DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I do not gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it! Song is from Harry Potter.
CLAIMER: I own my OMC Senya Ruikov.
WARNING: This is a Slash-Male/Male relationship fan-fiction. If you do not like same-sex relationships, then this story is not for you. Fast-paced.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Should probably have included AU-verse in the warning section for the past two chapters. Things have shifted within the timeline and somethings that have happened in the book and/or movie have not happened in my story, vice versa. This story is coming to an end, although not in this chapter. I may or may not include an epilogue at the end of the final chapter or as its own chapter.
P.S.: Bold is characters speaking Russian. Italics are for thoughts.
.:Chapter Three:.
Senya gasped for breath as soon as his head cleared the surface of the lake. The icy waters surrounding him chilled his body to his bones and the late February weather did nothing but cause the blonde to shiver. Nearby, he spotted Hogwarts' other champion helping their Yule Ball date up onto a wooden platform while Fleur pulled a young girl similar in appears out of the water.
Senya caught Viktor's gaze, his friend already dried and with a damp-haired Hermione standing beside him. Looking around, Senya failed to see Harry. Without thought, Senya dove back under the water. A splash came from above him and Senya was soon joined by a familiar redhead Harry would often attempt not to talk about, but found it hard as many of Harry's experiences at Hogwarts were shared with this student.
Both Senya and Ron swam downwards towards a field of giant kelp, watching as grindylows swarmed around the top like angry hornets. Unable to locate his wand, assuming his Headmaster had it because of this task, Senya waited until Ron's stunning spells shocked the grindylows. Senya's eyes widened, catching sight of a hand sticking out of the kelp and swam as quickly as he could to Harry's unmoving form.
Senya took hold of the visible hand and pulled upwards, pulling Harry out of the kelp forest. He felt as though his heart stopped at the dull emerald orbs staring straight ahead, but seeing nothing. Ron wrapped his arm around Harry's other side and together they swam towards the lake's surface. As soon as they breeched the surface at the nearest platform, Hermione and Krum were there helping them pull Harry up.
"Grindylows," Senya gasped, his chest tight as he tried to catch his breath.
"Move aside. Everyone back up and make some room!" Headmaster Dumbledore order as Senya and Ron pulled themselves out of the freezing waters.
Hermione was already aiming her wand at Harry, casting a spell that had all of the water in Harry's lungs expelled. Harry flipped over onto his side, coughing up mouthfuls of water. His eyes were squeezed shut while his hands clutched at his aching chest.
"Harry!" Ron and Hermione shouted, the brunette taking off her blanket and wrapping it around Harry.
Silence erupted into cheers as Harry managed to sit up with the help of his friends. Tear-filled green eyes locked onto hazel and Senya carefully grabbed hold of Harry's trembling hand.
.:oOo:.
"Ron?" Harry voiced quietly; his throat still sore from coughing up all of that water from the Black Lake.
Harry was currently confined in the Hospital Wing, by orders of Madame Pomfrey for the night for observation. When the door to the Hospital Wing opened and closed, but there was no sight of whoever entered, Harry immediately knew who it was sneaking in. A hand appeared seemingly out of thin air before invisible fabric parted to reveal Ron standing underneath Harry's invisibility cloak.
"Hey, Harry…" Ron replied just as quietly, his blue eyes filled with nothing but concern for the raven. "How are you feeling?"
Harry sighed, but his tiny smile seemed to cause Ron's tense shoulders to relax.
"I'm fine. Everyone told me what happened…you jumped in and helped save me," Harry stated, his smile widening at how red Ron's ears became. "Thank you."
Ron shrugged, biting the inside of his cheek before squaring his shoulders.
"Of course, I jumped in to help you, Harry, you're my best friend. You're like my brother. I…I won't make any excuses for how I've been acting, but I promise I'll do better," Ron told Harry, a determined glint in his eyes. "I should have believed you when you said that you never put your name in the goblet. You hate attention, there's no way you would do something like that. Besides, if Fred and George couldn't trick magic, the only obvious answer would be someone having entered you name against your knowledge."
