AN: Thanks to Shadow for editing this for me. As well as to Yen, Raven and Raya for their help as well. Any mistakes are all mine.

Many thanks goes to Yen for making the last scene that much better.

Raven... at the (Ò.Ô) you need to think about stopping. This is your warning sign. You won't miss much. This is not the absolute stop, this is the one you have to make a call on.

Have fun everyone! Ree

Chapter 10: The Game Begins in Earnest

Harry and Severus finished up in the greenhouses in time to head in and make breakfast. As they settled at the table, Harry grinned across at Severus. "So, what are we doing today?"

"We are going to St. Mungo's." Severus took a sip of his tea before continuing. "Stanton has to report in and tell Garrick what was determined, and you have to deliver Snape's potions."

"So, we are arriving separately, and I can't know who you are." Harry brushed a bit of jam on his toast.

"We know each other. I met up with you to tell you information to pass to Snape. We just don't know each other well. But Stanton is known to take up the helpful ones. So, he will get you into the ward. Be prepared for that." Severus picked up the knife that Harry put down. "We will head out right after breakfast."

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Severus, disguised as Stanton, walked through St. Mungo's back door and nodded towards the staff members that were on break. It took him no time to get to the healer's station. Catching sight of Healer Bailey talking to some official looking person, he made sure to pass them quietly on his way to the ward. The guard scowled, but didn't fight him.

Walking about, he didn't bother to look at the charts. Instead, he cast a diagnostic spell as he moved from bed to bed. Garrick came through the door as he was finishing with the last one.

Turning about, Severus nodded a greeting. "The boy is better. The purification worked. Now, the girl in the first bed needs a stronger cleansing potion. Do you have one?"

Garrick looked over at Anna Gipson's bed. "No, she is on the strongest one that we have stock. I will get the Potion Masters brewing it."

Severus nodded and walked over towards the ward doors. As he brushed past the other healer, he dropped the shrunken completed charts into an open pocket. The closer he got the the door, the louder the sounds of an argument became. Pulling the door open, he scowled out of it. "What is the purpose of all this noise?"

He then looked up and saw Harry. Even though he wanted the scowl to lighten he forced it to deepen instead. "You're late. Those potions were needed hours ago. Get in here."

Harry slipped through the door before the guard could argue. He glared at Severus. He wasn't that far behind him. Pulling the potions carrying case out of his pocket, he resized it before handing it to Garrick. "Snape sent these over. He also asked me to watch them be administered and record the reactions."

Garrick lifted out the first vial and a coiled parchment fell to the floor. Harry scooped it up and handed it back to the healer. Scanning the scroll quickly, Garrick was pleased to see that Snape had brewed the strong cleansing potions that they were going to need. He also stated that he was currently researching a cure, but had assigned a potion regime for the patients according to what was in them potions wise.

Severus pulled the potions that he needed from the case and started to administer them. He could feel Harry right behind him. A quick look showed that Harry was watching the patients with a critical eye. He had told Harry which ones needed the most watching and what to look for that morning. Knowing that they were going to be watched let him continue to administer the treatments to the other patients.

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Ron flipped through another set of files, scanning the contents before putting them in their correct place. Odd office jobs were really boring. If it wasn't for the fact that he was actually researching, this would be the most boring time of his life. As it was there was a file filled with information that, even though he did not see the relevance yet, he felt was important. His mind was still linking all the connections together, and he was sure that he was missing some key parts. The file held all the information that he had come across on all the end of the war trials, especially the Death Eaters. He made sure to include Snape's as well. There might have been someone there that was a key figure and he would not know until he had a chance to comb through them. It also held anything he could find about the searches of Death Eater locations, including the potions labs.

Shoving the stack of files about, he growled when he spotted the cluster of thick ones that were still at the bottom. They were the ones he needed to get to soon but the thin ones needed to be handled first. Without a second thought he wholesale copied the thick ones and tucked them into the special folder Hermione had sent with him. The expansion charm made it look as thin as an almost empty one. They would just have to go through it all later. Just as he finished Notesworthy strode into the office.

"Weasley, I need to speak with Potter." The bright brown eyes looked at the mess that covered the desk.

"I'm sure he is busy. Snape isn't someone to let him sit idle, sir." Ron noticed the look but refused to straighten the desk. Hermione had tried their first three years of school to organize his method of research, it hadn't worked and she had finally given up. Notesworthy didn't stand a chance of changing it.

