Furry Magic

Title: Furry Magic, chapter 82

Disclaimer: HP is not owned by me....


Lucius swam across the bathing pool towards the two red haired were-leopards when they entered the room and stood near the edge of the steaming water. The waves eddied around him, flowing over his wide, muscular back,curling over the mounds of his buttocks, highlighting his gleaming, alabaster skin. His hair trailed behind him like a silken cape, shining silver, and highlighted with gold. He pulled himself up out of the water, the liquid streaming down his skin pooling on the stone floor.

Bill and Charlie waited for him to sit and make himself comfortable. Bill put a steadying hand on his brother's back. They were here for both business and hopefully for pleasure, of a sort. If the king did not beat them to a bloody pulp for their temerity first. For their unbelievable cheek.

Bill sighed. He had not seen it coming. But, he was man enough to know he had no one to blame but himself, no matter that Charlie had made the first overture. And if Lucius chose to smack him down, he'd take his lumps, Ghods knew, he deserved it. He shook his head. He'd never seen it coming, never suspected it. It had taken him completely by surprise. And he, *they'd*, compounded the error by not asking permission first. Or coming to the king when they first became aware of their feelings.

Lucius settled himself down next to Harry, sitting cross-legged. He ran a hand down over the drowsing youngster's pelt. Harry was out of the pool, on the flagstones, exhausted by the day's events, stretched out full length, in animal form. He was snoring softly, relaxed, his tongue lolling out. His thick, black fur was half dry, beginning to fluff out at the ruff, and along his flanks. His breath moving in and out slowly. He was deliciously limp. Lucius worked his fingers into the lush fur, massaging and rubbing the lax form of his love. That got a thump or two from Harry's long tail. And a snortle from the sleepy cat.

Charlie couldn't hold back a grin, watching the young-ling sleeping so deeply, and even Bill smiled at the sight. They kept their voices low as the greeted their king, going down to their knees, rubbing their faces on the hand he held out. The greeting done, they both took a deep breath and plunged on. Best to get it over with. Bill started with the necessary business.

"The wards are re-set, they will protect the pride from those you do not authorize to cross." Bill Weasley told Lucius, as he smoothed out the scroll diagramming the new wards. "It will not be a simple thing to enter the Manor any longer. Any member of the pride with questionable intent will have to be cleared by yourself, or the second or the third. Any person you choose to keep out will not have any way to enter the grounds."

"You have done well." Lucius praised his leopard. The plans were exact, well drawn, and easy to follow, even for one who was not an expert at that kind of work. Bill's talent was evident in the lack of confusion, the direct lines he had scribed. Lucius looked up into his leopard's wary face, wondering at the nervousness there. He decided to wait. He would learn of the problem soon enough. He could sense the guilt, the anxiety pouring off the two brothers. They would spill it soon. They could not hold it in much longer.

"I've set up time to go over the methods with Graeme and Amrys. Then, I think it time that we left. I can't speak for Charlie, but my assistant is not capable of running the business entirely alone. I can't ask it of him in all fairness. He has owled repeatedly, with many questions. He needs guidance." Bill bit his lip, nervously. Here it comes, whatever it is, Lucius thought. He waited patiently, petting Harry. The kitten rolled over onto his back, baring his underbelly for attention. Lucius obliged most willingly.

"We would like to take Troy with us when we leave." Bill blurted out. His face was crimson, his hands clutched in the fabric of his loose pants. He couldn't manage to look up at his king's eyes. Lucius felt a wave of anger build. He could have sworn Bill Weasley had just asked him to.... Impossible. He must have heard the man wrong. NO one would dare touch his Marked.

"What did you say?" Lucius asked, his voice deceptively gentle, soft. His hand continued it's stroking, running up and down the fur of his Chosen who suddenly lifted his head, staring at the red haired were-man, who was beginning to shake. The emerald eyes were wide. Bill steeled himself. But it was Charlie who spoke. Harry rolled back onto his side.

"Please, my king. We meant you no disrespect. We didn't expect end up in this situation. We only spoke to him in politeness, then discovered our feelings for him, out of the blue. We did not plan it." Charlie said. "I feel more for him than I have for any other. It is as if he is part of my soul." He looked over at Bill.

"Our soul, my king." Bill amended. "I feel whole when he is with me." Lucius' growl interrupted the speech. Bill threw himself down on his face, abasing himself. Charlie was not fast enough. Lucius smacked him with a punishing paw, and the younger man sprawled across the flagstones, and his brother's back. Lucius drew back his paw, and Harry flopped himself into the king's lap, inhibiting the motion. Lucius glared at him, but did not throw him off. Harry purred, rubbing his face along Lucius' bared abdomen, giving the damp skin a tiny lick.

