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Shades of Grey	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 103955 -:- 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
- 39
- 40
- 41
Chapter 40

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

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Looking up when he heard someone clear their throat, Harry nodded when he saw Lucius standing there. As always, the man did this so he wasn't startled. He supposed, with what he knew of Lucius and Severus, both, that they didn't like being startled by someone, so they made sure he knew they were there. Setting the book on the Animagus transformation aside, he took a drink of his butterbeer, sighing contentedly at the cold from it. Like most days now, he was out by the pool, relaxing in the afternoon heat. They had all spent the morning working on various areas pertaining to schoolwork, such as charms, transfiguration and such. Today they had even worked a little on dueling. That he did like. Then there was lunch. Following their now set schedule, he was going to take a few hours off to relax and do whatever before they picked up something else to do.

Coming over and taking a seat, pleased when an elf delivered a cool drink, Lucius sighed and leaned back, crossing his legs. This was comfortable. Harry already had the shade up so the heat felt wonderful while they didn't have to sit directly in the blazing sun. Glancing around, he saw both Nagini and Kaliya lounging in the shade of a nearby tree. That probably felt better for them than on the stone that made up the area around the pool. Buckbeak was actually lying next to Harry in the shade, looking like he was asleep. And, for once, the dunderhead birds were nowhere to be seen. It was probably too hot out for them and they were holed up somewhere cool.

Shifting into a comfortable position, he asked, “All is fine, Harry?”

“I'm good,” Harry nodded. Chuckling, he added, “The heat feels really nice, what with how I still ache a bit. It seems to help.”

“I can see where it would,” Lucius nodded. Glancing at the book Harry had set aside, he then told him, “Next week we're going to take the first steps in all of us seeing what we can manage with the transformation. As none of us have really looked into it, we thought it might be something to work on together. I think we'll manage. If all else fails, we can get your godfather to give us some pointers. Not only will it give us something to occupy our time, but it could be useful for protection.”

“And it should be fun,” Harry added, grinning.

“It should,” Lucius agreed with a smirk and nod.

“Speaking of protection; there was something I wanted to show you,” Harry said, snagging his wand off the table next to him.

“What's that?” Lucius asked, most curious.

“Oh, just watch,” Harry chuckled then cast his Patronus. This time, though, instead of the stag he was known for, a king cobra was there, curled up, tongue flicking. Looking at it then glancing at Lucius, he said, “It's changed. I cast it earlier just to keep in practice and was a bit stunned to see the snake instead.”

Looking at the serpent that just lounged there, tongue flicking, Lucius rubbed a hand over his mouth, wondering about the change and why it had come about. He was well aware that your Patronus changed due to some events in your life, but Harry hadn't experienced any of the ones that would bring about such a transformation. That had him curious.

Canceling the spell, he told Lucius, “Kaliya said he bets it's the bond that caused it. As we're tied to him in some ways and he's a cobra, he bets Severus' changed to a species of the snake as well. I'm a bit chuffed by it, actually. My stag is really distinctive and people are going to know in seconds if it's me by that. This they won't and no one would suspect it. It can only help if I have to use it.”

Not having thought of that, Lucius gave a firm nod. “Understood. I bet that's the cause as well. When Severus comes out, we'll see if his changed as well. That should tell us one way or another. And I do agree about the assist. However, make sure you pass the tidbit along to your godfather so he's aware.”

“Will do,” Harry told him. Then chuckling, he added, “Scared me a bit when I saw that. Expected the stag and got a cobra instead. Right unnerving, that!”

“I can only imagine,” Lucius smirked, relaxing again. Remembering part of the reason that he had come out, as he knew Severus wouldn't be joining them for a bit, he pressed on, “There was something personal I wanted to discuss with you.”

“What's that?” Harry asked, slightly bewildered and wondering what it could be about.

“You've had a bit of time since the growth spurt to settle in and adjust to what's there now. So, you've probably run across some areas that you have questions about or find troubling. I was hoping if that was the case that you'd like to discuss it. I'm quite sure that there is nothing you'll come across with that I will find troubling, Harry. We all went through this at one point. As you really had no one explain even the basics, some areas might be bothering you. If you don't feel comfortable with it yet, I hoped to impart that you can come to me and discuss anything of that nature. Or Severus. Either one of us. I have a son the same age as you and had to have those talks with him since adolescence manifested. Severus was head of house for a whole dorm full of overly hormonal teenagers. I believe whatever issues you may have, we've both covered them at one point or experienced them ourselves.”

