Halloween

September 1996

September was rapidly approaching its end when Harry Potter and Severus Snape joined Albus Dumbledore for dinner and discussion. The three men sat around a small table in Dumbledore's private sitting room, relaxing with an after-dinner drink. As pleasant as the evening had been, however, Harry knew that he needed the information about the Horcruxes from the headmaster. Reluctantly, he brought up the subject they'd been putting off. "Albus, as much as I hate to put a damper on the evening, I really need to know how many Horcruxes Tom created."

Dumbledore steepled his hands beneath his chin while he gathered his thoughts. Finally, he spoke. "With great difficulty I have managed to retrieve several memories that shed some light on the subject. I will summarize my findings for you, dear boy."

"As you know, Tom Riddle is a half-blood; his father a Muggle from the village of Little Hangleton, his mother a witch descendent from Salazar Slytherin named Merope Gaunt. Her family was unkind to her and to Muggles in general." Albus took a sip of his wine before continuing, "When her father and brother were sent to Azkaban for assault, she gave Tom Riddle Sr. a love potion. Merope subsequently became pregnant. For reasons known only to her she discontinued the potion and, no longer under its effects, Riddle left her, alone and pregnant. She gave birth in an orphanage, living only long enough to name her child Tom Marvolo Riddle."

"What does this have to do with the Horcruxes?" Harry asked impatiently.

Dumbledore looked over at Harry. "It gave me a starting place to search for the Horcruxes. Another memory, which I talked out of Horace Slughorn, leads me to believe that Voldemort intended to create seven Horcruxes."

"Why would you believe anything that corpulent, half-witted excuse of a wizard had to say?" Severus spat venomously.

Harry had no idea who Slughorn was, but it was clear that Snape despised the man. Harry had to hide his smile behind his wine glass when Dumbledore's look of censure was met by an unrepentant glare from Snape. Hoping to diffuse the staring contest, Harry hurried to ask, "What do you mean 'intended' to create seven? How many did Voldemort actually finish?"

Dumbledore turned his eyes to Harry; there was a knowing glint in them when he spoke again. "It is my conclusion that he intended to use your death for the seventh Horcrux," he said gently.

Shrugging off the concerned look, Harry took a sip of his drink. "So he only got around to making six. I destroyed one in the Chamber so that leaves us with five to track down. Any ideas on what objects he would have used?"

"And where we might locate them?" added Severus.

"Indeed I have several theories on both; some I feel more strongly about than others," Dumbledore said. Setting his glass down on the table, he leaned back in his chair. "I have good reason to believe that Tom used two of Slytherin's artifacts to house portions of his soul. Slytherin's ring and Slytherin's locket. Tom always held a fascination with Hogwarts."

Deciding it would be best if he had a written account of the discussion, Harry requested, "Do you have any parchment, and a quill? It would be helpful if I could write this down."

Wandlessly summoning the requested items, Dumbledore passed them to Harry. The young man quickly cleared a space on the table in front of him and jotted down the possible Horcruxes so far. "Ok, that's two. Would he have used other founders' things also?"

"Very good, dear boy, yes I believe he did. It is my opinion that he gained access to Hufflepuff's cup. If he also obtained something of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, I have yet to determine what it could be." Dumbledore smiled fondly at Harry. "The only other possibility I feel confident in is Nagini."

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, he used his bloody snake? Is that even possible?" Snape asked incredulously.

"It would explain his control over her. I feel that it is a very likely possibility."

"So… we're pretty sure of four, one is destroyed and one was never created. That leaves us with one unknown," Harry mused aloud. "Possibly something belonging to either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, does that sound about right?"

"That is my conclusion as well, Potter. Now where would the Dark Lord have hidden away his prizes?" Severus took a deep drink of his wine; the thought of an immortal Dark Lord was enough to drive even this most sober of men to drink.

Dumbledore sighed sadly. "I'm afraid my research has not reached that point yet, gentlemen. I am endeavoring to obtain memories from people who might be able to point us in the right direction. It would be very helpful if the two of you would research methods of destroying the Horcruxes while I attempt to locate them."

