Author's Note:
The Hinny smut in this chapter was heavily inspired by a Jily dressing room scene by TiffanyToms in her surprisingly addictive Dark!James fanfic, Enemy Within. I sent her the scene after I wrote it and her response was: "Heck, yes! Potter men — strong and down to please!" So, thank you for being such a good inspiration!
Reviews and Comments: To Felicity: LOL! I'm glad you're so excited for Theobas, but I do recommend reading the rest of the chapter as well. To CorbanD18: Thank you! The war will end soon chronologically, but not exactly soon in terms of posting LOL. To gemini614: Thank you! I had a serious blizzard here the last few days as well, but it looks like it has finally passed. Thank you! I really wanted to show their banter that led to the anticipated first kiss! Of course Harry supports Hermione. Thanks for your support! To EllyAnn13: Wow. I can't believe I've hit 3 million words to be honest, wow! Conan does not have much respect for Greyback or Voldemort. Sebastian definitely didn't ask him, he merely growled it. Hermione did need that cry and Harry and Ron needed the time to discuss their future plans. Thank you! Thank you for 3 reviews! And yes, everything Hermione said definitely is a reason why Harry needs to be an Auror! To the Mandalorian terminator: Yes, Tonks is still missing her parents and she will continue to do so. Thank you for appreciating my Harry and Hermione scene. Hermione is a very bright young witch and Harry knows that her mind sometimes can see things he doesn't. Hermione does need to take a break and hang out with her friends. She will get there, but she still needs some time. Snape's torture was gruesome and as to someone rescuing him, we shall see. To darkhk: Thank you!
To Katie2001: Thank you! To Chris: It is a tough time for Tonks to be missing her parents. Thank you! I enjoy Harry and Ron's banter. Of course Hermione has notes! I'm glad that I can make you cringe with Snape, I consider that a job well done. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Thanks for liking my domestic Lupin scene. I thought they needed one. Snape probably definitely would prefer death to enduring more Crouch. Thank you! To Sara: You're welcome for the family tree. Thanks for wanting to re-read the chapter. I'm so glad that you loved the kiss! Thank you so much for your kind words! To Avalon: Thank you! The story will definitely be getting darker as it goes along. I hope it will be worth the wait. Thanks for enjoying all of my characters and my AU world! To sunlitdxys: Thank you! I love writing a strong friendship between Harry and Ron. I missed Hermione's big brain as well and it was fun to dig into it. Yes, Theobas finally kissed! I am excited for everyone to read the date! Thank you so much for saying that I write so vividly and excellently. To scrappy8: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the ending! To Nightwing2013: It's true, Harry is practically an Auror, but describing why you want to do something is difficult sometimes. Yes, all hail Theobas LOL!
To Yusraa Ifthikar: Thank you for saying that I'm "the best goddamn author in the world" and that "no one can change your mind." Amazing! Yes, they did kiss. Thank you so much for loving their banter. It's true, Sebastian was definitely thinking "I want to be your boyfriend" but he certainly didn't say it. I'm glad you felt it was worth the wait. Thank you very much! To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you! You are too kind! I'm glad so many people liked my Harry/Hermione scene. To Dianne: Thank you! Unfortunately you will not get Sebastian's POV from their first kiss. Sebastian is definitely a really great kisser and of course Sebastian remembers what Theo's favourite wine is. He remembers everything Theo has ever told him. Crouch is definitely pretty evil. Yes, it would have been awful for James to have to see that, thank God it never happened. It has been a long time since we saw Hermione's amazing brain and I like to use it to help explain what is going on LOL. Thank you so much for your amazing and super thoughtful review! As always it was incredible!
To Shivani: Yes, they finally kissed! Thank you! I love Harry and Ron's friendship. Harry definitely does think it's awkward when people cry outside of Ginny LOL. I'm so glad you enjoyed my Theobas moment and the lead up to their first kiss. I did update them, just a few days later. Thank you! To notthatchhavi: Dianne writes me amazingly long and beautiful reviews! I appreciate them so much! But your reviews are also always so wonderful! Remus used to be so flustered with 17-year-old-Dora, it was fun to write. I'm glad you loved the "snogging Ron doesn't count" comment. He definitely pressed him against the wall! Thank you! To Guest: They are three years apart. Theo is 18 as of 21st October and Sebastian turned 21 on the 1st of August. To GODMISHA: Thank you. I'm so glad you've loved everything about Theo and Bas! I hate the Harry and Hermione ship! It makes me want to throw up to imagine those two kissing. To ITHersey: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed my building of tension between Theo and Bas and how it all resulted in that explosive first kiss. It would definitely take a miracle for Snape to get out of this. Harry would be a great Minister of Magic except he would hate every single minute of it lol. Thank you very much!
To CherrySara: Thank you! I'm glad you loved the kiss and felt it was worth the wait. Yes, it probably is more than forty-seven pages of Theobas smut written at this point LOL. And a lot of fluff. I'm so honoured that you love Theobas even more than Hinny, that's amazing! I consider that a real accomplishment! Thanks for reading ASC again! Thank you very much! To Speedyconzalis: Thank you so much! I'm amazed that you think Harry Potter and the Prophecy Fulfilled was amazing as I wrote it so long ago and I think it's a little cringeworthy looking back, but I agree, ASC is definitely my favourite. Thank you! To alix33: Thank you very much! Sebastian is definitely very sexy LOL. I definitely read them in the sing-song voce! To puttyman24: Thank you! To Slaidback: Thank you! I appreciate that you're a social policy nerd. To 1Potterhead: Hermione is very stressed and she needed to have a good cry. It did take Theo and Bas a long time, but they got there! I'm excited for everyone to read the date. To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you very much! To Mackie919: Hermione does need both Harry and Ron in her life. She is stubborn. Auror Arsehole did make his move! Thank you! To Derpdude32: You will break the fourth wall and invade ASC if no one rescues Snape? Good to know.
To wolfjinx15475: I can't believe that you read all 315 chapters in a month! Thank you! I love that you've noticed my little pop culture references, thank you! Thank you for thinking Theobas is everything! And I love that my history degree lets you learn something. I'm glad Theo has become one of your favourite characters! Thank you! To Sam: Best way to piss them off is to call them a minion so of course that's the plan LOL. Remus does need a hug. Ron's answers are definitely the best. He is a thick cabbage, isn't he? Theo definitely called him a coward! To Steelcode: I'm glad you enjoyed the Theobas moment! Thank you! To Anna1607: Thank you! I appreciate the support in my taking a few weeks off.
To tryagain4me: Thank you! To yunkol76: That is the best compliment ever! Thank you! To TheoBest: Thank you for calling it a masterpiece! I'm so glad you've been enjoying this story so much! Your name made me smile so much! To Guest: Thank you! We will see more Fred and Fiadh eventually, but it's still a ways off. You think Yeona Jin is going to end up with Blaise? Interesting. I love hearing theories. To pix25: Thank you! To Sloopyqueen4: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my set up of Voldemort and his reasoning. I'm glad that you're enjoying the Theobas moments. To DoodleBug78: Thank you! To ResaThee: Thank you very much! I love that I'm making you grin like an idiot! They are two lovesick idiots! To katelyn453: I think you will enjoy the Hinny smut and the Theo first date. Thank you! To shuweet: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the Theobas content! To I_heart_cat: Thank you for loving their first kiss. The Auror Arsehole name will stick around for special occasions. Thank you for enjoying the Harry and Hermione conversation, it was something that they needed to have. Thank you!
To AQuickRead91: Thank you! To TatiRena: Yes, Bas finally got his shit together lol! Thank you very much! And no, I suppose I don't do things by half lol. To neumann: Thank you! To briana_t: Thank you! Poor Tonks, she does miss her mum and dad and definitely needs a big hug. Thanks for enjoying the bit about Muggleborns. Yes, they finally kissed and I'm glad it was what you expected. To skyreader_183: Thank you! We'll see more about the Wizengamot stuff soon. To AnaGPotter: Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter. I love that you said Snape's suffering is great because you don't care about him LOL. To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you! Yes, Bas more or less demanded with consent lol. I'm glad you enjoyed my little bit about why and how Muggleborns exist. To Preethi Rao: Thank you! I'm so glad you're so happy about Theo and Bas! I think they will both be a little nervous and awkward on their date.
