Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Turning Tides	By : Slayer-of-Destiny Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Slash - Male/Male Views: 15372 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its characters are sadly not mines. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
Chapter nine

Harry kept his face blank as he and Severus made their way to the Room of Requirements which was luckily fairly close to them. Harry had quickly run through all his possible options in his head, and any dangerous motivations to himself that the potions master could have towards him. However he had quickly acknowledged the fact that aside from trying to make him blow himself up in potions by sneaking up behind him Snape had never tried to hurt him physically or do him any harm. He didn’t know why exactly, it had been made perfectly clear to him that Snape didn’t like him, that he had hated James and he hated Sirius and Remus, but Snape hadn’t hurt him and in some cases had done his best to protect him. So he had found himself giving a cautious nod and following after Snape through the corridors, the both of them automatically sticking to the shadows and away from prying painted eyes.

“You have no reason to trust me, you may summon the room,” Severus stepped back once they reached the door making Harry feel a lot more secure. stepping forwards he started pacing in front of the tapestry thinking what he needed.

A room to speak, no house colours, not allowed violence on each other…A room to speak, no house colours, not allowed violence on each other…A room to speak, no house colours, not allowed violence on each other

The door shimmered into appearance and in return for the trust he had been shown he opened the door and stepped through first. He found that once again the room had done perfectly in finding what he needed, it was a fair sized room painted in cream and black, a large crackling fireplace warmed the room swiftly and two black armchairs stood in front of the fireplace with a table between them for drinks.

“Appropriate,” Severus nodded following Harry over to the chairs and sitting when he did.

“You didn’t ask to speak with me to test my political skills, you said you wanted to talk to me,” Harry said a little sharper than he had intended to.

“You’re right I did not. You are not the same impetuous child you were last year,” Severus said sounding surprised.

“Or perhaps I started showing my real self and not the mask I had to hide behind,” Harry countered.

“And why would you have had to hide?” Severus raised his eyebrow.

“That is not any of your business, nor is it anything that you need to know right now. You are not part of my counsel, I don’t trust you,” Harry answered honestly.

“If you don’t trust me then why did you come with me?” Severus frowned, Harry was shocked by how much his words seemed to have upset Severus.

“I should have been more clear, I trust you with my life, not my thoughts or actions,” Harry answered a little gentler this time.

“That. That I can understand,” Severus said slowly.

“Why have you worked so hard to save me, so many times?” Harry asked before he could really stop himself.

“Sorry?” Severus looked unchanging but Harry saw the flash of shock in his eyes.

“Why have you saved my life so often? You haven’t made any secret of the fact you hate me, so why?” Harry asked.

“I have not hidden that I disliked your father. Your mother however. Your mother was my best friend and like a sister to me. I felt betrayed when she started going out with your father. You are the reminder that my best friend chose my bully over me, just as you are the reminder of her,” Severus answered quietly but honestly. Harry sighed rubbing his eyes tiredly as he tried to sort everything out in his head.

“You see either my father, my mother, or her betrayal. I am not any of those, I am only myself. I can’t be my dad, the only memory I have of him is some of his last words, the same with my mum. The only thing I can be is myself and do the best I can,” Harry pinched his nose with a deep sigh.

“I can not apologise for my previous actions,” Severus sighed sounding tired.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Harry asked.

“Lucius informed me of what happened at the Wizengamot, your…promise to Draco towards what should happen with your beau, as well as your handling of the situation. Lucius asked me to speak to you more clearly of the matter of being on your side,” Severus straightened up, his expression clearly settling into something that he thought was a blank mask, and would no doubt work on many. However Harry’s hidden skill that made him perfect for being the one to sit on the seat at the Wizengamot.

“Hmm,” Harry quickly scanned over Severus’s face, seeing everything there that told him what he was looking for. “And under what authority can you speak for him?” Harry asked.

“I…” The falter gave Harry everything he needed to know. “I am here as his oldest friend and Draco’s godfather,” Severus answered.

“Very well,” Harry nodded.

“Lucius will carry on his place in Death Eater circles, however he will pass any information he can get to you through either myself or Draco, he will also keep an ear out for information about your beau. Draco will also work to limit the information passed from the students here of your movements. He will also ensure Blaise’s safety. When the time comes Lucius will be standing at your side, making his place clear, and any advise that you need along the way he will gladly provide,” Severus said calmly.

“And in return?” Harry asked simply.

“Your support when the time comes for the trials for himself, Draco and for me. And for protection, should our lives be placed into danger,” Severus answered swiftly.

“Nothing else?” Harry raised his eyebrow, that was a lot simpler than he had expected.

“That is all he wishes,” Severus nodded.

“I find these terms agreeable,” Harry said after a moments thought.

“I will tell Lucius. On my part I will also offer information on Dumbledore and his actions, especially towards you,” Severus said slowly.

“And do you have any extra terms?” Harry asked.

“Only the same as Lucius, essentially should the time come where we need help, any of us you will do your best to protect us,” Severus answered after a moment.

