Gringotts
Hermione stumbled slightly on the cobblestones, wobbling to keep steady.
"I don't see why I have to be disguised as Andromeda," she complained under her breath.
"You're on the undesirable list at the ministry," Harry hissed, "We don't want you carted off the Azkaban."
"And? Why do I have to wear heels?"
"Andy always wears heels!"
"Why couldn't I have just been some muggle?"
"We can't risk people asking questions. People avoid Andy, because of her affiliations with muggles, but they won't do anything to her, because she is a pureblood. It's perfect."
"You can't risk me, but you're willing to let Draco hide under the cloak with you? Why couldn't Draco and I have just come? You don't even need to be here."
They stopped in front of the large building, Harry swallowing his nervousness.
"Just leave it be, Granger," Draco whispered, "You know he would never let me out of his sight. Let's go."
She strutted into Gringotts with her head held high, heels click-clicking against the stone floor.
"I need to have a private meeting with Brinkhoof, if you please," She said in an adult voice.
"And do you have an appointment?"
The goblin's eyes were flitted over the spot where Harry and Draco were crouched underneath the cloak, but he only narrowed them suspiciously.
"I was unable to make one, but it is an emergency."
He studied her for a moment, and she gave the slightest of nods, silently communicating that she was aware of the people behind her.
"Very well. Follow me please."
He led them to a circular room with white walls, gesturing for them to take a seat.
They all did, Harry and Draco pulling off the cloak.
They waited nearly ten minutes, the time ticking away slowly and making Harry more nervous. By the time the overly large door creaked open, Draco was seated on the boy-who-lived's lap, rubbing his chest calmingly.
When the door banged shut, the goblin spoke.
"Mrs. Black, you requested a meeting?"
It was Harry who answered him.
"Actually, she is polyjuiced. Draco is the one who needs to speak to you."
The other two nodded in agreement, to which the goblin turned to Draco.
"And what do we need to discuss, Mister Malfoy?"
"We need to get into the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange. As the Malfoy heir, I have the blood to gain us access, and as the Black heir, Harry here has the right to anything within."
"Why did you request a meeting then, if you have access to the vault?"
"I need this to be kept under wraps, and I also don't want our identities to be revealed."
"And what can you offer me in return?"
Harry smirked, moving Draco off of his lap to unsheathe the sward Severus had given him the previous night.
"The sword of Gryffindor. I understand that it is goblin made?"
"Are you sure about this, Harry?" Hermione asked him, "We have yet to destroy the locket."
Harry nodded surely.
"The fangs are at base, we can destroy them tonight, before we send you to retrieve the next one."
The goblin nodded, ignoring their discussion.
"Very well. I will bring you to the vault, and allow you to apparate from there."
The trip down was unexciting. Brinkhoof opened the vault, allowing Harry and Draco to step in. Hermione was still drying her damp hair, from the thief's downfall.
"Do you feel it?" Draco asked him.
"Yes," he answered, "Just there. That cup."
Draco went over to it, jumping to reach the trophy before scurrying back to him.
"It feels wrong. I don't like it."
Harry took it from his hands, slipping it into his pack.
"Let's go then."
They all apparated back to the manor, an hour earlier than expected.
Remus and Severus were curled up on the couch, the former fast asleep.
"I want you to do it," Harry told Draco, gesturing towards the locket, "I'll take the cup. Hermione can kill the one she finds in Hogwarts. Severus? Have you-"
"I have a meeting to go to tonight. I will kill the snake."
Harry nodded.
"Be careful. You have people here that don't want to see you hurt."
"You are not going," Remus grumbled from his place under Severus.
"We've argued about this before. I must, Rem. I deserve to fight this war too."
"It's too dangerous. You will stay here."
Severus scowled, leaving the comfort of his lap to stalk around the room.
"You do not control me, wolf! I have been fighting this war for twenty years, and I'm not stepping out of the line of fire just yet. I have a job to do, a very important job. I'll see you when I get back."
Remus rose, cornering Severus with a growl.
"You are to be protected. No!"
Severus gazed downward.
"Do you not think me strong enough? Am I not worthy to fight in this war, Remus?"
Remus bit his lip.
"Don't play those Slytherin games with me! You'll not be going! I can't lose you!"
Harry cast a quick stupefy on him, watching sadly as Severus caught him.
"Don't make me regret not keeping you here."
"He'll be furious with you."
"Stay alive."
"I'll do my best."
Draco frowned as his godfather disappeared into green flames.
"I hope his best is good enough."
Harry plunged the fang he held into the cup he had sat on the coffee table, wincing as it screamed.
He turned to Draco.
"You ready?"
Draco nodded, taking the fang from his hands.
"I'm going to open it, then I want you to stab it. Be quick, we don't know what's in it."
He had thought long and hard about the locket over the last week, and was pretty sure he knew what he needed to do.
"Open," he hissed.
The locket flung open on it's clasp, and a wispy image formed.
Draco watched transfixed as a naked Harry appeared.
"How could you think I would ever choose you?"
The fang in his hands shook and he gasped.
"Filthy is what you are. Helpless, arrogant, snake. You disgust me."
The Harry that was speaking to Draco didn't have the same loving warmth in his eyes.
"Don't listen to him, Draco! I love you!" the real Harry screamed, trying and failing to close the locket.
An image of Hermione formed, unabashedly sucking off Harry's cock.
The image Harry threw his head back in delight.
"Oh yes," he moaned, "Such a good pet you are."
His cruel eyes lifted to Draco.
"You are nothing, but replaceable. Just a little whore."
Harry screamed in frustration.
"That's not true, Dragon! You know it's not! You're my everything!"
Draco hesitated for just a moment more before bringing down the fang with a clang.
As soon as smoke started pouring out, Harry leaped forward, pulling Draco away from it and into his arms.
"You're the only one, Dray. The only one for me. Ever. You're irreplaceable, baby. Fuck. I didn't know it would do that. I would've never let you near it. Are you okay?"
Draco sniffled, suppressing the sob that wanted to break from his chest. He felt much freer now, but the images had still frightened him, and he wanted reassurance from his mate.
"I think that's what was making you so submissive, pet- shit- uh- Draco."
"I like it when you call me that. Don't stop."
Harry frowned.
"But he called-"
"Hermione. He called Hermione that."
Said girl chose that moment to walk in the room, looking a little pale, with her trunk in hand.
Draco whimpered, clinging tighter to his Dominant.
"I think it's best if you go now, 'Mione. He's seeing you as a threat. I was going to wait until after Sev got back but-"
"I understand. I'll see you when you get back."
Harry nodded, rubbing Draco's back soothingly.
"Bye, sister."
"Bye, brother."
Harry lifted Draco's chin, kissing his lips softly.
"It's been a tiring day. How about we take a nap until Sev returns, huh?"
Draco nodded, and tears formed in his eyes.
Harry hugged him close, carrying him to the couch where they both laid down.
"You're my forever, dragon. My always. I could never- will never want another. Okay? It's you and me."
Draco nodded.
"Tell me next time you're feeling so insecure, okay? I don't want you to ever feel that way. You are my everything. No one can compare to you. I love you, completely. I am just as much yours as you are mine."
Draco nodded again.
"I love you."
"I love you," Draco whispered.
Harry hugged him closer, pressing a kiss to his forehead before massaging his lips with his own.
"Rest, pet. I'm here."
And they dozed off.
TBC
Sorry for taking forever to update. Semester tests and finals were going on, and I was spending all my time studying and doing homework.
Happy Hanukkah (Chanukah) to my Jewish readers.
I should have another update coming before Christmas. Hopefully. You know how it is.