Harry Potter and the Man Who Lived

to Dark Gothic - thank you so much! yeahhh, I thought about that...I'll probably include that in the next chapter though. some place where it fits a little better within the context of the story. angst, ahoy!

to dominique - haha, yeah, they will definitely be spending a lot more time with eachother. as you'll see by the end of this chapter. >D
butyeah, I think its a very good idea for them to move in together. the Weasleys will just have to learn how to live without Boy Wonder from now on. lol

to karisma - *nodnod* yep, all of the above.
*chuckles* smut for EVERYONE~! *tosses*

to Oompa - thanks! ^^ haha, and it looks like I followed your suggestions the closest. xD
lol, yeah, he earned that nickname on an RP site I used to admin. been referring to him as Snapples ever since. oh, and good luck with your fic, by the way. ^^

to Angela - *giggles* here you go!


kay, so, not a ton of action in this one...well...that depends on your definition of the word "action." *smirks*
enjoy~

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The Bond. It is a magical connection between two souls belonging to people with magical blood. Once the souls are connected, they are as one until either one dies, resulting in the automatic death of the other.
One cannot live without the other.
Until the two souls are brought together, they will only be able to think of their Bonded, and no other. Every thought and every action will be for their Bonded. There is no counter-spell to the Bond and no manner of potion or elixir to reverse its effects. The Bond is a gift to wizard kind in order to preserve the race. If the Bond did not exist, then wizards and witches would die out, leaving only Muggles and half-breeds.

Effects of the Bond include: shared emotions and experiences, unexplainable dreams and thoughts one would not normally have, the uncontrollable urge to be with one's Bonded, restlessness, a constant tug on the heart, and eventually physical pain until the two Bonded souls have been united.

Unlike most other spells, the Bond has been in effect for centuries, and has not lost any of its potency. In our history it is the most powerful spell known to man kind.
It effects both men and woman and usually manifests itself by the time a person reaches adulthood.
The Bond does not generally - but has on very rare occasion - used its effect on people under the age of seventeen. There have only been a very small handful of children who have been Bonded, but when it does happen, the partner soul was almost always a child as well.

Perhaps a more controversial aspect of the Bond is the connecting of a soul between two men or two women. This is much less rare than the Bonding of children, and is not generally accepted among most of the wizarding community.
There are some, however, who believe that this was the true purpose of the Bond. It is rumored that the wizards, who originally layed down the Bond, thought that by bringing together witches and wizards of the same sex, it would unite our world in a way that Muggles could never come close to matching. It is said that the power between two men or two women, who have been Bonded, is far greater than that of the Bond between a man and woman.

For more information on the Bond, please consult "Unlocking the Mystery of the Bond" or "So You're Bonded, Now What?"


Harry slowly closed the book he'd had open on the Burrow kitchen table. Hermoine had sent it to him with Ron when he came back from the Malfoy mansion two days earlier. Ron had come back slightly pink-faced and didn't seem to want to meet Harry's eyes for some reason. Harry thought he had a pretty good idea of why his friend returned home looking this way, but he kept his mouth shut, just said 'thanks' for the book. Harry definitely did not want to know what Ron and Hermoine did when he wasn't around. Which really was quite strange when he thought about it. Before all this stuff with the Bond happened, he would have loved nothing more than to listen to Ron give him all the juicy details, but now he could think of nothing he'd enjoy less. All of his thoughts immediately redirected to Severus.

Not only that, but he could feel himself gradually becoming less and less attracted to girls. If he didn't know any better, he'd say the Bond was turning him gay. Though, when he thought about it, that was probably exactly what was happening. The other day, in Malfoy Manor, when Severus had embraced him, he felt more complete than he had his whole life, but in some deep, deep part of him he was squirming and wishing he could pull away. He knew that part was wrong though. That part was very soon going to be snuffed out completely...and permanently.

But the weirdest part? He didn't care in the least that all of this was happening. He didn't care that his attraction to females was disappearing. He didn't care that Severus Snape was the one he found himself thinking about constantly. And he didn't care that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the former potions professor and be his forever.

"Find anything interesting?"

