1/2
Title: The End of Fear is Where We Begin
Rating: NC-17
Chapter: 1/2 (but both are being posted today)
Pairing: Harry/Draco/Severus
Summary: Harry and Draco live quiet lives. But when will things ever remain that way for those two?
WARNINGS: DH compliant except EWE. Secondly there is a strong warning for an obscene amount of cursing. I, myself, swear like a sailor and I find it slips into my writing. I try to get better since I have kids but have failed at it miserably for the past seven years heh. Thirdly this fic contains a descriptive nc-17 scene.
A/N: Now, this fic was written as per request by pombagira who gave me some life-saving help on one of my hideous assignments. She asked for some Harry/Draco/Male (my choice) pr0n. This MONSTER fic is what came of it. Go figure. X-posted.

part two



-------------------

The end of fear is where we begin
The moment we decided to let love in
-Goo Goo Dolls-

The relationship started casually enough, as most do; the only difference was, they had a dark, sordid history. But that was easy enough to forget, once they were drunk and horny, and once they'd gotten past the awkwardness of going from complete hatred to fucking, and then from fucking to living together. It was just like any other couple they knew.

The only time the past ever reared its head was during those drunken rows where they really didn't have much to fight over, they were just feeling far too much of life and desperately need a reason to yell and scream at each other.

It was then the past was brought up and flung at each other like intangible gobs of mud, splattering their egos and bruising their hearts with the unkind words. But it was always okay in the end; what relationship didn't need the occasional kick to the face? Especially when you really loved the person.

And Harry, of course, was always the one who could say it. Freely, without regret or shame of being too "girly". He would blurt it out at the most random moments, usually only getting an eye roll in response.

Draco, however, felt it and didn't ever really need to say it to Harry. Draco was best at those moments when his grey eyes spoke volumes and it poured out a novel of love for Harry Potter. Despite the overlapping hatred, of course.

It's what made them work, and neither man could be more content with what they had. They grew wary from the very beginning of defending and explaining their relationship to others, so they became reclusive, and in that seclusion found something complete and happy.

Well, perhaps not complete. Not totally complete, because both men, though they never wanted to admit it to each other, not even under pain of torture, still dreamt of what had become of a certain black-eyed Professor of Potions. Both men, often, dreamt of the man, sometimes for different reasons, but usually for the same reasons. He had saved them both, their souls and too often their bodies, but most of all their ability to realise that they really were owed the world, just as he was. But for him, it was too late.

Or so they wondered, because Harry had been there when Snape died, and Draco had seen Snape's lifeless body, just a glimpse of it, but they had travelled back together to make sure it was buried properly and it was gone.

For years Harry had terrifying nightmares that he would find some part of Snape used in the same sickening way the Death Eaters had used Mad-Eye Moody's eye, but as the years stretched on, not a whisper of Snape, or his body, had ever been found.

They became the dead man's champion in the beginning. Campaigning for his complete absolution from anything that could have been considered a war crime, they, after many meetings, threats and near-hexings, managed to obtain him the Order of Merlin, First Class.

And Harry thought it should end there, but it didn't because when they stopped having his cause to fight for, he began to miss Snape. And it wasn't just missing him, it was a fierce ache because Harry would never see him again, never be verbally stomped into the ground for being a stupid Gryffindor hero, fighting for a man who didn't deserve the adoration. At least, that's how Harry imagined Snape reacting to their campaign.

Eventually, missing him just didn't feel enough, and it turned into an unfulfillable fantasy, and sometimes, when Draco was touching him, kissing him, pounding him into the mattress, he imagined Snape was doing it, or that Snape was there, watching, kissing his shoulder and enjoying every moment of it. Because it wasn't as though Harry wished he were with Snape instead of Draco, he just sort of wished Snape was there too.

Sometimes, when he was fucking Draco, the grey eyes of his lover would go glassy and far off, and Harry wondered if maybe Draco didn't feel the same way. He wondered, because sometimes Draco mumbled in his sleep and every now and again, it sounded like he was calling Snape's name.

Draco was sensitive, though, and rather defensive, so Harry didn't want to bring it up. Sometimes he needed their rows, but most of the time he liked the peaceful quiet.

One night, while Draco was languishing all sorts of, what should have been considered illegal, attention on him, he asked, "Are you fantasising about Snape?"

Harry's eyes shot open. "What?"

Draco smirked and dipped his head down, drawing his tongue over Harry's hip, brushing past his naval. "Are you thinking about Snape's sharp tongue doing this to you?" He bit down on Harry's skin and sucked a little. "Are you imagining his cruel mouth wrapping round your cock and sucking until every drop of your cum is gone?"

Harry groaned and bucked his hips as Draco gave a small tug on his hard prick. And then he snapped out of it. "Oh god, Draco," he moaned. "I didn't mean... it's not that I wish he was you! Fuck, you know I love you and it's just sometimes I wish..."

"He was here too?" Draco offered. He stopped what he was doing and crawled up to Harry's face. He kissed Harry for a second and then pulled back. "Me too."

Harry sighed and reached his face up to kiss Draco. "There's just something I can't put my finger on," he whispered.

"It's always been like that for me," Draco said. He picked up Harry's hand and sucked on his finger a moment, causing Harry to groan and rub against Draco hard. "And I thought maybe one day I'd ask him, or try and seduce him. I never realised I wouldn't ever have the chance." Draco looked down at Harry and shrugged. "It's okay though. You're enough for me."

That was the closest to mushy Draco got and Harry appreciated it for what it was. He reached his face up and kissed Draco hard, and eventually lost himself in his lover's touch.

After his relationship with Ginny crumbled, his friendships with those he had once nearly given his life for, faded into the morning fog, and when everything cleared, there was just Draco left. Not even Malfoy, anymore, though he still called him that from time to time.

