Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.


Chapter 19 Play the Cards You’re Dealt

For the second time in as many days, Harry woke up feeling rested and content. Free for once of the horrific nightmares that constantly plagued his sleep, the young man silent thanked whatever deity was responsible for this respite. Lifting his head from where it rested on the older man’s chest, Harry quietly observed the still sleeping man. Absent were the fine lines of worry and the stern expression that usually graced the man’s features. In repose, Severus Snape could almost be regarded as being handsome. Harry had noted years ago that the Potions master’s nose seemed to have been broken at some point and had healed poorly so that could certainly be forgiven. Long dark lashes lay against the high cheekbones that accented the lean face and the elegant sweep of the fine eyebrows. His lips were still thin, but now that the man was relaxed, Harry could see that they had a sensuous curve to them. The young man suddenly wondered how they would look if the man were to smile. In that moment Harry determined to work on bringing a smile to that face. Slowly, carefully, Harry leaned down over the older man.


Severus awoke, the feeling of being watched breaking through his slumber. Years of self-preservation ensured that the former spy was able to fully awaken without alerting his observer to the fact. His thoughts racing, Severus mentally relaxed when he recalled that he was with Harry. Opening his mind, the Potions master was able to confirm that it was indeed his young soul mate who was watching him. Just as Severus decided to let the younger man know that he was now awake, he felt the soft graze of lips against his own. Groaning, Severus pulled his soul mate down to him and deepened the kiss.

Harry felt something tilt into place the moment he touched his lips to Severus’. Suddenly everything that he ever was or would be made sense in that exquisite moment. When Harry felt the arms tighten around him and the older man’s mouth opened to accept him, Harry knew that this was right, that this was where he wanted and needed to be.

Shyly the young wizard allowed the questing tongue running along his lips entry. Hearing a moan, but not knowing or caring who had made the sound, Harry gave over control of the kiss to his soul mate. Strong hands gently stroked along firm flesh and Harry responded by pressing his body more completely against the older wizard.

Slowly, carefully, Severus rubbed his hands down the too-slender sides and marveled at just how right it felt to do so. The need building, he firmly pulled the thin hips down on top of his and opened his legs slightly to allow their erections to more fully meet. Groaning into the kiss, Severus kneaded the delectable arse even as he began rocking up into the young man above him. The desire to continue was too strong to even think about removing their sleep pants and the thin material only added to the sensuous and hypnotic sensations coursing throughout his veins. Dimly, the Potions master registered the moan that issued from his lover as they sped up their thrusts. He could barely think beyond the fact that he was engaging in frottage with his soul mate. Nothing mattered to Severus outside of his skin, this bed, and this moment in time.

Harry gasped into his lover’s mouth as he reached his climax. Shuddering into the firm form beneath him, he allowed the spasms to bring him release. Feeling the older man speed up his own thrusting, Harry ground down onto the hard length and to his surprise, he experienced an empathetic orgasm through his mate.

Severus cried out his completion even as he felt the subsiding shudders from his young lover. Despite the sticky mess in his sleep pants, Severus was sure he had never felt better. Both men lay there afterward, struggling to regain their equilibrium and composure. Sighing happily, Harry finally pulled off the larger man and smiled shyly at his new lover. Severus could not find it within himself to be upset about the situation and wasn’t that just so out of character for him?


The magic tingled, stretched and snapped before finally settling into the castle walls. Hogwarts was rather pleased as she absorbed the burst of magic the two soul mates had unwittingly unleashed during their coupling. For too long the castle had been thwarted by a crazed old wizard. Yes, her plans were moving along rather nicely now.


In Gryffindor tower a grey tabby paused in her morning routine as she felt the magic crackle in the air and in the very stones of the castle. A few tentative sniffs in the air satisfied the Animagus that all was well. Purring contentedly, Minerva stretched and went back to cleaning her fur.


The kitchen’s house elves went quiet as they too felt the shift in magical energies flowing throughout the castle. Silently accepting the new dynamic, the stoic house elves returned to their preparation of breakfast for the inhabitants of the large school.


In another tower, Dobby immediately recognized the delicate weave of magic flowing about him. His large ears twitching, the freed house-elf cocked his head to the side as he felt the magic settle into the stones and the very fabric of the castle. Smiling broadly to himself, Dobby made a mental note to thank Master Harry Potter for bringing them all happiness.

Unnoticed by the distracted house-elf, Albus Dumbledore silently crept up behind Dobby. He too had felt the magic surge when the soul mates had found release. Already furious with the entire situation, this latest development only served to push the crazed wizard further over the edge. Lifting the heavy tome of ‘Hogwarts, A History’ over his head, the former Headmaster brought the book down on the unsuspecting house-elf’s head. Smiling grimly to himself, Albus watched as the small creature crumpled in a heap upon the Floor. He had been hindered long enough in his bid to manipulate people, events and the entire Wizarding World. Potter and Snape would rue the day they dared to defy him. Now the fools would find out why Albus Dumbledore was the only wizard Tom Riddle truly feared.