Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We gain only amusement from writing this.

Warning: Destined mates, creature fic, angst from the puppies. After the last book only EWE and Sirius and Remus very much alive. Discussion on Snape's creature blood, shape-shifting. Remus and Sirius angst, Hermione friendship and mention/implication of Romione though there's no kissing or other stuff. Possible OOC but not too sure since a free and miserable Sirius probably acts differently than a confined and miserable Sirius. Dumbledore alive and kicking.

AN: Chapter fourteen, please enjoy.

SOULSONG

Chapter Fourteen.

Sirius smiled as his mate brushed gentle fingers over Teddy's cheek once more as the little boy slept then got up and left the room with Sirius. The animagus tugged Remus over to the fireplace and settled them in front of it. "Moony do you have any contacts in Australia?"

"I know a few wolves living there, most of them reside in the outback but they know the land." Remus replied and leaned his head on Sirius' shoulder as he watched the fire flicker. "I will have to write them and send the letters with transatlantic birds; they don't have fireplaces so floo is out of the question."

"I've got an albatross at the Hogsmeade post station, kept it out of paranoia. I think it'd welcome a good trip and he's fast. We've got two months and if I have to hop to Australia myself then Hermione's going to have her parents at graduation."

Remus lifted his head and kissed his mate. "I love you. I will sit down and right the letters tonight, we'll send them tomorrow. The wolves won't mind helping, you know how wolves feel about family. They'll be in touch and then we can decide if we'll have to take a trip down under or not."

"Just make sure to let them know that the Grangers are under a memory charm." Sirius returned the kiss lovingly. "I love you too Moony. And yes I know how wolves feel about family; I've got my own wolf now don't I?"

"That you do, I am all yours." Remus kissed him again before he summoned sheets of parchment and a quill and started to write. There was no reason to put off writing the letters when he could do it now.

Sirius just smiled and wrapped his arms around his mate's middle, rested his chin on Remus' shoulder and watched his wolf write.

~oOo~

Pansy was nearly cackling with glee as she watched from a window as Blaise got chased around one of the magical creature paddocks by a very angry mama unicorn. One of the first years had gone missing and Blaise, being Head Boy and trying to salvage his reputation, had gone looking. It had turned out that the eleven year old girl had spotted the unicorns and gone to get a closer look. Pansy wasn't really sure how it had transpired that Blaise had gone into the paddock but he had and he was regretting it, deeply. "Oh this is too good. One week away from graduation and this is a better present than anything else I could name."

"He should have known better than to go into a mother unicorn's paddock."

She jumped and spun round, having thought she'd been alone, and came face to face with her best friend's infatuation. "Ah Mr. Weasley. What brings you to Hogwarts?"

Charlie studied the girl who he'd heard endless praise from Draco about, as well as the occasional death threat on her behalf. "Hagrid's final class is on dragons and he asked my reserve to send a handler with one for demonstration. Since dragons don't like being moved too often and my little brother is graduating in a week I offered to come so I could see Ron cross the stage."

She lifted a brow, "And a certain silver haired Slytherin had nothing to do with that offer?"

He smiled, "It might have had a bit to do with it."

Her finger tapped on her lower lip as she took in Charlie Weasley's manner and attitude and then she nodded, "Right well I'll let you escort me to where Draco and Professor Snape are brewing some potion or another but I'll give you fair warning, you see the idiot out there?"

"Clearly and with great amusement."

"The agony he's been put through the last two months will seem like a walk through the Elysian Fields compared to what I'll do to you if you hurt my best friend in any way."

Charlie smiled and gave her a short bow, "I, Miss Parkinson, am not so stupid as to incur such wrath. On top of that I have no plans to do anything but make Draco happy."

"Good," she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and started walking, "so what species of dragon was brought?"

"One the school has seen once before, a Norwegian Ridgeback named Norberta."

"Oh mercy the one Draco tried to get found and caught in first year? The one Hagrid bought and hatched?"

"That's the one. She remembers Hagrid fondly...despite the fireball."

Pansy snorted, "Dragon greeting?"

"Exactly."

"Count yourself lucky then, as Draco is far less likely to toss fire your way." They reached the locked potion lab and she lifted a hand to knock, stepping back behind Charlie as she was rather certain that Draco would be sent to open the door.

