Second Place - Romance

Fortunately, Harry responded to the news by falling off the sofa in a fit of laughter. The idea of his aunt and uncle being magical was just too much. He really wished he could have seen the look on their faces. The young man was rather taken aback, though, when he learned that Dudley was a wizard. He never would have guessed that. Oh, the Dursleys must be beside themselves. Harry wiped his eyes on his sleeve. He had been laughing so hard that tears had begun to fall.

"Oh, Sev," he managed to gasp, "That is just too much. I can't believe you three did that." Sobering slightly, Harry continued, "Thank you for not hurting them. Even after everything, I wouldn't want them harmed."

Pulling himself up off the floor, Harry reached up and kissed his husband tenderly. Deciding a reward was in store for the older wizard, Harry climbed onto his husband's lap and proceeded to show his appreciation.

The next morning Tizzy delivered a large tray of food along with a copy of The Daily Prophet. Severus looked at the paper while Harry poured their coffees and dished out the scrambled eggs with mushrooms and some toast. The rest of the students were due to arrive today, but for now the couple had some time to themselves before Severus had to attend to his Slytherins.

Hearing a snort from his mate, Harry looked up in curiosity. Obsidian eyes locked with emerald and the older man smiled over the paper.

"The latest from our �friend' Ms. Skeeter," he said by way of explanation.

"Oh. Well, why don't you read it to me, Sev?" Harry asked before taking a sip of the hot coffee.

Severus took a drink of his coffee before complying.

�Lucius Malfoy Tied to Ministry Mayhem - The Death Eater Behind Bars Orders Deaths
By Rita Skeeter, special correspondent.

Sources within the Ministry of Magic have confirmed that ex-Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy, is behind several recent upsetting events at the Ministry. Even while incarcerated at Azkaban this man has proven able to manipulate people and events from the comforts of his prison cell.

This reporter has indeed learned the vicious truth about a formerly highly esteemed member of our wizarding society. Lucius Malfoy had several well-placed agents in the Ministry and he was able to direct their actions from prison. It would appear that Mr. Malfoy was behind the deaths of two of his men, Auror Brighton Smythe and Auror Malus Bestian. Was the former Death Eater afraid of what they might have been able to tell authorities? Several other minor Ministry employees have been identified as being associated with Lucius Malfoy. As a side note, Percy Weasley was also arrested on charges that he attempted to murder our hero, Harry Snape-Potter and his husband, Severus Snape-Potter over the Christmas holidays. The wayward Weasley son is being held under tight security to prevent another murder.

Perhaps even more disturbing is the revelation that Mr. Bestian was arrested after he attempted to murder several members of the much-respected Weasley family and their guests, Narcissa Black and her son Draco Malfoy. It is a well-known fact that the pair are estranged from the senior Malfoy. What may not be as well known is the fact that Draco Malfoy is engaged to Miss Ginny Weasley and Narcissa Black has been seen often on the arm of the senior Weasley son, Bill. Could this have been an act of retribution to his former wife and son? This reporter urges our Ministry to fully investigate these allegations.'

Severus paused in his reading. "Well, there is more, but it is the usual drivel."

Harry finished chewing his toast before answering snidely. "We never need to go through the hassle of a trial when we have Rita Skeeter around to pass judgment on anything and anyone."

Severus snorted his agreement and started in on his own plate of eggs. His mate had been kind enough to cast a warming charm on them, so that they were at the correct temperature.

Harry waited until his husband had finished his own breakfast and had replaced the empty dishes on the tray before coming over and climbing on the older man's lap. Gentle kisses danced across the potions master's face and hands smoothed across broad shoulders. Severus pulled his lover's head down and groaned into the caresses and kisses. The potions master moved his hand under his mate's robe when a loud knocking sounded at the door to their chambers. Growling, Severus reluctantly allowed his husband to get up to go answer the door.

Curious, Harry opened the door after checking the wards for malicious intent. Draco Malfoy stood impatiently out in the hallway. "Well, it's about time, Harry. Just please don't tell me what you and my godfather were doing," came the aristocratic drawl.

