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Shades of Grey	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 103925 -:- Recommendations : 6 -:- Currently Reading : 21
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I make any money off this dance in the realm of strangeness and smut

Chapter List
- 17
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- 19
Chapter 18

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. You're the best, woman, and thank you!

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Sitting out by the pool, Lucius was sipping a drink while reading, or at least he was trying to. Actually, what he was doing more was keeping an eye on Harry. The young man was flopped on his stomach on one of the lounge chairs under an umbrella, just lying there with his eyes shut. On the ground in front of him was an open book, one of the horror stories meant for young wizards they had bought in town. Harry had read some of it, but seemed more interested in just laying there lost in his thoughts. Kaliya was stretched out along the young man's back, just lying there, hissing to the lad. Harry, from what he could tell, was answering here and there, but it didn't seem to be much of a conversation. That troubled him.

It had been a couple weeks since seeing the memory of what Dumbledore had planned for Harry and the young man had yet to bounce back from it, seeming depressed and dejected. Oh, he was functional, there was no doubt there. Each day they spent time on school type topics and working with his magic. For the most part, Harry was finally getting it channeled right though there were still some issues from time to time. It had also brought on a couple instances of a real show of Harry's temper. No, it hadn't been directed at himself or Severus, more the situation itself. As both of them could understand what gave birth to it, they hadn't said much, especially since it had been taken out on inanimate objects, with Harry either shattering something or blasting it to bits. After letting the young man walk off and giving him time to cool down, all was well. Harry apologized for what he did then they went back to work. However, despite functioning as he usually did and going about the routine they had come to call normal, Harry hadn't returned to normal.

As he had done since they were working towards trust, Harry talked to them or would do things like they were now, but he didn't talk much anymore. Of course, he would answer them to add to discussions, but it wasn't the open, affable way he had done in the past. Lucius and Severus, both, had seen moods like this before. After all, Severus taught in a school full of teenagers. Lucius had a son the same age as the one lying here. They assumed that after a week or so, things would bounce back. That was usually the case with such emotional episodes. Harry hadn't though. In fact, it was now starting to worry the both of them.

On Lucius' end, he was now willing to admit that he missed the way Harry used to be. The open nature and some of the joking, fun side wasn't something he thought much about at the time, but now that it wasn't there he missed hearing it. Severus was, honestly, quite worried and had wondered about giving Harry a potion for depression, hoping that might help. However, they were reluctant to do that as they didn't know how it would react to the ones that produced the artificial barrier. So, rather than even bring that topic up, they were going to work with the young man the best way they knew how. Part of that was going about their life just how they had before, hoping that continuity would assist. Beyond that, they were going to try to draw him into other activities to see if they couldn't get his mind off what was bothering him.

Setting aside his book, giving over reading as a bad job, Lucius relaxed, sipping his drink. Though Harry was in nothing but swim trunks, he didn't lounge about in such ways. He was, though, dressed as befitting being by the pool in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. The only concession he made for the heat was the shirt was unbuttoned. Sitting there, he was trying to find a topic of conversation to discuss with the young man when he observed Harry moving for the first time in a while. When he saw him grab a small yellow rubber duck, he smirked, knowing this was going to be amusing.

Earlier in the week, after seeing how much Kaliya liked to chase the rubber duck the elves had charmed for him in the pool, he and Severus had put better charms on it. Now all one of them had to do was tap the duck with their wand and the toy was off in a random pattern for the snake to chase, both in the water and out. As it seemed to give the creature pleasure and exercise, it was something that they thought was fine. Besides, to add to the humor of the situation, he had added a charm that when caught and Kaliya had it in his jaws, it made a comical quacking noise as it 'died', giving it a few minutes of downtime from the charm so that it reset itself. It was funny, at least for him.

Watching the snake slither off Harry then into the pool, something that was safe for him as Wizarding pools had nothing more than water in them with charms to keep them clean rather than chemicals like Muggle pools, to wait, then the duck launched into the pool after Harry touched it with his wand, he gave a snort of amusement. The chase was already on with the snake hot on the heels of the yellow toy. “He does seem to enjoy that,” he commented, amused.

“Says it hones the hunting skills, but it's more like its fun,” Harry commented, watching the snake.

“He does seem to take enjoyment from it,” Lucius nodded, eyes locked on the merry chase in the water. Setting aside his drink, he looked at Harry then asked, “Your birthday is a short ways off, is it not?” Seeing Harry nod, he pressed on, “What would you like as a present? As you and Draco are far different in the types of things you have a want of, I'm rather perplexed as to what to get you. I believe Severus is the same way.”

“You don't have to get me anything,” Harry said quietly, shaking his head, eyes locked on the snake chasing the rubber duck.

