Chapter 108 – The Calm Before the Storm
Harry and Severus, hand-in-hand, made it only a few steps along the back corridor heading toward the dungeon before one of the house elves appeared before them, apparently sent by the Headmaster.
"Please, Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Harry Potter's Bondmate, sirs, Professor Dumbledore asks that you join him and Minister Bones in the reception room off the entryway, right now."
Neither Harry nor Severus looked particularly happy at that request. The little creature looked very worried, and wrung his hands as he assessed the likelihood of their compliance. He could not fathom having to tell the Headmaster that he had not accomplished his task. When the two wizards took deep breaths, shared a look of resignation and finally turned to head in the opposite direction, he looked greatly relieved. Nonetheless, the house elf kept vigil behind them lest they change their minds and turn again.
An unused classroom not far from the entryway to the Great Hall had been converted into a very elegant salon, and it was easy to follow the noise of conversation to identify the space now serving as the reception room. The Headmaster had shepherded Minister Bones and the members of the Wizengamot who had attended the session, as well as the senior Weasleys and assorted other wizards of importance, away from the hubbub of the Great Hall and into this more private space to discuss reaction to the news delivered at the session.
Harry realized that he was still holding Severus' hand as they entered the reception room, once he noticed the glare on Sirius's face focused just over his shoulder. As he released Severus' hand to go hug his godfather in greeting, Harry looked back and caught a quick glance back at his bondmate's face, and nearly laughed at the look of smug satisfaction being directed to Sirius. Harry was enveloped in a hug from Sirius just as Remus intercepted Severus and took his arm to steer him over to a small buffet, with a small smile and shake of his head.
"It's good to see you, kiddo," Sirius said into Harry's hair as he held his godson in a hug. "I've missed you, what with all the nonsense going on at the Ministry these days."
"And I've missed you, Sirius. Year-end exams just finished, so I've not really heard much about what's going on at the Ministry. Severus and I met with the Headmaster and Mr. Weasley on Sunday to discuss what we were saying tonight, but that's about all I've heard. What's been happening?"
Sirius launched into a detailed and surprisingly accurate account of all the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to the information shared this evening. For someone who had, not that long ago, professed to have no interest at all in anything as sedate as the process of governing the wizarding world, he had gotten quite immersed in the goings on there. "I'd never imagined what nonsense goes on at the Ministry, or at the Wizengamot, for that matter. I thought the Marauders had cooked up some complicated schemes in our day, but when I see what the politicians are up to, I realize we were rank amateurs. This is much more fun than I'd ever expected," he added with a wide grin.
"Plus, you get to work with Remus, right?" Harry added with a sly smile.
Sirius accepted the comment with a nod, but his smile dissolved into a frown. "He works too hard. He and Malfoy have been meeting constantly with all of Malfoy's researchers and lawyers. I think I'd rather . . . well, find another line of work, at the least, if that's how I had to spend my days. Too much sitting still, listening to boring old farts drone on and on. No, that's not for me. I've been working with Ministry groups that were putting the muggle world to rights, and lately, working out what we need to do to have their world ready for the muggles when they come to. Lots of field trips and fresh air – much more to my liking. And when I'm at the Ministry, there's just all sorts of stuff going on with the Wizengamot, never a dull moment with that bunch. The things that went on just to agree on Amelia's announcement tonight – that was the most fun I've had in ages."
Harry smiled at Sirius, amused by his almost child-like enthusiasm. After what the man had been through with his imprisonment for years in Azkaban, it wasn't a surprise at all that he favored being outside as much as he did. And now he was engaged in work at the Ministry, as a member of the Wizengamot, no less! While Sirius' enthusiasm might be child-like, at his core, he was a wily survivor, and by all indications, he was finding great strength in his obviously loving relationship with Remus. Harry felt very comforted seeing Sirius so engaged and happy in his life right now. He even noticed that some of the lines on his face were easing, especially around his eyes.