"You two are partners, I'm sure you have a way to get in contact with him. Let Potter know that I will meet him at his flat at one o'clock this afternoon." Notesworthy looked over the files again before shaking his head. "I thought you were organizing not disorganizing."

"They were in a worse state when I arrived." Ron kept the defensive edge out of his voice with an effort.

With a final shake of his head, Notesworthy swept out of the door.

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'Severus' attention was caught by Weasley's Patronus scampering through the ward. He watched as Harry moved into a secluded area and cast a muffling spell.

"Harry, you need to be alone for this." The little patronus waited quietly for a minute before it continued. "Notesworthy wants to meet you at your flat at one o'clock this afternoon. I warned him that you might be busy. Also, tonight at the house normal time." The little silver terrier vanished.

Harry walked over to Healer Garrick. "I need to see Healer Weasley." Harry made eye contact with Severus doing his best to let him know all was well.

Garrick glanced at the door. "You leave and the guard is most likely not going to let you back in." He was a little surprised when Stanton added onto his statement.

Severus narrowed his eyes slightly at the reassurance that Harry was sending him. "I'll make sure you can get back in here. But be quick, you're supposed to be collecting information for Master Snape."

"It won't take long, Ron just wanted me to pass her a message since he knew I was going to be here sometime today." Harry darted out the door.

Garrick shook his head as he took in the scowl on Stanton's face. "I guess he makes a good owl."

Severus shook his head. He was going to have to wait till later to find out what was going on. "I hope she has the appropriate treats available." Spinning back to his patients, he continued working.

Harry crossed through the different crowded halls and wished that he could be Holden for that moment. Holden would be stopped far less than he was. 'But he wouldn't be let back into see Hermione either.'

Finally slipping past Hermione's office door, he leaned against it with a sigh.

Hermione looked Harry over from head to toe. 'Not depressed, so that means he and Snape worked something out last night. Good.'

Harry met the curious brown eyes. "Morning, Hermione. Ron wanted me to tell you that there's going to be company over for dinner. Expect me at our normal time, but I'm bringing someone with me." He watched as the happiness flared in her eyes. "I need a piece of parchment and a quill so that I can let him know."

Hermione handed him the quill out of her hand and pushed a blank piece of parchment towards him. She watched as he scrawled a hasty note telling about a lunch meeting at his flat and then dinner at her place.

Harry folded up the note and tucked it into his robe. "See you later tonight."

Hermione grinned and knew her eyes were sparkling. "See you then." She knew that tonight was going to be important. They were all finally going to get together. "I'll make sure the place is clean and sorted before you get there."

Harry nodded his thanks. He knew she was promising to make sure that no one had set up any spying devices about the place. The house was already clean. "I'd better get back to work. See you tonight."

The trip back to the ward was just as hectic as the one out.

"I need to get back in." Harry glared at the guard. He knew the man was only doing as he was ordered, and that the Unspeakables were spying on them. But that didn't make him any happier about being stuck on the outside of the door.

Phillips looked straight into the blazing green eyes hoping that the Savior of the Wizarding world would just push through. He could always claim that his spells didn't have the punch needed to stop the man who had defeated You-Know-Who.

Severus flung the ward door open, his face a perfect Stanton scowl. Any of the older healers would know at that moment to back down. It took him less than a second to take in the situation. Harry was trying to do things the right way for once, and the guard, who he could tell was on their side, couldn't let him. The man just needed a bit of help, help Severus was quite happy to provide.

Drawing his wand, he played Stanton to the hilt. "You will let the boy in."

Phillip had not expected a light colored wand to come into his field of view. His eyes flickered from the wand to the angry blue eyes that were behind it. He knew that Stanton was scary when Healer Garrick had brought him through the other day. The man was scarier now.

Severus let his scowl deepen. "You will not stop anyone that is attempting to save these patients. He has to report back to the man who needs the information to do just that."

The guard's eyes flickered to Harry real quick before focusing on the blue eyes again. "Snape should come himself and see what is going on." He did really believe that. If the man really cared, he would be here not hiding out somewhere.

Severus could hear the implied censor. "Have you ever researched an unknown potion?" His wand turned just slightly as he asked.

Phillips shook his head no. Potions was not his best subject. He passed his NEWTs and that was all he did.

"It takes time and information. The boy is saving time by gathering information. This is freeing Snape to create. But if the boy doesn't gather the information, then those kids will not make it." He stepped forward, his scowl as threatening as he could make it. "And that is unacceptable."

