A/N: well, thanks for the continued support, everyone! Oh, and my sister and I had fun with this chapter.... whatever, just read it.
Chapter 23
Severus stood under the running water, closed his eyes and concentrated on just being with his soul mate. Are you all right, Laurel? he asked, feeling sudden discontent radiating from her mind.
Oh fine, but - hang on, she rearranged herself in his consciousness until she was looking through his eyes. I want to see what you look like, that's all. Severus groaned mentally, feeling her take control of his motor functions, turning him this way and that. Oh bugger, she said, can't get a good view. Severus's eyes widened as she conjured a full length mirror and placed it on the shower wall, but he didn't do anything to stop her.
Nice, nice, she thought appreciatively. Severus grinned shyly and blushed at her frank approval of his physique.
Laurel... he trailed off, suddenly unsure of himself. No one's ever been this openly attracted to me, and I don't quite how to react.
I can help with that... she teased, grinning mentally. Stand at attention, soldier!
WHAT??? He yelped, automatically snapping to attention.
Not like that... she whispered suggestively.
Oh. Severus's mouth dropped open as he did 'ahem' stand to attention. Are you sure you're all right with pursuing this? he asked, confused and unsure.
You're my soul mate. I love you. I trust you. You won't hurt me, she said simply.
Severus gasped as she took control of his hands. I wanna wash your hair, she said petulantly, sounding like a six year old. Severus grinned as she expertly used his hands to lather his silky locks, completely removing the Potions residue, leaving them shiny and soft.
Not fair. You aren't in the shower so I can't do this for you, Severus grumped, enjoying the ministrations of his soul mate.
You can pay me back when you come to rescue me, she said suggestively, sending visuals of what she REALLY wanted to be doing with that shampoo.
Severus gasped, resting his forehead on the tiles as his knees buckled from the pure, unadulterated lust shooting through his veins. Laurel, we can't. This isn't right, you've been hurt and I don't want to hurt you, he thought desperately, trying to not give into the sensations she was putting him through.
You weren't listening to me! I told you, I love you and I trust you. You aren't going to hurt me. Now let me have my fun! she begged, using her telekinetic powers to run phantom hands up and down Severus's torso, and up his neck and into his hair. He moaned quietly, his rational mind taking a vacation in lieu of his second brain taking complete control.
Oh hell, why not, he moaned mentally, hearing Laurel chuckle. He closed his eyes, and his head tipped back as the phantom hands continued teasing, traveling up and down his body, missing the important parts but still managing to enflame his nerve endings even more. "Oh my... god...." he gasped.
The sound of the door to his bathroom opening had him whipping around, grateful that the shower was completely steamed up. "Who is it?" he yelled, furious. Damn it!!!! He mentally snapped as Laurel continued teasing him. Oh hell, he moaned mentally as her phantom hands finally found his erection, sending him almost over the edge.
Tell whoever it is to leave! Laurel demanded, irritated.
Lily poked her head in. "Are you all right, bro?" she asked, her eyes widening at the silhouette of his body shuddering against the glass.
"Laurel... potions... BONDED, TELEKINETIC, GET OUT!!!" he yelled, sagging against the glass.
Her mouth formed an 'oh' of surprise. "Oops, I'll be back later," she said, beating a hasty retreat.
Laurel laughed in his mind, a rich velvety sound. He shivered as the phantoms continued to caress him. Half a minute later, he fell heavily against the wall, gasping heavily and completely spent. More? she asked teasingly.
Oh GOD, he thought, gasping for breath. As much as I'd love to, I think we have to explain things to my sister.
Hands caressed him up and down his back, guiding him out of the shower and over to the towel rack. Poor Severus, Laurel floated a towel off of the wrack and wrapped it snugly around his waist, affectionately patting his backside. Go; go explain things to your sister. I'm sure she already understands, though.
Severus mentally hugged his soul mate, for an instant looking through her eyes to the room beyond. I want you out of there, love. I'm working on a way to get you out, all of us are. She hugged him in return and they remained like that for several minutes, just enjoying the feeling of closeness.
As they pulled out of the embrace, he felt her mentally stiffen. What? he asked sharply, worried.
Oh no.... he's here, she moaned, causing him to jerk and tense, his mind racing to find a way to get Laurel out of danger.
Sev, you have to distance yourself from me. There's no way I'm letting you get hurt too, Laurel thought desperately, trying to push Severus out of her mind, with little success.
Severus held firm, refusing to budge an inch. I'm staying, Laurel. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and all that stuff. We're in this together, he said grimly, focusing his energy to bolster his mate's strength. We're gonna kick his ass for what he's trying to do.
Laurel lay on the stone floor, tears of happiness rolling down her face. You really mean that, don't you, she thought in amazement.
Severus watched as Clautius stared down at her- them, he thought determinedly. This was going to affect him as if he were being raped right alongside his mate. He watched as the monster sneered, towering over them.
"Really, pet, I thought you'd given up on tears a long time ago. No one's coming for you, or they would have rescued you by now. Give it up and come to me willingly," Clautius purred, sending waves of terror through Laurel's mind.
It's all right, Love, I'm here. Right with you, right beside you. I'm not going anywhere, Severus cradled her consciousness with his own, giving her comfort and solace where previously there had been none.
Laurel, with Severus's strength, stared defiantly into the eyes of her captor. "You bastard," she hissed, eyes narrowing to slits. "They will come for me and they will destroy you. Mark my words, Clautius; you will know how it feels to be someone's bitch before this is all over."
Clautius's eyes widened as she spoke, and quickly narrowed. "You will submit to me, bitch," he hissed back at her, "or you'll be a demon toy like you were last week."
Laurel paled but held firm. "Never willingly, you sick fuck," she ground out, terror radiating off of her in waves.
He's still been doing that? Severus thought, sickened.
Laurel nodded slightly, both of their minds working on overdrive. How am I going to avoid this? she asked frantically. If he tries to link with me, he'll have access to you.
Let him come. I'll kill him! Severus snarled vehemently, waves of protectiveness surrounding his soul mate.
Clautius towered over her and, in one smooth motion, knelt over her, reaching his mind out to shatter her shields. Severus took the golden opportunity to kick the monster square in the testicles- again. Clautius's face turned a sickly shade of green and his breath whooshed out of him. He fell backwards, lying in the fetal position, his hands clutching his crotch.
"Oh, you- you little bitch," he ground out through a clenched jaw. "You're going to pay dearly for that one."
Laurel and Severus watched as he slowly straightened his face still pale. Unsteadily, he reached his mind and hand out to Laurel's face. Instantly, her shields, reinforced by Severus's impenetrable shields, locked into place. Clautius, confused, stared at her. "You've grown in power," he demanded. "How? I will find the answer!"
They felt him gather all his strength and, like a javelin, hurl towards their shields. Severus screamed as the pure energy slammed into their barriers, the shields miraculously holding. Laurel shuddered from the effort, her powers already taxed to the limit. Severus gritted his teeth and threw more of his powers into their shields, using all of his reserve energy to keep the monster at bay. It wasn't enough. The shields grew steadily weaker as Clautius slammed his powers into them over and over.
With a roar of triumph, Clautius ripped into Laurel's mind, reveling in the newfound power. He stopped short, suddenly aware of another presence. Who are you? he demanded, savagely ripping into Severus's mind for answers.
Her soul mate, you sick fuck! was Severus's only warning to the monster as he slammed full force into Clautius's consciousness, ripping, shredding, causing as much damage as possible and forcing Clautius to backpedal swiftly out of Laurel's mind before losing himself completely.
Severus grabbed a hold of Laurel's telekinesis and slammed the reeling Evil Personified into and through the nearest stone wall. He quickly bolstered his soul mate, feeling for the first time afraid that he was outmatched. Sev, call the others. Get help! Laurel urged him.
Agreeing with her, he mentally reached out for his sister, brother in law, nephew, Godson, and anyone who could hear him. HELP!!!!!!!! he screamed, feeling everyone in the castle respond. Dimly, he felt Alanna, Xander, James, Ginny, Lily, Draco, Harry, Gaila, Olivia, Raphael, Michael, Rowan, Gabrielle, Damien, Nicholai, Salazar and Godric Apparate right behind him and instantly link deeply into his mind.
Thanks, he gasped, feeling Clautius coming for a second round.
Don't thank us yet, Alanna warned. Even all of us combined aren't enough to completely destroy him, just hurt him a bit. Severus gaped as the awesome, nearly infinite power ripped through him and poured into Laurel just as Clautius rammed again into her mind.
The FUCK??? They heard his scream, his face contorting with rage. ALANNA, YOU WHORE!!!! He howled, and shot out his hands. Energy radiated from him, the castle shaking to its very foundation, feeling the planet almost come apart at the seams. And still, the power continued to grow, funneling around his body, turning the air into a maelstrom of energy and evil.
How powerful is he???? He gasped in wonder, feeling, for the first time; Clautius completely draw upon his full power, the entire Universe shuddering with the force he commanded. They watched, terrified, as Clautius's body disappeared, replaced by a well of darkness
More powerful than all of us combined, Xander told him grimly as they merged their consciousnesses into one unified fighting force. Laurel's body convulsed and the entire Universe again shuddered, her body disappearing into a blaze of sparkling white. They threw the entirety of their powers straight at Clautius, blasting him through seven stone walls and completely out of the castle.
