The Domino Effect
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
53,737
Reviews:
264
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
53,737
Reviews:
264
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Decisions, Decisions
Title: The Domino Effect
Author: Dr. Jeckell & Mrs. Hyde (aka Taran & Magdelena)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Ron Weasley/Draco Malfoy (secondary pairing)
Warnings: Non-consensual sex, Violence, Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Graphic Sexual Content, Rimming, MPreg
Summary: HP/SS – Slash – Chapter 18 of ?. Harry discovers that when he kills Voldemort, all of the Death Eaters will die as well because of the bond that they share with the Dark Lord through their Marks. Harry vows to do anything it takes to allow Severus Snape to escape that fate.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the characters herein (only the plot). All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and anyone else JKR chooses to allow to play with them. We are publishing our fanfiction writings only for our own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
Authors’ Note: Thanks to the incredibly wonderful Sev1970 for betaing this story.
~*~
Chapter Eighteen – Decisions, Decisions
Harry crept silently from the room, his tears of joy turning into tears of sadness. He sighed heavily as he stared into the dying fire. Watching Severus cradling their son, Harry knew he loved the stubborn man more than ever before, but he would never get the chance to tell him, nor would he be able to watch his son grow up.
He had promised himself he wouldn’t do this, had steeled himself for this very moment. Ron, Draco, Hermione, Charlie, Dumbledore, and even Remus, had begged Harry to wait until after the child was born to make any major decisions about his role in the baby’s life, but Harry’s dreams had been haunted night after night with the look of sheer terror on Severus’ face when he thought that Harry was going to take away their child from him. Harry had vowed to himself at that moment that he would find a way to give over complete control of their child to Severus, as long as he could continue to financially protect the pair.
Despite what his friends thought about how Severus felt about him, Harry had seen no evidence of the fact that Severus wanted him. Severus had tolerated Harry’s nearness over the last several months only out of his concern for their child, and nothing more, of that Harry was sure.
Harry took in a deep breath as he promised himself that he would leave as soon as he was sure Severus was out of any danger. He had already made prior arrangements with Remus to come to stay with Severus and help him with the baby during Severus’ recovery. In fact, Harry was a bit surprised that Remus hadn’t shown up as of yet. He wondered to himself if perhaps Severus hadn’t had the time to contact the Lycanthrope before Harry had arrived back at the cottage with Josephina.
At least, Harry thought, the lies and deception that had started nearly a year prior were finally at an end. When he left the cottage tonight, he would be facing an uncertain future, one that would leave his heart and soul behind in his wake. As he wiped away his tears and squared his shoulders, gathering his courage, he withdrew his wand and prepared to stoke up the dying fire in the hearth. Just as he was about to mutter the necessary spell, he saw what was actually in the fireplace. His sadness quickly turned to anger when he realized he was looking at the charred remains of the scrolls he had handed to Severus before the baby was born.
Everything that he had so carefully constructed, every loophole in Wizarding law that he had found centered on one very important detail, that these papers were signed prior to the child’s birth. A revealing spell on the paperwork would have proven that Severus had consented to the custodial and financial arrangements prior to their son’s arrival. Now, likely due to one of Severus’ hormonal swings, making him paranoid that Harry was trying to trap him into some nefarious agreement, there was no way for Harry to fully release his parental rights in the Wizarding world.
“Severus!” he cried, reaching for one of the least burned scrolls. He pulled it out and shook off the soot, then stormed back into the bedroom, stopping only inches away from his former professor.
“What the hell is this?” Harry had to fight with his heart to ignore the painfully beautiful sight of his beloved nursing their son.
“Well,” Severus started, his voice soft and calm, a hint of amusement glittering in his eyes. “It looks to me like a burnt scroll.”
“Burnt scroll…?” Harry parroted sarcastically. “Yes, it’s a burnt scroll! It’s one of the scrolls I gave you to sign! Why were they in the fire?! These are the only copies I had! Now, I have to owl my solicitor for another copy! But since the baby’s here already, he’ll have to redraw them and that could take a week! Even so, I’m not sure how the hell I’m going to be able to terminate my parental rights now that he’s born. My solicitor said that this was the best chance we had of getting everything passed through the Ministry.”
“Oh, dear. I’m so sorry,” Severus said, looking not at all remorseful, but more amused than before. “Well, then, you might as well just not bother. I mean, if it’s going to be that much of an inconvenience for you.”