Harry looked surprised at Severus' answer. The man was lying. There was no way that Severus was working on the potion right now. He was standing in the door. 'Then again, he did say my observations were important. I'll ask him later.'

Phillips gestured with his head for Potter to go in. There was no way he was going to make this grumpy old healer madder. Something deep down in his bones told him that it was a bad idea, and he always listened to that something.

Harry slipped through the door and headed over to the patients that Severus had stipulated that morning to keep an eye on. They only had another hour here until they had to leave. Sometime during that hour he passed his note to Severus.

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Severus met up with Harry at the flats that the note had stipulated. "What is this about?"

Harry cast a hidden Muffliato before answering. "Notesworthy wants to meet me. And he said to meet him in my flat at one."

"And you want to know if he is bespelled." Severus could read the concern in Harry's face.

"I want you to be there just in case. But you have to be Stanton." Green eyes searched the blue ones that held understanding.

"Then let's get in there and see what the man wants." Severus gestured towards the stairs. "I trust you do have something that resembles lunch."

Harry grinned over his shoulder. "We can look."

It wasn't long before Severus was exploring Harry's domain. The place was what he expected, but not at the same time. Harry was comfortable there, but it was obviously not home. The shelves were lined with books that covered many topics, and he was surprised to see the potions books tucked in a corner. 'Must have been put there with me in mind.' He scanned the titles and smiled. There were two titles that he didn't have.

Harry watched as Severus explored his flat. It was almost easier to have him do it as Stanton than as Severus. He noticed when the current strawberry blond found the potions book. When the man smiled, Harry felt a bit of tension escape his shoulders. With a practiced move, he poured the soup into two cups and set half sandwiches on small plates. "We should eat before he gets here."

Severus refocused on Harry and nodded. The meeting was to be in about fifteen minutes. Sitting at the small table that only had three chairs, he stirred his soup. "Do you have any questions that you think you might need an answer for before Notesworthy gets here?"

Harry started to shake his head no, but then remembered his question from earlier. "Do you really need the observations that I took on those patients?"

Severus noted the uncertainty written on Harry's face. "Yes, you saved me a lot of time by taking them. I could administer the cleansing potion to all those children today instead of doing it piecemeal. With all three of us watching them, it worked. I know you would not have known what to do if something went wrong, but you would have known to get either Garrick or me." He watched as the uncertainty faded. He gestured towards the food. "You might want to get started."

They were just finishing when a knock sounded at the door. Severus slipped off to the the back corner of the kitchen area. It was the one place he could see but had a high chance of not being seen.

Harry opened the door, his wand at the ready even though it was hidden. He looked over his boss. "Head Auror Notesworthy."

"Auror Potter." Notesworthy took in the suspicion that was etched on Potter's face. 'Definitely more paranoid than I've ever seen him.'

"Come on in, don't mind the mess." Harry stepped back out of the door, making sure that his back was towards Severus. He trusted the potions master to guard it. It also blocked part of the view of the other man from Notesworthy.

Notesworthy stepped in and scanned the room. He had been there many times before, and nothing seemed to have changed. "Is this place secure?"

Severus pulled out his dark wand and cast several diagnostic spells. The man was clean.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the question. He moved until he could catch Severus' eye. The slightest nod told him that Notesworthy was clear. "Do I need to put up some sort of privacy ward? The rest of the place is safe."

With a shake of his head, Notesworthy started speaking. "I don't know what game the Unspeakables are playing at. I don't care what their goal is. All I do know is that it is not the same goal as the Auror division, and that is unacceptable. I thought about bringing it to Minister Shacklebolt's attention, but I know that it will slow down our case even further."

Harry tipped his head slightly. "Internal investigations tend to do that."

Notesworthy focused on Potter's face. "That is where you and your partner come in. You are already working for Snape. So, you have some autonomy. I am going to give Weasley clearance to work in any office that he thinks he needs to, and I will cover what he pulls up."

Harry kept his eyes from widening. 'Has Ron been discovered?'

"I know that he is bored doing the small things that we've already put him at. He will need to be careful not to draw the Unspeakables' attention to himself, but I think Weasley can do it if he puts his mind to it. Anything you want, you let Weasley know." The brown eyes bored into the green. "And when you get this solved, you call in all the aid you need. We will respond. We can't help until then, it will tip your hand to the ones that are watching. I do not want to see you around the office until this is done."

