Author's Note: So…here's my confession. Contrary to what some of you may be thinking, I have not forgotten about this story; not at all. I have, however, been thoroughly caught up this past month or so in GoT fandom nonsense. Even the most reasonable of us fall prey to folly at times. I ask for your forgiveness, dear reader. I have come to my senses, I think. The sting of bitterness is fading. Perspective is taking its place. A fanfiction is forming (but that is for another time and place). I've channeled some of my GoT energies into this chapter and it's come out a little tarter than I expected. Remember this fic is rated M for a reason. If you are prudish, I understand. I once was too. As always, I own nothing. Read on.

Chapter 5 – Only Fools Rush In

Charity woke up with thin rays of morning light washing across her face. She hadn't slept much, but she had slept well and though she was still half asleep, she couldn't help but play the events of the previous night through her mind. She and Severus had frenched, fought, and fornicated all in a matter of hours. Smiling at the recollection of her climax she noted a gentle heat mounting again. She arched her back and was met by the wizard behind her who was very much awake. Charity shimmied just enough to prompt a further response; Severus pulled her closer against him and kissed the back of her neck. Mission accomplished. The young witch grinned in glee.

Stretching her limbs, Charity turned over to face him. She tucked her hands beneath her head.

"Morning," she beamed.

"Morning," he said, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"What time is it?" she asked, yawning.

"Not too late. About half 6."

Charity's sleepy eyes snapped open as she sat up with a start, grabbing the sheets to cover her.

"6:30!" she exclaimed. "Is Harry up? I've got to go!"

Severus slowly raised himself up, completely unfazed. He had already checked on his ward. Harry was still fast asleep.

"Charity, it's Saturday, and it's summer, and Harry's allowed a lie-in on the weekends…as am I," he continued suggestively.

Charity raised an eyebrow.

"How long of a lie-in are you allowed on weekends?" she asked coyly.

Severus smirked and with a firm but gentle hand he pushed her back down on to the bed. Her hair spilled around her as the sun's sparse rays shone across her face. Leaning over her he let his hand rest against her jaw as he kissed her tenderly. Severus pulled away and gazed upon her.

"You're beautiful," he whispered sincerely.

Charity's stomach was inundated with butterflies and in response she lightly ran her hands up Severus' chest. She tucked them around him and drew his frame above hers. Gingerly he moved atop her as she wrapped her legs around his. Charity cupped his jaw and brought his lips to hers kissing him just as he had her. He drew his hands underneath her shoulders, pressing her breasts against his chest. She felt so good against him that Severus couldn't help himself. He unclasped her bra. Pulling down one of the straps he moved his mouth upon one of her pert breasts. Lightly tracing his tongue around her neb, Charity moved her hand to push up her breast, offering more of herself to him. He took her deeply into his mouth and she moaned as his tongue lapped and teeth grazed her flesh. After extending her other breast the same treatment, Severus kissed her breastbone and then her chin and then her mouth. As their kiss deepened his covered hips began to move upon her. She could feel his excitement. Charity felt helpless beneath his kiss and instinctively ran her hands down his back. Slipping her hands around to his stomach, she unbuttoned and unzipped his trousers, pushing them down just enough for her small hands to find room. Sliding her fingers underneath the waist of his shorts, she kneaded his bottom and then pushed him down to grind against her. Severus murmured as she writhed blissfully beneath him. Encouraged by his response Charity pulled his garments down even further – enough to expose him to her hand. She reached for him. He was already wet and with the pad of her thumb underside, she massaged him nimbly and firmly. Unable to recall the last time he'd been touched like this, Severus swore quietly into the chestnut waves gathered at her neck. He moved his weight to his knees as Charity continued to tease his shaft and then the tip of his member. Noting his reaction, her tempting became deliberate and regular. Severus grunted, stifling himself.

As their contact accelerated, the need to find his place within her grew. Severus moved her hand away. Propping himself up with one arm, he raised her hips with his free hand and pulled down her knickers just a little. His other hand found one of her breasts again as his mouth crashed down upon hers. Severus nestled his hardness in-between her lips and began to stroke her core. Charity bit her lip and gasped in pleasure. Locking her in place, his motion was titillating, smooth and rhythmic and Charity knew that with a little more pressure he was going to make her come again if he kept this up. In between his muffled groans and his lips and tongue grazing the side of her neck down to the curve of her breasts, Charity found Severus pushing her underwear down further.

"Is this ok?" he asked, breathing heavily. Before she could respond, however, he reclaimed her mouth with his.

