Crimson Ink

Generations

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"Quirinus Quirrell." Peter answered as the potion master stepped forward to help Bellatrix start the machine. The rumble of the machine was soon followed by bloodcurdling screams ...

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Vesta yipped as she tried to get Harry's attention, but the child was lost in thought. It just seemed hard to believe that he has not on but three soulmates. Do they actually want him? He didn't think he was good enough for Lucius, Severus and Tom so what should he do? A part of him wanted to pretend that he heard nothing that day and hope they went looking for someone better. Another wanted someone to care for and who will love him. all his thoughts were interrupted when the nature sprite jumped on his head ...

"Sorry Vesta ... I just got lost in thought ... would I be a good soulmate for them?" Harry asked softly to no one in particular.

With a gentle flex of her magic the fox created an illusion gave her a voice her little master would understand, 'The fact that you ask that question already makes you better than most. Too many people take these magical bonds for granted. Your magic singing is only one part to mating.'

"Will you help me?" Harry asked knowing he knew little about anything regarding relationships.

'Of course, but you are too young to be concerned about that yet. Recover, grow strong and learn. When you reach the changing stage we will discuss how to court your mates though I sense you will be tall and strong so I suspect you will need very little help especially since you are actually very observant.' Vesta spoke kindly and dropped the illusion just as Nagini slithered into the room.

'A man snuck into the manor. He better not go for the hatchlings or he will meet my fangs.' The serpent hissed threateningly.

'There's a man here? Is Tom and the others ok?' Harry asked worrying about everyone.

Nagini's jaw dropped just a little in shock, 'You speak snake, little one?'

Harry blushed as he realized he forgot to bring that up earlier, 'Yes, I'm sorry I didn't bring it up before.'

'That's fine, hatchling ... I suppose this should be expected all things considered.' Nagini said and shook her scaly head in amusement making Harry wonder if she knew about him and Tom being each others intendeds. A bang from downstairs made everyone jump. 'The other hatchling is still asleep in his room so go there and call the house elves. Tell them someone broke through the wards without setting off alarms and stay in the room until otherwise. I will go see what is going on.' She said while not so subtly using her tail to keep Harry from trying to see for himself what was going on. Finally, Harry relented and went to Draco's room with Vesta as Nagini quickly slithered away ...

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The small Whomping Willow slammed into the ground in an attempt to kill a rat that was scurrying around its trunk. The rat nimbly dodged each swing of the lethal branches as it collected the twigs on the ground. When the rat had enough twigs it raced away from the tree narrowly avoiding losing his tail ...

"That was not as simple as you made it seem, Peter." Severus drawled as the rat stopped at his feet and dropped the twigs.

The rat turned into a slightly rat like man who shrugged carelessly, "The tree here is much smaller than the one at Hogwarts so it seems to be more defensive against all creatures-ow!" Peter clutched his head in pain after the tree used some very good aim to chuck a rock at him, "and has some issues holding a grudge not unlike you." Peter grumbled as he shot the tree a glare.

"For that comment I won't be healing that lump." Severus sneered and walked into the manor with the twigs in hand.

Peter huffed, "Harry is going to have his hands full with your feistiness, how will he handle Lucius and Tom too?" He pondered and snickered at the blush that crept across the potion master's pale cheeks. "I bet he won't care and even welcome the challenge especially when you use that age reversing potion to make yourself young again. How is that going?" He asked just before he shifted back into his handsome and very real form that lacked all rat like features.