm and then looked around imaptiently. Sighing inwardly and then continuing his pacing. He could see old professor McGonagall standing at the top step seeming to observe all that was going on in the chamber below. She had obviously caught wind of all that was going on.

A door creaked and a small motion from the corner of his eye caught his attention. The man striding toward him on silent feet caught his breath. Harry walked with the confidence of a lion. His freckles were blessed with a light blush beneath them. His curls were pulled back into a knot at the top of his head and his shirt was the most beautiful shade of dark almost black green. Making his eyes pop and dance. Around his waist a silver thick chain holding his dagger rolling back and forth with the sway of predatory hips. He licked his lips suddenly feeling dry and parched.

"Severus." The man said low and almost in a growl. "I, got you a present." And then Harry looked him up and down and licked his lips also before fishing in his pocket and enlarging a plant, defore his eyes with the wave of his hand. The wandless and wordless magic took Severus's breath away, just as Harry's apearance had. Where had he been these last few years he wondered. He took the plant inclining his head and then for the first time really looked at it. A Trealius Tactarner. He raised an eyebrow at the young man.

"Do you know what this is called?"

"No." and as Harry paused Severus felt a clench in his chest. Of course he didn't, it had been stupid to suppose he did or the significance of giving this on a first date..Almost a promise of forever, definitely a promise of just the two of them or it would die. Then Harry carried on talking. " I do know that this plant will grow as our relationship does and that it can be used as a very powerful and rare potions ingredients once it reaches a certain point. or so I'm told. "

Sevurs felt the heat rise to his face and knew that his cheeks would be flushed. Harry's eyes sparkled and he realised he had noticed. He mulled this over in his mind as he shrunk that plant back down with a flick of his wand before slipping it into his own pocket.

"Thank you Harry," He murmured and watched the man's reaction to his name, a slight shiver and a stronger blush. "Tactarner are normally given as a promise at the beginning of a relationship and I appreciate the... gesture. A promise of striving for forever nearly and a promise of just us."

Harry's hand shot up to rub the back of his neck and look away before he met his eyes again.

"I am glad that it is a promise of both and that you have accepted it." He finally said simply.

A sigh came from above them and both black and green eyes turned to McGonagal, who was leaning over the railing and giving them a look of aproval and almost whimsy.

Severus sighed inwardly but Harry sighed aloud.

"Shall we depart." Harry leaned in and whispered to severus.

"I think that would be wise." Severus said observing the other ocupants of the hall and stairs, who all seemed to be looking at the pair. "May I?." He asked before crocking his arm at harry. He smiled up at him and placed his hand under his elbow and into the space offered.

That first date was largely rather awkward. Both men left with a very strong feeling of defeat . The conversation died easily and many subjects seemed awkward or just stuttered and stopped before they even really began. Both retreated rather rapidly after reaching the front doors of the school. both paced rapidly around their rooms till the early morning before both fell into a fitful sleep.

It took alot of courage for severus to approach again for another such encounter. Harry decided to take matters into his own hands this time and took them into the forest after his short four day break. A apointment he seemed to not be able to get out of he was told.. He had charmed a glade clear and to stay so and the warming charms had worked to keep the early October air from burning into Severus's skin. Harry and severus worked better this way and Harry spoke alot about the trees and the wild life. As Severus joined in about the plants and fungi found in spring and autumn. This at least was better than the first.

The third took place the day before Halloween, severus had planned for a small walk and then maybe a few drinks. Dating was never his forte per se, having never actaully done it before but making it simple seemed to work well for them. A quiet and secluded walk on the cliff's of Cornwall, often in comfortable silence, sometimes in murmured conversation then became a favorite and would often involve their hands being wrapped together and warm against each others touch. Harry looking up at him and almost looked like the boy he used to be, rather than the powerful and broad man he was. This made his heart feel soft and warm that at least here was open and glimmers of who he had been shown through. It was as if it was all just still there rather than fundamentally changed forever. So rather than getting to know a new person, which would have been fine. He just needed to peel back layers to find the old.

Severus noticed that anything within a crowded space, such as London or any non-specific town, set Harry on edge and could often shut him down completely and make him uncomfortable. They opted instead for rolling hills and dark forests, large swathes of marsh or peat bogs. Harry always seemed more alive within nature. Often barefoot and free. Hair blowing in the autumn wind, as they crossed vast landscapes together. the conversations grew deep and meaningful.

Harry had also taken to coming to his office two or three evenings a week and sitting and just reading in his presence of late. Severus would often be working on a potion or his paper work but the evening often ended up with Harry curled under one of his arms and into his body while Severus held a book in the other hand. The other rested on his mates chest, being warmed by the contact. these times truly meant the most to him. They honestly meant everything and he would quite happily live his life like that. It was enough. The dreams were a touch inconvenient at times but this was truly special.

--'--

"He hasn't touched me once." Harry laid staring up at the ceiling sprawled on his bed, so much like the years he had spent here as a boy. Hermione looked down at him in surprise.

"No wonder your so sour lately."

"I am not sour." He growled.

"No of course not." She said rolling her eyes, before going to the kitchen to make tea.

"I am not sour." He grumbled to himself. It was nawing away at him though That in what 2 months he had nothing but his arm wrapped around him or Severus's hand in his. He wracked his hair with his fingers. He loved it but seriously 2 months.

"Maybe you should initiate?" Hermione called popping her head round the frame before popping it back into the kitchen.

"Oh yeah. " He laughed darkly." What wait for him to come and have a cuddle and then just plop myself on his lap. " He laughed mockingly at the idea. Hermione entered with two cups and sat on his bed, he sat up and took a cup from her.

"Why not?." She asked matter of factly and Harry chocked on his tea.

"I can't do that." A blush past up his neck and over his face just thinking about it. What if he stood up and pushed him away or on to the floor. He Inwardly groaned at the thought. Hermione just shrugged at him and sipped her tea.

"The old Harry would of. Hell the old Harry would of done more than that and alot sooner... but if you can't then stop moaning about it. " Her eyes crinkled in amusement as he spluttered again. Dear God this woman.

"I will think about it." Was all he could manage, after gasping for a air for a full minute . For a moment her smile became small and feline and scarily just like minervas.

And he did. The thought followed him around as he checked the various herds that day. Mid november and a harsh Scottish one at that could lead to mulitpile issues with the thestrals, hipogriffs and unicorns. Feed also needed to be dispensed. All the while his brain was swirling around just one image, him straddling severus and kissing him.

That evening after dinner he made his way as usual to the office. He heard the silken voice bid him enter before he even knocked and smiled to himself. Their bond seemed so much closer already maybe tonight would be the night. He crossed the room lightly on the balls of his feet and tucked himself on the settee that Severus transifgured every evening for him to sit and read on. He picked up his book and tried to concentrate on reading but although he loved to read about many subjects, his mind would not allow him to concentrate on the book of quantum mechanics he was holding loosely in his grip. His eyes just slid across the page, unseeing and his senses were on high alert.

It only took half an hour for Severus to come and join him on the seat and pull him to his side like he often did. Normally he could sit like this for quite sometime before the man would join him and Harry's skin crackled and heated at the early contact.

It took 23 minutes for severus to reach over to his book, loosely gripped in his hand and take it away from him.

"Is everything OK?" The silken voice murmured by his ear. This was it. He just had to take this moment and everything heightened and flared again but he just could not do it. He gulped and looked up at his mate.

"Everything is fine" Harry's eyes skittered away, his voice was calm and even but his insides squirmed.

"You have stared at the same page since you got here. " Severus pointed out, amusement in his voice.

This was it. He either did this or fled. He looked back up into Severus's eyes before shifting his body around, not breaking eye contact. He stared into them while swinging his leg over his mate and sat himself lightly in his lap, legs on either side of him. he watched as the dark eyes grew wider and shivered as his hands slid up his thighs and rested lightly on his hips. they sat for a moment like this with a challenge set in the air, before Harry huffed and pressed his lips to his

There was little surprise In the first moment just acceptance and warmth. The kiss started, gentle, soft feeling and emotion swirling between the tongues that brushed against each other, until finally deepening and becoming hot and passionate. Hands started sliding over each other and Harry's moved from resting on a chest to moving into hair and then slowly moving down and thumbling with buttons.

Severus pulled away startled by the action but harry swooped down on his neck and started kissing it as a distraction. listening to the blissful moans and groans as he kissed him from jaw line to shoulder. Hands back to resting on his chest. His teeth felt itchy and his mind wirled with the need to mark him. To show him that they were each others, that he was his and only his. The feel of skin beneath his lips moved from being salty and warm. To being hot and almost pulsing, wanting, needing him to sink his teeth in. He bit him lightly, methodically working over the skin as Severus moaned again causing Harry to see stars just at the sound. he became frantic searching until he found the perfect spot just over his collar bone as he pulled the shirt awat away with his hand and with triumph he sunk his teeth into the skin that called to him. Sweet bliss washed over his senses as his teeth sank in and ground into the flesh. Then his body took over sucking then licking the space. His own mark was silver on his neck having heeled 2 months before. Now the completion of the marks made both their bodies hum.

Severus wrapped a hand into harry's hair and pulled him into a fierce kiss once the mark was made and the magic flared around them, nearly gutting the fire in the fireplace beside them. Harry's hand flew down to start unbuttoning his shirt again and Severus's hands crept up his thighs and slowly undid his buttons from the bottom of his shirt. Soon, their bare chests were pressed together. They both leaned back into the sofa. Harry instinctively rolled his hips into Severus's, who gasped and quickly grabbed onto his Harry's hips and pulled him closer, guiding him to do it again. their mouths disconnected and severus sunk his head into Harry's shoulder, peppering it with kisses as harrys head lulled back slightly, his hips found a rhythm against his mate.

Severus leaned his head back with a moan and grasped harrys lower back before he started rutting up with his hips to meet Harry's. Their cocks hard pressing against fabric and each other within there trousers. Both men lost to the fabulous friction of it all. The feelings of intensity grew in Harry's groin as Severus's upwards thrusts became almost frantic. Green eyes met black as they watched the other pant and moan as the intensity increased. Harry's hands had travelled down to Severus's hips inside his own thighs. Finger nails biting into them holding on tight while severus held onto his waist keeping him steady.

Severus's lips were bruised, a flush was creeping up his neck. His hair was sticking to his face caught in swest, his pupils blown in lust. The moment he unravelled his eyes widened his lips parted and a guttural growl left his throat as his head was pusued back further. Watching his mate so undone, Harry joined him, crying out his name and arching his back into the glorious feeling of release, Then he slumped onto his chest. the magic ebbed and disapated around them. The world shifted and swirled slightly, before becoming stable again.

"Did we just?..." Severus's voice trailed off. It took a moment for Harry to register what he was saying and another to find the energy to reply.

"No, we didn't just mate. we marked each other, though, which is a step. Mating is more ritualistic..I would imagine mating would be more... intense." His eyes drifted shut for a moment but was pulled back by severus again.

"More intense?" Harry chuckled he wanted to lift his head up and look at his mates face but his body was jelly and he just couldn't find the strength. He felt the cleaning spell sweep over him. Severus must of had more power over his body than he did..Niggling doubts started to creep into his mind. What if it wasn't as good for him as it had been for himself? Such an intense experience because of the magic and because of who he was. This thought and this thought alone made him move and lift his head from his chest. Severus's head was lulled back, but at his movement, he jerked it up and it wobbled slightly on his neck. Lazy half lidded eyes met his and a small smile graced his mouth that Harry had never seen before. Severus pulled them over so they laid on the sofa in each others arms. Harry needed more though.

"Was that, was that OK.?" He asked voice small and slightly wavey.

"That was the single most intense experience of my life. " The soft reply came to his ears. Harry snuggled down into the embrace.

"Has it ever been like that with anyone else?." a quiver just detectable. So unSeverus like.

"No,"Harry replied through a breath. "Sev that was ... that was beautiful. " Was all that Harry could think to say and then strong arms wrapped around him tighter and he truly felt safe in that moment probably for the forst reap time in his life.

--'--

Most of the kids were leaving for christmas, and Harry was thrumming with excitement at the prospect of having the head teacher more to himself and of promises made of going one step further. As winter set in the jobs around the grounds died down and it mostly consisited of feeding the herds. Long languid evenings were spent wrapped up in Severus's arms exploring each others bodies, always careful not to go too far. Although the ache in the pit of his stomach to take that final leap grew stronger with each passing week for him. Severus just laughed or gave him a wicked smirk before kissing him on the temple and would take him in his mouth until he forgot for a moment what the end goal of that evening had truly been. Wrapping his hands in the mans hair and calling his name to the night sky before devouring him in kind. Soon though he consoled himself. Soon.

Their bond had grown he had noticed, he could not only feel the larger feelings of his mate but also the small niggling ones that kept him up on some nights. the calmness enveloped the castle and not just a room. When they were together the feeling grew to one of not just calm but peace, acceptance and painted around the edges with a new sensation, many would call love.

He watched as the train chuffed out of Hogsmead and carried on watching as the sound and aura of hermione apraoched.

"You seem well." She said quietly, once she had stopped beside him. He quirked his head at her and noticed the knowing glint in her eye.

"Quite." He replied, a small but meaningful smirk skidded across his lips.

"I'm glad" She said quietly and they stood and watched the distant smoke rise above the tracks leading up a mountain.

"What about you?" Harry asked. Turning to her again and quirking an eyebrow.

He never really had known what had happened with her and ron. She met his eyes and then looked away.

"It has been ... a while." She replied but no sadness lit her eyes. He nodded at her answer.

"Ron?" He asked quietly.

"Side tracked by his job." She sighed. "He will be visiting soon, I believe. " She said. He thought about that for a while. It had been along time since he had seen him. His eyes travelled over the forest as he nodded to her words again.

His eyes flitted to a movement by the gates. A small group was making their way to the castle, and they were greeted by Draco and Neville. A woman, blonde, tall, arostocratic and a man with brown slicked back hair and weather hardened skin. He sucked in a breath as his pale blue eyes roamed the castle exterior like he was searching for something.

"Oh no." He breathed.

"What, what is it?"But Harry had already turned away.

"He can't be here." He muttered as he skipped down the steps and down. He had to see if it was him. Nothing else seemed to matter at that point. As he came to the stairs going into the anter room his steps slowed. Voice drifting up to him.

"Ah, Narcissa. It is good to see you." he heard Severus call into the room.

No no. He had been happy. How had he found him, why was he hear?

"Ah, Sev. It's lovely to see you. Thank you for having us for the festive season. "

"And this is?" His mates voice asked almost indifferent.

"Mattheo Leston. He is my preserve manager and close friend."

"We were not expacting a second we will need to sort out other quarters for him I pressume. " Severus voice was laced with hunour. He heard a smacking sound and new Cissy had hit him lightly on the arm.

He made it down to the last sweeping curve of the step and the guests came into view. He slowed further and tried to control his breathing. Severus eyes went to him first, probably wondering at his nervousness, questions in his eyes. The others all turned as his gaze was diverted. They stood in a group all in the chamber, Cissys eyes lit up when they landed on him and so did Matheos.

"Harry." Cissy greeted. Much to the surprise of those around him. Matheo smirked the only one not taken aback.

"Cissy" He greeted before stepping of the bottom step and sweeping over to her, kissing her cheek. Matheo's eyed him up and down and the nerves blossomed once again. So aware of his skin tight dragon hide and bare arms.

" Samder Lake hasn't been the same without you." She said, pulling him away and holding him at arms length to look at him. " I was so happy to hear you were back in england. " Harry inclined his head at her words.

"Samder Lake." Severus's voice cut through

"Yes." Cissy answered a slight frown at Harry before turning to Severus. " He came and stayed at the preserve for 6 months or so, wasn't it Harry."

"5 month and 13 days, Cissy." She laughed a tinkle at his reply.

"Yes, something like that, then you were gone. I haven't heard from you for 9 months or so now." She frowned at him again lightly.

Draco just stood there exchanging a shocked look between the two of them.

"9 month 4 days. " He replied again

"Well don't leave it so long, you have owls use them." She smiled at him " You know Mattheo?."

Harry inclined his head to Mattheo, "Greetings again." He said but it felt bitter in his mouth.

"Harry." he heard Hermione call. She must have followed him down. She came to the bottom of the stair and stopped at the group in front of her. He seized the opportunity to depart, he just hoped she would play along.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He turned to her. Shooting his eyes to her and then up the way she came. She looked confused and as if about to say something so he jumped in before she could "No it's fine. I will come and help you now. " He turned to everyone and bowed at the waist slightly before joining her. Not missing the look in Severus's eye, as he caught it before leaving.

Shit.

Hermione looked at him strangely but he led her back up the stair. She didn't push for answers until they were alone.

"What was that about?." Harry paced the floor in front of her, pushing his hair back from his face. Then squezzing the nape of his neck with his hands.

"What am I going to do?" He mutterd..

"What about Harry?" He didn't hear her.

"He can't be here."

"Mattheo?" This pulled his head up sharp. How did she know?

