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Backfire	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 24217 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make not a knut off this work of fanfiction

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Beta’d by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do for me!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Chapter 17

“I am most pleased with this!” Lucius stated, looking over the trinkets Hank managed to find for him. “These—yes, I’ve searched for them for a dragon’s age. No one has been able to get their hands on them for me.” He was, too. They were trinkets he had longed to find for quite some time, but everyone had told him they were impossible to procure.

“How did you manage?” He finally asked, looking up, a small smile on his face. By now, he couldn’t wait to get home and add them to his collection of other such items. While they were the sort of objects that didn’t actually do anything, he liked the idea they were in his possession.

“I have contacts who are good at finding even rare items,” Hank shrugged, not shifting in his chair, the normal look on his face. “Wasn’t easy,” he admitted. Then he added, smirking a tad, “It’s going to cost you as well because they weren’t.”

“For these—I’ll gladly pay whatever price you’ve put on them,” Lucius told him honestly, replacing the valuable items back in the velvet sack they came in. After tucking it in his pocket, making sure they stayed safe, he too leaned back, crossing his legs. Smile still on his face, he gave a contented sigh. While pleased with the acquisition, he wanted to press on to something more personal. Since the indirect approach wasn’t working, he was going to take the more direct route then go from there with signals.

“You weathered the storm that came through Hogsmeade fine I see,” he then observed.

“I did,” Hank nodded. “The warning was appreciated,” he added, going no further than that.

“As I said; I didn’t want anything happening to you,” Lucius told him, looking slightly smug.

After shifting around to a more comfortable position in his chair, Lucius smoothed down his robes then launched in, “You have a rather—shall we say, colorful history.”

“And you know this how?” Hank asked, voice colder with a knife’s edge to it. He then straightened up in his chair and glared at the man, sure what he meant, but planning to find out for certain before deciding what to do.

“Considering my position in so much, you had to realize I would check you out,” Lucius soothed, not wanting to ruffle the man’s feathers too much. One glance at the demonic looking bird which was always perched close to Hank, he saw the creature had stopped eating and was glaring at him as well.

There was something about the gaze of that bird which unnerved him greatly. The only other creature which brought out this reaction from him was Nagini. He was certain he wouldn’t want to tangle with Yama any more than he would with the snake, honestly, because he was convinced the bird was just as deadly, if not more so.

“It’s called protecting myself. Just like I’m sure you checked me out, the same with many of your other customers. Times are—delicate anymore, so one needs to make sure they stay safe, what with all that is taking place. I do so with all I have dealings with, especially those who tend to more—circumspect matters. No offense intended.”

Hank just nodded, but said nothing, curious how much digging Luci had done. While he didn’t have anything in his past which anyone could hold over his head, he still didn’t like the idea. “And why else did you do digging, aside from the obvious?” He asked, tone colder than before. Though he wanted to hear the reason, it also meant he would have to stay more alert when it came to whatever with Luci. The man was a fount of information he not only needed, but could use for various areas, however he wouldn’t tolerate some of it. If Luci wanted to play that game, he would learn the hard way Hank could play as well and be downright vicious about it.

“Let’s say I have an interest in you which goes beyond just our business arrangement,” Lucius told him. Though not pleased with the look on Hank’s face or the cold tone, he would soothe him quickly. And he would manage to impart what he wanted then work from there. All he really wanted was a foot in the door, nothing more.

“What do you mean by that?” Hank asked, though he had a damned good idea. Once Lusty Luci confirmed it, he would go from there in dealing with the posh prat.

“Perhaps something more personal than we now share,” Lucius hinted, a pleasant look on his face. Unless Hank said an outright yes or indicated he was interested, this was as far as he would push today. Anything said would give him hints on how to proceed from here. In the end, like always, he would get what he wanted. It was just a matter of how he went about it, nothing more.

“Sorry, no. Business is business. Pleasure is pleasure. I don’t mix the two. Especially with someone married,” Hank said pointedly, leaning back once more then waited to see what came of it. He’d know from here how to go about this.

