The Young Husband

Title: The Young Husband
Author: Minerva
Series: Harry Potter/AU
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Notes: chanslash, Harry is 12, Fluff OOCness all over
Disclaimers: don\'t own, don\'t sue, don\'t ask, don\'t tell
Feedback: Sure what the hell yell at me, flames used as firewood during the winter... MCTAMOM@aol.com
Beta: diagonalist

1. Part of the hpchan challenge:
NUMBER THE FIFTY-THIRD:
Summary: the Dursley\'s refuse to allow Harry to attend Hogwart\'s his first year, wizarding law says its there right. BUT Dumbledore discovers if Harry is married then his husband can override the Dursley\'s rights.

Key points: Anything goes.
By: SlashMistress
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A small boy who had just turned twelve sat in a cupboard under the stairs listening to adults debating outside it. He only recognized two of the voices, that of his Aunt Petunia and his Uncle Vernon. The other vs hes he didn’t know, but he could hear they were both male and they too were arguing about him.

“According to our laws, if Mr. Potter marries a man, then his husband can force him to go to Hogwarts!” One of the voices said loudly; the boy could tell this voice was older, much, much older then himself.

“I will not hear of such an abomination; marry a man? It’s not even legal!” Shouted his Aunt Petunia. “I always knew you people were freaks; this just cements it.\"

“He has the right to learn of our world. He needs it,” spoke the other voice the boy had never heard before. He liked it; it was soothing and deep. “Is there any way to convince you otherwise?” The voice continued, and the boy picked up on the anger that was barely contained.

“If you take him out of here today he will never step foot back in this house. NEVER!” The boy’s uncle said with deadly determination and the boy knew now that this was serious; they were going to take him from the only home he’d ever known.

“Of that you can be assured!” Both the other men growled at the same time.

“Fine then!” Aunt Petunia said in a malicious tone. “Take him and get out, we never wanted the freak to begin with.” The boy heard his aunt leave the room.

“If we could see Harry and gather his belongings we’ll be on our way,” the old man said in a somewhat happier tone than before.

Harry’s ‘family’ had put him back in his cupboard after the episode with the giant-like man that had come to retrieve young Harry the previous year. They had allowed Harry to go with the humungous man for the shopping trip but when he\'d been brought back a was was still a few weeks until the start of term they never took Harry to the train station. The enormous man came back September the second and they\'d informed him the boy wouldn\'t be going to the frschoschool, as his legal guardians they could refuse to let him attend.

The boy heard his hefty uncle approach the door to the cupboard and undo the lock. Harry tried his best to hide himself from everyone but with no success. After the lock was unbolted then the latch released, he heard Vernon step back. He detected lighter footsteps approaching the door and started to shiver in fright. People were taking him from the only home he’d ever known and he didn’t know them at all. He’d heard the argument, he knew he had to marry someone. Someone he’d never met before in his life. Was this going to be bad or good? What if they worked for... what was his name? That one that that really tall man had told him last year before the Dursley’s refused to let him go to school, Volleymalt, something.

When the door finally opened Harry cowered back as far as he could; he didn’t dare look at the man that was in front of him. When a shadow fell over him he began to shake. The figure soon left without a word to him and he again heard the velvet-covered sword of a voice that only made him shudder and quake even more.

Harry was more timid then he had been the last time someone from the Wizarding world came. His uncle had threatened him with bodily harm and degraded him more in the last year than he had in the ten years prior. Harry wasn\'t even allowed to go to the public school, he\'d been kept home and been made to work.

“You dare to keep this precious boy in such a place? You shall pay for your heinous crimes in spades! Do you even know who this boy is? This boy at the tender age of fifteen months saved the lives of millions of people, and you dare to keep him in a cupboard?” The man was livid.

Harry soon heard the older man speak in a much gentler tone to the other. “Severus, this will help no one. Let\'s just get Harry out of here and perform the ceremony, then show him how the life of a wizard should be.”

