Book 03 : Epithalamium
Part III : The Beginning of Forever
Chapter Thirty Six : Alone? At Last
Edited for FanFiction:net: 239 sexy words were sacrificed on the altar of the rating gods. I apologise if this feels choppy in any way, but coitus writus interruptus is never a pretty thing. Remember, if you are of age, the full version is available at my site.
27 October 2003 HST
They'd never expected the welcome awaiting them. While Ben had written that he'd 'cleaned up a little and would leave them a bite', Severus and Harry had assumed (given the casual attitude of their friends) this would mean a quick sweep with a broom, a futon thrown on the floor (hopefully with a sheet and pillows), and if they were very lucky, a laden picnic basket. But certainly not this.
The room before them sparkled. Literally. The stars winkled in the heavens, the charmed ceiling reflecting a clear night sky, the rest of the room in darkness despite the sunshine they'd just left. As they gazed in awe, candles lit simultaneously throughout the room, some on a table set off to the right, some hanging randomly in the air at differing heights, illuminating the large front room.
However, most of them clustered thickly around a giant four poster bed. Made of turned wood, it almost filled the room. The coverlet and mounds of pillows gleamed in the candlelight, hazily visible through the closed gauzy curtains made from the finest netting that fell gracefully to puddle on the floor. At either side of the bed were bright coloured carpets, thick and lustrous in the glowing room.
The top of the canopy frame appeared to be covered in vines, but closer inspection revealed four thick garlands of leaves each draped in a graceful arc between the bed's post newels. A shallow wooden bowl about the width of a medium cauldron with a long slender leaf on top like a lid stood on a low open table at the foot. Curious, Severus walked over and saw it was filled with a small bit of water and what looked like tiny, white, coarse pebbles on the bottom. A note addressed to the two of them lay beside it.
Meanwhile, Harry lifted the hanging curve of one of the garlands. The way he held it with both hands spoke of its heavy weight. He sighed deeply after burying his nose in it, saying, "Hmmm. Smell this, Severus. It's almost like sweet pepper."
Severus joined him, note in hand, and Harry held a portion of it up to his nose. Inhaling deeply, and again, a small smile lit his face. "Most unusual. Peppery but with a hint of spice. I wonder..." He took another sniff, fingering the smooth texture of the leaves. With a deft touch, he bruised a leaf, the sweet scent strongly filling the small space between them. "Quite intoxicating, in fact," he murmured, bending down to touch his lips gently to Harry's, the kiss feathery and chaste. They parted, the redolence surrounding them as calm as their hearts.
When they eventually moved apart, Harry saw the paper in Severus' hand. "What do they have to say?" he asked quietly, running his hand up his lover's arm.
Reluctantly releasing the garland, Severus broke the seal and read aloud:
"Aloha olua!
"Assuming you must be exhausted from the reception, we've left a light dinner warming in the oven for you. We're sure you've noticed the bed. Sorry we only had time to prepare the front rooms; we can move the furniture into its proper place tomorrow after the back room's cleaned, if you like."
Harry looked around them and asked, "He's apologizing for this? Whatever for?"
"Ben's a bit understated at the best of times and very Asian. I wouldn't worry too much about it," Severus said sagely and then resumed:
"I'm sure you've explored a bit by now and have some questions. The bowl contains sea salt and spring water. We used it and the Ti leaf across it when Aunty Noelani blessed the house this morning. The tall plants in the corners and by the door are also Ti and hold the house's wards. We'll have to plant them in the garden around the house sometime this week to complete the spell."
Severus sniffed. "Seems Ben has our entire week planned. The roof, the lanai, and now the back rooms and the garden."
Harry laughed. "You make it sound like we're going to do it by hand. A wand works wonders, you know."
Severus leant over and kissed him. "Well, yes, wands do have their uses," he waggled his brows, "but if you'll recall, Ben said in one of his letters that most of the outside work will need to be done the hard way as this whole area is crawling with Muggles."
Harry's eyes opened wide. "You're joking, right?"