Remus had managed to deposit Severus with the Headmaster, Madam Bones and several Ministry leaders and left them deep in conversation as he worked his way back through the groups standing about, over to Harry and Sirius, where he also greeted Harry with a hug. "It's good to see you Harry. Don't believe a word he says," Remus laughed.
"I'm glad to see you, too, Remus," Harry said as he returned the hug. "Sirius did mention that you've been working a lot with Mr. Malfoy. I hadn't heard anything at all about what he's been up to. He was going to have someone look at all the legislation that's been passed to limit the rights of werewolves and vampires; it sounded like a massive undertaking. Is there progress?"
Remus nodded, as he casually put his arm around Sirius' shoulders. "Lucius' team has been very busy and has made good progress, Harry. He must have at least twenty legal researchers poring through the law books and records going back four hundred years, and he showed me the proposal he wants to present to the Wizengamot The bulk of it involves the repeal of provisions in what must be five or six hundred different laws – I never imagined that a concept I'd always associated with two specific laws had spawned such a mass of legislation."
The others in the room had been watching Harry out of the corners of their eyes while appearing to be holding conversations with others. As a consequence, his time with his godfather and Remus was cut short. One by one, or in small groups, people began to drift over to Harry for a word.
For the second time this evening, Severus found himself stuck at a distance from Harry and forced to watch others paw and pat his bondmate. He could only look over sporadically so he tried to guess from Harry's expression what had been said to him. A look of boredom or irritation suggested that some fawning and insincere comment had been made. Not surprisingly, Ministry functionaries tended to be in the area when those looks appeared. A blush of pleasure – most likely, someone had offered a sincere compliment. Harry looked very pleased indeed after greeting Lord Aventine (who was now almost never seen without a cookie or biscuit in his mouth, as if he was making up for the time he lost as a vampire, unable to eat sweets), and then Severus' own sister and her husband. It pleased Severus to realize that he did have at least one relation who could interact with Harry on a positive note.
The Malfoys weren't here tonight, he realized as he surreptitiously scanned the room, which removed one potential source of stress for Severus. He did not care if this was Hogwarts; for that matter, this soiree could have been held in the Gryffindor Common Room under Minerva's steely-eyed supervision and he'd still have been nervous if there was any chance that Lucius might be able to speak privately with Harry. It did not matter if all they could do was speak; Severus held a deep-seated, if not entirely rational, concern about anything to do with Lucius getting close to Harry in any way.
Two red heads were with Harry now – the Weasleys. Arthur was pumping his hand, no doubt basking in his and Harry's mutual congratulations at a job well done.
Arthur was possibly the biggest surprise, aside from Harry, of course, in this whole adventure in marriage to Harry Potter. Of course, Severus had know the man for many years through the Order of the Phoenix, during times when Severus' own role with that organization was subject to much suspicion and hostility. Severus could point to no incident in which he'd been treated with anything but courtesy by Arthur Weasley. But for some reason, Severus had concluded that he was bumbling and ineffectual, at best, the quintessential "follower." He was so blatantly Albus' man that he seemed not to have his own opinion on anything. It seemed he was always chasing after one toddler or another, as his wife seemed to be perpetually pregnant. He was the only wizard Severus had ever met who was proud and excited to have a job in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department of the Ministry. That was the Department most wizards regarded as a place to get a foot in the door at the Ministry, from which they planned to move as soon as possible. Arthur was delighted with a career there.
A small smile teased at the corners of Severus' mouth as he watched Arthur, wife pregnant yet again, talking to Harry. Severus now realized that Arthur's family was not just a source of pride, but a true credit to him. Putting the youngest two aside for the moment, they were generally bright youngsters, polite (in a Gryffindorish way, of course) and respectful. The older ones had turned out very well; Severus would always have a special place in his heart for Charlie's masterful handling of the Malfoys. Of more recent vintage, he had to admit to a grudging respect for the twins' brewing skills, even though those skills were squandered (in his opinion) developing joke products. That such a family had been raised under quite limited circumstances was indeed the mark of a successful and very dedicated family man. It was clear that Harry was very fond of Arthur, and for once, Severus' jealousy did not assert itself. Harry obviously saw Arthur as a father figure, and how could Severus object to his bondmate finding such a relationship?
