First Place - Angst

September first had fallen on a Friday the previous year, and as they were not in a leap year it was a Saturday for Harry's last year at Hogwarts. The week with Charlie in Romania had been both exhausting and relaxing. Harry had come to a decision regarding Charlie. So long as the redhead didn't force the issue Harry would let things stay as they were, slightly ambiguous, and examine his feelings when everything was all over.

The morning that Harry had to depart for London he woke to an unusual sensation. Normally Harry was a light sleeper, constantly on alert for an attack even in his sleep. He might not be coherent when he woke, but if it was trouble of some sort Harry was sure that he would fully wake. Somehow Charlie was able to move around with waking him, and he had that morning.

"Mmm," Harry hummed and pushed up with his hips.

Charlie held him down and lifted his head from between Harry's legs, "I was wondering how long it would take to wake you."

Harry smiled and tried to blink the sleepiness out of his eyes, knowing it was a losing cause without his morning caffeine, "Was dreaming... good dream."

He just barely made out Charlie's grin before the mouth closed over him again and all he could see was the red curls bobbing below his waist. Harry closed his eyes again and reached down to thread his fingers through Charlie's hair. One of Charlie's hands took one of his and their fingers laced together.

It was over quickly. Harry yelled out as he shuddered and his hips gave little involuntary thrusts up. A tongue licked him clean and Harry gasped when it touched spots made overly sensitive.

He was a boneless mass, fully relaxed. Charlie's mouth pressed against his and he tasted himself combined with the flavor that was distinctly Charlie.

"Good morning," Charlie said, his breath combining with Harry's.

Harry couldn't even manage a coherent response, just a quiet hum. His eyes remained closed, his eyelids too heavy to lift.

Charlie laughed and spoke the summoning spell. The smell of freshly brewed coffee got closer and closer and Harry breathed it in deeply. Charlie brushed his lips across Harry's forehead, and then Harry heard a sipping sound. Lips touched Harry's and he tasted the coffee on Charlie's tongue.

"Mm," Harry held out his hand for the cup and propped himself half sitting up on one elbow. He opened his eyes and smiled when the ceramic handle was offered to him. The large mug drained, Harry sat up and smiled widely, caffeine coursing through his veins, "Morning."

Charlie laughed, "Come with me."

Harry followed, stretching and anticipating the next cup of bold coffee with just a touch of cream and sugar. He stopped in the kitchen to pour it and then went out the door to join Charlie and discovered it wasn't even light yet. He turned a questioning look to Charlie as he drank the coffee.

"Finished?" Charlie's eyes were bright with silent laughter. Harry nodded. "Good." The mug was banished to the kitchen and Charlie took Harry's hand, leading him through the compound. "We're apparating. Go with my lead."

It was a short jump to an outcropping of stone nearby on one of the mountain peaks. Charlie conjured a large armchair and sat down, pulling Harry onto his lap.

"I have the full day off," Charlie said softly in his ear. "The morning is all yours."

There was a chill in the air but it was ignored as they provided heat for each other. They sat there in silence, in the dark, and the sky gradually began to lighten. Harry adjusted his position slightly and felt a twitch from Charlie. He grinned.

"Harry, what are you...?"

He slipped his hand behind him and wrapped it around Charlie's growing erection. He moved slowly, keeping Charlie ready but not completely distracting him from the colorful sky.

Streaks of pink appeared on the horizon, and the clouds began to glow a deep orange-pink. The sun came into view and Harry twisted his head to kiss the lips behind him. His hand tightened and Charlie's breaths got deeper. With the other hand Harry pushed down his pajama pants. He grasped Charlie firmly, positioned them just right, and lowered himself.

"Oh," Charlie's head tilted back and his arms gripped the couch. A little puff of air accompanied his exhale, "Harry."

They moved together, slowly and firmly. Harry stroked Charlie's arms and guided one hand into his lap. Charlie obeyed and took Harry in hand. Harry leaned back and Charlie's mouth traced kisses along his neck and shoulder. They came together and Charlie's cry was muffled as he bit Harry's neck in that little hollow by his collarbone.

"I hadn't planned that part," Charlie admitted as they stayed there, spent.

Harry reached a hand up behind him and stroked Charlie's face. Charlie leaned into the touch. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Charlie whispered and kissed him again lazily.

