Author note: Hi everyone, welcome to chapter 2, as I said in my last author note, I do have some chapters already written, but not in the order I want to post them, so I'm going to try and post chapters on a weekly basis until I run out.

Thank you to all who read and thank you to all who reviewed, they really make me smile!

Hope you all enjoy,

S L x

Oliver Davies looked like the sort of man who didn't have many friends, in fact, he didn't. He was the sort of man who thought himself better than the rest and therefore didn't feel the need to have friends as they were all far too inferior to him.

Harry ignored his outstretched hand, and instead just looked over at Dumbledore.

Seeing Harry was not going to take his hand, Mr. Davies dejectedly let it drop down to his side. He coughed before looking over at the older wizard.

"Dumbledore, it has been over an hour since I asked you to open the floo to allow ministry officials in, something that should be automatically allowed anyway. Can I ask why you felt the need to block it even to us?"

"These are dark times Mr. Davies, I no longer take any precaution with who comes through the floo network into Hogwarts," Albus replied, not a hint of a smile on his face.

"But why over an hour? And you still have not opened it, hence the need we felt we should come down here," Mr. Davies said gesturing at his assistant.

"Mr. Davies" Albus replied politely. "I did not open the floo for you or let you in as soon as I heard you were down at the gates as we had something very exciting taking place here, and with all due respect we did not want it being interrupted." Albus' eyes were twinkling wildly, a smile littered on his face.

Harry and Snape both wondered how he looked so genuinely happy.

"And pray tell Dumbledore, what was so urgent and exciting?" He said slowly, making sure to pronounce every syllable. "I'm sure nothing could have been so urgent as making sure Harry Potter is safe." He turned to face Harry, who stood tall by Snape, he felt Snape move ever slightly closer to him. "We already have a lot of interest in you," Mr. Davies talked about Harry as if he was some sort of prize to be won.

"Mr. Davies," Dumbledore said loudly, drawing his attention back to himself. "The exciting thing taking place was a wedding, one we are most happy about," he said, his smile becoming larger.

"Well, congratulations to you!" He sneered, glancing over at Mcgonagall "I guess congratulations are in order to you as well. I wish you both a very happy life. Now come on Harry, say your goodbyes."

For one awful second, Harry thought Mr. Davies was going to take his hand and lead him out like a toddler, but instead, Snape moved in front of Harry, blocking his vision from the room.

"Harry is not going anywhere with you. You see Mr. Davies, you seem to be confused. It is not Professor Dumbledore who has got married, but I" Snape said.

"And who, may I ask, too?" provoked Mr. Davies as he glared at Snape.

"I think you already know the answer to that," came the immediate sharp reply.

"Oh I think I do too, but I want it confirmed."

"Harry and I were the ones to get married," Snape said slowly, almost spelling it out for the man opposite him.

"Professor Dumbledore, you are a well-respected headmaster of this school and I would find it highly unlikely that you would allow this man to see Harry Potter under the circumstances." Mr. Davies glanced quickly at Dumbledore, but turning his head immediately back to Snape he spoke again." I have heard stories about you from many different people. I know what you've done, what evil things you've done."

"Now hold on a second" Harry suddenly heard Remus speak up. He should have been the one to say that, he thought begrudgingly. He hadn't said a word since Mr. Davies had walked into the room. In truth, Harry just had no idea what to say. He didn't want to say anything that could give this lie away.

"How could you think about letting this man anywhere near Mr. Potter?" Mr. Davies spoke again.

"You don't know anything about me or my relationship with Harry." Severus replied just as quickly.

"I think I know enough about you to make a good judgment"

"Oh, you think do you?" Snape bit back.

"In this situation, I allowed it, Mr. Davies, you see I think Severus and Harry are wonderful together. They both possess great power, and knowledge, they can help each other." Dumbledore smiled a kind smile, making Mr. Davies even angrier.

"This marriage is a sham!" Mr. Davies raised his voice as he turned to face Snape and Harry one more. Harry thought the best thing he could do at the moment was to keep silent. He did not want to say anything that could show Mr. Davies they were lying. "How convenient that as soon as you got word Harry would be going into an orphanage you two decided to get married." Mr. Davies spat and Snape physically moved his head back to stop his spit flicking on him.