And it was... perhaps not perfect, but it was good enough. They still worked at the Ministry, top Aurors; Draco specialised in curse-breaking. They were partners in every sense of the word, inside the home and out of it and eventually people got used to it and quit questioning them.

Harry had gotten home early one evening and began cooking. He was nearly done with a roast and vegetables when Draco walked in. The blond looked exhausted as he flung his cloak to the floor and toed off his working boots.

Harry met him with an arched eyebrow, but no words as he poured Draco a glass of wine and handed it to him. Draco collapsed into a chair at the table with a dramatic sigh and took a gulp of the liquid.

"Did Kingsley find you?" Harry asked as he began to dish out their dinner onto plates. "He caught me just as I was leaving with some matter or other but I brushed him off and told him you'd handle it."

"Yeah, he did. Thanks for that, by the way," Draco said with a glare, "you know how much I enjoy talking to that Muggle-lover."

Harry shrugged and grinned. "What can I say, I was in a hurry."

"Do to what? Come home and sip tea?"

"Pretty much," Harry said as he served Draco his plate.

"Fucking woman," Draco muttered.

Harry sat and they both began to eat, the conversation stilling for a moment. Eventually Harry asked, "So what did he want?" He swallowed his mouthful of potato. "It seemed like it involved both of us."

"It does," Draco said with a sigh. He paused for several minutes to finish his dinner. "Remember those wizard-made magical dead zones Weasel Sr and his team were working on two years ago?"

"The ones they were going to use to build the new prisons on?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Draco said. "Well one of the zones was created just outside of Wales, but the oh-so-genius architects put it too close to a Muggle neighbourhood for the repelling charms to be effective so they cancelled it." Draco finished off his wine and reached for the bottle to refill his glass. "Kingsley said they never figured out how to un-create the dead zone so they kept it under a monitoring system, but no one was watching it because there wasn't really a point. I guess sometime last year an unknown witch or wizard moved there and began to place some ancient magical charms around, which cancelled out the magical deadening properties and brought magic back."

"So, good for them," Harry said. "Who cares if they're not using it. And what does this have to do with us?"

Draco sighed. "If you'd let me finish-" he snarled and paused to make sure Harry had quieted. "I guess the form of magic used was really rare, the last wizard to have used it openly was..." Draco paused and smirked, "Care to venture a guess?"

Harry groaned. "If it's Dumbledore-"

Draco laughed. "So of course, as everyone has been waiting to see if that old fool can find his way back from death, they sent two of the idiots from the Department of Mysteries to check."

"Who?" Harry asked. "And when was this?"

"Last week," Draco said impatiently. "They sent those morons, Thomas and Andrew Saunders, the brothers who kept showing up at our office with no purpose those first few weeks, remember them?"

Harry nodded. "Unfortunately."

"Well, the brothers did return, but they had been cursed by something and obliviated to the point of insanity. And I guess Thomas died at St Mungo's just a few hours after they got back."

Harry covered his mouth with his fingers. "Wow," he breathed.

"So, now it's up to us, the great heros or whatever, to go figure out the mystery and kill the big bad guy... or to bring back Dumbledore if it's really him."

"Why won't anyone ever listen to me?" Harry moaned. "I know some people managed to cheat death, but Dumbledore really is gone. He probably wouldn't want to come back at this point anyway!"

"Well we have to go sort out this mess and they're sending me because apparently the route in has been cursed a hundred times over with the likes of magic I have only read in books." Draco paused and then sneered sarcastically, "Can you feel my excitement?"

Harry sighed. "I suppose it's what we're paid to do, right?"

"Whatever you say," Draco said. "You get some fucked up thrill out of risking your life for nobodies, but I prefer to keep my limbs and pretty face intact."

"I suppose that's why I'm going along," Harry said with a wry smile, "to take all those mean curses directed at your pretty face."

"Ever my hero," Draco said breathily, touching his palm to the centre of his chest.

Harry rolled his eyes and began to clear up the dishes and put them in the sink. Draco pulled a bar of dark chocolate out of the cabinet and began to nibble on it as he watched Harry. He could never understand why Harry felt that cleaning dishes the Muggle way got them properly clean, but he didn't argue since Harry was the one who took care of that chore. Draco had a house elf for the rest of the place.

"So when do we have to leave?" Harry asked when he started drying the wet dishes. "I take it this assignment is going to be one of those super exciting ones where we have to sleep in tents and eat out of tins." His voice was dripping with sarcasm, something he had mostly picked up from Draco.

"I don't dare to dream," Draco sighed. "But Kingsley wants us ready to go before dawn. I think that's why he was so put out when you wouldn't talk to him; thought maybe I wouldn't convey the urgency of the assignment properly."

"Well you can't blame him there," Harry pointed out. "Last time-"

"No need to go reminiscing about the past, Potter," Draco interrupted. He put the bar of chocolate away as Harry put the last dish away.

Wiping his hands on the sides of his robes, Harry looked at his lover and said, "Before dawn gives us only two options."

"Shall I get a coin?" Draco asked.

"Please," Harry said.

Draco smirked and rushed off to fetch a Galleon from his purse. He returned and tossed the gold piece to his lover.

"It's going to be a long trip, and we're going to need our wits about us. By the same token, we can't have sex on our minds, distracting us from the mission, so we'd best make sure we aren't horny."

"Right," Draco said.

"So we can either have a quick shag and a full night's sleep, or," Harry paused for dramatic effect, "we forgo the sleep and pull out the box of toys."

Draco shot his hand into the air. "Oh! Don't I get a vote? Do we have to flip the coin?"

"We have to flip the coin. We have to leave this up to fate." Harry held the coin up. "Heads we get more sleep, tails we get more..."

"Tail," Draco offered with a snicker.

Harry rolled his eyes and flipped the coin. He caught it and smacked it atop his hand. Pausing with a small smirk, he opened his hand and revealed it. "Heads," he said.

Draco, who had pulled out his wand and stuck it behind his back, flicked it and then said, "No you read it wrong. It's tails."

