alisanne (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} alisanne) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} drapery_snarco,@ 2009-03-10 16:09:00 |
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Fic: The Triad
Title: The Triad
Author: lilyseyes
Pairing: Snape/Draco/Harry
Length: 9085
Rating: NC-17/Adult
Disclaimer: JKR owns the Potterverse – I just play in it. No money is made from these amateur works.
Warnings: *Chan/under 18 (the boys are of legal age in the UK (16)), teacher/students, implied mpreg, rimming, fellatio*
Prompt: 58. AU sixth year: Snape has received a prophecy of his own (could be a dream, Trelawney, whatever), which is that if Malfoy and Potter don't reconcile, Harry will kill Draco using Sectumsempra, Dumbledore's plan will fall apart, and disaster will ensue (maybe he even foresees Harry becoming the next Dark Lord...). Desperate to avoid this, he eventually catches Harry outside the Room of Requirement and Draco in it, and draws on the power of the Room to provide what they need for this reconciliation to happen.
Summary: Confronted with another prophecy from Sibyll Trelawney, Severus Snape decides to take immediate action on it when he catches two of his students near the Room of Requirement after curfew.
Author Notes: My sincere thanks to the wonderful florida_minxie, sassy_cissa, and alisanne for the beta and hand-holding chores during the writing of this story! *smooches*
Severus Snape strode down the corridor, his boot heels tapping out a staccato beat as his dark eyes swept the area in front of him. His wand tip lit the corners and nooks that the flickering torches set in stone walls left in shadow. Draco Malfoy was once again absent from his bed and Severus was determined to find out what the little miscreant was up to. His frustration at what the Malfoy scion was planning grated on his nerves and soured his stomach. That, coupled with the boy's arrogance and the vow that Severus had been forced to swear to Narcissa, made it very much his business to find out.
"Insolent brats!" Severus muttered under his breath, glaring at pair of Hufflepuffs who scampered toward their common room.
On top of the worry about Draco, Severus was troubled about Albus' plan to include Harry Potter in his desperate search for the remaining Horcruxes. The damn boy had not only embraced this latest burden placed on his young shoulders, but he had chosen now to discover the latent cunning and intelligence that had to have come from his mother. Potter's disturbing trend – all Slytherin traits, despite Albus' protests – was still tempered nicely by his paternal Gryffindor instincts. Then again, he couldn't very well protect Potter from himself while he was chasing about after Malfoy!
Sweet Merlin, to vow to protect those two particular boys had been masochistic at best and suicidal in the extreme! Severus shook his head as he climbed another flight of stairs; how could the two be so alike and yet such polar opposites? While each of the boys resembled their father's physically, their individual personalities took on more of their mother's traits as they matured. Draco had Narcissa's quiet compassion and driving desire to please, and despite Lucius' best efforts, Draco would never be cold-blooded bastard his father was. Likewise, Harry Potter's resemblance to his bullying prat of a father had lessened as he matured, and Severus saw more and more of his beloved Lily in the boy.
Severus was weary to his very bones. Albus Dumbledore insisted that Severus end his life when Draco made his move, as they both knew the teenager wouldn't be able to complete the task given to him by the Dark Lord. At the same time, the headmaster had admitted that he knew of Harry's dismal childhood with relatives who hated him, explaining that he had needed the boy to be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the wizarding world and had done everything he could to encourage Harry's willingness by starving him of love. Like a lamb to slaughter, given a little warmth and affection, the fool whelp just followed.
Snorting, Severus shook his head. Everyone chose to believe that the great Dumbledore had been sorted straight into Gryffindor, but he knew better. Just like young Potter, Albus had talked the Sorting Hat into not putting him in Slytherin as an auburn haired first-year. Gellert Grindelwald would have been sorted into Slytherin, of that Severus was sure, and he knew the story of the relationship that ensued. Grindelwald had been a mere fifteen when he'd seduced Albus sexually and subsequently seduced his ideology as well. Dumbledore's true strength came from his recognition of where the path Grindelwald was treading would lead, but not before becoming a master at manipulation.
It didn't help either that Albus, the perverted sod that he was, kept subtly pointing out how well each boy was maturing, as if Severus and his traitorous prick couldn't see that for himself. It seemed the Headmaster had also noticed Potter's obsession with the Malfoy whelp, commenting on the obvious contrast between Light and Dark, as well as the visual contrast between Harry's dark beauty and Draco's blond perfection. His cock twitched at the mental picture of the two young men entwined on a bed, as if waiting for him. Severus was well familiar with Draco's proclivities, having suffered his crush through most of the last year. Harry's preferences seemed in question as of late, despite the Weasley chit's pronouncements. Along with the obsessive behavior towards Draco came the rumor that Harry Potter had fallen in love with a prince, as ridiculous as that sounded.
The clink of glass hitting glass brought Severus' head up sharply and his wand was instantly pointed at a side corridor. Sibyll Trelawney, draped to the point of being swaddled in bright scarves, clutched several empty bottles to her chest as she staggered towards him. She swayed to a stop as her hugely magnified eyes blinked owlishly up at him, as if trying to focus on his face.
"Severus? It that you, dear boy?"
The odour of sour sherry reached him across the corridor and Severus winced. The idiotic endearment was just irritating in the whining, slurred voice. He opened his mouth to deliver a scathing rejoinder when the excuse for a witch lurched closer and gripped his arm with surprising strength. Her eyes rolled back in her head and a deep, harsh voice he had heard seventeen years before sent a shiver down his spine.