"His a famous preservationist Harry." He frowned at her and kept pacing. Nerves almost making it hard to breathe . Whistling in and out of his chest. She watched him for a few minutes and then stepped in front of him, stopping him walking and clasping his shoulders in her hands.

"What's wrong?" She said, almost shaking him.

"His the reason I left... he... I... I had to leave.," He shuddered.

"He was your third?." Hermione said, throwning. He honestly didn't seem like Harry's type.

"What, no." He flung out into the air. " He wanted to be. He ... he... found no hard." He sighed and leant against a desk, almost sitting. Shutting his eyes, knowing he had already said too much.

"What? You need to tell Severus." Harry laughed bitter.

"Oh yes, that will go well. " He gave her a scathing look.." Oh, you know the man your family brought over, well he nearly raped your mate." He looked at the floor as hermione gasped. " I will just have to avoid him."

"Harry, you can't keep this away from sev." She pleaded.

"I can't tear what family he has left apart." he cried, throwing his hands up into the air. He calmed his breathing. He needed to just avoid him for Severus's sake. " It will be fine. They will stay for just a few days. I'm sure they will be in the dungeons. I can avoid them. It's fine."

"They're staying all break."

"WHAT" She stood back from him as power surged forward filling the room and crackling around them.

"Their Draco's family and the heads," Harry crumpled his magic disapearing. Puling it all back in. She was right. This was going to be hard. Nerves erupted in him even stronger. ngtujfd gftujjvf htuuhv

He was too cooped up and exposed all at the same time. He needed and he needed nature. His magic felt too full, and his brain was skittsh. He made his excuses and left. promising to meet hermione for dinner. The idea, though, made his stomach flip. He wondered into the forest and followed the power lines of the wards before coming to a clearing. He could feel the thrum of magic in the earth and he cleared a circle of snow with his mind to stand in it taking deep harsh breaths..Taking his shoes off he let his feet sink into the cold wet soil.. He took his dagger from its sheeth and turned it around in his hand and then closed his eyes, feeling it with his mind and his fingers. Holding it toward his chest, he allowed his magic to ease over the blade and felt the slight pull on his magic. It took it in slowly, controlled, and Harry fed it slowly and controlled. The jittery overcharged feeling slowly ebbed and faded. As he felt more balanced, he opened his eyes to the world once more. The stone in the daggers hilt glowed and pulsed.

" To the lines of the North, the South, West and East.

To the senses of sight, taste, hearing and touch.

To the power of nature, light, water and dark

I offer this to the earth."

He plunged the dagger into the soil before him and watched as the glow slowly died in the hilt and then petered out before pulling it from the ground again. The vast magic easily swayed from tugging and pulling on his much smaller one.

"I haven't seen a ritual like that in a long time."

Harry wipped around unsure of exactly who he would see.

" My mother. only once. " His wide eyes met black deep ones, and they pinned him to the ground. He couldn't read the expression. Technically, these types of rituals were frowned on, but not illegal. He bit his lip, worrying what the man would think. The silence stretched, and Harry felt the nerves rise again with every rising moment.

"An old tradition, one from our kind." Severus rose an eyebrow and Harry relaxed. Of course Sev would know, if his mother had done it. Yet his education was patchy at best, so... What was the reasoning behind that. Gods, his mind was frazzled

" I learnt it in france." Severus looked vaguely curious at Harry's words. " I went there after I graduated." He looked to the floor." Among other places. " Then he met his eye again across the clearing.

"Obviously." Severus murmured before crossing the distance between them. "I would like to participate at some point." He breathed as he moved closer, stopping just a small space away. Harry's heart soared at the thought and then blushed thinking of some of the more obscure ones he had learnt about. in theory. Severus smiled down at him. "Those too." Harry quirked his head to the side. Still blushing. "What was wrong today." Severus asked eventually. after shaking the thoughts from his mind.

"Nothing." Harry said slightly sharply and stepped back from his mate.

"There was definitely something.." Severus said, stepping toward Harry, closing the distance once more. Harry thrummed with the closeness of them, but his nerves were shot. He looked around, eyes darting.

,"Its... It's just, Mattheo makes me feel uncomfortable." Severus surveyed him. It was not a lie so he felt he could meet his gaze and hold it and he did.

"Why.?" Harry shrugged. Not wanting his voice to betray him. "I can feel you, you know."His heart sank.

"I just don't want to talk about it."

"Is he dangerous." Not to you. He thought, not to Cissy or Draco or Hermione. He had never hurt Harry actually, just was very persistent and had a gleam in his eye. That night flashed before him, well, maybe he was dangerous. He would not kill.

" Hiis pressence will not kill me" He sighed.

"I can ask them to leave."

"Their your family I woukd not ask you to do that."

"He is not."

"He is a guest of your family."

Severus ran his hand through his hair, frustrated and gazed back at him. Harry stepped forward and leant his head on his mates shoulder, slowly arms wrapped around him.

"It will be fine." He whispered. He recieved a snort in reply.

"It had better." And harry closed his eyes at the thought of it not being.

Dinner was awkward. He tried to focus on Hermione as Severus and Cissy talked quietly and passionatley, sometimes drawing Draco into the conversation. His jealousy would spike every now and then when he wouldn't have expected it. His nerves jangled, and his senses were on edge. Mattheo laughed at something Severus said, and his eyes flashed, and he felt like he could kill or be swallowed by the ground and disappear and be happy. Well, at least not here. he sighed and turned back to hermione. She kept sending him questioning looks but their conversation stayed on light topics rons visit, next terms sulabus, Harrys plans for spring in the forest.

A hand fell on Harry's shoulder unexpectedly and he jumped twirling around and his hand flew to his hip and rested on his wand. Black eyes looked down on him in his mates face and they conveyed so much. Worry, questions, comfort, interest. Harry immediately relaxed.

"The family are having drinks in the Malfoy suite I would wish you to attend. " His voice as always low and silky but the edge of an order behind them. Harry nodded mutely. This could go so very wrong, Mattheo, Draco, his mate. oh my. " Meet me at my office at 7." Harry nodded agian. At least he wouldn't need to walk on his own. He gave Severus soft eyes of thanks before the man turned away.

He went straight up to his rooms after dinner, waiting for the Malfoys to leave first so he wouldn't have to walk past them. Looking through his closset, he pulled out several options. The nervous butterflies pooled and spread in his stomach. He needed to look his part, the mate of the headmaster if that is what he was going as and he knew Draco knew so pressumed at least his mother did.

He pulled out navy dress robes, with stars glittering on them but threw it aside.

The arms were too tight, showing off his muscled arms he didn't want that type of attention. He ran through his robes and found them all lacking. All acentuated a certain part of him and tonight, he just wanted to be covered. To be inconspicuous. He could almost cry.

00000000000000

The knock on the door surprised Severus. Not knowing who it could be at 6.45 and hoping they wouldn't stay long. Harry would be here soon, and he wanted to make sure he was ok before they left. He couldn't refuse the offer. The temptation had been to do so anyway, just over his mates anxiety, but then...

"Enter." He called out as he walked into the office adjusting the shirt sleeves and buttoning the cuffs with the prince cufflinks. He looked up in surprise when Harry entered and even more so by what he was wearing. Even in winter, Harry generally showed off his muscled arms and wore tight dragon skin or leather trousers. Only opting for more traditional wear in the evenings but something that always fit well. Always brought the eye to some key feature of his person.

Now though, he had pulled his hair back sharply and flat against his shull. Flattering his beautiful curl and then hiding the rest in a tight bun on the top of his head. He wore a suit jacket that was two sizes too large to make the tailoring work with his frame. Underneath the grey, a dark blue polo neck jumper that looked stretched. Unlike so many of his others that hugged every muscle, every line with its softness.. The trousers matched the jacket, grey oversized and topped with a brown ugly belt. nothing was attached to it. it just sat loose, so not to synch his clothing to close to his waist.

Concern started bubbling up in serverous even further like a fire. He knew Harry had been anxious since meeting the Malfoy's, but maybe he had played that, feeling down.. He should have taken this more seriously. Something had definitely happened with Mattheo. What had Harry said earlier? He wouldn't kill him. The possibilities of what he might do suddenly went a shade darker than Severus had originally anticipated. He had honestly thought originally some kind of argument.

"I have something for you." Severus said, running on instinct. This had been a christmas present but now was a better time. If Harry had told him what was wrong, then maybe it would ease his mind, or he could throw the man out. This may be overkill, but it was always going to be that. Green sad and worried eyes met his. he hated seeing him like this. He contemplated forcing it out of him but knew that would likely push Harry over the edge and into anger afterwards. He reached into his desk and crossed over to where Harry had settled himself in a chair.

He knelt down before him so he could catch his eyes and showed him the red little leather box. ," It's your christmas present. I feel now would be... A justified time to give it to you. " Harry smiled softly. It didn't touch his eye.

He opened the box with a flick of his thumb and a small necklace, silver twisted strands looping around one another in spirals like vines getting thicker as they went. To meet a leaf pendent that was enamelled in autumn colours. Harry's smile grew genuine as he touched it. eyes becoming watery.

"Severus, it's beautiful. you shouldn't have." He whispered. severus dipped his hand into the box and then moved around Harry to clasp it around his neck. A small glow of magic settled, and Harry's hand shot to his neck and touched it before turning to look at severus. A small frown settled between his eyes.

"It's a portkey necklace. You touch the leaf and say home. You will land in my office." Harry's eyes grew wide, and he turned further to stare up at him.

"It's too much severus." He started reaching around and taking it off.

"No, it isn't, you're my mate, Harry. I couldn't live without you. This will keep you safe. " He smiled back down and then moved around to stand in front of him again. He reached down and pulled the other man up out of the chair and into his chest, wrapping his arms around him.

"Whatever is happening, I want you to be safe. I also want you to tell me when you are ready but for now being safe is the most important thing." He murmured into his hair. before pulling him away and looking into his eyes. Gods, what was this? What was happening as unshed tears sat in his green eyes, and he pulled him closer. Harry pulled away after a few moments.

"Will I be going as your mate tonight or as a friend." Harry asked in a small voice. Looking away slightly. The older man studied him for a moment, wondering if this was what part of the worry was about.

"My mate, of course." Harry eyes searched his face for a moment with his tilted to the side. Then nestled into his chest once more. " We should go," Severus whispered after a few more minutes of holding him in his arms. His nerves were becoming more on edge by the minute. He didn't like not knowing, and he could feel every spike of Harry's feelings, too, which were setting him on edge further. Harry nodded in his chest and then went to move away. Severus pulled him in close one last time and placed a kiss on his temple before taking his arm and leading him out. Maybe he would get answers this night anyway.

He could tell that Harry was trying to control his breathing as they walked down to the dungeun. he didn't want to do this, he realised. Even to get answers, it was the wrong way to do this. He thought about stopping and going back so many times that he actually got annoyed with himself for still walking. Slowing the pace, he waited till they reached a certain tapestry before pulling Harry into it.

"We don't have to do this. We can go back. We can lay on the sofa and drink firewhiskey and cuddle or read, or I will even play explodong snap." Harry laughed at this gently, knowing how Severus hated that game. " But I don't want to see you like this, and I don't want to put you through that. So we are going home." He said decisively. To his dismay, Harry shook his head at him.

"I'm not stopping you from seeing family Sev."

"I can see them tomorrow."

"No love, we will go now. It's fine." He turned a watery smile on Severus. But his ears were ringing, did he just call him love. Did he... Did he just. he let himself be led down the halls and stairs. As they entered the dungeuns, his mind began to clear and he looked down at Harry happily kissing his temple before turning the corner to the suite. Harry's feet faltered, Mattheo was leaning against the wall, foot resting against it. Severus scowled at him and patted Harry's hand that was tucked into his arm when he looked up from him. Mattheo was gone.

They walked into the room, Severus's eyes narrowed at amattheo as he took the man in. He was larger but not in a muscular way. He wasn't fat either, but definitely wasn't thin. his hair was a mousy brown, he sneered at the audacity of having such hair. He licked his lips as he realised Severus was observing him. He wasn't as tall as Severus nor as short as Harry. his skin tone could only be described as pink. in short, he was lacking, very lacking. ahis eyes swept the rest of the room, and his eyes brightened as they landed on Narcissa. She walked gracefully across the room and towards them.

"Severus. Harry, it's wonderful for you to be here." Eyes swept over Harry's apparel. She was graceful enough not to say anything. Not even a light frown or a pinch of the eye but she obviously knew harry, obviously new this was strange.

"Thank you for having us." Harry murmured next to Severus. Draco and Neville arrived at that moment. Draco looking confusedly at Harry for a split second before covrring the surprise. Drinks were handed out on floating trays. They stood about for a few minutes exchanging murmured greetings and how are yous.

"Now Sev I take it Harry is your mate. " Cissy began as they group settled into chairs around the fire. Mattheo became very interested in the cinversation, and Draco studied his drink.

" Yes, that is correct." Severus answered, inclining his drink toward her and drapping an arm over Harry's shoulder. Ignoring the urge to glare at Mettheo. Dawning realisation of what this may actaully be. He could almsot kick himself for not realising sooner.

"I'm surprised." The insufferable man had the audactity to speak. He felt Harry quak slightly under his arm. "He was not mated when I knew him, and I knew him... well."

Harry's head and Dracos shot up at this news. Severus gave him a calculated look before answering. His insides quaking at the implication,

" It was a complicated time with the war. It never felt appropriate until this year." He sipped his drink. " I know of Harry's past, but he has not mentioned you." He said pointedly. Staring the man down.

"And yet here I am." aAd he had the audacity to smirk. Harry stiffened next to him and then leant to his ear.

"Just leave it, Sev." He whispered, Severus turned his head to nuzzle the side of his face gently with his own before he pulled away. Getting the reward of a sigh only meant for his ears and the feeling of nervousness decreasing. As he looked up, Cissy caught his eye and shifted them slightly, indicating she wanted to talk away from the others. He nodded his head very slightly and caught Dracos eye and shifted them toward Harry narrowing them slightly. Draco nodded back and whispered to Neville before he rose and leant over Harry to kiss the top of his head.

"What was that." Cissy asked as soon as they were far enough away.

"I wish I could tell you I knew for sure Harry has been a bundle of nerves. He told me something happened and won't say what. He would not let me ask the man to leave, he is afraid of pushing you all away from me."

Cissy sighed. "It is not good whatever it is. I have never seen him like this or Mattheo for that matter and the things he was implying." She shot the man a look before turning back to Severus.

"I think it's sexual." Severus said. Cissy gasped at his words, her hand flew to her mouth, all propriety gone. "I have no proof, he won't speak, but Cissy, you must understand that I, from experience, think it's sexual."

"Severus, this must be killing you. It must be killing him." He allowed his eyes to darken and his face to express his true feelings for a second, she gulped and looked away.

"I have overstepped and understepped so many boundaries with Harry already. I don't want to do anything to push him. Not now, not when it's going well." He sipped his drink. " I must just wait for him to be ready... I gave him the necklace."

"That's good." sSe patted his arm, but a movement caught his eye at the sofa, Dracos eyes were shifting back to Harry. there were no spikes in his feelings, just a ball of nerves, but he thought he should go and see.

"Let's go back. I need to see Harry." She inclined her head.

They sat and severus looked him over and then shot a puzzled look at Draco whose eyes darted toward Mattheo, then the ceiling, then Harry. Severus hissed before checking Harry over again. Nevilles' eyes grew wide.

"You're the dominant," The annoying voice chipped in, Severus eyes twisted over to him. " I wouldn't have guessed that of you, Harry. How exciting for you, " The man said, crossing his legs and licking his lips slyly. Yes, subtle enough to go over Harry's head for sure. he would imagine in this state a lot was.

"We do not as a species discuss such things," Severus almost purred while his wings were itching to release. "How is your work, Mattheo? Tell me of the reserves." The man's eyes lit up at the subject.

"It is doing well. Thank you for asking. It is a little bit less bright these last 9 months or so. For 6 months there it was very bright very...fun. Harry was doing some earth magic. I think he called it and it hasn't been doing so well since he left." Harry stiffened again, but severus guessed for other reasons. Waiting for the others in the room to react to the use of that magic.. He hadn't missed the innuendo in the statement though.

"Harry, I didn't know you could do that." Neville chirped in

Severus squashed the roll of his eyes. His a veela a very specific type of veela.. He sighed inwardly and it's not something we talk about but Harry interrupted his thoughts.

" Yes, well, it is not much talked about but I find i have an ifinty to it." He answered quietly. The room was balanced on a knife edge waiting for the reply.

"Facinating, could you help me with some research around it in the green House in spring." Something in Harry's face must have shown his aversion for this idea. "Or help me with some projects that could really use some of that type of help." Neville added quickly.

Neville monopolised Harry for the rest of the evening. Talking about ideas for the coming year. Severus had never felt so grateful for Longbottom in his life. He discussed potions with Draco and the running of the school with Cissy all the while watching Mattheo from the corner of his eye. The evening came to a natural conclusion as everyone started to drift in their chairs. The night was older than it should have been, but it was a holiday after all, and Mattheo was thank god mostly silent. Maybe he had been put in his place, but how he had no idea. Severus sent a look to Cissy to the clock, the number 9. A look toward the ceiling and pointedly at Draco. She nodded.