It was several minutes before either of them was ready to move. They apparated back to Charlie's tent and showered together, soaping each other but not ready for anything more again. They ate breakfast with the other handlers. A party had been thrown the night before to say goodbye again to Harry so he felt no guilt for ignoring them for the rest of the day.

After reflecting on the night he had wound up with a tattoo, later discovering that Jean Pierre had spelled it there while also drunk, lucky that it even resembled a dragon, Harry had vowed not to get that drunk ever again. He couldn't afford the debilitating effects or lack of judgment if some emergency should arise.

The tattoo was peculiar. It would move to any part of Harry's body it felt like going, sometimes tickling Harry in the process, but tended to stay mostly on his back and chest. The strangest thing had happened after Eliza had given Harry dragon blood. The tattoo gained texture. Its scales felt like individual dragon scales and were almost iridescent. Harry had been a little startled when Charlie discovered that and only got more interested.

Ever since that day that Eliza shared her blood with him Harry couldn't get enough of the sun, soaking in its rays every chance he got. His senses of hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste were all slightly sharper, just enough to notice the difference. His muscles were harder, his skin tougher. Charlie was convinced Harry's eyes had an extra little sparkle they hadn't shown before.

After breakfast Harry got hugs from all the handlers. It was a small community, sixteen workers from nine different countries divided into four teams, and therefore a close community. Harry could easily say he was already closer to them than to most of his friends at Hogwarts. From his second day on there he had shared their emotions, shared his emotions. Most people couldn't touch Harry with more than a casual brush without making him tense, but the handlers could hug him, wrestle even, without a flinch. Being with them...it was like... living with your skin off.

Jean Pierre kissed him on both cheeks, "Stay in touch and come back to us."

He promised the same to all of them.

The morning was spent quietly. With the differences in time zones Harry didn't plan to leave until noon, Romania time, and still have an hour before the train left. Charlie gave him one final dancing lesson. When the other handlers discovered what they were doing they had insisted on joining in and the lessons moved to the common tent, most often with faster, more complex dancing. This was one last private dance.

"Will there be guards on the train?" Harry questioned as they sat, cuddled together on the couch by the fire, after yet another dancing lesson had led to more.

Charlie shook his head, "We don't expect anything. The Death Eaters will have children of their own onboard. Dumbledore and Remus said the DA and the Prefects should be able to cover things nicely."

"I'm not applying for Auror training," Harry announced his decision, made some time ago. He was already getting the training, had probably completed most of it with the exception of potions, and there was no way he would work for Cornelius Fudge.

"What will you do?" Charlie was brushing through Harry's wayward locks with one hand as they spoke.

"Not sure," Harry admitted. He stretched his legs out. His head was resting against Charlie's chest. "I have enough in my vaults to never lift a finger, but I hate doing nothing."

"Any of us would hire you in an instant," Charlie referred to the dragon preserves.

Harry shook his head solemnly, "I will not draw Voldemort here."

The determination in his voice left no room for argument. Once it was all over, once he was free to live a life of his choosing, Harry might join one of the colonies, but until Voldemort was dead he wouldn't put these people at risk. The dragons could take care of themselves. That's what Harry told himself... once it was all over. In the deep recesses of his mind he did not believe he would survive the war to make any such decision.

The silence was interrupted only by the crackle of the fire and the shifting bodies in front of it. Soft kisses and gentle touches gave way to more urgent kissing. They lay with their bodies aligned and Harry closed his eyes. He reached up and held Charlie's head against his, pressed their mouths together hard. Charlie's weight made Harry sink into the cushions of the couch.

A sharp whistle sounded from Charlie's wand, resting on the coffee table.

"Bugger," Harry cursed and his head dropped back to the arm of the couch.

Charlie silenced his wand and kissed Harry once more before standing up and helping Harry up, "Just think disturbing thoughts."

"Hagrid in a bikini," Harry nodded and screwed up his face at the mental image.

"That'll do it," Charlie shuddered.

Harry summoned his bag that had sufficed for the week and slung it on his shoulders. His trunk was already at Hogwarts with his father. Charlie wasn't powerful enough to apparate to London in one jump, so Harry had his second tandem apparition where he was the one leading.

"I don't think I've ever seen the platform so empty," Charlie said when they appeared with barely a whisper of the customary 'crack'.

