p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I'll be fine," Severus tried, rolling his eyes when Harry continued shaking his head./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Why can't you just stay here?" Harry asked him, throwing his hands into the air. "I'll only be gone two hours at most, and I can take you out to get ingredients as soon as I get back."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus growled, bringing himself up as tall as was able and crossing his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I am a full capable wizard, Potter. I have been defending myself for longer than you have been alive. I don't need a body guard to go to the apothecary."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The pop against his buttocks was loud in the room, and he felt his eyes well despite it not stinging much at all./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Now," Harry said firmly, keeping his hand on the curve of Severus' butt cheek in both warning and as reassurance, "address me respectfully."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus averted his eyes to the lapel of Harry's shirt, taking a deep breath and moving closer to him. Harry did not smile as he usually did when Severus came close, but he did bring his other arm around his waist and rubbed his bum in circular motions./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Dominus," he entreated in a softer tone, "I know that you are only concerned, and I appreciate it. I'll even take an emergency portkey with me, if you would like. I can't hide though. Don't you see that this is something I have to do? That I need to do for myself?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed, looking down at his mate./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Okay. However, you will take the emergency portkey, and you will return in less than two hours. I mean it, pet. I won't have you pushing yourself too hard before you're ready."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nuzzled his cheek in thanks before striding off to get dressed, squeaking when he was brought back against a strong chest. Harry chuckled at the man's shocked squawk of protest, it fading into a loving smile when he melted almost immediately into his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You know I only worry because I care, little one. I know you are capable."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus wiggled until Harry loosened his hold, only to wrap his long arms around his mate's torso and nuzzle his chest./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know, Dominus. That doesn't mean I'm not going to fight you one it, though. Gryffindors like you need a little challenge every now and again."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry's laugh was clear and open now, and Severus found himself pressing closer to feel the rumble against him through his chest./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""And Slytherins such as yourself need a firm hand every now and then, to keep you forgetting yourself." Severus sobered, his stance switching from a simple embrace to seeking comfort immediately./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hey, now. Don't you worry about it," Harry soothed, squeezing him before lifting his chin from his collar. "I didn't mean that as an admonishment, baby. It's over and done with. I know you'll slip up every now and again. This is still new. I'm not upset with you, darling. I promise."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nodded, leaning up before jerking down. Harry smiled, caressing his cheek./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You think about it, my own, but don't rush. We can talk when you get home, okay? When you get back I'll take you to the manor. I can't wait for you to see the laboratory."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"***HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS***/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The potion's master moved at a slow pace through the large shelves, checking every bottle to make sure he hadn't missed any key ingredients he would need in his labs in order to make his basic potions first. Harry had given him a card for spending, though he kept saying he was going to repay Harry when he could, and told him to get everything the potions master would need to start out with./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He was going to have to start from scratch after all. The potion stores had been destroyed in the final battle. All that he had was his journals that he kept in the head office and a few emergency draughts./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus couldn't wait to start brewing again./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"A crash of glass brought him out of his reverie, startling him into a defensive position./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"It was too late. They had found him./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He started shooting off spells at the attackers, moving slowly in his still-healing state but still fast enough to disarm one of his opponents while the other was incarcerated by the shopkeeper./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He looked down and felt the world turn sideways./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Dominant."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"***HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS***/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He was staring at the floor where his blood was leaking, unable to stop it if he tried. The pounding of feet against the hardwood felt like a hammer to his head, but he forced himself to stay awake./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Severus!" Harry shouted, his voice almost a growl. The larger man was at his side within the second, waving his wand over him in complex motions./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""When did you learn healing?" Severus heard himself ask, shocked and confused./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry didn't answer him, finishing his spell to seal the wound before picking him up and carrying him up the stairs./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Where are we?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sniffed./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""The portkey brought you to me, so we are in Potter Manor. I'm taking you to our bedroom so that I can check you over properly."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The older man looked at him befuddled./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You healed me. I'm fine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry rumbled at him, tugging him against his chest and up higher on his hip as if he would run at any moment./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You will allow me to check you over, submissive, or you can bet you won't be leaving this manor again for a very long time."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus frowned but nodded his assent, understanding Harry wasn't really himself as much as he was his creature right now. He was still not expecting his clothing to be spelled away when Harry set him down on the large bed, and he attempted to shield himself from his dominant's gaze, only to be halted by a low growl./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Relax," Harry said roughly. "I need to check you over."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He felt the tension leave him despite himself, sinking into the dark sheets. Harry moved up, taking in the sight of his mate sprawled out on the large bed. He looked like a dark angel, his alabaster skin a stark contrast to the midnight bedspread, but Harry could not enjoy the view./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He started at Severus' ankles, nosing around them as if he would smell something wrong. He felt Severus twitch at the sensation and gripped his leg to keep him from moving. He made his way slowly up his right leg, going as far as to lift his small prick and balls away from his scrotum to get a better look. He inhaled deeply near his sack, and Severus shivered in muted arousal. Harry ignored it in favor of narrowing his eyes at a lightly coloured bruise at the back of his left knee./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The dominant had the leg lifted up, pressing against it so that it was pushing closer to Severus' chest. The older man was holding his breath as to not let out the yearning moan that was welling up inside his chest. Now was certainly not the time to offer himself to his mate./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Where did this come from?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus furrowed his eyebrows, frowning./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I don't know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry let out a low growl, causing Severus' breath to catch before he let out a whine./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I don't know, Alpha."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry nodded, nuzzling the mark with his nose before casting a healing spell wandlessly and nipping the area with his mouth. He let the leg drop and lifted Severus up into his arms, pressing his face into his mate's neck./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""That was too close, little one. I could have lost you."