Furry Magic

Title: Furry Magic, chapters 51-57

Disclaimer: HP is not mine. Just playing with the characters...


Lucius slammed into the room. Crimson robes flying, hair streaming like silver and gold threads behind him. Two men who had been sitting, one on the other's lap, burst up from the chair they shared on the far side of the room. Or, rather, the one underneath catapulted upwards, and the one seated in his lap was ejected into the air, limbs flailing.

Amrys sprang up to his king's side, placing himself between Lucius and the two men.

There were five people inside the large, comfortable room. Amrys put his back to the two he knew were safest, Graeme and Harry. The other three he squared off with, watching them with wary, untrusting eyes. Lucius placed one hand on his second's shoulder. He glared at the men in front of them.

The black haired, disheveled man who had kidnapped his pride's Chosen, was the one who had been sitting in the chair, the one who had leaped up. A tall, thin, mildly sickly looking man, with reddish brown hair next to him, both hands clasped tight to Black's upper arms. A moment ago he had been sitting in the black haired man's lap. Now he struggled to hold the other man still. To keep him from rushing over to the were-leopards and attacking.

"Graeme?" Lucius said, over his shoulder, remaining on guard against the rooms non-pride occupants. Concentrating on the two who were moving, rather than the one who had remained seated.

"Your Chosen is safe, and unharmed, my king." Graeme responded, and the tension that had been apparent in Lucius' body eased, his shoulders lowered a fraction, and he took a deep breath. He nodded his head, then lifted his chin as he stared down at the grappling men, who had now fallen to the floor. They seemed fairly evenly matched. One crazed and strong, the other more in control, enough so he could restrain the flailing one, for now.

"Yourself?" Lucius asked, a tone of gentleness creeping into his voice, softening it just enough not to cut the air with it's sharpness.

"I am well, my king." Graeme murmured in return. He flushed, both surprised and pleased with Lucius' public declaration of concern before strangers.

"I am in your debt, my third, for following him here." Lucius said. Meaning every word. He would not have been able to forgive himself if Harry had been hurt, or killed. It was his role, to protect and care for the one he Chose. Yet that one, Harry, had vanished from right under his nose. Only Graeme's quick action had averted disaster. And only chance had made it the godfather and not Andromeda or the mad professor who had grabbed him.

"My privilege, my king." Graeme responded formally, but from his heart. Lucius inclined his head in acknowledgment. Graeme let his hold on the raven haired youth relax.

Harry let out a gasp, and was around Graeme quickly, and into Lucius' arms. He was wearing what appeared to be a nightshirt, far too long, and yet it fit his shoulders well. Probably belonged to the thin man then, Lucius thought, hugging Harry with one arm, keeping the other free to defend them, lifting him up off his feet and pressing him to his chest. Pleased that Harry was clothed in some fashion, here among others not of the pride.

The urge to claim him here, in front of the man who had stolen him was overwhelming. The need to show them all the youth was his, was the pride's, was very great. But, Lucius fought it. The situation was not yet stable. And the Chosen did not always respond well to being taken in public.

The godfather immediately began struggling, shouting and yelling threats, trying to charge across the room and to reach Harry. The thin man was having trouble holding him, until the fifth man who had been in the room originally, stood and looped a long arm around Sirius. Holding him easily. Towering over them all. It was Tambyn, the were-wolf king.

"No. Please, Sirius. Don't. This is the pride's king, my king, Lucius Malfoy." Harry was saying. "Sirius, It's Ok. I'm fine. I don't mind being with the were-leopards." He was trying to calm the dark haired man. But, he knew enough that he did not try to leave the protection of Lucius' embrace and go to his godfather. Graeme came to stand alongside his king and the second, flanking them.

"I know who it is. He is a were-leopard." Sirius howled. Trying to squirm out of Remus' hold. "He stole you from your people!"

"What?" Harry said, truly puzzled. "What are you talking about, Sirius?"

"He planned this. Changed you while I was away and couldn't stop it.... Don't worry, I'll help you get away....I'll see you become one of us, not a filthy *cat*." Sirius snarled, eyes glowing red as he looked at Lucius. Lucius raised his brows. This one was dangerous.

"Quiet." Tambyn said, in his deep, grating rumble. He turned to Lucius. "My wolf wishes to lay claim to this one. He says he is his guardian, and did not give permission for him to be turned. By our law he has a right to the boy."

"He is mine!" Sirius howled again, despite Remus' soothing murmurs. "He belongs with the pack!"

"He. Is. My. Chosen." Lucius said, enunciating each word with icy clarity. "He can not be removed from my pride. I will not allow it."

"You are a king. You understand the sacred laws of the packs and the prides. You must allow me to take him and protect him as one of my own until this matter can be solved in the pack's council." Tambyn, said, reasonably. "I must follow our laws."

He reached out towards Harry. "It can not be resolved in any other way. He must come with us." Tambyn insisted.

"You have heard the words of our king. The Chosen stays with the pride." Amrys responded, feeling Lucius shaking with rage behind him.

Tambyn was shaking his head. "I have no choice but to enforce our laws." He said, almost sadly. Reaching his hand out for Harry again.

Harry had had enough. He hissed, fangs growing, fur bursting out all over his body, claws sprang out of his large paws. He spoke with the last human voice he had as he changed.

"Get away from me." He snarled.


chapter 52

"Perhaps, before we resort to physical measures, we might talk?" The velvet voice of Severus Snape cut through the tension. He wisely didn't put himself between the two groups, and studiously avoided the bristling were-cat, but did move up so all could see him clearly. "Mr. Potter is a student here, and thus was under our guardianship at the time he was attacked. Not that of Mr. Black's."

"That's a lie!" Sirius shouted, struggling more determinedly. Harry grrrr'd under his breath. Sirius continued. "He's mine!"

"Sirius!" Remus exclaimed. "This is not helping!"

"I will not give up my Chosen, Tambyn. As you would fight for your heir, I would fight for what is mine." Lucius Malfoy grated out. "Your laws are not my laws. He is a were-leopard and not a were-wolf. The laws he follows are ours."

"I whole-heartedly agree. Let us talk this through, my king. No need to escalate things now." Remus said, looking up at Tambyn. "It would hardly solve anything if there is a fight and the young man is injured. He seems prepared to object strenuously to going." He cast his eyes over to the ominously growling young-ling.

