As soon as they walked inside the entryway Pari, Molly and Hermione practically crushed them with their attentions. Of course Sirius, Daniel and Mael were not that far behind them, although the elves stood back respectfully until the Minde Cladires had moved aside. The rest of the house came at a more leisurely pace thankfully, but finally Severus had to insist that everyone move to the blue parlor so that Norische could sit down.
It was a rush of stories and excitement. Severus screaming on the roller coaster, Norische finally picking up the golf ball and throwing in thru the little windmill, Harry's total amazement of the sharks swimming to the music, Draco squealing like a girl at the clearance rack in Macy's, Remus practically hexing the little old lady when she tried to grab that jacket out of his hands in Bloomingdale's, Chris having to hide a rather embarrassing arousal after they left Fredrick's of Hollywood...each story brought a round of laughter and smiles to everyone. Then came the list of all they purchased… even Pari was in shock…
"What can I say, none of my mates were allowed any sort of a honeymoon, and so this day was like a mini honeymoon. While it probably cost just as much as two weeks in Paris would have, it was the best I could give them under the circumstances." Norische pulled Chris, Draco and Harry close to him.
"Nori, before we start unpacking Draco, Harry and I wanted to give you our Valentine's Day present." Chris leaned in and kissed Norische as he spoke.
"You three are my present, I don't need anything else."
"Just be gracious and allow them to do this son." Severus smirked at Norische; he apparently knew what the boys had planned to do.
"Very well." Norische looked at his father suspiciously.
Chris reached into his rucksack and pulled out a small black velvet bag and handed it to Norische. "This one is from me."
Norische took the bag; he could feel a ring of some form through the material of the bag. Opening the bag, Norische allowed the ring to fall onto his open palm; it was silver, a thin basic band except for a zig zag design on one side. The front of the band was cut almost in the shape of Harry's scar. Norische looked over to Chris for an explanation, uncertain of what the ring was suppose to mean.
Before anything was said Draco reached into his rucksack and pulled out a similar bag and handed it to Norische. Opening the bag, once again a thin band fell into his waiting hand. This time the band was gold, but it had the same zig zag design as the first band. "They fit together." Was all Draco stated.
Norische looked at the two rings and placed Draco's band onto of the one given to him by Chris, the fit was perfect. Just as he noticed some inscribing on the inside of the band Harry placed a third ring in his hand. This one was a brushed silver, again a thin band with a zig zag design but this band was more muted than the other silver band, it was easy to tell one from the other. Norische took the ring and placed it on top of the one Draco had given him, linking the three together.
It was now that Norische could make out the inscription on the inside of the rings, it said… "With this ring, we thee wed."
Norische didn't even try and stop his tears as he allowed Chris to place the band on his ring finger of his left hand. As soon as the ring was in place it glowed a brilliant blue and bands matching the ones that they had given Norische appeared on each of the boys' hands. A silver one for Chris, a gold for Draco, and a muted silver for Harry. Chris slipped his ring off his hand and showed it to Norische, inscribed on the inside was "With this ring, I the wed."
"It is in each of the rings. There are also several protection spells on them and a tracking charm as well." Chris stated as the tears started to make their way down his cheeks.
Norische once again gathered his mates too him and murmured softly. "How can one man get to be so lucky?"
Remus ushered everyone else out of the room and warded the room to give the boys a little privacy. It had been a most perfect day…for everyone.
Neville Longbottom arrived at ShadowHaven as the sun was setting and had been brought up to speed on the current events, including his own heritage. Which he wasn't sure whether to be ecstatic or terrified about. He was the heir of Hufflepuff… wow. He had always had a great affinity for Helga Hufflepuff, since she was a noted Herbologist He had read several books that were written by the Hogwarts founder and had practically worshipped her for years. To now find out that he was her heir, wow…
Although they had to enervate the boy twice during the discussion, Severus thought he took the information fairly well. When they explained the circumstances surrounding Dumbledore's actions and sequentially their leaving Hogwarts the young man proved to be every bit a true Gryffindor. Neville was appalled at the way that Norische, Harry and the others had been treated and immediately agreed to help out any way he could.
