Chapter 4
“I’m craving Treacle Tart and butterbeer sugar cookies,” Harry says, trying to get his friends to leave him alone after the twohours of their mothering. Fawkes and Hedwig were looking very smug at having their young chick being mothered. Even Basil was delighted at having all his people in the same room. The magic around him was calm and happy and it made Basil wiggle in his own excitement.
“Harry how about you crave actual food for once,” Ron scolds, holding up a brush for Hermione, who had just about experimented with every known hairstyle on his head of hair.
“Well if I say I was craving actual food, could we go out for dinner?” He says, because as much as Harry loved to cook, he only did it rarely and it always brought back memories he’d rather remain buried.
“Of course,” Luna replies, nodding before letting out a thoughtful hum. She turns on him with a terrifying smile, “Let’s go to Ithaa restaurant tonight,”
“On second thought, I changed my mind. Let’s eat inside,” Harry says quickly, making Neville snort.
“Too late. Luna’s made a decision,”
“Bloody hell, my condolences Harry,” Ron winces and Harry glares at him.
“I hate everything,”
“Do we have to go as we are, why couldn’t we have come in disguise?” Ginny hisses at a humming Luna who effectively ignores her to skip up to the waiter, because apparently she’d managed to get a reservation already? This was one of the most prestigious restaurants in Britain.
Luna was scary sometimes.
They took a seat at one of the tables and dinner was nice, even if Ron had to eat the rest of Harry’s nibbled on steak. Hermione hands him a nutrition potion without even looking up from her food and Harry downs the disgusting thing without complaint. He washes it down with water and steals Luna’s untouched sparkling water, which she always ordered to look fancy. She never drank a sip of it.
Harry sat silently among his friends, a hand gently cradling the wrist, Basil was wound around.
It took another five minutes for things to go wrong.
Harry felt the tell-tale sign that he was being watched. He couldn't have been recognized. He and his exhausted friends were all dressed in sweats -they had to use their fame to even be allowed into the institution- but it was fine seeing as the restaurant had given them a private table. So Harry was seriously intrigued at who had managed to figure him out, when he had bangs now and a hoodie hiding his face.
A shiver went down his spine at the intensity of the stare and Harry found Luna grinning at him, that same eerie smile that always made Harry want to shove her off a cliff somewhere.
Harry was extremely concerned and prepped a spell on his fingertips, all the while scanning the room for the source. It was coming from outside and the owner of such an intense look, was someone that made Harry feel like he’d just gotten punched straight in the gut.
The realization that the man was his soulmate was just as jarring as the identity of the owner of said eyes.
Newt Scamander.
One of the most famous men to exist, for his assisted defeat of the Dark Lord Grindelwald and his scandalous mateship to one Lucius Malfoy, who stood next to Scamander looking just as floored.
Yeah, no Harry needed alcohol to deal with this whole shitshow.
A man who had been the wealthiest man in the British Isles until Harry and Hermione decided to screw it all up when they took on their centuries old heirships. He remained, though, one of the richest in Europe.
Harry was kind of freaking out, his eyes widening and his fingers shaking a bit, because he knew he’d inherited as a submissive and these men were most likely his dominants. But Harry would be damned if he had an abusive Death Eater for a mate. He’d rather much die.
Although Malfoy had divorced his wife years ago when he’d inherited as a veela, due to her not being his mate… he had a son Harry’s age.
Harry so did not want to deal with that annoying piece of shite for the rest of his life. Harry had been bullied by the bastard his entire life, even after he’d discovered he’d almost caused a blood feud between the Potters and Malfoys and had apologized to the utter child.
So no, Harry had no love for the Malfoys, either of them, and he kind of felt like killing Luna for causing his newest headache.
Scamander though, he didn’t seem to mind that much, but the man was much older than Harry was. So hopefully he’d be a bit on Harry’s side? But it wasn’t likely due to how long the two men had been together. Harry would probably feel like a third wheel in his mateship and he’d much rather disappear than suffer through the embarrassment of having his soulmates be forced to be nice to him. And Harry would be able to tell, if not by their expressions then by their magic. Because magic never lied.
“Just a reminder that you love me wholly and Basil can kill the men in seconds if they do anything untoward,” Luna drawls, nicking back her sparkling water all the while not bothering to drink it.
