Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Different Kind of Hero	By : JunjouSlashGirl Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 53264 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 10
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters. All rights belong to J. K. Rowling. I do not earn any money with this story.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Chapter 25: A Courtship Contract and an Attack
LM
Two weeks or 14 days. Lucius Malfoy would never have guessed that he would last that long before his temper snapped, but he had.
He had restrained himself and believed in the common sense which had to be buried somewhere deep inside his son and their little submissive, but storming down to the dungeons with a cloak that billowed so impressively behind him that it could rival his best friend’s, he knew that he could not take it any longer.
In the past three weeks he had watched Draco and Harry fighting the most childish fights all over Hogwarts, he had ever witnessed: They had shoved and hexed each other, insulted each other, their friends and School Houses, had tried to damage each other's property and homework and had generally all but forgotten their mating bond as a result. The first few days had already been bad, but suddenly the day after the Potion’s Class, where his friend had forced his son and mate to work together on a Potion, it had gotten much worse.
Well, maybe not forgotten. For Draco the bond was the cause for his inadequate behaviour and for Harry it was the reason for avoiding nearly all contact with him and Lucius could not say what drove him more insane. Since Harry's first training lesson with Dumbledore, the boy had not even given him a kiss on the cheek. He had seen that the child had wanted to explain himself, just before his son had yanked him away from him, and since then Harry had been avoiding even him so thoroughly, that he had never actually gotten an explanation. Instead, his sweet and beloved Harry went to class, sneaked out with his friends, met with the old fool in the Chamber of Secrets to train, and then sneaked back up into his father's rooms.
He actually had no idea what was going on in his submissive’s life anymore; the only information he got was from Severus and that mostly concerned Harry’s extra lessons (which were going even better than expected) and his Potion Classes (where the boy turned out to be rather decent after he had finally started a curriculum which matched his age).
But he would have been able to give his two younger mates at least another week or two to solve the situation on their own if he had not just stumbled across a situation which clearly had gotten out of hand.
Flashback:
Lucius had finally ended his last class for this day, which had consisted of First Year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, and had decided to pay his best friend a quick visit. Severus and he had been friends since the Potions Genius’ First and his Third Year, but since their graduation they had seen each other much too rarely due to Severus’ duties as the (supposed) spy at Hogwarts.
So he had taken his beloved cane, locked his classroom door and made his way down to the gloomy dungeons. He had not been concentrating on his path since he knew the way by heart still from his own days as a student and his visits as a member of the Board of Governors, thinking that he liked the idea of a glass of wine and a game of chess with his friend to finish a busy work day.
Rounding the last corner he instantly froze when he suddenly heard his son’s voice:
"Stay away from the dungeons, scarhead! They are my territory and you neither have business with my father nor with my godfather!"
Glancing carefully around the corner, Lucius saw the two boys laying entangled on the ground, his son having Harry pinned down beneath his larger frame. Despite the situation, Harry did not seem in the least bit intimidated but glared back fiercely.
"I do have a business with your father and the relationship between Severus and myself has changed a lot as well. So let go of me, before I hex you!" Harry sneered back, even though Lucius knew that their submissive would never use a spell strong enough to get his second dominant off of him; his conscience would forbid him such an action, as would his submissive’s instincts.
A low growl started to vibrate threateningly in his son's chest and he growled: "Stop fucking with someone who is already married you little slut!"
A hurt and confusion shortly flashed through Harry’s beautiful green eyes, before they hardened and grew cold like Lucius had never seen them before. "Your father is my mate, my dominant and like it or not, I will not stop fucking with him. Even if we were not bound by fate, it would still be far too good to stop!"
In the next moment, a sickening crack sounded as his son punched Harry in his face, hard enough to break the small vampire's nose. Lucius saw the regret in Draco's ice blue eyes instantly as he realized that he had gone too far, but it was too late:
In the next moment, Harry used his son's surprise, shoved him off of his body and pinned the other boy to the ground himself. With shock, Lucius noticed that Draco's punch had not only broken Harry's nose but also cracked his skull, as blood dripped from the back of his head to the ground. But the boy did not seem to notice it as he snarled:
"You can starve to death Draco Malfoy! Soulmate or not, I don't care! Don't come begging me when you finally realize that you need me after all! I don't know why I even brought you back; you should have just stayed dead!"
And then the little raven turned like a furious thunder cloud and stormed up to his private quarters.
For a moment Draco laid on the ground in frozen shock, the reality of what he had just done catching up with him, before his face suddenly closed off again and he sneered in the direction in which Harry had left, before getting to his feet, straightening his robes and disappearing to his own quarters.
End of Flashback
Lucius did not even bother knocking, he only snapped the password and entered the private quarters of his friend. He would end this charade now; he would not longer stand by and let it play itself out. Neither Draco, nor Harry would like his solution; Harry would probably not even understand the significance of what he was about to do, but Draco would and that was enough of a start.
"Severus!" he called and a second later his friend stepped out of his private Potions Lab, the scowl instantly disappearing from his face as the man saw his furious expression.
"What is it, Lucius?" Severus asked and went over to a cabinet where he had stored a very expensive and very good bottle of Whiskey, which had been altered with blood since his last visit.
Accepting a glass of the amber liquid, Lucius sat down in the armchair across from his little submissive’s father, before saying: "I want us to sign a Courtship Contract for Harry and Draco."
His friend blinked once, then seemed to get over his surprise and asked: "What leads you to this decision? Has something happened?"
Lucius smirked, Severus knew him too well. "Sadly it has. My son just went too far and the situation ended with Harry declaring that he can starve for all he cares."
"Please elaborate, I cannot imagine my son making such a threat rashly; even though he often is a rash Gryffindor, but he is generally too kind-hearted for such an outburst," his friend said, shock obvious in his black eyes.
Sighing, Lucius started to tell the unpleasant story: "I do not know how the fight started, but I found them just in front of your quarters, Draco had pinned Harry to the ground and was just telling him to stop fucking with a married man."
Severus winced but motioned for him to continue.
"Harry just told him, that he would not stop, not even if he and I were not blood bound, because the sex is just too good. Apparently Draco does not realize how young and shy our mate still is... but that does not matter right now; what matters is the fact that my son had thereupon broken Harry’s nose and cracked his skull on the stone floor," Lucius finished and took another huge gulp of Whiskey, needing it to calm down.
"I already suspected that you and my son do not actually do a lot together just yet on a sexual level," Severus mused.
"No, he is still too young and needs time to adjust. The mating was an exception; we were both out of our minds then and I protected his mind for the ritual, as you know," Lucius replied.
"Maybe there was more to the shyness than merely his age, after all, he had felt that something was missing in your bond."
Frowning, Lucius asked: "Do you mean to say that he did not want to go any further than touching, because of Draco?"
"I think it probably was a mixture of both. He is still very young and will need some time, even after he has also mated with Draco, but as a submissive he is also very sensitive to the emotional aspects of your bond. Submissives are generally very sensitive, so I do not doubt that is why Harry reacted the way he did. Even though he never particularly liked Draco, he must have had a basic form of trust in him due to his instincts, which recognized him as his second mate. I do not like to say it Lucius, but your son has probably managed to destroy all fragile pieces of hope which had resided in Harry," Severus sighed heavily.
"He has," Lucius admitted, not seeing a reason to deny it or defend Draco's action. To hit and abuse a submissive was even worse than to hit a woman, because their instincts turned off all natural mistrust and caution, replacing it with a deeply embedded trust in their dominant and making them nearly unable to defend themselves from his mates. That Harry had even had the power to shove Draco off was remarkable, but then again, Harry was no typical submissive.
"Well then," Severus interrupted his brooding. "I think a Courtship Contract is a good idea given the circumstances. Draco will have to accept Harry as his given betrothed fiancé this way. Being a Pureblood, he will not disobey you; you are still his father, even more so because he ignores the fact that you two are mates now as well."
