Chapter 27: Connection Unloaded

Voldemort had been so intent on finding a way to regain his former looks and full power, that his mind was-- for a brief moment-- an open book. He went through a few scenarios in his mind, and the only word that stayed was "Horcrux".

The teen wanted to look further into the evil wizards mind, but felt conciousness creeping back upon him.

Instead of another 'verbal' clue before he was booted out, all he got was an image of a cave where an alter stood, surrounded by a lake of some sort. The pale creatures coming from the waters were gnarled and grasped at whatever they could reach, leaving Harry with a surreal sense of unease.

When he next opened his eyes, it was to the crisp walls of the hospital ward. It was bright in his small room, and the window that sat just to the left of the bed was the culprit. The light that streamed in woke him naturally, but the lingering need to see more of these Horcruxes was hard to shake.

Harry really had to get a move on if he was to stop the wizard from gaining anymore than he already had. But it would serve to be a problem, as Harry was still in heat, and despite the suppressant, he was still dealing with a few symptoms. That did not stop the young dragon from sending his Headmaster a patronus, explaining that he believed he saw a death eater meeting through Voldemort's eyes.

He knew it would have to wait, and he also knew that he could not send a message to his mate, in case the man was still out of the castle. A soft sigh left his lips, and he settled in to try for a bit more sleep but his mind never slowed in its thoughts.

All Hallows Eve was just around the corner, and Harry wasn't sure how he would cope this year. So much had gone on in his past years, and so much has continued to happen in this one as well. He was unsure whether or not he would be able to pay respects to his parents, or even visit their graves-- since he still didn't know where they were buried.

He had made sure to have Sirius next to them, even though the man had no body to bury. He had hopes that he'd be able to see where they rested, instead of staying in the school for another horrible Halloween night. Staying in bed after curfew and looking through their photo album just wasn't enough, wasn't giving him any sort of closure or outlet for his grief.

And yes, he still grieved them. James and Lily were his parents, even if he didn't have many memories of them. They still gave him all their love, tried to keep him safe, and ultimately paid the price for that love. Truthfully he would have wanted to have them in his life, and up until a few years ago, he would have just joined them in death if it weren't for his friends.

Finding a family lifted him above his depressive thoughts, and while he still loved his birth parents... he had a lot more family to both live and fight for now.

His mood had dipped during those thoughts, but he attempted to keep himself optimistic in the face of it. He would be allowed a day in order to ruffle some feathers and tempt his mate. It no longer felt right to be a Siren for the day of the festivities, as that was his undeniable reality, so he needed a new idea.

Harry could dress hyper feminine, but he knew all the eyes on him would cause his mate's blood to boil. He could wear a chaste costume, and adhere to all the rules, but it would likely be boring. Maybe he could do a mix? Something sensual for his mate, but not too much that it keeps people looking at him?

It wouldn't really be possible to find a perfect balance, but Harry had a wildcard idea as well. It was a creature that embodied sensuality, but could be covered as well. He had the wings for the idea, and he could mailorder a tail and horns...

After a small bit of thinking and piecing together the outfit idea, the hybrid decided on going to the All Hallows Eve ball as an Incubus. It gave him a good laugh to imagine Severus' face when he saw the teen and he secretly hoped that it would help boost his own confidence.

The rest of his time in the infirmary passed in silence. Still not allowed visitors, but being able to write to his friends made the time pass quickly enough. He caught up on his missed work as well, trying to get it all done before he went back to class. He still had to wait until his evaluation tomorrow to see if he'd be able to leave on time or if he'd have to stay a bit longer.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

In the end, Harry was released from the hospital ward on time, with the promise that he come back if any symptoms start up again. He would also need to come back next month, so they could figure out if his heat would be returning every month or not. The teen had hopes that this wasn't the case, as he would have to be on potions for it, and that schedule was not conducive for defeating dark lords.

But all of that was set off to the side, because as soon as he was released, he was called up to the Headmasters office. The hybrid had an idea on what this was about. No, honestly he knew without a doubt that it was because of his vision yesterday. It didn't stop him from inwardly groaning.

