Chapter 3

Meanwhile Back in Britain... at the Ministry of Magic

Ron Weasley stepped from the lifts of the Ministry of Magic and followed the crowd until it started to thin out. He weaved through the endless corridors until he finally arrived at his destination. Ginny had owled that morning, asking him to meet her.

He found the door marked Department of Records and History. The tall red head hesitated before he opened the door. Ron had been doing a lot of soul searching lately. In the three years since The Wedding... and his best friend's disappearance, Ron had been feeling lost and lonely. When Harry first fled to parts unknown, Ron called him a coward because he just didn't make a stand and do what was right. Or had just fallen for his sister, Ginny to begin with, as everyone had assumed he would.

No, instead he'd fallen in love with Draco Malfoy. At the time, Ron hadn't minded. Draco had more than proven himself worthy.

The blond had stood with them at the Final Battle, helping defend Harry as he stood tall and proud against the Darkest Wizard of the Century. Draco had stayed at Harry's side while he laid in a healing sleep for a week.

Ron should have known then, that Ginny wasn't right; that her obsession with Harry was unhealthy. But no one wanted to see it. They were all too happy to see the end of the war; to see and feel the peace they worked so hard for, finally upon them.

He opens the squeaky door into the gloomy room, lit only by magical light. The smell of old books and parchment hung heavy in the air.

"Ron! Is that you?" Ginny called from somewhere in the tall stacks.

When she appeared with an arm full of parchments and scrolls, Ron felt a bad feeling pool in the bottom of his stomach. "What are you doing down here, Gin?"

"Why, looking for marriage contracts." She answered in an irritated tone, as if he should have known.

Ron closed his eyes. The glint in her eyes was scary and it unnerved him. Memories, things he'd thought were random, meaningless, suddenly started to fall into place, and his blood ran cold. "Gin, haven't you done enough damage?"

Ginny's eyes flashed. "I love Harry. He didn't give me a chance to show him. He got himself mixed up with Malfoy." Her voice was low and cold.

"Harry made his choice. He told you long ago that he loved you only as a sister, not as a lover."

"Malfoy corrupted him and now he's lost. He ran and no one helped him. He could be hurt or worse..."

"Listen to yourself, GIN!"

"NO! Ron! I have to save him. Bring him back and show him what real love is... that...that... it's not with a wizard... not... Not with ANYONE BUT ME!"

"You're OBSESSED!"

"I. AM. NOT."

"Who are you going to hurt this time by looking for more marriage contracts?"

"What do you mean, hurt?"

"You don't even realize what you're doing, do you?"

"Oh please. Don't tell me you're still pining over the Mudblood?" She spat the last word.

"Ginny! What has gotten into you?! Moine is your friend! Why would you use that disgusting word?! Mum and Dad would be livid if they heard you!"

"What could she do for our family? The Weasley's are nothing. Its up to us to bring power and prestige back to our family. Our Pureblood Family!""

"Have you forgotten that Harry is only a Half-blood? That his mother was a Muggleborn!"

"He's from a long line of Potter's, an Ancient and Noble House. A name with power. Money. And Wealth. And, Harry is the Boy-Who-Lived! That more than makes up for his tainted blood. His parents had a fairytale marriage. Harry and I could have that too."

Ron back away from his sister and her crazy ramblings. Somewhere in his mind, he realized that Harry also seen this side of his sister. Not only was Ginny not for him, but that she'd never see beyond the idealized view the Wizarding World had of him and the way he was suppose to live his life; that he was more of object than a living breathing person, with emotions, desires, and yes, imperfections too.

It was something that he, Hermione, and Harry had spoken of one night before they left Hogwarts. What they wanted from their lives; their plans and their dreams. How could he have forgotten all that?

He was so heartbroken over loosing Hermione to the Ferret...no, Draco. He'd initially blamed Harry, his best friend, instead of the one person who was willing to destroy lives, if necessary, to get what she wanted. Even if Harry didn't want her.

Ron shook his head, "I want no part of this. If you want to ruin lives, do it on your own time and waste your life doing it. But it's time for me to go on. Hermione is happy, and I hope wherever Harry is, that he is as well and happy, and someday will be able to forgive me."

"What's wrong Ron? Afraid I might find a marriage contract that you'll have to fulfill? You might have to marry to marry Parkinson or Bulstrode. Or maybe Brown is more your type..."

