Chapter 9

Draco was pacing back and forth in the library trying, and failing, to reign in his fury. A whore! Of all the idiotic and completely false things he had ever heard Harry say this was by far the worst. 'If those damn muggles were still alive I would torture them. Slowly.' Draco growled under his breath as he envisioned just what he wanted to do to the Dursley's. The library door slammed open and Draco spun around calming when he saw that it was Severus. Severus stalked over to him and glared at him in disgust.

"Do you have any idea the possible amount of damage you have just caused?" He hissed at Draco.

"Damage?" Draco looked around at the library in confusion. "I haven't even broken anything!"

"No you idiotic, self-observed child! I mean with Harry! He already thinks that we will begin to beat him sometime soon! He thinks we hate him that much, not that I could blame him. We haven't been the best to him over the years." Severus said sadly.

"I am not angry with him, Sev. You heard what he said! I am however furious with Dumbledore for placing him with those abusive muggles! I just…" Draco looked up at his godfather his silver eyes dark with anguish. Severus sighed.

"I know that Dragon and you know that, but Harry? He is already suspicious and fearful of you and I am positive that your outburst-"

"Just made things worse!" Draco groaned as he caught on to what Severus was trying to tell him. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and remorse. "I don't know what to do Sev! How can I help him heal if he does not trust me enough to be in the same room as me?" Draco asked. Severus studied him, onyx eyes calculating.

"There are two weeks left until summer holidays are over Draconis. I suggest you make proper use of your time and work slowly at gaining your mates trust. He will need it if he is going to get through the school year." Severus said and then swept out of the library his cloak bellowing behind him. Draco parked himself in one of the comfy library chairs and though on his conversation with his godfather and what he knew of Harry's insecurities and fears at the moment. He also started planning the revenge he would be getting on the people who had caused his Harry so much pain. He would make sure they paid dearly, preferably with their lives but he would have to be careful. Harry may have been hurt by those he trusted most but he was still so annoyingly pure and innocent that he would object to any deaths. First things first though he needed to get his submissive to trust him. 'But how?' He thought.

"I need to prove to him that I can respect his wishes and protect him. He needs to know that he is no longer alone, that he doesn't have to face the horrors in his life by himself." Draco whispered to himself. With a determined nod he stood and strode out of the library to put his plans in action. He would have Harry's trust by the end of the last two weeks of their summer holidays or he wasn't a Malfoy!

"And last I checked I was every inch the Malfoy heir." Draco smirked, secure in the knowledge that he would not fail in his task. He could not afford to, not when it was for his mate.

Harry was pacing in his room reviewing everything he had just read in the book Severus had pointed out to him. He had only read three chapters but even that was enough to make him rethinking a lot of things. The first chapter had explained about the origins of the Veela. They were descended from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, thus explaining their otherworldly looks and the all-encompassing love they had for their mates. Veela had one mate for life and treasured their mate above everything else. 'And Malfoy claims that I am his mate! I have to admit that it would be nice to be loved by someone, anyone, that much but there must have been a mistake because-'

"Because I don't deserve it. It's not like I would live long enough to enjoy it anyway. Voldemort is going to kill me, there is absolutely no way that I could beat him. Fucking Dumbledore keeping important information certainly doesn't help matters either. So I hope, for Malfoy's sake, that he can just find someone more worthy." Harry sighed as he flopped onto the bed. He had also read about dominants and submissives. He heard Malfoy say repeatedly that he was the dominant and know he understood. Dominants were the protectors. They made sure their submissive was well taken care of and killed anyone who would dare endanger their family. It was surprising to Harry to find out that although the dominants were seen as protectors the submissives were magically, and sometimes physically, more powerful. They bared children and were just as protective as their counterparts. Submissives were known to be the sneakier of the two. As Harry understood the submissives held the most power in the relationship because the dominant would do everything in his power to make them happy.

"The question is: Do I think Malfoy is telling the truth and if I do, am I willing to accept." Harry muttered. He jumped and backed away into a corner when he heard a knock on the door. He took a deep breath before he answered.

"Come in." He called, hating how his fear could be clearly heard in his voice. 'So much for Gryffindor courage and all that rot!' Harry thought sarcastically. The door opened and the one person he had been thinking about for the past hour walked in.

"Harry it's time for lunch. I was wondering if you felt up to it, would you like to join us in the dining room?" Malfoy asked him as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Harry tensed; he didn't like being shut in a room with the one person who had made his life a living hell at school. Harry peeked up at Malfoy from under his bangs and looked away quickly when his eyes locked with swirling silver.

