Chapter Text
Growing up, Severus had learnt promises were fickle things, that only disappointment would be his lasting companion.
And yet, here he was, standing in the Entrance Hall, waiting. He glanced again at his pocket watch: twenty-two past nine. He sighed.
The main entrance door banged open, and Harry, astride his broom, swooped inside.
If Severus didn't have Occlumency shields of steel, he would have collapsed in relief and joy. Harry had kept his word and returned.
Harry came to a stop and dismounted. "Sorry I'm late," he said, panting. "I, ah, overslept." A lovely blush saturated his cheeks.
A knowing smirk crossed Severus' face. "I'm very pleased to see you," he confessed after a short pause, moving closer to tenderly cup Harry's face. As he leant in, Harry's eyes widened, then slowly drifted shut. Their lips hovered a whisper apart, the warmth of Harry's quickened breath playing on Severus' skin. "May I…may I kiss you?"
Harry bobbed his head and replied, "Sure."
Does he want me as much as I want him? Severus mused.
Changing his mind at the last second, Severus gave Harry's stella a sweet peck before murmuring, "Good morning."
"Morning," Harry replied softly, his eyes still closed.
As Harry's eyelids fluttered open to reveal dilated pupils filled with unmistakable desire, Severus felt himself harden instantly. The temptation to back Harry against a wall, coaxing him into helpless mewls of pleasure, was nearly overwhelming.
"Severus?"
Severus snapped himself out of his ill-timed fantasy. "Yes?"
"You've yet to try out the spyglass," Harry said, extending the small telescope towards him. "Given the ground we need to cover, I thought you might find it useful in locating the Keystone whilst I'm airborne."
And then a painful realisation struck him: Harry was here more out of duty than an actual desire to be with him.
With a deep inhalation, Severus accepted the spyglass with a brusque nod. "Thank you."
"I'll begin in here," said Harry as he hurriedly remounted his broom before darting away.
He's probably eager to be done with this so that he can tell me off sooner, Severus dejectedly thought.
Sighing, Severus unrolled the flying carpet on the floor. He stepped onto it, sat, and slowly rose until he was hovering at chest height.
While Harry scrutinised the lofty ceiling of the Entrance Hall, Severus familiarised himself with the spyglass. He could translate many of the runes, but some were too esoteric even for him.
Severus thoroughly searched the space using the different functions: One revealed nothing; another turned the room into a light show. The third offered him a close-up view of Harry's posterior. While the fourth made Filius' charmed flower arrangements go still.
The last function was another story.
"Harry," Severus beckoned.
A second later, he felt the air around him displace at Harry's arrival.
"Found anything?" Harry asked. "Because I've stumbled upon nothing—not even dust or cobwebs."
"Indeed, I have found something," Severus replied, his gaze affixed to the wall where the two giant hourglasses once stood. Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's had been destroyed in the final battle, leaving their spots disconcertingly vacant.
"You might want to erect a shield," Severus warned.
Harry quickly did so.
Severus aimed his wand. "Bombarda."
Stone cracked.
He cast the spell again.
Chunks of stone fell to the ground, exposing dark-stained wood beneath.
Following another controlled blast, the stone wall crumbled to the floor and revealed what Severus had seen through the spyglass: a pair of doors engraved with the Hogwarts coat of arms.
Harry gave him a wide, happy smile, and Severus returned it with a genuine one of his own.
Having ascertained that there were no curses, he signalled Harry to open the doors.
They flew into a large room, Severus first, then Harry. Tall windows provided natural light and views of the lake and forest. Shades of purple with copper accents decorated the space, and groups of sofas, tables, and chairs for places to relax or converse were organised throughout.
Gryffindor's chambers bore a striking resemblance to an oversized common room.
"Brilliant," Harry whispered.
Severus, on the other hand, felt indifferent.
Together, they hunted for the Keystone.
But, after one pass, and then another, they found nothing.
"This isn't it," said Harry, reaching the same conclusion as Severus.
"I agree," Severus replied. "I believe this is exactly what it looks like—a common room—albeit one where all houses once intermingled."
"I think it's great and a shame it was locked away." Harry gazed at him with a hopeful expression. "Do you think you'll keep it?"
