disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
warning: brief mention of violence
Hello everyone! So sorry about the delay, I'm getting closer to graduation from uni and finals are right around the corner, plus other stressors in life that had me occupied. But never fear, for I will always come back. This chapter is focused solely on Harry, Remus, and Severus, with many feels and fluff. I already have a plan for the next chapter, so hopefully I'll get that out soon as well. As you may have realized by now, the time line is moving very slowly. Its because a lot is happening and to just brush past it all would be a crime. But hopefully after a few more chapters of this slower pace, I can get the time line to move a bit faster.
For those who already follow me on twitter, I changed my name. I still have the same handle: hyde1403, but I changed my name to Echo Harmony for various reasons. For those who don't already follow me, go ahead and do so. I post updates and ideas, and even ask questions for the readers. Hope you enjoy the chapter:
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Remus watched Harry, amusement dancing in his eyes, as his youngest mate swiveled his head back and forth trying to take in every detail of the manor. And although he only saw the back of Severus's head, he knew the man's eyes were darting back and forth as well, possibly trying to find any hidden danger or hidden treasures. Severus may sometimes pass off as being stoic and impassive to anything new, but he knew his mate's curiosity very well. Remus still wondered how the veela managed to avoid being in Ravenclaw with his high need to learn about everything he could. Brought back from his thoughts, Remus chuckled when he was once again hit in the side by Harry's long hair. "Harry there will be time to explore the manor more. You're going to hurt your neck going back and forth so much."
"I know, but it's so amazing! To think this was here the whole time," Harry said, the awe shining through his whole being. The hallways were filled with tapestries and the colors and images were incredible and he briefly wondered why he hadn't seen any portraits. But the new surroundings kept his mind occupied, along with the thought of an indoor spring just for him. He looked up at Remus, hoping the man had an answer for him. "How many mer were in the Potter family? Since there was a spring made specifically for one."
"That I'm not sure of, Harry. We would have to either take a look at a family tree, ask your grandparents, or we could ask the portraits," Remus answered. He stopped in front of a door where the house-elf and Severus stood waiting for them, and guessed this was their destination. "Looks like we're here Harry."
"Just call for an elf in any's be needing help," the small creature said before bowing and popping away. Severus gave a brief smile when he saw the anticipation on Harry's face before he turned and opened the door, stepping aside to allow Harry and Remus to enter first.
The three mates stood just inside the door, all struck in a daze as they looked around the oasis before them. The area they stood at seemed to just be a small island while the rest of the space was dominated by a small lake and at the far end was a waterfall. Where the water was coming was unclear, but it did not matter as it added to the beauty of the room. Large floor-to-ceiling windows were on one side of the room, allowing in large amounts of natural light to fill the room. Small fruit trees and other vegetation lined the walls and a little sitting area sat at the entrance next to a few large slabs of rocks for sunbathing. The cliff that held the mysterious waterfall, was slick with moisture and dotted with moss. The water however, was the brightest, clearest blue any of them had seen; though in one area it darkened so much one could not see the bottom.
Harry wiggled in Remus's grasp as he overcame the shock of the spring. He wanted to explore those waters. To push through the water. The need to swim was overbearing, his skin seemed to vibrate at the prospect. Remus stepped onto one of the sunning rocks and place Harry near the water, so just the tip of his tail sat in the water. He just sat there watching as ripples flicked against his scales. It felt so different compared to the time he spent in the tub or even the Black Lake. It was as if this water was pure and was only suited for merfolk. Having enough of watching the water move around him, Harry dived into the cool water. Remus and Severus jumped back just in time to avoid being splashed as Harry flicked his tail to go deeper.
"Well, he's going to be down there for awhile. Care to sit with me?" Remus asked as he went to sit on one of the benches close to the shore. He stretched his arms out and crossed his legs at the ankles as he watched the sleek form of Harry move about the water. He smiled as Severus sat next to him, leaning into his open arms, and pulled out a book from somewhere on his person. His disrupted sleep was creeping up on him, so Remus leaned over, brushed a kiss against Severus's temple before laying his head back and closing his eyes.
