"": dreams.

Italics:thinking/ Flashbacks

Bold:Letters and notes.

-/-: time lapse/scene change.

* Italics*: Speaking in Parseltongue

Chapter Eight- A Mates Embrace

Harry had never thought waking up in another person's arms would be comfortable, but right now, here in Severus arms was the most comfortable place in the world and he didn't want to leave. Snuggling into the arms further, he moaned softly at the warmth, causing the man he was snuggling into to give a soft chuckle. Harry's face went bright red at the noise, looking up at the man from under his bangs, seeing the warm smile his face held. Severus gazed down at Harry with a warm gaze, his smile reaching his ears as he watched the small bundle in his arms blush, never having seen anything cuter than Harry right now. It had been a stressful night for his little Harry and to see him still here this morning, filled his heart with joy. Leaning down slowly, Severus placed a soft kiss on Harry's forehead, keeping his lips pressed against his skin as he sighed happily. Expecting Harry to move out of his arms, he was surprised when he felt the small boy move in closer to his embrace, hearing a soft sigh fall from the boy's lips as he did.

"Good morning Harry," Severus said softly, lips still pressed against the boy's forehead.

"Good morning professor," Harry whispered back, not truly knowing what to call the man so falling back on the one thing he had called him for the past couple of years. Severus chuckled softly upon hearing the name the boy decided to call him, completely understanding the boy's hesitation to use any other name for him.

"Severus, Sev or at the very least Snape, Harry, please use my name, not professor. We're not at school," The man said, moving back to look Harry in the eyes, watching as they lit up at the opportunity to call the man by his name. In reality, he felt sorry for Harry, within a day, he had come into his creature inheritance, found out he was mated to not one but three people he thought hated him most and now he was expected to mate with each man within nine months. Not to mention last night would not have helped the conflict the boy must be fighting within his own mind. Looking down at the boy his smile was long gone from his face, his eyes lost their warmth and what was left was nothing but concern and regret. Harry noticed the look change, however, knew it was not his fault but he did have a feeling as to why the man's mood suddenly changed. Reaching a hand up, he cupped the man's hand and ran his thumb over his cheek.

"Everything is going to be ok Sev, I know this is something none of you wanted but it's happening now. I'm going to try; can I count on you to give it a go to?" Harry said softly, his eyes never leaving those of his mates.

"To be honest with you Harry, I never would have in a million years thought we would be here in this bed, in each other's arms today. I had always imagined I would marry the women of my dreams, settle down and have a couple of children whilst maintaining my potions shop. However, as you can see that didn't happen. The reason for that is she went and got married to my rival and had a baby boy, who I promised myself I would hate with every fibre of my being. But then that boy came to Hogwarts and I just couldn't hate him. He looked too much like the women I loved, everything from his eyes to the way he acted and although he was rubbish in potions, mostly my fault I'm sure, I could see nothing but his mother. But then that same boy came into his creature inheritance, and I found myself with a mate I never thought possible and although things were changing for both of us, mostly him, I took my anger and confusion out on my little mate and hurt him. I would never have thought this moment possible, the moment when I would wake up in another's arms, especially one I was hopefully going to spend the rest of my days with. But right now, at this moment, I don't want to be anywhere else. Harry, I now believe that you are my future, and maybe I'm not up to pare with my feelings as the others are. But I will with all my being try, I will try my very hardest to be the very best mate that I can be for you. And if I cannot do that, I will have failed you." Severus said calmly, his hand coming up to grip Harry's pulling it to his lips to kiss his palm. He closed his eyes and pressed his head into the boy's small hand, not wanting to see the boy's face as he processed what he had just said.

-1 hour later-

No words had passed between them since Severus speech, both men sat tangled within each other's hands and legs with small kisses and touches passing between them. Harry now sat between the man's legs pressed against the man, back to chest. Severus arms wrapped around his middle, stroking his stomach softly. Severus had just pressed another kiss to the boy's temple when they heard the bedroom door open and voices from the hall filling the room. Harry looked up to see Lucius, Voldemort, Draco and none other than Narcissa walking through the door, worried looks on their faces. The first to talk however was Draco.

"There you two are! We have been looking everywhere you two, we thought something had happened when you both didn't arrive for breakfast." Harry and Severus looked at each, having forgotten to look at the time when they woke up. Looking back to the others, Harry noticed Voldemort chuckling while Lucius just shook his head.

"Not that seeing you two incomplete embrace is lovely, but would you like to join us for lunch?" Lucius piped up, immediately hearing Harry's stomach give a loud rumble cause the boy to blush and hide his face in his hands, and all adults in the room to laugh. Severus unwrapped his arms from Harry's body, moving from the bed and into the bathroom to get dressed for the day. Harry sat on the bed for a minute later before Draco came over and pulled him towards the walk-in dressing room. Lucius, Voldemort, and Narcissa looked between themselves before leaving the room, chatting amongst themselves about today's development.

-The Dining Room-

Harry sat with a full plate of food, surrounded by his mates, Draco and Narcissa and was officially nervous. He ate slowly and carefully, never taking his eyes off of his plate as the others chatted quietly amongst themselves. Harry had never met Narcissa before, and he knew that she couldn't be happy with him stealing her husband. Rolling his eyes, Draco noticed his friend's mood and kicked him under the table watching as the boy sat up straighter and glared at him.