Harry stared at Ron, flabbergasted. Sure, Ron has apologized before, but never like this. Ron actually thought about everything that had happened since the start of the school year, what happened concerning the Goblet of Fire and his reaction. Ron shifted his weight from one foot to the other, rubbing the back of his neck as he began to grow uncertain as silence reigned after his apology.
"Thank you," Harry breathed, reaching out and grabbing hold of Ron's hand.
Ron returned Harry's grip, feeling that he was forgiven. Ron knew that it would take time for Hermione and Harry both to trust Ron not to act out as he did again in the future, and he would not blame them for his actions that caused this to happen. It was hard to forget betrayals, especially between siblings and best friends. Ron promised himself to do better and he would.
When Ron finally left Harry to rest, hidden under the invisibility cloak so as not to be caught roaming around after curfew, Harry exhaled shakily. The heat radiating along his entire left side, opposite of where Ron had been standing, caused Harry to shift. Harry tilted his head and watched as the disillusionment charm faded away to reveal Senya lying beside him. Senya had shown up moments after supper ended, his presence chasing away the last dredges of a chill Harry had not been able to shake off.
"He did not hesitate jumping in to help you," Senya whispered, not wanting to risk the Hospital Wing's matron in hearing him and making him leave.
Harry leaned into the hand caressing the side of his face, his fingers back to clutching the fabric of Senya's robes.
"I thought I was going to die," Harry admitted, his voice shaking with emotion. "When the grindylows started dragging me down, all I could think about was at least Senya and Hermione are safe."
"Oh, Little Raven," Senya sighed, curling his arm around Harry's shoulders and holding the younger male close as possible.
Harry buried his face against the crook of Senya's neck and shoulder, curling his arms under the blonde's and grabbing fists-full of robe cladding Senya's upper back. Senya shifted along the bed, taking up most of the small space. Senya then pulled until Harry was stretched out completely on top of him. Tugging the blanket over them, Senya held Harry all night; first as Harry cried and then as his raven slept.
.:oOo:.
Prongslet,
I am sorry that I have been unable to write to you until now. It has been difficult these past few months avoiding the Ministry and their hit-wizards. I have finally found a safe enough place to stay for a long period of time without the risk of being found. When I first received your letter in regards to being a fourth champion in a deadly tournament, I almost blew off my hiding status in order to whisk you away to somewhere safe. Only the knowledge of my being arrested and never seeing you again, and you being bound by magic to compete stopped my actions. I never wanted this for you, Harry, for you to risk your life more times than a fully trained auror. I am sorry that I cannot be with you right now, to protect you from any and all evil. I am your godfather, but I have not been a very good one. I never should have let my anger control me the night your parents, my best friends, were murdered. I should have stayed with you and raised you, not get sentenced to Azkaban and force you into the hands of magic-fearing muggles. I cannot express how deeply I regret my actions of that night…or the nights leading up to the war. Please take care of yourself, Harry. Be safe, stay vigilant, and let your friends be there for you like I cannot be in this moment. I wish to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Padfoot.
Harry refolded the letter he received over breakfast and slipped it into a pocket on the inside of his robes. From his place sitting in the Astronomy Tower, Harry stared out over the school grounds, not really taking in the details as his thoughts circled around the first letter from his godfather since the start of the school year. Harry had written to Sirius back when his name was spit out of the Goblet of Fire…that had been in November and not a reply until now.
Harry sighed, leaning back on the palms of his hands while glancing up at the overcast sky. The scent of rain was in the air and a fog was rolling in over the surface of the Black Lake. Harry was not mad at Sirius; he was only glad that his godfather was safe and alive. If staying that way prevented him from contacting Harry, it was more than understandable. Harry would reply back later tonight when he returns to his dorm.
It was in that moment that the sky opened up with a downpour, soaking everything outside within seconds. Harry could hear muffled shrieks and shouts from the unsuspecting students caught outside, having been either studying or hanging out with friends around the lakeshore. Twenty minutes later, Harry was still sitting at the edge of the tower watching the storm rage on. The sound of footsteps climbing the wrought iron steps caused Harry to look over his shoulder.
"Senya," Harry greeted with a smile, one that slowly curved into a grin at the blonde's wet locks. "Get caught in the rain?"