The old man had called the younger one ‘Severus,’ Harry thought, ‘what an odd name. I wonder who they are going to marry me to.’ He then heard the old man move and soon another shadow fell on him; he looked up to see a face full of wrinkles (try to avoid old man all the time) with gentle blue eyes looking at him over half-moon glasses.

“Harry?” he was called gently; Harry cocked his head inviting the old man to continue. “Would you like to leave this place?”

Harry’s eyebrows furrowed as he thought about it, and then he finally shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his hands. Harry soon felt the cot shift slightly and he watched as the other climbed fully into the cupboard and sat on the cot next to him. Harry stared at the kindly old man, who spoke again.
thi think I understand you not wanting to leave here. I know you don’t like it, but you’re scared we will take you someplace worse, hmmm?” The blue eyes had an odd twinkle in them, one that told Harry to trust him.

Harry looked up when he heard a light snort to see that the Severus man was hinghing them. Harry unconsciously scooted closer to the older man.

After thinking about it and looking back to the white-haired man, Harry nodded his head, bringing his knees up to his chest and tucking his head on top of them.

“Never fear child, I will take you someplace safe, you’ll be more comfortable there then you are here, would you lihat?hat? You can eat whenever you want, how much you want, whatever you want. You can sleep in a big bed in a big room;” the bearded man tried to coax the young boy. Harry was confused though; didn’t married people live together? Harry continued to stare at the old man in disbelief.

“Ahhh, I think I know what it is this time.” The wizard\'s eyes twinkled more then before. “It’s about the marriage, isn\'t it? Well, you will be living with Severus, but for now you’ll have a separate room from him, until you grow more accustomed to the situationen yen you can move into his room if you ever choose to do so. During the school year, you’ll live in the dorms. How does that sound? You will, however, have to be tutored for the rest of this summer to catch you up to your year mates, but I don’t think that will be a problem,” he finally finished. Finally Harry replied; it was the first time in many years Harry had spoken.

“Excuse me, sir?” Harry’s voice cracked and was hoarse from disuse. “But who are you?” His voice was weak and very childlike; his eyes pleaded with the old man to take him to safety from the horrors, not that they were all that bad but they were constant, he\'d lived through within these walls. The man smiled down at the young boy looking at him with hope in his eyes.

“My name, Harry, is Albus Dumbledore. I am the headmaster at Hogwarts; do you remember the letters you got last year about this time?” Harry nodded enthusiastically. “And this,” he motioned over to Severus, “is Severus Snape, he is our potion’s professor and your soon-to-be husband.” Severus let a very small smile play on his lips; he was still very upset that anyone could keep a child such as Harry in a cupboard but couldn\'t help but be charmed be boe boy\'s innocence. He knew well enough considering the situation he’d have to take things very slow with Harry; the boy would be very skittish as well as easy to hurt, emotionally as well as physically.

“I remember the tall man, ummm, Hag.. ummm something, told me about you.” Algringrinned at the boy trying so hard to remember.

“Hagrid, he’s there at Hogwarts, you’ll be able to see him as well.” Harry closed his eyes briefly and thought about the situation. A flashback flitted through his head and his eyes snapped open as he stared in disbelief at the Headmaster.

“Papa Alby?” Harry whispered and a tear leaked from his eye. Harry had remembered from when he was a baby calling the elderly man ‘Papa Alby,’ since he couldn’t quite say Albus at such a young age as his tongue wouldn’t co-operate. Albus’ eyes immediately softened and he reached out to hug the child he’d neglected to check on all these years. A tear formed in the old man’s eye as well.

“Yes, my child. I am so sorry I never checked on you. I assumed you’d be given a decent home here, but I was wrong, can you ever forgive me?\" Harry crawled into Albus\' lap and began crying.

\"Sir?\" Harry started timidly, choking through his tears.

\"You can call me papa if you like, or Albus, which ever you are most comfortable with, my little lion.” Severus watched all this with wide eyes. Harry was soon sobbing in the old man’s robes again.