Harry looked up as Ron entered the room. The red-head grabbed an apple from a bowl in the center of the table and sat down opposite Harry.

"Interesting, indeed..." Harry answered, glancing down at the book before lifting his eyes to Ron's face again.

"I didn't look at it, but Hermoine said it would help you out, if you were still confused...or whatever..."

Harry watched him take a bite of the apple, which was almost as big as half of the whole fruit. Harry smirked and leaned back in his chair, instantly finding himself thinking of Severus again...he had to see him...
When he thought about it, he couldn't believe he'd let himself wait two whole days. It made him wonder how Severus was getting along. No doubt he was waiting to give Harry some time to adjust. And adjust he was. Having these two days to think things over for himself...it had done wonders in helping him come to a decision. His mind was made up, but he had to admit, it wasn't going to be easy...


Fastening the last few buttons on his waistcoat - the garment made of fine, black silk - Severus gazed at his reflection. Even though it was slight, he could see the difference in himself. During his days, teaching at Hogwarts, he always appeared pale and bordering on sickly. His face was always hallow in the cheeks and his skin was less than healthy. Yet now, he found himself looking years younger and feeling years younger as well. Perhaps it was the disappearance of all the stress that calm along with being a spy for Dumbledore. Or perhaps it was the defeat of the Dark Lord himself. Or maybe...it was the Bond...
He closed his eyes as he suddenly found himself thinking about Harry. The teen's hair had gotten much longer. It had been nearly down to his shoulders. However, his eyes were just the same as he remembered them. Vibrant green with a fire and a life he had never seen in anyone else.

...He wanted to see him again...desperately...

Slowly he reopened his eyes and sighed, running his fingers back through his hair. He then turned away from the mirror and left the room to head downstairs. He was going to get Harry back, and this time, he wasn't going to let him go.

"Morning, Severus."

He turned to see Lucius smiling at him from the sitting room doorway. The eldest Malfoy was fastening a black ribbon around his hair, pulling it back into a low ponytail, which hung elegantly down his back.

"Morning, Lucius." Severus smiled back. He then looked past Lucius' shoulder to see into the sitting room, "Are Narcissa and Draco not at home?"

Lucius shook his head, "Narcissa's off shopping and I believe Draco is out with some friends...can't say I know exactly where he is, but I'm sure he can take care of himself." Severus nodded in agreement.

"Oh yes, that boy is perfectly capable of taking care of himself."

"So, where are you off to?" Lucius asked, stepping out of the door frame now that every hair on his head was in place.

"I'm going to see Harry...I thought I'd ask him if he'd like to go out today..."

Lucius looked at him for a moment, then slowly smiled, "He doesn't know it yet, but he's a very lucky boy."

Severus couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you." He said, receiving a wider smile and a nod from the other man. Then, without another word, Severus turned and headed out the door. Once he reached the end of the gravel path, he closed his eyes, envisioned the Burrow in his mind and spun into darkness.


"I can't believe this book even has recommendations..." Ron said, peering down at the page Harry had been reading before, "I mean, do they really think people are going to read them?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Well, they must Ron, otherwise, I don't think they would have put...them...in there..."

His voice had trailed off, eyes locked on the window where he could see the yard in front of the Burrow. Ron, finishing off his apple, looked up to see why Harry stopped talking, but then followed his gaze and realized exactly why he had stopped.

Severus was walking up the path towards the house, but Harry was out of his chair and at the door before the man even reached it. In his haste he nearly knocked Ron to the floor, but he barely even noticed.

Throwing the door open and running outside, Harry didn't stop until he had reached Severus and his arms had been thrown around the man's neck. Surprised, but happy, Severus wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, bringing him in closer and chuckling into the boy's hair as Harry buried his face in the crook of his neck.

"I missed you, too..." Severus whispered, tightening his arms protectively around Harry's smaller form. By that time, Ron had made his way out of the house and was staring at the pair, apple core still held in his fingers. Severus looked up and his obsidian eyes immediately landed on Ron. Hesitantly he pulled Harry away and cleared his throat.

"Bloody hell...so you are alive..." Ron said, staring at Severus as if he were some alien who had just materialized right on the spot.