“I have a safe house where I will be able to protect you all the best if you are revealed before the end of the war. At the end, I will do everything that I can to protect you at the trials. I will require a magical oath however,” Harry said firmly.

“And one in return,” Severus nodded. “On my magic I swear the alliance of Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy, that in return for your protection and up holding your side of our agreement of all the terms spoken tonight we will honour our own. As are my words, as are my magic. So mote it be,” Severus placed his wand over his heart as he spoke, the swell of magic and flash telling Harry it had been carried out.

“On the terms spoken tonight, so long as they are withheld on the side of Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy I swear an alliance and holding my side of the terms spoken tonight. As are my words, as are my magic. So mote it be,” Harry spoke the words feeling the pull of his magic as it wrapped around his words.

“Very well. Then I have some news of Dumbledore already to share with you,” Severus said with enough of an inflection that Harry closed his eyes with a sigh.

“I am not going to like this am I?” Harry asked.

“No you’re not. Lucius has told me enough of the Wizengamot meetings, enough has been placed in the papers and I have heard enough that you know a lot of Wizarding traditions. You are aware of the conditions of entering into a formal contract?” Severus asked seriously.

“Yes,” Harry frowned slightly wondering where this was going.

“Then you are aware that when you agree to a formal courting, when you accept the first gift you enter the contract. That you may accepting other courting contracts, however should at any point consummation outside of a courtship be made, then no bonding between those in the courting contract can ever be made once the courtship is broken as such,” Severus spoke softly in a way Harry had never heard before.

“I am aware yes, but I have intentions of…breaking this,” Harry frowned deeper.

“I have no doubt of that,” Severus smirked a little before it dropped. “Dumbledore has set a number of people to seduce you from your courtship, by any means necessary,”

“By any means necessary?” Harry asked closing his eyes.

“These you need to take each week, I will send them to you when you need a fresh one, they neutralise all but amortentia should they appear in your food. I would advise you go no where without an escort, accept no food or drink from anyone, even those you trust - I doubt that Dumbledore or some of the people he had employed are above using imperio. As a last resort Dumbledore inflicted that using force would not be unacceptable,” Severus winced at the crack of magic through the room as Harry’s green eyes lit with anger.

“That bastard! He would…I…AH!” Harry stood swiftly as his magic exploded around him.

“Dumbledore is even more out of control than I have ever seen him. I can not give you the names of any of the others, I was one of them, I was only told that there would be others ‘working towards the same goals’,” Severus winced at another crack.

“He is unhinged if he thinks this will work. Rape is not even…it does not happen!” Harry spluttered.

“I know, love potions are not recognised as rape, and rape outside of potions is just not done. Dumbledore is completely unhinged,” Severus agreed.

“Thank you for telling me this,” Harry said calming down a little.

“It was our agreement,” Severus shrugged.

“But you made that agreement, self preservation though it may be. If that is all I should go and tell the others, we need to make plans to counter this,” Harry sighed.

“Aside from a warning that Dumbledore will be watching your correspondences and those of Miss Lovegood, Mr and Miss Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr Longbottom, no that is all,” Severus stood as well making to leave.

“Was Lucius ok with Voldemort after the events outside the Halls of Government?” Harry asked making Severus pause and turn around, that flash of shock visible again.

“He was fine, if nothing else Lucius has a quick tongue and an even quicker mind. He informed the Dark Lord of it before anyone else could and made it seem as though he had seen a crack forming between you and Dumbledore and placed himself in it to widen it between you, while getting your trust,” Severus smirked.

“That at least allows for any future displays. Goodnight sir,” Harry said politely.

“Goodnight,” Severus turned and left quickly leaving Harry to his thoughts.

________________________________________________________________________________________

“Oh Merlin how badly did it go? Please tell me they didn’t attack Mikhail?” Hermione gasped as soon as he looked up on entering the common room. Snorting he shook his head as he peeled off his robes and flopped down onto the sofa beside Neville. Luna and Ginny were in their pyjamas, Neville, Ron and Hermione in relaxed clothing and they had clearly been waiting up for him.

“No the meal went fine, Mikhail won them over enough that Sirius invited Mikhail and Blaise to spend Yule with us. They interrogated him of course but it went well,” Harry smiled tiredly.

“Then what’s with the face?” Ginny frowned confused.

“I ran into Snape on the way back up here,” Harry said before telling them everything that had happened. There was silence in the room for a good ten minutes after he finished as everyone took in everything that Harry had just told them.

“Well I am trying to focus on the fact that we definitely have new and strong allies and spies into both camps because otherwise I have an overwhelming urge to go kill Dumbledore,” Ron gritted out.

“Join the club,” Luna said darkly.

“We knew Dumbledore was desperate to keep you under control but this…” Neville shook his head looking a little sick. “And he knows of your blessing,”

“Sirius, Remus, Bill, Mum and Dad are going to blow a fuse when you tell them this,” Ron was clenching his hands together hard enough his knuckles were turning white.

