AN: Two chapters for you in one day... yeah. Thanks for all the reviews, ya'll are wonderful.

Consequences

August 1997

The past months had left Harry feeling content with his life for once. He had been pleasantly surprised when on his seventeenth birthday instead of a simple birthday kiss, Gabriel seduced him. The resulting relationship was comfortable; Harry knew it was not love for either one of them. There was a spark missing for Harry, something that would signify this was the one he belonged with, but he was satisfied for now. Who wouldn't be content with good sex on a regular basis with an attractive and attentive lover?

Harry was practicing with his daggers on a dummy, when he felt a shift in the air signaling he wasn't alone any longer. He knew that the entire Bar had left earlier for various reasons and weren't expected back till later. Tracking the unknown person with his ears, Harry waited till they were directly behind him.

Lowering his head, Harry turned and hooked an ankle behind his mystery guest's knee as he drove his shoulder into a solid, obviously masculine chest. Allowing gravity to do its work, Harry followed the man to the floor with his dagger held to a white throat. When he looked up and saw the face of the man he'd just attacked, Harry swore softly.

"Damn it, Severus, you should have called out. I wouldn't have attacked if I'd known it was you," Harry said heatedly. To his surprise, Harry felt his body respond to the warmth and strength he was pressed so intimately against.

Quickly rolling off Snape before the man felt his arousal, Harry lay staring at the ceiling a moment before getting to his feet. At Snape's continued silence, Harry turned back, worried he'd accidentally hurt him.

Severus closed his eyes tightly to savor the fleeting sensation of Potter's body pressed against his own. Feeling the brat's eyes on him, he rolled over and got to his feet slowly.

"Did I hurt you?" Harry asked tentatively. "I didn't mean to, you just took me by surprise is all."

Severus quickly suppressed his feelings and schooled his face to his usual expression before turning to Potter and saying, "You did not harm me, Potter. I merely lost my breath for a moment."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" Harry asked.

Adjusting his robes, Severus spoke quickly, "Dumbledore has discovered a Horcrux and has decided to go today − now, in fact, − to destroy it."

Harry thought quickly about what to do before turning to Snape. "Do you know where he's going?"

"Indeed. The headmaster is hoping that you will join him and so gave me the location," Severus said.

Slipping his daggers back into the sheaths, Harry asked, "Floo or Apparition?"

"Apparition," Severus said firmly, adding, "You might want to pack a bag. Merlin knows how long this will take."

Harry simply nodded in response and headed to his room, calling over his shoulder, "Meet you out front in five minutes."

Severus walked quickly down the hall and out the front door. Leaning against a pillar, he pulled out his cigarettes. Lighting one, he took a drag and sighed. Severus wondered if a man could die of sexual frustration. If so, Potter was going to be the death of him.

He was pondering these thoughts when Devlin approached. "Severus, good to see you," Devlin said pleasantly, adding, "Why are you here? Is something wrong?"

"Dumbledore's going after a Horcrux, I've come to fetch Potter," Severus said shortly.

Devlin looked at him questioningly, but all he said was, "Accio Devlin's bag."

Severus snorted as the black leather overnight bag flew out the door. "Who invited you?" he asked imperiously.

Devlin raised an eyebrow and drawled, "You're dealing with a dangerous artifact, an untested potion and a crazy old man. I'd say you need all the help you can get."

Shrugging, Severus lifted the cigarette to his mouth again; he didn't care if Devlin came along. He was probably right, the more people Severus could be sure of the better.

Potter came out carrying a brown suede bag and looked at Devlin's bag. Laughing, he asked, "Can't stand being left out?"

"Shut up, brat," Devlin said lightly. He turned to Severus and asked, "Where are we going, anyway?"

Severus turned and caught Potter's eyes as he said, "The graveyard in Little Hangleton."

Harry gasped before he could stop it. Quickly getting his emotions under control, he turned to Devlin and said, "Since you haven't been there, I'll do Side-Along with you."

