A/N: For SmudgedPenguin, since they loved it so very much. Oh! I'm moving! Yeah. So not on my list of things to do, but it's happening regardless. Wish me luck?
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.
P.P.S. READ ME FIRST! This chapter is solely from the Da'kara's point of view. It shows that... well, you don't mess with submissive Drakes. Ever. Especially if they have Draklings on the way.
-Previously On...
"The legends say that Drakes have Mates picked out for them by the Fates themselves."
"What if it's some Death Eater-"
"Then we have to be careful, young Harry. Did you get the vibe that one of them is?"
"Umm, it was actually kinda comforting..." he blushed bright pink as he remembered the Mating Flight. "And really hot."
"Hot?"
"Ummm, I... down there." Blushing virgin routine? Nice one to pull. "Can we not talk about this anymore? I still haven't told Ron and 'Mione."
"Of course, of course."
-Free Reign-
Severus wrapped a supporting arm around Harry as his Iss'ura broke down into a fit of mad giggling. He allowed himself a particularly amused smirk before he guided his goofy Mate into bed, his fingers seeking out the feeling of his Drakling litter. Harry crooned as their babies bounced around vibrantly through the Parental Bond.
"They are most definitely yours, my Iss'ura." Soft green eyes were content and full of affection.
"Mmm."
"Tired?"
"Like you wouldn't believe, Sev."
"Then rest, Gheal."
The morning after their planning was going to be interesting. Harry was going to transform "accidentally" at breakfast. Severus took his seat with his usual sneer at all the Houses save his own. His Iss'ura was explaining why they were now on the side of the Dark Lord and both of Harry's friends didn't seem too opposed to the thought. When the Thomas boy touched his Gheal in an inappropriate manner, Harry growled loud enough for the Hall to become silent.
"Dean, I suggest you remove your hand."
"Why?"
"I'm committed to my Mate."
"I must be hearing wrong." The hand slid towards what Severus considered his property and even closer to his Draklings than was permissible. There was the sound of shredding cloth as Harry suddenly shifted; roaring as he turned on his fellow Gryffindor, the ice-claws almost ripping into the imbicile. The familiar coloring had several people gasping as well as the Draklings that had finally started to squirm. Fury burned within the green eyes, Harry's attention focused on the trembling teen.
Iss'ura! You will not hurt him. Harry bared his fangs, dripping liquid nitrogen that froze where it landed.
*Maybe a little...*
Harry. He will be dealt with. Calm yourself. Stress is not good for the litter. Harry crooned softly, nudging Hermione as he sat down with a thud.
"Harry, change back. This is ridiculous." the girl admonished, tapping Harry's sable nose with her hand.
*No. I'd curse him if I shifted. It's better this way.*
"I suppose if your Da'kara doesn't oppose..."
You may attempt to spend the rest of the day as a Drake. Let it be noted, however, Iss'ura Gheal that you will be used as ingredients in Potions class.
*Sev! Fine, fine, I'll be human by the time I get to-Whoa!* Dumbledore was behind Harry and had attempted to cast a spell at the Draklings. *What. Was. That?* The spikes on Harry's crest rose sharply, his Iss'ura's wings curved to strike with lethal precision.
"I am trying to detect something, m'boy."
*Well stop trying. It's nothing to do with you.* Harry hissed, Granger practically against the chest plating of his Iss'ura. The girl defused the situation quickly; perhaps he'd underestimated her yet again?
"Headmaster, Harry's really volatile right now. I'm sure you can ask Madame Pompfrey? She does have medical files on all of the students." The old coot blanched at the thought of facing the resident Mediwitch (who was also a qualified Healer, but that was a fact that most were not privy to). Severus grinned, sharing a secret smile with the woman in question. She chuckled and moved down to Minerva's usual seat. The students went mute in the face of Poppy and he joining forces.
As his Iss'ura's class let out without explosions and a noted aversion to Harry when he glared at anyone who wasn't Granger, Weasley or Longbottom, he called Harry forward.
"We'll be waiting... sir." Granger said lightly, tugging on both sleeves of the over-protective boys.
"Call me Severus in private, Ms. Granger."
"Hermione, Severus, and I expect you will eventually extend the same to Ron and Neville, yes?"
He smirked, tapping his chin as Harry sat in his lap, "I'll think about it... Hermione." She shut the door and he heard her casting several privacy charms as well as a Silencing one. "Iss'ura, that one is wily. Are you sure she isn't a sneaky Slytherin like yourself?" Harry laughed softly before tucking himself under Severus's chin.
