When Living Ain\'t Easy

Alright then, this one\'s a bit longer than the others. It was hard to decide where I wanted to stop... and I\'m still not happy about it *grump*

Moving along now...

~ * ~

Chapter Twenty-Two : Finally Getting Somewhere

For the next five hours, the older wizards sent Harry through every test they could think of : standard OWL and NEWT level problems, Auror training exercises, even teh requisite curses and counterspells for Death Eater recruits. It soon became apparent that their charge had indeed done his \'homework\'. \"For a change,\" was Severus\' expected snark, even as he fought to prevent his approval from showing. The ease with which Harry sped through each trial made both Slytherins feel almost... hopeful -- an emotion quickly taught out of Salazar\'s fold.

The Boy Who Lived weathered his tests better than either man had expected, not even breaking a sweat. It was obvious that he wasn\'t using his full strength on the practicals, so Lucius suggested they test him in a duel setting. They quickly marked off the \'arena\' and called for Draco to join as the second mediator. After a short discussion, Severus was chosen to be the first opponent.

For every curse the Potions Master threw his way, Harry countered with a shield or reversal, or just dodged to send his own spell at Severus. The teen wore a broad grin, thoroughly enjoying himself, but still showed no signs of his full power. Breathing a bit harder than usual, Severus called for Lucius to join the attack.

Harry handled both wizards with an ease that had them amazed, bolstering the hope that had taken a tentative residence in the older Slytherins. He laughed in pure delight as his abilities were finally being put to the challenge, making him work towards victory in a way that the entire DA\'s combined efforts could never do.

From the sidelines, Draco watched his father and mentor\'s downhill battle. He had often suspected Harry of holding back in class, but to actually witness two experienced Dark wizards so easily brought to stalemate? He threw back his hair and drew his wand, stepping into the fray. After all, he reasoned, they were supposed to test his classmate\'s potential.

The addition of a third opponent registered in Harry\'s mind as a silver blip -- target acknowledged. His eyes flared with a killing curse glow as he matched his power levels to the combined attack. Seeker-honed reflexes kept him dodging through their lesser jinxes, conserving his deflective shields for more damaging spells. To each Slytherin, Harry\'s visible joy and easy evasion resembled an elegant exhibit of a trained dancer.

The last hour of testing passed in a blur of coordinated attacks and paries, with only a few minor hexes sneaking through to give the sole Gryffindor green hair and a prehensile tail. Although, as Draco would later admit, Harry used the tail to his advantage -- grabbing the younger Slytherin\'s wand as he cartwheeled past a double assault from the older wizards.

In full teacher voice, Severus called the duel to an end just as the sun dipped below the horizon. All three Slytherins were grateful for the chance to regain their breath, with Draco shooting mock glares at the Golden Boy. Harry stood to one side and calmly summoned iced juice for the party. He looked neither cocky nor triumphant, but his face glowed softly with satisfaction.

\"So, what\'s my score, Professor?\"

While Lucius rolled his eyes and flopped into a nearby lawn chair, Severus pierced his student with a sharp stare. \"Mr. Potter,\" he began, using the voice that often made first years cry, \"if you displayed even half of today\'s skills in your school work, you would be top of your year. Would you care to explain why, in the six years I have had the dubious pleasure of your presence in my classroom, that you have never demonstrated more than a mediocre level of ability in any facet of magical aptitude?\"

To his teacher\'s raised eyebrow, Harry grinned cheekily. \"It would never do for me to let every Junior Death Eater see what I\'m capable of, now would it? The owls home to mummy and dad would create a small tornado.\"

Identical grey eyes met behind Severus\' head, silently agreeing with Harry\'s assertion.

\"In that you are quite correct, Harry. I am pleasantly surprised at both your foresight and your overall abilities. However, we will discuss your abysmal potions skills soon.\" Harry groaned, Draco grinned, and Lucius smirked. \"Now that I have some idea of your problems in my classroom, there is no reason to avoid utilizing these few weeks to rectify the situation.\"

\"Sev, did you eat a dictionary as a child?\" With his eyes shut around his giggles, Harry failed to dodge the tickling hex sent his way.