Severus watched Potter handle the shock with pride. It was a nice change from the overly emotional young man of little more than a year ago. Potter nodded at him and took Devlin's arm. They disappeared with a small crack. Severus disposed of his fag and did the same.

Harry and Devlin Apparated within one hundred yards of the graveyard, and he could see Dumbledore's lurid green robes not to far away from the entrance. Dumbledore was expected; the red hair of Ron Weasley and the bushy brown of Hermione Granger were not. Harry dropped Devlin's arm. Ignoring the crack signaling Snape's arrival, he growled, "Shite, didn't know there was a reunion planned."

Hearing Potter's words, Severus turned and groaned at the sight of the three people standing near a gravestone. With a murderous glare, he stormed to the headmaster's side. Severus was peripherally aware of Potter and Devlin following him.

When he reached the headmaster, Severus spat, "Are you mad?" He pointed to Weasley and Granger. "This is no place for children, Albus."

Harry snickered when Ron predictably swelled with outrage and protested, "I'm older than Harry and he's here." Ron shook off Hermione's restraining hand as he glared defiantly at Snape.

Severus sneered at Weasley and drawled coldly, "Age has nothing to do with it, Mr. Weasley." He smirked and added maliciously, "And as I recall, in every little adventure you blindly followed Potter into, you conveniently ended up incapacitated before any true danger was confronted."

Devlin leaned down and whispered to Harry, "It's always fascinating to hear Severus unleash his vicious tongue on someone else."

Harry snorted in amusement; Ron chose that moment to finally grasp what Snape had implied. "Are you calling me a coward?" Ron shouted indignantly.

Severus opened his mouth to confirm that he did indeed believe Weasley was a coward, when Dumbledore stepped in with, "Mr. Weasley, Professor Snape, we have serious work to do here. We can do without the animosity."

Severus rolled his eyes, but refrained from antagonizing the boy any further. He watched with malicious glee as the Weasley spawn sputtered before being quieted by Granger's whispers.

Dumbledore turned to Harry and Devlin. "Harry, my boy, I'm pleased that you would join us today." He held out a hand to Harry, but Harry had no intention of getting that close to the wily old man. Ignoring Devlin's tugging at the back of his shirt; he merely inclined his head and said, "Headmaster, you're looking well."

Looking disappointed yet understanding, Dumbledore addressed the other member of the group, "And, Devlin, what an unexpected, but pleasant addition to our little outing."

Locking his frigid green eyes on Dumbledore, Devlin drawled lazily, "I had nothing better to do today." He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and added, "Besides, Harry always needs another pair of eyes watching for treacherous plots."

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed at the implication, but he remained silent. Ron had calmed at last. It appeared he and Hermione wanted to approach Harry, but didn't dare risk Devlin's intimidating glower. Harry spoke up, "Headmaster, you never did say why you would bring Ron and Hermione along on what could be a dangerous mission." Harry agreed with Snape, this was no place for them.

"I thought you would like to see your old friends," Dumbledore said with a sigh and a reproachful look. "They have been training with the Order and I believe there is little risk here today."

Severus snorted in derision and snapped, "As you wish, Headmaster. Perhaps we could locate the foul artifact and proceed with its destruction."

Dumbledore conjured two shovels and pointed to the eerily familiar gravestone of Tom Riddle Sr. "My information indicates that Hufflepuff's cup lays buried in that grave," he said solemnly. Turning to Harry, Dumbledore held out a shovel. "Harry, perhaps you and Mr. Weasley would do us the honor of retrieving it."

Grimacing at the thought of being so close to that particular stone again, Harry hesitated. Devlin leaned down and said, too softly for the others to hear, "I'll watch your back, Harry. Severus is keeping an eye on the old coot."

