Harry was eating at the Slytherin table for breakfast when he got the letter from a school owl. He frowned and sent it up in flames before Draco could read it. He shrugged of Draco's questions.

"Really, Draco. It was just someone trying to intimidate me."

"No one should be threatening you. We can talk to Severus or even McGonagall."

"It's not that big of a deal, Draco. No one will do anything with you here."

Draco's veela preened at that statement and by the time the Slytherin realized he'd been manipulated the topic had changed and the moment was lost. No worries, he and Harry would talk about it after dinner.

(0,0)

Or they would if Harry was ever around during those few hours after dinner. The teen was disappearing constantly now.

He would go to the library to grab a book and be gone for hours. He'd go to the kitchen for a snack and come back 3 hours later blaming the stairs. He'd have a detention and ask to get it served with Snape so he would be gone until well after midnight. Basically, he only ever saw Harry at meals and in classes, he'd even started skipping their study sessions during their off periods.

Worse- Snape had started getting snappier than usual. At everyone. It wasn't even directed at the Gryffindors or the Hufflepuffs. Draco himself lost points for Slytherin a few days ago for waiting too long to add his caterpillars. It wasn't even a problem in the potion. You could literally add them right before consumption.

But Draco lost points. One of the words on the blackboard was a little smudged. Confused and not wanting to lose any more points he leaned over to ask Harry a question and found himself looking into his godfather's black robes.

"No talking, Mr. Malfoy. As a seventh year I expect that you know that by know. 10 points and a detention tomorrow night." Draco was flabbergasted. As their head of house he had never given any of the Slytherins public detentions unless they were caught purposely ruining someone else's potion.

Then Draco found out that Snape wasn't even watching his detention. No. He was being sent to McGonagall.

(0,0)

"Is that it, then?"

Snape nodded, "This is the best I can figure. I have rat Voldemort loaned me for testing. So I can make sure it isn't poisonous. But other than that, there's not much of a test we can do. At least until we begin the ritual."

Harry nodded. Together they started cleaning up and the bottled potion was the elephant in the room as the silence settled around them. A silence Severus broke.

"Have you spoken to Draco yet?"

"I thought you didn't want me to."

The Headmaster moved his head in a meaningless motion, "I think you had better at this point. If he doesn't know what's going on, it could tear you both apart. Especially if it doesn't work as we hope it will."

Harry shook his head, "No. I can't ask him to do that."

"Do what?"

"You know what. Not until we get this solved. I won't let him do it out of obligation. It'll be because he wants to, or not at all."

The teen was gone before Snape could respond and the potions master merely pushed a piece of greasy hair from his face, "He'll figure it out Harry. And you'll wish you told him before he came to the wrong conclusion."

(0,0)

Draco was laying in his bed in the Slytherin dorm.

Staring at the ceiling as green light danced across the ceiling, weaving in and out. Together they blended together and created a mesmerizing and lovely sight. And at moments the light perfectly matched Harry's eyes.

With a groan the teen rolled over and looked at the photo the Creevey boy had taken just before break. All of them had been standing outside, him, Blaise, Harry and Ron. Even Neville and Luna were there, although they were a little out of focus. Harry was standing next to him, turned towards him, a gloved covered hand resting just below his ribs and an arm behind his back. His arm was slung around Harry's shoulders.

What happened?

Ever since they had gotten back from vacation- Harry had disappeared. Not in the physical sense. They still slept together most nights, switching dorms every couple of nights, it had been a grudging allowance by the Headmaster, as it was technically approved for Mates in the Courting process. They saw each other in class most days and at every meal, where they once again began switching between tables. Eating dinner with their own houses as pure Snape's request.

So they saw each other all the time, but Harry was still keeping secrets from him. He'd agreed to leave it until they got ready to finish the Claiming. Then Harry had stopped talking to him. He disappeared for hours between dinner and curfew. Always having a ready excuse and pouty eyes to keep Draco from pressuring him about it.

They were getting much closer to the deadline now, although it seemed that Harry may have a little longer than they originally thought. Ronald figured it might be because he had been really limiting the magic he was performing. Not cutting it off, but not doing anything huge either. Without the need to have someone curb him and balance his magic, he was being given a grace period of sorts.

But Draco still wanted to know.

His godfather had been absent almost as much as his mate. And the Slytherin was nearly positive they were working together. Harry had said that there were two people who knew about whatever it was Harry was planning, and with Severus missing, that only made sense.

