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: I am sorry this site wont let me respond to the reviews or your questions. I have seen alot of people who take up page after page of their chapters to respond to reviews and it has always frustrated me when I am reading so I wont do it myself. However, if you have a question...I can respond through the yahoo group that I set up so feel free to ask anything you wish. 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 34



Norische and Harry sat there by the lake for quite some time, not paying a whole lot of attention to anything. Well at least not until Norische’s stomach made a horrible growling sound. Harry laughed and placed his hand on the bulge that housed the twins. “It sounds like someone is hungry.”



“Yeah, hungry and has poor manners.” Norische looked down at his stomach and laughed, then sighed. “I guess we had better be getting back though.”



Harry nodded and stood up then reached down and offered Norische his hand. Norische grinned and gratefully accepted the assistance. Not that he needed it really but as he was getting a little bigger Norische couldn’t help but notice his center of gravity was just a little off, so sometimes it made his a little woozy when he stood up.



“So what’s the next question?” Harry asked as they started back down the path.



“Well I think you answered the one about are you gay or at least bi. That was a yes. Then the one about being attracted to me, well…I think what I felt against my thigh kind of explained that one.” Norische smiled, as Harry blushed. “I know I am attracted to you.” This only made Harry blush more and he smiled a little boy grin and looked down at his feet. He was so cute Norische couldn’t help but chuckle.



“If I remember right the next one was the one about would you be willing to bond with me even though I was already bonded to two others. Well I think we both have come to the conclusion on that one that it would be beneficial for you to bond with us, even if you aren’t attracted to me, and since you are I think that is pretty well resolved. Then there was the one about the babies, and we already talked about that. Ah…next I think was the one about you and Draco…” Norische thought out loud.



“As far as Draco… he has totally changed from the Malfoy I used to know. I would even go so far as to call him my friend, him and Chris both. So I don’t think there would be a problem there. Next question…”



Norische thought about it for a while then shook his head. “I think those are the only ones I was thinking about.”



“Well what do we do now?” Harry stopped walking and turned to Norische who stopped as well.



“We should probably talk to Chris and Draco. We need to find out where they stand on this. Then depending on how that goes we need to talk to Father, Dad, Pari and Sirius.” Norische reached over and took Harry’s hand.



Harry looked down at their joined hands, and then looked back up into Norische’s eyes. “Yeah, I think we should.”



*****



“What in the world were you thinking, running off like that! Telling no one where you were going!” Pari shrieked as soon as Norische and Harry walked into the foyer.



Norische turned to his godmother. “I’m sorry Pari, I just needed some space. I needed to think for a while. I didn’t mean to worry anyone. I answered each message and kept my mind open in case I needed help. But with everything that has been going on lately I just needed time to think.”



“Young man if you weren’t pregnant …OOOOO!!!” Pari was defiantly pissed.



“Yes Minde Cladire.” Norische bowed his head; he knew that she had every right to punish him. Once again he had put his safety foolishly at risk.



Harry started to say something but before he could Severus and Remus appeared.



Severus and Remus came rushing into the foyer as soon as they heard Norische’s voice. “Where the bloody hell have you been!” Severus roared.



“I am sorry father, I didn’t mean to wor…ry … any…” Norische tried to continue but he couldn’t. His eyes began to fill with tears, and try as he might he couldn’t stop them.



As soon as Severus saw the tears falling down Norische’s face all his anger changed to regret. “I’m sorry Norische I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.” Severus pulled his son close to him. “I was just so worried.”



Norische clung to Severus’ robe and buried his face in the dark folds. “I’m sor-ry” He sobbed. “Didn’t mean…to worry… any-one.” Norische managed to get the words out between sobs and gasps for air.



Remus came over and put his hand on Norische’s head. “Shhhh…. It’s ok, your back now and your safe. Ssshhhh.”



Harry came over and stood next to Remus. “Norische you need to calm down, remember what Madam Pomfrey said.”