After Harry finally calmed down, Albus looked at the young boy in his arms. “Now, why don’t we collect your things and leave.” Harry pointed to the bottom shelf that held three shirts and pants, two pairs of boxers all tattered and old looking and a small threadbare blanket. Albus recognized the blanket as the one he was delivered to the Dursley’s in and grabbed it, leaving the useless clothes. Harry looked at him questioningly as he clambered out of the cupboard with the assistance of Severus.

“What about my clothes, sir?” Harry spoke softly and very timidly. Severus smiled at the young man that would soon be his spouse.

“We will order you some when we get to my manor. I have some things I can shrink for you so they fit until then. Will that be all right?” Harry’s eyes grew wider as Severus spoke. “What’s the matter, Harry?” Severus didn’t understand what the look was for.

“New clothes for me? Why would you want to waste your money on a freak?” The latter was spoken so softly Severus almost didn’t hear it.

“Harry, you are *not* a freak and I’ll not have you say such things about yourself.” Severus then looked up and gave Vernon his patented death glare, factor ten, the one that made even the bravest of seventh years cower at his feet. He watched as the fat Muggle shuddered slightly. Severus then reached out for Harry’s hand and Harry very cautiously took it with his own tiny one. Severus then pulled Harry all the way out of the cupboard. He sheltered Harry as they walked back into the living room.

\"Is there anything of yours you\'d like to bring?\" Harry shook his head as he asked.

\"No, sir; ummm, papa has the one thing I want.\" Harry then looked over to Albus with a sad sort of smile on his face. Severus scowled at Harry calling him sir.

\"Harry, please call me Severus. After all, in a few hours we\'ll be married.\" Severus did his best to give a reassu smi smile. Harry stiffened at that, he was still very unsure of why all this was happening. Not really knowing either of the men well, Harry turned to Albus.

\"Papa?\" Harry started; it just felt natural for Harry to call him this since he\'d done so as a very young child. \"Why?\" Albus had known this question was coming. He smiled knowingly at Harry.

\"All in good time Harry, let\'s get you someplace more comfortable shall we? Then I\'ll explain everything to you I promise,\" Albus said rurinuringly. He then turned and glared at the Dursley\'s; even at one hundred and fifty years he was an intimidating man when he needed to be.

Harry nodded and squeezed Severus\' hand tighter as he looked up at the man. They both looked expectantly to the Headmaster who was pulling out an empty soda bottle. He told Harry to place his hand on it and Harry looked at him skeptically before doing as instructed, and with a tug at the navel they were gone. Harry had closed his eyes instinctively. When he felt solid ground beneath his feet and a gentle squeeze of his hand he opened them.

What Harry saw amazed him. The room was beautiful. It was done almost completely in marble and had a beautiful rug in the center with intricate designs. The mere size alone was impressive; this single room was as large as the whole Dursley household was. Harry gaped at his new surroundings. Albus and Severus both smiled at his astonishment.

“Welcome home, Harry,” Severus said in a strong firm yet gentle voice. He had no intentions of scaring his soon-to-be husband away from him. Severus, although he believed even at this young age that Harry was beautiful, was not a monster. He’d wait until Harry was ready; all that was really needed to seal their marriage vows was a kiss, which he could do. It had broken his heart when he’d seen that Harry was actually living in a cupboard. How could anyone keep such a lovely creature in a cupboard? He would do nothing of the sort.

Albus had cast a spell the month before Harry’s birthday to get a recent picture of the petite boy. He’d been out in the garden when the picture was taken, weeding; no bruises were apparent. Severus had fallen in love with the boy from the minute he laid eyes on that photo. As soon as Albus had approached him with this off-the-wall plan of marrying the boy he’d agreed within seconds. He’d make the boy his, and he’d love him, show him everything that was good about the world. He’d wait a few years and then try and seduce the boy into his bed; he couldn’t wait to take the boy’s virginity, but he’d have to if he didn’t want to scare the boy away.

“Harry, let’s go sit down and Albus and I can explain everything to you all right?” Receiving a nod they went into one of the parlors. Harry again stared in awe at the room they entered. It was very homey and done all in dark colors but didn’t seem dreary at all; dark woods and mostly dark green cloth with a few accents of a deep crimson as well as a sparse few silver accents, namely silver vases and urns.