And judging by the fact he never saw Harry between dinner and bed, they weren't on his prefect patrol route. Which actually meant he was very likely in Severus' private rooms from when he had been the Potion's professor. It was the only corridor the prefects didn't monitor, at least in the dungeons. And it was unlikely they would haul any potions equipment up the stairs and Snape hated to move his equipment.

Of course there was a chance that they weren't using a potion but seeing as Snape preferred potions to any type of spell- that was a very slim chance. Plus most of Snape's spells were rather simplistic, deadly yes, but simple. He never took them

So Harry was working with Severus on a potion. They were keeping it a secret. From everyone. So they were hiding it from anyone who could give it away. Harry would likely be worried about traitors. But he hadn't told Draco and Ron didn't know either. So it wasn't a matter of trust.

So it's probably also a worry about Legilmency. So with Dumbledore being gone the only known legilimens was the Dark Lord. And if they were trying to keep it a secret from Him- it was probably about Him. Add in the fact that Harry was involved and it very likely dealt with destroying the Dark Lord. But if it was as simple as a potion

Harry and Snape were working together after dinner every night in secret to prepare a potion that would help Harry to destroy the Dark Lord once and for all. And Harry didn't want to tell him, despite the fact that he was practiced in Occlumency. Which meant-

This was probably going to hurt Harry. And that was one thing he wouldn't stand for. Draco frowned and got up from his bed, throwing on his robes once again before storming from the room. He was going to talk to the two men. No one could hide something like this without paying the price.

He stalked through the common room, ignoring questioning voices and the sound of his name. He rushed down the hall straight to his godfather's old rooms. He looked around once, not wanting to forsake security in his anger and gave the portrait the password. He walked in without hesitation and moved towards the voices.

"Poison? You're sure?"

He could hear Severus rolling his eyes, "Actually, I'm rather sure the rat died from comfort as it sat in it's cage watching the fire die down."

Harry's matching eye roll also echoed through Draco's ears as he stepped into the living room.

"Fine, fine. But do you know why?"

"Unfortunately, I can't be sure. There's a possibility that if you took it, your condition would allow you to survive the potions effects. Likely the potion itself is deadly due to the ingredients and the purpose of the potion."

Draco's eyes widened. Harry was going to drink a potion? A potion that would probably kill him? What the bloody hell were they thinking?!

"Are you out of your bloody minds?!"

Both sets of eyes turned to him, one surprised, the other simply wary. Apparently Severus had been expecting Draco to stumble upon them sooner or later. Harry tucked his chin, studying the floor guiltily.

"Why on earth would you want to drink a poison?!"

"Because it'll help save the world?"

Draco was obviously not impressed with this answer and raised one eyebrow while looking at Harry. The raven ducked his head and looked away from his mate. The blond waited patiently as the Gryffindor ran fingers through his hair, likely looking for the right words.

"It's probably not a poison, or not one for me anyway or not all of me or… Look, this is going to be a lot easier to understand if you have the whole story. There's this prophecy of sorts and- what do you know about horcruxes?"

(0,0)

"So… You're a horcrux. The Dark Lord made you one when he attacked you because of a prophecy. Which he basically completed when he attacked you. And you're going to take this poison that will kill you and all of his other soul pieces. Except for the ones in Nagini (which that is really creepy may I add) and in the Dark Lord himself?"

"Not quite. I promise you, it's not supposed to kill me. It should just attack the weak soul in me, which is Tom's and in return it will weaken all of the other horcruxes, most likely destroying the ones not attached to another soul. Which just leaves Tom's and Nagini's."

"Okay, but how will you know for sure if the horcruxes are all destroyed?"

Harry shrugged, "Let's just say that we have eyes on them."

"Are you going to tell Ron and Blaise?"

"I wasn't going to. The more people we have involved the more dangerous it is. Besides, there's nothing they can really do that will help. And that'll probably just drive them crazy."

"But they'll figure it out eventually. It took me all of three days to work out where you've been going and what you've likely been doing. Blaise won't be far behind once he learns how to take his mouth away from Ronald's."

Harry laughed a little uncomfortably at the true fact. Those two had been attached together since New Year's either at the hip, or at the mouth. It was kind of disgusting truthfully. But Harry figured it could be worse since the other two had nothing to complain about when it came to the actual Veela mates at this point. Although Harry was leaning towards the idea that Blaise was attempting to subtly Court Ron.

He figured the Slytherin would eventually learn that subtly meant nothing to Ronald Weasley.

"Harry?"

"Do you think we should?"

"They are our friends, I think we owe it to them."

