Chapter XIII: Severus's Decision
Harry and Draco had decided not to stay at Malfoy Manor for the holidays after all the events with Narcissa that had occurred there and so the new mates had forewarned Severus by owl of their relocation despite the pair had purposely neglected to mention why they had even relocated in the first place due to knowing of Severus's fondness for Narcissa as a close confident and friend for many years. She had been a close friend to him, and one he had valued highly, and so they figured it would be better to tell him of her death in person than by owl mail.
Severus had been concerned for their safety due to the relocation and not knowing exactly where it was, but Harry put his mind at ease during the second letter by assuring him that there were protective wards where they were and the dark lord would have to have been extremely stupid to try and break them in his condition right now after their last tussle together at the train station. It would be like he would have his own personal death wish to try something so stupid.
Severus mentioned he would be there for the impending discussions by the end of the week, possibly Thursday or Friday afternoon, so Harry and Draco had the week mostly to themselves before having to confront him on several levels. Levels that needed addressed if they were ever going to be working to end this war together at some point.
As for Harry and Draco though, the raven haired lord had taken his mate to a villa his family had owned in Spain many centuries ago that was still in high maintenance by the elves there. Apparently, it was well- kept and warded as mentioned before because it had once been used as a hiding place for secret documents relating to the Peverell and Potter clan lineage and of the family's magical talents through the bloodline, though it was not anymore and the files were gone now.
The best part was that Draco was managing well after the past week of events and he seemed happy to be away from Malfoy Manor. Harry understood why on a similar degree to him though not for the exact same reasons. There were just too many memories there right now for him to handle at his childhood home. Both happy memories and atrocious ones from that house…and Harry knew Draco would be better off recuperating now then dealing with them all at once.
Draco stood on the balcony of the villa that was attached to the master bedroom whilst Harry was off following a lead on one of Tom's elites and he was gazing at the sunset with his arms crossed as the bitter winter wind nipped at his skin. He supposed he would heal from this in time, but as the saying goes…'all good things come with time'
Draco then felt arms around his waist and a gentle caress of magic through his own. He immediately recognized as Harry's aura now as second nature to his own due to the first part of their bonding.
So powerful the feel of his magic that Draco relaxed and was comforted by the presence of his mate in knowing he was cared for and protected even in the absence of both their parents' presence. They both knew that Lily, James, Lucius, and Narcissa now had to be watching their sons with remorse for the tasks they left to them when they shouldn't have had to.
They knew that even from the beyond their parents watched over them and that they would keep watching even if all it would lead to was their own deaths by the hand of Lord Voldemort.
Draco, however, cherished the new life he was living even if it wasn't ideal yet for both himself and for Harry.
Draco smiled, "You're back sooner than planned? That's a surprise."
Harry nodded, "Yes well, let's just say the elite has now been unknowingly tagged for our map."
Draco smiled and nodded in silence as he enjoyed the comforting embrace though Harry sighed in his mate's silent presence.
"Your mother and father would be proud of you Draco, and to see you standing here beside me through all this. They were not given a choice of which side to serve and I am guessing that had they been given one; they would have turned their backs on the many hundreds of years of tradition eventually so you could be safe from their experiences they have had to endure." Harry told him as he broke the silence
"I know…it's just hard in knowing that I am alone besides having you in my life. I never imagined they would both be gone until now, and even though it is more than enough however, to just have you here to be with me...I know there are going to be times where I would wish I had my mother's touch of comfort or my father's guidance whatever it may be. As much as I am aware that he wasn't a very good father…he still tried to do the best he was able to protect mother and me and so he suffered for us where we would not have to." Draco said
Harry sighed again in dismay at Draco's saddened tone, "Your father, as much as I don't like to say this, he was a man who had his loyalties in the right place even if his associates were the wrong people to hold those loyalties with. His choices were stripped from him before he even knew there were options available to him if he looked for them. So he did the best he could between both with what he was given. I know these words likely don't give you comfort or set your mind at ease, but please understand that while your father's intentions were honorable and I respect this, he was also mixed with the wrong people without knowing it at first and had no choice but to obey by the time he realized it."
