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Precious and Fragile
Chapter 07: We Are
By: Bittersweet Alias

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Chapter Seven

Take a listen through the window
Take a lover on the radio
Ask her if she's got an answer
Do you know

Time enough to get a good one
Though they never seem to get done
I am standing for a reason
Do you know

Two attacks on important wizarding events, such as a Wizengamot Ball and a Quidditch Tournament, followed the month of September. Apparently, Voldemort was getting bolder. Six of his inner spies had been kicked out of the Ministry.

The only one Harry hadn't been able to kick out was Lucius Malfoy and there was a reason for that. He had a good reason to suspect one of the artefacts in someone's Gringotts Vault. How did he know? His scar hurt like hell when Griphook led him through the roller coaster to his High Security Vault. He also left one of the tournaments with a half dozen Death Eater's to be.

Perhaps it was time Harry broke up a couple of those initiations? From what he had gathered from Dumbledore, Moody, and Kingsley, they were always taken to remote locations to get the Dark Mark.

He wondered if Severus would be able to give him a location. If not he"d pick on Lucius sometime. He needed to meet with Scrimgeour anyway about replacements in his own department. For one, Harry did not trust Pius Thicknesse. He looked as greasy as Wormtail, only without the bald and fat nature.

Percy had given him an entire biography on Thicknesse and how he climbed his way to where he was made Harry want to hurl. Dolores Umbridge was another he was going to have to get rid of. He couldn't have some overzealous bureaucrat sticking her disgusting twat looking nose into affairs that didn't concern her.

It seemed to Harry that Scrimgeour was really not a bad guy. He actually tried; the former Head of the Auror Department, Harry could see that he was brazen and bold. Though he wouldn't tell the man that, yeah right, no need to inflate his head and ego. It was best to keep him on his toes and make Scrimgeour think Harry despised him.

Right now, Harry was a little exasperated. He had no idea as of where that locket could possibly be. There was something he was missing, he just knew it. He scowled and threw the Muggle pen down and rushed a hand through his hair. He was upstairs in Percy's room glaring down at the information. He ticked off the ring and diary.

But he had an unknown item, a cup, the locket, and then Nagini.

Dumbledore must know something.

He hadn't heard anyone entering the room but he felt the shadow and then smiled when hands touched his bare shoulders and then slid around his neck. Percy's soft scent wavered under his senses and Harry leaned back against it.

"Hi?" Percy kissed his cheek and then his ear.

"Percy," Harry said lowly.

"You look stressed."

"Uh huh, I"ve got some missing items that are driving me insane."

"Have you been in the room all day long?" Percy asked horrified. The mess of Harry's hair and the fact that he had no shirt on told him all of this.

"I left for about ten minutes to get some coffee, but really I need to figure out where this locket is."

"Locket?"

"Fucking locket that belonged to Salazar Slytherin."

"Wow," Percy said staring down at Harry's chicken scratch. "How can you read that?"

Harry laughed. "I can't. I read the first letter and I know what it is."

"I see," his boyfriend mused. Percy began rubbing Harry's shoulders.

"How was your day?" Harry asked sighing deeply and lolling his head forward when he felt those soft hands getting a little rougher and putting pressure onto his neck and shoulders. Oh, it felt good.

"Usual," Percy said. "It's not really hard just a bunch of rubbish every time I turn around."

"What kind of rubbish?" Harry asked.

Percy squeezed Harry's shoulder as he watched the younger man and smiled when those lips parted slightly at the reaction. "Nothing important."

'sure it is," Harry said and groaned when Percy's fingers moved around to the back of his neck and his knuckles kneaded into the muscle.

Percy bit down on his lip, pausing briefly in the massage before starting again. "Not really, I'm just an assistant I give someone bigger than me my work and they take the credit and the pay for it."

Harry's frown deepened. 'sounds like the Ministry," he said softly. "You deserve better."

It was nice to hear that. Percy ran his fingers across the taut skin and up Harry's colossally mussed up hair. He slipped some strands between his fingers and teasingly tugged, getting a husky chuckle from Harry. "Your hair has a mind of it's own."

