"I'm supposed to kill the headmaster," Draco whispered.
Harry pulled back to look him in the eye, cursing himself as Draco flinched.
"Draco," he cooed, "I am not angry. I knew of your mission. Come with me, we need a more private place to talk."
He led the boy down to the dungeons, knocking lightly on Severus's door.
"Harry," Draco objected with fearful eyes, "No-Please. He's-"
"Not going to hurt you," Harry assured, tugging him closer to his side.
Severus pulled open the door.
"Indeed," Severus agreed, gesturing for them to walk in.
"We need a plan. Draco can't kill Dumbledore, it would tear his soul. I will not allow that to happen."
"Nor will I," Severus snapped, "I was going to kill him. He's nearing death anyways, by a curse in his hand."
"I don't want your soul broken either, Severus."
Severus looked up in shock. People usually didn't care much for the greasy potion master's life- nor his soul.
"There is no other option."
"We could fake it with a golem," Harry suggested, "and let Dumbledore die the natural way."
"His death is supposed to give me the right to his wand," Severus divulged.
Harry nodded. "Disarm him then," he told him, as if it were simple- which really it was, "then it will be yours."
Draco curled into Harry's side trustingly, letting sleep claim him. Harry frowned down at him- he must not have gotten much sleep lately, if he is falling unconscious during such conversations.
"Maybe we should continue this discussion tomorrow?"
Harry nodded, scooping up Draco in order to carry him.
"He will sleep in a room Hogwarts has given me," Harry reassured him, "We cannot be separated for tonight at least."
"He will be skittish come morning," Severus warned, looking over them with concern.
"I can calm my own mate," Harry growled, "Don't forget that he is my match. He is mine."
"He may not like that possessive nature."
"My nature will make him feel safe and loved, Severus," Harry replied, pulling the door open. "I will learn how to not be so threatening to him- and he will learn to accept my care. It should be soothing to him- but I expect him to be less than cooperative at first. I know what I'm doing."
Severus tilted his head in concession.
"Take care of him."
Harry gazed down at his soft features, giving Severus a nod goodnight.
"I will. Always."
HPDM
He was running- faster faster- but not fast enough.
He could feel the pull of something- something awful.
"You dare to defy me? You are a disgrace to the Malfoy name!"
He stood tall, keeping his mask solid and his resolve strong.
"A true Malfoy bows to no one!"
He felt a ice cold grip his chest, and suddenly he could not breathe.
"You will bow," his father sneered, morphing into the ugly form of Lord Voldemort. "To me."
"Draco!"
He jerked up with a gasp, tumbling off the bed in his hurry to get away from his nightmare.
He heard someone rush around, quickly pulling him back onto the bed with a gentle hold.
"Are you alright?"
He knew that voice, but he felt dizzy and could not think straight.
"Head."
Draco felt a tingle go over his body and a cold vial was slipped into his hand. He drank it without question, to out of focus to really examine it.
Once his headache had faded, he realized that he was still being held against a sturdy chest, and it was quite comfortable.
He lifted his head to see the owner of said chest.
"Potter!"
He scrambled back in surprise, gasping when he was pulled back.
"You'll fall again, Dray," the Gryffindor told him, adjusting himself so that they were facing one another. "Do you remember last night?"
At first Draco thought that they had done something- indecent- but then flashes from the previous night came back to him and he sagged in relief.
"I don't really- well I do- but-"
Harry chuckled, pulling up his shirtsleeve to show him his dragon.
"We are bond-mates, Draco."
Draco watched his hands.
"And- what creature are we- or you- or me I guess?"
Harry just laughed again.
"I don't know yet, I have a meeting with Gringotts next week to find out."
"Oh."
Harry sighed, moving his neck at an awkward angle to look into Draco's face.
"I meant what I said last night," he whispered. "You are my mate- and I will take care of you. You are not alone anymore."
Draco shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm always alone."
Harry reached out slowly, unsurprised when Draco jerked back.
"Get away from me, Potter!"
Draco then grasped his chest, breathing harshly.
"Harry-"
The pain stopped and Harry pulled the other boy to his chest.
"What's happening?"
Harry rocked him, shocked to feel wet tears soaking his neck.
"The bond is trying to settle, and it can't tell if we're really angry or if we are just confused. It tries to punish us for being apart. I'm so sorry, Draco," he added in a whisper. "But I have to hold you."
Draco scoffed, stiff in his arms.
"Sorry it's such an inconvenience."
Harry gasped, pulling him even closer.
"Never," he assured. "You feel so nice here. I wish that you enjoyed it as much as I."
Draco was befuddled, and he didn't have enough control to not show it- what with everything going on.
"But- why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you want to hold me?"
Harry turned his head to show his confusion.
"Because I care for you a great deal. Because you are my submissive and it makes me feel like I am keeping you safe. Because you are quite lovely and your skin is quite soft. Because I've had a crush on you since before this bloody bond thing, and I'm feeling quite entitled right now."
Draco blushed heavily.
"You've had a crush on me?"
Harry grinned.
"I'm almost certain that half of this bloody school has had a crush on you- not that they will ever get the chance. You are mine, Draco Malfoy."
Draco was torn between feeling loved and feeling degraded.
"I'm not an object."
Harry growled.
"But you are mine. As I am yours. They may not touch you."
Draco nodded his assent to the added commentary.
Harry smiled.
"I hope that one day you will enjoy my hold."
Draco relaxed his body, happily curling into the safety provided. He could feel the singing in his blood proving Harry's words.
"I already do. You are rather warm, you know."
TBC