Familiar

A/N Hey guys I am so sorry for this late update but hopefully you’ll forgive me. This is quite an informative chapter. If you get confused about any of the mate/bond stuff in this chapter, then hopefully it’l be clear in the explanation at the end.


Heksy…Harry’s got a lot of his dark elf looks through already, its mainly further physicl attributes and powers that are left to manifest on that side. The Draco looks haven’t manifested yet, but I believe they’ll be stunning when they come through. He will definitely be ‘yummie’.

Stasha…glad you like the bloodlines. And thank you fro recommending a fic. I have read it, I love it. Its so intense. I’ll be using it as a recommendation at some point.

Mari-chan…I love Krai too. He’ll definitely be at lessons and the teachers would allow it. But Krai is gonna be staying out of Dumbledores way. Krai is creating problems for Dumbledore. And it would be easy to use Krai’s nature against him (Sea Kraits are quite poisonous).

Marille…Adonis might be a very good name for the Harry I picture in my mind. Our boy aint quite there yet but he will be, wow.

Varjo…I cant promise you a happy ending, it would ruin the suspense. So please don’t burn me at the stake just yet, wait a little while.

Pleiades Wolf…Sorry if you didn’t think ending on ‘Draco’ was a good idea, but carrying on after it didn’t seem right. I rewrote Harry’s reaction several times but found it had a better impact without.

Shadow…Yay, someone who wants RL/SS, know ones mentioned that yet. You definitely get a cookie.

Chrys…I have already read Muggle Mondays and all I can say about it is ‘wow’, I think the author got sick of me pestering for a sequel. And can I say Malfoy flavour would have to be my all time favourite fic. I’ve re-read that one so many times I’ve lost count. And thank you for your other recommendations, I haven’t read any of them. I’ll read any pairing as long as the story interests me, HP/SS, HP/LM, HP/LV, HP/RL and RL/SS are my favourites. I’ll definitely be checking out all that you recommended, I thought I’d better get this chapter up first.



Chapter 19: Lessons

Albus Dumbledore was not a man accustomed to things messing up his plan. And in just over a month three things had come along that threatened everything he had worked towards for the past seventeen years. First the damnable defence against the dark arts position. The position was cursed, not for the teachers but for him. He’d always known about Remus and Severus, even when they were young and didn’t know it themselves. Back then they hadn’t known better.

And he had been able to keep them apart, by encouraging the Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry to the point it was today. Just short of war.

But despite all this the two of them grew closer, no matter what he did he couldn’t keep them apart. He couldn’t have that. From the moment Severus entered the castle Dumbledore had moulded him, shaped him to take up the mantle of the dark arts. The fact that Severus had prior knowledge of the dark arts was useful. He took great care, kindling the boys hatred for Black and Potter. He made sure that enough humanity remained in Severus to balk at the tasks assigned him by the dark lord. Thus ensuring he had the perfect spy.

The fact that Remus was a werewolf seemed almost beneficial to him. A possible second spy. But alas the wolf was too much a Gryffindor. He wouldn’t have the stomach to stand at the dark lords side. The wolf was useless and Albus made plans to remove him. What he didn’t count on was that the two of them would sit in the same compartment on the train and that they would be mates. Luckily the bond didn’t have the time to cement before they were forced into different houses.

This left Albus with a problem. He couldn’t kill the wolf without killing his spy. The bond was still there whether noticeable or not. Severus would feel the connection break and would die as a consequence. He had no choice but to allow Remus to live. He hadn’t actually regretted that, Remus had been useful to him over the years. But he couldn’t have the two of them growing closer and undoing all the work he had done on their houses. The Gryffindor would destroy his spy, bring him back from the dark. And so he had pulled aside Potter and Black and told them of Severus’s darker tendencies. The animosity between the three of them had been assured and the wolf could do nothing to prevent it. But through it all the two of them remained friends, sneaking around to meet in the library and do their work. It galled him when he had to make the wolf a prefect but the rest of the faculty would have been suspicious if he hadn’t.

His moment came when he learned that Remus still hadn’t told Severus of his ‘condition’. With a little prodding from Black, he let events unfold, secure in the knowledge that Potter would do the right thing. And so with a little prodding from him the friendship dissolved.

He’d thought it was sorted. But then in third year events took an unexpected turn. He was forced to call the wolf in to teach defence. But he always knew he could let slip the wolf’s condition if he needed to. And that’s what he did.

Although the way he did it was quite spectacular if he did say so himself.

Placing imperio on Severus had been pure genius. And it had the added benefit of further breaking the bond. Unfortunately for him though, something happened…he didn’t know what. But whatever it was that happened made both of them realize they were mates. Luckily there was enough resentment on both sides to keep them apart. Unfortunately for him his spy wanted to return to the wolf and apologise, so he was forced to take certain measures to make sure that didn’t happen. Any advances that Remus made were rebuffed by his surly Potions Master.

