Life Renovations
Chapter Thirty
Progression
Hermione awoke well after sundown and was surprised to find Pansy and Ginny sitting by her bed, talking quietly about fashion apparel. When they noticed she was awake, both girls smiled warmly at her.
"How do you feel?" Pansy asked.
"Fine, thank you." Hermione sat up and smiled back at them. "What's going on?"
"Three things. First, the guys are off seeking revenge…" All three girls rolled their eyes. "Second, you received a letter from Gringotts a moment ago," here Ginny grinned with relish. "I advise you to open it immediately. And lastly, Neville has been pacing up and down the corridor for the last hour. He's been worried about you."
"What? Why? Why didn't you let him in?"
"We tried to but the idiot said it wouldn't be proper to come in until you were awake," Pansy replied as she stood and went to the door to inform Neville that Hermione was awake. The blushing boy followed Pansy back in while Ginny shoved the letter from Gringotts under Hermione's nose.
"Open it! Hurry up and open it!"
"Hey Neville."
"Hello. You better?" Neville asked as he came to stand beside the bed.
"Yes, and you?" Hermione replied while slowly opening the letter.
"Mione, I'll curse you," Ginny groaned in agony.
"Thanks to you, I'm grand." Neville gave her a quirky grin in which she returned before going back to the letter.
"You already know what it says?" The brown-eyed girl asked her friend. Ginny nodded. "How?"
"She got the same letter," Pansy answered instead because it didn't look like Ginny was going to answer and instead just continue to grin like an idiot.
Hermione studied Ginny and noticed the pleasure shining in the youngest Weasley's eyes. Finally, she looked down at the parchment in her hands and began to read. Her eyes landed on the newly acquired fortune and she blanched.
"What the… This can't be possible."
"Keep going. It's explained."
Hermione did read further and her cheeks went from white to red in the span of seconds. "HARRY POTTER!"
"Wow, not quite the reaction I was expecting," Pansy muttered, rubbing her ears. "I expected her to faint, or maybe even flutter her eyes and say his name in a more loving manner…"
Both Ginny and Neville snorted. "Not Hermione."
Neville watched as the furious witch threw back her covers and jumped out of the bed. He quickly averted his gaze, as she was only in a nightgown. "She's almost as stubbornly proud as most of the Weasleys."
Hermione donned a robe, and with the letter gripped tightly in one hand and her wand in the other, she stormed out of her room. Her friends quickly followed and wondered what the Dark Lord's apprentice had in store for Harry.
Ginny was laughing so hard she was having trouble breathing. "I don't know why you're upset! Don't you realize what you could do with the money? You could do anything! Think about what you could do for house elf rights!" Hermione didn't slow her pace but she did look at Ginny for a moment, pondering that idea.
"How much did he give you anyway?" she sprang forward and snatched the parchment from Hermione's hand and read over the contents. Hermione, in all her anger, did not notice Ginny's action and continued to march through the halls.
"That's rude, you know," Pansy said about Ginny reading Hermione's business, even though the Slytherin girl's eyes were pinned on the parchment as well. Both girls saw the amount at the same time and stopped dead in their tracks, unaware that Hermione had turned a corner up ahead.
"Is that more than Harry gave you?" Neville asked, reading over Ginny's shoulder.
"Way more… Way way more," Ginny said in awe. Pansy looked at her strangely.
"You don't sound angry. Aren't you mad she got more than you?"
Ginny looked at Pansy in surprise. "Course I'm not angry. Not even a little bit. Hermione is his best friend after all and they've been through so much together… Besides, with the amount he gave me, I can share with my family and even after that it sets me for life if I'm careful and invest wisely… I'm just so pleased that he even thought of me. Though I do wonder why he's passed money to us…"
"You Gryffindors are strange," Pansy said as they started walking again. "One gets angry over receiving such a gift, and the other doesn't get angry for not getting the same amount… If it were a Slytherin, you can bet there would be a feud started because of the different amounts."
"But that's stupid. How can you fight over a gift?" Pansy just shrugged and they continued to walk on. "I hope Harry isn't back yet. It'd be best to give Hermione some time to calm down."
"I agree."
Unfortunately for Harry, he and the others returned just then and with the help of a spell, Hermione immediately found him and started to chase him around the Entrance Hall of the manor, throwing very strong stinging hexes at him. Some of the hexes actually hit their mark, causing great amusement to all who was in the Manor as Harry continuously yelped out in pain and tried scrambling away from her.
"YOU BLOODY IDIOT! HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITHOUT CONSULTING ME?"
"Mione, stop! If you're gonna get mad at someone, point your wand at Sirius! He gave me more money!"
"What the hell is wrong with Gryffindors? Its only money… I don't understand," Pansy repeated. All the Slytherins made sounds of agreement. Sirius stood back and just grinned, aware that all this was his fault.
"Draco! Do something!" Harry yelled as he slid across the Entrance Hall for the third time. But Draco was content to stand back with Sirius and watch. He briefly wondered how much money Harry had given Hermione to cause this reaction from her.
"Shouldn't we stop her?" Ozemir asked his partner. "Technically, she's hurting him… And we are supposed to be protecting him."
"I would advise you to let Hermione take out her anger," Severus said after overhearing this. "Harry knew what her reaction would be. Besides, she wouldn't really hurt him."
"Oww! Hermione, you vicious witch! I'm bloody bleeding now!" Harry stopped and stared at his shoulder in shock. It wasn't a deep cut… but still!
"You were saying, human?" Brumek said to Severus and then stepped in front of Hermione as she was taking aim again. "You will cease with your attacking. I can't allow you to hurt him anymore."
"And who are you?" Hermione's anger immediately disappeared after noticing the being in front of her. The tall form, pointy ears… oh, and the muscles! How could she concentrate on her anger when there was something to learn and someone so pretty to stare at?
"My name is Brumek. Ukatae warrior. That is all you need to know. Have you finished your revenge?"
"Are you serious?" he certainly sounded serious.
"He's nothing but serious, I promise," Ozemir replied, leaning to the side and peering at her from around Brumek's arm. He gave her a warm cheerful smile.
Hermione took one look at him and her eyes widened in appreciation and a burning desire to learn. "Of course I've finished with Harry. But you! You must tell me more! Where do you come from? How many more Ukatae are there?" Draco groaned along with Severus and watched as she began to pat herself down looking for her journal. "Bloody hell... Just a minute. I'll be right back!" She turned on her heels and ran off up the stairs.
"You should leave, disappear, or whatever it is you do while we're at home. She'll hound you otherwise," Severus told the two Ukatae before he turned and walked after Hermione.
Harry recovered his breath and shot a look of loathing towards his mate. "I'll be sleeping alone tonight." He rubbed his hand across his shoulder where he'd been cut and licked the blood off as he walked away. He couldn't believe Hermione had hit him with a minor cutting hex! And Draco had just stood there! Harry quickened his pace and was out of sight in no time.
You really think so, Potter? Draco ignored all the amused looks aimed his way and slowly walked after his mate.
