Lucius sat down in the dining room, surprised that he'd been invited to stay after the meeting. The Order and most of the pack dispersed rather quickly, needing to return to their various posts. Only the Betas, Harry's parents and Narcissa remained behind with Harry and Draco. For some reason, it made Lucius a little nervous.
They all gathered at the table where Draco placed two platters laden with a variety of biscuits. Harry poured tea for everyone before taking a seat. For a moment, they sampled the tea and biscuits. But, it didn't take long for the tension to get to Lucius.
"Is something wrong?" he asked stiffly.
"No," Harry responded, deftly preparing Draco's tea and passing the cup to his love. "We have news. We are sharing it with you as a courtesy and out of respect."
Lucius' breath caught and his gaze darted to his son. Draco looked anxious and his cheeks were rosy with a blush. Lucius took a deep breath, willing himself to stay calm. "What is it?" he asked warily.
For a moment there was only a heavy silence. Then Draco drew in a fortifying breath. "Harry has asked me to marry him," he said, lifting his gaze to his father's. "And I said yes."
In that instant, it seemed that what remained of the Malfoy plans for the future had gone up in smoke. Lucius had no power to push Draco toward a pureblood marriage, or a woman for that matter. More importantly, after everything that had happened, he couldn't bring himself to destroy Draco's happiness. He'd caught glimpses of it in the times he'd seen Harry and Draco together. Draco looked at Harry with a devotion that the Dark Lord could never inspire. Lucius risked truly losing his family forever.
Lucius was jolted out of his musings when Narcissa reached out and squeezed his hand. "Dear, I don't think we could aspire to someone better than Harry for our son," she murmured. "I know this isn't what we'd planned for..." She turned her gaze back to the young couple, her eyes misty. "They belong together."
Lucius was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He watched as Harry tenderly kissed Draco's trembling fingers as they waited for some kind of response. He cleared his throat. "Then, I give you my blessing," he said a bit shakily. "I realize that you did not ask for it, nor do you require it... But, you have it anyway."
Harry huffed out a breath, suddenly looking overcome by emotion. Draco leapt from his chair and launched himself at his father, nearly knocking them both to the floor. "Thank you Father," Draco said softly.
Lucius stood so he could hug his son's shaking form more easily. "You will still inherit everything," he said quietly. "All that I have is yours. Your choice of spouse doesn't change that." His own eyes grew moist when Draco sobbed. Next to him, Narcissa dabbed daintily at her eyes.
Once Draco had calmed a bit, Lucius released him to turn and face Harry. "I suppose that means that I'll be gaining a son," Lucius offered, managing to sound only slightly uncomfortable.
Harry grinned, rising to shake Lucius' hand. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "That means a lot."
Lucius nodded, feeling strangely relieved as he returned to his seat. The others at the table had relaxed and looked quite pleased. It occurred to him as Ron offered to refresh his cup of tea, that he had not felt so welcome in a very long time. Even with his family, something was missing. He honestly couldn't recall the last time he'd seen Narcissa and Draco so at ease and happy.
"What you've created here is really quite remarkable," Lucius informed Harry. "Your... pack is rather impressive. Though, I admit that I don't quite understand."
Harry eyed him thoughtfully. "I suppose we haven't told you much, have we?" He glanced at Narcissa and received a swift nod so he went on. "My connection with Draco goes back farther than you realize. We met when we were very young. Five, I think... The attachment was nearly instantaneous."
"Draco's wanted to marry Harry since they were six," Remus chuckled, making Narcissa, Minerva and Sirius laugh fondly.
Harry told Lucius the whole story while the others listened. Occasionally Draco gave his input or one of the betas interjected with another memory from their time at school. By the end, Lucius looked thoroughly stunned. His son was an animagus and the soulmate of Harry Potter. The two of them together were powerful and amazingly competent, especially for young wizards that hadn't completed their schooling.
"I had no idea," Lucius muttered absently.
"Aren't you glad you switched sides?" Sirius asked with a grin. He quickly put on a more solemn expression when Harry gave him a sharp look.
"I'm grateful that you have allowed me to assist you at all," Lucius admitted, choosing not to be offended by Sirius' remark. "I've certainly done nothing to warrant your trust or acceptance."
"We have a title given to some that enter the pack," Harry said carefully. "Gamma is the designation for wolves such as my parents, Mrs. Malfoy, Dumbledore and Snape. They're like advisors. Or elders."
"Their role is very similar to the Betas," Draco added. "They advise and support the Alphas, but usually from a bit of a distance. The Gammas have been coordinating with the pack network to make sure all of our operations run as they should."
"It takes a lot of work to organize supply runs, rescues, extractions, patrols..." Sirius listed off.
