Harry Potter: Backstep

The Venomous Viper, a dingy tavern tucked away in the shadowy depths of Knockturn Alley, buzzed with the low murmur of unsavory patrons. In a secluded corner booth, Lucius Malfoy sat with his fellow Death Eaters: the Lestrange brothers, Avery, and Yaxley. The air around them crackled with tension and the acrid smell of firewhiskey.

A serving witch approached with her eyes downcast, her robes tattered in places. Before she could speak, Yaxley grabbed her wrist, leering. "Another round, love. And be quick about it."

The witch flinched as she felt hands slap her behind, and all she could do was nod silently, hurrying away as a few of the men on the table snickered. The tavern owner could only watch warily from behind the counter, knowing there was nothing he could do about them.

Lucius Malfoy slammed an empty glass on the grimy table, his aristocratic features contorted into an ugly sneer. "The bloody cheek of that motherfucking upstart! Who the fuck does he think he is!?"

Rudolphus Lestrange leaned back, swirling his glass of firewhiskey. He had a smug aura about him, undoubtedly feeling proud at having been vindicated.

"We did try to warn you, Lucius. You were barking up the wrong tree. Peverell's that old fart's apprentice. A blood traitor through and through."

"Exactly, so spare us your sodding righteousness now," his brother Rabastan drawled, his eyes narrowed. "We told you not to wag your tail behind him like he was your master."

Lucius whirled around on the brothers, his drunk eyes flashing dangerously. "And what would you've had me do, you daft pricks? Ignore the resurgence of a paramount house, and the bloody Peverells at that!? The political landscape is shifting beneath our feet, and gaining that house as an ally would've meant assured victory with our power!"

"Some paramount house," Rudolphus scoffed, his lips curling in disdain. "Led by a pompous prick with delusions of grandeur."

Avery, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke up. "A pompous prick who's now representing Britain on the international dueling circuit. After he steamrolled through the competition as if it was a bloody cakewalk. You'd know all about it, won't you, Rudolphus?"

Rudolphus' grasp tightened on his glass, his face darkening. "Don't remind me of that farce of a qualifier. I should've been the one to represent us!"

Lucius paused, a cruel smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Ah yes… your unfortunate disqualification against that Bones chit. Remind me, Rudolphus, what was it again? An 'accidental' use of restricted magic that those narrow-minded fools think was too much, eh?"

"It was a bloody setup!" Rudolphus snarled, slamming his fist on the table. "That Bones slut knew exactly what she was doing, goading me like that! She should be thanking her maker that I didn't give her what she really deserved! And her chump of a brother, that Edgar! He had the audacity to lecture us on 'honorable conduct' afterward! Fucking prick!"

"Those fucking blood traitors have made fools of us all," Rabastan growled. "I saw that Peverell bastard… prancing around like some dueling prodigy, as if he's a gift from bloody Merlin himself."

Yaxley, who had been quietly sipping his firewhiskey, finally chimed in. "That bastard's been treating us purebloods as if we're beneath him – us, the scions of the Sacred Twenty-Eight! This pompous prick gloats his pathetic win, and he's just humiliated the House of Malfoy!"

Lucius' nostrils flared. "You don't need to remind me, Yaxley. My father entrusted me with this task. I am the heir"

"And look how well that turned out," Rudolphus interrupted with a cruel laugh. "Now you've managed to offend the very lord you sought to impress. Bravo, Lucius."

Lucius' hand twitched toward his wand, his face contorting into a snarl. "You dare"

"Oh, do spare us the theatrics," Rabastan sighed, rolling his eyes. "Face it, Lucius. Your pride has been wounded, and now you're lashing out like a first-year who's lost his first duel."

"You know nothing of pride!" Lucius hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "That self-righteous bastard Peverell speaks of 'ancient protocols' while he cavorts with mudbloods and blood traitors. Dumbledore's apprentice, bloody bullshit. He's making a mockery of our traditions!"

