Chapter Six

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes as Sirius glared at Marcus who just stared straight back at him. Hermione and Ron were sitting opposite them looking highly amused and were ignoring the glares that Harry occasionally shot them. Remus was sitting on one side of Sirius looking beyond exasperated. Kingsley was sitting on his other side looking like he was about to wet himself if he wasn't allowed to laugh any time soon.

Harry just seemed to be a constant source of entertainment for the Auror. Mind you Tonks was not looking much better than Kingsley.

Sirius glared even harder at Marcus and carried on huffing like a dragon about to blow fire until finally, Harry snapped.

"Oh for the love of…"

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione both said alarmed, their amusement fading rapidly as they caught the look in his green eyes.

"This is ridiculous Sirius, we weren't even doing anything!" Harry snapped.

"It did not look like nothing!"

"It was kissing we weren't exactly sha…"

"Do not finish that sentence!" Sirius snapped standing.

"We were kissing! That was it, we weren't going to go any further, it is the morning!"

"Oh so if it was nighttime you might consider it?!"

"Yes!"

"No!" Marcus shook his head and grimaced when Harry glared at him.

"You're too young!"

"Sirius I am in the middle of a war! Everything that I have been through, including attempted murder more times than I can bloody count, being tortured and facing a man on multiple times that people are terrified to even say the name of, and you think that I am too young to have sex with my boyfriend!" Harry glared at Sirius, ignoring the silence that had filled the room. "Plus I happen to know that you had shagged your way halfway around your year group, male and female by the time that you were my age!"

The silence lasted for a little while before Remus suddenly snorted and then burst out laughing, Kingsley not long behind him.

"He isn't wrong," Remus managed to say through his laughter.

"That isn't the point!" Sirius spluttered.

"Oh? And what is the difference?"

"You're...you're ...you're my pup!" Sirius huffed.

"Siri that isn't going to change just because I decide to go further with Marcus,"

"Oh dear Merlin, can we please stop discussing this?" Marcus huffed, and when everyone turned to look at him they realised that…

"Are you blushing Marcus?" Harry bit his lip.

"No!"

"Oh, Merlin he is!" Ron snorted.

"You're on thin ice still," Marcus scowled at him but the redhead just started snickering a little more.

"Yeah doesn't change the fact that you're blushing," Ron snickered.

"Sirius, you were ok with Marcus and me before, you had to know that this would happen sometime, if not with Marcus then someone else," Harry sighed and then rolled his eyes when Marcus growled slightly. "I meant if you and I had not got together,"

"Better had," Marcus grumbled to himself.

"I know I do it is just...you have had to grow up so quickly in everything else, I want to keep you innocent and young wherever I can," Sirius admitted.

"I can't stay that way forever Siri, I want to be with Marcus, and he will never pressure me into anything that I am not ready for, probably the opposite," Harry smiled wrapping his arms around Sirius. His godfather stayed still for a moment before he gave in and hugged Harry back.

"I don't like it,"

"I don't think you are ever meant to like it, but it is going to happen at some point in the future," Harry smiled softly.

"Ugh! Why must you be so sensible!"

"Because it is my job to make your life difficult, and impossible for you to stay angry with me,"

"Annoying isn't it," Ron said consolingly before looking nervously at Harry, he was relieved to see his friend laughing., though he did stick his tongue out at the redhead.

"Ok, enough of this, did you get the research about the Chamber?" Remus asked.

"Erm…" Harry looked nervously and confusedly at Kingsley and Tonks.

"We had a quick morning meeting in regard to tracking down Sirius before we headed out to 'track down a lead' in regard to him, Dumbledore told us everything yesterday and Remus caught us mostly up on what was discussed this morning before you bellowed for him," Tonks explained.

"Oh, so you guys are going to be along with us for this?" Harry asked brightly.

"Yup, just us and those that were there this morning though," Kingsley nodded.

"Cool. Ok, yes I got the research," Harry took his seat next to Marcus and took out the book that he had grabbed from his trunk before following in the wake of his furious godfather.

"Wow, this is more detailed than we expected!" Remus blinked leaning forward.

"You guys managed to do this in 5 days?" Sirius asked.

"Five days!" Kingsley whistled.

"We were curious," Ron grinned with a shrug.

"My guess for the best hiding place is going to be either the Basilisk nest or the…"

"Wait what?" Marcus interrupted holding up his hand, the 4 adults looking equally shocked.

"What?" Harry asked confused.

"What do you mean Basilisk nest?" Remus said slowly.

"That was the monster in the Chamber," Ron said as though they had been hit with the confundous spell.