"Have you approached him?" Lucius managed finally. His tone a warning. "Have you had sexual relations with *my* Marked?"

"No, my king, we would not, not without your leave." Bill offered, face still pressed into the floor. His voice shook. He had offered unintentional inslut to his king, a man who he revered. He was upset with his own actions, he only hoped he would be forgiven.

Charlie had dragged himself to his own belly, head spinning, and waited for it to clear before he spoke. "No, my king, we have only spoken to him. We have not taken advantage. Please, forgive us."

"Very well." Lucius relaxed a bit. The morphed paw that he had been using to extend discipline fading back to a human hand. Digging into the incredible fur of the cat stretched, bonelessly, temptingly, over his lap. "Tell me why you seek to remove my Marked from the Manor. From me."

Bill jumped into the opening. He lifted his head tentatively. Lucius responded with a growl. Hastily, Bill put his forehead back to the ground.

"He is gifted, I think, with the talent to care for the dragons. He should have the chance to try. He has also shown remarkable understanding of curse-breaking. He understood the wards at once. It would be a great waste not to train him." Bill hurriedly explained. Lucius grunted, that was not the main reason, he was sure. Still, it was a good one. As king, he should not ignore what benefitted the boy and the pride.

"And will you take the responsibility to care for him as he needs, and to complete his pride teaching? Will you see that he is not lonely for his fellow young-lings? Will you soothe him and show him the love he deserves? So that he will be content and happy even away from his fellow kittens?" Lucius growled. There was only one right answer to these questions.

"Yes, my king." Bill and Charlie both answered, breathlessly. By Merlin, was it possible? Would they be allowed to take the youth? To train and care for him?

"Kittens do not do well if they are alone. They need constant attention and affection." Lucius dug his fingers into Harry's hair, smoothing finger tips over the scalp, causing Harry to arch into the touch. Harry moaned with pleasure. He was slowly converting back to human.

"Yes, my king." Bill and Charlie answered the large man. Who was looking down with an expression of pure love and considerable lust at the young-ling he was stroking. Harry was eating it up. Now half leopard, half human. His whiskers bristling with enjoyment. He writhed in his lover's hold. Pushing Lucius flat onto his back. The king laughed, hugging the youth to his chest. Harry rewarded him with a series of mewls, and a dozen licks over his neck and his face. Lucius laughed again, the tension fading completely from the room.

"Don't think I don't know what you are doing, my kitten." Lucius said to Harry. "You are more than happy to be rid of Troy. But, you must remember he is of the pride, and you, as the Chosen must be concerned for his well-being." Lucius tried to scold the young-ling, but it was hard to do while grinning at him. Harry rowled adoringly. Lucius had to laugh again. Harry changed further toward human.

"Very well. You may take him." Lucius told the Weasley brothers. "But, I hold you responsible for his happiness, and his teaching. You will keep me aprised of his progress. And you will report to me through Harry. Harry. It will be your task to see that Troy is doing well, that he is cared for and not unhappy. That he is getting all that he needs to grow and to be fulfilled. Do you agree?"

Harry nodded vigorously. He gave a yipping mewl. Frowned in concentration, but was unable to use human words yet. He nodded again to be sure Lucius knew he understood the seriousness of the charge he was being given. He would tell the king if anything was amiss. He would look out for Troy's best interests. He would not let his jealousy over the position the boy had had with Lucius cloud his judgment. Harry's emerald eyes tried to convey his determination, his recognition of the seriousness of the responsibility.

At last Lucius was satisfied, and he looked over at Bill and Charlie. He petted Harry's flank as he spoke. "Then, I put my Marked in your care. You will see he is taught, and that he is pleased. You will see all his needs addressed. He will share your beds, and find pleasure there, or you will return him to me." He waved his hand at them. "Go." They scrambled to obey, backing out of the room on hands and knees. They made no effort to hide the huge grins on their faces. Lucius snorted.

Harry wrapped his arms around the king's neck, pulling himself astraddle the larger man's body, wrapping his legs in turn around the strong, narrow waist. He purred ecstatically.

"Yes." Lucius said to his Chosen. "You are terribly pleased aren't you, my love?" He bent his head to kiss Harry, palms cupping the beloved face.

ne'ichan
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