A bit of a shorter chapter than usual, I have been super busy with uni but really wanted to get something out. I hope you all enjoy it.
I also have a question that I really wanted your opinions on; do you want Harry to go back to Hogwarts? I've been umming and ahhing so thought I would see what people thought. Let me know
I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 12
Rodolphus carried him all the way back to their room, Rabastan walking beside them. No one spoke. Harry's mind was torn between everything he had just learnt and the fact that he could very easily check out both his soul mate's arses from this particular angle. When they reached their room Rodolphus placed Harry gently on his feet.
"It's been a big day; would you rather shower now or in the morning?"
Harry rubbed his eyes. He was tired but he knew a nice hot shower would soothe him and help settle him before sleep.
"Shower, I think."
The brothers nodded.
"OK, we'll get ready for bed ourselves while you're in there."
Harry grabbed a pair of his pyjamas that had been brought over that day and hurried into the bathroom. He took a deep breath as soon as the door was shut behind him. He didn't know how to process what he was feeling. He was relieved to get some answers, but he was feeling emotionally wrung out. He washed slowly, letting the hot water ease his sore muscles, getting out only when the weariness was settling into his bones. His mind was hazy, he was thinking about everything and at the same time thinking about nothing at all. He dried himself slowly and pulled on his pyjamas. He walked out of the bathroom to find both Rabastan and Rodolphus standing in comfortable looking sleep pants. He stared for a moment, eyes flicking between the pair as he took in their hard muscled chests and all the skin that was now on show for him. He felt silly in his pyjamas now and fiddled nervously with the hem of his shirt.
Rabastan and Rodolphus shared a look before Rabastan walked forward and pulled Harry into his arms. Harry, who now found himself face to face with one of the chests he had been ogling blushed, hard. Thankfully from the angle Rabastan didn't notice, but Rodolphus sure did.
"Well, aren't you the cutest thing I've ever seen" Rabastan said with a smirk.
"Not cute" Harry grumbled but he made no attempt to pull away from Rabastan. Instead, he wound his arms around the trim waist and cuddle closer. He wasn't exactly used to physical affection like this, but after the day he had he couldn't deny that it was comforting.
"Come on, into bed with you" Rabastan said gently, carding his fingers through Harry's dark hair.
Harry nodded and pulled away, climbing into the centre of the bed and looking expectantly at his soulmates, neither of which were moving.
"Ah, did you still want to sleep with me?" Harry asked the brothers, confused as to why they were just standing there.
"Oh, God yes" Rodolphus cried and practically leapt onto the bed, as though all he had been waiting for was Harry's ok. Which, Harry thought, was probably the case.
Rabastan more calmly climbed onto the bed and both brothers settled either side of Harry. They hesitated for a moment before rolling to face him, Rabastan resting his hand on Harry's chest, while Rodolphus rested one Harry's arm. Harry smiled softly before closing his eyes, deciding as he drifted off that he could very easily get used to this.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Breakfast the next day started somewhat awkwardly, Bella tried to talk to him, but Harry still felt uncomfortable, so his answers were short and pointed. After a while she seemed to realise that just because that had reached some kind of understanding didn't mean that he was ready to be around her yet.
"So, Harry what's your plans for today?" Voldemort asked, trying to break the lingering tension.
Harry glanced at Rabastan and Rodolphus. "Oh, I'm not actually sure" he said with a shrug.
"I actually have need of both your soulmates this morning" Voldemort explained while Rabastan and Rodolphus shared a surprised look.
Harry felt his insides tighten with tension.
"Don't worry, it won't be for long and they won't be doing anything dangerous" Voldemort explained, correctly reading the anxiety on Harry's face.
Rodolphus started rubbing soothing circles on Harry's back.
"I actually need to meet with most of my inner circle this morning, so I was wondering if you would be amenable to a tour from Draco and Blaise."
Harry looked at the Slytherins to gauge their reactions to the request, but both were wearing impressively blank masks.
"Sure, that'd be good" Harry said with a shrug.
He felt Rabastan slide his arm over his shoulder and turned to look at his soul mate, only to find the older staring intently at Draco and Blaise, a hard look on his face. The look promised painful retribution if anything were to happen to Harry while he was with them. Both Draco and Blaise nodded in understanding and Harry elbowed Rabastan sharply in the ribs.
"Oi, cut it out."
"Nope," Rabastan said with an unrepentant grin, "it's important they understand just how important you are to us and exactly what will happen to them if anything were to happen to you while you're in their care."
Draco swallowed thickly, glancing at Blaise.
Harry just rolled his eyes but let the matter drop.
Rabastan had pulled him into a lingering hug that was quickly followed by one from Rodolphus as Voldemort stood and asked the adults to follow him to his study. It seemed the brothers were reluctant to let Harry out of their sight. Harry didn't want to admit it, but he found the whole thing very sweet.
Voldemort rolled his eyes exasperatedly, "hurry up you two, the quicker this meeting is done the quicker you can be back with Harry."
This seemed to hurry the brothers up, as they finally pulled away and started walking towards the door.
