It was expected Harry would be tired; he just used a lot of magic to remove not just his own, but the marks of five other people. Voldemort was sure to be angry when he realized that he lost six people, and Harry didn't tell anyone that Voldemort would likely be able to feel when his magic was touched.
When Harry cut the strands, it meant he was cutting the link between Voldemort and those particular Death Eaters. Voldemort would know and Harry assumed he would right away because the man was ever furious; Harry's scar was searing and he could see flashes of Voldemort scolding people, shouting orders and destroying things wherever he was.
"Lu-Lucius, do you have the ability as Lord Malfoy to lockdown your manor from anyone passing the wards except those you allow?" Harry asked the man.
"Of course I do…Why?" Lucius replied.
"I'd do it, right now, before Voldemort shows up to find out why the link between you two is severed." Harry suggested.
"Why would he know? You said he wouldn't feel it, Harry…" Severus stated.
"Lucius, do it now." Harry told him. Lucius pulled his wand out of the cane and put it to his lordship ring before waving it around the room. No one saw anything, but there was a rush of magic that was felt. "Severus, the marks were connected to him as the host and creator. I never said he wouldn't feel when I literally snapped the strands of magic linking him to his Death Eaters."
"How else do you expect me to sever the portkeys embedded that let him get to any of you? Or you to him. That's what the connection was. Those were the strands you saw going from the mark to each Death Eater." Harry winced. "Trust me, he knows."
"Harry, you alright, mate?" Ron questioned. "You're in pain, I can tell."
The teenager put the base of his palm to his scar. "He knows it was me. It couldn't have been anyone else, and he knew I was a parselmouth because of second year in the chamber."
"H-He knows you countered his spell?" Sirius asked. "You got rid of the marks, why are you feeling what he's doing to others?"
"Sirius, Voldemort and I are mentally linked. This isn't through the mark, we've been linked since that night in Godric's Hollow when his curse rebounded. I already said once that his wand gave me the scar…So when he's up to something nefarious or pissed…I feel what he does. It sets the scar off and nothing stops it until he chills out." Harry explained.
"He's trying to get in your head, isn't he? That's why your scar is bothering you?" Hermione frowned.
"Yeah…He's pretty hacked off right now." Harry confirmed.
"There's no way to sever the link between you two?" Molly frowned.
Harry shook his head. "Not until he's dead. Dumbledore mentioned it in second year, that he believes the reason we're linked is because Voldemort may have accidentally transferred some of his powers the night he gave me the scar. He originally believed it's why I could speak parseltongue. It's been proven I can do that because I inadvertently descend from Salazar Slytherin, very, very distantly." He informed. "Dumbledore thinks this…Transfer is what is gonna let me destroy Voldemort."
"You need to rest, Harry…" Severus sighed.
"You know nothing's gonna stop the pain, Severus. We just have to wait it out…" Harry closed his eyes as Severus pulled the teen closer to him, hoping it would offer comfort like last time.
"You said it helped to be closer to me last time." Severus reminded him.
"It does…" Harry snuggled closer.
"I have a question…If we're locked down here, how are we gonna go home safely?" Pansy asked.
"My house is already fortified against attacks," Severus stated. "Mine and Harry's bond used blood, it protects him from harm just as the blood wards did when he was at the Dursleys. We're safe as long as Harry calls it home."
"Okay, the rest of us don't have that…" Draco muttered.
"And not all of us are Lords or Ladies to our houses." Lorena added.
"We can work something out later, for now…You're welcome to reside here." Narcissa offered. "Those who wouldn't be safe leaving."
"So anyone who was formerly a Death Eater, and our families." Francis commented.
"Exactly." Lucius nodded.
"Okay…So are we gonna just ignore the fact Harry used magic with his wand while he's still sixteen and the ministry isn't trying to immediately expel or imprison him for underage magic?" Seamus wondered.
"Technically, while physically, Harry is sixteen given the year of his birth…Legally, he's considered an adult." Remus stated. "Do…I have that right, from the night in the hospital wing?" He looked to Harry, who was clearly trying to suppress the pain.
