Ending 3 already... it seems just like yesterday I was posting up the first chapter of this story, not sure if it was gonna be read... so far, I am grateful to you all for reading... I did a research essay on why mostly heterosexual women read and write slash fiction and it was eye-opening to say the least... it was hell before I was able to finish it though... at this rate, I'm happy with a 60 percent...

I would like to thank dan8, MarquasNoir97, Annabeth Volturi, asiacheetah, Ele, Jules and ANON for their reviews... it's the highest I've gotten so far for a chapter... so if you haven't reviewed in a while, take these guys' example and tell me what you think...

Warning: this chapter contains graveyards, rings, punching, wands and lemony time (haven't had that in a while).

The lemon in this chapter has been edited... go to the link on my profile to view an unedited version...

ENDING 3: WHAT THE HEART WANTS

A lone figure looked down at the ring in his palm; it's wide platinum band gleamed brightly in the setting sun and the tiny emerald in the middle looked like a verdant eye. The last time he was at Godric's Hollow was when he was searching for the Horcruxes; that day had been a horrible day for him... just like today.

Harry Potter sat on the ground beside his daughter's tombstone; He ran his fingers down the side of the expensive marble and then gently touched the golden plaque that read,

Here lies

Lily Helena Potter-Malfoy

So beautiful, so young

Harry held the ring in his hand tightly; a tear escaped his eyes and he wiped it off with unnecessary force. "I'm so sorry, baby..." he voice broke at the last word and he cried. He felt sorry for so many things; kissing Draco, breaking Lucius' heart and most importantly, Lily's death.

The brunet did not know what else to say, he just cried on the tombstone; he did not move when six figures approached him, he did not flinch when one of those figures held him tightly and he did not question why he was burying his face in the stranger's chest.

Ron, Neville, Remus, Sirius and Luna watched solemnly as Hermione held Harry; only Hermione, Ron, Remus, Luna, Neville and the Malfoys came for Lily's burial and now they can mourn as a full family. Ron approached the shaking form in Hermione's arms and wrapped his arms around his wife and best friend; Luna, who was weeping as well, allowed Neville to rub her back in comfort, Remus remained silent as Sirius placed a bouquet of lavender, lilies and red roses at the foot of the tombstone.

After almost thirty minutes, Hermione and Ron coaxed Harry to his feet and then stepped aside for Sirius to hug his son. "We're here, cub." He cooed. "Shush, it's okay." He rubbed small circles on the hiccupping back.

Harry's crying reducing to silent weeping and he settled for the comforting silence of being held by his father.

000

A day later...

That night Lucius Malfoy waited nervously in his study; he was wondering what Harry could be thinking about him. He must see me as a monster... how do I start... where do I start from... I wish Harry had remembered that first morning so I wouldn't have to be this damn anxious... Oh Severus...

Lucius had been thinking of Severus since the day they kissed; he still wanted a life with the man but hell would freeze over before he would let Harry suffer again but he highly doubt that Harry would want him.

As if on cue, the fireplace roared and glowed green; Harry stepped out awkwardly from the embers and stared at the blonde. He was angry, sad, confused and... so many emotions he had no words for but he knew feelings will get him nowhere.

"Harry, how are-" Lucius started.

Harry raised a hand to silence him. "I would prefer it if we just cut to the chase." He said coolly.

Lucius nodded and watched carefully as Harry made his way across the room and sat on the couch that faced the fireplace before he sat by his desk. They sat in absolute silence as they both thought of what to say to the other.

"How could you." Harry said lowly. "I thought you going to always be there for me... what happened?"

Lucius sighed, he had been expecting that question. "Harry, I don't kno-"

"Don't you dare!" Harry hissed. "You are Lucius bloody Malfoy; you have the answers the everything... if this is just to spare my feelings, that boat left when you kicked me out."

Lucius sighed again. "I always knew about Draco's attraction to you... I think at some time after our truce, he noticed my attraction for you as well because he was becoming more and more amorous."

"So that's it?" Harry hissed. "It was just some competition between father and son to see who can lay the-boy-who-lived?"

Lucius shook his head. "No, no... oh God, this is coming out wrong." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Yes, at some point it might have turned into a competition but it was unintentional... all we wanted was a chance at your affection."

"That doesn't explain your actions." Harry scoffed.

Lucius nodded. "When I finally had you, I had my suspicions that Draco might still pursue you... I pushed back the thought; I told myself that you would never do that to me." Harry's smirk faded at that. "When I came home and saw both of you together... it broke my heart; all my fears coming to pass... I decided to break it off with you immediately before you broke my heart any further."

