Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any profits from posting this fanfiction.

Summary: Non-Epilogue compliant. A depressed, lonely Harry literally stumbles into a man who seduces him with answers to Harry's problems, hands him the promise of happiness…and an invisible shackle to a gilded prison. With answers he hates in his hand will Harry be able to find the elusive happiness he deserves?

Pairings: HP/GW. HP/OMC. HP/OFC. HP/TH (Terrence Higgs). HP/Other Rowling Characters.

AN: My thanks, as always, to the wonderful Scioneeris who beta read this for me. Also, thank you very much to those of you who took the time to review and to share your thoughts on the Sheikh. Here is the next instalment an I can only apologise for it being late – I went to upload it yesterday and got interrupted so you get it this morning instead at a horribly ungodly hour. Enjoy!

Warnings: There will be dark scenes, mentions of rape, violent scenes and battles against emotional problems in this fic. There will also be gentler scenes, homosexual intimacies, heterosexual intimacies and romance. I hope you are prepared…..I know I wasn't when I started writing this story.


Dragonette Debacle – Chapter 2 – The Destined,

31st July 2007 – Harry age 28years.

Harry was gleefully packing away his belongings. He was having an early finish today because it was his birthday and he was going to the pub after work with his colleagues in celebration. He didn't go often to the pub, hadn't been since December last year, in fact, when he had gone to drown his blues at being lonely. Today, however, he was going to enjoy himself and have a few pints of butterbeer, perhaps some of Ogden's finest and get a little merry.

"Uh Harry, mate, there's a gentleman here to see you?" Ron said poking his head around the office door.

Harry could have sighed. A man to see him? Please let it be a short visit. Harry did not want to have to deal with a new case now or have some annoying politician come and try to sweet talk him…or even some upstart trying to complain about his department.

"Alright, Ron, let them in." Harry groaned and slumped backwards into his chair, letting the papers he had been holding drop to his desk. Ron shot him a sympathetic glance and disappeared around the door closing it gently behind him. Harry waited, rather impatiently too, for the door to open and this 'gentleman' to come in so he could get everything sorted out as quickly as possible.

Moments later, there came a gentle knock on the door followed by the door opening and elegantly a tall figure dressed in a white floor length tunic with a dark brown over-robe walked into the room. A scarf was tied around his head, this time a red and white checked scarf and hung down the back of his neck. Sheikh Yusri stood before Harry with a smile and red-brown eyes glistening. He closed the door behind him and folded his hands in front of his body looking peaceful, mighty, serious and amused all at once.

Harry sat up straighter, assuming a better posture for the man before him. After their last meeting Harry had looked up information on Sheikh Yusri and had discovered that, whilst a wizard, the man, along with two of his brothers, had made a fortune in the muggle oil business, petrol and such like, and had studied muggle religion enough to be referred to as a Sheikh.

The Sheikh had been a collector of people's stories as well, not like a journalist but in one quote Harry had read about Sheikh Yusri it had said 'he likes to collect stories. Interesting people become his treasures and he does not share with the world that which he learns from the people he meets'. To all accounts the man was harmless, a strong man mentally and physically but harmless.

Harry used the information to shove away those warring instincts deep within him and placed some trust in the man before him. Harry wasn't always right about a person's character, just take Professor Snape for example. Snape was a mean and bitter man whose actions were all done with the memory of love for Harry's mother and the wish to rid the world of the evil that was Voldemort. Harry had never known that man's true intentions until the very end. Now with the Sheikh, Harry was unsure, but to all intents and purposes, the man was trustworthy, had glowing recommendations and had kind and gentle actions. Harry's research said he should trust the man.

"Ah, Your Excellency. How may I be of service?" Harry asked pleasantly, making a conscious effort to relax and be welcoming.

"My humblest apologies for intruding upon your work, however my conscience would no longer allow me to conduct my business when I have not yet made emends to you."

Harry blinked. "Ah." He murmured. The Sheikh had obviously not forgotten their earlier meeting, nor had he forgotten his request to 'treat' Harry in reparation. "There really is no need, Your Excellency. You accepted my apology and I accepted yours, there is no need to think about it any longer. I'm not upset."