"You have it right, Mr. Lupin," Lucius nodded.
"Remus, please." Remus said.
"How is Harry…Physically sixteen, but legally an adult?" Neville wondered.
"Because of his participation in the Tri-Wizard Tournament." Narcissa offered.
"The rules of the tournament were quite clear upon entering your name; you had to be seventeen or older." Hermione began to explain.
"But Harry never entered his name." Dean said. "He told us that…The night we attacked him," He said softly, obviously still feeling bad about what went down. "He said he didn't even want to be in it, and didn't have a choice."
"Because he didn't have a choice." Severus told them. "When your name is entered into the goblet for a chance to be chosen, the goblet and the person whose name is submitted makes a binding contract. There are two parts to the contract. One is that the person submitted is of age to compete, and the second is that if chosen, the person competes or loses their magic for breaking the contract."
"But Harry wasn't seventeen, not even Fred and George with their age up potion was able to trick the line Dumbledore drew." Ginny informed.
"Because the twins tried on their own to cross the line and it knew they were not seventeen, so it rejected them and of course, the other effects of trying to trick the line." Angelina rolled her eyes.
"Harry did not submit his name, no. But someone who was over the age of seventeen submitted his name and that person, as we know now, was Barty Crouch Jr., who was Polyjuiced as Mad-Eye Moody." Lucius stated calmly. "So, when Harry's name entered the goblet, even if he did not submit it himself, the goblet accepted that he was entering for a chance to compete…"
"And recognized the name as a possible competitor who met the requirements of belonging to one of the schools, and was seventeen years of age. So when Harry's name was chosen, it sealed the contract that he was seventeen and had to compete. The day his name was chosen, he was considered an adult. Even if physically, his age was only fourteen."
"That's…Mad. Even to hear it again." Theodore Jr., said.
"I've been meaning to ask, and if you're not up for talking right now, Harry…I'll wait until Voldemort decides to stop hurting you," Severus paused as Harry glanced at him. "If you were already considered an adult in fourth year, why did you still need me to marry you to get out of the guardianship of being underage?"
"I hadn't known about it then." Harry admitted.
"When did you find out?" Severus wondered.
"Tell you about it later. It's kind of confusing," Harry said. "Also, kind of private, unless you don't care about people knowing our sex life." He whispered. "Or that the start of things was rough…"
"I feel that it's pretty obvious we've done it and still do…So go on." Severus motioned. "If you're up for it."
"The tournament did consider me a legal adult at seventeen because of the magically binding contract I entered, unknowingly, because of my name being submitted by someone who could cross the age line." Harry started as he forced himself to sit up. "Obviously, I didn't know any of this until recently. I didn't find out, Sev, until after we…Properly consummated the bonding in January."
"Hold up. You got married in August, if you two didn't consummate things; the marriage wasn't legal." Sirius claimed.
"Uncle Siri, shush." Harry sighed. "Let me explain…When Severus and I got married and bonded, we did the consummation. Now…In normal marriage, that means the marriage is complete when husband and wife, or husband and husband in this case, sleep together. In bonding, however…Consummation is different for it to fully power the bond." He started.
"So yes, the marriage was entirely legal. We married with Lucius performing the ceremony as Lord Malfoy, and two adult witnesses, being Lucius and Narcissa. It was legal because I was already considered an adult because of the tournament, but not permitted all the allowances of being considered such. I was an adult in legality and name only. Physically, I was still fourteen during the tournament."
Harry paused to catch his breath. "So I was considered half emancipated. I still had to have a guardian because of physical age. I still had to have a wand trace because of physical age. I got to be an adult without all the perks of it. But it was just enough allowance to be able to be considered an adult and marry Severus."
"Okay, so I take it you became fully emancipated after you married him?" Hermione asked.
"That's where the proper bonding part comes in. As I said, we had sex after we married. We consummated it, but the bond didn't solidify because after the event…Severus sent me back to my own room at his house. We didn't spend the night together in the same room letting our magic mold together as it's intended to be for, as I said, proper bonding consummation." Harry enlightened.