Harry and Severus both promised to look into how the Horcruxes could be safely destroyed. With nothing else to discuss, the three men agreed to call it a night and to meet again when they had more information.

October 1996

Three days later, Harry stumbled into the small kitchen in Snape's quarters, desperately looking for coffee; Snape always had coffee ready before Harry woke. Finding a pot on the counter, he poured himself a cup and drank it, standing at the counter. Moderately awake, he took his second cup to the small table and sat down, ignoring the amused light in Snape's eyes.

When it seemed Potter was finally awake, Severus spoke, "You should have more care in your choice of lovers, Potter."

"What? I don't have a lover," Harry choked out, barely avoiding spitting out a mouthful of coffee.

"Really? Perhaps you should inform Miss Weasley of that fact. As it is, she has told the Daily Prophet that you plan to wed once she finishes her schooling," Severus drawled. He tossed the Saturday edition of the newspaper onto the table in front of Harry.

Snatching up the paper, Harry read it quickly. On the front page was a picture some reporter had managed to take when Harry was leaving the Ministry after the Death Eater's attacked Diagon Alley. The accompanying article was horrifying; Rita Skeeter had indeed quoted Ginny who claimed that they planned to marry. There were many details that Harry could not attribute to any source but Ginny. Furious, he slammed the paper down and marched to his room to dress. He had a Weasley to confront.

That afternoon Severus was supervising four second years in detention. The little miscreants were scraping bird droppings off the statues in the courtyard, which he hoped would deter the Gryffindor menaces from ever again attempting to give a kitten growth potion in hopes it would become a lion. He lazily let his gaze sweep the courtyard; everything was quiet. Severus was startled, therefore, when a few minutes later Potter came storming out of the castle, broom in hand, striding rapidly towards the Quidditch pitch.

Less than a minute behind him was Ron Weasley. Stopping at the doors, Weasley scanned the area. Upon spotting Potter, he yelled, "Don't you walk away from me!"

Potter paused for a moment, shook his head, and kept walking. Weasley ran to catch up to him. When he did, he grabbed Potter's free arm and swung him around. Between the arm waving from Weasley and Potter's grim expression, Severus knew the two boys were arguing, but he was too far away to hear them. Weasley's face grew redder the more he talked. Potter kept his mouth closed, but his jaw was clenched and Severus could tell the brat was struggling to control his temper.

Severus headed towards the two, intent on breaking up the distasteful scene, when Weasley suddenly drew his arm back and punched Potter in the nose. The punch was powerful enough to draw blood. It should have seen him on his backside on the ground, but somehow the brat managed to keep his feet, only swaying a little. Severus hurried to reach them when Potter said something to make Weasley turn white and draw back his fist again.

He reached them in time to curtail Weasley's second punch with a judiciously placed hand on the offending arm. "Mr. Weasley, that will be fifty points from…"

"Severus, don't, please just let it go," Harry asked softly.

"Potter, I cannot allow a Hogwarts student to…" Severus tried again.

Harry slowly shook his head. "It's between me and him; please just let it drop this once. Please."

Severus released his hold on Weasley; he intended to do as Potter asked, but Weasley spoke up. "Do you think I want favors from your pet Death Eater? You're both nothing but filthy scum," he spat viciously.

Harry laughed hollowly. "Never mind. Do with him as you will, I give up." Everyone in the courtyard watched in astonishment as Harry Potter launched himself into the air after a running start on his broom. He rapidly flew out of sight.

Severus turned to Weasley without making any effort to disguise his malevolent glare. "I believe fifty points from Gryffindor for your assault on Harry will do for a start." He paused to see if Weasley was going to protest. Seeing he wasn't, Severus continued, "Another twenty for insulting a professor. You'll serve detention with Mr. Filch every evening until the end of term."

Weasley still did not protest, but he was slowly turning white, and even his freckles were paling. "And I will be informing Professor McGonagall of your reprehensible behavior. You are dismissed."

Severus watched in dark amusement as the Weasley spawn spluttered helplessly before stiffly turning on his heel and running back to the castle. Severus took vicious satisfaction from calling out, "That will be an additional ten points from Gryffindor for running, Mr. Weasley."