~ * ~

It took almost an hour for the quartet to counter or cancel the various curses they had accumulated during the duel. Harry volunteered to start supper while the others took turns showering, as he had worked up less of a sweat than the rest. Lucius ordered his son to take last turn in the bathroom for fairly obvious reasons -- the youger Malfoy spent more time grooming than most women before a Ministry Ball.

Feeling much refreshed, Lucius made his way to the kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of stuffed crabs and crisp, steamed vegetables greeted his arrival.

\"I must say, Harry, that your cooking is fair better than that of any human chef I have ever had opportunity to taste. Much as I regret the conditions under which you developed your talents.\"

The Gryffindor blushed, muttering a quiet thank you as he turned back to the oven. He pulled out a pan of garlic toast and brought the finished plates to the table.

\"Uncle Vernon was always bringing home prospective clients to impress. You should have heard the row he and my aunt had when he insisted I cook for these business dinners.\"

From the doorway, Severus joined the discussion. \"That was evident in our Occlumency lessons, Harry. She was quite skilled with a skillet, if not in its *proper* usage.\"

\"Please Severus, don\'t... just.. don\'t, okay?\" Troubled green eyes pleaded with the Potions Master to drop the subject. \"I never have to go back there, right? So let me forget, as best I can.\"

Inclining his head, Severus acceded to the request. \"For now. You must eventually purge the negative memories, if you are ever to truly move beyond them. Trust me, Harry -- for if you do not, they will fester, leaving you a bitter shell of your true self.\"

\"And there is only room for one bitter old man in this household,\" Lucius teased his friend, effectively breaking the somber atmosphere. \"Let us leave the weighty topics for later, Severus. I feel the need for some relaxation after our most enjoyable exercise.\"

A short nod. \"Quite right. Harry, I must apologize for my earlier disbelief. Whatever means you and Miss Granger used to advance your training was completely justified.\"

\"Thanks Sev,\" Harry grinned at the older wizard. \"Y\'know, she\'s going to be green with jealousy over my extra lessons this summer.\" He ducked his head and looked at the professor from behind lowered eyelashes, not noticing the fetching image he made. \"I don\'t suppose we can have her join us? She\'d make a great addition to our research and practice.\"

\"Much as it pains me to admit, Harry\'s got a good point,\" Draco said as he entered the room, flouncing into a chair and commandeering a plate. \"Granger can research better than any ten pureblood Ravenclaws.\"

Surprised and pleased with the unexpected praise of his best friend, Harry pushed another crab cake onto the blond\'s plate. \"I know we don\'t have room for her to stay here for long, but she\'s used to Muggle transport. And I\'ve been wanting a place to learn her mum\'s recipe for pumpkin walnut bread.\"

\"Teenaged boys and their stomachs.\"

\"Oh, like you aren\'t enjoying my cooking, Luc?\"

\"I never said that, Harry.\" The elder Malfoy looked to his friend for counsel. \"Perhaps we can arrange a visit or two. Provided, of course, that she understands the need for our security measures.\"

\"Ha! Better than I do, I\'m sure. So, it\'s alright for me to owl her after supper?\" Harry\'s face was the picture of innocence, his hopeful expression one that the Slytherins were loathe to deny.

Giving permission, Severus said, \"I see no problem with it. As long as she promises not to inform the Weasleys of your location. Or our presence. It would be... most troublesome if I were called on to explain our current circumstances.\"

\"In laymen\'s terms, it\'s a secret and you don\'t want the fifth degree from anyone in the Order.\"

\"Exactly.\"

Their meal ended in relative silence from that point. It was decided (by all but Draco) that, since the youngest Slytherin couldn\'t cook and refused to try, he was in charge of any cleaning necessary. Harry was ushed off to write his letter, while the older men retired to the study for an after-dinner brandy.

