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Chameleon's Song	By : SomethingElse Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 132344 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
AN: I kept my promise, Kit and Sable.

Unneeded: and here’s another for you! Plus some outside pairings from Harry’s. Hermione is a special case, cause I’m working on making Her Royal Goddess happy. I promised to do right by the Brightest Witch of Her Time. We’ll just call her the BWoHT, for short.

SilverLion: Fret not, Flint is Terry’s. Cho and Viktor have never heard of Pokemon, sad isn’t it? Draco is only named after a Dragon, so he don’t count.

SnapeLovesLily: I aim ta please, and I’ll get on that right away. Here ya go!

Sablesilverrain: Ooh, a challenge. You got it!

Anon: I’ll see if I can get my little faun in here more, just for you. Blaise and Oliver, too.

Jordan C: You are quite welcome. And here’s the next little bit.

(....Funny,huh? It's over 7,000 words)

Chapter Seventeen: And a Child Will Be Born

Male Pregnancies

I – General Information

Male pregnancies are not fraught with the usual malignancies that torment the females of the species. Males are larger than females in most creature crosses, with a few exceptions, and they have more stamina, but their bodies are not fully equipped to deal with the demands of a developing foetus. Many creature crosses have developed magical attributes that encourage pollination in the males, and others have managed to evolve or change as the need arises. Creatures are very adaptable and as such are more often given to this form of childbearing.

            The room at the Hog’s Head was small and poorly lit, but Alberforth had promised it was warded for silence and security. No one would hear them or be able to stop them from their intended goal. It was three days after the full moon and the two young men were feeling the lingering effects of their recent transformations. Terry growled as he stepped into the middle of the room and turned on his mate. “Now, Marcus. I want you.” He said with a smirk.

           Marcus Flint strode confidently up to his lover and yanked the smaller boy close. “Don’t worry, Little Wolf. Tonight, I will have you howling.”

           Terry smiled and wove his hands through the dark fur that had sprouted around Marcus’ shoulders, tugging him closer and brushing his need against the larger man. Marcus took his turn at growling, wrenching Terry’s hips up against him to show his little mate just how much he too was ready. This game was over, it was time to be serious.

           The bed was close enough that Marcus could easily lift his mate and toss him onto it from where he stood, and Terry landed with a light bounce. He glared at the Slytherin and rolled quickly away before Marcus could pounce on top of him. He was kneeling on the pillows when the wulver looked up and stared at him. “I love you, Flint, but I’m not into rough stuff, wolf or not.”

          Marcus glared for a second, then smiled, showing off his perfect teeth and smooth facial features. He was proud of his looks, now that his creature blood had taken away the harsh boyhood aspects of his breed. He hoped his children were more like his siblings, with a narrow brow and shorter snout. His babies would not have to suffer with the teasing he’d received if they took after his mate, more than their sire.

           He crawled up the bedding and rose to kneel before said mate, running his hands softly over Terry’s sides. “I’ll be as gentle as a lamb, my little wolf. I want you to be as satisfied with this as I am.” And he leaned closer to nibble at the smooth flesh of his mate’s neck. Terry crooned in his ear and it was like a cheering section at the last quidditch cup.

           “Don’t forget. We keep at this until it works.” Terry reminded him as he pulled the Ravenclaw’s shirt away from his smooth chest. The words worked wonders on his libido, driving him on to strip his lover in record time”

           “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got stamina and drive enough for three wulvers. And it has been a long time since I’ve exercised this particular muscle.” Marcus said with a thrust of his hips that told his mate exactly what he was talking about.

*****

            Seamus whined again and Harry smirked as he pressed his lips to the Irishman’s bellybutton. It was an especially erogenous zone to the faun and Harry exploited this knowledge regularly. School was about to let out, just a week left before NEWTs and he was determined to have Shea as ready as possible for the tests. He worked his mate into a frenzy, driving Shea to a near climax and backing off before he could cum. It was a game, just the thing that would make a faerie type ease up, and take his studies seriously for a bit.

            Faeries did not need help relaxing.

            Harry took the turgid flesh into his mouth and swallowed it down, moaning around it and driving Shea crazy. After what seemed a torturous amount of time, Seamus screamed out his release and Harry chuckled around his mouthful. He swallowed lustily and rose up to smile down at the satiated little nymph.

            “Are you still here, Shea?” he asked and the Irishman nodded slowly. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the look on his mate’s face. Shea was a darling. “So, go to sleep and dream of potions, charms and hexes.”

            Before he could extract himself from Shea’s bed, the faun yawned and asked him again. “When are we gonna make a baby, Harry?”

            Harry froze, turned and tried to affect a smile, “Give it time, Shea. We’re still in school.” Seamus nodded and turned away, calmed by that excuse for now.

            It had been an ongoing debate between them, and Harry was running out of time. Seamus thought he needed Harry to impregnate him, and Harry didn’t want to tell his mate that he didn’t trust the other with a child. He wanted to be settled down, with a few mates together, in one place, where Seamus could be guarded and watched while he gestated and bore a child. He was still a little spooked by the warnings given in the book about faerie and nymphs with children.