“Well, maybe, you might consider breaking that rule in the future,” Lucius said after taking in all Hank imparted. It at least gave him an idea of how to go about matters. “My wife—she isn’t an issue. It’s not something I’ll discuss at the moment, but it’s not a concern.”

“Sorry, no. I don’t fiddle with anyone married,” Hank told him with a firm shake of his head. “Old rule and one I stick to.”

“Well, yes, it’s one I can understand, but you’re not acquainted with my circumstances.” Lucius told him with a sigh, shaking his head. This was an act to garner sympathy, one which usually worked. It was just planting the seed, nothing more. He would press on from here over the next few visits and ensure it worked to his advantage. “Enough for today, though, as I do have to go. Much needs attended to. Let’s settle up, shall we? Then I’ll bring a list next time of more items I want to find.”

Though Hank wanted to roll his eyes at the poor pitiful me I’m in a bad marriage bit he knew Luci was going for, he didn’t. Instead, he tossed out the price and waited. He’d deal with Lusty Luci from here on out until he couldn’t tolerate anymore then go from there. If it took Yama stepping in to handle the man, he’d let his companion do so. Either way, Luci wasn’t getting what he wanted, that’s for damned sure.

Once Luci left, Hank settled down in his chair once more, arms folded over his chest. As he glared at the chair the man had been seated in, he told Yama, “I think you’re going to end up having at him before this is over. It’s one thing to hint, another to dig into my past. The latter I won’t tolerate.”

Yama perched on Hank’s shoulder then hissed malevolently, clicking his beak in an almost irritated way before ruffling his feathers.

Easily understanding what his companion meant, Hank agreed with a nod. “He’ll get his. I have more than enough on him to land him in a dung heap the size of a small mountain. And if he thinks I won’t, he’s sadly mistaken. Dealt with too many like him to think he’ll just let it go and move on. No, he wants to get his way. It’s not happening,”

After agreeing with Hank, Yama then hissed a few times, trying to impart something else he thought Hank should worry about.

Brow furrowed as he listened to his companion, Hank thought over what was said then gave a slow nod. “You’re right; we need to worry about Luci seeing Sirius around. The twins aren’t a problem as they are straight up customers. Snape—he referred the man. Sirius, though, is an issue. I’ll say something to him and ensure we’re not seen together or meeting up in the standard places. The personal part—we’re good there I think, as we’re using uncommon businesses or ones we know Luci and his ilk wouldn’t be caught dead in.”

With a sigh, he then added, tone weary, “Meeting here is probably for the best when it comes to the business end. I’ll start sending him the standard business Portkey to use rather than having him show up. The Ministry issued me one, of course, just haven’t had need for it.” Those were standard for businesses. They could only be used to Portkey someone in and out of the business, nothing more, unable to end up altered to take them elsewhere.

Since Sirius was coming today, he could easily pass it along and the reason why. Plus, gather intel on Luci he might need to help the situation. Yeah, any little bit would assist there since he was damned sure he would have to use it at some point.

Of course, Yama agreed with a hiss then went to work grooming Hank’s hair, figuring that was the last on the topic and he had no more to impart.

Hank smiled at what the bird was doing, starting to relax. “Since Sirius has an appointment today, I’ll fill him in and make damned sure he knows to keep watch for someone hanging around. He knows what he’s doing, so it won’t be bothersome.” Then, with a sigh, he dropped the topic, letting Yama finish as it would relax him before his next appointment. Though the one coming in was one of his ‘legitimate’ clients, just needing the standard which was hard to get hold of in the UK, it wouldn’t do to be uptight still. No, that wasn’t an image he wanted to convey. There was too much to stay wary of to end up distracted.

Since settling down in the normal chair for the meeting with Hank, Sirius was pleased. Though Hank hadn’t imparted much in the way of information, what he was giving were tidbits they could most assuredly use. He knew they related to plenty Hank would have no way of knowing about. Perfect. Once the meeting was over, he would pass the information along to those who could use it most then let them have at it.

