Here is the next chapter...so they are finally back to the shadow realm, time for them to deal with all of the issues that lie there ) hope you like this chapter-let me know what you think regardless!

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Chapter 36: A little green monster

"Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy - in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other."
― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

Leonor patiently waited for the arrival of the group that was supposed to meet him within the hour. While making the four of them travel to meet him might seem like it was more trouble than it was worth, he and Severus had never really been all that close; thus he wasn't keyed into the immortal's- mortal family dwelling. Therefore it was better that they meet him, then the other way around. Plus the portal to Shadow realm was much closer to his cottage then it was to Severus's place.

Honestly, it was a bit of a pain having to meet them at all- Severus, Harry and Zyren were already inhabitants and therefore they did not necessarily need to be 'escorted' into the realm. However considering none of the immortal's were planning on actually claiming the mortal they were bringing with them it was simpler for all involved if they had someone of 'high' standing with them when they entered (Leonor would be the first to admit that the entrance guards were power hungry social climbers—the only reason he hadn't had issues the when he first brought Harry with him was because of his relation to the royal couple).

He sighed and resisted the urge to pace…that was much more Harry's bad habit then his own…he smiled slightly to himself at the thought. Honestly, he had never expected that finding the beaten down mortal in the forest all those years ago would turn out to be one of the best things that had happened to him since his wife had died. It made him uncharacteristically grateful when he thought of it. Even the cottage that he had once held no real attachment to had taken on its own special meaning since that day. He could still recall the horribly planned (and executed) escape attempt his son had tried here…thank all that was holy, that Harry had grown and sharpened his cunning since then.

He felt, rather then heard the wards around the perimeter go off and rose gracefully to his feet to go and greet the arrivals. He hid a smirk as he heard the sound of his son and Severus arguing. While they had grown greatly from their previous relationship, there would always be some amount of nit picking and squabbling between the two of them.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the excited shout of "Father!" (It had taken Harry almost three years before the green eyed teen was comfortable calling him something other than Leonor or sir). He opened up his arms just in time to catch the body of his exuberant son-it was safe to say that Harry was happy to be coming home. He briefly tightened his hold on his son before releasing him and stepping back. He could admit that he had missed the teen…while it might have been less than a year for Harry since he had seen his father; several years had passed for Leonor in the immortal realm.

He took a moment to assess the rest of the motley group in front of him. Severus greeted his brief nod with his own stiff necked, solemn one…really, no change there. What did surprise him was the obvious change in Zyren. While the change in the daemon might not be apparent to a mortal, Leonor could instantly see that the daemon was more relaxed and…well, happier (though in all fairness the Leonor had last seen the daemon shortly after Harry had left and while the daemon and Harry had never realized it (or at least acknowledged it), Leonor had been fairly certain that they had held some amount of love for each other. Seeing both his son and the daemon now, he knew he had been correct. However even back then when they had been together they had never seemed as content as they appeared to be now. This brought his attention to the fourth member of their group…the apparent reason for the changes in both his son and the Zyren.

He studied the blond in front of him closely….in a lot of ways he reminded Leonor of Harry when he had first found him, there was the same vulnerability, as well as a nervousness and caution. Unlike Harry though, the blond also possessed a fair amount of pride and self confidence. He watched the blond's haughty expression soften as his son reached out for Draco to drag him forward. Yes…perhaps the blond might be worthy of his son….

"Father, I want to introduce you to Draco Malfoy, my….mate" Harry said, though he paused slightly at the last word as though he wasn't entirely sure how it would be received. Harry himself, had not told his father about the discoveries that he had made in the mortal realm and he honestly did not know how the immortal would react. Thinking back on it, it would have probably been smarter to give his father some heads up….

Leonor smirked at the hesitance, unknown to Harry, Leonor was already fully aware of his son and his dual mate situation; Severus and Chavi had informed him, not to mention Zyren had written him asking for permission to initiate the process. Leonor had been shocked (though this was understandable, he could barely recall the last immortal who had ended up with two mates—he knew that his son was special but still…) but he had granted the daemon permission.

While all he wanted was for Harry to be happy (he knew far too much about the alternative to being that) he was also aware of the potential benefits of Harry and the daemon ending up as mates. Zyren was the prince to the hell realm after all… even Draco seemed to have connections (though they were all in the mortal world). So, yes…his son had made a rather adventitious match. But still he was a tad upset that he had, had to learn about it from someone other than his son.

"Sir" the wizard greeted bowing slightly as was custom (it seemed that either Zyren or Harry had taken time to inform him of at least some of their customs), "It is an honor to meet you"

And while to some this type of greeting seemed a tad over top and ass-kissing, to an immortal it was what was expected. Leonor gave him a nod in return "Likewise Mr. Malfoy…it seems as though my son and I have much to catch up on" he sent a pointed look towards Harry who had the decency to flush. That would teach him for not keeping in better contact with his father, though the ancient immortal wasn't truly angry at him, he simply liked to fluster his son.

"Of course father….my apologies" Harry said though he truly didn't sound all that sorry.

