The Engagement Kiss

“Best part is its extremely simple, and while invisible your intangible too. That parts a little harder to control.” Naji explained, also showing Harry how to accomplish becoming invisible through the link. It was rather simple; just concentrate on being invisible which was easy for Harry after many adventures under the invisibility cloak. Then almost paint him and whomever he was touching with his magic. He closed his eyes and after a few unsuccessful attempts he and Severus vanished from the bed. Hermione clapped as they reappeared, it was easy to make them invisible but keeping them tangible enough to remain on the bed had been a challenge. He smiled widely up at Severus,

“Let’s go to Diagon alley.” He said cheerily and Severus nodded regally.

Chapter 11:

“I am not using the floo Severus!” Harry pouted stubbornly. The stern potions master only glared back, trying to keep his annoyance in check. Severus had to admit that Harry seemed to have more mood swings than a pregnant woman, and it was becoming infuriating.

“Don’t be absurd.” He began but Harry crossed his arms taking a defensive stance, glaring at him.

“I can flash just fine! You guys can floo and me ‘n Naji will meet you there.” He said, looking to his cousin for confirmation. Severus growled low in his throat, while he trusted the green haired boy to a degree he would much rather have his wild fiancé within arms reach. Harry sighed, “We’ll flash just outside the Leaky Cauldron and I’ll keep us invisible.” He offered trying to placate his mate. Severus was still disgruntled but gave in with a curt nod.

“You will get inside Diagon Alley within five minutes or I’m chaining you to me so you can’t get into trouble.” He muttered as the two Anders started the flash, Harry’s resounding chuckle echoed slightly as they vanished from sight. Severus, Ron and Hermione all used the floo, and awaited the two Anders patiently standing in front of the entrance. The two teens watched in mute amusement as Severus glared at the entrance as if willing them to appear. Moments later they did, and Harry greeted them all with his bright smile.

“Miss me?” he inquired cheerily, the stoic potions Master grunted and looked away briefly.

“Where to first?” he asked curtly. He was embarrassed by the blatant familiarity that Harry had with him and at the same time it enthralled him. Not to mention every time he looked at the boy thoughts of the previous night were stirred up, plus what he’d felt through their tentative link. Even so his rough demeanor melted, just for Harry.

“You know I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Severus looking so…domestic.” Said a familiar voice from behind Harry, it was the boy’s older brother; Az. Harry turned and gave his brother a hearty embrace, clinging to him. Severus suppressed the growl of jealousy, while berating himself for such feelings.

“Hello Ry. It’s good to see you.” Az said chuckling over his little brothers antics. Harry smiled up at him, green eyes blazing. “I have a slightly belated birthday gift for you Ry.” Az continued fishing a small wooden box with silver formed in intricate Celtic knots embedded in the lid. As he leaned down to hand it to him he whispered,

“From mum.” Harry looked up at him in surprise then back at the box. Placing his hand on the lid it glowed briefly and then opened of its own will. Severus watched on edge, he knew that Az would never do anything to hurt Harry but he couldn’t help the strange sense of apprehension. Inside the box lay a little gold key with a number etched into the top. Harry looked at it a moment then looked back at Az,

“A key?” he asked, Severus peered over his shoulder.

“A Gringotts key,” Severus corrected looking at Az, “For what vault?” he asked once again suspicious. The taller boy shrugged,

“Lilly’s.” he replied with a serene smile, “Shall we take a look?” Harry nodded vigorously, leading the way with Hermione and Ron in tow as they speculated what the key could be for. Severus followed at a more subdued pace, obsidian eyes sweeping the street constantly. Az and Naji followed lastly, keeping a good pace and watching their backs.
-What happened this morning? – Az asked his nephew curtly, -Harry completely closed off the link. – Naji sighed, and hung his head slightly.

-He fell asleep with the link open and He saw through her eyes. – He replied softly, Az patted the younger boy on the back. It was hard for Naji to deal with his parentage, more so now that he had made friends whose opinion mattered.

