Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

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Chapter 16: Meetings and Discoveries

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Severus was pleased to see Bellatrix and Narcissa already at a table when he and Harry arrived at the Three Broomsticks. He made his way over to them, Harry following behind him under the cloak.

"Good evening," Severus said, slipping into a seat across from the two women.

"Hello, Severus," Narcissa said, setting her drink down.

"Hey, Severus," Bellatrix said, looking around. "Where's Potter?"

"He'll be along shortly," Severus answered, dismissing the question. "Homework to finish."

"Right," Bellatrix said, sitting back. "What's this about Dumbledore?"

"Harry's not just a wizard," Severus said. "He came into his creature inheritance on his birthday and has since discovered his mate. Seeing as I'm the one telling you this, I'll allow you to draw your own conclusions as to who said mate is."

"You're bound to Potter?" Narcissa asked. "For life?"

"Yes, I am," Severus said, carefully gauging their reactions.

"Well, at least it was someone Potter knew," Bellatrix said, her causal tone surprising Severus and Harry. "Now he doesn't have to traipse around the world looking hopelessly for some stranger to be 'the one' for him."

"Quite right you are," Harry said, quickly removing the cloak from him.

Bellatrix merely widened her eyes, whereas Narcissa practically jumped from her seat.

"What creature are you, Harry?" Bellatrix asked, eyeing him carefully.

"I'm a full-blood Vampire," Harry replied, casually leaning back on his chair. "I never knew, though after fifth year, I knew much more about Vampires than a certain old fool wanted."

"Oh? The Golden Boy mocks Dumbledore so openly?" Narcissa asked, shocked.

"When the old fool wants Severus and I to stop spending time together to please him, of course I openly mock him," Harry said, his voice disgusted. "Oh, Weasley lost his two best friends, time for a bonded couple to separate to save him."

"Dumbles is losing his touch," Bellatrix said, smirking to Severus.

"That he is," Severus said, putting a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Calm down, Harry. It won't do to send you into a bloodlust."

"Sorry, Sev," Harry said, relaxing at the hand on his shoulder. "Dumbledore just pisses me off so much lately."

"What do you need our help with?" Narcissa asked.

"Keeping people from finding out about this. Harry has spent enough of his life in the papers. It's time he begins to get his privacy," Severus said, his voice hard. "Dumbles, as you put it, has lost his hold over Harry, and now he is desperate to do anything to regain his hold over the young man. We need to put a stop to his insanity."

"How?" Bellatrix asked.

"There is an opening on the staff, or will be shortly. Our DADA professor is losing it, and will need to be replaced at term. Harry has already more than surpassed his NEWTs, and Dumbles has already chosen him to take over, in a ploy to get him to snap and reveal himself," Severus explained, his face twisted in disgust and hatred. "What the fool doesn't realize is that Harry has moved into my rooms, which are warded separately from the school. There is a spare room for the both of you to have. With more people supporting him, Harry will be able to better control his inner beast."

"Are the wards effective enough to keep Ministry goons out?" Bellatrix asked. "I am a wanted criminal."

"Until Harry provides testimony that you were under the Imperious," Severus said, smirking.

"Yeah, my word is still law there," Harry said, smirking as well. "I can give false testimony to Kingsley that you were Imperioused the entire time, and you'll be free. Plus, Kingsley knows of the conflict between Dumbles and I, and he's already said he's on my side."

"Fantastic. When can we move in?" Bellatrix asked, grinning.

"Now." Severus answered.

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After the foursome flooed to Severus' rooms, Bellatrix and Narcissa enlarged the extra room to fit two rooms and a bathroom.

"The only rule is, nighttime will be spent in your wing," Severus said, his voice stern. "Things have not progressed as far as some would assume, but Harry and I still enjoy our privacy."

"Of course, Severus," the women replied, going into their wing.

Harry watched as Narcissa and Bellatrix, two people he previously hated, went into their wing of Severus' chambers. After his outburst about Dumbledore, he had to focus to maintain his precarious control over his Vampire. He had nearly lashed out as the waiter came to the table with their drinks, but Severus' hand on his shoulder kept him grounded enough to fight off the urge.

"Do you require a feeding?" Severus asked, noting the tenseness of Harry's shoulders and back.

"It would be wise," Harry said, turning to face his mate. "Unless you want me to lose control and all that."

"Here," Severus said, holding out his wrist. He was mildly surprised when Harry grabbed the arm and pulled them together.

"Would you mind if I used your neck this time?" Harry asked, his practiced breath ghosting over Severus' ear.

"Of course not," Severus said, closing his eyes and leaning his head to offer more space.

Harry gently bit down into Severus' neck, a strangled moan escaping the older man. Harry sucked gently, drawing his lover's blood into his mouth. He felt Severus' arms wrap around him, and he groaned happily. After a moment, Harry drew away, after closing the wound.

Severus felt different after this feeding, like there was an unresolved piece to the puzzle that his life had become. His eyes were changing to a deep, blood red.

"Harry," Severus said, need in his voice. "What's happening to me?"

"I think with our feedings, you've accumulated a small amount of my venom that's in your system for good now," Harry said, his pants tightening slightly. "It's the changing of your eyes that's telling me that. We've got two days before we'll absolutely need to consummate this bond between us."

"You sound so different," Severus said, his hands reaching for Harry. "And you smell divine."

"You'll have advanced senses in the next few hours," Harry said, smirking as he let himself be drawn into Severus' arms. "We'll have to be incredibly careful now, Severus. With your advanced senses, there is a possibility of you losing control and things could happen."

Harry tilted his head up to look at Severus, only to have lips descend upon his. The sensation was incredible, and Harry quickly gave himself over to the kiss. Severus was intense in his kiss, his new senses driving him.

"Let's go to the bedroom," Harry said, after breaking the kiss.

"Let's," Severus answered, pulling Harry towards their bedroom.

Narcissa poked her head out of his rooms, attempting to ask Severus a question. Unfortunately, all she heard was the slamming of the other bedroom door.

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A/N: So, this chapter took a while to get together. Hopefully the rest of the story doesn't take as long to write.

Bringing Narcissa and Bellatrix in was a spur of the moment thing, but now we get to see mother and son in cahoots.

Reviews make me write faster!

-KD