Pulling Him Up

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SEVERUS' INVITATION
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It was raining again early that Wednesday morning and the first struck of lightning had woken Harry from his sleep. The young, dark-haired wizard blinked drowsily and he took some moments to understand what had roused him out of his slumber.

Lightning flashed and the interior of the room brightened for a second. Then the air shook with a loud growl of thunder and he remembered. Harry stared at the ceiling and watched as the dance of lightning created shadows up there.

He felt a slight movement and turned his head, just in time to see Draco's face swiveling in his direction. Harry smiled as Draco unconsciously took hold of his hand.

Emerald eyes traveled up to look at Severus, whose hair had screened one side of his face. A pleasant feeling exploded inside Harry's chest as he examined his two sleeping lovers and he squeezed Draco's hand gently in his happiness.

Minutes passed and then Harry sensed someone approaching the room. He frowned slightly and stared at the closed door.

That's McGonagall.

Harry carefully disentangled his hand from Draco's grip and slipped out of the bed. He picked up his glasses from the end table and put it on. Then he combed his hair back with his fingers, trying to make it look presentable at least, while he cautiously de-activated the wards. He opened the door and McGonagall stared at him calmly.

What could she want at this hour? Harry thought curiously. "Professor McGonagall," Harry greeted.

"Harry." McGonagall inclined her head slightly. Her eyes flickered to Harry's left. "Is Severus awake?"

"No, he's asleep. Why?"

"I'm afraid you have to wake him, and Draco as well. Professor Dumbledore wants to see all of you in his office," she said gravely.

"He wants to see us ... but for what?"

"I can assure you that it won't be because of the arrangement that the three of you have agreed on," McGonagall said with a faint hint of a smile. "However, I'm afraid it'd be a shock to Draco. His father is here."

He froze. After he managed to pull himself together, he nodded. "Okay, I'll wake them. We'll get there as soon as we can."

McGonagall nodded and then she walked away.

Harry closed the door and stood there for a minute. Then he walked over to Severus' side and gently shook the wizard awake.

"Severus, Professor Dumbledore wants to see us," he said quietly.

His shaking and murmuring caused Draco to stir as well. "Hmmmm?" Draco turned over and opened one eye sleepily. "What for?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

Several candles appeared and Draco groaned softly.

"Severus."

The Potions Master muttered something too softly for Harry to hear as he sat up. Severus took a moment to push his long hair back and then stared up at him. "Did he say why he wanted to see us?" Severus asked in a grouchy tone.

Harry gazed at Severus unblinkingly before shifting his eyes to look at Draco, who was sitting up and looking a bit groggy. "Draco's father is here."

Draco, who had been rubbing his right eye, froze. "What?"

"Your father's here," Harry repeated and looked back at his silver-haired lover with a worried expression.

Draco's face turned white immediately. The Slytherin's obvious fear roused Harry's instincts to ease that fear and he crawled up on the bed to take Draco in his arms.

"Hey. It'll be okay," Harry murmured into Draco's hair.

No, no, no.

Draco tightened his arms around Harry. Dread filled his entire being. There could be only one thing that had brought his father out of prison, and that was to make certain that Draco was still loyal to his family name.

I have just found you. Draco nearly sobbed into the available shoulder. The idea of being in a situation that would required him to be without Severus and Harry was so painful that his chest hurt.

"Draco." Severus' voice reached his ears. Draco only managed to lift his face when he felt Severus holding him from behind.

"S-Severus ... my father will..."

"No matter what happens, Draco, we will not leave you," Severus said sternly.

"No matter what happens, we will always be with you," Harry whispered.

Harry's emerald eyes stared at him so lovingly that it made his heart ache.

"I love you, Harry," he said suddenly.

The fear that he might not be able to stand up to his father eased slightly after he had said those words. Then his emerald-eyed lover pulled him into an embrace again.

"And I love you," Harry whispered and kissed him chastely on the lips. "And you."

Draco began to blush as Harry leaned over his shoulder to exchange a brief kiss with Severus. My first kiss, Draco thought dreamily.

"Come. Let's wash and dress up." Harry gave his waist a gentle squeeze before letting go.

"Okay."

It took at least a quarter of an hour for them to look presentable. Draco gave his reflection a last critical look before joining his two lovers. As they began to walk, Harry took his hand and did not let go. The simple act of affection was enough to make his cheeks flare. Draco tucked his chin closer to his body and fixed his eyes on the ground as they walked. Then he heard a snort coming from Severus and he gave the Potions Master a sidelong glance. He noticed immediately that Severus' black eyes glimmered with amusement.

