Lucius, still not taking his eyes off South, said softly "Harry, go to Severus. He's waiting outside. Just go to him and go home."

Harry looked from one to the other, the two men so alike. South, bitterly angry over something, Lucius…glowing with something else.

Harry licked his dry lips. "Lucius…" he said, pleadingly, aware that he was using his first name for the first time, suddenly noticing how right it felt on his tongue. Lucius turned his head, met Harry's eyes for the first time and the Boy Who Lived was rocked with emotion. He nearly went to him; nearly kissed him right there, in front of his young doppelganger but Lucius looked away again with an effort, and looked back at South.

"Come Harry," Sirius gestured him, taking his arm and steering him out. Harry tried to speak but choked on his words. His peace with South had been shattered as the clock showed a new time, one that had had him standing up from his seat in almost alarm. He could feel the others, feel where they were. He felt them coming and gasped as they Apparated.

South had seemed to know what he was doing when he stood, and pushed him back in his chair, speaking to him. "Calm down. They come." His voice shook, face lit with nervous anticipation.

Then the door had opened and Harry'd taken the time to reflect on just how alike South and Lucius looked before he stood, before his heart thudded in his chest. All the nerves and issues he'd had, all the thoughts of how wrong it was were still there, still screaming, but on top of that a baser instinct told him to go to the man, let Lucius protect him.

"I don't need protecting." He muttered rebelliously as Sirius hurried him away.

Back in their house, walking up the long driveway Harry broke away from the others. It was either that or risk himself losing control. Tears threatened as he entered the lounge room and found Sirius blocking his way. "Where are you going Harry?"

Harry stared at him desperately.

Severus entered the room, wielding his silver cane. His voice came roughly.

"Don't worry Mr Potter. Hormones. I was 17 once myself. If you are not bonded to all of us, that does not mean we will kick you out, or we will hurt you."

His voice pierced the hearts of every man in the room, even Lucius, who appeared last, and seemed confused and displeased.

Harry turned to Severus. He looked around at every man in the room, the wildly unkempt Sirius, quiet, soulful Remus, Lucius who was usually so reserved and now so disheveled. And Severus, whose biting tone hid the rejection he felt.

"But I…I love you." tears fell down his cheeks. "And I shouldn't, its, its wrong. You've been so good to me, and you and Remus are my teachers, and Sirius is my godfather…and Lucius…you are Lucius Malfoy, I'm just, just Harry."

"Just Harry? I don't think so." Lucius replied, still looking slightly shaken.

"So you do?" Severus interrupted. "You feel it?"

"I, what? Feel what?"

"Come here." Severus gestured.

"What?"

"I'm blind Harry I need you to come to me." Severus snapped. Then he softened his tone. "And I'm embarrassed enough as it is without missing you and making contact with an umbrella stand or those ridiculous vases' Lucius likes."

Harry stepped forward, tear tracks still on his cheeks.

And he was swept up in a kiss.

And it was just as he had dreamed.

Long, slender, delicate fingers ghosting over his body, gently stroking his neck, his arms.

Heat pouring out of his mouth, Severus's cold lips making him shiver deep inside, made him moan. Then he remembered the others. He pulled back, cheeks stained red. Severus wore a satisfied smirk.

"The boy's good." He commented.

Lucius and Sirius laughed softly. Remus smiled gently at Harry, and under the boy's confused gaze came forward himself, kissing Severus deeply. The Potions Master didn't seem to mind, biting the werewolf's lip.

Harry stepped out of the way, or tried to, but Remus grabbed his shoulder. One hand traced his collarbone.

"Can't we…?" Harry trailed off, not even sure what he wanted to ask.

Lucius and Sirius laughed.

"We are supposed to be the headstrong ones," Sirius gestured at Lucius and himself.

"Is this- I mean, are we…do you feel about me like I feel about all of you?" Harry asked at last, determined to know, no matter the cost. If they rejected him, he would leave. He was always welcome at the Weasley's.

Remus, Severus, Lucius and Sirius stood around him. "Happy Birthday Harry." Remus said softly. "I love you."

"I love you" Sirius said eagerly. "I know I was your godfather, but I think, I know James would understand."

"Was?" Harry said.

"Well," Sirius looked sheepish. "If you'll have me, the bond is broken and a new one forms. It is the way of our world."

Lucius raked his eyes over Harry, enjoying his new freedom to do so. "You know how I feel, Harry Potter." He smirked. "I love you."

Severus's dead eyes glittered with emotion. "I wish I could see your face Potter, as I'm sure it must be quite entertaining. I love you also."

"I love you. All of you." Harry choked.

"The only shame is my more conservative husbands would disapprove of us celebrating your coming of age forthwith," Lucius continued, as Harry blushed and grinned, feeling somehow that it wouldn't be such a bad way to spend the evening.

"And of course, we'll have to find a way to fit us all in one room."

At that, Sirius laughed. "I think we should give Harry his present's now- me last."

"Did you eat?" Remus asked anxiously. "We wished for you to have the perfect birthday, but after what's happened, I don't know."

Harry shook his head, and shyly took Remus' hand.

"But this is perfect. This is all I wanted. And yes, South and I ate together."

"His name is South?" Lucius asked sharply.

"He wouldn't tell me his name, so I named him for his accent."