To bruh99: Thank you! Remus is so good for and to Tonks. He's really just the best. I'm glad that the word "dearie" gives you Crouch flashbacks, I consider it a job well done lol. As to Crouch telling Snape that Lily chose death over him, I agree, Snape did need to hear it. Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To Goginny: Thank you! Your English was great so no worries! Thank you for saying ASC is one of the best stories you've ever read, that means so much to me! I am sorry you will be lost on my break, but I promise that it won't be forever! To Fanfis01: Thank you! I appreciate that! To Joyce Foesenek: Thank you! I'm so glad you thought Theo and Bas' first kiss was so sweet! You don't think Snape will last much longer under his torture? We shall see!
To Grouchbear: Crouch does need his comeuppance quick, but it will not be quick LOL. Thank you! You're right, humans are the only ones who specialize in torture which makes it all that much more awful. If Snape survives, existing will be all he is capable of after what he has suffered — well said! Thank you! To Mitzfitz22: Thank you! I'm glad Hermione finally told Harry as well, she needed to share that. Finding a new Minister will be difficult, but they will have to find someone to lead them and to help them take control back from Voldemort. Thanks for saying the Theo and Sebastian scene was perfect! They have been tip-toeing around each other. To authorwwx: Thank you very much! I am honoured that I've made you laugh and cry and felt each joyous moment and every heartbreak, that is the ultimate compliment! Thank you so much! To AmericanDesi: Yes, it will be all fluff and smut to balance out the heavy plot I dropped in 315 lol. Yes, I wanted to show how and why Tom made the choices he did and yes, the obvious connections to Nazi Germany did need to be spelled out. Percy would be a great Minister, but he is much too young for it. Thank you very much! To Bellmel: I love that you reread the Theobas scene! The thought that you can almost recite it word for word makes me smile so big I cannot explain it! Crouch is definitely very creepy and I consider that the ultimate compliment that I can creep people out when I write him. It was nice to have some Harry, Ron, and Hermione moments. I do lack on those because I get couple oriented. It is nice to see Harry so loved by a parent, even if Remus misses him because he's growing up. Thank you for loving Theobas as much as I do!
To Skidattles: Thank you as always for that incredibly long and amazing review (and for the one in 315 which I of course read). Yes, Atwell is very cool and if Conan knew that her man who keeps her so satisfied is a Muggle, I don't think he'd appreciate it lol. Remus does miss Harry, but he gets some Harry time soon. Tonks was very close to her parents and considered her mother one of her best friends so being pregnant right now, she's missing them even more. That's an interesting theory and most likely true about Ted. That just breaks my heart. Thank you! I really love writing Harry having his bromance with Ron (and newly with Theo). They are great friends and they depend on each other. I did think Harry's thought process was weirdly him, you're right, and yes, each section showed a little bit about how he has each parent inside of him. Thank you for breaking that down so eloquently, I couldn't have said it better myself! I think that just because it's not something I mention in every chapter, it shouldn't be forgotten. Harry and Hermione do love each other like siblings and they have their close moments. It shouldn't be forgotten. Poor Hermione is taking all of this personally. As to the surrounding lore and background of Voldemort and Grindelwald, yes, I did come up with it myself as to why and how the Muggleborns came to be. Ouch, that sounds painful, but I consider it a compliment that I could make you squirm. Thank you for loving my Theobas kiss! I appreciate that so much! And I appreciate that long and amazing review! I appreciate every review so much! Thank you!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN:
The One With the Antiquing
When Theo stepped back into Hogwarts that afternoon, he was still reeling from the kiss. He swore his lips were still tingling from Sebastian's and the realization that he would be going on a date with this man, tonight, suddenly seemed daunting. He hurried to Ancient Studies, munching on an apple as he did. He knew that he was quiet, not as talkative in class as usual and when the charm sounded to end classes for the day, he still was at a bit of a loss. It wasn't until he caught sight of Ginny on the stairs that everything crashed into focus.
He had a date.
Tonight.
With Sebastian.
"Ginny!"
Ginny turned, her red hair catching in the light and seeming to shine like a beacon as he hurried towards her. "Hi, Theo. How was the Wizengamot this afternoon? Did you see Sebastian?"
He took her hand and yanked her into the broom cupboard on the left. "Help me."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Help you with what?"
"He kissed me."
"HE DID!" she shrieked, her hands covering her mouth. "And?"
Theo bit his bottom lip. "It was… okay, it was bloody fantastic, all right? Like definitely in the top three for best kisses of all time. Stop grinning at me like that."
"I can't help it," she said, holding his arms. "I'm so happy! Are you happy?"
"That he kissed me? I… I don't know. One minute he was going on about how he doesn't want to be my friend and the next he's telling me that he wants to kiss me until I've stopped thinking and it was all rather sudden."
"Only to oblivious people like you," Ginny said. "Tonks literally said he fancied you."
Theo frowned. "I just don't get it. I swore he wasn't gay."
"That's because you, Theodore Nott, have the worst sense of determining who is gay of anyone I have ever met."
"Not true," he said.
"So true," Ginny insisted. "You were completely shocked by Colin's admission and no one else was."
"Well, I just always thought that he fancied you and seeing him like blokes took me by surprise."
"Uh-huh," Ginny said. "And when you found out Seamus was gay, you were completely shocked and claimed that he was the least gay person you'd ever met."
"He just didn't fit for me. I always knew Dean fancied him, though. That was obvious," Theo told her.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "The blokes you snog who are interested in dating you, you deem as not worthy and the ones whom you decide you do like, aren't gay and don't want a relationship with you. Ergo, you couldn't pick a gay man out of the room if your life depended on it."
"I take offence to that," Theo said.
Ginny stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Good. Maybe it will smarten you up. Now, tell me about the kiss."
Theo's lips curved. "I told you, it was… top three."
"How?"
"He pinned me against the wall."
Ginny smiled. "I love it when Harry pins me against things. I really get a sense that I'm wanted when he does that."
Theo nodded. "I concur. He pinned me against the wall and he did it in a way that held me there, but if I wanted to leave, I could have. I didn't feel trapped."
"That's good," Ginny told him.
Theo let out a slow breath. "He had his hands resting on the wall and it forced me to look up at him because he's so bloody tall. And then he gripped my hips and just molded my body to his and holy Salazar, Ginny, his body is like rock hard. He has to be made of nothing but solid muscle."
At her urging, he cleared his throat.
"Then he told me that I had to make a choice and I called him a coward and he actually fucking growled at me and then he kissed me and… oh gods, did he kiss me. It was the softest of kisses, like he was just waiting for me to pull away, but his lips were just perfect against mine. It was just so intense and so… you know that power you get, right before you orgasm?" At her nod, he bit his lip. "Kissing Bas felt like that. It was like I was right on the edge. No one has ever kissed me like that, Ginny."
Ginny's grin was infectious. "About time then, isn't it?"
He blushed. "He's taking me to dinner tonight."
"When?"
"He said that he would pick me up at eight."
"Where are you going?"
He frowned. "I have no idea. It all happened so fast. He didn't even ask, he just sort of growled dinner and tonight and eight. When he growls, it's oddly sexy. Merlin, what's wrong with me? Now I think growling is sexy?"
Ginny linked her arm through his. "Is that when you call him Auror Arsehole?"
"Definitely," he told her.
"Good. I think you get under his skin, Theo."
"He called me exasperating."
"Yeah, but only those of us who love you know that's part of your charm."
He stared at a moment. "Ginny… what if the kiss was a fluke? What if I'm just imagining it to be some big epic snog and it was just a normal kiss for him?"
"Theo, I can promise you that there's no way you got all of that out of one kiss and he felt nothing. Now come on, let's try to find you something to wear."
"Oh, gods," Theo said again. "What am I going to wear?"
Ginny laughed as she led him out of the broom cupboard. "We'll find you something perfect. I promise."
He only nodded and let her lead him down to Slytherin, his thoughts on Sebastian Kane and their impending date.
~ ASC ~
Theo was nervous. He couldn't help it. He kept telling himself that it was just a dinner. He was only going to have dinner with Sebastian Kane, that was it, but every time he said the man's name, even mentally, he was reminded of that searing kiss. The way his whole body had tingled in anticipation and when Sebastian's lips had finally touched his it had been… no one had ever kissed him like that.
Not even Finn.
