Albus Dumbledore had dealt with many things in his lifetime from Trolls to Dark Lords, but pubescent boys now that was a whole other story.
The wise wizard sat quietly at his desk, observing the two youths that he himself had summoned to his office at such an ungodly hour. Furthermore, it did not help that this arrangement was to be three weeks before the start of the new school year.
Hopefully, he wasn't over his head with such a last minute request, what with Cornelius Fudge breathing down his throat about having two magical beings attending Hogwarts at the same time! It also did not ease the Minister of Magic nerves that they knew nothing about either being and since they were protected under the Magical Creature Act of 1960, there was nothing within their power that they could do to stop the boys from attending school; unless of course murder were involved.
Harry James Potter had coughed, nervously shifting under the Headmaster's distant gaze this had effectively pulled Albus from his wayward thoughts.
In fact, Harry had grown.
The lad, in essence, had gained a little weight, enough to where he did not appear malnourished anymore, but he was still underweight and shorter than most kids his own age.
His long ebony tresses had fallen passed his shoulders, caressing right at the center of his back, while his ears were starting to form that distinguish point to them. He truly did resemble a High Elf from what the paintings had shown; however, it was not to the extreme. His face still remained heart shaped and soft not sharp and jagged like most high elves were described to have. He was still just Harry, contrary to what Cornelius might think.
Malfoy, on the other hand, was two years older than Harry and even towered over him. What's more, The Pureblood had a lean yet muscular build with a face that looked as if it was chiseled from polish ivory.
Malfoy was ever confident and proud, which showed in his stance though right now he looked absolutely murderous. His silver-blue pools had pierced right through the Headmaster, and for a split second Dumbledore could see that Veela temper boiling beneath the surface of that angelic face. A few long strand of platinum hair had fallen on his face as he huffed and jerked his head to the side.
"Can we get on with it then?" Yup, Mister Malfoy was going to be a handful indeed.
"Why of course, how about the both of you have a seat."
Harry had moved to the leather bound chairs closest to the exit, but had paused in the midst of pulling out said chair, once Draco spoke, "I rather stand."
At this point, Harry appeared to be at a complete loss. Should he stand or sit? His eyes kept switching between the chair and where Draco was standing.
"I guess I rather stand as well Professor," Harry grumbled. He seemed to be silently chastising himself afterward.
Somehow by Harry speaking up, Draco had finally taken a notice to him. They exchanged a look but Harry had quickly shifted his gaze down towards his feet his cheeks developing a soft bloom to them.
Draco had raised a brow at Dumbledore as if asking the older wizard 'who is this.'
Dumbledore chose that moment to explain. He cleared his throat, "well, it was brought to my attention that two of my students have come into their rare yet special magical abilities, one sooner than the other. However, we do not know about their origin's, behavior, or predictability. So, I and the Head of Magic Cornelius Fudge had come to an agreement about summoning you two a few weeks early before the school year starts, this is to see if we can allow the both of you two to attend classes with your fellow peers. This is clearly a way to see where and what we might need to do to accommodate the both of you. Since this is a first time in history that we have had two magical creatures attended Hogwarts at the same time-"
"You have no right!"
"Actually, mister Malfoy I do. It is clearly stated in the law. Also, as your Headmaster, I will do what is necessary for the safety of my students as well as the both of you-"
Both wizard and Veela openly eyeballed one another, for what seemed like a challenge between the pair and would have gone on for an eon, if Harry had not decided to ask the one question that had been nagging at him since he first stepped into the Headmasters office.
"Professor, what am I?"
Dumbledore's broke his exchanged with the Veela to peer at the ebony-haired teen from the top of his bifocals. There was something calculating in the man's eyes.
"Harry my boy is what we believe to be the last living descendant of the High Elvin race."
He paused letting his words sink in.
Harry had remained quiet for a minute or two before replying, "I don't know what that is."
That appeared to get underneath the blonde's skin. He stepped over toward the boy grasping his shoulders and giving him one firm shake.
"What is wrong with..." His words trailed off as crystal color pools locked with bright emerald green ones though this time Draco's eyes had widened as realization began to set in. Rapidly, the Veela had released the younger wizard.
"It can't be," he mouthed.
"Oh but, it is mister Malfoy… I had a hunch that this might have happened. You both are so close in species that it made sense your Veela side would choose a mate similar to one's self. " Dumbledore did not sound surprised more like on the side of expectantly.
"You crazy old fool! You know now by this happening I cannot be separated for the first few months," His temper getting the best of him. He tried in vain to keep his wings from emerging, but once a Veela finds its mate all logical seemed to go flying out the window literally!
The room was suddenly filled with the sound of fabric tearing, as the back of his suit began to strain against the two appendages. In a blink the bleach-blonde had toppled to the floor clenching himself securely, as the crown of his head pressed into the floorboards and his hair spilled all over his face and the floor like a platinum waterfall and just when all the struggling did not seem to be letting up anytime soon, suddenly a burst of two milky white feathered appendages had emerged.
"I have already considered that my dear mister Malfoy. This is why I summoned the both of you here before the start of the new school year." Dumbledore remained cool and collective even as the whole ordeal took place on his office floor no less, though Harry not so much. The boy who lived looked awe-stricken.
" Err…Did you ever consider the fact that maybe I wanted to finish my schooling before finding my mate?" The blond gasped before jerking his head in Albus' direction his eyes glowed a metallic like in color.
The Headmaster's smile had faltered a bit. Maybe he had jumped the gun on this, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. He wondered if Draco could sense his mate was near that whole time, but instead of pursuing that urge he wanted to live his remaining years here at Hogwarts not completely devoted to another.
"Be that as it may, young Malfoy it was bound to happen, and you would eventually have to cross that threshold and take up the responsibilities as a Veela."
Dumbledore's words had fallen on deaf ears. Draco Malfoy was too far gone he completely ignored the Headmaster as if the man was nothing more than a fly on the wall. His attention directed towards the High Elf with the bewilder expression. What was that decrepit old fool talking about again?
Albus watched as Harry did the one thing he knew best.
He ran.