Chapter 21 – So Mote It Be

Draco lay with his head on Harry shoulder, while the dark-haired teen softly rubbed his back until Harry was certain that the Veela's breathing was deep and regular. Once he was assured that the blonde was deeply asleep, he attempted to slip out of the bed only to find that at his first movement, Draco's hand fisted itself in the Gryffindor's shirt. He tried to gently pry the fingers apart, but the Veela wasn't willing to let his Mate go.

He heard amusement from his lowaar. "It appears that you are meant to take a nap, ghergo'ir, unless you want to wake him up" Ortinoth chuckled in brass tones as Harry tried to loosen Draco's grip. Harry gave up and tried to ignore the chortling sounds, laying back in defeat. He released his wand from the forearm holster and cast a hushed "Expecto Patronas". The stag immediately appeared and moved around the room looking for an enemy. Finding none, it moved to Harry and looked at him expectantly.

"Go tell Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy that their son is sleeping peacefully and even made a joke before falling asleep" he requested. The stag dug at the floor with one silver hoof and then spun and galloped off through the wall.

Harry looked down at the sleeping blonde. He was both pleased and relieved that the Veela had calmed and that Draco was safe. "He may still need reassurances from you for a time, Autgabin" murmured Ydraith. "How are you feeling after this foul incident?"

"Angry" he responded without hesitation. "Angry and guilty. I'm furious that he was kidnapped and forced, even if the potions made him want it at the time. She's fortunate that Dobby is the one that found them; he only threw her against a wall. I probably would have thrown a fireball at her. How dare she force him like that!" His mental voice was a deep growl.

"Why do you feel guilty, ghergo'ir" asked Ortinoth. "You were unconscious and he was under a sleeping potion when he was taken."

"I don't know…" His voice broke. "Because I should have been able to protect him." He was mortified that he had failed in what he considered his duty.

"Would you have felt the same if it was anyone in the school? Or because you know Draco?"

Harry turned his attention inward and cast confused eyes on the golden dragon. "I would have been angry if anyone was attacked in the school."

"Aye ghergo'ir, but would you have felt guilty?" asked Ortinoth.

The dark-haired teen considered it and slowly said "I would have felt sorry for anyone else, but I wouldn't feel responsible for it. Well, maybe if it was Hermione or Ron. Maybe Neville or Ginny too."

"So it is your closeness to the victim that determines the depth of your response?"

"I suppose. Why?" All of the lowaar smiled affectionately at him. "What? Is it bad that I'm only guilty if I can't protect the people I care for?" The lowaar waited patiently. "Oh. Well, yeah, I care for Draco. I was surprised to realize it, but he's turned out to be OK now that he isn't being nasty." He paused and grinned with a slight flush of embarrassment. "Huh, I care for Draco Malfoy. That's why I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure the Veela wasn't suicidal. I guess having someone devoted to you and putting you first is a bit addictive. And he really does seem to care about me too. He got angry and was going to confront Snape, his own godfather, for picking on me."

Ortinoth smiled at his outdweller. "While you like many people, ghergo'ir, I think there are few for whom you would want to throw a fireball in retaliation for their injury."

Harry had to acknowledge that. In the heat of battle, he could see doing that, but as a cold deliberate retaliation? There weren't many that caused that strong of a reaction. He looked at his lowaar who seemed to be waiting patiently. "What?"

"Are you going to accept the bond, ghergo'ir" asked Ydraith softly.

The Gryffindor looked down at the sleeping blonde, trying to understand his feelings. "You called him your thurirl" reminded Azreth.

Harry thought about other members of the Clan who were known to have acknowledged another as their thurirl. Several were life mates, like Tarath and Shazreth who were bonded through both their auras and their intense affection for one another. Others were siblings in all but blood, but were bonded through that profound friendship. He had never even thought about it before he called Draco sia'thurirl…my friend and partner.