The conversation with Albus and Minister Bones was finally winding down, and Severus' own mind was spinning with the news they'd shared, when he thought he saw Harry stifle a yawn. That was all he needed to make his excuses.
"Madam Minister, Headmaster, I must excuse myself. I notice that Harry seems quite spent, and I realize that he's had a long day, what with a year-end exam this morning and preparing for tonight. I will see him back to our rooms, and I will see you tomorrow then." With a rather formal nod to the Minister, Severus swept off with his black robes billowing and a scowl to keep any who might have thought to detain him further from approaching. The crowd in the room was thinning, and he was able to get to Harry's side very quickly.
Harry seemed to have saved one final smile for his bondmate. As he returned the smile, Severus vowed to himself that he'd never lose the thrill he still felt when this special creature graced him with such a beautiful smile. He remembered the jealously he felt when Harry had given such a smile to his godfather; he never wanted to feel that way again. Severus placed a protective arm around Harry's shoulders in greeting, and was further rewarded when the young man seemed to melt into him.
Severus leaned down to speak into Harry's ear. "You are nearly asleep on your feet, Harry. I've bid good evening to the Minister and Headmaster, so I think it's time that we headed off to our rooms. You can say goodnight to your dog and his wolf on our way out." Harry offered a good-natured chuff at Severus' description of Sirius and Remus, and allowed Severus to propel them toward the door, waving along the way to the Weasleys and a few others he'd met or spoken to during the evening. Their last stop, as they neared the door, was to speak to the two former Marauders, who appeared to be getting ready to leave themselves.
Sirius seemed ready to say something (probably something he'd regret) to Harry about Severus' arm around his shoulder, when Remus put a protective arm around Sirius' shoulders and held him steady with a squeeze. It was Remus who spoke on behalf of the two of them.
"It was wonderful to see you, Harry, and well done with your presentation. We're both very proud of you. I saw you talking to the Headmaster and Minister, Severus – you'll be briefing Harry?"
Severus nodded noncommittally, still slightly wary about these two.
"Good, then. We're heading back to Grimmauld Place tonight. It will be a busy day tomorrow. We'll be seeing you at the Ministry," Remus finished, as he turned to propel Sirius across the hallway to the Great Hall. A few of the attendees were still enjoying pumpkin juice and cakes there, although most of the throng had begun to disperse through the floos, where the two joined the line waiting their turn.
Across the Hall, the Grangers were seated on chairs that had been pulled into small circles as groups had formed up to visit after the program. Arthur and Molly had been pulled off to meet elsewhere with the Headmaster and others, and the professors all seemed to need to be other places. They briefly exchanged pleasantries with the Weasley's grown children, renewing the acquaintances made at Christmas, but were soon left to themselves as they shooed Hermione off to be with her friends.
"We will be just fine, dear, " Michael had told Hermione. "Your mother now loves pumpkin juice, so we'll just enjoy a cup and be on our way. You have fun, now that exams are over. We'll be seeing you soon." Anna gave Hermione a peck on the cheek as well as they watched her walk off with Ron and a gaggle of other students. With a sigh, they looked at each other, and smiles broke out.
"This place is something, isn't it?" Anna asked, not for the first time, as she admired the bewitched ceiling. "I certainly heard what Minerva told us about the school when she visited us to deliver Hermione's letter, but to actually see it, and experience it – I still find this place astonishing!" Michael smiled at his wife. Anna looked like a tourist every time she visited the castle, constantly looking around, noticing all the little details, curious about everything.
"I'll grab us some pumpkin juice, and I think I just saw some of those cakes you enjoyed last time pop onto that table on the side. Why don't you get us some, and then we'll floo back to our flat in a little while?" Michael suggested.