“You have to tell Mikhail as well Harry,” Hermione said looking straight at him with the intensity that said she knew what he was thinking.

“Does he have to know?” Harry winced.

“Harry you can’t keep something this big from him. He is courting you, he wants to be your bondmate, this isn’t something you keep from him,” Ginny shook her head.

“He’s going to realise at some point along the way that I am not worth all the trouble that comes with me,” Harry sighed.

“Oh Harry. The way he looks at you says he would take on the world right at your side, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t in love with you already,” Hermione smiled.

“Why can’t I just be left alone to have one piece of my own life to myself?” Harry asked miserably. Neville wrapped his arm around Harry’s shoulders and tugged him into a hug as Ginny reached across the space between them to hold his hand.

“We aren’t going to let anything happen, even if we have to form a 24 hour guard around you we will. Firstly we’re going to ward your bed with every single spell that Bill has taught us, then after stealing hair from Seamus and Dean we’re going to layer wards and traps across the room so anyone sneaking in will raise a merry storm and get stuck so we can catch them. No one is breaking your contract Harry,” Ron said firmly making him smile a little.

“Want to hear what else I learnt about Snape?” Harry asked.

“About?” Hermione frowned.

“Read it on him, his face totally gave it away along with a hesitation,” Harry grinned.

“Ah your people reading, go on,” Ginny nodded.

“Snape and Lucius are involved,” Harry grinned as they all choked.

“You mean like…”

“Like lovers, yup,” Harry finished Neville’s sentence.

“Bloody hell,” Ron blinked. “I can’t imagine it, not sure I want to like, but I just can’t see them together,”

“I’m sure of it. Lucius requested himself, Draco and Snape be under my protection, not his wife which indicates that there is a problem in their marriage. When I asked Snape on what authority he spoke for Lucius he hesitated before answering as his friend and Draco’s godfather, that indicates that there is more to his relationship with Lucius than he said, but he wanted to say it. A few other tells were enough to confirm it for me,” Harry listed.

“Wow, I wonder how long they have been together?” Hermione blinked.

“Oh Merlin you are getting that romantic look. I am not listening to you cooing about Snape and Lucius Malfoy, and isn’t it romantic! I have had a bloody long day, I am off to bed,” Harry shook his head.

“I’m sleeping with you tonight,” Luna piped up standing.

“It’s a good job I know you are 100% gay and falling in love with Mikhail or I would think I had competition for her,” Neville said lowly as everyone started saying goodnight.

“As far as she’s concerned there is no one else,” Harry clapped Neville on the back before hugging Hermione and Ginny.

“You are almost in love with Mikhail,” Luna said softly as she cuddled into his side under the covers.

“I’m pretty sure I am yes,” Harry sighed playing with a strand of her long blonde hair.

“I’m glad you have this chance to be happy and for a family. We aren’t going to let anyone ruin it,” Luna smiled.

“I know…its just…its scary to think that people are so eager to control me they would do that, that anyone would agree to do that,” Harry shuddered a little.

“Dumbledore’s influence is a little stronger than we had really anticipated. But you are gaining your own followers, whether you would call them that or not, and with you showing how competent you are in legal matters and in the Wizengamot, never mind winning the attraction of one of the grey families the people are looking to you and not Dumbledore in this war more and more,” Luna patted his chest.

“Thank you,” Harry squeezed her making her giggle.

“You’re welcome,” she sighed snuggling down and almost immediatley falling asleep. Harry honestly didn’t know how she did that, but he wished he was able to. As it was he lay there with all the events of the night spinning around in his head. The talk with Snape had been one revelation after the other, including the fact that he and Lily Potter had apparently been best friends. It had been a very long night.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Harry something is wrong, what is it?” Mikhail pulled Harry to a stop tugging on their joined hands to make him turn and look at him. They had met up to have spend a few hours together and have lunch as they both had the day free, then Harry would return to Hogwarts to change for the meal with the others tonight and make his way there with Hermione and Ron who now both had permanent invitations with him.

Harry knew that he had to tell Mikhail, he really did, but he didn’t want to. Mikhail was going to reach a point where he had enough of all the crap that Harry pulled with him, but Hermione was right this wasn’t something that he could keep from them if he wanted to have a proper relationship with him. He had been trying to figure out the best way to tell him over the last two days, in a letter was definitely a no no, at the meal also not private enough, when Mikhail had written to ask him to spend lunch with him Harry had realised it was the best time, but he couldn’t for the love of Merlin think how to start this conversation.

“Harry? Has something been said? Are…Padfoot, Remus and Bill not as ok with us as they seemed?” Mikhail asked concerned stepping closer to Harry.

“No, no they honestly really liked you. You won them over,” Harry shook his head. “Its..there is something I have to tell you, privately,” Harry sighed not looking at Mikhail.

“Alright, come on,” Mikhail led him down the alley to the Leaky Cauldron and over to the bar. Harry was aware of the apprehensive quality to Mikhail’s voice, but he was so worked up about trying to figure out how he was going to say this to Mikhail that he was barely aware of Mikhail asking Tom for a private room or being led there he could do nothing but squeeze Mikhail’s larger hand a little tighter in comfort.