"Mr. Davies let me explain," Dumbledore calmly began, mainly just to stop Severus from losing his temper. "I can imagine this is a bit of a shock for you, as after all you are only doing your job and looking after Harry. However, when Harry found out he had been disowned he grew very upset at the fact that he may never return to Hogwarts again, and so did all of us, but especially Severus. We saw no other choice for Harry to continue his education here, so Severus and Harry decided that it was time for them to get married, just pushing something forward that I'm sure they would have done in a few years time if not," Dumbledore smiled brightly, "I think it's rather romantic. Don't you?"

Mr. Davies stood still. He was silent and glaring at Dumbledore. His assistant, who everyone had forgotten was there, suddenly spoke.

"Sir," he said timidly "If this is the case then we have no more business here. There is no need for Harry to go into an orphanage. I think it's best if we take our leave"

Mr. Davies turned to face his assistant with an extreme look of anger on his face.

"Now just one moment Edward, What gives you the right to tell me when my job is done. When you become the boss of me then I will allow you to tell me what to do." He shouted at the poor assistant, who was now looking down at his feet, a hint of shame but mostly anger masked his face. He turned his head back to where Snape was still standing in front of Harry and walked over to them.

"Now listen here, I do not for one moment, believe this marriage is true. I've heard stories about the two of you hating each other from many students and parents, and if this is your way to make sure Harry does not end up with anyone unsuitable, then I'm afraid you are wrong." He angrily looked up at Snape, for Snape was a good deal taller than he was. "You are unsuitable for him." He whispered hoarsely, and Harry tried to step away from Snape, to defend him.

"I warn you, Mr. Davies, not to anger me; I would do anything for Harry, I would protect him with my life," Snape whispered back, his voice full of venom, his eyes angry and glaring at the man in front of him. He put his arm out to stop Harry from trying to wriggle past him.

"You would protect him with your life? You're the one he needs protecting from. You are a danger to his life" Mr. Davies barked out.

"He's never hurt me"

"Oh, Mr. Potter, you finally speak. Glad to see that your new husband can't even trust you to speak in fear of giving away the fact this marriage is void." Mr. Davies spat out.

"I don't need to explain myself to you. We are married, and that is all you need to know. I do not want to share the details of my private life with everybody." Harry said, far more boldly than he actually felt at that moment in time.

"Well this will be all over the papers, so every single wizard will know about this come tomorrow morning, I will see to that." He threatened.

"Well, I guess we'll look forward to all the congratulations cards then," Snape said back with his usual sarcasm.

"I know this marriage is void, everyone in this room knows it, and in fact when this gets made public everyone who reads the paper will know this. I will find a way to prove it." Mr. Davies stated, turning his back on the room, and heading towards the door.

"I wish you luck with that, now if you wouldn't mind leaving so we could carry on our celebrations that would be much appreciated" Snape advised, with a hint of a smirk on his face.

With one last withering look at Snape, Mr. Davies turned on his heel and walked out the door. Slamming it shut in the process.

"I really am sorry about him," Edward said, turning to face the room. "He really is the vilest of creatures. Honestly, congratulations again on your marriage. He doesn't understand as no one has ever loved him," Edward joked, moving to the door as well. "Goodnight all, thank you for showing me I can no longer work for a man like that"

"If you're stuck for anything I'm sure Hogwarts would have a position that would be suited for you," Dumbledore suggested back.

"I'll seriously think about it" Edward half-joked back, unsure if Dumbeldore was being serious or not. With that final last word, he and McGonagall left the room, to walk back down to the gates and apparate away.

That was the first and last time Harry hoped he would ever have the misfortune of meeting Mr. Davies again. Mr. Davies' threat had felt very real, but for now, they were safe and the story was believed. Although Harry knew, Mr. Davies would do everything in his power to make sure this marriage was not legitimate.

It was like the whole room breathed a sigh of relief.

As soon as Edward had left the room, Snape had moved away from Harry as much as he could. It had felt very odd to call him by his first name, and Snape had had to remind himself to use it. This was something he was going to have to get used to.

"Severus, that was marvelous!" Albus said, his eyes shining brightly, and a smile on his face.

"I was just doing what you required Albus," Snape said bluntly.

"Are you alright Harry?" Remus asked, and truth be told Harry had almost forgotten there were others in the room, as he looked up to see Remus, McGonagall, and Poppy staring at him.

"Yes Remus I'm fine, I just wish my name wasn't going to be in the papers at least one day this summer but it looks like that's gone out the window" Harry laughed. Well tried to laugh, but it presented itself as more of a sigh. Remus half smiled back at him.