-How did he react? – Az asked, looking over his brother, the link was still closed but not as violently as this morning and he there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with him. Naji sighed again,

-It wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. - He replied, -He didn’t hurt anyone. He almost rejected me; Severus actually calmed him down the most. I hadn’t realized they’d gotten so close so fast. – Az nodded, he could see the strength of their bond and it was almost frightening at the rate in which Harry had accepted his reluctant mate. Looking at Naji he wondered if his cousin felt the strength of his own bond with Harry.

-He makes such strong bonds with those he deems worthy of his family, - murmured Az silently; -I hate to think what even one more betrayal would do to him. – He vowed then that no one would ever harm his brother again. They arrived at Gringotts without incident and were greeted pleasantly; after a few moments to locate the mysterious vault, it hadn’t been used in quite some time after all, they decided to visit it last. It was in the bowels of the magical bank and Harry could, visibly, barely contain his excitement. They whipped downward on the rickety little cart and around several sharp corners where he was sure that they were going to topple right over. Finally they stopped at a gigantic wrought iron door, the goblin hopped out exposing the key hole. He instructed Harry to place the key in while simultaneously placing his other hand on the large metal plate beside the keyhole.

“You speak the password and the door will open.” The goblin said stepping aside to give him some privacy. Harry began to say he didn’t have a password when Az’s voice whispered gently through his mind, almost too soft to hear.

“Lyall Highdusk?” he repeated unsurely and the doors glowed violently. Flinching Harry found he couldn’t pull his hand away from the plate as the glow intensified he cried out. Severus stepped forward to steady Harry and to assure himself that nothing was injuring his betrothed. The door clicked and gently swung open, it was a small section of the bigger door and rested against the hand that had been holding the key. Another soft click and His hand was released, pulling away Harry clung to Severus for a moment looking at the door.

“Are we going in?” Az inquired casually, and Harry gave a soft laugh. Nodding he stepped forward, not relinquishing his hold on the stoic potions master’s robes. Inside the vault was absolutely beautiful, all white marble polished pristinely. In the center was a small well worn leather book set atop a marble pedestal. Around the vault were other assorted treasures, pictures and other books but Harry was drawn to the little book in the center. He walked over embellished in the front in gold letters was the name,

“Lilith Blackfighter, 1832-19..” the last date only indicated the century, leading Harry to believe that she’d written in it until the day she died. He reached forward but before his fingers reached the small book Severus had grabbed his arm.

“We should exercise caution…” he began, voice soft and tinged with apology. Harry glared the man a second but before he could respond another voice spoke out,

“While I applaud your chivalrous defense of my son there is nothing here that would cause him harm.” The familiar voice echoed around the vault, it came from a half covered portrait in the corner. Azar went over and pulled off the gray-brown canvas exposing the beautiful un-glamored painting of their mother. Her face was perfectly balanced, her chin slightly stubborn, full pouting lips, high sculpted cheek bones and ringlets of cascading red hair. She smiled at them cheerily,

“Hello my boys, and company.” She greeted with a smile, as they gawked.

“Mum?” Harry finally managed in a strangled croak. She smiled and nodded,

“It’s nice to finally see you Harry dear. I’m sure you have questions but let’s save them for later. I don’t want to spoil your day out.” She said green eyes glittering with mischief. Harry looked slightly put out but shrank the diary and her portrait, apologizing for the tight quarters in his bag to which she replied cheerfully that she would simply take a nap. Harry looked at Severus confusion written all over his face,

“Was she this … odd in school?” he asked, concerned that being alone in a vault for who knows how long may have driven his mothers portrait insane like Ms Black’s. Severus however gave him a far away smile,

“Yes she was.” He said, and they progressed. Saving the rest of the contents of the vault for another day and continuing with their original mission obtaining school supplies. Naji and Az watched with amusement as they collected everything with an efficient speed. Severus just followed the teens with a look of befuddled amazement.