"Perhaps we should be on our way?" Severus interrupted and for once Harry sent him a thankful look, knowing that Severus had likely just saved him from further ribbing or reprimanding from his father. He knew that he deserved it for his 'neglect' but he'd rather have that conversation NOT under his mate's watchful gazes. He could literally feel the irritating little blond smirking beside him…like Draco had never been scolded by his father before…honestly. Zyren, at least was more subtle in his amusement…it wasn't like this was the first time he had seen Leonor tease his son in public.

"Oh very well" Leonor replied sounding somewhat disappointed, but turning to lead them away from the cottage and further into the thickly forested area. He supposed they were right, he still had to meet up with the prince anyway.

Prince Kiran had been acting rather oddly as of late, almost skittish. There seemed to be an extra amount of urgency in his request to meet with Leonor after his return from picking the group up. Though, Leonor could attribute that to the Prince practically breaking the rules by allowing Harry and Zyren to bring Draco back to the realm without first claiming their intentions for the blond. He had spoken briefly to the prince about the situation (though Kiran seemed rather distracted throughout the conversation), and the prince had agreed to allow it- at least temporarily- without any other immortal being able to challenge them over Draco.

He shook his head and slowed as they neared the two ancient trees that served as one of the portals between the two realms. The trees were twisted to such a degree that they actually joined together at their tops forming a sort of demented looking arch. To a mortal it would simply look like one of the trees was toppled and leaning against the other for support—however they actually truly did form an arch, one that made the shadows beyond it seem almost impenetrable.

Draco shifted nervously as they approached the intimidating spot, every nerve of his body seemed to be firing….his instincts telling him that he should turn around and leave. He almost did before he felt Zyren place a reassuring hand on his lower back, "It is simply the magic of the entrance it discourages anyone not already calling it home to flee. However since you are with us, you will be able to enter as long as we are physically touching you" the daemon explained carefully guiding the blond towards the shadows that only seemed to grow and stretch as he neared them.

He watched as Severus and Leonor each stepped through and disappeared from sight. He glanced over and Zyren to see that the daemon was motioning him forward, he hesitated once more but moved forward when he felt Harry grab his other hand.

Together the three of them stepped through, entering the Shadow realm as one.

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Draco both loved and hated the Shadow Realm. Loved; because well, it was the very definition of refinery and beauty (really if he hadn't known better he would have sworn that whoever constructed it was a Malfoy at heart)….not to mention there was a certain amount of pride that came from being the only mortal allowed to enter the realm who was not collared. Hated: because, again he was the only human that was allowed to enter the realm (un-collared or not).

Draco was not used to feeling like a second class citizen- no matter where he went…it was one of the main reasons that he had ran from being in Voldemort's posse after all (well, that and the fact that the man was a psychopath whose main goal in life was to be grand ruler of the world and to kill a teenager). But there was no way of hiding the fact that here, in the Shadow realm, he Draco Malfoy was most certainly second class at best (if this was the Titanic, well it was safe to say that he would definitely need a snorkel).

It wasn't just in attitude either…he thought he could possibly put up with being looked down on if he was sure that he could take down the offender, unfortunately that was not the case here. Not by a long shot. He was more than aware of how completely insignificant his hex and dark spells would be should he need to defend himself and while he might not be on a leash and collar (like some of the other unfortunate souls he had seen) he couldn't help feel that he was one step from it. And it terrified him.

So far Harry or Zyren, hell even Leonor and Severus on occasion had been good about never leaving his side; at first he had been rather indignant over this fact, but Harry had been quick to tell him that it had been the same way for him when he first came to the realm. That helped Draco feel better, at least a little bit. And honestly he couldn't deny that he was thankful for that small security, especially since he had seen the hate, jealousy and derision in the other realm's occupant's eyes. Again Harry reassured Draco that he had been treated to the same behavior when he first came.

Draco wanted to believe him about that….but it was a little hard to do; especially given how they all looked at his mate now. It was nothing short of adoring (which only served to make the old Draco want to come out—even in the bloody immortal realm it seemed as though Potter had everyone's admiration! While in a way he was proud—it was his mate after all—he couldn't help but feel a little bit resentful).

A lot of the time, he felt like he was Harry and Zyren's charity case; like they were only with him out of pity—and while he knew deep down that this wasn't true, he still couldn't stop himself from feeling that way. And maybe if he had been raised in a warmer, more open home he would have simply taken his mates aside and told them this…but unfortunately, he had been raised to never admit weakness. Which would be why, he had been avoiding both of his mates as much as possible lately.

You would think it would have been harder to do (considering he needed to have someone with him basically at all times) but he had managed to convince Severus to let him tag along with him…whether or not it was to help with potions or simply to sit reading in his massive library (and seriously, Severus had a library that would put both the Malfoy's and Hogwarts libraries combined to shame!).

He could see the hurt and confusion in Harry's eyes and the calculating glint in Zyren's, but he didn't care. He had his pride to consider…and so far this realm had done nothing but step all over it! So, if Draco had been a tad cooler and crueler with his words lately well…so what?