Harry looked down and saw that the coin had swapped sides. "Draco! No wands, that's cheating!"

"It's not cheating, Potter," Draco said with a grin, "it's called taking control of one's own destiny. You stupid Gryffindors might benefit from that every now and again."

Harry smiled. "Well how can I argue with that," he said and slapped the coin onto the counter top, "when you put it that way."

------- ------------ ----------

It was cold, the kind of cold that could penetrate the thickest cloaks and they couldn't use warming charms in the magical dead zone. Even though they were shielded by heavy clothing, the wind still chapped their faces as the two men trudged through the trees.

They were in an unusual forest, something very much like the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts and it gave Harry the chills. He felt rather defenseless without the use of magic and although he and Draco were both trained in an array of Muggle weaponry, he wasn't sure of himself.

The map they had been given was crudely drawn and they could feel the absence of magic as they walked through the thick trees, heading north. "So where does it say our wands will be useful again?" Draco asked through clenched teeth.

Harry squinted at the map. "Well fuck if I know, I can't read this blasted thing if my life depended on it. Remind me to hex Kingsley's bollocks off when we get back."

"If we get back at this rate," Draco snarled. "We're liable to freeze to death out here!"

"We should be there soon," Harry said, shoving the useless parchment back into his rucksack. "He said it was only an hour's walk and we've been out here at least that long."

Draco sighed angrily and kept his hands burrowed deep in his pockets. He cast a wary glance around, his grey eyes sharp and suspicious. Draco had always fought an irrational fear of forests, ever since his days as a child. Being out in this one, without magic, made it that much worse.

They trudged on and as they passed a very small clearing, Harry felt his skin tingle a bit. "Hey!" he said.

"You felt that?" Draco asked.

Harry nodded. As an experiment, Harry took out his wand and cast a warming charm on himself. It worked, well in fact, and he quickly cast one over Draco. "How much of an area do we have to cover?" Harry wondered aloud.

"It's on the map," Draco said as he tried to get the feeling back into his lips and cheeks.

Harry pulled out the parchment and noticed the area marked with red. "I can only estimate," Harry said, looking around in a circle. "It's not a big area so whatever we find won't be far."

Draco nodded. "I still feel uncomfortable just sort of charging up in the middle of the day. It seems..." he trailed off.

"Too easy," Harry put in. "I say we go back a few paces and set up our Muggle equipment. When night falls we can sneak in a little better, and you can work on breaking the curses or charms that alert whomever is out here to our presence."

"Fair enough," Draco said miserably, loathe to give up the warmth and convenience of magic.

The pair quickly headed back a few hundred feet, to an enclosure of trees where Harry quickly put up the Muggle tent. Draco made himself useful by getting a fire going and before long the pair were huddled together, drinking poorly brewed tea and going over their plans.

When they were full and warm enough from the flames, Draco parted from Harry and went to see about the charms. Harry, meanwhile, went into the tent to see about his own research that he had done earlier.

He didn't know much about the area and no use of that magic, aside from Dumbledore, had ever been recorded in this century. As much as Harry wouldn't have minded it being Dumbledore, he knew the truth. Yet, he also could sense something else going on here, something a little too close to home for him.

Harry, lost in thought, hadn't realised how much time had passed until his stomach gave a loud rumble. Confused, he checked his watch and noticed that he had been inside the tent for the better part of three hours. It was unlike Draco to be gone that long and the blond wouldn't have returned without alerting Harry.

Feeling a little nervous now, Harry ventured outside the tent. The sun was high in the sky, but the forest floor was dark, shaded by the trees. In the small clearing, Harry fancied that he could see the shimmer of magic in the air. He had marked the spot in his mind where the magic began, and he had a sinking feeling he was going to have to venture over there sooner, rather than later.

His mind went back to Draco's story of the Saunders brothers, and how one of them had died and he was terrified to know that same fate might await him, or worse, Draco.

Taking his wand in one hand and a large hunting knife in the other, Harry began to circle the perimeter of the magical field. He knew Draco had gone east, so he followed the path he knew his lover would have used.

As he pushed past a large gathering of shrubs, Harry noticed, out of the corner of his eye, something flapping in the slight breeze. Rushing towards it, Harry saw the grey, thick cloak Draco had been wearing.

"Fuck," Harry said, almost sobbing and he knew it was now or never, and every second that passed were seconds wasted in saving Draco's life.

Because Draco hadn't returned, Harry had no idea what curses or warding charms awaited him. He plunged headfirst into the magical field and straight through the grove of trees. He made it a few hundred feet before he heard a sort of wooshing sound and he found himself flying through the air. He hit a tree with a sickening thud and the world went black.

Harry was desperate, though, because it wasn't his life on the line, it was Draco's and that thought quickly brought him back to consciousness. He cast a healing charm over himself and headed forward again.

He had a sudden feeling that he wasn't really being watched at all, that the charms were just in place to guard whomever was out there and Harry didn't think he had been cursed at all. Keeping his wand firmly outstretched in front of him, Harry made his way until he saw it; smoke rising from ahead.

He pushed his way forward an soon saw himself looking at a cottage nestled in a small clearing, just big enough for the four walls of the home. Harry didn't waste another breath; he charged forward, bursting through the door of the small cottage.

Just inside, Harry came to a sudden halt, as though he had been petrified; but he hadn't been. The sight before him was almost too much to take in. Draco was lying on a large sofa with a wound in his forehead that was bleeding freely.

In the corner of the room, and surprise didn't even begin to cover what it was, was none other than Severus Snape. He looked the same, aged a bit, hair still greasy and long. He was standing over a small wash basin, wringing out a flannel and he had the nerve, the audacity, to look at Harry and roll his eyes.

Harry quickly sprang into action when Severus moved towards Draco, and he levelled his wand at the older man. Years upon years of feelings were suddenly welling up inside of Harry and he struggled to keep them down. Now was not the time to let his feelings take control.