Lucius nodded, that was exactly what he had planned. It was common among the old Pureblood families for the parents decided on their children's future spouses. Draco was not only brought up to accept this rule, it was even written down in their ancestry book, making it a legal family law, nearly as unbreakable as an unbreakable vow. Furthermore, his son’s sense of honour would forbid him from continuing to treat Harry badly after the child had become his fiancé.
"Do you want to be included in the contract?" Severus asked, getting straight to business.
"Yes, but not as an active participant. We will only mention me as Harry’s first mate so that it will be clear that Draco will join us in our mating bond at the end," he explained.
"Then we should use an adapted version of a polygamy contract, with the mating at the end and no actual marriage," Severus concluded.
Nodding, Lucius said: "I am not opposed to a proper marriage some day, but we do not know when it will be safe for us to marry officially, and with that type of contract, we would have to marry in the end."
"I afraid we have to call Albus then. You cannot write down your own Courtship Contract, not even as Ministry Official," Severus said and went over to his fireplace. Frowning, Lucius watched his friend tossing some floo powder into the fire and kneeling down in front of the green flames. He really did not like the old Headmaster very much, but then Dumbledore was a member of the Wizengamot and thus the safest option of a Ministry Official they could get.
As Lucius had expected, the Headmaster immediately had time for them. The old man seemed to have an extra sense for things concerning Harry, but his twinkling eyes dimmed a bit when he saw their serious faces.
"What can I do for you, my boys?"
Lucius watched him sitting down in a second armchair, which he had just conjured. It was a fluffy red monstrosity, which did not fit in with Severus’ quarters at all.
Severus cleared his throat saying: "We need you in your position as a member of the Wizengamot Albus," before explaining the whole situation.
°ºooº°°ºooº°°ºooº°°ºooº°°ºooº°
HP
Harry stormed into his living room where his two best friends were waiting for him. Tears pricked in the corners of his eyes and anger seemed to burn his skin, but he ignored both sensations, desperately struggling to keep his swirling magic in check. It had always been difficult for him to not lash out with his power, but the boost of magic his transformation had given him made it even more complicated.
Right now he hated Draco Malfoy more than ever before! How dare the little ferret punch him? Former rivals or not, they were mates now and it was about time that the boy accepted that!
And the punch had hurt so much, not particularly physically, but to be hit by one of his dominants, who should protect and cherish him, had hurt deep down in his soul and heart like no physical injury could ever hurt. He felt violated and betrayed and his heart hurt. His soul had already accepted his second mate and to be treated like this was the worst feeling he had ever felt. Tears pricked at his eyes again and he had to take a huge breath to calm himself, even though it did nothing anymore for his body.
He had known that Draco was not happy about the situation and even angry, but his instincts had always calmed him down and told him that Draco would come around and never honestly harm him, that it was impossible for a dominant to seriously injure their submissive, but he should have known better. It had already taken a miracle to get him and Lucius together, but with him and Draco it would be impossible. Tears started to spill at this realization, but he quickly wiped them away.
Ron and Hermione sprang to their feet as they saw him, bloody because the wound on the back of his head and his broken nose had by now covered his white shirt and expensive waistcoat.
A sickening crack could be heard as his broken nose jumped back into its place and an even more sickening crunching sound echoed through the room as the split pieces of his skull connected again.
"Harry, what happened?" Ron asked, taking a step towards Harry.
"Oh Harry, you are injured!" Hermione exclaimed, grabbing him by his arm. "Let's take you to the hospital."
Trying for a reassuring smile, although he had the feeling it came out anything but, he told her: "No, it's already healed."
"Really? Don't you dare think about lying to me only because you don't want to go to the hospital wing," Hermione scolded him.
"Mione, Harry would not lie about this," Ron tried to calm her, but the witch still seemed very agitated.
Sighing in defeat, Harry asked her: "Do you want to check?"
Hermione nodded and he turned his back to her so that she could get a look at his head. It really came in handy right now, that he was even smaller than her. Her finger carefully moved his thick and bloody hair to the side, and then touched the place where it had been broken softly. Hermione shrieked and then exclaimed: "I can feel it growing back together!"
Ron made a choking sound and Harry quickly ruffled through his hair to make it cover his injury again.
"Is he now allowed to tell us what happened?" Ron asked and slumped back down on the sofa where he had been sitting before. Harry sat down across from him in an armchair and Hermione went to sit next to Ron, looking at him expectantly as well.
Not feeling like going into too many details, he shrugged and said very nonchalantly: "Malfoy happened."
"The older or the younger one?" Ron asked irritably and Hermione hit him square on the head: "The younger one of course; Lucius Malfoy is a teacher and he would never hit a student."
Ron snorted: "I thought you didn't trust him?"
"I don't, not as part of the Order. But now he is a teacher and Dumbledore has his eye on him," Hermione explained.
Snorting, Harry commented dryly: "Because Albus always noticed the evil guys in an instant." Ignoring the glare that was shot his way, he explained: "I met him down in the dungeons, I had planned on visiting dad, but unfortunately I ran into him."
"And he just punched you?" Hermione asked with a lifted eyebrow, apparently not believing that he had not done anything either.
Thinking about how he could describe the problem, he told her: "Apparently he knows my mate as well and was not happy that... we are dating."
A wide grin spread over Ron's face: "So, you stole poor ferret face's crush from him?" The redhead continued snickering and even Hermione's lips twitched slightly, but he had to wince inwardly; he didn't know if the truth was better or worse, or if maybe Ron had hit closer to home than he would ever like to know. But no, his father had told him that Draco and Lucius have never had that kind of relationship.
"He must have punched you really hard," Hermione said, her eyes hardening.
He had to admit, that she probably had no idea how hard someone had to punch to injure a vampire like that, but then again, Draco had more power as a dominant; so for the boy it probably had felt like nothing.
"Don't worry, Harry," Ron said, the grin disappearing from his face as well. "The next time we see that little son of a..."
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed in indignation, cutting his rant off.
Smirking, he told his friend: "Well, I did get in a good punch myself."
"Oh, you haven't, have you?" Hermione scolded, but her scowl was not as deep as usual, apparently torn between not wanting to break any rules and thinking that Draco really would deserve a broken nose again.
"My comeback was more of a verbal nature, but it was a good one," he soothed her.
"You really should stop spending so much time with Malfoy...the older one, I mean... you already sound just like him," Ron muttered.
"Let's not think about it any longer, I would rather like to play a game of chess," he told his friends and stood up to fetch his chess board.
"If you go to your bedroom, you could change into something clean," Hermione said and pointed at the back of the cream-colored leather armchair where a red spot adorned the backrest.
Nodding, he left his friends alone for a moment and went into his bedroom. Classes had ended for the day, so he would just change. He chose an outfit that was black with the exception of the white button down beneath the waistcoat and then picked up his chess set with his still slightly reluctant pieces and went back to join his friends.
He had just entered the living room again, when searing anger shot through him and he dropped the board with a loud gasp, falling to his knees as Voldemort's feelings overwhelmed him. Anger, stronger than anything he had ever experienced before and a hatred so deep that it could destroy the world.
Sweat adorned his forehead, his vision blurred and as his feelings mixed with Voldemort's, he could not differentiate between the Dark Lord and his own anymore. He hen hissed:
"Potter! That impertinent brat! Oh, I will kill you, I will kill you for sure and it will be the most painful and horrible death the world has ever witnessed!"
His muscles cramped and nausea rose in his throat as the anger peaked one last time before his vision cleared suddenly and the sensation disappeared as suddenly as it had brought him down to his knees. Lifting his head, he saw his friend's faces pale and anxiously hovering above him.
"Harry?" Hermione's voice was shaking and she steadied herself with the aid of Ron's arm.
"Voldemort...he has finally attacked," he croaked out, finally starting to feel normal again, with the exception of his burning muscles.
"What happened?" Ron asked, now holding onto Hermione as well so that it nearly looked as if the two were embracing each other and a small smile tugged on his lips before he grew stern again.
