Harry followed Alexei to the backyard, curious about what they would be doing. It had been a couple of days since Alexei and Leif had arrived at Prince Manor. No lessons had been able to take place the previous day as, despite the fact that the men were staying at Prince Manor, they still had their jobs, Leif at the British Ministry of Magic and Alexei at the French Ministry of Magic. Harry hadn’t minded the day to try and comprehend everything before having to dive into his magic. He was filled with confusion about everyone he was now sharing the manor with. He was fairly certain it was relief he felt when he saw Snape at breakfast, seemingly unharmed, though his reaction to the man puzzled him. He was still astounded by how much fun he’d had playing hours of chess with Malfoy the other day. He was startled by the pull he felt towards Alexei and Leif given that they were total strangers and he normally distrusted strangers. Yet, there was a calming, comforting air around the two men that drew him in.

“So, Harry,” Alexei said, pulling Harry’s attention to him as they stopped in the middle of the huge open property. “Severus says you have done some work with your magic already.”

Harry shrugged. “A little, I guess. I’ve used it accidentally and then Snape started teaching us how to access and move it.”

“What happened to cause the accidental use?” Alexei asked.

Harry shifted uncomfortably as he remembered each instance, kicking at the grass. “I was mad or upset and it just…happened.”

Alexei nodded. “Yes, as I said, Elemental Magic is closely tied to our emotions. It will be important to learn emotional and magical control to limit their effect on each other.”

Harry sighed at the repetition of what Snape had been telling him and Malfoy about emotional and mental control in Occlumency lessons. He was using his journal, but he was unsure if it was helping. He didn’t know what he needed or wanted to be able to accept his life.

“Today, we are going to try the movement that Severus began to teach you again,” Alexei told him. “Once you have control over your magic as a whole, we can begin to separate each element.”

“The strands can be separated?” Harry asked, remembering what his Elemental threads looked like. They were all twisted together and moved together.

“They can,” Alexei said, nodding. “You will learn how to draw out the element or elements you want while leaving the others. As you progress, you will learn how to move between elements and combinations in seconds.”

Harry couldn’t help but think how impossible that sounded, particularly for someone like him. “Could…could you show me?” he asked hesitantly, not expecting the vampire to agree. It was how it normally went, leaving him in the dark.

Alexei smiled widely. “Absolutely.”

Harry perked up at the man’s agreement, a burst of happiness and excitement occurring in his chest. He watched as Alexei raised his hands, palms up, and fire burst to life in his palms, glittering red threads swirling around and in the center of it. Harry’s eyes widened as the fire turned into thick ropes that slithered through the man’s fingers and around his wrists before being gathered into flickering balls again. The fire was suddenly lifted into the air and both balls combined only to start swirling and whipping around. Harry watched as the fire came towards him and swirled all around, making him sure the element of air was also being employed. Without thinking, he reached up a hand and the fire-air combination briefly wrapped around his hand. It was an odd sensation. He could feel the warmth of the fire and the air brushed him like a light breeze, but there was also a tingle or spark across his skin where the magic touched. After a few moments, the fire slithered away and grew into a huge fiery wall that hovered above his head. He stared up at it in awe, gaping as the fire began to transform into swirling water. Only seconds after the water took over, it shrunk into ropes again, joined by ropes of fire that twisted and tangled with the water. The threads zipped around, making Harry dance on the spot to keep them in sight. After a minute or two, the fire extinguished and the water sunk into the ground. The final show was a line of leaves that came from nowhere, encircled Harry, and dispersed above him, floating down to the ground around his feet.

“That was incredible!” Harry exclaimed, astonished at Alexei’s skill and control. There was no way he could ever have such power and ability. He wasn’t nearly good enough to have this magic.

Alexei chuckled. “And, one day, you’ll be able to do it too.”

“Doubt it,” Harry said, briefly flashing back to how much of a failure of a wizard he’d been the previous year, especially in the graveyard.

“Do not doubt yourself, rebenok,” Alexei said kindly. “You are capable of far more than you believe and you will see it one day.”

Harry gave a dubious look, but did not respond. He didn’t know how to express his uncertainty, his failure. He also didn’t want to accuse Alexei of wasting his time on Harry. The man seemed excited to have an Elemental to teach and Harry was filled with guilt over how incompetent he was likely to be. He would be an embarrassment to Alexei.