Avery leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. "What he did with you was on a much lower scale, Lucius. There's talk in the circles. A budding alliance with the Potters and the filth they cavort with, and only a few hours ago before the duels today, he was asked for a meeting by Richard Greengrass. You know about those Greengrass brats already, fucking cunts. You can rest assured we'll soon be hearing about new proposals in the Wizengamot. Bloody disgrace, if you ask me."

Yaxley nodded grimly. "It's not just the dueling circuit he is conquering. He's got his eyes in the governing body as well. Won't be surprised if he branches out and tries to ally with more blood traitors to carry forward their twisted agenda."

Lucius' features contorted with rage. "Over my dead body! I'll see this Peverell brought low for this insult! He'll learn what it means to slight House Malfoy!"

The Lestrange brothers exchanged a knowing glance. "And how do you think you'll do that?" Rabastan asked, his voice having a mocking tone to it. "Challenge him to a duel? We've all seen how well that ends for his opponents. You're out of your depth there, Lucius."

Lucius' eyes gleamed with malice as he glared. "There are other ways to strike at a man's legacy. Peverell might think himself untouchable, but every man has his weaknesses. I'll find his, and when I do…"

"You'll what?" Rudolphus challenged, leaning across the table. "Go crying to the Dark Lord? I'm sure he'll be absolutely chuffed to see how you've antagonized a potential ally, by your own words, and one who's proven himself to be a formidable duelist, no less."

Avery cleared his throat. "Speaking of the Dark Lord… what do you reckon he makes of Peverell? Surely, he sees the threat he poses?"

A heavy silence fell over the table which was broken by Yaxley. "You know the Dark Lord keeps his cards close to his chest. But mark my words, he won't let Peverell's rise go unchecked for long. One step out of the way and he'll lose his head."

Lucius nodded slowly, a dangerous glint in his eye. "And when he decides to move against Peverell, we'll be ready. The blood traitor bastard can act as smug as he wants right now. His time till come soon."

"Or maybe we don't even need to wait that much," Rabastan said dangerously. "Find yourself in bed with an ugly wench? Be quick and get done with it."

The serving witch had just placed the round on the table when she felt a hand grab her behind. Her breath hitched when the hand refused to let go.

"Think about it," Rabastan smirked as he stood up and gulped down a glass of firewhiskey in one go. With a parting smirk toward the group, he tightened his hold on the poor witch and dragged her with him.

The owner could only watch, helplessly, as the pair disappeared around the corner where the staircase began, as the rest of the group at the table exchanged contemplative looks, their minds occupied by what Rabastan had just proposed.

"So…" Rudolphus smirked, cracking his knuckles as he leaned forward. "Let's think about it."

-Break-

The faint glow of sunlight seeped through the gaps in the blinding curtains, casting thin strips of light across the rumpled bedsheets. The lone figure visible on the bed stirred, his consciousness slowly surfacing from the depths of sleep. His eyelids fluttered, gradually opening halfway, squinting against the growing brightness.

He inhaled deeply, the natural air of the morning filling his lungs. The scent of the rain from the previous night still permeated the air even indoors, drifting through the parted window panes.

A stinging sensation in his head forced him to wince and his hand ran through his tousled hair. The silk sheets rustled as he moved, brushing over his bare chest.

His head still felt clouded, undoubtedly a result of the events that had taken place the previous night. The news of his victory had reached the castle a while before he had arrived, and Narcissa had wasted no time in discreetly dragging him up to his room where she had snogged him senseless.

The blonde had been eager, and in any other situation, he would've jumped at the chance. Alas, his time with Rosie and Liz had extended beyond what either of them had predicted, and as a result, he had been utterly spent when he returned to Hogwarts.

Narcissa had been understanding, even though she was not entirely happy that they could not do it. At last, they had celebrated by getting absolutely smashed in the room before they had managed to drag themselves to the bed.

