It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: tas

Beta: Miss Nikki

Warnings: see Chapter 9 - they still apply

Author's note--(We haven't used Parseltongue since Chapter 4, so just in case you forgot { } means Parseltongue)

We also decided to change the title of this chapter to "Deny My Self" rather than just "Part 2" because it IS an amazing chapter that actually stands on its own, rather than a mere 'part' of another one. Hope you agree and enjoy!

~Graballz

Chapter 10

Deny My Self

The next morning Harry was the first to wake, and was the one that started making their breakfast. He had dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, not wanting any loose clothing so they wouldn't get in the way. He had taken out the crossbow and his broom after resizing them to the original size, and leaned them on his pack.

"How long you been up?" Draco tiredly asked, pulling a shirt over his head.

"Not long, coffee is just about ready." Harry said grinning to himself at the site of the sleep tousled blond sitting across from him.

They ate their breakfast; then cleaned up in silence, both thinking of what was to come. After packing away their camping gear, they followed the stream until they came to the waterfall. They cast a spell around their equipment to keep them dry then climbed up the smooth rocks until they came to a broad landing. They followed the path; then held their breath as they walked through the water. Once through, and after spelling their clothes dry, they stepped to the side to another rock platform and looked before them. From their height, they could easily see the giant tree . . . couldn't miss the red blooms in the distance. They could also make out stone ruins near the base of the waterfall.

Harry made sure his broom and his pack was securely on his back then began the descent down the natural-made steps of the cliff face, Draco following close behind. Once at the bottom, they stopped at the barrier, looking down at the smooth stones that were covered with a light covering of moss. They both took out their wands, and stepped through the barrier, feeling tiny pinpricks of pain on their skin as they did.

"Well, that wasn't pleasant." Draco remarked, looking down at his arms to make sure there was no blood.

Harry nodded in agreement, and looked around, his wand at the ready. He took out the crossbow, and darts, and shrunk down his bag to slip into his pocket, keeping his broom out also. He side-glanced at Draco to see he was doing the same. Wand in one hand, the crossbow held loosely in his other. He nodded to Draco; then took the first steps up the stone steps that were before them.

They cautiously made their way up the steep steps; then stood at the rise, looking ahead of them. They looked out at the square shaped courtyard of the ruins, steps on each side leading to a level up. All throughout the square lay large slabs of rock that were once part of walls surrounding it or parts of the majestic pillars that reached to the sky. The trees that surrounded the ruins at one time had spread into the square, hundreds and hundreds of years of growth weaving in and out of the ancient masonry. The blackness stark against the stone from fire, most likely from the beast.

"Should we go high, or stay low?" Draco whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Harry whispered back, a small smile on his face as he kept his gaze in front of him.

"It's just this place . . . feels like we shouldn't be here, you know?" Draco replied.

"Yeah, I know." Harry agreed, speaking a little louder. "I think we should stay low for now. Remember that we need to bind their mouths closed first. The fire will do us the most immediate harm."

They began to walk down the centre of the square, looking all around them, and up high as they went on. At the sound of the echoing roar, they both felt the fine hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. They looked to each other; then forward again to see a shadow seeping from the entrance of what they assumed to be the tomb of Circe. They held their ground, wands held at the ready. As the shadow became animal, they took a few steps back. At the forefront was the lion, its shaggy mane increasing the size of its head. On either side of the lions head was the head of a goat, and the head of a dragon. At the rear of the creature was the serpent, hissing and spitting at them from afar. Close to the beasts sides were dragon like wings, which were now slowly spreading out at its sides.

"Ollivander never said anything about the dragon," Harry quietly said, backing up another few steps when the beast crouched low to the ground.

"Maybe this is a different one," Draco replied, slowly mounting his broom. "Or it evolved somehow."

Harry had little time to reply as the beast pounced towards them, the wings spread wide to glide him closer. Harry ran and jumped behind a fallen pillar while Draco took to the sky. Harry heard the growl from his side and looked up, seeing that the chimaera's gaze was upon Draco from above. "Incarcerous," he shouted, his wand pointed to the beast, the spell missing its target as the creature took to the air after Draco. He quickly jumped on his broom to go after them.

Draco looked back, swerving to the left when he heard the growl behind him, feeling the heat on his back from the fire from the creature, thankful that the fire repellent spell worked.

"Incarcerous," Harry shouted from behind the creature. The creature stopped mid-flight, hovering in the air as the goat head tried to shake off the bindings from its mouth. Draco didn't waste time, as he turned in the air and shouted out the spell; then yelled in triumph when the dragon's mouth was bound also.

The chimaera landed on the ground, the two heads shaking and rubbing against the other to try to dislodge the bindings. Harry and Draco landed close by while the creature was distracted and incanted the spell together, the serpent and the lions mouth bound closed. The threat of fire gone for now.

The chimaera growled deep in its throat, and ran towards them in a rage. Draco jumped on his broom. "The crossbow Harry. Use the crossbow," he shouted as he circled the beast, using little stinging hexes on the body to distract it away from Harry.

Harry quickly aimed the crossbow, the red dart already in place. He knelt behind a fallen pillar, leaning his arm on the stone. He took aim, his fingers twitching, and his hands sweaty, in fear of hitting Draco instead. He reached up, wiped the sweat from his brow, and put all his concentration into the shot. He aimed, and fired, hitting the beasts flank.

Draco saw the way the beast had jolted in the air, able to see the red dart sticking to the thick hide. He looked down to see Harry loading up the second dart into the crossbow, but also saw in alarm that the chimaera was flying at full speed down towards Harry.

