Hey Guys! Another update - I can hear the collective 'Finally' from all of you. I hope you enjoy it :)
Severing Charms Should Not Be Taught In Second Year
Harry sat in the Headmaster's office, his husband beside him, Severus standing across the way, leaning against the wall.
"Have you any news on who could be ring leading this little 'resistance'?" Harry asked with a sneer. Tom held his hand tightly, their fingers interlocked and resting on his knee.
"Not as of yet," Dumbledore admitted. "Though we do have a couple of names. It appears Ex-Auror Button is a part of the rebellion group."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Of course he is, jumped up prat. What's being done to round them up? This needs to be dealt with quickly, and fairly, in full view of the public," he added, seeing the dark look cross Tom's face. "We have to show that you're not going to get curse happy at the first sign of trouble."
Tom scowled, but nodded his agreement. "I know. It doesn't mean I have to like it. I have the Death Eaters scouting out for information at the moment, they'll let me know immediately if they hear of anything."
At Dumbledore's raised eyebrow, Tom snorted. "They're still loyal, Albus, no matter that they can no longer play as they once did."
Dumbledore nodded. "We'll get this dealt with faster if we work together. I'll contact you both as soon as I hear anything."
Tom nodded, releasing Harry's hand as he stood up. He shook Dumbledore's hand briefly, before he bent to press a gentle kiss to Harry's cheek.
"I'll see you soon," he murmured. Turning to Severus, he added, "Keep my husband safe, Severus."
"My Lord," Severus replied, offering a half bow in both agreement and deference. Tom floo'ed away, after a final glance at Harry.
Harry smiled to himself, turning back to Dumbledore. "While I'm here, Headmaster, I have a… favour to ask."
"Ask away then, my boy," Albus said cheerfully, leaning forward in his seat.
"I've been working on Tom's Christmas presents, and I thought of the perfect fourth gift. The only thing I know he wants, that he doesn't currently have or cannot get for himself, is me. I'd like written permission to return home in the evenings to him."
"Harry… I'm not sure I can agree to that. Surely you understand, calls of favouritism will be made."
"I'm perfectly able to be subtle, Headmaster. I shan't go telling everyone of what I'm doing or anything of the sort. I just… It's the only thing he's asked of me; to take my exams early so I can be at home with him. I don't particularly want to leave Hogwarts early, but, he's… he's my husband."
Albus nodded, pressing a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "I'll allow it, so long as you are discreet. Have Kreacher take you home and return you here in the mornings in time for your first lesson at the very latest. If there is a drop in the quality of your homework or your marks in class, I'll rescind my permission immediately."
"Of course, Sir."
"Then you have my permission," Dumbledore replied, a small smile on his face. "I trust you'd like it in writing so you can gift it to him?"
"Please. And… thank you, for understanding."
The week passed by in a blink of classes, meetings with the Headmaster, and a meeting with Amelia Bones. They'd spent much of their meal discussing the problem of the self titled 'Royal Knights', and while Harry wasn't overly worried about a band of idiots, they all wanted the problem dealt with quickly.
Unsurprisingly, it was the Death Eaters that yielded the results. Tom arrived at Hogwarts to inform Harry and Albus of the information, and with help from Kingsley, the 'Royal Knights' were brought into the Ministry within hours.
There were five in total, led by Amos Diggory. Harry had blinked in surprise when Kingsley informed him that the others had all sworn under Veritaserum that Diggory was the Leader of the little group. Upon hearing the details of their plans, Harry felt very glad that the situation had been handled quickly.
While the four 'minions' had been idiots, Diggory had truly sought to do damage. He'd planned out attacks on the Ministry, in Knockturn Alley, and, the one that angered Harry the most, Hogsmeade.
Of course, as small as their little organisation was, Diggory had been attempting to recruit more people to his 'cause' and it had been extremely slow going.
He was angry at the world, because the consensus happened to be that people were enjoying he peace that the marriage had brought with it. Amos was furious that people were accepting the man who'd killed his son - an understandable hatred, all told.
Still, while Harry could understand the emotions behind the actions, he still couldn't support anything that would usurp the comfortable peace the Wizarding World was falling into.
Leaning against Tom outside the interview rooms, along with Amelia Bones, Severus and the Headmaster, Harry felt secure that, for now at least, the damage had been contained.
My Dear Husband,
This week is dragging along. I'm exceedingly glad that tomorrow is Friday and you shall be home once more - home where you belong. I'm writing because Lucius has extended an invitation to Malfoy Manor for Christmas Eve and I wished to have your opinion before agreeing.
It is my understanding that Andromeda will be attending also, and there will be an invitation extended to Severus. I understand that you wish for Christmas day to be for us alone, but I'm uncertain as to whether that includes the Eve.
Send Kreacher with an answer, my dear. Lucius awaits with me.
Tom.
Harry smiled at the missive, scrawling his agreement to the plan quickly, before turning his attention back to what he was doing. On the table in front of him, a simple silver chain bracelet lay innocently. Harry had applied every protection spell he could think of, and now, he needed to imbue the links with his own… magical essence.
It was easier said than done, and the concentration it cost was immense.
When it was done, Harry slumped into the chair, sweat pouring from his brow.
"Are you alright, Potter?"
