The Engagement Kiss

Az stood outside his uncle’s office at the ministry debating whether to enter or not, the ceremony that Ron and the kelikan’s were arranging for their wayward son’s bonding required that both mates have a family member give them away. While he would’ve asked Harry to fill that role Draco beat him too it. Not that he begrudged the blonde for enjoying his adopted family but silently whished he’d asked Severus. Sighing he looked at the door again maybe he should just ask Aviva, Tom wasn’t blood related to him after all… but the ceremony only required a family member which Tom was. His indecisive moment was cut short when the door opened and Tom looked down at his nephew in confusion.

“Do you need something Az?” he asked politely he was always polite to everyone these days. Keeping on the good side of the public was the key concern of the new minister, after making laws to keep Ander’s safe. He’d instigated quite a few so that his family could live without fear, mainly Harry though. Once they discovered that no glamours held over the growing bump in his stomach the twins held to much power to be disguised and they had to expose Harry’s heritage or risk the wild rumors of Severus making illegal potions to give him and Harry children. Az hesitated feeling a bit cornered but he made up his mind and met his uncle’s eyes.

“I was um wondering if you would um.” He looked down this was embarrassing! He was twenty years old for god’s sake! He took a deep breath and looked back up,

“Would you stand in place of my family member in my bonding ceremony?” he plowed on ashamed to feel a bush staining his cheeks. The older man looked at his elder nephew startled, running his hands through green hair that resisted all spells and potions to restore the original color.

“I would be honored to be a part of your ceremony Az.” He said softly with an honest smile gracing his face. Az smiled back and repressed the urge to dance around happily. Later a week before the ceremony Draco was sitting with Harry discussing his mates the blond veela was anxious about his upcoming ceremony.

“Harry do you think this is going to work?” He asked looking at the Ander.

“You mean the dual mate thing?” Harry replied, despite their similar ages they’d fallen into their father/son roles rather well after the adoption. Although Draco would never admit it he did think of Harry more like a mother than a father figure, supportive and oh so easy to talk to, not that Severus wasn’t supportive. Though he was rather difficult to talk to, or loving, Harry was just… Harry. Draco nodded in response finally,

“Ron loves you.” He said simply holding his adoptive son in a loose hug, “And he loves Az but he would never want to cause tension between the two of you.” He continued feeling Draco stiffen slightly.

“I know. I love Ron too, I’m just worried that one of us will bide for more of Ron’s attention. I worry that I won’t be good enough.” He whispered finally. The young veela was feeling the effects of his own heritage, as a veela he wanted to please Ron above all else and Az could stand in the way of that need or assist but he was unsure which. Harry smiled slightly, he couldn’t help feeling that he’d gotten off easy with Severus where his friend had to keep two mates happy.

“Draco Ron would never think you inadequate or not worthy enough. I think you’re more worried that you’ll fall in love with Az too.” He said with a smirk as Draco blushed heavily. The blonde looked away embarrassedly,

“Would it be so bad?” Harry asked looking his adoptive son in the face.

“N…No probably not, but I’m not supposed to love anyone other then my mate. I’m supposed to be devoted to only one person.” He whispered looking confused.

“Just because you love the both of them doesn’t mean you’re any less devoted to Ron. Besides I know that Az has less than pure thoughts about both of you.” Harry said with a leer. Draco blushed again and looked at him with a smile,

“Thanks Ry.” He said then sighed happily, “A week. November fifteenth I’ll be bonded” he whispered humming happily. Harry nodded and hugged his adopted son tightly joining in his joy. The rest of the week was a blur of rehearsals and shopping. Draco refused to wear a dress while Az, blushing like a school girl, agreed when Ron gave him puppy eyes that just couldn’t be denied. Finally Harry, Tom, and Mr. Wesley stood in their traditional spots in the ceremony a half circle around Nauru, who it turned out was a Kelikan mystic and thus presided over all bondings of his clan. Because it was never found how Ron had inherited his kelikan powers Nauru had adopted him into his clan, hence his presence. They waited as the ceremony started, Ron coming out of the center door of the round room in which they stood. Az and Draco would be standing behind the other two doors awaiting their parts. Nauru cleared his throat and began speaking, almost immediately Harry was bored. It was very similar to the drawl that preceded a wizarding wedding. Although the lines were obviously different, but right now all Nauru was doing was having Ron repeat an oath of fealty to mates, to keep them safe and loved, all that stuff.