"It's like Hogwarts before the train gets there, too empty, spooky" Harry agreed. He was the first one there, over an hour early. "I guess I'll get a compartment."

They boarded the train, nodding to the conductor who only needed a glance at Harry to let them pass. Harry realized then that he didn't even have his ticket, but there was just another benefit to being The-Boy-Who-Lived. Immediately he made for the rear of the train.

"You always sit back here?" Charlie asked with amusement.

Harry nodded and smiled fondly, "Ever since first year. Ron and I ate so much candy that day..."

"Instant friendship, just add chocolate," Charlie laughed. "That's Ron."

Harry grinned, "I met Hermione and Neville on that ride, and Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. We thought Hermione was the biggest know-it-all, couldn't stand her."

They entered the compartment that Harry thought of as 'his', and he wondered if some first years would claim it the following year and for the six years after that. He slung his bag onto the seat and turned to face Charlie.

"You're off to Headquarters?" Harry asked softly, still not quite making eye contact. He couldn't take another connection like that right then.

Charlie nodded and stepped towards Harry, "I'll send letters with Remus and Severus."

"Me too," Harry leaned into the other man's space, "Christmas at Headquarters?"

A hand brushed down Harry's face, barely touching the skin, from temple to cupping his cheek, "Yeah. Stay out of trouble. Let me know if you need me."

"Trouble finds me," Harry smirked. Charlie's hand was like a conduit, sending tremendous heat into Harry's body.

They were close enough that it took only a slight movement of Charlie's head and their lips were getting their last taste for a long time. The kiss was hurried and Harry shut and locked the door with a flick of his hand, his lips never pausing in their pursuits. He put up a silencing spell on the compartment.

"We have at least fifteen minutes," Harry breathed, tilting his head back to provide access to his neck.

Charlie lifted Harry's shirt over his head in a quick movement, "We can do that."

"No time for that," Harry gasped as Charlie's hands went to work on his buttoned trousers.

Charlie's wand waved, divestire, and all their clothing folded neatly on one of the seats. It was the quickest coupling Harry had experienced, fast and rough on their knees. Charlie had braced himself on one of the seats with Harry behind him, pushing back while Harry thrust forward. It was over well before the fifteen minutes passed, explosive and mind shattering. Cleaning and air freshening charms were cast immediately and their clothing was spelled back on.

Harry held out a hand to help Charlie to his feet and the dragon handler winced slightly as he stood.

"Sorry," Harry felt a wave of minor pain and flinched. He moved his hand down Charlie's back and cast a healing spell.

Charlie kissed him tenderly, "Don't apologize. That was amazing."

"Christmas," Harry took a deep breath.

"Christmas," Charlie nodded. He held onto Harry's hands, neither one of them letting go. Another hug, and a kiss, and they parted, "Goodbye."

"Bye."

CRACK!

Harry opened the window and a rush of cool air entered the compartment. He took down the silencing spell and voices flooded in from the platform. He slammed his barriers firmly into place. There were two many people, all of them excited. The locking spell was undone with no more than a thought. Harry sighed and sat down on a seat, propping his feet up across from him. He leaned his head back and waited, knowing someone would find him sooner or later. There was still a half hour until the train was scheduled to leave.

Within moments the compartment door opened, "Potter."

"Malfoy," Harry just tilted his head to the side, "Congrats on Head Boy." He looked a little more carefully and gave Malfoy a little salute, "And Quidditch Captain."

"Thank You," Malfoy said imperiously. There was a chuckle, "You look thoroughly shagged. I take it you had a good summer." Harry didn't see any point in denying it and nodded. "Seen Granger yet?"

"Nope," Harry responded. "Have a seat. She'll show up here soon. How's Anna?"

Malfoy sat next to Harry's feet, rested his arms on the seat back, and stretched his legs in front of him, crossing them at the ankle. He was already in his black Hogwarts robes, complete with Slytherin colors, shiny silver Head Boy badge, and Quidditch Captain badge.

"She's well," Malfoy replied. "Her O.W.L. scores were exceptional, though no one in her year achieved any records."

Harry smirked, remembering that Malfoy had set the record for Potions, "Think we'll do the same for N.E.W.T.s?"

"There is a high probability," Malfoy allowed, though his tone said it was a certainty.

"So Draco," Harry switched to first names and asked the question he had been thinking of since the previous spring, "why a Ravenclaw half-blood?"

