It truly was one of the best Christmas's Harry ever had, spending time with Severus, Remus, and the Malfoy's. Harry never ended up telling Remus the truth that he had married Severus for emancipation, but it had been such a great night and Harry knew the revelation was bound to trudge up some arguments. It had been five days since then and now two days away from the new year of 1997. Harry did want to talk to Remus, tell him about marrying Severus, but wasn't sure how to bring it up. Remus said he was fine just knowing that Harry was safe, but Harry didn't like keeping the situation a secret. Especially because things were different than just only being married one year until Harry turned seventeen.

That had been the arrangement, just until Harry was of legal age, but after the talk Severus and Harry had; it was agreed that due to the special circumstances of their bonding, they would just see where things went for them. The two were going to push on and give the marriage a real shot. Their bonding ceremony revealed that their union had been blessed because they were soulmates, and as odd as it might be to consider given how they'd always been, age, and general relationship as teacher and student, it wasn't something to just shove aside and ignore. As of right now, Severus and Harry were married and giving things a chance, getting to know one another, but they were not in love. At the same time, the two of them understood that may come later on. Neither was denying the possibility of it happening.

Harry mostly spent the last five days just reading from Severus's library, or studying up for the return to school. Sixth year was almost over, about six months to go. Harry needed to be ready for exams. Also, Harry had to worry about his godfather's status in St. Mungo's and Voldemort. Harry wanted a way to free Severus from the dark lord, and that was the base of all his research. How to remove the mark. So far, there wasn't anything on the mark itself, which seemed right because from what Harry had figured out on the mechanics allowing Voldemort to call his followers, but also make everyone feel the pain through them.

"Bastard probably created it with dark magic," Harry muttered. "If so, all these books are useless. I need to be looking at darker magic to figure this out…"

"My books are useless why now?" Severus inquired as he came into the sitting room to find Harry with a book in his lap. Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa were with him.

"Just on the matter I'm looking up, Severus." Harry replied.

"What are you trying to find?" The man questioned.

"Anything on the dark mark." Harry admitted.

"Nobody knows how the mark works, Harry," Severus informed. "We know they're connected to the dark lord and a means of communication, but nothing more."

"And that when he tortures one, everyone feels it." Lucius added.

"That much I worked out on my own, thanks…" Harry responded.

"You're really trying to find a way to remove this, aren't you?" Narcissa inquired gently.

"I said I would find a way to sever my husband's connection to the dark lord and I meant it." Harry stated.

"What makes you so sure you can, though, Harry? The mark was around even when Voldemort was in hiding for all those years." Draco stated.

"That's not actually true," Lucius interjected. "The mark faded after the night Harry's mother cast herself between Voldemort and Harry. Not gone, but faded. It's how we knew he'd return eventually. Such happened two years ago at the end of the tournament."

Harry muttered something about the tournament being nothing but a joke. Everyone knew how he felt about having been part of it. "So the mark would theoretically disappear completely if Voldemort were dead?" Harry inquired.

"That's the theory." Severus nodded.

Harry sat back, thinking now. "So it's more of a magical tattoo? Interactive communication between the creator and the followers."

"I suppose that's one way to describe it." Narcissa mentioned. "Trust me, Harry…We're cursed with this mark until the dark lord is gone for good. Many who have desired to leave tried to remove it."

"Research, potions, light and dark magic…Nothing works." Lucius added.

"Voldemort wouldn't use something that couldn't be removed." Harry remarked.

"Why do you believe that he wouldn't want to brand his followers for life?" Severus questioned.

"Because he wouldn't want someone bearing the mark who betrayed him. That headmaster from Durmstrang, Igor Karkaroff…He was one of Voldemort's followers, wasn't he?" Harry asked.

"Yes…" Severus nodded. "But he's dead now. The dark lord had him killed for being a traitor, just around the end of last year."

"But when his body was found, there was no mark on the arm…Was there?" Harry inquired.

"Now that you mention it…" Lucius thought. "No, the mark was gone from his arm."

"So then Voldemort either told someone how to get rid of the mark, or he did it himself. He wouldn't allow a traitor to bear his mark." Harry stated. "But knowing that makes this easier to figure out. I doubt Voldemort would ever tell someone how to get rid of it, no matter how deep in the fold of being a follower someone may be…" He continued. "Voldemort used something only he could remove…" Harry stopped. "That's why it can't be found anywhere or just removed by even the most powerful wizards or witches. I'm searching for something that doesn't exist…"

"The marks on our arms say it exists, Harry…" Severus sighed.