Every day seemed to zoom by, and yet within them was never enough time to see his mate. He missed the dragon, and knew that if he had to suffer through more than a few more days of this, he wouldn't be liable for latching onto the man in public. This meant he needed to get some time alone with the man to reaffirm their bond, and connection and soon.

Dumbledore had been eager to learn of what Harry had seen, only half apologizing for pulling him away so early.

The teen looked tired, but the vision he had seemed like it could wait no longer.

Harry described everything he could remember to the old wizard, including the fact that Voldemort seemed to be a bit antsy and all over the place in his thoughts. Albus informed the hybrid that he had reason to believe Voldemort was still fairly weak after the resurrection, and that they needed all the time they could get in order to destroy these Horcruxes.

In all actuality, Harry knew now what they hadn't known before, but the conversation Tom had had with Slughorn in the memory gave off the idea that there was more blotted out than just a quick explaination of what a horcrux was... The petite teen acted like he was put upon, stating that he would ask Professor Snape for a potion so he could get the information he needed.

Dumbledore merely smiled, his eyes twinkling as he realized the two were finally starting to interact like a student and Professor should. Harry still looked petulant and distrusting, and Severus had never had a kind word for the boy, but they were getting there nonetheless, he mused happily.

The older wizard ushered the young saviour all the way down to the dungeons, half to make sure that the boy actually went, and half to see his Potions Master's reaction. He was only really there to explain that the teen would need to speak with him about something of great import, then he walked away feeling accomplished.

Harry and Severus watched the man go, each rolling their eyes at how happy go lucky the man made the world out to be. Severus then immediately grabbed the teen by his collar and pulled him into the room, locking and silencing it as he pulled his mate into the next room. It didn't take a genius to know that the older dragon was also struggling with the forced separation between them.

Severus had lost sleep, and was a bit more irascible than he had been before. He could not even contact his mate without it possibly being intercepted by either the dark Lord or Albus. As grandfatherly as the man tried to be, he was still a nosy old coot who wanted to form friendships where none ever should.

The dragon didn't even put up any pretense, simply picking up his mate. He held the teen up by his thighs, and Harry wrapped his legs around the mans waist in order to stay balanced. Severus squeezed the teen affectionately before laying the hybrid down on the lounge. There he lay gently atop his mate, and heaved a sigh of content. He wouldn't be able to relax for long, as he had a staff meeting to attend in two hours, so he just breathed in the scent of his little mate.

"And what was it that you needed?" He asked almost exhaustedly after they'd settled.

"Veritaserum." Harry said softly, relaxing as well and carding his hands through his mates dark shiny hair. The man was once again rested innocently between his legs, and while it was definitely cause for arousal, he too was exhausted.

Neither moved to address Harry's situation, and Harry didn't want the man to feel like he had to. Severus' body reacted to it, naturally, but again neither did anything to alleviate it.

The man only held out a hand, then silently accio'd the desired potion and shrunk it down for his mate to place in his pocket.

"Three drops at maximum, two base questions to see if it is working properly, and return the vial immediately after you have your answers." He sighed. He knew what it was for, Albus would not have tagged along if it weren't for something related to his newest mission for the small siren.

"Horace will not know it has been administered until after you ask the first question, so make sure to keep the doors locked and silenced." He warned. The slug was one to try and wheedle his way out of answering for his past mistakes, rather than righting them painlessly.

"Of course Sevvy, I remember your lesson. I don't want to poison the man." Harry smiled, tucking a long lock of hair away from his mates face.

Once the potion was nice and put away, the two relaxed even further. Both taking in the scent and feel of the other while trying to brace themselves for the rest of the day. Harry rested his arms on his mates back, though one arm was still bent in order to run his fingers through the relaxed mans hair. Time passed them by slowly, and the teen couldn't help but smile. It was in moments like these especially when the hybrid realized just how in love he was.

The man above him could have done anything to get to this moment faster, but he chose to court Harry traditionally. He chose to show that he wanted Harry for more than just his fame or his body... and despite all of the ups and downs, to show that he would keep him no matter what changed. The dragon wooed him so affectionately, so effectively, that if he asked Harry to lay with him, the teen would feel no force or obligation to take it any further than what it was now.