They shot the same force directly at the manacle around Laurel's neck. It glowed for a second and then went back to the way it was. Again, they shot a laser force at the manacle, with the same nonexistent result. OH SHIT, they thought, aware that Clautius was coming back, and was incredibly pissed off.
Satan shot through the person sized hole in the wall, his face the only thing left visible in the inky darkness. His eyes were scarlet and ebony slits barely visible on his face, and the air crackled with electricity. He levitated in front of Laurel, fury plain in his expression. "You will pay for this, Alanna. You will pay for bringing them against me, you bitch. You see what I've done to my pet? You are next. I'm waiting for you," he laughed, a bone chilling sound that shook each of them to the core.
"SHE'S NOT YOUR PET!!!!!!" they screamed as one, the booming thunder rolling from Laurel's mouth. Clautius continued to laugh.
"And how do you plan on keeping her from me?" he asked, sneering. "You can't stay with her forever and I'll be waiting for when you tire of protecting her."
Severus disengaged his mind from the unison and Apparated to the Potions Lab, where he had twenty bottles of the energy strengthening potion sitting in the storeroom, all perfect batches Harry and Ginny had brewed the day his nephew had tried to kill himself. He quickly gathered them into a bag and Apparated back, distributing them to everyone in the room. He downed his, feeling his powers quadruple, an incredible rush filling him.
Laurel just lay there, Clautius in front of her, and felt everyone in her mind suddenly become infinitely more powerful. What the... she wondered. Clautius, feeling their powers disband, grinned manically, looming closer to his captive.
A glowing white barrier slowly solidified between the flabbergasted Clautius and Laurel, completely sealing Laurel inside an impenetrable bubble. Vaguely, the rejoined demigods could feel Clautius throwing first his powers, and then, in desperation, bodily hurling himself against the shield.
You all are brilliant! Laurel praised her siblings as she felt Clautius's fury through the shield. Thank you all!!!!
Thank your soul mate and Harry here, Draco told her calmly. It was Harry's invention and Severus's practical application that was the true genius. We just shut up and drank the bottles. Speaking of which, Sev, how long does this last?
The shield should stay indefinitely, or until we take it down. The potion should last for - Harry, what's the strength again? Severus asked his nephew.
This one lasts a week, Uncle Sev, but since we used so much power, I think it'll wear off much sooner, Harry told him, furrowing his brow.
How soon? Gaila and Olivia asked in unison, giggling.
Probably several hours tops. Why? Harry asked, suspicious.
ANIME!!!!!!! MANGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The two of them screamed.
Laurel laughed. Hey, could you get me Fallen and Megatokyo? I LOVE those!
Sure, Laurel! they chirped, before Apparating away, giggling madly. On to JAPAN!!!!!!!! There has to be an ANIME convention somewhere!!!!
Uh oh, Raphael and Michael thought in unison. You just HAD to turn them into super goddesses didn't you? they moaned, Apparating after their soul mates, ready to do damage control.
Everyone completely separated, floating around in Laurel's head. Xander was wrapped around Alanna, comforting his trembling soul mate. Lana, it's all right. I swear, he's not going to get you.
I swear, Xander, it's because of- she noticed that everyone was listening and quickly shielded the rest of their conversation. Laurel and Severus wrapped around each other, drawing comfort from each other's presence. Lily and James held Draco, Ginny and Harry, assuring them that they were all right and no one was hurt. Rowan and Gabrielle sat quietly with Salazar, Godric, Nicholai and Damien, waiting for everyone else to relax and deal with what happened.
Alanna and Xander finally stopped shielding long enough for her to tell them that she was going to go have a talk with her children and Apparated out of Severus's quarters.
What the hell does that mean? Harry asked. No one could give him an answer.
Severus turned to Lily, talking to her privately. I guess I should at least try to explain what you walked in on, he muttered, physically blushing.
Lily laughed. Don't worry about it, Sev. I know EXACTLY what I walked in on. Phantom hands, right? Severus nodded dumbly, incredibly embarrassed. I did the same to James once I figured out how to use telekinesis right after we graduated.
Severus looked pained. I SO did not need to hear that, he muttered, gulping.
Well, you started this conversation, not me, Lily reminded him.
Severus groaned. Yes, yes, I know! Now, what are we doing for the rest of the day?
His face turned beet red as Laurel suggested We could christen all the usual places... she trailed off, smirking at his discomfort.
Well, it IS a Sunday and I don't have classes, so... Severus trailed off. I would rather christen those places with you physically present.
Laurel and he laughed, ignoring the shocked and faintly disgusted expressions on the faces around him, and left his rooms.
Monday, Blaise and Seamus decided to complete their prank, which took a hell of a lot of ingenuity, and almost twelve hours to complete. They switched, in the dead of night, the Dorms: Paintings, passwords, trunks, beds, sleeping people. Everything. Slytherin's wall was put in front of Ravenclaw's dorms with Hufflepuff's password, housed by Hufflepuffs. Gryffindor received Ravenclaw's portrait, Ravenclaw's password and the Slytherin students. Hufflepuff received Gryffindor's painting, Gryffindor's Password, and Ravenclaw students. Ravenclaw's dorms received Hufflepuff's painting, Slytherin's password, and the Gryffindor students. Everyone woke up confused, and several students threatened to kill whoever was responsible for the prank. Needless to day, Blaise and Seamus kept a low profile after that.
The next Tuesday, Harry stayed after his Wandless and Elemental class to talk to Xander. He groaned mentally, dreading the conversation he had to have with the older demigod. It's either you or Alanna and I'm sure as hell not going to my parents, so you're elected, he told Xander as soon as everyone but Draco had left. Draco stood against the wall, as interested in this conversation as his soul mate.
Xander stood up, staring at him in surprise. What, Harry? Don't tell me you're already pregnant, he exclaimed. Draco fell over with a crash.
What???? NO!!! Harry yelled, his face screwing up in horror. Hell no!!! Is that even possible? he added as an afterthought.
Xander sighed. I'm glad you're not pregnant and yes, it is possible, although I don't recommend it. Now that we've ruled out reproducing, what's your question? he asked, sitting down on an easy chair.
Harry and Draco sat down as well. Um, it's really embarrassing so I'll just get it out. Seamus and Blaise bonded and-
Good for them, Xander interrupted. They do know they'll be together for all eternity, right? Do they need to talk to someone?
No, it's not about them! Harry ran his hands through his hair, destroying the spikes.They set off a shockwave from the energy of bonding, and it was that really big earthquake after the last Quidditch game. We are billions of times more powerful than they are and they let off a lot of energy. If we bond, will we blow up a planet?
Xander stared at him, his face paling. I have no idea, Harry. That's really an interesting question, and I actually think your parents would be better to talk to. Alanna and I were created already bonded, so we didn't actually have to complete anything. Your parents, on the other hand, had to go through exactly what you two now have to experience.
Harry raised an eyebrow. I'm not asking my parents about their sex life. Not way in hell, he snapped, crossing his arms across his chest.
Draco laughed out loud, almost falling off his chair in the process. I'd like front row seats to that, he chortled.
Oh, you'd be ringside, Draco, considering you're the other half of what we need to do, Harry thought, amused. Draco turned white, contemplating what Lily would do to him.
Could you talk to them? Harry asked Xander quietly.
Xander nodded, grinning. Sure, Harry, I'll get information for you. Tell you what, give me a week and then I'll find you with what I've figured out, all right? Harry nodded, still incredibly embarrassed.
Hey, don't be embarrassed, Harry. We did tell you we'd teach you about your powers and this is a part of it. I'm pretty sure we can find a way for a planet- or a galaxy- not to explode when you two bond.
Harry and Draco quickly left the Room of Requirement. You can wait a week, right? Draco asked Harry facetiously. Harry just rolled his eyes and elbowed his soul mate in the ribs.
"OW! Prat!" Draco yelled, pouting as he rubbed his ribs. 'That hurt, you know."
"I'm so sorry, Drake," Harry grinned, then added silently, Would you like me to kiss it and make it better?
Well, as pleasant as I'm sure that would prove to be, we are going to need to wait a week-
Are you sure you can keep your hands to yourself for that long? Harry all but purred in Draco's ear. Ooh, that's one hell of a mental image. Harry smirked as Draco thought of when he had kept his hands to (and all over) himself after their last dream incident.
Damn treacherous brain, Draco thought to himself. Are you trying to give me a run for my money, or something Harry?
Harry looked at him with an innocently confused expression.
Draco snorted, And I thought I was supposed to be the horny one.
Harry snickered and grabbed Draco's hand, Apparating them straight to the Chamber of Secrets. Want to make some of those dreams become reality? he asked in all seriousness.
Draco gaped at him, shocked. I didn't expect you to- Harry are you sure about this? I don't want to bring up any painful memories or anything.
Instead of replying, Harry gently cupped Draco's face and drew him into the sweetest kiss Draco had ever felt in his life. Does this answer your question? We aren't going to bond, because that's too dangerous, why we can't have a little fun? he asked silently.
Draco just softly moaned and ran his fingers through Harry's hair, quickly removing the spiking spells and making it grow to hang around his shoulder blades. Can I give you wings? He asked, his mental voice hazy with lust.
Harry snickered silently, breaking the kiss. He finally doubled over, howling with laughter. He sat down, hard, on the couch strategically behind him and rocked back and forth, tears of mirth rolling down his face. WINGS????