“Would you like to begin?” Alexei asked and Harry nodded. “Good. Now, do as you did with Severus and bring your magic out to your hands. Do not force it. Let it flow as it wants, but guide it.”

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He found his Elemental Magic easily, loving the way it felt. He pulled on it, encouraging it in the direction he wanted. It left a trail of warmth through his body as it trickled into his hands. He pushed more magic into his hands, feeling it build. The more it built, the jumpier it became and he fought to control it, to keep it in his hands.

“Don’t force it,” Alexei said, his voice sounding far away.

Harry tried to listen, loosening his hold on the power slightly. He thought it was going to settle in his hands, but it became more sporadic. He frowned, feeling his body begin to shake with his magic’s desperation.

“I…I can’t hold it,” Harry said. “It wants to go.”

“Just let it, Harry, let it do what it wants,” Alexei said.

Harry shook his head, his chest tightening and his hands growing hot as he fought his magic. He couldn’t let it go. He couldn’t lose control, not again.

“You can do this, Harry, you just have to trust me,” Alexei said.

Harry shook his head again. He couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t trust himself or anyone. Anytime he trusted someone, he got hurt or he hurt someone or he was left on his own. He was expected to trust blindly and he couldn’t do that, not anymore. He was a danger to everyone, especially with this new power.

“Alright, stop for a minute, Harry,” Alexei said. “Pull the magic back.”

Harry fought to pull his magic back into him, encouraging it back to his core. He opened his eyes with a gasp just in time to see a small ball of fire singe the grass between him and Alexei.

“I…I’m sorry,” Harry said. “I couldn’t control it. It wanted to go somewhere and I couldn’t hold it.”

“It’s alright, but let’s talk about what happened,” Alexei said. “Why did you not want to let your magic go?”

Harry hesitated, not wanting Alexei to know how useless he was. He couldn’t help but wince when Alexei sighed.

“What did I ask of you the other night?” Alexei asked and Harry looked at him anxiously. “Not to keep things from me when I ask. I ask you to trust me.”

“I can’t,” Harry whispered, waiting for Alexei’s anger.

“Why not?” Alexei asked.

“People get hurt when I try to trust anyone,” he admitted, shifting at Alexei’s piercing gaze.

“People get hurt or you do?” Alexei asked gently.

Harry winced at the sting in his chest and dropped his eyes. “Both.”

“What are you afraid of if you trust me on this?” Alexei asked.

“Hurting you, destroying something,” Harry muttered.

“You won’t hurt me and there’s nothing to destroy. Why are you worried about those things?” Alexei asked.

“Get in trouble and…” he trailed off with a small shrug.

“Are you worried we’ll hurt you? That Severus will hurt you?”

“I don’t know. A month ago, I would’ve said yes, but now…” Harry said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “He’s confusing.”

Alexei chuckled lightly. “Yes, he can be. However, I can assure you, he will not hurt you, nor will I. I am here to teach you.”

“But what if I lose control and hurt you?” Harry asked.

“I am also an Elemental, remember. You will not harm me and, even if you do, I will not be angry. We have spectacular magic, but it is also powerful magic. Accidents may happen, but it is expected as you are learning. I am here to help you, not harm you,” Alexei said.

Harry chewed his lip, still unsure about his abilities and trusting anyone.

“We must have trust in each other,” Alexei said. “Elemental Magic is emotional magic, and trust between us will help you learn control.”

Harry met the blue eyes, feeling the pull to the man he’d felt before. He could see an earnestness in the eyes, a belief in him he’d never felt himself. Could he trust Alexei?

“Can you try again?” Alexei asked.

Harry still didn’t feel like he could do it, but Alexei’s steady gaze encouraged him to continue. He gave a short nod and Alexei smiled.

“Good,” Alexei said. “Try to relax and gather your magic again.”

Harry took another deep breath, closed his eyes, and raised his hands. He gathered his magic and pushed it into his hands quickly, glad there was one thing he wasn’t a complete failure at. He pushed the thought away and focused on his magic. It swirled around his hands calmly before it suddenly tried to dart away, desperate for something. He tensed, holding it tight even as it struggled harder and harder to get away.

“Let it go, rebenok,” Alexei said softly. “You won’t hurt me and I will not hurt you if you do. Trust me, rebenok.”

“Okay,” Harry whispered and he released his magic.