"I'm sure he'll wake you up when he decides to come up," Severus quietly said. His mouth quirked when all he got was a grunt in response, Remus already happily asleep. Severus briefly looked up from his book to see the silver form in the water dart across the water, seeming to try to explore every inch.
While his mates settled down to enjoy the rest of their afternoon, Harry was in heaven. Above the water was beautiful, but below was beyond words. The bottom was lined with plant life, clam beds, and other treasures for him to explore and appease his natural instincts. The walls of the pool of water had outcroppings of crystals and gems that he could collect or just admire. The corner that was darker than the whole space was actually a deep tunnel to explore with plant life that did not thrive on so much light as the others. It was never ending because of a bend that seemed to go back up and he deduced this was what fed the waterfall. The waterfall was one of his favorites. The bubbles where the falling water met the pool tickled his nose, while the pummeling water provided a great message. But it was behind the waterfall that was special. There was a small alcove that could fit just one person. There was no moss on the slick walls, but instead there was gold marbling that seemed to glow all on its own.
Harry sat in the alcove, going over the past few days while he tried to wring out his hair and braid it like Severus had done. He still had a few weeks before he needed to go back to Hogwarts, so he would use that time to get to know his mates. Even get the chance to be a family with Sirius, get to know his grandparents and what it means to be a Potter. The possibilities were endless now that he was at Potter Manor. Not to mention the protection his manor offered. He just couldn't understand why Dumbledore refused to allow him to live with Sirius now that the war was over and his godfather was free. As his thoughts tumbled in that direction, he wanted to know why he didn't like the feeling he got when he was at Gringotts. And whether, since Dumbledore seemed to be mad at him, if he would be allowed to stay with Severus and Remus at Hogwarts. Harry shivered at the thought of being separated from his mates. It may be new, but his feelings for them weren't any less real.
Giving up on his hair, because he couldn't braid it like Severus, and wanting to see his mates and to ask his questions, Harry dove back into the water. He swam near the bottom and ran his hands over the plant life as he approached the shallows. As Harry got closer, he looked around and felt oddly lonely in the waters by himself. Maybe they could get some fish that he could chase? He would have to ask, so Harry picked up his pace to the front of the spring. When he broke the surface, he pulled himself up on one of the sunning rocks and grinned up at his mates.
"So?" Severus asked, smiling warmly at his young mate. As he gazed down at Harry, he struggle to keep down the flare of arousal at seeing Harry's toned chest dripping wet, and the silver scales glistening in the light. Harry really was a magnificent creature. How did he, Severus, gain such a mate as beautiful as Harry he would never know, but he was glad.
"Oh, it was brilliant. No words can describe it," Harry replied. He laid himself on his stomach, propping his head in his hands and kicked his tail up and down. Looking at his mates, he realized Remus must have taken a nap since he was rubbing at his eyes and Severus held a book in his lap. "I had some things I wanted to ask."
"What's that pup?" Remus mumbled as he swiped the sleep from his eyes and stretched out his limbs.
"Firstly, can I get my hair cut? Not all of it, but up to my shoulders or something?" Harry pulled the long locks over his shoulder and grimaced at the weight of it all. "This is just too much and I have no idea how to braid properly."
"Are you sure?" Remus asked. He would miss the long hair, but if it made Harry uncomfortable then he wouldn't kick up much fuss about it. He heard Severus sigh longingly from his side when Harry nodded his head. "Alright, we can do that tomorrow. What else is on your mind?"
"Quite a bit," Harry mumbled. He looked out the doors as he thought of which question to ask next. They were all important, but some might take longer than others and he wanted them all answered before they left this room. Not that he wanted to leave at all. "When we were at Gringotts, there was a way the goblins were looking at me. It made something inside me feel wary, almost frightened by the goblins. Even Sirius didn't want me there very long."
"Harry, you know that the goblins covet gold, money, and other treasures over anything else, correct?" Severus asked. When Harry gave him a quizzical look, but nodded nonetheless Severus continued. "There are certain potion ingredients that have been banned or are very closely regulated through willing donors. These type of ingredients will fetch for a very large sum of money. When the goblins realized what you were, all they saw was a way to make a profit."
