Dreams In Time

TITLE: Dreams In Time 27 of ??
AUTHOR: Casey Snape
PAIRING: Snarry
MINOR PAIRINGS: Albus Dumbledore/Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Draco Malfoy/??, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger, Charlie Weasley/Poppy Pomfrey, Percy Weasley/Penelope Clearwater, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy, Cornelius Fudge/Gilderoy Lockhart, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Peter Pettigrew/Tom Riddle, Charlie Weasley/Neville Longbottom (1 sided??), Bill Weasley/Nymphadora Tonks,
RATING: NC-17
FEEDBACK: caseysnape@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Nope, Not mine, however much I might wish. If they were, they would be having hot, smutty man-sex 24/7, all within the confines of my personal viewing room.ƒº The characters and concepts in the following story do not belong to me. Ms. Rowling and all her assignees, publishers, etc¡K have that honor. .

WARNINGS: Parts of OTP & all of HBP and DH never happened. OOC. AU. Time Travel / MPreg / Graphic Sex / Rimming / Masturbation / Voyeurism / Mention of BDSM / Mention of Het. Sex / Bonding & Marriage / Dirty talk / Mention of Non-Con /
CHARACTER DEATH IN THIS CHAPTER. (NOT HP/SS)

Symbolism: The Serpents: Celtic symbol using four intertwined serpents; means ageless wisdom, immortality via self renewal. Lightning: Nordic symbol of eightfold lightning bolts, highly energetic, enlightened effort. Griffin: European - Guardian of treasures. Phoenix: No known origin ¡V Rising from the ashes of the fires of transformation: rebirth and renewal. For more information, see Chapter 14, The Contents of the Box, or my geocities page at http://www.geocities.com/caseysnape

From Chapter 26: THE PROMISE OF A LOVER

Harry turned and pressed his face into Severus¡¦s shoulder. ¡§I know. I just¡KI just don¡¦t know when¡K¡¨ the last word was almost wailed out as sobs took over. Severus tightened his hold, running a hand up and down his mate¡¦s back in an effort to comfort him.

¡¥Anything,¡¦ he silently promised his spouse, ¡¥I¡¦ll do anything to stop your pain.¡¦ Little did he know just what that ¡¥anything¡¦ would entail.

Chapter 27: THE CHOICE OF THE UNBORN

Past ¡V Sunday night:

Poppy noticed the blood as she began to dress after her shower. She frowned. This was not in her plan. Without hesitation, she summoned another stabilizer potion from her lab, drinking it down in one long gulp. She would not lose this baby. She moved over to the bed and stretched out. She ran her hands softly over her belly.

¡§I believe it¡¦s a boy,¡¨ she called out toward the sitting area of her bedroom. ¡§I think I might name him Franklin Charles, after his grandfather and father. What do you think, Mum, would that name do?¡¨ She paused a moment before continuing, ¡§Archimedes, now don¡¦t start. You are not the father, no matter how much you wanted to be. After all it¡¦s been years!¡¨ She sat up, glaring toward the two lounge chairs. ¡§What? Don¡¦t you dare judge me! How dare you? After everything I have done, everything I have risked¡K¡¨ She grabbed her wand and fired off hex after hex. After several moments, she stopped and leveled a defiant stare toward the area. ¡§Not so vocal, now, are you? Just keep it that way.¡¨

Poppy lay back down with a smirk on her lips. Stupid mother and husband ¡V condemning her when everything was working so well. She sighed in irritation as she whipped her wand around and fired off a couple more curses at the two skeletons propped up in the corner.


Past ¡V Monday afternoon:

Severus sighed as he looked over the clothes in his wardrobe. He hated wearing dress robes, but he knew that Lucius would expect him to be dressed in the best of fashion for Narcissa¡¦s party. He glanced over to Harry, who was sitting on the bed fiddling with the feather of an old quill.

