A/N: Welcome to your Sunday chapter! I doubt this makes your Sunday however. I try darlings, I try.

I am no longer going through a tough time (not as much, anyway), though most of you probably didn't even read that aha. If I remember to not leave most of this story to the weekend, then those longer chapters shall return. Go me!

Enjoy the chapter, wonderful readers.

Please remember that I do know what they learn in third year Transfiguration. If you haven't yet guessed, this story doesn't fully stick to the facts. It is fanfiction, after all.

You are my Hope

Chapter 6

Draco heard Harry shuffling around early the next morning, and the door shutting quietly. Why was he leaving? Did he suddenly forget that Harry needed to be by his side?

He sighed and sat up in his bed. He didn't blame Harry at all, in all honesty. What on Earth was he thinking, kissing him like he did and blurting out all of his emotions? It was completely the wrong way to go...

Draco sighed once more before pulling his curtain across rand getting out of his bed. He picked up his school uniform and headed to the bathroom, but then...

"Draco."

He had not heard the door open and Harry enter the room. He turned to face him, and immediately felt the familiar heat returning to his face.

"Oh, uh, Harry... I'm just going to the bathroom..." said Draco. He turned away from Harry and started to walk to the bathroom. He wasn't ready for whatever Harry had to say about what happened the previous night. Though, when his arm was grabbed and he was turned around, he could tell that Harry clearly was ready to talk about it. Or so he thought, anyway. Harry didn't have words in mind.

Harry pushed him by his wrists, somehow not in an aggressive way, into the wall behind them. Before Draco had a moment to speak, or even respond in any way, the lips of Harry were pressed against his own. His grey eyes widened tremendously, and he simply stood there for a few seconds, stunned. It was all so much for him to handle... Harry, kissing him. He didn't bother questioning it though, at least at this moment, he just felt a wash of lust, a need for Harry like he never felt before. So he kissed back. Harry moaned at this and released Draco's wrists to put an around his waist. Since when did Harry get so tall? Draco had always been tall, but now the other boy was at least an inch or two taller than him...

He could hardly believe what was happening. A heart-warming feeling flowed through his body, making him shiver, as he put his hand into Harry's hair. Curiously, Harry's tongue crept into Draco's mouth, earning a deep moan of pleasure from the blonde. Draco needed answers, that was a fact, but he was feeling so wonderful... His own tongue slid across Harry's and... Merlin, it felt wonderous.

Eventually though, Harry had gently pulled away, and even though he was disappointed, he still had that warm feeling. It was... Relaxing.

"Wow..." he said breathlessly. Harry grinned shyly and brushed a hand through his messy hair. "Why... Do you...?" Draco couldn't finish his words.

"Yeah, I do. I was confused, I had to admit, but I talked to Hermione and-"

"You talked to Granger? Oh Merlin, Weasley wasn't there was he?" asked Draco panicked.

"No, of course not," said Harry quickly. "I just needed someone to talk to... So I went down to the common room as she normally wakes up early. I hope you don't mind..."

"No, I don't. It's completely understandable. I don't mind you telling her. It's just that I know how Weasley would react if you told him. He can barely take us being friends, never mind boyfriends."

The word 'boyfriends' sent another shiver down his spine, and he felt strangely drawn to Harry after he said it. Was it normal to be in love with someone this way?

"He'd probably have a heart attack, knowing Ron. And... Boyfriends?" Harry questioned, with a raised eyebrow. Draco blushed and his gaze dropped to his feet.

"Well... Y-you did kiss me after all... It's fine if you want to stay friends. I mean, it's better than nothing... Though I do like you a lot..." he babbled. Harry chuckled and gently took Draco's hand in his own. The Slytherin felt that spark going through his skin once again.

"I like the thought of us together, Draco. That's what I told Hermione," said Harry. Draco smiled joyfully at his words, but it dropped slightly when he thought of the danger he could put Harry in from being his boyfriend. It was dangerous enough just being friends.

"But... But isn't it dangerous? With what's been going on with me? And what about people's reactions?" he asked.

"I personally wouldn't mind what people would say, apart from Ron, but that's just me. But if it really worries you about these people, then we could always just remain secret for now until this passes over." Harry suggested. Draco nodded in agreement.

"I'd... I'd like that. Thank you."

"No need to thank me, ha ha. We better start to get ready if we are going to get to breakfast on time." Harry said. Draco nodded, and kissed Harry lightly on the cheek before entering the bathroom.

