After the war

The creature stopped before it reached them, crouching down on the floor and looking at them with rhumey yellow eyes. It put it's right paw forward, and they noticed a parchent tied to it with a vine. Harry went to step forward, and Severus grabbed his shoulder.

"I'll get it." He growled lightly, and Harry glanced back to see his fangs extended.

The creature didn't even flinch as the Vampire approached it, and made no move to attack as he pulled off the vine and retreived the parchment. He stepped back to where Harry stood, and trusting Harry to keep an eye on the creature, he used his wand as a light to read what was on the parchemnt.

"It's from Firenze." Severus said, rolling his eyes.

"What, the note or the creature?" Harry asked, keeping his eyes on it.

"Both, it seems. He was aware that we had come here, and he saw Fudge turn up. He sent this Marlion to patrol the corridors, and um, deal with, anyone that didn't belong here. It won't hurt you or me, or anyone we bring in, but anyone else is fair game."

"Cool, I think." Harry said, cautiously lowering his wand. The creature, Marlion, he remainded himself, shuffled back slightly, it's head cocked.

"Thank you." Harry said to the Marlion. It chuffed a pleased sounding snort and lumbered away down the corridor.

"Well, that was thoughtful." Severus said dryly, as he and Harry went back to the dungeons.

"What was it?" Rita asked, jumping up from her chair as they came back in.

"Nothing to worry about, it seems, but I would recommed that you not go roaming the halls without either Harry or myself." Severus said.

"Wouldn't dream of it." She replied.

"Right, so, are we going to the kitchens then?" Harry asked, still standing near the door.

"Certainly." Severus smirked, indicating that Rita should join them.

They found that Dobby had put a fair bit in the cupboards in the kitchen, but when Rita opened the huge fridge, she recoiled.

"There's blood in the fridge." She said, paling.

"Well, what else would you expect a Vampire to drink. I'm not going to run around chewing on random strangers." Severus drawled, shaking his head.

Harry laughed at the look on her face, and held one of the packs of blood out to Severus. The older man took it, and started to prepare it to drink. Rita shuddered and kept her attention fixed on helping Harry prepare some food for them.

"So, what are you two going to do when this is over, once we have taken care of Fudge?" Rita asked curiously.

"Try to get this place open and running again. I think that's what Albus would have wanted." Severus said with a shrug.

"What about you Harry?"

"I'll be here, with Severus." Harry said, glancing at the older man.

"I would have thought you would want to get as far away from here as possible, see something of life."

"I've seen more of life than I could have wanted to already, death, destruction, pain, the loss of almost everyone I cared about." Harry spat, tensing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Rita said, backing off.

They prepared their meal and all ate in silence. Once they were done, they headed back to Severus's rooms.

"We should get some rest. Tomorrow could be a long day. I don't think Fudge will be willing to take that story lying down." Severus said.

"What do you think he'll do?" Rita asked.

"Try to get here and get Harry, shut him up or try to force him to refute the story." Severus said quietly.

"What about you?" Rita asked.

"He doesn't know I'm here."

"Fair enough. Where are we all supposed to sleep then?" She asked, looking around the quarters.

"We'll transfigure you a bed from the sofa in here, Harry can share with me."

Rita raised an eyebrow at Harry, waiting for him to object to the idea, and Harry firmly controlled the imminant blush. He would not be ashamed at the thought of someone else knowing he was sleeping in the same room as the man he was in love with. It wasn't as if they were even lovers, yet, so there was no cause for embarrasment.

"That's fine." Was all that Harry said.

Severus waved his wand at the sofa, making it into a single bed close to the fire, then he and Harry went through to the bedroom. They undressed in silence, but when they got into the bed, Harry snuggled close to the other man, resting his head on the firm chest.

"Do you really think he will be stupid enough to come here once that story breaks?" Harry asked, listening to the slow heartbeat under his ear.

"Yes, he'll want to try to salvage his position." Severus replied, and Harry smiled at the rumble of the voice under his head.

"If he comes here, I will kill him." Harry said softly.

"We will kill him." Severus promised, wrapping an arm around Harry. Feeling warm and safe, the younger man fell quickly asleep.

Morning came far too quickly, Dobby waking the three of them up with breakfast at about three in the morning.

"So, how are we going to get this to the editor?" Rita asked, tapping the story that rested beside her.

"Dobby, was the editor being watched?" Harry asked.

"No." The little elf assured him.

"Then I think we should all go. We can watch each others back, and the school is protected by our friend from last night.

"Agreed." Severus said after a long pause.

*********