Snarry-a-Thon21: FIC: An Almost Perfect Proposal Title: An Almost Perfect Proposal Author:lilyseyes Other pairings/threesome: Ron/Hermione, Neville/Ginny Rating: Explicit Word count: +/- 4500 Content/Warning(s): Flangst, Possesive!Harry, Powerful!Harry, Mpreg implied Prompt:2009 part one - No. 150 Harry and Severus have been together for a few months. Harry is quite possessive. When they attend a Ministry's party, they encounter Severus's ex, a renowned Potions Master who just returned from America. Harry stakes his claim on Severus. Summary: Having just finished his Pediatric Healer mastery, Harry is ready to move on, and he is determined to do it with Severus at his side, until an ex-lover comes back into the picture. A/N: I took a few liberties with the prompt, but hopeful the prompter will still enjoy it! Many thanks to my pre-reader and special thanks to the lovely badgerlady!
Harry stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine, a rare treat in London in May, and started down the white marble steps of Gringotts Bank with a bounce in his step. One hand tightly gripped a small box in the pocket of his lime green robes and Harry could swear he felt the ambient magic of the Peverell wedding rings thrumming through the box. His smile widened as he strode towards the Leaky Cauldron and its public Floo connection. While he would rather simply go home, Harry knew he had to complete his rounds at St Mungo’s before he could.
Ignoring the whispers of the crowds, Harry’s thoughts were introspective as he walked across Diagon Alley. He was immensely pleased his hard work and planning was going about to finally come to fruition. In the seven years since the Defeat of Voldemort, Harry was proud of completing his Hogwarts education with eight NEWTS and going on to the wizarding university in Edinburgh to receive a degree in medicine. Just a week ago, Harry had completed his residency in pediatric medicine at St. Mungo's and was set to open his new offices the first of June. After his rounds, Harry had taken the next two weeks off to make sure everything was ready to go.
For the first time in his life, Harry felt content. He had chosen a career which challenged him even as it satisfied his saving people thing, as Hermione called it. Thinking back to how adrift he felt after he'd offed Voldemort, Harry was thankful Hermione had pushed him into thinking of the future, before he'd sunk into depression wondering what he had left to live for. Subsequently, Harry had discovered Severus was alive, settled his debts to Gringotts with Voldemort’s own vaults, helped repair Hogwarts, and tonight he would ask the man he loved with to bond with him.
Who would have ever thought Harry would fall completely, irrevocably, and hopelessly in love with Severus Bloody Snape!
It had happened slowly, Harry reminded himself with a small smile, side-stepping a dark-haired toddler who darted across his path in a parental escape bid. Heavy-hearted at the thought of the snarky man’s death, Harry had been astonished to discover Severus in an isolated bed at the far end of the hospital wing. It seemed the Hogwarts house-elves held a deep affection for their headmaster and they had healed him as much as they could before transporting him from the Shrieking Shack. Between their unique magic and the prophylactic anti-venom Severus had been dosing himself with, their headmaster survived Nagini's attack. However, when Severus had first regained consciousness, he had conveyed his displeasure at being in the hospital wing (and being alive, Harry believed), even with having temporarily lost the power of speech. Harry had chosen to ignore Severus' histrionics and cared for him quietly and efficiently under Madam Pomfrey's tutelage.
Over the summer, Harry helped rebuild the damaged portions of the castle, learning all he could from the goblin builders, as Severus slowly regained his strength and speech in the infirmary. Harry took over his care every afternoon, as Severus had made it abundantly clear he didn't want anyone else near him. Finding himself fascinated by the magic involved in healing and wellness, Harry spent hours studying the healing arts and increasing amounts of his time working with Poppy – as well as rethinking his future. For one thing, the desire to work chasing Dark wizards and petty thieves the rest of his life had lost its appeal, and second, Harry had realized he didn't want to be away from Severus.
