SPOV

"Damn it!" Al roared as he slammed the heavy metal door to our room shut with a simple wave of his hand. I was in mid nap when the violent intrusion had startled me awake, the force of his magic strong enough to rustle the drapery throughout the chamber. I caught glimpses of the adorable boy through the rippling fabric, his hands working quickly to remove some borrowed quidditch gear that looked too worn to be his. I continued to stare, his toned torso naked and glistening in the emerald glow of the dungeon's light. The sweat of exertion beaded and clung dew-like to those perfect muscles, a kind of hypnotizing tapestry of wet stars.

"What's wrong now Al?" I asked, emerging from within the curtains of my four poster bed.

He yelped, swiveling around in a panic.

"Scor!"

His eyes had shifted their slytherin red and his fingers were pointed in my direction as though about to blast me with a curse.

"Jumpy are we?"

I spelled the curtains fully open and used a summoning charm to bring a towel towards the mattress. I rose and spread the material out, patting the surface for him. His sour expression melted away almost immediately, to be replaced with a puppy like excitement. The sight of it almost had me laughing. He peered around the chamber to ensure neither Alex nor Matty were around before he bounded over to my side.

"No way! A massage! Scor you're the best!"

"Yeah yeah, now what's gotten you so pissed that you're slamming doors again?" I inquired, rolling up my sleeves and shifting to straddle the boy as soon as he'd laid out onto our bed.

"Its Fitzroy's injury! His shoulder is still a total mess, which means he can't play in the upcoming match against Hufflepuff. Snape and Captain Summers have instructed me that i'm to play lead chaser in his stead! Which means i'll have to attend practice several times a week! I don't have enough free time as it is! Not to mention I took several hits from a nasty bludger already."

"Oh poor thing, mega millionaire prince rockstar has to impress the girls with his quidditch skills now too?" I teased, dispensing some oil onto his back. My hands descended then to begin their work of dissolving the knots from his shoulders.

A pleasurable moan escaped him but it only stalled the grumpy complaining for the briefest of moments.

"You of all people know how busy I am! Especially now that every classmate wants my autograph."

"I do. Except I also know that most of your time woes are self inflicted."

"You and I barely have a moment to ourselves, let alone to spend with each other any more."

I laughed.

"What are you even saying? We see each other every day!"

I shook my head.

"Its not the same. We're always with the order or in class, or working on music or potions. I want to spend time with you like we used to. You know, just reading, watching movies, sneaking out late at night. Sometimes I think it's all just too much."

"Even with the occasional treat like this?" I asked, kneading into a particularly stubborn patch of tissue. He moaned once more as I worked the area. My digits danced across his beautiful figure with an unsettling familiarity. A kind of practiced ease that belied how well i knew that figure.

"Never stop." He groaned from beneath me.

I laughed again.

"We could always scale back on something. Potions inventing was lucrative when we needed to help your uncle George expand into America… now that you have your Rhoynar fortune you don't have to work so hard for the business. You've inherited more than you'll ever make from the chain."

"But I roped you into investing remember? We're partners. I don't want your investment to go to waste."

"I've made ten times my investment already and I have a few percent of the business now. Even if you stopped working i'll make residual income. Besides it's not like I ever needed the money. With all the music and real estate and classes and training… it's the first thing I would nix from off our plate. Your uncle will understand. He has a boatload of new recipes to last him the next few years already."

"Hmm… you might be right… as long as you're sure you don't mind. I was rather thinking potions work would be the most logical thing to cut. I could even buy out your shares at a substantial premium if you want."

"I promise I don't mind. And I hardly think that's necessary."

"Ok then… if you're sure…"

"And also, leave the investing side of the order to me, Victoire and Max. Just focus on training the Rabbits and expanding the music label. Our public profile is what's most important for our security at this point."

"Scor that would be… amazing. What would I ever do without you?" He whispered under his breath.

I was grimly quiet for several moments before a cynical retort escaped from some deep place in my heart.

"You wouldn't have to build up an army at least… maybe your life would actually be easier if i weren't around… you know normal…"

"What did you just say?" He asked irritably.

"If we weren't friends I doubt these extremes would be necessary. You'd have an easier life for sure."

Without warning my vision scrambled as the boy beneath me twisted over and toppled me backwards towards the pillows. Another series of moves had me pinned face up beneath him. He loomed over me like an angry troll, his fingers balled into fists.

"The fuck is wrong with you?! You were the one who begged for me to forgive you. Now you're saying… what exactly? damn it… as if all of this wasn't for you! Everything i've done, all of what i'm building is so we can stay friends! Stay family! Be free! I'm not the only one in danger! You and your family are at even greater risk! What i'm doing is choosing you over my own family damnit!"

"I was only joking Allie." I whispered up at him very carefully, catching his ruby red eyes as they flashed fury down at me. His ire was always something to behold. Molten passion that could light you ablaze if you weren't careful.