            Blaise flatly refused to discuss children, and the twins told him that they would wait until he was ready. They had returned to the shop a week before, to keep from distracting him on his NEWTs testing weeks. He had noticed the thinning of alumni in general and was less on guard these days. Only Cho Chang, Oliver Wood, Marcus Flint and Cedric Diggory were still hanging around.

            Penelope Clearwater, who had turned out to be of unicorn blood, had left to marry Percy Weasley, the week before. The wedding would be just after graduation, and Harry had been invited. Ron had returned after a month of absence, but he and Harry hadn’t discussed his disappearance.   He had been too busy catching up and chasing after Eloise Midgen for them to have much time together.

            Lon Derrick had left as well, not even bothering Harry again after his rebuff. He had only said he was considering some other options. Harry had noticed him watching the Ravenclaw table with interest. It was annoying that the man was so arrogant, but after dealing with the Malfoys for this long, Harry had a very tolerant streak going.

            Draco was a source of frustration for Harry, as well. He and the Malfoy heir had spent several weekends together, at the manor, and they seemed to be at an impasse. It seemed that this was the closest they would manage. Their tentative friendship seemed confined to shared interest in certain books, a bit of potions and quidditch. Draco loved his pure blood status, his huge impressive home and his family, but Harry had no place in any of those scenarios. It was strange to be depressed by the fact that the union would not likely work out. He thought it was because he had been thinking, and dreaming if he admitted it, about a baby with his green eyes and Draco’s silky blonde locks.

            The day before NEWTs testing, Terry called Harry and his father into the Ravenclaw common room and announced his joining with Marcus Flint. They were planning a Ministry Officiated ceremony and had already confirmed that Terry was impregnated with Marcus’ child. Neither was of a protected species so there would be no backlash to worry over, and Remus hugged his son close.

            Two days later, after Harry’s potions test, Sirius visited the school and announced that he was moving out of Grimmauld Place. He smiled and blushed as he told his godson of his intention to move to Spinner’s End and live with Severus Snape when school let out in the summer. They had already discussed it, and Sirius was to take Remus’ position when school started the following year.

            Harry was more shocked than he showed, but he wished his godfather luck and promised to take care of the Black home. “I know you’ll need the space, son.” Sirius had hinted, and Harry had blushed to his toes. “If you decide it’s too small, just sell it and buy what you need. I know a real good wizard real estate agent. He’s a goblin, so he’ll get the best price for the place and get you a good deal on what you want, just to keep the money in the bank.”

            “Just try to keep from killing the potions professor before my kids get to Hogwarts, okay?” Harry retorted.

            “No promises. He’s a snarky bastard at times. I might just hex his nose off, then he’ll look like Vodemort and scare all the kiddies.” Sirius looked serious for a minute, “Harry, I really do want to do this. I think he and I can repair the lost years, if we try. We’ve got a good start, so far.”

            “That’s all that matters, Sirius. Be happy. I know I will.” Harry said and they hugged before parting at the floo. Harry watched the blue flames die away and realized he had a home to take his family to now. An unplottable location with quite a number of rooms. Sirius had even left Kreacher to take care of things.

            He rushed up the stair to tell Seamus.

            In the common room, he came across Oliver Wood, sitting in front of the fire, rubbing on the arms of the chair he had chosen. “Ollie? Oliver? Are you okay?” Harry asked.

            “Do I look okay, Harry Potter?” Oliver asked back.

            “No, you don’t. What’s wrong?”

            “The fact that you have to ask, for one thing. I think I need to leave here. It’s hopeless.” Oliver said rising, and walking away from Harry. The words struck a note and Harry reached out a hand. His words were slow in coming and Oliver was nearly to the portrait before he spoke.

            “Don’t.” he said and Oliver stopped and turned around. “Don’t go. Not yet. Please Ollie. I want you to stay. I didn’t think about it, but you belong here. . . with us.”

            “Why, Harry?” Oliver said.

            Harry looked down, noticing the patterns on the carpet and the fact that there were other colors there, blues and greens mixed in with the red and gold. He took a deep breath and raised his eyes. “Why did you stay this long? What did you think would happen?”

            “I thought you’d tell me to go. Tell me that it was not gonna happen. I stayed because I . . . want you. Not just because you’re Chameleonis, but because you’re brilliant. Bright, funny, easy to talk to and I’m in love with you.”

            “That’s why you should stay. I didn’t accept it, until I thought about you leaving, but I was used to your presence and it feels terrible thinking that you’re leaving. I’d miss you so much, and I don’t want that. I miss the twins already, and without you, I’d be lost. I love you, too, Ollie.” Harry had moved before Oliver noticed and he found himself wrapped in the arms of his fellow Gryffindor, and his lips were claimed before he could speak another word.

            When Harry pulled away, Oliver felt tears of joy running down his cheeks. He was so relieved that he laughed out loud. “Harry, I want you. Please, don’t say no. Now is a bad time, and I know you’re working on your NEWTs, but I can’t wait.”

            “Then, we’d better find someplace a little more private.” Harry said with a smirk.