Remembering the talk with Sirius and how he said he would broach some of it with Lucius, Harry nodded. He just wasn't sure if he was ready to do that yet or not. Quietly, he said, looking down, “I've talked a bit about some of it with Sirius. He helped some. It was his suggestion I talk to you a bit, too, though I’m not sure if I'm ready for that.”

Figuring this was the topic that Black didn't want to disclose, Lucius thought a tad bit of nudging might get Harry to open up. “I'm sure he was quite helpful with areas. And it's good you're comfortable enough to talk to him about it. Keep in mind what I just said, Harry. It'll go no further with me and you have my word that there shan't be poking fun. That type of foolishness assists nothing when it comes to normal, natural and confusing areas.” Seeing Harry nod, he softened his tone slightly then asked, “If I may—what is the most troublesome topic? We won't go further than that if you don't wish to.”

Sighing, Harry looked off into the trees and thought it over. It had been really hard talking about this with Sirius, someone he did trust, he wasn't sure if he could do it with Lucius, too, even though Sirius said that the man liked both sexes. It was just the idea that the more he admitted it, the more 'real' it became and he had to accept that it probably wasn't something he could change.

Sitting there, waiting, Lucius took in the look on Harry's face. From the confusion there, he began to get a niggling of what it might be about. He'd seen that expression plenty of times when he was younger when it came to others finally coming to the realization that they were 'different' in what they liked, especially when it came to those that were from less than accepting families about such matters. However, he wasn't going to push. That wouldn't help anything at all. Gently, he said, “My word it goes no further unless you say I can discuss it with Severus.”

Nodding to let Lucius know he heard, Harry still wasn't sure what to say or if he should say anything at all. It was so hard. Of all the things he dealt with now, this was about the worst. Even though Sirius assured him that he and Remus wouldn't change when it came to what they felt for him, he knew plenty didn't see it that way.

Reaching out and putting a hand on Harry's knee, Lucius gave it a squeeze then just waited. This was something Harry would have to come across with on his own for him to grow comfortable with it. It was just his hope that the younger man would do so. That would only help him grow to accept it.

Shaking his head, looking down, Harry mumbled, “I like guys.” That was all. He just couldn't manage to utter the other 'g' word yet. That was more than he thought he could take.

Quietly, though tone firm, Lucius told him, “And there is nothing wrong with that. At all. I care not what nonsense some spout about such matters. It also isn't a choice you made, Harry. It's how you were born, nothing more. You can't change it any more than a hippogriff can grow horns. It's just part of who you are. And none of anyone's business.”

Feeling better, Harry nodded though he still wasn't able to make himself look at Lucius. He was relieved, though. Despite Sirius' assurances about Lucius, he had been uptight what might come of it if he said something. Quietly, he said, “Sirius said he thought you might be better to handle this than he was. He was good about it, but it's not something he fully gets.”

“I believe I am,” Lucius nodded. “It was never a huge governmental secret that I fancied both sexes. I'm sure he knew that. While everyone deals with mostly the same issues, no matter the sex they gravitate towards, some bits differ when it comes to liking men. There is also the stress over the stigma of it. As you were raised by Muggles, I'm sure it was slightly more pronounced. They don't tend to be as accepting of such matters. There is also the confusion over being 'different' and wondering why.” Gently, he asked, “How long have you known?”

“Since I was young,” Harry told him softly, shaking his head. “I thought it might change as I grew and there was the crush on Cho, it just didn't, though. Now it's a bit more pronounced with the hormone overload.”

“No matter the sex you fancied, it would be more pronounced because of what you're dealing with,” Lucius told him with a soft snort and a bit of a smirk. “A crush on someone of the sex that isn't your leaning isn't unheard of either. Plenty of 'straight' people have those with someone of the same sex. It doesn't mean their orientation changes because of that. I also believe its normal for most, especially males, to have encounters, generally when they are teenagers, with someone of the same sex as well. That doesn't change anything either. It's just part of coming to grips with who you are, nothing more. Generally, from what I know with not only myself, but others, you know from the time you're young. And it doesn't change, no matter how much you hope it might so you fit in better. Just accept it and move on, though that isn't as easy as it sounds.”