Turning back to dunderheads serving detention, he snapped, "What are you gaping at? Back to work or you will be here again tomorrow."

After glaring the idiotic Gryffindors into submission, Severus went back over the confrontation with Weasley with malicious satisfaction. He nearly groaned aloud when he realized he'd called the brat 'Harry'. The fact that he had slipped was bad enough. That he'd done so in front of a student was intolerable.

Harry flew hard and fast, trying to bleed off some of the anger the morning had caused. He couldn't believe his friends had done this to him, Ginny talking to Skeeter, Ron punching him. All he'd done was flirt with Ginny, maybe kiss her a few times, but he never said anything about a serious relationship. Frustrated, he made his way to the far side of the lake.

After dismissing the students from their detention, Severus set out to find Potter. Remembering the brat had mentioned the far side of the lake, he headed that direction, hoping to find him. After trudging for twenty minutes he finally saw Potter sitting on a boulder, smoking and listlessly tossing stones in the water. Severus leaned against the boulder and offered his silent company to the obviously upset young man.

Harry knew Snape was there, even though the man didn't say a word, but simply stood there. He appreciated the silent support. Eventually Harry started talking. "I'd been fooling around a little with Ginny. Just kissing and the like."

Once Potter started speaking, Severus carefully climbed onto the boulder and sat beside him. Spying the open pack of cigarettes he took one for himself and lit it while he listened. "I told her that I didn't want anything serious, that I was only looking for some light-hearted fun. She said that she understood and that she wanted the same. Ginny said that with Ron around she never had the chance to experiment, and that we could just mess around a little."

Harry shoved an impatient hand through his hair. Glancing over at Snape, he saw that the man was looking out over the lake, willing to simply listen. Harry heaved a sigh. "I've always thought of Ginny as a friend, so I talked to her about some of what I was learning. Guess she thought that meat I'd tell her everything. Two days ago she came and sat with me at the library where I was looking into ways to destroy the Horcruxes, and I had that list out. When she sat down I grabbed the list and put it away. She got angry that I wouldn't tell her what I was doing…" Harry trailed off. There was nothing more to say.

Snorting, Severus drawled, "So Miss Weasley decided that she would try to convince you of her sincerity by announcing her commitment to you in the Daily Prophet? I suppose the details on your prowess in bed were a misguided attempt to flatter you."

"No. It was all done in revenge. I cornered her today in the common room. She admitted to contacting Skeeter and saying all that shite because she was mad at me. The whole marriage thing was all Skeeter's idea. Not that Ginny tried to discourage her," Harry spat bitterly.

"And the reason behind Mr. Weasley's display of vitriol?" Severus queried.

Harry laughed cynically before offering, "I made his sister cry. Apparently calling Ginny 'a malicious excuse for a shrew' is reason to punch your best mate in the face. Hermione just stood there the whole time, never saying a word."

"Will you attempt to reconcile with them?" Severus tossed his cigarette into the lake.

"I don't know," Harry said softly. "I don't know if they'll let me, or if I even want to. Worse, I lost my date to the Halloween ball."

"Potter, as unfair as it may sound, you will have to exercise more caution in the future if you do not wish to see your love life plastered in the paper for the whole wizarding world to see. Choose a partner with more discretion and less of a temper," Severus said. He knew it was unfair to the brat, but had no doubt that Potter would learn this lesson. Severus regretted that Potter had to learn it the hard way.

For several harmonious minutes they sat in silence, content to enjoy each other's company and watch the sun reflect off the lake. When Potter shifted, Severus noticed the dried blood on his face and said softly, "You should do something about that nose, Potter." Severus tapped his own nose with a long finger. "Or you'll end up with one like this."

Harry laughed with genuine humor this time. "Is that what happened to you? You made a girl cry and her brother punched you?"

"Something like that," Severus said dismissively.

A couple of hours later Harry was aimlessly drifting through the halls in his invisibility cloak, nursing his wounded pride; Snape had repaired his nose. He couldn't stay still, but had no desire to speak to anyone. He was walking past the staff-room door when he heard voices. Curious, Harry quietly crept closer to the door. Seeing that it was ajar, he carefully peered in to see Headmaster Dumbledore deep in conversation with Moody. Seeing that Dumbledore was too distracted to notice him, Harry listened for a few minutes. He was shocked at what he heard.