" I believe his attack did not go as planned."
A second wide grin spread over Ron's face, but he reminded him: "We don't know yet whether everybody got away. We have to fetch dad and then go to Potter Manor." Turning around, he shouted: "Oscar, Nagini, Justitius!" The three creatures only needed a moment, Nagini had grabbed Justitius with her tail and slithered at such a high speed into the living room, that it frightened even him as Oscar popped in with a silent pop.
"Your former captor attacked, we have to go to the safe house," he repeated his sentence in parseltongue for Nagini’s benefit and Justitius quickly attached himself to his black sleeve where he was nearly invisible.
He wanted to run ahead, but he was only able to take a single step, before his abused muscled protested and he would have fallen if Hermione had not grabbed him quickly.
"I hope your father has some of those Potions," Ron muttered as he scooped him up into his arms. Blushing, he held onto his friend with trembling hands; it somehow felt strange to be carried by a boy who he had always believed was as old as him and who viewed him not only as a friend but also as a strong hero.
"Ron, you don't have to carry me, I can walk myself," Harry muttered in embarrassment, but Ron only started walking and said: "No Harry, you clearly can't right now."
Hermione followed Ron's quick space, nearly running as they left his quarters with Nagini and Oscar following behind. They forgot to use the shortcuts in their excitement and many students watched them with curious looks as they quickly went down to the dungeons.
The dungeons were as cold and gloomy as an hour ago. Harry led the way to his father's private quarters because Ron and Hermione actually had no idea where they were located and he was about to say the password, when a drawling voice called out to them:
"Weasel, Granger, what are you doing down here?" Draco stepped into the corridor behind them. A pang of hurt went through his heart at the sound of that voice, but apparently the blonde boy had not seen him in Ron's arm, but his dominants eyes widened a fraction as his red-ringed eyes landed on him. Harry knew that he was still trembling all over and even without the keen eyes of a vampire it probably was noticeable. What he looked like besides the trembling, he had no idea, but he supposed that he had to look like shit if the flicker of something in Draco's eyes was any indication, or his mate was just shocked to see him so soon again.
"Piss of ferret face, we have no time to deal with you right now, but I promise you that I will do that later," Ron growled and turned his back to the blonde again. Looking over his best friend's shoulder, Harry saw Draco sneering at them, his glamoured fangs flashing threateningly. He could clearly see his mate's eyes wander over Ron's arm, which supported his butt and his friend's hand, which supported his back.
A low growl started to rise in his second mate's throat and he quickly threw him a warning glare as he saw Hermione look around in confusion, as she searched for the cause of the sound.
"Shall I bite your annoying mate?" Nagini hissed from her spot on the ground but rose as she spoke. Draco took a cautious step back and Harry wondered if the children of Death Eaters were even more afraid of the snake because they had heard more stories about what the reptile was able to do.
"No, that won't be necessary. Maybe later," Harry replied and pulling his gaze from his mate. He muttered his father's password, silently enough so that neither Ron nor Hermione could hear anything. The door swung open and without acknowledging Draco with another look Ron, with Harry still in his arms along with Hermione, Nagini and Oscar quickly went into the quarters.
Three sets of eyes turned to them and he blinked in surprise at the sight of his father, his first dominant and his mentor sitting around a small coffee table, which was nearly overflowing with stacks of parchments.
"Harry!" His father said, his dark eyes scanning his frame quickly and thoroughly, but before the man could say anything else, Draco's voice once again interrupted them: "Father! What are you doing here?"
Getting annoyed with his second mate, Harry cut him off: "That's not important right now. Voldemort attacked, we have to go to the Safe House and check if everybody is fine!"
Dumbledore, Lucius, and his father were instantly on their feet.
"Is your floo connected to the Manor?" Albus asked and he nodded.
"Then let us not lose any more time," Lucius announced and took his cane from where it was leaning against his armchair.
"Harry still needs a potion," Hermione suddenly said and his father quickly went over to a shelf, before going over to the door which leads directly to his quarters and waving them through.
They excited at the other end and Albus went ahead to his living room. Searching for Hermione he asked: "Could you inform the young Order before joining us?"
The girl nodded and turned on her heels, before disappearing again into the corridor.
Albus meanwhile had grabbed the pot with his floo powder and that was when Ron suddenly stopped them. "You're still here? Piss off, ferret boy!"
Turning around once more, Harry saw Draco standing close behind them.
"I will not be left behind when you and your little hero take my father on Merlin-knows-what kind a dangerous adventure!" The blonde announced arrogantly, but his eyes were fixed on him and for a moment, he thought that he saw a flicker of a feeling besides hatred in those icy pools, but it was so quickly gone that he wasn't sure.
Ron snorted and shot back: "You just beat Harry up, as if we would let you join us when you have not even joined the Order."
Harry wanted to say something, but Lucius was quicker: "We will talk about everything later, Draco."
Hoping that Lucius knew what he was doing because he himself could not currently read Draco, he quickly said: "Let's go Ron, we have already lost enough time. He is not worth arguing with right now." His friend sneered one last time at the younger blonde and then sat him back on to the ground, giving him the potion’s vial Severus had just handed him.
Downing the strong Pain Potion, he felt his muscles relax immediately and motioned for Nagini to wind herself around his body. The snake gave the fireplace a filthy look but did as told and a moment later they swirled away to Potter Manor.
He had never seen the Entry Hall before that he currently found himself in. It was big enough that whole Privet Drive would have fit into it. The ground was covered with a light, auburn marble, in which he could see swirls of gold inside of it. White hangings framed room-high windows and in the corners stood many green plants with beautiful and colourful flowers. Many people chattered anxiously with each other while standing together in smaller and bigger groups and Harry could hear a few babies and small kids screaming.
House Elves were running around, offering drinks and apparently disappearing to the guest's homes to retrieve some clothes and other utensils on request. It was an utter chaos, but he was relieved that everybody seemed fine at the first sight. Some had a few scratches; one woman had her arm bandaged, but nothing major. He was also happy to see that Oscar had established his own uniform for all the other elves as well and that they all looked very healthy and content.
Looking around, he could see the Creevey’s, the Patil’s, the Bell’s and even Hermione's parents, Anna and Michael, and he felt a wave of relief that Hermione had asked him to invite them to the meeting two weeks ago. Anna was also the first one who noticed him and as she exclaimed his name, everybody in the room fell silent.
Behind him, the fireplace flared again and Ron came out, closely followed by Dumbledore, his father, and his two mates. A loud gasp went through the crowd and for the first time he thought that at least Lucius and Draco should have stayed behind; so much for keeping them safe, but it was too late for that now. Besides, he really was not in the mood to spend any time with them right now, especially not with Draco.
But that still didn't mean that he wished for them to be found out, so hopefully Dumbledore would know a spell or something to keep his guest from telling anybody about the aristocrats. He would have to ask him later on, but for now, he first needed to greet everyone.
Clearing his throat, he stepped a bit closer to the gathered crowd and lifted a hand, and surprisingly found that was enough to silence them again.
"I hope you all arrived safely and without further injuries. Hermione is informing your children, so they should join us soon. Is there any family who is missing someone?" He asked looking around. A wave of relief washed over him when the people in front of him shook their heads.
Albus stepped up beside him and placed a questioning hand on his shoulder, before speaking up himself: "I informed the aurors and the Order; we are currently checking your homes and if they are safe again and try to find out if any other families have been attacked."
The people nodded, but still eyed his mates and father suspiciously. Thinking that he had to say something to explain their presence, Harry said: "I promise you that I will never let anybody enter this house who cannot be trusted. To defeat an opponent as strong and intelligent as the Dark Lord, sources from inside his circle are needed."
A flicker of understanding flitted through the eyes in front of him and his guests started to look a little more at ease, so he continued: "I already noticed that my elves have started bringing you some things from your homes. They will also show you your rooms, which you can live in until it is safe to return back to your own houses. They will try to give every family their own room, but I am not sure if that will be possible, so I hope you can bear with sharing with someone else for the time being."
