Second Place - Romance

Severus Snape-Potter angrily stormed into his bedroom, slamming the heavy door behind him. He knew that he was acting even more of a bastard than normal, but somehow he just couldn't find it within himself to care. In a mind-boggling turn of events, Severus found himself now bonded to the one person he had ever been able to envision himself loving, but he was left with the bitter knowledge that that person had married him only out of a sense of duty and honor. Oh, yes. If there was anything that Harry Potter was it was honorable. The surly potions master had had ample opportunity over the years to witness that trait in the young man to whom he was now irrevocably bonded.

Sighing, he sat wearily on his heavily draped bed. Severus idly ran a hand across the dark indigo velvet drapes as he contemplated the turn his life had taken. Yes, he was free from Azkaban, and would probably never have to see the inside of that miserable place ever again, but was this any better? Oh, Merlin, he loved Harry, but he was very much aware that love had nothing to do with the reasons the younger man had married him. How was he supposed to deal with this situation? How could he continue to act as though his bonded and soon to be lover meant nothing to him? Severus closed his eyes as his mind unwittingly went to the thought of being with Harry in their marriage bed. He growled as he realized that despite the reservations his mind held, his body was eagerly anticipating the upcoming events. Severus knew that he would not be able to hide his obvious desire and interest in the other man, but he sincerely hoped that Harry would not have cause to discover the truth about his feelings. The potions master didn't think he could live with the disgust and perhaps pity in his husband's eyes if he ever found out that Severus loved him. No thank you. Severus would just keep that piece of information to himself. There was no need to make things any worse than they already were.

Harry followed his new husband into his dungeon chambers. Adroitly slipping in the sitting room after his mate, he winced as the wooden door slammed in its frame as the older man vented his anger at the situation. Despite the man's prickly demeanor, Harry knew he had done the right thing, the only thing really. In spite of all the animosity the two had shared over the years, Harry truly did appreciate and respect his mentor. But now. Harry shakily drew a hand through his already tousled hair. But now he was married to the man who had taken great delight in tormenting him throughout his years at Hogwarts and even after as Harry continued to work with him to train to defeat Voldemort. Eying a liquor cabinet behind a desk in the corner of the sitting room, Harry walked over and passing a hand over the piece of furniture, he felt no wards or other signs of magical traps. Satisfied, the nervous young man opened the door to find a few bottles of firewhiskey and a bottle of scotch, along with some glasses. Deciding that firewhiskey would do the trick, he poured himself a glass and took a quick swig. He sighed as the liquid burned a path down his throat. Unaware he had closed his eyes, Harry opened them and finished off his glass. He returned the bottle to its home in the cabinet and placed the now empty glass on top of the desk.

Straightening his shoulders, Harry knew that the time had come to finish what had been started that afternoon. He now had the formidable task of completing the bond by bedding his former potions professor and mentor. Though Harry was well aware of the mechanics involved, he had never been with anyone else and he was understandably apprehensive about the entire procedure. Not to mention the fact that the other person just happened to be Severus Snape. No, Severus Snape-Potter, his mind eagerly supplied. Oh, shut up you, he irritably told himself. No one likes a wise guy. Okay, now I know I've lost it, he thought to himself. Now I am arguing with myself. Don't suppose insanity is grounds for annulment?

Shaking his head to clear out the random and idiotic thoughts, Harry smoothed down his robes and walked over to the door behind which his bonded had earlier disappeared. Reaching out a tentative hand, Harry quietly knocked. He waited a moment and then softly called out, "Severus? Um, is it all right if I come in now?"

He had only a moment to wait before the door was slowly opened. Moving out of the way, Severus allowed Harry to enter the dimly lit bedroom. Harry swallowed nervously and stepped through the door way and into the room. He turned as Severus quietly closed the door behind him. Both men stood still and stared at the other, each unsure of the next move. Finally Harry cleared his throat and began. "Severus, I know that we haven't always liked one another, but I owe you and I am committed to making this work."

"Owe me!" the potions master angrily spat out. "Oh, yes. The great Harry Potter owes a debt so he nobly sacrifices his life and himself to the cause! Oh, do spare me, Potter. I am in no need of your pity." Severus turned and protectively pulled his arms around his thin body. His eyes closed in pain as he thought of the injustice of his life.

