Where Others Fear to Tread

Chapter 27

Harry lay flat on his back staring up at the barn roof, panting like he’d run the mile.

“Get up! Try it again!” Harry pushed himself weakly up onto his elbows and glared at Jasper who was standing at the other end of the barn, his wand still pointed in his direction. Just as Snape had predicted three weeks ago, Harry was beginning to hate both of the brothers with a passion. “Now Potter! Up!” Harry winched as he got to his feet, managing just to collect his wand before another curse was flying towards him. Instinctively Harry put up the shield he’d been taught, watching in successes as the shield actually worked. “Good! Again!” Jasper shouted again firing a different variant of the curse he’d just used before. Harry blocked it again this time sending the spiraling blue flash into the hay bails on the far side of the barn.

“Well done.” Harry spun around as he heard Severus entering the barn, the wards shivering as the man passed through them. Harry blushed and nodded at his mate.

Three weeks they’d been at the cottage and as bad as it had started off, Harry was beginning to get the hang of the days workouts. Mornings were spent with Severus, doing meditative exercises, practicing ancient charms and doing physical activity like running and gym. Afternoons were spent with Jasper, dueling. Harry had learnt very quickly that Severus’ brother was just as demanding a teacher as Snape was. Mistakes were taken as learning curves and Harry had learnt more from being injured by the curses thrown at him, than he would have ever had learnt reading about them in a book. Jaspers’ knowledge of magic was phenomenal, and Harry was often left in aw as he began noting down in his journal the extent of curses he’d learnt in just one afternoon with Jasper. Evenings were spent with Severus in the living room, reviewing the day’s workout and what he’d learnt. Harry had hardly had a moment to himself and every evening after his shower he’d been so exhausted he’d fallen straight into slumber. Harry knew he’d never worked so hard in his life but he’d also never accomplished so much. Jasper and Severus were pushing him to his limits, pain barriers had been broken and Harry no longer flinched when struck by certain curses. Severus had taught him how to block pain out, and it had worked especially when the duels had become particularly nasty. Dark magic was extremely similar to legal magic, and many of the curses were just variants of their legal form.

Today however he really was exhausted and he was so unbelievably glad to see Severus coming to end the afternoon lessons.

“You did well Harry, how’s your back?” Jasper had tucked his wand into it’s specially made holder on his belt and was wiping the sweat from his brow with the corner of the towel he brought with him. Harry winced a little as he remembered the last curse he’d failed to block properly. Turning around Harry lifted his shirt to display the whip like burns across his back, crisscrossing his skin making him look like a chessboard.

“Shit.” Severus whispered as he approached his younger mate, his fingers gently brushing over the deep burns. Harry stiffened but bit his tongue determined not to show pain. This curse really had hurt but Jasper had demanded he get up and block it again, so Harry had pushed aside the pain determined to win.

“I’m impressed you didn’t flinch, I thought I’d missed you.” Jasper was standing beside his brother who was still inspecting Harry’s back. Severus helped Harry lower his shirt again before allowing Harry to back around to face him. Harry was exhausted and it must have physically shown in his face because Severus sighed and pulled Harry into his arms. Like a rag doll Harry slumped against Severus’ chest the man holding him up in firm hands.

“I think this weekend we might just relax a little.” Harry nodded weakly against Snape’s chest. Behind him Harry heard Jasper huff a small laugh as he began collecting his things to return to the cottage.

“You always were a softie Severus.” Jasper joked as he led his brother and Harry from the barn. It had grown a little cold outside. Here up on the moors, the wind tended to pick up in the evening, drawing the cool air up from the valley below. Harry snuggled into Snape’s cloak as they walked the short path back up to the cottage. Harry always seemed to relax when he entered the little warm cottage, and the boy instantly wandered over to the armchair by the fire and sat down in it.

“I’ll sort out dinner tonight.” Jasper dumped his things on the coat rack by the door and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Harry and Severus alone. With Jasper constantly in the cottage, Harry and Severus had hardly had anytime alone together. Harry was usually to exhausted to even stay up and talk to his mate in the evening, and when Severus did come to bed, Harry would usually be already fast asleep. Their lack of interaction was straining the bond too and Harry was beginning to feel decidedly ill. They hadn’t had sex since the week before Harry had stayed at Grimmauld Place four weeks ago. Not that Harry wanted it, he just thought perhaps Snape might want it, after all they had agreed to do it once a month in the contract. Harry was also interested to see if the sex changed now they were closer.

“Here take this, it’ll ease the burns on your back.” There was a chink of potion bottles from behind him before Severus passed Harry a small blue potion, which the boy downed immediately. “Jasper says you made some good progress today, I’m proud of you.” Severus leaned down over the back of the armchair and pressed a gentle kiss to the boy’s forehead. Harry smiled contentedly, having come to enjoy the small compliments Severus gave to him. Admittedly the compliments were well earned but they were there, and they warmed Harry’s heart. Harry obligingly stood up as Severus moved around to the front of the chair. Severus sat down comfortably into the armchair before allowing Harry to sit down in his lap. Most nights would see Harry sitting here in front of the fire on Severus lap. With so little interaction between them during the day, Harry had come to rely on these moments spent in his lover’s arms, to get him through the day. While Harry had come to accept his dependence on Snape, it was still a little scary at how much time apart from his lover affected him. “You feeling alright?” Severus inquired gently his hand running soothingly across Harry’s neck. Harry nodded and nuzzled closer to Snape who obligingly tightened his hold on his needy lover. “I thought perhaps we could have an early night tonight.” Snape lowered his voice to a hesitant whisper. Harry knew that voice, having heard it the last time Snape had asked to spend the night with Harry. When Harry didn’t reply straight away Snape continued. “It has been a month Harry but if you’re too tired I’ll understand. These past three weeks have been difficult.” Harry swallowed nervously and glanced up from Snape’s chest to meet the man’s obsidian gaze.

