MY ONE MISTAKE

Chapter Eight


Over the next couple of days the feeling began to return to Harry’s legs again. They were still weak, but now at least he could feel Severus massaging them. It was also nice to actually feel Alex when she sat on his lap, or helped massage his legs.

He kind of enjoyed this temporary convalescence, as he got to know his daughter. She was a great help to him when Severus was teaching his potions class. It also was nice when he was carried to bed in Severus’ arms.

He used this time also thinking about his career as an auror. He loved his job, but felt that he wanted more with his life. He had two people to come home to now, and wanted to be around for a long, long time. Albus had talked with him and offered him the Defense teaching position for the following year, and he was seriously contemplating it.

Severus and he were starting to slowly mend their relationship . . . or start one would be a more appropriate term. They didn’t have much time to themselves with Severus teaching, visits from Hermione and his auror unit, and Alex that seemed to be always be there (which they didn’t mind). When they went to bed at night it was to hold each other close until they both drifted off to sleep.

The day before they were to go to the ranch, Harry, Alex, and Albus made a scheduled trip into Hogsmeade. Harry wanted to surprise Severus the next day. And, oh, what a surprise it will be.

“You have to promise me you won’t tell your father, Alex,” Harry said.

“I won’t,” she smiled. “I love it here, Daddy.”

“Do you have my other surprise, Albus?” Harry asked.

“Yes, the shop still had the pair and were happy to send them,” Albus replied.

“Um . . . Daddy,” Alex began, “maybe you should put a spell on me so I won’t tell.”

“Do you think I really need to Alex?” Harry grinned, pulling her on his lap in the wheelchair.

“Why not have Alex visit with Sirius and Remus early,” Albus suggested. “I’m sure they won’t mind, and that way she won’t spill your secrets, and can help out with the preparations for tomorrow.”

“Well . . . I don’t know,” Harry grinned, noticing the excited gleam in his daughter’s eyes.

“Please . . . please . . . I promise I’ll be good,” she pleaded, placing wet kisses repeatedly on his cheeks.

“Let’s go to lunch and I’ll contact Siri from The Three Broomsticks,” Harry said, giving in.



Once they arrived at the pub, Harry had Albus floo the ranch. Sirius almost immediately came through, greeted by a messy haired young witch. Sirius picked Alex up, carrying her to the table where Albus and Harry were sitting.

“I’d love to have Alex stay over, Harry,” Sirius replied after he was asked to take her for a couple of days, “but why?”

“Daddy’s going to surprise Father tomorrow with a house and rings, and it has a swing and swimming pool, and apple trees. We’re going to have to put strawberries there too, I think. Oh, and my room is red and pink and has a place to put all my books and toys . . . ”

“And that is why we need her to stay with you,” Harry laughed. “I’m going to surprise Sev with it tomorrow morning before we go to the ranch.”

“So this means you’ll be staying?” Sirius asked hopefully.

“If he’ll have me, Siri,” Harry replied. “There is one other thing to prepare for tomorrow,” Harry smiled looking at Albus, then Sirius, before going into the plans that Albus and he had made.

“You should see the dress I picked out Siri, it’s so pretty,” Alex beamed.

“You’re going to wear a dress?” Sirius smirked.

“Yes, it’s a special day, so I’m wearing a dress,” she said.

“We’ll have to get a picture of that,” Sirius laughed, “before the ice cream.”

“Can I have some butterbeer Daddy?” Alex asked suddenly as her dragon burger and fries were put in front of her.

“How about some milk instead . . . or juice,” Harry said, “and who gave you butterbeer?”

“Fred and George did, but it had no booze in it,” Alex grinned.

“Well, that’s something,” Albus said, his eyes twinkling.

“We have some at the ranch. I’ll give you some there,” Sirius whispered by her ear.

“With ice cream?” she whispered back.

“Yes,” Sirius replied, stealing one of her fries.

“Butterbeer float,” Harry mused, “that’s probably pretty good.”

“Tastes something like a buttery root beer float,” Sirius said, “we can make you one tomorrow too,” he teased.