\"Is it a good idea to invite Miss Granger here, Severus? Regardless of her aptitude at research, our position must be closely guarded.\" Lucius sipped from his glass, his face pensive. When all he received was a thoughtful grunt, the blond reconsidered. \"But if she is to accept our prospective relationship with Harry, this might be the best way to introduce her to our private personas...\"

Severus nodded absently. \"That is the main reason I am allowing this visit, Luc. Miss Granger is far from average intellegence, yet she must see evidence of a fact before accepting it as truth. I have often wondered why she was not sorted into Ravenclaw.\"

~ * ~

Dear Hermione,
Thanks for your letter, and your sympathy. I still don\'t know how I\'m going to deal with the Weasley family just yet, but there\'s plenty of time for that, right? Maybe you can help me figure out how best to respond when you get here.
Which is the main reason for this note. Can you get a few days to join me? I\'m not at the Dursleys\' -- do NOT tell anyone about that! -- and am getting some of that extra training we were talking about on the train. Steel yourself in advance, cus you won\'t believe who my teachers are.
Bring whatever books you might have lined up, and that book on spellcrafting too. Remember the one? We\'ve got a few ideas...
And I can\'t wait to see your face when I show you my dollies!
Hedwig will wait for your reply. Please say you\'ll visit for a bit.
All my love,
Harry

~ * ~

The white owl disappeared into the night sky, hooting pleasantly at her master\'s obvious good mood. Her destination wasn\'t far, and she looked forward to the lovely treats she was sure to receive on arrival. Every time she went to the Granger household, they made sure to give her plenty of cool water and a generous serving of bacon and cheese.

Coasting through the open kitchen window, Hedwig landed gracefully on the back of Hermione\'s chair. As expected, she was provided with refreshment and loving hands smoothing over her feathers while the bushy-haired girl removed her letter.

\"Oh Mum, Harry\'s invited me to spend a few days with him! They\'re researching an idea about... you know... and want me to join them. Since you and Dad are going to that conference this weekend, may I visit them please?\" The young witch\'s enthusiasm was clear in her tone, doubled by her bouncing hair. She absently flipped it back over her shoulder. \"He\'s not at those awful Dursleys\' house this summer, getting some tutoring he says. Oh what a perfect time to begin revision for NEWTs!\"

Helen Granger glanced at her husband before answering, his indulgent smile giving permission. \"Of course, dear. Send Harry our love, won\'t you?\"

\"Yes Mum, thank you.\" All but vibrating as she threw hugs at her parents, Hermione raced off to her room to write a reply.

Dear Harry,
I was so glad to hear from you. After Mrs. Weasley\'s decision, it took every bit of strength I had not to send them a nasty Howler. And of course, I\'d love to visit. Please let me know how to get there, or include a portkey, whichever is best. I\'ll be ready before Hedwig delivers this.
Love,
Hermione

Minutes later, her letter sped off on white wings. Hermione wasted no time in organizing the requested books and a bag with the standard necessities. She returned to the dining room to finish her meal, once again calm enough to offer a more thorough explanation to her parents.

Whatever private worries the Grangers had over the impending magical war, their pride in their only child increased every time they saw the determination on her face. Neither could prevent the fear of a parent for their beloved daughter, but they refused to hinder her involvement by voicing more than a gentle \"Be careful, dear.\"

~ * ~

\"She said yes! Sev, Luc, will one of you make a portkey for me, please?\" Harry charged into the study, hair dripping down his face. A light grey t-shirt plastered to his damp chest reinforced the impression that the Gryffindor had been interrupted in the shower.

A playfully lecherous grin on his face, Lucius pulled Harry into his lap, effectively putting a stop to the excited bouncing. \"I\'m sure we can come up with something,\" he purred into the brunet\'s ear, nuzzling the warm skin.

Harry\'s flushed face went from general excitement to an aroused haze in less than a second. His eyelids drifted shut, his body relaxing completely in the blond\'s embrace.

