Trifecta

“This room should suit your needs nicely.” Dumbledore said, opening the door. It opened to a small common room furnished in purples and black.

Blaise walked in and took a seat on the couch, then propped his feet on the small table between it and the two chairs in the room. “Yes, this will do very nicely, thank you, Sir.”

Harry nodded. “I like it.”

Dumbledore nodded. “The bedroom is through that door,” Dumbledore said, indicating the door at the other end of the room, “And you have a bathroom through that one.” He pointed to the other.

“Thank you, Sir.” Harry said.

Dumbledore smiled. “You have both missed your first class, and Blaise, you've missed half of your second, but you can still make it there if you hurry and get your books and head there now and finish up the class. Harry, you have half of your free block left. Might I suggest going to see Lucius, so he doesn’t worry overmuch?” He suggested.

Harry and Blaise both nodded.

“Got to go. See you after class.” Blaise said, dropping a kiss onto Harry's lips before rushing off.

Dumbledore waited until Harry had shut the door behind him and was about to go see Lucius before he asked, “Are you faring well? I know you and Severus have had a spot of trouble.”

Harry turned and smiled. “I think we've got that sorted, Sir, but thank you.”

Dumbledore returned the smile. “Good. I'll see you, then, my boy.”

Harry waved and rushed toward Lucius' rooms.

*****

“Hi. Sorry I’m late.” Harry said sheepishly.

Lucius let him in and took up his chair. “Yes, why are you late? I was worried.”

Harry flushed. “I misjudged how long I could go without feeding the incubus after sealing the bond. Apparently, I almost killed myself.” He explained.

Lucius' eyes widened. “You almost starved the incubus to death? What brought that on?”

Harry shrugged. “I spent Sunday with you and my friends, then Monday I had my extra lesson. I was going to meet up with Blaise again tonight, but that was apparently too far away. I need to be with him at least every other night. So now we're sharing a room. I'm going to let Severus know tonight. He might not take it too well.”

Lucius hummed. “Come here.” He opened his arms.

Harry sat on his lap, letting the man wrap his arms securely around him. “I’m not trying to die, I’m just not that good at all this ‘mating bond’ stuff. I’m trying to learn.”  He said.

Lucius nibbled at his neck. “Don’t die on us. We need you. The whole world needs you, but you are currently one of only two bright spots in my life. I have you, and Draco. I have visits from Severus, too, but he'd rather die than be considered bright, I’m sure.” He joked.

Harry laughed.

“So do try to stay alive. I may be asking for a selfish reason, but I need you to get through this year with my sanity intact.”

“Don’t worry, now that I know where my limit is, I can keep to a schedule that will work. And I’m rooming with Blaise now, which will make things much easier.” Harry said.

“Don’t forget about me. You already know not to forget about Severus, I’m sure. He’s made that need of you abundantly clear by now.” Lucius added.

Harry snorted. “Yes, he’s been very clear about how possessive of me he is. I like being wanted, but the jealousy he held was a bit much. Hopefully he can keep that in check from now on.”

Lucius smiled. “Severus is not wont to do things by halves. When he commits to a course of action, he gives himself over fully to achieving his goal, whether that is creating something he sees a need for, or going after something he wants. He wants you very much, and now that he's decided he can have you, he wants all of you. He can share, he’s just not very good at it.”

Harry sighed. “Well, he needs to get better at it. Quickly would be best.”

“It will be a long and arduous process, but I’m sure we will see it done.” Lucius told him.

“We shouldn’t be talking about Severus. Let’s talk about us.” Harry said.

Lucius hummed. “And just what about us did you want to discuss?”

“Do you know where you'll be going this summer?” Harry asked.

“I have no idea, but Dumbledore has assured me something will be arranged.” Lucius said.

Harry frowned. “You might be going to Headquarters.” He murmured.

“Is that where you will be?” Lucius asked.

“Yeah, most likely. That’s where I was for the last half of last summer, after my birthday.” Harry told him. “I’m pretty sure that's where you'll go.”

Lucius nodded. “Then it seems likely that's where I will be, as well.”

“Draco will need to stop calling Hermione a Mudblood.” Harry murmured.

“Why?” Lucius asked curiously.

Harry shook his head. “Because she spends most of her summers there, along with all the Weasleys that still live with their parents.”