"Albus, that boy is as dark as Snape. You have two dangerous dark wizards in this school, and what do you intend to do about it?" Moody said gruffly.

"I don't know yet that Harry is dark; there is a chance that he can be saved. As for Severus, as long as it remains in his best interest to deny his penchant for dark magic, he will do so. I am well aware that Severus will always look to his own best interest." Dumbledore was pacing the room restlessly.

Moody turned to face the door and Harry was relieved to see him polishing his magical eye on his handkerchief, but the man's words were worrying. "So you're going to just let them go unchecked? For Merlin's sake, they're associating with that so-called Bar − another bunch of dark ones if you ask me."

"Alastor, right now I need Harry and Severus to take care of the Horcruxes. When the threat of Voldemort has passed, I will do what is necessary to ensure that they are not a danger to society," Dumbledore said firmly.

Stuffing his eye in his pocket, Moody grumbled, "How are you going to do that?"

"With Harry at Hogwarts I can monitor his activities. He and Severus are growing closer, and that will help keep Harry here. After he finishes his N.E.W.T's I hope to keep him too caught up in searching for the Horcruxes to have time to reach his full potential," Dumbledore said.

"He hasn't already done that?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry is more powerful, magically, than I am, but he is untrained. I do not believe he poses a serious threat at this time." His mien turned graver. "If he ever has the opportunity to obtain the skills of a Castitas Proeliator, I fear he would be unstoppable."

"What in the bleeding hell is a Castis-whazit?" Moody demanded roughly.

"It is an old term for a true warrior of old. They were very powerful, but a law unto themselves. Harry has the capability of becoming one of the best of them."

Moody pulled his eye out of his pocket and resumed polishing it. "We can't let that happen."

"I know, Alastor, I know," Dumbledore said with a sigh.

Harry had heard enough; he quietly backed away from the door before Moody got his eye back in and spotted him. He had to tell Snape what he'd overheard. What had Dumbledore meant about a true warrior? Harry and Snape weren't any danger to society. Hadn't they proven that by killing Voldemort? When he felt he was far enough away that they wouldn't hear him, Harry took off at a run to the dungeons.

He burst into Snape's office. "Where is the most secure place to talk? A place where there is no chance that we can be overheard? I have something very important to tell you," Harry rushed to say.

Severus noted that Potter was breathing hard and had a panicked look in his eyes. Standing gracefully, he motioned for the brat to follow him, heading to his private lab. Once inside, Severus locked and warded the door. He arched a brow when he felt Potter adding a highly complex silencing charm to the room. With the amount of magic he felt flowing through the wards, he doubted Albus could break them.

Harry had calmed slightly on the walk to Snape's lab, but he was still upset. Spotting a stool, he dropped onto it. Looking Snape in the eye, he recounted the conversation he'd just overheard. Snape stood rigid through the tale, and for several minutes afterwards. Finally, Harry couldn't take the silence anymore. "What are we going to do about it?" he demanded mournfully. "And why in the bloody hell does Dumbledore think we'd ever be a danger?"

Severus had always known that Albus had doubted his commitment to the light, but to hear it spoken so plainly was unexpectedly painful. And that Albus would doubt his honor that was simply unforgivable. Severus turned to Potter and again felt an unexpected pain. The brat had only recently reconciled with Albus, and had to feel doubly betrayed. Severus gave the only comfort he could − a cold comfort.

"For now we do nothing. We will go on as if nothing has changed. We will use the old coot for his information on the Horcruxes. Once they are destroyed…perhaps it will be time to show our true colors," Severus said harshly.

"What do you mean, our true colors?" Harry could read the hurt in Snape's stance; he regretted that he'd been the one to confirm what Snape had always feared. Dumbledore didn't trust him; of course the old fool didn't trust Harry either.

"Why, green and silver, Potter. Slytherin colors. We will show the old man that he is a fool to believe he could manipulate two Slytherins such as ourselves without serious ramifications," Severus drawled ominously.

