Updated: 8/10/2018 (Chapters 16-18)

Draco sighed he was avoiding Harry, his dom. He knew he couldn't do it forever as he still had meals with the man but he could try couldn't he? No, it seemed fate was trying to set him up with the raven-haired dom and there was nothing he could do to stop it even if he was still embarrassed about the… Merlin, he couldn't even think about it. Was he really beginning to feel that way about the man just a few days ago he was calling the other man scarhead? Face flaming Draco watched as Lovegood muttered to the little ravens.

Lulu watched the little blonde boys face he didn't know it but his mask had fallen and everything was flashing across it a mile a minute. She held back a little giggle he was such a sweet boy when he wasn't pretending. She watched him wobble away and practically bounced where she stood Draco would be good for her big brother she just knew, she also knew his babies were going to be absolutely adorable.

Severus sat a little bereft with an unknown smile on his face; it was small and barely noticeable but still there. He was for some reason or another becoming attached to the man whom just the other day he hated for how similar he had happened to be with his father. But now, now he had spent the night in the man's presence and hadn't felt like cursing the fool into oblivion. He didn't like it, these changes, they were too much, too quick. Besides the man already had Draco in his bed! Severus shuddered, he was next, if he was to believe the notes coming from the girl and that man. He wasn't going to give in, no way. If Potter wanted to bed him then he was going to bloody work for it. Severus Snape was no pushover and he was in no way the perfect submissive virgin. The mere idea had him scowling.

With the idea firm in his head, Severus glided away from the old portrait, who had told him he could visit anytime he didn't need to move into the potion lab just for a little conversation. He had questions that needed answering and he didn't trust Potter to give him truthful answers, so he was off to the library.

Harry was reviewing file after file he needed to know what his eldest mate had done, he'd have to help him before it was too late. The days were slipping by fast and he couldn't afford any mistakes, like finishing a bond with only half a soul. That could be disastrous to both the war effort and their lives. On the other hand, he was quickly running out of the resources close at hand.

Harry sighed and with an almost too loud groan realized he was going to have to call in his research team. Speaking of relationship issues, he really needed to talk with his little 'entitled' switch. Lucius was slowly making him more and more irritated. Standing quickly Harry decided that time is of the essence plus he should probably get going before his last nerve snapped and he just punished his switch like he would any misbehaving submissive. Harry knew that tackling this relationship with that kind of punishment right of the bat would surely mark them with a bad omen worse than they already had; after all, it wasn't every day you got bonded to four men who didn't especially like you, to begin with.

Lucius' doorway was rapidly approaching Harry as he half marched down the hall. Tap, tap, tap, his blasted shoes seemed to add to the foreboding feeling he had as he drew near his troublesome mischief maker. This was not going to be a nice conversation.

Harry stopped in the doorway the man he was there to see was laying in bed fully clothed and staring at the ceiling, he didn't even look up when Harry rapped lightly on the door frame. Sighing Harry walked right in and leaned against the wall opposite as there was only one place to sit and he doubted Lucius would like him that close at the moment.

"Lucius," Harry tried to start but he stopped.

Silver quick fire eyes met emerald and there was malice behind that gaze. "What do you want now, going take even more from me?" He whispered. He hadn't even raised his voice but you could hear the bitterness and loathing behind every word.

"No, I merely came to ask why it is that you are behaving this way. Surely you of all my mates would know the proper behavior when in this type of situation." Harry tilted his head to the side and allowed a microscopic amount of confusion to show on his face.

They stared at each other for some time both silently contemplating something. Harry was about to leave thinking he wouldn't get anything out of the other man right then when Lucius cut in with a hard glare.

"Are you going to make me bugger my son?"

Such foul language from the prestigious Lord Malfoy had Harry frowning and speechless, was this really what this whole thing was about? The silence that filled the room went on long enough that Lucius made an aggravated scoff like sound and rolled back over obviously done with the conversation.

"Do you want to?" Harry looked at the slumped shoulder of his hunched over mate but he didn't remain that way long.