"Hello to you, too, Draco," Harry said while standing aside in silent welcome. He turned around after closing the door to see that Severus had entered the sitting room.

Draco flopped down into one of the armchairs and sighed dramatically. "I must say that I am going to blame you, Severus," the young Slytherin stated.

An elegant eyebrow arched up in question as the head of Slytherin house regarded his godson. "And for what exactly am I being blamed?"

"Bill Weasley has asked mother to marry him and she has accepted," Draco pouted.

"Might I remind you that you are also engaged to marry a Weasley?" Severus asked.

Draco whined, "But this is my mother we are talking about."

Harry sniggered at the blonde's theatrics. He was not really surprised that the pair was making it official. Maybe it was the fact that Harry was so happy, but he wanted everyone around him to be happy too.

"Oh, and you might be interested to hear that the Auror who helped trap Malus Bestian is now dating Charlie. Seems that Clive-Parker has a thing for Weasleys too," Draco said while brushing a piece of lint off his trousers.

After assuring the Slytherin prince that all would be well, Severus sent the boy on his way. Draco happily bounded out once he realized that Ginny would be arriving soon with the rest of the students.

Lucius silently fumed as he read the trash others called The Daily Prophet. He angrily tossed the rubbish to the side and tried to decide what had gone wrong. Is this how his master had felt every time that Potter brat had bested him? Sighing, Lucius poured himself a drink and tried to figure out his next move. There had to be someone in the Ministry who was still loyal to him. And if he were lucky, they might have half a brain. Sitting back in his armchair, the Malfoy patriarch became lost in thought.

Bellatrix Lestrange stormed through the corridors of the hateful prison. She had managed to sweet talk her guard into allowing her out to play for a while. In her right hand she held a spoon that she had managed to sharpen until it was usable as a weapon. Bella was on a mission and she dared anyone to try to stop her.

Reaching the door to the cell, Bella paused to catch her breath. She wanted to be in control for this. Raising a hand, she pushed open the door and again wondered how even now the man had been able to achieve such perks. Entering the cell, she looked around briefly to see that it was rather comfortably furnished and she smirked when she saw the cell's inhabitant.

"Lucius, my dear," Bella sang out. "I see that you saw that lovely article that tells of all of your recent activities." Stepping forward, Bella held her hand behind her as she watched the blonde react to her presence.

"Bella," Lucius drawled lazily. "And to what do I owe this displeasure?"

Bella watched as Lucius calmly took another sip of his liquor. "Bit early for drinking, isn't it Luc? You do know that that is bad for you." Bella stopped in front of the still seated man, her hand gripping her little present. "Do you remember what I told you when you married my sister?" she purred. "No? Well, perhaps I should refresh your memory. I told you that if you ever harmed Cissa that I would personally carve out your heart," Bella screamed, now losing any semblance of control. With those words, she sprang at the man and whipped her hand around to show her weapon.

Lucius just had time to register the fact that the weapon was a spoon. Before he could react, the crazed witch had stabbed him in the chest with the utensil. Vaguely Lucius realized that Bella had somehow sharpened the spoon and that it was cutting, digging into his chest. Looking up in shocked bewilderment, Lucius watched as Bella stabbed him again and again with the spoon. His eyes rolled back into his head and blood trickled out of his mouth as the once proud man slumped dead in his chair. Bella stood over him and cackled in glee her hands dripping in blood and the spoon wedged in the dead man's chest. That is how the guards found them moments later.

Severus closed the door firmly behind his godson and turned back to his young mate. Harry stood waiting for him as the potions master glided across the room and enfolded the younger man in an embrace. Harry eagerly tipped his head up to meet his husband's lips.

Kissing his mate passionately, Severus decided that he wanted nothing more than this young man. Long fingers splayed through unruly hair and tightly clasped a firm buttock, pulling the smaller man to him. Someone groaned into the kiss as the potions master decided to move them over to the sofa. Picking up his mate, Severus never broke the kiss, and moaned as Harry's hands ran over his body. Laying Harry down on the sofa, Severus then lowered himself over his husband's beautiful body.