So, when the time came for Severus to be released to his rooms in the Head's tower, Poppy insisted Harry stay with him until she gave him a clean bill of health. Having finally gained the ability to put on a poker face, Harry shoved all his feeling – the deepening crush, respect, and attraction – to the back of his mind and moved into Severus' spare room. Severus was surprisingly restrained, despite being given the go ahead to resume talking as normal and Harry caught Severus staring at him thoughtfully at odd moments. All things considered, they co-inhabited the small set of rooms in comparative peace.
Still deep in thought, Harry stepped into the Leaky Cauldron and stepped into line to wait his turn for the Floo. It had happened slowly, over the course of weeks and months, until Harry woke up one morning, rutting into his mattress as he screamed Severus’ name into his pillow, and was forced to acknowledge his crush had deepened into love. It was during this turbulent time, as Harry was still struggling with horrendous nightmares and sleep deprivation, when Severus had one of his own night terrors. Harry had gone in to comfort him and ended up sliding into Severus' bed to comfort him, only to fall asleep. Neither had slept alone since.
Harry hummed as he stepped out of the Floo into the staff lounge at St. Mungo’s, remembering how the physical relationship had begun weeks later. It had seemed to be a natural progression of the relationship, not that Harry had any experience at all. He had discovered when he slept with Severus, his nightmares seemed to disappear. Harry also found he really enjoyed waking up spooned against Severus, whose arm was generally draped over his waist.
The first morning Harry had woken up with Severus' hard cock frotting between his arse cheeks, he had frozen, thinking he had done something wrong. He'd tried to surreptitiously escape the hand splayed across his abdomen until Severus' arm had tightened fractionally and slid closer to his own aching erection. Harry thought he'd died and gone to heaven as he experienced his first orgasm not accomplished with his own hand. This blissful way of waking up continued almost every morning for a week, before Harry gathered the courage to ask for more.
As with most of the benchmarks in their current relationship, the next step had taken place without any discussion. Harry crawled into bed one night, his heart pounding in his throat, and instead of spooning, turned over and pressed his body against Severus. The kiss he initiated had been sweet and he'd been thrilled when Severus responded. Then Severus had taken control, flipping them around so that he was on top of Harry and showed him just how arousing a kiss could be. It was under the cover of darkness and their duvet, Severus taught Harry how to make love. It was glorious, addictive, and they hadn't slept apart, except for Harry's nighttime hospital rotations, in the ensuing six years.
While neither had ever said the words, Harry knew how deeply he felt for Severus and was sure the feelings were reciprocated. It was arousing in itself to see the cool, unflappable Headmaster Snape and to know, secretly, what an intense, possessive, and thorough lover he was behind their bedroom door.
These pleasant thoughts hummed at the periphery of Harry's senses, like the pulse of his magic, as he accepted a chart from the medi-witch assigned to do rounds with him. The afternoon flew by, with most of Harry's small patients showing improvement in their treatment. One particularly stubborn case of an unvaccinated toddler who had caught Dragon Pox, frustrated all of the medical staff and Harry wrote out a change to the orders to adjust the dosage in the child's potion regimen, something Severus had suggested, in an attempt to cure her. Little Gwendolyn was pale green against the white pillowcase, but her mother managed to give Healer Harry, as he was called, a small smile at the slight improvement in her condition.
The sun was sinking towards the horizon when Harry Floo'd into Severus' rooms in the Head's tower at Hogwarts. Surprisingly, Severus was not waiting for him but Harry shrugged it off and headed to the bathroom to shower. His forest green formal robes of the finest Acromantula silk were trimmed in black, with the Peverell, Potter, and Black crests embroidered in sliver on the left breast. Beneath them, in lime green, was the symbol of his Healer's Mastery. They were the most elegant robes Harry had ever worn, which he did open over a black silk suit and silver shirt. His dragon hide boots were polished to a high shine.
"Harry?" Severus deep voice called from the sitting room.
