Life Long Love: Chapter the Fourteenth
Author: Emerald Thorn
Rating: Well, I'd say R which means if I'm understanding new rules it's for mature audiences. (Personally I thought the old rating system was more effective but nobody asked for my opinion)
Pairing: HPDM
Category: Take your pick. I tend to drift when writing.
Author's notes: this was written after being awake for an ungodly long time while nursing a migraine caused by a graduate school test. I hope whatever came out makes sense... hm... I just noticed my divider thingies look like a superman flying (maybe I should quit reading smallville clex fanfiction now...)
Erus master (in Latin, I think—I'm no expert.) and incommendatus without master/protector.
And now back to our story: (p.s. Evidently my beta says I'm more eloquent when I've had my head whammied by midterms—I think it's bunk but hey you get another chapter so who's complaining?) Also, I haven't read HBP—I've read some spoilers and I'm looking forward to reading it but unfortunately thanks to school that won't be happening until probably December. So this is AU folks—not that it wasn't already...
oOo
Severus placed several vials in front of Hermione, the same mixture of brew that he had given to Dumbledore less than a week prior. It was amazing how fast you could go through certain useful potions—and a greater pity that so many of his students were incompetent in such a useful art. Granger looked at the three vials and made a face at the lot.
"Are those what I think they are?" she asked, her tone not conveying anything.
"That would depend on what you think they might be," Lucius answered before Severus could speak.
"Oath binding potions. Potions only used for drastic times."
"Then you would be correct. Drink up girl or we'll just erase your memory." Lucius was being snippety now. Evidently his day was getting too long. Mentally Severus couldn't help awarding house points to Lucius.
Granger's face made the most interesting grimace before quickly swallowing the potions. Since only she was being required to drink, only she would be bound. Her hands were shaking badly by the time the third vial was emptied and her pupils were dilated.
"Now repeat after me," Lucius said with his best non-scary smile fixed on his face, "I, Hermione Granger, swear to hold all that is revealed to me in this room this night close to my heart and not reveal the words said to me by any means to protect and serve the purposes of those I give my oath to protect, Draconis Malfoy, last son of the House of Malfoy, Black, and Snape and also Harold James Potter, last scion of the House of Potter."
Hermione hesitated, not bothering to hide her reluctance to commit. Severus wasn't overly surprised—sometimes he wondered if Granger truly belonged in Gryffindor. Although she was admittedly bookish like most of ravenclaw she also had the rashness that was found in many of the gryffindors but sometimes managed to contain herself nonetheless. Severus suspected that deep within her heart Hermione had just as much self-preservation as any other non-gryffindor student. The potions she'd just ingested were powerful enough to cause her own death should she try to break the oath she would swear or leave this room obliviated.
"Come now girl, surely a gryffindor such as you should not be afraid of making an oath?" Lucius said in a neutral tone, his face still displaying an unsettlingly pretty and false smile.
"I... Hermione Granger... do swear... to hold all that is revealed to me in this room this night close to my heart and not reveal the words said to me by any means to protect and serve the purposes of those I give my oath to protect—Harold James Potter, last scion of the House of Potter," Hermione said in a rush while glaring defiantly at Lucius, her chin stuck out stubbornly as her hair seemed to frizz in obstinacy.
Lucius didn't crack the fake smile although his tone was absolutely frostbite inducing. "Say it girl or you will not live to remember this night. I'd thought that your friendship with my son would easily allow you to give your word for his safety."
"I am no friend of your son and I never will be!" Hermione snarled, barely staying put in her chair.
"Thirty points from gryffindor," Severus said easily, his tone betraying only amusement but his eyes matched Lucius' cold voice.
Hermione's head snapped to look at the potions professor. "What? You can't possibly take points for this!"
"Fifty points from gryffindor Granger, don't make me take another fifty," Severus said in a quiet intense voice that made Hermione's skin crawl and her heart race in fear. "If I remember correctly you have made it exceedingly hard for those responsible for keeping you as well as others safe to do their jobs because you are unable to follow anything someone tells you because you always are right—are you not?"
"I... I am not like that!" Hermione sputtered.
