"Guess what this weekend is!" Harry chirped, waltzing into Draco's bedroom and throwing himself unto the bed.
Used to Harry going and coming as he pleased, it took Draco a second to realise that he had said more than "Hi...Bye". When he did, he turned, quill caught between pearly white teeth. "Hmm?"
The preteen brushed aside a stray lock of hair before repeating himself. "Guess what this weekend is. Come on, guess!"
Draco did not reply as the mischievous curl to Harry's mouth distracted him. The corners of Harry's mouth formed slight indentations that he found irresistible. More so, when added to the glint in the vivid green eyes. Too enraptured in his expression, the veela had not a chance of hearing what was being said.
The spell was broken though when said green eyes rolled in annoyance and the boy grumbled, "Why aren't you listening to me?" as he fell back unto the mattress.
Draco shook his head lightly before apologising. "Forgive me, would you say it again?"
"A third time?" Harry asked sceptically, stretching for the novel on the side table. "What are you thinking that's more important than what I have to say Draco?"
"N-nothing cub," the veela stammered, startled by the question. There was no way he could explain what had happened. So instead, he invented a quick explanation. "A point occurred to me for my essay."
"Oh? Which one?"
"Herbology," he responded, glad that his explanation had been accepted so readily.
"Hmm...I haven't started that actually," Harry stated nonchalantly, flipping open the novel.
"Harry!" Draco gasped. "What do you mean you haven't started?"
"Oh poo," Harry responded with a dismissive wave. "I have two days left. And it's not like it is for marks or anything, so whatever..."
The veela's teeth clenched as he fought the rising urge to scold. Instead he would wait to see if he started by nightfall. If not, then he would scold. That decided, he relaxed, twirling his quill idly. "Where were you anyway?"
"Oh here and there. Millie will be done with your notes by dinner."
"That's good. I can start reviewing them earlier then."
"Uh-huh," Harry replied absently, shifting into a more comfortable position as he began to read. It seemed that the lion was through talking for now, something that was normally acceptable, but given his earlier excitement, it seemed strange. Draco seriously doubted that the state of his notes was what Harry had meant to share.
"Cub?"
"Hmm Dray?"
"What was it that you wanted to tell me?"
The boy lifted the book high enough to hide his mouth before responding. "Oh nothing, it doesn't matter anymore."
The slight sing-song tone at the end of the statement contradicted his words. Harry was baiting him, Draco rightly deduced. Deciding to indulge him, the veela went about coaxing his mate into talking to him.
Expression carefully hidden by the book, Harry's lips twitched with barely suppressed mirth as he eyed the angelic expression Draco strove for. It was far from perfect, his features too aristocratic to perfectly pull it off, but the boy found it alluring all the same and his resolve weakened and then broke completely at the exaggerated pout the veela made. The book fell from Harry's hands as he chortled, the sound increasing into full out laughter when the veela pouted further.
"So will you tell me or do I have to pout again?" Draco mock growled, earning a giggle from his mate.
"I'll tell you," Harry hastened to say, not thinking he could bear laughing so hard again so soon. While he tried to compose himself, Draco turned back to his essay, writing in neat script as he waited for Harry to speak.
"You're paying attention now right?" Harry inquired.
"I swear."
"Good. Well, I overhead Professor McGonagall and Uncle Sevvy talking. Grandpa Albus has declared this weekend a Hogsmeade one."
"What!" Draco yelled in surprise, spinning around. That was certainly not what he had expected to hear. "Is he mad?"
"The man's gone man," Severus groaned, leaning his head to rest against the chair back. A deep sigh escaped his lips, quickly changing into a moan as arms wrapped around his shoulders, tightening comfortingly. Throwing his head back to look into warm amber eyes, a slight flush dusted across the potions master's cheeks as those eyes came considerably closer as his partner bent lower, placing his lips against Severus' ear shell.
A pleasurable shiver enveloped him at the husky tone Remus adopted. "Bad Severus," he breathed into the cavity. "Not even a kiss to greet me, far less a hello. Very inconsiderate of you."