"Perhaps…" But after seeing Harry's pleading face, Severus decided he would indeed be keeping it.
Harry started for the exit. "Where to next?"
"Let us proceed to the Chamber of Reception."
Harry nodded in agreement and drifted towards the open doors. Severus followed suit, keeping pace with him.
Crossing the Entrance Hall, they entered the Chamber of Reception, a room of such modest size that it could easily be mistaken for a glorified cupboard, thus necessitating only a brief examination. From there, they went directly to the connected Great Hall and continued investigating all the places burnt away on Slytherin's map: the Great Hall Chamber, a storeroom, the Grand Staircase, and the Portrait Room.
But even with the aid of the spyglass, they were no closer to finding Gryffindor's chambers by the end of their search.
Severus and Harry did find a secret stairwell in the Great Hall that led to the Headmaster's office, a portrait of Morgan le Fay that was bricked over and would remain so, and an infestation of Cobble Ants that Argus would need to contend with.
Severus growled in frustration, then said, "We're dealing with Gryffindor; whatever we're missing must be glaringly obvious."
"Hey!" exclaimed Harry, looking affronted.
"Unlike Slytherins, Gryffindors aren't known for their cunning," Severus stated the plain fact.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "You mean sneakiness."
Severus rolled his eyes and said, "Stones and glass houses, Harry."
Harry attempted not to grin but failed. Then, remembering why they were there, he sighed. "Something obvious…" he mumbled thoughtfully.
A dawning expression slowly rose on Harry's face. "I have an idea. Follow me."
Harry backtracked into the Grand Staircase, then flew straight upwards to the seventh floor. After dismounting his broom, he planted his feet on the landing and waited for Severus to do the same.
"You think Gryffindor's chambers are in Gryffindor Tower," Severus dryly remarked, landing and stepping off the flying carpet.
Harry huffed out a laugh and shook his head. "No." He started to climb down the stairs. "You can fly without needing anything, right?"
"Indeed…" Severus drawled, his eyes narrowing.
"Isn't it peculiar how, at times, the stairs seem to stop in front of thin air?"
Severus blinked. "Do you believe they truly lead to Gryffindor's chambers?"
"Well, it would certainly require bravery, daring, and nerve to leap off from here," said Harry, peering over the bannister.
"Students and professors have fallen off the stairs in the past," Severus countered.
"But were any of them thinking about Gryffindor's chamber when they did? And…" Harry continued, "I reckon it'll only work for you. Gryffindor wouldn't have wanted students, or even, other staff inviting themselves."
Suddenly, the stairway they were on swung to the left and stopped.
"It shouldn't be too hard," Harry teased, wrapping his arms tightly around Severus. "All you have to do is make sure we don't splatter all over the floor."
"Charming," Severus muttered. He sighed. "Alright then. On three."
Harry swallowed.
"One. Two. Three!"
Gazing into each other's eyes, they jumped.
As they began to fall, Harry quickly wrapped his legs around Severus' thighs.
Severus drew in a sharp breath in surprise but maintained his focus on the image of Gryffindor's chambers and their precipitously rapid descent. He also noted the staircases below seemed to be moving out of their way. Coincidence or design?
After another couple of seconds had ticked by, and they had plummeted more than half the distance, Severus held Harry tighter, readying himself to whisk them both to safety.
Another second. Severus' heart hammered.
Severus had a fraction of a second to react—
"Oof!"
With Harry still atop him, Severus bounced into the air before settling.
Harry groaned and sat up. Righting his askew glasses, he surveyed their surroundings. Meanwhile, still supine, Severus also assessed their current situation.
Both of them reached the same conclusion simultaneously: They were on a bed. And Harry was straddling him.
Harry's eyes widened to the size of cauldrons while Severus' mental shields cracked and colour spread across his cheeks.
"Sorry," Harry said, hurriedly moving off Severus' hardening groin area.
"There's no need to apologise, Harry."
Not bothering to hide his arousal, Severus rolled off the bed and stood to get a better viewpoint of Gryffindor's private chambers.
The room was nothing extravagant, merely a cosy bedroom with a desk and wardrobe. The predominant colour was, of course, red. And that colour scheme included the ceiling, where a large ruby acted as the focal point.
