I apologize for the long wait. I thought I was on vacation and apparently work can really dragged me in for days. Fear not! I got my vacation time for now!
Enjoy!
It was rather late when Severus and Harry returned home, but the potion master was tired. He went straight to bed and Harry felt content with their courtship. He still has one tomorrow and start the rest over next week.
As the morning arrived, Harry woke up to find the night went smoothly. He suspected that Severus hadn't slept in terror or felt unsafe. He suspected yesterday helped to work out some things for Severus.
Harry got dress and went out of his bedroom to find his fiancées in the kitchen. The long ginger hair swung her head to reveal a smile on her face.
"Harry!" Ginny ran up to him and hugged him.
Harry chuckled and hugged her back, "Ginny, my love, what has gotten you so chipper this morning?"
"Happy as all," She hummed.
His brow rose, "Why?"
She hummed and shrugged off his question. He kissed her forehead and waited for her to remover her arms off him.
"Did something happen?" His head tilted.
Ron rolled his eyes, "She's been trying to find out the fourth person." He took a sip of his glass.
Harry clicked his tongue, "Not telling who this person is yet, Gin, I'm not certain if I want to go further to court with. If I feel this person is one who I trust to fall in love as well, I will inform you all at once."
Ginny removed herself finally and went to help herself tea. Harry went over to Ron and gave him a kiss on a cheek. Ron nodded with a smile for Harry's action by loving him. Then he walks over to Severus and gave him a kiss as well. Severus glanced up and spoke morning. Harry smiled to see improvement and gave another kiss on the cheek since he was happy.
"I will be going out later, but any of you try to follow me will be sent back here." Harry collected a mug and took a sip.
Ginny grumbled, "Thanks for the warning, but seriously! What if the person is the kind that controls you way too much?"
"Doubt it. I had too much freedom since I last saw them. I think they'd like to keep me happy." Harry sighed, "I'll be fine."
"Says to someone who thought to have Miss Chang."
Ron snorted, "Not when she thought he'd be the next Cedric of her life. She cried too much."
Ginny nodded, "Too much. I'm sorry she lost her boyfriend, but the closest person that knew Cedric was Harry."
The savior blinked, "What? But he was a hufflepuff?"
"Loyal to the house, never the friends. He'll support and defend his people, but he wasn't close to anyone. He was afraid like anyone else." Ron muttered, "To be honest, rumors had it that he was supposed to be in Gryffindor and somehow bribe the sorting hat to place him into hufflepuff."
"How do you not know this, Potter?" Severus sipped his coffee.
Harry shrugged, "Beats me. I've been busy surviving."
Ginny shook her head, "Still had time to study, though."
Harry took a sip of his tea and let his fiancées talk about whatever they had to say. Ginny and Severus began comparing notes about what Harry didn't know right away. Ron commented a few things here and there, but he was listening. For the savior, he helped himself on breakfast since he needed to deal with a few things before the last courtship tonight. To take Lucius Malfoy out somewhere without the media being involved was the tricky part. That man had no use for rumors and talks about something irrelevant in his life. All he knew that courtship must be private either ways.
"I'll admit that the sorting hat did take into the account for me. He gave me a choice to choose between Slytherin or Gryffindor." Shrugged, "All I needed was to survive," Harry forked his scrambled eggs and placed it into his mouth.
Severus sighed, "Considering you are Lord Slytherin, it would explain how it is possible."
Harry agreed and the Weasely siblings decided to leave to wherever they planned to do. Harry found himself alone with his Slytherin fiancée.
"You did admit that at the beginning. Still, I chose the Slytherin as I expected of myself and no one else chose it for me."
"Could have landed in a Ravenclaw and they'd be terrified of you as well." Harry smug at him, "Where will I find you tonight if you'd be up?"
Severus' brow rose, "Either the library or my room."
Harry nodded and did not bother continuing since he did not wish to destroy this peaceful morning. Severus grew curious on the fourth mysterious person and determined to find out.
… … …
The evening was nearing and Harry prepped himself up nicely. His fiancées were in their rooms and leaving him alone. He walked out the Grimmauld and out of the ward's barrier. Once he reached the outside of the ward, he appariated to Malfoy's Manor. How he could forget such place when his friends were hunting for the final Horcrux and it was the snake. Hermione didn't like the idea of breaking into someone's home, especially when Voldemort could be there and prevent them from their mission. Unfortunately, nothing was successful and discovered a few enemies along the way. It didn't help to counteract against a dark artifact in their presence.