Draco pulled his head out of the cauldron and the potion he was studying carefully to see if it would turn the smooth caramel color it was supposed to at the knock of the door. He didn't even bother to wait for Snape's order, he knew he would be the one to be ordered to open the door so it was just as well to go and do it directly. He ripped the door open, ready to tear into the person on the other side for interfering in the brewing when his eyes landed on tanned skin and red hair...As well as a grinning best friend.

Suddenly Draco became very aware that his hair was frizzy and his face had to be shiny from standing leaned over a cauldron for hours. Why did Charlie Weasley have to keep seeing him at his worst? Draco felt like stomping his foot in frustration and slam the door shut in the redheads face. That wouldn't do though. "Hello, you didn't tell me you were coming." Oh yes, that was smooth and articulate...Draco felt the stomping urges again and he cleared his throat. "Can I help you with something?"

Pansy giggled and just blew Draco a kiss when he shot her the death glare from hell before she practically skipped down the hall.

Charlie watched her go and then looked back at Draco, "Never let her get friendly with Fred, the world would never be safe again." He rested a hand on the doorjamb and leaned his weight comfortably on it, "I wanted to see you but if you're busy I can come back later."

Standing over the potion, Severus rolled his eyes and added the lacewing fly eyes. "Go Draco, you've made this potion three times already to my specifications."

Draco wasn't stupid enough to ask if his godfather was sure so he just mouthed a 'thank you' to Snape and hurried out the door, closing it firmly behind him. "So not busy anymore. I didn't expect seeing you here."

"Sorry, I wanted to surprise you. Hagrid's last class involves a dragon and where a dragon goes so too must a handler. I volunteered to come with Norberta."

"Norberta? Isn't that the dragon Hagrid hatched back in first year? The one that lead to the detention from hell?" Draco still had the shivers whenever the Forbidden Forest was mentioned. It was stupid since he'd met the Dark Lord much more intimately later on but that was still how he felt.

Charlie chuckled, "That's her. You did bring that detention on yourself, literally by going to get McGonagall when it was after curfew."

"I know, I know...I hadn't fine tuned my sneakiness and deviousness then, my mistake." Draco gave him a quick smile. "I assure you that I've improved greatly since then."

"I believe that." The redhead angled his head towards the exit, "Want to take a look at her? Or maybe Zabini is still running from the unicorn, that's a sight worth a laugh."

"Blaise is being chased by a Unicorn?" Draco chuckled darkly. "Good! I hope it skewers him somewhere unpleasant. As much fun as seeing Zabini hurt and humiliated is I think I choose the dragon today. Blaise will be available for entertainment tomorrow as well."

Charlie laughed and waved Draco along in front of him, "She's in the west woods behind Hagrid's hut, wants to be close to him."

"That's...Actually rather cute." Draco hurried his steps along and walked out onto the grounds with Charlie. "You'll make sure it doesn't eat me right?"

"I swear. I won't let Norberta turn you into lunch." He paused and draped his cloak around Draco. "That will help. If my scent is on you she's less likely to try and bite."

"Good to know." Draco wrapped the cloak tighter around himself and dipped his chin to breathe in the earthy, masculine scent. It smelled so good; Draco wouldn't mind burying his nose in Charlie's neck and get a wiff of the enticing scent right from the source.

Charlie saw Draco's expression and had to keep a smirk off his face as they made their way around the back of Hagrid's hut to where Norberta was laying down getting scratched under the chin by the half-giant. Charlie could help but chuckle, which of course drew the dragon's attention, a lazy golden eye opening and taking in first him then her tail curling around Hagrid as she saw Draco. Charlie put a hand on Draco's shoulder, "She still sees Hagrid as her mother but since she's so big and he's so little she'll treat him as one of the ancients who've lost their ability to breathe fire. She's also gestating so, very protective. Keep your voice soft and low and treat Hagrid as kindly as you would a little sister." He looked up and smiled at Hagrid. "I see you've been catching up well Hagrid."

"Aye, she's such a sweet n pretty little lass." Hagrid glowed with pride and adoration.

