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 24 Plots, Plans and…

The boys had finally succeeded in rescuing Hermione from her romantic daze and the three had settled down to discus the latest developments regarding Dumbledore. To say that his friends were aghast to learn of the depths to which their former Headmaster had sunk was putting it rather mildly. Ron’s face and neck had turned an alarming shade of red, and the air fairly crackled around the normally calm bookworm. But while her boyfriend sputtered and paced about agitatedly, Hermione sat back and smiled serenely. Now, Harry had been around girls long enough, and this female in particular, to be more than a little bit alarmed. Nothing good ever came from a female who had that sort of look about her.

Harry was startled from his ruminations when the door to their chambers banged open, revealing a still incensed Potions master and an equally irate Auror. It was obvious that the pair was in the midst of discussing two sides of an argument. However, both abruptly stopped when it became apparent that Harry was not alone in the room.

“What are you two doing in my chambers?” the Potions master immediately demanded.

The students stared wide-eyed at their professor before struggling to answer the man. Another voice answered for them, though. “That would be my doing, Severus.”

The dark-haired man spun around to glare at the newcomer. Unfortunately for him, Minerva McGonagall had had years of practice at ignoring and surviving his infamous Death Glares. “I believe it is time for the Golden Trio to be reunited. Harry is in need of all the support he can garner at the moment.” The fierce expression on the Transfigurations Professor’s face dared the man to argue. She was still the Deputy-Headmistress, after all.

Looking behind his stubborn colleague, Severus inwardly groaned to see that the mangy werewolf had followed Minerva back down to his territory. “Fine,” he reluctantly ground out between clenched teeth. “Figures I would have to be surrounded by bloody Gryffindors in my own chambers.”

Minerva primly folded her arms before responding, “Language, Severus. There are students present, and you are still their Professor.”

A warm chuckle sounded next to the besieged man. “And don’t forget, I was a Ravenclaw,” Kingsley chided his friend.

Severus chose to answer by way of a grunt, while Minerva set about transfiguring extra chairs out of potions vials. She studiously ignored his heated glare at her scandalous treatment of perfectly good equipment for such a frivolous reason such as seating. Once everyone had a seat and the door again sealed against outside intrusion, the impromptu meeting began.

Kingsley Shacklebolt began by describing the scene he and the Potions master had discovered in the Headmaster’s office. Hermione initially cringed when she heard about the state Albus Dumbledore’s hands - at least until she learned the reason Dobby had ironed the old wizard’s hands. Crossing her arms, she threw her head back and huffed, “Serves him right for mistreating a poor house-elf.”

Harry, fearing a spirited launch into the dreaded subject of S.P.E.W., hurriedly asked the bald Auror, “Sir, what are we going to do about Dumbledore? I mean; can we really trust that he won’t find another way to escape?”

“Indeed not, Harry,” Severus answered for the other man. “Another means of securing him must be found. He has shown that he is dangerous and not to be trusted. The question remains as to where he will be kept, and how to transfer him safely to that location.”

Kingsley took up the narrative. “That is exactly the problem. The Order Headquarters would work, but Flooing, Portkeying or Apparating him there all carry certain risks that I am not sure we can take.”

“The room I am locked in during the full moon would definitely work,” Remus said thoughtfully. “It is warded against both magical and physical attack and it is remote. No one else in the Order would ever have to know he is there.”

Nodding, Minerva continued the thread of conversation, “ That would stop even Albus from escaping, and I am sure that Severus could brew a magic-dampening potion for us?” The last part was spoken as a question, to which the Potions master reluctantly nodded. Such a potion was just borderline legal, but then again, they were keeping a man prisoner. And not just any man, but the so-called Leader of the Light. Sighing to himself, Severus decided such moral issues would have to wait for another day.

Ron, meanwhile, had figuratively put his strategist’s hat on, and was pondering the problem of safely transporting the wily old man from Hogwarts. He brightened before blurting out, “How about Fawkes? He could take Dumbledore to 12 Grimmauld Place.” Feeling rather pleased with himself, the red-haired boy sat back.

At the pronouncement, Fawkes began trilling excitedly from his perch near Harry. The young Headmaster cocked his head while he listened to the Phoenix sing. “Um, no. I don’t think that would be a good idea,” he hesitantly began. “I’m not sure Fawkes would make sure Dumbledore got there in one piece. Fawkes is still rather angry with his old master.”

A shrill chirp sounded from the Phoenix before he disappeared in a flash of flame. Obviously he was not pleased that he would not have a chance to wreak his own form of revenge against his former human, well at least not yet.

“We transfigure him,” Minerva stated. “As an inanimate object, he would not be able to escape. He could be transfigured into a small, inconspicuous item that would not draw attention to his presence. Then, once he is securely locked in the safe room, we transfigure him back.”

Several nods met her words, and the youngest witch suddenly smiled. For the first time since the adults entered the room, she spoke, “Could I help prepare his new room? I have a few ideas.”

“I cannot see why you couldn’t, Miss Granger,” her Head of House acknowledged. “You are, after all, one of our top students in charms.”

The young girl smiled slyly. Harry shivered involuntarily. Yep, no good could come from this. He just knew it. But somehow, he didn’t think he should say anything. Merlin forbid if she were to turn that female intellect on him instead…

The final details were quickly hammered out, with most of the males being blissfully unaware of the devilish gleams in the eyes of both witches. Perhaps they would have allowed Fawkes his turn at the former Headmaster if they had ever suspected.


