MINE

Thanks go to Strife for her help in fine-tuning my story. I had changed a few things since they beta-d so all mistakes are mine.


Chapter Sixteen


Severus slowly crept his way through the heavy fog of sleep, keeping his eyes closed, as he assessed the pains in his body. Memories of his torture ran through his mind, then of Harry soaring towards him in his animagus form, before he started awake. “Harry,” he rasped, coming completely awake.

“Severus,” Lucius stood, placing a calming hand on Severus’s shoulder to keep him still.

“Harry . . . where’s Harry?” Severus asked, wincing as his body protested the movement.

“He’ll be okay,” Lucius reassured, stepping aside for Severus to see Harry still in the bed beside him. “Poppy put him in a healing sleep.”

“Healing? What happened?”

“Harry over exerted his magic and he needs to build it up again,” Lucius replied.

“How . . . ” Severus began.

“Harry defeated Voldemort Sev, by banishing his soul to hell, then his body. We’re free Sev,” Lucius smiled, pulling up his sleeve. “It’s been fading more and more each day.”

“How long have I been here?” Severus asked, smiling gratefully when Lucius helped him sit up a bit.

“Three days,” Lucius replied. “You’re lucky to be here Severus,” he added.

“Yes, very lucky,” Poppy smiled, stepping over to them.

“So, when can I leave? And why isn’t Harry awake yet? Is there something more you’re not telling me?” Severus worriedly asked.

Poppy shook her head, then went to Harry’s bed. She scanned his body with her wand. “He’ll be okay. His magic level is already stronger. Enervate,” she said, to revive him from the induced sleep.

Harry groggily opened his eyes. “Sev’rus,” he rasped.

“Take it easy Harry,” Poppy said, helping Harry to sit up.

“Who let loose the herd of hippogriffs on me?” He groaned, rubbing his temples.

“You are such a damn Gryffindor,” Severus said, getting Harry’s attention.

“Severus,” Harry tiredly smiled, slipping off the bed on shaky legs.

“Harry,” Draco cried out, catching him before he fell. He led Harry to Severus’s bed, helping him lie beside him.

“Really now . . . that’s hardly . . . ” Poppy began.

“Be quiet woman,” Severus interrupted, opening his arms for Harry to curl up against him. “So, when can we leave?” He repeated.

Poppy ran her scan over Severus’s body. “Your heart is still weak, but it is getting stronger. You may leave tomorrow if . . . and I say if, you promise to take it easy. That means no excitement of any kind to stress your heart. So that means . . . ”

“No sex,” Draco finished, smirking over at them.

“And no portkeying or apparating,” Poppy said. “Harry, you are still not to do any magic until your magic is at a normal level for you. Should take another week or two.”

“Albus has given them some time off from their classes to heal. They were to go to our home for Christmas anyway, so they can stay there,” Lucius smiled.

“Home,” Harry murmured against Severus’s neck.

“We’ll let you rest. Draco and I will arrange for you to leave tomorrow,” Lucius said, motioning to Draco and Poppy to leave them alone.

Harry heard the silent retreat and tightened his hold around Severus, being mindful of the heavily bandaged chest. “I thought I lost you, Sev,” he whispered.

“I thought you lost me there too, Harry,” he quietly said, running his hand up and down Harry’s back. “You just had to be the hero, didn’t you?” He smiled, kissing the top of Harry’s head.

Harry raised his head, leaning on his one elbow as he looked down at Severus. “I had to,” he said, running his fingers down Severus’s cheek. “You’re my other half Sev. You make me feel whole and complete.”

“Sappy as ever, Love,” Severus smirked, reaching up to cup the side of Harry’s face.

“I love you, Severus,” Harry whispered, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on his mate’s lips.

“I love you too, Harry,” Severus replied, returning the kiss, then guided Harry’s head down to his shoulder. “Sleep, and you can tell me what happened later.”

Harry sighed happily, and fell asleep, listening to the steady heartbeat of Severus’s heart, reassured that he would be there when he woke up again.


~*~


“Harry? Are you all right?” Remus softly asked, seeing Harry sitting at the kitchen table, his hands shaking as he lifted his cup. “We’re all waiting for you, so we can open the presents.”

“Sorry Remus,” Harry smiled, slowly getting up.

“What’s wrong Harry?” Remus asked, placing his hand on Harry’s arm to sit him down again.

“It’s nothing, Remus,” Harry shook his head. “My body just feels really weak.”

