Severus arrived in Poppy's office just behind Hermione, and unshrunk the book she had found as he stepped into the hospital wing. Hermione, meanwhile, had immediately darted over to the small crowd gathered around Harry's bed, and threw herself into Ron's arms. Severus took a much slower approach, and just reached the edge of the crowd itself—which contained Molly and Arthur, Remus and Tonks, Ron and Hermione, Ginny and Draco, and Fred and George—as Albus entered the hospital wing himself.

"Albus," Severus said, stepping forward with the tome.

Albus looked at the thing, and his eyes widened. "Bathilda always was a knowledgeable one," he said softly, gently pulling at his beard. "Well, it seems as though we must get to work, then, my boy," he said.

Severus nodded, turning to look over his shoulder, where he could see Hermione explaining the situation to Molly, Arthur, Remus, Tonks, and the rest of them in hushed tones. "The sooner the better, I'd say," the potions master replied.

Albus raised his hands and called for silence to the crowd gathered, plus Madam Pomfrey, who came over from cleaning one of the beds to listen. "Have you explained what must be done, then, Miss Granger?" he asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, sir. All explained."

"Very good," Albus replied. "First things first. Poppy, you must awaken Harry immediately so that he can speak for himself. Then, we will give Severus and Harry a few moments together so that Severus may explain the goings-on. And then, a ceremony. Are we all in agreement?" he asked them all.

"Sir," Ginny said, stepping forward, "Harry would want Luna and Neville here as well," she put in softly.

"A perfectly reasonable request, Miss Weasley," Albus said, nodding. "Mr. Weasley, why don't you, Miss Granger, your sister, and Mr. Malfoy all go to get them? Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger can fetch Mr. Longbottom, and Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy can go and get Miss Lovegood, if that is agreeable to you."

"Yes, sir," Draco answered. He still looked a trifle pale from the sudden revelations over the past week, but he was determined not to permit any of it to get to him. The sooner that Harry was woken up and agreed to marry Severus, plus the transformation, the sooner he could go out and kill Riddle, and save them all. "We'll go at once," he went on, taking Ginny by the hand, while Ron did the same to Hermione, and the four of them left the hospital wing together.

"Why don't we all go down to the kitchens, then?" Albus asked the remaining adults, minus Severus, of course. "We can ask the house-elves to make us a little spread for the celebrations ahead, so as to make it all just a bit more festive. They've likely got most of their arms full with the Halloween Feast, but there's no harm in asking for something on a smaller level for the night ahead, is there?" he asked, eyes twinkling, and waited for Molly, Arthur, Remus, Tonks, Fred, and George to follow him out of there, which they did, albeit reluctantly.

"I'll be along in a moment, Albus," Poppy said, and Albus nodded in understanding, as he ushered the four adults out, sending his Patronus to Minerva along the way. Poppy summoned a vial from her personal stores, and handed it over to Severus. "This must be spelled directly into him, as you know, and will take..."

"No more than five minutes. Yes, I know, Poppy," Severus told her, his tone gentle.

"Sure you know what you're doing?" she asked, gripping repeatedly onto her apron, looking a trifle worried.

Severus sighed. "I know this will save him, Poppy. That is all I do know."

She nodded. "Well, you'll have eternity by Monday morning to make up for it," she told him, as she squeezed his shoulder and moved to leave.

"Oh, and Poppy?" Severus called, turning around.

"Yes, Severus?" she asked.

"Please invite Dobby and Winky to the wedding," he said. "They have always been close to Harry, and I'm sure he'd want them there."

Poppy smiled. "Of course, Severus," she replied, and left at last.

Severus slowly made his way to the bed that Harry occupied, placing Bathilda Bagshot's book upon the small table beside it. He then uncorked the phial, and spelled its contents into Harry's stomach, just as Poppy had ordered. It was the pucker in Harry's brow which was the first indication that he was coming around, followed by his eyes squeezing shut further, and his hands gripping onto the hospital duvet.

"Harry?" Severus asked tentatively.