"Hardly. And that's what you said the last time, too." When Harry protested, Severus chuckled. "Who was it I heard huffing and puffing up the stairs the other day? Seems a little physical fitness wouldn't be too remiss for our resident 'do-you-know-how-bad-that-is-for-you?' grouser."
Harry couldn't very well argue the point and settled for murmuring, "I used to like working in the garden--" he looked up at the ceiling "--but even with the four of us that roof will take all week by itself."
"Oh, we won't be alone. Ben said he'd invite some friends to help, both wizards and Muggles."
Harry fluttered his eyes. "OooOoo. Half-naked, hot sweaty men working in the sun? Be still my beating heart!"
Severus raised a mocking brow. "Tiring of me already?"
Harry slid his arms around him, pushing at him just a little with his hips. "Never. But I overheard one of my patients tell his wife when she caught him 'looking' at one of the Medi-witches that 'it doesn't matter where you get your appetite, as long as you eat at home'." When Severus opened his mouth to speak, Harry chortled, "And don't give me your dross, either. I know you like to eye a nice arse as much as the next chap." Severus started chuckling. Harry added, "Since I'm into hands and Potions masters, I think you're pretty safe, although I have no idea when we're going to sleep."
A determined look on his face, Severus replied, "Whenever we want. If Ben thinks he's going to dictate our small time together alone, he's sadly mistaken." He tightened his hold on Harry. "I suspect they have no concept of how little time we really get together since they get so much. I'll make certain Ben clearly understands that working on the house, among other things, takes a dim third on my priority list."
"Hmmm. Well, I think I know what number one is, but what's number two?"
"Dinner. Now let's finish this note so we can eat what they left us and then take care of number one."
"Hmmm. Not the order I had--" he squirmed away from the tickle to his ribs, "--but eating does sound 'appetizing' right now," he finished from a few feet away, his sparkling eyes warily watching Severus' hands.
With a snort, Severus continued:
"The fragrant leis surrounding the bed are woven of maile, a vine that grows up in the mountains and is a traditional gift for newlyweds. Kahealani and Malia made them for you. (And, Severus, Joseph says maile has absolutely no potions value whatsoever, so just enjoy it!)"
Severus chuckled. Ben knew him and his little habits better than he'd thought. "I wonder if Dobby included
the suitcase they lent me this summer to pack up all the samples I collected."
Turning from his examination of the netting, Harry said reasonably, "Doesn't matter. If Dobby missed it, we can always send it on when we get back, or return it at Christmas."
"True. Let's see, where was I? Ah, yes--"
"We'll bring breakfast tomorrow morning."
Harry interrupted him. "Mmmm. I hope they bring some of that ahi. It's so much better than kippers for breakfast."
Severus made a face. "Ecch. Papaya would be nice, though."
"Eh, it's all right, but some fried rice now and that mango chutney--mmmm--it's good on the bread Malia makes."
Severus smiled. "Better than Marmite?"
"Much, although I do like Marmite, too."
"Eeyck," Severus said, shuddering. Harry's tastes in breakfast left much to be desired--that and they required a thorough oral scrubbing afterwards. He'd take his eggs and cheese and black pudding any day.
He continued reading:
"Me ka halia aloha,
"Ben and Kalani Chan"
Severus looked around the room for the Ti Ben mentioned. He finally spied them in the corners and on each side of the windows, well in the shadows. He walked over to one of them, Harry following. "Odd looking things, aren't they?" Harry commented, examining the tall potted plants.
"Hmmm, yes. Rather like thick feather dusters."
Harry was studying a yellow-and-green striped leaf. "Didn't know they came in this variety, though. The ones we hunted in the foothills were red and green, or just plain green; those were the ones we harvested."
"For the Kalua Pig?" When Harry nodded, Severus added, "Saw the leaves, never saw the plant. Good eating, though."
Harry's face lit up. "Oh! And speaking of eating--"
In six long strides his husband was in the open kitchen which, with the dining area in front of it, took up half of the rectangular space, while the living area (now occupied by the huge bed) took the other half. A simple plan for a small, simple house. A large bedroom suite and utility areas in the back half completed the layout, the whole of it surrounded by a deep lanai. And there was ample land to expand if they ever decided to move here permanently, something which held more appeal than he'd ever let on (although he suspected Harry knew, even if they'd never discussed it).
