First off, I wanna wish you guys a Happy Halloween. I'm a tiny bit peeved because I seriously wanted to do some Halloween drarry stories and also update other stories but sadly college has been eating up my time. Especially evil Chemistry. Anywho, I hope you guys have an awesome Halloween. With LOTS of candy.

Chapter 11:

"Stupid, bloody, impossible, annoying-"

"Harry."

"Useless, irritating, stressful, loud-"

"Love."

"Horrible, horrible-"

"Harry!"

"Egg!"

"Are you finished yet?" Draco raised an eyebrow and leaned casually against the stacked up pillows on their bed.

"No," Harry grumbled, glaring at the heavy golden egg cradled in his arms. "I've tried everything! All it does is screech like a bloody Mandrake!"

"I remember quite well," Draco said dryly, recalling the previous morning. Harry had rolled out of bed at five in the morning and opened the egg. Suffice to say, he had been less than happy.

Harry's lips twitched upwards despite his frustration, his thoughts mirroring Draco's. "Well, that's your fault for making me more curious about it the night before."

Draco rolled his eyes but didn't disagree, instead holding out his hands expectantly. "Let me see it. Maybe there's some kind of magical sensor."

"Ah, of course, because you're such an expert at those," Harry said sarcastically. "I'm ready to just give up this entire thing!"

Draco perked up at the notion but Harry waved him off. "Not literally," he quickly corrected. "...like a bloody dog." he muttered under his breath but Draco heard him nevertheless.

With a snort Draco rose off the bed and smiled at Harry, smoothly walking over and taking the egg. He barely took a step away when he tilted his head, thinking for a moment or two, and stepped back, only to turn around and swat Harry with his trademark smirk planted on his face. "I don't know why I keep you around, what with all the trouble you cause."

"Obviously its because you've been around us Gryffindors for too long," Harry returned, reaching back to rub the nonexistent sting on his backside. "And because you like to abuse my poor bum." He sent Draco a mock glare.

Draco scoffed and settled back against the headboard, curiously turning the weighty object over in his hands. "We both know that's not true...mostly," he added as an afterthought. "I must say, seeing your cute pout afterwards is always...entertaining"

Harry pouted at that, proving Draco's point and making the Slytherin chuckle before returning his attention to the egg. He ran his fingers carefully across the thin sliver that cut the egg in half. "Hmm." He shifted carefully and pressed his thin digits into the crack, nearly dropping the egg in shock when loud wailing and screeching jumped out of the now open trinket.

Harry cursed and folded his ears in half, whimpering from the sharp, painful ringing resounding in his eardrums. Draco immediately looked up at Harry's painful whimper and shot him an apologetic look. "Come here, darling," he murmured softly, knowing better than to make any loud noises until Harry's ears readjusted.

Harry quickly padded to Draco and hopped on the bed, moving the egg off Draco's lap with an annoyed huff and replacing it with himself. Draco smiled softly and pulled Harry closer, looking to Harry for permission before picking back up the egg and setting on Harry's lap. "Comfortable?"

Harry made a face and wriggled relentlessly, making Draco release a strangled groan and grab his hips. "Please, just tell me instead." he nearly begged.

Harry twisted his neck to look at Draco with a curious frown before shrugging and giving another half-hearted wriggle. "Spread your legs." he commanded, blushing brightly a second later when he realized how bad that sounded.

Draco didn't think twice at the double-meaning, quickly parting his thighs and letting Harry settled comfortably between them. "Thanks Dray," Harry beamed.

Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and tugged him more firmly against his chest before once against picking up the egg. He could feel Harry flinch into his at the movement, and quickly set the egg back down. It wasn't very large, but it was big enough to be noticed and gain Draco's attention. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't expect it to open from that gentle a touch." he said quietly, retracting a hand from the egg to let it drift up to Harry's ear. Encouraged by the brief tilting of the head in front of him, he soothing ran his thumb across the flattened base.

Finally satisfied with the attention he was getting, Harry leaned into the hand and smiled softly. Draco returned it happily and continued his soothing movements even as he picked the egg back up. "Bagman? He said that this would tell you the next task, correct?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes, but what's your point? How are we supposed to figure out what it's saying if all it does is sc -Oh!" Harry trailed off, understanding what point Draco was trying to make. "So you think that somehow we have to decipher terrible screeching that I can't even be in the same room as without excruciating pain and temporary deafness?"

