On to chapter three...Oh and by the way this story is actually relatively short so don't expect something huge and long k? I have plenty more stories that I'm working on right now and my focus is to just get them done. Some of them are loooooong so it's taking a while but I don't want to start posting until they're finished. At any rate thank you to those who are reviewing I'm glad to see that you like it! Well I'm off to write some more- enjoy your reading!

Mistress Slytherin

WARNINGS

CREATURE INHERITANCE AND FORCED CHANGE

CREATURES WILL HAVE MATES

CREATURES WILL AT TIMES HAVE MENTALITIES OF CREATURES

HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP (BUT NOTHING TOO SEXUAL..IT JUST GETS STEAMY)

IF YOU DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ, I DON'T NEED TO HEAR ABOUT IT

FORGIVE SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS-(ITS THREE IN THE BLOODY MORNING AND I CAN'T SPELL PAST MIDNIGHT)

BLOOD AND CORE- MOSTLY JUST MATES HUNTING FOR EACH OTHER BUT A BIT OF GORE AT THE START

SEVERUS EATS ANIMAL HEARTS- LITERALLY (JUST SKIP THAT PART IF IT MAKES YOU SQUEAMISH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME)

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Well, I hope that warns you well enough, if you have questions send me a message if not, I hope you enjoy it!

REVIEW PLEASE!

Mistress Slytheirn

Chapter 3

Large brown eyes stared up at him, full pink lips were drawn into a silent scream, the boy was small for his age but at eleven Harry knew that he had seen enough horror to last a lifetime. 'Why?' The boy mouthed when Harry approached. He couldn't help this child and he knew it, there was too much damage, both legs were gone- blown off, and his left side was charred beyond recognition. The boy was too young to know what death even meant but the child's good hand reached out desperately and Harry sank down beside him. There were others that he could help that needed his help, but this child wouldn't make it and this child was terrified, and this child, a boy he had never met before was so relieved not to be alone in his last moments that it ached to watch. Perhaps it was instinct but the child without knowing what death meant or the finality or theory surrounding it knew on some primal level that he was dieing.

Harry stayed until the light died in brown eyes and the pained pinch of the boy's gasping lips relaxed.

This child had done nothing to deserve his fate.

"Hush…Hush my mate I'm here."

Harry turned and faced the wounded children; they looked up at him in agony and pleading…

"Harry!"

Their blood was staining his hands, dripping, slick and warm, it never ended, the copper smell of it mixed with the tang of ashes-

"My mate!"

Harry snapped awake at the growl and gasped as a sob escaped him. Strong arms surrounded him held him tightly and rocked him. "Cry Harry, go on, let it out, weep but take comfort in my arms." Snape whispered directly into his ear. Harry didn't know how long he'd been asleep and he didn't know how to stop crying. His hands were gripping the folds of Snape's robes and he was sobbing inconsolably.

"I need to see them, the children." He rasped. And suddenly he was being lifted as though he was little more than a rag doll.

"Of course." Snape said before suddenly they were striding out of the dimly lit room. Harry calmed slightly as the cool air brushed his cheeks, Snape's quick strides and steady heartbeat lulling some of the sorrow and fear. Harry was shaking though and that just wouldn't stop. When he looked down at his hands he found that he felt ill. He buried his face in the fragrant black robes and tried to rid himself of the smell of blood and pain. Snape's free hand reached around and began stroking from the back of his head down his neck and to the point between his shoulder blades. It was soothing, calming and he knew nothing could hurt him there.

"Severus what-" Snape brushed past the nurse and Harry could hear the sounds of those children crying in remembered fear.

"Lights, they need lights." Harry said softly. Immediately the lights came on and a dozen pairs of damp haunted eyes turned towards them. Harry let out a small keen and Snape let him down gently. Immediately the children that could were rushing across the room gathered into his arms.

"How long have they been like this?" Snape asked softly behind them.

"For an hour at least, it's to be expected the poor dears, Albus put their parents in the eastern wing but some of them, well, their parents wouldn't come. It's a right shame neglecting their children out of fear of their magic!" The nurse said shaking her head. Harry frowned and held those children tighter anger rising inside of him.

"Oh no, Harry you cannot imprint on all of them!" Snape said sharply. Harry let out a hiss but dark eyes narrowed. "We will find them safe places, we will find them homes together, but you cannot imprint on them." Snape said booking no argument. Harry wasn't having that though.

"Send them off then? Who will organize that? The headmaster? Do you know where he sent me?" Harry growled. "How many children has he left behind?!" He snarled his voice coming out like a screech as his wings sprang from his back.

