The Snake's Clan

by Kanui d'Astor

When long ago, Salazar created the Slytherin house and put himself on its throne, he never thought that, one day, the Snake could evolve and the crawling lord mute into the Sky sovereign, the one and only Dragon. DracoHarry, LuciusSeverus, RonHermione

14. Chapter 13 : Aftermath

Summary: When long ago, Salazar created the Slytherin house and put himself on its throne, he never thought that, one day, the Snake could evolve and the crawling lord mute into the sky sovereign, the one and only Dragon. Draco/Harry, Lucius/Severus, Ron/Hermione

Author's notes: See the end of the fic.

SNAKE'S CLAN

Chapter 13: Aftermath

What Dumbledore had used as an excuse was proven right: the Ministry had been attacked. It was nothing more than a diversion, but the surprise attack was well conducted and did what was awaited of it. Happily, Fudge had been killed. But what was happy news to Hogwarts was a mean of vengeance to the aurors…

When aurors arrived, bodies were everywhere, dispatched on the grounds. For the most part, they had been death-eaters. Thanks to the school's organisation, few of them had died on the battle. Mr Davis had saved his son from the killing curse, sacrificing himself. One of the vampires had been deadly beaten by a were-wolf and avenged soon after by his companion. Professor Flitwick had been crushed by a pan of wall, when rescuing the first years he had been assigned. Children had all survived, despite some of them having been beaten by the runespoors that had penetrated the castle. Mrs Pomfrey and Weasley had taken great care of the infirmary and immediately cured them. Of the fourth years, two Ravenclaws had been taken in a fire when attempting to bring back to the castle a wounded fellow. The fifth years had suffered the most and eight deceased was counted among them. Sixth and seventh years survived but many were injured. Hermione had a broken wing, Seamus a deep wound to the side, Lavender temporarily blind. That is a small part of it. In the red-head family, Fred had a pending leg and George helped his twin with the task of walking. Charlie had a gash at the head. Mr Weasley emerged from under the carcass of a dementor. Harry could barely walk due to exhaustion, and only the potions' effects allowed him some mobility. Dumbledore's left arm and both shoulders were broken. That left Draco. Finally, Voldemort had had the eyes bigger than his stomach.

Seventy-three death-eaters captured, among the two hundred and fifty that had come. The aurors made to unmask and take them to Azkaban but Harry roughly stopped them. He wanted to think before letting the aurors and Ministry take care of the situation. Draco had warned him about an aftermath he feared. Albeit his lover was dead, Harry would respect his thoughts and desires. It was later proved he had been right.

Two were-wolves remained alive. The first was unconscious and grouped with the death-eaters. The second was sitting next to a vampire and Sirius Black. It took Dumbledore to convince the aurors they were on their side. Still, the look most of the Ministry officers sent the three men assured they would soon need protection.

It was at that point that two people made their apparition through a fireplace. They ran to Dumbledore.

"Where is Draco?" Severus asked anxiously. As their battle had ended, his lover had writhed in contractions, shouted his son's name and fallen on the floor. He hadn't awaken since. But the silence that followed his question didn't reassured Snape. "Where is Draco?" he asked again in a small and breaking voice.

For the first time in the thirty-five years they had known each other, Dumbledore averted his friend's eyes. He didn't say he was sorry: Severus would never have forgiven him. The potion master let a terrible face show and ran back to the fireplace.

Bill, when faced with the news, went in search of his brother. The young man was prostrated against a tree, not far away from Sirius. As he advanced on him, he saw tears pouring down.

"He said all was going to be fine… He said we would be happy after the war…" Charlie choked on salt drops of water. And Bill didn't know what to say. He didn't understand how it could have happened. Draco was so strong, so sure of himself. He always gave the impression of unlimited power and untameable audacity. How could he have died? Bill hugged his brother. After a time, his breathing calmed, Charlie lifted his head. His eyes were red from crying and his right cheek and hair from blood. And Bill wanted nothing more than to make all pain go away. He slightly bent on the dark-haired man whom presented his lips and…

Remus, in his wolf form, Alex, in his vampire form and Sirius, in his human form, were sitting in silence. The wolf lied between their laps and appreciated the caresses they unconsciously provided him. It took his mind away from dolorous thoughts. The Malfoy child, Slytherin prince, presumed heir of the dark lord, had died, following Voldemort in death. Till the end, they had imagined him invincible, and it all had ended… like that… Then he remembered and quickly drew up his head to look around. What he saw mortified him: Bill was kissing Cast! Just there! And on the other side, a group of Gryffindors was coming. He raised up in a rush and ran on the brothers, interrupting whatever they had been doing. From far away, it could pass as a brotherly hug. Bill cried out in surprise and Charlie almost hexed the wolf.

"By Merlin, Remus, what took you to…" Then Cast noticed the approaching students and nodded a thank.

Soon, it was the morning. Harry hadn't come out of his half trance. The vampires had searched for their cloaks to protect their skin from the sun and Sirius had provided Remus with clothes. Students were sleeping.

"The battle has ended, we will be going soon. I wanted to thank you for saving me, I will remember my debt."

Lupin looked at Alexander, unsure of his words. He was reassured to have the vampires far away from him. Their two races had never got along well, apart from their fighting against humans. But when he reminded the time they had spent together…

When he'd been travelling through Transylvania, he had come upon a bar-hotel and decided to sleep there for a night. As soon as he'd paid and went up the first steps of stairs, he had smelled a band of vampires entering the establishment. He had run into his room, hoping to go away when they would have entered their respective chambers. He had heard doors clacking and had quickly gone out. But the blood-suckers had been waiting for him. The proprietary had been a vampire-born. Remus had then been taken to a small fortress and used for ten years as nourishment. The chief of the tribe was particularly fond of the captive: were-wolves possessed a spicy blood that enticed the vampires' senses. The nights he preferred were those of full moon, when Remus morphed and the blood-sucker had the immeasurable pleasure of taming the beast.

But despite everything Remus had wanted to believe, it had felt good to have his wolf part completely dominated. He had been hurt, but had also been sure he wouldn't hurt anyone, and that was the most important to him.

And after four years, the vampire came to England. Why had he come? It couldn't only be due to a promise to Draco, since the boy had revealed his astonishment at their coming. Moreover, why had he said they would be impaled if they went back losers? Had there been a fight for domination in the tribe? Or had the vampire only wanted to hide he was a chief? Besides, why had he, Moony, saved the blood-sucker after his suffering? Why hadn't he let him die?

All these thoughts passed in Remus's mind while Alex had turned and had gone away. In an awe, he observed Sirius running to the departing man and stopping him.

"As much as I don't like you," the ex-convict said, "He seems to… appreciate… your presence." The words felt heavy on his tongue an he wondered how little time would pass before he regrets them. "There are some vampires in the forest, so it must be liveable…"

After a time of hesitation, the vampire sent back his friend alone.

-

Flash-Back

A simple and recognisable call. A shout that had been created to be heard only by vampires. It echoed in their forest of Transylvania. The group of blood-suckers directed toward the noise, knowing its cause. Days ago, a were-wolf had been detected in a neighbour town. These cases were very rare, as Transylvania was the land of vampires and were-wolves didn't like their company. It wasn't war between them, no… Still, hatred ran during their encounters. They were different.

Were-wolves tended to live normally twenty-seven days out of twenty-eight by moon phase. Vampires had opted for a complete separation with humans. Were-wolves transformed human by a biting then abandoned them. The 'new born' had to search for his fellows alone. Vampires thought a long time before admitting a new member in their community. When they had transformed a human, they took care of who they considered to be their child. The two peoples hadn't good reasons to hate each others, but over the centuries, little dislike had grown into hatred all the same.

The vampires went to a small hotel, whom proprietary was one of them. It was him whom had called them: he was a vampire-born. This was a little secret of them: vampires could reproduce normally and transmit their modified human genes. Children came to life the human way and only when approximately ten years old did they began developing their vampire inheritance. That had allowed generations of blood-suckers to remain completely unknown of the humans.

Alex caught the sight of a man going up the stairs. The smell couldn't wrong him: he was the were-wolf. In silence, he indicated to his friends that they were to follow. When arriving upstairs, they discovered the were-wolf had entered his room. Another client did the same. At the clacking noise, the door in front of them let place to a frightened man. The stranger saw them and tried to run, without success. They were four and he was alone. He had no chance. They took him to their fortress in the woods.

"So," Alexander asked when in a room with the were-wolf, "What is an English were-wolf doing in a Transylvanian vampire area?"

"Visiting."

The vampire smiled and poured himself a glass of vine. Behind a barred door, chained to the wall, lied the were-wolf. He was a wizard, but they hadn't find his wand. He was young, twenty-five maybe. A child compared to his two centuries. Charming features were hidden by poor clothing and the results of a bad alimentation. His eyes were tired, sad, dead. He looked like stricken by Fate. Many would have decided then to protect him. But vampires weren't known for their gentleness or compassion…

"Someone in particular?" he inquired while sipping the vine.

"No… I was alone."

Alexander approached the bars. "That's interesting. A were-wolf deciding to violate the ancient laws for tourism. You know that Transylvania is a vampire territory. You have no right upon our lands. What were you doing here?"

