Life Renovations
Chapter Nine
Accusations and Revelations
The library was silent as Severus, Remus, and Sirius hunted for more information on soul mate bonds. There wasn't much information to be found because those types of bonds were incredibly rare.
"Is the extent of the bond known to Dumbledore?" Remus asked once he finished looking through the book in front of him.
"Only that it's a bond. And a strong one at that," Severus replied, pulling his eyes away from a book about magical bonds. "He knows nothing about it being a soul mate bond."
"That could be useful, him not knowing they have all the abilities of a soul mate bond."
"Yes, I agree…I've decided to talk to Harry about Dumbledore tonight, will you be present?" Sirius and Remus confirmed with a nod.
"When should we tell them about the bond?"
"They will have to do with the knowledge that they are in fact soul mates for the time being. I think it best to wait until we've gathered all the information we can before telling them anything else. It shouldn't be too hard to determine which bond it is. There are only three soul mate bonds after all. Draco is already exhibiting certain traits relating to one of the bonds. We should wait until there is more evidence of a specific bond."
"He's already displaying?" Remus looked up in time to see Severus nod.
"Yes, which must mean Draco's power will increase by a large percent when Harry's Inheritance comes to him."
"You think the bond is equaling up their powers, Snape?" questioned Sirius.
"Yes."
Remus leaned back and rubbed his eyes. "This could be a problem…"
"Certainly, if it's the bond I think it is." Severus moved the book around to allow Remus and Sirius view of it. Their eyes widened. "I think it would be wise to prepare them for this as soon as possible."
"Merlin…" Sirius whispered, staring at the words written across the page.
"Definitely as soon as possible. Harry's birthday is less than two weeks away," Remus agreed.
"So let's tell them tonight. We're already going to be talking about Dumbledore, might as well give them the news then, right?"
"Black, I was under the impression you cared for your godson…"
"Of course I do, Snivellus!"
"Then for once think with your head, mutt! Firstly, we don't know for sure it is this bond," Severus said tapping a finger against the open book page. "Secondly, after everything Harry has been through, and will go through after our talk with him tonight, do you really think it wise to lay this on him as well so soon? I think we should see how he reacts tonight before telling him anything else. But if you want to send him into another magical coma, then by all means, please, tell him tonight."
"Fine, Snape. You've made your point. All you had to say was not a good time. That's all!"
"I wanted to make sure the point got through your thick skull," Severus ended with a smirk while Sirius growled.
"Right then," Remus stood and stretched. "We should gather Harry and the others and get to the Leaky Cauldron. Fred and George had to leave for their shop and agreed to secure rooms and a private dining room for us on their way. Everything should be ready now."
Severus snapped his fingers and a house elf popped in. "Yes, Master?"
"Merry, have the young persons in the house return to the library and send their luggage ahead to the Leaky Cauldron."
"Right away, sir!" And the elf popped out again.
"Better not let Hermione see your elves," Remus cautioned with a little knowing smile. Severus scowled at him.
"I'm not afraid of Miss Granger's S.P.E.W. campaign. She'll have to come to terms with the fact that she will never get anywhere with it."
"You won't say that when she gets her claws into you."
Severus ignored this and began rounding up the books. Not long after, the young wizards and witches returned to the library.
"Took you long enough!" Severus said coming to stand in front of them. Harry looked up, and his eyes looked wet, like he'd been crying.
"Sorry, sir." Severus realized those were tears of mirth. Harry, Ginny, and Draco looked at him, and then Hermione, before they all started to laugh. Everyone except Hermione. If looks could kill they'd all be dead.
"And what is so amusing? Miss Granger?"
"It's n-nothing, sir! They just have problems letting things go!" Her voice trembled with fury.
"It's okay, Mione." Harry, being the only one Hermione would not curse, stood next to her and squeezed her hand. She huffed angrily, but was happy to hold her best friend's hand, and shot a satisfied grin at Draco, who didn't look very happy about his soul mate holding somebody else's hand. Never mind Harry was gay. Then again, it was Draco's own fault as he chose to stand as far away from Hermione as possible, which meant Ginny stood between him and Harry.
"It's time to go to the Leaky Cauldron." Snape looked down his nose at Ginny and Hermione. "Things will be said tonight that must be kept from Dumbledore. Can you two do that?"
The girls looked at each other, silent words flying between them. And then Hermione nodded and Ginny smiled.
"We've never fought for Dumbledore, Professor. We stand by Harry," Ginny said, throwing her arm around Harry's waist with a quick cheeky wink at Draco, who promptly leaned over and pried her arm off his lovely wizard.
"It's always been for Harry, Professor Snape," spoke Hermione, her little pixie nose stuck in the air.
"Good. Let's go."
Harry was silent on the way to the Floo Room, but couldn't help feel humbled by Ginny and Hermione's show of loyalty. He didn't think he deserved it.
The group of seven arrived at the Leaky Cauldron by Floo and was immediately shown to the dining parlor.
"Thanks, Tom," Harry told the bald innkeeper after he led them in.
"Anything for you, Mr. Potter. All you have to do is ask…" Tom flashed a toothless grin and disappeared around the corner.
