Harry smiled, feeling the bond awaken when Severus kissed him on his head. He glanced down at the arm curiously, a little shocked at the change of Severus' mark. "Well would you look at that..." He said softly, more to himself as he reached out to touch the new mark on his bond's arm. He just laughed softly. Seems the power of love had saved them, in more than one way. It had saved Severus both from death, and being the dark lord's servant.

Poppy smiled to herself as she watched two out of the corner of her eye. She cast a few charms to repair the windows and straighten up the room. Severus, for the first time since she had met him looked happy, peaceful. It was a miracles of miracles.

Albus approached the pair after he pulled himself off the floor. "Well it seems that the spell has worked quite well." While he checked over the two men he noticed Severus' new tattoo. "My dear boy...Harry you are much more powerful than we had anticipated. It seems you have saved Severus from death as well as the Dark Lord. Very good." He patted both their shoulders and left them to rest with a smile.

Severus was slowly growing restless and wanting to remove himself from prying eyes of Madam Pomfrey. He sat up keeping one hand in Harry's; their fingers threaded together. He leaned in to speak into Harry's ear. "Are you ready to return to our rooms? I have seen to much of this infirmary lately"

Harry watched Severus closely. 'You sure you're up to it Sev? Hell, that took a lot out of me... and you're the one who was on the brink of death..." He said just as softly. He would admit, though, he'd seen far too much of it himself.

Severus nodded solemnly and tried to stand. He stumbled slightly, his knees almost giving out. Gripping the end o the bed the potions master stood quietly until his legs were stable. "I think we will both rest better in our own beds." He offered a steady to Harry. "Common Harry. I want to be at least near my room before Poppy finds out we've left." Severus had a slightly mischievous look in his eye as he spoke.

Harry grinned, and got up as well, a little steadier on his feet than Severus. Supporting each other, they made for the infirmary doors, then from there down to the dungeons. "You know Poppy's gonna be pissed when she finds out we're gone, right Sev?" He said, helping steady the potions professor as they headed down the stairs.

"I am too old to spend another night on those infirmary cots, Poppy be damned." He growled the password to the painting and helped Harry through the door. They were greeted by a pale and shaking Draco Malfoy. "Draco?"

The young blond immediately launched himself at Severus his arms going around the dark man's middle. Severus placed his free hand on the boy's shoulder pushing him back so he could look into his Godson's eyes. Tears poured freely from the steel great orbs. "I thought you had died! Y-you left! Y-y-you could have been kill I have no one left but, you how could you!"

"I am fine Draco, just tired. If you will let me move to the couch before I collapse." Severus guided them both to the empty couch, falling heavily into its plush.

Draco looked at his godfather wide eyed and fearful. "How are you still alive?"

Severus raised an elegant eyebrow. "Harry saved me." Draco looked at them both like they were mad.

"Really?"

Harry entered their rooms, waiting for Severus to join him, laughing when the man was nearly knocked over by Malfoy. "Yes, really, Malfoy. He would be dead right now if I hadn't gone after him..."Harry said, sitting beside Severus, curling up to the older man. He took hold of Severus's left hand, brushing a kiss first over the knuckles, then the changed mark. "Where is Remus, Draco?" he asked, not seeing the older werewolf anywhere, nor sensing his magical essence.

Severus was surprised at the kiss on his knuckles. A spark of heat raced through his body at the feeling. He squeezed Harry's hand and returned the gesture by kissing the boy's hand.

Draco's eye brows shot up nearly floating off his face. His godfather was rarely affectionate, and for him to willingly bestow a kiss, even to Harry's hand, was astonishing. The blond was so rattled that he nearly didn't hear Harry's question.

"I'm right here Pup." Remus had woken after the young wolf had left the bed to wait for his godfather. The older were had been so exhausted from taking care of Draco and keeping his wolf in check that he had fallen back to sleep. "It's good to see you among the living Severus." Remus took a seat beside Draco and nuzzled the boy with his nose.

(I hope I'm not making you feel like you can't play any of the other characters...I really don't want or need to play them all.)

Harry chuckled softly. "Only barely..." Harry replied, sending a look at Severus. "I told, begged him not to... He should be dead right now...Thank Merlin for Albus' magical knowledge..." He said, trying to explain without going into detail, leaning into the professors side.

