As was happening more and more often these days Lance found himself heading down the hall toward Harry's office. They had plans but Lance was probably going have to cancel because Booth and Brennan were finally working together again after a tip from a psychic led them to eleven bodies. Lance was especially disappointed about this because after seeing each other for nearly two months now, he had been hoping to take the next step with Harry. He couldn't abandon Booth in his time of need however. He suspected the FBI agent was hiding his true feelings about his relationship with Brennan and wanted to be available.
As he approached Harry's office he was surprised to see he was not the first person to arrive. A tall, black man stood in Harry's office. Harry was leaning against his desk and looking up at the much taller man. Lance hesitated outside the door before knocking softly. He saw Harry glance at him through the glass and wave him in with a smile. The other man seemed surprised and turned to look Lance over in an assessing sort of way. Harry held out his hand to Lance and when he took it Lance found himself pulled in for a soft kiss. When Harry pulled back Lance found himself grinning.
"Lance this is Kingsley Shacklebolt he's a-" Harry hesitated and glanced at Kingsley "A friend I guess from back home. Kingsley this is Dr. Lance Sweets he's with the FBI."
"Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. It's a pleasure to meet you Doctor Sweets." Kingsley said holding out his hand. Lance shook it. He remembered Kingsley from the first day he ever met Harry and so took this chance to study him. He looked much like he'd sounded powerful and commanding.
"It's nice to meet you as well." Lance told him politely. Kingsley turned back to Harry.
"So do you think you can make it? It would mean alot to everyone if you were there." Harry let out a long sigh and leaned his head against Lance's shoulder before nodding.
"Okay for the memorial at least. I make no promises about the ball and I reserve the right to bring a guest." Kingsley's eyes darted to Lance then back to Harry.
"Been breaking a few laws Harry?" he asked but Harry shook his head.
"Oh no, you know me Kingsley my lips are sealed." Kingsley gave him a skeptical look.
"Uh huh well just try to be discreet at least. I'd hate to cause an uproar by showing blatant favoritism. No one is above the law." Kingsley told him. Harry nodded his understanding even as he smirked.
"Understood."
"Well I really need to be going I'll see you in two weeks Harry. Dr. Sweets hopefully we'll be able to have time to chat next time I see you." Shaking each of their hands in turn Kingsley left the office. Harry released another sigh buried his face in Lance's shoulder. When he spoke his voice was muffled by the fabric of Lance's jacket.
"I'm really not looking forward to that."
"I'm sorry to say I have more bad news." Lance told him rubbing his hand in circles on Harry's back. Harry groaned.
"Figures."
"Nothing too terrible really, it's just Booth got a case. I don't know if he'll need me tonight." Lance told him sounding miserable. Harry looked up from his shoulder with a frown before he straightened up and moved to press his body against Lance's a teasing smirk played on his lips.
"That is really very sad. I had such plans for tonight." he told him before leaning forward and kissing him deeply.
"Woah okay!" Booth's voice broke them from their kiss. Lance flushed and Harry grinned as they both turned to face the FBI Agent "Sorry Sweets, when Hodgins said you might be down here he didn't mention why."
"Oh umm Agent Booth hello, yes" Lance cleared his throat feeling embarrassed and praying his slacks weren't tented too visibly. Harry always had a powerful effect on his body. "Is there something you needed?"
"Yes come on, I want you to listen in while I talk to this psychic." Booth told him and Harry perked up in interest.
"A psychic?" he asked curious. Lance nodded.
"Yeah she's the one who gave the tip off. She told us where to find the bodies."
"She told you exactly where to find them? That's not usually how it works." Harry said sounding skeptical.
"Do you know a lot about psychics?" Booth asked. Harry shrugged.
"A fair bit, Divination can be pretty iffy. What is she using tarot, tea leaves, runes?" Booth blinked.
"I don't know she just called us. I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet. How about you come along as well. You can observe with Lance, lend your expertise to solving crime." Booth told him. Harry gave a hesitant glance at Lance.
"Oh umm I'm not sure," Lance smiled at him encouragingly.
"I don't mind Harry, if anything it will make up for the date it looks like I'm going to have to cancel." Lance assured him so Harry grinned and nodded.
6...12...18...24
Behind the reflective glass Harry and Lance watched as the self proclaimed psychic dealt her cards and gave vague information. Harry rolled his eyes.
"She's playing you. That's too specific for tarot and also not the way it works." Harry told Lance. Lance relayed this to Booth before turning to Harry.
"So you believe in psychics?" He asked Harry shrugged.
