Author's Notes: This chapter covers events from Old and New Relations Chapter 24 from a different angle, so more detail can be gotten from there.

Thank you to Peegchica (no – no plans for Remus and Cassius to have children, but I'm glad you like the fluff!), Assur (sorry this update wasn't quicker, but I'm glad you're enjoying the chapters!), and MoonyPadfootJr (I'm glad you liked the Cass/Harry moment. Harry is in this chapter too)

And special thanks to Xaverii Jade for the beta! And special thanks for the inspiration to include Doctor Who to Casira for her story "Exterminatus" that I read on Skyhawke.

Chapter 11

"He's dead. For certain this time." Moody said gruffly. Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"We'll return with his body to the Ministry – the hit wizards are waiting and then we'll summon the rest of the Death Eaters." Kingsley said briskly. "Snape – you'll come with us."

"Of course." Snape answered calmly. "Cassius…I only thought…it was a distraction to allow the others to appear without notice." His voice started to tremble.

"I will kill you – when you have served your purpose." Cassius's voice vibrated with barely controlled hate and anger. Corbin knew he meant it. The lifeless body of Remus Lupin lay only a few meters away.

Snape had revealed Remus's identity as Cassius's lover and Lucius had used him to try to manipulate Cassius into surrendering Harry. Remus was dead. Corbin shoved his hands in his pockets and tried not to shiver. The room was freezing. He glanced over and saw Clara cradling Harry in her arms, helping him to stand. Harry was pale. Corbin noticed worriedly that Jack, standing next to him, looked almost as pale.

"Bartleby," Kingsley said sharply, causing Jack to startle. "I think you shouldn't come."

"No. I need to be there. I can do my job."

Kingsley looked at Jack closely, deliberating. "Fine. You're with Bones. Malfoy and Hill. Doyle and Tessen, Tonks and Doyle. Fleming, you're with me."

"Jack," Corbin said in a low voice, "No one would think less if you weren't there."

"Remus is dead and Malfoy is still going."

"That's different." Corbin said, glancing over at Cassius who looked like chilled steel. Whatever he felt was locked away as he looked down at his dead brother.

"I want to see the Death Eaters brought to justice. I owe it-" Jack broke off, swallowing hard.

"All right." Corbin said, turning away to allow Jack to pull himself together.

"Corbin." Jack grabbed at his sleeve.

"Just be careful." Corbin took Jack's hand, squeezing it hard before letting go.

"Apparate to the Training room." Moody ordered, "I'll be looking forward to the report."

The aurors nodded as one.

Jack could hear far away voices, but he could only understand snatches of what they were saying.

"Broken ribs…concussion…Need to report… broken leg…loss…Dumbledore…tell Malfoy…Get to Hogwarts."

"Jack," This voice sounded nearer. Jack opened his eyes and saw Corbin's face hovering over his. "You're alive."

"Hurts." Jack said weakly as his eyes closed.

"The healers are on their way. Jack, please." Corbin's voice sounded thick now. "Don't die."

Jack woke slowly, wincing at the bright light. He looked over and noticed Corbin's head and shoulders resting on the bed, next to his hand. Slowly, he moved his hand, bumping Corbin. Corbin startled awake.

"Jack."

"Thirsty." Jack said hoarsely. Corbin hastily poured some water into a glass and held it to Jack's lips. Jack swallowed a few times before moving his head away.

"I'll get the healer." Corbin said quickly, leaving the curtained area. He returned with the healer who checked Jack thoroughly, nodded approvingly and left. Corbin hovered next to his bedside for a moment before Remus, Harry and Cassius came through the curtains.

"Remus!" Jack exclaimed weakly. "How?"

"It was a spell to make it seem I was dead," Remus explained. "We were all much more worried about you."

"I'm glad you're all right." Harry grasped Jack's hand in his before turning to look at Corbin curiously. "Who are you?"

"Harry, this is Corbin Hill, he's an auror too." Remus said.

"Nice to meet you." Harry stuck his hand out and Corbin shook it. "Did you go to school with Jack?" Harry asked, green eyes bright.

"Yes, I did." Corbin answered, his gaze returning to Jack.

Harry looked over at Jack and wiggled his eyebrows.