After lunch, Albus and Harry waved off Alex and Sirius when they flooed out of the Three Broomsticks. Alex already had clothes at the ranch, so it wasn’t necessary to go back to the school to get anything she needed. Albus and Harry ordered something a little stronger than butterbeer and talked about what they’d been up to the past five years, and what was going to happen the next day. “I missed this,” Harry smiled.

“Missed what, Harry?” Albus twinkled.

“Missed the talks we used to have.”

“Me too, Harry,” Albus grinned. “Shall we go back? Severus is probably wondering where his family is.”

Albus and Harry went back to the school, Albus walking beside the self rolling wheelchair. Harry had decided to sit out by the lake to wait for Severus’s afternoon classes to end, while Albus went back to his office. He had always loved it by the lake when he was still in school. The warm waters so calm, except for the occasional splashing of the giant squid out in the middle of the lake.

“Hello Harry,” Severus said by his ear. “I was looking for you at lunch.”

“Sorry, Sev. Albus and I decided to stroll over to Hogsmeade for lunch,” Harry replied turning his face up to meet Severus’s kiss.

“Did Alex go with you?” Severus asked, looking around for his daughter.

“Yes,” Harry smiled, “she loves Honeydukes Sweetshop, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, she does,” Severus sighed, “I blame it on the meddlesome old man.”

“We bumped into Sirius, and he asked if he could take Alex for the night. I said it was okay. It was okay, wasn’t it?” Harry asked, suddenly worried that he stepped out of line.

“Of course it was, Harry,” Severus smiled, “you are her father too. I trust your judgment.”

“Thanks, Severus,” Harry grinned. “So . . . whatever are we going to do by ourselves?” he suggestively asked.

“How about dinner for two in our rooms, your massage . . . then bed?”

“Bed sounds good,” Harry replied. “No interruptions. Oh . . . the possibilities.”

“Yes. Sleep sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?” Severus laughed. “Do you want to walk a bit?” he asked.

“Will you catch me if I fall?” Harry grinned.

“Every time Harry,” Severus quietly said, leaning down so Harry could wrap his arms around his neck.

“I hate being like this,” Harry grimaced, as the tingly feeling intensified in his legs, “but at least I can feel them now.”

“Take it slow,” Severus said, putting his arm around Harry’s back as they slowly made their way across the lawn, the wheelchair shrunk down in Severus’ pocket. “You’re doing a lot better,” Severus said, noticing that Harry didn’t put as much weight against him when he walked.

“Poppy said the tingling is a good thing, and it will help to kind of walk it off.”

“Just tell me when you’re tired. Don’t want you to overdo it,” Severus said kissing Harry’s cheek.

They made it about half way when Severus halted their steps. He heard Harry’s labored breathing and saw the few drops of sweat running down the side of his face. He turned his back to Harry and motioned for him to climb on. He hooked Harry’s knees at his elbows while Harry wrapped his arms around his neck.

“Thanks, Sev,” Harry quietly said by his ear. “Too bad Alex couldn’t see her Father giving her Daddy a piggy back ride,” he teased.

“It’s bad enough these dunderhead students are seeing it,” Severus said, glaring to some Gryffindor students who started to snicker at the two.

“You can put me down Severus,” Harry laughed, winking at the Gryffindor’s.

“No. I like carrying you,” Severus replied.

“I like you carrying me too, although I like you holding me to your chest instead,” Harry grinned against Severus’ neck. “Do you think we could get our meal to go? I have something I want to show you.”

“I suppose. What about the massage?” Severus asked, curious to know what Harry was up to.

“Bring the lotion with you. While you get the meal, I’ll pack.”

“Pack?” Severus asked, side glancing to Harry.

“Yes. Pack,” Harry grinned, kissing Severus on the mouth.

Once in their rooms, Severus enlarged the wheelchair then went down to the kitchens while Harry packed their pajamas and a change of clothing for the next day.

When Severus came back, it was to see Harry sitting by the hearth, reading. “So where is this place you’re taking me?’ Severus asked placing the picnic basket beside Harry.