Three are needed to make a whole and heal the rift ... Born to separate houses, steeped in hate and distrust of the others... failure to set aside the fathers' sins leads to death and Darkness where only Light should be... one to protect and guide, one to breed anew, and one with power rarely seen…three points to create the necessary focus to see the victory through...only the Triad has the power to Darkness overcome…the masterful one must hurry, time is done…
The voice ended as suddenly as it began as Trelawney sputtered and coughed. The claw-like hand relaxed and awkwardly patted Severus arm as she looked around wildly.
"The room, Severus, someone is in the room! I have to find another place…"
Severus could only watch dumbfounded, as she staggered off down the corridor clutching her empty sherry bottles until the inky darkness swallowed her garish clothing. The words she'd spewed while in the trance swirled in his brain, and for some reason, the references to a triad seemed to be the only coherent thing his mind could grasp. Like the other prophecy he'd heard, this one seemed to be targeted at Potter – "…one with power rarely seen…", but there also seemed to be references to himself as well, with the talk of "sins of the fathers", or perhaps it referred to Lucius Malfoy…
"Professor!"
Startled, Severus swung around again, this time to see Harry Potter's head floating in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Biting back groan, he let his anger flare at the boy antics and the fool of a headmaster who gave an Invisibility Cloak to a child.
"Potter! Get that thing off! I am not speaking to your detached head!"
The brilliant eyes, huge behind those ridiculous glasses, narrowed, but Potter whipped the cloak over his head with satisfying speed. It was obvious Potter had heard Trelawney's - what… prediction? Dare they call it something that would give validity to something that could instantly change the course of Severus' life, like the last time? Was this yet another turning point?
"It was another prophecy, Professor! A real one, like she gave in my third year!"
Potter was practically dancing on the tips of Severus' boot he was so close. "We have to tell the Headmaster…"
"Who is out on another of his bloody errands!" Severus snapped, suddenly hoping that the young fool had the intelligence to know what he was referring to; he had a feeling that he would need Harry to trust him as Albus did.
The rattle of a doorknob sent them both diving behind the tapestry, Potter's cloak unfurled in front of them. Severus held his breath as a door creaked open, slowly, and then closed. He waited until the soft footsteps had moved past them before stepping out from their hiding spot. The slim figure of Draco Malfoy hurried away from him, and Severus flicked his wand, the non-verbal spell petrifying the teen instantly. Severus quickly levitated him back toward the Room of Requirement, with Potter following, the look on his face a study in conflicting emotions.
Keeping Draco aloft, Severus closed his eyes for a moment. He needed the room prepared with everything he would need to analyze and implement this newest prophecy, as there had been something ominous about the warning that time had run out. It was May, and Severus was well aware that Albus had little strength or time left, and the Dark Lord had grown impatient with the many delays. This would all come to a head shortly as it was, but for some reason, he felt an urgency he hadn't before.
On his third pass, a door appeared in the wall, and Severus signaled Potter to open it, maneuvering Draco in after him. Inside the room, Severus turned to shut it, only to watch as door closed with a snap and disappeared into the stone wall. Turning around, Severus looked around the room, surprised to see an extra large four-poster against the far wall, a sitting area with a large couch in front of a roaring fire, and a sturdy wood table. There were a number of items lined up on the table's top, but the one that surprised Severus was the large Pensieve, much like the one Albus had loaned him. Another item instantly recognizable to Severus was his own specially brewed bottle of Veritaserum, sitting amid several other bottles.
Looking closer, Severus felt a surge of heat as he saw the bottle of lube he kept in his bedside drawer. Settling Draco down on the couch, Severus ran through the words that Trelawney had spat at him again, trying to reconcile them with the large bed and sexual implements he saw in front of him. A triad generally referred to a threesome of sexual partners in a relationship. Did this mean that he was to form a triad with these two young men? The idea that they were both students didn't bother him, both were of age, and both were exquisite in the opposite way: light and dark. His cock twitched again at the mental picture that flashed in his mind.
"What's going on?"
Thankful to have his thoughts yanked away from the direction they were heading, Severus looked up at Harry with a sneer. The enthusiasm he'd demonstrated in the corridor had been tempered by fear that he covered with anger – the young fool still wore his emotions on his sleeve. Severus closed his eyes and willed his exasperation away. How in the world did Albus think he was ever going to convince Harry Potter to even listen to him, let alone embrace his words enough to sacrifice himself to the Dark Lord? Severus had played his role well over the years – it had been easy to channel the hatred of the father towards the son – but now, what could he do to get the boy to trust him? Opening his eyes, he studied the young man in front of him.
"There apparently is little time in which to set our course of action, Potter," Severus told him quietly, hoping the absence of malice in his voice would convey his sincerity. "We must decipher this new prophecy and I believe it directly refers to the three of us."
"You know about the other prophecies?" Potter's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Yes," Severus looked into his Lily's eyes. "I am the eavesdropper who overheard the first one in the Hogs Head."
Rage was the first emotion that Severus saw cross Harry's face. A rage so deep and so powerful Severus could feel the crackle of the young wizard's magic as it began to swirl around him, but he also saw the moment the doubt appeared. The moment Harry remembered the unwavering trust Albus Dumbledore had always shown him warred with the knowledge that Severus was responsible for providing the information that led to his parents' death. For a moment, Severus caught a glimpse of the bewildered, devastated child beneath this angry young man, and that almost took him to his knees.
"We need to move past this, Pot…Harry," Severus kept his voice steady. "Time is running out for all of us."
"You loathe me, Snape, why should I even listen to you?" Harry spat back, venom dripping from each word.