"Oh yes, Mr. Potter! Anything for you. Perhaps you'd like me to lick the bottom of your boots for you?" Draco did a very good rendition of old Tom the barkeep.
"Git." Harry playfully pushed Draco out in front of him. As he pulled his hand back, Draco grabbed his arm, letting his fingers trail slowly down until their fingers connected and entangled together. Draco didn't say a word; he didn't even look at Harry, but the simple act of catching Harry's hand without trying to make it obvious really touched Harry and by the time they sat down at the table, he had the sweetest smile on his face and was blushing madly. No one bothered to point it out. It was obvious by the way Draco was smirking he was responsible, and everyone was just fine with seeing Harry smile.
Dinner was a relatively silent affair as everyone was hungry, too busy eating to strike up a conversation, at least until dessert was passed around. Harry sighed appreciatively when a plate of Treacle Tart was placed in front of him and immediately began to make the dessert disappear. Everyone was glad to see Harry's appetite return, including snarky Snape; but no one was more relieved than the blond sitting at his side. Harry was too thin. To an unhealthy degree. It scared Draco.
Draco pushed that away when Harry looked at him in worry. Harry, have you told Ginny and Hermione about Uncle Snape yet? he thought as they moved away from the dinner table. There was a private parlor adjacent to the dining room where everyone moved to once the meal finished.
No. I don't know what Professor Snape thinks about that yet. Didn't think he'd want me telling everyone.
You told me.
"That's because you're special and deserve special attention," Harry replied with a grin.
"Finally! Someone who finally gets it! Draco Malfoy deserves all the attention. Thank You, Harry! I've been waiting six years to hear you say that!"
"I don't think that's what Harry meant when he said special," Remus whispered to his friend and Sirius snorted.
Fortunately Draco didn't hear this and to show how pleased he was with his soul mate, he pushed Harry against the wall and proceeded to snog him senseless. It only took five seconds before Harry forgot they were in a public hallway and returned Draco's spine tingling ministrations with fervor.
"Was Draco talking about himself in the third person?" Hermione asked when she came out into the hallway.
"Mmm hmm…Harry did say…Draco is special."
If Ginny was acting more like Luna Lovegood then herself right then, it didn't seem to bother her because she really wasn't paying much attention to anything except the gorgeous couple snogging against the wall. Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed Ginny's arm, pulling the younger girl down the hall. And if Hermione's eyes strayed longer than necessary on Harry and Draco, no one could see to point it out.
"I knew he had a complex," Hermione muttered, pulling Ginny into the parlor.
"Oi! There's an owl!" Sirius yelled from the hallway. Hermione stuck her head out and spotted the large tawny barn owl swooping into the hallway. Draco pulled away from Harry just in time for the owl to swoop down between them and land at their feet.
"You expecting a letter, Harry?"
"No." Harry studied the owl. "The owl is facing you. Must be yours."
Draco bent to pick up the letter while Harry desperately tried to fix his hair. No need to announce to the world, ' On my way to shagging.' It was always a fruitless effort. Draco shooed the owl away and put the letter in his pocket without looking at it. They joined hands again and followed Sirius and Remus into the parlor. Severus was last to enter; staying behind to cast multiple spells around the parlor, ensuring the imminent discussion would not be overheard.
The Leaky Cauldron's private parlor was set up much like the Gryffindor common room; only it was a quarter the size. A small fire burned in the cobblestone fireplace; the fire was more for light then heat. A pitcher of pumpkin juice, with seven glasses, and an assortment of biscuits lay on a platter atop a long wooden coffee table in the center of the room, with a sofa and two chairs spread around it.
"Everyone quiet down and sit!" Severus snapped. "There is much to discuss and I don't want to be here all night."
Remus and Severus took chairs while Draco, Sirius, and Ginny sat on the couch across from them. Although conjuring chairs would have been easy for Harry and Hermione, they were happy to sit on the floor; Harry between Draco's legs, his back resting against the sofa and Hermione used Ginny's legs as a back prop.
Harry looked around and finally realized what had been nagging him all through dinner. "Where are Fred and George? Aren't they supposed to be here?"
"They had to go back to their shop," Remus answered. "They will learn tomorrow what we discuss tonight." He looked at Severus, seeking confirmation. The Potions Master nodded his agreement.
Harry relaxed back against the sofa. He wrapped an arm around Draco's leg and pressed his cheek against the side of Draco's knee, surprising himself by doing so, but couldn't really care less by how fast things were moving between him and Draco. It felt so right. Especially when Draco started running fingers through his hair. Harry closed his eyes, blocking out the world, and began purring in contentment. It wasn't until Draco stopped petting him did he notice something was odd. When his eyes opened, everyone was silent and looking at him oddly. He turned and found Draco also staring, an indescribable look in his eyes.
"What?" he looked around. "Did somebody ask me something?"
"You were purring, Harry," Sirius told him, looking between his godson and Draco.
"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to cause a distraction. Draco, you'll have to stop petting me."
Ginny giggled when Draco looked about ready to pout at that. Clearly he was enjoying petting Harry and hearing the purring.