"Boys, I know this situation is far from ideal for both of you, but again I thank you both for doing this. I do not think you can comprehend how much you have saved doing this." Dumbledore smiled warmly at both of them.

Snape rolled his eyes as he listened to Dumbledore. He was dancing around this as if this was a little bump in the road. This was to affect Snape's whole life, and Harry's too.

"On the bright side, it only needs to last for a year," Dumbledore continued.

"A year?" Harry asked. A year he could do. A year of ignoring each other, avoiding each other as much as possible, only being together when they really had to. He had put up with 17 years of the Dursleys, he was sure he could put up with one year of marriage.

"In a year's time, you will be 18, legally an adult, with no need for a guardian. You and Severus can have this marriage annulled, and then it will be like it never happened." Dumbledore paused, "unless of course, you don't want to."

Dumbledore purposefully ignored the look Snape threw at him.

"You know, Professor Dumbledore, I completely forgot today was my birthday." Harry chuckled quietly. He could honestly say it had been the worst birthday of his life.

Dumbledore smiled kindly back.

"Right my boys, I think it's time for us all to go to bed, and anything that needs explaining will have to wait until tomorrow, til we've all got a good night's sleep. Harry; I know I said you would have to stay in Severus' rooms for the rest of the school year, but that does also include from now onwards." He said, missing the look of dismay on Harry's face. "Severus, if you would like to take Harry down to your rooms."

"Could I not just stay in the castle for a month, surely I don't have to stay in Professors Snape's quarters?" Harry asked a hint of desperation in his voice.

"This is a marriage, Harry. You will be asked to act in an expected manner" Dumbledore said."There are plenty of spy charms and spells to see if you two live together. Not living together is a perfect reason to prove this marriage is illegitimate."

Snape put his hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. He was tired. He would just like to get home, preferably without Potter. But he knew that was no longer an option.

Harry knew this was a losing battle. He knew no matter what he said, he would not be allowed any chance to show anyone this marriage was void.

As Harry said his goodbyes to everyone Remus put his arm around him in a one-armed hug.

"I've missed you, Remus."

"I've missed you too kiddo."

"Are you staying for a while?" Harry asked his friend.

"I'll stay for as long as I can," Remus said, trying to ignore the sadness on Harry's face. For now, that answer would have to do.

Harry was led down to the dungeons, he didn't know if it was because no one else was there, but it certainly felt more cold and dark down here than usual.

Snape rushed forward, his cloak billowing him behind him, while Harry almost stumbled down to his new rooms.

This would definitely take some time to get used to.

When he was at Hogwarts the Gryffindor common room was like a home to him. The big red armchairs, the roaring fire, and all the other Gryffindors loudly playing exploding snap or chatting away to everyone. He loved it in that common room, and he loved his dormitory immensely and could not believe he would not be sleeping there again. No more late nights with Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville, no more last-minute homework, desperately trying to finish it the night before class started. No more friends. Harry all of a sudden felt desperately alone.

"Here are my quarters," Snape said, breaking Harry from his train of thoughts. "The password is Dante," Snape said, and the door swung open. Snape walked inside, leaving Harry to follow.

"Dante?" Harry questioned, "Like Dante's inferno?" Rather fitting as he was about to spend the next year in his own personal hell, Harry thought to himself.

"Quite," Snape replied.

Harry tentatively walked into the room behind Snape.

"Here's the living room, through the door, is my study, that one is the bedroom, through the bedroom is the bathroom, and that door over there is my potions room. Under no circumstance are you to go in that room without me, there are potions in there that could quite literally melt your bones off your skin." He spoke quickly, with no pauses, and Harry could not do much but nod. "Do you understand?" he said, the teacher in him definitely showing.

"Yes sir" Harry replied, letting his eyes wander around the room.

He was surprised at the size of the living room, it was bigger than the Gryffindor common room, and was rather pleasantly decorated. The walls were painted a forest green sort of color, with low lighting attached to the walls. There was a black small hanging light from the ceiling, above a rather expensive looking mahogany coffee table, around the table there was a black sofa with green cushions and a matching armchair. This was all next to a rather large fireplace, which Harry had to admit would be lovely in winter, considering how cold it was down here in the middle of summer. Under the table, chair and sofa, lay a marvelous dark green and gold rug, with gold strings weaving in and out. Everything about this room screamed in class. A world away from the Weasley's homely burrow. Unlike the burrow, however, Harry noticed there were no photos up on the walls or in picture frames, in fact, it looked like no one even lived here. The room was immaculate.