His father stepped forwards then and announced: "Mr. Malfoy and I will go around and heal any injuries. I can promise you that we are both skilled in healing."
This time the nodding of the crowd was even more hesitant, but it was well known that Severus was the world's best Potion Master and Lucius Malfoy a recognized healer, so there was no actual protest. The two men started to make their way through the crowd, stopping at people who needed healing.
Harry looked down at Oscar and asked his little elf: "Is there an elf who is in charge if you are not here?"
Oscar nodded and said: "Elf is called Annie, sir."
"Annie!" He called and old female house elf, which reminded him of Minerva McGonagall with her stern look, appeared in front of him.
"Welcome Master Harry Severus James Potter," the elf greeted him and he blinked a bit bewildered at the use of his full name.
"Your name is Annie, right?" he asked politely, feeling as if he was being scrutinized by a stern chaperone.
"Yes, I is Annie, young Master," Annie replied.
"Are all the guest rooms prepared?"
"We prepared all guest rooms and even the servant rooms and in the kitchen is enough food for everybody," Annie informed him.
"Good. Were there any complaints until now?" He inquired, scanning the gathering shortly.
"No sir. Is sir and mates staying this night as well?" Annie asked suddenly and Harry turned quickly around to check if Ron had listened in on their conversation, but the redhead had moved over to the crowds of people and was answering questions right now.
"No," he answered finally. "We have to return to Hogwarts for the evening, but I will try to come by every day as long as we have guests. And please Annie, tell every elf that it is a secret to whom I am mated."
Annie slammed her hand to her mouth. "Has Annie endangered Master's mates by speaking about them?" The female elf asked, her eyes wide in horror.
"Nobody was listened in, so nothing happened, but please don't call them my mates until I say so, or no one else besides Lucius, Draco, I, Albus, and my father are here."
Annie nodded in relief and then inquired. "Is Annie allowed to go again? Annie is helping guests."
"You can leave," Harry said and the female elf disappeared again.
Rightening himself again, he turned around and caught Draco quickly averting his eyes. Had the blonde been watching him the whole time? To be honest, he would like to know what was going on in that stupid head of his. Even as a newly transformed vampire, he had recognized the bond between himself and Lucius and Slytherins were supposed to be much more attentive, so he really had a hard time in believing that the boy hadn't noticed anything.
He honestly was still angry and stood by his words to not let Draco drink from him until the boy had recognized their connection in some way and apologized, but he at least felt bad for telling his mate that he should have stayed dead. He never had been a person to wish someone such a fate, but the pain of having been hurt by his dominant, who was supposed to care for him, had just been too great.
He honestly had no idea how they would ever end their pathetic tussles. He knew Lucius was getting angry and that the older blonde felt as miserable as he himself, and so probably Draco, but he really didn't know how they would break out of the endless cycle of insults; right now even less than this morning. Harry honestly had started to believe that there was no way that they would ever get along with each other and he did not even want his second mate anymore.
In the beginning he had been shocked, but also accepting. That was why he had offered his quarter to the older boy and had tried to stay calm and understanding, but his understanding had been extinguished only an hour ago. Maybe he would forgive Draco after a proper apology, they were blood mates after all, destined by fate to be with each other, but not before that had happened and even then he was not sure right now.
Nagini slithered down his body and started to inspect the Manor. From his shoulder came a questioning chirp; Justitius had learned by now that he had to ask before fluttering away when they were in a new environment and Harry chuckled silently. "You can accompany Nagini if you want, but don't get lost."
Justitius pushed off from his arm, fluttering glaringly around Draco's head once, before he quickly followed the other familiar. Ignoring his affronted looking second mate, he went over to Albus and asking: "How will the aurors reach us?"
"I sent Fawkes to Kingsley. Your guardians will probably use your Hogwarts floo to join us as soon as they are finished," Albus answered silently, leading them a short distance away from everybody.
Harry had the feeling that he was being watched again, and sure enough as he turned around, his eyes once more met the cold, ice blue ones of Draco. Why the blonde couldn't just admit that they were not rivals any longer was a mystery to him, especially because the blonde had clearly been jealous as he had seen him in Ron's arms. Lucius knew about the brotherly relationship he shared with his best friend, but his older mate had promised his father to not give his secrets away, so Draco was still none the wiser.
He could only imagine what kind of battle Draco's feelings fought inside of him right now and he almost could have pitied the blonde, if he had not crossed a forbidden line today.
"Harry," Albus pulled him back to the present and he looked up into the blue eyes of his old mentor.
"I would like to install a memory charm above the entrance door so that our guest will not be able to tell anybody that they have seen Lucius and Draco at your Manor."
Harry sighed in relief that this problem would be taken care of, but one thing still puzzled him. "Why not do that with my father as well?" He asked with a frown.
"Because it will help him if Tom learns that his spy is trusted enough by both of us to bring him along. Tom is intelligent enough to know that his spy could not have stopped both of us, so he will be safe enough."
Suddenly Dumbledore's head snapped around and with a gleam in his eyes, Harry could only describe as Maraudish, he fixed his gaze on Draco, who was still watching them. A well-known feeling entered his stomach as if the man once again had an unpleasant surprise prepared for him, or them in this case and suddenly he felt the strong urge to run away and hide somewhere.
His thoughts were once again interrupted when the floo started to flare green again and Hermione stepped out, followed by members of the Young Order, one after the other. He watched his school mates run to their families, whilst Hermione brushed off her skirt and waved at him, before checking on their own parents.
A pop sounded next to him and Annie announced: "Tea, sandwiches, and cake is served in the ballroom, Master."
"Thank you, Annie," he said and then lifted his wand to his throat, muttering: "Sonorous!"
Clearing his throat with his magically enhanced voice, he waited patiently until everybody had turned around once more. It took much longer this time because many parents were hugging their children, relieved to have escaped Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
But finally everybody had quieted down and he said: "My elves have prepared sandwiches, tea and cake for everybody in the ballroom, so I would suggest following one of them because, to be honest, this is my first time in Potter Manor as well." He grinned widely and silent chuckles could be heard before Oscar popped in front of two huge double doors and motioned for everybody to follow him.
He and his friends stayed behind, so did Dumbledore, his father, and his two mates. They all came over quickly to him as the last wizard had left the entrance hall, only Draco stood a bit to the side, but Harry knew that the blonde was listening intensively.
"I stopped some other students and by now nearly everybody should know that they should check on their families," Hermione said.
Nodding, he leaned against his father tiredly, who instantly wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer. The flashes of Voldemort's anger were much better than the visions he had suffered before, but it still left him very tired and exhausted afterward. A silent grumbling started to vibrate through the hall, but before his friends could notice anything, Lucius snapped: "Draco, pull yourself together!"
Ron and Hermione exchanged an irritated look with him, not understanding why the older aristocrat had just exploded, but he only shrugged and made a gesture to his father like small kids did when they wanted to be lifted up. His father snorted in amusement but granted his wish and Harry could practically feel the irritation radiating from his younger mate.
Suddenly a flame burst out between them and Fawkes materialized, a rolled up parchment in his beak.
"Ah, that has to be from Kingsley," Dumbledore hummed and took the letter. His blue eyes scanned the note and a long sigh escaped him. "I fear, you will have to house your guests for quite a while," he said, looking at him.
"What happened?" He asked, worry creeping into his heart.
"Tom’s followers cursed the houses and set traps. Apparently, they guessed that you somehow saved them, but they still tried to get to you somehow. The Order and aurors will need a while to clear all their houses."
"At least they are safe here and my elves will care for them," he said with a sigh of his own. It could not just be easy for once.
"They will," his father agreed and placed a soft kiss to his temple.
Harry didn't need to turn around to know that Draco was glaring daggers again and he had the suspicion that Severus was not the blonde’s favourite Professor right now.
