Follow Me

A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed the story so far, and a thank you in advance to all those that will continue to do so. I have to admitt it does an ego good to see the number of people that are enjoying this story.



A/N2: Ok folks, I set up a yahoo group for my writing. Primarily it is to give me a place that I can post my stories to, and hopefully get some useful feedback on chapters before they are posted elsewhere on the net. By the way there is a picture of Norische on the group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Of_Pens_and_Ponders/?yguid=104171974







[...] or {...} = mindspeak

~...~ = parseltongue

\'...\' = thought



Chapter 27



“Madam Pomfrey can I ask you a question?” Norische leaned against Draco enjoying his warmth while carding his fingers through Chris’ hair as Chris nuzzled his face against the fabric of his pajamas top resting his cheek against the rather noticeable mound of Norische’s belly.



“Of course Mr. Snape, you may ask any question you wish.” Poppy sat down the tray of potions she was putting away and walked over to the bed where the boys were.



“I was wondering. Chris was supposed to go into season a couple of weeks ago and he never did. Draco was supposed to come into season around his birthday but he didn’t either. Can you check them out and see what’s wrong? It has only been a few days for Chris and well that isn’t unheard of for a vamp to miss a cycle if there is major emotional stuff going on…I missed one season when my mother died, is it possible because he thought I was dead that he missed his season? But that wouldn’t explain why Draco didn’t go into season, and why hasn’t he hit his majority. I don’t know that much about Veela, shouldn’t he have had more changes or something?” Norische asked, he didn’t want to worry his mates with his concerns but he would rather find out what was going on than wait and get a rude awakening later.



Poppy thought about it for a few minutes then began. “Well with all the excitement that was going on and the stress you boys have all been under, between thinking you were dead, to you being in a coma for several days, it wouldn’t be unusual for either Mr. Malfoy or Mr. LaCroix to miss a cycle, but I would say it has more to do with the fact that you were already pregnant when it was time for them to go into season. Both Vampyre and Veela react approximately the same way physically when it comes to their mates. Subconsciously, both boys would have realized that if they were to go into season and get pregnant as a result, while you are pregnant then they would be less capable to protect you and your babies. So it is natural for them to simply shut down that ability until they are sure that you and the babies are safe, I would say they will probably miss their next cycle as well, since the twins will be only a few months old when their next season comes around.” Madam Pomfrey explained.



Norische listened and nodded, that made perfect sense. “Will they go through it as bad as I did though when I missed my season because of my mother’s death?”



“I don’t believe they will, no. You skipped a season because of the emotional trauma you were going through, and were hit very hard because you had no one to help with your…problem… at the time. The reason behind their situation is different and when they do again go into season, you will be together so it should be nowhere near as difficult. Although perhaps you should make arrangements for someone to take care of the twins for a while when it does finally occur.” Madame Pomfrey continued, blushing just slightly. “As to Mr. Malfoy’s lack of majority. What changes have you three noticed?”



Norische thought about it for a moment then began listing the things he had noticed. “Well he grew about four inches taller and filled out quite a bit on his chest and shoulders. Ah… his hair grew a few inches over night and became even more soft and gorgeous…if that is possible. He has become a little more possessive, although not too bad. He has been on a sweet tooth kick that would rot most people’s teeth just thinking about it, although he seems to be continuing to eat normal food pretty good.”



“Hey! I haven’t been that bad on the sweets!” Draco objected adamantly, not appreciating that comment at all.



“Draco… luv… twenty three galleons worth of fudge alone when we went to Honeydukes last weekend?” Norische smirked at Draco teasing his mate.



Draco blushed and hid his face in the crook of Norische’s neck. “I hadn’t had fudge in a long time…” Draco mumbled.



Poppy chuckled at Draco’s embarrassment but said nothing. “Is there anything else that you have noticed?”



“Well the only other thing is that he doesn’t feed as much as Chris. Chris feeds…ah blood feeding that is… about once a week or so. Draco hasn’t fed but maybe four times since we bonded.” Norische realized. Although he had not truly paid attention to it before, it was strange since when Chris and he had first bonded, Chris wanted to feed almost every other night and pranic feedings were even worse.