"I will arrange for them to be taken into good homes Harry." His mate said calmly. Harry stared hard at his mate.

"You will?" He said softly. He should trust his mate, his instincts were screaming at him to do just that.

"I will." The man said with a nod. Harry relaxed slightly and his hold around the children loosed.

"Sleep, sleep little ones no one will hurt you here." Harry said his eyes glazed over slightly.

"Severus?" The nurse said hesitantly.

"He's come into his inheritance, he'll be a slave to this side of him for some time I'm afraid." Severus said catching Harry in his arms when Harry crossed the room and sank into him.

"Comfort them." Harry pleaded softly. Severus sighed and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

"Very well my mate." He said softly before holding out his arms. A wave of pure calm washed over the room and Harry sighed as the faint echo of the sea slipped through him. "Elf!" his mate required. "Some warm milk with honey and lavender." He demanded. "And a tray of sweets." He added his hand settling on the back of his head. Harry purred happily and leaned into his mate. The sound of distant singing added to the lulling effect and he sighed as he was lifted and settled in his mate's lap curling close to him.

"Thank you." Harry whispered nuzzling closer to the man. "Can't let them be hurt." He murmured.

"I know Harry I know, here." Harry accepted the warm mug and drank slowly from the soothing brew accepting a few sweets as they were handed to him. Snape didn't release him the entire time his hands soothing him while the sound of safety and security lulled the children into a peaceful sleep.

"The Drake have always impressed me with their ability to sing." The headmaster said softly.

"My kind are so few any more it's a wonder you were privileged enough to hear them before." Severus said softly before pulling the mug from Harry's relaxing fingers.

"Your mother was once one of my students, she was quite apt at calming the first years I remember." The headmaster said quietly.

"Harry said something." Severus said clutching his little mate closer. "Something that distresses me." He said his dark eyes flashing towards him. The headmaster nodded slowly.

"I heard. He doesn't trust me and I don't blame him. His assessment of me is quite correct, I sometimes forget that people are more than just figures in my mind; with each year that passes without my mate I find the world to be such a distant place. People, humans, they really have no meaning to me any more, I regret that now though."

"Because you've imprinted on Harry?" Severus said knowingly. The headmaster nodded slowly not bothering to hide his shame.

"He is my child and I sent him to that place with those muggles…" He grit his teeth and Severus was treated to a rare moment in which the man's true nature showed through.

"He's grounded you, even without your mate you can continue because of Harry, a fitting punishment I think after all that you've done to him." Severus said rubbing the small back idly.

"Oh pointing fingers are we Severus? Should I remind you who it was sought to torment Harry since the very day he entered Hogwarts?" The headmaster said softly. Severus frowned.

"What do you want headmaster, Harry is far too distressed to be bothered by this right now." He said softly.

"I felt his distress, I merely came to check on him." The headmaster said softly. "And to tell you that I am entrusting him into your care." He said wistfully. Severus frowned and turned to the man curiously.

"Oh?" He said suspiciously as he noted the dewy eyes.

"I intend to finish this war myself Severus and I doubt that I will make it out alive. Harry will need you." Severus let out a low growl.

"You would imprint on him and then leave him when he needs you most?" He hissed.

"I would protect my child from a fate worse than death!" The headmaster said his eyes flashing. "I owe him this and more I know that now!" He growled. Severus narrowed his eyes carefully.

"You aren't a dominant at all…you're a bearer, a submissive." He said relaxing. The headmaster's lips were thin and pursed as he nodded sharply.

"My mate is gone and I am without children, Harry is all I have left and I almost ruined him, I had planned on dying before this war was out anyway, but now I am certain of it, I will not let Tom touch my child even if it destroys me." He said sharply. Severus stared at the man for a long while.

"I still think that you are making a grave mistake." Severus said softly. "He may never forgive you for this." He added hoping to sway the man.

"He doesn't have to." The headmaster said. "I will be freeing Lucius tomorrow; Harry will need a father figure." He said softly.

"And you would choose Lucius?" Severus said raising his eyebrows.

"Lucius is many things, but he is above all a father and a brother figure to you, he will take care of Harry his instincts would demand it of him." The headmaster said with a firm nod.

"Of course, I was simply surprised that you would allow someone as dark as Lucius anywhere near your precious golden boy." Severus said with a slight sneer.

"Harry isn't the same any more, he was never entirely light but what was done to him made certain that he could never truly be light again, he will need Lucius, and he will need you, I have little hold in his life any longer, I have already failed him long before he was changed. Please Severus swear to me that you will take care of him?" The headmaster said softly. Severus let out a small growl and pulled his mate's form closer.