"Ah but 'tis not your approval I am most eager to assuage, though admittedly your approval does sire some of my motive. My conscience prays heavily upon my mind and I can work no more without satisfying it." The Sheikh insisted taking one step closer to Harry and bowing his head as if weighed upon by his conscience.

Harry felt himself slump inwardly, the Sheikh's argument was not really one he'd be able to argue against since it was an argument he had used often as well. He had often claimed that his doing something or buying something for somebody was his way of treating them and making himself feel better because he had been busy or unable to spend much time with them. He used things like that as an apology. It appeared that the Sheikh did too…Harry tutted to himself mentally. He'd have to accept now.

"Very well then. Did you have a certain time in mind?" Harry enquired and the Sheikh smiled satisfied and ablaze with something Harry couldn't recognise but it heated up his eyes and brought a glow to the man's face.

"My hope had been for today friend, however if that is not amenable to you then perhaps you would be so good as to recommend a time."

Today was not a good time, Harry thought. He was going out with his colleagues for a birthday beer and was…perhaps actually it was a good idea. It would be like killing two birds with one stone. The Sheikh could accompany Harry out with Harry's work colleagues and appease his conscience while Harry wouldn't be so trapped in a one-on-one social with the Sheikh which could potentially be uncomfortable because how much could he and a Sheikh have in common to make small talk about? However, would the Sheikh agree to going on an outing like that? Harry couldn't imagine a Sheikh in a pub.

"I am going to the pub with my colleagues now. Perhaps you would like to accompany us? I am told the pub we are going to has a beautiful view and is opposite a Victorian muggle pier." Harry offered and the Sheikh gave a gentle smile and bowed his head minutely.

"I would not wish to intrude on your time with your colleagues."

Harry was quick to reassure the Sheikh. "You wouldn't be intruding. It's only a drink or two, most of them have work in the morning so they won't be staying out long. I hear their boss is a stickler for being on time and in good health." Harry gave a humorous laugh at the self-depreciating comment. "They won't mind you accompanying us. It was their idea to celebrate my Birthday and if I want you to come then they won't mind."

"Ah, it is your Birthday! Many happy returns for the day! If it is your Birthday and your with for me to come with you then of course I shall be honoured to join you."

"Excellent. Well then, just give me a moment to tidy up in here and I will be all ready to go if you are, Excellency?"

"I only await you friend, though I believe I offered you the use of my first name, Saladin. There is no need to use honorifics with me Harry." Those intense eyes pinned Harry where he now stood. Harry didn't know why but he felt like squirming under that gaze and heat pooled in his cheeks.

"Right, Saladin. Sorry." Harry shifted his gaze away from Saladin and hurriedly stacked up the papers on his desk into a haphazard pile, shoved it in his inbox so he could deal with organising it on Monday and then moved to get his robe.

"Here, allow me." Saladin moved and swiped Harry's robe from the robe hanger. Saladin turned the robe around and held it open inviting Harry to slide his arms into it. Feeling very much like a girl, but unable to protest to the treatment for fear of offending the man, Harry tuned his back on the Sheikh and slid his arms quickly into his robe, shrugging it onto his shoulders despite the Sheikh still keeping hold of the material. Saladin positioned the robe on Harry's shoulders and then smoothed down the fabric there so it was flat on his shoulders. Harry felt a shudder run up and down his spine and had to fight to keep it contained. Then Saladin let go.

"Thank you." Harry expressed gratefully, though still unable to meet the man's eyes. Harry walked over to the door and pulled it open. "Shall we?"

"Yes, we shall. Please, after you." Saladin reached past Harry and held the door open benevolently. Harry felt another twinge of unease at the easy chivalry but put it down to no longer being the chivalrous one.

"Sure. Okay." Harry mumbled and stepped out of his own office first.

After a thirty minute hullaballoo trying to get everybody going to the pub to converge there without causing a blockage in the floo system because of the en-mass exodus, Harry finally had a butterbeer in his hand and was relaxing into his soft leather pub chair. Saladin was settled next to him and Ron was across the table. Aurors Smythwck, Goldstien and Tolipan were also around the table and were engaged in a debate with Saladin. Harry took a long sip of his butterbeer.