"No, it's not that, Harry." Harry frowned at the amusement in Hermione's voice. "It's just that…. you really were purring. A real purr; a sound that can't be made by the human vocal chords." Harry looked at her strangely.
"Hermione, I just made the sound. Obviously it can be done with a human voice box or I wouldn't have done it."
The three adult wizards exchanged meaningful looks with one another before Severus cleared his throat, catching every ones attention. "Can we begin now?"
"Are you sure it's safe to do this here?" Sirius asked.
"I assure you my wards will keep out anyone and anything unless they are clear to pass the wards. We will not be overheard." This seemed to relieve some tension they were all feeling. "I would like to start by assuring you again, Harry, you don't have to worry about going back to the Dursleys, even though it's nearly seventeen years too late."
"As long as I don't have to return there, I really don't care."
"Dumbledore did not have the right to make the Dursleys your guardians. He did that on his own."
"He didn't have the right? Then how could he send Harry there?"
"Dumbledore was the only one to see the Potters last will and testament, Miss Granger. Right after your parents' deaths, Harry, Black was sent to Azkaban…"
"That was convenient," Draco muttered.
"Yes, and therefore he was unable to contest to the will. Dumbledore claimed the Dursleys were named in the will somewhere along the lines."
"Dumbledore had the power to get me a trial, to get me out of Azkaban, but I never saw him the entire time I was in."
"Surely he must have tried something to help you."
"No, Miss Granger. Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban on Dumbledore's orders."
The silence was terrible; everyone except the Animagus was looking at Severus as if he'd lost his mind.
"Can't say that surprises me," Sirius finally said.
Harry jumped to his feet. His teeth were bared, his eyes wildly violent. He had to force his hands into his pockets to keep from lashing out at something. "Well I'm fucking surprised! When did you find this out, Snape? Fifteen years ago?" he shouted.
Draco put a calming hand on the small of Harry's back and was relieved when Harry seemed to calm down a bit, though he did continue to stand.
"Harry, it was impossible for Severus to have known back then. I don't think anyone knew," Remus explained quietly. "I certainly hadn't. Otherwise I would have tried to do something."
"How did you find this out?"
"I am a spy, am I not?"
Harry scowled and began pacing. Was it truly Dumbledore's fault Sirius went to Azkaban for all those years? Could the headmaster really have done that to someone? He had to know. "If he did, why?"
Severus looked at him, narrowing his eyes slightly. "I think you know the answer to that. It's the same reason why he suddenly wanted to use Draco. You. He was using you from the very beginning, Harry. He wanted someone around to deflect all the attention off himself and his goals. The Dark Lord walked right into his trap when he hit you with the killing curse. No one thought twice about where Dumbledore was during all this when they were too busy celebrating you."
"He wanted people to know about me, yet kept me hidden away."
"Yes, and people never stopped wondering about you because you disappeared as well," Draco concluded. Harry stopped pacing, his face full of dark shadows.
"He kept me at the Dursleys so that I wouldn't know anything about the Wizarding World. It was so easy to manipulate me when I was eleven. I never questioned him because he made it possible for me to leave the Dursleys by going to Hogwarts. I trusted him because for the first time in my life, I had friends and I was closer than ever before to my mum and dad."
"He filled your mind with prejudices before you put one foot in the school," Severus remarked quietly.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, he sent me Hagrid. I don't think there is anyone more loyal to Dumbledore than he is."
"What do you mean prejudices? Harry has always been opened minded," Hermione blurted out. She wasn't exactly comfortable with where this conversation was going. She knew Dumbledore was no saint, but to accuse him of these things seemed a bit too much.
Harry turned to her, understanding of her thoughts in his eyes. "Oh, Hermione. I met Hagrid and he took me away from the Dursleys and introduced me to a new world. He told me about my parents deaths, their murderer, and I found out Voldemort was a Slytherin... He painted nothing but negative pictures of Slytherin in my head…and then Draco was the first wizard I'd ever met," he knew Draco immediately thought about their first meeting in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "I didn't exactly walk away feeling very good about Slytherins then either."
Draco scowled. It wasn't my intention to sound like a complete git. I was only nervous and that's the only way I knew how to act! It was really endearing to Harry to know Draco was telling the truth.
That was a long time ago, Harry soothed. It's obvious my outlook on Slytherins has changed.
"I don't see how that makes a difference," Hermione stubbornly went on.
"The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. It said I would do well there. But by the time the hat was put on my head, I had horrible thoughts of Slytherin already, and I begged it to put me anywhere else. Slytherin would have provided me with the skills I needed to really kill a Dark Lord. Let's face it, Gryffindor is all well and good, but we literally had to teach ourselves anything related to defense and tactics."
"Yes, you would have done very well in my House. Being in Slytherin would have helped you see through Dumbledore's string pulling sooner. You would have stopped being his puppet, thus causing him complications with his schemes. And believe me, there are many."
"Yeah, well…He may have not wanted trouble, but he's going to get it now."
"Harry, please be reasonable…."