A soft groan escaped his lips as he massaged his temples, trying to stave off the sting when his eyes suddenly popped open. He threw the sheets off himself and stared down at where a lump had been, only to discover the mischievous grey orbs of none other than Narcissa Black staring up at him. The blonde had her mouth full with his balls as she rolled her tongue around them, her hands resting on his bare thighs. His manhood, having reached full mast already, stood proudly in front of her face as she sucked.

"You're up early," he commented with a smile, reaching down to stroke her lustrous blonde head. The woman preened and gave another harsh suck before she pulled back, grinning.

"Something felt missing last night, thought I should make up for it early today," she replied. "And I've only been up for five minutes. Not that long."

Harry groaned as she wrapped her plump pink lips around his balls once again, rolling her tongue around them as she sucked. She had started right there, having not even touched his cock, and Harry merely watched, his elbows bent at his sides so that he could lift himself up, as his manhood throbbed, achingly desperate for her touch.

Narcissa seemed to know as much, and all she did was wink at him before she started making a show of sliding her sinful wet tongue all over his balls.

"You are in one hell of a teasing mood today, Cissa," he groaned aloud, gently brushing her silky hair, and smoothing it down. She still had her hair tousled in places.

"After not giving me this to celebrate last night, you shouldn't expect anything less, mister," she retorted with a smirk and leaned forward to gently lick the underside of his cock. Harry expected her to finally start working it up but he was sorely disappointed when she resumed sucking his balls. He fell back on the bed, groaning, and all it did was further amuse her.

She slowly reached forward with her right hand and wrapped it around the thick shaft at the base, pulling her mouth off his balls to grin up at him. Her left hand quickly joined in, wrapping right above her right as she held him. He was so massive that his length was still out of her grasp. Her eyes fell on that accursed ring she was forced to wear as a part of her betrothal and a jolt of dirty pleasure shot through her core, as it always did whenever she saw that ring when she was with Harry.

All it did was fill her with even more hunger for the cock in front of her. The thoughts of her betrothal and the asshole who wanted to claim her left her mind as her vision was filled with the sight of Harry's throbbing cockhead. She leaned forward slowly, her lips parted as her tongue poked out, and licked around the crown of his prick, loving how he seemed to shudder and groan under her ministrations.

Slowly, she began to move her hands up and down the long, hard length of Harry's raging cock, jerking him off gently as she watched him push himself up on his elbows once again, his lustful eyes locking with hers.

Harry reached out and rested his hand on her head, and Narcissa smirked when she felt him push her downward, guiding her mouth toward his cock. She took her left hand off his length and reached down to gently cup his swaying balls as she jacked him off with her right, and her face was mere inches away from his cock. Harry did not relent though as he kept pushing her face toward his cock until finally, Narcissa reached out with her tongue and gave the head another lick, planting a soft kiss right on the tip for good measure.

Her ministrations did not stop though as she started to slowly kiss her way down his length, feeling the throbbing veins under her skin until she reached the base. Pulling her hand off, she kissed further downward on his balls before she flicked her tongue out once again, slowly and lewdly sliding her hot, wet tongue up his impressive length until she reached the crown once again.

Harry could not stop himself from sighing in pleasure as she started to lick the head of his prick lavishly. Her tongue wrapped around the sensitive skin, rubbing and teasing sensuously, and all he could do was keep a hand on her head while gripping the sheets in a tight fist with the other.

He continued to sigh and groan in pleasure as Narcissa showered her loving attention on his dick, and it was not long before she began feeling the desire to have his length deep inside her mouth once again.

It was a familiar feeling by now but by no means was it enough, not even close. She slowly opened her mouth, smiling at him nastily, and lowered her mouth over his massive length, feeling the familiar tingling sensation course through her as she felt him enter her warm mouth once again.

The blonde eagerly plunged her mouth onto his length, her lips stretched wide around his girth. Her throat bobbed furiously as she buried him to the hilt inside her repeatedly, earning grunts and groans from Harry who expertly guided her on his length. The feeling was as incredible as it always was whenever he was with her.

She had teased him, but she had waited long enough. Having been deprived the previous night, she could not wait to get started right away and Harry knew that being as eager as she was right now, she would have him inside her in no time.

