Warnings: none.

Summary: Draco picks up on a hint, and Severus and Harry get a taste of what they've been missing out on for five years.


CHAPTER 9

Testing Boundaries

Harry woke to the sound of a familiar—and annoying—voice calling his name. "Potter … Harry … Oi! Wake up, Potter!"

Harry sat up with a groan. "Something had better be on fire, Malfoy," he muttered.

"Does finding you sleeping half-naked with my godfather count?"

"Half-na … oh!" Harry rubbed his eyes, but immediately abandoned the practice when the screaming started the second he was out of contact with Severus. "Urgh. Have to sleep like this. It's the only way I stay sane."

Draco smirked. "Saner, you mean."

"Shut it, prat."

Draco chuckled. "Seriously, I'm glad to see you back in the land of the living, Harry."

"Mhn. Right now, the feeling is most definitely not mutual. Do you know how long it's been since I had a good dream?"

Draco grinned. "Oh? And what kind of dreams were you having curled up with my godfather then?"

"Enough, Draco." Severus sat and glared at the prat, keeping his hand at Harry's back. "Is there a reason for your visit or did you just come to gloat?"

"Actually, I came to tell you that the team is finished working on the wards for the night. Good work finding that stash, both of you." Draco sighed and slumped his shoulders. "I knew we should've called you in from the beginning, Severus. Twelve hours here and you've already got Potter to stop muttering nonsense, discovered the curse type, and unearthed Uncle Regulus' secret stash. It's a good job you didn't become an auror, really. You'd have us all out of work in a week."

"So you discovered my secret," Severus said with a laugh. "I did not join your team out of the goodness of my heart. I would not wish to put you all out on the streets."

Harry chuckled and leaned in closer to Severus. "Draco, how long do you think those wards are going to take?"

Draco shrugged. "Couple of days at the least. They're some of the toughest wards I've ever seen. Even Severus would be hard-pressed to make them that difficult."

"Merlin! Regulus really didn't want his family to get those books."

"No, and with good reason," said Severus.

"Definitely," said Draco with a nod. "I think I recognise a couple of those artefacts from descriptions in the Malfoy library books, the ones Mother inherited, if you follow. I wouldn't wish them into the hands of anyone with a less than stellar conscience. Or with a soul to break, for that matter." He crossed his arms over his chest and gave Harry a muted glare. "Now, would one of you like to explain why I found you sleeping together?"

Harry blushed. "Er, didn't Hermione tell you?"

"She said that Severus is able to mitigate your curse and that he'll be staying here for the time being. As we were focused on tailing Dolohov—bastard got away again anyway—she didn't go into the details of how. And later, we were more worried about the wards. So?"

"Er, well, I need Severus to touch me. As long as his skin is touching mine, the voices stop. The moment we let go, though, they're as loud as ever."

Draco's eyes bugged. "Merlin! Just his touch? Really?"

Severus glared. "We will not be demonstrating for your benefit. Suffice it to say, yes, my touch does appear to stop the curse. We do not yet know why or how to make it a permanent cure. Well, short of sewing us together."

"Remind me to hide all my needles and thread from you, Severus." Harry shuddered. "Merlin, the things you come up with."

Severus snorted. "Indeed."

"Hmm." Draco fixed Severus with piercing look. "There's more going on between you two than you're telling me."

Harry blushed bright red. "Well, as we haven't had the opportunity to talk about it among ourselves yet, I've no intention of telling you anything."

Draco nodded. "Just don't hurt him, Potter. He's been through too much pain."

Harry turned to face Severus and tucked a lock of hair behind his friend's ear, drawing a shy smile from the older man. "I don't think I could if I wanted to, Draco. I … I've not felt right until he was with me."

"Wait. Look at me, Harry." Draco searched Harry's eyes. "You mean … no. You're not talking about the curse."

Harry shook his head slowly. "I mean since five years ago. Maybe ever."

Beside Harry, Severus gasped and went still. Harry flushed to his ears and braced himself, fearful he was about to be rejected, but Severus only held him tighter and struggled to gain control over his breathing. After a long, silent moment, Harry hesitantly stroked the older man's hair, soothing him with soft touches and the warmth of his arms, and let out a sigh when Severus accepted his touch.