"Harry!" Draco shouted, leaning down onto his broom as he followed.

Harry looked up in time to see the ferocious eyes of the beast before he was slammed into the wall by the creature. The creature had landed, and was stalking its prey. Harry groaned as he sat up, not wasting any time to finish loading the weapon. He never saw the blond streak towards him, but felt the jerk of his arm as Draco grabbed him, and pulled him up on his broom. They flew up onto another platform, where Harry immediately aimed and shot the second dart. The creature was already slowing down, saw it try to take flight again, but not able to. They both climbed on Draco's broom and slowly flew towards the beast, hovering above from a safe distance.

They watched as the chimaera fought the effects of the potion, its body swaying where it stood, until it fell boneless to the ground. Harry leaned his forehead against Draco's back, sighing in relief, his hand resting at Draco's side. His hand felt the tear in the shirt, then the wetness surrounding it. He drew back to see blood.

"You're bleeding," Harry said, leaning over to look at Draco's side.

Draco lowered them to the ground and swung his leg over the broomstick. He looked down at his side, seeing the tear and the blood. "Yeah, happened when I flew down in front of the damn thing, saving your ass," he said, pulling the side of his shirt up.

Harry reached in his pocket and took out the first aid kit that Ollivander had provided them with, and then enlarged it. "Pull up your shirt. Let's see how bad it is," he said, reaching over to help Draco pull it up under his arms.

Draco looked down at it, wincing a bit when Harry touched the skin around the claw marks. "It's not too bad. Have had worse," he shrugged.

"Not too deep," Harry murmured, gently wiping the blood off the pale skin with a charmed wet cloth.

"The pink bottle is a disinfectant," Draco said, looking down into the kit. "Use that, then the blue salve there. That will stop the bleeding, and knit the skin back together. Should take care of it for now."

Harry gently dabbed the disinfectant on the marks, then soothed the salve on the three shallow gashes. He then wrapped a bandage around Draco's middle, covering the cut, before pulling the shirt down. "You sure you weren't supposed to be in Gryffindor?" He teased.

"Shut it, Potter," Draco smirked. "While you're in that bag, get the stuff we need for the chimaera mane."

Harry took out what was needed and led them to the fallen creature. He gave Draco the jar for him to hold, while he used a wide toothed comb to comb through the mane. Once full with hair, he carefully took it off, and put them in the jar, repeating a few more times. When he was putting the jar away, he took out his camera, snapping a picture of the creature, ignoring the exasperated look from the blond.

"What? How many people can say they actually have a picture of a chimaera? It will be great to put in our journal," Harry smiled, taking a few more pictures.

"You're mental, you know that?" Draco smirked.

"Yeah, I've been told that," Harry grinned, shouldering the backpack then walking towards the shadowed archway where the chimaera came from.

"Lumos," Draco softly said, for his wand to light up.

They began to descend further into the ruins, the steps unbroken and wide. The silence broken by scurrying tiny feet and hissing. Harry stopped, and grasped Draco's arm for him to stop.

Draco turned, his wand pointed down, but still able to see Harry's face. "What?" He whispered.

"Hissing . . . snakes," Harry whispered back, tilting his head as if to hear clearer.

"{They are comingssss Missstressss,}" a snake hissed.

"{They are young onessss,}" another hissed.

"{They may be the onessss.}"

"Shit," Harry cursed. He leaned forward, his lips close to Draco's ear. "Whatever you do, don't let on that I can speak Parseltongue," he whispered.

"What are they saying?" Draco softly asked, trying to ignore the way his body shivered at the barest touch of Harry's lips on his ear.

"They are saying that we may be the ones, calling someone mistress," Harry whispered.

"The Seranyx?" Draco said.

"That would be my guess," Harry shrugged, pulling away from Draco, to continue to walk.

They came to a divided tunnel system. "Which way?" Draco asked.

Harry stopped, walked to one entrance, then the other. "This one," he said. "More hissing."

"It could be just a cave of snakes," Draco whispered, following Harry down the narrower passage.

"Could be," Harry shrugged. "It just feels like it's this way. The magic feels stronger this way."

Draco didn't reply to that, completely trusting Harry's instincts on that. He wasn't the Savoir of the Wizarding World for nothing. If he says the magic is stronger, the magic is stronger.

The passage soon began to broaden, a faint trickle of water heard, and more hissing that Harry could hear. As they walked into the cavern, they were able to distinguish their wand light, as there was a natural light source here. The first thing they noticed was the large pool of water, light coming from its depths, a sparkle on the surface. They looked above that to see glittering stones imbedded into the rock.

"The charoite," Draco whispered, motioning to the glittering violet stones.

"Beautiful, are they not," a soft feminine voice said.

Harry and Draco both turned to see a beautiful woman creature before them. Her body was willowy, the curves of her hips and slight breasts pronounced in the figure hugging blue sheath that covered her lower body, and the flesh coloured material that covered her breasts. Her skin was pale, seeming to glow from the light of the pond. Her hair was waist length, the silken sable strands in becoming disarray, her elven ears pointed. In the one ear, she had what looked like a tiny skull, possibly of a tiny cave dweller. On her back, what they could see was a set of wings, skeletal and ragged but didn't, in any way, take away from the beauty before them. What was the most captivating were her eyes, piercing green eyes, which seemed to swirl blue in a blink of an eye.