They were silent once again as the new information sunk in.

"You should have let me explain." Harry said lowly.

"I thought you would explain why you might not want me anymore." Lucius said with a tired sigh. "It does not excuse what I have done, I know that... but I can never express how deeply and truly sorry I am, Harry."

Silence again.

Lucius' head hung low as Harry spoke. "At first when you told me to leave, I hated you; if you had allowed me to explain, none of this shit would have happened... I wouldn't have left, I wouldn't have gotten attacked... I could have been holding Lily in my arms now... but most especially I hated myself." The blonde whipped up his head. "I broke your heart and trust... after everything you did for me; you took me in and loved me... you had every right to throw me away... I would have understood." A tear escaped his eye. "I'm sorry, Luc... for everything."

Lucius got up and walked towards Harry. "I did not want to throw you away." He kneeled before Harry and wiped his tear away. "I know I hurt you... I broke my promise... if you are willing to give me another chance, I am yours." He took both of Harry's hands and kissed them.

Harry could only stare at him; he would not mind fixing things with Lucius... but things would not be the same as it was and to top it off, his heart did not belong to Lucius.

"Or are you in love with Draco?" Lucius asked when Harry was silent for a long time; deep down, he wished for Harry to say yes, that would allow him to be with Severus without any guilt.

Harry bit his lips, unsure of what to say; he may have told Draco he had feelings for him but now, he has no idea... Draco did as he promised, he opened his eyes and showed him that he was making a mistake with Lucius but at the end, he may have lost Harry as well. Harry then remembered the ring; he brought it out of his pocket. "Did you mean this?" he asked as he showed the ring to Lucius.

Lucius blinked at the ring, he had forgotten about that; when he had proposed to Harry, he meant it then but now, he was unsure. "Yes, I did." He said carefully.

Harry noticed the use of past tense and sighed. "I'm sorry, Luc." He said, he opened one of Lucius' large palms and placed the ring in it. "I can't marry you." He finished lowly.

"I understand." Lucius said as he closed his hand around the ring and looked down, ashamed that he could stir such hatred in a person... that, and he was also ashamed that he was relieved that Harry turned him down.

Harry raised Lucius' face to look into his eyes. "I don't hate you, Luc... You did nothing wrong." He said. "It's just that this whole event has opened my eyes... it would never work; there's too much pain and guilt for it to be healthy."

Lucius nodded. "If you're sure, then I agree with you."

Harry smiled a little. "Thank you for wanting to marry me even though you loved someone else."

Lucius stared in horror at Harry. "How?"

Harry shrugged. "It's obvious Severus has feeling for you; he hides it well but if you look closely, you can see that bitter mask of his crumble around you... you bring out the best in him... and he, you."

"Harry, I-"

"It's okay, Lucius." Harry said warmly. "The first time you expressed your wish to court me, you told me that you have lost so much and gained so little... I will not sit back and watch your life turn to shit because you feel it's your duty to marry me... even though it was very chivalrous of you."

Lucius watched with reverence and awe at how Harry was so quick to forgive and understand. "Thank you, Harry... I am forever in you debt."

Harry laughed. "Now you sound like you were disgusted with the idea of marrying me."

Lucius sat beside Harry and smiled a little. "Disgust is not the word I was use."

Harry laughed louder and then turned serious again. "Either way, I'm sorry I did not realise sooner that I was not for you."

Lucius pulled Harry towards his chest and held him. "So am I." He said. "I just hope we can at the very least stay friends."

Harry snuggled deeper into Lucius' chest. "You will always hold a place in my heart, Lucius... it may be a small corner but no one else will be able to fill it."

Lucius' heart warmed at that, he kissed Harry on the head and temple. "Thank you."

000

The Next Day...

Draco POV

It has been about two days since I got my letter from Sirius saying Harry was well; I expected Harry to come yesterday to probably kick my arse for what I did to him, instead he had gone to see father. I took a sip from my tumbler of firewhiskey and sighed- I really need to stop drinking.

I laid on the couch in my study; father and I have not spoken to each other for a while now... that might be due to old wounds being opened- this whole amnesia thing has pushed both of us to our breaking points.

"Malfoy!" a voice rang out, making me jump which in turn made the glass in my hand slip and pour all its contents on my newshirt... again- I had worn that shirt to impress Harry.