¡§Love, we are supposed to go to Narcissa¡¦s birthday party tomorrow night, and we will need to wear dress robes. Do you have any, or do we need to make a trip to Diagon Alley this evening?¡¨

Harry perked up a little, happy to have something to keep his mind off of his parents. ¡§I have some. I¡¦ll be right back.¡¨ He bounded out the door to his old room, where his clothes were still kept. In less than two minutes, he was back, arms filled with robes.

¡§Will any of these do?¡¨ He dumped the pile on the end of the bed.

Severus examined the items, rejecting all of them until he came to the last one. The robes ¡V well, they were exquisite. The fabric was light velvet in the deepest shade of black. The hem, front edge and sleeves were decorated with Celtic runes of protection and strength in what must have been pure silver thread. The high collar held four small circular emblems, two on each side of the brushed platinum fastener. On the left were the Serpents and Lightning, and on the right were the Griffin and the Phoenix. He brushed his finger lightly over the symbols, recognizing them.

¡§Where did you get these?¡¨ He asked, trying to keep his voice light and nonchalant.

Harry answered excitedly, ¡§These are really nice, aren¡¦t they? Remember when we went to Diagon when I first got here? They were in the vault, and I couldn¡¦t just leave them there¡K¡¨ He looked at his husband and stopped, perplexed by the look on the man¡¦s face.

¡§Harry, I¡Kwell, just look.¡¨ Severus paced back to his wardrobe and pulled out a set of dress robes, handling them very carefully as he returned to the bed and handed them to Harry. Harry was amazed. Severus had just handed him robes that were identical to his own! His head snapped up to face Severus, ¡§What¡KI don¡¦t understand.¡¨

Gingerly, Severus took the robes from Harry¡¦s hands and led him around to the side of the bed. Sitting down, he pulled the young man down on his knee. ¡§At the beginning of summer last year, I went to my vault. I discovered those there. I thought it was strange, but I found that I just could not leave them in the vault, either.

A strangled ¡§Oh,¡¨ was Harry¡¦s only response.

Severus chuckled. ¡§I think that it only helps to further prove that we are, indeed, soul mates, my love. Why else would we discover matching robes in our vaults?¡¨

Harry smiled. ¡§You may be right¡K¡¨ His grin took on a mischievously wicked gleam, ¡§but, I think I may need a little more convincing.¡¨ He leaned down to kiss Severus. Just as their lips were about to touch, they heard the floo flare downstairs, and the Headmaster¡¦s voice call out, ¡§Severus, are you there?¡¨

Severus groaned and dropped his head to Harry¡¦s chest. After a short moment, he lifted his head and called out, ¡§Yes, Professor, I¡¦ll be right there!¡¨ He gave Harry a swift kiss on the lips and left him to talk to the old man with very bad timing.

Harry chuckled as he began to straighten up the mess on the bed. He gathered all of his robes up, ready to take them back to the other room. Then he decided that he wasn¡¦t going to do that. They were supposed to stay at Hogwarts during the summer anyway, so why not just move his things into here? He grabbed his wand and marched down the hall, ready to do a little redecorating.

Severus dropped to his knees in front of the fire. ¡§I apologize for keeping you waiting, sir. I was upstairs.¡¨

¡§Not a problem, my boy. I was wondering if you and your delightful husband could join me for tea in about thirty minutes. I have something I should like to discuss with you.¡¨

Severus, surprised that the old professor knew about his marriage, nodded hazily, and gave an affirmative answer. As the call ended, he wondered what scheme the Headmaster could have up his sleeve now.

As it turned out, the Headmaster had explained that the current Potions Professor was leaving, and offered the position to Severus. Harry was very proud, especially when he found out that this would make Severus the youngest professor in Hogwarts¡¦ history. Severus was stunned, and very flattered.