“His stamina.” Chris spoke up for the first time.



Poppy looked at Chris then too Draco who was blushing even more now than he had been about the whole fudge thing. “What about his stamina Mr. LaCroix?”



“Well, after the bonding it was normal…for a human I mean. Then after his birthday it spiked really bad. Ah… not to be crude Ma’am, but his birthday was rough on all three of us. He topped for three hours straight then bottomed for five more… and I mean continuous sex… Basically just switching partners, not stopping really for eight hours. That was the day that both Draco and I had to get some salve from Professor Snape and Nori got some from you.” Chris felt embarrassed talking about something so personal, but the fact that it was for medical purposes it didn’t seem so bad.



“CHRIS!” Draco shrieked…. He couldn’t believe that Chris had just said that.



“Hey its not something bad, in fact you should consider it a compliment…and that is coming from a pranic vamp.” Chris leaned around Norische so he could look Draco in the eyes.



“Be that as it may…” Poppy cleared her throat. “Has the issue with stamina continued?” She asked, trying to be as clinical and discrete as possible without embarrassing the boys too bad.



Norische spoke up at this point. “Not exactly, every since I told him I was pregnant he has pretty much let me be the one to initiate anything. But I know he is…ah… taking care of things himself…ah, a couple times a day, sometimes more.”



“Nori!” Draco just wanted to die now….



“Draco… she needs to know the truth if she is going to be able to answer my question. Don’t be embarrassed. She may not be Pari, but she is a medi-witch so she is used to the idea that teenage boys have a sex drive. Honestly…I’m pregnant, she had to figure out it happened somehow.” Norische kissed Draco on the cheek and nuzzled him just a little, trying to calm him.



“Mr. Malfoy, I am well aware of the physical aspects of being a hormonal youth. I deal with it on a daily basis. What I am trying to find out is whether or not this is a normal amount of …activity… for you or has your inclinations changed since your birthday.” Poppy couldn’t help but feel sorry for the beet red young man, but she did need the information if she was going to be able to find out what is going on with the boys.



“Well, um… before I was with Nori and Chris, I ah…well, maybe once a week or so. Then when we got together we pretty much did something…” Draco paused to clear his throat. “ah…something, every night. So I guess I’ve been a little more active. Then after my birthday it really got worse, it was like I was excited almost all the time. But when Nori told us he was pregnant, well… I didn’t want to do anything that would hurt the babies or anything that would over stress him so I pretty much just….well do my own thing, unless he wants something.” Draco managed to stutter his way through an explanation.



“Well first of all, as long as there is no unusual pain and no bleeding there is no problem with Mr. Snape participating in such activities. Second, it is quite normal for a pregnant individual to go through fluctuations in their sexual desires. Some individuals become quite adverse to physical contact while others find their libido to increase dramatically. While waiting for Mr. Snape to initiate such activities is admiral it is not necessary. Now if there is any pain, dizziness, nausea or bleeding associated with such physical exertions then I expect you to notify me immediately, otherwise you may continue as you have previously done.” Madam Pomfrey knew the boys were not familiar with the standards of pregnancy, let alone male pregnancy so she did her best to fill them in on some of the details.



“I believe that why both Mr. Malfoy and Mr. LaCroix have missed their cycle is quite easily explained and I think there is nothing to worry about that. I would like to speak to a specialist concerning Mr. Malfoy’s lack of majority but at this point I would not be overly concerned with that aspect either. Now I want you to relax and try to get some sleep, I will let you know when I find anything.” Madam Pomfrey turned around and headed back into her office to her private fireplace and made a fire call to an old friend who owed her a couple of favors.



*****

The Headmaster’s chambers practically vibrated with the magic and emotions that were flowing through them. Kain stood beside Pari, both glaring at the pathetic man that the human’s called the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore was sitting behind his massive desk sipping quietly on a cup of tea while listening intently to what Cornelius Fudge was ranting on about.