“You’ll see,” Harry smiled, patting his pockets for what they would need. “Do you trust me, Sev?” he asked, holding out a gold key that he took from his pocket.

“Of course.”

“Hold onto me, and touch the key,” Harry said, standing shakily to his feet.

Severus gathered Harry in his arms, placing a brief kiss to his mouth before the two of them were swept away to another place. Once they appeared to their destination, Severus looked around the room. Harry briefly let go and turned Severus to climb onto his back again.

“Where are we, Harry?” Severus asked, holding onto Harry’s legs as he looked around what appeared to be an entryway to a house. Harry motioned him through a door to his right and he stopped as he looked around. The one wall was floor to ceiling bookcases . . . empty, a large window overtook another wall that looked out to a large yard with an orchard of trees surrounding a graveled road. A large fireplace was the focal point of another wall, made of large rocks and stones, with a wood mantel that matched the bookcases. The floor was wood, and gleamed from a recent polishing.

“This is the family room. I personally love the rustic look to it with the wood and stone combined,” Harry said. “Go back out to the entryway and I’ll give you a tour.”

Severus asked very few questions as they toured the main floor of the large house. The kitchens were modernized with muggle appliances, a large window overlooking a beautiful garden. Harry also showed him a study with more shelves, and a bench built into the window. There was also a formal dining room, and a game room. The final door on the main floor Harry left for last. It was in between the kitchen and the study. They walked through and Severus felt the warmth in the room. He walked further into the room, looking around at the foliage around him, and the glassed in walls and ceiling. He noticed that through another set of doors, there was a pool and hot tub.

“Sev, let’s sit down here for a bit, before I show you the rest,” Harry said, pointing to a bench by a gurgling indoor fountain. Severus sat beside him still looking around in amazement. “What do you think of it so far, Severus?” he asked.

“It’s a beautiful house, Harry,” Severus said, looking at Harry.

“The bedrooms are upstairs. One master bedroom and three others. Downstairs in the basement is a stone walled, large room complete with sinks and running water that would be perfect for a laboratory.”

“A laboratory?” Severus asked.

“Yes, Severus. This house is ours,” Harry smiled.

“Ours? Does this mean you’ll be staying,” he asked.

“Yes, now that I have you . . . I do have you, right?” Harry asked.

“Prat. Of course you have me. For as long as you want me?” Severus smirked, leaning in to kiss Harry.

“Even if it’s forever?” Harry asked, holding out a small velvet box. He slowly opened it for Severus to see a matching set of gold bands. “I’ve loved you for years, Severus. Graduation night was the most incredible night of my life. I thought all my dreams were coming true, even if it was for just that one night. During training in my seventh year you were there for me, became my friend, a person I could for see having a future with. I tried for five years to forget that night, Severus, but when you came back into my life, I realized that I still loved you. I’ve gotten to know you again . . . and our daughter, and I want to be with you, watch Alex grow to have her own children,” Harry smiled. “So Severus . . . would you be mine, grow old with me, be my husband?”

“Merlin, Harry,” Severus quietly said, “this is all so . . . so overwhelming. That night was a night I’ve never forgotten as well. I grew to know the real Harry Potter during your training and was able to see that you were your own person . . . a person that trouble always seemed to find,” Severus smirked, then brought up their clasped hands to kiss the back of Harry’s fingers. “My feelings grew for you in your seventh year, but I thought I was too old, too jaded for you. When you blatantly threw yourself at me that night . . . I couldn’t refuse you. I’ve made many mistakes in my life, letting you go was my one big mistake.”

“And my mistake was to not stay and find out why you threw me out that morning. I knew there were feelings between us that night. I should have stayed. I never would have agreed to that damn Gryffindor wager.”

“Gods . . . we’ve been idiots, haven’t we?” Severus smirked.

“Yes, we have,” Harry smiled.

“I did try to look for you after Alex was born, but couldn’t find you. Alex helped me deal with your being gone, but couldn’t make me forget you.”