I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it. Harry's tone was very cold. It would have made any other man shiver, but it did just the opposite for Draco. His silver eyes gleamed in delight in the dim light of the hallway.
You think you can keep me away from you, lover?
Try me.
I don't know why you're so angry. Did you really think I was going to put myself in front of an angry Hermione?
There was no verbal response, but Draco suddenly doubled over from a mental punch to his gut. And again, instead of pissing Draco off, it did the exact opposite. His laughter carried on through the halls. That hurt, Harry. Seriously. I didn't know we could beat each other up that way… Draco frowned when there was no response again, not even a mental twinge. This made Draco frown. Was Harry really ignoring him? Did he honestly think they were going to sleep separately?
Draco arrived at their bedroom. It seemed so natural to call it their bedroom, when for seventeen years it had always been his. But once Harry had started to live at the manor, Draco never thought of the room as anything but theirs. These thoughts made him smile, until he saw Harry was not there and realized his mate had been serious.
Harry? No response. Harry…C'mon. Still no response. Now the silence was getting annoying. Know what? Fine! I didn't want you anyway!
Upon hearing the mental gasp, Draco knew he'd messed up. He'd forgotten how sensitive Harry was about certain things. And being rejected by those he loved was at the top of that list. Harry, lover… Don't take it like that!
Fuck you, Malfoy.
Draco would have preferred a little heat behind the words, but there had been nothing. Harry had spoken softly, too softly, and without any emotion. And with his extra sensitive hearing he heard from somewhere within the manor Harry Apparating away. Draco immediately tried to Apparate to where Harry had gone, but only ended back in their room. He realized Harry had closed his mind off and there would be no way for Draco to Apparate straight to him. Draco stormed across his room and threw open the door and shouted for whichever Ukatae was supposed to be watching him. He wasn't too surprised that it was Ozemir.
"And why aren't you surprised?" Ozemir asked when Draco said this.
"Because it's clear Brumek doesn't trust you to go on your own. There is less chance of anything happening here."
Ozemir kept the painful emotion he felt from hearing the young one's words off his face and schooled his features to remain impassive. Internally he was bellowing his frustrations out. The warrior was even turning away the trust of the young ones. "I see," he replied and stepped back a bit. If he wasn't going to be trusted by the young ones then there was no need to try and form a bond with them. If the young ones didn't trust him he wouldn't be one of their guardians for very much longer.
Draco raised an eyebrow and looked interested upon seeing Ozemir's closed off look. "So there is more to you than the disgustingly cheerful Scholar… I knew it! You were beginning to worry me. Because there has to be a dark side to you, right? We are dark creatures…"
You have no idea how Dark I am, Ozemir thought to himself. "Did you need something, young one?"
"I only wanted to make sure Harry didn't run off to somewhere dangerous."
"He is with Brumek and will not come to any harm. That is a promise." Ozemir's smile was just like always, but it seemed cracked a little to Draco.
"Brumek is the only one who doesn't see that you are useful. You shouldn't let him get to you," Draco said conversationally and leaned against the door frame. Now that he was sure Brumek had followed Harry, he didn't have to worry about his mate's safety and it would probably be best to let Harry cool down a bit. "I trust you," he told the Scholar.
"Why?"
"Because you volunteered to go rescue Hermione before your leader chose you. You've also grown on me, and because Harry likes you."
Ozemir's stiff smile softened as he looked upon Draco. "You really love your mate, don't you?"
Draco looked surprised. "Of course. We are soul mates. Isn't that how all Ukatae mate? By finding soul mates?"
Ozemir began to laugh, his rich velvety voice floating down the hallway and around them. From some ways down, a door opened and Sirius popped his head out. He stared at Ozemir while the Ukatae laughed, until a naked Lucius jerked his husband back inside by slipping a blue silk rope around Sirius' naked torso and pulling him back in and then Lucius promptly slammed the door shut.
"I really didn't need to see that," Draco muttered while rubbing the vision of both Sirius and his father's naked forms out of his eyes. "Can't they even make it to their own room before doing… that?"
Ozemir pouted. "You all get to have so much fun. It's really not fair."
"Whatever." Draco waved that away. "I'm interested now. Tell me how you find mates." He stepped back to allow Ozemir inside. "I promise not to tell anyone you've talked to me about it."
"All right then." Ozemir passed into the room with a bounce and a smile. Draco shook his head as he shut the door. Ozemir really was almost like a child.
They took seats next to the fireplace where the small fire cast them in an orange glow. Ozemir got comfortable and then began to speak. "It is rare for any being to find their soul mates and since there are so few Ukatae left and so much turmoil within our race, finding our soul mate is almost impossible. However, we do have a destined mate and we mate for life."
Draco was silent for a moment, thinking about that. "That sounds like soul mates to me."
"Sometimes, for some couples, it is almost the same, but not quite. You and Harry are rivals in a way, and yet you complement each other perfectly. You are each other's strength… Your hearts and souls are the same… You are one. It's hard to explain, but a destined life mate is not the same."
"Does that mean you are not guaranteed to love your mate? You have to be stuck with someone Fate picks, even if you don't love them?"
Ozemir nibbled on his lip a moment, looking off. "You can love someone with your whole heart even if they aren't your soul mate. Take your father and his husband for instance." He turned back to Draco. "Their love is just as strong as you and your mate but they aren't soul mates. And Harry's uncle and his witch, they aren't soul mates… yet they love just like you do. They are destined mates, though who knows if it will last for life. Humans are surely different."
"You're talking about them on purpose! Stop putting images in my head!" Draco scowled upon seeing the guilty smile on Ozemir's face. "So how do you find mates then?"
Ozemir's smile decreased a fraction. "Before the fall of our Empire, our kind held frequent Laennan Amai. These are festivals or extravagant social parties held specifically for introducing eligible mates to each other. Laennan Amai were held every three months all over the Empire… But these are no longer held… No one has mate bonded in four hundred years. This is due to the decrease in our population and to the fact that we no longer live as close together as we used to… the fact that we are being punished by our Mother." Ozemir turned and looked at the fire. "Our race is dying, young one. I remember when our Empire rivaled that of humans…." Ozemir stared into the fire with a far off look in his eyes. "A long time ago," he whispered.
"Hold on!" Draco sat forward, his eyes gone wide. "How old are you? You were alive during the beginning of the war? Hermione said that happened five hundred years ago."
"It's rude to ask someone their age."
"Tell me," Draco prodded, his silver eyes flashing with intense curiosity.
Ozemir flashed him a mischievous grin. "Didn't you realize, Draco? We are immortal."
"But you just said our race is dying!"
"We are immortal but we can also be killed, and we are still killing each other. The war still wages on… Without the Royal caste I'm afraid nothing will ever be resolved."
Draco was having a hard time letting the fact that he could now live forever sink into his brain. It was a very weird thought, and he wasn't sure if he was pleased with this discovery. "But you must have some governing system now," Draco ventured after a short silence. He didn't want to think about the immortality aspect of the Ukatae and talking about something else would clear away the buzzing in his head.
