This chapter is dedicated to Proftlb for all her help with brainstorming a tricky scene. Thanks again. And thanks to all of the wonderful reviewers, you make my day.

Sinister Place

August 1999

Harry and Severus arrived at Sinister Place in time for lunch. Over hot sandwiches and chips, they filled in the Bar on what had occurred at the Order meeting. Neither Severus nor Harry made reference to the incident with Dumbledore. The group made preliminary plans for dealing with the escaped Death Eaters, but such things would have to wait until they had more information.

After lunch, Vane and Spencer headed off to see if they could dig up any clues as to the Death Eaters' whereabouts. Gabriel said he had an appointment, but made Harry promise to meet him in the training room in an hour. Sebastian went to the Ministry to find out what he could on the details of the escape, while Severus joined Devlin and Luc in the study for further discussion about the situation.

Several hours later, Severus left the study and headed to his room to change for dinner. Passing Potter's room, he heard a pained groan. He knocked softly and heard Potter call, "It's open."

Entering the room, Severus found a half-naked Potter trying to dry his dripping hair. Frowning, Severus demanded, "What is wrong with you?"

Disgusted, Harry let the towel drop. He sat on the side of the bed and said, "Gabriel had me fight three idiots that want to duel him. Said if the guys could beat me, he'd duel them." Raising his hand to shove the wet hair out of his face, he groaned. "Apparently in formal duels you can't stretch beforehand."

Approaching the bed, Severus asked dryly, "Who won?"

"I did," Harry said with a smirk. After a moment he admitted, "Not sure it was worth it now."

Pulling his wand, Severus quietly cast a drying charm on Potter's hair. "You are a wizard, brat," he muttered, reaching for the comb on the bedside table. Potter simply shrugged. When Severus ran the comb through Potter's hair, the younger man sighed and relaxed, evidently enjoying the attention.

Severus managed to comb out all of the tangles without giving in to the urge to bury his face in the silky locks. Setting the comb aside, he silently summoned a muscle relaxant from his room. Catching the bottle, he stood and said gruffly, "Lay on your stomach. This potion has to be rubbed in for the best effect."

Harry slowly stretched out on his stomach. At the first touch of the slick hands on his fingers, he gasped. Snape found every sore spot in his hand and arm and ruthlessly worked the tension out. When he finished the first arm, Snape climbed on the bed and did the same to Harry's other arm. Then Snape started on his back, and Harry bit his lip to stop the half pained, half pleasured moan that rose in his throat.

Severus was kneeling beside Potter on the bed, but could not get the proper angle to work out the knots. He hesitated for a moment, and then straddled the young man's hips. Not a good idea, Severus moaned inwardly, as his cock brushed Potter's very tempting and firm arse.

Trying to concentrate on working the kinks out of the brat's back, Severus clamped down on his wayward libido. Pouring more of the golden potion onto his palm, he let it warm, then carefully rubbed it on Potter's back. He knew he was prolonging this massage for his own pleasure. But since Potter wasn't complaining, Severus took the opportunity to stroke the younger man's skin. He lingered on the strong shoulders and tentatively allowed his aching erection to rest against Potter's arse.

As the tension drained from his body, Harry closed his eyes. Strong thumbs were sliding up either side of his spine. Warm hands wrapped around his shoulders, firmly kneading till the tightness melted away. Drifting pleasantly in that soft, shadowy place on the edge of sleep, he felt Snape's hard cock nestle against the cleft of his arse. So he is interested, Harry thought sleepily. Unable to hold on to consciousness any longer, he smiled softly and fell asleep.

When Potter didn't throw him off at the first sign of arousal, Severus felt more confident. He leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on the exposed nape of Potter's neck. There was no response. Brow furrowed, Severus stopped the massage and looked down. He snorted in self-deprecating humor when he realized the brat had fallen asleep.

Shaking his head, Severus climbed off the bed and pulled the blankets over Potter. He smirked, and dropped a gentle kiss on the exasperating brat's forehead. With one last glance at the sleeping man, Severus chuckled dryly and left the room.

After quickly changing his clothes, Severus found Gabriel in the study in conversation with Devlin and Luc. "What in Merlin's name were you thinking, Gabriel?" he demanded roughly.

Gabriel looked up in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"Why would you have Potter screen your dueling partners?" Severus crossed his arms over his chest and waited for an answer.

Grinning widely, Gabriel said, "He wasn't screening anyone. Harry passed his Mastery in blades."

Devlin snorted. "I take it you forgot to inform Harry of what he was doing?" he asked with a raised brow.

With a sheepish shrug, Gabriel admitted, "Might have forgot to mention that to him." After a moment he asked, "Is he okay? I remember after my test I hurt for days."