¡§Now, boys, I know that you will need to discuss this. So, just do that, discuss it and give me your answer, say, within the week?¡¨

Severus started to get up, but Harry placed his hand on the Potions Apprentice¡¦s arm, stilling him. As he looked into his husband¡¦s eyes, he gave the professor their answer, ¡§Severus will be happy to take the position, Headmaster.¡¨

Albus looked at the two young men, ¡§Severus is this true?¡¨

Severus started to speak, but Harry beat him to it, ¡§It is true, Severus. I can see it in your eyes. Take the job.¡¨

Severus searched his husband¡¦s eyes for a few moments, and then smiled. ¡§Yes, Professor Dumbledore. I accept the position.¡¨

Later that evening, Harry decided to take Severus out to dinner to celebrate his new career. They strolled hand-in-hand down the worn path from the castle to Hogsmeade village, chatting idly as they walked. Hogsmeade did not have that many restaurants, especially for those that didn¡¦t exactly appreciate rampant hearts and pink things floating about, so they dined at The Three Broomsticks.

Madam Rosmerta was happy to give them a cozy little booth in the back, and had even conjured a couple of candles for the table. Severus, truly happy and satisfied with his life, smiled and laughed with his spouse. He even flirted with Harry and had not objected when Harry had linked his fingers with Severus¡¦s on top of the table. They gazed at each other, sneaking small touches every few moments as they ate.

Neither one saw the small rat hiding in the corner nearby.

Present ¡V Monday night:
Bill crowed in triumph as he finally unlocked the last of the spells protecting the destination on the portkey meant for his brother. It had taken him endless hours in the last few days, but he had finally succeeded. His cry brought the attention of his wife of two years, Nymphadora Tonks. She gave him a quirky smile and a nod, and went back to lovingly stroking her pregnant belly.

Quickly, he swiveled his chair toward the door of the guest quarters assigned to him and his family in the castle. A short flick of his wand sent his patronus (a crup, of all things) racing through the stone corridors to the Headmaster. As he waited, he rose from his chair and paced across the room to Tonks. He leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss, and then leaned further down and kissed her round stomach twice ¡V once for each of the boys growing inside.

¡§I¡¦m going to go tell Mum and Dad, and the rest of the boys. Will you be alright here?¡¨ At her affirmative answer, he kissed her again, then added, ¡§Don¡¦t go near that thing, right? Just ¡V just stay here, Dora. No chances.¡¨

Tonks laughed and agreed. Bill knew better than to trust his wife¡¦s willpower over her curious nature for long, so he sprinted from the room and rounded up his family as soon as he could. He was relieved, when he reached the small study, to find his wife still resting in the Muggle chair ¡V a recliner, he believed was the name ¡V with her feet up and a smile on her lips.

¡§You didn¡¦t have to run, you know. It would take me at least twice as long as you were gone just to get out of this chair.¡¨

Bill laughed. ¡§I don¡¦t know what you mean, Dora. You are still as svelte and beautiful as the day we married.¡¨
He ducked when a pillow flew at his head, opting to kiss his wife into submission rather than get into an argument with the pregnant woman. Just as he felt things were getting interesting, he was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat.

¡§If you don¡¦t mind, Mr. Weasley, I believe that you summoned us?¡¨ Just wonderful, Bill thought, to be caught snogging your wife by Lucius Malfoy.

¡§Yes, Mr. Malfoy.¡¨ He stood and took a quick, mental roll of the people spilling into the tiny room. Seeing that everyone was there, he motioned to the portkey. ¡§I broke all the curses protecting the destination. We can find out where she was going to send Charlie.¡¨

Albus strode forth, a look of steely determination on his face. ¡§Have you¡K?¡¨ Bill shook his head to indicate ¡§no¡¨. ¡§Well, then, allow me.¡¨ He looked around the room as he pulled several odd items from his pockets. He tapped Pomfrey¡¦s portkey four times with his wand, followed by seven concise circles. He mumbled a phrase that Bill could not make out, and then repeated the process on each of the items.