“Let it go where it wants, but keep it on track. Follow it, explore with it,” Alexei instructed.

Harry did so. He could see his magic, the colourful threads floating excitedly through the air. Every now and then a thread tried to break off, but Harry gently kept them together, watching to see where they were going. He was surprised when, after several seconds, he began to see more magic. There was a huge bundle of multicoloured, twisting threads and he realized it was Alexei’s Elemental Magic. Alexei’s magic was brighter, almost sparkling and there were hundreds of threads. Harry could tell these were indications of the man’s power and it was amazing.

He watched as his own threads tangled with Alexei’s, pulsing and darting around happily. He could feel himself shaking slightly again as his magic got more and more excited, and he tried to contain it. He thought finding Alexei’s magic was what his had wanted to find and he was about to try pull his back, when, all of a sudden, it changed.

Some of his threads that had been wrapped up in Alexei’s suddenly tore off in a different direction. He heard a quiet hiss from Alexei and stiffened, his magic jumping erratically.

“I’m fine, Harry, keep going,” Alexei said encouragingly.

Harry fought to keep his magic together as it all left Alexei’s and joined the other threads in their pursuit of what, Harry didn’t know. He held tight but followed his magic, desperately hoping he wasn’t about to lose control. His magic seemed to be going far this time. Soon he began to see more magical threads. They were everywhere. There were multicoloured strands that looked and felt just like his own Elemental Magic, making him frown in confusion. There were also twisted threads of silver and white, and swirling gold with spots of black. All of them were tangled and dancing together, sparkling with power.

His magic rushed to the mass of strings and it was out of his hold. His chest swelled with an intense pressure and he shook, fighting to get his magic back.

“Harry, stop now!” Alexei said loudly.

“I…I can’t!” Harry said and the pressure in his chest released in a blast when he touched his erratic magic.

His eyes snapped open when his exploding magic suddenly stopped as his palms were pushed together. He drew in a deep, harsh breath, his body shuddering. He felt his legs buckle, but was gently lowered to the grass by Alexei who moved his grip from Harry’s hands to his forearms. His breathing was hard and shaky. His magic was back under control, settled within him and his core. His hands felt warm from holding it so intensely for so long.

“I’m…I’m sorry,” he gasped out after several long minutes. “I couldn’t hold it anymore. I lost control.”

“It’s alright,” Alexei said. “You did amazing, beyond what I expected so soon. We’ll keep practicing.”

Despite his exhaustion, Harry still felt a small bead of happiness at the pride he heard in the vampire’s voice.

“I saw your magic. It’s what mine wanted,” Harry said.

“Yes, I felt you,” Alexei said. “Compatible magic searches each other out and you can see magic that is compatible with yours when you focus.”

“There’s other magic all around here,” Harry said, remembering the dancing magic his had rushed towards. “Some of it looks like and feels like mine, and there’s two others, all tangled together. I don’t know how it’s possible. It can’t be my magic. I don’t even know how to use it.”

He looked at Alexei and frowned at the odd flash of knowledge he saw in the blue eyes. The vampire knew something.

“Those are the wards,” Alexei said. “It is your magic. It is also Draco’s and Severus’. All of your magic makes up the wards that protect this place.”

Harry’s forehead creased. “How? I’ve never been here until a month ago and, again, I don’t know how to use my magic. I didn’t even know about it until a month ago.”

He didn’t understand. What was going on?

Alexei said. “I believe this is a conversation for all of us. Come, let’s see if Leif and Draco are done with their lesson.”

Harry watched Alexei rise to his feet smoothly. The vampire held out a hand which Harry took slowly, being pulled carefully to his own feet. He was privately grateful when Alexei kept a gentle hold of him as he wobbled slightly. His head was swimming and his body was shaking. He felt drained and exhausted.

“We will also get you something to eat,” Alexei said as they slowly headed back to the manor.

“Alright, Draco, tell me about the times you’ve used your magic,” Leif said once they were settled in the magic training room.

Draco was slightly startled at the bluntness and implication that he had used his magic intentionally. He crossed his arms over his chest uncomfortably. He really didn’t know what he thought about his magic still. It felt like some cruel, hypocritical joke meant to show him how worthless and lost to the darkness he really was. How could he have Celestial Magic? He doubted he’d ever have control of it; dark cannot control light.