"Visiting." The man had answered in the same dull voice.

"Hum… If you insist," he accepted. "I'd say you have a death wish, but you are lucky."

The last words had finally roused the stranger from his immobility and he listened to the master vampire's talk. As his 'host' didn't seem inclined to give much explanation, he raised his voice. "Why?"

"You have a will! I thought you were only good to answer questions. Well, you see, some of us are mated and can feed of their mate. But some of us also aren't and we need a constant prey. Our last died some weeks ago. You will replace him."

Terror showed in the young eyes but he seemed to resign and said nothing. Yes, apparently, this one had a death wish. Alexander smirked. It would be fun breaking the were-wolf. Little children that imagined they wanted to die for grand and heroic reasons aroused him. They were ready to gave up with life, but not to suffer for it. And to suffer, the wizard would.

"Do you know something of vampire feeding, boy?" he asked.

The were-wolf said no with the head. Oh yes, it will be a pleasure. To look at the sweet face wincing in pain, the delicate members contorting under dolour. He laughed. "I hope you like it rough."

He hadn't touched the boy till the full moon. Some vampires had fed of him but without going through the whole process. The first night was for their master. It had been simple transfers of blood. Just before the transformation, Alexander penetrated the room and opened the barred door. The were-wolf was prostrated in a corner, in a foetal position, his body taken by convulsions. He walked to him and crouched down, anticipating the pleasure to come.

"Go away," said the stranger in a rasping voice.

"Why should I?"

"I'm dangerous."

The vampire laughed. "Dangerous? You lack a hundred years to be of any danger to me, boy."

Any other word the were-wolf would have wanted to pronounce died in cries. He was morphing. Alex bent to liberate him from the chains and waited. Some minutes later, the man was a wolf. A cornered wolf that wanted to revolt against its sequestration. The beast launched directly at the neck.

They battled the full night, and the full night did it understood it couldn't mess with the vampire. The morning, the return of the human awoke Alex's desires. The wizard discovered the pain another being could bring upon him. And he cried.

Vampires enjoy rough sex when they feed. The were-wolf hadn't deceive him. The fight, the blood, the sex and a plus: the virginity. Yes, it had been good. But now, it was time to share, his people were hungry and horny.

Many years passed. One day, two guards announced Alex the arriving of an owl from Scotland. He hoped it was a message for Lucius. Alex had bitten the man's grand-father during a long stay he had made in the United Kingdom. But it wasn't. The letter was for his captive.

"Remus Lupin. I suppose it is you," he said.

The were-wolf's eyes rounded then gleamed with tears he tried to hide. "Where did you hear that?"

Since he had been captured, nobody had asked for the wizard's name. It was unimportant. He was the were-wolf. To hear it after all this time ought to bring back old memories. Painful memories, maybe. Alex had never discovered why the named Remus had left his country, what had nurtured him into wanting to die. At first, he hadn't care. Then, with years passing, he had considered it would have been of bad taste. Besides, it didn't concern him or his people. He took the letter out of his pocket and read.

"For Remus Lupin. It arrived some days ago, it's a proposition from Dumbledore. He proposes you the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts."

"M… Me? But… Why? Why do you tell me that!" Tears were falling freely. For more than ten years, he had been in nothing more than slavery. Why did the vampire find the need to twist the knife in the wound?

"It's a proposition. You say yes or you say no. It's easy. I'm sure even you can do that."

"What? You… You'd let me accept? You'd let me go?"

As Alex had foreseen, the wish of death had passed. Some months had sufficed. Humans or were-wolves, they were all the same. "Me? No. But a friend of mine asked for the favour that I let you run free if you so desire."

Astonished, the wizard accepted the job. Alex looked at him as he went away. It felt strange. This was the first captive they ever let go in peace. They would need to find another.

But the new one wasn't the same. It wasn't a were-wolf, it wasn't a frightened child that thought he deserved to die, it wasn't Remus Lupin.

They had lived a decade together. One master, the other slave. Alexander went back to his past life. Three years later, Draco Malfoy made his apparition. It was an open window to feelings he would have wanted to forget.

The wolf had changed. He had gained again self-confidence and many friends. But he hadn't forgotten either.

-

The death-eaters had been locked in Hogwarts's underground. His friends were sleeping with the help of Mrs Pomfrey's potions. Snape hadn't reappeared.

Harry got up from his bed, careful not to awake anyone, took out his Invisibility Cloak and broom then went out. He ran in the corridors, knowing Filch was talking with some teachers in the Great Hall. He arrived to a side door, opened and mounted his broom when…

"Where are you planning on going, Harry?"

The Gryffindor turned to the headmaster. Dumbledore had been bandaged with care, due to his old age, and Harry couldn't stop from thinking the man ought to be resting from his harsh battle rather than being out lecturing a stupid student that was going to do another stupid thing.

"I was going to the Ministry," he admitted in a murmur, "To see if I can reach him from the Dead World…" He felt like crying but fought back tears.

"Harry, there is something I must tell you. Please, sit with me. I promise that after we have talked, if you still want to go, I won't try to stop you." His voice was tired and Harry followed him without resistance.

They entered back the castle then an empty classroom and sat on students' chairs.

"Maybe you remember that some times, when we talked, we mentioned seven Hells?"

Harry nodded.

"When you die," began Dumbledore, "there are many places you can go. They are called the Four Heavens and the Seven Hells. The passage in the Ministry conducts to one of these Hells. I don't know where the lands' spirits come from, but there are few chances that it is the same."

"But I can still go, just to see…" insisted the boy.

"If it was a possibility, I would have proposed it, Harry. But when Remus entered the Shadow Hell, he had Luck or Destiny with him, for to find Sirius in it, then find his way back is already incredible. More, I saw him going and could open the passage to them, but I haven't enough energy left to do it a second time. You would remain stuck in Hell."

"… So you think I shouldn't go…"

"I am sorry to destroy your hopes, but I don't want you to run to your death."

"No, it's me who's sorry. I didn't think clearly. I… I don't know what to do… I want Draco to be here. He was supposed to survive, how could he just… disappear…" He couldn't bring himself to say Draco was dead, he couldn't acknowledge it.

"Harry, you should go to sleep, you're exhausted. I can't claim that I knew Draco well, but I don't think he would agree on you dying to save him."

"Yes, you're right… They say tomorrow is another day… Professor, when will classes be resumed?"

"Very soon. The damages to the school are minim, in fact we had much chance during the battle. In less than a week, we should be able to go on with classes. Besides, it would do good to students to concentrate on something else than the war. This week-end will be spent in Hogsmeade and the Holidays will begin two weeks in advance."

"Thank you, headmaster. I'll rest now, I'm tired."

He went back to his dormitory but couldn't sleep. Each time he closed his eyes, he was reminded of his time with Draco in the shower. And he couldn't cry either for it would have been abandon. But days passed and hopes faltered.

-

World of the light victory had spread through England, then all Europe and the world. Harry decided than the prisoners were to be released, estimating there wasn't any danger left. Draco would have wanted that. He said too much blood had been spoiled over a nonsense war. How could magic fight against magic? As Harry shared this vision of things, Dumbledore used his diplomatic relations to let go some of the death-eaters. Most of them left without a word, but there was no revenge in their eyes. Their master was dead, their dark mark had disappeared definitely. A minor part couldn't be prevented from Azkaban, as there was too many testimonies against them.

Bill narrated what had happened in Malfoy Manor, the dragon battle and the zombie matter. Besides, Lucius Malfoy made a demand in order to keep the dragons on his lands. Atus Cast contacted some old friends to help with the papers. After four months, it was accepted. The grounds were large enough to house fifteen dragons and the inhabitants had adopted them. That was quite a surprise to all dragon keepers because some of the races were known for their hatred of humans.

Still, mass population was quick to forget they owed the victory to the dark family of the Malfoys, so the fighters took the time to rectify every wrong saying they came upon. The horrible end of the battle had been carved in their minds forever. Harry was particularly active in the repressing of false information, for Draco remained his lover in death, and he couldn't bear to hear the horrors people said on him. A monument was edified at Hogwarts in memory of the dead and each evening, Harry traversed the garden to sit next to the chiselled rock and talk to Draco about whatever came to his mind. On these minutes, he felt serene and happy.

The Malfoys had been hated for so long that an immediate change in someone that hadn't witnessed first hand their bravery was impossible. The Weasley backed him strongly, for they would never forget how important was the debt they owed the young animagus whom, contrarily to his reputation, had asked for nothing in exchange for his generosity.

To their utter consternation, Charlie had declared he wasn't to be seen in his true form and be called by his true name ever again. He would remain Atus Cast, member of the Snake's Clan. Little did they know he planned, in some years, when his family would have got used to him as a stranger, to reveal the liaison he now had with Bill.

When Harry had asked about the fumes Draco had been found in the day of the battle, Dumbledore had revealed an old secret: Salazar Slytherin had been a seer. It was a strong possibility that Draco had inherited the capacity and used the herbs to induce the trances. But then why hadn't he foreseen he would die? Harry asked. And Remus couldn't bring himself to reveal that Draco had been aware of his own future but had accepted to die, nonetheless.

