Second Place - Romance

Potions came quickly enough for the young Gryffindor and his friends. Harry was still acting rather coolly toward the young Weasley male, but Hermione, Ginny and Neville had made up for Ron's rather boorish behavior. The mixed-house 7th years filed into the dungeon classroom as the bell rang. Harry took his usual place next to Neville, seeing as he was the only one brave enough to sit next to the accident-prone young man.

Severus swept into the room in his usual commanding manner. The heavy door clanged behind him as he strode to the front of the room. Flicking his wand at the blackboard, the potions master barked, "These are the ingredients needed for today's potion. Well, what are you waiting for? Gather your things and begin."

"Professor Snape," one timid Hufflepuff asked.

Harry cleared his throat rather obviously.

"That is Professor Snape-Potter," Severus corrected.

Nervously, the student nodded and continued, "Professor Snape-Potter, what exactly are we making?"

The potions master looked at his student incredulously. "This is a N.E.W.T. class. That means that not only do you have to have the ability to correctly create the potion, but that you should also have the knowledge to identify said potion. Now, get to work," he forcefully said.

Harry smiled contentedly as he gathered his supplies. He didn't stop to wonder why it had been so important to him that Severus be acknowledged as his husband, but he was pleased that Severus had corrected the student. Harry started in on the ingredients; recognizing it to be a blood-replenishing potion, Harry was pleased with himself.

At lunch, both Harry and Severus had received a summons from Professor Dumbledore, asking their attendance at a tea immediately following the afternoon classes. Intrigued, Harry had just nodded his agreement to the headmaster. Absently he noted that his husband also nodded to his acquiescence to the old man.

Albus Dumbledore waved his two favorite boys into matching chintz chairs facing his desk and chuckled when he saw matching looks of distaste from the two at his choice of seating. His eyes twinkling brightly, the headmaster offered the usual tea, biscuits and lemon drops to his visitors.

Severus gave a long-suffering sigh, as he knew that the barmy old man was up to something. Harry sat quietly as he waited for the latest bombshell to explode. Sometimes he thought that Dumbledore was worse than the Weasley twins. Thinking about the headmaster having a twin made Harry shudder. Okay, one thing to be thankful for, he thought to himself.

"Well, my boys. I just wanted to check on you and see how things are going with you. I realize that this has been quite an adjustment for the both of you and I want you to know that I will be here for you whenever you might need me," Albus took a sip of his hot tea, smiling kindly at his guests.

Harry and Severus looked askance at one another, and Harry had the odd feeling they were both thinking the same thing: it would be a cold day in Hades before they would go to Albus Dumbledore with a problem if they could otherwise help it. Looking back to the headmaster, the young wizard was disconcerted to note that the man's smile had gotten even bigger.

Severus tersely answered for them, "We are fine, Albus. We have been working to get to know each other and I believe that we will not be needing your help in the foreseeable future."

Seeing an agreeing nod from Harry, Albus innocently continued, "I am so pleased to hear that my dear boys. I was wondering, however, if either of you had noticed anything peculiar since your bonding?"

Harry sat up, suddenly paying attention. "What do you mean, Professor?"

Waving a dismissing hand, the headmaster airily said, "Oh, just the usual, you know, empathy, shared thoughts, a strengthening of your powers. Nothing really."

"Nothing?" Severus asked incredulously. "What aren't you telling us, headmaster?"

Albus chuckled, seeing the disconcerted men in front of him. "Severus, my dear boy. I was only asking because it is not unheard of for these abilities to form between bond mates. I was merely enquiring if either you or young Harry had discovered these abilities."

Harry sputtered, "Headmaster, you never mentioned this possibility when you suggested we bond."

"Oh, didn't I?" the headmaster innocently inquired. "Oh, dear, I must be getting forgetful in my old age."

Neither man said anything, as neither truly believed that the barmy wizard had �forgotten' to mention that little detail.

Harry shook his head as he followed his husband out of the headmaster's office. "We really stepped into this, didn't we, Sev?"

"We, Mr. Snape-Potter? I do not believe that I had much say in the proceedings, if I recall." Professor Snape-Potter said with a straight face, albeit with a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Harry chuckled at his mate's sardonic humor as they made their way back down to the dungeons. He had never before appreciated just how humorous Severus could be.

Hearing an anguished cry, Harry was startled out of a sound sleep. Rolling over, he was surprised to see Severus thrashing about. The young man reached out a hand to touch his husband's shoulder, only to snatch it back when the touch seemed to further agitate the still sleeping man. "Sev, Sev, wake up," Harry tried calling. But it seemed as if the nightmare gripping the older man was too powerful to easily escape. Once again Harry tried to physically reassure his mate. This time he gently placed his hand on an arm and softly called out his name.

Severus was lost in the labyrinth that was Azkaban prison. Dementors and Death Eaters leered at him as he struggled to find his way out and back to Harry. Dark memories surfaced and swirled about his mind as he tried to escape the scabby, skeletal hands of the hideous dementors. Severus cried out as hands grasped at him and Lucius Malfoy, holding court in the filthy prison, sneered at his vain attempts at escape. Wheeling about, the potions master was searching for a way out when he felt a calming presence beside him. Looking over, he saw Harry standing next to him, a tender hand on his arm. Understanding that the young wizard had come to lead him away from this place, Severus followed.