"Are you seeking retribution," Severus inquired hoarsely as teeth sunk carefully into his skin.
"Hmm..." Remus considered, continuing to place nips along the slender column of the man's neck. "I think pleasuring us will be retribution enough."
"As if that doesn't happen a-al-ready," Severus gasped at a particularly hard nip that ignited a spark within him. "Remus!"
"Hmm?"
"I am not a bone to be chewed!" he protested.
"I know that," Remus drawled, pulling away and giving him a heated look. "I would never do to a bone what I do to you."
His tone was enough to melt Severus, and when urged, the raven-haired man rose willingly, humming in pleasure when his lips were caught in a fierce kiss. The passion flared between them and both were breathing erratically when they parted.
"Stay the night?" Remus requested, nuzzling the side of his face.
"I can't," Severus sighed. "It's a week night. I only came..."
"Because of Albus I gather," Remus interrupted before his tone turned persuasive. "Come now Severus, this will be the first full moon night you've been here for months. I'm randy. Do you truly wish for me to expend all of my desires on Sirius alone?"
"Liar," Severus rebutted, although there was no heat in the words. "You haven't been randy like that since you were cured."
His partner gave up all pretence at that, a low growl emerging from his throat as he closed the small space between them, tangling his hands in Severus' hair. "You are staying," he said decisively, before crashing their lips together once again, letting his arms roam about the thinner's man's body, rendering him a puddle of feelings.
Severus' last conscious thought before he was lowered to the plush carpet was that he had been mistaken. Werewolf urges present or not, Remus Lupin truly was an insatiable lover when the desire struck him. And when the sandy haired man collapsed heavily besides him, struggling to breathe, Severus automatically pressed himself closer to his sweat damped body, allowing himself to relive the moment when they realised that all of Remus' pain and suffering was gone forever.
The coming spring would herald two years since the moon had lost its power over Remus. Two years since he needed to lock himself into the East Wing, for not even with the Wolfsbane did he trust himself to be left free. It had been two long years since Remus was able to observe the magnificence of the full moon in human form and it was a sight he had yet to grow tired of.
Before Lily and James' intervention had reunited the three, the hours preceding a transformation had been nothing short of torture for the werewolf. He grew aggressive, his attitude snarky and he was prone to leave whichever room he was occupying in shambles. With the return of his companions though, other wolf instincts came into play.
Why be aggressive when he had mates with which to sate himself?
With that in mind, the forthcoming full moon awakened his animalistic sexuality, leading him to saunter through Black Manor in search of his mates. And with Severus in Hogwarts, his desires fell solely on Sirus, who walked bowlegged the next day, while an apologetic Remus waited on him hand and foot while Severus brewed for them both.
The subsequent month, the potions master agreed to floo home. Exiting the fireplace, loud moans and deep growls from the bedroom greeted him, causing him to quicken his steps. Walking into the bedroom, he was immediately pounced upon much to Sirius' relief. Between the two of them, the beast's desires were slacked and after that they fell into a routine with Severus joining them for a half day every month.
That had all changed with the first moon subsequent to Quirrell. Severus had flooed as usual but instead of immediately being assaulted by the sound of intercourse, he was met by silence. It was unnerving given their usual trend and worried that somehow the manor's wards had been breached, he threaded carefully, wand in hand as he searched for the others. But it proved unnecessary as he found Sirius, reclining in his favourite chair, a copy of the newspaper in his hands.
His question was obvious as he stood in the doorway.
"I'm not sure," Sirius shrugged, patting the arm of the chair in invitation. "He hasn't even groped me yet."
"What?" Severus asked in surprise, settling on the indicated spot.
"Uh-huh. He isn't the least bit horny. He went to nap about an hour ago. I checked him for a fever and everything. Nothing. And hear this..."
"What?"
"He refused his steak. You know how he likes it at these times, really rare."
Severus could attest to that. Those steaks saw had a cooking time shorter than what was necessary to boil an egg.