Finally, they'd found the last Keystone.
Severus sighed in relief. He turned to celebrate the accomplishment with Harry and discovered that Harry was fidgeting nervously and, strangely, had not left the bed.
Harry drew in a deep breath. "Look, Severus," he started, a newfound courage in his voice. "I've been turning this over in my head, you know? And I've decided. Before we go through with the transfer, I think...I think we should bond."
His voice dropped a bit quieter: "If you're not up for it, I understand, truly. But if you are...if you're willing, I reckon we should do it now. I don't fancy waiting any longer to be bonded to you."
Have I fallen asleep? Severus thought, unable to accept what he'd just heard. This can't be real. To bond with Harry, my conpar…
"Is this a dream?" Severus voiced his thought aloud.
Harry's face softened. He shook his head. "No, it's not a dream, Severus. But if it were, would you consider this a good or bad one?"
Severus slowly moved closer to the bed as though approaching a wild creature he didn't want to spook. "If this were a dream,"—he sat on the edge of the bed—"it would be exceptionally good."
Harry smiled. "Would it?"
"Yes."
"So, do you want to bond?" Harry asked.
"No."
Harry's face fell.
Severus cupped Harry's face. "I want you," he affirmed, leaning forward but stopping just short of their lips touching, waiting for Harry's response.
While Severus held his breath, Harry moved that last fraction of an inch, and they kissed.
The kiss was simple, no biting or battling for dominance, just a simple kiss. But its honest simplicity was what made Severus forget his very name. There were no influences from powerful magic or pushes from the conpares bond, only their meeting in equal desire.
Harry gently pulled away, a loopy grin spreading across his face. Lowering his head, he placed his lips where Severus' stella hid, then gazed up.
Gulping, Severus felt himself harden.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Harry said.
Feeling crushed, Severus bolstered his Occlumency barriers. "It's alright if you're having second—"
"No. I mean, I've never had sex before," Harry explained, "so I don't know what I'm doing."
Elation filled Severus, and pre-come dribbled from his cock at Harry's words.
"If that's the case, I would be open to bottoming," Severus said. "Bottoming for the first time tends to be uncomfortable." Severus grinned. "We can save that for your future explorations."
Harry's eyes shot wide open in disbelief. "You…you'd let me top?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well, yeah. I can't see you ever putting yourself in such a vulnerable position."
"Being in a vulnerable position has been my life," Severus drawled softly. "It's the very definition of what a spy is."
Harry pressed his lips together, then gave him a slow nod. "Okay. But…what if, you know, I can't last."
"Trust me," said Severus with a sly grin. He removed a small bottle of translucent liquid from the store of potions he always kept on hand. "Harry, do you recall what Sulis' Remedy is?"
"Isn't it a pain-relief potion for body aches and when you have to listen to people sing off-key?"
"If taken orally, yes. Because of other more effective potions, many overlook that it can act as a temporary, mild anaesthetic when applied to the skin. This will allow you to enjoy yourself without the risk of getting carried away."
"Maybe"—Harry turned Gryffindor red—"maybe I should put on some now. I'm about to burst."
Severus smirked. "Here"—he moved further over the covers and encouraged Harry to lie down—"let me help you."
With skilled movements, Severus undid Harry's trousers, eased down his pants, and revealed Harry's dripping length. Severus carefully dribbled a few drops of the potion on it, grinning at Harry's subsequent gasp. Not wanting to numb his hand, he cast a spell to spread the liquid evenly.
"We'll need to wait a minute for the potion to absorb," Severus said while appreciating the size, shape, and glossy gleam of Harry's cock.
Much to Severus' surprise, Harry swiftly knelt and began unbuttoning Severus' clothes, starting with his left cuff. Impatient for Harry's touch, Severus cursed his decision to don his full robes.
Harry made quick work of all the buttons on Severus' frock coat and, once done, pushed it off along with Severus' billowy robe. Next, he tackled Severus' navy blue cravat and his white shirt.
The open shirt was a long, narrow window, affording Harry a peek of Severus' stella. Grinning, Harry teasingly slipped off Severus' tie; he then lightly slid a finger down the length of Severus' exposed skin.
