I'm going to start adding other characters povs so that it will be easier to explain certain things. I also want to inform my awesome readers that they will be back at Hogwarts in a few chapters.

Chapter 11: Shopping Trips of Doom

Severus was in the library with Lucius and Narcissa discussing their options and forming plans, back-up plans, and back-up plans for their back-up plans.

"The most important thing right now is his trust issues! He does not believe there is a person in the world who could love him for himself and not for his money or fame." Narcissa argued, glaring at Severus and Lucius. They had been going over this for about two hours now and none of them were prepared to back down.

"Wrong. We need to work on his insecurities. He cannot go around thinking he is a worthless freak and a whore! I will not allow him to think he is useless and unwanted." Lucius snapped, his nails digging painfully into his palms as memories of what he had seen and heard crowded his mind.

"You are both wrong," Severus said quietly. "We need to work on his fear before we can hope to accomplish anything else." Narcissa opened her mouth and Severus shook his head at her. "I know from experience what he is feeling and thinking. My father never went as far as to rape me but he beat me almost as bad as that muggle did Potter." Severus was lost in memories for a moment before he managed to pull his mind back to the topic. 'I got away. I freed myself and got stronger and no one can hurt me now.' He reminded himself before taking a deep breath. "It's the fear that stays with you the longest other than the scars. We need to teach him that not everything he thinks he does wrong will be rewarded with a harsh beating. We have to show him that he won't be hurt anymore, not by us and not by anyone else as long as we have a say." Severus looked into his friends eyes and saw their pity and sadness. He hated that look.

"If you think it is more important than we will work on his fear of punishment first." Lucius said and Narcissa nodded her agreement.

"Severus maybe, since you have had personal experience with this, you could talk to Harry? You would be able to help him more than Lucius or myself." Narcissa looked at him hopefully and Severus nodded once.

"I had already planned on it, if he was willing to listen that is. I have not been very kind to him over the years." Severus whispered in shame. He felt sick at the way he had treated Harry at school now that he knew about his horrible home life, he could imagine too well how much worse he had made it for Harry. "I should have known! I should have seen the signs of abuse! I let my hatred for his father blind me to the danger and pain he was in. I could have saved him." Severus ended in a broken whisper as he hid his face in his hands. He heard the rustle of clothes and then felt arms wrap around his shoulders. Severus stiffened before slowly looking up at Narcissa and Lucius.

"It is not your fault. You are not the only one who did not notice nor are you the one who put him with that despicable family. Now your misplaced hatred is your own fault. What James and his idiot friends did to you were cruel and painful, they humiliated you badly, but that does not give you the right to terrorize the poor boy." Lucius chided. Severus glared and was about to point out that Lucius had treated Harry no better, when he held up a hand.

"I know my behavior towards him has been less than appropriate and unlike you I did not have a familial grudge to uphold my attitude. I will apologize in kind and work my hardest to gain his forgiveness." He said softly. Narcissa looked from Severus to Lucius and back.

"Well you two may have been horrible to the poor boy but I never saw him long enough to give an impression. So I am already more trustworthy!" Narcissa stuck her nose in the air and winked at them. All three laughed for a few minutes to ease the tension, even if it did sound slightly hysterical.

"So we are agreed on what needs to be done first to help him heal?" There were nods from all three and Severus stood. "Good. I am going to bed. Today has been very…trying and I do not have the energy to stay awake any longer."

"Severus it is only three in the afternoon!" Lucius exclaimed after casting a Tempus charm. Severus shrugged.

"So what? Today was difficult and tomorrow will be even more so. I suggest we all get as much rest as we can because tomorrow will surely be Hell." Severus said before sweeping out of the library, black robes flaring out behind him. 'Merlin help us all. Don't let him be beyond saving. He does not deserve to end up like me.' Severus prayed silently as he stripped down and put on his pajamas before sliding into bed and falling asleep.

.