Guilt swarmed him at the thought before he crushed it. No, Finn would want him to be happy, he knew that. He stared into his wardrobe, trying to figure out what to wear. He'd talked himself out of eight shirts before he finally decided on the same black corduroy trousers, a plum silk button down shirt, and the black velvet vest that Ginny had picked out for him three hours before. He wore a plum and silver striped scarf loose over his shoulders and finally settled on a black and silver tie. He pulled on his black leather boots and carefully tightened his belt. He tousled his hair, wondering if he should try to style it somehow before deciding to keep it the usual way. He pulled his cloak over his shoulders, adjusting his sword at his side and headed out. He reminded Slughorn that he was leaving the castle before moving down to the bridge where he was to meet Sebastian.
The Auror was already there, dressed all in black. He wore a black cotton dress shirt, without a tie, left open revealing the column of his throat and his collarbone. His black trousers matched his black boots and he too had a cloak on with a black and white checkered scarf hanging loosely over his shoulders.
"Theo," he said in greeting.
Theo swallowed. "Hi. So, um… where are we going?"
Sebastian offered his hand. "Some place I think you'll like."
Theo accepted the hand as the Auror pulled him close and he was awarded with the scent of wood and something musky that he rather liked. It smelt too subtle to be anything more than soap. Then they were Disapparating.
Sebastian kept his hand in his as he led him out of the alley and into a softly lit street full of quaint stone cottages.
"Where are we?"
"England," Sebastian said.
Theo rolled his eyes as he recognized the Cotswolds. "Why can't you ever give a straight answer?"
Sebastian ignored him and led him around through an arched door that Sebastian was forced to duck through. Then they were standing in a small restaurant full of candlelight as he led them to a back corner table and pulled a chair out for Theo.
Theo sat, nerves flooding him again as Sebastian sat across from him. A moment later, a waitress appeared.
"We'll have a bottle of Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc to start and then with dinner, a bottle of Zonin Ripasso."
"Very good, Sir," the waitress said before hurrying off.
Theo stared at him. "So, you remembered my wine."
"I understood it was to be a requirement for the date."
Theo's lips twitched. "Not a requirement, just… thanks."
Sebastian nodded.
Theo chewed his bottom lip, nervously. "So, you come here often?"
Sebastian smiled. "No. I can't believe that's how you started this off!"
"Well, I didn't know what else to say," Theo admitted.
Sebastian reached across the table and slowly linked his fingers with Theo's, those blue eyes gazing into his. "How about we start with me telling you how incredibly fit you look tonight?"
"Oh," Theo said in surprise, curling his hand around Sebastian's. "Well, it's just… I didn't know what to wear."
"Me neither," Sebastian admitted. "I changed three times before my friend D threw this at me."
"You did?" Theo asked, his eyes widening.
Sebastian nodded. "Yeah."
Theo smiled, his nerves melting away. "Me too. More than three actually. I didn't want to overdress or underdress and I wanted to look… I mean… do you really think I'm fit?"
"Yes," Sebastian said. "I've thought so since the first day I saw you sitting on my desk like you owned the place."
"I wasn't sitting on your desk," Theo interrupted. "I was leaning my arse against it."
"Yes," Sebastian said. "I noticed that arse the moment you backed into me."
"I thought you were a wall."
"Even better," Sebastian said.
"You really were an arsehole."
He shrugged. "I had no choice."
"Of course you did!" Theo protested. "You could have just said hello like a normal person!"
"No," Sebastian said. "Because in my mind, I was lifting you onto the desk, locking your legs around my waist, and snogging your brains out right there in the middle of the bullpen."
"Oh," Theo said, his eyes widening in surprise. "Me?"
Sebastian stroked his thumb over Theo's hand. "You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?"
Theo blushed. "That's… you're having me on!"
"Why would I do that?" Sebastian asked. "I think you're so bloody handsome. I've been trying to work up the courage to ask you out for months, but it never went right. I kept putting myself in your path, but I think that only made if worse."
Theo stared at him. "Wait… that's why you took me to Azkaban? And kept asking me pointless questions after Wizengamot meetings?"
"Yes."
Theo smiled. "Because you fancied me?"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes."
"Wow," Theo said, turning his hand to squeeze Sebastian's. "And here I was just thinking I'd pissed you off somehow."
"Sorry," Sebastian said quickly. "I know I shouldn't have, I mean you're so far out of my league I might as well be on another continent, but I just wanted to know you."
Theo frowned. "Wait. You think that I'm out of your league? Have you met me? Son and grandson of Death Eaters and pureblood madmen? Me?"
"Marquess," Sebastian corrected. "And I've asked around about you, Theo. The way you stepped up, took everything from them at sixteen and just… you're kind of incredible."
"But you work for the MIA?"
"Yes and I worked my arse off to get there! Look, I just… this is coming out wrong. I know that you're a Marquess and a Nott and I'm not from an old noble family. My mum's Muggleborn and my dad's a half-blood. I'm average."
"And you think because I'm a Marquess and a Nott of noble status I'm what — above you?"
Sebastian swallowed. "Merlin, I've fucked this up! No, what I'm trying to say is that I like you, Theo, I like you a lot and I'm terrified that you won't like me the same."
Theo's eyes softened. "Well, you are kind of fit yourself, Auror Arsehole." When Sebastian's lips twitched at the name, he grinned. "And sexy. Did I mention that? Not to mention that you have eyes that remind me of the ocean in Anguilla? And that wall I told you about? I think you're made of solid rock."
He chuckled. "It's important to be in shape for my job."
"I support that," Theo said. "Being in shape is very important, but I bet you're just completely ripped."
Sebastian blushed. "Well I… hmm."
Theo grinned. "So, we both make each other nervous. Got it. Tell me why you wanted to be a spy."
"A spy?"
"Isn't that what you do? All of the secret missions that the Aurors can't do."
His lips curved. "More or less. It's basically the same as an Auror, it's just that we do more and we do it all over the world. We're… international Aurors."
"Really? Like where?"
"I can't tell you that. It's classified."
Theo grinned. "Of course it is."
Sebastian let go of Theo's hand to open the menu and Theo was surprised at how sad he felt at the lack of content. "Shall we order?"
Sebastian asked him a million questions from what his favourite colour was (purple) to his favourite song (Wannabe by the Spice Girls) to the best place he'd ever been (Anguilla because of the company). He wanted to know who he aspired to be like (Minerva McGonagall because he loved her no nonsense attitude), what his favourite hobbies were (shopping), and what he liked to do in his spare time (gossip).
"Shopping and gossip? Why doesn't that surprise me?" Sebastian said.
Theo smiled, his eyes twinkling in mischief. "There's something else I rather love to do as well, but I can't reveal that on a first date."
Sebastian's eyes darkened. "Well, now I'm curious. Is it a second date reveal? Or maybe a third?"
"Not telling," Theo said, making the Auror grin.
By the time dinner came, Theo finally managed to turn the questions back on him.
"Your turn."
Sebastian shrugged as he speared a mushroom out of his chicken and vegetable linguini with his fork. "I'm not nearly as interesting."
"As me?" Theo asked in disbelief. "Please. When's your birthday?"
"August first. I'm twenty-one."
"Good day. So, that makes you a Leo?"
"If you believe in all that."
"You don't?"
He shrugged.
Theo smiled when Sebastian poured him more red wine. "Family?"
"Lives in Ireland," he said. "I have two older sisters who butt their heads into my life constantly, but the oldest one gave me two nieces whom I adore. My mum is an only child and she grew up an orphan. She's Muggleborn. She didn't even know she had magic until she got her letter."
"And your dad?"
"My grandparents were killed in the first war and my Aunt Dee lives in Australia. She's brilliant, divorced, and lives alone. Surfs and causes shit as my dad likes to say."
"Sounds amazing," Theo admitted.
He grinned. "It has its moments. You're an only child?"
"Yes. Though I consider two of my friends basically like my brothers. Lucius Malfoy was always like a father to me as was his wife."
"I'm sorry."
He shrugged. "They made their choices and I made mine."
Theo told him more about Draco and Blaise and all about Ginny and Harry.
"I love to flirt with Harry. He gets this adorable flush like he doesn't know how to act. I love it. He and Ginny belong together, you know how you can just feel it with some people? I live to tease him. Plus he gets all uncomfortable when I remind him about all of the tips I gave his girlfriend. I adore him."