            The Room of Requirements was decked out in oak furnishings, wall paneling and wood parquet flooring. Oliver drew a deep breath and sighed deeply. He stopped and turned to note a picture frame on the wall that was made of holly wood and looked at Harry oddly. The younger wizard looked at it and smiled. “My wand is made of holly, you know. I guess the room interpreted it as my tree.” He suggested.

            “That is a consideration. How would you establish a tree, if you need one?” Oliver asked.

            “Don’t know, don’t care. Enough about trees, Oliver Wood. This is a people thing.” Harry sidled up and slid an arm around Oliver’s waist, pulling closer and pressing his lips to the other’s. Oliver sighed and that opened him up to the explorations of Harry’s tongue, delving deep into his mouth and tasting of him.

            Harry suddenly could smell the oily scent of the paneling and feel the rush of life that lasted even after the tree had been cut down and made into furnishings. It was a heady sensation, connecting him with the surroundings and filling his senses with the aura of the forest. He could even imagine the roots he wanted to sink into the ground and establish his home. He was so caught up in this that he didn’t notice Oliver calling out below him.

            When he came to himself again, he was balls deep in the Scotsman, thrusting hard and fast, feeling the lingering traces of the forest, the totally natural feel of the act blending with the flow of the seasons and the rise of the sun. It was over too soon, Oliver clutching at him and Harry growling as he jettisoned his semen into the man below. He had barely managed to activate his spells, blocking the sperm from making it into the other, and now he dropped bonelessly onto the panting Scotsman. “Hemlock.” He said as he rolled away, pulling Oliver to lay atop him. “I don’t know why, but that’s the impression I got. I’m not sure how I even know what one is.”

            “Tsuga sieboldii is a conifer from the family Pinaceae. Not related to the poisonous flowering plant, conium.   I was very good at herbology, as you may have guessed.” Oliver mumbled into his chest. “Uncle Conifer will be thrilled.” He managed the last as he drifted off into a sated sleep. Harry smiled and held his fifth mate close.

            “Closing in on you, Dad.” He whispered to the air before closing his eyes and settling back as he smelled a piney scent mingling with the oak of the room.

*****

            The little elf led Harry to a garden that was filled with grass, trees and flowers in abundance. It was so beautiful that he was awestruck.

            “Finally got you to stop talking, Potter?” Draco said from near an ancient oak tree. Harry jerked around to face him and Draco raised his arms and looked up. “This is my favorite part of the grounds.”

            “It’s beautiful.” Harry breathed out, not entirely talking about the gardens.

            “Let me show you around. There’s a peculiarly unique rose bush over here.” Harry tailed the Veela up the path through the trees. At the end of the path, where the stones faded into the grass, there was an array of bushes, displayed aesthetically and each decorated with blossoms the likes he’d never seen before. He stood amid them, rotating to see each bloom. He stopped when he came face to face with Malfoy.

            “Why are we here?” Harry asked and Draco looked away.

            “I come here when I am troubled.” Draco began, walking towards a bush with mustard yellow flowers scattered about its branches. “I heard that you’ve taken another mate.” It was not a question, so Harry waited. “Five it is now, correct?”

            “Yes. Blaise, Oliver, Seamus and the twins.” Harry said.

            “How can you manage this family while still in school?” Malfoy asked.

            Harry contemplated the meaning behind those words and what the blond was asking. He had enough experience now to know that Draco rarely asked what he really wanted to know. He smiled and found a bench and kneeled on one leg. “Afraid I’ve already filled my harem, Draco?” Harry crooned and the blond turned back, abruptly.

            “That’s not my concern, Potter!” the blond sneered and Harry watched his expressions with the smile plastered complacently on his face. “Besides, my father already told you what he proposed and it didn’t infer the inclusion of my presence in your household.”

            The blond’s tone was rigid and cold, his face odd and his eyes distant. Harry left the bench and closed on him, invading his personal space and watching him flinch. “Not gonna happen, Malfoy. If I take a mate, it’ll always be because I want them. I’m not for sale!”

            Draco huffed and backed up, turning away and heading for another part of the garden. His words said that he scorned the other’s opinion, but their tone was not matched to the meanings. Harry caught the emotion that passed across his eyes. “I’ve said you’d feel that way from the outset. Hopeless and a waste of time. The whole endeavor.”

            Harry sighed and followed slowly. His hands skimming the tops of the plants he passed. “What did I say now?” he sighed.

            Draco turned on him again, his eyes flashing and his lips a thin tight line. Harry froze in his glare and glanced down to assure himself that they had both left their wands in the house. “I didn’t ask for you! I didn’t want you to be the son of That Chameleonis! I know we’ll never be able to get along much better than this, but I am not desperate enough to suggest anything so crass!”

            “Your father offered me money,” Harry stated, “indirectly, I believe.”

            After staring for a few seconds, Draco said. “What did he say, exactly?”

            “He implied that your family was well off enough that it should convince me to overlook our history.” Harry’s voice was gritty and he hated how it sounded. He turned away and flexed his hands in and out of fists. The sound of Draco’s chuckling brought him back to face him. “What is so bloody funny?”