"The laws..." Tambyn began, brow furrowed. He kept to the laws that governed his people. He made no exceptions. The law gave the pack security, they knew what behavior was acceptable, and what would result in punishment.

"Can not bind the were-leopards. Unless you agree to be bound by our laws? Equity? Parity?" Lucius said, expression grim, unyielding. He let one fang show as it lengthened in a less than subtle threat.

"I would give you a hostage to assure your Chosen's safety." Tambyn offered. He unbent enough to say more. "He will come to no harm while with us. I will give you my personal guarantee."

"No." Lucius said as the were-leopard-Harry crouched lower and arched it's back, tail puffing out to astounding proportions, fur standing out all over his body. "He may be only a kitten, but he will do you serious injury if you try to take him. Of course you would have to come through all of us first, to get to him. He is of our pride and none shall take him from his pride."

"This one came into our Manor with the monster's and stole him from us, from his home." Graeme spit out, pointing a single claw at Sirius. "He can not be trusted. And our laws forbid we turn our Chosen over to you. He is our king's, and only our king can chose to give him up. My king has said he will not, and so, the Chosen will remain with us."

"That is not yours to say, cat." Tambyn drew himself up.

"Perhaps we can all take a breath. And calm down?" Remus ventured, cautiously. Everyone turned to glare at him, except Severus Snape.

"As I said." Snape interjected into the temporary silence. "Mr. Potter was not under Mr.Black's guardianship. Therefore Mr. Black's consent, or lack of it is moot. Harry was attacked and *accidentally* turned. It was not planned or sanctioned. I believe the true intent was to kill him. So. We are left with the facts, he is a were-leopard. Malfoy, here, is the king of that group, and thus Mr. Potter is subject to him. Or would you wish to open the can of worms as to which laws of the wizarding world should apply to both the pack and the pride?"

Tambyn looked over to the tall, slender man wearing the pride's clothing. He smelled human. "I do not like you. You do not smell right." He said. "What right have you to interfere in our business?"

"I am a professor employed by Hogwarts, and thus I am one of those responsible for his welfare." Snape informed the giant man. He steadfastly refused to notice that they were all staring at him, the were-cat included. Harry's huge emerald eyes were big as saucers, and he had momentarily stopped growling.

"I will assure you, professor, that he will not come to harm with us." Tambyn asserted. "I myself will see to it, he will be at my side, waking and sleeping."

"You will take him to your bed?" Amrys asked, suddenly.

"He is the mate of a king. I would do him the honor of taking him to my bed." Tambyn drew himself up, proud and regal. He stared down his long nose at the shorter blond.

"You want him for your own!" Graeme snarled, his eyes beginning the glow that preceded the change for him.

"I do not normally desire males." The wolf-king informed him haughtily. "But I will honor the mate of another king and allow him pleasure with me. All his needs will be seen to."

"No. Unless you wish to die for that pleasure. My Chosen is not gifted to any other. Not even a king." Lucius stated.

Harry seemed to agree, his growling had resumed, the volume doubled. He arched up and snarled, baring all his teeth, making clear his displeasure with Tambyn's idea. He nearly hopped with fury, whiskers stiff with his outrage. His haunches tensed as he prepared to launch himself at the were-wolf and rake him with extended claws.

"Mr. Potter," Came the smooth voice, familiar from seven years of Potion's classes. "Don't be an ass. If you attack them, they will have you in their grasp. And if they can get their hands on you, they can apparate with you, to a destination more to their advantage than yours or ours."

Graeme, sensing the young man's indecision, to jump and fight, or to merely posture from afar...Grabbed a handful of thick dark fur and held on.

Harry let out a deflated snarl as he felt the finger's fasten onto his coat. He whined. He'd really wanted to sink his teeth into the wolf. Just let them try to touch him....his teeth gleamed.


Chapter 53


"Now. Please, everyone calm down. Harry. It is time to face this in human form, don't you think?" Remus said gently, with one arm still around his friend, Sirius, holding tight, more than aware what Sirius was capable of on impulse. "I beg you, my kings, don't let this get out of hand. Do not war over one young man."

"I will not let my Chosen be taken from me." Lucius stated with complete conviction, squaring his very broad shoulders, as he faced off with the even more massive Tambyn. Tambyn lowered his shaggy head and snarled.

"He should have been a wolf, my wolf and mine to bind to me. I wonder if you arranged for his change while Sirius was away, knowing he could not be yours any other way. You desired his power to use." Tambyn argued, eyes slitted with speculation and anger. "He has been a lycanthrope for less than a quarter of a year, and already he is Chosen? I charge that you conspired with your sister to use the monster to change him. He is not rightfully yours."

"I had no part in his being turned. Your man Paulsen brought the boy to me at the behest of Hogwarts' Headmaster. Who then had custody of him. Until he was delivered to me, I had no knowledge that he had been turned." Lucius asserted, angrily. A flush of outrage coloring his cheeks. Harry gazed up at him. He was magnificent, so kingly, so handsome.

"This, I can not believe. The evidence tells me otherwise." Tambyn shook his head, emphatically. "It is too convenient for the were-leopards. It can not be a coincidence. I certainly did not send Paulsen to you with the boy. I would not have permitted it."

The two kings returned each other's glares. Snape chanced stepping closer to Harry, going down on his knee to talk to the young-ling cat, who eyed him warily. He spoke low and urgently. The situation was escalating, a slow inevitable rise of tension and accusations that would result in a battle, here and now. It had to be defused, and quickly.

"You can't talk if you remain a cat, Mr. Potter." Severus Snape said, reminding Harry of Dumbledore more than the Snape he recalled from his lessons. "This is one time you need to articulate your views clearly. And as soon as possible. As noble as it seems to a bloodthirsty young lycanthrope, a fight over yourself and your fate would be ill advised. Who among these men would you see die?"

Harry sat back on his haunches, and blinked. He looked up at Amrys and rowled.

"He has some difficulty returning to human form." Amrys offered, to the wizard, conveying Harry's meaning. "It normally takes hours for him to do it."

"Harry. You don't have hours. You have now." Snape insisted. "Many times in the past you said you couldn't do something until you had to. You must do this now." His dark eyes traveled over the two groups facing off against each other, hackles raised. "Now is *not* the time to fail."