Severus smirked. "If you had let me know at the time I could have given you something to ease the pain." With a sigh, he said, "Potter will be fine. You will, however, need to push dinner back an hour. He is sleeping now."

"Excuse me, I have something to attend to," Luc said vaguely. With a last glance at Severus he left the room.

Ignoring Luc − the man had always been secretive, − Severus discreetly pumped Gabriel for more details about Potter's performance at the test. "And is the brat passable with the sword now?"

"Oh, he's a demon with the sword," Gabriel said archly. With a smirk, he casually mentioned, "Perhaps you and Harry should have a go with knives, Devlin."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Devlin arched a brow. "Really, the brat is in my league?"

Severus choked back an amused snort when Gabriel smiled mischievously and drawled, "He surpassed you a year ago, but you'll do for target practice."

A few minutes later Severus excused himself discreetly and went to check on the brat.

Rounding the top of the stairs, Severus was mildly surprised to see Potter's door ajar. Thought I closed that, he puzzled. His painfully honed instinct urged caution, so he quietly crept to the door. Slowly, so as not to attract attention, Severus peered into the room. The tableau in Potter's room left him reeling with shock, betrayal and soul-deep rage.

Luc was reclined in Potter's bed, quite nude. He stroked a hand through Potter's hair. The dark haired man gave a gentle 'hmm' and shifted closer. Severus felt as if someone had tightened an iron band around his chest, squeezing his heart unmercifully. Unable to continue bearing witness to the shattering of his dreams, he walked away as quietly as he'd arrived.

Once downstairs, he strode blindly down the hallway. His only thought was making it to the potions lab. He ignored Devlin's concerned questions and slammed the lab door behind him. He absently cast a locking charm on the door and grabbed a copy of Moste Potent Potions. His only clear thought was the revenge brewing darkly in his mangled heart.

As he sliced brindled caterpillars, Severus brooded over his lost dream. Harry Potter is mine, he thought fiercely. He pushed aside his previous doubts about having a relationship with the brat. Luc can never be what Harry needs. I may be a bitter, mercenary ex-Death Eater, but at least I am capable of fidelity. The brat would never have to wonder who is warming my bed when he's absent.

Briskly tossing the finely diced caterpillars into the bicorn and newt base, Severus stirred with absentminded precision. He would do whatever it took to win Potter's affection. The desire is there; I will capitalize on that and bind the brat to me with passion. Once he's by my side, surely I can devise a means of keeping him, he thought grimly. But first to get rid of Luc.

Harry was dreaming of Severus when he felt a long fingered hand in his hair. He'd always felt safe at Sinister Place, so he was reluctant to relinquish his dream. Sighing softly, he tried to get closer to the stroking fingers. The hand cupped his cheek, and Harry drew in a contented breath.

He dreamily noticed the spicy aftershave clinging to his companion. Spicy? his drowsy mind questioned. Furrowing his brow, Harry tired to chase down what was wrong. Snape smells like the forbidden forest at night, shadowy trees, hidden camp fires and illicit ingredients.

Harry abruptly opened his eyes. Spying the blonde locks of his bed partner, he rolled off the bed, legs tangling in the sheets in his haste. From his position on the floor he stared at Luc in befuddlement. "What…" he tired to force his mind to wakefulness.

Luc chuckled. "I didn't mean to startle you," he said softly. With a leer, he drawled lazily, "Come back to bed, Harry."

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Harry carefully tucked the sheet around his waist. "Why are you here?" he asked in confusion.

Luc nonchalantly stroked his erect cock and raised an eyebrow. "Come now, the time for coy games is past, Harry."

Growing more confused by the minute, Harry glared. "What in the bloody hell are you going on about?" he demanded. Steadfastly keeping his eyes on Luc's face, he added, "And what possessed you to crawl naked into my bed?"

Pouting prettily, Luc said, "I want you. And I know you want me."

Reflexively tightening the sheet preserving his modesty, Harry groaned. He knew he shouldn't have put off that talk with Luc. Without a direct refusal, the other man had obviously decided Harry would be receptive to his advances. "Look, you're very attractive…" Harry began, wanting to let Luc down gently.

"So are you," Luc said waggling his brows suggestively.

"But I don't want to bed you," Harry said firmly. Glancing around the room, he spied Luc's clothes folded neatly on a chair.

Sitting up in the bed, Luc asked incredulously, "You're turning me down?"

Harry was unsure of what to say for a moment; Luc left the bed and stalked towards him. Quickly gathering the older man's clothes, Harry hastily handed them to Luc. "I don't think of you like that," he said gently as he opened the door.