"Pretty much every moment in my life from before I was born until I was seventeen played out the way it did because of a prophecy made by a psychic and I can't say the prophecy was false because it came true. That said the same psychic who gave my prophecy made hundreds of others that didn't come true. Its all subjective."
Lance wanted to ask about the prophecy but held back for now because he knew Booth was listening in. Harry had gone back to watching the interview. Suddenly his eyes widened and he exclaimed
"That bitch!" Lance was startled and quickly turned to Harry with wide eyes.
"Do you know her?" He asked. Harry shook his head.
"No but I know her type. Do you think Booth will let me talk to her?" Lance asked and after a moment Booth came out and met them.
"You think you can get more out of her? Be my guest."
Lance watched through the glass as Harry entered the interrogation room. At first he watched Harry but he quickly turned his attention to the psychic who had gone wide eyed when Harry entered the room.
"Hello Harmonia wasn't it?" She nodded."I can see by your expression I don't need to introduce myself."
"Harry Potter it's an honor, " she replied breathlessly. Harry gave a grim sort of smile his eyes darting quickly to the reflective glass before returning to the woman. Booth turned to Lance.
"I thought his last name was Black?"
"He told me he changed it because he was famous in some circles. I guess she's in that circle." Lance told him before turning his attention back to Harry, who had moved to sit across from the woman.
"I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual Ms. Avalon." the woman scowled at him. "Do you know why I'm here?"
"Agent Booth thought you were an expert on Psychics." She responded. Harry smiled at her.
"Well I have met a few in my time. You're not really a psychic though are you Ms. Avalon?"
"Depends on your definition. I'm more of a psychic than any these people will ever meet." She replied defiantly. Harry shook his head.
"No, you Harmonia are a fraud. You are using Legilimency to manipulate and for personal gain."
"What's it to you if I am? You're not an auror you're not even an American." She responded. Lance had once again lost the thread. It happened a lot when he spent time around Harry and he couldn't even be surprised at this point.
"What the hell? Are they talking in code?" Booth exclaimed clearly annoyed Lance shrugged but when Booth went to intervene Lance stopped him.
"Give him a few more minutes. I don't know what this is about but I trust Harry." Much to his relief Booth agreed to stay at least for the time being.
"You're right I'm not an Auror. I do know several however and could have them here before you even managed to leave the building. Using Legilimency on muggles is illegal and dangerous you could be sentenced to several years just for that if I report you." For the first time Avalon looked scared. "But as to your first question, this little charade of yours is interfering with my plans for the evening and I find that very annoying."
"So what do you want then?" She demanded.
"I want you to tell that nice FBI Agent Seeley Booth the truth. All of it mind even if it implicates you. Even if it means you spend time in a muggle jail because trust me if you don't I'll make sure you spend time in one of our jails and I promise to pull some strings to get you an extra nice roommate. Maybe Bellatrix LeStrange, I mean normally they don't let her around other inmates. She's quite mad but I'm sure they'll make an exception." Harry's voice was low and vicious, it gave Lance chills even though he wasn't really sure what he was threatening him with. Meanwhile Harmonia had gone a ghastly shade of white.
"You couldn't," She replied in a hushed whisper.
"Of course I could I'm Harry Potter."
"Alright I'll tell you everything, the group was called-"
"I really don't care you need to tell Agent Booth and then you need to assist him however he wishes. If you ever pull your little fake psychic bit again and use legilimency on muggles I will know and I will ensure that you regret it." Harmonia nodded.
"I understand and I swear I won't." Harry grinned at her.
"Lovely." And with that Harry stood and strode out of the interrogation room and back to where Lance and Booth were waiting.
"What was that?" Booth asked. Harry shrugged.
"It can be very useful to be well known sometimes. Usually it's just annoying."
"I'm gonna need a little more than that." Harry looked at him for a long moment before he spoke.
"She'll tell you everything she knows now. Don't keep her waiting." Then to Lance "Come on baby, I just freed up your night and I intend to make good use of our free time."
Lance glanced at Booth then back at Harry who was already walking out the door. Booth gave him a threatening look but Harry who seemed to recognize his reluctance sent him a smouldering look. With a shrug and a wave Lance followed him.
Once they were in Lance's car he turned to Harry with a smile.
"So Legilimency is. . .?" he asked starting the car.
"Mind-reading." Harry responded as if it were totally reasonable.
"Ah and it's illegal?" he asked while at the same time thinking that if a patient were to tell him such a thing he'd think they were crazy but with Harry somehow he believed it.
"Well on Muggles. If done sloppily it can leave the brain scrambled, it'd present like mental illness usually. I think Schizophrenia is what they usually end up diagnosing when that happens. Only none of the meds work. The rest of the time it's just. . . looked down upon." Harry told him. Lance thought about this before asking his next question.
