A/N Just a quick thank you to all my reviewers this story would not be as far as it is without your help thank you.

And were off again

Chapter four

One last secret

The days leading up to Harry's 15th birthday were a blur of training and sparring. Harry tried not to hold back and astonished himself at how much he could do, and if Harry was surprised it was nothing compared to what the others felt. After a lifetime of fetters his power was now free and it was a wonderful sight, no longer apprehensive of beating Draco he soon outclassed him in dueling. He began to train against the adults while still having daily spars with Draco to help him improve. The duels with Draco eventually moved from magical to almost purely physical duels. This was one area where they were evenly matched no holding back.

They both had carved their own staves made out of the same wood as their wands, Draco's being Sycamore and Harry's Ash. They both had swords, they had been purchased by the two older wizards. Draco's was straight the hilt was carved obsidian, it was engraved with runes of power and strength, sunk into the obsidian was a flaring white opal that shot back all the colors of the rainbow. Harry's sword was curved slightly and the hilt was a thin silver snake coiled up rearing to strike the snakes eyes were brilliant emeralds. Both swords were perfectly balanced and fit the boys well. They also had daggers Harry's was emerald encrusted and could be either held or thrown, Draco's was longer then Harry's and had onyx stones in it, his was more suited to close quarter fighting then Harry's. All their weapons were charmed to either return to their hands or their sheaths when lost. Any of the weapons could be used to focus a spell the same as a wand the only draw back was that the wands added power to the spells they cast were the weapons only guided all the strength came from their own magical cores.

The morning of Harry's birthday the two boys could be found sparring with their swords. The quick agile movements and the precise swing of weapons, made you realize that you were watching to masters at work. Thrust, swing, parry, parry, and of course the occasional spell thrown in to push the opponent off balance the dance continued on and on neither one backing down. Lucius and Severus watched the two from a distance, they had never seen a duel so evenly matched. Apparently the boys realized this and at a slight nod to each other they sheathed their swords and called to their staves.

This battle was even more closely matched then with swords but both boys were starting to fatigue after a couple hours continued fighting. It ended spectacularly with a draw, Harry had his staff resting against Draco's temple while Draco's staff was pointed at Harry's throat. Both boys stood panting for a few moments until the sound of applause broke through their fatigued minds.

"How long have you two been out here it's nearly noon?" Severus asked them once they had gotten to their side.

"We started around daybreak I couldn't sleep so we started are duel earlier then usual." Harry answered his breathing already under control, both boys' stamina was greatly improved and so they needed very little rest.

"So you have been dueling for six hours straight that is excellent both of you, and happy birthday Harry." Severus said.

"Yes, happy 15th birthday, now come its time to eat." Lucius said.

The two boys followed the wizards back to the Manor, they had managed to work up a hearty appetite with all the work outs. Harry still had some trouble eating large meals so the others had worked out a schedule of small meals throughout the day. The boys had enjoyed there duel to much to stop and had missed two of their usual meals. Harry was glad to find he could eat a normal amount again and commented on it.

"Well save a bit of room we have a little surprise for you." Severus said and then he snapped his fingers. Two house elves popped into the room one balancing a large chocolate cake on a platter, the other was so weighed down with presents it could barely get them to the table. Harry just stood their in shock for a moment before a huge grin spread across his face. Draco plopped down beside him very un-Malfoyish and started handing him gifts one at a time. He started with a small package wrapped in green and silver, he brought out a pendant, it was a replica of his Snake form complete with emerald eyes.

"Harry that is an emergency portkey, Draco got one on his birthday too. All you have to do is set a password, to activate it you say the password and press the eye on the snake. Once it goes around your neck it will never come off, it is programmed to drop you back here when activated." Severus explained. Harry thanked both the wizards then Draco passed him the next gift.

It was a rectangular box about the same length as a wand case, he ripped of the silver paper to find a shrunken broom. "This is my gift to you Harry I know how much you love flying." Lucius said.

"Harry if your wondering if you can still play Quidditch, well one of our chasers graduated last year. You're a better seeker then me I would rather be a chaser." Draco said, correctly interpreting the shadow of doubt on Harry's face.