"We certainly stay busy," Narcissa agreed with a little sigh.
"But it's definitely worth it," Remus added, patting Narcissa's hand fondly. "We'd do anything for family."
"And that's what the pack is," Vince put in, pride in his tone. "We're a family, regardless of blood status."
Lucius looked around at everyone gathered around the table. It made hope surge through him. If anyone could push back the darkness, it was the people seated at that table; An odd assortment of individuals linked together by two teenage boys with a profound bond. It was both beautiful and terrifying.
After a few moments of silence, Harry offered Lucius a smile. "Would you join us?" he asked. "Officially," he amended.
Lucius swallowed hard. "I would be honored," he managed to say.
Harry nodded his acceptance and resumed eating his breakfast. The others watched as Lucius stared at him in bewilderment for a moment. Then he looked around the others. "That's it?" he asked incredulously.
"What do you want, a medal?" Sirius asked sarcastically around his mouthful of bacon.
Lucius scowled. "I expected a bit more when joining a secret organization," he retorted curtly.
Draco set down his teacup and gave his father a pointed look. "Harry and I have been trained in Legilimency," he reminded his father. "The moment you set foot in this house we made sure to verify that you weren't planning on betraying us. And we know that you're not stupid." He sighed and shook his head. "Trust is so important in our pack. And Harry just extended trust and acceptance to you so you would feel confident in trusting us in return."
Lucius considered those words for a moment. "What about the rest of your... group?"
"I doubt they'll want to braid your hair right away," Ron quipped, "but they'll accept Harry's judgement."
"Without question?" Lucius prodded.
"That makes it sound like a dictatorship," Harry said with a frown. "I don't make demands or force anyone into anything. I guide my pack and make choices to benefit them. They trust me to have their best interest in mind."
"If we have concerns about their plans or decisions, we definitely speak up about it," Hermione added. "Draco's a little stubborn when he wants to do something, but he can be reasoned with."
"There's really not a ritual or trial to complete when you join the pack," Harry said lightly. "We welcome you into the family and that's it."
"It's not nearly as dramatic as it seems," Blaise chuckled when Lucius continued to look uncertain. "We've basically developed a culture of our own. We started with a defense club but it turned into a way of life pretty quickly. Harry and Draco have surprisingly strong instincts. The rest of us just followed their lead."
"It was a bit of an accident," Draco laughed, fondly recalling the first time he'd groomed the pups in his wolf form.
"You're not obligated to do anything strange," Harry said, meeting Lucius gaze steadily. "I only require loyalty to myself and the rest of my pack. You don't even have to call me Alpha," he added with a careless shrug. "That's a title that Hermione gave us. It's mostly symbolic, but it's come to mean a lot to the others."
Lucius nodded slowly, grateful when everyone resumed eating. It gave him time to really think about all that he'd been told about the wolf pack.
Mere children had managed to create their own little hierarchy and then expanded it across the country. And it functioned well! Much older wizards deferred to Harry and Draco.
What were the odds that two little wizards that crossed paths in the park would be soulmates? And how had their bond deepened so profoundly. He'd felt the resonance of their magic and there was nothing else like it.
While Lucius pondered, Harry had finished eating and gently rubbed Draco's back. "I asked Severus to come and stay here," he mentioned somewhat hesitantly.
Draco paused, his teacup halfway to his mouth. "Really?"
"I heard him speaking to Dumbledore about returning to his childhood home," Harry explained. "He didn't seem happy about it. Returning to Hogwarts isn't an option for now."
"I hope you're not blaming yourself," Draco murmured, peering intently at his fiance.
"Not exactly," Harry muttered guiltily. "It was my decision that forced him out. I realize it was for the best, but that doesn't make his situation better." He looked around at his friends expectantly. "And I do think it will be beneficial. He'll be close by if he's needed and he'll have space for brewing potions."
"Harry, you don't need to rationalize with us," Blaise reminded him. "Snape is one of us. He's a moody sod, but he's decent enough."
Harry hesitated, looking around at the others. "Are you sure you don't mind?" he asked. "I feel terrible that I didn't clear it with all of you before asking him to stay here. That was a bit stupid of me."
"It's fine, mate," Ron assured him. "We've got plenty of room here. And it's your house. Do what you want," he concluded with a shrug.
Harry bit his lip and glanced at Draco, but his fiance just smiled in encouragement. Relieved, Harry kissed Draco's cheek and hurried off to work on preparing a room in the main house as well as one down in the bunker downstairs. He wanted to give Severus a bit of a choice in where he slept. He called out for Dobby, knowing that the house elf would be delighted to assist him.