Remus looked confused, holding Draco close to his side. "What do you mean, Harry? There's only one spell that can save a wizard from death..." Remus said, then suddenly realization hit him. "He... He bound you two, didn't he? That's the only way he could be alive..." he said, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Severus. "You, Severus Snape, had better not hurt my pup. You do, and you'll have one very pissed off werewolf to deal with." He said, almost growling.

"Rem, calm yourself. He's not going to hurt me..." He said, tightening his hold on Severus a little, and tensing, ready to get between the two men if necessary. "But yes... Albus... he had to bind us in order to save him... And before you say anything else, Remus, I agreed willingly. I... I couldn't lose someone else like that..."

Severus returned Harry's smile with a smirk of his own. There bond was comforting to the man who had been alone for most of his adult life. He rubbed his thumb over the younger man's knuckles while he held Harry's hand.

He was drawn from his thoughts by Remus' remark. He glared at the wolf, especially when the were pulled his godson closer. "I would extend the same caution to you Lupin. But if you hurt my godson I will make sure to add an ingredient to your next wolfbane potion, making sure your wolf gets mange." Severus kept up his violent glare.

He could feel Harry's pain through the bond as the younger man spoke about loosing him. The potion's master wrapped his arm tighter around the boy before burying his nose in the thick curls and pressing a kiss to the top of Harry's head. "I do not plan on going anywhere soon, Potter."

"Oh please," Draco rolled his eyes and moved away from Remus. His heart and inner wolf wanted nothing more than to curl up against the older wolf, but years of correct etiquette and his recent abuse made it hard to let himself go. Severus saw the action and made a decision.

"Remus, I can see that you wish to have a relationship with Draco. Because of recent events I would prefer if you were to take things slow with the boy and court him if your intentions are of a romantic nature." Severus held the wolf's gaze as he spoke.

Remus glanced at Draco again briefly, then back to Snape. "Of course...." He said. He would do whatever it took to have Draco by his side.

Harry smiled softly, both at Severus' actions, and at the look on Remus' face. It was obvious that his godfather would do anything for the blonde. Much the same way that he'd do anything for Severus.

Draco listened to his godfather shaking his head when the man mentioned the wolf- Remus courting him. It was stupid...no one, not even a monster would want him now. He was worthless, a dirty filthy being. The thoughts blinded him to any thing else being said in the room.

"Good." Severus sighed suddenly tired...the full weight of the day starting to hit him. "I need to rest, Lupin you may stay in one of the empty rooms down that hall or on the couch. Harry, your room should be warm...would you mind sharing with Draco until I get a room prepared for my godson?" It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep with his bonded, but he wanted to respect the young man. If Harry wanted him, he would have to tell the man.

Remus nodded, simply grateful he wasn't being kicked out to find somewhere else to sleep in the castle. He glancd over at Draco, and gave the boy a brief hug. "Everything's gonna be okay, pup." He said softly to the blond, placing a light kiss to the soft strands of his hair before getting up. "I'll see you all in the morning." He said, as he headed into one of the guest rooms, casting a quick cleaning charm before transfiguring his robes into pajamas and getting into bed. It had been a long couple of days for all of them.

Harry looked a little disappointed, but nodded. "So long as it's alright with him..." He said, looking over at Draco, curiously. At Malfoy's nod he stood, and offered him his hand, helpng him up and leading him down the hall to his room. He transfigured a bed out of some of the rubble that was left over. "There you go Malfoy." He said, motioning to the bed. "You can sleep there tonight... 'm sure Severus will have a room ready for you by tomorrow night..." He said. Grabbing a change of clothes, he headed to the washroom to change, to give them both some privacy to do so.

Draco changed into his bed cloths quickly his heart racing. Everything was happening so fast...everything was falling apart. He had had everything just a few months ago...father was safe and home, mother was happy and everything was normal. He sat his back against the wall and started to cry again. He could feel the scars on his shoulder where the bastard Fenrir had bit him. His former life was gone...even if the dark lord was destroyed and his father returned home...if his mother was even alive...nothing would ever be the same.