Draco stared at him, fuming. You dick. He sat down next to Harry, scowling. You absolute dick. You start kissing me and then you laugh at me. I have a fragile ego, Harry, and I think you just shattered it.
Harry sat up and flung himself on his soul mate, effectively stopping all thought processes as he nibbled and licked Draco's lips, causing Draco's mouth to open in a silent moan. Harry quickly took advantage of this to deepen the kiss, sliding his tongue into his soul mate's mouth, playing and teasing, listening with extreme satisfaction to the soft sighs coming from Draco.
They finally broke the kiss, coming up for air. Harry rested his forehead against Draco's. He sat up quickly and ripped off his shirt. You can give me wings only if I can give you a pair as well, he said, his eyes dancing with merriment.
Draco grinned evilly, staring at Harry's bare, toned chest and ridged, toned abdomen. You've got yourself a deal. With that, Draco lunged at Harry, flipping him easily onto his washboard stomach. Draco's eyes hungrily traveled up and down the vision before him, taking in the broad shoulders and lean neck. He suddenly felt an irresistible urge, and, throwing all rational sense to the wind, he leaned down and traced the ridges of Harry's spine with his tongue.
Harry groaned under him, shivering from head to toe as Draco straddled his lower back, pressing his hands to either side of Harry's spine next to his scapulas. His face furrowing in concentration, Draco gently caressed the skin under his hands, feeling the bones shift and jut out, extending into an enormous, naked framework underneath his fingers. He kept pushing his magic into his soul mate, and those incredible, iridescent black feathers sprouted from the new appendages, tickling his hands and, when he gently buried his face into the silky softness, his nose. He stroked the feathers lovingly, his eyes still hungry.
Harry slowly stretched, his wings furling and expanding. He arched his back, all but purring at the sensations Draco was making him feel. He gently tumbled his soul mate off of him and straddled the other boy's stomach. A deal is a deal, he announced, pulling Draco's shirt quickly over his head. He quickly leaned down, fisting his fingers through Draco's chin length platinum and cobalt hair, his eyes hazing with desire. He quickly kissed Draco, sliding his tongue into his soul mate's mouth, and, with a sigh, flipped him over.
Draco lay on his stomach limply, feeling Harry press his magic into his skin. He felt the strange sensation of his bones shifting and elongating, and saw, out of the corner of his eye, silver feathers with black tips erupt from his wings. Damn, Draco, this is almost the sexiest thing I've ever seen, Harry thought in awe.
Almost? Draco asked, slightly hurt.
It's only beaten by that time I saw you just out of the shower, in the little black towel, Harry thought, showing Draco exactly what he meant. That one will forever be ingrained into my subconscious as the day I finally realized that you are perfection. Draco grinned helplessly. Who knew that they both were hopeless romantics?
I wanna fly, Draco pouted, his eyes shining with love.
Harry and Draco joined hands and Apparated straight to the Quidditch Pitch. They gazed at each other and, with a push, launched themselves into the air, Draco quickly getting the hang of flying with twelve foot wings.
Wow, Draco thought, swooping over seven hundred feet in the air. This is incredible! he yelled to his soul mate. All of a sudden Harry projected exactly what the sight of Draco, shirtless, with his silver and ebony wings, did to him. Draco gasped as a tidal wave on lust slammed into him. He immediately folded his wings and dove to Harry, stopping right in front of him. He reached out and pulled Harry into his embrace, kissing him firmly.
Do you think it's possible in midair? Draco asked, remembering his dream with sudden clarity.
Harry grinned at him, sharing in remembering the dream. I dunno, Draco, but I think we should try, he thought, his emerald eyes turning a forest green with lust. Draco's eyes turned to molten steel and they captured each other in a searing kiss. Tongues battling for dominance, Draco caressed Harry up and down his front, eliciting moans from the other boy. Not to be outdone, Harry grabbed Draco's ass firmly, pulling their erections together. Draco hissed, biting Harry lightly on the lip before trailing open mouthed kisses down his soul mate's neck.
Unknown to the both of them, their powers had flared and formed a sphere of blinding light around them. The air pulsed with power as they continued, oblivious to the world around them. Lightning flashed and the earth shook violently and cracked open in several places directly below them. Several funnel clouds formed around them and whipped up the waters of the lake, the Atlantic Ocean, and the English Channel. The power quickly spread, until multiple earthquakes hit all over the planet. It seemed that the world was straining against itself, ready to come apart at the seams.
Alanna raced out of the castle, her eyes shielded against the blinding light and wind. Frantically, she Apparated straight into the sphere of power. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????" she screamed, scaring the shit, almost literally, out of Harry and Draco.
"What's it look like? Having a bloody fucking tea party???" Draco snapped, holding onto Harry for support. Their hair was mussed and their skin flushed.
"You do realize that the earth was about to explode???" she shrieked, furious. "You're the one who came to us for help, you knew and you almost took out what we're fighting to save!!!!"
Harry and Draco stared at each other. "Oops," Harry said sheepishly, blushing furiously. Draco mirrored him, his face tomato red.
Alanna stared at them. Sighing, she grabbed hold of their arms and Apparated straight back into the Great Hall, where Lily, James, Severus, Remus, and everyone else were waiting. Harry and Draco stood in front of them, their wings gone and fully clothed, staring at the other demigods and adults sullenly.
"Harry, Draco, while I hate to put a damper on your relationship," Severus began neutrally, "you really have to be aware that what you did could have killed everyone on this planet. Please be more careful in the future."
Harry and Draco stared at him silently, their mouths hanging open. What did I miss? Harry asked silently to Draco, shocked.
That's what a sex marathon, even if it's only done telekinetically, does to you, Draco sent back, grinning slightly.
Damn, he's relaxed, Harry thought, noticing that his mother's mouth had dropped open as she stared at her brother.
Yup.
"Severus, are you feeling all right?" Lily asked suspiciously.
"Never better, Lils." Severus languidly strode from the semicircle and Apparated to his rooms.
Everyone stared at the point where he had just been standing. "Is it just me, or did he seem really relaxed?" Xander asked, scratching his head.
Olivia snorted, falling into a giggle fit. Gaila rolled her eyes at her and propped her in a standing position. "Livvers, would you stop it?" she asked, exasperated.
Olivia tried to stand up, failing miserably. "Sorry, Gabbers, but it's just so funny!!!!" Gaila snickered and let Olivia sit down, hard, on the floor. They sat down together, giggling.
Alanna just stared at them. "If you two can't see the severity of the situation, I suggest you leave," she muttered, glaring daggers at them.
Michael moved to stand in front of Alanna, glaring at her. "Oh, they see the severity all right," he snapped, defending his soul mate.
Raphael chimed in, trying not to laugh. "Yeah, they only want what normal, sixteen year old guys want- to get laid!!! Only, in their case, it means enough power to rip apart worlds!" He dissolved into laughter, Michael following suit. Everyone else, with the exception of Alanna, Xander, James, and Lily, collapsed into giggles.
"Will you all either straighten up or leave?" Alanna groaned, about to start slamming her head into a brick wall at the absurdity of it all.
Still laughing insanely, everyone but Lily, James, Alanna, and Xander Apparated for parts unknown. Harry and Draco, chuckling, quickly wilted under the glares of Harry's parents and the older demigods.
Alanna crossed her arms, staring up at them, still making them feel about three inches tall. "You two knew it was a possibility that the energy of your bonding might have a horrible outcome, and you tried to do it anyway. I can't believe you two! Why did you even bother asking if you were going to go ahead and do it anyway?" she yelled, demanding an answer.
Harry glared at her, running his hands through his still shoulder blade length hair. "For your information, we hadn't gone much past kissing when you so rudely interrupted us," he replied scathingly.
James's mouth opened, and then shut again. "Dear God, that was all from kissing?" he asked, shaking his head. "You wiped out four major cities, including half of California and up the French coast, as well as cleaved through almost half the Earth in several places, just FROM BLOODY KISSING!!!!!" he yelled, on the verge of hysterical laughter.
Lily sat down, her legs giving way. "I hadn't even realized. How the hell is this going to work? You are right, Alanna, they do need to bond, but we'd only be destroying this place. Does anyone have any ideas?" she asked helplessly, looking lost.
Xander stretched. "Well, I did tell them to wait a week and I'd try to get answers for them, but obviously they can't listen," he grimaced, glaring at the two of them.
Harry opened his mouth, but Draco beat him to it. "You don't realize it, so I'll spell it out for you. WE- WERE- JUST- KISSING!!!!! That's it!!! Blaise and Seamus didn't blow anything up until well, I'm not sure exactly when, but... it was a HELL of a lot further than KISSING!!!" he finished, still yelling angrily.
Xander recoiled sharply, glaring at Harry and Draco. "You still killed a hell of a lot of people. This is OUR world, and you're fucking it up!!! We're responsible for everyone here!!!"
Harry blushed, realizing finally how damn dangerous it was, but Draco refused to back down. "I swear, we didn't know! How are we supposed to have any kind of natural relationship if you won't even let me kiss him? What the bloody fuck is wrong with you people???"
Alanna glared at him. "Well, if you could only control your hormones for a week, ONE WEEK, we could try to figure something out!!!"