Maybe they should.
It felt odd standing in 'their' house; neither he nor Harry had ever really 'owned' anything before. Though its cost had seriously dented his Gringott's account, he considered it the best investment he'd ever made (save for the cost of the glyph, that is), for it ensured they had choices. They would never have to be residents in someone else's domicile, never again dependent on anyone else for their supper, so to speak. They had prospects.
Hogwarts might be where they resided, but it was not 'home' and never would be as long as the past dogged them. Home was supposed to be a place one could safely rest at the end of the day, the place where the only conflicts were those of one's own making. And while Albus had understood and tried to help make them a home by ridding him of his old solitary quarters with their old solitary memories, the rooms they shared were just that--rooms--and no matter how much or how long they occupied them, no matter how many good memories they contained, they still did not belong to them.
But this house, and all it represented, did. Hana meant freedom, a new beginning with new friends they could earn themselves, on their own merits. It meant a home they could build themselves, in a life that could be all their own. It meant sanctuary, where they could safely be the people they should have been had not life and a madman intervened.
Hana had unlocked something within him, something he'd not even known he needed. Perhaps the very freshness of the place appealed to him, perhaps it was that he and Harry were accepted without prejudice. Or perhaps it was that here they'd finally been able to purge themselves of many of the awful memories still haunting them whenever they were back at Hogwarts. They slept well, they dreamt well, they loved well. Hana belonged only to them, and they belonged only to each other.
He could see them living here; their skills would be well used and appreciated by those around them. Making a home, surrounded by loved ones and a new family, Ohana Ben called it, growing old here together in the warm sunshine, being a useful part of a close-knit community. Allowed to be himself if he wanted, maybe even silly at times if the mood struck him. To be Harry's mate without the hatred. To be his own man without the shackles of mistaken assumption. For Harry to stand proud based on his own positive accomplishments without the destructive labels attached to him. To them both.
Sorely tempting, indeed.
But he also knew, deep inside, that their ties to Hogwarts, and the Wizarding world as they'd left it, were as nearly strong as their love for each other, for it was where they'd been forged. He shook his head sadly. No, more than likely they would only be able to catch small bits of time in Hana, which would make this home all the more special and valuable as time progressed, for peace and tranquility and freedom were precious commodities to be savoured as often as possible.
He tried to visualise the future and found the only shining things he could see were Harry and Hana, the rest dark and dismal, full of the things he ran from in his dreams.
"Severus." Harry paused, noting the sudden furrow in the brow over the far-away glaze in his husband's eyes. "Severus, dinner is ready," he said as he laid out the simple dishes of chicken long-rice on the table. No, Severus was definitely not paying attention. He tried again, concerned about the continuing frown and the now sad look on his husband's face. "Severus, hurry up before your squid dies of asphyxiation." Still no response. This called for the heavy artillery. "Severus, if you don't hurry, you'll miss Albus masturbating on the table."
"Mmmm?" Severus blinked owlishly. "What about Albus?" While Harry just chuckled and shook his head, Severus walked over to him and wordlessly folded him in his arms, holding him tight as he sought the closeness and reassurance which could only be found in his husband's embrace.
Sensing his morose melancholy, Harry held him fast, not really caring if the food got cold or even worrying about what had brought this on. Whatever the reason, Severus needed him.
And nothing else mattered.
28 October 2003 HST
.: Wake up, Ssseverusss, I want you. :.
Severus, finding himself half on his stomach, half under his husband, awoke languidly, stretching like a cat. His heart pounded in arousal as the familiar body behind him pressed close.
.: I love your body all sssleep warm and loossse in the morning. :.
His lover's hands, one wrapped around his waist from underneath, held his body in place, while the other, slick with the scent of clover, pleasured him, the rhythm slow and deliberate, the movements those of someone who had all the time in the world. He leaned forward a bit, letting his lover do all the work, the Parseltongue sliding like silk through his senses, making him shiver. It was comforting, intimate and close.
.: Oh, yesss, jussst like thisss. :.
Harry tangled their legs, trapping Severus' as he planted hot wet kisses to the sensitive skin of Severus' neck.