"He lifted half of mine's instead."
Severus mulled over the matter. It was strange. Based on Sirius' words, Remus was acting true to his normal character. "Perhaps his control has increased?"
"In one month?" Sirius snorted. "Hardly likely."
"I know," Severus allowed. "But then what else could it be?"
They got their answer that night. Remus left them a few minutes before nightfall, fingering the vial of Wolfsbane he held. His lovers' eyes were on him as he walked away and he knew why, seeing that he was as confused as they were.
Where was the dull ache that always preceded a transformation? Why could he not feel the shifting of bones as his anatomy converted? Moreover, the urge to howl a welcome to the divine entity was absent. All in all, the man felt...normal. One would think that the full moon was at least two weeks away given how his body was acting.
The door locked behind him and embedded spells activated, ensuring that he could not leave till morning. Sitting, Remus toyed with the vial. It seemed almost alien to him. He had no desire to guzzle it down, felt no urgency for its relief. It was more habit than anything else that had him uncorking it and swallowing, the task more difficult than he remembered it. Barely had the last few drops been consumed that he was overcome by a wave of nausea that had him retching violently, regurgitating the potion.
Once in control of his body functions again, he banished the evidence, eyeing the empty vial with astounded eyes. Had something been wrong with the potion? Severus rarely made errors but it was possible that something had gone wrong in its preparations that had his body rejecting it. But honestly, he could not see that happening given Severus' drive for perfection, especially when it came to his family.
So that ruled out the potion being at fault. So then...what was it?
Deep in thought, the fact that darkness was quickly descending alluded him as an old memory niggled at his mind. It resurfaced slowly given its age. It was from his third year at Hogwarts with him seated in the classroom that was now Severus' domain. As if through a fog, Slughorn's face emerged followed by his lecturing voice.
"The notion of potion poisoning is the stuff of tales. Potions complement our magic and bodies and could never work against it. Take the Pepper-Up potion. For an exhausted wizard it provides instant energy but for a fully rested wizard, it does nothing. If it is not needed, its effects will not occur and the potion will pass harmlessly though the wizard's body.
"However, in the case of a potion whose ingredients could cause the body harm, the wizard's magic will forcibly eject it before it has a chance to be processed. This will always happen..."
Shock ran through the man as the memory faded. His body had rejected the potion, meaning that it had been poisonous to him. And the only reason it would be thus was if it no longer complemented his magic. For the potion not to be complementary meant that there was nothing within him that it could act upon. There were no urges to smother, no wild beast to be tamed. Thus to not need the potion implied that there was no longer a werewolf to be tamed.
And no werewolf meant that Remus was free.
At the same moment that that realisation hit, a single beam of light bathed the room. Remus' mouth went dry and his eyes widened impossibly as he stumbled to his feet, turning towards the window. There before him in all its glory was the full moon greeting him with its milky glow.
A trip to Hogwarts followed the next day, as none of the trio wished to celebrate prematurely. Poppy did every possible test, even removing almost a pint of blood from Remus to analyse. An hour later, she had emerged with tears in her eyes for the man she had had to treat so many times over the years. There was not a trace of lycanthrope in his blood. It was true; Remus was free.
"The stone," Albus stated thoughtfully, stroking his long beard. "It has healing properties, as we all experienced and for all intents and purposes, lycantrophy is a disease."
"And so it was healed," Lucius had finished, awe in his voice for the miracle that had occurred.
The exact cause of it was irrelevant for Remus, who was too overcome by the realisation that for the first time since childhood, he was normal again, just an average wizard. The change of status meant so much to him. He could get a job, a proper one! He could walk down the streets in broad daylight without fear of reprisal. But most of all, he could take long midnight strolls with his two lovers at the height of the full moon. That last point meant the most to him.
Months later it seemed ironic when he mastered the animagus change and his form was revealed to be a wolf. It became a joke of sorts that he could never be completely free of the creature but it was a form he embraced, knowing that for once he would be in complete control.