"No! Of course not he is my son what kind of person do you take me for?" Lucius was standing inches away from him as he screamed.

"Then don't," Harry answered simply. "I may be your dominant but that doesn't mean I'm going to make you do something you don't want to, it's not my right."

Lucius stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, I don't want to bond to you either." He turned away from his future husband and lord. So he didn't see the way Harry flinched just barely at his words.

Harry withheld the sigh that threatened to escape. There was nothing he could about his mate current request. It did send pangs directly to his heart when he thought he would be with someone who didn't love or care for him in any way. Well, he supposed Lucius wasn't the only one with this opinion, after all, all four of his mates were Slytherin that had hated him before.

With a heavy heart, Harry looked directly into the molten silver eyes belonging to Lucius Malfoy, "Follow me." More tired than he had been in a long time Harry slowly walked the gamma to his alpha to his true rooms. The path was quick, Harry pushed open the large French doors and left. Not even staying to find out if Lucius liked his rooms or even if the man had actually followed him there. He just wanted to forget he even got up this morning, with the pain of Lucius' one statement still riding through him strongly Harry went to dinner. His older mates were remiss in their attendance and he just sighed. He didn't wish to punish them over this so he would let it go but he told himself to mention it in the future.

Lucius on the, on the other hand, was a little confused by the man he was now forced to call his dominants actions, first they have a civil conversation and then the man just leaves him in front of wide-open French doors. He assumed this was the door leading to the rooms that were originally his, to begin with. Understanding dawn on the aristocratic features and he knew he had his room back, quickly walking inside the man's doors shut behind him and no one saw that look on his face.

MALACHITE—PSYCHIC POWER, HEALING, CLEANSING

LAPIS—SPIRITUALITY, INTUITION, ROYALTY

AQUAMARINE—HARMONY

OPAL—EMOTIONAL CLARITY

A striking chandelier was the first thing to catch your eye as you walked through the door, after all, its in the center of the room and is just barely high enough for people who happen to be six and a half feet tall to walk under, not the Lucius had that problem he was on six ft two in. It was a soft white gold that looked curled and curved like serpents in the sky around its precious candles. After that is was the small sitting area in the room lead by the albino bear skin rug placed in front of a warm crackling fire. The mantle around it was hand-carved polished malachite, two simple columns led to the large clearly French mantle and atop it sat Lucius' wand next to three large polished stones a lapis lazuli, an opal, and an aquamarine.

Lucius could tell they had a meaning behind each one but at the moment he was too in awe of his room to really care about some worthless stones. Turning around he took in the rest of his new chambers two jade dragon hide wingback chairs sat next to each other before the fire and they shared an ornate table on clawed feet between themselves. On top sat an ornate candelabra with three long golden candles on each hand.

Directly behind that was a large four poster bed made a beautiful soft maple, the beddings were in soft creams, whites, and golds. There were no large curtains to along the canopy rather it was two simple strips of cloth along the top and bottom made of a delicately shimmering gold. It had a large pile of pillows on top but they weren't meant for sleeping. On either side of the bed sat two matching maple wood end tables each had clawed feet and two drawers in them each drawer had a handled shaped like a Fleur De Lys. Atop each sat a candelabrum as well these only had three hands but these were made with the Fleur De Lys in mind.

The wall just a short distance from the bed was the wardrobe it was slightly open so Lucius could see it held all his clothes just to the right of a door Lucius assumed led to his office or his bathroom. At the moment he didn't really care, this was all too much first he has nothing and now he has a room befitting French nobility? He didn't understand it and he was too tired to really think too much of it plus the painting on the wall above his bed was enough to stop his thoughts completely. It was the Malfoy family crest, painted with care and the ease of a professional it was perfect down to the very last detail.

That one piece was too much Lucius not wanting to think anymore stripped where he stood and fell into bed he needs some time away from the world and sleep sounded wonderful.

None of the freshly bonded mates slept that well but then again how could they when far away in a castle most of them once thought was home a man sat up plotting and munching lemon drop surrounded by knick-knacks.