.: I want to make you sssweat for me. I want to make you beg for me to finish. :.
The bond open, Severus took Harry's passion as his own. Softly, slowly it built, curling around them both. Breathing came faster, hearts sped up, a sheen of sweat slicking their bodies.
.: Want to feel it build in you, through me, through you. :.
Severus gasped with the sensations.
.: I love to feel you ssshuddering against me when we twine. :.
He was getting close, the pleasure coiling through him, tightening his muscles in anticipation.
.: I'm getting clossse, Ssseverusss. Can you feel it? Oh ssso clossse. :.
"Oh, Merlin, Harry, finish it for gods sake!" Severus begged hoarsely.
Harry's chuckle rumbled along his spine.
.: No, Ssseverusss, want to feel you ssshiver, feel you hang on the edge forever. :.
They were there, on the edge, muscles taut as they tumbled together.
.: Through me, through you. Ahhhhhhh--Ssseverussss. :.
The pleasure rippled through him, over him, behind him, drawing low groans from them both. The two pleasures melded, continuing until he couldn't tell which was his and which was Harry's.
.: It isss never better than thisss. :.
Harry was dead weight on his back, breathing laboured. A bit light-headed, Severus muttered the cleaning spells with what breath he could muster and then gave a little heave. When that failed to move his husband, he sent him an image of blue balls, hoping he would take the hint. He did. With a murmured apology, Harry flopped heavily on the bed. Taking a deep breath and then another, the dizziness passing quickly, Severus turned over to face his sated husband, his head resting on his hand as his elbow sank into the mattress.
Harry opened his eyes, staring at him, his expression loose and relaxed. "Ah, that was a bit of all right," he said, yawning.
"And good morning to you, too," Severus teased, his fingers trailing lightly across Harry's stomach and hip, his mouth dipping down to take Harry's in a nipping kiss.
Harry sighed when Severus moved to chase his lips down his neck. "I love twining with you in the morning."
Brow raised, Severus pulled back to look at him as he asked, "Twining?"
Harry looked blank for a moment, then flushed. "Ah, sorry. I'm still thinking in Parseltongue. You know, snake sex--.:twining:. means mating."
Chuckling, Severus rolled on his back and held out his arms. Harry needed no coaxing to scoot close to Severus' side and snuggle into 'his' spot. As their arms folded around each other and their legs tangled, Severus said drowsily, "Now this is 'twining'."
Harry spoke into his chest, "Actually, this is when we would be trying to eat each other."
"I'm not sure I could quicken again that quickly," Severus remarked dryly.
"Severus!" Harry laughed.
"Ah, you mean our other snake."
"You're hopeless."
"Only with you."
And Harry knew that was probably closer to the truth than Severus had intended. "I wonder what time it is?"
Severus yawned. "Not time to get up."
"Ah, more sleep. I rather like that idea."
Drawing his mate closer, Severus savoured the contented sigh that followed the tender kiss he bestowed on Harry's forehead, so much like the ones he'd got last night when they'd finally settled down to sleep.
Replete with the good food Ben and Kalani had left them, the exhaustion held at bay throughout the full day had caught up with them. While it might have been nice to christen the new bed, they'd barely had the energy to help each other out of their clothes and (after some humourous wrestling with the netting) crawl under the light covers. Snuggling close, the bond sated in other ways, they'd easily fallen asleep.
And thinking on it now, he realised there was more to it than he'd ever really noticed, just more things to love about Harry. While the banter and innuendo between them let him know his lover thought of him and desired him, there was never any pressure to actually do any of it. And whether they did, or did not, it was always 'intimate', always mutual, even more so now with their marriage. He wondered if Harry felt any lack--
"You worry too much, love," Harry murmured. "You have your side of the bed, I have mine, but we always find our way to the middle. I love you. Go to sleep."
Severus sighed and felt Harry kiss his chest, his arm tightening around him. In the middle, indeed. He closed his eyes and settled into the downy comfort of the bed, feeling Harry's body sagging heavily into his in slow degrees. By the time his husband's light snores gently stirred the hairs on his chest, he slept.