"I have been fighting him, his associates and their lord for as long as I remember and it seems like forever now." Harry told him wearily, "I grow tired of the war and fighting at this stage and wish it was over."
Draco nodded as he turned and smiled sadly to his mate, "I know you do and we will end this as we are supposed to. I just wish so many didn't have to die in the process, but it is war and with war comes death for some before victory. These people will suffer needlessly because we were negligent of our wrongs and because our pride as purebloods let us ignore our blindness to the situation over the last few centuries. Our pride and arrogance led us to believe anything one man or even one woman who claimed to be pureblood could say to allow us to help fix our community."
"Even I was blind to the consequences of my actions within Hogwarts. I was naïve to think my father would always be there to shield and protect me from him. That mother would always be there to give me a comforting word when times around us went darker than before. I knew deep down that this was war and at any time if our former lord grew angry; that he would not hesitate to kill any of us." Draco said
Harry smiled now, "Well, at least now you see clearly and that is important of itself. Come inside before we both catch a cold standing here too long."
Draco followed Harry inside to the den area of the master suite and they both sat in the seating by the fire pondering over what appeared to be a magically enhanced map of the wizarding world of Britain. It was showing Riddle's odd raid movements despite he was never present there with his followers due to his sustained injuries from his last battle with Harry.
On late Friday morning, Severus could not have arrived at a worse time for Harry and Draco. Harry had a bad night out whilst tracking one of Tom's elites as a lead to his hideout's whereabouts much to Draco's chagrin and complaints that it was too early to try this as it was.
Draco was now tending the wound Harry had sustained from that infernal woman, but it was stubborn due to the magic around it was causing it to fester rapidly and eat away at the skin slightly. Draco was at a loss as the wound seemed to heal the night before only to have re-opened and fester this morning again and to cause his mate more agony he felt through their bond.
Meanwhile, Harry was in a great amount of pain and through the bond Draco was trying to stay focused to tend him and keep him as comfortable as possible as he dealt with a more diluted sense of the pain his mate was in.
"Harry, Severus is here. Is there anything he can do to help that I haven't been able to do? Please, you need to be still or else that wound is just going to re-open again." Draco pleaded with his mate as Harry struggled to stand but collapsed at his mate's pleading back into his chair with an aggravated expression.
Severus watched the on-goings with care and an observant eye. It seemed Draco was good for Harry as much as the reverse was true. Both Draco and Harry had the same temperaments when they wanted though power-wise...Harry won easily over Draco despite the bonding between them.
It was true that Harry's early inheritance and his Drow, or Dark Elven heritage had forced a level of maturity over him. But it also appeared that through his pain of transitioning into a dark elf; that this new level of maturity had went through Draco as well in some ways. They both seemed to have their moments, which Severus figured would be normal for anyone else, but at least the two were more controlled than before.
Harry snarled as his teeth ground together and he struggled to sit up again and not scream in pain from the wound that was gashed across his upper right arm. Harry turned to the potions master and his eyes gave away exactly what he was trying to ask of the man he knew had the potion on him at all times.
"He sent Natalia as a lure, didn't he Harry?" Severus asked softly
Harry nodded solemnly while Draco just appeared confused and looked between Harry and then his godfather as if some kind of recognition was made between both of the two without his knowing exactly what.
"Then there is only one thing we can do for you right now. I can give you a pain potion, but then we must wait until the curse has run its course. It's not deadly, just an annoyance to the person it is inflicted upon. It causes festering wounds for a period of time that eats a small amount of skin creating blisters and immense pain throughout the body." Severus told them both quietly
"It was created originally as a deterrent for death eater elites to use as a means for escape during a raid or mission whilst panic took over the infected opponents and so it is naturally going to take a while to vanish completely though it will not cause nerve damage or something that can become permanent." He said softly
Severus gave Harry the potion who then had downed it in one drink of the vial while using his non-wounded arm and then promptly leaned back in a much more comfortable appearing position than before as he then drifted off slightly.