"Did Dumbledore not tell you?" Harry frowned and then rolled his eyes. "No, of course, he didn't, he is probably off wherever he is snickering into his lemon sherbets knowing that we're the ones that have to tell you,"

"The monster was a Basilisk, but you…" Marcus clenched his hands so tightly on the table that Harry could almost hear the bones grinding. He reached out and slipped his hand through the hand closest to his forcing Marcus to ease his grip or risk crushing his hand.

"Yeah that was the monster that I had to fight," Harry nodded.

"But you were 12!" Sirius spluttered.

"I had the help of Fawkes and the Sorting Hat," Harry grimaced with a shrug.

"A phoenix and a rag of material?!"

"To be fair that rag of material dig help me get hold of the Sword of Gryffindor that I stabbed the Basilisk with," Harry smiled winningly around the table and received only blinks back and grimaces from Ron and Hermione.

"The more I hear, the more I really want to bundle you up and just flee the country," Marcus sighed rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"I am with you there," Sirius groaned. "So Basilisk nest or…"

"Slytherin's study,"

"Slytherin's study?" Kingsley perked up curiously.

"Yup, his study is there in the Chamber, that or in the Basilisk nest seems the most likely place that it would be hidden," Hermione nodded pointing to the two points on the plan.

"Well that was fairly easy, if the Horcrux is not there then we can search the rest of the Chamber, but going by his past and the way he works, it is likely V...Voldemort would have gone for something dramatic rather than just shoving it into any old nook or cranny," Remus said.

"I will go and let Dumbledore know that we have narrowed it down," Tonks stood and tripped over her chair promptly, Remus reached out and managed to catch her in time with a soft look on his face that made the others grin.

"Careful," He chided gently just getting a cheeky grin back before she jogged off to the fireplace.

"Well, I am going to go...have a read," Sirius sighed stretching his arms and standing.

"I had better get moving as well," Kingsley stood not a second later.

"I am going to do some baking, you two remember to use protection now!" Harry said cheerfully over his shoulder as he headed to the cooker. The spluttering from Sirius and Kingsley and the roars of laughter from the others at the table making him grin.

"Mm they smell amazing," Marcus said wrapping his arms around Harry's waist and pressing against his back.

"Thank you, not long and they will be cool enough to eat," Harry smiled leaning back to kiss his cheek.

"Are you doing ok?" Marcus asked.

"With what?" Harry blinked up at him. Marcus' eyes softened and he reached down to brush away the small streak of flower on Harry's face before answering.

"With everything, it is a lot of information that we have been given over the last few days, and everything with Sirius this morning,"

"Honestly, everything has been like this in my life, the whole thing with Sirius was the most upsetting. I get why he is reacting the way he is, he's scared of me growing up, I just didn't expect it because he's been supportive of us until now,"

"He's never faced the reality of us before," Marcus hummed against Harry's throat before kissing it gently.

"True, I just don't want our relationship to turn into an argument with him all the time," Harry sank back into his comforting grip, tilting his head a little.

"If it does?" Marcus asked softly.

"Then he better prepare himself for the fight of a lifetime. I love Sirius but I…" Harry cut himself off biting his lip before he allowed himself to carry on. "But I am falling in love with you Marcus, and I won't be moved on my decision,"

"I am falling in love with you too," Marcus breathed against his neck, his deep, growling voice sounding so awed that Harry could not stop himself from turning in the other's arms, wrapping his slimmer arms around Marcus' thick neck, tugging him in and sealing their lips together again.

This kiss tasted different, more, more intense, more real, more like a promise. The words between them settling into them and twining them even further around each other.

"Sorry you two, but I smell cookies!" Hermione interrupted them walking into the kitchen with a determined look. "And they smell like cinnamon apple cookies!"

"Far be it from us to stand between you and cookies," Marcus bowed formally tugging Harry out the way amusedly as she stormed over.

"Are they cinnamon..." Ron poked his head in hopefully not seconds later, unable to finish his sentence as he drew in a deep sniff.

"And apple cookies, yes," Harry snorted amused.

"Oh, Merlin yes!" Ron groaned hurrying over, only to yelp when Hermione smacked his hand away from the biggest cookie and claimed it for herself.

"Ok, I need to try one of these," Marcus grunted and let go of Harry to battle his way in, using his superior height to reach over Hermione's head, who tried to protest loudly through the cookie in her mouth without getting crumbs everywhere.

"What smells so good?" Sirius asked walking right passed Harry and entered into the mele.

"I give in," Harry threw his arms up.