Dumbledore was not exactly pleased with recent events not only had he lost all Black funding but his werewolf had up and left and now his 'hero' had been bonded to not one but four men. Nothing was going the way he planned, it was as if every effort he had put into his plans was wasted.

Hopefully, Severus would give a full report on everything when he got back from his little vacation if not there are other ways to get information from both Severus and Harry. Whether they gave said information willingly was up to them. He personally didn't care which way he got it so long as he knew exactly what he was dealing with and had a way to get the upper hand in the end.

An hour or so later Harry was awake it seemed he wasn't meant to sleep this night. He didn't understand why he was awake after all he had been sleeping just fine a minute ago. He sighed so nothing was simple not even sleeping. Sitting up slowly Harry thought he might as well get a shower there was no need to be filthy while he was at it.

Stripping as he walked to the door Harry groaned he had just flumped into bed fully dressed earlier and was now fully aware of why he typically just slept naked. Clothes were a bother and stiff ones were even worse.

The shower was already running, after all, it just needed a simple thought to get going not that Draco needed… to… Draco, he was the last one to use this shower… after he had… Harry blushed to the back of ears. His body reacting to the thought of a naked Draco in his shower, dressed in his mess filled pajamas, wet.

He shivered and stepped forward, another shiver going down his spine. He thought about turning on a cold shower but just shook his head it was his mate he could fantasy if he wanted to. Besides Draco frottage, against him and with that thought in mind Harry moaned no longer able to ignore himself. Draco, his submissive and a total virgin, came in his bed. Smirking softly Harry knew at least one mate wanted him, if only subconsciously anyway.

Harry let the spray lull his thoughts down to one thing, well one person actually. He let his mind wander along with his hand both seeking release. His other hand found its way against the wall and he leaned forward, he was getting into this. Soft pink lips, rosy cheeks, beautiful eyes closed in bliss. Long languid strokes followed every thought.

Draco's expression his voice as he moaned the flush in his cheeks as he thrust against his legs. Harry ran a thumb over his slit and jerked his hips forward to meet his hand. The Draco in his head came with a soft cry and Harry followed grunting as he coated the glass in front of him.

After having such a relaxing shower Harry stood by the door of his bathroom wondering what he was going to do next, he couldn't very well go back to sleep now, could he. No, he was awake for the day and he might as well do something productive, maybe finish some paperwork. Trudging to his closet Harry decide that some slacks and a flannel will do for today. Feeling rather lazy he pulled his clothes on but didn't bother with buttoning any of it, it was his house and if he wanted to walk around half dressed he would.

Harry headed to his office but quickly decided that it was far too early to do something so mind-numbing as look over paperwork. He figured reading would be super boring too so he headed out to wander the halls… Chuckling at the thought of his past explorations Harry headed onward to the second floor that hadn't seen a large flux of people in ages.

On second thought the second floor hadn't even seen a house-elf in centuries the amount of dust and furniture covered in sheets caked in dust or paintings in the same state was ridiculous, he quickly pulled his towel over his wet hair to prevent a little of the dust in the air from settling in his still wet hair. With a lazy wave of his hand several layers of dust vanished leaving a thin layer behind, magic could only do so much. He opened the windows in the same fashion and moved on to the next room.

The next room was worse it was a parlor of sorts that had several large sheet covered couches but the dust, Merlin's beard Harry was going to need another shower when he was through with his explorations. The halls were a lot better than the rooms themselves and so Harry was beginning to suspect that the previous Lord or Lady had these rooms warded against house elves. He would have to look into it to be sure. All the portraits that once covered the wall were gone leaving lighter patched on the wall where they once had been.

It was sad to see just how much the last Lord or Lady Ravenclaw had to do during their war. After looking around at the almost unnoticeable dent in the grime that covered the room Harry decided that this task was better suited to daylight rather than the dead of night. Sighing he looked around one last time and knew this was too big a job for a single sleepless night.

Turning about the raven-haired man was determined to head outside maybe even bask in the moonlight who knows it was late everyone else was asleep and he didn't want to do what he usually did when he had time and was left alone, for the most part anyway. He didn't think his mates would appreciate his thoughts on the cure for his insomniac boredom filled night. All he knew was that he didn't want to take a second shower in less than two hours and he couldn't stay in the old partially destroyed wing of his new home.