Harry looked also. He saw the fiercely protective Graeme, the calm and yet ready to battle Amrys, he saw the tall regal form of the were-leopard king, Lucius, *his* own Chosen, the man he Chose to love. He tried to imagine one of them hurt seriously, or dead, and fighting was suddenly the last thing he wanted to do.

His attention wandered over to the other defiant group. The were-wolves. To Tambyn who he was really not liking much at all, to Remus, who had sheltered and protected him and taught him a lot about DADA, and been a friend of sorts, almost an uncle or older brother those times when the much traveled Sirius was gone. Then he looked at Sirius. His godfather. A man he loved, in a different way than he loved Lucius, but one he couldn't bear to see hurt. Merlin! He had no choice.

Tambyn was the only one Harry didn't care about, in fact he wanted to hurt the man himself. He tried for half a second to understand where the king of the wolves was coming from, his point of view, and decided it was too much to ask of himself at the moment. Everyone else, even Snape, who he had always mistrusted; Harry didn't want to see any of them hurt.

He nodded his furry head. He had to change back to deal with this. But, then he was stumped. All the men in the room were watching him. And he had no idea what to do. Talk about performance anxiety, he thought. He looked from face to face for help in solving his dilemma.

"Take a deep breath, Harry. It is just like any other spell. Visualize what you want, and go there." Remus offered from across the room. Snape smiled a tight little smile of approval.

Harry nodded again and moved so the members of the pride were between himself and the were-wolves, and then he sat down and concentrated. Be human, he thought. Be human, now. You must be human. And that was all it took. He felt the change back flow over him effortlessly.

And he was human. In a tattered nightshirt. Sitting on Remus Lupin's floor. With everyone's eyes on him. Most of the eyes pleased and impressed. Sirius' pain filled, telling Harry as clearly as speech that the older man felt betrayed, felt Harry had rejected him. And the gaze of the were-wolf king. They frightened Harry. The were filled with a consuming hunger. And lust.


Chapter 54

Mantheer was worried. He lay one hand over Draco's brow. The fever was growing despite the potions Professor Snape had left for Draco to drink. He had poured them down the boy's throat precisely on time in exactly the right amounts. But, Draco had developed a fever, and it rose rapidly. Mantheer had grown increasingly concerned. Especially when he could not contact the Potion's Master, or the king, the second, or the third. None of them knew of Draco's deterioration.

Kaithas had come to assess the situation. He cast his healing spells, and for a short while Draco had rested. He had not improved. It was plain there was more than simple healing needed here. Lycanthropes healed well, quickly, often in minutes if they changed forms. Kaithas' skills were tailored to the group he treated most often. Not to a human. He was not what Draco needed.

Finally, Yaji had taken off to find the professor, Kaithas in tow. Mantheer refused to leave Draco's side. He undressed and climbed into the furs with him, holding him close as he shivered. He'd washed the wounds, soaking them in the king's bathing pool, and the soaking seemed to help. The youth had slept for a time, now he was stirring restlessly once more. All was not well. Mantheer would not relax until Snape was found, and the Mother was cured.

Draco let out a tiny moan of discomfort, tossing and turning. Mantheer leaned down, stroking his face.

"What is it?" He rumbled deep in his broad chest. "Are you in pain? Am I hurting you?"

"C-c-c-cold." Draco stuttered, teeth chattering, and Mantheer pulled the furs over him, though it was too hot in the room already. He reached over for a glass of water. Held it to Draco's mouth.

"Drink." The water was cool, but not chilly, Draco drank it gratefully. He was very thirsty. Mantheer set the empty glass aside. Smoothing the sweat damp hair from the young man's flushed face. He gently licked the soft skin. Seeking to provide comfort. Draco was burning hot to the touch.

Mantheer gathered him up, and headed for the bathing pool. It would clean out the wounds and reduce his temperature. It would have to suffice until help arrived.

Kaithas' scan had located Snape back at Hogwarts. He and Yaji had gone to the office of the Headmaster. The urgency of their mission meant they could not shun his help. He had mercifully listened and rapidly concluded that Snape was the answer.

Dumbledore, covered neck to floor in his voluminous, violently colored robes, led the two were-leopards swiftly to the rooms of Remus Lupin, and inside. The door, barred against all intrusion, could not keep the old wizard at bay. He waved his wand as they approached and the wards all faded away, the door creaking open.

Everyone in the room whirled around, fangs bared if they had them. Dumbledore raised his wand in warning, and every man in the room took a step backwards from the implied threat, with the single exception of Severus Snape. Graeme interposing himself between the new threat and the Chosen.

"Gentlemen. You have an emergency." The elderly man said, looking from face to face over the rim of his glasses. "I suggest you postpone this discussion until another time. Kaithas." He nodded at the Seer and turned on his heel, moving down the hall and back to his office. They watched him go, then whirled back to what they had been doing before, staring suspiciously at each other.

Yaji immediately assessed the situation and interposed himself between his fellow pride members and the were-wolves. He flexed his arms, showing off his massive, well honed physique, even not knowing exactly what had happened in the room, he sensed when a display was needed. He was nearly as large as Tambyn, and he had many more years of fighting under his belt. He could not be dismissed lightly as an opponent. NOt even by a king.

The shift of strength in the room was palpable. Tambyn would not risk an attack now. He could not win a physical confrontation. Before, despite the numbers, there had been a slim chance of success. He growled in frustration. He was beginning to think of Harry as one of his wolves. His to have by right, to possess and to protect from the greedy were-leopards who had snatched him unfairly from his destiny. Harry Potter, in Tambyn's view, should have been a were-wolf, no question about it.

The one of the new were-leopards was a Seer. Tambyn watched the man thoughtfully. The Seers were outside the usual ranking of dominance. They were men and women apart, and no wise king challenged them lightly.

The Seer went to the side of Professor Snape and spoke urgently. The Potion's Master seemed caught in a quandary. He looked at the young-ling, Harry, asked more questions of the Seer, and then appeared to make a decision. After a quick word to Lucius, he left the room at a run.

The presence of the Seer, had given Tambyn an inspiration. He growled louder to draw attention to himself. Once everyone was looking his way, he spoke.

"I will take this matter before the Seer's Council." He said decisively.

"It is not a matter for the Seers." Lucius raised his brows. In his opinion the pack had no claim, and it was not a matter of law.

"It *is* a question of law. Is the law followed by his guardian, a member of my pack paramount, or is the law of the leopard's pride, of which he should never have been a member." Tambyn disagreed. "I will ask for their ruling."