Narcissa stared up at Harry through her eyelashes as Harry swept her thick mane of blonde hair over her shoulder, caressing her head lovingly. Her eyes burned with intensity, the air around them thick with lust as she welcomed him inside her tight throat. Her tongue lashed at his length frantically as she pulled back, her cheeks hollowing out as she sucked him off, eager and desperate.

Harry could feel himself approaching his climax and he joined her efforts as he began to thrust upward, fucking her mouth as she eagerly bobbed her head onto his length. His hands gripped her head tightly, keeping her in place as he slammed upward, sending wet and lewd noises of her mouth squelching around his member. Thick strands of saliva slid down the blonde's lips, drenching his entire length and his balls as she was face-fucked furiously.

Narcissa deemed it was enough she had waited now. Her free hand that had been gently caressing his thigh moved over to his balls and she began to fondle them, feeling how heavy they were with the cum she was about to extract from him.

The sensation finally tipped Harry over the edge. His hands pulled off her head and gripped the bedsheets as he relinquished all control to Narcissa who sucked harshly, moving her hand on his cock to stroke him with reckless abandon. His breathing intensified as she sucked hard, and a shudder coursed through his very being as he emptied himself inside her mouth for the umpteenth time.

Narcissa took everything he had to give her, careful not to spill even a drop of his thick, potent seed as it splattered the inside of her mouth and trickled down her throat. She kept her lips wrapped around the head of his prick, her right hand that adorned that accursed ring furiously stroking him while the left fondled his balls.

Only when he was done did she pull her lips off his cock, keeping them sealed tight. She slowly sat up, displaying her nakedness to his hungry gaze, and made a show of gulping down the remainder of his seed. Her mouth was smeared with her spit and she looked disheveled, but she looked as hot as she always did. Smiling, Harry reached out and grabbed her, pulling her on top of him. Her lips quirked as she felt him take hold of her tits and a soft moan left her when he leaned up to wrap his lips around her hard nipples, kissing and nibbling softly.

Narcissa's pussy rested right on top of his rapidly-hardening prick and she eagerly rolled her lower lips over his length, eager to have him inside her once again. Their celebrations would not be complete otherwise.

-Break-

"What's got you smiling like that?"

Her brother's voice made her put the letter into the drawer by the bedside table and a bedridden Amelia Bones glanced up and watched as he strode into the room with a tray levitating in front of him.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with, my dear brother," she replied with a small smile.

"It's that bloke, isn't it? Peverell?" He asked with slight distaste and the redhead sighed. Her brother could be uncharacteristically overprotective over nonsensical reasons.

"You're really doing this right now?" She asked.

"I'm just a bit concerned, that's all," Edgar replied. "Peverell… he seemed like a decent bloke, but… there's something off about him. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but he seems dangerous."

"The word you're looking for is powerful," Amelia corrected, accepting the tray from her brother who took a seat on the chair beside the bed, leaning into it comfortably with a sigh.

"Whatever," Edgar waved his hand dismissively. "He's different, that's all."

"You just don't like him because he flirted with me a bit," the redhead remarked with a laugh, staring at her brother in amusement.

"A bit?" Edgar asked with a hint of exasperation in his voice, his brow raised. "I don't know if you saw it, Amy, but the bloke was undressing you with his eyes all the while you two chatted together and even after the lunch when we were walking back to the dueling arena."

A pleasant tingle went through Amelia at her brother's words, but she kept her wits about herself and merely chuckled.

"You're looking too much into this, Ed," she replied, shaking her head as she helped herself to the soup. "Mmm. Could've used a bit more spice in this."

"That's the most you're gonna get right now after the stunt you pulled yesterday, Amy," Edgar chided. "What were you even thinking? Using those spells? We've been warned not to use them until we're ready."

Amelia remained silent as she fed herself the soup that had been prepared for her, her mind replaying the events from the day before. The duel with Lestrange had been eye-opening, and she had been determined to put up a better performance in the next duel, purely because her pride could not take another win of that manner. She wanted the duel to go her way in every manner, no matter what.