            “He implied that we had enough to care for a child so that you wouldn’t feel it a burden on you. He didn’t say that he would give you money for your services, Potter.” Draco was now laughing so sincerely that Harry rolled his eyes.

            “I think I may owe you both an apology.” He said before the humor of the situation caught up with him and he burst into laughter of his own. When this died away, there was an awkward silence for a few minutes before Harry realized what Draco had said about his father. He was about to confront it when Lollie popped in next to them.

            “Master Lucius wishes you to attend tea. He is in the formal sitting parlor. He is expecting you in ten minutes.” And the elf disappeared.

            Draco sighed and grabbed Harry by the arm. “That means dress robes, Potter. I do hope you’ve brought yours. I expect Father is not alone this day and we must make a grand impression on whoever he has as a guest. Come along.” And he was dragged to the room that he used for his visits.

            Just as the ten minutes were up, he and Draco stepped into the room and found Lucius, Narcissa and two other regal looking gentlemen seated on the stiff brocade couches. A silver tea set was arrayed on the table and Pansy was pouring tea into the cups left unclaimed. She smiled at them when they arrived and handed Draco the first of the two she had ready. “Draco, Harry. Nice to see you again, brother.” She whispered, when she gave Harry his. “I’d like you to meet my father, Granville Parkinson, and my uncle Clive Parkinson. They’ve come to discuss something with Mr. Malfoy, and you.”

            Harry nodded at the men and took the only open seat, between Pansy and Draco, and waited as the men sipped their tea. His dress robes, being new, were stiff and uncomfortable, causing him to sit up straight and hold his tea carefully so as not to spill it. Pansy’s father spoke first. “Mr. Potter. I know that you and our Pansy cannot consider a formal union, but we have two other children, slightly younger, and they could benefit from your heritage. I have been assured by Lucius, that you are in fact Chameleonis, so we have decided to open an official negotiation. Do you have any particular demands you wish to make clear?”

            “Demands, sir?” Harry began, his thoughts returning to the meeting he’d had with Mr. Patil and the way the little man had interrogated him on his needs and obligations if he wished to mate with one of his daughters. Harry had been so flabbergasted, that he’d been rendered mute for a brief time. That meeting had been disastrous, and he’d hardly spoken with either Parvati or Padma for days after. “I have only one demand, Mr. Parkinson. I demand that I be allowed to choose my mates based on my feelings, and not some formal document or agreement made with their parents. I am not a bargaining chit and I am not for sale.”

            Granville sputtered in fury while Pansy chuckled next to Harry. “Oh, Daddy, did you really not hear what I told you? I said that you’d muck it all up.” She turned to her brother and smiled devilishly. “May we be allowed to introduce you to Laurence and Laurette, Harry? I think you’d like them, at least a little bit. Laurette attends at Beauxbaton and is only one year younger than I am. She’s quite pretty, with blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She and Laurence are unicorn and are little shy, but they are intelligent and witty, when they get to know you. Quite the opposite of me, I’m afraid.”

            Harry smiled, “I’d be pleased to meet your siblings, Patsy. I’m sure they are charmers.” He said with a bright and friendly smile that only dipped when he turned and caught Draco scowling at him. “Don’t fret, Draco. I’m sure I’ve room for more in my little family.” He teased and sipped at his tea.

*****

           Cho Chang was livid and that was not a good state of being for a dragonite. She stormed around the Ravenclaw common room and menaced the few students that hadn’t escaped to the library for last minute study. It was here that Isabel had the misfortune to find her, while chatting with Luna about Harry’s new home. Cho saw red and her attack was unexpected.

*****

            Harry and Oliver followed Professor McGonagal through the halls, hurrying to keep up with the elder witch. They arrived at the doors to the hospital wing and she stopped and turned to them. “They are resting right now, but it was close. I want you to try not to upset them, but they have been asking for you, Harry.” Minerva nodded to the Chosen One and turned to Oliver, “Mr. Wood, if you could help us with some herbal issues.” She added.

          “Whatever you need, Professor.” The Dryad said.

           “Come in, then.” And she pushed to door open and stepped in. The room smelled of a harsh oily scent and Oliver’s nose wrinkled in distaste.

           “Dragonite?” he asked and Minerva nodded solemnly. He turned to Harry, only to find his mate staring blankly at the three girls lying in the beds near the tall windows, their bodies still and pale. He ran across the room, suddenly needing to be sure that they were still alive with his own eyes.

          “Harry?” Luna asked from the first of the beds, and he dropped to his knees next to her.

           “Luna, how are you feeling?” he asked stupidly.

           “I’ve been better.” She said softly. “Harry, I never saw anything like it. I didn’t believe they existed, you know.”

           “You didn’t, but Luna you believe in everything?” Harry smiled at the frown that creased her face for the first time since he’d met her. “Don’t worry. I’ll never tell anyone.”

           “Harry?” Came the voice of the girl in the next bed, her face barely visible under the covers and bandages.

           “Lisa, how bad is it?” he asked, moving over to touch her cheek ever so gently. “What happened?” he added.

           “It was Cho.” Lisa Turpin told him, her voice distorted by a gash that had torn her face from her ear to her chin. “She went crazy. If it weren’t for that boy, she’d have killed us all.”

