AN: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter Universe, their deviations are mine
So good reviews so far. I'm not sure where this chapter is going to go which makes me a little reticent (har har) to write it. However I feel the need to write it as well. I'm going to stop fretting so much about this being a 'copy cat' type story and see where it goes.
Sidenote: it seems a great faux pas was made by me by misspelling Dobby's name (one b instead of two). Let me be upfront...I have no beta at this time. Spelling has always been an issue for me for some unknown reason. I mean no offense at any misspellings and/or typos. Thanks for pointing it out! There has been no editing done on this story at all, by me or others. There will be at some point and then I'll try to fix the "Dobby" issue. Thanks again
Lets see what happens shall we?
-Mates and Princes-Ch.3-
The peace lasted until lunch. It gave Lucius time to investigate the rooms. It took three more detection spells followed by removal to ensure that the rooms were safe from surveillance. Sight, sound and even smell were not detectable by any remote spell or even muggle technology (the Malfoy's knew how to invest their money after all.) The small suite of rooms was adequate but hardly worth a man of his stature. The door dumped right into a living room of sorts with stairs along the right wall that lead up to a bedroom with a bath attached. A door on his right led to the second bedroom with it's own bath. To his left was a small dining table with four chairs, a small fireplace (that would be hellacious to floo through) was off set on the left wall. Facing the fireplace was a couch flanked by two loveseats and end tables. No desks for the boys to do their homework, not even a painting (since the one that was here walked itself out by it's frame due to it's investigative nature.)
He sighed and checked on the boys. Draco still had harry wrapped in his arms, protected by wings, nuzzling his hair and crooning to him softly. A smile on Potters lips meant that even in what ever subconscious place he was in, he was hearing and feeling Draco. A strong bond indeed to feel it so strongly so soon. With the boy's safe and rooms checked Lucius sat at the table to wait. From his robe pocket Lucius pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment. There was a book at Malfoy Manor that he wanted to look through to see if he could pinpoint what happened during the initial claiming of the bond. Even for Potter it was an unusual event, the counter claim. Writing down it's name he folded the parchment and went to the fireplace. From another pocket in his robes he pulled out a small bag containing a purple powder. With a quick pinch and flick he tossed some into the fire. It raged quickly in a vibrant purple, a wooshing sound followed by a pop and hiss. "Malfoy Manor," Lucious stated and flicked the piece of parchment into the flames. The parchment was quickly consumed by the purple flames leaving just the words flashing for just a moment before, with another pop and hiss, the fire returned to normal.
Severus probably would not get here until the lunch hour. Even Lucius knew better then to interupt the Potions Master in his domain. He could discuss the "complications" soon. He knew that Severus would want to know how the appointment with the headmaster went. It was likely that they would have to remind the Headmaster of certain statutes of the Veela Regulations and Recognition Act and Treaty of 1655. "Speaking of regulations,"Lucious thought to himself. "I need to contact the Queens Court. The matebond needs to be recorded." Pulling out another piece of parchment he picked up his quill and wrote a quick request for an audience with the Court Commissioner of Records and Information Services. Normally there was no rush to document such a joyus event, but with politics as they are it was possible they would need that protection as well (plus the Queen was just plain nosy and interested in Draco's welfare.)
Standing quickly Lucius centered himself and called forth flame that was his birthright as a Veela. Concentrating he held the handful of flame and slowly lifted it from his hand until it was at eye level. Gazing into the flame he focused past this realm and into the Elemental Plane of Fire. "My will is strong, my need is pure. I summon thee forth and your skill procure. By Veela Right and royal might I summon thee, By Veela right and royal might, so mote it be!" The fire in front of him quickly filled, obscuring his view of the elemental plane. Two azure eyes blinked at him and the flame began to coil around itself in a serpentine fashion. The elemental serpent opened his mouth and hissed in ignan "Master Malfoy, it's been too long since you've called on us." There was no hiding the disproving tone.
"My apologies. The nee. Black kept close watch on all things. There was much I couldn't risk for me or my son."
The fire elemental continued to radiate disapproval. "The witch-woman means nothing to the Flame. She has been cursed by the Queen. No flame shall warm her, no burn able to be healed...Yesssss she will suffer for her arrogance." The vengence of fire was not a simple one. Lucius was certain that Narcissas life was going to be problematic unless she turned her karma around. The thought of her giving without the expectation of return was ludicrous.
