A/N: Winged Serpent for arisflame! Hi, sorry for not noticing the review earlier and getting back to you. Hope you enjoy this! This song inspires a hell of a lot of my plunny babies, k? I adore the Hunger Games soundtrack. Look up Quezecotal if you don't know what they are... Awesome Mayan legend that is. AU; nobody who was good died in DH!

DISCLAIMER: No matter how much I wave my wand, I will never own Sev and our favorite green-eyed Wizard. *sobs*

WARNING: Yaoi is an important part of these. Please desist in flaming.

-Ryder

P.S. There may be more than one title that gets a continuation; Dragon's Might, Dragon's Might II... etc.

CAttW CAttW CAttW CAttW CAttW

The moonlit clearing was witness to a ferocious battle, blood spattering the high grass as diabolical hisses echoed. Brilliant Quezecotal feathers littered the crushed fragrant grass as the large winged snake fended off a decent-sized Basilisk.

Get out!

*No. Thiss iss my home.* the larger reptile hissed in a deadly tone, lashing out again as he defended his den from the smaller Magical serpent. Rainbow-colored venom landed on the thick skin of the Basilisk, searing right through the magically tougher skin and causing the other serpent to fall down dead. *Never messs with what you cannot handle, fool.* The Quezecotal huffed as he slithered away from the cooling corpse...

-PoV-

Severus stood in astonished silence at the former battle scene that appeared in the morning sunlight. Feathers that could have only come from one species of magical snake littered the area around the clearly adolescent Basilisk, rainbow-colored venom pooling in the solid boulders around the clearing.

"What is a Quezecotal doing in southern Scotland?" he muttered as he carefully picked up the feathers by hand as they would react adversely to non-compatible magic. The venom he left alone; that would eat through anything he tried to collect it in besides an obsidian vial, which he had not thought to bring. Not long after he had finished with the Basilisk carcass he saw a flash of scintillating feathers coming in from his right. He genuflected and incanted the ancient greeting for the creature, knowing that if it detected fear or falsehood he was dead. "My deepest apologies, Lord of the Skies. I would not knowingly enter your domain were it not necessary."

*Your name, Warrior Mage.* Severus nearly choked at being referred to like that; few even knew his status as a Mage.

"Severus, Milord." the last word left a bitter taste in his mouth... He thought he was done bowing to those more powerful!

*Though you honor the traditionss, the last word holdss a deep-seated resentment, Mage. Explain.*

"I was forced to serve two Masters, each as powerful and insane as the other. One insisted upon the title of Lord the other Headmaster. I thought I was done with having to bow to another's will once more after nearly a decade of unfettered freedom, Milord." Ringing silence entered the clearing as Severus remained kneeling before the feathered serpent spanning past the minute mark without so much as a peep from the Magical Creature.

*You are honesst with me, Sseveruss. Not many would have- What do they call it?-Ah, yess, the ballss to sspeak that way to me. I like you. You may address me as Ligurath, or Ligur for short. I wissh to become your Familiar.* Severus looked up, his shock evident as it had not been for years. *Oh, yess, I think it is time to Bond with ssuch a Mage.*

"I am... humbled and honored, Ligurath." The serpent laughed into his mind, wrapping itself around his waist before encircling his rather broad shoulders rest its head on his right shoulder as though it knew he was left-handed.

*Pleasse. Honor hass nothing to do with it. I admire your honessty in ssuch a blunt manner and your magical sstrength iss one few ever hope to attain.*

"I see..."

As he approached the castle he'd called home for nearly all his life, Minerva made a terrible hissing noise. Ligurath didn't seem the least bit phased before his colleague of more than two decades recovered enough to blush furiously.

"Headmistress, meet my Familiar Ligurath. Ligurath this is Headmistress McGonagall."

*A cat Animaguss. Interesting employer you have Severuss.*

"You can understand it?"

Severus frowned at the surprisingly dismissive tone, "Yes I can understand him. Minerva, what in Merlin's name is wrong?"

"It was my anniversary today and my partners have yet to return." she murmured demurely after several moments of silence.

"Tea, Headmistress?" he offered, stroking Ligurath's feathers as he led the way to his apartments in Slytherin Tower.