“Harry? You are worrying me, please tell me what is going on,” Mikhail sat beside Harry on the small love seat, his grey eyes darkened in his worry as they scanned Harry’s face. He was holding tightly onto Harry’s hand as though he was worried Harry would aparate away. Placing his free hand over Mikhail’s in a hope to reassure him Harry bit his lip, now he had to speak.

“When I returned to the school on Thursday Severus Snape caught me on my way back to the Gryffindor tower. He wanted to talk to me. Lucius had sent him to confirm an alliance between us in return for my protection, mainly for an exchange of information…”

“You are sure it was safe?” Mikhail interrupted.

“What I lack in politics, I made up in knowledge. As I said before family is above everything else to Lucius. He is doing his best to protect them, he sees me as the best way to do that. He will be loyal for that reason alone. Snape also made a vow on his magic,” Harry reassured him.

“Ok, I had to ask,” Mikhail nodded with a smile raising their hands to kiss the back of Harry’s.

“Once we had talked terms and made vows he gave me some information about Dumbledore. Information that is…concerning, but you have a right to know,” Harry struggled to say.

“What information Harry? What did he say?” Mikhail tightened his hand over Harry’s scanning his face concerned as serious worry began to creep in.

“He told me that…Dumbledore has put people to either tempt me to break the terms of our courting contract…or by force,” Harry finished so softly Mikhail considered perhaps he had not heard right, but there was no mistaking it.

“He…” Mikhail grit his teeth wrenching his hand away from Harry’s as he stood and stormed towards the fireplace, leaving Harry slightly sprawled across the love seat from the force Mikhail had pulled away. He lowered his eyes so he could not see Mikhail as he felt his eyes filling up, his heart was sinking in his chest as his breathing became heavy as he fought the urge to cry. This was the reason he had not wanted to get close to someone, this was the reason he had not wanted to open himself up to more hurt in his life, especially not when the war was still going on.

Mikhail was standing with his hands on the sill of the fireplace as he stared into the flames trying to fight down the anger and disgust battling for place in his chest. He could feel his magic writhing underneath his skin like a pit of angry snakes, and he wasn’t sure exactly who his anger was most directed at, Dumbledore or the faceless men who had been charged to attack Harry and break their courthship. His jaw was aching where he was gritting his teeth to try and gain control of his temper, especially before he stormed out and killed some people. Spinning around he opened his mouth to say something to Harry, he wasn’t exactly sure what, but then he caught sight of Harry and froze.

“Harry?” He frowned Hurrying back over to where Harry was sitting still slightly sprawled across the love seat as he stared down hiding his face with his hair, but the crystal tear drops falling to the sofa telling Mikhail Harry was crying. “Harry?”

“Don’t…” Harry shrugged off Mikhail’s hand when he gripped his shoulder.

“Harry?” Mikhail gripped Harry’s shoulders as he sat down on the coffee table in front of the sofa making him looking at him. He felt his heart clenching at the sight of Harry’s green eyes filled with tears. “Merlin Harry,” Mikhail leant forwards pressing their lips together crushingly making Harry gasp into his mouth.

“Mikhail!” Harry pulled back with a gasp placing his hand over Mikhail’s mouth for good measure. “You’re angry at me,” Harry frowned.

“Mat?” Mikhail made a noise of annoyance and reached up the grip Harry’s wrist and tug his hand away from his mouth. “What? I’m not annoyed at you, why would I be annoyed at you?” Mikhail asked.

“It seemed like you where,” Harry frowned his eyes shifting away from Mikhail’s face. “I know that I have a lot of crap and that it just seems one thing after the other and that it’s a lot of trouble just to be close to me never mind with me but eek!” Harry embarrassingly flailed when Mikhail pounced on him knocking him so he was lying flat on the sofa, Mikhail’s firm and definitely male body on top of his own.

“Stop Harry, stop! I’m not angry or upset at you or anything, and I’m definitely not regretting starting anything with you. I told you I knew what I was getting into when I chased you to court you, that has not changed. I was angry with the people that are willing to hurt you, that Dumbledore would do this just to try and get control of you. I was trying to get control of my anger at them, I wasn’t angry at you!” Mikhail said firmly.

“Oh…bit embarrassed now,” Harry chuckled as a deep red blush spread across his face confirming his words.

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about, I do though. You tell me something like that and I storm away from you,” Mikhail shook his head.

“I was worried it would be the straw that broke the camels back,” Harry admitted softly gripping onto the front of Mikhail’s robes as he wriggled a little to get comfortable.

“I’m not going to change my mind Harry, not for this, not for anything. I knew you had a lot coming with you, but you’re worth it, what we can have together is worth it,” Mikhail smiled down at him, stroking his fingers along the side of Harry’s face looking down at him with warmth in his eyes that eased all the worry from his mind and chest.

