Please Note: This fic's rating has been upgraded to M/R. It's SLASH of course. ANs and Disclaimer are below.

""snaketalk"" Parseltongue

"Shut Up & Kiss Me"
by; imLittleLily

Genesis: Twisted Path

Harry closed his eyes, blocking the sight before him. He took an inaudible breath and held it tightly. The light behind his eyelids glowed red in reflection of Ron's anger. His breath huffed out. Remus and Tonks were downstairs in the kitchen if he needed them. Ghillie Dhu and Myra had left to go back to the Enchanted Forest in search of yet another ally.

Ron growled. The sound filled the library at Grimmauld Place with a sense of desperate conflict.

With slow deliberation, Harry opened his eyes. Ron stood before him, back stoically braced against the fireplace mantel, still mussed from his escapade at the Wraith's Lair. His charmed hair flowed to his shoulders, sticking out at odd angles around his face. The pupils of Ron's eyes glared, enlarged bringing the memory of the black lake in Voldemort's cave to the forefront of Harry's mind. He allowed the intensity of his own glare to penetrate Ron's roiling anger. "You said you'd be here."

Ron's jaw tightened as he swiveled his face from Harry to focus on Draco. He bristled, stepping away from the shelter of the oak mantel. Harry was sure that Ron's freckles had blended into one large spot of anger. Ron swallowed, his fists clenching. With one word, he said it all. "Betrayal."

Hermione moved forward. "Ron, please…"

Ron roared, "No, Hermione!" Breathing raggedly, he hissed through his teeth, menacing Draco from his current position. "Harry was obsessed with you all year. I shoulda known." He sneered, raking Draco with venom filled eyes.

Harry shook his head at Hermione in an attempt to get her to back down for now. He was sure this was between him and Ron—well, yeah, Draco was apart of that equation. Ron's anger just needed to be worked through. Harry was sure eventually they would work it out.

Ron's hand came up quickly. "Levicorpus!" he roared.

Harry jumped forward, his heart twisting.

Draco was able to deflect the jinx; jumping to the side, he moved a chair between himself and Ron's ferocious emotions.

Missing his target only fed the flames of Ron's anger. "Sectum—"

Harry roared as his heart twisted violently once again. He saw only red within his vision—blood blending with water into grotesque shapes. "Expelliarmus!" Moaning Myrtle's cries echoed within his mind from the memory of the first time he used the Sectumsempra curse.

Hermione's voice cut the atmosphere along with Harry's. "Ron! No!"

Harry gasped sharply; memory, vision and emotions spinning in a vortex as Ron's wand landed in front of him. It blurred through moisture.

Draco rushed forward, his wand falling from his right hand. "Harry!"

Harry tried to catch his breath—it was lost somewhere outside his lungs. He didn't know why there was so much going on with his heart every time someone tried to hurt Draco. He knew only that its intensity was growing by leaps and bounds. Hands over his heart, he shook his head in response to Draco's voice, which sounded rather far away. He moaned and collapsed toward Draco, remembering the way he had shaken uncontrollably in a crimson pool of his own blood.

Draco knelt before him, trying to get him to focus. "Harry…"

Ron stepped forward with two determined steps and swung back. His fist found Draco's jaw, making a cracking sound at impact. "Twisted perv!"

Draco yelled in pain. Harry's voice echoed its surprise and anguish.

Hermione stepped forward, pushed to defend her friend. Her wand came up as she said with her own brand of ruthlessness, "Stupefy."

Ron fell bonelessly to the carpet without another sound.

Hermione pushed Ron to the side and moved to Harry's head. "Draco, what's happening?"

Draco moaned, shaking his head, apparently not ready to speak yet. He shook his head again, trying to clear it.

Hermione frowned at Draco as his lithe fingers moved over porcelain skin and pointed chin—the skin already darkening into a bruise. She shook her own head and reached for Harry to pull him to sit up. "Harry. Harry, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

With a gut retching groan, Harry pulled himself up onto the armchair. "Don't know…weird…" He bent forward, putting his head on his knees trying to focus on Draco's reassuring hands on his shoulder. He could begin to feel Draco's heart slowing down to a more normal pace. He sighed and took several deep breaths.

Hermione was not giving up yet. "Harry. What's going on. Do you need me to get Dobby or Remus?"

Harry pulled his head up, pushing his shaking fingers through messy locks. His own hair felt strange between his digits. Everything shook uncontrollably. He managed to give her a vague whimper. "'Mione, Dobby."

