Second Place - Romance

The next morning Harry and Severus said their goodbyes and thanked their hostess for her hospitality. As Charlie had arranged for a leave of absence from work and Bill and the twins were only a floo away, Harry had finally been convinced to leave his adoptive family. Severus thought that they had done all they could to help the family for now, and truth be told, the potions master was eager to have his young husband to himself again.

Molly hugged Harry and then the astonished potions master before admonishing the men to come back soon for a visit. Harry stifled a laugh at the shocked expression on his mate's face. He knew that Severus was not used to such physical displays of affection. But overall the young man was proud of the stern man. He had held up rather well under the constant press and attention of the Weasley clan over the past several days.

As he stepped into the floo, Harry smiled at Molly. He was glad to see that the woman seemed to be bearing up rather well, considering the problems with Percy. As the floo system spun Harry away, he caught one last sight of her waving to him and then that was lost as a maelstrom of grates whirled before his eyes. At last he stumbled out into the headmaster's office and into the waiting arms of his amused mate.

"Graceful as ever, I see Harry," Severus smiled down at him.

A pink tongue was the only answer Harry felt like giving him, at least until the world agreed to stop spinning on him. No matter how many times he did it, Harry still didn't like flooing. Greeting the headmaster and muttering a hello to Fawkes, the pair left the lemon drop-addicted old wizard to his own devises. Riding the stairs down from the office, Harry was unsuccessful in his attempt to hold in his laughter at Severus' thoughts about Albus. Really, Harry had often thought similarly about the old man, but hearing Sev thinking it was just too much. A raised eyebrow and a slight tug on the corner of his mouth was the only visible response to Harry's mirth.

It was with a grateful sigh that Harry followed his husband into their chambers in the cool dungeons of Hogwarts. Sending his luggage into the bedroom with a wave of his wand, Harry was surprised when his mate suddenly whirled on him and pushed him against the closed door.

"It has been too long, my Harry. Too long since I have been able to have you as I want," the low voice purred next to his ear. Soft nibbles and licks followed as the potions master reacquainted himself with his husband's ear and neck.

Harry obligingly tilted his head so that Severus could have easier access to those oh so wonderful erogenous zones. Graceful hands made quick work of the young man's robes and the obligatory Weasley jumper was slipped over his head. Severus dove back in, kissing and licking a shoulder blade and he worked his way down to a flat dusky nipple. Harry sighed and arched into the contact while winding his arms around his husband's neck. Fingers played with the long strands of hair and Harry groaned at the sensations his mate was arousing in him. He could feel himself hardening and he began grinding his hips against the taller man.

Severus unfastened his robes and slid them off his shoulders as he gently sucked on an erect nipple. Harry reached out to help remove Severus' jumper and as his husband bent down again, Harry pulled him into a fierce kiss. His mate opened his mouth and Harry darted his tongue into the warm mouth, tasting the tea and mint on the older man's breath. Dimly Harry was aware that Severus was now working on his trousers and stilling just long enough for the offending clothing to be removed, Harry returned the favor and undid his lover's trousers. Severus took over and pushed down his garments and toed off his boots so he could step out of the remainder of his clothing. Harry did the same and soon they were pressed back against one another, flesh to flesh.

The hard wood of the door was cool against Harry's back, but all he noticed was the warm naked body pressed into his own. Groaning in the taller man's mouth, Harry ran appreciative fingers along hard muscles and smooth skin. Severus was not overly hairy and for that the young man was rather glad. Somehow, the idea of a furry body did nothing for his libido. But, Sev, however, was an entirely different matter. Just a smoldering glance or the seductive tones of his voice was enough to drive Harry over the edge.

Severus allowed the pent up emotions from the past few days to melt into the passion of their lovemaking. He caressed what skin he could reach and kissed and licked the rest. His cock was throbbing with the desire to join with his mate and right now Severus wasn't really too particular about the method. He only knew that he needed it and he needed it now. Grunting, he reached between them and grasped his lover's beautiful cock. Pulling it towards him, he opened his hand and grasped his own. Then he began fisting both cocks together. Harry moaned at the sensation of their erections rubbing against one another. He pulled his mate's head down and attacked the pliant mouth. Tongues dueled as this coupling was about raw need and sweeping passion. Neither man was in the mood for a gentle joining as they raced toward completion. Harry exploded first, soon to be followed by his husband, as both cocks pulsed and streamed out their liquid treasure.

Sighing, Severus brought his head down and leaned against Harry's forehead. Gentle kisses breathed across Harry's temple and the young man laughed.

"You really have a thing for walls and sex, don't you, Sev?" Harry asked quietly.

"Hmm," came the soft reply. "Perhaps it is just that I have a �thing' for you, my brat."