Senya scoffed playfully, dropping down to sit beside Harry and bumped their shoulders together. Senya's long sleeve shirt and track pants were damp, and the bottom of his trainers were specked with mud.
"I vas running around ze lake vhen it started raining," Senya explained, taking out his wand and drying himself off with a spell.
Harry bit his bottom lip at he looked down through the rain to where the lake was.
"I thought that was you racing against someone. Did you win?" Harry asked, peering up at Senya through thick lashes.
Senya chuckled, holstering his wand before draping an arm over Harry's shoulders. Harry leaned into the warm hold, resting his head against Senya's collarbone.
"No, ze rain started before ve could finish," Senya stated, his thumb rubbing up and down Harry's shoulder in a soothing manner. "Hermione and your redheaded friend acted as referees."
Harry's brows scrunched up at Senya's last word, not understanding as it was in Russian.
"Acting as referees?" Harry guessed questioningly and Senya nodded, observing Harry's sudden grin.
The happiness Harry was currently feeling reflected in his green eyes, making them almost glow with it.
"Your eyes—"
"Are like my mother's," Harry stated rhetorically, having been told that countless times before.
"Breathtakingly beautiful," Senya finished, watching both of Harry's brows lift and a warm flush dusting his cheeks.
Senya turned slightly until he was able to caress the side of Harry's face with his free hand, his other arm still secure around Harry's shoulders.
"What does that mean?" Harry asked, his voice a whisper that was almost drowned out by the heavy rain.
Senya leaned forward, his lips curving into a smirk that caught Harry's breath.
"Breathtakingly beautiful," Senya repeated in English, slanting his mouth over Harry's just as the raven's lips parted in surprise.
Harry returned the kiss with fervor, looping his arms around Senya's waist and moving as close as he could. Without breaking contact, Senya moved back until he could feel the stone wall behind him. He then pulled Harry forward. Reaching down with one hand, Senya cupped the back of Harry's knee. Harry's eyes fluttered open as he felt himself now straddling Senya's thighs. Leaning back, Harry acted on impulse and cupped the sides of Senya's face.
Harry studied the other male and Senya let him, his own hands falling to rest on Harry's thighs. Tilting forwards slowly, Harry softly brushed his kiss-swollen lips against Senya's. He slowly added pressure, parting his lips and dipping his tongue out to swipe along Senya's bottom lip. Harry received a playful nip in return and was unable to stop the chuckle that escaped him. Their kiss slowly deepened, neither one in a hurry to be anywhere but here.
.:oOo:.
Harry trudged carefully up the steep slope leading to a cluster of small caves near Hogsmeade. The large stones jutting out of the earth's crust were visible even from Hogwarts' highest point. When Sirius mentioned that he had found a safe place to stay long-term, Harry was not thinking about caves. Caves were not Harry's definition of long-term housing…but considering Sirius' current predicament with being wanted by the Ministry, Harry could not blame his godfather's choice in accommodations.
Secured in Harry's arms was a feather-light picnic basket filled to the brim with all sorts of provisions that were held under a stasis charm. If there was one thing Harry knew about keeping one's head down and out of trouble, it was that it was hard to come by something good and sustainable to eat. He was unsure of if his godfather had the means of getting food, but Harry would rather bring something for Sirius to eat than not.
Taking another careful step up, loose rocks beneath his trainers slid and Harry started to slip backwards. A firm hand pressed against the center of his back, stopping Harry from falling any further. Hermione huffed at the near fall and Ron's quick acting. She too carried a basket, this one containing hygiene items she knew the man would be in dire need of…if the information that was in Harry's letter was anything to go by.
"Are you sure this is the right place, mate? I can't even see anyone in the village anymore with how far we are," Ron grumbled, making sure Harry's feet were stable before removing his hand and hefting the straps of a backpack firmly on his shoulders.
Hermione had insisted on having absolutely everything anyone in the wilderness could possibly need. Ron still did not understand why someone camping would need a portable table when the wizard could just transfigure something into one.
'Sirius doesn't have a wand, Ronald. Without a wand, he has to resort to muggle means.'
Ron rolled his eyes as Hermione's previous argument echoed in his mind. Geez, even without saying anything, Hermione was nagging him.