But now he had been forced to bring the wolf back. Not by his own decision but by order of the school governors, who deemed Professor Lupin the only one who could successfully train the students to meet Voldemort’s threat.

And if that wasn’t enough.

The Potter line had to have some recessive creature blood that then manifested in Harry. Dumbledore had known about that of course and he’d also known that Malfoy was his mate but as the bond hadn’t seemed strong enough to dispel their hostility he had ignored it. And that had been a big mistake, the boys seemed to be growing closer and it was all the fault of that snake. Harry may believe he had fooled him but he hadn’t. None of the steps Harry had taken could hide the snake from him.

Something would have to be done about that snake. He had come too far in his plans for Harry, to have them ruined now.

***


Harry Potter was very tired. Sudden realisations and revelations aside, although they were enough to give anyone a restless night he hadn’t slept a wink. The reason he hadn’t slept a wink, was a bloody gorgeous blonde, who Harry noticed wasn’t suffering the same problems. His unblemished and wide awake appearance proved it.

He wanted to lay his head down on the table and sleep but every time his head came close to connecting with the table Hermione would poke him and Ron would kick him. Harry roused himself yet again after a particularly vicious poke…Professor McGonagall was stood behind him trying to hand him a timetable. He smiled sheepishly at her as he took it, she didn’t smile back just stalked off, doing a remarkably good Snape impression if he did say so himself. And speaking of Snape…he glanced at his timetable and…yep, perfect. Double potions first thing. Wouldn’t you know it. Harry groaned and this time let his head smack into the table.

Why couldn’t they give them a day to get used to being back. Then again he supposed it was his own fault, he didn’t have to make Krai tell him what he was last night. He could have waited but no…gone midnight was the perfect time for a ground breaking conversation wasn’t it?

Huh…seemed like lack of sleep made him sarcastic. Great, his Slytherin side was showing. Hhhhhmmmm, speaking of his Slytherin side, he picked his head up and looked towards the far table. Draco was watching him, when he saw Harry looking his mouth formed a perfectly delicious smirk. Harry’s heart skipped a beat, that wasn’t a Malfoy patented smirk. There was a tenderness there, something he’d never thought he’d see on Draco’s face.

Then Pansy leaned over to say something to Draco and the Malfoy mask was back. As Draco looked away Harry cast a glance at the rest of the Slytherins to see if any of them had noticed the exchange. His eyes unsurprisingly met Blaise’s, who quirked an eyebrow at him, Harry shrugged his shoulders and Blaise smirked. Harry just laughed at him, what was it with Slytherins and smirks?

He risked another glance at Draco and found him staring at Blaise with an odd look on his friend. Blaise being Blaise just offered Draco another smirk. It took him a moment to get what the expression on Draco’s face was.

Draco’s jealous? A smile curved his lips, he couldn’t help it…Draco was jealous.

Suddenly the possibility of Draco rejecting him seemed less likely. He felt wide awake now, he was so full of energy he had to stop himself from bouncing in his seat.

It was a good thing he didn’t, Krai wouldn’t have appreciated it. The snake was currently happily lodged in his lap, Harry kept sneaking him bits of sausage under the table, or at least he was when he was awake enough to do so.

He turned his attention back to his own table. Hermione was staring at him again, but it wasn’t the usual knowing Hermione stare. It reminded him too much of the Creevey brothers and the first years. He didn’t like it. Ron on the other hand had a speculative gleam in his eye he had obviously seen the exchange, he raised a questioning eyebrow, Harry just shook his head and mouthed ‘later’. He looked away to the staff table, Happy to see Remus back where he belonged.

Remus was chatting with McGonagall, it was strange to see the woman actually smiling. He looked further down the staff table, Snape was eating his breakfast with his usual sneer, but to Harry who had gotten better at reading the git over the past year thought he looked quite downcast. He wondered what could make Snape look like that. He watched for a while longer, Snape kept shooting glances down at Remus but they weren’t the loathing filled looks from third year. This was different the closest word he could find to describe it was longing. What the hell was going on there!

After a while he looked away, that was something to think about later. Just then the post owls flew in. Neville got his usual package of things he’d forgotten. Ron got his usual copy of the Daily Prophet, Draco got a package full of sweets from his mother. Hedwig flew in to take some bacon and gave a hoot of greeting to Krai before flying off. It took him a moment to realize a school owl was waiting for him to take his letter. He didn’t know who’d be writing to him, other than the Weasley’s everyone that he knew was here. He supposed it could be Hagrid asking him to tea.

Harry My Boy,

Could you come to my office tonight at eight I would like to have a word with you. The password is ‘Blood Pops’.