He ushered Luc out. Biting back the impulse to simply slam the door shut, Harry added, "Thanks for the offer."

"You're turning me down?" Luc repeated slowly, clearly disbelieving what he was hearing.

So intent on getting Luc out of his room, Harry didn't noticed Devlin standing at the top of the stairs. He looked at Luc and gently pushed the blonde fully into the hallway. "Yes, I am," he said. With that, Harry closed the door.

He heard Luc walk away, muttering, "I can't believe he turned me down. No one's ever turned me down."

Dropping his forehead to the door, Harry laughed. Only Luc would think everyone wanted him. Relieved that the uncomfortable scene was over, Harry quickly threw on some clothes, vowing to make sure he locked his door from now on.

Severus ignored the insistent pounding at the door. He grimly tossed the chopped aconite into the gently simmering cauldron. Hearing someone enter the room, Severus glared as Devlin strode in nonchalantly. "The door was locked for a reason," he spat. "I have no desire for company."

Devlin merely shrugged and effortlessly hauled himself onto a work table. "You'll need a stronger locking charm to keep me out," he said mildly.

"I mistakenly believed you would respect my wish to be left alone," Severus said with a sneer.

Ignoring Severus' comment, Devlin crossed his ankles and leaned back. "I just overheard a very interesting conversation."

Pointedly turning back to the cauldron, Severus picked up the stirring rod and continued with his potion.

"Between Harry and Luc," Devlin said smoothly.

The metal stirring rod clanging roughly on the lip of the cauldron was Severus' only outward reaction. Inwardly he seethed. How dare he rub my nose in the situation? He did not deign to respond to the obvious jibe.

Changing the subject, Devlin asked, "What are you brewing?"

Barely restrained rage flared in Severus' black eyes. With a sinister smile, he drawled, "A very strong impotence elixir."

Devlin paled and reflexively covered his groin. Quickly recovering his usual collected demeanor, he drawled, "And who exactly is that intended for?"

Severus arched a haughty brow and refused to answer. He spelled the flames higher, and waited impatiently for the potion to boil. He deliberately ignored Devlin as the other man hopped down and paced the room.

"Why was it I came in here?" Devlin mused aloud as he tapped his temple with a finger. After a moment he said, "Ah, that's right, the interesting conversation."

Severus glared at the purple liquid, but kept silent.

Passing behind Severus, Devlin drawled, "There I was, walking up the stairs in my own house, when I heard voices."

With a sly glance at Severus' rigid back, he continued, "It was obviously an intense discussion, but I couldn't make out what they were saying."

Growling low in his throat, Severus shot Devlin a frigid glare. Turning resolutely back to his potion, he tried to block out the other man's words.

"I reached the top of the stairs, and what should I discover..." Devlin had rounded the table and was standing directly in front of Severus. He leaned down until he caught Severus' eyes. "…but Harry Potter pushing Luc from his room, saying he wasn't interested," he finished softly.

Severus sucked in a shocked breath. He searched Devlin's eyes, and saw the truth in the pale green depths. He shakily cast a containment charm over the potion and braced his hands on the work bench. His head dropped as the implications of Devlin's words sank in. Potter hadn't betrayed him after all.

When Harry sat down for dinner, he made sure to keep away from Luc. Unfortunately, that meant he couldn't sit near Snape either. The irritating man had sat across from Luc. With an aggrieved sigh, Harry made do with Snape-watching during dinner.

Snape was acting strange. The man barely ate; instead, he spent his time glaring darkly at his plate or eyeing Luc's wine glass. He also ignored all attempts at conversation. Harry half listened to Vane as he pondered Snape's behavior.

After dinner, everyone adjourned to the study. Harry tried to go to Snape, but was cornered by Gabriel. With one last glance at the older man brooding into the fire, Harry gave in and turned his attention to Gabriel.

Severus was watching Potter from the corner of his eye. He'd seen the brat heading his way, and was ambivalent about Gabriel's intervention. He wanted to talk to Potter, but wasn't sure what to say. He blindly sipped at the scotch he'd poured, when he heard Potter exclaim, "You did what?"

"Gabriel told Harry about the test, I see," Devlin said from behind him. Severus had been so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn't heard the other man approach. Potter was gesturing wildly as he held a heated discussion with Gabriel.

Severus turned to Devlin with a weary sigh. "How long have you known?"

Devlin didn't pretend to misunderstand. "About your feelings, a couple of years," he admitted. "I was made aware of Harry's six months ago," he added vaguely.

Raising a questioning brow, Severus demanded, "How would you know Potter's feelings?"