¡§I have copied the portkey to each of these. You will go in teams of two: Lucius and Narcissa, Draco and Neville, Severus and Remus, Arthur and Molly, Fred and George, Bill and Hermione, Minerva and myself.¡¨ He looked across to Charlie, ¡§You, Charlie Weasley, will stay here. Do you understand?¡¨

Charlie started to object, but the look in the Headmaster¡¦s eyes told him it would be best to agree. ¡§Yes, sir. I will stay here.¡¨ The Headmaster pulled Ron Weasley aside, ¡§I did not include you in this mission because I have a much bigger mission for you.¡¨ Ron nodded sagely. ¡§I know how impetuous your brother and sister-in-law are.¡¨ Ron almost grinned, but instead just nodded again at the old man. ¡§Mr. Weasley, I am charging you with the task of keeping those two here and completely safe. Can you do that?¡¨

Ron quickly agreed. The average person might have assumed that the headmaster was doing that just to keep him out of the fray for some reason, but Ron had proved his worth during Harry¡¦s defeat of Voldemort. Ron also knew how stubborn both Charlie and Tonks could be, especially Tonks. After all, she had won Bill away from a half-veela French woman. Ron promised the professor that he would not let either of his charges leave.

Neville slipped through the crowd of people to stand beside Charlie. Looking up at the dragon tamer, the young man took Charlie¡¦s hands in his own. ¡§It¡¦s best for you to stay here. I¡KIf Dumbledore¡¦s plan works, well, I was hoping that maybe we could talk about that after. Maybe over dinner?¡¨

Charlie gifted Neville with a bright grin. ¡§I¡¦d love that, Neville. I really would.¡¨

¡§Good. Stay safe.¡¨ Neville kissed the palm of Charlie¡¦s hand and wandered away through the crowd. As Neville worked his way toward his partner, he noticed the thunderous look on Draco¡¦s face. He started to back away, but then decided that he was a Gryffindor for some reason, and kept on going. ¡§Malfoy,¡¨ Neville began, ¡§Is there a problem?¡¨

Draco was surprised that the normally timid boy would have the nerve to ask ¡V so surprised , in fact, that Draco answered him before he could stop himself. ¡§Yes, there is a problem, you moron. He¡¦s mine. Charlie Weasley is mine and you can¡¦t have him. I mean, I can¡¦t stop him, but he needs to be with me. Let him be with me.¡¨

Neville pulled Draco off to the side. ¡§Explain, and it better be good¡K¡¨

Draco took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ¡§Do,¡¨ he started, then tried again, ¡§do you know anything about soul mates?¡¨

Neville gasped. ¡§You can¡¦t be serious.¡¨

¡§Unfortunately, yes, I am. I suspected that there was something between us last year. I felt drawn to him, and I had never before even considered a man as a partner. I couldn¡¦t stop wondering, so I went through the library at the manor. I found a book about soul mates, and it explained how you will feel drawn to that person. Then I found the spell that allows a person to see their soul mate. Charlie is my soul mate.¡¨ Draco sighed again. ¡§I know he likes you ¡V he probably is even in love with you. That¡¦s why he doesn¡¦t feel the pull toward me. I can¡¦t stop him. I wish I could, but I wouldn¡¦t do that to him.¡¨ He gazed wistfully at the red haired man, ¡§Since I found out, he¡¦s all I can think of. I¡¦m in love with him. I just wish I had a chance.¡¨

Neville was silent for a long moment, his mind racing through the new information. ¡§Draco, I like Charlie, but I am not in love with him. I don¡¦t know if I will ever be in love with him. If he is your soul mate, and you love him, well, we both know that it will be very easy for him to love you. How about a compromise? We both spend time with Charlie, and let him choose which one he wants to be with.¡¨

Draco¡¦s face dropped, but he agreed. Just then, Professor McGonagall stepped in front of them and handed them their portkey. She smiled tersely at the boys and moved to the next couple.

Albus¡¦s voice boomed out over the throng of wizards and witches. ¡§Wands at the ready, back to back if you will. We don¡¦t know what we are going into, and I would prefer not to lose any of you tonight. At my mark, I will activate the portkeys.¡¨

When the sickening feeling of traveling passed, the group found out that they were in wooded area near a small house. There were several other houses nearby, but all except the one looked to be abandoned. Albus motioned to them, and they began to fan out as they pressed closer to the building.