"No, Hermione! I figured it out! I know what he's been doing! Dursley even told me the old man wanted me hurt every summer! No more!" His firm tone commanded that that was the end of it. He tugged at his hair, once, twice, three times. He needed to calm down. Nothing good would come from losing his temper.
Come sit down. Harry hesitated a moment before he returned to his seat at Draco's feet. Draco quickly calmed Harry's nerves by running his fingers through his hair. If you make that sound again, I will not be held responsible for my actions.
I really can't help it, Draco.
That's just fine. Draco tugged on Harry's arms until he moved to sit on the sofa in front of Draco. The blond wrapped his arms around his soul mate and pulled him back against his chest. He softly breathed into Harry's ear as he thought, I know you can't help making noise when my hands are on you.
Draco…I think we're supposed to be concentrating. Stop trying to distract me.
You need to calm down. It would do none of us any good if you're infamous temper should arise here. Draco dipped his head and began to softly kiss the back of Harry's neck, glad Harry's hair was thick and fell nearly to his shoulders, hiding from everyone else what he was really doing. You're so damn sexy, Harry. I've always wanted you.
Harry bit his lip and shifted. Draco was licking a very sensitive spot just behind his ear and he could feel Draco's erection pressing against his back. You've- Uh…mmm, Draco…You've always wanted me? Not, gasp, likely.
Well all right. Not always. Ever since fourth year though. Draco was kissing the other side of his neck now, keeping one eye on his godfather, lest Severus figure out what he was doing. He really didn't give a damn if anyone else saw. A quick look to his right told him Ginny was seeing everything, even if she didn't look like she was looking at them.
Fourth year? Why? Harry enunciated his question by subtly pressing back against Draco's erection, causing the blond to groan softly in his ear, his fingers digging into Harry's arms.
It was when you went up against the Hungarian Horntail. He thrust his hips forward, soaking in the feel of Harry's pleasure as it brushed his mind to entangle with his own. For the first time ever, I gave a shit what happened to you, and when you called your broom and started to fly, I couldn't keep my eyes off you.
Draco couldn't help himself; he had to touch more of Harry's skin. Slowly sliding his arm from around Harry, Draco dropped his hand into his lap, and then leisurely moved it up and underneath Harry's shirt. For once he was glad Harry was wearing muggle clothes. So much easier to get around. He was already burning with the need for his soul mate, but with that first touch he very nearly lost control of himself. The things he wanted to do to Harry at that moment…
Draco! You're sending me images! Now is not the time…Merlin, you bastard!
You like it.
Wait, Draco, stop! Snape's saying something important. Harry thanked Merlin for the interruption. He didn't know what would have happened if Draco hadn't stopped throwing those intimate images into his head.
"Miss Granger," Severus went on, his voice strained by his impatience with the witch since he, Lupin, and Black had been arguing with her for the last five minutes. "If you need more proof of Dumbledore's misdoings, perhaps you would like to read this. My mother's writing." He pulled out his mother's journal and slid it down the coffee table to her.
Draco felt the spike of surprise jolt Harry. What is it?
That's the journal Snape's mum wrote. In it she wrote about having my mum, and putting her up for adoption. I would imagine it's very personal for him.
And he's letting Hermione read it? I've never known Severus to allow someone to get that close.
"But this is your mother's journal, Professor!"
"Thank you for stating what I've already explained, Miss Granger. I assure you, you'll find more than enough proof in that."
Hermione clutched the book to her chest, staring wide-eyed at Severus, feeling honored that the professor would bestow upon her such an honor.
"You wish to say something else?"
"No, sir! Well, that is to say… Yes! I mean… I'm just going to go…" Hermione stood and pointed up. "To my room. I'm just going to go rest…"
"Mione, just go to your room and read the journal already."
Harry laughed when his friend blushed, but she smiled and quickly fled to her room, pressing the book close to her chest as if it were a part of her. Ginny went with her, thinking the journal was far more interesting then what they were talking about. She'd already had her suspicions about Dumbledore, and now she was more than convinced. No need to stay around any longer. It was difficult having to sit by Harry and Draco and watch them sink further in love. She sighed while leaving the parlor. Someday she'd find her man.
"Am I allowed to inquire as to what was in that journal and why Hermione was holding it like a treasured artifact?" Remus questioned. Severus looked to Harry, and received a blank stare in return. He sighed. Obviously he was getting no help in that area.
"In that journal my mother kept her secrets, and the secrets of others. One such secret revealed to me that I had a sister. My mother writes that she was forced, for an unknown reason, to give the child up, by Albus Dumbledore."
Severus wouldn't say to the others, but he suspected his mother hadn't had to be persuaded much. She'd never been a good mother, always considered Severus to be a burden, and his father never cared about anything.
"And so Hesper Snape was put up for adoption, and Dumbledore made sure she was never connected to the Snape family again."
Severus had to stop. The more he told of it, the more he thought of Lily, of their connection, known and unknown; and he dwelled on the terrible loss. He looked up and nearly gasped. For a moment he thought he was looking into Lily's eyes and those eyes were filled with understanding. He nearly said something when he realized it was Harry instead of his mother.
