Radix Acclaro

14 - Explanations

A week after the explosion Harry was still unconscious. He was also as pink and hairless as a newborn bunny – but he was blessedly whole.

Tom thanked Merlin every day that they'd been in time. They had only been staying in the Muggle house across from number four Privet Drive at night and had just happened to come back to it early that day on a whim only to find the horrifying destruction...

He heard the outer door to Severus' chambers open and he sighed as he finished the second of Harry's thrice daily massages. Dumbledore had not allowed them to leave the school with their mate and so he and Lucius had stayed. They had managed to avoid the old man by hiding in the Potion master's quarters but apparently their luck had run out.

Covering his mate once again with the thick quilts, he dropped a gentle kiss on the younger man's scarred forehead and went to beard the lion in its den.

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Severus watched Tom and Dumbledore stare at each other from opposite arm chairs in his sitting room and had to stifle a groan of annoyance. There was no telling how long it would take for one of them to give in and actually start this conversation...

Draco and Hermione sat next to him on the sofa with Lucius lounging on the far side of his son. Severus was fairly sure that Lucius was dozing with his eyes open while Draco watched the two opposing leaders with amusement.

Slowly the time ticked by...and by...

"Oh for Pity's sake," Hermione burst out, startling the Wizards. "On the night Harry and I were kidnapped you, Headmaster, cast a Radix Acclaro spell which awoke the dormant Draconian genetics in the six of us. In an interesting twist of Fate, Draco and Severus are my mates just and Tom and Lucius are Harry's. Activating the genes revitalized Tom in mind, body and soul, thankfully, and he cares for Harry deeply. They both do. We are happily indulging our new instincts and would appreciate it greatly, Sir, if you would butt out!"

Lucius and Tom looked surprised while Dumbledore was absolutely dumbfounded and Draco doubled over in silent laughter; Miss-Rules-Are-My-Life-Granger had just told her Headmaster to piss off!

Snape grinned.

The grin died a painful death, however, when the Headmaster's dumbfounded expression turned icy and focused on him.

"I assume then Severus that you have abetted these relationships by quartering the students in your rooms?"

Snape nodded cautiously.

"And now Harry is pregnant," Albus said flatly. "Do you even know which of you fathered it?"

Severus growled and he heard Lucius echo him while Tom watched Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow.

"You have a right to be angry Albus, but do not allow that anger to make you incautious. You will watch your tongue when you speak of our mate and our child," the Dark Lord's voice was steel.

The Potion Master watched the old man close his eyes and take a deep breath. "I apologize Tom. I am just so...This should not have..." Albus' words stumbled to a stop and he fell silent.

"Should not have been able to happen," Tom asked. "I assume you are referring to the prophecy."

Dumbledore nodded, wide eyed.

"The prophecy has been fulfilled of course. Really Albus, you of all people should know that prophecies never fall out the way one expects them to. I may have forgotten that in my madness, but what's your excuse, hmmmm?"