"No, that's not what I mean." Harry told him. "It doesn't exist in a book, Severus. I'm researching books to find anything on magical tattoos and interactive marks, but I can't find anything on this because it's not published work. Voldemort is the only one who puts the mark on and takes it off…He built this mark. Created it himself."

"Oh my…That explains why no one has a way to remove it…" Narcissa understood.

"It's dark…Definitely dark magic, but there's more to its build." Harry said. "I just need to figure out what parts he used. Whatever the mark is…It's not just one thing, it's made up of different aspects to make it so powerful. If I can figure out the parts, I can undo it."

"There's no guarantee that if you figure out how the mark was created you can undo it, Harry. I'm not…Doubting your ability, but I ask you to stay realistic that you're trying to work out a created spell with many parts built by the darkest wizard known." Severus mentioned. "With a full education on top of all that. He's had many years, Harry…Many more than you. He's had time to figure this out."

"His years alive only tells me that he's old as hell, Severus. It doesn't mean he's smarter or wiser and do try to remember that I'm marked as his equal. If anyone does have the power to reverse what he's done…It's me. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord." Harry started. "If the only true way to get rid of the mark is to destroy him, so be it. Next time we run into one another, I'll send him straight to hell. He can't run like a coward forever."

Draco snorted back a laugh that Harry called Voldemort a coward. "I'm kind'a on Harry's side here. Voldemort does keep running from the battle when Harry duels him. I'm just saying…I think he's scared because he knows Harry can end him."

"I'm being realistic in the fact that all matter of spells can be undone, Severus. It's just a matter of finding the right pieces. If I figure out how he built it, I can take it back apart to create a counter spell." Harry remarked. "I need you to trust me, Sev. I promised you I'd find a way to free you and I will."

"I think you can do it, Harry," Draco smiled.

"Thanks, Dray," Harry replied.

"I told you I trusted you, Harry…It's just hard to grasp after all these years of having no hope." Severus revealed.

"But I'm taking a break from it, for today, at least. It's giving me a headache." Harry stated as he closed the book and stood to put it back on the shelf.

"Definitely do not burn yourself out," Severus informed. The Malfoy's had been there the entire time he researched, but Lucius and Narcissa were talking to Severus in the potions lab and at some point, Draco left Harry alone to read and join his parents and godfather. "I do commend your dissection of the mark, Harry. I admit I never considered that this was something the dark lord created from scratch." Severus stated.

"Sometimes you need a new perspective." Harry shrugged.

"Apparently so." Severus agreed. "What should we do with the rest of the evening?"

"Well, I'll be going over to Grimmauld to talk to Remus. I think he deserves the truth about us and I never got to tell him on Christmas." Harry said.

"How do you think he'll take it?" Severus wondered.

"He seems to be the understanding one of the Marauders, so I think that while he'll be surprised…He'll be calm and accepting." Harry informed. "I'm heading to Grimmauld now. Shouldn't be too long."

"See you when you get back," Severus mentioned. "Be safe."

"Always. See ya later, Sev. And all of you too," Harry headed over to the fireplace and stepped in, then tossed the powder down. "Harry's Lounge, 12 Grimmauld Place." The flames swallowed Harry up as he disappeared from Severus's sight.

"I guess we'll wait until he gets back." Draco shrugged.

. . .

Harry appeared in the lounge area, stepping out of the fireplace and looking around. "Uncle Remus?" Harry called out to the silent house. "Are you here?"

Harry heard footsteps and then Remus appeared in the doorway. "Harry. It's so good to see you!" Remus walked over and pulled Harry into a light hug. "I've just gotten back from seeing Sirius…"

"How is he?" Harry wondered.

"Healer says they're making some progress on the subject of him mourning your parents, understanding how your father had such a lasting impact on Sirius…" Remus stated gently.

"Well…Some is better than none, right?" Harry tried to stay positive about it.

"Just remember that there's a lot of damage in there from his time in Azkaban, Harry. The devastation when your parents were killed. There's a lot to work through and it was hard for him to handle everything, especially with how much you resemble your father the older you get." Remus reminded softly. "I'm not saying it excuses how he behaved with you, but…"

"I understand, Remus…" Harry nodded.

"I know, but it hurts me to see you look so upset when I give you updates." Remus admitted. "But either way…What brings you by? Everything alright at Severus's?"

"Everything is fine with Severus," Harry told him. "I…Came to talk to you."

"Something on your mind?" Remus guided Harry over to the couch and both sat down.