Fudge was so dead. But his mandate hadn't been and, in waiting for the election of a new minister of magic, a council had been dressed to resolve the aftermath of the battle. Dumbledore possessed a chair, Arthur Weasley another, and a third was given to Harry. Three out of eleven. It was often they came back pestering against the absurdities of some law propositions…

Were-wolves were declared the nation's enemies and this time, Dumbledore wasn't enough to stop the aurors. Strangely, another 'beast' brought the solution that Harry and Mr Weasley announced to the council. Alexander, vampire, ex-chief of the second most important tribe in Transylvania, cousin of Dracula, narrated the anger of his people at the wizards' regulating law of the were-wolves. They feared for their own safety. No time would pass that the wizards would abuse of the repercussions of the war to attempt bringing down the vampires too. The giants had sent an emissary to assist Alexander. Moreover, Remus had been asked by Dumbledore to return to the were-wolves and propose them a treaty of peace between the humanoids. The remaining ones had accepted. Three races were so represented in front of the council. But the eight other possessors of the chairs refused to hear them out. Angered, the giant forced the door.

"Fine! Now, you will listen!" shouted Alexander, "I possess here all powers in the name of vampires. Should you not give me reassuring by law of our safety that I am allowed to declare you war."

"What!" cried out a witch, "This is madness! You should all be locked away!"

"Or killed!" yelled another, "Your races are monstrosities!"

Remus felt the wolf move in his soul, secondary effect of the potion Severus had given him months ago. "For my part, I have the were-wolf's powers."

"And we did better," announced the giant, "My people is currently carefully disposed around the Ministry. If I am not out of here in half an hour with the confirmation of laws letting us live in peace, we bring you down."

Alexander clapped his admiration, "Great! I should have done the same."

"We don't trust humans," explained the giant, "They constantly try to trick us. We accepted not to take part in the war. We demand compensation."

The council fumed in anger and a middle-aged man got up, "I propose we consider the request of giants and vampires. But the were-wolves associated with the dark…"

He couldn't finish that he was cut by Alexander, "It's the three of us or nothing!"

The members were all red and, as the half-hour they were accorded passed, they accepted to settle down. They had no choice but to accept.

"See, it wasn't so hard," laughed the giant. "Now, remember: our three races have hidden emissaries everywhere. Just try to go past this little signature of yours…"

He let the menace in suspense and departed. The council never learnt the 'giants posted around the Ministry' had been a good lie.

Remus and Alex reached a secret agreement. The first prevented the second from killing under the full moon, the second accepted to feed the first once a month. It slowly turned into a constant relation and often the students discovered a vampire in the DADA classroom, whom listened to the lesson.

A morning, the vampire had entered the classroom, covered by his usual black cloak, and only said, "I got bored in the forest," while getting a chair. He had never gone back. From this presence of humanoids, Dumbledore thought he could make use of and imagined the creation of a new class: Cognisance of magical people. Bill Weasley had replaced Flitwick as Professor of Charms.

Then in March came the elections. Harry proposed the name of Lucius Malfoy. Silence concluded his suggestion. He had met with the man at the ceremony of the dead in December. The high lord had mentioned he could visit if he so wished. Draco would have been pleased, so he accompanied Atus in one of his weekly trips. He was astounded by the lands. Never had he visited a so vast estate. He also met with some dragons. Many scientists asked to come and study them, as it was so rare the beasts accepted to be approached, but the demands were generally refused: the dragons weren't laboratory subjects. Since January, he hadn't seen the blonde man. Both of them had immersed in their affairs. Or rather, Harry had immersed and Malfoy had disappeared from sight. The lord also refused the proposition he was made, which pleased the council.

In April, the minister was elected and Harry could finally leave the council. These narrow-minded exasperated him, he said. The true reason was that five months had passed since Draco's death and the truth was showing in his face. The Slytherin wouldn't come back. He continued going to the rock every evening, but without conviction anymore, he didn't know what to say, what to hope. He was tired of being in the spotlight: without Draco, it wasn't fun, it was torture. Some nights, he went up the roof of the Astronomy Tower and looked at the sky, then at the Earth, and he thought: 'It would be so quick, to fall and to join him. So easy, so simple.'

He then remembered his friends and returned to his dormitory. But in the morning, he was always harsher, grumpier than usual. He began regretting that they existed, that he ever had friends, that they kept telling him how much they loved him. All that nurtured his remorse. They were happy. He couldn't saved the one he loved. They were all smiling now, they were forgetting. He would never forget.

Even the Slytherins, with their strange attitude, wanted Draco's memory to go away. They did only work, every day, every night. They didn't stopped working, occupying their mind.

-

Wednesday, May, the 19th

In Malfoy Manor, the story was all different. Lucius Malfoy had appeared at the ceremony of Hogwarts and then closed up in his house. He never got out anymore. He had experiences in the catacombs and Severus feared for his life. He hadn't feed since the death of Draco and was slowly vanishing.

The lands had recuperated after the battle. The link with the inhabitants was stronger than ever. Some of them had visions of their ancestors, some revealed ancient powers or abilities. But nobody heard about the vampire lord and they were beginning to worry.

"Lucius…" Severus said one day, as the Malfoy lord was reading a book in the library, "You remember that night we spent in the forbidden forest? The day I graduated, you came, took me away and made me your lover."

But the vampire didn't react and flicked a page.

"Lucius… Lucius!"

"Hum?"

Severus wanted to grasp the book from the white hands but knew it would have no effect, he had already tried and Lucius had simply gone back to his experiments. "React! I can't bear seeing you so… so miserable!"

"Then don't look." He flicked another page.

Severus kneeled on the floor, next to his lover's armchair and laid his forehead on Lucius's leg. "Lucius… Do you realise what you're doing to me? Please move, do something, anything…"

"You're pathetic."

"What…" He got up in a start, "I'm pathetic! Did you looked in a mirror? You've been neurasthenic for the past five months!"

Lucius closed his book with a snap and looked at Snape, "My son is dead!"

"I know! I know how much you loved him and don't think I loved him any less, but you won't bring him back this way. You dying of misery would be the last of his wishes. Remember the energy he put into the survival of your family."

This time, it seemed to hit a nerve. Lucius went to a window and scoped his lands, "So! I have no heir anymore. What do you suggest? That I take wife again? After all… It isn't a so disagreeable idea… Maybe I miss a feminine spirit next to me…"

Severus blanched but didn't interrupted the monologue. If that could rouse Lucius out of his torpor, he was willing to pay the price and to suffer looking at his lover marrying.

"The lady of Harbring has a vampire cousin. It may be a respectable choice. I wouldn't have to hide…" He turned back. "What do you think Severus?"

"I agree," he stammered.

"Hum… I'll sent her an invitation tomorrow, just to establish relations... But I'm talking and you have classes to teach. Thank you for your visit, it did me much good."

Days passed. At school, the Potions teacher was irritable, grouchy, hard, severe and all he was before the battle to his students. At the Manor, he was patient, open, miserable.

Sunday, June the 6th

That night, the headmaster came to look after him in his classroom.

"You should eat, Severus. You're wasting away."

"That's my problem." He was simulating the preparing of a potion, when he truly was mixing random ingredients in random shapes.

"But you are also my responsibility, I must take care of you," insisted Dumbledore. The old man looked at the two persons he considered like his children dying inside. Harry and Severus would soon leave the world of living if he did nothing…

"Let me reassure you, I'm fine!" Grumped Snape, when he showed and sounded like the exact contrary.

"Truly?"

"Yes!"

Severus still hadn't turned to meet the headmaster's piercing eyes. "Do you thing me a fool, child?" Dumbledore had enough, he wanted to know what ate away at the man, "I know you aren't well, and I know that has to do with Lucius. Is he still prostrated?"

"Oh no… He's better… Even thinking of taking a wife again!" Snape bitterly thought aloud and, realising his mistake too late, his movements stopped in mid-air. How could he have been so carefree? He ought to have been more tired than what he thought.

"Oh… Severus, he needs a heir. He loved you when Narcissa was alive." Dumbledore couldn't believe he was providing help in love matters.

"You don't understand, it isn't the same at all…" He felt childish but what he said was the truth. 'Narcissa hadn't got vampiric relation. He didn't want her to know and at least needed me to feed. This time…'

"Fine, I don't understand. But if you don't want to explain or aren't better in a week, I will go and talk to him," menaced Dumbledore.

"No!" Snape turned brutally in terror, "If you do that, I swear…"

"Severus! You're dying!" Roared the old wizard.

"And what of him?" Fought the child that he was in front of the old man, "He hasn't fed since Draco's death! He's vanishing! He only wants to give another heir to the lands and then will die!" Tears menaced to fall, "What I am supposed to do! To watch at him? To bury him as I did Draco! I refuse!"

With these desperate words, he fled out of the room, leaving his potion and ingredients untidily.

