It was the day that Harry was to leave for school with Lucius. Draco had decided to stay behind with his godfather and return to school the day before classes started. Harry had wished he'd come but he understood. The morning of their departure found Harry having a heart to hear with his dads.

Sirius took him by the arms as he had come into the room. "You know Albus is trying to find a way out of this for you Harry. You don't need to go through this."

Remus stopped his fiancé. "Being an apprentice is an honourable thing Sirius, even if you don't approve of his master. Harry has not shown any desire to get out."

Harry nodded when Sirius turned to him. "I have agreed to this Sirius. I mean it's not much different then being a student. I'll just have to live with him all year."

"And Harry will gain a lot of extra training and skill, if he wants to become an auror or anything else." Remus reminded Sirius.

"But you know that a master has the right to beat his apprentice if he doesn't do what he is told." Sirius pointed out, not wanting to scare Harry but it needed to be said.

Remus shook his head. "That is a very old tradition and you know Lucius wouldn't be crazy enough to lay a hand on Harry at school."

"My dad wouldn't hurt Harry if only for my sake." Draco's voice came from the door. "He knows how much Harry's friendship means to me."

Harry turned to hug Draco. "It means a lot to me to Draco and I hope it continues at school. I know lions and snakes usually don't get along but I'd like too."

Draco laughed. "You're going to be living in the dungeons with dad and while you're officially a lion, I think I can over look that if you can over look I'm a snake."

Sirius and Remus watched on for a few moments as their adopted son laughed with his new found friend. They found comfort in his friendship with Draco and even Sirius found himself believing what Draco had said. Even if only for the sake of his son, Lucius would keep his hands off of their son.

Remus came over to Harry. "We're to be married the last weekend in September. Professor Dumbledore has said that we can take you for the weekend."

Harry looked towards Draco. "What about Lucius? Is he going to allow me to leave the school?"

Lucius had come into the room to find out what was keeping him. "I will. You will be allowed to take off for two days to attend your fathers' wedding."

Harry left out a sigh of relief. "Thank you sir. I assume that it is time for us to be leaving for school."

Lucius nodded. "The Knight Bus will be arriving soon to take us to school. I have your trunk shrunk with mine and in my pocket."

Harry turned back for one last hug from his two fathers. Suddenly now that the moment had come he would have to leave he was petrified. Lucius had been gentle with him lately but when they were alone day and night, he wondered if things would soon change.

Draco was hugging his dad. "I'm going to miss you father."

Lucius kissed the top of his head. "You know you can return back to school with me and Harry. You can stay in our apartments until your classmates return."

Draco shook his head. "I think it would be better if I stay here with Uncle Sev and Harry had a chance to settle in as your apprentice. It's only two weeks after all."

Lucius nodded. "You're right it is only two weeks but if you need me you know your Uncle Sev will bring you to school. Just say the word Draco."

Harry watched the byplay between father and son and for a moment he was reminded of the human side of his master. Lucius did have some good sides to him including his obvious love for his only son. Now he wasn't a spy he was able to show it more and since Narcissa's death Lucius had done his best to be there for his son when ever he could be.

Lucius turned to Harry. "Come along. We wouldn't want to miss the bus."

Harry quickly hugged his dads and Draco one last time. "Bye. I guess I'll see you guys soon."

Lucius didn't say much to him as they left the manor and headed for the Knight Bus which pulled up moments later. Harry sat down in the chair he had been directed into and stared uncomfortably out the window not knowing what to expect when they returned to school.

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Lucius watched Harry as he sat staring out the window of the bus. Harry had not spoken since they had left the manor. He wanted to say something to Harry but he didn't think right now there was much he could say to make Harry feel better. He had thought of taking them to Diagon alley before school but Albus had insisted on meeting with Harry that morning and their trip for supplies would have to wait for a few days.

As they got off the bus and headed towards the castle Lucius turned to him. "The headmaster has requested our presence. He wishes to speak to you about this."

Harry turned to him slightly as Lucius called a house elf to take their trunks home. "What is there to speak of sir?"

Lucius sighed. "Try to work on calling me sir, Harry. But I think he is concerned I forced you into this and he is going to look for a loop hole for you."

Harry remembered what his dads had mentioned. "But there is no way out for him to find is there."

Lucius shook his head. "There is for the apprentice contract as your guardians were not present but for our other contract, no."

Harry went pale. "So what do we do?"

Lucius took his arm. "You're going to have to convince him you want to remain my apprentice or I will be forced to reveal the other side of this arrangement."

Harry felt Lucius' hand go to the spot above his right nipple where they both knew one of the brands had been placed. He shuddered at the memory of when it was placed there and for a moment tears came to his eyes.

