Second Place - Action/Adventure

Harry woke to the most delicious feelings of warmth, softness and comfort. He was cocooned in a soft bed. He felt the weight of Severus's comforting presence by his side, holding him protectively. Harry snuggled closer to him, grunting in satisfaction not caring where he was or how he'd gotten there.

"Sleep, Harry," Severus whispered as he tenderly kissed his temple. Harry obeyed.

The next time Harry woke, awareness came more quickly. He felt himself pulled into a slight sitting position, cradled in Severus's arms. He was still woozy and oddly uncoordinated. He felt the cold, metal rim of a goblet pressed against his lips.

"Drink, Harry," Severus whispered.

Without thought, Harry opened his mouth and drank the heavy, sweet and slightly metallic tasting liquid.

"It will help with the blood and energy loss. It's not as good as a blood replenishing potion, but it will help," Severus whispered in his ear.

Harry nodded, and gratefully succumbed to the heaviness of sleep and comforting warmth once again.

Harry woke again several hours later, but this time, it wasn't warmth or comfort that greeted him. He woke to an empty bed and the sounds of whispered, albeit heated discussion between Severus and someone else. With effort, Harry slowly rolled over and cocked his head to the side in an effort to hear the conversation. Severus had his back to Harry and the man Severus was speaking to was turned away. So far, they hadn't noticed that Harry was awake and listening.

"Not possible," Severus growled in hushed tones.

"I am sorry, my lord, but it is. Therac must have figured out that you knew the other magic one, that you worked together for that wizard police agency."

Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Go on, Stephan, ask your question�I can hear it in your voice."

There was a pause before the other man spoke. "My lord, is it true, then? You were working to destroy Therac and our clan?"

"No, Stephen, no. It is true that Harry and I work together, but we were not here to destroy Therac or the clan. That, I'm afraid, was a rather unfortunate coincidence."

"But what of Cesearos's and Therac's . . . business?"

"What are you talking about, Stephen?"

Stephen inhaled sharply. "You don't know."

"I don't have time for this foolishness," Severus spat.

Stephen cringed. "I apologize, my lord. It's just that Therac, Cesearos and many other members of the clan are involved in a manufacturing business�they enhance Muggle drugs with magic and sell them. Something happened in Britain several months ago and they were forced to move the business here. What ever happened involved the magic one you've taken as your blood consort. And, when the magic one didn't turn from you during your inspection, Therac determined you were somehow involved. At least, that's what he told Cesearos."

"That's why he challenged," Severus growled.

"Yes," Stephen said softly. "They are coming to kill you. You must leave. Now."

Severus balled his fists. "No. That is last thing we can do, Stephen. If we leave, we will have no protection. They will find us. I'm tired of running." Severus placed a heavy hand on Stephen's shoulder. "Will you fight with me?" he asked quietly.

Stephen looked up and nodded mutely. "Of course," he said with equal softness. "What of your blood consort? He is still too weak. We will have to get him away."

Severus looked over at Harry and pursed his lips in aggravation as Harry lamely tried to close his eyes and feign sleep. He shook his head. "Maybe." Severus returned his attention to Stephen. "How long?"

"A half hour at most. I came straight away after learning of their intentions and I know they meant to gather their resources and attempt a surprise attack."

Severus nodded. "I need you to stay out of sight until the fight begins. Can you do that?"

Stephen nodded.

Severus hesitated. "This will mean assisting in the deaths of your clan members, can you do that?"

"Yes, my lord."

Severus nodded. "Give me a signal when they arrive. If other magic ones should come, invite them in immediately."

Stephen nodded and swiftly left the room.

Severus returned to the bed. "Don't even try and feign sleep, Harry. I know you're awake."

Harry opened his eyes. "What's going on?" he said with a low rumble.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Therac found out about our connection, he thought we'd come to destroy his drug manufacturing business, shared his suspicions with Cesearos and now he and the other clan members involved in the drug operation are coming to kill us in our sleep."

Harry swallowed heavily. "Oh. Is that all?" he said in a weak attempt at humor.

Severus brushed Harry's fringe from his eyes. "I'm calling in Draco and Brian to help. I can get you away from here, if need be. You don't have the strength to fight."