“You must understand that young Mr. Snape could be an incredible asset to the Ministry in this war we are currently in.” Cornelius Fudge was a pathetic excuse for a human, even from a human’s point of view.



“May I remind you, that Norische Snape is one of my own. A child of the House Shadowhaven and therefore not one of your pawns to be used and manipulated in this foolish war that your Ministry has found itself in.” Kain stated to the human, his tone clearly indicated that he felt speaking to the creature was quite beneath him and that he found the man to be a complete waste of space.



“Now see here!” Fudge began.



Severus stepped up to stand in front of the Minister. “Minister Fudge, perhaps I should introduce you to His Majesty, the Lord King Kain of Shadowhaven. King of the Vampyre nations.” Severus stated with a smirk.



Remus tried not to react to the shocked look on Fudge’s face but was finding it rather difficult not to laugh outright.



“From my understanding your Ministry has put all its faith in the ability of one Harry Potter. A young man who is the same age as Norische, who is attending school with him, a boy of merely sixteen. And now you wish Norische to join your illustrious fight and force him to protect this other child as he fights your battle for you while he is heavy with child.” Pari growled. “So in other words with all your power and resources you are depending on two children to fight this battle instead of acting like a man and fighting the battle yourself. I am curious Minister, how old were you when they removed your pathetic excuse of a manhood?”



Fudge gasped at the unbelievable insults that were being thrown at him. He was the Minister of Magic and by Merlin these people were going to show him respect or else they were going to regret it.



“Very well. If young Mr. Snape refuses to take the Ministry’s offer under consideration then I am forced to charge him with twenty three counts of murder and seven accounts of attempted murder. I will have the Auror division of the Ministry make the arrangements to remove Mr. Snape as soon as he is capable of travel.” Fudge snorted and turned to the fireplace where he promptly disappeared within the green flames.



“He can’t do that!” Remus screeched.



“Apparently the imbecile thinks he can.” Severus growled and glared at the calming embers of the fire. “Albus you cannot allow that idiot to do this!”



“Severus, if we have to take Nori back to Shadowhaven, we will not permit this to happen.” Pari glared at Dumbledore, just waiting for the old man to say something.



“Of course we will not allow him to take your son Severus. Let me see what I can do, just give me a little time to check on a couple of things… he will not be taking one of our students anywhere.” Dumbledore sipped his tea once again; you could tell the gears in his head were practically sparking.



*****





Remus could hear Harry’s laughter as they walked into the infirmary, Severus looked over to Remus with a raised eyebrow as if to ask what the boys were up too now. Remus just shrugged his shoulders and continued over to the area that Poppy had set up for Norische so he would have at least some privacy.



“Father…” Norische smiled as he spotted Severus and Remus coming through the doorway, the smile ebbed away when he saw the frown that Severus was wearing.



“Ah…what’s wrong?” Norische asked hesitantly.



“Pari and his Majesty will be here in a moment, I think it best for us to wait for them before we discuss this.” Pari and Kain had stayed behind after Remus and Severus had left Dumbledore’s office, in an attempt to educate the headmaster on his actual authority as far as Norische, Chris and now Draco were concerned.



“Ah oh, that doesn’t sound good.” Harry murmured under his breath. Norische still heard his friend and nodded to the statement.



“Harry was just telling us that one of the individuals that was found at the attack was the man that was suppose to have been killed by Sirius and now Sirius has been cleared of all charges.” Chris tried to ease the tension in the room a little, although it didn’t do much good really.



“That’s right. Peter Pettigrew was one of the ones that fell at the last attack. Not only has Sirius been cleared of all charges, but Albus has also petitioned for Sirius to receive an Order of Merlin First Class. Because of all the time that he spent in prison and all the work he has done for the Order of Phoenix over the years, he honestly deserves the award.” Remus smiled at Harry, but Severus rolled his eyes and huffed at the topic of choice. Remus chuckled at Severus’ antics, he knew Severus and Sirius would never be friends but they had managed to come to a mutual agreement over the years, and odd sort of mutual animosity; although since Harry had become so close to Norische things were getting a little better.