"What?" Corbin asked immediately. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Fine."

"You look flushed. Maybe I should get the Healer."

"I just got a little warm." Jack protested weakly.

"When he gets discharged, you should take him home and make sure he gets there all right." Harry suggested helpfully. Jack glared at him. "Dad always tucks Papa into bed when he's not feeling well."

"All right." Corbin said, not taking his eyes off of Jack. Jack wasn't certain that Corbin even knew what he had agreed to.

"We'll let you get your rest. Once you're feeling up to it, come over for a visit." Remus said warmly, patting Jack's hand.

"I will. Thank you."

"Bye, Jack." Cassius said, taking Harry's hand. And the Lupins exited through the curtains.

"Are you feeling better now? You were having a hot flash? That wasn't one of the symptoms they told me about. That spell you were hit with – it's not one Moody's familiar with and they don't know for certain-"

"Corbin." Jack said sharply.

"What?"

"You're not helping me feel better."

"Oh." Corbin crossed his arms tightly across his chest. "All right. I'll just go, um, I'll see you, when you come back to work."

"Sit down." Jack ordered weakly. "And tell me what happened to the Death Eaters?"

"They're all dead," Corbin sat down. "Except Snape. None of them wanted to be captured alive. Pettigrew actually blew himself up – for real this time."

"And Bellatrix?"

"Malfoy killed her." Corbin slumped over, his elbows resting on his knees. He looked down at his clasped hands. "I was fighting her and he pushed me away. He said he had to do it for you….because of Sirius."

Jack nodded, unable to speak because of the lump in his throat. Sirius had been avenged. He would have to tell Sirius the next time he visited his grave.

"I would have killed her." Corbin said softly. "I killed Rookwood. I thought," Corbin swallowed hard, the sound audible. "I thought you were dead. There was so much blood, Jack."

Jack reached out his hand without thinking and Corbin grasped it hard.

"You're my best friend." Corbin said hoarsely. "I don't know what I would do-" He stopped suddenly, shaking his head. Jack felt a tear drop onto his hand.

"You'd have most of your evenings free, I'm sure you'd be very bored." Jack said lightly.

"I wouldn't have to listen to your awful guitar playing." Corbin's long fingers massaged Jack's hand lightly.

"You said I was improving."

"I was being nice." Corbin smiled wanly. "Jack."

"I know." Jack said softly.

Corbin looked up from his desk to see Jack standing at the opening of his cubicle. He was transcribing Cassius's notes of the show-down with Voldemort, the messy handwriting was giving him a headache but he was the only one who could read it.

"Would you want to have dinner tonight?" Jack asked, his voice sounded nervous.

"Why?" Corbin wondered what Jack could be nervous about. "We had lunch together today already."

"With Liam, too. I thought it'd be nice to have dinner, just the two of us." Jack paused and shifted. "Like a date."

"Like a date?" Corbin repeated slowly. He couldn't quite believe his ears…Jack had just asked him for a date?

"Um. Yeah." Jack stared down at the floor. Corbin felt lightheaded, he drew in a few deep breaths so he wouldn't pass out. He wondered if there had been anything in the tea he had earlier – could he be hallucinating? What the hell, he decided.

"All right." He answered decisively.

"I knew you wouldn't – Really?" Jack's head jerked up and he stared at Corbin.

"Yes. I'd like to go on a date with you." Corbin smiled, a giddiness flooding through him as Jack smiled. "Have for years, to be honest. Only…I don't put out on the first date."

"All right." Jack's dimples were showing now. "No sex on the first date. Anything else I need to know?"

"You're buying."

"Fine, then I get to pick the place. You ready now?"

"Yeah, just let me finish this paragraph."

"I'll go get my coat and I'll be right back."

"So, where are we going?" Corbin asked as they walked towards the lift.

"I was thinking Angelou's, does that sound good?"

Corbin stared at him silently.

"What?" Jack pressed the button to call the lifts.

"That's the official Jack Bartleby first date restaurant."

"Yes, well, I'm set in my ways." Jack shrugged. "And it's a good restaurant. You liked it when we went there with Clara and Stevens last month."

"I did – I just," Corbin shook his head. "Never mind."

