• 1-A Most Trusted Soldier
• 2-2
• 3-3
• 4-4
• 5-5
• 6-6
• 7-7
• 8-8
• 9-9
• 10-10
• 11-11
• 12-12
• 13-13
• 14-14
• 15-15
• 16-16
• 17-17
• 18-18
• 19-19
• 20-20
• 21-21
• 22-22
• 23-23
• 24-24
• 25-25
• 26-26
• 27-Author's Note: update
• 28-Still getting reviews...

BondingFetish, her wary eyes still glued to the angry mob watching for sudden movement, backs into woods to go chase down silly muse.***

The two lovers sat embracing one another for some time, not talking, simply listening to each other’s breathing and basking in the long-missed warmth of the other’s body, daring the quiet, tender moment to be a dream.

Severus’ temple rested against Harry’s forehead, the latter using his thumb to trace nonsensical patterns over a small swath of Severus’ hip through the thin hospital-issue pajamas. Severus exhaled and settled more firmly against Harry’s chest, his long legs dangling across Harry’s jean-clad thighs; his narrow, creamy white, bare feet just barely brushing he chilly hospital floor. The older wizard shut his eyes against the soft dawn light, bringing a hand up to play in the soft sable hair of his lover. It felt like a lifetime had passed in those first few moments after they reunited. Earlier Severus had a thousand questions and a million doubts. Yet, now, cradled close to his lover’s body, having his embrace returned and feeling just how much Harry missed him, all those doubts seemed to fade away like mist under the sun; and the questions were shoved to the back of his mind, like a boring task on a to-do list.

His mind idling and blank of anything else but Harry, Severus startled a bit when he felt the warm, moist press of his lover’s lips against the underside of his jaw. It felt so good. He felt hot almost immediately, his blood heating up along with his libido. His cock, which had been flaccid for days throbbed and jumped with excitement, making him inexplicably elated that the damage caused by the poison had not affected his ability to respond appropriately to the touch of his lover. Harry grabbed the back of his head gently, angling Severus head down a bit so that their lips could meet.

Severus felt his body shiver when Harry’s plump lips grazed his own thinner, drier ones before his dom’s tongue slipped just past his teeth to tickle his own. Harry’s mouth was hot and sweet, and the scent of bergamot and cloves nearly made Severus faint. The kiss went from tender and tentative to forceful and passionate in an instant, and Severus’ entire body went near limp from the eagerness displayed by Harry. Harry’s fingers crawled beneath his pajama top, the tips of his nimble fingers dug into the flesh of Severus’ lower left flank, hooking over the jut of his hip bone possessively.

Severus wanted Harry so badly that he was dizzy with need; yet from a reserve of restraint and prudence, mixed with a healthy dose of uncharacteristic bashfulness, he found the will to still his lover’s hand and pull back from the kiss, the wet suction of his disengagement sounding loudly in the still quiet of the hospital wing.

Breathing heavily, Harry looked at Severus with a frown, unconsciously tightening the hold he had on his sub’s neck to prevent the older man from backing away further.

Severus swallowed thickly, gathering his wits, suddenly afraid that this one moment of rejection would bring all his former doubts to fruition. He looked into Harry’s green eyes, now hard like jewels, assessing whether or not to offer up an explanation or wait for Harry to ask for one. Harry gave him a miniscule nod of the head, as though offering him the floor to speak.

Huffing in irritation at his own shyness, Severus mumbled, “I’ve not been groomed.”

Harry canted his head like a curious puppy, his eyes showing nothing but confusion.

Severus looked away from those questioning eyes, staring at his empty bed instead.

“I’ve not had anything by cleaning spells for almost a week,” he said quietly, closing his eyes so as not to have to see Harry’s reaction. But before he could wallow in shame or figure out a way to disappear without magic, Harry cupped his chin and forced eye contact.

“Madame Pomfrey wouldn’t bathe you?” Harry asked in a near growl, disbelief written all over his face.

Severus gave no response, merely looked away once more, his heart trembling with fear when he felt Harry release his waist and shift back into the chair.

Then his lover gave a soft laugh. “You wouldn’t let her bathe you, would you?”