Hermione started as she tripped, and Bill, noticing what she tripped over, clamped his hand over her mouth to keep her from making a sound. Tears fell from Hermione¡¦s eyes as she stepped over the dead body of Seamus Finnegan. Bill released Hermione after making sure she was okay. Glancing around, he pointed out the position of three other bodies nearby. Hermione wiped her eyes and followed the curse-breaker.

A cry rang out from their right, and they both looked up in time to see Arthur and Molly get trapped in a port-bubble. Bill and his brothers started forward when they saw their parents disappear, but were stopped by the Headmaster.

Albus quickly scanned the area. ¡§It¡¦s alright,¡¨ he called softly, ¡§The spell was to return them to where-ever they came from. They should be back at the school. I imagine that Poppy knows that we are here, though.¡¨

He was right. Poppy set off a series of charmed traps as they got closer to the house. Despite her best efforts, though, several of the Order got through and into the house. Lucius, Draco, Neville, and Minerva cornered Poppy in the kitchen of her house. (Albus was busy dealing with the injuries sustained by the others, and had sent Minerva on to the battle.)

Poppy held off the four with amazing skill. The four Order members fought valiantly, but she still managed to back them into the corner and keep their spells from infiltrating her shields. She cackled in glee as she gained the upper hand.

¡§Accio Draco Malfoy!¡¨ Lucius, Neville and Minerva tried to hold on to Draco, but it was no use. Poppy¡¦s spell was too strong. The young man slid across the room to the former medi-witch. She turned his back to her, wrapped her arm around his neck and put her wand to his head. She smiled at the thought of having a new playmate.

¡§Mr. Thomas,¡¨ she cried, ¡§Collect their wands, if you will.¡¨ Dean didn¡¦t even blink his dull, glazed eyes as he moved to obey her command.

Suddenly, pain shot through Poppy, starting at her middle and moving outward. She clutched at the Malfoy heir as she doubled over in pain. It was too much, however. She couldn¡¦t keep her grip on him. She dropped to her knees and held her stomach. The pain started to ease, enough so she could tell that she was not the only one hurting. Her hostage seemed to be in the same state she was. She moved to grab the boy again, but was surprised when her half-brother summoned him back their side. Minerva moved away from the men, and started surreptitiously casting spells.

¡§Dean, get over here!¡¨ She commanded the enchanted boy. ¡§Stand in front of me and protect me!¡¨ Dean moved to stand in front of her and started firing off spells to protect his Master.

Poppy ran several diagnostic spells. Her rage grew as each one confirmed what she feared. Furious eyes sought out the blonde boy, and her crazed mind pieced together the pieces. ¡§NO!¡¨ She screamed. She pitched forward around Dean¡¦s legs and fired off a deadly curse at Draco. Neville stepped out, pushing Draco behind him and casting the killing curse at his sister. Hellish black-red light engulfed the young Gryffindor as his spell left his wand.

Minerva hurried back over to the group and grabbed all three of their robes. She activated her emergency portkey. Moments later, the group landed at Albus¡¦s feet. Lucius and Minerva started barking orders to the rest.

¡§We need to get back to the castle now. Longbottom¡¦s been hit with a spell I don¡¦t recognize and something is wrong with Draco.¡¨

Hurriedly, the others grabbed on and they all activated their portkeys.

In the Headmaster¡¦s office, they found Arthur, Ron, Tonks, Charlie and Molly waiting for them. Molly had gathered medical supplies to help out, just in case. Albus had managed to heal the worst of the injuries in the field; therefore, they really only had to worry about the two young boys.

Charlie clung to Neville¡¦s side, trying to soothe the frantic young man as Minerva, Bill, Hermione, and Molly worked on him. Lucius, Narcissa, Albus, and Arthur were at Draco¡¦s side, and the rest of the group were running between the two in order to help where needed.