"Yes you are and for not having the maturity that one should find in a seventh year student I am subtracting an additional seventy-five points from gryffindor. That makes your tab for the night one hundred and fifty-five points Ms. Granger. I believe there is only now two hundred points left to your house—will you further antagonize me or should I subtract the remainder? You are the head girl of this school and you have not acted in such a manner that I could possibly stop myself from seeing the headmaster and requesting that your position be revoked immediately if you do not stop this silly gryffindorish and petty posturing."
Hermione's lower lip quivered her eyes wide. "I, Hermione Granger, swear to hold all that is revealed to me in this room this night close to my heart and not reveal the words said to me by any means to protect and serve the purposes of those I give my oath to protect, Draconis Malfoy, last son of the House of Malfoy, Black, and Snape and also Harold James Potter, last scion of the House of Potter."
"Thank you Ms. Granger. Severus, if you would please go alert my sons that there is someone who would like to speak with them. We'll follow you in a few minutes—I'd like to have a few moments to explain to Ms. Granger the importance of at least having the appearance of decorum and manners since it has slipped her mind that even though she is not wizard born there are still societal demands that must be met should she ever wish to successfully live among those she calls her peers."
"As you wish Erus, remember she is only an incommendatus," Severus bowed slightly to Lucius before he left the room without looking at either Granger or Blaise.
"Erus?" Blaise asked questioningly, wishing to know if Lucius needed his assistance.
"Stay here Blaise. I'm sure Ms. Granger will feel comforted by the presence of another student. I dare say she thinks I'm out to do her great harm but I wouldn't dare do so in the presence of company."
"As Erus wishes."
"I don't need Zabini to be here to feel safe. He's obviously under Malfoy control and I don't trust him any more than I do you. You wouldn't hesitate at all even if Fudge himself was here."
"You are correct Ms. Granger. Blaise, accompany Severus. I'm sure that my sons are wondering how you are."
"Yes Erus." Blaise bowed as Severus had before leaving his erus and the gryffindor alone.
oOo
Draco swiftly dressed as Harry did the same in one of his better ensembles cut in the style that was favored by mated veelas. The style of the under shirt and trousers was made to cling to the curves of the body and flatter the form to allow their mate to appreciate their form while the closures allowed for easy access to a mate who was well accustomed to the mechanics of the slick silk. While comfortable, the underclothes allowed for quite a bit of skin as well as their new torcs to show. The over robe was made of sleek material that also flattered the body subtly but concealed most of the body's form, again also designed for the confident and knowing touch of a mate. Draco's robes were cobalt blue, Harry's so dark emerald they could be mistaken for black and making his fading summer tan glow healthily in the light from the candles on the mirrored vanity.
Finishing first, Draco helped Harry with the hidden ties while pointing out through their bond the correct way to slide a hand in to touch skin without completely removing the cloth as well as the weakest points of the garment should Harry feel inclined to simply be too impatient to wait and need to rip it off. His lips found the bony spot behind Harry's ear to lay a soft kiss that made Harry shiver in delight. Nuzzling his mate's freshly washed hair, Draco felt content and safe despite the worry the visitors were causing that he determinedly pushed away to the corners of his consciousness. He was only now becoming fully aware that Harry in his arms was all he'd ever need.
Arms wrapped around from behind Harry, Draco's hands lingered at the closure located closest to his mate's groin to stroke lightly. Harry's head feel back to rest upon Draco's shoulder as his eyes closed and a small gasp of pleasure escaped his lips. "Ko, they said we'd be having guests..."
Hands drifting up to his mate's hair, Draco calmly fluffed and smoothed Harry's hair into an attractive ruffled arrangement. "There's still the potion for your eyes and mine."
Sighing, Harry moved Draco's left hand back to its previous location and rocked his groin. "Fine, but keep it here. I see no reason to not act like a newly mated couple unless we are told not to."
"I would never act otherwise my lightning but I am worried for your safety and the effect this may have on your friendships if it is Granger that is coming."
"Do not worry Ko. If she cannot accept you as my mate she will only have me in her life if she allows you to be in mine peacefully. A friend is one thing but a soul mate and lover is quite another. She could never invoke the passion which I feel with you nor share as I do with you."
A quiet, amused chuckle escaped Draco before he could stifle it. "You have suddenly become quite eloquent."
"So have you. I feel like I've aged ten years, at least in some respects, in the last few days but I don't regret it. I feel so much and I don't care who sees it as long as it keeps you safe and by my side."