Draco smiled and bowed his head both at Hagrid and the dragon. "You have a really beautiful dragon there professor." He spoke as smoothly and softly as he could.

Charlie watched Norberta closely, the gentle flick of the tip of her tail, the flare of her nostrils and then shifting of her wings as she fixed her attention on Draco. She was on high alert but not poised to attack.

Watching the dragon carefully Draco stayed completely still, continuing to talk to Hagrid and Charlie in a low tone. Praising the dragon was easy since she really was beautiful and it seemed to make Hagrid happier than Draco had ever seen him.

Charlie relaxed as Norberta settled her wings again, though her attention didn't shift from Draco she was accepting his presence and seemed to enjoy his voice, the fact that he was stroking her vanity didn't hurt one little bit either. He chuckled as she preened just a bit but then picked her head up in a jerk as Hagrid walked over to them and pat Draco on the back with one large hand before tugging him over to Norberta. Charlie cursed just a bit and followed in Hagrid's footsteps in case Norberta had a less than happy reaction to the sudden closeness of Draco.

Draco was stiff as a board, he had no idea what Hagrid was thinking, he really didn't want to be eaten. When Hagrid picked up his hand and placed it on the dragon's neck he couldn't breathe. The scales were much warmer that Draco had thought they would be, smoother too and he splayed his hand over the shimmering scales, still scared to death.

Charlie dodged a fireball as Norberta sneezed before turning her head to more closely inspect Draco. She pressed her snout against the blonds' chest, breathing in and sniffed over every inch of his body. She jerked when she came to the marked arm and made a displeased rumble that made Charlie's blood run cold before a delicate nip had the shirt sleeve covering the mark shredded. Norberta sniffed at it closer, licked at it, then came nose to snout with Draco.

Charlie held his breath as the dragon and Draco stared at each other for eternal seconds.

"We understand each other, don't we pretty one?" Draco whispered and held the dragon's gaze as he reached up slowly and ran his hand over the side of her snout. "I'm not going to hurt you or anyone you love, just here to get to know you and see how beautiful you are." Right now he had forgotten all about Hagrid and even Charlie, in this moment it was just him and the dragon.

The dragon made a soft chirrup that nearly knocked Charlie on his arse and then nuzzled Draco gently before licking the blonds' cheek. She lifted her head, stretched it over to where Charlie stood, picked him up by the back of his shirt collar, then deposited him next to Draco, nudging them to stand close together. Then she went right back to nuzzling Hagrid and letting him pet and pat her.

Charlie blew out a long breath and leaned his head on top of Draco's. "Well, that was exciting."

"Yes, certainly not something you experience every day." Draco did his best to sound calm but his heart was racing, beating so hard Draco was fearing it would beat right out of his chest. "I thought I was dragon kibbles there for a while."

A snort came from Norberta even as Charlie chuckled. "You won't be turning into kibbles for any dragon, take a look," he slid his hand round Draco's wrist and turned his marked arm up so that Draco could see the dark wisps of ink that were shifting and moving into a new shape.

Silver eyes grew large as plates when he watched his mark of shame shift and turn into the form of a resting dragon. He had never heard of anything like this before, the Dark Mark was supposed to be permanent and impossible to remove or tamper with. Draco watched the dragon in awe, apparently there was older and more powerful magic out there than Voldemort could ever have imagined. Draco bowed gracefully to the dragon. "Thank you so much."

Another snort came from the dragon and Charlie laughed as he looped his arms around Draco's waist from behind, lifting him up and walking backwards as Norberta yawned and curled up to sleep. "Congratulations Silver, you've been adopted by a dragon. The first person to be adopted in a millennium if lore speaks true."

Feeling Charlie's arms around him made the indignity of being carried like a child worth it so Draco didn't demand to be instantly put down. "I am honored." That wasn't a lie, he truly was honored, he was proud and humbled that Norberta had found him worthy of such a gift. "I wonder what Father will say when I introduce him to my new mother."

Charlie snickered, "He'd damn well better be proud. That lore? Says that Slytherin himself was the last one to be adopted by a dragon." He nuzzled Draco's neck, unable to help himself.

"I'll have to lend you one of my manuals, it'll explain in more depth but basically, a dragon adopts a human who's suffered for bad choices and regrets them as a way of letting that human be 'reborn' there's a lot more to it of course but that's the basic."