"Well it will play out as it will, no?" Lucious spoke to the serpent elemental
"Just so. How may I serve you?" it asked.
Pulling forth the letter he said "This needs to make it to Commisioner in Records. Draco has found his mate" The last was said with pride.
The fire serpents azure eyes widened and then quickly consumed the parchment and absorbed the words written there. With a hiss the elemental gaze quickly snapped to the dozing boys. With a familiar hiss pop sound the fire elemental was gone. Grinning to himself at the fires curiosity, he wondered how fast he'd get a response. Fire could be very tenacious. Now there was nothing to do but wait. He began to walk back to the table when the fire in the fireplace flared purple and with a hiss pop spit out a book which landed on the carpet in front of the fire with a thud. Quickly he reached down and picked up the "Encyclopedia of creatures of Illume and Dark and their Wizarding counterparts." His chances of finding any hint as to what happened during the initial claiming through this book was minimal but did have some small information on a Wizard and Veela bonding. It would pass the time anyway. Sitting himself in the loveseat closest to the door Lucius sat down and began to read through the massive tomb. He had till lunch anyway.
**********MaP**********
The hours between breakfast and lunch passed without incident. The boys barely moved. Lucius was a bit worried about the fact that Potter had yet to regain consciousness. There were too many possibilities for him to pinpoint what the issue could be. Severus was much better at such things. As if the thought of the man conjured him, Severus sailed into the room. "Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin are guarding your door." he said without preamble. The implied question demanded for an answer that Lucius didn't have.
"I dont know exactly whats going on Severus. Seems they have taken an interest in my son and his bonded," he said with a nod to the boys. Dracos eyes had zeroed in on Severus, eyes flashing a dangerous silver as he growled quietly. A hand reached from with the cacoon of wings to lay on his face, which he nuzzled but never took his eyes off Severus. "Draco! You will not!" Lucius said forcefully as he quickly stood and positioned himself in front of Severus. "He is your godfather. He is no competition for your mate."
"He hates my mate." Came the quiet, implacable voice. "That makes him a danger."
Lucius cursed himself quietly. Why hadn't he thought of how Draco would react to Severus presence in his current state. Any and all possible threats must be negated. It put Lucius in an uncomfortable situation. He turned and looked at the man he had loved since he was a young teen. Stormy grey eyes met pools of darkest chocolate, "Sev?" it was a question and plea in one. He needed Severus here. With a huff of indignation and raised eyebrow the man in question handed Lucius his wand. Looking around Lucius he spoke to Draco.
"I've handed your father my wand and I will stay here on this side of the room. You know I would never harm you Draco and harm to your mate is harm to you." Severus pulled a chair from the table and sat in it. "I've taken the liberty of ordering in lunch." At his words a small army of house elves marched into the room with platters of food for the men. Draco's growls grew in intensity until the elves disaperated. "Draco must you really frighten everyone. Your father was never so impolite."
The teen refused to answer and instead continued to nuzzle his mate, keeping an eye on the two men across the room. "The problem Severus is that Potter passed out after the initial claiming...after counter claiming Draco as his."
"A double bond? How is that even possible! The veela bond works both ways. It ties true mates together forging to intrinsically into one."
"Perhaps it's not a double bond at all. Such a thing should be impossible. A person only has one soul to bond afterall."
"Yes yes but the soul is infinite in theory. No. Perhaps the best question is rather what is Potter. No wizard could do such a thing, especially with the strength of the Dominant Veela bond. It demands total and irrevocable devotion." The potions master reached blindly for food and began to nibble, lost in thought.
"All good questions and concerns dearest, but they can't be answered until Potter regains consciousness."
"Obvious statement Malfoy. Don't make me deduct points from Slytherin for your smart mouth." Lucious couldn't help but smile.
"Will my detention be with the potions master? I hear he's tyrannical and viscous."
"If you are lucky. Now to the point. Draco? Why wont your mate wake up?"
Draco growled quietly before answering. "He's tired."
The two man glanced at eachother. "Will you allow me to run a medical scan?" Severus asked quietly. "He may need more then sleep."
