warnings: brief description of gore
Hello again so soon! I said I had most of the next chapter written already and got it done in two days. I am so thankful that everyone loved the last chapter. It was a much needed chapter, but time to get back to business and scheming assholes. Hope you enjoy this one too.
Chapter 27- He Strikes Again
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It was a pleasant, sunny Saturday afternoon and no headmaster in sight. Now that the whole school knew that Harry was a mer, there was no reason to hide himself anymore. So Remus suggested going down by the lake to enjoy a picnic and allow Harry to swim and interact with the creatures, rather than through a window. Remus carried a blanket and basket filled with food thanks to the house-elves, and Severus carried a change of clothes for Harry.
Harry of course ran ahead and jumped into the lake without any reservations. He was happy and free to do as he pleased and he was taking advantage of that freedom. He was excited to distraction that he didn't even look to see if anyone was watching him as he dove into the murky waters. He was confident diving down this time, unlike when he participated in the Triwizard Tournament. One of the mer he spoke to every day was going to meet him. Harry had told his friend about the trip to the lake as soon as Remus had suggested it.
Back on the shore, Remus laid back on the blanket and closed his eyes to the sun, feeling more relaxed than even last night. Just thinking of last night put a grin on his face. He opened an eye to peek at Severus to watch the man pulled out a small book to read as they waited on Harry. Remus snuck a hand over and slipped under the bottom of the sweater Severus decided to wear out. He teased the skin he found for a few moments before putting that hand back under his head. Remus let the silence pull him into a light doze.
"Remus! Severus!" Harry's shout had woken Remus and bolted upright thinking something might have been wrong. But looking closely, Harry had a large grin on his face and was waving for them to come closer. He let Severus pull him to his feet and together they moved to the shore. Next to Harry was one of the mers from the lake watching them warily, a male if Remus could judge correctly. They moved closer until they were sitting in water up to their waists. "This is Firth. He's mostly in charge of teaching the children, but he's been talking to me through the window."
"Hello, I'm Remus and this is Severus," he introduced.
The mer, Firth, said something, but Remus and Severus hadn't learned mermish. They looked to Harry to translate. "He says it's nice to meet the people I talk most about," Harry said, his face turning bright with embarrassment. But laughed when firth spoke again. "That's rude!" Harry admonished, the mer only grinned.
"What did he say?" Severus asked, genuinely curious about this mer and what he thought about them. He also took note of the differences between this creature and his mate. Harry was so bright and vibrant while Firth was darker, colors that would help him to blend in deep in the lake. The mer's face was flatter with larger eyes. In his hair were shells and other decorations tied and twisted. It made him think it was instinctual to the species and that was why Harry had tied his feather into his hair. Bands with symbols and more decorations covered Firth's arms.
"Just making jokes," Harry dismissed. He glanced to the mer, who only shrugged, before turning to his mates nervously. "Firth and the rest of the colony are willing to teach me what they know, like fighting and hunting. Would it be okay if I came out to the lake to do so?"
"I think it's a great idea!" Remus said, hiding how nervous it made him to think about it. But it would be another way for Harry to learn to defend himself. Being around the other mer would also allow for Harry to learn more about his inheritance than he could from the painting Marius. He turned to Severus and frowned, his mate had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. "Severus?"
"Please Severus?" Harry begged. "I could learn so much from them and I promise to be really careful!"
"You will make sure your homework is done and have either Remus or myself here at the shore so we know where you are and the mer can get to us if there is a problem. Understood?" He was all for Harry learning more, but he wanted to keep his young mate safe, and to press the importance of his regular work.
"Thank you so much! I won't let you down." Harry turned to the merman to say goodbye. Remus and Severus watched as Firth returned to the deeper waters of the lake and Harry got out of the water and changed.
As they walked back over to their picnic spot, Severus felt as though they were being watched. But when he looked around there was no one nearby.
Behind a tree though, stood a seething creature. His features twisted as his new instincts rose to the surface as he watched Harry Potter be so close to that disgusting thing from the lake. It was hard for him to connect Potter and the *thing* were the same type of creature. Potter, as annoying as he was, was still beautiful. Worthy of being his mate, That other creature was grotesque and had no right trying to cozy up to Potter.