"Well….this isn't just a little bit weird," Sirius snorted breaking the silence as they all stood around the sink watching Albus take down the wards guarding the Chamber of secrets.

"Can you imagine what this would look like to any students that walked in if this was Term time," Harry smirked at him.

"Especially any firsties," Sirius grinned.

"Or anyone that found Sirius Black standing with the rest of us might be a bit more of a shock," Kingsley added in.

"Especially as the two leading Aurors chasing him are standing here with him," Remus chuckled.

"And the head Auror is holding hands with him," Harry added.

"Harry!" Sirius squawked, a bright red blush spreading over his cheeks.

"How could you even see that?!" Kingsley asked surprised staring down at where their hands were indeed joined but were hidden by the sleeves of their robes.

"Constant Vigilance!" Harry grinned.

"So cruel Harry," Sirius pouted.

"You love me really," Harry chuckled wrapping himself around Sirius' free arm.

"Of course I do," Sirius huffed hugging him close.

"Ready?" Albus asked.

"Ready," Harry held onto Sirius a little tighter realising that he had to speak Parsletongue in front of everyone.

"Harry?" Sirius asked softly when his Godson did not move from his side.

"I…" Harry glanced at the sink before looking at Sirius again.

"You don't have to go down if you don't want to we…"

"It's not that. I haven't spoken Parsletongue in front of anyone else since the whole Heir of Slytherin thing in Second Year, nearly everyone reacts fairly badly whenever I speak it,"

"No one is going to judge you for that My boy," Albus said gently.

"Come on Harry," Marcus held his hand out to his younger boyfriend. Harry slipped his hand into his and turned to look at his godfather as he took his other hand and the two men guided him over to the sink. When he was in front of it he became aware of Severus stepping up behind the two of them and realised that in doing so he was helping block Harry from view.

"I simply wish to see the Chamber opening, I am heading Slytherin, if I miss this chance I am a shame to my house," Severus sniffed when Harry looked at him stunned.

"Ok," Harry bit the inside of his cheek and turned to hide his smile. It seemed as though Marcus was not the only Slytherin that was more than they seemed. **Open** he hissed.

Everyone stepped back and watched awed as the Chamber opened up, the sinks disappearing to create the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.

"Amazing," Marcus breathed out.

"Incredible," Severus agreed.

"Ok," Hermione walked forward and tapped the side of the tunnel with her wand, as she opened her mouth to utter her spell however Remus interrupted her.

"What are you doing?"

"Unless you want to slide down there into a bed of bones, I'm creating steps," Hermione snorted before finishing the spell.

"And off we go," Albus said cheerfully before hiking his robes up to his ankles and starting down the steps.

"Dumbledore when we win this war remind me to take you shopping for new clothes," Sirius said as they were walking down the stairs.

"What is wrong with my fashion style?" Albus huffed.

"You're wearing lime green boots with bright orange robes, I only wear black and even I know that that is not fashionable," Severus said dryly from further up the steps.

"They are quite luminous sir," Harry grinned.

"I thought wearing mixed colours was fashionable now," Albus said confused.

"As I said, we will go shopping," Sirius chuckled.

"Oh," Those who had not been down in the Chamber before stared around at the entranceway with wide eyes, while Harry, Ron and Hermione took steps forward toward the tunnel. Marcus was close behind Harry, his hand on his waist, supporting him, but not restricting him. The knowledge that he was there, just there, meant a lot to Harry.

Their reaction when the door to the Chamber opened and they stepped into the main Chamber was a mixed bag. The awe at the Chamber, the fact that they were standing somewhere that was history and myth, that had been seen by so few people, the sheer impressiveness of the structure, especially the statue of Slytherin, filled them with amazement.

But their eyes also fell on the remains of the Basilisk, now nearly completely decomposed the bones alone left an impression of the sheer size of the creature.

"Fucking hell," Remus muttered.

"Remus! Language in front of the poor innocent children!" Sirius squawked.

"I have to say that I am with Lupin here," Severus said before walking forward toward the beast. "It must have been down here...centuries,"

"I think that it was mad, either with age, or loneliness, or both," Harry said.

"It was mad?" Severus looked over his shoulder at Harry.

"I have only spoken to a few snakes in the past, but the way that this one was talking, it wasn't thinking right," Harry tried to explain.

"And what other snakes have you talked with?" Albus asked amusedly. Harry realised that he was trying to take the attention away from the basilisk itself, and the clear thoughts on everyone's mind of imagining a 12-year-old Harry taking it on.