"Bloody hell!" I cursed and jumped off the couch ready to bite off a few heads. My tirade stopped when I spotted an enraged Harry by the door.

Harry marched towards me and before I could say another word, a punch landed on my jaw, followed by another to my abdomen and a kick to my knee. "That was for kissing me." Harry growled; he then pulled me towards him and kissed me so harshly, our teeth knocked against each other... was that supposed to happen? "That was making me see the truth." He said when he pulled back.

I smiled; that means Harry and father were no longer- OW! Harry punched me again. "What was that for!" I cried and rubbed bruised jaw.

"For actually smiling!" Harry retorted. Okay, I deserved that. Harry stomped towards the sofa and sighed as he sat on it.

"I'm sorry." I only realised the words left my mouth when Harry looked up.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"For causing you pain." I said solemnly.

Harry shook his head and rubbed the bridge if his nose. "Shut up, you arse." I obeyed; I have no idea what state of mine Harry is in. "I saw her grave... never in a million years did I think I would lose someone so early after the war."

I sighed and started for the cushion beside Harry but a glare made me detour to the armchair instead. "It was my fault." I said.

"Yes, it was." Harry growled. "But I'm the biggest culprit... Lily suffered because of me and my selfishness."

"Harry, I didn't know you were with her when I kissed you." I said in a gush of air. "If I did, I-"

"You wouldn't have kissed me." Harry finished. "You may be a prick but I know you aren't that heartless... that's why I say I'm the one to blame; I knew I was with her... what did I expect was going to happen: I leave Luc and then you raise her?

"It's all me... no matter how many people say I wasn't to blame, I know better." Harry completed with a sigh. "But I must thank you." I blinked: huh? "You showed me that I was making a mistake- there were alternative ways to show me but at the end, you stopped me from doing something I may have regretted."

Great, now I feel guilty. "I may have wanted to woo you but Harry, I didn't mean to-"

"I know, Draco." Harry said. "I'm not angry anymore... well, I am but not as angry as you expect me to be."

We stayed in silence.

"That means this could never work." He said.

I shook my head. "I'm not giving up that easy on you." I said, standing up. "I've worked my ass off for you and now, I'm not backing off."

"But think of it, Draco." Harry reasoned. "How will this ever work? If I do stay with you and perhaps we marry, you'll be the stepfather of your dead half-sister!"

I rolled my eyes; trust Harry to say the unthinkable. "I can live with that." I said.

Harry scoffed. "Perhaps you can but I cannot." He said. "We can't be together... just accept it, Draco... please, instead of drawing it out." He looked down at his trembling hands.

I sigh and went to sit by him; I turned his face up to meet mine and our eyes met. The sorrow in those beautiful emerald eyes turned my heart to mush, to think I caused that. My hand slowly left his chin to cup his face- just like I did the first time he came to the manor after he woke up- and I leaned in slowly, he wasn't complaining so I continued, stopping only when I was a hair's breath away- this time, it was Harry's decision if I kiss him or not.

Harry seemed confused; I understood he was torn between his duty to his daughter and his feelings but I know somewhere down there he loves me. After moments, Harry reached up suddenly and our lips met in a sweet kiss; I could not pick a happier moment that is, until Harry pulled away.

"I-I can't." He said, shaking his head.

"I'm not saying you should." I said as gently as possible. "But I want you to think about this, Harry... I'll wait; I can wait for you."

When Harry looked at me again, those sad eyes were now welling up with tears. "Why are you doing this?" he asked in a small voice.

I leaned forward so our foreheads were touching. "Because I love you." I said with a smile. "Keep up, will you."

Harry smiled at that as well but then it faded. "You can wait if you want, Draco but what if I realise that I really don't love you, like it's just attraction or lust?"

I gave the infamous Malfoy smirk. "Then come and say it to my face." I said. "I can't stay celibate forever."

That did not make Harry smile like I wanted, however, he reached up and placed the smallest of kisses on my cheek. "Thank you, Draco." He said and stood up. "I'll get back to you soon."

"You better." I said. Why did this feel like a goodbye? "Take care, okay?"

Harry nodded and started for my door; I didn't stop him like I wanted to, I don't need to, he'll come back- for better or worse, he'll come back.

000

Later that night...

All Severus had to do was let Remus' potion simmer for an hour; he had made sure to throw himself into his work, if it would mean not thinking about Lucius. Yesterday, his curiosity got the best of him and unfortunately, he had seen Lucius thank Potter for something and then kiss him. He felt like a fool; why would a Malfoy want to associate himself with someone of the likes of me? I'm the worthless friend who does all the work and never gets rewarded at the end... I'm one of those characters in a book that stands back and watches as everyone gets their happy ending.