Lucius sighed. “I will talk to him, and make my peace with cohabitating with them. It can’t be helped. War makes for such strange bedfellows.”

“I'd better not catch you in bed with any of them!” Harry quipped.

Lucius chuckled. “You know I did not mean it like that.”

Harry nodded. “I know. Anyway, I need to get my bag before lunch, so I should probably go now. I'll see you on Thursday.” He said before kissing Lucius and hurrying off.

Lucius smiled fondly. “He really does start to grow on you.” He murmured to himself.

*****

Harry met up with Severus outside his room. “You missed class today. According to Miss Granger there was a problem with your incubus side?”

Harry nodded. “I went too long between feedings. Nearly died. I'll tell you more after the lesson, but I don’t want to find out how Vlad punishes tardiness.” He said.

Severus merely sighed and followed him to the room.

Harry conjured his dagger before opening the door. He went in and immediately had to deflect a blade swiped at his face.

Harry grabbed the hand at the wrist and twisted it so hard Severus heard a bone snap.

Vlad merely grunted and watched, face impressed, as his dagger dropped from nerveless fingers. “You're learning.” The man said. “Good work. Heal this for me, would you?” He asked, holding his wrist out to Harry. “Otherwise we can’t continue tonight. Bones take a day to heal naturally.”

Harry blinked. “I… Can’t you do it yourself?” He asked.

Vlad smirked. “If you can’t use magic to begin with, becoming a vampire does not change that.” He said.

Harry gasped at him. “You were a Muggle?” He asked.

Severus stepped forward. “I know the charm to heal a bone. And yes, Harry, Vlad the Impaler was a Muggle. Although a rather bloodthirsty one.” He said, healing the break as he spoke.

“Thank you.” Vlad turned to Harry. “I was cursed with the virus by a Wizard, for messing with his family. He designed a potion that would cause all the symptoms of vampirism, but the immortality was a surprising side-effect he didn’t intend.”

Harry frowned. “Huh. Imagine that.”

Vlad picked up his dagger and swiped at Harry's face again, and the fight was on.

Severus shook his head and took a seat against the wall, watching the two black-clad blurs swinging daggers at each other, hearing the clash of metal on metal and the occasional shout of pain from Harry.

After an hour of fighting, Vlad backed off and held up his hands. “We are done for the night.” He announced. “And I’m going to need to feed. Luckily, there are deer in your forest. They give a good-sized meal in a pinch.”

Severus frowned. “You just had a meal after the last lesson.”

Vlad smiled proudly. “And your little Harry sliced me open twelve times today. I’m very proud of the boy. Of course, I got him seven times, as well. He needs to learn how to cover himself better. But one more lesson with the dagger, I think.”

Harry grinned.

Severus looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Well. You seem to be taking to this quickly."

“Do or die.” Harry said simply. “Let's go talk. I have something to tell you, and I’d prefer it be in private.”

Severus nodded, and they left the room together.

When they got into Severus’ rooms Harry plopped himself into the man's lap and took his feeding. When he pulled away, he took a deep breath. “In order to avoid starving the incubus, Blaise and I are rooming together now.”

Severus tensed. “What?” He asked lowly.

Harry bit his lip. “It’s the best option to avoid me dying. Otherwise we'd have to meet every other night somewhere else, and that’s just not feasible.”

Severus gritted his teeth, but otherwise was still. Too still.

Harry sighed. “Do you still love me?” He asked in a small voice.

Severus let out a long, slow breath, then wrapped his arms tightly around Harry's waist. “Yes, Harry, that does not change my feelings for you. I don’t like it, but if it will keep you alive, I will live with it. You will not engage in PDA in front of my classroom anymore. That is the price for my acceptance.”

Harry grinned. “Deal. I'll let him know.” He said lightly.

Severus kissed Harry deeply. “The things I put up with for you.” He breathed against Harry's lips.

Harry giggled against his mouth. “You'll become stronger for it.” He assured the man.

Severus raised his head. “Go, get to bed. I'll see you on Wednesday.”

Harry grinned. “See you then.”

“Harry!” Severus called out.

Harry turned at the door.

Severus smirked. “Let Mr. Zabini know that if you do not return from one of these lessons by one, there is no need to wait up for you as you will be with me almost all night long. Tell me on Wednesday how he takes it.”

Harry chuckled. “Alright. Hopefully he can handle knowing that.”