Hey guys, first off I wanna say thanks for the love. I'm glad you love this story. And I hope you continue to like it. Oh, and please check out some of my other drarry stories. I think you may like them just as much. Anyway, I wanna thank each one of you for the love. You rock. Okay. Onto the chapter.

Chapter 7:

Draco took the egg from Harry's hands and chuckled lightly when Harry stumbled from the sudden shift in weight. "Allow me," he murmured as he wrapped an arm around Harry's waist. "Obviously your body is too fatigued to handle such weight."

Harry spluttered in protest. "I am not! I am perfectly capable of-"

"Being quiet and allowing me to take care of it," Draco interrupted. "Now hush, or I'll pick you up instead," Draco's voice sounded more like a growl than anything else, but Harry ignored the warning.

"But-"

Draco cut Harry's sentence off with a firm swat. "No, Harry."

Harry whined quietly and immediately submitted to Draco's objective. Draco nuzzled Harry's cheek in approval, wrapping a firm arm around Harry's waist, and continued to lead him down the hall to their room.

"Bath first," he said decisively. Harry was much too tense, and it was putting strain on his injury, which needed to be cleaned anyways. Besides, it would give him time to talk with his submissive while he was still relaxed.

Harry stuck his tongue out at the clear demand but didn't protest, knowing it wouldn't be tolerated. When they finally arrived at their room, Draco walked straight to the bathroom to start heating the water while Harry undressed himself. At least, that's what Draco assumed he was doing. When he walked back in their room he found his assumption wrong. With a small snort of laughter, Draco walked up behind Harry and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You do have a problem with ties, don't you?"

Harry relaxed against Draco's chest and let of a derisive snort. "Do not. It's their fault! Why are these stupid things even required?" he grumbled under his breath.

Draco chuckled warmly and pressed his lips to Harry's neck. He reached around the Harry's front and quickly loosened the tie, pulling it off for him. "Do you need help taking off your other clothes?"

"Oh bugger off," Harry disgustedly threw the tie on the ground and pouted again.

"I'll bugger you," Draco smirked and his eyes sparked mischievously.

Harry spluttered indignantly then crossed his arms but Draco merely nudged his neck with his nose. "Bath," he insisted. "I need something that'll relax us both."

Harry blushed lightly but nodded and removed his shirt. It wasn't the first time Draco had seen him undressed nor would it be the last. Besides, a bath did sound wonderful, especially if Draco was in it with him.

Draco carefully followed Harry's movements to make sure he didn't need any help. After all, his shoulder was still sore. When he saw Harry start to tug down his jeans, however, he began stripping as well. Harry patiently waited for Draco to finish.

"Can I bring the egg with?" Harry asked suddenly.

"No," Draco kicked off his boxers then pulled Harry into his arms. "You won't be as much as thinking about the second task until your arm is fully healed, so I suggest you hide that egg so you won't be tempted." Seeing that Harry was about to argue, he patted Harry's bottom warningly. "I was only planning on ten, but if you continue to protest…"

Harry widened his eyes and flattened his ears at the same time. "Draco," he whined and tried to squirm out of his arms. "I promise next time I won't get hurt."

Draco sighed and lead Harry to the bathroom. "I am not giving you a spanking because you were hurt, Harry. You're being punished because you flew straight into the maw of a dragon, ignored my warnings, and tried to shrug off your injury. For Merlin's sake, Harry, you could have died today," Draco growled lowly and tried to hold back the instincts that demanded he just take Harry in his arms and never let him out. Harry didn't know how lucky he was that he had a dominant with strong willpower; most submissives would have already been asleep or cuddling with their mates by now.

Harry pouted and looked away from Draco's protective gaze. He could understand his mate's reasoning, though it didn't make him like it any more. For Merlin's sake, he was too old for a spanking!