Harry was very glad that Snape's ire was not directed towards him. The man obviously had dire plans for the headmaster's future. "But I'm not a Slytherin."

"You will be. You should have been all along." Snape held Harry's eyes as he said softly, "I know what's on your back, Potter, and we will use the tactics of a snake to assure our vengeance."

Harry nearly fell off his stool when he heard Snape's words. Okay, obviously this is where I'll be using the tactics of the snake. But how will I hone myself into razor sharpness? I never expected such a literal clue to what I thought to be a minor premonition. Guess I'll need to keep my ears open for the next part. Righting himself, he forced his attention back on Snape.

Snape picked up an empty vial and toyed with it restlessly. "You'll be the preeminent Slytherin when I've finished with you," he said in a strangely gleeful tone, and Harry felt a frisson of fear run down his spine. I'm so glad I'm not the headmaster.

The night before the Halloween ball Harry had an unexpected guest. Luc stuck his head in the door of Harry's room, saying, "Brat, I have clothes for you appearance tomorrow night, so get out here."

"What is it with you people and my name? It's Harry, not brat. And what's the deal with you dressing me all the time?" Harry groused. Reluctantly getting to his feet, he followed Luc into the sitting room.

"Come now, brat, you're a part of the Bar, you have to have a nickname," Luc teased as he withdrew clothes from a bag on the couch.

"Personally I find 'brat' suits you, Potter," Severus drawled from his arm chair.

Rolling his eyes, Harry gave up, they'd call him whatever they pleased. "Yeah, yeah. Now what do you have for me to wear, oh master shopper?"

"Well, since you disdained a costume, I felt you should at least be dramatic. Go try these on, then come back, since you're too shy to change in front of us," Luc teased as he handed Harry a pile of clothes and shooed him into the bathroom.

Harry didn't bother to respond to Luc's jibe; he closed the bathroom door and stripped. Picking up the clothes, he heaved a sigh over them and dressed. Once he was suitably attired, according to Luc, he headed back to the sitting room.

Severus examined the young man before him. Potter was dressed in black leather trousers with a blood red silk shirt. A black velvet dress robe was open over them; on the brat's feet were highly polished black boots. Severus couldn't stop his thoughts. Merlin, the things I could do to a body like that. Uncomfortable with the direction of his thoughts, Severus shifted in his seat.

Potter is little more than a child, he reminded himself firmly. Acting on such desires would be inappropriate. Sternly turning away from temptation, he managed to say, "Well, you certainly look dramatic."

"Severus, don't be so bloody obstinate, Harry looks devastatingly handsome," Luc said. He turned to Harry and adjusted the robe. "You'll be turning away interested parties by the droves in that outfit. Plus it will photograph well. Red is a good color on you."

Harry didn't see what the big deal was, although he liked the leather pants. He'd have to see about getting some more of those. Turning to Luc, he said, "I don't get why you go on about clothes. I mean, you just wear them to cover your naked body so you don't get arrested, right? So what's all the fuss?"

Throwing back his head, Severus roared with laughter. The brat certainly knew how to push Luc's buttons; he'd been trying to tell Luc the same thing for ages, only with a little more tact.

Sticking his nose in the air, Luc ignored Severus. "I don't know why I waste my time on you, brat. You keep disparaging all of my work," he huffed to Harry.

"Sorry, you can keep picking out all my clothes for me if it makes you happy. I really don't care what I wear, as long I don't end up looking like Lockhart," Harry offered. He found it relieving not to have to worry about what to wear; Luc was excellent at organizing his clothes so he didn't have to think about them.

"Well, at least the photographers will appreciate all my hard work. Don't worry, Harry, if you're going to be part of the Bar, I will ensure that your clothing meets the standards."

Harry stood in a shadowy alcove of the entrance hall, avoiding the stares of the loitering students who waited for their dates from other houses. Rumor of his blow up with Ron and Ginny had spread all over the school; everyone was intent to know who his date would be. Hermione was avoiding him, and he hadn't even attempted to speak to Ron; he was still too hurt. Harry knew his date would cause a stir and was looking forward to it.

