Chapter 13 – Oblivion is calling out your name

The killer had jumped the gun on the deadline by approximately four hours as near as they could tell. Around the time Harry and Bennett were arriving at Broadmoor Hospital a young man was seen acting suspiciously near the Copper Penny, a local pub not more than 2 miles from the Ministry of Magic. A rather paranoid witch had reported the behaviour to the Auror's office and given the situation it had immediately been investigated.

A team was dispatched to the location and found the murder scene behind the Copper Penny, in a back alleyway.

The victim was Ira Benedict. Ira was an internationally famous wizard known more for being famous than anything else and was almost as big headed as Gilderoy Lockhart had been. Unfortunately for Ira his head had been removed from his body by what looked to be a sword or an axe. His wand was found less than a metre from his body on the same side as the bodies missing hand. It was snapped in half as all the others had been. A note had been found underneath the pieces of wand written on plain muggle paper. It simply said,

Too bad magic couldn't save him.

This one is on you Harry.

You won't be the golden boy for much longer.

Harry didn't really what to say or how to feel. Numbness had spread across his entire body until he could no longer speak even if he had wished to.

'Harry don't let this beat you.' Bennett said to him quietly. 'You never stood a chance of making that deadline. He had this planned so far in advance there really was nothing we could do.'

Harry just gave a small jerk of his head which was the closest he could give to a nod.

Severus remained by his side, standing close by him but not too close. 'She's right.' He said quietly. 'But this murder changes things. His control is slipping.'

Bennett nodded. 'Yes it is.'

Harry didn't say anything. He didn't think it would make of a difference at this point.

It was another few hours before the assigned criminal healer had completed the examination of the body. There were no new details found by the magical examiner.

'Perhaps an autopsy should be arranged.' Severus suggested upon hearing this. The group of Aurors assigned to the case plus Harry, Severus and Bennett were once again gathered in the conference room. Harry was starting to feel like it was his second living room.

'What's an autopsy?' Prewitt asked, a blank look on his face.

Severus just looked at Bennett. 'You want to take this one?' He asked. 'Something tells me they'll take it better coming from you.'

'I doubt it.' Harry muttered.

'What is it?' Prewitt asked again, folding his arms across his chest.

'It's where a medical examiner, a doctor or healer as you would call them dissects the body looking for information about how they were killed.' Bennett said.

'Dissects as in cut up?' Blaise asked with a horrified expression.

'We wouldn't use that term but essentially yes.' Bennett confirmed. 'We also run medical tests to see if there were any toxins in their blood, or anything else that may have caused their death.'

'I think we know their cause of death.' Prewitt said bluntly. 'An axe to a head is pretty conclusive. Besides we've cast several diagnostic spells on the victim's body already and found nothing, I don't think mutilating it will provide new information!'

'You've cast magical diagnostic spells looking for magical traces and toxins.' Severus corrected. 'We're dealing with a killer who is fascinated with muggles and hates magic. That much is clear. Don't you think that in addition to killing in a muggle fashion that the killer might have used a muggle toxin? Or perhaps left traces that only muggle technology might find? Just looking for magical answers isn't getting us very far.' He pointed put.

Prewitt rubbed his hands over his eyes. 'For someone who didn't even want to be a part of this investigation you're being remarkable pushy Snape.' He said tiredly. 'Fine. Do your muggle aupotty thing.'

'Autopsy.' Harry corrected.

Prewitt glared at him. 'But don't expect it to yield the answers you're looking for.' He snapped.

'I never expect anything to yield answers Prewitt.' Bennett said. 'But we would be foolish to leave any stone unturned.'

Prewitt just shook his head. 'Whatever you think is best.' He said. 'The body is yours. I suppose you'll wish to take it away to one of your hospitals?'

Bennett nodded. 'I'll find someone to do it tonight and rush the results. I should have preliminary results by the end of tomorrow.'

Prewitt stood up. 'Fine. Let's finish up for the night. It's late and I doubt that we can do any more good right now by staying here. Let's start again fresh tomorrow.'