Harry dreamt he was up on the roof, kneeling naked next to an equally unclothed Severus, as they placed shingles over the new plywood sheathing in the hot sun. Tap, tap, tap went his hammer while he could dimly hear Severus telling him he needed to hit the nails harder if he wanted them to get up.
"Like this--" he demonstrated, swinging the hammer hard. Bam, bam, bam.
"Get up you two, the day is wasting away!"
Wasting away? It looked pretty strong to him.
Bam, bam, BAM!
"Harry! Severus!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"HAR-RY!" one voice shouted.
He heard a low growl. "I'm go-ing to kill them."
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"SE-VER-US!" another voice yelled.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The last remnant of the dream faded just as he was getting to the good part. "I'll help," Harry groused, burying his head under the covers.
"GO AWAY YOU MISERABLE EXCUSES FOR FRIENDS!"
He heard laughter and Ben saying something about just going in to get them with Kalani protesting, asking what if they were--you know? There was a bark of laughter and then more banging on the door. "BREAKFAST IS ON THE LANAI! FRESH CAUGHT THIS MORNING JUST FOR YO-OU!"
Harry lifted his head with new interest, his stomach growling. "Maybe we can kill them later?"
"HURRY, BEFORE IT GETS CO-OLD!"
Severus threw back the covers and, after untangling himself from their jumble, bounced out of the bed, He rummaged in his bag, jerked on a pair of shorts and stormed to the door. Throwing it open, he called, "What the hell do you two arseholes think--" He disappeared from view, then came back in, leaving the door open as he muttered, "Bloody cowards! Wake us up from a sound sleep and then run away. When I get my hands on--"
The dark blue vest half-over his head muffling his voice, Harry said, "Easy, Severus. You can only harm them after we've eaten. I'm starved."
Obviously Severus found the temptation too great, for when Harry's arms were completely tangled in the soft cotton over his head, Severus attacked his exposed ribs with relish. Harry tried futilely to drop his arms and succeeded only in protecting his armpits with his elbows. Certainly not his lover's target. Down to the floor they tumbled, Severus on top, merciless in his tickles until Harry howled into the shirt.
About the time he thought he would die from it, the tormenting hands gentled, caressing his skin, while a wet mouth licked and kissed and nibbled their way in a random path down his body. Arms stuck over his head, still trapped by the fabric, Harry forgot all about breakfast as his shorts sailed off somewhere south while Severus concentrated fully on a more urgent repast.
Much later, at a set table on the lanai, Severus stared at his husband in fascinated horror as he--ate. Harry would eye each bite, then his pink tongue would curl out and up, holding the fork while his lips would close, delicately pulling each morsel off of the fork. His eyes closing in ecstasy, he would make such decadent noises Severus could feel himself twitch with each groan. Then that tongue would dart out to lick the thick sauce off tempting lips and, feeling his own face follow the motion, Severus would find himself closing his mouth with a snap.
But it was fish. For breakfast. Disgusting, no matter how good it smelled; his own simple meal of papaya and fried rice (with delectable bits of spicy sausage and eggs), while delicious, could not hope to pull such a response out of him. Finally, he'd had enough. "Harry," he ventured quietly, "could you please keep it down? Some of us are trying to eat."
"Mmmmm?" Harry swallowed; even that was distracting. Brow raised wickedly, Harry asked, "What? Am I--disturbing--you?"
"Not necessarily," he hedged, "it's just--noisy."
"Ah, I see," Harry said, a smile in his voice. "So the crunching of my scrambled eggs and grilled fish is too loud?"
"You know what I mean," Severus complained, his argument thin.
"Mmmm hmmm," Harry commented, eating another bite, his eyes watching Severus follow the movements of his fork. "Sorry, Sev," he said, the little brat not the least bit contrite. In fact, Severus was beginning to suspect he was doing it on purpose.
Shaking his head, Severus commented, "I truly don't see the appeal. I mean, I like fish with lunch, or dinner--but first thing in the morning? Don't you ever crave something sweet?"