"So mate, how does it feel to be twenty-eight? I mean you're on the slippery slope to the thirties now." Ron asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

"You tell me Ron, you have been twenty-eight longer than I have."

"Oh it's great. Great job, wonderful wife, lovely friends and…come to think of it, there are only two downsides to being twenty-eight."

"Oh yeah? What are those?"

"Well, first is that my Boss is a right tosser who keeps me slaving away doing insane hours-"

"OI!" Harry laughed and punched Ron in the shoulder.

Ron chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "-the second is Mum. She keeps going on and on about her age and my age and why I haven't made her a grandmother yet. Urgh. Who wants to think about children? I'm young, I don't want kids yet!"

"I have to disagree with you there Ron. I want kids." Harry said mournfully, though he did sympathise with Ron's situation.

Molly had become a right tyrant demanding grandchildren from all her children. Ever since Bill and Fleur had their second child, and ever since she started babysitting for Teddy, she had become a nightmare. Only Ginny's wedding to Dean Thomas had abated the near constant hints and nudges about grandchildren for a while.

"I want kids too, preferably sooner rather than later." Alice Tolipan chirped and leaned closer to Harry and Ron. Ron turned a little green since Alice was at only 23years old and therefore 5years younger than Ron. Harry remembered Alice from school, the once plump eleven year old had grown up into a strong able bodied Auror, she had always shown good promise and capabilities in Dumbledore's Army.

"God, kids?! No way, not for me. And not for my missus either. She hates children, she's always calling them brats." Anthony Goldstein's useful contribution was slicked in humour and while his words were awful there was teasing in his eyes. Anthony was proud father to two lively young wizards and his wife was pregnant with another on the way.

"Ah children, the purest beings on this earth. They fill our lives with such joy. I have only a few but my time with them is precious." All eyes turned to Saladin.

"How many kids you got then? I've got three." Harry sighed and leaned back to watch the competition start before him. He had nothing to contribute so could only watch.

"Currently I have twelve."

"Twelve?!" Even Harry's voice joined the incredulous chorus.

Saladin smiled a wide, tooth filled smile looking slightly shark-like. "I am very blessed."

"How old are you to have that may children?!" Smythwick was ever careful with his words.

Harry quickly stumbled out an apology hoping to stop any offence being caused. Saladin waved him off with a smile and then put a hand on top of Harry's briefly while he answered.

"I am forty-one in January." Saladin removed his hand from on top of Harry's and folded his hands on the able, his voluminous sleeves nearly swallowing his tanned appendages.

"Crickey! And your missus put up with having that many kids?" Harry drew his wand and cast a quick non-verbal stinging hex at Smythwick. "OW!"

"Stop being so rude. Your Excellency, I sincerely apologise. It seems that Smythwick has drunk far too much." Harry apologised as humbly as he could.

Again Saladin just laughed it off and waved a hand between them. "Nonsense. It is a valid question, there is no offence. In answer I shall reveal only that my mateship is thriving and we rejoice in all the new children we bring into the world."

A mateship? Where had Harry heard that term before? It sounded familiar…Hermione came to mind immediately. A few years back she had been fighting for equal rights and full recognition of mateships and mateship bonds as a form of marital right or bonding. Harry just couldn't remember any more than that.

"Right well, let's change the subject. Sir, tell us about yourself. What is it you do?"

Harry noticed Ron breathe a sigh of relief at Goldstein's change in subject. Harry felt a similar relief, talking about a mateship was dangerous ground because there were still some wizards and witches who were against the idea of recognising mateships as legal despite legislation declaring it so a few years ago. Harry didn't care, Ron approved, Hermione was one hundred per cent for the legalisation and recognition of mateships. Harry didn't know his fellow auror's views on it.

"I have my hand in many a honey pot, however I made my fortune in muggle oil. I am a dedicated collector of fine arts and treasures of indescribable worth."

"What kinds of treasures?"