"The beginning of the marriage was rough, he basically avoided me when I came to him to hang out. We got into a huge fight and it put a strain on the bond that threatened to break it. After the fight, I stayed away from him despite the bond trying to pull us back together. The strain left him wanting to be close to me, and weakened whereas I ended up sick for days." Harry continued.
"So you were an ass to him…" Sirius grumbled.
"Severus, you should have known you couldn't do that in bonding! It could have killed him, killed you both!" Remus remarked. "In marriage, it wouldn't have mattered…But in bonding? Are you a fool!? Ignoring the bond leaves you both weakened, sick, and heartbroken. Especially if you're soulmates!"
"Both of you quit," Harry glared.
"Severus knows he messed up," Lucius interjected. "He came to me about the bond and what was going on, I explained to him that it wasn't a normal marriage and that his avoidance and anger was hurting them both."
"And he fixed it!" Draco added.
"Did he, Harry?" Sirius pushed.
"If you'd stop freaking out and let me talk, you'd find out!" Harry snapped.
"Calm yourself, Harry…" Severus soothed. "I can feel you powering up for another scolding. Don't…" He reminded.
Harry took a breath, and let it out. "Yes, he fixed it. He let go of his anger and it was enough that I started feeling better, then we talked things out and agreed that magic decided we obviously belong together in some way, whether be friends or lovers later down the line, so we shouldn't fight things and see where it goes. Things have been great since then…"
"But our bonding consummation was still incomplete because aside from the night we got married and bonded, we hadn't done anything." Harry continued. "It wasn't until January when we did it again and did it properly. We stayed together all night and fell asleep in each other's arms. Needless to say, we both felt the effects of the bond being completed and running on full power the next morning…" He cleared his throat.
"The night before, Severus and I also said we'd give the relationship a real shot…Dating within the marriage. So a week or so later, I reached out to the bank to make sure Severus was recognized as my husband and if anything happened to me; he gets everything." Harry stated.
"You…Wait, you what?" Severus stared at him.
"You think I'm leaving it to someone other than you? I mean, there's a few things set aside for others, but aside that…Who else would I leave everything to?" Harry chuckled. "Silly, Sev. I told you before we got married you get added to my vaults, and we said after signing the marriage certificate why we took each other's names. I wanted to make sure that had been set up. Plus, I needed to revise my will anyway."
"You have a will already?" Hermione blinked.
"I've faced the prospect of dying too many times to not have ensured my affairs are set in order." Harry revealed. "I wrote the first will after moving in with Sirius. Between what happened, first, second, and third year…The possibility was too high I could get killed anytime. The first revision after I got put in the tournament. I don't think I did it again until after I reached out to the bank." Shaking his head, he let it go. "Moving on, I left instructions to call on Dobby when a response was ready."
"Why Dobby, and not one of the owls?" Severus inquired.
"Because Dumbledore's been rerouting all my bank things to him for years. Hell, he had my vault key for years too." Harry remarked. "I have no inkling of an idea as to why, but…I had requested Dobby because I knew he wouldn't be intercepted carrying important things. I didn't know about Dumbledore getting notices until I got the response from the bank." He stated.
"Moving on, it was probably the morning before the infirmary thing that I got a reply and it was a letter from one of the goblins telling me that with my marriage to Severus; I was considered a full adult, all the allowances. Don't need a guardian because I'm emancipated as an adult and also married. No wand trace. I have full access to my inheritance, including Potter Lordship." He stated.
"They told me I was considered a full adult when we got married, and had tried to reach out to inform me, but I wasn't responding. Which told me Dumbledore was getting my notices. Which means, Sev…Dumbledore's known we're married and bonded since last August. And knew I was a full adult. And he was trying to interfere again, by keeping me from knowing." Harry remarked.
"Meddling old fool…" Severus sighed.
"I still don't get my magical inheritance until I physically turn seventeen, though." Harry mentioned. "Everything else, I'm viewed as an adult by the wizarding world."
