Chapter 3

"I will not allow this!"

Harry creased his eyebrows and let out a soft whine when he realized that Draco wasn't holding onto him like usual. He let out a sigh, then tumbled out of bed and padded into the other room, where the voice had come from.

"Dray?" Harry mumbled sleepily, seeing Draco standing by the fire.

Draco turned around and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be done in a second, Harry." Draco turned back to the fire and crouched down. "I do not care how it is done, but it has to happen! You must not let him compete, Father. It is too dangerous, and I will not allow my mate to be placed in a threatening situation like this."

Harry padded behind Draco then peeked his head around the Slytherin's frame, coming face-to-face with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Despite knowing who Draco's parents were, Harry still let out a fearful speak and buried himself in Draco's back.

Draco smirked and firmly grabbed Harry's wrist, pulling him in front of him. "It's alright love. They won't hurt you," Draco murmured gently, looking up to glare at his parents for reinforcement.

"Of course we won't," Narcissa crooned delightedly. "Oh, you're even cuter than Draco described!"

Harry flushed bright red and let out a soft whine, turning in Draco's embrace to bury his head in the strong chest. His ear's folded in embarrassment, immediately brining them to attention.

Lucius snorted in amusement, "I shall try my best, Dragon."

Draco wasn't satisfied by the answer, but he knew he would get nothing more from him. "What are the consequences of me not allowing him to partake?"

"It's a magical contract. If he does not participate, then it will kill him," Lucius replied.

Draco snarled under his breath then tightened his grip around Harry. "Do you mind going up and waiting for me in bed?" he asked softly, reaching up to pet Harry's ears.

Harry frowned and shook his head, letting out a small whine as he did so. "Want to stay with you, Draco."

Draco smiled wryly and kissed the top of Harry's head. "Of course you do," he chuckled then looked up once again to address his parents. "The first task is coming up, and I want Harry out of the tournament before then."

Lucius and Narcissa shared looks. "We know you don't want to hear this, but Harry is a champion. He is legally bound in a contract, and other than death, there is no way to exclude him."

Draco's eyes narrowed and he pulled away slightly so Harry could look at him. "Harry, I want you to go wait in our room now," he said firmly.

Harry whined in distress but Draco shook his head. "There is no reason for such anxious noises," he scolded softly. "I shall join you in a moment, but I don't want you to hear this conversation I am about to have."

Harry swallowed and shifted nervously, but with a gentle push, he was on his way to their bedroom. He pouted and walked over to the bed, his ears folded over in irritation. Draco couldn't just send him away. He had a right to hear what they were talking about! Besides, the tournament didn't sound all that bad. Draco was just being too protective.

Distantly, he could hear the sound of Draco arguing furiously. Finally, however, the talking stopped altogether. Harry heard footsteps approaching the room, and flicked his ears in annoyance. He didn't want to see Draco right now.

Draco sighed as he walked into the room and saw the position Harry's ears were in, all well as his firm pout. "I'm sorry Harry, but I'm not budging on this. You won't be participating."

"I'm not weak!" Harry snapped, "I can take care of myself perfectly fine."

Draco growled softly in warning, but Harry just looked away. "I know you aren't weak Harry, but that doesn't change anything. Don't act like you aren't frightened either, little one," Draco slowly approached the bed then sat down, making no move to pull Harry on his lap. He knew the half-kitten would not react kindly.

"I'm not!"

"You are," Draco corrected. "Were you not the one who whined and whimpered for me when your name was called?"

Harry blushed brightly. "I was shocked!"

Draco growled under his breath, "Stubborn Gryffindors!" he scoffed. "I am not allowing you to compete, even if I have to tie you to the bed."

"You don't have a choice. Your father said that it was a binding contract," Harry pointed out.

Draco sighed and patted his lap, but Harry stubbornly crossed his arms. Rolling his eyes, Draco continued. "Yes, but I have certain entitlements as your dominant mate. If I choose to do so, I could bring it up with the magical creatures department. In fact, I am doing so today."

Harry narrowed and was about to argue further when Draco pulled him into his lap. Harry made a noise of protest in the back of his throat but was quickly shushed by Draco. "No more protests love," he said firmly, settling Harry between his legs and nuzzling his neck, making Harry close his eyes in contentment.

Harry relaxed at the familiar motion and let out a soft purring noise, cuddling up to Draco just as a cat would. He blearily opened his eyes again and rubbed his cheek against Draco's, his ears flickering lazily.

Draco accepted the submissive gesture and pressed an adoring kiss to Harry's temple. "Good," he growled soothingly, the dominant sound relaxing Harry even further.

After a few more minutes of cuddling, Draco reluctantly pulled away. "You have classes darling, and I have matters to take care of."

