The Iridescent Conclusion

“Sev?” Harry called, padding quietly through the house. Stepping into the Potion master’s study, he found his lover sitting at a broad mahogany desk, poring over a large, heavy tome.

“Hey,” he breathed, moving to stand by Severus’ shoulder, “what are you reading?”

“‘The Ancient Portrayal of Spells and Their Origins’,” Sev responded, accepting Harry’s kiss to the side of his throat with a slight smile. “I was hoping to find some more information about the Nameless spell,”

“And our new rings?” Harry asked, perching on the edge of the desk. Severus gave his choice of seat a hard stare but said nothing. “Are you worried about them? Or the inscription on the Amethyst?”

“Not worried,” the Potions master replied, scanning the index again, “more intrigued.”

“Ah.” Harry nodded and grinned, “Professional curiosity.”

“Harry -”

“Sev!” he grinned again and wriggled closer, nudging his lover’s leg with his foot.

“Was there something you wanted, perhaps?” Severus demanded, sounding irritable. When he looked up at Harry, however, his gaze sparked and glittered with something entirely different.

“Maybe.” Harry smirked and kicked off his trainers before wriggling one foot between Severus’ thighs.

“Could I perhaps have just one more hour to finish my search, do you think?”

Harry heaved a dramatic sigh. “But what shall I do for an hour without you?” he asked plaintively, earning a rich chuckle from Sev.

“You,” the Potions master began, now reaching out to capture his hips with both hands, “could go and find Draco and practice some of your Dark Arts training? Or, even better, you could practice your unarmed combat. The training room here is far superior to what we have at Hogwarts.”

“Hmm?” Harry raised one eyebrow. “And then?”

“And then I can make use of the peace and quiet, do some more research and discuss my findings with you both later.” Severus replied, his breath warm on the young man’s lips.

“And what about…this?” Harry wriggled his toes further between his lover’s legs, indicating the start of an impressive erection.

“That…will no doubt disappear just as soon as you’ve stopped polishing my desk with your rather exquisite backside.”

Harry huffed another sigh and was about to retort with something sharp and sarcastic when Severus promptly shut him up by filling his mouth with his tongue. The kiss extended and Harry found himself being pulled off the desk and into his lover’s lap.

“I seem to have been here before,” he smiled, thinking of the previous evening.

“Indeed,” Severus smirked at him and nipped playfully at his earlobe. Harry shivered and pressed closer.

“However,” Sev said then, “this won’t get the research done and you haven’t practised in over a week.”

“What?” Harry stared at him in shock.

“You heard me,” Severus returned his look. “Now scoot! Find Draco, practice Dark magic and wandless combat, and I’ll see you in the bath at seven o’ clock, before dinner. Agreed?”

“But that’s hours away.” Harry grumbled, “You said you just needed another hour.”

“I originally request one hour,” Severus replied, stroking warm fingers from Harry’s temple to his throat. “But if you let me work until seven, I’ll be able to give my entirely undivided attention.”

Harry gasped softly at the low purr of his lover’s voice and squirmed closer for a moment before getting slowly off Sev’s lap and moving towards the door with the air of one deeply disappointed. At the door, however, he paused and looked over his shoulder, smirking again. “Seven o’ clock?” he repeated.

“In the bath.” Severus confirmed and his eyes flashed with heat and the promise of passion.

*~*~*

The late afternoon light cast long shadows across the unlit kitchen and Alison shivered, wishing she could move to pick up her wand and command the lights. Sometimes the lights responded to voice alone but, given the fact that tempers were frayed right now, it didn’t seem wise to risk it.

“Alison,” Jenna sighed, sounding weary, “come on. You’re in some horrifically dangerous situation – you told me that much last night. Have you gone back to working as an auror? I thought once you quit Auror College, you couldn’t go back?”

She shook her head, “I can’t tell you. I shouldn’t have even said as much as I have! No one must know – it’s all too…”

“Dangerous?” Jenna’s voice held a bite of sarcasm.

Alison bit her lip, wanting and yet not wanting to explain.

“Can you at least tell me where you went the other night?” Jenna asked, “Why, on the day you learn of your younger brother’s death, you decide to -”

“I didn’t just decide to go out!” Alison exclaimed, pushing her chair back and standing from the table. “It’s not as if I chose to go out partying with a load of friends.” She added bitterly.

Jenna tilted her head to one side and frowned a little, “You’re not comfortable with what you’re doing, are you?” she asked slowly. “Are you being forced to do this, whatever it is?”