Harry walked up to the mansion and knocked on the door. A minute passed by and revealed the door by a small house elf. The little one looked up as their eyes gawked in fascination and bowed their head. The little hand gestured the way.
"Come in Master and Lord Harry James Potter. Flowery will take you to Lord Malfoy." She spoke softly.
Harry nodded and followed her. The way the entire mansion looked has barely changed aside from being cleaned. There was no blood or damages to be found through the hallways.
"Ah, Mister Potter, I was wondering when you'd arrived."
Harry glanced to his left, "It would be a disgrace to the Potter's name, if I failed to follow through one courtship with you. I did ask you out, did I not?"
Lucius walked over and waved at the house elf. She bowed and left them alone. Harry noticed how kind he was to Flowery and showed that war did have an impact to how to behave.
"True. So, where are we going?" Lucius smirked.
Harry took a deep breath, "I found a restaurant and I think this one will be different for both of us." His hand extended to the man, "Ready?"
Accepted the hand, "I have been to many restaurants, Mister Potter and surprising me might be difficult." Hummed.
Harry refrained himself rolling his eyes, but he knew he might be able to gather a reaction out of a man. He appariated them out of the mansion and to somewhere he held in mind. Lucius kept close by and stood graciously through traveling.
The place appeared to be surrounded by the forest. Lucius hummed and glanced at his courtship date. Harry offered his arm to the wizard and ready to led the way.
"No magic allowed," Harry whispered, "Muggle restaurant and one of the best."
The blond eyed him, "Oh?" He hadn't suspected that Potter would try muggle related or testing him already.
"You dislike public attention and false stories, correct?" Harry eyed at him in return.
Lucius smirked, "Clever. Let's see how you shall surprise me tonight."
Harry felt the man's arm linked with his' and led the way. Within a few feet, there was a beautiful building lined up as a hotel-like. The way it complimented nature itself and leaving human beings to gasp for the sight. They entered into a quiet, yet, busy restaurant. The host welcomed them in with a smile and led them to their table. They were placed by the window to provide a view to the landscape that ended with a lake. Where the sun would be ready to set in near hours.
The host left them with menu and mentioned their server will arrive in a few minutes for their orders.
Lucius hummed, "I had not imagine you'd take me to such…traditional ways, Mister Potter."
Harry glanced up at the man from his menu, "I hadn't realized I chose a traditional courtship. I thought what you might appreciate for the night. I suspected that most people would destroy privacy and impose a threat to either reputation or relationship."
"I see you're aware of the risk. The world does not see how intelligent you are." Licked his lips.
Harry nodded and tried to hold back blush, "It's really about surviving, though. Any information that Voldemort," Seeing Senior Malfoy flinched, "Might find useful and I could have been dead within seconds. It's always the need to survive."
"Of course. We all do what we had to do necessary. If I had said one word spoken against him, he would kill my son and my wife before me. Much the same as my son and wife would have done for me to survive."
Harry nodded and their server arrived. She took their drinks order and food order and left them alone. Lucius sighed and tucked the menu aside.
"Unfortunately, the rest of the world is concern what will become of us."
Harry tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"People are still judging one another, Potter. Muggles are the biggest issue in the matter and it was never about muggleborns. It was about muggles."
His shoulders dropped, "What about muggles? How do they present an issue?"
"Some wizards and witches feel that it is time we involved muggles and others are highly against them. It is the fact that muggles have dominant their world to maintain any form of magic and they do not take lightly to our kind."
The savior scratched his head, "Well, just have to find the right muggles that can be accepted into our world. Right there, we wouldn't be judged so easily. I mean…my grandparents adored my mum from what I was told and they're right out accepting. Then, my aunt who wasn't thrilled and thought it was unnatural. After all, I think she realized family ought to matter more than magic and she destroyed their relationship."
Lucius softly smiled, "Thinking of ways that we had not, Potter, and I supposed you're correct."
"Harry. But," Sighed, "It gets complicated on how our kind can react to them. We need to protect them."
"Lucius," Smiled, "You seem to understand the risks so well, but why?"
"Because we're all human beings. Just because we've got magic doesn't make us any better." Sheepishly smiled.
"Glad to know the war hasn't shift your belief into something worse. I was afraid I could house broken you into someone we shouldn't have to worry about."
