Union of Three

Union of Three

Chapter 12

Harry awoke alone for once. He vaguely remembered Lucius and Draco leaving the bed earlier after kissing him on the forehead, but he had no idea how long ago that was. At any rate, his season was finally over and his body was definitely feeling the aftereffects. Climbing gingerly from the bed, Harry limped to the bathroom. He almost cried in relief when he saw the water-filled bath. A note lay on the rim of the bath, and he picked it up curiously.

‘Kitten,

I imagine you are in dire need of a long hot bath to sooth those aching muscles, so I filled the bath for you. I charmed the water to stay hot, so take your time. I also added some bath salts that Severus made. They should help you relax significantly. Draco thinks he may have found a viable option to the purification ritual, so come to the library when you’re done.

Love always, Lucius.’

Harry smiled and set the note down. Gratefully climbing into the steaming water, he sighed happily as the water immediately started relaxed his overused muscles. Harry relaxed in the bath for almost an hour before he finally felt fit enough to face the day. He was actually a little surprised it hadn’t taken longer. After confessing their love to Harry, Lucius and Draco had barely let the brunette out of the bed long enough to use the loo, much less anything else. One or both of them were present at all times throughout the last five days of Harry’s season. Harry had been fucked so many times, it was a wonder he had been able to walk to his bath at all.

Harry finally got out of the bath, dressed quickly, and hurried downstairs to the library. As he neared the library doors, he heard raised voices from inside. Harry crept silently to the door, listening intently to the argument raging within.

“I think we should use a Druid purification ritual,” said Draco. “Harry’s part elf and has close ties to nature, and Druids use some form of nature in most of their rituals.”

“I think we should use Shamanic practices to purify his body and soul,” said Hermione firmly. “I read all about it. Shamans use sweat lodges and herbs to purge the body of disease and impurities.”

“Well, I think we should stick to what we know,” said Lucius decisively. “We’re wizards, and we should use our own magic in the purification ritual.”

Harry finally decided to make his presence known. “Ahem,” said Harry, drawing everyone’s attention. Apparently Ron, Hermione, and Dougal had determined that it was safe enough to return that morning, and they had joined Draco, Lucius, Severus, and Remus in the library to await Harry’s arrival, arguing heatedly to pass the time away. “Why not just use key elements of all three practices? We can use the Shamanist’s sweat lodge for purification of the body. Since Druidism and Witchcraft often correlate anyway, it shouldn’t be too difficult to combine the key elements of both to create a worthy soul purification ritual.”

“That’s actually a pretty good idea,” said Lucius quietly. “That way if one doesn’t work completely, the other two will finish the job. Severus, can you acquire the necessary ingredients for the ritual?”

“Just make a list of what herbs and oils you want to use, and I should be able to find them within a few days,” said Severus softly, ignoring Draco’s inserted, “And a bell branch, Sev.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we may not have a few days,” said Dougal solemnly. “The Dark Lord knows where the kitten is, but he can’t get past the wards yet. It’s only a matter of time, though.”

“How did he find us?” asked Hermione worriedly.

“The house is no longer protected by the Fidelius Charm because the Secret Keeper died,” said Severus somberly, ignoring Ron’s muttered, “And whose fault is that?” Severus just spared the redhead a brief glare and continued. “Not to mention the fact that not only does the Dark Lord have a connection to Potter, he also has a former Black in his inner circle. I feel quite sure that Bellatrix has told him all she knows concerning the Black Estates since Potter was proclaimed heir to the Black name.”

“I, uh, also may have helped that along a bit. Accidentally, of course,” said Dougal sheepishly.

“And just how, pray tell, did you manage to do that, Dougal?” asked Lucius incredulously, staring at his brother-in-law in blatant disbelief.

“Well, you see, this is what happened,” said Dougal defensively.

Flashback

Dougal heard Draco nearing the kitchen door and grabbed a startled Harry, kissing him quickly on the cheek before shimmering out with Kali. He appeared in his bedroom at Korbin Castle and sent Kali back into her tattoo form, still smirking at the mischief he’d just left behind. The kitten was just too adorable. He finally called for Tynan to get his report on Voldemort’s recent activities.

The blonde arrived just minutes later and smiled brightly at the sight of his leader. “Master Korbin, you’re back. Welcome back.”

“Thank you, Tynan. Any news from the Dark Lord’s camp?” asked Dougal quietly.