Harry murmured something in his half-asleep state, before his green eyes snapped open, and he stared at Severus. When he came to the direct conclusion that they were alone, he finally permitted himself to speak. "Severus?" he whispered.

"Oh, thank Merlin," Severus whispered back. He sat down in the chair provided and was slightly taken aback when Harry took his hand, but nevertheless held it back. "Harry, Hermione has found something to help you."

Harry chuckled. "Of course she has," he said, and coughed a little, prompting Severus to conjure him a glass of water, just like that first night, causing Harry's eyes to widen momentarily before he sipped it. "Thank you," he said, once he had finished. "Now, about this thing that Hermione found..."

"Yes, of course," Severus said, squeezing Harry's hand before letting it go, and opening the book to the marked page. "As you can see, it clearly states here that, if one's mate is affected by Appare Vestigium, then the only way to remove it is..."

"A soul-bond," Harry whispered, reading the paragraph for himself. "But I still don't understand how us getting married could..."

"I would transform you immediately following the ceremony," Severus explained. "My venom would then burn off all traces of dark magic within you. You would then have the weekend to recover and, once your transformation is complete, you and I would then set about completing the bond and coming up with strategy to take down Riddle once and for all."

"Com... Completing the bond?" Harry asked, clearing his throat.

"Yes," Severus said gently. "You and I would have to become intimate with one another. I promise, Harry, I will make it good for you, and you would have nothing untoward to worry about when it came to that side of our relationship..."

Almost without thinking, Harry launched himself across the little space, Bathilda Bagshot's book tumbling to the floor, and threw his arms around Severus, his lips meeting his. Their respective mouths opened almost automatically at the feeling of the others', and Severus promptly held Harry against him. Once Harry came to his senses, he eased himself back from the man, and cupped his cheeks with his hands.

"I don't have anything to worry about in that vein, Severus, I know that," he said quietly, pressing his forehead against his. "And the reason why I know that is because I'm so in love with you that it hurts. I love you, and I know that things will be all right."

Severus's breathing intensified then as he dragged Harry back to his lips for a moment, before he, too pressed his forehead against the younger man's. "I love you, too, Harry."

Albus arrived shortly thereafter, with Molly, Arthur, Remus, Tonks, Fred, and George behind him, and Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Luna, and Neville all coming up behind. Dobby and Winky popped into the hospital wing shortly thereafter, each holding two platters. Dobby held one containing many finger sandwiches, while the other had cuts of meat and cheese. Winky held one with small cookies and cakes, while the other boasted crystal-cut glasses of pumpkin juice, Firewhiskey, and Gillywater.

Albus raised his hands then, and the curtains of the hospital wing transformed into an array of crimson and gold, plus green and silver, to mark the union of a Gryffindor to a Slytherin. Upon looking around, Harry noticed that everyone was wearing some form of dress robes, and he felt horribly out-of-place in his hospital wing pajamas. Hermione, quick to see his distress, pointed her wand at him, and transformed his own pajamas into his own bottle-green dress robes from the Yule Ball, complete with a Sizing Charm so that they actually fitted him.

Dobby and Winky transfigured a small bedside table into a long, ornate one, with a red and green tablecloth to place beneath the various platters. Ron pointed his wand at Dobby, giving him a top hat for the occasion, and spelled Winky's uniform clean, knowing that she likely wouldn't want any clothes, even for the night. Dobby squealed at the hat, told Ron that he was a good wizard, and asked if he could keep the hat, to which Ron told him that it was his, and Dobby promptly danced around the room with Winky, who giggled.

Arthur and Molly were now dressed in their best, along with Remus, Tonks, Fred, and George, the latter of whom looked mighty pleased with themselves. Molly was wiping her eyes, while Tonks was doing her best to comfort her, and Arthur had successfully managed to pull Remus aside, letting him know that all would be well. Fred and George walked up to Harry, handing over a wrapped gift as they did so, before they moved to where most of the guests had thought it appropriate to gather.