"This is nice," Harry stated plainly. Snape had gone to sit down on the sofa, the look of annoyance still etched on his face.

"I'm glad mister Potter approves" Snape retorted.

Harry was about to say something in return when he spotted a cat basket on the floor.

"Is that a cat basket?" Harry asked curiously.

"Yes. What of it?"

"Do you have a cat?" Harry had always wanted a pet. He loved Hedwig but an owl was not a pet that would come and sit on your lap.

"No Potter, I just like having a cat basket in my room. Of course, I have a cat you stupid boy" Snape's anger was rising, and so was Harry's.

"I was just asking a question!" Harry said, his voice getting louder. "Look, I don't like this situation just as much as you, but were in it, so excuse me for asking a question."

Snape closed his eyes and after a short moment of silence opened them again.

"Her name is Iris, she comes in when she pleases." He stood from the sofa and began walking to the door by the bookcase to the right of the room. "I'm going to my study. It's been a long day and I do not want or need to be listening to you." Harry fought the urge to argue back but then realized he also did not want to make small talk and pretend that everything was normal to Snape.

This situation was anything but normal.

"I suggest you get some sleep, you know where the bedroom is." Snape said, glancing at the bedroom door. He did not fail to miss Harry's look of utter shock. "For the third time this evening Potter, this is a marriage, and what do married couples do?"

At Harry's startled look between him and the bedroom door, Snape continued.

"They sleep in the same bed." Harry's chest was now rising and falling very quickly. Panic just starting to set in slightly. Snape rolled his eyes. "Nothing Else." He assured, and with those final words, he stormed off to his study and slammed the door behind him, leaving Harry alone.

The first thing Snape did as he entered his study was walk over to his cabinet containing his emergency items. Also known as Whisky. He poured it into his glass and resisted the urge to down it in one gulp, failing, he quickly gulped it down and felt the burn at the back of his throat. He didn't hesitate to pour himself another glass.

Out of everything that could have happened this evening, Snape could not believe it had been this. When Albus had come into his rooms earlier that night to ask for help with knowledge of Mr. Davies, Snape had helped as best as he could, as he always did. But if he had known it would have ended with this, he would have never opened the door.

When Albus had said his name, Snape almost thought he was joking. Him to marry Albus' golden boy. Snape has been tempted to shove Albus out of the door and refer him to St Mungo's as he had obviously gone mad.

It took him a while to believe that Dumbledore had not had this planned for weeks. It was far too much of a coincidence that Snape had removed himself from Voldemort's ranks as little as a fortnight ago, and the only reason he was staying in the castle this summer was simply for protection. If Snape believed in fate he would have said that this was it. But he didn't believe in fate, so whatever this marriage was between him and Potter was, it did not happen because of fate.

Snape hoped Harry would be fast asleep when he entered the bedroom. He hadn't shared a bed with someone in years, and that was something he was quite happy not to change. He would stay in here for the next hour, and then he would venture out.

He looked down at his whiskey, then back up at his cabinet, making a mental note to himself to buy a few more bottles to get him through the rest of the year.

Harry watched the door slam and suddenly he felt very alone. He was in a stranger's home, and it was somewhere he definitely wasn't welcome.

He glanced nervously towards the bedroom. He had never not wanted to go into a room so badly. He gulped and looked around the room.

The clock above the fireplace showed the time as being close to 11. Harry all of a sudden felt exhausted as if suddenly everything had dawned on him as to what had just happened. He was dreading tomorrow when he was going to have to tell people exactly why he had been disowned. It was all his fault, if only he had learned to control his magic better. He honestly wasn't sure what was better. Living with Snape or living with the Dursleys.

Harry put his hand to his head and sighed, moving his fringe out of the way slightly.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a tapping on the window, he was so happy to see his magnificent snowy owl at the window.

"Hedwig!" Harry said, walking over to the window to let his owl in. Harry's thoughts suddenly turned to Ron and Hermione. He needed to speak to them before they read the papers tomorrow, but he knew that would not be possible. He knew he had to write to both of them straight away and let them know what was happening. Maybe even ask them to come over to Hogwarts, so at least he could see his friends while all this was going on. He was sure they wouldn't mind spending the last month here with him.

He walked over to the bookcase, which was to the right of the door Snape had just walked through and grabbed a quill and a bottle of ink off the shelf. He began to write the first letter to Ron, standing, resting on the bookcase.