“I’m not too tired it’s just…” Harry worried the bottom of his lip unsure if he was going to over step the mark by asking for what he wanted. He and Snape hadn’t discussed sex since the marital contract negotiations, and the boy wasn’t sure if he’d say something stupid. From the kitchen there was the sound of clattering pans shortly followed by Jasper cursing to himself. Harry glanced towards the kitchen door before looking gingerly back at Snape, whose blank expression hadn’t changed. Leaning closer Harry lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. “I want it differently.” Harry whispered softly into Severus’ ear before pulling back a little to assess the man’s expression. While Snape’s brow furrowed a little in confusion his expression didn’t change.

“Different?” Snape inquired his gaze not leaving Harry’s. Harry swallowed and sighed gently before leaning in again to whisper into Severus ear.

“I want to enjoy it Severus.” Harry paused and pushed his nose against Snape’s cheek, his eyes closing as he worked up the courage to say what he wanted. “You said that you didn’t make me take pleasure from sex before because you thought I didn’t want it, but I do want it.” Harry blushed as he avoided looking into Severus eyes, fearful of what his admission had caused. There was silence for a long time and Harry gently went to rise from Severus lap feeling again rejected, but before he could move Snape had pulled him back down onto his lap and had locked his lips tightly with Harry’s in a passionate kiss. Harry was shocked and could only allow himself to melt under Severus’ ministrations.

To Harry it felt as if the man was trying to suck his brain out through his mouth, and Harry could do nothing but go with the flow. Never in their short relationship had Harry experienced such passion from Severus. Closing his eyes Harry sank into the abyss of sensation Severus was bringing to his body. Unaware of anything or anyone other than the man that was ravishing his mouth, Harry felt the stirrings of arousal in his groin. Harry didn’t know where his confidence had come from but Harry grabbed Severus’ hand and pressed it desperately to front of his jeans, where his blossoming erection was beginning to push against the fabric. Harry groaned into Severus’ mouth as he felt the man’s thin fingers gently massaging the bulge they’d been guided to. Gasping for air Harry threw his head back against the backrest of the chair. Harry had never had anyone else but himself massaging his prick and after nearly three months of no release he was desperate to feel true relaxation. “Merlin Severus, I’m going to…” Gasping for breath Harry stiffened and in instant he’d come in his jeans the wet warmth spreading quickly across the fabric of the front of his jeans. “Shit.” Harry breathed out both in embarrassment and relief as he buried his head into Severus’ neck. Harry couldn’t believe he’d come so quickly from just that controlled touch. The hand that had been massaging Harry’s cock moved easily up the back of Harry’s shirt to hold the boy supporting about the waist, just before Severus pressed a warm chaste kiss to Harry’s neck. “Sorry, I didn’t know….” Embarrassed that he’d just done that Harry closed his eyes tightly as Severus tilted the boy’s head back so that he was forced to look at him.

“Shhh, it’s okay.” Severus whispered against Harry’s neck before sweetly capturing Harry’s lips in a warm kiss.

“My god that was hot.” Severus and Harry jumped apart and glanced around over the back of the chair to see Jasper standing gawking at them from the kitchen door, a jug of pumpkin juice grasped in one hand. From the smell coming from the kitchen dinner was ready. Blushing Harry held his hand cautiously over the wet patch at the front of his jeans as Severus pushed him up off his lap. Harry avoided looking at Jasper who was still standing staring at them with a wicked little grin. Protectively Snape stood up in front of Harry and glared at his brother.

“Thanks for that observation Jasper, but don’t you have dinner to serve?” Severus’ tone was not one to be argued with and Harry watched from around Snape as Jasper nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.

“Go change Harry, we’ll wait for you.” With a glance over his shoulder at Harry, Severus followed Jasper into kitchen, leaving Harry to scurry quickly into the bedroom.

Harry listened hard for shouting from the kitchen as he cleaned himself up. Washing his hands in the bathroom Harry hurried out from the bedroom and across the living room towards the kitchen eager to be back in Severus’ presence, but as the boy drew closer to the kitchen he heard the conversation inside. Pausing at the door to the kitchen Harry listened in on the conversation.

“So what’s he like?” Harry could see through the gap between the door and the frame. Snape was sitting at the head of the little kitchen table and Jasper was standing at the other end spooning out vegetables and meat onto the plates.

“I’m not sure that’s the first time he’s actually responded to me.” Severus poured himself a glass of water, as Jasper brought the gravy boat over from the bench.

“You’re kidding, you two have been bound for how many months and you haven’t fucked his little tight arse yet? That’s not like you Sev?” Harry smiled secretly as he listened in closer on the conversation between the two brothers. Harry had never heard Severus talk so openly about his private life with anyone.

“I didn’t say that Jasper, it’s part of the contract we engage in sexual intercourse once a month, but that was the first time I’ve actually had a response from him.” Harry watched as Snape poured gravy over his meal before passing it down the table to Jasper who did the same.

“Merlin, you’ve either become more restrained in your old age Sev, or you really do love him.” Jasper commented casually as he sat back and waited for Harry to arrive.
“Both I believe.” Snape replied casually as he glanced towards the door looking for Harry. “Where is he?” Snape snapped irritably, obviously hungry. Taking this as a perfect time to reveal himself Harry stepped into the kitchen making out as if he’d just walked across the living room.

“Mmm, smells good.” Harry muttered as he sat down between Jasper and Severus and began the meal, completely unaware of the knowing glance the brothers shared across the table.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>