"Severus, exactly who is this Natalia woman you spoke of?" Draco asked him seriously with a look to his eyes
"She is Riddle's elite of stealth and tracking or at least one of them, and generally she is sent to locate rare dark artifacts for Riddle but on occasion she is used as a lure to try get info on our side by drawing us out. Rarely does she fight full combat due to her 'unique' circumstances in the Inner Circle." Severus told Draco
"What are these unique circumstances you speak of?" Draco asked
"Originally, she came to Britain from Italy to work within the Department of Mysteries, but due to her rather impressive resume; she naturally caught Riddle's attention in a good for him and bad for us kind of way." Severus said
"She is an elite follower in stealth and tracking, but she was also a former assassin hired by the higher nobility of the Italian wizarding nobility at one point. She has a very logical mind, and no one besides her knows how many she's killed already. Tom likely had her on a mission here to try and find out something he was looking into, although what I am unsure. I do know that whatever it is, it isn't going to be good either."
"Natalia may have run into Harry on accident this time, but even she is aware of who he is to her new lord; whether her cooperation was willing or not to his service. Natalia is Tom's experiment doll more or less now and so cooperation is not necessary from her. He would just force her to do as he wants as it is for the purpose of acheiving his goals. Tom has done things to her that would make most people's blood run cold when they heard of them. Including to the other elites within the Inner Circle. I do not relish her position at all." Severus said softly in a low tone
Draco shivered to the thought of exactly how bad the situation could have been if Harry had not managed to escape and evade this Natalia woman's gaze somehow.
Harry seemed to wake up and sat up with groan. Draco was on his feet instantly as Harry waved him off so he sat back down.
"Natalia was here for a reason Severus and that was why I tailed her to begin with. I wouldn't have if I wasn't so sure the information I had was not accurate, but unfortunately; it came from the High Council to me by owl yesterday as a detailed but vague missive. I agreed to look into this as I was the closest available person to do so. She is looking into the ancient magic of an old spirit that is locked away here deep beneath a ruin of some kind that is a part of an old legend for the Spanish witches and wizards who live here in this area. This spirit, or demon if you prefer, was once said to be revered as a god among the Spanish magical people until he nearly destroyed their village and then moved on to their country. The people here were forced to subdue it and lock it away before it reached the capital city at the time. His powers were put into a stasis due to the wards in his prison chains and those powers are lying dormant for now." Harry said in a rasping tone
"Tom intends to wake it up and harness its power for himself by selling another part of his soul to the demon so he has the means to destroy me once and for all. He knows I can call upon the drow gods and goddesses if need be and he also knows by now he can't do this as well, so he needs a way to counter-attack this if he engages me again, which is inevitable." Harry said seriously
Severus's face paled drastically to that as did Draco's.
"That's impossible. The demon has been chained here for over three thousand years." He told Harry as Draco sat with a very pale complexion now
Harry laughed darkly, "Natalia was Tom's experiment doll, remember? She was purposely captured and brought to him for a purpose unwillingly. Her goal was to figure out the wards around the chains to the spirit and her purpose was to be the vessel of energy for opening said chains before becoming a human blood sacrifice to awaken the spirit and its power." Harry told him sharply
Severus's eyes widened as he realized the truth in the words.
"But enough of this talk, as there is much we have to discuss isn't there?" Harry asked
Draco watched concerned as words were verbally sparred between Harry and Severus. He decided he would go and have the house-elf ready lunch for them all as it was nearly noon now. Harry noticed his mate left and sighed. Draco probably wanted to give them privacy, but at the same time was worried about an explosion of tempers.
"Severus, I know you treated me as you did mainly because you had to as a spy for Albus and the Order. However, your rivalry with my father did sometimes get the better of you with your dealings with me. I cannot say you have handled things fairly, but I also know this is war and war is not fair." Harry told him
Severus nodded silently.
"Albus is dying, and I am quite certain you know this. It was likely you he called upon to look at his now blackened hand when it first started to turn that color. I want to know something and you need to answer me. Did he have the Gaunt Ring in his possession?" Harry asked directly
Severus was rather astonished by the astuteness of Harry's observation and questioning.