Severus was drawn back to the present by a hard sucking on his neck. "Remus don't!" he ordered too late as the amber-eyed man gave him a love-bite.
"You know you love it," was the languished reply as the taller man rose slightly to start raining kisses against his jaw line. "Be honest now."
Severus' reply was halted by the floo that roared into action. For a moment he panicked, afraid that it was Narcissa coming to haul whoever was present over for dinner. To his infinite relief, it was only Sirius, whose black eyes darkened in pleasure as he took in their position.
"What a delightful sight," he drawled, a gleam entering his eyes as he moved towards them, fingers already working on his clothing.
"Join us?" Remus asked, already resuming his work on the potions master's neck, smirking when Severus writhed in response.
"Wasted words," was Sirius' growl as he landed on Severus' other side, reaching over him to pull the sandy haired man over Severus for a kiss before bestowing the same on the man. "It isn't often that you come here during the week," he murmured as they parted.
"He came to complain of something or another," Remus said glibly, the motion of his hand on Severus rendering the professor unable to do anything but moan. "I thought this was a much better way of distracting him."
"And infinitely more pleasurable for us," Sirius agreed, drinking in the sight of Severus in passion. "Let's ensure that he can't even remember whatever was bothering him."
"An excellent idea," Remus agreed.
Putting action to words, the two ex-lions ensured that that happened.
Harry was not at all put out that the veela did not share his enthusiasm. "Uncle Sevvy asked the same thing, but Grandpa won't change his mind," Harry continued, a note of pride entering his voice. "He said that it was the perfect pre-exam stress reliever."
"He does know that the term is post-exam right? Besides, why a stress reliever at all? What does he think the holidays are for?" Draco grumbled with a headshake, while wondering if all the sweets the man consumed had finally addled his brain.
"Well..."
"The only benefit of this is seeing which students truly are dedicated to their studies," the veela deduced.
"How so?" Harry asked curiously, forcing himself away from the mental itinerary he was already planning for the Saturday.
Draco eyed him as if the answer was obvious. "No one serious about passing the exams will go," he summarised.
"That's not right," Harry said with a mild frown, meeting his blue gaze.
"How so?"
"Cuz we're going," he replied simply, lips quirking slightly at his mate's incredulous look. "Why did you think I mentioned it? We've only had one trip so far and I'm sure this one will be even better."
"We aren't going," Draco declared, his tone firm and unyielding. "These next few days are critical if we wish to be successful in the examinations."
"Lighten up will you?" Harry ordered, before gentling his tone. "We know everything we need already. We can take them now and pass."
"We are not going," the veela reiterated, dismissing the truth in Harry's statement. The discussion was already over in his mind.
"It'll be great," Harry said, easily breezing over his mate's last words. "I promised Luna and Ginny that I'd bring them back some trinkets the next time we went. Perhaps some of those fairy statues we saw in that showcase last time. They'd love them I'm sure."
"Well then I'm sure that Grandfather would not mind carrying us there a day in the holidays seeing as we won't be making this trip."
"And I want to visit the sweet shop," he continued, pretending not to hear the veela as he rolled over. "Those pudding filled chocolate frogs were the best. Oh! And some Ice Mice for Grandpa, he loves those."
"Then you best order some," Draco directed, turning back to his essay. "Because the only place we are going on Saturday is to the library."
When Harry did not respond, the veela considered the matter to be closed. If he had turned he would have seen the calculating look on Harry's face before his shoulders shook with silent mirth before he reclaimed the book. But the veela didn't and so he worked on his essay, glad that he had resolved the situation.
Harry hummed softly to himself as he walked, smiling in greeting at the students he had encountered along the way. Hmm...the kitchens definitely was the best part of Hogwarts, he decided, patting his full stomach in contentment.
A trip to the rooms had earned him an honorary sampling of the night's courses...a sampling that left him with the dubious pleasure of not requiring to eat for at least a week he decided with another grin as he headed home. A rest might be in order he noted, given the pleasant feeling the full stomach gave him.
