Unexpected Mates

Information Overload

It was with Draco's help, one arm slung over the blondes' shoulder, that Harry reluctantly returned to their rooms. Looking around Harry couldn't help be impressed by the transformation. The walls were bare stone with only a few tastefully chosen tapestries remaining. The armchairs and sofa were made of butter-soft brown leather, the curtains had changed from heavy velvet to a pale cotton. The throw pillows and rugs were shades of soft blue and silver making the room look inviting and comfortable.

"This is great!" Harry said, sinking into the nearest armchair with a tired sigh. It had been weeks since he'd gotten a good night's sleep, and he was exhausted, though his migraine had abated some.

"Thank you," Lucius murmured in amusement; Watching Draco help Harry into his chair, and preen a little when he voiced his approval of their changes.

"What did you do?" Severus demanded, drawing his wand and casting a few diagnostic spells over the boy.

"Nothing." Harry answered, closing his eyes with a sigh, his head thumping back into the headrest.

"Oh yeah not much," Draco agreed, settling into a chair near his mate. "Just demolished all the furniture in some abandoned classroom. He blasted everything in sight into teeny tiny pieces."

"Idiot child, was this truly necessary?" Severus scolded, and Harry mumbled something none of them could make out, lifting his head.

"Is this place private?" he said hotly, in lieu of an answer.

"Yes," Lucius interceded when Severus looked as though he was going to let lose another scathing remark, "I've put various privacy spells in place, so our conversations will remain private." Moving to sit opposite the teen he continued: "I must assume you have some questions, which I hope I will be able answer, I will do my best to help you fully understand this new development."

Harry nodded his head, and contemplated the offer a moment before starting. "I appreciate your offer Mr Malfoy, but first I want your promise - as well as yours Draco, and yours professor - that anything we talk about in these rooms won't be shared with anyone outside them." The blondes readily nodded their assent, but the potions master seemed to have other plans.

Severus began scornfully. "I will agree to your terms, though I am surprised. It is refreshing to see that you finally beginning to use the brain you were born with, as it seemed for a while as though you were destined to go through life as an imbecile."

"You'll have to excuse me Professor if I have seemed distracted in recent years, having a murderous lunatic after your head will do that." Harry snapped.

"Enough" Lucius once again interrupted, before the situation could deteriorate further: giving Severus a stern look. Upon reviving glares from both blondes, the man tutted and looked away, signalling his acquiescence. "Now, Harry, what questions do you have? I give you my word that we will do our best to answer them fully without resorting to insults." He finished with another pointed look.

"Thank you, sir."

"Please, call me Lucius. This conversation will be a lot smoother without the formality."

A thoughtful look played across Harry's face at that statement. But he moved past it to ask his first question. He began seriously: "I suppose my first question is: is it possible for Draco to find another mate?" Draco looked at him in surprise, having been busy glaring at his godfather.

"No," Lucius said with conviction, wanting to make it very clear that there was no way out of this bond.

"What happens if I die?"

"He will die as well," Lucius replied levelly.

Hearing this, Harry seemed to lose some steam, and looking at the boy in question he said, "I'm sorry, Draco. You should have chosen someone else. The likelihood of me living a long and happy life is slim to none," Harry said sadly, shaking his head and guilt filling his eyes.