“You did a great job with her Severus. She’s a bright young girl,” Harry smiled. “So, you never did answer me. Are you going to become Severus Potter?” he teasingly asked.

“How about Potter-Snape,” Severus countered.

“I love you, Sev,” Harry softly said, slipping the ring on Severus finger.

“Love you too, Harry,” Severus replied, also slipping the ring on Harry’s finger. “So when should we set the date?”

“Um . . . how about tomorrow?” Harry grinned.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, it’s all set up. Albus’ nephew is a priest, and he’s agreed to marry us off. All our friends and family will be at the ranch tomorrow, and Alex even picked out a dress to wear for the ceremony.”

“Pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you?” Severus smirked.

“Yes,” Harry grinned cheekily.

“And Alex actually agreed to wear a dress? She hates dresses.”

“She even picked it out herself,” Harry replied. “So, should we tour the upstairs?”

Severus picked up Harry in his arms and then walked back into the entryway of the house, picking up the picnic basket on the way. They slowly ascended the curving staircase to the upper floors until they reached a partially open door. Harry nodded to him that they should go in.

“Wow,” Severus exclaimed, standing in the middle of the master bedroom.

“You like it? It’s built into the wall so the past owners left it,” Harry said.

Severus could only nod his head as he gazed at the large king size canopy bed. It was made of a light mahogany wood, the headboard part of the wall, the thick posts at the corners of the bed rising to the ceiling to connect with a top panel that framed the outline of the bed. At each corner hung royal blue drapery that cinched loosely to each post, matching the blue linen of the bed covers. “This is amazing, Harry,” Severus said, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings of vines in the woodwork. “This whole house is amazing.”

Harry watched Severus as he looked around the room from his seat on the edge of the bed. “Albus also mentioned that the Defense Professor is leaving at the end of the term. He asked if I was interested.”

“And?” Severus asked, when Harry hesitated.

“And . . . I’ve decided to take it. The chief was okay with me leaving, but asked me to come in when needed, which he promised wouldn’t be too dangerous and wouldn’t have me playing hooker any time soon. Some cases require parseltongue, to either talk to the snakes themselves, or transcribe parseltongue transcripts.”

Severus had taken his outer robe off and undid the many buttons on the sleeves of his shirt as he listened to Harry. He rolled the sleeves up to his forearms, feeling Harry’s eyes follow his movements. He knelt down in front of Harry on the floor between his spread legs. “Are you sure, Harry? I’m not asking for you to give up your career for me,” he softly said, looking into his eyes.

“I’m not giving it completely up, Sev. I loved being an auror, but I love you and Alex more.”

“I promise to listen to you, Harry, and not to jump to conclusions before I find out the facts. I am extremely happy that you will be staying close, and I will support you in any path you choose,” Severus vowed as his hands caressed the small of Harry’s back.

Harry brought up his hand to the nape of Severus’ neck. “My path is with you . . . and Alex,” he replied, leaning down to place a kiss on Severus’ nose, then his lips. Their kiss started slow and sweet, quickly escalating to fierce and hungry, until they pulled away both breathless.

Severus gazed into Harry’s eyes, then saw the slow dart of Harry’s tongue as he licked his own lips. “Gods . . . Harry,” he moaned as he tightened his arms around Harry’s back, his mouth latching onto Harry’s lips again.

Harry’s fingers tangled into the back of Severus’ hair as he hooked his feet behind Severus’ legs to pull him closer. A small whimper escaped his lips when Severus drew back. He leaned closer to continue the kiss, but was stopped mid-pucker when Severus shook his head and knelt back. “Why’d you stop?” Harry huskily asked.

“Because, we need to eat, massage your legs, then . . . ”

“I’m more hungry for you,” Harry seductively smiled, slipping his hand between them to rub against the outline of Severus’s erection.

Severus pressed against the hand. “Mmm . . . Harry,” he moaned, placing his hand over Harry’s on his cock.

“How about we eat later?” Harry softly said by his ear. “I want to feel you, Sev. I want you to touch me.”