“That man is insufferable!” Pari was ranting quite loudly as she walked into the medi ward. Kain followed close behind Pari shaking his head at her tirade.



“Come now Pari, for a human he isn’t that bad. He does appear to be moderately intelligent and he states he will make sure that Norische stays here with his mates and his fathers.” Kain chuckled softly but knew better than to push his luck with his already riled sister.



“Who are you talking about Pari?” Norische asked, before he noticed Kain. Once Norische noticed the King he paled slightly and sank back into the embrace of his mates, embarrassed that he spoke to his Minde Cladire without permission and in such a familiar manner.



“I was speaking about that infernal idiot that runs this school, Fumbledore.” Pari stated as she walked up to the enlarged bed. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she asked… “How are you feeling Nori?”



“I am fine M’lady.” Norische answered in his best respectful tone.



“Norische Renee Snape, this is not the time for formal manners. I know Kain is here and that makes you nervous but please don’t concern yourself with him. Just think of him as an uncle and be done with it. I am not going to have him upsetting you again, so if you keep up this behavior I am going to have to send him back home.” Pari patted Norische’s arm and smiled at him.



Norische just looked at his godmother and then to the King, not truly knowing what to say he just nodded. Uncle or not, Kain had an air about him that just demanded respect and it was almost impossible to ignore.



“Young one, by all means do as Pari instructs. After all she is your Minde Cladire, and even though I am King, by all rights being a grand lady she is of higher rank than I.” Kain couldn’t help but smile at Norische’s shocked expression, knowing that he just realized his godmother, by all traditions, outranked the King.



“Ah…what does he mean?” Draco whispered to Chris.



“His Majesty is Pari’s older brother. He was given his place on the throne prior to her birth, at her time of ascension she had every right to claim the throne and have him removed, but she did not. Instead she accepted the role of Head of the Council of Elders and allowed His Majesty to retain the throne.” Chris whispered back.



“I felt that while being Queen of the Vampyric Nations was a high honor and of course my rightful place, I would be tied to a throne, a mere symbol. As head of the council I help make laws, redefine old ones, work with different ambassadors of the different races and travel. Personally I thought it was a much better position, so I told Kain to keep the throne warm for me and chose a different route.” Pari couldn’t help but smirk at Draco’s wide eyes.



[You mean to tell me that I have been chatting it up with the natural heir to the royal throne of the Vampyre nation!] Draco shrieked in his mind.



[Calm down, your giving me a headache. Yeah Pari is technically the queen. But I have always thought of her as more of my surrogate mother so… I can’t really put her in that light. I mean honestly…she has seen me naked more times than I care to think about and has spanked me quite a few times too.] Norische paled a little at the thought but didn’t allow much more than that to be evident on his face.



[Sweet Circe… the queen of the Vampyre Nations spanked me…] Draco moaned and ducked his head behind Norische’s shoulder, hiding his face from everyone in the room.



“What’s the matter Draco?” Remus asked, looking at the boy with concern.



“Draco just realized that the rightful Queen of the Vampyre nation spanked him not that long ago.” Norische chuckled.



Kain couldn’t help but laugh at the boy’s embarrassment, but immediately fell silent as Pari glared at him.



“Don’t let Kain make you feel bad Draco, I’ve gotten him a few times over the years as well.” Pari smirked at Kain as she watched his eyes get huge.



Norische’s eyes were huge as he glanced between the King and his godmother, she didn’t just say what he thought she said…did she? Norische was drawn from his thoughts when the Headmaster came into the room.



Severus glanced over as Dumbledore walked up to Norische’s bed. “Headmaster, have you found anything that might help us?”



“Honestly, no.” Dumbledore raised his hands to quiet the onslaught of exclamations, questions and pure curses. “However…. I have contacted one of our people at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Mr. Diggory informed me that the only regulatory standing forgiving or over looking rather such actions infer to the association and or protection of a mate. Hence, I am sorry Norische, but I indeed have no jurisdiction under these circumstances.” Dumbledore stated, the ever-present twinkle in his eyes was nowhere to be seen. “Even though it looks grim, Amos is going to continue to do research and see if anything can be found.”



