Being married
Harry awoke to humming and the feeling of fingers in his hair. There were also voices. That thought woke him up.
He was naked, in Tom's bed and there was the voice of his husband - still a weird thought - and a too familiar voice that made him blush. Severus Snape was in his and Tom's room while Harry was naked. Great.
He moved slightly and raised his head. The first thing he saw was the potions master's stony face. Harry blushed brightly and ducked his head back under the duvet. A low chuckle next to him caught his attention.
"Don't be embarrassed, darling. Severus is only here to confirm our consummation. He has to administer Veritaserum and ask us if we had sex. I thought that he would be the best choice for you and me to be vulnerable while under a truth serum.", Tom explained.
Harry watched him for a moment before his sleep addled brain finally worked through the explanation.
"Oh, yeah. That seems fair.", he said quietly and emerged his head from the duvet.
Snape - maybe still Severus? - watched their interaction carefully. As Harry sat up an amused yet curious expression washed over the man's face.
"I can see that at least something happened during your wedding night.", he commented amusedly.
Harry looked down and could see bruises and bite marks along his chest. Heat crept into his cheeks. The teenager didn't make eye contact with his professor again.
"The Veritaserum, my Lord. Please take three drops, each of you."
A vial with a clear liquid was held out towards Tom and the man turned towards Harry first. Without a second thought the teenager opened his mouth for Tom.
Something flashed through the red eyes that Harry couldn't decipher before the man put the three drops on Harry's tongue. He proceeded to dose himself with the serum as well.
A hazy sensation washed over his brain and Harry felt like he was trapped in a cloud.
Snape's voice cut through the slight haze in his head.
"Mr. Riddle have you consumed the marriage after your wedding ceremony yesterday?"
"Yes."
The answer was monotone and held no emotion. Harry wondered why that is.
"Have you done the consumption with one Harry James Potter?"
"Yes."
"Have you Mr. Potter consumed the marriage after your wedding ceremony yesterday?", Snape's voice cut through the white fluff in Harry's head.
"Yes."
The answer came without Harry even consciously deciding to say something. The feeling was disgusting. He couldn't even think about the question before answering! He couldn't even decide if he wanted to answer or not!
"And have you done the consumption with one Tom Marvolo Riddle?", Snape asked.
"Yes."
Again Harry answered without thinking. He wanted to shy away from the question, knowing what it implied. But he couldn't.
"And Mr. Potter, did you do the consummation willingly?"
"Yes."
Why was he still being questioned? Why did Tom not have to answer more questions?
"Do you still have lingering pain from the consummation?"
Another question.
"Yes."
Oh, he hadn't even noticed that. How didn't he know he was in pain?
"Where are you in pain?", Snape asked.
"My lower back.", Harry said.
Oh. That made sense.
"Harry, look at me.", Tom said gently and Harry turned his head. "Open your mouth." Harry obeyed.
Something was dropped on his tongue and the sluggish, hazy feeling in his head vanished. The teenager shook his head to get rid of that awful feeling before looking back at Tom and Severus.
"Why did I have to answer the last two questions?", Harry asked accusingly.
Tom narrowed his eyes and turned to look at the potions master as well while said man was watching them with the same controlled expression as always.
"The Minister and the Headmaster gave me these questions. If you had not answered them and had you not answered them in a satisfying way your marriage would have been revoked. It was not my choice.", the man explained patiently.
Some of the anger in Tom's features vanished but a certain amount stayed.
"And you did not inform me beforehand?", his husband asked acidly.
"I was not informed beforehand as well, my Lord. I was given the parchment and the questions would only show themselves after I administered the Veritaserum. A spell origin of the current Headmaster I presume."
The sneer in Severus' face spoke volumes about what he thought of that.
Harry was angry. Despite him not believing it at the start of the summer vacation Harry now was sure that Tom wouldn’t hurt him intentionally. And the headmaster was the one who had said he had to marry Tom, didn’t even give him a choice! Now he was ‘concerned’ about his welfare and his mental health? After having put him with the Dursleys? Well, the man could shove it.
”I believe the headmaster wanted to get back into your good graces after he wasn’t present during the ceremony.”, Severus said to Harry.
The black haired teenager huffed angrily but nodded at the explanation.
”Tell him he can shove his concern up his arse. He was the one who left me with the Dursleys during summer!”, Harry grumbled.
A kiss to his temple made him turn to Tom. The man was watching him worriedly.
”You’re hurt. I am sure Severus would be willing to provide you with a pain relief potion.”, the man said and turned towards the potions master.
”Of course.”
A moment later the man handed Harry a small vial. Harry downed the content and was surprised he felt the pressing at his lower back fade. Oh, he hadn’t noticed that before.
"Wonderful, now we can have breakfast and enjoy two weeks without interruption from the Ministry.", Tom said, laughing at the expression on Harry's face.
The teenager kept a certain scepticism about being left alone now that they were married.
