Thanks for the love, guys. I appreciate it. Please keep sending it. Also, if you can spread that love to my other drarry stories. Any Veela fans might be interested in my story Stages of Friendship, Love, and Kisses. Please check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Chapter 9
"...Nargles?" Harry asked doubtfully. "You want me to go to the Hospital wing...to check for Nargles?"
"Yes," Draco said impatiently. "I won't take any chances. They're fond of dark hair, and I don't want your mind to be the least bit foggy during the Ball. Who knows what someone could do to you in your confused state?"
"What are you talking about?" Harry kitted his eyebrows and looked over at Ron. "Do you-"
"Nope," Ron mumbled with his mouth full. "But 'mione might."
Harry looked over hopefully at his other friend, only to see her head buries in an apparently very interesting book.
"Hospital wing," Draco insisted, grabbing Harry's hand and stalking out of the Great Hall, ignoring everyone's bemused expressions. Harry tumbled after Draco, voicing his protests whenever he could. "I'm sure I would know if something was...flying around my head," Harry squinted his eyes, trying to grasp the concept then shook his head. Obviously Draco's judgement had been affected by this dance.
"Not if they're already fogging up your brain," Draco increased his pace and turned the corner, sighing in relief when the Hospital wing sprung up in front of him.
"Yes?" Madame Pomfrey said exasperatedly when she saw Draco enter with Harry in tow. "I've told you before and I'll tell you again, Mr. Malfoy. Potter's shoulder is healing very nicely, and it should be completely gone by the dance, at the very latest."
Draco scowled. "I'm here because it's recently come to my attention that Harry may have an infestation of Nargles," He tugged Harry to stand in front of him and stared expectantly at the matron.
"Mr. Malfoy, I am in no mood for these practical jokes. I have several sick patients to take care of!" Madame Pomfrey scolded, "Go on, out."
Draco gave her a withering glare and was about comment when Harry covered Draco's mouth with his hand and nodded. "Thanks, Madame Pomfrey!" he said cheerfully before trying to push a stiff Draco out the door.
"Draco, there's no such thing as Nargles," Harry rolled his eyes skyward. "Who told you about them anyways?"
"Girl named Luna Lovegood, I believe. She'll be your date," Draco answered.
Harry could have face-palmed. "Draco, she's known for making up strange creatures. Please tell me you don't actually believe in Nargles," Harry looked up at Draco beseechingly.
Draco narrowed his eyes at this new information. "You do not like her?"
"That's not the point. The point is that Nargles don't exist," Harry said exasperatedly.
Draco still looked doubtful but he did not press the matter. He could find more information later, but for now, Harry was getting quite impatient. "Surely you don't have something that pressing to do," Draco raised an eyebrow.
"No, but I do not have a date. Which means you have to teach me to dance." Harry folded his arms and stared at Draco. "Please?"
Draco sighed but beckoned Harry closer with a finger. "I promise I'll teach you how to dance tonight. For now, however, I still need to finish my conversation with Luna."
Harry sighed but nodded. "Yes, Draco." He needed to finish his Christmas shopping anyways, and Draco was hard to shop for.
"Good, I'll see in you thirty minutes, alright little one?" Draco murmured as he pressed a kiss against Harry's forehead. "If you need anything, just send me a jolt through the link, just like I was doing to you, okay?"
"It's thirty minutes, Draco. I'm sure I'll be fine," Harry rolled his eyes but at Draco's protective gaze, he nodded. "And I'll let you know if I need anything," he pacified his dominant mate.
Draco offered Harry a small smile and pulled away. "No later than six," he warned before turning and walking in the other direction.
"Bloody, over-protective, dominant," Harry grumbled exasperatedly. "Won't even leave me alone for thirty minutes without worrying." Harry slowly made his way up to the Gryffindor Tower, prepared to sit down near the fireplace with his friends and pick out Draco's present.
Turns out, picking a present for Draco was a far more difficult ask then he imagined. Everyone in the common room could feel the hopelessness radiating off him in waves.
Angelina, Katie, and Angela shot sympathetic looks over towards Harry. "Seems our youngest Quidditch member could use some help," Katie whispered.
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to do it then," Angelina smiled brightly and led the three over to Harry. As soon as he noticed them, Harry looked up with a desperate expression. "Don't worry, honey, we'll help you," Angelina cooed, "Why don't you just tell us why your struggling picking out a present for Malfoy."
Harry returned his gaze to the magazine and let out a cry of frustration. "Because I don't know what he would want, and I don't want to get him the wrong thing," Harry worried his bottom lip between his teeth and glared at the paper.
The three girls exchanged glances before turning back to Harry with wicked grins. "Well, Harry. You could always get him a piece of jewelry. Perhaps an engraved silver ring?"
"Do you think he'd like that?"
"Oh trust me Harry, put the right words on it, and he won't ever take it off." Angelina replied, her eye twinkling mischievously.
"Okay...so what do I pu-"
All the same moment, all three girls bent down to whisper in Harry's ear, making a bright blush appear on Harry's face. "You want me to put that?"
"He'll love it, Harry," Katie promised. "Now come on, we'll help you order it before he gets here."
The big smile crossed Harry's face the moment he caught sight of Draco. Despite his original hesitation, he was very happy with the gift he'd gotten for his mate, and he couldn't contain his excitement at the thought of Draco opening it.