Harry growled lightly in protest when he found himself removed from his comfortable position. "And you're just going to skip class?"

"I am," Draco smirked. "You, however, are not. So up. We both need to get dressed in suitable apparel."

Harry pouted but stood from the bed and tumbled after Draco. He pulled his school uniform out of their shared dresser and quickly stripped off his shirt and replaced it. He tried to fasten on his tie then pouted when his tired fingers refused to cooperate.

Draco watched him, clearly amused. "Harry, love, would you like some help?"

Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco then sleepily shook his head. After a few more seconds of struggling, Harry gave up and stumbled towards Draco, looking up at him with a beseeching expression.

Draco chuckled and tugged Harry closer, teasingly grazing Harry's throat with a kiss before pulling away and taking the tie out of Harry's hands and fastening it around his neck.

Once his tie was in place, Harry stepped back to the dresser and tugged off his pajama bottoms then replaced them with his nice dress pants. He finished and looked over at Draco, finding the Slytherin dressed in a simple pair black robes, the only decoration being the large Malfoy family crest in the right corner.

Draco stalked forward and quickly caught Harry in his arms. He pressed pressed a sweet kiss to his lips then wrapped Harry in his arms. "I shall not be gone longer than a few hours," he promised. "If you need me for any reason, do not hesitate to send me a patronus, understood?"

Harry nodded and cuddled against Draco's chest once more. "Alright Dray," he whispered compliantly.

Draco snorted and gave Harry another kiss. "You, my dear little Harry, have rapid mood changes. Not thirty minutes ago you were fighting and squirming and not letting me hold you, and now…"

Harry pouted. "You were being mean to me," he stubbornly declared. "I wanted you to hold me and you sent me away."

Draco's expression immediately softened. "I'm sorry love. I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I simply didn't want you to hear that argument. It was...colorful."

Harry relaxed and nodded, his ears perking up to their full height at the realization that Draco hadn't done it on purpose. Draco smiled affectionately then placed a light kiss to the tips of each before pulling away and grabbing Harry's hand. "Now, I shall walk you to the Great Hall then take my leave."

Harry nodded and happily skipped to the door, tugging Draco along with him. Draco reluctantly pulled away from Harry once they reached the great wooden doors. "Remember, if you have any problems I'm just a spell away."

Draco turned to step away but Harry quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist. Seeing his confusion, Harry quickly stepped closer and wormed his way back into Draco's embrace. He reaching up to give Draco another kiss, this one considerably less gentle than the Slytherin's parting gift.

Draco finally pulled away with an amused smirk. "I may have to leave more often, if I get that reaction from you," he murmured.

Harry blushed and shrugged innocently. "Bye Draco!" he chirped happily then bounced inside the Great Hall. As soon as he stepped inside, every eye turned to look at him. Harry paused and laughed nervously then hurried to the sanctuary of the Gryffindor table. He had nearly forgotten about last night.

After a horrible breakfast, which Harry needed to remember to thank Draco for - how dare he leave him alone the morning after that fiasco! - it was time for his dreaded classes. He suffered through transfiguration and then charms, and finally herbology.

Harry didn't know whether to be thankful, or depressed that it was lunch time. Surprisingly enough, lunch wasn't too horrible. Apparently having cat ears held a certain amount of immunity. Other than the same dreadful whispers at breakfast, the hall was quiet.

The only abnormal thing was his friends behavior. Occasionally during the meal, Hermione and Ron would quickly draw him into a conversation, distracting him, but whenever Harry looked back, there was nothing there.

Harry was in the middle of analyzing it, when they tried to distract him again! Harry raised his eyebrow and quickly turned around, nearly spitting out his pumpkin juice when he came face-to-face with Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum.

"Y-yes?" he stuttered, his throat scratchy from his unexpected choking.

"Ve vould like to have a talk with you, in private." Krum said seriously as Cedric reached out to help Harry up.

Harry ignored that hand and stood on his own, waving a reassuring hand at Hermione and Ron who looked stricken. "I'll be right back," he promised then he was being led away by the two men.

Harry bit his lip nervously as he put the pieces together. Whispers, dragging him away, last night. They were obviously furious that he was entered in the tournament.

Cedric quickly led them into a deserted room. "I'm sorry," Harry looked down and his ears immediately flattened to his head as he imagined the hateful looks that were probably being sent to him.

"Vhat do you have to be sorry for?" Krum asked with a confused frown.

"Cedric, I really didn't want to be entered. I'm sorry," Harry ran a hand through his hair and finally looked up. "I'm sorry, you must be so angry. It was supposed to be only you!"

"Hey, it's alright," Cedric soothed, stepping closer and unconsciously petting Harry's ears. "Neither of us are angry. We came to talk to you for a different reason."

Harry's ears slightly perked up, although it was obvious they were still drooping. "About what?"