"What is he talking about?" Harry murmured to the two men flanking him. "Why can't I just say i want to go with the pride and Lucius? That should be enough for all of you. I am old enough to make my own decisions."

"You are still a kitten." Amrys said to him, pulling him against his body in a firm hug. Harry squirmed, but didn't pull away. Graeme diverted his attention from the offended rebuttal he was about to deliver to Amrys.

"The Seer's Council. They decide on all matters of law, and are the final arbiters on such matters." Graeme ground out. "Their rulings can not be denied, nor appealed. They must be obeyed." Harry frowned harder, Amrys' ruffling of his hair doing little to soothe him.

Tambyn pinned the Seer with his stern gaze. "You, Seer, will you convey my claim to the Council, as you are bound by honor to do?"

Kaithas was surprised to have the request made by one not of his pride. He looked serious. "What is your grievance, wolf?"

"The boy," Tambyn pointed to Harry. "He was meant to be a wolf, not a leopard. His guardian lays claim to him, as do I. It is his destiny to be were-wolf. I seek the Council's ruling on the matter. And that they will remove the taint from him so he may be changed into a wolf. As was always meant to be."

Kaithas considered the near order from the wolf-king. His eyes narrowed. That explained the atmosphere of violence filling the room. He shook his head. "I can not, not and serve my pride. He is truly Chosen to my king. Have your own Seer serve you in this."

"Very well." Tambyn acquiesced, reluctantly. "You will not block me?"

"It is the right of any lycanthrope to seek a ruling on a matter of law, when the law is the basis of the question. I am not sure I see the reason for your claim, but I do not deny you your right to approach them." Kaithas said blandly. "I believe the Chosen was fated to be where he is now."

"No." Sirius called from the other side of the room. "He was meant to be with us. So I can protect him. He belongs to the wolves. You'll soon see, Harry. Come with us, I will show you." Sirius was still struggling against the hold his king and Remus had on him.

Harry was growing agitated. He shook his head, avoiding looking at his godfather, hearing Remus' calming voice trying to bring Sirius under control.

"Why is he doing this? I mean, I understand Sirius, he is my godfather, he wants me to be with him. But Tambyn? I don't..." Harry let his voice fade on the inquiry.

Graeme looked down at him. "Do you not? He is a king. He seeks power for himself, for his kingdom, for his people. Our king Lucius seeks power, watches for it, opportunities to add to his base. All kings seek the same. It is only their method of attaining power that differs."

Harry stared. "I can't believe you are saying that. He wants to force me to go with him! He wants to have sex with me."

"In time he will be a great king." Amrys said from his place next to Harry, not denying what Harry said. He put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "He has nothing against you. He merely looks for what will enhance his rule. He sets his sights high, and goes after what he wants without hesitation. He would bind you to his pack with his own flesh as anchor."

"How can forcing someone into his pack help his rule? How can raping me help his cause?" Harry seethed. All these men were difficult to understand, not just the werewolves. How could they admire Tambyn?

Graeme shrugged. Amrys rubbed Harry's back. Lucius came to stand next to them, sweeping Harry up into his arms. Harry sqeaked in surprise.

Chapter 55

Lucius lifted Harry up into his arms, embracing him with a fierceness the young man didn't expect, but reveled in. He tugged off the last tatters of the nightshirt, flinging them aside. Yaji took off his outer robe and Lucius wrapped it around his Chosen, glaring at the others, the were-wolves, who had looked at his love. Harry gulped. He knew what the look in Lucius' eyes meant.

His king was back to ignoring the presence of the were-wolves, intent on his Chosen, and reasserting his claim. Tambyn's challenge for Harry had angered him, a direct method of establishing his continued ownership was in order. He gently tasted Harry, teeth denting the tender flesh, not quite breaking the skin. Every bone in Harry's body melted. He shivered, arching into the bite, eyes drifting closed, heart pounding in his chest. Lucius growled. His. The Chosen was his. He licked at the sweet, scculent flesh.

"My king." Graeme whispered, interrupting. "Your son, Draco, we must attend to him." He reminded the man, who was showing his teeth to the wolves.

Lucius nodded once and, still carrying Harry, turned and left the rooms. The were-leopards followed their king, and his Chosen. Yaji hissed at the stupefied were-wolves who were still in the room, still watching. Tambyn's face was furious.

Amrys led the way to the dungeon rooms. In less than one minute they had apparated back to the Manor and into the chambers of the king. Draco, flushed and restless lay tossing on the furs.

Lucius set Harry down on his feet and approached his son, Harry close behind. Yaji had beat them all to the Mother of the heir's side. Severus Snape was in the midst of administering a potion, and gave them a withering glare.

"Stay out of my way." He snapped impatiently. "It is poison. Your guard has said that it was common for your sister to employ it. If I had been told of her inclinations, I would have looked for it, and started preventive treatment much sooner."

"The heir?" Draco gasped. "How is the baby?"

Amrys pushed his way through the crowd around the bed and crawled up next to Draco. He lay his cheek against the young man's belly and listened with his acute hearing, to the tiny life deep inside Draco's body. "He is with us." He said. And he stayed there, ear to the boy's stomach, monitoring the child inside.

Not even Snape tried to move him. He looked up at Lucius, who inclined his head. "He is the father, the Sire of the heir." The king confirmed.

Snape was shocked at the degree of loss he felt. So, the second was taken. Well, probably it was for the best. He concentrated on healing Draco. Envy was such a useless emotion. He'd managed to avoid it for most of his adult life.

He was too old to change anyway, Snape thought. If not precisely happy, he was at least used to being celibate. No need to change that at this late date. He gave the paste he was mixing a few more stirs, then leaned forward and began to smear it on the wounds. It dried quickly, adhereing in protective sheets to the lacerations.

"How is he? How great is the risk to the child?" Lucius asked, pointedly.

"There is little risk now that I know what we are dealing with. If I had know earlier, there would have been no trouble at all. The poison is a common and not terribly lethal one. Easy to obtain and use for the unskilled," His voice was contemptous, "but it is very uncomfortable. Fevers and chills, cramping and occasionally vomiting if the diagnosis is not made in a timely manner. I must say, this sister of yours, I am glad not to have met her."

"She was a nasty piece of work." Graeme said, harshly. "She deserved to die. Even if she had only done this. But, she had many more crimes she was responsible for."

