It was to be a double surprise for Severus: Harry was coming home early with a bottle of Severus's favourite wine. As some freak had threatened to bomb the Ministry, all the staff had been evacuated and sent home two hours early.

Severus and Harry had been living together for five years in a cottage near Hogsmeade. Harry worked in the Department of Mysteries, and Severus as an independent researcher in Potions.

Everything happened very fast: Harry happily opened the cottage door and was gripped by ropes with hooks and tentacles that stripped him of his clothes and slithered around his body.

When Severus came to see what was going on, Harry was already naked, tied up, blindfolded and gagged. "Potter!"

After five years of intimacy, Severus still called him 'Potter' when he was angry. This time Harry was very, very angry too, but he only could protest when Severus approached and removed the gag. "Bloody hell, Severus. What's this crap?"

"My protection against intruders, of course. How was I supposed to know you would arrive early? You don't expect me not to have protection, do you?" asked Severus, removing the blindfold from Harry's eyes. "There are many rival researchers in the Wizarding World and..."

"Severus!" Harry was used to Severus's paranoia - Severus had gone as far as to put Anti-Apparation spells on the cottage - but this was too much. That was the last straw.

Irritatingly, Severus's lips curved into a sardonic smile, his gaze assessing Harry from head to toes. "Hmmm... Such a charming package. And a bottle of wine, too! Fortunately, it didn't break. I think we should celebrate!"

Harry glared daggers at him, but Severus didn't see it: he had lifted Harry carefully into his arms and was carrying him to the bedroom.

"This is a form of Japanese bondage known as Karada," Severus explained, laying him gently on the bed and removing his glasses. "All your body is tied up with hemp ropes. It's like a web woven all around your body into geometric shapes: triangles, diamonds..."

"Right. I've fallen into the acromantula's web."

"I know you were taken by surprise, but isn't it pleasant, the pressure of ropes and knots against your skin? And the feeling that you are at my mercy?" Severus was using that velvet voice that always made Harry swoon. Not only that, but diamond shaped weaving framed Harry's cock and balls; the knot had been positioned behind his balls and pressed against his entrance, arousing him wildly. To make things worse, the ropes pressed his nipples forward, and Severus brushed his knuckles over them in a feather-like caress. When Severus started to trace the ropes with his fingers, Harry sighed with contentment. Severus smirked. "Yes... That's more like it. Let me take care of you."

Harry closed his eyes and surrendered to Severus's caresses. The feel of the ropes surrounding his body was like an extension of Severus's hands. Harry was thrilled by the helplessness of being bound to be used at will and the erotic beauty of realising how pleased Severus felt at knowing Harry was completely his. It was amazing how Severus could elicit that response from him, even after all those years.

The slightest touch on the ropes was enough to lead Harry to ecstasy, and when Severus slipped his hand between his legs to rub that knot, Harry writhed straining for more contact and let out a deep groan each time the bindings restricted him from his attempted movements.

"Do you like when I touch you like this?" Severus asked, pressing more firmly on the knot.

"God, yes..."

"Do you think I can...?"

"Please..."

"So eager... I haven't even said what I want to do with you."

"Anything you want, Severus."

Severus growled softly and summoned the lube. Heart beating fast, Harry felt deft fingers spreading the oil on his cock, carefully and thoroughly. Then Severus undressed, in agile and sensual movements, and straddled his lap. Harry shuddered as Severus grasped his cock, holding it in place as he lowered himself slowly. The pleasure of being inside Severus was indescribable. Severus pushed down gradually until Harry was buried within him fully. Harry's body quivered with pleasure. The ropes held him in place, caressing every inch of skin and flesh. There was no escaping; his body tingled and thrummed like a violin. Severus reached up to tease his nipples, and Harry arched up, gasping with pleasure. Severus rocked his hips, taking Harry as deep as possible with each smooth thrust, and continued to play with the ropes, pressing the knot against the tight entrance. Severus ground down harder and faster, and Harry's body tensed.

"Oh, Severus," Harry groaned, pressing up against Severus as closely as possible as his body started to shake violently. He was still jerking in the last waves of orgasm when Severus came, spurting all over Harry's stomach.

Severus lay down beside him and pronounced a cleaning spell. Then he pulled Harry against his body and kissed him tenderly. "I cooked dinner for us. You will stay as you are while we have dinner: naked and bound," said Severus.

Harry widened his eyes in terror, because those ropes would make him unbearably aroused. Suddenly, realisation dawned on him. "You... You had this planned all along! You sent that howler to the Ministry!"

"You know very well I have no time for this kind of prank!" Looking offended, Severus stared at Harry intently. "Let's have dinner, and then I will unwrap my present slowly and carefully." Severus flashed that smile again, and Harry knew it was going to be a very long night.

The End