Harry called Dobby and had the house elf gather up all of Neville's things and bring them to ShadowHaven. Norische had a room arranged for the Gryffindor and an elf assigned; he also made arrangements for special permission for Neville to visit the Gardens of Amyron. A sacred gardens in the Vampyric Lands, which was maintained by Elvin Monks and Vampyric Elders. Longbottom was practically drooling when Pari explained that the gardens were one of the last remaining sanctuaries of life, and that it housed many plants that had gone extinct millennias ago in the outside world. With Kain's authorization and Pari's assistance Neville was given an orb to the sanctuary of Amyron, his first visit was scheduled for the first of March. He, like Hermione, was given permission to explore the library of ShadowHaven at his leisure and considering the ancient texts on plants that were present as well as the tomes on both Elvin and Vampyric Herbology, to say the least Neville was trembling with excitement.
Dinnertime brought the usual announcements and discussion of plans. Cormac McLaggen and Kirke Ketterley had been taken over to Morrigan's Keep and the other students had been arriving there all day. Blaise, Charlie and Bill were over there supervising until Molly and Arthur could get there. So far no problems at all, in fact the students had been very well behaved. Severus pointed out that his Slytherins knew that this was life or death, and if they didn't want to serve the Dark Lord, that this was their only chance.
Molly, Arthur and Ginny were going to be going over to the Keep in the morning, since Arthur only had a week of vacation time left, they decided that he was going to go ahead and go back to work on Monday and save his days off, just in case they needed them later.
Some of the students asked about their revisions since most of them were scheduled to take their NEWTS in a few months. After much deliberation, several individuals agreed to assist the students with their studies and arrangements were made accordingly.
Severus agreed to go over on Mondays and tutor them in Potions. Remus volunteered to make an appearance on Mondays as well and take care of Defense Against The Dark Arts.
Tuesdays was going to be Herbology with Neville Longbottom, and Care of Magical Creatures with Charlie Weasley.
Wednesday was History of Magic, and Divination with Pari.
Thursday evening was Muggle Studies with Arthur Weasley while Thursday morning and afternoon was going to be set-aside for Charms followed by Arithmancy with Bill Weasley.
Friday was Transfigurations with Sirius, and Ancient Runes with Severus. They even managed to get Madam Pomfrey to agree to come in and do some private classes for those students taking the Medi-witch/wizard classes, although those classes would be set for the times that Poppy actually had some spare time more than on a specific day.
Harry and Draco even offered to do classes on Quidditch and Flying, and that was set for Mondays after Potions.
Draco, Chris, Norische, Harry, Hermione and Ron were all invited to attend any of the classes they wanted so that they too could prepare for their NEWTS. Hermione was actually ecstatic about that fact; even though things had been a little hectic lately she had been worried about taking her NEWTS even if the boys hadn't really thought about it much.
Fred and George made arrangements to have someone watch their shop during the week for a while; thrilling Molly to no end when they asked if they could attend classes too so that they could finally take their NEWTS and get their degrees.
As it was everyone was trying to get everything back into so sibilance of a routine, thankfully several people were more than willing to help out in some manner. And even though Severus grumbled and complained about having to teach again, he was actually quite pleased…although he was not about to let anyone else know that…well perhaps Remus … but no one else. As it stood approximately twenty-five students were going to be attending classes as normal, well as normal as could be expected under the circumstances. Each would be taking their NEWTS at the Ministry of Magic right on schedule August first, at least that was the plan.
