Thank you all so much for the lovely reviews! I'm glad you are all enjoying the developments and Severus's slowly deteriorating mental state! I hope that you all continue to enjoy the story!
Hogwarts—Future
Hands were intertwined on the white sheets of the hospital as one was limp and the other held it in a strong grip. Amber eyes looked down at the form of their lover in concern. Remus hated being right. Severus had been overworking himself trying to get Harry back to them and the last shock from the book had proven too much for him and he had fainted. He smiled softly to himself as he carefully brushed that silky dark hair away from the pale face. He knew that Sev would detest the experience being described in such a dainty way but that was what had happened. Severus had seen the new words in the book just as he had finished his exclamation had fallen to the floor in a dead faint only being saved from a painful impact at the last moment because of his wolf reflexes.
He shook his head in amusement as he remembered his own private reaction to seeing that little development. He had always wanted his cub to fall in love and have the relationship that he always knew Harry needed and lacked. True he had not expected it to be about a thousand years in the past…but he supposed everything with Harry was unique. He looked down at his own lover and shook his head softly as he leaned down and gave those soft lips a little kiss "What am I going to do with you?" He murmured uncertain who exactly he was talking to.
Hogwarts—Past
A tail flicked in agitation across the stone floor as the furry form it was connected to was otherwise motionless. Intense green eyes studied the presentation before him and the decision had not yet been made on how to receive this. In front of Harry…or Minx as he was so commonly called in this cat form, was a mountain of cat toys. A mountain. Apparently when Godric and Salazar had said they were going to court him they meant it.
The pile of somewhat fascinating toys was obviously from Godric. There had been a card attached and even without the formal signature at the bottom Harry would have known. The innocent assortment of toys was now slightly tainted by the words written in that note 'Wait until we are close enough to buy you other types of toys kitten.' Salazar would never write such a thing with the risk that someone would be able to read it who was not the intended receiver.
No Salazar's gift had already been revealed to him, it was as sensible as the man who had given it. The collar around his neck had been from Salazar who had said crisply that it was so that the students…and anyone else; knew that he was not available as a pet…or anything else. Harry had found it amusing until he realized he could not take it off and that it adjusted to fit him in any form he took. Wonderful. This courtship was already out of hand.
He looked over the toys with some interest but didn't want to give either of them the satisfaction of finding him playing with one. He was about to walk away when his entire body stilled and locked on one of the toys in particular. It was a ball. Harry slowly made his way closer to it his head lowered and his body movements looked as though were stalking prey rather than a little ball. When he came close to it he slowly raised his paw and gave the ball a little push. His pupils widened when he heard the little jingle the action produced. Before he was even aware of it he was in a crouch and his tail wiggled before he launched into an attack.
Godric was content as he made his way to the great hall. All was right in his world and he saw no reason for it not to be. Salazar's mood had been very good since they had begun this courtship; and though Harry seemed a bit skittish he knew that the youth was not opposed to the idea. He smiled as he remembered the toys he had gifted Harry with and hoped that the note had not been too bold. Of course when he had told Salazar about it he had called him a brute but he supposed that was part of his charm.
He was surprised when he heard the sound of jingling bells fast approaching and searched for the sound. A little ball went rolling past him and he recognized it as one of the ones he had given Harry this morning. He followed the direction where the ball had come from and sure enough a familiar kitten's form was barreling towards the ball with all the determination of a panther going after its prey.
He smiled in amusement as he watched Harry…or rather Minx tackle the ball which sent it rolling in another direction. He was glad Minx seemed to be enjoying his presents and was looking forward to telling Salazar of that fact. His peaceful moment was ruined when he saw that the ball was heading toward the stairs stopping at just the first step. He looked for Minx and realized that in his hunting state Harry did not realize that the stairs were right behind his target. He gave a shout of warning but the kitten was too focused and Harry gave a mewl of surprise as he tackled the ball and went falling down the stairs.
He reached out with his large hand to safely cup the falling form and pulled him close to his chest as he prepared himself for impact. He couldn't stand the thought of this little one being hurt as a result of his presents. He bit back a groan as he felt his back hit the stairs but was glad of his large form and muscles that prevented any serious injury as he rolled to the bottom of the stairs still clutching the small furry form.
