His neck burned. Hot and heavy at first before fading into a feeling just a smite more irritating than pins and needles. If he had been a muggle, he might have likened the feeling to receive a tattoo. It would have been a fitting description for what was occurring, but Lucius Malfoy was not a muggle, had rarely interacted with them and so was ill equipped to make the comparison.

Regardless of his inability to put this feeling into words, hope bubbled in his chest at the sensation. A lot quicker than was characteristic of a 17-year-old boy he rolled out of bed, making his way quickly to the mirror carved elegantly into his wardrobe door.

"Well hurry up then, boy, show it to me!" Lucius rolled his eyes at the cantankerous furniture but obliged it anyway. His own curiosity trumped his irritation at his charmed mirror. He faced away from the mirror so the back of his neck, where that feeling emanated, was exposed to the opinionated reflective surface, before promptly twisting his head so he could see the reflection.

There, newly formed, in an elegant silver scrawl were 4 concise words. 'as Avada Kedavra eyes'. His brow furrowed, both at how ambiguous the wording was and the colour his tattoo appeared in. It dulled some of the excitement he had awoken with but did not kill it. A silver soul-mark merely signified that his future mate had either a purpose to fulfil or had yet to come of age themselves. It would be a waiting game, but it was not the end of the world.

Soul marks went on to shape his life, not quite in the way he would have hoped, but an influence nonetheless, and it had all started with his parents' choices. They had gone down a road that he could not agree with. Certainly, he believed he was superior, how could he not with both his prowess, control and lineage, but he did not feel the way his parents wanted to prove that fact was the right way to go. Murdering in order to prove your superiority was no way to prove your superiority in his eyes, people would not respect you, they would fear you. And growing up, all Lucius Malfoy had really wanted was to be respected.

His parents however did not share this ideal. Abraxus and Celine Malfoy, who had taught him that a Malfoy bows to no one from the age he could talk, dragged him on his 17th birthday to a meeting of the Knights of Walpurgis. There he had been forced to, against his very nature, bow towards his parents new Lord. Therein had started his story.

As part of his induction he was forced to kill a muggle in front of an excited crowd of Knights, he could not say the action brought him the same glee as it brought them. After his deed was done, the Lord, Lucius did not even know the man's name, had dipped his fingers in the muggles blood, his eyes bright with satisfaction.

"You have done well, young Lucius." Only his upbringing stopped the disgust showing on his face at the praise as he knelt on the ground in front of his Lord. The man took his bloodied fingers, looked Lucius straight in the eyes and smeared the blood across his lips. Lucius fought the urge to vomit as the blood touched his lips, the metallic scent just trickling into his nose.

That urge got all the harder as his initiation was completed by the Lord leaning down to Lucius and licking the smeared blood straight from his lips. The Lord stepped back, pulled a silver mask from behind his throne, surprisingly beautiful for all the dirty actions committed in this room, and handed it to a horrified Lucius.

"Welcome to the Knights of Walpurgis. May the streets run with muggle blood." And though he agreed with none of it, he rose, nodded at the Lord, repeated the line, before stepping back to join his parents.

His marriage had not been an action completely of his parents' doing. He had known Narcissa Black her whole life, in fact she along with Severus, despite both being younger than him, he would consider as his best friends. She, like him, was a neutral entity forced towards the Dark. It was inevitable as a Black. Or nearly inevitable, and it was that 'nearly' that had sealed both their fates.

Andromeda had been the first to scare the Black family. She the oldest of three sisters had being disowned on her leaving from Hogwarts, leaving for a simpler life with a muggleborn named Edward. Narcissa had cried that day, an action he had never seen the proud woman perform. Despite Bella looking the most like their eldest sister, it was Narcissa who had always being closest to Andromeda. Narcissa had been in her 5th year when the news of her niece's birth had reached her, she had shown Lucius the picture of the obvious metamorphagus, a smile on her face. The happiness had not lasted, admitting that she wished she could visit the babe but knowing it would mean her disownment too.

