Birthday Celebrations

Severus’s questions prompted the partners to rise and shake their clothing in preparation. The others followed suit and they filed outside and down the garden path. Severus opened the wards and closed them once they were outside.

No jumping through the hole this time, as they might need to beat a hasty retreat.

Hermione enunciated, “Revelio Artes,” followed by, “Priori Artes.”

The web of wards appeared and one started flashing. Ron pointed at that one and cancelled it. Then another one started flashing, Draco dealt with that one. They worked carefully through the latticework in turn until every ward had been nullified. Somehow each one of the Magicals managed to have a couple of light wounds as some of the wards had lashed back. Severus used the healing charm on them, and then they rested for half an hour, munching chocolate. After that they set about the garden wards. Twice over, two of the wards flashed simultaneously, so the partners combined to defeat them. The last pair set up a fireworks display of burning streamers. Luckily, Uncle’s anti-Incendio potion gave them time to defeat the burning. Hermione voiced the healing charms this time.

Harry and Draco started giggling.

“What do you too find so amusing?” niggled Hermione.

H: “Just look at us …”

D: “… We look like down-and-out tramps already.”

They agreed to rest and Ron used Reparo to close some of the more open rents in their clothing.

Now came the big one, the purple band was now glowing brighter than when they had seen it on the previous day.

“I think the disassembly of the other wards has woken this one,” Severus observed. “There is no way we can cross it now.”

As he spoke a small bird flew over; as it passed over the ward’s lightening seemed to strike it from within the house, it was centred on the red glowing wall.

“I think we are certain that there is what we seek inside that wall.” Severus voiced all their thoughts.

“May we have a shield please?” Harry asked.

The trio formed up behind the pair and incanted the necessary spells. Harry and Draco felt the trio’s shield behind them, sensed the edges of the front shield and ensured they could reach round each side simultaneously, still maintaining palm contact.

Satisfied the partners drew deep breaths. “PRIOR INCATATO!” “REDUCTO!”

All hell was let loose; a firestorm tried to attack them, but was stopped by the shields and dispersed by a copious double Aquamenti. Next came an insidious green fog that tried to suffocate them; Incendio dealt with that. Once it was gone the creature of Harry’s and Draco’s dreams appeared, firing different kinds of coloured fire at them. Some bounced away harmlessly, others set trees on fire. Reducio didn’t work, nor did Incendio. Harry had an idea and Draco grasped it. “RIDDIKULUS” rang out, and there was a small pink Boggart. It turned bright red in shame and ran away.

Unfortunately just before the monster transformed, a blue fork of lightening bounced off the rear shield and hit Harry in the small of his back and he slowly started to go stiff. Draco could feel the freezing spell spreading slowly through Harry. As there was now no impediment between the wall and the team and the red glow was fading; Draco felt one of the others could easily deal with what was necessary.

“Uncle! Harry is slowly freezing, what do I do?”

“Can you Apparate?”

“I got my licence just over a month ago.”

“Good! Mobilicorpus Harry and Apparate to the cottage with him. Put him in a hot bath and keep dribbling some of this yellow potion into his mouth. I’ll come back and tell you what to do once I’ve checked this place is safe.”

Draco and Harry disappeared with a loud crack.

Ron and Hermione were already in the ruined house, Ron leading. Hermione cast another ward-revealing charm but nothing appeared. Severus kept just outside the ruin looking for other possible attackers. It was a good job he had done so.

Ron pronounced, “Accio Horcrux.”

As a wrapped object burst out of the stones and came towards him, the whole wall started to collapse. At the same time an almost imperceptible purple glow surrounded Hermione.

Hermione screamed and Severus uttered, “Impervious!” hurling the charm at Ron.

The wall just missed Hermione but covered Ron totally. Severus and Hermione hurriedly ‘Evanesced’ the bricks and stones from where Ron had been. The debris flew in all directions to reveal a still standing Ron looking slightly dazed, and covered in dust.

Ron had the Horcrux packet floating between his hands. “Oh, hello you two ... I thought it wasn’t a good idea to touch the packet, as it seems to glow indigo slightly.”

“Are you alright, Ron?” Hermione screamed at him.

