Tribond

Disclaimers are in chapter one.

Chapter 10 - Just desserts

Harry was still reeling from the increase of magic as the unlikely trio stepped back out on the street. He stumbled knocking into Lucius. "Sorry Lucius," he apologized as the blonde caught and steadied him.

Noting the unhealthy pallor of Harry's face, Lucius directed them down the street and into a small tea shop.

"Lucius, darling, it has been too long," gushed a male voice.

"Maurice, it has only been a week," Lucius joked.

"As I said, too long," the slender brunette said waving his hands. "How may I assist you?"

"A private room and a pot of tea along with some of Marie's scones would be appreciated," Lucius ordered.

"Right this way, mon ami." Maurice led them to a small sitting room.

A vivacious blonde woman accosted them as they went to enter. "Bah! What is this? Tea and scones, Luc that won't keep a bird alive. You will sit, relax and eat what I send you. No arguments," the woman scolded.

Lucius threw up his hands in surrender, "Only for you Marie. Now when are you going to dump the Frenchman and run away with me?"

"Hah! I just got this one trained. Why would I want to train another man?" Marie teased as she checked their table.

"What's this? Already bored and tossing me aside are you Luc," Severus purred as he entered behind them. "Marie, Maurice lovely to see you again."

"Severus, where have you been? I was beginning to think you didn't love me any more," Marie asked shooing the dark wizard towards a seat.

"Recovering from the battle, Marie." Severus said as he noted Harry's color and the pull on their bond. "Did I hear you say something about food?"

"Yes, now sit and I will send an elf right in," Marie said.

Harry sank gratefully down into a well padded chair and sighed.

"Harry are you alright," asked Lucius alarmed as the younger man paled even more.

"No I don't think so," admitted Harry. "Sev, please," green eyes opened reflecting pain and need.

Lucius took another look and scooped Harry up, shocked at how light he felt. "Severus, sit down," he ordered placing his bundle in the dark wizards lap.

Harry snuggled against Severus with a soft sigh of relief and promptly fell into a light doze. Lucius lay a hand over the famous scar, "He is burning up, Sev."

Severus touched the same forehead with his cheek and frowned. "This happened after the battle as well. It is an overload of his magic," shared a worried bond mate. "We need to get him outside where he can channel the excess into the ground. Did you notice the drive at Spinner's End? Harry's magic completely lined it in trees that appear to be thirty years old."

The discussion continued as refreshments were delivered by an elf. Pouring tea they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Marie poked her head in, "May I join you?"

"Of course, Marie," Lucius said, "this is wonderful by the way."

"Thank you Lucius. My elf tells me your young friend there is in magical trouble, that he needs to ground some excess magic. I have an herb garden behind the shop if it would be a help," Marie looked concerned.

"Pet wake up, come on lazy bones you need to purge some magic so you feel better." Severus gently shook Harry to wake him.

"Hmm, 'kay, where? You gonna help?" Harry managed to string a few words together.

"I'm here Brat, Luc and I will assist you," Severus said as well as pushed through their bond.

"Can we access the garden without going back through the main room," asked Lucius instinctively knowing that neither of his companions would want an audience.

"Right through here," Marie pushed aside a curtain revealing a door. "The garden is hidden from the interior of the shop and none of the other businesses overlook it. There is a small grassy area just to the side, feel free to move the chairs and table. Maurice and I use it on occasion for breaks."

Swiftly they moved Harry outside and lay him on the grass. Severus sat beside him and directed Lucius to do the same. "Take hold of his wrist, fingertips on the pulse. Luc, I would like for you to be our anchor. Hold onto my arm, I am going to access my bond with Harry to help him release the magic."

Lucius watched as Severus closed his eyes and fell into a trance as he sought to connect more deeply with Harry. Monitoring heartbeat and breath, Lucius felt helpless to assist.

Severus went deep in the shared bond, searching until he found Harry curled into a tight ball. The center of a whirlwind, Harry, was being pelted with a multitude of dangerous objects. Swiftly the older man penetrated the eye to cover and protect the shaking boy.

'Harry, Pet, it is Severus you are safe now, I have you. Nothing can harm you here. You aren't alone; I will be here to assist you.' Severus stumbled backwards as Harry launched himself into the waiting arms.

'So scared Sev, it was too dark. I couldn't find the light. Don't leave me,' begged Harry.

Hugging the younger man tightly Severus kept talking, 'Not going anywhere, Pet. Remember when you first arrived at my manor? We pushed the dark out and you created my ideal drive way. You turned all that death and darkness into life by creating a living legacy. You need to do it again. Your core magic is still fighting to integrate the magic from the rings. You need to give it a focus; force it to work together. Lucius is going to be our anchor, can you feel him?' Severus guided Harry towards a silver rope and tied it around them both.