"We have the Council and they do their best. But they are not the Royal Council. We Ukatae are beings of power and we need to be ruled by one governing power, else we're ruled by nothing but chaos." Ozemir looked into Draco's eyes, making sure he had the young one's complete attention. "The Council is never really taken seriously after a period of time and this is because its members are always changing. Mostly because they've been assassinated or because they aren't strong enough to hold such a position for very long. In order to rule the Ukatae, one must be strong. In power and physical strength. Only those with Royal blood had that kind of supremacy. And now… Hirsha will never allow us peace without the Royal Clan. Our Goddess, our Mother, rightly punishes us for destroying the Royal family and I fear there will always be blood and chaos until we have completely destroyed ourselves."
"You were there when the royal blood was spilt? Did you help in their deaths?" Draco knew such a question would probably not be answered, but he was curious to know, especially since Ozemir's voice was very regretful when speaking about the late rulers.
Ozemir ignored the question and suddenly stood, giving Draco a dismissive smile. "I'll leave you alone now."
Draco hadn't expected an answer so he wasn't put out at not receiving one. "Wait, I want to give you something." He stood and headed for the door. Ozemir obediently followed him out of the room and down into the dungeons.
"This place is awful! Tell your father he should do something about this."
"It's a dungeon. It's not supposed to be nice." They passed all the opened cells and came upon the roomed cells for people who weren't exactly prisoners, but who weren't exactly free either. Draco waved his hand and disabled the wards before opening the door. "And anyway, this is what I wanted to give you." He sneered at his aunt who sat at a small wooden table staring down at it with wide crazed eyes. The small room contained simply the table and chair she was using, a small cot, and through a door across the way, a small bathroom.
"Ah… young one," Ozemir smiled apologetically at Draco who knew what was about to be said. "First of all, I don't do humans… and secondly, in case you missed it, I prefer males."
Draco snorted. "If I missed it then I would have to be sightless and brainless. No, you said you wanted blood. She can give you blood. It's your choice whether you want to use her or not."
Bellatrix stared for a moment wide-eyed at the two Ukatae studying her. She then quickly stood up and hastily moved back to press herself into the darkened corner beside her bed when she heard what they were speaking about. "Stay away from me! My master will not be pleased if you touch me!"
"You've already been told a hundred times, Lestrange! You're Harry's now! The Dark Lord does not want you and cares nothing about what happens to you. You are ours to do with what we please. Now shut up!"
Ozemir sensed the witch's fear and smelt her blood, and his mouth began to water. "I do like magical blood… but…"
"I will not say a word." Draco grinned at his cowering relative. "Please, don't be gentle with her." He turned and walked away leaving an indecisive Scholar behind.
When Ozemir turned back to look at the witch with the crazed eyes, he smiled and she whimpered. His indecision quickly vanishing. The human's fear swirled around him like gusty wind and that was almost as intoxicating as the scent of her blood.
Ozemir stepped into the room, shut the door behind him, and bared his fangs. "Who am I to refuse a gift?" he purred, his eyes already turning a blood red color.
Hermione raced back to her room and grabbed her Ukatae journal and a muggle pen. She was just about to run back out into the hallway when Severus swooped in and shut the door quietly behind him. He stood and stared at her for a moment, noting the wild hair and excited light in her eyes at the prospect of learning more about the Ukatae. The side of his mouth quirked up.
"They are gone now. You'll have to interrogate them another time." He nearly laughed when Hermione's shoulders dropped and her smile faded.
"But I wanted to-"
"There will be another time. I don't think they'll be going anywhere for some time. It seems these Ukatae are here as some sort of guard for Harry and Draco. From what I gather, they are here to stay."
Hermione frowned before turning around and heading straight for the desk. She sat down, opened the journal and immediately began to write in it. Her hand flashed back and forth across the page as she wrote everything she could remember about the new Ukatae. Severus couldn't believe how fast she was writing, and that she was actually putting down coherent words.
"What are you doing now?" he swept passed the desk and stood to look out the window, though it was dark outside and nothing much to see.
"Writing down the description of the Ukatae who spoke to me. I want to remember everything!"
"Your quest for knowledge really is insatiable. You should think about resting."
"I've rested enough." She looked up and studied him. "Severus?" When he turned around and raised an eyebrow, she suddenly felt very embarrassed. "I'm sorry I missed our date."
For a moment, Severus merely looked at her, trying to make up his mind whether he'd heard her correctly or not. Was she really apologizing for missing the date? She was apologizing for something that had been completely out of her control? For Merlin's sake! The woman had been kidnapped! He couldn't help but feel like throttling her and crushing her in his arms at the same time. Instead he took on an indifferent look.
"It's to be expected," he drawled condescendingly. "When you have your nose always stuck in a book, it's hard to sense the danger lurking around every corner. That's why you are always getting into trouble. I'm really not surprised."
Severus had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing when her mouth dropped open. He stood over her looking every bit like the snarky Potions Master he was. He was even sneering and looking down his nose at her as if she were a bug. Because he knew it would piss her off.
Hermione threw her pen down and shot up from her chair. "Look here, you bas-"
Her words were suddenly muffled when Severus' hand embedded itself into her wild hair and forcibly drew her against his body so that her face pressed against his chest. He further surprised her by wrapping his arm around her back and held her tightly against him and dropped his cheek onto the top of her head. Hermione could feel the fast beating of his heart against his chest. Instead of saying anything more, she encircled her arms around his waist and took a deep breath. She smelt all sorts of things on him, but the strongest scents were sandalwood and soap, a strong masculine scent that had her heart suddenly beating very fast as well. Severus didn't say anything as he continued to rest his cheek on the top of her head and stroke her hair, but Hermione understood him well enough to know he was showing her just how relieved he was that she was safe, relatively unharmed and back with him. And this made her smile brightly against his chest.
"Moody is dead."
Hermione sighed. "You really know how to spoil a good mood."
She pulled away a bit and looked up into black orbs watching her curiously. He had reminded her of everything that had happened that day, and she felt her assurance shrinking to minuscule proportions. She had killed today, taken three lives… Something she hadn't really prepared herself for. She knew maybe one day taking a life would be necessary, but… Hermione hadn't counted on that day being today.
Severus saw the uncertainty and her fear and wariness wash over her. The instinct to soothe and protect washed over him. It was a new feeling for him, one he wasn't used to. But he was gradually becoming accustomed to it and when it came to Hermione, he began to enjoy it as well. He pulled her over to a chair and sat down, and looked at her with a quirked eyebrow. Hermione gave him a shy smile but did not move. Severus rolled his eyes and tugged her down into his lap and cradled her in his arms.
"Do you think I'm evil? I've killed now, Severus. Do you think less of me?"
Severus was grateful she was the one bringing it up. He had wanted to. Known she would need reassurance, but he didn't know how to begin. He knew very well how to finish though. "Don't be stupid. Look who you are talking to. I've taken lives as well… taken great pleasure in some of those killings. Does that make you want to get away from me?"