“That Lestrange bitch divulged all the information she had about the Black Estates. The Dark Lord is now trying to break the wards protecting 12 Grimmauld Place. He suspects that Potter is there because it is more heavily warded than any of the other Black properties. The Dark Lord also demands your presence at the meeting tonight to give your report,” said Tynan dutifully.

“That will be all, Tynan,” said Dougal, waving the blonde away. Dougal continued to stare thoughtfully at the door once Tynan was gone. “It seems I must show my hand a little early. Harry will be protected at all costs. And as the Saviour of the Wizarding World, he has a far better chance of demanding recompensation for the wrongs done to his clan than the Dark Lord could even hope to promise.” He stood and pulled on his cloak. “Come, Kali. We have a meeting to attend.” The raven obediently transported Dougal to Voldemort’s side.

“Korbin, I hope you have good newsss for me thisss time. You have had ample time, after all, to dissspossse of the traitorsss and bring Potter to me,” hissed Voldemort as soon as Dougal appeared before him.

“No, milord, but the Malfoys are fae and Potter is an elf. They have ways to avoid detection,” protested Dougal. “I will try harder, though, milord.”

“I’m beginning to sssussspect that you don’t want them found,” hissed Voldemort angrily, glaring at the vampire standing so calmly before him. “Nagini isss alssso gone. Do you know anything about that, Korbin?”

“No, milord, I am not overly fond of serpents,” said Dougal demurely, hiding a smirk as he said this.

“Not overly fond of ssserpentsss, Korbin? And yet you allied yourssself to a sssnake ssspeaker,” hissed Voldemort.

“Yes, and my Harry is just an adorable little kitten, too,” said Dougal quietly, smirking as Voldemort hissed in fury. “You should see him with his mates. Lucius and Draco are quite protective of their little love.”

“Traitor!” he screamed, pulling his wand and aiming it at Dougal. “You will die with the ressst of the traitorsss, Korbin.”

“Not today I won’t, but what can I say? The kitten is family, and family is precious. something to be protected at all costs. That is something you should have remembered before you tried to kill your own son,” said Dougal, ducking to avoid an oncoming curse as he shimmered out with Kali.

End Flashback

“And that is also why I can no longer infiltrate the Dark Lord’s ranks. He knows that I am also a traitor to his cause, and he wasn’t very pleased with the fact,” said Dougal lightly, ignoring the incredulous looks aimed his way.

“So you not only revealed yourself as a spy, you also told the Dark Lord that Draco and I are Harry’s mates?” asked Lucius quietly. He suddenly blew up. “You idiot! What were you thinking? Now he’s going to come after Harry with everything he’s got.”

Harry, on the other hand, took a different approach. “Dougal, I’m touched,” he said, smirking at the vampire. “I didn’t realise you cared so much, but you just blatantly defied Voldemort just to tell him how adorable I am and how intent you are to protect me. I never knew that I had made such a profound impression.”

“I could touch you some more to prove my devotion,” said Dougal teasingly, smiling as Harry burst into laughter.

Lucius, however, saw absolutely nothing funny about that statement. “Dougal, you better not be trying to move in on my territory. Harry is off limits to everyone except Draco and me. He belongs to us,” he said, dragging Harry possessively into his lap. “I suggest you learn well the phrase, ‘look but don’t touch’ because if you forget, I’ll rip you apart.. family or not.” Draco had told him about Dougal’s parting from Harry, and he was still a bit irritated that the vampire had actually had the nerve to kiss Harry. He didn’t care that it was only a kiss to the cheek. The fact remained that Dougal’s lips had touched Harry’s flesh, and that was unacceptable. Besides, Dougal should know better. Ilyanna had almost killed him once, when his ex-lover had kissed him enthusiastically on the lips, and he hadn’t pushed her away immediately. The fae were very possessive of their mates, and Malfoy’s were ten times worse.

“Lucius, calm down,” said Harry softly, turning to straddle Lucius’ lap. “Dougal knows that I love only you and Draco, and that’s not going to change. Besides, he’s like an annoying, overprotective brother causing trouble with his little brother’s love life. He knew perfectly well that Draco was nearing the kitchen, so he kissed my cheek and left, laughing all the while I’m sure at the scene he left behind.” He turned his head and smirked at Dougal. “Of course, you missed quite a show, Dougal.”