Once they finished with that part of the discussion, Sirius inquired, “What is it you need to discuss with me?” Hank had mentioned he needed to talk something over with him when they started, so he was curious.

“A couple things, actually,” Hank told him, sending more items off to the cabinet. Like normal, he was sorting through inventory which had come in. Again, as usual, they would shift to the Three Broomsticks when he was done. With a sigh, he leaned back then said, weary bent to his voice, “When we schedule a business meeting, I’m going to start doing it here and use the standard business Portkey.” Before Sirius could ask why, he explained about Lucius.

When he finished, seeing Sirius look concerned, he added, “Nothing to worry about so far as we’ve not been seen together, both of us ensuring it, but I want to make sure to protect both of us. The personal—we don’t have to worry there, but probably should take precautions as well.”

“Understood and will do,” Sirius nodded, planning to. Yeah, Lucius finding out about them would end up a monumentally bad idea which could cause plenty of hell for both of them. No, it wasn’t something either of them needed in the scheme of things. With as rotten as the war was, they didn’t need more added on top of it. “I don’t mind coming here, honestly. It’s probably better and safer than the Leaky when it comes to everything. The Leaky is generally neutral territory, but you never know.”

“My thoughts,” Hank nodded. “Nothing wonky here or illegal, so it’s not something you’ll end up in trouble over. I ensure it isn’t.”

“Exactly,” Sirius agreed. He also planned to have Snape keep his ears open for anything Lucius might say about Hank or hints dropped about who they would know was him. It would help keep all of them safe.

“I was hoping you had a bit of history about Lusty Luci, aside from the obvious,” Hank then started. With Luci married to Sirius’ cousin and the whole war nightmare, he might know plenty you couldn’t find out the normal way. “I know quite a lot, as he’s right and I check some out before I take them on as a client. Luci, because of his reputation, I did before accepting him. Since then I’ve heard plenty. It’s the area of his wife I don’t know much about. The same with more personal ones. The rest—heard more than enough to know he’s plenty dangerous.”

“He is,” Sirius told him firmly with a rigid nod. “More than you probably know. Lucius is one of those Purebloods that think Muggle-borns don’t belong in our world. And he had no problem torturing and killing them. We heard plenty about him in the last war, though couldn’t prove it. Those two crimes are just a couple of what we heard.”

“Knew he was a dangerous one,” Hank observed, brow furrowed, as he took it all in. “Even he alludes to that to make himself sound more important.”

“I’m sure we’ll never know the full extent of Lucius’ crimes,” Sirius sighed, shaking his head. “Unless someone can force him into a position to talk and fully confess, we won’t either. With his money, power, clout, and connections, I doubt it will ever happen unless he finds himself in a spot where nothing will work. Like with the last war when it ended, he’ll wiggle himself out.”

“Probably,” Hank nodded, thinking it over. With what he knew of Luci, and people like him, he had no doubt the man would find some way to slither his way out of whatever. “What about his wife? Some of what he said to me alludes to the fact it’s not one of those happy marriages and was probably arranged in some way. I know Purebloods over here still do the arranged marriages, unlike most of the world.”

“It’s him blowing smoke,” Sirius snorted, rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t an arranged marriage. I was in school with the two in their final years, so trust me when I say they were in love and married for that reason. Oh, I’m damned sure both families loved it, as I knew mine did and assumed Abraxas did as well because of the family name and power, but it was their choice.”

“Figured,” Hank snorted, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “Arse is making it sound otherwise to me.”

“He going for more overt?” Sirius asked, concerned. If Lucius was stepping up his pursuit of Hank, the man needed to stay more alert than normal.

“Let’s say it’s the first time he’s mentioned a more personal relationship,” Hank grunted, shaking his head as he did. “Didn’t say what kind, but I’m well aware of what he’s hinting at. Won’t work, trust me. I won’t let it get too far. Let him talk and try. In the end, I’ll shut him down and he’ll back off.”