"As far as I am aware, Albus managed to destroy it but this was only after the curse had been absorbed into his hand and he became ill." Severus said
Harry nodded silently as he thought this over.
"Harry, what has this to do with why we are talking?" Severus asked cautiously
"Everything." Harry answered vaguely, "Severus, did you know that Albus was planning on having me kill Tom Riddle as prophecy foretold, and then of all the ludicrous things to do after this, that he was going to send me to Azkaban Prison for being a danger to society if he had lived long enough to do so?" Harry asked him in a rather indifferent and nonchalant tone that was laced with ice now
A clatter was heard behind them as Harry saw Draco had dropped the tea he was bringing into the room for them all as lunch was prepared.
"Harry, you cannot be serious? Albus may be old and powerful as a wizard and I know I still think he is a bit twisted in some ways, but even still. He knows how much this world needs you here even after Tom's death." Draco whispered to his mate
Severus looked at Draco first and then to Harry and he saw the severity of seriousness in his gaze as he knew Harry spoke true and Draco was now very concerned.
"I am afraid I am not lying to you, Draco. Albus has always been jealous of the legacy that is associated to the Peverell lineage and for many centuries he has sought a way to usurp the natural course of historical destiny. His clan is old and powerful like mine, but the Peverell clan is still the most powerful and he wants the legacy of my family for his own gain." Harry said shortly as his eyes drifted between his mate and to Severus as well
"The arcane knowledge the Peverell clan holds is the largest in the magical international community as we are well connected to the world everywhere. The high lord has called him on numerous accounts of treason to the high court of clans, but until the war is over there is nothing he can do. The high lord knows Tom fears both Albus and myself for two different reasons, and if he were to remove one of us…that only gives Tom more edge room, which is not what he desires to do either." Harry told him
"Albus made his own lover into what was known as Dark Lord Grindelwald and for what reason we would all ask? He wanted notoriety and to be accepted by my clan as an ally of equal ability because he knew he was powerful and that he could 'do' so much more if he was allowed access to our knowledge." Harry said sarcastically now
Severus and Draco were astounded by all this new knowledge they had never even been aware of before now and remained silent as Harry continued on with his explanation.
"However, the first Lord Peverell of that age knew of his treasonous actions with our knowledge and so he then had forbid him from our library ever again since he had gone against the law and used the magic he found there for his own evil purposes. For what he would say is 'For the greater good'…" Harry said seriously
"Which is why I am asking you now Severus, who do you intend to serve during this war? A man who parades as a light icon but is shrouded heavily in darkness by his own guilt and regrets in his lifetime and now sees no way of turning back because his soul has been consumed by his guilt and hatred of himself? Or perhaps a man who sold his soul to a demon long ago to get revenge for the life he lost due to the darkened light icon who forced him to endure his misery alone and to sell it to another demon so he can have the means to bring down everything we know?" Harry asked the spy carefully
"Or would you follow me in a fight to bring both light and dark back into balance and the following events of our community's historical destiny being leveled out as equilibrium is restored." Harry asked him with more wisdom than one sixteen year old should
Severus was honestly lost for words in this moment and he knew not what to choose or to say. Draco had gone eerily quiet as Severus appeared to be thinking hard to Harry's words as his mate kept a visage of calm over himself and waited for his decision.
"Severus, I do not ask you to fight for me for nothing in return. You wonder what I could offer you besides safety and shelter, don't you?" Harry asked sagely
Severus looked at Harry with searching eyes but remained quiet and Harry saw the answer he was looking for in those eyes.
"I can provide you shelter and safe harbor. I can ensure you amnesty from the ministry for certain. I can give a new life to live away from Hogwarts after the war if this is truly what you want, Severus?" Harry said, "But I can offer you one thing Albus could never have offered you."
Severus raised his eyes to this, "And what is this you can offer me, Harry?" He said softly as if he already believed he knew the answer.