“I’m really not sure I’m worth all this trouble right now, not with Voldemort and Dumbledore after me. Maybe if we wait until after the wa…” Harry groaned into Mikhail’s mouth was he was quietened again with a kiss. He wasn’t sure that he wouldn’t mind Mikhail using this method to quieten him every time, and he couldn’t seem to stop himself from kissing back, his hands sliding over Mikhail’s broad, firm shoulders able to feel the muscles there even through his robes, before sliding them down his back and gripping onto the fabric of his robes.

“Don’t speak like that. I am not waiting any longer than I have to, especially not because of old deluded fools who thinks he can control and rule your life as he sees fit, and not because of some psychopathic mad man who has ruined enough of your life already. I told you, I tend to get what I want, and what I want is to bond with you,” Mikhail pulled back just enough to press their foreheads together, his grey eyes peering down into Harry’s own intently. Harry smiled back at him tugging on his shoulders to bring him back down into another kiss.

Kissing Mikhail was something he could never get enough of, and due to circumstances they could never really kiss as much as he would like. Generally they were around other people, or in public places where it would unseemly for two Lords to be seen snogging, this was a rare opportunity and one he did not want to waste. The feeling of Mikhail’s tongue tasting and teasing, his full lips pressed to Harry’s own, the feeling of his powerful body pressed against Harry’s, all of it was amazing and completely intoxicating, making his head spin and his magic reach out to Mikhail’s which welcomed his and stroked back along his.

He gasped into the kiss when Mikhail placed his full body weight against Harry, he shifted automatically so that his legs were were framing Mikhail’s hips and their bodies pressed even closer together. He delighted in the moan that Mikhail released into their kiss, their lips pressing together more desperately and more hungrily. Harry wrapped one leg over the back of Mikhail’s thighs, his hands gripping tighter into Mikhail’s robes and shoulders as he felt the lust burning through his body, felt his body becoming more sensitive and warmer, he became more aware of every inch of Mikhail against him, even the feel of the strands of Mikhail’s hair brushing against his face felt 100 times more than it had before.

Mikhail trailed his lips from Harry’s when they had to separate for air, but he trailed his lips instead down Harry’s neck, tugging at the neck of his robes to settle his lips over his collar bone, nipping and sucking at the pale skin, watching as it turned a beautiful red. When their lips sealed back together in a powerful kiss Harry gripped even tighter onto Mikhail, barely even noticing when Mikhail’s teeth caught his lip with the fierceness of their kiss, only groaning deeper into the kisses. When their hips rocked together however, their arousals pressing against each other, Harry pulled away, heaving in in deep, gasping breaths and feeling shaky with the powerful arousal he had not felt before.

“H…Harry?” Mikhail breathed out propping himself up over Harry. “I’m sorry,”

“No, no its just, not here, not now,” Harry smiled pecking Mikhail’s lips one more time.

“I know. I thought I had a little more control than this,” Mikhail chuckled. “You are lethal,”

“At least I am completely reassured that you weren’t angry at me,” Harry said cheekily, bursting out laughing when Mikhail nipped at his cheek in response.

“I love your laugh,” Mikhail sighed shifting so that he was sitting up, tugging Harry’s legs over his lap.

“I’ll make a note, arousal makes you sappy,” Harry grinned leaning forwards to kiss Mikhail.

“I’m a Slytherin I do not do sappy,” Mikhail mock scowled but had to smile as Harry started laughing again.

“Of course you don’t,” Harry nodded.

“What do you want to drink? I booked the room for an hour, we might as well have something to warm us up,” Mikhail asked.

“Warmed Butterbeer please,” Harry said after a moments thought, smiling when the steaming cup appeared on the coffee table.

“Tea, milk one sugar,” Mikhail requested. “That is better,” He sighed after taking a sip, dropping his head onto the back of the sofa.

“So, we’re ok?” Harry asked after a few moments of silence, simply enjoying their drinks.

“We’re fine Harry. Though I still would like to murder Dumbledore, you are being careful?” Mikhail asked worriedly.

“Honestly I think you need to get in a long line to do that, and I haven’t told Sirius, Remus or Bill yet, never mind Molly, Arthur, Charlie or the twins,” Harry winced. “But I am being careful, at least one of the others is with me at all times, and we have created these,” Harry undid the necklace around his neck and held it out to Mikhail. Taking the fine silver chain Mikhail looked at the charm on the end, it was a simple oval flat plated charm but with a beautiful carving of a stag with a lily wrapped around its antlers.

“What does it do?” Mikhail asked confused. Grinning Harry leant forwards and little and took the necklace back but left it so Mikhail could still see the charm. Mikhail watched confused as Harry closed his eyes in concentration before opening them again, he was about to ask what he had done when the face of the charm shimmered and the stag and lily were replaced with words.

That’s nice, have a good time and say hello to Mikhail from us. Mione.

The lily and stag reappeared for a second before it shimmered again and a second message came through.