"Yes, they are."" Harry said bowing his head slightly in greeting.

"As beautiful as you, dear Chenarenn," Draco smiled, also respectively bowing his head.

"You have heard of me?" Chenarenn asked, a smile to her lips, gracefully sitting on a protruding root from the giant tree. Roots that seemed to twist and turn in many directions throughout the cavern, thickest by the base, in the centre of the pool of water. She slightly bent at the waist, her elbow resting on her knee, her bare feet barely seen from the shifting fabric.

"We have heard of you from Ollivander, the wand maker," Harry smiled.

"I remember him, talked in riddles if I remember correctly," she said.

"That would be him," Draco laughed.

"{They ssmellsss ssstrong Missstressss,}" a rather large snake hissed as it slithered onto the Seranyx's lap, then up her arm. "{One of themss could be the onesss.}"

"{Ssstronger than we were,}" another snake hissed as it curled around her bare feet.

"{Jussst a kisssss,}" was hissed by her ear.

"Yes," Chenarenn softly said, looking intently into Harry's eyes, then Draco's.

"So, um . . . Ollivander has given us some things that may interest you," Harry stammered, his heart hammering in his chest from the hissed conversation he heard.

"In exchange for?" Chenarenn asked, lightly stroking the snakes head and back that lay draped over the root and her lap.

"We were hoping we could get some of the violet stones in exchange," Draco said, chancing a glance at Harry who was leaning down to open his bag.

"Is there nothing else that you would like?" She suggestively asked, trailing her fingers over her collarbone, licking her lips.

"Ah . . . here it is." Harry grinned. "Ollivander had said that you would enjoy these," he added, holding out a spherical crystal, that danced with different colours when the light hit it a certain way.

"Lovely," she smiled. "You may bring it to me," she added.

Harry looked at the water, then back at her. "If you don't mind, I rather not get wet again. Running out of clothes to change into," he grinned. He then took out his wand; then levitated it to her across the water.

The Seranyx held back the disappointed look on her face; holding out her hand for the sphere to land in her palm. "It is lovely. The colours are beautiful," she smiled. She then looked up to see Draco looking at the water with a dazed look upon his face. "It is humid out there is it not?"

"Yes, very," Draco said.

"The water . . . it is very refreshing. Not too cold, but not too warm. You may drink if you wish," she softly said.

"Thank you, although it looks very refreshing, we have brought our own water," Harry said, reaching for the backpack that Draco held to get his attention. "You have it, right Draco?"

"Umm . . . yes, the water," Draco said, meeting Harry's eyes as he took the water bottle that Harry handed him. He took a drink then recapped the bottle. He then took a book out of Harry's backpack. "We were also told that you liked poetry. Ollivander gave us this book of poetry that he thought you would enjoy," Draco added, levitating the thick book across the water.

Chenarenn held up the crystal, turning it this way and that, admiring the colours that flashed over its surface, her other hand smoothing over the aged leather of the book on her lap. "You may take some of the stones, but some will have to be pried loose," she said. She looked at Harry. "You will get them," she added, hoping to separate the two men.

Harry kneeled down in front of the bag, lightly tugging the leg of Draco's jeans. He kept digging in the bag until Draco came down to his level. "I need to use your broom. Mines' still outside," he said, taking out the shrunken broom that they had reduced before entering the passage. He enlarged it. "Remember to not get close to the water," he added, looking up into Draco's eyes.

Draco nodded his head. "Be careful, Harry," he whispered.

"Aren't I always?" Harry grinned, getting up.

Draco handed him the fabric pouch that was given to them for the stones. "Do I have to answer that?" He smirked.

Harry mounted Draco's broom; then nodded his head to Chenarenn before lifting off the ground, slowly flying towards the roof of the cavern. Once there, he looked down and saw that the water was very clear, smooth stones covering the bottom that lit up the pool, and the cavern. He looked at Chenarenn who was looking intently at Draco, who happened to be looking up at him.

He began the task at hand and carefully pried the violet stones from the stone by using his wand. Small stones ranging from the size of a sickle to the size of a snidget soon were in the bag that hung from the belt loop of his jeans.

"{He isss coming clossser Missstresss,}" was hissed.

"{He will not be able to resssissst your greatnesss once he touchesss the watersss,}" another hissed.

"{Only have eyesss for you,}"

"{Quiet. He isss beautiful, issn't he?}" A female hissed. A voice that Harry recognized as the Seranyx.

Harry looked down suddenly and saw that the toe of Draco's boot was at the water's edge. "Draco! No!" Harry shouted.

The Seranyx broke the gaze that she had held with Draco, and looked up. She hissed, and placed her hand on the root beside her, murmuring words in a language that had not been heard in centuries.

Harry had turned and was going to fly down, when he felt something grasp his wrist. He looked up and saw it was a vine that was wrapped around him, slowly constricting tighter until his hand was numb. He took out his wand with his other hand, using a cutting spell. At the force of the pull back when he was let go, he fell sideways, off the broom, right into the middle of the pool of water, splashing the seranyx and Draco as he fell.

Harry had swallowed some of the water, his mouth open in a cry for help as he went down. His feet touched bottom and he swam for the surface, treading water until he reached the edge closer to Draco. He looked up, and then grasped Draco's hand. His eyes widened as his foot slipped on the smooth stones, falling back into the water again, taking Draco with him.

The Seranyx got off her seat, and walked to the water's edge on her side. She leaned over and watched the men swim to the surface again. 'This should do it,' she thought to herself. 'No man has ever been able to deny me after being in the enchanted water.' She then silently cursed the gods again for making her life a living hell, not being able to cross the water to get what she wanted herself.