“Draco?” Leif said and Draco realized he’d fallen into his musings.

“Sorry, sir,” Draco said instantly, stiffening automatically as his mind filled in the scenario with his father’s reaction to Draco getting distracted and not answering a question or command. He avoided Leif’s eyes when the man gave him a curious, but knowing look. “I haven’t really used it, just had a couple of accidental moments.”

“Tell me about them,” Leif said.

“I stopped some fire Potter had thrown at me and, during a lesson with Snape, I started draining Potter’s magic,” Draco explained. “I swear I didn’t mean to take his magic.” It was how he knew it was all a mistake. He’d only taint the magic. He could never use it to help or support or protect. He was a Malfoy and a Death Eater prodigy; there was no light in him.

“I know, Draco. It is common when first learning Aether Magic,” Leif said. “Our magic is connected to all magic and naturally wants to find other magic signatures to work with. Finding and identifying other magic is where we will begin, as well as how not to connect to magic when you don’t want to.”

Draco couldn’t help his slight frown. He’d been hesitant to interact with his magic since the day he’d drained Potter. He hadn’t known he’d been doing it and was terrified of doing it again. What if he started draining Snape, or, now, Leif or Alexei? What if he hurt them? Would they hurt him in return or send him back to his father, realizing he would never be anything but an evil Malfoy?

“You are afraid,” Leif said.

Draco bristled at the accusation and its accuracy.

“Tell me, pueri.”

Draco frowned again at the soft tone, having never had anyone speak to him that way. The closest was Snape in the last couple weeks which was no less confusing. He didn’t want to admit he was worried. Fear made you weak. Yet, meeting the light green eyes, he, once again, felt drawn to the immortal. There was something about Leif and Alexei that touched something inside him.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” he found himself saying quietly.

“You are worried about draining someone’s magic?” Leif asked.

Draco nodded, staring down at his feet. “I didn’t know I was doing it before.”

“You will learn,” Leif said. “It is likely you will tap into others’ magic unknowingly, but I am here to help you so it does not go too far.”

“What if Snape…” Draco trailed off, unsure he wanted to vocalize another fear.

Leif tilted his head to the side. Draco shifted uncomfortably under the man’s gaze.

“What if he gets angry?” Draco whispered. “What if I can’t do what you want?”

I couldn’t do what my own father wanted, he said silently to himself.

“No one will be angry at you for learning. Accidents will happen. This is very powerful magic,” Leif said. “No one will harm you.”

Draco looked at Leif sharply. He hadn’t said anything about thinking they’d hurt him.

“Additionally, you will not be harmed or sent away if you struggle. This will be difficult and will take time,” Leif said. “We are not Lucius. He was wrong, not you.”

Draco chewed the inside of his cheek, his mind painfully struggling with the opposing thoughts.

“Remember what I told you the other day?” Leif asked. “Acceptance, truth, and trust.”

Draco remembered, though he struggled. He wanted to be who Leif and even Snape seemed to think he could be, but Lucius wouldn’t let go of him. He always had his father in his head.

“You can do this, pueri,” Leif said gently.

Draco stared into the green eyes and felt his father quiet slightly. He nodded, gaining a smile from Leif.

“Let’s give it a try,” Leif said. “Severus says you know how to bring your magic to your hands.”

Draco nodded again. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I want you to do that,” Leif said.

Draco took a deep breath and let his eyes close. He dove into himself, searching for his magic. He found his core easily and, for a time, just stared at it, watching all the threads floating around the huge golden core. Amongst the gold were shimmering silver and white strings twisted together and slowly leaving the core. He didn’t interact with or acknowledge his Aether Magic unless told. He didn’t know how he felt about the magic, though a large part of him was uncomfortable with the purity he felt from it. He wasn’t worthy of such magic, not with his blood and name and past actions.

He pushed the apprehension aside for now and gathered the silver and white strands, pushing them to his hands. He may not want to, but he had to do what Leif wanted. He didn’t want to find out what would happen if he disobeyed. He felt his magic building in his hands and, as it did, he began to feel static and pressure and warmth rushing around him, making his magic jump with anticipation.

“Good, Draco,” he heard Leif say, the man’s voice sounding muffled amongst the rushing air. “Now, you’re going to be able to see and feel every source of magic around you, and your magic is going to want to connect to them. Try to just explore and identify the signatures around you.”