Anna nodded happily and joined a small queue forming up near a large platter of cakes. She found that she was standing next to a woman she'd noticed during the program – Anna had observed the woman crying as Harry told the story of his parent's death years ago. She smiled in greeting and said "I noticed that you were quite affected by Harry Potter's story this evening. It's such a very sad story, isn't it? Was that the first time you'd heard it?"
The woman seemed surprised by Anna's question. "No, I'd heard the story before. Hearing Harry tell it, well, it triggered some memories of my sister as a child, and it was thinking back on that that brought tears to my eyes. I was hoping no one noticed."
"I tend to be looking all over when I'm in the castle, and just happened to notice you. I doubt anyone else did. I'm Anna, by the way. My daughter is a student here. We never realized that my husband and I were actually squibs until all this nonsense happened. So, you were already familiar with the wizarding world before – are you a witch, then?"
Petunia really wished that this nosy woman had left her alone, but there was really no way to extricate herself politely, without drawing attention to herself. Why on earth would anyone assume that she's a witch? Did she look abnormal in some way? She was well aware of what would happen if she responded to Anna as she'd responded when others had made this mistake before, and had no intention of allowing that to happen again.
"My name is Petunia. I had heard the story before, because my nephew is a student here, but I'm not a witch. In fact, I was stunned to be told that I have any magic at all, also something learned in the wake of this nonsense."
Anna accepted that Harry Potter's story was very well-known by anyone in the wizarding world, or even tangentially connected to it, so Petunia's explanation made good sense to her. No doubt many of the children here at Hogwarts with Harry shared his story with their families, if nothing else than to bask in some reflected glory for having known the boy.
"Are you here with your family, then?" Anna asked, looking around to see if a husband might be lurking nearby.
"My husband and son are here, in the Infirmary, sleeping. They were not woken up from the sleeping spell. It is just me who is awake," Petunia replied. She felt a twinge mentioning Vernon and Dudley – it had been several days since she'd visited them in the Infirmary and realized that the time of their awakening was getting closer. She missed them both, and felt lonely for their absence. She needed to visit them again, maybe tomorrow.
Anna inquired if Petunia would like to join her and her husband, Michael. "We both discovered pumpkin juice when we came here, and found that we really enjoy it. And the cakes they have here at Hogwarts – we've never tasted anything quite like this. We're heading back to our flat near St. Mungo's after we have a bite. Would you care to visit with us?"
To her relief, Petunia spotted some of the women heading back to the Hufflepuff dormitory, and used their departure as her excuse for leaving as well. Anna bid her new friend good night, as she brought the cakes back to the chairs they'd claimed, and resumed her conversation with her husband.
X X X X X X X X X X
As Severus propelled Harry in the direction of the hall leading to the dungeons, Harry was now a bit more awake. "What's this about tomorrow at the Ministry, Severus?" he wanted to know.
A trademark smirk lit Severus' face. "I'll tell you when we're in our rooms, Harry. You can't imagine I was over there making small talk to Albus and the Minister all that time, can you?"
Harry chuckled in response. "No, actually, that would be most out of character. There must have been something afoot for you to have spent so much time in deep conversation." Harry also saw the throng of house elves loitering all along the corridors, watching them as they walked. While he suspected that the house elves were not at all interested in the political machinations of the wizarding world, just in meeting the needs of the wizards themselves, it did seem imprudent to discuss anything very confidential (as this apparently was) in front of such a large, if generally invisible, audience. They walked along in silence, Severus' arm around Harry's shoulders and Harry's arm now around his waist, until they were inside their quarters.
Severus hung up their robes as Harry spelled a small fire in the grate to dispel the lingering chill of the dungeon. Harry poured Severus a small firewhiskey and set it on the low table in front of the couch and took a seat. With a look of interest tinged with concern, he watched Severus take a seat at the other end of the couch as he asked "So, is this bad news?"
Severus seemed taken aback – the last thing he'd wanted to do was cause Harry concern! "Merlin, no. Not bad, really. Of course, there is news of some stepped up Death Eater activity, attacks on wizard communities in a few of the unplottable counties, a few larger efforts in the muggle world, but that's been going on for a while now. No, this is more Ministry-focused."
