Chapter Twelve
The moment of dead silence that followed Mulciber's death seemed like an hour to Draco. He was not mourning or any dunderheaded crap like that; no he had indeed realized that he did not need to find his way of killing people. Like his aunt Bella who Crucio'd before killing he would use his curses, always. Even if the other Elite knew of them, he would make them famous. He would make them feared. The thought made his lips twitch up in the corners, that would be why he was feared, his reputation.
A clapping noise from behind him brought him out of his thoughts and he smirked at his grandmother. His mother was nowhere to be seen while his aunt was jumping up and down maniacally. But his father had lost the icy gaze and was smirking approvingly. Back to his grandmother, who was now walking forward with a bright smile on her face.
"Draco, you are the winner of the wizard's duel. Is there any other who wish to fight this?" Draco's head snapped up to the Dark Lord and then back to the people behind him. No one spoke out; even his grandmother had stopped walking mid-step.
"Very well, Draco I expect you to return before you're missed. Lucius take care of Mulciber." He didn't wait for responses, just strode regally out of the meeting hall with Nagini on his heels.
As soon as the door closed behind the Dark Lord the door at the opposite end of the hall opened and Narcissa strode in, looking worried. For once he didn't blame her, he was staring at a wicked hole in his chest where any normal persons heart should be. "Fucking drunk tried to rip my baby's heart from his chest." Narcissa pushed Draco back onto a medicinal table she conjured and the elf by her side held up a silver tray of potions over it's head. Draco nearly died just from the shock of hearing his mother curse.
"He's not your little boy anymore Narcissa, he is an Elite, a young man, he is mated." Draco through a thankful grin to his grandmother, whose eyes were sparkling with interest.
"Yes mother, however he will always be my little boy." Draco hissed as his mother poured some sort of light blue potion over his wound. "And if that man weren't dead I'd kill him. Thank the gods Veela are dextrocardiacs." Draco could see more tears spill down his mother's cheeks as she reached for her wand. "Dragon, this may sting…"
It took everything Draco had to clench his teeth and scream with his mouth closed. It felt as if she had just dug her hand into the whole. By now Draco was sweating, his breathing was labored, and he felt more tired than he'd ever been. "Where is it…for the love of Morgana…ah!" His chest exploded once more and Draco's whole body tensed and convulsed.
"Will Draco be alright Cissy?"
"Yes, yes, he'll just be in a lot of pain starting…now." Draco pulled his lips in between his teeth and muffled his scream as best he could. He could feel tendons and veins stitching themselves back together again and the blackness threatened to overtake him.
"You're doing marvelous dragon, just hang in there a bit longer. Good…good…"
By the time Draco felt his skin stitching back together he was cold, sweating, and near hypervenalation. He greedily grabbed the Pain Relieving potion from his mother and drank the whole vial, not caring about the vile taste. The relief was instantaneous and Draco sighed in bliss. His chest went numb and all he felt was but a tingle as the whole closed.
"When you're all sealed up you'll need a Blood-Replenishing potion…" His mother grabbed a red colored potion, "…and some scar healing salve." She selected a short, round jar with a screw cap lid. "Hmm…okay dragon, look at me." Draco wearily turned his head, looking at the three adults who were staring at him as if he were a new animal discovered.
"Drink this," his mother held up the Blood-Replenishing potion and Draco opened his mouth, gagging a bit on the coppery taste. About five minutes later Draco was sitting on the end of the table/bed waiting for the salve to sink in and work its magic. His mother had gone off to replace her medical things while his grandmother and father had went to see to the rest of the Elite who had been ushered out of the room for his healing.
The only other person in the room was his Aunt who, now that he was in the clear, was back to acting forlorn. Ever since Harry Potter had been announced as his mate she'd looked crestfallen, maybe even guilty, except for when he won the duel. While she should be the one dancing around singing his praise as she was before, she stood in the corner, watching the rain hit the window.
"Aunt Bella?" She didn't look at him, but he could tell from her profile that she closed her eyes. Draco gently hopped off the table and didn't bother buttoning his new shirt as he made his way over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder in comfort and waited until she was ready to talk.
It was a few minutes before she spoke and when she did her voice was gravelly and rough, almost exact opposite of the normally bubbly, cheerful, slightly insane tone he was used to hearing. "When I lost my future I was devastated. I turned my sole attention on revenge and you Draco. I have a list of people who I want to kill the most painful way I can for what they have done to me; it has been my sole reason for existing for the last fourteen years. Harry Potter won't come here with you, when he learns I am here."
