Charming a Phoenix

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I know it has been a long time since I have posted an update for this. As I know many of you already know, I have been working on ‘The Rules of Engagement’. The story is stuck in my head and it has been hard to work on my other stories. But I think I am to a place now where I can again cycle chapters, though my main focus will be ‘Rules’.

Hope you enjoy !

Glinda

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Who was that blasted man ?
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“Tell me. What precisely does a Mistress of Self Defense teach ?” Severus asked in a rather condescending manner. Phoebe had gone into the library with him for a glass of wine before dinner. The rest of the party had gone into the parlor down the hall.

“I’ll teach people to defend themselves.”

“Is that not what a wand is for ?” He said with a cocked eyebrow.

“And what do you do if you loose your wand ?”

“I, “ He emphasized. “do not loose my wand. I would not be alive today had I been so clumsy.”

“Maybe others aren’t as skilled as you.”

“No doubt.” Severus said bringing his glass up to his lips with a smug smile.

“Well, if you sign up for lessons you can have a taste first hand.” Phoebe said smiling at the double meaning. What was it about him that made her just want to throw him to the ground and . . . .

“I am sorry, Miss Halliwell, but I am occupied with other concerns at the moment.”

Phoebe looked him up and dowd smd smirked. “Afraid of me, Severus ?” She could see him working to hold back the small smile that played at his lips.

“By no means, Miss Halliwell.”

“You know you could call me Phoebe.” He took another sip of his wine, watching her over the rim.

“I think not.”

Regrouping, she asked the question that had been bothering her. “How do you know Leo ?”

“Perhaps you should ask your ‘brother-in-law’.” The dark man said with distaste.

“Piper did ask him. He says he can’t talk about it.”

“Ah, well. And you thought with a sweet smile and a flutter of your eyelashes, I would tell you everything?” He said in a silkily scornful voice. Phoebe was insulted. “When a woman smiles my way, Miss Halliwell, I ingest nothing, save from my own hand and watch my back for the knife she may wish to plunge into it. I suppose I am lucky it is only information you are after.”

“That’s really sad, if that’s the way you think.”

“It has kept me alive, when better men have died.” Severus said matter-of-factly. Phoebe looked him over wondering just what his spying entailed. She met his eyes, but couldn’t read what was in them. “Suffice it to say, Leo and I had a mutual acquaintance once. No more need concern you.”

Phoebe was saved from responding as Tonks popped her head in and told them dinner was ready. On the way to the kitchen, she tried to workout her reactions to this brooding man. There was an almost tangible sensuality to him. Yet nothing about him was ‘nice’ or even inviting. So why did he induce such inappropriate thoughts in her ?

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Piper looked around the table again. Dinner was nearly over. The Headmaster sat across the table from her, chatting away cheerily. It almostmed med out of place after the serious discussions of the Order meeting. Though generally, everyone appeared in good spirits. Maybe they thought with the Charmed Ones on their side, their worries were over ? If only that were true.

“I’m taking Wyatt upstairs.” Leo said, leaning over to Piper. “He’s almost asleep.”

“Okay. Are you coming back down ?” She asked her husband.

“I think I may go to bed, too. You stay up and talk as long as you like.” Then Leo left with the baby. Piper couldn’t help but k hek her husband might be leaving because of the glare he continually received from the Potions Master.

“Paige here tells me you were working on a potion to vanquish Lilith.” Dumbledore said loudly. This seemed to get the attention of most of those assembled. Dark eyes shot Piper a glare, she looked back at him levelly.

“Yes, we were.” She said, which won her a snort from the dark man.

“Something to say, Severus ?” Dumbledore asked in the same cheery manner.

“The Ruler of the Underworld cannot be vanquished with a simple potion.” Severus said.

“Why not ?” Paige threw out. “We’ve done it before.”

“If I recall the tale correctly, it was his own stupidity and weakness that placed him in a vulnerable position. The Queen is not so foolish.”

“The Queen ? Have you met her ?” Phoebe asked. Severus’ face grew dark as he looked at Phoebe, then he looked away.

“Yes, unfortunately, I have.”

“Why is it you think a potion won’t work ?” Piper asked.

“If it were possible, do you not think I would have already made one ?” The dark man shot back.

“I don’t know. Maybe you don’t have as much experience at vanquishing potions as we do.” Piper said.