Harry snorted, "If you hadn't noticed, I don't do much for attention."
Lucius rested his elbows on the table, "Good," Slowly leaned closely, "I'd hate to punish you if I need to."
Somehow, Harry felt choked up on those words he heard. Lucius knew what to say to make him feel like losing control. He couldn't let him get away with it! He leaned closely and managed a grip of the man's dark green tie.
"Careful, it'd be the other ways around." Slid his hand off the tie and rested against the chair comfortably, "After all, so much promises I've made in the past week and whether having you is worth it is the question."
The blond smirked, "My, who knew a Gryffindor could hold such a thrill for a Slytherin? You hold something behind you and leaving me to discover. Why?"
The food and drinks arrived and the server was quick to leave them alone. Harry casted the silencio charm to provide private conversation. They did not need to worry about muggles for the night.
Harry finished a sip, "What do you wish to gain from me with all this courtship? A truce, friendship, or…something else?"
Lucius nodded, "Cautious, aren't you…Harry?" First time to speak this name.
Harry nodded, "So I know where this is actually leading."
"I supposed," Moved his long blond hair behind him, "I fancy you, Harry, and I'd like to gain some form of relationship with you. I always admire my men in such bravery that does not exactly define Gryffindor."
He shrugged, "That's Hogwarts, but is that all? Seeking a relationship. Are you sure, Lucius?" Testing the water.
"If you do not fancy me, then we can end tonight. I'm certain what I am getting myself involved."
Harry took a sip of his drink and watched older man. The way he worded things felt too good to be true. To recall the way Lucius held him and kissed him was exciting for a change and he longed for another.
"Tell me about yourself other than you're rich." Hid his smirk behind the glass.
Lucius softly chuckled, "I find playing with my cryokinesis ability to soothe myself. It's fun when playing against fire and gives me a chance to cool myself down."
The emerald eyes blinked, "You could do that? Without magic involved?"
"Yes, one of the ability through Veela inheritance from generations ago. Not many in the family members could possess such ability."
Harry hummed, "Cool…" Realizing the choice of wording could have been better, "I can still speak snake's language."
"Ah, I was curious if that was true. You must have mastered enslaving several snakes except the enemy of yours'." Took a bite of his meal and his eyes fixated on the young savior.
A snort followed with a chuckle, "I wish. I was barely around snakes to do any of that, but I did save the day in my second year. I'm certain you remember that I'd be around to save the day and I said-"
"-Don't worry. I will be." Shuddered with a heavy breath, "The boldest move and most impressible response I'd never forget, Harry. You kept true to your words," Easing into his gentle smile.
The Gryffindor tilted his head, "Never knew I could leave some impression for you."
"I assumed my impression does not well for you," Lucius hummed.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Too many times…on your son's account. I'm telling my father!" Mocked the line.
Lucius chuckled and Harry was stunned. He made the man laugh already and it seemed there was no issue about Draco already.
"Oh, he used that excuse to get away whatever the issue is. Every time Narcissia did something he did not like or happy about, he cried out that he's telling me about it. Not that it had worked each time, but it made him feel secured in his world."
"Wow…never knew that. That explains it when he backed off one time with Hermione."
"…was it something that he's never fighting with her in his life could back my theory?"
"Mostly yes. He hasn't bothered to pick a fight with her since that day and only picked on Ron and me until the end of the school year."
"Ah, yes, the golden trio escaped and left us wondering where you three went for months. Draco said that he was glad you were gone or he'd be forced to follow through his' plan."
That was new. Draco didn't mention a word about saving the trouble before the actual plan could happen. There was so much potential that could happened and it did not. Lucius was telling the truth the entire time and it amazed him to no ends. Harry laughed as he eased into their conversation more and wondered where this might go.
"We had to leave earlier to protect everyone, but I had no idea how much protection we were able to give them." Shook his head, "The headmaster knew we had to and gave us all we needed to survive. It wasn't easy, but we did it. We were in hiding and hunting that held the soul of Voldemort and strengthen our magic."
Malfoy picked up his napkin and dabbed his lips, "It was the day you have returned that shocked us all. He was ready to kill thousands of lives and collect to enslave by his power."
"…good timing. He still killed my only family members I had left. I don't think I'd be happy to lose all the people I care about as well and he would probably suffer much worse before I killed him off." Snorted.