Draco shivered from the light nuzzling; his neck was ridiculously sensitive, touch it right and he would be a pile of goo willing to do almost anything for more touches. He forced himself to focus and listen to what Charlie was telling him. "It's incredible and I can't explain it properly but it feels as if all of me is lighter, as if a big weight have been tossed aside. I would really like to read that manual."

"I'll get it to you tomorrow then." Charlie glanced over his shoulder when he heard three familiar voices. "Uh-oh, this ought to be interesting." He kept his arms around Draco's waist and lifted his head to call a greeting to his little brother, Harry and Hermione. "Keep your voices low you three."

Hermione froze at first the sight of Draco Malfoy in Charlie's arms and then at Hagrid waving cheerfully from where a sleepy dragon was blinking at them curiously. Her hand went to Ron's arm, holding tight when she saw him starting to turn red.

Harry hid his pleased grin under the collar of his jacket. It seemed as if his and Severus' matchmaking was turning out alright. As horrible as it was to say Charlie and Malfoy looked very cute together, they looked as if they belonged together like that. Of course Ron's reaction was highly amusing too.

Draco had stiffened as the sight of the Golden Trio but he didn't move to get away from the redhead holding him.

"What...How...Why?" Ron looked from Charlie to Draco like a lost puppy and his skin tone kept shifting from beet red to ghostly white.

"Problem little brother?" Charlie grinned at Ron.

Hermione squeezed Ron's arm in warning, "Erm we weren't aware you knew Malfoy. So it's a bit of a surprise."

Charlie hummed, "Well Draco and I have been corresponding for quite some time now, Oh and Harry you might want to," he broke off as a dragon tail wrapped around Harry's ankle and lifted him upside down bringing him over for Norberta's inspection, "Never mind. You three were there when Norberta hatched right?"

Hermione nodded as the dragon seemed to eye the star on Harry's forehead. "Y-yes, wh-what is she doing?"

The dragon handler chuckled as Norberta made a satisfied rumble and nuzzled Harry's cheek before setting him down in a heap. "Saying hello to her uncle."

Harry shook his head and waited for the blood rush from being held upside down to fade so that he could get back on his feet. "She's grown so big and gorgeous." Harry gave the dragon a beaming smile.

"She really remembers us from back then?" Ron kept one eye on his brother and the ferret but the rest of his attention was on the dragon. "Hey what do you mean you've corresponded? Whatever for? Does Mum know?"

Charlie's scoff rang in concert with Norberta's snort, "Of course she remembers you. Dragons have excellent memories and are a great deal more intelligent than most people give them credit for. You and Hermione best go on over before you either get picked up like Harry was or get the traditional fireball greeting. And since when, Ronald Weasley, do I have to explain who I correspond with and why to you?"

Hermione edged carefully closer to the dragon as Harry waved her over. When she was close enough she found herself swept closer with a tail and a large scaly head rubbing against her shoulder. She pat the dragon carefully on the head, rubbing the smooth scales gently, "H-hello there girl." She smiled at the happy rumble she got before blinking in surprise as she was nudged over near Norberta's belly. If she didn't know better she'd swear the dragon was rumbling proudly as she nudged her hand towards her belly. "Er Charlie what's..."

"She's gestating and you're her 'aunt' she's looking for female approval."

"You mean she's going to have a baby?" Hermione put her hand on the dragon's belly, feeling carefully and noticing a few hard forms underneath the hide. "Oh my." She stroked the scaly skin, "Congratulations sweetheart, you're going to make such a good Mummy."

"I'll be the best brother ever." Draco couldn't help himself, he had to say it if only to goad Weasel on. Besides it was true, he could already see himself doting on the baby dragons when they hatched.

Hagrid was weeping with joy and wiping his eyes with his beard. "I'm gonna be a grannie...I couldn't be prouder."

At the moment Hagrid sounded frighteningly like Molly and Harry couldn't help but wonder if the young dragons would end up with knitted boots and caps.

Charlie chuckled helplessly next to Draco's ear as Ron turned purple, "You are wicked."

