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To Protect	By : VSBree Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 30534 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and characters. All rights are reserved to J.K. Rowling. This is a story of fiction, and I am making no profit from it.

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AN: I am so flattered by the amount of praise I have received thus far. I really feel that I am undeserving but it definitely helps get the chapters out faster. Please enjoy this installment!
My work is unbeta'd so please forgive some of the errors.
Warning: A little spell-throwing and a whole lot of petting!
To Protect
Chapter Nine
Severus had been gone the entire evening after his epiphany. Harry had waited for a good three hours before he drifted off to sleep on the sofa. It was the hand brushing aside his fringe and a soft touch to his forehead that roused him. The dark figure of the Potion's Master stood above him as he finally opened his eyes.
“I apologize for my sudden departure.”
Harry sat up sleepily on his hands as he shook his head, “No problem. Where did you get off to?”
“I needed to speak with the minister,” Severus responded as he took a seat beside Harry. “The guest list to the Malfoy's party very rarely changes year to year. Small changes and additions are made with new acquaintances, however, many of the others have been attending for a good many years.”
“Hm,” Harry nodded for Severus to continue.
“I suspect that the recent activity is to take focus from the party and redirect it to the current ransom.”
“A misdirection,” Harry thought quickly. “They are looking to redirect specific parties attending the event to the current issue so that they do not attend the event, then?”
Severus nodded curtly. “I have spoken with the minister. He had intended to withdraw his attendance along with a few other members actively involved in the efforts against the ransom and muggle kidnappings. My suspicion is that they had contrived our every move; thus, they expected you and my attendance.”
“What an elaborate web they weave,” Harry awed the brilliance but mostly how Severus was able to deduce it so easily. “So we do not attend then?”
“On the contrary,” Severus's face darkened and his eyes shined with challenged intrigue. “The minister and other members of the ministry will send their withdrawals and we will attend as previously intended.”
Harry's confusion was only momentary before he understood what Severus was hinting towards. “You mean to say...we attend and they will not be attending...at least not from a guest aspect.”
“Indeed,” Severus gave way to the smallest of smiles. “Shacklebolt was correct in his assumption that you would make a brilliant auror, Harry.”
“It was mostly your cleverness, Sev.”
Severus slipped an arm around Harry's waist and pulled him forward into a powerful, leg-weakening kiss. Harry was left breathless by the time the older wizard pulled away and could only gaze numbly at him.
“I merely have to ensure the safety of a precious treasure,” Severus whispered huskily.
o-o-o
Harry straightened his tie, having already redone it several times; he had no luck when it came to dressing in formal attire. He would often resort to magic, but tonight felt different. He smoothed over the creases in his shirt and tucked it a bit further into his trousers. The emerald-green in his eyes glinted as he watched himself in the mirror. Nervousness crept through him as a thin sheen of sweat collected on his brow.
“Tonight,” Severus said as they sat side by side. “I will excuse myself to greet patrons and leave you. It will most likely be an opportunity for them to strike if they are clever. You will take the corridor on the right.”
Harry wiped the sweat from his brow as he continued to prepare himself both physically and mentally for the evening.
“Your every movement will be monitored; however, it is vital that we encourage as many of them as possible to take an interest. Lead them to the garden.”
Leaving the mirror behind him, Harry made his way to the sitting room to join Severus before they apparated.
“Shacklebolt will have a team ready, but he will not move until your signal.”
Severus was waiting, his back turned away from Harry, and his dark silhouette dancing off the walls. The older wizard's presence was dominated all of his attention as Harry moved forward. When Severus turned, dark eyes met with his emerald depths in a silent regard.
“It is essential, Harry, that you are prepared to capture anyone who may come forward. The testimony of those wizards can lead to the discovery of their leader.”
“Are you ready, Harry?”
The silence was deafening as Harry gazed unmoving at the man. With a smile, he came beside him. “As prepared as one can be when facing silent adversaries.”
Severus gave Harry a small smirk before wrapping an arm around his waist, “How utterly poetic, Mister Potter.” And with that, they apparated.
o-o-o
Narcissa greeted them immediately upon their arrival. She was smiling gracefully as she came to stand before them.
“What a pleasure and honor it is to have you here, Mister Potter.”
Harry smiled and kissed her hand in a polite greeting. “The pleasure is mine, Misses Malfoy.”
“Oh do call me Narcissa,” she said laughing into her hand. “Misses Malfoy is much too formal from Severus's companion.” The blush was immediate as she easily remarked. Oh Merlin...does everyone and their son know? “Oh, do not worry, I am sworn to secrecy. I knew the moment I received your reply that there was much more than pure friendship in his bringing you here.” Her eyes glistened with a knowing smile.
“Narcissa,” Severus cut in with a bow and kissed her hand in formality. “It is an honor.”