As they all rose to leave for the evening Harry realised he wasn't really sure where he should be staying the night. It appeared as though both his and Severus' homes were no longer safe, and he wasn't going to risk anyone else's safety either.

Severus came to stand beside him. 'My home is as good as any.' He said softly, as if reading Harry's thoughts. 'Besides I refuse to be forced out of it by some psychopath.' He added.

'Mmmm hmmm.' Harry agreed, nodding slightly.

When they got to the atrium Harry was surprised by Severus reaching out and grabbing his hand. He then turned them both on the spot and apparated them to his kitchen.

'Are you telling me all this time I could have just apparated straight here instead of going to those stupid coordinates?' Harry asked.

'You couldn't idiot. I can but no one else can.' Severus snapped and dropped Harry's hand.

'Makes sense I suppose.' Harry muttered, feeling foolish for hoping that Severus had just wanted to hold his hand. Somehow the events of the past twenty four hours had built a wall between them again.

Harry was too tired and heartsick to try and break it down. What had happened or would happen between them could wait; after all he had still invited him to stay again. 'I need fire whiskey.' He said abruptly.

'I think we might have drunk the last of it.' Severus said.

'Then dip into your secret stash.' Harry said harshly. 'I'm sure you have one.'

Severus raised his eyebrows. 'Sit' he said, abruptly pulling a chair out from the table for Harry to sit at.'

For lack of a better idea Harry sat down.

Severus did manage to find a half empty bottle of Firewhiskey and poured a glass for them both, placing Harry's in front of him and then sitting in the chair opposite the half empty bottle between them.

For a time they just sat there in silence. Harry sculling his first two glasses while Severus took small sips.

'Don't you think you've had enough of that?' Severus asked quietly when Harry poured his third glass in as many minutes. 'Surely you don't literally want to drink your way into oblivion?'

Harry just shrugged and continued drinking.

'You're being very immature.' Severus said.

Harry just glared at him and continued to drink albeit at a slightly slower rate.

Severus just waited for him to respond.

'Why is it always about me?' Harry finally said, his voice cracking ever so slightly making him sound like a very small child.

'Potter that's a question I've asked the world so many times over I've lost count.' Severus said with a sigh. 'In short the only reason everything is about you as you so aptly put it is because the Dark Lord chose to make it so. Unfortunately his death hasn't stopped that one iota.'

'Why do you still call him the Dark Lord?' Harry asked.

'Some habits are hard to break.' Severus growled.

'It's not fair.' Harry said, very much aware of how whiny he sounded.

'When are you going to realise that life isn't fair Harry?' Severus said sharply. 'You've been given ample evidence over the course of your lifetime to know that life isn't fair. You can be the most decent person in the world and be given the worst lot in life. You know that so stop sitting here feeling sorry for yourself when you can't do anything to change it. Besides you know that it could always be worse than it is. At least we have our lives. Five years ago that wasn't guaranteed, both of us very nearly lost them.'

Harry sighed. 'I know. That's true, and I know that I need to remember that but really? When is it going to end?'

'I can't tell you that.' Severus said. 'I'd say that it will end when you make it end, but that might not be true. Let me ask you something, you made the choice to join this investigation rather than continue to hide in your cottage, why?'

Harry shrugged. 'I was tired of hiding.'

'That's not entirely true. You could have come out of hiding at any stage of your life why now?'

'I don't know.' Harry said. 'I wanted to help. Maybe I just wanted to see you again.' He added, lowering his gaze slightly.

'As flattering as that is I also doubt it's true. You hated me Harry.' Severus reminded him. 'During your time at Hogwarts you always talked about being an Auror. Why didn't you pursue that after the war? It's what everyone expected you would do.'

'Perhaps that's why I didn't do it.' Harry mused. 'The war took so much out of me that I didn't want to do anything. I didn't want any more fame, I didn't want to be looked at anymore in the street. I didn't want to catch dark wizards anymore. At first I intended it to just be a break but then as time went on I found it harder and harder to get back into it.'