"There it is," Harry pointed out, quickening his steps.
"Easy, Harry, you almost fell earlier," Hermione called, hurrying her own steps after her friend.
Harry waved off her concerns with an I'm fine and practically jogged up the last few steps to the top of a hill surrounded by large stones and damp grass. Harry let out a whoosh of air as a pair of arms caught him around his middle, spinning him and his capture around in circles while a happy laugh sounded against his ear.
"Prongslet, you're here!"
"Padfoot," Harry greeted, just as happy to see his godfather.
Setting Harry down, Sirius clasped his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"Let me have a look at you," Sirius murmured, his eyes racking up and down Harry's form. "You've gotten taller."
Harry would have responded, but in that moment Ron and Hermione caught up to them. Ron quickly removed the backpack from his shoulders and set it down on the ground while Hermione took it upon herself to explain to a gapping Sirius the contents of each basket they had brought him. A couple of hours later found the small group clustered inside one of the larger caves, sitting around a warm fire discussing the tournament and possible suspects for entering Harry's name.
"My galleons are on Karkaroff or Snape," Sirius stated before explaining. "Back when the first war was getting started, both of them were Death Eaters. If there is someone currently at Hogwarts wanting to hurt you, it would be one of them."
Harry's brows furrowed, already shaking his head no at Sirius' words.
"No, Headmaster Karkaroff was just as annoyed as Madam Maxime when I was named a fourth champion. He would not want any addition problems getting in the way of Durmstrang winning the tournament," Harry told him, resolute in his reasoning. "And…I mean, I know you and Professor Snape dislike each other, but despite his attitude towards me, he argued against me competing. He even tried finding a way to get me out of the tournament without the Goblet's oath affecting my magic."
"What? That's insane. Did you know about this?" Ron asked, directing his question to Hermione who only shrugged her shoulders and shake her head no.
Harry huffed a sigh, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms.
"It was when I was in the back room with the other champions. Headmaster Dumbledore…for one split second actually looked angry at me, believing that I had somehow entered my name despite me disputing it," Harry explained, frowning as he remembered that moment. "Professor Snape, he was rude and mean about it, but he was the only one who seemed to believe me at the time."
"Then who would you suggest?" Hermione asked not unkindly, but honestly curious as she was under the same impression as Sirius and Ron.
Harry bit his bottom lip, his fingers fiddling with the hem of his sleeve. Finally, he looked up and met his godfather's gaze.
"What do you know about Alastor Moody?"
.:oOo:.
Senya greeted Harry with a chaste kiss just above the raven's brow, not hesitating in taking hold of Harry's hand and lacing their fingers together. Just as quickly, Senya began leading Harry away from beside Zonkos where the two decided to meet.
"Did everything go vell?" Senya asked, not taking his eyes off of the path he was leading Harry down, Hogwarts students still loitering about despite the approaching darkness brought on by the late hour.
"Yes, thank you for waiting for me," Harry voiced, tightening his grip on Senya's hand. "Hermione and Ron headed back early after running into Viktor. Did the two of you have fun?"
"Hm, Viktor vould argue ze vord fun," Senya stated with a grin, aiming it at Harry before pulling the raven into the warmth supplied by Honeydukes.
"Why?" Harry asked, this time tugging Senya through the aisles and towards the shelf filled with an assortment of chocolates.
Viktor chuckled, Harry feeling the vibration of it as Senya's chest pressed against his back as they browsed the shelves.
"Zonkos has zese vonderful creations zat turns one into bird," Senya told him, amusement heavy in his voice.
Harry found himself laughing at the image of Viktor being tricked into eating a Canary Cream. He could only regret not being a witness to the scene Senya gave him. Then…Harry's eyes locked on a shelf lined with a variety of bonbons.
"Those…," Harry breathed, actually pointing at the twenty-eight different types of chocolate bonbons. "Let's get some of those."
Senya wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. He could feel the tremor course through Harry as his warm breath fluttered along the raven's neck.
"Some of each," Senya said in agreement.
With reluctance in releasing his hold on Harry, Senya grabbed a pastry box and began filling it with bonbons. There were mousse-filled ones; dark chocolate, white chocolate, semisweet, milk, strawberry, vanilla, caramel, and toffee. There were yogurt and fruit-filled ones; cherry, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, pineapple, mango, and even coconut.