"No. She's an interesting mix of Raven, Lion and Snake. I wouldn't be surprised if she plotted this out with Slytherin cunning and Ravenclaw smarts." came the content response. He slid a hand over Harry's slightly bulging abdomen, feeling the Draklings squirm and send flashes of color down the Parental Bond. "They've been squirmy all day after Dumbledore tried what he did. Can you take a peek at your shielding?"
Severus slipped into Drake Sight, noting absently that his litter was healthy. The shield had an odd yellow protrusion that stuck on by the virtue of a Sticking Charm. He snarled and peeled it off carefully, setting it down on his desk carefully. Dropping out of the Sight, he stared down at what appeared to be a Compulsion Collar.
"That Light bastard. He tried to control the litter; all of our little ones, my Gheal, and that is it. We are contacting the Dark Lord tonight; he will learn the shift if it kills Lucius and I. Never again will he touch what is mine." A rumbling growl was all he heard from Harry.
"That bastard! Even Tom wouldn't try that when he was insane!" Harry shot to his feet and paced in front of Severus's desk, snarling every five seconds or so between breaths. "The road to Hel is paved with good intentions, old man, and you've just made your last move." An icy grip slid down his spine at Harry's now pleasant tone. It was the quiet one's you had to watch out for, he mused as he watched Harry's power sky-rocket.
-PoV-
Tom allowed the beautiful white owl to land on his shoulder as he ate dinner with Lucius in Malfoy Manor.
"Hedwig? What is she doing here?" Lucius asked as he stroked her chest feathers from where he was in Tom's lap.
"I have-Ah. A letter from... Severus?" He recognized the loopy, neat hand-writing from all of the Potions he'd had the other Drake make for him in his madness. "Lucius, the old coot has done the unthinkable. He tried to control the litter, MY litter with a Compulsion Collar on Harry-" Here Tom nearly fisted the letter in his hand as the words registered. Lucius had no problem snarling dangerously. "Thankfully my Iss'ura is stronger than the average Drake and has shields on him. We request that you meet us in the Forbidden Forest with Tom. It's far past time that someone showed the bastard for who he really is. Sincerely, Severus." Oh, he was beyond pissed. If he was feeling like this, then Harry must be incandescent with rage. Lucius had yet to look up from when he'd snarled.
"Those are innocent Draklings. Frost Draklings, so rare there was not thought to be another litter to possibly be born. Mere babes in the womb... How dare he?" Lucius was vibrating from the anger Tom felt through their slowly strengthening Bond. "Even you would have been quick with Harry's death had it not back-fired upon you, Milord. Insane or not, you had more of a consciousness than that-that unfeeling monster who parades around as the Lord of the Light." What was frankly disturbing to Tom was that Lucius turned him on something fierce when he looked like this, imaginary hackles raised and spitting venom that would sear through stone.
-SEX SCENE-
"... You're... I cannot believe this. You're turned on by the fact that I'm royally pissed off, aren't you?" He shrugged and pressed Lucius against the study door, leg firmly between his Iss'ura's lovely thighs.
"Mmm you wear the look well. As a matter of fact, I'd shag you right bloody here if we had the time." he admitted, nipping at the soft, pale throat before soothing the bites with his tongue. Lucius moaned, arching up against him.
"We-We have enough time if we're really quick about it." was breathed out with a low purr.
"Really?" he grinned as he picked up his slender Mate and sat them in his favorite chair.
"Mmmhmm."
"Good."
-SEX SCENE-
"Mmm, bet they were tense the whole time. Only an idiot tenses up during sex." Soft, sated storm-grey met crimson as his Iss'ura licked his lips. "You taste like marmite. I want another round when we're done with old Dumblefuck."
Sated and certainly in a better mood than before, they Apparated to the edge of the Hogwarts Wards. The semi-sentient barriers welcomed him with a surprising vigor and he knew Lucius felt it too.
"What is that?" He rumbled softly, scenting the two others as they padded into the forest on silent feet.
"Huh? Oh. The Wards accept Drakes because we don't defy nature. We are part of Mother Earth, Father Sky, Brother Lightning, Sister Water, Brother Fire, and Sister Frost. It's not something most Drakes would know but Malfoy's are quiet frequently either Frost or Lightning and these Drakes hold knowledge that is significant."
"Ah."