"Just come and get us if you need anything" Rodolphus said for the third time, causing Harry to start laughing outright instead of just grinning at the pair.
"I will, I'll be fine. Now go." Harry said with another chuckle before giving them both a push to get them moving quicker. As the final three left the room Harry turned to find Blaise and Draco watching him, each with looks of amusement on their faces.
"Anyone would think they don't trust us" Blaise said with a laugh.
"I have a feeling that if they didn't trust us, they wouldn't have left Harry alone with us at all." Draco said with a rueful grin.
"You're probably right."
Harry watched the pair, unsure of how to act around people who until recently he had been enemies with. Perhaps on an even more tangible level then even Voldemort or Bella.
"Come along then Harry, how about we start with the library?" Draco said.
Draco and Blaise turned out to be surprisingly good company. They kept Harry entertained with stories of their exploits while growing up together as they toured the Manor. It was obvious the pair were very close. It was nice to see this more light-hearted side to the Slytherins. Though they teased each other mercilessly and Harry soon discovered that Blaise had a razor-sharp wit that he was not afraid to use, he could tell they loved each other a lot. He supposed this is what a normal sibling relationship must be like. He felt a spike of sadness at never having been able to experience it for himself.
As they walked Harry was blown away by not only the sheer extravagance of the whole place, but also the history. The Manor had housed generations of Malfoys and each had added things over the years. Historical artifacts, magical artifacts, paintings, books, the sheer scale of it all was mind boggling. The Manor even had its own quidditch pitch and Draco promised that they would go for a fly soon. They were walking back through the grounds when they came across Narcissa, kneeling down and digging in a flower bed. She looked up as they approached.
"Hello mother" Draco said, "is the meeting over already?
"Oh, no, no. It wasn't necessary for me to stay any longer so I thought I would come out and get some gardening done. "Have you had a nice tour, Harry?"
"Oh, yes. You have a very beautiful home."
She smiled warmly at him. "Why thank you Harry, that's very kind of you to say."
"What are you planting?" Harry asked curiously peering around Narcissa to look at the bulbs on the ground.
"I thought I would put in some Dahlia's while the weather is still lovely and warm."
Harry nodded in understanding. "They are a beautiful flower."
"Do you enjoy gardening, Harry?" Narcissa asked pleasantly as she began to dig another hole for the next bulb.
"I have a lot of experience" Harry said before pausing, thinking of the endless weeks spent working on the Dursleys gardens in the hot sun. "I do quite enjoy it, I like working with my hands" he said quietly, like he wasn't quite used to talking about things he enjoyed.
Draco and Blaise were watching him carefully but Narcissa just smiled.
"Well, feel free to join me anytime. You'll find me somewhere in the gardens most mornings."
To all of their surprise Harry dropped straight to his knees and picked up a bulb.
"How are you planting them?" he asked curiously and Narcissa shot him a blinding smile as she began to show him what to do.
"Ah, we'll just head inside then?" Draco said, the words coming out as more of a question then a statement.
"Yes, yes" Narcissa said, waving her hand at them to go.
"Thank you for the tour," Harry said with a smile before turning back to listen to Narcissa explain the best way to plant the bulbs.
Draco walked back to the Manor and figured they would go and see if the meeting was finished. They approached the study designated as their Lords and heard voices still inside. Blaise knocked cautiously before pushing the door open. Rabastan and Rodolphus jumped to their feet when they saw Draco and Blaise.
"Where's Harry?"
"What's wrong?" They both asked, talking over each other in their haste.
"Harry's fine" Draco said placatingly, "he is out gardening with Mother. We thought we would come and see if the meeting was over."
Rabastan and Rodolphus relaxed at the explanation. "Well, come in and shut the door."
"We were just discussing Harry" Lucius explained as he indicated to a seat beside him for his son.
"That doesn't actually tell us a lot" Blaise said seriously.
Voldemort nodded in agreement, "there is a lot that still needs to be considered, but it won't do well to overwhelm Harry. We need to be careful and patient. He is soulmates to two of us, which means he is part of our family now and needs to be treated as such. Specifically, we were discussing that we think it would be wise if Harry were to see a healer."
Draco nodded, "he only ate half a bowl of porridge for breakfast and he honestly looked like he was forcing most of it down."
"Yes, that… amongst other things has led us to believe that it would be wise for Harry to see a healer. We were just discussing how to go about it."
"Just be upfront with him" Blaise said insightfully. "If we want him to see us as different to the Light side, we need to be honest with him."
Rabastan nodded in agreement. "I agree, leave it to Rodolphus and I to talk to him. I think it would be wise to not rush him, let him get used to the idea a little before bringing a healer here to see him. It is obvious he has suffered from abuse; how extensive it was is yet to be seen."
Rabastan scowled as he said this, obviously not happy at the idea of anyone hurting Harry.
Draco shivered, he knew exactly how ruthless his uncles could be and did not envy anyone who ever caused harm to Harry. The retribution would be swift and fierce.
"I have to admit" said Voldemort thoughtfully, "that I'm curious how the light side is taking their saviour being missing… Perhaps it is time to contact Severus."