Harry sat gingerly on a sofa that looked to be ancient; he didn’t want to destroy anything. He’d use his best behavior in this house that was for certain.

“Harry, what did you hear back at your aunt and uncle\'s house? That way we know how much we need to tell you; there\'s no use telling you things you all ready know.”

Albus coaxed the young boy into telling him what he’d heard, which was only that he’d have to marry Severus so he could go to Hogwarts.

“Right, well, that’s true, you will be marrying Severus here after we get everything explained to you. Now, we wanted to get you out of that house mostly, we won’t force you to go to Hogwarts if you don’t want to, although we’d prefer it if you did. This way, however, you get a guardian who will take car you you both physically and financially, and you get away from the Dursley’s. When you’re at Hogwarts, as a student or not, you’ll be able to see both of us everyday,” Albus explained slowly and calmly, watching Harry’s face making sure he absorbed all the information that was being given to him. “Now, you can refuse to marry, but if you do we have to take you back to the Dursley’s.” Harry’s eyes got wide and fearful at that, he’d heard his uncle\'s unspoken threat if he were to return. He nodded; he’d do just about anything if it meant he didn’t have to go back there.

“I’ll do it, papa, but where will I stay and what will happen?” Harry asked hesitantly. Severus reached out to the young boy that would soon be all his.

“Well, Albus will officiate the ceremony, all we have to do is repeat what he says when he tells us too.” Severus reached into his robes and pulled out a box. He then opened it and showed the two very ornately designed bracelets it contained. They were identical and had snakes intertwined with each other and the form of a ‘S’ between them. Harry slowly reached out and touched one, mesmerized by the sight of them; when his finger came into contact with the silvery metal it was warm and felt like it was moving. Harry gasped and pulled his hand away quickly. He was scared and looked up to Severus who was just smiling at the boy.

“Did it feel like it moved, Harry?” Amusement was clear in Severus’ rich baritone voice. Harry nodded. Severus reached down and pulled one of them out and held it in his hand. “It’s all right; it’s magic Harry, it’s supposed to feel like that. These will bond us together.” Severus was thoroughly thrown by how much the boy really didn’t know. He was doubtful Harry would pick up enough knowledge over the summer to go into second year where he should be. Harry didn’t even know what magic was at this point.

“Are you sure? Uncle Vernon says there’s no such thing as magic. It’s just..” Harry trailed off.

“Harry, it sounds like your uncle has embedded you in lies,\" Severus sneered and then his eyes softened as he looked at the boy in front of him. \"I assure you, magic is real and it’s very much a part of you.” Harry looked up into the black eyes of the man before him; he could see the man spoke only the truth.

“What else is going to happen?” Harry’s voice was more confident than before and this made Severus and Albus proud; he was beginning to trust them, which is what they needed. Severus let a small smile play at the corners of his mouth befhe che carried on.

“After we repeat the vows, we’ll place these on each other; they will magically bind us together so you’ll know if I’m all right just as I\'ll know if you’re all right. When we put them on, you’ll feel them moving, don’t be frightened, they are just adjusting themselves to us.” Severus said reassuringly. “Then we will kiss and that is all that will happen, the bonding and marriage will be semi-complete with that. Now you understand that we will be together until we die? We can never get divorced.” Harry’s eyes teared up at this last comment, but Severus misunderstood the reason. He thought it was because Harry was scared of the situation. “Harry there is nothing to be frightened of, I promise I will never do anything to hurt you.” Harry laughed; it was the first time he’d laughed in years or maybe ever. Severus was instantly addicted to the sound and Albus’ eyes twinkled at the two as they interacted with each other. Once Harry stopped laughing his eyes were happy as well as his smile. This made Severus smile as well; it was truly contagious.

Harry turned to look at Albus who understood the question Harry was about it verbalize. “Yes Harry, he will be your family from now until death; a true family for you for the rest of your life, child,” the Headmaster answered before the question was even able to leave Harry’s lips. Harry grinned and looked up at the Potions master and launched himself into the man’s arms. Severus looked over to Albus who just sat there chuckling.