"Harry." Malfoy's voice was strained and pleading and caused him to look up in surprise. "I can feel your confusion and fear. I want to help you Harry. Please let me help you." Malfoy whispered longingly.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Harry asked him almost desperately.

"Of course you can trust me! Didn't you read the book?" Malfoy pointed to the book that was still open on the bed.

"Yes but… The people who I thought loved me are just using me for their own agendas. So how could I ever trust you?" Harry sighed dejectedly.

"You think they are all using you?" Malfoy looked skeptical.

"I'm not stupid! No matter what Snape always says. I know Dumbledore doesn't plan for me to survive the war even if I do win against Voldemort, which is highly unlikely. I also know that he pays Ron to be my friend; I'm not sure about Hermione though. I could never find any evidence." Harry shook his head. "I can't trust anyone."

"Harry I swear to Salazaar that I will kill every single one of them. All you have to do is say the words. I swear a Wizard's Oath that I will never hurt you like they did." Malfoy whispered seriously. There was a flash of brilliant white light and Harry felt something warm settle in his heart. Harry gaped at him in astonishment.

"Why would you do that? You can't break a Wizard's Oath! It's like the Unbreakable Vow. Malfoy you could die!" Harry protested, he couldn't believe that someone, Malfoy, would do this for a nobody like him.

"I know and if I ever break my Oath I will gladly welcome whatever painful death it brings me." Malfoy locked eyes with him and Harry could see how much he truly meant it.

Harry's eyes filled with tears and he debated with himself silently, weighing the possible outcomes. 'If the book is based on facts then he can't hurt me. I'm the most important thing in his life.' Harry took a small hesitant step forward. 'I can't deal with this alone. I am not that strong. This could be the one thing that breaks me.' Harry walked forward until he was a few feet from Malfoy. 'I need someone I can trust completely, someone I know will always have my best interest at heart. I need my Angel.' Harry was about to launch himself at the blond teen, his heart aching with the need to be comforted and held just once in his life when the door opened without warning. Harry flinched and stumbled back to the corner he had stepped to when Malfoy had come in, his heart hammering in his chest as he tried to stop the sudden shaking of his body. Malfoy spun around and planted himself in front of Harry. 'Is he… He's protecting me! Just like the book said a dominant would! Maybe… maybe this could really work. I just have to gather my courage and try to make this work. Easier said than done!' He thought. Harry looked up and saw Lucius standing in the doorway.

"Are you two coming to lunch soon? We are all ready to eat and are just waiting for you two so that we may start." He said coolly before turning and leaving down the hall. Malfoy's back was to him so Harry couldn't see his face but he could tell from the stiffness in his shoulders and the way he balled his fists that he was angry.

"I think I'm just going to, um… stay in here and read some more. I'm not really hungry so-"

"Harry. You haven't eaten anything for two days so you will go to the dining room and you will eat something." Malfoy said turning to look at him, a stubborn light in his eyes that told Harry it would be more beneficial for everyone if he just agreed.

"Okay Angel." Harry whispered, he didn't want to make Malfoy any more upset than he already was and he was still slightly in shock from what had almost happened a few minutes ago. He had almost run into Malfoy's arms for Merlin's sake! 'And I still really want to.' Harry shoved that thought to the back of his mind and followed Malfoy when he walked out of the room vowing to at least listen to what Malfoy had to say. 'I should probably start calling him Draco.' Harry thought and a small smile flitted briefly across his face.

He had been so close, so close damnit! He had seen Harry make the decision to trust him, even if it was just for a few minutes and then his father barged in and ruined the moment! Draco was beyond livid but he forced himself to calm down with the knowledge that Harry had called him Angel. Harry might not trust Draco but he trusted Angel. 'All is not lost then. I still have a chance!' Draco thought and resolved himself to long, trying sessions of trying to gain his mates trust. He glanced down at Harry, 'He's way too small for his age! ', and noticed the brief lift of his lips, almost like a smile! Draco continued to the dining room, hope restored and anger forgotten. His mate had smiled!

I've come to a fork in the road, so to speak and I am in need of your help. I can't decide on if Hermione should support him or turn on him like Ron. SO… I'm taking a vote! If I don't get enough votes I'll toss a coin and just go with whatever that gives me. Thank you for your help and for reading my story. :D