Somehow, Lucius agreed and drank his hot tea. He glanced to their window and seeing the sunset with its compliment colorful sky. Harry followed his action and for the first time, he hasn't seen such beauty. The way birds flew by without rushing or how animals crawling up the tree without a worry. All seem peaceful at one glance.
"I'd appreciate for a walk after this…if you do not mind, Harry?" Softly spoken.
Harry gulped, "Yeah. It looks like close to reach the lake, might be better up close."
"Well, I am satisfied. How about you?"
"Much the same."
Harry went up and sought out for their server for the night. He paid for it and met his courtship at the door. They left and found themselves walking on the trail that seemed to be ignored. As they took the route and observed their surroundings.
"It seems muggles have a way to leave nature alone." Lucius glanced around, noticing the bird nest and critters moving around.
Harry nodded, "Unlike us, we have ability to protect ourselves. They don't." Seeing mushrooms growing in odd pattern, "That and businesses has to protect their views, don't they?"
Before he could get an answer, his back was against the tree bark. Emerald eyes widened and directed at the grey eyes reflecting. His arms pinned down and the way Malfoy ready to devour him in a second.
"Of course…and it protects us to enjoy nature itself, Potter." Leaned in closely and pressed his lips against Harry's bare neck.
A gasp escaped Harry's lips and tried to grab a hold of Lucius. Everything felt cloudy in his mind and losing control. He wanted it all and needed it all. Lucius slowly moved to his cheek and lastly, the lips. There was a fight between them on the battle of tongues. Topping one another and it never seemed to end there. It felt like hours had went by and it was only a few minutes.
They broke up briefly and gasped for air. They did not dare to remove their sights off each other. Within a few seconds lip locking returned and no hints of dominance in the relationship.
"Lucius," Still somehow kissing, "We…need…to…talk," Gasped when he felt the grip from the older man.
The blond looked at him with full of lust, "Can it wait or you do not wish to go all the way?" Tilted his head, "There is no need to follow courtship since I was already married once."
"There is a lot you need to understand and I have to follow courtship…four of them." Sheepishly smiled.
"…" Lucius pulled himself straight, "…that's why you're willing to court me. You're seeking one of the four people. How many are you engaged to?"
"Three." Harry gulped, "You're not mad, are you?"
"No, I should have suspected you need titles to pass down and I thought perhaps two." He sighed, "I supposed the fun will have to wait. Did I pass your test?"
Harry chuckled, "Maybe…if you follow through another courtship? You'll have to wait a week, though. I haven't told them about you yet until I feel there is something between us."
"Do you?" The blond wasn't confident since it was soon to admit marriage already.
The savior glanced up, "You've got me going twice, Lucius and we're already first name basis." Shrugged, "I think there is something between us. You have to realize you'll be living with us and sharing the home and heirs and spare and-
"-I am aware how it works. I had to understand how courtship, engagement, and marriage works as I grew up in the pureblood family."
Harry sighed and realized how ridiculous he was being. He pulled himself away from the tree and looked at the man with a smile.
"Same time next week? You might end up being brought home if it goes well for both of us." Harry crossed his arms.
Lucius pulled his waists and grinned, "As long you keep your promises, I shall not worry."
Before the young man could say, Lucius appariated with a smirk. Harry gasped and choked with the result at the end. He hadn't expected that.
Harry took a deep breath and returned to his home. He noticed it was nearing midnight and it was a long night with the man. It was a first with someone he does not come home with. He knew he had one thing to do and he wasn't going to dismiss his promises. He noticed the library door was opened and lights dimmed. He entered in to see the man in his usual chair. The difference was…the book rested on his chest and his eyes closed. Harry shook his head and reached to the man's side. His fingers brushed through the dark long hair and almost stirred the man out of his sleep.
There was not a rush, but to see Severus in a comfortable sleep made him feel good. Just how worn out and safe he appeared to be. He carefully removed the book out of the man's hold to set on the table. Then, scooped him up slowly without waking him up. He headed upstairs and did not bother a word to utter. Sleep was too important.
As he passed through Severus' door, the man's head turned and looked up to see his fiancée carrying him to bed.
"Who?" Sounded too weak.
Harry set him down in bed, "Lucius," He whispered, "Now get to sleep. We can talk more in the morning."
"…you have a thing for older men, Potter?" Dozed off to sleep.
Harry softly chuckled and silently commented that he must have a thing for men. It was strange, but he figured the rest could sort itself out later.