"No!" Harry snarled as he made an attempt to sit up properly.

Severus shook his head and gently pushed Harry back down. "You know you can't do this as you are," he murmured. "The only way this will work is if you tap into your core, Harry. Like you did with the Dark Lord. You know the risks."

"Of course I do," Harry spat. "Sorry," he said a beat later as he reigned in his temper "I didn't think we'd be at this again. So soon, I mean. I thought for sure we'd get a chance to argue about Italian versus Chinese before talking about how best to take out a dozen homicidal vampires."

"I need you," Severus blurted, cutting short Harry's nervous ramblings. "Even if Draco and Brian can get here, we will need you and your power."

Harry looked up at Severus thoughtfully. This was not how he pictured the "morning after" to be. He had expected lazy kisses, soft petting and murmured words of love, lust and silliness. He had expected that they would finally, finally make love, or fuck, or both. Instead, he was being asked to pull himself together for yet another fight to the death�hopefully someone else's death, but a fight for it nonetheless. "How much time?" he asked.

"No more than half an hour."

"I'll start right now," he said as he rolled onto his back, closed his eyes, and started working towards the trance he would need to slip into his magic and tap into his core.

Severus nodded and lightly kissed Harry's brow before standing and activating the communication link with Draco.

Draco woke to a rather unpleasant buzzing in his ear. He groaned as he sat up. He noticed the tangle of sheets and limbs and looked over and saw that Brian was still sleeping. A grin spread across his face at the memory of some of the more memorable moments from the night before. The buzzing returned. The halcyon memories retreated. It took a moment for Draco to wake enough to realize that it wasn't a buzzing but rather a voice. Severus's voice.

"Oh fuck," Draco cried as he leapt from the bed, suddenly remembering what had happened the night before at the club. "Severus? Severus is that you?" Draco thought back.

"Yes. There isn't time, Draco, I need you and Brian to come to the old abandoned church at the corner of Spring and Rue Del a Vita straight away. If Brian knows it, have him Apparate you both there. We are in the undercroft. Come armed. Some of the clan members have been involved in some highly illegal activities, think that Harry and I know about it and are out to apprehend them, and have decided to kill us both. I killed Therac last night in the challenge, but his right hand man Cesearos is out for blood. Quite literally."

"Fuck. What is the fucking problem with the two of you? Can you not go one goddamned day without someone trying to kill one or both of you?"

"We don't have time for this," Severus said flatly.

"Okay, okay, I get it. How many are we talking?"

Severus hesitated. "Ten, twelve. Maybe more."

"And Harry?"

Severus hesitated again. "Weak but will tap into his core."

"Fuck, Severus! That's an awfully big risk. He could�"

"I am perfectly aware of the risk and so is he," Severus snapped. "It's either that or the three of us fight off a dozen crazed vampires and try and keep him safe. Which would you prefer?"

"Why can't you just leave?"

"We are too great a threat. They will follow. They will find us. It would be like the war with the Dark Lord all over again. Neither Harry nor I will do that."

"No, but you'll go on a suicide mission," Draco spat angrily.

Severus paused. "You do not have to come, Draco. I will not think less of you."

Draco swallowed thickly. "Merlin, above. You really don't do things by halves, do you?" he asked weakly. He looked over at Brian, who was now awake and staring at him with an alarmed expression. "We'll be there in ten."

Draco sighed. Not how he wanted to start his morning. Truthfully, he never wanted to have to kill vampires. They were almost impossible to kill and could do a hell of a lot of damage in the process.

"Draco, what's going on?" Brian asked as he reached out and pulled Draco to him.

"Remember when I told you about the vampires last night?"

Brian nodded.

Draco swallowed. "Well, it seems that our dynamic duo have gotten themselves into even more trouble. Turns out Therac and some of his associates, including a guy named Cesearos, were into some rather nasty business. They think Severus and Harry knew about it and are here to shut them down. So, they've planned a surprise attack this morning. Severus needs us. Do you know an old abandoned church at the corner of Spring and, uh, Rue Del la Vita?"