\"Really Luc, I fear you have short circuited his brain,\" Severus\' comment was tossed over his shoulder as he searched the desk for an appropriate item to charm. Finding a crystal paperweight, he cast the enchantment and jotted down a brief message telling the young witch to join them at her leisure. He sent the small parcel off, then stalked over to the cuddling duo. \"I do hope my presence is not an inconvenience.\"

\"Mmm, far from it.\" Harry\'s arm shot out, grabbing the Potions Master around the waist. \"We must be close to Hermione\'s house, so she\'ll be here soon,\" his words muffled by Severus\' stomach, \"do we keep this a secret?\"

Harry missed the silent exchange over his head. \"That is entirely up to you, Harry. If you feel that your friend will not understand, or if you are not ready to make such a public announcement of your involvement with us-\" Before he could complete the implied question, Lucius was interupted.

\"NO! I just thought... maybe you\'d not want anyone to know. I mean, I\'m just some clueless virgin, and you\'re both experienced and powerful and Merlin knows how sexy, and I\'m so very not-\"

\"Enough of that, Mr. Potter,\" Severus stopped him before Harry could disparage himself any further. \"Harry... you are far more desirable than you know. Allow us our own opinions of your attractiveness.\"

\"Just so. Harry, you have much to recommend you as a prospective lover. Whether you see your own worth is not an issue -- the fact remains that Severus and I find you completely acceptable. Irresistable even.\"

With two sets of hands petting a comfortable rhythm over his hair and back, two sets of arms holding him so carefully, Harry could do little more than admit that, yes, these two strong wizards did desire him. The Gryffindor\'s chest ached as another layer of the wall around his heart crumbled away.

It was to this spectacle that Hermione popped in. The resulting screech of \"What the bloody hell is going on here?\" had the three wizards flying back to the present, wands drawn in surprise.

\"Uh... hi \'Mione... umm... guess what.\" The Boy Who Lived summoned every ounce of his formidable courage to face his best friend\'s livid features. He had better talk fast and make sense, or be ready to dodge hexes again. And this was the witch who had taught him most of his more impressive spellwork. Harry inwardly squirmed at the terror of this particular young woman\'s temper -- she could easily rival any redhead when riled.

\"Don\'t \'hi \'Mione\' me, Harry James Potter. It\'s not even been a week since term ended, less than three days since that horrid woman ordered you to break up with your *girl*friend, and here you are snuggling with two MEN?! And just who are they, hmm? You\'d best explain yourself, Mister.\"

Harry realized that, from his stance in front of his... lovers? partners? what the hell was he supposed to call them?... Hermione had yet to see the identities of either Slytherin. Maybe he could forestall her attack. \"Eh, alot\'s happened, \'Mione. Let\'s go to the kitchen for a cuppa, and I\'ll try to catch you up, okay?\"

In a startling imitation of the dreaded Head of Slytherin, Hermione glared at her best friend. \"Don\'t even think about misdirection, Harry. You could have mentioned this in your note, you know. Some warning would have been nice. After all, just last week you were a happy heterosexual. Most people spend a few days moping about after being dumped by their significant others.\"

With a deep sigh, Harry took the required five steps forward and placed his hand over the witch\'s mouth. He knew that would allow her to see Severus and Lucius, but there was little choice. \"Listen \'Mione, I need you to be calm and sit down and hear me out, alright? There\'s been alot of new... developments. And yeah, it\'s so fast it makes my head spin if I think about it, but please, keep an open mind.\" He carefully stepped closer, arms open for a hug. \"I need my best friend right now, not the Spell Mistress.\"

\"Oh Harry, what have you gotten yourself into this time?\" Even as she chastised her friend, eyes widening dramatically at the identities of Harry\'s cuddle buddies, Hermione pulled him into a strong hug. \"This sounds like a three pot story, with a hefty dollop of something stronger. Professor, I don\'t suppose you\'ve got any rum on hand? Mr. Malfoy, it\'s been awhile since we last met.\"

Lucius raised an eyebrow at Severus. Severus matched it and countered with a tiny shrug. With a flick of his wand, the Potions Master summoned a cut crystal decanter of spiced rum while his friend dealt with a tea tray. If either man wondered at Hermione\'s swift change in demeanor, they were not inclined to mention their concerns. It was never wise to question the mood swings of a woman.