Seeing his expression, Severus quickly said: "A magical wedding has a honeymoon phase for about two weeks. During this time the newly weds are left to their own devices to ensure their connection to one another. The only contact from the outside would be one confidant for both of you. That will be my job. Whenever you decide you need me, do not hesitate to call me, My Lord, Harry."
Harry was surprised to be included in the summoning but decided not to comment. The teenager was glad that he would be left alone for at least two weeks and to be able to relax. The last few days have been kind of an ordeal and Harry was exhausted. Maybe he could convince Tom to stay in bed for today and do nothing?
"Thank you, Severus. We will notify you if we need your services.", Tom said and upon the clear dismissal, Severus stood and walked towards the door.
Harry suddenly remembered something.
"Wait!", he called and the man stopped immediately.
Harry made a motion with his wrist and summoned Sirius' mirror shard. He held the shard out to Severus.
"This is the mirror shard I was talking about yesterday. I...", Harry needed to take a breath for a moment. "Please be careful with it. This is the last gift Sirius made to me."
Severus walked back to the bed and carefully took it from Harry's palm.
"I will be working on this during your honeymoon. I promise to be careful."
With that the man turned and walked out of their room.
Tom turned towards Harry. "Now, darling, what do you wish to do for today?"
Harry suppressed a grin and said: "I would like to stay in bed and do nothing. I'm exhausted from the last few days and I just want to relax."
Again something sparked in Tom's eyes but it was gone the moment Harry wanted to analyze it further.
"That sounds marvellous."
There was a comfortable silence in their living room while Harry read on the sofa near the fire while Tom was answering letters from his followers. The last few days had been a bliss for the teenager. No meddling headmaster, no gawking students, no scathing insults and also no Ron and Hermione accusing him of turning dark! He would need to talk to them at the beginning of the last school year. He didn't want to estrange himself from them but they needed to see that he was kind of happy with the way things turned out.
"I can hear you think, darling. What's the matter?", Tom asked.
Harry hesitated. He knew Tom would listen and he wouldn't judge him but he also knew that Tom hated Dumbledore with a passion and he also didn't like Ron and Hermione. Not that Harry liked them right now, either. Maybe talking about it would give him the perspection he needed.
"I just... I was thinking about Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore."
As Harry had predicted the man's face darkened but he didn't comment.
"I know Dumbledore only wants to get back into my good graces after forcing me into the marriage and then leaving me with the Dursleys. I still don't understand why he did that. He knows them! He knows they could kill me." Harry shook his head before continuing: "And then Ron and Hermione claiming I'm going dark. It seemed as if they wanted to remind me which side I stood on. But there are no sides anymore! We are not at war! They were supportive of the marriage! They even managed to lighten me up! And now, because I am happy and comfortable with you, they think I'm turning dark!"
Harry panted, not having noticed how the rant had been building inside him.
Tom wordlessly stood up and walked over to the teenager on the sofa, sitting down next to him and taking him into his arms. For a moment Harry was stunned. Then he relaxed into the hold and closed his eyes.
"I do not like the old fool or your little Gryffindor friends. That hasn't changed with the marriage. But I will support either decision you make about them.", Tom murmured into his hair.
Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down. This was more emotional support than he'd ever received before.
"I'll talk to them at the beginning of the school year. If they can't see that I haven't changed, then I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay their friend.", Harry whispered into Tom's shoulder.
Admitting that hurt. He had been friends with Ron and Hermione for so long that not having them as his friends was unimaginable.
A kiss was placed on top of his head.
"I may have an idea to stop you from overthinking this.", Tom murmured into his hair.
Harry nodded slightly to show he was listening.
"I was thinking we could put that voucher from Lucius to good use. Maybe stay a few days in France as a holiday."
Harry sat up. Tom was smiling at him with a hint of that grin that made his knees grow weak.
"I... yes!"
Tom's grin widened.
"Let me finish my correspondences and then we can depart."
Harry nodded eagerly, full of nervous anticipation now. He had never been on a holiday!
It didn't take long for Tom to finish writing his letters. Soon Harry found himself beyond the wards of Tom's manor and clutching Tom's arm. They would be travelling via international portkey and Harry wasn't sure what to think about that. The last time he'd travelled with a portkey he had been beaten bloody by Vernon.
The sensation of travelling with a portkey was as disgusting as he remembered it being. The world descended into a madness made of colour and sounds until they reappeared in what looked like an alley. Harry was too dizzy to notice any details, though. If Tom hadn't held him, Harry would have fallen to his knees.
"I hate wizarding transportation. All of them except maybe a broom make me dizzy.", Harry complained while Tom chuckled lightly.
"You'll get used to it soon enough.", the man said and helped Harry regain his standing.
After the dizziness subsided Harry looked around. They had landed in an alley near the main street in Paris it seemed.
"You seem surprised, darling. Why is that?"