At long last, and far too long in Severus’ considered opinion, the others left his and Harry’s chambers. As the last ‘guest’ left, the wizard turned to his younger mate. Stalking quickly to the raven-haired young man, Severus enveloped him in a fierce embrace. Hungrily, his lips sought the others and he felt Harry melt into the kiss. Hands stroked and fingers clumsily tugged at uncooperative buttons and fastenings. Pulling back in frustration, Severus muttered an incantation, vanishing all of their clothing to the bedroom. Giving Harry no chance to demur, the Potions master reached down and grabbed the slender hips even as he thrust his own forward.

Both men moaned as erection met erection and bare chest rubbed against bare chest. Harry happily wound his arms around the taller man’s neck. This was definitely more interesting than discussing manipulative old wizards. And for a little while at least, he could forget about everything but the man he was with and the feelings his mate was unleashing in him.

Groaning his need, Severus reluctantly broke off the heated kiss. Pressing his forehead to the younger man’s, he took a couple of breaths before he spoke. “Harry, if this isn’t what you want, you must stop this now. Merlin, I want you so much; I don’t think I could stop if we continue.”

Harry shivered. The deep voice of his mate went straight to his groin and that made it even more difficult to decipher the words that were spoken. Stop? Uhn uh. No, that couldn’t happen. He needed this, they both did, and of that, Harry was certain. Verdant eyes gazed unwaveringly into obsidian ones. “Please, Severus. Make me yours,” he pleaded.

Growling, the Potions master bent and swept the smaller man into his arms. Swiftly carrying his welcome burden into the bedroom, Severus gently laid the lithe figure down on the large bed. Seeing the sure smile on his mate’s face, Severus put away his insecurities and lay down next to his lover. He could no longer deny himself this prize. Diving in for another kiss, he let his hands roam at will across the trim body under him.

Harry pulled the larger man on top of him and eagerly explored the hard flesh and firm muscles. Moaning his appreciation into the hot mouth engulfing his own, threatening to drown him in desire and sensation, Harry could only hold on tightly to his lover as he was taken to unknown lands. Moments or eons passed as the pair tasted and touched and learned each other’s bodies.

Hips pressed frantically against hips as needs mounted and relief was sought. Sensitive nipples reacted to the brush of heated skin even as fingers stroked and caressed exquisite flesh. Severus kissed and lightly nipped his way down the slim neck to strong shoulders. Traveling ever downward, he lavished attention on a dusky nipple, sending tremors of desire through the smaller body. Harry arched up into the sex god above him, mewling his need and frustration to his lover.

A warm chuckle ghosted across his skin as the older wizard recognized the message being sent. Strong hands stroked down the lean hip even as the Potions master silently summoned a vial of oil. Looking up into the trusting emerald eyes of his young lover, Severus asked once more in a lust-roughened voice, “Are you sure, Harry? Once we do this, we will be irrevocably bound to one another.”

Harry raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of hair out of his mate’s face. “I am sure, Severus. I am yours, now and forever.”

Glittering emotion shone in the onyx eyes as his Severus accepted and acknowledged his decision. He lifted the younger man’s hips and positioned a pillow underneath. Then carefully, the Potions master uncorked the vial and coated his slender fingers in the viscous liquid before lowering them to his lover’s entrance. Harry smiled encouragingly as he opened his legs farther apart and welcomed the intrusion.

To be honest, Severus could not have spoken if he had tried at that moment. Never before had he been gifted with such an absolute trust and complete acceptance. Carefully, surely, he breached the guardian muscle and slid the first finger into the heated channel. Moaning his appreciation and anticipation, Severus slowly prepared the virgin body below him. A startled gasp a moment later let him know he had found the prostate, and smirking, he made sure to hit it again as he stretched and readied his love for their mating.

Tersely holding himself in check, Severus finally decided that Harry was ready for him. Reluctantly removing his fingers from his lover’s body, he slathered more oil on his cock before positioning himself above Harry. Severus grasped the lean legs and pressed forward into the tight passage. Grunting his delight at the feel of the hot flesh around his own, he slowly pushed in a little at a time until he was fully seated.

Both men gasped and attempted to regain their bearings before Harry impatiently pushed back against the older man. Severus took that as his signal to move and he began thrusting in and out, building a rhythm as he held onto the hips under him. He felt strong fingers tighten their hold on his arms as his lover lost himself to the sensations. Lost in his own haze of desire, Severus bent down to capture those delectable rosy lips again.

Moans sounded in the room as flesh pounded into flesh and Severus could feel it as his lover gave himself over to the maelstrom that was their coupling. Sensing that the younger man was close, Severus reached between them, stroking the hard member trapped against their stomachs.

Harry cried out as his body arched uncontrollably in his orgasm. Unbearably hot spurts of liquid shot out of his cock as he finally found his release. And still, the older man pumped in and out of his body as his channel convulsed and his muscles shuddered. Then, one final deep thrust, and Severus held himself still as he climaxed in his lover. Warmth infused both their chests as the bond ignited and settled in their hearts, minds and souls.

Arms now shaking with the strain, Severus carefully pulled out before hesitantly looking into the eyes of his now bond mate. “Harry?” he began.

“Shush, love,” Harry whispered, “I am yours now and you are mine.”

Harry waved a hand, cleaning the mess from their lovemaking, before being pulled into the older man’s embrace. Smiling, the pair fell asleep in each other’s arms, just as it was always meant to be.