A/N: Yes, another chapter! And now I'll head off to bed. Have internship tomorrow.


Draco sighed and tossed in his bed. After a while he gave up, and got out of bed, his body directing him to where he knew he wanted to go. The door opened softly, after all, Draco didn't want to wake the person occupying it. He walked forward when he was sure Harry was still fast asleep. When he reached the bed, he lowered himself to the ground, put his elbows on his knees and put his head between his hands. A stray of moonlight was all that lit up Harry's face, but it was intriguing, and he admired it, his face only a foot from Harry's. He could even feel the short, warm breaths whenever Harry exhaled.

He didn't know how long he was there, he just knew it was where he belonged. Where they both belonged. But slowly the moon made way to the sun, and by the time Harry woke up again, Draco was long since gone.


When Harry got out of bed, he walked downstairs and made himself a sandwich. It looked like the Malfoys were still sleeping.

He took the back door and walked through the garden to the village, the sun lighting up his face. He found a tree and sat under it on the grass, the tree providing some shade. He finished his sandwich and looked out over the village. He continued gazing at it for a few minutes, until he heard a sound. He didn't even had to get up to look for the source.

A redheaded Elf looked down at him and smiled. "Hello. What are you doing here?"

"Sitting," was Harry's answer.

The redhead grinned and sat down next to him on his right. He held out his hand and Harry took it. "I'm Ron Weasley. You?"

"I'm Harry Potter."

"Doesn't sound familiar. Where are you from?"

"Surrey."

Ron frowned. "I assume you're not an Elf then?"

"I'm not."

Ron nodded to himself. "Who's mate are you, then?"

Harry swallowed heavily. "Draco Malfoy's."

Ron nodded wisely. "A right brat he was at school, but he made it exciting. Well, at first. After a few years he focused more on his education, and was tied in grades with Hermione."

"Hermione?"

"What about me?" a female voice spoke up.

"Speaking of the devil," Ron said, grinning.

"Oh, shut it, you," Hermione said fondly. "Hello. I'm Hermione Granger," she said, while settling herself on Harry's left.

"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said when he took her hand.

"A human, correct?"

Harry nodded, and Hermione looked at him. "I thought so. So, who's mate are you?"

"Draco Malfoy."

"Decent bloke. Especially in his last few years. A great student. My mother is human. It must've been quite a shock to know you have a mate. Since when did you know?"

"Yesterday," Harry said, shrugging.

Hermione bit her lip. "A huge shock indeed. It took my father ages to convince my mother it was no joke. But convinced her he did, and a few years later they moved to the Elven Realm. My mother's family lives nearby, so we can visit as often as we want."

"Talking about family, should we go to my house? Hopefully my brothers won't be annoying."

"You have siblings?" Harry asked.

"Yeah. Five older brothers and one sister. Percy, Charlie, Bill, Fred and George. My sister's Ginny."

"And what about you?" Harry asked, turning to Hermione.

"I have none. I'm an only child."

Hermione stood up and Ron followed, holding out his hand for Harry to take. He hoisted himself up and walked next to Ron and Hermione. "Just be careful not to touch anything, eat anything, drink anything or let them do anything they are overly eager to do."

Harry grinned. "So basically that means to stay out of their way."

Ron looked sheepish. "Something like that, yeah." They arrived at his house and he opened the back door. Molly was upon them in a second. "Hungry, Ron? Oh, hello Hermione." Hermione hugged her, before Molly's eyes settled on Harry. "Hello, dear. Who are you?"

Harry blinked. "I'm Harry Potter, madam." He held out his hand for her to take it, but she would have none of it. She drew him into a hug, startling Harry. He didn't expect that.

"Please, don't call me madam. It sounds so old!" she released him and Harry stood in stunned silence for a while. He got his bearings back and looked at her with a smile. "Pleased to meet you."

"So modest," she said, beaming at him. "Would you like some lunch too? Hermione is staying too, so we're all together."

Harry bit his lip, but nodded. He was sure the Malfoys could miss him for a while. "I would love to have dinner. As long as I'm back before darkness falls."

Molly smiled at him. "I will make sure you're back in time. With the Malfoys, right? Arthur said you were with young Draco." At Harry's curious look she explained. "Arthur is my husband. You've seen him at the shop."