¡§Don¡¦t give up, Nev. Please, don¡¦t give up.¡¨ Charlie looked up at his mother, and she shook her head. Minerva broke in, ¡§There¡¦s nothing we can do, Mr. Weasley.¡¨ Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, ¡§The spell has no counter. He will not live past the hour.¡¨

Neville motioned to Charlie. ¡§I need to speak to Draco ¡V alone.¡¨ When Molly, Minerva, and Bill started to argue, Neville issued the simple command, ¡§now!¡¨ Hermione hurried to the Malfoy family and pulled the still-in-pain Draco to Neville¡¦s side. ¡§Neville says that he needs to speak to you. He¡¦s¡K,¡¨ her voice broke, ¡§he¡¦s dying, and he really wants to talk to you first.¡¨ Draco swallowed soberly and hobbled over to see the boy that had saved his life.

Neville could feel his magic, his life force, slipping away. The others stepped away to give him privacy for his talk with Draco, and Hermione even put up a privacy spell for him. He smiled his thanks to her as he studied the blonde boy in front of him.

¡§Why did you do it? Why did you step in front of the spell?¡¨ Draco was hunched over, counting on the chair he was leaning on to hold him from the floor.

Neville struggled to sit up. Draco wasn¡¦t in condition to help him. ¡§For all your research on soul mates, you still don¡¦t know what happened, do you?¡¨ He was pleased to see that, for once, he knew something before the Malfoy heir.

¡§You are Charlie Weasley¡¦s soul mate. You were standing very close to a woman who was carrying Charlie¡¦s baby. Suddenly, both you and she are in pain. The baby recognized you for who you are, and the baby chose you over her. I think,¡¨ Neville began to cough and wheeze; his body trembled as the fatal spell he had been hit with worked through his body. Draco stumbled over, in shock from the revelation. He grabbed Neville¡¦s hand and held on, knowing there was nothing else he could do for the boy. His free hand ran lightly over his stomach, feeling the bump that was already beginning to show. ¡§I¡¦m pregnant¡K,¡¨ he whispered to himself.

It was several long moments before Neville was able to continue. ¡§I think the baby knew what type of monster Poppy is.¡¨ He smiled wryly, ¡§The little one didn¡¦t want Poppy, it wanted you.¡¨ He took a ragged breath, ¡§She¡¦s my sister. I didn¡¦t know until the other day. My dad ¡V well, before my mom¡K¡¨ He trailed off. ¡§I couldn¡¦t let her kill you and the baby. She¡¦s done too much harm. This way, the baby will be okay. Just,¡¨ he struggled for breath. ¡§Just don¡¦t push Charlie. He¡¦ll come to you. It may take a while, but he will.¡¨

Neville¡¦s eyes fluttered closed. Draco gulped as he leaned over the boy and pressed a small kiss to his forehead. ¡§Thank you, Neville. I¡¦ll do my best.¡¨

Neville whispered, ¡§I know.¡¨

Draco squeezed his hand, ¡§You should get some rest, now. I¡¦ll leave you alone.¡¨

Neville chuckled lightly, ¡§I think I¡¦ll be getting enough rest very soon. Could you have the others come back? I¡¦d like to spend some time with them before Gran gets here.¡¨

Draco nodded and cancelled the privacy spell. He motioned for the others, who had been watching the strange scene play out. ¡§He wants to talk to you.¡¨ The group moved toward the dying boy, all except for Charlie. The dragon tamer leveled an intense look at the young Slytherin, and then took his arm. ¡§I¡¦ll help you over. You don¡¦t look like you can make it on your own¡K¡¨

The minute Charlie touched him; Draco felt bliss spread through his body like fiendfyre. The babe in his belly fluttered, and happiness bubbled up from the child. He smiled and looked up through blonde lashes at the red-haired man. Charlie was looking at him with a sense of wonder. Draco wondered if he had felt that, too.

