Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

~*~

Chapter 11: Backlash Problems

~*~

A few nights after the kiss with Severus, Harry was starting to really think about the future he had with him. Since they had opened up to each other, Harry and Severus had found a lot of common ground.

"I'm really surprised with how things are between Sev and I," Harry thought, taking a break from his latest essay. "It's pretty incredible that he and I are getting along this well."

He continued writing his essay, finishing it quickly. He cast a drying charm on the ink before rolling it and placing it in his bag. He then began researching for his Potions assignment, taking down notes when he needed to. After an hour, Harry put the books back where he had found them and placed his notes in his bag.

"God, I don't get why I'm doing this," he muttered, grabbing his bag and heading to his dorm.

~*~

Severus had been sitting at his desk, grading papers. He was getting tired of reading first year essays on antidotes, so he set aside the rest and went into his quarters.

"Severus, can you meet me in my office?" Dumbledore said, his face appearing in his fire.

"Yes, Headmaster," Severus said, flooing to the man's office.

"How are things going between you and Harry?" Dumbledore asked, his voice somewhat strained.

"Things are progressing well. We're really quite similar," Severus said, standing beside his usual seat. "Why have you asked me here, Albus?"

"I'm afraid you and Harry can no longer spend time together. It's fractured too many friendships," Dumbledore said. "Ron is friendless because of this, and I can't have that."

"Excuse me," Severus said. "You want Harry to stop seeing me simply because Mr. Weasley has lost Harry and Hermione? What the hell is that?"

"It's my word," Dumbledore said, standing. "What I say is law in this school, Severus."

"I'm afraid you've let power get to your head, old man," Severus said, stepping towards the desk. "Just two months ago, you encouraged Harry and I to get to know each other. Now you're saying it needs to stop because Mr. Weasley refuses to get his head out of his arse? That's an obvious showing of favoritism, Albus."

"Ron deserves to have friends, Severus," Dumbledore said, "Regardless of who it hurts in the process."

"Sure, and I'm the king of France," Severus spat, before exiting the office and heading back to his quarters.

~*~

"Professor?" Harry asked, seeing Severus sweeping down the hall.

"Hello, Potter," Severus said. "Come with me."

"Okay," Harry said, following Severus down the familiar path to his office.

"Dumbledore seems to think that you should give me up to save your ex-friend," Severus said, sitting on the sofa.

"That's a bunch of bullshit," Harry said, sitting next to Severus. "I'm not giving you up because some old guy wants me to. I'm sure the repercussions would be disastrous."

"That is very true," Severus said, his heart rate increasing slightly. Harry gently took one of his hands, entwining their fingers.

"I'd rather be expelled than give this up," Harry said, squeezing Severus' hand gently. "You mean so much to me, even in this short time, Sev."

"I know, Harry," Severus said, holding Harry's hand gently. "The feeling is reciprocated."

Harry knew his control was in a precarious position. He had Severus' hand in his, and the older man was so close. Without thinking, Harry kissed Severus, much more passionately than a few nights ago. He turned to face the man, bringing them closer. His tongue gently entered Severus' mouth, earning Harry a soft moan. He tentatively explored Severus' mouth, his tongue making gentle motions.

Severus was overwhelmed with the sensation on Harry's cool hand in his and the tongue exploring his mouth. He was quite still, his eyes were shut, and he was in paradise. He felt Harry's tongue start to retreat, and he pushed his own to follow. He tentatively began to explore Harry's mouth, the younger man's moans keeping him going.

After a few minutes of switching between exploring each other's mouths, Harry had to end it. He pulled away, much like the previous kiss. He placed soft kisses against Severus' lips as he pulled away.

"I wish I didn't have my Vampire to control sometimes," Harry said, breathing heavily. "I'd really like to be able to continue that."

"I would too," Severus said, looking at the young man. He hadn't realized that his free hand had moved up and ran through Harry's hair, causing it to be even more messy than usual.

"I should get back to my dorm," Harry said, glancing at the clock on the mantle. "Hermione is probably wondering where I am."

"Good night, Harry," Severus said, as the young man got up and released his hand.

"Good night, Sev," Harry said, turning to smile at the older man before he left.

~*~

"Corruption at Hogwarts!"

"Goddamn it," Harry groaned, noting the picture with the headline.

He had known that Ron was angry, but he had no idea it would have gone this far. There was now an article about how Severus had corrupted Harry and stolen him from his friends. He got to his feet and went over to Ron.

"What the fuck are you playing at?" Harry spat, his control in a precarious position.

"I'm showing the wizarding world what a two-faced bastard you are," Ron answered, turning to face a black-eyed Harry. "What the fuck happened to your eyes?"

"Harry!" Hermione cried, jumping up to push him away from Ron.

~*~

Severus groaned inwardly at the Daily Prophet. He knew it was going to happen, but he hadn't figured it would be this soon. Nothing major had even happened between he and Harry.

"What going on at the Gryffindor table?" Flitwick asked, looking.

Severus stiffened when he saw Harry advancing on Ron. He jumped to his feet to head off the obviously pissed young Vampire.

Severus practically flew from his seat to Harry's side. He was coming up to Harry just in time to see Hermione pushing him away from Ron.

"Potter, get out of here. Miss Granger, accompany him," Severus said. "I'll deal with you later, Weasley."

~*~

Harry had left the Great Hall when Severus told him to go with Hermione, and they made their way up to the Room of Requirement.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, watching her friend carefully.

"I'm fine, aside from the murderous rage I house for Ron," Harry said, his eyes still black. "That fucking asshole had NO RIGHT to do that."

"He will be punished, Harry," Severus said, entering the room. He stepped over to his mate and placed a gentle arm around his shoulders.

Harry visibly calmed when Severus touched him, and Hermione smiled.

"I'll leave you two to talk," she said, turning to leave.

"Stay, please," Severus said, wanting to talk to her.

"Alright, but what about class? It starts in five minutes," she said, turning back to the pair.

"I'll write you a pass," Severus said. "You need to know some things."

"Alright," she said, sitting on a chair across from a small sofa.

~*~

About an hour later, Harry and Hermione left for Charms. Severus had written each of them a pass, explaining that they had asked for extra help on the Potions homework. Flitwick let them in, and they took a table at the back of the room.

"That asshole," Harry muttered, eyeing the back of Ron's head. "He had no right to do that."

"I know, Harry," Hermione said, taking notes down frantically. "Severus said he'd punish him. Let him take care of it."

"He fucked up my life, Mione," he said, his eyes blackening. "He needs to pay."

~*~

A/N: And here begins a bit of the subplot with Ron. It's pretty short, but it's there. Haha.

And things with Harry and Sev may be at a bit of a standstill for a bit. Who knows? Oh wait, I do, lol.

And for those who asked what's up with Dumbles, he's old, power hungry, and slow in my story. It may not have seemed like it at the beginning. He's going to be flip flopping a lot.

Reveiws are greatly appriciated, guys and gals!

-KD