Correctly guessing Harry's thought process, Draco prodded Harry into the bath. "No matter how old you are, you'll always be my submissive," he smiled softly and pet Harry's ears before stepping in the water as well.

The minute Harry stepped in the water, he could feel his muscles start to unknot themselves. Harry purred contentedly and let Draco pull him into his arms, choosing to ignore Draco's last statement. The warm water felt heavenly and Draco's arms around him were comforting and protective. "Draco," he purred as he settled comfortable on Draco's lap, not minding their state of undress.

Draco chuckled and nestled Harry's body closer to his own. "Are you sufficiently calm now?" he murmured protectively as he brushed through Harry's wet hair.

Harry blushed and tried not to squirm. "Yes, but that still doesn't mean that I want one," he looked up at Draco with a pleading expression.

Draco snorted and kissed the pout off Harry's lips. "If you wanted one, then it wouldn't be an effective punishment, now would it?" he reached down to pour some shampoo into his hands then lightly massaged it into Harry's hair. "Besides, we both know your bum barely stings afterwards."

"It stings enough!" Harry protested, but he couldn't help his kitten-like mew when Draco started to rinse out his hair.

Draco chuckled and affectionately nosed him. "Would you like me to wash your body also?"

Harry tilted his head at the question then hummed in agreement, snuggling closer to Draco. "Still don't like it, though," he warned before Draco could get the wrong idea.

"I know, darling," Draco picked up his favorite soap before pouring it onto a cloth and lowering it to Harry's shoulder, kissing the skin briefly before beginning to gently wash it around the long cut. Harry purred at the attention he was receiving and stretched his body out like a cat as the smiling Slytherin carefully moved down his body.

Draco snorted at Harry's submissive behavior. "Of course you'd be calm now. Before I had to threaten you with all sorts of things before you finally settled, and now it turns out all I have to do is put you in warm water."

Harry blearily opened his eyes and huffed at Draco. "Warm water can't talk," he pointed out, though he couldn't stop his lips from twitching upwards into a smile, mirroring the one on Draco's face.

Draco rolled his eyes but didn't try to hold back his chuckle. If Harry was joking and smiling, then he wasn't too concerned about his upcoming spanking. It was something that Draco always worried about; he didn't want his submissive to fear the punishment, or him indirectly. It was meant to put Harry in a submissive position, nothing less and nothing more. Pain was not the purpose, nor was it a desired effect. There was a reason he put the limit at 15; it was enough to sting but not enough for Harry to feel sore.

Draco shook his head of those thoughts then lightly stroked Harry's stomach. "The water's getting cold, my love."

Harry let out a heavy sigh but obediently rose from the bath and wrapped a fluffy towel around himself. Draco did the same a moment later then cast a quick drying spell on the both of them, as well as clothing himself in a simple black robe. Seeing Harry's questioning glance, he raised an eyebrow. "You'll just have to take it off in a few seconds anyways."

Harry blushed brightly at the reminder just as Draco took a seat on the only chair in their bathroom. Harry could guess easily enough what that meant. "Draco, I promise I won't do it again. I swear I won't even protest this entire week when you go crazy." Harry stared up at Draco with wide, innocent eyes.

Draco had to pause at that one. "I do not go crazy," he defended before shaking his head. "Stop distracting me," he scolded lightly. "No amount of pleading is going to get you out of this."

Harry shifted from foot to foot as Draco looked at him expectantly. "Harry, come here," Draco's voice was firm, holding a slight twinge of a growl in it.

Harry chewed on his lip silently before taking a few steps forward and stopping with a dream-filled sigh in front of Draco. The Slytherin gently took Harry's wrist then pulled him over his lap, allowing Harry to squirm to get more comfortable. To ensure that he couldn't move around too much though, Draco brought one of his legs over Harry's and trapped it. "As I said before, love, you'll be getting 10," Draco said calmly.