"Of course I will you daft old man!" He snarled. The headmaster smiled faintly.

"Thank you Severus, I merely needed to know." He said before ducking his head in a clearly submissive gesture. "Good night Severus." He added. Dark eyes watched him leave the infirmary cool with calculation.

"He wants to die." Harry said softly startling him. Green eyes were wet and it was obvious that Harry had been weeping for a while. "Without his mate he's miserable, I understand." He said wiping his tears miserably.

"That doesn't change that you will miss him though does it?" Severus said comforting his mate gently. Harry sniffled.

"No." Harry said before breaking down softly. Severus sighed and held his mate closer still. "My poor mate, you've seen so much suffering, perhaps it's time we were away from all of this hmm?" he mused idly.

#$% #$% #$%

Harry woke swiftly his chest panting his eyes darting around until they landed on the source of his need. Mate. That was all his mind registered. Before he could think anything more his instincts were dragging him forward squirming slightly out of the tight hold. His mate let out a small rumbling sound and dark eyes cracked open slowly. Harry was too focused though, he was starving and suddenly he was leaning forward pressing his mouth to his mate's jugular and suckling lightly. His mate's breath caught and he tilted his head slightly strong arms coming around to support and encourage him. There was a stinging ache in his mouth and then before he could think about it he was biting down on the pale skin and causing them both to moan. Mate…Mate…he needed his mate…needed to be claimed! Did his mate not want him?! He let out a small whimper as he drank deeply and his mate let out a satisfied rumble hands reaching up and threading through his hair. The rest of his mate was rigid though, and he felt himself withdraw at that. He was still hungry, but something was not right, he licked his lips and let out a small mewling sound. Dark eyes glittered and suddenly his mate rolled over pinning him to the bed and letting out a small growl. He didn't understand, why was his mate- oh! He saw the sharp teeth and didn't hesitate to tilt his own neck back in silent offer. The pale face bent forward and nuzzled his neck for a moment before biting down causing Harry to gasp as delicious feelings washed through him. His mate was claiming him! His mate wanted him! He keened and arched into the larger body feeling the skin in his neck break under the sharp teeth. His mate didn't need the nutrients, but his mate would want his blood anyway- His mate backed off with a snarl and he blinked up at him in confusion. Dark eyes glittered down at him burning him teeth bared.

"You've been claimed before!" His mate hissed. Harry was far beyond speaking, he didn't understand, he felt only his mate's disgust and anger. Suddenly his mate was climbing off of him and stalking out of the room slamming the door after him. Harry knew only one thing then- desolation, absolute desolation.

His mate found him disgusting.

Harry felt the shift begin to happen, felt his back itch and his nails and his teeth ache. He felt the darkness surround him, familiar, cool, welcoming.

#$% #$% #$%

"What exactly do you mean Severus?" Albus said his lips pinched. The potions master winced.

"I mean that I reacted without thought, he woke me in the middle of the night and I was Draken as a man I know what happened and I know that Harry had no fault in it, but my Draken felt betrayed. I marked him as my mate but then realized that there had been a mark previously, my Draken couldn't accept it. I spent the majority of last night trying to find the creature that had dared mark what is mine and it wasn't until I found the place he'd been destroyed that my Draken allowed me to calm enough to return to being human. By the time I returned to my quarters Harry had already made a full transformation, I found him under the bed and now he won't come out." He said ending in a growl.

"I should think not!" Albus said his eyes flashing as he stood. Severus winced.

"I couldn't control it!" He hissed.

"You are the dominant mate in this, how do you expect him to react when you can't even control yourself! Harry has been hurt! Every adult he's ever trusted has betrayed him in one way or another and now his own mate!"

"I would never hurt him!" Severus snarled his eyes flashing in challenge.

"But Severus you did. You hurt your mate." Albus said coldly. Severus' shoulders shrank down and he curled into himself slightly. "He fears you Severus." The man said without mercy. "Your mate fears you." He added with a final blow before sweeping out of his office leaving Severus to stand there in shame.

"He's upset because his child is upset Severus." Lucius said from where he sat, he was thin and drawn his eyes dull and tired.

"He was right though." Severus said with a wince. Lucius smiled a small faint smile.

"In a way I suppose, but I have the distinct feeling that there is more to it then that, you're Draken and your mate is in a state of transition. You are trying to give him everything that you can but you don't fully understand what he needs. You always did have a problem accepting that side of you." Lucius said his gaze distant. Severus grit his teeth as much as he needed to take care of Harry he could see that Lucius was suffering as well.

"Any news on Narcissa?" Severus said softly. Lucius' face fell.