Draco didn’t respond, but followed Leif’s instruction. He let his magic leave his hands and, as soon as it did, his consciousness made the magic around him visible. There were colourful, shimmering threads floating and zipping through the air. It was overwhelming, but beautiful. His silver-white threads swirled around threads as they passed, pulsing and sparkling each time and Draco realized that was his magic wanting to connect with the magic it encountered. He remembered what Snape had said about how he would be able to interact with any and all magical sources, even the magic that flowed naturally in the earth.

“Focus,” Leif said suddenly. “I know it is a lot, but try to identify a source.”

While keeping a hold of his magic as it vibrated, wanting desperately to connect, he tried to look at the magic around him. He examined each different type of thread as it passed, trying to wrap his magic around them to see if he could feel anything. There were six distinct threads: thick ropes made of braided colours around a gold center, bronze threads twisted together like a weave, four coloured strands tangled together, gold threads with spots of black, and two types of silver-white tangled threads, one of them brighter and glittering.

He knew the smaller silver-white threads were his and the others were Leif’s. From the last session with Snape and Potter, he knew the threads made of four colours were Potter’s Elemental Magic. The others, he wasn’t sure. He decided to focus on the gold with black spots. As soon as he focused on it, his magic whipped around and wrapped around every gold and black thread it could find. As it did, his magic pulsed and seemed to mix with the golden strands before it suddenly went rushing away from him. He tried to hold it, could feel himself shaking lightly, but it was as though his magic had been amplified and made stronger. Soon he was staring at a huge sphere of swirling gold and black, threads pouring from it. He recognized it immediately as a core and was overcome by feelings of anger, self-hatred, regret, and fear. Underneath he could just barely make out confusion, hope, and affection.

He gasped aloud when his magic ripped away from him towards the core. His magic twisted into almost a loose rope and attached itself to the core. He began to panic when gold and black strands began climbing up his silver-white rope towards him.

“Draco!”

His eyes snapped open and flicked to his hands. His silver-white magic was swirling in his hands, mixed with a few gold-black wisps. He closed his fists and drew in a deep gasp. He was breathing rapidly as he stared at his hands, his magic settled back in him.

“Draco?”

He looked at Leif, his eyes wide and wild. The man seemed calm, but there was a touch of concern in the green eyes.

“I…I think I was draining Snape,” he said quietly, fearful.

“It’s alright, you didn’t mean to,” Leif said calmly. “Severus will not be angry.”

Draco shook his head. He couldn’t control it. He couldn’t use this magic without hurting people. He couldn’t do good. It wasn’t possible for a Malfoy to have anything pure. He tangled his hands in his hair, distressed.

“It’s a mistake,” he whispered.

“What do you mean?” Leif asked and Draco realized the man had gotten closer to him. He shook his head again. He corrupted everything and everyone. Maybe he was like his father.

“This can’t be my magic,” Draco admitted quietly.

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll turn it dark, I’m a Malfoy,” Draco said, his tone heartbroken.

“No, paidí,” Leif said, stepping forward and pulling Draco’s hands from the blonde hair. “That is your name, but I do not believe that is who you are. Magic does not discriminate.”

Draco met Leif’s eyes sadly. “I’m only hurting people. I’m not worth—”

“Enough of that,” Leif interrupted firmly but still gently. “Your magic is doing what it’s meant to, and you will learn control and how to use it to protect.”

“What if I can’t?” Draco asked, doubtful.

“You already have,” Leif said and Draco frowned. “Come. Let’s have some lunch and speak with the others.”

Draco allowed himself to be guided from the room and downstairs to the kitchen.

Severus entered the kitchen behind Leif and Malfoy, finding Alexei and Potter just settling at the table. Potter looked exhausted, Malfoy looked distressed, and both looked confused. He had experienced the effects of both boys’ magic over the last hour and, while startled at their sheer power and the feeling of their magic around him, he was also impressed at what they were capable of. He gave Leif and Alexei a curious glance.

“Would you be so kind as to make these two some lunch, Severus?” Leif asked. “They both expended a lot of energy.”

Severus inclined his head and moved into the kitchen. “And how did training go? I believe I felt some impacts of their magic.” He caught what he thought was a panicked look Malfoy sent Leif and watched the man return a calm stare. He assumed the blonde was likely worried about his reaction. He had felt the draw on his magic and had known instantly it was Malfoy. It had been painful and startling, but also overwhelming and the feel of Malfoy’s magic had been something he’d never experienced before.