Sebastian smiled. "He sounds like a good guy. For the Chosen One."
Theo chuckled. "He is. He's a really good guy. What about you? Any close friends?"
"Two," he said. "I went to Beauxbatons and I had a few good friends there I still keep in touch with, but no one I've ever considered my best friend until I met Durant. He was my partner on a training task in my first year with the MIA. He's twenty-six and we just hit it off. We ended up being assigned on a mission together and there we met J and we scrapped like cats and then we just didn't. The three of us just clicked. They're both the best people I know. They're the ones who basically told me to ask you out. Apparently they didn't think that I had the balls to do it."
"Well, I didn't expect it and I certainly didn't expect you to ask me out after you kissed me."
Sebastian smiled. "I didn't either. But that kiss was…"
Theo ran his tongue across his bottom lip. "All I've been thinking about since it happened."
Sebastian's blue eyes darkened. "Me too."
By the time their dessert was gone, they were still talking. Wine kept being poured and their fingers played together across the table, but the conversation never stopped. It wasn't until a waitress came over to let them know that they were closing did they realize how late it was. They'd been there for over five hours.
"Well," Sebastian said, standing up. "We should get going then."
Theo nodded. Sebastian insisted on paying and he took his hand as he led him out of the restaurant into the deserted street. He led him down the block to a bench under a snow covered tree by the entrance to Luminescent Walk. Despite the cold winter air, Theo wasn't cold when they sat down.
"I don't want to take you home yet," Sebastian admitted.
"I don't want to go yet," Theo replied. "So, what are we going to talk about now?"
Sebastian leaned in, cupping his cheek. "I don't want to talk anymore."
Theo's heart pounded and then Sebastian's lips were on his and time stopped. It was the only way he could think to describe the indescribable feeling that was this man's mouth on his. His dark stubble was rough, but he liked the contrast to his soft lips and when his tongue met his, Theo moaned. He moved his own hands over the wizard's arms, kissing him harder.
He was hard as a rock and couldn't remember ever being this hard after only a kiss, but Sebastian did things to him that he couldn't put into words. He wanted to be near that warmth. He wanted to be closer and it was only when Sebastian broke the kiss that he realized he was moaning softly.
"Kissing you is better than breathing," Sebastian whispered.
"Don't need breath," Theo said, pulling the wizard's mouth back to his.
Theo didn't know how long they sat there on that bench, snogging each other brainless, but when Sebastian finally pulled away he realized that his ears and nose were frozen.
"It's late," he said, rubbing his thumb over Theo's bottom lip. "Can I see you again? Tomorrow?"
Theo nodded so quickly it made him shiver in the cold. "Yes."
Sebastian smiled. "Early. I want to spend the whole day with you."
"You don't have to work?"
"No," Sebastian said, his smile easy. He was still running the pad of his thumb over his bottom lip. "I want to take you to breakfast to start."
"To start?"
He nodded. "We'll do whatever you want. Shopping. Antiquing. Wandering around aimlessly. Whatever. Just spend the day with me."
"I'd love to," Theo whispered. "Wait. Antiquing?"
"I know a great place in Apricity Lane."
"Okay," Theo said.
"Okay," Sebastian repeated before he kissed his nose.
They stood up and Theo smiled at him. "Thanks for tonight. I had a really great time."
"Me too," Sebastian said. "I'll pick you up for eight on the bridge."
Theo nodded, promising to be there before he Disapparated, appearing on the bridge leading to Hogwarts, and wondered why it was that the six hours between now and when he was going to see Sebastian Kane again seemed so far away.
~ ASC ~
Harry was working Ginny through drills out on the pitch, admiring her form as she flew. He'd promised to help her get ready for the first try-out in February and he had every intention of making sure that she kicked butt at it. They had started out with their usual Quidditch warmup before she'd gotten onto her broom to do sprints across the pitch. Harry was in the air now, tossing her the Quaffle from different areas, racing back and forward to see how well she kept up with him.
The thing was, Ginny was a damn good flier. In fact, he wasn't ashamed to admit that she was better than him. He knew that he was good. He was great actually, but the only reason he'd managed to beat her over the years was because he knew that she hadn't reached her full potential. Harry was pretty sure if they raced now, he would lose.
He called an end to the practice and Ginny wiped sweat off of her brow. When she landed, lifting her sweatshirt up to wipe her face, she gave him a lovely look at her freckled stomach and sports bra.
"Are you sure that we should stop?"
"Yes," Harry told her. "It's only the first week back. We don't want to tire you out. We'll do more tomorrow at practice. Your form is great, but you could be a beat faster."
"I know," she admitted, placing her broom over her shoulder. "I could feel myself lagging. I lazed off during the holidays."
Harry grinned. "By next week, you'll be back in good form."
They headed to the change rooms and Harry tugged off his jumper and shirt in one go, rolling his shoulders. He smiled when Ginny's cold hands immediately moved over his chest. He bent his head to kiss her, holding her close.
"Mmm," Ginny said, moving out of his arms. "I need to shower."
Harry's fingers grabbed the bottom of her shirt and tugged her back. "I think your captain should help you with that."
"Oh?"
His eyes darkened as his hands slid under her shirt to grip her breasts. "Absolutely. As a captain, it's my job to make sure you're properly taken care of. I can't have my star player hurting herself because her captain didn't give her a proper rub down after practice, can I?"
Ginny's eyes twinkled. "I didn't see you offering to give Ron a good rub down."
"I did him this morning," Harry said, making her laugh.
Ginny stood on her toes to kiss him before she sauntered off. She stopped at the door to the showers and pulled her shirt over her head, letting it fall to the ground before she crooked her finger at him. Harry was following her in seconds. He watched her shimmy out of her training trousers before she reached around to turn on the shower. Harry stepped out of his own trousers and when she pulled him under the spray, he slid his hands up her back to touch the sports bra.
"I don't think you can shower with this on," he said, gliding it up and over her breasts as she held her arms above her head.
It hit the floor with a plop as Harry bent his head to wrap his mouth around her breast. Ginny's hands moved into his hair, the hot water beating down on her. Harry's hands slid down over her behind, gripping her in his hands before he let his fingers trail up to her waist, pushing her knickers down her legs. Ginny stepped out of them and Harry immediately moved to her other breast, stopping only long enough for Ginny to remove his glasses.
He rubbed his hands over her back in a half massage, half knead as he sucked on her nipple. He slid another hand between her legs, rubbing her softly, teasing her. He let one fingertip slip between her folds before he rubbed her again, paying more attention to her breast. Ginny's legs opened more for him and he increased the pressure, caressing her. Finally, one finger slipped into her and she moaned.
Harry's teeth grazed her nipple, twirling his tongue around the taut peak as his finger made the same motion inside of her. When he added a second finger, her hands slid down his back, pushing his boxer briefs down to touch him. Her hand wrapped around him and he added a third finger.
Ginny gasped, her eyes widening as he began to walk her backwards, those fingers never stopping their movements. When her back touched the cold tile, she didn't even feel it. She clutched his shoulders, holding herself up against the wall and rode his fingers.
"Harry… oh, yes… I'm so… mmm…" she moaned.
Harry sucked on her collarbone hard enough to leave a mark and she cried out in disappointment when his fingers slid out of her. Only her toes were touching the floor as she clutched his shoulders, holding herself up on him as he sucked her neck. Then her eyes widened when those hands gripped her hips and lifted her higher, using his arms as leverage and lifting her thighs over his shoulders.
Ginny clutched his hair, eyes wide as she looked over the shower wall. Merlin, if anyone came into the showers, they would see her naked and spread over Harry's shoulders like she was on display. She pushed her back against the wall to help him take some of her weight off of his shoulders, straightening her legs as he held her thighs tightly before he buried his tongue inside of her. She bit back her scream of ecstasy, one hand still locked on his shoulder and the other in his hair. His hands slid around to grip her arse and hips, holding her in place as he began to scrupulously lick her.
Harry trailed his tongue over her in deliberately slow and deep strokes. The way she was tugging on his hair only made him take his time that much more. He loved her like this. He twirled his tongue, curling it as he flicked and her hips began to ride his face, gasping as his nose rubbed her clit. He squeezed her arse, licking more thoroughly, twirling and stroking his tongue over every inch of her that he could reach as her fingers dug into his hair, almost painfully. He moaned, licking faster as she began to try to ride him again.