Draco wanted to ask why, why she thought that Harry would hate her but she spoke up again, obviously sensing his confusion. "Sirius Black was Po-Harry's godfather. I murdered him in front of the boy and then taunted him about halfway through the Ministry. Draco, I taunted him so badly that he tried to use a Cruciatus Curse against me."
Draco's body stiffened involuntarily, the thought of his mate being in that much emotional pain killed him. "Why?"
Bellatrix slouched forward, her forehead resting on the glass and her shoulders hunched. "He was a Black, Draco." Bella muttered angrily, well, seething would be a more appropriate word. "He was family. And yet he helped tear away my hopes and dreams as if it didn't matter. As if blood meant nothing."
"Don't worry yourself over my mate Aunt Bella, he will cope."
"Yes well, warn him anyways. If I am too much for itty-bitty Potter to handle I'm sure there are always raids I can join in on."
Draco knew he wouldn't tolerate his aunt having to leave but he nodded anyways and held out his arm. Bellatrix scowled at him, "If you hadn't just been through extremely painful healing I would hex you." With that she waved her wand and his black shirt buttoned and tucked itself in, and his hair was restored to its perfection.
"Honestly however did Cissy raise you?"
Draco rolled his eyes as he held out his arm once more and this time Bellatrix threaded her own through it. Together they made their way to the others, Draco throwing one last smirk at the body of Mulciber who still layed there on the floor.
"I expect Mr. Potter will be visiting us most of the time now? I shall adjust the wards. Congratulations on your mating, my son." Twenty four words. Draco couldn't stop the smile that came with those twenty four words. They were the most his father had spoken to him at one time, and they were accepting of Harry.
"Yes, father. And thank you." Lucius nodded, his grip around Narcissa had loosened from before and Draco shrugged the whole thing off.
"Draco." Draco turned to his Grandmother and tilted his head to the side. "Yes Grandmother?" It was actually quite comical, to see Druella Black best friend of Cassiopeia Black falter for words for a few moments.
"While I…have never been a Boy-Who-Lived…fan." She sneered in disgust, "He is your mate. This summer I extend an invitation to the both of you for a week or two, to my chateau; so that I may get acquainted with my newest member of family." That was the last thing Draco expected, he honestly expected a don't-ever-come to-my-house reaction. "Thank you grandmother, your acceptance of my mate means a lot to me." Druella only nodded.
It was another half hour later when Draco had finally shaken hands with everyone, accepted congratulations and compliments, and finally assured his mother that he would owl her if he experienced any pain. Finally they let him go and he apparated out of the foyer with a quiet crack.
Draco arrived just outside of Hogwarts wards with a soft crack and quickly crossed through. It was late, about two in the morning and he had class in mere hours. Yet Harry was unperturbed and practically ran towards him when he caught sight of him. His mate's arms were around his neck instantly and his lips were assaulted. Draco couldn't help it, even though he knew it would probably worry Harry, and squeezed the smaller boy closer to him as hard as he could. Now that they were in the clear his relief was palpable and Harry caught on, pulling away.
"What happened?" Green eyes were lit with slight anger and a whole ton of worry. Draco tried to shrug it off, no doubt Harry would get angrier before he stopped worrying and right now Draco just needed his mate.
"Don't you shrug me off Draco Malfoy, tell me. Why are you wearing a different shirt? What happened?" A tired sigh escaped his lips, inaudible but still visible. It made Harry stiffen before curling into the blonde's chest, thanking whatever gods were up there that Draco made it out of whatever happened. The beat of the older boy's heart was steady and strong, keeping Harry sane.
"It really was nothing Harry; one of the other Elite had a problem sharing the Dark Lord's favor with a sixteen year old. I took care of him. I just lost my composure for a second. It was a relief to hold you in my arms, to know that we are in the clear." Draco nuzzled along Harry's throat.
"You are safe from the Death Eaters and accepted as my mate. My status is also known to most of the Elite, no doubt by morning all of them will know." He felt Harry's head move but it didn't break contact with his skin. Then he was shyly biting and sucking on the base of Draco's throat. The groan that escaped his lips was loud and he quickly put up a few basic wards before pushing Harry into the wooden beam.
He hadn't planned on it, he had planned on falling straight into bed as soon as he could, but he needed his mate. To feel Harry around him squirming and contracting. Draco's tongue skillfully set out, mapping out Harry's body in erotic circles mixed with playful bites. When clothing got in the way he would simply wave it away, not caring where it landed. Harry was moaning beneath him, something that he would never get tired of hearing.