"You should go to your guest and tell them the news," Lucius said, just when the door separating the hall from the rest of the manor opened and Hermione's parents peered in.
"Mum, dad," Hermione said and waved them over. The Grangers hesitatingly stepped inside and joined their little group; it was Michael who spoke first: "Anna and I have decided that we want to join your Order as well."
A loud snort came from Draco's direction and Harry, Lucius, and Severus shot him simultaneous glares.
Anna flushed, but she was not a shy woman and as intelligent as her daughter, so she just explained: "As parents, you hear or listen to things even though you don't plan on doing so, so over the years we have come to know quite a lot about you, Harry. As we understand it, there is a binding contract for every Order Member, which will not allow us to give any secrets away, we want to protect our daughter and you and Ron as well, that is why we want to join."
Michael nodded in agreement and then added: "Besides, we could keep our eyes open for any strange happenings in the muggle world."
"I see no reason why you should not join, in fact, I think it's a good idea," Harry said with a pointed look at Draco and then asked: "Do you two want to join now?"
The two Grangers nodded and he pulled his wand out, before saying: "I need to touch your chest above your hearts with my wand."
Anna flushed a bit, but nodded and opened the first button of her blouse.
Harry was immensely grateful that she did not make a show like Ginny had done; but then again, no other girl had behaved like that. Some of his female schoolmates had flushed, some even giggled and he had assumed that his child-like appearance had set them at ease, even though they did not know his real age.
Lifting his wand, he said: "I, Harry Severus James Potter confirm you, Anna Granger, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. You will hold our secrets and dedicate your life to the fight against the rising darkness."
Hermione's mother gasped, as she felt the contract forming between them, but she did not flinch.
After the spell had settled, Harry moved on to Michael, who had unbuttoned his white shirt and placed his wand over his heart as well, repeating the binding spell. Michael didn't even make a sound, but Harry could see him take in a deep breath as his magic worked between them.
"Now I know why my daughter trusts you so much with this war, even though you are not older than her," the man said. "Your magic feels immensely powerful."
"It is," Hermione affirmed with a smile at her dad.
After the Grangers were decently dressed again, Harry turned back to the rest of the group: “Should we go to the ballroom now and then return to Hogwarts, just in case...?"
"Indeed," Lucius agreed. "The Dark Lord can summon Severus and I at any moment and we still have a lot to discuss as soon as we are back at Hogwarts. So we should return after you have informed everyone."
Calling for Oscar, he asked the elf to show them the way to the other guest and they followed him into a connecting hallway, which was lined with many portraits of wizards and witches with thick, dark brown or black and often very messy hair; apparently the Potter versions of the silver Malfoy-hair. The portraits watched him curiously, apparently clearly recognizing him as a relative and Harry would have liked to stop and talk to some of them, but today was not the day for getting to know his late family.
The ballroom was located at the very end of the hallway and he could hear low chattering even before his eyes had settled on the double door made from light wood. The room they stepped into was as big as the Great Hall and a polished, marble floor reflected the light from many candles and fireplaces along the walls.
The elves had set up many little round tables and a long buffet was arranged along the right wall. At the far end, Harry could see a couple of glass doors leading to a beautiful garden, but they were currently closed.
Anna and Michael headed for the table, where Augusta, Neville, Luna and her father Xenophilius sat, and Harry assumed that they had already gotten to know each other. Augusta for once looked slightly less stern than normal and started to instantly chat with Anna animatedly.
"That is the oddest group I have ever seen," Ron commented and Harry could hear Draco sneer behind him.
"It is," he agreed. "But as long as they get along everything is fine."
Albus joined them as well, with a content twinkle in his eyes. "Well then my boy. Maybe you want to step onto the stand over there?" His mentor asked and pointed to their left.
The idea of actually stepping onto a stage was nothing Harry actually wanted to think about, so he quickly shook his head and simply cast the sonorous once more, before clearing his throat loudly:
"I am sorry, but I have to interrupt you once more," he began and all eyes turned to him again.
"The aurors and members of the Order have checked your houses, but it seems as if the Death Eaters set many traps and dark curses up."
Angry muttering arose and he had to wait a long moment until everybody listened again.
"I know it is not perfect, but you are all welcome to stay at my house as long as necessary." He ended the spell on his voice and Dumbledore took up the explanation:
"Harry, Draco, Professor Snape, Professor Malfoy and I will return to Hogwarts, all other students are allowed to stay here for another few hours, but I expect everybody to be in their dorms when curfew starts."
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione and asked: "Would you two like to stay for a bit longer?"
Hermione looked over to her parents and then nodded. "If you don't need me right now, I at least would like to stay."
With a glance at the two blondes, who stood next to each other, silently watching everything that was going on around them, he told her. "Lucius mentioned that we have something to discuss; I think it's about Draco and me, so there is no need for you to return already,"
"I think that is reason enough to come with you and not stay," Ron muttered and glared at Draco.
Shaking his head, Harry explained: "You there will not help the situation. Draco and I cannot go on like this and your and Hermione's presence will only make him even more defensive." He knew that those words were true, but he honestly did not plan on making it easy for the blonde either, but he did not have to tell that to Hermione or he would get an ear full.
Crossing his arms, he glared at the prat as well and Ron grinned as if knowing what he was thinking. His friend leaned slightly forwards and whispered: "There is really no reason to be noble towards a ferret."
"No, there isn't," he agreed, his voice cold. With the commotion over Voldemort's sudden attack, he had almost forgotten the hurt that had been caused by Draco's punch, but now the feeling was back full force. His right hand lifted in front of his heart and clenched into a fist as the sensation of having been violated returned. No hit from his uncle's had ever hurt so much.
"Harry, are you coming?" His father asked; his voice soft as if he knew what he was thinking.
"I am coming," he answered and turned, his eyes fixed on his feet. He felt his mates’ gazes on him, but could not look up; instead, as soon as they were alone in the hallway, he snuggled into his father's side, nearly disappearing into his billowing robes, feeling utterly small and vulnerable.
His father growled softly above him, apparently as angry with Draco as he himself had been before and still was.
"You go through first," Severus mumbled and pushed him gently into the fireplace in his Entrance Hall. Nodding, he grabbed some floo powder, but then turned again as he remembered that he still had to call for his familiars.
"Someone else can go ahead; I have to wait for Nagini and Justitius."
"Then call them, we will wait as well," Lucius ordered him and with a nod, he called for his familiars. This time they needed a moment longer than earlier, but finally he saw his snake slithering down the staircase at the other end of the hall, followed by his little bat. Without being asked, Nagini curled herself around his body and Justitius glared at Draco once again, before settling down on his shoulder.
As he stepped into the fireplace again, he passed Draco and Nagini hissed threateningly. Normally, he would not allow the snake such behaviour, but with his second dominant he would make an exception; maybe the snake could save him from another punch, he would not go near the prat without her anymore, he decided.
"Always stay by my side, if he is near," he whispered to his snake.
"He has hurt you," Nagini said matter of factly.
"Yes, he hit me," he told her and Nagini actually gave a growling sound. "He has a lot to make up for if he ever wants to come near you," she hissed.
Their conversation ended then as he threw the powder into the flames and shouted: "Founders Quarters, Hogwarts."
A moment later he stumbled out into his living room. The next person following him was Draco, followed by the rest of their group. Lucius was currently discussing something with Dumbledore, both men looked very serious and for him that really didn't bode well, but before he could listen in, his older mate nodded and turned to him and his son: "Severus, Dumbledore and I will return in about an hour. You two will wait here and when I return, I expect to find no chaos. You two will refrain from insulting and hexing each other, if necessary, go to separate rooms. If I find one of you hurt, be it physically or mentally, you will not like the outcome of it."
Gulping, Harry threw a questioning look at his father, but he only said: "I don't have to tell you to obey your mate do I?"