Malfoy raised his eyebrows at the directness, "Honestly Harry?" Harry nodded. "Fourth year, Triwizard Tournament, she tried to enter at only thirteen." Harry sat a little straighter. He hadn't remembered that. "That took confidence, and courage. She flies well too. As a Ravenclaw it's a given that she can carry on an intelligent conversation."

"Crabbe and Goyle are not stimulating enough for you?" Harry snickered.

"Those imbeciles?" Malfoy scoffed. "They still follow me around, probably on orders to get as much information as possible. They keep forgetting I went to your side and let all sorts of things slip."

Harry let his feet fall to the floor and leaned forward, intrigued, "They actually have knowledge to slip?"

Malfoy glanced at the shut door and flicked his wand, silencing charm, "There are orders to keep an eye on you, like always, but with a particular focus. You might want to put on your dress shirt at least." Malfoy leaned forward and brushed Harry's skin just at the edge of his shirt's collar.

He didn't need to explain further. Harry had a pretty good idea of what Malfoy was insinuating and stood up. He cursed and flicked out his wand, waved it, and his clothes were swapped with those worn under their school robes. A quick charm straightened away wrinkles from being packed away in his bag for a week.

Malfoy looked his up and down, appraising and Harry held his arms out, "Better. You could afford nicer material you know."

"Granted I actually knew what to buy," Harry shook his head. "My father took care of that this summer... I think. This set is from last year."

"Your father...," Malfoy shook his head. "Now that sounds bizarre. I knew something was going with you and Snape but I was far off the mark, rather far."

Harry smirked, "My Slytherin side peeks through now and then."

"Merlin help us," Malfoy muttered and ended the silencing charm.

"Harry!" Ron's voice called out in the hall.

"Honestly Ron!" Hermione scolded. "You needn't bellow like that. There's a simple spell..."

Harry burst out laughing and Malfoy looked on with an eyebrow cocked. Harry shouted back, "In here!"

The door opened and a large group came in, filling the compartment. Hermione and Ginny both hugged Harry and kissed him on the cheek. Luna just stood to the side of the chaos. Ron and Neville slugged Harry's arm and all five of them were talking at once. Hermione was the only of them already in robes. Harry just smiled and exchanged a glance with Malfoy, who had pulled his legs in and was observing quietly.

"I have to find Malfoy," Hermione declared. "We owled about the prefects meeting but we have to go over a few things first and..."

Malfoy cleared his throat then, Umbridge style, causing all their new visitors with the exception of Luna to start, "Shall we make our way to the front of the train then?"

"Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed and ignored the wide, arrogant smirk. "I didn't see you there! Just let me get out my notes and a quill."

The two of them left not long after and the others all took a seat. Harry sat back and listened while the others talked, answering a few questions every now and then as they had spent the last month together and only seen him for a day.

"You didn't!" Ron exclaimed and jumped up from his seat.

Harry just grinned. Four pairs of eyes stared at him, searching.

"So show us already," Ginny demanded impatiently.

Harry stood up, turned his back to them, and lifted his shirt. His dragon tattoo was in its normal resting position, the way it had first been spelled. It was standing on all fours, tail curled around the back legs, wings pointed up, back proudly arched, and neck extended with the nose in the air. The dragon perched on Harry's right hipbone, just above the waistband of his trousers.

"Wicked!" Ron declared. "Not even Bill has one!"

It was well known in the Weasley family that Bill was the epitome of 'cool' in Ron's eyes. Ginny reached out as if to touch the tattoo but Harry dropped his shirt as if he didn't notice, turned, and sat back down. He didn't want anyone to notice that it wasn't quite like any other tattoo.

The three prefects left when they noticed it was almost eleven and Neville and Harry were alone in the compartment. Both boys pulled out thick books. For Neville it was the book Harry gave him for his birthday. For Harry it was one of the texts used in Auror training. Strategy lessons were his largest challenge. He had a tendency to just rush into the fray without thinking things through.

Neville smiled at Harry, "So I take it you had a good summer."

The statement startled him slightly. Harry never had good summers. He never looked forward to the summer holiday, much preferring to be at school away from the Dursleys. For the first time, though, he had actually enjoyed the three months away from Hogwarts.

"Yeah Neville," Harry returned the smile, "I think I did."

Finding the Key - Chapter 13

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