Severus closed his eyes tightly. The boy was correct, he didn't have any reason to trust him. "Because no matter how much you presume I loathe you, my hatred of the Dark Lord is all consuming, and I would do anything to ensure his demise."
"Why?" A hint of pleading crept into the angry voice. "Why?"
"Perhaps because your precious Headmaster is out chasing Horcruxes, and the last prophecy that idiot woman spouted came to fruition in a matter of hours!" Severus reigned in his irritation. "We must deal with this now and to do that, you must trust me!"
Harry Potter took a step towards him, the warring emotions playing across his face, and his magic swirling around him. They studied each other for several minutes and Severus noted with some satisfaction that the boy didn't flinch from eye contact despite his knowledge of Severus' Legilimency skills. As much as he would like to see what was going on in that convoluted brain, Severus was not going to violate what small trust might exist by doing that. If only he could allow Harry into his mind, him memories, Severus knew that it would convince the young man of his true motivations. Severus' eyes darted to the table, the Pensieve leaping into his field of vision and the solution came to him, fully formed.
"I believe we might be able to salvage the situation satisfactorily," Severus gestured towards the rune-covered stone bowl. "I believe you now have more of an understanding as to the proper etiquette of the Pensieve and the validity of memories placed in it?"
Harry nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Severus as he retrieved his wand and prodded the shimmering surface. Concentrating on the memories that Severus believed would best persuade the boy, he ignored the shudder that went through him at the thought of sharing some of his most personal moments with the son of his teenaged nemesis. It was true that Harry had never relayed to anyone the images the boy had seen in his fifth years while violating Severus' privacy. Mutual trust was what they had to establish, and Severus knew if he convinced this particular young man of his worthiness, Harry Potter would trust him to his dying day. The trust had to start with him.
Pulling memory after memory, Severus dropped the silver strands into the shimmering liquid for several minutes before he stepped back and beckoned Harry forward. With one last assessing look but without a word, Harry stepped up to the Pensieve and lowered his face into it. Somewhat surprised by the unflinching obedience, Severus shook his head. Either the boy was aware that the room would not allow them to hurt each other, or there was more of a base of trust than Severus had thought. He walked over to check on Draco, ignoring the enraged gray eyes as he loosened the boy's robe in an attempt to make him more comfortable. He allowed his fingers to brush the white-blond hair out of the pale face.
"Your mother is right to worry about you, Draco," Severus told him quietly, his hand lingering in the silky hair. "You are not a murderer."
Severus had the satisfaction of seeing disbelief cool the ire before he stepped back towards the table. Harry's face was still immersed, his body twitching occasionally in response to what he was seeing. Rubbing a hand over his face, Severus gave in to weakness for a moment and closed his eyes. He was so tired, so weary of the constant danger and brutality, tired of being manipulated and tested. Was it wrong to just want it to be over and done with? Despite the cost in lives that Severus knew would be high, despite the unlikely probability that he would survive or if he did, escape prosecution as Albus Dumbledore's killer. Severus needed tea and food, as no doubt both teenagers did. Actually, he could do with something stronger; he rubbed his forehead above the bridge of his nose.
His eyes flew open at a soft chime, only to see that the Room had provided him with a tea tray at the opposite end of the table, as well as a platter piled high with sandwiches, fruits, and chocolate biscuits. A chilled flagon of what Severus suspected was the sweetened pumpkin juice that all the students drank sat beside the platter. Moving around Harry and the Pensieve, Severus glanced into the shimmering liquid to see the shadow of his own face, flushed with anger, and knew that Harry was almost done with his viewing. He poured himself a cup of tea and set it down to cool, watching the boy's whole body shake.
Wordlessly, Harry Potter pulled his face from the Pensieve and slid to the floor as his legs folded under him. The play of raw emotions across the expressive face made Severus' heart clench and he found himself looking away as if trying to give the young man a chance to gather himself and control his feelings. It had been a heavy load Severus had dumped on the boy's shoulders, the same memories, he was sure, that he would've had to use to convince Harry Potter to stand in front of the Dark Lord and face the killing curse. How could Albus ask this boy to do that?
"I didn't know…" Harry stopped to clear his throat. "I didn't know that you and my mum had been friends, Professor. I wondered why no one seemed to talk about her, but…"
Severus suddenly didn't want to talk about Lily or Albus or anyone else. He just wanted get this prophecy dealt with and see if it had any true bearing on defeating the Dark Lord without anyone of them making the sacrifices they seemed destined for. Bending down, Severus extended his hand towards Harry.
"We have too much to do at the moment to delve into maudlin what 'might – have – beens', Harry. Eat something and we will examine this latest obstacle in the pathway to freedom."
Not wanting to examine his own reaction to the haunted look in those famous eyes, Severus occupied himself by retrieving his memories from the Pensieve. The ache at his temple was the only physical sign of his endeavor, but the momentary vertigo he felt every time a memories was assimilated back into his brain threatened to turn his already tetchy stomach. Potter seemed intent on disobedience, staring at him for several minutes before shrugging and moving toward the food.
"What about Malfoy? Doesn't he need to eat or something?"
Severus felt his eyebrow crawl towards his hairline as he fixed Harry with a glare. "Mr. Malfoy's appetite is the least of my concerns at this point in time. You need to eat. I have noted that teenaged intelligence seems to be directly tied to caloric intake, and we need to decipher this prophecy before we attempt to deal with Malfoy."