Charity was ready. She had been ready for him for a very long time…but like this? Her mind was groggy, but after ten years, would she really settle for a quick fuck on a Saturday morning as their first time? With this thought, more questions crept into her semi-conscious mind. Did Severus ward the door? What if Harry walked in? Didn't Severus say he didn't want to confuse the boy? Shouldn't they tell the Headmaster of their commitment first? What commitment? Bloody hell!

Breathless and feeling slightly penitent for letting them go this far, Charity ripped her lips away from his groaning in anguish. Severus stopped immediately, slightly startled. He pulled himself up and away from her as if levitating.

"What's wrong?" he huffed, trying to catch his breath.

"We can't!" she cried, shaking her head and covering her eyes. "Not like this!"

Severus cringed and took a few deep breaths. Slowly he pried her hands from her eyes and lowered his forehead to hers.

"Gods!" he exclaimed softly. "I shouldn't have pushed you."

Charity laughed quietly.

"Now you sound like me," she replied.

Severus scoffed and rolled off her on to his back. He was going to need a minute.

Rolling onto her side, Charity watched Severus catch his breath. From the moment she agreed to lie with him – in his bed – she knew it had been a bad decision. Cautiously, she placed her hand on his abdomen feeling his breath rise and fall.

"You're not terribly upset with me, are you?" she asked carefully.

Turning his head, Severus furrowed his brow.

"Why would you think that?" he asked curiously.

"Well…"

"I'm sure you weren't expecting our first time together to be like…that!" he continued slightly disappointed with himself.

"We got carried away," Charity began. "I let us get carried away."

"And why should all the responsibility lie with you?" he replied as he rolled out of bed and pulled up his trousers.

Charity was completely surprised at his response. Good point! Propping up on her elbows, making sure to cover herself with the crisp cream-colored sheets, Charity studied Severus as he grabbed his belt off the chair and slipped it through the loops of his waistband.

"Sev…"

"Hmmm?"

"You've changed!" she blurted in wonderment.

Smirking, Severus slipped on his shirt and began to button it up.

"Oh yes? How so?" he challenged.

"Well, I know we hadn't seen each other for years until this past month, but you seem…calm, even patient. And I don't remember you ever having so much…ummm…perspective."

The words did not flow smoothly off her tongue.

"Is there something wrong with being calm and having perspective?" he asked as he tucked in his shirts and did up his zip.

"Well…no…it's just…where's the greasy git I used to know and love?" she queried.

Severus stopped buckling his belt, looking at her askance.

"Love?" he inquired turning abruptly toward her.

Charity rolled her eyes trying to prevent the blood from rushing to her cheeks.

"It's an expression!" she shot back, unable to look directly at him.

Not wanting to embarrass her, Severus remained composed and continued to dress. Inwardly, however, her slip of the tongue made him feel ebullient. With socks and boots now on, he walked over to the chair where Charity's clothes were gathered. Seeing this, Charity pushed up onto her knees, the sheets still covering her naked breasts. Severus walked back toward her, jeans and sweater in hand.

Not surprisingly, Charity's bra had gotten lost in their encounter. She looked around for it without success. Severus, however, found the item on floor. He picked it up and offered it to her, turning away to let her dress. Charity grabbed his hand to prevent him. The covers fell.

"Help me?" she asked bashfully.

Severus didn't say a word. He simply followed her instructions, eventually fastening the clasp at the back. Her skin felt like silk. Leaning down he kissed the crook of her neck as his hands ran down to the small of her back and then to her waist. Charity sighed as Severus pulled away. He looked deeply into her green-brown eyes.

"Soon…after we tell Albus and then Harry!" he exclaimed quietly.

Charity nodded in agreement, smiling.

"Sir?" a small voice asked.

Severus turned toward the door with a start, while Charity shrank behind him grabbing her sweater from Severus' hand to cover her somewhat exposed body. In desperation she prayed to the Muggle God that Harry had not seen her half-naked! From over Severus' shoulder Charity could see Harry completely bewildered and frozen in place. She looked back at Severus. His jaw was twitching. Charity quickly grasped the back of his shirt to keep him in place.

"Potter!"

Severus was livid.

"Get out!" he bellowed. "Now!"

Immediately Harry whirled around and ran from the room, leaving his favourite blanket behind.

Severus took an angry breath and was about to step away from Charity when he saw the fingers and hand of a small child reaching back in to his room to grab the blanket.

"Leave it!" he snapped.

Just as quickly, the hand snatched back, followed by the pattering of slippers on stone tile.

Severus had no clue which way Harry had gone, but when he didn't hear the door to his rooms slam, he felt certain that Harry hadn't run away. He let out a relieved sigh and grabbed his wand from the top of his dresser.

"Colloportus!" Severus gritted. Immediately the door closed and locked in response.

Charity rested her head against Severus' shoulder, trying not to giggle.

"You think this is funny?" he sneered, turning toward her.