No, he would teach it a lesson. No one else could have Potter. He was promised. Once he as done, everyone would know to leave alone what belonged to Draco Malfoy.
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"Come on Harry," Ron begged. "It's the Gryffindor tryouts. I know you don't want to play anymore, but we could use your thoughts and help decide who should be your replacement. Please Harry!"
"I don't know Ron." Harry ran a hand through his hair. He was the only one awake in his chambers since Ron had arrived so early, which was surprising since the boy was so hard to wake up for class most mornings. But of course it was for quidditch. which only made Harry regret getting up to answer the door. He had made it very clear he did not want to play, there were too many things going on for him to feel safe while flying. Every year he seemed to get injured during quidditch and he wanted to avoid it.
"Harry, it'll only be Gryffindor on the pitch and you don't even have to fly! We just want you there." Ron followed him into the kitchenette as he made a cup of tea. "Think of it like a coach, just yell at us."
"Ha!" Harry guffawed. "Tempting, very tempting." He turned to see Ron staring at him with big pleading eyes, and sighed. Tempting indeed. He honestly didn't want to let his friends down. Besides, what could really happen from spending a morning with his friends. "fine, let me tell my mates where I'll be."
"Yes! Thanks Harry." Harry waved away Ron's thanks as he walked into the bedroom.
Just seeing his mates in their bed made him want to forget about Ron and quidditch, and rejoin them. But he walked passed them to the closet to get dressed. He put on a soft tee shirt and jeans, checked that Moony's tooth was centered and Severus' feather was still secured. When he left the closet, he saw a pair of dark eyes watching him. Smiling, Harry leaned down to drop a kiss to his Veela's forehead, watching as the lines there smoothed at his touch.
"That was Ron at the door," Harry whispered just in case Remus was still asleep. "I'm going with him to the pitch, says they need help picking a new seeker. That alright?" He watched as Severus processed what he said, lines reappearing across his brow. When it looked like he was going to protest, Harry shushed him with a finger on his lips. "No one is up this early, and I'll stick with Ron and the team.. McGonagall usually shows up for the tryouts as well. I'll be careful."
"Very well," Severus agreed. "Call for us if you are in need."
"Always." Harry placed another kiss to Severus' forehead as he burrowed back under the covers and quickly back to sleep. On his way around the bed to the door, Harry brushed his hand across Remus' bare arm. His mates were like night and day when they slept. Severus always slept in pants and old shirt and kept completely covered with their blankets. Remus however, preferred to sleep naked, but had taken to wear something since Harry joined them, and he refused any of the covers. Being a werewolf had the advantage of keeping all three of them warm. Even their colorings were the same way. Severus had dark hair and impossibly light skin, whereas Remus had soft brown hair and tan everywhere.
And Harry was in the middle. Not really, Severus slept in the middle most of the time. No, Harry preferred the end away from Remus because he would just get too hot. Harry like to sleep mostly under the covers, but had an arm or leg sticking out.
Harry left the bedroom and waved for Ron to follow as he headed for the exit. On the way to the main doors, his best friend told him about other team tryouts and what he thought of their chances at winning. However when they reached the doors there was a large crowd; mostly the Gryffindor team, a few other students who woke early, and some professors. Harry groaned when he saw Dumbledore among them.
"What's happened now?" Ron asked as they slowed down.
"I'm sure I don't want to know," Harry replied. He waved to Hermione when he saw her head turn around. The look on her face set him on edge. So Harry discreetly drew his wand and turned to Ron. "Hey run back and grab Severus or Remus? I've got a bad feeling."
"Yeah, me too." Ron waited until Hermione got closer before sprinting back towards the dungeons.
"Harry you don't want to see this," Hermione started, but was stopped by the headmaster.
"Harry potter, I won't be able to let this go!" Dumbledore yelled across the hall from outside. Against his better judgment and ignoring Hermione pulling on his arm, Harry moved closer. He had to know what happened. "A deer is one thing, but this creature was intelligent. I won't tolerate him doing this anymore."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Harry said defensively. Dumbledore was blocking his view, while the students and professors were staring at him and whispering to each other.
