To Be A Man

"Ginny's dead."

Harry's voice was emotionless, his information hitting Severus like a ton of bricks.

Oddly detached, Severus replied, "Oh?"

"Ron says her face is no longer on the clock. That only happens if someone dies."

"Oh."

"I'm not really sure how I should feel about this."

"You don't have to feel anything at all. She-"

"I know what she did!" Harry snapped, eyes hard, "But I also knew her before. I knew her as little ickle ginnykins. I saved her once. I risked my life for hers. She was family. I remember her blushing every time she saw me. Her bat bogey hex was legendary. I miss that. The kind girl she used to be."

"Harry," Severus sighed, "I'm afraid that girl has been gone for a while now."

Harry nodded, accepting the truth but not liking it.

"Bill and Fleur are having the wedding next week. We need to go get dress robes."

Severus noticed the change in topic.

"We need to be disguised if we go love. Someone from the prophet is always at wizarding weddings."

Harry collapsed on the library couch, frustratedly running his hands through his hair.

"Why can't I be normal?"

Severus scowled, "Stop your whinging. At least we get to go. Normal is vastly overrated."

Harry's lips quirked in a half smile, "Sorry. I didn't mean to have a little pity party."

An elegant eyebrow rose in silent amusement.

Harry leaned back, "How about you tell me things I can be happy about?"

Severus looked pensive for a moment.

"Let's see, you are alive. You aren't stuck with the relatives. You are almost 17," he paused in thought before sauntering towards him, "You're dead attractive."

Harry smirked, "Of course I am."

He received a smack on the chest for that, then Severus sat astride him.

"You have a lap full of someone who loves you very much. A certain someone, who happens to be quite flustered in your presence."

He took an earlobe lightly in between his teeth, pulling teasingly.

"He's also feeling pretty... Excitable, this evening."

Harry vanished their trousers, leaving them bare. He gasped at the feeling of his lover's arousal against his own.

Severus wriggled, making a show of getting comfortable.

"You little imp," Harry smiled, casting a quick locking and silencing charm, "You make quite the distraction."

Severus answered with a kiss, devouring the young man's mouth.

Harry sucked on his tongue, playing tag with the wet organ as his fingers played at his mate's entrance. Severus pushed himself onto the digit, breathing heavily.

"Eager aren't we?"

"Why else would I be on your lap?"

Harry chuckled, adding another finger. Severus rose and fell, stretching himself on the scissoring fingers.

Severus moaned, "Harry! Oh- more!"

Harry lifted Severus up by his thighs, spreading his cheeks with his hands.

The smaller teen adjusted slightly before sinking to impale himself on Harry's erection.

He shifted around before opening his eyes to look at Harry.

"Gods you're beautiful," Harry whispered, kissing the youth.

Severus started a slow ride.

"I'm not beautiful. I'm not a girl," he protested adamantly.

Harry lifted a hand to his hip, the other wandering to grasp Severus's hard bobbing length.

"No," he growled, "You're definitely NOT a girl, but you are still beautiful. Exquisite really. Especially all flushed and sweaty, bouncing up and down on my-"

He lost his wind when Severus thrust himself down hard, taking him deeper. Severus threw his head back, using Harry's shoulders for leverage.

Harry felt himself building, so he speeded his movements on his lover's shaft.

Severus released, spraying Harry's chest, who followed soon after.

"Your amazing."

Severus giggled, curling into Harry.

"Mm, love you."

Harry cast a light scourgify, "I love you too pet."

Dumbledore looked sternly at Sirius.

"I suggest traveling, not staying in the same area for more than a few weeks at the most. They need false identities, as do you, and a new look. I want them trained, but I want them safe. The world can not lose Harry Potter."

Sirius's eyes narrowed, "If he wasn't your precious golden boy, would you be doing this? Is he any more than a tool to you?"

Albus frowned, "My own feelings are irrelevant. This is a war Black, you will do well to remember that."

"I apologize headmaster. I will protect your pawns."

The elder's gaze sharpened at his words, but he didn't say anything, instead choosing to leave in a flash of flames.

Sirius shook his head in disbelief.

"Unfeeling old codger."

He thought for a while, before muttering to himself, "We could go to Africa for a bit. I think they would like that. North America maybe. Some time in Canada, some in the USA, I'd have to teach them the translator spell so we could travel to Spain."

He spent the rest of the afternoon planning what he would teach the boys on their trip and what they would need beforehand.

"Oh fiddlesticks!" Hermione cursed, pulling out one of her many books from her trunk, "I need to pack these books, but they just don't fit!"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Why don't you shrink them?"

"Shrink them?"

Ron scoffed, "Merlin Hermione! I know you've spent the whole summer with muggles, but tell me you haven't forgotten your a witch!"

She blushed, casting a shrinking charm on her mini library.

Draco laughed, "S'alright Herm. Must've slipped your mind."

She huffed, stalking out of the room.

"I need to go to Madame Malkins today, Do you need to go as well? We need dress robes for the wedding."

Harry looked up from the book he was reading to answer Severus.

"I've grown a bit this year, I'll probably need more than dress robes. Wanna go by Gringotts and explore with me? I've got a few vaults I would like to sift through."

Severus gave a wry smile, "Lead the way Lord Potter," he said with a dramatic flourish.

Harry chuckled, kissing him soundly before heading to the floo.

"Pads! We're going out!"

"Where?"

"We need new robes!"