"The dark lord knows what I am Severus, it's only a matter of time before he tries to use that against me, I'm barricaded from my own home and I don't know how much more of this I can take." He said darkly.

"I'm sorry Lucius." He offered softly. The man shook his head.

"I made my mistake years ago Severus, it's only fitting that I pay for it. I'm sorry I can't be more help to you and your mate." He said grimly. Severus shook his head.

"Draco-"

"Will be safe as long as he has you and your mate to look after him. I wish I could be more a safety than a danger to him right now, but I can't." Lucius said sadly.

"I hope you find her Lucius." Severus said sadly. Lucius nodded stiffly.

"I hope so too Severus." He rasped.

#$% #$%#$%

"Harry?" Fred and George couldn't believe what they were doing. Silver flashed in the darkness at the sound of Fred's soothing tone.

"Hey there little brother." George said crawling forward slightly. Snape was behind them lips white and eyes flashing and body tense ready to snap at them at any given moment. Harry let out a small mewling sound and George sighed slightly.

"We won't hurt you Harry you know that." He soothed holding out a hand. There was a low purr and a pink tongue darted out licking his hand before the dark head retreated.

"I think he's a cat whatever he is." Fred mused with a frown. Snape let out a low growl and Harry retreated further under the bed.

"Not helping Snape." George said blandly. Severus snarled this time and the twins exchanged glances before nodding knowingly.

"He needs Ron." They said unanimously.

"And you can't retrieve him because…?" Severus said in a dangerous purr. Fred and George exchanged looks.

"We're submissive." They said at the same time.

"Ah, so I was correct in assuming there is creature blood in your family?" The headmaster said nodding easily.

"Most of us-"

"-not Percy though-"

"-he's dormant."

They said alternatively.

"May I ask what creature?" The headmaster said. The twins exchanged a glance.

"Sprite." They said at the same time.

"Explains the mischievousness." Severus said dryly. The headmaster chuckled.

"Very well I will retrieve Ronald, I doubt any one else could convince Poppy to allow him to leave his bed yet." The headmaster said lightly before turning and leaving the room.

"So." George said leaning against the side of the bed leisurely.

"You're Harry's-" Fred started.

"-mate huh professor?" George finished.

"Quite." Severus said sharply. The twins glanced at each other.

"We aren't challenging-"

"-you sir." They said.

"But Harry-"

"-is part of the-"

"-family, you see."

"And we-"

"-can be quite-"

"-dangerous you see-"

"-Freddy and I-"

"-are Gemini-"

"-Ginny has two power cores-"

"-Bill-"

"-is a dominant and works for-"

"-the unspeakables-"

"-Charlie-"

"-you don't want to mess with Charlie-"

"-He's part siren too-"

"-and controls the dragons-"

"-he's also dominant-"

"And Ron…" They chorused with small smirks.

"He's come into his inheritance early this summer." George said softly.

"He's the reincarnation of the elm king." Fred offered.

"And also Dominant." They said with twin nods.

"Is that a threat?" Severus purred softly. The twins glanced at each other.

"A promise." They chorused. Severus barred his teeth at them but before he could say anything more there was a pale and bright orange blur as Ron Weasley strode past him in blue striped pajamas looking for all the world a vengeful king. Blue eyes turned towards him and there was a spark of magic in the air. Severus relaxed slightly. He'd been worried that Weasley would try to contest his claim, but the young man had a bond with Harry that transcended that- he was brother, there was no fooling him, protector and friend nothing more, he could smell it. Ron sneered slightly at him making him bristle but in an instant Ron was crouched on the floor by the bed. Fred and George relaxed completely and backed away slowly watching from where they were crouched together as Ron held out his hand a small round cake sitting atop it.

"Basic rules of nature." He said softly. "Our instinct is to trust those who feed and take care of us." He said watching as a small feline head darted out and snatched the sweet. Ron placed another on his hand and held it out. Harry purred loudly and carefully began to slip out of his hiding place pressing his face into Ron's hand before creeping out completely so that he could circle Ron.

"He's a cat?" Fred said tilting his head to the side.

"Jaguar." Severus defended tightly.

"With wings." Said George nodding at the folded appendages.

"And horns." Said Fred who crouched carefully closer to Harry who watched him with curious eyes. Thick curled horns like that of a ram were pressed flat against the top of his head curling around like a conch shell.

"And scales." Ron said with a wince. "Merlin mate when you do something you don't do it half way!" He said in amusement.

