The Headmaster Ritual
by Am-Chau Yarkona (amchau@popullus.net)
For Victoria, who suggested fics from song titles.
Rated R, for a sexual situation.
Albus Dumbledore is not an average man.
An average man, especially a young one, has a tendency to strip his clothes off carelessly, largest ones first, leaving his socks until last.
Part of Albus' nightly ritual is a definite upturning of this habit: he takes his socks off first, with due care and attention. On the rare nights when he and Alastor sleep together, he sometimes allows Alastor to perform this ritual for him.
Sometimes he does not, and then Alastor feels a pang of jealousy, that two small woollen tubes can be afforded so much attention.
"I should have guessed, Alastor," Albus says. This, too, is part of the ritual of their relationship. "I'm sorry. I knew there was something wrong when you didn't come to me…"
"But you thought it was just me. Living up to my name."
"Your surname, yes," Albus agrees, and the cheerful twinkle that Alastor loves is back in his eyes.
"Reasonable enough," Alastor says, hoping that this time it will be enough forgiveness. "I know I'm prone that way. Now, though, I'm very glad we never let this become public knowledge."
He lets his magical eye rove appreciatively over his lover, even as his normal eye holds Albus' gaze. "Indeed," Albus says, though he was the one who suggested it, years ago. "But together we'll remind Crouch of the meaning of your first name. I'm going to re-form the Order of the Phoenix."
Alastor nods. "Good. You'll put some of them on guard over James' son?"
"Of course."
"You'll tell them: constant vigilance."
"You can tell them yourself, if you like."
Alastor smiles. That's yet another part of the ritual: going out, side by side, to prepare for and then fight the battles of the wizarding world. "I shall."
He focuses his magical eye on Albus' lips as he leans in for a kiss, shutting his normal one in deference to their close proximity. This is no average relationship; but at least, he thinks as he lets Albus push him back onto the mattress, they're equals.