“Nonsense! Gifts are a requirement,” Lucius told him firmly. Besides, as he was the type that showed someone affection or appreciate by buying something, he hoped this would convey to the young man that there was a bond, of sorts anyway, forming.

“You've already gotten me the best presents anyone ever could, so I don't need anything else,” Harry told him, lying his head back down.

Puzzled, Lucius looked at him then asked, truly confused, “What pray tell are those?”

“Kaliya, the clothes and my wand. I don't need anything other than that,” the young man explained softly.

“Harry, those were not presents! Your wand was needed because it had to replaced, same with the clothing. Kaliya is more than a pet. I believe, from what I've observed, the relationship is a two-way street for you both. You are friends. A friend is not a present. Besides, he's proven to be more than a mere pet to all of us. The help he's given even Severus and me is immense. No, that is not a present. Call it rescuing a friend, not a present. Now, think of something you would like, I insist!” Lucius told him firmly.

Thinking it over a minute, Harry told him, “Some Mars bars and Coke.”

Coke was something Lucius knew about, especially since Harry had it the day they went into town. Mars bars were something he also believed he knew what they were. If he remembered correctly, it was a Muggle candy bar. However, that didn't leave him any less frustrated when it came to figuring out a gift for the young man. Those were small items, something that he could provide on a regular basis from when the elves did the shopping to fill the larder. Though he supposed, with the life Harry had lived, that they were bigger things for him than they would be for most people. It just came down to the fact that he was used to dealing with Draco. By now, if asked such a question, he would have at least three feet of parchment as to what his son wanted. Sighing, he nodded, “Alright, those I will keep in mind. Would you like a new broom or something such as that?”

“I'd rather keep mine. I know it's a couple years old by now, but it was from Sirius. Sentimental attachment, you know,” Harry said quietly, glancing over at him.

That Lucius understood and gave a nod at. However, as he was trying to think up another route to ask about, an idea hit him. Head coming up, brow furrowed, his eyes widened as he thought it over. Heart starting to hammer in his chest, he considered the basic concept and things began to click. Looking smug, he relaxed then said, “Well, I think I'll be able to come up with something for you, though I know not what. We will, of course, have a traditional dinner with your favorites and some cake. Beyond that, we'll see what we can work with. Acceptable?”

“That's fine,” Harry told him, shutting his eyes again. “No big deal.”

Looking at the young man, Lucius gave an internal sigh. Honestly, he didn't know what to do to alleviate what Harry was feeling nor did he think he had anything that could help. Maybe, if the idea he had could pan itself out, it would assist. He just had to get with Severus to see.

Glancing at Harry, he was pleased to see that the young man was looking healthy. However, as Severus had mentioned to him once or twice, he did seem seriously underweight. Though he ate well, he didn't seem to be putting on much weight. Now Lucius was well aware that teenage boys tended to run towards thin as adolescence ran its course, however, he had Draco to look at as an example of what was average. Harry was far smaller than his son. Nor did he think that it had to do with the fact that Harry was just smaller than Draco. No, he thought it might have to do with issues now arising from the young man not getting enough to eat or the proper nutrition when he was young because of his odious family. That he was going to bring up to Severus. There were nutrient potions that could correct such damage and he thought that Harry might benefit from them. He would get with Severus and see what he thought then probably start the young man on them. After all, it couldn't hurt.

Startled out of his thoughts as Severus came out, he relaxed slightly, a small smirk playing at his lips. Oh, if this idea panned out, it could be a boon! Not only was it something that Harry would like, it could assist in another issue they had. Perfect! He just had to get Severus alone to discuss it then work out the kinks from there, but he saw it as very doable!

Standing in the library at Grimmauld Place after dinner that night, Severus was supposedly looking for books with tracking spells in them. After all, that's what his assignment from Albus was and what the old man had told Black was his reason for being in the library. However, it wasn't what he was doing. Oh, yes, he was looking up some things, but those were pertaining to the Horcrux issues. He was finding every book he could get his hands on when it came to necromancy and areas that might have something in them on the topic. Shrinking them, he was pocketing them as he went along while pulling out books and stacking them to make it appear as though he were searching on the topic he was there for. In doing that, nothing would be amiss. Especially since he had learned from one of the books he picked up by sheer accident how to clear out the recent searches done in the library. That meant that no one would be the wiser as to what he was truly searching for in here. It was a load off his mind, that's for certain. However, along with that, he was working over a plan he and Lucius had come up with. It was risky, that's for damned sure, but workable. Far better than anything he had come up with on the topic until that point.

Earlier in the day, after Lucius and Harry came in from the pool, his old friend had pulled him aside and gave him the rundown of an idea that had dawned on him. Though, at first, he had thought it unworkable and something that had would do nothing but put them in danger, the more they discussed it, the more he liked it. In fact, it was very workable! Nor was it complex at all. There would be issues, of course. There always were with such things. He thought they could go with it and iron them out as it went along, though. So, with only the basic way of going about the whole plot, he was going to risk it tonight. That had his blood pressure up and he was uptight. It wasn't going to deter him, however.