It had all happened so fast that Harry hadn't realized what was happening until it was all over. His claws were firmly anchored into rough flesh. He realized that he was encased in large protective hands and found that they were Godric's. He gave a mew of relief when he saw that he was not hurt but his panic returned when he didn't feel Godric moving. He pulled himself out of the hands that were wrapped firmly around him and his large green eyes looked worriedly over the sturdy from.
A heavy groan passed through Godric's lips as he felt the aches that were already forming in his body. He managed a sigh of relief when he realized that Harry was safe and well. He closed his eyes for a minute to regain his breath but it was short lived as he soon had a panicking kitten around him. He blearily opened his eyes and smiled "I'm alright…" He choked out, his breath coming in strangled gasps from his knocked out lungs.
Harry narrowed his green eyes and gave a tender lick to the side of Godric's cheek as he looked him over for injury. Once he saw that Godric was banged up and in no mortal danger he looked around the empty hall and began to mewl for help. He really didn't want to leave Godric alone in this state but he could not currently do much to help him. He nuzzled Godric as the man continued to moan and mewled louder for attention.
At the other end of the hall Salazar was just leaving his office for the day to head to one of his classes. It was First Years and he was not terribly excited about today's lesson. The First Years would be creating their very first potion today which was always highly dangerous and he had two classes to push through and hoped that he and his classroom would survive largely intact.
He was about to make a right turn in the direction of his potions classroom when he heard a very distinct and anxious mewl. He looked in concern down the hallway as he sped up his walk to put his concerns to ease. When he saw Godric's large still form and Minx's frantic little one he abandoned all thoughts about his class and hurried to his side. He looked at Minx and the ball and realized what must have happened. He narrowed his dark eyes and muttered to himself "Stupid stupid man…!"
His harsh words were belied by the fact that his slender hands were caressing Godric's face as he said sternly, his voice tight with fear "Godric…Godric are you alright? Where are you hurt?"
He didn't have long to wait for and answer as one of those large hands wrapped itself in his long hair and pulled him down into a very reassuring kiss as Godric stat up. He pulled away and caressed Salazar's cheek gently "Look at you…rushing to my side…" He chuckled and dipped his head for another taste of those lips. "I'm alright my love…I just had to save a certain kitten from peril."
Salazar pulled back his high cheekbones flushed with embarrassment at being caught. "I see…" He said slowly before turning and narrowing his eyes on Minx "And what were you doing being so careless? Surely you realize that without Godric you could have been seriously hurt?" He picked up the small kitten and began to inspect him carefully to ensure that he truly was unhurt.
Harry's ears were low to his head as he looked up at Salazar. He knew that he was right…he should have been more careful about playing with the toys…or better yet not playing with them at all! He let out a low mewl and licked Salazar's nose softly to let him know that he was sorry.
That little touch melted Salazar and he gentled his hold on Harry as he caressed his soft fur "Well…I suppose as long as you realize your mistake it's alright. Now let's get this great oaf to the infirmary to see if there truly is any damage."
Harry found himself curling against Salazar's chest as the Potions Master levitated his lover to the infirmary. He was checked out by Helga who scolded him for his rashness but told him besides a very few large and painful bruises that he would be alright much to everyone's relief.
That night in their private rooms Salazar was straddling Godric as he rode him and as he finished his climax he melted against that large strong chest and murmured "You fool…why didn't you just catch him with a spell or charm?"
He got a rumbling laugh as his reply as a strong hand caressed down his back and Godric answered simply "If you saw that delicate little form heading for imminent danger would you have been able to stop yourself?"
A sigh as his response as Salazar softly admitted "No…I suppose not." He shook his head "Whatever are we going to do with him? He seems prone to injuring himself."
Godric grinned broadly as he rolled so that he was now a large cage over his slender lover "I suppose we'll just have to keep a closer eye on him. Though I do feel responsible that it was one of my gifts that put him in such a situation…" He lowered himself to kiss Salazar as the smaller man tentatively answered the kiss.
Those words got Salazar's infamous brain working on a solution…perhaps there was a way to speed up this courtship so that they could keep a closer eye on their little love interest…
Thank you all so much for your patience! I hope that it was worth the wait or that you at least enjoyed it!
