A/N: I take it you all loved the cliffhanger. Thank Andie and IndieWrites, 'cause they pushed me to write you all a loverly sequel... I'm bored! Feed my Muses, please? On second thought, not now, my Sherlock Muse is experimenting on them.

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.

-Previously On...-

"He's dead." the words fell numbly from his lips. "Lucius Malfoy... He murdered both Nagini and Voldemort."

"Why?"

"Voldemort wanted Draco."

EroDra EroDra EroDra EroDra

Severus sat there in shock as his arm remained in pain.

"How is he dead? My Mark is burning."

"Yeah, now that you mention it, my scar still hurts. Don't tell me he made more than what he already had?"

"I think you are his last and very mistaken Horcrux. Both of you are in agony because he cannot meld with your soul." came Dumbledore's sage advice.

"Damn it... Hold on." Harry dropped his head, sibilant hisses morphing into Parseltongue. "Hey, sstupid. You want out? Living or inanimate?" A ghostly reply came in the form of a silver snake.

Living. Preferably ssomething I can defend myself with! Harry conjured a snake with Serpensortia, convincing it to house the remaining bit of Voldemort. With a quick flick of his (Harry's) wrist, the snake exploded on the floor of Dumbledore's office. Severus stared wide-eyed as his Mark faded to a very faint grey and Harry's vivid scar becomes a light pink.

-A Year Later-

The whirlwind of celebrations left no time for Severus to confess to his Mate. It was the anniversary of Harry destroying Voldemort and they were finally alone. He paced in his study in the teacher's dormitories. Harry managed to slip away due to the Lovegood girl's drivel about a mystical creature no one else was able to see.

"Severus?"

"You might want to sit."

"Okay." His Mate sat in his favorite leather chair, legs crossed demurely as he looked up with still innocent green eyes.

"We... We've managed to get past the hostilities of the past years as Basilisk and human conversing."

"You're worrying me." Harry frowned, shrugging as Severus scowled.

"There is no way to say this gently then; we're Mates." he sighed, pressing a hand to the bridge of his nose, his eyes watching Harry's reaction. The beloved green eyes widened considerably as Harry swallowed sharply.

"Mates? But... I don't understand."

"A Basilisk Mate is chosen for each born to the Nine Clans. You happened to fall on the exact date of birth the Clan Seer proclaimed as well as fit the direct features she spoke of..."

"What'd she say?"

"Windows of green, portraits to the soul, untamable locks the color of coal, snakes bespoken a Speaker's Heir; comfort, love and care." Harry was quiet for a long moment.

"Wow. Umm, I'm not really all that fond of Seers or prophecy. But I do like you... More than I should probably." Severus crooned softly as he knelt in front of Harry. "'M glad you feel the same."

"I will have you know that the Seer did not tell me until after I'd met you in class." he confessed, caressing Harry's slightly flushed face.

"Oh."

Of course, this lead to a discussion on how open they could be in public.

"Would you mind if we were affectionate in public? It'd invite the press to speculate like crazy but I'd like to be claimed as yours." Harry asked hesitantly, green eyes full of apprehension. Severus chuckled softly before lacing their fingers and striding out into the Great Hall together. Did he mind? If it made Harry happy, he'd walk through fire. He snagged Harry around the waist, dipped him back and gave him a snog that made his little Mate dazed.

"Does that answer your question?" he purred into his Mate's ear. "I would do anything for you."

"E-Even sit with me and hold my hand?" came the whispered question that echoed in the slightly stunned Hall.

"Yes." Draco scooted down one and Severus slid into the place next to Harry, their hands still clasped under the table.

"...So, the Cannons aren't last this season." Bless the Weasley boy for inane lines; conversation picked back up as Harry poked at his food. He smirked, kissing his little Mate and slipping a bit of roast beef into his mouth. Harry made a muffled squeak before sheepishly chewing & swallowing.

"Sorry."

"Do not apologize, little one. Eat your dinner." he murmured as he cut into his own steak, giving Harry's hand a small squeeze.

-PoV-

Harry was stunned by the amount of affection that Severus displayed in public. People were sitting before their plates in a slight daze, snapping out of it to stare at his Basilisk Mate before shaking their heads and going back to stare at their food. He hummed as he finished dinner, waiting for Dumbledore to speak. The Headmaster didn't even glance his way as they slipped from the Great Hall with his best friends.

"Uncle Sev, you sly Snake."

"It is not how it looks." Draco rose a pale brow at their clasped hands and snorted impolitely.