"Okay, guess that works for me," Harry sighed as he stroked the silky hair. "But, I do think we might be a bit more comfortable if we were clean." So saying, the young wizard waved a hand and the sticky liquid vanished.

Planting one last kiss on his mate's head, Severus pulled away and began to gather his hastily discarded clothing. Harry followed his example and soon both were clothed against the chilly dungeon air. Not wishing to dispel the mood, Severus pulled his mate down onto the sofa with him and allowed the younger man to curl up next to him. Long fingered hands combed through the perpetually messy locks of hair and he felt Harry relax into his side.

Severus had been worried about his mate's state of mind since Percy Weasley had attempted to murder them. He had spoken to Lupin over the holidays and they had both agreed that Harry would need help in remembering that he was not to blame for Percy's actions. Lupin had also let Severus know some more details of Harry's upbringing with those wretched muggles. That reminded Severus that he still needed to speak with Albus about that. At the very least the potions master hoped to be able to have a nice little visit with those miserable muggles. Of course, they would probably be much more miserable afterward... Perhaps Lupin might like to join him.

Harry snuggled into his husband's side and felt all the tension of the past several days slowly leave his body. While he loved being with the Weasleys, he was glad to back home with Sev. He smiled as he thought back over the way Sev had welcomed them back home. Yep, Sev definitely has a thing for walls. Harry decided he would have to put that knowledge to good use. With thoughts of sweet, sensuous lovemaking on his mind, Harry slipped into a restful sleep.

Severus continued to stroke his hand through the soft hair even after he realized his husband had fallen asleep. Smiling, the older man decided Harry had the right idea. He leaned his head back against the sofa and allowed his eyes to close. His body relaxed as he too fell asleep.

Andrew Clive-Parker stopped when he heard Charlie Weasley's name spoken in the corridors at the Ministry of Magic. Curiosity caused him to pause and listen to the speakers. One voice he recognized as belonging to Arthur Weasley, but the other; Andrew would have to see him to know for sure.

Casually rounding the corner, Andrew frowned down at his folder as if in deep thought. From his vantage point the young Auror was able to see that the other speaker was a fellow Auror, Malus Bestian, if he recalled correctly. Clearly Andrew heard that they were indeed talking about Charlie and he listened intently to the conversation.

"...was hoping that I would be able to stop by to see Charlie again today," Malus was saying.

"Why certainly, my boy. In fact, why don't you come by for dinner? I know that Charlie was quite taken with you when you stopped by the other day," Mr. Weasley beamed.

"Thank you, sir, I will be by tonight, then," the Auror smiled and bid good day to the older man.

Arthur Weasley moved off also, leaving a concerned Auror standing in the corridor. It would seem that he had a rival for his romantic interest. But that was not the most worrisome thing to Andrew. In his investigations, he had come across some troubling information regarding Malus Bestian. While on the surface Bestian appeared to be a model Ministry employee, Andrew was beginning to believe that the Auror was not all he seemed to be. Andrew had strong empathic abilities and as such had learned to rely on what his other senses were telling him. And in this case they were screaming at him. Andrew hoped that this was not only because he himself was drawn to Charlie Weasley. The young Auror did not want to believe that it was merely jealousy guiding his beliefs. Running a tired hand through his sandy colored hair, Andrew set off to speak to his supervisor. Kingsley Shacklebolt was a no-nonsense sort of person, but he respected Andrew's special abilities and would listen to him.

Malus smiled as he left the elder Weasley in the corridor. The smile never reached his eyes, but the man was pleased nonetheless. Tonight he would begin the serious work of gaining the distraught family's trust and when the opportunity arose he would take hold of it with both hands. Oh, Lucius Malfoy would reward him handsomely for that accomplishment. Really, he should have been sent in to begin with. But instead, they had allowed that Percy idiot to muck things up and put everyone on alert. Well, he would just have to see this as an opportunity to shower the fools with charm and break through their defenses.

Feeling lighter than he had in days, Andrew carefully closed the office door behind him as he left after speaking with Auror Shacklebolt. The tall Auror had listened intently to Andrew's concerns regarding Malus Bestian and he too thought it rather suspicious that the Auror would be pursuing Charlie Weasley now. While it may be perfectly innocent, the coincidence was just too jarring for the bald Auror's liking. With a knowing smile, Shacklebolt had given Andrew permission to investigate and intervene if necessary.

Andrew smiled as he walked through the corridors. He was heading for the Ministry floo system where he would go to his flat and then apparate to the Burrow. Tonight he was going to head off Malus Bestian. Tonight, hopefully, he could accomplish more than his job. Perhaps he might even gain a boyfriend.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 34

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