"Fine, fine. Be back before dusk!"

"Diagon Alley!"

Harry stumbled slightly as he stepped out, still not as proficient as his counterpart, who gracefully exited the flames.

"Didn't fall this time."

Severus snorted in a dignified way. (He was never undignified.)

"You're getting there. Is your back okay?"

"I hate hiding these thing," he muttered, gesturing to his disillusioned wings, "It doesn't hurt, it just feels wrong."

"At least mine will sheath themselves, I'd hate for everyone to see my girly wings. I look like a bloody fairy."

Harry placed his hand in the small of his mate's back, "No you don't. You look powerful."

"They're small."

"So? I'll admit that you're slender. You have a beautiful form that borders on feminine. However, your deep velvet voice along with the power that radiates from you accentuates your masculinity. Not to mention- I've seen you without clothing pet. You may be petite, but you are certainly a man."

Severus blushed, elbowing his lover.

"Petite?"

"You are a rare delicacy my Severus," he whispered, "Smooth but strong. I simply adore you."

Severus smiled sheepishly, allowing himself to accept Harry's words.

They went to Madame Malkin's first to get sized for the robes and extra cloak before heading to the wizarding bank.

An ugly goblin stippled his fingers as he rose an invisible eyebrow.

"Harry Potter," said boy sated, "Here to open my vaults."

The scratchy voice smiled evilly, "And does Mr. Harry Potter have his key?"

He lifted the offending metal, "I do, but the vaults I wish to open don't require it. Their heir vaults."

"I'll go retrieve your account goblin."

Harry and Severus only had to wait a moment for the squat creature to appear.

"Follow me sir."

Harry nodded formally, "Sir Griphook. Pleasure. I was hoping you would still manage my accounts. Do you get my owl about the stocks I would like to purchase?"

The goblin startled at the respect he was given, "I-I did sir. They were all successful of course. Which vault are we visiting first?"

Harry glanced at his companion, "Potter, that way if we don't have time I still get to see the family hold. Will Severus be able to enter with me?"

"You'll have to hold his hand as you go in. Only family and spouses can enter without the heir."

He nodded.

Severus twined their fingers.

"Someday," Harry started, "I hope you can enter here on your own."

Severus frowned, not understanding.

"I'm not family or your-" his eyes widened, "You- you would want- really?"

Harry kissed his stuttering lips, "Of course I would, if you would want it. Even though you are my mate, and no one can take you from me, I want everyone to know your mine."

Severus hugged him close, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Loving me so much. "

"Now your being a girl," he teased.

At Severus's hurt expression, he guided him through the mountain of gold, "I'm joking Sev. You should never be ashamed of showing your feelings, especially not with me. I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Severus looked off, embarrassed at his sensitivity.

Harry took his face within his hands, "I love everything you are. Everything. Don't hide from me. I'm sorry for being a prat."

Severus playfully shoved his shoulder, "Now whose being a sappy girl?"

"Oh shut up."

They spent a bit of time in the vault, disappointed with the lack of personal things. The only thing in the vault was gold and jewelry.

"So," Severus started, "Gryffindor next?"

Harry sighed, "I'm tired. How about we do that another day? Sirius is going to bring home pizza!"

Severus crinkled his forehead in confusion, "Peetzuh? What in Merlin's name is peetzuh?"

"You know, sometimes I forget that some things are simply muggle. You mean you've never had pizza? Seriously? But you're a teenage boy! It's part of growing up! The ultimate party food. Dudley always had pizza."

"But not you?"

Harry bit his lip, "Not till Hermione brought some over to Ron's when I was twelve."

"Is it good?"

"Well," Harry curled his lip, "That's not really the point is it? I mean, it's not awful, but it's not a real meal either."

Severus shook his head, "Whatever you say babe."

"So?" Sirius urged, numming on a string of cheese, "How do you like pizza?"

Severus cut another piece before eating it with his fork, "I'm not sure. It's not bad."

The godfather took another mouthful, "You're supposed to pick it up."

The seventeen year old looked scandalized, "What am I? Ten? I refuse to dirty my hands and stuff my face like some young peasant. Revolting."

Harry picked up his pizza and took a bite.

"You don't have to eat like my dog here, you can still eat with your fingers and stay relatively clean."

"Hey!"

Severus was hesitant.

"C'mon Sev, loosen up. We can be teens just this once."

"Ol' Snivvy is above such things Harry."

"Shut up you mongrel!"

Harry raised a hand, "Hush Siri. Leave him alone, and I told you to give up that blasted nick name. It's cruel. Go on Sev, enjoy your finger food."

Severus brought the triangle to his lips, taking a small nibble.

"There. Now you have eaten pizza."

"Next you'll make me drink a soda."

Harry stuck his tongue out, "Bleck. No. Those are terrible for you. I want you to be well rounded, not dead."

Severus snickered.

"Glad you're not trying to kill me."

Asphodel21: Harrry can't go to school because ol' snake face is after him and has access to the school. It is for his safety as well as everyone else's. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear in the chapter.
Cruisechick: I'll be sure to count your vote when I close the poll, which btw will be in less than 12 hours as the outcome changes my next chapter.
Dragonfire- Jessie Sparrow: let us be mutually awesome together. Jk(:
Anguis Reginam: I love writing fluff. Lovvvveeee it. Thanks for the review!

Special thanks to Babs707PertemisDrarry for being my Beta. You girl, are amazing!