A gentle kiss fell against Harry's shoulder, and he held Severus tighter, his heart overflowing with happiness and possibilities. Merlin, he'd hoped for this for so long now but never dreamed it would really happen. And yet, here they were, Severus half naked and curled into his arms, his fingertips brushing soft circles on Harry's back, breath warming his neck.

Harry rested his cheek against Severus' ear and sighed, content in the arms of the man he loved.

Draco watched, rubbing his lip in thought, and did not speak again until Severus urged him to either talk or get out. "All right, all right. I was just trying to figure this mess with his curse out. Severus, Hermione mentioned that you borrowed power from Potter while you were working on the wards?"

"Yes," Severus replied. "And to answer the question you are dancing around, it was perfectly matched to mine. Complete magical symbiosis."

Draco gaped. "Mother of Merlin! Do you know how rare that is?"

Severus nodded.

"It's only supposed to occur in …." Draco gasped, eyes wide and staring, then a smirk passed over his face. "Oh. Now that's an interesting thought."

Severus glared. "Draco. What do you know?"

Draco hesitated. "Well, I have a theory—I need to refresh my memory and we'll have to find the curse to be sure, but I might know the cure. Maybe."

Harry gasped. "You know how to fix it? Tell me, you bloody prat!"

Draco laughed. "I said I might know how to fix it. And as the cure I have in mind would require quite a bit of commitment from both of you, I think you would rather I verified it first." He gave Severus a wry smile. "But the two of you are going the right way to finding it on your own without my help. Maybe by the time we get through the wards …." He shook his head and chuckled. "Well, I suppose we'll see."

With that, the blond turned, blew them an air kiss over his shoulder, and walked off.

"Idiot," Harry muttered and settled in beside Severus. "What do you reckon he's on about?"

Severus cupped Harry's cheek and drew him closer. "Did you mean it?"

Harry swallowed hard and squirmed at the heat in Severus' gaze. "Mean what?"

Severus searched Harry's eyes. "That you have not been complete until I came today?"

Harry's face flamed. "Y-yeah. I meant it."

Gentle fingertips traced Harry's temple and down his cheek, stopping on his chin. "You have … longed for me? For this?"

Harry quivered. "Don't toy with me. Please."

Severus' eyes held anything but games. "I am not. Would not." He edged closer, gaze fiery and lips parted. "May I kiss you, Harry?"

Harry's breath hitched, and he responded with a shy nod.

Severus slowly leaned in, tentative and halting. "You are sure?"

"Yeah. Kiss me. Please. Wanted that for a long time."

Fire flared in Severus' gaze. "Harry."

As if he couldn't wait another moment, Severus closed the distance between them. The moment their mouths touched, heat and need and all-encompassing desire flooded Harry and his eyes flew open in shock. A switch flipped in his brain, and suddenly Harry understood why none of his previous partners had worked out. None of them had been Severus.

"Oh gods," Harry gasped and kissed him again.

Severus arched into Harry, a moan low in his throat and his fingers tangling in the younger man's hair. "Sweet mother of …." He caught Harry into his arms and dove right back in.

Harry reeled at the intensity of his emotions. For Merlin's sake, they hadn't even used tongue and he already thought he would combust. He couldn't imagine how much more it wou—then Severus' lips parted and all ability to reason left Harry at the feel of that soft, prodding tongue against his own. Severus made a sound somewhere between a cry and a growl, a sound of searing passion and want, and Harry was lost. He grabbed Severus' face and delved into the older man's mouth, his kiss hard, deep, and brimming over with desire and emotion at once.

With a guttural cry, Severus flipped them over, turning Harry onto his back, and took control. Harry gave it willingly, arching into Severus' kiss as the man explored him with fierce, desperate ardour. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe, all he could do was clench his fingers in Severus' hair and let the man's passion break over him like a storm.

At a soft mewl from Harry, the older man gentled the kiss, letting Harry drift back to earth with tender caresses and slow, shallow sweeps of his tongue.