Their first lesson that next morning was Transfiguration. Draco was rather relieved to head over there; Pansy had not shut up all through breakfast about "Draco's new boyfriend". Blaise was happy for him too, but he showed it in less of an excitable way. Pansy, however, had let out a massive squeal of joy which made several heads turn in their direction. He was slowly starting to regret telling them, but erased the thought when he told himself that she was just extremely happy for him and she would be more quiet about it after a while.

Harry, on the other hand, didn't need to even show any sign to Hermione about what happened and didn't have a reaction either, never mind a squeal of joy (though squealing was not exactly a habit of Hermione). She simply gave him a slower nod in greeting than she usually did, with a knowing look in her eyes. Ron didn't notice a thing, though he did mention that Harry looked rather happier that morning. He said he simply woke up feeling great, which was enough for Ron. Harry knew that eventually, he was going to have to tell his friend, but for know he knew it was for the best to keep it quiet. If Draco wanted to keep it a secret, then that's what they would do.

The pair of them sat down at their desk in the Transfiguration classroom, which was at the back in between Pansy and Hermione's and Goyle and Ron's. After a couple of whispers to each other, the two girls glanced at Harry and Draco, then smiled at each other. Their gaze, as well as everyone else's, moved back to the front of the classroom when Professor Shadow coughed to get there attention.

"As we have finished with our recap of previous work you have completed in the past, we'll now be moving onto our first topic of this year. I'm pretty sure most of you will enjoy this topic, it was always one of my favourites when I was in school," she said, smiling. She took her wand out from the pocket of her robes and pointed it at the chalkboard. With a flick, she wrote the word "Animagi". A few excitable whispers scattered around the classroom.

"Yes, I know that as this isn't something that must be done by a spell and isn't actually Transfiguration, but this is the best lesson that you can do it in... I'm pretty sure that you all already know at least the basic facts about it. Start me off, then... What is an Animagus?"

Straight away, the majority of hands in the class were raised.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can morph themselves into the form of an animal at will," said Hermione.

"Yes, that is correct. 5 points to Gryffindor. So, I want you all to read the introduction of Animagi in your textbooks. After that, we will discuss what you have read."

"Don't forget, your homework is to write a small essay on what you know about Animagi, and how you describe the transformation I made into my wolf form," Professor Shadow called over the noise of the students packing their bags. "Mister Malfoy, could I have a quick word please?"

Draco nodded at Harry to come with him, and the two walked over to her desk at the front of the classroom.

"What's the matter, Professor?" Draco asked.

"Professor Snape wanted me to tell you that he requests that you meet him, your mother, and Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary next period. I know that you have a free lesson, but that's what he says... You probably have to go too, Mister Potter," she said.

"Alright, thank you Professor," said Draco.

"On another note, Skià told me about the two of you..." she chuckled when Harry and Draco looked at each other with puzzled expressions. "She brushed past you in the corridor yesterday and had a vision of the two of you. It's an incredible ability she has, it's too bad that many people see it as something strange, rather than a talent," she sighed.

"Do you know about how some... How some students have been acting with her?" Harry asked. The Professor sighed again and nodded, a sad look in her eyes.

"Yes, I do. I've had a very sharp word with them too. I had to take points from my old house too. She can stand up for herself, but she says she never feels the need to with people like them."

"At least she doesn't seem too upset with them..." said Draco. Professor Shadow smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes, that is true. Anyway, you two better be off to Professor Snape. I know how he doesn't like to be kept waiting," she said. Draco and Harry said their goodbyes and were in the doorway when she spoke again. "Oh, and Draco? Be careful."

"Don't worry, I will be," said the blonde.

"Alright, good. Just making sure. Don't forget your homework, boys."

"Oh, there you are, Draco. Where have you been?" Professor Snape asked when the two students entered the infirmary. Narcissa gave her son a squeeze on his shoulder, smiling softly.

"Sorry, we got caught up with Professor Shadow..." his godson explained, though he wasn't listening properly.

"The three of us have been talking about further possible reasons and solutions about your current situation. The thing is, after more research into this, we have come to realise that even with the strong antidote you consumed with your dinner, from the strength of the mixed poisons, you would have still ended up in a coma, for how long, we don't know. We've talked about a few suggestions, and we've narrowed it down to one possibility which seems the most realistic..."

"Oh? What is it?" asked Draco. Severus nodded at Narcissa to continue.

"Well, one thing that is possible Draco, is that you have a fraction of Veela blood in your veins."

Draco laughed, thinking it was a joke, but then he saw the unamused expressions of the adults' faces.

"You're not kidding."

"Of course we're not, Draco," said his mother. "The majority of pure-blooded family lines have some trace of Veela blood. Any other creature would seem as a disgrace to the more traditional families, but it is actually an honour to have Veela blood, as it is so much more rare and more sacred."

