Deserving (Final Chapter)

Chapter 40

They lay together in each other’s arms. Harry was stroking Severus’ shoulder absentmindedly
.
“When will you have the potion ready?”

“In three days,” said Severus, curling up to Harry as a child in fear would.

“It will be different this time,” said Harry, making Severus sit up as soon as he heard these words.

“It cannot be different. It is my punishment. You said I would be given the opportunity to redeem myself,” protested Severus in one breath.

Harry looked at Severus and understood how important this was to him. He would not move on unless he felt he had paid, but how was Harry going to achieve this without going back on his word of taking care of his husband? He opened his arms and Severus let out a breath and fell into his husband’s arms.

“It will be different because we are both on the same page this time,” said Harry, feeling immediately how Severus began to breathe easier at his words. “Sleep, husband, sleep; we’ve had a long day.”


***

Next morning while Severus was taking a shower Kreacher popped in with a parcel. Harry was grateful for the fast service in the Wizarding World. When Severus came out he saw that Harry opening the package but Harry turned away so that Severus could not see what it was. Severus felt embarrassed thinking that he was prying on his husband’s privacy and walked to his dresser to get his clothing.

“No, Snape, don’t get dressed yet. Come here. Get on the bed and spread for me like you did last night,” ordered Harry.

Severus complied immediately. Was he going to have a repeat of last night? He didn’t think his heart could take so much pleasure.

“Close your eyes and relax,” came the second order.

Severus did as he was told and heard Harry fumbling in the bedstand’s drawer. Soon a lubed finger was at his entrance. He felt the finger begin to penetrate very slowly. He wanted to tell his husband that there was no need for so much caution but he remembered the slapped bottom he earned last night for trying to tell Harry what to do. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy Harry’s assertion of his dominance but Severus could not help but feel inadequate every time Harry had to punish him. A second finger was inserted and then to Severus’ dismay both fingers were withdrawn. It took him a minute to realize that he did not need so much stretching. It had been merely a couple of hours since he had been penetrated by his husband. To Severus’ surprise the fingers were not replaced by his husband’s penis but by a very rigid object. The object was inserted without much ceremony and soon he felt a playful slap on his butt cheek.

“Alright, then, get up. You can get dressed now,” announced Harry wiping his fingers with a towel.

Severus looked at him curiously. Harry smiled a wicked smile in response.

“It’s the butt plug from the catalogue, remember?”

Severus did remember and he also recalled that the plug was activated by a trigger word.

“What is the trigger word?” he dared to ask.

“Now what fun would that be?” said Harry as he walked out of the room leaving Severus to get dressed.


***

By mid day Severus could barely walk. The plug was at an impossible width. He was in his bedroom yet not being able to sit or lie down for fear of digging the plug even deeper. When Kreacher saw him in such a predicament he went to fetch Harry at his work place. It didn’t take Harry but a minute to figure out what was wrong.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“You were at work,” answer Severus with shallow breaths.

“Snape, I will not take this. Do you hear me? You are to call me when you need me. And that is an order. Get on the bed like this morning.”

Severus let his pants fall and got into position with some difficulty, stunning Harry with the view of an over stretched anus. Wow! Can it really stretch that much? Harry could practically envision his hand going all the way in with little resistance. But that was not his goal. He took out his wand and with a swish the plug was back to its normal size. He helped Severus to his feet and Harry helped him with his pants.

“You should be alright until I come home but if you are not, make sure to call me. Is that understood?”

Severus nodded his consent. “Sir, will you not tell me the trigger word. This way I can avoid it and not cause you any trouble.”

Harry smiled. “No, Snape, it is no trouble. I like it when you need me. Now be good and go on with your normal day. I will see you tonight,” said Harry with hot, short kiss that sent shivers down Severus’ spine.

That night when Harry arrived from work Severus was there to greet him, but Harry could see that each step that Snape took was painful. That was plain to see when they were summoned to the dining table by Kreacher. Snape looked at the idea of sitting down as a torturous event.

“Snape, is there anything you want to ask me?”