Harry held her arse in place, stopping her to keep their balance, his tongue working her more thoroughly. He lifted his head to work her clit more and let his eyes find her. Her head was thrown back, her hair hanging over the low tile wall. Her breasts were heaving and she was biting her bottom lip. Harry thought she looked magnificent. He sucked and she cried out, holding his head in place. He only sucked again, using his tongue in a twirling motion and wishing that he could use his fingers, but he needed them to hold her in place. Ginny was panting his name.
"Harry… I can't…"
Harry only gripped her tighter and flattened his tongue as he hummed again and again. Then he wrapped his lips over her and sucked. Ginny cried out. He kept at it, working her the way she liked it and when she came, her fingers massaged his scalp, holding on desperately as her hips bucked towards him. He licked his lips when she finished and with shaky arms, finally lowered her to the floor.
Ginny's hands immediately gripped him, fondling his aching cock and he came in record time with his lips wrapped around her nipple. By the time they finished showering and getting dressed, Harry thought he could use a nice long nap.
Ginny took his hand in hers. "You know, I think you've been disregarding our bet."
"Mmm?" he asked, draping his arm over her shoulders. "What bet?"
Ginny's eyes twinkled. "The one you lost after Slughorn's party."
Harry frowned, not sure what she meant before it came back to him. "Oh, um, right."
Ginny stood on her toes to peck his cheek. "Seems the first week is a wash, but we can start fresh tomorrow. One full week, Captain. Can you handle that?"
Harry wanted to say yes with absolute certainty, but the thought of not even wanking for a full week sounded like torture. "Absolutely."
"Good," Ginny said, kissing his neck. "Because I really like to win."
Harry tugged her behind a tree, pinning her against the trunk to capture her lips. "I'll make you win, I promise."
Ginny slid her hands around his neck. "I can't wait to drive you mad for me."
Harry rested his forehead against hers. "I'm always mad for you. But, if you're going to make me suffer a whole week, I think you should make it up to me tonight."
"Oh, you do, do you?"
He nodded, brushing his lips over hers. "I really do."
Ginny took his hand, leading him back to the castle. "Well, I suppose I could be convinced to use my mouth if you asked nicely."
Harry's neck heated as he picked up his pace. "You're the best girlfriend ever, do you know that?"
Ginny winked. "A woman likes to be reminded sometimes."
Harry couldn't help but grin as he chased her into the castle, both of them laughing and wondered how much convincing it would really take to get her on her knees. He had a feeling it wasn't going to take much convincing at all.
~ ASC ~
Theo slept well despite the fact that his dreams were full of the kisses from the night before. He woke up early to shower and dress for the day, choosing comfortable jeans and the new cashmere jumper Mrs Weasley had knitted him for Christmas over his silk button-down shirt in Slytherin green. He met Sebastian on the bridge and when he said hello, the Auror bent his head to kiss him.
"I couldn't wait to do that again," Sebastian said.
Theo smiled, fighting the urge to lick his bottom lip. "I wasn't complaining."
"Come on. If we're going antique shopping, we should have a good breakfast first. Apricity Spread makes a great breakfast."
Theo linked his arm with Sebastian's and let the Auror Apparate them to Manchester. They found a table in the busy diner and ordered tea and orange juice before Sebastian reached across the table to brush his thumb over Theo's knuckles.
"Have you been here before?"
"No," Theo said. "You?"
Sebastian nodded. "Fairly often. My flat's only a few blocks away and they make a good breakfast. How'd you sleep?"
"Okay," Theo said. "Are we back to twenty questions?"
Sebastian's lips curved. "Sorry. I guess I just want to know more about you."
"I accept that. I'm pretty great, but trust me, small doses are better."
"Doubt that," Sebastian said.
"So, antiquing, eh?"
Sebastian shrugged, smiling when Theo linked his fingers with his. "I like the thrill of it." At Theo's look, he bit his lip. "It's exciting. It's not shopping because that's boring. You find what you want and you buy it, but antique shopping is different. It's like finding a hidden treasure that only certain people can appreciate. A treasure that has a story and memories. It's full of rich history and… then it's about haggling for a price. Some things are worth more than others and you have to know your stuff or you'll be bamboozled."
"Bamboozled?"
"What? It's a word," Sebastian insisted as Theo gave him an amused look.
The waitress brought them their beverages and promised to bring them the Spread Special for breakfast which consisted of a bowl of fruit, a ham and cheese omelette with red and green peppers, with a side of toast and marmalade.
"So, you like to not be bamboozled," Theo prodded.
"Yes," Sebastian said. "Everyone says antiquing is a rich man's hobby, but it's not. Of course, there are certain ones that are definitely only for the wealthy, but it's the little finds that can be the most exciting."
"Do you have a favourite period?"
"Not really. I like a lot of seventeenth century things, but I tend to hop around. It's all about what I think speaks to me."
Theo added a dollop of honey to his tea. "How so?"
"Well, for example I found this beautiful lamp from the sixteenth century with six slim candles. The carving on the side is all painted gold and royal blue. Rumour has it that it once sat in the court of Louis XIV. I found it at an estate sale and bought it for two hundred Galleons. When I got it appraised, I learned it was worth five times what I bought it for, but I thought it needed a good home. People think antiques are made to be looked at from afar, but I disagree. They should be cared for and preserved, but used."
Theo thought that was the most adorable thing he'd ever heard. "So, Auror Arsehole is kind of a poet."
Sebastian snorted. "Hardly. I just like to know details about things as much as people. It's part of why I wanted to become an Auror, the curiosity of it all. I want to know what makes people decide to do things and how they chose to do it. Have you ever been antiquing?"
Theo shook his head. "Actually no, but I love to shop so I'm sure I'll enjoy it."
"You will," Sebastian promised. "And if you don't, we'll do something else. But I think you'll love it. Is there anything you might be looking for?"
Theo shrugged. "I wouldn't really know. I do need a new wardrobe as the one I have now is rather atrocious. I was thinking something modern at first, but I do rather like old stuff sometimes."
"A new wardrobe," Sebastian repeated. "I'm sure we can find you something in no time. Apricity Antiques has an amazing selection. They're one of the best in all of England. So, what kind of things do you like to shop for?"
"Clothes, mostly," Theo admitted. "I have a fondness for cashmere and silk."
Sebastian's eyes took in the deep green silk button-down that Theo was sporting under his charcoal jumper and matching scarf. "I noticed that about you."
"I also like to shop for friends," Theo continued. "And before it closed, I was rather fond of Sophistication by Pansy."
"The lingerie store?"
Theo nodded. "At first I started going in there to try to get Pansy to talk to me, so I spent a lot of money buying lingerie for some of my girlfriends. But I convinced her to do a men's line. She may be a royal bitch, but she has talent. I bought the most comfortable sleep pants there. Silk, obviously."
"Obviously," Sebastian said, his lips curving. "I've never owned anything silk in my life. What's wrong with cotton?"
Theo smiled. "If you wore silk, you wouldn't have to ask that."
By the time they finished breakfast, Theo found himself holding hands with Sebastian as he dragged him down the lane into Apricity Antiques. Apparently, Apricity Lane had three separate antique shops each specializing in different varieties and time periods. They were browsing for nearly an hour before Theo found it.
It was deep mahogany, nineteenth century with beautifully carved roses and acanthus with a few leaves and scallops shells. It had two large mirrors on either front door with three large drawers and two small ones in the middle all with a unique handle. When he opened it, he couldn't stop smiling.
"I love this," he breathed, running his hand over the smooth surface of the shelves.
"Rococo Revival I think," Sebastian said. "If I had to wager a guess, I'd say it's about a hundred and fifty years old so that would fit the time period. It's in excellent condition."
"I'll say," Theo said, examining the legs.
"But a little pricey," Sebastian said, holding out the tag. "Twelve hundred Galleons."
Theo shrugged. "That won't be a problem."
Sebastian goggled at him. "You — that's a lot of money, Theo."
Theo carefully closed the door of the wardrobe. "Marquess, remember?"
Sebastian still looked unsure, but he kept his face neutral when the store owner came over.
"Ah, Mr Kane. What's caught your eye today?" The store owner asked, a big smile on his face.
"It's me," Theo said. "I'm interested in this wardrobe. I'll take it."