::Basil is here:: His innocent snake pops his head up from under Harry’s sleeve when the little one hears his name.
:: Basil be ready to bite someone please:: Harry hisses at him and Basil perks up in excitement.
::Basil can bite?:: The snake seems to beam when Harry agrees and begins to prepare by giving himself little motivational speeches Hermione had taught him no doubt. Harry would’ve pampered him in kisses for how adorable he was, if he was in private. He just opts to boop Basil on his nose and continues to glare at Luna.
“No, no. I'm pretty sure I hate you,” Harry stands up, snarling at Luna, utterly enraged at her actions.
“You don’t,” Luna affirms with a nod. “This is for your own good. Besides I won’t let anyone hurt you Harry. I’d kill them,” She smiles calmly and Harry remembers that this girl hexed her bullies so hard in her third year that they would run in the opposite direction of Luna whenever they saw her. Not to mention the way she had been the one to unleash the latest Unspeakable necromancy project on a group of Death eaters. Harry still shivered whenever he remembered the skeleton monster that Luna had commanded.
“What’s going on?” Neville asks warily and Hermione points outside.
“Apparently the author of Fantastic Beasts himself and Malfoy senior are Harry’s soulmates,” Hermione stuffs more steak into her mouth trying to shove down her emotions of horror with food.
Ron, Neville and Ginny still in shock with Ginny the first to recover. “I’m up for a murder tonight,” She shrugs and Harry gives her a look.
“I get so concerned for you sometimes. That diary seriously fucked you up,” He gives her a look and she snorts.
“Horcrux buddies,” She fist bumps him, cheering when he gives her one back.
Harry then turns around to walk out of the restaurant, Ron’s mutterings of Harry being cursed resonating with him on a personal level.
Harry walks outside, eyeing the men who had yet to take their eyes off of him. Harry tries to hide a cringe but doesn’t really manage because their eyes track it instantly, Malfoy’s expression grows pained and Scamander stiffens slightly, seeming more protective of Malfoy than anything else. Harry’s heart clenches for a second and all he wants to do is race back home to cuddle with Hedwig, Basil and even Fawkes.
The whole meeting seemed a little anticlimactic, but Harry preferred it that way. At least his new instincts weren’t screaming at him to jump this stranger’s bones seconds after meeting.
That would have made Harry actually run for the hills.
The area he was in held mostly restaurants, bars and clothing stores. Harry would liken it to a wizarding mall without the overhead, all encompassing building that held everything together. The evening was buzzing with the people in the alley. Thankfully it wasn’t too busy.
“You know who I am correct?” Harry states calmly, when they were close enough for Harry to feel safe, and for both men to hear him.
Lucius was known to be a very handsome man. He had admirers all over Britain, due in part to his pale, angular, aristocratic, pointed face, his stunning pale blond hair that was more silk than actual hair and his and gray eyes that smoldered like thunder. The blonde man nods, eyes flicking over his features as if wanting to memorize them. The man seemed stunned and had to inhale twice before nodding softly, his gaze still lingering on him in awe. It wasn’t the awe of someone looking at the boy-who-lived, Harry was used to that. He knew what that felt like and how to deal with it. But Lucius was in awe of Harry himself. And Harry didn’t know what to do with that.
Scamander on the other hand had one hand wrapped around Malfoy’s wrist with the other clenched into a tight fist. His eyes were open and tender, mouth parted in shock as he stared at Harry like he was everything Scamander had been looking for.
But Harry was still wary. Newt was a war-hero, yes, but Lucius Malfoy had been a Death Eater before he bonded to Newt. And Harry didn’t know where the man’s loyalties actually lay.
Lucius was starting to look worried, his back straight and proud, but his eyes held a symphony of emotion that made Harry want to run away. Newt and Lucius seemed to be communicating through a mental link and it made Harry all the more wary. He didn’t want to just intrude on their relationship. Harry felt that going through another inheritance would be much preferable.
This was too much, too soon.
He was salty at Luna for taking away his choice in the matter but he knew he couldn’t really blame her. She was controlled by a higher divinity. She could only sometimes warn people of their Fate and even then, her actions were heavily controlled.