With his lank, unwashed hair shielding his face Severus just nodded sullenly, afraid Harry would think him silly. Madame Pomfrey was a trained healer and could have easily managed to bathe him if he had allowed. Yet, Severus had nearly made the woman cry when she proposed such a thing after he first woke. He wasn’t embarrassed with the idea of having a healer bathe him. Sure, it unsettled him to not have the strength to do it on his own, but he trusted Madame Pomfrey to be professional and clinical about it. Still, he could not bring himself to allow anyone else to see him fully nude. He had never really had an issue with nudity before and the thought of being nude in front of Harry gave him no reservations at all. But to be in the altogether in front of another that was not his lover just made him want to wrap himself in ten layers and never come out.

“It’s the bond,” was the only thing Harry said before standing up, lifting Severus right along with him and carrying his sub bride-style into the nearest bathroom.

The hospital wing was equipped with very basic lavatories. They were small by Hogwarts standards but by magic were kept fully stocked at all times with all manner of toiletries. Pluck a single-use bottle of shampoo out of cabinet, another appeared immediately in its place. The same was true of towels and robes, slippers and tissues, soaps and creams.

Harry settled Severus on a low dressing bench while he filled the bath with warm, soapy water. Once the bath was ready Harry pulled Severus up to a stand and undressed him quickly but carefully.

When he was completely disrobed, Severus held his breath as those eyes—so much like Lily’s—appraised and inspected every inch of his exposed skin, looking for any visible remnants of the attack from Wood. Severus found his own eyes trailing over his exposed skin as well, having not had the inclination or energy before now to assess his own outward recovery.

Madame Pomfrey was still the best in the business as far as either of them were concerned. Having both been in the care of the mediwitch on a regular basis during the war neither of them were surprised that there was not a single nick or scrape in evidence of the attack. Harry just nodded thoughtfully when he looked at Severus’ back his own heart feeling relieved when he could not detect a single left over mark from the glass that had been embedded in his sub’s back.

Harry’s eyes lingered as he circled his sub, his gaze sliding up and down Severus’ body and back again. Severus pulled his arms in close to his body and wrapped them around his torso feeling self-conscious. He began shuffling towards the tub, but found his movement stilled as Harry came up behind him, wrapping him in a tight embrace, pressing against his backside firmly.

“I never imagined marking you could make me feel so complete.” Harry breathed heavily against the back of Severus’ neck, his words colored with amazement.

“Do you like it?” Harry asked, as he pushed a hand underneath one of Severus’ arms to feel the raised impression of the oak tree, his thumb skimming over the bonding mark.

Severus grunted, feeling his ribs squeezed tightly where Harry held him, his heart beginning to race again having Harry so close. The feel of his lover’s jeans rubbing against his ass sent a shiver up his spine and made his anus spasm with want.

“Yes. Very…much,” Severus said with a gulp, desperately trying to keep his breathing steady.

Harry held and stroked him a minute longer, before releasing him and helping to guide him gently into the tub. Once Severus was seated comfortably in the warm water, Harry knelt down, reaching into the water to soak a sponge to begin washing Severus.

“Please, come in with me,” said Severus, knowing that he looked needy but he really didn’t give a damn. He wanted Harry close. It had been too long.

Harry smiled and stood to undress, stripping fully. Severus rested his head on the back of the tub, sighing and looking his fill as his dom undressed, taking in every muscle, every scar, every limb that became exposed, his throat becoming tight with arousal when the sight of Harry’s gorgeous, quiescent cock came into view. Even when not aroused Harry’s member seemed heavy and full, as though never quite completely flaccid; just waiting there, slumbering until some action worthy of notice became apparent.

Severus managed to use his own strength to pull himself upright and forward, goosebumps rising on his skin as Harry’s warm body slid into the water behind him.

Harry pulled Severus back flush against his chest, his legs cradling Severus’ thinner frame between them, and began bathing his sub, gently and thoroughly. He used his hands to soap Severus’ body, squeezing the water-logged sponge to rinse the delicate skin, which was tinged pink from the combination of hot water and light scrubbing. Harry summoned a small bottle of shampoo, which Severus was happy to note smelled of lavender and tea-tree oil. Once he was thoroughly washed and rinsed, Harry did a perfunctory wash of his own body, before sliding further down into the water and relaxing back into the porcelain, bringing Severus’ body along with him.