Harry blinked as he took in what Notesworthy was saying. "So, I'm working undercover without anyone but yours and Ron's knowledge." As the Head nodded, Harry studied the wall behind the man's shoulder. "I am under Snape's command right now. But, I think they can dovetail." He shifted his eyes back the Notesworthy taking in his expression of expectation. "Am I to tell Ron, or are you letting him know?"

Notesworthy raised an eyebrow. "I will not speak of this again, not until I need to defend your actions before the Minster. You should tell your partner. Do keep everything you do as legal as possible."

Harry quirked up the side of his mouth at that. "Yes, sir. If that is all, I do have to tell Snape what we talked about. He needs to know that he can not send me to the Ministry to gather information." He moved towards the door.

Notesworthy followed him. "Good luck Potter, the department and those kids are counting on you." With that, he swept out the door.

The door shut, he turned to look at Severus. The short healer was stepping out of the kitchen area, his blue eyes scowling as they met Harry's.

"Home." It was all Severus said before he Disapparated away.

Harry followed him.

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Severus paced about the study while Harry watched him from his perch on the edge of a desk. The tall dark form of the potions master, not the short red head healer, crossed from the fireplace to the windows with his robe billowing out behind him.

Spinning about, Severus glared. "If you are going to sit on someone's desk, do it on your own." He pointed to the second desk that was in the room before he resumed his trek about the room.

Harry glanced at the other desk. It was clean, not even a quill sitting on it. 'My desk?' He let a smile slip out as he touched the top of it. 'He did say there were other things in the house that were put here for me.' The desk was built out of oak, but it had holly inlays making patterns throughout the wood.

He sat on the edge of it and once again followed the man's pacing with his eyes.

Severus finally stopped and let his glare fall on Harry again. His voice came out as a low growl. "He is condoning this. That man is putting you into more danger since he is asking you to take this case without the proper resources."

"It isn't anything different than what we were planning to do anyway. And this way we can get help if it blows up." Harry watched as the dark eyes narrowed.

"He said he could only send help at the very end. What if something happens before then?"

Harry splayed his hands. "Then we do as we always did, run for it while trying to protect our backs."

Severus searched Harry's face before crossing the room. Reaching out, he let his fingers trace down the side of it. "But I don't want you to do that. It's dangerous." The feel of Harry's skin beneath his fingers was slightly distracting.

Harry reached up and held the hand against his cheek. "My job is dangerous. But they're dangers we know that are coming and are prepared to face. At least this way, Notesworthy will back us up if we do something slightly questionable."

Severus searched the confident eyes before dropping his forehead onto Harry's. "I have to do something questionable, and the sooner the better." He savored the feeling of being close and let it calm his anger.

Harry savored the feeling of Severus' breath caressing his face before speaking. "What do we have to do?"

The black eyes narrowed as Severus took in the stressed word. He tried to pull away, but Harry had worked a hand through his hair and was holding him there. "I have to go search the old Death Eater potions labs. There might be some clues there." He watched as Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Hermione, Ron, and I need to come with you." Harry knew his breath was brushing Severus' lips just as Severus' had his.

Sliding his hand into the messy black hair, Severus gave into the temptation of the mouth so close to his. He let the rest of his aggravation melt away as they kissed. Stepping closer, he almost groaned at the feeling of Harry's legs on either side of his hips. Parting his lips, he tentatively tasted the warm lips under his. If you could say that sun-warmed gardens had a flavor, Severus was sure this would be it. His free hand curled around Harry's waist, pulling the sturdy body closer to his.

Harry tried to process how they went from debating who was going to break into potion labs to kissing. He tentatively touched Severus tongue with his own. Fire rushed through him as Severus slid his tongue around his own. A moan escaped him as he pushed as close as he could to the standing man.

Severus fell deeper into the innocent kiss he had started. He let himself taste all of Harry's mouth that he could. His fingers flexed in the thick hair before stroking down to tease the back of Harry's neck. Pulling his lips from the addictive ones, he let his mouth travel down the throat that Harry was exposing to him. His fingers made quick work of the buttons of Harry's robes and shirt before finding their way onto the smooth skin they had uncovered..

Severus could hear Albus' voice was once again telling him to stop. Growling in disagreement, he moved back up to kiss those parted lips that were releasing breathy gasps.

(Ò.Ô)

Harry felt like he was in heaven. Severus was touching him and kissing him like he had dreamed the man would do so many times before. A slight growl was the only warning he had of the passionate kiss that came next. Pushing his hips forward, he felt his erection brush up against Severus. A groan sounded deep in his throat and excitement like he had never felt before curled through him. Lifting a hand, he started working on Severus' buttons the best he could. He needed to touch skin. To know how Severus felt under his hand.