"I'm afraid we must depart from the eveing. It is getting late and although it is a holiday I'm drowning in paperwork." He stood gracefully before anyone could answer and stretched his hand out to Harry. Who caught his eyes with a grateful stare and allowed him to pull him up. They exited quietly murmuring goodbyes, then Severus steered Harry up to his office. Harry was surprised that he wasn't taken home, casting questioning eyes at Severus, but he wasn't willing to let him go. Not tonight, he knew he had done the right thing giving him the necklace now too. He wanted to give him comfort that he himself had never had as well as keep him close and protected. A deep down instinct in him.

He steered a drowsy Harry to the bedroom and transfigured the clothes he was wearing. Short of burning them, changing them into pajamas was the next best thing. He steered him to the bed before getting changed himself and climbed in next to Harry and pulling him against his side. The younger man snuggled into his side and sighed. For the first time that evening the nervous bubble disappeared and nothing but perfect contentment washed into his brain to mingle with his own.

Sleep pulled them down into it's embrace. Severus desperately clinging to the one thing in life he truly loved and that was truly precious.

--'--

Harry's eyes fluttered open and was in a cloud of comfort. The peace and calm he felt was so tangeable he felt he could almost reach out and touch it. Light was streaming into the room and Harry wasn't surprised to be alone. Severus was a man of routine he had learnt and it seemed to extend to mornings. He padded his way into the living space making himself some coffee and pouring cereal into a bowl. Padding again over to the sofa and tucking a book onto his lap to read while he ate. He hummed lightly at an interesting statement and devoted it to memory reading it over and again till it stuck. Light voices started drifting into the room from the office but Harry didn't pay that much mind.

He flicked another page over and then something changed with the emotional bond. A spike of anger, adrenalin, maybe something more. Harry stopped and looked at the door to the office for a minute, the feeling didn't subside. He laid the book down with his cereal and padded over to the door.

"He had no remorse and did not deny he was inapropriate or seem to care, he just said he and Harry had an understanding, and it would work out in the end." Harry's stomach dropped, the nerves bubbled within him.

"Harry, come in. You have heard it anyway. You may as well join."

His stomach dropped further but it was with a head held high and a confident stride that he walked into the office.

"Well if you will be full of rage at this time in the morning love then I will come and see why." He smirked at the slightly parted mouth which would of been a jaw drop on any other person. Before transfiguring the cussion that they used as a sofa and sitting down smirking.

"Well yes love, I'm sorry for that." and it was Harry's turn to hide his surprise.

"Mattheo" Harry asked a slight edge to his voice. quaking yet again deep inside himself, the light banter not lasting long to hold that feeling away.

Cissy looked between them for a second. "I aproached him about last night it seemed highly inapropriate." She confirmed. Harry just shrugged. honestly, it had been worse before, "He mentioned an agreement."

"Yes, I heard, no such agreement exists." He met Severus's eyes. " it would not if I had a mate or not, he is not ... apealing." Severus snorted and everyone stared at him.

"Well he does have a type." He eyeballed Draco for a second. Cissy just looked confused.

"Yes well even his aura is not, let's say palatable" Severus frowned at this he had not noticed his aura. Interesting and he filed it away. Harry raised an eyebrow at him.

"What do you mean?." Cissy asked, her eyebrows raised ever so slightly.

"An aura is the energy and magic around a being. Even muggles have them but they are not strong. This castle even has one as it's so enbued." He looked at severus who nodded for him to continue. Talking about auras and bonds was very rarely done. He could see Severus's confusion for the permission but maybe he may just learn something too.. "aAmates aura is not just the essence of that person but almost like a calm island in a stormy sea, home if you will. Now in my research in France, I discovered a second type of aura that can be attractive. I had encountered one before but didn't realise what it was until that point." Harry looked to Draco asking for permission at this point and a moment past before he nodded his head, very slightly. " This is almost a mate in the waiting, if you will. All veela have the right to decline their mate, all mates can decline the veela. their mate can be human, veela or creature depending on compatability. That means that not only the mates aura would be how do i say... appealing. This second aura is pure excitement, expectation, the thrill of a surprise. if a mate is rejected or they reject the mate, that bond, the mate bond, would shift to that aura and make it feel calm. making it a mating bond."

Everyone was silent in the room. Harry observed severus sitting very pale and looking with unseeing eyes. Dracos eyes were wide and staring at Harry. Cissy was deep in thought, probably working over what had just been said.

"The only auras that vaguely interests me apart from my mates is an almost mate. It has happened twice in 6 years. If severus or I had rejected each other that bond would of past on. vVela mate for life thohgh, so once mated that is the choice, regardless of the future. "Harry laid soft eyes on severus. "The primary mate is always preferable, the first if you will. The feeling being with your mate is quite possibly a hundred times better than anyone else who was neither.. I wouldn't change it. tTey are the perfect match from the entire planet." He looked at Draco " The secondary mate choice is often someone you know, someone you already cared about before your inheretence. They are often submissive and completely have a choice in the matter. As any one mate does as they have an amuinity to the allure." He winked at Draco when he looked up blushing. "atheir feelings may increase but they would of had to of been there on both sides for the bond to grow. "Cissys eyes had grown wide as Harry carried on speaking directly to Draco.

"The third." Severus murmured.

"The third, fourth and fifth etc, will only come about when second, third or forth move on from that connection or fall in love with someone else. Then the bond will move to the next suitable..Mostly this doesn't matter to much for most veela. They meet their mate, they bond, and any second or third choice does not matter or even exist. It is when it takes years to bond or rejections but not outright, that this then becomes an issue and these mates in waiting become made. Lady magic pushes and pulls in all directions. Creating a second choice until that fades and then produces a third and so on.

"It has never happened to me this, feeling."

"Rarely for some there is only one" Harry looked at him with sharp eyes. "For some few, they lose the ability to see and then would not recognise what is in front of them. for most, they were never nearly rejected by their mate, or their mate never wanted the distance in the first place."

they stared at each other for a moment.

"Mattheos aura is fine, I guess. It is pruple in places which is highly unusual and it feels oily. But regardles if he had the most beautiful aura on the planet, it would not compate to my first mate. It's that simple."

"it's oily.?" draco said in disgust.

"Yes. It's strange most auras are like touching butterfly wings." He said wistfully. "Cissy, your aura is yellow and orange with swirls of royal blue." He smiled at her and sighed. "I wish you could see it."

They all sat there for a while a bit stunned as Harry sat quite relaxed amongst them.

"So, no obligations." Draco asked after what felt like 5 minutes. Harry just shook his head. Nerves bloomed again. ahe had enjoyed talking about something he knew about. He was grateful for the opportunity to just say that out loud to both Severus and Draco but it always seemed to to go back to something he didn't want to think of. He steadied his hands from shaking by placing them on his knee.

99999999

"Will you tell us what happened." Everyone looked at cissy as she spoke. Surprised by the gentleness in her voice.

"It doesn't matter." Harry bowed his head the light quickly going out of him. They all noticed his change as he drew into himslef. Tucking his feet under himself and placing his arms round his body.

"It really does, Harry." Severus whispered softly over to him

"It really doesnt it may not even be anything I dont know." An image of that night flashed before him blurred and slodding sideways, mixed with the nausea of that night. " He makes me unconfortable. I dont want to ruin Christmas for everyone."

Cissy darted her eyes to Seveeus and then to the porions cabinet and then to his door. Draco nodded. So did Severus. He walked over to the cabinet and picked up some vials. Walking over to Harry, he extended his hand and Harry looked at it wearily.

"Come on I think you need a day off and rest." Severus murmured. Harry took his hand and realised he was shaking all over. The embaressment washed over him and his nerves flared a knew. He didn't think he could hold any more of them but there they were.

"Now no need to worry or be embaressed we have all had bad days. Come on." And Severus steered him to the living space and back into bed. He pressed two vials to his lips one after the other and kissed his forehead.

"I'm so proud of you."Harry heard as his eyes drifted shut.

"I love you." Floated toward him through the dark and he wrapoed himself in those three words and slept.

--'--

ahe had 6 hours, 7 hours tops to sort all of this out and come up with a plan. Blast all of his anger out of his mind and then be there when Harry woke up. His mind wirled through posibilities. The aura was interesting but without a centaur or a decent divination teacher who would know anything about it. The centaurs had pulled away this past term and they had the worst divination teacher on the planet, he wondered to his normal window and looked out over the view.

"Head master." Something in Hermiones voice made him turn, it was almost fear. "Have you spoken to Harry? " He nodded curtly.

"He will not say and I need to respect that right now and not push him his highly upset. But seeing him tear apart is really hard. I need to pin this guy on something but I don't know who to ask. Auras are not something many know about." He mused talking almost to himself.

"Seveurs, I could look into it. If it's in the library I can locate it. For Harry, I will do anything." It all suddenly clicked in his head. information. Gathering information. He smiled at Hermione, who looked quite pale at the sight.

"That is an excellent idea I will write you down what he said about it and you can let me know. " He strode away..A new purpose in his steps.

This coukd work, this could actually work. he strode out to the green house.

"Ah, Neville. Can you pass a message to draco for me." Neville, who had been working at the bench, nearly shot his trowel through the window in surprise

"Of course." He said steadying his hands on the bench and then wiping them on his apron.

"Thank you. Oh, and also thank you for last night. Harry really needed the distraction. You're a good man." Neville gave him a tentative smile and then Severus quickly jotted down a note. Of course it would look like a simple missive but then they always did. Thanking Neville again and almost giving the man a heart attack, Severus moved out into the grounds.

"Hagrid? " He called into the hut as he aproached and the broad man apeared.

"Yes eadmaster." He said walking toward him down the garden path..Severus smirked at him. This plan might actually work.

"Did you know Mattheo Leston is at the castle. He maybe interested in the herds and the programmes we run here for them.

He may have some suggestions about care of magical creatures as well. Very interesting oh, and the work you and Harry are doing. magical forests and this type of magical creatures within it ... Wrll thats very rare and impressive to balance." He watched as Hagrids eyes lit up in glee. "I can introduce you. " Severus offered generously. "Also, Harry isn't well. His come down with a malady."

"Oh no I ope arry is OK." And Hagrid crinkled his brow

"I just think it's the weather and the fact he hates shoes." Severus said in a bored tone. "He just needs rest.,"

"Are, most things feel better after sleep. " Hagrid nodded his head, sagely.

"He will need a few days off, I'm afraid." Severus was pleased to see hagrid nodding along. "Would you like to come and meet Mattheo now." Hagrids eyes lit up again.

"Give me a second to take the water off the stove and I will be right with ya." And he bustled away.

Within half an hour they had hunted down the man in question and within an hour, Hagrid was pulling him to the forest. His lips spread and lifted up in a way that may make most people shudder, if they had seen him and he made his way to the headmasters office making light conversation with portraits as he went. Putting out feelers and spies in all directions. On the floor to the office he touched the stone wall as he walked down the plain corridor and laid a hand on a plain grey stone for a few minutes before the smile on his lips returned. He stood at his favorite window for a few minutes clearing his brain from all his anger and solely focusing on the course of action ahead. Before moving up the staircase and into his office.

Cissy looked up from where she was perched on the sofa.

"He hasn't stirred. I sent Draco away to go and keep an eye."

"Mattheo is currently with Hagrid, and I believe Harry is unwell, so I have given him a few days' leave." He smirked at her. "It would be interesting if someone contacted his places of work and asked a few ... innocent questions." He raised an eyebrow. Cissys eyes widened

"You think that they would find anything if they did" Her voice sounded thoughtful but the crinkle around her eye gave away her distress.

"I believe it maybe beneficial to not just one but ... many." Cissy rose both eyebrows at this and then nodded at his comment.

"Very well. I must attend to some business. I will see you at dinner?"

"Breakfast most likely." He inclined his head as she left.

He made his way through to the living space and gathered some items around the kitchen before setting them up in the bedroom as Harry slept. He wondered to his desk in the office and read through some paper work before signing on the dotted line. His mind kept drifting back to the bed and the comfort of holding his mate. He wondered the office tidying up the space and putting stasis charms on his potions. Moving around the living space he picked up some papers on the side and filed them away and then called a house elf and ordered food bringing that into the bedroom as well. He closed the door and locked it, flicking his wand to ward the room and gave any warnings of anyone entered the office.

He looked down at Harry just looking at the smooth planes on his face. He looked like the boy he used to be in adult form when he was sleeping. Arms sprawled out hair wild and messy. He smiled down at the sight before going to take a shower and change. Finally, he slipped into the bed beside him and held him tight, Harry back pressed into his stomach and head lulling on his arm. He smiled into his hair and surounded himself with the smell of rainfall and apple blossom. How long he laid like that he didn't know nor did he care.

--'--

Harry laughed as Severus pinned him down on the bed, arms above his head, his hands clamped around Harry's wrists.

"It has been two days." He cried."I can not live in this tower indefinitely." hah smiled up at him.

"You have needed to rest and here i can protect you and keep you and hold you." Severus scowled down at him but a small quirk of his lips made harry laugh again.

"Looovvvveee" And he squirmed in his hands and Severus laid flush on top of him, then nuzzled his face into his neck.

"That's not fair." Harry growled out as Severus's hands ran down his sides, he found himself squirming for other reasons and hot lips started pressing against his neck and a hot tongue ran up his neck only for cool breath to send electricity through his body.

"No no no." Harry said and tried to roll away under him. He couldn't get distracted, Ron was coming today, He wanted to see his friend. It did feel really good though and if he had just carried on for just a few more minutes, Harry knew he would be lost to the feeling and sensations of his body. He didn't though, after a little ovrt 30 seconds, he allowed Harry to roll away from him and start getting dressed. His eyes wondered over his nearly naked body as he hauled his dragon hide trousers over his hips and secured them. Adding his silver belt.

"Are you perving." Harry said with a laugh in his voice

"If I must not see you all day then I must have something to get me through." Harry rolled his eyes at the mans dramatics. He could tell he was being dramatic because although he was calm and his voice didn't change from it monotone sound. He flopped back onto the bed and sighed after saying it. He walked over to him and climbed on the bed. peppering his face with little kisses

"It will be just for a few hours. Ron is coming today." He chided. Before getting up and putting on a long sleeve shirt and tucking it in.

"I got you this." Severus floated a flat looking large box over to harry.

"It's christmas in four days, Sev." But at the scowl on his face, he thanked him, knowing there was no point in arguing. He opened it, and a new jerkin laid over crisp white tissue. He touched it and then gasped. "Dragon hide." His eyes widened at his mate.

"To go with the trousers. " Severus acknowledged before getting up and starting to get dressed himself. Harry wracked his eyes over his body, appreciating the view before turning back to his present.

"It's to much."

"And yet you have it, so put it on." There was no arguing with Sev when he was like this so he shrugged it on and it fit perfectly. Sev stalked over once he was dressed and from behind started swooping his hair into a low ponytail.

"Severus. " Harry moaned but allowed him to do as he willed. He felt himself get pulled around, and dark eyes swept over him.

"Perfection." He whispered and Harry blushed at the intense stare that bored into him. He went up on tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek but darted out before severuss arms could capture him and then he would never leave.

ahe clattered down the stairs and then calmed himself before stepping out. He wasn't surprised when he discovered Hermione on the other side of the door. She arched an eyebrow at him.

"Your late." She pointed out tersely.

"I know." He said with a smirk.

She gave him a double take and then tutted and they walked away. She told him all the news of the castle as they went.

The bloody baron had spent half the day chasing peeves around the castle but nobody could figure out why. The owlery was suffering with owl fever and although it was easy to rectify, the owls were all laying around, and nobody could use them for a week. Hagrid had found a unicorm who was fowling and had put her in the sheds. Harry gasped at the last.

Fowling at this time of year?" Harry said, shaking his head.

"Hagrid has been with them over the nights. He said the fowl and mother are doing well. "

"Yes, but still. " His brow furrowed and they walked on in silence. To fowl 3 months early. To be pregnant three months early was a rare thing. He had never heard of it before, but then why would he. He was no expert. Hagrid new what he was doing, he was sure and with those thoughts they stepped out of the front entrance and toward the gate.

"Aren't you cold? " Hermione looked at him as she wrapped herself in her cloak but still shivered. He cast a warming charm around her.

"Yes" He said and she gave him a weird look. " It doesn't mean im uncomfortable with it though. " He explained.

They walked on in silence and waited by the gate. Hrry was full of energy bouncing from foot to foot. He had enjoyed the last few days. There was no denying that. Having the headmaster to himself for two languid days and soft hazy nights was... intoxicating. Nemories surfaced of their laguid explorations and he loved every moment of it but to be out of that room and to be out into the crisp air was amazing.