Lucius felt a sharp tug at his magical core and then he could see both Severus and Harry tied to him. Reaching out with his magic he pushed his concern at them, suddenly he could hear Severus guiding Harry's actions. Unable to communicate verbally, Lucius shoved every bit of love and caring he possessed down the rope causing it to pulse and warm around the dark pair.

Severus sent a wave of love back to his lover. 'Feel that, Pet? That is Luc he won't leave us adrift, he is going to watch and protect us. We are in Marie's herb garden, help me create a prize cooking garden for her. What should we add? Rosemary, basil, lemon grass, skunk cabbage. . . '

'Sev, not that,' Harry protested.

'Help me then,' challenged Severus.

Together they created until the plot could hold no more. Harry then pushed magic into keeping the garden at prime picking and still he had magic to burn. Reaching out, Harry, felt the buildings wards.

'Sev help me strengthen the wards.'

Together they lay new protections on the shop and then the block. Their magic jarred to a stop as it hit a magical barrier. They studied it from every angle before finding its purpose.

'It's Gringotts,' Severus said.

'How do they get it to continuously feed itself,' asked Harry puzzled.

An owl flew towards the pair startling them as it morphed into a man walking towards them. Tall slender with flowing white blonde locks of hair, he was dressed in loose fitting clothing the color of the owl he had been. 'He reminds me of Lucius,' Harry thought to Severus.

'How did you come to be in this place,' the stranger asked.

'Magic,' Severus replied. 'We mean no harm. We are simply curious as to how the wards here renew themselves.'

The man studied them for a long moment before laughing, 'The Boy Who Saved the World wishes to know how the goblins protect their bank? Will you be robbing us?'

Harry shook his head, 'No, we didn't mean to intrude.' Turning Harry reached for Severus, 'We should go, I still feel the need to burn more magic.'

'Wait! Why are you here in this place?'

The dark pair looked to one another; Severus nodded his okay to Harry. Replying with total honesty and openness Harry answered the question. 'Earlier today I accepted two inheritances. My magic overloaded as it tried to integrate that of both family lines. We have found that I can ground it out by turning the excess into new life if I push it into the earth. We created a garden and strengthened the wards on the block that abuts the bank. Despite the outpouring the magic still burns in me.'

The man tipped his head studying Harry and then the both of them more closely. 'You created life from that utter darkness?'

Harry shook his head yes.

'I will agree to share the secret of the wards if you will employ your magic for me.' The man offered suddenly.

Severus ever mindful of the dangers that the world posed to Harry asked, 'What is it you wish for us to do?'

'Goblins had forests and meadows underground for a millennium. Nearly five hundred years ago they began to die off and now where once life grew only darkness and death remain. If you can bring life back to us the secret is yours for the asking.'

'Who are you to offer such a boon,' asked a guarded Severus putting himself between Harry and the stranger.

'Forgive my manners. I am Jareth, King of Goblin kind, and you?'

'Harry Potter-Black and Severus Snape,' answered Severus. 'You honor us with your presence.'

'Your companion? The one who holds you so tightly?'

Startled the dark wizards heard Lucius reply, 'Lucius Malfoy and once we were kin.'

'Nice to see my legacy continued to run true,' Jareth smiled at Lucius.

Lucius urged Harry and Severus to assist the Goblin world. 'Help them, return life to those forgotten by wizard kind but hurry my hold on you is slipping.'

When the pair agreed, Jareth spoke once more to Lucius. 'Do not fret my kin, your dark mates will be returned to you healthy and safe. I must take them from your grasp for a short time.'

The scenery changed to a dead blackened forest as the pair was transported deep into goblin territory. Kneeling they pushed their magic deep, then deeper still. Slowly life began to spill out in an ever widening circle. Harry felt the last bit of unwelcome and uncomfortable darkness slide out into the ground. He fell into Severus' arms as euphoria flooded his body.

Blinking they heard Jareth say, 'I simply instructed the wards to maintain themselves.' In the next instant they were safely back beside Lucius in Marie's garden. Harry's smile was brilliant, his eyes sparkling with renewed life and energy as he wordlessly and wandlessly modified all the spells he wrought to be self sustaining. He hugged first Severus and then Lucius.

"Thank you for keeping me safe."

"You are meant to be ours Harry," Lucius said. "I told you, I am possessive. I won't let either of you go without a fight."

Severus stood up brushing soil and grass from his robe and trousers. "Let's go have some of Marie's food and recover."