Harry let out a small whine and tried to shift away, quickly finding himself unable to move. Draco patiently waited until Harry figured out the position he was in before raising his hand. "You will not put yourself in danger again, understand?" he said firmly as he swiftly brought his hand down on Harry's bum.

Harry whimpered and tried to move away from the dull tingling. "Yes, Draco."

"Good," Draco nodded before raising his hand and repeating the gesture, making sure to time his swats about 10 seconds apart. By the ninth swat, Harry had given up on his wriggling and was waiting resignedly for the last smack.

Draco didn't disappoint.

"If you ever endanger yourself like that again, I promise that it'll be fifteen instead of ten," Draco growled protectively, tightening his arm around Harry's waist before lying a particularly hard smack in the center of Harry's bum.

Harry whined quietly at the sting, but didn't try to move, not yet anyways. Draco's hand returned to his backside, resting it there on the light pink skin. "I'm not going to allow you to risk your life like that again, little one. If that means I have to spank you in the middle of the Great Hall, then so be it." With that being said, Draco released Harry and stood up after him. "Now five points to whoever can guess what the rest of their punishment is."

Harry tried to rub the slight sting out of his bum, but his hand was swatted away by Draco. "Let it be a reminder to you," was his only reply as he took a seat next to Harry then pulled him into his lap.

"Draco, wanna lay down," Harry whined softly and look pleadingly at is mate. His bum was stinging, Draco wouldn't let him rub it, and now he wasn't being cuddled like he always was after a spanking!

"I know, love," Draco murmured adoringly as he wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and walked him into their bedroom. "Before I let you fall asleep though, we need to discuss the rest of your punishment."

"You spanked me!" Harry pouted indignantly. "I think that's enough."

"Normally I would agree, but your arm is injured, Harry. Now, Madame Pomfrey said that it should be completely healed in two-three weeks. Until that time, you aren't to leave my sight, other than the few classes we don't have together," Draco entwined one of his hands protectively around Harry's stomach then growled against his neck. "I mean it, Harry. I don't want you somewhere where I can't easily protect you."

Too tired to argue for the moment, Harry snuggled close to Draco and closed his eyes. Draco smirked and picked Harry up, carrying him the rest of the way to the bed then lying him down. He stripped off his robe and climbed in behind Harry, smiling lovingly when Harry instantly turned around to cuddle into him. He made sure to angle Harry's arm so that it was tucked comfortable into his body, then he settled Harry closer to him.

"I love you, Harry. I know you're unhappy about your punishment, but if you would stay out of trouble then we wouldn't have to have one, hmm?"

"I'm more unhappy about the fact that I'm going to have to deal with you going insane over the next week," Harry grumbled. "At least the spanking only lasts a minute."

"I do not go crazy!" Draco huffed. "I am perfectly in my rights to be protective of my submissive, especially when he's been harmed!"

"Crazy," Harry smiled sleepily against Draco's chest then snuggled closer. "But that's okay. I still love you."

Draco paused then relaxed against his pillows and possessively curled himself around Harry's body, keeping a careful watch on his injured shoulder. "I love you, Harry."

"Draco," Harry put his hands on his hips and glared sternly at his mate. "Tell me!"

Draco chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry, love, but you're just going to have to wait to find out like everyone else. Now hurry up. I want to bring you to the hospital wings before dinner."

"Madame Pomfrey said my shoulder would be healed in a week, it's been a week and a half, Draco!" Harry stubbornly crossed his arms and pouted at his mate. "I'm fine, really."

"Pomfrey said it would heal in a week, not be healed. Look at your shoulder Harry, the cut is still red around the edges, and you've said it yourself that it twinges sometimes, despite the pain potions." Draco walked forwards and wrapped his arms around Harry. "Please let me take you to the hospital wing. If Madame Pomfrey gives her approval, then I promise it will be the last time unless it becomes a cause for concern again."