           A low moan distracted Harry and he rose quickly to rush to the final bed. “Oh, shit! Sweet Merlin! Isabel.” He cried as he dropped onto his knees and looked down at the badly injured Ravenclaw girl. She was swaddled in so many bandages he could barely tell it was her.

           “She stood in front of us, trying to protect us. Cho was nearly blinded by her anger, and she kept on slashing with these long claws that came out of her hands. It was so scary, Harry. I hope I never see anything like it again.” Lisa was nearly in tears, but Harry couldn’t tear his eyes away from the unconscious girl in front of him.

           “I’m so sorry, Isabel. This is my fault. I’ll make it better, I promise. No one will ever hurt you because of me. Never again.” He vowed.

           Oliver was busy in the potions room, cutting up the Myrtle-root that Madame Pomfrey would need to make the potions for the worst gashes that had been caused by the dragonite claws. She had only ten hours to properly treat them or they would fester and go septic. The poison that was inherent in a dragonite’s attack was lethal in large doses, but the small dose might also debilitate a victim for a very long time.

           The potion was a complicated one, too. It would only take one hour to brew, but the list of ingredients was longer than Oliver’s arm. He went to work, cutting, chopping, dicing, crushing and just slicing what he needed as quickly as he could. The medi-witch gathered them up and tossed them into her cauldron as fast as he did.

           The hour went by fairly fast, and Poppy called out to Minerva, who had stood just outside the door the entire time. “I think we can treat the girls now. Come Mr. Wood. I think you will appreciate the way this potion works.” The pinch-faced little witch led the way, her cauldron still bubbling in her hands, and stopped at a small table near Luna’s bed.

           Harry watched from the floor near Isabel, afraid to move and have her slip away before he could return. He held her hand, the only part of her that seemed unbandaged, and cooed soothing words to her as he watched the healer do her work.

           Poppy pulled the bandages from the angry red welts on Luna’s torso, dipping a brush into her pot and gathering enough potion to dab generously at the wounds. The potion was a dull grey in its cauldron, but it went bright yellow when it touched skin, or perhaps the blood that was oozing out of the gashes. It fizzled slightly, and Luna claimed it tickled when this happened, but she held as still as Poppy told her to, until the ointment had sealed her wounds and they had scabbed over and dried. “Now, don’t pick at them, or they’ll scar. On to you, Miss Turpin. Sit up, if you can.” Harry dove forward to aid the other girl, his thoughts muddled by the healing properties of Poppy’s potion. He moved back when Lisa was seated upright and Poppy began to administer the cure.

           While she was busy with the second Ravenclaw girl, Minerva moved closer to Isabel and began to pull away some of the bandages. Harry watched in silence as she exposed the wounds and dabbed them with Madame Pomfrey’s concoction. He couldn’t move until he had seen each and every abrasion healed to a healthy scab and on its way toward healing.

           “Thank you, Madame Pomfrey, Professor.” Harry said as he rose and moved away from the bed.

           “No, thank you, Mr. Potter. You kept them calm while we only did what a healer must do.” Poppy told him.

           “They wouldn’t have reacted as well if they had been hysterical. Like when we brought them here.” Minerva added.

           “Will they heal completely?” Harry asked as he thought about the deep cuts to both Lisa and Isabel’s faces. He was reminded of Remus Lupin and his werewolf scars.

           “That’s what the potion is for. Don’t worry, Mr. Potter. Dragonite poison is not like other cursed creatures. It won’t heal by the usual means, but it can be cured.” Madame Pomfrey patted his back and pushed him toward the door, where Oliver and Seamus stood in front of Blaise. He smiled up at his mates, joined for this one time to support him.

           That night he dreamed of flying over the forbidden forest, following a will-o-the-wisp into a dark cave. Inside was a dragon that was breathing fire and burned the wisp to a cinder. He woke screaming and Blaise held him to the bed, petting his hair as Oliver whispered soothing words.

           He had been given a private room on the second floor and it seemed he was never without at least two of his mates.

           Cho had not been seen since the incident, but Professor Snape had mentioned something about her being in good hands. Hands that would not allow a repeat of the incident and had sent an apology about not acting sooner. He would say no more.

           The three girls were released two days later, without more than some pinking marks. Isabel and Lisa were allowed to take the only exam that they had missed, Transfigurations, and both got Exceeds Expectations. Harry had managed an Outstanding.

*****

           After two weeks of grueling study, Harry managed Outstandings in Potions, Defense, Transfiguration and Charms, Exceeds Expectations in Herbology, Astronomy, Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures and lastly Acceptable in History of Magic, Ancient Runes and Divination, though he’d only a few classes in these. He had done independent study and done fairly well with that. All this time, he’d also been learning the etiquette that Hermione and Isabel had drilled him in and completed his birthday gift from Remus, as well as three other books on creature crosses from the library shelves and a bookstore in Hogsmeade. He was two days from leaving Hogswarts, and the only thing left to resolve was a visit with the elusive headmaster.