\"What did you mean magically bind us together?\" Harry asked with some trepidaiton.

\"Well,\" Severus started trying to think of the best way to explain it. \"It means that you and I will be connected. These bracelets are going to be placed under a spell and once they touch us we will be connected. It will let us know when we are to go to the next phase in our relationship. Today we will only kiss, you\'ll feel, kind of like a pull to do it even if you don\'t quite understand what\'s going on, it\'s all right it\'s supposed to do that.\" Severus explained calmly. \"Do you understand?\" Harry nodded his emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity, he really did have a lot to learn..

“Well,” Albus started once everyone had settled down. “Harry, why don’t we get this over with? You have a lot to learn although;” Albus’ eyes twinkled madly. “I have the feeling you won’t be attending the school this year, but join in the following year. I was not aware that you were so left in the dark with the Dursley’s. I truly hope I can make it up to you, Harry, you deserved much be tha than you got.” Albus voice held a heavy note of regret for the young boy before him. Harry beamed at the elder man.

“All right, papa, but after the ceremony can I have something to eat?” Harry asked timidly getting a chuckle from both of the older men.

“Of course you can, Harry, what would you like and we’ll have it ready by the time we’re finished.” Harry looked up at Severus as if he’d grown a second head.

“You mean you were serious? I can have whatever I want whenever I want?” Severus only smiled and nodded his head. “So if I asked for Yorkshire pudding I could have some?”

“If that’s what you want, Harry, that’s what you’ll have,” Severus said, watching the very small boy look up at him in wonderment. Harry, although twelve and very intelligent for his age, looked like he was maybe nine, ten at the most. Severus and Albus knew it was due to the lack of food he received.

Severus summoned a house-elf and watched, as Harry’s eyes grew just as large as those of the creature. Harry squeaked and grabbed onto Severus’ hand. “It’s all right Harry, this is a house elf, they do the work around here, they cook, clean and do all the gardening as well.” Harry’s eyes, if possible grew even wider.

“If - If that does all the work then what am I supposed to do during the day, Severus?” Harry asked shakily, still somewhat frightened of the situation.

“Well this summer you’ll be learning a great deal about our culture and magic as a whole, then start on your first year studies. I’ll take you out in a few weeks and teach you how to fly.” Severus was cut off.

“FLY? What do you mean fly? Fly how?” Harry’s eyes darted quickly between the house-elf and Severus.

“Why, on a broomstick of course,” Severus said as if it were the most natural thing to say, which to him it was.

“A..a broomstick?” Harry’s voice broke and he grasped at his chest with his hand and sat back down on the sofa carefully. His eyes promptly glazed over with confusion and he just kept repeating the word broomstick to himself.

“Yes, Harry, a broomstick; not all of the Muggle fairy tales are too far off from the truth about our world.” Harry looked up at Severus.

“Muggle, I’ve heard that before when, um, I forgot his name again, came last year. Ummm, people with no magic, like my Aunt and Uncle?” Severus smiled and nodded that Harry was correct. Harry grinned at himself, he was proud he’d remembered something. Severus was learning Harry had a quick mind and he was thrilled that he’d be the one to mould it.

“Now what did you want to eat after the ceremony, Harry, remember you can have anything your heart desires.” With that proclamation Harry tummy grumbled and Harry blushed what Severus though was a beautiful pinkish red and he smiled at the young boy.

“Umm, I don’t really care but nothing too heavy I’ve not eaten in a few days, so maybe some soup and bread?” Severus frowned at this confession. He swore to himself then and there that Harry would never go without ever again, not if he had anything to say about it. The house-elf disappeared with a loud crack and Harry flinched at the odd sound.

“Harry?” Severus thought it best to find out now if the Dursley’s had ever physically harmed him. Harry again cocked his head for Severus to ask. “Did,” trying to gather his resolve he wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer. Trying again “Did the Dursley’s... did they ever hit you?”