“Don’t remind me,” said Severus irritably. “We have to eat in that kitchen.”

“Yes, that is now my favourite room in this house,” said Draco fondly. “I’ll never be able to look at that table again without seeing my beautiful mate spread out for me to enjoy.”

“I’m never eating here again,” muttered Ron, glaring at Draco for giving out far too much information.

“Keep to the matter at hand, people,” said Hermione brusquely. “Dougal, do you have an estimate on how much time we have before Voldemort gets through the wards.”

Suddenly the house shook on its very foundation. Several window-rattling shakes followed in rapid-fire succession. “Uh, I would estimate that we have no time left,” said Dougal with mock solemnity. As the house shook once more, he jumped to his feet and called for Kali. “Harry, summon Malise. We need to get everyone out of here right now, and the ravens can transport us without being detected. The Dark Lord has spies in the Ministry keeping tabs on the floo network.”

“Forget that,” said Lucius irritably. “This way is much faster.” Lucius opened a portal and pushed Ron and Hermione through first, followed quickly by Severus, Remus, Draco, and Dougal. Kali quickly grabbed Nagini’s cage and teleported them out of the house. Lucius and Harry were about to step into the portal when Bellatrix and Voldemort apparated into the room. Harry and Lucius immediately sent a curse flying towards Bellatrix. She managed to dodge the curse Harry sent, but Lucius’ curse hit her in the center of her chest, the well-aimed Avada Kedavra killing her instantly. Voldemort hissed in fury, sending his own killing curse hurtling towards them.

Harry pushed Lucius into the portal, barely managing to dodge the curse as he did. Malise, sensing her master’s dangerous situation, shimmered into the air beside him, and transported him to Godric’s Hollow just as a blue light hit him. Unfortunately, no one else had appeared there.

“Well, that’s just great,” muttered Harry crossly. “Where the bloody hell did he send everyone?” Before he could say anything else, Harry suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching his head and screaming. Malise searched for Lucius, using her bond with her master’s mate, and disappeared. She didn’t even attempt to communicate, simply landing on Lucius’ arm and teleporting him back to Harry.

Lucius gasped in horror when he saw his beloved mate. Harry was still screaming, and he now had blood trickling from his ears, mouth, and nose. The screaming abruptly stopped as Harry’s body went limp. Lucius rushed to his mate and checked for his pulse, sighing in relief when he felt the comforting thumps. “Malise, what happened?” he asked anxiously, lifting Harry into his arms.

\\Master was hit by a blue light just as we teleported,\\ said Malise worriedly. \\He seemed fine when we arrived here, but then he suddenly collapsed in pain.\\

“That fucking bastard!” yelled Lucius furiously as he finally recognized the spell the Dark Lord had used on his mate. Knowing that time was of the essence, he quickly opened another portal and took Harry to Severus. They would need all of the Potion Master’s skills to keep his Harry alive. He stepped into the library of the Malfoy safe house and rushed towards his bedroom, ignoring the shocked gasps and cries as he passed. He just nodded his head towards Severus, indicating that his presence would definitely be needed.

*****

“Bloody hell, Lucius, it’s a wonder the boy is still breathing at all,” said Severus incredulously. “The ‘cruciatus capita’ would have killed anyone else within minutes.”

“I know that, Severus. Just find a way to help him,” snapped Lucius, hovering around the bed worriedly. He couldn’t stand to see his mate in such a condition.

“I finally got the internal bleeding stopped, but it will take time for me to repair the damage,” said Severus quietly, coaxing yet another potion down the nearly comatose boy’s throat. “You may as well go ahead and make the preparations for the purification ritual and hope that he’s awake by then. I just need to run a full diagnostic on him to make sure that nothing else is damaged.”

“Fine,” said Lucius petulantly, still staring at his hurt mate. “I’ll go let Draco know how Harry is doing. You better call me immediately when he wakes up.”

“Yes, yes, Lucius, now go,” said Severus, waving the blonde out the door. “This is going to be a long night, brat.” He sighed softly and cast a full body diagnostic spell, watching intently as the colours swirled across the elf’s body. He gasped in surprise when a white light settled over Harry’s abdomen. “This certainly complicates things a bit.” Severus relaxed when the diagnostic showed no more signs of damage. Now they just had to wait for the potions to wear off and Harry to wake up. “Well, I guess I need to inform Lucius and Draco of this new development.”