Tantalizingly slow he played with the drawstring of his mates sleep pants watching Harry through hooded eyes. Harry was watching him carefully, his tongue darting out and wetting his lips every few seconds in anticipation. With his teeth he pulled the string to release the knot and then nipped at Harry's hip bones.
"P-Please, Draco? Please don't tease me tonight." Harry's voice was desperate and his erection was straining against the thin cotton. With one last wave Draco's clothes were in a pile next to Harry's and he was on top of him, kissing and biting his lover into a moaning puddle of need.
He took Harry slow, for the second time, needing to relish in feeling his mate around and below him. He needed the reassurance that despite what looked like a doomed match they were together and did not have to worry. With every thrust he claimed his mate, his Harry, his Boy-Who-Wouldn't-Die. This creature in his arms beneath him was his and had sufficiently protected the raven haired male so far. Just as he promised himself he would do for years. Just how he would continue to do for years to come.
All thought flew out the window when he felt Harry constrict around him in orgasm, coaxing Draco over the edge. He fell gloriously, enjoying the pure pleasure that rolled throughout his body. Once he recovered he rolled over, pulling Harry on top of him much to the emerald eyed boy's delight. His finger's tracing invisible hearts again, this time on Draco's left pectoral muscle. Where mere hours earlier there had been a hole. Draco let his hand trail up and down his mate's back, trailing his spine while he lost himself in post coital bliss.
xXx
"Remember when we had detention in here during our first year?" Humor laced his mate's tone while Draco scowled.
"You need not remind me I was a cowardly twat when I was younger. I am perfectly capable of remembering on my own." Harry's answering giggle had his lips twitching, the younger wizard's happy mood was infectious and he found himself drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
They held hands as they walked through the Forbidden Forest, Harry fascinated by even the most basic magical creatures. Draco had decided to take a walk during his off period to try and shake off his sleepy start to the day. Hestia had smirked knowingly when he left the hall, Blaise and Flora too lost in their own little bubble of bliss to notice his absence. Harry had as usual shown up, not long after telling Draco all the wild lies he had used to dodge his sidekicks.
They lapsed into silence as Harry examined the magical bugs that littered the forest and Draco lost in his own thoughts about his aunt's words the other night. Should he ask Harry about them? If he knew that Bellatrix was someone who Draco loved dearly would he at least try to understand? He leaned against a tree as he studied Harry watching an arachnid with fascination.
"Why are you staring?" Draco gave an almost inaudible laugh and ran his hand through his tousled hair.
"Harry, the other night…well…are you aware Bellatrix Lestrange is my aunt?" His mate stiffened almost imperceptibly, but didn't turn around as he answered.
"Yes, I know." Harry's voice was tight and laced in some emotion Draco couldn't identify.
"Do you hate her?"
There was a long silence. Draco leaned back against a tree, his leg bent and his foot resting on the trunk. Harry was now watching a Clabert in fascination. Draco had already warned him not to touch the pustule on its head, but other than that the creature was harmless. Harry just couldn't get enough of the creature that looked like the spawn of a monkey and a frog.
"I don't know." Harry said slowly, and Draco perked up, "I did, I hated her with a passion because she took my chance of family away from me. But then when I found out we were mates and that I would have a family of my own, one that included her…I don't know how to feel. I don't want to hate her because I know she is your family, but she killed Sirius and a part of me feels like I have to hate her for him." Draco walked forward and wrapped his arms around Harry from behind. Both of them staring at the Clabert.
"When she learned you were my mate she was…upset. She regrets now that she taunted you the way she did because that might affect us, but she wouldn't take back killing Sirius." He rested his chin on Harry's shoulder, squeezing him lightly trying to offer some sort of comfort.
"I know."
"I don't think you do. I don't even know the whole story, but something else happened all those years ago. I know a lot must have happened, but she told me Sirius helped destroy her hopes and dreams. All I know is that people took her future. That Sirius and the Longbottom's were a part of it. I know that's why she tortured them into insanity instead of killing them, so they lost their futures as well. I know it's hard to think badly of ones you loved and then lost but he did something that signed his death warrant that night. I just…I'd really like it if you could just try and at least be civil." It was quiet for a good ten minutes as Harry absorbed this. He continued to watch the Clabert on the tree but wasn't really watching it.
After a while Harry turned in Draco's arms with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Alright, but what do I get in return?"
A loud laugh escaped Draco and he shook his head fondly, "whatever you want Harry, I'll always spoil you."
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