Snape closed his eyes and took a deep breath then he nodded.

“What is it then?” asked Harry, not making it easy for the Potions Master.

“I need the plug resized, husband,” he said without opening his eyes.

This was clearly not easy for Severus, but Harry knew it was necessary. He took Snape in his arms and apparated to their bedroom. Severus got into position without being told what to do. It was true that the plug was not as wide as this morning but it was still stretching his husband to unimaginable widths. When the Professor got up and was able to breathe more easily he began to plead his case.

“Sir, I have numerous potions I have to deliver by tomorrow and the plug has proven a distraction that I cannot overcome. If you would be so kind to allow me to go without it until I finish these orders I would be grateful.”

“Why are you still taking orders? Don’t I provide you and our family with everything you need? And you know you have your pension. I don’t see the need for you to work.”

Severus considered these words and he knew he had to answer truthfully. “I have already taken these orders and I have never been late on my word. And I wish to continue to brew so I can help Mr. Longbottom with my little snakes,” he said, bracing himself for Harry’s reaction at the mention of Neville’s name, but the wave never came.

“Your little snakes?”

It took Severus a second to realize that Harry was not yelling. “Yes, Sir, Mr. Longbottom has a hidden compound where he keeps my little snakes and their children safe. He feeds them, provides them with clothing, health care and education. I wish to be an active part of this,” he said, still expecting Harry to blow his lid, but Harry knew better. He knew where Severus would not be persuaded: Richard, Kreacher and his little snakes.

“Well, then I guess you have a problem because you are to wear the plug until further notice,” said Harry as he apparated out of the room.

Severus didn’t know what to make of Harry’s attitude but he did know one thing. He would get those potions done in the morning one way or the other.


***

Next morning Harry left and Severus called Kreacher. He noticed that the plug expanded. He made a mental note not to mention Kreacher’s name again.

“I need for you to take care of Richard…” the plug expanded again; second mental note. “I need to lock myself in the lab until I finish these potions. Will you help me?”

Kreacher looked as if Christmas had come early. He bounced on his heels. “Kreacher is helping Master, Severus, sir. Kreacher is not letting anyone come near Master, Severus, Sir.”

“Thank you my friend. I am honored to have a house elf as faithful as you,” said Severus with a tender smile that went directly to Kreacher’s heart.


***

Harry came through the floo at noon and scanned the room. No one seemed to be home. Kreacher popped in with a broad smile.

“Harry Potter, Sir, Kreacher is not knowing that you is coming for lunch. Kreacher is making you food right away. Kreacher is a good house elf. The best! You can ask Master Severus, yes you may,” said the little creature with a smile from ear to ear.

“I know that you are a very good house elf. I don’t need to ask Snape. Where is he? Is he down in the lab?” he asked, walking towards the door.

Kreacher popped in front of the door. “Master Harry Potter is not to go down there. Kreacher will not allow it. No, Sir, Kreacher will not allow this,” said the little elf with arms stretched wide guarding the door.


“Kreacher! Move!”

Kreacher shook his head. “No, no, no. Master Severus does not wish to be disturbed. Kreacher is promising Master Severus will not be interrupted.”

Harry had no patience for the overzealous creature, so he apparated to the lab, startling Severus.

“Sir!” said Severus as he put the cap on the last vials and then walking towards Harry with ease.

“How long have you been down here?”

Severus could tell by Harry’s tone that he was not happy. “Since this morning as soon as you left.”

Harry turned on his heels and left, leaving Severus with a feeling of utter failure. Harry was clearly disappointed in him, but there was nothing he could do at this point. He made sure the potions were carefully wrapped and he owled them out immediately.

That evening, when Harry arrived, Severus could barely move, but he was not complaining so it took Harry a couple of minutes to realize that Snape was in pain. Harry put Richard down and took Snape in his arms whisking him up to their bedroom. Severus knew the routine and let his pants fall and got into position. Harry resized the plug.

“So you decided to take care of our child after I left,” came the reproach.

Severus could not believe his ears and he felt the rage building in his inner core. “I have always taken care of our child and I recent any implications to the contrary.”

