Another chapter is here! I'm not sure I should be posting this after finishing it off when I'm so tired, but hopefully it turned out OK. I hope you enjoy it 3 thank you for reading.

Chapter 16

Harry slept restlessly that night. Tossing and turning and waking at every noise. He was worried about Rabastan and Rodolphus. That something might have happened to them. It didn't matter how much he told himself that they were grown men, more than capable of defending themselves, a part of him kept remembering everyone he'd lost and wondering if he was about to add them to that list.

Sometime in the early morning he heard his door creak open, and he sat up like a rocket, rubbing blearily at his eyes as he tried to focus.

"Shh, go back to sleep, Harry. It's just us" someone whispered, Harry's sleep addled mind couldn't work out if it was Rabastan or Rodolphus speaking.

He climbed out of bed, not bothering to hold in the grunt of pain as his shoulder twinged. He made his way over to where the brothers were getting ready to sleep on their makeshift beds again. He grabbed each of their hands without uttering a word and dragged them back to his bed. He pushed them down onto the mattress, ignoring a few noises of surprise as he climbed into bed between them, pulling their blankets up before promptly falling back to sleep.

"I think he missed us," whispered Rabastan, hand curling securely around Harry's middle.

"Mmm" Rodolphus responded. "I was worried he would have a problem with us killing his aunt and uncle, but I guess he is our soulmate for a reason. He can't be too squeamish."

"Look at everything he's been through in his life already; our soulmate is strong and fierce; I'd say he has a bit of a dark streak himself. You don't live through everything he has and not be changed."

Rodolphus hummed thoughtfully before pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead, feeling himself relax in his soulmate's arms.

Rabastan was woken early the next morning, but he can't say he minded too much. His eyes blinked open to find Harry forcefully pushing up his shirt and clearly checking for injuries. He grunted slightly as he was rolled on his side as Harry checked his back. Seemingly satisfied at finding nothing the dark-haired teen moved onto Rodolphus who awoke with a startled yelp.

Rabastan couldn't hold in his chuckle at the completely bewildered look on his brother's face.

Harry sat back after assuring himself that Rodolphus was uninjured, "I was so worried something would happen to you" Harry said as he threw himself into Rodolphus' arms and hugged him tight. Pulling away before Rodolphus could gather his thoughts and hug their soulmate back. Rabastan didn't have the same problem, when Harry climbed into his lap and hugged him, Rabastan wrapped his arms around the slight waist and pulled him impossibly close, nuzzling into the dark hair.

Harry grunted slightly as Rabastan ran his hands down the others back and he pulled back looking into green eyes that were studiously staring at his left ear.

"Did I hurt you?" Rabastan asked in concern.

"Let's get some more ointment onto his back" Rodolphus said as he stood up and went to collect the small jar from the dresser.

Rabastan tried to help Harry out of his shirt but found the young man resisting.

"Harry? What's wrong?" Rabastan asked, suspicion colouring his tone.

Harry let out a deep sigh as he straightened his dishevelled shirt, he wouldn't lie to his soulmates, he wasn't much of a liar anyway. Hermione had always been able to tell.

"Now, don't get mad" Harry said shortly as he pulled his shirt over his head. "It was just an accident."

Rabastan tensed as he purposefully pulled Harry's shirt from his hands, scanning over the chest in front of him.

"Your back" Rodolphus gasped and Rabastan shot him a confused look, they already knew about his back. "What happened to you?" Rodolphus continued, voice turning deadly.

"I was playing quidditch with Blaise and Draco and got hit by a bludger. It was no big deal, Narcissa put that ointment on the bruise last night and if you do it again this morning, I'd say it will be cleared up by the end of the day."

Rodolphus pushed himself back off the bed, anger clear in his face. Harry flung out a hand and grabbed the others wrist as he started to walk away.

"And where do you think you're going?" Harry asked, his eyebrow raised in question.

"Going to teach Blaise and Draco a lesson, they should've known better! Nothing should have harmed you!" Rodolphus growled and Harry couldn't hold back the snort that escaped from him.

