Magic meets dinosaurs

Part 7

Harry woke the next morning to an unending soreness throughout his entire body. He also knew immediately that he could not remember ever feeling better in his entire life. The lack of pain made him giddy and the two bonds he could feel humming in the back of his mind told him he was safe. They also told him that his parents, parents!, were nearby and unharmed if a bit worried over him. Harry could tell that this was part of the adoption magic to make up for the time when he wasn't their son. He adored the reminder that he was wanted and could feel no duplicity from either of his new fathers. He could, however, feel his scar burning lightly, as if Voldemort were nearby. The light tugging on his scar felt weird but he wasn't in enough pain from his scar to even think the man was within fifty miles.

The opening of the door to their temporary room was quiet enough that only Harry and Severus woke. The hissy chuckle of Nagini on the floor had them both immediately wide awake and moving. Harry had barely moved to roll off the cot before Nagini slammed into him, wrapping him tightly in her coils. Severus on the other hand was distracted by Nagini's actions long enough that Voldemort got a grip on his throat. The potions master didn't fight the grip after realizing who had him at their mercy, hanging almost limply in the Dark Lord's grasp. The quiet scuffle woke Lucius and Alan, only for Lucius to hold Alan back from interfering, hissing at him to wait.

"Sir, those are paying customers! If you do not leave them alone I will have to call the guards," the very young goblin protested furiously from the doorway.

"Two bear my mark, the boy I am in the processes of scheduling a meeting with and the muggle needs to understand how precarious a situation he is in. I am not breaching the bank's rules to have a discussion with someone who has sworn me a loyalty oath when we cross paths on the bank's premises. Feel free to remain to ensure the safety of the muggle and the boy. I long ago filed the appropriate paperwork regarding those who bear my mark," Voldemort shot back, features completely covered by his hood and oversized black robe. "As for Nagini, she simply kept me from being cursed and will not harm him unless I order it. I want to know why the bond between Severus and I has altered and why my magic brought me towards the boy."

"My lord, I... urk!" Severus started to explain only for Voldemort's grip to tighten, cutting him off.

"Be silent, Severus. You will have your chance to explain after I have examined the mark," Voldemort hissed furiously. He quickly used his wand to rip open Severus' left sleeve and poke at the mark, examining it. "It's almost as if you've made an oath that parallels the first oath you gave to me. The only way that should be possible is if... What were the exact words of whatever oath you took?"

"Will you swear on your magic not to hurt him or our son if I answer that?" Alan demanded, thinking quickly about what they would need to stay alive.

"Your son?" Voldemort asked carefully, easing his grip on Severus' throat.

"Blood adoption, last night," Severus rasped out as the young goblin finally decided he needed someone higher up the chain to sort this out and went for help.

"~Nagini, release him slowly. We don't want him to do anything rash.~" Voldemort ordered his familiar as he released Severus equally slowly.

"~Bastard, you could have let me finish sleeping. Stupid potion.~" Harry muttered in Parseltongue. Voldemort's head whipped around to stare at his young nemesis in astonishment.

"Apparently, we have more to discuss than I thought. Are you adverse to having the requested meeting now?" Voldemort offered politely, taking a step back from Severus and sheathing his wand. Just then a contingent of goblin guards and a manager found them.

"Just a slight misunderstanding, master goblin. We had not expected to come upon one another so soon or on the bank grounds," Lucius said swiftly, stepping around Alan to deal with the group of goblins.