Kain would be returning to his duties within the Vampyric Nations as of Monday and announced that the Council of Elders would be re-commencing again in a few days after the short stay of activities due to the loss of their Matriarch, who would unfortunately have to return to her duties as well. Pari wasn't thrilled but Norische assured her that he was doing quite well and suggested that she stay with them at ShadowHaven instead of at her Chateau, that way she could be close at hand if necessary. It would mean that Pari would have to floo to and from work each day but she agreed, stating that with Molly gone that there needed to be a Minde Cladire on hand just incase of emergencies. Norische hugged Pari and thanked her for agreeing to the inconvenience of staying there. While he was positive his mates, father and dad would take care of him…it felt good to know that Pari would be nearby as well.
It was also agreed that Severus, Remus, and Sirius would take Norische, Draco, Chris, Harry, Neville, Ron and Hermione down to Gringotts and go through the vaults Tuesday. Severus also contacted Grinklok and informed him of their plans, advising the goblin to have all the information he had gathered about Dumbledore's activities ready for them to review. He also advised Grinklok that Neville Longbottom was going to be coming as well and to have a review done on his holdings, since he too was never made aware of his inheritance or his legacy.
They decided to wait until Tuesday to go through the vaults since both Severus and Remus were to start teaching, at least tentatively on Monday. Although everyone was a little irritated by the fact they were going to be held in suspense for another day, they also saw the logic in waiting until everyone could be together and focus on what ever they found there.
So after much deliberation and what seemed like endless debating, the plans for the immediate future were made. No one had forgotten about Dumbledore…oh no… in fact his name came up multiple times during the most heated portions of the discussions. However, no matter what was suggested, no matter what an individual's feelings or emotions were, one thing was stressed more than anything else… that before any action should be taken, all the information must be known. Harry pointed out how on more than one occasion Dumbledore had given him just enough information to hang himself, and this time he wasn't about to let that happen.
Like everyone else Harry wanted to see justice. He wanted to see that twinkling, conniving, meddling, manipulating old man pay for everything he had done. But like he pointed out at dinner, how can he pay for everything he has done if they didn't know what all had been done. No, now was not the time to act rashly, now was the time to gather information, make plans and prepare.
The idea of preparing brought up the next dinner topic. Remus pointed out that the boys needed to be tested to find out what all gifts they had received, what level these gifts were and to start focusing on training the boys how to used their new abilities to the their advantage. So tentative plans were made for Norische, Chris, Draco and Harry to start working with Severus and Remus at least two afternoons a week.
Plans were also put in place for Harry to start training with Severus, Remus, Sirius and Pari at least three days a week. The special classes would be Occlumency with Severus. Dark Arts again with Severus. Defense with Remus…with Severus assisting as needed. Animagus Training with Sirius. Apparating was going to be a joint effort with Sirius and Remus. Dueling would be a combined effort from all of them, as would general physical and survival training. Pari would be teaching Harry about species specific curses and defense. Madam Pomfrey and Mrs. Weasley were also asked to help with the healing arts and non-magical first aid.
All in all the night was quite productive. By the time that everyone left the table, the excitement in the air was practically electric.
Everyone admitted that things were going to be a little hectic for a while. Especially those teaching classes… since no one had any lesson plans, books or supplies prepared. But the plans were made to go over the classes with the students this week, figure out what all was needed, prepare classrooms and get supplies. Then actually start working on teaching lessons and assisting with revisions starting next week. This way the individuals teaching the classes would be a little more prepared, and the students would have a little time to re-acclimate to their new surroundings and be granted a slight resting time.
As Norische and his mates retired to their room they were still going over the things that were discussed at the dinner, although those discussions were quickly pushed aside to make way for the piles of bags that Daniel and Mael had unshrunk and had waiting for them in their room to be gone through.
The rest of the evening was a mix of trying on clothes, removing price tags and wrappings and putting things away. Norische thrilled at how much they had managed to get for the babies and spent most of his time showing off what he purchased for his sons to Mael and discussing what all else they might need to pick up before the babies arrived.
Norische leaned back in the blissfully hot water; the sweet scent of juniper berries and orange blossoms filled his senses. As he closed his eyes and relaxed he felt a soft flannel begin make its way across his chest.