"No. It's who you are. I didn't choose you blindly, Severus." This answer surprised and pleased Severus to the point that he was almost speechless.
"You like the fact that I can be a cold bastard?" he was finally able to ask. "The fact that I have blood on my hands?" When Hermione blushed and silently nodded, Severus' grip around her tightened and he nearly groaned. "Why would you think I'd feel differently about you if you had to get your hands dirty?"
"I don't know. It's just how I feel."
"Is there a way to explain what makes a person evil?" he finally asked after they'd sat for some time in comfortable silence. "Is there really a set definition for the word? Do you believe Harry and Draco are evil now that they are Ukatae; dark creatures that would slaughter a person without remorse? You have only seen them kill the sacrifice for Tom's revival, but I assure you, those two will enjoy the darker aspects of their personas now. When they've truly connected with what they are."
"They would never kill an innocent person, Severus."
Severus snorted. "I believe it depends on the level of innocence, Hermione. I have no doubt you may be surprised in the future about what they will do."
Hermione's brows drew together, and he could see her denial of his words. And then he could see her uncertainty. He was grateful when it was apparent she was going to push that line of talk away for another time. "No," she finally said. "I don't think they are evil. Even if they may enjoy killing. I know they would never lose themselves completely to the darkness."
Severus refrained from voicing his doubts on that and instead he leaned back and closed his eyes, a small smile played at the corners of his mouth as he remembered what he'd seen of her Pensieve memory. "You were very strong. You had to do what was needed to keep yourself and your idiot friends from being killed. You, Lovegood, Thomas, and Longbottom… all of you surprised me. You worked as a team, even when injured… I have to admit though, you and Lovegood surprised me most of all. Lovegood…"
"That was just strange!" Hermione exclaimed, pulling away from his chest and looked at him with wide eyes, remembering everything Luna had done. "Do you think she really doesn't remember she did it, or is she pretending? Maybe to protect herself?"
"I can't even start to guess. And at this point I don't want to talk about that." Severus' arm tightened around her waist and pulled her against his chest again. "My question is, how did you feel when you were cursing those bastards?" he purred against her ear and then he pulled back slightly so that he could watch her carefully, his black eyes bright with appreciation. Hermione quickly looked away and cleared her throat.
"I don't know what you mean… I had no time to think about anything except escaping."
Severus' long fingers caressed her face before he forced her to look at him. "Don't lie to me, witch. Draco showed me what happened with Karkaroff. You enjoyed torturing him. You enjoyed torturing the wizard at the muggle building too…" Severus lifted her chin until their eyes were locked. "I saw the pleasure it gave you. Don't deny it. Your pleasure was also my pleasure. I quite enjoy a dark Hermione Granger."
Hermione shifted until she was straddling him and she leaned in until their noses were nearly touching. "You're not upset that I didn't turn out to be some pure goody Gryffindor witch? I've heard bad boys like good girls."
Severus looked disgusted with the thought. "Perish the thought! In fact, I think I want to go watch the memory of Karkaroff again… or we can go down to the dungeons and you can practice on Lestrange." He pinned her with a smoldering gaze that made Hermione's breath catch in her throat.
"Or maybe we can practice something else," she whispered shyly, but her eyes were determined. Hermione grabbed onto her nerve and held tight before she could lose it, and began to unbutton the jacket of his business suit. When all the buttons were undone, she pushed it off his shoulders before immediately working on his dress shirt. Severus said nothing as he watched her undress him, his gaze never wavering from her flushed face.
"You look amazing in this business suit, Severus. You should keep it." She pulled his white dress shirt opened and just stared. She'd known he had a nice body because every time they embraced she could feel his form through his robes. But she never expected Severus to have a body that looked like a twenty-year-old Quidditch player! Where the hell did a Potion Master get muscle like this?
"You see something you like?" His eyes danced with amusement when she continued to stare at his chest with that appreciative glint in her eyes. Hermione smirked and then dipped her head to run a hot wet tongue along the curve of his neck before leaving sweet little kisses under his chin, over his jaw, until her lips came to hover over his. Severus didn't make a sound, but she knew he was affected by the way he clenched his jaw, and by the long hardness pressing up between her legs. Hermione shifted and moaned when Severus suddenly grabbed her hips, and he thrust up against her.
"Hermione, I want you to be sure…" Severus whispered against the softness of her neck as he breathed in her scent. Severus moaned this time when Hermione began to shift her hips back and forth over him. Even though he was still wearing pants, he could feel the immense heat pooling against him from between her legs.
"Do we need to go over this again?" she asked; her fingers playing a little dance over his chest, and she smiled when Severus trembled under her hand. Severus closed the distance, brushing his lips against hers. Her lips were like soft petals against his and her small little gasps of pleasure spurned him on to take the kiss deeper, one hand cupping the back of her neck, and she moaned when his tongue slipped between those petal lips. Severus' tongue caressed her mouth as his fingers caressed her shoulders, back, neck... anywhere he could touch. She gasped when the fingers she'd dreamt so much about suddenly brushed over a hardened nipple.
Severus pulled a fraction away from her mouth. "Are you a virgin?" he asked, his silky voice full of wanting, his warm hand heavy on her breast. Hermione leaned into the palm and he flexed his fingers and it was a moment before his words penetrated the haze of pleasure clouding her brain.
When his words registered, she became surprised and embarrassed, and she wasn't sure how to respond. What was his reaction going to be when she told him she wasn't a virgin? That she allowed that creep Ronald to touch her first? She didn't think she could stand to see the disgust she knew she would see on Severus' face when she answered the question.
"I don't want to say. Would it matter to you? Does it matter?" she whispered.
"It matters."
Hermione nodded and climbed off his lap, surprising Severus with the saddened look on her face. "I'm not a virgin." She turned away from him and pulled her robe back on. There was a cloud of dejection looming over her as she moved away and prepared to be rejected.
"Give me the man's name and current address," Severus hissed as he slowly stood up. Because she wasn't facing him, Hermione thought he was serious and she missed the mischievous glint in his eyes as he moved towards her.
"It was one time and I'm pained to admit it was with Ron, but I thought we… I thought he was a good person. Had I known-" A strong arm encircled her waist and a hand once again rested over her breast. She shuddered when his dark voice murmured into her ear.
"He was the only one then?" she nodded. "Then to me you are still a virgin. I do not expect a boy, a brat to have seen to your pleasure. I'm sure you were left wanting. A man knows how to make love to a woman, and I guarantee you it is very different from what you experienced. I only ask because I want to know just how much I can teach you tonight, witch. I will not hold back anymore. There is no going back," he finished before running his tongue along her earlobe, sending her body into sensory overload. Severus grinned. Seems he found one of her more sensitive spots.
"Severus, please." Hermione tilted her head back when she felt his lips on her neck drawing in her scent as if it were the only thing that could sustain his soul. She felt her robe once again slide from her shoulders to pool onto the floor at her feet. She closed her eyes and began to tremble when a hand brushed against her thigh, pulling the nightgown up so that he could slip his hand underneath it. Hermione gasped when he brushed against the heat between her thighs and she moved against him, against those fingers.