            Dumbledore had been a rare sight for the school this term, and Harry had some unfinished business with the elderly wizard. He found the man in the hallway outside of the gargoyle and cornered him there. “I wonder if we might have a word or two, Headmaster?” he asked and Dumbledore nodded. He led the way up the stairs and sat on one of the settees that were in front of his desk. Harry took the other.

            “You’ve done very well, I hear.” Dumbledore said and Harry nodded. “I’m very proud of you, Harry.”

            “I’m not here to talk about my grades, Professor.” Harry countered.

            “Is that what we were talking about?” Albus asked.

            “Perhaps not. I wanted to ask you a question. Why?” Harry stated it simply but the old man sighed and turned away, rising and crossing to a cabinet. He pulled out a bottle and handled it gently. When he returned to the settee, he held it aloft and Harry watched the silver thread that swirled in its depths.

            “This is something that you should have received long ago, but I saved it until now. I want you to have it, as well as the stone that you dropped in the forest on your trip to defeat Voldemort. I found it, and kept it for now. When you have finished with it, I will take it back, if you like. It is to be buried with me, when I die. That will keep it from falling into mischief in the future. Please, take them now.” And he handed Harry the vial and a wrapped package before rising and exiting the office.

            Harry looked at them, unsure which to use first. He rose and opened the cabinet where Dumbledore kept his pensieve and poured the memory into it. He hesitated before dipping his head in and falling into the memories. His father stood before him and it choked him up to see the man he’d loved for so long, and so recently lost respect for.

            “Son, I want to give you this memory so that you will know the things that I’ve done. I am ashamed of them, but I can’t redo them now. It was wrong of me to turn my back on those that I loved, but understand that I loved your mother so much that I couldn’t deny her. It wasn’t just to have the chance at a son like you, it was more. I’m so sorry. Please, be kind to my mates, wherever they are, and understanding of their feelings. I love you, Son.”

           The memory faded and a mist filled his vision, flowing out and thinning to reveal a much younger Severus Snape, tears running down his face, while a tiny girl with bright pink hair clung to him and whimpered. He called after someone that was retreating. Harry could hear his voice and the desperation that filled it. “Don’t do this to us, you Arsehole. Have you no heart, you arrogant prick?” then the words faded as the person moved away and closed a door between them. Harry’s eyes burned with anger and pain, but he couldn’t go back and change the events that he was witnessing. He could see that the memory was his father’s and the man was dropping to his knees to cry out in agony at the events even as Harry wanted to rail at him for what he’d done.

           Scene after scene replayed, familiar faces as well as strangers, but there was Remus and Terry, Sirius and Pansy, a tall black man that he recognized as Kingsley Shakelbolt with a toddling boy at his side, berating his father for his callousness, a woman with long black hair flowing around her and a face that was as familiar as his new defense class assistant, her eyes hard with anger as the image faded in the distance. Before he could see more, he pulled free of the memory, unable to take the rest. He scooped it out and replaced it in its vial, determined to keep it safe and never part with it, a reminder that he could replay if ever he envisioned leaving one of his mates.

           He put the vial in his robes and held up the stone, turned it over three times and watched the image of his father materialize before him. “How could you?” he cursed and James sighed and looked down. “No excuses now, Dad? What could have been a good enough reason for this?” Before James could answer his son, Lily’s form appeared next to him and she dropped to her knees.

           “I am so sorry, my precious Harry. It was too much for me. I couldn’t bear to be second in your father’s eyes. I was jealous and vapid, and it was me that he did it for. Can you ever forgive me?” As she sank to the floor, Harry shook his head. He felt so lost, so floundering in the light of his parent’s humanity.

           “I used to think you were perfect. I guess every child has to find out that his parents are fallible. I’ll forgive you, eventually. I have five mates, Dad. I plan to keep them all. I won’t do what you did, and Merlin protect anyone that would ask me to desert them.”

           “Good, Son. I would expect no less from you. I would that I had been so brave. You are a true Gryffindor.” James said but Harry scowled.

           “Wrong there, Dad. See, I did the most Slytherin thing imaginable. I talked the hat out of putting me in the proper house, and managed to fit in with the house I wanted to be in. Sneaky, huh? Kinda like you and the Marauders pulling all of those pranks while being in the house of the most upstanding of the founders. If only old Godric could see us now, huh?”

           Harry sighed as he turned the stone over and the two specters disappeared. He pocketed the stone as well and exited the office. He would keep this Hallow until Dumbledore died and deposit it in the grave of his own doing.

*****

           Harry boarded the train and commandeered a compartment for himself and his two mates. Oliver had gone with his aunt and uncle to collect his things, and they would meet in four days at Grimmauld place. He, Seamus and Blaise filed into the compartment and rode in silence for most of the trip. Draco had been collected by his parents, and Harry would see him again, in two weeks. By then, he hoped to have the words he needed to tell the Malfoys that it was not working out.

            The quiet of the trip was interrupted by the arrival of Luna and Isabel, from the back of the train, and Susan Bones from farther forward. The three girls sat down in the available room and soon the group was engaged in pleasant conversation. Luna had not residual scars from the attack, but Isabel still wore a scarf to cover her face and neck, uncomfortable with the remaining pink marks. Poppy had assured her they would fade, but for now she thought they made her look ugly.