The scandal in the Black family had not stopped with Andromeda, no, it had escalated when the current youngest Black had reached Hogwarts. Sirius Black was a typical Black in many ways, and yet Narcissa had always described him as more alive. He had first, in his family's opinion, sullied the family name when he had been sorted into Gryffindor instead of the expected Slytherin or accepted Ravenclaw. Though a more private scandal, he had further sullied the family name when he had moved out of his family home and moved in with James Potter and his family. Somehow, Narcissa told him she suspected it was Orion's doing, he had avoided being disowned for his actions.

And so, a great family meeting was held where it was announced that the remaining Black sisters, Bellatrix and Narcissa, would be married off to suitably Dark heirs. And so, it had come to be that Lucius Malfoy was engaged to Narcissa Black ten days after his 17th birthday and 6 months before the end of his time at Hogwarts.

Narcissa, 15 at the time, was grateful that though she would not have any choice in her marriage, it was a man she trusted to treat her well, someone she knew would not drag her into the dark and someone she cared for. Bella had also been pleased with her match, but for decidedly different reasons.

Their engagement would be around two and a half years, Narcissa's parents wanted her to graduate before marrying her off. Those two years had been difficult, the Lord had taken a favour to him, and he was often called upon to do tasks he would rather not do.

His heart had broken when at one of the inductions he had seen a face he knew well. While he had looked confident and self-assured as he had walked into the dungeon, fear and doubt quickly descended onto Severus Snape's features as his decision dawned on him. Lucius could only imagine it was the loss of his oldest friend that had driven to this point, Narcissa had told him about the incident, driven by the incessant bullying of the Marauders. Narcissa could not bring herself to hate her favourite cousin for his treatment of her close friend, but she lost a lot of the idolisation she had for the boy as she was growing up.

Despite his obvious inhibitions Severus had completed his initiation with a straight face, he had turned up at the Lord's door, his only other option would have been to die. Lucius hid in the shadows, not wanting his friend to see him.

His parents' actions may have led him to the Knight's of Walpurgis, but it was his own actions that would ensure that those he cared about would remain as safe as possible.

He had written two letters when he arrived home from that meeting. The first to his intended, telling her of the things he had been forced to do, and what he intended to do about it. The second had been to Severus, inviting, or more accurately, demanding he come visit him during his next Hogsmeade weekend.

And Severus did in fact come to that meeting. Despite the blaring sun, both of them wore long sleeves, and Lucius knew why.

"I know you joined the Knights, Severus." He had erected a privacy barrier first, ensuring both his own and his friend's protection. Severus' face did not change, but Lucius' familiarity with the man allowed him to see the fear and surprise written in his onyx eyes.

"Supposing your intel is true, how did you stumble across this rumour." His voice was even, his face giving very little away. Hope flared in Lucius' chest, maybe with a little occlumency training his plan would work.

"I was initiated on my 17th birthday of my parents' accord, as such I was there at your initiation." Eyebrows rose, but very little else in way of reaction was received.

"I did not see you."

"No, I stayed in the shadows. You, like me, gained nothing from the experience, I imagine you were opposed to the mindless murder. While it is not war yet, I imagine it is not far off. If you agree, we shall affiliate and spy for the light. If you do not agree, I will obliviate you now but understand I can no longer consider you a friend." Severus nodded, his face burrowing as he thought through the options.

"You are right in thinking I find my actions less than tasteful. It will be a dangerous task, but I think it may well be the right course." Lucius nodded.

"I'm glad Severus. I will organise a meeting with Dumbledore soon. I will let you know more as soon as possible."

And then he left to allow Severus the time to enjoy the weather on his free weekend.

Three days later he was sat in Dumbledore's office, a place he was only familiar with from his stint as Head Boy. He had never been obsessed with the headmaster as many of the Gryffindors tend to be, likewise he did not directly oppose the aged man either, understanding that he played a vital role both in education and maintaining the peace. Though the man's eye's twinkled with an almost childlike mischief, his inherent wisdom was hard to miss. He imagined it was this that drew the adults to him as a capable leader.

"Mr Malfoy, I must say I'm surprised to see you post-graduation." Lucius accepted the proffered lemon drop, satisfying the sweet tooth that only a select few people knew he possessed.