The three stare at each silently for a second, “Then you must understand my reluctance, yes? I killed the man you used to serve,” Harry states as emotionlessly as he could, eyeing Lucius for any signs he might attack him. Malfoy hadn’t been in the Ministry when it all went down, but Harry knew he’d been a part of Voldemort’s elite squad. Newt shakes his head firmly, moving to step in front of Lucius who had gone silent in shock.
“Lucius is not a Death Eater,” Newt says quickly, trying to clear up the misunderstanding. “He would never hurt you, neither of us would,”
Harry stares into red-brown eyes, that were kind but Newt’s nerves were at an all time high, making those eyes flicker every which way. He’d meet Harry’s eyes for a second before his gaze would skirt away again. Back and forth between Lucius and Harry. It was making Harry even more nervous than he already was.
Lucius stands straighter, anxiety crawling into his gaze. Maybe he thought Harry would run away? Harry had never once ran away from a problem in his life. He wouldn’t be starting now.
“I would never harm you.” Lucius was adamant, as he stepped closer to Harry trying to get him to see his sincerity. “I’ve been waiting for you for twenty-five years. You’re our heart, Harry,” Lucius tried to get him to see but the words were making Harry panic.
He steps back, away from the man, trying to get more space to think.
“We should- we should discuss this at a later time,” Harry manages to croak and he tries to stumble back, but Lucius latches onto his arm.
“Please Harry. We can go as slow as you want, but please I’ve never been a true Death Eater. I was merely acting as a spy for the British Isles.” He explains softly before Harry had the thought to rip the man’s arm off of him.
“Like Dolohov then?” Harry grouches out, pulling away from the man with a warning glare that makes Lucius flinch. “Please don’t touch me, I hate it when someone I don’t know touches me without permission,” Harry didn’t think he was asking for too much, just space and time.
He wouldn’t reject the man for crying out loud.
“My apologies,” Malfoy whispers, his hands retreating thankfully because Basil was seconds from striking the blonde man and his snake sneaks up his sleeve and ends up curling inside the edges of his collarbone. Harry's magic was continuously wrapping around Basil protectively and they could now almost communicate now due to how entwined their magic was. And right now Harry wanted Basil away from the two very powerful men in front of him. Harry also had heavy scent modifying wards surrounding his baby snake, as recommended to him by Salazar Slytherin himself. Harry didn’t want any creatures or beings to feel threatened by Basil and end up hurting him. He felt so much relief at the fact that Lucius seemed unable to sense Basil’s presence.
Lucius retreated to hold Newt almost reassuringly. Newt clears his throat, asking Harry with his eyes and soft voice, “Harry, would you be free to discuss this at our manor?” He asks gingerly, eyes almost begging Harry to agree. If it was only Newt that Harry had met and was being invited by to his house, he probably would’ve said yes, while making an emergency portkey the second he had a moment alone. But luck wasn’t on Harry's side now. And his other soulmate was a potential Death eater. Harry had more common sense then most, especially when it came to danger. He’d been fighting for his life, for all his short fifteen years. It wasn’t fair for the universe to expect him to sacrifice even more.
Harry shakes his head almost frantic, “No. No. That’s not an option. It has to be in public,” He wasn’t suicidal. Harry needed proof of what Lucius and Newt were saying regardless of how good Harry’s name sounded coming out of both men’s mouths.
Well Malfoy had divorced his wife for the chance to meet his mates, apparently for Newt and Harry himself, so perhaps he could give him a chance? "I think it would be best if I contacted you both later and we met in a public location,” Harry offers, “I only just inherited last night, I’m still in a bit of shock. I didn’t expect this at all,” Harry urges the dominants to understand.
Lucius seemed to be fighting with himself but Newt places a hand on the blonde’s forearm, “Harry, your other dominant mates will want to meet you as soon as possible,” Newt admits, seeming to soften him voice even more. Harry blinks, trying not to explode into a bundle of rage or tears.
“What!?” He squeaks, “Other mates? I have more?” Harry’s eyes were wide in horror, as he shoves his shaking hands into his pockets. “How many?” Harry questions, dread gnawing at him.