Snape sat back, scanned Draco with his wand, and announced he was done with the treatment. "I will stay until he has shown improvement. I think it best to be certain there are no more surprises."

"Then it is time to move him to his room." Lucius said. "Get him settled down to rest. Yaji, Mantheer you will remain with him." Lucius waved his hand, watching as his son was moved.

Yaji gathered Draco up in his arms and carried him down the long hall and to his own rooms.

The young man was settled on the bed, the fire lit. The furs were re-arranged and Mantheer left to bring food for their night meal. They fed him by hand, Snape noticed. As parents tending a child, only not...exactly...that. Snape blinked. There was a much more adult reverence, sensual appreciation to the care. He looked down, fighting his urge to blush. Not parent and child at all.

Amrys had come with them, and now curled up, once more resting his cheek on Draco's tummy, listening to the distant heartbeat of the heir, his child. He lay upside down, so his cheek was over Draco's belly button, and his golden blond hair, mingled with the youth's pale silver/gold pubic hair. Amrys seemed perfectly comfortable having the soft, bulky genitals resting against the top of his head as he listened to the steady beat. And Draco made no protest at the intimate touch.

Severus felt a sweat break out over his body. Very unprofessional he chided himself.

They were stunningly beautiful together. The icily pale youth and the strong, exquisitely formed man. The swell of those shoulders could steal your breath away. The long fingered hand spread on one slim hip, securing it. The long lashes, dark gold resting on the tanned cheek in a sweet cresent. All of it paling next to the full lips, slightly parted, that drew the professor's eye. He was powerless to look away. He nearly groaned his frustration. Why, oh why now? Why this man? Why the man Draco was bound to? A man soon to be a father. A man certainly not interested in a old, long nosed, decicdedly irritable, and irritatingly stubborn Potion's Master.

He moaned silently.

It was only hours later that he was able to relax, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching the dozing were-leopards, and struggling to stay awake. Laying in front of him, Amrys slept, ear still at Draco's stomach, Draco dozed as did the huge guardians. Both of whom opened an eye when Snape got up , or moved, or reached out to assess Draco during the night.

At last Severus was driven by fatigue to rest his eyes for a moment. He never noticed when he sank down onto the bed and curled up behind Amrys to sleep, his nose pressed into the musky, wonderfully masculine scented, golden hair. He snuggled happily, never noticing that their limbs became entangled, and that he was tightly spooned with the first male he had ever been this close to. He sighed, tension ebbing away. He slept.

Snape woke to an almost inaudible thumping. Thump, thump, thump, it was coming from behind him. He could sense it better than he could hear it. He craned his neck to look over his shoulder. He frowned, more than half asleep.

"Just when," he thought muzzily, "Did I grow a tail?" It was a tail after all, that was thumping contentedly on the bed behind him. And it did appear to be attached somehow to him.

Severus Snape blinked at his fluffy, furry, golden blond tail. It was a nice tail, as tails went. He just couldn't remember when he'd gotten one. Then he felt the tiny movement between his legs, a flexing, subtle, almost not noticeable. Yet, impossible to ignore. When men felt anything down there, they noticed.

He opened his eyes all the way. He was up against a furry back, and his hand was trapped under the were-leopard's arm, resting over it's chest, the soothing rhythm of it's heart beating under his palm. Warm and secure. He felt a rush of...pleasure.

He finally realized it was *not* his tail, but Amrys' tail that thumped behind him after threading it's way between his legs, very close to his personal parts. Parts which had responded most enthusiastically. He was erect, pressed into the lower back of the were-leopard in front of him.

Snape began to carefully extricate himself. The last thing he needed was to antagonize the very male, very dangerous leopard with his unwelcome attentions. A leopard who's body and heart belonged to his patient, Draco Malfoy, soon to be Mother of the heir, this were-cat's child.

He slid back lifting the leg that was on top and reaching down to move the thick, soft, muscular tail out from where it shouldn't be. He almost jumped out of his skin at the deep throated rumble of a purr that began as he wrapped his fingers around the furry extremity.

He froze, feeling uncharacteristic uncertainty, and...excitement. His heart raced in his chest, he was hyper-aware of his breath moving in and out of his lungs, his skin was tingly. Amrys arched, the message absolutely unambiguous. Pet. Me. Now.

Experimentally, Snape ran his supple fingers through the thick fur, marveling at the superior texture. The purr grew louder, richer. The tail, still lodged between his thighs, thumped harder. With predictable results on his own body. He wondered, desperate to divert his attention, did cats wag their tails as dogs did? He concluded that this one, at least, did. He continued, massaging up the animal's flanks, encouraged by the pleasurable sounds the cat was making, the long, sinuous stretches, the kitty-twitches. He was fascinated. He couldn't stop. Not even knowing it was wrong of him to touch Draco's lover.

The muscles under the fur-coat were large, strong, flexing in counter-point to his ministrations. The big body was limp with ecstasy, massive head lolling back against Severus. He caught a glimpse of gleaming fangs, eyes that were half closed in drowsy bliss. And nothing could have halted his guilty hands from seeking more. He sank them into the cats ruff, into Amrys' neck fur, and rubbed, sliding up behind the proud, triangular ears. The body in front of his shuddered, the sound that came out was as close to a human moan as Snape had ever heard from an animal. Uh, *were-animal*, he corrected himself. This was driving him mad. However, stopping was out of the question.

He stroked the magnificent head, giving in to the urge to touch the long, stiff whiskers. They were hard, inflexible shaft's, and they moved forward as he touched them, rubbing the rounded muzzle, over the broad nose, and to the warm, wet nose. He let his finger tips graze the wetness, then moved up, stroking with his precise, learned touch, around the closed eyes of the great cat, up over it's forehead.

It was impossible for Snape not to push his face into that silky fur. Breathing deep to fill his senses with the musky scent that he recognized as the pride's second. Amrys smelled like Amrys in either of his forms. The scent drove his body to the edge, he was achingly aroused, and horribly conflicted. He clung to the big body, forbidding himself to do more.

Amrys felt the body behind him go still. Smelled the uncertainty. He turned, the change flickering over him as he did, so that by the time he faced the black haired man, he was also in human guise.

"I must apologize," Snape managed to force out of his tight throat. "Draco..."