As Severus gathered his thoughts, Harry briefly considered what little he'd heard about goings on at the Ministry, mostly from Sirius and Remus. "Does this have anything to do with why Mr. Malfoy did not come to the program tonight?" he finally offered.
"Probably. There will be a full meeting of the Wizengamot tomorrow, as Lucius is prepared to present his recommended legislative overhaul to remove all the legal impediments that have been placed on werewolves and vampires, as you had charged him with doing. He approached Minister Bones just this afternoon about doing this tomorrow, and asked that you be advised, as he would most appreciate your attendance to hear his report."
Harry thought that over. "That sounds fine. I'm really surprised he's finished so fast; it sounded like a really monumental undertaking. What has you concerned about this?"
"I do not like impromptu invitations extended to you, requiring you to leave the safety of Hogwarts," he explained, "especially when it is possible that someone else has known for a much longer period of time that the invitation would be extended. While Lucius told the Minister that he'd finished the report just this morning, and wanted to waste no time in delivering it, I still am not sure that he, or perhaps someone he worked with, is not a step ahead, some how."
"If it's any consolation," Harry answered, "Remus told me he'd been meeting with Mr. Malfoy and his legal researchers for a while now, and from what he said, Remus believes that this did only get finished today."
Severus considered that, but still looked concerned. "That's not all, of course. Since Lucius specifically asked that you attend the Wizengamot meeting tomorrow, the Ministry decided that tomorrow afternoon, after the Wizengamot session, would be the ideal time for a small reception in my honor, to present the Order of Merlin. The assumption is that I'll be at the Wizengamot meeting with you, and we can both remain for the presentation of the Order medallion at a small gathering."
Once again, Harry could not see the problem. "That makes sense, doesn't it? One trip to the Ministry, rather than two? Of course, if I'm going to the meeting of the Wizengamot, I want you to accompany me. Given that you never want me anywhere near Mr. Malfoy without you being there, I assume that you have every intention of joining me, anyway." Severus smirked at Harry with a nod. He'd not realized he was as transparent as he apparently was, for Harry to have realized his innate distrust of his old "friend," Lucius.
"And since we're both there, why not present you with your Order?"
Harry clearly recalled Severus' lack of enthusiasm and general suspicion about being awarded the Order of Merlin. Severus might have felt the event of its presentation should be more significant, but that would be totally out of character with Severus and his reaction to news of the honor. There had to be some other reason for Severus' obvious reservations about this visit to the Ministry. "Still concerned that someone is one step ahead?"
Severus slid closer to Harry on the couch and took Harry's face in his hands. Planting a soft kiss on Harry's lips as he leaned in, he replied "Where you and your safety are involved, Harry, I am always concerned."
Harry basked in both the sentiment and Severus' seductive voice, and his very gentle touch, which was slowly growing more persistent and pronounced as the kiss was continued and then began to deepen. He'd never, in at least that part of his life for which he had memory, felt as cherished as he did by his bondmate. He mattered to Severus, he could tell.
Of all people to think of at a time like this, Mr. Malfoy, and his deepest desire sprang to mind. Harry thought he might now understand why a grown man of the vast means and privileges enjoyed by Mr. Malfoy might desire more than anything: to matter. Of course, what Mr. Malfoy wanted was to matter on a big scale, but if Harry could feel this wonderful just because he mattered to Severus, he could see why someone would see mattering as such a desirable goal. It felt extraordinary, down to his toes.
Banishing all thoughts of Lucius Malfoy from his mind, Harry focused on the man who had now pressed him down to the couch on his back, and had half-covered his body with his own. The weight and pressure of Severus' body atop his was both comforting and arousing; Harry did not feel any fear from this restraint – he welcomed it. This body was all firmness and angles, not what he might have thought he'd find even remotely desirable a year ago, but he craved it now. He knew, with absolute certainty, that this was right for him, what he wanted and needed.