Severus made quick work of transforming his typical black robes into his black dress robes, and Harry's eyes widened at the sight before him. Severus gently eased Harry out of the bed with Poppy's permission, and Harry leaned on him for several moments until he could finally manage standing on his own, although he still kept ahold of Severus's hand. He noticed Ron and Hermione standing together, both dressed exceptionally well, in traditional dress robes and a knee-length pink dress respectively. Just beside the pair of them was Draco and Ginny, who stood, hand-clasped, wearing a black and white suit and a lovely green dress. He was pleased to see that Luna and Neville had come as well, and Luna, lovely in a periwinkle gown, had her head upon Neville's shoulder, who, while dressed in a red and black suit, subsequently leaned down and pressed a kiss to it. Professor McGonagall arrived shortly thereafter, her lovely green dress robes billowing around her as she entered, and stood with Molly and Tonks.

"All right, then," Albus said, calling for silence. "Would the intended couple please step forward?" he asked, and beamed as Severus and Harry did so. "Right, then. Face one another, please," he went on, and Severus and Harry quickly obeyed. "Do you, Severus Tobias Snape, take Harry James Potter, to be your lawfully-bound magical partner? To join in mind, body, and soul, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Severus replied, running the pad of his thumb along Harry's knuckles.

"And do you, Harry James Potter, take Severus Tobias Snape, to be your lawfully-bound magical partner? To join in mind, body, and soul, for as long as you both shall live?"

Harry smiled, attempting to blink the tears from his eyes. "I do," he replied.

Albus removed his wand from his robes then, and tapped at their respective clasped hands, and a platinum band promptly put itself on each of their proper fingers. "Then, by the power vested in me, by the Wizengamot, I now pronounce you husband and husband, and lawfully bound-magical partners. You may now kiss," he declared.

Harry didn't have to wait long as Severus promptly drew him to him, and pressed a light kiss to his lips, although the man's eyes promised more to come. Harry's heart pounded in his chest at the look that the onyx eyes gave off, but was soon separated from Severus as everyone in the room moved to hug him, clap him on the back, or sob into his shoulder. Harry accepted the treatment for a few moments, before Severus, thankfully, rescued him, and the pair then toasted their union with glasses of Gillywater, not wanting to forget the evening ahead of them. Severus nodded at Harry to partake in as much food as he wanted, and he permitted himself a finger sandwich or two, plus a slice of cake, before he looked at Severus, letting him know that he was quite ready to be off.

"I've had Kreacher bring your belongings to Severus's rooms, Harry," Albus said as Severus and Harry finished up their goodbyes. "You need not worry about a thing. While you are expected for classes come Monday morning, I am quite positive that Severus is fully aware of what he is doing."

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir." He lifted his hand to the rest of his friends and family, before he was pulled into Madam Pomfrey's office and floo'd directly into Severus's private rooms. Harry then followed the man into the bedroom, and looked questioningly up at him. "There is the matter of diet, once this comes to pass..."

Severus smiled. "Of course. As we have a magical core, we must have food to sustain it. One goblet of blood with each meal, to start out with, will suffice. Although, you'll be disappointed to know, that pumpkin juice tastes quite vile after the transformation."

Harry laughed. "Pity."

"Quite," Severus replied. "You'll soon only need one goblet of blood a day, but, depending upon how much magic you use, you may require more."

"So, I can still eat roast chicken?" Harry wanted to know.

"Just raw," Severus told him, and Harry looked horrified. "A joke, Harry," he told him, and Harry immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "All the foods you eat now you will likely be able to eat in future, although your tastes may change, yet it varies from transformation to transformation, you see."

Harry swallowed. "And how long will the transformation take?" he asked.

"As you are a wizard, likely eighteen to twenty-four hours," Severus explained. "When it is a Muggle transforming, however, the process takes two to three days, while a Squib would take twenty-four to thirty-six hours."

"Will... Will it hurt?" Harry asked.

Severus sighed. "Yes, I am afraid so," he replied. "The venom will attempt to burn at your vital organs before your magical core will propel it into its proper place."