Harry relaxed and smiled gently to his former professor, "I can ensure you will be free of the dark mark forever after the war, Severus. No longer will you have to carry a mark that would cause judgment from others. No longer will you feel pain from a choice made out teenage angst when pressured into something." Harry said to him
Draco and Severus's eyes had widened dramatically to this...
"Harry, are you saying that you could remove the dark mark?" Draco asked him
Harry nodded, "Yes, I could. In fact, I could do this right now if I desired." He said, "But for such a steep reward comes a steeper price that I hate to ask of Severus after everything else he has been through already. He has been Albus's spy for too long and yet we need all the information we can gather." Harry sighed in dismay
"I can remove your dark mark Severus, but you understand the necessity of how important this war is. Gathering information that is to be reported to us as accurate and as precise as possible is going to be vital to the winning side's victory. I won't force you to spy for me and Draco from the Inner Circle, but know that if you did so; you would be aiding us in a way that is more helpful than you know." Harry told him
Severus sat in stunned silence at the newest revelation he had had today. A life for him to lead after the war without a dark mark to be worn on his forearm with shame from a bad past decision… the idea was tempting in and of itself.
Severus looked up, "I have a question if you let me ask it?"
Harry raised his eyebrows to his before he nodded in acceptance.
Severus sighed, "Life without my mark is tempting Harry, I admit. I have never wanted to change one part of my past except maybe for two or three actions. I told myself that lingering on my past and living with regret only would bring me trouble as a spy."
Harry said nothing as he eyed Severus and Draco shifted uncomfortably whilst a house-elf brought lunch and then vanished quickly again.
"The dark mark was one of these actions that I believed I would never be able to change. Knowing that I could be free of it; it makes me uncertain honestly." Severus said in a sigh
"So my question is that if you removed my dark mark and I no longer had it as a mark of shame to bear from my decision…wouldn't that upset the balance as well? People will still remember that I was on his side for a time, regardless I was a spy after a certain point." He asked him
Harry looked at him seriously and then pondered his answer momentarily before he tried to answer this as simply as possible.
"Severus, the balance is so upset right now that I believe when Tom dies it will shift to a more normal pose, but the shift will not be as large as most believe it will be." Harry said, "Let me ask you this in return and see if you can find the answer."
"If Tom dies as foretold, and yet Albus lives past this point; the balance of our community is still power divided. Why do think Albus wanted to lock me away if he survived, Severus?" Harry asked him sharply
Draco and Severus's minds were in overdrive mode before Draco suddenly snapped his gaze to his mate and Harry smiled and nodded as Draco now realized the gravity of this scenario.
"He wants you out of his way after Tom's demise so he can garner the credit for making you strong enough to kill him before he resumes his own crusade on the Ministry." Draco said, "The headmaster is aware of exactly how much influence you have there and he knows people seem to cling to you like magnets. He fears you will end his goals and his agenda before he could even start."
Severus looked at Harry for the truth in these words. The elven lord turned his verdant gaze to the former potions master and the dour man saw the honesty and sincerity in his gaze to this.
"This war is multi-faceted, Severus. Much to the unaware of most I believe. If I dispose of Tom, and in return Albus locks me away; he could use the Ministry to usurp the high council and that would upset the balance again." Harry said
"This war is more than it seems. It has gone on far longer than most realize as Albus keeps a very tight leash on his secrets that he doesn't want exposed much like Tom does too. I am the last descendant of Ignotus and as Lord Peverell, I must see this war end or die trying."
"I am the only one who can see to Tom's death, and I am also the only one who can see that Albus doesn't usurp the council. If he does…he usurps the will of our very existence and we become twisted as he is. He aims to reshape civilization by means of my family's ancient magic that he has been forbidden to ever read again. This magic is so ancient that if you don't know what you're doing; it has disastrous effects. This magic is rarely seen or heard of anymore and forbissen for this very reason." Harry said sadly
The room was awkwardly silent and lunch plates were clearly by banishing charms as Severus knew he needed to choose.
Finally Severus sighed, "I propose an idea in your direction, Lord Peverell." He said seriously
Harry looked up immediately to this as Severus had used his title of respect and had referred to him in a deferential manner. He nodded for him to continue as Severus gathered his remaining thoughts together for this idea.