Severus moaned. Unable to wait another second, he wrapped one arm around Harry's back and, with the other, held the back of Harry's neck. Pressing their mouths together, Severus urged him to open for him. Harry obliged, parting his lips, and their tongues entwined. The taste of dark chocolate mingled with black tea filled Severus' mouth, while the smell of amber, sandalwood, and vanilla enveloped him: a veritable feast for Severus' senses.
Whilst delving into Harry's mouth, Severus divested Harry of his shirt. He followed the line of Harry's spine to his arse with his fingers, then gently squeezed the luscious globes.
Harry's hands were busy as well. He frantically unfastened Severus' trousers before timidly exploring the shape of Severus' cock, still hidden away in his pants.
Panting, Harry pushed at Severus's chest. He swallowed. "I can feel the potion is working. How long will it last?"
"About half an hour, give or take," Severus said, sweeping strands of hair off his face with his fingers.
Harry licked his swollen lips. "Okay. Then let's finish undressing." Dropping onto his back, he kicked off his shoes before shimmying out of his trousers and pants.
Severus smiled at Harry's eagerness and helped him remove his—of course—scarlet and gold socks.
Once Harry was bare, Severus lazily let his eyes roam. Unlike him, Harry had a smattering of chest hair. His nipples were dusky pink buds, hard from his arousal and calling to him. As he gazed at Harry's flushed face, Severus took one nub into his mouth, sucking, lightly nibbling, and teasing with licks and breaths of cool air. He switched nipples and began to lightly run a finger along the crack of Harry's arse, sometimes skimming Harry's balls.
Harry let out a moan, then softly said, "Severus, please."
Severus acquiesced and straightened up.
Harry took full advantage and encouraged Severus to recline. He scurried to the foot of the bed and tugged off Severus' black boots, socks, and trousers, leaving only his dishevelled shirt and pants. Harry's face displayed a succession of emotions—lust, trepidation, uncertainty, and finally, decision.
Swallowing, Harry hooked his fingers under the band of Severus' boxers, then, with the help of Severus, guided them down his long legs. Now faced with the thick erection, Harry could only stare in astonishment. He reached out, wanting to touch, but stopped.
"Go ahead," Severus encouraged.
Severus' eyes fluttered shut as Harry's warm hand enveloped him. Harry shyly touched, following the veins on Severus' cock, playing with its foreskin, and spreading pre-come around its sensitive tip.
"Severus?"
"Yes," Severus gasped as Harry moved his explorations to his bollocks.
"Would you drop your Occlumency?"
Severus groaned. He knew he would eventually have to remove his shields for the bond, but he hadn't had sex in years. Harry's caresses were already straining his control. Nevertheless, it seemed only fair.
"Very well," he rasped.
Severus closed his eyes. At least he was more prepared than in the past; lowering his mind protections had become easier from having to do so while repairing the Keystones.
As his emotions burst free, he felt Harry's hot mouth surround him.
"Fuck!" Severus exclaimed, grasping at the duvet beneath him as he writhed. There was no finesse to Harry's technique, but the thought of being inside Harry, sharing his intimate self with his conpar… He scrambled to squeeze the base of his cock.
"Harry, I believe we should proceed with binding our stellae," he said, attempting to sound calm but failing.
Giving Severus a knowing look, Harry parted from Severus' length. "Alright."
Harry sat up on his knees; Severus did the same.
Severus removed his shirt, giving Harry his first complete view of his stella.
"Do you feel that?" Harry asked dreamily. He touched Severus' chest, and Severus gasped.
"Yes," Severus answered.
Their stellae seemed to possess their own gravity, drawing each other ever closer.
Harry bowed his head. Severus knew the supplicant position was only possible because of Harry's true forgiveness and trust.
They moaned in unison as their stellae aligned, forming a perfect eclipse.
And then their stellae touched.
An awareness immediately filled Severus: Harry's joy. His magic. The softness of Harry's skin. The heat that radiated off his body. And desire. A desire to be wanted and to give.
"Harry…" Severus placed his hands on either side of Harry's head, encouraging him to look up.
"Severus?"
"It's time."
Severus lay down and spread his thighs. He couldn't locate his wand, but being able to sense his magic so clearly, he managed to prepare himself wandlessly.