Harry was being chased around the house by Dudley and his friends as they played their favorite game, Harry Hunting. Harry bumped into the corner of the kitchen table and fell to the ground. Dudley was on him before he could push himself up.

"Got you, you worthless freak!" Dudley crowed in excitement. He flipped Harry over onto his back and signaled the other boys to hold him down.

"Now what should we do with you, Freak?" Dudley pretended to think before leaning over and smiling wickedly. "I know," His voice was soft and intimidating. "Why don't you…entertain us? You'd like that right guys?" Dudley looked up at his friends who all voiced their agreement. They all began to tear and rip his clothes and Harry struggled against them.

"No! Please no, anything but this!" Harry sobbed and begged but they didn't pay him any attention. 'Oh God, please send someone to help me!' Harry prayed silently as Dudley ripped his shirt open. He closed his eyes as he felt fat, meaty hands claw painfully down his chest and then…nothing. Harry slowly opened his eyes and gasped in surprise.

"Draco?" He whispered in confusion. Draco was straddling him in the same position that Dudley had and was staring down at him. Harry looked around searching for his tormentors.

"Where did they go?" He asked. Draco shrugged as he began to idly trace patterns on Harry's bare chest.

"I don't know or care. I just sent them…away." He said vaguely as he shifted over Harry. Harry felt his nervousness spike again when Draco pushed his torn shirt completely open and began to caress his stomach, chest, nipples. Harry tensed and looked up at him.

"O-oh. You can…er, let me up now." Harry stuttered. Draco tilted his head to the side and stared at him.

"No, I don't think I will." He said softly. Harry closed his eyes as he felt Draco's hands slide lower and lower until they rested on the top of his jeans. He whimpered in fear. Draco stopped moving.

"What do you think I am here for?" He asked quietly. Harry gulped.

"You're here to finish what Dudley was trying to start," Harry took a deep breath. "You're here to rape me." He whispered brokenly. He flinched when Draco's eyes flared brightly with fury and disgust.

"NO!" He snapped glaring at Harry. "No I am not here to bloody rape you! Damn it, Potter! You- you just…NO!" Draco snarled as he glared furiously down at Harry. Harry stared up into Draco's disgusted and angry face as it slowly dawned on him.

"No?" He breathed, looking up at Draco hopefully. 'No! He really means it! He seriously won't ever hurt me. He can protect me!'

"No." Draco breathed back tiredly. Harry beamed up at him and sat up so fast he nearly smacked heads with his blond Angel. He wrapped his arms tightly around Draco and pressed his face to his chest.

"Thank you!" He murmured. Draco wrapped his arms around him in return and Harry smiled again.

"How about you dream up our place and get us out of this horrid house?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow. Harry snorted but closed his eyes obediently and thought of their bed. He felt the ground soften under him and opened his eyes to see the room they had shared in their dreams.

"Good job, submissive." Draco praised and Harry blushed happily.

"Thank you dominant." He mumbled shyly. Draco smiled down at him before rolling off to the side and wrapping him in his arms.

"Sleep now. We have a long day ahead and I want you well rested." Draco said. Harry snuggled further into his angel's arms and closed his eyes as he drifted off.

.

Harry pressed his face deeper into his pillow as he felt arms tighten around him. He knew instinctively that it was Draco and turned to face him while keeping his eyes closed.

"Don't leave Angel." He whispered sleepily as he pressed his face against a smooth neck.

"I won't. I promise." His angel said softly and Harry frowned.

"You left me before. When the dreams first started you said you would be there but you weren't!" Harry glared up at Angel wondering why their dream room had gotten so bright, it was always dark before. "You weren't." He whispered. Angel looked at him sadly, eyes dark with regret.

"I'm so sorry Harry! My parents gave me-" Angel stopped talking when Harry pressed a hand gently to his cheek, his thumb moving in circles. Harry didn't want to spend the little time he had in the dream fighting with his savior. He just wanted to lie in Angel's arms and bask in the love he could feel radiating from him.