*There you are. Well, Tom, try-You Mated. Just think of whatever element comes to mind, hmm?* Harry's tone was not teasing, merely accepting, and for that he was grateful. Severus leaned against the Frost litter, a casual hand splayed across the slightly rounder belly. It had been quite a while since they had Mated when Harry had been in-Oh. Lucius was in Heat now. He closed his eyes and hummed as he saw the sky. The shift happened while he imagined what his and Lucius's Draklings would look like. Would they have his eyes? He sincerely hoped not.
His Iss'ura's were much more suited to a young babe. Lucius purred and rubbed against his side as he opened his eyes. He did not expect Severus to conjure a mirror. Glittering scarlet slit-pupils stared out from a face that looked almost mythological. A huge black Chinese-type dragon stood where he'd been human moments earlier. Trailing white whiskers looked like a fu-man-chu save for the fact that there was no beard and his head sported slick, straight black horns along with a brilliant scarlet crest that ended at his tail. From the base of the crest, his tail fanned out (quite literally) and looked to have a razor sharp tip. His body was long and sinuous, quite interesting but it would be explored at a later date...**
+This is my Drake form?+ Lucius chuckled over their Bond and shifted as well, the blond turning into a cream-colored teal-point, the startling shade gracing each appendage as though it belonged on his regal Mate. His Iss'ura was similar in design to both Harry and Severus, with the one exception being the tail that looked like it had an wide-bladed shovel attached to it*.
You've got it so much better, Da'kara. I look like I got dipped in paint as a Drakling.
+I think it's unique.+ He was blunt, honest as he usually was. +Our Draklings will turn out interesting, no?+ Lucius blinked before sitting down with a thud, unconsciously mimicking what Harry had done hours before.
You... You want a litter?
+Of course I would. You dote on Draco already. I, for one, think he would benefit from younger siblings.+ The warmth that flooded the Bond right after assured him that he'd said the right thing.
*Oi, less lovey-dovey Dark Lord, more kill Light Bastard Dumblefuck. Okay?* Severus shifted in the blink of an eyes and tapped Harry with a half-opened wing in reprimand.
Harry. The warning in that word was crystal clear. May I call you Tom as well, Milord?
+Go on. You have more than earned the right as my TIC while I was under the influence of that old coot. Your plan?+ he waved it away, wrapping his tail around Lucius's.
Thank you, Tom. He is in the Great Hall right now... But Harry and I have evidence of his compulsion efforts. Should we present it as humans or Drakes? We are classified as Dark Grey...
+Please. Only a fool would believe we mean any harm. Technically, our status is endangered and Light Grey if anything. Rookwood looked it up just to be sure. Drake form it is, Severus. Where is the Collar?+
I have it. Harry was willing to tear it apart with Frost Magik.
+Lucius, will you be recognized in this form?+
No, Da'kara.
+Excellent. We have a few of his pet Aurors, do we not?+
Kingsley, Tonks and the wolf as well as several other important figures have been persuaded by my Iss'ura's network. Many of the students feel... disgruntled, shall we say. Harry swatted Severus with his tail at the way he said wolf.
*Remus is my pseudo-godfather aka my only family left. If you want any before I have my litter, you better revise that statement.* Obsidian eyes widened before his TIC apologized.
Remus is an excellent addition to our circle. Harry crooned softly and nuzzled under Severus's muzzle, licking it in a show of submission. I was a bit harsh to him, my Gheal. There is no need to be submissive when I was in the wrong.
*Mmm, just felt like it, Sev. Can't I cuddle?* The familiar gaze softened as the larger Drake licked a broad stripe up the crest and smoothed the tuft of fur sticking out.
Yes, my Gheal. He gave a slight smile to Harry before continuing. We enter as Drakes and accuse him out-right?
+Excellent. It's so Gryffindor it's almost a way to Slytherin.+
-PoV-
Severus strode into the Hall as though he owned it, crest arched and wings hiked into the position of a Da'kara. Tom was right beside him, the stiff fur of the scarlet ridge sticking up all the way and it was truly frightening when paired with the furious scarlet eyes. Harry and Lucius came in last, his oldest friend's weapon-tail open and ready for an attack. Harry had also arched his crest but his wings were tucked against his sides, showing his status as an Iss'ura.
Albus Dumbledore. he allowed the rumble he normally suppressed to rise in his voice, lending to itself a presence that he liked and caught everyone's attention. We stand before you with charges. Will you hear them?
"Certainly, Drake..."
Ghirhau. My human name is not yours to know.
"What are my charges-Harry?" Severus snarled and blocked the view of Harry.