“Of course I’m alright, why do you ask?”

“The wall just fell on you, Ron.”

“Oh did it? I didn’t feel anything.”

“So Impervious works on other things apart from water then. I wasn’t sure it would work but it was the only one that sprang to mind.”

Hermione looked aghast at Severus. “Oh no! Uncle is just as bad as Harry, but obviously as lucky too.” Then she fainted.

Severus, Mobilicorpused her and brought her to the cottage with a worried Ron walking beside him keeping the package afloat between his outstretched hands.

When they arrived Severus organised Ron to keep the package afloat, and went to make Hermione comfortable, then went to see how Draco was coping with Harry.

§§§§§§

Severus peered in through the steam. “I thought I said Harry was the one to go in the bath, not both of you?”

“Well … I had to keep his head above water, and it is most comfortable this way, especially when I have to give him the potion as well.”

“Perhaps it’s for the best. Do you have your wand with you?”

“Yes Uncle … Right here beside the yellow potion bottle. Harry feels quite cold so I’m using a heating spell to keep the water temperature up.”

“Good! I’m glad you didn’t use an object spell on a human, they don’t work.”

“Yes I remembered that from one of your lectures. Harry’s left hand seems to be extra cold.”

“Now watch what I do.” Severus started stroking Harry's hand towards the fingertips. “Twenty one strokes, yes. Now I take my wand, wave it like this and draw a blue icicle type of plasma out. Incendio! His hand is warm now. Keep feeling his extremities and do as I did.”

“Yes Uncle. It’s his nose now.”

“Let me see you do it.”

They counted to twenty-one, Draco drew out the cold plasma and burnt it off. Then Hermione screamed.

“I shall have to leave you to it. Hermione has the horrors and Ron is playing Quidditch with the Horcrux, keep finding the cold spots stroking them and burning the plasma off. It will probably be some hours before I can return.”

“I’ll look after Harry; you go to Hermione she’s screaming again. I’ll be fine.”

Severus rushed out to comfort Hermione. Draco felt over Harry’s body and found a cold right foot, so he charmed it warm as he had been shown. He was kept fairly busy, the water temperature had to be maintained and ears, feet, hands etc, stroked warm, the plasma charmed and burnt off. Then there was the business of the yellow dose and keeping his partner’s head above water. Draco could sense the all over cold in Harry’s body slowly lessening. Feet were especially difficult as Draco was at full stretch, holding Harry’s head up and dealing with his feet, but he managed somehow. After an hour and a half Draco couldn’t find any cold spot; so he carefully felt all over Harry’s body.

‘Oh dear! I’m sorry Harry but I have to do this,’ Draco thought, as he felt Harry’s icy cock and began to stroke the cold up to the tip. He vanished the blue icicle and blushed at the same time, but Harry felt warmer. This happened a few more times interspersed with all the other extremities; soon Draco began to have a sexual reaction of his own when it happened. It was exacerbated by Harry moving slightly when Draco performed the stroking/warming charm.

Severus eventually came in. “Sorry to have left you for so long. Hermione has recovered, but Ron is exhausted, so she’s taken over, but I’ll have to relieve her soon, she’s still quite weak.”

Severus felt Harry’s temperature and checked his pulse. “You seem to be working wonders with him. Your ministrations are having a better effect than I had expected. I’ll help you get him into bed, but you’ll have to stay close to him. I’m sure the close body contact is accelerating his progress. The sooner he is recovered, the sooner you two can destroy that Horcrux and its final wards. We daren’t put it down in case it contaminates something, so we’re keeping it suspended.”

“Thanks Uncle ... Now I know what you meant by Ron playing Quidditch with the Horcrux.”

Draco was unsure about the body contact, but desperate for his partner to recover. He was also worried that the others were becoming tired by their burden. Severus helped Draco to dry Harry and carry him to the bed, where a nose warm immediately took place. Draco was pleased that Harry had only had a cold nose when Severus was present. As the frequency of the cold attacks lessened, Draco found that he was so tuned into Harry that he could doze between ministrations. The whole night went by, Sempra brought in food for Draco, and chicken broth for Harry, which Draco managed to spoon into the comatose patient. Sometime in the early morning, Harry started muttering and squirming especially when the crotch massage was taking place, latterly Harry’s erogenous zone was also reacting.