"It's our first date and every man I've taken to that restaurant on our first date has enjoyed it."

"Right." Corbin stepped into the lift that had just arrived. "Good to know I'm getting the whole first date package. Does that mean I get to hear the theory about Doctor Who and romantic compatibility?"

"You've already heard it."

"Yes, well, I just wondered if you'd tell me again – now that we're dating."

"I can tell you – I normally do it during the main course - but I don't need to tell you, because I already know we're compatible, based on that theory."

"Because we watched it every week before it got cancelled?"

"Don't be trying to bring me down. That's mean of you for reminding me – they should have resurrected it, the movie got very good ratings."

"Right." Corbin grinned as the lift stopped.

"Anyway, we have the same favorite Doctor."

"I never would have thought you were a geek." Corbin said as they walked toward the Ministry exit. "I suppose it's a good thing you tell your dates as quickly as possible."

"More snark from you and I'll tell you my conspiracy theory about UNIT and the Ministry."

Corbin laughed as they exited the building. They walked the six blocks to the restaurant and were seated at Jack's favorite table. The waiter greeted Jack familiarly, and glanced over at Corbin, who was looking down at the menu, before nodding approvingly at Jack.

"Your usual?" The waiter asked.

"Yes." Jack nodded.

"What does that mean?" Corbin asked, looking up at Jack.

"My favorite wine."

"Oh."

"So, what are you thinking of having?"

"I don't know. I can't decide."

"Corbin, try something new. I've tried everything on the menu, so you can ask me for recommendations."

"Because you try something different every time you come here, I know."

"Well, I had to start repeating a while back." Jack blushed. "The stuffed peppers are very good. I think you should get them."

"All right." Corbin shut his menu.

"Are you ready to order?" Alistair asked. Jack ordered for them both and Alistair walked away.

"What?" Jack asked after Corbin had started to speak several times.

"I was going to ask you about the meeting at work today but then I thought that's probably not a date topic."

"Anything can be a date topic."

"I've…never dated a man. So…"

"I thought you and Malfoy dated."

"Not dated, really, not really." Corbin flushed.

"Well, I've dated plenty and you're doing just fine." Jack suddenly remembered what Corbin had said earlier. "You've wanted to date me for ages?"

"Yeah." Corbin replied in a low voice as the salads arrived.

"Why didn't you ever ask me?"

Corbin laughed shortly. "I was going to – I got everything planned while I was away on an assignment, I rehearsed what I was going to say, and when I got back…you were dating someone."

"You could have asked me after things ended with that man."

"Yes, I suppose."

"Oh." Jack looked at the other man who was eating very deliberately. "It was Sirius, who I was dating, wasn't it."

"Yeah." Corbin looked up as he finished his salad. "So, I'm from Glasgow. Yes, I try to hide my accent. My parents still live there in the house I grew up in. It's a drafty old stone house, no sense of proportions at all. I've no brothers or sisters, I'm a muggle born. I was married once, to a woman if you want to be more specific, divorced a few years ago. I work as an auror. Yes, it's a dangerous job, but I only do it because it pays horribly. How did I decide to become one? Oh, well, my boyfriend, back in school, wanted to be one and it seemed cool and then after we broke up, I figured it was the best way to show him I was better than he was so I decided to apply for auror training."

"What?" Jack blinked.

"We're on our first date, I figured you'd want to know some things about me."

"Right." Jack smiled. "I knew all that already."

"Damn."

"One thing – before we get back to the date – You needn't worry I'm going to fall apart if Sirius is mentioned. I've made peace with him…and the fact he's in Heaven. He'd want me to be happy and live my life, so that's what I'm trying to do. All right?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Back to the date. So, Corbin, tell me something I don't know about you."

"Ah, Jack, that's hard."

"While you're thinking," Jack grinned as the main course arrived, "I'll tell you something. My first kiss was with-"

"Gideon Prewitt."

"No, that's who I tell people my first kiss was with. It was actually Rasteban Lestrange."

"What? Ew." Corbin grimaced.

"I was twelve and he was fifteen."

"And you were, what, drunk on fire whiskey?"

"It was a dare."

"Ah." Corbin took a deep breath. "My first kiss was with Duncan McTavish."