"Yes, that's why it's always back in a tail."

"Doesn't help much, the front refuses to bend to your will," Percy teased grinning widely. It had been a really horrible day, more than he let on, but Harry's simple aura made him exceptionally happy.

"Anyone's will, believe me, I"ve tried. But I like your hands" where they are."

Snickering, Percy tugged some more. "You need to get out of the house! Or this room. You're going to go mad staying in here."

"I know, but if you keep that up, I'm not moving." Percy let go and Harry sulked. "No!" He groused and got some more chuckles from his mate. "Hmph!" Harry stood and stretched.

Percy's mouth went very dry as he stood there staring at Harry's chest and muscles, how they moved and shifted. He then paused and wondered why the hell he was just standing and staring? Harry was his boyfriend! He could touch.

He reached up and kissed Harry's lips as he let his hands graze across the hard chest with delight. He melted up against Harry as the teen stole the kiss, reversing it to where he had the control and directing it to go where he thought was best and Percy could only succumb to the direction and allow those powerful lips to take him away. He glided his fingers down Harry's skin and back up again. The teen's stomach sunk in and he chuckled quietly at the graze.

Percy arched an eyebrow. "Is someone ticklish?" He asked breathlessly.

Harry glared playfully. "No... ahhh," he gasped when those fingers danced over his belly.

"I think you are"" Percy said excitedly. 'the famous Harry Potter's belly is ticklish""

"No, no ahhh - sh -shit!" Harry flinched and squirmed at the grazes of fingers. "Perce!" He chuckled wildly and grabbed the man around the waist. He pulled him tightly to his chest. His breathing rose when those same fingers danced around his back and locked together. "Bad!" He said grinning.

"No way, it was very good," Percy said turned on to a blushing capacity. "For me anyway."

Harry nuzzled Percy and squeezed him a little tighter before unravelling his arms and sifting through his bag of clothes.

Leaning against the chair, Percy watched hungrily as Harry moved seamlessly through the room. "Your tattoos, when did you get them?"

Harry shot a sly smirk in his direction. "Notice them did you?"

Percy rolled his eyes. "What do you think?" He asked trying to lessen the heat under his robes.

"I got both in the same place, Cairo. First the King Cobra and then the Scorpion. I got them six months ago. I spent quite a bit of time there."

Harry pulled on a basic black t-shirt that stretched across his shoulders and loosened a bit in the stomach. He already had loose fitting black jeans, with a tie in his messy hair, he took Percy by the hand and they headed out together.

"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley cooed. "Are you alright, darling? You"ve been upstairs all day long."

'trying to figure out a few puzzles is all, Mrs. Weasley."

There was that streak again, like he had disappointed her and he wondered why. What had he done?

"Well you can't figure out puzzles on an empty stomach young man!" Thus meaning dinner began early.

"What about a ticklish one?" Percy whispered causing Harry to scowl good-naturedly.

"Hush you!" He pulled Percy closer.

"Is someone ticklish in their stomach?" Bill taunted overhearing their conversation.

Harry sighed, "No, I'm not ticklish."

Percy snorted. "Keep telling yourself that and perhaps it"ll come true."

'smart arse!" Harry sank down in a chair next to Mr. Weasley who was chuckling silently into his coffee.

Mrs. Weasley was beaming so brightly Harry wondered if her smile would crack!

Shamelessly, Percy allowed Harry to pull him onto the edge of his knee.

Everyone ate dinner, talking about their day and plans for the weekend. "I need to see Albus," Harry said when Mrs. Weasley queried about what he was going to do.

"Well, the Ministry has had a field day with attacks. Two Daily Prophet workers were found dead," Mr. Weasley explained sadly.

Harry winced. "Yeah, I knew it would bring backlash, but people have to know this."

"It's best they know it now. That way the recruitment is far less," Bill said. "You can't save everybody and someone has to be sacrificed."

