A/N How lucky are you guys, 2 chapters in one day. The muse is active and the plot bunnies are reproducing like, well, bunnies. Enjoy and reviews are loved and appreciated.

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"Severus…why are you glowing!" Harry exclaimed as he jumped out of bed, looking with wide eyes at the Potions master. "Wait…why am I glowing! What's going on?"

"Harry," Severus quietly began, "calm down and get back into bed and I will see if I can explain what's happening in a way you can understand. Some of this is what you'll be learning this year so it may still be over your head. I'm not sure I can explain all of this right now."

Poppy came running in from her office yelling, "What is going on in here? Severus, are you well?" The Healer noticed the green hue to Severus' skin not seeing that Harry was also the same shade. As she approached the bed where the patient was tucking back in, she looked at the two and wondered why Sirius was just standing there instead of keeping the situation calm.

"Poppy, I believe we need a little assistance from you," Sirius began. "Harry has just awoken and has had a bit of a shock. I have been explaining to Severus what I believe has allowed him to get to Harry this evening and Harry has over heard the conversation."

"So Severus, I see you have finally found your mate. It was bound to happen at some point, though I have to say, Potter is a bit of a surprise."

"Poppy! How did you know that's what we were talking about?"

"As Healer, I know when something like a pairing occurs. Sometimes I have to help the couple get together as it were and without knowing who is paired, I couldn't do that. Also, I'm a natural earth witch and can feel when a spell as powerful as that one is done."

"What spell? What are you all talking about and why was I green?" Harry yelled.

"Potter, lay down. You should not be exerting yourself in the manner."

"Poppy, can you take some time and explain to Harry what's happening while Severus and I go and talk to Albus about a few things."

"Of course I will," Poppy replied tucking in the boy. Sirius took Severus by the arm and led him from the room wondering how this would affect the coming school year and Harry's recovery.

"Harry, am I to understand that you and Severus have discovered that you are mates?

"That's what they all said," Harry mumbled, unable to look at the woman, "Sirius, Severus and my Mum. I just don't understand how that's possible. I mean, he HATES me and I certainly am not fond of him…"

"Your Mum?"

"Yes, while Sirius was talking with Severus I drifted back to sleep and then had a dream about my Mum and she was telling me about how she saw that Dad was to be her mate and she saw me with…him."

"Harry, I'm not so sure that was a dream. I believe you were talking with your Mum. Here, let me explain what I mean."

Poppy sat down in the vacated chair and sighed heavily. "Harry, how much do you know about your parents?"

"Not much ma'am."

"Ok, so when your parents came to Hogwarts, they did know each other. Your father and godfather were fast friends as they were placed in the same house during sorting. Your Mum saw your father at the sorting and realized who he was. When Sirius introduced the two at dinner the first night, they were immediately drawn together. When your Mum discovered she was adopted in the third year, she began doing research to discover her true parentage and found out she was a natural witch. She asked Minerva about this and Minerva referred her to me."

"So do I have family out there somewhere?"

"No unfortunately they have all passed. I do have some pictures for you and some others things but that's for later."

"When Lily came to me she was upset and confused so we spent many nights discussing what to do about the family and how to learn what she should have always known. I can help you as well, starting now."

"How is this different from what I'm learning in class? I mean, we learn about spells, transfiguration, divination, potions, what makes earth magic so different." Harry didn't understand what the big deal was. He just wanted some answers as. Was he stuck with Severus? Could it be a mistake? Can he get out of it? "I'm only 17…" he mumbled looking at the Healer with pleading eyes.

"Harry, I know you have a lot of questions right now but let's take them one at a time."

"Ok, am I locked into this mate thing?"

"Yes, but you shouldn't look at it like that. This spell has always been used to find the person who is your match in every sense. Magically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It's not a burden to know this, it's a gift. Severus is the one person in the world who will make you complete and you will do the same for him. You will make each other stronger and will always have someone who you can rely on. One of you will be more dominant than the other but you will always complement each other."

"How can we be mates if we hate each other so much?"

"Fate doesn't recognize prejudice and neither does magic. You two were destined to be together and whatever reasons you may have had to not like each other no longer pertain. Also, there is a fine line between love and hate and most people cannot see the difference, as they are such strong emotions."

"So we will just like each other now. Just like that? That doesn't make any sense."

"Harry," Poppy smiled, "you know how you and Ron and Hermione were instant friends? Well it's the same concept only romantically instead of just friendship. It will take some time to really understand the process but I think you already know what I'm saying is true."

"Yes ma'am, I believe I do. I just don't understand it. And how did my Mum know this?"

"Well Harry, our Lily was a very powerful earth witch. Beyond the power of the natural born witch, she tapped into the power in a way few ever have. It was in every pore of her being and therefore is also in you. When she had her dream about your father, I believe she astral projected to a field near where your father lived and that's how she saw him. He was in that field, at that time and in that place."

"Astral projection?"

"Yes, that's when your spirit leaves your body and travels where ever it desires. Many people believe that your body is just a vessel or case for your spirit which is the true you. Your astral self may not even look like your physical self does, for example, your astral self may not need glasses."

"Ok. So I get that but how did Dad not see Mum?"

"Well, your astral self is only visible to you or someone else in the astral plane. James wouldn't have known Lily was there unless she wanted him to. She could have spoken to him or touched him and he would likely have thought there was a breeze blowing or a bug on him."

"So, what happens now? Do I have to live with Severus?"

Poppy chuckled, "No dear, you don't have to move in with him, but it would be best, as you will need to spend some time together so you can get past whatever is between you. You will have to resolve old problems and learn to rely on each other in the future. I believe we will make that a part of your therapy and we'll have to inform Albus. I am going to recommend that you be given a room adjoining his in the dungeons, or separate rooms somewhere in the castle where you can be together on, how shall I say, neutral ground."

"What! Why?"

"Because it will affect your schooling as Severus will not be able to teach you. One of the advantages of the bond is you will be able to read his mind and there will be times he can read yours. This will greatly affect your final year."

Poppy got up and started to walk back towards her office while Harry sat with his hands in his lap looking gob smacked, thinking about how much had changed in such a short period of time, and wondering how his friends would react to these new developments.