Lucius reluctantly bid everyone farewell as he departed to return to the manor. Once he was gone, Remus frowned thoughtfully. "Should we be concerned that Malfoy seems incapable of shielding his thoughts?" he asked. "Voldemort will kill him when he realizes that he's being betrayed."
"Father has been trained in occlumency," Draco said, clearing away the used dished with a few spells. "He's not an expert, but he can shield his mind for short times. If he were to do something to compromise his cover and Voldemort decided to really dig, well, he'd be in trouble."
"So, we may not want to drag this war out to long," Greg said grimly.
"Don't be angry," Harry said in parseltongue. His face was full of worry as he gazed at Saphira. "I just want you to be safe."
Saphira let out a warm puff of breath and Harry had a feeling that she would be rolling her eyes if she were capable of such a thing. "Dragon," she growled out.
Harry sighed. "I know you're a dragon," he said patiently. "You're an older dragon that spent a long time chained down in a bank. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Saphira lowered her head so she could be eye-level with Harry. She stared at him intently. "You are mine," she said. "I will not stay away. I must protect you."
Harry couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. He adored that stubborn, ferociously protective dragon. Their relationship was not that of master and pet. Saphira was more of a companion or familiar. "I'll be fine Saphira," he assured her gently.
"You are mine," she growled more insistently, her gaze never wavering.
"Of course," Harry nodded, reaching out to brush his fingers over her nose. He grinned when she let out a satisfied croon at the response she wanted. This was Saphira's way of saying "I love you and I'll never leave you." How could he argue with that?
Draco watched from the porch, smiling fondly as Harry hugged the dragon's neck. Saphira was a little possessive, but Draco didn't mind. He actually thought it was incredibly sweet that she'd apparently devoted herself so completely to Harry, and he certainly couldn't blame her.
All day they'd been rushing around dealing with problems. There'd been several death eater attacks throughout the day, forcing the packs to split up to cover more ground. Muggles and wizards alike had been murdered with a savagery that made Draco's stomach turn. Harry had been distraught over the growing number of deaths. In the aftermath, Harry had moved away from the rest of the pack to sit with Saphira.
The dragon seemed to be doing a decent job of soothing Harry's frazzled mind and Draco was so grateful.
"Saphira wants you to come sit with us," Harry called out, looking back at Draco with a tired smile.
The blond stepped off the porch and walked over to take Harry's hand and press a gentle kiss to his palm. "Feeling better?" he asked gently, allowing Saphira to nudge at him with her snout. She seemed to be trying to shuffle them over to rest against her side.
"I am," Harry answered, casting a cushioning charm before sitting down with his back resting against Saphira's scales. He pulled Draco down with him, gathering his fiance close. "Saphira wants to fight with us."
Draco nodded. "I'm not surprised. I think you should let her," he added lightly.
"But-"
"She's a dragon, Harry," Draco said flatly. "She's a big, beautiful dragon that is completely loyal to you. She shows her love by watching over you and protecting you. Don't take that from her," he urged, reaching up to stroke Saphira's neck slowly. He smiled as she rumbled approvingly at him.
A commotion from the house made the couple scramble to their feet. Harry seized Draco's hand and they ran to the front door, rushing into the warmth of their home. They found Lucius standing in front of the fireplace, covered in soot and blood. His robes were singed in several places.
"What happened?" Severus was asking as he check him over for damage.
"They blew up a large portion of the department of mysteries," Lucius panted, wiping sweat from his brow. "They were looking for a prophecy regarding Potter and the Dark Lord, but they couldn't find it."
Draco and Harry exchanged a knowing look. "Sirius destroyed that prophecy some time ago," Draco said.
Lucius sighed heavily. "All that for something that no longer exists," he groaned. He looked over at Harry and Draco tiredly. "The Department of Mysteries has mostly been destroyed and several other departments took damage as well. The statue in the atrium is little more than dust. The Aurors are trying to capture the Death Eaters."
"We need to go," Harry said hastily but Lucius stopped him.
"You mustn't," he insisted. He shook his head when Harry scowled at him. "The Aurors have this handled. If you show up, the Dark Lord will suspect a traitor. For the moment, we need him to trust me and I am already treading on thin ice. Please Alpha," Lucius added urgently.
Harry growled in aggravation but nodded his acceptance. "I will send a small team to help clear up the mess," he grumbled. "This time, I will stay away."
"Thank you," Lucius murmured.
Draco gave Harry's hand on comforting squeeze. "Any casualties?" the blond asked anxiously.
"I am not certain," Lucius responded hesitantly. "I shielded a few when I could avoid detection..." He trailed off and looked away, as if ashamed. "My apologies Alpha."