"But…" Harry chewed on his lip, obviously reluctant to drag any more people he cared about into this.

Something which the Slytherin could actually understand, "Just think about it, okay."

A Gryffindor shrug and Draco figured he would probably be bringing this up once again in the near future. Or the other teen would just keep putting it off eternally.

(0,0)

The teens left Snape's quarters with just enough time to make it to the Slytherin dorms before curfew. They walked silently each lost in their own thoughts and keeping connected through each other with just a loose intertwining of fingers. They probably would have made it all the way to Draco's four poster and into dream land with scarcely more than a mumbled 'night' had they not been met at the door by a head of curly brown hair.

"Harry? Draco?"

"Hermione."

The Gryffindor kept his voice void of emotion but Draco just went straight to cold and distant.

"Granger."

The girl flinched slightly but Harry reminded himself that he had no need to be open and friendly with her after she tried to control his life. And nearly ruined it in the process. The smaller boy unconsciously leaned into his Mate's side. Tightening his grip on the teen's arm.

"How can we help you?" The blond moved slightly ahead of Harry. He didn't think the goody two shoes would attack them, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"I… I want to say I'm sorry. I didn't understand what being Mates meant. I thought that Harry would be forced to bond with you. That you would take over his life. Despite the fact I could tell you actually cared about Harry, I was just worried. I know that's not an excuse and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just wanted to say that… So, I'm sorry."

The Gryffindor moved away from the entrance to the Slytherin common room and made a beeline for the nearest escape route, before Harry called after her. Draco gave him a warning glare but made no move to stop him, knowing that Harry had something he needed to ask her.

"What made you change your mind?" There was no way she would have apologized if she thought there was even a remote chance that Draco could still start controlling him.

The girl blushed deeply and shook her head. She really did look like she wasn't going to answer but apparently decided that these two at least had the right to know.

"I… I met my mate just before break. We're going to go through with the bonding after I graduate. It's not the same thing as you both are going through. Not even that similar actually, but when he heard how I reacted to your Mating- he… talked me around."

Harry grinned, "You mean you got lectured? I never would have imagined, the day the tables turned."

Hermione grinned back before it faded as Draco pulled Harry a little more securely to himself, glaring at the girl who had threatened to take his Mate away from him.

"Glad you have someone who can show you reason. Good night, Granger."

With that he started to turn back to the common room and felt Harry hesitate only slightly behind him, the Gryffindor spoke before they entered, his words short and distinct.

"I can accept your apology. It's easy to see that your Mate has done some good for you, but I can't forgive you for how you almost destroyed me and mine. If Blaise hadn't seen through everything you'd done. One or the both us could actually be dead now. And that's not something an apology, sincere or not, could possibly fix. Sleep well, Hermione."

Draco smiled at the small boy and led him into the room turning back in time to see the girl mouthing words at him before the portrait closed, 'Take care of him.'

He said nothing. Unlike her, he didn't need to lose Harry to realize how much the teen meant to him.

(0,0)

"My Lord." A robed figure knelt at the feet of his master.

"Rise. What message can you bring me from Hogwarts?"

"My Lord, several of your servants have been acting rather strangely these last few weeks."

"In what way, Morituri. Do not make me force details."

"Of course, my Lord. My apologies. Young Draco Malfoy is nearly impossible to find without young Mr. Potter."

The Dark Lord's voice was harsh and warning when he responded, "Draco has been ordered to complete the bond with Mr. Potter."

"Yes, my Lord. Severus has also been absent with increasing frequency. He has been assigning detentions to both the young boys, and none of the teachers know what the detentions are."

"I have also asked Severus to assist young Malfoy in any way possible. If you do not have useful information you are free to leave."

The kneeling figure spoke with an even voice even as annoyance and tension radiated from him, "As you wish."

"One moment." The person froze as he was rising, "I do not abide by useless followers, CRUCIO!"

The figure fell to his knees as he fought against the strength of the curse. The Dark Lord flicked his wand throwing the man back and ending the curse in one movement. Sensing the dismissal the man fled his presence and the Dark Lord sat alone, fuming in silence.

(0,0)

Harry sat up in bed, sweating as he tried to calm his breathing. Placing a clammy hand over his burning scar. Something about the vision confronted Harry as he thought over what he had seen. Something was strange about it. The person Voldemort had been speaking to. He was familiar somehow. It was on the tip of his tongue. The man speaking to the Dark Lord was…

"Harry? Are you okay?"