If it was possible, the man's smile widened. "Well, isn't that lovely! It's a grand piece. Built in the Rococo Revival stage in 1856. You won't be disappointed. Twelve hundred Galleons is a more than fair price."
"It's a bit steep," Sebastian interrupted.
"Mr Kane, this is nineteenth century!"
"And steep," Sebastian said as Theo watched him in amazement.
Five minutes later, Sebastian was still haggling the price as the owner huffed at him.
"Now you're just increasing our original deal," Sebastian said.
"It's nineteenth century!" the man repeated.
"Doesn't mean it's worth as much as your asking. Knock it down three hundred Galleons."
"Three hundred… a man has to make a living, Kane!"
"Make it three hundred Galleons less and I'll buy that blown glass vase as well."
The wizard pursed his lips. "Two-fifty."
"Two-ten."
"Two-forty. Final offer."
"Two-twenty."
The man hesitated before he nodded. "And you'll take the vase, too?"
"Deal," Sebastian said.
When they left the shop, Theo was grinning. He'd taken the sale from the shopkeeper with a promise to send his house elf to pick it up before walking out with a grinning Sebastian.
"You got off on that."
"I love haggling," Sebastian admitted. "I find it oddly cathartic."
"Do you always win?"
He winked and passed him the aquamarine glass vase he'd bought. "I wouldn't bet against me."
"What are you going to do with the vase?"
Sebastian shrugged. "I don't know yet. But I rather liked the colour. Shall we hit another?"
They went to four different antique shops before lunch, the last one was a tiny family owned shop hidden in Luminescent Walk right around the corner from the restaurant they'd gone to the night before in the Cotswolds. Theo bought not only the wardrobe but a bookshelf, and a beautiful little end table that he wanted to put in his entrance hall. They returned to Apricity Lane for a late lunch and stopped into the swanky restaurant known as Obscure as Sebastian ordered them wine with a smile and they started to talk all over again.
Theo learned that Sebastian's two older sisters were named Selene and Soraya. Selene was the oldest and married with two daughters who were four (Piper) and two (Amara). Selene's husband, Beau DeRose, owned his own restaurant in France. He was a chef and Selene worked as a healer in Paris. Soraya was a cursebreaker and currently working in Indonesia. His mother was a Muggleborn witch named Sadira Amari Kane. She had been an orphan when she learned she was a witch and went to Beauxbatons. Sadira was a healer and she met Sebastian's father, Spencer Kane when he'd come into the hospital in France with a broken leg.
"What does your father do?" Theo asked.
Sebastian grinned. "Dad loves to fix things. Anything. He owns a little shop in Derry that fixes anything from furniture to broomsticks. If he can take it apart, he will. It also means he's rather accident prone. I can't count the number of times he's taken apart something wrong and been blasted back or broken a limb because he was doing something that he shouldn't in his curiosity. Drives Mum mad."
"She moved to Ireland for him?"
"His shop was there," Sebastian said. "And as a healer she can work anywhere. She likes St Mungo's, but she insisted us kids go to Beauxbatons. It's where Selene met Beau. They actually started dating in seventh year, but they broke up and two years later ran into each other in Paris. According to Selene, it was like they were never apart."
"And you joined the MIA."
"Well, the Auror Academy," Sebastian said. "The MIA recruited me from the academy and since the base of operations is in Ireland, Dad was pleased that I'd be close to home."
"Do you live in Ireland now?"
"No," Sebastian admitted. "I have a small flat here in Manchester. It's about four blocks that way."
"Ah," Theo said.
"And you? I suppose you live in some little five bedroom shack, right?"
"Right, only five bedrooms, very tiny," he teased.
Sebastian smiled. "Right, so bigger than my flat."
"I'd say that's true," Theo said. "Norfolk Manor has been in my family for centuries. I've spent the last few years refurbishing it and renovating it. It's finally starting to really feel like home."
Sebastian's fingers played with his across the table. "A manor… I can't even imagine. Is it bigger than your friend Draco's home?"
Theo shrugged. "Yes. Did you have a big house growing up?"
"Nah," Sebastian said. "We lived in a small cottage. Selene and Soraya shared a room in the attic and I had my own off of the kitchen, but it was home. My parents still live there."
"It sounds nice," Theo said.
"It is," he told him, his thumb brushing across Theo's palm.
"So, how did your parents meet if your dad's shop is in Derry? What was he doing in Paris?"
"Working with a client on this magical trunk he'd been commissioned to fix. The charms were malfunctioning and the client paid him extra to come to Paris to look at it personally. But, my father being clumsy, he tripped over the latch and fell into the trunk, down all twelve steps, and broke his leg. It was the client who ended up having to bring him to the hospital."
"Accident prone?"
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Clumsiest man alive, I swear. Once he tripped over the rolled up newspaper and cracked his head on the kitchen table. I'm convinced that he's trying to break every bone at least once. Maman always tells him that he's lucky she's a healer."
Theo could hear the affection in Sebastian's voice when he spoke about his parents and he couldn't help but smile back. When they left the restaurant, Sebastian led him into downtown Manchester and Theo immediately steered him towards some of the high end boutiques. They went into the men's department as Theo pointed out jumpers and shirts, trousers and ties, and jackets and cloaks. He picked out a silk button-down shirt in a dark blue paisley pattern and held it up.
"You'd look great in this."
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "I don't think it's really work attire. I prefer black."
"A little colour would be good for you," Theo said.
"It would look better on you," Sebastian said.
Theo found a dark green cashmere turtleneck and made a beeline for the dressing room. He changed into the turtleneck, admiring how it fit in the mirrors with a critical eye. He liked how it made his arms look and was just debating on it when the curtain was pulled back and Sebastian slipped into the room with him.
"Rooms are for one," Theo told him.
Sebastian took a step forward, yanking the curtain closed behind him and forcing Theo to press his back against the mirror. "I think that we can make room for two."
Then that mouth was on his and all Theo could do was hold on as those soft lips brushed over his again and again. He looped his arms over Sebastian's shoulders, his fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck as that hot mouth made heat seer through him. A large hand sat on his hip while the other moved up the small of his back, under his jumper but over his shirt and yet still close enough for Theo to feel the heat of him.
Theo deepened the kiss, sighing against Sebastian's mouth as his lips met his. Theo wasn't sure how long they stood there kissing, but they were interrupted by a female voice asking if he liked the jumper.
"It's great," he said, his head falling back against the mirror when Sebastian's fingers pushed the neck of his jumper down to plant his mouth over his throat. "Perfect. Thank you."
Lips brushed against the pulse in his throat and he shuddered.
"You're dangerous, aren't you?"
Sebastian's lips curved before he kissed his lips once more. "Buy the jumper. You look great in it."
Then he slipped out before Theo could catch his breath.
He bought the jumper along with another in cerulean blue before they left the store. They spent the rest of the afternoon shopping around Manchester, popping in and out of shops until both Theo and Sebastian were each carrying a handful of bags.
"I think that you have a shopping problem," Sebastian told him. "Only one of these bags is mine."
"Post holiday sales like these were too good to pass up," Theo told him.
Sebastian looked skeptical. "I still think you might have a shopping problem."
"They were on sale!"
"Okay. If they were all on sale then how much money did you really save today?"
"You saved me almost three hundred Galleons on that wardrobe."
"Which you would have bought without batting an eye," Sebastian retorted. "I think I saw the owner actually weep at your words before I stepped in."
Theo rolled his eyes. "Well, that's a tad dramatic. It was the asking price."
"But you paid the fair price."
"Which is why I bought so many of the sale items today! How could I pass them up?"
Sebastian bit his bottom lip. "Okay, Mr Couldn't Pass Them Up, how much did you really save?"
"Hundreds of Galleons! That cloak alone was fifty percent off!"
Sebastian gave him an amused look. "Did you even look at the price tags?"
"Of course I did!" Theo scoffed. "I mean, who doesn't look at price tags?"
Sebastian shook his head as he bit back a laugh. "Marquesses, that's who. You're adorable."
Theo grinned. "Admit it, Bas. You had fun."
"Only if you admit you have a shopping problem."
Instead of answering, Theo only winked at him. Sebastian shook his head again with a smile on his lips as he led them down into a pub at the end of the street. They sat at a table in the corner, bags tucked under the table as Sebastian ordered a pint of Guinness and Theo a Harp to warm up.