“It’s been a week since you and Severus have been here. Poppy said your magic level is almost back to normal. You haven’t fed, have you?”

“No,” Harry sighed. “I don’t want to risk Severus’ health because I need some attention. I can handle it.”

“Harry, you were used to feeding off of Severus every day. Your body needs that attention.”

“But if we kiss, it might lead to other stuff,” Harry said getting up.

“Is that why you leave him before he wakes up in the morning?” Remus asked, then saw Harry’s surprise that he knew. “Severus has been feeling kind of hurt about that.”

“I know. I can feel it from him. Gods . . . Remus. I wake up so hard for him, and I didn’t want him to be tempted. I’ve taken quite a few cold showers lately,” he added, giving a small smile.

Severus, who had come to see what was taking Harry so long, leaned against the other side of the door, listening to their conversation. He heard Harry and Remus gather their drinks, then quickly sat down on the couch before Harry came back out.

Remus came out carrying the tray, then set it on the table in front of the couch, while Harry sat beside Severus, snuggling into his arms. Draco handed out the gifts, shaking each one before handing it over.

Harry opened many gifts from his friends and family, as did everyone else. He had just opened the pair of leather pants that Severus gave him, when Severus leaned closer to him. “I have another gift that I’ll give you later, Love,” was whispered by his ear, almost moaning out loud when he felt his mate’s lips press against the side of his neck.

After all the gifts were open, and each were looking through the books they received, or sampling some of the baking or wine, Harry leaned his back against Severus’s chest, strong arms holding him close. “This is nice,” he said for everyone to hear. “Although I miss Christmas at the Burrow this year.”

“They understand why we won’t be there, Harry,” Lucius smiled. “Too bad the terrible twosome are coming here though,” he laughed.

“They’re not that bad Father,” Draco grinned.

“They’ve promised no pranks right?” Harry asked, worried for Severus.

“Yes. No pranks,” Draco reassured. “They’re kind of glad to get away from everyone too. With them all there, plus the kids . . . they’ll like the more sedate atmosphere here.”


~*~


After lunch, Harry and Severus bundled up in their winter clothing, and went outside for a walk. Harry wanted to show Severus his ‘spot’ that overlooked the lake and house. Once there, Severus gathered Harry in his arms, his back to his chest. “It’s beautiful here, Harry,” Severus quietly said, looking out at the frosted trees and the frozen lake.

“I love it here,” Harry replied, snuggling more in Severus’s arms. “Sitting here during the summer was very relaxing for me, helped me think.”

“And what were you thinking?” Severus asked.

“That my life really wasn’t that bad. I have a father . . . actually two, with Lucius and Remus, and a brother that loves me for me, not to mention all the great friends I have. And you know what was the best decision I made while sitting here?”

“What?”

“To let you in my heart. I couldn’t even imagine my life without you in it, Sev,” Harry replied, turning his head to look at Severus.

“I do love you, Harry Potter,” Severus huskily said, kissing the upturned mouth. He reached in his pocket with his one hand, then wrapped it around Harry’s waist again. “I would like to show you just how much every day,” he added, opening the ring box in front of Harry. “Harry, will you bond with me? Will you be mine for the rest of our days?”

Harry felt his heart swell with happiness as Severus took the simple gold band out of the box, to then slip it on his left ring finger. He turned in Severus’s arms. “Yes . . . gods . . . yes,” Harry smiled, pulling Severus’s head down for a kiss. “I love you so very much, Severus,” he whispered against his lips.



After several more kisses, they made their way back to the house, to find that Fred and George had arrived with more gifts, and more food. They all sat down to eat the dinner that Molly sent over. Turkey, ham, potatoes, gravy, and vegetables were just a few of the things that were in the bottomless basket that the twins brought. Harry was not forgotten as there was also some elven bread that was charmed to taste like turkey.

When they could not eat another bite, they all gathered in the living room, where they played cards for a while, listening to music from the stereo that Lucius gave Harry and Draco for Christmas. A short while later, a warmth began to spread throughout Harry’s body as his senses picked up the heady arousal coming from Draco and the twins from across the room, not to mention Severus’s fingers stroking his upper thigh, making him hot and hard.

“Um . . . I think I’ll have a shower before going to bed,” Harry huskily said, getting up and leaving his smirking mate on the couch, making sure his sweatshirt was pulled down to cover the bulge in the front of his jeans.

Severus waited about ten minutes before bidding Lucius and Remus goodnight.