"Surely dancing lessons haven't gotten you this excited," Draco said dryly after he had given Harry a long greeting kiss and an affectionate hug. Harry's smile just widened and he shook his head. Draco raised a single eyebrow but didn't question Harry any more. Obviously his mate didn't want to tell him, or he would have already known.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as they set off down the hallways, wriggling his hips until Draco's arm rested comfortably around his waist.
"Room of Requirements, I believe you've heard the name…?" Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw Harry nod in agreement. "I realize that learning to dance is going to be difficult-"
"Hey, I'm not that clumsy!" Harry defended himself.
Draco shot him an amused glance. "While I could argue your defense, that wasn't what I was implying. I simply meant that I'm going to have to teach you to lead. Naturally, you're going to fall back on the submissive stance, and I with a dominant one, however, we'll simply have to try and work past that." Draco honestly wasn't sure which one of them would have the harder time. He knew it was going to be damn-near impossible for him to just willingly allow Harry the leading position, but he also knew that Harry was just learning how to dance, and coupling that with the fact that he had to do so in an unfamiliar, most likely discerning position…
"I can't be too hard," Harry reasoned. "I mean, leading isn't so hard, is it?" he looked up at Draco with such and innocent, questioning expression that the Slytherin couldn't help but croon.
"It's not the leading part that'll be too difficult, dear. It's the discomfort that we'll have to try and overcome," Draco responded just as they reached the hallway. With a silent command for Harry not to move, Draco quickly paced the black strip of wall three times, asking for a room where he could teach Harry to dance.
When he opened his eyes, he found a grand door right in the center of the previously bare stone. Harry's hand found Draco's and he gave the Slytherin a happy grin before tugging him inside.
Draco smirked at Harry's enthusiasm but allowed the small Gryffindor to drag him inside. "Patience, darling," he chuckled as he took his place in the center and withdrew his wand, murmuring something unintelligible before starting the old record player. Immediately, a calming slow song came on, and Harry met Draco in the center of the floor.
Draco took a deep breath and took both Harry's hand, gently guiding his mate until one small hand was wrapped around his waist and the other was one gripping his hand. Draco placed his other arm around Harry's shoulder and frowned lightly. He didn't like this position at all, and judging by Harry's small pout, he didn't either. The fact that he was a good four inches taller than Harry didn't help either.
"I know you don't like this, but bear with me," Draco whispered calmingly. Harry frowned but nodded, after all, it was only one ball then he would never have to do so again. He could handle one night, right? "Take a step forward, that's right - no, don't hesitate," Draco instructed as Harry practically stumbled over his own feet, then Draco's as well for good measure.
"How am I supposed to-"
"First off, calm down. It's not going to do either of us any good if you're so anxious, not if you want me to be able to remain in this position at least. Second, you just need to relax more. All your doing is taking a step forward then sideways," Draco couldn't resist pressing a soft kiss to Harry's temple.
Determined to succeed, Harry carefully listened to Draco's instructions. He bit his lower lip and started to step to the song. He had almost made it a full round too, when Draco let out an almost inaudible growl. Harry immediately paused at the sound and tilted his head. "Dra-"
"I'm sorry, love," Draco grimaced and pressed a kiss to Harry's cheek in apology.
"Why'd you growl?" Harry stared up at Draco with a confused expression.
Draco winced sheepishly. "Nothing that should worry you, darling." Seeing Harry's raised eyebrow he reluctantly elaborated on his previous statement. "This is a very...uncomfortable position to be in. I've never - well I've never let anyone lead me before now, and it's quiet startling to be a dominant in a submissive position."
Harry blushed slightly at his explanation. "Oh, I'm sorry, Draco," he looked up apologetically. "I didn't know."
"None of that," Draco immediately scolded Harry, not wanting his submissive to get the wrong idea. "It's not your fault, I'm just being a bit difficult," Draco offered up a wry smile. "Part of my upbringing, I suppose," he said in amusement, hoping it would help Harry relax again.
Harry had to smirk at that. Narcissa had delighted in telling Harry embarrassing stories about Draco over letters. His mate, of course, had no idea about them, and Harry didn't plan on telling him anytime soon. He just knew that Draco would burn those letters as soon as he saw the contents.
"Shall we continue? You almost had it there," Draco encouraged, still feeling a bit guilty for ruining how well Harry had been doing. He hadn't even stumbled once in an entire minute!
By seven O'clock, Harry was exhausted. He and Draco had danced for an entire hour, but he finally had the hang of it. He lead Draco for an entire song, without even messing up once, and he did so on beat to the music playing. Of course, the price he had to pay was also very high. "I get to hold you all tonight and tomorrow," Draco declared once they made it back to their rooms. "I would hate for you to forget that you're the submissive."
Harry stubbornly stuck his tongue out at Draco and twirled from his outstretched arms, "Draco, you're going to ruin all my hard work!"
"I doubt that holding you will be able to erase all you've learned today, Harry. Now stop making excuses and come here," Draco's tone was colored with amusement, but his face held firm. "Surely you don't want your dominant to go insane."
Harry rolled his eyes but walked over to Draco and let his mate pull him close. "You know, for a Slytherin you can be very dramatic."
"I know," Draco smirked and affectionately nuzzled Harry's neck. "I'm also very good at giving a show."
Harry titled his head confused then blushed brightly at what Draco was implying. "You are-"
"If the words 'the best dominant ever' are about to come out of your mouth, continue. If not…" Draco trailed of and nibbled at Harry's collarbone. "I could think of many more sounds I'd rather hear come out of your mouth."
"Draco-"