"That's completely ridiculous" Harry said with a deadpan look that had both brothers staring at him. "While I love that you are both so protective of me, it makes me feel so safe and cared for, it's stupid to think that nothing is ever going to happen to me again. You can't blame Draco and Blaise; it was just an accident. They were trying to cheer me up because I was so upset when you left and you know what, it worked. So cut it out with this nonsense and save your protective anger for when it's actually needed."

Rodolphus and Rabastan stared at Harry in surprise, before Rodolphus slowly lowered himself back onto the bed.

"Just so we're clear, no cursing, hexes or maiming of any kind?"

Harry burst into laughter, the bright happy sound causing both brothers to smile.

"Nope, if anything you should be thanking Draco and Blaise for the distraction."

Rodolphus let out a very put-upon sigh, before flopping down next to where his brother was sprawled on the bed, Harry in his lap.

"Fine, have it your way."

They lapsed into a thoughtful silence before Rabastan picked up the discarded ointment.

"We do still need to put this on" Rabastan said, turning Harry in his lap so he could get a good look at the bruise. Harry knew from the silence that followed that he was taking in the bruise and working through his own anger, just like Rodolphus had. Harry was pretty sure that Rabastan wouldn't throw him off his lap to go chasing after Draco and Blaise, so Harry let himself relax. The soothing feeling of the ointment being rubbed into his back and easing his pain, chased away the last vestiges of worry that had clouded his mind through the night. He didn't ask how the night had gone; he didn't want to know. He wondered if he should be concerned about his lack of empathy, but he could admit, even if it was just to himself, that it was oddly freeing knowing that the Dursleys were gone. That no matter what happened here with his soulmates or with Dumbledore there was simply no way for him to be returned to the 'care' of his relatives home ever again. He felt as though a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders, an easing of muscles that he hadn't even realised were tense.

Rabastan helped him back into his shirt after he was finished, and Harry couldn't help leaning in shyly and pressing a chaste kiss to the others lips. It was a mere brushing of lips, but Harry felt a shiver run down his spine. It was so very different to the only other kiss he had ever experienced. Rabastan sat stunned, as Harry leaned over to Rodolphus and did the same, breathing in his soulmates scent as their lips grazed. He glanced down at the bed, face colouring in embarrassment.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

Harry glanced up when no answer was forth coming, to find Rabastan and Rodolphus still frozen. His face broke out into a cheeky grin.

"Come on you two, breakfast and then I have someone I want to introduce you to" Harry said, giving them both a shake as he climbed from the bed. The movement seemed to finally pull the brothers from whatever daydream they had been stuck in. Rabastan traced his fingers along his lips as he thoughtlessly pulled off his pyjamas and started changing.

A small squeak had him looking over to find Harry turning away from him, face red. He felt like flexing a bit, just to show Harry what he had but he didn't want to do anything that would make the younger uncomfortable. They had just shared their first kiss, that was enough for one day. He could tell from the shy hesitant movement of the kiss that their soulmate was inexperienced. That knowledge lighting a possessive fire inside him, the likes of which he had never experienced before. He didn't let himself concentrate on it overly much at the moment though, that could wait until he had some time alone.

When all were dressed, Harry having taken his clothes into the bathroom to change, they started making their way downstairs for breakfast. Harry brought Herbert along, the plant wrapping happily around Harry's shoulders and into his hair. Harry stroked the leaves thoughtfully as they walked. Rabastan really liked the plant, it was obvious that it cared for Harry and that's all that mattered. He thinks the plant probably has a bit of a dark streak itself.

Harry walked into the dining room to find most of the occupants already there, as well as… Hedwig.

"Hedwig," Harry said happily, walking forward and running his fingers along the soft feathers.

"Hey beautiful girl, I have someone I'd like you to meet."

Both Rabastan and Rodolphus started to step forward, but Harry sat down Herbert's pot on the table in front of the snowy owl.

"Hedwig, this is Herbert. Herbert, this is Hedwig, you are both very important to me and I hope you will get along."

Snickers started breaking out around the room, before they turned into full blown bellows of laughter. Harry glanced up to find everyone laughing uproariously. Lucius was gripping his hair, his face turning red as he laughed, while Narcissa was busy banging the table with her hand as loud guffaws fell from her lips. Even Voldemort was chuckling along with everyone else.