"Hesper Snape was from then on known as Lily Evans," Harry continued for him.
Reactions were instantaneous. "What?" Sirius shouted, bounding to his feet. Remus sat shocked, staring open mouthed at the coffee table as if that would provide him with an explanation. Draco, however, remained perfectly composed; he even had a smirk on his face. But inside he was laughing wildly.
After moments of absolutely nothing, Harry rolled his eyes with Severus. Draco was able to stifle his mental laughter, finally. Look at those faces! Black looks like he doesn't know whether to pound Severus or AK himself. This is too good. I'm going to remember this forever. Can we go up to Hermione's room, please Harry? I want to see the look on their faces when they read it.
At least you're enjoying this. Harry ignored the Hermione and Ginny comments.
Oh I am. Almost as much as I enjoyed touching you.
Don't start right now, Draco. Did you hear what he said? Dumbledore was even involved with this. It's like he's been everywhere in my life, even when I wasn't born yet.
Harry…
I know, I know. Get over myself. I got it, Draco.
No, you git! I was just going to say you're right.
Oh.
Yes, you really have had a fucked up life. I don't envy you at all. Harry laughed. It was just like Draco to be brutally honest. And it did more good for Harry than anything else.
"So, Severus is your uncle, Harry. And you are now technically a pureblood," Remus remarked quietly. Severus had a snarky reply for the werewolf, but Sirius rounded on him first.
"Who cares about that! I can't believe you share Snape's blood, Harry!"
"It's not the end of the world, Padfoot."
"Might as well be!"
"Once again you show us your true lack of intelligence, Black."
"I hate to bring this up, for obvious reasons, but this will complicate matters concerning their bond."
"What do you know about that?" Draco demanded, happy to discuss something that involved him.
"If Harry is a pureblood, chances are your powers, both of you, will increase dramatically. Not only because Harry is very magically gifted, but also because of the bond. It might be very difficult for your bodies to adapt."
"Is that all? You have no more information about the bond? Just that we're soul mates and that we'll get super powers?" Draco asked calmly, though his tone suggested he knew they had more information.
"No, Draco. We have nothing more to tell you about that at this time. But I assure you we've been gathering information and will have something to tell you soon."
"And we'll go search the libraries tomorrow after we visit St. Mungo's." Harry said to Draco, having made his mind up about that earlier in the day.
"St. Mungo's?"
Harry shrugged. "I might as well get my eyesight fixed. I asked Madam Pomfrey the last time I saw her if it were possible and she told me it was. I never knew it could be done or I would have done it ages ago. It's not like I can't afford it."
"I always thought you knew and you just preferred the Gryffindork look." Draco earned himself an elbow in the gut for that, but Remus and Sirius snickered, finding the comment funny.
"Hey! He said Gryffindork. That's insulting you two too, ya know!"
"Pup, I've never been a Gryffindork." Sirius sounded highly insulted.
"Don't worry, Harry. I have." Severus smirked in amusement at Remus.
"You're talking like it's a club or something! Besides how would I have known I could get my eyes fixed? I didn't know anything! I still don't know a lot of things about this world, my world. It doesn't feel right… to not know."
Harry, I didn't know you felt that way about it.
You assumed I didn't care.
How was I to know otherwise? It was hard for me to imagine the boy who lived knew nothing about the world he saved. It didn't make sense to me. Draco's arms tightened around Harry when he felt the brunette prepare to leave. I know you now, stupid Gryffindor! It makes sense now. I'll teach you, Harry. I'll teach you everything about the Wizarding World. Anything you want to know, anything that comes to mind. As I said before, you're not alone anymore.
Harry was staring at the ground, eyes showing the conflict growing inside him. I do want you to teach me….
Then what's wrong? Why do you sound worried?
Harry stood up, quieting the debate going on between Severus, Sirius, and Remus. He then quickly left the room without a word. It wasn't long before a hand grabbed his shoulder and jerked him to a stop and pulled until he was facing an irate blond.
"Harry-"
"I didn't want to talk about it in there, like we were," Harry said before Draco could accuse him of running again.
Harry turned back and continued on his way with Draco at his side. The way to the room was walked in silence, and for Draco it was uneasy. Something was bothering Harry, something concerning Draco, and whenever he wasn't viewed as perfect in everybody's eyes, he became quite concerned.
"You really are vain," Harry said, managing to smile in bemusement.
Draco's eyes brightened immediately. "Somebody must be," he returned as he followed Harry into the room. And then he frowned. "I miss my manor. Must we stay here?" he gingerly sat on the bed, grimacing at the state of the perfectly ordinary common class sheets.
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "We'll move once I have my birthday and collect my inheritance. I promise you will like where we go."
"That's more than a week away," Draco grumbled. "You better be worth this, Harry." He wasn't being serious when he said this. He'd never been happier in his life than he was now finally being with Harry. It seemed incredible, but he'd always wanted this, and after fourth year, he knew he wanted to have it with Harry.
"Am I?"
Draco pulled his eyes away from the distasteful bedcovers, brows furrowed. "Are you what?"