Harry turned back to Tom and for a moment he couldn't say anything.
"You brought me to Paris.", was the only thing he was capable of saying.
Tom smiled gently. And wasn't that a sight to see. The already handsome face was made more attractive with a genuinely gentle expression and Harry was overcome with the urge to kiss him. After a second to consider Harry stood on his toes and quickly pecked Tom's lips.
Since their wedding night Tom had always initiated kisses and touches but Harry wasn't bold enough to try anything. Right now he had the urge to kiss Tom so he did.
The smile Tom wore grew brighter and the man dipped his head and kissed him forcefully. Harry was breathless by the time they parted again and stood leaning against the wall of the alley.
"Darling, you'll be the death of me.", Tom whispered into his ear.
They both took a moment to get their breath back before Tom tucked Harry's arm into the crook of his elbow and pulled him onto the main street.
Paris was bustling with activity. Muggles walking around aimlessly, looking through display cases and occasionally walking into a store to buy something. Harry was watching the people curiously. He was fascinated by them.
"I will lead you to the wizarding part of Paris. The store for the voucher is there as well. Do you want to look around first or get some clothes with the voucher?", Tom asked and lead him towards a statue that moved as soon as it noticed them.
"Maybe a bit of looking around first and then the voucher?", Harry asked uncertainly.
He didn't know how Tom had planned their day. Harry needn't have worried, the man just nodded and started walking him to the pedestal of the statue. A moment later they entered a big plaza full of people in robes and with their wands in their hands.
The bustling here was more extensive than in Diagon Alley back at home. The only difference was that Harry wasn't recognized as easily. He could walk around the streets and shops without being harrassed. It was a novel feeling the teenager enjoyed quite a bit.
They first took a journey along the wizarding shops to find stores they wanted to get back to before venturing into the store from the voucher. The shop - La Boutiqué magique -, which was quite a ridiculous name, looked fancy enough to make Harry uncomfortable. Harry never had nice things before and he wasn't sure if he wanted them either. It just didn't fit his personality.
"What's the matter, darling?", Tom asked.
Harry shook his head, not sure how to get his feelings into words.
Tom had put a hand on his lower back, the warmth from his palm spreading along Harry's spine.
"Darling, you deserve these things. You deserve nice things, especially if they are a gift. But even if I was paying or you yourself would pay, you deserve expensive and upscale products.", Tom whispered intently.
Harry felt his eyes burn. How often had his relatives told him that freaks didn't deserve nice things? How often had they told him he would never get anything as nice as them? How often had he watched Ron eye him with jealousy whenever he was able to buy himself something nice? How often had he heard Hermione scold him for buying something 'frivolous'?
Suddenly it was unbearable for Harry to be told he deserved such things.
A sob he couldn't stop left his mouth and in an instant there were arms around him.
"Oh darling. Come here. Let's get out of the way.", Tom murmured.
Not a moment later they stood in an alley not far from the shop, Tom's arms around him, shushing him gently as he hiccuped into the man's robes.
"I'm sorry.", Harry coughed out.
A glass of water was pressed to his lips and Harry swallowed a few mouthfuls. His breathing had regulated itself again and the tears had stopped coming.
"Do not be sorry for something that was done to you. I should have tortured them more for what they did."
Tom's voice had grown cold and dark but Harry only chuckled weakly.
"No, Tom, you shouldn't have. It wouldn't have been right to torture them to death. It's just a lot of change at once, I guess. I was either not allowed to get nice things or it was frowned upon. I think I need to get used to luxury items now, huh?"
The warmth and concern in Tom's red gaze made Harry smile gently at the man. Here was someone who would give him the world. Even though they had been enemies, Tom was now willing to give him the world and not simply lock him up somewhere safe because he was a Horcrux. Ron and Hermione would probably never understand what that meant to him. And while the thought of their disapproval made him sad, it also meant that they weren't really his friends. This realization struck him hard and for a moment he wanted to cry again.
Tom's voice managed to take his attention away from his thoughts.
"Do you still want to shop, darling?"
The question gave Harry pause. He took a moment to think it through before answering: "Yes. I think I would like some nice things for myself."
Maybe he needed this so he could be Harry instead of The-Boy-Who-Lived.
The last weeks they had spent time with each other in different countries. Tom had taken him on a journey through the most beautiful places in Europe. The man had indulged him in every wish he even thought during their trip and by the time they needed to get back so the teenager could buy his school books, Harry wanted to continue their journey through the world.
He hadn't realized that Tom had travelled a lot in his early years and the man knew where to go to make Harry gasp in awe.
The time with Tom wasn't only spent sightseeing, they also got closer to each other. Sexually as well as mentally.
As Harry lay next to his husband in bed the night before he needed to catch the train to Hogwarts, the teenager wished he could just stay.
He snuggled closer to Tom, the man immediately tightened his hold on him, and sighed in content.
For one more night Harry could sleep in peace.