"I see that your skills of observation are as sharp as ever, Mr. Weasley." Severus answered, keeping one arm around Harry's waist as the dark-haired teen turned to look at Ron, his cheeks slightly flushed. He then glanced down at Harry, who looked up at him, "Does he know...?"

"Oh, yes, Ron knows everything already, don't worry." Harry answered, smiling before stepping away, but taking Severus' hand to lead him toward the house. The man smiled and followed, wrapping his own fingers securely around Harry's.

Once they were inside, Harry lead Severus into the kitchen and offered him a seat.

"Would you like something to drink?" Harry asked, "Ron, isn't there some pumpkin juice...?"

"Oh, no thank you, Harry..." Severus answered, then motioned for the teen to join him at the table. Harry immediately crossed the open space and sat down beside his Bonded, "The reason I came was to ask you if you would like to join me in Hogsmeade today."

Harry's eyes lit up immediately and he grinned, one of his hands closing around Severus' were it sat on top of the table.

"That would be great!" He said, and Ron rolled his eyes on the other side of the room, "I never took you for the type to wanna do stuff like that, though." This brought a smile to the older man's lips and his fingers squeezed Harry's affectionately.

"A lot of things have changed, Harry..." He said, his slender fingers now gently stroking the teen's hand, "You know that as well as I do..." Ron's eye-rolling had turned into a fake gagging gesture. Harry happened to glance over at him in that moment and glared.

"Ahem...so, it looks like you two will be going out then?"

Harry nodded, turning back to Severus with a smile, "I'd love to go."

"Excellent." The man said, getting to his feet and sending Ron a somewhat nasty look. The red-head swallowed slightly and sank back against the wall as the two other men passed by him.

Once they reached the yard, Harry looked back through the kitchen window and waved at Ron before turning back to Severus and they both Apparated away from the Burrow and into Hogsmeade.


Once they reached Hogsmeade, Harry was feeling better than he had in a long time. He was with Severus, on a trip the man had planned himself no less. He would have never guessed that he would actually want to do something like this.

"Where would you like to go?" Severus asked, glancing around the immediate area before turning his attention back to Harry again.

Harry also took a moment to glance around, "How about The Three Broomsticks?" He suggested.

"The Three Broomsticks it is, then." Severus answered, holding out his arm for Harry, which the teen took, with a smile, before the man lead him off the down the street toward the pub.

He didn't really let out too much of his emotion, but inside, Harry was jumping up and down for joy. He felt like a little kid who had just been told he had free run of the candy store. This time he was getting to spend with Severus was exactly what they both needed, but he almost felt like it might be benefiting himself a bit more, just because he seemed to feel more hesitant about this whole thing than Severus did. That feeling, however, was quickly fading away. He was feeling more and more at ease around his new partner. And that was a bigger relief than anything.

Within just a few moments they reached the pub and went inside. There weren't many people there, except for a few bar flies, so they found a table in one corner and sat across from each other.

When Madam Rosmerta took their orders, they both decided it was far too warm for Butterbeer, so Harry got a glass of pumpkin juice and Severus got some ice-tea with lemon. Neither men were very hungry so they were content to sip their drinks and talk back and forth about various things.
Quite quickly, Harry found himself having a rather good time, and he could tell Severus was feeling the same way. Who would have ever guessed that Harry Potter and Severus Snape could actually have a civilized conversation and have fun while doing it?

"Alright, your turn..." Harry said, grinning over the rim of his glass. Severus smiled and thought for a moment.

"Alright...what is your favorite color?" He asked. Harry nearly snorted with laughter and had to set down his glass.

"Is that the best you can come up with?" He laughed. The man shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"Just answer the question...its your silly game."

Harry chuckled a few more times before his lips settled back into a content smile, "Black, I suppose."

"Black? I wouldn't have called that one." Severus said, smirking.