He sat sullenly under one of the large trees? (He wasn't really sure if he could call it a tree exactly, since it looked as though it was made from pure ice—even if it wasn't actually cold- while having no actual leaves on it. Basically it was a tree in perpetual winter—he was pretty sure Leonor had called it a glasee), watching discretely while Harry sparred with some immortal Draco couldn't recall the name of.

Safe to say that the nameless immortal loved the boy hero just as much as everyone else seemed to ("Oh petit duc, I am so happy you are back! No one else ever lets me win"- barf. The admiration and deference in the immortal's voice made Draco just want to take the sharp pointy spear like weapon the immortal was holding and jam it into his foot).

He was startled when he felt someone sit down next to him. He looked over to see Zyren sitting calmly beside him staring across the field to where he had just been looking.

"It's not easy is it?" the daemon asked conversationally, not turning to look at Draco.

Recovering from his initial surprise and pushing away the reflexive blush that wanted to bloom over his cheeks (whether it was because he was embarrassed to have been caught so off guard, or because he always seemed to blush whenever he neared the daemon; he didn't care to examine), he shot him a slightly confused look.

"What?" he asked not entirely sure what the Daemon's out of the blue comment was referring to.

"I said it's not easy, seeing how others look at him" Zyren answered this time looking down to meet Draco's silver eyes with his own blood red. Draco had found that over the last few weeks, he had been able to move past the resemblance to another far more psychotic red eyed man.

Draco took a sharp breath in, scolding himself for being so transparent. He thought about denying the daemon's words but then he looked back at his mate and changed his mind. Changed it, because he did not see pity in those red eyes but instead understanding. "Yes" he admitted quietly.

Zyren fell silent for so long that Draco thought their conversation was over. When the daemon did speak again it was on an entirely different subject…though not one that Draco found anymore conformable.

"Draco, are you….happy here?" Zyren asked almost hesitantly.

Draco blinked at him in surprise…he didn't want to completely isolate his mates so he did the only thing that he could do without outright lying, he shrugged.

He heard the daemon sigh softly before Zyren spoke again, "You know it took Harry a long time to find his place here as well…he was not always so accepted"

While Harry had told Draco the same thing, somehow hearing it from someone else made him more inclined to believe it. "Oh?" Draco asked trying to pass off the question with disinterest. He was pretty sure he failed when he saw Zyren smirk slightly.

"No…for the first…" he paused a moment, as though trying to calculate the time in his head, "…probably the first year I am pretty sure that no one outside of a select few actually even knew his name. I believe he was referred to Leonor's stray…well, when the others were feeling polite that is" Zyren stated.

Draco hid his surprise…while he knew what Harry had said, he couldn't really picture a world where Harry was known as anything but the hero or savior that Draco had always known him as (or in a few years the lying-attention seeking prat, but regardless of whether the names where positive or negative, he was still known). Zyren obviously saw the surprise on Draco's face because he continued.

"Yes, hard to believe isn't it? but it's true…he's had to fight and earn the respect and admiration he gets here….regardless of what a few petty jealous people say" Zyren grimaced slightly, obviously not a huge fan of whoever he was thinking about just then.

"Wh-What did you think when you first met him?" Draco asked, genuinely curious to the daemon's answer. He wanted to know how his two mates had fallen into a relationship, because they had been truthful and told him that they had been involved before either of them had come back to the mortal realm. He knew that his former teacher had neither liked nor disliked him when they had first met, while he and Potter had slid into enemies fairly fast.

Zyren snorted causing Draco to look at him again, there was amusement dancing in his red eyes. "I hated him" the daemon said, "and I'm pretty sure it was mutual"

The daemon's answer caused Draco to crack a smile, "yes, he does seem to have that affect on people at first"

Zyren shot Draco a knowing smile (obviously Harry had informed him of his and Draco's former rivalry), "indeed he does. He was such a stubborn cocky little shit. He knew I could easily rip his head off without even breaking a sweat and yet he refused to show an ounce of deference…he was—is infuriating"

Draco could only nod, because he knew exactly what Zyren was talking about. It was the thing that both irritated and attracted Draco the most about Harry. His unyielding stubbornness. It was like the green eyed male was incapable of backing out of a challenge, or admitting defeat. He was pretty sure the damn immortal was still alive simply because he refused to give up and die.

"You should tell him you know" Zyren once again brought Draco back to the present.

"About?" Draco asked.

Zyren just shot him a reprimanding look, "He thinks he has done something to piss you off or make you change your mind about being in this relationship"

Draco didn't answer; he really didn't have anything to say in response to that. So he simply nodded…while it wasn't an outright promise that he would do as Zyren suggested, it was enough to make the daemon smile again before standing up to leave.

Just before leaving Zyren said quietly, "You do belong here Draco….you do belong with us"

Draco just stared after the retreating form of the daemon pondering his words. He didn't want to admit it but he had really needed to hear them.

He let a small smile creep onto his face as he once more leaned against the tree, 'it was nice' he decided.

It was nice to actually be wanted.