"So beautiful," Harry whispered as he stared in awe up at the beautiful creature above him. "I wish I could be with you like this all the time instead of just here in our dreams." Harry sighed sadly as he burrowed even deeper into Angel's arms. 'He wouldn't want me if this wasn't a dream.' Angel looked at him, confused

"We aren't dreaming Harry." He said slowly.

"Yes we are." Harry nodded to emphasize his certainty. "If we weren't I wouldn't do this." Harry reached up, pulled Angel down on top of him, and pressed his lips firmly to his protectors. In the midst of the dreams is the only time when Harry could push everything else to the back of his mind and just feel. Angel melted into the kiss immediately and licked at Harry's lips begging for entry. Harry opened his mouth for Angel and they both moaned at the first touch of tongue. Angel tangled his hands into Harry's messy black hair and pressed his body against Harry's, slowly rolling his hips. Harry eyes snapped open and he froze. 'Bloody fucking Merlin!' He screamed in his mind as he panicked at the realization that he was definitely not dreaming and he was really snogging Draco in his bed. They had never done anything like this in their dreams; it had never felt like this!

Harry felt his magic swell up in him before rushing out of him in a wave of pure protectiveness. Draco was thrown across the room and slammed into the wall, his head colliding with a loud thud. He slid limply to the ground and the rush of magic cut off and retreated back into Harry, feeling it had done its job in protecting him. Harry stared silently in horror before leaping out of bed and rushing to kneel at Draco's side. Harry was reaching out to try and wake him when his door slammed open and Lucius, Narcissa and Severus came running in. They took one look at Harry kneeling beside an unconscious Draco before Narcissa glared at him, Lucius narrowed his eyes in suspicion and Severus looked at him blankly.

"What happened? We heard a loud bang! What did you do?" Narcissa snapped at him as she knelt beside Draco and pulled out her wand to run a full body scan. Harry leaned as far away from the three adults as he could without actually moving from his spot. He was torn between putting as much distance between him and the furious adults as possible and staying at Draco's side as a fierce need to help him awakened. Harry chose the latter option and stayed at his side, looking down as he stuttered out the story of what happened.

"I d-didn't m-mean to! I s-swear! I just got s-so overwhelmed a-and my m-magic lashed out!" Harry sobbed as he stared at Draco's unresponsive form. Severus spelled potions into his unconscious body and a minute later Draco groaned and blinked his eyes open. All the occupants in the room breathed a sigh of relief as he looked up at them.

"What happened?" He grunted as he placed a hand against his forehead.

"I'll tell you after I've made sure you are perfectly okay." Narcissa said as she and Lucius helped their son up. Harry stood and reached out to help when Narcissa slapped his hands away.

"What do you think you are doing?" She snapped at him and Harry winced.

"I just want to help." He muttered without looking at her.

"Haven't you done enough? We don't want to hurt him anymore than you already have so we will help him and you will stay here." Lucius said before they left, carrying a daze Draco between them. Harry watched them go as a strange numb feeling slowly took over his whole body. He didn't notice the concerned glance Severus sent his way or the angry set of his mouth as he stalked from the room after the Malfoy's. He had hurt Draco! He had knocked him out! 'The one person who gives a fuck about me and I fucking attack him! I'm so stupid!' He had noticed the looks and tone of the two Malfoy's. They didn't want him anywhere near Draco and Harry had to agree. He only got people hurt. 'They would be better off if I just left.' Harry thought sadly. He looked around at the guestroom he had been staying in and made up his mind. 'Later tonight, when everyone is asleep, I'll sneak out and save them all the horror and grief that comes with associating with me. I can't let Draco be hurt. I've already lost too many people, I can't lose him to.' Harry nodded to himself and slowly started to get dressed for their planned outing. Just because he planned to run away didn't mean he could skip out on this shopping trip. He couldn't let anyone catch on to his plan so he would act as normal as he could until the time came for him to leave.

.