Lucius looked like he’d rather just bundle Harry in blankets and kidnap him then tell him how many dominants Harry would have bonded to him. But Newt seemed to be getting annoyed at his blonde mate and seemed to struggle against smacking him. Harry would support Newt in his endeavor. The Malfoy patriarch had never done anything about Draco’s bullying. That fact alone wasn’t really endearing Lucius to him at all.
“Quite a few. The number of dominants a submissive has depends on their magical prowess,” Newt explains. But Harry already knew that. He wanted to know the number, not the science behind it.
Harry allowed the diversion tactic, simply because if he knew the number Harry would probably just illegally apparate out of there faster than Lucius would be able to act. The man’s eyes seemed to bore into Harry’s, trying to grasp at the little connection they had through it.
If one of his other dominants was Severus fucking Snape, Harry was moving out of the country. He wanted to go to France for his education, he might as well just expedite the whole process a month earlier.
Harry already found it hard having five of his friends know some things about him. They had guesses surrounding the worst parts of his history as Harry had never admitted to anything. But they still stuck around to fight by his side. Would these strangers accept him if they knew how abused and beaten down he actually was?
Could Harry even bear the embarrassment? Would they be ashamed of him? Harry didn’t think he’d be able to take his actual soulmates rejecting him. Harry didn’t think he had the kind of strength to deal with something like that.
Submissives usually had two or three dominant soulmates, but the way they was speaking made it seem like there were much more than two.
And suddenly Harry wanted to vomit. His vision was growing a bit fuzzy from panic and he was trying to get away from Lucius who had once again latched onto his forearms.
“Harry,” That was Lucius’ voice. He kind of wanted to yell at the man to stop saying his name, because it jumbled all of Harry’s senses, “Come sit down, you look much too pale,”
Harry shook his head, getting a bit angry at how tall all the men around him seemed to be. Even Ron towered over him at Harry’s somewhat average 5’’6 height. Lucius was tall enough that Harry would have to crane his neck to look at him and even Newt was taller than even Lucius was. Harry’s breathing was getting stilted and it was panic that was driving all of his currently non-functioning mental capabilities.
“I need to leave, let me go,” Harry swallowed hard, struggling against the grip that remained firm on his arms.
Lucius stepped closer, “I can't let you go now that we’ve found you, We wouldn’t be able to bear it. Please inform me what has upset you, let me try to help solve it. I beg of you,” The Malfoy patriarch must’ve been desperate if this was how he was speaking to Harry.
“Lucius let him go, Harry looks seconds from a panic attack,” Newt demands, wrenching the blonde man back from Harry’s personal space. Harry’s breathing then begins to come much easier than before and he stumbles back bumping into a firm chest. Internally he groans, because not again, but when his head tilts up and it was Ron’s gentle smile he sees, all the fight leaves his body.
“Lord Malfoy, Lord Scamander, I advise you to step away from my brother,” Ronald’s voice was a beacon like Harry was able to focus on to clear his mind. “He doesn’t like strangers touching him as he’s no doubt already told you,” Ronald steps up gingerly, giving the men a respectful nod when they take a solid step back.
“He’s our mate,” Newt says, a bit hurt. His hands shook a bit as he stuffed them into the pockets of his long trench coat. Lucius intertwines their fingers, when he takes one of his hands.
“Indeed, we are not strangers,” Lucius was ruffled, a bit of red leaking into his eyes from his creature side.
“We understand, but Harry needs space to comprehend what’s going on.” Luna explains, gingerly stepping up in front of Harry and Ron. She gives a curtsy in greeting.
“I am Heiress Lovegood, one of Harry’s chosen sisters. Pleased to make your acquaintances,” She states allowing the Lords to make the same greeting. The situation was calming down from the escalated disaster Luna had seen and Hermione hands a calming drought to Harry who knocks it down instantly.
“Here are three more,” Hermione drawls, unimpressed. “I’ll have your head if you take more than one though. The two others are for an emergency,” She greets Lord Malfoy and Lord Scamander next, “Well met. I am Heiress Dagworth-Granger,”
Lucius’ eyes laser in on the girl in confusion and interest. It had been a while since mentions of that ancient house had made rounds in the wizarding world.
