Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any profits from posting this fanfiction.

Summary: Non-Epilogue compliant. A depressed, lonely Harry literally stumbles into a man who seduces him with answers to Harry's problems, hands him the promise of happiness…and an invisible shackle to a gilded prison. With answers he hates in his hand will Harry be able to find the elusive happiness he deserves?

Pairings: HP/GW. HP/OMC. HP/OFC. HP/TH (Terrence Higgs). HP/Other Rowling Characters.

Chapter 21 - Mating

Harry waved as the last person exited through the floo and then he threw himself into the sofa and leaned his head back. Eyes pinned on the ceiling Harry felt a grin rush across his face and happiness bubble up in his chest.

He was going to get his son!

The Sárkány family had stood side by side with Harry and told the council in no uncertain terms that Harry was part of the family now. He was mated to Jory and although the final act of mating hadn't been completed all the magical essence of the mateship bond were in place, were stable and were powerful. The council had been left with no choice but to accept his mating and award him custody of his child when it was finally born.

"This calls fer more beer!" Aengus boomed and his heavy footsteps thudded on the floor as he made his way over to the alcohol cupboard.

"Ooh! Ooh! I want a cocktail! Gimme a cocktail Gussy!"

"Make yeh own damn cocktail yeh lazy bugger! Ah'm making man drinks." Aengus responded with a derision filled snort.

"Might I propose a toast then?" Terence asked and Harry lifted his head to look at the man.

"Wait ah minute! Yeh cannae be havin' a toast wi'oot alcohol!" Aengus interrupted and quickly bust the caps off some bottles of beer. He went around the room giving them out to everybody except Maggie and Merton. Harry took a sip of his but his eyes were drawn to Terence who had his beer bottle held aloft.

"A toast now then, if you please." He said and Aengus lifted his beer bottle high with a cheeky grin.

"Aye, a toast teh what?"

"To Harry! To beating the council and getting his son back. To Harry Potter, our newest mate." Terence said and brought his beer to his lips.

"Here here!" Aengus agreed then downed the entire bottle of beer and proceeded to grab two more from the cupboard.

"To Harry." Su said with a happy smile.

"To Harry!"

"You could have waited till I had my cocktail Terry! I've got nothing to toast with!" Merton complained and continued mixing his cocktail together.

"A very appropriate toast." Jory said and Harry smiled up at the man. He had a very satisfied grin on his face and was sat in his arm chair looking every bit a man content with everything in the world.

Harry had to admit he felt that way too. Everything in his world was turning around now for the better…finally! It had taken a long time but it had finally happened. No more Saladin, no more stupid council trying to rule his life, he was getting his son as soon as he was born and now he was even free to return to England if that was where his mateship took him. He no longer had to stay in Petra. And it was all thanks to Jory.

Well, to Jory and his family. The wonderful family that Harry had been blessed to join.

"You look completely happy drágaságom. I am glad." Jory muttered and took another sip of his beer. Harry smiled at him not really feeling like he wanted to say anything. He was happy. He was. Happier than he remembered being in ages. He took another sip of his beer. There was nothing that could make him happier than he was right then…

And then Harry paused. There was something that could make him happier. He wanted a kiss. He really wanted a kiss. And a hug. He wanted a celebration and he wanted to thank Jory. Harry put his bottle down and summoning all his courage up he stood. It took a lot to keep focused on his task and not allow his anxiety to creep in on him. He approached Jory slowly, Jory was distracted and didn't notice at first but as Harry came to stand by Jory's legs the Dragonette snapped his attention around and blazing yellow eyes consumed Harry.

"Harry?" Jory questioned but his tone was light, happy and amused. It boosted Harry's confidence to hear the welcome in there too. He leaned down and climbed onto the sofa straddling Jory's lap. The dragonette's eyes went wide with surprise and he immediately dropped his beer to the coffee table by his elbow and put both his hands on Harry's hips.

"Thank you for today Jory." Harry whispered. There was no need for loud words now, not when he was as close to Jory as he was. "I haven't been as happy as this in ages."

"You are most welcome drágaságom." Harry nodded to acknowledge the acceptance of his gratitude. He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves for the next thing he was going to do.

"A kiss would make me happier though." Harry managed to stutter out in barely more than a whisper. Jory's eyes went momentarily wider then narrowed and a satisfied smirk spread across his face.