"Will you all shut up???" Harry snapped, finally losing control of his temper. Tables started to levitate around him, and the banners rippled. Draco stared at him, his eyes widening. Harry continued, his voice growing in strength and volume as he continued. "Why the fucking hell should we have to have a FUCKING time table in order for us to BLOODY FUCKING FUCK????? DO YOU EVEN HAVE A CLUE HOW EMBARRASSING THIS IS???" he screeched, the tables splintering. "I CAN'T BLOODY BOND WITH MY SOUL MATE WITHOUT YOU ASSHOLES INTERFERING!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD THIS IS CUZ YOU WERE BORN BONDED!!!!!! YOU ALL GET TO DO IT AND BE BONDED, WHY THE FUCK CAN'T WE?????" The ground rippled and bucked beneath their feet.
Alanna, Xander, Draco, Lily and James threw a shield around the enraged demigod as his powers only continued to build with no intention of receding any time soon. Harry's eyes blazed emerald as did his hands, and he effectively ripped through the shield as if it were paper.
Alanna, Lily, Draco, James and Xander, all reeling form the sheer force that had shredded their strongest shielding, stared at Harry with growing desperation. What do we do now?????
Quickly Alanna Apparated them off- planet, at least temporarily keeping the earth's imminent destruction at bay for a few seconds. They stood in an environmental shield on the Moon, which promptly began to ripple, Harry's magic forcing its core to separate. Xander, we have to get him out of here, she thought desperately.
Away from Earth or any other habituated planet, Lana. We have to get him into deep space, or somewhere else, Xander thought frantically. And WE have to get away from him as well. He could kill us with the force of his powers, and I think we'd be completely obliterated, soul and all.
Let me handle this, Draco thought, grim determination in his voice.
Lily and James stared at him in surprise. Are you sure? they asked simultaneously.
He can't hurt me. Just point us in the direction of the nearest uninhabited planet, and we'll be fine, an inaudible 'I hope' added to the end. Grimly, Alanna gave him the location of Alpha Centauri B, and Draco grabbed hold of Harry, immediately Apparating before the Moon fell apart.
They landed on a flat, desolate plain, bleak for miles in either direction. Draco released his hold on Harry and stepped back, erecting a shield around himself and conjuring a bowl of popcorn. He sat in midair, enjoying the show.
Harry stood in the middle of the plain, his eyes an intense viridian. He stared ahead, unseeing, his hands spasming into fists. Already, the planet had begun to ripple, the surface cracking in places. He closed his eyes, screaming his frustrations to the empty, desolate world. Draco just sat still, cross legged in mid air about one hundred feet behind Harry.
Boulders and chunks of earth rose into the air around Harry, before exploding into minute pieces of dust, crumbling like flour. More and more pieces, getting progressively larger by the second, filled the air. Draco ducked as a particularly large piece broke off of a boulder and slammed into his shields, bouncing him through the air. He forced himself to stop ricocheting off the other sections of the planet and return to visual distance of his soul mate. He watched, eyes wide and impressed, as Harry slowly demolished the entire planet by force of will alone. No spells were used, and he didn't even use his aura, with the exception of it being visible in his eyes and around his hands. An hour later, Harry sagged, spent and exhausted. Immediately, Draco pulled him into his aura as the now demolished planet's atmosphere disintegrated.
Panting, Harry gazed at his soul mate with unreadable eyes. "Do you feel better now?" Draco asked simply.
Harry nodded, closing his eyes and sagging against Draco's chest. Draco wrapped his arms around him and Apparated the both of them back to Hogwarts.
During the rest of the week, Harry and Draco determinedly kept their hands off of each other, much to their own discomfort and frustration. They even took to sleeping in separate beds to reduce temptation and everything else. Needless to say, they were quite jumpy by the time Saturday rolled around, and were incredibly irritable.
Harry strode to the shower, snarling under his breath. Of all the fucking- GOD DAMN IT!!!! he snapped, tripping over a discarded towel. Draco poked his head into the bathroom.
"What?" he asked, trying to keep from jumping Harry right then and there.
"Stupid FUCKING towel!" Harry groused, kicking it across the room.
Draco raised an eyebrow, silently laughing at the sight of Harry Potter, Boy Who FRIGGING Lived, Champion for the side of the Light, All Around Defeater of Bad Guys, taking on a towel, and LOSING. Five frustrated minutes later, Harry had stomped on the towel, cursing vividly.
"LOSing much?" Eric asked, coming into the bathroom.
"No, because that would imply that I've actually HAD sex," Harry snapped.
Eric stared at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Oh," he managed, trying to find a way to escape the tirade he knew was coming.
"But NOOOO, I CAN'T have sex, because I might blow up the FUCKING planet!!!!!" Harry yelled, drawing curious glances from the people sitting in the Common Room.
"Harry, would you calm down?" Draco hissed, eyes darting around. "People are staring!"
Harry immediately quieted, his face still a thundercloud of discontent. "This Fucking SUCKS, Draco!" he hissed angrily, keeping his voice quiet.
"You think I don't know that? Come here. We aren't going to blow up the school with a simple hug," Draco grumbled, holding out his arms. Harry eagerly moved into the embrace, resting his forehead against Draco's forehead. They stared into each others' eyes for a long time, refusing to move even to go to Quidditch practice.
Severus strode into the Dorms, looking for them. "HARRY! DRACO!" he snapped.
They turned as one, still in each other's arms. "What?" they asked in unison.
"Madam Hooch wants you at practice right away and she sent me to find you. I've been calling you mentally for almost ten minutes. Why haven't you answered?" Severus grabbed both of them by the arms, but they refused to budge.
"We" Harry began
"Aren't" Draco continued.
"Going," they finished in unison.
Severus stared at them. "What do you mean, not going?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"We've been trying all week," Harry started talking.
"And it isn't working," Draco finished.
"We can't deal with this, being so close," Harry continued.
"And not being able to complete our bond." Draco spoke, staring at Severus defiantly.
"It's driving us nuts and we can't take it any more." They spoke as one again. Severus idly wondered if they did that simply to drive him insane, and whether or not it was on purpose.
"As for not responding, we were talking mentally, and had our shields up so we wouldn't be bothered," Harry explained.
"Fine, fine. I'll figure out something to say to Hooch about this. Oh, do you two have acceptable clothing for the Ball? It is in a week." Severus asked, trying to get rid of his headache.
"No," Harry and Draco admitted.
"Well, what do you plan on doing about that?" Severus asked.
"Uncle Sev, do you have anything acceptable?" Harry asked, an idea forming.
"I was planning on going shopping later on today, why?" he asked.
"Draco, could we have Jacques come here? I know that everyone needs good robes and I have no problem picking up quite a bit of the tab," Harry said excitedly, his mind working on overdrive. I know Eric needs some robes, as do Neville and Seamus, Blaise loves clothes, and Emily and Luna could get some too, Oh yeah, Ginny and my parents don't have any...
Draco smirked at him. "You do realize that Jacques is going to worship you for life, don't you?"
Harry grimaced. "Don't they all already pretty much worship me already? Hmmm, maybe I'll make YOU pay for everything!"
Draco stared at him incredulously. "I'll cover some of it, but not all. My parents would KILL me if I spent that much."
"I thought you had pretty much unlimited spending," Harry said curiously.
"I pretty much do, but spending several hundred thousand Galleons is a lot even for me. For you, it isn't."
They Apparated straight to Severus's rooms to use the Floo. Harry tossed in a handful of Floo Powder, and stuck his head into the Wizarding Armani store in Knockturn Alley. "Jacques?" he called.
He heard a shuffling, and Jacques waltzed into view. "Oh, Master Potter! How wonderful it is to see you again! What can I do for you?" he asked, his French accent thicker than ever.
"Actually, Jacques, I have a business proposition for you. How would you like to outfit my friends, guardians and I for the Yule Ball in a week?"
Jacques's mouth opened and closed several times before he found his voice. "How- how many people are we talking about, Master Harry?" he finally asked, thinking furiously.
"Twenty two people. Can you have it ready by Friday if we measure today and if you come here?" Harry asked, after quickly counting everyone.
Jacques's eyes sparkled. "Oh yes, Master Potter. I do love a challenge. My assistant and I will be over shortly. I will need people in groups of two, preferably the person and his or her date, so I know not to make anyone clash. How many women and how many men?" he asked, completely professional.
"Well, that depends on Blaise," Harry said to himself.
Jacques brightened. "Young Zambini is among the group? Excellent! Now, not counting Blaise, how many are there?"
"Not counting Blaise, we have thirteen men and eight women."
"Excellent, now how soon can you be ready?"
Harry sat up and asked Severus. "Uncle Sev, how soon can we have everyone, two at a time, for fittings?"
"I can call everyone immediately." Severus immediately sent out his mind. Hey, everyone, Harry's going to get us robes from Armani so get to my quarters with your dates so Jacques can measure and fit everyone! Remus, this does include you!
He received a variety of responses, all positive and assuring him that they'd be there as soon as possible. "Tell Jacques we have people coming immediately."
Harry shoved his head back into the fireplace. "We have everyone able to come now, Jacques."
Jacques turned and spat rapid fire French to an unseen assistant. "Excellent, Master Potter, we will be there in ten minutes. We were just closing up anyway."
Harry turned to Draco and Severus, Alanna, Xander, James, and Lily Apparating into the room behind them. "This is gonna be awesome," Harry told them, grinning. He received matching grins from everyone in the room. Turning, he stood up, and they eagerly waited for Jacques to make an entrance.
A/N: Well, not much to say, really. I'm finishing this up right before I go to work, with a quick spell check and all. Hopefully, it'll be available for everyone to read sometime this afternoon if I upload it now before I go to work. Well, read and review!