"Dear gods," Harry panted when they finally broke apart. "Was it as fierce for you as that was for me?"

Severus shivered. "I do not know what you felt, but I know I have been waiting for a kiss like that my entire life." His voice was shaky and breathless.

"Yeah," Harry gasped. "Definitely felt like that. Sweet Merlin."

Severus laid his head upon Harry's shoulder, panting and trying to catch his breath. "Perhaps this proximity will not be as trying as we feared at first."

"Not trying at all to have you close to me." Harry smoothed Severus' mussed hair and kissed his forehead. "Are you all right? Was it too intense, love?"

Severus lifted his head and gave Harry a hesitant smile. "Love?"

"I think after a kiss like that, I've earned the right to a pet name or two."

Severus chuckled. "Perhaps, but please, not that one unless you mean it. I do not wish to hope and …."

"And lose me?"

Severus refused to answer, but Harry saw the truth in his eyes.

"Ssh." Harry cupped Severus' cheek. "You really think I could let you go now? Like hell! I want kisses like that forever."

Severus shuddered and bit his lip, his eyes going flat with sudden Occlumency, and Severus never Occluded with Harry these days unless something had spooked him, badly.

"Sev! Hey, look at me. It's okay. Don't be afraid."

"I … I need … want … loo." With a shiver, Severus turned away and leapt off the bed.

Terror shot through Harry like ice down his spine. "Severus!" Any moment now, the voices would return, and ….

"Shite!" Severus flinched and grabbed Harry into his arms. "Forgive me. I lost my head for a moment." He kissed Harry's cheek and hugged him close. "I am so sorry. Are you well?"

Harry frowned and nodded. "Strange. When you moved away, the voices didn't come back this time."

Severus blinked. "A kiss? Surely the cure is nothing so simple."

"I don't know, but they didn't come back."

"Let me test it, Harry. I am going to move away. The moment the curse begins to trouble you again, if it does, call me back."

Harry bit his lip, fearful of losing Severus' anchor on his sanity, but gave the man a hesitant nod.

Severus kissed Harry's forehead and brushed his hair back. "Ssh. Do not fear. I will heal you, pet, if it does return."

"Just … don't go too far. Please."

"As you wish." Severus kissed Harry lightly and shivered. "Merlin. I will not survive if all our kisses are so intense."

Harry chuckled. "I know what you mean. But hurry up and test this. I'm afraid."

"Yes."

Severus took a deep breath and lifted his hands away from Harry. Nothing happened, so the young man gave him a shaky nod and watched as Severus took a step back. Two more steps, and the curse came screaming back in.

"SNIVELLUS! I'll kill you!"

Regulus cried, "What are you doing, you prat? I said don't let him g—"

"Sev'rus!"

Severus dashed back to Harry's side and scooped him into his arms. "So we at least have a proximity of a metre or so." He kissed Harry's fears away and held him tight. "Ssh. I am here, pet."

Harry pouted. "How come you can call me sweet names but you won't let me call you one?"

"It was that one in particular and what it implies. I do not wish you to use it until you feel it, Harry. Please."

Harry gave him a shy smile. "Severus, I … you don't—"

Severus closed his eyes and shivered hard. "Please."

Harry sighed. "All right. Ssh. If it scares you so much, we'll wait to talk about that one. Can I call you, um, sweetheart?"

Severus snorted. "It is so ironically untrue, I imagine I will draw no end of entertainment from such a name. Please do."

Harry laughed and brought Severus closer. "You're sweet to me."

"You are, as always, a special case."

"Hmm." Harry nuzzled the older man's cheek. "We should test how long we have before the curse sets in as long as you're in proximity. Maybe Summon a chair?"

"I've a better idea. Let us dress and find something for dinner. If we sit beside each other without touching, it will leave me within range and allow us to test the limits of your curse while doing something useful."

Harry grinned. "I am famished. All right, sweetheart."

Severus snorted and laughed against Harry's cheek. "Merlin, that is rich."

"Humph."

Severus kissed Harry's temple. "If it troubles you, I will try not to laugh."