"Then a kiss you shall have mate." Jory muttered back then leaned forwards and kissed Harry. Harry groaned into the kiss allowing Jory to take and give the kiss as he pleased. Harry shut his eyes and focused in on the sensations created in him by the caress and love of Jory's kiss. He wound his arms around Jory's neck and held him closer.

Harry gave a short sound of disappointment when the kiss broke a part and leaned his forehead into Jory's. The Dragonette was still clutching him fiercely and Harry was beginning to feel a hardness developing beneath his read. Could he do what he wanted to do though? Could he? Honestly? He wanted to. Or he wanted to at least try. But could he? And would Jory want to try, even knowing that it might not be possible? It might be a push too far?

Harry opened his eyes and looked down into the yellow eyes that were gazing at him so intensely it was like Jory was trying to read his thoughts off Harry's face. Harry took in a deep breath once more and grasped the tired remains of his courage. He gave Jory a brief kiss and then slowly climbed off the dragonette's lap. Jory frowned as Harry scooted backwards and to his feet but he reached out and took the hand that Harry offered him.

"Harry?" He questioned and Harry tried to smile but his nerves were getting the better of him.

"I want…" Harry's voice shook and he had to swallow and lick his lips trying to stall for time while he got his nerves under control. Butterflies were hammering like woodpeckers inside his stomach and Harry could feel his muscles trembling. "I want to try to…is that okay?"

He couldn't say it. He just couldn't say it. His courage failed him and his nerves overruled him. He at least managed to form the base of the question though. Jory frowned trying to work it all out and Harry bit his lip stepping close to Jory. He hoped Jory wanted this too, he felt like a complete fool at the moment. Harry took Jory's hand and then, with a trembling arm, he pulled Jory's hand behind his back and placed it on his rear.

"Jory please, I want to try. I mean, only if you want to as well but I…please?" Harry stuttered and Jory's eyes became an inferno, flaming and hot and raging.

"Oh drágaságom I would like that more than anything else in the world." Jory breathed and pressed a little harder on Harry's rear. Harry felt the touch like a branding iron through his trousers and it sent another jolt of worry through his body.

"I might not be able to but I want to try. I'm sorry, it's a big thing and I really want to but I'm still worried."

"Then we should wait." Jory said carefully and with intelligence behind the burning inferno now. Harry shook his head.

"No! I'll be worried whether we try now, tomorrow, a week from now or years down the line. I want this but the only way to not be worried about it is to get used to it, like I did with all the other things. Please Jory?"

"I would love nothing more than to do this with you, my drágaságom, but you must be entirely honest with me at all times. I am aware of what you must be feeling. I can feel the tension in your every muscle. However I can see what's in your eyes too and I would never deny you. Promise to be honest, to be completely honest with me." Jory insisted and Harry nodded.

"I will I promise." Harry breathed, relieved and more nervous than ever because now the cause for his worry was closer.

"Ah my dearest Harry, you are my treasure. Come, let us go to the bedroom." Jory linked their fingers together and then walked with Harry to the bedroom. As they passed Terence and Aengus Harry shot out a hand and grabbed Terence's hand.

"Come with us? Please? All of you?"

"Harry, this should be between you and Jory." Terence said slowly and Harry shook his head again and looked to Jory who was watching with a smile on his face.

"Can they come with us? I want all of you there even if I can't…I just want to be with you and the mateship and I don't want anyone excluded." Harry explained and immediately Merton was on his feet jumping up and down.

"Yes. Everyone should come." Jory said and swept in to kiss Harry gently. "You surprise me Harry but it means a great deal too."

"Is it okay?"

"It is perfectly okay."

"You aren't offended?" Harry asked to clarify and Jory laughed, shaking his head.

"I could never be offended by your request for all of our loving mates to gather to make love." Jory said with delight in his voice and his eyes. Then Jory looked over his shoulder as he continued to escort Harry to the bedroom. "Terence, have words with Merton before he comes into the bedroom."

Harry didn't ask what Jory wanted Terence to talk to Merton about. It didn't really matter in the end anyway because he lost track of the thought when Jory opened to door to the bedroom and gently pulled Harry into a needy loving kiss. Harry gave himself over to the sensation and despite his nerves he tried really hard to relax.

When Harry woke up the next morning it was to Merton snoring as he lay on his back in the bed. Harry groaned and rubbed his eyes. He didn't know what time it was but he really needed the toilet. He pushed himself into sitting up and immediately winced.

"Sore?" Harry jumped a mile at the voice and then gave a short sharp cry of pain as lightning shot up his back. Terence, who was awake and watching with a half awake Su resting on his chest, gave Harry a prideful smile. Harry felt his cheeks flame a brilliant hot red.