Harry felt his cheeks redden, were they laughing at him?

"We are not laughing at you, I promise" Narcissa reassured him, as she tried to talk around her laughter. "It's just…" she waved her hand as laughter overtook her again.

Harry spun around to find both Rabastan and Rodolphus standing there, looking at him like kicked puppies.

"You introduced your plant before you introduced your soulmates," Draco howled as he took in the expressions on his uncles faces.

Harry found himself smiling as well, he reached forward, pulling Rabastan and Rodolphus closer.

"Sorry, I didn't mean any offence" Harry said sheepishly. "It's just that they will probably be spending more time together, so I wanted to introduce them first. You are definitely as important to me as Herbert."

"Well, as long as we're as important to you as your plant" Rodolphus said with a pout that Harry thought was ridiculously adorable but had the rest of the room crying out in laughter again.

"He's actually pouting!" Carmel hiccupped.

"Rabastan, Rodolphus, this is Hedwig, my very first friend. I let her fly off while I was escaping from the Dursleys as I didn't know where I would end up. She found me again last night."

Harry looked ridiculously happy that his owl had returned to him, so Rodolphus couldn't mind too much that he'd come in second to a plant. He leaned forward to pet her snowy feathers, but Hedwig just fixed him with a hard stare, eyes flicking between himself and Rabastan and he found himself removing his hand, unsurely.

"Don't worry, she'll warm up to you" Harry said, with a fond smile at his owl.

Herbert's vines snaked their way the short distance across the table until they started twining through Hedwig's feathers. The owl had the audacity to hoot contentedly before nuzzling her beak into Herbert's soft leaves.

Rodolphus shared a bewildered look with his brother, how were they losing to a plant?

"Sit, have something to eat" Narcissa said as she wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes. Harry started dishing up a small helping of everything, remembering what Dr Jones said about small meals frequently. He hoped the Dr didn't have anything too crazy on the meal plan he was dropping off for Harry later.

"What are your plans for today?" Narcissa asked with a smile.

"I've got to send Terence a letter, let him know that I'm OK," he felt bad about worrying his friend.

"Perhaps you could invite him over for a visit? You would have to wear your disguise of course, but I could arrange for a sitting room to be available and appropriately warded for visitors, if you'd like?"

"Really? That would be wonderful, thank you, Narcissa. I will write him straight after breakfast and see when he's available."

Narcissa nodded decidedly, glad that she could do something to make Harry happy.

Hedwig flew off bacon in her beak as Harry started eating his own breakfast.

"Harry, I would like a chance to talk to you sometime this week, if that's OK?" Voldemort asked, causing Harry to pause with a strawberry raised to his mouth.

"Ah, yeah, sure" Harry said unsurely, his heart starting to beat a little faster. Sure, Voldemort had been nothing but kind to him since he arrived, that didn't mean that Harry trusted the man.

A large hand gripped his shoulder in comfort and Harry looked over to see Rodolphus smiling at him. It helped to reassure him and with a decided nod at Voldemort he went back to his breakfast.

Voldemort looked pleased as he surveyed the table.

They finished up their breakfasts and everyone started wandering off to do their own thing.

"We were hoping that you might like to join us for a picnic today?" Rabastan asked as Harry started to stand. Green eyes blinked in surprise, looking between Rabastan and Rodolphus.

"Sure, that sounds great" Harry said with a soft smile. "I'm going to go and write to Terence. Meet you back here at lunch time?"

Rabastan nodded and Harry picked up Herbert and followed Narcissa out of the room.

"Some ink and parchment" Narcissa said, guiding Harry to a large oak table in a beautiful sitting room.

"Thank you" Harry said as he sat down and pulled parchment and quill toward him. He took his time, thinking carefully about what he wanted to say and making sure that his writing was relatively neat, nothing like his usual chicken scratch.

Harry did his best to reassure Terence without giving away anything. He extended an invitation for a visit and Harry really hoped that Terence would accept. He thought there was a chance they could be good friends if given the chance. His thoughts wandered to Ron and Hermione, were they wondering where he was? What would they make of his soulmates? He pushed the thought away for now, perhaps when things were more settled, he could write them.