After about an hour of roaming, he had plenty of books for both objectives. Ensuring the lot in his pocket that were shrunken weren't creating a bulge, he levitated the other stack out and walked to the kitchen. This is where it was going to get tricky. All he hoped was that only Lupin and Black were still here. If anyone else had shown while he was ensconced in the library, there would be issues and the plans would have to be pushed back.

Stepping into the kitchen, he was relieved to see only the two there. Keeping his normal expression firmly in place, he sat the stack of books on the table then said, tone dry as ever, “I've found several with tracking spells in them. How effective they'll be, I don't know.” Honestly? He knew what was in those books wouldn't work, at all. In fact, he and Lucius had already looked at such spells and ensured that the wards around Avalon Manor would negate them.

Standing, nodding, Remus walked over and looked at the stack. “If you want, you can leave half here. Sirius and I'll go through them to see what can be used. We've come across several on our own already so what you found might be a duplicate of something we've already tried.”

Having expected that, since Dumbledore had told him to divide up the work with Lupin and Black, Severus nodded. Heart hammering in his chest at what he was about to do, he divided the stack in half, then passed each one a book. Quickly, after doing that, he reached in his pocket and gave a small amulet there a rub before swiftly casting a non-verbal stunning spell on both men. When they dropped, he grabbed their wands then put the books he had handed them on their chests and tapped them with his wand. Immediately, the runic Portkeys in the books whisked the two away.

Standing up, he vanished the books back to the library then strode out of Grimmauld Place, heart still beating rapidly. Now, he had to get back to Avalon Manor, quickly. Lucius would be waiting for the two, but his assistance was going to be needed.

Standing in his study with Black and Lupin, Lucius had his wand trained on them. As they were wand-less, he was fine with no danger of anything but a physical and verbal attack. As of now, the two were furious, he could tell that, and he was on the end of a tirade from both men, but was ignoring it.

Saying nothing as the two ranted at him, ignoring the threats made, he was waiting for Severus to show up. Then they would put the rest of plan into play. So far, it had worked perfectly. It was just a matter of getting them calmed down to where they would listen before they pressed on.

Looking up as the door opened, he nodded when he saw Severus there, happy that he had managed to get out like planned. Now they just had to work with it from there. Seeing Severus, too, train his wand on the other men, he said, tone calm, “If you will both just take a seat, we will explain why you were invited here.”

Glaring at Malfoy then shooting a deadly look at Snape, Sirius snarled, “Invited my arse! Kidnapped is more like it! What the hell are you two up to? Dumbledore is going to know we went missing and come looking!”

Though normally the calm one, Remus was furious. Severus was someone he had taken Albus' word about. Now, apparently, they were betrayed. Malfoy, as he well knew, was sided with Voldemort in this. It probably meant that they were about to be turned over. “What do you want? Both of you? We aren't going to help you do anything! Nor are we going to give up any information!”

“While we want your help, Lupin, it's not in the way you think,” Severus told him dryly. “Nor is there any information you have that we need. At least right now. The rest will be explained later.” Casting a spell, he moved the chairs forward and the two of them were unceremoniously dumped into them. Putting a charm on them to ensure the two stayed put, he looked at Lucius, eyebrow arched.

Looking smug, Lucius nodded. “I would suggest that you go get the surprise. While you do that, we're going to have a little talk.”

Smirking, Severus nodded then strode out of the room.

Arms folded over his chest, Lucius looked at the two, smirking as well, looking pleased with himself. Hearing Black sputter, he said, “Just hold your tongue for now, Black. All will be explained shortly. All we ask is that you listen to what is said, nothing more. I assure you, you've not been betrayed, at least in the way you think, by Severus or myself. What is going on will soon be made clear. Just keep your temper in check until then. After that, we'll explain fully what is going on and the assistance we want. I do believe it's something you'll agree to.”

“There is no way we are helping you do anything, Malfoy,” Sirius spat, crossing his arms over his chest. As Severus had his wand, there was really nothing he could do to release himself from this chair. He had to wait and hope like hell the surprise that was coming wasn't Voldemort himself.

“Oh, I do believe you shall,” Lucius said, nose going in the air slightly. “We have, how shall we say-- the proper motivation for such a truce.”

Scowling, looking furious, Remus crossed his arms over his chest, glaring in Lucius' direction. Oh, he didn't like this, not at all, and was certain they were in real trouble.

Walking beside Severus, Harry was having Kaliya slide onto the Potions Master's shoulders at his request. As of right now, he was confused. All Severus told him was that they had a surprise for him, but wouldn't tell him what. And he had no idea what that could be. Lucius had mentioned his birthday earlier in the day, but that was a week or so off yet so it couldn't be that.