Chapter 23
Severus stood under the running water, closed his eyes and concentrated on just being with his soul mate. Are you all right, Laurel? he asked, feeling sudden discontent radiating from her mind.
Oh fine, but - hang on, she rearranged herself in his consciousness until she was looking through his eyes. I want to see what you look like, that's all. Severus groaned mentally, feeling her take control of his motor functions, turning him this way and that. Oh bugger, she said, can't get a good view. Severus's eyes widened as she conjured a full length mirror and placed it on the shower wall, but he didn't do anything to stop her.
Nice, nice, she thought appreciatively. Severus grinned shyly and blushed at her frank approval of his physique.
Laurel... he trailed off, suddenly unsure of himself. No one's ever been this openly attracted to me, and I don't quite how to react.
I can help with that... she teased, grinning mentally. Stand at attention, soldier!
WHAT??? He yelped, automatically snapping to attention.
Not like that... she whispered suggestively.
Oh. Severus's mouth dropped open as he did 'ahem' stand to attention. Are you sure you're all right with pursuing this? he asked, confused and unsure.
You're my soul mate. I love you. I trust you. You won't hurt me, she said simply.
Severus gasped as she took control of his hands. I wanna wash your hair, she said petulantly, sounding like a six year old. Severus grinned as she expertly used his hands to lather his silky locks, completely removing the Potions residue, leaving them shiny and soft.
Not fair. You aren't in the shower so I can't do this for you, Severus grumped, enjoying the ministrations of his soul mate.
You can pay me back when you come to rescue me, she said suggestively, sending visuals of what she REALLY wanted to be doing with that shampoo.
Severus gasped, resting his forehead on the tiles as his knees buckled from the pure, unadulterated lust shooting through his veins. Laurel, we can't. This isn't right, you've been hurt and I don't want to hurt you, he thought desperately, trying to not give into the sensations she was putting him through.
You weren't listening to me! I told you, I love you and I trust you. You aren't going to hurt me. Now let me have my fun! she begged, using her telekinetic powers to run phantom hands up and down Severus's torso, and up his neck and into his hair. He moaned quietly, his rational mind taking a vacation in lieu of his second brain taking complete control.
Oh hell, why not, he moaned mentally, hearing Laurel chuckle. He closed his eyes, and his head tipped back as the phantom hands continued teasing, traveling up and down his body, missing the important parts but still managing to enflame his nerve endings even more. "Oh my... god...." he gasped.
The sound of the door to his bathroom opening had him whipping around, grateful that the shower was completely steamed up. "Who is it?" he yelled, furious. Damn it!!!! He mentally snapped as Laurel continued teasing him. Oh hell, he moaned mentally as her phantom hands finally found his erection, sending him almost over the edge.
Tell whoever it is to leave! Laurel demanded, irritated.
Lily poked her head in. "Are you all right, bro?" she asked, her eyes widening at the silhouette of his body shuddering against the glass.
"Laurel... potions... BONDED, TELEKINETIC, GET OUT!!!" he yelled, sagging against the glass.
Her mouth formed an 'oh' of surprise. "Oops, I'll be back later," she said, beating a hasty retreat.
Laurel laughed in his mind, a rich velvety sound. He shivered as the phantoms continued to caress him. Half a minute later, he fell heavily against the wall, gasping heavily and completely spent. More? she asked teasingly.
Oh GOD, he thought, gasping for breath. As much as I'd love to, I think we have to explain things to my sister.
Hands caressed him up and down his back, guiding him out of the shower and over to the towel rack. Poor Severus, Laurel floated a towel off of the wrack and wrapped it snugly around his waist, affectionately patting his backside. Go; go explain things to your sister. I'm sure she already understands, though.
Severus mentally hugged his soul mate, for an instant looking through her eyes to the room beyond. I want you out of there, love. I'm working on a way to get you out, all of us are. She hugged him in return and they remained like that for several minutes, just enjoying the feeling of closeness.
As they pulled out of the embrace, he felt her mentally stiffen. What? he asked sharply, worried.
Oh no.... he's here, she moaned, causing him to jerk and tense, his mind racing to find a way to get Laurel out of danger.
Sev, you have to distance yourself from me. There's no way I'm letting you get hurt too, Laurel thought desperately, trying to push Severus out of her mind, with little success.
Severus held firm, refusing to budge an inch. I'm staying, Laurel. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and all that stuff. We're in this together, he said grimly, focusing his energy to bolster his mate's strength. We're gonna kick his ass for what he's trying to do.
Laurel lay on the stone floor, tears of happiness rolling down her face. You really mean that, don't you, she thought in amazement.
Severus watched as Clautius stared down at her- them, he thought determinedly. This was going to affect him as if he were being raped right alongside his mate. He watched as the monster sneered, towering over them.
"Really, pet, I thought you'd given up on tears a long time ago. No one's coming for you, or they would have rescued you by now. Give it up and come to me willingly," Clautius purred, sending waves of terror through Laurel's mind.
It's all right, Love, I'm here. Right with you, right beside you. I'm not going anywhere, Severus cradled her consciousness with his own, giving her comfort and solace where previously there had been none.
Laurel, with Severus's strength, stared defiantly into the eyes of her captor. "You bastard," she hissed, eyes narrowing to slits. "They will come for me and they will destroy you. Mark my words, Clautius; you will know how it feels to be someone's bitch before this is all over."
Clautius's eyes widened as she spoke, and quickly narrowed. "You will submit to me, bitch," he hissed back at her, "or you'll be a demon toy like you were last week."
Laurel paled but held firm. "Never willingly, you sick fuck," she ground out, terror radiating off of her in waves.
He's still been doing that? Severus thought, sickened.
Laurel nodded slightly, both of their minds working on overdrive. How am I going to avoid this? she asked frantically. If he tries to link with me, he'll have access to you.
Let him come. I'll kill him! Severus snarled vehemently, waves of protectiveness surrounding his soul mate.
Clautius towered over her and, in one smooth motion, knelt over her, reaching his mind out to shatter her shields. Severus took the golden opportunity to kick the monster square in the testicles- again. Clautius's face turned a sickly shade of green and his breath whooshed out of him. He fell backwards, lying in the fetal position, his hands clutching his crotch.
"Oh, you- you little bitch," he ground out through a clenched jaw. "You're going to pay dearly for that one."
Laurel and Severus watched as he slowly straightened his face still pale. Unsteadily, he reached his mind and hand out to Laurel's face. Instantly, her shields, reinforced by Severus's impenetrable shields, locked into place. Clautius, confused, stared at her. "You've grown in power," he demanded. "How? I will find the answer!"
They felt him gather all his strength and, like a javelin, hurl towards their shields. Severus screamed as the pure energy slammed into their barriers, the shields miraculously holding. Laurel shuddered from the effort, her powers already taxed to the limit. Severus gritted his teeth and threw more of his powers into their shields, using all of his reserve energy to keep the monster at bay. It wasn't enough. The shields grew steadily weaker as Clautius slammed his powers into them over and over.
With a roar of triumph, Clautius ripped into Laurel's mind, reveling in the newfound power. He stopped short, suddenly aware of another presence. Who are you? he demanded, savagely ripping into Severus's mind for answers.
Her soul mate, you sick fuck! was Severus's only warning to the monster as he slammed full force into Clautius's consciousness, ripping, shredding, causing as much damage as possible and forcing Clautius to backpedal swiftly out of Laurel's mind before losing himself completely.
Severus grabbed a hold of Laurel's telekinesis and slammed the reeling Evil Personified into and through the nearest stone wall. He quickly bolstered his soul mate, feeling for the first time afraid that he was outmatched. Sev, call the others. Get help! Laurel urged him.
Agreeing with her, he mentally reached out for his sister, brother in law, nephew, Godson, and anyone who could hear him. HELP!!!!!!!! he screamed, feeling everyone in the castle respond. Dimly, he felt Alanna, Xander, James, Ginny, Lily, Draco, Harry, Gaila, Olivia, Raphael, Michael, Rowan, Gabrielle, Damien, Nicholai, Salazar and Godric Apparate right behind him and instantly link deeply into his mind.
Thanks, he gasped, feeling Clautius coming for a second round.
Don't thank us yet, Alanna warned. Even all of us combined aren't enough to completely destroy him, just hurt him a bit. Severus gaped as the awesome, nearly infinite power ripped through him and poured into Laurel just as Clautius rammed again into her mind.
The FUCK??? They heard his scream, his face contorting with rage. ALANNA, YOU WHORE!!!! He howled, and shot out his hands. Energy radiated from him, the castle shaking to its very foundation, feeling the planet almost come apart at the seams. And still, the power continued to grow, funneling around his body, turning the air into a maelstrom of energy and evil.
How powerful is he???? He gasped in wonder, feeling, for the first time; Clautius completely draw upon his full power, the entire Universe shuddering with the force he commanded. They watched, terrified, as Clautius's body disappeared, replaced by a well of darkness
More powerful than all of us combined, Xander told him grimly as they merged their consciousnesses into one unified fighting force. Laurel's body convulsed and the entire Universe again shuddered, her body disappearing into a blaze of sparkling white. They threw the entirety of their powers straight at Clautius, blasting him through seven stone walls and completely out of the castle.