"Damn it you! I meant it. I don't know what i'd do without you." He cursed darkly, his head turning sharply away from me. His fangs were bared in a grimace and I had to draw his attention back with a gentle push on his cheek. His whole body seemed to shiver when I made contact.

"Allie."

"No! Don't you Allie me right now alright!?"

"Allie, please look at me. You need to calm down. You don't want to lose control."

"Piss off about control, you're not my mother!"

"Allie" I whispered again, lifting my upper body forward off the bed to meet his. The moment he looked my way I kissed him, hoping to relieve the pressure of his growing rage.

When I pulled back I heard him take in a long slow draw of air, desperate to push his ire back down inside of him. He was still quivering, his eyelids closed as he fought to contain his Slytherin emotions. I could tell how the hatred and anger raged and swelled inside him.

I rolled my eyes and brought my hand around the back of his head, pulling us both back down to rest upon the mattress. I led his face to mine, meeting his luscious lips in a slow dance of intimacy and trust.

He continued to kiss me, introducing his tongue into the exchange as was his fondness. I didn't know what to do with my arms in this position, so I simply wrapped them around his neck affectionately. I felt vulnerable and at his mercy. It was a strange sensation considering that when I thought of myself with girls my position would be reversed. I could so easily see the female Al resting in my place, her arms wrapped around my neck, pinned beneath my weight.

That was where we lay, our mouths dancing for a good long while, until he disentangled himself from me, staring down with those green eyes I loved so much.

"There you go. Back to yourself?" I asked, watching Al nod timidly back at me.

"Why… why do you let me do that? It bothers you Scor… I know that it does…"

"I don't really know. I can just tell that it helps you."

I smiled weakly up at him, my eyes trailing down to the tight muscles of his chest and abdomen.

"You know… for all your complaints about the extra quidditch practice you are getting into even better shape as a result." I noted, letting my fingers trail along the faint v shaped lines that led down below the horizon of his pants. His ass was nicer than most girls I knew, quidditch had only improved that.

"Would that that helped as much as your lips." He huffed.

"Helped with what?"

"Any of the things I need to do day to day."

"You mean looking any more beautiful than you already do won't help?" I teased. "Being in shape is never a bad thing. It's healthy."

He rolled his eyes and slid off of me, sitting himself on the edge of the bed.

I came up on my knees from behind to wrap my arms around his neck once more, leaning down to kiss the skin on his naked shoulder. I made a face when I tasted the oily product i'd used on his back during the rub.

"I think physical intimacy is a natural source of tranquility for you. It must be your Rhoynar blood. That's why touch calms you, and it's possibly why I enjoy acting this way for you."

"You enjoy my touch?" Al asked, trying to look over his shoulder. I stopped him, hooking my head next his. I half nodded half nuzzled into him, a kind of comfort washing over me the way it would when we were eleven.

"Cuddling with you is one of my favorite things in the world actually. Watching movies in bed during snow storms, listening to rain patter on the windows when we fade into our dreams. You think I'd still let you stay with me each night if I did't enjoy it?" I asked into his ear, kissing his temple before releasing him.

"Scor?"

"Yes Ally?"

"What do you think of James and Cyril? I know how close you and your cousin are, in your way. Do you think it's a bad idea?"

"Of course I think it's a bad idea. For one James is decidedly straight. What magnetic attraction my cousins angelic androgyny elicits on your brother is the kind of magic that would work on anyone."

He spun around to look at me, raising an eyebrow in my direction.

"So you wouldn't fault a straight boy for being attracted to Cyr … or you for that matter?"

I made a retching expression as though sickened. For a moment after, I didn't wonder if he had meant himself.

"I'm saying I wouldn't fault anyone who found Cyr or I beautiful. Or you for that matter. I however don't think that is enough to form the basis of a relationship. What I mean is… You and Cyril are like supermodels… i doubt James is the only boy who finds him attractive."

"No Scor, obviously not based just on looks alone. Like I get that a straight guy might be... curious to try something with a pretty boy... but it's not just that with those two you know. In fact it's the opposite. James and Cyr do not sleep together. For the most part that is. It's all chaste affection and romance with them. They go on dates and cuddle, they hold hands and study together, talk for hours together, occasionally they make out."

"So... like you and I basically?" I offered seriously, brushing those sweat damp bangs away from his forehead.

"Except James is adamant that he loves Cyril. That they love each other."

"Right? Like i said… how is that different from us exactly?"

His eyes went wide as though I'd taken leave of my senses. I rolled my own eyes at him once more.

"Are you serious? Do we not love each other Al? I would think the prince of the seventh font would know there is a difference between roman—"

"—Wotcher boys!" Alex cheered, entering the room with Louis at his side.

"Salut les gars."

"S-salut cousin." Al offered to Louis, seemingly grateful for the sudden distraction.

"What are we up to then?" Alex demanded, pointing at the towel on the bed and smirking over finding us partially clothed.

"I was meant to be getting a massage but somehow it didn't last as long as I'd hoped."