"Well...black is a good color...its the color of our robes at school...my hair is black..." He grinned at Severus and got a quick glance to his hair and a smile back, "Cats, ravens...the night sky, when its solid black and looks almost like velvet with stars sprinkled through it..." He then paused a moment and found himself staring at Severus' hair, which he just noticed looked rather soft. In the next second, before he could stop himself, he reached across the table and pushed his fingers through the man's midnight tresses. He combed gently through it, the tips of his fingers running slowly along his scalp before pulling free and he brought his hand back to rest on the table in front of himself.

While it had been happening, Severus was surprised, but when he felt the teen's fingers run over his scalp as gently as they did, he found himself in more pleasure than he had ever experienced. A sigh escaped his lips as Harry had pulled away and he gazed at the teen, who's cheeks were lightly flushed.

"Yes...I suppose black is a good color..." Severus said, smiling as he reached toward Harry and ran his own fingers through the boy's long mess of hair. Harry bit his lip and shuddered slightly, enjoying the feeling way too much. He then had to stop himself from whimpering in protest as the man pulled his hand away. However, Severus must have realized how he'd been feeling, because he smirked and tapped Harry's nose playfully.

"All in good time." He said quietly. It took a few seconds for the man's words to fully process, but when they did, Harry's face flushed deeply and he looked away in embarrassment. Severus only chuckled in that deep, smooth way of his before he finished the last of his tea. To distract himself, Harry gulped down the rest of his pumpkin juice and then suddenly realized that Severus had stood up.

"We've been here so long its already starting to get dark..." He said, gazing out through the window. He was right. The sun was already behind the buildings of the village, and the entire area was bathed in a soft, pink-ish orange glow. Harry couldn't help but think it looked awfully romantic.

After Severus payed for the drinks, they left the pub and walked slowly down the street, gazing briefly into shop windows as they passed. Before too long the street lamps began to turn on, one by one.

"Harry..." Severus said, as they walked back up the street so they could Apparate out of the village. Harry looked up at him, "Would you like to come back to the mansion with me?"

Harry blinked, unsure of how to answer. Of course he wanted to go, but he had no idea if he should or not. The Malfoys would surely be there, but perhaps they would be kind enough to give the two of them some privacy while Harry was there.

"Would that...be alright?" Harry asked.

Severus looked at him and smiled with a nod, "Of course it would. In fact, I believe Lucius and Narcissa had plans for the night, and Draco won't bother us...if that's what you were worried about." Harry nodded slowly, then realized something else. If he and Severus were left alone, he might have more to worry about than one of the Malfoys disturbing their privacy...

After another moment or two of considering the situation, Harry finally nodded and smiled, "Okay."

Severus smiled and leaned down to press a brief kiss against Harry's forehead, making the teen's cheeks burn.


Landing on the gravel path outside of Malfoy Manor, Harry lost his balance slightly and fell against Severus, the man's arm going around him tightly until Harry had gotten his footing back from the Apparation.

"Sorry about that..." Harry muttered, pulling away and rubbing his neck nervously. As they made their way up the path and then into the enormous house, Harry felt more nervous than he could ever remember feeling. It was almost worse than the times he'd faced Voldemort. Almost...

"We can go up to my room." Severus said, motioning toward the stairs, "There's a rather nice sitting area with a fireplace, and if we're in there, if anyone does come home, they're sure to leave us alone."

Harry nodded and walked ahead of Severus. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. His skin felt tingly and every little hair, on his arms. was standing up. What did Severus think they were going to do once they got to that room? Harry knew he definitely wasn't ready for...that...

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Harry let Severus go in front since he had no idea where the room was. It was located about halfway down the hall, and once Severus let him inside, Harry could only stare for a few moments. First of all, it was huge. On one side was the sleeping area - a massive bed with the finest sheets and blankets Harry had ever seen - then on the other side was the seating area Severus had mentioned. A large sofa, with two smaller chairs beside it, faced a grand fireplace, which was already lit and warming the room comfortably. Despite it being warm outside, the room felt pleasant even with the fire burning.

"This place is incredible..." Harry said, stepping into the room and walking over to the sofa before turning to look back at Severus. The man closed the door and then joined Harry, nodding in agreement.

"The Malfoys certainly spare no expense when it comes to their home."