They held one another and soaked for several minutes, Harry rubbing a hand lightly up and down Severus’ shoulder and over his chest, while Severus trailed long fingers along Harry’s inner thighs. It wasn’t long before Severus felt himself harden quite noticeably. The tender caresses from Harry combined with the heady scent of his lover’s clean skin and pheromones were enough to make his balls ache. Yet, Madame Pomfrey’s warning that he not exert himself too much niggled his conscious. He didn’t want to do anything that could jeopardize the return of his magic, but he also couldn’t bring himself to ignore the deep, lustful hunger that gnawed in the pit of a his abdomen. It was a risk, but he was not afraid as he turned his body slightly so that he came to rest more on his side between his lover’s legs. Severus planted a soft kiss on Harry’s chest, his heartbeat speeding when he felt the deep rumble of a stifled gasp inside his lover’s chest. The older wizard flicked out his tongue and ran it lightly over the dusky nipple nearest his lips, watching closely as it pebbled and extended in invitation for more attention.

As he continued laving the hardened nipple of his lover, Severus could feel Harry’s cock poke into his side. It wasn’t much longer before Harry was rubbing up against his hip seeking out friction, one of his hands buried in Severus’ wet locks, massaging his scalp and manually egging the sub to continue his oral ministrations.

Severus bit down gently, eliciting a sharp hiss from his dom and earning him a taut pull of the hair, which nearly made him cum on the spot.

“Careful, pet. We have to be easy until you are better,” Harry whispered in a steely tone. “Come here.”

Severus pushed himself back upright so that his back was once again flush against Harry’s font, only now Harry’s hard cock was nestled upright in his cleft.

“Ride me like this. I won’t penetrate, but fuck…it’ll still feel so good. I’ve missed you, Sev,” Harry said, already beginning to thrust and arch his pelvis against Severus in a steady rhythm, his cock running smoothly up and down his lover’s moist, snug crevice. “That’s it.”

Severus closed his eyes and rested his head back against Harry’s left shoulder, moaning when Harry leaned down to take his mouth in a deep, forceful kiss. Their tongues danced long and slow, while their hips undulated at a slightly faster rhythm, each man gasping into the other’s mouth as they continued in search of bliss.

Harry’s hand searched out his sub’s member, moaning appreciatively when he found it as hard and solid as his own. Using the soapy water as an aid, Harry began stroking his lover’s cock, up and down, twist, then rubbing his thumb a tad roughly across the tip and squeezing the head before sliding his hand back down to the base again. He didn’t often give handjobs, despite Severus telling him on more than one occasion just how good he was at them. Severus’ hands were elegant, his fingers long and agile like those of a pianist; the perfect hands for delicate, precise work. However, Harry had very masculine hands, with strong, blunt fingertips, the palms slightly calloused from gripping his broom all those years of Quidditch and the daily manual labor he performed. Yet, his hands were not overly large. They were proportionate with his body for certain, and they also seemed the perfect size for his fist to encircle Severus’ cock, leaving no gaps of unattended skin, able to close completely around him and still extend a finger or thumb to toy with the exposed, damp head.

“You feel so good in my arms again,” Harry breathed into Severus’ mouth, which was now hanging open as he panted, his body overheating due to the hot water and lust. “I can’t wait to feel you cum, baby. I want just want you…always.”

As a single tear exited the corner of one eye, Severus felt that he could have simply exploded in a sea of emotion and sensation. Harry’s words were far more impactful than the manual attention he was lavishing upon Severus’ body, but combined, it felt as though Severus was being sucked along an ocean’s current, unable to breathe and unwilling to fight it. He wanted to drown, to succumb, to release himself to be guided wherever his lover chose to take him.

Harry continued to jack Severus off, all the while dipping his own tongue in and out of his sub’s mouth, nipping and suckling at Severus’ lips and chin. When he heard the tell-tale noise of Severus’ breath hitching, he knew his sub was nearing climax. Harry stopped kissing his lover and just pulled back, gazing into his lover’s face, watching the splendor of his lover’s rapidly changing features as orgasm overtook him.

Harry loved the way Severus’ face contorted in what could almost seem like pain, before morphing into a vision of ecstatic grace. At the moment he peaked, Severus’ face was completely unlined, his normally riveting eyes went vacant like death, and his mouth gaped in silent exclaim. The only sign of life was a near violent shudder that shook the water and forced Harry to grip the man tighter or let him drown in the tub.

With a few more demanding thrust against his lover’s ass, Harry too came with a deep grunt, spilling his seed against Severus’ backside and into the water.