"Don't take another step," Harry bit.

Severus looked at Harry for a long moment, and without a word, reached out his hand wordlessly disarmed Harry. Harry gasped and lunged for his wand, but it sailed out of his grasp, and into Severus' nimble fingers.

Severus tucked Harry's wand behind his ear and then gestured towards a chair near the sofa.

Utterly confused and on the verge of passing out from the shock of things, Harry numbly sank into the chair and watched as Severus carefully mopped up Draco's wound. Severus handled Draco with care and ease and Draco didn't stir.

"Did you do that to him?" Harry finally asked, his voice hoarse.

Severus looked up at Harry with an expression that said, 'you are still such a foolish boy.'

Harry let out a breath and fidgeted. He didn't like Draco lying there unconscious, nor did he like the sight of a man who was supposed to be dead, who might have actually killed Draco, Harry wasn't quite sure yet, handling the healing process of his lover.

Eventually Harry's nerve took over and he rose. Without a word, Harry knelt beside Draco and tried to ignore Snape's pointed glare. He cupped Draco's face in his hands and smoothed his thumbs over Draco's cheeks.

Fuck, he really did love the little sod. "What the hell happened to him?" Harry whispered, but he was given no answer. When he chanced a look over, Snape was gone.

Harry waited for the better part of fifteen minutes before Draco's eyes finally fluttered open. Draco was panicked for a second, sitting upright and then clutching his head in his hands. "Fuuuuck," he groaned.

"Take it easy," Harry said, easing Draco back down.

"Where the hell am I?" Draco wondered. He had to close one eye to stop from seeing double.

"Er, what do you remember?" Harry asked.

Draco groaned and gingerly rubbed his temples, squeezing his eyes shut. "Uhm, I was testing the magical field for curses or charms. I broke a few of them and..." Draco trailed off. "Er... I remember losing track of time studying one of the charms and when I stood up to go back before you started to worry, I saw someone moving through the trees. I walked past the magical line and... now I'm here."

It made sense now; Snape really hadn't attacked Draco, it had been that warding curse to keep people away from the cottage. Harry let out a short, sharp breath and sat back on his heels. "Draco, there's something you need to know," he said.

"Fuck," Draco hissed, because right at that moment, Snape walked into the room carrying a few phials of potions in his hands. Draco started to scramble backwards but Harry held him steady.

"Calm down!" he hissed. "I think he saved your life."

Draco stilled. "What? What the fuck?! How are you alive?!" he shouted and winced at the volume of his own voice.

Snape sighed heavily but didn't say anything. He bent down to press the phials of potion into Draco's hands and as he did, Harry saw the vicious scars Nagini had left on his throat.

And then something clicked. Snape never passed up a moment to say something to Harry, to belittle or berate him, but Snape had been utterly silent despite all of Harry's irritating questions. Harry stood up and waited for Snape to right himself.

"Can I have my wand back?" Harry asked. Snape hesitated so he quickly added, "I'm not a threat, Snape, but I don't want to be defenseless."

Snape looked down at Draco who wasn't taking the potions in favour of staring up at Snape with huge eyes. Eventually Snape relinquished Harry's wand and crossed his arms.

"You can't speak, can you?" Harry asked pointedly.

Snape licked his lips, glanced out the window for a moment and then gave one shake of his head. He turned on his heel and disappeared again, down a small hallway.

"What the hell is this?" Draco demanded.

"Probably healing potions," Harry answered absently.

"Not the potions, you twat! Snape! What the fuck?! He's alive! All this time? And living here?" Draco paused and then demanded, "And how the hell are you so calm about this?"

"I'm far from calm," Harry reassured his lover, "but acting like a screaming girl isn't going to answer any of our questions." Harry glanced down at Draco and said, "You should probably take those, I bet they'll help your head."

Draco grimaced but did as Harry said. He closed his eyes a moment and when he reopened them, he looked more focused. "Rat bastard," he muttered.

Harry took a seat on the sofa next to Draco and dropped his face into his hands. "I don't know how to react," he muttered. "I mean fuck... Snape?"

Draco said nothing, but stiffened when Snape walked back into the room. The older man tapped Harry on the shoulder and when Harry looked up, Snape thrust a piece of parchment at him. Harry looked down and immediately recognised Snape's spiky lettering.

I had long since prepared myself for death at the hands of the Dark Lord. I had also suspected Nagini so I had taken an antidote to her venom. I did not, however, take into account the acidic power her venom had and it destroyed my vocal cords before the anti-venom took affect. Mr Malfoy was the unfortunate victim of one of many warding charms on these woods but his injury will heal with the potions I have given him.

Harry handed the parchment to Draco and looked up at Snape. "I don't understand all of this, Snape. Why did you kill those two wizards who came here to investigate? You've been acquitted of all crimes, you know. You wouldn't have been arrested. You'd be welcome back as a hero."

Snape snorted and shook his head. He silently accio'd a quill and a bit more parchment.

You know as well as I that it would only be a matter of time before I was put on trial for something. Besides that fact, I have killed only one man in my life and that man was not from the Ministry.

Harry frowned. "But the Saunders brothers came back with their memories modified and later, due to having been hit with a barrage of curses, one of them died."

Snape shook his head and wrote again:

You two have been my first and only visitors, much to my dismay, I assure you.

Harry had to let out a small chuckle at that, but he was still very confused. He looked over at Draco. "None of this makes any sense. Did Kingsley give you any more details on the Saunders brothers?"

Draco shook his head. "Just what I told you."

Harry licked his lips and looked up at Snape. "I believe you," he said, "but you're definitely right, they're going to want to pin the murder on someone, and you'd be rather convenient."

Draco gave a sudden, obnoxiously loud yawn. "What the hell did you put in that brew, Snape? I feel like the world is spinning."

Snape gestured for Harry's attention and then pointed at Draco and mimicked sleeping. Harry nodded in understanding and helped Draco settle down back onto the sofa.