“I will pit my potions knowledge against yours any day, Madam.” Snape snarled.

“Severus.” The Headmaster said in a warning tone.

“Albus, this is ridiculous. They have no idea what they are dealing with and we do not have the time to coddle them. Their ignorance could wind up getting far too many killed.”

“We have actually, had some experience at this kind of thing.” Piper said, her voice growing louder and more clipped.

“Not to brag, but we do have a pretty good track record.” Phoebe told the man next to her.

“You have not faced a foe on this scale before. If you little girls are going to play at war, you had better know the stakes. They are absolute.” Severus said.

“After losing our sister, I think that point was made abundantly clear.” Piper stood and threw her napkin on the table. She felt unwanted tears begin to well up in her eyes. “I think we know the stakes better than you do.”

With that said, she stalked out the door, but didn’t get far before Molly Weasley’s voice stopped her in the hall.

“Piper.” The motherly red head hugged her tightly. “We’ve all lost loved ones, Severus included. I don’t mean to excuse his bloody cheek, but . . . . . we do all know lose.”

“I know. I’m sorry I got so upset. And to think I’m going to have to work with that man everyday.”

“Well, the secret to dealings with Severus is to not let him get the upper hand and I think you’ve made a rather brilliant startollyolly said.

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“Was that necessary ?” Phoebe asked the raven haired man. Paige didn’t hear his reply because Charlie leaned over and spoke in her ear.

“He’s always like that. Thinks he’s the only one working for the Order.” Charlie said, then placed a hand on her arm. “Don’t let him upset you.”

Paige looked up to see bright green eyes staring at the muscular freckled hand laying on her arm. Harry looked up into her eyes questioningly. Paige pulled her arm out from under Charlie’s touch and stood up excusing herself. Before she was even out the kitchen door, she heard a chair pushed back from the table and knew it was Harry.

She waited for him on the first landing. When Harry reached her, he didn’t say anything, just took her hand and lead her upstairs to his room. When they reached his room, Harry only lit one candle. In the dim light, Paige couldn’t read his expression. He laid her back on the bed not roughly, but with a certain insistence. She didn’t have time to question him, as he covered her body with his own, working her legs apart and settling into a very intimate embrace. He then claimed her mouth greedily, nothing like his usual kisses, there was a hunger and desperation in them. He lifted himself enough to slip his hand between them and began unbuttoning the top of her dress. Something about this didn’t feel right, this wasn’t Harr
“H
“Harry ?” Paige whispered, after breaking the kiss.

“Please . . . . I can do this.” Harry gasped into her ear. Her brow furrowed. He could do what ? Putting both her hands on his shoulders, she pushed him up to look into his face.

“You can do what ?”

“I can give you what you want. Please . . . . let me.” He grasped both of her wrists and put them over her head holding them with one hand, while his other hand undid his jeans. Paige was confused. Why was he acting like this ? He lifted her dress and she felt his rigid passion pressed against the thin silken material of her panties. She freed her hands and pushed on his shoulders again, but to no avail.

“Harry, stop !”

“I can give you what you need. Remove your knickers.”

“No, Harry ! Stop this !” When she felt him moving the material of her panties aside, she orbed out from under him, then materialized beside the bed just in time to hear the umph of his landing.

“What has gotten into you ?!” Paige demanded, as she buttoned the front of her dress. Harry turned his face away from her. She was truly puzzled. Hadn’t they just had a wonderful afternoon of sexual exploration ? This was all too much, too fast and . . . . . why ? Then the answer was obvious.

“This is about Charlie, isn’t it ?” The form on the bed shook his head. “I thought he was your friend.”

“Yeah, so did I.” Harry said as he put his clothes back in order. So she was right. Harry was jealous of an older man paying attention to her. How could she make him understand he had nothing to worry about?

“Sit up here and talk to me.” He sighed deeply, but stayed laying on his side facing away from her. So she laid down behind him, throwing an arm over his waist. After a few minutes of quiet, he began to relax.

“I’m not going to leave you for Charlie Weasley.”

“Why wouldn’t you ? He can give you what you want.”

“So by your estimate, all I’m after is a good sound fuck. I didn’t know you thought I was a slut, Harry Potter.” She said. Harry’s head whipped around to face her, as she hoped he would.