There were four types of citus; orange, lime, lemon, and grapefruit. There were also five types of nuts; hazelnut, walnut, peanut, cashew, and pistachio. The last of the caramel, toffee, and butterscotch bonbons were added to the top of the over-flowing box of chocolates. Harry's large eyes stared at the box in Senya's hands, only looking up into hazel orbs when Senya chuckled.
"I shall enjoy eating zese vith you, Little Raven," Senya stated, before closing the box and taking Harry's hand once more in his.
They made their way out of the store after paying for the box of goodies, taking the path back to Hogwarts with plans of sharing with their friends. The third task was only three months away and the only clue the champions had, was the location; it being held in what was typically the quidditch pitch. Harry pushed back thoughts to the tournament and focused on the now. He looked up at Senya's serene expression and smiled.
.:oOo:.
"Now, this is not an ordinary maze. It will be filled with dangerous animals and deadly obstacles that will test each and every one of you on skills to fight and survive," Crouch Sr informed everyone, motioning a hand towards Hagrid as the half-giant joined them. "Mr. Hagrid has been most generous in supplying all of the creatures that will be hidden within the maze."
Harry shared a knowing look with Cedric as they listened to Bagman and Crouch Sr explain exactly what the third task was going to be. Viktor, standing on Harry's other side one step behind the raven, noticed the shared look and opted to wait and ask. Fleur stood off to the side with Madam Maxime, the other Headmasters near the front with Bagman and Crouch Sr.
"Next week, this maze will be towering over everyone's heads and be the perfect lurking grounds for creatures that dwell in the dark and damp areas of the word," Crouch Sr added with a grin, an oddly happy jump in his movements. "So, get ready, champions, because this will be the hardest task yet, as it is your last."
'That sounded ominous,' Harry thought to himself, walking away with the others once dismissed.
Harry stopped when Viktor nudged his arm. Viktor only had to nod his head in Cedric's direction for Harry to understand the other's unspoken question.
"Hagrid's idea of a cute and fluffy animal are some of the most dangerous," Harry explained, he and Viktor starting back towards the castle for supper. "He has a colony of acromantula living in the Forbidden Forest, a Cerberus the size of a house, some blast-ended skrewts, and he even had a dragon once."
With every added magical creature Harry was listing, Viktor's eyebrow continued to raise and his eyes growing larger and larger.
"Considering everything that has happened at school over the years, I wouldn't be surprised if there are going to be boggarts in the maze as well," Harry sighed heavily, just wanting to get the last task over and done with. "Do you think it'll count me as competing in the third task if I enter the maze and then walk back out?"
"You vould give up?" Viktor questioned as they stepped inside the castle where warm air surrounded their chilled limbs.
Harry sighed, but nodded while pulling his robes tighter around himself.
"I never wanted to be in this tournament, Viktor. I've come so close to dying during every task," Harry stated, his voice growing softer with every word. "I…I have this awful feeling that the third task will be even worse."
Viktor hummed in agreement, knowing that the danger levels of each task rose the further along in the tournament one gets.
"You are very talented," Viktor admitted truthfully. "Your skills only keep growing."
Harry glanced up at Viktor just before they were to enter the Great Hall to join everyone else for supper. Viktor met his gaze head on.
"Compete. Prove zem vrong," Viktor practically dared Harry.
"But…," Harry hesitated, fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of his robe sleeve. "I don't want or need to prove anything, Viktor. I just want to survive."
Viktor smirked.
"Exactly," Viktor answered. "Prove by surviving."
Harry could only nod his head.
.:oOo:.
Senya ran his hand over the softly glowing head of Harry's deer patronus. It held an ethereal beauty that stole Senya's words. Harry stood beside him, his hand hovering over one of the deer's antlers.
"This is Prongs," Harry introduced in a whisper.
"Magnificent," Senya finally voiced, feeling the positive emotions radiating from the patronus.
Senya grinned when the deer nodded, seemingly agreeing with him.
"I wanted to see how long I could keep him active…maybe have him walk through the maze with me," Harry said as he dropped his hand back to his side.