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"Magical inheritance?" Draco looked at her and she nodded. "Call it a power boost when you come of age. All magic folk get it when they turn seventeen." He stated. "Consider it coming into your magic fully. While you're under seventeen, your magic is limited to learn how to control it. But once you become an adult, the block breaks and you have access to everything."
"Well, shit…Harry's already powerful as hell. No wonder he's the only one who can defeat Voldemort…" Seamus and Dean fist bumped.
"And he's this strong before the magical inheritance? Voldemort doesn't stand a chance…" Fred and George laughed.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Harry's already beaten him plenty of times, like come on…The fight in fourth year? Brilliant." Ron added.
"I should probably mention that all that was before the block Dumbledore put on my core broke," Harry mentioned.
"What?" Severus, Remus, and Sirius quickly looked at Harry.
"Dumbledore had a block on your magic?" Sirius asked.
"How did you know?" Remus asked.
"Don't get mad, Sev…" Harry paused as the man arched a brow at him. "I…Might have snuck off school grounds when I was…In that shut down and distancing myself from everyone phase."
"How the hell did you even get to Diagon Alley?" Severus asked.
"Dobby…" Harry muttered. "I went into Hogsmeade with everyone, I just took my cloak and hid under it. I called on Dobby and he popped me to Diagon Alley…" Harry informed.
"Good God, Harry…" Severus sighed.
"Brilliant, pup…" Sirius snickered.
"On with your tale?" Severus pushed lightly.
"Right, so got to the bank and worked out to stop Dumbledore getting my notices, and got my keys to my vaults. They did some kind of scan on me, I think it was to verify who I was because I didn't have my key. Anyway, it came up on the scan that my magic had a block on it." Harry mentioned.
"How much of a block, Harry?" Narcissa inquired.
"I don't remember…Hang on. Dobby!" Harry called.
The elf appeared next to Harry. "Dobby is so pleased his friend has called him!"
"Hello, Dobby. I need a favor." Harry told him.
"Anything, sir. Dobby always be happy to serve his master and do whatever Harry Potter asks." Dobby replied.
"I've told you that I am not your master, Dobby, but I appreciate the undying loyalty you give me." Harry smiled.
"Harry Potter saved Dobby and set him free, but Dobby chooses to serve Harry Potter." Dobby informed.
"As long as it's what you want, my friend." Harry nodded. "Now, can you go to Severus's house and in my room at the back of the closet is a folder. Will you bring it to me please?"
"Dobby be doing this right now!" The elf disappeared.
"Well, he certainly likes you." Lucius snorted.
"I'm not mean to him," Harry folded his arms over one another, then hissed when his scar flared harder. "Oh, my God…Will you give it a rest, Tom…I swear, I'm gonna go find him and tell him to stop being a spoiled sport about losing to a teenager and chill out."
Harry's friends tried to hide their laughter at the insult. No fear. Harry had no fear. "You most certainly will not." Severus pulled his husband close. "You'll get your chance, let's not invoke the battle too early. Besides, I'm still training you. Don't you want the satisfaction of beating him fully trained and at full power?"
"Fine…" Harry caved. Dobby returned next to Harry and the teenager pulled off his husband to take the folder from Dobby. "Thanks, Dobby."
"Does Harry Potter need anything else from Dobby?" The elf asked.
"I'm good for now." Harry assured. Dobby nodded and popped away again. Harry set the folder on the table and flipped to the thing he was looking for. "Ah, there it is. Magic Block placed November 1st, 1981, by Albus Dumbledore. Block set at 80%."
"E-Eighty!?" Sirius sputtered. "That senile old fool set you to only have access to twenty percent of your overall magic before the power boost at seventeen?!"
"I take it that's bad?" Harry questioned.
"It means all the things you've done so far, Harry, was done with only twenty percent ability to use your magic." Remus informed. "It's…Incredible, actually. Not the block, but what you've accomplished with such a little amount."
"From what I think I see, the block was chipped away over the years and broke within the last year. If I'm reading it right," Severus mentioned. Harry slid it closer to him. "You don't have to give it to me, Harry. It's your business."
"You're my husband, Severus. I have no secrets from you." Harry told him. "So what do you mean the block was chipped away?"