He had to admit that the Slytherin's teasing arrogance amused him now when they spoke. The knowledge he shared of traditions and the perspective of an old pureblood family was a good balance to his slowly improving ignorance of wizarding ways. For someone who had been raised unloved and abused, the friendship and devotion Draco shared was a welcome balm. He wouldn't turn away in jealousy as Ron had several times. He wouldn't try to "manage" him as Hermione frequently did. Neville's staunch support and loyalty in the Ministry of Magic had been amazing, but Harry knew that Draco would never falter in giving similar support. The image of Draco standing by him at his parent's grave rose to his mind. ""I will take care of him, I promise you" Draco had pledged to his parents.

Could he walk away from Draco? The devastation the Veela had suffered when he thought he had betrayed Harry was astonishing. Could he subject Draco to that again by refusing the bond? Did he even want to refuse the bond? A few months ago, he would have answered with a definite "yes!" Now however…

He recalled their conversation shortly after he realized Draco had identified him as his True Mate.

What do you want from me? What are your expectations and what do you need for survival, Malfoy?"

Draco swallowed but met Harry's eyes. "What I want is to earn your trust and respect and prove to you that I can be a worthy lifetime companion."

"You've only mentioned spending time together and the occasional touch. Is that all you need?"

The blonde leaned forward and looked him in the eye, his voice earnest. "While a full bond is the goal of any Veela, it has to be freely made. If all you can offer me is your companionship, then so be it."

Harry managed to avoid squirming in discomfort. "But by bond, you mean physical intimacy?"

"It's much more than that, Harry. If you accept me, a general bond will begin to form between us. We will gain the ability to identify where the other is and if the other is safe or in danger. Beyond that, there is a physical bond. That is what causes the boost in magical power. Some couples can also form telepathic bonds with one another. But I would never push you to that. I may flirt with and tease you, I am Draco Malfoy after all." He gave a wry smile at the other teen. "But I would never try to manipulate you into a physical bond."

He didn't want to subject Draco to anymore pain. He actually liked the Slytherin. He found him amusing. He enjoyed the blonde's company. But was he ready to give up on a wife and children? He thought back to the books Lucius Malfoy had loaned him.

"When a Veela's True Mate is the same sex, the couple has several options in regards to progeny. When both Veela and Mate are female, either of the Mates could bear a child with a selected donor. Blood adoption using a blood sample from one or both of the parents is the most common option selected when both the Veela and the Mate are male. This ritual changes the child's physical makeup until it is indistinguishable from natural offspring. The adopted child may be another family member or unrelated. Using a surrogate mother to bear the child is also an option. It is considered an immense honor to be asked to be a donor or surrogate for a Veela couple."

"So he would be willing to accept companionship if that's all I can offer" Harry thought. "And we could have children through adoption…that way the Potter, Malfoy and Black lines wouldn't end with us. I guess it would be similar to accepting the Clan." Immediate waves of love and support flowed through him from his lowaar.

Harry turned his attention inward again. "I know you want me to make up my mind without interference, but do you find anything I'm overlooking? Would the Clan accept him if we bonded?"

"He offers you the same acceptance and support as the Clan" agreed Ortinoth. "We have no objection to him as either your Thurirl or your Mate."

Harry lay with the sleeping blonde on his shoulder, the other's breath brushing lightly against him. His thoughts felt like bees in a beehive as one thought bounced to another; the reaction of his Gryffindor friends, Voldemort, the public reaction, the Malfoys, even Snape all climbing over one another as he considered his options and what he wanted.

Finally, mental and emotional exhaustion overtook him and he fell asleep with one hand still gently resting on Draco's back.