            “I don’t know how I will manage school next year without you all.” Luna said with a wistful tone and Harry smiled at her. She would be fine, because Luna was an optimist and things just naturally worked out for her.

            “Think how I’ll feel, way up here and not one of you within miles.” Isabel said sadly.

            “Ravenclaws!” Blaise snorted. “You’d think the smartest house of students would be able to remember that they are witches. You can get to us with a simple apparition, and if you want to meet somewhere, just owl us. Merlin, Girls! Don’t start the hysterics here.”

            “I want to meet up.” Seamus said quickly. “Let’s just have standing plans. We’ll meet once a month, like Harry’s visits to the Malfoys.”

            “Where?” Susan joined in enthusiastically, though Harry inwardly winced at the reminder.

            “Diagon alley?” Luna suggested, but the others shook their heads.

            “Too trafficy. Everyone goes there.” Shea announced.

            “Trafalgar Square. It’s muggle but we can do some shopping.” Susan suggested.

            “Girls always want to shop.” Blaise scoffed and Harry laughed. “What?”

            “You love to shop.” Harry reminded him. “Trafalgar Square it is. How about the tenth of each month?”   They finally agreed and Harry added. “We should invite others as well. Hermione and Ron, Dean and Neville, some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, and Pansy, too.”

            “That sounds wonderful. You could invite Terry, if he wants to come.” Isabel suggested and they worked out other details. The coordinates, how to meet, how much muggle money they would need, and if any others would be invited. It made the rest of the trip fly by and before they knew it they had arrived at King’s Cross Station.

            Harry knew that the Dursley’s would not be coming, so he gathered his belongings and stood beside Blaise as his mother arrived. She had arranged it with Seamus’ parents to take the boys to her villa for a few days before they would set up in Grimmauld Place. It was relaxing and gave her a chance to spend time getting to know her son’s mate and the Finnigan boy.

            When they finally arrived at the Black Family home, Harry was pleasantly surprised to find Oliver and the twins already there. The family was together at last, but it was still missing something.

*****

           Neville Longbottom rode in the coach that his grandmother had brought, his eyes staring vacantly out the window. He wasn’t sure if Gran was angry with him, but she had been gruff since she’d arrived at the train. He leaned back and chanced a glance her way. “Stop moping, Nevvy. I’m only concerned about the Ministry. We have to make certain arrangements to keep this from spreading. You have nothing to be concerned with from me. I’m very proud of you. To fully display, and keep it secret, is quite an accomplishment.”

           “Dumbledore didn’t tell the Ministry, but he knew. Professors Snape, McGonagall and Flitwick, too. It’s not a secret, Gran.” Neville admitted.

           “But, that is all. These are all trusted names. Especially, as one has proven his ability to contain a secret. Professor Snape was a great spy.” Gran gave him a twinkle of a smile and Neville glimpsed a secret in her eyes.

           “What are you planning, Gran?” he asked.

           “Oh, just a little secret. I have been busy. I know you won’t want me to spoil the surprise. Now, let’s just get you settled in.” they had arrived at the cottage and Neville jumped out to aid his grandmother in alighting. She led him inside and instructed the house elves in the placement of his trunk. He was to be given a grand suite that had been unused for decades. Neville eyed her speculatively before he followed his trunk up the stairs. “Dinner at the usual time, Neville.” She called up behind him.

            Neville wasn’t sure what lead him to, but he put on his dress robes when it was time for dinner and came down stairs with an air of dignity that he had practiced over the years and finally gotten better at, to the point of near perfection in his Gran’s estimation. He stood in the door of the dining room and stared at the sight that met his eyes.

           Three young ladies from his year, Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bullstrode and Tracey Davis, were arranged around the room, accompanied by their respective parents. Gran looked up and smiled in approval. “Ah, there you are Nevvy. Come in and greet our guests. We know that you’ve all just left school, but we thought that this should be done quickly and quietly. So, come and sit, everyone.” Gran gestured around the table, and Neville was drawn forward as if by compulsion. He found himself seated between Tracey and Daphne, with Millicent seated across from him. It was very uncomfortable, though the three girls all seemed to be more interested in him than they ever had in school.

           “So, Mr. Longbottom, my Daphne tells me that you were acquainted with the Malfoys?” Mr. Greengrass asked. “I have been in negotiations with Lucius for my second daughter. Have you met Astoria?”

           “No, sir. And I knew the Malfoys before school, but Draco and I didn’t hit it off, actually.” Neville tried to sugar coat the truth for his Gran’s sake, but he couldn’t outright lie. “I understand that he is also considering another, rather unique situation, as well.”

          “Yes, the rumor of a Chameleonis.. hardly something to hang your family’s future on. Yourself, though. A Salamandrea is a far better match, in my estimation.” He said and Neville chanced a glance at his daughter to confirm that this was her attraction too. Daphne was vying to make herself the mother of a cross-bred child. It made him slightly nauseous.

           “Well, if you knew who the alleged Chameleonis was, you might think differently.” Neville whispered.