-

Tuesday, June, the 8th

Harry was out one more time, inspecting the sky for some news that didn't want to come. A sign, that was all he asked for, all he needed for his faith to survive. But in this morning of early June, only rosy beams stained the lightening blue of the Earth's ceiling. When the sun emerged from the horizon, Harry decided it was time to go back and dress for another morning of appearances and lies. He smiled when people needed him smiling, he laughed when they needed him laughing, and the rest of the time, he did nothing, he simply stared, vaguely listened to the teachers' ramblings. He was flabby but he couldn't even feel it. Surely Dumbledore had specified to the professors that they had to let him in peace, for his grades had never been lower and they said nothing. He didn't care. He had enough money to go on with this blank life without working. Besides, his brain didn't feel like functioning anymore. The council had achieved him.

Their last two matches of quidditch also took place. He wanted to let Ginny play the Seeker but they insisted it had to be him, to 'do something he liked' they said. So he played. He lost. The second time, they insisted too, despite his first bad score. He lost too. Ravenclaw won the Cup. He hadn't cared either.

Of all his friends, Hermione was the most devoted. In order to keep his grades from the absolute zero, she did every work she could in his place. As for the rest, the professors said nothing. Harry mentioned one day that she needn't to, they knew it was her, but she had gone on. He believed it was her personal way of excusing for Draco's absence. He appreciated. She asked nothing, told nothing, only came everyday and made his work. She enjoyed the silence as much as he did. Sirius often wanted to talk to him, but Harry preferred not to see the man. It reminded him how he had been saved, or rather by whom.

To say he was completely dead was an exaggeration. There was some moments in which he awoke. It was in Potions. Snape's temper was fouler than ever and the 'greasy git' didn't miss an occasion to bring down Gryffindors. From the rumours Ginny narrated to him, trying to occupy him and change his mind, the teacher wasn't nicer with Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Slytherins didn't cope better with this new version of their head of house but respected him greatly still and made efforts to give him less reasons for anger.

Potions was precisely his first class of this like-every-other day. Great. He felt perfectly like it. To bear the fucking teacher of a fucking class. At least, the rest of the week, he could rest in peace. It prevented him from fainting of the lack of sleep he accumulated during his white nights.

Breakfast was noisy. Children crying, laughing, it was almost the end of the year. Their last year. They had Newts in some weeks. He didn't know the quarter of the program. He couldn't even remember what contained the program.

He sat in the potions classroom and couldn't tell how he had arrived there. He was there, that's all that counted. They wouldn't panic and search for him this way. That was what bothered his most. When he was alone, and fine, and perfectly happy in his latency and they arrived running and sweating, and yelling, and crying, all that to announce that they had feared so much for him because he had disappeared some minutes. As if death-eaters would decide to attack him. The look in their eyes when he had released them was enough to prove they would never try anything against him anymore. Draco had been right.

He passed again in his head his lovemaking with Draco the hour before the battle. He had felt so alive at that moment, so happy, so desiring to go on with what they had. His carefully constructed card castle had fallen in infinitesimal pieces. And the only way to glue them back again was to…

A bang on his worktable took him from his thoughts. He was faced with very dark and very angry eyes. "Potter!" shouted Snape, "Maybe you could gratify this class with your presence?"

'Gratify' certainly wasn't the word to use at this moment, for he wasn't inclined to accept comments on his so-called fame. "Why? I didn't learn any of the words you use," he bitterly answered.

"Then open your book and learn them! Or maybe it is too much for wonderful Potter?"

This time it was too much, "And what if I don't want to! You're happy now! I played my part, I fought Voldemort! Leave me alone!"

That only served to anger Snape more. "You will NOT speak back to me, Potter!"

"I will do as I want! I've heard enough of you. During seven years you ruined my life. I won't…"

But before he could finish, Snape swiftly came forward Harry and caught his robe's collar, lifting the Gryffindor. "Trust me Potter, I endured more and will support more than a little tantrum from an immature child. Do you think you're sole to mourn? Draco was my godchild, and Lucius's son, his only son. Stop…" The teacher's face had gone red in anger but was suddenly whitening again and he let go of Harry. "…taking yourself…" Porting his hand to his head, he made some unsure steps. "…for…" And the suddenly limp body slid to the floor.

"Harry! What did you do!" Ron exclaimed as students gasped.

"I… I did nothing…" he stammered.

"He's exhausted, that's why he fainted," cut through Blaise, "Granger, go and search for Pomfrey. We'll begin transporting him while you're on the way."

The headgirl nodded and ran out. "Potter, help me," ordered the new Slytherin in command, expecting a reaction out of the frozen boy.

"Y… Yes…" He took out his wand and spelled the unconscious body. They went all the way to the Infirmary and found there the Mediwitch, Hermione and the Headmaster. Harry blanched. There was only one people he still hated to disappoint and it was the old man. The great wizard transported around him an aura of Death and pessimism that calmed him. When Snape lied in a white bed and Hermione and Blaise had gone out to take care of the students and the abandoned classroom, Harry turned to Dumbledore, knowing not what to do.

"Don't worry Harry," reassured the headmaster, "It isn't your fault, you only accelerated the inevitable."

"Why is he like that, professor?"

"Ah, these are old matters that I prefer not to talk about, and also not to think about if I can avoid it…"

Dumbledore couldn't forget that if Lucius had been a source of joy to Severus, he had also brought into his life the majority of what was bad. The dark mark being the most important. For when Severus had become of age, his father was dead, and the headmaster had hoped a Slytherin could be saved. But Lucius's influence had been greater and above all, Severus's hatred of the Gryffindors had taken enormous proportions.

"Will he go better?" Harry faintly inquired, fearing the answer.

"That power, my child, isn't in our hands. It doesn't even lie in his own… Another carries Severus's fate."

"Another?…" That didn't make sense.

"Draco bears your Destiny, Harry. His sole presence modifies totally your actions. It is the same for Severus. It appears I finally have to go and dig him out of his house…" There was a tone of anger and hatred in the old man's voice which reminded Harry of the great powers he held.

"Professor!" called Harry as Dumbledore was going to the fireplace, "You're speaking of Draco in the present tone… You think that?" Hope was shining in his eyes as the stars he observed every night in remembering of his love.

The headmaster's lips curved, "I trust only what I see, Harry. But I saw enough of Mr Malfoy to know that he has more than one trick up his sleeve." Then he disappeared through the fire.

For the first time in months, Harry truly smiled and Mrs Pomfrey looked at him quitting the infirmary with a benevolent look. She had observed the love Draco Malfoy had declared for Harry Potter and had faith in the young man: he wouldn't let the Gryffindor alone. For the same reasons, she deeply trusted that her little Severus would soon again be well. After these horrible times, happiness would come back and for good.

Harry wandered in the corridors, enjoying this new hint of a beautiful future in his soul. Suddenly, he came across Slytherin's statue and looked at the man. "During seven years, I only hated you, and I excuse… If Draco was your son, you ought to be better than I thought…"

And he didn't say more for in the obscurity of this old and famous school than was Hogwarts, where nothing strange felt out of place, he had seen the statue nodding…

"I must have been hallucinating… This statue never moved, it's my imagination. It simply can't move… It would be known… Yes, it can't move, I'm currently sleeping in my bed and I'm dreaming… I'm dreaming… I'm dream… ing… drea…" He fell unconscious on the floor.

-

Wednesday, June the 9th

When Harry awoke, he recognised the room he had slept in, when he had been working with Draco in the Slytherin Dungeons. A small owl was looking strangely at him and Harry felt a sense of déjà-vu. With a start, he realised he was dressed in pyjamas made of green silk. 'Am I still dreaming?' He wondered.

'It can't be… Someone is playing a fucking trick on me… Why am I here? Was it all a nightmare? Did this last month never happened?… I'll get up and go look into the common room, I'll have my answers… yes, that's it!'

He dressed up, did as he had thought and opened the door that took to the small staircase. Silently, taking care not to make any noise on the wooden stairs, he went down.

"Good morning, Draco!"

Harry almost fainted on the spot. His heart menaces to fail him if he didn't understand immediately. He ran into the common room…

A second year was saluting the statue of a blue Asian dragon. Reality crashed upon Harry and he thank Merlin that he hadn't imagined too much. He wouldn't have been able to bear it.

"You're finally awake, Potter?"

Harry turned and met Zabini. "Yes... What am I doing here?" he asked quickly, not liking at all when he had blank cases in his memory.

"I found you sleeping on the floor, next to Salazar. I took you here. You slept through all day and night, it seems."

"Oh…" 'I fainted… That's stupid…' "Where did you find the pyjamas? And… I need to know… Did the statue ever move?"

The Slytherin looked at him with amused eyes. "You're pretty curious this morning, Potter! Well, if you truly want to know, I shall tell you. When I took you to the room and deposited you on the bed, the pyjamas appeared out of nowhere. Then something began changing you. As you'll ask as soon as I'll stop talking, no, I'm not certain of what it was. To me, it was Draco. He felt jealous and wanted to change you himself. For the statue, if you mean Salazar's, I never saw it myself, but I remember Draco mentioned it from time to time, so I'd say yes. Another question?"

Harry felt helpless and all mixed inside. He didn't know what to think anymore. To add to his bizarre feeling, Zabini advanced on the small dragon and kneeled in front of him, soon imitated by some Slytherins that had just come out of their dormitories. "Good morning, Draco. May Slytherin protect you through this day."