Harry shook his head, “No. They didn’t touch me unless they had to, well, Dudley did some \'Harry Hunting,\' it’s a game him and his friends played to get me, but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn’t like to touch me if they didn’t have too. It was mainly time in the cupboard with no food, which was my punishment for most things,” Harry stated as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Harry, what was the longest time they had you in the cupboard?” Albus asked. Harry’s brow furrowed in concentration before revealing what he believed the correct answer was.

“I think it was two weeks, normally it was only a week though.” Severus again had to cover his rage.

“Would they feed you while you were in the cupboard?” Harry looked down and shook his head. Severus grabbed Harry’s arm gently and pulled him into a hug. “Never again Harry, you will never go hungry again, not while I’m alive.” Harry leaned into the contact he was receiving from his soon-to-be husband. Albus clapped his hands together interrupting the moment.

“Well, shall we do this and get it over with so Harry can eat?” Harry nodded while Severus snorted. Severus got up still holding on to Harry and slid Harry down to the floor; since Severus and his six foot three inch frame lifted Harry easily off the sofa, Harry had still been a good three inches from the ground. Now that Harry was on the ground standing as tall as he could muster he still only came up to Severus’ chest. Severus grabbed the box he’d lain on the coffee table in front of them and pulled out one bracelet and handed it to Harry as he held onto the other one.

“Now Harry, I need you to repeat after me, all right?” Harry nodded enthusiastically to the elderly man before him. Although Harry was extremely nervous, he had a feeling in his gut that this was the best thing, as well as the right thing for him to do. He could never explain it but he’d always known what he needed to do, his heart was very rarely wrong when it came to people

“I, Harry James Potter,” Harry repeated. “Do promise to care for and defend Severus Austerus Snape,” Harry again repeated, his heart going a million miles per minute. “Until death separates us.”

“Until death separates us.” Harry’s voice cracked at the last part. He’d have a family, finally, and one that cared for him<,> unconditionally.

Albus went through the same vows with Severus and Harry was grinning like a Cheshire cat by the end.

Albus touched his wand to each of the bracelets and chanted a spell then told them to put them on the others left wrist. Severus had been right, Harry felt the metal moving and adjusting itself to him and it warmed him throughout his entire body.

Severus then looked into Harry’s eyes and Harry went into what could only be called automatic pilot. Albus took this as his cue to leave the room. He\'d go have a snack in the kitchen while he waited for them.

Harry waited for Severus to start to bend down to kiss him before he moved up to his tip toes, and when their lips met Harry felt a fire within him he’d r imr imagined possible. Harry darted his tongue out; not really knowing what he was doing he deepened the kiss, Severus responded to the tongue immediately and opened his mouth to Harry’s and their tongues met. Harry moaned at the sensation, still not really sure what was happening. Severus, finally getting a hold of his self-control, regained command of the kiss and snaked his arms around Harry’s waist, lifting him up. Harry instinctively wrapped his legs around Severus’ body to help support himself. He felt so many sensations running through his body he honestly didn’t know what was happening, only that it felt good and right. He and Severus both felt magic flowing through them; although in the back of Harry’s mind it scared him he did nothing to change the situation, he was sure Severus and Alwoulwouldn’t do anything to harm him.

Harry’s tongue made a leisurely exploration of Severus’ mouth. Severus tasted lightly of peppermint and cream, sort of a creme de mint flavor, but Harry had no idea of knowing that. Harry moaned lightly into the kiss, this was something he needed he soon figured out with what few coherent thoughts that ran through his head at the moment. Severus in turn explored his young husband’s mouth. Harry tasted of pure clean water. It was a crisp and refreshing taste on Severus’ tongue. Maybe the taste was because he’s not been able to eat the last few days, Severus thought to himself while exploring the delectable mouth before him.

They remained like that for several minutes, just exploring each other’s mouths\' with their tongues. Finalhey hey were no longer getting enough air to sustain themselves and broke the kiss. Harry dropped his head onto Severus’ shoulder and heaved out a great sigh of relief. They stayed like that for a few moments until Harry’s stomach grumbled again and then Harry smiled sheepishly at Severus. Severus began to walk through the house still carrying Harry. He thought Harry was actually quite a comforting weight.