Harry wavered. On one hand, Draco had been insufferable the past week, not even letting him eat meals or walk to classes alone. He'd even forced Harry to go to the Hospital Wing every night to get his shoulder checked over. It had driven him to the brink of insanity. "You said that I'd only be a week," he finally said.

"I said that you wouldn't be leaving my sight in a week," Draco clarified. "And that was true, as reluctant I am to allow it, you can walk to all your classes by yourself now. Hopefully you'll chose to keep me for company," Draco gave Harry a distinctively pleading look. "After all, I always walked you to classes before."

Harry snorted. "So? You also ate all your meals and spent all your time after classes with me too."

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. "Exactly, so then why were you pouting the entire time?" he asked exasperatedly.

"Because you were forcing me to do it this time, and I wasn't pouting the entire time," Harry smiled innocently at Draco.

"You're a little prat, you know that right?" Draco asked dryly.

"I know," Harry beamed angelically up at Draco. "But you love me anyways."

"I do," Draco chuckled warmly. "But I'm serious. Hospital wing, Harry. I'm not going to take any chances with it getting infected or opening again."

"Fine," Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and squirmed closer. "But this is the last time, right?"

"Unless your injury gets worse, or doesn't heal," Draco nodded in affirmation.

"Then let's go," Harry sighed resignedly and grabbed Draco's hand, practically dragging him out the door and into the hallway. "But that means you have to tell me the news."

"I'll tell you next week, Harry. I promise," Draco offered Harry a smile and a raised hand, as if he were actually swearing.

"Not one minute late!" Harry warned.

It turned out that Harry didn't need to wait for Draco to tell him, he found out the next day after transfiguration.

"Mr. Potter, if you could stay after class for a moment!" Professor McGonagall's clear voice rang over the shuffle of everyone packing their bags and walking out.

Harry obediently rose from his chair and walked to the front of the room, noticing the shadow behind him. "That's okay, Draco. I'll catch up with you in the Great Hall," he chuckled silently and waited for Draco's reaction.

Draco huffed at the request. Harry had been doing this for the past two days, trying to get back at Draco for holding him captive for seven days. He didn't know how much longer he could last before he locked Harry back in their room. Like a princess from those old muggle books he'd overheard someone talking about. Yes, that would do nicely. Then he could march in like Harry's knight, and the stubborn little Gryffindor would stop being so...stubborn, and would allow him to treat him like a princess, then they would-

"Actually, it'd be best if Mr. Malfoy stayed as well."

"What?" Both Harry and Draco's voices rang out simultaneously, Draco's sounding smug, Harry's confused.

"The Yule Ball is a tradition that has been with the Triwizard Tournament for centuries. Traditionally, the ball is held on Christmas night, with the three, in this case four, champions leading the first dance with their chosen partners," Professor McGonagall shuffled a few papers on her desk then looked up to address them directly. "As a Champion, Harry, you must choose a date to attend the Ball with. Formal dress wear is, of course, required. The Yule Ball will start at exactly eight, but you are expected to be prepared by eight thirty, so that you and the other champions may have time to line up and get ready for the opening dance."

Harry blanched. "I don't dance, especially in front of three schools!"

"Don't worry, my love. I assure you I am fully capable of leading you." Draco smiled and couldn't help reaching out to stroke Harry's ears lovingly.

"That is why I wanted you to stay, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall cleared her throat and looked at Draco sternly. "While you may give Mr. Potter dance lessons and socialize with him during the ball, you may not be his date. Following tradition, the partner is always a girl, or in Miss. Delacour's circumstance, a boy."

Harry could've swore the room grew at least two degree's cooler. "I will not allow some wrench to touch my mate!"

"Calm down, Draco," Harry took a step closer to Draco and settled into his side. Draco's arm instantly wrapped around his waist, but Harry could still plainly see the outrage painted on Draco's face.

"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, but the ministry is reluctant to change old customs. Now you have two weeks to choose your partner and get your formal robes, Harry," Professor McGonagall pulled a sheet of parchment towards her and dismissed them with a slight nod. "Now, have a good day."