Percy slid into his own chair so that Harry could finish his food. The twins came bumbling through with wide smiles. He flinched unconsciously when one slid behind him and he tensed waiting for something to happen but Harry's eyes were already watching the two like a hawk.

"Evening all!" Fred chirped

"How's the grub? Thanks mum!" George plopped down beside Percy, who leaned away slightly, and fiddled with his fork, wary about what the twins could be doing sitting next to him.

But when nothing happened, he allowed himself to breathe and relax. He knew Harry wouldn't let anything happen, but he really hated the nervousness he felt. He was older than they were but Percy had no defence against two. He wasn't fast with shields or dodging.

Harry was a pro, though Percy admitted he probably had to be, all things considering, along with his Quidditch skills. Percy was never very good at Quidditch, the only one of the Weasleys who never got onto a team in school. The sport didn't interest him in the slightest except for the players themselves, but he wouldn't get into that.

Harry finished his dinner and downed the last of his wine. He thought about speaking to Severus when he got the chance. He needed some information about Death Eater recruits and locations.

He would ask Kingsley and Moody if they would join him and get their opinion on the matter. Harry smiled when he heard Percy joining in on the conversation about the Ministry. The confidence in his voice had risen and though Harry had no idea what he was talking about, and honestly didn't care about the Ministry, he was just thrilled to know that some of the old Percy was coming back.

Harry saw the twins make faces from behind their goblets and he shot them a warning look. One of the twins actually pinked and ducked his head. As he should.

"Mr. Weasley?" Harry addressed when he found an opening.

"Yes, Harry?"

"When does Lucius go into the Ministry?" He asked casually but he received surprised stares anyway.

Eyebrows furrowing, Mr. Weasley rubbed his chin. "Well, I'm not sure the pompous man has a habit of coming in around the beginning work hour. I do know he's attempting to establish a connection with Scrimgeour. Why?"

"Oh, no reason," Harry said lazily pouring some more wine. "Just need to keep tabs on the bastard."

Mrs. Weasley winced at his words. He looked up at her apologetically.

"Why don't you have him booted out?" Bill asked.

"I can't," Harry said dully.

"Why?" Mr. Weasley asked. "I"d love to see him banned from the Ministry."

"I need him," he scowled unhappily at this.

"What on earth could you possibly want that sour man for?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Harry smiled grimly. "Plenty of things unfortunately. He's one of my unknowing keys in this war."

No one understood what he meant. Percy frowned lightly and he tried not to let it bother him. Harry knew what he was doing.

At least, Percy thought he did.

After dinner, Harry went back upstairs. "I need to go to Hogwarts. I may stay over the entire weekend, come with me?" He asked Percy who closed the door.

"Yes, I"ll come." He had nothing else better to do. Why would he let his boyfriend leave for two nights without him? That would be absurd!

"Great," Harry said donning his socks and shoes finally. "If we leave now, we can get to Hogsmeade before it gets dark," he said gazing over at the window to the dusky skies.

"Can I change first?"

"Of course, need something more comfortable than robes?" Harry queried but he was already fishing into his bag.

"Only if you don't mind."

Harry chuckled softly. "Course not." He managed to shrink down a dark green thin turtleneck with a pair of black jeans that matched his own.

Harry then handed him his leather jacket once it was on.

"You don't need it?"

"Not at all," he purred and pulled Percy close by the loops in his jeans and kissed him softly.

It was big on him and the spices mixed with a strange alcoholic scent. The sleeves covered his hands completely and it was warm and well worn.

"Where are you guys going?" Mrs. Weasley asked when they appeared downstairs.

"Hogwarts," Harry answered locking a possessive arm around Percy's waist. "I need to see Albus and I don't think I'm going to be back till Sunday."

"Alright be careful you two!" She hugged them both and the rest of the Weasleys waved at them before Harry brushed his finger across the gold signet and the Portkey signalled.

Dinner was just coming to a close for Hogwarts' students when Harry and Percy entered the massive double doors into the Entrance Hall.