After hearing what Draco said, Harry relaxed and was thanking Lucius for five whole minutes before Draco was passing him another gift this one from Severus. Harry had an internal chuckle at the black wrapping paper, to reveal a wand holster the same as an auror would use. It was spelled to only be able to be removed by him, his wand could not be damaged or summoned if it was safely in its holder, and it was charmed so his wand would return there the same as his weapons. "Thank you Severus," He said and managed to project how much he meant it through his voice.

"Now for my present Harry," Draco said handing him a large package wrapped in emerald green with gold snitches flying on it. Harry carefully unwrapped it to reveal a set of Slytherin green Dueling robes. The robes fit close to the body but allowed for freedom of movement and were a thick leathery material, he identified it as dragon hide.

"They are wonderful Draco." Harry said.

"I got myself a set too so we can show off in style." Draco said all this with a smirk.

That was the end of the presents so they attacked the birthday cake. Full of sugar and energy the two boys challenged the older pair to a Quidditch match. Harry was surprised to find that Severus had been Slytherin Seeker and was probably just as good as James Potter. They eliminated the Bludgers and combined roles Harry and Severus were both Seekers and Keepers, while Draco and Lucius were Chasers. It was a furious match that lasted into the early evening. When they finally spotted the Snitch both Severus and Harry raced at top speed towards it neck and neck barreling towards it. When they were less then a foot from it the small gold ball went into a steep dive the two Seekers chasing it. They both relied on their instincts flattening themselves against their brooms launching like javelins it looked like both were going to crash. With a snarl of anger Severus pulled out of his dive in time to see Harry grab the snitch out of the air and pull his broom horizontal again. Just a foot above the ground he let his toes skim the ground then shot back into the air doing a few dives and turns. He finally managed to rein in his exuberance and landed next to the other three.

They were surprised to see Harry laughing, he flew in right next to them and jumped off his broom landing neatly on his feet. "That was wonderful we have to do that again sometime." He said then held his hand out to Severus. "I want to thank you for the best competition I have had in a long time." Severus managed to keep their faces straight as they grasped hands, unfortunately for poor Severus his birthday had fully unlocked his empathic abilities. As soon as their hands touched Harry's euphoria poured through the touch infecting Severus. Lucius looked startled as Severus laughed out loud for the first time in years. Draco just looked back and forth between Harry and Severus then joined in the laughter he knew full well what had just occurred having done it before himself before he had his power under control.

The mood very light they all headed back up to the manor as the moon and stars started to come out. It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful way to end the day. Harry fell into bed utterly exhausted and just hoping to relax. He fell immediately into a deep sleep. Draco peeked into the room saw Harry was asleep then moved into his own room falling asleep almost as fast as Harry had.

Draco awoke in the middle of the night in excruciating pain, Harry was in agony yet not making a sound. When Draco got into the room he was not prepared for what he found. The Raven haired boy was thrashing around on his bed sweat pouring off of him, Blood was running freely from his scar. Draco knew that the pain he felt was magnified at least five times in Harry and yet Harry was not making a sound. When Harry would not wake, he remembered when Harry had told him and summoned his father and Severus.

They came rushing into the room as Harry started making the first noises he had made the entire time, it started as low whimpers quickly escalated into groans, after a minute of steadily worsening noise he started to scream piercingly loud.

"Draco we need you now," His father told him in commanding voice. "You need to feed him strength and reassurance the closer you are the better."

Draco didn't even question his father, he took of his shirt and had to use a spell to get Harry's off. When that was done Draco got on the bed with Harry and held the still violently convulsing boy next to him bare skin on bare skin. He feed as much power and reassurance he could to Harry. He slowly felt Harry awakening, Harry felt at first fear then confusion finally acceptance when he realized who was around him. He allowed him self a second to catch his breath then spoke in a horse voice.

"Voldemort has found out about the two of you helping me, he got angry and started firing Crucios everywhere. They went off to some village and started torturing muggles along with using Avada Kedavra. Once he calms down a little you two will be summoned do not go. I also found something out, Voldemort was so angry he let his mind shields drop I got in for a few minutes I know how to remove the Dark Mark, there is one small problem with it though."