Harry groaned as his lover lay on him and he let his hands wander where they willed. Without realizing it, he had begun to undress his husband and the older man helped to remove the unneeded articles of clothing. Now naked, Severus decided that turnabout was fair play and he set about undressing Harry.

Heated skin came into contact and Harry hissed in pleasure. Severus responded to the sibilant speech by grinding his erection into his husband's. Harry felt as if he could not get enough of the older man as he caressed and stroked his hands over the firm muscles and strong shoulders. Arching up into his husband, Harry cried, "Sev. Need you. Please."

Pulling back slightly, Severus looked into the lust-glazed eyes and smiled. Calling out for the lube, the potions master caught the vial and quickly opened it. He coated his fingers in the viscous liquid and reached down to trace a line down a hard cock. Reaching the ball sac, Severus carefully fondled the treasures as he watched Harry writhe underneath him. The young man struggled to open his legs on the narrow sofa and was rewarded when his husband brought an oiled finger back to his entrance. Sighing, Harry pushed against the teasing appendage, silently begging for more.

Severus smirked at his lover as he realized the effect he was having on the young man. When Harry slipped back into Parseltongue, Severus allowed his finger to slip into the tight hole. Recognizing that his mate wanted it now, Severus quickly worked to prepare the young man. Adding a second finger, the potions master noted that Harry was becoming incoherent in his speech, often switching back and forth between English and Parseltongue.

After a few agonizing moments, Severus finally decided Harry was ready for him and coating his cock with more of the lubricant, the older man slowly began to slide into heaven. Harry looked up in frustration at Severus. His husband was intent on killing him, he decided. Just as quickly, Harry decided to take matters into his own hands so to speak, and thrusting up sharply, was able to impale himself on the large cock.

Severus gasped at the sudden movement and looked down to see Harry's amusement. Growling, he bent down and whispered in Harry's ear, "You want it rough, Harry? Would you like me to pound into your willing body?"

Harry threw his head back and moaned. "Yes! Oh, yes, Sev. Take me hard," he begged.

Smiling, Severus gladly complied, drawing back and then slamming his hips into the smaller man's. Firmly gripping the slim hips, Severus began setting a grueling pace that left them both grunting and growling in pleasure. Severus realized he was close to the edge and reaching a hand between them, grasped his lover's unattended cock. Sweeping a thumb over the wet tip, he watched as Harry began thrashing his head back and forth, overwhelmed by the sensations. After a couple of firm strokes, Harry shuddered as he erupted over Severus' hand and his own body. Growling, Severus thrust in once more and allowed his own orgasm to overtake him. Panting, both men struggled to come down to their bodies.

Pulling out of the still spasming hole, Severus slid next to Harry on the sofa. Lying on his side, he traced a pattern through the rapidly cooling mess on Harry's chest. Harry smiled up at his mate and waved a hand, dispensing with the sticky liquid. Leaning over, Harry placed soft lips on his husband's lips and gently ran a tongue along sharp teeth. Severus opened his mouth wider and allowed the tongue entry. For several minutes, tender kisses and soft touches followed their lovemaking.

Severus struggled to sit up and he pulled his husband up after him. Summoning their dressing gowns, the two redressed and Severus motioned for Harry to sit back down on the sofa.

Harry watched in bewilderment as his proud husband kneeled in front of him and pulled a small box out of his pocket. Fingering the box, Severus looked up into beautiful green eyes and shyly spoke, "Harry James Snape-Potter, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Opening the box, Severus showed two identical rings. "I have bonding rings for us if you consent to this."

Confused, Harry tilted his head as he regarded his husband. "But we're already married, Sev. Why would we get married again?"

Smiling, the potions master pulled out a ring and placed it on Harry's left ring finger. Harry did the same for Severus. "Then you will say yes, Harry?"

"Of course I will, but I still don't understand," Harry replied.

"It is simple, my love. This time I would like to be present for my own wedding," the potions master said as he took his love in a tender kiss.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 39

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