“Be careful,” Sirius cautioned. “Lucius is a lot like that spoiled brat of a son of his; used to getting what he wants and he doesn’t care how he manages. He’ll pull out everything he can think of, including plenty illegal, to manage. Most wouldn’t think of turning Lucius down when he hits a certain level of coercion as he can cause plenty of problems.”

“Won’t work with me, don’t worry,” Hank assured him with a cold grin. “I’ve dealt with worse than Lusty Luci before and come out fine. We won’t even factor Yama into the equation. Trust me when I say he won’t let it get that far. Luci tries, he’ll learn just what Yama can do to even up the score.”

After a glance at the bird perched on the arm of his chair, Sirius had to grin a little. “He won’t know what hit him, will he?” He asked, reaching out to pet Yama. Like always anymore, the bird let him, giving a contented hiss.

“What I’ve told you about Yama, and parts you’ve seen aren’t all he can do, trust me,” Hank told him with a soft chuckle. “He takes protecting and keeping me safe very seriously. Anyone stupid enough to try something moronic finds out very quickly that Yama is plenty dangerous. Since normal spells don’t work on him, there is little anyone can do to stop him either. He evens up any score quite nicely. In fact, most times I’m ahead of their game and they don’t know it. Luci won’t get far.”

“Good,” Sirius agreed with a nod. Then, with a sigh, he added, “Just stay cautious. Not sure how much there is to dig up on you, but if it can be used to Lucius’ advantage, he’ll do so. And what’s going on now? He’ll try for more than just information to pressure you. I’m sure he can make your life a living hell if he wants to.”

“Again, he can try,” Hank chuckled coldly. “You lot over here might be wary of taking him on as you’re stuck, I’m not. If he thinks I won’t use what he’s blathered about, he’s sadly mistaken. I will, then can leave the country again. Plenty of places I can go he won’t manage to find me.”

“Yeah, you do have that out,” Sirius admitted though he didn’t like the idea.

“Won’t get that far, though,” Hank assured him, evil grin on his face. “Trust me, people have tried this game with me before and they didn’t succeed either. The States might not have the Purebloods you do, but they have the aristocracy which is almost the same thing. Plenty of those are the same way Luci is when it comes to wanting their way. Some tried with me and didn’t manage either. It’s nothing to worry about.” Then he added, evil grin growing, “As you saw, I can take care of myself. And those were just standard spells we were taught in school. When it comes to defending myself, I’m a master. Luci will find that out as well if he tries.”

“As long as you can.” Sirius nodded, pleased with what he was hearing. At least Hank was the sort who understood such matters and took them seriously along with knowing how to protect himself. It’s the ones who didn’t or underestimated people like Lucius who ended up in a world of shit.

Hank then straightened up and went back to sorting. “Once I finish here, we’ll go to the Three Broomsticks again.” After Sirius agreed, he prodded the man to tell him what he knew about Luci’s wife and son along with anything he could use. Since Sirius knew the situation behind the questions, he was damned sure he could give him plenty.

Since he held no love for Lucius in any way, Sirius began telling Hank everything he could which might help him in the future. With the situation there, Hank could use anything and everything he could come up with. Yeah, he would tell him all of it then pass along what he heard for others. If nothing else, Lucius out of the war could only help all of them.

After their normal good meal at the Three Broomsticks where Hank booked the normal private room and ensured he wasn’t seen coming in, covering what they needed, the meeting was winding down. Like normal anymore, it stretched longer than the usual one hour set up. It pleased Sirius as well. Most of what was discussed was business, but the personal came in as well, as it did so much lately. He liked it.

Once he tossed Yama the bone from his meat, Hank leaned back in his chair with a contented groan, sipping his beer. Though he wanted to talk for a while longer, he couldn’t. There were more clients this evening, so he needed to wrap it up. When he put his pint down, he said, “I have to go since I have people coming, however, I have a question. You said Sunday’s are usually a day you don’t have plans?”

Though slightly disappointed, but expecting it, Sirius gave a soft sigh then nodded. “Don’t usually have anything planned. Why?”