Albus



He looked up at the staff table in time to see Dumbledore nod. He nodded in return. He had to go, he knew that he’d have to face Dumbledore at some point. The only thing to think about was whether or not Krai should come with him. If he didn’t come he could miss out on something important that Krai would notice and if he did come Dumbledore might realise Krai was there. They’d have to discuss it later, it was too risky to chat now, you never knew when sneaky legilimens would try to force their way into your thoughts. Couldn’t risk parseltongue either, it was too noticeable. They’d have to wait while later.

***

Draco was in a foul mood, he stalked through the corridors almost in his usual manner, scaring first year hufflepuffs out of their wits. Which was actually a good thing, he might be on the side of light but he wasn’t dumb enough to advertise it yet, Slytherin self-preservation was a wonderful thing. The reason for his foul mood? Potter, no not Potter…Harry. Yes Harry, stupid Gryffindor. What was he doing flirting with Blaise and what was Blaise doing? Harry was his.

Draco was dragged forcibly out of his thoughts when someone yanked on his arm. He found himself behind a tapestry just outside the entrance to the dungeons.
‘Blaise, what the hell are you doing?’ his friend looked a little shaky but also determined.
‘Well I must admit that since Slytherins believe in self-preservation this is probably a bad idea. But I just wanted to tell you not to worry about me and Harry.’

Draco understandably took this the wrong way and was going to blow up when Blaise cut him off.

‘No that’s not what I mean Drake. Harry and I have been friends for a year now. Friends that’s all Drake. Harry’s not my type although he is hot, but I prefer red heads.’
Draco knew his friend well enough to know that he was deadly serious in what he said.

He smirked.

‘Good because if you ever lay a finger on my man, I’ll hex your balls off and then what would you do?’ Blaise’s hand drifted down to hide his bits.
‘You wouldn’t, no I take that back. You would!’
‘Glad we understand each other.’ Then he smiled. ‘Come on we’re late for potions.’

***

Like usual they all managed to slip in the door before Snape came in. Although his stalk seemed half hearted at best and his robes didn’t billow at all. What was going on? Snape stood next to his desk for a moment and seemed to shake his head, a moment later he was composed and back to his usual self.
‘This is a NEWT level potions class, some of you are here for reasons other than your marks…’ he said glancing in Harry’s direction. ‘Any fooling around and you will be gone, the potions on the curriculum are all highly dangerous. And I don’t care who you are…’ a pointed look at the slytherins. ‘If you intend to act like idiots then you will be gone. Out of this class and out of the school. The substances you will be dealing with are extremely volatile and because of this I have the Headmasters permission to hold your wands.’
And with that Snape waved his wand, summoned all of their wands and locked them in his desk draw. Harry saw Snape smirk and almost scowled, bloody Slytherin’s and their smirks. Snape waved his wand again, the days instructions appeared on the board and he told them to get on with it.

Two hours later everyone was packing up. Harry had never been so ready to leave the dungeons. It wasn’t Snape this time but Hermione, with Ron sat behind them all of her attention was focused on him. If he had to listen to her give one more lecture never mind the Slytherin’s he’d probably blow up a cauldron himself just to get away.
He was almost to the door when Snape’s voice rang out.

‘Mr Potter, a word.’ Harry groaned.
Snape was facing the shelves behind his desk and didn’t turn around until everyone had left.
‘Mr Potter I noticed today some improvement in your potions skills.’ It wasn’t a question but Harry wasn’t stupid enough not to take it as one.
‘I might have studied that book you picked out.’ Snape just gave a short nod.

‘Dumbledore wants me to continue teaching you occlumency, unfortunately as you are in my NEWT class and passed the course last year, I cannot say that your recent potions grades are not up to scratch but I can remain adamant in my belief that your grades previous to your OWLs were unsatisfactory. So you are taking remedial potions for the first four years of your schooling. I realise that tonight you have a meeting with the headmaster so I will set our first session for tomorrow night.’ Snape just looked at him for a moment as if he wanted to say something further but he didn’t.

Harry left a few moments later, Snape had been almost nice. He headed off to break, to meet up with Ron and Hermione. Now that he was out of the dungeons his thoughts went straight to Draco, the intense atmosphere of the dungeons and the knowledge that his potion could blow up at any moment had kept his thoughts centred on the lesson. But now, Draco was the first thing that came to his mind. He was so distracted he almost walked into a wall, causing Krai to hiss in alarm.

Watch where you are going Master.

Sorry Krai, I was distracted.

Yes I could see that Master. It may be an idea not to let thoughts of your mate distract you. It may be dangerous.

Krai remained silent for a moment.