Dobby popped in without any contribution from her. Taking in the scene before him, he wagged his ears and stepped up on, and then over Ron. "You is well, Mister Harry Potter?"

Harry groaned. "Water, Dobby…bring me a drink?"

Dobby vanished only to return quickly with Winky in tow. He handed Harry a tall glass of water, and then with a glare, he took a pitcher of ice water from Winky and dumped it on Ron's prone figure, making sure to souse his face thoroughly.

With an angry sputter, Ron sat up and proceeded to roar at Dobby. "Wha'd yeh do that for?"

Dobby snapped his fingers, silencing Ron as if he were Mrs. Black.

Scraping at his throat in panic, Ron made to stand up only to slip when his foot made contact with a wet spot on the rug. Silent anger, panic and growing frustration created a caricature of Ron's projecting emotions.

Hermione crossed her arms, tucking her fists away at her elbows in a blatant show of putting away her weapon of choice. "Harrumph."

Finally, standing, only after knocking a table over, Ron glared through dripping water and clumps of wet red hair. He stomped angrily up the stairs and slammed the door to his bedroom. It opened once more, and then banged for added effect. Phineas Negellus slipped from his portrait to go keep an eye on him.

Harry grunted when he saw Sirius' grandfather leave. The old man had been acting strangely since Dumbledore's death. If Harry didn't know any better, he would've thought the man liked him and was protecting him. "Mfft…" Harry's attention moved to Draco's fingers, caressing him in an effort to get his attention. Harry swallowed the emotions bunched up in his throat and whispered, "I'm okay." He leaned into Draco's hand, seeking solace.

"Harry," Hermione's voice came through with stubborn insistence. "What's going on?"

Harry's shoulder came up in response. He moaned painfully and sat back against the chair for support. "I don't know." He paused, eyes locked with Draco's. "Every time someone tries to hurt Draco…"

"What?"

Draco reached for Harry as he answered Hermione's question. "It's his heart. It flutters and twists."

Hermione's brows puckered in frustration.

Draco squeezed his shoulder and leaned in for a quick kiss. "The only reason I know is because I can feel it, too."

Hermione found the sofa a sudden comfort. "What do you mean?" She looked from one to the other, expecting an answer.

"The first time…" Harry paused and swallowed some more of Dobby's ice water, "was when Remus…er…"

Draco sat on the arm of the chair and interrupted, "Hehem…"

Hermione's brows rose sharply, eyes flashing.

Harry felt heat on his cheeks and ducked his head slightly. "Well… Anyway, that was the first time. Its…"

"Harry…"

"What, 'Mione?"

Hermione stood and moved to the closest bookcase. She began running her finger along the book spines, muttering under her breath. "Here. It's in here," she said with authority, turning back to face them.

Draco stood, approaching her with caution.

Hermione shook her head, tsking him. "I'm on your side, Draco. Sure, it's a bit surprising, but…" She shrugged and flipped the large tome open. "When two wizards are mated," she read as she pulled a lock of hair behind her ear and continued, "it is not uncommon to share a heart beat. Some believe that such a gift will strengthen both the love and magic of the couple. The gift is not gender specific." Hermione turned the book to face Draco, pointing to the passage.

Draco took the book, looking down with realization that it was one of the many found in the Potter family vault. He closed it, reading the cover, Genesis: Twisted Path or Not? Grunting, he looked up at Harry, perplexed.

A lightening bolt shot through Harry. "That's it…" Realization encapsulated him as he stood on shaky legs and made his way to Draco, taking the book from him. " Myra said… And there were the… Wow…" Harry allowed the sense of amazement to tickle him as he ran his now steady hand through his hair, ignoring that the action made it stand on end.

Hands on her hips, Hermione said, "Harrumph. Myra said what?"

Harry moved his hand down and over the burgundy leather cover, chewing his lower lip. "She said I glow," he said in a voice barely above a whisper. "Ghillie thinks it will work to our advantage…being mated, that is…" Another realization dawned. "Fire," he breathed.

Hermione approached Harry and began to circle around, studying him closely.

Draco stepped back, blond brows quirked high, observing her as she scrutinized Harry.

"Do you think, Harry," Hermione said insistently, "you could stick with one thing at a time? You know, I think Myra was right. You do glow." Her eyes raked over Draco, and then she smirked. "You, too."

Draco blushed and moved away to replace the book on its shelf.