"You…Have the right to know what my plan was when I asked for your help in getting Sirius the help he needs." Harry stated. "I kept telling you that it was handled and I called in the favor Severus owed my dad to be taken in by him." He continued. "I think it's time to reveal to you what I did…"

"Severus applied for guardianship over you?" Remus questioned.

Harry shook his head. "Something a little more…Solid."

Remus stared at his unofficial nephew. "Harry…"

"Just…Keep an open mind a-and don't get mad…" Harry started.

"Harry, what did you do?" Remus pushed.

Harry took a breath. "I…I-I married Severus."

Remus's eyes widened as the words kept running through his head. Harry married Severus. Harry married Severus. Harry married Severus. "YOU WHAT?!" The werewolf howled in shock and disbelief.

"U-Uncle Remus…Just…Take it easy." Harry tried to calm the man.

"Did he put this idea in your head? Is this how he got back at you for calling in the debt for help?" Remus asked, getting to his feet. "I swear to Merlin, this time, I will kill him!" He went to the fireplace.

"Uncle Remus, wait!" Harry stood up.

"Severus Snape, Spinner's End." Remus threw the powder down and vanished.

"Oh, man…" Harry dragged his hand down his face and hurried into the fireplace.

. . .

Severus was just sitting around with the Malfoy's talking about whatever when the fireplace flared. "Guess that was quick…" Severus stated, but was surprised when Remus stormed through, looking angry as ever. "And I don't think it went as well as Harry believed it would…Lupin, just-,"

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!" Remus demanded. "You married my nephew! Do you deny it!?"

"No, I do not. Yes, I married Harry…" Severus replied.

"Then I have all the reasons to be angry! He's just a child!"

"He's sixteen, legal age to consent to anything." Lucius remarked.

"Stay out of this, Malfoy," Remus warned. "What is wrong with you, Snape? I never took you for someone revenge-filled, but marrying James's son? Or was it pity that you couldn't have Lily?"

"Don't you bring them into this, wolf. The marriage between Harry and I had nothing to do with either of them and everything to do with helping him escape Black." Severus remarked.

"Helping?! You married a sixteen year old boy who happens to be your student and the son of both the man who bullied you and woman you loved!" Remus glared.

The fireplace flared as Harry appeared in it. "Remus, stop and leave him alone." Harry went to step out but Remus put a shield over the exit to the fireplace so Harry couldn't get between them.

"Harry," Severus went to get his wand to free him, but Remus held his own on Snape.

"Harry, go back to Grimmauld. We'll talk later when I'm finished with him…" Remus ordered. Narcissa went to get her wand out to break the barrier, but Remus cast a wordless disarming spell and took their wands from them. "I always tried to see the good in you, Severus…Never agreed with what the other three did, but perhaps I overlooked just how awful you were. No wonder Lily never accepted your apology, she saw the darkness in you long before we did."

"Leave Lily out of this, Lupin…I told you why the marriage happened. I'm helping Harry!" Severus repeated. "He came to me for help, not the other way around!"

"Yeah, came to his teacher to ask for help and you do so by marrying him!" Remus stated. "You're old enough to be his father, Snape! All marriages have to be consummated, you slept with a child! You're a pedophile and a rapist!"

"I'm just going on record with liking older men!" Harry yelled.

"Don't call me out of my name, wolf." Severus glared. "And Harry, not helping!"

"You knew I was forward when you married me, Sev." Harry reminded.

"Indeed…" Severus sighed.

Remus grabbed a fistful of Severus's robes, preparing to punch him.

"Oh, that is so enough!" Harry curled his hand into a fist as it was enveloped in a blue aura, then he brought it back and slammed it into the barrier as it shattered and he walked out to get between Remus and Severus, instantly putting his hand up to catch Remus's fist and stop him from making contact with Severus. "Keep your hands off my husband…"

"Harry…" Remus said with surprise.

"Remus, stop. Knock it off…" Harry shoved his fist down and pushed Remus back slightly and stood in front of Severus to protect him. "Severus hasn't done anything wrong."

"Cub, he's obviously got you under some imperious or compulsive charm to make you think you want this-," Remus started.

"I ASKED HIM TO DO IT, REMUS!" Harry snapped causing Remus to stare at Harry, the narrowed eyes returning to normal. "If ya hadn't lost your senses back at Grimmauld and let me explain, you would have learned that I asked Severus for this. I asked him to marry me."

"But Harry…Why?" Remus inquired.