Half an hour later everyone was ready and they all stood around the fire place so they could floo to their destination. Harry noticed how Lucius and Narcissa stood on either side of Draco like some kind of barrier, one meant to keep them apart. His chest tightened painfully and he looked away from them.

"We're flooing to Paris. We can get you wizarding robes, suits and some muggle clothes for the weekends." Lucius said as he passed the floo powder around. Lucius stepped into the fire place and floo'd out first followed by Draco, Mrs. Malfoy, Harry and then Severus. Harry looked around at all the shops and smiled. Paris really was very beautiful. Draco came up beside him and smiled. Harry opened his mouth to apologize for earlier that morning but Narcissa shoved in between them before he could say anything. Harry lost his balance and stumbled to the side. He would have fell over if strong arms hadn't wrapped around him and broken his fall. Harry looked up to see Severus staring down at him in concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly and Harry blushed.

"Yeah. Perfect. I just…fell." He said, pulling away from the professor. He looked over at the Malfoy's to see them all talking together, probably planning which shops to go to. He bit his lip and resolved himself to being ignored or slighted. 'Just like at the Dursley's. But I deserve this. I deserve everything that's happened to me.' Harry felt his eyes well up with tears. He felt so stupid for thinking they would have been different. Everyone was the same once they realized how much of a disgusting freak he was. Harry followed behind the Malfoy's trying to contain his sadness. He had to act normal. He couldn't give himself away. Just a little longer and they wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

.

Severus watched as Narcissa pushed her way between Draco and Harry, nearly shoving him down. He darted forward to catch the small teen before he could hit the ground.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.

"Yeah. Perfect. I just…fell." Severus knew it was a lie but Harry had stepped out of his hold and towards the Malfoys before he could say anything.

Severus didn't know what was going on with Lucius and Narcissa but he could see that whatever they were doing was tearing Harry apart. He saw Harry's eyes fill with tears as his expression became more and more depressed before looking determined. He knew that look; it was the look Harry got when he was planning to do something extremely stupid and Gryffindorish. That look never bode well for anyone. 'I'll just have to watch him carefully.'

Narcissa and Lucius may have forgotten the plan but he would do his best to help the boy that reminded him so much of himself at a younger age. Firm in his resolve he trailed after Harry who followed after the Malfoys. He watched all afternoon growing steadily more furious as Lucius and Narcissa's treatment of Harry grew worse and worse. He tried hard to make up for their atrocious behavior by being kind, helpful and attentive but he could tell that his attempts weren't enough. 'Why isn't Draco doing anything? Can he not see his mate is in pain?' Severus glared over at the oblivious Malfoy and noticed the way his parents kept his attention firmly away from Harry. Snape sighed and turned back too Harry. He needed to focus on making sure Harry was not totally neglected.

.

Harry sighed in relief when they floo'd back to Malfoy Manor after the long day of shopping. He silently slipped away from everyone else, his heart heavy in his chest. 'What is it about me that make people dislike me so much? What god did I piss off in my past life to deserve to be treated like this?' Harry thought glumly as he wandered into his room and placed his few bags on his bed. He sat down and picked up the book he had been given on Veela and their mates. Harry snorted and tossed the book aside.

"Seems like the book was wrong. Veela don't have to care for their mates." Harry looked around and stood quickly. He needed to get prepared for later tonight. He would slip away and everyone would be none the wiser. He slowly packed all the clothes the elder Malfoy's had graciously bought for him and hid the bag in the closet just as there was a knock at his door.

"Who is it?" He asked as he turned in surprise, not expecting anyone to check on him. The door opened and Severus walked in and looked him over in concern.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Lucius and Narcissa had no excuse to treat you like they have all day and I can't believe Draco didn't do anything about." Snape looked completely disgusted and enraged. Harry smiled slightly.

"It's okay professor, really. I should have listened. You don't need to apologize or check up on me. I'm fine." Harry said softly. Snape looked at him with knowing obsidian eyes before sighing.