"Mother does not care that Father is your mate Harry," Draco said casually, causing the entire dining room to go quite as the adults looked between the two boys. "Mother has always known Father was not her mate, in fact, she found hers just last year in France. Stop worrying about it and eat, otherwise, I will force your food down your throat." Draco continued, glaring back at Harry, making Harry blush red in embracement. Harry looked over to Narcissa for any form of confirmation on the statement Draco just announced.

"It is true Harry dear. Lucius and I were promised to each other at a very young age by our fathers, by the time we finished Hogwarts we were married and although we knew we were not each other's mates, we were best friends and decided between us that we would stay together, raise a child, and separate when or if we found our mates. Which we have both ended up doing. I am very happy that my dear friends have found their mate and although I am surprised that it is you, I am happy that you have already seemed to accept them." Narcissa stated calmly, and with that, the dining came back into full swing of lunch. Harry looked around the room one more time, seeing that no one was going to add to what the ever so elegant women said, nodded mostly to himself before settling into his own food, hiding his content smile with each fork full of food he fed into his mouth.

"so I see you had an eventful night Harry, anything you and Severus wish to announce to the table?" Voldemort piped up, winking at Harry when his gaze met his in an instant.

"What…n-no…...nothing happened!" Harry defended, a deep blush creeping its way onto his face.

"Oh really and if I were to ask Severus the same question would he say something happened?" Voldemort said as his gaze moved over to Severus, seeing the man roll his eyes.

"Nothing happened, we simply talked and sorted some of our problems out, besides Harry was painting, I talked about what I was feeling then we fell asleep," Severus said shoving a piece of chicken into his mouth. Lucius and Voldemort gave small chuckles knowing exactly what went on last night. Draco rolled his eyes at his father's and uncle's antics.

"So Harry what are you up to today?" He started knowing that Harry had to go shopping for school supplies soon just like he did, but knew he would not ask.

"I was thinking of going to Diagon Alley, I need to get some…...art supplies," Harry responded, fiddling with his fork as he spoke, knowing what Draco was doing.

"Yea right, 'art supplies' you and I both know we need to get school supplies soon Harry." Draco pointed out, looking over to his mother and father watching as they sat up straighter in their chairs at the mention of school. Harry, however, looked confused, upset and conflicted.

"I didn't know if I was allowed back to school Draco since I thought it would be more important to deepen the bond with my mates." Harry retorted actually believing what he was saying to be true. He did actually think he would not be allowed back to school and not just because they needed to deepen the bond, but because he didn't know how his mates would respond with him being around Dumbledore again.

"You will be going back to Hogwarts Harry, I'm afraid, although we wish for you to stay as we don't want you being around the meddling old coot, it would look very suspicious if you were to not show up at the start of the term, and we do not want the order snooping around right now," Lucius said, finally coming into the conversation. Harry nodded his understanding but was still conflicted about going back to Hogwarts, considering he didn't know how to explain to his friends what had happened over the holidays.

"Harry don't worry about what anyone is going to say when we go back if anyone says anything about you being a creature or the fact that you have mates I will deal with them, but all you have to do is come to me," Draco said caringly, somehow knowing what was going through Harry's mind.

"It is the same with me, Harry, if you need anything, anything at all, please come to me and I will deal with anyone that may wish to cause you harm," Severus said with a smile, making Harry feel somewhat better about going back.

-Malfoy Gardens-

Harry sat in the gardens with his easel in front of him. They had decided not to go to Diagon Alley today as Lucius had suggested each of the boy's make up a list of everything they need to make the trip as easy and fast as possible. Harry had just finished the painting he was working on yesterday, finally putting the finishing touches on the garden that was ingrained in his mind. He sighed and placed his paintbrush on his pallet, looking around the garden with a sense of calm about him. He had never felt more at ease, except from when he was on his broom, and he liked it. He generally liked It here. It was calm and peaceful. No chores to do, no one breathing down his neck, no risk of getting punished for anything and everything. Harry didn't know what would be waiting for him when he returned to Hogwarts and he had no idea how he was going to do on his own, but he knew with his new mates and brother by his side, things couldn't go all that wrong right? Right?

So….Hey, guys! Long-time no see. And I mean very long time no see. I am so sorry for the wait on this chapter, I cannot believe it has been so long since I updated and I am so sorry for that. First off, I would like to thank everyone who read, followed, favourite and reviewed this story even though it was inactive, you guys were the driving force for this chapter. Without you, I don't know how much longer it would have taken to come out, but it's here. Secondly, so many things have happened to stop this coming out Sooner. I got engaged! I left school. I became an aunty twice. I enrolled back in school now studying writing as a profession. I was very very sick for a long time and I have been having difficulties with my health. So I'm really sorry I haven't been able to write in a long time, however, it shouldn't happen again, but if it does make sure to scold me! Hahaha, anyway I hoped you enjoyed this chapter because there are many more to come, both at Hogwarts and at Malfoy Manor. Also, some more pairings will come up in the near future so look out for them! Thanks to everyone who reads my writing, I never did think I would ever post something on fanfiction but here I am chapter 9 and still going, so thank you to all of you. Anyway enough from me, I hope you like the chapter and as always, read, review, follow and favourite.

Love you all,

Soul :)