"What? But I'm just me, what could they use to make money off of?" Harry asked.
"You're a mer, Harry. Mer are very private and vindictive if they have been wronged and so using the blood or scales of merfolk is highly illegal. That is why Sirius was very cautious about you having to give blood to confirm your inheritance. Anyone's blood can be used in malicious ways." After this, Severus looked at Harry with a pensive expression. "As for your unease, it was probably you're natural instincts, your inner-creature, that sensed danger while we were with the goblins. Remus and I don't feel that unease around them because we are more dominate in nature and more in-tune with our creature sides. Do you understand?"
"Yes." It made perfect sense to him, the whole explanation. With the thoughts of the goblins taken care of, the next set of questions that took front stage in his mind were those of Hogwarts and Dumbledore. As Harry tried to find a way to word his question, Harry turned over onto his back before sitting up. He set his gaze onto the waterfall, pulling up his tail and hugging his arms around it where his knees normally would be. "Why was Dumbledore attacking us? And what does it mean for us when Severus and I have to return to Hogwarts?"
"We're not sure yet Harry. All we know is that while you were healing, the headmaster kept trying to get into Grimmauld Place. Maybe we can figure it out before you go back to Hogwarts," Remus answered this time. "As for us and Hogwarts, since we are met to be mates and we have already begun courting, we can live together in our own suite."
"Really? Isn't there rules against teacher and student relationships and living together?" Harry asked, turned his face around to look at Remus. From the corner of his eye, he could see Severus giving a small smile.
"In normal situations, yes. However, we are creatures with recognized mates. The Board of Governors and the Headmaster could get into serious trouble if they tried to separate us."
"Oh, at least we can still be together then," Harry said with a smile. He became silent at he watched the water, lost in his thoughts once again. He looked up when Remus sat down next to him.
"Harry, there's something we need to ask you now and you may get upset over it. But know its best if you tell us, we'll be here to help you," Remus began. He tried to look encouraging when Harry gave him a wary look, not liking the sound of where this conversation might go. "We know what Dursley did to you when we picked you up, but were there any other times he hit you? Did you tell anyone of what the Dursley's were like?"
"Does it matter?" Harry mumbled, turning his face down where his arms were still wrapped around himself. He tried to not tense when he felt Remus put an arm around him, but this was a hard topic and he was scared what his mates might think of him after.
"Of course it does, Harry. We want to help you, for you to know what they did was not right," Remus said softly, pulling Harry into his side.
"I know it wasn't right," Harry said still not looking up at Remus. "It never used to be like that. Sure I always had to cook and clean for them and sometimes I'd get cuffed on the head, but it wasn't until I started Hogwarts that it got worse. And I did try to tell someone, I told Dumbledore."
"I don't know what the headmaster was thinking, but you're never going back to the Dursley's. You can even bring criminal charges against them for the abuse. Its your choice Harry," Severus said getting up from the bench and crouching down on Harry's other side. He placed a kiss on Harry's head and murmured into a pointed ear. "We're here to protect you."
"I'd rather just forget them, they weren't actual family," Harry said. He turned his head to Severus and brushed a kiss against the veela's cheek, lingering to feel the warm come from the skin. "Thank you."
"Anything for you," Remus said, pressing a kiss on his own to Harry's temple. The three sat there, just basking in the warmth and protection they offered each other. Until Remus cleared his throat, breaking the silence. Harry stretched out, still leaning into the werewolf's side while Severus stood back up. "Have any other questions?"
"Yes, can I get some fish?" Harry asked innocently.
"Fish?"
"Yeah, some bright, colorful fish. Fish that I can swim and play with. The spring is great, but it gets kind of lonely down there by myself."
"We can look into it. Just don't let Padfoot near them, as a dog he would see them as chew toys," Remus chuckled. The two older men smiled as Harry laughed at the image of the black dog trying to chase some fish.
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A/N: I just loved the spring, I can picture it in my mind. As Always R&R