Severus groaned and pressed completely against her back, and closed his eyes. She was so wet. For him. She was moving against his fingers, moaning for more… This wasn't what he'd planned on doing tonight. He'd planned to talk with her, make sure she was emotionally all right and see her off to bed before returning to his home. It had been that damn look in her eyes when she'd had that journal in her hands. The look of world discovery. And then when they'd talked about what happened that day, the Pensieve memories swung and hit his cock straight on. "I don't want to stop," he breathed into her ear once more.
"Don't. Don't stop. Show me everything." Severus was only too happy to oblige her.
Harry appeared in the empty side street beside the building Dumbledore and Moody had been using in London. With a surly scowl on his face, he stalked out and stood on the side walk. Before leaving the manor, Harry had shrouded himself in a black cloak, though he still wore his muggle clothes underneath. The black cloak was to hide his Ukatae appearance so that he wouldn't have to glamour himself. He wanted his relatives to see exactly who he was now.
Harry sighed and stared up into the sky and frowned when he couldn't see the stars. The sky was lit too bright by all the city lights for him to be able to see anything. It was disappointing. He was in the mood to see the natural night sky. He shook himself, reminded that he came here for a purpose and wouldn't allow himself to think about other things until he was finished.
"Where is the place where you found my friends?" he asked the air beside him.
"Follow." Brumek appeared and Harry was surprised to see he'd changed himself to look human. Brumek looked like himself except he had two human ears and his hair was short and spiky, though Harry thought it looked cool because he'd kept it black with the natural blood red streaks running through it. He was wearing dark pants and a black long sleeved shirt, and best of all, a long black leather coat. Harry wanted that coat.
Harry followed silently because he was sure Brumek did not want to talk. He never did. He was as solid, strong, and silent as a stone statue that one. Harry smirked, remembering all the times Ozemir got under his companion's skin. It was really very funny, that relationship.
All too soon they arrived in front of his aunt and cousin's door, and for a moment, Harry thought about turning around and leaving. Did he really want to see them again? He didn't know. Seeing them again would bring back the pain of his past, he would remember everything, all the pain they put him through. Sighing, and feeling the twinge of panic from such thoughts, he stepped back from the door before turning away and running a hand through his hair in exasperation before looking at Brumek. "I suppose you think I'm acting like a coward."
"I don't know who these people are, but I can feel your trepidation. They are only humans, young one. I do wonder what they have done to make you feel so ill at ease. And no, I don't think you are being cowardly. Take your time and think about what you want to do. Though why you would want to see any more humans is beyond me." Brumek sneered at the door and his attitude actually lightened Harry's mood enough that he made the young Ukatae laugh.
"I grew up with them." Harry turned back to the door. "It wasn't a good home to live in for me."
"Of course not. They are human."
Harry supposed he'd have to see Aunt Petunia and Dudley to know if he could actually forgive them. Harry realized he would like to forgive but wasn't sure that was possible. The least he could do was thank them for looking after his friends when they certainly didn't need to. Harry stepped back up to the door and prepared to knock.
"Douse your Ukatae traits, young one. We usually do not show our true selves to humans."
Harry dropped his hand and scowled at Brumek. "I have a name," he reminded as he dropped the hood of his cloak. "Why must you refer to me as young one?" as he spoke, he put a glamour on his ears and shortened his fangs, immediately obeying even though he hadn't planned on using a glamour. "Will you come in with me?" he asked once the changes were completed.
"I go where you go, young one." This time Brumek smirked at him.
Harry sighed. "No, I meant as you are now. Without disappearing into your shadow thing."
Brumek nodded and stood beside Harry at the door and before Harry could do anything, Brumek began pounding on the door.
"Not so loud!" he hissed at the warrior. "People might think you're trying to break in or something."
The door opened almost immediately, which surprised Harry so much that he would have stepped back had Brumek not put a restraining hand on his back. Petunia Dursley paled upon seeing her nephew and the man beside him.
"Har…Harry…" she stammered. "Oh Lord! You're not here to kill us are you?" she clutched her skinny hands to her chest and stared wide eyed at him.
"No, Aunt Petunia. I've come to talk. May we come in?"
"To talk?" Petunia began to blink rapidly, and Harry was surprised to feel grief when he saw her eyes were filling with tears. "Yes! Yes, please come in!" She moved aside to allow the two visitors to enter. "Shall I get Dudley?"
"Yes. I wish to speak with him as well." Harry moved forward and sat in the chair next to the couch and Brumek took a standing position behind his chair and watched the human with cold unwavering eyes. Petunia rushed out of the room and Harry heard her knocking on a door down the hallway. Harry took deep breaths to calm himself and waited for his aunt and cousin to join him.
Petunia returned very quickly and Dudley lumbered after her more slowly. Dudley had a look of fear and anticipation on his face, which Harry thought strange. But he cracked a small smile when he finally saw Harry.
"Hello, Harry."
"Dudley." If his family thought he would suddenly be all nice, warm, and fuzzy with them, then they had another thing coming.
"How are your friends?"
"They are fine. That's one of the reasons why I came. Thank you for taking them in. You didn't have to look after them." Harry's blank face then produced a frown. "I want to know why you did."
Dudley and his mother sat on the couch; each shooting fearful glances at the man standing behind Harry before looking back at him.
"They needed help and I was there," Dudley said with a shrug.
"That doesn't explain anything, Dudley. Since when have you cared about helping anyone, huh? You never helped me when Vernon was beating the life out of me… I know you wouldn't have cared if I died."
"That's not true," Petunia said firmly with a frown. "We didn't understand you, so we feared you. But Dudley and I never wanted you dead. That was never what we wanted."
"Then why did you let that fat bastard beat me all the time?" Harry ground out between clenched teeth. Behind him, Brumek shifted at his words and only Harry heard the soft enraged growl emitting from the elder Ukatae's throat.
"Mum was really scared of Dad, Harry. She really was-"
"Dudley…" Petunia began to shake her head.
"No! He needs to hear this and understand why we did things. I'm not trying to make up for what we did, because Mum and I were just as bad as Dad, me especially. But he constantly threatened Mum, Harry! And after you were taken away by your, uh, boyfriend… Then Dad started to hit Mum."
"For clarification, Draco is my fiancé now." Harry ignored their gob smacked expressions. "And what about you, Dudders?" he couldn't stop himself from jibing his cousin just a little, and was pleased when Dudley's face turned red with anger. "You made my life hell. You were almost as bad as Vernon."
Dudley calmed himself before he spoke. "Yeah, I was. I was awful to you. I was stupid and only wanted to please him. I never thought about anything except pleasing my father, so I took on his hate of you… but I swear, I'm truly sorry for what I ever did to you and I wish I could take it back."
"You seem more intelligent." That was the only thing Harry could think to say, and he distinctly heard Brumek snort behind him.