Harry started to walk away but Draco quickly grabbed onto Harry's hand. "Where are you going?"

Harry smiled. "Nowhere. I'm going to talk to Snape a little more while you sleep."

"Don't do anything stupid," Draco murmured and seconds later he was out.

Harry dislodged Draco's grasp on his arm and stood up. Snape was still in the room, standing in the corner near the fire, watching with hooded eyes. When Harry approached him, Snape pointed at Draco and then at Harry.

Harry shrugged and chuckled. "Yeah we are a couple. Don't ask how because even I don't really know the answer to that. It just sort of happened."

Snape snorted again and shook his head. He crossed the room in a few quick strides and then paused by the small hallway, gesturing for Harry to follow. Harry did so quickly, trailing Snape into a small room with a writing desk and two chairs.

Harry quickly took a seat opposite Snape and rubbed his face. "We'll get this sorted, you know. I mean, that's what Draco and I were sent here to do and we're not going to let you be prosecuted for a crime you did not commit."

Snape shook his head and scribbled on the parchment:

I don't see why it should be any of your concern. Why were you sent here in the first place?

"This dead zone was created by wizards. It was supposed to be a future home for a new wizarding prison but it was too close to Muggles for any Muggle repelling charms to work. They couldn't figure out how to reverse the magic-deadening spells so they abandoned the area but left it under magical surveillance. When they caught the residue of the ancient magic you were using to restore the magic, they sent out the Saunders brothers to investigate. I'm assuming Dumbledore taught you the ancient restorative magic?"

Snape frowned and shook his head:

I've used no ancient magic. I've perfected my ability to use wordless magic but I have only been living here for two months.

Harry frowned. "That doesn't make any sense." He stood up and began to pace a little in the small study. "Obviously something is going on here. Kingsley really was worried about this, otherwise he wouldn't have sent Draco and me."

Snape smirked:

Ever the champion of the world, Harry Potter.

Harry shrugged. "I guess it's what I was born to do." Snape rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Well I've championed enough for you, you ungrateful bastard." Snape quirked an eyebrow at Harry who continued. "Draco and I were the ones who had all of your crimes absolved. And we got you the Order of Merlin, First Class. You at least owe us a good blow job or something."

Snape shook with silent laughter:

In your deepest fantasy, perhaps.

Harry was tempted, for just a moment, but he resisted. "When Draco and I get back, we're going to get to the bottom of this all. But I still suggest you find somewhere else to call home. The Ministry aren't likely to leave you alone, especially if you stay here." Harry paused and then said, "You could always just come and live with us."

With you? Are you mad? Why would I want to live with you?

Harry read the parchment and smiled. "True, you've always hated me and I don't see why that should have changed."

War, life, loss, it changes a lot, Mr Potter. Can I say the same for you?

Harry licked his lips and looked at Snape's eyes when he spoke. "Everything changed, Severus. If everything hadn't, would I be living with Draco Malfoy?"

Snape gave an acquiescent shrug but didn't write anything else.

"With absolute sincerity, on my part as well as Draco's, I mean that invitation. We'd love to have you." Harry let Snape take the meaning of those words however he wanted.

Snape stared down at the parchment for quite some time before he wrote again:

I daresay you need sleep, Mr Potter. I wish to retire. We can discuss more in the morning before I escort you and Mr Malfoy out of the forest.

Disappointment flooded through Harry but he offered Snape an even smile. "Night, Severus. Despite the confusion and injury, it's wonderful to see you again. You have no idea." With that, Harry went into the lounge and charmed the couch so it would fit him snugly against his lover.

The fire dulled down to embers and the night waned on, but still Harry couldn't sleep. He snuggled into Draco's side, but even the familiar smell and feel of his lover didn't relax him.

Sometime in the night, when it was pitch black and cold, Harry heard footsteps walking through the house. He didn't move as Snape crept through the room and went out the front door. Emboldened and half desperate to keep Snape in some capacity or other, Harry removed himself from the warm covers and followed Snape outside.

The moon was bright, illuminating the forest floor, and Harry could see Snape's slight eye roll as he stepped up to the older man's side.

"Nice night for a walk?" Harry asked.

Snape shrugged and didn't look over at Harry.

"You know we fought for you that hard for a reason, don't you?" Harry asked. Snape looked over at Harry but his face was expressionless. "We did it because we-"

Before Harry could continue, Snape's icy, thin fingers pressed against Harry's lips. His eyes looked haunted, even blacker than usual and he looked as if he could have, he would have begged Harry to stay quiet.

But Harry Potter was Harry Potter and he knew that he couldn't just let it go. He pressed his palm to the back of Snape's hand and pushed his fingers in between the older man's. Carefully, he pulled Snape's hand away from his face, but he didn't let go.

"It's true," Harry said. "We do. Hopelessly in love with you, and not as a replacement for each other, but something we want together. And I know what you'd say, if you could. You would have a thousand reasons why we shouldn't love you, and a thousand reasons why you don't love either one of us," Harry said and then laughed. "If you did love one of us, I know it wouldn't be me, but I don't really care because I spent years mourning you and anguishing that I wouldn't get another second with you, even if you spent that second telling me what a stupid foolish boy I was. Now you're here, now I have you, your hand in my hand, and you can't expect me to just let you go again, not after all that time. Can you?"

Snape gave a slow nod and then looked away.

Furious, Harry yanked hard on Severus' arm. Severus turned his fiery gaze on Harry, who still felt ridiculously bold and reached out to push Severus' long hair away from his face and neck. Harry gingerly touched the scars where Nagini had bitten him.

"Did you think you were going to die?" Harry asked.

Snape shrugged.

"When you were looking at me, when you gave me those memories, did you think you were dying? That your potions hadn't worked?"

Snape nodded once, very slowly.

"And when you were looking at me, Snape, were you looking at her? At my mother?"