Harry leaned back on the table and then pulled himself to sit upon it. "Ghillie said it'd make us stronger." His thoughts traveled back over the last year. "Draco, I believe…"

"Humm?"

Harry locked his eyes with Draco's. "To be honest…I—I…well, I thought." He released a breath of exasperation. "That day in the boy's bathroom. When I—" Harry's speech stopped abruptly. "I thought it was guilt," he murmured low. "Guilt at what that curse did. I realize now…"

Draco pulled his lower lip in, locking it between his teeth. He swallowed harshly and then pulled his eyes away. "Yeah. That was the first time…"

Hermione pulled Harry's attention. "What do you mean, Harry?"

Harry stared down at his open hand. He moved it, flexing his fingers and holding it up high before his face. "I thought it was because of shock at the blood. Draco's blood was everywhere…my heart seized up and…"

Draco shook his head roughly. "Harry…"

"I was horrified. I thought I killed my heart…"

"No, you didn't."

"Draco…"

"You didn't kill me."

Harry sighed as he allowed his legs to swing in hyperactivity. "Your blood was everywhere. Snape came in and it took several tries to get the bleeding stopped. I…"

"Harry, let it go." Draco set his jaw stubbornly as he glared.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Well, not to change the subject. Harry, what did you mean about fire?"

Harry's expression changed to sadness of a different kind. "Dumbledore said that fire is the only way to fight the Inferi. That's how we got away when we were in the cave. His fire held them at bay. Remember?"

Chewing her lip, Hermione gave Draco a quick glance.

"Hermione, Draco is my mate. I've told him everything."

Draco tensed, waiting for her response.

"Hermione," Harry reiterated sternly.

Hermione sighed and finally nodded. "I understand, Harry. I guess that still doesn't answer all my questions about fire."

"Mum wrote," Harry explained, "'May the Light Shine Forth' in her BOS. She expanded upon that for the password at the Potter vault—'through the flames of the phoenix.' FIRE, Hermione."

Draco stepped in to assist with the explanation. "Through fire, we'll be able to not only be stronger, but we will be able to destroy the remaining Horcruxes."

Hermione began pulling books from the shelves. Someone unfamiliar with her methods may have thought the process haphazard. They would have been wrong. She pulled one tome on phoenixes down from a top shelf, Genesis: Twisted Path or Not? again and four dealing with Elemental magick found their way to the table. The scraping of chair legs signaled the beginning of serious preparations. Parchment levitated from a desk drawer along with fresh quills.

Harry grunted, shaking his head. Reaching for Genesis, he said, "The day at the lake with you and Ron…you know…when you said you weren't going anywhere. I remember thinking that no matter what happens, the path would most likely become twisted, but in my heart I knew only a lift and peace." He snorted and shook with laughter. "Then I encountered you by the lake." He leaned forward and gave Draco a kiss, tonguing him thoroughly and pulling him closer.

Hermione coughed.

Harry pulled away with a laugh. "It's actually been like that from the first time in Madam Malkin's that first day. A genesis or beginning of a twisted path. Remember?" he asked, placing his forehead against Draco's.

"Yeah…" Draco breathed.

Harry fiddled with his quill, pulling its barbs through his fingers as he read. Footfalls brought his attention up from Fire's Historical Cleansings.

Ron stood in the archway to the hall wearing a Weasley red glare. His face traveled from Hermione who was peacefully chewing on her sugarquill while immersed in her study to Draco who held Ron's angry gaze without flinching. Draco's lack of fear brought Ron's arms up where he crossed them protectively across his chest. He stiffened his posture to let them know he was still angry.

Harry swallowed his own emotions and asked calmly, "Are you going to join us?"

Ron's jaw muscles clenched.

Draco tapped Harry's foot under the table.

Hermione said, "Harrumph."

Ron flashed her a silent glare.

Harry leaned forward on his elbows, scowling. "Is there a problem?"

Draco bit his lip, shaking silently.

Harry arched a brow at him because Ron pulled his lower lip in and then blew air out furiously.

Draco finally let a laugh out, and then ducked when Ron raised his wand from his sleeve.

"Ron," Harry growled.

Draco, still laughing, said, "He still can't speak. If Dobby is up to his old tricks, he won't remove the jinx until Ron is ready to apologize."

"Really?" Harry stood. "Are you ready to apologize to Draco? We don't have time to wait around for you to finish your temper tantrum."