He was still battling with the memories of the assault, and while he wanted his mate badly, he was also a bit apprehensive. Severus hadn't pushed past what Harry was comfortable with, and had on occasion been the one to stop Harry from diving in too fast. Severus cared for him, and he was reminded again of the moment when the man first said he loved him.

Moving his hand away from the older dragons hair, the teen ran a finger along the collar he still wore. It had been a few days since he put it on and rushed away from all of those prying jealous eyes, but he didn't regret accepting the mark of dominance over him.

Hums escaped his lips as he lost himself to thought. A blush making it's way to his cheeks while he traced over the word treasure, and fiddled with the mini snitch. The collar sat just below the markings he gained from Khagra's flames, and as he ran his fingers along the comfortable fabric he smiled unconsciously.

"Harrison James Potter," Severus spoke just above a whisper, pulling the teen away from his daydreams. "Of any who have come into my life, none have managed to make me feel like you have."

The teen hummed again, thinking his mate was trying to lure him into sleep with those sweet nothings. He was in for a shock though, as the dragon above him finished his thoughts. Severus lifted himself up a bit, so that he could look into those deviously half lidded, kaleidoscopic eyes he'd come to adore.

"Complete and possessive, happy, loved, and worthy... It is for these reasons that I wish to officially ask for the acceptance of my claim, and your hand in marriage."

"Hm..." Harry replied before the softly spoken words finally got through. "Hm?!"

The teens eyes snapped wide open, and he stared blurry eyed at his mate. The man never ceased to amaze him, and as he tried to catch his breath from the shock, the teen smiled.

"Yeah." He whispered breathlessly with a goofy smile. "I accept your claim on me, and I'd be happy to hold a claim on you as well." It wasn't terribly formal, and neither had planned how it happened, but Severus was never truly one to rush in without planning first, and as for Harry, his heart had never lead him astray.

"Sev, are you sure?" Harry asked. It shouldn't matter now, as he'd already accepted the mans proposal, but still. "I know we are mates, but what if you find someone better?"

Or what if one of them was unable to make it through this war? The teen didn't dare speak this last thought, but it was as clear as day in the air between them. 'Neither shall live while the other survives...' It weighed heavily on his heart.

"There is no better bondmate for me, Rie. All that I am was made for you, and if the worst should come to pass, I will make sure all who are involved meet their gods in the end."

Again, the man went and got possessive, and it flipped a switch in the teen that made him giddy. His mates words had warmed his heart tenfold, and he sang softly in response.

This song was unlike the one before it. In the Great Hall a few days ago, it was different and too sudden. Harry had unthinkingly asked for quite an embarrassing act, but at the moment he was simply using the sirens song to say he felt the same.

The Hybrid felt free to express his emotions around his mate, and with the knowledge that the man truly wanted no other, Harry pulled the man back down. Sharing a gentle kiss, Harry found that he was extremely happy. Hums and chirps escaped him, as he held the mans face close to his own.

The teens pupils had become slited, his eye color that acidic neon green, and the black blended into the whites of his eyes. His nails grew sharper, and as the teen swooned in a language even Severus could not fully understand, the man held still.

The side of Harry that was all Siren had accepted him, but they had not had the time to find out what exactly it meant. So the man listened to his mate coo and call to him, trying to make out what the teen was saying. He was the only one who could hear or understand the songs used to lure in prey/mates now, so he was hoping it also translated to the rest of the Sirens language as well.

"My mate. Mine. Only yours. Love you..." Was all he heard, over and over again, and he smiled down at the teen. He moved his left arm downwards from where it rested beside Harry-- to hold his weight above the hybrid--, and pulled his mate closer to him. Nothing sexual would be happening today either, as both men would surely break the courting rules if they even thought to move against one another.

Instead, Severus just continued to listen to his gem gently claim him again and again. He would speak the same words in parseltongue, adding that he was Harry's alone.

By the end of their time together, the younger man was dazed. He wasn't sure what to call the feeling in his chest, but in the end he settled on ensnared.