He wanted and needed more, actually. But, how was he to persuade Severus that he was ready?
Harry was so swept up in his inner dialog that he was unaware that, between kisses and licks and nips, Severus was watching him intently, and taking full advantage of Harry's very Gryffindorish tendency to allow his face to reflect his inner thoughts. Severus clearly saw Harry's pleasure at the kisses and touches he was offering; he might never have guessed that Lucius Malfoy intruded into Harry's thoughts for a moment there, but he was aware that Harry was reveling in this intimacy. There was a momentary flicker of irritation or possibly frustration that caught Severus' eye.
A smile teased at the corner of Severus' mouth as he resumed his attention to Harry's face, neck, and slowly, as he was able to undo Harry's tie and unbutton his shirt, his collarbone, shoulders and chest. "I've had to endure many months of frustration," he thought to himself, "and I made it clear to you that we were waiting to consummate our relationship until I was certain you were ready. If you think that your first stirring of interest in proceeding is all it will take to persuade me that it is time, you are going to find out differently."
As the kissing and nipping progressed to mutual groping, Severus observed Harry's growing arousal and frustration with amusement. He was heavily aroused himself, of course, but he had become much more accustomed to frustration where Harry was concerned, and had resigned himself to living with that for just a short while longer. Harry's 17th birthday was drawing close; that felt like a point at which he would accept that the young man could make the decision to mature the bond that would truly bind them together.
Eventually, Severus took pity on Harry. Harry's breath was now mostly in gasps, and his trousers were tenting over what was no doubt becoming an uncomfortable erection. Severus levered himself off his wriggling bondmate and, casting aside the shirt and tie he had managed to remove from Harry while they kissed, he gathered Harry into his arms and carried him into the bedroom.
Severus gently lowered Harry onto the bed, and watched as he settled his head on the pillow, watched himself by Harry's green eyes, which were now filled with lust. The need and frustration was just pouring off him, and Severus thought he'd never seen anyone look so desperate as Harry looked right now. Some relief was clearly in order, but not what he suspected Harry was hoping for. With patience and care, Severus undressed Harry, caressing the skin he exposed as he drew down his trousers and pants. He shrugged out of his own clothing, and climbed onto the bed next to Harry, where he resumed his pattern of kissing, licking and nipping across the newly-exposed skin. He was careful to make this all about the physical sensations and was sure to keep his magic in check.
Harry was beside himself. He wanted more, he needed release, and at times he couldn't even think. Severus had him completely at his mercy. Somewhere in the back of his mind, in a place where conscious thought wasn't required, Harry noticed that, and realized he still felt safe; he really trusted Severus.
Severus batted Harry's hand away when he reached out to return the caresses. No words were spoken, but Harry's hand was placed above his head on the pillow, and held still for a second. When Severus removed his own hand to return to his prior activities, Harry's hand stayed still for a few minutes, but his resolve finally melted and he reached down again to try to stroke Severus. This time, both of Harry's hands were crossed at the wrists and placed above his head and held there by Severus, who also moved up to continue to kiss Harry's face and lips as he held Harry's hands still.
Severus finally decided that it was time to give Harry the release he very obviously needed, and, freeing Harry's arms and abandoning his mouth, he quickly angled his body in the other direction. Swallowing Harry in one gulp while fondling his balls, Severus brought Harry to a crashing orgasm in a matter of moments.
For his part, Harry felt as if he was submerged in sensations and largely unable to distinguish one from another. He had no control over what he felt, where it came from, how it was processed within himself - his body seemed to be at the command of another, until he simply exploded in a garbled mix arousal and stimulation. He'd had some draining releases courtesy of Severus' talented hands and tongue, and this one was among the most thoroughly draining. He struggled but could not really find his way back to consciousness before the total relaxation that he felt in the wake of this orgasm allowed sleep to claim him.
