(A/N: What's that I hear? You want more? Well here I am to deliver upon the promises that I have made! It's more fic for you to enjoy! Anyway, I'm really pleased with the fact that so many people love what I've been writing; your comments and reviews fuel me! On with the show!)

A Cold Sleep

Part 24

"Are you calm enough now to discuss further plans?" Tom asked after they had been curled together for several minutes. Harry's tears seemed to have stopped and the blotchy color was finally fading from his cheeks.

"Yes, I think so. But what is there to discuss that we didn't cover when everyone else was here?" Harry said his voice rough with the sobs that had torn at his throat.

"The fact that Dumbledore has likely set a trap for us both at the unoccupied Nexus sites," Tom said plainly and propped himself up on his elbow, stroking Harry's cheek and pushing increasingly long locks of hair out of those brilliant eyes. Harry frowned and puffed out his cheeks as he released a long-suffering sigh.

"I hadn't considered that. He left in such a hurry that it didn't even cross my mind that he might have been taking the time to plan a trap. What do we do?" Harry questioned softly and leaned into the gently touch of Tom's hand.

"We have a few options, none of them are ones that I am particularly fond of, but they do exist," Tom admitted and leaned down to kiss his future husband on the lips.

"If you think that they're not that great then it sounds like you're counting on me to come up with something better," Harry said as they broke apart. Tom, normally stoic and stone-faced, blushed and nodded his acknowledgement of the statement.

"I am. Because right now, all I have is swarming the site with our combined associates and enlisting them to strip away any magic that doesn't belong," Tom said with a shake of his head. It was an unsatisfactory plan and he knew it, but his thoughts had been stymied by his tendency to overcomplicate things.

"Yeah, that doesn't work. There would be too much risk to their health and safety if Dumbledore laid too many traps or too subtle of spells," Harry paused and ran his fingers back through Tom's hair, messing up the careful styling that had gone into it. "My proposition is this: we skip the two unoccupied spots that he has left us entirely. He has likely trapped them in ways that we couldn't hope to dispel in time. Instead we use an occupied site," he finished and watched Tom's expression as the idea was rolled around in his mind.

"Which site do you suggest we use?" Tom questioned at last and watched as Harry's face broke into a grin that banished the last dregs of the sadness that had engulfed him earlier.

"I am suggesting that we use the Ministry. What better way to announce your return and our unified front than to stand before them and save their world from the evil that Dumbledore would bring upon it?" Harry said, his grin turning into something wicked.

"Harry, you're absolutely devilish. What better way indeed," Tom remarked before dropping another kiss on Harry's lips.

Not one to be idle in their interactions, Harry reached up to wrap his arms around Tom's shoulders, pulling the other man against him and kissing him back with fervor. They hadn't been alone together since Tom's proposal and Harry was determined to show him just how excited he was to be married. Of course there was some risk to making out in the Library where anyone could find them, but the cat was long since out of the bag when it came to their relationship.

Soon however they were forced to break apart as their stomachs began to rumble with hunger. Tom checked his watch with a small frown of annoyance on his face.

"It's an hour past lunch. I think that we should get something to eat. We can continue this little encounter in our bedroom tonight if you would like," Tom said gently, stroking the side of Harry's face.

"You know I would," Harry assured and slid himself off of the couch into a standing position. He held out his hand and helped Tom to his feet.

"Good. Now to lunch," Tom said and gave himself a slight shake, as if to cast off the desire to curl back up and take Harry with him.

With a wave of his hand, Tom cancelled the silencing charm that had been placed on the doors of the Library. It wouldn't do for someone to find it still in place and wonder what it was that they had been doing in there. Not that anyone would dare accuse Tom or Harry of impropriety, but it wasn't worth the odd glances that they would both be sure to receive.

With joined hands they made their way to the family dining room. It was a short jaunt and they were not shocked to hear the sounds of the others already partaking of a meal. Most of the household had taken a late breakfast, so it made sense for them to be taking a late lunch.

"Do we have a status report on Hogwarts?" Tom asked as they joined the group sitting at the table.

"The Ministry is ordering the temporary shutdown of the school. Students are being sent home tomorrow on the Hogwarts Express," Hermione provided almost instantly as she indicated an official looking missive.

"They contacted each student individually, giving us the option to sign up to take our NEWTs at the Ministry if the school doesn't reopen in time for them," Draco said and waved a sheet of parchment around with an expression of distaste.

"We already planned to have you take the exams at the Ministry, so that's not a problem," Lucius said, silver eyes flicking to Tom and Harry as they took their places at the table.

"Right. But if we have our way, then the tests will be proctored at the school as they should be at the end of May," Harry stated and began to load up his plate with various sandwiches and a small pile of salad. It was still fascinating to him that they had garden fresh vegetables and fruits all year round, and he wasn't about to miss out on them. If anyone noticed that he was eating healthier, they had said nothing about it, and for that he was thankful.

"I'm sure that the students are appreciating their impromptu break from school," Draco smirked, "I know I was until my dear Uncles decided that we weren't allowed to shirk our studies," he said and broke into a laugh when Hermione rolled her eyes at his behavior. Harry couldn't help but laugh along, he needed the outlet and Hermione's playful exasperation was something that had always gotten a chuckle from him in the past.

"The last time the Ministry declared a break from classes, I ended up here. Speaking of, has anyone been keeping track of the muggle papers? Have the Dursley's reported me missing yet?" Harry questioned, now truly interested in how much Petunia and Vernon really seemed to care about him.

(A/N: Well there you have it, another chapter all nice and finished. I hope you will leave me a comment or a review to let me know what you thought. As always, thanks for reading!)