Harry blinked, surprised to find Severus standing next to him, wand out, running a diagnostic charm over him.
"I'm fine," he murmured tiredly. "I was imbuing a bracelet with my magic; it's for Tom's Christmas present. I've ordered him a travelling cloak, I have the written permission from Dumbledore to return home in the evenings, now I just need to work out a homemade gift."
"Have you gone off the idea of a potion?" Severus asked, taking a seat facing Harry.
"Not gone off it, I'm just not sure of what kind of potion I could make him that he couldn't make himself. He's… well. I'm sure you know he's miles better than me at potions."
Severus snorted. "Quite."
"So… I'm stuck again," Harry said, wiping at the sweat on his face. "And I really need a shower."
"Have you thought to make him a quill. I'm sure Fawkes could be persuaded to part with a feather for you, he's quite fond of you.
Harry nodded thoughtfully. The symbolism of it being Fawkes… that could work. "Thanks, Severus."
Snape nodded, standing. He held a hand out to help Harry up, and they left the library together, parting ways at the stairs.
Harry wrinkled his nose. He really did need a shower.
Harry had barely managed to take his cloak off, when arms slid around his waist, and soft lips pressed gentle kisses to his neck.
"Harry," Tom greeted, holding him close.
"Tom. Anyone would think you'd missed me."
Harry turned around in the embrace, hugging Tom properly, taking a moment to bury his face in the crease of Tom's neck and inhaling the scent there. It was a surprisingly comforting scent, and Harry smiled. Somehow, in the short time they'd been married, Tom had become home to Harry.
The very thought brought him up short, and Tom felt him tense, pulling back to look Harry in the eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Harry shook his head slowly, shoving the thought away to deal with another time. "Nothing, I'm fine," he replied, offering up a small smile. "Tired is all."
Tom frowned but accepted the words, leaning back in to press a gentle kiss to Harry's lips. "Come on then. We'll eat, and then if you wish, we can share a bath and get an early night."
Harry smiled, allowing Tom to lead him by the hand to the kitchen. "Sounds like heaven."
They ate quickly, and then, true to his word, Tom drew them a bath, settling them in with Harry nestled between his legs, Harry's back to Tom's front. Harry lay with his head against Tom's shoulder, the warmth of the water relaxing his muscles gloriously.
Tom's hands skimmed over his skin softly, barely touching him. Harry couldn't contain the moan when he suddenly tweaked a nipple between his thumb and finger, pressing his lips to Harry's ear at the same time.
Taking his time, Tom moved his hands lower, massaging Harry's thighs under the water, thumbing his hip gently, exploring everywhere but where Harry wanted his hands.
"Please, Tom," he whispered.
"What is it you want, My Harry. You know I'd deny you nothing," Tom teased, running his tongue around the rim of Harry's ear.
"Touch me, please, touch me," Harry begged.
"But I am touching you."
Harry groaned at the sinfully seductive voice, pressing further back into Tom. He took hold of Tom's hand, moving it to his cock, writhing in the water when Tom took the hint, stroking him firmly.
The release came quickly and unexpectedly, and Harry slumped back into Tom's waiting embrace, his body limp with pleasure.
It was a fantastic way to end the night, in his opinion, and it only got better when Tom easily lifted him from the bath, dried him gently with a fluffy towel, and tucked him into bed, pulling the covers up around them both as he spooned Harry from behind.
"Goodnight, My Harry."
Harry could only murmur his return good night, though judging by the quiet chuckle, he'd failed at mastering the English language as he slipped off to sleep.
Harry woke slowly, enjoying the quiet as he snuggled into Tom's arms. He was looking forward to a quiet day, just the two of them.
Of course, as the thought crossed his mind, a flash of white appeared in the room, only to materialise into Kingsley's patronus.
The lynx spoke with the Head Auror's voice, waking Tom in the process.
"Harry, Amos Diggory escaped custody. We're doing all we can to recapture him, but stay on your guard."
Harry turned his head to meet Tom's eyes as the lynx dissipated.
"Well, that fucked my plan for a quiet day."
"Yes it did," was the reply, though it didn't come from Tom.
Harry and Tom sat up quickly, their wands in hand, to find Amos Diggory standing in the doorway, a feral look on his face as he stared at the two of them.
Before either could lift their wands, Amos snarled, "Diffindo," and sent a severing curse directly at Tom, who couldn't block it fast enough.
Harry watched the blood bubble across Tom's neck and saw a different kind of red as he turned his wand on Amos, who, mad or not, had the sense to stumble back, a worried look on his face.
Without uttering a spell, Harry sent a shot of pure magic at the man, watching his drop to the floor instantly. It wouldn't have killed him, but it would keep him on the floor where Harry wanted him. Turning rapidly to Tom, who was covered in his own blood, coughing and spluttering as he struggled to breath, Harry felt his heart drop.
Rubbing a hand over the bracelet from Severus, Harry cast the strongest healing spell he knew.
"You're going to be alright, Tom," he murmured to his husband.
Tom kept his eyes on Harry, gasping for breath.
"I… I… love… you…" he gasped, fighting to get the words out.
Harry could only watch on in horror as the light left his husband's eyes, just as Severus and the Aurors burst through the door.