Then more children came running happily through the beautifully decorated room; some traversed it quickly, some stopped and talked to friends, but none of them forget to salute the dragon. Harry sadly looked at them through what seemed to be a ritual. "You're all mad," he said to Zabini.

"Us, mad? No… Children!" He shouted, "Time for breakfast!"

A sea of Slytherins bashed out of the Common Room, followed by Harry and Zabini, whom went on…

"You see, during the few months Draco spent as the Heir, there is one thing he perfectly taught the Slytherins, something that is keeping them from breaking as any normal human would have. It is Hope."

Harry's head redressed at the words. "Snape, you and the others don't feel it like we do because you spent less time with him than we did but… Draco said he would survive the war. It may take him years or even centuries to come back, but he is alive. And alive or dead, we will all be waiting for him."

Harry feared to trust his heart and listen to the Slytherin. "You seem pretty certain…"

"Because I am!" seriously concluded Zabini. As it was early, few of the Gryffindors were up; besides, Harry felt good with Zabini, who talked freely of Draco as of someone that had gone on a trip and would come back soon. He had imagined they wanted to forget Draco, to think of something else. He had had all wrong and he understood now: the Slytherins had been working to make Draco proud when he would come back. Because Harry at present was sure of it, Draco would come back, it was only a matter of Time… He thought back on the sentence his love had repeated before going to war: 'Only Time will prove itself to you'. And all was clear. He felt alive. He stayed and eat breakfast with the green ones. If someone had said to him, a year ago, that he would be genuinely happy surrounded by Slytherins, he would have sent them directly to St Mungo's.

He interrupted his devouring of a delicious new jam he just found – who would have thought the jams weren't the same on all tables? – when he felt a little hand tugging at his sleeve. Turning the head, he saw the smaller boy he had ever laid his eyes on at Hogwarts. Was this a first year? He looked like an eight years-old!

"You want something?" he asked kindly to the child.

The boy nodded and presented a folded sheet of paper and a quill with a pot of ink. "May you give me an autograph, please?"

And the boy had so gentle and innocent eyes Harry didn't take the time to think and took the items to pose them on the table; at the same moment letting a small place on the bench for the child to sit. It was incredible! A Slytherin was asking him an autograph! Raising his head from the table, he saw Zabini who was eating a slice of bread and butter and smirking at him, and he wondered why.

Harry unfolded the paper a time, then another, then another and discovered it was actually bigger than he'd imagined. Seeing what he was doing, his table neighbours pushed all dangerous rests of breakfast from a large surface so that he could completely unfold the paper. It represented an immense tree with different cases in the branches. From the names he recognised, signatures were grouped by Slytherin year. He then looked at the trunk and remained agape. On the left side, there was Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Misters Nott, Parkinson and Davis. On the right side, there was Atus Cast, Bill Weasley and other names he didn't remember. But what truly took away his attention was the root. A child's drawing represented Draco in his human form accompanied by a little blue dragon. The signature of his love was there. And little Draco was holding hands with another little character, a dark haired boy with red robes and a bolt scar on the forehead. Tears came to his eyes at the purity of the drawing. It wasn't well drawn, it rather was the contrary, but the simplicity of the gesture the two characters shared was perfect. The child had represented their love in a way that expressed his most profound desires. He wiped away tears that menaced to destroy the sumptuous work. He didn't care if the Slytherins mocked him for this manifestation of weakness. He needn't to, for they didn't. He was one of them now, they respected him. He took the quill, dipped it in the ink and signed next to his mini representation. When he gave back the items to the boy, Zabini talked to the child.

"So you finally decided to ask him?"

At Harry's look of non-understanding, he explained, "He drew it six months ago, just before the battle."

Harry nodded and turned to the boy to hear the answer he would give. The child smiled. "Yes! Draco said I could go today!"

Boys young men startled, "You talked to Draco!"

"Of course… I talk to him every day…" The poor child thought he had done something wrong. Zabini quickly reassured him and demanded more complete information. "When you say good morning to the dragon, sometimes, he talks back to you. Today he said it was time to go and ask Harry to sign my tree."

"But…" Harry intervened, "Why not before?"

"Draco said before you were not ready and that would only make you sadder!" The boy recited it like he would a text he had heard dozens of times.

The boy was right. Had he asked for it sooner, he would have been refused. Harry felt he had gone all the way through redemption. He would try talking to the dragon, even if he seriously doubted he would obtain an answer. The boy had said 'sometimes', besides, Zabini had been as surprised as him at the news and he ought to speak a lot with pseudo-Draco, or so Harry believed. Maybe the dragon needed someone pure. A dark thought came back to his mind: there was someone he had to apologise to… if it wasn't too late…

Frowning in anxiety, he travelled the way to the Infirmary. But when he arrived, he saw Hermione, Mrs Pomfrey and Dumbledore looking at something on a bed with smiles. He looked too and he was granted with a sight… a sight so incredible he couldn't help smiling too…

-

Tuesday, June the 8th

"Lucius Malfoy!" roared Dumbledore when he arrived in the Manor through a fireplace. He was in the Great Hall and no-one was to be seen. A house-elf finally appeared. "Master is occupied. Master shall not be seen today. Mister shall come back tomorrow."

"Tell him his lover is dying, then," he angrily spat, "And that if he does not move, I will go and search for him myself!"

But his outburst seemed to stir something in the old house and he frowned. There was… He felt eyes on him and menaced. "Minty will see what Minty can do for Mister," said the lithe creature.

He was let alone in the inhospitable residence and let his eyes travel on the furnished walls. At the first sight, nothing he had to fear, but his instinct told him there was a danger waiting to lash on him, and he always trusted his instinct. The house-elf reappeared. "Master said he shall not see Mister today."

Rage flew in the great wizard's veins, rage like he hadn't feel in years, despite the war or Harry's constant danger. How dare this man let his lover die alone! How dare he hurt Dumbledore's almost son this way! After all the promises he had made! Was that the Lucius Malfoy he had respected! He ignored the house elf's shouting and advanced through the corridors, marching to the source of magic he sensed in the Manor. He traversed sumptuous doors, decorated halls and rooms.

After five minutes of walking, reason took again the best of his mind. When he'd been in the entrance hall, he had felt strongly the aura; and it had only increased as he came nearer from the source. For him to sense it this distinctly, Malfoy shouldn't have been that far away… The only possibility was that… He was loosing energy…

To say the truth, he had thought Severus had been exaggerating as he always did when it concerned his lover; that he was still under the shock of Draco's official burial when he had talked about Lucius's dying. It painfully appeared to him that maybe it hadn't been such an illusion that he had imagined. The high lord, sovereign of the Malfoy lands, was dispersing through his house his last reserves… Dumbledore ran the rest of the way and forced the door with a light shot of wandless magic. The Hogwarts headmaster took a step back. The air was full of a killing desire and he wondered what was creating it…

In the middle of the room, on a ceremonial altar laid the body of his past student. Dumbledore advanced to it and posed his hand over the unmoving chest. Life had left him for good.

'I am too late… How stupid of me it was to underestimate Severus's worries, and your love to your son… He said he wouldn't accept to bury you and will join you soon. You were the only one with the power to save him… Why are you lying in a concentration room, Lucius? What were you trying to do when Death took you? Is it my duty to look at the best of us going? Draco, what joy could it be of you to come back if there is no-one left of the persons you love?… But then…'

He turned back to the house-elf which had followed him and asked in wonder, "Why did you say I could come back tomorrow?"

"Because you are as much of a fool as you always was."

In astonishment, Dumbledore turned again. The white dead eyelids opened then the high lord redressed on the altar and looked at him. The old man remained agape and Lucius smirked at the unusual situation.

"For your questions: First, I was resting and recuperating. Second, I was trying to have a nice and interrupted chat with my son. Third, I will bury you and not the other way round. Fourth, we will all be alive for Draco's return."

After a moment of uncertainty, Dumbledore smiled at the assurance in the voice, then remembered the reason of his visit and frowned. "You should hurry then, because Severus's dying."

"I know, I'm returning with you."

Dumbledore grumbled in his barb that he effectively could after what he had put the child under! Questions would wait for later.

They used flow-powder and soon were in Hogwarts's Infirmary. Mrs Pomfrey smiled at Lucius and beckoned Dumbledore out with her. As the old wizard closed the door, he briefly caught the glimpse of a darkly dressed figure bending over a lying one and kissing it lightly. The scene had something… strange and reverential in it, as if a carefully kept secret was there, hidden beside the door. The use of power inside the room prevented him from using magical sight and he had to keep his hands from reaching the knob. This secret the Malfoys had kept from him for so long… What he had yearn to discover… But he couldn't… Not if he wanted to conserve his friend's and almost son's affection.

Poppy touched his arm and smiled at him. "You never had much trust in him, do you, Albus? But trust me, then, he would never have let Severus die."

-

Lucius approached his dying lover and observed him. Severus Snape wasn't handsome, quite the contrary in fact. He didn't take care of his body and wasn't charming either. He wasn't nice, or pleasant, or even social. But Lucius had never appreciated nicety that much, and only cared for beauty in public.