"Pansy is already married and Bulstrode is engaged to be bonded next month to a Frenchman she met while traveling Europe. And, I prefer a mate that hasn't slept with half of Hogwarts and half of the Quidditch National League! And if, there is a contract in there, our ancestors would have chosen someone like Mum or Dad. So no, I'm not really worried."

"Oh that's right, Hermione was the only woman who would have you!" she shouted.

Ron turned and left the small room with a solid slam of the heavy door, setting the dust in the room to swirling, making Ginny cough. "Yes, but I lost her to a good man, who would treat her right. I just didn't realize it at the time," he whispered as he walked away.

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Back at the Dancing Dragon...

Severus was feeling out of his element. The arrogant cocky young man, Brian was pulled away from the group by the blond, Justin. The others followed them to the dance floor, leaving Severus and Harry standing alone at the bar.

"So what brings you to Pittsburgh, Severus?"

"Potions Conference. And, Albus asked me to deliver your new owl." He sipped his drink and eyed Harry. "Do your friends know about..."

"Magic?" Harry finished. "Yes, they do. And it was quite by accident. Emmett's fault actually. He's a Squib and my boss hired him to work around the bakery. Ben and Michael had come to visit when one of the girls started flirting with Michael. She's quite clumsy and well she tripped while showing off and this six tiered cake went tumbling over. My accidental magic stopped it. I 'Obliviated' the girl and explained to my friends, so they understand. Justin thinks it's cool."

"Bakery?"

Harry grabbed another portfolio and opened it. "I decorate cakes. Speciality cakes with all the bells and whistles. Whatever theme or idea the customer could possibly want." Harry dipped his head closer to Severus' ear. "Muggles pay a lot for this indulgence. And it's one of the few things I learned from my Aunt that I actually enjoy."

Severus shivered as Harry's breath caressed his ear. The young man had a very lovely voice, now that he had matured. Severus found his mind drifting, wondering what other wonderful sounds could possibly be pulled from him, preferably under Severus' own expert touch.

"--a Hogwarts cake."

"What?" Severus was suddenly snapped from his thoughts when he heard the name Hogwarts.

"I said, Albus even owled me last week and asked if I'd be willing to make a cake of the castle for the Yule Ball this year."

"So are you coming to visit?"

"I'm thinking of it but I know I can't. Aunt Min said Ginny is still hot and heavy over finding me and ways of making me marry her." Harry looked sad for a moment. Severus felt a wave of jealously sting him. Even after all this time..he still pined over Draco.

"I miss my friends. Seeing Hogwarts. And I want to see my new Godchild--or Godchildren, since Hermione won't tell me if it's one or two. I'm happy for them. They finally found each other." Harry beamed. "And I want to see Draco being prodded to do the baby thing with Mione. I know she's not going to let him bring in nannies to care for their children.

"And my Hedwig. She's had babies and I missed it. Who's the Father? Aunt Min sent me pictures. The Owl you brought? One of her babies?"

Severus nodded. "I'm sure there are people keeping an eye on Miss Weasley."

"Kingsley said that Ginny is searching everywhere for me. She gets Any leads, she's on it like a vulture. Obsessed bint!"

"According to Albus, the castle ejected her and barred her from the grounds of the school." Severus expression was cool, but there was mirth in the dark eyes.

Harry's eyes widened. "Really?! They didn't tell me that!"

"How did you come to be a baker?"

Snorting, "I got bored and decided to do some job hunting. The man who owns the place is great and he's also a squib. It's long hours sometimes, but it's fun. He loves Emmett. If you can believe that. Emmett keeps things from getting too serious."

Severus looked toward the dance floor, where he could see the tall slender Squib molded to the front of a much more muscular male, as they undulated obscenely to the pounding beat of the music.

"He seems to be quite the character."

"Oh he is. He finds himself on quite a few adventures as well."

"And does he drag you along on these... adventures."

Harry looked a bit uncomfortable for a moment, as he seemed to remember something. "Let me put it this way. I went once... and that was enough. I learned my lesson."

Severus suddenly seemed very interested. "Indeed! And what, exactly, was that lesson? If you don't mind me asking."

Harry looked around, and let go of a put-upon sigh. "Emmett, during one of his job-hunting jaunts, decided to take on a private waitstaff position. Since they needed several people and I was looking myself, he talked me into going as well. Michael joined us too, since he had recently lost his job."