And with Draco's half-asleep words the answer was gone from Harry in the blink of an eye. Groaning Harry nodded and curled up a little closer to the blond.

"Yeah. Another vision from our dear friend."

"Oh." The Slytherin shifted so he could look down at his Mate, "Do you need anything? A drink? Pain reliever?"

Harry smiled lightly at the obvious worry in his favorite Slytherin's voice, "I'm okay, now. Maybe we can just try to go back to sleep?"

Grey eyes looked him over once before apparently coming to the conclusion that Harry wasn't going to drop dea in the middle of the night, "Alright. Wake me up if you need anything…"

A small smile and a nod sent the other boy peacefully off to sleep while Harry lay for a long while trying to catch hold of the stray thought that had slipped between his fingers so easily mere moments ago. When his thoughts were once again torn by the sound of his mate. This time is even breaths interspersed with quiet snores.

Giving it up as a lost cause, the Gryffindor lay back in bed and allowed the heavy weight of sleep lure him back to his dreams.

(0,0)

(0,0)

"Potter. We've had this conversation. You agreed in the first place. What makes you think it will change now?"

Snape was obviously at the end of his rope, but Harry forged on. He was determined to get the headmaster's permission for this. He'd been trapped in the castle practically all year. And even his brief respite over the holidays had been spent mostly in either Grimmauld or one of the Malfoy abodes. Plus, it was going to be essential.

"How else are you going to get the ingredients?"

"I teach at a school of magic, Potter. Why would my ordering a rather common potion ingredient raise any attention?"

"Because as you said, it's common, but it's also pretty expensive. And you're buying a good amount of it, but not enough for you to be saying it's for even a single class of students."

"Assuming you were right," Snape's look suggested he thought otherwise, "Why would it be even remotely more effective for you to go?"

"Everyone knows I'm a bit of a prankster. I could easily be planning a massive prank with it."

"Planning a prank with a highly poisonous ingredient? Even your father wouldn't have dared attempt something like that."

"Yes, well, I don't know exactly how poisonous it is. Now, do I? After all I am rather terrible at potions if you'll recall."

"Mister Potter. We know very well you are never going to change my mind on this matter. I have already designed at least six counter-arguments to any point you could possibly make. Why should we even attempt to continue this discussion any farther?"

The man was right, so Harry decided it was time to pull out his trump card, "I need to get out of this castle. I will get out of this castle. I don't know when and I don't know how. If you give me permission, then I will have two body guards, at least, around me. As well as Draco and a few others. If you don't. I will end up doing something brainless and reckless, solidifying my place as a Gryffindor and sneak out, likely at night, with no one wise to my location, much less in the vicinity of protecting me."

Snape cursed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I can have the ghosts of this castle watch your every move. And forewarn Draco of your plans."

"I've snuck out of the castle by climbing down seven sets of stairs, passing ghosts, teachers, prefects, and noisy portraits for the last six years. What makes you think you could stop me this time?"

"FINE! Insolent brat. Go. If you get kidnapped by the Dark Lord or get one of your little friends killed, I place responsibility fully on your shoulders. So if you decide that a 'little fresh air' is worth the possibility of betraying the rest of the world and possibly getting someone killed, be my guest."

Harry felt a stab of guilt, but truthfully, he still felt that he was right. Leaving the castle would also help boost morale for everyone currently caught in the war. He nodded his head once.

"Thank you, sir."

"Leave."

Harry left the room as quickly and silently as possible, wanting to give the man space. They had been growing closer with all of their detentions lately, but Harry worried that he had just forced the man to take two steps back.

Raven hair shook, it was too late now. He made his choice. Now he just had to tell his friends what he wanted to do.

Something told him they were going to be even more difficult to convince then Snape.

(0,0)

"ARE YOU MAD?!"

"Seriously? What are you thinking?!"

"No."

Three answers all with varying intensities assaulted Harry's ears when he attempted to explain his plan to his friends.

"No, Ron. I'm not mad. I've actually been thinking this through, believe it or not. Seriously. This is the plan Blaise. I'm really doing my best to keep myself safe believe it or not. And you, Draco. Have no right to control my life. Dominant mate or not."

"I think you are mad." Draco cut off the other two before they could speak, "Obviously you haven't thought this through and technically I could control your life if I wanted to. As soon as we're mated I will be responsible for all of your actions."

"Great. One more thing I didn't know. And I am very glad to hear that you think I'm stupid, Malfoy. Always a good thing to know. Now. I am going into Hogsmeade this weekend. I have Professor Snape's permission and Moody, Tonks, Fred and George have all agreed to come along to keep an eye on me from a safe if discreet distance."