It made him giggle a bit, as his mate had truly ensnared his mind and bewitched his senses. As the two separated from one another and stood, Harry shared that thought with his mate. His smile widened when Severus laughed with him as well. It didn't settle into a very large smile, as the man wasn't used to expressing his happiness, but the small uplift of his lips was more than enough to make Harry feel giddy all over again.

At that point he knew he needed to leave. To calm his burning cheeks and tell his friends and family about the newest developements.

One final peck on Severus' lips and soon Harry was gone. He was walking on a cloud for the rest of the day.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry had found his friends and sisters later that day and informed them of what happened with his mate only two hours ago. He had finally let Blaise in on who his mate was, and he felt confident that none of these people would turn on him.

In the privacy of his dorm, after sending Hedwig off with a letter of explanation for the rest of his family, he recounted the events of what happened to put him in the hospital ward. Stating that he had gone into a heat because of his mates affectionate words and dominant actions. And while most of the other teens knew what had caused Harry to freak out that day, none of his friends knew the extent of the situation.

Despite the teen being the Chosen One, The Boy-Who-Lived and all that tripe, he was undoubtedly the submissive one in his relationship. It allowed Harry's friends to see what he was really like behind all those masks he wore. He explained that he had been unofficially proposed to, but they had yet to have the engagement solidified due to the lack of privacy.

Luna suggested they do it on Halloween before visiting his parents, but when asked she simply smiled. Her eyes held a brighter sparkle than Harry had seen so far, and he agreed, bringing it up to Snape that same night.

He explained why he decided to go with her judgement, especially after noting the sense of urgency she held while trying to convince him. Severus had agreed, under the terms that Harry should either be placed under a glamour or his invisibility cloak until they got to Gringotts to settle their affairs.

The teen was happy with that, as he knew his mate wanted to make the engagement official as well.

The next day was just as hectic, as he had managed to get Professor Slughorn talking. Soon after his classes ended, the teen was asking Slughorn if they could talk about potions over tea. The old Professor agreed, knowing that if he had Harry Potter in his Slugclub that he would gain even more recognition from the potions world as a whole.

It turned out to be a disaster for Horace, as while he was distracted, the teen dosed his tea. After the man finished his drink, the teen warded the room.

The hybrid knew what he needed to ask, and after the two basic questions, got right down to business.

He only had about half an hour before the potion faded from the wizards system, so he went in without mercy. First asking the man what he knew about Tom Riddle, then asking what he'd told the maniac about Horcruxes. In the end he asked more about what a horcrux was and if it could be linked to a living person.

Well, he knew that he shared a magical bond of some sort with the snake, but to know it could be caused by him housing a bit of Voldemort's soul was highly upsetting.

Before the potion wore off Harry found out that the resurrected man had asked about creating seven horcruxes in order to ensure his immortality. "Why didn't you take that memory to the ministry once you found out what he was doing?" Harry demanded.

The man could have prevented so much death and destruction had he just owned up to his mistakes! If he had just given up the evidence that would have gotten Voldemort thrown in Azkaban before he could continue his rise towards world domination! Had the man no shame?

"Do you not regret what you've done?" Harry asked disappointment clear in his voice.

"Every single day..." Horace answered, feeling his emotions come back to him. He felt raw and pained that he was being so thoroughly chastised by a child who was no more than a fifth of his age. "What of the club?" He asked, hoping the teen had actually meant to ask about it.

Harry simply shook his head at the man, and without a word left. His anger was boiling beneath his skin, a total roundabout from just the the day before.

Soon All Hallows Eve would be sneaking upon the castle quickly, the decorations having been put into place so seamlessly over the next four days.

After he had time to cool down, just the thought of the holiday made the teen so excited that the next two weeks of October almost seemed to fly by.


A/N: Hey guys! I truly hope you are enjoying this book, and in the next chapter well get into Halloween Horcruxes maybe the summer leading into Harry's final year as a student.

Please leave a review if you liked this chapter-- I really do thrive off of them-- and I'll see all of you in the next chapter.

Much Love,

- Xenia