Harry smiled then stepped around the edge of the sofa before plopping down onto one of the unbelievably soft cushions. The sofas in the Burrow were soft and comfortable, but they were nothing compared to this.
Without hesitation, Severus stepped around the other side and joined Harry on the sofa, sitting about a foot or so away from him.

Suddenly, that nervous feeling swept over him again. As he glanced at Severus, he wondered what the man was thinking. He was staring into the fire with his chin propped upon the knuckles of one hand, his long legs crossed elegantly. He looked so regal sitting there. He could only imagine how out of place he must look, sitting next to someone like him.
Sighing and folding his hands in his lap, fingers fiddling with themselves nervously, he waited, but for what he had no idea...

"Harry..."

He jumped at the voice when it came so suddenly. But he looked over at the man, pretending nothing had happened.

"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Severus kept his eyes on the flames as he spoke.

"Erm...sure, I guess..." Harry answered, his own eyes watching the man with nervous anticipation.

"Are you a virgin?"

Harry felt like the world had just screeched to a halt. Had he heard right? Did Severus Snape just ask him if he was a virgin?

Finally, Severus' eyes found his and it nearly made Harry gasp when he saw the intensity burning deep within the obsidian depths.

"You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable."

Harry shook his head and looked away for a moment, focusing on the fire before forcing himself to look at Severus again.

"Y-yes...I am..."

In that moment, he saw Severus' eyes soften and glow with compassion. It was as if the man had been given the most precious secret in the world and it was his job to take care of it and let no one else have it.

"I was afraid that...that you had...with the Weasley girl..."

Harry's eyes widened for a moment before he chuckled softly.

"Ginny? God, no...I would never dream of doing that with her..." He said, "Ron would have my head."

Severus's lips curved into a relieved smile. He then scooted closer to Harry and Harry found himself having trouble with his breathing all of a sudden. The man's hands lifted and held his face gently before leaning in to steal the teen's lips tenderly. Harry sighed, eyes slipping closed and his own hands finding the man's chest. As his fingers gripped in the material of his shirt, Severus took it upon himself to deepen the kiss. Harry, with a small moan of surprise, felt himself being pushed down. Laying beneath Severus, Harry moaned again, but this time as a request for the man to go further. He complied immediately, one hand moving down to find the hem of the teen's shirt and pushing up under it. Cool, strong fingers met with heated skin, making Harry's stomach muscles jump beneath the touch.

Seconds later, Harry opened his mouth, allowing Severus to explore as he pleased. Immediately he felt the man's tongue push past the barrier of his lips and meet somewhere inside with Harry's. They slid against one another and danced in the open space between their mouths before the gap was closed again. Harry whimpered, suddenly arching, as Severus' fingertips brushed across one of his nipples.
Severus took that as his opportunity to break slowly from the kiss. Before he broke the contact completely, he suckled Harry's lower lip briefly and then moved his lips to the corner before going across his jaw and down his neck. Harry arched his neck, tilting his head to the side to give the man more room. With his eyes closed he could see nothing, but his sense of touch seemed ten times what it normally was. Every little touch from the older man's fingers sent his head spinning.

Pressing open-mouthed kisses against the smooth, flawless column of Harry's neck, Severus' hands freely explored his body, taking in every detail. Harry was perfect in every way. The way his body was shaped and the way his hands glided across the dips and curves was nothing short of magic.

"You're so beautiful..." Severus breathed, lifting his head to look into Harry's eyes for a moment before claiming his lips again. Harry gasped into the kiss, one of his hands digging into the man's hair, while his other gripped in the material of his shirt on his back, pulling the fabric tight.
Harry hadn't believed Severus' words, but he was far too distracted at the moment to argue about anything.

While he kissed him, Severus' hands slowly pushed Harry's shirt up over his stomach and chest, exposing his torso and giving him more freedom to navigate his flawless form. He then shifted slightly, causing Harry to have to lift one knee, which then resulted in his hips falling between the teen's legs. Harry gasped and pulled away from the kiss, his hips rolling one small time of their own accord. The sudden friction made Severus groan into the teen's neck, and Harry's fingers went even tighter in his hair.

However, when the man lifted his face again to look at Harry, he was surprised to see that the boy looked slightly worried about something.