“Not bother?!” Harry sighed in annoyance, his patience wearing thin at Severus’ apparent indifference. “Severus, I have gone through a hell of a lot to ensure you, and our son, are taken care of! I want to know that the two of you are going to be alright!”
“Well, the best way for you to do that…” Severus said, looking up at Harry through his long dark lashes, no longer amused, but rather uncertain and hopeful. “Would be for you to stick around and see for yourself…”
“Severus, I-…” Harry stopped and he stared at his bondmate incredulously. “You… You want me to stay?”
Severus looked to be on the verge of tears as he answered. “Yes, Harry, I want you to stay.” He tilted his head up further and looked directly into Harry’s emerald eyes.
Slowly, Harry smiled, then grinned, then laughed out loud as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Severus’, one hand gently caressing Severus’ cheek. When they broke the kiss, Harry rested his forehead against his lover’s.
“I love you,” Harry whispered softly. “I can’t ever hope that you could feel the same after all I’ve…”
“I love you, too, Harry,” Severus assured, interrupting Harry’s murmurings, his voice still rough and hoarse from all the screaming he had done during the labor and the delivery.
When Harry pulled back to look at Severus, tears of joy had returned to both pairs of eyes. Severus had never looked more beautiful to Harry as he did in that moment, feeding their new child and smiling with love and happiness.
Severus gave a big yawn and stretched as much as his aching body would allow, and he felt Harry climb onto the bed next to him and nuzzle against him. He smiled his thanks to Josephina, who had been hiding in the corner, giving the two wizards time to talk. She carefully picked up the baby and told Severus and Harry to rest. She would care for the child’s needs until one of them woke up.
As the door closed behind Josephina, Severus felt Harry’s arms wrap around him. He turned carefully onto his side and they both instinctively fell into their customary sleeping positions. Severus sighed contentedly as he entwined his fingers with Harry’s and held their hands to his chest. He fell asleep to the gentle sound of their breathing and the steady thumping of their hearts.
~*~
Harry strolled into the little cottage with a lilt to his step, humming softly to himself. It had been nearly a month since the birth of their son, and today was the day they would be leaving the cottage to return to Hogwarts with their newborn child, for his naming ceremony.
Harry and Severus had yet to make any real plans for their future. Severus had been offered his old position at Hogwarts, and Harry had been offered a position there as well. Additionally, Severus had toyed with the idea of opening his own Apothecary, while Harry had considered every career from solicitor to stay-at-home father. No matter their decision though, their family and friends had been urging them to come home. For the first time in their lives, however, neither was compelled to make a decision, and so, they hadn’t. The new term wouldn’t begin for another month, and so they had at least a week before they had to inform the Headmaster of their decision. Albus had assured them that would provide him with sufficient time to hire alternates for the positions if they did indeed decline his offers.
There was one decision Harry didn’t intend to put off any longer, however. He brushed his fingers against the pocket of his trousers, relieved to find the small jewelers’ box still there.
Until quite recently, Harry hadn’t even considered asking Severus to formalize their bond, not wishing to disturb the peaceful coexistence that the two had shared since their son’s birth. But when their friends had visited, Harry had watched as Severus gazed longingly at the rings that Draco and Ron planned to exchange at their wedding ceremony next month. Since that moment, Harry had been fixated on the idea that he and Severus should formally marry. The two had made great strides, sharing stories of their pasts and getting to know each other better, finding out that they had a great deal in common. Even though their relationship still remained a bit strained, Harry was hopeful about their future together.
Harry hadn’t dared push Severus into anything sexual, sticking to his original declaration that he would never force his attentions on the Potions Master again. He had only allowed himself casual affections – a touch of his hand to Severus’ hair, a light kiss or two, a gentle embrace when the two would watch over their son peacefully sleeping in the small bassinet they still had next to their bed. Harry had hopes that one day that would all change, but for now, the important thing was ensuring his bondmate of how very much he was wanted and needed.
Harry walked into the nursery and smiled at the breathtaking scene before him. Severus was sitting in the rocking chair, gently soothing their child to sleep, and singing a Muggle lullaby that Harry recognized. He choked up as he heard the words Severus sung, reinforcing to himself yet again that despite the circumstances that brought them together, there was nowhere that he’d rather be than a part of this family.