"In here," Harry answered as he ran a brush through his shoulder-length hair, patting his pocket for the bonding rings one more time, and stepped out.
Standing in front of the hearth, Severus turned as Harry moved toward him and his breath caught in his throat. The elegant black silk robes, with green trim matching Harry's, draped over Severus' body, the cut reminiscent of dueling robes and accentuating his long, lean form and wide shoulders. Harry thought Severus looked good enough to eat. On impulse, Harry walked up to Severus, sliding his hand behind Severus' neck, and kissed him. He could feel the heat from Severus' body and the jolt of arousal as Severus kissed him back, hot and demanding. After a moment, Severus pulled back and brought his hand up to caress Harry's cheek with his knuckles.
"Come, it wouldn't do for the Chosen One to be late to the party," Severus remarked, headed towards the staircase towards his office. "I'll Floo through first."
Harry nodded silently, trying to wrestle control from his wayward libido. They never arrived together for any event, another unspoken agreement to keep their relationship private. On one hand, it pleased Harry that his personal life wasn't fodder for the Daily Prophet, but on the other, he longed to be able to tell the world that Severus was his. Pausing just for a moment, Harry followed Severus through the green fire, his polite, public smile firmly in place.
Over the years, Harry had mastered the art of Flooing without falling flat on his face. He stepped out gracefully, immediately stepping to his left so the next person through wouldn't run into him. The Ballroom at the Ministry of Magic had its own Reception Room and it was already packed with attendees. With his smile firmly in place, Harry made his way towards the Ballroom, nodding at the few acquaintances he saw. The formal reception line was just inside the main doors and Harry had to refrain from rolling his eyes when he saw the Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, beckon him over, Severus already installed in the official receiving line.
"Harry!" Kingsley boomed out as he pumped Harry's hand. "Come stand beside me!"
His jaw tightened and Harry had to consciously refrain from grinding his teeth, knowing full well he had politely declined this particular honor. Neville was on his other side, by his wife, Ginny, with Ron and Hermione beside them. Severus stood further down with Minerva and Filius, with the many others who fought with them stretched across the width of the room. A steady line of witches and wizards made their way down the line and Harry tried his best not to get mind-numbingly bored as he did his best to dodge people stepping into his personal space and old ladies trying to pinch his cheeks.
Kingsley finally declared enough a half hour later and Harry sighed with relief. Dinner was next, with the obligatory speech by Kingsley, and then dancing. Harry was actually looking forward to drawing Severus out on to the dance floor as he'd never had the nerve to before, but he'd been practicing. He gave Ginny, Hermione, and Luna quick hugs, before turning to find—
"Severus! Darling!"
Whipping around, Harry watch dumbfounded as a tall, well-built wizard with hair the colour of spun gold throw himself at Severus, who caught him with a small smile.
"Jacob! When did you get back from the States?" Severus managed to get out, between the kisses the man was peppering his face with.
Harry could only stare as numbly, his breath catching painfully in his chest as his body froze. Like watching a broom wreck, Harry couldn't look away, even as he watched his lover embracing a handsome man Harry had never seen before.
"Great Merlin!" Kingsley materialized at his elbow. "Jacob Fawley has returned." He didn't seem to realize Harry hadn't commented. "He's a renowned Potions Master who disappeared to San Francisco after he and Severus broke up, heavens, must have been about twelve years ago now."
Kingsley nudged him with his elbow. "Come, I'll introduce you."
Taking a deep breath, Harry followed Kingsley on wooden legs, trying to wrap his head around the information. He tried not to notice Severus' flushed cheeks or the predatory way Jacob held onto Severus' arm.
"Harry Potter," Jacob gushed, his eyes raking Harry from head to toe, as if he was mentally undressing Harry and finding him lacking. "What an adorable young thing you are!"