"It's almost seven," Theo said. "I can't believe that we've been shopping all day."
"It went fast. I've been having a really great time."
"Me too," Theo told him.
Sebastian stared at him for a moment. "Want to order something to eat?"
Theo nodded and soon they were eating thick beef stew with beer bread and talking about the first boys they'd kissed. Sebastian told him the first time he'd ever kissed a boy he'd been fourteen.
"You knew then?"
"Completely," Sebastian said. "I was never interested in girls."
"You know," Theo began. "I forgot to tell you that you kissing me means I lost four hundred Galleons to Draco and Blaise."
"What? Four hundred… Why? Are you mad?"
"Because I may have bet them that they were wrong and that you were totally straight," Theo said.
Sebastian snorted. "Merlin, the rich really are different. Theo, I've never even pretended to be straight."
Theo smiled. "Well, I guess I just didn't expect you to be gay."
"Why?"
Theo shrugged. "I don't know because you're Mr Bigshot MIA and all tall and gorgeous and ripped and witches literally sigh over you when you walk by."
"Please," Sebastian said. "Stereotyping much?"
"I guess," Theo said. "I mean with Finn… he'd been with both and the fae are so different."
"And you? Have you ever kissed a witch?"
"Yes," Theo said. "Only once was by choice. My father he… let's just say I lost my virginity in a French brothel when I was thirteen."
Sebastian stopped to stare at him. "Tell me you're joking."
"Wish I was," Theo told him. "I told you my father was a Death Eater and well… it's an old pureblood tradition."
"Did you want to?"
Theo shook his head. "I was terrified the first time. I already knew that I didn't like witches and… the thought of my father finding out. It wasn't exactly the romantic encounter I imagined."
"You didn't deserve it to happen like that," Sebastian said. "Your first time is supposed to be fun and magical."
Theo shrugged. "Finn was the only real experience I had with that. Everyone in between was more…"
"Experimentation?"
"Yes," Theo admitted.
Sebastian nodded, his thumb brushing over Theo's knuckles. "Well, I want to be clear about something up front. This isn't an experiment." He brought Theo's hand to his lips and kissed his fingers. "This is the start of something." He kissed his fingers again. "And I really hope that you feel the same about that."
Theo stared at him. "Why me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why me?" Theo repeated. "You're gorgeous and an Auror in the MIA. I'm… no one special."
Sebastian put his spoon down and took both of Theo's hands in his. "The first time I saw you, I wanted to kiss you. I thought you were adorable and your eyes… I've never been so attracted to someone before. Yeona claims that you have the most gorgeous eyelashes she's ever seen and she's insanely jealous."
Theo's lips curved. "She's not the first person to be jealous of them."
Sebastian continued to brush his thumbs along Theo's hands. "I was attracted to you and… I wanted to know if it was just a lust thing but the more I talked to you, the more I saw you… you interested me. You're funny and you have no filter whatsoever. You're a terrible flirt and yet you're sweet. I guess I just wanted a chance to see if it was more than just attraction."
"And?"
"It was," Sebastian admitted. "But you had a boyfriend and I convinced myself that I was getting information for the case and that was why I had to talk to you every week, but I really just wanted to see you."
Theo's heart sped up. "I wanted to see you, too. I thought that you were annoying and it pissed me off even more because you're so bloody good-looking. Not to mention I thought you were straight, which annoyed me even more."
"Not straight," Sebastian said, his lips curving.
"Did I mention that I apparently have the worst skills in discovering gay men?" Theo said. "Apparently, it's a pattern."
Sebastian chuckled. "Well, you're here now with me and I've had a pretty great day. Have you?"
"Yes," Theo said, his eyes on Sebastian's blue ones. "I want to see you again."
"Me too," Sebastian replied. "My work keeps me pretty busy. I sometimes get called out at odd hours or if a case breaks I can work late into the night."
"I don't care. I want to see you again," Theo told him. "We can keep our standing Friday dates and the weekends, of course."
"Standing Friday dates?" Sebastian asked, his eyebrow lifting.
"Yeah," Theo said. "You know, those lunch dates you were secretly taking me on. We can keep those up in the meantime."
He chuckled. "They weren't dates, they were… I was hungry."
"You wanted to stare at my arse," Theo said. "It's okay. I know it's fantastic."
Sebastian turned back to his stew, his eyes twinkling. "Stupendous actually, but yeah, we can keep those up."
"Good," Theo said.
When Sebastian returned him to the bridge outside of Hogwarts a few hours later with a long kiss, Theo couldn't stop smiling. He was still smiling when he climbed into his bed that night and thought he couldn't wait for Friday to get here.
~ ASC ~
It was only the end of the first day and Harry was already regretting agreeing to this bet. He and Ginny had spent the morning at Quidditch practice, running through drills with the team. After lunch, the two of them had headed back out to the pitch to work out and practice her skills. By two in the afternoon, they had both decided to call it quits.
Ginny slid her arms around his waist, her eyes twinkling as she took his hand and slid it down her body. "Touch me."
She hadn't had to ask twice. It hadn't taken long at all for her to be half standing, half kneeling on the bench in front of his compartment in the change rooms as she rode his fingers wantonly. He'd covered her mouth with his as she came and she'd clung to him a moment longer as she rode out her orgasm.
Harry had forced himself to think of the most repulsive things he could think of to make his own erection go away. They'd met up with Ron and Hermione to work on homework for the rest of the afternoon and after dinner, Ginny had tugged him into a cupboard on the third floor.
They'd spent almost two hours snogging each other brainless in the dark. Long, deep kisses, both leaving hickeys on each other's necks. Harry's shirt was open and spread wide as her hands stroked over his abs, tracing his tattoo as she planted kisses over his chest. He had her shirt off completely, but her bra was still on. When he'd slid his hand under her tights and knickers, her teeth had grazed his shoulder. He was pleased to say he'd gotten her off twice, hearing her ride his hand in the dark and feeling her come apart was so sexy he wanted to combust.
But he couldn't.
They left the cupboard, very dishevelled with Ginny's cheeks flushed just in time for Ron and Hermione to come up the stairs. Ron scowled at them.
"Oh, come on! Can't you two at least make it look like you weren't up to something naughty!"
Ginny licked her bottom lip. "We weren't. We were talking."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Talking, my arse. Harry has a bloody hickey forming on his throat."
Harry covered his neck with his hand. "You're imagining things."
Ron only scowled further as Hermione dragged him off to patrol and Ginny took Harry's hand as they headed back up to Gryffindor tower. She kissed his cheek and went over to talk to Colin so he made his way up to his dorm to take a very cold shower. He could still smell her on his fingers and he planted both of his hands against the shower wall to stop himself from touching his painfully hard cock.
She was definitely trying to kill him.
This bet was just the worst and best thing he had ever agreed to do. He loved touching her. He loved pleasing her, but Godric, when he did so, it turned him on more than he could put into words. Once the water had finally done its job, he warmed it to wash up.
When he finally came out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, the sight of his girlfriend lying on her stomach on his bed made him bite back a groan. Her legs were up and her perfect little heart-shaped arse was staring right at him, wild red hair flowing over her back as she flipped through a Quidditch magazine.
"Hey, Gin," he said, moving to his wardrobe to find something to wear.
Ginny's eyes twinkled as she looked at him. "How was your shower?"
"Great." He could feel her eyes on him as he slid on his boxers under his towel. "I thought you were hanging with Colin?"
"I was, but he and Freya had plans. I was waiting for Theo to come back from his date, but he's still gone."
"It must have gone well then," Harry said.
Ginny nodded, tossing the magazine onto the end of the bed. "I hope so. He deserves it."
Harry finished pulling his pyjama bottoms on before he turned to reach for a shirt. "He definitely does."
"So, can I stay with you tonight?"
His eyes widened in surprise. "Gin, you never have to ask."
He took a seat on the side of his bed, grinning when Ginny shimmied to the edge to let him get in.
"Anyone giving you trouble?"
"No," she said, snuggling into his arms. "I just like waking up with you."
Harry kissed her forehead. "I rather like waking you with my tongue."
Her cheeks flushed. "Well, that's just a bonus."
Her mouth met his and it wasn't long before she was lying on top of him, kissing him brainless. They were interrupted by Seamus coming in. He whistled at them.
"Hey, curtains are to be closed if you're going to be shagging."