Hermione pat the dragon on the snout and dashed to pull Ron over to say hello because, knowing her boyfriend's luck, if he didn't he'd get the fireball. "Draco's just twitting you Ron, besides I think he and Charlie look nice together, have you ever seen Malfoy so...well at ease?"

"No, but I don't trust him...It's Malfoy for Merlin's sake." Ron grumbled but petted the dragon gently. "Look at him; he looks so pleased with himself."

"It's none of your business Ron, leave them be." Harry was scratching a scaly neck. "Even if they do get together it's not as if you have to bugger Malfoy so what's your problem?"

"Oh god...You had to plant that image in my head didn't you; you git?" Ron groaned and looked a little green around the gills.

Hermione giggled, "Harry that was evil. Snape's rubbing off on you a bit too much I think."

"I could do so much with that comment but I won't lower myself to Harry's level" Ron said with a grumble and a grudging grin that grew wider when Harry turned pink.

Charlie rested his chin on Draco's should and watched the blissed out Norberta grow nigh comatose at the attention she was receiving. "I can't believe my brother let that shot go." He tsked, "He's way too much like Dad."

With every word Charlie spoke his breath washed over Draco's neck turning his knees watery. He really needed to start wearing polo shirts or something. "I would never have let something like that go, I would have run with it until Pans grew annoyed and hit me over the head. That's usually what happens."

The redhead grinned, he'd noticed Draco's reaction and filed it away for future reference, "Good, that's the way you're supposed to do it. After all if you're going to do anything, you do it right and go all the way. Don't you agree?"

Draco nodded. "If you're doing something do it right, thoroughly and for as long as you can last." Draco's answering grin took on a wicked edge.

"Oh it's no effort to keep it up for an entire night," Charlie snickered as Norberta pinned Ron down with her tail as Hagrid scratched between her wing joints, "especially when one is having fun."

"Mm, so true, it's nothing if you're not having fun." Draco agreed with a nod and watched in glee as Weasel struggled to get out from the heavy tail pinning him down, flailing and cursing.

"Excuse me Silver, I'd better go save my brother, if he dies my Mum will have my head but I intend to continue this conversation," he kissed Draco's cheek on impulse and went to rescue Ron, tickling Norberta's tail between scales so she shifted it off Ron.

It was very difficult but Draco managed to resist the urge to bring his fingers up and touch the kissed cheek. He was quite proud of himself for his restraint. Draco watched Charlie and Harry managing to get an almost blue Weasel out from under the tail.

Hermione was biting her lip and leaning against Hagrid trying to hold her giggles in as her boyfriend huffed and leaned against Harry as he tried to get his breath back. She walked over and started dusting Ron off, her hand sweeping across his back and down his backside, "How on earth did you miss dodging her tail?"

"It came out of nowhere!" Ron huffed out and pressed a hand to his ribs. "I was petting away happily when...Whooosh buried under dragon tail." Merlin that tail was heavy; Ron thought that he was very happy to leave the dragon wrangling to his brother. Norberta was beautiful and nice but Ron would rather admire her from a distance from now on.

Hermione giggled and kissed his cheek, "Well a Keeper isn't supposed to dodge I guess."

To be honest the whole forest could have fallen down around Ron's head and he wouldn't have noticed. He'd been too busy looking at Hermione to notice what was going on around him, her soft smile, the glow in her eyes as she petted the dragon and the way her hair fell down her back, thick and silky and oh so soft. He didn't think that he'd ever tire of watching her. "No we stand firm even in the eye of danger...Or dragon tails." Ron cupped her cheek with a large hand and brushed his lips over hers.

Hermione made a pleased sound at the kiss and hugged him, her head nestling on his shoulder as Norberta got enough of the petting and settled back down to sleep. He was loud and impossibly irritating at times but she'd not change him for anything. They struck sparks off each other but they fit, Ron fit her in a way that no other could or ever would. "I love you, you crazy man."

"I love you too, you know it all woman." Ron smiled at her and held her closer.

Harry watched his friends from the corner of his eye with fond amusement. He was so happy that they'd finally gotten together and that they were treasuring each other the way they were. Now that he had his mate he had a better understanding for the lovey dovey stuff as well. Oh yes, now he understood those feelings perfectly.