Fawley promptly turned his back on Harry and began to move with Severus towards the tables set around the dance floor, where Harry and Severus were seated at a reserved table in the center. Kingsley sat at the head of the table with most of those who survived the Battle of Hogwarts seated there. Harry slumped down in his assigned seat with Severus beside him, hoping Fawley had been seated across the room, but wasn't surprised when the man dropped several Galleons in the hand of the Ministry official who was supposed to sit on Severus' other side.
Despite Severus being close enough for Harry to feel his body heat, an invisible wall seemed to spring up separating them. Severus' hard thigh brushed against his, yet Harry could hear his lover deeply involved in a conversation about a healing potion which Jacob had helped Severus invent and the improvements the other man had made to the potion. Feeling the corner of the ring box press into his hip, Harry thought of his plans for the evening, wondering now at his own expectations. Was he truly arrogant enough to imagine Severus would want to bond with him? Was he too young and too damaged to be an adequate partner for someone as accomplished and intelligent as Severus?
The pain building in his chest seemed to surge through him as Harry tried to follow the conversation Severus was having. Harry wasn't abysmal at Potions as he'd been during his student days; he'd even managed an Outstanding on his NEWTs, but truly understanding the intricacies had been beyond him. The image of his aunt's face surfaced in his mind, screaming about his abnormal nature and how no one would ever, could ever, love a freak like him. Perhaps it was better Harry realized this before Severus could laugh at and reject his proposal.
Harry stared at his plate when it came, taking up his fork in order to move his food around as he tried not to listen to Fawley fawn over Severus, while reminiscing about their perfect relationship. Did he and Severus even have a relationship, Harry wondered. They'd never gone out in public together, their activities having been almost exclusively taking place in Severus' room and, specifically, in his bed. Maybe Severus had only been interested in the sex and, Merlin knew, Harry had been abundantly obsessed with those activities.
A sob tore from his throat and Harry managed to cover it with a cough, missing the concerned look Hermione threw at him. Taking several deep breaths, Harry struggled to bring up his Occlumency shields – the ones which served him so well during the course of his healer training. Harry attempted to focus on Kingsley's speech thanking the Defenders of Hogwarts, wanting to drown out Fawley's simpering tone. He stood with the rest of his table, a weak smile pasted on his face as he nodded, never looking up.
As the first strands of music from the orchestra sounded, signaling the start of the dancing, Harry felt Severus take his hand and hope surged through him. Looking up, Harry took in the long-suffering look on Severus' face until he was roughly torn away from Harry. Kingsley shot a troubled glance at Harry and then back at Fawley as he manhandled Severus onto the floor. Ron and Neville looked on with wide eyes while Hermione and Luna shrugged their shoulders as they ate their treacle tart supreme. Ginny snorted her champagne and choked, waiting for either Severus or Harry to explode.
"Sev, darling! Surely you don't want to dance with that gangly child!" Fawley tugged on Severus' arm, triumph in the smirk he gave Harry. "I suppose he's pretty enough to bed, but—"
The hand sliding down Severus' back to cup his arse was slapped away and Harry could have sworn he could hear Severus growling. Fawley had wrapped his arms around Severus and trapped his hands, as he dragged Severus across the floor. All the while, the idiot continued to run his mouth.
"Although, if you wanted to share the boy, I'm sure I could tolerate a taste—"
The despair and insecurity which had filled Harry suddenly boiled over in absolute rage. He never noticed the furniture begin to shake or the fine crystal goblets on the table shattering simultaneously. Had he been looking, Harry would have seen both Hermione and Kingsley casting Shielding Charms around the room.
"The git's going to get what's coming to him," George Wesley announced as he began collecting bets from those around him. "I've got five Galleons on Harry!"
"Get your hands off Severus!" Harry was on his feet and stalking towards Fawley. "Now!"
Severus pulled away and crossed his arms over his chest, as Fawley gave Harry a withering look. "Seriously? I'm way out of your league, little boy—"
With a wave of his hand and an angry surge of magic, Harry had the arsehole disarmed, trussed up, and hanging from his ankle in the air. Harry's eyes glowed with power when he stopped in front of Fawley, whose own eyes widened dramatically. A gust of wind ruffled Harry's hair and made Fawley sway precariously; an aura of pure white surrounded Harry. Fawley whimpered at the sight and promptly fainted.