Lucius gently brushed them away. "I know you don't want them shown Harry so please just work with me here and convince Albus you want this."

Harry slowly nodded his head. "I will do anything to stop this being known."

Lucius led Harry by the arm the rest of the way to the castle and up towards the headmaster's office. He hoped one day Harry would be willing to be known as his lover and perhaps more but he understood Harry's fear of the second agreement coming out. They were both surprised to find Albus not alone.

Albus motioned for Harry to sit. "This is Minister Ford from social services. I have had him go over the contracts Harry and I think I have found a way out for you."

Harry looked surprised at the man. "A way out sir? I don't understand why this would be a matter for social services. I have agreed to become his apprentice."

Ford spoke. "Often young people feel pressured into doing something by an older man. Out of fear. It is why a father or guardian's signature is required on contracts."

Harry looked at Lucius for a moment. "So you're saying since neither of my fathers signed the contract, that you'll free me from this?"

Albus nodded. "Harry, I know you must have been scared or intimidated into agreeing to this and we'll free you and return you back to your normal studies and life."

Harry shook his head. "You can't. I mean I don't want to be. I have agreed to be his apprentice and I am not seeking a way out of this."

Mr. Ford spoke up. "You had no right Harry without your father's permission to enter into this contract and it will be broken. You are a minor."

Lucius spoke. "I'm sorry Harry. I didn't mean to do this to you. Albus you can't take him from me. He has entered into an Erastes commitment with me until he graduates and even Mr Ford can't get him out of that,"

Albus looked at Harry who nodded slowly. Albus looked at the papers which Lucius had thrown him. "Ford, there must be some way out of this for Harry."

Ford looked at Harry. "The only way he could leave it would be if he has not yet taken the brands of his master. If he is branded unfortunately there is no way out."

Lucius pulled Harry to his feet and after an apologetic look and slight kiss to Harry, he vanished all of Harry's clothes save for his boxers which he turned to briefs and made Harry shift position so all three of his tattoo like brands could be seen properly by the other men. When they were inspected Harry's clothes were returned but the damage had been done.

Albus looked at Harry who was in tears and his head hung. "I'm sorry Harry. I wish I could have protected you from that. There is nothing to be done for you now."

The minister had left and Lucius looked at Albus. "I promised that part would remain secret unless necessary. I assume you will keep your tongue on it Albus."

Albus agreed. "I would not have Harry hurt any more then he already is. I apologize Harry again for putting you through that."

Lucius collected the paper work from the headmaster and he took their leave for them and directed Harry out of the office and down through the school. He felt so bad for what he had just put Harry through. He had hoped for Harry's sake that no one needs to know the truth

"Parselmouth." Lucius told the painting of a great king cobra that was the entrance into their apartments and led Harry inside.

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Harry had not spoken or registered much since he had been undressed in front of the headmaster. He looked around a bit as they entered. A sitting room with three walls of book cases, a picture of Malfoy manor above the fireplace and furniture in green and silver. The furniture was far more ornate then a usual teacher's rooms he suspected and came from the manor likely. Lucius directed him past a bathroom to a bedroom where he found his things had been unpacked and while there was a bed there, he knew it to be only for show.

Lucius led him back into the sitting room. "I'm sorry Harry that I had to do that. You know I didn't want to tell Albus unless it was necessary for us to do so."

Harry didn't look up at him, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I know."

Lucius lifted his head to look into his eyes and gently wiped away his tears. "I'll keep my promise Harry. No one else will know. You're nothing but my apprentice."

Lucius walked over to the fine ornate cabinet and Harry realized he was pouring some kind of alcohol and when he came back he handed Harry a small tumbler of an unknown alcohol. Harry drank it down though he gasped at the burning sensation as it went down.

Lucius took the glasses and helped Harry to his feet and led him into the bedroom they would share, dominated by a massive canopy bed. He began to undress Harry but Harry shook his head. "No."

Lucius gently kissed him. "Lay down Harry. You need some sleep."

Harry allowed himself to be helped under the blankets. "What?'

Lucius brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. "I slipped a sleeping draught into your alcohol Harry. You need some rest after what you just went through."

Harry knew there was no point protesting as he felt the potion already taking effect on his body. As his eyes slowly closed he managed. "Thanks."

Lucius leaned over and kissed Harry on the brow as his lover fell into a deep sleep. He had never intended anyone to know and it broke his heart to see the pain in Harry's eyes as he had been forced to show off his brands. It wasn't how he had hoped to spend their first day they could be together, but Harry was upset and he needed the rest right now. There was time enough for the rest later.