“Be careful Severus,” Lucius called out to him, as the other climbed the stairs.


Harry came out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped low on his hips, his skin cool to the touch from the cold shower. “Severus,” he softly said, his steps faltering as he took in the sight of his soon-to-be husband in just his pajama bottoms.

Severus got up off the bed to stand before Harry. “Merlin . . . you are so beautiful,” he whispered, his fingers feathering down Harry’s neck and chest.

Harry closed his eyes, his body trembling from the soft caresses. “Sev . . . we can’t . . . ohgods,” he moaned when Severus circled one of his nipples.

“Harry, I know I can’t make love to you just yet, to bury myself deep inside you, but I can pleasure you. I want to taste you, swirl my tongue around that delicious cock of yours,” he huskily said by Harry’s ear, guiding him to the bed.

“Sev . . . Merlin . . . your voice could make me cum. Say some more,” Harry moaned, thrusting his hips forward to feel an answering hardness.

Severus’s hand slid down Harry’s chest, down to the quivering stomach, loosening the towel until it fell to the floor. “We’ll have to try that some time,” he breathed against Harry’s arched neck. “Mmmm . . . you feel so good, Love,” he added, kissing Harry’s shoulder, his hands gliding down to Harry’s backside, pulling him closer. “I love the way you taste, the way you moan when I take your cock deep into my mouth, the way you spread your legs for me so I can fuck you with my fingers, so tight and ready for me. Or do you like the way I thrust my tongue inside you, over and over again,” he softly said as his fingers slid down to tease the puckered opening.

“Yesss . . . everything,” Harry moaned.

Severus maneuvered Harry until he sat on the edge of the bed, following him down to kneel between his legs. His hands slid up Harry’s thighs, as his mouth sealed over his in a sweet, deep kiss. He pulled away before Harry could deepen the kiss. “You are so hard, Harry,” he huskily said, wrapping his fingers around Harry’s length, while the other one cupped his sac.

“Only for you,” Harry panted as he shifted his bottom closer to the edge.

Severus bent down, swirling his tongue around the leaking head of Harry’s cock, holding his love’s hips down as he slowly, but thoroughly laved the head. He gripped the base of Harry’s cock, licking down the shaft, while the other hand massaged the ballsac, letting one of his fingers slide past to tease the lubricated hole.

“Yesss . . . please . . . Sev,” Harry pleaded, spreading his legs more as he leaned back on his one elbow. His hand gripped Severus’s shoulder, urging him to take him deeper. “More,” he panted, his hand gliding up to the back of Severus’s head, his release edging closer as he watched his mate’s lips slide up and down his length.

“So close . . . don’t stop,” Harry moaned, then groaned out in frustration when Severus slowly drew his mouth up, and off of his cock.

Severus smiled against Harry’s hip, hearing the growl of frustration above him. He slowly slipped his finger inside the tight hole, as he placed soft kisses up and down Harry’s cock. As he slipped another finger inside, he took Harry’s cock in his mouth again. He kept a slow, but steady pace, sliding his wet lips up and down the hard length. He reached down with his one hand to stroke his own cock over his pajama bottoms, slowly, to prolonge the pleasure.

Harry reached down with both hands to tangle in Severus’s hair, pulling him down as he thrust up into the wet heat . . . over and over again. He felt the vibration of Severus’s moans, up and down his length, then slim fingers hitting his prostate . . . repeatedly.

“Sev’rus,” Harry cried out, thrusting up one more time, to erupt down his mate’s throat.

Severus pulled back, licking his lips, smiling up at the completely drained Vanteera before him. “Feel better, Love?” He softly asked, kissing the one side of Harry’s hip.

Harry sat up and wrapped his legs around Severus to hold him close. “Yes,” he blissfully replied, tightening his arms around Severus’s neck. He leaned in to kiss his mate’s neck, inhaling deeply, the scent of Severus’s cum assailing his senses. “You okay?” He worriedly asked looking into Severus’s eyes, placing the flat of his hand on the fading scar on his chest.

“I am fine Harry,” Severus reassured, taking the hand from his chest to kiss the palm. “But be prepared for when I am better to make love to you hard and long, until you won’t be able to sit for a week, to prove that you are mine . . . forever and always.”

Harry pulled his mate closer, his fingers combing through the back of Severus’s hair. “Always yours Severus,” he whispered against parted lips. “As you are mine,” he added, before sealing his lips in a kiss filled with promise.

tbc (I promise....epilogue left)
10/15/06