"Then maybe you'll recognize your friend," the headmaster replied nastily before moving aside.
There on the steps was Firth, or what was left of him. The large, unblinking eyes were truly the only recognizable part of the mer. His friend's hair that he was so prideful over was gone, sheared off in bloody slices. His arms at unnatural angles, some fingers were even missing. But the worst that had been done was the mer's tail. Who ever had done this had hacked at the appendage until it was in two parts, in some sick attempt at making legs.
"No!" Harry shrieked falling to his knees into a puddle of sticky blood. He sobbed as he reached a hand out to Firth, but was stopped by Hermione. He fought against her pulling him back not wanting to leave his friend alone. "No! I have to save him, we have to save him. Please!"
"Harry, he's gone," Hermione whispered, wrapping her arms around her friend. She couldn't stop her own tears as Harry cried. When someone touched her shoulder, she pulled Harry tighter to her. Hermione couldn't let anyone take him, not until Remus or Professor Snape came for him.
"Hermione, let me take him." The girl looked up when Remus spoke to her. it was still difficult to let go of Harry, but she did as Remus bent down and gathered Harry in his arms. The she allowed Ron to pull her up and started following Remus until the headmaster called out again.
"Remus?" Dumbledore called almost sweetly. "There's a note and I'm afraid Severus will have to stay behind to explain it." The man smiled wickedly when all eyes turned to the potions professor. But Remus glared at the headmaster with golden eyes, Moony was crawling his way out to get at the man.
"Well believe it or not Headmaster," Remus growled. "Severus has an alibi for the entire night."
"If it can be proven," Dumbledore said emphasizing the 'if'. Around them, the students and teachers picked up their whispering, rumors beginning already. The headmaster stepped up to Severus, almost nose to nose, and held up a note.
Severus waved a hand at Remus when he heard his mate growl about how close the headmaster was to his person. Keeping his face blank, Severus took the note from Dumbledore. He looked to the headmaster and said in a hiss: "You don't honestly expect anyone to believe this?"
"I do believe it shouldn't be too difficult for me to convince others," Dumbledore replied coolly. He took the note back and read it out loud while looking passed Severus to Harry. "'Only I can be your mate. No other can have you'. Its written in the same hand as the last one."
"Dumbledore, I don't know what you're hoping to accomplish, but this whole act is cruel," Remus growled. He shifted Harry more securely in his arms. "Come on Severus, we're leaving. For good."
"You can't remove a student from Hogwarts!" Dumbledore shouted. That would put a kink in his plans if Potter left the school and disappear behind whatever wards Black had hidden him. He really didn't believe that Remus would leave when he knew Black had told them to stay at the school. He had to find a way to keep Harry at school, but have Remus leave the school. He could still use Severus. Malfoy would undoubtedly help him with that, the boy was proving to be more viscous than he originally thought. He needed at least one day to find a way to keep Potter at school. "As headmaster, only I can approve which students are allowed to walk out and even if you petition the Board of Governors, it would take at least a day or two for an answer."
"Fine, so we're stuck here for a day, but don't think I'll be letting Harry to go to class. as acting guardian he will be excused." Remus turned and headed inside finally. Any longer arguing with Dumbledore and he was liable to attack. Thankfully having Harry in his arms curbed those thoughts enough so he had sense to leave. All bets were off after this. He would tell Sirius that they were leaving. Harming a mer as a threat to Harry and then accusing that act on Severus should be more than enough proof to remove Dumbledore.
"You can't keep the boy locked away. What about seeing all of his friends and meals in the Great Hall," the headmaster called after Remus.
"Harry's friends are allowed whenever they wish," Severus said looking at Ron and Hermione. "And elves have brought him food before they will do it again. Consider this my resignation, Headmaster. Good bye."
"But Severus, we need you," Professor McGonagall finally found her voice. Stepping around the dead creature on the ground., trying not to look at it again. "Please, let us figure this out."
"Slughorn has been hanging around every day even though he is only needed twice a week. Use him," Severus sneered. "Don't try to guilt me into staying or trying to placate both myself and the headmaster, thinking it's only a misunderstanding. I will not sit back and allow this kind of disrespect and slander. Now if you will excuse me, I must attend to my mate."