"Absolutely not!" she responded with feigned seriousness.

Severus didn't like surprises and Harry walking into his room when the door was closed and without knocking had completely taken him aback. Harry knew the rules! Severus furrowed his brow and sheathed his wand as Charity quickly threw on her cotton jumper and jeans. Standing on the rug beside the bed Charity looked around for her flats. They were under the chair. She went to retrieve them. Sitting down, she slipped them on. Severus, in contrast, was pacing anxiously. Charity furrowed her brow.

"Sev…?" she asked, a worried tone in her voice. He stopped his stride and turned to face her.

"I don't understand. How did we not hear him?" he exclaimed.

"How did we not hear him? Really? We were a little occupi…!" Gods! Charity groaned, bringing both hands to her face.

"Severus…"

"Yes..." he replied, deep in thought.

"Sev…" she wailed. He looked up, observing her guilty countenance.

"I cast a silencing spell on the hallway after I left Harry's room last night," she offered apologetically.

Severus lips pursed. His nostrils flared.

"Lady Grey, Charity! Why would you do such a thing?" he said evenly, though his ire was clearly piqued.

"I didn't want Harry to hear us…fighting," she offered honestly.

"We didn't fight, Charity!" he spat.

"We didn't? Well, we certainly did other things!" she retorted, crossing her arms across her chest.

True! Severus choked down his rage and sat down on the bed. Charity leaned back, satisfied at her small victory.

"Look! I'm sorry," she offered. "I should have at least told you what I'd done. These are your rooms, not mine. I had no right."

He shook his head and sighed. "This isn't your fault. We didn't hear him because we weren't paying attention and I was being woefully selfish. You told me that you should have gone back to your rooms last night – that staying was a bad idea." Severus looked forlorn.

Charity refrained from telling him "I told you so," since she was equally culpable, but still stood up to go.

"You're leaving?" he pouted.

Charity moved toward him, wanting to make it better. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Don't you think I should?" she asked.

"But how am I going to deal with this?" Charity chewed her lip. Maybe leaving him to deal with this by himself wasn't fair.

"Severus," she began cautiously. "Lots of children walk in on their parents being…intimate."

"WE are NOT his parents!" he exclaimed.

"Maybe so, but, we're what he's got, so…"

"I didn't want him to find out this way," he fretted.

"I know, but now he has! Honestly, he may not know anything. We know he didn't hear anything, at least," she finished lightly.

"Charity, you were practically naked in my bed! I was touching you! What's he going to think?"

The young witch screwed up her nose. Severus had a point. Gently she cupped his face with her palms.

"Talk to him, Sev. That's all you can do. He might surprise you." She leaned down and kissed his lips softly.

"And what will you be doing while I'm talking to Harry?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Freshening up!" she replied brightly, kissing the hook of his nose.

She turned toward the door. "Alohomora!" The door unlocked and swung open. Charity skipped over Harry's balled up blanket, slipped out, and made her way to the loo.

Severus was speechless. Not only was this witch smart, caring, and sensual, but Charity Burbage could also do wandless magic and her flirtatious cheek turned him on to no end. ARGH! Severus wanted to scream aloud in frustration. Everything was going so right and so wrong simultaneously. He had finally gotten close to a woman he had admired from afar for almost a decade, and now, because of his folly, he had to give an impromptu sexual education lesson to an 11-year-old boy he was just getting to know. Why didn't I have the good sense to walk Charity back to her rooms last night? Severus smacked his palm against his forehead and grimaced.

"Merlin's eye!" he cursed.

Pushing himself up from the side of his unmade bed, Severus walked toward the blanket lying on the floor by the door. He picked it up, neurotically folding it into a perfect square. It looked like a present – a peace offering. As he turned out the door he could hear Charity humming as she performed her morning ablutions. Another scornful profanity quietly formed on his lips. Severus arrived at the door to Harry's room only to find it open, but the room empty. His stomach sank in panic. Please don't have run away! Please don't have run away! Oh, Gods! Albus is going to kill me! A painful knot began to form in his chest. Needing to maintain appearances, Severus fixed the blanket on Harry's bed and moved as calmly and as quickly as he could to the sitting room. As he approached the end of the hall, his almost run stopped short. Peeking out from the large armchair by the fireplace was a tuft of dark brown bedhead. His heart leapt in relief.

Sensing someone watching him, Harry turned toward the hallway. The child's face said volumes. Within a flash, hurt, anger, and incredulity all made an appearance. Harry frowned and turned away from his guardian's gaze causing Severus to involuntarily purse his lips. The young wizard sighed quietly and walked into the sitting room, taking a place on the settee. As soon as his bottom hit the cushion, Severus realized he was sitting in the very spot where he and Charity's encounter had taken place the night before. He coughed nervously and moved closer to his ward. Thankfully, Harry did not seem to notice his guardian's jittery demeanour. Catching his breath, Severus cleared his throat, swallowing hard before he began.