-What do you plan on doing when they go back Az? – asked Naji while watching them all get their books. –We can’t really follow…- he continued, but Az smiled.

-We’ll think of something. I tried applying you to Hogwarts but I would bet anything that Dumblefuck rejects you. – He replied and smiled as Harry came back over, however before they could even state that they’d finished a blonde haired boy separated himself from the crowd. Draco Malfoy stood panting in a most undignified manor.

“S…Severus I need you help.” He began, halting and paling even further when he spotted another platinum blonde head swimming through the crowd. Harry snatched the blondes arm and the both vanished, Az doing the same to Ron and Naji to Hermione. Leaving Severus to deal with Lucius, though if the death eater even showed as mush as a tint of malice toward Severus he was close enough for Harry to flash with him in tow.

“Be very quiet and they can’t here us.” He instructed the younger Malfoy who had seen the others vanish and presumed they’d done the same. Draco stared at the one and only golden boy with an expression of confusion and disbelief.

“Why are you helping me?” he whispered viciously, Harry looked at his long time rival and gave a quirky little smile.

“Cause that’s what I do.” He said, causing the other boy to frown before returning a tentative smile. They turned back to Severus who was trying to convince the other blonde that he had no idea where his son went. Finally Lucius gave up with a whispered threat that made Severus stiffen and scowl. As soon as the deplorable blonde was out of sight Harry dropped the spell and flew to Severus looking in his inky eyes.

“What did he say?” he demanded, worried about his fiancé. Severus looked down at his mate, debating to tell him or not. With a sigh he gave in,

“He said that the Dark Lord says to enjoy my vacation.” He replied, much to Draco’s amazement. Why was his godfather even behaving civilly to Potter? Let alone sharing private business. He shook it off hoping that someone would be forthcoming with that information soon.

“You look like hell Malfoy.” Stated Ron inspecting the blonde, who did indeed look rather off, said blonde turned to scowl at the read head.

“Thank you so much Weasley today would not have been complete without that sentiment.” He drawled, swaying slightly. Even as he began to fall he couldn’t bring his tired body to move enough to break it when strong arms caught him. The sturdy presence made Draco blush faintly though he hardly noticed it,

“That’s right Malfoy insult the guy who caught yah.” Ron agreed humbly keeping his hold on the weak irate boy. Draco hadn’t even realized the words before they were out of his mouth it appeared, ‘Let go of me you oaf,’ probably wasn’t the proper response to being saved from a painful meeting with the ground. However he seemed unable to fetch what was out of his tired mind and simply allowed himself to fade into unconsciousness while still in the safety of those strong arms. They all hurried out of the street so Az, Naji and Harry could flash them back all the while Ron cradled the unconscious Draco Malfoy who, to his complete humiliation had he been awake, had a small smile gracing his lips the whole time.

A.N. Please don’t eat me for throwing our resident favorite ferret into the mix. =P
To address someone’s fear that I’ll deviate from strict Harry/Severus I will say this, I have no intention of switching pairs, and any pairs that come up will be side parings only. While I may grace them with a smex scene but they will not take precedence over any other parings. I would also like to apologize for the jumpiness of these chapters, it seems to me that I leave story arcs unfinished such as Ron’s creature however I have several plans as to how that is going to be addressed so please don’t worry I haven’t forgotten. I hoped everyone liked the twist in the last chapter, =D. I hadn’t originally planed to give away that little nugget until about chapter 15 but it seemed to fit so well there so I gave it to you earlier.
There will be a little more insight to the other Ander’s childhoods, like Az and Naji and I am by no means out of twists yet. =P Also a bit more on Aviv and Voldie, I honestly loved coming up with that idea. Don’t hate her yet though…perhaps. ;D

P.s. to those who care I think I passed my Chem. exam. <3 (those who whished me luck there is extra love for you! XD)