"Cesearos? Damn it. Yeah, I know the place," Brain said as he leapt from bed and quickly began dressing. "Remember when I said I had contacts in the vamp community? Well, Beck wasn't the only reason I'm here. In fact, the Beck thing sort of fell into our laps. We're primarily here because of a huge drug manufacturing ring. It seems someone is lacing heroin with magic properties�it's killing Muggles and Wizards alike. Cesearos was the only name we'd gotten so far. Well, that and the big guy at the club Harry got tangled up with. He was a low level dealer�crazy motherfucker."

Draco swore under his breath as he finished dressing. "You know that was the assignment Harry was working back in London, don't you?"

Brian shook his head. "Figures, though. With everything you've told me. That kid walks into more crazy coincidences than any other person I've ever seen." Brian grabbed Draco. "Come on, let's go. Once we get there, I'll call for back up," he said as he Apparated them to the old church.

Having finally slipped into the trance he needed to achieve to tap into his core, Harry was only peripherally aware of what was going on around him. He assumed Brian and Draco had arrived, given all of the activity. Harry put that aside and focused on sinking into his magic and finding his way to his core. It was harder than it should have been. But, then again, Harry was much weaker than he had been the last time he'd attempted something like this. No matter what, he wasn't looking forward to the aftereffects. Payback was a bitch and his magic wasn't particularly fond of giving him access to its source. He predicted yet another stay in St. Mungo's when this was over. Really, they should just go ahead and permanently reserve a room for him.

He pushed deeper as he tried to find a link to his magic. It wasn't something he could see exactly, it had to be felt. He pushed further and further and�there�he'd found it. He slipped effortlessly into the flow of his magic, and let himself be guided to its source, his core. It was a dizzying, breathtaking experience�the throb and flux of his magic surrounded him. It was very nearly painful, but necessary given what they were about to face. Finally, he reached it and began tugging at it for all he was worth. �Let me in,' he growled in frustration. Just as he gave another vicious tug, his magic yielded and he fell headlong into his core. The infusion of such pure magic ripped through him and raced through every vein, vessel and nerve ending. The force of it caused his eyes to snap open and his body to lurch forward in a sitting position. All activity ceased as three pairs of startled eyes focused on him. "Got it," he said in a gravelly voice before slowly dropping back to the bed, panting harshly. A blonde head swam into view. "Hello, Draco. Long time no see," Harry said.

"Stupid prat," Draco admonished lightly as he stared at Harry's naked and bitten torso. Draco reached out to touch the bite near Harry's heart when his hand was slapped away.

"Don't," Severus growled possessively.

Before Draco could respond, Brian stepped up behind him. "My team will be here shortly, though not before the vamps get here�we'll just have to hold them off until the cavalry arrives."

Severus nodded. "Make sure you send some of your team to the old rectory�that appears to be the base of operations according to Stephen."

Brian nodded. "You know, we've been trying to crack this case for months. You three come strolling in, all hell breaks loose, you get yourselves into mortal danger and still you crack the case."

"Welcome to the life of Harry Potter and his hangers on," Draco muttered.

"Hey!" Harry said, affronted.

"Later," both Severus and Brian admonished at the same time. Brian flashed a lazy grin while Severus pursed his lips in an effort to keep them from twitching upward. The lighthearted moment was out of place, but welcome nonetheless.

A soft chime sounded in the background.

"They're here," Severus said as he quickly scrambled into bed, giving Harry his wand in the process. "Draco, you and Brian hide behind the bureau so that you can attack them from behind. Because Stephen invited you in, the others won't sense you. Wait until all of them are in, Harry will magically seal the door so that only non-vamps can get in or out and then take out as many vampires as you can. We will not have the element of surprise for very long, gentlemen. After that, it will truly be a fight to the finish."

All nodded as they took their positions. Severus gathered Harry in his arms so that he was cradled on his side next to Severus. His head rested comfortably on Severus's chest. "Severus, I--"

"Shh, Harry. Later. Wait for my signal. Get the door and then the first vamp you can. It will be the one clean shot we have."

Harry nodded.