"I am going to purchase some potions ingredients that I need and I am going to spend the rest of the day imagining that I do not have a mass murderer searching for me. Besides, dear snake face has declared me off-limits, remember?"

"But who knows how long that will last. We really should have been Mated already and I'm sure the Dark Lord is growing frustrated. If he gets word that we're still not Mated…"

"Then we'll deal with that then. This is why it's better to get it over with now rather than later."

Draco went to protest again, but Harry was having none of it, "Look. I'll explain it to you the same way I did to Snape. Either you guys accept the fact that I'm going and come with me. Or you make me sneak out on my own. I will be going to Hogsmeade."

"I'll tie you to the bloody bed, if I have to. There is no way I will let you go on your own."

Draco's flashing eyes had Harry dropping his head to the side instinctively even as he began to shrink back and babble apologies. Images and memories of being tide to Tom Riddle Sr.'s tombstone left Harry terrified. He was halfway through his third or fourth apology when the terror, or determination made him stand tall once again. Standing eye to eye and meeting his Mate's concerned look with one of pure determination.

"No. I'm not sorry. I'm going Draco. You have until Saturday to accept that. And should you ever even think about tying me to anything I will Refuse you so fast your head will spin."

The blond spent a moment glaring at him before turning and storming out of the common room. Harry turned to look at his other two friends.

Ron shook his head at him, "He's only trying to watch out for you, Harry."

Green eyes looked at him with vulnerability shining through them, "The last time I was tied up, Voldemort came back to life. The last time I was locked away, it was because my family didn't want to see me. The last time someone tried to control my life I found out all they wanted was for me to die for them. Draco saying those things… it terrifies me."

"Harry?"

The Gryffindor shook his head, "I think I'm going to sleep in Gryffindor Tower tonight. Blaise? Can you tell him that… remind him that he's free to join me if he wants…"

The Slytherin gave a small tight smile, "Of course, Harry. And Draco hates that he brought up bad memories like that. He started apologizing while you were lost in your own little world. He'd never hurt you."

Harry smile slightly as he stood up, "I know."

(0,0)

Harry walked up the many staircases alone. Slipping into the common room and sharing a few laughs with his house mates before slipping up the stairs to his dorm. Nearly closing the curtains completely he waited patiently. Long after the others had all crawled into bed, Harry allowed his eyes to shut. And the teen fell asleep alone in the Gryffindor Tower.

But when he woke from a nightmare similar to the one not that long ago, Harry rolled into a warm body. And the teen smiled slightly as he curled closer to Draco's sleeping form.

They would fight. It was to be expected, really. They'd been enemies forever and would poke at each other's sensitivities forever as well. But so long as they were there to comfort the nightmares, they would be able to make it through.

(0,0)

Harry had fought with Draco once again the morning of the Hogsmeade trip. The blond was still convinced that his Mate would be much safer if he would stay at the castle. And usually Harry would agree with him, but lately…

The Gryffindor was wondering if he wouldn't be safer outside of Hogwarts entirely. There was just this feeling he got. And the dreams he was getting from Voldemort were getting more and more frequent. And more powerful. It seemed every time he got a report from this man he was either exceedingly angered by it or pleased by it and Harry had no idea why.

So Harry really felt like he needed to get out of the castle, and that wasn't something he could explain to Draco. The dominant Veela would freak out over the idea of Harry being in danger. Who knew how he would respond. That nervousness had left Harry with one option. He asked Dobby to give Malfoy a message after he finished breakfast.

Now the Gryffindor would just wait a few minutes outside of the very popular candy shop. Draco would be along momentarily, Moody and Tonks were wandering the opposite side of the street while the twins were amusing themselves by giving various candies to the excited students who willingly gathered around them.

A sudden wind gust cut through his cloak and Harry unwittingly took a step backwards to try and find shelter. Unfortunately, he wasn't expecting for there to be another body standing behind him. A breath of air escaped the person and the sound of someone hitting the ground. Immediately, Harry turned and began an apology.

"Oh God. I am so sorry!" Harry reached out a hand towards the wizard that had fallen down, "Here."

The blond man accepted his hand and let the younger teen pull him to his feet. He gave a winning smile and Harry came face to face with one of the most gorgeous men he'd ever seen. Sandy blond hair, blue-green eyes, a nice tan, and a winning, blinding white smile.

"Not a worry. I must admit this is not the first time I've had something like this happen. Although you are by far the most lovely little veela I've had the pleasure of running into."