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Severus stormed into their rooms, slamming the door with a muttered curse. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath before speaking to his mates. "I may have just announced to the school that Harry is my mate. Please tell me you've contacted Black by now?"
"Just about to," Remus said. He ran his hand through Harry's hair, soothing his young mate when he let out a whimper when Severus shut the door. His head whipped towards Severus when he processed what all he had said. "May have announced it? How does that happen?"
"I was angry and Minerva was trying to stop me and I said I had to 'attend my mate'." Severus let himself fall onto the sofa at the end of Harry's feet and ran a hand along his legs. "I didn't mention either of your names, but the contents of that note people are going to know I meant at least Harry and will be seen as a possessive murderer."
"You're not!" Harry shouted as he leapt up from the sofa and into Severus' lap. He wrapped his arms around the Veela's neck and pressed his face into his shoulder, hiding his tears. "Why would anyone do that to Firth? He wouldn't hurt anyone. What did I ever do to this person that would make them do this to me? What does the headmaster really want from me? When can we go home?"
"We'll figure this out, Harry. I promise," Severus assured. He tightened his arms across Harry's back and held him close to his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt how tears drip onto his skin from Harry. He looked to Remus on what to do, but he looked just as lost. The Veela lowered his head to Harry's shoulder and a strange urge overcame him, one he had not felt for many years. He sniffed at Harry's neck and brushed his lips across the sensitive skin he found, but it wasn't right yet. Pulling back a little, Severus pulled down the collar of Harry's shirt and followed the line of Harry's shoulder with his lips until he felt that he had found the right spot.
He bit down on the ball of Harry's shoulder, hard enough to draw blood marking the spot. Immediately Harry went limp in his arms with a gasp. Severus held onto Harry as Remus leaned over the two and began going through the same ritual he did. Sniffing around the opposite side of Harry's until he found what would be the right spot. Remus found it as he gave out a low rumble and bit down high at the back of Harry's neck. Their mate stayed limp in their arms, mewing at the pleasure and comfort they gave to him.
When they finally released him, Harry had a smile on his face and eyes closed, basking in the feeling that his mates brought forward. He took a deep breath before speaking: "Was that the mate mark you showed me before?"
"Yes," Severus said. He looked to Remus who was resting his head on his hand watching them both with dark eyes and a smile on his face. "Needing to comfort you was intense enough to cause the urge to mark you. We can use those spots to calm you do or give you great pleasure."
"Do I get to give you one?" Harry asked bashfully as he fingered one of the buttons on Severus' shirt. He felt like he was missing something, but his instincts were still new and young. However, he was sure it was probably this mark.
"If you wish," Severus said with trepidation. He couldn't wait to have Harry's mark on him, but he also didn't want to pressure Harry further than he was ready for. He sat still as Harry ran his hands up and down Severus' chest, then to his arms, the top of his thighs. And then back to his torso. Severus' breath quickened when Harry shyly looked up to him from under his bangs.
"Can it be anywhere?" he asked.
"Wherever feels right to you." Harry nodded and his face pinched in concentration. Suddenly Harry pulled at Severus' shirt, popping loose buttons, to expose the man's chest. He hummed in appreciation as his hands explored more, something guiding him to the right spot. It would be awkward to get to it, so Harry climbed down to rest of his knees in between Severus' legs. He pushed aside the shirt and leaned in, and bit Severus on his right side, holding his position as he felt his bite break the skin.
Harry let go of Severus when he felt Remus run a hand through his hair. He quickly snatched the werewolf's hand and bit into the fleshy part of the thumb, again breaking skin. He kept his hold on Remus as the man pulled his hand back, climbing back onto the sofa sitting across both of his mates' legs. When Remus bent his head down so it was level with his own face, he had a large smile which broke into a laugh when Harry gave a playful growl.
"Oh Harry, full of surprises," Remus said as Harry released his hand. He gathered Harry into his arms and was content to hold his mate as Severus leaned in to give him a kiss.
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Sorry if the ending was crap. I'm not too happy with it myself, but I couldn't seem to make it any better. But I hope you can still enjoy this-Echo Harmony