“It's not,” Harry snorted, shaking his head.

“It never is,” Lucius told him gently. “Those that truly care about you it won't matter to. I'm sure it didn't to your godfather. I'm also just as certain it won't to Lupin either. Obviously, it won't matter to me. And I can guarantee that it won't to Severus either. Beyond that—if they can't accept that this is part of who you are, you are better off without them in your life. Because if they can't accept something this minor, they won't for plenty of other areas either. And the issue lies with them, not you.”

Nodding to that, feeling better, Harry said, “It doesn't matter to Sirius, he made that clear. He said Remus is the same way.”

“I didn't expect either of them to have issues,” Lucius assured him. “Both of them have had to deal with acceptance in areas far more troublesome. I doubt it would have bothered your parents either. Your father was much the same as they are. He would have accepted it and moved on. The same with your mother. I believe they are the only ones in your life that would have really mattered, don't you?”

“True,” Harry agreed, looking at him for the first time.

“The rest—they can take up any bigotry with me or Severus,” Lucius told him, smirk growing. “I don't fancy their chances of coming out on top with either of us.”

“That could be funny to see, though,” Harry admitted with the tiniest of grins. The mere thought of anyone arguing with Lucius or Severus and winning was a riot to ponder.

“It could,” Lucius admitted, smirking even bigger. Gently, he said, “I have some books I bought for when I brought up such topics with Draco. I'll have the elves leave them in your room. They are a tad more explicit than the other one you had, but contain information you probably need to know, in many areas. It'll help, I swear it will. They are something that will put you far more at ease with the topic that just talking about it will. If you have any questions, ask. You have my word that there will be no poking fun about it. It's a confusing issue and it helps to have someone to talk it out with.”

“Alright,” Harry nodded. “Just give me some time. I'm still having problems with it.”

“And that is normal as well,” Lucius assured him. Shaking his head, he reassured him once more, “This is just part of who you are, Harry, nothing more. It doesn't change anything about you other than you accept it's there. Nothing more than that. You're still the same person you've always been. Other than I bet you're going to be more at ease with yourself now that you're admitting it to others. That helps in ways you can't explain to someone. You're not a freak or sick or any of the other outlandish things some people profess. You're still just Harry, nothing more.”

“Thanks,” Harry said quietly, smiling a little. That felt better. It really did. Sirius would accept him for just who he was, he always knew that. It felt far better to know that others did as well, even if he wasn't what everyone seemed to profess he should be.

Standing a ways away from where the two were talking, Severus couldn't help but listen in. He had planned to just go over and join them, until he heard the topic being discussed. It was then he stayed away. While he could, and had, talked about such areas with students in his house, Lucius was far better at such matters than he was. From what he saw, the man was doing a wonderful job of assuring someone that was already having plenty of issues with many areas about one of the most troublesome ones out there. So, it was best to let him keep it up. It would give Harry someone to talk to privately about an area so many had problems talking about to start with. That Harry needed. Probably more than most. With all Harry dealt with in so many areas, well beyond just this one, he didn't need an issue that shouldn't be one making matters worse for him. It wouldn't help any other problems if this one went unchecked.

Smiling just a little as he listened, Severus gave an approving nod. Lucius was handling this masterfully, just what Harry needed. Which meant they probably had one less issue to deal with when it came to this mess. He also made a mental note to pull Harry aside at some point soon and let him know, as delicately as he could, that his sexual preference wasn't something that mattered. Also to point out that Lucius was dead on the Galleon about his mother. Lily wouldn't have given a damn as long as Harry was happy with someone and they treated him well. That might help more than any of them realized with as few people as Harry had in his life that cared only for him.

Waiting until they were done, or he was sure they were, he then made his way in that direction. Taking a seat and sending for a drink, he gave a soft sigh, relaxing. This was good. The heat felt wonderful as did the cool breeze blowing through.

Looking at Severus, Lucius relaxed back then said, “We need to check a theory, Severus.”

“On what?” Severus asked, curious about that.

“Cast your Patronus. Harry's changed, so we want to see if yours did as well. The theory on his has to do with the bond,” Lucius explained.