The Gryffindor couldn't help the blush that infused his cheeks, darkening even more than the chill from the wind. He have a little smile and shook his head.

"Really sorry about that…"

"Truly not a problem. However I believe I will be much appeased if you would give me the pleasure of knowing your name."

Not really sure how to act around such manners the teen merely smiled, "Harry. Harry Potter."

"Well. Harry, Harry Potter. My name is Jackson Garrett. Would you care to join me for a cup of tea?"

Raven hair shook as the teen refused the offer, "I appreciate that, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm meeting my Mate here in just a few moments."

A frown crossed the face before him, displacing the shining smile for brief moments, "Mate? I'm sorry you don't smell like you're Mated."

"Oh, we're not officially. I have a few things I need to take care of before we finish the Courtship."

Jackson smirked and that was when Harry realized they had been moving away from the sweet shop without him even realizing it.

"So if it's not official he won't really mind sharing, now will he?"

And that was a line that Harry hadn't even considered someone crossing, "I am not something he can share. We're Mates. I don't belong to him."

The mocking, patronizing look the older teen sent him had the Gryffindor's teeth on edge, "Oh, honey. You're really believe that?"

Disgusted, Harry turned to storm away. But suddenly he found he couldn't move as a subvocal growl shook his body.

"You can't walk away from me. I won't let you."

The Gryffindor found the strength to stand tall and took another step away from the man despite the instincts telling him to give in. He tried to think of a way out of it and suddenly he remembered his Allure. Even with his medallion it should work if he actually tried to use it.

"I want you to go away and leave me alone."

The man in front of him merely smiled, "Doesn't work on potential Mates, little lion. Didn't anyone tell you that? Now you're going to do as you say, and you're precious mate isn't here to protect you."

"I don't need my Mate to protect me. Especially not from the likes of you."

"What would your wonderful Mate say about that?" Jackson stepped forward and reached a hand towards Harry who drew his wand in response. Not willing to take any chances with this obviously dangerous wizard.

"I would say that he could protect himself. But that doesn't mean I'm going to make him stand alone."

"And his friends would also back that statement. I'm pretty sure Potter here could kick your arse from here to America without breaking a sweat. But personally I think it'll be more amusing to send you there twice over."

"I think I'll just take pictures. I'm sure it'll be enjoyable in the photo album."

Harry grinned and raised his wand a little higher taking strength from his Mate and friends who stood beside him. Even Seamus, Pansy, Dean, and Luna had spotted the commotion and came to stand by their friends.

The blond merely shook his head at all of the wands pointed at him, "No matter your opinions. I am competition. The little Veela has accepted me as a potential Mate, you can sense it. So I'm afraid I will have to leave for now, but I can promise that you will see me again. Until then…"

The older Veela turned with a flourish and captured Harry's hand before Draco had time to do more than growl, rather impressively if Harry said so. The man bent and brushed his lips against the pale skin of the teen's hand with a flourish, somehow managing to cast a wordless Protego against the stunners being sent his way.

The submissive Veela eventually managed to recover and pull away from the other boy, but not before Jackson cast a knowing smirk at the entire group leaving them in shock as he turned and walked down the street before disappearing into a store.

"C'mon, Harry." Draco was the first to break the silence as they all watched the direction the other blond had gone.

The Gryffindor shook his head, "We need to get these ingredients."

"Severus said he can get them. Let's go back home."

"No. I have to do this, please?"

The Slytherin snorted and turned, "Fine. Get Jackson to help you, I'm going back."

"Draco!" But the Veela was striding down the street without a spare look towards the Mate he was leaving behind, "He was supposed to help me make sure that the ingredients were good quality."

Ron and Blaise shared a look as Harry's quiet voice trailed behind his Mate. Ron gave his best friend a push down the street after the Slytherin.

"Blaise can check quality, I can play pack mule. You go get the Ice Prince to cool off. Okay?"

"But I wanted to help…"

Blaise caught his attention this time, "You can. But Draco needs you now. His instincts are most likely going haywire at the moment with the challenge what's-his-face just issued. But I would suggest washing your hands first."

Nodding, the teen nodded his head, "Just make sure no one touches the ingredients, it shouldn't be an issue, since their poisonous, but if anyone has touched them. Let's just say they won't work for the potion."

It was obvious that the Slytherin had no idea what that could affect, but he nodded any way. Harry gave him a small smile but didn't wait for any other reply, wandering down the street, obviously distracted. Rubbing at the back of his hand and scanning the crowds in front of him for a familiar blond head of hair.