Sobs shook his small frame and Draco pulled his knees to his chest trying to curl into a ball and fall away.
-------------
Severus ran his wet hands threw his hair after washing his face. He was naked from the waist up and looking over his body in the mirror. The bond had not only freed him from the death eaters, but it had fixed his body as well. Many of the heaver scars on his body were gone. He felt younger and more alive than ever. The last few days had been unsettling to say the least. So many things has changed, he was now in charge of not one but two young orphans and a way ward were wolf to boot.

He was bonded to the one and only Boy Who Lived. The potion's master ran his hand over his face sighing as he looked in the mirror. The tattoo caught his eye again, Severus was free...free to do what ever he wanted and the freedom frightened the man. He had always been under the thumb of one great man or another; Dumbledore, Lucius, Voldemort...what was there to stop him from leaving...Harry

Severus traced a thumb up and down the tattoo smiling fondly. It would be best if he checked on the younger man before bed. Harry had looked so dejected when he suggested separate beds.

Harry had changed quickly and gone back to the bedroom to find Draco curled up on the floor crying. He frowned and went to the boy, kneeling beside him, cautiously reaching a hand out, placing it on the teen's shoulder. "Draco? Hey, hey... don't cry, Draco. You're gonna be okay..." He said softly, not sure what to do. "They're not going to hurt you ever again, Draco. I won't let them. Neither will Severus, or Remus. You're going to get through this, Draco..." He said softly, arms wrapping around the blond as he pulled him closer, rubbing the boys back gently, trying to calm him.

Severus pulled on a dressing gown and left his room heading for Harry's room. The bond was thrumming telling him to move quickly. Something was wrong, his younger bond mate was upset. He reached the wooden door, rapping his knuckles against the door before he opened it. "Harry? What's wrong?"

The sight of his bond mate trying to comfort his godson made his heart swell. The former potion's master moved forward quickly kneeling and gathering both younger men to his chest. He tucked Draco's head under his chin. "Shu...That is quite enough Draco. You are safe and whole. I am not going anywhere."

Draco sobbed harder gripping onto his godfather. "Really Draco. Potter cannot be all that bad. My bondmate cared for you as much as I do." The blond chuckled slightly sniffling. Severus pulled him back so he could look into Draco's eyes.

"You are a Malfoy and a Sytherin my boy, but more than that you are a survivor. We will all get through this together. Besides I'll need you to teach Harry how to be a Sytherin." He kissed the blond boy's head.

Draco pulled away wiping his eyes. "Thank you Severus. I need to freshen up...excuse me."

When the boy had left, Severus pulled his bondmate into his arms. Breathing in Harry's scent he sighed happily. "Thank you for helping him."

Harry looked relieved when Severus came in. He really wasn't that good at comforting people. "It's nothing... I couldn't just leave him there, crying, and do nothing, could I?" He said softly, looking up at Severus as he curled closer into the man. "I'm afraid I'm not so good at comforting people, though..." Harry added, letting his head fall to Severus' shoulder.

"How'd you know to come in when you did?" He asked, curiosity over the matter taking hold as he pushed back his memories, darker thoughts of how similar he and Draco were, how much they'd both suffered at the hands of Voldemort and his followers.

"You did very well Harry. He's not used to being comforted...being cared for. Thank you for watching over him." The former spy took one of the boy's hands in his own and threaded the fingers together.

Severus held the boy close, breathing in deeply taking in the younger man's scent. He leaned closer and kissed the younger man on the cheek. "I felt that something was wrong through the bond. More correctly...I felt your anxiety and worry through the bond. Come I an feeling better, but I am still too old for the floor." He moved them to the bed laying down and having Harry curl up next to him.

Draco came out of the bathroom and saw the two men curled up together. He looked down and away sad...the young blond didn't want to worry his godfather anymore...he wasn't worth it.

Severus sensed something was wrong looking up to see his godson. He gestured to the space beside the pair. "Come here Draco we won't bite. Come on we all need comfort." Draco made his way to the pair slipping in beside the others. Severus wrapped his arms around both of them.

Harry shifted a little, curling closer to Severus as Draco moved to join them. Lifting his head a little, he smiled at the blond before letting his head fall back to Sev's shoulder as he gave a soft yawn. It had been a long day, and the brunette was exhausted. He laid one arm out, over both the slytherins laying next to him on his bed, providing them both with comfort. While Sev put up a strong front, Harry knew the man was hurting inside- he could almost feel it through their bond.