Draco was fuming as they walked out of the classroom. "Ridiculous!" he scorned. "How dare they expect me to leave you in the hands of some scarlet, promiscuous girl!"

Harry choked on his breath of air. "For Merlin's sake, Draco. I'm as displeased as you are, but its only a few hours at a Ball."

"A Ball that I should be escorting you to. It's part of the courting ritual, Harry," Draco sighed frustratedly.

"Taking me to the Yule Ball is part of the courting ritual?" Harry raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Despite his anger, Draco's lips had to twitch at that. "Not exactly, love, but by all rights I should be able to ask my submissive to a Ball. Telling me that I can't take you is one thing, but forcing you to accept some woolly-headed mistress-"

"Mistress!" Harry spluttered. "It's a dance-"

"-and expecting me to just stand by and let her put her hand all over my submissive is completely different. Who knows what kind of immoral tricks she'll use on you to get you into bed with her! They can't be trusted," Draco shook his head definitively. "Absolutely not. How dare they-"

Harry rolled his eyes and tuned Draco out, letting his mate snarl and growl. He knew it would be futile too try and calm him down right now. He'd give it another thirty minutes before he even tried to bring up dance lessons.

Wordlessly, Harry let Draco lead him up a few flights of stairs to their bedroom. Still growling under his breath, Draco tugged Harry to the couch and pulled him on his lap. "You know, I could always ask someone older, who I know has no interest in me," Harry pointed out after a few seconds of being smothered by Draco.

"No. No older women! Who what vile plans are in their head. I bet their just waiting until they can get their hands on my little submissive...well it's not happening!" Draco swore firmly, a low growl tugging at his chest.

Harry felt his body vibrate with the force of Draco's restrained snarls and rubbed his forehead. "Younger?"

"No, not them either! I can only guess what kind of harebrained schemes they've thought up! Probably have pink diaries full of horrible stuff that they plan on using on my sweet, adorable-"

"Draco!" Harry huffed loudly.

"-little Harry! It's much too risky."

"Our age?" Harry threw his hands up exasperatedly.

"Definitely not. We just learned how to brew a love potion! Not to mention all of the dirty things that people our ago are thinking about-"

"What have you been thinking about?"

"Well I won't have it! You're far too innocent to be thrust in with people of that sort," Draco slid further into the couch and dragged Harry closer.

"...are you done yet?" Harry asked expectantly. The low, rumbling growl he received answered his question. "I need to ask someone, Draco."

Draco didn't respond immediately, but Harry could feel, more than hear, the growl deepening in Draco's throat. Alright, later then, Harry thought with a wince. Clearly his mate was in no mood to discuss his date.

Harry cuddled with Draco until he could finally feel the growls lessening, then eventually disappearing altogether. "Finally!" Harry yawned and stretched his body out. It looked like Draco was relatively calm now, judging by the small smile that was adorning his face at Harry's movements.

"So when can you start to teach me how to dance?" Harry looked expectantly towards Draco.

"Never," Draco answered immediately. "Not if it gives those women an incentive to dance even more with you. I don-"

"Draco, honey, surely you wouldn't want me to dance as the submissive partner?" Harry tried his hardest to make his face look as innocent as possible. "Letting them take control…."

"They wouldn't dare try to take my submissive! I'll destroy them and all their love potions! They're more foolish than I thought if they believe I would just let them take control with my submissive. I'm your dominant, and no one else is allowed to even think about holding you like that. They so much as think about wrapping their arms around your waist-"

"Maybe I should've waited more than thirty minutes," Harry muttered under his breath as he slumped back against Draco's chest. He'd give it say...another hour before his mate calmed down enough to let him up. Actually, make that two. Draco was nearly frothing in his mouth at the idea of someone taking charge of him.

It was a good thing he had two weeks to choose his date.