"No, Harry," Draco rolled his eyes skyward. "Obviously the screeching isn't just a loud, annoying noise. That sound can be translated into words. We simply have to find out what kind of creature makes such a high pitches noise."

"Why don't you just ask Luna?" Harry said sarcastically. She really was a sweet girl, but pair her and Draco together with a list of "potentially dangerous creatures," and Harry might as well of been signing his death warrant. Since that first day, Harry had been helpless but to let Draco drag him to the library, Hagrid's hut, the greenhouses, the hospital wing, and even a jolly trip up to the Headmaster. If he wasn't so fond of the girl's crazy yet honest attitude, he would have said "see ya!" a long time ago, and begged Draco to do the same.

"I'll ask my father if he knows, and perhaps you could send a letter to Lu-Remus?" Draco frowned in deep concentration, still turning the egg over in his hands.

"Sounds like a plan." Harry poked Draco in the chest and pointedly tried to move the egg off his lap. "I'll go send them a letter now, shall I?"

"If you have any prob-"

"-just walk away and let you, my over-protective dominant, take care of it," Harry finished with a cheeky grin before hopping off the bed and practically dancing to the door, making sure to grab a sheet of parchment and a quill on his way out.

Harry found it odd walking down the hallways late. Unlike the usual bustling crowds that filled each corridor during the day time, there was barely a person in sight. It was relaxing and peaceful, being able to walk alone without the constant chatter of a friend or nearby group. The torches along the side of the walls illuminated the path just enough for one to walk without stumbling, or rather, they should have. Then again, most people don't make a habit of looking down as they walked.

"Ow!" Harry angrily rubbed his stubbed toe and pouted. "Stupid rock. What, is Hogwarts crumbling already?" Harry was so focused on nursing his injured big toe that he nearly toppled over when he heard a deep chuckle right behind him.

With a startled huff Harry dropped his foot and whipped around, immediately coming face-to-face with a very amused, very familiar Hufflepuff.

"It's not nice to stare, you know." Cedric teased, his eyes glinting in the romantic torch light.

"It's not nice to sneak up on someone either," Harry returned, quickly crouching down to pick up his abandoned parchment and quill. "Now, if you don't mind I need to write a letter to my Godfather."

"Perfect! I was just walking to the owlery as well," Cedric beamed and offered his arm out, his expression never changing even when Harry ignored his gesture and began to stalk towards the direction of the owlery.

"Wrong way, Harry," Cedric chuckled.

Harry could feel his face heat up but he steadily ignored it and just turned around. He didn't dare raise his eyes and meet Cedric's smug, amused eyes. "What do you need to go to the owlery for?" Harry wearily asked.

"Just sending a letter to my parents. They expected me to be home for Christmas, but the Yule Ball kinda got in the way," Cedric shrugged. "Now what's your mystery letter that you've yet to have written?"

Harry debated for a silent second on wether or not he should tell Cedric. Finally though, he decided that it couldn't do any harm; it wasn't like he actually had any information yet that could be useful. "I'm sending a letter to Remus to see if he has any ideas about the egg."

"Harry, you could have just asked me for help," Cedric pointed out.

"Why would I do that, and why would you help me?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"You know, I never did get the chance to properly apologize and thank you," Cedric mused.

"For what?"

"That game, of course. Last year, remember? You fell of your broom because of the dementors, and I caught the snitch." Cedric stopped walking and grabbed Harry's wrist, turning the boy so he was facing Cedric at a standstill. "The point is, I definitely owe you. Besides, I have other motives for telling you this," he winked and let go of Harry's wrist only to grab his hand instead.

"You won fair and square," Harry protested.

"I won because you passed out and were hurdling towards the quidditch field without a broom underneath you. Now stop protesting and listen."

Harry was tempted to just put his hands over his ears, but common sense ruled out. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he needed help. He was already going to ask Remus after all, and he would rather get help from a fellow champion than have to listen to his Godfather and Remus worry. "Fine, but only because I was going to get help anyways." He made sure to warn Cedric. He wouldn't have the older boy get the wrong idea, after all.