Again an immediate onslaught of accusations, inflammations and practical insults were hurled at the Headmaster. Norische just turned his head and hid in the crook of Chris’ neck, trying hard not to start crying again.



“Wait a minute! Wait!” Draco held up his arms and in an attempt to get everyone’s attention. It took a few minutes but finally they heard his shouting above all the others and quieted down.



“You said that the regulations only pertain to a mate, correct?” Draco looked at the Headmaster and waited for him to acknowledge the question. When Dumbledore nodded, Draco continued. “Ok what about prospective mates?”



Norische pulled away slightly from Chris and looked at Draco with an eyebrow cocked slightly, trying to figure out what Draco was up too.



“Ok, follow me folks. What if we say that Harry is a prospective mate of Norische, then he would fall under the laws of the Ministry and they would have no control over him, plus they wouldn’t have any leverage to try and get him to be the next damn weapon of choice for their bloody war.” Draco continued.



“Language!” Severus glared at his godson/son-in-law.



“Blast my language. We are talking about Nori’s freedom and the lives of our babies here!” Draco shrieked.



“While your idea has merit, I am afraid they would require proof that Mr. Potter was under consideration as a mate. I doubt that they would merely take Norische or Harry’s word for it.” Dumbledore could see that Draco was onto something but there were still too many problems with this idea.



“Well what about the fact that Nori has done this before. I mean not to this degree by any means. But he has put his life on the line for Harry more than once. In fact… I think he has done it three times…if I am not mistaken.” Chris speculated.



Remus was now defiantly interested. “What do you mean Chris?”



“Well the first time was when he stepped in front of Padfoot, and fought him…thinking that he was going to hurt Harry. The second time would have been when Ron cursed them, just before Draco and Nori’s ceremony…when Nori threw up his wings and kept Harry from being hurt by the curse. Then the last time would be the trip to Hogsmeade, Nori didn’t vamp out until they started attacking Harry and Hermione.” Chris sited off the times that he had seen a rather protective nature from Norische to Harry.



“But I don’t think of Harry along those lines. I mean….I like him, but…” Norische didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t offend either his current mates or Harry.



“I think that Mr. LaCroix and Mr. Malfoy may have something here. With your prior actions, you definitely have shown a protective tendency towards Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore was going over all this in his mind. “Let me see what I can find out about prospective mates, and let me talk to Amos once again…then we shall see.”



“Wait!” Norische shrieked. “You can’t just say that Harry is a prospective mate! What if they want us to bond? That is so unfair to Harry! I refuse to take his life away from him, his chance to choose who he wants to be bonded too. Has anyone even asked Harry if he prefers males? Before you pull Harry into this mess, you might want to consider Harry!” Norische was furious that anyone would just assume that Harry would want to be his mate or would even consider it…he wasn’t quite sure why it upset him quite to the degree it did, but he just marked it up to hormones.



“Norische you need to calm down. You can’t be upsetting yourself like this; it isn’t good for the babies. I am sure that no one is trying to force Harry into anything. They are just trying to check into all possible avenues.” Remus tried adamantly to calm Norische, fearful that he would get too upset again.



“That’s right Nori darling. Before we would ever do anything that would go against Harry’s wishes or allow him to be hurt in any way we would simply take you, Chris and Draco back to Shadowhaven.” Pari could see Norische was getting upset and decided to step in as well, hoping to reassure him just a little.



It took a few minutes for Norische to calm down again, meanwhile Madam Pomfrey came in and started shooing everyone out of the room, except of course Norische and his mates.



“Would it be alright if I stay Poppy?” Harry asked quietly.



Poppy looked over to Norische who nodded to the question. “Very well, but if you start upsetting him…you will have to leave.”



“I promise.” Harry gave his word to Poppy that he would make sure not to upset Norische and she nodded leaving the four boys alone, mumbling to herself as she headed back into her office.