Unforeseen Circumstances

Unforeseen Circumstances

Chapter 3

Harry woke up in the middle of the night from another nightmare and scooted over to get closer to Severus. He almost scooted off the bed because Severus wasn’t there. He climbed out of bed and walked into the living room. Still no sign of Severus. After searching every room but Severus’ bedroom where Lucius should be sleeping, Harry finally gave in and opened the bedroom door.

He saw Lucius lying in the center of the bed, sleeping soundly. He crept closer to the bed and shook Lucius’ shoulder lightly. Lucius didn’t stir so Harry shook his shoulder more firmly. Suddenly Lucius grabbed his arm and pulled him into the bed. Lucius then quickly wrapped his arms around Harry and tucked him comfortably into his side.

Harry just mentally shrugged and thought ‘Well this will work too, I guess. I shouldn’t have anymore nightmares at least.’ Harry felt comfortably content and quickly fell asleep. He slept peacefully and deeply until something shook him awake. He sleepily opened his eyes and found himself gazing into grey eyes.

“Harry, how exactly did you end up in my bed?” asked Lucius, staring at Harry in confusion.

“Well, I woke up last night from another nightmare and couldn’t find Severus. I searched every room in his quarters, but he wasn’t here. I finally came in here to wake you and ask if you knew where he was. When I shook your shoulder to wake you, you grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bed. Then you pretty much wrapped yourself around me and I fell asleep,” explained Harry, blushing bright red.

“I pulled you into bed with me?” asked Lucius incredulously. “I don’t believe it. I’ve never done that before.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Malfoy, for disturbing you. If you’ll just let me up, I’ll return to my room,” said Harry miserably, completely mortified now. He tried to wiggle away from Lucius’ grasp to run back to his room, but the blonde wouldn’t let him go.

“I really did pull you into the bed, didn’t I?” asked Lucius quietly. Harry just nodded miserably, wishing he were anywhere but here. “I’m sorry, Harry, for not believing you.”

Harry kept his head lowered, hoping to spare himself any more humiliation, and nodded again. He tried getting out of the bed again, and Lucius tightened his arms. Harry didn’t know what else to do. He finally just relaxed and fell back asleep.

*****

“Lucius, why exactly is Harry in your bed?” growled Severus dangerously from beside the bed, waking the blonde immediately.

“He woke up last night looking for you. When he couldn’t find you, he tried to wake me up, but I pulled him into the bed with me while still asleep. Harry fell asleep here,” said Lucius quietly, trying not to wake Harry.

“He had another nightmare, didn’t he?” asked Severus, staring down at Harry sleeping so peacefully. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sleep so peacefully before.”

“Not even when you sleep with him?” asked Lucius, tightening his arms around the slumbering brunette.

“No, not even then. He does sleep better when I sleep with him, but right now he just looks utterly content,” said Severus, noticing the protective position of Lucius’ arms. “You really do care for him, don’t you?”

“Why do you say that?” asked Lucius cautiously.

“Lucius, I stood here for several minutes before I actually woke you. The entire time I stood here, you kept Harry wrapped protectively in your arms, shielding him from any danger. That just screams that you care for him, possible even love him,” said Severus quietly. “Besides, I’ve seen you in Narcissa’s bed. You slept as far from her as humanly possible. I’m still amazed that you managed to sire Draco with her as your wife.”

“I really couldn’t stand that woman. When she went to the Dark Lord and offered to bear him an heir, I washed my hands of her. She deliberately encouraged him to use Draco as the carrier of his heir in her stead when he deemed her unsuitable. She’s just lucky I didn’t kill her,” growled Lucius.

“Stop doing that,” mumbled Harry, rubbing his ear.

“Stop doing what?” asked Lucius in confusion.

“Stop growling. It causes your chest to vibrate more and it tickles my ear,” said Harry sleepily, stretching like a contented cat within the circle of Lucius’ arms. He then curled up even more and went back to sleep.

“That was just too adorable,” said Lucius, staring at Harry.

“I always told he was like a cat,” said Severus, smirking at the adoring look Lucius unconsciously had on his face. “Of course, I always meant that he had nine lives, but this is another example. I swear, he can curl up into the oddest places and fall asleep.”

“Isn’t this Christmas morning?” asked Lucius abruptly. Severus nodded and Lucius bolted upright, startling Harry. He immediately turned to Harry and said, “Get up, love. It’s Christmas morning. Don’t you want to open gifts?”