They shot the same force directly at the manacle around Laurel's neck. It glowed for a second and then went back to the way it was. Again, they shot a laser force at the manacle, with the same nonexistent result. OH SHIT, they thought, aware that Clautius was coming back, and was incredibly pissed off.
Satan shot through the person sized hole in the wall, his face the only thing left visible in the inky darkness. His eyes were scarlet and ebony slits barely visible on his face, and the air crackled with electricity. He levitated in front of Laurel, fury plain in his expression. "You will pay for this, Alanna. You will pay for bringing them against me, you bitch. You see what I've done to my pet? You are next. I'm waiting for you," he laughed, a bone chilling sound that shook each of them to the core.
"SHE'S NOT YOUR PET!!!!!!" they screamed as one, the booming thunder rolling from Laurel's mouth. Clautius continued to laugh.
"And how do you plan on keeping her from me?" he asked, sneering. "You can't stay with her forever and I'll be waiting for when you tire of protecting her."
Severus disengaged his mind from the unison and Apparated to the Potions Lab, where he had twenty bottles of the energy strengthening potion sitting in the storeroom, all perfect batches Harry and Ginny had brewed the day his nephew had tried to kill himself. He quickly gathered them into a bag and Apparated back, distributing them to everyone in the room. He downed his, feeling his powers quadruple, an incredible rush filling him.
Laurel just lay there, Clautius in front of her, and felt everyone in her mind suddenly become infinitely more powerful. What the... she wondered. Clautius, feeling their powers disband, grinned manically, looming closer to his captive.
A glowing white barrier slowly solidified between the flabbergasted Clautius and Laurel, completely sealing Laurel inside an impenetrable bubble. Vaguely, the rejoined demigods could feel Clautius throwing first his powers, and then, in desperation, bodily hurling himself against the shield.
You all are brilliant! Laurel praised her siblings as she felt Clautius's fury through the shield. Thank you all!!!!
Thank your soul mate and Harry here, Draco told her calmly. It was Harry's invention and Severus's practical application that was the true genius. We just shut up and drank the bottles. Speaking of which, Sev, how long does this last?
The shield should stay indefinitely, or until we take it down. The potion should last for - Harry, what's the strength again? Severus asked his nephew.
This one lasts a week, Uncle Sev, but since we used so much power, I think it'll wear off much sooner, Harry told him, furrowing his brow.
How soon? Gaila and Olivia asked in unison, giggling.
Probably several hours tops. Why? Harry asked, suspicious.
ANIME!!!!!!! MANGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The two of them screamed.
Laurel laughed. Hey, could you get me Fallen and Megatokyo? I LOVE those!
Sure, Laurel! they chirped, before Apparating away, giggling madly. On to JAPAN!!!!!!!! There has to be an ANIME convention somewhere!!!!
Uh oh, Raphael and Michael thought in unison. You just HAD to turn them into super goddesses didn't you? they moaned, Apparating after their soul mates, ready to do damage control.
Everyone completely separated, floating around in Laurel's head. Xander was wrapped around Alanna, comforting his trembling soul mate. Lana, it's all right. I swear, he's not going to get you.
I swear, Xander, it's because of- she noticed that everyone was listening and quickly shielded the rest of their conversation. Laurel and Severus wrapped around each other, drawing comfort from each other's presence. Lily and James held Draco, Ginny and Harry, assuring them that they were all right and no one was hurt. Rowan and Gabrielle sat quietly with Salazar, Godric, Nicholai and Damien, waiting for everyone else to relax and deal with what happened.
Alanna and Xander finally stopped shielding long enough for her to tell them that she was going to go have a talk with her children and Apparated out of Severus's quarters.
What the hell does that mean? Harry asked. No one could give him an answer.
Severus turned to Lily, talking to her privately. I guess I should at least try to explain what you walked in on, he muttered, physically blushing.
Lily laughed. Don't worry about it, Sev. I know EXACTLY what I walked in on. Phantom hands, right? Severus nodded dumbly, incredibly embarrassed. I did the same to James once I figured out how to use telekinesis right after we graduated.
Severus looked pained. I SO did not need to hear that, he muttered, gulping.
Well, you started this conversation, not me, Lily reminded him.
Severus groaned. Yes, yes, I know! Now, what are we doing for the rest of the day?
His face turned beet red as Laurel suggested We could christen all the usual places... she trailed off, smirking at his discomfort.
Well, it IS a Sunday and I don't have classes, so... Severus trailed off. I would rather christen those places with you physically present.
Laurel and he laughed, ignoring the shocked and faintly disgusted expressions on the faces around him, and left his rooms.
Monday, Blaise and Seamus decided to complete their prank, which took a hell of a lot of ingenuity, and almost twelve hours to complete. They switched, in the dead of night, the Dorms: Paintings, passwords, trunks, beds, sleeping people. Everything. Slytherin's wall was put in front of Ravenclaw's dorms with Hufflepuff's password, housed by Hufflepuffs. Gryffindor received Ravenclaw's portrait, Ravenclaw's password and the Slytherin students. Hufflepuff received Gryffindor's painting, Gryffindor's Password, and Ravenclaw students. Ravenclaw's dorms received Hufflepuff's painting, Slytherin's password, and the Gryffindor students. Everyone woke up confused, and several students threatened to kill whoever was responsible for the prank. Needless to day, Blaise and Seamus kept a low profile after that.
The next Tuesday, Harry stayed after his Wandless and Elemental class to talk to Xander. He groaned mentally, dreading the conversation he had to have with the older demigod. It's either you or Alanna and I'm sure as hell not going to my parents, so you're elected, he told Xander as soon as everyone but Draco had left. Draco stood against the wall, as interested in this conversation as his soul mate.
Xander stood up, staring at him in surprise. What, Harry? Don't tell me you're already pregnant, he exclaimed. Draco fell over with a crash.
What???? NO!!! Harry yelled, his face screwing up in horror. Hell no!!! Is that even possible? he added as an afterthought.
Xander sighed. I'm glad you're not pregnant and yes, it is possible, although I don't recommend it. Now that we've ruled out reproducing, what's your question? he asked, sitting down on an easy chair.
Harry and Draco sat down as well. Um, it's really embarrassing so I'll just get it out. Seamus and Blaise bonded and-
Good for them, Xander interrupted. They do know they'll be together for all eternity, right? Do they need to talk to someone?
No, it's not about them! Harry ran his hands through his hair, destroying the spikes.They set off a shockwave from the energy of bonding, and it was that really big earthquake after the last Quidditch game. We are billions of times more powerful than they are and they let off a lot of energy. If we bond, will we blow up a planet?
Xander stared at him, his face paling. I have no idea, Harry. That's really an interesting question, and I actually think your parents would be better to talk to. Alanna and I were created already bonded, so we didn't actually have to complete anything. Your parents, on the other hand, had to go through exactly what you two now have to experience.
Harry raised an eyebrow. I'm not asking my parents about their sex life. Not way in hell, he snapped, crossing his arms across his chest.
Draco laughed out loud, almost falling off his chair in the process. I'd like front row seats to that, he chortled.
Oh, you'd be ringside, Draco, considering you're the other half of what we need to do, Harry thought, amused. Draco turned white, contemplating what Lily would do to him.
Could you talk to them? Harry asked Xander quietly.
Xander nodded, grinning. Sure, Harry, I'll get information for you. Tell you what, give me a week and then I'll find you with what I've figured out, all right? Harry nodded, still incredibly embarrassed.
Hey, don't be embarrassed, Harry. We did tell you we'd teach you about your powers and this is a part of it. I'm pretty sure we can find a way for a planet- or a galaxy- not to explode when you two bond.
Harry and Draco quickly left the Room of Requirement. You can wait a week, right? Draco asked Harry facetiously. Harry just rolled his eyes and elbowed his soul mate in the ribs.
"OW! Prat!" Draco yelled, pouting as he rubbed his ribs. 'That hurt, you know."
"I'm so sorry, Drake," Harry grinned, then added silently, Would you like me to kiss it and make it better?
Well, as pleasant as I'm sure that would prove to be, we are going to need to wait a week-
Are you sure you can keep your hands to yourself for that long? Harry all but purred in Draco's ear. Ooh, that's one hell of a mental image. Harry smirked as Draco thought of when he had kept his hands to (and all over) himself after their last dream incident.
Damn treacherous brain, Draco thought to himself. Are you trying to give me a run for my money, or something Harry?
Harry looked at him with an innocently confused expression.
Draco snorted, And I thought I was supposed to be the horny one.
Harry snickered and grabbed Draco's hand, Apparating them straight to the Chamber of Secrets. Want to make some of those dreams become reality? he asked in all seriousness.
Draco gaped at him, shocked. I didn't expect you to- Harry are you sure about this? I don't want to bring up any painful memories or anything.
Instead of replying, Harry gently cupped Draco's face and drew him into the sweetest kiss Draco had ever felt in his life. Does this answer your question? We aren't going to bond, because that's too dangerous, why we can't have a little fun? he asked silently.
Draco just softly moaned and ran his fingers through Harry's hair, quickly removing the spiking spells and making it grow to hang around his shoulder blades. Can I give you wings? He asked, his mental voice hazy with lust.
Harry snickered silently, breaking the kiss. He finally doubled over, howling with laughter. He sat down, hard, on the couch strategically behind him and rocked back and forth, tears of mirth rolling down his face. WINGS????
Draco stared at him, fuming. You dick. He sat down next to Harry, scowling. You absolute dick. You start kissing me and then you laugh at me. I have a fragile ego, Harry, and I think you just shattered it.