Harry woke up when he felt movement on his chest. Draco had slid down from his shoulder and had nestled into his chest; the blonde's arm was wrapped around Harry's waist. He cast a quiet Tempus and discovered it was late afternoon. His stomach growled acknowledging the two meals he had missed. Draco tightened his arm around the Gryffindor's waist, as if to hush the growling stomach and Harry had to chuckle. He brushed the hair off of Draco's face to be able to see his face. Feeling mischievous, he took a strand of hair and brushed it across the blonde's nose and grinned as it twitched. He waited a few moments and repeated it. Draco's hand released Harry's waist and reached up to brush irritably at his nose. Harry repeated the tickling and was rewarded with grey eyes opening.

"Prat" the blonde mumbled. "'M sleeping" and closed his eyes again.

Harry's stomach rumbled again. "And I'm hungry Sleeping Beauty."

One grey eye reopened. "While I acknowledge my attractiveness, one typically refers to a male as handsome, not beautiful." He snuggled back into Harry's chest.

"If you want to sleep, that's fine. You probably need it. I just need to get something to eat. We already missed two meals today."

Draco froze on Harry's chest, and the Gryffindor realized that the Slytherin had just remembered the events of the past day. He rubbed the blonde's back soothingly. "It's all right, sia'thurirl. Everything will be fine."

The blonde slowly sat up, watching the Gryffindor closely. Emotions raced briefly across his face before an impassive mask dropped down. "Thank you for your help, Harry. The Veela was out of control after…" He paused and Harry offered "the assault?" Draco nodded and looked away.

Harry cast a confused thought to his lowaar. "He may think you pity him, ghergo'ir" murmured Ydraith, "that all of your actions were based on that."

He rubbed Draco's back gently. "Sia'thurirl?"

The blonde looked back at him over his shoulder. "What does that mean again?"

Harry smiled and continued rubbing the other's back. "It's hard to translate, but it means a constant friend or partner."

Draco turned slightly back towards Harry. "And you think of me as that? As a…partner?"

Harry smiled gently again. "Isn't that what a Mate can be? A partner?"

Silver grey eyes met green eyes. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again without saying anything, a myriad of emotions playing across his face.

Harry's voice changed from soothing to more formal. "As I recall Draco, you never actually asked me."

A frown crossed the pale face. "Asked you?"

Harry nodded. "You never actually asked me if I would accept the bond." He knew from the books that each request was unique to the asking Veela; that their offer was based on their perception of what their True Mate needed.

Draco stilled as his eyes stared into Harry's as if trying to see his deepest secrets, an expression of growing hope played across his features. He straightened and tucked his legs under him and knelt on the bed facing the Gryffindor. He took a deep breath and in an intense emotion-filled voice said "I Draco Lucius Malfoy-Black, ask thee Harry James Potter to accept me as thy bond mate, to permit me to be thy life companion. Thy family will be my family, thy friends my friends, thy aspirations my aspirations. I will stand by thee and never forsake thee. I offer thee my devotion and support, my family, my status, my protection and my life."

Harry felt a wave of magic encircle them and held out a hand which Draco clasped tightly. "I Harry James Potter do accept thee Draco Lucius Malfoy as my bond mate and life companion. I accept thy devotion and support, thy family, status, protection and life. Harry paused and then continued, deviating from the normal oath bond. "In return, I offer thee my support and protection. I will stand by thee and not forsake thee. Thy family will be my family, thy friends my friends, thy aspirations, my aspirations. So mote it be."

Draco's euphoric expression both confirmed Harry's decision and caused him remorse for delaying it. His lowaar responded in his mind with joyful cheers and applause, sending him waves of love and support. He let Draco pull him into a hug as the magic encircled them, glowing golden and silver around them. Harry felt it play along his skin and in his bones down to his magical core, flaring his own magic in response and feeling Draco's magic flare as well. Their combined magic joined the circle as it widened and passed out of the room into the castle and beyond.

In the teen's common room, Narcissa and Lucius sat side by side on the divan, waiting for the teens to awaken. As the glowing magic wave passed through them, they looked at one another in surprise. Narcissa's eyes filled with tears and she pressed her head against her husband's shoulder. He held her tightly, pressing his lips to her soft hair.