The waiting was interminable. They heard the soft footfalls of a dozen or so vampires wending through the undercroft. At the turn of the doorknob, Harry inhaled sharply. Adrenaline coursed through him and his heart thumped away in his chest. He tried desperately to stay still and keep his breathing even.

The door opened with a slight creak. Feet shuffled in. There was a faint hiss in the air as the vampires entered and circled the bed.

Harry's muscles tensed.

*Wait for it,* Severus sent through the bond.

The vampires stalked closer. The absence of body heat didn't make their combined presence any less stifling.

*Wait,* Severus said again.

They heard the sound of a dagger ripped from its sheath. A hissed incantation and the faint air displacement as the dagger plunged downward was the only warning they received.

*NOW,* Severus screamed as they both rolled away, the poison tipped blade narrowly missing them as it sliced through the air and into the bed below.

Harry leapt from the bed and with one hand outstretched immediately sealed the door with wandless magic. Without missing a beat, he turned his attention and his wand to the closest vampire as he ruthlessly uttered the vampire killing hex. Caught off guard, the vamp immediately disintegrated with an ear-splitting shriek. At the same time, Severus killed another vampire while Brian and Draco edged out from their hiding place and took out two more. With the initial chaos and the advantage of surprise gone, the fight started in earnest. The four wizards began battling with every impediment curse in their arsenals while waiting for the chance to cast the killing hex. Soon, the air was filled with guttural cries, shouts, hisses and the sizzle of charms and hexes. There were eight vampires left, all of whom attacked viciously with the fangs and their weapons. They had no intention of going the way of their now desecrated brethren.

The four wizards complimented each other's styles perfectly. Brian's efficient rapid-fire precision had a rat-a-tat style as he worked the same hexes and charms in a complex, textbook sequence. Draco relied largely on his refined dueling and strategy skills as he thrust and parried in unorthodox patterns while using inventive spell work and sly manipulation. Severus was simply breathtakingly elegant in his fluid, controlled movements with both his wand and dagger. Harry was powerful, aggressive and controlled as he used both his body and his magic to kill the vampires. After tapping into his core, his skin literally glowed with the golden flecks of his magic discharged with each spell. Harry was finally in his element. They wove around the room, keeping one eye on their opponents and the other on each other.

Harry looked over and saw a vamp thrust towards Brian with a poison tipped dagger. Brian was fighting off three vamps with an impressive series of slashing hexes and didn't see the other vamp coming up behind him. While casting an impediment curse with his wand against his current opponent, Harry also reached across his body with his other hand and wandlessly cast a temporary shield charm around Brian. Brian's head immediately whipped around towards Harry as he felt the shield fall around him. They shared a grim nod of gratitude and acceptance before returning their focus to the task at hand.

"Behind you," Harry barked as he returned his attention to the vamp currently trying to back him into a corner.

Draco, having just finished off another vamp, looked up at Harry's words and saw the problem. Quick as lightening, he dashed to Brian and began battling the vamp still trying to get through the shield Harry cast.

Severus, currently battling two vamps on his own, lunged forward and bit the closest one straight through the heart while casting a catalyzing charm to hasten the vampire's death. Six down and six to go and the remaining were the nastiest of the bunch.

Draco and Brian were now battling two vamps apiece while Severus battled Cesearos and Harry battled his guard. An otherworldly screech filled the air, causing everyone to falter. Harry looked up and saw Severus throw Cesearos's body to the ground just before it disintegrated, leaving only the acrid smell of death behind. Severus was grotesque, but oddly arousing, oddly arresting, with the blood of his clansman dripping from his fangs, and the power of his vampire illuminating from within. For the second time in less than a day, Harry was transfixed.

"Harry, look out!"

Draco's strangled cry broke through the stupor and he turned to see a crazed vampire launching for him, fangs poised to strike. Harry dropped to the ground and kicked out hard, causing the vampire to lose his balance and fall. Harry leapt up and smashed his foot into the vampire's groin before putting everything he had behind the killing hex. He watched, cold and detached, as the vampire shrieked and writhed in agony before disintegrating.