“No !” He said looking appalled. “No, it’s not . . . . . I don’t think that at all.”

“Harry, I’m with you because I want to be with ‘you’. Sex is nice. Okay, it can be very nice, but it isn’t everything. I’m willing to wait for you.” Paige said. Behind his glasses, she could see his eyes searching her face.

“I almost blew everything, didn’t I ?”

“When ‘we’ decide to take the relationship farther, we will have a talk about it first. No surprises, no heat of the moment decisions. Alright ?” Harry nodded, then pulled her into a crushing hug. This time it not only felt good, it felt right.

“I’m so sorry.” He mumbled against her neck. She felt for him in a way. All this was new to Harry and truth be told, as bas being rather mature about everything. A frown appeared on her face as this only reminded her of their difference in age. He sat up and looked down at her, his young face full of worry.

“You aren’t going to throw me off, are you ?”

“If you mean ‘stop seeing you’,” Paige said. “no. I’m not ‘throwing you off’. “ He smiled then and lay back down pulling her onto his chest. They lay snuggled and silent for sometime.

“How is Ron ? Did you two get to talk much ? I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him.”

“That’s alright, he knew you were busy. Besides, he had something he wanted to tell me alone.” Harry said, rubbing his chin in her hair.

“Oh ? Well, good then. I’m glad you got a chance to talk.” She said not wanting to pry.

“You remember I told you about the fight, at the Ministry ?” She acknowledged with an ‘umm’. “Hermione was hurt in that fight and it really scared Ron. I don’t think he knew how much he cared for her until then. Silly really, everyone else knew. So anyway, they started dating over the summer.” Harry said with a sigh.

“Is that a good thing ?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“You don’t feel left out ?” Paige asked. Harry’s hold on her tightened.

“I suppose I might have, if I didn’t have you. Now I’m just happy for them.”

“Did you tell Ron about us ?”

“No, not yet. I will though.”

After laying together for some time, Paige heard Harry’s breathing even out and she thought he might be ready to go to sleep. She started to sit up, but his hold on her tightened. Sitting up to look in his face, she could see a longing in his eyes.

“Stay with me.” Harry whispered. Paige looked at him questioningly. “I won’t try anything. I just want to hold you. I’d like to wake up with you.” She found herself smiling softly at him.

“I’ll have to leave early in the morning.”

“I know.” He was smiling broadly. “I’ll get you shirt to sleep in.” Harry bounded from the bed like a happy puppy and got a shirt out of his dresser. Paige changed into the tee shirt as he put on his pajama bottoms, each watching the other with a grin.

When they crawled into bed, Paige placed her head on the pillow next to Harry’s and snaked an arm and a leg over him, the irony of the possessive posn non not lost on her. He settled into sleep quicker than she thought he would. Being with Harry felt so good, but she worried that when others found out they may not understand and try to split the two up. That would hurt Harry beyond reason, he had bore too much lose already. And, Paige realized, he was becoming very important to her also. No, she swore, she would not let others drive them apart.


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“Was that necessary ?” Phoebe asked Severus in snappy tone.

“Obviously it was.”

“Severus, we may not choose the path of gloom and doom like you do, but we are taking this situation seriously. We work in our own way and we get the job done.” Phoebe said, feeling the anger rise in her in defense of her sister.

“That remains to be seen.” He said, then stood walking towards the backdoor. With another word or look, the dark man went out the door.

There was a collective sigh of relief at the table, but Phoebe wasn’t feeling relieved at all. Damn that man anyway ! Who the hell did he think he was ?

“Miss Halliwell ?” Phoebe looked up at the mention of her name into the now tired looking eyes of the Headmaster. “Severus, I fear, is worried. This new alliance has made Voldemort strong and Severus, I believe, only tells me half of what he is made to do in order to protect his place amongst the dark lord’s followers.”

“That is no excuse, Albus.” Remus said passionately. “The sisters are here to help us and he treats then like the enemy.”

“No, the Headmaster’s right. It’s very difficult to straddle two worlds and not feel a part of either.” Phoebe said. Looking into Remus’ eyes she could see he didn’t understand what she was saying, but a quick glance at Albus said he understood completely. She sighed, then looked back at Remus.

“So, how many victims do we have signed up ?”

“Count me in.” The stout red headed man that had been sitting next to Paige said.