Severus looked away but Harry yanked on him demandingly once more. The black eyes met green and, very slowly, Snape shook his head.

Harry's head spun for a moment and he let out a breath. He moved, as if to let Snape's arm go, but the older man suddenly pulled Harry forward, so hard that Harry tumbled against Snape's chest.

Severus took Harry's chin in his free hand and before Harry had a moment to even take a breath, Snape was kissing him. Snape was kissing him, desperately and hard, and it was everything Harry had ever imagined it was. Snape's fingers twisted in the front of Harry's robes, his other hand holding tightly to the side of Harry's face. Harry's arms went round the back of Snape's neck and he clung to him as if Snape might suddenly disappear again.

Harry thought for a moment that they might go on forever like this, but Snape pulled away and released his grip on Harry. With a groan, Harry tried to pull Snape back but Snape shook his head. He gestured towards the house, and Harry caught his meaning.

"Don't worry about Draco, Severus. He wants this as much as I do."

Severus shook his head again and again gestured towards the house.

"What? You want me to wake him up?"

Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head. Taking Harry's hand, he pulled him inside and shut the door. Severus started for the back room but paused as he passed the sofa and looked down at Draco. Absently, Severus brushed a strand of blond away from Draco's forehead and it made Harry shiver with desire. Harry didn't know just how much he wanted Severus to touch, not only him, but his lover as well.

Severus gestured for Harry to follow him and when Harry finally got to the study, Severus was already bent over the writing desk, scribbling furiously.

I hate you for coming into my life like this after I had long since decided to wash my hands of you and your heroics. You were right, I have a thousand reasons why you shouldn't love me, but not a single one why I should not sit here, in my old age, and pine for you and your lover. Fuck off Potter, it will only bring upset to your world as well as mine.

Harry read it twice before throwing it aside and lunging at Severus. He shoved Severus against the window and kissed him furiously. "You're not a stupid man, Severus, so you damn well know that Draco and I shan't be leaving you alone. At all. Ever."

Severus breathed in deeply before kissing Harry again. He shoved Harry away in favour of the quill and parchment once more.

Your lover may want what you do, but we will not continue this until he wakes. Go to bed, Potter, we both need sleep.

Harry sighed. "As you wish, Snape, but no funny business. If I wake up and you're not here, I will track you down and make you sorry."

Severus rolled his eyes and stole one more kiss before shoving Harry towards the door. Harry cast him a cheeky wink before walking back to the sofa and curling up with Draco.

The blond stirred and cracked open one eye. "Whassa matter?"

"Nothing," Harry said, and kissed Draco on the cheek. "Nothing at all."

------------ ------------- ---------------

Harry hadn't expected to fall asleep, but when he did, he slept hard. He didn't wake until late morning and found himself on the sofa alone. Stretching, he cracked his back and neck and then rose to find something to sate his painfully empty stomach.

Through a door, Harry discovered a small kitchen and a bit of breakfast on the table waiting for him. He grinned and helped himself to the food and a strong cup of black tea. Once he was full, he ventured through the rooms but didn't see sign of Severus or Draco anywhere.

Still, Harry was not the least bit alarmed. He went out the front door and off in the distance, he spotted the two men walking towards the cottage. As they approached, they both wore passive smiles and Harry tipped them a wave.

"Nice morning for a walk?" he asked.

Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry but Draco shrugged. "Not too bad."

Snape brushed past Harry and went inside, leaving the young lovers alone. "Did you two..." Harry asked.

Draco looked down at his feet. "Are you hurt?"

"How could I be after last night?" Harry said. When Draco looked up sharply, Harry shrugged. "Nothing more than a good snog. Draco, I think this has gone beyond just wanting."

"I know," Draco breathed. "Do you think it's going to be okay?"

"Yes," Harry said and cupped Draco's cheeks. "I really do." He kissed Draco lightly and pulled him into the house. "Now we just have to convince Mr I'm-too-evil-and-old-for-you,

"I dunno yet, but I do know that if Snape suddenly reappears, he's probably going to be charged with murder."

Draco let out a sharp breath. "Great. Just fucking wonderful."

"We can figure this out," Harry said, "but we're going to have to be discreet for a while."

"Us? Discreet?" Draco asked with a snort.

Harry laughed. "I know, but we're going to have to try. And I mean really try, Malfoy."

"Yeah, yeah, Potter," Draco sneered, "I get it."

"I had a thought," Harry said after a moment of silence. "We could always connect this cottage to our floo. Even if this place is monitored, you could cloak it. That is, after all, one of your best talents."

Draco tapped his chin. "Should be pretty easy, actually."

"Excellent," Harry said. "Because er... I asked Snape to move in with us last night."

"What?" Draco asked loudly. "What did he say?"

"He went off on one of his annoying little rants about not being good enough or something."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Git. Well I say we do it."

Harry clapped his hands together. "So maybe we should talk to Snape now?"

"Talk?" Draco asked with a small snigger.

"Yes, you horny bugger, talk to him. We can do that later."

Draco bit down on his lip and fixed Harry with a heated gaze. "Maybe you could go do all the talking and then bring Snape into his bedroom... where I'll be waiting?"

Harry looked at him with wide eyes. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Nope," Draco said with a feral grin.

"You are such a-"

"Yeah but you love it," Draco put in. "Tell me no, Potter. Do it. Tell me no."

Harry shoved Draco hard. "Fuck off, Malfoy."

Draco laughed. "Meet you there in a few. Too bad we didn't bring the box of toys."

"Jesus Draco, we don't want to send him running away before the first fuck."

"Oh come on," Draco said, "you know a man like that has got to be kinky."

Harry blushed and then something occurred to him. "Draco," he said slowly and dropped his voice to a whisper, "I think he's a virgin."

Draco frowned. "Not a chance! I... no. No. Not a chance."

"Remember when I let you peek at the pensive?"