"And... Healing Spells and potions?" he queried.

Severus shook his head. "I am afraid my venom will merely burn them off, and they could potentially delay the process by a full day."

Harry felt his brow pucker as he considered it for a few moments. "You will stay with me, won't you?" he asked, his voice rising an octave.

Severus smiled at him and nodded, crossing the room to take Harry into his arms. "Yes, of course I will stay with you, Harry. Poppy has given me leave from brewing anything for the hospital wing this weekend, and Albus informed me that someone would be on hand to cover my classes if need be. Miss Granger has also been instructed to take notes for you, and to bring you your assignments in case it takes longer than expected."

Harry laid his head on Severus's chest. "Not like it'll last forever, though, right?"

Severus chuckled, gently running his fingers through Harry's hair. "I have yet to meet or hear about the person who had that experience."

Harry bit at his lower lip then, slowly lifting his head and gazing up at Severus. "But you know as well as I do that I've always been the exception to every rule."

Severus sighed. "Yes, perhaps so. But I will do everything in my power to ensure your comfort, Harry. We can put you to sleep for this..."

"No," Harry said, shaking his head. "Please, don't. I want to know you're beside me. You... You can hold me, can't you?"

Severus swallowed then, staring down at the beautiful man in his arms who was now his lawfully wedded husband for as long as they would both shall live. "Of course I can hold you, Harry. I will hold you for as long as you let me."

"Thank you, Severus," Harry whispered, burrowing closer into his arms.

Severus pressed a kiss to Harry's head. "Always," he replied.

~*~

Severus painstakingly laid out Harry in the center of his four-poster bed—now belonging to both of them—which was done up with ebony wood, green velvet curtains, and a green velvet duvet with matching sheets. He pressed a kiss to his forehead, and could feel Harry trembling ever so slightly at his touch. He decided that Harry must've been anxious—both nervous and excited—based upon his body language and the look within his eyes. He stroked the fringe of his hair back from his forehead, placing a kiss there, and staring down at him for several moments, as silence passed between the two of them.

"Are you ready?"

Harry nodded, his Adam's apple bobbing briefly in his throat. "Yes," he replied. "I'm ready, Severus, to complete the first part of my journey in my life with you."

Severus leaned down and brushed his lips with Harry's. "It will soon be over, love, and then we've got forever."

Harry smiled. "And then we'll defeat him, my love. Together."

Severus slipped his hand into Harry's. "Together," he replied. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Harry told him.

Severus leaned down then and parted his lips, his breath hot upon Harry's throat, as he slowly bared his fangs and sank them into the exposed flesh of Harry's neck. He could feel Harry stiffening beneath him as the venom direct from Severus's teeth made its way into his bloodstream, and his fingers gripped at the duvet beneath him, as a litany of discomfort escaped from his own lips. Pulling back, Severus gently took Harry's right arm in his hand, and bit Harry upon his wrist there, before he did the same to his left wrist, and to the opposite side of Harry's neck, once the second wrist was bitten.

"I love you," Severus whispered, pressing kiss after kiss to Harry's forehead, cheeks, and, finally, onto his lips. He enclosed Harry in his arms as the young man struggled against the transformation, crying out in pain every few moments. "I love you, my Harry, and I am so sorry that it had to be done this way."

"Not...your...fault...Severus," Harry managed to get out from between his clenched teeth. "I wanted...forever with...you. It had to be...this way..."

"Don't speak, my love," Severus whispered once more, and kissed his forehead again. "Save your strength for the transformation process. It has already begun."

Harry nodded. "I love you," he said softly.

Severus smiled down at him. "I know," he told him. "I love you, too."

Severus was relieved when Harry finally slipped into sleep, and the clock chimed midnight soon thereafter, therefore marking the sixteenth anniversary of Riddle's attack on the Potter home in Godric's Hollow. The very night in question filled Severus with a sickness that he knew would never truly go away. He had come to the conclusion long ago that he would never feel the same way about the night in question as Harry had. But he would strive to do Harry right as his husband, and made a promise to himself that he would tell Harry everything he ever wanted to know about Lily, and, now that they were married, he could keep him away from the very people meant to protect him, but had failed so miserably.