"Times where your magic was able to override the block and actually allow you to have more access than what was set." Severus told him. "The block shattered when we consummated the bond, via sex magic."
"That's a thing?" Dean remarked. "Sex magic?"
"I've read about that." Hermione said.
"Hermione, darling, what haven't you read about?" Harry teased. "I love you, really I do, but seriously…You might as well transfigure yourself into an encyclopedia at this point."
"Shut up, Harry," Hermione huffed as she took off her headband and chucked it at him while he wasn't looking.
Harry never even looked, but he was able to raise his hand and catch the item easily. "Nice try, 'Mione." Harry told her before he let it levitate above his palm and sent it back to her gently.
"Sex magic is basically the unofficial mini power up. It doesn't come from your inheritance, but any kind of intercourse can activate a small boost of power." Blaise stated. "It's nothing significant, but depending on the factors; pretty decent in feeling stronger."
"So…Mine was chipped away even though the only two people I've had sex with are Blaise and my husband?" Harry arched a brow. Severus gave Harry a look for him to check the paper again and Harry saw the dates of these chippings. When he was raped by his uncle. "That counts?"
"Unfortunately," Severus nodded. "Regardless, with all that…The block was only effective at 75%. Given the factors. After Blaise, it dropped to 65%. Our first time put you at 45% and then it shattered completely. You had full use of your magic after that." He informed. "I'm guessing because we're soulmates and our bond overpowered the block."
"So wait…Harry only had 25% of his magic when he kicked Voldemort's ass in fourth year?" Ron asked.
"Damn, Harry…Yeah, your husband is right…Hold off that final battle with the dark lord until you get your magical inheritance. He won't stand a chance." Theodore Jr., chuckled.
"And make sure it's when we can all see it happen." Neville agreed. "No one is gonna wanna miss you beating him for good."
Harry just rolled his eyes and put his stuff away in his bag before leaning against Severus again. "Tired?" Severus questioned.
"You know I am…" Harry mumbled. "Doubled with the oncoming migraine because this bastard doesn't know how to be a good sport and take the loss…" He closed his eyes.
"Lights and noise bothering you?" Severus wondered. Harry nodded his head. "Nauseous again?" Harry nodded. "Do you want to go home and rest?"
"I don't want to take you away from your friends. I can go by myself, Ivy will keep me company." Harry told him.
"Nonsense. You're my husband, you come first. And you're suffering for setting me free, and while there is no way to ever repay the freedom you've given me…The least I can do is take care of you." Severus told him. "Come on. Let's get home, we can head right to the bedroom where it's dark and quiet for you."
"Okay, but can we floo back? I don't trust apparating…" Harry hoped.
"Of course." Severus responded as he got up and braced Harry against him. Ivy had shrunk back down and gotten around Harry's neck.
"Bye, Harry. Hope you feel better." Ginny said.
"Thanks."
Severus walked Harry over to the fireplace and they got inside. Severus waved to the others and then they were gone in the green flames.
. . .
Getting back to their home, Harry stepped out with Severus and his stomach revolted instantly. The first place he could get to was the kitchen sink. Severus stayed behind him, rubbing his back until it passed, then Severus helped Harry upstairs and to their room. The teenager went ahead to use the bathroom, brush his teeth and change for bed.
It was only about 8:30 pm, but that was okay. Severus knew Harry was tired from the last week of no help with the nightmares other than Severus's comfort, now this with the migraine. Harry got into bed as Ivy went to her little space. It was like a cat bed with a roof and it had a warming charm.
"Are you gonna lay with me?" Harry asked him.
"You know I will." Severus nodded as he kissed Harry's forehead.
The man went off to do his nightly routine, then he joined Harry in bed. The teenager snuggled up close as Severus covered them. It didn't take long for Harry to knock out and Severus laid awake thinking about the night it had been. So much had come to light, but nothing was better than knowing he was free from Voldemort. The mark was gone, and it was thanks to the amazing man beside him. Severus fell asleep, smiling, and holding his husband tightly. Things were going to be okay.