Draco frowned, but eventually his cheeks coloured. "Oh. Um. Right."

"So maybe we could go a little easy on him?" Harry suggested.

Draco let out a puff of air. "Right. Okay. Easy."

"I'll go talk to him," Harry said. "And remember, no freaky stuff... yet."

Draco smirked but Harry knew he could, for the most part, be trusted. While Draco disappeared into Snape's bedroom, Harry went to the study and gently rapped on the door. He stood back and after a second, the door swung open. Harry walked inside and saw Snape sitting behind the writing desk. Harry closed the door and pulled a chair up to the other side of the desk.

"How are you?" Harry asked.

Severus shrugged and pushed away the scroll he was reading.

Harry sighed and sat back. "So you and Draco... had a nice talk?"

Severus smirked and gave a short nod.

"I'm glad," Harry said. "In fact, there's something he wants to show you when you and I are done talking." Snape quirked an eyebrow but Harry waved it away. "We can discuss that afterwards. For now I wanted to talk about last night." Snape frowned but Harry plunged on. "I meant it fully when I invited you to live with us, and the offer will stand for as long as I am breathing. But I'm pretty sure, and I think Draco agrees with me, there is something dangerous going on. Something too dangerous to have you come back to London with us."

Severus sat back and let out a slow breath. He grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote:

I will not have anyone else besides myself put in danger.

"I'm not sure this has anything to do with you directly," Harry said after reading the note. "But regardless, it could turn into something bad for you. Draco and I are going to do some research on it, but I came up with an idea."

Snape quirked an eyebrow and made a gesture for Harry to continue.

"Since it would be dangerous for you to just show up in London, and since it's a bit of a journey just to get here from where we live," Harry paused for effect, "and since one of Draco's best talents is undetectable cloaking charms, we figured we'd hook up your floo to ours. That way we can sleep here every night with you and floo home in the morning."

Severus let out a sigh and shook his head which caused Harry to smirk.

"Do you have any idea how much I love the fact that you can't argue with me." Severus glowered at Harry who continued. "Even if you could, nothing you could say would change our minds. Draco's mind is set and so is mine. You're stuck with us now, Snape, so get used to it."

Severus dropped his face into his hands and Harry could imagine the mental groan. Eventually Severus raised his head and wrote:

Do you have any clue what's going on with the two idiots who got killed?

"Only one was killed," Harry said, "and I don't even really know them so I can't even begin to venture a guess. It shouldn't take us long to sort it out, though. Draco and I are the head of the Auror Department for a reason."

Snape's eyes widened and he pointed to Harry and then to the door.

Harry laughed. "Yes, the two of us. Draco is more in charge of curse breaking and I'm more in charge of... well... killing the bad-guys, but either way, we always get the job done."

Severus shook his head in disbelief.

And where will I fit in, in all of this? House pet?

Harry looked at Snape curiously. "House pet? What does that even mean, Snape? I mean you'll be doing whatever it is you've been doing, or wanted to do. So long as the three of us come home to each other every night, I guess it doesn't matter." Harry paused and then added, "As long as you aren't involved in something that's going to require Draco and I hunting you down and arresting you." Snape smirked and Harry said, "I'm dead serious."

Severus shrugged:

I haven't been doing much of anything besides research. I hadn't thought what I might like to do after the war. I really hadn't expected to live. It was a surprise; that I can assure you.

"It's a welcome surprise," Harry said and winked. "Now we don't have to fantasize."

Severus licked his lips and rose. He pointed to the door and raised his eyebrows in questioning.

"Oh right, the surprise," Harry said. Harry stood and headed for the door, but before he reached for the handle, he turned back to Snape. "Can I ask you a question? It's not to make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed."

Snape shrugged.

Harry took a breath and then asked, "Are you a virgin? I mean, I'm only asking because of what I saw in the pensive memories of you and I wasn't sure if you had, you know, before... with the unrequited love or whatever."

Severus stared at Harry blankly for a long moment before eventually, slowly, shaking his head.

Harry let out a breath. "Well that'll make Draco feel better. But er," Harry said and flushed a little, "I should warn you Draco and I are a little... er..."

'Odd?' Snape mouthed.

Harry laughed. "You could use that word."

Snape shrugged indifferently and pointed to the door handle.

"Right," Harry said and quickly opened the door. He led the way across the small hallway and opened the door to Snape's bedroom.

Inside, Draco was lounging on top of the bed, totally naked and quite erect. He grinned when they walked in and asked, "So are we going to fuck now?"

"Oh, eloquent," Harry said with a sarcastic nod.

"What? Have I ever been a Don Juan?" Draco defended.

"True," Harry said with a sigh and turned back to Snape. "Welcome to our world, Snape. It's not pretty, but it feels pretty good."

Snape rolled his eyes and slowly began to undress. It was a moment Harry and Draco had been waiting for, for a very long time. They watched, mouths hanging slightly open, their eyes dimmed with desire.

Snape, to be honest, wasn't a great looking man. He had gained a little weight since he had been teaching, though it looked good on him, and his very pale skin was sprinkled with various scars. His hips were well defined and his cock was definitely something impressive.

As Draco was on the bed and Harry and Snape were still standing, Harry got first go at Snape, grabbing him by the shoulders and kissing him roughly. "Fuck," Harry growled as Snape gave him a hard shove towards the bed. "You are good."

Harry toppled back, landing crooked but quickly situating himself between Draco's legs. He looked up at Draco with a small smile. Snape put a knee on the bed and slowly crept towards the two younger men.

Harry licked his lips in anticipation as Severus put a hand on his chest and brought his face in close. Harry took a deep breath, revelling in that same, spiced smell Snape always had about him. Snape's lips twitched upwards a little and then he began to kiss Harry, more gently than before.

As Harry kissed back, Snape's hand wandered upwards, feeling and pulling at Draco. Snape broke free of Harry, only to lift himself a little higher and he began to nip and bite at Draco's cheeks and neck.