“Yeah, I just have to go get your and Sev’s gift. I’ll be right in there,” said Harry, climbing from the bed and disappearing in his room.

“He got me a gift?” asked Lucius in surprise.

“You’ve been living here for the past week. Of course, he got you a gift,” said Severus as if that explained it all. “I bet you didn’t think to get him a gift, did you?”

“As a matter of fact, I did get him a gift, thank you very much,” said Lucius, sticking his nose in the air. He walked to the wardrobe and pulled a silver wrapped gift and a green wrapped gift. “I got you both a gift.”

“Well, come on. If you tarry too long, Harry will open the gifts alone,” said Severus.

*****

“Are you trying to give me hint, Sev?” asked Harry, examining the book Severus gave him. He flipped through the pages and found some really neat curses and hexes. “Hey, Lucius, can I practice some of these on Draco?”

“No you may not, brat,” said Severus, smirking when Harry pouted at being told no. “Open your other gifts.”

Harry grinned and ripped the wrapping off his next gift. It was Lucius’ gift and Harry loved it. Lucius had given him a silver pendant necklace that had a phoenix with emerald eyes. He smiled at Lucius brightly, handed him the necklace, and turned around for him to fasten it.

“This necklace has a tracking charm so don’t take it off,” said Lucius, fastening the necklace.

“Thank you both so much for the wonderful gifts. I love them,” he said, caressing the book with one hand and holding the necklace with the other. “Hurry up and open the gifts I got you.”

“Impatient little brat,” muttered Severus, unwrapping Harry’s gift to him.

“You know you love me,” said Harry, smiling unrepentantly.

Severus finally opened the box and saw a photo album. He turned the pages and saw pictures of him, Harry, Draco, and even Lucius. He couldn’t believe Harry had gone to so much trouble for him.

“It’s a family album. Lucius is practically your brother, and Draco is your godson,” said Harry simply

“What about all those pictures of you, brat?” he asked.

“Why I’m your son. How could you forget such an important detail? I’m hurt, dad,” said Harry melodramatically.

“Well, if the whole savior thing doesn’t work, you could always go into acting,” said Lucius teasingly, smiling at Harry’s acting skills.

“I thought I was rather convincing,” he joked. “Your turn now. Hurry up and open it.”

Lucius unwrapped his gift slowly just to torture Harry. He smirked when Harry growled at him and threatened to open it himself. He finally uncovered his gift and laughed outright. Harry had given him Voldemort voodoo doll.

“I made that myself. I doubt it actually works, but its great for transference. Any time you’re mad about something old snake-face did, just take it out on the doll. And if it actually does work, all the better,” said Harry judiciously.

“I have to admit, this is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. Thank you. I personally would never have thought of this particular idea, but it does appeal to the senses,” said Lucius, snickering and poking the doll in the stomach.

In Riddle Manor, Voldemort suddenly grabbed his stomach and gasped at the pain.

*****

Harry bounced into the Great Hall and sat in the chair between Lucius and Draco. He had eaten some of the fudge Mrs. Weasley always sent him for Christmas and was now extremely hyper.

Severus just smirked at the hyper Harry and Lucius looked at him in astonishment. Everyone else just smiled indulgently.

“Hey, Lucius, why didn’t Draco come back to school when you got hurt?” asked Harry, simply dying of curiosity. That question had been eating at him for over a week.

“He’s spending the holidays with the Zabinis. Apparently, he’s taking their son Blaise,” said Lucius.

“I didn’t know that. Of course, I never really paid attention to Malfoy’s love life. Blaise isn’t bad looking, though,” said Harry quietly.

“So are you involved with anyone, Harry?” asked Lucius casually.

“No, he’s not, and that was not really subtle, Lucius,” said Severus, rolling his eyes at his friend’s obvious digging.

Harry just laughed at Severus and shook his head at Lucius. “No, I haven’t exactly had time to date. You remember the madman dogging my footsteps, right? Why? Are you interested?”

“Do I really have to answer that? You know Daddy Severus may hurt me if I actually admit to wanting to start a relationship with you,” said Lucius, smirking at the raised eyebrows from Severus’ nickname.

“Daddy Severus?” asked Minerva incredulously.

Harry just hugged Severus and rubbed his back soothingly. “Just ignore them, dad.”

“You’re not helping matters, brat,” growled Severus, glaring at the snickering people around the table. When Harry just gave him the big pleading puppy eyes, Severus caved and hugged him back. A collective “Awww” sounded around the table, causing Severus to growl warningly.