It was over all too soon, though. Charlie deposited Draco back with his parents, and left to rejoin Neville. Draco found that he could not be upset by this. Neville had saved him, and the baby, and Neville was paying the price for it. He absently stroked his belly as he thought.

Neville grabbed Charlie¡¦s hand as he came closer and pulled him down. When Charlie got close enough, Neville whispered, ¡§Give Draco a chance. You can be happy with him.¡¨ Tears fell from Charlie¡¦s eyes onto Neville¡¦s face.

Charlie sobbed, and his mother came around to hold him as he held onto Neville¡¦s hand. Bill squeezed his shoulder and told them that Mrs. Longbottom should be there shortly. Hermione smiled mournfully through her tears. ¡§Maybe we should give Charlie and Neville a few minutes alone?¡¨ she suggested. The other women agreed and back away to leave the two to say their final goodbyes.

Neville kept Charlie¡¦s hand tightly grasped in his own, and implored him every few minutes to be open to Draco. Charlie blinked back the tears, but promised the young man that he would. He was confused, both from the strange sensation from when he had touched Draco and the way Neville¡¦s insistence that he give the Slytherin a chance. He promised he would, mainly because it seemed to be so important to the young Gryffindor.

Quietly, Minerva walked up to stand in front of Severus and Albus. ¡§Gentlemen, I believe this is what you wanted,¡¨ she held up a large vial of green-blue liquid. Severus¡¦s eyes widened. ¡§Harry¡¦s potion! You retrieved it from the house?¡¨

She nodded grimly as she dropped the potion in Severus¡¦s hand, ¡§That is what I was doing when Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom were injured.¡¨ She turned toward her husband. ¡§I¡¦m sorry, Albus. I failed to keep them safe.¡¨

Albus gathered his wife in his arms, ¡§It¡¦s not your fault, Minnie. You know that. It¡¦s Poppy¡¦s fault, and we will make sure she pays for what she¡¦s done.¡¨

*********************

In the end, Augusta arrived just minutes before Neville passed away. She wiped tears as her grandson gasped out that he loved her and he would miss her. Minerva filled them in on what had happened, and how Neville had saved Draco Malfoy. Augusta refused to stay afterwards, opting to take her grandson¡¦s body and inter him in the family crypt. Both Lucius and Narcissa offered their heartfelt condolences, which Augusta accepted.

The mood was somber. Charlie sat between his parents with red-rimmed eyes. Minerva curled into Albus¡¦s side, his arm around her, and soaked up his warmth and comfort. Hermione did much the same with Ron. Even Severus seemed to be a little glassy-eyed. Bill Weasley walked up behind his wife and placed his arms around her, letting his hands fall to her stomach. Suddenly, he stood up straight and let out a yelp of realization.

He marched up to Draco and started scanning the startled Slytherin boy with his wand. After several scans, he turned back toward the room. ¡§According to the tests I just ran, Poppy is no longer pregnant with Charlie¡¦s baby.¡¨ The group gasped and started to move. Quickly, he assured his brother and parents, ¡§The baby is fine.¡¨
Bill shook off Draco¡¦s hand as Draco tried to stop him.

Charlie frowned. ¡§What are you talking about?¡¨

¡§Poppy is no longer carrying the baby; Draco is.¡¨


Past ¡V Tuesday Evening:

Severus and Harry were welcomed into the large foyer of Malfoy Manor by not one, but two house elves. The little creatures bowed deeply and welcomed them to the manor. Their cloaks fluttered off of their shoulders and into the cloak room. They were led to the ballroom, which was adorned in sparkling fairy lights and copious amounts of white and red roses.

A tray of champagne flutes hovered near the door. Severus deftly snagged two and handed one to his husband as he scanned the room for his cousin and the guest of honor. He felt his lips twitch in a smile as he spotted them. Narcissa was dressed in an elegant red gown and standing at the front of the room. Lucius, as elegant as his wife, was in black dress robes (Wizarding Dior, if he was correct) and standing slightly to the side and behind his wife. A black leather collar encircled his neck, and a silver chain flowed from the collar to Narcissa¡¦s wrist.