"I do not believe you but I will not argue it. Just know that if you need to talk I am here to listen." Snape said softly before turning and leaving the room. Harry sighed and picked up the book on Veela from where he had set it on the bedside table. 'Maybe I can get Draco to read it with me. I just want to spend a few last minutes together.' Harry bit his lip as he thought it over. 'The worst that could happen is he would say no and it can't make me feel any worse than I do now. So why not?' Harry left the room and walked two doors down to Draco's room. He hesitated before knocking on the door softly. Unsure if he had heard a voice granting permission to come in Harry slowly pushed the door opened and poked his head around the door frame.

"Draco? Are you busy right now?" Harry walked in farther. "I was wondering if you would like to…" Harry trailed off when he saw the elder Malfoy's and Draco standing together in the middle of the room. Mrs. Malfoy was looking pleadingly at her son, Mr. Malfoy's face was blank and Draco looked furious.

"Harry! No, I'm not at all busy. In fact they were just leaving, weren't you?" Draco said coolly. Harry flinched slightly at the cold tone but otherwise didn't react.

"Draco, please! We didn't realize we were treating hi-" Draco took a quick step forward and grabbed Mrs. Malfoy's arm.

"Not in here." He snapped. Draco turned to Harry and smiled. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." He looked down at the book in Harry's arms. "We'll read together when I get back. Yeah?" Draco led his parents out of the room at Harry's small nod. Harry turned towards the bed once the door closed and slowly made his way over to it. He settled in the middle of the bed, sitting with his legs crossed and the book in his lap. He played with the pages while he waited for Draco's return. A few minutes had gone by when there was a sudden shout from out in the hall.

"Because I don't want him-" The shout was cut off just as suddenly as it started. Harry sat frozen as he felt his blood run cold. 'There's the proof I needed. He doesn't want me. He admits it.' Harry could feel tears well up in his eyes.

.

Draco dragged his mother out into the hall with his father following behind him. He closed the door before turning to glare at them, arms folded across his chest.

"There's nothing you can say, nothing, which could excuse how you treated him today." Draco snarled. 'I might never forgive them. He's already so damaged. They could have made it worse today!'

"Draco you are our only child, our son. We would be lost without you and when he hurt you…we just want to keep you safe." Mother whispered. Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"And that gives you the write to treat my mate like those vile muggles did? You are a Veela, Mother! You know the importance of mates and you would dare treat him like trash?" Draco hissed.

"Draco! We did not realize how bad we were treating him! We were trying to protect you and we apologized. Why are you still so angry?" Lucius snapped and glared at Draco.

"Because I don't want him-" Draco cut himself off and took a deep breath. Nothing would be solved with yelling. "I don't want him to ever feel like that again. Especially not around me. If this is any indication of how you're going to treat him then we will move out. I will buy us a nice cottage, preferably by the ocean, and we will live happily and peacefully. He will not have to worry about being treated in a manned less than he deserves." Draco said firmly, staring his father defiantly in the eye.

"Dragon-"

"I have to go." Draco said abruptly, cutting Narcissa off. "My mate has waited long enough for my attention." With that Draco turned and entered his room, closing the door firmly behind him.

He walked over to his bed but slowed when he saw Harry with his head in his hands.

"Harry?" He called softly. 'What had happened in the short amount of time to make him so sad?' Draco wondered. Harry's head snapped up and Draco was saddened to see his eyes bright with unshed tears.

"Why are you doing this?" Harry whispered hoarsely.

"Doing what?" Draco asked confused.

"This!" Harry waved his arm to symbolize the entire situation. "All of this! Why are you doing it?" Draco was utterly confused.

"Harry, I don't-"

"You like to read, right Draco?" Harry asked randomly. Draco slowly nodded feeling completely lost. He was about to question Harry when the dark haired teen suddenly looked up at him.

"Have you ever read A Tale of Two Cities?" He asked. Draco blinked at the random question and unfamiliar title.