Nodding, Severus quickly cast the spell, brow furrowed when, instead of his doe, there was a spectacled cobra. Leaning forward and looking at it, he shook his head, “Mine changed as well.”

“And another species of cobra. I'm leaning towards the bond now,” Lucius nodded. Casting his own, he wasn't surprised that his monocled cobra hadn't changed. After all, if it was the bond, it didn't need to, as his started out a cobra. Seeing Harry cast his, the king cobra curling up by the other two, he nodded. “It has to be the bond.”

“It does,” Severus nodded, eying both his and Harry's. “While it's an odd and unexpected side effect, I don't see it as something bad. It just changes the form of the Patronus, nothing more.”

“As Harry pointed out, his is distinctive. The change is just another form of protection for him. We need that,” Lucius explained.

“Very true,” Severus said with a firm nod. “No one would suspect him having a snake of any kind, even if it did change. It can help in many ways.”

“I have a question about this,” Harry said as he canceled the spell. Seeing Lucius motion for him to continue, he leaned back and explained, “The Animagus book explained that your Patronus is generally linked to your Animagus form. Sirius has a dog for both, the same kind. How will that affect the transformation, if it will? Or don't you know?”

“I don't,” Severus said shaking his head, looking at the younger man. Canceling his own Patronus he rubbed a hand over his mouth then said, “From what I know, your Animagus never changes, no matter what. It's directly related. Which means I don't know if you would end up with your true form, that of your original Patronus, or a cobra of some kind. If either. I'm not sure I know where to find out, honestly. Black, as you said, has the same. Lupin never manifested his, though I would take a flier and guess it would end up a wolf because of the lycanthropy.”

“Even if you end up with a snake of some sort, probably a cobra if what you said holds true, I don't see this as a bad thing, Harry,” Lucius said, looking at him. “It can only protect you. When it comes to you, everyone is going to think stag. If you end up with a form that doesn't conform to what they perceive, it can only help. Severus and I—I don't think it matters, honestly. Mine's always been a cobra, so it won't be anything too disturbing. Yours will just offer more protection and serve as a surprise to those not expecting it. Plus, a snake of any sort has more stealth than a stag, something that can protect you.”

Nodding at that, thinking it over, Harry then said, “Yeah, I can see that and you're right. It's definitely easier to hide as a snake than a huge stag.”

“And if it is a cobra, it offers far more protection because of the venom,” Severus pointed out. “Even though it's an Animagus, it's still venomous and you can use it to defend yourself. You wouldn't get in trouble over it either. If the situation is threatening enough that you need to defend yourself in such a way, the Ministry won't prosecute. The mere fact you had to change into a lethal creature to back someone off from doing something foolish tells them you needed beyond the normal measures to protect yourself.”

“Didn't think of that either,” Harry grinned, shaking his head. “Yeah, I don't see having to bite anyway. When confronted with a cobra, most people are going to run screaming in the other direction to start with, Magical or not!”

“Oh so very true,” Lucius smirked, chuckling softly. “They may think something is off as a cobra isn't indigenous to the UK, but they aren't going to question long and will be moving in the opposite direction very quickly then wonder about it later. It can only help matters.”

“True,” Harry chuckled. “And a cobra is pretty impressive anyway. Especially a king cobra. Those are huge. They might not be like a stag or Padfoot, but they are pretty darned big for what they are, especially in length. Not objecting to that. Better than something like a cute cuddly kitten or the like. That—blimey, that would be bad. People would want to snuggle me or something. No one is going to try to snuggle a bloody cobra!”

Giving an amused snort at that, smirking, Severus imparted, tone slightly uneven, “That's another way to look at it, yes.”

“One just needs to look on the upside of areas like this,” Lucius said, tone of amusement weaving through his voice.

“And Sirius would have a ruddy heart attack,” Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “At least the first time. More revenge for those nasty neon undies!”

“That too,” Severus said, actually snorting at that.

“I don't think Lupin would be in any better shape,” Lucius added, completely amused. “And we could communicate in that form. Another plus. Yes, this wouldn't be bad if it turns out to be the case. Not at all.” Pressing on, he asked Harry about what he read so far on the initial stages of the transformation to see what they needed to know. He and Severus would read the book, of course, but Harry had perused it more than they had so he probably had covered it already. It was their hope that they would give it a start soon. After all, it would be most interesting to try.
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Shades of Grey