Ron strode into the library, pulled a chair out roughly and sat without looking at Draco. He reached for a book, Genesis: Twisted Path or Not, and began reading.

Hermione leaned in close, opened to a page and guided Ron's attention to a specific passage. While he read, she took his fingers between hers and gave him a reassuring squeeze. Ron responded by chewing his lip as he focused on the words before him.

Harry closed the bedchamber door firmly; making sure the ward was secure. "Some day, huh? Who would of thought. Even I didn't think Ron would go off that bad." He glanced at Draco, wondering what his private reaction would be.

Draco sat on the end of the bed and began pulling his shoes off. "I'm more intrigued by the 'twisted path.' Much of what they said in Genesis is completely new to me. We never had anything like that in the Malfoy library."

Harry found himself fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt. "Why do you suppose that is. I thought some of the spells and concepts in it seemed to be Dark Arts."

"Not exactly," Draco replied absently as he pulled his tee over his head. "Besides, we had written works of all genres—not just evil wizard machinations." He smirked, his eyes flashing with rising humor. "Twisted path—Flourish & Blotts before second year."

Harry scowled. That was when Lucius Malfoy had passed possession of Tom Riddle's diary to Ginny. "What about it? Are you trying to—"

"NO. This isn't about him." Draco sighed with a shake of his head. "I was upstairs watching you over the balcony rail. When I started down the stairs, I saw a book. The Next Generation of Wiz Wizards. Ever hear of it?"

Anger still piqued over old wounds, Harry growled, "No."

"Well, they've heard of you. When I opened it, the page fell to your picture. There was an article telling anyone willing to read it that you were the youngest Seeker in 100 years at Hogwarts and that you smeared Slytherin in your first match, 170 – 60. 'After a spectacular catch of the Snitch by Harry Potter,' they said." Draco pulled his hand through his hair and lay back against his pillow. "Father had just bought my Hand of Glory even though it infuriated him. That day, I stole a potions book and plundered The Next Generation of Wiz Wizards when I ripped your picture out. You know what they say, the Hand of Glory lights the way for thieves and plunderers. At the bottom of the stairs—there you were."

"You ripped my picture out of a book?"

Draco gifted him with a beautiful smile. "It's in Advanced Potions, charmed to look like Slughorn. You can check it, if you want. Slug looks like a Buddha sitting on a pouf eating sugared pineapple—which is gross by the way."

Harry snorted, shaking his messy hair as he tried to expel the image of Slughorn's bare rotund belly out of his mind. He moved to the side of the bed and sat. "Second year—Gryffindor v Slytherin—our first game together. That was really something, flying against you under the bleachers with Dobby's Bludger trying to kill me."

Draco went from prone to sitting straight up, shock registering on his face. "Dobby's Bludger? That was Dobby's Bludger? I'll kill him…" He inhaled sharply and yelled, "Dobby!"

In the midst of doubling over with laughter, Harry heard Dobby pop in.

Looking between them, one angry and the other laughing, Dobby wagged his ears worriedly and asked, "Yes, Mister Draco?"

Draco growled and pushed laughing Harry aside. "You tried to kill—"

Harry jumped between them, attempting to gain control of his amusement. "Draco, it's okay. Really. Dobby and I have already had this conversation."

Dobby nodded, shivering in the face of Malfoy wrath.

"I set him free and he promised to never try to save my life again."

"Save your life? He nearly killed you!" Sterling silver eyes flashed with icy fervor. "I ended up with a sore ass and father was so mad he wouldn't let mother send sweets for a month. How does all of that qualify as trying to save your life?" Draco's breathing rasped by this point in his tirade.

"Draco," Harry tried to soothe. "It's water under the bridge. Just think of it as another twist in the path…"

Draco growled from deep in his throat.

Harry reached out and patted his arse. "Poor baby."

Draco pushed his hand away, still glaring at Dobby.

Leaning in, Harry whispered, "I can make it feel better…"

"Potter…"

"Goodbye, Dobby…"

Dobby left with a sharp crack, the only reminder he had even been in the room.

Harry laughed and started again. "Fourth year, the cute little bouncing ferret. I wanted to put you in my pocket. Guess that's why you've spent too much time there lately."

Draco shook off his diminishing anger and flopped back on the bed. "Anytime, Potter," he drawled as he chuckled.

"Yeah, well…what about Potter Stinks."

Chewing his lip in amusement, Draco lifted his shoulder and said through laughter, "Sexy Tiger Incarnate—Nobody's Kink (but) Slytherin Prince's."