Harry and Draco swam to the water's edge, pulling themselves onto dryer land. They got unsteadily to their feet, bending at their waists as they coughed the water from their lungs. "She was right . . . it was refreshing," Harry joked, not looking up.

"Is that right?" Draco seethed, his hands pulling the wet T-shirt from his body. "You . . . How the fuck did you ever defeat the Dark Lord, you fucking idiot!"

Harry straightened himself up, and glared at the blond. "What the fuck are you talking about! And what the hell is your problem?"

"The problem, Potter, is that you can't do anything right," Draco sneered, stepping closer.

"Is that right?" Harry said, through gritted teeth. "Not what you said in the hotel room. 'Oh my god Harry'" He mimicked. "Sound familiar?"

"You fucking asshole," Draco shouted, swinging his fist back then forward to connect with Harry's jaw.

Harry stumbled a step back, holding his hand over his jaw. He shifted his jaw, and then lunged for Draco, grabbing the front of his shirt.

"Is there something I can do?" Was innocently asked from behind them.

Harry and Draco broke their heated gaze, and then looked back at the seranyx. "No!" they both said, and then turned to look back at each other.

"Well, I have to admit, you were good at it. The good little Gryffindor whore that you are," Draco sneered, pushing Harry back.

Harry pulled back and let his fist fly. Draco moved to the right a bit, for it to land on his shoulder. "At least I don't have to use my hand like you do," Harry smirked.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Draco asked, shifting his shoulder.

"Back at the reserve. Saw you. Got to admit you looked good, all laid out on the bank, your hand pleasuring yourself," Harry sneered. "Oh, and I'll never forget the name you moaned out. You moan like a good little slut."

Draco's anger overcame his embarrassment, and he kicked out, his boot hitting solidly on Harry's stomach. Harry doubled over, clutching his stomach. "How fucking dare you! That was not your business," Draco shouted, grabbing the front of Harry's shirt to pull him back up.

"You moaning my name makes it my business," Harry said, kicking his foot out at Draco's legs, landing on top of him when they went down.

Draco yelped in pain as he fell on his back, his breath knocked out of him for a few short moments. "Never. Going. To. Happen." Draco panted, trying to push Harry off him.

Harry sat up, astride of Draco's hips. He leaned down and forcefully pushed Draco's shoulders to the ground. "Why? Too good for me? Is the great Draco Malfoy too high and mighty for a lowly Gryffindor? Well, you know what. Fuck. You!" Harry shouted down at him.

Draco bucked his hips up, throwing Harry off him. He threw himself on top of Harry, his legs astride Harry's hips now. He blocked the punches that Harry tried to throw at him, and gripped the wrists in his hands, pushing them over Harry's head. His body was pressed close to the one beneath him as he held the hands down. His eyes took in the flushed face, the purpling bruise on Harry's jaw, then the tongue that flicked out to lick dry lips. The move was sudden, with no time to actually think what he was doing, as his lips crashed down on Harry's in a bruising kiss.

Harry moaned into the fierce kiss, his hips bucking up when Draco started to grind down against him. His body felt the heat, wanting more, needing more. He groaned in frustration when those addicting lips pulled back, nibbling, biting their way down further. He arched his neck, his hips thrusting up to meet Draco's as he felt teeth bite his skin. His arms strained against the firm grip around his wrists. He let out a low growl, and shifted all his weight to the side, taking Draco down with him, landing on top of him. He leaned down, his body now pressed against Draco's. His hand slid up Draco's side, pushing the shirt up as he went, until it slipped behind the blonde's neck, fisting the wet hair in his fist.

Draco moaned then whimpered at the sharp pull to his hair, pulling his head back. His hands gripped Harry's arms, his body writhing beneath him when Harry began to devour the side of his neck with biting kisses. "Harry," he moaned, his hands sliding up to Harry's neck to pull him even closer.

"Fuck. Want you," Harry huskily moaned, his hands sliding between them to tug up the T-shirt.

Draco arched his back, his own hands pulling Harry's shirt up from his shoulders. He let out a hiss as the wound at his side was suddenly pressed against by eager hands, but was quickly forgotten when those hands . . . those fingers were scraping against his nipples. His cry was taken by Harry's lips as they slanted hard against his. His hands reached up when Harry pulled away from the kiss, trying to pull him down again.

Harry kneeled back, his ass on his heels. He tugged the hem of his T-shirt that had ridden up to his chest, pulling it up, then off. He looked down at Draco with lust-filled eyes, his hand gliding down his stomach to the prominent bulge in his jeans. He pressed his hand against it, pushing and rubbing it, moaning aloud at the friction against his cock.

Draco watched transfixed as Harry took off his shirt. His eyes hungrily followed Harry's hand as it went over firm flesh, past the waist of the jeans to grip, and then rub against the erection he could plainly see. He lifted himself up, meeting Harry's darkened eyes as he sat astride Harry's lap, rolling his hips forward for more of that delicious friction against his cock. He reached for his own shirt and drew it over his head, his back arching when he felt the strong arm wrap around his lower back, a hand gripping his backside to pull him in closer. He threw his head back, gripping onto Harry's shoulders as he ground against Harry's cock. A loud moan coming from both men when Harry lowered his lips to Draco's nipple, suckling it into his mouth, his teeth scraping against the peaked nub.