“Use it if Snape ends up being your mate too,” Ginny snickers and their usual group all whirl to glare at her. “Just saying,” Her grin was wickedly amused but her eyes remained concerned. Her wand was out, pointed inconspicuously at the Lord who hadn’t even noticed until attention and been brought to the girl.
“Snape isn’t one of our mates,” Newt says, confused but trying his best to assure Harry of anything he needed to be comfortable.
Lucius was a bit uncertain as to what was going on. But the relief on his submissive’s face gave way to a bit of the boy’s inner thoughts. Well if Lucius was being honest, with the way Severus talked about his mate, it was no wonder why the boy seemed to despise him.
“Oh thank God ,” Neville exclaims before eyeing Lord Malfoy once and bowing at a slight angle, hand across his chest in a wizarding bow. “Heir Longbottom. Well met,”
“Well met,” Lucius replies, but his gaze kept flickering towards Harry who seemed much less paler, with more color in his cheeks and his eyes not as bright with adrenaline. The calming drought had worked then. Newt was moving slowly towards Harry as if in a trance, his hand outstretched as if wanting to engulf Harry in his arms and protect him from everything.
“All of our mates are really nice and we’ve been waiting for our heart for so long. No one will ever hurt you I promise,” Newt continues, his eyes pleading and he would be twisting his fingers with anxiety if not for the firm grip Lucius had on his arm.
Harry stares up at Newt, his eyes blown wide. Newt was a very tall wizard, taller than six feet, with stunning hazel eyes and brown hair that looked more reddish than brown. And Harry spots flickers of gold beginning to spark in Newt’s eyes. Having his heart be so close and yet be so distinct was grating on his instincts and Newt wasn’t as practiced as suppressing his instincts as Lucius was. Lucius, due to his job as an Unspeakable and the position he took up as a death eater spy, was obligated to hide his creature side as much as possible. Any failures to suppress his Veela side would’ve had him on the Dark Lord’s radar, and not in a good way.
Harry realizes his breathing had started to stutter as he became more and more a nervous wreck. Yes he was powerful and yes, he killed Voldemort but if his soulmates hated him, Harry wouldn’t be able to bear it. He didn’t feel safe at all.
Luna pulls Ron away seconds before Newt and Harry go into a fully blown panic and Newt’s creature features emerge. Delicate, huge fairy-like wings snap up and wrap around both Harry and Newt himself. Harry stumbles and ends up in Newt’s lap, with Newt on his knees and the man’s arms holding him steadily. The pair hit the floor with Newt taking the entirety of the fall. Newt covers the entirety of Harry’s slight body, tucking Harry’s face into the crook of his neck and making crooning noises, slowly rocking his submissive to the beats of their breaths. “My heart, my precious heart. You’re safe my heart,” Newt kept repeating again and again. Harry seemed to be running on his instincts now as had latched onto Newt, arms and legs tightening around Newt’s neck and waist respectively.
Lucius stares at his mate and heart, a bit frozen in shock. Harry had latched onto the older dominant with an intensity Lucius hadn’t expected. Perhaps it had been his own fault for Harry’s hesitance and terror. He swallows heavily, feeling the turmoil and pain in Newt’s bond decrease with every passing second. As a Forest Fae, Newt’s wings automatically formed a sort of soundless, magic-resistant barrier that blocked out everything from the world. The fairy dust on Newt’s wings also had healing properties. He liked to hug their younger dominant mates much in the same way he was caring for Harry now. It was a peaceful place to rest and it was safe until Lucius could get some help.
“I’ll advise you to discuss matters with your mates before they end up portalling in and causing Harry a fully blown panic attack,” The Lovegood girl’s eyes were slightly a shade darker than normal and her voice had gone down a pitch in tone. Lucius remembers idly of the rumors surrounding the Lovegoods. Rumors stating they were more connected to the divine than most. Lucius didn’t really think there had been much truth in them, but his beliefs were being proved wrong right now.
He stares at his mate and submissive, internally tearing himself up at losing sight of Harry for a single second.
“We will remain here,” Luna offers swiftly before she turns to make sure her friend was alright. The five of them had warded their little section of space to hell and back. No one knew what was going on, and no one could see through the wards his heart's friends had put up. Until either his alpha or a higher up dominant came to help, his submissive would be safe until they could get their heart to a secure area.