You will not look at my Iss'ura, Dumbledore, nor will you refer to him by his human name. Rhirau is mine.
"...As you wish Lord Ghirhau."
The charges are thus: compulsion curses upon myself, my Iss'ura, Lord Verikol, Lord Terdil who is Lord Verikol's Iss'ura. Not only are these charges laid against you, there are three more. Under your power, Lord Verikol committed murders and shattered his soul. There remain two individuals whom you have cursed repeatedly. They will be Healed accordingly and set free of all blame.
Under your power, a powerful Seer has been reduced to a squalid woman with no memory of her former life. Finally, your last charge is the attempted theft of my Line and life. You placed a Compulsion Collar upon Rhirau in this very Hall earlier today. The magic left alone my Gheal and attacked my litter. My innocent, conceived in love Draklings were fighting your corrupt magic; thank Father Sky that I was able to remove it in time. Thus are the charges, Dumbledore, and thus you stand accused. How do you plead in this? He snarled the last, a bit of his controlled mask slipping.
"My dear Drake, I plead not guilty. How do I know this is not some elaborate set up to take Harry out of the country?" Tom smirked before speaking calmly.
+We have memory evidence old fool. As we speak, they are being reviewed by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Your law does apply as well as our own. We demand compensation for your crimes, supposed Lord of the Light.+ The entire Great Hall stood as one when Dumbledore whistled for Fawkes, who flew in and landed on Harry's shoulder.
"Fawkes, to me." The regal bird let loose what sounded like laughter in a series of sharp trills. "I am your Master."
It seems the lady has finally tired of your act. They stood aside as Madame Bones marched right up to the Head Table, Stunned the Headmaster and bound him with an Incarerous. Milady Bones, perhaps a parting gift for the old... goat?
"Be my guest, Lord Drake." He grinned evilly and conferred briefly with Tom.
Hmm... With a raised claw, he twisted the sick bastard's magic up and out. Whatever shall I do with this mess of pure magic?
"It is yours by right." she said with a smile to match his own.
Argus Filch. The man shuffled over with Mrs. Norris in tow. You are owed a part of this magic. Do you accept?
"You're serious?" the Squib asked in astonishment.
I would not offer otherwise. he replied back, baring his teeth a little as the man thoughtabout it.
"Sure." Severus separated quite the hunk from the mass and gently let it sink into dry magical pathways.
He was draining you and one other. You are welcome to your power once more. Neville Longbottom, step forth. The teen walked with a confidence he didn't seem to fake. The remaining power is yours. What you are using is, in reality, your reserves. Enjoy your power, young one, and be fair.
Dumbledore's trial, even with what little magic the man had of his own, was hilarious. Rita Skeeter had taken her vicious pen and put it to good use as she ripped into each of Dumbledore's reasons for what he'd done to Tom, Harry, Lucius and even himself. They were flat; pathetic even as he explained of Grindelwald's 'subtle' plans for coming back.
Once Tom had been disposed of, Grindelwald would re-appear as a Saviour as opposed to Harry and Dumbledore would share Harry's litter as well as magic with the barely-living skeleton also known as the Dark Lord before Voldemort. Severus had held himself stiffly as he walked out of the Courtroom to explode into Drake form and breathe deeply. He wanted to rip the near-Squib into tiny pieces and then put him back together so that the others could take a turn.
Of course the public didn't see the trial. No, what they saw was Harry Potter Mated to a Drake that had yet to reveal his identity to the Wizarding World. Some rather astute reporter had remarked that Severus Snape had virtually disappeared from Hogwarts these days. Severus sat in Drake form near the reporter and spoke quietly.
You know who I am.
"Aye."
Will you tell? Rhirau and I prefer not to have it blurted so early on in the game.
"Th' others... They're Mated as well?"
Yes...
"Then they're Lucius Malfoy an' Tom Riddle, th' reformed Ye-Know-Who."
I will not ask how you know this, only that you release it when our Draklings are secure.
"Easy. I'm a Seer. But, I like this version of events much better."
Version?
"Aye, this version. Ye see, in another place as well as another time, had ye not so easily accepted Harry, the world would have been doomed to the bee's influence an' Drakes would have become pets for Wizards." Severus growled lowly and huffed out an icy mist.
Then Lovegood was correct. There are those who see things on the wind, read the whispers between life and death.
"Right ye are, Lord Drake. You're a smart one, ye are, though most don't see past yer scales."
I suppose so. Harry and my litter are all I need. Well, that and a few friends. What's your name?