Harry's breathing was heavy against Draco's chest, the moans and whimpers coming from the blond the most erotic thing he's ever heard. He reached between them, and undid the button of Draco's jeans, tugging on them until the zipper went the furthest down possible without ripping. He felt the tug to the back of his hair, and pulled back from the purpling nipple, his mouth taken over by Draco.

Draco's body was on fire, tingles of magic skimming over his skin at every touch that Harry gave him. He felt his jeans suddenly loosen around his waist, and then warm hands slide down the back of them. "Oh . . . gods . . . yes," he moaned as his ass was spread, a finger tracing down his crease.

Harry heard the hissing behind him, and slowly pulled his hands free of the back of Draco's pants, smiling into the kiss when a small whimper escaped from the blond at the loss of contact. He reached for his wand at his side, murmured a spell, putting a shielding spell around them both, then took one of their T-shirts, and transfigured it into a large cushioned blanket. He couldn't help the moan of pleasure when Draco squirmed on his lap, his cock straining against the damp denim. He put his arms around Draco's back and shifted over so that they were kneeling on the blanket. He hungrily began to trail wet kisses and bites down Draco's neck as he lowered him to the blanket, his hands slipping into the back of his jeans again. He glided his hands lower, pushing the material lower, and lower.

Draco's shoulders went down onto the blanket, his hips resting high on Harry's lap. He reached down, and helped push his jeans down, moaning when his hand brushed against his cock. "Please . . . gods . . . need," he panted, his fingers wrapping around his length as Harry tugged the jeans and boxers the rest of the way down, then off.

Harry knelt on his knees again, undoing his jeans, and then hastily pushing them down his thighs, drinking in the sight of Draco writhing on the blanket, his hand slowly sliding up and down his cock. He shifted his legs a bit, until he squirmed the rest of the way out of his pants. He reached down to take Draco's hand, pinning it to his hip as he leaned down, his tongue stroking up Draco's cock, until his lips wrapped around the weeping head. He held down the hips that tried to thrust up, and hungrily took the full length into his mouth, his teeth lightly scraping against the hard length. His other hand kneaded the tightening ball sac, as his mouth slid up and down, repeatedly. He felt Draco tense beneath his touch, and sucked harder, drawing the cum into his mouth.

Draco cried out Harry's name as he came deep into his mouth, his body shuddering in the aftermath of his orgasm. He whimpered when Harry pulled his mouth off his cock, but then was ablaze with fire again, when Harry delved his face into the seam of his hip and pelvis, nibbling and sucking the skin. He felt the hands on the insides of his thighs, and readily spread his legs, moaning aloud when Harry's mouth suddenly took in one of his balls, rolling it in his mouth.

Harry's hunger for the blond became even more inflamed from the first taste of his cum. He wanted more. He spread Draco's legs, his mouth hungrily sucking and licking the tender skin of his inner thigh, nibbling the base of the already hardening cock. His hand gripped the base, pushing up as he mouthed first the one ball, then the other, sucking and flicking his tongue insistently around the sac.

Draco looked down and met Harry's darkened lust filled eyes. He felt Harry's hands slide up and down his inner thighs, watching as the lips drew back, sucking his balls in, before they were suddenly let go. He had no time to miss those warm lips around him before they slid up and down the underside of his cock. Hands gripped his thighs, pushing them up and forward. Harry's tongue flicked against the head of his cock, then to his disappointment moved lower.

Harry heard the frustrated groan, and smiled to himself as he went on to devour the dish before him. He licked in broad swipes up and down the length of Draco's cock, slowly going lower and lower, sucking the skin into his mouth as he went. He leaned down more and nibbled the skin under his ball sac, his hands spreading Draco's ass cheeks further. He drew back a bit, just to see the rosy pucker before him. He swiped his tongue over the hole, the shudder beneath his hands urging him on. He lightly blew on the wet skin, his teeth nibbling the one cheek close to the pulsing hole.

Draco's breath hitched in his chest when he felt that first stroke of wetness against somewhere that no one has ever touched like that before. He didn't have time to think on it however, fore Harry was flicking his tongue against him again, in the most arousing way. He felt the broad stroke of a tongue against his hole, slowly feeling more pressure of the slick muscle as it moved more hurriedly against him. His hands gripped the blanket at his sides, his head thrown back when he felt the tongue dart inside of him, slowly, then a quick thrust in as much as would allow. He felt the lips move to the bite that was given on his ass, then a more solid pressure against his hole before it slipped in.

"Fuck. You are so tight," Harry groaned against Draco's ass cheek, twisting his one finger deep inside of Draco, looking for that small bundle of nerves inside. He knew he hit it when Draco bucked his hips up.

"Ahhhh . . . please . . . more," Draco panted, the jolts of pleasure shivering over his lower body.

Harry reached down and wrapped his fingers around the base of his own aching cock. He was so close. Just feeling how Draco pulsed around his finger, made him want to cum. He looked up to see Draco with his head thrown back, a fine sheen of sweat on the trembling body. He slowly withdrew his finger; then slipped in two. He closed his eyes, and leaned his cheek against Draco's inner thigh, fighting the urge that he had to just take the blond without preparation. He knew that this would be his first time, and didn't want to ruin it by practically raping the blond, under the influence of the enchanted water or not.

Draco felt the second finger penetrate him, his body instantly responding to the stimulus by pushing down on it, again and again. His moan echoed off the cavern walls when those fingers were added with another, moving, shifting inside of him, stretching him for something that he knew was much bigger. He looked down at Harry, to see him intently watching him. He reached down, sliding his fingers into the tangled mass of hair, and gave a tug. "Now . . . need you inside of me now," he hoarsely said.