“No,” Alison sighed. She looked once more at her wand on the side but still refrained from reaching for it.

“But you don’t like the people you’re working with.” Jenna surmised, using part guesswork and partly reading her sister-in-law’s body language.

“Jen, please, just drop this.” Alison groaned. She opened her mouth to say that everything was fine, she was careful, she knew what she was doing – anything to get Jenna to stop digging. However, a ripple on the wards surrounding the house disturbed her and she turned expectantly towards the backdoor.

A memory, recent and distressing by it’s familiarity, came to her then and she recalled Thomas stealing into the garden less than a week ago. But this couldn’t be Thomas…and yet…

“Daniel!” Jenna exclaimed, opening the door in a rush and enfolding her ex-husband in a hug.

“I came as soon as I heard,” he croaked, tears already falling down his cold cheeks. He reached out then, pulling Alison in close too and they stood in a tight, three-way hug; all resentments and old arguments forgotten for now.

*~*~*

Lucius straightened his robes of deepest, midnight blue and considered his reflection thoughtfully. The bed behind him was neat now; the sheets and pillows no longer in their haphazard sprawl from his many sessions of making love to Daniel.

It had been two ridiculously wonderful days and he couldn’t prevent the little stab of pain as he recalled his lover’s grief and anguish over the news of his brother’s death. It was every bit as dreadful as Lucius had anticipated and, once again, he felt the disconcerting sense of…shame…guilt…

He snarled and turned angrily from his mirror, striding forcefully towards the dressing table to select a pair of cufflinks. The ones from Daniel, presented to him just yesterday, lay on the side and winked at him in the bright light.

They were beautifully cut sapphires, of the same deep blue as his robes and Daniel, he knew, had purchased them especially for that reason. It hurt to wear them now without Daniel’s presence at his side but perhaps it was right to wear them; at least then he would have the sense that his young lover was with him in some way…?

Lucius gave a little snort at his own sense of whimsy and scooped up the cufflinks in one manicured hand.

“Erind!” he barked, forcing himself into the role of lord and master once again.

“Sir?” the house-elf enquired a split second later.

“Is everything ready?” Lucius demanded, swishing his hair back from his face.

“It is, Sir. Dinner will be served at eight, my lord and the bar is fully stocked.” The house-elf’s voice was squeakier than normal, reacting to his master’s tense and disagreeable mood.

“And the spells and charms are working? You’re sure?” Lucius pressed, “We wouldn’t want a repeat of last year’s fiasco, Erind, would we?” he asked, his lip curling. At the previous Christmas party, the spells had mysteriously seized and many of his associates had found themselves with an unusual selection of cocktails. Draco, he recalled bitterly, had found it all far too amusing and, after Erind had scalded his hands on the oven as penitence, the house-elf had been unable to carry out normal duties for almost three days.

“The spells have been checked and double-checked, Sir,” Erind assured him. “And Erind can always take over if necessary, my lord.”

Lucius grunted shortly and paced back towards his mirror for one final look. Adequate. Certainly no one looking at him would know that in the past three days he’d had his heart stopped, his bed filled with willing male flesh and his convictions brought under the spotlight. No, to all intents and purposes, Lucius Malfoy appeared to be the same hard-hearted bastard that had ever terrorised his fellow wizards, pureblood and otherwise!

And perhaps, he thought quietly, with a little distance between himself and Daniel, he could return to the task in hand and deliver Black and Lupin to his master without any hiccups, interruptions or attacks of conscience.

“Master,” the house-elf’s voice squeaked tremulously, “your guests are starting to arrive…”

*~*~*

Working together in the training room, Harry and Draco sparred and parried. They cast spells back and forth in almost choreographed moves; each anticipating the other’s next attempt to attack.

‘En derra gra vooren!’ Draco cast, turning the floor to an undulating wave of treacherous darkness.

Harry leapt back immediately and cancelled the spell with a sharp, downward cut of his hand.

“What was that?” he demanded, looking a little wild-eyed.

‘What’s the matter?’ Draco smirked at him, ‘Did I catch you by surprise?’

“A bit,” Harry conceded reluctantly, stepping forward once more and giving the floor a suspicious look. “Ready to go again?”

Draco started to nod his head but then glanced at the clock on the wall, ‘Actually no,’ he countered, ‘it’s five past seven and you’re late for your date with Severus.’

“I didn’t realise you’d heard us,” he said, glancing at the clock as well. “You don’t mind?”