The two death eaters were speechless no one had been able to remove the Mark ever. Severus was the one who caught the last part of what Harry had said. "What do you mean problem what is wrong?"

"Well I found the way to remove the surface part of the Mark, the bad part is it is also attached to your very soul if I were to remove the Mark it would leave a hole that would steadily widen. The only thing I can think of is to give you a different mark binding you to someone else, that way you would be free of Voldemort and your soul would still be attached." Harry explained.

"How exactly would you place the new Mark?" Lucius asked curiously.

"All I would need is a design then I can use a modified version of what Voldemort used to bind it to you." He explained. "Do you know who you would want to be bonded to?"

At this Draco smirked and looked over at Harry, he said. "Be prepared for a shock." Harry was still pondering that when Severus spoke.

"I would be willing to bond to two people in this room is that possible?" He asked Harry.

Harry thought for a minute. "I think I could adjust it to accept two bonds as long as the bonds are made simultaneously. Who exactly do you wish to bond to?" Harry asked.

Severus smiled. "I had thought that would be obvious but I guess I could tell you, I would willingly bond with you and Lucius." Severus spoke carefully.

Harry looked shocked. "Me why me I mean I can understand Lucius but me?"

"Yes you, I have watched you for the past month and I would choose your side above any other. As for Lucius and I we have talked about it before but he couldn't get out from under Narcissa, with the Dark Mark gone their marriage will dissolve. I will always miss my wife but I am confident I will see her again and that she would want me happy."

"Alright we need to do this quickly I don't want you to be tortured through the Mark. Come over here I need to touch both of you at the same time. I am going to adjust the bonds a little your bond will be a marriage bond the bond between your two and me will be Familial. Do you still want this?" Harry asked to make absolutely shore they wanted him in the bond.

"Absolutely," the two chorused.

Harry then grabbed both their arms and placed his hands over their Marks. He then began to hiss in Parseltongue,

Release these two souls from the curse they bare

Remove the scourge of flesh

Strike the evil from the souls

Bond together two souls in marriage

The two men glowed a bright gold, He placed Lucius hand over Severus' linking the two leaving him with a hand free. He then reached out and grabbed Draco's arm without missing a syllable in his hissing chant. Draco reached out and grabbed his fathers other hand linking the four of them together.

Bind together these four

Into the family

We all crave.

At the very last hiss of the last line a pure white light surrounded them and the three others looked down at their left arms. Instead of the ugly Dark Mark they now bore a completely different one. This mark radiated power and innocence in the way the Dark mark radiated evil. The design was a Cobra coiled up and curved protectively around their arms. They all recognized the cobra as Harry's animagus form. It was the perfect mix of Light and Dark truly signifying them as part of the Grey.

Harry found his voice first. "You two are now soul bonded you will never be alone again. As for the four of us we are now family in every sense but blood." They all saw an idea spark across Harry's face but only Draco could feel the building excitement. "Severus I need to use your lab for a few hours, you can all watch if you like but please no questions until I am finished."

"Of course Harry follow me." Severus then lead them out of the room giving the boys time to put their shirts back on. He still got angry every time he saw Harry's bare chest Magic had healed the wounds but that doesn't prevent scars and now Harry had a wide variety of them. Draco in his rush to help Harry had hardly noticed the hideous markings but he did get a look now. His face mirrored the anger Severus felt. All Harry felt was anger and protectiveness radiating them and knew it was because of his scars. He followed Severus silently to his lab quietly preparing himself for the brewing ahead.

He was suitably impressed with the lab, it was spacious and orderly, and Severus showed him his store cupboards and then led the others to the back of the room to observe Harry. He was quickly all business he tied back his hair which he had been letting grow, and then started setting up a cauldron. He used the elements to light the fire beneath it. He went over to the ingredients cabinet and gathered what he needed.