"Just go back and take a nice, warm bath. It will help clear your mind and find the answers you're looking for." Cedric instructed with a grin that Harry thought might be only slightly suggestive.

"Take a bath?" Harry repeated, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"With the egg," Cedric confirmed, giving Harry one last wink before grabbing his hand again and grazing the back of it with his lips. "I would help you, but-"

"Yea," Harry hurriedly agreed. "Well I'll just go now, thanks for the help."

Cedric laughed quietly and nodded, watching Harry nearly run to presumedly his rooms.

"Harry?" Draco looked up from his spot on the bed as he heard Harry enter.

"Cedric said that all we need to do is take a bath." Harry pursed his lips and plopped down on the bed next to Draco, almost instantly cuddling into his side.

Draco froze, "Cedric?"

"Uh-huh. He saw me on the way up to the owlery and offered his help. He told me that I just have to take a bath with the egg and the answers will come to me."

"I see," Draco moved the egg off his lap and pulled Harry there instead, snuggling his close and nudging his neck, growling quietly when he found Harry still smelled faintly of the Hufflepuff. "Bath indeed. Come, I'll run the water while you undress."

Harry raised a questioning eyebrow at Draco's possessive growl but shrugged. "You'll take one with me, right?"

"Yes," Draco answered shortly, still unable to properly focus with the thought of that Hufflepuff boy. He knew what Diggory must have been thinking during his request, and it made his blood boil. He tilted his head when he heard Harry approach and he tilted his head before turning around. "Did you want me to-"

"No," Harry cut him off, blushing deeply. "I think I can handle taking my clothes off. Not that you wouldn't be welcome, of course, but-"

"You're rambling, darling." Draco pointed out with a small smirk.

Harry glared at Draco then pouted. "Are you mad about me getting help from Cedric?" He had to ask. It was obvious that Draco was feeling possessive, but there was something else in his gaze, something that made Harry just want to curl up on his lap and stay there.

Draco paused mid-reach, ignoring the small knobs on the bath in favor of turning to Harry. "I'm angry that I let you go alone. I'm angry that Cedric used that to his advantage. I am not, however, the least bit displeased with you, my love." Draco rose from his crouch and took the few steps necessary to bring him close to Harry. "I am glad that you received help. I just wish that I could've been the one to give it."

Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck, nuzzling his head under the point chin happily. "I think I'd rather have you help me in the bath than anyone else, so it all worked out."

Draco couldn't help the instinctual growl that thundered out of his chest at Harry's words. "No one will be joining you in the bath but me."

Harry stood still as Draco tilted his neck and laid a perfect kiss on it, lingering for a second before pulling away and walking to the bath, quickly turning on the knobs to fill it with hot water. "You'd best finish getting undressed." He offered Harry a smile that was quickly returned.

"I'll get the egg." Harry offered once he was done undressing, but Draco simply shook his head.

"I will get the egg afterwards. First, there's something I need to do." he said firmly, his gray eyes darkened possessively.

"Er...alright," Harry agreed hesitantly. Despite his tone, he didn't disagree when Draco, finally undressed, walked over and kissed his cheek.

"I don't like it when you worry, little one," he murmured softly, frowning in concern as he observed Harry's still figure. Normally his little mate would be insistent on snuggling up to him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Harry made a face at Draco and shook his head. "I'm just curious as to what we need to do."

Draco smirked at Harry's expression and separated himself from him, grabbing his hand instead and leading him to the bath. Harry slowly lowered himself into the water and let a sigh of relief escape his mouth.

Draco chuckled lightly and followed Harry's example, slipping in then sitting down and pulling Harry on his lap. "You smell like Cedric. That's something I need to change."

Harry blushed brightly and nodded, trying to resist the urge to scrub himself down. Draco grabbed on to his hips gently, allowing Harry to settled comfortably against him before he slipped one hand from his hip to his lower stomach. Harry froze at the touch before surprising both himself and Draco by whimpering. "Draco…"

"Shh," Draco's lips twitched upwards but he made sure to contain his amusement. He could already smell his growing presence on Harry, no doubt in reaction to his intimate touch. "Stay still." he warned to Harry, who only nodded and quietly whined.