Severus took Harry’s hand off his erection and placed it on his chest, where Harry could feel the rapid beat of his heart. “Not yet,” he smirked, getting to his feet. He leaned down to give a brief kiss to Harry’s lips. “Massage first, then we can play. Strip down to your boxers and lay on the bed,” Severus instructed.

“You want to help me strip?” Harry grinned, pulling his T-shirt over his head.

Severus glanced over to see the naked chest of his lover and almost gave in. Instead he turned his back to go to the bathroom to see if there were any towels. When he came out Harry was laid out on a pile of pillows at his head, smiling seductively at him. “You were supposed to keep your boxers on,” he smirked, gazing hungrily at his body, his cock hardening even more if that were at all possible.

“They were uncomfortable,” Harry grinned, his hand sliding down his stomach. “I want you to strip to. I want to see you,” he added, “it’s only fair.”

Severus slowly unbuttoned his shirt as he watched Harry’s hand travel further down. His hand slid into the now open shirt to touch his chest, the shirt sliding down his shoulders. The other hand undid his pants as he kicked off his shoes. His fingers tugged a nipple as he watched Harry’s hand grip his length.

Harry moaned, seeing Severus’ body slowly reveal itself. He began to stroke his cock, his lustful gaze looking at his lover’s hands as they pinched the nipple. Severus’ pants were soon sliding down his legs, then his hand quickened when Severus slipped a hand in his boxers to stoke his own length. “Take them off, Sev,” he hoarsely said as he gripped the base of his cock to stop himself from cumming.

Severus took his boxers off and came towards the bed, locking his smoldering gaze with Harry’s. He leaned on the bed, bending down to kiss Harry’s chest, swirling his tongue across the trembling muscles. Harry’s hips bucked off the bed when his tongue began to flick against a ringed nipple. His hand slowly stroked Harry’s stomach, moving down to his hip to hold him down.

“Fuck . . . Sev . . . please,” Harry begged. “No more . . . teasing . . . please.”

He placed his lips around the whole nipple sucking it hard as his tongue continued to flick the hoop. His hand went to Harry’s cock, slowly stroking the hardened length, his thumb gliding over the slick head.

“Faster . . . fuck . . . Sev,” Harry panted, throwing his head back as his balls tightened. “Ah hh . . . Sev,” he cried out as suddenly the wet mouth left his reddened nipple to his cock, taking over half of the shaft in his mouth. He thrust up as he held Severus’ head down, moaning out loud when he erupted inside of Severus’ mouth. He shakily thrust up as he felt Severus suck him deeper, swallowing every drop that spurted down his throat. His fingers sifted through Severus’ hair as his cock was licked clean.

He shifted his body lower on the bed while Severus trailed his wet lips up to his heaving chest. He gave a tug to Severus’ hair to pull him up. They both moaned when Severus lay his body on top of him, heated skin to heated skin. Harry pressed his lips to his, then gasped when Severus grinded his still hard cock against him. Severus brushed his tongue along Harry’s lips, then slipped inside to feel the ridges of his teeth. He moaned into the kiss as his tongue met his, the taste of himself still on Severus’ tongue.

Harry pulled away from the kiss to look into heated obsidian eyes. “I want to taste you,” he huskily said as he gripped Severus’ hips to pull him up over his body.

As Severus moved up, he reached for the lubricant on the bedside table, placing it in Harry’s hand. Harry moved lower down the bed until he was straddling his head. He gripped the base of his cock and braced his other hand on the wall in front of him as Harry swirled his tongue around the sensitive tip of his cock. “That feels . . . so . . . good,” he groaned thrusting his hips forward until he felt lips slide over his length. He slowly drew back, then thrust back in, going deeper with each forward movement.

Harry opened the lubricant to liberally coat his fingers. He moaned around Severus’ cock as he took him deeper. His hand glided up the back of Severus’ thigh until it kneaded the quivering flesh of his backside. He felt that Severus was close to release as he slid his slick fingers in the crease, the fingertip teasing the entrance.