Harry quietly watched as Severus finished the song, and then crept across the room to Severus’ side, his breath hitching as Severus turned towards him and offered him a soft smile, even as he tilted his lips up for a kiss. “I didn’t realize you had returned,” he whispered even as he waved his wand to lower the lighting in the room a bit.
Harry brushed his fingertips against their son’s cheek as he pressed a tender kiss to Severus’ lips. “Only just now; I had to run an errand.”
Tossing out in a second all of the plans he had made for an elegant dinner and a formal proposal, Harry decided to take advantage of this perfect moment and ask Severus the question he had been longing to ask. He reached into his pocket to withdraw the ring box even as he dropped to his knee in front of Severus’ chair.
“I had to retrieve these.” Harry popped open the box to reveal two large rings, and one infant sized one, surrounded by runic symbols of protection. “I had one made for him as well, because I thought that it made sense for me to commit my life to both you and him.”
“Harry…” Severus began, his eyes wide with shock and surprise. Before he could continue though, Harry’s anxious eyes met his.
“Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Of formalizing our bond and becoming a family with me and our son? I know it’s not legally necessary, but I’d like to think back on the day of his naming ceremony and remember that it was also the day that you agreed to have me as part of your life; the day that you chose this family as your sanctuary.”
Severus stared at Harry for several moments, his heart caught in his throat and his eyes stinging with unshed tears. “I…” He swallowed several times before he could speak again. “Yes, Harry! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Harry slipped the ring on Severus’ finger, both their hands trembling from excitement and relief. They kissed with more passion than ever before, then embraced. Severus held Harry as tight as he could with the baby still tucked in one arm.
“Thank you,” he whispered into Harry’s ear.
“For what?” Harry asked, looking curiously at Severus’ face.
“For giving my back my freedom,” Severus said simply, a contented smile on his lips.
Harry didn’t quite understand what Severus meant, but smiled back anyhow. It didn’t matter how Severus had attained his freedom, it only mattered that he felt it again. Harry vowed that he would never make another decision without consulting his husband. He would never again allow Severus to feel trapped in any way.
Author: Dr. Jeckell & Mrs. Hyde (aka Taran & Magdelena)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Ron Weasley/Draco Malfoy (secondary pairing)
Warnings: Non-consensual sex, Violence, Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Graphic Sexual Content, Rimming, MPreg
Summary: HP/SS – Slash – Chapter 18 of ?. Harry discovers that when he kills Voldemort, all of the Death Eaters will die as well because of the bond that they share with the Dark Lord through their Marks. Harry vows to do anything it takes to allow Severus Snape to escape that fate.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the characters herein (only the plot). All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and anyone else JKR chooses to allow to play with them. We are publishing our fanfiction writings only for our own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
Authors’ Note: Thanks to the incredibly wonderful Sev1970 for betaing this story.
~*~
Chapter Eighteen – Decisions, Decisions
Harry crept silently from the room, his tears of joy turning into tears of sadness. He sighed heavily as he stared into the dying fire. Watching Severus cradling their son, Harry knew he loved the stubborn man more than ever before, but he would never get the chance to tell him, nor would he be able to watch his son grow up.
He had promised himself he wouldn’t do this, had steeled himself for this very moment. Ron, Draco, Hermione, Charlie, Dumbledore, and even Remus, had begged Harry to wait until after the child was born to make any major decisions about his role in the baby’s life, but Harry’s dreams had been haunted night after night with the look of sheer terror on Severus’ face when he thought that Harry was going to take away their child from him. Harry had vowed to himself at that moment that he would find a way to give over complete control of their child to Severus, as long as he could continue to financially protect the pair.
Despite what his friends thought about how Severus felt about him, Harry had seen no evidence of the fact that Severus wanted him. Severus had tolerated Harry’s nearness over the last several months only out of his concern for their child, and nothing more, of that Harry was sure.
Harry took in a deep breath as he promised himself that he would leave as soon as he was sure Severus was out of any danger. He had already made prior arrangements with Remus to come to stay with Severus and help him with the baby during Severus’ recovery. In fact, Harry was a bit surprised that Remus hadn’t shown up as of yet. He wondered to himself if perhaps Severus hadn’t had the time to contact the Lycanthrope before Harry had arrived back at the cottage with Josephina.