Harry laughed. "I've already had something 'sweet' this morning, if you'll recall." When Severus snorted, Harry continued, forking up another bite of the fish with its dark brown, shiny glaze. "Don't much like sweet things--except maybe chocolate and this teryaki sauce Kalani makes. I don't know. I like fish. Anytime I can get it, especially if it's really fresh--like this ahi." He took another bite, chewing slowly. "Even as a kid, though I rarely got more than the bony bits. Never had kippers till I went to Hogwarts, and Aunt Petunia would never have given me any even if she had spared the expense."
Well, that certainly explained a few things about both Harry's tastes and his always neat, almost furtive way of eating.
"C'mon, Sev, try it. It's the tuna you like so much," Harry wheedled, holding out a bite.
"No, thank you," Severus said with feigned distaste.
"Just one little bite? I promise, I brought lots of your cleansing potion."
Severus eyed the tempting morsel. "Very well," he murmured, taking the bite off the fork Harry proffered. A myriad of tastes exploded on his tongue, first the sweet glaze and then the soft, moist texture of the mild, perfectly done ahi with just a hint of smoke from the grill. It was all he could do to keep from groaning himself.
"Well?"
Severus schooled his face to indifference. "It's passable."
Brow raised in disbelief, Harry muttered, "Ri-ight."
They ate in silence, but Severus' eyes kept straying to the generous helping of ahi remaining on Harry's plate. He ignored Harry noticing his glances. When his lover bent over to retrieve the napkin that blew off his lap in the soft breeze, Severus reached over the table and speared another bite of Harry's fish, putting it in his mouth before his husband straightened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Harry's small smirk when he noticed the missing bite.
Severus had managed to steal the fourth piece when Harry suddenly chortled. "Hey! I thought you didn't like fish with breakfast."
Sniffing, he replied, "I don't. I'm merely gathering empirical data."
"Ah," Harry retorted, cutting the remainder of his portion in half and sliding it onto to Severus' plate. "And does your data collection include eating most of my breakfast? Here, we can share."
Before Severus could respond to his husband's devilish grin, a heavily laden owl flew unsteadily over the lanai railing to drop a rolled newspaper in the middle of the table. With a small screech, the bird flew away without stopping for a treat. Which was just as well as the end of the roll had tipped over Severus' guava juice, sending thick runnels of the pink liquid down the wooden surface onto his lap. While he plied his wand to clean up the mess (muttering about the different ways there were to serve roasted owl) Harry unrolled the paper. Once unfurled, his eyes widened as he scanned the front page.
"It's from Albus." Laughing, Harry held the paper up for Severus to see the bold headlines:
Mayhem at the Snape-Potter Reception
Best Party of the Century
Severus started chuckling, his eyes fixed on the moving photograph near the top under the headline. Pointing his fork at the paper, he asked, "What's the caption on the picture?"
Harry turned it back around and read, "Wethinks they protest too much!"
"Hmmm, I suppose they did, although I'm positive Fudge was about as lucid as he ever is," Severus commented dryly.
Harry twisted in his seat and tossed the paper over to a wooden bench behind and to the side of him and, turning back to the table, began to finish his breakfast in earnest. Severus followed suit and, in no time, they'd polished their plates clean. Harry burped contentedly, his hand on his stomach. "Hate to rush good food like that, but I want to see the paper without teryaki all over it."
"Indeed," Severus agreed, putting his napkin down.
Rising from his chair, he picked the paper off of the bench and sat down to read. He'd no more gone through a cycle of the photo (which he privately had to admit was one of Colin's best) when Harry, standing in front of him, blocked his light. "Eh, budge up, I want to see, too."
Not looking up at him, Severus purposely gave him just another inch, secretly smiling as Harry wiggled his way into the tiny space he'd left between his hip and the arm of the bench. "Good thing we like each other, or else..." Harry chuckled, taking one side of the paper. "Move your arm, it's in my way."
Severus obliged by settling the offending appendage behind his husband, the hand sliding into Harry's hair, playing with the messier-than-usual strands, while he held the other side of the paper. When Harry pressed close, they both sighed and gave the photo the attention it deserved.