Severus himself soon slipped into a fitful sleep, although at every movement or sound emitting from Harry, he was suddenly jarred awake. Harry had broken out into a cold sweat, which was entirely normal for the transformation process. Severus quickly summoned a damp flannel from the attached bathroom of the master bedroom, and placed it upon Harry's head, which soon seemed to calm him down. Severus brought him deeper into his embrace, quite content to hold on tightly to his mate as his body temperature dropped, knowing that such a thing would be a common occurrence once it had done, for the vampire's body ran about five degrees cooler than that of a human.

"Merlin," Severus muttered under his breath, soon after dawn broke, as there was a knock upon his bedroom door. Pressing a brief kiss onto Harry's forehead, he gently eased him back onto the bed and fluffed the bolsters before tucking him in. Muttering to himself, he left the bedroom and made his way to the door, opening it, and glaring at Albus, who stood there. "What is it now, old man?" he demanded of him.

"And good morning to you as well, Severus," Albus replied brightly, almost as if Severus had been just as cheery, and invited himself into Severus's rooms without being asked. "I've come to inquire about Harry."

"Harry is quite all right," Severus said, crossing his arms.

"Is he now?" Albus asked conversationally.

"The transformation process has been going on for about seven and a half hours now," Severus told him, his tone clipped.

"How marvelous," Albus replied, clasping his hands. "And what stage is he at now?"

"He has completed the cold sweats and has moved onto freezing temperatures overall," the potions master informed the headmaster. "I tucked him into bed, ensured his was comfortable, and put Warming Charms upon my bedroom."

"Excellent," Albus said, nodding in approval. "Well, I assume that the visions will begin in due course, which I am sure you remember very well."

"Indeed," Severus replied, desperately wanting the conversation to be over. He absolutely hated leaving Harry to fend for himself, for the young man was indeed the exception to every rule. He was already at least halfway, if not more, through the transformation process, and he didn't want not to be there, in case he missed anything.

"Well, I shall permit you to carry on, then," Albus said, moving to take his leave. "Bill Weasley will be taking over your classes today, Severus."

Severus nodded; Bill Weasley was certainly one of the more capable potioneers out of the seven Weasley children, although young Miss Weasley was certainly more than competent, despite her young age. "Gringotts will not miss him for the day?"

Albus shook his head. "I should think not, although Miss Delacour may believe otherwise. He's already considering marriage to her, you know."

Severus arched an eyebrow. "No, I'd not heard. She is a most brilliant witch, and I assume she will make him a most happy man."

"We can all hope, Severus," Albus replied, giving him a smile. "Feel free to order whatever you like from the kitchens. I assume you will be feeling hungry eventually."

Severus was relieved once the headmaster had left, breathing a sigh of relief as he moved back into the master bedroom. He saw that Harry was still then, having gone to the in-between period of altogether shivering and the visions—that of calmness. Knowing it would not last long, he made his way into the bathroom, and took a quick shower, his mind entirely on Harry, knowing that he had to get back to his side at once. Once the absolutions were complete, he placed a quick Drying Charm upon himself and returned to the master bedroom, and climbed into bed beside Harry, holding him tightly in his arms.

"Sev'rus," Harry whispered, his voice barely audible. "Sev'rus, we've...got to go."

"Harry?" Severus asked, lifting his head and staring down at the boy. "What are you talking about? Where would we go?"

"Somewhere safe," he managed to get out. "We've got to get out of here."

"Why do we have to get out of here, Harry?"

"They're coming!" Harry suddenly shouted, seemingly fully prepared to launch himself from the bed, and attempted to tear himself out of Severus's arms. "Death Eaters... They're marching upon the castle, Severus! All by his orders! They're—!"