Eyes fell on them and the few who recognized Harry for who he was gasped and went off whispering. He kept Percy's hand in his. "I suppose we meet Albus in his office," he said double-checking his watch.

"HARRY!" Ron, Hermione, and Ginny spotted them and rushed over.

Their eyes widened when they saw Percy standing there with a smirk next to Harry who had yet to let go of him.

"Hey guys," Harry said casually.

Ginny blinked. "Wh- what's going on?"

Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.

"Percy?" Ron queried. "What are you two doing together?"

"It's none of your business," Harry said simply. "But as it happens, Percy is with me, got it?"

"With you?" Ginny drawled in disbelief. "Percy? You?"

"Yes you dimwit," Percy scowled. "Me, Harry's mine, Ginny," he said unable to keep the haughty tone out of his voice. Saying those words out loud made him feel rather arrogant, he couldn't help it.

Harry chuckled and tightened his grip on Percy. 'that's right, I'm Percy's and so now that we have this established how are your classes?"

The three were gawking; Ginny huffed and crossed her arms.

"You go for my brother over me?"

"He's cuter," Harry confessed kissing Percy on the forehead.

'stop it!" He laughed as he blushed and nudged Harry.

Ron was horrified. "Hermione said you were gay! I can't believe it. But my brother?"

'so? What's it to you?" Harry asked coldly.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. "We"re doing fine Harry, what have you been up too?" She queried trying to establish some connection with him again.

"Here and there, now I must see Albus. It's getting late and I"ll see you tomorrow, we"ll be staying here for the night."

"In the dorms?" Ron asked.

"Oh no, I have my own rooms," Harry said casually. 'see you guys." He left them in shock.

Dumbledore beamed when he saw them. "Harry! Percy! How are you both?"

"Great Headmaster," Percy said formally.

"I would be peachy, king Albus, if you could help me establish a place to find that fu- damn locket!" Harry growled as Percy snickered behind his hand at Harry's attempt to control his language.

Dumbledore sighed. "Have you tried the orphanage?"

"It's levelled to the ground," Harry said. "I went by there last week."

"Hmm," Dumbledore stroked his beard. "I"ll do some research on my memories, Harry."

"We also have an unknown item that may be Gryffindors" or Ravenclaws". The sword is out, obviously it's impossible. If anything, Voldemort would want to keep the damn thing as far away from him as possible."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes that is true, are you remaining for the weekend?"

"I think we will. I need to speak with Severus and then poke around Hogsmeade Village tomorrow."

'that would be nice, it's a Hogsmeade Trip tomorrow and we could use the protection. We have over twenty Aurors guarding the place but you never know. Your presence could make all the difference."

Harry smirked. "Will do, Albus."

Harry took Percy to his rooms. "Wait here, I'm going to see Severus," he kissed his boyfriend gently before turning and heading back out into the corridors.

When he got to the first floor, someone called out his name.

He turned and saw Theo gliding up to him. "Potter," he said coolly and Harry wanted to laugh when the boy's eyes trailed up and down him.

"Hello Theo," he purred causing the Slytherin to glare. "How are you?"

"Fine, what are you doing here?"

"Visiting."

Theo sneered. "You're not. You're not even friends with the Gryffindors and who was that redhead?"

"My boyfriend, Percy," he told the blond, who rolled his eyes.

"I see, a Weasley."

"Mhmm. So watchya call me for?" Harry queried light heartedly. 'to ask about my boyfriend?"

Theo growled. "Hell no, I could careless who you shag."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well then?"

"I'm not a Death Eater," he said sharply.

Harry paused for a second and then smiled slyly. "I had hoped not," he said softly. "I had hoped that you were smarter than that. It's one thing to crave power, but to bow like a house-elf to receive it, is not a Slytherin trait."

"What would you know?" Theo asked startled by the words.

Harry grinned. "I know a lot darling, more than you think. I"ll see you Theo, good luck."

He found Severus" corridors and asked the pesky wizard portrait to get him.

A few moments later, that same portrait flipped forward revealing Severus" slightly shorter figure.