Harry positioned his length between Severus' thighs. The tip of Harry's cock teased Severus' opening, circling and getting a feel. With an expression of lustful concentration, Harry slowly rocked into him, sliding in until Severus felt the weight of Harry's balls on his arse.
Severus gasped, needing to close his eyes for a moment.
"Are you okay?" asked Harry.
"Feels too good."
"Oh." Harry grinned. "My dick's still a little numb, but I can feel how hot and tight you are."
Severus moaned, Harry's words going straight to his cock and causing it to pulse. "Just…take it slow."
Harry nodded. "Okay."
With measured strokes, Harry learnt Severus' body. He leisurely pumped his hips as they shared wet kisses. Harry fondled Severus' bollocks, rolling them in his fingers and gently tugging the skin. He showed Severus the same tortuous kindness and teased Severus' nipples with his lips, teeth, and tongue, all the while steadily sliding in and out of him.
All of it nearly drove Severus mad. His cock resembled the melting was on a burning candle with the amount of pre-come running down its sides.
Suddenly, Harry moaned, stilling. "Fuck," he gasped.
Severus grinned, knowing the potion's effect had ended.
Harry breathed deeply, then narrowed his eyes in determination. At Harry's urging, Severus moved his legs onto Harry's shoulders.
Harry's next thrust was deep and directly struck Severus' prostate.
Inhaling sharply, Severus bowed his back. He then clutched Harry more tightly as he continued his relentless claiming.
"Where should I come?" asked Harry desperately.
"In me," Severus moaned. "I want you to come in me."
Severus was so close. "Harry…"
Harry cried out first, soon followed by Severus.
As come spurted into and out of him in a balance of pleasure, Severus felt his stella flair. A peace unlike anything he'd ever experienced guided him to Harry's lips. All restraint having been forgotten, tears dribbled down the sides of their faces while they passionately, then tenderly, kissed.
Once the tidal wave of magic and muscle spasms had dissipated, Harry placed a sweet peck on Severus' stella, then lay his cheek on Severus' chest.
Harry sighed in contentment, the sibilant sound reminding Severus of when they were in the Chamber.
"Would you mind saying something to me in Parseltongue?" asked Severus.
Frowning, Harry looked at him. "Doesn't my speaking it make you think of Voldemort?"
"Sometimes," Severus answered, "but in a factual way. I also know others who speak different languages. I have several potioneer colleagues from France and occasionally am reminded of them when I hear someone else conversing in French.
"Your speaking Parseltongue is a part of who you are, and I love who you are. I won't allow a trait you happen to share with the Dark Lord taint that. I enjoy it when you speak Parseltongue because it's you speaking it. For me, it's unbearably erotic when you do."
"Oh." Harry grinned. "Right then. Let me think."
A moment later, a series of tantalising hisses left Harry's mouth.
"What did you say?" asked Severus.
"I said,"—softly smiling, Harry kissed Severus' mouth—"'I'm falling in love with you.'"
Because Severus hadn't bothered to reconstruct his shields, his eyes irritatingly prickled. He cleared his throat, then stared at the Keystone up above. "Do you believe you have sufficient energy to donate magic?"
Harry chuckled. "Yeah. I've got plenty." His eyes widened. "Oh shit! We forgot to bring my broom or your flying carpet. How are we going to reach it?"
"It's probably just as well we didn't bring them," Severus mused. "Gryffindor would have seen no sport in simply flying away. I suspect we wouldn't have gained access had we brought them. A ladder, though, might have been useful."
"But we should be fine. I can fly us up. It will require more of my magical reserves, but it's feasible."
Harry sat up and moved off him. "Then let's do this," he said, his Gryffindor spirit leading the way.
"Let's," Severus agreed.
He patted around for his wand, finally finding it behind his pillow.
"Ready?" he asked, encircling Harry with his left arm.
Harry nodded. "Yeah."
Ventum, Severus thought.
"Wow," Harry exclaimed, delighted as they ascended from the bed. "You must teach me how you do this."
Severus snorted. "I shall add it to your ever-expanding list of extracurricular activities."
To his amusement, Harry blushed.
