Limits

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Harry spent the next several weeks wondering what exactly had happened. He attempted to see the Potions Master on Saturday afternoons but his knock was never answered. If he lingered after class, the professor would merely remark in a neutral voice, "Run along, Mr. Potter."

Only when he recalled the man's exact words did he stop trying to urge a confrontation and start thinking about what was said. And while it was not easy to hide from his dormmates, Harry had taken to wearing the plug on frequent occurrences. Luckily, he'd yet to use the entire vial of oil that had accompanied the gift. It saved him from the ignominy of either purchasing or asking for a replacement amount.

Oddly enough, it was while shopping in Hogsmeade with Hermione that the idea struck him on how to demonstrate his readiness.

"Honestly, I don't know what Ron was thinking to get a detention this close to the end of term."

"You have mentioned that already."

"I know, Harry. But you're so quiet lately."

"I've got a lot on my mind."

"It's not us, is it? Because Ron and I are really sorry and we do support you."

Harry smiled at his friend as he shook his head. "No, it's not either of you."

Hermione let it go, urging him closer to a shop. "Oh, we have to go in here!"

Harry looked askance at the crowded windows and gaudy gold filigree slogan. 'Noah's - All you need for Two of Everything!"

"Why?"

"My parents are giving me a puppy when I leave Hogwarts. I want to get something for Crookshanks so he doesn't feel threatened."

Privately, Harry rather thought that the half-Kneazle beast would still be upset about the encroachment but failed to say anything. He browsed idly as Hermione searched out the perfect gift. Pausing before a display, inspiration struck. By the time the witch finished her own purchase, Harry's slim gold chain and gold and platinum charm had been bagged with the necessary instructions.

Exiting the shop, Harry stumbled when he bumped into a passing figure.

"Graceful as ever, I see, Mr. Potter."

Harry waved off Hermione's offer of assistance and stood slowly. Professor Snape looked at the store they'd exited and the bag that Harry was holding before arching an eyebrow.

"A pet shop, Mr. Potter? I wasn't aware that you owned any creature other than your owl."

Harry couldn't resist the opportunity and smirked. "I'm considering a transaction, sir. If you're in the market, maybe I can give some advice."

There was a mild twitch to the Potions Master's features that made Harry assume the man was repressing his amusement. The professor brushed past them as he continued on, dropping a flat statement behind.

"Detention at Eight, Potter. For your… impertinence."

Harry, consumed with anticipation, barely heard Hermione's mutter of disgust.

"Honestly, you didn't even do anything."

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Harry waited impatiently in the potions classroom. His hand smoothed over his school tie, the imperceptible bump more imagined than real. It was several minutes past eight before the Potions Master redirected him to his quarters with a hissed, "Mr. Potter, if you do not comprehend the nature of a ruse, perhaps I should be less subtle in front of your associates." Inside the now familiar sitting room, Harry ensconced himself in what he'd begun to consider 'his' chair.

"I've decided, sir."

Snape stood before the fire, leaning slightly upon the bare mantle as he stared at the younger man. "I had assumed as much."

Harry stood, working loose his tie and the top two buttons of his shirt. Hollow of his throat bared, he tilted his head when next to the Potions Master. Indelibly stained fingers lifted the platinum disk hanging from the short gold chain.

It was a fine piece, edged with a raised golden serpent. The engraving caught the light, flashing 'Master's Pet' on one side and 'If lost, return to S. Snape, Hogwarts' on the other.

Harry whispered, anything more unnecessary due to their proximity. "I spelled the engravings myself. The shop clerk would have, but I didn't know if you wanted this kept quiet."

Severus dropped the chain to lay gently against the pale throat. His hand lifted, thumb caressing softly parted lips. "For now, that is best. Until the Leaving Feast, circumspection is in order."

Harry hated the need to nod in understanding, dislodging as it did the caressing hand.

"We have much to speak of, Harry."

They sat in their chairs, Harry making no effort to correct the disarray of his collar.

"Unless you are otherwise inclined, I will give you an item at the Leaving Feast that you may wear publicly."

"Sir?"

"While your tag is clever, there are more traditional methods."

The Potions Master raised his right hand, a heavy ring snug at the base of his index finger. "More than any other, this represents me. The seal and sigil of a Potions Master. For our liaison, you would wear it on your right ring finger. Should you move it to your right thumb, that would indicate you wished to terminate our association without the inconvenience of a confrontation."

"May I have it now, sir?"

"No. While I may appreciate the collective distraction of the student body, the Headmaster would not."

"Yes, sir."

"Have you given further thought to the contents of the book I loaned you?"

"How do you mean, sir?"

"Have you considered what types of activities you would enjoy?"

Harry blushed and the color spread. "I don't quite know how to answer, sir."