"That is how it should have been all our lives and I will not stand aside any more." Draco felt like he was stripping the last bits of childhood away from his lover. Harry was by no means childlike but by consummating their bond it had changed them both beyond the capabilities of their own life experiences. When they had first awoken to Father leaning over them they had felt a lightness and joy that came from being near each other. Since then there had been a growing sense of peace and agelessness between them formed from the intensity of their feelings and the close connection of minds. When faced with the danger that surrounded his mate at all times Draco felt a calm assuredness and protection that in some ways scared him. He felt as if any threat to Harry could and would be dealt with in an efficient and ruthless way—including Voldemort should he dare to get within Draco's striking range.
"Let's wait for our visitors in the sitting room."
Draco only nodded in reply as he handed the vial for the eye illusion to his mate and swiftly swallowed his own.
oOo
Draco sat down on the couch and pulled Harry to lounge in-between his spread legs, welcoming the grin that Harry gave him before attaching his lips to Draco's. Their kiss deepened and the sound of the heavy door closing over the rush of the water alerted them that they had a guest. Draco reluctantly drew apart from his mate, his breathing elevated and his eyes dilated to pinpricks. The new scent his nose picked up immediately identified as his godfather.
"Hello Sev. Anyone else behind you?"
"Yes, your father, Blaise, and Granger."
"Hermione?" Harry was bewildered. Why would they be bringing Hermione here?
"Ms. Granger is, as usual, refusing to be reasonable and insisted on being difficult. I assume with Draco's help you are now much more accomplished at occlumency?
"Yes, I think so," Harry answered as he felt through the bond and examined his and Draco's combined abilities. They hadn't really tried anything other than probing Lucius' mind—which was supposedly near impossible for anyone else except them—and blocking Lucius' attempts to attack their own.
"You are then aware that you can use it to observe and manipulate feelings and thoughts in such a way as to ensure certain outcomes. Lucius believes we may have to do so to gain Granger's trust and with her help it will be easier to control the rumor mill."
"We are aware Sev. You taught me how several years ago," Draco was deep in thought and trying to see all the angles that the problem could be approached from. He was vaguely aware of Harry watching his thoughts and adding his own observations.
"I would also like to observe so I may help. I know we'll need a focus and I think my grandmother's pendant should work." Severus pulled a thick gold chain from under his robes to display a long, rectangular-shaped thin peridot.
"We'll do this in the library then where you can leave the stone around the neck of the vase next to the seating area. Will this room be close enough for you to meditate in?"
"It should be. They will not be far behind me." Severus handed the chain and pendant to Draco and moved to sit on one of the chairs and immediately began to enter a meditative state needed to use the focus.
Blaise chose that moment to enter, slightly out of breath from having tried to catch up to Severus. Swallowing air between words, Blaise asked, "Do you need me to do anything?"
"Wait here and when Father and Hermione show up escort Hermione to the library and leave her there with us alone. You may then tell Father to wait with Severus." Harry didn't notice the uncomfortable look on Blaise's face as he employed his newly acquired Malfoy commanding presence and helped Draco up. Draco, for his part only felt a twinge in his libido from his mate's aggressive behavior.
He never would have thought he'd have a submissive bone in his body until these last few days. Harry picked up on the submissive thought and grinned wickedly as he outlined his new plan of approach to Draco who let loose one of his famous smirks. "Oh yes, my love. That is wicked indeed," Draco purred with a full body rub against Harry as he used the force of Harry's help to stand.
"The library Blaise. Knock first." Merlin Harry was amazing when he was being confident.
Draco allowed his mate to wrap himself possessively around him and escort him to the library.
oOo
Hermione's eyes were as wide as they could possibly go. After being thoroughly versed in exactly how a young witch her age should act in the presence of the head of another family and exactly which of her behaviors were unacceptable by Malfoy senior she was being wisked away through passageways she had never known existed in Hogwarts deeper and deeper into the heart of the dungeons. Even her brain had soon lost track of the twists and turns and stairs they had taken to reach the smooth section of wall with the impressive mural. The draconic creatures looked vaguely familiar to her but she couldn't think of a name to give them.