When he had seen little Severus advancing through the throng of first years, he had known. The little boy was physically attractive to who could forget the first impression, and had an air that cried: "I hate you, I hate your neighbour and I hate the world; but if you show me I can trust you, I will follow you everywhere." He would develop an interesting psychic and strong will.

He so had protected his prey, and proven him he could not only be trusted, but also respected, admired and venerated. Severus had been true to his existence: he had been ready to accompany his lover in Hell. He still was.

Lucius slightly smiled and bent over the unconscious body to kiss the presented lips. A sigh escaped the dark-haired man as he murmured the name of the one he had thought he had lost.

Draco now was of age, would soon be back then bound to Potter. No danger remained. There would be no need for Lucius and his son to magically bind in order to legate brutally the lands. The passing would be done slowly, using the old customs. And Severus, whom he had always refused a complete relationship to, would at length be happy.

He pronounced formulas of ancient magic to keep visitors at bay. A binding shall not be interrupted. Lucius silently pushed the sheets aside and carefully undressed the still sleeping body then his own, and laid on the bed. He moaned lightly, it felt good to be with his lover again. Severus moved, his rest disturbed by the presence, and his soul yearning for its companion. Lucius pressed their bodies together and groaned in union with Severus. He morphed, cut his left wrist's vein with a fang and presented it to his lover's mouth. At the strong odour, Severus awoke and raised his eyes to the grey ones.

"You're here…" he faintly said, exhausted as he was.

Lucius kissed his forehead and approached his hand nearer for the man to suck the pouring blood, which he did. "Yes, I am. And I won't go away." He looked a moment at Severus feeding, a smile on his lips at his lover's wonder. "I know you are no vampire, but it will do you good. Don't worry, I am in good enough shape to share with you, and no, I didn't feed. Draco lent me energy."

Severus's eyes rounded, the rest of his face still hidden by the white hand but Lucius didn't let him the time to ask. He pinned his lover's hands above his head, kissed him fully on the lips and rammed their bodies together. Severus moaned so loudly against his mouth that Lucius thanked the spells he had put on the doors. When the dark-haired man made to draw his legs apart and let the lord use him, the vampire stopped him, earning a worried frown from the pinned man.

"Today," murmured Lucius, "We will go another way."

At first, Severus didn't understand, then he gaped in realisation. "Lu… Lucius, you're sure? I mean… I've never… Well…" He felt like blushing as a virgin and fought against it.

But, comprehensive, Lucius smiled. "I have never been bottom either. You have better be a good lay…"

-

Wednesday, June the 9th

Harry also looked and he was granted with a sight… a sight so incredible he couldn't help smiling too…

In the small Infirmary bed, Lucius Malfoy, laying on his side, was embracing with his strong arms Severus Snape, whom cuddled in his cocoon of happiness. Both of them were so vaguely dressed it was no wonder what they had been doing. The minimum: shirt and pants.

A white hand was losing itself in the dark greasy hair. To Hermione, it seemed repulsing. To the headmaster, it was a redeeming scene that the one of his most dear child getting pampered by the powerful high clan lord.

In the afternoon, Harry travelled to the Slytherin's dungeons and asked for help: he needed to work and have his Newts. Draco would not be pleased with his current grades. He also tried talking with the dragon but it didn't answer. Still, he couldn't resist giving it a small peck and the dragon smiled.

When returning back to his dormitory in the evening, he passed upon the headmaster. Dumbledore was musing on the Malfoy secret. He wanted to discover it, it was his last enigma. Harry was sad than the grand man was leaving Hogwarts at the end of the year but he had to admit Dumbledore was old and tired, despite what Harry wanted to think. The war had achieved him. He needed to rest. He would always be able to come back later if he so wished. Whoever the next headmaster would be, probably McGonagall, they wouldn't refuse the visit of Albus Dumbledore. If they did, they were nuts.

Harry tried to help the headmaster but didn't know either. In conclusion, he accompanied the man in his office for a warm cup of chocolate.

"Ah… You see, Harry, this secret began with the father of Lucius. I was the transfiguration teacher at that time and I saw he had something different. I never discovered what. Later, when I had become headmaster, Lucius came to Hogwarts. There was the same thing on him and I never discovered either. And now, there is Draco. Three generations. Almost seventy years of secret. If there was one wish I could ask, it would be to know."

Harry found it funny the passion Dumbledore put in this problem. Like a child. But it was true it bothered him too. What could that be? Could there be a link with…

"Professor… Draco said something one night… Hum… Well… He said that… Hum… That he couldn't… touch me… before he had succeeded in mastering his beast part."

He was all red of his confession but didn't regret since the headmaster's eyes twinkled. "That is strange, Harry. Truly strange… I think I am lacking some part of the problem… Something… I have to talk to Alexander, he could be of help to me. Thank you for that Harry, I may be on the way to the answer."

But the vampire representative revealed nothing.

-

Newts came, then graduation. Harry passed with eight Newts. He was very proud of it, and could be, with the enormous difference in the amounts of work he had done during the year and during the two last weeks of school. Then it was the ceremony of the end of the year.

When students penetrated the Great Hall, they weren't surprised to see green everywhere. It had been foreseeable that the room would be decorated with Slytherin colours. Wasn't the hero of the war a Slytherin? Many children entered and sat at their table but, Harry noticed, the very concerned students remained up. It was the turn of the teachers and Snape did as his students. Lucius Malfoy had been invited over and nobody minded. Harry smiled in understanding and got up. Then Zabini entered, took place in the table's centre, raised his hand and closed his eyes. Every Slytherin, past or present, imitated him and it was touching, this house considered of delinquents, rebellious, disobedient and cruel children, paying homage to the worst of them all.

The others observed in silence. They knew if they dared make any noise, they would be killed without pity. They needn't be reminded, and in any way needed the menace for all were aware of the debt they owed the Snake prince. Prince, Draco had been and Prince, he would remain. This title would stay vacant from now on till his death.

"Draco," Blaise suddenly broke the silence, "I don't know if you can hear me from… this place you are. I deeply believe you can and by so, you may also notice the Great Hall is green. Your spell worked."

Murmurs of the three other houses. What spell? What was he talking about? And Harry smiled for he recognised a distinct trick of his lover.

"I spied on Dumbledore," Blaise continued on, "He experimented on it, but failed in changing the colour. You would say 'Because he wants to appear as a good little headmaster. Can't forget Slytherins saved the world. Mustn't have tried his best.' Then you would make all colours disappear and defy him to bring them back. But no, you had to play hero once more, as if everything you had done in the past five months hadn't been enough. If only you…"

Blaise wasn't sure the water that dimmed his eyes didn't clouded his brain too, but… no: gasps in the Hall indicated he wasn't the only one to see… the colours that drained from the tapestries… He turned to Dumbledore. "If it's you, I swear, headmaster or not, I'll kill you here and now!"

It was with emotion the headmaster eyed the Slytherin and replied: "It would have been an insult to Mr Malfoy's memory not to try my best."

It was enough to the ones that were listening and Harry hesitantly called his lover. Then he laughed when the Great Hall was redecorated with flags representing dragons. Under them, you could read 'Hero of the war: Me! Thank you, thank you.'

Then the colours drained again and a new image appeared. It was of a Griffin and a Dragon interlaced and read 'Will you marry me?'

The girls cried and the boys smirked. Harry only blushed and smiled broadly. "How can I? You're not even here?" he dared to the void.

"Oh, but I am," whispered a voice in his ear.

Harry quickly thanked all the gods and founders, bothering not for the names, turned and jumped in his lover's arms. Both fell backwards but didn't care: they were already happily kissing to their reunion. And the tears Harry had so long contained flew freely on his cheeks.

The first astonishment passed, students clapped all they could. Ron pointed his index at Draco. "You! You merit Hell. To let Harry suffer this way, you…you…" But Draco wasn't listening. He was resisting his desire to undress Harry here. Dumbledore made his ring echo in the Great Hall, gaining back the calm. The two makers out stopped their progression and got up back, lips all swollen.

"Mr Malfoy, it is good to you have among us again," the headmaster announced.

"Yes, I am rather content myself. By the way! Weasley! I have a surprise for you!" He turned to Ron. "It's waiting on your bed!"

The poor Gryffindor's colours disappeared from his face. "You didn't do that?"

But the Slytherin smirked and Ron wondered if he went to strangle him immediately. Seeing as everyone was looking at him, it wouldn't be decent. Especially in front of Hermione… He grumbled and muttered to his girlfriend he would be sleeping with her for the remaining nights in Hogwarts. She thanked Draco with a well meant look that indicated to all but Ron it had only been a big lie.

Then Draco turned to his lover. "I used my time as a dead to pass by the Heavens and saw your parents. Your mother gave me your hand in marriage." He grinned.

Harry overran his surprise and slight jalousie to ask: "And my father?"

Draco had an awkward smile. "Ah… Well… He tried to behead me… Your mum had to menace him to make him stop… Hum. She said not to mind him. That it would pass."