Harry reached for his wand and murmured a spell, his hand then coated with lubricant. He lightly stroked his cock, his teeth biting his bottom lip as the slickness almost made him come undone. He guided the head of his cock to the slick hole, pushing in the head, and then stilled. His hands gripped Draco's thighs, guiding the blonde's legs to his shoulders. Sweat glistened on his tanned skin, his fingers digging into the pale flesh of Draco's legs as he inched his way in.

"You okay? Cause not sure if I can stop now," Harry panted. "You feel . . . so good," he moaned, thrusting in shallow a few times to let Draco adjust to the intrusion.

Draco had felt a small bit of pain when Harry first entered him, but then it soon exploded into ecstasy when Harry hit his prostate again. He dug his heels into Harry's shoulders and thrust his hips up, fast and hard, wanting more.

Harry, with no further urging, slammed in deep and hard, moaning at the tightness that enveloped his cock. He leaned down, bracing his upper body on his hands that were on either side of Draco's body, Draco's legs hooked at his elbows. He set a frantic pace, his hips snapping back repeatedly, the sound of skin slapping against skin loud in the cavern. He leaned down and captured Draco's mouth in a devouring kiss, his tongue thrusting and meeting the others in a heated dance. His body began to tremble, his thrusts becoming sporadic as he felt close to the edge. He pulled back from the kiss, moaning against wet lips as his orgasm was ripped out of him. He thrust in deep, emptying himself deep inside.

Draco reached up and wrapped his arms around Harry's back, pulling him down further, his legs bent to his chest. He felt Harry pulse inside of him, the cum shooting inside of him. He shifted his hips a bit, and was mildly surprised to feel that Harry was still hard inside of him. His one hand slid between their bodies to glide down Harry's back, his fingers digging into Harry's ass to pull him in further. The fingers on his other hand were meanwhile gripping the back of Harry's hair to bring him down for a kiss.

Harry felt the tingle go down his spin from where Draco had pulled his hair. He willingly complied, and responded to the kiss. Soft, teasing kisses soon became heated again with a brush of Draco's tongue against his lips. He pulled his upper body up, moving his arms so that Draco's legs slid over his legs, then up to his waist. He thrust forwards, their moans muffled by their kiss. He drew away from the kiss, and raised himself again, spreading his knees as he continued a steady but deep pace inside of Draco. His fingers reached down, and linked through Draco's, giving a slight squeeze before pulling him up.

Draco felt himself being pulled up, sulking when Harry's cock slipped out of him from the sudden move. Harry's arms went around his back, guiding him to sit on his lap. Warm hands were pushing his bottom up; then he was being filled again. He pushed down, moaning at how full he felt.

"Ride me," Harry huskily whispered against Draco's lips.

Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's neck, leaning in to kiss the side of Harry's neck, his breath cool against the damp skin. He rolled his hips forward, feeling the cock shift inside of him. Warm hands were at his hips, guiding him to rise, then push back down, over and over again. He felt Harry pull away, then saw that he was leaning back on his hands, his back arched. He felt Harry go even deeper inside of him as he thrust his hips up, as he pushed down. His fingers raked over Harry's chest and stomach as he rode the hard cock inside of him.

Harry looked up at Draco, the sight before him something he will likely never forget. He looked down at the hard cock sliding wetly against his stomach. "Draco," he waited until the blond was looking at him. "I want to see you cum. Touch yourself for me."

Draco's body was trembling above Harry, the tip of his cock hitting, and then rubbing against his prostate. He reached down with sweaty hands and wrapped his fingers around his length. He began fisting it in time with his frantic movements. He pushed down hard at the same time Harry thrust up, grinding down as he cried out Harry's name again, his cum splattering over Harry's chest and stomach. Harry sat up, reaching for Draco, wrapping his arms around his back as he followed right after.

Draco put his arms around Harry's upper shoulders, holding him close. They felt the warming fire beneath their skin finally distinguish from the enchanted water. Draco felt the slight brush of Harry's lips against his neck, before he gingerly raised himself, the softened cock slipping out of him.

"Draco," Harry softly said, reaching out for him when the blond unsteadily got to his feet.

Draco looked around him, feeling pleasantly sore and sticky. He looked around them, not seeing anything past an iridescent wall of colours. "What is this?" he asked, motioning around him.

"I didn't want her to see us, so I spelled a shield around us," Harry shrugged, shakily getting to his feet, the tiny pin needles prickling his feet from sitting on them so long. He stamped his feet a bit to get the feeling in them. He watched as Draco looked around him more.

"Where are my pants?" Draco asked, leaning down to pick up his T-shirt, giving a slight wince, letting him know his backside went through a thorough reaming.

Harry reached down and picked up Draco's jeans and boxers, using his wand to clean and dry them before giving them to him. He used the same charm on his before slipping them on his legs. "Draco," he softly said, reaching out for Draco's hand.

Draco pulled back, turning to the side as he gingerly pulled his jeans on. "We should probably get going. It's most likely getting late out, and we still have to wake the chimaera, and then set up camp."

Harry felt his eyes sting as he picked up the blanket, transfiguring it back into his T-shirt. He also used a cleaning spell on himself then Draco to clean the stickiness and sweat from their bodies. "Yeah. You're probably right," he hoarsely said.