Severus realized then that his outburst very well might lead to his son loosing his babies. “Come on Norische lets get you sat down.” Severus wrapped his arms around his son as he led him into the parlor. Norische took two steps then grabbed his stomach and gasped.



“Nori!” Pari rushed to his side.



Severus immediately stopped. “Norische, Merlin…are you all right!”



“Hurts….” Norische began to pant as the pain in his stomach got worse.



Severus’ eyes became huge. “Remus contact Poppy immediately! Harry get Chris and Draco! Pari help me get him onto the lounge.”



Remus rushed over to the fireplace and immediately called for Poppy, thankfully they had already set up the floo network earlier that morning. In a flash of green the medi-witch stepped through. “Where is he?” Remus pointed to where Severus and Pari were gently lowering Norische down on the chaise lounge. Rushing over to his side Poppy began immediately to do a series of scans.



Chris, Draco and Harry raced into the room together. “Nori!” Chris called out as he saw the pained face of his mate. The three boys rushed over to Norische’s side, fear racing through them.



“Calm down, your heightened emotions are doing him no good.” Poppy chastised the boys, each of whom immediately appeared to calm down. “Boys come over here and touch Mr. Snape, he needs your energy to calm him.”



“Young man your heart rate is way too fast. I am going to give you a calming draught but if you don’t calm yourself I am going to have to sedate you. If we can’t get your heart rate under control you are going to give birth to those babies right now, and they are not far enough along to survive.” Poppy said very calmly as she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a vial that she handed to Severus, who immediately pressed it to his son’s lips.



Leaning against Severus, Norische obediently swallowed the horrid potion and focused his entire mind on calming himself, and not on the pain in his stomach.



Madam Pomfrey handed Severus another potion. “This one is a muscle relaxant, it should stop the contractions.”



Again Norische took the potion without question. He was already feeling the effects of the calming draught as the world became a little blurry on the edges. He could feel his mates touching him, Chris was running his fingers through Norische’s hair, Draco was rubbing small circles on the back of his right hand, and Harry was running his hand up and down his right calf. Hey…he just realized that he was already seeing Harry as one of his mates. He could feel the calming energy they were all putting out. Severus whispered soft soothing words to him, as the world got a little farther away.



“Mr. Snape, has the pain decreased?” Poppy asked gently as she did another scan.



“Mmmhmmm.” Norische nodded. “Dull now, not sharp…but ‘s going away.” His voice was very soft and slightly slurred.



Madam Pomfrey nodded then looked over to Severus. “This boy has not fully healed from the previous incident. I want him on bed rest for at least three days. If you have to give him a calming draught every six hours to keep him there then do so. He absolutely cannot have any more stress. Not until his body is completely rejuvenated. I want you to give him those nutrient potions twice a day, once in the morning and once before he goes to bed. Make sure he feeds everyday; even if he doesn’t eat normal food he still needs to feed. I am going to be back in three days, and we will see if he can have limited activity. If not then he may be restricted to bed rest for a while.”



Then Poppy stood up and motioned for Pari, Severus and Remus to speak with her privately. After reassuring Norische that they would be right back they followed Poppy to the other side of the room.



“Severus, your son used a tremendous amount of his magical energy at Hogsmeade; almost to the point of depleting his magical core. What little he had in reserves he used to protect those babies. Until he restores his magical energy he is going to be very vulnerable. These emotional outbursts and stress are causing his body to try and abort the babies. Whether it is to try and prevent further depletion of his magical energy or simply as a means of self-preservation I do not know. But either way, if he loses those babies it could very well kill him. If he does not calm down I am going to be forced to put him into a healing coma, until his reserves are back to normal, and to be honest I don’t know how long that will take.” Poppy whispered.