Lucius said something in a language she didn't understand and the passageway seemed to melt away before her eyes to reveal a wide set of descending stairs. Torches carved completely of stone, even the flame, lit the wide stairs as they descended to reach a second door which was already ajar. The sound of rushing water reached Hermione's ears as did the faint smell of dampness.
Without pausing, Lucius pushed the door open to reveal a huge darkly furnished room with a rushing waterfall making up the far end. Severus Snape sat in a lotus position on a tall, wing-backed, chocolate leather chair, oblivious to their presence. Blaise Zabini stood at his side, one arm draped over the back of the chair his face serene.
Upon noticing their presence, Blaise bowed slightly at the waist to Lucius. "Erus. Your sons request Granger's presence in the library. They wish for you to await them here. Granger, if you will follow me?"
Hermione followed without comment, missing Blaise's use of plural sons. Her eyes roved everywhere, finding all sorts of interesting little details that were really of little consequence in the grand scheme of things. Blaise mentally thought that she really needed to get a clue.
Leading Granger to the library, Blaise knocked as he was instructed and when Harry commanded him to enter he had to resist the urge to snort in laughter at the way Granger lit up at the sound of Harry's voice. Before Blaise could open the door, Granger pushed him aside and slammed the door wide open and ran into the room. Blaise sighed and closed the door behind the uncouth witch.
Hermione skidded to an abrupt halt at the sight that greeted her eyes. Harry was sitting on a large couch with Draco Malfoy sprawled indecently on his lap. Harry's hands were moving underneath cloth as Draco arched with soundless gasps in his hands as Harry bit his neck to leave another mark. Malfoy's eyes were just visible slits as he writhed against Harry's hands, making a low keening noise escaping him as Harry played with his body. Harry's own eyes were heavy and he was enjoying licking and biting Malfoy's throat, his own clothes not showing the disarray that his companion's were in. Malfoy was not aware of Hermione's presence, even though she had made a lot of noise with the door, but Harry was well aware of her presence.
Smirking at his friend, Harry's hands stilled under the silk and he gave Draco's throat one last nip before removing his mouth from the tempting skin. Draco simply tried to catch his breath while his body complained by rubbing suggestively against the hands that were now withdrawing from the specially made-for-mates openings. Harry, eyes never leaving Hermione, tangled his left hand in Draco's hair and pulled the head to rest on his shoulder while his right gathered Draco's body closer to his own.
Draco closed his eyes.
Hermione screeched, "Harry!" She only managed his name as her mouth was continuously opening and closing but no sound was escaping. Her shock was evident on her face.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking Hermione?"
Tbc...
Specific review responses: (I'm a bit busy so sorry if I didn't get to everyone)
Purple Raveness: thanks!
k-cat: there is now...
xxbabysparklesxx: I'm glad you like it. Hopefully you like this chapter too.
Justine: It was fairly evil of me but my schedule has been so hectic lately I've barely had time to sit down at a computer. Never seen Dr. Tran... maybe I'll look that one up.
Sbkar: I'll try to keep up the good work. I'm hoping people will still read even though HBP is making a lot of people reevaluate the characters.
Jemu: glad you liked it. I'm thinking that one of the biggest benefits of fanfiction is being able to take a different spin on a character and say 'what if...' and it's probably what makes most people such big fans.
Shola: I'm back home but I signed up for more school (dumb of me really since I've basically signed up for no life for the next two years). Glad that you liked it and hope you continue to read.
The penguins are coming: I love your name! Anyways, I'm sorry for the long wait. Hopefully it was worth it.
Lux et Veritas: Thanks for the review.
Myniephoenix: hope you're even happier with an update.
Jane: hm... thanks for the heads-up (I really can't spell for the life of me and writing at two in the morning does that to me) however, I kinda need to keep Malfoy manor where I put it (hence the story is AU). Thanks for the review.
Dreamerdoll: sorry for being evil. I don't mean to be it's just that life keeps collaborating with school to make sure that the only thoughts that go through my head are related to school or sleep or food. Hopefully this chapter makes up for leaving at a bad spot in the last one (though this is fairly cliffish itself...)
Demonkitty2007: thanks for the review
Lady angelique of mistiqu: Really I thought of worse places to end it and didn't so I didn't think it was the worst place I could have left it. Hopefully the length of this chapter makes up for it.