"The first one was in the muggle zoo, I used accidental magic and set it free, it was hoping to go back to the country that its breed was from as it had been raised in captivity," Harry hummed.

"Merlin Harry," Marcus snorted pulling him a little closer and kissing his cheek.

"What?"

"You're such a bleeding heart, what am I going to do with you?" Marcus shook his head at Harry's confusion.

"Well, you can start by heading over to Slytherin's study with him to hopefully find the Horcrux," Hermione said amusedly.

"Yes, mame!" Harry saluted.

"Harry!" She called as he, Sirus, Remus and Marcus nearly reached the door to the study. He glanced up at the statue and hissed for it to open, the door to the study opening at the same time. "Thank you!" she called brightly.

"Have fun," He called over his shoulder.

"You too!" She laughed.

"Oh my…" Remus and Marcus both stared around the study with wide appreciative eyes, their heads snapping back and forth as they took in the study of one of the Founders of Hogwarts, which thanks to his preservation charms probably looked exactly as it did the last time he closed the door that they had just come through.

"I think we have lost them," Sirius mourned wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulder as the other two men moved fully into the room and started looking through it.

"I think Marcus is in Slytherin heaven," Harry snorted watching his boyfriend turn in a circle trying to take everything in one go.

"About this morning,"

"Siri,"

"About this morning, I am not going to make things difficult between the two of you, I am happy for you, I really am, and I like Marcus, he protects you and treats you as though you are his most treasured person, how could I ask for anything else. Just please, for what remains of my sanity try not to let me see you two half-naked, and definitely not fully naked together again,"

"I promise," Harry smiled hugging Sirius tightly. "Thank you, he means a lot to me,"

"Yeah, well, my own brush with romance has reminded me what it is like," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I like Kingsley, he's good for you,"

"I know that I have you and Remus, but having this, it makes me feel a little more normal again, you know?" Sirius smiled before looking a little worried that Harry would take what he said the wrong way.

"I know what you mean, don't worry, you can't base everything on me Siri, but at the same time remember that you can't base you you are now on Kingsley or any other romantic partner either. Albus said to me, he said that there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that someone makes you feel stronger and gives you something to get up in the morning for, as long as you remember that that strength came from you in the first place," Harry said softly.

"That is good advice," Sirius hummed before he followed Harry's eyes to where he was watching Marcus. "He makes you feel stronger?"

"He gives me a future to aim for," Harry turned to look at Sirius with a steely determination that reminded him of Lily and James when they had found out about the prophecy and had been sure, so sure, that Harry would survive.

"Good. Then let us get to that future a bit quicker," Sirius nodded and drew his wand, started the dark magic tracking spell that Albus had found.

"This place is amazing, look at this it is the Slytherin family tree!" Marcus muttered to himself about 10 minutes later before he let out a startled noise that caught Harry and Sirius' attention. "I think I found it,"

"You're kidding!" Sirius hurried over as Marcus cast the spell over the ring he had just found tucked between books.

"It is, it's it!" Marcus smirked levitating the object off the shelf.

"I can't believe it you weren't even looking," Harry shook his head as he flicked his wand and sent his Patronus to the others as a signal to let them know that they had found the Horcrux.

"Beginners luck?" Marcus chuckled.

"Well done!" Harry grinned going up onto his toes to press a quick kiss to his lips.

"Indeed, this is quite marvellous!" Albus beamed walking into the study.

"It is wonderful that we have found one so quickly isn't it!" Hermione agreed with him.

"Ahem, I actually meant that we didn't have to dig any deeper into the basilisk nest," Albus coughed sheepishly. "It was very smelly!" He defended as Harry and Sirius grinned at him.

"It really was," Remus shuddered.

"Do you think we should take the books with us?" Hermione said thoughtfully looking around the room.

"Ah-ha, for 'research' is it?" Ron teased.

"Yes! There could be something handy in here that helps us with the Horcruxes! He may have used this library to get the information," Hermione spluttered, the flush on her cheeks telling them that was not the whole reason.

"I quite agree with Hermione it could come in handy," Remus said quickly.

"Course you agree," Sirius said drolly rolling his eyes but flicking his wand to transfigure a few boxes and started levitating books into the, shrinking them to matchbook size as they went.

"These are very interesting, is that a diary of Slytherin's?!" Kingsley asked wide-eyed trailing quickly after a book when it flew passed him.

"Oh dear Merlin, there are three of them," Ron groaned.

"Four," Harry grinned motioning behind himself to where Marcus had plucked another diary that had flown passed and was sitting in an armchair already reading it.