Potter nodded, even as he crammed a sandwich into his mouth, and Severus rolled his eyes as he turned back to the now empty Pensieve. Concentrating on the encounter with Sibyll Trelawney in the corridor, Severus copied the memory with a whispered spell. Dropping the single gold strand into the stone bowl, Severus shuddered as he saw the face of the Divination professor, eyes bugging behind the huge glasses, swirl under the surface. Summoning a quill and piece of parchment from the table, Severus charmed them before prodding the shimmering liquid with the tip of his wand. The ghostly, scarf-draped form rose from the rippling liquid.
Three are needed to make a whole and heal the rift ... Born to separate houses, steeped in hate and distrust of the others... failure to set aside the fathers sins leads to death and Darkness where only Light should be... one to protect and guide, one to breed anew, and one with power rarely seen…three points to create the necessary focus to see the victory through...only the Triad has the power to Darkness overcome…the masterful one must hurry, time is done…
A sandwich appeared beside him as Severus snatched the parchment. He looked up to meet determined green eyes that held his steadily as Harry carefully handed him a fresh mug of tea. Setting down a second mug of milky tea, the boy leaned closer so he could see the writing on the parchment. A whiff of clean scent had Severus' groin tightening, and it was all Severus could do not to fall back into his long practiced behavior and snap at Harry to get away.
"Professor? This whole thing keeps saying "'the three" – '. So that means there are three of us involved – "
"Us?"
The boy tapped the parchment with a finger, his voice level. "Every time Professor Trelawney does one of these prophecies, it somehow involves me. So I'm guessing this one with power rarely seen kinda goes with the first one – you remember, the power the Dark Lord knows not."
Severus studied the words in front of him, and compared it with the words he'd long ago memorized. Slowly nodding his head, he picked up the quill and copied the first line of this prophecy below the grouping of words:
"Three appears to be the pivotal number in this prophecy," Severus reached for the sandwich, taking a bite as he studied the words.
"It sounds like the 'three' have to come together somehow, like a puzzle or something." Harry took a careful sip of his tea.
"A triad or triumvirate is a reoccurring theme in many different theological studies as well as in history and legend. Three is the number associate with unity as well as power and strength as the triangle is the most durable of any shape."
Severus was surprised that the teenager listened intently, aand he struggled to view Harry without the prejudice he often used in the classroom. He waited for a moment for the insolence he expected to follow and was disconcerted when Harry simply nodded and looked at him to continue. Taking time to finish the sandwich and realign his thinking, Severus caught the boy sneaking another furtive look as young Malfoy lying on the couch.
"How do we figure out who the three are, Professor?"
"Despite your assertion that this is indeed about you, Harry, we need to go through it and attempt to decipher as much as possible before making any erroneous assumptions," Severus pointed out, not entire successful in keeping the edge from his voice. "It also says we are out of time, so it would be best if we could proceed without superfluous nattering."
Taking up the quill again, Severus wrote out the next segment.
Frowning, Severus read through the words again, and then read them aloud, as if that would give him some type of insight. Did that mean the Hogwarts Houses one was sorted into or something else? Severus wasn't aware he'd spoke aloud until he saw the boy's head nod vigorously in his peripheral vision.
"Or maybe it means actual houses? Like Malfoy would have been raised in some enormous manor house, while I was born…well, it couldn't have been near as big as Malfoy's," Harry paused and Severus could feel the intensity of the brilliant eyes as he worked himself up to ask about Severus' home.
"My circumstances have no bearing on…"
The scathing comment slipped out without conscious thought, as if his brain was programmed to respond negatively to anything about his background. Unless, Severus halted in mid-rant, this had everything to do with background.
"Professor?"
Severus turned his head towards Harry. "I believe you have the right idea, in a manner of speaking, except that I believe it is more caste than dwelling. And in reality, it reflects the very center of this whole conflict."
He tapped his finger on the scrap of parchment. "Draco Malfoy is a pure-blood wizard, born of one of the most ancient pure-blood families in our world. You are the offspring of a father who was also a pure-blood, same ancient bloodlines, and a Muggle-born witch. My mother was a pure-blood witch and my father a Muggle. So, while we all have the same connection to the ancient bloodlines, it could be said that we of different castes or social standings based on the purity of our blood."
"So you think that this means Malfoy, too?" There was a touch of smugness to the brat's question.
"I am merely attempting to make sense of this inane babble, Potter," Severus snapped at him. "It does stand to reason to anyone with any measure of intelligence, that this prophecy would involve those most intimately involved in the current situation."
He moved on to the next section, not stopping to dwell on the implication beginning to swirl around in his mind.
"'The fathers sins' – I would imagine, at least in my case, it means you need to set aside all bullying my dad did to you when you were in school together."
Harry's voice was soft, and Severus could hear the slight tremble to the words. Despite the flare of anger Severus felt, he knew the admission had taken courage from the young man, who had never known his father. In Severus' case, he could better forgive James Potter for making his student days miserable than forgive his own father for being the bastard he'd been. It was certainly nothing Severus was going to discuss with either of the young men present, especially in light of each their fathers' nefarious activities.
"I would have to agree, this particular segment is best left to our own thoughts, but I will take into consideration that we both had our own grievances with Lucius Malfoy, as does Draco himself, which seems to further point to the three of us being this aforementioned 'Triad'."
The look on Harry's face seemed contemplative as he gave a slow nod, turning his head once more to study the petrified teenage lying stiffly on the couch. If this prophecy did pertain to the three of them, it had accurately used the contrasts between young men when describing the light and dark, both in looks and philosophy. That left his own role ambiguous, yet as Severus copied the next line he snorted as something clicked into place.