Harry nodded, remembering. "I have."

Molly nodded. She ushered Harry to the dining table, along with Ron and Hermione. After that the redheaded woman opened the door and yelled, "Fred, George, lunch is ready!"

Harry blinked, not knowing such a sound could leave the slightly plump woman. At Harry's look she smiled. "They won't hear me otherwise and they'll stay the whole day upstairs." A loud noise interrupted any other words she might've said, and she sighed. "For the love of… As long as they didn't demolish anything!"

"I think you're wishing for too much, mum."

Molly nodded and sat down at the table. "At least hope they didn't blow off any limbs. One of these days something will happen, and they'll come to me, and say how right I was."

Ron grinned and whispered to Harry, who was seated on his right, "Yeah, like that would happen."

Harry's lips curled into a soft smile and he looked up when he heard the door open with two identical people walking through, superior smirks on their faces.

"What have you done this time?" Ron asked his brothers, who were way to smug for his liking. They both walked to Ron and ruffled his hair. "Nothing our dear Ronnikins should worry his pretty head about," Fred said. Ron huffed and sulked, while the attention of the twins was pulled to Harry. "Look, another vic- visitor! And who are you, if we may ask?"

Harry was a bit wary, but still answered. "I'm Harry Potter, from Surrey," he made sure he answered, not wanting to repeat everything.

The twins shared a meaningful look, but it was lost on Harry. They both held out their hands and Harry took George's first, apprehensive after what Ron told him, before he shook Fred's. "Welcome, Harry Potter. We are Fred-"

"-and I am George," George finished with a smirk, before they both settled down for lunch. "What's for lunch today?"

"Soup with baguette." She stood up to get the hot pan with soup, filled to the brim with delicious scented herbs and meat. The Weasleys attacked and fought over who got the first bit of soup, making Harry laugh and sway his head toward them. Ron's face was covered in some sort of vegetable, and Fred's hair showed some strings of vermicelli. Harry clutched his stomach, since he was afraid it might collapse with all the laughter. Oh, and all the looks he received kept adding up on his mirth. Soon Ron was cracking up too, and eventually the entire table erupted in boisterous laughter.

After a while, Harry wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes and carefully filled his bowl with soup, followed by the more sedate Weasleys and a still smiling Hermione. Harry put a mouthful of soup in his mouth and stilled. It was delicious. He savoured the taste, before swallowing it. And in another went, and another, and another, before his bowl was empty. He guiltily accepted another bowl with soup and smiled sheepishly. "It's absolutely delicious, Mrs. Weasley."

She smiled at him. "It's supposed to be. And if you want more, just fill your bowl again."

Harry smiled. "Thank you. But I do think this will be my last bowl. I don't think anymore will fit in my stomach. I'll explode."

Molly shook her head and a smile graced her lips. "As long as you enjoy it. At least someone appreciates it," she said while shaking her head at her sons, who smiled sheepishly back. Hermione grinned and smiled at Harry. Somehow he seemed lighter than he was this morning. And in that moment she knew what she had to do. But it could wait for a few hours.

It could wait…

When lunch was finished, Ron thought of something. "Hey, Harry, do you know how to play chess?"

"A bit," was his answer, along with a shrug.

"Good, because I'm about to teach you how to play chess properly. Any objections?" Harry shook his head, and Ron nodded, pleased. "This way." He stood up, and Harry followed, Hermione behind him.

After a rather…entertaining few rounds of chess, it was nearly time for Harry to go. This was Hermione's cue to talk with Harry. She gave Ron one meaningful look, and he disappeared in a flash. "Harry, can I talk to you?"

Harry was just finishing packing the chess pieces, when he heard Hermione. "Sure. Where do you want to sit?"

"Just here." She settled on the bed and patted the place next to her. "Come one, I don't bite, you know?"

Harry grinned, and sat a respectable distance away, his green eyes looking into her kind brown ones. Hermione smiled, before turning a bit more serious. "I know you just knew since yesterday that Draco Malfoy is your mate, and that you have a mate at all. Just know that I'm here for you, and that you have a shoulder to cry on, may need be. I'll be your friend, if you want me. And I know you've only just met me, but something tells me I'll see a lot more of you."