'You essentially took a five year break didn't you?' Severus asked.

'Essentially.' Harry agreed. 'But not deliberately.'

'Let me ask you this.' Severus continued. 'If this killer hadn't fixated upon you how would you feel about the events of today?'

Harry frowned. 'I don't know what you mean.'

'What if the killer had fixated on myself? Or on Hermione?'

Harry's stomach turned over. 'I don't want to think about that.' He said. 'At least if he's coming for me I have some control over it.'

'On the contrary Harry. We both know you have no control over this.' Severus said softly.

Harry nodded. 'It's easier to deal with if I pretend I do though.'

'I can see what you're feeling.' Severus said. 'But this isn't your fault.'

Harry looked up into Severus' dark eyes. 'I know. But that doesn't make it any easier.'

'I know.' Severus nodded, holding Harry's gaze.

'Let me ask you something, why did you decide to help with this investigation?' Harry asked. 'You had less reason than I to help and yet you did anyway, and help me no less who as you yourself just stated allegedly hated you.'

Severus smirked slightly at Harry's words. 'You forget that I sold the fucker Felix Felicis. If this is anyone's fault its mine. I felt compelled to assist.'

'But why assist me? You could have gone to the ministry and offered to assist them.' Harry pressed.

'Maybe I just wanted to see you again.' Severus said echoing Harry's earlier words.

Harry laughed. 'You mock me.' He said. 'I know you hated me too.'

'I did yes.' Severus agreed. 'As previously discussed it was as much a coping mechanism as anything else. After the war and after your testimony at my trial I decided that I needed to let go of the past and learn who you really were. I thought I owed you that much.'

'I felt that too, although you have that backwards. You don't owe me anything. In fact I owe you my life several times over.' Harry said softly.

'You're forgetting the reason why that is Harry.' Severus reminded him harshly, lowering his eyes.

'I'm not forgetting anything.' Harry said, reaching across the table and gently touching Severus's hand.

'Enough.' Severus said. 'I don't want to talk anymore.'

'If you don't want to talk anymore what do you want to do?' Harry asked, moving his hand away to pour himself yet another drink.

Severus pulled the now mostly empty bottle away from him. 'No more drink.' He snapped. Then stood slowly and took Harry by the hand, leading him towards the bedroom.

Harry followed without much thought past that Severus's hand felt soft and warm in his and that a deliciously tingly feeling had begun to spread throughout his body. He felt more than a little tipsy but not so much that his head wasn't fully aware of where this was leading, or could be leading. Frankly he didn't care much whatever happened.

Severus paused at the door to his bedroom and looked at Harry. 'If you're not ready for this we don't have to do anything.' He said softly, not quite meeting Harry's eyes. 'I don't imagine you have much experience with this.'

'Experience with another man or experience in general?' Harry asked. 'Not that it matters as I've very little experience past that of a normal teenager.'

Severus smirked. 'As I expected.' He said. 'Though you were never an ordinary teenager.' He said, leaning forward to capture Harry's mouth in a lingering kiss.

Harry responded eagerly, leaning closely up against Severus's chest, deepening the kiss and snaking his arms around Severus' neck to twine his fingers in his hair. 'I don't imagine you've had that much more experience yourself.' He said after pulling back slightly and placing a gently kiss on Severus's collarbone.

'One doesn't form attachments while in the employ of Lord Voldemort.' Severus murmured, cupping Harry's face in his hands and kissing him deeply again, pulling him gently into the room and towards the bed. 'Not if they were wise anyway.' He added.

'I believe we were talking of experience rather than attachments anyway.' Harry murmured knowing all too well the result of Severus' only attachment whilst in the employ of Voldemort. He expelled the thought, instead pushing Severus's cloak off his shoulders to reveal simple black wizard robes underneath. Harry ran his hands over Severus's chest feeling his muscles and bent to kiss his collarbone.

'Indeed'. Severus murmured in agreement, pulling Harry's shirt over his head and dropping it on the floor behind them. 'While my experience isn't exactly extensive it's most likely a little more than yours.'