“Call your first, give them your love and mark them as your own.” Nauru’s voice cut through Harry’s musings and he turned back trying to pay attention. He smiled as Ron turned to the doors, his best friend was dressed in traditional wizarding robes with an over robe that his new clan leader had gifted him with when he was adopted in. The redheaded kelikan called out to his first mate, Draco. The blonde emerged looking rather nervous although they had practiced the motions several times the real thing was far more intimidating. Harry positively beamed as his adopted son walked up the isle, form fitted metallic silver robes that matched the blonde’s eyes flowed along complementing his natural grace. Draco paused before Ron and this was where the Kelikan tradition deviated from the wizarding tradition.

“Draco Snape would you join my clan, my family, to be cared for all your life, to be treasured and wanted, would you accept my love and my devotion?” Ron asked following the tradition, Draco’s silver eyes light up as he replied.

“I accept Ronald Wesley. Will you accept my love, my devotion, and my life?” he said voice lilting slightly as he blushed under Ron’s appraising stare.

“I accept Draco Wesley-Strongheart.” Ron finished the formal necessities and pulled his first mate closer strong arms wrapped around his waist. Instead of a kiss the Kelikan’s sealed their bonds with a bite, one that drew blood. Draco closed his eyes half embarrassed of his body’s reaction to the bite; although Hsia had reassured him that it was a normal response there was a lot of passion in those moments. Ron licked away the blood and the wound sealed but the puncture marks were visible and would heal a slightly darker color than the veela’s pale skin marking him for all to see. Harry smiled to himself watching Draco bask in his happiness. The blonde moved to flank Ron’s left while the redhead repeated the process with Az, the only difference was a line added that Az respect and love Draco as well. Harry admired his brother’s dress, a twist on the typical muggle wedding gown, the top was well fitted and lined in a pale blue lace and gray pearls, not that Az was showing off but he’d accumulated a reasonable amount of money in his short life and was determined to show that his family, including the extended Wesley’s wouldn’t want for money any longer.

“I accept Azar Wesley-Strongheart Blackfighter.” Harry had to repress a small chuckle at his brother’s long list of surnames. Like Harry himself he would take his dominant mates last name in the wizarding society and for Az the clan name among the Kelikan’s but retain and give his Ander name to his mates. Harry had actually liked this arrangement, he no longer felt any connection to the Potter name but liked the connection of the Blackfighter clan so because Severus wasn’t an Ander therefore without a clan he took on Harry’s clan name among the Anders and Harry was legally known as Harry Snape.

“You’ve accepted your mate Pup, and they’ve accepted you. By our laws and our magic you are bound and responsible for each other, good luck younglings.” Nauru finished and there was a spike of old magic that settled over the three mates and then faded away leaving them each with a silver ring on their ring fingers. Nauru nodded looking pleased. He would later inform them that the silver indicated they all shared a strong bond and that silver was actually rare among the kelikan’s destined for more than one mate. Now all they were interested in was each other and their happiness. The day ended on a happy note and a week later Draco ran to his adoptive father’s informing them, with the brightest smile either of them had ever seen on his face, that they were going to be grandparents in nine months.

An: THANK YOU FOR THE LOVING REVIEWS! –super happy- So Next epilogue is Naji/Mione’s wedding which I admit may be a bit short since their going to have a boring traditional wedding but we’ll see. Then the prequel then I’ll start on the sequel! (Anyone got ideas for a title to the sequel? I’m so bad with titles. -.-)