All That You Leave Behind

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Harry was standing in the hallway, waiting to go into a meeting when he caught of glimpse of familiar black and white hair. His heart pounding, he moved away from the clump of Aurors he had been standing with, and followed the elusive figure, a moth drawn to a deadly flame.



At the end of a long corridor, a familiar figure was knocking politely on an office door.



Harry frowned, brows drawn close together. What on earth was Sev doing visiting Kingsley? Harry paced closer as the door opened and his lover stepped inside. It hurt to see Sev here, to see that beloved face and body and not be expecting it. His body had betrayed him: had followed Severus, had become aroused. And now he had a meeting to go to, where it was vital he listened and focused, and he knew that more than half of his mind would be wondering about Severus.



He bit back a growl of frustration and lust and stalked back to the waiting group of Aurors. Belatedly, he realised that his actions would have seemed a little odd to them and he readied excuses to hide the truth.



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"Harry," Ginny sighed in exasperation, "I'm not going to stand here holding this bowl forever!"



"H-Huh?" Harry blinked, her voice bringing him out of his musing.



"I've asked you, for...oh, about the fifth time now...to please bring this bowl of potatoes to the table!" She shook her head, a frown creasing her beautiful face. "Honestly, Harry, what has got into you? Did something happen at work today?"



"Yeah, actually, it did," Harry said slowly. "Did Severus tell you he was going to see Kingsley Shacklebolt today?"



Ginny stared at her husband a moment, frown still in place, and said, "He said he had an appointment this afternoon, but he didn't say where. Why? Can't he speak to Kingsley if he wishes to? Really Harry, you don't own the man."



"Of course not," Harry said hastily, "only.....I just thought he'd mention it if he was going to be at the Ministry. I mean.....well...Kingsley is my boss....." he trailed off, feeling slightly foolish.



"Seriously, Harry," Ginny said, her brown eyes full of amusement, "he only lives with us. He's a big boy. He can go to the Ministry by himself. You're not his father, you know."



"Yeah, I know, Gin," he replied, his own frown forming. "I just think it's strange that he wouldn't tell me he was coming to the Ministry today, knowing I would be there. That's all."



"Take the potatoes to the table and get your knickers out of a twist," Ginny said, "I'm sure if it's important, or some sort of earth-shattering reason, he'll tell us. Cast a warming spell on those too, will you?" She went off back into the kitchen shaking her head as she went.



"You don't understand," Harry muttered to himself, doing as she asked. As he was putting his wand away, he heard the rush of flames from the Floo in the living room, and went to greet his errant lover.



Annoyed as he was with the man, he still couldn't help the smile he felt creeping across his face as he watched Severus brush soot from his clothes. "Oh, there you are," he said nonchalantly, "I'd wondered where you'd gone."



"Out," Severus said bluntly, eyeing his young lover. He smiled inwardly at the brief scowl that crossed his Harry's face.



"Out where?" Harry asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He was keenly aware of Ginny's previous words to him. He was starting to sound like exactly what he was. A jealous lover.



Severus raised a brow and gave Harry a look that was frighteningly reminiscent of Severus' days as Harry's Potions Master. "I was not aware that I was required to inform you of my every move," he purred dangerously. He felt no real ire at Harry, rather, amusement and some elation at his obvious possessiveness. He sounded almost jealous, an arousing notion.



"You aren’t," Harry said, feeling rather put out. If they were truly alone, he was sure he'd be able to seduce a real answer out of the man.



Severus snickered inwardly at Harry's pretty little pout, and licked his lips at the thought of kissing it off his face. Those thoughts, however, wouldn't do just now. Regrettably.



"Oh, Severus," Ginny said, pausing in the doorway to the dining room, "good thing you're back. Harry's about to wet himself wondering where you've been. Dinner is ready by the way."



Harry turned and scowled darkly at his wife, feeling his face flush, but she just laughed and went off back to the kitchen. Severus took pity on his boy, and reached out to give his arm a quick squeeze, saying, "Come along, Harry. I have something to tell you both."



Harry felt the tiny sizzle of attraction as they touched, and fought it down. He was still a little upset that Severus had kept something from him, and was almost annoyed at the arousal that fizzed between them.



When they had all settled at table and were eating, Severus still hadn't said anything, and Harry was consumed with curiosity. Finally, unable to endure the man's stoic silence any longer, and not knowing if what he had to say had anything to do with why he had been at the Ministry, Harry blurted out, "I saw you today. At the Ministry. Going into Kingsley's office."



"Please, Severus," Ginny piped up with a laugh, "tell Harry what you were doing there before he explodes."



"Merlin forbid you should....explode, Harry," Severus murmured, then added in his normal voice, "Indeed I was to see Kingsley Shacklebolt today. We had very fruitful conversation, and you both now have the distinct pleasure of dining with the newly created Dark Arts Consultant to the Auror Office."



After a moment's silence when two pairs of eyes, one warm brown, one strikingly green, stared at him in surprise, the brown eyes began to smile. "Severus! Really?" Ginny said excitedly, "Kingsley offered you a job? That's fabulous!"



She got up from her place and went round th etable to throw her arms around the man, kissing his cheek as she did. "Congratulations! I had a feeling you must be bored out of your mind stuck in this house with nothing to do all day. I'm so happy for you!"



She sat down again after Severus returned her embrace and thanked her, even pecked her cheek in return, he was feeling so pleased with himself, and turned to look at Harry, who had yet to say anything.



Harry, who had been trying to quell the excited pounding of his heart, swallowed his potatoes and asked thickly, "Does...does that mean you'll be....coming to work with me?"



"Amongst other things," Severus said cagily, raising a brow. "Unless, of course, you object?"

"Oh no...no.....I don't object. Not at all," Harry said, a smile threatening to split his face. Inside, he was singing.

Amongst other things indeed!

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