Marie fussed over them until they finished the soup and bread she had brought. Feeling fully recovered Harry was content to sit and listen as the older wizards discussed current events.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Harry blushed as he heard Lucius say his name a second time.

Lucius was captivated by Harry's blush. "Nothing to be sorry for, I was asking how you are feeling. You look much better than when we arrived."

Harry gave a moments thought before he answered. "I feel lighter, freer more me. Does that make any sense? I can feel my magic humming beneath my skin. I wish I could show y… Legilimens!"

"What?" Lucius questioned as Severus nodded thoughtfully. "It might just work, Pet."

"You are a legilimens, yes?" Harry asked then answered his own question. "Of course you are; Sev had to have someone to practice with. I want you to use legilimens so you can see what I mean. Sev can access our bond."

Lucius hesitated only to have the full force of Harry's begging green eyes turned on him. He succumbed to the silent plea as Severus snickered knowing the impact those lethal eyes had.

Surprise registered as their bond showed that Harry was offering no resistance at all to the invited invasion of his mind. "Luc, be careful. Harry doesn't have any barriers up. He is wide open to you."

Lucius looked deep into the green eyes as he spoke the spell. He found himself standing in a grassy meadow beside Severus and Harry. Looking around he could see a dark forest just on the horizon. Harry silently held out a hand to each man leading them deeper into his mind. They passed exquisite mosaics of glass and could feel the pain endured to build them. A series of waterfalls appeared; each pouring down into a pool of dark emerald green. The two largest falls were green and dark inky blue; smaller ones of black and blood red also poured into the pool. The joy that Harry felt on viewing the sight could be felt by both of his companions.

Lucius felt a moment of being excluded until Harry asked, "Where should I place the newest fall, Luc?"

Pointing to a spot between the blue and green, Lucius felt the warmth as a stream of silver mist poured down into the pool. They stood and watched as the mist enveloped the area giving an ethereal feel to the landscape. Sometime later they floated back to the meadow as Harry released them.

Lucius felt intense loss as he came back into his own mind and it showed in his eyes.

"Don't," Harry said. "Don't feel loss, that silver stream is you. You and your magic are now a part of me. The green is mine, the blue is Sev and the others are the Potter and Black family legacies."

"Why didn't you tell me," asked Severus shaken at how Harry had integrated their bond.

"It took a while as I figured it out. When I did I tried to tell you but we were always interrupted." Harry shook his head, "then it simply didn't matter."

"I was trying to break our bond," Severus protested.

"No you weren't," countered Harry. "You went through the motions as did I. We did as others expected. Truth is a part of me was happy to know someone, you, would always be there for me. I never had to be alone again." Harry reached out and laid a hand on the dark clad arm. "Sev, you wouldn't have slept if you truly wanted to be rid of me. You would have found a way to tell Lucius and together you would have broken our bond."

Pausing Harry took a deep breath then continued, "Now excuse me, I am going to the facilities and then I will attempt to discover the secret to Marie's scones. I wish to try them at home." Harry left the two in deep thought.

Severus was caught up in Harry's words. They had struck at his most basic fear: being alone. He had learned at an early age that there was no one but himself he could rely on. The anger he had first felt as their bond formed was a loss of individuality. Harry had as horrific a childhood as he; the difference was in their ability to retain a core of innocence. Their formative years had so closely paralleled that it was sometimes difficult to tell whose memory was whose. Later he had come to appreciate the strength that Harry displayed at keeping a fresh outlook. Time and training had forced them to accept and learn who the other was. At twice Harry's age, Severus felt at times that the younger man had a better understanding of himself. It scared him that Harry could so easily acknowledge the fear of loneliness that he himself could not.

Shock had been an understatement as Harry had shared the core magic he held. Severus had known that they were sharing magic; he had guided Harry in its use. It was startling to realize the student had outstripped the teacher to such a degree. Where he had utilized Harry's magic and abilities almost grudgingly, Harry had embraced with open arms and welcomed Severus' to become an integral part of his core. If what he had witnessed was their future, then Harry was accepting of a bond with Lucius as well.

Lucius was off center; unsettled in a profound and to him disturbing way. Emotionally he was feeling a sense of abandonment; of being left out of a large part of Severus' life. Brutal honesty forced him to acknowledge the jealousy he felt towards Harry. Yet there was also a deep attraction and a need to prove himself to the younger man. One question burned through the turmoil in his mind. "Why? Why would he integrate me, my magic into his own?"