The three got a treat that day, they just sat their in stunned silence watching Harry work. His gracefulness that they had observed in his dueling manifested here as well. He chopped and diced and stirred with little or no attention on anything else. Severus noted that he was making the potion completely from memory, and even he had no idea what Harry was making. He had never brewed whatever it was himself. All he knew was that he was watching a Master who was on parr with his own abilities. His mind started running down possibilities that were now open when he saw Harry brew with all his talent for once. Not a peep was heard from anyone the entire morning and finally two hours after beginning Harry brought the cauldron off the fire and told them it had to sit for a half hour. In the meantime he had conjured up a piece of parchment and added spells and charms to it all wandlessly.

When he was finished with the parchment he allowed himself to relax a bit. "We still have twenty minutes until it is ready and it cannot be ingested on an empty stomach." He explained and then called a house elf and ordered breakfast for them. It took up the rest of the time the potion was curing to finish up there meal and have another elf take the plates away.

Harry went over to his cauldron and checked on the potion. He ladled out a goblet of the blood red potion and pulled the parchment closer to him. He took out his dagger sliced his finger and let exactly three drops fall into the goblet before healing himself. Stealing his nerves he gulped down the potion and picked up the parchment, the others saw crimson lettering flowing up the page.

Harry's jaw dropped and he stared in amazement for a moment before turning back to the other three. "Severus do you recognize this potion." When Severus answered in the negative he continued. "It is a potion that projects your family tree onto the parchment like you saw. This is a much more reliable test then a charm simply because a paternity charm can be fooled by a strong enough adoption charm, the potion gets past that by listing both biological and adoptive parents. Severus the reason I did this test in the first place because the last few days a few things have happened that made me suspicious of something. First we both have elemental ability, second when we touched after Quidditch it was almost to easy to send like their was already a bond in place, and lastly when I was Marking you three I found out their was in fact a bond between are minds. This test was more for confirmation then anything else. As he said this he slipped the parchment over to Severus whose jaw also dropped when he read the crimson words.

Harry James Potter

Biological parents Adoptive parents

Severus Snape James Potter

Marie (Parkinson) Snape Lily (Evans) Potter

Harry stepped closer to Severus and whispered to him. "When you thought you felt your son die you were wrong, I did not die I was adopted through a blood ritual. Which if you're interested can be reversed."

Severus just stared at the boy he had been forced to hate, that he had just discovered was his son. He didn't say a word but he did step closer to the boy and drew him into a fierce hug.

Draco finally lost his patience and reached for the parchment he went very pale and then mastered his emotions and handed the paper to his father. Lucius read it curiously then looked over to his mate and new stepson.

When Harry felt Severus' grip loosen and move back. It was only to be replaced by another set of strong arms as Lucius hugged him too. That hug lasted nearly as long as his and Severus' but finally he was released to look around at his family. He looked over to Draco smirked and said, "Well what do you think about all this, Brother?"

Draco's face mirrored Harry's smirk as he replied, "I don't know dear Brother but I think we just found a way to single-handedly have the entire great hall shocked silent for a while."

"You have a point, but I still have a question for you." He said looking to his father. Then he realized he had called Severus father in his head. "Do we want to remove the effects of the adoption charms now or wait until we announce this to the school?"

Severus got an evil twinkle in his eyes, "I think we should definitely wait I want to see the headmasters reaction first hand I have been trying to shock that man for years with little success."

"We will be completely honest with the Slytherins I want them to know that there is a third option between Voldemort and Dumbledore. I will be willing to demonstrate my power and get our connection out in the open, it also helps that I am now Brother to their prince. I just want them going into this fight with their eyes wide open to what's ahead that means telling everything not just the good parts. I will tell them what happened at the Dursleys and my nightmares hopefully it will make me human and not weak." Harry explained to them.

"I Agree with you," He hesitated for a millisecond before adding, "Son."

"Thank you Father," Harry managed to say without hesitating. Then he thought of something. "It could get a bit confusing around here with both Draco and I having two fathers. If you two agree to it I suggest we both call are biological father dad and the opposite Father, is that alright with you three?"

"Sounds good to me," both Malfoys said.

Severus looked at his son and said. "I would love it if you call me dad, I have wanted to hear it for 15 years. Dumbledore has a lot to answer for and don't worry we will make sure he does." Severus said that last part with his voice dripping with venom as he drew his son into another bone crushing hug, like he was afraid if he let go he would stop being his son.