"Zere vill be distractions," Senya pointed out, a mischievous gleam entering hazel orbs.
Harry caught Senya's look as Prongs began to walk around the room, practically gliding over the hard stone floor. Before Harry could ask Senya what he was thinking, calloused fingers grabbed a fist-full of Harry's robes and him against Senya. Senya slanted his mouth over Harry's slightly parted lips, deepening the kiss within seconds. Prongs flickered out of existence and Senya pulled away with a smirk. Harry blinked, opening his eyes as he drew in a shaky breath. Harry's heartbeat raced inside his chest and his cheeks flushed pink at the sight of Senya's smug expression.
"Four seconds," Senya stated, confusing Harry as his mind was still hazy from their kiss.
"What?" Harry asked, leaning up on his tip-toes for another kiss.
Senya leaned down, obliging his raven before answering.
"Prongs lasted four seconds."
Harry's flush brightened, causing Senya's smirk to widen.
"Again?" Harry asked, tilting his head back while looping his arms around Senya's shoulders.
Senya pretended to think it over, chuckling when Harry cast his patronus charm again. Prongs pranced around them, lasting six seconds this time. Prongs vanished in a blink of an eye when Senya's tongue caressed the inside of Harry's mouth and the blonde's arms curling securely around his raven's waist. Harry moaned and he pushed himself as close as possible against Senya. Senya quickly broke away, the two breathing heavily.
"Again," Harry demanded, his voice hoarse and eyes glazed as he cast his patronus once more.
This time, Harry did not wait for Senya to kiss him. Harry grabbed fists-full of Senya's hair and pulled while standing on his tip-toes. Pressing his mouth against Senya's like a wolf starved, Harry's kiss was heated and hungry for more. Senya groaned, one hand slipping into messy raven locks while his other trailed underneath Harry's shirt to run over his back.
Harry arched into Senya's touch, enjoying the feel of Senya's calloused hand running across his bare back. They lost track of how long Prongs lasted, too consumed in one another to pay anything else any mind. Senya walked Harry backwards until Harry's back touched the cool stone wall. Not stopping there, Senya cupped the backs of Harry's thighs and lifted him up. Harry gasped, wrapping his legs around Senya's waist and locking his ankles while his grip never left blonde locks.
"Se-Senya," Harry moaned as his head fell back against the wall, Senya's mouth trailing a series of nips and licks along the expanse of Harry's exposed throat.
Harry bucked his hips, creating a wonderful friction that caused both of them to moan. Green eyes snapped open, Harry staring unseeingly up at the ceiling as he repeated the motion over and over to seek an end to the heat building up in his abdomen and flowing through his veins.
"Easy, Little Raven, or else I shall have you against the wall," Senya growled in Harry's ear.
A moan tumbled free from kiss-swollen lips, Harry not understanding the words being spoke; instead of the words, it was the tone that cause his heart to skip a beat. Harry tilted his head down to look into lust-filled hazel orbs. Taking a steadying breath, Harry watched Senya's face as he shifted his hips again. Senya groaned, answering Harry's movements with his own. Thrusting forward, Harry's eyes grew large as something hard rubbed deliciously against the inside of his thighs.
"Senya, pl-please," Harry breathed, resting his cheek against Senya's.
Senya tensed, his hands taking firm hold of Harry's hips and preventing anymore movement. Senya ignored Harry's frustrated whine, making sure he had Harry's attention.
"You don't know vhat you ask," Senya told him, his voice rough with restraint…the need to just take Harry against the wall strong.
Harry's fingers tightened almost painfully in Senya's hair, before they loosened and ran down to caress his neck and shoulders.
"I want my first time to be with you," Harry said with desire etched over his face. "I might not…I have a bad feeling about the last task and—."
"You vill be fine," Senya argued back, not allowing Harry to finish…not wanting to hear the possibility that already existed. "Vhen you complete ze tournament, if you still vant me, zen you shall have me."
Harry smiled softly, but there was a sadness in his green eyes. He moved his hands to gently cup Senya's face, brushing his thumbs over the smooth skin beneath Senya's eyes.
"I'll always want you," Harry murmured, leaning his forehead against Senya's.
Their lips met.