"No. I've never heard of that book." He answered. He thought it was best to just go along until he could figure out what Harry was trying to say. Harry nodded thoughtfully.

"It's a muggle book so I guess you wouldn't have." Harry said.

"Why are you asking?"

"My cousin, Dudley, had to read it over the summer for his English project." Harry shrugged and looked down at the Veela book.

"What does the whale have to do with anything?" Draco snapped, furious at any mention of the people who had hurt his mate so much. 'I wish I could kill them all over again. Much slower this time, I would want to savor the sounds of their agonized screams.'

"Well Dudley never did his own homework. I had to read it and write his essay for him." Draco growled angrily. "It really wasn't that bad. In fact, it's one of my favorite books now." Harry said.

"Harry, I don't understand. What are you trying to ask me?" Draco asked, slightly frustrated at the seemingly nonsense conversation.

"My favorite character," Harry continued on as if Draco hadn't interrupted. "Is Sydney Carton. We are exactly the same. He was a failure in everything he did, and he believed that his life could never get better, only worse." Harry looked up then, locking his emerald eyes with Draco's silver ones. 'The most beautiful green in the world.' Draco felt himself getting lost in Harry's eyes until the younger teen spoke again. "And he was in love." Draco sucked in a sharp breath.

"What? Harry are you saying-"

"He was in love with someone who could never love him back because, why would she? He was worthless, a royal screw up. And even knowing that she could never love him he wanted her to know, and do you know what he said?" Harry asked softly, sparkling green eyes bright with tears that slowly began to roll down his cheeks.

"Harry, you-" Draco was, again, cut off.

"'And yet, I have had the weakness, and have still the weakness, to wish for you to know with what sudden mastery you kindled me, heap of ashes that I am into fire.' You have kindled me into fire, Draco and I thank you for that but you deserve so much better than anything I could ever give you!" Harry started sobbing loudly and Draco immediately wrapped his arms around his distraught mate. 'Oh, Merlin! How could he think that? Why can't he see that I love him? Why won't he believe me?'

"No! Harry that is so far from the truth! You are not a failure, at anything. And how could people not love you? You are so kind and good and brave. You would do anything to help someone else." Draco pulled back slightly and wiped the tears off his submissive's face. "I love you, Harry" He breathed softly. "I love you so fucking much that it hurts and I will do everything in my power to prove to you every day that I love you. Even if it takes the rest of our lives together." Draco whispered passionately as he stared into wide emerald eyes.

"But, Draco-" Draco shook his head and, praying to Merlin that this would not backfire; he leant forward and pressed his lips firmly to Harry's. He kissed his mate gently, letting his love and passion flow through the kiss. Harry gasped in surprise and Draco took this as an opportunity to slip his tongue into Harry's mouth. They both moaned softly and Harry clutched at Draco's shirt tightly.

"I love you." He whispered as he slowly pulled away. Harry looked up at him in a daze, his cheeks deliciously pink. Harry nit at his lip and peeked up at him from beneath his lashes and Draco held back a moan. 'Merlin! Does he know how edible he looks right now?' Draco shifted them into a more comfortable position and took the book from Harry's hand. "Now, no more of this 'I'm not worthy' nonsense! I don't want anyone but you Harry. And what a Malfoy wants a Malfoy gets!" Draco said haughtily. Harry laughed slightly and Draco smiled softly down at him. "Ready to read?" He asked. Harry nodded and Draco watched in amusement as he hesitantly curled up against him.

"Is this okay?" Harry asked shyly.

"Yeah, better than okay. It's perfect. You are perfect." Draco said reverently as he stared down at his mate. Harry blushed deeply and Draco, taking pity on his submissive, opened the book and began to read starting from where he had left off last time.

SSSSSSSOOOOOOO SORRY! I know it's been ages but I was literally drowning in school work. My teachers thought it would be fun to give us a new project right after we just finished one. But I graduate in 17 days and then it's summer so I'll be able to write to my hearts content. I promise once summer hits I'll be able to really write and update. I swear!