“Oh Severus,” she giggled as she touched his shoulder affectionately. “You honor me. I never thought there would come a time when you would share such a delightful secret with me.”
“You would be the only one to deduce that from a simple reply,” Severus murmured softly. “I suspect there is another wizard to blame for coming to such a conclusion.”
Her smile grew rather brilliantly before said wizard was joining them. The over-confident blonde strode full height to his mother's side and bent forward slightly towards her ear, “Mother, the Buckhearts have just arrived.” Malfoy gave way to an arrogant smirk as his eyes strayed to Harry.
“Oh yes,” she said as she gazed at them again. “Please excuse me.”
“So,” Malfoy started as he came forward elegantly. “Should I kiss your hand, Potter?” The answering glare from Severus only caused the blonde to become increasingly smug. Harry smiled politely though his eyes narrowed at the other wizard. Two can play at that game, Malfoy.
“I suppose it would be exponentially better than having you bent over snogging my arse, Malfoy. I see you have done plenty of that already this evening.”
Malfoy's grin faltered, and he cleared his throat. “Yes, well, enjoy your evening gentleman.” He swept away to greet more of the arriving guests.
“Was that absolutely necessary?” Severus voice carried a disappointed timber.
Harry was smiling as he walked forward, “No, but it felt bloody brilliant.”
“Children.”
The hall was elegantly decorated with crystal chandeliers that glistened and sparkled above and levitated mystically throughout the expansive room. The tables circled a large area of floor where there was a music echoing and several couples already dancing. Several tables harbored groups of witches and wizards that were politely conversing and drinking flutes of champagne.
Severus handed Harry a flute before they made their way to a table near the right hand corridor. Harry looked to enchanted clock ticking off in a corner of the overly large room. They would execute their plan in ten minutes. Harry let out a deep sigh as he took a small sip of his liquid. Searching the floor, he noticed many of the officials within the ministry conversing—their hands and expressions animated. No one in particular stood out, but Harry continued his search as if he could identify those that may be affiliated with the group.
A man broke through a crowd of several wizards and witches and made his way to stand before them.
“Mister Harry Potter,” he said with a wide smile. “I am Viktor Knocktool. I simply had to introduce myself.” Viktor bowed gracefully before settling his ice-blue depths on Harry's. As if Severus was not sitting beside him, the man took a seat opposite next to Harry. Dark-as-night hair accompanied the man's ice-like eyes. He was taller than Harry (as most were) and impeccably dressed. The crisp lines of his suit were adorned with several silver snake-like embellishments.
“Mister Knocktool,” Severus cut in a low, dark voice that Harry had not heard until now. “I did not expect your presence this evening.” The words were laced with obvious disdain. Harry perked to Severus's distaste for the man. Knowing that though his former professor was not full of polite smiles, he was never evidently impolite to others either.
“Ah, Severus, it has been too long.”
“Indeed,” Severus replied with contempt.
Viktor turned towards Harry once more, his smile filled with beautifully, pearl-white teeth. “Might I have this dance?”
“Pardon?” Startled, Harry's glass slipped from his hand. Deftly, Severus captured the glass and put it aside for him while Harry did his best to compose himself.
“I meant no harm by it,” Viktor offered lightly.
“He has promised this dance and all of the dances following to me this evening,” Severus immediately hissed.
“Oh,” Viktor's eyes trailed between them immediately following the admission. “I see. Well then, I would not want to impede on your previous arrangement. However, if you are to find yourself without a dance partner, please consider me as your next option, Mister Potter.” Without another word, the man whisked away and left a rather confused Harry and furious Potion's Master in his stead.
“Insufferable prat.”
“Who is the child now?” Harry laughed. “Who is he?”
Severus sat back into his chair, his arms crossing lightly over his chest. “A lobbyist in the Ministry. He is extremely charismatic and influential though evidently an absolute snake of a man. He is a master alchemist though it is my belief not nearly as gifted,” Harry scoffed lightly as his companion continued, “At the moment, he possesses various stores within the district. No doubt established with tainted currency.” The older wizard's eyes watched as Viktor moved along the floor speaking with several people along the way. The blue-eyed wizard's gaze would stray ever so often back towards Harry. Something about the man caused the hair on Harry's body to perk and his stomach to clench in unease.
The clock chimed, and Severus swiftly stood from his chair. “I will leave you only for a moment,” he stated before making his way to the sea of wizards. Harry waited several long minutes before taking himself to the corridor. His hand tightly grasped about the girth of his wand as he strode purposefully down the lengthy passage. Moon glistened through windows, painting every few feet with pure white iridescent light. It was unusually dark through the passage, with only a few wall sconces for light, as he reached the balcony door leading out to the garden.