"Severus, I do apologize for my behavior." she murmured as she sipped her tea.

"I am quite sure your partners are planning a surprise. They would not leave you in the company of an admittedly-bitter ex-Death Eater for very long." He snarked acerbically.

"Rolanda? Poppy? Oh my... For me?" Severus rolled his eyes at the affectionate tone in Minerva's voice as Madame Hooch and Madame Pompfrey held out a tartan kilt with the McGonagall colors for her. He slipped out of the room for a little bit, sipping his own luke-warm tea and blankly stared out onto the grounds of Hogwarts. Severus yelped as Ligurath flicked his forked tongue into his special medical drink.

"That is mine! I need it for the scars on my neck."

*Sss-aa a wound still laced with poisson, Sseveruss. Do you mind if I retrieve it?*

"Does it hurt worse than a Crucio?"

*You wissh. No, it iss relatively painless compared to your passt expiriencess.* With that, the slender fangs sank into his scars and with each swallow he felt lighter. Before he knew it, Ligurath was finished; his neck had no pain as it had for the past decade.

"Thank you, Ligur."

*Hmph. Take better care of yoursself and wassh out that gunk from your hair!*

"That is a protective Potion."

*It iss greasse and you will remove it. While you are at it, throw away the can as well.* How the Quezecotal knew about that can was a mystery...

He pushed the hair out of his face for the fourth time that day after his shower, frowning at the silver streak that had appeared after he washed out the last of the grease.

"Ligur, I don't have any silver hair. Is this your doing?"

*It happened when we Bonded out in the clearing. Another will appear once ssomeone elsse hass seen us together. They are Witnesss Markss.* The multi-colored serpent hummed absently from his shoulder as he searched for the bright green ribbon Lily had given him.

"Ah-ha! I knew this would come in handy..." he tied back his hair, scowling at the silver strand as it escaped the tight hold along with one of his own inky strands. "Well, vain serpent?"

*Much better than before. Watch out, the ladiess might actually approach you now...*

"Ha, very funny." he grumbled sourly as he slipped on a light summer cloak to walk by the Black Lake. His sleeves were rolled up all the way, Severus sighing as he rubbed the Dark Mark. That would keep the women away if nothing else besides his acerbic tone and attitude.

So much for his razor-sharp tongue and Dark Mark... They all paid attention to him as he sat down with Ligurath wrapped around his shoulders as he sipped his favored cognac and concentrated on lesson plans. He overheard two Witches gossiping in the booth in front of his, a habit of his spy days he had not been able to break completely.

"Did you see Snape? That is one powerful Wizard if he has a Quezecotal on his shoulders..." The other Witch, a brunette, giggled incessantly.

"He's got a nice arse when he isn't covering it in those awful bat-robes. Did you see his fingers? Pianist fingers and I bet he's gentle." Were these women really speculating his abilities and prowess in bed? No, not possible. A third Witch joined them, this one a false blond with dark roots.

"He's got a steady job too. No late nights unless he's brewing and he's probably sweet under that harsh facade. Goodness, I don't want an Auror for a husband..."

"Merlin knows what they get up to on the job. At least with Snape you'll know where he is; his office, his bed, his classroom or his labs. Nothing like stability right now."

Severus frowned as he worked on his lesson plans, his mind straying to a potion he wanted to make for a while. He pulled out a spare sheet of parchment and wrote quickly; biting his lip as he worked out what he would need for the complex cure. Each element had to be freely given. Yes, that would work, but it had to brew for a full month if the ingredients were to stabilize correctly. Unicorn hair, Quezecotal venom and feathers, mandrake, phoenix tears, hmm and the werewolf's human hair. If his calculations on the amount of stirs were correct they would have a cure for Lycanthropy. He'd try it on the second god mutt of Potter's...

A sudden clatter had him snapping his head up from the complex brewing instructions he'd been writing down. The three women sheepishly grinned as he stared down at the mess of cold soup in his lap. He Banished it with a flick of his wrist and used a freshening charm on his favorite pair of slacks.

"Oh, Professor I am so sorry. May I buy you dinner as an apology?"