Harry quickly shook his head, all his instincts screaming at him to just keep his trap shut and try to be invisible, even Dumbledore looked a mixture of angry and disappointed, an expression he had never seen on the old face and it was nearly as bad as the repentance he had seen the night when he had gone to his mentor’s office to confront him.
"Good," his father replied sternly and the three older men disappeared into his hallway.
As soon as they were gone, Draco sneered at him.
"Cut it out, Malfoy," he huffed. "I for once don't want to anger either your father nor Severus or Dumbledore even further." He went to his sofa and settled down with Nagini in his lap. It was really uncomfortable to sit in such a close proximity to Draco. Now the prat was finally quiet for once and only yesterday he would have used the opportunity to try and speak about their situation, but not anymore; he had enough of being the noble Gryffindor and the waiting submissive, he would not sit there waiting for his second mate to grace him with a single kind word and then break out into joy; he was not that kind of person.
"Potter, do you have a library?" Draco asked suddenly, obviously feeling as uncomfortable as he himself.
Smirking, Harry replied: "Of course I have, just down the hallway. Take whatever you would like."
Draco gave him a slightly irritated look, obviously confused by his kindness, but stood up and left the room.
Still smirking, Harry started to count the seconds until the blonde would explode. He had not insulted Draco, but he had not been particular kind just now either. Really, what did the blonde expect? That he would treat him like a king, grovel in front of his feet and offer all his belongings to him? The blonde would surely like that, he thought absentmindedly.
He had just reached nine, when he finally heard the enraged shout: "Potter!"
Nagini lifted her head and they both watched as the blonde stomped back inside.
"Are you making fun of me?" Draco shouted.
"No, you only asked whether I had a library, not if you could read one of my books. If you had asked that, I would have told you that they are all in Parselscript," he smirked and watched as his mate's hand balled into fists.
"Do you not have any normal books?" the blonde growled.
"No, Merlin and the Founders were a bit paranoid and so they wrote everything down in Parselscript." He conveniently forgot to mention that he could just add Draco's name to the list and he would be able to read them as well.
Sneering, his second dominant sat down again and Harry called for Oscar.
"What can Oscar do for Master Harry?" the elf asked eagerly.
"Can you bring me some of the pumpkin juice?" He asked the little creature, needing something to hold onto.
"Of course sir, does your guest wants something as well?" Oscar said the word guest in such a manner that it clearly sounded like an insult.
Draco was already opening his mouth, but he quickly told his servant: "No, I am sure he wouldn't accept anything from me anyway; I am after all only a whore who fucks his married father." Like any proper Malfoy, he could see no reaction to his cruel words on his mate's face.
"Oscar will be right back," The elf announced and popped out of the room, only to return a second later with a tray and a goblet of his father’s self-made pumpkin juice.
He saw Draco's nostrils flare as the scent of blood entered his nose and he wondered how his unwilling mate would react to the scent of his own blood. Draco continued glaring at him, whilst he sipped idly on his drink and pet Nagini lazily. The snake never took her eyes from his mate, who in turn never took his glare from him. Sighing, he hoped that the others would return soon so that he could hide away in his father’s quarters once more. How could they put him into such an uncomfortable situation?
Looking down at his familiar, he wondered, what they wanted to discuss with Draco and him, but then came to the conclusion that he rather did not want to find out, because he had the suspicion that it would get unpleasant soon. There were always bad surprises when Dumbledore was involved in a plan.
He ignored the fact that the old man's last surprises had turned out to be better than he had expected them to be, especially the news about his git of a Potions Teacher being his father, but he was sure that this time would be different.
One of his doors down the hallway opened and he asked: "Has it already been an hour?"
Draco didn't answer, but Dumbledore strode in, an official looking folder under one arm and the twinkle back in his eyes. His father wordlessly sat down next to him and Lucius took the seat next to his own son and suddenly it dawned on him how serious this situation was; they really had overdone it with their fights and now they would have to pay the price.
Gulping, he glanced over at Draco, who looked rather uncomfortable himself, but tried to contain his calm Malfoy demeanour.
Dumbledore placed the folder on the low coffee table between them and then asked with a smile: "Who wants to start?"
Lucius cleared his throat and then said: "Severus and I had hoped that you two will be able to overcome your little feud on your own, but after what I had witnessed this morning, it is clear that you two clearly are not able to."
Harry winced as he realized that Lucius must have seen his and Draco's fight earlier.
"Father!" Draco exclaimed and he knew that the blonde had just realized the same thing.
"We," Lucius said and motioned between himself and Severus "are disappointed in both of you, but I have to say Draco that I would never have thought you capable of hitting your submissive mate."
"He is not my mate!" Draco protested and his father added nonchalantly: "Or to be this ignorant." A glare from the man silenced his son again and Lucius continued: "That is why Professor Dumbledore, Severus and I have sat up a Courtship Contract for the both of you."
Draco actually jumped to his feet, outrage and shock was clearly written all over his face, but Harry could only blink in confusion.
"What is a Courtship Contract?" he asked with a look at his father, but it was Draco who answered with a sneer: "It's practically a Marriage Contract, we are betrothed, Potter!"
"What?!" Harry shrieked and jumped up himself. "Oh no, I will not marry that prat!" he exclaimed, pointing at Draco. How could his father and Lucius actually think that he would agree to this after Draco had just mistreated him so violently? He would not do it.
"Don't be so stupid, scarhead, we won't have a choice!" Draco snapped, alternating between glaring at him and his father.
Harry could not believe what he had just heard. That couldn't be true. Why shouldn't they have a choice? Wasn't marriage voluntary?
"But I won't do it!" He declared again, crossing his arms in front of his chest stubbornly, and Justitius obviously agitated because of his own agitation, started to flutter hectically over their heads.
"You will, Harry, as will Draco." His father told him and pulled him back down onto the sofa. "He is actually right. In both of your families, it is the parents right to pick the spouse for their children."
"I still won't do it! What do you think; that I will walk with him down the isle tomorrow?" Harry declared, actually glaring at his father.
"Of course not," his father huffed and for a moment he was relieved, until he continued: "It would be too dangerous to actually marry, this is more a mating contract and you will start with going on dates."
"Forget it!" Harry huffed back and then turned to Draco: "Why are you not saying anything? These last few days you couldn't shut your trap even once and now you are all silent."
That question only got him another sneer: "Because they are right. We can't do anything about it, it's family law, and it’s as binding as any other law."
"As if I would ever want to mate with you!" Harry shouted, his face growing red with anger.
"Well, as if I would want to fuck a dirty..."
"Enough! Both of you!" Lucius snapped and Severus threw him a warning glare as well.
Lucius took a deep breath and then flipped the folder down onto the desk and opened it: "The contract is already signed and thus, magically binding. You two will stop arguing now and listen."
Harry nodded, his submissive instincts slowly coming back with his father and older mate angry and he snuggled into his father side, whilst Draco still glared, but was silent again as well.
"I will explain now how this will work and you Harry, and you Draco, will do as told," Lucius said in an obedience demanding voice. "Like Severus has already explained, this contract ends with your mating," the older blonde said and looked between his two mates. "It is a polygamy contract, so there will be no problem with Harry's and my mating. We three, that means, Professor Dumbledore, Severus and I myself, will provide you with opportunities to court. There will be no chaperone involved, but I might join you on occasions." Lucius turned to his son then and he watched him giving the younger blonde a pointed look:
"Draco, I taught you well and I hope you have not forgotten what it means to court a young lady or a submissive."
"No father, I remember," Draco answered through gritted teeth.
"I expect that you will not bring shame to our family name by behaving properly during your courtship. The circumstances might be not as you have expected, but I am as serious with this as I would have been with every other marriage for you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, father," Draco repeated.
Harry could only gape at the obedient blonde. Why didn't he say anything? He had always known that Draco liked to please his father, but he could not believe that he would go along with this, only because Lucius said so and some old family laws. What did it even mean when they said it was binding? Binding like muggle laws, or was there more behind it? Maybe he should ask Hermione in a few days when it was less suspicious to do so, or just look it up in his library.