Harry sat up and flung himself on his soul mate, effectively stopping all thought processes as he nibbled and licked Draco's lips, causing Draco's mouth to open in a silent moan. Harry quickly took advantage of this to deepen the kiss, sliding his tongue into his soul mate's mouth, playing and teasing, listening with extreme satisfaction to the soft sighs coming from Draco.
They finally broke the kiss, coming up for air. Harry rested his forehead against Draco's. He sat up quickly and ripped off his shirt. You can give me wings only if I can give you a pair as well, he said, his eyes dancing with merriment.
Draco grinned evilly, staring at Harry's bare, toned chest and ridged, toned abdomen. You've got yourself a deal. With that, Draco lunged at Harry, flipping him easily onto his washboard stomach. Draco's eyes hungrily traveled up and down the vision before him, taking in the broad shoulders and lean neck. He suddenly felt an irresistible urge, and, throwing all rational sense to the wind, he leaned down and traced the ridges of Harry's spine with his tongue.
Harry groaned under him, shivering from head to toe as Draco straddled his lower back, pressing his hands to either side of Harry's spine next to his scapulas. His face furrowing in concentration, Draco gently caressed the skin under his hands, feeling the bones shift and jut out, extending into an enormous, naked framework underneath his fingers. He kept pushing his magic into his soul mate, and those incredible, iridescent black feathers sprouted from the new appendages, tickling his hands and, when he gently buried his face into the silky softness, his nose. He stroked the feathers lovingly, his eyes still hungry.
Harry slowly stretched, his wings furling and expanding. He arched his back, all but purring at the sensations Draco was making him feel. He gently tumbled his soul mate off of him and straddled the other boy's stomach. A deal is a deal, he announced, pulling Draco's shirt quickly over his head. He quickly leaned down, fisting his fingers through Draco's chin length platinum and cobalt hair, his eyes hazing with desire. He quickly kissed Draco, sliding his tongue into his soul mate's mouth, and, with a sigh, flipped him over.
Draco lay on his stomach limply, feeling Harry press his magic into his skin. He felt the strange sensation of his bones shifting and elongating, and saw, out of the corner of his eye, silver feathers with black tips erupt from his wings. Damn, Draco, this is almost the sexiest thing I've ever seen, Harry thought in awe.
Almost? Draco asked, slightly hurt.
It's only beaten by that time I saw you just out of the shower, in the little black towel, Harry thought, showing Draco exactly what he meant. That one will forever be ingrained into my subconscious as the day I finally realized that you are perfection. Draco grinned helplessly. Who knew that they both were hopeless romantics?
I wanna fly, Draco pouted, his eyes shining with love.
Harry and Draco joined hands and Apparated straight to the Quidditch Pitch. They gazed at each other and, with a push, launched themselves into the air, Draco quickly getting the hang of flying with twelve foot wings.
Wow, Draco thought, swooping over seven hundred feet in the air. This is incredible! he yelled to his soul mate. All of a sudden Harry projected exactly what the sight of Draco, shirtless, with his silver and ebony wings, did to him. Draco gasped as a tidal wave on lust slammed into him. He immediately folded his wings and dove to Harry, stopping right in front of him. He reached out and pulled Harry into his embrace, kissing him firmly.
Do you think it's possible in midair? Draco asked, remembering his dream with sudden clarity.
Harry grinned at him, sharing in remembering the dream. I dunno, Draco, but I think we should try, he thought, his emerald eyes turning a forest green with lust. Draco's eyes turned to molten steel and they captured each other in a searing kiss. Tongues battling for dominance, Draco caressed Harry up and down his front, eliciting moans from the other boy. Not to be outdone, Harry grabbed Draco's ass firmly, pulling their erections together. Draco hissed, biting Harry lightly on the lip before trailing open mouthed kisses down his soul mate's neck.
Unknown to the both of them, their powers had flared and formed a sphere of blinding light around them. The air pulsed with power as they continued, oblivious to the world around them. Lightning flashed and the earth shook violently and cracked open in several places directly below them. Several funnel clouds formed around them and whipped up the waters of the lake, the Atlantic Ocean, and the English Channel. The power quickly spread, until multiple earthquakes hit all over the planet. It seemed that the world was straining against itself, ready to come apart at the seams.
Alanna raced out of the castle, her eyes shielded against the blinding light and wind. Frantically, she Apparated straight into the sphere of power. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????" she screamed, scaring the shit, almost literally, out of Harry and Draco.
"What's it look like? Having a bloody fucking tea party???" Draco snapped, holding onto Harry for support. Their hair was mussed and their skin flushed.
"You do realize that the earth was about to explode???" she shrieked, furious. "You're the one who came to us for help, you knew and you almost took out what we're fighting to save!!!!"
Harry and Draco stared at each other. "Oops," Harry said sheepishly, blushing furiously. Draco mirrored him, his face tomato red.
Alanna stared at them. Sighing, she grabbed hold of their arms and Apparated straight back into the Great Hall, where Lily, James, Severus, Remus, and everyone else were waiting. Harry and Draco stood in front of them, their wings gone and fully clothed, staring at the other demigods and adults sullenly.
"Harry, Draco, while I hate to put a damper on your relationship," Severus began neutrally, "you really have to be aware that what you did could have killed everyone on this planet. Please be more careful in the future."
Harry and Draco stared at him silently, their mouths hanging open. What did I miss? Harry asked silently to Draco, shocked.
That's what a sex marathon, even if it's only done telekinetically, does to you, Draco sent back, grinning slightly.
Damn, he's relaxed, Harry thought, noticing that his mother's mouth had dropped open as she stared at her brother.
Yup.
"Severus, are you feeling all right?" Lily asked suspiciously.
"Never better, Lils." Severus languidly strode from the semicircle and Apparated to his rooms.
Everyone stared at the point where he had just been standing. "Is it just me, or did he seem really relaxed?" Xander asked, scratching his head.
Olivia snorted, falling into a giggle fit. Gaila rolled her eyes at her and propped her in a standing position. "Livvers, would you stop it?" she asked, exasperated.
Olivia tried to stand up, failing miserably. "Sorry, Gabbers, but it's just so funny!!!!" Gaila snickered and let Olivia sit down, hard, on the floor. They sat down together, giggling.
Alanna just stared at them. "If you two can't see the severity of the situation, I suggest you leave," she muttered, glaring daggers at them.
Michael moved to stand in front of Alanna, glaring at her. "Oh, they see the severity all right," he snapped, defending his soul mate.
Raphael chimed in, trying not to laugh. "Yeah, they only want what normal, sixteen year old guys want- to get laid!!! Only, in their case, it means enough power to rip apart worlds!" He dissolved into laughter, Michael following suit. Everyone else, with the exception of Alanna, Xander, James, and Lily, collapsed into giggles.
"Will you all either straighten up or leave?" Alanna groaned, about to start slamming her head into a brick wall at the absurdity of it all.
Still laughing insanely, everyone but Lily, James, Alanna, and Xander Apparated for parts unknown. Harry and Draco, chuckling, quickly wilted under the glares of Harry's parents and the older demigods.
Alanna crossed her arms, staring up at them, still making them feel about three inches tall. "You two knew it was a possibility that the energy of your bonding might have a horrible outcome, and you tried to do it anyway. I can't believe you two! Why did you even bother asking if you were going to go ahead and do it anyway?" she yelled, demanding an answer.
Harry glared at her, running his hands through his still shoulder blade length hair. "For your information, we hadn't gone much past kissing when you so rudely interrupted us," he replied scathingly.
James's mouth opened, and then shut again. "Dear God, that was all from kissing?" he asked, shaking his head. "You wiped out four major cities, including half of California and up the French coast, as well as cleaved through almost half the Earth in several places, just FROM BLOODY KISSING!!!!!" he yelled, on the verge of hysterical laughter.
Lily sat down, her legs giving way. "I hadn't even realized. How the hell is this going to work? You are right, Alanna, they do need to bond, but we'd only be destroying this place. Does anyone have any ideas?" she asked helplessly, looking lost.
Xander stretched. "Well, I did tell them to wait a week and I'd try to get answers for them, but obviously they can't listen," he grimaced, glaring at the two of them.
Harry opened his mouth, but Draco beat him to it. "You don't realize it, so I'll spell it out for you. WE- WERE- JUST- KISSING!!!!! That's it!!! Blaise and Seamus didn't blow anything up until well, I'm not sure exactly when, but... it was a HELL of a lot further than KISSING!!!" he finished, still yelling angrily.
Xander recoiled sharply, glaring at Harry and Draco. "You still killed a hell of a lot of people. This is OUR world, and you're fucking it up!!! We're responsible for everyone here!!!"
Harry blushed, realizing finally how damn dangerous it was, but Draco refused to back down. "I swear, we didn't know! How are we supposed to have any kind of natural relationship if you won't even let me kiss him? What the bloody fuck is wrong with you people???"
Alanna glared at him. "Well, if you could only control your hormones for a week, ONE WEEK, we could try to figure something out!!!"