Harry turned back, leaning over Severus' shoulder as they both read through the words. His initial reaction was to put distance between them, but they were close enough for Severus to feel the heat from the lithe body as the teen's unique scent enveloped him. Dragging his attention back to the parchment, Severus read through the words once, and then again.
"That's it, sir – you've been protecting and guiding me for longer than I knew and we already figured out I'm the with the power thing."
Harry leaned even closer to the table and Severus wandered idly when his eyes had last been examined. The proximity gave Severus a good look at the side of the teenager's face, the lean lines of his throat, and the way his shoulders seemed to have broadened overnight. If Harry was lusting after some boy, some prince…
"Sir, with all of the references to blood purity in this and Vol…er, his harping on it, then this must mean Malfoy, as you said his was the purest blood from ancient bloodlines."
Severus scowled at him, still very aware of Harry's closeness. "This says to breed anew, but it seems to be confined within this trio or triad, if I am reading it correctly. It would mean a bonding of magical power between the three participants, which would certainly enable the magic to work."
"But, sir, it's just us three here and not one of us is a girl! How are we supposed to do – that – without a girl?"
The color flooding the boy's cheeks was delicious and Severus sneered at him. "Have you learned nothing about the inherent abilities of specific types of magic, Potter? We are wizards, after all, and anyone who can manipulate their magic to transform themselves into another species or to Apparate across long distances by simply thinking about it can certainly create a way to become pregnant! Male or female!"
Harry blinked at him several times, before turning to look at Malfoy, still motionless on the couch. "Him, pregnant?" The boy's voice seemed unnaturally high-pitched.
Not even trying to keep the look of smugness off his face, Severus simply nodded, watching as Harry looked between him and Malfoy several times. Harry shifted his stance, trying to surreptitiously adjust his trousers, and Severus almost laughed. Perhaps Harry Potter was attracted to men, Severus surmised, mildly surprised as his own prick seemed to take notice.
"Shall we move on to the next part?" Severus sneered, dragging his eyes from the boy's groin.
So, they had finally arrived at the crux of this insanity. If they didn't settle their differences, the three of them – and possibly the wizarding world – would die. Only a unified triad would be able to defeat the Dark Lord and if they didn't figure a way to reach common ground, he had no doubt they would all die, either at the hands of the Dark Lord or each other. If one was given to listening to Albus' long-winded, rambling dissertations, then love was the tie that would bind them, as he insisted that Harry's magical strength lay deep within his capacity to love. Somehow, it seemed the pivotal point in this whole fiasco: the three of them had to bond together and give Harry the focus for his magical power.
"The 'Triad'?" Harry said softly, reading from the parchment. "You really think it means the three of us, Professor? How can we be sure?"
The vein at his temple began to throb in a rhythm perfectly matched to his cock as it became obvious that this young man was not opposed to the idea. Looking up, Severus found himself ensnared by the brilliant eyes, for the first time free of animosity and seeking guidance. Straightening, Severus slowly extended his hand, realizing for the first time that he'd never ever voluntarily touched Harry before – in anger, yes, but not by choice. Those eyes watched, mesmerized as Severus wrapped his fingers around Harry's wrist.
The first touch of warm flesh sent a jolt of magical energy up Severus' arm, instantly energizing his whole body. It was incredibly powerful and intoxicating. Arousal like he'd never felt slammed into him and Severus heard Harry gasp, confirming that he had felt it as well. Suddenly, Harry was in his arms, glasses pressing into Severus' throat as the young man buried his face under his chin. His arms tightened reflexively as Severus tried not to groan at the sensation of having the lithe, unmistakably excited body flush against his.
Unable to deny himself at least a taste of the suddenly attainable young man, Severus pulled back slightly and angled his face, brushing his lips over Harry's full ones. The boy whimpered, and Severus took advantage of that to gently explore the sweet, wet heat of Harry's mouth. Rocked by the sheer strength of the sensations jolting through his body, Severus knew that it would be mere moments before he would succumb to climax if he didn't slow their interaction down. Trailing his hands down Harry's body, Severus pulled their hips flush but at the same time stilling the frantic movement that had him rutting against Severus. Taking control and soothing the boy with murmured words, Severus pressed Harry face into his shoulder as he drew in several lungfuls of air.
"It would seem that the two of us are in agreement on the feasibility of this Triad being attainable."
Harry snorted and slowly pulled away from Severus, his cheeks in high color and tousled hair thoroughly mussed. Taking a step toward the couch, his hand lingering on Severus' sleeve, the young man studied Severus' face intently for a moment.
"I would say that makes you the masterful one, Professor, especially as you have already mentioned that we are running out of time."
The callused tips of Harry's fingers trailed over his hand before Severus watched him turn his attention towards Draco. It was particularly heady to be on the receiving end of that incredible green-eyed intensity, Severus reflected as he unbuttoned the collar of his robes. Standing beside the couch, Harry ran a fingertip along Draco's jaw, cupping his cheek as he brushed a thumb over the still lips. Moving his hand, Harry brushed the blond hair back from Draco's eyes, his fingers lingering in the soft strands.
"He'll never agree to any of this, you know," Harry said in a quiet voice. "He's always hated me and we just don't have the time to convince him to take this prophecy stuff seriously."
"How easily you forget that his father was the one who braved the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry in order to retrieve the first of the prophecies," Severus told him as he removed his over-robe and carefully folded it. "Like all the pure-blood families, his family carries on the ancient traditions. Draco already knows the real nature of a true seer and their predictions, just as he knows that only exceptionally strong wizards are capable of impregnating and sustaining a male pregnancy. "
Severus watched Harry idly play with the Draco's hair. "You do realize that Draco is merely petrified, not stupefied – correct?"