Slowly he walked out envisioning the rooms as he went, seeing them as they once had been like. Soft elegance in every piece of furniture. Rich culture in all the little details. A resonance of the people who once walked through the halls sat in the chairs or read from the shelves gave him a chill.

Perhaps he had a ghost in his old home; it would make a small amount of sense, all things considered, his castle-like manor was quite a few years old. No one truly knew what year it had been built as it had been remodeled by nearly ever lord or lady who had inherited it at one point or another.

The green-eyed young man breathed in the fresh air deeply as he crossed the threshold into the inhabited part of his manor, the old magics tingling as he went. Harry was left with a decision what should he do? He already decided not to work, read, or exercise. Perhaps it was time to wander through the woods around the grounds. After all, he hadn't done that yet.

Before heading out though Harry went back to his room, he needed boots if he was going for a long walk through the dense tree filled area and who knew, he might find a herd of centaurs or fea-lings in those woods. Knowing he would need to be prepared he grabbed a satchel and quickly began to fill it with his emergency potion kit, filled with all types of healing supplies along with ingredient gathering supplies as well as a few gifts to give to whatever herd or group he came across.

Outside the manor on the very edge of the grounds stood another person who thought a jaunt through the forest was the perfect way to fight insomnia. She was well aware that she was headed to dangerous uncharted territories and she didn't care one wit what the others would have said she knew trees like she knew the beat of her own heart but these trees were special they called to her in the most profound way. She simply couldn't ignore the summons of her lovers' people, even if he had left her for Avalon many years earlier.

Her one true home was among the trees not that she loves family understood this because they follow the traditions of old banished from there way of life when she failed to follow him on his journey. She knew nonetheless that he would have preferred it this way, even though he loved her he knew he couldn't keep her. He would have wanted her to live and raise their beautiful daughter to be strong and loving all at once.

Now, however, her job was done her daughter didn't need anymore. As harsh as it seems Maria just knew, her daughter would use the strength from the family she created to move on and be better for it she was after all her father's daughter. They may not have met but they certainly do act a lot alike. They were Yadkin, after all, it's not like they would never Maria knew Ariel would get to meet her father sooner than she expected but not in a final way.

She smiled and walked on knowing she wouldn't be alone in the forest forever after all her daughters' lord would be here soon and she needed to say farewell and pass on the message. With a gentle breeze of fabric and childlike laughter, Maria Yadkin tore off into the forest a ludicrous speed, completely ignoring the twigs the tore at her with every step of the rocks that she crushed underfoot.

Harry had only just left the door when he saw movement on the edge of the forest, he had no idea what or who it was and then they were gone launching themselves or rather itself into the forest. Harry felt a moment of curiosity but he let it go it was probably just a forest dweller watching the new people on the land and he, for now, had no business with them.

He started at a simple strolling pace but soon found that the energy of the forest wanted him in the center as quickly as possible. Wide steps brought him into the gentle grasp of the blowing leaves. The magic, the pulsing desire grew stronger with every step the forest wanted him to be there for something he just didn't know what. The center drew him in and he let it.

His instincts telling him that there was something he was going to see but he was most likely not going to like it. Moonlight trickled in through the gaps teasing the senses and just barely illuminating the path he was walking. A sense of foreboding settled over him and his steps quickened.

Seconds ticked by and sweat dripped from his forehead as Harry raced to his unknown destination. A clearing up ahead brought him to an abrupt stop thought because there, standing in the center was Madam Yadkin, his little sisters girlfriends mother… the woman he was slowly coming to see as his own mother…

She stood transfixed by the moonlight washing over the trees, he knew he hadn't made a quiet entrance into the clearing, by the way, a few animals further in scattered loudly but she hadn't moved. A large stag with colossal antlers stood looking at her, inviting her to step between those massive horns.

Harry saw she was willing and just as her foot left the earth Harry pounced.