"He's my mate!" Severus growled having had enough of these people touching his mate. Harry shrank back and let out a small whimpering sound. Severus was drawn to green eyes and he felt the creature inside him stir. Harry was his, it didn't matter that some idiot had tried to take his mate, the man was gone, he'd made sure of it- he'd pressed his face to the charred ground and smelt the ashes. But this meant that his mate would be hurt, losing a mate even if it wasn't his mate would have hurt Harry horribly. Before he could help it an odd sound escaped him that wasn't human in the least. The feline head lifted slightly and cocked to the side all fear gone from its form though there was some hesitation. He could hear the other's commenting but he didn't give a damn about them he wanted his mate safe in his arms. "Harry." He rasped opening his arms just as the elegant feline took off with a graceful lurch sinking into his arms shifting until he fit properly against him returned to his human form.

"Please, please I'm sorry! I couldn't help it! He knocked me out, I can't remember anything just pain, and then when I woke up I ran I didn't stop running!" He was shaking and Severus felt his heart squeeze as he cradled Harry closer. "I didn't want it I didn't want any of it please! Don't hate me, don't leave me, I'll be good!" Severus felt his body react to his mate's fear. He could feel the slight sting of his nails becoming claws and the deep heady magic that began to surround him ready to snap up and protect his mate if need be.

"I'm not going to leave you my mate, I won't, you are safe here, he cannot come here and you are mine." Severus soothed his voice becoming a low melodic purr as he held Harry closer.

"Will you?" Ron spoke his voice solid his gaze serious. "Will you be able to protect him? From this war, from the dark lord? We were there professor, they tortured us and killed us, where were you?" He said coldly. "When Harry was attacked by that thing, when he fought a bloody basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, when he faced the dark lord again and again and again, when we were attacked on the train all we had were the people Harry trained personally. Where was the headmaster? Where were the professors? Even animals know to protect their young and their mates; can you say that you will be there?" He turned to the headmaster his eyes narrowed and cold. "The fact is that if Harry hadn't made it to the front of the train there would have been no help for us. What would have happened if something had happened to him along the way? You bear a responsibility towards your students. And headmaster and you have failed them time and time again. What's to say that this time will be any different? What's to say that you won't guide us into destruction again? Frankly sirs I don't trust you to keep any of us safe any more." He said before reaching out and snatching Harry into his arms. Severus snarled viciously but a wall of pure magic blocked him. Harry stared at Ron with wide eyes not fully comprehending what was going on. "Fred, George, lets go." He said before gently guiding them all out of the room.

"How dare you-"

"Severus." The headmaster said his face ashen. "He's right." The headmaster said swaying slightly. "We've failed them." He said softly. Severus' body stiffened and his eyes burned.

"My mate-!" He breathed his hands shaking.

"-Needs time Severus, we all do, time to mend what's been broken if we can in fact mend it at all." The headmaster said his gaze distant and misty.

#$% #$% #$%

"I want to start the DADA again." Ron said firmly his eyes flashing. "But I want a professional to come teach us. If the headmaster isn't capable of giving us a competent teacher then we'll have to find one ourselves." He said glancing at Fred and George. "The two of you are in the Order and you have connections to the ministry I need you to find us a teacher, there is only so far we can get using our books and Hermione doesn't seem to keen on helping us." He said his eyes darkening slightly. Harry shrank closer to Ron knowing that it was partly his fault.

"When Dumbledore sent for us-"

"-we thought he wanted to assign guards."

"But he didn't-"

"-and he hasn't-"

"-and he probably won't."

"-we'll do what we can to help-"

"-we'll even supply you with some pranks-"

"-that can help."

"-We'll talk to Bill about wards too-"

"-it's better if everyone has their own."

"-you aren't alone Ron-"

"-we'll start pooling resources with the others."

Ron nodded absently at the twins as he guided Harry towards the hospital wing. "Go home and get some sleep first, the two of you look knackered." Ron said eyeing them as they stepped through the door.

"Doesn't feel right-"

"-Doesn't feel safe-"

The twins said both looking away while subtly leaning into each other.

"Mister Weasley I don't know what the headmaster thought he was doing by pulling you out of bed-" Her voice was silenced though her mouth kept moving and Harry glanced up at Ron whose eye was twitching. In a flash he'd enlarged three beds and with a wave of his hand pushed them together.

"I'm tired, I'm sore and I want my kin." He grumped before pulling Harry towards the bed. "Get over here Fred, George." He demanded as he slipped under the covers with a wince dragging Harry with him. Harry felt a wave of contentment fall over him as the twins surrounded them.

"Ron?" Harry rasped as his eyes began to droop.

"Sleep Harry, we'll sort it out in the morning." Ron said tiredly before pulling him closer. Soothing magic rippled around them forming a barrier around the beds and Harry smiled as his eyes fell shut.

They were safe here.