Severus gasped as he awoke from the dream. Yes, he told himself. That is all it was; just a dream. Realizing that he was in fact safely ensconced in his rooms at Hogwarts, Severus looked up at the young man who was now sitting up next to him and gazing at him with concern evident in his eyes. As the dream receded into the subconscious, Severus became aware that Harry was gently stroking his arm and murmuring soothing words of comfort to him.

Smiling at the now awakening man, Harry continued to caress the older man's arm. "You all right, Sev?" he asked quietly. "You are safe now. No one can hurt you here." Harry knew that these were silly things to say, but he knew first-hand how disoriented one could be upon coming out of a bad dream. The young man knew that Severus had been through enough in his life to give anyone nightmares. And on top of that, the man had just finished a stint at that funhouse known as Azkaban.

Numbly, Severus nodded as he tried to regain his composure. The truth was that he often suffered from nightmares, but he had not had anyone comfort him since his mother had died. Sighing at the unexpected pain her memory brought back, Severus was startled when strong hands pulled him up into a hug. Allowing the comforting embrace to wash through him, the man hesitantly returned the embrace. The normally reticent man could only marvel at how right it felt to be held like that by his beloved.

Harry had never had to comfort anyone after a nightmare and had precious little experience with being comforted himself, but he could imagine what would have made him feel better, so he decided that was as good a place to start as any. Gently pulling the larger man up into a hug, Harry held his husband and rubbed soothing circles on his back. Softly murmuring consoling words, Harry relaxed into the embrace. Somehow this felt so right to the young Gryffindor.

Neither knew how long they sat there in bed in each other's arms, only that neither was willing to be the first to move. Slowly, Severus' breathing evened as he accepted the comfort being given. Harry yawned suddenly, breaking the mood and the two men reluctantly pulled apart. "Sorry," the embarrassed young man mumbled. Looking up, he saw a slight smile dancing on his partner's lips and without thinking, Harry moved in to kiss those lips.

Surprised, Severus sat, unresponsive for a moment, before his hormones took control. He pulled his lover into his arms and opened his mouth to receive the nubile tongue. Harry let his hands wander over Severus' slim body, relishing the firm muscles honed by years of self-discipline. His body decided it liked the proceedings and Harry was pushed down onto the bed even as he continued and deepened the kiss. His now hardened erection throbbed as the potions master ground it into his husband's hip.

Harry pulled out of the kiss to cry out. He had had no idea that he could become aroused so quickly, but he decided it wasn't a bad thing as his body responded to the attentions of his mate. Arching up into the cock that was pressing against him, Harry mewled. "Please, Sev, need you. Please want to feel you in me," he managed to gasp.

Severus stopped for a moment as the words sank into his brain. "You want me, Harry?" he simply asked.

Harry growled as the ministrations stopped and he pulled the older man's body back into his as he ground out his answer.

"Accio lube," Severus hoarsely said as he pulled off the pajamas covering his husband's toned body. Opening the vial, he coated his fingers so that he could properly prepare the young man. He had never done this before, and he was determined to do it right. He was amazed at the responsiveness of his young mate as Harry arched off the bed when he slowly breached the tight hole. At the sounds of pleasure erupting from the young man, Severus guessed that he was doing the right things. A second finger entered into the constricting passageway and then a third until Harry was muttering unintelligibly. Finally Severus thought that his mate was sufficiently loosened and after pulling off his own clothes, he coated his penis with more of the oil. Severus brought the younger man's legs up so that he could enter his mate and pushing slowly, breached the tight ring of muscle. Severus threw his head back as he fought to regain control of his body. Never had he imagined anything feeling this good. Taking a deep breath, the potions master looked down at his mate to see that he was similarly affected.

Harry growled out in frustration as his husband paused. He wanted more and he wanted it now. Pushing back on the large cock, Harry started hissing in Parseltongue. Severus shivered as the sounds of the sibilant language washed over him. He moaned as he pushed in the rest of the way until he was fully seated in the body of his lover. Pulling back, he marveled at the feelings coursing through his body. Severus began rocking back and forth, setting a steady pace as Harry met him thrust for thrust. Feeling his impending orgasm, Severus growled out for Harry to stroke himself. The sight of the young man pulling on his own cock was enough to send him over the edge and Severus cried out his lover's name as he erupted inside the hot channel. Harry arched up into the hard body as he reached his own climax. Spurts of creamy liquid coated both their bodies as Harry' organ spasmed.

Leaning heavily on his arms, Severus waited until the tremors abated. He then pulled out and lay down next to the sated and still panting young man. Harry tiredly waved a hand, banishing the sticky mess and he smiled over at his lover. "I wouldn't mind doing that more often, Sev," he quietly said.

"You may feel differently in the morning, Harry, when you are grumbling about having to go to classes after a disturbed sleep," Severus wryly informed him.

"Ah, Sev, you really know how to ruin the moment, don't you?" was the sleepy reply as the young man nestled into his husband's arms. Severus chuckled lightly as he stroked his mate's hair. Smiling, both men were quickly asleep after their nocturnal activities.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 16

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