Soon a figure aproached with bright red hair bundled in his own cloak. A scarf wrapped around his neck and lower face. His eyes fell on the two and his pace picked up. Harry waved a hand at him. Using a warming charm to help the man out. He looked startled and then eased his scarf away from himself. Smiling his weasly smile. He ran the last few meters to them and all three joined in a large hug.

"It's so good to see you."

"It's been so long."

"Where have you been?"

Their words of greeting overlapping each other. they walked up to the castle babbling over one another. It felt like times of old as hermione walked in the middle of the two men and all three clasped hands. The excitment palpable between the three.

"So how has work been?" Hermione shot at Ron. As they entered the large castle.

"Long." Ron sighed. " It's been kinda hard lately." And he sent her a fervent look. They walked through the halls and pasages, Harry leading them to his favotite courtyard. Filled with pillars holding up a over hanging roof. Winter roses set about the small space in beds of moss and rich earth. They stood in the centre.

"Where have you been Harry?" Ron asked again, realising he never really got an answer.

"Here and there." He replied cryptically. "France, Brazil. Belgium. To name a few." He smiled at his friends shocked expression. They all stood around and talked about the past three years.

Hermione didn't need to say quite so much, and neither did Ron, they had been in contact on and off for a while but for Harry's sake they talked about their training, their jobs, what they enjoyed. Ron explained what his job entailed and he didn't sound thrilled at it. The danger seemed to be wearing thin. The paper work was becoming an issue. He didn't sound bitter, just resigned to the path he had entered. Hermione talked about some of the students as they laughed along at some of her tails. Harry stayed quiet about his exploits, just mentioning training in France in the veela colonies and his work at Cissys preservation. Facts that Hermione had already known or guest about. Neither pushed for the other 2 years worth of his life. Feeling that they were on a razor edge already. Even if they were desperate to know more. Ron really hoping Hermione already did, but he was going to be bitterly disapiinted later on that score.

The conversation stopped dead at the sound of a door banging shut. Harry's eyes darted to the walkway under the eeves, and he spotted a familiar figure stalking down the hall. Brown hair and the stride of confidence. He was already on high alert and his heart sank at the sight, as his mind planned his exit.. Ron gave him a quizical look as Harry making a snap decision quickly darted to one of the pillars on the far side and just catching Hermione motioning a finger to her lips, before turning and waiting the arrival of the new comer.

"Ah hello there, Miss Granger," Mattheo stalked into the courtyard. " This must be Mr Weasley, who I have heard so much about." Harry tucked behind a pillar shuddered as the oily voice reached his ear. his trapped, and they are in conversation. He adjusted behind the pillar but there was no way to leave.His mind becomes foggy with panic.

"Hello sir this is Ron. Ron Weasley is an old school friend. Ron this is Mattheo ..Leston. he is staying with the Nalfoys this christmas season.."

He heard her holding onto politeness as hard as she could and pleasentries were past back and forth. Before Mattheo revealed his true want and Harry's ears buzzed.

"I was hoping to find Mr. Potter to er check and see how he is feeling after his illness." To their credit, Harry heard his friends not skip a beat and tell him they did not know where he was. He heard Mattheo disengage from the conversation and walk away. The feeling of panic slowly ebbed away as he did.

"Harry. You can come out."

Rons eyebrows were shot up into his fringe.

"Mate, what was that about." He asked as Harry approached them again. Harry didn't want to talk about it. How was he supposed to explain to his former best friend all he had been through with that man. A blush of embaressment crept over his face. A new panic started to rise.

"I should go. Severus will be wondering where I am. " And he slipped away leaving his friends talking in the court yard and ran his way back up to the heads offices and suites. As he turned the corner he saw a figure leaning against the wall oposite the gargoyles and his heart sank. Mattheo was leaning against the wall inspecting his finger nails. At the sound of his approach, his eyes shot up to look him over, and then he stood straight with a smile that made Harry shudder.

"There you are." He sneered at him. " I was starting to think you were avoiding me." And before Harry could turn and walk away, the man stalked over to him. The speed and the look in the mans eyes froze him to the spot. As he approached, he looked over Harry's form apreciatively. he passed by mere inches away from his body.

"Soon little dove and then you and I will be together. at last." His stomach roiled at the pet name he had given him after glimpsing his wings. The promise that was laced in his words. He stood still like a deer for several minutes before he could move. The magic of the castle thrummed about him and it honestly felt like it was extending comfort. He patted the wall gratefully for the castles concern and walked on shakey legs to the entrance of the headmasters office and sanctuary. It shot open just as he arrived and strong hands pulled him into a strong chest.

Harry looked up at his mate before resting his head on his.shoulder. Allowing the feeling of security to wash over him.

"What happened, Harry?" The black eyes bored into the top of his head like lazers.. He should tell him, he thought, he should just lay it all bare but he knew he had already put to much strain on this relationship. It had been so good lately that he just shock his head not wanting to speak. He heard the loud huff come from Severus's mouth and then he was guided up into the tower proper and away from the door. Away from prying eyes. Severus gently lowered him onto the sofa in his office that he made just for him and stood alone, while just staring down at him. Harry averted his eyes and picked up a book. A large sigh met his ears but he didn't look up and he heard the head master walk across the room and sit behind his desk once more.

00000000000000

Severus was finding it hard to concentrate. He had been reviewing the packet before him sent by Cissy. all the evidence of the despicable things that Mattheo had done over several years. All that he seemed to manage to make disapear or make people not talk about. Dark whispers and paid for confessions of dark deeds. Accounts of such horrible things that when he had first read it he felt sick to his stomach. The packet from Hermione laid underneath Cissys and was so far untouched but he was sure he would find the things of the same veins. Next to him a report of Mattheo's where abouts of the last few days, in Draco's hand. Gathering information from portraits. Nothing untoward there. Wondering the halls. Receiving a parcel. Spending hours with Hagrid. wondering the secret passages, but he needed to make sure everyone in the castle was safe, not just Harry, and that had been the intention. It seemed it had been well founded from what Cissy had found as well,

Then the feeling of fear hit him through their bond and he knew Harry wasn't far and he wasn't OK. The feeling enraged him, but as he opened the door and saw him standing there on shaky legs, all he had wanted to do was hold him, caress him but now he was in a conflicted place. He needed to get this to the aurors and get this man out of his castle. He had an inkling now of what harry had been through, even though he was sure it hadn't gone as far as some. Even though he had had a feeling well before that now it was evident this man was a predator and had a type for his prey. He still needed to get this man away whether anything had previously been suggestd or not. Whether it was just what he had already seen or it had gone further than that before. He just couldn't wrap his head around it going to a certain point in the past and Harry not telling him about it. yes, he needed to leave before he ripped his head from his shoulders and basked in the blood that would spurt over the castles walls. Just for what he had already done and whitnessed.

He looked over at harry though. His eyes were dead, no light where there was this morning. His shoulders were slumped and his hands were shaking where he heald the book. So this was the issue. Stay here and comfort this man, this beautiful man in front of him. That deserved so much and recieved so little actual care in his life. Soothing away his upset and making sure he was protected as his instincts told him too or leave him alone and find somewhere else that he could contact the auras from. Be caught up in meeting after meeting explaining and counseling before they came and he was swept up in finding and arresting the man that ultimately he would rather murder. All the while the gods only new if Harry would be ok.

He chose to stay, it had been a close thing but those eyes had looked up at him as he sat at the desk. The deep sadness within them made his heart ache. Tomorrow, he would contact them. Tomorrow, he would have the whole day but tonight he needed to stay and make sure his mate was alright. If not with words then with actions of care and love.

Decision made he swooped down on Harry and pulled him up and into his private quarters. He spent the evening feeding him and washing him and getting him dressed. Yes, the younger man had tried to protest to begin with but then he eased into the feeling of being looked after and allowed him to do so. He laid him on the bed and let his hands work over his back, his shoulders and into his hair rubbing away whatever memories he had as he rubbed the knots out of Harry's muscles. Gods what if he was wrong , what if it was more but that night he deftly pushed aside that, trying to be confident in knowing that if it had got even vaguely close to actaul rape his mate would of told him so. He looked down at him laying boneless in the centre of the bed and climbed in next to him and pulled him to his side. He watched as he slept before his own eyes began to drop and sleep claimed him.

000000000000

Harry awoke. It wasn't a gentle waking, his eyes didn't flutter and he didn't feel particularly safe or secure that morning. His eyes shot open at the images his mind had played out for him and his body was buzzing with nervous energy. He looked over at Severus, and yes, there was a soft feeling in his chest at he looked at this man. This wonderful caring man but it was overridden by the squirm and roll of his nerves being on a knifes edge.

He pulled himself gently out of the bed and noticed it was still grey and hazy. He recognised the predawn light and with one look down at the bed, he got dressed and decided that he needed to expend some energy. He needed to be outside and free of his own mind for just a while. He scrawled a note for Severus, aware that he would not approve of him leaving at this time but needing to do so, so much. He dropped it on the small table in the living space and exited on quiet and nimble feet.

He reasoned that he had his dagger. Was nearly covered head to foot in dragon hide and who would be up at this time in the morning, anyway. He walked down to the anterroom and pushed open the large doors revelling in the cold that bit into him. His bare feet crunched over snow and it felt like it washed away his worries. He slipped into the forest and wondered. Feeling the connections that forest made between tree and fungi and plant. A large Web of life that to his mind was its own kind of magic. The thestral herd came and greeted him like he was an old friend and he supposed at this point he was. He loves wondering through them, patting their backs in greeting.

The unicorns were always skittish, and he stood back and gazed at them on the edge of the clearing that they occupied. The large dominant male that led the group approached him briefly. It was just long enough for Harry to pass one hand across the animals back before the stallion wondered away again. The forest always made him feel better, and he felt more at peace here than at any other time.

So as he walked up to the castle his mind felt a little freer, his stomach didn't feel like he was going to throw up. More like there were just waves crashing within it. He felt better as he always did and he walked through the castle again back up to the office and his mate.

The movement that caught his eye down that blank corridor should have been a warning, but he turned into it, wondering who it was. The flash of silver flew toward him, and a cold sensation wrapped around his neck. He suddenly felt weak and drained. His mind fell quiet and numb, and the calm feeling that surounded him within the castle was extinguished as his back pulsed and rippled, and he crashed to his knees to the floor. His wings surged from his body, ripping through the back of his tunic and through the dragon hide jerkin. His mind registered shock that his wings weren't crushed beneath the hide, but it skittered away, and blankness rained. His wings drooped, and he wavered on the spot.

Mattheo came out from the shadows of an alcove, an evil smirk on his lips. He aproached like a lion who had finally feld a prey and was going in for a kill. His foot shot out and planted on Harry's chest making him fly backwards and skitter across the floor. His wings crushed beneath him feeling bruised and useless. He couldn't breath the painc rose within him and he couldn't breath. Suddenly Mattheos' face was hovering above him and his hand darted out and grabbed harry by the hair dragging him to the alcove. Harry cried out at the pain of his hair barely holding onto him from the roots, shooting pain through his head.

he was roughly shoved into a hidden passage at the back of the alcove. His wings were wide and he couldn't pull them in so they were smacked into the wall until Mattheo lost his patience and shoved them around him ripping feathers from them. Making tears fall down Harry's face at the pain. Still unable to do a damn thing.

"Well little dove now your mine. ." It was dark and he couldn't see the man anymore. Harry's breathing came hard and whistled in his chest. the pain was to much. hands ran down his chest, he could barely feel them through his jerkin until they ripped the hem of his tunic out of his trousers. Cold hands moved in the gap between his trousers and thick jerkin, just settling over his pelvis. the feeling of oily magic curled within him, and the warmness spread over his lower stomach and groin. fFeling like it was leaking from his body and into his trousers arse cheeks covered in that feeling. He whimpered. Then as Mathew stood he rolled him to his side and then onto his stomach.

I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. His brain repeated over and over. As the magic surged around him. The necklace. His hand barely obeyed him and he could hear the sound of someone thumbling with a belt. Renewed panic flooded his system and he forced his hand to comply. iIch by inch up and up, on the cool floor as a zip sounded. A groan hit the air. Then the cool necklace was in his hand. juat as his mind was cracking and splitting at this.

"Home." He murmured making the smallest of noises. He felt himself being pulled sideways from his navel and then landed on the plush carpet. He blinked several times pushing the tears from his eyes trying to still his breathing in his painful chest. His wings throbbing. His sight was blurred and his mind was confused for a moment, until he realised where he was and he allowed the blackness to take over.

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He woke with a start and looked around the cold room. Where was Harry. A feeling of foreboding hit him as he searched round the apartment. Only to be confronted with the note. His stomach twisted and he got dressed in a hurry. Something was not right. he knew something wasn't right. He rushed down the steps and only paused on the 4th landing at the sound of raised voices. He followed the sound and was startled by the scene of Hermione and Ron in a screaming match with one another. As he took them in, Ron cried.

"I don't care, Hermione. I'm telling snape Harry should have done it ages ago."

"tell me what." His voice hissed from his lips and both adults turned to face him. Hermiones eyes grew wide but Ron stepped up to him with an air of urgency.

"That man Mattheo, he found us yesterday. Harry was acting weird. He hid, professor. I have never seen him that scared. not since the 7th year. " He garbled at him. Things started slotting into snapes' mind. Mattheo was definitely the cause of Harry's upset yesterdsy then. He must if found him alone and his panic increased

"There's more," Hermione finally spoke." Harry confided in me..Mostly by accident... The man had tried to rape him. I I think it was a pretty close thing. It's why he left and why he has been the way he is." Severus stood rooted to the spot. His veins turned to ice all of a sudden and he was so shaken that his brain just didn't think for a full moment. He had been so utterly stupid. Harry had been utterly terrified. Why had he assumed it wasnt that progressed ? why Severus, why?

"Headmaster?." Ron called almost as if asking a question. As servus feet were rushing him away.

"Find Harry." He called over his shoulder and he rushed graceless from the hall, as fast as he could. his legs tripped and fultered as he ran through the corridors. . his body not obeying and giving him his normal grace. His heart was pounding and a wooshing took over his hearing.

He rushed down to the dungeons and on his way he trailed his hand along the stones of the wall. Images ran through his head. He identified the man the castle was to be on alert for. The responding feeling of magic felt protective and energetic, he hummed to the feel of it and then rushed on. He did not knock as he entered the Malfoy suite and was met by large round grey eyes of his friend Cissy.

"Mattheo." He called as he rushed into the room.

"anot here," She said, all frown and wide eyes meeting him.

"Call the aurors now I'm sure something is happening. The paper work is on my desk" He spun a full circle around the seating area as he spoke and steered himself back out of the room. The panic was rising and he had no idea where to go. A thought crossed him and as he steadied his steps as he went down the hall he reached within himself to find that part of him that was connected to Harry. He wasn't there. The feel of the tug and pull wasn't there either..He started to hyperventilate where could he be. He had always had at least the tug and pull of there connection since 7th year and yes, he had become adept at pushing it away, but why would it fail him now when he so desperately needed it. He wandered running this way and that. Having strange looks caste his way by the few remaining occupants, for Christmas. His unseeing eyes slipped past them. Their eyes were not green, there hair was not curled just so, they did not have his mates muscle or build or lithe form.

He was on the verge of a true panic attack when a silver otter swam toward him on its back and the flipped over to it's front when he saw him.

"There is something you must see follow me." The otter said in Hermiones voice and then swam back on itself. With renewed hope, Severus took in a large gulp of breath and followed. rRshing, picking up the pace and running, sprinting upstairs, and tripping round corners.

The scene in front of him had him skidding to a stop. Mr weasley head was out of a window and was heaving over the stone mantel. His heart dropped, fear ran through his veins like snow was being pumped there instead of warm blood. No, surely he would know if he was dead? surely, he would know?

Hermiones head popped out from an alcove looking green.

"Headmaster," She called and he aproached as if his body was in slow motion. Not sure if he wanted to see what had happened. A body awaited in the not so secret passage at the back. He looked down, the sight was sickening. A man laid with his head caved in as if a brick or large stone had smashed through the man with quite a force. his trouser belt was undone and zip was lowered. prick dangling out of his boxers. It was Mattheo and to Severus's eye he could see that this was still fresh. This had just happened. The sight didn't make Severus sick. It should have, oh god, it should have, but he stood there in satisfaction. Almost gloating at the fact the man was dead and gone.

As if the castle had waited for his eyes to look on the body before acting further, the slabs beneath the corpse started moving away and sliding up the narrow walls. Hermione cried out as a large slab pushed out from the side of the walls and rolled the body into a hole that had just been formed. the rocks and slabs slid back into place. The only evidence of any murder was the blood splashed across the walls and ceiling and the puddle on the floor. As his eyes watched, the blood seemed to seep into the wall, and soon it looked like nothing had ever happened here.

"If you are asked, you saw him leave the castle rushing away. " Hermiones eyes were round and shocked. " Did you hear me, Miss Granger." She gulped but nodded her head.

Where was harry.