Snape sat in the chair before the fire, a drink in his hand; concern for his godson overwhelmed him. The unexpected wave of magic washed over him, and the tension his muscles had been feeling for the last day released as the warmth of the magic oath filled him. He closed his eyes and thanked Merlin and Morgana that Harry Potter wasn't the ignorant self-centered arrogant brat he had always thought him to be.

Dumbledore looked up from the paper he was holding and a smile flitted across his elderly face as the power swept over him. Fawkes trilled from his stand and flew over to the Headmaster's shoulder, and rubbed his face on the wizened cheek. Dumbledore stroked the phoenix's head and let the strength of the magic give him hope for the future.

Most of the students felt an unexplained tingle while some of the more powerful saw the glow sweep through the castle. Neville and Ron recognized the power of a magical bond oath from ceremonies they had attended and looked at each other across the Gryffindor Common room. Neville smiled slowly and inclined his head at the startled red-head, who grimaced slightly and shook his head in amazed wonder. Neville raised an eyebrow until Ron eventually sighed, nodded and returned the smile.

The door opened from Draco's bedroom into the common area and Harry stepped out to find Lucius and Narcissa watching him with eager eyes.

He laid his palm on his chest and bowed, dropping his eyes. "Mr. Malfoy, Madame Malfoy. Draco is showering and should be out shortly." He looked up again with grave eyes. "Before he comes out, could we discuss what to do with Bulstrode? I want the most severe punishment possible; a stay in Azkaban is too kind as far as I'm concerned." His mouth twisted with loathing as he finished the statement. "And if wizard law is inadequate, I may defer to Clan law" he muttered mentally to his lowaar.

Lucius and Narcissa shared a quick glance and then Lucius stood and walked over to the Gryffindor. He gripped the younger man's shoulder. "While Azkaban is an option, I would suggest turning the case over to the Veela Council." Harry raised an eyebrow and Lucius responded with a predatory smile. "If you read the book "The Veela Council: History and Laws", it details how Interfering in a Veela courtship is illegal and directly against the Veela Concordat of 1688. The Concordat takes precedence over wizard law in regards to a Veela courtship or a Veela defending its Mate. Using potions against a Veela who has already declared a Mate in an effort to obstruct the bond is considered an act of attempted murder. And by avoiding wizard courts, Draco will not be humiliated or seen as a victim or weak if a public trial is held."

Harry considered that; he knew Draco would abhor being put on display as a victim. He looked at Lucius closely and said "It's considered attempted murder because of the intense reaction to betraying a Mate?"

Lucius nodded but added "If this act were to so disgust you that you refused to accept my son, he would either suicide or starve himself to death from the despair. Therefore, her actions will be considered and treated as attempted murder by the Council and their punishment will be worse that a stay in Azkaban." His grey eyes were cold with anticipation.

Narcissa walked over to join her husband and looked at Harry closely, her eyes glistening. "How does what happened affect your perception of my son, Mr. Potter?"

"Please call me Harry ma'am and Draco was blameless in the assault. Bulstrode took advantage of him being under a sleeping potion to get him to drink the other potions. Those concoctions caused his reaction; he's the injured party here." He dropped his eyes in embarrassment. "As terrible as this was for Draco, it did force me to realize that I never want to see your son hurt like that again; that…that I see him as someone I want to have in my life. He asked and I accepted his bond."

Narcissa's smile was breathtaking as she slipped an arm around her husband's waist and embraced him. Lucius' face relaxed into an open smile Harry had never seen before. "Thank you, Harry...may I call you Harry?" At the young man's nod he continued "Please call me Lucius."

Narcissa turned and slipped her other arm around Harry and gathered him into a gentle hug. "Thank you, Harry. I would be honored if you would call me Narcissa." Her smile was radiant although her cheeks were tear-stained. "Forgive a mother her tears. You saved my son's life today and will give him a new life tomorrow. Thank you."