Amrys kissed the man. He licked his lips, and nipped at them, sliding his broad flat tongue over them, and into the warmth of the wizard's mouth. Herbs, and the taste of the man himself, pleasant, arousing. His big hands slid down to grasp the slender hips, and pull them closer, fitting them together. The pants, had to go. A judicious application of a single, razor sharp claw took care of that. They hung in tatters, the hips now bare, and free to his fingers to explore, he rubbed his palms over smooth, wonderfully smooth skin, pale as milk.

Severus Snape tried to regain control, tried to breathe calmly, tried to finish his sentence, tried to tell Draco's man that he didn't, shouldn't, mustn't do this. But speech was so overrated, he could do without it, he thought, as he melted into the kiss. Slippery, wet. Perfect pressure, the suckling on his own tongue, the slipping of the wet touches as the kiss went on and on.

Amrys bit his cheek, his mouth, soft bites, that sent a thrill down his spine to...well...there. His erection surged, leaped, almost exploded, just from a kiss. He groaned.

He was abruptly spilled onto his back, straddled by the bigger, stronger, naked, magnificent golden were-leopard, the intense eyes locking onto his. They stared at each other, measuringly. Snape panting, Amrys noticing.

Then they were closer, cheek to cheek, lips brushing. Severus gave in and let his hands touch the deep chest, never had he seen a more perfect sculpture, this one all the more wondrous being in living flesh. With frantic hunger he explored, his mouth taken, ravaged, his erection, unashamedly naked, pressed up to the throbbing, thrilling one of the man moving on top of him, sliding their bodies together. He couldn't breathe, but all in all, he'd rather give up breathing, than the kiss that was stealing his reason. His head spun.

The throat clearing was repeated a second, then a third time, before Snape registered it at all. Then he tore himself away from the kiss, and stared at the half amused face of Draco next to his. He sprang back, managing in a feat of near magic to escape from under the body he wanted to have so damn badly. He shivered at the draft, looking down in horror at his bared body, his impossible to miss erection. He met his former student's light blue eyes in absolute humiliation.

"Draco, I am so sorry." He said and fled. His hands barely managing to hold the torn cloth over his privates.

Draco, feeling vastly improved from the night before, exchanged a wide-eyed look with Amrys.

"What was that about?" Draco complained, plaintively. "I just wanted to rib him a little."

Amrys got up out of the bed, ran a soothing hand over Draco's mussed hair, and followed the fleeing man. This, was not over. He wanted the man. And Amrys was set on getting him.


Chapter 56

A/N: I greatly appreciate all the wonderful feedback I am receiving. Thank you all so much and please enjoy.


Lucius Malfoy was livid. In his hand he held the scroll announcing the arrival of the Seer's Council in only four hours. There was little time to prepare the pride for the visit, and as for Harry, he'd have preferred to have weeks if not months to try to make him understand what this invasion meant.

Tambyn had not wasted any time in presenting his claim to the council. Lucius was going to have to endure the Seers. Make it clear that Harry belonged here. He was not a were-wolf by heritage after all. Sirius Black was his godfather, not his father. He shook his head. And for what reason should the Council expect were-cats to acknowledge were-wolf laws?

Lucius stood, slamming the scroll onto his desk and stormed out of the room. Members of the pride fairly leapt out of his way as he strode down the hallway. It was not so simple as logic. The Seers found connections that ordinary lycanthropes didn't see. Regrettably, the few times he'd encountered them, and been around to hear their decisions, he'd been shocked, by the assessments, and yet, he'd eventually understood that they were right. He wanted to not be shocked by this decision.

He kept up the pace, the long stride eating up the distance between himself and his Chosen. Harry was the most important part of all of this. He had to play his part flawlessly.


Harry let out a scream when he was seized from behind and lifted off of his feet, his cup clattering to the floor. He sensed almost at once who it was. And if that weren't enough the view of the back-end below his head would have told him, oh, and the long, curly hair. Graeme was bearing him out of the library and down the wide corridor.

"Hush. The king is in need of you. The Seers will arrive this evening." Graeme patted his thigh, holding him firmly, as he made his way towards their destination, not at all inconvenienced by his burden. Harry stabilized himself by placing hands on Graeme's waist.

"I can walk, you know." Harry said dryly. Hanging over Graeme's shoulder was not uncomfortable, just undignified. The muscle padded shoulder provided some cushioning. Graeme had a habit of doing little things like this, probably seeing a chance to teach him the proper place of a kitten, Harry thought, sourly. He was learning to not mind it so much. Being touched. Being handled. At one time, not long ago, he would have fought this kind of handling. Now he endured it. And, honestly, at times he enjoyed the attention.

"If you walk then I can not carry you. I want to carry you." Graeme said reasonably. His silky hair flowed over Harry's bare arms, and face. Nice hair, really soft, and it smelled pretty good, Harry thought.

"Graeme. What will the Seers do?" He asked. That was what was on his mind after all. And it probably had something to do with this little caveman routine. Carrying him off to have a talk. He could sense it. He nearly sighed before he caught himself. If he sighed, Graeme would know he'd figured it out. He needed the tiny advantage that Graeme not knowing provided.

"They will rule on whether you may remain with us, if they discover it is a point of law that determines that." The third told him. Harry felt the tensing of the big muscles underneath his stomach.

"Law? Is it a point of law? What law could possibly cover this kind of thing?" Harry wondered, aloud. "What is going to happen when they get here?"

"Your godfather has laid claim to you. His position, supported by were-wolf law, is that his permission was needed to change you. He did not give it. Therefore, accident or not we have no right to you. Further, Tambyn questions if there was an accident at all. He thinks your change was arranged, not an accident, no matter the evidence."

"How can that be? Professor Trelwany was behind the attacks!" Harry protested, bracing himself as Graeme wove in and out of a small crowd. Harry heard Fred and George laughing, but in the distance, not at his position, he determined.

"Your Divination's Professor worked in collusion with Lucius' sister." Graeme reminded the boy. "If one is not familiar with her history of treachery, it is easy to believe the attack was arranged."

Harry stayed silent, his confusion stopping the flow of words, and Graeme spoke again.

"When the seers arrive you will remain by the king's side. You will not do anything that he does not command. I will watch over you. You will do as I tell you. The Seers will not tolerate your sharp tongue, kitten. If you can not control it I will bind your mouth, and silence it for you." There was a warning in his tone, one Harry knew was not an empty threat. He swallowed hard.

"Can they do that? Make me go? Force me to sleep with Tambyn?" Harry asked, not managing to stop the tremor from finding it's way into his voice.