'Shut up and kiss me please.' Harry insisted, pulling himself up to grab Severus by the back of his head and kiss him furiously.

Severus responded in kind and before long they had reached the bed, Severus shedding the last vestiges of Harry's clothing as they went until he gently laid a naked Harry down and gazed at him.

Harry raised his eyebrows. 'What exactly are you waiting for?' He asked eyebrows raised. 'I'm clearly ready and waiting!' He said impatiently looking pointedly at his erection which was standing straight up and practically quivering in anticipation.

'I have no intention of rushing this Harry.' Severus said quietly, his dark eyes roaming in approval over Harry's naked form. 'I've learned the hard way to appreciate every single moment you have, and to make the good ones last as long as possible.'

Harry privately doubted that he'd last very long at all if Severus continued to move at this glacial pace. The anticipation alone was practically killing him. He forced himself to slow down and consider what he was about to do, savour the way Severus was looking at him now, which was in a way no other had ever looked at him before. 'You're wearing entirely too many clothes.' Harry said eventually.

Severus leaned over him and kissed him from the top of his forehead to the bottom of his chin, his lips dry but so soft against Harry's slightly unshaven face. 'I'm only wearing robes Harry.' He whispered.

Harry's eyes widened. 'Only?'

Severus smirked. 'Why don't you find out?' he asked sitting up slightly.

Harry reached eagerly towards him and began to pull at the hem which was now quite tangled beneath them. He eventually managed to lift them up over Severus' head revealing that Severus was indeed naked underneath.

Harry looked at him for a moment then slowly pushed him down to lie on the bed before him. It was his turn to examine every inch of the man who had so quickly become the focus of his world, who had made him feel so alive again and he liked what he saw. Severus was not so different to himself, pale almost to translucence with a fairly well formed chest with a smattering of dark hair; his eyes dark and full of longing and something else Harry wasn't foolish enough to put a name to yet.

Instead he followed Severus' earlier lead and bent to kiss his chest softly, slowly working down his side to his hips, his cheek nudging gently against his erection. He then turned his head slightly and ran his tongue up the length of Severus's cock before taking him entirely into his mouth and sucking him hard. Severus moaned loudly and thrust his hips upward ever so slightly forcing himself further into Harry's mouth. Harry took that as a sign of encouragement and continued sucking, taking in more and more of Severus each time. Severus moaned again and reached forward to twine his fingers into Harry's hair as his head bobbed up and down between his legs.

'Harry…' Severus moaned. 'Harry you have to stop, not yet I don't want to come yet.' He moaned again. 'Haaarrry please!'

Harry eventually pulled away and sat up with a smirk on his face.

'Have you ever done that before?' Severus asked, incredulity lining his face.

Harry shook his head. 'Was it terrible?' he asked knowing full well it wasn't.

'Stop being a twit.' Severus replied grabbing him roughly by the shoulders and flipping them so Harry was beneath him, flat on his back. 'Now it's my turn!' He growled and bent to kiss Harry's neck, nipping slightly at his ear lobe, before moving down his body and taking him into his mouth, running his tongue along the bottom of his cock and tasting the precome oozing out of the tip.

Harry's head rolled back and his back arched. 'Fucking hell.' He hissed. 'You've clearly done this before.'

Severus ignored him, choosing instead to focus on the feel of Harry's cock in his mouth, the weight of it and how wonderful it tasted. He teased him for a while, sucking him more slowly and languorously, before speeding up and sucking him hard. He could hear Harry's moans getting louder and his breathing accelerating and could feel his own erection responding, the blood pounding in his cock.

'Severus stop, I'm going to…' Harry moaned, trying to pull away but Severus wouldn't let him move holding him firmly by the hips and continuing to suck until Harry lost control and came furiously into Severus's mouth and down his throat.

Severus slowly released Harry and placed soft kisses once again on his hips, hands running down the length of his thighs, lifting his legs slightly to cup Harry's ass.