Breakfast had disappeared and Draco was massaging Harry’s penis again.

Harry woke up. “What are you doing Draco?”

“Erm … sorry Harry. I’m getting rid of the cold. I’ll stop in a minute.”

“No don’t do that, I’m enjoying it.”

“Shush, I’m counting … Twenty-one … Incendio!”

“Um … Draco …? That’s my prick you nearly burnt off. I suppose you do have a good reason?”

Draco explained what had happened and about the twenty one strokes, by the time that was finished Harry had a cold right foot and Draco was able to demonstrate the process.

“Um … Draco … Is lying so close to me part of the treatment too?”

“Yes! Severus said that skin contact was accelerating the healing process.” Then Draco explained about their double job still to do, and about the others keeping the Horcrux afloat in the air.

Harry had a wicked grin on his face. “Draco my prick’s feeling cold again.”

Draco’s hand went down. “No it isn’t.”

“Yes it is. It went cold as soon as you removed your hand. I enjoyed what you were doing, you know. And, if what I feel sticking into my backside is anything to go by, so did you.”

Draco blushed bright red. He felt Harry probing his mind and knew he couldn’t hide his feelings. Then Harry’s hand went cold and saved them both from further embarrassment.

Severus visited. He was very surprised at Harry’s early return to the wider world.

“Yes! Draco’s ministrations make me feel good all over,” Harry offered.

D: ‘Don’t you dare tell him.’

H: ‘Why not? It’s an efficacious part of the treatment.’

D: ‘I’ll stop doing it if you do.’

H: ‘No you won’t; you’re enjoying it as much as I am.’

“Do I take it you’re having one of those private conversations?” asked Severus.

H: “Sorry Uncle. I was just telling Draco how good he was. He’s a little depreciating about his healing skills and needed a boost.”

D: ‘I’ll get you for that Potter!’

H: ‘Ooh; yes please, Malfoy.’

D: “I think Harry will be well enough to get up soon Uncle.”

H: ‘Not until I’ve had a proper full massage I won’t.’ “Probably after lunch Uncle, I think Draco should stay with me until then.”

Just then Harry’s left foot went cold, so Draco made it better.

“Are you sure? I had thought it would have taken at least another day.”

D: ‘Potter, don’t you dare agree.’ “You need both of us to destroy that Horcrux, don’t you? Before you three have nervous breakdowns.”

“I think, Draco; that we could last another couple of days before anything terrible happened. Harry ought to be fully recovered and well rested first.”

H: ‘I’m tempted Malfoy, but restful sleep is not on my agenda for us.’

“I’ll ask Sempra to bring your lunch in two hours; then we’ll make a decision. How’s that boys?”

“OK UNCLE.”

Severus left.

“Draco we must talk about this, please.”

“Yes I agree Harry.”

“I was quite surprised when I woke up, to find you doing that. I understand why you did it now. I can forgive you if that is what you need. I must admit, however, that I enjoyed the experience.”

“I was very, very embarrassed the first time, whilst you were out cold. It’s the first time I’ve done that to another man.”

“It was the same for me too, but it felt alright as well.”

“Mmm; I know what you mean.”

The Partners lapsed into silence sharing their thoughts and feelings. Apart from a cold ear episode the pair drifted off to sleep feeling comfortable very close to each other. Sempra woke them up, and they ate the sandwich lunch sitting up in bed. Afterwards the partners showered and dressed. Going into the garden to see who was holding the Horcrux. It was Ron and he looked very, very tired.

Severus appeared from the potions lab. “How do you feel Harry?”

“I’m fine. We thought to try the Leviosa on the bins; then, if it went right, we’d have a go at destroying the Horcrux.”

Severus nodded agreement. The test worked well. So, whilst Severus held the Horcrux Ron went to wake Hermione.

D: “We think we’d like to take it outside our wards to destroy it …”

H: “… Back to the ruin feels right to us.”

So Severus led the way. When they arrived there were no wards visible anywhere near the pile of stones. Draco and Harry took over the Leviosa and the trio put up the shields as before.