“Obviously brewing was more important to you than spending time with Richard,” retorted Harry.

Severus had to make tight fists with his hands in order to keep his temper. “I can recall many times when it was to your convenience to have Kreacher take care of Richard.”

“I work; when I come home I expect to spend some time alone with my husband.”

“It so happens that I have a job also and I believe it is important to show my child that one should never neglect responsibilities.”

“You don’t have to work. You do it in order to spend more time with Neville.”

“Ahh, finally, the truth surfaces! I thought you were being so mature on that matter, I should have known better.”

“Look, I am trying here, but you’re not making it easy. You know he has never made it a secret the fact that he enjoys getting into your pants.”

Severus’ breathing was coming in short pants. “So you did not believe me when I told you that he never… That he and I never…”

“What? You said it yourself that you got naked with him.”

That was all Severus could take so he turned on his heels and left. Now it was Harry who was left with an inadequate feeling.

They sat at a very silent table having dinner. Richard would look from one father to another with puzzlement. Usually there was so much to say.

“I have a tummy ache,” he announced making both fathers stand and reach his side in an instant.

“What wrong? Do you have a fever?” asked Harry while Severus touched their child’s forehead.

“I don’t like it when your cross,” said Richard looking into his Dada’s green eyes.

Harry could not believe that he had caused his son’s illness.

“Richard, Dada and I are not angry. We are just tired. We both worked very hard today, but I promise you I will take less orders from now on so I will be able to spend more time with you,” said Severus saving the day one more time.

“And Dada, cause you love him too, right?”

Severus did not dare to look into Harry’s eyes and kept his dark eyes glued to his son’s dark and warm eyes.

“Yes, Richard, I love you and your Dada more than life itself.”

Harry heard those words. They had to be something that Snape said to appease their son. He could not mean it; could he? Dennis said that contrary to Harry Snape knew he had feelings for his husband but that was just Dennis being the over romantic bloke that he is; right?

“… do you not think so Dada?” asked Snape, bringing Harry back to the present.

“I’m sorry?”

“I was saying that just this once we can forgo dinner.”

“Yeah, I am not very hungry either. What do you say if we go flying?” asked Harry looking at his son.

“No, Papa doesn’t fly and I want to do something with Papa, Dada, Kreacher and me!” Richard said with a bright smile that indicated that wretched tummy ache of his had long gone. Harry and Severus smiled at each other in relief.

“All right then, how about if Papa practices his yoga and I levitate him?”

Richard laughed out loud. “NO!” he said in between chuckles.

“No? But you love that trick.”

“Papa, I am not a baby,” he said still laughing.

Snape seemed to be taken aback by that statement. Harry gave him a comforting smile.

“No, you are not a baby anymore, so tell me, what entertains you these days.”

Richard stopped laughing and thought hard on his Dada’s question.

“I want to play with everybody,” said Richard extending his arms out wide. “… with Papa, Dada, and Kreacher.”

The little elf popped in with a broad smile on his face. His family really loved him. He was a very lucky elf to be so old and still appreciated by his masters. They played in the sitting room until Richard fell asleep from pure exhaustion. Harry carried him to his room and placed him in his bed. Severus tucked him in. They would also forgo a bath tonight.

Once in the bedroom Harry felt ashamed to look at Severus.

“Why did you come back to me? I am a screw up yet you came back to me out of your own free will,” said Harry still not daring to raise his eyes.

Severus sat on the bed and thought about Harry’s question. “Yes, you are a screw up as you so eloquently put it but you are also my husband. You were free of me. Of an old greasy git, but you asked me to come back.”

“You are not…” Harry started to argue.

“I believe we do no one any good if we stop calling the kettle black. I am twenty years your senior and I am of no ranking in the looks department…”

“You are a very elegant man,” countered Harry.

“Is that what we are calling it? Well, what I do know, and not even you can argue is the fact, that I was up against a very young and handsome Mr. Creevey, yet you came looking for me.”

Those words send chills up Harry’s spine. He didn’t want Snape making too much of that.