Harry scrubbed his hands over his face in agitation. Then he forced himself to relax a bit. "It's alright Lucius. Thank you for informing us so quickly. Are you injured?" he asked. When Lucius shook his head, Harry nodded. "Return to the Death Eaters then. Be careful and, when it is safe, return to provide an update."
Lucius agreed and then hastily apparated away, stumbling a bit upon landing back in the ministry. He was in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office and Arthur Weasley was standing to one side, eyeing him warily. "Potter is sending a team to assist the Aurors," Lucius said crisply, straightening his robes a bit.
Arthur nodded slowly, still a bit stunned at Lucius' apparent unwillingness to cause him harm. He'd witnessed Harry's defense of the man, but part of him expected a betrayal. But Lucius had not attacked and even kept him out of sight from the other Death Eaters.
"You need to remain here," Lucius said firmly. "We will be departing soon."
"What about you?" Arthur asked. "Will the others suspect you?"
"I believe my cover remains intact. I will report to Potter once I am able to," Lucius said, pausing to listen at the door.
"Be careful," Arthur murmured, earning a swift nod from the other man. He watched as Lucius slipped out of the office to join the other Death Eaters. As requested, he waited until the sound of explosions and shouting faded.
He emerged from his office cautiously, peering around at the destruction. Paper airplane memos were singed and scattered around haphazardly. Parts of the ceiling had crumbled and left debris all over the desks in the reception area. Some of the floor tiles were shattered or scorched. There were a few ministry workers shakily getting to their feet and clutching at a variety of wounds.
Arthur hurried to look over the wounded and offer what assistance he could. One older witch was shaking as he helped her up. "That man..." she muttered tremulously. "A death eater came through and looked right at saw. He saw that we were alive-" She swallowed hard. "I was sure that he'd finish us off, but kicked my wand toward me and walked away."
Arthur gave her hand a comforting squeeze, suddenly quite grateful for Lucius Malfoy.
Harry paced restlessly, running his hands through his already messy hair. Dumbledore's eyes followed his progress around the room, patiently waiting for his pseudo-grandson to settle a bit.
Dumbledore had been brought to the Pack Headquarters once he'd received reports from the Order on the attack at the Ministry. Kingsley had been kind enough to take Dumbledore to Harry since it was unknown if the former Headmaster could safely apparate himself.
He rather disliked his dependence on others and wished to test his limits a bit to determine how much of his ability had been taken from him. However, he wasn't willing to cause Harry more stress than necessary with the war going on. Dumbledore couldn't bear to see Harry so frazzled.
"Calm yourself Harry," Dumbledore murmured soothingly.
"All those people," Harry muttered, finally halting in his steps. "This can't go on." He sighed as Draco pulled him close and kissed his cheek tenderly.
"Agreed," Dumbledore nodded. "So, take a breath and get your thoughts in order. If you would like to finish this, let's make a plan."
Harry nodded, drawing a steadying breath as he pressed one hand to Draco's lower back, keeping his fiance close. He looked over at the Betas who were watching him expectantly. "Ron, I need you to call Viktor over. Blaise, get my fathers. Hermione, take Vince and Greg and the three of you get the war room ready for a meeting," he instructed. He looked over at Kingsley who had remained in case Dumbledore wished to leave. "Would you mind gathering a few of your Order members for a meeting? If it's convenient," he added, remembering that Kingsley wasn't actually one of us.
"Of course," Kinglsey replied, turning in place and disappearing with a pop.
"Is there anything I can do?" Dean asked, stepping into the room.
Harry smiled gratefully. "Thank you Dean. I need your help as well."
Dean straightened his posture. "Anything you need," he said firmly.
"Call the twins in," Harry said. "And then I'd like you to return to Hogwarts. Take the floo to the headmistress's office and send Minnie to me. Then I want you and the pack guarding the castle. Nobody gets in. Not unless you hear otherwise from an Alpha, Beta or Gamma."
"Yes Alpha," Dean responded with a nod. Despite the gravity of the situation, he was glad that he was being return to Seamus's side.
"Take care of my pups," Draco murmured, tugging Dean into a quick hug.
Dean returned the embrace before apparating away to begin his tasks.
Draco sighed, kissing Harry's lips gently. "Come on Love," he murmured. "Let's get Dumbledore downstairs and start working. Severus!" he shouted, making Harry and Dumbledore jump in surprise.
Snape appeared in the doorway a moment later, looking a bit annoyed. "You bellowed?" he drawled.
"Come on, we're having a meeting," Draco said cheerfully, motioning for Snape to join them.
Snape rolled his eyes before approaching Dumbledore's chair. He cast a quick spell to carefully levitate the chair and then glanced at Harry and Draco. "Lead on Alphas."