"Ha ha ha." Draco sniffed and looked away.

Harry, Draco, and curiously enough, Severus, jumped at the sudden crash of lightning and they winced at the deafening boom that echoed throughout the castle. Draco's heart raced as the echo of the thunder danced along his bones and he inched closer to Severus' side.

They finally reached the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Draco stared up expectantly at Severus.

"Snow candy," Severus spoke to the ugly gargoyle with a slightly pained expression.

The gargoyle immediately moved aside and a grating sound filled the air as the wall parted. The three lovers stepped onto the spiral staircase and waited for it to take them to where an oak door stood.

Draco did not realize he was taking little steps back until a hand rested gently on his lower back.

"It will be all right," Severus murmured.

The silver-haired teenager swallowed around the tight lump in his throat and nodded.

Severus rapped on the door and it swung open silently. He entered the office first and Draco trailed after him cautiously. Then he stopped when he saw his father and paled.

Lucius Malfoy, although a prisoner and dressed in a prisoner's clothing as well as chains, he still managed to appear regal and powerful.

"The cursed one - why is he here?" His father's voice was strangely apathetic.

However, Professor Dumbledore and the two Aurors did not respond. They simply withdrew and left through another door.

"What do you want, Lucius?" Severus' voice was also guarded.

"What I want has nothing to do with you, Severus, or the half-blood," Lucius growled.

Draco started to shake. He always did when he faced his angry sire.

"Then it is unfortunate that Draco has everything to do with me," Severus answered calmly.

Draco saw his father's lips curling into a snarl and he immediately looked at the floor.

"Why did you have to involve your son?" Harry asked quietly.

"It was a war, Potter!" Lucius hissed. "One would be involved no matter what."

Silence filled Dumbledore's office but only for a few minutes.

"I suppose you are wondering about the whereabouts of your wife," Severus said blandly.

"She's dead," Lucius responded. He looked somewhat disgusted.

"What?" Draco asked weakly.

"She deserved to die."

"Because she betrayed the Dark Lord?" Draco's eyes widened and he unconsciously tightened his grip on Harry's hand.

"No. Because she betrayed me."

"You killed her?"

"No. The Aurors did." Lucius suddenly stopped and he stared penetratingly at Draco. The younger wizard flinched. "Why are you holding his hand?" Lucius actually sounded curious.

Draco could not answer.

"Why have you come, Lucius?" Severus asked again.

There was a flash of gold and then there was the sound of something dropping onto the floor. Lucius had tossed a key and it had landed before Draco's feet.

"The money a Malfoy lord owns is always kept separately from his other possessions," the senior silver-haired wizard drawled. "But the vault will only open once you have a child to carry on the Malfoy line."

"I don't want it," Draco answered immediately in a flat voice.

"You will not disobey me, Draco!" Lucius' voice cracked light a tight whip.

"It won't matter if I obey you or not!" Draco shouted, his fury overwhelming the fear inside him. "I was raped and I had been broken, Father, defiled by those half-wits you had for comrades," he snarled. He felt somewhat satisfied at seeing his father's eyes bulging out. "You know the mysteries, curses and legacies that surround the Malfoy family more than I do. You know what the consequences are if a Malfoy was raped."

"Draco..."

"You won't be able to impregnate a female," Lucius interjected.

"You're impotent because..." Harry's face had a horrified expression when Draco turned to look.

"A Malfoy should always be pure ... and a virgin until the night of consummation," Draco said quietly. Harry just stared.

"Oh ... you will still sire a child, Draco. You will have one," Lucius said cryptically.

Dumbledore and the two Aurors returned, and they appeared grave.

"Time's up, Mister Malfoy," one of the Aurors said.

"My business is finished," Lucius responded and turned to face his guards.

The other Auror revealed a small coin in his hand - probably a Portkey. However, Draco did not stay to confirm. His feet quickly took him out of the office.

"Draco!" Harry shouted after him.

Severus remained in the office although his lovers had left in a hurry. He watched as Dumbledore picked up the key Draco had abandoned. The old wizard looked at him questioningly.

"Draco has no need for it," he said quietly.

"Because he has your riches, and I assume Potter's as well?" Lucius snorted. "You will keep that key for my son, Dumbledore. He may need it, just in case he's left stranded."

Severus snarled but could not offer words as Lucius and the two Aurors were pulled into the Portkey.