"Your friend Charlie called me a muggle. Am I right in assuming that Agent Booth is also a muggle?" Harry nodded "What about Vincent Nigel-Murray?"
"Yes Vincent's a muggle but his cousin isn't."
"But you're not a muggle right?" Lance asked just to be sure he was understanding things correctly as he pulled into Harry's parking lot. Harry cast him an amused grin and shook his head.
"No Lance I'm not a muggle."
"And neither was Harmonia Avalon." Lance didn't ask this time and Harry nodded his agreement.
"No she wasn't."
"Where there any muggles at Hogwarts?" Lance asked, Harry jumped and gave him a strange look before he laughed.
"I let that slip at some point didn't I?" He asked even as he threw open the door and climbed from his seat. Lance stood as well and followed Harry up to his building.
"Yes you did. Does that mean you're not going to answer any more questions?" Lance asked and Harry shook his head.
"I suspect I've answered too many already. Kingsley was right to be worried, you put me too much at ease Lance."
"Then I won't ask a question I'll tell you a theory instead." Lance told him as they marched up the stairs to Harry's apartment. Harry laughed again.
"Alright."
"That man Kingsley, he's really important to this society of yours. He's a leader am I right?" Lance asked and Harry nodded.
"Yes he is now."
Before Lance could ask more questions Harry had unlocked his door and pushed inside to Lance's surprise the sound of an owl hooting immediately greeted them. A black owl with white speckles flew directly at Harry and landed on his outstretched arm. Harry smiled warmly and ran his fingers over it's feathers fondly.
"Hey Zeno, have a good trip old boy?" The owl gave a quiet hoot that made Harry smile further. "Come on then, I'll get you a snack and then you can have a nice long sleep yeah?"
Harry walked toward his kitchen and Lance followed him. The only time Lance had been in Harry's kitchen he had quickly been chased out again, this time he was able to look around. He had a large fireplace in the wall, but other than that it looked much like any other kitchen with all the usual things you would expect. An owl perch sat near an open window and it was to this that Harry took the bird and settled him. Then Harry moved to his fridge and removed a small tupperware and popped it open to reveal cubed meat. Harry fed one of the cubes directly to the bird and tipped the rest into his bowl before taking another and filling it with water.
The owl gobbled it's meat and then stuck out its leg. To Lance's surprise he realized a scroll was tied to it. Harry reached out and removed it as if there was nothing unusual in the exchange and petted the bird one more time.
"I know you'd prefer something warm, but you've had a long trip I'll leave your window open tomorrow so you can hunt properly alright?" The owl gave a rather disinterested hoot seeming far more interested in the meat. Finally Harry turned and sent a smile at Lance.
"This is Zeno." Harry told him "You can pet him if you like just don't touch his food cause he will bite your fingers."
Lance approached hesitantly and lifted a hand brushing his fingers hesitantly against the silky feathers. The bird ruffled them slightly but otherwise ignored Lance completely. Beside him Harry had unrolled the parchment to reveal a letter which he was now reading after a moment he removed a smaller square and held it out to Lance.
"This is my godson Teddy, I asked his grandmother to send a picture I could show you." Lance accepted it and looked down at a smiling toddler with with bright blue hair and golden eyes.
"He's cute, how old is he?" Lance asked.
"He's three almost four. I don't get to see him as often as I'd like unfortunately because he still lives in England with Andromeda."
"That's his grandmother's name?" Lance asked and Harry nodded in response. When Lance looked up from the picture he was surprised to find Harry had moved much closer. He was standing directly before him, his eyes wide as he looked up at Lance. Reaching out his hand he plucked the picture of Teddy from Lance's fingers and set it on the kitchen counter.
"So I know we're supposed to have a date tonight," Harry started softly and something in his tone or maybe his eyes made Lance's breath catch. "but I was thinking maybe we could just stay here."
Lance moved closer reaching out a hand and grasping Harry's hip to pull him even closer to him.
"Oh did you want to watch a movie?" Lance asked matching Harry's earlier tone.
"No," Harry responded and they were so close now Lance could feel the caress of Harry's breath against his lips.
"Are you wanting to do some more research?" Lance asked smirking. Harry let out a huff of laughter.
"No, I don't want to research." and before Lance could ask anymore questions Harry closed the small distance between them and they were kissing.