"Somebody told me to grow up, and I have."
Harry nodded, somewhat pleased, and then he whipped out his wand, scaring the shite out of his relatives. "I'm not going to curse you." He stood up and crossed the room to Dudley. "Here." He extended his wand out to the pale boy. Dudley stared at the wand stupidly for a minute and then slowly reached for it. "Hurry up, will you! It's not going to bite."
Dudley grabbed the wand before staring up at his cousin. "Blimey, Harry, you've grown!"
"Yeah, finally." Harry stepped aside, an odd emotion going through him at hearing Dudley call him by name. "Now wave the wand around."
Dudley was uncertain and looked at his mother, who nodded. Dudley swished the wand around and massive sparks exploded from the end causing the television and a vase to explode and sending Petunia into a screaming fit. Luckily Brumek was quick and cast a shield around everyone protecting them from the flying shards. Harry was impressed Brumek had thought to shield Petunia and Dudley as well, knowing how much the Ukatae warrior despised humans.
Harry quickly took his wand back and tucked it back into the waistband of his pants. "Yeah, you're definitely a wizard." He went to sit back down and studied his face. "You don't look surprised."
"That woman who put her hands all over my Dudders told him." Petunia sniffed indignantly. Harry's eyebrows rose upon this and of seeing Dudley blush.
"Mum…"
"Well I don't understand what she thought she was doing touching you like that!"
"What woman?"
"A tall blonde wearing a black party dress. She came with that wizard. With Mr. Snape."
"Ozemir!" snapped Brumek.
"She told me I was a wizard. She also said that I needed to shape up or I would die and that she would help me. That's why she rubbed me down," Dudley said to Petunia. "Said it would help me lose weight, but only if I started exercising. I went out jogging as soon as your friends left."
"I will kill him." Brumek was now growling and it was clear the man behind Harry was not human by the sounds he was making. Harry turned around and flashed Brumek a grin.
"Harry, would you mind introducing us to your friend?" Petunia finally asked, unable to hold out on her curiosity any longer. The man looked dangerous and his bulk seemed to make the small living space even smaller with him in the room.
Harry simply shrugged. "This is Brumek. He's my bodyguard of sorts."
Dudley looked impressed and grinned. "Why do you have to go around with a bodyguard?"
"They haven't said yet, but I assume it's because of what I am and who I am…" Harry responded thoughtfully, remembering Tu'ral's words about he and Draco being important to the future of Ukatae kind. Harry shifted to look at Brumek, but he wasn't given any indication he was correct about his assumptions.
"What you are? You are speaking about what your fiancé told us… that you aren't human anymore, correct?" Petunia ventured carefully. Harry was surprised to see she actually looked curious and not disgusted at all. Harry wasn't sure why, but her reaction was pissing him off. Not to mention that he felt like he had fallen into a parallel universe.
"Have you finally accepted me?" he asked lowly in anger.
"Oh, Harry. We were prejudiced and ignorant… I blame my jealousy and bitterness. I do accept you and hope you accept my sincere regret at having treated you so badly and for not standing up to Vernon sooner. As your aunt, I should have protected you."
"Same for me. I can't really continue to think the way I used to if I'm a wizard as well." Dudley put in.
Harry jumped to his feet. "Can you still accept me when you know I'm no longer human? Can you accept me like this?" Harry dropped his glamour and waited while his relatives looked upon him with wide eyes.
"Does no one listen to what I say?" Brumek grumbled. "Didn't I say we do not show ourselves to humans?"
"Well?" Harry fumed as he raised his arms out to his sides as Dudley and Petunia stared at him slack jawed. He was already worked up and believed they would shun him yet again because he obviously looked anything but human. His aunt's next words, however, slammed surprise into him and all at once took the fluster and anger right out of him.
"Would you and your bodyguard like some tea, Harry?"
Draco sat at his desk for half an hour, debating on whether or not he should go after Harry. In the end, he decided not to, knowing Harry probably needed some time alone and eventually the idiot Gryffindor would realize he'd overreacted. Harry knew he loved him, knew he would do anything for him, especially to see him happy. Besides, maybe a night away from each other might be good. Draco didn't see why or for what reason, but he was sticking with that thought as he readied for bed.
"But we've always been able to upset each other by mere words since day one," Draco muttered thirty minutes later. He was lying on his back, wide-eyed, and completely awake and he knew it would be impossible to get to sleep without his mate. It might have been easier to gain sleep without Harry if he wasn't so worried that Harry was in a world of depression over his admittedly stupid comment. "I suppose it's perfectly reasonable that he should react the way he did. It was a careless remark on my part."
Draco got up when he realized sleep would not come to him without his mate and put on the same muggle clothes he'd been wearing earlier. He went out into the hall and called Ozemir, knowing the Scholar would hear him no matter where he was within the manor. The Ukatae in question appeared almost immediately and was still licking the blood off his lips when he arrived.
"You just now left her?" Draco asked incredulously, his eyes wide in surprise. Ozemir grinned and nodded. "Merlin. Is she still alive? I didn't mean for you to suck her dry. Harry's gonna kill me! She's supposed to be his kill!"
Ozemir laughed lowly. "Do not worry. I left a few drops. She'll awake in a few days."
Ozemir's eyes still gleamed bright red and he was grinning wickedly. Draco fought the urge to move away as he was pinned with those eyes. He watched silently as the red color cleared until he was looking into violet eyes once again.
"Take me to my mate."
Ozemir frowned at this order. "I was under the assumption your mate wanted to be left alone."
Draco sighed. He really hated to admit this weakness. "I can't sleep without him," he grumbled and then he glared when Ozemir began to snicker. "And I suppose I want to apologize for my flippant remark. Will you take me? Or show me how to find him? I understand there are ways for you to track other Ukatae."
"Well, yes. Of course there are." Ozemir placed a hand on his cocked hip and stared at something over Draco's shoulder. "But it is not something as easy as when you transfer yourself from one place to another. It takes many different levels of concentration when looking for someone. I do not have permission to start teaching you two the Shadow technique yet, but… I'll take you within my Shadow now to find Harry."
Ozemir shifted into his Shadow form and told Draco to walk into it. When Draco did he shivered from the cold of something that felt like mist and felt powerful magic swirling around his body, squeezing tight around him almost to the point of cutting off his circulation. He felt Ozemir place a hand on his shoulder and squeeze.
"I know it feels strange, and it will feel that way the first few times. Just breathe naturally."
Draco nodded, but wasn't sure Ozemir could see him, as Draco couldn't see anything except for the shadow around him. He had just barely finished nodding when the Shadow was lifted and he found himself standing in a crème colored hallway lined with six door on each side of the hall.
Draco was impressed. "That was fast."
"Ah! This is where we found your friends! It's this one." Ozemir pointed the door with the number twenty-nine on it. Draco wasn't really surprised Harry had decided to visit his relatives.
"Shadow us in, Ozemir."
"That would be quite rude," Ozemir chastised and wagged a finger in a no no gesture.