He folded his letter to Terence and set off in search of Hedwig, leaving Herbert to bask in the sunlight pouring in through the open window. He found Hedwig snoozing in the owlery; she came awake immediately as he approached.

"Can you please take this to Terence Higgs, girl?"

She hooted happily as he tied the letter to her leg before she flew off into the sky. He stood there, watching as she disappeared into the distance. It was wonderful having her back, she'd been his one constant over the last five years, he already felt more at home with Hedwig here with him.

Harry joined Narcissa in the garden until it was time to meet Rabastan and Rodolphus for their picnic. This time they were pruning back some of Narcissa's beautiful hedges, he worked up quite a sweat, but he found it very rewarding. Narcissa was very appreciative of his help, happy to tell him all she knew about pruning hedges, which was surprisingly more than he'd thought there was to know.

"Harry" Rodolphus called out as Harry made his way back towards the manor. Harry spotted his soulmates standing at the bottom of the stairs, a large picnic basket and blanket clasped in their arms. He took a moment to appreciate how handsome they both looked, dark hair gleaming as the sun shined down on them. He blushed as he realised, he was standing there ogling the men and judging by the smirk on Rodolphus' face they weren't unaware.

"Lead the way" Harry said before falling into step as they started a walk through the sprawling gardens.

"We asked Narcissa where the best place for our picnic would be, she recommended here" Rabastan said as they walked around the path and came to a stop in front of a small lake.

Seriously, a lake? How big is this place? Harry thought. But he couldn't deny it was beautiful.

Rabastan laid out the blanket and they all got settled. Harry fidgeted awkwardly with the edge of the blanket, not really sure what to say.

"We know this has all been a bit of a mess" Rodolphus started. "But we wanted you to know that we will do this properly. Just because you're our soulmate doesn't mean we are taking anything for granted."

Harry blinked a little bemusedly, "what does that mean exactly?"

"Basically, that we want to get to know you, spend time with you, court you."

Harry smiled at that, he wasn't too sure what courting was, so he made a mental note to ask Narcissa about it later but spending time together and getting to know each other was exactly what Harry wanted as well.

"I want that as well" Harry said softly, watching the smiles break out on Rabastan and Rodolphus' faces. "So, tell me about yourselves."

Both brothers looked flummoxed for a moment, like they hadn't considered that Harry would want to get to know them as well.

"Well," Rabastan began as he started unpacking the picnic. Laying out a beautiful array of foods. "I can't cook, at all. Please don't ask or expect me to ever cook for you, it will more than likely end in a trip to St Mungo's for food poisoning."

Harry let out a snort, "well I guess it's lucky that I'm a pretty good cook then. The Dursleys had me cooking from the time I was young, luckily, I quite enjoyed it."

Both brothers decided to skirt of the whole mention of the Dursleys and Harrys abuse, they had been dealt with and this was about starting to get to know the good as well as the bad stuff.

"You will have to cook for us sometime" Rodolphus said, as he reached out for a sandwich from the multitude of food.

"Ooh, I'd love that, said Harry enthusiastically. Probably not until I go and work with Dae a few times, get a good look around the kitchen here."

"Whenever you're ready" Rodolphus said with an easy nod.

"So, tell me more about yourselves, what subjects did you study in school? What's your favourite colour? Do you have anyone else in your family?" Harry asked, peppering them with questions as he piled fruit on his plate, feeling himself relax now that the ice was broken.

"Well, I excelled at potions at school" Rabastan said with a proud smile, "while Rod was good at bloody everything."

Rodolphus shot his brother a smug smirk, "you should have spent more time studying and less time trying to woo Arthur Greengrass and you might have done as well."

Have chuckled at the brothers' antics, while his stomach twisted at the thought of Rabastan trying to woo anyone that wasn't him. He shook the thoughts from his mind, his soulmates were much older than him, of course they had had other partners before, hell one of them was even married. Still married actually. Ugh, he decided to refocus back on the conversation going on around him and worry about all that at another time.

"We don't have any family left. Our mother died when we were young, and father died while we were in Azkaban" Rodolphus continued on in a subdued tone. "We never got to say goodbye to him."

"Oh, I'm very sorry" Harry said, reaching out to hold Rodolphus' hand, enjoying the warmth of the other.