Having swiftly performed the necessary charms to authenticate the Keystone, Severus let his wand fall to the burgundy rug below. Sustaining the flying spell would now prove more difficult, but he had no alternative; his hand was needed to make contact with the Keystone.
"Whenever you're ready, Harry."
A breath later, Harry's magic started to pour into Severus. The sensation differed significantly from before. The transfer remained pleasurable but was now no longer arousing, more akin to enjoying a fine meal—that was, until Harry started to snog him.
Grinning, Severus didn't restrain himself. As a steady stream of magic passed through him and into the gem, he feasted on Harry's mouth; he sucked and nibbled on Harry's neck and relished the whimpers and sighs he heard. Fully aroused, they gyrated their hips, sliding their erections up and down against each other.
Severus moaned, pain and pleasure mixing. Power swirled around them in the room, and Severus felt a crashing wave, then another, as more of his magic was sapped away.
"Severus!" Harry cried out, cresting.
What felt like a rush of lightning struck Severus, robbing him of breath and momentarily blinding him as he simultaneously climaxed and felt Hogwarts' protections renew.
Severus' mind felt sluggish, his body heavy. He withdrew his hand from the Keystone and brought it around Harry.
As come dripped down their torsos, Harry went limp, fainting away. With a final surge of magic, Severus floated them safely above the bed; then, utterly exhausted, he joined Harry in unconsciousness.
Severus drew a long breath through his nostrils, and upon opening his eyes, he found Harry staring at him besottedly.
"Hi," Harry said with a grin.
"Hello," Severus replied, feeling somewhat silly for doing so.
Stretching, Severus sat up. He paused. He felt unusually at peace, and it wasn't solely because of post-coital bliss. Then he realised: the magical dissonance he'd been sensing from Hogwarts had disappeared.
Severus relaxed against a pillow. "What have you been up to?" he asked. "My hair hasn't mysteriously changed colour, has it?"
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope, just enjoying the view"—he caressed Severus' cheek—"and thinking."
"Thinking?"
"Yeah. About all that's happened." Harry smiled. "I was wondering about something, too."
"Oh?"
"Did you ever figure out what that machine from Slytherin's study does? The spyglass is pretty impressive, so I couldn't help but wonder."
"Indeed, I did," Severus replied, brushing a strand of hair from Harry's forehead. "Though it's nothing as noteworthy as the spyglass. It's a music player capable of producing a mermaid's voice without the need to be underwater.
"Would you care to hear it for yourself? We'd need to go to…my office," Severus said, finally accepting the Headmaster's office as his own. "It's there because I thought Dumbledore would find it amusing. And it'll help drown out the portraits' nattering when I'm trying to concentrate."
"Yes," Harry answered. "I'd like that."
After dressing, they began their search for an exit.
Behind the portrait of a dragon being slain—Severus rolled his eyes—they found a possible exit, a door leading into a dim hallway.
"Lead the way, conpar," said Harry enthusiastically.
Hearing the endearment, Severus closed his eyes for a moment, having long given up hope of being addressed in such.
"My conpar,"—Severus kissed Harry's hand before looping his arm through Harry's—"it would be my utmost honour and pleasure."
After exiting the door at the end of the hallway, they arrived in front of the familiar tapestry of ballet-obsessed Barnabas the Barmy. Currently, Barnabas was unsuccessfully attempting to teach the fifth position.
"Should we get our things off the landing?" Harry asked, glancing in the direction of the stairs.
Severus thought for a moment. "No. We can always get them later."
"Alright," Harry agreed.
They started down the long corridor that led to the Headmaster's tower. While they walked, Severus did his best to ignore all the gossiping portraits following their steps. A good telling-off was on the tip of his tongue, but he refrained.
Once inside his office, Severus walked over to Slytherin's contraption on a shelf below the Sorting Hat. He tapped the machine's water-filled glass sphere, and a hauntingly lovely voice began to sing.
As the ethereal music filled the room, Harry strolled to one of the tall arched windows and looked out.
With sunlight shining on Harry's face, Severus stared at him with warmth and wonder.
Harry was falling in love with him, and Severus found himself doing the same.
He joined Harry and gazed at the lake's mirror-like surface far below.
Holding Harry close, he allowed himself a smile.
Finally, Severus was living.