"These people don't deserve politeness. Shadow us in," Draco ordered.
"Brumek and Harry will immediately know we are within the domicile once we pass through the door, if Brumek doesn't already sense us." Draco stared blankly at him with an 'I don't care' look. "You certainly are highbred, aren't you, young one." Ozemir chuckled and dissolved them through the door.
Draco stepped out of the darkened corner into an empty living room, but he immediately heard voices coming from the nearby doorway. He took a couple of steps to the side to peer through the doorway into the kitchen where the voices were coming from. He spotted Brumek first. The Ukatae stood at attention behind a chair facing away from the doorway, but he was looking over his shoulder at Draco, and then his eyes flicked over Draco's shoulder to scowl at Ozemir who remained behind in the corner within his Shadow. Draco thought this strange. Ozemir was always up to causing disturbances and talking to humans. He thought it probably had something to do with Brumek. Draco then ignored those two and turned back and wondered why Harry hadn't sensed him yet. What could possibly be so important to have Harry miss the scent of his mate? He concentrated on the conversation and realized Harry and his aunt were discussing her family and how Dudley could have turned out to be a wizard.
"So you and my mother came from the same orphanage, and both of you came from magical families…" Harry was saying.
"That's right. But I was a… what is it you call a person with no magic from a magical family?"
"A Squib." That would explain why Petunia had been jealous of her sister. It was said the Evans praised Lily all the time for her gift, and were proud to have a witch in the family. Petunia must have really felt left out. Harry could understand that. "Did Dudley receive a Hogwarts letter as well? I never saw one."
"No. And I'm glad he didn't." When Harry frowned his aunt shook her head. "Imagine what Vernon would have done had he known his son was a wizard as well."
"He would have killed me," Harry said, knowing it was true. "And he probably would have taken it out on you as well. Why didn't he get a letter though? And did you know he was a wizard?"
"I had no idea. And now that I know, I assume Dudley never displayed any magical abilities because of the way we raised him. He may have done things but then you were probably blamed for that."
"Did you ever feel anything?" Harry asked his cousin, who had been sitting quietly, listening to their conversation.
"No. To me magic was a disease. Subconsciously, I probably pushed all that away."
"But why now? Why is it apparent now?"
"He turned seventeen recently, correct? His abilities probably awoke on his Inheritance. It's not unheard of," Draco drawled from where he continued to stand in the living room. He raised an eyebrow when Harry nodded without turning around and nearly laughed when he realized his mate wasn't paying attention to who had spoken and had yet to realize he was there. It both amused and irritated Draco. Two reactions that Harry always seemed to be able to draw out of him.
Harry frowned and tapped his fingers on the table. Petunia and Dudley were staring into the living room watching Draco with wary gazes, but Harry missed this as well. He was very deep in thought. "Did you feel anything when you turned seventeen? You should have felt-"
Harry suddenly spun around and nearly yelped out in surprise to find Draco standing in the middle of the living room, staring back at him with a dark face that seemed to be carved out of stone. Draco's face was sort of tilted to the ground, making his hair fall over his face and hide his eyes, but Harry knew those eyes were pinned on him, could feel the glare piercing him and he shuddered from the heat, the thrill of his mate's irritation. Harry didn't need to open up his mind to know the blond was pissed off.
"Um…excuse me for a minute." He rose from his chair. "I'll come back in a minute. I want to discuss one more thing with you before I leave. I didn't mean to keep you both up. It is rather late."
"Not at all, Harry. We're glad you're here," Petunia said sincerely. She watched as Harry nodded then walked out to his lover who was frowning ferociously. What beautiful creatures they are. Petunia coughed and blushed from her own thoughts.
"Sorry I ran off… I know I overreacted… I was being stupid." Harry smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck. "Did I make you worry?"
Draco sighed and was annoyed that those few words from Harry could dissolve his anger instantly."Of course you did, idiot Gryffindor. You closed your mind from me. How the hell did you think I would react to that?" he walked to him, and when Harry caught the look in his eyes, he shuddered. There wasn't anger there, just a soft reprimand. "And it's been confirmed. I can't sleep without you. So can we please go back home now?"
"Not yet. I haven't finished discussing things with them."
Draco sighed dramatically. He caught sight of Harry's 'aunt' watching them curiously. Harry was startled when a truly wicked gleam appeared in Draco's eyes.
"Harry." His voice was low and husky and just the right tone to make his lover shiver. "I missed you." Draco softly touched Harry's face, caressed the smooth skin and moved closer so that their chests brushed. He put a finger under Harry's chin and tipped his face up to his.
"Draco?"
On the one hand, Harry was very receptive to Draco's touch and the way his soft voice made him an almost instant puddle of goo, but on the other hand they were in the middle of his aunt's living room and he was sure his aunt and cousin were watching them. It made the whole situation entirely uncomfortable. For a moment Harry heard Ozemir softly chuckling from where he was hiding in the corner. Harry opened his mouth the tell Draco to quit what he was doing, but he couldn't make the actual words pass his lips.
"Maybe we could make her have a heart attack," Draco breathed into his ear and wrapped an arm around Harry's waist to pull him closer; shifting their bodies so that they were both perfectly visible to the occupants in the kitchen who were watching despite themselves.
Harry barely managed to keep a moan from leaving his mouth when he felt Draco's lips ghost over his jaw before tenderly sliding over his lips. As Harry's eyes closed, his mouth opened and his tongue sought out Draco's before he knew what was happening. From somewhere in the hazy distance he heard his aunt gasp, but he couldn't be bothered to care if she was having a heart attack or not. Draco's tongue against his was like a soothing balm for his conflicted emotions, and he wrapped his arms around his mate and lost himself to the soft loving embrace Draco afforded him.
Petunia was quite shocked. She had imagined she'd feel nothing but disgust at seeing two males so intimate together, and she'd had plenty of time to think upon it, but now all she felt was shock. Maybe it was because Harry and his lover were obviously very passionate with their feelings for each other, if their actions were anything to go by. The way they held each other. The way they looked and touched each other made it clear they were in love. The way the blond was holding Harry… it was clear Harry was loved unconditionally.
And Petunia wondered how anyone could think love in any form was disgusting? And even if she had been disgusted, which she wasn't, the smile Harry had on his face when he finally pulled away from that kiss would have swept away the revulsion. It was an utterly enraptured smile, one that could have brightened the darkest sky and Petunia nearly wept from seeing it. She had never seen her nephew in such a happy state and she knew that was her fault. She felt horrid for having witnessed this happiness; she didn't deserve it. Resolutely, she turned away from the two and sat back down and looked at her son. Dudley's eye were planted firmly on the table, but he must have seen what happened as his face was a very red color.
"Mum… they were just…"
"Yes, dear." Petunia rubbed his shoulder gently.
"Harry and that bloke really are… I didn't believe him when he said they were lovers."
"Seems he was telling the truth."
"Pity. She's still breathing," came a scathing voice from the doorway.
Petunia and Dudley turned just in time to see Harry jab an elbow into his fiance's side. "Be nice," Harry hissed.