Speaking of dates, Harry's had just entered through the front doors. Gabriel strode in; his hair, unbound for once, flowed halfway down his back in a fall of black silk. His dark blue dress robes were open over a pair of black trousers and a silver shirt. Heads turned as he approached Harry. "Harry, stop hiding in the corner and let me look at you. Luc, the arse, wouldn't tell me what you were wearing tonight."

"Gabriel, watch you mouth. There are kids here," Harry said softly.

Shrugging indifferently, Gabriel ran his eyes over Harry. "You really do look edible. I might be tempted to nibble on you later," he said with a rakish leer.

"Shut up, it's time to go inside," Harry said, blushing lightly. Accepting the arm Gabriel offered, Harry allowed the older man to steer him around the crowd and into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was decorated for the event; huge carved pumpkins dotted the floor. Live bats flew throughout the room, and the ceiling was a wash of stars. Black and orange tablecloths covered the hundreds of small tables set along the edges of the Great Hall.

Spotting Ginny, Dean, Ron and Hermione sitting together at a table on the opposite side of the hall, Harry tensed. Following his gaze, Gabriel gave the glowering quartet a dashing bow and a wicked wink. Quickly looking away, the foursome started talking intently.

Gabriel turned his attention to Harry and pulled out a chair. Once Harry sat, he took his own before saying, "Harry, don't pay any attention to that lot tonight. Enjoy yourself; I know I intend to enjoy you."

Unused to the flirting but pleased, Harry grinned at Gabriel and turned his attention to the headmaster, who was standing ready to open the ball. "Ladies and gentlemen," Dumbledore began, "I'm happy to see you all here tonight. We have much to celebrate and be thankful for, but let us not forget the dark times and what they have taught us. On this night when the veil between our world and the one of the dead is so thin, let us remember those that have given their lives so that we might gather here tonight. I ask for moment of silence in their honor."

The crowd was silent and Harry bowed his head as he thought of his parents, Cedric, and Sirius. So much death and it's not over yet. Snape's right, we'll use Dumbledore to put an end Tom's threat. No matter how angry I am at the headmaster, that has to come first. The memories of his family gave Harry added incentive to fuel his act for the headmaster. It wouldn't do to let the old man know they were wise to him.

"Now it is time to make merry. I encourage you all to have a delightful evening." Dumbledore finished speaking and sat down.

They sat chatting comfortably for several minutes before Gabriel asked, "Tell me, do you like to dance or are we going to just sit here all night looking devastating?"

"I don't really know how to dance. Only really tried it once," Harry admitted.

"Well you've never tried dancing with me; I promise it is an unforgettable experience." Gabriel gracefully got to his feet and held out a hand.

Hesitating a moment before placing his hand in Gabriel's, Harry followed him onto the dance floor. Taking Harry's other hand, Gabriel drew them both up around his neck and whispered, "All you have to do is hold on and follow my lead." The puffs of air from the softly spoken words sent shivers down Harry's spine. Gabriel slipped both arms around Harry's waist and tugged him closer. He started moving to the music, gently guiding Harry around the floor, easily avoiding the other often clumsy dancers.

Dancing with Gabriel was a much different experience than dancing with Parvati. She'd spent more time trying to see who was watching her with the Triwizard Champion than paying attention to him. Harry had no doubts as to what held Gabriel's attention; the piercing blue eyes never left his face.

Severus hid in a dark corner, arms folded across his chest; he couldn't quite place what he felt when he saw Gabriel dancing so close to Potter. The tightness in his chest that accompanied the feeling was disconcerting. Disdaining to give the unsettling feeling a thought, he simply ignored it. He was accustomed to ignoring his feelings; they were often too intense and annoyed him. Severus quickly bit back a hiss of frustration when he saw the headmaster approach him; he'd been trying to avoid the man for days.

"Severus, are you enjoying the evening?" Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling full blast tonight.

"No, I am not enjoying this disgusting display of teenage hormones, Albus. You know I despise such revolting affairs," Severus hissed in annoyance.

Chuckling softly, Dumbledore popped a lemon drop in his mouth. "Now, Severus, the children need to unwind. It has been a most stressful time. It appears young Harry has embraced the spirit of the evening. He and his date seem to be enjoying themselves."