However, watching Harry Peverell's performance had incited this fire within her… one of the sheer excitement of crossing wands with someone who was so capable and, dare she say, mighty. His wandwork was flawless, his technique was one to admire, and his knowledge of spells and magic as a whole seemed unparalleled.

She had never seen someone of his age wielding magic at such a supremely high level and it made her desire to fight him even firmer. She was prideful, and her pride demanded she test herself against people more powerful than her, and that little duel had been enough to give her an idea of how powerful Harry Peverell truly was.

Her desire was not helped at all once she interacted with him. She was not blind, nor was she oblivious. She knew desire when she saw it, and Harry Peverell had plenty of the same where she was concerned. His words, his gestures, his glances – both hidden and blatant she had noticed it all and had even reciprocated them as much as was publicly decent. She was not blind to her emotions or reactions either, and it was impossible for her to not feel anything.

She could understand where her brother was coming from. She knew she was a beautiful witch and she was aware that men considered her rather… appealing, for several reasons. She had been the recipient of numerous compliments and appreciative glances over the years, and she was no stranger to unsavory looks either. Even though nothing untoward had ever happened to her in any manner, her brother, being the protective head of the family that he was, always remained on the lookout for her.

It would have been a hindrance to her, but she had not felt as such since she did not consider every other man worthy of her attention. She could barely recall any man whom she had ever deemed worthy of any sort of consideration on her part. Barely a few had even been acquaintances over the years, let alone close, and she had always been contented with keeping them at arm's length.

Harry Peverell though… he was different from any other man. He had piqued her attention at first glance when he had walked into the chamber. He had this presence about him one which she had noticed in only one other wizard, and he was widely regarded as the greatest wizard alive. She remembered feeling awe when she first found herself in the company of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and it was the same feeling when she saw Harry, although it had been accompanied by another one… one that was much more primal.

Those emotions had made her want to show him her full potential. She had wanted to showcase herself at her absolute best. She had desired to leave a mark on him with her performance, the result of the duel having been rendered immaterial as her desire to gain his respect and leave him surprised took absolute priority.

She had not planned to dabble into the family spells, but the exhilaration of their duel and the sheer intensity of emotions surging within her during that period took the decision out of her hands and she found herself using spells she frankly was not yet ready for. It had been proven to her already, and she found herself bedridden with magical exhaustion now.

Amelia blinked to clear her head of her thoughts as she ate the soup, remaining pointedly silent. All it did was earn her a shake of the head from her brother.

"Forget it," Edgar sighed. "Coming back to Peverell… what's up with that, really?"

"He's a fine bloke, if that's what you're asking," Amelia replied.

"You know very well what I'm asking, Amy," Edgar sighed. "You've barely shown interest in other men. All were, as you said, idiots not worthy of wasting your breath over, eh? What changed now?"

"You're really gonna keep at this, hmm?"

"You're damn right I am."

"Fine," Amelia sighed. "He's fascinating, powerful, easy on the eyes, knows how to talk and treat people, confident, and I can go on but I don't think you'd like me to get too detailed with my thoughts."

The look of distaste kept growing on her brother's face, much to Amelia's amusement. He stared resignedly at the ceiling for a few seconds and she left him to his thoughts, leisurely eating the soup.

"So do you want me to get in touch with him for a betrothal?"

A violent cough rocked Amelia as the bowl of soup toppled over, making a right mess of the bedding. The redhead coughed on repeat as her brother quickly fixed things with a few flicks of his wand before he conjured a glass and cast a controlled Aquamenti into it, slowly handing it over to the coughing woman who gingerly took it and gulped down the cool water, trying to bring herself back under control.

"Wow, didn't expect that reaction," Edgar said dryly as he accepted the glass back and put it on the bedside table.

"Where did you… even get this silly idea!?" Amelia asked amidst small coughs, her breathing slightly ragged as she stared at her brother disbelievingly.