Could you stop by the twins shop and get more of the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. G

“Up for meeting the twins?” Harry smiled at Mikhail.

“Makes it easier not the meet them all in bulk,” Mikhail shrugged. “That is a very good idea though, how does it work?” he asked running his finger along the carving of the Lily and Stag.

“Its charmed so that only I can take it off, as long as some point of it has skin contact with me I’ll be able to activate it. It works off thoughts or spoke words, activated with a password, and then you think or say what you want to be put on the others charms, when a message comes through it heats up,” Harry explained as he fastened it back around his neck. “Ginny transfigured the charms, each one if personal to us, Hermione and me placed the spells on them to use them to pass messages,”

“Promise me you will be careful,” Mikhail sighed taking Harry’s hand in his.

“I’m being careful. But trust me, as quick as you think I am politically I’m quicker with spells,” Harry promised.

“There’s no way to prove that he’s doing this is there?” Mikhail said rather than asked.

“No there isn’t, especially with it coming from Snape, we wouldn’t even get it to the Wizengamot where we could ensure a fair trial. He’s whispered in enough ears and kindly helped enough families for nothing but ‘what’s right’ to have a lot of leeway. Not to mention he has people in or close to nearly every department in the ministry,” Harry shrugged.

“Are you serious?” Mikhail frowned.

“Not exactly the managomous, grandfatherly, not interested in politics soul that he makes himself out to be huh?” Harry snorted.

“No, he’s really not. Dante will be interested to hear this, he’s had suspicions about Dumbledore for a long time,” Mikhail hummed.

“He’s been right to. I get the feeling that there is more behind those two then just a dislike of character, Dante seems to have a real dislike for him,” Harry asked what had been on his mind from the first meeting. Mikhail put his cup back down on the coffee table and laid one arm over Harry’s legs, the other made Harry shiver as he absently slipped his hand up Harry’s right trouser leg and started rubbing his ankle gently, all the while looking completely oblivious to what he was doing, especially to Harry’s arousal system!

“Its mainly to do with Dumbledore’s dislike of Slytherins, he doesn’t make it obvious enough that anyone has any hope to raise an argument against him, something it seems he is very good at. Dante was on the Wizengamot before Dumbledore, just as he became one of the Lord Over seers before Dumbledore became Supreme Mugwump. Dante stands in the way of a lot of the bills that Dumbledore wants to push through, where Dumbledore has a number of the light votes, Dante holds the grey, the Dar…Voldemort holds the dark. If Dumbledore gets rid of Dante then he will be able to get one of his followers to replace Dante, and then have a higher control of the Wizengamot. Dante of course has fought off any attempts Dumbledore made, including a very suspicious anonymous accusation that Dante was a Death Eater,” Mikhail explained.

“That makes a lot of sense, and it is completely Dumbledore’s style. Dante is entirely too Slytherin for Dumbledore’s tastes,” Harry nodded thoughtfully.

“You know a lot about the way his mind works,” Mikhail said quietly drawing Harry’s eyes away from where they had been thoughtfully on the fireplace. He smiled slightly sadly at Mikhail rubbing his fingers over Mikhail’s.

“I have to. No matter how it seems Dumbledore does still have a measure of control over me as long as I remain in Hogwarts, the Ministry will never let me leave the country to go to another school, and I can’t be seen to be fracturing from him completely just yet, challenging him, making it known I’m not happy with him is one thing. I need to know the way he will move and react as best as possible so I can make the best move I can,” Harry sighed.

“I don’t like how surrounded you are,” Mikhail frowned.

“I have my own friends, and people that are by my side in case something happens. You don’t have to worry about me Mikhail,” Harry smiled taking a chance and moving so he was straddling Mikhail’s lap. He watched slightly fascinated as Mikhail’s eyes dilated, his hands going to Harry’s hips. He paused when he realised what he had done and moved his hands away looking unsure as to where he should put them. Smiling Harry placed his hands on top of Mikhail’s and guided them back to his hips.

“I care about you, I want to bond with you, of course I am going to worry about you,” Mikhail said firmly, reaching up to brush his fingers over Harry’s face tucking his hair behind his ear.

“Then don’t worry too much, I’m not going to miss the chance of getting to bond with you. I will fight just to hold you to that,” Harry grinned nudging his nose against Mikhail’s.

“Then we have a deal,” Mikhail nodded before pressing his lips to Harry’s again. Harry hummed contently into the kiss, the afternoon already had been a good start on satisfying his need to be close to Mikhail, and they had the meal tonight as well. “You are far too tempting for either of our good,” Mikhail sighed against Harry’s mouth as his fingers tightened over Harry’s hips. Grinning mischievously Harry nipped lightly at Mikhail’s bottom lip before kissing him lightly.

“Sorry, you don’t exactly make it easy on me either you know,” Harry apologised pulling away.

“As long as we are making it as difficult on each other,” Mikhail chuckled roughly.