Marcus made his way down the stairs of Grimmauld, being careful to walk quietly passed Mrs Black's portrait. She had somehow found out his name and blood status and loved shouting about how much of a traitor he was.

They had come back from Hogwarts and separated out to shower off the dirt and filth from the Chamber, not even cleaning charms could leave them feeling clean, and not after being in the presence of the Horcrux. Marcus had insisted Harry go first for their shower, he needed a little time to get his head around the idea of 12-year-old Harry, who he remembered being scrawny and tiny in his second year fighting that damned snake.

He had parked himself the armchair in their room and absently flicked through the diary he had kept while Harry showered.

While he was showering it seemed as though Harry had come down the stairs to the kitchen, no doubt to help with the cooking.

His thoughts were interrupted and he stepped into the kitchen quickly, suddenly aware of the raised voices, and the fact that one of them was Harry's and he was sounding quite distressed.

He stepped in in time to see Harry standing from the table where Molly Weasley had been standing over him, clearly trying to intimidate him. Though despite the argument going on Harry wasn't trying to confront her, he was trying to calm her down.

Really Marcus wanted to throw his hands up at how soft his little lover was.

"Molly this has nothing to do with you," Harry said softly, trying to ignore the stress and anxiety that was going through him at having to confront this woman who meant a lot to him. Again.

"It has everything to do with me, considering that no one else seems to want to be an adult and call this!" She shouted, bright red in the face.

It probably wasn't the right moment for Harry to realise that the red ear thing was where Ron got it from.

"It isn't anything to do with you Mrs Weasley, you aren't my guardian," Harry argued.

"Your so-called guardian isn't fit to be making choices for you!" Mrs Weasley sneered,

"I really don't appreciate you talking about Sirius like that Mrs Weasley, whether you approve or not he is my…"

"You need someone to take charge! Running around with that...that...and believing that that man can look after you!"

"Please don't interrupt me, it is rude," Harry said before everything seemed to suddenly rush by in one quick flash.

Mrs Weasley raised her hand with the clear intention to slap him, he jerked back in an automatic and well-practised reaction and nearly fell, a strong arm wrapped around his waist and stopped him from falling as a hand reached out and caught Mrs Weasley's wrist in a clearly painful grip.

"You can say whatever the hell you like about me, I really don't care about small-minded, interfering shrews who throw tantrums because things aren't going their way and they are not in control. But I warn you now, I will not stand by and watch you hurt Harry, woman or no woman, you lay one finger on him and I will show you exactly how Dark my upbringing was!" Marcus snarled into her face as Sirius pulled Harry away from the scene, very aware of the fact that he was trembling in his arms.

"How dare you!" Molly cried out gripping her wrist as Marcus let her go.

Sirius hugged Harry tightly before passing him into the safety of Marcus' arms, and then he descended upon the matriarch himself.

"You dare question my ability to be a parent to Harry, you dare speak that way when you just went to strike him? How dare you! Harry is not your child and he never will be! And you, you will never ever ever dare to speak to him like that ever again, and you will NEVER strike him!" Sirius roared. "You are not welcome in this house except for meetings, you will not step foot in here until the meeting is due to start, and you will leave as soon as it is finished! How dare you threaten my Harry!"

"He isn't…"

"GET OUT!" Sirius boomed and the whole house seemed to creak and groan in reaction to the flaring of his magic. Mrs Weasley grimaced and seemed to be fighting some unseen force before while what could only be described as a shriek of anger she apparated out.

"Are you ok?" Marcus asked gently, cupping Harry's neck and holding him close, battling between anger and concern as he felt the trembled going through Harry's slender body.

"It's ok Pup, it's ok," Sirius soothed coming to stand behind Harry.

Squashed between the two of them Harry was finally able to calm down, the shock of someone he had trusted so much making such an action toward him, the anger in her face, and all because of who he chose to love?

"Are you ok?" Marcus repeated combing his fingers through Harry's hair as the smaller man pressed his nose into the hollow of Marcus' throat. When Harry glanced up he realised that Sirius was gripping Marcus' shoulder as well to comfort him, holding on tightly to both boys while also protecting them from the silent, stunned gaze of the others in the kitchen.

"I'm ok," Harry nodded.

His speaking seemed to move everyone else into action, and Remus and Tonks ushered everyone out the kitchen, Ron shooting him a sorrowful look before he left the room and Tonks shut the door behind them.

Harry sank into the two of them with a sigh. "I am ok,"

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked concerned.

"How can I not be in the end when I have the two of you with me," Harry smiled shakily, but certainly at them.