"Well, given how you were all but fawning over him, I thought that's what you wanted," Edgar replied with a small shrug.

"Listen, and listen well, brother. I have no interest in marriage and I have no desire for a betrothal. I was born a Bones and I will remain as such for the rest of my life," Amelia replied.

"There you go again with the same stubborn thought…" Edgar sighed.

"I mean it, Ed," Amelia said firmly. "I won't marry anyone. Even if things were like that with Harry. Which they are not by the way… we met only yesterday, for Morgana's sake! I don't even know him all that well."

"What did he write that letter for, then? You do know what it symbolizes, right? Don't forget I missed it. The parchment didn't have a seal. You know what it means."

"Really?" Amelia asked dryly. "Just because you asked Gemma out like that doesn't mean that's the norm anymore."

"Hey, it's a perfectly fine custom, I'll have you know," Edgar defended.

"Whatever," Amelia waved her hand dismissively. "Harry did not send that letter along those lines, if that's what you want to know. He was just asking how I was doing and wished me good health. That's all. Happy?"

"Sure," Edgar sighed. "But if you change your mind, just in case…"

"Ed," Amelia interjected, cutting him off. "Fuck off."

Snorting, Edgar stood up and Amelia watched in exasperation as he levitated the tray.

"Don't think I'm fooled, Amy," he said as he gazed at her. "I know the bloke didn't just ask how you were doing and wishing you a good health, as you just put it. But hey, I won't pry into this anymore. You're free to do as you wish. Also, such crassness? You might have to start washing that mouth with some soap from now on." With a parting snort, he turned around and walked out of her room, shutting the door behind him as he left.

"Bloody moron," she muttered, shaking her head as she leaned back and made herself comfortable in the bed. Her eyes gradually turned to the bedside drawer and with a chuckle, she pulled out the folded piece of parchment from within, running her eyes over the words inscribed on it once again.

Dear Amelia,

Hope you're doing well and perhaps even looking forward to another exhilarating encounter. I for sure know I am.

I must say I didn't expect a duel of that level against anyone during those qualifiers, and you most definitely took me by surprise. I may have come out on top this time, but I've got no doubt that you would've been a worthy representative as well.

Every spell and move you made in that duel was pure magic (pun very much intended). And don't get me started on the way you were biting your lip when concentrating… Merlin, you almost had me on the ropes with that.

You know, with all that back and forth with spells, and what we talked about before the duel? Things definitely got a bit heated there, if you know what I mean. I was wondering for a second if it was really the duel we were talking about or… well, you know what I mean, again. One thing I don't take you for is oblivious, after all. Just know that I was as much, if not more into it than you were… and if you were more into it than I was… well, then it's more than welcome.

Now that the duel's done and the dust has settled, I find myself craving more of that thrill. Perhaps we could continue whatever that was over dinner, or if you're into more casual stuff, there are a few muggle ways I know that could, you know, make sparks fly.

Though if it's another duel you want, I might be too distracted this time to give you a proper fight.

The ball's is in your court now. Let me know when you're up for round two – whatever you want. I'm all ears (and eyes, and… well, you get the picture.)

Do let me know that you've recovered. I can't lie and say I'm not concerned at all.

Looking forward to the reply,

Harry

The letter was highly informal, insinuating, and came as a pleasant surprise to Amelia and she had an excited grin on her face by the time she'd finished reading it. Harry was as forward and confident as she had expected him to be, and he had made perfect sense of their interaction the previous day to believe that he could be as candid with her. It pleased her extremely to see him read things between them so expertly. She had been equally enthusiastic and had participated in their interaction with as much confidence and frankness.

She smirked as she read a few more forward lines once again, feeling a pleasant thrill shoot up her spine as his insinuations. He had most certainly hit the nail on the head with every remark.

Grabbing her wand, Amelia summoned a parchment and a dicta quill. He deserved a befitting reply to this letter. He was looking forward to it, after all.

TBC.

Check out patreon.com/TheBlackEarl for more of my work. Chapters 16 to 21 are already up.

Thanks for reading.