Both breathing heavily and momentarily sated, they shared a few lingering, lazy kisses before rinsing off. Harry helped Severus from the water, sitting his wet, dripping form onto the dressing bench while he fetched towels.

After drying them both off, Harry carried Severus back out to the main hospital floor, towards his bed. Standing there, tapping her toe rather sternly was Madame Pomfrey.

Both men, despite being long since grown and out of school, felt their cheeks heat, a little embarrassed that they had been “caught” out of bed. They both felt like errant schoolboys under the healer’s stare.

“Severus Snape! I told you, no exertions,” the mediwitch chided, already turning the freshly changed bed covers down so that Harry could place Severus back into bed.

The mediwitch quickly ran a few scans, ignoring Severus’ eye roll and Harry’s frown of worry.

“Well…seems you’ve done no real damage. I expect you both,” she said, looking Harry squarely in the eye, “to refrain from indulging any more than completely necessary. Mrs. Granger-Weasley has seen fit to inform me of what neither of you two thought prudent. I understand the bond will…perhaps require some affection. But I swear Harry Potter, you suck a needle-sized drop of magic from Severus before he is cleared by me to return to active life I will personally make it so you will have to use an owl to even speak to him. Understood!”

Harry gave the witch a wry smile, looking bashful the entire time. He couldn’t help it. Minerva, Molly and Madame Pomfrey had always mothered him and he had never been able to help feeling like a little boy whenever any of the women were on a tear, and he loved them or it.

“Yes, ma’am. I promise. I’m not going to let anything happen to him… ever,” Harry replied, the whole time looking directly into Severus’ eyes.

Once Madame Pomfrey had finished poking, prodding, checking and fussing, Severus relaxed back into the bed, releasing a heavy, exhausted yawn.

“You should rest,” Harry said from the end of the bed, where he was sitting Indian style, sipping a cup of tea.

“And you? Shouldn’t you also rest? You look a little bit like hell,” Severus quipped, smirking at his lover.

“I suppose.”

“Will you stay?”

“Of course. I’m not leaving Hogwarts until you do,” Harry added with a smile, already waving a hand to enlarge the bed.

He sat his cup of tea aside and crawled up to nestle next to Severus. Harry, clothed in jeans and a light sweater remained on top of the covers, while Severus, back in hospital garb was tucked underneath the bedding.

Snuggling close, Severus let his tired eyes close while Harry carded his hands through his sub’s long hair, one finger toying especially long with a thin stark streak of graying hair.

“Harry, can I ask you something?”

He felt Harry nod against his hair.

“There were Aurors here yesterday. Do you know anything about that?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m not sure, but they wanted to see my bond mark. I resisted, but after a minute or so I couldn’t help but feel like I should comply. One of the men, he was familiar.”

Harry chuckled quietly. “That was Marcus. You met him at Ron and Hermione’s wedding. He’s a friend, if you know what I mean.”

Severus just hummed noncommittally, thinking that the Golden Trio really had a very good network of helpers between the three of them and wondering just who else within the Ministry was “Potter’s man through and through”.

As he neared sleep, Severus asked groggily, “Harry, will…will we be alright?”

Harry’s stroke through Severus’ hair faltered a moment, before the younger man replied, “Yes.”

“What happened to the crowd? The crowd that watched…” Severus couldn’t bring himself to say it. Murder is what it had been, but he couldn’t bring himself to call it that.

Harry must have sensed his unease because the younger man replied with a touch of pride, “Obliviated. Ron and his team did it on site, right then and there.

“Only the members of the Wizengamot, the Aurors who worked the case, and the Head of the Department for the Regulation of Magical Creatures know the full story of what happened to Wood and my heritage.”

Severus opened his eyes. “You do realize that it won’t stay that way. The Ministry has never kept a secret well. It will leak.”

The older wizard couldn’t see Harry’s green eyes darken behind him but he did feel his lover’s embrace grow tighter around him when Harry replied, “If it is about me it always leaks.”

And for the umpteenth time in the past week, Severus once again felt a thread of doubt coil around his heart, wondering if when the faucets of Ministry gossips and opportunists finally began dripping would Harry be able to withstand the rain.

A/N: You know, I keep saying this story is ending...and that is true. Yet, I think, um, one more chapter perhaps. Don't you think so too?