"What is this about, Severus?"

The Potions Master just shook his head.

Dumbledore sighed. "So, what is it that you wish to tell me then?"

"I wish to resign from my position as a teacher in this school," Severus said quietly. "I do not intend to abandon Draco, or Harry."

"And I have no intention of accepting your resignation or sacking you because of your relationship with them," the ancient wizard said quietly, but his eyes looked stubborn. "You are too needed here."

"But I do not wish to-"

"- live apart from them. I understand. I do not wish to interfere with your lives further, but there are posts available for them if they agree to take them on. Harry is capable of substituting for Remus when the full moon is upon him, and Draco would make a good assistant in Potions as well as Divination."

Severus scowled slightly at Dumbledore's penetrating gaze.

"However, if you insist..." Dumbledore's voice trailed off.

"I will tell them of your offer," Severus said. However, I will not tell them my decision before they make theirs. "But should they decline, I'm afraid you need to find a replacement."

"Very well." Dumbledore nodded. "Is that all, Severus?"

"I wish to retreat to my home for the holidays."

"Alone?" Dumbledore asked meekly.

"No, Headmaster." Severus averted his eyes quickly from Dumbledore's piercing, blue eyes. "I'll be taking the two of them with me."

"An excellent offer," the Headmaster said. "It'll be a nice change of environment for the two of them."

It will be a change for me as well, Severus thought to himself as he left the office.

Severus entered Draco's haven at around seven in the evening and he reeked with the scent of dead rats. That sent the younger Slytherin to a shrieking epidemic, and a bath aided by his emerald-eyed lover soon followed.

When Harry was finally satisfied, Severus was pushed out into the main room.

The Potions Master muttered under his breath, somewhat indignant that he had been pushed out naked. Then he sneezed when Draco sprayed something on his body.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" he asked, exasperated. He whirled around and glared at Draco, who had a bottle of cologne in his hand.

"Sweetening you up," Draco answered with a straight face. "Really, Severus, you should have taken a shower first before you come up here."

At least his humor has returned, Severus thought solemnly.

"Severus, what happened?"

He felt the softness of his silk robe on his back and he raised his arms as Harry helped him with it. Evidently, Severus took too long to answer and Harry quickly jumped into conclusions.

"Bloody hell ... did Dean or Ginny do this to you? Was it a prank? The twins' new version of a Dung Bomb?"

The Potions Master sighed explosively and turned around. "Fortunately, no, it wasn't. It happened during class. One third-year Hufflepuff used magic on his botched potion." He rolled his eyes sarcastically. "An idiot - for thinking that magic could solve everything."

"When it actually causes more confusion," Draco said with a soft smile. "Now that we have you smelling fresh and human, we can have our dinner now."

Severus scowled slightly. "You're in a weird humor tonight."

"Oh, don't worry, Severus. I have not been unhinged. I'm still ashamed and scared after ... well, you know, my father's words still bother me, I still want the two of you with me, and I still enjoy hours of flying," Draco said lightly.

The three wizards sat around the desk for their meal. As usual, Harry and Draco filled it with inconsequential talk. It was only until they were settled on the bed that Severus broached the subject.

Earlier during the day, he had thought of how he should extend his invitation and after several scenarios had played in his mind, he decided to make it as plain and short as possible.

Draco and Harry were looking oddly expectant.

Severus shook the hair out of his eyes before he spoke. "Would you, and you," he paused for effect, "come home with me for the holidays?"

Draco glowed with unbridled joy. Harry looked stunned.

"Well, Draco looks positive enough," Severus said wryly. "What about you?"

"No - wait, I mean - wow." Harry stopped kneading his foot. "Are you sure? You don't mind having me around?"

Severus sighed. "I want to bring you there so why in Slytherin's name would I mind?"

Harry grinned sheepishly.

"Are we agreed?"

Harry and Draco nodded with great enthusiasm.

"Good. Oh, and one other thing - I recently found out that an Assistant Defense instructor as well as an Assistant Potions instructor," Severus did not mention Divination at all, "would be available once the term's over." He observed his lover carefully and grew puzzled when Harry started to laugh, and that caused Draco to glare at the Gryffindor.

"Laugh all you want, Potter," Draco huffed. "But the idea of you teaching Defense is ridiculous. Wait, let me correct that. I can't see you handling children."

"Draco! I handle children very well!" Harry looked hurt. "And you know, the students will need someone like me after your lessons."

"I am not eleven years old so I will not pick a pillow fight," Draco said and pouted.