“You know,” Harry smiled shyly running his fingers over Mikhail’s jaw. “If you and Blaise come to the manor for the holidays, we would have nearly two weeks together,” Harry suggested quietly feeling ridiculously nervous once his suggestion was out there.

“You want to spend the whole holiday with me?” Mikhail asked sounding a little stunned.

“Well yes, it would be nice to get to spend time with you uninterrupted, especially over the holidays. But you know I’ll understand if you want to spend it you and Blaise, and well Sirius, Remus and Bill will be there all the time, and Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Molly, Arthur, Char…” Harry blinked when Mikhail’s lips pressed to his quieting his rambling.

“Family and all, I would like to get to spend every minute of the holidays with you I can,” Mikhail responded when he pulled away getting a happy grin from Harry.

“Then I’m looking forward to Yule even more. And I get to see your face when you open your present,” Harry grinned.

“I’m sure Blaise will appreciate some more time with Ms Weasley as well,” Mikhail smirked as Harry started laughing.

“That he definitely won’t complain about,” Harry nodded. “Come on we had better get to the twins shop if we want to make it on time tonight,” He sighed standing up reluctantly and already feeling colder.

“Any warnings that I should get for this meeting?” Mikhail asked allowing Harry to tug him to his feet.

“Accept nothing from them that I haven’t checked out first, take no food or drink, don’t get separated from me,” Harry said quickly. Mikhail scanned Harry’s face looking for signs that he was joking, however Harry was looking back at him completely seriously before started fastening his cloak.

“I am suddenly reconsidering this,” Mikhail winced. Harry laughed reaching forwards to fasten Mikhail’s cloak for him before stroking his hand down his cloak before speaking.

“Don’t worry, I am much, much too fond of you to let anything happen to you,” He grinned raising himself onto his toes and pecking Mikhail’s lips before turning to tug on his gloves that Mikhail had somehow managed to take off of him when they got into the room.

Finally they were both ready to face the falling snow in the alley and with their hands linked they made their way through the christmas/yule crowds filling the alley down towards the brightly coloured shop front belonging to the twins, visible clearly even through the white blanket that had covered the alley like a pretty picture.

While it wasn’t anywhere close to the little town in Prague that Mikhail had taken him to Diagon was still beautiful in its own way, quaint and picturesque with its tall buildings and bright coloured store front. Nearly every shop had hung holly and ivy outside their shops, fairy lights were glittering back and forth, brightly coloured ball balls and evergreen were inside the shops as well.

“Its nice to be able to shop properly for christmas and not just a mad dash around Hogsmeade on the trip they allow us the weekend before holidays,” Harry said as they walked at a gentle pace to the twins shop which looked worryingly busy.

“It never did make sense to me letting students go into the village only a week before holidays, especially the younger years,” Mikhail snorted before opening the door for Harry. “Good Merlin,” He blinked staring around the almost packed shop full of shouting, yelling and noisy children, slightly desperate looking adults and a smattering of teenagers. Shop assistants were busy shouting back and forth to each other, customers and seemed to be attempting to turn everything into controlled chaos.

“Come on, and hold on tight!” Harry shouted over the din, holding firmly onto Mikhail’s hand and plunging into the crowd scanning for redheads. Finally he managed to spot one and nudged, pushed, squeezed and shoved his way through, once he was finally close enough he stopped and let go of Mikhail’s hand to put his fingers to his lips and whistled piercingly. Fred looked up scanning the crowd before grinning when he spotted Harry, quickly finishing up with his customer he scaled down two staircases and yanked Harry into a tight hug.

“Little brother this is a surprise! I heard you were in the alley but I was told you would be having a romantic stroll with your fella,” Fred grinned.

“I am,” Harry answered squeezing back before stepping back against Mikhail’s chest.

“Ah,” Fred eyes scanned Mikhail before he turned and raised his hands to his mouth. “Yo George! Our little star’s here with MZ!” Fred yelled into the shop. Almost as though he had aparated George swiftly appeared at Fred’s side, gripping Harry’s cloak and hugging him tightly while his eyes scanned Mikhail.

“So this is the man that managed to tame our little Harry,” George grinned releasing Harry. “Come on we can take a few minutes we’re having a quiet patch,” He motioned them forwards starting through the crowd.

“You know I hate it when you call me Little Star. And this is quiet?” He asked incredulously as he linked his and Mikhail’s fingers together again.

“Tis the season to panic about what to buy your little darlings, fail safe…”

“Seems to be us. And we are surprisingly popular for the older…”

“Years as well, granny and granddad seem to have a much higher…”

“Interest in prank objects than ours were,” Fred and George visibly had Mikhail a little confused and trying to piece their words together amongst the busy chatter in the shop. Finally they slipped behind the counter and into the back room of the shop where there was a warded experimentation area filled with half done products, materials, potions ingredients. There were a few scorch marks on the floor, wall and work table. A small area at the back of the room near the crackling fireplace was set up with an arm chair and a small battered sofa.

“Sorry we heaven’t got very long,” Fred smiled taking the sofa with George. Rolling his eyes Harry waited for Mikhail to sit in the armchair before perching on his knee with a smirk.