At least, Harry thought, the lies and deception that had started nearly a year prior were finally at an end. When he left the cottage tonight, he would be facing an uncertain future, one that would leave his heart and soul behind in his wake. As he wiped away his tears and squared his shoulders, gathering his courage, he withdrew his wand and prepared to stoke up the dying fire in the hearth. Just as he was about to mutter the necessary spell, he saw what was actually in the fireplace. His sadness quickly turned to anger when he realized he was looking at the charred remains of the scrolls he had handed to Severus before the baby was born.
Everything that he had so carefully constructed, every loophole in Wizarding law that he had found centered on one very important detail, that these papers were signed prior to the child’s birth. A revealing spell on the paperwork would have proven that Severus had consented to the custodial and financial arrangements prior to their son’s arrival. Now, likely due to one of Severus’ hormonal swings, making him paranoid that Harry was trying to trap him into some nefarious agreement, there was no way for Harry to fully release his parental rights in the Wizarding world.
“Severus!” he cried, reaching for one of the least burned scrolls. He pulled it out and shook off the soot, then stormed back into the bedroom, stopping only inches away from his former professor.
“What the hell is this?” Harry had to fight with his heart to ignore the painfully beautiful sight of his beloved nursing their son.
“Well,” Severus started, his voice soft and calm, a hint of amusement glittering in his eyes. “It looks to me like a burnt scroll.”
“Burnt scroll…?” Harry parroted sarcastically. “Yes, it’s a burnt scroll! It’s one of the scrolls I gave you to sign! Why were they in the fire?! These are the only copies I had! Now, I have to owl my solicitor for another copy! But since the baby’s here already, he’ll have to redraw them and that could take a week! Even so, I’m not sure how the hell I’m going to be able to terminate my parental rights now that he’s born. My solicitor said that this was the best chance we had of getting everything passed through the Ministry.”
“Oh, dear. I’m so sorry,” Severus said, looking not at all remorseful, but more amused than before. “Well, then, you might as well just not bother. I mean, if it’s going to be that much of an inconvenience for you.”
“Not bother?!” Harry sighed in annoyance, his patience wearing thin at Severus’ apparent indifference. “Severus, I have gone through a hell of a lot to ensure you, and our son, are taken care of! I want to know that the two of you are going to be alright!”
“Well, the best way for you to do that…” Severus said, looking up at Harry through his long dark lashes, no longer amused, but rather uncertain and hopeful. “Would be for you to stick around and see for yourself…”
“Severus, I-…” Harry stopped and he stared at his bondmate incredulously. “You… You want me to stay?”
Severus looked to be on the verge of tears as he answered. “Yes, Harry, I want you to stay.” He tilted his head up further and looked directly into Harry’s emerald eyes.
Slowly, Harry smiled, then grinned, then laughed out loud as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Severus’, one hand gently caressing Severus’ cheek. When they broke the kiss, Harry rested his forehead against his lover’s.
“I love you,” Harry whispered softly. “I can’t ever hope that you could feel the same after all I’ve…”
“I love you, too, Harry,” Severus assured, interrupting Harry’s murmurings, his voice still rough and hoarse from all the screaming he had done during the labor and the delivery.
When Harry pulled back to look at Severus, tears of joy had returned to both pairs of eyes. Severus had never looked more beautiful to Harry as he did in that moment, feeding their new child and smiling with love and happiness.
Severus gave a big yawn and stretched as much as his aching body would allow, and he felt Harry climb onto the bed next to him and nuzzle against him. He smiled his thanks to Josephina, who had been hiding in the corner, giving the two wizards time to talk. She carefully picked up the baby and told Severus and Harry to rest. She would care for the child’s needs until one of them woke up.
As the door closed behind Josephina, Severus felt Harry’s arms wrap around him. He turned carefully onto his side and they both instinctively fell into their customary sleeping positions. Severus sighed contentedly as he entwined his fingers with Harry’s and held their hands to his chest. He fell asleep to the gentle sound of their breathing and the steady thumping of their hearts.
~*~
Harry strolled into the little cottage with a lilt to his step, humming softly to himself. It had been nearly a month since the birth of their son, and today was the day they would be leaving the cottage to return to Hogwarts with their newborn child, for his naming ceremony.