"Like Hel it isn't. I know what Creature the Prince Line holds." Severus relaxed minutely. "Oh, stop that. Father and I approved of your Mate long before we knew it was Harry."

"Harry, are you happy?" Ron asked, giving him a wry grin.

"Yeah."

"Good. I don't have to pull the Weasley 'If you hurt my brother' speech out of the dusty parts of my mind." The comment was said with just enough threat that Severus laughed.

"Ah. I had forgotten your brothers and sister." his Mate drawled sarcastically, resting his chin on top of Harry's head. "Exactly how serious is he about that speech?"

"Every Weasley has had to say it at least once... Especially for my dark-haired brother." Ron replied with a shrug. "Fans of-urgh-the Snake Slayer try to date our brothers because we're close to Harry. It doesn't work that way with us." Severus relaxed fully, his shoulders losing the tension as he pressed kisses to Harry's neck and slid his large hands around Harry's slim hips.

"That's a relief. He hasn't paid an ounce of attention to anyone but Harry since we made it out of the Stare-Fest." Hermione giggled as Severus rumbled softly. "That is really sweet."

"I don't do sweet." was the reply. "You are obviously not all there this evening." He lowered his voice even more and whispered to Harry, "I think I love you."

Blushing furiously, Harry smiled at the sentiment, "Me too." Hermione squeed and Ron rolled his eyes. Draco just grinned and snapped a photo. "Did you- Drake, please don't pull a Creevey."

"No these are much more private. If I happened to st-borrow Longbottom's camera, then so be it."

"You like Neville." The reply was instantaneous, Draco flushing a bright pink before returning to his proper color.

"I do not."

"And Luna." Hermione added with a sly grin. This time he choked while breathing in and the answer came out a bit breathless.

"You are a horrible person Granger. Throwing in that girl." He'd almost said something different.

"I do not see why your Father would object to a Pureblood triad, Draco."

"Uncle Sev, quiet."

The sneaky (rather underhanded, now that he thought about it) plan of getting Neville, Luna and Draco in the same room had three stages. They figured Luna would be easiest to guide, so Hermione was to tell her of a hidden library. Harry had Neville and Ron had Draco, both of them at ease with tricking their respective targets with a few innocently placed words. However, nothing went to plan.

"A new greenhouse? Come on Harry."

"Nev! Just humor me, please?" The other Gryffindor looked between Harry and the blind-fold before stepping back. "Have I ever left you somewhere you didn't want to be?"

"First year?"

"Alright. Any other time?"

"Fine, I'll wear the stupid blind-fold."

He led the blinded Gryffindor to the RoR, leaving him in place before entering the neutral room that had been set up for the meeting. Harry left the blind-fold on as he stepped onto the plush carpet and sat his target down on the silky cushions. Draco was followed by Luna, the blonde Raven smiling as she sat down next to him. The blind-folds were released after they gone a safe distance away without losing the doorway.

"Potter!"

"Harry!"

Luna's smile widened as both of them caught sight of her. "I think a hello is in order?" her voice was light, but the tone under it had both boys turning to her. Mission successful!

-PoV-

It was not often that Severus came away impressed. His Mate did all of that and more when he faced down the horde of reporters.

"Mr. Potter-"

"Lord Prince, have you used a love Potion?"

"Are your friends aware of your sexual relationship with your Professor?" Harry had oh-so-casually flicked up a Ward that blocked every sound over and around the nosy bastards, turning it a thick clear bubble as he sat down for breakfast.

"Harry?" he asked gently, stroking away a stray ebony strand that concealed the infamous lightning bolt.

"Hmm, that feels nice." It was a strange feeling to have someone lean into his touch.

"Are they bothering you, luv?"

"Nope. I'm only going to talk to one of them." came the content reply, Harry stealing sausage links from his plate.

"That is a strategy that works, I suppose."

"Yes... But they have to duel each other for it. If they want it that badly they'll agree."

"The one who doesn't gets the interview."

"Exactly. That's how I can figure out who is genuinely interested in reporting our side of this whole supposed 'scandal'. See?"

"Positively Slytherin I'd say."

"The Sorting Hat wanted me in Slytherin." Severus mulled it over for a while as he ate, certain memories flashing in his mind as he did so.

"I can understand that. The years certainly would have been more interesting." he murmured as he finished his breakfast.

"Shall we?"

"Mmmhmm. Okay, I need to-Ah. Expecto Patronum." The silvery creatures that appeared were nothing like what Harry's had been previously; there was an obvious formation to the four that appeared. The stag was first, followed by a Basilisk, a doe, a wolf and a dog. His Mate whispered quietly to the brightest of the four (the stag) and sent it off with a flick of his wand. The others dissipated quicker than he'd anticipated.