"Most recently I came across an Italian Adonis, beautifully sculpted and with such powerful enchantments that I couldn't bear to share the model with the world. I squirrelled it away to my home across the seas. It now has pride of place in my temple with some of my other treasures."

Harry noticed how Saladin's eyes flared with heat as he spoke about his treasure. It sent a shudder up his spine. He felt immensely uncomfortable and had the feeling that Saladin was hiding something. Harry mentally cussed himself. There was no reason for him to feel this way at all. Saladin had given him no real reason to suspect him and from the background checks that Harry had done Saladin was completely clean, a respectable member of society. Perhaps there was an inside joke about the Italian sculpture, nothing sinister at all. Harry needed to stop being so paranoid.

"Wow. Is it hard to find your treasures? Is it like curse breaking and tomb raiding?"

"Ah, not really. I have mostly relied upon luck…and connections. The Italian piece was found through a business associate of mine. I went to his firm to talk business and he introduced me to the marvellous model in his office. Naturally, being a collector, I had to have it. I offered a good deal and a week later I was hoarding my newest treasure home."

The chatting went on and one for a while and after a few hours most of Harry's colleagues had gone home. Some were still at the bar drinking and laughing, being generally rowdy but remaining carefully within limits at all times. Ron left about eleven o'clock and so Harry was left with Saladin at the table. Harry was feeling rather more relaxed now. The butter beer had done its job and given him a nice and relaxed buzz, lifting his spirits too which was a nice difference to the depressions he had slipped in and out of over the last few years.

"It appears that the drink is getting to me. I am afraid I must beg your indulgence, the drink has made me slightly addled." Saladin professed putting a hand to his forehead and closing his eyes. Harry eyed the Sheikh who had been drinking abundantly throughout the evening. He held his liquor very well and had drunk sensibly, mixing alcohol with copious food. The man had eaten an extremely large fish supper followed by an excessive amount of fruit, most fruits Harry had no idea were even available in the pub. The man had also refilled his water glass as often as he had topped up his alcohol. Harry couldn't see how the man would be drunk but then everybody had different levels of tolerance and despite being responsible about his drinking the Sheikh could be affected with tipsiness.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes of course. Perhaps I need some air."

"Come on then, Saladin, let's take a walk and see if you feel better. I could do with some fresh air too." Harry left his nearly empty pint on the table and pulled himself to his feet. Harry shrugged on his outer robe which had plenty of cooling charms on because it was the heat of July at the moment and despite the late hour it was still very warm. Harry then reached out and helped steady Saladin as the Sheikh got to his feet. Once stood up the man wobbled, reaching out to grasp both the table and Harry in order to steady himself. Saladin laughed ruefully then tried to stand again.

"I have not drunk as much as that for several years, my apologies for casting a shadow over your evening with my behaviour." He muttered.

Harry scoffed and slid an arm around the man's waist helping to take his weight as they crossed the pub to the front door. "Enough with the apologising. We're both tipsy. It's hardly casting a shadow or whatever. I've had one of the best nights out of my life tonight so I should be thanking you for participating in my birthday celebrations."

The warm summer night air hit them as they opened the wizarding pub door and swayed out onto the street. They walked along the street a little before crossing the muggle road so they were walking on the pathway parallel to the sea. The tide was in and the waves were crashing on the sandy beach below spraying up a salty mist. The smell of sea salt, the coolness the moisture added to the air, and the slight breeze seemed to help clear Harry's head and from the way the Sheikh was no longer leaning on him the man was obviously recovering.

"What, pray tell, is that structure extending into the sea?" He asked and pointed ahead where they could just make out something solid going out in a straight line into the sea. The dim light didn't give much information but Harry had been to the Merrows Anchor Pub in Southend-on-Sea a few times as it was a favourite among the aurors for Birthdays and Celebrations.

"That is Southend Pier."

"Hm. Would you care to walk it with me?" Harry had no objections so they wandered off down to the pier. There were very few muggles around but still Harry and Saladin slipped through the gates with minimal effort and strolled down the pier. It was a long walk and they didn't end up going all the way down the pier in the end as they stopped to look at the water.