Harry and Severus had yet to make any real plans for their future. Severus had been offered his old position at Hogwarts, and Harry had been offered a position there as well. Additionally, Severus had toyed with the idea of opening his own Apothecary, while Harry had considered every career from solicitor to stay-at-home father. No matter their decision though, their family and friends had been urging them to come home. For the first time in their lives, however, neither was compelled to make a decision, and so, they hadn’t. The new term wouldn’t begin for another month, and so they had at least a week before they had to inform the Headmaster of their decision. Albus had assured them that would provide him with sufficient time to hire alternates for the positions if they did indeed decline his offers.
There was one decision Harry didn’t intend to put off any longer, however. He brushed his fingers against the pocket of his trousers, relieved to find the small jewelers’ box still there.
Until quite recently, Harry hadn’t even considered asking Severus to formalize their bond, not wishing to disturb the peaceful coexistence that the two had shared since their son’s birth. But when their friends had visited, Harry had watched as Severus gazed longingly at the rings that Draco and Ron planned to exchange at their wedding ceremony next month. Since that moment, Harry had been fixated on the idea that he and Severus should formally marry. The two had made great strides, sharing stories of their pasts and getting to know each other better, finding out that they had a great deal in common. Even though their relationship still remained a bit strained, Harry was hopeful about their future together.
Harry hadn’t dared push Severus into anything sexual, sticking to his original declaration that he would never force his attentions on the Potions Master again. He had only allowed himself casual affections – a touch of his hand to Severus’ hair, a light kiss or two, a gentle embrace when the two would watch over their son peacefully sleeping in the small bassinet they still had next to their bed. Harry had hopes that one day that would all change, but for now, the important thing was ensuring his bondmate of how very much he was wanted and needed.
Harry walked into the nursery and smiled at the breathtaking scene before him. Severus was sitting in the rocking chair, gently soothing their child to sleep, and singing a Muggle lullaby that Harry recognized. He choked up as he heard the words Severus sung, reinforcing to himself yet again that despite the circumstances that brought them together, there was nowhere that he’d rather be than a part of this family.
Harry quietly watched as Severus finished the song, and then crept across the room to Severus’ side, his breath hitching as Severus turned towards him and offered him a soft smile, even as he tilted his lips up for a kiss. “I didn’t realize you had returned,” he whispered even as he waved his wand to lower the lighting in the room a bit.
Harry brushed his fingertips against their son’s cheek as he pressed a tender kiss to Severus’ lips. “Only just now; I had to run an errand.”
Tossing out in a second all of the plans he had made for an elegant dinner and a formal proposal, Harry decided to take advantage of this perfect moment and ask Severus the question he had been longing to ask. He reached into his pocket to withdraw the ring box even as he dropped to his knee in front of Severus’ chair.
“I had to retrieve these.” Harry popped open the box to reveal two large rings, and one infant sized one, surrounded by runic symbols of protection. “I had one made for him as well, because I thought that it made sense for me to commit my life to both you and him.”
“Harry…” Severus began, his eyes wide with shock and surprise. Before he could continue though, Harry’s anxious eyes met his.
“Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Of formalizing our bond and becoming a family with me and our son? I know it’s not legally necessary, but I’d like to think back on the day of his naming ceremony and remember that it was also the day that you agreed to have me as part of your life; the day that you chose this family as your sanctuary.”
Severus stared at Harry for several moments, his heart caught in his throat and his eyes stinging with unshed tears. “I…” He swallowed several times before he could speak again. “Yes, Harry! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Harry slipped the ring on Severus’ finger, both their hands trembling from excitement and relief. They kissed with more passion than ever before, then embraced. Severus held Harry as tight as he could with the baby still tucked in one arm.
“Thank you,” he whispered into Harry’s ear.
“For what?” Harry asked, looking curiously at Severus’ face.
“For giving my back my freedom,” Severus said simply, a contented smile on his lips.
Harry didn’t quite understand what Severus meant, but smiled back anyhow. It didn’t matter how Severus had attained his freedom, it only mattered that he felt it again. Harry vowed that he would never make another decision without consulting his husband. He would never again allow Severus to feel trapped in any way.
~TBC~
~*~
Authors’ Notes: Thank you to all of our reviewers. We\'re sooo glad that AFF is back, and though we hope you\'ve caught the story somewhere else, if you haven\'t, you should be happy to know that there\'s one more chapter to go!!!! It\'ll be posted in a day or so!