"Mmmm, that's nice. It's been so long since just the two of us bathed together." Norische turned his head so that he could kiss the luscious lips of his mate.
"All you ever have to do is ask Nori, you know that." Chris replied as he allowed Norische to capture his lips in a heated kiss.
"I know, it's just…well… I wanted you and Draco to get to know each other, and I didn't want him to feel left out or anything." Norische sighed against Chris' Lips.
Chris bit down on Norische's lip, just hard enough to get his attention. "Bad Nori…"
"Ouch!" Norische yelped and pulled back slightly, looking into Chris' eyes. "What 'bad Nori', what are you talking about?"
Chris smiled at Norische and leaded over to kiss the bruised lip that he had bitten. "You always have been and always will be first in this relationship. You are the alpha. Your needs and wants come first. Draco is a part of us, just like Harry, but they both need to learn their place in our pac. Coddling either one of them is not going to help them find their place. Now I admit that both had certain hurdles to over come, and Harry still does. But if you fight their battles for them they will never truly be part of this pac." Chris picked up the flannel he had been using on Norische and poured some more soap gel on it then began washing Norische's chest once again…taking great care not to irritate his sensitive nipples in the process.
"Your right. I guess I am just a little over protective of my mates." Norische leaned back to where his back was pressed against Chris' chest once again.
"It's ok to be protective, I kinda like it when you are. But not at your own expense, especially now with the babies on the way." Chris stressed his statement by placing his hand on Norische's rounded belly. "Have I told you today, how much I love you?"
Norische chuckled and put his hand over Chris'. "Yeah, but it doesn't hurt to hear it again."
After Chris and Norische finished bathing, Norische got dressed and headed over to speak to his father. He and Chris had discussed Norische assisting Severus with the class he was going to be teaching, and Norische wanted to find out what his father thought about the idea.
Norische knocked on the door to their suite but there was no answer, so he assumed that his father and Remus were either in his private lab or otherwise occupied. Checking the door, Norische found it unlocked so he simply went in.
There wasn't anyone in the commons room or in the study area of the suite, so Norische headed over to his father's private potions lab. Unfortunately, there was no one there either. He could smell them… but where were they?
Norische decided to follow his father's scent. Well it was definitely coming from the bedroom. At first Norische wasn't sure he should go in there but since he didn't hear anything and the door was open he figured that his father and dad were in there putting up the things they had gotten at the Mall.
What Norische saw when he walked into their bedroom was definitely not what he expected. There lying on his back completely nude was Severus, his head thrown back in the orgasmic bliss that he was experiencing. Between Severus' raised legs was lay a very naked, very amorous werewolf. Norische watched Remus' head rise and fall over and over again, slowly gaining in speed.
"Oh sweet Circe…." Severus moaned as he felt himself getting closer to his third orgasm. Severus reached down and wrapped his fingers in Remus' hair, holding on … as he surrendered to the skilful tongue of his mate.
Remus sucked Severus' throbbing cock into his mouth as deep as he could, straining to consume every inch of him. Black wisps of hair tickled his nose with each down stroke; the scent of his mate's passion alone was almost enough to take him over the edge as well.
Norische couldn't believe what he was seeing, he knew he should leave…but for some reason he couldn't seem to move…his eyes were fixed on what was going on just a few feet in front of him. Norische watched as Remus ground his hips into the Slytherin green silk duvet that covered their bed, moaning around Severus' erection. Severus arched his back and keened as he released his seed into his mate's delicious mouth.
Severus opened his eyes and looked down at Remus. "Oh fuck…." Was all that he could say when his eyes were met not with those of his mate, but with those of his son.
Remus noticed the change in Severus' tone and looked up to see what was wrong, releasing his spent member from his lips as he did so. Following Severus' gaze, Remus looked over his shoulder and saw Norische standing in the doorway…shocked. "Oh….fuck…."