"Am I worth all this, Draco? Why are you even here, if only for the bond? Haven't you questioned it even once, since this all started?"
"Of course I have. This started for me before the bond even existed, Harry. I thought you knew that."
"I don't understand how that's possible. You hated me! You terrorized me and my friends…you were always happy to put me down. How could your feelings have changed so much?"
"We're soul mates, Harry," the blond said as if that explained everything. Apparently that wasn't what Harry wanted to hear. The brunet scowled and turned his back on Draco, who stood, eyes going wide. "Is this your way of saying you really don't want this? Is that how you think of me? I know you hated me too-"
"No, I never hated you," Harry said quietly, still facing away. "I didn't like you, but I always cared about what you did, about how you said things. I didn't understand why I cared so much about you when I didn't even like you. We've always had a weird relationship, I guess."
Draco walked to where Harry was standing by the window. He touched Harry's arm to get his full attention. Harry's eyes were full of self-doubt when they looked at him. So much that it hurt Draco to see it there.
"I hated you at the end of fifth year. I hated you for taking my father away, and I hated you because I still wanted you. I was enraged because I knew there was nothing that could ever be done about that. And then the summer arrived, my mother left me alone at the manor, I hardly ever saw her or my father. So I had a lot of time to think about things. To think about what my father has done, and what he did that night at the Ministry. I thought about what I've done, for myself, and what I did to please my father. I didn't like that there was barely anything that I ever did for myself, and I regret doing most of what my father instructed… I spent the rest of my time thinking about you." Draco spoke softly at the end as if hypnotized. He was being pulled into brilliant emerald eyes.
Harry was staring intently at him, listening with every fiber of his being. He moved closer without thought and Draco wrapped his arms around him. "It didn't make sense to hate you. I only ever disliked you when you were acting like an idiot Gryffindor. But at the same time I appreciated that was you at your worst, and I still … liked you. You are everything I always wanted to be. You put everybody before yourself. You should stop that by the way." Harry shivered as Draco spoke softly in his ear. "I've always only ever seen you, not your name, and you... you looked at me, Harry. You went against me. You weren't afraid of me or my name. You challenged me, pushed me to my limits. You're the reason why I finally opened my eyes to the world around me."
Harry was looking at Draco now and finally saw what everyone else did. What he felt in his own heart was reflecting from Draco's silver eyes. "And then we could talk to each other with our minds and feel each other's emotions, and I felt you felt the same for me. I didn't want to take it slow showing you or anyone else how I felt about you. For once, I think maybe Fate wasn't being a bitch to us. Please tell me you feel the same," he begged.
Harry nodded rapidly, eyes wide on Draco's face. He was a little overwhelmed by the euphoria he was feeling. He finally understood who he was looking at. Everything was so clear now. This was his life partner, his mate. Draco really was his soul mate. Never in his life did he think he'd ever find his soul mate. He'd never even contemplated soul mates before. The chances of anyone ever finding one's soul mate was one in a billion. Not worth thinking about. In fact he'd begun to think he would never find anyone at all to share his life with. And now here he was, in the arms of the wizard whom he had fallen for the previous year and who basically just admitted he was in love with Harry. He had no words to express what he was feeling, he shook with the sheer amount of emotion. However, by the triumphant grin on Draco's face Harry knew his feelings were already known.
But Harry wanted to show Draco how he felt so he leaned closer to him, breath ghosting over Draco's lips, their gazes locked. As he pressed his lips against Draco's he wondered how often he'd dreamt of those lips. How many times had he daydreamed about those lips moving against his like they were right now? Harry's hands moved across Draco's shoulders and up into his hair. This time it was Draco who emitted a loud purr as Harry licked and nipped at Draco's lips, seeking to gain entrance. They didn't stop at the purr, only relished in the feeling the vibrations caused both of them as it traveled from down their chests to their groins.
Harry thrust his hips against Draco, causing the taller boy to gasp and Harry's tongue invaded the blond's mouth. Their tongues wove a slow teasing dance; meeting and then retreating before coming together again for an intimate embrace. Draco deepened the kiss, moving his hands down to grip Harry's hips. He barely noted his hands were shaking. I can barely think around you, Harry. You make me lose my mind. The kiss deepened further, the innocence of it turning into something more. I want you closer! I want… can I?
"Yes." Harry had barely spoken before Draco recaptured his mouth and felt Draco's hands dive under his shirt, fingers running over his abs, across his chest, ghosting over his nipples. Harry gasped and bucked against Draco.
Draco pulled his hands away and ripped Harry's shirt off over his head, throwing it across the room before latching onto Harry's neck, his tongue driving Harry wild with a need so great he thought it might shatter him. He felt himself moving, Draco pushing him back towards the bed. When he fell onto his back, he pulled Draco with him, and their lips crashed together once more.