‘Well,’ Draco shrugged and offered a little smile, ‘it’s a little distracting and I’m beginning to get an idea of what Sev went through when we were shagging in the back of his consciousness…’ he smirked at Harry’s little shift from one foot to the other. ‘No,’ he said then, ‘I don’t mind. I’m missing Greg but I’ll survive.’

‘I feel guilty, though,’ Harry fretted, lapsing into telepathic speech.

‘Don’t,’ Draco responded and moved to touch Harry’s shoulder, ‘you and Sev are good together. You make him happy.’

Harry offered a little smile at this and then ducked his head before hurrying upstairs.

Sev, he found, was already in the bath; thick, white bubbles almost up to his chin.

“You,” he said silkily, “are late.”

“’m sorry,” Harry mumbled, shuffling the last few steps into the bathroom and closing the door.

The intense, black eyes surveyed him levelly for a couple of heartbeats and then the Potions master sat up a little, exposing his pale chest. “So don’t make me wait any longer,” he prompted with the hint of a smile.

Stripping off his shirt and wriggling out of his jeans, Harry hurried to obey and sank with a little groan into the hot water.

“Such noises,” Severus noted, his rich voice sounding amused behind Harry’s back, “and I haven’t even touched you yet.”

“Hmm…muscles ache…” Harry commented, stretching his toes down toward the taps while he reclined back between Sev’s legs.

“You’re out of practice,” his lover responded and guided Harry’s head back to rest against his chest. “I’ll remember to be gentle.”

“Not too gentle,” Harry smirked and turned his face up for a kiss.

Sev’s response was open-mouthed and soft-lipped. His breath was warm and tasted vaguely of coffee and his hands mapping Harry’s flesh moved with an apparent will of their own.

They lay together for quite a while; enjoying the sensation of being together, relaxing in warm, scented water with no real need to make small talk. Not that Sev really did small talk, Harry thought with a soft sigh.

“Are you tired?” Severus asked, his voice as languidly relaxed as the rest of him.

“No, not really.” Harry smiled softly. “I’m happy though.”

“Good,” the long, lean arms came around his torso and squeezed slightly.

“You want to get out of this bath?” Harry asked then, sitting up and leaning forward. He had the unexpected pleasure of his lover’s fingertips smoothing down his back and grinned when those same fingers dipped beneath the water to caress his backside.

Without waiting for a response, Harry pulled out the plug and pulled himself upright as he scooped up one of the large, cream-coloured towels from the rail. With a slosh of water, Sev then scooted forwards and began to kiss the moisture from his legs.

For a moment, Harry continued to rub himself dry and pretended to ignore his lover’s attentions. When one hand stroked up the inside of his thigh, however, he shifted with a short giggle.

“Sev!” he cautioned, offering a grin. “Are you going to paw me all evening or are you going to get out of the bath?”

“Can I not do both?” the older man enquired archly. He stood then and retrieved a dry towel for himself. “Or perhaps you don’t like to be pawed?” he added without thinking.

“I’ll make an exception, just for you.” Harry replied quietly and stepped out onto the bathroom floor. There was a tense, vaguely embarrassed silence for a couple of minutes; during which time, Harry finished drying his legs and feet.

When he finally straightened, he found Severus’ dark eyed gaze upon him. Without a word, the Potions master then stepped clear of the now-empty bath and enfolded him in an embrace.

‘I’m sorry,’ he sent the thought gently, ‘that was tactless.’

Harry briefly let his lover bring his head to his shoulder and then shrugged and smiled to imply that the matter was already forgotten.

“So are you tired?” he asked with a hint of mischief in his eyes as he changed the mood.

“Not in the slightest,” Severus responded and drew a gentle caress up Harry’s arms. “May I take you to bed?”

Harry caught his own lip between his teeth and paused thoughtfully. Was this too soon? Could he really ask?

“Ask what?” Sev kissed him, “What would you like?”

“Sex.” Harry responded automatically, blurting the word and then flushing with acute embarrassment. The word was out, however and, having come this far, it seemed silly not to explain exactly what he wanted. “I want you. I want proper sex, full penetration, everything. I want to hear my name on your lips as we come together. I…I want…”

“Too much,” Severus finished with an expression of sad regret. “Harry, you’re -”

“Don’t tell me I’m too young.” Harry warned in a tense, low voice. He held on to his temper; letting it add fuel to his voice, making it darker, stronger. “We both know I’m more experienced than many of my friends. I’ve seen more, done more…”

“All the more reason to hold back,” Sev shook his head. “This would be wrong, Harry.”