"Mr. Potter…"

Harry scowled fiercely and looked darkly at his professor. With that look, Severus quickly recovered his nerve. No child, including this one, was going to look at him like that! He cocked an eyebrow at the boy.

"I know you are upset with me, Potter, and I am sorry for being cross with you, but you broke the rules," he resolved, emphasizing each word for effect.

"You yelled at me!" Harry whined. "For no reason!"

"I beg to differ, young man!" Severus returned sternly. Harry clasped his hands together, sulking.

"You said you wouldn't get mad unless there was a very good reason."

"Breaking the rules is a good reason!" he rejoined.

"You're just mad because I caught you!" Harry spat without thinking.

Severus' pallid skin turned beet red. He closed his eyes for a moment and began to count. One. Two. Three. Four. Four and a half! Five. It was safe, once again, to speak.

"I will not tolerate your cheek Harry James Potter! Stop this now. Or you will be doubly punished. Do you understand me?" Severus had spoken so slowly and deliberately that Harry shrank back realizing, too late, that he'd pushed his guardian too far.

Severus frowned at his ward's reaction to his attempt at discipline. Recoiling was not the response he had hoped to illicit from Harry. He didn't want to scare the boy, just reiterate the rules. They needed to get their conversation back on track.

"Now…as I was saying…I was angry with you for no other reason than the fact that you broke the rules…rules which exist for a reason," Severus continued mildly, though still firmly. Harry shifted in his seat but didn't respond.

"Tell me – there were a number of rules we agreed to when it was decided you would live with me. Two of them, however, pertained specifically to my personal space. What were the rules to which we agreed about such matters?"

Harry stammered. "I…I'm not supposed to enter your bedroom without permission..."

"And?" Severus asked leaning toward the child.

"And I'm especially not supposed to enter your room without permission if the door is closed." Harry offered reluctantly.

Severus nodded, eyeing Harry closely.

"Exactly! So, which of those two rules did you break this morning?" he asked fully aware of the answer.

Harry squirmed, not liking how the Potions professor was turning this around.

"Well…both of them," he replied defensively. "But I had a nightmare and was calling for you and you didn't answer."

Unexpectedly the child's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I called but you didn't come. You always come! So, I got out of bed to look for you. But you weren't here. Since you get up before me, I thought something had happened or maybe that you were gone."

Harry gulped, trying his best not to cry. The child's almost tears mitigated Severus' serious expression.

"Harry," Severus said in an exasperated tone, "have you not heard of knocking?"

Harry's face scrunched up so severely, Severus thought it might stay that way.

"No!" the child cried, throwing himself headfirst at Severus' chest. "I mean…yes! But I was just so worried that you left me!"

Severus was at a complete loss. In his long tenure at Hogwarts, he had rarely had the opportunity to comfort a child – not that he went looking for such moments. It was much easier to allow his Prefects to offer consolation to those in his House who needed it. He had once given the captain of the quidditch team a small squeeze on the shoulder when Slytherin House won the Inter-House Cup in 1988, but that was the extent of physical affection he had ever shared with a student. Never once had a child bemoaned his absence and then bear-hugged him when found. Evidently Severus had underestimated Harry's growing feelings of attachment. The child had been with him for almost four weeks, but not once had he sought any kind of physical consolation from him – until now. Unsure of what to do in this situation, Severus patted Harry on the back. The child just squeezed tighter. Gods! Charity was supposed to be handling cuddles, not him. Eventually the child's sobbing slowed, and Severus moved Harry back to a more civilized distance.

"You look a mess, Potter!" he exclaimed. Severus drew his wand. "Accio handkerchief."

Still new to magic, Harry gawked as a top drawer in Severus' desk opened and a clean hanky flew across the room straight into his Dark Man's hand.

"Here," Severus offered his ward the cloth. Harry took the hanky, removed his glasses, and wiped his leaking eyes and dripping nose. The child then settled into the crook of Severus' arm, leaning heavily into his guardian's chest. Resigned to the cuddle, Severus didn't even attempt to move the child. Instead, he pulled the boy closer – though he would have denied it if anyone had seen his action. They sat quietly for long while, revelling in the moment. Severus broke the silence.

"I'm not going anywhere. You know that, right?"

Harry mumbled his agreement into Severus' chest.

"Ok…" the Potions Master persisted. "I just want to be clear with you."

Harry pulled back. "I believe you!" he responded adamantly.

The corners of Severus' mouth betrayed his heart in that moment. Maybe things were looking up.