The Owl's Nest

Severus had reemerged himself in his potion after watching as his mate rolled around on his carpet with his transfigured pup. Seeing the light once more in the boy's eyes had warmed what was left of Severus's heart enough to make him agree that the boy could keep the dog. He knew that once the spell wore off, he would have to go find a blasted dog for the boy, but he couldn't bring himself to complain about it yet. He was too busy humming with contentment that his mate was finally acting like Harry Potter, not some mindless drone. Not that he would ever admit that, of course.

As he was preparing to exit the lab and spend the evening indulging in the warmth of his mate, his left arm started to burn. He cursed everyone he could think of that he had been naïve enough to join the Dark Lord all those years ago. Calling his robe and mask to himself, he swept out of the lab and stopped in his living room.

"I am Called. I expect you and that dog to be asleep when I get back. I will inform Albus. For Salazar's sake, refrain from doing something stupid."

Without waiting for a reply, Severus left the room, sending a Patronus to the Headmaster as he walked to the Apparition border. Reaching it, he focused on the pull from the Dark Mark and soon found himself in a large antechamber.

"Ssssssseverusssss, how good of you to join usssssssss. Approach."

Severus approached the throne the Dark Lord sat upon and kneeled, his lips brushing the edges of the tattered black robes. He held back his shiver as the Dark Lord stroked his hair, strengthening his Occlumency shields. The last thing he needed was for the Dark Lord to discover that Harry Potter was pregnant.

"Now, Ssssssssseverusssssssss, I have heard rumorsssssssss that the Potter boy hasssssss found hissssss mate. Isssss thisssssss true?"

Severus cautiously looked up, not quite meeting his Master's eyes. "Yes Master, it would appear that the boy has indeed found the unfortunate soul who is bound to him."

The Dark Lord smiled. "Wonderful. You will find thisssssss mate and take him from the boy. He will be my leverage to get the boy where I can finally kill him."

Severus fought back his growl. Dark Lord or not, no one would touch his mate. He would kill him first. Rather than react, he nodded in subservience and stepped back to witness the rest of the Death Eater meeting.

The Dark Lord appeared to be in a good mood tonight, and as he called forth the entertainment, Severus prayed to every deity that he would not be called upon to participate. He didn't think he could handle casting the Cruciatus on another person tonight. Not after feeling the guilt of betraying his mate in even the smallest manner. No, Severus would not be able to fulfill this part of his espionage, no matter how many times he was ordered to.

He watched as Muggle after Muggle was tortured, not allowing his disgust to even coat his thoughts. Finally, after seventeen Muggles had been tortured to the point of insanity, the Dark Lord was appeased and dismissed his servants. Severus Apparated back to Hogwarts with a distinct feeling of relief. The sooner his mate was able to defeat that monster, the sooner he could live in peace.

He entered his chambers with no thoughts other than the warmth he could find in his mate's body, only to stop short. Harry lay on the floor, shaking as though he had been subjected to the Cruciatus curse for hours. Quickly, Severus bent down and gathered the boy in his arms, whispering words of comfort to him as he carried him to his own room and laid him on the bed. Moving to the bathroom, he grabbed a bottle of anti-Cruciatus potion and a Dreamless Sleep that would be safe for the baby.

Harry was still shaking when he returned to the bedroom. He crawled onto the bed and pulled his mate's head into his lap, pouring the potions down the boy's throat. When, at last, Harry's shaking had stilled, Severus once more lay him in the bed, covering the boy in the duvet before standing and preparing himself to slumber. He gathered the boy in his arms as he prepared to sleep, whispering "Nox" as an afterthought as his mind fell into the world of dreams.

SSHP

Harry woke up to find himself surrounded by warmth. He snuggled in closer to it, not realizing that Severus's arms were around his body. As he began slipping back into the peaceful oblivion of sleep, his mate drew his attention.

"Mr. Potter now is not the time to be succumbing to Morpheus's call. I need to speak to you, boy."

Harry groaned and lifted his head from its position on his mate's chest, one eye looking at the other man.

"Speak then. I need sleep."

"Your growled instructions will be ignored for now, but do not think for a moment that I will forget your cheekiness."

Harry stared blankly at his mate and moved to fall asleep again. Severus pushed him away from his chest and sat up.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter, why were you on the floor shaking when I returned from my meeting?"

"Vold- You-Know-Who tortured seventeen Muggles I felt each curse as it was cast. I always do."

Severus was quick to mask his surprise. "When the Dark Lord tortures people, you feel it?"

Harry nodded silently and gasped as Severus wrapped his arms around him, drawing him into that warm chest.

"You foolish boy. Have you been suffering through every meeting in silence?"

Harry nodded again. "I don't think he knows the connection is there, but every time he's feeling a strong emotion, I feel it too. And torturing Muggles makes him extremely happy."

Severus ran his hand through his mate's hair, refusing to loosen his hold on the pregnant boy.

"Mr. Potter, you must tell me these things. If I am not privy to what you suffer, how am I supposed to help you."

Harry bit his lip and looked into the midnight black eyes of his mate and lover. "I'm sorry, Severus, I didn't mean to worry you."

Severus kissed Harry's forehead where his scar was slightly inflamed and pulled him down against his chest again.

"Why Fate cursed me with a noble Gryffindor as a mate, I will never know."

He felt Harry laugh as the boy slipped back into his dreamless sleep and tightened his hold around him.

"I promise you, Harry, I will not allow you to suffer any longer than necessary. I won't let him destroy you, love."

With that proclamation, Severus too succumbed to the bliss that Morpheus provided.