Severus promptly moved to shush and calm Harry, and pressed a kiss to his lips. "You've nothing to worry about, my love," Severus told him gently. "This is a mere vision, brought on by the venom mixing with your blood. It clouds your senses for a brief period, making you believe falsehoods about the world. I assure you, my love, we're plenty safe here."

But Harry still struggled within his arms, refusing to believe any of it. "But they're coming, Severus! We've got to evacuate the castle! We've got—!"

"Harry, my love, please hear me," Severus told him, his tone patient. "I, too, had unsavory visions during my own transformation process. I assure you that there is nothing to worry about, nothing at all. Nobody is marching upon the castle, and so there is no need for evacuation. Last I heard, Riddle is hiding somewhere in the North Countries, somewhere in Yorkshire, a good seven or so hours away from us. His forces, while some have managed to breakout of Azkaban, are slowly being hunted down and thwarted, or captured altogether. You need not worry about a thing, my love," Severus assured him, and moved back his fringe, from where it was sticking to his forehead. "Another few hours of this, and the transformation will be complete."

Harry wanted to believe Severus; he wanted to believe him so badly. He had managed to convince himself via Severus's words, and the last of the rational within him, that the visions weren't real, and, finally, they passed altogether. The next phase, according to Hermione, was that of the burning, wherein Severus's venom would burn away the paths of his blood, thus replacing them entirely. This process could take anywhere from three to six hours, and Harry, although used to it now, was not looking forward to the pain.

The burning began about an hour after the visions had ended, and Harry's head was only taken up with the knowledge of pain, the feeling of pain, and the aftermath of pain. He gritted his teeth and struggled to get comfortable in Severus's bed—his bed, too, he reminded himself—and tried to think of good things. Severus rescuing him from Slughorn's clutches was one; another was all his good times at the Burrow; and yet another was the first time he and Severus had kissed. He thought about more with the man, on the physical side of things, and envisioned how truly wonderful it would all be. He imagined what life would be like, once Riddle was finally defeated once and for all, and how he and Severus could find someplace to call their own, where they could have a family, and just live in peace.

Harry's eyes snapped open then as the burning sensation suddenly roared to an inferno, and a small scream escaped his lips before he could call it back. "Make it stop," he begged, his voice shaking as he trembled in Severus's arms. "I want it to stop..."

"I know, my love, I know," Severus assured him, holding him close and pressing kiss after kiss to his forehead, cheeks, and jawline, which served as a worthy distraction. "It won't be long now, as it has been over two hours..."

Two hours? Harry thought to himself. Well, Luna had certainly been correct when she had informed him that you truly did lose all sense of time... "What... What happens after the burning is over with, Severus?"

"Sleep," Severus told him.

Harry gave him a strange look. "But... You said you wouldn't..."

"No, Harry, and I will not, per your request," Severus assured him. "You fall into a deep sleep, which will last anywhere from three to seven hours. When you awaken, that is when the transformation will be complete."

Harry swallowed. "It will?"

Severus smiled. "Yes, my love, it will. You've come through this entire thing beautifully, and I am so proud of you."

Harry trembled slightly in Severus's arms. "But... But what if you don't...?"

"What, Harry?"

"What if you don't like me, once I'm a vampire?" he asked, his voice shaking, almost as if that, in that moment, was his greatest fear, which, he supposed, it was.

"I could never not like you, Harry. I love you," Severus told him. "Once you are transformed, and you are truly well enough, I will show you just how much."

Harry felt his cheeks flush then, and it wasn't just the pain from the burning, which still ebbed and flowed from within him. "I look forward to it," he told him.

"Cheeky brat," Severus said, his tone indulgent as he pressed another kiss onto Harry's forehead, and held him closer than he'd ever done before.