"Would it assist you if I detailed my own limits?"

The younger wizard seemed relieved. "Yes, sir."

"Very well. I will have nothing to do with either urination or defecation. Nor will I spill your blood intentionally. As you may infer, I require a sanitary partner at all times."

The blush had not faded from Harry's face, the glow brightened slightly by frank and open discussion of such matters. "I believe that would suit me as well, sir."

"No additional limits to add?"

"I don't know yet, sir."

The Potions Master nodded. His young lover was not yet experienced. Time and experimentation would tell them both what Harry preferred and what he could not tolerate.

"You will, of course, need to choose both a word and indicator as your cautions."

"Two, sir?"

"Two. A simple, unlikely word and an indicator for when you are unable to speak."

"I will think on it, sir."

"Understand that if you use a caution, we will discuss the situation. I may continue with alterations if I believe you able. However, if you invoke the use again, I will respect your limits and cease."

"Thank you, sir."

"You do not need to thank me for obeying basic protocol, Harry."

"Yes, sir."

Severus was silent for a long moment as he admired the glint of light off his Pet's tag. It had been a truly exceptional choice, one deserving of a reward.

"Come here, Harry."

As the younger man approached, Severus stood to meet him. Their height difference was startling, arrayed this way, as Harry's forehead barely reached the Potions Master's chin. Severus began to undress his young lover but stilled the wizard's hands when he reached for his unusual necklace.

"Leave it. I admire it on you."

Harry complied, bending when directed to remove his shoes and socks. Soon he found himself spread upon the rug before the fire, transfigured for this occasion into something plusher. There was a visible shock on the Potions Master's face when he spied the glint of silver beneath the young man's balls. The touch as he confirmed the item caused Harry to whimper.

"You prepared yourself properly with the spell and potion?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did you wear this for me, Harry?"

"No, sir. I wore it today to remind me. But I left it in hopes you would see it, sir."

Severus' teasing fingers brushed repeatedly along the perineum.

"To remind you of what?"

Harry panting, forced his eyes and mind to focus as his cock rose steadily. "That I am yours, sir."

Although there was no exclamation to reveal it, Severus was pleased. He leaned over from his seat beside Harry on the rug and took the younger man's prick into his mouth. Harry cried out in shock, hands reaching for and clenching in the long black hair.

The Potions Master drew back almost immediately. "Hands beneath your head."

Harry moved slowly but folded his fingers together and laid his head back to anchor them.

"You must learn control, Harry. Know that this evening is over when you orgasm."

As the older wizard sank almost immediately and resumed his sucking, licking torment, Harry didn't see how the evening could possibly last. His entire sense memory was concentrated in the inches of skin sliding between thin lips. But he was also not eager for this to end.

Harry forced himself to concentrate on other feelings. The temperature difference of his skin near the fire. The slightly rough scratchy tickle of the rug. The faint warmth where his professor's clothed leg lay along his nude one. The tingling numbness in his fingers from his head pressing too firmly on a joint.

Severus could tell when his pet had caught the idea. The near constant passionate noise reduced to whining pleas and whimpers. Harry was a vocal lover to be certain. Convinced the younger man was ready, Severus increased his ministrations. He insinuated his tongue beneath the retreating foreskin and grazed the reddened glans barely with his teeth.

Harry arched with a scream, thrusting into the Potions Master's mouth, but did not pull away or stop. Severus smirked around his mouthful, scraping lightly now along the length with his admittedly crooked teeth. Harry continued to hump upwards, braced to the floor only by the sharply insistent hands pinning his hipbones.

That hot suction on Harry's cock only continued, the prick sinking deeper inside as Severus swallowed repeatedly. Harry spilled himself into the waiting mouth with a final bellow of completion. But as the Potions Master pulled away, Harry was already murmuring repeatedly, "I'm sorry, sir."

The professor gentled his younger lover for a moment before asking softly, "For what are you apologizing, Harry?"

Anguished green eyes looked down the line of Harry's body to meet Severus' gaze. "I didn't have enough control, sir."

"Did you attempt to hold yourself off?"

"Yes, sir."

"Had anyone ever done quite that to you?"

"No, sir."

"Then why are you apologizing?"

"I don't want it to be over, sir."

The twist to Severus' lips was highly self-satisfied. "Who is in control here, Harry?"

"You are, sir."

"Then would it not be over if I chose to leave you hard and leaking?"

Harry slumped into the caress of the run, tension leaving his body. "Yes, sir."

"Would you encourage me to use you again if I wished it?"

The response was slightly more energetic this time. "Yes, sir. Please."

"You need only apologize when I tell you that you have angered me."

Sparkling obsidian held the green gaze as the anguish leaked away.

"I do not expect your perfection, Harry."

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