Snatching back his hand, Harry took a hasty step away from the couch as Severus' waistcoat joined his robes. It was growing warmer in the room and Severus wondered if the castle itself was in on the plot to throw the three of them together. Sliding his wand out of its pocket, Severus canceled the spell with a flick of his wrist, watching as Draco sagged onto the couch with a moan. Harry edged further away, as if expecting his nemesis to explode at him.
It took everything he had not to roll his eyes at the idiot. Severus moved to sit on the edge of the couch as Draco eyed him warily, flexing his wrists and elbows, encouraging the flow of blood to long stiff appendages. Severus could almost see the words tumbling over and over in Draco's mind as he tried to make a decision on his course of action. Harry stood nervously at the end of the couch, eyes darting between Draco and Severus, expression alternating between uncertainty and excitement. Reaching out, Severus gently took one of Draco's wrists in his hands, feeling the same jolt of compatible magic, not as strong as Harry's perhaps, but just as arousing. He lifted his head to meet the inquisitive green eyes and gave a slight nod of his head.
Stiffly, Draco swung his legs over the edge of the couch and sat up slowly. He shook his hair back and straightened his robes as he gave Severus an expression of hurt indignation, ignoring the fact that he had been out of his dorms after curfew. Severus wasn't about to overlook the Slytherin calculations he could see being made in those stormy gray eyes. Harry had edged close enough to touch Draco if he extended his hand, but Severus was amused that he regarded the blond more like a dog, unsure if he was going to get bitten.
"You didn't have to hex me, Professor! I would have come back in with you!"
Severus winced at the whinging behind the accusation, before narrowing his eyes and snapping at the boy. "And never have shut-up or listened to what you needed to hear! This is not a popularity contest or a matter of schoolboy animosity! This is a choice – the right one will rid us all of a megalomaniac who has done not a bloody thing but bring pain to all our families! Grow up, Draco!"
"The professor is right, Mal…er, Draco," Harry said with quiet determination. "Vold…the Dark Lord has dictated my life since before I was born and I'm willing to do anything I have to destroy him before he destroys me and everyone I love."
Severus watched as Harry stepped closer and slowly extended his hand, palm up. With only an instant of hesitation, Draco laid his on top, allowing Harry's hand to curl up around it. Harry's eyes shifted to him and Severus reached out his hand immediately, exhilarating in jolt of arousal. When he turned to Draco and clasped the proffered hand, the magic seemed to hum between them, content that the circle had finally been closed, as it became a pleasant, arousing caress to all his senses. Slowly, Severus could see the acceptance in the gray eyes; Draco seemed to slide closer to them both, a slightly cynical look on his face.
"I believe this puts any further doubts to rest," Severus told them both, watching as color bloomed on Harry's cheeks and Draco's mouth twisted into a smirk.
Draco tried to pull away, tugging his fingers from Harry's grip, but Severus held tight. "We need to do this with some alacrity according to the prophecy we heard."
"It's a bit difficult to get undressed without my hands, Severus," Draco tugged his hand away, turning his back as he reached to undo his buttons. "Besides, you're not the one who has to get pregnant!" The blond muttered under his breath before glancing over his shoulder at them. "Aren't you supposed to be finding a Bonding Spell to cast or something?"
Harry stepped closer, frowning at Draco but still clasping Severus' hand tightly.
Wondering just for an instant whether Draco would actually like the spanking Severus sorely wanted to give him; he instead drew Harry against him. "I believe that our magic will make its own bond once we give it sufficient reason to, contingent, of course, on the three of us being the triad mentioned in the prophecy."
The blond hair reflected the flicker of the firelight as Draco tossed his outer robes over the back of the couch and started on his shirt. Harry was the only one still fully dressed, his eyes darting between the two Slytherins. Severus barely contained the roll of his eyes – leave it to Harry Potter, Chosen One, to be a blushing virgin! Draco was stripping down with slow, measured movements, and knew very well that Harry was watching the show with avid interest. Truth be known, Severus was feeling rather aroused himself; Draco was a bewitching little blighter. His eyes followed the edges of the crisp white shirt as they parted to reveal the pale, creamy skin underneath.
"Uh, can I…maybe we should move, you know, to the bed?" Harry tugged on his hand and Severus followed willingly, glad to see the boy was trying to overcome his shyness.
Eyes still on Draco, Harry began to undo the clasp of his student robes, and Severus took the opportunity to brush his hands away as he stepped closer. Tossing it towards the couch, Severus trailed a hand down the front of the green jumper before grasping the bottom and slowly pulling it over the tousled head. Straightening his glasses on his nose, the brilliant eyes were huge in Harry's face as Severus traced the edges of his ribcage with his fingertips and teased the dusky nipples on the smooth chest. Something brushed against his leg and Severus took a half-step back, looking down to see Draco kneeling at Harry's feet, hands reaching to undo the zip on his jeans. Severus bit back a groan as Harry gasped, both watching as Draco slid jeans and pants down in one practiced motion. It seemed that the Slytherin rumor mill had been correct about Draco's expertise.