“An excellent start,” Alexei said with a smile.

“Indeed,” Leif agreed.

“However, there is something we need to discuss,” Alexei said and Severus looked up from the chicken salad sandwiches he was making with a frown. 

He saw Leif and Alexei glance at each other, adding to his confusion. He waved his hand to send the sandwiches to the table as well as glasses of water for all of them. He joined the others in his normal seat and waited patiently for Alexei or Leif to begin.

“During our session, Harry noticed the wards that surround the property,” Alexei said. “He was able to see the magic that make up the wards.”

“What is the significance of this?” Severus asked, confused.

Leif leaned forward on the table. “The wards are made up of all three of your magics. It is why I mentioned it the day we arrived. I thought you knew.”

“I do not understand,” Severus said. How could his wards have Potter’s and Malfoy’s magic in them? He’d never had them do such a thing nor would they know how on their own.

“Your wards have your magic, Harry’s Elemental Magic, and Draco’s Aether Magic combined,” Leif clarified. “Your magic is compatible.”

Severus frowned at the two boys who looked even more confounded with what Leif and Alexei were saying. “How is it possible that their magic is in my wards? I certainly never had them strengthen the wards.”

“No, you did not. This was something else, magic responding to desire,” Alexei said, and he turned to Potter and Malfoy. “There are some things we cannot tell you, but, the only way this happened was by your magic acting upon intent and deep desire.”

“Before you came here, did either of you wish for something?” Leif asked, also looking between the boys.

Severus moved his gaze to Potter and Malfoy, curious. Neither had spoken of what happened to them at the hands of their abusers to cause their injuries, and he hadn’t found the memories during Occlumency. Potter and Malfoy had stiffened, their eyes wide as they clearly returned to that day. What had happened to them to make them so terrified? What had happened that they all missed until it was nearly too late?

“Harry?” Alexei pushed gently.

Severus met the emerald eyes as they flicked to him, full of trepidation and fear and shame. He kept his expression calm and tried to pass that calm onto Potter. The Gryffindor needed to understand he wouldn’t be judged or ridiculed for anything he revealed. They needed to know how their magic had come to be a part of his wards. Potter must’ve found something in Severus’ face as he looked back at his half-eaten sandwich and seemed to take a deep breath.

“I wanted a home,” the Gryffindor whispered.

Severus tried to ignore the tug he felt in his chest at the boy’s admission and looked at Malfoy when the blonde’s eyes snapped to Potter, wide with apparent disbelief.

“You as well, Mr. Malfoy?” Severus said, gaining a tiny nod as the boy dropped his head with his own shame and embarrassment.

“Your magic responded to your wish and found a place,” Leif said.

“It interpreted your wish the only way it could, by creating a place of safety with compatibility,” Alexei explained. “Your magic combined to create a place where you would each be safe and could possibly see as a home.”

“It is important for you to know that the only way this is possible is because your magic was able to tap into an existing bond,” Leif said. “It doesn’t matter the type of bond, but it does indicate a strength and power the three of you share through this bond.”

Severus couldn’t help the shock that he knew briefly crossed his face, and he gazed at Potter and Malfoy. The teens’ faces were twisted in confusion, obviously lost about the underlying meaning of what Alexei and Leif were telling them. He understood. They had a Life Bond, something that would tie them together for life. It meant their magic could help, support, and protect each other in a way they could do for no other. Their personal feelings toward each other had little impact on such a bond though strong feelings would make the bond and, by extension, their shared power stronger.

“But…what does that mean?” Potter asked.

“What you both went through and the wish you made awakened the bond between you, and your magic sought each other out,” Alexei told him.

“As I said, there are some things we cannot tell you; the course must happen naturally,” Leif said. “However, the three of you, especially together, will form the strongest magical beings in the world.”

Severus was stunned. How could this be?

“Sir, may I be excused?” Potter asked quietly.

Severus looked at the two boys, noting the tightness in their faces and the wild look in their eyes.

“You may,” he said, giving a nod to Malfoy, and watched the teens hurry from the room. His mind spinning, he looked back at Leif and Alexei. Both were serious, but he could see a gleam in both sets of eyes.

Leif broke into a small smile. “I told you. You mean everything, as do they.”