Firstly the remaining indigo ward on the wrappings had to be identified and destroyed.

“This one would have killed, as the wrappings contain poison. It would have contaminated the ground if Ronald had not had the good idea of suspending it,” Uncle explained. Severus then uttered a decontamination spell followed by Incendio and retired behind the rear ward.

When the wrappings came off they revealed a jewelled casket whose lid had a golden lion on it. On the lion’s body was a jewelled ‘G’ set in rubies.

“I had heard whispers of another Gryffindor artefact, the only one we really knew about was his sword,” mused Uncle. “I suppose you had better open the lid and see what is inside.”

Draco assayed the casket to make sure there was nothing contaminated on it. Then he used a charm to set it carefully on the ground. Harry, with magic, cautiously caused the lid to open. Everyone was tense, spells at the ready, expecting another terror to emerge wraith-like from its interior. Nothing happened so they released their half made enchantments in relief.

“APERIO ARTES,” the two new mates exclaimed and a revolving flashing jewel began to rise out of the box.

H: “Can we save the casket …”

D: “… Let’s Accio the jewel, then blast it …”

H: “… OK. I’m ready.”

The Accio immediately followed by a joint Reducto and Incendio from the pair caused a large explosion and what seemed like a magical scream. Then there was silence. As the lid dropped to enclose the casket, Harry collapsed and Draco let out a wail.

§§§§§§

Harry came-to in Draco’s bed with his mate lying close beside him.

“Sorry Draco, I wasn’t as well as I thought I was.”

“Don’t worry Harry; you’ve had no more cold bouts. It was just exhaustion. Hermione and Ron are little better.”

“Ron did look like a living corpse; that is what made up my mind to do it then and there.”

“I agree with you, Hermione looked slightly better and Uncle had enormous bags under his eyes.”

“I’m famished. Can we go and raid the kitchen?”

“I’m glad you suggested it; my belly thinks my throat has been cut.”

“You should have risen and got something.”

“Not whilst you were comatose mate.”

“I must say that I did enjoy waking up with your arms around me.”

“I enjoyed your closeness and hugging you all that time too.”

They arose, found their bathrobes and slippers, and wandered off to Chetrum’s domain.

“Masters, how good to see you. I have a big pot of stew in the oven. If you go to the dining room I’ll bring it in.”

“Thank you Chetrum may we have some Butterbeer and some of that bread we can smell baking as well, please?”

“Whiskus used to like stew and new bread too. So you’re carrying on his traditions for him.”

Draco looked at Harry and felt tears. So they hugged quietly and went to sit in the dining room. They were recovered by the time Chetrum brought in the meal. Halfway through their first bowl, a gaunt looking Ron joined them.

“That smells good.”

Sempra appeared carrying a plate and another big jug of the homemade Butterbeer. The partners were on second helpings when Hermione appeared. This time Sempra brought another steaming loaf with the extra plate. Harry could feel Draco drinking in the friendly companionship, especially knowing that he was included in it now. Harry was amazed at the new feelings passing through Draco; realising for the first time that his partner had felt just as much alone in his childhood as Harry had been.

D: ‘Yes Dear Friend, we share something else now.’

H: ‘How I wish we had become friends to begin with.’

D: ‘We were being toughened up for the jobs we’re supposed to do.’

H: ‘I’ve found out that we need our friends around to support and love us.’

D: ‘And now I have a very special friend in you.’

The partners squeezed hands, looked into each other’s eyes and saw the tears forming. A few minutes later the duo composed themselves and looked round.

“I thought it was only Hermione and me who made calf’s eyes at each other,” observed Ron, with a gentle smile.

“Weasley; you don’t have a monopoly on realising how lucky you are to find a true friend, you know.”

That started the banter between Ron and Draco, but Harry could feel no maliciousness behind it. Hermione looked alarmed at some of the epithets flying around.

Harry managed to whisper to her, “It just fun, Draco isn’t feeling at all belligerent.”

D: ‘I heard that, friend Potter. But it’s true all the same. It’s turned into another game for Ron and me.’

H: ‘Thank you for calling me a friend, I’m highly complemented.’