“Wanted to have you over this Sunday for dinner. I don’t have plans and thought it was a good day for it,” Hank told him, smiling just a little.

Sirius grinned then nodded, “Good for me. Will make sure I don’t plan for anything. Just send along a time and I’ll be there.”

“Was thinking about seven-ish. I do mostly nights with business and such, so it works out better for me,” Hank told him, pleased. “I don’t cook myself, but my elf is great, as they all are.”

“I’ll be there.” Sirius assured him, adoring the idea. “Elves are great, honestly. Looking forward to it.”

“As am I,” Hank told him frankly. When the alarm on his watch went off, he sighed, “I have to get back. Someone’s coming soon.” Then he stood, waiting for Yama to hop on his shoulder.

Sirius, too, stood. Yeah, he was pleased with this. However, before they parted, he stepped closer and pulled Hank into another kiss, this one a tad more passionate than the ones before.

Since this was the normal anymore, Hank expected it and leaned into the kiss, adoring it. Yeah, come Sunday, he planned to push it a tad further. He just had to wait and see what would come of it from there. Either way, he would get what he wanted out of this and love every minute of it.

After passing along the information Hank had given him and most leaving, Sirius waited until he was sure the house was cleared out except for him, Remus and Snape. He had ensured Snape knew he had to talk to him without anyone else around. Once he was certain, he said, “Snape, need a bit of help.”

“With what?” Snape asked, curious. He assumed it had to do with their plans or only areas they knew about, so he wasn’t overly stressed.

“Lucius,” Sirius grumbled, rolling his eyes. Then he gave a short rundown of what Hank told him earlier. When he finished, he added, “Anything you can come up with I can pass along or find out would be helpful. Hank can handle Lucius, I’m damned sure of it, but I want to give him all the ammo we can to do so. With how Hank is, I’m sure he can use any and all of it to wiggle plenty for us.”

“I’ll keep my ears open and pass along anything I hear or observe,” Severus assured him, a grave look on his face. “Stay careful,” he then schooled. “If Lucius is digging, I doubt he’s stopping with Hank’s past. He’ll use anything, including current areas, to coerce him into what he wants. You don’t need discovered when it comes to knowing and dealing with him. The personal? If he finds out there is something, he’ll do what he can to eliminate the competition, Black.”

“We’re making sure we stay safe and I’ll stay alert,” Sirius assured him. “Hank, too, knows to stay extra cautious. I made damned sure I filled him in on all I knew so he’s aware of how dangerous Lucius is.”

“Good,” Severus nodded, pleased. “I’m sure, with what I’ve seen of Hank, he can protect himself. The man can be right unnerving when he wants. We won’t go into that bird in the mix either.”

“I don’t think Yama is a creature anyone would come out on top with,” Sirius chuckled, sipping his beer. “Hank has told me plenty. Right unnerving knowing some of it.”

“He may need it with Lucius,” Severus grumbled, shaking his head. “Lucius has several kept lovers, all men, at this juncture. From what I know of him and the past, he didn’t have to work half as hard as he is with Hank to get them. At this point, he might find it fun, like the thrill of the chase, but when he becomes frustrated, he’ll end up plenty dangerous. We all know what a dangerous and determined Lucius is like. He’s not used to failing when it comes to something he wants.”

“Didn’t put it that way to Hank, but made sure he knew,” Sirius assured him, nodding in agreement with all that was said. “Just let me know if you hear anything.”

“You have my word,” Severus nodded.

“I’ll talk with a few and have them gather what they can on Lucius so Hank has it,” Remus chimed in, a worried crease in his forehead. “The more Hank has, the better equipped he is to take it on.”

“Good idea,” Sirius nodded. “He’ll manage, but I want to give him all I can to help.”

When the two nodded, he pressed on, summoning what they had on the hunt for Harry so they could work on it. While he was certain there wasn’t much they could figure out, he wanted to try. It was an area he wanted to press on with before worse happened and they were left scrambling or someone else found him first. He wasn’t about to allow that to happen.
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Backfire