Harry made a face and Severus threw a pillow at them.

"I am serious about the posts. However, I will only allow you two weeks to decide after your results. A lot of people will try to get the jobs."

"Then we'll worry about it after we get our results," Harry announced. Then to Severus and Draco's surprise, Harry kissed Draco chastely. "There. A make-up kiss. Am I forgiven?"

Severus could only chuckle as Draco's face turned crimson and his silver eyes became dreamy.

"Well ... okay." The pair of dreamy, gray eyes suddenly focused on the Potions Master.

I don't think I've kissed him before, Severus thought idly. Slowly, he leaned forward and knelt before his lovers. He reached out and cupped Draco's face gently with both hands. His thumbs caressed the sharp cheekbones and his eyes stared deeply into the misty gray that belonged to the young wizard.

Would you let me?

Moments passed in silence. Then, with a slight flush, Draco closed his eyes and licked his lips nervously. Out in the corner of Severus' eye, he saw that Harry grinned broadly.

Severus closed his eyes and leaned forward, and he felt Draco doing the same. Their lips met and Severus felt the evidence that Draco had indeed, done some major flying. Though his lips were chapped by the wind and were slightly dry, they still had a peculiar softness. Tentatively, Severus nudged Draco's lips to part but Draco insisted on hedging. Severus could almost feel that Draco was smiling at his frustration. He sighed and pulled his tongue in.

Draco acted then. His mobile tongue seemed to map each corner of Severus' mouth and the older man felt heat stirring deep inside him as Draco set out to know that part of him more intimately.

Finally, Draco was brave enough to slide his tongue against Severus'. There was no battle of dominance however. The kiss was slow and gentle, almost introductory.

I feel like a beginner myself, Severus thought dreamily. Then again, it had been years.

Draco sighed softly and pulled away. There was a smile of contentment on his face. "That was nice," he whispered and lowered his eyes.

Severus nodded and trailed his finger along the side of Draco's face before turning to Harry. "Come closer," he said huskily.

Harry moved in, looking slightly uncertain.

"It's only fair, you dolt," Draco said then.

"If you're okay with it."

Draco rolled his eyes and moved away slightly so that Severus could reach Harry more easily.

Harry's lips were wind-chapped as well. However, unlike their first wet kiss, Severus and Harry were more certain and bolder with their movements. Severus felt Harry's groan deep inside him and swallowed his own before it could be heard. This kiss was stirring something else besides mild pleasure.

A part of him that had been left dormant for a long time finally re-surfaced and he really wanted to feel Harry's body writhing from under him.

No ... not now. I'll wait ... we'll wait until Draco is better and knows that he should not feel ashamed to be loved, like this.

When they parted, Severus looked at Draco and blinked. The blonde-haired wizard looked somewhat entranced.

"Draco?" Harry called softly and the pair of glazed, dreamy eyes turned to face the teenager.

Severus smiled and leaned back against the headboard. He watched with amusement as Draco stopped toying with the ends of his pillow and set it aside.

Entrancing.

Harry and Draco looked remarkable as they embraced and kissed each other, chastely in the beginning but rather passionately in the end.

Are they going to kiss each other to senselessness? Severus mused. However, just as he was about to remind them to breathe, they pulled away.

In a breathless voice, Draco declared, "You're ours now, Harry."

Harry grinned broadly.

"And you're forgiven. The first one was not really suitable for a make-up kiss."

"Glad you liked it," Harry said dryly.

Severus grunted in response when Draco threw himself at him without warning. The fair wizard started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Severus scowled darkly.

"Not funny, Severus," Draco laughed and looked up at him with twinkling eyes. "I just feel happy."

"Ah." Severus grunted again at the additional weight as Harry cuddled Draco from behind.

After several minutes of what could only be described as hugging, Severus decided to speak up. "Harry, Draco, I may be a man, but having the two of you straddling my legs is making me slightly light-headed."

They stared blankly at him.

"I can't breathe."

"Oh!" They quickly moved to the side of the bed.

The candles went out and Severus lay down at his usual place. However, it was Harry, not Draco, who lay in between for the night.

"Let's take turns," Draco answered his unspoken inquiry shyly.

"I see."

Severus draped his arm over Harry's and Draco's waists. "I think I may need to buy a bigger bed," he muttered. His lovers did not comment as they had already fallen asleep. Smiling to himself, Severus closed his eyes and relaxed.

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To Be Continued on Chapter Fifteen