He walked out and scurified Weasley and left him in the hands of Granger. He must be safe he just had to be. The castle would see him safe. He didn't look like he git that far even with his cock out. He reached into himself again. No, no sign. No feeling. No pull. He felt so lost, so alone, he hadn't realised how dependent he had become. How badly he needed his mate now. He just had to find him. He searched up and down the corridor for any sign. There were feathers by the alcove, he growled at the bpood on them. Drag marks along the floor and in. Harry didn't just show his wings to anyone though. He frowned. The smells of his mate were confused, Scared and it was fading fast. There were no other marks, no indication of exit at all. He walked around in circles trying to figure it all out.

He leant against the wall. His head spinning and feeling faint, only holding on by a thread. His breathing became harsh and the two others were standing and just watching him. Why didn't they do something? Why didn't they see? Where could he be?. He laid his hand flat against the stone to support himself and the castle once again shot images in his brain. Harry laying crumpled on a floor. His office, silver encircling his neck.

ahe ran. ahe must have unleashed his wings at some point because he flew up the stairs to his office sick and tired of waiting for his stupid legs and feet to catch up to his need. Black wings snapped and billowd behind him as he landed by the gargoyles, and they flew open at the stare and hawk like face and feathers that met their eyes.

Then he was there. Kneeling by his mates body. His wings were splayed painfully under him white and iridescent his top had been pulled between his trouser and jerkin but he was fully clothed. His eyes were closed and for a moment he didn't know if he was breathing. ahe snuffled around him. yes he was breathing. All instinct told him to protect, to kill for him. His mate was down. He looked at the silver circlet clamped round his neck and hissed at it, trying to prise it off with his fingers, but it just made him feel drained and powerless the more he touched it. He hissed at it again.

Sound came from the stairs. He spun to look at the new intruders and slowly placed himself over the prone body below him crouching over him feet planted and stance low. Ready to strike. His face was beaked and his hair feathered and standing on end.

hHermione rushed into the room and then quickly backed up, bumping into Ron as she did so. The hiss that escaped his mouth was purely the sound of an animal. Low and guttural, menacing. He lowered his body further. Part of him was fighting the instinct to pull himself together.. They were there to help. Harry sorely needed it. The other part was bigger and stronger though, part wild animal wanting to rip and tear and claw at anything that came any closer.

"Oh blimey." Said Ron in an awed tone and Hermione scooted round the wall backing away further holding her hands out in a reasurong gesture.

"Headmaster." He looked at her with hawk eyes, his head tilting to the side and a hiss escaped him again. "Severus. " His head snapped straight, and he blinked slowly. Feeling the pull of his logical side coming forward. " Harry's hurt Severus. we have to get him to the hospital wing. "

He looked down at his Harry and then back at his friend and over to the red head. His wings flapped wide and then low covering over him and harry as knelt down lower.

"Oh merlin." Ron whispered.

"severus. Severus. Can you hear me?" Hermiones voice echoed round the room. " Severus we have to help him. We love him too." He just stared at her. " Please Severus" she begged, tears springing up and spilling from her eyes. He blinked at her again unable to speak to tell her of his heart ache, his fear, his need..He just stared.

"Snape." His head snapped at Ron. " You have a responsibility as the head of this school to get him looked at." The man said firmly. A quiver in his hands betraying his fear. The logical part of his brain surfaced more and more as they spoke. Ron stepped forward arms splayed in front of him, hands up so they could be seen. " You have a duty Snape. You must do your duty. " With a howl his logical side seized control. His legs hurt in this stance, his heart was thudding through his chest. ahe looked down at the limp body beneath him. He stood and moved to the side and scooped his mate into his arms and went to the floo. He didn't know how he managed to use the powder that day and poppy was surprised and wide eyed as he stepped through. A fallen angel in his arms and black wings spreading behind him.

Laying him on the nearest bed he stood over his green eyed love and watched every touch that was administered. Every test done, every potion poured down his throat. He stood as Harry slept and stood when the aurors turned up not moving his eyes from his mate. He stood as the light changed around him from yellow to orange to grey to pitch dark. He stood by Harry's head and watched as his chest moved up and down.

That morning he stood there still. He did not speak, he did not move, did not need to. He stood a silent sentinel as everyone worked around him. The unmentionables came and eventually prised the thick peice of silver from his neck. Then he moved, then he lunged and tried to bite as the neck looked burned and sore and swollen beneath it. Wings flapping and beak clicking. The hardened men ran from his pressence. The only person from then on who could touch Harry. look at Harry, was poppy. He only trusted her with his care. The healers she sent for were sent away again and he took up his position and waited. Swishing dark thoughts stirring and swirling behind those Black bottomless eyes.

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He moaned into the cavernous room about him. Eyes held shut. He was so sore. The scent of basil and camomile tea wafted over him as his hair was sniffed, and the billowing warm air travelled over his neck his face to his chest. The corners of his mouth turned up and he opened them to be met by those obsidian eyes delving into his soul. His arms shot out faster than he thought he could move at that moment and held him. Held him until his arms were to weak and dropped back to the side and then he just stared at the hawk like man that was silently crying inches above his face. Cool fingers brushed his hair from his face. Tracing delicately along the skin. He moved his head so the hand that the fingers belonged to cupped the side of his face.

"Ah your awake. Good." Harry refocused on the direction of the voice. Poppy Pomphrey looked tired and freyed, walking around the curtain. She only held his attention for a moment before his gaze went back to the man in black beside him.

"Your neck is healed. Your wings have been too and retracted at some point last night."

"3.42 am." Came the low voice. Harry watched as the man's lips barely moved and they gazed at each other.

"Well, yes, maybe." Poppy said, sounding slightly exasperated."There have been changes, however, that I need to discuss with you." She sounded pretty petrified, so two pairs of eyes snapped to her, and she stepped back from the force. " So, do you remember what happened harry.? She said gently tucking a lose hair back into her bun that had been shaken loose from her jerky movement away.

"He, he was waiting for me. he clamped a disc around my kneck." His hands wondered to the spot it had laid to reassure himself it was gone." It made me really weak. He dragged me into a passage and laid his hands on my stomach." He gestured with his own hands to show the place, just so. "Then I remembered my necklace." and his eyes wondered back to Severus and they stared at each other for a long moment.

"Well I think he planned to rape you. He was obviously scared off and was seen leaving the castle. When he laid hands on you what did it feel like?" Harry closed his eyes trying to remember.

"Warm and wet but around the back." He said flatly. It must of been some kind of lubrication spell and the thought sickened him that things had even managed to get to that point again. He shut his eyes against the people looking at him. The horror of the situation he didn't want to read in their eyes.

"No it wasn't that. ahis made you fertile.," Poppy said matter if factly. Harry frowned and his eyes snapped open.

"I would imagine I have always been fertile." His frown deepened.

"No he made you capable to carry a ... child." Harry shut his eyes slowly but he couldn't hide the hitch in his breathing nor the speed with which he pulled in the air. He felt pressure on the right side of the bed that meant Severus had placed his hands down firmly and was leaning over him.

" His intention was to impregnate my mate?." He hissed.

"I, I would suggest that is a possibility." A low hiss sounded.

"How, How long will this last?" Harry's voice didn't sound strong in that monent it trembled he felt so weak.

"I would estimate another 5 days. If it is the spell I was thinking of it would of been 7 but you have been out for 2."

"I don't want children Severus." and he looked up at him. " I know we had plans but I, I can't I, I just can't risk children." the eyes swooped down and captured his and the pure look of hurt and pain in that face at his words made Harry want to cry.

"I think this is a private conversation." Poppy ran from the curtained space. Severus didn't say anything though he just looked down at Harry and made him want to just curl into a ball.

"I'm sorry. I just dont think we can I am not ready I don't want to inflict... things on the child. I don't think I can do that. I know we said we would bond this holiday but I can't I just can't. " ahe pleaded and was met by a wall of silence so deep and so vast. The bottomless eyes had skittered away from him. The black clad figure pulled away from over his bed and into a corner as far as it could go. A mask of marble placed around his face.

"You do not want to inflict what on our child." The voice was quiet he barely heard it. He just stared at the man dummly.

"I didn't think we would be able to have kids. I didn't think it was a conversation we needed to have. " Harry tried to explain.

What do you not wish to inflict on a child?."

"Me OK. Me. I do not know what that even looks like. I don't know if I'm capable. I can't learn while I'm doing it. Severus, please understand. " he covered his face, trying to hide a sob. Hands pulled them away from his face wildly.

"Are you serious?." Severus cried. The loudest he had ever heard him speak. Harry wrenched his arms away from him and rolled on his side away from him.

"You are serious... Harry, you're the most caring person I know."

"I have done terrible things, Severus."

"so have I."

"but."

"no buts."

"I was... I didn't have the best childhood. I'm not sure I know how. what if I end up like them.?"

"Oh, Harry." Severus was looking at him all soft and warm. " So was I and you could never be like them."

"I dint want a child." He yelled panic welling in his chest making his breath come quickly.

"Then we won't. not now at least and see where we land in a decade."

"Really." He asked incredulous. He had remembered the look on his face just now.

"Yes." he murmured. " This was never meant to happen anyway, and you have already been through too much. If it had been different ..." He trailed off. athe anormity of what had happened what nearly had happened came crashing down on Harry then. How serious this truly could of been. Nearly was, how close it had all come and what the repurcutions of that could of been. Sobs left his chest as tears kissed his cheeks and arms wrapped themselves around him. They laid like that for an age. Harry poured hid soul out into the quiet room and shook against the strong body against his back. Hands sweeping through his hair.

When Poppy came back they were laid quietly out in the small bed and her eyes softened at the sight of them.

" You will need to stay over..."

" I think not." Severus said firmly.

" I think he will. He is my patient." Her voice rose as she spoke.

" He is my mate and I will take him home."

" You will do no such thing." Harry cringed away from the voices. Clutched his necklace and whispered. Home. they landed on the floor of the office in a heap and he turned in Severus's arms and laid his head on him.

"Maybe that wasn't the wisest idea." Severus conceded eventually. Harry felt his arms wrapped around him tighter, though. words failed him. he was so overwhelmed, and the arms tightened around him again until the grip was almost painful.

"Let me look after you." The soft murmuring felt like a balm. Harry nodded his head once. Severus shifted next to him, and then he was away coming back quickly to pick him up from the floor. he grunted slightly at the awkward movement of getting him off the floor and then carried him into the quarters once more.

Again, he fed Harry, and he allowed it. Washed Harry, and he allowed that too. Dressed him, and he laid on the bed. His mind felt shattered, broken by all the events that happened the last bout of raised voices still overwhelming his sense. His mind walking down the parh of what ifs leaving him in a dark hollow place..

"Sleep, Harry." The whisper was soft and had its own magic, and even though Severus was not in the bed with him and he longed for his arms once again. He let sleep take him.

He woke once to the feel of weight in the bed and long lithe arms wrapped around him. He snuggled into the embrace and slept on. Only waking when the stream of light from the window hit his face. As he opened his eyes he could see the chest he was resting on move up and down and hear the heart beat fill his mind. It was blissfully peaceful. The body shifted beneath him and then a low humm met his ears.

"Good morning, Harry. Merry Christmas." reached his ear. Harry shifted up and looked down at the face beneath him. Eyes wide.

"Would you like your presents or would you like some food." Questions always questions and he laid down his head again and sighed. Closing this eyes and then opening them quickly from the images that lay there.

"Come, let's open presents." His mate rose from the bed and left him in the warm spot he once occupied. He watched him move into the living room and then walk back again with arms full of presents. Harry knew his eyes were wide. He waved his hand in the air and package's shot toward the bed and landed in a neat pile at the end. Severus's lips quirked up and joined him back on the bed, sitting slightly too far away, so Harry shifted towards him. His body giving him comfort as his thoughts ran and swooped around him.

Severus presented him with each perfectly wrapped present before Harry passed him one of his own. They sat in silence together. Harry reflected that maybe his inability to talk was childish or causing distress. He poked around his mind and only felt worry and a feeling like joy to be giving the things he was. At least he reflected that that was something. Once all the presents were given, Severus got up to get dressed .

Was he leaving? Was he going away? Was he going to let him be alone? Why would he do this?.

"I need to go to the great hall Harry." Came a soft reply. Harry's heart sank. of course, Severus still had a duty, he had to do what was needed even on Christmas day.

"You can come or you can stay." Came the reply. His stomach rolled at the thought of leaving this place. Of eyes following him. Of people knowing. Shame crept up his body.

"Should I send your friends to come and sit with you." His voice broke at the last..He felt guilty for inflicting this on him. In being this way, of causing him worry, of letting him feel what he felt.

"Three days ago, I couldn't feel you for over a day, and it killed me, Harry. the thought of losing you was too much. never feel guilty for what you feel and never think I do not relish knowing. " Harry's mind stilled.

"Should I send for your friends?." Harry nodded to him. His mate left the room once more and returned with a tray floating before him. A bowl of cut fruit and toast and a variety of jams laid next to it.

"Please eat Harry. I will make sure they are here in no time at all." He crossed the room and kissed his head.

--'--

For several days, Severus looked on as Harry blossomed once again. Tje silence concerned him, but he had to keep reminding himself that Harry had been through a lot, and if this was what he needed to be able to heal, then this was what he should have. The thoughts and feelings within his mind that were not his own seemed to have crystallised and become more than he ever thought possible. So, their communication was easy enough for him to understand what was needed or what was going on behind the quiet man's eyes.

He hated the fact that he had to carry on as normal and although his duties weren't as vast as they would of been during term time he still needed to attend most meals..Still needed to deal with any problems that arose and still needed to do mountain's of paperwork. Especially as he had abandoned his duties not once but twice in the last week.

He was glad to see that Harry's friends rallied around him though. Ron and Hermione would often pop in and sat with him or played chess or that merlin awful game exploding snap. Their chatter would wash over Harry, and he started nodding his head or shaking it so that he could join in with the conversation lightly.

Neville also came to him a few times. He brought him books that he had on earth magic or sat with him and explained about the care of their plant and would cluck and sigh at how healthy it was even through the trauma they had been through. Often, he would walk into his living quarters and find them both sitting and reading together. One tucked into a corner of the sofa while the other was tucked into the other. Neville would often leave shortly after he arrived, though.

Cissy had been the surprise. She obviously cared about Harry an awful lot and would spend evenings chatting to Severus carding through the young man's hair, as his head was nestled in her lap and he drifted while they talked. He would sleep and their conversation would often be drawn back to Cissy's guilt about what had happened.

"I feel so bad Sev. How did I not even notice what was happening in my employ." She looked down at the sleeping figure with sad eyes.

"it is not your fault Narcissa. I feel he would of fooled alot of people. " Sev would murmur back at her trying to reassure of the truth of that.

"I know. I know but I can't help but blame myself. Harry has done so much for my family and for me and my son. I wish I had seen this coming. Saved him from this." And she would bow her head and look at the man asleep on her lap. He knew not to push it any further though but would always utter reassurances before she left for the evening.

It wasn't until Hagrid came to visit that Severus had hope that this wasn't going to be permanent. It had been four days and he was truly concerned about what would happen in a few more when the students came back. When Cissy and Ron left and the others needed to teach.

Hagrid had stomped up to the office and Severus arched an eyebrow at him as he requested to see Harry but allowed it. They both walked into his Chambers and wide green eyes met them both in surprise. The twinkle in Harry's eyes showed that it was a happy one though.

"arry, I was wondering if you would like to come and meet the new fowl." Hagrid said, surprising them both further. Severus felt the happiness unfurl from the man, but as he looked at him, worry and not wanting to be alone tainted the edges of the beautiful feeling.

"I'll come with you if it eases your mind." He offered. Although he really did not have the time, it had been a while since he felt that level of happiness from Harry. Yes, he had happy moments but nothing that intense for a while. Harry nodded and then exited to the bedroom coming back quickly dressed in his usual aparel, a sight that he hadn't seen since he carried him into the infirmary. This and this alone gave him hope for this outing.

As they walked down to the forest Hagrid talked about the goings on in the forest as if it was a living functioning being and Harry would nod along looking forward mostly but his lips would curl into a smile at particular tales. Of thestrals who had managed to get suck in a tree or the giant squid having a sneezing fit and zooming around the lake.

The sight of Harry taking his shoes of and climbing very slowly into the paddock that contained a mare and strapping young fowl was quite hypnotic. He crouched down and let the creatures come to him. The female was quite skittish but the fowl was a curious animal and skipped and lept it's way over to him.

He seemed to love to be stroked and Harry was so excited it rolled off him in large waves. He allowed the fowl to sniff and around his face and then he sneezed covering him in fine particles.

"Argh. Well thank you so much, Mr snotty." Harry said grimacing from the feel of it all over his face before scurifying it away. Severus and Hagrid froze, but Harry must of sensed his delight and turned and beamed at him.

He played with the fowl, almost frollocked like a young one himself. He murmured sweet words into the young ones' ears and would often get a wicker or a face nuzzle in return. The mother relaxed in his presence and accepted small treats from his hand.