Resigned, Harry nodded and took the shovel from Dumbledore. He went to the foot of the grave and dug the blade of the spade into the soil. Ron joined him a moment later. While he'd decided to forgive Ron and Hermione a while back, Harry was still uncomfortable around his oldest friends. The fight and its aftermath had snapped the last tenuous thread of their old camaraderie.

The two young men were strong and healthy; inside of an hour they had cleared enough dirt to see a battered metal box. Stepping back, Harry shot out a hand to stop Ron from grabbing the box. "Don't," he said firmly. "It could be cursed."

"Didn't think of that," Ron mumbled as Dumbledore approached and ran his wand over the box.

A shift in the air caused Harry's head to snap up and quickly scan the area. Spying shadows flitting through the trees near the entrance gate, Harry spoke lowly, "Devlin, Severus, we have company." He surreptitiously gestured towards the trees.

Granger gasped and went to turn in that direction. Severus quickly grasped her arm and held her still. Casually turning to Devlin, who had the good sense to remain still, he looked over the other man's shoulder. "Yes, I see them," he said quietly. "There appears to be five or six."

Finally catching a clear view of one figure, Severus hissed, "They're Death Eaters."

"Well, fuck," Devlin drawled. "What's the plan, Severus?"

Quickly running through the possible defenses, Severus asked, "Albus, can we handle that box?"

"I'm afraid not, Severus," Dumbledore said sadly.

"We'll have to fight then," Severus stated boldly. He quickly took in the surrounding area, making plans for a defense. "Send the children back to Headquarters, tell them to send help," he ordered.

Dumbledore turned to where Hermione had joined Ron and Harry. "Children, you need to return to the house and send assistance."

"Not Potter," Severus snarled. "Just the children."

It was in that moment Severus stopped seeing Potter as anything less than a man. Pushing away the realization till an appropriate time, he spoke to Devlin, "You and I will walk casually to that burned spot." He pointed out the spot where the cauldron used to revive the Dark Lord had stood, about fifty feet away.

Ignoring Weasley and Granger's protests, Severus called Potter over. "Potter, how large of an area can you protect with the Black flames?"

"About a ten foot radius, I think," Harry said. Relieved he wasn't being sent away this time, he asked, "What's your plan?"

"Devlin and I will be outside your flames. We will endeavor to hold off the Death Eaters until help can arrive," Severus said urgently. "I need you to protect the headmaster and the Horcrux at all costs."

Harry nodded and said, "Okay, anything else?"

Pleased Potter was listening and not running off half-cocked, Severus added, "Will you be able to prevent only those marked from entering the circle?"

Grinning, Harry replied, "I can do better than that. If it's not you or Devlin, they will burn."

"Harry!" Hermione scolded. "You should try to capture them, not kill them," she said forcefully.

Devlin sneered and growled, "Little girl, now is not the time for your puerile sensibilities. That is why you are being sent home."

Harry could see outrage warring with alarm on Hermione's face. Alarm won and she turned back to Dumbledore and agreed to leave.

Severus and Devlin languidly walked away. To all appearances the group gave no indication they were aware of the intruders. When the two men reached their destination, Severus heard twin cracks of Apparition. Relieved that Weasley and Granger were out of the way, Severus drew his wand and prepared for the fight to come.

Concentrating on drawing up the Black fire, Harry felt a tingle of magic flow across the area. "Anti-Apparition jinx," Dumbledore said softly. Nodding, Harry lifted his arms out to his sides and Black flames sprang to life around them. The flames were about knee-high for now, but he knew that the instant someone other than Snape or Devlin stepped near, the flames would grow and consume them.

Harry could do nothing more than watch as Death Eaters surged out of the trees. He was awestruck by what he saw. Snape had missed a few: there were ten masked figures approaching. That fact did not faze the two men standing defiantly in the open.

Two Death Eaters broke away from the main group and approached Harry and Dumbledore. When the first Death Eater reached the deceptively low burning flames, he laughed as he tried to step over the flames. The Black fire surged up and the masked man found no escape from the merciless flames. Dumbledore quickly stunned and bound the second man as he watched his fellow burning.