Severus let go of his cock to brace both hands on the wall as he fucked Harry’s mouth. “Oh . . . gods . . . more,” he panted as he felt Harry’s finger slowly slip inside of him.

Harry slid his fingers out, then pushed back in, over and over again. He soon added another finger, then another, twisting and scissoring his fingers inside.

Severus’ thrusts were sporadic as his orgasm was building. When Harry hit his prostate, he cried out Harry’s name and shot his seed deep into Harry’s mouth. He looked down to see Harry’s eyes open, looking up at him as his cock slowly slipped out of his mouth. He slowly moved down Harry’s body, straddling his waist. He bent down to lick a drop of cum that was at the corner of Harry’s mouth, and continued to run his tongue over his lips. He reached behind him and guided the tip of Harry’s cock at his entrance, then slowly lowered himself onto the hard length.

Harry gripped Severus’ hips and moaned as his cock was surrounded by tight heat. “Sev . . . are you sure?” he huskily asked. “We didn’t protect ourselves.”

Severus seated himself fully, waiting for the burn to fade away before rocking on Harry’s hips. He pulled Harry up by the arms to hold him close. “I’ve wanted this since you came back into my life. As for protection . . . I wouldn’t be averse to having another child with you,” he softly said, running his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“I love you so much, Sev,” Harry hoarsely said, as he wrapped his arms around his back. He gave a soft kiss to Severus’ mouth, then moved to his chin, then to his neck, nibbling on the arched column.

“I love you too, Harry,” Severus softly said, as he slowly raised himself then lowered down again to take Harry fully inside of him. He rocked against Harry, his already hard cock rubbing against Harry’s stomach. Harry’s hands went to his hips when he pulled up, to pull him down hard and fast as he thrust up. “I’m not . . . fuck . . . going to last,” he panted, as Harry continued to thrust up while pulling him forcefully down.

Harry pulled back from Severus’ arms to lean back on one of his elbows, while the other hand wrapped around Severus’ cock, pulling and stroking in time with the frenzied pace Severus was impaling himself with over and over again. “Cum for me, love,” he moaned, his own release on the edge.

Severus angled his hips so Harry’s cock was stroking his prostate, then threw his head back as he let himself go, Harry’s hand milking the cum out onto his chest.

Harry then followed after watching the pure ecstasy on Severus’ face when he came, and the inner walls tightening around his cock. His arms went around Severus’ back when he lowered himself. He felt his softened cock slip out of Severus as he moved to lay beside him. He used a wandless cleaning spell over both of them, then turned to face Severus.

“You really wouldn’t mind more kids?” Harry asked, looking into his eyes as his hand caressed a bare hip.

“I would like brothers and sisters for Alex,” Severus smiled, “not as many as the Weasley’s, but a few more.” He grinned mischievously at Harry then. “You know you could be pregnant right now. Wizards who share a strong love bond with each other, and have strong magic within them are capable of bearing children.”

“So Alex is a result of both of us loving each other,” Harry smiled.

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t realize that when you were waddling around?” Harry teased.

“I did not waddle,” Severus smirked. “I thought it was just a quirk of fate, being you who got me pregnant. By the time I realized you cared for me as much I you, it was too late.”

Harry leaned in to kiss Severus on the mouth. “You know . . . you never did answer my question,” he grinned.

“What question would that be?” Severus replied.

“Will you marry me, Severus Snape?”

“Yes, Harry, I will marry you,” Severus smiled. “I’m not making the mistake of letting the best thing that happened to me out of my life again.”

“Love you, Sev,” Harry softly said against Severus’ lips.

“I love you too, Harry,” Severus replied, leaning in to touch his lips against Harry’s.

Severus then shifted onto his back, bringing Harry with him, his hand caressing his back when Harry snuggled closer. Harry soon drifted off to sleep with Severus’ steady heartbeat under his cheek. Severus followed a short while later after kissing the top of Harry’s head, his hand resting on top of his on his chest, his fingers rubbing against the ring on Harry’s finger.

tbc