"Sev come and meet them," He called, and that was how he found himself being pulled into the paddock himself and how he ended up with a fowl in his lap. How could he deny his mate, and the youngling was probably the most trusting and pure animal he had ever met bar one.

They walked up to the castle after a long afternoon and Harry tucked his hand in his..

"Thank you." The quiet voice said to him and he looked down at him surprised.

"It is really Hagrid you should thank for today." He said tucking a curl behind his ear.

"For everything." Harry responded and squezzed his hand.

"I love you. " Severus said simply those words only spoken once made his heart hammer but he couldn't turn away to see his reaction. Harry's head popped around and he caught him in those emerald eyes.

"I love you too." He looked away again. Severus could only look at him in wonder his ears buzzed, and Harry guided him up the stairs and to the office as if he knew that he would not be capable of doing so.

That night at dinner all he could think about was tucking his raven haired love into the crock of his arm and tell him over and over again that he loved him so that he could hear those words once more. So the aproach of Hermione on his left side completely throw him off gaurd.

"I came to see Harry today. We both did." As he looked around at her, Ron popped his head around her and nodded.

"We went for a walk." Was his simple reply and images of Harry and the fowl made his lips twitch.

"That sounds good." She said, but a slight frown creased her brow. "Was he ok?."

"He spoke today." Severus let out a sigh. Hermiones questions were always probbing and forced truthfulness out of the person she spoke to. Her own kind of magic he supposed

"That's amazing." She breathed. They both smiled at him and then went back to their conversarion together.

Everyone was present already that was normally there, so when the teacher door creaked open eyes flew to see who was entering. Harry strode onto the dias and, to his credit, didn't flinch away from the stares that greeted him. He felt the nervousness though as his head held high he approached him. He hovered slightly to his right for a moment before Severus could pull himself together from the shock of his pressence and conjured him a stool in between himself and Hermione. He looked at him gratefully and sat himself down, letting a hand fall on Severus's knee. The contact was electric as it had always been, and Severus basked in the feeling of him being so close.

The others settled down as his pressence extended and he pulled away to listen to the conversation of the others. He couldn't help but reach out and run his hand down Harry's back. Conveying support and lending him some trength for being there with him. The meal ended and he extended an arm out to him and his hand snaked into the gap that was made just for him.

Cissy came to the office that night, and a new light shone within her. Severus guessed seeing Harry at the dinner table had made her feel that he was healing and that she was grateful to witness the wonder of it. She sat as normal on the sofa he and Harry joined her shortly after. He set to work on the paperwork that sat in front of him on the desk, wishing that he was the one sitting where she was. Harry laid down and put his head in her lap as always. His voice though snapped them both too attention.

"It is not your fault Cissy." Their eyes snapped to his face. Cissy was bent over him looking into his eyes and he reached out his hand and touched her cheek.

"I should of seen Harry it is that simple." and Severus could here the heart break in her words.

" I was stubborn and would not say." He said simply."Do not blame yourself. " He turned away slightly and stared at Severus for a monent before his eyes slowly drifted shut. They sat like this for a long time. Severus stared at Harry. Cissy stroked his hair and silently allowed tears to fall from her eyes and Harry sleeping among them.

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The view from the window was like a winter wonder land and he sipped his tea and looked out trying to imagine what it would look like once all the children were back at the castle and running about in the snow. His lips twitched at the image and he turned as he felt the aura of his two best friends approaching.

"Harry it's been good to see you. I have missed you these last years. I hope we can do this again." Harry nodded his head and looked out of the window again. It was going to be hardest to lose the connection again now it had built up so far and fast.

"We will." He murmured the statement.

"I'm going to have go soon. I'm not looking forward to going back to work. " He could hear the resignation in his voice and the deep bone weary tiredness at the thought.

" Dont." He didnt understand why Ron was deciding to go back. It had been a subject that had been spoken of over and again for the past few days.

"What else will I i do." The old answer nearly made Harry roll his eyes, but he suppressed it. There was so much he could be doing.

"Anything else." He replied. There was so much he could be doing. Life was too short to do something that you hated.

"Harry is right." Hermione interrupted their conversation. " It's all too precious to waste it on something you hate, Ron." He nodded along to her words, but Harry knew it was falling on death ears. It had been said so many times before. He sighed quietly.

"Let's go." He strode from the two, and they follwoed behind him in his wake. Giving each other worried looks.

Harry did roll his eyes then, as he knew they wouldn't see it. hH led them out of the castle and across the grounds. Nodding to Hagrid as they passed his hut. Ron tried to protest once he realised they were going into the forest, but Harry just stared at him and then unhooked hia dagger and threw it at him. Honestly, did he believe he would lead him to danger. He supposed that was all he ever did when they were children and shook the thought away.

They came to the unicorn shed and Harry had laid out a small breakfast next to the paddock with the mare and the fowl. Hermione was so excited to see them that she stood by the fence for 10 minutes before coming to sit down.

"This is really nice. Thank you, Harry." Ron murmured as he steadily worked his way through the food.

"Yes, thank you, Harry." They sat and watched as the fowl danced about every now and again flitting over to them before jumping and leaping away. Harry smiled at him softly. The silence between them was comfortable. They watched, and they ate. after the 20th time of the fowl approaching Harry cut off a piece of apple, and he ate it off his hand. The mare came over, realising there were treats involved, and Ron and Hermione held their breath as she did the same. It was with a sigh that Ron announced that he would have to go. Their walk back up to the castle and to the gate was long and leaden.

"Think about it, ron." Harry said whilst giving him a hug. The red head nodded when he pulled away and then took Hermione into his arms. They watched as he walked away and then popped out of sight.

"Well, I will miss him." Hermione said, sad eyes meeting Harry's.

"He will be back." Harry intoned sounding scarily like Severus. Hermione's eyes crinkled and then she laughed. wiping tears from her eyes. They walked back to the castle slowly.

"Plans?" She asked him.

"The greenhouses." ahe said and she nodded. ashe didn't know why though and that frustrated her.

"Earth magic." He answered before she even asked the questiin. She nodded again and they parted going their seperate ways.

He walked into the greenhouse and met Neville's chocolate warm eyes and kind fave, he waved him over.

"Thank you so much for doing this." He beamed at him. " It's still quite early for anything, really, but im having trouble with this mandrake, and I'm unsure if it is ok. I er also need to check the soils, the tests keep coming back with weird answers so I was wondering if you could help me with these today." Harry nodded and allowed himself to be led over to the mandrake in question.

He stared at it for a moment.. Yes, it did look rather sad. The leaves drooping and turning brown. He knew it must be part of a mating pair and that it's mate would as much as plants could, miss their partner. He glanced at Neville before sticking his hand in the soil surounding the plant.

He closed his eyes slowly and then allowed his magic to pool into the soil. Mapping out what was happening beneath it. He felt the small traces of fungi running through rich loom and the strong and complicated root system of what, from his magics point of view, was a healthy plant. He allowed his magic to work it's way into the bulbous body of the tuba bellow the surface. There seemed to be a gash along it's body . It was old and had been there a while. For some reason it was festering now. The infection quite new. He drew the nutrients from the soil and directed them to the roots before wrapping the slash into his magic and slowly nitting it together.

He opened his eyes and blinking before he looked at Neville who was waiting for a diagnosis.

"trowl cut into this one. " Neville frowned. " it's old but now infected." Understanding dawned in his face, and he nodded and made notes. " Change the soil today. " he said, and Neville looked up before deciding not to argue.

Harry moved into the centre of the green house and slipped of his shoes. Letting the feel of the compacted earth run up his legs before moving to each bed in turn. He tasted the soil in each. It tasted fine. Laid a hand over it. He felt the health and vibrancy. This gave him knew respect for Neville. Creating a perfect soil was hard. Maintaining it was equally difficult. He ran it through his fingers and let the feel of it wash away his thoughts for a while.

"The soil is perfect." He turned to Neville with apreciation on his face. Neville looked at him in shock.

"Are you sure?." Harry just glared at him. "I wonder why my equipment." He trailed off. Walked off and then looked at his equipmtnt. Harry sauntered over, then his eyes grew wide, and he smirked at Neville,

"Someone's playing tricks."

"Malfoy. I will get him for this. His always playing practical jokes. It's so annoying." Harry's eyebrows rose. That didn't sound like Malfoy but then again he didn't really know him. Not even then.

"Did somebody say my name." The blonde ducked his head into the greenhouse, and then his eyes grew wide at Harry, and he froze.

" You." Said Neville marching up to him. "How could you. You knew I have been going spare for days. Even patting my shoulder in support." Malfoy's face turned to Harry and then an amused glint came into his eye.

"It wasn't the only thing I was patting." Harry moved away slightly to give them some privacy, but it didn't work.

"now don't start that." Neville cried

"You ruined a perfectly good healing potion by putting a stasis charm on the tubes. Do you know how long it took me to work that out? I didn't have any help." He cried amusement laced in his voice

"Oh, oh, so that wasn't because you turned all my robes acid green then. oh no, I just did it out of nowhere. " Neville shot back a smirk on his face. Harry was rather amused by this all. it was nice to see Draco more relaxed, more who he was now. Not just quiet. Neville was obviously very good for him. But really, he should leave, so he walked over and tried to get around the two men who were blocking the door.

"Harry," Neville cried. " Tell me I'm not wrong. You shouldn't mess with living things. The green house is a living thing. " Draco went rigid at the sound of his name. Harry sighed.

"No, neville he played with your equipment, not the green house." His eyes twinkled at Neville. " It's actually very funny." His lips twerked up. He walked out of the greenhouses to give them some privacy.

"Harry." And his nerves jangled. He turned and faced Draco.

"i just wanted to say." He bit his lip. He didn't even know he spoke to Hermione." I'm sorry. I really didn't understand what was going on when we were young. I shouldn't of held onto it for so long." Harry looked him up and down.

"neither did I. I'm glad you found love." He said simply. Draco stuttered at him.

"Love" Harry turned back and frowned at him. Well obviously love.

"Yes." He drew it out long and low. " The bond broke because you fell for Neville 8 months ago. "

"How? What? How?."

" Our bond popped and moved on to another. Normally it is a slower process unless you instantly fall in love." He shot a curious look at the man.

"We have only been dating 8 months. " Draco replied in awe. "We were friends before but."

" He is truly your mate then Draco. I would tell him so." He stared at him. for a long moment.

"Do you think thats true." His eyes grew wider.

"Everyone has a soul mate."

"Ah, there you are," Dracos eyes grew wider and bugged out and then he looked guilty. Severus swept him over and then looked at Harry.

"what were you discussing. " He asked nonchalantly but there was an edge to his voice and he stepped closer to Harry, eyes peircing.

"Neville is Dracos soul mate." He said evenly.

"Oh well. yes, I thought that was quite obvious. He wouldn't have stuck around for the past while if he was not." He stared at Draco. Pinning him down before sweeping his eyes back to Harry.

"Come. I have something to show you ." He held out his hand. Harry took it and his eyes did not leave the man's body. Draco was left behind, ignored.

He was led up the castle and through the halls and into the office he quirked an eyebrow at Severus. Who pointed at the calender. He was so confused. Severus shook his head.

"The school opens tomorrow, and you have been gone most of the day.," If it had been anyone else, there would have been a pout on their lips. Harry smiled at him.

"What shall we do for the rest of the day. I will do anything to make it up to you."

Severus swooped down on him and caught his lips. This kiss was unlike any shared in this holdiay. Apart from two languid days. It reminded Harry of what he had been missing, and he met the mans passion with his own. Severus pushed him through the door of his quarters and pointed his wand at the office door and warded it. Before his hands were back on Harry's body. Untucking his shirt. He pushed him with his mouth and body into the bedroom and then, with his hands on his chest, pushed him lightly onto the bed. His eyes swept over him, and Harry shuddered at the sight of him looking him up and down. Lips swallen, eyes devouring, hair messed up from where his fingers had run through them.

He watched as he slowly removed his shirt and folded it before placing it on the side table. Harry started unbuttoning his own.

"No, Harry, im going to undress you. " He unbuttoned his trousers and let them fall to the floor before stepping out of them and leaning down his nimble fingers worked over his shirt. Harry lifted his hips to allow his trousers to be pulled from his legs and then severus was on top of him scooting them up the bed and then kissed him. Body lying inbetween his legs. His body thrummed at the feel of him as they entangled, and he rubbed his hands down the mans strong back. He pulled Harry's hands above his head and pinned them by the wrists. Kissing his neck.

"Oh fuck thats good. " Harry whimpered and started rolling his hips under Severus. The kisses went down his chest and captured his nipple. Pulling and teasing one and then the other. Harry rutted against his chest. hands itching to run into the mans hair. He released his hands and travelled down his stomach. kKssing the small trail down from his navel to his pelvic bone. Harry's hands wrapped around Severus's head. His cock bounced and throbbed. Severus looked up with a smirk making sure Harry was watching before he took it into his mouth.

'Ah, Severus." Harry gasped, and his finger held onto his hair tighter . " Gods, your mouth is so good. " This spurred him on as Harry knew it would, and his tongue danced around his hardness, and his head started dipping and sucking at his whole length. His hand cupped his balls and rolled them deftly. A trick that Harry had shown him many times and the sensations crashed along his body and gathered in his centre. He thrust his hips up and then his eyes swept down at the gagging of his mate. He stilled his movement not wanting to make him gag again. His fingers slipped down to his hole and Harry's eyes grew wide, and severuss eyes connected with his again. his fingers that felt wet and warm circled his puckered muscles. He popped his dick out of his mouth.

.

"I want to fuck you with my fingers while I suck your dick." The thought swirled in harrys mind and he nodded to his words. His cock slid back into Severus's mouth and he was lost in all the sensations. His finger breached him. The new sensation. One he had never had before crashed and swirled around him. His body became hyper aware of the finger inside him and then as the second slid in. The slight feeling of discomfort became out weighed by the mouth on his cock and dip and slide of the two digits within him.

"Fucking hell." He breathed and bore down onto the fingers moaning. It felt so good with them inside him. He bore down on the fingers as Severus mouth slid up his cock the rythmes matched and then Severus hooked his fingers slightly and he saw stars. Clinging onto the sheets around him back arching into the feeling and loud noises tumbling from his lips. The sensation crashed over him again and again. As severus worked on his body making it feel like it had caught on fire.

He shot his load deep into his mouth with a cry so guttural, so primal that it felt like the reverberated and he shook from the sheer volume. He laid boneless. The fingers retreated. The mouth let go and severus laid down next to him. He met his eyes and cursed the smirk on the mans face.

"I can't return the favour." He told him flattly not even being able to move at this point. Every bone in his body had been magicked away. The smirk turned into a genuine smile of triumpth.

"I wasn't expecting you too." Severus gathered him in his arms. They laid like that for what felt like the day but was only an hour. Harry stirred eventually. Then gave Severus a wicked smile, before running kisses down his neck. His own admistrations took him longer. He kised and licked every inch of him. Paying special attention to the crook of his arm and the back of his knees. He slowly popped each digit into his mouth and teased them with his tongue. Severus just groaned into the air. Making promises of the noises to come.

He teased his cock kissing around it and under it. Nuzzling his face against but only kissing around it. Licking the length to the tip but not taking it into his mouth. Before moving up again and concentrating on the nipples. Severus groaned and gripped his hair and tried to guide him. Harry just carried on teasing.

"Please, Harry." The desperate voice met his ears. " Please just put it in your mouth."

The sound of his voice and the begging words had Harry dip his head driving him sharply into his mouth, the gasp and moan this elicited made him hum around his cock. severus hands wrapped around his hair. His hands snaked up his chest and he started pulling and teasing his nipples as he sucked and licked his cock. Severus held his head still with a tug of his locks and then rocked his own hips. Fucking Harry in the mouth as he played. Torturing the man with his pinches and rolls of his buds. Severus's eyes shot down to watch him get fucked in the mouth. His eyes were like fire, and he moaned and groaned into the air. Harry moved one hand down and cupped his balls, making the same moves as Severus had earlier. Severus's head flew back.

"Fuck yes." Was shot into the air. as Harry's hands worked on his nipples and balls and his mouth was thoroughly fucked. He moaned and hummed around it and Severus started to writh underneath him loosening his grip on his hair to cling onto the sheets. He breifly considered fucking him with his fingers too but it didn't feel right. He knew that Severus wouldn't apreciate it so he carried on his admistrations. Lightly scratching Severus's chest before going back to one nipple or the other.

"God, Harry, I'm going to come." He warned, and Harry just hummed in response, then drove him down his throat so deep it made Severus's balls shot up. His back becoming rigid. He swallowed around the length and then pulled back and then drove him deep again. Before quickening his pace with smaller strokes. The hot cum squirted into his mouth, and Harry relished it.

He looked up as Severus's cock became flacid and smiled in satisfaction as the man was boneless. Cheeks flushed. Eyes half lidded. He crashed down next to him and pulled him into his own chest. Severus just laid there. His breathing evened out and his eyes drew closed. God he loved this man. He had also missed this so much.