\"And if you wouldn\'t mind, please refrain from the \'Let\'s humor the witch\' looks? I get quite enough of those from Ron, thank you very much.\"

A long-suffering sigh. \"Very well, Miss Granger. Please forgive my boorish behavior. Too many years with a haridan for a wife has conditioned me to expect certain reactions from the gentler sex.\" Offering a courtly bow, Lucius held out his arm to lead Hermione to the sofa.

Accepting the proferred courtesy, the young woman wasn\'t inclined to let him off so easily. \"Mr. Malfoy, I can appreciate the requirements of dealing with difficult people for so long a time, however, I must ask that you not lump me in with your prejudices of the so-called gentler sex. As Harry can tell you, I am quite capable of holding my own.\"

\"Miss Granger,\" Severus\' teacher voice brought on the expected response -- immediate, silent attention, \"a veiled appreciation of your gender is in no way condescending. Having known Lucius for more years than you have walked this earth, allow me to assure you that he meant no offense.\"

\"Of course, Professor. Mr. Malfoy, I apologize for automatically assuming the worst. As you said, too many years around the wrong people can force certain reactions.\" Giving the blond a tentative smile, Hermione settled herself on the sofa and accepted a cup of tea. \"Harry, you\'ve had enough time to come up with a reasonable excuse or two. Let\'s hear what you have to say for yourself.\"

And the spotlight was back on the Boy Who Lived. Harry allowed a long mental groan before saying, \"Okay, it all started like this...\"

An hour later, he was still talking.

Throughout her best friend\'s dissertation, Hermione watched the interplay between the three wizards. Such simple gestures as a gentle hand brushing across an arm, or fingers lifting hair away from a face... the casual expressions of practiced lovers. If she didn\'t know for certain that Harry had never experimented with boys before, had not once exhibited interest even, she would have thought that these men were long-time lovers.

And then she caught the blush on her friend\'s cheeks. This was definitely new to him, no matter how comfortable it all seemed. Every touch shot through Harry with a charged pulse, not necessarily of lust, just *there*. Lucius\' arm around his shoulders, so casually laid that it could appear innocuous; Severus carding fingers through Harry\'s messy-as-always hair; the quickly stiffled hum of pleasure he wasn\'t quite able to prevent. Whatever was happening was 1) new, 2) mutual, and 3) might just be good for her friend. Decision made, it was time to stop Harry\'s nervous monologue.

\"Alright then, I think I\'ve got the picture. So long as you are happy and willing, I\'ll try to support your wishes. But Harry, do make sure this isn\'t a rebound thing, hmm?\"

The older wizards looked puzzled, and Hermione thanked the gods that they weren\'t up-to-date on modern Muggle slang.

\"Thanks \'Mione. And don\'t worry, I\'m not just going to jump in bed with anyone. This is... I can\'t explain it. Something just clicks between us.\" Face patched red, Harry grinned shyly at his best friend. \"Remember me telling you about my first kiss? It wasn\'t much different with Ginny. But now... gods!\" He stopped before getting too in-depth, frustrating Lucius and Severus\' obvious interest. \"Oh, just so you don\'t get another shock, Draco\'s here too.\"

Hermione couldn\'t stop herself. Honestly. Her face scrunched up as if she had swallowed some particularly foul potion, a shiver of disgust ran down her back, and she groaned loudly. All in about five seconds.

\"Well, I guess we know Miss Granger\'s opinion of my son,\" Lucius snickered at as the young woman forced a contrite expression. \"Please, don\'t bother being polite on my account, my dear. Draco often has that affect on people.\"

Harry and Severus grinned at their friends, not bothering to mask the occassional snicker. Just as the Gryffindor opened his mouth to tease Hermione a bit, the study door opened.

\"Did I hear my name mentioned? Oh, hello Granger, welcome to the party.\"