Severus tried not to show his fear but he could feel himself begin to tremble. The idea of loosing his grandsons was horrible, but to lose his son as well… the thought was absolutely terrifying. “If we have to keep him sedated until those two babies are born then we will. What ever we have to do to save our son…and our grandsons.” Severus looked over to Remus who wrapped his arm around Severus’ waist for support.



Madam Pomfrey nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt you to take a calming draught too you know.” She chuckled. “Now…I need to get back before Albus figures out that I am missing.”



“Thank you Poppy, we don’t know what we would do without you.” Remus reached over and hugged the medi-witch.



After the initial shock, Poppy smiled gently and returned the hug. “Just take care of that boy and those babies.” She then turned and headed back over to the fireplace and flooed back to Hogwarts.



Severus walked over to his son and took his hand. “I am so sorry Nori, I didn’t even think about how my words might upset you.”



Norische tried to focus his mind a little before he responded. “It’s ok father, you were right I shouldn’t have left by myself without telling anyone where I was going. And what just happened proved it. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”



“It’s ok Norische. Sometimes we all need a little time to ourselves.” Remus smiled as he walked over and leaned against Severus. He knew Severus would never be able to forgive himself if anything happened to those babies or his son.



The room took on an almost sad silence, at least until Norische’s stomach rudely made its displeasure known. Norische chuckled a little. “That is the reason we were coming back, I think the twins are hungry.”



Pari stood and smiled down at her godson. “Well then, I will just go tell Lista that we are ready for dinner. I think he already has something prepared and was merely waiting for your return.” She turned and headed out the door towards the kitchens.



“Are you ok Nori?” Draco asked worried.



Norische squeezed Draco’s hand and nodded, smiling sleepily at his mate. “I’m fine now. I shouldn’t allow myself to get so worked up. These blasted hormones are kicking my ass, I have no idea how girls manage every month.”



“Finally! Someone that appreciates the battles we girls have to face.” Hermione smiled as she peaked into the room. “Nori, Pari just told me…are you sure your all right?”



Norische nodded lazily but smiled at Hermione as she walked over to stand beside Remus. “Well the original reason that I was looking for everyone is that I just got a message from the Fred and George. They wanted to know if the whole brood could come through, well except for Percy of course. I wrote a message to Ron that explained what was going on before we left, and Molly and Arthur want to talk to everyone. So is it ok if they come through?”



Norische nodded. “Of course, they are always welcome here.”



“That’s Ron too you know.” Hermione asked hesitantly.



“I know, Ron apologized at Christmas and I think he has learned his lesson. I don’t mind if he comes here too.” Norische smiled at Hermione, he knew she was still in love with the fiery tempered red head, even if neither of them would admit it yet.



“You just make sure that Mr. Weasley keeps his temper in check. I will not have Norische being upset again.” Severus practically growled, but he tried his best not to sound too gruff for Norische’s sake.



“I’ll explain it all to them and tell Molly to give him a calming draught before they come through. Once he hears the details of what Dumbledore has done he will probably explode.” Hermione thought about it for a minute. “I’ll just tell him that dinner is waiting but he can’t come unless he takes the draught. The fact that food is waiting will encourage him to take any vile potion you could hand him.”



Remus chuckled and shook his head, the younger Weasley was definitely well known for his admiration of food.



“Father there is something you and dad need to know.” Norische looked over to Harry questioning, after a minute Harry gave him a reluctant nod of agreement.



“What is it Nori?” Remus asked gently.



“There is more about Dumbledore, a lot more.” Norische whispered as he reached out to Harry, who took the offered hand and squeezed.



“What do you mean?” Severus cocked an eyebrow at his son and Harry.



“I would rather discuss this when we are all together, that way it only has to be said once.” Norische stated rather reluctantly.



Severus looked at his son skeptically but nodded, evidentially this was something that involved Harry and it was important enough that Norische wasn’t willing to wait until later to discuss it.



“As long as you don’t allow yourself to get too upset…there are some things that we all need to discuss anyway.” Severus stated.