"Ooh I'll finish up if you like. I'm great at back rubs." The blond offered, dropping his rucksack on a chair and moving towards the bed.

"Let's ask Alex what he thinks. He's gay, he should be able to offer some insight on the matter."

"Woah woah, what are we talking about then?"

"James and Cyril." I clarified.

"Awww they're so cute IMO. Don't you think Raven?" Louis chimed in, clasping his hands together in front of his chest as though he were struggling to contain his feels. I felt my mask slip momentarily as I failed to suppress my disdain. A small snicker escaped my control and I was immediately annoyed with myself for it.

"Cute maybe… but James… worries me a bit…"

"Oh stop thinking like the Order's tactician for once. We know James is a threat… that's not what Scor is asking about. I don't think anyway."

"Even setting aside political implications… James isn't really… I don't know… I guess I don't get any…"

"Queer vibes?" Louis asked contemplatively, finishing my cousins thought for him. His mouth was pursed to one side quizzically, as if he could hardly argue with the pureblood's point. "Hmmm… Not gonna lie, I kind of agree with you there."

The blond looked down at his long braid of golden hair in his hands, flinging the beautiful ponytail over his shoulder. He had until then been playing absently with the soft strands until boredom seemingly overtook him.

"So they can't just be friends who love each other?" I asked curiously. "Best friends like you two."

Lou and Alex looked at each other nervously before breaking eye contact. Within moments both boys turned so red that I regretted making the statement.

"Ok… I guess not like you two then…" I corrected as our cousins grew awkwardly silent.

Excitement overtook Al all of a sudden, as though he were a puppy who'd caught sight of a treat he'd overlooked. "Since when?! Were you even going to tell me about this?"

"Maybe… at some point when it had gotten a little more serious…"

"You can congratulate us some other time… could we just stay on topic for once." Alex begged, eager not to discuss his relationship with Lou.

That's another gay couple in our immediate circle, I realized. Well, that was IF you counted James and Cyril… which i'm not sure I would.

"Back to your original question. It's exactly as Lou said. I don't think James is gay… so i don't know what their deal is exactly… although who are we to judge? James supports your father and Cyril will side with the French… the probability that their relationship will pose any issues for the Order's agenda is low… if anything it may even delay the French's advance against the UK."

"Al's interest in them isn't tactical. It's personal." I explained.

The two high ranking members of the order looked curiously at one another.

"You were the one who asked us. So it's Al who's interested is it?"

"James is my brother and Cyril a very close friend. Of course i'm concerned about something going wrong." Al huffed. I wonder if Al didn't have some ulterior motive for his curiosity.

"There have been rumors you and Cyril were the ones who were really close over the summer…" Louis teased. "You sure you're not jealous of James?"

"Oh come off it you pretty fop."

"You and Cyril? Are you serious Al? You never told me that? Wait so are you gay?" I asked, swiveling towards my best friend.

"There was nothing going on between me and Cyr! Despite Cyril's best attempts… and I'm not jealous of James, i'm just worried for my friend!" Al yelled, getting agitated. He hadn't denied it…

All of a sudden I watched the three boys clasp their necklines, fondling the emerald pendants suspended there even as light shone from within them.

"Who is it? What's happening?" I asked, feeling left out. In a way it was still a mark of extreme trust that Al had not officially inducted me into the order. On the one hand I was the odd man out, on the other I was not bound to the same rules as everyone else was.

"Vivienne is contacting us from the BAT central command. Several attacks just occurred in southern Spain. The civil conflict is starting to ramp up between the purist rebels there and the government."

"The Tercios?" I asked.

Al nodded.

"She says expect a patronus messenger from the ministry. Our strike teams may be put on alert for a training exercise as early as tomorrow night0. Back up for aurors."

"Merlin no way. I know we're allied with the Spanish government… but they can't handle a few rebels themselves?" I asked. Al shrugged, his worry evident.

"Lou and I will spread the word to the rest of the order, we'll round everyone up in the Hero's beacon. Too many of us to coordinate through Al's mental link."

"Go, find everyone and convene a meeting tonight after hours. We'll meet you there at ten thirty." Al ordered easily, his command flawless.

Alex nodded, his loyalty unwavering as he and his blond retreated from the chamber with a bow.

"Ashera who could have guessed we'd see action so soon?"

"We'll be on standby for backup to the real players… I doubt we'll see any action."

"You're right. At least for now. A rebellion could turn into a civil war. A civil war can last for years… and worse spread."

"Well all we can do is continue to train the order."

"And wait until their benedictions blossom…" Al added absently until his eyes went wide.

"What benedictions… looks like you just revealed something you've kept secret from me."

"Oh Scor… i'm too sore and tired to fight… you didn't even finish my massage…"

"So tell me and get your punishment over with sooner rather than later. You know better than to keep things from me."

"Can I promise to tell you when the time is right? I just can't fight right now."

"That bad huh? Fine. I can wait. But i won't forget."

"I know you won't."