"Wh-what is it? What's wrong?"

Harry bit his lower lip and Severus could feel him trembling.

"Harry...tell me what's wrong..." He said, keeping his voice as calm as possible. He used one hand to stroke the boy's hair comfortingly.

"I'm so s-sorry..." Harry whispered, "I'm...just not...r-ready yet..." He looked slowly up at Severus, glistening moisture gathered in the corners of his amazingly green eyes. Severus could only blink and stare down at him in shock.
He had no intention of taking Harry tonight. He thought the boy knew that. He would never force him to do anything he wasn't ready for.

"Oh, Harry..." He whispered, wrapping his arms around the teen's waist and then feeling, with relief, that Harry wrapped his own arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly, "I would never force you...not until you're completely ready..." He tightened his arms and nuzzled his Bonded's neck, whispering against his ear gently, "I do want to be with you...I want that more than anything...but only when you're ready..."

He felt the boy shudder softly against him and hold him tighter before loosening his arms and lowering his hands to his shoulders so Severus could pull back and look into his eyes.

"R-really? You mean that?"

Severus nodded, smiling reassuringly down at Harry. He was relieved to see the boy smile back up at him.

"Thank you so much..." He whispered, then leaned up and brought their lips together passionately, his hands holding the back of Severus' neck. To the man's surprise, Harry pulled him back down, kissing him with even more fire and passion than before. Perhaps just the knowledge that he could stop them at any time had given him the confidence to continue.

"I want you..." Harry whispered between a break in the kiss, "I want you so much..." At those words, Severus' entire body felt like it'd been set on fire. He moaned and kissed Harry hungrily, his hands going back down to the teen's chest to find his nipples again.
Rubbing his fingertips over the hardened nubs, he got a delicious reaction. Harry arched his back and threw his head back against the sofa's arm rest, his leg coming up higher around Severus' hips, thus causing them to wedge down closer. When that happened, Severus couldn't stop himself from grinding a bit against the body under him. The friction it caused was unbelievable. Both men moaned and held each other, Severus' lips attacking Harry's neck again.

Then, in the next moment, Harry did something Severus had not been expecting. Reaching down between them, he felt the teen unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans and moaning as his arousal was finally let free of the denim confines.

"Touch me, Severus..." He moaned breathlessly, giving one soft buck of his hips before reconnecting their lips. Severus dived right back into the kiss, addicted to the taste of the boy, but at the same time, his hand went down and fumbled for a moment before wrapping around Harry's throbbing length. As he did, Harry cried out, but the sound came out muffled against his lips. Unbelievably, Harry managed to keep the contact between their lips, but moaned louder and louder with each thrust of Severus' hand.

Finally, the need for air became too great, and Harry fell back with a gasp. His head pushed back into the soft arm rest and he rolled his hips up into Severus' hand. The man pumped faster and lowered his head to find a spot on Harry's neck to suck fiercely upon. He intended to mark him so everyone would know he had been taken. Within moments, he had created a dark bruise, and he pulled back to admire it for a second. Letting his tongue glide across the darkened spot of flesh, the man's fingers tightened where they held Harry, making the teen gasp and flinch.

Harry could feel himself getting closer and closer. He was already holding on as long as he possibly could, but he could feel the inevitable swiftly approaching.

"Harry..."

He shuddered at the sound of Severus' voice in his ear. That was all he needed, and after a few more strokes from the man's amazingly skilled hand, Harry gasped sharply, arching back, thus pushing his chest up against the man above him as he came. His essence spilled over Severus' hand and then onto his own stomach. Spasms of pleasure washed and rippled through his system, and even though he wasn't aware of it at the time, Severus' dark eyes were trained upon his face, never blinking as he watched the incredible expressions that twisted the boy's features.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Harry's body relaxed, his weight sinking into the cushions once more. As he attempted to catch his breath, his eyes slowly opened, searching for Severus'. They met and one corner of the teen's mouth curled into a smile.