Allowing Draco to press closer, Severus brought a hand up to cup Harry's cheek and tilted his face up as he leaned down. As he had done before, Severus softly brushed his lips over Harry's once, twice and then captured them in a possessive kiss. Harry's lips opened immediately, seemingly as eager as Severus' to repeat their kiss. A sure hand outlined his hardening prick and Severus shifted his stance to allow Draco better access. Harry's arms wrapped around his neck and Severus pulled him closer with an arm around his shoulder. His other hand dropped to tangle in the silky strands of Draco's hair as he felt deft fingers unbutton the plaque of his trousers. A warm cheek rubbed against his freed erection as Harry returned his kiss with sloppy exuberance and Severus couldn't stop the moan the started deep in his chest.
Pressing Draco against him for a moment, Severus broke the kiss with Harry and tugged gently on the blond hair. "Up, Draco – both of you on the bed, now!"
Both of the teenagers scrambled up onto the bed, naked, and as Severus watched, the two of them moved together to the middle of the large four-poster, and tentatively reached for each other. Shedding the last of his own clothing, Severus silently Summoned the lube from the table before sitting on the bed. Draco lay across Harry's chest, hands stroking flushed skin as he kissed Harry. Severus ran a hand up Draco's leg, allowing his fingers to play along his inner thigh. Whimpering, Draco pushed back against his hand, trying to direct it to a more intimate area.
"So impatient, Draco," Severus stretched out beside Harry as Draco lifted his head and moved slightly to kiss Severus.
These full lips knew their sensuality and made use of it as Draco nipped and licked his lips. Severus allowed it for a moment, before taking over and kissing him hard. Just as arousing in their own way as Harry's kisses were in their innocence, Severus knew it would be no hardship to be bound to these two young men. His prick was already hard and leaking, ready for them to proceed. A hand tentatively touched his thigh, callused fingertips trailing along his hip towards his cock. Severus couldn't help but thrust his hips toward Harry's hand. The tingle of magic alone was intoxicating. A gasp and Draco jerked back, staring down at where Harry had summoned his courage and lapped at tip of Draco's erection.
Suspicion flared for an instant in Draco's eyes and Harry pulled back, color heating his checks. Severus knew they needed to take a moment to clear the air.
"Draco? Is there anything you need to say about the situation before we proceed?"
As Harry sat up, Draco watched him with hooded eyes, one of his hands rubbing his prick. "Of course, I'm Slytherin…"
"Draco!" Severus snapped, irritated. "This is a life changing decision! At least have the courtesy of being honest!"
The grey eyes met his for a heartbeat before falling. "I…I am not doing well in the mission I was assigned by the Dark Lord, and don't know whether I could actually kill anyone…"
Severus laid his hand on a slender, pale arm and was pleased when Harry did the same.
"It's just that he has my parents, and I can't fail or else…" Draco glanced at Severus before focusing on Harry. "So if this Triad prophecy is true, think we can save them and kill the bastard?"
"You seemed to agree to this really fast, especially after being such a prat for so long," Harry said softly, leaning in to brush a stray strand of hair back from Draco's face. "What made you change your mind?"
"When I witnessed the Dark Lord use torture and rape to ensure the loyalty of his closest followers," Draco told them, a fact of which Severus was intimately aware. "And then he threatened to kill my mother if I failed to kill Dumbledore." Draco cleared his throat. "What makes you think this will work, Harry? Beyond your obvious obsession with me, I mean."
If possible, Harry's face became even redder and Severus frowned at the reaction. He shot Draco a glare, but Harry shook his head.
"No, it's just that I know I can't do this all alone!" Harry told them, hands dropping into his lap, his expression uncertain. "I'm, uh, not against this" – he waved his hand vaguely– "and if it is a true prophecy, it sounds like we will be able to get the task completed and I might even survive…"
"What about your prince?" Draco challenged and Severus watched with amazement as the blush extended down Harry's neck.
"My Half-Blood Prince?" Harry blurted out.
Severus' initial reaction was to give into the instant anger that reared up first, but he blinked at the look of adoration on Harry's face and did something he'd not done in years. Throwing back his head, Severus laughed heartily. He wasn't surprised to see both of his companions slack-jawed when he calmed down sufficiently to speak.
"I suppose I must have left it on the book shelves in the Potions office. It is rather ironic that you would have been the one it was given to."
Severus frowned when Harry wouldn't meet his eyes, a sneaking suspicion mingled with the rising euphoria that it was him - him - who was Harry's prince. Had the boy suspected it was him? "You didn't try any of the spells in that textbook, did you?"
Harry lifted his chin, not quite meeting his eyes. "A couple, and they were brilliant!"
Reaching out, Severus traced that stubborn chin with the tip of his finger. "Some of those spells and hexes were very dark, written during a turbulent period of my life. I will teach you, both of you, those spells that will help and protect us in our quest. In the meantime, you will not attempt any others without my permission."
"Yes, sir," Harry whispered, titling his face up in what Severus took as an invitation.
With a sound resonating from the bottom of his throat that might have been a growl, Severus pulled Harry into his arms and kissed him hungrily. He felt Draco's hands skimming over his hips and thighs as the blond pressed closer. Dropping one hand to trail down Draco's side and over the curve of his arse, Severus was delighted with the groan it drew. Pulling away from Harry slowly, Severus pressed him back on the bed, repositioned them so that Draco was between Harry's thighs with access to his cock. Retrieving the lube, Severus moving around behind Draco and parted the cheeks of his pale arse. Unable to resist, Severus buried his nose in the warmth, swiping his tongue over the puckered skin.