Harry swayed on his feet. He didn't have much left. He looked and saw that they were down to four vampires. He moved to join the fray, knowing he only had one good hex left in him. And then, it happened. One of the vamps nicked Severus with his dagger. As Severus cursed, rage boiled in Harry's veins. He charged over and with both hands outstretched, pulled together everything he had, let it coalesce into a ball of bright, frenetic energy, forced it from his fingers and whispered the killing hex. A pulsating beam of light shot from his fingers and narrowly avoided Draco, Brian and Severus before encircling the remaining four vampires. Awestruck, the three wizards backed away slowly, glancing back and forth between Harry and the vampires as Harry walked closer and flicked his wrists. The beam of light snapped tight, pulling the vampires together, binding them. Killing them. Harry was only vaguely aware of what was happening around him. The rush of his magic pounded in his ears and his vision compressed to just the vampires in front of him. He pushed his magic again, willing it to send these four to the darkest depths of hell as they shrieked and writhed before exploding into a sooty pile of ash.

When it was over, when the proverbial dust had settled, Harry took a deep breath and blinked. He could feel the power drain coming. He listed to the side as his muscles slowly started giving out. He felt arms grab him as the nauseating feeling of unconsciousness began creeping through him. Someone was saying something. Harry looked around, his vision swimming with more awestruck faces. Apparently, the cavalry had finally arrived. He laughed, which only made the voice talk faster.

"Fuck, that felt good," Harry murmured, feeling redeemed after such a fucked up assignment. He swayed on his feet one last time before crumpling into an unconscious heap, held fast by Severus, Draco and Brian.

Feet. Or, leather soled shoes more specifically. The pacing of soft-footed shoes was the first thing Harry noticed as he started coming around. He took a deep breath and instantly regretted it as he inhaled the spicy, yet somehow sickly-sweet smell of antiseptic. As he attempted to turn away from the smell, he was met with rustle of stiff cotton sheets. Ah. St. Mungo's, then. The prodigal son had returned. Harry groaned. The shoes stopped and then came closer. Harry felt another wizard leaning over him. His lips curved in a small smile. Severus. Severus was with him, Harry was sure. He struggled to open his eyes. The intensity of the light caused him to blink rapidly. As he started to make out the man hovering over him, "Severus," was on his lips. However, midway through, he realized it wasn't Severus with him. It was Simmons.

"Se�Simmons," Harry said flatly, disappointed that it wasn't Severus waiting for him to rejoin the land of the conscious.

A fleeting smile crossed Simmons's face. "Hey kid. Glad you could join the party."

"How long this time?"

"Three days. Your shortest time yet. You should be proud."

Harry snorted. "I'll be sure to include it on my resume." Harry tried to move to get in a more comfortable position, but the accompanying flare of incredible pain stopped him. It felt like every muscle in his body had gone on strike, leaving behind tiny pitchforks in their places. "Fuck," Harry groaned as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Careful, kid. You really did a number on yourself. It's going to take a while to get back into the swing. Good thing you've got a couple of weeks before the next assignment. You did really well. All three of you, in fact. You got the ring, no one else was murdered, and you broke up that designer heroin manufacturing ring that plagued us for months. Good work, Potter."

Harry was perplexed. The only thing he remembered doing was nearly fucking the assignment to hell, almost getting offed by a crazy vampire, and battling a dozen of them because, once again, he was incapable of staying out of trouble. "Err, yeah," he said slowly.

"Best part of all," Simmons continued on blithely, "is the fact that you don't have to fill out a report. Snape and Malfoy took care of that. You were unconscious for a lot of it anyway, sounds like."

Harry swallowed thickly. "Hmm," he said. "Uh, just out of curiosity, what were Snape and Malfoy's version of events?" Harry asked.

Simmons snorted. "Remarkably the same. They both addressed making contact with the American undercover operative and combining forces to not only find Menhop's ring but to expose the drug lab. They praised your interrogation techniques�the way you worked through a low level dealer to get to Therac--" Harry blushed, not sure of whether to be mortified or furious that they would term his dealings with Thick Neck as �interrogation.' "And then about how the four of you came up with a complicated scheme that allowed you and Draco to switch places at the last minute so that he could get Menhop's ring while you allowed yourself to be kidnapped so that the team could infiltrate the clan's headquarters. Good thing Snape is a vampire and you are who you are. Hell of coincidence, don't you think? And, I hear you took out three vampires with one hex. Merlin, kid, I knew you were powerful, but that was amazing."