"There's a reason they call him the Man who Conquered Voldemort!" Neville called out.
"No, no – he's the The Chosen One!" Ron argued, for once swallowing before he spoke.
Harry ignored his friends as he turned away from Fawley and moved to where Severus was still standing, a sneer on his face. "Handsy bastard," he spat, dark eyes blazing. "Seems to have forgotten I threw him out all those years ago, after I learned he was stealing potion formulas from me."
"Severus?" Harry felt shaky as he reined in his magic.
Unfolding his arms, Severus opened them and allowed Harry to step in close. Regardless of their surroundings, Severus leaned down and gave Harry a chaste kiss, but Harry wanted more. Deciding it was now or never, Harry leaned in and kissed Severus until both were in need of a breath. Ignoring the catcalls, mostly from his friends, Harry dropped to one knee and fished the Peverell rings out of his pocket.
"Severus," Harry's voice trembled with nervousness. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of eternity with you. Will you bond with me?"
Those dark eyes Harry had come to adore bord into his own, as if looking for some type of subterfuge, but Harry knew they would only show his sincerity. His heart leapt to his throat as Severus shook his head, a fond look on his face.
"Impatient brat," Severus sniffed as a small box appeared in his hand. "And I had the Prince Bonding bracelets polished just for tonight!"
Harry held out his box. "These are the Peverell rings."
The crowd around them started to whisper, as that was a name which wasn't often heard. Reaching down, Severus drew Harry to his feet and into another heated kiss.
"I have found in the past few years that my world revolves around you, my own," Severus whispered. "I am not sure I would survive without you in it. Please do me the honor of becoming my bondmate."
His heart full and feeling dizzy from his wild swings of emotion, Harry could only nod as their friends cheered loudly around them. And if there was money which exchanged hands, neither of them could be arsed enough to care.
A throat cleared next to them and Harry surfaced with a scowl to see the Minister standing beside them. Severus anchored Harry to his side with one arm before turning slightly to speak to a widely grinning Kingsley.
"Yes, Minister Shacklebolt?" Severus arched an eyebrow in query.
Kingsley answered with an uplifted eyebrow of his own. "If you gentlemen could decide on which set of rings to use, I'd be happy to offer my services and bond you tonight. I would hate to waste a good party."
The bonding itself took just a few minutes, after taking thirty minutes to decide on using both the bracelets and the rings as well as using Peverell-Prince as a last name. It was only right with Severus the older of the two and with a non-magical Dukedom coming with the name. Peverell was wizarding royalty and the House which both Potter and Gryffindor descended from. Harry couldn't help but beam when Severus requested a soul-bonding for the ceremony; he was marrying for life. Hermione and Ron stood for Harry with Minerva and Filius standing for Severus.
It took several toasts, a handful of dances, and too many hugs before they were able to escape an hour later. Harry laughed at the disgruntled face Severus pulled as Harry used a handkerchief to wipe several lip colour potions off of his new husband's cheek. Severus' face morphing into a fierce scowl and they were able to make their way to the Reception Hall without any other interruptions.
Harry wrapped his arms around Severus. "Trust me?"
At Severus' nod, Harry Apparated them both to the bedroom at Peverell Manse in Kensington Gardens. A large manor home in London, it would serve them well as a base for Harry during night rotations and Christmas hols. The house-elves, with direction from a Goblin construction team, had done a fantastic job renovating and modernizing the fourteenth century palace, one of the smaller ones in an area known for extravagant historical buildings. A fire burned merrily in the fireplace, reflecting on the white marble floors; all the curtains were drawn with the exception of the set closest to the bed. The sheets were already turned down as Harry pulled Severus into the room.