"Potter."

'severus."

The two stared at one another levelly. "Well?" He stepped back allowing Harry entrance.

'the recruits," he said gazing around the lavish private rooms. They were set up like his own, except the colours were toffee and black. Not quite Slytherin, like Harry would have guessed.

"What about them?" Severus asked closing his doors.

"I need the locations of the meetings where they get the Dark Marks. When and where. I"ll be discreet if you are worried about being caught. But I need them."

"You"ve already angered the Dark Lord enough," Severus sneered but as he said this he flicked his wand summoning parchment, ink, and a quill.

"Yes and how is that going by the way?"

Severus quirked his lips. "Lucius is livid, Narcissa Malfoy is rather sickened, she slept with him."

"I guess having a half-blood cock up her cunt doesn't settle well with her," he said dryly.

The Potions Master gripped the quill, his eyes shone. "No - it doesn't," he said. 'though her insane sister doesn't really care."

"Bellatrix? Yes, I"ve heard of her, watched her even. She's a rather interesting nut job, wouldn't you agree?"

Severus gazed up at Harry when he said this. 'she is more than a nut job as you so eloquently put it."

"When did you, Rem, and Siri get together?" Harry then asked changing the topic completely.

"Last March," he answered succinctly. "Remus and Sirius wanted to wait for you, but Dumbledore suggested we go ahead and get it out of the way."

Harry smiled. "I'm glad, I know you guys had differences""

'they were differences from a different time, Potter."

"Can you try and use Harry?" The teen said agitatedly. "As you can tell, I'm not exactly the Gryffindor you last knew."

"No, You're not," Severus agreed. "You're a Slytherin and You're tearing the Dark Lord to pieces."

"I'm sure as hell trying, Severus. The bastard is scattered all over the fucking place."

Severus blinked and arched an eyebrow. He didn't seem to know what that meant but he could see Harry's irritation. "I have to say, Harry, I don't think You're anything like Potter Senior," he said, handing over the list.

Harry took it and folded it. "No, Severus, I'm not. I'm sure he wouldn't condone half the things I did. But I do what I need too, so I can get this son of a bitch off my arse. I'm the top in the relationship, not him."

That was it, Severus closed his eyes briefly and then he burst out laughing in a low tone that made Harry smile impishly. He made the crazy dark bat master laugh. "Bloody hell, Harry Potter!"

Harry smirked. 'thanks for the list, Severus."

Severus" features went blank but his eyes were glittering. "Use it well and don't be stupid."

Harry laughed. "I"ll take that as an, "I care," sort of Snape-lingo."

Scowling, Severus crossed his arms. "I don't want crying dogs if something happened to you!"

"Nah, I'm too fucking stubborn to die. Not yet, I have a life to live before that happens," he said simply.

'see that your words become fact."

"Goodnight Severus."

"Goodbye Harry."

Harry grinned at him before gliding out, happy with how that conversation went.

Percy was curled up on the sofa in a pair of oversized pyjamas. He was reading when Harry came through. "I take it whatever you wanted with Snape was successful?"

Harry grinned and nodded. "More than successful," he said banishing the scroll he had. "Looks like I'm going to be busy," he hummed and settled onto the couch when Percy snapped the book closed and scooted closer.

"How busy?" Percy asked circling his arms around Harry's neck and nuzzling him.

"Not too busy for you," Harry murmured pulling Percy into his lap. 'thank you for coming with me. I"d hate to be alone tonight."

Percy grinned and rested his bum against Harry's thighs. He rose up and began to card his fingers once again through the messiness of his boyfriend's raven hair. 'same, and besides," He kissed Harry tenderly on the lips, "I get you to myself when we"re here""

Harry chuckled and ran his fingers down Percy's sides and slipped them underneath the shirt and grazed against his flesh, making the man gasp and arch his back. "You can have me to yourself any time you want."

"I can?"