"I will spy for you in exchange for the removal of the dark mark and safe harbor should I need it after the war. Possibly during the war if I am exposed to either side now." Severus said, "However, my idea is this. Tom trusts me probably more than Natalia, but he won't say that to her. I know much of what goes on within his side and if I don't; I can easily seek audience to obtain the information I need. I can easily relay what I learn to you from the Inner Circle and the Outer Circle after meetings. However, I can also say and vouch to say that right now I am Albus's closest confident even though Minerva runs a near second." Severus told them heavily
Harry and Draco were interested now and they listened with open minds.
"I can relay what the Order of the Phoenix does easily as well to you both after a session with them. But Albus of late has taken to having tea with me more often in his office. During these sessions, he often talks of things he may not tell anyone else. I can also give this information as well though you will need more patience for it since you may wait longer for it to occur as it does not happen each time."
"I also suggest telling Minerva and Filius of Albus's little schemes that surround you, Harry. They won't like this at all and I am near positive they would side with you over him after this is revealed secretly. Harry, I am unsure if Minerva ever told you this and it may not be my place to do so, but since she is not here I am going to tell this as you should know since it is rather important."
" You recall that your mother and I were friends in school?" Severus asked as Harry nodded, "Well, we amended the incident in her fifth year and before Lily died, she had entrusted Minerva a key to some kind of vault that is of extremely high value to your clan on James's order as the former head of the family. Lily told her that when you turned sixteen she should give it to you, but she never had a chance with everything that has happened." Severus said, "Lily had confided in Minerva that she didn't trust Albus to protect them as much as he promised and James had albeit agreed with her due to knowing of Albus's and your clan's history better since graduating from school."
Harry seemed interested to this now, "Do you know what the key goes to or what is so precious to my clan that she had to entrust the key to her?"
Severus eyed the house and then looked at Harry, who for the first time had wide and comical eyes.
"Severus, are you telling that my own mother entrusted the key that protect our lineage's sacred ancient documents that were once here in this house to Minerva after they moved them on my father's orders?" Harry yelled at him
Draco was now confused about what happened.
"Yes Harry, she did. As far as I know, Minerva still has the key since Albus trusts her not to betray him and that James taught her Occlumency to avoid Albus's probing. After James and Lily's deaths, she has been like a seesaw with whom to trust more. Albus or you." Severus said
"Damn it. Of all the things that could have happened. We're so lucky Albus refuses to use Legilimency on her and that my father had the wisdom to teach her Occlumency or that key would be in his hands now and we would be screwed over three times more than we are right now. That would be a big amount of trouble that I don't care to deal with." Harry said in an exasperate sigh
"And what of Filius, Severus? You did mention him as well." Harry asked with another sigh
Severus wondered whether or not he should say this given Harry show of temper before.
"I suppose I did, but I doubt you will like this news any better than the previous." Severus said
Harry rolled his eyes, "Great."
"Filius was Lily's mentor in charms when she did her apprenticeship at Hogwarts before graduating and moving on to work for the Department of Mysteries. More importantly, the experimental charms division of the department." Severus said dryly
Harry threw his hands in the air at that as Draco stifled his laughter at Harry's emotional displacement.
"Prior to her death, she and Filius had secretly been developing some kind of spell that is a kind ward. It was a protective ward to be exact, but one that was supposed to be able to be used in combat for long periods of time and without it draining too much magical energy to sustain it." Severus said
Harry and Draco eyed Severus intently as this could prove useful in the near future.
"I know the spell never was finished before Lily died and it was because the Ministry had deemed it too dangerous for experimentation. However, I also know Filius is aware Albus uses his allies like chess pieces to put lightly."
"He was angered greatly that he had sacrificed your mother and father for his war. In retaliation to this Filius kept the spells documents with him and he may have finished it now as a sense of retribution towards Albus for Lily and James through you as their son. I also know that he has kept the Potter estate in tact because Lily's lab is there, so he may be willing to help us in return with the right incentive." Severus said
Harry mulled all this over and his head felt as though it were spinning. Finally Harry sighed and nodded.