Norische nodded then closed his eyes as he rubbed his cheek against Chris’ hand. “I don’t think I could get upset if I wanted to right now father… so I think this is the best time to discuss this.”



“Father, I know you are worried about my emotions and my condition. But I assure you that right now it is not possible for me to get upset. And if we don’t discuss this now…it will simply sit and fester inside me and that will upset me.” Norische knew Severus was concerned about him, especially since he had already had issues earlier that day, but he had to tell them about Dumbledore before it was too late.



Severus scowled at his son but shook his head and sighed. “You, young man are a manipulative brat.”



“This is very important, I wouldn’t put the health of my babies at risk if it wasn’t.” Norische said quite seriously.



Looking into his son’s eyes he knew that it was true, even though the babies weren’t born yet Severus knew that his son already loved them a great deal. On more than one occasion he had caught his son reading to the babies, even if it had been articles from his Potions Weekly, it was still quite adorable. With a nod Severus surrendered. “Very well, but if for a moment I feel that you are over taxing yourself I will put you to bed myself, is that understood?”



“Yes Sir.” Norische gave his father a lazy smile, the calming draught was working wonderfully, even Severus’ threats didn’t faze him. Norische couldn’t help but chuckle at his thoughts.



Severus shook his head once again and leaned down to pick up his son from the lounge. “Father I am quite cap….” Norische started but with one glare from Severus he closed his mouth and just rolled his eyes.



Severus picked up his son and turned to Remus. “Can you arrange for someplace comfortable for him to sit in the dinning area?”



“Of course.” Remus smiled and disappeared out the door.



“Chris, go get one of his nutrient potions, I do not believe he took his potion this morning…with the excitement and all.” Severus ordered and immediately Chris nodded and went to get the requested potion.



“Draco go let Lista know to make Norische’s plate light, perhaps a pasta or chicken dish. The calming draught normally reduces one’s appetite quite a bit.” Draco nodded and went to go find Lista.



“Is there anything you need me to take care of?” Harry asked.



“Yes, go greet the Weasleys and make sure that they are aware of exactly how delicate Norische is at this moment. I know Molly can be a lit fuse, and she is extremely protective of those she cares about.” Severus stated as he started carrying Norische out the doorway.



“Do it respectfully, she is a Minde Cladire…” Norische mumbled as he laid his head on his father’s shoulder taking in the comfort he found there.



“No problem.” Harry smiled and patted Norische on the shoulder the headed toward the foyer to greet the Weasleys.







Severus gently placed his son in the over stuffed lounge chair that Remus had conjured for Norische, growling at his son’s last comment. “Norische we do not consider you weak or an invalid. But we are concerned with you heath and the well being of both you and the babies. I know it can get frustrating but I have never had a son, let alone grandsons, so I am afraid that I am a little over protective.”



“I’m sorry father, I guess I am just a little sensitive. I have never had to be so careful, or had people worry over me so.” Norische mumbled.



“Quite alright. I do not make for a very good patient either… from what Madam Pomfrey and Remus have stated previously at least.” Severus chuckled.



“Amen to that one.” Remus laughed at Severus’ comment. “You have no idea what kind of a pain your father can be when he gets sick. Norische, you are an angel compared to your father.”



Norische joined in with Remus when he saw the glare that Severus gave his partner. Further comments were cut short when Harry came into the room, escorting the Weasley brood.



“Norische before you say or do one thing, if you even attempt formal manners I am going to follow your godmother’s example and give you a spanking that you will remember for quite some time.” Molly chuckled as she walked over to where Norische was sitting; leaning down Molly wrapped her arms around Norische in a gentle, motherly hug, that Norische gladly returned.



As Molly pulled back Norische looked into Molly’s eyes, Norische could see she was quite serious and had every intention of carrying out her threat. “Yes Ma’am.” Norische stated as he fought his training not to lower his eyes.