They walked to the great hall holding hands, and Severus kiseed each nuckle before Harry sauntered over to Hermione and sat beside her. Her eyebrow arched at him, and he gave her a wicked smile.

"Did you mate?." She asked low. An unexpected chuckle came from the seat next to hers and harry scooted around to inspect the person who was being so rude.

"Trust me, when those two mate we will all know about it." Poppy's eyes danced at her own words, and Harry flushed,

"We just had a pleasent afternoon." He explained to Hermione.

The doors opened, and Neville and Draco tripped onto the dias, holding hands and blushing. Looking dishevelled and happy. Before Draco sat down, he shot Harry an apreaciative look, and Harry shot him a thumbs up.

"They mated." Harry drawled at Hermione. well, she was taken aback.

"I think they 'mate' quite often." Came her dry reply.

"Not like this time." Harry observed, and Hermione looked uncomfortable for a moment. Not really understanding the difference between the two. He sighed, he wouldn't explain it to her.

00000000000000000

The children had been back for a few weeks and Severus found himself at the window looking over the grounds once again. It was strange how so much had changed there was no small figure outside of Hagrids hut but large swathes of snow and children excitedly throwing balls of the stuff back and forth before breakfast. Arms swept around his waist and he felt Harry nuzzle into his neck.

"It's so beautiful." Severus turned into his arms.

"Yes, the view is quite spectacular." He said, staring down at the beautiful man. He lightly smacked his chest. He smiled down at him still. Took his hand from his waist and held it for a monent before kissing the back of it. They only pulled apart as the sound of the residence of the castle met their ears.

They walked side by side down to the great hall and silently parted to take their own seats. Their days consisted of meeting here and there and snatching what they could before spending the evenings in each others arms. Harry had basically moved out from his quarterrs and was slowly and secretly moving his things into Severus's.

Winter slowly moved into spring and Harry found himself working in the greenhouses as well as the forest. Neville watched on facinated and Harry even allowed the privelage of certain 7th years to be present at his workings.

The forest was coming back to life from it's long sleep and Harry would often be trailed by a beautiful pure white fowl as he worked. He would drop him off to his mother and herd before departing, not wanting him wondering too far. The other unicorns became less skittish around him and often he would spend an hour just sitting amongst them watching them as they grazed.

He reflected on the lazy afternoon spent in this way as he watched Sevesus frown over his work at his desk. Severus was working late and Harry was starting to feel tetchy about it. wWnting those arms that were propped up on the desk around a pile of paper work to be wrapped around his body instead. He stood and walked over to it staring down at the man, while he carried on frowning at his work. anxiety and nerves ran through Harry's mind and he knew it wasn't his. It made his body jangle feeling that from his almost always calm mate.

"Severus I want your attentuin. " He said plainly and the man just looked at him and leant back in his chair.

" I want to give it to you, but I need to finish this tonight. " He leant back to being forward over his work and carried on staring at the parchment. The sensation of his mind returning back to the uncomfortable feelings. Harry was feeling testy. Picking up a quil, he dropped it on the floor. Sverus gave him a warning look, and while he still had his attention, he slowly pushed an ink pot to the edge of the desk.

"Don't you dare" The words were clipped and annoyed and the ink pot fell Severus rose from the desk and flicked his wand at the mess. He moved around the desk not even paying attention as the shattered glass and ink corrected itself on it. He stopped in front of Harry.

"We are gathered here today, to mark the passing of harry james potter " Harry's head quirked to the side not understanding.

"What was that?" He said, but dawning came across his mind.

" Your uligey." Severus spat and Harry with wide eyes darted away from him and into the bedroom.

Later laying saited on the bed, arse cheeks a firey pink and tucked into the arms of his mate Harry propped himself up and looked down at the man who was almost asleep.

"What were you doing anyway?." He asked remembering all the frowns that he had managed to smooth away with hands. The feelings jangling around his head, that he had sucked from his body.

"When?" Came the lazy reply.

"Before you put me over your knee and nearly spanked the life out of me." Harry replied with a wry smile. A lazy smile graced Severus's lips, and then his eyes snapped open and met Harry's. A little bubble of nerves started forming in his mind.

" Krum is going to be coming in a week or so to teach special classes. it's an honour to have him but ..." He trailed off. Harry laid down and tried to peice together why this would be an issue. He turned it over in his head and then it all clicked. A few days before he had said that he had stayed with Krum before coming back to the castle in September. Did he think Krum was his almost mate. He laughed at the thought. Hhen he met Severus's eye he quirked an eyebrow at him..

"Well, I'm pretty sure by now that you know that isn't the case. We are just friends, he isn't ... He isn't like that with me. " He chuckled at the thought. Yes, he was hawk like, but that was his only real similarity to the three men that he had cared about in his life. " It will be good to see him, though."

He ran his fingers softly over his chest, his arms, his face and felt the bubble of nerves pop under his administration.

The week grew into almost warmth. The sun broke through the clouds more often than not, and the ground was swept with light again. Harry spent the morning checking over the depleted wood pile and noting that he would have to start chopping again to keep the castle supplied. Even in the summer, the castle would often need a fire or several. Especially in the dungeons. He moved to look at the stock of feed. Noting that a few bags had spoiled where rats had got into it and the holes had let in the damp through the sacks. He sighed. They really needed cats around this place and not the spoiled kind that lived in the castle but the hunters of prey. Still, they had enough to last as the herds' suplimneted diet over winter was being replaced, with the newly growing grass around the grounds and the newly formed young of their prey,

He went and wrote a note to Hagrid about what he had found and decided to take a dip in the lake. The cool water washed over his body, and he swam, taking in the healing of the sensation. A man with fur trimmed robes and a long cane walked over the grounds as he walked out dripping wet.

"Ho brother." The cry flew across the grass. Harry shoock himself to get the water of him.

"Ho brother. What brings you here on a fine day." The man laughed as he got closer.

" Only you would think this day is fine and take a dip in that lake," Harry laughed with him,

"I seem to remember someone else swimming in this lake a long time ago. "

"In summer, and it was still freezing." The man shuddered and then took him into a massive bear hug.

"Come it's almost lunch."

"I must change." Came back the reply, and they walked back up to the castle. Krum rose an eyebrow at him as he led him to the quiditch locker room.

"I keep spare clothing here, it's along walk to my quarters." Krum nodded, and they sat and talked as Harry got changed.

Walking into the great hall together, Krums arm lazily draped on his shoulders, and their booming voices full of laughter made the hall go silent. Only the deep and guttural growl of his mate could be picked up, and Harry shot him a warning look. He did not look away his eyes bore into him, and Harry walked past his chair and plopped down with Hermione. Victor sat in the middle, Hermiones eyes grew wide at his pressence and soon Harry was thuroughly ignored as they spoke and laughed together. Hermiones cheeks often blushing.

The voices around the hall soon picked up and cascaded around the room, and Harry pulled out a quil and wrote a quick note.

I'm sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable, he is like a brother there is only one man I want to be with. Look at Hermione and Krum. I think you will find the real reason he came.

h

Severus looked at the note and he thought he was going to disgard it and his heart plumetted. Severus stiffened slightky and then opened the message. His eyes looked at him and then past him and a small grin past his lips.

I have to confess I was worried. If I had checked, though, I would have been aware it was not so.

ss

I think we need to talk about this third man it is obviously bothering you. Meet me outseide the teacher door.

h

Affer shooting the mesage over to him he stood and exited the great hall. Just hovering behind the door. A minute later he was joined by Severus. They walked quietly down the hall until Harry saw the psssage he was looking for and they ducked in.

" I know I dont talk about this or anything often. I also know that's hard for you so let me explain." He looked up at his face in the dark as they lazed against the wall.

"Before I left I spoke with the man and I told him where I was going and what for. I told him what I hoped would happen. He spoke of his feelings but said he would respect my wishes. The man is a complete brat ." Severus rose his eyebrows at the use of the word " No honestly he is and in the end it tainted everything even further than it akready was. It was already tainted because it wasn't you, but I don't ever expect him to come here. hH promised that he wouldn't, and he would let me get on with my life, and I would let him do the same.. It's really that simple."

Severus nodded. " Thank you for being so honest about it." He said, looking him in the eye. The bubble inside of him had small levels of anxiety, but it felt better than it had for days.

"If he ever stepped foot in this castle, there would be no doubt that he will know exactly how I feel about it. but he won't. he wouldn't dare. We will be mated soon, and then nothing of this type should ever bother us again." He smiled up into his face.

"We will?." Was his only reply. A small quirk of the lips.

"Yes, we will." He said firmly and then walked away.

Itchy tension writhed under his skin all day after that. The man better know not to come here. He better not use Viktor as an excuse to come. His anger flared and he itched to go and find the man and make sure that he understood. Brat was the correct way of describing him. Always pushing and pulling at boundaries even ones that kept him safe. He would have to be very stupid though to come within a hundred miles of this castle.

Their relationship had been one of constant battle. Clashing of wills and wild and hungry sex. It was flat and now harry new what it felt like to be with Severus both Stephan and Dracos expereinces felt like they had always been utterly wrong and he was disgusted with himself.

000000000000 0000

He watched Harry slowly pull out of a rather nasty mood for over a week. His temper flared quite often, and he was an angry ball of power in the back of his mind. He started shoving it away because it was, in turn, making him angry. He had brought it up once and once only. Dark green eyes met his, and then he had simply walked away. Refusing to meet with him for the rest of the day and long into the night.

That day had been hard. He knew that the feeling started the day of their conversation and he was guessing talking about the third had brought up some worry and feelings. He was relieved however qwen the anger started to disapate and by the end of the week he had his Harry back. He would be a litrle imp in their own private space and a quiet and stoic man out of it and although this had confused him for a time. He started to relish the fact that he was like that only with him. Not even his best friends got all of that side of him.

So spring rolled on and the holiday marking it was coming up. He looked forward to it. Willed it to move faster. He hadn't told Harry, but this was definitely the time. He couldn't imagine his days not filled with him. He couldn't see how anything else could ever be this good for him. He loved him and he was loved and in such a short space of time he was sure that this was forever. So serupticously and when really he shoukd be working, he made his plans.

But until that three weeks came, he had to concentrate on his work more and more. Fortunately, planning had been easy. At least his education had covered this . So he was running through applications for this grant io that. Often, people would come and have brewing experience over such breaks, accept chrsitmas, or they would come and talk to Severus and Draco, the two youngest potions masters in history. People were applying to view the green houses as well, and he was proud of Longbortom. Granger had offered a muggle studies adult sessions, and some had taken her up on that as well. All was revenue, so he was happy to sign off on those as soon as possible.

His door Creaked and Harry succk into the room, with a liitle box tucked under his arm.

"what are you moving in today?" He drawled and Harry startled

"I, erm, I'm not moving in."

"Harry my living room looks like a forest. My closet is half full of your clothes, and I have more hair product in my bathroom than I have ever owned in my lifetime."

"You like the shampo though." He grinned back.

"Just go and get the rest of your things and move in a properly." He sighed. Harry dropped the box on the book shelf by him and ran across the room. Severus moved back in his chair, surprised by the action, Harry took advantage and plopped onto his lap.

"Thank you, love." He breathed into his neck. Severus ran a finger down his back. Then a palm. He played with his hair, and his other arm held him close. The moment was quiet and sweet, and then Harry broke it by darting off his lap and down and out again.

What he hadn't expected was Harry walking in and out for the rest of the afternoon. Pockets with odd bulges here and there, He started to panic about what exactly he would find when he opened the doors to his quarters .

He made his way to the great hall, and Harry didn't appear. Hermione was giving him a smile every few minutes over Viktors shoulder. He wasn't sure if he liked what this could potentially mean, and it wasn't helped by her patting his arm as she walked past. like she was consolling him. So his feet inevitably made him fly up to his office and through to his quarters as quickly as they could.

What met his eyes wasn't something he had expected. His things were all where they had been before, and the large collection of potted plants was now framed by dark green curtains draping over the window. The ceiling bad vines crossing over it and dipping low and then gathered around the old wooden chandelier in the middle, the kitchen jad new things in it and food. Not just coffee and his coffee maker. He touched a brass little vase type thing that had strange implements sticking out of it and inspected the bowl that was now sitting in the sink made of plastic.

Like a trance, he walked into the bedroom. The biggest change was that his normal dark wooden 4 poster bed was now a large king sized one made of old dark oak, vines were circking round the wooden frame and lights were criss crossed over the space at the top. Twinkling and for the life of him he didnt know how. He inspected the rest of the room and found that his things again hadn't really been touched apart from the wall the door was on was now covered in pictures of various different people.

He couldn't work out where Harry was, and he couldn't work out how he felt about everything being so utterly changed and so utterly the same. He went into the living room again. His books hadn't been moved, his small desk stayed the same, still littered with bits of parchment and open bioks. The sofa was the same but had dark green cusions, on it. There was a large snow globe depicting the eifel tower on one of the shelves.

He spun slowly in the room, and as his mind kicked in, he released how warm and beautiful the space had become, tot just the space of his but a space that was now Harry's. He smiked gently at all the little changes that he noticed. Crossing back into the bedroom, he did the same, touching the curtains at the little window and running a hand over the frames as people he didn't know twinkled back at him. A movement caught his eye, and he walked over to the bed.

There was Harry. He had found him finally. in the midst of a large, soft looking material that draped in layers over the bed. some fur and some looking like the thick shirts he sometimes wore but thicker, more comfortable in shades of brown and black and green. Hair tossled, clothes askew, like he had fallen into a deep sleep the moment that he landed on it. He smiled down at him. He climbed over the bed to him, Harry wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled his head into his side. He let the lights above him lull him to sleep and realised that he was rtuky and utterly blessed.

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The first day of the easter holidays found Severus itching to just grab Harry and take him upstairs and never leave again, but he had people to meet and direct to where they were going and then a meeting with the first of the potion brewers that he and Draco would be Over seeing. A man with short straight hair and a hawkish face strode into the room, looking around as he did so. His cloak snapped behind him and he had a case of a true potions maker firmly in his grasp. He walked straight to Draco who had a few words with him and then sent him to wait with the one other person that had shown up so far to use the labs and pick their brains. The others would be arriving the next day. This week was going to be difficult but then he was free.

Severus directed several other people to their locatiins handing out maps befoe he could go and join the two men. They were deep in conversation about the Wolfsbane potion and so Severus glanced about. He saw Harry walk into the anter room and give him a broad smile. Vitor looked in too. But his face went pale. Harry's eyes shifted from Severus and then a dark and mottled red took over his face.

"You said you told him not to come." He turned and said sharply to Viktor before turning away. Not waiting for a reply and striding over to the grouo. what happened? He told who not to come? Viktor ran up behind him.

"I did Harry. I told him to never come here." He looked worried, deep wrinkles forming on his brow. The man next to him. Slightky shodter than him looked up at the sound of Vickor's voice and turned and then went pale.

"Stephan. What did I say to you?. I can't believe you would disrespect me like this. " Harry marched straight at the stranger. He gulped but stepped forward.

"Harry." a silken voice exhaled from him.

"Don't Harry me." Then the brown haired man backed up Severus put a hand out to stop Harry as he passed, but he shrugged it off. Harry caught up with Stephan and placed a hand on his chest, and pushed his back into a wall. His leg darted out, and his thigh rested between the mans own. Stephan's eyes were darting around. Severus had seen enough he growled. Stephan's eyes darted to the noise.

"Dont look at him. Look at me." And the power in Harry's voice startled Severus. What the hell was going on? Stephan's eyes snapped to his. He heard Draco splutter slightly not that far away but like a train wreck he couldn't look away.

"You're a little brat, you know that. " Then the man bent down and kissed Harry on the nose. The nose. He called him brat, e never called anyone brat except. ...

"Ah don't you dare do that." He stepped away from him Stephan took the chance to walk swiftly away and Harry followed at a much more even pace. Stalking. Shoulders squaring off, demeanor changes even further.

'Harry." Severus called.

"Not now." He got back and pure rage was suddenly seeping into him. It was like Harry's mind had been bkank, and then it sudde ky flared in to life. He stopped just out side the room they were in.

"STEPHAN COME HERE RIGHT THIS SECOND. " He pointed to the floor in front of him. A minute ticked by in utter silence and then Stephen came into view, standing where he was told.

"I will never ever play that game with you again, do you understand?." Stephan nodded his head. Blush spreading up his face. " I think you need to be spoken too." And he watched as Stephen's head shot up to meet his mates gaze. His mate. His. Mine, a voice roared in him. He stepped forward and Viktor swung an arm across his chest.

"I would rather like my little brother alive." He murmured. "Harry has this, they have been worse. Stephan needs to understand that he has no place here. That needs to come from Harry.." Harry looked into the room briefly.

"We will take this somewhere else where I can freely express just how very disappointed I i am." He said, snapping his head back to Stephan. "Come. " and he strode through the anter room and out into the castle grounds Stephan quickly following at his heels.

Severus just blinked at them Leaving.