Severus slowly sat back up, crosslegged on the bed next to Harry, watching the flushed and heated skin slowly cool off and the ragged breath become smooth and deep. His own need could wait a few minutes, as he enjoyed the sight of his bondmate's beautiful if now depleted body stretched out and open before him. There was no modesty or any of Harry's persistent attempts to cover himself. Severus truly hoped that the day would come, not too far in the future, where a wide-awake Harry would be comfortable in that position.
When he stood, Severus used his magic to clean the bed linens of evidence of Harry's release, but decided that sometimes, the non-magical approach was better for cleaning a wizard. With an "Accio, warm, damp flannel," he summoned a cloth from the bathroom and used it to gently wipe Harry himself clean, enjoying the intimate touching even if Harry was unaware of it. When Severus finally took is own warm shower before joining Harry in bed for a night's rest, it took almost no time for him to bring himself to a wrenching release in the shower.
X X X X X X X X X X
Narcissa was a bit surprised to have Lucius join her for dinner that evening, as she had assumed he would find some reason to be at Hogwarts for the last squib class of the year. He'd contrived to be there for several, and Narcissa assumed that he'd want to be there when Harry Potter was speaking.
"I'm delighted, if a bit surprised, that you are joining me for supper, Lucius. I fully expected that you would be dining at Hogwarts tonight. Is there a problem?" she asked him in greeting when he swept into the dining room and took his place at the opposite end of the long table.
He looked somehow different tonight. She couldn't put her finger right on it, so she took a mental inventory. His hair was tied back in a ponytail, nothing unusual in that. The robe he was wearing was one she'd selected for him about a year ago; it was quite sumptuous and that color did look stunning on him, but she'd seen him wear it a number of times before, so it couldn't be that. She catalogued the jewels on his hands, and the tunic he wore beneath the robe – all were familiar items. Why, then, did he look different?
"I am not going to be going to Hogwarts tonight, my dear," Lucius answered. "I've work to do here, to prepare for the presentation that I am making to the Wizengamot tomorrow. I've nearly finished the work that I took on for Potter, undoing the legislation that impaired the legal rights of werewolves and vampires. Brearsley and Steppens, along with some of their law clerks, will be joining me here later to put the finishing touches on all of it. We'll be using the back parlor, so we won't be in your way."
She nodded in acceptance, because it was understood between them that if Lucius was conducting business in their home, she wanted no part of it. She kept up her usual well-mannered banter of small talk, and he did the same, throughout the meal, although she was studying him with much more interest than she'd showed in at least ten years. What was different? Why was there anything about Lucius worth studying tonight, when she hadn't seen any reason to do that for so long?
It wasn't until she was brushing her hair as she sat before her mirror preparing for bed that an answer to those questions occurred to her. There had been more life in Lucius' eyes, and in his entire face, actually, than she'd noticed in many years. That was the difference. His face looked lively and the usual studied look of nonchalance was missing. The more she thought on it, the clearer it became.
Lucius looked passionate about this work.
Suddenly, and for the first time, Narcissa wished that he'd invited her to attend the Wizengamot session tomorrow. Lucius had not mentioned it before this evening, and normally, she avoided the Ministry and most of the people one met there at all costs. But obviously, something was different this time, at least for her husband.
As she drifted off to sleep, Narcissa pondered how best to manipulate him over breakfast tomorrow morning so that he would extend that invitation.
No doubt the fact that Narcissa had used the words "passion" and "Lucius" in the same sentence for the first time in a long time contributed to a dream she had (actually, to a dream that she really enjoyed) that night. When she had learned that Lucius had taken a mistress just year or two after Draco's birth, she was relieved that her intimate duties to her husband would now be few and far between. It wasn't too long thereafter that an opportunity had presented itself for her to begin an affair with a devastatingly handsome (but ever so discreet) young man. The names and faces changed over the years, but the pattern continued. As a consequence, both Narcissa and Lucius had spent most of their married lives each enjoying a very satisfactory sex life, just not with each other.
She awoke from her dream all sweaty and "bothered" in the middle of the night, and had to wonder if it might be time to consider bedding her husband for a change.