Harry happily told Saladin about the merpeople colony that had made their home around the feet of the marvellous pier. With the help of the wizarding community the merpeople now had a colony that was safe from any muggle prying eyes, heavy wards around their underwater community and a good seafood trade going with the Merrows Anchor Pub, a pub which actually had a secret built in, tunnels underground and into the merpeople colony which was used as a trade link. It was a prospering relationship, the merpeople tribe being quite happy to trade with them for any precious stones or shells which they could use for clothes decorations or weapons.

"You appreciate magical beings." The statement was coupled with intent red-brown eyes, they almost glowed in the light. He was smiling coaxingly and his relaxed shoulders gave him the purest image of a man at his leisure. Harry leaned against the pier fence and looked down at the water, comfortable and enjoying the atmosphere.

"I do. I have many family, friends and colleagues who are dubbed magical creatures. There are not made better or worse by the fact that they have magical creature blood in their veins."

"Your reasoning is sound. And I am glad to find much of English wizarding society holds the same views. The equality here is refreshing and I am relishing it."

"A friend of mine, one of my very closest friends, fights for equal rights of many creatures. She has been very successful in her bid. It is helped by how famous she is and, I am ashamed to say, that to help her I have often used my fame as a means to sway the public." Harry admitted with embarrassment colouring his words and his face. The embarrassment doubled after he finished speaking as he did not know why he divulged so much information.

"Ah yes, your fame. I admit to being ignorant of your adventures when we first met. I do not wish to embarrass you or make you uncomfortable but I have rectified that matter and am now in reverential awe of your achievements."

"Oh." What did you say to that? Harry was feeling uncomfortable. It had been refreshing when the Sheikh hadn't known who he was. People tended to treat him with awe when they found out that yes he was actually the Boy Hero of the Wizarding World.

"I see I have affected you, I am sorry."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it, I can't blame you for being curious I guess."

They fell into a very brief silence before Saladin turned and took one of Harry's hands in his and gently stroked the skin with his thumb. He had an earnest look upon his face and his eyes were imploring at Harry. Harry's mind zeroed in on the fact that the man was holding his hand, his hand was enclosed in two large and strong hands. The stroking to his palm was giving him goosebumps on his arms and making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end. He was ultra-aware of the touch and the more the man stroked the more the contact sent shivers up his arms and pleasure started to pulse up from his hands.

"What is it?" Harry asked, flicking his eyes to the hands holding his and feeling that thumb brush over his skin once more. Harry felt his stomach muscles clench, nearly flinching at the strange sensation.

"I did have an important matter I wished to discuss with you however it is of a delicate nature. It is something I believe you need to be aware of. I had discovered it upon our first meeting but over the last week I have learned more upon the subject. It is of the upmost importance that you be made aware of this issue. Will you listen to my words and wait till I am finished explaining?"

"Okay." Harry breathed frowning heavily and trying to think through the focus-steeling touch which was praying on his conscious mind.

"When we first met it was because we were both preoccupied with admiring that wonderful fountain in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. I cannot speak for what held your fascination however mine as held by the engraving announcing which magical beings had equal status in this land. Then we collided and for my part I was fascinated by you. Your beauty is astounding Harry Potter, your eyes most especially hold more beauty in them than my treasure temple holds jewels."

Harry blinked and flushed at the outrageous compliment. He went to pull his hand back but Saladin's hands tightened around his.

The Sheikh stepped forwards. "Do not forget your words Harry Potter, you promised to hear all of what I have to say."

"Very well." Harry clenched his jaw and steeled up his nerves, trying desperately to shove down his indignation and embarrassment at the compliments.

"When we bumped into each other I felt a connection to you. I am sure you felt a connection to me too though you might not have recognised it as such." Harry opened his mouth to shout but the Sheikh stepped slightly closer again, towering over Harry and continued to speak before Harry could even utter a sound. "It was probably nothing more to you than feeling some peculiar instinct to do something out of character, like look down or show me your neck, tilt your head, acquiesce to whatever I wished…I do not know what it would have manifested itself as because the reaction is different for each person. You would have felt something, perhaps there were different instincts trying to get you to do as they wished. As I said, I do not know, however the reaction was strong for me Harry Potter and thus I am sure you must have had one as well."

