Chapter 13: Speak in Gentle Voices

It was understood between the three mates that their relationship could stand a few days to work on its own before they started hashing what would be what. As much as the three would've loved to sit and get to know each other, there was still a great threat hanging over their heads. Yes, as much as they might hate it, Voldemort had to be the main topic of conversation for this first trio conference.

While still stroking Lucius' back, Harry filled his two mates in on hunt for the last horcruxe, and told how much time he estimated they had before the final showdown. Severus wasted no time after Harry finished speaking to take center stage, and immediately demanded to know the state of Harry's Occlumency. The potions master swore that the ability would be one of Harry's greatest aids.

"If your mental shields drop, even for a second, you'll not stand a chance. I'm sorry to use Lucius as an example, but his shields did drop. We've lost days because of his resulting coma. Guilt induced or not, that coma was an aftereffect of a mental violation. If Voldemort breaks your shields like he did Lucius', I doubt a coma and a couple extra mates will be the final result."

Lucius whined, and tried to shrink into the bed. His shame started to reappear, and he almost wished he hadn't woken up. With his mistake laid out so plainly, he felt like a complete failure.

His mates felt his withdrawal immediately and surged into him, sandwiching him more securely between them. They nuzzled him and cuddled him, wrapping him up until he wasn't exactly sure where he ended and they began.

"Don't you dare retreat back into that coma! You stay right here! With us!" Harry's demand was so strong that Lucius instantly obeyed. He stopped retreating, and just settled into their embrace. "Because of you, I agree with Severus. I wouldn't have agreed with him so readily if I didn't have proof of what Voldemort can do. Yes I get dreams from Voldemort, and yes my Occlumency has improved massively through my own efforts, but to see the effects of what he can do to a waking person makes me more inclined to study Occlumency more seriously and accept any help I can get... though the added bonus of getting my mate's will probably make me improve tenfold."

"Do you truly mean that?" Lucius asked after a bit of hesitation.

"With all my heart, our love." And Harry did. Lucius sighed, and his guilt left him for good.

"You will both work with me to improve your skills. Lucius, I know you were beaten and distracted by the possible threat to us, but you need to rebuild your shields after that horrid attack. I'm sure that Voldemort reeked some damage with his forceful entry. I'd like to assess that damage and help fix it, if you'll let me…. I swear to be gentler in my teaching techniques than I usually am," Harry snorted. Severus shot him a halfhearted glare. "IF you both work with me and, especially in your case Harry, pay attention!"

"I can pay attention. I taught myself didn't I?" Harry sniffed. Lucius wondered for a moment if his mates would start arguing over his back. He was more than a little surprised when Harry leaned over him and, instead biting Severus or snipping at him, Harry kissed the end of Severus' nose. Lucius was even more floored when Severus just smiled and continued on with his lecture of the importance of mental shields and how he was going to make theirs perfect.

They talked until late into the evening, Severus and Harry filling Lucius and each other in on how the war effort was progressing and Lucius giving his ideas and opinions on what should be done. With his wide range of curses and hexes, Lucius supplemented Harry's ideas of defense for the Order while Severus suggested possible potions to destroy the horcruxe, as well as possible potions to boost Harry's physical stamina in battle. They knew that Harry would need all the strength he could get to face Voldemort.

Around ten in the evening, Harry demanded that the conversation be put on hold in favor of a nice meal and sleep. The young man headed to the kitchen while Severus and Lucius prepared for bed. When Harry returned, the two older mates arranged the food while Harry got ready. By mutual silent agreement, all three lovers would be sleeping in Lucius' bed. It was the biggest, after all.

Dinner passed quickly and pleasantly, and then the dishes were spelled to the kitchen, and the three mates settled in. Lucius was cuddled between the other two, and after a rather lengthy goodnight kiss shared with both his mates, the blonde molded himself into the middle of the embrace. It seemed as if there was a Lucius sized hole between them just for him. They all three slept their first peaceful sleep in years tangled in each others' arms.

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AN: I am SO sorry! I know this is really late, but I've been really sick with a fever and so on. I've been sleeping on a couch in pain, if it's any consolation to those of you who've been waiting. Also, I couldn't get fanfiction to upload my chapters for some reason. Please review! I promise the next chapter will be longer….I'll even make it a lemony chapter if you want. ;) Nighty, night!