"It was not." Jack knew perfectly well that Corbin's first kiss had been with Annemarie Godwin underneath mistletoe during their third year.

"Yes, it was. He was my next door neighbor in Glasgow. I was nine."

"What?" Jack stared. "You kissed a boy when you were nine?"

"Yeah. I got beaten for it and all."

"Oh." Jack reached out and covered Corbin's hand with his.

"I thought you didn't normally make any moves until after dinner," he smiled.

"You are such a git." Jack smacked Corbin's hand lightly before moving away. "I'm beginning to rue the day I told you all my smooth dating moves."

"I'm all ready for the third date when we go to the movies and you pretend to stretch in order to get your arm around me."

"I can see I'm going to have to change things up to keep you on your toes." Jack said, rubbing his hands together thoughtfully. Corbin laughed and started eating his food.

Jack insisted that Corbin try a bite of his meal. And then they talked easily, like they always did, through the rest of the main course. While they were waiting for dessert to arrive, Jack played footsie with Corbin under the table until Corbin was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. Then Jack insisted that he feed Corbin dessert. As Jack ate a bite of the chocolate cake, he realized that this had been the best first date he'd ever had. There were none of the nerves that he normally had, wondering if he was talking too much, wondering if the other man liked him or his fortune, wondering if there would be a second date. He knew Corbin thought he talked too much, and that Corbin didn't care about his fortune. And he was positive there would be a second date.

"What are you thinking?" Corbin asked.

"You're very nice on a first date." Jack said lightly.

"I'm on my best behavior." Corbin answered with a smile.

"I'm flattered." Jack said, "I was just thinking that I've been more myself on this first date than on any other."

"Really?" Corbin looked at him carefully. "I'm flattered."

"You're very handsome." Jack said softly, adding teasingly, "Especially when you blush."

"I look like a girl." Corbin said, one hand rubbing his cheek before reaching for his coffee.

"No, you don't." Jack kissed the flushed cheek. "I just realized something."

"What?"

"We're dating."

"And?"

"That means I can kiss you." Jack put his hand under Corbin's chin and held it while he kissed Corbin softly.

"Jack." Corbin whispered, blushing harder. "We're-"

"No one minds, and if they're looking it's only because they're jealous of me." Jack rubbed his nose against Corbin's before pressing another kiss to his mouth. As he pulled away, he thought he could get used to Corbin looking at him that way, the blue eyes dilated and gazing at him with a mix of lust and adoration. How had he ever missed the fact that Corbin loved him? Corbin blinked a few times and the look was gone, shuttered behind Corbin's mask. There was the answer.

Jack wondered how long Corbin had hid his feelings. He pressed another kiss to Corbin's cheek as the waiter delivered the bill. Jack signed it without looking at the price and stood.

"You shouldn't Apparate after having so much wine. Floo home from my place." Jack said as Corbin shrugged on his coat.

"All right."

Jack's flat was only a few blocks away from the restaurant. That was one of the reasons Jack liked it so much. Several first dates had ended in his bedroom due to the close proximity.

"Do you want a drink?" Jack asked, as they entered his flat.

"No, I should get home, it's late." Corbin continued in a more formal tone. "Thank you very much for dinner. I had a lovely time."

"I did too. Would you like to go out again?" Jack asked, mimicking the tone.

"Yes, I'd like that. Would you want to come over for dinner Saturday night? As a date, I mean." Corbin added, in his normal voice. They normally spent Saturday nights together watching muggle television.

"I'd love to." Jack answered sincerely.

"All right." Corbin looked around the room as if trying to figure something out. "Well, then. I suppose I'll just be going."

Jack looked at the other man closely. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Corbin shook his head quickly.

"You're acting strange. Is your stomach all right?"

"Yes. I just…You…if the date goes well, you kiss the guy. You know…the whole 'push him against the wall and snog him silly' thing. And…well…I. Never mind."

"I've no mystery left, have I." Jack said ruefully. Him and his big mouth…he would have been more careful about telling Corbin things if he'd ever thought they would actually date.

Corbin shrugged, not looking up from his examination of the rug.

"I agreed to a second date, didn't I?" He said softly, moving towards Corbin.

Corbin nodded.