When Sprout had outlined what she'd wanted to do to Iacio and Fudge, they'd become her willing accomplices in less time than it had taken to make 'the plan'. So when Pomona and Minerva had gone off to hunt up Colin, Harry and Severus had discussed the best way to make the distraction the two women needed for the photographer to do his work. It had been Harry who'd suggested that Severus do as he'd threatened months before (when they'd discussed Fudge's invitation to the wedding). It had taken very little persuasion afterwards to talk him into actually doing it.
So they'd made their way quietly over to the two unsuspecting hypocrites, both of them guilty in their own inimical fashions, of making Severus and Harry's lives miserable at one time or another. Fudge they despised, in general and for differing reasons, but Iacio? Their mutual loathing was deep and personal.
When Minerva had signalled their readiness, Harry had grabbed Severus around the waist and with loud, seemingly drunken voices they'd staggered into their prey's field of vision. When they had the two men's undivided attention (as well as a host of guests nearby) Harry had taken Severus' face in his hands and kissed him, all the while backing them towards their quarry.
It had only taken Severus a moment to forget about the crowd and to really get into the kiss, a sloppy, open mouthed affair with wet tongues flashing and stabbing. In the back of his mind he knew he should be mortified at this undignified display, but he'd also known that the end result of their charade should erase any such silliness from the guest's memories. Besides, they wouldn't be around long enough to hear the inevitable comments in any event.
And then they'd been right in front of the two hated faces, their almost identical expressions of horror and disgust too precious to miss because, for once, they'd earned them. Two steps later they'd bowled into them, the four bodies falling into a tangled pile on the marble floor. Harry and Severus had hurriedly rolled off and away just as the flashbulbs had gone off rapidly, one after another, as Colin emptied a roll. While thus distracted, only the Aurors and one of the matrons in the crowd had noticed them sneaking off onto the balcony outside.
And now, sitting quietly together, the morning warm and fine, they reaped the results. This glorious photo on the front page of the Daily Prophet with Dumbledore's hand-written comment "Well done!" below it. Their mutual chuckles rumbled against each other as they watched it cycle over and over.
Severus and Harry were nowhere in the photo; Colin had done his editing well, as promised. Severus felt the laugh bubble up in his chest as he noted Fudge's robes hiked up to his thighs. Iacio had fallen on top of Fudge, his body wedged uncomfortably between Fudge's bony knees. As Iacio tried to wriggle free, scrabbling to get up, his hands, gripping Fudge's upper thighs, slipped and as he fell back down onto the former minister, his hands slid far under Fudge's robes. His eyes popping open in what could either be construed as shock or delight, the bottom man grimaced (whether in pain or ecstasy or mortification was open to interpretation), his arms flinging around the man on top and, instead of steadying him, (which had surely been his intent) he inadvertently caused Iacio's torso and head to flop down on him as if they were kissing. Then the picture cycled again.
Laughing hard, Harry said, "Oh, look! There in the background--isn't that Sprout and McGonagall?"
"Yes, and I believe the smirking 'gentleman' behind them is Albus." Severus snorted.
Harry mused, "You know, with what I know now, I'm glad Sprout's on our side."
Severus smirked. "What makes you think she's on 'your side'? Especially considering all the pranks you endured from the staff in your sixth and seventh years."
"I remember, but she didn't do any."
Severus chuckled. "I'm sure she stayed well away, but they were all Pomona's doing. She got the notion after you and Ron turned Draco into a skunk. When you added the scent, Filius didn't know whether to praise you for ingenuity or smack you for adapting a Schema he'd taught you, although it got a good laugh in the staff room. Regardless, she compared the number of tricks you'd got up to in years previous to your passiveness at the time and concluded you were too isolated from any fun. So she became your self-appointed 'normalcy guardian'."
"Really? That was very nice of her, but I thought McGonagall and Albus--."
"Oh, they might have executed some of them, but Minerva with the frog, Irma with the disappearing textbooks, even Albus with the short sheets, and Filius with the jerking quill--those were all Pomona's ideas."
"Wow. I'm impressed--no wonder Fred and George liked her so much." He glanced slyly at Severus. "Did you ever pull any on me?"
Feeling a bit smug, Severus said, "Only one--the snoring pillow."