At the teachers' table, Severus was gripping Lucius's hand in joy, and he heard Black muttering: "What a pity… He missed him…"

Despite some ex-Gryffindors' false bad mood, the lunch was perfect. Draco ate at the red table and many students came and touch him to see if he was real. After the dessert, he went to his house, only to be assaulted. A mass of green enveloped the poor dragon who couldn't help laughing. Life felt good.

-

The day after

The full Weasley family was packed in the headmaster's office, with a few additions.

The Slytherin dungeon had resounded all night long with cries of pleasure. The firsts were of two reunited young men, then, enticed by the sound, many had decided to well use the insomnia that was forced upon them. A certain professor had imitated his students. The noise had been unbearable. Even spells couldn't keep it at bay. Paintings had fled in shock and met their counterparts of other houses. The full school had been awoken by their constant babbling and met in the Great Hall.

"Hey!" exclaimed Ron, "Where are Moony and Charlie?"

"The vampire is nowhere to be seen either…" half remarked, half answered Sirius. He knew where his friend was: simply in his room. But Remus was not alone. He couldn't be alone what with the groans and moans that passed through the door when Padfoot had searched for him. He felt stupid. All had a boy or girlfriend. Even Ginny! But HE was SINGLE! He was forty and had no counterpart. Ok, he was suspected of being a mass-murderer for fifteen years, but still…

About Charlie… Maybe had they decided to make a threesome…

"We could go and see Charlie. Bill should be with him," proposed Ron.

Right. No threesome then. They walked the corridors in which echoed more non catholic sounds and arrived at the teacher's room. The visitors frowned. The racket wasn't better there.

"Well… Maybe he's not with Bill finally…" commented Ginny.

"I didn't know he had a girlfriend," said Ron.

"Or a boyfriend," added Sirius.

"No, Charlie is straight. It's Bill who's gay, from time to time…" declared Weasley.

"You never can tell. Moony too was straight, before. There are too many gay people in this school…" stated Padfoot.

"We should go. He wouldn't appreciate being disturbed," observed Hermione.

They departed the inverse way when a cry caught their ears. They blanched and turned back, uncertain. But the name had been clear. Ron ran to the door and opened it wide.

"Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!"

"What was that?" inquired Draco, interrupting their sensual playing.

"R… Ron's voice I think. Draco… The spider, it was a joke, isn't it?"

"Of course… Oh shit! Atus!" He got up and began dressing. "Harry, we have to stop there. You should come too, to prevent your friend from the murder."

"Which murder?"

"His brothers."

When they passed the door, Harry lifted his collar to hide bite marks and Draco licked the blood from his lips. Even if the knowledge of this secret hadn't bothered the Gryffindor, he wasn't certain all would react the same way… Especially Sirius who already had acceptance problems with Remus's choice of a mate.

Ginny had fainted on the spot and Ron had his eyes glued to the two young men on the bed. He was in shock. Cast quickly caught his wand and magically closed the door on their noses. Some seconds later, Bill and him reappeared dressed and at the same time, Harry and Draco arrived.

"Headmaster, now," ordered the Slytherin darkly. He enervated the little Weasley and, in a heavy silence, the procession went to Dumbledore's office. The wizard's powers had warned him of the problem and he was waiting for them.

"Convoke the family," Draco only said before he summoned a coffee pot and cups on the desk and he poured Harry and himself cups. He was obviously very, very, very mad at being interrupted. Harry was dubious on what to think about his friend's two brothers being together.

"What happened?" Sleepily asked Arthur Weasley, followed by his wife and other children.

"What's happening here?" Mirrored another voice that just entered, "You can't sleep in peace."

"Why are you grumbling then? You weren't sleeping," grumbled Sirius at his old nemesis attention.

"Shut up, Black," rebuffed a third person.

The twins shuddered at the voice and sight and took some steps back. They didn't like it… At all… Arthur Weasley eyed his enemy with care. Who was this man? He looked like Lucius Malfoy, he sounded like Lucius Malfoy, but he wasn't Lucius Malfoy. He was… frightening.

"Lucius!" Beckoned Draco, "What are you doing here?"

"He's my student. I don't want him stoned by his family."

"Fine. Don't bother me then." The voice was darker than it had ever been and all the present ones shivered in fear.

Harry went to his mate. "You should eat," he murmured. Draco had only taken a small part of his blood, in order to let his time to adapt; but his now sharpened senses added to his anger weren't good for a tranquil resolution of the problem.

"In front of them? That would cost the weasel the rest of his sanity." He smirked.

"But you're too tense," insisted the Gryffindor.

"Hum…" considered Draco, "Fine, but not you. I wouldn't resist. By Merlin, I want you…"

Harry smiled at his victory. "Not Snape either. He's your father's."

Draco beamed at his choice of a mate. He was astonished at Harry's incredible quick understanding of what he was and how it worked.

"I made you a promise," resolved a new voice.

Dumbledore wondered a time if he could enlarge his office enough to contain the full school. Who would enter after Remus and the vampire?

"You promised him?" Harry was startled.

"No, it was only a question at that time," recalled Draco.

All were busy understanding what this hushed dialogue could mean. Dumbledore observed: he had guessed right. Remus advanced on Draco and kneeled, exposing his neck. The young Slytherin took a deep breath at the exiting sight. His eyes glinted silver and fangs pointed behind his lips. Some gasped at the scene. Sirius wanted to hex Draco but was retained by Alexander. The Malfoy junior bent over his friend and bit the offered neck.

"Remus," cried Padfoot.

"Shh. The stronger the vampire is, the more incredible his enticing powers are. He will feel nothing but pleasure," explained the wolf's lover.

"He's biting your mate and you let him!" Sirius growled.

"Yes. Getting bitten as offered food by a powerful vampire is an honour. And Draco is very powerful."

Effectively, the only noises emitted were slight wolfy moans. When he considered he had eaten enough, Draco released the wolf. Alex let the dog loose and embraced his exhausted lover.

"Good," criticised Draco. Many were looking at him in horror and terror. Horror at the fact that he was a vampire and had lived among them unnoticed, terror at the beam of power that surrounded him. He sat in a chair and Harry took place on one of his knees.

"How do you resist the sun?" Inquired Dumbledore smiling. His two children looked happy with their vampire mates, and Remus was cuddling in another vampire's arms. Truly… Life was full of surprises.

"I'm only half vampire," explained Draco, "It doesn't bother me. Now, to our current problem. What happened?"

"Yes, I'd like to know why you called for us," added the Weasley senior. "It surely wasn't to look at… a feeding…" The idea in itself didn't rebuffed him, he knew what were vampires and had defended them against the council. What bothered him most there was the fact that Lucius Malfoy was actually one. He wondered if the man had bitten his son during their stay together.

"No, it wasn't. Mr Weasley," Dumbledore waved to Ron, "May you enlighten us?"

"Hum… Yes…" The boy's colours were slowly coming back after the shocks he just received. "Charlie and Bill, they… hum… they were…"

"They were fucking when some imbeciles came upon them," finished Draco.

Mrs Weasley gaped at the rudeness. "They were what?" yelled Arthur. The twins bent in laughs then realise the situation and looked at their brothers, waiting for a contradiction. But they said nothing and looked at the floor.

"I… Is this true?" Asked their mother in a low voice.

Atus squeezed Bill's hand and eyed his mother with care. "It is."

"But you're brothers!" She shouted, "How could… You!" She pointed at the Malfoy senior. "What did you do to my sons!"

Her husband didn't bothered with words and launched at the vampire. He was stopped at once by a barrier of ice that separated the men.

"I don't give you authorisation to menace him. He's mine." Draco was filling his pipe and Mrs Weasley frowned, wondering if the boy had manners at all. To smoke in the headmaster's office! "Besides, I was sole to encourage this relationship."

"So you will be sole to put an end to it!" Impended Arthur.

"Why should I?"

"Because I am their mother and I order it!" Shouted Molly, "This is wrong! They are brothers for Merlin's sake!"

"Really? You see brothers? I don't see brothers. I see Bill Weasley and Atus Cast. Not brothers at all, they don't even look alike. Do you see brothers, my dear?" He asked Harry.

Harry eyed the angry mother of his friends. Of course, if you considered the man was Charlie Weasley, this was rather contra-natural, but if the man was Atus Cast, there was no problem. "Well… no."

"What? Harry, don't let yourself be taken in by him! You know they are my sons!"

"Technically, no," cut Draco. "Charlie Weasley is dead and will remain this way. Nothing can make him come back, now."

"What. Did. You. Do. To. My. Son!" Mr Weasley marched upon Draco.

"I gave him a permanent potion."

The father's anger was reaching summits.

"Please, Arthur, accept us. I love him." The man looked at his son whom, for the first time, had called him by his name, underlining who he wanted to be. Bill also stared at his lover, pleasantly surprised by the declaration. The black eyes were begging and Arthur doubted this truly was his son.

The Weasley senior turned to Dumbledore for help. The old wizard smiled kindly and he sighed.

"I suppose if I add something, you will erase our memories and make us forget Charlie ever came back?" he asked to Draco.

"You're an intelligent man."

"And we have no say in this?"

"Of course you have. You can give them your benediction."

"Arthur… You can't accept that…" pleaded Mrs Weasley.