When Harry turned back to Snape and Devlin, they were surrounded by black robes. He had known intellectually that the two men were dangerous, but for the first time Harry realized what that actually meant.

Snape and Devlin stood back to back, both with wands and daggers drawn. They ducked and weaved to avoid incoming curses, as they lobbed back curses Harry had never seen at the oncoming Death Eaters. Their daggers slashed at any black robed figure that came within range.

It seemed like time had stood still, but in reality about five minutes had passed when the first Order members arrived at the limits of the anti-Apparition field. Half the Order headed towards Harry while the others joined the battle. After quickly making a break in the Black flames for Remus, Tonks and the Weasley twins to come through, Harry watched as the remaining Death Eaters fled when it was clear they would not prevail.

When the last Death Eater disappeared from view, Harry let the flames die out and rushed to Snape and Devlin. "You okay?" he asked looking them over for injuries.

"Minor scrapes, they will heal," Severus said.

Reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind Snape's ear, Harry traced a sluggishly bleeding cut on Snape's neck as he murmured a healing charm. "Anything else?" he inquired softly. Dropping his hand to Snape's shoulder, Harry looked up and locked his green eyes to the black ones above him.

Wanting more of the enticing touch, Severus nodded and lifted his arm to show a shallow cut along his forearm. He held his breath as Potter looked down and again gently traced the gash as he healed it. So few people had ever touched him with such obvious affection, that Severus was awed that Harry did so willingly. Seeing the others had gathered around the headmaster, he cleared his throat and said reluctantly, "We should attend to the Horcrux."

Looking up, Harry caught a fleeting glimpse of what he thought was regret in the black eyes, before Snape turned away to join the others. Harry added the insight, and the earlier surprising arousal he'd felt towards Snape, to the things he would think about later. He reached the group surrounding the grave in time to hear Dumbledore say, "I seem to have broken the curse on the container. Severus, you mentioned a method you discovered to destroy the soul fragment."

"Potter discovered it, I merely brewed the necessary potion," Severus corrected.

Turning to Harry, Dumbledore smiled brightly and said, "Ah, Harry, would you be kind enough as to explain process, so that we might destroy any other Horcruxes the Order uncovers?"

Sneering at the headmaster, Severus drawled smugly, "It would accomplish nothing. The only way to activate the potion is a spell, in Parseltongue." He had always thought that Albus did Potter a disservice by discouraging the brat's gift. Finally, he was being proven right.

The assembled group broke down in an argument. The main point seemed to be, if the potion required a spell in Parseltongue, was it dark? If so, could they in good conscience use it? Harry could hear snatches of conversation, and it frustrated him that so many in the Order were claiming that he was going dark. For several minutes Harry listened to remarks like that and others, before he lost his temper.

Severus watched in amusement as the overt and thinly veiled comments about Potter's apparent darkness angered the young man. Perhaps if Potter lost his temper and displayed his tremendous power the idiots would keep their opinions to themselves in the future. He knew Potter was not dark, would never be dark − the brat had too much Gryffindor in him to follow that path. But neither was he pure light anymore; instead, Potter was developing into a powerful grey wizard.

Severus murmured to Devlin, "The brat is about to show those fools just how powerful he really is."

"I know, I plan to enjoy it thoroughly," Devlin said maliciously.

He'd had enough, the Horcrux needed to be destroyed and all the questioning about whether he was dark or not had pushed Harry to the breaking point. "Shut up!" he yelled, and with a wave of his hand he silenced the crowd. Pointing a finger to an empty space between two headstones large enough for the group, Harry wandlessly levitated them all there in short order.

Ignoring the silent pleas and struggles to get free, Harry turned to a smirking Snape. "Do you have the potion?"

"Of course," Severus drawled, then gestured to a furious Dumbledore. "Are you planning to leave them like that?"

Harry shrugged. "Yes," he said flatly. After a moment he added reluctantly, "Until we're done anyway."