"Harry's been writing me," Devlin said with a shrug. When Severus glared at him, he chuckled, but explained. "I think he sees me as something of an older brother. He wrote of his feelings for you several times."

Abandoning all attempts at discretion, Severus asked, "And his feelings for me are?"

"Something you'll have to discover for yourself," Devlin said with a grin. He slapped Severus on the shoulder and walked away.

Harry sat slumped against the wall in the training room at Sinister Place. He threw his dagger at a target and summoned it back, only to do it over again. It had been a crappy day. First there was the Order meeting and Dumbledore asking Snape to spy on him. Then he'd dealt with Gabriel's ridiculous request that he take on three opponents at once. Okay, Snape giving him a massage had been a good thing − a very good thing − but that led to the whole Luc fiasco. And to top off his day, Gabriel dropped the bombshell about his blade Mastery and Snape was avoiding him.

Frustrated, Harry flung his dagger at the target, burying it to the hilt. With a muttered curse, he climbed to his feet and made his way to the target. He pulled the knife free and checked it for damage. Relieved that he hadn't nicked the blade in his fit of temper, Harry slipped it back into his boot. Giving up his fruitless attempt at brooding, he headed up to his room.

Once there, he locked the door with the strongest locking charm he knew. For good measure he added a ward to alert him to anyone crossing the threshold. Harry sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots. Setting them aside, he made quick work of his robes and shirt, leaving him in only a pair of brown suede trousers.

He went to Saoirse's box and let her slither up to rest around his wrist and forearm. He dropped onto the bed and began talking. He knew it was silly to pour his troubles out to a snake, but she couldn't tell anyone that Harry was wallowing in self-pity. And he had no desire for human company unless it was…

There was a demanding knock at the door. "Go away," Harry called out crossly.

"Potter, open this door."

...Snape. The only person in the house he would consider talking to. Harry jumped to his feet and waved his hand, unlocking the door. As it opened, he nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. Snape walked in and Harry hurried to ask, "Would you like a drink?" He was desperate to keep Snape from leaving immediately.

Severus raised an eyebrow at Potter's state of undress. "Yes, thank you. I wish to discuss several things with you." He made his way to the armchairs before the fire and sat down. Potter poured them both a glass of scotch and walked over. "How is your back?" Severus asked.

Grinning, Harry lifted both glasses over his head to demonstrate the improvement. "Much better, thanks."

Severus tried to ignore the rippling expanse of muscles Potter's action highlighted. The motion caused the brat's trousers to ride even lower, exposing a glimpse of golden skin and the top of a black brand. His hands shot out and clasped Potter's hips. Severus pulled the leather down one hip and uncovered an unfamiliar Celtic knot burned into Potter's creamy flesh.

"What the fuck is this?" he demanded harshly. "You should know better than to allow yourself to be branded." He was so intent on finding out why Potter had the mark that he missed the absolute stillness of the body he held.

Harry closed his eyes when he felt Snape's hands on his bare hip. Reining in the urge to arch into the touch, he said in a low voice, "Severus." Snape ignored him and brushed a calloused thumb across his new tattoo. "Severus," he warned tightly. "If you want to talk, you need to stop touching me. Now." The older man was too close; it was all Harry could do not to toss the drinks and throw Snape to the floor.

Slowly raising his eyes, Severus noticed the muscles in Potter's flat stomach were tensed. When he reached the other man's eyes, he saw barely suppressed desire flaring brightly. He realized where his hands were, and felt Potter's erection pulse against his fingers. With a final, regretful brush of the soft skin, Severus let go and sat back heavily.

Drawing a shaking breath, Harry handed Snape a glass. Dropping into the chair, he hissed an apology to Saoirse for jostling her around. Not able to look at Snape yet, Harry took a large swallow of the potent liquor. The snake demanded to be put down, so he lowered her to the floor and sat back.

Between touching Potter and the brat hissing, Severus was having a difficult time controlling his obstinate passion for the young man. Resolutely reining in his emotions, he asked tightly, "Why the mark?"

Grinning wryly, Harry shrugged and said, "It just symbolizes attaining warrior status among the Fianna."

"Have you learned nothing from my mistakes, Potter?" Severus demanded. "The things that can…"

Rolling his eyes, Harry broke in, "There's no magical properties to it."

Severus glared. "And how would you know that?" he snarled.

Harry simply raised a brow and stared at Snape sagely.

"I suppose you are capable of discerning that on your own," Severus allowed. He eyed the complacent brat shrewdly, then smirked. "Are you capable of joining a group without marking you body in remembrance?"

Propping his elbows on his knees, Harry smiled wickedly. "I don't have a tattoo commemorating my… association with you," he drawled. "Yet."