“You are Richard’s father and we are family and …”

“… family sticks together,” said Severus completing the phrase that Harry had used countless times. “Yes, so I believe that answers your question. We are family, therefore we stick together.”

Harry could live with that, so he walked over to his husband and began to nuzzle him under Severus’ ear. “And speaking about family did you set everything up for tomorrow the way I asked you to?”

“Yes, sir, Kreacher will be taking Richard away to the Shacklebolt’s for the weekend as that it is not convenient for him to be here.”

Harry got the message and sat up straight next to Severus. “Let it go, Snape, I don’t like it when you get all snarky. You know we can’t allow Richard to stay in the house when you will be in pain. He is somehow connected with you and would feel your pain.”

Severus wanted to argue that it was not true. There was no special connection and the fact that Richard seemed to cry every time he was in pain was probably coincidental. But Harry always felt that there was a special connection between Severus and Richard.

“The Shacklebolts are expecting Richard at one, but I don’t understand why so early. Will you be arriving earlier tomorrow?”

“No, I just want you to eat early and get some rest. It’s not going to be easy.”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Tomorrow would be a difficult day for both of them.


***

The following day Severus made sure Richard had everything he needed for his weekend holiday and saw them off. He was left with a feeling of dread that only worsened when he felt the plug disappear. He felt very lonely and the hours dragged until Harry finally arrived. When Harry finally walked through the floo he wore a somber face that told Severus that the time of his punishment had arrive. Harry did not wait for him to take his cape. He made it disappear with wandless magic. Severus did not know what to do so he did not even move.

“Go to the table. You will find a glass of water and my pills. Bring me one and make sure it is a complete one.”

Severus reacted in horror. “Sir, you do not need the pills any longer and they are very harm…”

“Enough!” yelled Harry raising his hand to signify silence. “You will not speak until I give you permission; is that understood?”

Severus had so much to say but understood that Harry would not allow any arguments, so he simply nodded. He walked to the table and sure enough there awaited the glass of water and a pile of blue pills spilling from a muggle medicine bottle. He took one and the glass and took it over to Harry who swallowed the pill immediately.

“Go upstairs and on the bed you will find the garment I want you to wear. Put it on and then go kneel by the fireplace. And Snape, no lube.”

Severus watched Harry pollute his body with the muggle medicine then he walked up to their bedroom dreading it for the first time in what seemed ages. When he opened the door he saw his worst nightmare lying on the bed, the dreaded green institutional robe. It brought back horrid memories and he felt his heart plummet. He chastised himself, what had he become? This was nothing compared to everything he had lived through. Why was this so hard? Why did he feel that air was scarce? Why did he feel that it was too much? He had lived in comfort for way too long. He had gotten used to the beautiful house, with an elf at his beck and call, the wonderful child and the considerate husband. All these things had made him weak.

He undressed and put on the robe then he walked to the fireplace and knelt as instructed. Harry took his time as always but this time Severus knew why. Harry needed to give the muggle medicine time to work. Harry apparated to the room half an hour later and without a word he grabbed Snape by an arm and made him bed over his writing table. Severus braced himself for the pain. He reminded himself that he had survived it before and he could certainly do it again.

“Now remember, Snape, I don’t want to hear a word from you,” warned Harry from behind Severus.

Did Harry fear Severus’ crying? Snape had not cried out loud the first time and he was not about to do so this time. He felt as Harry pulled his robe over his back and lined himself behind Snape. It was time. Time to suffer the pain. The pain of being penetrated so harshly by Harry. Harry who had been the only person ever to held him in his arms.

Harry was there at his entrance. Severus closed his eyes tight but was surprise to feel Harry’s manhood penetrate with ease. How could that be? No lube was used. He would have felt a lubricating charm if it had been performed. And all of a sudden it dawned on him. The plug; the plug had stretched him. He had to tell Harry. He could feel Harry pumping; pumping hard not knowing that his action was not having the desired effect. Soon he felt his husband’s seed spill deep within him and Harry step back. He fell to the floor just as he had done the first time. He waited on the floor for Harry to come take him in his arms but Harry walked away and sat at his chair by the fireplace leaving Severus curled up on the floor by the writing table.

Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, hours became daybreak as the two men stared into the cold and silent room. When the sun finally blinded Harry he walked to Severus and took him in his arms.

“It’s over. It’s done,” whispered Harry into Severus’ ear.

Severus looked directly into Harry’s eyes. He had to tell Harry but Harry had not yet given him permission to speak.

“You may speak,” the permission was finally given.

“Sir, there was no pain. The plug; the plug kept me from…”

“Now what are you on about? I saw pain in your eyes from the moment I stepped through the floo.”

“Yes, Sir, but there was no actual physical pain,” Severus protested with his upper body in Harry arms.

“I don’t recall specifying what type of pain, physical or emotional, and correct me if I am wrong but I rather take physical pain than emotional, don’t you?”

Harry was right, physical pain was something that Severus was used to, but Harry did not deceive Severus, he knew that his husband had found a way to protect him yet keep his word. No one had ever done such things for him. Oh dear Merlin, this kid was so deep into his soul. He was hopeless when it came to soding Harry Potter.

Harry took out his wand and made the green robe disappear then he helped Snape up and into a warm bath. He then wrapped Severus in a big plush towel and led him to their bed where he once again took out his wand but this time it was to put a garment on his husband. When Severus looked down at himself he found that he was wearing the lavender nightgown with the purple roses. He looked up quizzically at his spouse.

“I know it gives you comfort,” was Harry simple reply. “Now you rest while I prepare some breakfast.”

“But, Sir, Kreacher is not here. How are you going to prepare breakfast without his assistance?”

“Believe me; I have had plenty of practice. Now get some rest. I will let you know when food is ready,” said Harry before apparating to the kitchen. But Severus still had something nagging him and as soon as Harry disappeared he headed for his lab. It took him about the same time to brew his potion as Harry took in making breakfast. The Potions Master walked into the kitchen with vial in hand.

“Wow! You must have gotten hungry. You couldn’t wait till I called you?”

Severus approached his husband and handed him the potion. “Please, Sir, drink. It will free your body of the harmful ingredients in the muggle medicine,” Severus pleaded his case.
“Muggle medicine can’t be all that bad for a wizard,” argued Harry just to calm his spouse.

“I beg to differ. You will recall that when you arrived at Hogwarts Madame Pomfrey gave you and all the muggle born this same potion. I still remember she was amazed at how she had thought the potion to be deficient because there was no physical reaction to the potion in you.”

“Yeah, well I would have saved her the potion if I had known what it was for. The Durdsleys would hardly take the time to get me glasses much less go out for medicine if I was only going to be sick for a few days.”

But Severus was not paying attention. His mind had wondered.

“Muggle medicine, that might be it,” Severus thought out loud.

“Snape, what are you on about?”

“The children that do not have magic. There might be a connection.”

“Snape, there are plenty of muggle born that have had medicine before coming to the Wizarding World.”

“Yes, You are right, Sir, but the Marked Ones were given a potion to strip them of their magic and if that potion is combined with something alien as muggle medicine; who knows the consequences?”

“But where would the Mark Ones get muggle medicine?” asked Harry trying to follow Snape’s train of thought.

“Didn’t Arthur say, when he was bitten by the snake, that St. Mongos was experimenting with muggle medicine?” asked Severus still thinking out loud.

“Well that would explain why Richard and Nicky have magic. You and Draco were not seen at St. Mongos during your pregnancy.”

“Yes, I will have to study Millicent’s blood and Draco’s blood.”

“But why Draco’s blood and not yours?” questioned Harry.

Severus looked uncomfortable with the question.

“Snape?”

“My magic was not taken away from me. It was merely bounded by your word.”

Harry looked at his husband. He could not free Severus’ magic. Their magic could never bond.

A/N So we are nearing the end and it is time for Harry to redeem himself (and the author too).

Thanks for all the great reviews. I read them all and some I read more than once.

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Moon of the Sea