Harry's reactions were driving Draco mad. It was clear Harry hadn't much experience, if any at all, and that made Draco dizzy with need. He reveled in every surprised gasp and pleasured moan leaving Harry's mouth. The darkening of Harry's eyes and his swollen lips. The way the brunet arched under his hands, aching to be touched more and more. A deep rumbling noise emitted from Draco's chest as he watched all this and when he'd had enough watching, he lowered his head, growling lowly, to bite at Harry's neck; eyes drifting closed when Harry whimpered under him, rolling his head and baring more of his neck. Draco was so into Harry that he didn't notice the tingling of his teeth as he set about marking Harry's neck.
In the hallway, Remus and Severus were standing outside the closed door, having just come from the parlor where they left Sirius still pouting over Harry's relationship with Snape.
"Those are some very odd noises they are making, wouldn't you say, Severus?"
"Yes. It's clear we now know the identity of their bond."
They listened for another moment to the high-pitched purrs and the guttural moans coming from within the room.
"Do you think we should go in there and stop them?"
"They should be stopped, yes. But I have no intention of going in there until they are separated." Severus looked pointedly at Remus, who backed away shaking his head.
"It's not going to be me. You're Draco's godfather and Harry's uncle. If anyone's going to go in there, it should be you!"
"Grow a backbone, werewolf! Harry will react better if you go in!"
Remus was shaking his head when Harry shouted, "Fuck, Draco! Why are your robes still on? Stop the fucking torture right now and take your robes off!"
"You get a backbone, Severus! I'm not going in there now!"
"With all due respect, Professors. Would you mind shutting the hell up? Some of us are trying to listen."
Remus and Severus turned back towards the door and found Fred and George Weasley glaring at them, each with an ear pressed against the door.
"Did you ever think maybe knocking would be a good way of getting their attention?"
Severus and Remus looked shocked for a moment, and then they simultaneously narrowed their eyes and glared at the twins. George and Fred were smart enough to know they should be scared when the older wizards began to walk towards them.
Back in the room, Draco straddled Harry and grinned down at him. He was so turned on by Harry right now. He loved it when Harry got angry or frustrated and started commanding things, letting his anger strip away his inhibitions and transforming him into the young wizard Voldemort feared. "Why don't you make me take off my robes?"
A growl ripped out of Harry's throat, and an unnatural wind spun through the room. Seconds later, Draco's yelp bounced off the thin walls when he found himself without his robes, dressed only in his boxers. He looked down to find Harry was smirking. "There, that's better." He grabbed Draco by the back of his neck and pulled him down for another kiss.
Draco relaxed into the kiss, shifting his weight over Harry, keeping his torso off him by laying his arms down by Harry's head.
"Do you know," Draco kissed Harry's forehead, "how long I've waited," another kiss, this one on his chin, "to have you beneath me like this?" Draco sucked at Harry's bottom lip, tonguing it and loving the small noises Harry was emitting.
"More," Harry panted, arching against him and wrapping his legs around Draco's waist.
Draco drew away, sucking on Harry's tongue as he did so, enjoying Harry's heady taste of mint and snow, along with the Treacle tart and pumpkin juice he'd had earlier. Harry pressed his head back against the pillow when he felt Draco's tongue leave a fiery trail down his neck to his chest. Harry found he was having trouble breathing and knew if Draco didn't stop soon he was going to come.
That's what I'm hoping for, love. In one swift movement, Draco had Harry's boxers off and his mouth hovered over Harry's erection. Draco licked his lips. He took Harry's cock in his hand and pumped twice. Each time Harry's hips arched off of the bed.
Harry's eyes were closed tightly, and his hands entangled in his own hair, pulling at his locks in frustration until he felt Draco's mouth on him, tongue doing things Harry didn't think was possible. He then keened in distress when Draco suddenly pulled back when he heard a loud commotion outside their door.
"Oi! What are you two looking at us like that look for?" Harry groaned when he recognized the voice of one of the Weasley twins. "Run George!"
"Not now." Harry threw an arm over his eyes.
"Ignore them." Draco bent to kiss Harry, his hand resuming the caressing. Harry's body was agreeing with Draco, but his mind was telling him to stop because something embarrassing was about to happen. In the following moments, Harry was glad Draco had moved to lie on top of him and was not caught between his legs when the door burst open and the Weasley twins stumbled in as if they had been pushed. Immediately Draco shifted so that his back was to the twins and the open door, keeping Harry out of sight.
"So sorry to interrupt."
"We would have preferred to stay out…"
"In the hall and listen with the door shut."
"But your guardians are COWARDS! And forced us..."
"To intrude on your privacy."
Draco looked over at the twins and growled; scaring away anything else they might have said. Draco's irises were literally glowing silver and his pupils were narrowing into the shape of cat eyes.
"Draco, mate? Something is wrong with your eyes." George managed to say, before Draco opened his mouth and hissed at them. The twins looked at each other and started to back away. Draco's teeth had elongated and the light's reflection flashed threateningly against those sharp points.
"Out. Now." Draco spoke quietly, but the threat of death was clear. Fred and George quickly vacated and tried to curse Remus and Severus on their way down the hall. The older wizards turned back to the room just as the door slammed shut. Severus walked up to the door and started pounding on it!
"Potter! I want to talk to you now! Get decent and prepare for my intrusion in two minutes!"