"I'm afraid it is not a pleasant topic. I ask that we wait for Severus before we continue." Albus nodded at him, his wizened blue eyes taking in details Lucius could only begin to imagine. If he was a lesser man he may have been unnerved, alas he made sure his occlumency shields were up and met the gaze unwaveringly.

He and Albus did not have to wait long for Severus to arrive into the office. Lucius did not fail to miss the nerves dancing in his friend's onyx eyes and he was sure Albus could see the same. He appreciated that this was a great risk for the still ungraduated man. Severus nodded at him and the headmaster as he sat, with both the headmaster and Severus looking at him he took that as his sign to talk.

"You're not blind as to what goes on outside the castle, Albus. As such I'm sure you're aware of an extremist group forming going by the name 'Knights of Walpurgis'. Once you are in front of their Lord your options are to kill or to be killed. My parents took me, unwillingly to meet their Lord. Likewise, Severus here has played his dues to the cause, misguided after being deeply hurt." Albus looked at him emotionlessly, his eyes twinkling just a little less than was accustomed.

"You have come to me with information of your criminal misdeeds, what do you want Mr. Malfoy?" There was mistrust in his voice.

"The only way out is through my death, even if I prevent my future wives marking, she will be used as leverage against me. While he has made no official plans as of yet, I have no doubts that war, or at least more public attacks will be coming soon. As such, in return for protection post Hogwarts for Severus, and of course my own security when this is all done and over, we will spy for you, and what will undoubtedly become the side of the light." Lucius had never seen the headmaster look so serious, and yet he was looking at him unwaveringly, the twinkle completely absent now.

"I fear you are right regarding war. I am quite surprised by your offer, though if it is sincere I see how it could be beneficial for both parties here." Lucius let out a breath of relief.

His offers had not come too soon. Soon the Dark Lord, as he had dubbed himself, was telling his followers of his first attack in a known muggleborn hangout. The instructions were simple, shoot to kill, and muggleborns only. Any purebloods killed in the attack would lead to severe punishment. Quietly and so it was untraceable back to him, in fact passing it off as someone else, he passed off the information to Dumbledore.

And life had carried on, the attacks were increasingly more frequent but Lucius through subterfuge and occlumency was raising through the Dark Lord's ranks and the ministry. And as was expected of him, a month after Narcissa's graduation he had married her. The ceremony had been organised by neither of them, a show for their parents more than themselves.

Lucius loved his wife, but they both knew they would never be in love with each other, and they were content with that. Having said that, their wedding night was an awkward affair, only partially saved by their shared laughter. Both had closed their eyes through the affair, pretending the other was another, she did not ask him who he thought of and he awarded her the same courtesy. They awaited the allotted three days before running the pregnancy test.

A sigh of relief passed them both before joy spread across their faces as the positive result was revealed to them. While producing an heir was an expectation of them both, they had both desired a family, and Lucius had no doubts in his mind that Narcissa would make a wonderful mother.

While the action of creating a child had been uncomfortable, watching there child grow was an experience Lucius would not change for a world. And then finally, 9 months later their child was there, in his arms, the healer giving both parents a warm smile as she passed Lucius the wailing bundle that was his son.

Lucius did not think himself physically possible of melting, and yet as he looked down at the blonde wisps, and bright blue eyes blinking up at him Lucius was sure he would never feel a love like it again in his life.

Narcissa had called him her Little Dragon the second Lucius had placed the boy in his arms, and where they had previously been unsure on his name, it came easily to them in that moment. And so, Draco Lucius Malfoy became the centre of his world.

It was two days later after Draco's birth that Narcissa had come to speak to him. There was undeniable hope in her eyes, but that was trumped by the worry that also swam in her dark grey eyes, afforded to her by her Black heritage. He had pulled out his very best whiskey and led her to the comfiest evening lounge in the manor. He watched his wife and dear friend worriedly as she downed the whiskey in one fell gulp.

"My soul mark has finally turned gold." He had seen the thing a number of times, and she said she knew who it referred to, but it had been silver. By her words she assumed it meant one or both of them had needed to accomplish something first. With the timing so close to Draco's birth, Lucius wondered if Narcissa's purpose had been to produce the Malfoy heir.