Severus nudged Harry and moved his head toward their hosts. He saw Harry fight back the laughter as he saw the collar and leash. ¡§Indeed,¡¨ he drawled into his husband¡¦s ear. ¡§Maybe we should try that sometime?¡¨ Harry¡¦s eyes snapped to Severus¡¦s face so fast that Severus was sure there would be some damage. There was a beautiful blush on the boy¡¦s cheeks, and his eyes were dilated with lust.

¡§I think I could handle that,¡¨ Harry purred.

Severus gripped his champagne glass to the point where he thought it would break. He moved closer to his husband, backing him into an enchanted alcove. He set his glass down on a small table, and took Harry¡¦s to do the same. He continued stalking Harry, and Harry kept backing up until his back hit the wall. ¡§You do, do you? Would you like for me to collar you? To tie you down as I ravaged your body? Or would you like to present me with a token of your ownership? Would you keep me chained to our bed, hard and ready to satisfy your every demand?¡¨ It was a hot whisper in Harry¡¦s ear.

¡§Y¡KYes.¡¨ Harry stammered.

Severus chuckled as he nuzzled the skin on Harry¡¦s neck. ¡§Which one is it, Bratling?¡¨

Harry sighed as he felt the lips on his throat. ¡§The first, no¡Kboth.¡¨

Severus laughed again as he pushed back away from his husband. He claimed Harry¡¦s mouth in a bruising kiss, not relenting until both of them were hard and panting. ¡§I think that can be arranged.¡¨

He pushed away from the wall and his mate and swept toward the hidden entry. He grabbed the glasses and held Harry¡¦s back out to him. ¡§I believe we need to greet our hosts¡K¡¨

Harry took his glass from Severus and groaned. He muttered good-naturedly the whole way across the room about husbands who are nothing but a tease. Severus let a smile play on his lips ¡Vlips that were swollen deliciously by the passion of the kiss they had just shared.

By nature of the arrangement, they were to greet Narcissa only. If she deemed her pet worthy, she would let Lucius greet them in return. Of course she did, but they had to follow protocol, after all. Narcissa¡¦s and Luc¡¦s eyes both shown with the knowledge of what had just happened in the alcove. Nothing happened in their house without their full and complete knowledge.

Narcissa leaned close to Harry as she returned his greeting. ¡§I have never seen my husband¡¦s cousin smile so much, or seem so happy as he does when you are near.¡¨

Harry blushed and looked up at his husband. ¡§Thank you. I don¡¦t believe that I have ever been so happy in my life as I am right now.¡¨ He blushed further at the elegant arched brow on Narcissa¡¦s beautiful face. ¡§I know I can¡¦t remember much, but I just get that feeling¡K¡¨

Narcissa laughed. ¡§I know what you mean¡K¡¨ She looked at her own husband. ¡§Why don¡¦t you and I take a walk and talk for a while?¡¨ She looped her arm with Harry¡¦s and pulled him away from the other men, ¡§Don¡¦t mind us, gentlemen. We are just going to make a round of the ballroom and get to know one another.¡¨ She paused as she removed the leash from her wrist, ¡§Lucius, behave tonight and you will get a reward later.¡¨ She handed the handle to Severus, ¡§Severus, dear, could you mind him while I¡¦m gone?¡¨

Severus assured her that he would, and, as proper, waited until she was out of hearing range before turning an arched brow to his cousin.

Lucius laughed, ¡§Sod off, you git! You know how we are.¡¨

Severus chuckled. ¡§Such language toward the one holding your leash,¡¨ he teased, ¡§whatever would Cissa do if I told her?¡¨ He delighted in the way his cousin paled and began to stammer, ¡§Not that I would, mind you. It is something to think about, however.¡¨

Lucius chucked him on the arm. ¡§Git.¡¨

Severus arched the brow at him again and drawled, ¡§Indeed.¡¨