Severus felt a hand on his shoulder and he whipped out his wand with a speed that would have Harry sputtering.

"Calm down, Sev." The intruder said, putting up his hands. "It's me."

"Don't do that, Lucius." Severus growled and lowered his wand. "I could have killed you."

"Well, I have been calling your name for the past ten minutes." Lucius said matter-of-factly. "You could fall off the edge and not notice until you hit the ground."

The potions master had been alone in the astronomy tower at Hogwarts; he and Lucius had spent most of their time here- it was in the astronomy tower that Severus' crush on the blonde turned into love and was also where his world shattered as Lucius declared he was betrothed to Narcissa.

Severus blinked at the blonde and gracefully turned back to the landscape below. "I was thinking."

Lucius made a sound to show he acknowledged the answer and came to stand beside Severus. "We came up here a lot, didn't we; it seems like yesterday we were plotting to stuff slugs into Lestrang's pudding on Valentine's day."

"Merlin, that was genius." Severus chuckled. "He was like, 'Mommy!'." Both men laughed loudly at the memory and clutched their sides. "He never got a date for the dance... We couldn't stop laughing!"

Lucius scoffed. "You mean you couldn't stop laughing." He amended. "We would have gotten away with it if your laughter were a tad lower that the rest of the hall."

Severus smirked. "Well, excuse me for appreciating such a comedic performance by our fellow Slytherin."

Lucius shook his head and they both continued to look out silently until the blonde spoke again. "I want to tell you somethi-"

"I don't want to hear it." Severus interrupted, his happy countenance, gone.

Lucius blinked. "But-"

"I know already." Severus said. "The bond showed me."

"What?"

Severus rolled his eyes and thrust his hand into his pocket. "We have a bond." He explained. The potions master produced a greenish potion and gave it to Lucius. "Just a sip." He instructed.

Lucius looked at the potion suspiciously but obeyed; the effect of the potion was immediate, he could see a thin golden thread streaming out of Severus' chest and flowing into his. The blonde took a step back and the thread lengthened.

"What is that?" Lucius asked.

"That is the Brothir Bondi or the Brother Bond." Severus explained. "It's Old Norse; I don't know when it appeared but I suspect it was when you declared me your brother, the day you announced your engagement to Narcissa.

"That's why sometimes you can feel if I'm in trouble and I can see what you are doing and thinking from a great distance away- it's a powerful bond." Severus finished.

Lucius was silent for a moment as he allowed the new information to sink in. "Is it supposed to be so thin?" he asked finally.

"No," was Severus' reply. "It got thinner fairly quickly after the day we..." he trailed off. "We no longer see ourselves as brothers anymore... well, not as strongly as we did before... the bond is weakening."

"Oh." Lucius said. They were silent so the only sound was the whistle of the night breeze as it zipped by and flapped their robes. "Would you be opposed if I said I don't want us to be brothers anymore."

Severus stiffened at that and then he grew angry. "I see, your little fiancé could not stand me being around, could he?"

Lucius shook his head. "No, it's not-"

"Does he now recognise me as a potential threat?" Severus continued without pause. "Or is it you?"

"Severus please-"

But the potions master continued. "You'd rather have the saviour of the Wizarding world warming your bed than to be seen with a bitter, old humph-" Severus' eyes almost grew twice its size when Lucius abruptly kissed him, silencing him.

Lucius pulled away for a moment to say two words, "Shut up." before he dove back in for another kiss; this time Severus wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck and deepened the kiss. He growled when Lucius pushed him harshly against the wall and proceeded to kiss every inch of the pallid neck while his hand massaged the potions master through his clothes.

Severus' eyes widened and he pushed Lucius away from him. "I...am not... your... whore!" he growled between breathes, his face flush. "You can't marry Potter and then fuck me on the side... I'm not your concubine."

Lucius sighed. "Severus listen-"

"Go fuck yourself, you... you... prat!" Severus righted his robes and started for the door but Lucius grabbed his arm and held him. "Let me go."

"No."

Soon both men were wrestling for the door; however, Lucius managed to pin Severus to the floor. The potions master punched the aristocrat above him, which only resulted in both of his arms pinned above his head and the blonde straddling his hips.

"Why can't you just leave me alone!" Severus yelled. "Go away! You have him now so leave me be!"