"I have my own guess, Luc," Severus said slowly, "but in this only Harry can answer with certainty." Reaching for one of the blondes hands, Severus looked deep into the silver eyes seeking to dispel some of the turmoil he found in them. "I fell in love with you when we were fifteen, Luc. There has never been a day since that you were not in my heart or my mind. Yes, I have a bond with Harry and yes I will fight to keep him with me; know that on the day I take my last breath it will be your face your name I see and breathe in my final moment. You are my prize, my world. Harry is simply an added bonus. If we allow it he will become a part of us in a way that no other ever could."

Harry had quietly slipped back into the room as Severus laid bare his heart and soul. Tears fell silently from green eyes as the emotion poured out, kneeling on the far side of Lucius, Harry captured his free hand.

Tears continued to fall unheeded he spoke. "How could I not accept you into my being Lucius? Severus loves you and I see that as plainly as I see my magic. I was unfair to him earlier. I alluded to his greatest fear of being left alone. I was wrong; Severus' greatest fear is/was that on learning of our bond you would reject him. Reject the love he holds for you. You are his passion, his air his very reason for continuing to fight for life. I'm humbled and in awe of the power you and you alone hold over him. I've always thought Sev as the strongest most indestructible being I know. It would take but a single word from you to crush every dream he has. Frankly you scare me on a level so deep I can't begin to describe. You have the ability to bring great joy or great despair and there is nothing I alone could do that would keep Severus from death if you rejected him."

Harry took a deep cleansing breath and wiped the tears from his face. "You asked if I would give you a chance for a relationship. I now ask that you allow me to a part of the one you already have. You know that I'm attracted to Sev, I said as much. I am also attracted to you. You are both beautiful men and anyone would be lucky to have both of you willing to share in the love you have for one another."

Harry was cut off as Lucius pulled him up into his lap and lay a claiming kiss on his lips. There was nothing of the finesse or gentleness that had previously been experienced. This was raw emotion pouring out branding and laying claim. Instead of frightening Harry it set him on fire and he willingly met Lucius with ferocity of his own. Breathing became an issue and they parted. Chests' heaving as cool air was sucked in in greedy gulps. Eyes glittered with lust as each viewed the other and then turned to Severus. A spell from Lucius sealed the doors to the private room as he felt Harry hard and throbbing against him. A second spell and the table and chairs transfigured into a large bed.

"Help me Sev," Lucius whispered. "Help me show Harry how good an orgasm can be."

Severus leaned in and kissed Lucius as they cradled Harry between them. His attention then turned to his younger partner as he licked at the kiss swollen lips. Together they undressed the younger man, who stared in wonder at the hard leaking cock that had sprung from his loins. Harry visibly shuddered as the velvet voice asked, "Are you ready, Pet? Luc and I promise this will be pleasurable and only the first of many new things to come."

Harry was awash with feeling as he was laid back; his eyes were wide as he watched the long fingers trail over his body. His hips bowed off the bed as two sets of fingers caressed and stroked the swollen flesh. Sensitive to touch the fingers had only begun to tease as he cried out his first release. The sensation was so intense Harry didn't know whether to be embarrassed at how quickly he came or pleased that everything was in perfect working order.

"Be proud baby," Lucius purred his voice husky with desire and pride. "You overcame a crazy woman's attempt to hurt you. It will get better and last longer. Think of all the fun we will have teaching you control."

Harry flushed deep red as they laughed sending desire spiraling through his body. He hardened again and this time they watched as he explored his own body. The hot silky texture was addictive and Harry felt a sense of loss as he bucked and came a second time. Tears fell as he experienced the joy and support that was showered on him. They lay touching for a short time before Severus cast a cleaning charm and they redressed Harry returning the room to its former state.

Soft kisses were exchanged as Harry hugged both men in thanks. A clock sounded the hour and they realized they were late to meet Draco. Harry started to giggle as he contemplated their excuse. The giggles soon escaped and became full fledged laughter.

"What is so funny," asked Lucius.

"Just imagining explaining why we are late to Dray," Harry gasped. "Rings of a lord, magic not to hoard. Soup to be fed, confusion of the head. Lust for some, twice I did come."

"A poet you are not, Pet," Severus said as he and Lucius laughed as well.

"Come on, as we know my son is nothing if not dramatic when made to wait," Lucius said ushering them out of the private room.

"We still need to pay our bill," Severus reminded.

"I took care of it," Harry said a trace of laughter still in his voice. "I also convinced Marie to share her scone recipe."

"How on earth did you do that," asked Severus. "She has refused countless offers of money for that recipe."

Harry merely smiled mysteriously and refused to answer. "Let's just say I made her an offer she couldn't refuse."