Harry covered his face with his hands. 'I can't believe I didn't last longer.' He groaned. 'How embarrassing!'

Severus pulled his hands away from his face and laughed. 'Actually I'm very surprised you didn't lose control sooner!' He said, softly caressing Harry's ass and running one finger slowly over his entrance.

That answered Harry's unasked question of how things were going to go next. He obviously knew the fundamentals of homosexual intercourse but didn't know how to broach the subject of who topped and who bottomed, nor did he much want to. He was happy to let Severus take the lead. In all honesty the idea didn't bother him in the slightest despite feeling unsure about it earlier in his life.

As Severus kept teasing his entrance he found himself growing hard again. 'You're way too good at this. 'He stated, poking Severus in the centre of his chest before leaning down to kiss him softly. 'I want to have more fun with you first.' He whispered suggestively in his ear.

Harry then proceeded to trace every inch of Severus's body with first his fingers, gently tracing every scar, every line every feature he could find and then following with his mouth, leaving a trail of hot kisses as he went. By this stage Severus was so on edge that he once again pushed Harry down on the bed and lifting up his legs whispered a quick lubrication charm. As Severus gently pushed one finger inside of him Harry moaned and felt himself begin to harden again in anticipation and desire. 'There goes my virginity.' He panted.

Severus looked at him in concern and removed his finger, resting his hand gently on Harry's ass. 'Do you want to stop?' He asked quickly. 'We don't have to do this.'

Harry took Severus' face in his hands. 'I want to do this.' He said seriously.

'Yes?'

'Yeah.' Harry confirmed again.

Severus visibly relaxed and kissed Harry firmly. 'Well alright then.' He said with a smirk, and resumed his gentle preparations, inserting one slick finger and then the next, moving them in and out at a slow steady pace until Harry was practically begging for more.

'Severus?' Harry moaned.

'Mmmm?' Severus murmured in Harry's ear as he pressed himself up against his body.

'I want you.' Harry whispered, reaching out and grabbing Severus's erection, stroking him firmly. 'Now.'

Severus smiled and kissed Harry soundly, moving down his body gently before taking him in his mouth for a few moments.

Harry moaned again as his cock responded, and he quickly pulled Severus up on top of him. 'You're loving this aren't you?' Harry said in frustration looking into Severus's eyes.

Severus smirked. 'Perhaps.' He said softly, before finally entering him slowly, allowing Harry to get used to the feel of him inside.

Harry winced a little at first in discomfort but then a delicious molten feeling began to spread through him as Severus started to move and he found himself moaning loudly again as his own erection grew even further. Then he started to move with Severus matching him thrust for thrust until at last they both came together and collapsed into a sticky mess entangled in each other's arms.

It was several minutes before they either moved or spoke, content to just lie together enjoying the feeling of each other's bodies pressed close together. Severus eventually rolled off Harry and scooped him into his arms, placing Harry's head on his chest and lazily brushing his messy hair from his eyes.

'It's the most wonderful feeling.' Harry said absently after a while. 'I didn't expect that.'

Severus scoffed. 'Yes well it has to be doesn't it? If orgasming wasn't good we wouldn't ever actually have sex would we and the human race would have died out!'

Harry poked Severus in the side. 'Not the orgasm you twit. I'm not so inexperienced that I've never had an orgasm before.'

'What then?' Severus asked, pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead.

'That feeling of being so close to another person that there isn't any space between you anymore.' Harry said somewhat sleepily. 'It's the best feeling in the world. We should have done this ages ago.'

Severus didn't respond except to pull Harry a little closer into him before they both fell into a deep and blissful sleep.

A/N – So sorry this update has taken so long. The main reason being that I mostly write this fic on my lunchbreaks at work, and smut shouldn't really be written at work for obvious reasons!

Also I'm relatively bad at writing smut so it takes me a lot longer!

I do have the rest of this story planned out in full so I suspect the updates will be a bit more frequent now I know exactly where it's going and how long it will take to get there.

Please review and tell me what you think.

Aofie x