           Millicent, from across the table, sent a slight kick to his calf and he looked up to see her mouth the words, “Secret. Don’t tell them.”

           Neville nodded agreement, and turned as he heard her father speak. “I understand you are adept in Herbology?”

           “Yes, sir. I’ve gotten Outstandings in both Herbology and Charms. Only Exceeds Expectations in Transfigurations, Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic, though. I didn’t do well in Potions, however.” He shook himself on his memory of the testing. It was better than being in class with Professor Snape, but he still didn’t do as well as he wanted to. Harry had lent him a hand with some tutoring, but he couldn’t learn seven-year’s-worth in that little time. He had managed an Acceptable.

           “That would be a drawback, normally. But, we can surely make an exception in this case. Have you considered what you would like to do, now?” Mr. Davis added to the conversation.

          “Perhaps, we should give the boy time to decide, Miles.” Mrs. Davis suggested.

          “Nonsense. Boy can’t spend his life playing in Adelaide’s gardens. Not when he’ll have children to raise.” Miles Davis argued, sending his wife into a shocked silence. Neville was certain that this was a common event in the Davis home.

          “Sir, I plan to open a greenhouse, and specialize in some of the more difficult to raise herbs. Ones that will require a special wizard to raise them. Perhaps some of the more flammable variety?” Neville suggested and Millicent giggled from across the table. The other girls looked bored. “What did you plan to do now that school is out?” He asked them.

           Tracey just shook her head, bouncing her blond curls around attractively. Her hair was done up in a way that made it easier for her to display this talent. Daphne scoffed and suggested, “Tracey will be happy decorating the world. I plan to marry well and raise beautiful babies to do it even better. I don’t need to work, with my looks and talent, I will concentrate on keeping my husband happy while he does.”

           Neville stifled a frown and let his eyes travel back to the eyes of the girl across from him. “What about you, Millie?” he asked. Though they had not been close in school, he and Millicent had played together as children, and he remembered her old nickname.

           “I’m meeting with the department of Magical Creatures in the morning. I have to see if I can aid in defeating legislation that will make it more difficult for others to maintain their freedom. It’s wrong for the Ministry to confine some lines. It is proven that we . . .they do not breed well in captivity.” She let her words fade out and Neville smiled mildly.

           “That’s admirable. I hope you get in. We need someone on the inside.”

           Dinner was soon over and Gran took the adults into the parlor for an after dinner drink, while the young folk meandered in the gardens around the cottage. Neville found himself flanked by Daphne and Tracey again, while Millicent puppied along behind them. He managed to turn his head occasionally to keep her in the conversation, but the other girls were not as attentive to her presence. He felt bad and wanted to scream. Instead, he stopped outside of the obligatory hedge maze and turned on them.

           “Enough! I know what you want, and I’m not gonna fall for your sudden interest in me. Just get this straight. I know what you really think of me and I don’t care how pretty you are, or how talented, I just care what’s on the inside. My Gran thinks this is a good idea, but I don’t agree with her. It may keep me under the Ministry’s wards, but I’m not mating with anyone that hates me and only wants a perfect little Salamandrea baby.”

           “Longbottom, you need us. Don’t try to fight this. We come from powerful families and that means we could help you, or . . .”

           “Don’t threaten me, Daphne Greengrass. You may be as disappointed as your sister is gonna be. I will go along with the courtship, but if it isn’t meant to be, forget it.”

           “But, I want to be a Longbottom.” Tracey said with a sniff. “I’ve always liked you . . .from afar.”

           Neville looked at her with a bit of a glare. “You’re kidding, right?”

           “Could you tell?” she asked vaguely.

          “Ignore her. Davis, sometimes I think you are more oblivious than Luna. Look, Neville. We didn’t ask to come here. It was something our parents cooked up with your Grandmother. I suggest we all make the best of it, and keep them happy, but first . . .” Millicent said before she took out her wand. “I think we need to make an unbreakable not to share our lines.”

           Neville and Tracey agreed, but Daphne balked. “I don’t like unbreakable vows. I’m no good with secrets.”

           “All the better. We’ll add a compulsion to keep Daphne safe.”

           It took only a few seconds to iron out what the spell would include, but in the end they had it and all joined in for the necessary agreements. “Now, this won’t include our parents, but if we tell them that we’ve taken this, it should bind them. I’ll go first. I’m Manticore.” Millicent stated it plainly and the other girls gasped. “What, you’re surprised?”

           “Yes, actually. That’s a horrid thing.” Tracey said. She smiled primly. “My family has Tangie lines but no one has displayed for years. I wasn’t held out when the potion failed but I know I could produce a cross child.”

           “Tangie is a myth.” Daphne said with a scoff. “Sea spirits! It doesn’t even say what you would display as. I am from Shellycoat background and that is why the Malfoys are considering my sister. They think she displays, but it’s just her blond hair.”

            Neville smirked at them and shook his head. “I think we should go in and see what the older adults are up to. Can’t let them make the decisions for us, can we?” He led them back and by the time they had arrived at the door, Daphne was talking about the latest fashions and planning a trip to Paris to outfit her trousseau.

           Neville was getting a headache.
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Chameleon's Song