"I didn't have a choice but to get out from the restriction by using the marriage loophole. Marriage emancipates me from needing a guardian, it marks me an adult even if I'm not seventeen yet, as long as I live with my spouse." Harry told him. "I called in the life debt he owed my father to get him to agree. Severus did not force me to do anything, Remus. I asked him to marry me, I forced him into this until I turn seventeen so that I can't be bound to the minor wizarding law of needing a guardian." He explained. "This was my only choice."

"Harry, there were other ways…" Remus began.

"No, there weren't. It was the only way to live without a guardian. Sirius is locked in St. Mungo's, and Dumbledore would have sent me back to my relatives. And you can't take me. I didn't have another option…" Harry told him. "Now are you gonna chill long enough to let me talk?" Remus nodded.

"I went to Severus at the end of fifth year to ask a favor, that he marry me. Yes, we argued, but I got him to agree by using the life debt. We were bonded on August 2, and yes, it was consummated. The entire marriage is legal, Uncle Remus. I've been living here, completely fine. Severus hasn't been anything but nice to me. It was a rough start, but we got over the past and everything is fine now."

"This is just until you're seventeen?" Remus asked.

"No, we're seeing where it goes." Severus remarked as Remus glared at him.

"When Severus and I bonded, not only was it a blood bonding ceremony, Remus, but our circle reacted and glowed. The Malfoy's were witness to it, and Lucius performed the ceremony himself." Harry started.

"What does a glowing circle have to do with anything?" Remus demanded.

"It means the gods and goddesses smiled upon the union, blessing it. A glowing circle occurs when the two bonded happen to be soulmates." Lucius informed.

"It doesn't have to be a loving connection. Soulmates, in this sense, can just mean they're meant to be in each other's lives. Severus loves Lily, but it wasn't a romantic love; it was them as best friends. Lily was his first friend, and he did everything he could to protect her at the risk of his own life," Narcissa explained. "For Harry and Severus, it's still unknown how things will evolve, but they agreed to give the relationship a real chance and see what happens."

"They are the only two who can break their bond, by choice, or by death." Draco added in.

"And Harry, I told you that you didn't force me into this…You asked, we argued about it, but you made solid points and I agreed. I only asked that you use the life debt so that it can just be cleared. I agreed willingly to marry you." Severus reminded his husband, putting his hands on Harry's shoulders.

"I know, but I wanted Remus to understand that you didn't make me do this, nor give me the idea." Harry said before looking back to Remus. "I always took you for the calm one of the group, figuring you'd understand the choice I had to make. Obviously, I was wrong…" He folded his arms over one another. "You said you didn't care as long as I was safe. I'm safe with Severus; he'd never hurt me."

"But cub…" Remus tried.

"Enough, Remus." Harry warned. "I told you as a courtesy to keep you informed because I know you care about me. But do not forget that my entire life has been survival…I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for an exceedingly long time. Now, I trust you won't reveal this to Sirius…" Remus nodded. "Good, because that will drive him crazy and I don't put it past him to break out of the hospital and come after Severus…Now, give everyone back their wand and go back to Grimmauld…"

Remus handed over the wands to their rightful owners. "I'm sorry…"

"Sorry doesn't change the fact you lost your temper and came after Severus so accusingly and refused to let me explain…" Harry remarked. "I expected it from Sirius, not you…Now, go home…I'll talk to you later." Remus turned and left the house as Harry dropped his arms and sighed. "I'm sorry, Severus."

"Don't be, Harry. You didn't think he'd react so badly to the information." Severus stated. "Forget about it, no harm done. Are you alright, he didn't hurt you, did he?"

"No…Least not physically," Harry muttered.

"Well, let's see what we can do about that mood…How about we go out? Movie and dinner?" Severus suggested.

Harry turned and looked at him. "Re-Really? Out in public?"

"No one's gonna recognize us in the muggle world." Severus chuckled.

"True." Harry agreed. "Alright, sure. Sounds like a good time."

"Then we'll be off and leave you two for your night." Narcissa smiled as she led her family to the fireplace so they could leave Harry and Severus alone.

When the Malfoys were gone, Harry turned towards Severus. "We should probably get ready to go out." Harry said. "Meet you back down here in ten?"

"In ten," Severus nodded. Harry went to walk away, but Severus grabbed his hand as Harry looked back at the man. "Thank you for protecting me from Remus."

Harry smiled. "I told you that I'd protect you from any negative backlash we faced for the decision made. I'm a man of my word, Severus." Harry kissed the man's cheek. "You're welcome."