"I don't know." He felt tired. "It's so simple when you look at it this way. Charlie died one and a half years ago. Bill found happiness with… Atus Cast… I… You have my benediction."

"Arthur!"

But the man cast floo-powder in the fireplace and disappeared.

Lucius sighed. "I suppose I can take care of that…" and at everyone's astonishment, he followed.

Mrs Weasley was at a loss for words. "Molly," said Dumbledore, "Why don't you give it a try? Don't you want them to be happy?"

"Well… Yes… but…" She turned to her children for support, but all were smirking at their brothers. The first strangeness passed, it was true they could look at it with another eye. Bill had fallen in love with a teacher, no problem. "Fine."

-

Some months later.

The potion master entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts class and directed his steps toward the teacher. "Harry! Draco wants to see you now. Seems important."

The ex-Gryffindor still hadn't got used to Snape addressing him by his first name, but as Draco made a point of it, Harry made efforts. From his view, the Slytherin head had the very same problems. Abandoning his class to the potions' professor, Harry went to the Gargoyle and penetrated the headmaster's office.

Draco was observing students training for the quidditch match the day after, and turned as soon as he registered Harry's enter.

"There's a problem?" apprehensively asked the new DADA teacher.

"No," immediately reassured the blonde young man, "I'll only need you to take over the post of headmaster for a time, let's say… in some months."

Harry was flabbergasted, "Me? Headmaster? But why? You're perfect."

It had been a year now that Dumbledore had retired. Draco had considered his new responsibilities with seriousness and supplied the most fairness he was able to generate. Harry had been proposed this post too when he still was in seventh year, but had refused, what with Draco being dead at the time. When the blonde had come back and been named, he'd also offered to exchange with Harry. He had again refused. Draco had the qualities required for the place. Some days later, Malfoy presented his mate the post of DADA teacher that Remus had abandoned for another he preferred. Harry was delighted.

"You remember when Gryffindor came back?" Draco changed subject. Harry nodded. "I asked him a spell then. A spell he provided me. I made a potion of it and drank it."

"I fear I don't follow you. What did you asked him?" He inquired suspiciously.

But, by way of an answer, Draco approached Harry and bent to his ear, "My dear, you're gonna be a father."

END OF THE SNAKE' CLAN. (go till the end, there's a surprise)

Cast :

Draco Malfoy. Heir of the Slytherin, Malfoy, Gryffindor and Black families. Reincarnated son of Salazar Slytherin. Vampire-born. Master of Water and Time. Practices wandless, dark, white, elemental and transcendental magic. Talks and commands to the dragons. Foresees the future. Animagus : dragon. Headmaster of Hogwarts. Prince of the Slytherins. Master of the Snake's Clan. Mate : Harry Potter.

Harry Potter. Heir of the Gryffindor and Potter families. Master of Fire and Space. Practices wandless, white and elemental magic. Has visions of Draco since they have bound. Talks and commands to the snakes. Animagus : griffin. Professor of DADA. Member of Dumbledore's Army. Member of the order of the Phoenix. Mate : Draco Malfoy.

Lucius Malfoy. Heir of the Malfoy family. Current lord of the Malfoy lands. Vampire-born. Practices wandless, dark, white magic. Performs rituals of spirits' invocation. Member of the Snake's Clan. Mate : Severus Snape.

Severus Snape.Heir of the Snape family. Practices dark and white magic. Potions master. Professor of Potions. Head of the Slytherin house. Member of the Snake's Clan. Member of the Order of the Phoenix. Spy for Dumbledore. Mate : Lucius Malfoy.

Atus Cast. Heir of the Weasley family. Dragon friend and rider. Practices dark and white magic. Professor of Curses and Maledictions. Member of the Snake's Clan. Member of Order of the Phoenix. Mate : Bill Weasley.

Bill Weasley. Heir of the Weasley family. Curse-breaker. Practices white magic. Professor of Charms at Hogwarts. Head of the Gryffindor house. Member of the Order of the Phoenix. Mate : Atus Cast.

Albus Dumbledore. Practices white, elemental and wandless magic. Member of the Order of Merlin. Chief of the Order of the Phoenix. Retired from the post of Headmaster at Hogwarts. Animagus : winged horse.

Hermione Granger. Practices white magic. Most powerful muggle-born witch for centuries. Member of the Army of Dumbledore. Runs the Ministry of Muggles' relations. Animagus : owl. Mate : Ron Weasley.

Ron Weasley. Heir of the Weasley family. Practices white magic. Works for a French company of brooms' creation: 'Balayer toujours plus loin'. Member of the Army of Dumbledore. Mate : Hermione Granger.

Remus Lupin. Were-wolf. Official representative of his people in the wizarding world. Practices white magic. Professor of Cognisance of Magical People. Member of the Order of the Phoenix. Mate : Alexander, vampire.

Sirius Black. Heir of the Black family. Practices white magic. Works as a special auror and purchases spies and traitors in the Ministry. Member of the Order of the Phoenix. Animagus : dog.

FOR THE FUN

Severus smiled at the beautiful sight: Draco was teaching his toddler son magic. Even Potter's soon to come back presence couldn't soil the touching scene. No, the only thing that could was this squeeze of his heart. He had never envisaged the idea of having children, had raised Draco as his own and now considered the baby as a grandchild. Still… He wondered if there remained a Snape somewhere in the world to pass on the genes. He knew there wasn't.

"What are you musing on, Severus?" Inquired the young headmaster, leaving the baby to his rest.

"Nothing of importance."

"Really? Some Gryffindors, I presume?" Draco grinned slightly, a gleam in the eyes. "Tea?" he proposed. The ex-Slytherin was beginning to sound way too much like Dumbledore for Severus's liking. It was disturbing.

"Yes, some Gryffindors," he agreed, taking a cup and sipping his tea. The young man was imitating him, a smirk on his lips. What was he planning? A Gryffindorish Dumbledore had been dangerous enough, Severus didn't want a Slytherinish one!

"Draco," called Potter when entering the office. He kissed his husband and his son. "We need better brooms for the Flying Class."

"I know, I passed command yesterday."

Severus discussed with the two lovers for a time then took leave. Lucius had decided they were going to France for the week-end.

When he came back, he felt… strange… The sensation passed quickly and he dismissed it.

Some months later.

"I'm well, Poppy! I fainted, that's all! I must be tired." Severus tempted to get free of the Mediwitch.

"One last test and you may go," she insisted.

"The last, then," he reluctantly accepted.

She muttered a spell on him which resulted in a pastel red colour surrounding him. 'I know this spell, I'm sure I know this spell,' he thought, worried.

"Oh…" smiled Mrs Pomfrey.

"What?" He almost shouted.

"Severus, you're pregnant," she declared.

He gaped. "I can't! I'm a man!" He stated the obvious.

"Draco was too," she recalled.

"No… The tea… It was… Dracoooo!"

END

SECOND CALL : FOR EVEN MORE FUN !

Today, they feasted for David's fifth birthday. Everyone was at the Manor for the occasion. Malfoys, Weasleys, vampires, some old and new students, Dumbledore. All were waiting in the garden. Grand tables had been taken out to host the formidable birthday cakes. Mountains of presents filled the chairs. Then, the hero of the day arrived with his father. The little child was as blond as every member of the Malfoy family, but he had inherited the green pupils of Harry. A gleam of intelligence illuminated his eyes and an aura of power surrounded him. In some years, he would become the most powerful being of the wizarding world.

Draco and his son were each carrying a box. Draco's contained blue papers and David's green ones. The adult vampire waved through the guests and glued papers to some chests. Harry, Bill, Lucius, Atus, Remus, Severus, Alexander and Oliver Wood were his choices. Then he returned to his child.

"The persons with my paper on them are mine. Now, you can choose your first," he indicated the boy who beamed with happiness.

"His first what?" asked Sirius, voicing what everyone wondered silently.

"Member of his harim, of course," answered naturally Draco. (Douglaslr taught me a harim was the masculine version of a harem. Thank you!)

At that point, the child came back with his box. "I used two. May I keep the others for later?" he inquired.

"Of course you may. That is the point with beginning soon and finishing late. You will meet many peoples that deserve to take part of your harim. Make your choices carefully."

"Yes dad."

"That's my son."

Behind them, smiles and laughs were increasing and Sirius turned to see what was the object of their attention. He saw a green paper on the three years old son of Snape and smirked then searched for the other victim. That was till Hermione Weasley took pity of him and presented him an identical piece of paper.

"That was on your back."

"Whhhhaaaaattttt! Malfoy! I hate you!"

This time it's really the end. Many thanks to Douglaslr for the idea.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well… This story comes to an end. I thank all those that accepted to beta it, Severinus owning the last four chapters, the most difficult because the longest. Many thanks too to all those who reviewed. If you have questions, just mail me and I'll reply.

I hope you found this fic to your tastes and that it answered all your expectations, while still letting a little place for imagination. I'd very much like to have your opinion on this last chapter and the fic in general. It would be utterly great of you.

Thank you again !

SOON TO COME: When Remus Lupin decides to take part in a Malfoy's redemption, he may find more than he expected. What secret is hiding Draco? What is he afraid of? How much did they all underestimated the boy's intelligence?