Harry bowed his head and responded "It would be an honor and privilege to call you Lucius and Narcissa. I thank you."

Narcissa realized the younger man was uncomfortable in what amounted to a group hug and stepped away, motioning to the chairs. The Malfoys sat next to each other on the settee and Harry noticed Narcissa rested her hand gently on her husband's arm. Lucius covered her hand with his own.

"They are a bonded couple as well" commented Ydraith. The young man had never realized the affection the two had for one another. "Perhaps they never show their feelings unless they are comfortable with the audience" suggested Ortinoth. The other lowaar agreed and Harry had to acknowledge that it seemed likely considering the masks Slytherins typically displayed.

"Lucius, why would Bulstrode think that becoming pregnant would cause Draco to marry her? I don't remember reading anything like that in the books you loaned me. And thank you for that loan, by the way."

"You are very welcome, Harry" the older man smiled. "The bond between you and my son was tenuous at best as you had not accepted him. However, a bond between Veela child and parent is immediate upon conception. That bond would take precedence. We would have tried to obtain custody of the child in that case, but if we were unsuccessful, then by both Veela and Wizard law, Draco would have married…her…just to be able to raise his child."

Narcissa smiled at her son's bond mate. "Lucius and I felt the bond oath earlier. That it was so powerful bodes well for your futures."

Harry was startled. "You felt it? I didn't realize anyone other than the two of us did."

"Both you and Draco are strong wizards, Harry. A bond oath is very powerful magic. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the castle felt the oath take hold." Narcissa laughed lightly at his astonishment.

The door opened again and Draco stepped out, impeccably dressed in charcoal trousers and an azure silk shirt, covered by open informal robes. He walked to Harry's chair and sat on the arm, smirking at the Gryffindor's surprised glance. He reached out and laid his hand on the back of Harry's neck and then inclined his head to his parents. "Mother, Father. Thank you for being here. Did Harry mention that he has accepted my bond?"

Lucius smirked at his son. "I believe the entire castle felt the bond oath take effect."

Draco raised an eyebrow, understanding the impact of the magic and smiled in satisfaction. "The shower is all yours Harry. I'll entertain my parents while you dress."

Understanding a clear dismissal when he heard it, Harry hid a grin. He stood and bowed slightly. "Narcissa, Lucius, if you would excuse me?"

Narcissa smiled warmly at him. "Of course, dear. We will entertain ourselves while we wait for you." He nodded and headed to his room. Narcissa's voice followed him "Perhaps you should consider how you want to spend the next few days until the bond settles."

Harry paused and looked back. "Pardon?" He gave a confused glance at Draco. "Is there some significance to the bond settling that I should know?"

Ortinoth directed his thoughts to "Veela Inheritance: Fact and Fiction". A quick mental review with his lowaar and he nodded before Draco had even begun to respond. "My apologies, I forgot what I read. The bond between Veela and Mate take several days to settle and the pair should spend most of their time together during those days, avoiding large crowds or heavily populated venues." He looked at Draco and said "Well, we both have inheritances to settle, and I'm sure your godfather is anxious for his bequest from Sirius. Maybe we can work on those."

The blonde smiled at him. "Good ideas, Harry. I'll make a list of some of the things I wouldn't mind doing. We'll still be responsible for any homework missed, so we need to factor in time for that as well."

Harry nodded and headed back to his bedroom. As he closed the door he heard Narcissa say "Be sure to add planning a bonding reception to your list, Dragon. Once the bond settles, we will need a fairly large reception to introduce you both to society…." Harry closed the door and leaned back on it with a groan.

"What have I gotten myself into" he muttered. He ignored the chiming laughter of his lowaar.

Lowaar = Indwellers

Ghergo'ir = Young one

Autgabin = Grandson

Sia'Thurirl = My constant companion/partner