"Wow…that was hot…" Norische stated barely above a whisper.
"OUT!" Severus roared…his cheeks immediately burning with color.
The next thing Norische knew he was dodging a pillow that was being hurled at his head. Without a second thought Norische turned and ran back into the commons room and raced out the door, laughing as he went.
Norische burst through the door of he and his mates' rooms and ran inside, slamming the door behind him. Leaning against the door, Norische continued to laugh as he tried to catch his breath. Draco, Chris and Harry all jumped and turned towards the door as soon as Norische rushed into the room.
Chris, put down the jeans he was taking the tags off of, and looked over to Norische. "Oh, oh….what kind of trouble have you gotten in too?"
"Oh gods… you would not believe it. I just walked in on father and dad." Norische gasped.
Draco put down the bag he was going through. "You didn't!"
Norische nodded, then hurried over to where his mates were and grabbed the closest one, which just so happened to be Chris. "Oh Merlin it was hot…." Norische growled as he leaned down and captured Chris' mouth with his own, wrapping his arms around Chris and pulling him tight against him.
"Show me." Chris whispered against Norische's lips. A second later images of what Norische had seen appeared in Chris' mind. Chris inhaled deeply and thrust his hips against Norische groaning.
Norische pushed Chris against the couch that he was leaning on, and began to devour his lips and neck. He crushed Chris' lips with his own with an almost brutal passion, Chris responded whole-heartedly and wrapped his arms around Norische's neck. Norische wrapped his fingers into Chris' hair and pulled his head aside, baring Chris' neck to him.
"Do it…" Chris begged as he licked his bruised and swollen lips.
Needing no more encouragement Norische growled and sank his fangs into Chris' neck, almost immediately he could taste the metallic heaven as it dripped from the bite marks. Norische pressed his lips firmly against Chris' neck and began to suck at the sweet fire he found there. Moaning as he felt his passion building to a feverish peak.
Chris ground his hips against Norische, pressing his erection against that of his mate. "So good…oh… ah…" Chris gasped as Norische moved just right so that his hip was pressing hard against Chris' groin.
Draco licked his lips as he watched the two, grind and twist in a heated exchange. Reaching down he squeezed his own hardening cock through his trousers in time with Norische's hips, moaning as Chris moaned.
Harry tried not to watch but he couldn't help it, watching Norische and Chris going after it with such passion was so incredible. Harry had never considered himself much of a voyeur but he had to admit those two were hot… Harry watched as Chris and Norische ground against each other then leaned back and roared as they came. He couldn't stand it, Harry went over to where they were standing, still holding each other as they calmed.
Harry placed his hand on Norische's arm in an attempt to gain Norische's attention. Norische turned and looked at Harry when he felt the gentle touch.
"Me next." Harry smiled softly.
Norische looked at Chris, who smiled and nodded then moved away and sat down on the couch to catch his breath. Norische turned to Harry and pulled him into his arms. This time Norische took his time; now that the passionate inferno was calmed, Norische could take his time and relish the moment he was sharing with his mate.
Even though the desperate need to quench the flames of lust was not present, the passion was still very much there. In a matter of minutes Harry keened as he came in Norische's hand, and his cries were echoed by those of Draco.
Draco thrust one more time into Chris' delicious mouth and came with more force than he had thought possible. Chris pulled away from Draco, licking his lips to catch the last drop of Draco's cum before it spilled down his chin. After he fixed Draco's pants again he pulled Draco onto his lap and held him close. Draco buried his face in the hollows of Chris neck, purring softly as he drifted along on the ocean of passion that had over taken him.
Harry leaned against Norische trying to catch his breath, not really paying much attention to anything other than the pounding of his mate's heart against his cheek. Norische wrapped his arms around Harry and leaned against the couch, unsure of the stability of his legs at the moment. With a sigh he closed his eyes and rested his cheek against the top of Harry's head.
Happy Valentine's Day…wow….