Master I am going to change position. Krai slipped a further coil around Harry’s neck, the feel of the scales caused Harry to shiver. He was glad Krai warned him, cos if he hadn’t he’d have probably had a much more obvious reaction.

Something strange is going on Master, the dark one didn’t seem natural.

Yeh I know he’s never usually so nice…Its…

No Master. When we met him in Diagon Alley the moment he picked out the book for you, that was him. The words he spoke and his manner weren’t. Today was more him, strict but honest. It is dangerous work and a warning and a mention of the punishment is the best way to reinforce that. He is smart. And not what he appears.

Harry thought for a moment. If something’s wrong what do we do?

We do nothing for now. More information is needed. I have my suspicions Master. I wish to see your ‘family’.

Family? Oh Remus.

Yes. Whatever is going on, he is part of it as well.

Do you wish to meet him or just observe.

For now observe. There is danger here for me, to show myself now would not be of benefit.

Maybe you should return to the Manor.

That would not be a good idea Master. I must remain with you here until you have no more need of me. After that I will just be a friend to offer advice.

You wont be going anywhere. Harry stated.

Thank you Master, I wish to remain with you until my last days.

You will be. Now we’d better get to Herbology. We’ve just chatted the break away. And after dinner you can get a closer look at Remus.

***

Dinner went by quite quickly, maybe because he and Draco kept ‘making eyes’ at each other across the hall. ‘Making eyes’ was the term Ron used to describe their looks after Hermione had gone to the Library. Ron had told him that he didn’t want to say anything in front of her and that if he didn’t know better he’d say she fancied Harry. Ron knew something was going on between him and Draco, so he’d just told Ron that he’d explain it all later.

The two of them headed off to DADA. Remus paired them all off and set them to duelling each other. Luckily he paired Harry with Ron, he didn’t think he could have duelled Draco and he’d have probably been too hard on Hermione, especially if she started lecturing him on the proper way to hold a wand. Krai slipped off his neck a bit into the lesson, he didn’t fancy having to try and un-hex a snake that no one else could see.

Krai spent his time following Harry’s ‘family’ around. Observing the manner of the wolf in two legs skin. Harry’s Remus was himself, unlike this ‘nape…no Snape. The dark one was as natural as the white stuff two legs called ‘plastic’. The wolf had a restless air to him, like he wanted something but it was just outside of his reach.

Krai was beginning to understand, he had to tell his Master of his suspicions.






Notes on bond/mates…

All humanoid creatures, i.e. Veela, Werewolves, Vampires and so on have mates. That is because all of the humanoid species (in this fic), mate for life.

There is also a magic induced bonding, (the wizarding version of marriage). This is performed by a two part ritual and can be done by anyone. This is only broken if both (sometimes more) participants desire the bond to be broken. The only other way to nullify the bond is for one participant to kill the other. If this is not done the bond lasts until death and as witches and wizards can live upto seven (magical number) generations longer than muggles this can be problematic. Although this doesn’t happen often, two to three generations usually at a maximum.

The bond Harry and Draco share is something different. Harry is a creature (Draco might be) and so Harry’s blood is calling out for a mate. His mate could be anyone, the attraction comes from chemical secretions of the body, scent, blood, sweat, pheromones, hormones and so on. Creatures also like the taste of their mates flesh, that is why a vampire/werewolves mate is usually human, the combination of taste (vamps case food), scent and sex is heady, addictive and impossible to be denied.

The enemy/love bond that I mentioned before is due to Harry’s magic, his powerlevels are unbelievable and because of the sheer scale need to be shared. This is a soulmate bond. Harry’s magic chose Draco at conception and has been hibernating until Harry’s transition where its full power will be released and the pull too strong to resist.

Dumbledore doesn’t know the nature of their bond, just believes it is due to Harry’s creature blood.


Hey hopefully this helps but if not just ask…


As always read and review…


RECOMMENDATION…

Today’s recommendation is a fic called

Distorted Exposure

http://hp.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600006627

By Incessant_Darkness

Harry is sick of all the girls chasing him around, he cant even get out of the locker room without girls chasing him. Hermione decides that it is time for Harry to ‘come out’. She books Harry to have a photo shoot in a well known gay magazine. But when he gets there his possible holiday/shoot is ruined when he finds out that Draco Malfoy is the other model he has to get more acquainted with.


This fic is good because of the lack of supporting characters. Apart from a brief appearance of Hermione the only characters are Harry, Draco, and the two people who run the magazine. Each photo shoot is intense, the descriptions of Harry and Draco’s reactions to each other exquisite. Despite all this, this is not a quick get together fic. Both boy’s are trying to outdo each other and come out on top.

This fic is a big favourite of mine, set after the war, it is an original and fresh representation of the boys relationship. It is not complete yet but updates are quite frequent (just checked my email and chap 18s just been put up).