"You know that it was the water that made us do that right?" Draco said, finally looking at Harry.

Harry used his wand to take down the magic wall, and reached down for the backpack, slinging it over his one shoulder. "Maybe for you," he quietly said, before walking towards the water and the Seranyx who was reading from the book of poetry.

"Thank you, my lady, for the stones. I will be sure to give Mister Ollivander your regards," Harry said, bowing respectively to the demigoddess.

Chenarenn had been quite dismayed when the sudden curtain of colours had blocked her sight of the two men in their heated embrace. She felt the magic in the cavern, and then the colours disappear before her. She saw the dark-haired one approach the water, then speak with a strained voice. She nodded her head in acknowledgment of the comment, and then watched silently as he walked back into the passage they had come from. She looked at the blond that had so captured her attention, noticing how slow his movements were as he picked up his pack and broom.

"You know what this water does to one who drinks or touches it?" She softly asked, getting his attention before he began to follow Harry.

Draco walked back to the water and looked at Chenarenn. "It makes a person horny as hell," he bluntly said.

She gave a tinkling laugh. "It does do that," she agreed. "Anyone that has ever touched or drank from this water, as been instantly enthralled by me. They want nothing more but to be at my side," she said, stroking the head of a snake that had slithered beside her on the root. "But alas, every time I give the slightest touch or kiss, they turn into serpents. One man . . . one magical being would stop that curse. I felt the power in him, as well as you. I had thought that you might be that one."

"Sorry, but guess not," Draco replied, shrugging his one shoulder.

Chenarenn waved it off. "When you both were affected by the water, you both had eyes only for each other. This water lets you free your inhibitions, gives you what your heart desires. Do not let that go so easily. You will regret it later in life," she said, giving a small smile.

Draco shook his head, running his fingers through his tangled hair. "It is not meant to be," he quietly said. "I have to go. Thank you again for the stones," he added, before turning his back and following the path that Harry had taken to exit the cavern.

Harry had stopped just outside the entrance of the passageway, noticing it was still light outside. He looked back to see that Draco was not behind him, and decided to give him a few minutes in case he wanted some time to think about what happened. He didn't think Draco would want to be around him right at that moment. He walked over to his broom, which still hovered over the ground close to the downed chimaera, then took out the crossbow from his bag, loading up a blue dart.

"Will one be all it should take?" Draco asked, just coming out from the dark passage, his eyes squinting from the sun.

Harry sighed in relief that he was okay. He had been a little worried the Seranyx would have gotten him. "Should be okay. It will be a bit disorientated at first, so we'll have a chance to get away. Don't want to be too close to it, when it wakes up. I figure we can use our brooms to fly right out of here and to the waterfall."

Draco nodded in agreement, and mounted his broom, his body rebelling against him in pain. He used his wand to give it an extra cushioning charm; then flew up a few feet to wait for Harry.

Harry saw the look of pain flash in Draco's eyes, wanting to go over and try to make it better. They had been a bit rough in the cavern, and the other injuries to his side were probably not helping matters. He mounted his broom and settled back on it, as he took aim with the crossbow. He aimed for the chest, and hit dead on. They waited side by side; watching to make sure the creature would wake from his forced slumber. Harry saw the creature shift on the ground, before opening its eyes to look warily around. They waited until it got unsteadily to its feet, and then flew to the waterfall to land on the edge of the entrance.

Once they got through, they magically dried their clothes . . . Again; they flew to where they camped the night before.

"If you want to go wash up in the stream, I can set up camp, make something to eat," Harry suggested.

Draco looked over at Harry and nodded his head. "If you don't mind, that would be great."

"Take your time," Harry said, bending down to take the tent out of the bag. Draco meanwhile had taken the other bag and trudged tiredly to the stream.

Once he felt Draco wasn't there anymore, he sat on the log that was set around the fire pit they had made, and leaned down, his elbows on his knees. He felt the aches and pains in his body, especially on his back where the chimaera had slammed him into the wall, then his jaw where Draco had punched him, and his stomach, where he was sure to have a boot print there. He looked down at his hands to see they were scraped and grimy, a faint smell of Draco's essence still lingering. They started to shake as he looked at them, the reality of the situation hitting him head on. He remembered every heated word they exchanged, and wished that he could take them back. He also remembered the way Draco sounded in the throes of passion, and the way he felt and tasted. He didn't think he'd be able to forget that. He combed his fingers through his tangled mess of hair, and then bent his head down, trying to get some kind of control over his emotions.

After several minutes, Harry looked up and looked around. He got up and shifted his shoulders a bit, then went to take on the task of putting up the tent and making them dinner. Then he figured he would take his own advice and bathe in the stream before going to bed.

Draco had soaked for about an hour in the stream after he charmed the water a bit warmer. He washed his hair twice, luxuriating in the feeling of having clean hair again. He had noticed that his body was mottled with bruises, what he could see anyway. He felt where there were probably more, like on his back where he had landed hard on the cavern floor when Harry kicked his feet from him. He looked down at his side, seeing that the blood from the claw marks had seemed to stop. When he had taken off the bandage before going into the water, it was stained red. He slowly made his way back to the campsite, the smell of stew over the fire calling to his grumbling stomach.

"That smells so good right now," Draco said, giving a small smile when he came closer, seeing that Harry was writing in the journal.

"It does, doesn't it?"" Harry smiled. "It's been awhile since we ate."

Draco sat down with the jar of salve and some fresh bandages, his shirt lying on his lap. "Seems like we were in there for days," he said, dipping his fingers in the salve.