"Fuck."

"You woulda seen it on my badge if you got too close."

Harry tried to project his fiercest glare. He failed in the face of Draco's laughter. In an attempt to switch gears, he sneered, "Fifth year Gryffindor v Slytherin Quidditch match—I kicked your ass."

"Ah…the feel of you above me…"

Harry sighed softly and reached forward, his fingers touching Draco in an attempt of atonement. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he traced a faded white scar from Draco's eye to jaw below his ear. He leaned in to lave him lovingly. "Merlin, I'm sorry." Once more, the memory of the crimson horror covering Draco rushed to the forefront of his mind.

Draco swallowed his emotions. "It's okay, Harry…" He wrapped his arms around Harry's neck and drew him down for a passionate kiss. Tongues forayed in ecstasy as soft pants began to fill the chamber feeding their raising desires. Draco stretched, impelling their instinctual dance to heated heights.

Harry groaned and pulled away from Draco to drink in the sight of his luminescent skin. Rose tipped nipples puckered under his regard as fingerpads explored.

"Come here," Draco's voice dropped an octave to a husky whisper as he encouraged Harry to return.

Harry shook his head and began to move lower, laving and teasing with his tongue as his fingers circled Draco's eager cock. Tickling with his tongue, he smirked when Draco jumped in reaction to Harry's circling tongue tip in his navel. He blew gently, eliciting shivers and goose bumps.

Draco clasped dark silky locks and thrust his cock in eagerness. "Harry…"

"Humm?" Sudden preoccupation stole his focus as he sucked hard.

"ARRGH!"

Harry pulled away with a pop. A soft incantation later, he spiraled Draco's opening, sharing warmth from the lube they used. He leaned in and breathed across Draco's cock, whispering, "Does it feel good?" His tongue lashed out knowing that Draco was ready.

Draco groaned, thrusting in an effort to encourage faster action.

Harry continued to taste and caress while he fondled, experimenting with pressure on Draco's prostate.

Draco writhed beneath his administration. "Yes," he panted, tightening his hold on Harry.

Harry only knew bliss as he became lost in giving to his lover all the passion he could summon to the surface. He worshipedDraco with his cock, hands and mouth humbled by his impassioned reactions.

Reviews are like Chocolate Frogs . . .
there is a surprise card in each package.

Let me know what you think. Thank You . . . Blessings. LL

Hi Everyone. Thanks for taking the time to review. I hope I don't get into trouble with FF, but I find I don't like not responding here to my wonderful reviewers. So here goes...

As always, review responses are in the order received. LL

Abi2: Hm...Thanks for reviewing. Writing about these guys has brought so much enjoyment to me. I try to share as much as I can. Now, all we can do is wait for Book 7. Sigh. Blessings. LL

MsElricAiko: Thanks for your reviews of chapters 1, 6 & 9. Actually, I really do appreciate you taking to time to let me know you are enjoying. I apologize for the delay in updating this fic. Between rewrite of Beauty, this fic and an original...well life has been insane. If you are hungry for more Draco/Harry check out my other fic, Beauty in Perfection. There's plenty there--38 chapters of yum. Even though it is being rewritten, I've updated here through chapter 20. Blessings. LL

Enchantress of the Dark: I confess that I giggled when I read your review. I admit that I tend to not focus on exactly who is topping. When I first started writing, I thought it was because I was worried about upsetting readers. (Harry actually marks Draco in Beauty, but he isn't the topper there either.) Then about 3/4 the way through Beauty, I came to understand that neither one of these guys tops. They are both more into the sharing aspect. This may be influenced by my research into frot or my own wishful desire for soulmate entities. Sigh...oh well...love isn't really ever perfect... The guys usually guide the story (believe me...when I argue with them--writer's block rears its ugly head.) so I just follow along. Thanks for taking the time to review. Blessings. LL

Katsu Kitsune: Thanks for the Christmas pocky. :) Draco has 'come out' to close friends, however, he still has to be in hiding from Death Eaters. I appreciate your review and certainly hope that the story keeps on coming. The balance scales between sanity/insanity often tips to one side or the other--unfortunately this shows up in my writing. Hope you enjoy this next chapter--soon we must focus on Horcruxes. Thanks for reviewing. Blessings. LL

Blanket Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. and all other characters within Potter World do not belong to me. No infringement is intended. I am making no money here; just having fun. Kudos and blessings to the literary genius JKR.