Harry looked at her, and saw something in her eyes that made his heart constrict. "Hermione, did you have any friends at school?"

She looked away a bit and frowned. "Not really, Ron was my friend. He was all that I needed. And you?"

Harry shook his head. "I didn't have any. My cousin chased any potential friends away. But it doesn't matter anymore."

Hermione frowned. "Of course it matters. It must be a lonely life, having no friends. I know I would've had a hard time in school if Ron wasn't there."

Harry smiled. "That may be, but you won't know what you miss if you never had it. I just didn't know any better. It would've been worse if I did have a friend, but that person would have inevitably abandoned me sometime. That would've been heart wrenching."

Hermione nodded. "Hermione, Harry, are you coming down? It's nearly time for you to leave!" Molly yelled up, so that she could be heard in the attic.

"Coming!" Hermione yelled back, before turning back to Harry. "Just know I'm here for you, Harry." She kissed him on his cheek and Harry smiled back at her. "Thanks, Hermione. I really appreciate that."

"You better," she replied with a wink. "Now, come, we need to go downstairs and wave you off! And then you'll be on your merry way to the Malfoys. Just know I'm at home, or here, with the Weasleys."

"I'll remember it, Hermione." He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and they both walked downstairs. The Weasleys were all gathered in the hall, and Harry smiled. "I'll see you next time."

"Yes, please do. Make sure that mate of yours lets you visit, or both of you come visit. You're all welcome."

Harry smiled and hugged Molly, a bit awkwardly. The twins patted him on the back, and had identical grins on their faces. "Take care, Harry," they said simultaneously. "You too," Harry replied, before he opened the door and waved back.

The door closed and Ron turned to Hermione with a frown. "What did you need to talk about with Harry?"

Hermione walked to the living room and sat down on the couch, Ron next to her. "I told him, that if he needed help, or needed some one to talk to, I'd be there for him. That's what I told him."

Ron smiled at her. "You're a great friend, you know?"

"Hmm," Hermione commented, while lying against Ron, closing her eyes.


Harry walked back slowly, enjoying the weather. The sun was slowly, very slowly, setting. He whistled a little tune, and felt lighter than ever. For once he thought his life was turning out to be positive. And he thought he and Draco could figure something out. Something they would both be contented with. He walked through the back garden and smelled a few flowers on his way. They smelled delicious, and their sweet scent made him smile.

He turned the handle of the back door and walked inside. Obviously the Malfoys were just about to eat, since cutlery and plates already adorned the table. However, there were no Malfoys.

Harry turned curious eyes to the living room, and saw the three of them talking franticly. After a few seconds he knew it was about him.

"Natuurlijk is hij niet verdwenen, Draco. Denk gewoon rationeel na. Je had het wel geweten als er iets met Harry was gebeurt,"* said Narcissa soothingly, just as she heard something. She turned around and looked into the apologising green eyes.

"I'm sorry for making you worry," Harry murmured.

Narcissa got up and hugged him. "Thank goodness you're okay. Where were you?" she asked gently, holding him at an arms length.

"I was at the Weasleys, together with Hermione."

Narcissa sighed in relief. "And you didn't thought it important to inform us?"

Harry rubbed his neck. "Well, I would've, but you weren't downstairs. I didn't want to wake you."

Narcissa actually laughed, a soft tinkling sound that made Harry smile. "I really am sorry, though."

She ruffled his hair. "It's alright. Only next time, do leave a note or something."

"A note," he said blankly. "I hadn't even thought of it."

Narcissa moved away, and before Harry could apologise for being late, he was hugged to Draco's chest. "Don't ever do that again, Harry. I was so worried."

Harry slowly brought his hands up to settle them on Draco's back. "I'm sorry, Draco. I really didn't mean to worry you. Can we talk later?"

Draco nodded and reluctantly released Harry. "We can."

Harry smiled at him, before turning to Narcissa and Lucius. "Wasn't it time to eat?"

"It is. Come, dinner is ready to be served."