"Will you all shut up???" Harry snapped, finally losing control of his temper. Tables started to levitate around him, and the banners rippled. Draco stared at him, his eyes widening. Harry continued, his voice growing in strength and volume as he continued. "Why the fucking hell should we have to have a FUCKING time table in order for us to BLOODY FUCKING FUCK????? DO YOU EVEN HAVE A CLUE HOW EMBARRASSING THIS IS???" he screeched, the tables splintering. "I CAN'T BLOODY BOND WITH MY SOUL MATE WITHOUT YOU ASSHOLES INTERFERING!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD THIS IS CUZ YOU WERE BORN BONDED!!!!!! YOU ALL GET TO DO IT AND BE BONDED, WHY THE FUCK CAN'T WE?????" The ground rippled and bucked beneath their feet.
Alanna, Xander, Draco, Lily and James threw a shield around the enraged demigod as his powers only continued to build with no intention of receding any time soon. Harry's eyes blazed emerald as did his hands, and he effectively ripped through the shield as if it were paper.
Alanna, Lily, Draco, James and Xander, all reeling form the sheer force that had shredded their strongest shielding, stared at Harry with growing desperation. What do we do now?????
Quickly Alanna Apparated them off- planet, at least temporarily keeping the earth's imminent destruction at bay for a few seconds. They stood in an environmental shield on the Moon, which promptly began to ripple, Harry's magic forcing its core to separate. Xander, we have to get him out of here, she thought desperately.
Away from Earth or any other habituated planet, Lana. We have to get him into deep space, or somewhere else, Xander thought frantically. And WE have to get away from him as well. He could kill us with the force of his powers, and I think we'd be completely obliterated, soul and all.
Let me handle this, Draco thought, grim determination in his voice.
Lily and James stared at him in surprise. Are you sure? they asked simultaneously.
He can't hurt me. Just point us in the direction of the nearest uninhabited planet, and we'll be fine, an inaudible 'I hope' added to the end. Grimly, Alanna gave him the location of Alpha Centauri B, and Draco grabbed hold of Harry, immediately Apparating before the Moon fell apart.
They landed on a flat, desolate plain, bleak for miles in either direction. Draco released his hold on Harry and stepped back, erecting a shield around himself and conjuring a bowl of popcorn. He sat in midair, enjoying the show.
Harry stood in the middle of the plain, his eyes an intense viridian. He stared ahead, unseeing, his hands spasming into fists. Already, the planet had begun to ripple, the surface cracking in places. He closed his eyes, screaming his frustrations to the empty, desolate world. Draco just sat still, cross legged in mid air about one hundred feet behind Harry.
Boulders and chunks of earth rose into the air around Harry, before exploding into minute pieces of dust, crumbling like flour. More and more pieces, getting progressively larger by the second, filled the air. Draco ducked as a particularly large piece broke off of a boulder and slammed into his shields, bouncing him through the air. He forced himself to stop ricocheting off the other sections of the planet and return to visual distance of his soul mate. He watched, eyes wide and impressed, as Harry slowly demolished the entire planet by force of will alone. No spells were used, and he didn't even use his aura, with the exception of it being visible in his eyes and around his hands. An hour later, Harry sagged, spent and exhausted. Immediately, Draco pulled him into his aura as the now demolished planet's atmosphere disintegrated.
Panting, Harry gazed at his soul mate with unreadable eyes. "Do you feel better now?" Draco asked simply.
Harry nodded, closing his eyes and sagging against Draco's chest. Draco wrapped his arms around him and Apparated the both of them back to Hogwarts.
During the rest of the week, Harry and Draco determinedly kept their hands off of each other, much to their own discomfort and frustration. They even took to sleeping in separate beds to reduce temptation and everything else. Needless to say, they were quite jumpy by the time Saturday rolled around, and were incredibly irritable.
Harry strode to the shower, snarling under his breath. Of all the fucking- GOD DAMN IT!!!! he snapped, tripping over a discarded towel. Draco poked his head into the bathroom.
"What?" he asked, trying to keep from jumping Harry right then and there.
"Stupid FUCKING towel!" Harry groused, kicking it across the room.
Draco raised an eyebrow, silently laughing at the sight of Harry Potter, Boy Who FRIGGING Lived, Champion for the side of the Light, All Around Defeater of Bad Guys, taking on a towel, and LOSING. Five frustrated minutes later, Harry had stomped on the towel, cursing vividly.
"LOSing much?" Eric asked, coming into the bathroom.
"No, because that would imply that I've actually HAD sex," Harry snapped.
Eric stared at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Oh," he managed, trying to find a way to escape the tirade he knew was coming.
"But NOOOO, I CAN'T have sex, because I might blow up the FUCKING planet!!!!!" Harry yelled, drawing curious glances from the people sitting in the Common Room.
"Harry, would you calm down?" Draco hissed, eyes darting around. "People are staring!"
Harry immediately quieted, his face still a thundercloud of discontent. "This Fucking SUCKS, Draco!" he hissed angrily, keeping his voice quiet.
"You think I don't know that? Come here. We aren't going to blow up the school with a simple hug," Draco grumbled, holding out his arms. Harry eagerly moved into the embrace, resting his forehead against Draco's forehead. They stared into each others' eyes for a long time, refusing to move even to go to Quidditch practice.
Severus strode into the Dorms, looking for them. "HARRY! DRACO!" he snapped.
They turned as one, still in each other's arms. "What?" they asked in unison.
"Madam Hooch wants you at practice right away and she sent me to find you. I've been calling you mentally for almost ten minutes. Why haven't you answered?" Severus grabbed both of them by the arms, but they refused to budge.
"We" Harry began
"Aren't" Draco continued.
"Going," they finished in unison.
Severus stared at them. "What do you mean, not going?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"We've been trying all week," Harry started talking.
"And it isn't working," Draco finished.
"We can't deal with this, being so close," Harry continued.
"And not being able to complete our bond." Draco spoke, staring at Severus defiantly.
"It's driving us nuts and we can't take it any more." They spoke as one again. Severus idly wondered if they did that simply to drive him insane, and whether or not it was on purpose.
"As for not responding, we were talking mentally, and had our shields up so we wouldn't be bothered," Harry explained.
"Fine, fine. I'll figure out something to say to Hooch about this. Oh, do you two have acceptable clothing for the Ball? It is in a week." Severus asked, trying to get rid of his headache.
"No," Harry and Draco admitted.
"Well, what do you plan on doing about that?" Severus asked.
"Uncle Sev, do you have anything acceptable?" Harry asked, an idea forming.
"I was planning on going shopping later on today, why?" he asked.
"Draco, could we have Jacques come here? I know that everyone needs good robes and I have no problem picking up quite a bit of the tab," Harry said excitedly, his mind working on overdrive. I know Eric needs some robes, as do Neville and Seamus, Blaise loves clothes, and Emily and Luna could get some too, Oh yeah, Ginny and my parents don't have any...
Draco smirked at him. "You do realize that Jacques is going to worship you for life, don't you?"
Harry grimaced. "Don't they all already pretty much worship me already? Hmmm, maybe I'll make YOU pay for everything!"
Draco stared at him incredulously. "I'll cover some of it, but not all. My parents would KILL me if I spent that much."
"I thought you had pretty much unlimited spending," Harry said curiously.
"I pretty much do, but spending several hundred thousand Galleons is a lot even for me. For you, it isn't."
They Apparated straight to Severus's rooms to use the Floo. Harry tossed in a handful of Floo Powder, and stuck his head into the Wizarding Armani store in Knockturn Alley. "Jacques?" he called.
He heard a shuffling, and Jacques waltzed into view. "Oh, Master Potter! How wonderful it is to see you again! What can I do for you?" he asked, his French accent thicker than ever.
"Actually, Jacques, I have a business proposition for you. How would you like to outfit my friends, guardians and I for the Yule Ball in a week?"
Jacques's mouth opened and closed several times before he found his voice. "How- how many people are we talking about, Master Harry?" he finally asked, thinking furiously.
"Twenty two people. Can you have it ready by Friday if we measure today and if you come here?" Harry asked, after quickly counting everyone.
Jacques's eyes sparkled. "Oh yes, Master Potter. I do love a challenge. My assistant and I will be over shortly. I will need people in groups of two, preferably the person and his or her date, so I know not to make anyone clash. How many women and how many men?" he asked, completely professional.
"Well, that depends on Blaise," Harry said to himself.
Jacques brightened. "Young Zambini is among the group? Excellent! Now, not counting Blaise, how many are there?"
"Not counting Blaise, we have thirteen men and eight women."
"Excellent, now how soon can you be ready?"
Harry sat up and asked Severus. "Uncle Sev, how soon can we have everyone, two at a time, for fittings?"
"I can call everyone immediately." Severus immediately sent out his mind. Hey, everyone, Harry's going to get us robes from Armani so get to my quarters with your dates so Jacques can measure and fit everyone! Remus, this does include you!
He received a variety of responses, all positive and assuring him that they'd be there as soon as possible. "Tell Jacques we have people coming immediately."
Harry shoved his head back into the fireplace. "We have everyone able to come now, Jacques."
Jacques turned and spat rapid fire French to an unseen assistant. "Excellent, Master Potter, we will be there in ten minutes. We were just closing up anyway."
Harry turned to Draco and Severus, Alanna, Xander, James, and Lily Apparating into the room behind them. "This is gonna be awesome," Harry told them, grinning. He received matching grins from everyone in the room. Turning, he stood up, and they eagerly waited for Jacques to make an entrance.
A/N: Well, not much to say, really. I'm finishing this up right before I go to work, with a quick spell check and all. Hopefully, it'll be available for everyone to read sometime this afternoon if I upload it now before I go to work. Well, read and review!