Harry pulled Lance toward his room walking backwards and tugging at Lance's clothes as they went. His hands were everywhere dancing across Lance's skin leaving trails of heat tingling across his already overheated skin. Lance worked to remove Harry's clothes from his lithe frame tracing his fingers over Harry's various scars as he did so. Once Harry was undressed Lance used his lips and tongue to trace them again.
They fell into bed together and as Lance explored the body beneath him all he could think was finally. Harry tasted heavenly and sinful at the same time and there was something so right about being with him like this after so much waiting and yearning. After so long neither was in the mood to wait and Lance was so drunk on lust and sensation that it seemed like no time at all before he was sinking into Harry. It didn't take long for their movements to become frenzied, screaming each other's names they collapsed into each other and were lost to bliss.
69...96. .. . 69. .. . 96. . . .
In a small street outside a London strip club a man in a green cloak checked his watch. He was early so he lingered outside before checking again. He moved quickly into the club past the strippers and the tables with hardly a glance to the private booths in the back normally reserved for lap dances. His comrade was waiting for him.
"Were you followed?" the man demanded his voice raspy with disuse. The man in the green cloak shook his head.
"No, I was very careful." the older man nodded before speaking again.
"You heard about Greyback?"
"I did. Apparently he killed him with his bare hands didn't even bother with magic."
"Merlin!" the older man exclaimed. "We have to act fast. If he seeks vengeance its only a matter of time before he finds us. Have you figured out what caused the error before?"
"One of the runes must have been carved incorrectly. I did the ritual exactly right." the first man replied his tone terse.
"So you think it was my mistake." The elder replied in disgust.
"I know only that it was not mine. You have the new knife yes?"
"I have it but be certain. If you fail again-"
"I won't," the cloaked man cut in sharply. The older man nodded.
"Wait until after the anniversary." he advised.
"Can we afford to wait that long? Who knows when Potter's thirst for vengeance will bring him to us."
"We cannot risk acting sooner. Aurors are still searching for us thanks to the last failure and protection at the Ministry will be at it's highest as they prepare. We'll have to wait until after and in the meantime keep a low profile. Greyback took risks, turning all those kids was bound to garner attention."
"Werewolves!" Spat the younger man in disgust "I will never understand why our lord allowed them in his presence."
"It is not your place to understand the Dark Lord!" The older man rasped a note of hysteria to his voice. "He will rise again and we as his most faithful will be rewarded. Do not lose heart my friend victory is almost upon us."
4. .. ..5...6...7...
Harmonia Avalon had sung like a canary. Booth wasn't really sure why she'd pulled the whole psychic thing to begin with except she seemed unable or unwilling to give any details about how she got her information. She told him about the cult, her sister, the twister doctor she suspected was involved in her sister's death, everything. With so many details it was hardly any work at all to bring in the doctor.
After with the case wrapped up Booth's mind kept moving back to Harry Black or Potter depending on who you talked to. He was a strange man and he seemed to have quite a sway on Sweets. Now Booth didn't have a problem with the whole gay thing but he did care about Sweets. The kid was naive and eager a dangerous combination sometimes and Harry Black was obviously more than he appeared. It was this concern that pushed him to seek out Hodgins. He'd heard from Bones who'd heard from Angela about the private detective the other man had hired and he wanted to know what had been found so far.
Hodgins was in the lab as usual studying some particle in the microscope. Booth banged loudly on his door to get his attention then pulled up a chair and straddled it backwards leaning his arms on the back of it.
"So. . .Harry Black?" Booth asked. Hodgins grinned.
"You sense it too? There's something up with that guy." Booth nodded.
"I heard you've got someone looking into him." Hodgins nodded.
"I do up until now she hasn't found much. Abusive childhood and a mysterious school but I just got a call from her. She told me she'd found something that may be able to blow the mystery that is Harry Black wide open." Hodgins told him his eyes gleaming.
"What did she find?" Booth asked. Hodgins shrugged.
"I don't know she's set to get back in the country on tuesday I was going to invite everybody to meet up and find out what she's learned. I can't wait to see Harry Black's face when all his secrets are laid bare."
Author's Notes: So What did ya think? The stories heating up, I thought about doing a more graphic lemon but I wasn't feeling it. I didn't want to leave Lance and Harry in a sexless relationship forever tho so I hope you liked it.
Also I've joined a writing contest and we need more people. It's called The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition and you can find it in the forums. At last count we still need like 25 writers to sign up. So if you write HP fanfiction please sign up for a team! I'm pretty excited about it! My team still has one open position so if you're speedy we could be teammates! I'm with the Ballycastle Bats so get on it!
But after you review obviously. Which leads me to my next point PLEASE REVIEW!PLEASE WITH EXTRA SUGAR AND STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIES ON TOP!