"Nah, I like seeing you happy. Let's go eat, sweetheart."

Severus chuckled against Harry's ear. "As you wish."


Severus set his fork down, finished with his chicken and rice. Harry took a bit longer to savour his simple meal, but then the young man hadn't had real food for some time. He must have been craving it. Severus simply Banished his dishes to the sink and Summoned a quill and parchment.

"Who are you writing, Severus?"

"Hmm? Ah, Hermione. I simply wished to put her mind at ease, considering how much she has gone through to try to heal you." He glared. "Though I am not sure why. She deserves a thorough arse kicking for not allowing me here sooner."

"It … it wasn't her fault, Severus. She wanted to get you. I wouldn't let her."

Harry looked so miserable, Severus could not hold a grudge against either of them.

"Yes, I know. Let me help you in the future, pet. Please."

Harry blushed. "I already promised I would. I was only afraid for your life, Severus, but we've seen by now I was an idiot. I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Severus chuckled at the name. "All is well. It is in the past."

"You believe me, right? That I won't block you out again?"

Severus covered Harry's hand with his own. "I believe you. Finish your dinner and I will finish this note."

"All right."

While Harry returned to his dinner, Severus finished writing and whistled for his owl. As expected, Juno had already located him. She flew through the post window and perched on Severus' shoulder.

"Here you are, little one. Take this to Hermione Granger for me, please."

She held still while Severus attached the letter to her leg, then gave him a nuzzle and flew off. By the time she had gone, Harry had finished and was watching him with a faint blush on his cheeks.

"What is it, pet?"

Harry flushed deeper. "Um … I should, er, p-probably have that bath now."

Severus' breath hitched. "Ohh."

"Maybe you can just sit near me? We don't have to touch to keep me sane anymore and I … I don't want to rush you."

Severus smiled and stood. "Of course. We shall take our time, pet."

Harry blushed. "Thanks. I'm not sure I'm ready yet either. Just kissing earlier—good gods, you melted me."

Severus smirked. "Well, hearing that is certainly good for my ego."

Harry pouted, and Severus relented with a chuckle. "Harry, you do recall how I … how taken I was with you, do you not? It was a simple kiss, and I was nearly mad with desire. Do you imagine me to be so uncontrolled as a rule? I have never felt anything like that before."

Harry beamed, his cheeks flushed pink. "Good to know."

Severus laughed. "It is, isn't it? Now, come, and we shall see to your needs."

"All right."


Somehow, Harry was able to keep his cool while he showered, and even managed to stay on his side of the glass when it was Severus' turn under the water. Though, when Severus finished and stepped outside, a towel wrapped around his hips, Harry found he couldn't resist running his fingers through all that wet hair.

"Beautiful," Harry whispered, and Severus shivered against him.

"H-how? I am not …."

Harry kissed him lightly. "You are to me. Now get dressed before I forget all my good intentions."

Severus gave him a shy smile and obeyed.

Once they were dressed, Harry's fatigue came against him hard, and he allowed Severus to lead him to bed. At first, they tried sleeping apart, but when the nightmares returned, Harry called out to him.

"Ssh." Severus wrapped sleepy arms around Harry from behind and cradled him close. "I am here. Rest, pet. I will guard your dreams."

"Sev, oh gods. I was afraid it was just a dream and you hadn't really saved me."

"I am here." Severus kissed Harry's ear. "Sleep, Harry. You are safe now."

"Yeah. S'long as you're with me."

Severus held Harry tight and whispered something against Harry's shoulder, but it was too soft for Harry to make out. A tender kiss fell against his neck, and with a sigh, Harry melted back into Severus' arms and let himself drift.


Severus watched Harry fall into dreams, holding him close and tracing the shape of his body with loving eyes. Gods, he was so beautiful. So kind. Severus leaned into his neck and whispered against the skin, keeping his words so low, they were almost silent.

"I love you, Harry."

He kissed the nape of Harry's neck and felt his lover sigh. A moment later, Harry's breathing evened out and Severus settled down behind him.

"Goodnight, love."

They did not wake again that night.