"My name? What do ye want my name for?"
Perhaps we could grant an interview? A small, private one with all the details? I don't trust that woman or her quill.
"Ach, really? She ripped right inta old Dumbles there. Never mind. I'll tell ye my name. Ye can't laugh, laddie. It's Finn McCool* an' don't ye dare think it's funny." Severus rumbled softly and nosed the reporter as he stretched out his hind legs.
It has been a most interesting conversation, Mr. McCool. Perhaps you'd join my collegue and I in a drink sometime?
-PoV-
Scarlet eyes watched as Lucius filled out boring paperwork, the long, slender legs hidden behind the massive desk.
"Iss'ura?"
"Tom... I'm busy with Ministry paperwork to make our Binding legal in the Wizarding World." Tom snorted and looked them over before sorting out that which was complete bullshit (learned from years of watching both Rookwood and Lucius himself) and that which actually mattered. "You're insane, Gheal. No one is going to accept half of a Bond Certification."
"Half of those were personal questions that no one but the partner is supposed to be privy to. For instance, 'What is your favorite flavor of lube?' Now, I'm quite sure that is not in the original packet and I know for a fact that we use your naturally-made one... Therefore, you can't have a favorite flavor." Lucius scowled at the thinned out packet. "Someone is either pulling a massive prank or trying to take you from me. I suspect it the latter." He glanced down at what he deemed the 'bullshit' pile and sifted through them for a magical signature. "Ah. Do you recognize it?" Storm-grey eyes widened before Lucius conjured a bucket and puked. "Iss'ura? Are you alright?"
"...It's Umbridge."
"Who?" Tom didn't know who it was; he'd last been in the Ministry in '49. However, he'd never heard that much Malfoy distain coat a word.
"Undersecretary to the Minister." was the hoarse response. "Vile woman. She dresses in nauseating shades of pink and has an obsession with all things cute and cuddly."
"When did she get in?"
"Eight years after you left and two after Father did. She's obsessed with us. I hope she hasn't set her eyes on my Draco." Tom hated the trembling fear he heard in his Gheal's otherwise strong voice.
"Hush, Iss'ura Gheal. She will get nowhere near us or Draco. Leave it to me."
He glided into the Ministry, studiously avoiding all of the curious stares until he reached the Minister's office. The secretary blushed when she saw him. Excellent, he could use that.
"I have an appointment with Minister Fudge?"
"Sir, he doesn't have a ten appoint-"
"Drake Lord Verikol?" he flicked his wand at the open space and she blinked.
"Oh. Oh! Right this way, sir." He shut the door and pinned the pink toad with a vicious glare.
"Drake Lord! What a pleasant visit. I trust all is well for you and your Bonded?"
"I wish it was, Minister," he put on his best performance scarlet eyes full of confusion and hurt, "But I'm afraid someone wants my beloved for their own. They padded the Bond Certification with very personal questions." Tom sighed, sinking into the softest chair in the office. "My Gheal was... for lack of a better word, sickened by this person's approach. It does not help that he is three weeks along with my Draklings. Stress could make him, shall we say, devastated." He slumped into the chair, waiting for the Minister's gasp. The man was not too bright but he responded brilliantly to cues.
"Oh! Oh my, Lord Drake. Who is this terrible person?" the toad simpered up at him. He gagged quietly in the back of his throat at the look.
"I cannot say, it would be uncouth."
"In what way, Lord Drake?" Bait; taken. Tom grinned internally even as he set the trap up for her downfall.
"It mentions a witch of high ranking."
"Are they close to myself or Delores?" Hook; set. Her beady little eyes narrowed at the mention of a witch.
"She is... extremely close. It would be wrong and I could not possibly ruin such a promising-"
"Who is it?" Sinker; kill shot. He grinned beneath his hands and looked directly at her.
"Madame Umbridge."
Ending A/N: Review, please? They feed the Muses. Oh! Go check out Lucky and Lir'ar'adia (my other stories) , 'cause while they have no PWP, they do have plot! Yes, actual, thought out (sort-of with Lucky) honest-to-goodness plot. Hey, Indie, you still alive? Cubs feeling any better? Well at least this isn't my longest Ending A/N. REVIEW, I beg of you. I'll even apologize for the terrible pun!
*See Dragonheart to understand what Lucius's tail looks like! Draco's tail is really cool, so I stole it.
** See my DeviantArt for Tom's form. It's titled Dragon's Gaze.
* An actual mythical hero. He's actually rather interesting if you Google him.