Once Kaliya was wrapped around his shoulders and they reached the closed doors of Lucius' study, Severus stopped then looked at Harry. Gently, he said, keeping his voice down, “Things are bound to be emotional right now in there. I want you prepared for that. Beyond that, I want you to be honest when asked questions. About everything. Though it's confusing right now, all will be explained in minutes. Just trust Lucius and I, that's all we ask. We'll ensure you know what's going on very quickly. Can you do that, Harry?”

Though seriously bewildered by the cryptic nature of that and just what it could mean, Harry nodded.

Putting a hand on the young man's shoulder, he gave it a squeeze then said, “Let Kaliya stay with me until it settles down. You'll be able to explain what's going on once that happens. Until then, though, I assure you both you're perfectly safe and nothing is amiss, he should stay on my shoulders to stave off issues,” Severus explained. The safe part was more for the snake to assure the creature all was well than for Harry. Seeing Harry nod, Severus gave a rap on the door and waited nervously.

Within seconds, the door opened. Smirking, Severus put a hand on Harry's back and ushered him in.

Stepping in, Harry was confused. Lucius he saw right away but there were two other people there seated in chairs in front of the desk, their backs to him. That made him stiffen up as he didn't know who they were. However, the second they turned their heads, his eyes widened and he whispered, “Sirius? Remus?”

Looking like the cat that ate the canary, Lucius released the spell that was holding the two in the chairs. Immediately, Black and Lupin were up, racing towards Harry.

Running over to his godson, Sirius pulled him into a bear hug, tears stinging his eyes. “Merlin! You're alright!”

Hugging Sirius back, grinning from ear to ear, eyes burning, Harry said, “I missed you!”

Pulling back, holding Harry at arms length, Sirius grinned from ear to ear, shaking his head. Not knowing what to say, he just looked at him.

Grinning at his godfather, Harry was then enveloped in a hug just as tight by Remus, something he gave right back.

Standing to the side, stroking Kaliya's head, he explained softly to the snake, who seemed to be watching the scene with rapt attention, tongue flicking more than normal, “Nothing to be alarmed about. They are close to Harry. One is his godfather and the other an old friend of his parents. All is well.”

After Remus pulled back, Sirius glanced at the two other men in the room then back at his godson, asking, “Are you alright, Harry? They haven’t done anything to you, have they?”

“I'm fine,” Harry told him with a firm nod. “I'm safe and protected here. They haven't done anything to me. I promise!”

Looking around, wary, Sirius sighed then said, “I think someone needs to explain to us what the bloody hell is going on here. I mean, Harry was kidnapped! How in the hell did you two get hold of him and why didn't you let us know!”

“If you'll sit down, we'll explain.” Lucius told him. “Severus has your wands. He will return them after you hear the whole thing and we're convinced that we won't be hexed within an inch of our lives. I assure you though, Harry is fine and well, just as he appears. Nor have we mistreated him. He can attest to that for you. While we talk, he can stay and sit between the two of you. All we do ask is that you listen. We'll then go over the reason Severus took the step he did.”

Though not knowing what the hell was going on, Sirius nodded, looking at Remus. Seeing the werewolf do the same thing, he said, “Alright, we'll listen. As long as Harry stays put.”

“He will,” Severus told him firmly. Looking at Harry, he said, “I think you need to take Kaliya. I'm unsure whether he is distressed or just curious about what's taking place. You better than I can communicate with him.”

“Right, got it,” Harry said with a nod, walking over to Severus. Letting Kaliya slide onto his shoulders, he soothed the snake, explaining who they were.

Seeing the massive cobra slide onto his godson's shoulders, Sirius' eyes widened and he began to stammer.

Giving a snort of amusement, Lucius said, “Black, your godson is a Parselmouth. He can easily talk to a snake. However, rest assured, Kaliya is well behaved and mild mannered. All is well and no one will be harmed by Kaliya.”

Walking over to Remus and Sirius, Harry grinned. “This is Kaliya. He's a temple protection cobra Lucius got for me. It's alright, I promise. He won't hurt you.” Looking at the snake, who was calm, just curious, he hissed, “This is my godfather and his friend. They're good.”

Letting out a bark of nervous laughter at being confronted with such a large, deadly creature that Harry was apparently completely at ease with, Sirius rubbed his eyes then said, tone weary, “Alright, this is beyond strange. The talk that's coming needs to have at least a couple glasses of something with booze in it for me to handle all that's involved!”

“That is easily provided,” Lucius nodded with an amused smirk. Sending for some wine, he waited for everyone to take a seat so they could begin.

:::... grins angelically and tries to hide my horns under my hair...:::

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Shades of Grey