With careful hands, Draco tilted Harry's neck to the side and lightly rested his lips on the skin, patiently waiting to see if Harry would move. Other than another small whine, his mate stayed patiently. Still, he couldn't stop the growl of approval from slipping out of his mouth.

"Dra-" Harry's protest was abruptly cut off by a firm swat and a growled warning.

"Still, Harry." Draco reminded before nuzzling the neck comfortingly. "Be still. I don't wish to hurt you."

Harry let out a resigned sigh and relaxed against Draco's back. "No fangs." he pouted.

"No sharp fangs," Draco corrected with an amused smile. "You know as well as I do that they won't even sting as long as you stay still and trust me."

"That's what you said last time!" Harry's voice rose in protest but he was quickly shushed by Draco.

"Last time you wriggled, and my fangs slipped. I'm sorry that I hurt you, little one, but I promise it will not happen again as long as you stay still." Draco reassured him.

Harry huffed but nodded. "Don't see why you can't just mark me with your normal teeth," he grumbled.

"Because it's about time I renewed your mark anyways. You know that my heritage demands I mark my mate appropriately," he reminded with another small apologetic kiss. "Being a quarter vampire does have some rules associated with it."

Harry grimaced but titled his neck to the side. "Fine, just bit me already."

Draco couldn't help the snort of laughter that bubbled out of his mouth. "Stop being so bloody dramatic. You know you'll enjoy this just as much as I will. The first time you wouldn't stop whining and purring for half an hour."

Harry scowled but didn't comment, waiting in silence until Draco pressed his lips against Harry's neck. "Don't so much as wriggle." he warned before carefully sliding his fangs into Harry's skin.

Harry's eyes widened right before he let out a deep purr and closed his eyes, fully relaxed. Draco smiled against the skin and soothingly stroked his stomach as he took his time in marking Harry's neck. By the time he pulled away Harry was nearly catatonic, not even reacting when Draco tugged him closer and kissed his cheek. "Silly submissive, I told you it wouldn't hurt."

Harry let out a sleepy sigh and shifted before reaching up to touch his neck, finding that not even a tiny pinprick remained from the gentle bite. "Hmm," he agreed, finally starting to rouse himself. After a few more minutes he was sitting independently, no longer needing his mate's hands to support him. "Egg." he said expectantly.

"Egg," Draco reluctantly agreed. "You stay here, I'll go get it."

Harry nodded in agreement and rose off his lap, allowing Draco to step out of the bath and stalk to the bedroom, returning a second later with the golden egg cradled in his arms. "We just put this in the water?"

"I guess so," Harry shrugged taking the egg as Draco slipped back inside the bath, handing it back as soon as he was settled. "You get to open it." he said as he covered his flattened ears with his hands, prepared for more loud shrieking.

Draco sent Harry a mock-glare before pushing the egg underwater and opening it, waiting for a few tense seconds before realizing that there was no loud screaming. With a suspicious frown, he ducked his own head under water just in time to hear a softly sung word.

He stuck his head up and took a deep breath before ducking his head back underwater and twisting the egg open, listening carefully to the words sung.

Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you re searching, ponder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour-the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back

"What does that mean?" Harry frowned when he heard Draco recite the poem.

Draco ran a hand through his wet hair with a small grimace. "It means that your next task will take place in the lake, where you'll have to find a missing object in an hour."

Harry whimpered and placed his hands over his ears, nearly cringing at the thought of them filling with water. "How am I supposed to-"

"I will take care of it, little one," Draco promised. "But right now all you need to worry about is not falling while you get out of the bath."

Harry glared for the last comment and crossed his arms. 'Not going to fall…"

"No, you're not," Draco smiled and offered his hand to Harry, smirking when his mate reluctantly took it and allowed Draco to help him out. He rose as well, still not letting go of Harry's hands as he led him back into the bedroom. One drying spell later, both mates were lying in bed with Harry comfortably curled on top of Draco's chest.

"Goodnight, my love," Draco whispered against Harry's neck, in the same exact spot he had bitten him on earlier.

"'night," Harry mumbled sleepily, loving and hating the effect Draco's bite had on him. "No more biting," he managed to warn just before he feel asleep.

Draco laughed quietly and nodded. "No more biting. Not for another month or two at least."