"I…" Harry was about to tear into the man for saying such preposterous things when his mind flickered back to their first meeting and Harry found himself remembering that strange sensation that came over him when he met Saladin's eyes for the first time. He had felt something warring inside him and he remembered wanting to turn his head to the side in Saladin's presence but didn't let himself. He had felt another load of warring instincts when Saladin had walked into his office earlier, and again he had felt something throughout the evening. He couldn't dismiss the man's words completely. Harry shut his mouth and decided patience was a virtue, he would find his answers in whatever Saladin had to say.

Saladin seemed to take his silence for the confirmation it was as something lightened in his eyes. "I see you suspect much as I did. When I left you I too doubted what I had felt. Your reaction to my inquiry of your name was quite telling and I found information on you far quicker than I ever would have suspected. What I found impressed me and helped me understand. From all your challenges I can see why you were made into a Destined. From the scandalous tales in the local tabloids from many years ago, and from your celibacy I was have been able to circumstantiate my theory. This is my important news for you Harry, this could help make your life so much happier and I am distressed that nobody discovered this earlier for you. I am humbled and honoured for the chance to explain things to you especially considering my own circumstances."

"Right…so what is it? What could reading about my past tell you? What could my failed relationship possibly tell you?" Saladin's hand tightened again around Harry's though now the man moved one of his hands away and placed it on Harry's cheek.

"Shh, I am sorry to have distressed you my dear, beautiful Harry. It was never my intention to hurt or to torment you." The hand on Harry's cheek stroked his skin gently and Harry desperately wished to turn away or jerk back. He wouldn't let himself be intimidated though.

"Look, tell me what you know because I am seriously beginning to lose my temper."

Saladin pulled back, removing his hand from Harry's cheek though still holding his hand.

"Ah I should have known you would react this way, with temper and power. It is in your nature. If I hadn't already known then this would have confirmed it for me."

"Confirmed what?!" Harry snarled.

"What do you know of Dragonette Destined?"

"I'm sorry, what?" The abrupt change of tracks had Harry stuttering and feeling a little lost, and more than a little angry still.

"A Dragonette Destined? Or even a Dragonette, have you any knowledge of what they are?"

"No I don't…obviously." Harry added the last word almost spitefully; he hoped it would goad Saladin into revealing more and actually reaching the punch line to all his strange words and act.

Saladin took a breath in like a professor steeling himself up for a lecture. "A Dragonette Destined is a person who showed ability, a skill, or any form of greatness in front of a Dragon which impressed the Dragon. Now as I am sure you know Dragons are collectors, they love and jealously guard amazing things and when a person is shown to be mazing they do what they can to keep that person. If they cannot take the person for their hoard then what they do instead is a complex piece of Dragon Magic which is still to this day not understood. The Dragon marks the impressive person as a treasure, as a mate or as a Destined for a Dragonette who is able to claim them."

Saladin paused. "Dragonettes are the humans, witches and wizards, who descend from Dragons. Because of their human form Dragonettes come into contact with the Dragonette Destined and claim the person, taking them into their mateship and family to live happily for the rest of their lives. Some Dragonettes do not have a connection to the Dragonette Destined, we do not know why but it has been theorised that the connection can only be made by a Dragonette descending from the same species of Dragon which marked the Destined."

"Right…so what does that have to do with me exactly?" Harry asked, petulantly.

"When I met you," Saladin spoke patiently, "we had a connection which I was not expecting. When I read your history I found that during the war you released a Ukrainian Ironbelly from Gringotts. Anyone who would do that for a Dragon would undoubtedly be marked as a Dragonette Destined. However you showed no signs of a person who was marked which frustrated me all week long. Normally an unmated Destined would feel depression, tiredness, quick to anger, quick to upset, be overly protective of family, aggressiveness, isolation from others…even a need to nurture other beings usually children. I could find no record of you experiencing any of those symptoms which couldn't be explained by your position and past history."