"Yes." The tall man said. "They have the power and the right to make that kind of declaration."

"I don't want to." Harry said. "I want to stay with Lucius. Here. Does that count for anything?"

"I know what you want. But they will rule as they see true. The law means more to them than your feelings. They are apart from the emotion and desires of the situation." He seemed to pause in consideration after that statement.

"What?" Harry asked. Meaning, what has made you doubt those words? Graeme didn't respond.

"I won't go. They can't make me." Harry said after a few minutes. "Where are you taking me, anyway?"

"And how do you think you can stop them?" Graeme asked half curious, half skeptical. "I am going to show you where we will meet with them."

"Do I have to be there?" Harry grumbled. He'd found that bracing his hands on Graeme's hips worked better than at his waist. But...it was disturbing in an odd way to feel the play of those slender, strong hips moving under his hands. Oh, crap, not a good time for this to come up.

"Yes." The man said in return. "You will be there."

"I just won't go." Harry said to Graeme's back. Graeme patted his butt. "I mean it Graeme. If they tell me to go to Tambyn, I won't. Don't think I'm your little kitten saying this. I mean it. I'll..."

Graeme slapped him, harder. "You will behave for now, kitten." He ordered. He swung Harry around dizzyingly, and plopped him down on the fur layered, rock throne that was the centerpiece of the Arena. "They will apparate here. You will be at Lucius' feet. Obedient. With Troy and Fred. The other kittens will be nearby, but the three of you will be at his feet. And you will obey him. Whatever he asks of you."

Harry scowled. He wanted to be the only one at Lucius' feet. It was bad enough to know his lover kept two more kittens at his beck and call, but he didn't want it displayed so obviously. That would make it seem as if he was OK with it.

Graeme took Harry's face in his hand, holding him firmly, but not painfully. His dark blue eyes bored into Harry's emerald ones. His thumb smoothed over Harry's cheek. His _expression was unyielding.

"It is a reflection on the entire pride. How you obey your king, the man who has named you Chosen. If he can not control you here, in the Arena, before outsiders, then what claim can he truly have on you? What asset are you to him? So. No defiance today. None. If he bids you to do a thing you will do it. No. Matter. What. That. Is. Do you understand me?" His voice rang with both menace and promise of dire consequences. "My king has my loyalty, and if any seeks to harm him, even his Chosen, I will protect him."

Harry gulped. "I won't hurt him. I love him."

Graeme smirked. "And if he asked you to go to the bed of one of the Seers? To give them the pride's hospitality, as is our custom for long centuries?"

Harry flushed, brows drawing down. "That is not the same...."

"Yes. It. Is." Graeme snarled. "If he asks it of you there will be a good reason. And you will obey. For the honor of the pride and your king."

"No." Harry said. Gritting his teeth, his face stony and stubborn. "I won't. I won't let anyone else do that to me. Only Lucius."

"Ghod. You have not learned. Not a ghod-damned thing." Graeme spit out, thrusting Harry away from himself, hard. Harry fell sprawling back on the throne in a flailing tangle of limbs.


Lucius stopped outside the doorway into the Arena. Listening to Graeme's words, and to Harry's. He shook his head. The kitten was stubborn, loyal, and honorable. He just couldn't find a way to do what was required of him. What might be required of a king's Chosen. Lucius cursed. It was his fault. He had not made certain Harry learned. Harry was not of the pride because of how differently he had been treated.

Lucius strode into the Arena, startling the two occupants.

"Harry. Graeme. With me. Now." He ordered, the frown on his face not inviting questions.

Once he was in his private rooms he turned to them. Pointing to the bed. "No arguments, Harry. Undressed and up there." He watched as Harry hesitated. Graeme glared at the hesitation, baring his fangs.

Lucius sighed. He needed more time than he had. Much more time.

Chapter 57


A/N: I greatly appreciate all the wonderful feedback I am receiving. Thank you all so much and please enjoy.


Lucius moved up onto the bed. Harry took one look at him and dropped his gaze at seeing the fire in the other man's eyes. He took a deep, cleansing breath and prepared himself for what ever was coming.

"On your belly." Again the command was not harsh, but impossible to disobey. Harry stretched out, head turned towards his king, but very aware of the other man, Graeme, still in the room. Harry saw Lucius transfer his gaze to Graeme. He nodded his gleaming sliver/gold haired head. The bed dipped, and Harry shot forward, going for the far side of the furs. He was not going to allow that to happen.

Lucius' stopped him. A big hand, an unbreakable grip at his ankle, dragging him back. Lucius' silvery-grey gaze met his. The shared look somehow too intense, as if Lucius wanted inside of him, inside of his mind, his thoughts.

"Do you deny my claim? Do you defy me?" Lucius asked, almost conversationally. But Harry heard the undertone. The warning not to lie, to be utterly and completely truthful. He bit his lip.

"No. I don't deny it. But I thought we agreed...." Lucius' hand covered his mouth. Harry froze in place, green eyes gone huge.

"You will answer yes and no." Lucius said. Then removed his hand. Harry's lips were pressed tightly together, fighting the urge to speak. "Will you obey me?"

Harry frowned. Yes and no weren't adequate to reply to the question. His eyes begged. Lucius set him aside, freeing him from the hold that had restrained him, stood up, moved away.

"I renounce our bond. Take him away from me." Lucius said quietly, in a hollow voice to Graeme, ignoring the youth, as if Harry was already gone. Harry lay on the bed for a split second then launched himself after the tall man. Instead of Lucius he met Graeme in mid leap.

"No!" He screamed. "You can't! It is not fair!" But, Lucius never stopped, disappearing out the door. Graeme held him tight, defeating all his attempts to follow. Harry screamed again. "No! Why?!"

"Stop it!" Graeme hissed. "It is what you have said you wanted. You are Unmarked, Unclaimed and Unchosen. You can go to your godfather if you wish. Or to the wizarding world. The king no longer holds you here. He will tell the Seers when they arrive."

"NO!" Harry shouted again. "I don't want that! I never said I did! I just don't want to follow those laws you keep talking about, the ones that make no sense!"

"So go. If you don't wish to follow our laws, then leave here. You have made it clear that you will not obey our king. Then be banished, and you shall never have to follow our rules any longer." The copper haired man said.