"I will take what you have said into consideration Severus, but I know you have things today you want to do. I still have some things we need to talk of and not all are pleasant, so can you return in another week?" Harry asked
Severus thought momentarily, "Yes, I should be able to."
Harry nodded silently as Severus knew he had been given leave and apparated out. Harry shrunk from the chair to the floor as Draco knelt beside him and offered a comforting hand.
"Draco, I have a feeling we may yet need to return to Hogwarts despite the danger we will be in there and I am unsure I want to put us both through this." Harry said
"Harry, we will both be in danger no matter where we are as long as Tom and his death eaters are out there." Draco said
Harry nodded, "I suppose so. Maybe if we complete the other two bonds on time before the term we will have an edge of advantage. Albus is going to die soon; I can feel the air whispering of it."
Draco remained silent for a moment.
"We just to remember to get Severus instated as the new Headmaster if we are to go back. He plays both sides and now for our benefit than Albus or Tom, but above all else he adheres to the ministry and the school board." Draco said
Harry nodded, "I agree. I will need to write Ron and Hermione though to let them know of the changes in the plans ahead. You should also write to Pansy and Blaise to forewarn them. Tell them that if they need to tell anyone else; that it must be absolutely necessary they make sure they are aware of how dangerous this is and the fewer who know the better." Harry said
Draco nodded, "I know."
Harry semi-smiled now, "On another note my mate, the second part of the bond could be started as early as Monday, but I will need to prepare for the rite to be done properly if we decide to it then." Harry smiled
Draco smiled now, "So the first part was the physical bond. This one is the emotional one, right?"
Harry smiled and nodded, "Yes. Dark elves are notoriously famous for their protective nature over the mates, especially when soul-bonds like ours are involved and a part of this is due to the fact that our bonding is more of a ritual than just a simple act of sealing the bond by intercourse. Three parts to the whole scenario is included with our bond. First, our bond is physically sealed through the act of intercourse and that ties us together as soul-mates for good."
"This part of the bond then allows us to draw on each other's magical energy if needed. Like if we needed extra magical energy in combat. We also immediately know the other's aura and we are able to start to recognize the feel of our mate's magic when near the other. This prevents others from trying to pretend they were me as even polyjuice could not fool it." Harry said calmly
Draco nodded as he listened to the explanation. He was honestly fascinated by his mate's culture since the veela traditions didn't date back anywhere near his.
"The second part, as you mentioned Draco, is the emotional part of our soul-bond. I am going to prepare a potion that we will both have to drink before we do anything else. Once this is done, we will share an exchange of blood between our palms."
"When both our blood mixes together, we will feel a sensation similar to if we were burning from the inside. Not for long though and when it subsides, a telepathic link between our minds should have formed."
This way we can communicate to each other mentally at all times. This may depend on how far we are from the other and so we will have to test how much distance we can have for it to work. Our magic will now be able to tell more easily if the other is hurt or distressed, thus allowing the other to respond accordingly. I will have to teach you Occlumency to protect your mind from being invaded though and we will have to learn certain barriers to put up if we need to concentrate and cannot be distracted." Harry said
"We will have the ability to open and close the link at will, but something tells me that closing it will be painful if left that way for too long, so we need to be careful when we do this too." Harry finished as he relaxed since Natalia's damnable curse was starting to finally fade some.
Draco smiled, "So, what's the third part?"
Harry looked at his mate with a smirk, "Patience Draco. There's no need to be so eager for something that can only happen during the light of the next full moon." Harry purred at him
Draco shivered now and moaned as Harry nipped at his neck and bit the sensitive spot before licking it and sending tingles through his body.
"Come, I think you and I need some time for ourselves, don't you think?" Harry purred dangerously soft, "Especially if we end up back at school with no privacy because of dorms."
Draco moaned as he let Harry drag him to the bedroom, not that he had complaints. As they left the room, neither mate noticed the return of the obsidian eyes that had seen the whole spectacle whilst waiting for a chance to cut in and break some bad news already.