Severus watched as Potter laughed up at Gabriel. He clenched a fist as the tightness in his chest increased. "The brat came because I insisted. Misery loves company, since I was forced to attend and be miserable I saw no reason he should escape."

Laughing, the headmaster patted Severus' arm. "I have no doubt you'll survive this ordeal. I must circulate now, but I wanted to ask that you and Harry come to tea next week. I believe I have some information on our project," Dumbledore said.

"Very well, Headmaster, I'll speak with Potter and let you know when he is available," Severus drawled.

After several dances Gabriel led Harry out into the garden and into a secluded alcove. The music could still be heard faintly. "I couldn't hold you as close as I wanted to in there," Gabriel breathed.

He slid his arms tightly around Harry's waist, pulling him against his body and began to sway slowly. Harry returned his arms to their former position around Gabriel's neck, this time sliding them under the unbound hair. He was startled to feel a shiver run through the body pressed against his. Harry looked up at his partner, and Gabriel leaned down and pressed his lips against Harry's.

Harry tentatively swiped his tongue over Gabriel's lips; the older man chuckled softly as he opened to the questing tongue. Harry took his time exploring the other man's mouth, running his tongue along strong teeth then past, and encountering Gabriel's cooperative tongue.

Allowing the gentle exploration for several moments before sliding his hands in Harry's hair, Gabriel thrust his tongue in the willing mouth. He pushed Harry against the wall and pressed his body firmly against Harry's. Moving one hand from the boy's hair to his waist, Gabriel pulled him closer still.

Several heated kisses later Gabriel slowly pulled back and simply held Harry close. After a moment the older man moaned, "I'm too old for this shite anymore."

Quickly removing his hands from their perch around Gabriel's neck, Harry tried to take a step back. Fearing rejection because of his inexperience, he tensed, but Gabriel held him still and looked him in the eye. "It's not what you're thinking, Harry. All I meant was I'm too old to be snogging up against a wall like this. It's the domain of teenagers."

"Well, I am a teenager, and you're the one that kissed me first," Harry said. He had no doubt he'd be more than willing to kiss Gabriel all night. Since that wasn't an option, he took a deep breath, hoping to calm his racing pulse.

Gabriel laughed softly. "Okay, so we'll blame our hormones then, yours for encouraging me to snog against the wall and mine for being unable to resist you fiddling with my hair."

He squeezed Harry tightly for a moment, then groaned, "We can't go back in there like this."

"Like what?" questioned Harry.

Looking pointedly at Harry's groin, Gabriel then gestured to his own. "Like this."

Harry felt his face heat up, but couldn't repress the grin. "Guess we'll just have to wait it out."

"I have a better idea. Laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails you," Gabriel stated. "There was this couple that went to a counselor for marital advice. The counselor advised two weeks of celibacy, the couple agreed."

Gabriel flashed Harry a mischievous grin as he continued, "Two weeks later they came back, and the counselor asked if they remained celibate. The man said, 'Well, doc, the wife bent over to pick up a shoe, and I just had to let her have it.' The counselor informed them if they couldn't abide by the advice they couldn't come back. The husband responded, 'that's okay they'll never let us back in the shoe store again either.'"

Laughter did do the trick; Harry was too busy laughing to worry about any physical signs of his arousal. Gabriel joined in Harry's laughter, saying, "Can't believe you hadn't heard that one."

Shortly afterwards, the two reentered the Great Hall and joined the dancers on the floor. Suddenly a reporter popped up; Harry blinked in surprise as a flash went off in his face. He dropped his head to Gabriel's shoulder and groaned, "Oh, not her… this is not my night."

After lowering the camera from her face, Rita Skeeter gave Harry a feral grin. "Harry Potter, it has been positively vexatious to get an opportunity to speak with you," she purred. "Your advocates and your mentor are quite… ferocious in keeping you to themselves." Rita leered at him.

"What do you want?" Harry asked wearily as he released Gabriel.

Rita quickly put away the camera in her large bag and pulled out an acid green quill and a notepad. "Just a couple of questions, dear," she started.