"And that is a good thing is it not? You know me well enough that I will support you through this." He never though he would be divorcing this early into his marriage, but he had never doubted that it would happen eventually. She gave him warm, if not strong, smile in return.

"Lucius, my soul mate is Sirius," Lucius could do nothing but raise his eyebrows, he wasn't as surprised as he probably should have been, "If this got out we would both be disowned, at the very best, at worst Walburga and Father would conspire to see us dead." Lucius sucked in a breath.

"Then though it will hurt, you will have to keep your affair a secret. We will stay married, it will make custody of Draco much easier, and of course I will move out of the master suite, giving it over to you and your lover. Why exactly is your tattoo a dog?" She took his hand gratefully, some of the worry leaving her eyes.

"I don't know how you expect us to get him here but thank you for your unwavering support through this. He's an illegal animagus. I'm sure Severus told you about the incident with Lupin, well Sirius, and the other Marauders, all became animagus to support him through his transformation." Lucius let out a chuckle at that. As much disdain he had for the Marauders for their treatment of Severus, he could not fault their internal friendship.

"Well then, Narcissa dear, I think you have your way in. I'm sure Draco would love a dog. Narcissa's eyes lit up, kissing her husband on the cheek.

And though he begrudged it, seeing a large black dog loping through his mansion became common place. He had never seen Narcissa so happy as she was in those days, and soon, surprisingly she was pregnant again. Sirius and Narcissa had never planned on having a child, knowing it would be dangerous and so they had both being using and taking contraceptives. Fate seemed to have other ideas though.

There had been many discussion between Narcissa, Sirius and Lucius about her new child, the excitement not fading, but being blanketed in worry over the practicality of the situation. But none of them knew what to do. Lucius and Narcissa could not raise it as theirs, pureblood tradition stating that it was a ruse, likewise Narcissa and Sirius could not raise it as theirs due to the risk to their own lives. They were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The pregnancy did not care for their human worries though, and 9 months on from conception Narcissa bore another child. The little boy was a mix of his parents, hair that same shade of brown as his father's with hints of platinum blonde throughout, the eyes while blue currently showed signs of darkening to that Black family grey. And still they had no solution so Sirius and Narcissa stayed in seclusion with their child and enjoyed parenthood while they could.

A week later Sirius left after a call from Dumbledore, and two days after that he returned looking resigned.

"A magical family have just lost their child, only I Dumbledore and they know. I think this may be our solution." Narcissa turned sharp grey eyes to her lover, to her cousin.

"What are you suggesting Sirius?" The man took a deep breath in, running a hand through his hair, a clear sign to Lucius that the man knew that what he was about to say would not go over well.

"You know we can't raise him long-term Cissy, fate was cruel to give us such a gift we couldn't keep. Fate was cruel to this family too, giving them the same gift that was taken never to be returned. I spoke to them under oath, and if you agree, they'd take him and with some very complicated charms magic, raise him as their own. When the war is over, I will tell you who he became, and when our parents are dead, we will raise him like he should have been." Narcissa had cried then, great ugly sobs that ran through her body as Sirius held her.

The next day was worse. Her tears were silent, her eyes empty as she let her soul mate take her son through the floo to an unknown life.

And life had gone on, Draco was a demanding child and while could never make Narcissa forget her lost son, could at the very least distract her, and bring around her smile. Sirius, also helped to keep her spirits light, never giving away where their son was, but assuring her that he was safe, and loved. Narcissa was sure she could have loved him more.

And then, after a lull, everything had gone wrong. The Potter's dead, Sirius in Azkaban, Voldemort gone, trial after trial of suspected Death Eater. The war had been hard for the Malfoy family, walking a thin line between life and death, the light and the dark. And yet, Lucius would argue that the years after the war had being arguably worse, especially for poor Narcissa who had no idea who her son now was, and her soul mate incarcerated.

It was 17 years after Voldemort first fell that he fell again, this time permanently. Lucius Malfoy took a look around the battlefield, taking in the bloodied bodies and tear stained faces, looking for those that he had cared about. For those not in the know it had come as a great shock when the Malfoy's had turned on their comrades as the battle began, the shock not winning the battle but surely turning the tables in their favour. It had not been an easy road, and Hogwarts showed it in her battered misery.