“Good boy, now…. Severus, Hermione and Harry have given us a little bit of information about what happened. I can’t honestly believe that Albus would do something like this.” Molly stated as she walked over to sit down a couple of seats down from Norische.



“Well you had better believe it. Fumbledore was more than willing to hand Norische over to the Ministry of Magic and nothing we could state was going to change his mind.” Pari stated as she and Kain came into the room. “And Norische, I second what Molly stated. If you so much as twitch formal because of Kain being here then I will demand that he leave and your will be sleeping on your stomach for quite some time.”



Norische rolled his eyes and leaned back in the over stuffed chair Remus had gotten for him. “Between having three mates, Mrs. Weasley and Pari, my butt doesn’t stand a chance.” Norische mumbled.



Harry chuckled at that but quickly cleared his throat to cover his amusement when Norische glared at him.



“Three mates? All right boy… spill it.” Pari walked over to the table to stand next to Remus.



“Ok. We honestly have a lot to discuss so if everyone could take a seat, Lista has made dinner and I am sure he is anxious to get it started.” Norische lazily waived his hand at the table and the individuals crowded into the room.



Norische’s chair was placed at the head of the table so Chris, Draco and Harry sat down on Norische’s right, followed by Blaise, Hermione, Ron and the twins. Severus sat down next to his son, then Remus, Pari, Kain, Sirius, Molly and Arthur. Ginny, Bill and Charlie were not quite sure what was going on since they had only gotten sketchy information so far but they sat down next to Arthur, across from Fred and George, eagerly awaiting for someone to explain exactly what was going on.



Norische looked at the new Weasleys curiously. Seeing his confusion Molly began with the introductions. “Nori dear, this is our eldest Bill, he is a curse breaker with Gringotts… he was posted in Egypt until recently and now he is assigned to the London branch of Gringotts. Hopefully he will be here for a while this time. This is Charlie, our second oldest. He works with dragons in Romania, he is actually been asked to teach Care of Magical Creatures this next year. Apparently Hagrid is planning on getting married and will be taking off for a while, so the Headmaster has asked Charlie to take over for Hagrid until further notice. The rest of my children you are familiar with.”



Norische smiled at the two new Weasleys and nodded a greeting. “It is great to finally get to meet you two, Fred and George have been telling me quite a bit about you.”



Charlie couldn’t hide his laughter when Bill reached across the table and swatted Fred and George on the head.



The twins ducked and laughed at their brother’s antics but quickly calmed down when Molly glared at them.



“Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley may I introduce Kain of ShadowHaven. Kain is the King of the Vampyric Nation and Pari’s brother.” Norische extended his hand toward Kain. Molly and Arthur both smiled and nodded towards Kain. Molly was a little shocked when Kain got up and knelt before her then kissed her hand in greeting. It was bad enough for an upstart young man to be bowing and kneeling before her but to have a King kneel before her practically had Molly in tears. Hermione and Ginny sighed at how romantic it all was, but the rest of the Weasleys were what could best be described as gobsmacked. Even Arthur, who had watched how Norische and his mates had honored Molly previously, was shocked speechless.



“Oh please, please get up…your going to have me in tears.” Molly shook her head not truly believing Kain’s behavior.



“As you wish.” Kain rose and went to sit back in his chair.



“I’m sorry Mrs. Weasley. I know it is hard for you to be treated in such a manner, but quite honestly it is just as hard for us not to honor you as we have always been told is the proper way. You have brought six fine warriors into this world, and a beautiful, and skilled young maiden. Not to honor you for such an incredible accomplishment is to dishonor everything we hold dear.” Norische explained, he knew that all the formal manners made Molly uncomfortable but he desperately didn’t want to upset the Minde Cladire.



“It’s alright Norische. I am just a little taken back by all this.” Molly took a deep breath and tried to refocus to the matter at hand.



The Minde Cladire wasn’t offended, Norische sighed and smiled at Mrs. Weasley.



“Great… Now as to why we are all here today…” Norische began…