“So what did you get for Christmas, Harry?” asked Dumbledore, diverting everyone’s attention.

“Sev gave me a book with all sorts of neat curses and hexes. Of course, he won’t let me practice on Ma-Draco, so I’ll have to find a new target. Lucius gave me this necklace. Lovely, isn’t it? I got this jumper and some fudge from Mrs. Weasley, samples from Fred and George, a scarf from Ginny, and a huge book on wizarding traditions like bonding ceremonies from Hermione. Don’t know exactly why she would give me that book, but I’m sure it will come in handy one day,” said Harry excitedly.

“Severus, what did you get?” asked Dumbledore.

“A photo album and a potion’s book,” said Severus tersely.

“What kind of photo album?” asked Dumbledore.

“A family photo album. I put lots of pictures of Lucius, Draco, Severus, and me in it,” said Harry quickly.

“Why those particular people?” asked Minerva kindly.

“It’s a family photo album. We’re his family. Why wouldn’t those particular people be in it?” asked Harry determinedly.

“Quite right, Harry,” said Dumbledore brightly. “That was a very thoughtful gift.”

*****

Harry left the Great Hall after eating lunch and went back to Sev’s quarters. He was actually eager to read a book. He planned on reading the book Sev had given him from cover to finish in search of any clues on how to destroy Voldemort.

Harry read for two hours straight and was absolutely fascinated by the contents. There were curses that removed the heart, spells that combined several different types of magic into one person, and spells that could bind a person’s soul to any object, animate or inanimate. Harry really paid attention to that spell. It would serve that snake-faced bastard right if his soul were bound to rock for all eternity.

Since Lucius and Severus hadn’t come back yet, Harry decided to go ahead and take a bath. He turned the water on and ran back to his room to get his pajamas. He wasn’t planning on going to the Great Hall for dinner, so why bother getting redressed when pajamas would work just as well.

As soon as the bath was full, Harry climbed in and relaxed and closed his eyes with a sigh. He must have fallen asleep in the bath because the next time he opened his eyes, the water had cooled significantly. He stood and reached for a towel just as the door opened and Lucius walked in.

Lucius almost tripped over his own feet when he walked in the bathroom and saw a wet, dripping, gleaming, naked Harry. He stared, fascinated, when Harry blushed all the way to his chest and abruptly sat back down in the water. He smirked when Harry covered his bright red face with his hands and groaned in embarrassment.

“Harry, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone blush all the way to their chest before. It was quite fascinating,” drawled Lucius, laughing at the glare Harry sent him.

“Was there something you needed, Lucius? As you can see, I was just about to get out of the bath,” growled Harry, still fighting his blush.

“Since the water looks so inviting, not to mention what is in that water, I thought I would join you,” said Lucius, stripping his clothes off slowly.

“You might want to reconsider that because this water is quite cool,” said Harry quickly.

“No problem,” said Lucius, waving his wand over the water and reciting a warming spell. The water quickly heated back to a nice warm temperature. “Better now?”

Harry almost said ‘Yes, thank you’ but realized that would just be giving Lucius permission to join him in his bath. Instead he said, “If you will just give me a moment, you can have the bath to yourself.”

“But that wouldn’t be nearly as fun, Harry. Baths are better shared,” said Lucius teasingly, standing in only boxers now.

Harry couldn’t help but stare as Lucius slowly and teasingly pulled off his boxers and stepped calmly in the bath. Lucius sat facing Harry and casually soaped a flannel and rubbed it across his chest. Harry moaned helplessly at the teasing display, unable to tear his eyes away. At that helpless moan, Lucius tossed the flannel aside and pulled Harry into his lap.

He turned Harry around so that his chest was pressing into the brunette’s back, and placed one hand on Harry’s hip to keep him still and the other across Harry’s chest. When Lucius’ fingers grazed one of his nipples, Harry threw his head back against the blonde’s shoulder and shivered.

Lucius moved the hand on Harry’s hip down to caress up and down the length of Harry’s thigh, getting closer and closer to the groin with each pass. He turned Harry’s head to the side and captured his lips just as he lightly pinched the nipple he’d been teasing.

Harry moaned into the kiss, lips parting and allowing a deeper intrusion. He couldn’t help but wiggle on the blonde’s lap from the myriad of sensations bombarding his body. He yelped when Lucius picked him up and set him back in his lap, facing him this time, and kissed him again. He moaned again and wrapped his arms around Lucius’ neck. In the next second, they both froze.

“What is going on here?” growled Severus from bathroom doorway.