Harry sighed and laid a hand on Draco's chest, bringing the blond's attention back to him. Draco was really very angry, and he looked so beautiful with his hair wild and his eyes and teeth like that. He kissed him lightly on the mouth.
"Calm down. We'll continue this later."
Draco's eyes flashed, and he swept Harry up into a blazing kiss. "You bet your hot arse this will be continued."
Harry blushed, and turned away searching for his boxers. When he spotted them, hanging off the corner of the small desk, he wandlessly summoned them and slid them on. Draco hadn't moved, and continued to grin at him.
"What?" Harry asked, his self-consciousness making him irritable.
"Harry, you're beautiful." And with that Draco rolled out of bed and found his robes. Harry stumbled to his pile of clothes and quickly put them on. When Draco was dressed he headed for the door. Harry caught something from the corner of his eye and looked down.
"Hold on, Draco. You lost your letter." He picked it up and walked over to Draco, handing it over. Draco studied the blank cover of the letter before turning it over and opening it.
"It's from Pansy. Damn."
"Parkinson? I thought you were friends." Harry peered curiously at the parchment with the neat curly writing done in purple ink.
"We are. It's just that I was supposed to write her two days ago. After everything that's happened, I completely forgot. I'm sure she's been made aware of many things that have gone on, and she'll want me to tell her everything. I'm surprised this isn't a Howler."
"Why don't you invite her to meet us in Diagon Alley after we visit St. Mungo's? Then you can answer her questions while we have lunch somewhere," Harry suggested.
"That's brilliant, Harry! You-Know-Who has somehow been Confunded or Obliviated and has dropped the bounty on us, which means Pansy can be seen with us without worrying about becoming another target."
"Draco, say it with me. Vol-de-mort. Voldemort. It's not hard." Harry sighed when he saw Draco wasn't listening.
"Harry, you won't be bothered if we meet with Pansy, will you? I know you never really got along, but she is one of my best friends…"
"You get along with Ginny and Hermione now. If you can do that, then I can certainly get along with more Slytherins. Besides, I plan to make friends and allies with people from all of the Houses."
"You plan on telling me about your campaign?" Harry looked at him sharply, and Draco laughed. "What? You didn't really think I wasn't aware something was going on in that half Slytherin, half idiot Gryffindor brain of yours?" Harry relaxed and smiled. Relieved that Draco wasn't upset that he was planning something elaborate.
"Of course I plan on telling you. I just want to think it over a bit more. You may not like what I have in mind."
"As long as you don't plan to turn us into muggles or contaminate our world further, then I'm with you. You know I am."
"It's funny, but four years ago I would have taken offense to that. Now though I think you're right, about some things. This in particular. I want you with me, as partners, as equals. When people think of Harry Potter, then they will think of Draco Malfoy, and vice versa. Will you be able to deal with that?" Draco gave him a dirty look. "Oh, right. Forgot who I was talking to."
"I thought you didn't want any more publicity or fame?"
"It's inevitable, but I'm not going to go looking for it. Go write Parkinson back now."
Draco kissed him and left, passing his godfather on the way. "Next time, you might want to use locking and silencing charms, Draco." His godson sent back a hiss in response and disappeared into his room.
"I suppose the best time to tell them about the bond will be tomorrow. Harry didn't react as badly as I expected to the Dumbledore news," Severus remarked to Remus.
"You didn't get to tell them everything, did you?"
"No, but that can come later. It has become clear this soul mate bond must take priority."
"What do you think is going to happen to them, Severus?"
"Draco is exhibiting signs of something, but I don't t think we'll know for sure what it is until Harry's birthday and their transformations are complete. Only then will we be able to test their blood."
"They will need a great amount of support in the upcoming months." Severus narrowed his eyes on his colleague. "I plan to see they both get it. Do you?"
"Of course, Severus. Why would you think otherwise?"
"You will miss tomorrow night's meeting because you'll be meeting with Dumbledore and the Order instead, is this not so? Black has already informed Dumbledore of his disassociation with the Order, and I assumed you would do the same once you learned of everything."
"I'm on Harry's side, Severus. I imagine after finding out about Lily, you would also leave the Order. When Dumbledore realizes you know about Lily being your sister, he will have no other choice but to think you are no longer loyal to him. You wouldn't be trusted anymore."
"I am through with the Order," Severus confirmed in a hard voice.
"Yes, and so is Sirius. We need someone who Dumbledore continues to think is loyal, to stay close to him, and find out what he's doing."
"Very clever, werewolf. I didn't think you had it in you."
"Don't let the surprise kill you, Snape. That would truly be a shame," Harry said from the doorway. He was clearly not in the mood to be polite.
"It's Severus, or Professor Snape when you are at school." Harry scowled and disappeared back into his room.
"Good luck, Severus. With this," Remus waved a hand towards Harry's open door, "and with tomorrow. I'll come by as soon as the meeting has concluded."
"Oh, thanks very much." Severus sneered at him.
Squaring his shoulders, he entered the room of a hormonal, nearly seventeen year old who had more insecurities than he did. It was the last place on earth Severus wanted to be and he was going in alone.