He stepped through the battle, trying to find the four people he cared about most. First, he found his wife, sobbing, what he thought was happily, in the arms of her lover. There was blood streaked in her hair, but she was otherwise content to let her soulmate comfort on their victory battlefield. Narcissa had not noticed him looking, but Sirius caught his eye over the top of her head, sending him that boyish grin he knew Narcissa loved. Lucius nodded at them before moving on.

Narcissa and Sirius' reunion five years ago was one that he wished they had remembered silencing charms for. He had had to erect his own to drown out the joy of their reunion after 12 years. He was indifferent to the mutt still, but was glad to see Narcissa in higher spirits. The morning after their reunion, they had come down to the drawing room and Sirius had told them what had become of their son. It had been a bittersweet moment, their families forcing their fate on them, and now the war stopping them from claiming their child. Sirius had left their son with the Potter's and now, now he was a paragon for the light to the public, and Narcissa the exact opposite.

Lucius wondered if they would reveal the truth to Harry now, wondered how Harry would take learning that his Godfather was his father, that his school nemesis-turned-friend was in fact his brother.

Talking of his brother, Lucius looked over the battlefield for his son, the white blonde hair difficult to miss for its vibrancy alone. Lucius was not surprised to see the blonde hair of his son clashing with a veritable bush of brunette hair. Part of the reason Harry and Draco had become friends had been due to the budding relationship between Harry's best friend and Draco. While that had been a driving force, it had developed of it's own accord over time, taking on a life of it's own.

On Draco's 17th Birthday he had awoken with a tattoo of Hermione's patronus, a small otter, on the back of his neck much like Lucius himself. It had been silver at the time, likewise had Hermione's tattoo of a dragon on her wrist. As such, they had stepped carefully through their relationship, wondering when they would turn gold. Lucius could see from where he stood, that all that fate had needed was the end of the war. Lucius was stopped from going over to his son by the realisation he was distracted in a fervent make out with his undoubtedly soon to be daughter-in-law. He was just glad that his son, and his intended, were safe.

Lucius found the last two people he was looking for together. They were separate from the battle, lost in their own world as they often found themselves. Lucius was sure that if someone had told Harry in his first year that he would consider Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy among his closest confidents then he would have recommended them towards St Mungo's.

And yet, it had occurred. Severus had been first to earn the trust of the Potter boy, his animosity slowly changing as he got to know the boy for who he was and not who he believed him to be. The first thawing had been when Severus had protected Harry from a feral Lupin when the truth about Sirius had arose, and then the second had been during Harry's occlumency lessons. Severus didn't know the truth about Harry's parentage, and he wondered what the man would make of the truth.

Lucius had only befriended the boy, man now, by chance. He had been amused by the whole situation in second year, both by Dobby's planned disobedience and Harry's trickery. Lucius had a little more hope for the war that was slowly starting to brew again, when he, an accomplished spy, was duped by a twelve-year-old. They hadn't met again until Harry was 16 when he was coming along regularly to Order meetings. It was by chance they found themselves in conversation, by chance they found themselves laughing together, sharing secrets and fears and hopes, it was by chance that by the time the final battle came around that Lucius finally understood just who his soul mark referred to.

Lucius could not deny that he was surprised by it, he had always assumed that if anyone was going to be soul mated with Harry it would have likely have been Severus, Lucius always had the distinct feeling that he was interrupting something private when he was around the two men. In fact, Severus had admitted one night, tipsy on firewhiskey that in another life, one without Soul Marks and fate that he could have been happy with Harry, that he was sure the love he felt for the young man was more than that of a mentor or friend.

Lucius fell out of his reverie, stepping up to Harry and Severus, silver eyes shining in sun that seemed entirely too bright for the death that surrounded them.

"Harry, Severus." He nodded at each man, ignoring the disgruntled look on Severus' face. Harry quickly wrapped his arms around Lucius' neck, and Lucius understood finally what Sirius and Narcissa had fought so much for, he felt like he was finally home.