(0,0)

"I swear, he smiled."

Blaise rolled his eyes, "He didn't smile, Ron. And if he did, it's really not that big of a deal."

"No Gryffindor has ever seen a smile upon the face of Severus Snape in the last decade. There is no way that is not a big deal."

Draco interrupted their argument, "I've seen Severus smile, Weasley. It's really not that big of a deal."

"You do not count. You are a Slytherin and his godson. You're like one gigantic excuse as far as that man is concerned. I'm sure I could even get Harry to side with me on that. Let's ask him."

"Where is he?"

Three confused frowns met each other, "He was with you…"

"We sent him to follow you. He was kind of freaking out about all of it."

In a movement reminiscent of his godfather, Draco gripped the bridge of his nose, "You let him wander off alone?"

"Of course not, we watched the twins and his Auror pets trail him back here."

Ron glared at his boyfriend, "'Auror pets' really, Blaise?"

His response was an unrepentant shrug and a conversation redirection, "We could probably ask them. They would know."

The blond nodded and started to call his owl when he noticed Ron pulling out his wand, "What are you doing?"

"I'll send a message to the twins," His patronus jumped from his wand with a series of excited barks, "Alright, Go to the twins and 'Can you guys meet us in the library? It's about Harry.' Thanks."

The Jack Russell terrier gave a yip of confirmation and ran from the room, "Alright. So let's head up to the library, shall we."

The Gryffindor made it two steps before being stopped by his boyfriend's voice, "You can conjure a patronus?"

He shrugged, continuing on his way out of the common room, "Yeah. Harry taught all of us last year."

The Slytherins shared a look of disbelief at the redheads easy dismissal of truly amazing magic. A single nod from Blaise proved to Draco they were on the same track with this. As soon as they found Harry, the Veela was definitely teaching both of them how to cast it.

"You guys coming?"

And the Slytherins followed the Gryffindor.

(0,0)

"We followed him here. He went down to the Slytherin common room. That's all I know."

Fred nodded along with Tonks' statement. George and Moody had said much the same thing albeit with a few more details. Harry was in the castle. There were wards in place to track which students went out and when they came back. The Gryffindor had not left again, the wards had been extended to the secret passages when Severus became Headmaster. No one was sneaking out while Severus Snape was in charge.

"So he's in the castle. That's good, I suppose."

"You're sure that…nuisance didn't follow him?"

"We saw him in the apothecary for a solid forty minutes. There's no way he got Harry before they got back here."

Draco nodded, "Alright. Well I'm going to go look for him."

And the Slytherin was gone before anyone could protest. Tonks smiled, shaking her head. Moody glared muttering something about vigilance before limping out of the room leaving the youngsters to their own means.

Silence reigned for a few moments before Ron, true to character, broke it-"So. Chess anyone?"

(0,0)

The Slytherin decided to take advantage of his Veela senses for one of the first times since they came into maturity. Pulling the protective charm from his neck hid slid it into his pocket. Draco made his way towards the entry way and took a deep breath.

It wasn't hard for him to find the familiar, delectable sent of his Mate. Feeling more like a dog than any pureblood had the desire to feel, the blond followed his Mate's trail as it led down into the Slytherin common area. It sat there for a few seconds before moving towards a wall. Which was when Draco discovered a secret passage that even he didn't know existed.

Seriously. How did Harry find these and why on earth would he keep them a secret. When he figured out how to open the secret passage (Draco had always wondered why a book with no words even existed… well now he knew) he continued on his mission to find his Mate.

Twisting corridors, sudden turns and the occasional backtrack eventually led Draco to the prefects bathroom. Which Harry had yet to use this entire year, despite Draco reminding him often and loudly of the wonders one could find in there.

Knocking softly, the teen pressed down the handle and walked through the door with a whispered password, "Harry?"

No response.

The Slytherin slipped into the room nearly gagging on the thick clouds of steam that filled the room. With this much, Harry had probably been in hear for the hours since he left the Weasley twins. The bathtub proved to be empty, not even a single bubble decorating it's still surface. But water could be heard echoing off of the tiles in one of the showers.

"Harry?

A soft muttering reached his ears, "Off. Off. Off. Why won't it come off?"

"Harry?"

Stepping around the corner, Draco found himself face to face with desperate green eyes on the soaked figure in front of him. Harry was still in his t-shirt and his pants. At least he'd managed to get rid of his shoes.

"It won't come off…"

"Harry…"

"I'm trying. Blaise said I should…but it won't. It's not coming off."