“Wrong?” he demanded incredulously, “How can it be wrong if we both want it. And don’t tell me you don’t want me,” he added, interrupting Severus before he could even start to protest. “We both know you do. Touching with our hands and mouths is very nice – wonderful, in fact – but it’s not the same.”

“No, it’s not.” Sev agreed. He started to say something and then changed his mind, saying instead, “This is too much for me to take from you. You’ve lost so much already -”

“It’s not like you’d be taking my virginity!” Harry spat, taking a step back.

“As if I don’t know that!” Sev snarled, “As if I’m not reminded of that every time I see those!” he pointed at the scars on Harry’s shoulders; bite marks left as a kind of brand by Lucius Malfoy.

“So now my body disgusts you?” Harry exclaimed, his voice raised. He turned then with the intention of storming out, but found himself pinned suddenly with a sold, warm body behind him and long, rangy arms around his torso.

“You know very well that it does not,” Sev purred in a voice that could make Harry melt in a heartbeat. Without relinquishing his hold, he then pressed soft, loving kisses on each of the bite marks and then pressed a string of kisses up the side of Harry’s neck. “And yes I want you,” he added, breathing over Harry’s left earlobe.

“Then why all the protests?” Harry asked in a quivering voice. He didn’t struggle; finding, in fact, that he actually liked the feel of his lover’s body so close. The sense of being held and restrained was oddly comforting; strange when he would have expected it to start a panic of dark memories.

“Because,” his lover replied with a weary sigh, bringing him back to the question at hand, “there are many reasons why a man of my age shouldn’t take a boy of your age.”

“I’m not a child,” Harry protested over his shoulder, “and you’d hardly be taking advantage of me.”

“Hmm…” Severus pondered for a minute. He shook his head then but silenced Harry’s protest with a finger over his lips.

“Indulge me,” he requested gently. “We’ll move on to more…in-depth…activities with time. For now, though, let me take care of you.”

Harry gave him a long look over his shoulder; a look of curiosity mixed with suspicion.

*~*~*

The sum total of Harry’s sexual experiences to date consisted of a summer spent under Sanguinarius Control, achieving nothing but empty climaxes whilst others gained whatever satisfaction they desired at a mad man’s whim, a short but intense affair with Draco (no more experienced than Harry) and an even briefer but no less intense affair with a man old enough to be his father.

Of this, Severus was all too well aware and so this was why he had no intention to take the situation with Harry on to another level…yet. However, to explain this to Harry in so many words would only cause the young man to become defensive and argumentative. Far better was to teach him that there were other ways for them to enjoy one another. After all, he thought quietly, sex wasn’t simply full penetration.

Harry lay in sprawled, enraptured surrender while Severus explored every inch of his body from head to toe with nothing more than his mouth. He kissed, he licked, he nibbled and he sucked, learning as he went.

For instance, he found that Harry’s skin on the inside of his thighs tasted of sugar and salt; that Harry was immensely ticklish if Severus lipped and nibbled his way down over his ribs. He learned that, if he kissed his way from Harry’s left wrist to his left elbow, the fingers of both hands curled in reflex.
And Harry learned that his lover was methodical, patient and paid meticulous attention to detail.

“But I still want you,” he whispered as Severus pressed breathy little kisses over both collarbones.

In response, Severus curled his thumb around behind Harry’s erect cock and curled his fingers down to gently squeeze and fondle his balls. At a slight shift of the younger man’s hips, the hand then slid down further to press at the smooth skin of the perineum but halted as Harry rolled his hips in an attempt to make Severus touch further.

“Ah,” Sev’s mouth curved up into a wicked smile as his index finger press flatly against the flesh behind Harry’s balls. Harry groaned and closed his eyes, determined not to beg.

A moment later, Severus smoothed the flat of his hand up the length of Harry’s cock before closing firmly around it and drawing up in a slow, even glide that drew a shiver down the young man’s body. Knowing that his lover was willing to learn more, Severus shifted closer, pressed his body firmly against Harry’s and slid his knee between Harry’s thighs.

“Okay?” he breathed, looking down into Harry’s eyes.

Harry nodded and opened his mouth for a kiss.

And so Severus began to bring his lover to a slow, deeply intense orgasm whilst sliding and pressing himself against Harry’s thigh and hip. Their climax was every bit as powerful as penetration would bring, of that Sev had no doubt. And as Harry arched and pulsed in his hand, he stole the young man’s shout with a passionate kiss and followed almost simultaneously.