Draco struggled with his needs to protect his mate from danger and to protect his health. His face clearly showed his confusion. "Draco he's been asleep for five hours. It wont hurt to check. As Severus said he may need more then sleep. He spends his summer without the benefit of a healer. You trust Severus more then Madam Pomfrey correct? We can bring her if you'd rather..." He let that hang in the air. Draco never complained about the healer but with his mate in possible danger he was unlikely to want a "stranger" around.
"Fine but keep it light,"Draco growled.
"That should be adequate." Severus put his hand out to Lucius for his wand. "If you please."
Taking his wand he walked towards the teens. Draco slowly unfurled his wings to show the sleeping boy in his arms. One of Harry's arms held lightly to the side of dracos neck while the other was curled under his own chin. He looked peaceful. There were bags under his eyes though, and his skin seemed pale and loose. Severus efficiently cast his charm. In no time there was a series of ribbons of light in the air in front of him. "It seems your mate is dehydrated and is suffering from malnutrition. He has a freshly healed radius and two ribs that were broken but being healed by your magic. He has various bruises and abrasions that have also been healed by you. He should wake within the hour." With that the potions master stepped back behind Lucius. Better safe then sorry.
"And now we know," the Malfoy patriarch said tiredly.
Draco's wings snapped closed tightly. "What has been done to my mate?" the boy's eyes promised vengeance to the unknown assailants.
"We'll find out Draco. We will protect your mate. You are not alone. Severus and I are going to step out into the hallway to give you some privacy."
The two men stepped through the portrait and just looked at each other in slight confusion. Nothing needed to be said. Dumbledore had lied. The boy had not been taken care of. Malnutrition of that level did not happen over a single summer. The impact to his musculature and bone structure would be hard to counteract. Why though, had Dumbledore lied. There were more ways then a blood ward to protect the boy-who-lived. Arguable a blood ward in connection to muggles, even if one was a squib, was worthless. There was no magic to keep it going and give it strength. It was quite a conundrum.
"Oh finally!" the portrait knight said. He ran as quickly as his armor would allow him to a group of people talking in the background. When he returned he was escorting the founders of Hogwarts. Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor paced in front of the knight.
"Normally we would not interfere in a Headmasters business," Godric began
"The mating between a veela and his mate is not the business of any headmaster Godric," Rowena snapped.
"He is pushing his own agenda Godric," Salazar said quietly.
"I'm aware." the man said peevishly.
"Oh do stop," Helga quickly stepped into the conversation. She looked at the two men. "Hogwarts has agreed, even before the request of your queen, to allow you to stay in an ambassadors suite. Those are protected by Hogwarts herself. You will have full control over who enters and leaves. The portraits there are tied to Hogwarts and not the Headmaster. You will be safe."
"The childrens things have already been moved," The Ravenclaw said. "I assume you will be staying for the interm as well?" While stated as a question, the demand was unmistakeable so Lucius just nodded.
"Well dont doddle," Helga stated. "Go to the fireplace and use the floo powder. The rooms are keyed to you. Say "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and it will alow you to floo to the rooms."
"You can change the command,"Salazar stated "and a map on various entrances will be made available to you. The portraits there will help ensure security and guide you. Now quit wasting time and go." with that the four founders walked back into the woodwork of the painting.
Gazing at Severus he smiled and offered his arm. "Shall we kind sir? We somehow have to convince Draco that it is safe to remove his mate from these rooms, then talk to his mate which could prove problematic as we don't know how Potter will react. There's quite a bit of bad relations there. I sure hope you've cancelled your afternoon classes."
"Hmph," the potions master sniffed indignantly. "They have been assigned three essays on the affects of tuber worm puss on three potions of their choice. They know better then defy me." Lucius couldn't help but grin. This man was amazing. Soon.
"Well then my despotic friend, shall we face the wrath of an overprotective veela?"
"Oh Lucius, you know just how to show a man a good time. We shall indeed!"
The portrait swung open. There may have been a few mutters about lack of respect from the portrait, but neither man payed heed. It might just take them the next hour to get Draco to do anything but growl.
-MaP-end chapter
A/N/ Sorry to end there...i'm just soooooo tired and the scene just doesn't want to end. I promise Draco will talk soon...I think...maybe.
Please review! =0)