X X X X X X X X X X
Remus had an irritated husband of his own to deal with at Grimmauld Place that evening when the returned from Hogwarts.
"The nerve of that man, pawing at Harry in that way, right were everyone could see them!" were the first words out of Sirius' mouth as he stepped out of the floo, right behind Remus.
Remus knew full well what Sirius was talking about, but was not going to make this easy for him. In his calmest, most reasonable voice, he replied "Well, that might be a bit harsh, Sirius. When Harry spoke about his parents' death, I thought Arthur stepping up to put an arm around his shoulders was a very compassionate act, myself."
"Huh? What? Arthur? I'm talking about Snape, you dolt!"
Sirius was working himself up, even starting to pace in front of the fireplace, his long coat and curly hair flailing around him with every turn.
"Oh, stop it! Nothing inappropriate happened. I was there – I saw!" Remus insisted.
"Didn't you see that Snape was holding Harry's hand when they got to the reception? What in Merlin's name was that old bastard thinking? And he put his arm around his shoulders, right there when they were leaving, right in front of the entire room!"
"I was standing right next to you when they arrived! Harry let go of Severus' hand as soon as he caught you glaring at them! I doubt they got more than three steps past the threshold of the room before that happened, and I don't imagine anyone else noticed or cared. I had put my arm around your shoulder, several times this evening. Come on, Sirius, be reasonable here. Harry likes the man, loves him, most likely. Remember how furious you got with that picture in the Prophet of them kissing at the Ministry? When you were ready to rip Severus' head off, we learned that Harry was the one who initiated the kiss."
Sirius looked very betrayed for a moment, as if he'd expected Remus to take his side, and not offer extremely reasonable arguments as to why he was wrong. But at least he stopped pacing. Almost pouting, he muttered "I can't help it. I know he's not the total bastard I've believed him to be for years. But I still don't like it."
Putting his arms around Sirius and pulling him into a tight hug, Remus spoke into the unruly brown hair. "Harry is not a baby any more, you know that. He's a very remarkable, very mature young man, and he'll be of legal age in just a few weeks. He's really grown up, really come into his own, since the Elder Demon and the Calling, haven't you noticed? He knows his own mind, and he seems to be very fond of his bondmate. I believe that Harry and Severus are going to be together for a long time, and I worry, Sirius, I really worry, that your constant sniping at Severus will drive a wedge, not between Harry and Severus, but between you and Harry. Don't you see that? You are risking losing Harry here, and I know that's the last thing you want."
It was a great curse for him that Sirius was an extremely bright man, allowing him to intellectually know something to be true even as his emotions railed against it. He was feeling that curse right now. He wanted to have time with Harry, all the time he'd been denied while locked up in Azkaban. He had read Bellatrix's letter, which completely voided everything behind his decades-long hatred of Severus, yet he could not tamp down that hatred. His mind agreed with Remus – he stood to be the loser here. He would alienate Harry, depriving himself of that precious time he wanted so badly, if he persisted in giving in to his unfounded hatred of Harry's bondmate.
Why did everything have to be so complicated?
Remus never broke the hug in which he held Sirius, but he could tell from a sudden lessening of the tension in the man that his intellect was at least temporarily winning the battle over his emotions. In his softest voice, lest he stir anything up again, he said "Come on, off to bed with us. Busy day tomorrow."
[A/N: My apologies for the long time between chapters. I had a small vacation in there, and then of course, work piled up when I got back. I'd meant to include a note to that effect with the last chapter, but didn't do that right. I also wanted to respond to a question that I was asked, for my thoughts on male pregnancy, and would that be happening in this story. Josephine Darcy made it clear in her story that there would be no mpreg in The Marriage Stone, so that's not happening in my AU ending. Beyond the four-squares of this story, I wouldn't put mpreg into a story anyway. It just seems too contrived, and that sort of sci-fi doesn't appeal to me at all.
Many thanks to all of you kind souls who take the time to offer comments and feedback. You're wonderful!]