~*~

Once Harry had slipped into sleep about an hour and a half after the burning had subsided, Severus eased himself out of Harry's arms and moved to the front room of his chambers. It was close to five in the afternoon, and he was amazed at how quickly Harry had come through the transformation. If all went according to plan, it would all be complete between eight that night and one that morning. Severus made his way towards the kitchen in his rooms, and made himself a sandwich—pastrami on marble rye, with a generous helping of mustard—which he ate quickly, not wanting Harry to be left alone for too long. After washing his hands and spelling his plate and knife to wash itself, he went over to the small table where his post was, and looked through the letters left there.

Many were from Hogwarts staff—Filius, Pomona, Hagrid, Sybill, and Aurora, most notably—who congratulated him on his marriage to Harry. Hagrid had sent over a package with his rock cakes, although Severus didn't think that he or Harry would be eating them, but he did make a mental note to send a 'thank you' note to each of them. Thankfully, the latest Daily Profit or The Quibbler hadn't reported on the nuptials, which means that both Severus and Harry had more time to consider what they would do, once it became public knowledge. Riddle would likely see right through his spy game, so the sooner Harry's own Appare Vestigium was defeated by Severus's venom, the better.

Once he had sifted through the entirety of his mail, he noticed that Hermione had sent along a copy of her notes to Harry, plus all the assignments he'd missed that day. Severus would ask that Harry be given an extension, for even he didn't know how long his mate's recovery period would ultimately turn out to be. Being Harry, he reasoned as he set the final piece of homework aside and made his way back to the master bedroom, it could be a long or a short one.

Severus shut the door of the master bedroom behind him and moved to slip into bed beside Harry once again, folding his mate into his arms and pressing a kiss to his forehead. Once the warmth and the scent which was unmistakably Harry surrounded him, Severus felt the sensation of his eyes growing heavy, and he himself succumbed to sleep as well. It was only when he felt as if night had fallen once again, and the Hogwarts clock chimed midnight that his eyes came open automatically, and he lit the candle beside his bed. Turning around then, his jaw dropped at the sight which greeted him.

"Severus," Harry said, and smiled up at him. Harry's skin was completely unblemished, and it was a beautiful pale color, close to Severus's own. His eyes were much more intense, and were shining as they never had before. If one looked closely, one could see a red tinge just around the edges, and when he smiled, his fangs shone brightly from betwixt those beautiful cherry-colored lips of his.

"Harry..." His mind snapping back to reality, Severus bolted upright in the bed, and called for Dobby immediately, who arrived, carrying a red goblet, studded with rubies. "Thank you," he said to him.

Dobby nodded, wiggling his ears. "Dobby is happy to serve Master Severus and great Master Harry Potter!" he squeaked, before he vanished with a sudden crack.

Severus turned back to Harry and handed over the goblet. "Drink," he said.

Harry inhaled the goblet then and shuddered with delight, the red around his eyes coming out to play, as he tipped the goblet to his lips and drank deeply. The color slowly returned to his cheeks and he suddenly appeared more lively, as he finished the goblet and handed it back over to Severus, before he pounced on his husband.

"Yes?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I... I want to..."

Severus grinned. "It would be my pleasure," he replied, before grabbing ahold of Harry's wrists and promptly pinning him to the mattress, feeling complete at the sensation of his mate in his arms. Just as he bent to kiss Harry's lips, a sudden knock on his outer chamber door startled him from his prey, and he dipped his head. "Dammit," he muttered.

"Come on," Harry said, moving to get out of bed, and pulled on a pair of sleep pants, plus a lose-fitting Chudley Cannons T-shirt. "Perks of being married to the Boy Who Lived means that your social calendar and circle of friends has increased two-fold."

"Mr. Potter," Severus said, rolling his eyes as he moved towards the door.

Harry dashed forward then and caught Severus around the middle, somehow managing to turn him around, and grinned impishly up at him. "That's Mr. Potter-Snape, if you must use formalities, Severus," he grinned.

Severus's eyes widened. "You... You would..."

"Happily," Harry declared, standing on his toes and kissing him. "Now, come on," he said, opening the chamber door and yanking Severus after him. "We've got forever, now, don't we? I should think one little interruption won't hurt anything."

"Not yet," Severus muttered, but moved after his mate to answer the door.