"Yeah." He mumbled and looked away from Terence and Su. A small hand slid up his arm and around his neck. He turned his head back to look at them and noticed Su had risen to her knees in front of him.

"Wear it proudly. You are part of us now." She said with a smile and pulled Harry into a kiss. It was sweet, as all his kisses with her had been. It was sweet and careful but she had lost a lot of her timidity now and so had he. She kissed him with the gentle surety of his reciprocation in the kiss. And he did reciprocate. Loving the affection and the love communicated in that kiss Harry caressed her back and one of her thighs in encouragement. She shifted her body closer and Harry felt himself sliding against a very intimate area of her body. He paused the kiss and pulled back a little. She gyrated her body once more and Harry closed his eyes and shuttered a breath. Ooh that felt good. But…

"Harry?"

"S-sorry. I need the toilet." Harry mumbled to the question and he opened his eyes to look at Su. She had a peculiar look on her face so Harry rushed to explain. "I'm not saying that to escape or anything, I just I really, really need to use the loo."

"Haha." Su laughed and allowed herself to drop down to the bed. He gave a rueful smile and she grinned back at him. Terence was grinning too.

"Sorry."

"No it's fine. Go and take care of yourself and then…come back." Su said, lowering her voice on the last two words. Harry groaned and scrambled to the edge of the bed. He jumped out as best he could and ignored the discomfort radiating from his rear as he crossed the room to the bathroom.

Shutting and locking the door he used the toilet quickly and washed his hands. The long mirror in there gave him a good look at his entire body, naked as the day he was born. He couldn't resist turning around and seeing if the discomfort from his arse was because of a tear or something. He flushed a very bright red when checking meant he had to bend over a little. Thankfully there was nothing visibly wrong, just redness. Harry was greatly relieved. The sex had been amazing, when they had finally made it to full blown sex. Harry had been terrified but he kept trying and kept trying. The only marks he had from the previous night were the tiny scabs on his lips from where he had bitten them so much.

It had taken a long time, gently trying again and again but Harry had finally had sex with Jory. Full blown penetrative, glorious sex. He was glad he had the other mateship there, he felt more comfort with them around him because when he was surrounded by all of those people he couldn't possibly be in Saladin's bedroom. Saladin had never raped him with other people around. At different points the others in the mateship had broken out into their own rounds of sex or kissed Harry or Jory or touched them both. It was very much a mateship gathered enjoying each other and Harry had loved every minute when he had finally relaxed and let himself enjoy it.

Knock knock knock.

Harry frowned at the bathroom door and quickly crossed to it. Unlocking it he opened the door and found Su and Terence standing there completely naked and wearing slight frowns.

"You guys okay?" Harry asked trying to look past them into the room to see what might have caused the frowns. Terence clicked his tongue and stepped forwards.

"We were going to ask you the same thing." He said and Su pulled her wand flicking it here and there casting different spells. When Harry tasted peppermint inside his mouth he knew what she was doing.

"Yeah I'm okay, why?"

"You took a very long time for a simple toilet break." Su explained and stepped further into the bathroom, pressing her chest and stomach against Harry's. He swallowed a few times and had to blink to maintain some brain function as she deliberately pushed against a very reactive part of his body.

"Oh well I was…um…checking something." He blurted and Terence raised a speculative eyebrow.

"Checking what exactly?" Harry felt heat flame in his cheeks and he looked away from the perceptive clever man. He had to look at the floor off to the side of him too because Su's deep brown eyes were staring intensely at him as well.

"I was checking my…um…" Harry didn't finish, there was no way he was going to be able to confess what he had been doing. He didn't have to though. The two in the room with him seemed to know what he meant anyway. Su pressed a kiss to his collar bone and Harry jumped a little when he felt a larger hand slide down his back to his buttocks and then a probing finger slid between them.

"Are you that sore? Did Jory hurt you last night?" Terence enquired and Harry frantically shook his head.

"No I'm not really that sore. I'm just very aware of it." He said then chuckled self depreciatively.

"Well then. Let's take your mind off of it shall we?" Su said and slid a teasing hand down his chest then lower and lower to cup him in her hand. Harry muttered a small groan and his eyes slid half shut. She gave him a wicked smile. "Let's have a bath. Come on."

Harry, feeling like half of his brain had short circuited, followed after her into the far room at the end of the bathroom. Once inside Su crossed the room and started turning on every tap there was connecting to the gigantic bath tub.