“Its alright, though Ginny asked for more Peruvian instant darkness powder,” Harry shrugged.

“Do we want to know what you lot have done with the lot we gave you in September?” George laughed as Fred summoned a bag of the powder and chucked it to Harry.

“Probably not,” Harry shrugged with a small grin.

“Ah, you do us proud,” Fred sniffed wiping his eyes.

“So Mikhail Zabini huh,” George grinned at the so far quiet man.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harry has spoken about you both a lot,” Mikhail nodded politely to them.

“Well you managed to survive the parental group from hell…“

“And seem to have come out of it unharmed, that is impressive,” Fred and George grinned.

“It was more than a little intimidating meeting them. And I have the rest of your family to meet, lets not count me unharmed yet,” Mikhail said dryly.

“We like him,” They chorused nodding approvingly.

“Just like that?” Mikhail asked surprised.

“Harry is the grand master, our place is not to question him…”

“Wherever he leads we will follow, and we trust in his sense of… “

“People, he’s never wrong. He says you’re ok and that you are the…”

“One he wants, as long as you do nothing to hurt him we are fine with it,” They both shrugged at the same time.

“You inspire a lot of loyalty,” Mikhail said softly smiling when a blush exploded across Harry’s face.

“They’re exaggerating, they were probably there when Bill, Sirius and Remus talked about our meal to Molly and Arthur the other night,” Harry snorted.

“Well there is that as well, but mainly Harry deserves to be happy. We’re not going to push or question him when he has finally got someone in his life,” Fred smiled.

“Someone that seems to treat him very well,” George added.

“I have no intention of hurting him,” Mikhail said honestly. Harry smiled slightly placing his hand over Mikhail’s squeezing it.

“Then we will all get on very well,” Fred grinned.

“Mikhail and Blaise will be joining us for Yule,” Harry said with a happy grin making the twins share a look before they smiled even wider, a look of acceptance in their eyes that had not been there before.

“Well in that case, getting on mum’s good side a bottle of brandy, dad’s a box of caramel chocolates,” George advised.

“Thank you, I will follow that advise,” Mikhail chuckled.

“We’re sorry but we need to get back to the shop, christmas shopping is driving us to exhaustion between sales and replacing stock,” Fred sighed rubbing his eyes.

“Pepper up potion has become an almost daily necessity,” George shook his head.

“Make sure you look after yourselves and actually eat. I’m not at the point where I will tell Molly yet, but I am at the point that I will come round here and make you eat,” Harry said firmly standing and hugging both the twins before they could stand.

“You fuss over us too much,” Fred said fondly standing and combing his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“Make sure to look after yourself, we are fine, Lee keeps an eye on us,” George nodded hugging Harry this time and kissing his temple. Mikhail could read the worry in their playful eyes for Harry, could see how much they cared for him.

“You as well Mikhail, look after yourself, if you get hurt it will hurt Harry,” Fred said in an under tone while George distracted Harry.

“I will do not worry, the same goes for you,” Mikhail nodded shaking Fred’s hand.

“Ready?” Harry asked curiously looking between them.

“You can take the back door out, it would probably take you an hour to get out of here, after work rush,” George shuddered nodding to the back door.

“Thank guys, we’ll see you at Yule, you’ll be seeing me sooner if you aren’t looking after yourselves,” Harry added warningly.

“We’ll see you soon. Enjoy your meal thingy tonight!” Fred waved from the doorway as they stepped into the alley way at the side of the shop.

“Wish us luck,” George added with a grin.

“See you later,” Harry shook his head.

“That was a lot better than I expected,” Mikhail sighed.

“The twins tend to follow me in what I do, they enjoy mayhem and mischief, me sticking two fingers up at Dumbledore, courting someone who he definitely wouldn’t agree with, and a grey Slytherin as well, that’s an idea of heaven for them,” Harry laughed turning in the entrance way to the alley grinning mischievously at Mikhail.

“Ah, so that is why you agreed to court me, because I’m a rebellion partner,” Mikhail nodded.

“Of course!” Harry nodded seriously before smirking and tugging Mikhail closer by his cloak. “And the fact you are charming, gorgeous, intelligent, quick, smooth, slightly dangerous edge,”

“Ok, ok I get it,” Mikhail chuckled nudging his nose behind Harry’s ear.

“Are you embarrassed?” Harry grinned wrapping his arms around Mikhail’s neck.

“Of course not,” Mikhail huffed brushing his lips sensuously along Harry’s cheek in a slow drag before brushing their lips together feather light.

“Of course not, I believe you,” Harry nodded lightly.

“How long before you need to get back to get ready for tonight?” Mikhail asked between kisses, his grey eyes boring into Harry’s.

“Ten minutes,” Harry sighed glancing at his watch over Mikhail’s shoulder.

“Guess I’ll have to make the most of it then before I have to give you back for a couple of hours,” Mikhail smirked before crushing their lips together.
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Turning Tides