"You're joking; I thought that was Justin--" Harry blushed furiously. "But how--that means--you--us--saw--?"
Severus kissed him on the cheek. "Well, I am Slytherin, you know. First rule is 'always make it look like someone else did it'."
"And sneaky. You forgot sneaky."
"Indeed." He turned back to the paper, tapping an article under the headline. "I think, though, you earned that epithet last night."
Chuckling, Harry read the headline: "Malfoy Hanky Panky?" He commented, skimming the article, "Perhaps, but it was your idea."
Severus conceded, "True, but the opportunity, when it presented itself, was too simple and too good to pass up."
"And bloody brilliant! Making you look like Lucius with that disguising spell and then attacking the 'groom'?" He started laughing. "Oh, the looks on their faces when you'd grab me; the kisses were good, though. Do you remember that one woman? Mrs. Abercrombie? When she hit you with her purse, telling you to let me go?"
"Damned thing had a brick in it, I swear," Severus said, rotating his shoulder in reflex. Changing his voice to a light tenor, he continued, "'Oh, Mr. Malfoy! Stop! Unhand me! I'm a happily married man!'" Severus snorted, "You laid it on so thick, I thought for sure they knew we were shamming."
"Me? What about you? 'Oh, Harry, my love, I just can't wait one second more--I have to have you! When are you going to dump the old bastard? Say yes--I have a cozy little nest all ready for you.'"
He smiled. "I admit, the knowing smirks whenever you replied, 'Oh Lucius, you bad boy! Can't you wait?' were a bit hard to take, although there were those who were ready to pummel me in any event. Lucius is not as popular as he thinks."
"Yeah, but they didn't and with the Aurors Ron sent over to keep it sane, it was fun and Lucius will have some serious explaining to do for quite a while, I suspect. I was surprised, though, that Albus, Molly, and Arthur got involved by steering the Malfoys away every time they came close to catching us."
"What, and deprive themselves of a little malicious payback with no personal consequences? Albus probably put them up to it; our little game would have been over too soon had there been two Lucius' there at the same time." His face grew serious. "I just hope we didn't cause Bethany any distress."
Harry glanced at him a moment and slowly said, "I don't think he will harm her; I saw no signs of abuse when we met them. If anything, I think she loves him and knows full well how to 'handle' him."
Severus smiled a little. "I suspect you're right; Lucius can be quite charming if he chooses--as long as he's not crossed. She's a brave little thing, has been ever since she was a child when I first met her." He could feel Harry's curiosity. "Voldemort ordered me, among others, to cure his favourite's daughter; the potion I gave her was virulent but effective." He hesitated. "Remus and I met her when we were escaping; she risked herself to pay what she saw as a life debt and healed us as best she could."
Harry nodded. "I wondered about the look that passed between the two of you, but you were as closed as a clam at the time." He paused. "I'd be more worried about Draco and his fiancée--what's her name? Eunice?"
"Yes, and I am. I managed to speak to Poppy before we left. She and Minerva will 'talk' with her while I'm gone. There's not a lot we can do, except ensure the other students leave her alone, but I don't foresee any difficulties on that score--to their minds, she's made a fantastic match."
Harry stiffened next to him. "With Draco? He hates women. He'll kill her, eventually."
Severus shook his head, his hand smoothing the tenseness out of Harry's neck. "Perhaps--the rumours were flying last night about Draco's latest indiscretions. Regardless, the contract cannot be undone and, as long as Draco doesn't harm or molest her before the wedding, no one will object to the union. With this type of arranged marriage, what he does afterwards, short of murder, is considered his own affair. Abuse or no, she'll belong to him; one can only hope Minerva, Poppy, and perhaps Bethany can make her situation easier for her. Unfortunately the girl's mother raised her 'proper'; she has none of Bethany's cunning or courage."
They sat in silence, each lost in their own sober thoughts. Eyes closed, Harry settled into Severus' side, leaning his head against Severus' as his husband stroked his hair with one hand, the other covering Harry's restive hand on his thigh.
Which was how Ben and Kalani found them a little while later.
TBC
HST: Hawaii Standard Time (Hawaii does not observe daylight savings time.)