"Attention, everyone. There will be an impromptu dueling session between reporters to see who will get the exclusive interview with Harry." Dumbledore sent Harry a wink as he made a grand stage. One reporter did not even offer to duel. That was their interviewer. "Ah, I have news that young Harry has already chosen his reporter." Harry strode over to the passive woman and popped his 'bubble' Ward.

"Hello. You are?"

"Vixie St. Francis. I work for the International Wizarding Federation newspaper. May we do this where you are most comfortable?" That won her major brownie points with Harry as well as himself.

"Quidditch pitch."

They sat on cushions Transfigured from pieces of turf as Vixie rummaged around in her bag for a quill, some ink and a clean piece of parchment.

"Sorry. I'm not very organized..." she said brightly, finally dipping the quill in professional black ink. "Well? Umm, what do you answer to most often?"

"Just Harry. Severus usually responds to Professor Snape but he can be reasoned with."

"What's it like in the spotlight?" Harry made a face and stuck out his tongue.

"Horrible. You never know when people are going to fawn over you or call you deranged, unstable and the new Dark Lord all in one breath. It's not easy to be there."

"Out of all the titles you have, which one is your favorite?"

"... None of them. To quote Sev? 'Harry-bloody-Potter has too many hyphenated nicknames made by unimaginative reporters who only want the attention of the sheeple.' I like just Harry. That's what Sev sees." His Mate leaned into his chest, pressing a light kiss to his chin.

"Oh. So no love potions or other ridiculous things my fellow journalists were shouting a while ago?" Severus chuckled along with his little one, giving Vixie a genuine smile.

"Where to start... He's actually my Mate."

"Wait, as in capital M? That kind of mate?"

"Indeed. The Prince Line holds the last of the Nine Basilisk Clans Royalty blood. My Creature manifested at Inheritance and I've been searching for Harry my whole life. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be the son of my infamous rival, James Potter." Here he shook his head, dismissing the odd thoughts that popped up. "I followed the Dark Lord's as well as Albus's orders as best I could while looking out for him. He certainly didn't make it easy..." Vixie grinned and wrote out in neat short-hand.

"The big question; are you in love?" They locked gazes with each other, not knowing that the photo she snuck in would grace the papers of the next day.

"Yes."

"That's sweet. Do your friends know?"

"They were the first to find out before anyone else... and they support us. We've just started calling ourselves a couple. This has been going on under everyone's noses." Harry cheekily replied, playing with his Potion-stained fingers.

"Oh, forbidden romance. I like that. Anything you want to add?" she answered back, nibbling on the end of her eagle quill.

"Yeah, I do actually. I'm a person who needs a private life and this is the last interview anyone is ever getting. Sev and I will have kids that will not be harassed by the Wizarding public of Britain. Lastly, to everyone who thinks I'm the Hero? Remember the people who died protecting me. My parents, Cedric Diggory... and my godfather, Sirius Black. The Wizard known as Voldemort (don't flinch, he's gone, for Merlin's sake) was once a man named Tom Marvalo Riddle. He wasn't born a snake-faced monster; he was made that way by uncaring teachers and children alike. That is what should be remembered."

Graduation was pulled off without a hitch, only the loud cheering as his beautiful Mate strode across the stage making him hiss softly under his breath. Minerva patted his arm as he held back his acerbic comment on the fact that Harry was his. As the ceremony wound down, he snagged Harry around his waist and (in a perfect imitation of their first public kiss) made him squeak. Wolf-whistles were heard from the crowd as Harry buried his face against Severus's chest.

"Little one, you were sublime up there."

"Really?" Still his beloved was insecure after the rousing speech.

"Mmmhmm. Your friends are waiting."

"No... Don' wanna move. You're comfy."

"You've been standing for at least an hour." he retorted gently, sifting his fingers through Harry's much longer hair. His Mate had grown it out when mothers started taking their children to the salons for his haircut. "Your ends are getting split again."

"Meh. C'mon." Harry tugged them over to the laughing triad and the pair of giggling fools that his Mate claimed as friends.

Ending A/N: Has anyone else noticed they've been denying the petition that authors are passing around as chapters? I'm actually considering taking down all of my stuff; moving to a site where my work is appreciated by admins and fans alike. Would you guys follow? I certainly hope so. I'll keep you all posted on what I'll do through Folklore chapters and my profile. I'm almost through the plethora of requests. ABlackSuicide, I'm working on all of yours! As always, folks, review or leave me a PM.