Harry eyed the quill with trepidation. "I'm not talking to you unless you put away your poisoned quill, Skeeter," he stated firmly.

Having noticed the aggravating reporter corner Potter, Severus stalked over to offer his protection if it were to be needed. Standing behind the brat, he scowled darkly at Skeeter. "You need not speak to her at all, it is your choice."

"I might as well answer a few questions, as long as she promises to write what I say, not whatever shite she feels like making up." Harry glared at the reporter until she reluctantly put away the green quill and dug out a plain one.

"Satisfied?" she asked petulantly.

Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. "Just ask your questions already. I don't fancy spending all night with you."

Leering at Gabriel, Rita batted her eyelashes. "No, that pleasure seems to fall to this stunning man here. Tell me, Harry, where did the two of you meet?"

"I'm not talking to you about my personal life. Pick another subject," Harry growled.

"But that's what my readers want to know about. Harry Potter's sordid affairs! You threw over Ginny Weasley for this… gentleman. Makes for titillating reading." She waited, quill poised above the notepad.

Barely resisting the low level urge to hex her with something mildly painful, Harry said, "I didn't throw anybody over. Gabriel and I are friends. Next subject."

"Ginny Weasley feels differently, why don't you tell me…" she began.

"You have exactly five seconds to change the subject or I will take a great deal of pleasure in forcibly ejecting you from the hall. The choice is yours," Severus drawled silkily, his tone leaving no doubt as to which option he preferred.

Rita humphed sulkily. "Well, tell me about your association with the highly disreputable Bar Sinister. Is it true that together you plan to overthrow the Ministry?"

"There is no plot to overthrow the bloody Ministry; actually, there are no plots at all. The Bar is tutoring me so that I can take my N.E.W.T's, and assisting me with my newfound responsibilities," Harry stated firmly. Skeeter was annoying him; all her questions were insulting and pointless.

"Lady, and I use that term loosely, you will curb your tongue when you speak of the Bar or I will curb it for you," Gabriel growled.

Rita's eyes widened at the threat and she changed the subject, slightly. "What about the rumor that you defeated He Who Must Not Be Named with dark magic? Who taught you the dark arts? Snape here?" Rita waited with bated breath to scribble the answers.

"I used Black magic, not dark magic. Get your facts straight before you go running off at the mouth. And it's Professor Snape to you. Show some respect." The urge to curse the witch was growing faster the longer Harry remained in Skeeter's presence.

"That's another topic of interest. Why would you subject yourself to Snape's mentoring? The enmity between you is practically the stuff of legends," Rita pounced on the subject with glee.

Harry sighed. "Professor Snape and I settled our differences and I have nothing but respect for him." He continued earnestly, "He has always gone out of his way to help me. Without him I would have died my first year at Hogwarts. I'm quite proud that he believed I'd be a worthy apprentice."

"But to put yourself under the care of an obviously dark wizard and to associate yourself with a questionable group as the Bar, Harry, the public wants to know if you're being corrupted. Are they grooming you to be the next Dark Lord?" The gleam in Rita's eyes was hard and sharp as she waited for a response, undeterred by the fierce glare from Severus.

"That's it, lady. I warned you once and you just blew your only chance," Gabriel broke in. "It's time for you to leave; you're not interested in answers, you're fishing for gossip to sell that disgrace you call a newspaper."

Gabriel grasped Skeeter's arm and ignored her spluttering as he escorted her to the doors. When the pair reached the doors he held a short conversation with Hagrid before handing over his burden to the huge man and waving them off.

"I hate that woman. She always manages to piss me off." Harry watched as she was herded out of the building by Hagrid and Gabriel was waylaid by a bold seventh year Ravenclaw.

Giving him an unreadable look, Snape said softly, "You handled her well, Potter. You should reclaim your date and enjoy the remainder of the evening." Turning with swirl of his cloak, he quickly strode away. I am not jealous of Gabriel, Severus told himself resolutely. He ignored the painful twinge in his chest as he sought out a shadowed corner.

Shrugging at Snape's abrupt departure, Harry set out to follow his advice. After rescuing Gabriel from the fawning girl, he spent the rest of the evening in his date's relaxing company.