Severus relished the feeling of his bond mate snuggled up next to him. The boy was safe and that was all that mattered for the moment. They could worry about the dynamics of their relationship and everything else later. His first priority was to keep both of his charges safe and healthy. He closed his eyes feeling Morpheus pull him away from the present and into his dreams.
-----
Draco had only fallen asleep for about an hour before waking with a quiet whimper. Both Severus and Harry were too tired to hear him. He moved quickly out of the bed and the room. His inner wolf was sobbing for it's mate. The blond quickly found Remus' room and entered. He slipped under the covers and snuggled up to the older wolf whimpering.

Harry had fallen asleep shortly after both Severus and Draco. He stirred slightly, his hand falling from where it rested on the blond's side as Malfoy got up. He, however, remained asleep, merely shifting a bit so his hand now rested upon Severus' chest, fingers curled into the fabric of the man's nightshirt.

-

Remus was awake the moment he smelled his mate just outside his bedroom door, obviously scared and upset. The moment Draco crawled into bed, his arms wrapped around the boy, drawing him closer. "Hush, pup... You're safe now, Draco. No need for tears." Remus said softly, running one scarred hand up and down the teen wolf's back. "What's wrong, pup?" He asked softly, wondering if the blond would talk to him about what had him so worked up.

Draco nuzzled the other wolf. He buried his head into the side of Remus' neck. "What's going to happen to me? I...Severus shouldn't have to take care of me, I'm not worth it." The tears came silently and he held on to the other man. "I shouldn't have made it...He should have left me." Draco held tighter to the only being that made him feel safe and comfortable. Remus was a god send.

"I'm scared about turning...does it hurt?" The blond looked up into the older werewolf eyes.
---------
Severus had turned them in his sleep the bond mates wrapped in each others arms. They were safe for the moment and it let the potions master rest deeply.

Remus' brow furrowed, and he tightened his hold on Draco. "Draco..." He said softly, trailing off as he nuzzled the boy's cheek softly. "I know how you feel- trust me, I do. But you'll realize soon that life is still worth living..." He said softly, placing a light kiss upon Draco's soft lips, wiping the boys tears away. "And yes, it does hurt to turn... especially the first time. I'll be right there with you though to help you through it, love. So don't you worry... And the wolfsbane potion helps with the pain a bit, as well as helping you keep more of your own mind while you're a wolf..." He said.

-

Harry curled into the man's hold more, comfortable and warm, and feeling loved. It was also the first time in a long time that he was actually able to sleep calmly, without the help of potions to keep the nightmares away.

The blond leaned up into the gentle kiss. Draco listened with an open mind taking in all that Remus was telling him. He felt a burst of hope filter through the darkness. The blond held the other man close burring his head into the older wolf's side. Remus was right things would get better, they had too.

With that the blond closed his eyes and succumbed to the exhaustion running through his system.
----------
(Time movement to the morning)
Severus woke, his arms still tightly wrapped around his bond mate. His large nose buried itself into the thick curly hair as he breathed deeply. Harry's scent was tinged with magic, thick and powerful. The scent over laid a more subtle sent of vanilla and pine. The potion's master closed his eyes committing the scent to memory.

He pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's curls before getting up. Severus pulled the the quilt tighter over the younger man and headed for the bathroom. The potion's master hadn't bathed since before his foolish attempt to confront the Dark Lord. He made his way into Harry's bath and filled the tub with warm water. Using his wand Severus added bath salts to his water so he could relax.

Stripping down he sank into the warm water to his nose, closing his eyes and letting the water wash over him.

Remus smiled softly and watched Draco sleep until e too fell asleep, waking in the early morning after what felt like too few hours of rest. However, he could not bring himself to fall back asleep. Instead he laid there quietly, playing with Draco's soft blond hair, waiting for the boy to wake on his own.

-

Harry whined softly in his sleep when Severus left the bed, and he reached out for the professor briefly, before just rolling over into the warm patch of bed where Severus had been. Arms wrapped around the pillow Sev had used, he snuggled into it, taking comfort in the light scent of the professor. There was, of course, the smell of potions lingering upon the man... though under that was a light scent of cinnamon, apples, and the forest on a late summer day. And while Severus bathed, Harry buried himself into the blankets and pillow until those were the only things he could smell, laying there, halfway between dreams and reality.