Harry sighed. He had really put his foot into it this time. "Prof � Severus. I am sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. You should know better than most that my mouth is not connected to my brain." He weakly chuckled, hoping to cut through the chill in the atmosphere. "Severus. You are probably the most important person in my life. How could I not do something when I had the chance? I know that you will yell at me for my Gryffindor heroics, but there are just some things in life that have to be done. And saving you from a fate you did not deserve was one of them." Harry stepped up behind the older man and gently reached out to caress the stiff shoulders. "Please, give this, give us a chance. We have both been alone in our lives. And maybe this isn't the way either of us would have wanted things to turn out, but can't we try?"

Feeling the strong arms tenderly rubbing his shoulders, Severus let out a slow breath. The tension began to leave his body as he felt the warmth and truth in his bonded's words. If Severus were honest with himself, he would have to admit that he wanted very much for them to try to make things work out between them. He wanted Harry to love him as much as he already loved Harry, but he was afraid. Afraid that it was a pipe dream, that the powerful young wizard could never feel the same about him, afraid that Harry would laugh if he knew how his �greasy git' of a potions professor really felt.

"Severus, Professor Dumbledore did the soul mate spell and he found that we are compatible. I really don't know what that will mean for us, but I do know that I have often felt like I am only half there, if that makes any sense. Maybe he's right and we do belong together. I can't tell you what the future will hold for us, but I do know that if nothing else life will never be boring with us." Harry smirked as he imagined the two strong-willed men butting heads.

Despite himself, Severus found a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. He was quite aware that no matter how they felt about one another, they would always find ways to clash. Their personalities were such that strife was inevitable. Each man had firm convictions and each would fight fiercely for those beliefs. The potions master knew that Harry was right. The fates and Albus Dumbledore had already determined their path and now they were bound to follow it.

Taking a deep breath, Severus turned around to face his new husband. Slowly he reached out and traced a finger against the young man's jaw. Harry smiled shyly and stepped closer to his mate. Lifting his head, Harry gently clasped his arms around the neck of his husband and raised his lips to the stoic man's own. Lightly at first, then more firmly as the kiss deepened, Harry began to lose himself in the sensations. The few kisses he had previously experienced were nothing compared to this. Harry growled in the back of his throat and he pulled the larger man more tightly to his body. Now chests, arms, legs and torsos melded together until neither was quite sure where one ended and the other began. New and exciting feelings pulsed through the young Gryffindor's body and he gladly gave himself over to the moment.

Severus groaned when he heard the feral growl emitting from his mate. He eagerly opened his mouth to the questing tongue and allowed the younger man to control the kiss. The reality of kissing Harry was far outstripping anything his meager imagination had been able to conjure. As his mate pulled him closer, Severus laced his fingers in the messy hair. Hard planes and taut muscles teased and tantalized as the two men entwined limbs and rubbed against the other.

As his now aching erection strained against the fabric encasing it, Harry finally broke the kiss and growled, "Bed, now." Feeling the answering hardness digging into his abdomen, he was pleased when Severus mutely nodded and pulled him back to the bed. Eagerly following his lover, Harry pushed the taller man down when they reached their destination. The young man dove back in for another kiss and felt his lover's hands stroking his shoulders, his sides, his back. Harry groaned and ground his hips into the hips below while deepening the kiss. Tongues danced and lips tasted as the two fell into the exotic ritual that was as old as time itself.

Nimble seeker's fingers played at buttons and hooks as Harry sought the flesh of his husband. At last finding the body hidden by the robes, he moved down his lover's jaw and licked and probed at the long lines of an elegant neck. Severus mewled as he arched to give Harry more room and he began to work on the younger man's clothing, wanting to feel more flesh against him.

Hurriedly the two impatient lovers divested the remainder of the clothing, and looking deeply into the obsidian depths, Harry again laid down on the hard length of body below him. Severus gasped as he felt the hardness of his lover rub against his own erection. He looked up to see Harry smiling at him and the potions master snarled a hand in the tousled hair to drag the young man down for another searing kiss. This time Harry opened his mouth allowing entrance and Severus thrust his tongue into the warm cavern, tasting the sweetness that was his Harry. Wanting, needing more, Severus raised his hips, sending sparks of magic shooting along their skin.

Another growl erupted from the Gryffindor's throat and he reached down to push the older man's legs apart. Settling back on his knees between those strong thighs, Harry looked up at the man he was going to take. "Lubricant?" he roughly asked.

"Accio lube," Severus obligingly called out and was rewarded when a small vial flew into his outstretched hand.

Harry took the proffered ointment and stopped a moment to gather his thoughts. "Sev, you have done this before, right?" he questioned.