"I am busy, Madame, and the beginning of term holds my attention now. Perhaps some time in the distant future?" He gathered up his paperwork, making sure he collected it all with a second and third sweep across the tiny table. The Ulfscura formula was given to Ligur to store in his feathers.

"Professor?" He strode along the streets of Hogsmeade to Hogwarts when the young Witch who had spoken first approached him. "You dropped this." He rose an eyebrow and took the paper after casting several spells. It seemed to be the young woman's name and Floo address.

"I see, Ms..."

"Sara Golsad."

"Ms. Golsad. Good afternoon to you." He spun on his heel and ignored the foolish sigh coming from the young lady. As soon as he was on Hogwarts grounds he burnt the page. "Not interested. I happen to like my own gender." he hissed viciously as he whistled for the castle's familiar. Fawkes answered with a distinctive trill known only to former Headmasters and Headmistresses. "I need a few of your tears, freely given of course. I also seek freely given unicorn hair and mandrake. Ligur, may I count upon your permission for venom and feathers?"

*You need not even assk! I am more than willing.* Severus chuckled as Fawkes motioned he needed a vial. He Transfigured a rock into a Potions vial and three tears spilled into the clear glass. Capping it immediately, he was never more grateful that he'd stayed a virgin throughout both Wars. He glided into the Forest, sliding easily along the leaf-covered ground with a stealth borne of many missions as a spy. The first Unicorn to greet him was the Herd Stallion and he bowed low, making sure Ligurath stayed on his shoulders.

"Great and mighty stallion, may I have three hairs from your mane?" The stallion stared at him with violet eyes for the longest moment before shaking his mane gently, allowing Severus to collect the three that floated down into another vial. A voice reverberated inside his mind for only a few seconds but it made an impression.

Always are you welcome to ask, Mage Severus. Even when you have been deflowered we shall continue to do as asked.

"De-Deflowered?" he couldn't keep the shock from his voice. The voice chuckled lightly and the Unicorn whickered.

Aye, deflowered, Mage and by your Familiar. He is not who he seems.

"As you say, mighty stallion." He bowed again and received one from the Unicorn. Making his way to the greenhouses, he tempted one of the Mandrakes out with honey and a small bit of raw meat from the kitchens. "Little one, might I obtain a piece?" The plant stared at him with wide, black eyes before wriggling and presenting it with a toothless smile, snatching the honey-covered meat from his fingers in return. "Hmm." Ligurath shook out the formula once they were in his private lab and laid out a feather of each coloring and submitted to the obsidian vial a splash of rainbow-colored venom without so much as a peep.

Severus worked for nearly five hours before the Potion needed to simmer for the next month and added in the wolf's human hair before it was complete. He showered again, forgoing the ribbon as he fell into a deep sleep.

-PoV-

Harry curled up on Severus's chest as he slept, the second silver streak marking him as an empowered Mage. So it wasn't really lying but omitting the truth a tad... Hey it was definitely worth it, he thought to himself as he dozed on the man's chest.

The next month passed in an absolute flurry, Remus had taken the Potion and was now the proud owner of a wolf Animagus form as well as the ability for a second, upright form that haunted most horror movies. Severus had forgone the use of his wand as it had shattered after a simple Summoning charm for a glass of water had sent it spiraling at Sev's face. Of course, his BondMate had ducked in time. With less than a week before Hogwarts was expected to open, Severus turned into an acerbic, snappish bundle of nerves. Harry soothed what he could and allowed the cathartic rhythm of Severus carding through his hood feathers to calm his Mate down. On one such evening, Professor McGonagall had arrived with a stack of paperwork.

"Severus, I want you to be my Deputy Headmaster."

"Minerva this is highly unorthodox. I am quite sure Filius-"

"Filius did not want the appointment and Hogwarts herself demands you retain a position of authority." On a sheet of parchment in dark green ink were the bold words:

SEVERUS SNAPE; DEPUTY HEADMASTER

Severus groaned softly before giving McGonagall a wry smile.

"She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me."

Ending A/N: Whee! More CLIFFHANGERS AGAIN. Don't you hate me? I have a few in the works but please, if you have an idea, by all means tell me!