"I'm glad you're well Lucius. Are you aware my godfather and your wife have been making out since the battle was over?" Lucius rolled his eyes at the man, if he hadn't have known this surely wouldn't have been a good way to tell him.

"I told you long ago Harry that my marriage was one to a good friend to protect her from her and her soulmate's family's disapproval. Those families that would have disapproved just happened to be the same for each of them." Harry's eyebrows rose, yes, he could imagine how that might cause some disapproval.

"I imagine we'll hear news of the divorce soon enough." Severus' dry remark was accompanied by an eye roll, but before any of the three men could truly get lost in the banter, a shadow loomed behind them.

"My ears were burning from all the way over yonder!" Sirius' joyous voice was hard to not recognise, "I hope you're all behaving!" Harry's eyes lit up at hearing his godfather, and much like he had with Lucius, threw himself into the man's arms. Sirius returned the hug warmly, his eyes looking upon his son warmly.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Siri," Harry's gaze turned to Narcissa beside Sirius and offered an equally warm smile, "You too, Mrs Ma… Narcissa." He started with the official title before backtracking on the knowledge that it maybe wasn't quite so fitting giving her relation to Sirius.

"I'm so proud of you pup, I know James and Lily would have been too." Harry had stepped back beside Severus and Lucius at this point, "I know it's been a long day, but there's something me and Narcissa need to tell you." Sirius grabbed his love's hand, likewise Lucius did not miss Harry reaching for Severus' hand nor him unconsciously reaching out for contact with himself. Lucius wondered if Harry even knew who his soul mate was yet, but was unable to deny the man comfort and returned the seeking with a solid hand to the base of the man's back.

"Harry, I'm not your godfather." Harry looked confused at the news.

"But, Remus said you were, and you did, and Dumbledore!" Harry had stumbled over Remus' name, likewise Sirius' face at saddened at the mention of their felled friend.

"Remus didn't know, Harry. I know you know now that me and Cissa are Soul Mates?" He didn't wait for Harry's nod before carrying on, "We had accepted that due to our family situation that we couldn't have kids until we were older, or at all, and yet despite the very best contraceptives Cissa fell pregnant. Fate wanted us to have that child, but we couldn't keep him, for risk to our own and its life. The biological Harry Potter died, Lily and James were devastated, and so I made an agreement with them, they would keep my child safe. We were going to tell you when the war was over and then raise you in tandem with James and Lily. We couldn't take you away from them after what they'd already lost. Well then the war happened, and Cissa didn't even know who you were, I had kept the secret myself to protect her from the hurt." Harry stumbled from the shock. Looking between what he now knew to be his parents with disbelief. He struggled for a moment before the tears fell, Lucius could only imagine it was for a childhood he never got to experience because of how cruel the world is.

Lucius was surprised when Harry slipped away from him and Severus, hugging Narcissa warily as if he was scared of rejection. Lucius knew well the man needn't have feared, he knew that all the woman had wanted since the last time she had held her babe was to hold him once again, that she had been bitter at the world for keeping them apart. His suspicions were confirmed when moments later Narcissa was sobbing just as hard as the day she had heard the plan to protect Harry, clutching at the man desperately in what was probably a suffocating hug.

As this was going on, Lucius looked towards Severus. The man looked almost as shocked as Harry had. It was sometimes difficult to remember that Severus, like Harry, had not known the truth, believed just as vehemently that Harry was a Potter through and through. Severus' dark eyes kept looking between Harry and his own sleeve before he looked to Lucius with a tremor in his voice.

"Harry is a Black?" Lucius nodded, it was most unlike Severus to ask obvious question, in fact was something he insulted in others, "And has spent his life disguised?" Lucius nodded again, wondering just why that information put a surprisingly gentle smile on his friend's face.

"I can't believe you're all here celebrating without me." Lucius fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose as he heard his son's voice. It suddenly occurred to him they had neglected to inform Draco that he had a half-brother. This was all going to be a big mess, he could feel, "Mother, why on earth are you blubbering over Potter, I mean we're all glad to see him alive, but this seems a little overboard?" Narcissa wiped at her eyes, panic clearly there in her eyes as she looked between her two sons and came to the same realisation that Lucius just had.