His father took the lead next and he looked up again: "Harry, I expect the same from you. I know that you do not know a lot about contract marriage, but I expect you to respect your fiancé. You will also move back into your quarters and not spend as much time down in mine anymore; I might accommodate you during the nights for a few more weeks, but no more hiding anymore. Have I made myself clear?"
He wanted to protest again, but his submissive instincts still had a firm grip on him. Nodding, he lowered his head, still unable to believe what he had just heard. His mate and father had just practically married him off to his other mate! Well shit, that didn't sound as bad as it felt.
"You and I will also move in here in a few days time Draco, but for now you and Harry will start with your dates. We need to fix the mess our bloodbond has become, or it will hurt all of us in the long run," Lucius announced. "And last but not least you will also refrain from openly flirting with other girls and boys, Draco."
Harry could not suppress the relieved flutter his heart did at those words, even though his younger mate was glaring even more at him than just minutes ago. At least that torture would have an end, even though another would start. Draco was still looking at him as if this whole mess was entirely his fault and he could smell the tension in the air; as soon as his mates were gone, he would hide away for the rest of the day somewhere he decided.
"Very well my boys," Dumbledore smiled and stood up. "Congratulations on your betrothal," the old man stretched his hand out to him, and he took it, too shocked at the ridiculous words to make a fitting comeback. Draco only looked as if Dumbledore had finally lost his mind completely, but took the offered hand as well and shook it.
"Come Draco, we will go for now also," Lucius commanded and followed the Headmaster to the door, before turning back to him: "Harry, you should think about a logical explanation for your friends, something that is not the actual truth. I will come back later."
He could only nod dumbly as he watched his two mates leave. Draco's back was, even for him, unusually stiff.
"Dad, how could you?" He whined as soon as both blondes were out of his quarters.
His father only gave him a stern look. "Harry, I know you are hurt right now, but you know as well as I do, that we need to fix your soulbond. It can get dangerous for all three of you if the situation stays as it is right now. At the very least, you all would end up even more hurt than you already are."
Sighing, he admitted that his father was right, at least to himself. That was why he had been so patient with Draco at first. But still, betrothed to Draco Malfoy? That still sounded just like all those sick jokes fate has handed him already, but then again, so had the story with his father. Sighing, he mumbled: "I just can't forgive him so easily. I feel..." His voice broke and Severus enveloped him in a comforting embrace:
"I know my little brat. To injure a submissive is a huge violation of natural trust, but I am sure that Draco will soon see his errors." His father gave him a soft kiss on his head and he closed his eyes for a moment, asking:
"What will I tell Ron and Hermione? They will not be thrilled to have Draco and Lucius here nearly all the time."
His father thought about it for a moment and then answered: "Tell them that Albus forced you to try to become friends for the good of the war. Warn them that the crazy old fool will send you two on stupid errands and such."
Harry actually had to smirk at his father's words, which sounded just like one of Dumbledore's plans.
"Who came up with this crazy idea anyway?" He asked musingly.
"Lucius. He saw you two after class in front of my quarters," his father chuckled, confirming his previous suspicion.
"And Albus was all too willing to assist us," the man added.
Huffing, he muttered: "stupid good for..."
"Harry, you will stop insulting your fiancé, it is improper. Even though I was not raised a Pureblood, you come from two very ancient bloodlines, in fact, yours is probably the most ancient one, and you will behave accordingly."
"Can you really force me to mate with him?" He asked curiously.
"I can." His father answered matter of factly. "It is common in Dark Families like the one of my mother’s and even the Potters had a family law, even though it had not been used for forced marriages in ages. But I am not forcing you to mate with a stranger. Draco is your other soulmate, you will soon realize why."
Huffing again, he hugged Nagini to his chest and then buried his face into his father's chest, who chuckled again and picked him and his snake up and saying: "You know, Draco is fairly confused because of us."
"I know," Harry grinned, still nuzzled in the folds of the billowing, black robes. "Do you think he believes that we are mates?"
"I am not sure, but he definitely is jealous of everybody who touches you in any way, he just doesn't want to admit it to himself or anybody else," Severus mused.
Shifting slightly, Harry asked: "Dad, are you mad that I can't forgive him that easily?"
His father snorted: "I would be mad if you could. And I would be worried because my fiery Gryffindor is not like that."
"You are right, I am not. Sometimes I believe that I am not a good submissive," Harry mused.
"Well, what nature was thinking by making you of all people a submissive, I don't know sometimes either," his father agreed with a smile.
They both looked up when the fireplace flared behind him and Ron and Hermione came out. His friends raised their eyebrows questioningly at him, probably because he was still cuddled in his father's lap.
"Albus once again came up with one of his brilliant ideas," his father said, making his friends wince in sympathy and he turned to face them, knowing that he had to give the rest of the explanation.
"Would it be better if we sit down? One of Dumbledore’s ideas, that doesn't sound good," Ron asked in a worried tone of voice and a nervous chuckle escaped his throat.
"Yes," he said and waited until they had said down, before blurting out: "Draco is moving into my room!"
"What?" Ron and Hermione screeched simultaneously, their eyes wide in shock.
"You must be joking? Aren't you?" Ron asked and Harry could see desperate hope shining in his eyes.
"No! He thinks that we need to learn to get along with each other because we are both on the same side now! He even wants to make us go on errands and other stupid stuff. "
Ron frowned and then said seriously: "Are you sure Dumbledore isn't the one who has changed sides? This sounds as if he wants to kill you."
"It does!" Harry exclaimed, and knew that his father was rolling his eyes behind him.
"He cannot really believe that this will work?" Ron asked and Hermione added: "Why should Draco be on our side? Just because his father is, doesn't mean that he has to be. Sirius’ whole family was Dark, but he was always Light."
"I don't know," he told them, in lack of a better answer. Sighing, he slumped against his father: "I really don't want him here!"
"When will he move in?" Hermione asked worriedly.
Sighing, he shook his head: "Not yet, Albus said that we should first start spending some time together to get to know each other and then later on he will move in, but it will probably not be too long."
"I can't believe it!" Ron exclaimed. "We will have to put up with ferret face even in our free time; as if it wasn't enough that we have every bloody class with the Slytherins this year!"
"At least you won't have him in your dorms," Harry muttered.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, seemingly not knowing how to cheer him up, and really, there was no way to make this situation sound better than it was.
"You know, I always thought the years where Voldemort annoyed the hell out of me at the end of term had been bad."
"Harry," his father said warningly and he quickly shut up.
"Maybe you should look for a good, hidden place on the Marauder's map to lock him in, like the Chamber of Secrets or something like that," Ron proposed rather hopefully.
"That won't work. I train there with Albus nearly every second day," he told him.
"Maybe Fred and George know of a good place, or Sirius?" Ron suggested and Harry had to smirk.
"If he annoys me too much, I will ask them, I promise."
To their surprise, his father muttered behind him: "If he keeps his current behaviour up, I will personally lock him into the Shrieking Shack on full moon."
Ron and Hermione gasped in shock and exchanged a look. Harry elbowed his father. His friends didn't know that Draco could not be harmed by a werewolf anymore; now they probably thought that his father was ready to murder.
"He doesn't mean it," he said quickly. "It's only his strange humour."
Clearing her throat, Hermione asked: "Would you like to come down with us to the kitchen? Dinner is over by now and we didn't eat at your Manor."
Turning to his father, Harry gave him a questioning look, asking him wordlessly if they needed to discuss anything else or whether he could leave.
"Go with your friends and I will pretend to not know that you plan on going to a room which is off-limits to all students; even to the Hogwarts Heir," his father smirked.
Smiling, Harry hugged him and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, saying: "Thanks, dad."
He and his friends left his quarters and made their way down to the dungeons, hoping that they would not run into Draco again. They all had enough of the blonde for one day and even though Severus had explained to him that Lucius had quite effectively put a stop to his son's insults and flirting with the Courtship Contract, he would only believe it when he saw it with his own eyes. Right now he still saw no reason as to why Draco would change his behaviour only because they were currently engaged.