Grey eyes followed green to the furious way the two hands were scrubbing at each other. The way the hand was turning a deeper red with every second and the skin looked raw beyond Draco's comprehension. The back of his hand and…oh…

"Harry. Harry. You have to stop. Come here, you're going to make yourself sick…"

The teen shook his head, water droplets flying everywhere as his scrubbing simply intensified.

"Harry!" The frustrated snap was enough to drag Harry's eyes to meet his own, "I said come here."

"But… it… it won't come off…" The boy sounded so lost that Draco felt his heart twist inside of his chest.

He reached out and grabbed his Mate's arm gently pulling him from the hot stream of the shower, "I know, luv. I can help."

And when the hopeful green eyes turned up to meet him, Draco knew he would help his Mate move the world if he wanted to. If he ever even felt the whimsy.

"Get it off?"

"I can get it off. But you have to come here. C'mon."

Slowly the submissive moved closer and closer to his Mate. Obviously torn between the need to be clean and the need to be comforted. Accepted. His Mate was offering both, but Harry didn't understand why…

"How?"

"Shhh… I got you. Just follow me…"

Draco slowly backed them up away from the slowing stream of water and towards the chairs and sofas that lined one of the walls. When the blond felt his legs hit the edge of the couch he paused and pulled out his wand. A quick word later and Harry was in dry clothes the teen blushed a little and Draco felt himself relax.

Harry was still there, a Veela submissive of dominant wouldn't blush over something like that once their instincts had completely taken over. Harry wasn't completely gone, which was good and bad. That basically meant that the teen would remember every one of the next few moments.

Sitting down the Slytherin gathered his Gryffindor until the teen was leaning against his side, legs draped over his lap. Which was when he noticed that the teen was still rubbing at the back of his hand, the skin raw with all of the attention it had been receiving.

Draco's growl had Harry whimpering, but the teen grabbed the damaged hand and pulled it up to him. Rubbing his hand over the back of it, gently, soothing the irritated skin. Placing a gentle kiss upon the skin that had received the same treatment from an unwanted Veela early that day. Slowly, carefully he rubbed his cheek against it and every time Draco brushed over the damaged hand, Harry relaxed a little more.

Several minutes later green eyes looked up at Draco only to widen in shock and possibly horror.

"Oh Godric! I am so sorry, Draco. I swear I was coming down to meet you but then I realized I still smelled and Blaise said I should probably wash my hands but that didn't work so I thought maybe a shower and then I just couldn't get the smell off and…" The teen trailed off, not sure where he was going with that.

"Harry. It's fine. I promise, although in the future I would prefer if you didn't try to drown yourself or tear the skin off of your body again."

"But I didn't…"

Draco pointedly held up the hand he was still holding so Harry could see the worn red skin and the few places it had cracked and bled under his ministrations.

"Oh… I didn't mean to. I swear."

"Shh. I know you didn't. Or else we would be having a much different discussion. You're okay and I'm okay. Ronald and Blaise were worried about you. I left them in the library. Do you want me to fix your hand?" He saw Harry start to shake his head, "It's either that or we go to Madame Pomfrey."

Suddenly Harry was nodding and Draco worried for a moment that his Mate was going to suffer from whiplash.

The blond rolled his eyes but cast the spell and watched with pride as the skin mended itself back together. Harry avoided his Mate's eyes and Draco gave him a small smile. The teen tucked his head and looked at his hand. Tracing the skin, but looking as if he desperately wanted to rub it away.

"Harry?" He tucked a finger under his Mate's chin, looking into worried emeralds, "Luv? What's wrong?"

"It's just…" He looked up at the Slytherin, "I don't understand."

"Understand, what?"

Harry pulled away from Draco's side and started pacing the floor, "I thought I only had one Mate."

"You have more than one. But you can only Court one at a time. If I refused you, you would be attracted to someone else."

"I know that, but…Jackson smelled as good as you. Not the same, but just as good. And he's immune to my allure. You saw how I got so caught up in him there. It's not even like I wanted to like him. I kept thinking about you but nothing could get me to focus."

A hand gripped his arm as he walked by again, and the Gryffindor found himself pulled into a strong, welcoming embrace.

"I don't understand what's going on…"

"I know. We'll figure it out, Harry. I promise."

Alright guys! We're heading down the home stretch. Any requests of scenes, any questions, leave a note I love hearing from you guys and as always please let me know if you find any mistakes, my only betas are my readers!

Love you all and thanks for reading!