“Yes, Charlie” Remus indicated the man that had just spoken. “ and Bill are both signed up. Tonks is also interested.” He indicated the witch with bright pink hair.

“Well good, just let me know when.” Phoebe said standing. “I think I’m going to bed. Goodnight everyone.”

Once safely in her room, Phoebe began to ponder the Potion Master’s behavior. Was he really trying to instill the importance of the situation to them or was he trying to scare them away ? And more importantly, why did she care ? There was something in the dark man that called to her, no matter how rude or unsociable he seemed. She sighed deeply as she sat on the bed. Maybe Piper was right. Remus was a very nice man and Phoebe was certainly attracted to him. So why did her thoughts always go back to those dark eyes ?

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Paige awoke with a muscular, slightly furry arm draped over her waist as she lay on her side. She sighed and nestled back into the warm body behind her. There was an answering groan and press of his morning salute against her backside. She started to turn over for a good morning kiss, but he stopped her “Ha “Hand me my wand.” Harry instructed in a sleep graveled voice. Curious, she leaned over and grabbed his wand from the bedside table and handed it back to him. She heard him mutter a spell, then he let her lay flat on the mattress looking up at him. He looked at her questioningly.

“Do you want me to perform it for you ?” He asked. Her brow knit together.

“Perform what ?”

“It’s a freshening charm I use to clean my mouth.” Oh. She nodded her head and he held his wand to her lips and spoke the same words. There was an immediate tingling in her mouth, then a sort of cool aftertaste.

“That’s handy.” Paige observed, then pulled his head down for a proper good morning kiss. He sighed contentedly and slipped his tongue into her mouth caressing hers. She was all too aware of the hard shaft pressed to her hip and she wriggled against him. Breaking the kiss with a gasp he stared down at her with such desire in his eyes, the decision was easy. She pushed him onto his back. His eyes widened with surprise and anticipation.

“I’ll leave now, if you want or . . . . . . . I could help you with this.” Paige said, running her hand lightly over the tented fabric of his pants.

“Hmmm, please.” He punctuated his pby pby pressing his hips up and bringing himself into firmer contact with her hand. Grinning seductively, she quickly removed his pants and boxers with her magic, then settled between his legs. His green eyes were wide as he sat up on his elbows watching her, while his shaft began to bob gently.

Grasping the base of his shaft, she held it up so she could lick it from base to tip, to which he moan appreciatively. From the sounds he was making and the throbbing under her fingers, Paige knew he wouldn’t last long. So she opened her mouth and took the crown in, swirling her tongue around it. Then she gradually took more of him in with each bob of her head until her nose was buried in fine raven curls. Harry panted and gasped, desperately trying to hold back. When he finally lost the fight, she milk him, then lapped him clean.

Moving back up his body, she stopped to kiss of of his nipples making him jump in the most delightful way. She then kissed her way up his chest and neck, then along his jaw line.

“You wouldn’t mind using the charm again, would you ?” Paige asked. Harry shook his head and reached for his wand, but then he stared at her for a moment. Placing a hand behind her head, he drew her into a deep kiss, lapping er ger greedily. When they broke the kiss, his cheeks were pink as he raised his wand and performed the charm.

“You must think I’m strange.” Harry said, not meeting her eye.

“Why would I think you’re strange ? A lot of people find it erotic to taste themselves on their lovers lips.”

“Really ?” He asked innocently. Paige couldn’t help the smirk that came to her lips.

“Yes, really.” He rolled over and kissed her again, then let his hand drift down to her still clothed breast, but she grabbed his hand. His eyes darted to her face, looking guilty.

“I’d really like to continue, Harry, but I better orb down to my own bed. Hopefully, I’ll get there before Phoebe wakes up.” He nodded his head and leaned down to give her a chaste kiss. “I’ll get my things later. Keep them safe for me.” Then she orbed out and materialized in her bed, under the covers, facing the wall and listened hard for any signs the Phoebe might be awake.

“Where the hell have you been ?” The voice of her sister demanded. Damn, Paige thought.

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*** A/N - I have started a new Yahoo group called ‘Potterotica Universe’ (thanks buttercup ! I just loved that term !) I will be posting messages when my stories are updated and hope others will also. I have also made a photo album of the pictures artists have sent me for ‘The Rules of Engagement’.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Potterotica_all/

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