When he stopped, he heard the soft thuds of footsteps, and his heart raced within his chest. Opening the door, he eased out to the cold winter air. Harry continued out into the night, breathing in the crisp air while listening for the steady footsteps of his assailants. However, silence met his ears. Turning, Harry looked back and saw nothing but darkness around him.
His heart was thrumming as he turned back to the garden and made his way across the veranda. White puffs of air rose into the sky with each breath as he kept a steady pace until he reached the clearing of a pond surrounded by dense shrubbery.
“Out for a stroll,” a silky voice broke through the silence, and Harry immediately turned. Viktor strode towards him, glowing ice-blue irises watching Harry's every movement. “Leaving yourself without the protection of your guard...” the man made a slight noise of chiding, “that was a very ill-conceived decision, Mister Potter.” Several more wizards --Harry counted seven-- appeared from the darkness hidden beneath black cloaks and hoods. Harry drew his wand but Viktor was a pace ahead with his wand already aimed at Harry's heart. “Pity that I did not get that dance,” his smirk was chilling, “you may have survived another night.”
Flashes of light blazed through the sky as several of the wizards in cloaks were hit with spells. Aurors apparated into view and sent hexes flying every which way. Harry shielded against a flying curse before returning it towards Viktor. The wizard was sent backwards, knocked out by the sheer power of it, and Harry rested as all of the wizards lay, unmoving at their feet.
“Remarkable!” Shacklebolt cried as he came beside Harry. “Perfectly executed.” Severus closely followed and was instantly standing beside Harry. The aurors immediately bound the several wizards including Viktor before disapparating. “Are you absolutely resolved not to join as a auror?”
“Yes sir,” Harry smiled as he let out a deep breath. “Though I will admit it was quite invigorating.”
“Yes, it really was. We should have knowledge of their leader and location of the hostages soon enough. Enjoy the rest of your evening gentleman.” Shacklebolt gave them a final handshake --that nearly unhinged Harry's arm out of its socket-- before disapparating.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief before he was gathered up against a hard body. Severus held him tightly before releasing him. “You performed beautifully, pet.”
“It felt a bit too easy, Sev,” Harry revealed. “It finished so quickly that I was sure it had gone awry.”
“It is their occupation,” Severus replied coolly. “Let us return before my prying godson comes in search of us.”
“Probably would conclude we slipped away for a snog session,” Harry chuckled deeply. “I doubt he will come looking if he should suspect that.” Severus's face had gone tense. “I am surprised to see that Viktor was involved.”
“I had my suspicions,” Severus sneered. “He was a man of no integrity. Easily swayed by his whims to the highest bidder. I suspect he was bought for his vast knowledge of poison.”
“So the poison...”
Severus's face darkened impossibly as emotions whipped like flames within his fathomless depths. “He would be one of very few wizards with the ability to brew it.”
“Who would employ him?”
Severus shook his head thoughtfully, “It could be any number of individuals. I could not say.”
They begun to walk down the corridor in their silent pondering. However before he could resurface in the hall of chattering wizards and witches, Harry was pinned between hard wall and a hot body. Severus slid his fingers beneath his overcoat, trailing them over the thin white dress shirt beneath. Tipping his head back against the wall, Harry nibbled at his lower lip to hold back the groans he was sure to exert otherwise. Fingers touched his sensitive nubs, rubbing them through his shirt. A hot mouth against his own swallowed his moans as his body reacted to the jolts of pleasure.
“Sev,” he breathed against the man's thin lips. “N-not here...”
Severus was growling as he devoured Harry's lips once more and pressed his hardened erection into his taut stomach. The pleasure of knowing just how aroused the other man was sent him into a dizzy haze of desire as his mouth responded to the other with renewed fervor.
A sigh interrupted their passionate exchange. “Though I expected this, it still comes as a surprise to find it nonetheless.”
The hands touching along his torso disappeared. Severus straightened as he regarded his godson with a visage of frustration. “Draco,” he began as he stood before Harry who adjusted his clothing quickly. “Harry and I will be departing for the evening. Send your mother my regards.”
“So soon?” the blonde asked with a brief rise of his brow. The arrogant prat was once more smirking as if it amused him – it more than likely did. Harry steeled himself against Malfoy's obvious taunting as the prat was surely looking to get a rise out of them.
“Have a pleasant evening, Draco.” Harry smiled brilliantly as the smirk instantly changed to a mouth gaping in surprise. Anger flashed in the taller wizard's eyes, but Severus had already expected the outburst and merely rested a hand against his godson's shoulder, squeezing it tightly.
Severus gazed at Malfoy. “Yes, pleasant evening, Draco.”
“Yes, uncle,” he bit out through clenched teeth. “Pleasant shagging.” The hand on the blonde's shoulder grasped so tightly that Malfoy was sent bending forward hissing.
“Perhaps I should silence you indefinitely,” Severus threatened in a deep, menacing tone. “I should think you would express improved manners in that event.”