Ron,

I'm at Hogwarts, if possible could you come to Hogwarts tomorrow morning. I have rather a lot to tell you.

Harry.

Short and simple he thought. That was perfect. He didn't want to say too much in the letter just in case anyone found it. Now for Hermione's he would write exactly the same. Maybe he could ask Dumbledore to get her if she couldn't floo over. He wrote the same to Hermione, knowing she would sort out how to get here if she needed to.

Harry gave the letter to Hedwig and watched her fly off in the night. After watching until she was completely out of sight, he turned towards the bedroom and forced himself to open the door. He was being ridiculous, he told himself. It was a bedroom.

It was Snape's bedroom.

"Harry Potter!" Harry jumped out of his skin and swished around.

"Dobby!" Harry exclaimed, out of everything Harry did not think he would be seeing Dobby here. "What… What are you doing here?"

"Us house-elves are hearing that Harry Potter and Professor Snape is getting married, so Dobby is here to offer his services. Dobby went to Privet Drive and gots your things." Harry glanced down to see a small case and was thankful for Dobby for bringing them, although he barely had anything at the Dursleys.

"Thank you, Dobby, if you don't mind, I really am shattered and think I will be heading off to bed now." Harry did not mean to be rude, but he did not want an hour-long conversation with Dobby at this precise moment in time.

"Of course Harry Potter is tired. Dobby will leave him now, all Harry Potter has to do is call Dobby, and Dobby will be here!" And with that, Dobby vanished.

Harry reached into his trunk and found his toothbrush. There honestly was not much worth keeping in there, none of the clothes fit him right anyway.

The bedroom was decorated like the living room, a massive wooden wardrobe stood next to the fireplace, and there in the center was the bed. Although only one side supported a bedside table, with a little lamp on and a book.

Harry knew what side he had to sleep on. Something that he was very grateful for, as he did not want to be woken by an angry Snape telling him he was on his side of the bed.

Harry looked at the singular bedside table and wondered just how long Snape had been alone. He had never known him to have a partner while he was at school, not one the students knew of anyway. People had assumed that's why he was always so miserable.

Harry plodded over to the bathroom, he washed his face and brushed his teeth, and put on his pajamas, which was far too big for him, as they were handed down from Dudley. However, Harry now on the grounds of Hogwarts, and turned 17, he was now allowed to perform magic. He performed a shrinking spell on them, noticing quickly how much better they fit on him now.

He climbed into the bed, and immediately felt uncomfortable. The bed itself was comfy, but this just felt odd. Almost immediately Harry shut his eyes, exhausted from the day, and drifted off into sleep.

After a long hour, Snape walked to the bedroom. He was sure Harry would be asleep, and when he silently opened the door he was grateful that he was. He was also grateful to see that Harry had gone to sleep on his side of the bed. It was the small things. He almost stopped in his tracks when he had noticed he had just referred to Harry's side of the bed 'his'. It is not his and it would never be, this was a temporary situation.

He could not say what possessed him to look at the bedside table, and with magic, conjure up a new one with a lamp on it, and place it next to Harry's side, but he did. Also noticing his glasses, which the boy was about to roll over and squash, with his wand he moved them safely to the table next to him.

He rolled his eyes, and walked to the bathroom, doing his own nightly routine. He put on his pajama bottoms and then realized he would have to go find a top to sleep in as well. He usually slept shirtless but under the current situation, he would undoubtedly need to find a top as well. He left the bathroom, quietly shutting the door behind him. He didn't want Harry to wake, and he definitely didn't want Harry to see him without anything covering the upper half of his body.

How he missed his house and his own bed. He liked his rooms at Hogwarts and had made them his own as much as he could, but he rather enjoyed going home for the summer holidays. He liked his private time. He looked down at his dark mark and the glossy charm over it, which Dumbledore had cast. When Snape had left the Death Eaters, the first thing Dumbledore had done was to stop the dark mark hurting him anymore. Voldemort had lost his control over Snape.

He walked past the bed, ignoring the body asleep in it and opened the wardrobe door as quietly as possible. Grabbing a plain black top from it and closing it even more silently, he put it on over his head.

Snape climbed into bed beside Harry, it felt strange to share a bed with someone when he hadn't in years. The familiar heat of a body next to his. The small dip he could feel if he moved to close. He lay on his back and closed his eyes. He cursed Albus for doing this to him, and with those final thoughts tried to get some sleep.