Draco howled and pressing back against him, while Severus pushed down on his slender back, encouraging him to take care of Harry. A sharp gasp from above told him Draco had complied, taking Harry's cock in his mouth, and Severus found himself frotting against the duvet at the delicious image that invoked in his mind. He curled his tongue, probing at the heart of Draco's most private area as he awkwardly uncapped the vial of lube with one hand. Frustrated, Severus pulled back, ignoring Draco's whimper as he wrestled the stubborn stopper out.
Severus took in the sight of the two young men stretched out on the bed in front of him – Harry's head thrown back in abandon as Draco knelt between his thighs, head bobbing up and down – and almost lost all control right then. Moving back to Draco with a purpose, Severus slipped a finger into him slowly and began to prepare the teenager, trying to ignore the sounds of Harry's pleasure. Draco pushed back again as he added a second finger, trying to speed up his slow stretching.
Severus lightly smacked the pert arse. "Enough, Draco, there will be plenty of time for more of this when we accomplish the goal we have been set."
Draco raised his head slowly, dislodging the hand Harry had used to cup his head, looking debauched with red, swollen lips, and his porcelain face flushed. Harry's hips continued to thrust as if of their own accord several times as he moaned, his skin seemed to give off a golden glow. Severus caught his hand and tugged him forward.
"You two may have the capability to make a rapid recovery from a premature ejaculation, but I do not enjoy that same luxury. And as I seem to have had a lack of recent carnal partners, the stimulation of either one of you alone would be enough to arouse me to a fevered pitch – together you are a danger to my sanity and if we don't complete this with some alacrity, I may simply spontaneously combust!"
Severus sighed when both of them looked at him blankly. "We need to get on with this and finish it now, so Draco, kneel up at the head of the bed. Harry, I want you to kneel behind him."
Waiting impatiently until they have rearranged themselves, Severus leaned forward, brushing a hand down Draco's back as he urged the young man to lean forward. With the vial in hand, Severus took Harry's fingers and coated them with the lube. Stopping to coat Harry's leaking prick, Severus kissed him before moving back into position behind the young man.
"I want you to finish preparing Draco while I attend to you," Severus told him.
"But…I don't know how!"
Severus stroked a hand down the curve of Harry's arse. "Just copy what I do to you, Harry."
Methodically, Severus thoroughly stretched Harry and knew from the sounds Draco was making, that Harry was doing a good job on him as well. A slight numbness to his fingertip told Severus that this lubricant was one normally used on virgins to ease the pain of first time penetration for witches as well as wizards, and he was thankful for the whatever intelligence guided the Room. Using the last bit of lubricant to slick up his cock, Severus shifted and pressed forward until the head nudged against Harry's well-stretched hole. He tried to take a deep breath to steady his thudding heart, but it didn't help. Harry shifted in front of him and Severus settled him with a hand on his hip, reaching forward with his other to brush Draco's arse with his fingers.
"Press inside slowly, Harry, and give Draco's body a chance to adjust," Severus told him, bring his other hand back.
Following his own instructions, Severus pushed against the puckered entrance and gasped as the tip of his cock slid through the guardian muscles with surprising ease. With a gentle rocking motion, Severus sheathed himself in the tight, heat of Harry's body, just as Harry slid into Draco. His heart pounding, Severus leaned lightly against Harry's shoulder. After several awkward attempts, they seemed to find a rhythm as Severus thrust into Harry and pushed him into Draco. For all the ungainliness of their movements, it wasn't long before he heard Harry gasp and jerk backwards before thrusting forward, Draco groaning. The glow that seemed to have effused Harry's skin brightened and expanded.
Then, Severus could feel it, too, the prickle of swirling magic – powerful magic – that originated from the young man beneath him. It stroked him lovingly, warm and welcoming, before seemingly enveloping him, until Severus could feel it pulsing within him. Forcing open his eyes, Severus could see an iridescent glow surrounding all three of them, Harry at its vortex. Undone by the trust that this young man, these beautiful young men, had placed in him, Severus leaned forward to trail kisses down the back of Harry's neck, gripped the slender hips, and thrust deeply. His groin tightened as he heard Draco's guttural shout of completion, followed by Harry clenching around him, and it took only a few more strokes before Severus roared as he spilled into the velvet heat gripping him.
The world tilted, spun wildly for a moment, and then righted itself. A sensation of wellbeing seemed to permeate his consciousness; the loneliness that had been a constant companion for so many years was absent, replaced by something warm and vivacious. Severus found himself lying on his side as he forced his eyes open, legs entwined with several slender limbs. He knew Harry was coming around, but Draco was still out, however, the magical bond between them reassuring him that both were fine. The magic that hummed through him was powerful, making him feel alive in a way he never had. A surge of hope went through him as Severus realized that the bond had worked, that the prophecy had been right about them being able to combine their magic and forming a triad.
"Severus?" Harry's voice was hoarse and uncertain. "Look!"
Severus focused his attention on his lover, taking in the startled eyes and followed the hand he gestured with. A soft blue glow enveloped Draco's abdomen, pulsating rapidly. Draco stirred, a hand moving to settle across his belly and Severus reached over Harry to tug the blond closer. The gray eyes opened, taking in the incredulous looks on their faces, before looking down and taking in the softly gleaming aura. With a self-satisfied smirk, Draco snuggled against Harry.
"My mother will be pleased."
"And Lucius will faint dead away," Severus said dryly, his hand still on Draco's hip. "It does mean that the prophecy is correct, however."
"So we are the Triad?" Harry seemed to need to hear the words before he could believe.
"Yes," Severus told him, nuzzling the damp mop of hair. "We are the Triad, which means we have a Dark Lord to defeat and then we can turn our attention to a future of pandering to Draco's every whim."