Harry squirmed out from under Snape to fully appreciate the view he had. It was beyond arousing and his cock throbbed, aching for attention. He ignored it in favour of watching Snape grab Draco and shove him down to the sheets.

Snape looked up at Harry and tried to grab at him but Harry pulled away and shook his head with a grin. "Oh no. I'm going to enjoy the hell out of watching this. Go on."

Snape rolled his eyes but obeyed, his mouth going lower and lower until he was toying with the tip of Draco's prick with his tongue. Draco's face had gone quite red, his eyes rolled back into his head and he was panting heavily.

"Oh for fuck's sake get on with it!" Draco growled as Snape continued to tease him with feather-light touches.

Snape looked up at Harry with an expression that said, 'Should I?'

"Oh yeah," Harry breathed. "God, yes."

Snape shrugged and then dove right in, swallowing Draco's cock deeply. Draco let out a feral growl and his hips rose off the bed. "Oh fuck me," he hissed through his teeth. "Fuck, Snape... Jesus!"

Harry felt near the brink of coming as he watched the scene before him. Part of his brain wanted to wait, because he knew that what happened next would be even better, but desire was clouding his reason. He reached down to touch himself but his hand was slapped away.

Harry looked up and saw Snape watching him as he was sucking Draco's prick dry. Snape gave a very slight shake of his head and Harry laughed. "Okay, okay. Just... God I can't take much more of that."

"Me... me... either," Draco said, and suddenly arched his hips again and came straight down Snape's throat.

Snape sat up and delicately wiped the corners of his mouth. He crooked a finger at Harry who lunged at him, pinning him backwards against the headboard. Snape let out a puff of air, a silent "oomph" as Harry pinned Snape's hands above his head.

"It should be a fucking crime to watch that," he growled and dove in to bite Snape's neck. "I mean fuck," he mumbled against the skin.

Draco, who had slowly started to regain his senses, leaned up towards Harry and whispered in his ear, "I want to watch Snape fuck you."

Harry groaned, grinding against Snape's leg. "Yes. Yes. That would be... yes."

Snape, who had heard the request, grabbed Harry's shoulders and shoved him down to the bed. Harry started to twist onto his stomach but Snape stopped him and shook his head. He cupped Harry's chin gently and kissed him.

Harry shivered with desire and looked over at Draco. "Lube?"

"Er... fresh out," he said. "Snape?" The older man shook his head.

"Well you're a fucking wizard, aren't you?" Harry growled. "Transfigure something."

"Right," Draco said and scrambled off the bed.

Harry could hardly take it; Snape was drawing circles on Harry's hips with his tongue and every now and again, giving one of his nipples a firm pinch. "Hurry the fuck up!" Harry snarled.

Snape snorted as Draco pressed a freshly transfigured pot of lube into his hands. Snape took a large dollop and began to trace the outside of Harry's hole. Harry bucked his hips and bit out, "It's supposed to go in, not around!"

Snape made a 'tisk' sound but quickly shoved two fingers inside. Harry panted as Severus stroked over that spot repeatedly.

"Inside, you, me, please," Harry begged.

Snape didn't make him wait much longer. He slicked up his own, painfully hard cock and slid into Harry. It was different than Draco, Harry noticed, but definitely not in a bad way. It wasn't better, either, just... different.

Of course Harry lost his ability to think about anything beyond, "Fuck, more, harder," once Snape began to pound him into the mattress. For a second Harry managed to twist his head upwards and he caught a glimpse of Draco watching them with hooded eyes, mouth hanging open in desire.

And then all Harry saw was Snape, the black, endless eyes, the sweat beading off of his forehead, his thin lips parted just slightly. He was holding Harry, one hand on Harry's shoulder, the other pinning one of Harry's hands above Harry's head, pressing into the mattress. Harry knew if Snape could make a noise, he would be moaning and grunting, but the look of ecstasy on Snape's face spoke volumes.

"Fuck," Harry hissed. "Need... please," he begged.

As Snape's hand found Harry's prick, Draco lunged forward and clamped his mouth over Harry's. Their tongues tangled viciously as Harry bucked his hips into Snape's almost vicious tugs and with a cry, he came. The clenching of his muscles in his arse sent Snape right into orgasm, and the older man went forward, almost crushing Harry as he came with a breathy gasp.

When it was over, Snape slowly slid away from Harry and rolled onto his back. Harry, who couldn't move even if he had wanted to, looked up at Draco who was smirking.

"You're the best kisser when you're coming," he said. He looked over at Snape. "You ought to try it next time."

"Maybe if you wouldn't be so selfish," Harry grumbled and rolled over onto his side to get a quick cuddle with Draco. "That was nice. Wasn't it?"

"Fucking looked nice, I'll tell you that much," Draco said, carding his fingers through Harry's sweaty hair. "I think we all might need a bath, though. I feel all sticky."

"You can go first," Harry said, after he saw Snape gesture towards the door.

Draco pouted. "Alone?"

"Are you joking?" Harry asked with a groan. He glanced over at Snape. "Fancy a go with him in the shower?"

Snape snorted and rolled his eyes away, still trying to catch his breath.

"Guess you're on your own, Malfoy," Harry said.

Draco shoved Harry away from him. "Fine. No one does it better than I do, anyway." Making a show of himself, Draco sauntered to the bathroom without bothering to cover up.

When he left the room, Harry crawled up to Snape. "Fancy a snuggle?"

Snape stiffened a little but when Harry eased into his side, Snape drew his arm around Harry and pulled him close.

Harry buried his face in the side of Snape's neck and breathed in deeply. "You're fucking stuck, I hope you realise that. There's no way I'm letting you go now. I can't speak for Draco, but I'm pretty sure he feels the same."

Snape let out a very long, very drawn out sigh. He looked down at Harry for a moment and then began to draw lazy lines up and down Harry's back. It was exactly the reply that Harry desired right then.