Severus knew he was lost the moment Harry's erection brushed against his. Pushing back, he groaned at the feeling. It was right. This was right, what he had missed for so many years. Pulling back slightly, he watched as Harry frantically undid his buttons. When the last one was undone, he shrugged out of his shirt and robe before doing the same to Harry.

Harry let his eyes trail over the pale skin that was right before his eyes and his fingers followed the path of his eyes. "Beautiful."

At Severus' snort, he smiled up at the man who was mapping his own body with hot dark eyes. "It is. Even the little scars scattered about." Leaning forward, he let his tongue trace over the scars that were within reach.

Severus closed his eyes as the sensations assaulted him. Wrapping his hands around Harry's hips, he thrust forward enjoying the feel of friction against his cock. When he brushed against Harry's again he pulled that dark head up from exploring his chest to kiss him again. The feel of his skin against Harry's was driving him over the edge.

Harry raked his fingers down Severus' back as he wrapped a leg around the hips between his thighs to give Severus a better angle. Pulling Severus with him, he fell back onto the desk. Their lips separated, but that didn't stop Severus from tasting him. Warm lips and a hot tongue were mapping his chest while hands kept his hips moving. Someplace in the back of his mind he realized that Severus had lost control. He let his fingers dance on any piece of skin he could touch alternating between raking and brushing. The trembling of his body told him how close he was, and he could feel Severus trembling as well.

Severus lifted his head and looked down at the sight that greeted him. Harry was splayed out beneath him, his eyes filled with desire and love, his cheeks flushed, his breath coming in short gasps each time Severus thrust against him. From somewhere in the back of his mind came the knowledge that he hadn't asked, that he had just taken this. He thrust forward once again before falling onto his hands braced on either side of Harry. "Harry..."

Harry saw the moment sanity filtered back into the dark eyes. Running his fingers down Severus' chest, he pushed against the now still hips. "Don't you dare stop, Severus... don't you dare." He looked deep into the dark eyes as he spoke. Wrapping his other leg around the leans hips, he used it to help pull the man closer. With an arm around Severus' shoulder, he pulled himself back up to those lips and teased them back into a kiss.

The feel of Harry moving against him frayed the tiny thread of control Severus had found. The words he spoke broke it. But what destroyed it utterly it was the feel of Harry kissing him. Harry was continuing this, he wanted it as much as Severus did. Giving in, Severus thrust forward, meeting Harry's movements. A groan erupted from both of them.

It didn't take much longer before they fell into a sea of pleasure, panting and each clinging to the other as an anchor.

Taking in a deep settling breath, Severus relished the scent of his and Harry's spent arousal. This was better than anything he had ever dreamed or imagined. The small section of his mind that was still thinking wondered how much better it could be.

After a few minutes, Severus lifted his head from where it was resting on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, I'm-"

Harry interrupted before anything else could be said. "If you are going to apologize, don't. I'm not sure which one of us wanted this more. We've been building up to it for days. If you know a nice easy clean up spell, then go ahead and do it. Then teach it to me later. If you are actually going to continue the debate about who is going to break into the potions labs, know that if you go by yourself, we are going to follow. So you might as well know where we are instead of worrying about it. " He looked into the warm dark eyes that were searching his face. "If I missed a choice and it is something that you want to talk about, go ahead."

Closing his eyes, Severus sighed lightly before quirking up one side of his mouth. Opening his eyes, he met the inquiring green ones. The other side of his mouth joined the first one to form a smile. "I think you covered them all. I'll teach you the spell later, when I know you are completely focused." With a quick Accio his wand was in his hand, and shortly thereafter both of them showed no evidence of their previous activity except for the lack of shirts.

Picking up his shirt and slipping it on, Severus dropped into one of the seats near the fireplace. A quick flick of his wand had a small fire burning. Every part of him wanted just to curl up with Harry and savor that moment, but he knew that they didn't have the time. They had to go through all their information, check patient charts, and prepare to meet up with the other two.

Harry slipped his shirt back on and settled down into the chair next to Severus'. "So, what're in those folders?" His eyes traced over the shoulders that he wanted to rest up against. Dragging his eyes up to those dark one, he could read the same desire in them, see the lingering flush on that lean face.

Severus met Harry's eyes and saw his own wants mirrored in them. Tightening his fingers on the arm of his chair, he took up the conversation that Harry had started. They had too much to do right now to indulge any further.