“Forgive me sir,” Malfoy hissed through his pain. “I have forgotten myself and insulted you. It will not occur again.”
“See to it that it does not,” Severus released the wizard's shoulder. “My tolerance for your childish antics has reached its limit. I will no longer placate you boy...” Malfoy's eyes had drawn to the floor during the lecture, and Harry felt oddly satisfied by his obedience. He knew that Severus was not an individual that tolerated disrespect; he had been on the receiving end too often during his school years for much of the same reason. “...I expect to hear word before you show your face in my personal rooms.”
Malfoy was nodding dutifully before Severus led him out of the home and disapparated them away.
o-o-o
It was good to be home as Harry settled down onto the sofa feeling strangely exhausted by the events of the evening. Severus joined him after conjuring a tray.
“Was it okay?” Severus rose a brow as Harry spoke out. “Leaving early I mean...”
Severus pressed a hand to Harry's thigh, “I doubt we will be missed. I would much prefer spend what leisure time I do have with company I actually enjoy.”
His heart quickened at the forthright words. It was astounding to him that merely a few weeks ago he and Severus were as close as separate continents. Neither of them felt even the slightest –well his attraction was evident but not love-- inclination to further a relationship of any sort. Here he was, basking in the glow of a happiness unlike any other, and barely able to focus his thoughts elsewhere. He nearly forgot what had transpired just an hour before; he had only a slight memory of the events that brought them here, in Severus's home, away from the bustle of Hogwarts and their colleagues. It was as if none of it truly mattered.
Lost in his trance, the soft taps against glass would have gone unnoticed if not for Severus's keen hearing and intake of every miniscule detail. The potion's professor rose, his eyes narrowing with frustration, and let the bloody bird that had disturbed his moment with Harry, cursing the sodding animal as it flew towards Harry and delivered a note held in its talons.
Harry broke from his daze and read through the letter:
Your efforts were in vain. Deliver yourself or the lives of many will rest on your shoulders.
His mouth went dry as he re-read the note. Severus was at his side, taking the note with little regard to Harry's privacy, and reading through it. The man's eyes narrowed in disgust. Suddenly, the fire blazed to life.
“Fire call for Harry Potter....Fire call for Harry Potter,” it called out in monotone.
“I will take it,” he called out as he rushed forward. Kingsley's face levitated in green flames.
“Mister Potter,” he said gravely. “Step through the fire and we will speak. Professor Snape, you may join him. It involves both of you.” Stepping through the flames without further hesitation, they came to sit in front of the man who look aged beyond his years. Regarding them for a moment, he continued, “They have all been killed...”
“They?” Harry's heart felt like it had jumped into his throat. He swallowed harshly as he did his best to remain calm.
Shacklebolt's woven hands rested beneath his chin. “Our prisoners from this evening. All of them save for one have been discovered dead in their cells.”
“How?” Harry demanded quietly.
Shacklebolt's eyes glimmered, “They were poisoned. One, however, has escaped.”
“Knocktool,” Severus offered evenly. His eyes however danced with an allotment of emotion.
“Yes,” the minister said with a nod. “I am in the middle of interrogating the current guards, but it is yielding little information.”
“You have received the note as well,” Harry finally said as the man's eyes captured his own. He knew the degree of strain the other was under.
Kingsley leaned back into his chair. “I have,” his voice dropped before he continued, “We have found the bodies of ten missing muggles in a location identified in a note received shortly after Viktor Knocktool escaped.”
It felt like he had been thrown into water in the midst of a winter storm. Harry's lungs seized, and he was unable to breathe. The deaths of so many lost because of their oversight. His body trembled with anger and the magic that coursed around him crackled through the air. Before he could fall any deeper into his rage, he felt the steady hand of his lover.
“Calm yourself,” the man instructed but Harry could barely hear him as if he was submerged in water. “It will help nothing if you allow your emotions to control you.”
Harry felt like crying as he turned to the man beside him. His heart was clenching impossibly as he fought against the tears now forming in his eyes. “So many lives,” he whispered, “and it is my fault.”
“No,” Kingsley interrupted. “It was my oversight that led to this. You must not blame yourself, Mister Potter. I will be putting my every effort to find Knocktool and his fellow members. Be assured, you will come to no harm.”
Harry's eyes shot to the man before he was standing in his anger, “I'm not worried for myself, minister. I worry for the others that may come to harm while I hesitate on offering myself over to them.”
“Harry,” Severus began, but Harry was immediately speaking again.
“Ten people died tonight because of me,” Harry said finally feeling the stream of hot tears leaving his eyes. “I will not stand by...” With that, he disapparated from the room, leaving the two men shocked in his wake.
TBC...
Sorry sorry for the angst and cliffhanger, but hey, a girl has to have a little drama in her life! Tell me what you think!
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