Harry was paler than milk. He couldn't breathe. There was a crushing pain in his chest. "I thought he loved me," he said in a tiny broken voice. "My Ghod, I thought he loved me." He dug into Graeme's arms with hard, desperate fingers.

"Idiot." Graeme said. "He did and *does* love you. He will always love you. But, you have rejected him. He is a king. He cannot accept your defiance and rule. The pride is his life, his life belongs to us. You have refused him, and belittled him, defied him in front of his people, and now you claim you are the injured party." Graeme shook his head.

Harry wept, resuming his struggle to get up and find Lucius. "He can't do this! I love him. I won't leave."

"Listen to me. It is done. It is over. Return to your human life. Don't look back. Time will heal the pain. You are young." Graeme tried to offer what comfort he could. He did not let the boy up or permit him to follow.

"I can't. I can't leave. I love him. I can't live without him." Harry cried out.

"Stop." Graeme turned his face, and looked him in the eye. "No more dramatics. If you can not live without him, why have you done this to him? This is your choice, you have made it over and over. He has given you every chance he could and more."

"I just wanted him to..." The young man began, then had to halt, his eyes overflowing with bitter, salty tears. Throat too tight to finish.

"To what? To stop being my king? Amrys' king? Mantheer's king? Tanith's king? Draco's king? Which of us should give up our king so he can change until you are satisfied with him?"

"You are trying to make me change! How is that different?" Harry sobbed. "I never asked to be a were-leopard."

"We did not change you. Have you forgotten that?" The third asked more gently than before. Holding the destroyed young man in his arms. "We would have talked to you, told you what to expect. Most often when a human is changed without sanction, they are killed. They are not put through this. And discipline is maintained. The pride is protected."

Harry screamed again. And again. And again. Graeme licked the tears off his face. Murmured to him. Held him. And Harry screamed.

Chapter 58


Lucius walked as far as his desk and collapsed into it's chair. He wished he could go further, out of earshot, but his legs wouldn't bear his weight. He had to stay here and listen to the heart-wrenching sobs of the boy who had been his Chosen. He tried to stand again. He was stronger than this.

He heard every word Graeme was saying, all that Harry said. He heard it and he felt pain working it's way through him. Was he wrong? Had he lived his life based on an assumption of nobility, or honor that was wrong? Had he done wrong by not killing the boy in the first place? Had he been motivated by something more than selfishness, or was all of this because he wanted something he did not deserve, was not meant to have? Was this situation all caused by his own greed, his need to possess the boy he had called his Chosen, at the expense of the pride?

He fought his own tears, but lost, he sobbed every bit as hard as the young-ling in his rooms laying in Graeme's arms. He was to blame. He wanted love. He had manufactured and forced it. He had not allowed it to develop naturally in it's own time. He had wanted, desired and taken. And he expected it to work. Love blew up in his face. Love tore out his heart. Love ruined him with it's burning touch. Yet he would give nearly everything to have it back. Not everything, but so very close.

He dropped his head onto his hands. He was king. There was no one ready to follow in his place. He had to rule, until the child his son was carrying was old enough to rule. Then he might step aside. Then he might have another choice. Then maybe, if the ghod's decreed it, he would have time for love. But not one like this. He didn't understand how this pain could fail to kill. Yet, he was alive, breathing, hurting.

In the room Harry screamed, and again, again, again. Lucius felt each like a knife through his belly. He fell to his hands and knees at the first scream, the second had him heaving, vomiting into his waste can, and by the third he lifted his head and howled his torture and his pain to the skies.

Every lycanthrope in the Manor stopped what they were doing. Eyes wide and horrified.

Amrys started towards the king's rooms.

Kaithas, from the other end of the Manor, where the Seer's Council had just apparated in looked up and felt every drop of his blood freeze at the ringing sound.

Severus Snape, sitting at Draco's side, felt his hair stand on end. And Draco fell back into his cushioned furs. Mantheer and Yaji both reaching for the boy.

The sound went on and on. Anguish without end. The first Seer put his hand out to touch Kaithas.

"There is such pain here. Loss, and failure. What has happened? Why does the pride's king mourn?" His voice was a mere whisper of sound, roughened, as if forced out a damaged throat. His veil shifted in the windless room, carried on unseen currents, currents fueled by the king's lament.

Kaithas opened his mouth to answer, but no answer was there. None he could give.

"Take me to him. Your pride is losing it's king." The Seer said, motioning for the others to stay back.

Kaithas felt a fear greater than any he had ever known rip through him. Lucius was his king. The only one he remembered as an adult within the pride. All he knew of kingship, he had learned by watching and admiring the man. He had seen the sacrifice and love Lucius had for every person he ruled. They could not be losing him, not now. The Seer's touch reminded him where they were.

"I will lead you." The seer said in his ruined voice. Kaithas let the man guide him through the halls. "If you can not find the way."

Amrys burst through the group of lycanthropes gathering outside the king's rooms. Even now they would not go inside without the king's leave. He ran inside. Lucius was on the floor, howling, arms wrapped around his stomach. Amrys tore the sheilding arms aside, looking for a wound that was not there. He grabbed the blond hair to either side of Lucius' face, shook him.

"My king! My king! What is wrong? What has happened?" Amrys fought to keep his tone level and in control, but it rose with every question. The howl from the king's throat grew and grew.

A scream tore out of the inner rooms. Amrys leaped to his feet facing the doorway, the change rippling over his back, his fur on end. He stayed human but for the fur on his back, and the clawed paws, ready to defend his king. No one came out, he charged in to the sleeping room the place he took his own rest for the majority of his life.

Graeme was on the bed curled around the small dark haired boy from which the cries echoed. He lifted his own shocked eyes to Amrys'. This was not expected. This was too much more. This was death.

"Where is Lucius?" Graeme asked, choked. "Find him!"

Amrys wasted no time on speech, he whirled returned to his king, and lifted Lucius into his arms, bearing him back into the room and up onto the furs. The sharp scent of vomit filled his sensitive nostrils. He cringed, but lowered the man to the bed next to the sobbing boy. He wiped away the sour fluids. The second and the third looked at each other. Not knowing what else to do.

Harry cried out and Lucius flinched, trying to turn away, succeeding only in burrowing into his second's embrace, claws sinking deep. He let out a mournful howl, thankfully spent, not so loud and penetrating, but still rich and filled with pain. Harry convulsed in Graeme's arms, writhing at the sound. Raking at Graeme's skin.

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