Sirius started to ask a question but Lucius cut him off. "I don't wish to talk about that now, let's just enjoy the rest of our evening."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

The lounge room was lit by candles. Harry sat on the floor, leaning against Remus's legs. Lucius and Severus sat beside Remus, whilst Sirius handed Harry his presents.

'Harry, from Remus.'

Harry gazed rapturously at the book, bound in dragonhide and the words traced in elegant serifs.

Animagus, by Severus Julii. He hugged the thin DADA teacher, feeling the man's heartbeat against his chest. Severus' was next, "No hug necessary Potter."

Another book, Harry opened it and was greeted with a young girls face. She grinned from photographs, of her on the grass outside the Great Hall, reading by the lake, even one of her coaxing another figure into the photograph.

He stared at her, uncomprehending, hearing the quick intake of breath from his curious audience.

Then he noticed the colour of her hair.

Severus had his head down, he spoke quietly, the acid gone from his voice. "Lilly and I were friends from first year, and though we had our differences when she started dating James, we remained friends. These are from our first year at Hogwarts until our fifth. I can't see them anymore, so there was no point my keeping them."

Harry stared at the photos again. Lilly had finally persuaded her companion into the shot where he stood rigid, a frown on his face. His hair was long and lanky and his complexion pale.

"Thanks." Harry said thickly, swallowing tears.

"This may prove somewhat anticlimactic," Lucius said, handing over a small object, "but nevertheless is something you sorely needed."

Harry took the object with a confused smile and checked it over. It was a wardrobe about the scale of a dollhouse. Catching on at last he put it down on the floor where it sprang up again, full size. Harry opened the doors to reveal racks and racks of clothing. Harry laughed and pulled out a black dragonhide jacket. "Cool."

Collared shirts and formal robes up the back, and array of shoes and shirts and trousers and jeans… "Lucius this is too much." Harry said, liking the way the older man's name slid over his tongue. Lucius tilted his head. "It's mostly for me anyway- I like my men to be well dressed." He said condescendingly. Harry laughed and bowed his head in thought for a moment. He raised his head, a teasing grin on his face that brought a swift intake of breath from the usually composed Malfoy. "However can I thank you?" Harry teased softly.

"I can think of a few ways." Lucius growled.

"Which brings me to my gift." Sirius cut in, eyes dancing. When all eyes were on him he led the way upstairs. At the top of the stairs and off to the right was a new door. Harry frowned at it thoughtfully, surely that wasn't always there? Surely my bedroom is next to Sirius', without a door in between?

Sirius through open the door dramatically. Harry looked in. A room, with a large bed; giant window's overlooking the fields…it was nice.

Remus, who followed him in, seemed to think it was hilarious. He laughed, shaking his head, and then wrapped Sirius in a hug. "Idiot Padfoot." He smiled.

Severus examined it with his fingers. Concentrating, he turned around. "That's a pretty good spell, for a mutt like yourself." He sneered. Sirius grinned.

"Do you like it Harry?"

Harry nodded, although part of him wondered why Sirius bought him a bed when he already had one.

"This is rather special though, it will fit no matter how many bodies crash into it."

Harry grinned, and decided to thank Sirius, in his own special way.

He stood as tall as he could, then went for it.

Sirius gasped into his mouth, face alight with surprise and pleasure.

"I love you Harry Potter."

It is night. I lie in the middle of Lucius and Severus, hearing their steady breathing. Severus moves in his sleep, and his hand, which was clasped in mine, is now on my chest. It is a comforting weight. Lucius sleeps silently and moves little, surprising considering how agile he is when awake. His arm around my shoulders makes me warm and makes me shiver. A paradox.

Rain strikes the window, runs in sheets down the glass. It sounds different, lying here surrounded by my family, than it did sleeping under the stairs with the Dursely's. Dudley could always be counted on to kick the door in passing. I guess I don't have to worry about ever going back there…

Remus and Sirius are entangled on Severus' other side. Sirius is practically using Remus as a mattress, although he doesn't seem to mind. Maybe it's how they slept at Hogwarts, with my father and Wormtail trying not to hear any noises they made. My mind drifts.

Ron and Hermione are probably at their families right now, or, if they finally got their act together, Hermione might be at the Burrow. I hope so. I want them to be happy.

I looked back, once before I left South standing there. Such a strange kidnapper, friendly, yet guarded, threatening, but somehow exuding an air of powerful restraint. He looked so angry, and Lucius so lost. Whatever happened next I don't know but I guess some day I'll ask. I wonder what South would think of this setting? Somehow I don't think he'd approve.

But then, who in the world would approve of this setting? I know from my studies it's not wrong, just unusual to have this many partners. Trust the Boy Who Lived to make things complicated.

It hurts a little, the first time, but felt so good at the same time I'd do it again even if it hurt every time. All of them are so concerned not to hurt me or rush me, but I'm a teenage boy for crying out loud! I love them for it, but I'm not worried. This is how it's supposed to be. I didn't know it before because it just seemed too impossible, it seemed like I was just being greedy, wanting everyone to love. But they do. And I do. However the world goes, whatever it does, whoever rises to take Voldemort's mantle, I'll be ready. Because they'll be by my side.

The End,

I am so unbelievably tired at the moment. This was actually only meant to be the penultimate chapter, but it just seems right to end it here.

Review, please. I've sunk so low I'm actually going to ask.