D: ‘I just hope I can live up to your high ideals and courage.’

H: ‘I don’t have any; I just muddle through what I have to do, somehow. I’m dreading meeting that monster again.’

D: ‘I’ll be there with you. I want to see that creature very dead, so he can break up no more families.’

H: ‘The Prophecy says it’s just him and me.’

D: ‘I’m a scheming Slytherin; there are bound to be ways round things like that.’

H: ‘Oh; I do hope so! I shall need all the support I can get.’

D; ‘You’ve got it Mate. Anyway he brought minions with him in the graveyard, so you told me.’

H: ‘So he did! Our team will be bigger next time.’

D: ‘There’s five of us now, if we include Uncle.’

“Hey Mates?”

“WHAT?”

“Please don’t leave us out of your conversations?”

“Sorry Ron.” Then the duo repeated their recent thoughts aloud.

Following that a general conversation took place, about teams, hidden Horcruxes, and jocular bits of rivalry. Soon yawns heralded a return to bed and they trooped across the short space of lawn to the tent. Ron and Hermione disappeared into their respective rooms.

D: ‘Okay, whose bed is it then, Potter?’

H: ‘Yours! We used mine earlier don’t forget, Malfoy.’

So two partners shared Draco’s big bed, for some reason they did not feel sleepy. Harry and Draco lay looking at each other holding hands under the covers. They experienced their lonely childhoods again and the hand holding turned into hugs of comfort. After a time the pair relaxed, still hugging, glorying in their closeness and skin contact. Silvery eyes looked into green ones, recognising both the hunger for companionship and the willingness to supply it. Draco gripped Harry tightly moving his head forward so that their lips brushed. Harry stiffened, eyes wide; then sagged in relief pushing his lips more firmly onto Draco’s. Harry could feel Draco’s smile and smiled back; then a tongue caressed Harry’s lips pushing against his teeth. Soon the kiss deepened, tongues intertwining, senses heightening and heartbeats pounding.

When they came up for air, Harry found Draco’s hands were wandering. Harry thrilled at the soft caresses as his partner worked slowly down his torso. Reaching Harry’s waist the exploring hands paused, almost as if asking permission to go further. Harry gave that permission by starting his own manual exploration of Draco’s silk-smooth body. Draco found Harry’s sensitive spot and tickled gently. In response Harry’s body pushed forward into Draco’s; then they both became aware of each others stiff responses clasped tightly between their grinding abdomens. Their light caresses became impulsive gripping, the need for release fuelling their gyrations.

“Oh Draco!” Harry screamed.

“H-H-H-Harry! Draco shouted.

That simultaneous orgasm seemed to last for ever between the two highly energised, quivering young men. Still holding each other fiercely, they slowly relaxed and started kissing again, moving sensuously against each other in fulfilled contentment.

“Erm … Harry?” Draco whispered, after half an hour’s snuggling and snogging.

“What, Lover Boy?” Harry mumbled, staring into some entrancing silver eyes.

“It’s a bit messy down there, shouldn’t we clean it up? It’s starting to set like glue.”

Harry giggled. “I don’t mind being stuck with you.” However, he did break the embrace, looking down between their bodies. “Um, it is a bit messy. Apart from that, I like what I see and I think it’s begging for more.”

“You’re not soft either, but before we start dinner we ought to clear the lunch mess away first.”

Harry’s wand soon had the goo cleared away. He couldn’t take his eyes off Draco’s bobbing boner, and his fingers soon added their own attention. Draco was no slouch in that department either, soon having a throbbing handful of Harry. Their enjoyment was extended as new supplies needed to be built up. Pauses for long sumptuous kisses also interrupted the continuous titillation.

Because of their awareness of the other’s feelings and because of their own exaltation, the sensuousness of their lovemaking was doubled. There was a loving competition to keep his partner on the brink of excitement, but not to reach that fulfilment until later. It was not denial of coition but the wish to prolong the glorious feelings of pleasurable pairing.

Eventually fulfilment came, but their manipulation continued; each of them writhing in excellent excitement. Hot, sticky and sweaty they clung to each other, too exhausted to clear up the mess, and drifted into a dreamless slumber.