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The older man wrapped both legs around his dominus, humming in agreement./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"TBC/span/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Why can't you just stay here?" Harry asked him, throwing his hands into the air. "I'll only be gone two hours at most, and I can take you out to get ingredients as soon as I get back."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus growled, bringing himself up as tall as was able and crossing his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I am a full capable wizard, Potter. I have been defending myself for longer than you have been alive. I don't need a body guard to go to the apothecary."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The pop against his buttocks was loud in the room, and he felt his eyes well despite it not stinging much at all./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Now," Harry said firmly, keeping his hand on the curve of Severus' butt cheek in both warning and as reassurance, "address me respectfully."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus averted his eyes to the lapel of Harry's shirt, taking a deep breath and moving closer to him. Harry did not smile as he usually did when Severus came close, but he did bring his other arm around his waist and rubbed his bum in circular motions./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Dominus," he entreated in a softer tone, "I know that you are only concerned, and I appreciate it. I'll even take an emergency portkey with me, if you would like. I can't hide though. Don't you see that this is something I have to do? That I need to do for myself?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed, looking down at his mate./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Okay. However, you will take the emergency portkey, and you will return in less than two hours. I mean it, pet. I won't have you pushing yourself too hard before you're ready."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nuzzled his cheek in thanks before striding off to get dressed, squeaking when he was brought back against a strong chest. Harry chuckled at the man's shocked squawk of protest, it fading into a loving smile when he melted almost immediately into his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You know I only worry because I care, little one. I know you are capable."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus wiggled until Harry loosened his hold, only to wrap his long arms around his mate's torso and nuzzle his chest./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know, Dominus. That doesn't mean I'm not going to fight you one it, though. Gryffindors like you need a little challenge every now and again."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry's laugh was clear and open now, and Severus found himself pressing closer to feel the rumble against him through his chest./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""And Slytherins such as yourself need a firm hand every now and then, to keep you forgetting yourself." Severus sobered, his stance switching from a simple embrace to seeking comfort immediately./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hey, now. Don't you worry about it," Harry soothed, squeezing him before lifting his chin from his collar. "I didn't mean that as an admonishment, baby. It's over and done with. I know you'll slip up every now and again. This is still new. I'm not upset with you, darling. I promise."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nodded, leaning up before jerking down. Harry smiled, caressing his cheek./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You think about it, my own, but don't rush. We can talk when you get home, okay? When you get back I'll take you to the manor. I can't wait for you to see the laboratory."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"***HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS***/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The potion's master moved at a slow pace through the large shelves, checking every bottle to make sure he hadn't missed any key ingredients he would need in his labs in order to make his basic potions first. Harry had given him a card for spending, though he kept saying he was going to repay Harry when he could, and told him to get everything the potions master would need to start out with./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He was going to have to start from scratch after all. The potion stores had been destroyed in the final battle. All that he had was his journals that he kept in the head office and a few emergency draughts./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus couldn't wait to start brewing again./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"A crash of glass brought him out of his reverie, startling him into a defensive position./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"It was too late. They had found him./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He started shooting off spells at the attackers, moving slowly in his still-healing state but still fast enough to disarm one of his opponents while the other was incarcerated by the shopkeeper./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He looked down and felt the world turn sideways./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Dominant."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"***HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS***/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He was staring at the floor where his blood was leaking, unable to stop it if he tried. The pounding of feet against the hardwood felt like a hammer to his head, but he forced himself to stay awake./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Severus!" Harry shouted, his voice almost a growl. The larger man was at his side within the second, waving his wand over him in complex motions./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""When did you learn healing?" Severus heard himself ask, shocked and confused./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry didn't answer him, finishing his spell to seal the wound before picking him up and carrying him up the stairs./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Where are we?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sniffed./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""The portkey brought you to me, so we are in Potter Manor. I'm taking you to our bedroom so that I can check you over properly."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The older man looked at him befuddled./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You healed me. I'm fine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry rumbled at him, tugging him against his chest and up higher on his hip as if he would run at any moment./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You will allow me to check you over, submissive, or you can bet you won't be leaving this manor again for a very long time."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus frowned but nodded his assent, understanding Harry wasn't really himself as much as he was his creature right now. He was still not expecting his clothing to be spelled away when Harry set him down on the large bed, and he attempted to shield himself from his dominant's gaze, only to be halted by a low growl./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Relax," Harry said roughly. "I need to check you over."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He felt the tension leave him despite himself, sinking into the dark sheets. Harry moved up, taking in the sight of his mate sprawled out on the large bed. He looked like a dark angel, his alabaster skin a stark contrast to the midnight bedspread, but Harry could not enjoy the view./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He started at Severus' ankles, nosing around them as if he would smell something wrong. He felt Severus twitch at the sensation and gripped his leg to keep him from moving. He made his way slowly up his right leg, going as far as to lift his small prick and balls away from his scrotum to get a better look. He inhaled deeply near his sack, and Severus shivered in muted arousal. Harry ignored it in favor of narrowing his eyes at a lightly coloured bruise at the back of his left knee./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The dominant had the leg lifted up, pressing against it so that it was pushing closer to Severus' chest. The older man was holding his breath as to not let out the yearning moan that was welling up inside his chest. Now was certainly not the time to offer himself to his mate./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Where did this come from?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus furrowed his eyebrows, frowning./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I don't know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry let out a low growl, causing Severus' breath to catch before he let out a whine./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I don't know, Alpha."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry nodded, nuzzling the mark with his nose before casting a healing spell wandlessly and nipping the area with his mouth. He let the leg drop and lifted Severus up into his arms, pressing his face into his mate's neck./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""That was too close, little one. I could have lost you."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The older man wrapped both legs around his dominus, humming in agreement./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"TBC/span/p