"Then I came across information about your failed relationship with a Miss Weasley, and you will have to forgive my impropriety for what I am about to divulge. Reading about how you failed to reach an aroused state because of no medical reason, and despite numerous tries which were all published in that awful paper, I found the missing piece of evidence I needed. A Destined is unable to reach arousal that isn't influenced by them, by another Destined or by a Dragonette. That confirmed what you are Harry, and it confirmed the connection I felt upon our first meeting and a connection which I still feel today."

Harry felt utterly incredulous! That was one hell of a story to weave. Such intricate fabrication was utterly absurd and Harry felt like a fool for ever trusting the man before him. Obviously Saladin was insane and…

"I brought books for you in case you found it hard to believe. I know the information seems so extraordinary…too extraordinary to have any truth behind it. However I urge you to consider my words as I speak no lie." Saladin pulled a bag from beneath his robe, a bag Harry had not seen before, and handed it over. Harry took a quick glance inside the book and noticed the titles of the books. Dragons and their Kin, H Ridgebit. The Phenomena that is a Dragonette Destined, by W Po. Equality of Rights Legislation, by H Granger, P Overwater, L Morrish and Co. Hermione Granger…one of these books was by Hermione. That must mean there is something truthful in Saladin's words. Merlin…had the man thought of everything?

Harry pulled out the book and flicked to the foreword where, in bright bold letters was written 'by Hermione Granger'.

'It is important to firstly understand what a Dragonette is. Firstly, a Dragonette is the result of a Dragon mating with a human, or a Dragonette mating with a human. They are humanoid beings with the ability to change into a Dragon form, of which the species differs depending upon which species of Dragon they descend, during periods of extreme anger, distress, aggressiveness or protectiveness.

'A Dragonette Destined is a person who has demonstrated a strength of character, will, or skill before a Dragon who, impressed, uses an obscure and unknown form of magic to mark the person as 'worthy' of being a mate of a Dragonette. A Dragonette Destined is also the name given to offspring of a Dragonette Mateship who are unable to assume Dragon form.'

'A mateship is a group of Dragonette Destined mated with a Dragonette.

'It is within this legislation that we detail the laws and regulations agreed upon by our Ministry for Magic and the Dragonette Council wherein we outline the equality and rights of Dragonettes and Dragonette Destined.'

'For more information on Dragonette's and all areas related unto them, please read the following books: Dragons and their Kin (2003), by Harvey Ridgebit.'

Harry stopped reading. He swallowed and shut his eyes trying desperately to process all the information just given to him. It was too much…so much had happened in his life and now more!

Dragonettes. Destined? Mateship? Equality? Him?

It couldn't be true. It all had to be an elaborate joke. Some crazy hoax concocted to make him look the fool. Something to humiliate him further, something to depress him further as if being the only person alone and unattached out of all his friends wasn't reason enough for him to be depressed.

But what…what if it was true? What if it was possible? If he was a Dragonette…

A lump grew in Harry's throat and he swallowed again trying to clear it.

"So what…how…I'm a Destined?" Harry nearly winced at the sound of his own voice. It sounded broken, cracked and harsh. It was too much…far too much information.

"Yes Harry, all evidence points to that conclusion." Saladin's eyes searched Harry's face for a few moments, the red-brown orbs flicking over him staring intently. Then the man's face relaxed, his eyelids fluttered and he took a step forwards heaving a large sigh. Saladin lifted his hands and put them on the top of Harry's arms rubbing up and down. "Oh Harry, dear beautiful Harry. It pained me so to be the one to reveal all of this to you. My absolution will come, I pray, when you understand the hope this brings to you."

"Hope how?" Harry croaked and was ashamed to feel a tear rise in his right eye. He wiped it furiously away, face burning with shame. Saladin smiled kindly and rubbed up and down his arms again before putting weighted hands on Harry's shoulders.

"I read of the pain you suffered from being unable to be intimate." Harry flinched, full body involuntarily flinched. Saladin tightened his hold a little, squeezing the muscles reassuringly. "Knowing that you are a Dragonette Destined, knowing that you will be a part of a mateship where you will have that intimacy is a wonderful thing."