"As much as it kills me to say this they are actually sort of sweet together." Draco said after watching Ron and Hermione's love declarations. Maybe something was wrong with him, maybe he was sick because seeing Granger and the Weasel together didn't induce vomiting, instead Draco felt a fluttering feeling in his stomach when he watched them. To his horror Draco realized that it was jealousy. He wanted what they had, that sort of love and companionship. Even worse, he wanted it with a certain redheaded dragon tamer.

Charlie hummed, eyes dancing as he watched his little brother and Hermione. He looked over at Draco and felt his heart make a particularly painful thump in his chest. He'd always been the kind to know his heart and mind and he knew he'd already fallen for Draco Malfoy and fallen hard. He just hoped that Draco could perhaps fall for him as well. He knew that the blond wouldn't want to risk everything familiar considering how Arthur and Lucius felt about each other but he'd do his best to lat Draco know that he'd be right there to catch him. He reached up and pulled a leaf out of Draco's hair, "You're a special person Draco Malfoy."

"So I've heard." Draco gave a lopsided grin. "Usually followed by 'a one of a kind bloody git'." The blond shrugged. "You're pretty special too Charlie Weasley. I'm glad I've gotten to know you some and I wouldn't mind getting to know you even better." Draco didn't mean just physically, he really wanted to learn more about the other.

The dragon handler's lips twitched before settling into a simple smile, "Well what do you say to dinner in Hogsmeade then?"

"Dinner in Hogsmeade sound like a good start. It's not Paris but I suppose it will have to do." Draco smiled again, a softer smile this time. "Dinner sounds great actually."

"Well I'd offer Paris but as you're stuck at Hogwarts for another week, it will have to be Hogsmeade. But I'll give you a rain check for Paris if you want, do you like the food at La Sirène D'or?" Charlie tugged gently on a bit of blond hair.

"Do you want me drooling all over you? For the food at La Sirène D'or I'd be willing to do almost anything. The first time I was there as a child though I threw a terrible tantrum. I thought they only served actual mermaids and refused to eat. Father was crossed with me for a week." Draco gave a sheepish smile. "Hogsmeade isn't too bad either...When the company is right."

Charlie grinned, "Tomorrow then? I'll endeavor to be the right company."

"Tomorrow." Draco agreed with a nod and a smile. "Make sure you do, I'll try to keep from being dreary and dull myself."

A low laugh came from the redhead and he leaned in to murmur in Draco's ear, "I don't think you could be dull and dreary if you tried Silver." He straightened and tugged on a bit of Draco's hair again then looked over his shoulder at the other eighteen year old students. "Alright you lot, let's head out and let Norberta sleep before she starts snoring, which is accompanied by spurts of fire."

Hermione jolted a bit from the calf-eyes she and Ron were giving each other and blushed over the fact that she'd gotten so distracted. "Right um, dinner will be soon won't it? We'd best go freshen up."

"Right, right...Dinner yes." Ron agreed hurriedly, blushing as well.

Harry snickered, finding his friends both annoying and adorable all at the same time. "Thank you for letting us see Norberta." Harry thanked both Hagrid and Charlie before tugging on Ron and Hermoine's sleeves to get them moving. "Hope to see you some more while you are here." He waved at Charlie.

"I should get going too." Draco gave the sleeping dragon a fond look. "I want to show Severus my new mark." He rubbed his forearm, where the new dragon mark still tingled a little.

Charlie traced a finger over it, "Alright. I'd walk with you but I need to set up a few more anti-fire wards here so Norberta doesn't set the forest ablaze while she sleeps."

"It's okay, I do think I can manage to make my way up to the castle all by myself." Draco grinned and pulled his arm away from Charlie's grasp with reluctance. "See you tomorrow if not before." Draco turned and hiked back to the castle and Snape's classroom, hoping his godfather was still there.

Snape tapped his wand against his palm and glared at the chemical composition he was mapping out on the board for the final NEWT test tomorrow. He was not about to make this easy on the cretins, not hardly, but it did have to be passable.

Draco knocked on Snape's door and waited for permission to enter before he walked inside. "I'm sorry for rushing off before; I hope the potions turned out alright." He walked further into the room. "Something very strange happened to me though." Draco pondered how he could explain what had happened. "I got licked by a dragon...And apparently adopted."