"We are very protective of each other, because we're all that we have left. Well, until we met you that is."

"Well, I will be protective of you both as well" Harry said earnestly, and both were aware enough of Harry and his power that they took the offer seriously.

The hours slipped by as they sat together and talked. Not about dark lords or abusive family members, but about themselves. Harry could tell that Rabastan had a wicked sense of humour and was not afraid to unleash his wit on anyone, while Rodolphus had a sterner countenance, one that was more prone to stress and worry. Harry ended up leaning against Rabastan's warm side, with Rodolphus' head pillowed in his lap. He's not sure if he had ever been touched like this before, with such warmth and kindness, but he knew that he could quickly become addicted to the feeling of his soulmates touching him.

They stayed out until the sun started to fade, and Harry, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside after the wonderful afternoon with his soulmates, basking in the sun, practically floated back to the manor.

"Oh, Harry. Healer Jones dropped off a dietary guide for you. I have already given it to Dae and the other house elves in the kitchen so they can ensure that you are getting everything you need. He also dropped off another box of nutrition potions. There should be enough to last the next few weeks."

"Ah, thank you, Lucius."

"Dinner is just being served if you would like to join us?"

Harry glanced at Rabastan and Rodolphus, before nodding and the four started walking towards the dining room. Harry froze for a moment when he entered, spotting Snape sitting at the table in-between Lucius and Voldemort. His eyebrows scrunched as he carefully watched the other man, walking slowly toward the table and taking his usual seat.

"What's he doing here?" Harry asked and he knew his voice sounded petulant. He had no right to be questioning anyone else's presence.

"He has some news about the order, and I thought you may be interested in hearing it" Voldemort put in smoothly.

Voldemort sounded calm and collected but Harry could tell from the rhythmic pulsing in his scar that the dark lord was annoyed, angry even. Harry couldn't deny that he was curious as he looked at Snape expectantly. Dark eyes met green before Snape turned back to Voldemort, seemingly dismissing Harry as he started to speak.

"They have finally discovered that Harry is no longer at his relatives, though it was rather hard for them to miss with his aunt and uncle turning up dead and his cousin incapacitated."

Snape glanced at Harry to gauge his reaction, but Harry didn't care he knew all this already.

"They assume that you have taken him, my lord."

"A logical conclusion" Voldemort murmured, waving his hand for Snape to continue.

"Dumbledore has called in the usual buffoons; McGonagall, Moody, Lupin, the Weasleys. I believe he means to conduct a search of all places that you could be hiding him, and I do believe that eventually they will make their way to the manor. We should be prepared with a strategy as they may not come by way of legal means. I wouldn't put anything past Dumbledore at the moment, he was near frantic when he found out Harry was missing."

Voldemort looked thoughtful, "let me think on this and we can discuss it more tomorrow."

Harry didn't know why anxiety was curling sharply in his belly at Snapes words. Logically he knew that the order would try looking for him and honestly, he was surprised it had taken them this long. But still the idea that Dumbledore was officially after him had dread rapidly spreading through his limbs. He thoughts flashed to Lupin, the Weasleys, Hermione, they would be worried about him. Perhaps he should reach out, sooner then he had planned, let them know he was OK. He would talk it over with Voldemort.

A large hand ran soothingly down his back. "We won't let them take you" Rodolphus whispered and Harry, he believed him.

Hours later Harry sat up in bed, panting as sweat beaded on his forehead. A dream, a dream of Voldemort, with Voldemort? It sort of blurred together, where he finished and Voldemort began. He remembered flickers of Voldemort's study, irritation ran under his skin, was it his or Voldemort's?

Rabastan sat up beside him, trying his best to look alert. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry rubbed his scar, relaxing slightly as the pain started to ebb.

"N-nothing, I'm OK. Just a strange dream."

Rabastan started to lay back down but jolted upright a moment later as his mark started to burn. Rodolphus yelped in surprise as he was jolted awake by his own mark flaring to life.

"He's calling us" Rodolphus said groggily as they both pulled themselves out of bed " we will return as soon as possible" he reassured Harry before hurrying from the room.

Harry laid back down, heart pounding in his chest.