"I feel as if this term has already been going on for ages," Ron sighed next to him and rubbed the back of his neck.
On his other side, Hermione nodded. "You’re right. Vo...Voldemort has been far too active already. I don't want to imagine the end of this term if he starts out like this," she sighed.
Agreeing with her, Harry said: "Hopefully we will have a way of stopping him by then. Talking about it, we still need to find the other Horcruxes. I hope Albus hurries up with the memories he wants to collect." His voice was silent, just in case another student came by.
"And I hope, that those memories show us what and where exactly those other Horcruxes are," Ron muttered.
"I don't think that we will have that much luck, we never have before" Harry grumbled, even though he liked the idea, but it was just too unlikely.
They reached the portrait with the fruit bowl and Hermione reached up to tickle the pear. It laughed and wiggled a bit before the portrait swung open.
"Harry Potter Sir!" exclaimed a voice as soon as he had set a foot into the kitchen and in the next moment, a sniffling House Elf had thrown himself at his feet, hugging his right leg tightly.
"Dobby, how are you feeling?" he asked, looking down at his friend.
"Dobby is good, Harry Potter sir," the elf said whilst standing up again. The pile of colourful hats on his head swayed dangerously, but didn't fall.
"That's good," he replied and then asked: "Could you get my friends something to eat? They had no time to eat earlier."
"Of course, sir. Does Harry Potter want something as well?" Dobby asked with huge, hopeful eyes.
"No, thanks," he said, hoping that Dobby would not be insulted or upset by his answer, but as he had feared, the elf’s huge eyes filled with tears.
"Has harry Potter not liked Dobby's cooking?" the elf sniffed, near to fully breaking into tears. Wanting to prevent a drama, Harry quickly crouched down and said: "No, but I have come into an inheritance and cannot eat normal food anymore. But if you want, go to Oscar, he knows what I can still eat."
Hope returned to Dobby's eyes and he squeaked: "Dobby will do that, Sir." With that, the elf disappeared.
Turning to his friends, he scratched the back of his head sheepishly and asked: "Um... shall we sit down until he returns?"
They went over to one of the huge tables and sat down silently. Harry felt the stress of the day slowly catching up with him and he wanted nothing more than to curl up under his blanket next to his father and fall asleep. His friends looked even more tired. They did not have his vampire genes and got exhausted much quicker. In fact, he suspected that his exhaustion was more due to the mental stress of feeling Voldemort's anger once more and the announcement of his betrothal, than to physical tiredness.
Ron had just laid his head down on the table top, when Dobby returned with a huge tray full of chicken legs, fried potatoes, beans, chocolate pudding and much more. The elf placed everything in front of them and then handed him a golden goblet, frowning slightly. Harry supposed that he was not happy that he could not cook for him any longer.
Taking the goblet, he thanked Dobby, who asked: "Can Dobby do something else for sir?"
"No thanks," he answered with a smile and sipped on his drink, which consisted of fresh blood without pumpkin juice this time. Apparently Oscar had thought that he needed a special treat after the day.
"Harry, are you really drinking only juices now?" Hermione asked and frowned at his goblet.
Not wanting to lie any more than he already did to his friends he simply said: "Yep."
"And your bonbons?" Ron asked curiously.
"They are made from juice as well, only with more sugar. Dad makes them especially for me," he grinned and patted his candy bag.
At his answer, Hermione looked at him unhappily. "I don't feel well at the thought that you do not eat anymore. I know it is normal for some submissives, but you look so thin. Are you sure that you cannot eat anything else?"
"I am," he answered. "It only lies heavily in my stomach and makes me feel tired, uncomfortable and sometimes even sick."
"Won't you tell us what creature you are?" his bushy haired friend asked carefully.
Sighing, Harry shook his head. He really could not tell them; it was too dangerous. Besides not wanting to see their shock at finding out that he was mated to the Malfoy’s, it really could put them all into danger if Ron exploded like he expected he would and started to rant loudly in Hogwarts. Rumours spread quickly in the castle and word could easily get to Voldemort.
"Hermione, leave him alone. It is really not our place to ask," Ron said, cutting Hermione off, who had opened her mouth again. The witch luckily nodded and they continued their meal in silence, before going back to Gryffindor tower. They separated in front of his door and Harry went back to his quarters. Stopping in his hallway, he thought that he probably should add a door for Draco even though he did not want to, but they had to see each other in their free time now and it would be safer this way. Pulling out the Elder Wand, he tapped the spot next to Lucius’ door and mumbled his second mate's name in parseltongue. The door appeared and with a sigh, he pocketed his wand again before going into his living room.
To his surprise, his father was still there, but he stood up as he saw him. "Harry, I have to finish a Potion, but I will come to your room after it is done."
Nodding, he said: "Then I will go to bed. I am really tired. This day would have been hell even without your little announcement."
His father only chuckled and ruffled his hair, before disappearing.
Seeing no sense in staying awake any longer, he went into Gryffindor’s old room. Opening his wardrobe, he came to the conclusion that he really needed some real PJ's. He would send Oscar to Diagon Alley tomorrow as he could not continue transforming his expensive robes.
Closing his cupboard again, he took out his wand, promising himself, that this would be the last night where he would sleep in transformed robes. He was just about to crawl into bed, ready to forget the entire day, when a soft knock sounded at his door. Sitting up again, he called "Yes," and Lucius came in.
His mate’s eyes roamed his body for a moment before he came closer with a soft, but very exhausted smile. He laid his warm hand to his cheek and bent down to kiss him, but Harry quickly turned his head away.
Lucius frowned and for a moment he was sure that the dominant would get angry, but then he only sighed and sat down next to him, before pulling him onto his lap.
"Why?" the man simply asked and that was all it took to break the already weak holds on his restraints. He had tried to be strong, to not bother Lucius with his stupid feelings, but he could not do that anymore; not when his dominant wanted and demanded an answer.
"I... I can't. It's just not right. How can we kiss and pleasure each other, when our other mate is feeling miserable at the same time? I know he says he doesn't want this bond, but I can see it in his eyes, that he is hurting as much as we are; he just can't accept it yet. Maybe if he felt fine and just wasn't ready to kiss and touch us yet, then I could kiss you, but not like this," he sobbed and buried his face in Lucius’ strong chest.
A hand came up and started to stroke soothing patterns across his back: "Hush, Harry, it is fine, I did not know that you felt that way."
"You didn't?" Harry croaked out, hot tears streaming down his face.
"No Harry, a submissive is much more sensitive to the soulbond and its mate’s than a dominant; it's your job so to speak," Lucius explained softly.
Wiping his tears away, he asked: "Are you very angry, Lucius?"
Lucius combed tenderly through his hair once, obviously searching for a substitute of a kiss and then said: "No, how can I be? You probably know much better what it is that our bond needs. Do not worry about me, now that I know what is going on in that unruly head of yours, I can live with the situation."
"Thank you, Lucius," he said with a relieved smile and after a little hesitation he leaned forwards and gave his mate a quick peck on his cheek; at least that he still felt comfortable doing. Lucius’ eyes lit up at the innocent and small gesture before a smirk tugged at his lips and he asked: "Are you at least sure that my son was the last surprise fate has in store for us?"
Returning his grin, Harry nodded. "I am fairly sure that I would have felt any other soul, which tried to connect with ours," he chuckled and then added mock-seriously: "But who knows, you are mated to Harry Potter, I defy the odds."
Lucius frowned at him and then said: "I am not willing to imagine, what a soul you are unable to feel, would have to look like." His mate shivered and then stood up, saying: "Sleep well Harry. I am sure everything will soon get better. I love you."
"I love you, too," he answered with a bright smile, already snuggling beneath his blanket. His mate chuckled and put out the light with a flick of his wand, before closing the door and leaving his room.
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A Different Kind of Hero