Unable to contain a dry laugh, Severus spoke softy, "Might I suggest you free the headmaster? He is the best to ascertain if the soul fragment is destroyed completely."

Sighing, Harry waved his hand and Dumbledore was free of the invisible walls. The headmaster quickly approached Harry with a thunderous expression. "Harry James Potter, I demand that you release…"

"They're fine," Harry interrupted. "I'll let them go when we're done here. I can't take any more of that lot's accusations."

"What about your friends you have imprisoned in there?" Dumbledore asked.

Grinning mischievously, Harry waved at Remus and Tonks who were watching him with an amused expression. The twins gave him wide smiles and two thumbs up. "I think they'll forgive me," he said smugly.

Devlin laughed. Turning to Severus, he said, "Well, on with the show."

"Indeed," Severus drawled. He turned to the irate headmaster and said, "Albus, if you will open the box, we can proceed."

Harry watched as Dumbledore gave in and opened the metal box holding the Horcrux. Quickly and efficiently, Snape covered the badger-engraved golden cup in the thick blue potion. When the entire thing was coated, Snape nodded to Harry.

Taking a deep breath, Harry concentrated on the cup and chanted the spell Slytherin had detailed. "Purify this soul, cleanse it of all dark magic," he hissed. He repeated the incantation seven times, as called for.

When he finished, Harry shivered as he felt something cold swirl up from the cup. The potion glowed briefly, nearly obscuring the cup from sight. The glow died abruptly, seemingly absorbed back into the Horcrux.

In a very subdued voice, Dumbledore said, "It's gone." He turned an appraising gaze on Harry. "It seems you have indeed discovered a way to destroy the pieces of Tom's soul. That power should not be taken lightly, my boy."

Rolling his eyes at Dumbledore's continued suspicion of Potter, Severus snapped irritably, "For Merlin's sake, it is not dangerous or dark."

"Anything that has the power to obliterate a soul is dangerous, Severus," Dumbledore stated firmly.

Harry narrowed his eyes and glared at Dumbledore. "It doesn't destroy the soul, it simply purifies it."

Dumbledore refused to be convinced. "No matter how you phrase it, it is dangerous. I witnessed the complete destruction of that soul fragment."

"Severus, do you have another vial of that potion?" Harry asked impatiently. Maybe he could make the old man understand if he demonstrated how safe the potion was.

Understanding what Potter was trying to do, Severus removed a second vial of the blue potion from his pocket. Determined to assist the brat in his endeavor to stop the headmaster's unfounded accusations, he did not pass the vial to Potter. Looking Dumbledore in the eye, he removed the stopper and swallowed the contents.

"How come you always get to do the dramatic gestures?" Harry demanded laughingly.

Sneering, Severus drawled, "Because, brat, I am more suited to it than you. Now say the incantation."

Rolling his eyes at Snape, Harry repeated the incantation he'd used on the Horcrux. When he'd finished a blue haze surrounded Snape momentarily before dissipating.

Harry turned to the headmaster. "See, it won't hurt you."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "How do you explain the destruction I witnessed?" he inquired slowly.

"Only darkness remains in Voldemort's soul," Harry said with finality. Turning to Snape and a quiet Devlin, he asked, "Can we get out of here now?"

"Indeed," drawled Severus. He did not desire to remain once Harry freed the Order members.

Harry joined Snape and Devlin. He quickly lifted the spells holding the Order members in place and silent.

Moody limped up to Dumbledore, carefully picking his way across the broken ground. "The boy is becoming far too powerful," he said gruffly, "and he no longer listens to you."

"I know, Alastor. I'm not sure what to do now," Dumbledore said uncertainly.

Harry sucked in a breath as the breeze carried the conversation to him. Snape squeezed his shoulder in understanding. "Slytherin tactics, Potter," murmured the older man.

With a nod to Snape, and a final wave to Remus, Harry Apparated.