Severus closed his eyes. He had hoped he wouldn't have had to volunteer this information. "Never willingly, Harry." He waited for the disgust and rejection that was sure to follow. After a moment of silence, he dared to open his eyes, shocked at the look of outrage so obvious on the young man's face.

"Sev, you mean you have never had anyone to love you? To show you what it can be like to be wanted and cherished?" Harry was shaken by this information. He didn't know what had happened in the potion master's life, but he was determined that this joining would at least be enjoyable for the man.

Tenderly Harry bent over and captured the startled lips in a soft kiss. His hands gently caressed the firm muscles and Harry moaned into the other's mouth.

Severus was surprised by this reaction and it took him a moment to respond, but when Harry moaned, he gave himself over to the kiss and the hands stroking his body. Arousal pulsed through his body and he needed release. "Harry, now, I want you to take me," he gasped as he pulled out of the kiss.

"Merlin, yes," Harry agreed. Opening the vial, he coated a finger and with a questioning look, he gently pushed his finger into the tight ring of muscle. Severus had never been given the luxury of being properly prepared before and the feeling of being gently stretched was new to him. Involuntarily he found himself thrusting back against that invading finger and he cried out, "More, Harry, please, more."

Making sure that he lubricated that finger also, Harry quickly obeyed his now demanding lover and slid another finger in. He hooked his fingers, searching for the spot that he knew resided inside and was rewarded when hips shot up and Severus threw his head back in ecstasy. Panting, the older man looked up at his young lover and Harry smiled. "Welcome to the world of pleasure, Professor."

Severus growled in response and demanded that Harry continue preparing him.

Laughing, Harry inserted a third finger and began thrusting them into the hot channel. Severus let the sensations roll over him and he grasped ineffectually at the sheets in an effort to find an anchor.

Finally deciding that the man was sufficiently stretched, Harry removed his fingers and coated his cock with the viscous liquid. He lifted the taller man's hips and placed his blunt shaft at the now loosened hole. Seeing an impatient nod, Harry pushed in carefully, afraid of causing discomfort. The young man paused, trying to regain some control over his body. He had never felt anything like this before and knew he wouldn't be able to last long, but he was determined that Severus would enjoy this encounter. Severus growled and tried to push against the intruding appendage and opening his eyes, Harry smirked. "Now, now, Severus. All in good time."

Earning a glare for his cheek, Harry non the less gave the man what he seemed to want and pushed more deeply into the hot, constricting channel. When he was fully seated, Harry looked for a sign that his lover was ready for him to move. The glare returned to the potion master's face and Harry took that as the signal to begin. Slowly he pulled partially out until just the tip of his penis was ensconced, and then he quickly thrust back in, his balls hitting against the older man. Again and again Harry pulled out only to thrust back in until he felt the tight coil of tension building to an almost unbearable level. Knowing his release was imminent, Harry reached between them and grasped Severus' cock. Pulling on it in time with his own thrusts, he was rewarded when streams of semen erupted from the hard shaft. Feeling the spasms in the tight channel finally threw Harry over the edge and he joined his wordless shouts with those of his lover as they both found release.

Harry gently pulled out and carefully lowered his body next to his sated lover. The young Savior-of-the-Wizarding-World tiredly waved a hand, magically cleaning both men of the evidence of their activities. Closing his eyes, he smiled as he considered his first real sexual encounter. He propped himself up on an elbow and regarded the older man. Now, seeing him relaxed and satisfied, he realized just how striking the potions master's features truly were. "Wow, Sev. That was, wow."

Severus quirked an eyebrow at his young mate. "Indeed Mr. Potter. Eloquent as usual I see."

"That's Snape-Potter, Sev. And I can't help it. You were great." Emerald eyes sparkled as he looked over to his bond mate.

Severus allowed a small smile to grace his lips and he laid his head back as he stretched out his left arm. Harry quickly took the hint and nestled his head on the taller man's shoulder.

The potions master silently wondered how his life had changed so much in the span of just two days as he held his new bond mate in his arms. Sighing, he briefly thought of the reactions they were likely to face once news of their bonding got out. Would Harry be so eager to try to work things out once he felt the sting of criticism from his friends and acquaintances? Finally deciding that such thoughts were futile for the time being, Severus took a moment to clear his mind and drifted off to sleep.

Harry felt oddly comfortable in the strange new position in which he now found himself. He had never been held like this before and he realized that he could quickly become used to this. Odd how just a day could change so much he tiredly thought. Harry didn't know that a small contented smile played across his lips as he fell asleep that night.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 10

Back to Chapter 8

Back to Results