"If I had known you were that good at hand-jobs...I would have tried to seduce you a long time ago..." He said, voice slightly breathless. Severus blinked for a second before smiling, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He refrained from letting slip a comment of his own, which would have been something about Harry being a minor back then so it wouldn't have exactly been appropriate.

"I'll take that as a compliment then..." He whispered, leaning down on his elbows, bringing their torsos flush against one another, before he captured the teen's lips. Harry moaned softly, arms coming up to loosely wrap around the man's neck.

In that moment he felt better than he could ever remember feeling. It even rivaled the time he saw his parents in the Mirror of Erised. It even rivaled the moment he learned Sirius was his god-father. It rivaled even the moment when he escaped Voldemort's grasp and then won the Tri-Wizard Tournament for Hogwarts.

None of those moments seemed to matter much anymore. Everything was perfect. It was right, and Harry knew it. He had been unsure at first. Hell, he had been downright disgusted by the idea of being with Severus Snape like this. But now...now he knew this was the only thing he should ever be doing.

Closing his eyes and relaxing back against the sofa, he sighed softly as Severus leaned down, his head resting against Harry's shoulder. As he lay there, he felt as if a cloud had descended upon them. He felt enveloped by it. It shielded their bodies from the world and everyone and anyone who might want to come between them. It was just him and Severus, the only person...the only man who he ever wanted to see and be with.

"I love you, Harry..."

Harry opened his eyes, fingers pausing where they had been stroking the man's hair. Severus must have noticed. He slowly looked up, meeting the teen's eyes with apprehension. Harry purposely avoided his gaze, looking past the top of his head and focusing on a tapestry across the room.

"Harry? Did you hear me?" Severus asked, lifting his head so he could get in front of the teen's line of vision. Harry finally had to look at him, a small sigh passing through his lips.

"Yes, I heard you..." He whispered, shifting his gaze down to look at Severus' lips instead of his intense, obsidian gaze. Severus' eyebrows drew downward with concern, and then he too sighed.

"Its alright..." He said, leaning down to press his lips against Harry's forehead, "You don't have to say anything..." Harry closed his eyes and bit his lip. It wasn't that he didn't want to return the man's words. He actually really did, but those particular words had never been any easy thing for him to say. In fact, it was one of the hardest things he could think to do.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered while he absently fiddled with one of the buttons on Severus' waistcoat. He heard the man sigh above him and it felt as though his heart was slowly cracking. He'd hurt him...again...

However, when he looked up, he gasped softly as his lips were taken in the most loving and tender kiss he knew he would ever feel. Closing his eyes and weaving his fingers into soft, midnight locks, he moaned breathlessly and melted into the kiss. Slowly, Severus broke them apart, and his eyes immediately locked with Harry's. The teen could do nothing but stare at him, amazed at how understanding the man was being.

"As I said before, you don't need to say anything until you're ready..." He whispered, fingers gently brushing along the teen's cheek. Harry felt his lips curve into a smile as he gazed into the dark pools of black above him.

"Thank-" He was immediately silenced as the man pressed two fingers against his lips. He smiled down at his new lover.

"No need to thank me either..." He said, letting his fingers slide away from Harry's lips. The teen allowed himself a small smirk before he leaned his head back against the armrest and yawned, one hand lifting to cover his mouth. It was too late though. Severus saw, and Harry caught the smile that curved his lips.

"Will you stay the night here with me?" He asked, staring into Harry's eyes.

"Would...would it be okay?" He asked, chewing one corner of his lip, "I mean...with the Malfoys?"

Severus smiled, "Not to worry. They know of the Bond, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

Despite that, Harry felt a tad uneasy about spending the night in the Malfoy Mansion, especially when he thought about how worried the Weasleys would be when they realized he wasn't coming home. They would probably end up thinking he had gone and thrown himself off a bridge somewhere.

But even so...he wanted to stay. He wanted to stay more than anything. He wanted to curl up in bed next to Severus and feel his strong arms around him as he drifted off to sleep. And then, that meant, he would wake in the morning, still wrapped in those same arms. Just thinking about it brought a soft smile to his face.

Finding Severus' eyes again, Harry nodded and wrapped his arms tightly around the man's neck.