"Of course you can." He circled his arms around Percy's slender back, causing a soft shivery laugh. "If you want me, take me, I won't deny you. If you want my undivided attention, make it known, tell me these things, because I'm thick."

"I know you are," Percy said and squirmed with more laughter when Harry dug into his sides.

'ticklish, huh? I digress."

"Do you even know- ahh- what that means" shoot - Harry! Oh Merlin!" The bubbling sensation and excitement swelled in Percy making him clench Harry's shoulders.

The endless smile on Percy"s face was simply too cute and the fact that he was squirming was even nicer and it had nothing to do with cute. "Not really, it sounded nice and I heard it yesterday from you." He dipped his face into Percy's neck and teasingly bit down on his creamy white skin, getting a gasping moan of surprise.

Percy stilled and closed his eyes at the touch of Harry's mouth nibbling and then his tongue swiped out, sending his body into a stirring fit. Kisses were placed randomly up and down his neck with nips in between. "Uh... Hmm"" Harry's fingers and hands danced and glided down his back and back up sensually. Percy unconsciously ground into Harry's lap and was rewarded with an agonizing zap of pleasure when his underside rubbed Harry's hardened erection.

He nibbled sharply at the light skin and was rewarded with a whimpering moan. Harry grinned at the blood red mark and drew Percy's mouth to his and lapped at him, plunging his tongue straight past humming lips. He slid his hands down and gripped Percy's hips when he began to rub against him without realizing what he was doing or even knowing the fire he was starting with his squirming.

Harry thought they should calm down. He didn't want to go too far and upset Percy. But fuck, it was hard, he was hard, and getting ahold of his mental balance was never easy, even when he wasn't clouded with deep-seated arousal.

Percy's tongue was now desperate and his fingers were submerged in Harry's hair, gripping it, sending flare after flare of desire. Harry groaned deeply under Percy as the muffled moans picked up. He slipped a hand over and gripped his older lover's erection through the loose clothing.

Percy purred and nibbled Harry, who began to stroke him into an intensity of wild arousal. The grinding picked up, making Harry push his assaulted cock up. He left Percy's humming mouth and continued to bite and devour the man's sweet neck. He swirled his tongue around Percy's earlobe and tugged on it gently with his teeth.

"Ohhh"" Percy pulled his hair and Harry hissed and began to meet the thin grinding body with dry thrusts while fisting and pumping until they both cried out. Harry and Percy bit each other's lips desperately. Percy shook and moaned as Harry breathed harshly and swiped his tongue tauntingly across his boyfriend's chin.

When Percy came back down from the clouds he whimpered and buried himself into Harry's neck, spent and shocked at what had happened. He hadn't even thought about it, Harry simply started kissing and it led to this. He was now soaked and he could feel Harry, underneath him, was also soaked.

Harry's fingers began to delicately circle around his back making him tremble. His mouth ached from being bitten and he could feel a burning in his neck.

'sleep now for us, Perce," Harry said huskily.

"I didn't mean to do that," he said pulling back, feeling a little red in the cheeks.

Chuckling, Harry kissed those soft lips. "You can do whatever you want Percy, so long as you want it."

The slight embarrassment he had been feeling vanished at Harry's words, and he kissed back slow and passionately.

Harry cleaned them with a bit of Wandless Magic and they moved from the sitting room into the bed where Percy was held all night long, with a mouth puffing hot breaths into his ear and slightly burning neck.

Percy couldn't help but marvel at how it felt to wake up happy almost every day. He"d never thought he"d have that chance. But he did.

'Cause I don't know how
And I don't know where
We are we are

And I don't know why
I don't know if
We are we are

We Are - Vertical Horizon

Author Notes or Adopter's Notes actually: I have the tendency to not post until I either complete a story or have a good 15,000 or more words on my readers. I learned that from my first attempts. It really helps with finishing the story. The best way to know when this is updated is to track it. If you want to see other stories I currently have posted, then you can find it at the community 3_infinite_fic on Livejournal. Thank you for your patience and I don't mind PM's and emails asking about the story. I hope you enjoy the story as it continues. :)

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