The four of them settled themselves at the dining table, Harry next to Draco, and Narcissa next to Lucius. Draco kept glancing at Harry, hoping he wouldn't hear any bad news. He didn't think he could handle it well. After all, he had nearly panicked when he knew Harry wasn't at home. At first he thought Harry was just taking a stroll. The weather was nice, of course. But when Harry didn't show up before four, he started to worry. When it was five, it nearly turned into panic. But then Harry was there, safe and sound. The relief he felt was immense, momentarily paralysing him, before he hugged Harry, consequences be damned. And then Harry asked if they could talk later. They definitely could talk.

Harry nearly laughed when dinner was before him; soup. More specifically tomato soup with baguette. It was delicious, and Harry wondered where Narcissa had learned how to cook like this. It was tied to Molly's cooking, which Harry only had tasted once.

When they finished eating dinner, Harry beckoned Draco. Their talk was long overdue. But maybe he needed that bit alone time to think clearly. And maybe Draco needed it too, he reckoned. They both could think about it in a more clear light.

They walked upstairs and Harry led Draco to his own room, in a more neutral area. He sat on his own bed, and Draco settled himself on the chair. "So, you wanted to talk. Then talk."

Harry plucked at his sheet, refusing to meet Draco's eyes. "I do. I want to know more about this bond between us. I can neither accept, nor deny a bond if I don't know at least a bit about it. Would you tell me more about it?"

"Yes." He lifted Harry's head with his fingers. "Please, look at me. It's easier for me to know how you feel about it." His thumb caressed Harry's cheek for a moment, before he let his hand slide away.

It tingled where Draco touched him, and he needed to press the urge down to touch his cheek where Draco had caressed it.

"All Elves have mates. And those mates could be anyone and anything. Male, female, Elf, human, dwarf, etcetera, etcetera. A bond is a connection between that Elf and the mate. For almost every Elf applies something different; one Elf has the ability to read the mind of the mate, others can speak to each other telepathically. A bond is officially established after a kiss, not one-sided, but both Elf and mate have to mean it. It's the first bond. There are a few different bonds. The first one is called The Bond of Acceptance. The second is The Bond of Trust, and the third, the last one, is called The Bond of The Spirit and Soul. After the last bond is established, the couple is a bonded pair. Only Elves and their mates can marry each other. That usually happens somewhere before the third bond, or after that one. Do you have any other questions?"

"Yes. What ability do you have because of our connection?"

Draco reached out to Harry's temples and pushed the hair he found there away and looked in his eyes. "I can feel your emotions."

Harry's breath hitched in his throat. "You can? What do I feel now?"

Draco cocked his head to his side and frowned. "It's a jumbled mess right now. But I think the most pronounced emotions right now are confusion, fear, apprehension, guilt, hope and joy. Am I right."

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, unable to look in Draco's eyes any longer. Soft fingers swept over his brow, before the fingers were guiltily taken away. "Could I touch your face?"

Harry opened his eyes and smiled at Draco. "You may."

Draco searched Harry's eyes, before slowly reaching out to touch his face. It made Harry real for Draco. He was sure Harry was here, at his house, before him. He closed his eyes and settled his hands on Harry's forehead. He also realised he could feel Harry's emotions more clearly now. He splayed his fingers and moved them over Harry's brows, eyes and cheeks. He stayed there for a while, just caressing the soft expanse of skin. He moved down and touched Harry's chin, before lastly touching the soft lips. He didn't feel Harry pull away, and with one final sweep he removed his hands and opened his eyes.

Harry had closed his eyes, and looked a bit dreamy. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the silver eyes peering back at him. "Alright, is there a way for us both to be content with something. I don't want to hurt you unintentionally."

Draco smiled and stood up. "Yes, there is something. Don't ignore me, talk to me and act like you normally would. Think about what you want and need. I won't be going anywhere." He quickly leaned down and kissed Harry's forehead, before he opened the bedroom door and walked away, the door slowly falling close.

Harry was trembling and frowned, eyes closed. It was all so very complicated, yet so simple. It only depended on his decision. He already knew Draco's. He fell back on his bed and stared unseeingly at the canopy of his bed. A good nights rest would probably help to ease his mind, if only a bit. Tomorrow, he would face the day, and do the things Draco suggested.


A/N: Natuurlijk is hij niet verdwenen, Draco. Denk gewoon rationeel na. Je had het wel geweten als er iets met Harry was gebeurt. Of course he didn't disappear, Draco. Just think rationally. You would've known if something happened to Harry.