Severus hummed absently and added another thing to the board, "It's fine the potions turned out..." he paused and turned towards his godson, "Repeat that last sentence."

"I got licked by a dragon, a Norwegian Ridgeback and according to Charlie I got adopted." Draco repeated, knowing how crazy it must sound. "Look." He rolled up his torn shirt sleeve and showed his godfather his changed mark. "One lick and it changed, now it only feels warm and like it belongs there."

The potion master leaned in to peer closely at the new mark and smirked in amusement, "Not just a lick. Mr. Weasley is correct you were adopted; you wouldn't have felt the magic the dragon used unless you were trying to at the time. Dragon magic is entirely too subtle to notice it without actively trying to." He turned back to the board and marked a few final things down. "Your father will be impossibly big-headed now, not that he wasn't already but now it will be unbearable."

"What does it mean though? Charlie knew some of it and he will lend me a handbook but I'm still curious." Draco pulled down his sleeve again. "Will I have to do something?"

Severus shook his head, "No, aside from live your life to the fullest there is no obligation you have to fulfill. The dragon chose to adopt you as an adult and accepts that you live your own life. The adoption was to magically free you of the bonds causing you pain from mistakes made in your past." He moved to sit on the corner of his desk. "Slytherin was adopted by a dragon when he was seventeen, hence your father's impending big head, and it's rumored that the adoption is what allowed him to speak Parseltongue. You may find yourself with a new gift or two, likely not Parseltongue as gifts vary from adoptee to adoptee."

Draco listened intently. "I just don't see how she could find me worthy of something like this." He looked up at his godfather. "We both know I'm not the best of persons. I'm not a hero like your little mate and I'm not even all that pleasant to other people. Of course I am humbled and grateful but I don't understand why."

"Because you're thinking that you've had to do something to be worthy of her adoption. You don't. It's the same as a human couple walking into an orphanage to adopt a child, none of the children there are more or less worthy of being adopted but out of them all the couple will choose one who touches their hearts more than any other child there. It's not a question of worth."

"I suppose not, you're right." Draco knew Snape was right but he still felt like he had to earn this somehow, try to live his life better than he had been. He had no illusions, Draco had no intentions of turning into a saint or even worse...A potter wannabe but maybe he could stop living in fear of what other people thought. Screw them, screw his father if he didn't approve of the one Draco had chosen. Draco wanted Charlie Weasley and he was not going to let fear stand in his way.

"The last time I saw that particular expression on your face Draco, you had decided to go against Voldemort." Snape set about charming the classroom clean. "What have you decided this time?"

"I have decided to go after what I want, consequences be damned." Draco gave him a sly smile. "Do you have any suggestions on how to seduce a dragon tamer?"

The older man shook his head in amusement, "No but, if what I've seen on Charlie Weasley's face is any indication, you won't have to work hard at it. Just be yourself because it seems he's more than interested in you."

"You really think so?" There was a sliver of insecurity in Draco's voice. "I've been on my best behavior with him, what if he doesn't like the real me?" He didn't like feeling like this, Draco was usually content with who he was but he couldn't help thinking that maybe Charlie was too good for him.

Severus raised an eyebrow, "His little brother is Ronald Weasley, even on your best behavior I can assure you he knows of your worst and he's not avoided you now has he?"

"True." Draco shook off his feelings of not being enough, he was Draco Malfoy, he could do anything. "Thank you for listening. I should go change my shirt before dinner; a Malfoy doesn't show themselves in public with torn clothes." He gave his godfather a thankful smile.

The potion master nodded, "Of course." After his godson left he went to his own quarters to shower and change into clean robes, it had been horrendously hot in the dungeons today and he'd been splattered with more than a few botched, thankfully benign, potions, it made for an unpleasant aroma rising from his robes. He tossed the sullied robes into the hamper and stepped under the cool water of the shower, tilting his head back to let it spatter against his face.

Harry watched his mate's naked form through the foggy glass of the shower, wishing he could shed his own clothes and join him but there wasn't time for that sort of thing before dinner was upon them. He could admire though, and dream. "Rough day?"