Severus took a sip of his scotch and let the innuendo go. Holding Potter's eyes, he asked, "What exactly is it you want from me, Potter? A casual fuck?"

"No," Harry said intently. He let his desire for a meaningful relationship show in his eyes. "I wouldn't risk our friendship on something I could get from some anonymous stranger." He took Snape's empty hand between both of his and willed the other man to believe him. "I want a partner; someone to stand by me no matter what. You are the strongest man I know; I want all of you, Severus, not just your body."

Severus hardly dared to draw a breath lest Potter change his mind, and his mind whirled at the implications of Potter's words. Perhaps it wasn't simple physical attraction; he could scarcely believe that the other man wanted more. He had to speak before the brat changed his mind, or thought Severus was uninterested. "Your proposition has merit, Potter. I daresay we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement pertaining to a relationship."

Harry dropped to his knees, still holding Snape's hand. He thought Snape had said yes, but was too impatient deal with the stilted words. "You're saying yes?" he asked quickly.

Severus disdainfully rolled his eyes, but nodded slowly. Barely managing to set aside his glass, Severus found himself with a lapful of Potter. The brat launched himself off the floor and straddled Severus' hips. Severus' hands automatically went to Potter's hips to steady him, as his mouth was taken in a devastating kiss.

Needing to slow the brat down, lest they both lost all semblance of control, Severus skimmed his palms up Potter's side. He slid one hand into soft hair and wrapped the other around a slender waist. Slowly parting his lips, Severus languidly suckled Potter's lower lip. He pulled the other man closer and gentled the kiss until they had to part for air. "I thought you wanted more than my body, Potter," he panted.

Harry grinned. "I do, but I've wanted your body for quite some time now. Figured I might as well snog you now." Trying for a leer, he added, "I wasn't going to fall to the floor and beg you to take me. Unless you like that idea."

Severus ruthlessly bit back a moan at the image Potter's words provoked. "We will not be hastily jumping into bed, Potter," he said. His cock, of course, did like the idea very much. But if there was the smallest chance of a serious commitment between them, Severus intended to seize it and nurture it to the best of his ability.

Harry was content to sit and hold Snape. The older man ran gentle fingers through his hair. Sighing with happiness, Harry snuggled closer. He knew Snape was thinking and did nothing to distract him.

Severus fought his reluctance to express his fears and feelings. Potter deserved to know what he was getting into. Severus had to clear his throat twice. "I'm not an easy man to be involved with, brat, and I fear that I am… incapable of sharing your… affections," he said haltingly. "Be very sure of what you want before taking this further."

Harry leaned back until he could hold Snape's eyes. "All I want is you," he said softly. "I know who and what you are, Severus Snape, and you are all I need."

He felt that band tighten around his chest again, but Severus no longer cared. His fingers tensed in Potter's hair, roughly pulling the brat down to kiss him. He poured all the things he couldn't say into the kiss, nipping lightly at Potter's lips and thrusting his tongue in for taste after taste.

Harry lost all track of time; Snape could have been kissing him for minutes or hours and Harry wouldn't know or care. Eventually he had to come up for air; resting his head on Snape's shoulder, Harry pressed a soft kiss to the exposed neck. "If you keep kissing me like that, I might rethink that falling to the floor plan," Harry grumbled softly.

Snorting in amusement, Severus tugged a lock of Potter's hair. "Quiet, brat." They sat for several minutes in comfortable silence. Severus gently ran a hand soothingly up and down Potter's back. After a while, he said, "Up with you."

Harry reluctantly complied. Once he was back in his own chair, he picked up his discarded drink and took a sip. He looked over at Snape and saw the older man seemed lost in thought. Harry sighed. Even though Snape had agreed to give it a go, he had no illusion that any relationship with the stubborn prat would ever be easy. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

Staring at the flames, Severus organized his thoughts. "Potter, you need to be certain that this is what you want," he began. "I will not share you with another. With you I will be inconceivably possessive." He roughly scraped a stray lock of hair off his face. "Take tonight and consider if you can live with that. If you still feel the same tomorrow, we'll talk again."

Harry watched as Snape got to his feet. The older man was halfway to the door when Harry said, "I'm going back to the house in the morning. Will you stay there with me?"

If he turned and faced Potter now, Severus was afraid he wouldn't be able to give the brat the time to reconsider. "Ask me again in the morning," he said softly. Reaching the door, he opened it and turned back. "Think carefully, Potter. And consider this; if this ends badly, I will no doubt go back to hating you. I wouldn't be able to help it." Without giving Potter a chance to respond, he left, closing the door with a quiet click.