"I want to fall asleep in your arms, and then wake up still in them..." He whispered, speaking close to the man's ear, "I never want to be away from you..." He burried his face in Severus' shoulder and sighed happily, nuzzling gently up against his neck.

He then felt, with no hesitation, the man shift, sliding his arms securely beneath his body to lift it off the sofa and carry him over to the large bed on the other side of the room. Harry leaned his head against the man's shoulder before he was slowly lowered, his back touching down softly on the mattress. It was definitely the most comfortable bed he had ever felt before. He knew right then he would have no trouble falling asleep.
He then realized that Severus had stepped back and was removing his clothes. Harry's cheeks went slightly pink as he watched. First he slipped out of his shoes, then carefully unbuttoned his waistcoat, followed by the button-down, white shirt he wore underneath. Finally Harry saw his exposed chest and stomach for the first time. Just the sight nearly sent his body into trembling heat-waves. Since when was the ex-professor such a sex god? He wasn't skinny and sickly looking. No, far from it. His skin was healthy and no longer ghostly pale. He had defined muscle tone, but it was lean and it made Harry want to reach out and tough every single inch of him.

Severus realized Harry had been staring. It made him smirk as he unbuttoned his trousers and stepped out of them, now left in a pair of black boxer-briefs. There was a part of Harry that wanted to jerk those shorts off his delicious hips, but he decided against it. He'd said himself earlier that he wasn't ready for anything more than what had already happened. If passion and lust were to take over, it was possible they wouldn't be able to stop themselves.

"I take it I'm not the same man you remember from your school days..." Severus whispered, pressing one knee into the mattress to climb up and lay on his side next to Harry. The teen slowly shook his head, eyes lingering on Severus' face for a moment before gradually making their way down to his chest. He couldn't stop himself. He reached out, running his fingertips down his chest, savoring the smooth, warm skin as he made his way down the center of his ribcage, then his stomach. He could feel the muscles jump lightly beneath his touch, sending shivers up and down his back.

"Do you intend to sleep in your jeans?" Severus whispered, his voice making Harry flinch and look up, cheeks slightly flushed.

"N-no...of course not..." He said, then swallowed and licked his lips as Severus' hands came toward him. Fingers lid under the hem of his t-shirt, lifting it over his stomach, then his chest. Harry raised his arms, allowing the man to tug the shirt up over his head, and it was then tossed down to the floor. With his eyes locked on Harry's face, the man continued, slipping his fingers beneath the waistband of the boy's jeans to push them down his hips and then off his legs. They immediately joined the other articles on the floor. Harry was now left in just his slightly over-sized boxers, making him feel a little embarrassed. They were a faded, dull grey color and they even had a few tiny holes around the elastic.

Finally he shifted his eyes down and away from Severus' gaze. Slowly he leaned forward, resting his head against the man's chest and nuzzling against it gently. He sighed softly and snuggled closer as a pair of strong, protective arms slid around him, holding him close and making him feel safer than he ever had in his entire life. He felt safer here, curled up against Severus Snape in the Malfoy Mansion, that he ever did at Hogwarts or the Burrow.

This was home. In Severus' arms - held safely in his loving arms - this was where he was meant to be.

Smiling against Severus' chest, he felt soft sheets come up around them. It was so comfortable, he was almost afraid it was another of his dreams. But, as he slowly opened his eyes, met with the soft skin and the gentle rise and fall of the chest as the man breathed, he knew it was real.

Strong, gentle hands slid up and down his back, occasionally stroking through his hair. He could feel himself slowly succumbing to sleep. His eyelids fluttered and his body relaxed completely into the softness of the mattress, and the comfort of Severus' arms.

As he fell slowly into the soft, warm comfort of sleep, his mind allowed him one final thought before he slipped completely into darkness...

I love you, too...

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sorry it took me so long to update this story. there was a death in my family this past weekend, so I was pretty busy and a little on the stressed side. but, here's an update finally, and hopefully I'll be able to update a little more frequently from now on.
not totally sure what to put in the next chapter...I have a very rough idea, but the specifics are still in the works. everyone pray I'll think of something soon.
thanks to all of my readers! it really means a lot!