"Well that was controlled." Draco's voice cut into the room. Sverus gaze shifted slowly and looked at him. He was staring after them like everyone else was. " If he had got me against a wall I wouldn't have walked straight for a week." Severus hissed at him all beak and feathers. Viktor stepped further away, probably only in that moment realising how dangerous what he had done earlier was. Draco looked startled and then ran from the room.

" I have to find Neville." He yelled and slammed the door behind him. Severus marched from the room. He didn't know where he was going but he wasn't staying there.

He wondered the halls and went into the astronomy tower to watch the view, his mind seething. So that was the third. He thought and mulled him over in his mind. Not as tall as him and Draco. But hawk like, obviously intelegent and part of the potions world to even be here. Fkasshes of images of the two cuplling plagued his mind as it had often done with his mate and Draco. He was young obviously. Younger than Harry. Only 20 he would guess. He didn't see nuch in the personality. Harry was right he was a brat. the sight of him kissing his mate on the nose flashed in his mind again. A growl rioped from his throat. How long he stood there, he didn't know.

The sun arked in the sky, and still he stood. The feeling of rage growing ever closer to the surface. Noises sounded behind him, but he didn't turn.

"Why are you bringing me here?." A silky voice asked. Not much difference from Severus's in his younger years once he had learned how. Just a slight accent to it.

"To meet my mate." A strong low voice answered. Harry's voice. the sound of more footfalls

"What is he a bat?" He could here the sneer. The door creaked open and he knew then he should of warded it.

"It's the head master." Stephen's voice. bBcause it had to be Stephan, dead panned. Severus turned to him and caught the end of the sneer. So he caught his eyes and sneered back. Harry pushed him into the room and shut the door.

"I thought the blond was your mate. Are you telling me this is your mate?" The sneer crossed his lips again. Severus met Harry's eyes.

"If by bringing him here, you meant for me to commit murder, your going about it the right way. " Harry crossed the room to him and tried to enter his space but Severus glared at him and stepped away to the window. He heard Harry step back across the room.

"We spoke about this tell him what you need to and then leave."

"What can he give you that i can't?" Stephen's voice rang out into the room. Severus held his fury in, those words cut him and weren't far from what he had been thinking the last hour. He was old and worn and his potential was small. Harry had the potential to be with people who were young and free.

"Because I choose him." The words rang out. " I chose him when I was 17 and I choose him now. I love him. He is my home." Severus turned and there was only sincerity written on Harry's face. He went over to him, stepping wide of the man. who was also in the room and wrapped his arms around him. The rage subsided, he realised it had never just been his own and pure relief washed over him like Harry had believed it had been the end a few short minutes ago.

"I cant believe this." A shocked voice hit Severus's ears and his temper flared. He turned and looked at the man in front of him. Pain arched his back and wings ripped through them. He stood at his full jeight and hissed at him. The mans trousers became suddenly wet around the crooch and he sneeered at his weekness, as the tang of urine hit the air.

"The only reason I didn't rip your heart out down stares for kissing my mate was because of your brother. We are on a very high tower and your brother isn't here. Do you want to push me." The man shook his head. Harry pushed past Severus's wings

"Say what you agreed to and leave."

"I won't come back here." The voice was laced with fear.The davenport exceedingly earnest. "I was wrong to come here. I was told repeatedly not to by Harry by Viktor. I agreed to let Harry go. We weren't good together. Whether he found you or left you, he was never going to come back to me." A great sigh left his chest. " I am sorry. I will leave first thing in the morning. He left the room quickly, leaving shoe prints on the floor.

"Your mine." Severus voice was primal and raw and he turned to Harry.

"Yours." He murmured back.

"Forever." Severus pushed.

"Forever." Harry answered, his voice dripping with awe.

"Come." and the ring of command rang through the rooom. Severus marched from the room and walked the halls. They past a few group's of oeoole along the way. Harry walked sternly behind him, almost enveloped by the wings that jutted out of Severus's back. Like they were protecting and hiding him from everyone's eye.

They walked up to the office and then through to their quarters and onto the bed. Sverus knelt and pointed to the spot in front of him tucking his wings away only briefly to take his shirt and robe off and throwing them on the fkoor, before his back arched and they crashed out of his body again. Harry watched him and then repeated the same movements, shooting his smaller white wings out behind him. They stared into each others eyes and then Severus took his chin and guided his mouth to his own.

The kiss was soft at first, but Severus couldn't beat down the need for possession. his hands crushed Harry to him, and Harry keened into his mouth and slot right against his chest.

"Mine" Severus murmured into his mouth and harry reponded by attacking his tongue with his own, as the word yours tumbled out, muffled. He clutched at Severus's back and then moved and stroked the top of his wings where they jutted from it. A deep growl from Severus's chest started revving and Harry answered it with a weird kind of chirup they both pulled away and looked at each other stunned for a moment. Once commited they coukdnt pull away though and their hands pulled each other close, and there lips met again.

Severus ran his hands over Harry's wings, and he pulled their lips apart, moving his head back at the touch. chest heaving at it. A poowerful surge of lust ran through him. Heightesned by the lips that crashed down on his neck, attacking his mark that he made so long ago between where his neck met his shoukder. Harry's head lolled forward, and his mouth sort out the man's collar bone on rhe other side and for an eternity they opened those old marks. Working them with their teeth as the swirl of magic circled around the room.

When the monent felt just right, both sets of hands moved to black and white wings. Fingers caressed feathers as the marks started to bleed. The magic thickened around them, coiling around the objects in the room. Lips left shoulders and met each other again, intermingling blood and sweat as well as saliva into each others mouths. Severus pulled Harry's bottom lip with his teeth, bringing new blood into their joining, and then Harry repeated it. Power thrumming through Severus's body. The taste of the blood heightened their senses. It felt like they were one being meshed around each other. Their magics intermingled with lady magic herself. As the threads of castles and wards and Harry and Severus intermingled with that of the magic of the world. Severus needed more he needed to complete, and he lowered Harry down gently, so his wings wouldn't be crushed in the matres below. He growled at the trousers that covered him and they slowly faded and disappeared away. He felt the freeing sensation of his own body and his cock bounced infront of him as he looked down at his mate in all his naked glory. He couldn't stare long though his need to finish what was begun pulled and pushed at him. He pulled Harry's legs apart and placed a hand on his abdomen. Harry looked at him with half lidded eyes.

"Mine." Harry's voice rang with the word for the first time.

"Yours." Severus repeated like a ritual utternece

He Lifted his legs into his arms and placed his cock against his loosened muscles and slipped it into his mate. the seering tightness made him gasp, and Harry moaned. Their skin afire with the burning need. Bells told in the distance and ringing started in their ears all of their own. Severus pulled his legs up further and started thrusting into Harry. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up on end the crackle of magic engulfed the room. His body felt like it could not take so much pleasure and so much pain. With all this going on he stared into Harry's eyes as he writhed under him on the bed.

Harry thrust his hips into Severus's with every stroke. His arms spread wide, and his insides on fire. The only thing ankering him to the world were black eyes staring into his soul. His hands flew up and gripped his mates shoulders and the only things that seemed real was the cock that slipping and slid inside him slow and fluid. The eyes that pinned him. Moans escaped his lips as the fire started pooling deep within and Severus met every groan, every grunt, every sound that he made. His skin crackled with magic and he was aware, just, that magic like blue jets of electrictiy were dancing over Severus's wings.

Severus watched him as he unravelled in front of his eyes. Drowning in the sensation of driving himself into the perfection in front of him. Dark pools of fire and heat met together and slipped into his groin. His hair crackled and danced just like Harry's. He couldn't look away couldn't bare not to see, to not know the mans soul in front of him. He shifted and rolled his hips before taking long strokes and rolling his hips again. Harry's lips parted the noises he made getting louder. Severus wasn't even aware that he uttered a sound, but he did. Harry's hips moves butting gainst his, and it felt right to move faster, move freer, move, and let go and just let his release come.

They met together and then slid apart in absolute reverence of the act they were making. Hips smacking, making little punctuation marks to the moans and cries that left their lips. The speed took up and the animals within took over. Harry dug his nails into Severus as he pounded into his prostrate. eyes held contact as they both grew wide. The whites fading away and the irisses slidding over to take over the whole sphere. The room was crackling with blue and green lightening as flashes crackled in the air about them and booms could be heard across the grounds. When the noise grew thick and every inch of the room was full of magic, Harry arched his back head delving into the matress, hips thrust into the air and against Severus

"Mine " He screamed into the space before shooting hot cum into the air spurting over and ioer. A monet passed and answering cry ripped through the air. .

"Yours." Severus bellowed into the magic and flashes of lights went off around the room and bells told louder. The pure sound ringing into the space. The magic of the castle cascaded throughout the building. Hot cum shot into Harry and made him writh beneath the body above him. Sucking it into his core.. The puctures flew from the walls. The effect riped throughout the castle and armour and statues crumpled or collapsed forward.

Severus unhooked his arms from Harry's legsdand he too crumpled into the waiting embrace. Their chests heaved and their arms wrapped around each other. their wings crumpled into a mass of white and bkack.

They slept

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Hermione was on edge. The day had been so strange. She had heard what had happened from Viktor before he got pulled away by his younger brother in tears, but as she walked around trying to find Harry to make sure he was ok. Bells told sounding Like they came from the forest. It was an odd event but then alot of odd events came and went here. Deciding that Harry probably needed time and he would seek her out when ready. She decided to go to the library. Her few talks had luckily been set for the next day and so she had this day free. She walked happily getting excited about looking over a book in the restricted section that she had been eyeing for the last week. God she loved being a teacher.

Sitting in the library her attention got caught by a sound like thunder. Not thinking much of it, it wasn't until it was almost a complete wall of sound that she thought to go and see what was going on. As she exited the the library she was shocked, as suits of armour seemed to crumplenin a line down the she was about to walk down. A ripple of magic cascaded past her and washed against the library doors.

She wasn't the only one at the heads door when she arrived. A large gathering of staff was standing outside banging on the wall. Draco was yelling the password over and over again, and when he saw her, he ran over.

"We can't get in. the gargoyles refuse to move. I think we have been attacked or, or I don't know. " His eyes were wide, and Hermiones' fears increased. What the hell could have caused this. Minerva walked sirenly up the hall.

" Nove along, everyone. It's fine. it's fine it was just a little unexpected."

"What do you mean?." Hermione cried, Draco followed too with his protests

"If something has happened to the school, we need to know. Where is the head? Where is Harry. " He bellowed.

"The school is fine, and I'm sure all will be revealed at some point and in its proper time." That's all they could get out of her. Poppy marched into the scene, as everyone started protesting, but nobody messed with Poppy and everyone left shortly after.

Staff started moving through the castle and alot of dark muttering could be heard as statues and armour were pulled back together. speculation flew around the building. Minerva just watched and smiled her cat like smile and then went off to do whatever she wanted. She was Minerva McGonagal after all.

At dinner, it looked like Severus and Harry weren't going to be there, and everyone was really starting to get concerned. Hermione had resigned herself to the fact that andwers would come and she would get them, but there wasn't much she could do about it right now. The door pushed open at the end of the dias and eyes darted to see who it could be.

Harry and Severus stepped out into the great hall, and Hermione couldn't believe it. Her jaw dropped at the sight of them. What they wore was truly bizarre, and their wings were out. She couldn't believe it.

Harry was in the front with Severus's hands holding his shoulders hiswings once through the door spread. The robes he wore sat at the very edges of his shoulders, showing the skin from shoulder to shoulder and baring his neck. Sverus wore the same, but Harry's was white with black swirls and Severus's were black with white swirls. His wings curled possesively at the tips as if pointing straight towards Harry. Lage bite marks were on display, and they made Hermione wince.

Harry's eyes, oh god, his eyes were pure green. Worry washed over her and Severus's eyes were pure black.

"I told you, you would know when they mated. " Her head snapped round to poppy who just nodded over to them.

"What happened to them?." She whispered back low. Not trusting her voice.

"Nothing, they mated. They will be a bit wild for the next month, I would say. " She chuckled. Hermione looked back at them, and Severus, who seemed to be disgusted with his chair, waved a hand over it and turned it into a stool. He swept an arm over the table, knocking cutlery and plates aside before placing Harry on the table. They stared into each others eyes as they sat facing each other.

"Most don't leave their room for days but I would imagine with the events that have taken place over their courtship Severus is claiming Harry in the most public way he can. So he can fight anyone who would challenge him."

Hermiones eyes grew wide, and she looked at Viktor, whose face just showed pure panic..

"He wouldn't be stupid enough to come," but his face paled, his skin lightly turned green.

Draco caught Hermiones eye from the other side of the table, and he mouthed to her. what's going on? "She gestured for him to come over. He got up pushing his chair out. Too Hermiones horror Severus's head snapped toward the sound. She her hands at him to try and get him to stop but he was whispering into Nevilles ear and he just waved back once he did notice. Befire, he got 3 metres away, a growl filled the room. Everyone froze. Harry turned to see what the threat was, she couldnt see his face. Draco was slowly backing away. The strangest chirruping noise came from one of them, and then Severus's head snapped back to stare at him. Then back to Draco as he started to move. The noise sounded again, and then Harry caught his lips. She just made out the Hand that gestured to Draco to move before it laced around and into Severus's hair.

"Merlins beard, I nearly crapped my pants. " Draco muttered to them as he knelt between Viktor and Hermione.

"You're a wizard, Draco, cunjour a chair." Hermione rolled her eyes. " They mated. That's what this was all about. Severus sees everyone as a threat. I didn't even think he would see you as one, but ... I would avoid him and Harry for a while." Draco's face flushed pink. He nodded, looked over to where Severus and Harry were still kissing. Harry had slipped onto his lap.

"I better go." He whispered back and then edged his way back toward them. Severus's head snapped back to him as he approached, and the eyes, Hermione thought,were truly the scariest thing she had ever seen. Harry grabbed his face and made him look at him .He went in and whispered in his ear. they nuzzled each other, and then Harry kissed him again. Draco crept behind them and then darted back to Neville.

"I better go and tell Stephan to leave now." He looked around. "Do you think he will do that to me?." Poppys head shot around Hermione.

" Leave by the main door." She suggested and Viktor gulped. He sat and fiddled with his napkin for a while, and as he did, the food popped into the table. Severus placed Harry back onto the table and floated food to him. Before feeding it to Harry. Who then did the same for Severus.

"It's quite sweet, really." Poppy. Yes, thought Hermion,e sweet with the possibility of murder. Viktor grabbed a plate and then stood and turned, Hermione shot a look at Severus, and his eyes were pinned to Viktors' side. Viktor slowly turned his back on the head and Harry and then walled away. Severus watched him till he left the dias and then went back to looking at Harry.

The room started to murmur as each side of the couple slowly became aware of what was happening. She watched them together. It really was quite sweet. They only seemed to have eyes for each other, and they stared at each other with silent awe on their faces.

" What's with the robes." See asked Poppy after watching Viktor slide out of the hall. feeling slightly relieved at least there won't be any more drama tonight.

" There traditional. They are awrn for the first week to display the marks. They are very rarely seen, actually. Made in France, I would imagine Severus had them made ahead of time. " She mused. Hermione got caught up oi a few conversetions. As the meal progressed everyone quite quickly moved on once it became clear Severus was not happy about the subjects of their cinversation. Black eyes roaming amongst the speakers and wings snapping behind him. Everyone decided to let the topic die out pretty quickly, and the cinversation stayed light, but eyes would wonder to the paur often. sSverus stood before the pudding arrived and scooped Harry up into his arms, who then wrapped his legs round his waist. Unfortunately all went wrong as the motion was c.

The door creaked at the end of the hall and a loud voice could be heard yelling.

"I want to see." severus head snapped up, and he put Harry back down again. Who made the weird chirup at being left on the table. Hermione guessed. There was a strange sense of deja vu as Severus stepped onto the table himslef but he launched himself off of it and swooped further than before, before feet hit the ground and glidded to the other end of hall.

"You will die you idiot " Viktors voice rang out. Harry swivelled on the table and started running to catch up with Severus. Hermiones head swam, it was all to much to take in. she rose from the table herself. what if something happened to Viktor. She knew Severus was capable of murder even if he used the castle to do it. She knew..The pain would kill Viktor and she really was starting to feel for him.

Stephan strode into the room and then stopped, watching black death decend.

"He's not wrong." A clicking primal.voice came out of Severus's mouth sounding like simultaneously the clicking oif a beak and the sound of mountains moving. Harry caught up and slammed himself in front of the two arms stretched out wide between them. Severus stopped moving they stared at each other for a long moment. Green eyes are meeting black. Then Harry turned to Stephan, and he stepped back away from him. Harry stepped forward. Stephan retreated, slamming his back painfully into the edge of the door, eyes going wild. Harry shot a foot out in front of him till he bent down. Low, wings snapped behind him, and he screeched at Stephan. everyone covered their ears. Hermiones heart began to race. Oh god, Harry, no. don't kill him, but Stephan ran.

Harry walked back up to Severus and held his arms out. Severus heaved him up and they twisted around each other. severus strode from the room, his mate wrapped around his waist and head burried in his hair.