"It doesn't seem wonderful. It seems like a curse. I didn't ask to be a-a-a Destined or whatever! It has ruined my chance of happiness with the one person I loved. Because of this, and I'm not entirely convinced I believe it, I was humiliated and demeaned and had my chance of a family ruined. From where I stand Saladin, this is not a wonderful thing." Harry cursed bitterly, wanting desperately to get out from under those hands but at the same time wanting to revel under them.

"Calm, Harry, calm. It is wonderful. It is a beautiful thing. The love and belonging in a mateship is unparalleled. I know when I found my own mates I was filled with such indescribable joy. I had people around me to love and showed with my affections. We made love and shared in our love, celebrated our love and had children to make our family complete. To tie us all together. To be chosen for that, even if it was because you showed some kindness or some strength of character, that is such an honour. You have such a wonderful life ahead of you Harry. Oh to be found as worthy by such a wonderful being…I am envious." Harry stared. Saladin was in a mateship…well he had said as much earlier on. He was in a mateship and had thirteen children.

"You…you are in a mateship. Are you a Dragonette Destined too?"

"No, no, I am not so fortunate to be a Destined. No, I am a Dragonette." Harry jerked and took a half a step backwards. Saladin's hands immediately let go of his shoulders and the man's face crumpled into a deeply concerned expression showing abject remorse. "Please do not think less of me for it, dear Harry. I was born to this. Do not begrudge me for what I was born into. Be thankful for it, for if I were not a Dragonette I would surely not be able to tell what you suffer needlessly for."

Saladin stepped forwards and put a hand on Harry's cheek. Harry was completely stunned silly by this entire situation. Saladin, the Dragonette, claimed he was a Dragonette Destined. Saladin said that it was because he was chosen as a Destined that his relationship with Ginny, his wonderful Ginny, had failed. Saladin was promising that being a Destined was a good thing…Saladin who could be a…who could…why would he…was he…

"Are you sure?"

Saladin sighed again. "You doubt me still. I cannot blame you. There is no reason for you to take my words as gospel. The books will help you understand Harry, of that I am sure. Read them. They will get rid of any lingering doubts and help you understand what a blessing this is." Harry felt something bubbling up inside of him. Panic and desperation…if it was true…if he was…Saladin had found all this out, he could continue to help…if it was helping. Saladin was the one with the answers, if he was sure they were the answers for Harry. Something inside of him bounded up again, a buried instinct telling him to seek Saladin, to seek the man before him because it recognised something inside him.

"No. I don't want to read the books. Just tell me! Are you sure?" Harry whispered, fear, hope and disbelief coating his cackled voice. Saladin took another step forward, the hand on Harry's cheek stroking and lifting Harry's face upwards so they were still eye to eye. Red-brown eyes swam with depth and promise glittered inside them. Harry was so close he could see a flecks of a lighter colour in Saladin's eyes, a small mole barely there at the corner of his left eye.

"I am absolutely sure precious Harry."

And then Saladin kissed Harry. Strong thin lips pressed over Harry's and Harry's lips parted immediately either out of shock or the sheer force Saladin pressed into him with. Harry didn't stay shocked for ages but just as indignance rushed through him Saladin pressed closer and his entire body plastered against the front of Harry's.

Harry forgot his upset at the sudden kiss as pleasure spiked through him. Saladin's breath puffed out through his nose and blew over Harry's cheek. Harry gasped a little and those lips moved, caressing him. Harry's eyes rolled and he shut them surrendering to the kiss, enjoying the intimate contact with another person the likes of which he hadn't experienced since he and Ginny broke up.

"Oh Harry…" Saladin breathed as he pulled back from the kiss a moment. Then the lips were back on Harry's and this time it was far more consuming. Those soft lips coaxed more of a response from Harry. Harry gave into it, allowed it. His hands rose up and gripped Saladin's shoulders…where does one touch another man while being kissed? Harry didn't know what to do with his hands. He left them on Saladin's shoulders. Saladin pushed a hand around Harry's waist and pulled him closer meshing their bodies.

Arousal shot through Harry. Saladin moved his body slightly and the arousal grew.

Oh dear Merlin…I'm a Dragonette Destined…


AN: And there's another chapter for you! Next one will be up at some point on either Friday the 7th or Sunday the 9th.