"Well, I would say strip for your bath but you are already wonderfully naked." Terence said sliding his hand from Harry's back, up over his shoulder and then down his chest. The arm tightened and pulled Harry one tiny step back bringing him flush against the front of Terence's body. Harry felt Terence twitch against his buttocks and froze for a second. Terence didn't 't seem to notice, or if he did he already had his next move planned out. Terence pressed an open mouth kiss to the base of Harry's neck and scraped just the tiniest hint of teeth across Harry's skin. Harry shuddered and sagged into the touch.

"Terry…" He moaned and Terence pressed another kiss, this time in the juncture between Harry's neck and shoulder. Harry bit his lips and gave a muffled cry.

"Oh boys…" Su sang and Harry peeled his eyes open. He hadn't known he had shut them. What he saw made them fly open fully in shock and marvel. Su stood in the dead centre of the bath tub. The water was pooled around her immersing her up to the top of her thigh but what it didn't cover was left visible to Harry and Terence and, oh, it was a tantalising sight. Naked and waiting Su stood there with a seductive smirk on her face. She had tilted her head forwards and was looking at them from under her eyelashes. She had obviously dipped herself under the water too because her hair was clinging to her body running rivers of water down her beautiful naked skin. The rivers ran over her and one river had made a sinful path down over her nipple then down and down slipping between her legs.

Harry gulped and Terence's body rubbed against his back as Terence got more and more aroused. Harry could feel his own arousal rising too. He wanted nothing more than to get into the bath with Su.

Terence released his hold on Harry and gave Harry's ear a tantalising kiss. "Let's go and make love to our sinfully sexy siren of a librarian." He whispered and Harry nodded.

"I've never seen a librarian look like that." Harry whispered which garnered him a laugh from Terence. Quickly but carefully they climbed into the bath and slid down under the water. Once Harry resurfaced and slid onto the seat he found Su standing right in front of him. He swallowed and looked up at her in wonder, anticipation and the slightest bit of fear. She smiled at him and put one leg on either side of his body. She sank down to sit on top of him and then pulled her knees up onto the seat to either side of his body. Her hands slid over his shoulders and she slowly, deliciously, slid her body along his legs till she was sitting right over his arousal, her chest brushing his as she inhaled.

"Harry…" She whispered and leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. She pulled back way too soon in Harry's opinion and he tried to follow her lips but she pulled back to say something. "I want to make love to you."

"O…okay." Harry whispered and slid his hand up to her neck pulling her into a kiss. She moaned and slid both of her hands through his hair holding him tightly into the kiss. She rocked her body up, down, forwards, backwards and then from side to side. Harry felt his breath hitch in the kiss as she kept up those movements driving him crazy beneath her. She then hitched her breath, pulled from the kiss and moaned. Harry blurrily opened his eyes and saw Terence sat beside them both and one of his hands was moving. Harry felt a brush against his thigh and then as Su moaned again Harry felt the hand that Terence had been using slip down to fully rest on his thigh. He held his breath as Terence's hand slid around weaving ticklish and arousing patterns on his thighs. As Terence's hand wrapped firmly around Harry's arousal though Harry involuntarily thrust his hips up.

"Yes Harry." Terence said and pumped once, twice, three times. Harry held in the whimper that was threatening to spill out and stared pleadingly at the man. Terence just smiled and with his hold on Harry's arousal he moved it ever so slightly so the tip of it was pressed against something hot and silky.

"Ooooh." Su said and rolled her hips once more. Harry gasped as that increased the sensation. Su continued to roll her hips for a moment more then she started to sink down and all Harry could do was throw his head back and gasp as his senses were overridden by the intense feelings of bliss radiating from his groin.

An hour or so later Harry winced as Terence pulled back and slid from Harry's body.

"Merlin…coming out is so much harder than going in." He muttered and slid forwards so he rested his chest up against the side of the bath clinging to it to keep himself up.

"Oh really?" Terence chuckled and collapsed sideways to sit next to Harry. Su giggled from where she sat on Harry's other side pressing kisses to his shoulder. Harry turned his head and looked at her, giving her a blissful sleepy smile. She shone one right back at him and pressed another kiss to his shoulder. Harry lifted and turned his head to the other side to look at Terence who was sat there, face upturned to the ceiling and his eyes closed like he was savouring the moment.

"Thank you." Harry whispered to him and reached out a hand to slide it behind Terence's neck and pull him in for a kiss. Terence opened his eyes and raised his eyebrow in question.