"Hmm," Harry said in response, his mind reeling from the utter malarkey Draco, Severus and, ostensibly, Brian had conjured.

"Then, of course, there was the damage from the battle�though we're not so concerned about a dozen or so dead vampires." At that Simmons peered at Harry through narrowed eyes staring intently at his chest.

Harry's hand reached up to make sure he wasn't naked.

"Malfoy and Snape were scratched up, but no where near the level you were." Simmons waved his hand in the general direction of Harry's torso. "You got some nasty bites, in some rather delicate areas, I might add. Why there, I wonder?"

Harry flushed again. "Major arteries," he choked out with effort.

Simmons's eyes narrowed again for a moment before snapping open fully. "Yes, of course. I should have thought of that. Anyway, those are the highlights. The whole thing is being heralded as a great show of international cooperation. Anything you disagree with, Potter?"

Harry shook his head. "No," he whispered, marveling at his unbelievable good luck. Before Simmons could ask any more questions, Harry asked one of his own. One he wasn't entirely sure he wanted answered. "Uh, where are Dra�Malfoy and Snape?"

Simmons cocked his head to one side. "Snape got a break in his other assignment in New York. We could have gotten another agent to handle it, but you know Snape�the job always comes first. He left the second the report was filed."

Harry looked down at the hospital issue blanket and sighed. "Yes. Of course," he said, wincing at the blow. The tiny pitchforks had nothing on this kind of pain. But then, the strangest thing happened. The pain melted away. Once he got over the initial shock of it, Harry was surprised that he felt more exasperation than hurt. His hand, still resting on his chest, rubbed at the claiming mark near his heart. He smiled. He knew that, even though Severus wasn't there now, he'd be back. He'd have to. No matter what, they were bonded now�more so than before. With a sly grin, Harry resolved to make him work for it�make Severus crawl to him for once. Besides, he had his own house to put in order before taking on a "relationship" with someone else. Time away would be very, very good. Even more surprising was that for the first time, he understood what Draco was always yammering about. Harry realized he was tired of pretending as well. He was tired of the artificiality of his life, the aching emptiness of it.

". . . and as for Malfoy, well he's up and resigned. Left right away. Turned in everything and walked away with some bloke named Brian."

Harry looked up, suddenly realizing that Simmons had continued talking. "What?"

"Yes, it is rather unbelievable, isn't it? I never figured Malfoy would be one to quit. Just goes to show you can't know people anymore."

Harry smiled, grateful that Draco had the guts to leave and, more importantly, to leave with Brian.

"So how about it kid? Up for the assignment in Malaysia? I can give you three weeks to recover, but then I'll need you in the field right away."

Apparently Harry had missed more of the conversation than he'd thought. "What?" he asked again.

Simmons looked at him funny for a moment before his face relaxed. "Sorry kid. I keep forgetting you're human. That kind of power drain would be enough to knock someone to hell and back. Rest. We'll talk in a day or so about the assignment."

Simmons turned and started for the door. In that second, Harry knew it was now or never. This moment would decide whether he started living his life or continued pretending to. "Simmons, Sir?"

Simmons turned.

"Actually, I don't think I'll be able to take that assignment."

"What? If this is about needing more time to recuperate, I'm sure I can pull a few strings."

"No, sir, it's not. I . . . I." Harry closed his eyes in a feeble effort to gather more courage. "I'm resigning, you see."

Simmons gaped at Harry before he started sputtering. "But, kid. The Ministry needs you. You've spent your whole life saving other people. You can't quit now."

Harry didn't say anything.

"Let's talk in the morning, when you've had a chance to think about this," Simmons said slowly.

Harry shook his head. "It won't make a difference," he whispered. "I have to do this."

Simmons sighed in exasperation. "Damn Malfoy," he muttered under his breath.

"It's not that, sir. I've been thinking about this for some time, actually. It's just that--" he let go of a long breath. "It's just that I think it's time I started saving myself for once."



Artificial Life - Chapter 14

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