Lucius ignored the thin trail of blood that ran from the corner of his lips and sighed. "Severus listen..." The potions master continued to struggle. "You're wrong." Still struggling. "Harry and I are done." That caught Severus' attention. "I want to be with you forever."

"But I saw you make up with Potter." Severus said as he stared. "You... you said you don't want us to be brothers-"

"Because I want us to be more than that." Lucius said matter-of-factly. "Harry and I have reconciled our differences and moved on... I love you." Severus continued to stare. "I know I caused you a lot of pain and I'm sorry... if you wish, I want us to court each other." The potions master stared. "Well, what do you say?" Severus stared. "Severus?" Lucius shook the man's shoulder a bit but he continued to stare. "Sev? Can you hear-" Lucius did not predict Severus kissing him but he happily returned it.

With a loud pop, Lucius suddenly found himself in a dark room with Severus pinned under him on a bed. "Eager, are we?" he asked.

Severus smirked and kissed the blonde above him again, slowly this time; his hands rested on Lucius' firm chest while the blonde ran his hand down his abdomen and unto his thigh, deliberately missing the bulge.

"Tease." Severus growled and suddenly, Lucius found himself on his back with a smirking potions master on his hips. Severus kissed Lucius more urgently now and unbuttoned his shirt after he had discarded on the offending robes; the brunet kissed the now exposed neck, worshipping it with nips and licks.

"Hm Severus." Lucius moaned when a warm tongue licked the shell of his ear; he thrusted upwards and his clothed erection grinded against the potions master's causing him to groan.

Lucius took that moment to roll Severus unto his back again. "Bastard." Severus growled and glared at Lucius but the blonde gave the Malfoy smirk and proceeded to divest Severus of his clothing, kissing him breathless at regular intervals to distract the potions master.

When Severus was fully naked, he smile at the hard member and then up at its owner. "Very eager indeed." He mused.

Severus glared. "Stop being an arse and- oh Merlin!" The potions master's eyes rolled to the back of his head as Lucius took him into his mouth; he tried not to gag when Severus started to buck into his warm cavern and moaned when Severus pulled on his hair. "So close." With a few more thrusts, Severus spilt his seed into Lucius mouth and the blonde did not have any qualms swallowing the come and milking the potions master.

The limp member fell out of Lucius' mouth with a small pop and Lucius pulled Severus up by his hair and kissed him fiercely, sharing the taste of his lover. He put his fingers up to Severus' lips. "Suck." He instructed thickly and the potions master obeyed. Lucius used that time to slowly stroke Severus back to his former hardness before he removed his fingers from the mouth and slowly pushed one into Severus.

"Nhnn." Severus growled and hissed in pain.

"Shssh." Lucius cooed and placed a small kiss on his temple. When Severus was comfortable, he added another finger and another, and soon there were four fingers thrusting in and out of the potions master's taunt body. The fingers were searching for that small bundle of nerves when suddenly Severus arched off the bed and yelled in pleasure. Lucius watched with a small smile- the usually calm potions master losing control and making those noises, it was the most erotic thing Lucius had seen.

Lucius pulled his fingers out and chuckled lowly at Severus' whine, he removed his trousers and lined himself up at the entrance before he slowing sunk himself into the tight heat. Severus sighed at the fullness while Lucius sighed at the warmth.

When Severus gave the okay, Lucius pulled out and pushed back in again slowly; it had taken them almost three decades to finally be this intimate with each other, he was not going to rush their first time. Severus wrapped his legs around Lucius' waist and they looked into each other's eyes as they made love; the potions master, however, broke eye contact and yelled in pleasure when Lucius started to stroke him in time with his thrusts. "Luc!"

"Severus." The thrusts then got faster, deeper, more urgent as Lucius neared his climax. The blonde came inside the potions master just as Severus member spat his seed all over their belly. Lucius collapsed on Severus and held him close as they both came down from their high. "I love you, Sev."

"Love you too, Luc." They gave each other a sweet kiss and a cleaning spell later, they were both faster asleep, oblivious to Remus' potion burning in its cauldron.

A/N: yeah I figured that with all Severus and Lucius went through, they deserved a lemon... yes, I repeated most of what happened in ending one but give me a break, I've been through hell this month... yes, there will be an epilogue for this chapter which I will post next time... it will be a while before I update next, I have an exam coming up on the first so I gotta study... see ya when I see ya... don't forget to review on which ever website you are on!