"You want me to help you with that?" Harry asked, putting the journal down and coming closer. He noticed all the bruises on the blond's shoulders and his back, and finger shaped ones on his arms.

"No, I got it," Draco said, not looking up as he finished applying the salve. He took the bandage and started to wind it around his waist.

Harry reached out and took the bandage from Draco's hand, ignoring the glare that he was given and moving to Draco's back. "Arms up," he softly instructed. He gently but firmly wound the bandage around Draco's waist, his arms in the briefest embrace as he reached around. After he was done, his hand stayed at Draco's sides. He leaned his forehead down on Draco's back for a brief moment before reluctantly pulling away and standing up.

Draco's body was rigid as Harry began to wrap the bandage, his body tensing even more when he felt the warm arms go around him with each pass, and the brush of hair on his back. He felt Harry lean against his back when he was done, and closed his eyes, willing his body to move away from the touch. Before he could, Harry decided for him. He slipped his shirt on over his head and smiled thankfully when Harry handed him a bowl of stew before sitting down across from him. "So, you were writing down today's mission?" He motioned towards the journal that sat on the log beside Harry.

"No, reading some of the other stuff, like the snidget section," Harry smirked, trying to lighten the mood a bit. He had felt the tenseness when he touched Draco, and wanted to make it better.

"Oh, the part where you cheated," Draco remarked, his smile faint as he took a bit of stew.

"I didn't cheat," Harry declared. "I watched them for awhile, and saw that most of them seemed to flock to the one tree. Figured their nests were there, and I was right."

"You could have shared that bit of information," Draco said.

"But, then where would the fun be in that?" Harry laughed. "You never did say. What was your wager if you had won?"

Draco took another bite of his stew, chewing slowly before answering. "If I had won, I wanted us to go on as if nothing happened at the club."

"Forget all of it?" Harry quietly asked.

"Yes. I thought we were getting along pretty well, considering our past rivalry in school. The short time we've been working together, I've felt close to you, like a friend. I didn't want that short bout of insanity that we had to ruin that. Today is no different. I would like to just forget that had happened, and go on with our jobs. I think we work pretty well together. Let's not jeopardize that," Draco said, looking down into his empty bowl.

"Forget it?" Harry hoarsely asked, knowing that this would happen when Draco had pulled away after what they shared in the cavern.

"Yeah. It was just the water that made us act like that," Draco said. "I...I just want to forget it."

"If that's what you want," Harry quietly said, slowly getting up. "You mind cleaning up here. I want to soak for a bit before going to bed."

Draco looked up when he heard the raspy response from Harry, and fought his body's urge to go to him, take back everything he said. Instead he sat, watching as Harry grabbed up his bag, and walked down the path to the stream. "It's not what I want, but it's for the best," he softly said in regret.

He took his time cleaning up, putting some things away in the bag. He heard the crinkle of paper, then reached into the front pocket of the bag, pulling out the note that Harry had left on his door a few days ago. He sat down and broke the seal of the envelope.

Draco,

I was having a really great time tonight, getting to know you. I never thought I would ever sit down with a Malfoy and actually say I was having a good time. This is not the way I wanted to end our night . . . our date. We talked about me being gay, and I said I was bisexual. Which is true. I still like women, but men lately seem to have more of an appeal for me, so maybe I am gay. Aiden, the jerk that interrupted us, was my first boyfriend. My first experience with men. We had gone out for a few months a while back. It ended badly, with me catching another guy giving him a blowjob in his apartment. No, we were not living together. Most, if not all, my relationships end up badly. Aiden was a muggle I had met at a club and he used to be a nice guy. I had thought were only seeing each other, turns out I was the only one that thought that. Anyway . . . he has been coming onto me every time I see him, wanting to resume where we left off. I am really sorry that he did, and said what he did. I will admit to having some one off's with some guys, but not as many as Aiden made it sound. There were not that many. What may have looked like an embrace of passion was actually him trying to kiss my neck, and me fighting him off. You missed the pained expression on his face when he got a knee to the groin.

Please let me explain. Don't let him ruin what we may be building up to. I really like spending time with you . . . and not just at work. I think about you a lot these days; the way you smile at me when we're talking; how your lips feel against mine; how you feel when I touch you; how you taste. Everything about you.

I don't want to lose what we have. Please talk to me.

Harry


Draco sighed and closed his eyes, wishing that he could erase the past week from his mind and start over again. He didn't want to feel this way about Harry. He knew in his heart that it was too late though, he was already falling for the Gryffindor.

**********

Author's note--Well . . . 35 pages. Kind of long for a chapter, but I wanted to end the mission so the next author in line could start a new day/mission if she so chooses. The chimaera has had many different depictions on its appearance in different references. I had chosen to go from a picture with the added dragon head on its back, and the dragon like wings, as it was different than what was expected. Also, the seranyx (pronounced seer-a-nix) is wholly the idea of mine, getting the idea from a Luis Royo picture - titled 'No More Wind' (at least that's what it said under the picture). If you haven't seen any of his artwork, you should definitely check it out, it's brilliant. I had help with the name of the creature from a fellow Coven member - Miss Nikki.

Thanks for the boost in moral and the help with my chapter. I had also planned to have one of the boys (Draco) become an animagus to help fight off the chimaera, but had decided against it when that part came up. Hope you all like it anyway. I have enjoyed working on this project with the other Coven Witches in the group, and hope to enjoy more projects in the future with them.

TAS