In the past, Harry had generally taken a more submissive role when it came to sex, having been completely ignorant at the start of their relationship. He'd been more comfortable learning everything Severus was willing to teach him, but tonight, Harry was planning to take the lead. With a snap of his fingers, their dress robes and clothing were Banished to the closet. Harry cupped the back of Severus' head and kissed him hard as he walked Severus back towards the bed, gently pushing him down when his calves hit the edge.
Following Severus down onto the bed, Harry knelt beside Severus and kissed him again. With fingers and lips, Harry began to explore his husband’s body, magic tingling from every touch, as if Lady Magic was blessing their union. First nibbling at an earlobe, Harry then trailed down the slender throat and licked at Severus' Adam’s apple, smirking when Severus fisted his hands in the sheets. As his mouth latched onto a hardened nipple, Severus arched up with a groan as Harry used his fingers to tweak the other nipple. Fingers speared into his hair, raking through it with Severus' fingernail scraping at his scalp with just enough pleasurable pain to make Harry moan as he traced a line down Severus' sternum, tonguing the shallow navel before following the treasure trail to bury his nose in the nest of dark curls. After licking his way up the sensitive vein on the underside of the Severus' very interested penis, Harry sucked the tip in to his mouth and savored the taste of Severus' pre-come. Taking as much of the cock into his mouth as he could, Harry bobbed his head, enjoying the sounds Severus was making, before pulling off.
Sitting back on his heels, Harry summoned a small vial of lubricant he'd managed to brew on his own. Catching the vial, Harry coated his fingers and slipping a finger into his hole began to stretch himself. Severus gasped as he watched, the hand in Harry's hair tightening fractionally before easing.
“Do you have any idea what you are doing to me?” he ground out between clenched teeth.
Harry smirked as him, not sure if his voice would work. Severus reached down and Harry coated both their fingers with more lube. Their fingers breached him together, and Harry quickly added a second finger, as did Severus. Tingles of magic originated at every point of contact, and by the time they had each added a third finger, he felt like he was babbling with the sensations that flooded him. Curling his fingers, Harry brushed against a small nub inside him and the jolt of pleasure was almost too much.
Harry felt Severus shift and he gentle removed all the fingers as he pushed Severus back on the bed. Pouring more lube on his hand, Harry slicked Severus' cock with a firm hand and positioned himself over it. As he slowly sank onto Severus' erection, his husband leaned forward to take Harry’s lips in searing kiss. Harry relished the familiar full feeling as he paused to give himself time to adjust to Severus' girth, before lifting himself up and impaling himself again. Severus grabbed his hips when Harry began to rock back and forth, shifting to get the angle just right. Gripping him tightly, Severus thrust upwards, meeting Harry as he rocked back. Suddenly, Harry felt his climax ripping through him, taking him by surprise. Thrusting once, twice, a third time, Severus roared as Harry felt his husband fill him, his eyes slamming shut as golden light seemed to explode around them.
With their completion, the new bond opened fully, flooding each of them with layers of feelings and thoughts from the other. Harry was vaguely aware of being gently cleaned and gathered in strong arms, resting there until his breathing returned to normal. Turning his head, Harry pressed a kiss on sweat-dampened skin, his tongue darting out to taste the slightly salty throat. Severus settled them onto the bed and covered them, Harry's head pillowed on his shoulder.
"That was brilliant," Harry whispered, in awe of the intensity of their coupling. "I mean, it's always been amazing, but the bond has made it so much more intense."
"Indeed," Severus deadpanned, even as his hand stroked through Harry' tousled hair. "Have you ever been tested as a bearer?"
Harry blinked his eyes open and scrunched his forehead as his tried to remember. "I don't think so—" He remembered the flash of golden light as Severus had climaxed. "You don't think we—do you?"
"As Minerva always says, it would be just your usual dumb luck!"
-The End-
P.S.: Aiden Severus Peverell-Prince was welcomed into the family nine months later. Both his fathers were completely smitten with the baby!