Severus smiled, hearing his mate's voice, having already felt Harry's presence he wasn't startled. "Hm, no. Just hot, and messy. A first year tipped her pepper-up potion over. I'm still trying to discern how it managed to cover half the class and myself."

"The talents of students and potions spills is a mystery that will forever be unsolved." Harry smiled and reached for a towel and hung it where Severus could reach it easily when he was finished. "I had a good day myself. I petted my dragon niece, saved Ron from being crushed by her tail and I got to see Ron turn purple as Charlie held Draco in front of him."

"Ah you missed Draco's adoption then?" Severus' lips twitched. "And niece?"

"I'm Norberta's uncle." Harry stated proudly. "Hagrid is her Mum...Adoption? What adoption? Malfoy was sprouting some nonsense about being the best brother but I thought he was just taunting Ron as usual."

"That was probably one aspect." The older man shut the water off and slid the shower door open, grabbing the towel to rub himself from dripping to just damp. "But Norberta, Merlin what a name, adopted Draco before you came round today from what I can gather." His lips twitched in amusement, "Now what does that make you I wonder, if you're Norberta's uncle and Draco is her adopted kit?"

"Oh Merlin...I'm Malfoy's great uncle, the git's family now." The look on Harry's face was priceless. "Don't make me ponder things like this," he complained to his mate. "It'll give me nightmares."

The naked, and still damp, potion master stepped close and hauled Harry up against his body to kiss him briefly, "You became related to him as soon as you mated me. He is my godson remember?" he released Harry and took up his wand to cast a drying charm, sneering at his reflection in the mirror when his hair took on the wild feathered appearance that it always did when clean of the oil he used to weigh it down.

"I know that, I've just done my best to repress it." Harry licked his lips, tasting the kiss and he walked over to stand behind his mate, leaning his chin on the taller man's shoulder. "I love your hair like this." Harry reached up and ran his fingers through the wild feathery strands. "You look adorable and insanely hot at the same time."

"It's impractical around potions." He closed his eyes and leaning into the stroke of Harry's hand, "Not to mention the entire student body, as well as your dogfather, would likely have an apoplexy should I appear as anything but the 'greasy git' of fame. Not to mention that when it's medium length as it is now it makes it difficult to manage."

"I know, I still love it though." Harry continued to play with the soft hair as he placed a soft kiss on the smooth skin of the shoulder in front of him. "Besides, I kind of like that I'm the only one who get to see you like this, it speaks to my possessive streak." He smiled against the patch of skin he had just kissed.

Severus smiled as well and turned to nuzzled his nose against Harry's. "Good I like it when you're possessive." He moved away, "Unfortunately there's no time to play before dinner but afterward I fully intend to lock you and I into my chambers for the night." He cast a glamour on his hair so that it appeared the same as always but he wouldn't have to wash it again and set about dressing himself.

"I look forward to being locked up and played with." Harry grinned wickedly and walked towards the chair where he'd tossed his robes before pulling them on so that he was ready to go to dinner. "Perhaps you'll even have to tie me up so that I don't run away." He looked over his shoulder and winked at Severus as the older man got dressed.

Dark eyes lifted, flashing searing, hungry blue for just an instant, "I think I may take you up on that suggestion, minx."

It still thrilled Harry to see that spark of hunger and want in his mate's eyes. He was still in humbled awe that anyone could want him and he was so very grateful that Severus did, and he was so very grateful that Severus did, that his own hunger and want was answered. "I hope that you do, see you in the Great Hall." Harry smiled again and left Severus so that his mate could finish getting ready.

An almost purring hum came from the potion master as he watched his mate leave the chamber. He'd have liked to have sat with Harry for dinner but students weren't allowed to sit at the Head Table and he couldn't sit at the Gryffindor table. He rolled his shoulders and finished dressing. One more week and he'd be eating with Harry every night so he could wait, impatiently but he could wait. He'd already planned their travel destinations, not only arranging for himself to get his potion ingredients but time for sightseeing for Harry. He swept from the room and made his way to the Head Table settling in for a long meal of nibbling on the decadent food the elves provided and Harry-watching.

TBC…

AN: Thank you so much for reading; we would absolutely love to hear what you think. See you next chapter.