Draco arched an eyebrow and studied Petunia and Dudley. "I refuse." And he commenced with the sneering.
"Then go and sit in the living room until I've finished here."
Draco gave one last scorching look at the uncomfortable humans, then turned on his heels and went to sit down in the living room sneering disdainfully at the meager and unrefined furnishings.
"My beloved, Draco Malfoy," Harry announced as he returned to his seat, waving a hand over his shoulder. "You've met before."
Petunia cleared her throat. "He seems… nice."
"He's a snobby arsehole," Harry returned with a tender smile.
"Oi! I resent that Potter!" The fondness in Harry's tone was the only thing to keep Draco from retaliating any further.
Harry continued to smile. "Now, about you being a wizard, Dudley… What do you want to do about this?"
"What do you mean?"
Harry sighed and looked at Dudley like he was stupid. "Do you want to learn to be a wizard? Simple question really."
"I guess I do. I'm not sure. Aren't I too old?"
"For Hogwarts, yes. But I can provide you with a tutor. Would you like that?"
Dudley looked to his mother, not sure if she wanted him to be a working wizard. But when she smiled encouragingly at him, he smiled back. "Yeah. I guess I'd like that."
Harry leaned back and stared at the ceiling, racking his brain for someone who would be appropriate to teach Dudley, someone who would have the time and resources. There was really only one person he could think of who fit the criteria. He wondered how his godfather would react when he asked him to tutor Dudley. Harry thought it was perfect for getting back at Sirius for all the money he'd thrown at him.
"Fine. I'll return sometime next week before I have to go back to school, and I'll bring your tutor. Dudley, Aunt Petunia I suggest both of you take time to think about this before I come back." Harry looked straight into Dudley's eyes, making sure he had his cousin's full attention before continuing. "This isn't a casual thing, Dudley. This is very serious. It's not going to be like Smeltings where you casually fly by, understand? I'll kick your arse myself if you say you want this and then give up after a week. Understood? You will also be putting yourself into a variable amount of danger should you decide you want to be a wizard. After all, you are my cousin even if only by adoption, and even though the one man who's been after me most of my life is now my friend, there are others out there seeking my death now."
He paused a moment to let that sink in. "Now, when I return I'll take you around and show you a few Wizarding places; introduce you to some witches and wizards… I'll give you one hour afterwards to make your final decision."
"One hour?" Dudley croaked.
"Yes." Harry stood and looked down haughtily at his relatives. "My time is precious. Besides, I'm giving you the rest of this week to think on things as well. After I've shown you around, you should only need an hour to make your final decision." He looked between his aunt and cousin and they each gave him a nod. "Wonderful. I'll be going now." He spun around, and smirked when he felt his cloak do the whole billowing out thing as he turned. Severus would be so proud! Petunia gaped for a second before standing up and rushing to catch Harry before he left. Dudley continued to stay seated and stared at the table with a frown on his face.
"Harry?"
Harry turned and arched his brow at her. Brumek made his way over to the hidden Ozemir and Shadowed himself as well.
"It was very nice seeing you," she said quietly as Draco came to stand beside Harry and sneered down at the woman. "And… we are very happy for the two of you."
Draco snorted. "Somehow I doubt that. I'm sure you view homosexuality the same way you viewed magic. With disdain."
Petunia gave Draco her full attention and straightened her shoulders. "You are wrong. I wasn't sure how to react when you told us you and Harry were involved with each other, but I can see you make Harry happy. And now, that is all that matters to me." She turned sincere eyes on Harry. "You deserve happiness after the life we gave you."
"You are making it very hard for me to hold a grudge against you," Harry grumbled and Petunia cracked a small smile.
"Besides… I suspect my own son is bisexual. Though he's been trying to hide it from me."
"Oh, I knew it!" Ozemir chirped from within his Shadow.
"Mum!"
Petunia looked over her shoulder at her son whose mouth was hanging open in horror. "I clean your room, Dudders! I've seen those magazines." She turned back to Harry and Draco. "I've had plenty of time to think over the matter, you know." It was Harry who looked gob smacked now.
"That's why she didn't have a heart attack. What a shame…" This time there was an amused smirk on Draco's face, so Petunia didn't quite take that comment to heart.
Harry quickly masked his surprise at what the conversation had just revealed. "Well, we'll be going now. Remember what I've said. You must think hard on what you both want. Dudley's life will drastically change should he choose to accept his Wizarding inheritance. All right?"
Petunia nodded. "We'll discuss it."
"Good. Until next time. C'ya Dudley."
"Bye Harry," Dudley muttered, trying to conceal his embarrassment by continuing to stare at the table, which caused Harry to grin. He was going to have fun with this the next time he saw his cousin.
"Madam," Draco said and nodded. He was just about to call Dudley pig but Harry nudged him and shook his head. "Dursley."
Dudley didn't look up but he did wave in a half assed manner.
"I'm happy we could meet again under better circumstances, Mr. Malfoy."
"Yes, well…" Draco wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and Apparated them away without another word.
"What are you thinking, Harry?" Draco asked as they entered the bedroom. "I thought you wanted to stay away from them."
"One more person on our side, I guess. I don't really know why I offered…" Harry talked as he shed his clothing down to his boxers. "Maybe because they are still my family… even if by adoption. And they're alone now too, ya know. And not under Vernon's rule anymore. They really seem different. Maybe I just want to forgive and forget."
"Well forgive me if I never forget."
Harry rolled his eyes as he slid in to bed. "I do feel better though," he finally said while watching Draco strip. "Also a little strange as well. I never imagined Dudley would turn out to be a wizard."
Draco made a sound of disgust and approached the bed, taking pleasure in the intense ogling Harry was giving him. "Please, I don't want images of that tub of lard in my head as I go to sleep!"
Harry lifted a hand and Draco immediately entwined their fingers together and allowed Harry to pull him down on top of him. "I'll just give you other images, shall I?" and Harry proceeded to send images of exactly what he wanted Draco to do to him in explicit detail. Draco responded immediately, just as Harry knew he would, and began to kiss Harry fervently, almost desperately until he suddenly pulled away and cupped Harry's face within his hands.
"You didn't take me seriously, did you?"
"Maybe for the first ten minutes," Harry answered sheepishly, knowing Draco was talking about the not wanted comment. It had taken Harry ten minutes to calm down to realize he was being stupid.
"Do I have to say it?" Draco whispered and raised himself up enough so that he could run his hands over Harry's chest and down towards his crotch, which was twitching for some attention. Unfortunately, Draco thought Harry deserved to be punished and pulled his hands away.
"I behaved badly, I know!" Harry's voice was definitely begging, but Draco ignored this and stared down at his mate sternly.
"That's a good boy. Now turn over," Draco whispered his order and when he saw the pleased look in his lover's green eyes, he shook his head. "So I can change the bandages on your back. And then we'll be going to sleep."
"Bastard," Harry muttered as he dutifully turned over onto his stomach.
A/N: Edited 10/19/2011