"Draco, Harry is your half-brother." Draco promptly fainted, Hermione at his side looked slightly confused and worried as she looked at her soulmate, but ultimately gave way to laughter as she enervated him. Hermione turned to Harry, her brown eyes warm.

"I guess I'll truly be your sister when me and Draco finally marry." An enervated Draco passed out again, both hearing marriage and sibling relations was too much for him. Hermione didn't even bother to worry this time merely rolling her eyes. She loved the man, but damn if he didn't have the flair for dramatics half of the time. Narcissa placed a kiss to Harry's forehead.

"I suppose I should explain the full-story to Draco." She smiled fondly at her eldest as he was enervated once again before leading them away with Sirius at her side.

Lucius could not say he was disappointed to see the others go so it was just him, Severus and Harry once again. He wanted to confess finally about his soul-mark but wasn't sure how to steer the conversation around to the topic. He was saved from the task however by Severus who apparently had a similar idea.

"Harry you never did tell me what your Soul Mark was?" There was curiosity in the man's voice, as if it was a conundrum he'd considered time and time again. Harry merely shrugged in response.

"I never bothered to look. It was on my back and I wasn't sure I'd make it through the war. I didn't want to get my own, or someone else's, hopes up just to lose it all at the end." Severus smiled sadly at the man, his hand rubbing his shoulder in sympathy. Lucius cared deeply for Severus but had never known the man to be a soft or compassionate person, and yet Harry had an inexplicable ability to bring out the concern and care in the Potions Master. Harry, looking uncomfortable with the attention turned the question back around to Severus and Lucius too, "What about you two, a lot of marks have turned Gold after the battle. I've never seen yours either Lucius."

Severus quickly rolled up his sleeve. It had been some kind of irony when on his 17th birthday Severus' soul mark had burned into his skin, directly on top of the Death Eater brand. It had made it difficult to read for a great number of years. Now though, it was clear to see, written in the same script that Lucius' own, almost glittering gold in the waning sunlight. 'Black born eyes disguised'. Severus' earlier questions came back to Lucius and suddenly everything started adding up in Lucius's mind.

"Harry, I assure you I will show you mine soon, but I was wondering if we might see yours?" There was an almost impatience to his voice that caused Harry to look at him with confusion and Severus to raise his eyebrows at.

Nonetheless, Harry agreed, without any warning lifting his shirt over his head. Lucius had to take a deep breath to calm his racing heart, the man was undoubtedly beautiful, and while he was not a teenager anymore, he had not lain with anyone for a great number of years. He had scant time to enjoy the view before Harry had turned around, exposing his back to the two men in a show of trust.

The view that met him confirmed his theory, or at least he thought it did. There was one mark on Harry's back, but it took a shape with two distinctive parts. A cauldron bubbled in gold on Harry's back, and in that cauldron, almost acting as a stirring rod stood proudly the snake head that denoted Lucius' preferred cane. Yes, he was sure now.

Fate had given Harry Black trial after trial in his short life, but where Fate tested him, she also rewarded him. Where people almost exclusively only received one soul mate, Fate had gifted the Boy-Who-Lived with two.

Lucius had already known who his tattoo referred to, he had waited most of his life, so he would wait a little longer, watching fondly as his oldest friend and soul-mate came to the realisation of their connection, watching as Severus, more tenderly than he suspected the man capable of, leaned down and shared his first kiss with his mate.

Harry had returned the action with fervour, hands snaking into silky locks, eyes closing. Yes, Lucius allowed them their moment, and when it was over, he spun Harry around, Silver eyes burning as he claimed his soul mate for the very first time.

Lucius Malfoy wasn't accustomed to sharing, but he would, with time learn.

I swear I am still working on both Letters to Narcissa and Rescuing Ares, but I keep getting little plot bunnies that won't leave me alone. I've had a rough draft of this for years, but an expanded version just came naturally this week.

I hope everyone is staying safe during the virus, and if anyone ever wants to talk even just for entertainment, my PM's are always open. Much love, and I hope you've all enjoyed this little one shot.