"Your relationship with this...Draco." Krum stepped up so he was level with Cedric.

Harry choked for the second time that day. "My relationship is exactly that - a relationship."

Victor and Cedric shared a look before stepping even closer to Harry. "Ve aren't giving up, kitten."

"We?" Harry glared. "Cedric, you can't be ser-"

"You're cute, funny, and I like you," Cedric shrugged. "Then again, I suppose that doesn't make me different from the rest of the school, eh?" he offered up a small smiled, which Harry promptly ignored.

Krum nodded. "Durmstrang knows not to touch you, else they vill deal with me. Beauxbatons is an all girls school, so ve have nothing to vorry about there."

Cedric nodded, "As do the Hufflepuffs, though I don't believe that will stop them from eyeing him all the time." Cedric frowned firmly. "If you knew of some of the comments…"

"I've heard them, so has Draco." Harry rolled his eyes. "They all think I'm adorable," he snorted.

Cedric and Viktor raised their eyebrows. "Oh I assure you, kitten, you haven't heard anything."

"And knowing Malfoy, he hasn't either. In the event that he did, I highly doubt much of the school would be left intact," Cedric added.

Harry crossed his arms and stared at them. "I'm warning you right now that I am mated. As in I have a mate. Which is Draco, who I'm sure would delight in bashing your heads in if I choose to tell him about this conversation."

"Let him try," Krum snorted. "I vill easily defeat him," he looked over at Harry as he expected him to be impressed. "I villl show my strength as a good suitor," Krum boasted proudly.

Harry rolled his eyes and looked over a Cedric. "I have no interest in either you or Viktor. Now, if you'll excuse me." Harry backed away from them then turned and fled out the door. Darn-it Draco, you picked the worst day to leave!


Draco was furious. No, he was past furious. He was miles past it. "Are you telling me that my mate is being forced to compete?"

"He is bound by a contract. He will either compete or face the consequences, which in this case, means death." The head of the Magical Creatures department looked at him warily over his glasses. "Now, unless there is anything else…"

Draco stormed out the office and snarled angrily. Everyone he passed shot him alarmed looks, but none dared to comment. The young Malfoy was obviously not to be trifled with.

He made it back to Hogwarts just as dinner was ending. Draco swept into the Great Hall and immediately scanned the Gryffindor table, sighing in relief when he saw Harry's unharmed head talking with his friends. "Harry," he said smoothly, walking up behind his mate.

Harry immediately turned then his face broke into a huge grin. "Draco!" Ignoring everyone's bemused, and slightly jealous, stares, Harry jumped into Draco's arms and cuddled into his chest.

Draco's frown instantly washed away. "Hello Harry," he chuckled, catching him and drawing him closer and placing an arm around his shoulders. "Are you finished with dinner?"

Harry quickly nodded and waved to his friends before snuggling himself in Draco's side. He couldn't find it in himself to care about all the whispers following in Draco's arrival, or even the gazes of Viktor and Cedric burning into his back.

Draco quickly settled his weary body down on the bed and pulled Harry close to his chest. "How was today, love?" he murmured. "Did you have any problems?"

Harry hesitated for a brief second then shook his head. Draco didn't need to know about Viktor or Cedric yet, not until they actually became a problem. Right now they were harmless, albeit annoying. "How did your...talk go?"

Draco's scowl immediately returned and he straightened up and pulled Harry between his legs to rest against his chest. "Not well," he murmured against Harry's ears.

Harry shivered at the pleasant sensations but refocused his attentions on Draco's words. "They said I have to compete," Harry stated as a fact.

Taking Draco's silence as affirmation, he cuddled even closer and tucked his head under Draco's chin. "I'll be fine, Draco. No one's died from the tournament in years," he smiled comfortingly.

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. In an instant Harry found himself face-to-face with a very protective Draco Malfoy. "What?" Harry asked as Draco moved him till he was straddling the blond wizard.

Draco ran a hand down his face then leaned forward and nipped Harry's neck. "You're going to be the death of me," he muttered under his breath. "Regardless of the rules, I will be helping you in every way I can. I shall assist you with wand work, as well as anything else you need."

Harry nodded and sleepily snuggled closer to Draco, laying his head on the broad shoulder and peacefully closing his eyes. "I'll be fine Draco."

Draco hummed in reply and softly pet Harry's ears and the Gryffindor slowly fell asleep on his lap. Harry had better be fine. He let out a lengthy sigh and settled Harry underneath the covers before transforming both their cloths into nightwear and climbing in beside his mate. He drew Harry against his chest and wrapped a protective arm around the tiny waist.

Harry mumbled sleepily and moved until he was almost on top of the Slytherin and curled into his chest. "Night Dray," he whispered.

"Goodnight Harry, I love you."