"You should talk," Harry said, as Ginny moved to snuggle into his side. "I've seen more of you and Dean than I've ever wanted to."
Seamus wiggled his eyebrows. "We're sexy buggers. You should really be thanking us."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Right, I'll remember that."
Seamus pulled his jumper over his head, pulling the tee shirt down he wore under it. "Hey, where's Theo been all day? I just saw him coming in."
Ginny sat up. "He's back?"
"Guess so," Seamus said. "He was just coming in the front doors when I left the art room. Dean's busy working on this project. He gets all moody and focused when he's painting. It's annoying."
Ginny jumped out of bed and pecked Harry's cheek. "Goodnight!"
"Hey," he called out. "Come back."
Ginny winked. "Later."
Harry dragged a hand over his face. "Thanks, Seamus."
Seamus shrugged. "If Nott wasn't gay, I'd be worried for you, mate."
"He had a date with this Auror today and Ginny has been itching to find out how it went," Harry explained.
"Well, by the goofy smile on his face, I'd say pretty well. An Auror, eh?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. So, what's this project Dean's working on?"
Seamus finished undressing as he spoke, reaching for his pyjamas. "No idea. Something for his class, but he's really focused. He gets in this zone which is really sexy, but also really annoying. Me even offering to blow him didn't make him stop and trust me, Harry, I'm great at sucking cock."
"I'm sure you are," Harry said. "But he's focused, which is great. He's working hard at what he loves."
"I know," Seamus said, dramatically as he finished putting his pjs on and sat on his bed. "I've just been procrastinating about my application to the OFB Academy and I was hoping Dean would distract me."
"Honestly, I've been doing the same," Harry admitted. "I just have the essay left for the one to the Auror Academy and it's harder to put words down than it should be."
Seamus nodded. "It's all I've ever wanted and I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get in. I suppose me dad will let me work at the pub."
Harry gave his friend a sympathetic look. "You have to be optimistic. Look, since we've both been abandoned by our dates tonight, let's pull out the applications and try to finish them."
Seamus gave Harry a grateful look and nodded. "Yeah, let's do it. And you can tell me more about why Ginny was in your bed. You two shagging yet?"
"Piss off, Seamus."
Seamus' lips curved. "One day you'll spill all of your secrets."
Harry only shook his head in amusement as they both pulled out their applications for their futures. No, he wouldn't, but he did hope Ginny came back to spend the night with him. He most definitely wanted to wake her with his mouth again, after all, he still had six more days to make her come nonstop before he could get off.
It was going to be a really long week.
~ ASC ~
A fifth year Slytherin let Ginny into the common room when she made it down to the dungeons and asked to see Theo. She was in their common room enough that most of the students knew she was welcome there. She hurried down towards the dormitories and knocked on Theo's bedroom door.
"Come in," he called out and when she pushed open the door, she found him sorting through shopping bags on his bed.
"Hi, chick!"
Ginny closed the door behind her. "You were gone all day. Did you even come back last night?"
"I'm not a complete slag," Theo said, rolling his eyes. "Of course I came back. We just made a second date for early this morning."
"It's almost ten at night," Ginny said.
Theo's eyes lit up. "I know. He's… amazing."
Ginny jumped onto his bed, crossing her legs in front of her. "Come on, you must be dying to talk about it."
Theo grinned and turned on his bed to face her. "It was honestly so much fun. Last night he took me to this fancy little restaurant in Luminescent Walk with candlelight and romantic music. We held hands as we talked and… he told me that he wanted to kiss me the first time he met me. He said that he's been an arsehole because the first moment I backed into him in the DMLE, he wanted to lift me onto the desk, wrap my legs around his waist, and snog me."
"Oh my," Ginny said, her eyes widening.
"My thoughts exactly," Theo said. "But I was dating Cornfoot and he said he used excuses to see me like taking me to see Lucius Malfoy and our lunches. I can't believe he fancied me!" he gushed, his cheeks heating. "Me!"
"You're wonderful. Of course, he fancied you!"
Theo's smile widened. "We just talked about everything, Ginny. I mean, we talked so much the waitress had to come tell us the restaurant was closing. Then we went for a little walk and… Merlin, that man can kiss! Ginny, he hasn't even kissed me with tongue yet and I'm melting. He cups my face and just… not even Finn kissed me like that."
"How is it different?"
"I don't know," Theo admitted. "I don't know how to explain it. With Finn it was… the kisses were hot and full of passion and not that kissing Bas isn't full of passion, because there's definitely passion, but kissing Bas is like… it's like it's not just about passion or want or need there's this underlying thing there that I can't quite grasp. It's like kissing him makes me feel… complete. Merlin, that sounds stupid."
"No, it doesn't," Ginny told him. "It makes you feel complete like something was missing you didn't notice before. It's like kissing him makes you feel whole and wonderful and while you know that you could survive if he never kissed you again, your life would always feel empty."
Theo stared at her. "Is that how you feel when you kiss Harry?"
"No, that's how I feel when I kiss Neville," Ginny replied dryly. Upon seeing the shocked look on his face said, "Of course, Harry, you dolt! Now who's calling who a slag?"
Theo grinned and shook his head. "If the shoe fits."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Now, let's get back to your toe-curling kiss."
Theo swallowed. "It wasn't only toe-curling. It was a toe-curling, heart pounding, cock rising kind of kiss. I like him, Ginny. I really like him. Sebastian is sweet and oddly charming in his gruff way. He loves to antique, can you imagine? He took me to Apricity Lane this morning for breakfast and then we went antiquing. He loves to haggle and watching him haggle is incredibly sexy. Like it shouldn't be, but he gets really into it and his body tenses and you can just see the strength in his shoulders, the way he plants his feet… it's sexy. He's really knowledgeable about antiques too and kind of poetic about it. He said he likes to know the story behind the hidden treasures."
"Did you buy anything?"
"Yes, I found a new wardrobe I fell in love with. Bas talked him down and I saved almost three hundred Galleons. He haggled over the end table I bought, too, and the bookshelf. He just kept shaking his head at me and claimed that I needed to learn to haggle, but to be honest, I'd rather just watch him do it."
Ginny smiled.
"We went to lunch and we talked more about his family and we just kept touching hands. He brushes his thumb over my knuckles and I just feel warm and safe and appreciated. He makes me feel good. Then he let me drag him shopping and I bought some new clothes. He didn't buy anything, but he did sneak into the dressing room to snog me brainless against the mirror." Theo pulled down the neck of his jumper. "He gave me a hickey."
"Try not to look so upset about it," Ginny teased.
Theo touched his thumb over the bruise. "Just touching it reminds me of how I got it and that man knows how to kiss. We did more shopping and then had a late dinner in a pub and talked some more. Talking to him is just so easy. We lose track of time and… I can't wait to see him again."
"When are you going to see him again?"
"Friday," Theo told her. "We're going to keep up our standing Friday lunches that were kind of dates."
Ginny bit her bottom lip. "And the weekends?"
"I hope so," Theo admitted. "We've only had two dates, but I want to spend more time with him. I want to get to know everything about him and Salazar knows I want to spend even more time snogging him. His body is made of rock, Ginny. He's definitely solid muscle. When he pressed against me I thought I would die."
"I can understand that feeling," she said. "So, not until Friday eh?"
Theo nodded. "Not until Friday."
Ginny had a feeling Theo was going to be counting the days and she hoped Sebastian Kane made their next date just as good. It was nice seeing Theo happy for once and she couldn't wait to hear more about the Auror who was making him smile.
End Author's Notes:
Luminescent Walk was a new magical village I created. I thought it was posh like Apricity Lane but full of romantic and high end restaurants. It's in the Cotswolds.
Just a reminder that I will be taking a posting break for a minimum of two weeks, possibly three to four.
I really appreciate all of the amazing support I have been getting and look forward to taking this time to unwind and to help get my creative juices flowing again. During this break, I will not be answering tumblr asks or be very active on there. Feel free to send them, just know that I will not be answering them until I am ready. As to a sneak peak of chapter 317, I will not post that until before I am ready to come back. When it appears on tumblr, I will provide a day for when the new chapter will return.
Thank you again for all of your amazing support and kind thoughts. It means so much to me and really makes me motivated to keep writing this story which is such an important part of my life. I can't wait to see how it ends.
Thank you for reading and please review!