"Hm?"

"For being patient with me." Harry mumbled and Terence clicked his tongue, taking a slow but deep kiss from Harry.

"Patience is one of my many virtues Harry. However with you just know that it was not patience that has held me back it was love."

"Oh." Harry said.

"Yes, love Harry." Su agreed and kissed his shoulder again with a hotter kiss.

"Okay then. Thank you for loving me." Harry muttered feeling red and flustered but happy. Very very happy.

"And thank you for loving us, so spectacularly well. Don't you agree Su?"

"Oh yes." She said and Harry turned his face to her and she leaned forwards accepting his invitation for a proper kiss.

"You're welcome."

Emerging from the bathroom took a lot more persuasion than the idea of staying in it. In fact, it also held some technical problems with regards to Harry moving his legs without causing a lot more discomfort. Terence was gleefully laughing and Su was just amused. Eventually they made it out of the bathroom though but no sooner had they walked into the bedroom did they come across Jory sitting on the bed watching Aengus having sex with a very vocal and demanding Merton.

Harry went a furious red again and coughed his discomfort. Jory turned around and pinned them with a beaming smile.

"Ah! I wondered if you had drowned." He said and stood up. Harry kept his eyes pinned on Jory's instead of on the evident arousal between the man's legs. Jory swept him into a kiss, hugging him tightly and trailing his other hand all over Harry's body. "Did you have fun?"

"Oh yes, lots of fun." Terence answered with a grin and nodded over to the bed. "When did they start?"

Jory pulled back from the hug with Harry and put his hand on Su's cheek, tilting her face up so he could give her a kiss. "Oh sometime after you the noises from the fell silent for the first time."

Harry blanched and turned his head to Merton who was pushing back hard into every one of Aengus' forward thrusts. He shook his head and looked resolutely at the floor. Terence moved to stand in front of Harry and embraced him with a chuckle.

"Oh come now Harry, it's not like it was you making the noise."

"Terence! Shut up!" Su admonished and Harry managed to turn his head enough to see Su blushing most beautiful shade of magenta and scowling at Terence. Jory kissed the top of her head with a chuckle.

"Well my loveliest Su it is always music to my ears to hear the evidence of your pleasure. Do tell me, which one of my handsome mates drove you there?"

"Harry." She said with a half pout and half smirk. Jory's eyes widened and he looked at Harry.

"Really?"

"Oh yes. And then Terence drove him wild." Su divulged and Harry felt embarrassment and shame fill his body. Jory, however, just gave a delighted laugh.

"I see you have all been delighting our newest mate. Drágaságom, how are you this morning?" Jory asked and Harry was mortified when he could only make a small noise and not actual words.

"He is sore. More so now I think." Terence said which added to Harry's mortification. He pushed the dominant away and made to move over to the bedroom sofa where his clothes were. Long strong arms stopped him and from their colouring Harry knew it was Jory.

"I hope I did not hurt you last night."

"You didn't." Harry reassured still feeling very uncomfortable especially since he was being held in perfect view of Aengus and Merton. They were shifting position. Merton wasn't on his hands and knees any more, he was flat on his back holding his legs back to his chest and giving whining instructions to Aengus who was just grunting in acknowledgement as he repositioned himself. Harry couldn't look away however much he wanted to. And he couldn't move away either because of those arms.

"You gave me such a gift last night drágaságom, thank you. I am honoured by it." Jory muttered and Harry finally spared him a glance over his shoulder.

"It's me who should thank you." Harry said and Jory shook his head in denial.

"You should never than me for loving you." Jory said and Harry forced his body around so he was nose to nose with Jory.

"Then you shouldn't thank me for loving you either."

Jory's face light up. His eyes smouldered and scales started shimmering over his skin.

"Oh drágaságom, hearing that…" Jory trailed off, his words becoming more of a sibilant hiss. Instead he started walking Harry backwards, driving into a fierce kiss that drove all thoughts of anything other than Jory away from Harry's mind.

Authors Note: I had really felt like I was rushing through this chapter but reading back through it I think it's alright. I actually really like it. The reason I gave you a view into Harry's intimate relations with Terence and Su instead of with Jory was because they are canon characters and are more important I think. While I like my own characters I really wanted Harry to have more of a connection to Terence and Su. I might have pushed it and the amount of times they all go at it in this chapter are unrealistic and unreasonable but it's fanfiction so it doesn't matter.

I hope you like it.