"Do you really want it against the wall? Or may I just kiss you here?" Jack asked, putting one hand on Corbin's hip and lifting his chin up with the other. Corbin's cheeks were scarlet.

"Here's fine." Corbin answered huskily.

Jack moved closer and pressed their mouths together. He licked Corbin's lips until they opened. After a moment of their tongues twirling around one another, Corbin moaned and his hands came up to grip Jack's waist. Jack pulled him close, and deepened the kiss. The kiss seemed to have a depth of emotion behind it that overwhelmed Jack with a soft, happy feeling.

"How's that then?" Jack asked softly, resting his forehead against Corbin's.

"I think I'll fall if you let go."

"See, now you know why I usually use a wall."

"Yeah."

"I had a wonderful time."

"Me too."

"Good." Jack loosened his grip on Corbin's arms. "Can I let go now?"

"Yeah."

Corbin sat down at the conference table. He hadn't seen Jack yet this morning and he was trying to ignore the flutter of butterflies in his stomach which started when he thought about the other man. The date had gone very well. Jack walked into the room, and memories of last night's kiss suddenly came back in a flash.

"You should go to hospital. I think you must have a fever." Cassius hissed under his breath as the morning meeting started.

"Shut up." Corbin hissed back, feeling his cheeks grow even warmer. He'd been hoping no one would notice his flushed face. Just his luck that Cassius was sitting next to him.

"You look hot."

"Shut up!" Corbin hissed again and threw in a sharp elbow for extra emphasis.

There was silence to his right until ten minutes later when Jack happened to look his direction and smile.

"You did not! You sly thing." Cassius whispered, under the cover of passing the handouts to him.

"We went to dinner."

"And?"

"And nothing."

'Bartelby's smooth, you can't tell me you didn't do something." Cassius murmured.

"Malfoy? Do you have something to add to our discussion?" Shacklebolt asked sharply.

"I'm unclear on the population estimates for Grindylows in Wales. Where are we getting those numbers from?" Cassius answered smoothly.

"Well, the anti-reproduction charms seem to be wearing off," Shacklebolt said, pulling up a different graph and launching into a whole new monologue. Corbin noticed several aurors glare at Cassius.

"So?" Cassius whispered.

"It's none of your business."

"He looks happy."

"For God's sake, he always looks like that. He's a morning person." Corbin whispered.

"He looks like he's in loooove." Cassius crooned softly.

Corbin couldn't help looking over at Jack who looked back at him and winked. Corbin quickly looked back down at his agenda, pretending to write something important down.

"You've got it bad. Make sure he's got a silencing charm on his bedroom – you'll wake the whole building otherwise."

"Are you all right, Malfoy?" Worth asked with concern after Cassius yelped loudly.

"Yes, sir." Cassius answered, "Just kicked the table leg by accident when I stretched."

"Do I want to know what you and Malfoy were talking about in the meeting?" Jack asked over Corbin's shoulder as they walked out of the conference room.

"It was nothing." Corbin answered.

"Can't be nothing, your cheeks are bright red."

"God damn it." Corbin covered his face in his hands. "He was teasing me about that and then I looked over at you and it got worse and now he knows."

"He knows what?"

"About our date." Corbin whispered the last word, looking around to see if anyone was nearby.

"Are we keeping it a secret?"

"No! I just don't want everyone to know."

"I might not have been in Ravenclaw but that sounds like the definition of a secret." Jack said dryly.

"I just…it's not like I don't want everyone to know. I just…I want…everyone stares at me as it is, with the whole Malfoy thing." Corbin shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I don't care who knows."

"How about we don't tell anyone, but if they find out, it's all right." Jack said as they walked back towards their desks. "Um, except I've already told Liam."

"So – everyone will know within a few hours," Corbin said shakily. "Great."

"You're freaking out." Jack observed, reaching in his pocket to retrieve the anti-nausea gum he kept there. He handed a piece to Corbin who took it silently. "I know you don't like people knowing your business – because they gave you hell when you married Janna and now everyone is going to give you hell about dating me. And I understand that. However, I am not afraid of a little gossip. And you aren't either. Right?"

Corbin nodded, chewing the gum rapidly.

"Lunch?"

Corbin nodded again.

"I'll come by your desk at noon."