"That doesn't sound so bad."

"Well, neither did Michael or I, until we realized our uniforms only consisted of a bow-tie and white cuffs! A little detail that Emmett conveniently forgot to advise us of. Ron, Hermione and I got into some real humdingers, but that one.. well that took the cake."

Severus blinked. The vision of Harry Potter, messy hair.. and naked body in said uniform for all to see sent his body into hormonal overdrive. He shifted a bit, to ease the pressure of suddenly too tight trousers.

"Thank you again for the classes in Wandless magic, worked well when I cast a few stinging hexes. I was pinched so many times, I still had bruises a week later!"

Severus took a sip of his drink, more visions of himself putting bite marks on Harry's arse himself.

"Severus? Are you well?"

"Uhm...fine. Ah, tell me about your new friends?"

"Oh, lets see. Brian and Justin, are planning a commitment ceremony, but have had this six-year long love affair. Brian has a son named, Gus, he fathered for a lesbian couple, Mel and Lindsay. They also have a little girl, Jenny Rebecca, by Michael.

"Michael and Ben are together, they have an adopted teenage son, named Hunter. Teddy isn't here right now, but his partner's name is Blake, who is a counselor at a drug rehab center.

"Then, there is Emmett." Harry turned in his seat. "Emmett is... a dynamic and complex person. He fell in love with an older man. Took him on a world tour. The man died. Left him a big chunk of money, and the family lawyers would allow him to keep it, ONLY, if he publicly denied their relationship."

"And I refused." Emmett had come back to the bar. "George was my greatest love affair. And I would never deny that to anyone! The man was an absolute gem, and I will always love him. Better to have loved and lost, yada, yada..." He turned to the bartender. "A Cosmo, please."

"And what is Drew?" Michael asked as he stepped up beside Emmett.

"Ah, on again. Off again. When he makes up his mind. We'll see."

Severus gave him a confused look. "What does this Drew need to decide?"

"Who he wants. If it's me.. or there is someone else out there for him. He's a virgin after all."

Severus raised a curious eyebrow.

"Oh! Not in the general sexual sense. But he's only recently admitted to himself, and to the public in general that he's actually gay."

Harry leaned towards Severus and whispered loudly, "Drew went on live telly and announced that he was gay and that Emmett, who was the Local Telly Queer Guy was his lover. Then he kissed Emmett. On Live Telly!"

"That's Television for you Yanks." Brian commented with a smirk.

Emmett grinned, flailing his hands around, "I am irresistible. Who can look at me.. and deny my beautiful body?" his hand on his chest and the other now holding the Cosmo he'd ordered.

"Where are you staying, Severus?"

"The Westin Convention Center. They've blocked off a section for the Potions Convention."

"So that's what's under Construction?" Brian muttered.

"We have a cake to deliver there on Saturday for some big party, don't we?" Emmett asked.

Harry was mentally going over what cakes were on the list. "Bloody Hell! It's the cauldron cake and the Potions tome, with the filled bookcase that was ordered. I'll be working on both all day. That Professor from Pittsburgh University ordered them for his big get together on Saturday. I hate that man."

"That must be Earnest von Knobelsdorff, the Professor of Potions at the University. Compared to him, the students would find me appealing."

Harry snorted in amusement.

"Well I find you appealing," Emmett purred and trailed a finger down Severus arm.

Severus grasped Emmett's hand and placed it on the bar. "Be as it may, Mr. Honeycutt, I have only just made your acquaintance, and do not as yet, know you. I also make it a point to not 'fall into bed' with someone I've just met."

Emmett wasn't about to give up just yet, to the amusement of his friends. Giving his widest puppy dog eyes to Severus, he leaned in and whispered innocently in the dark man's ear, as he trailed a finger down Severus' chest. "Not even with a very willing and appreciative bottom?"

Harry glared. His stomach tightened in a manner he couldn't put a name on.

Jealously?

Justin noticed the riot of emotions flicker over his friend's face as Harry watched Emmett flirt with the tall Brit. He moved forward and grasped Emmett's arm. "Come on, Em. Leave the poor man alone. Sometimes I think you take Southern Hospitality a bit too far."

Watching Justin and thankful for the interception, Harry decided he needed to do some serious pondering and self-reflection.

TBC...