It had been one week.
One week since they made the trip to the ministry.
One week since they got the horcrux.
One week since they had to leave Grimmauld.
Harry carded his fingers absentmindedly through Draco's hair, enjoying the quiet sounds of the forest.
It was relaxing really. Before everyone would rise he would sit and listen to the sounds of the undisturbed earth.
The wind blowing through the trees, the slight crunch of the leaves-
Wait.
Harry slid out of bed, careful not to wake his mate, and slipped on his shoes.
He strode outside the tent, eyes peeled for the maker of the disturbance.
"Fuck-!"
He heard a familiar voice snap, and he smiled, marching outside of their protective barrier.
Harry tip-toed right over the boundary, narrowing his eyes at the man limping thorugh the woods.
"Looking for something, Severus?"
The man jumped, startled, and swung around with his wand drawn.
Harry lifted his hands in the universal sign of surrender, eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth.
"Potter!"
"It's Harry. We've discussed this. Now, come on. I'd rather not stay out here unprotected for longer than neccessary."
Severus hobbled over, wordlessly accepting Harrys arm for support.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you find us?"
Severus scoffed.
"I didn't. Rem called me over the mirror last night to give me the location, and I still couldn't find you. I was a good hundred meters off."
Harry smirked.
"You can thank Hermione for that. I think she used nearly every protective, warding, and cloaking spell out there."
"She did well."
"Thank you, proffessor," Hermione's perky voice cut in, the young woman making her presence known, "Though I still should've been on guard. Harry hasn't been letting anyone stay out to keep watch."
Harry scowled.
"There's no point. We have alarms set to tell us if anyone is within twenty meters of our boundary other than us. That's no more warning than we would get if one of us were sitting out on guard. There's no need to lose sleep."
Ron joined the conversation, stepping out in his rumpled pajamas.
"It didn't tell us that the snake was here, now did it?"
"Ron!" Hermione admonished, "Be nice!"
He just shrugged noncommittedly.
Remus snarled from his place behind the burly boy, causing him to jump.
"That's because his magic is keyed in with mine."
"Why?"
Remus pushed the boy out of the way, seeing that he wouldn't move without an outside force.
"The wards recognize my magic in him. A werewolf's mate always has a bit of the werewolf's magic with him, for protection. A small portion of my magical signature is in his blood."
Ron leaned against the wall, unconcernedly.
"But why?"
Harry answered him this time.
"It's a claim. It's so other creatures know that Severus is his mate, and it sometimes wards off predators. You don't want to break any treaty and harm a werewolf's mate, so they are normally left alone."
Remus smiled, looping his arms around said mate and pulling him close.
"Hello, Severus."
He squeezed a moment before stiffening, releasing him quickly to gently push him into a chair.
"Show me your leg."
"Whoa now!" Ron yelled dramatically, "No one wants to see that!"
Hermione snatched out a hand, smacking him none-to-lightly on the back of the head.
"Ouch! 'Mione!"
"Don't 'Mione me. Hush up."
Harry stood, knocking the blidgering idiot out of his path as he made his way to his and Draco's room.
"I'm not getting up," Draco mumbled from his place under the counterpane.
"I'll give you a piggy-back ride."
"Hmmf."
"I'll serve scones and tea for breakfast."
"Mmm, I dunno."
"I'll make chocolate cake."
"Chocolate?"
"Yep," he promised, popping the 'p', "and I'll even let you lick the spoon."
Draco pulled the blanket from his chin, sitting up on his knees.
"Deal."
Harry turned around, holding out his arms to catch Draco's legs as the wrapped around his middle.
"Time for scones and tea?"
"Yes!"
When Harry shuffled in with Draco, they saw Remus rubbing a blue paste onto Severus' calf, Ron making discusted noises beside them.
"Ronald Weasley."
Ron snapped up, looking at Harry with a sheepish expression.
"Yes?"
"Go get the tea for everyone. I'll get the scones and work on calling Kreacher or Dobby."
Severus rose a well defined eyebrow.
"Why have you not called them?"
Hermione sighed, rubbing her eyes wearily.
"We don't know if Kreacher is being watched, and we aren't entirely certain if Dobby is really connected to Harry."
Severus shook his head.
"House elves have a very unique form of magic. Kreacher has probably not even been found, and, if Dobby in loyal to you, he will answer your call."
Harry nodded.
"That's good to know."
Ron set up the tea, go as far as to pour everyones for them.
"How long are you gonna be here?" Ron asked Severus, curling his words in a way that made it clear that he hoped it was a very short amount of time.
"I get to stay the week. The Dark Lord thinks I am at a potions convention in France."
Draco lifted the cup to his lips, scrunching his nose when he caught an odd scent.
Harry reached forward, snatching the cup from his grasp. He handed the tea to Severus, who sniffed it suspiciously.
"Malum vinculum," the potions master whispered.
Ron paled drastically, scooting away from a scarily quiet Harry.
"You gave my Draco a bond breaking potion?" Harry asked, focussing his dark green eyes on the mistaken ginger.
"I only wanted to get rid of the-"
"Enough!" Harry snarled, harshly slamming his palm on the wooden table. The dishes rattled loudly, convincing Hermione to spell them away.
"You gave a very dangerous potion to my mate. This could have killed him! A creature cannot live without his mate! It leads to depression and eventual suicide! You could have killed both of us!"
"I didn't-"
"I don't fucking care!" Harry snapped, the air thick with his magic.
"You attempted to harm my mate. This is unacceptable."
Ron faced his palms outward in a gesture of surrender.
"I'm sorry mate, I just-"
"No," Harry hissed, his voice a deadly calm, "You will leave. I want you and your belongings to vacate the premises. You have one hour. If you are here so much as a second after, I will personally tear you limb from limb."
"Harry-"
"Half an hour."
Ron opened his mouth again to retort, but Harry's glare stopped him. He nodded in defeat, turning on his heel as he went to gather his things.
Draco saddled up behind Harry, massaging his neck gently.
Harry spun sharply, grabbing Draco's hands in each of his own.
"Mine," he hissed.
Draco nodded, moving to rest his head on Harry's shoulder.
Harry lifted him, garning a squeak of protest. He walked them past the boundary, turning on the spot.
They disappeared with a pop, and the others were left to make sure the unwanted Weasley left.
TBC