"So... I'm part Veela?" he asked slowly.

"Yes, almost certainly. About a quarter, like that Fleur Delacour. Perhaps even a third."

"But, what has that got to do with what has happened recently?" questioned Harry.

"Veela blood is quite powerful. It seems as though it has somehow provided some protection to the poisons Draco has consumed, preventing them from harming him as much as they could have done," explained Narcissa.

"There's also a possibility that it could help cure you... Draco, have you been taking those antidotes I gave to you?" Severus asked. Draco slapped a hand over his mouth and shook his head slowly.

"No, I haven't. Not for the last couple of days. Oh Merlin, I'm so sorry..." said Draco. Severus didn't seem mad though, he only looked at him thoughtfully.

"The last couple of days? Have you been feeling any different than you were?"

"No, I haven't. I've been the same than I was before I stopped taking them. In fact, it hasn't been as bad... I didn't even have anything wrong with me last night or this morning..."

"So, that must prove that something has happened that makes you not need to take the antidotes to prevent further effects from the poisons. We just need to figure out what that is."

A silence fell on the room.

"You have a mate." said Narcissa suddenly.

"Uh, pardon?" said Draco.

"You have a mate," she repeated. "I mean the sort that magical creatures have. Veela are more drawn to them, even if they are only partly Veela. Any contact with their mate will make them feel automatically lustful and it reacts with the Veela blood, which could mean that you get no reactions from the poison, if you understand me."

"That's... Rather interesting. But how could that have happened to me when I don't even know who my mate is?" asked Draco.

"You don't have to know them. But I have a feeling that you have an idea of who it may be. After all, you don't have contact with that many people. I know what you're like," she replied, and her knowing look returned in her eyes. Draco raised one eyebrow at her, then quickly averted his eyes from her to Harry. She nodded when his eyes were back on her.

"What? No... No way."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"You always went on about him. I can tell something has happened between you both recently. It makes sense, Draco."

"Oh Salazar..." groaned Severus, and placed his head in his hand.

"My goodness," said Poppy simply.

"What? What's up?" Harry asked, looking back and to from Severus and Poppy, confused.

"Of all people? Really?" muttered Severus, ignoring Harry.

"Oh come on, who else has he liked in his life? No one, that is who!" said Narcissa.

"I'm still here, you know," Draco said, though he didn't look annoyed in the slightest. "So he's my mate?"

"It seems so. What have you both been up to, then?" said Narcissa with a wink.

"Who? Who is your mate?" asked Harry, still confused. Draco laughed and patted Harry's shoulder.

"You've still not caught on? It's you."

"W-what?"

"Oh Salazar... Give me strength," Severus muttered, his head still placed in his hand.

"I've not felt as bad since we've started getting closer, and since I... Since I kissed you last night..." he ignored Severus' groan. "...I haven't felt any worse than I did before what happened in Potions, and I haven't coughed up blood or anything like that."

"Oh... Wow. Okay," said Harry, stunned. "So... So we are sort of... Made for each other? If I'm your mate? Help me out here. I'm trying to get used to this idea."

"Yes, you both are, in a way. In fact, it's actually extremely risky for either of you to have sexual interaction with other people. Draco could no longer see any reason to live if you went with anyone else, Harry, and Draco, you would automatically become ill and become worse as time continues," Narcissa explained. Draco gulped, but Harry simply shrugged.

"I don't see any reason to be with someone else," he said, and to those loving words, Draco's heart melted.

Draco lay awake that night, though this time it wasn't due to worry. That evening in their dormitory had been one of the best moments of his life. After they had spent a little time with their friends in the common room, they moved on to completing their homework hand-in-hand. It was simple, yet the warm sensation he felt through the connected hands made it feel like much more.

"Draco, are you awake?" a voice called softly.

"Yes."

Harry chuckled and he heard the sounds of curtains being drawn before the Gryffindor was standing above Draco.

"Can't sleep?" he asked. Draco shook his head. Harry smiled slightly, before nudging Draco across and climbing into bed besides him.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Lying next to you."

"Fair enough," Draco chuckled. He rested his head on Harry's chest. The raven-haired boy smiled, running his fingers through the platinum-blonde locks. He kissed the top of Draco's head softly.

"This feels so natural, you know. It's hard to believe, but it does," he said.

"This is all I ever wanted," Draco smiled. His eyes slowly began to close, and he fell asleep right in Harry's arms.

N'aww, isn't that sweet?

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Until next Sunday, goodbye!