Lost in his memories of treacle tarts and pies Harry didn't notice the group of students hustling down the corridor, trying to make it back to Gryffindor Tower before someone believed that they were trying to skip out on their restriction. Nevertheless they saw him and as a collective unit they stopped, hardly believing their luck at running into him, and alone at that. They stood quietly, waiting for him to sense their presence.
Harry barely restrained himself from tripping when his eyes fell on the students he had not had contact with for weeks. A guarded look immediately entered his eyes as he told himself that he had nothing to fear of them. That reminder gave him the footing he needed to stand his ground and meet their gaze levelly. He had felt them observing him before, sometimes when he came to the Tower or when they ate in the hall. However, anytime he looked their way, their eyes averted, something he did not mind. But now he felt that he would have to say something to them, and was not sure if he was prepared to do so.
He was not prepared to speak first. If they wanted to talk to him, they would have to start. Sensing this, Brussels, whom Harry had realised was the first year's leader of sort stepped forward, clearing his throat. Despite the fact that the other lions were looking at him for guidance, he did not seem confident in what he was going to say.
"Potter, we want to tell you something, have been wanting to for a long while. Would you allow us to?"
There was a plea in his tone that was surprising and curious to see what could have him sounding this way, he nodded slightly.
"Thank you," the twelve year old breathed, and Harry saw the relieved looks the others gave each other. "I speak for all of us when I say that we're sorry. We've had more than enough time to think. We were wrong in so many ways and we've realised that for ourselves, not just because of what the teachers and our parents told us."
Harry felt mild sympathy as the group sported abashed faces. Although no one other than those involved knew the reason for the punishment the students had been given, stories had nonetheless circulated about the howlers that had found the students in their beds.
Luckily for Harry, the rebukes were generalised and in no way implicated him. He knew from Ron that his two year-mates had gone home for that weekend, but unlike the first years who had returned looking contrite, their countenance remained as sour as ever.
They were waiting for a response, Harry suddenly realised. He ran through the boy's words, accessing it for a sincerity which he found. There was honest contrition in his words, they were truly sorry he noted. But could he forgive them for all the hurts and torment he had faced? He wasn't sure he could. Yet, to rebuff their apology would be cruel. They had made the effort, and even if he could not forgive them, then at least he could accept it and move on.
He brought a hand up and under his hair, rubbing at his neck while he phrased his reply. He ended up simply shrugging and saying, "I accept." Simple, but seemingly effective as the first years all breathed in relief.
"Thanks Potter!" Brussels exclaimed excitedly. "I hope this means we could be friends. We would really like for you to hang out with us. We could..."
Harry had recoiled in shock after the 'friends' bit. Which part of his reply had implied that he wanted something to do with them? It was best to nip that idea in the bud. "Whoa," he commanded, raising a hand to stop the flow of words. "Don't get carried away there. I accepted. I never agreed to be friends."
A nugget of guilt wormed its way through Harry's consciousness as the group's expression changed to being crestfallen. Brussels especially seemed to be shocked senseless, as his mouth gaped open at Harry's bluntness.
"But in the office," a tentative voice began. Looking around the twelve year old, Harry saw a hazel eyed witch eyeing him in confusion. "You said that you wanted to be our friend."
"Had wanted," Harry corrected, guilt increasing at the girl's flinch.
"I don't understand..."
Those were the wrong words to say as they hit a nerve within the boy. His emerald eyes darkened as emotions he had carefully hid away rose to the surface, lacing every word he uttered. "So just because you apologised I should forget everything? This isn't a fairytale with a mandatory happy ending. What do you want? For us to be all buddy-buddy just because of a few words of remorse?
"That can't happen. Yes you were lied to, I understand and accept that. What I can't accept is what you did to me. No one deserves what you did to me. What hurts me the most is that your attacks weren't the result of malice towards me. I could possibly understand that. But instead you went out of your way to make my life a living hell, solely because of what someone said.
"Did you even think about it or were you to in awe of an upperclassman talking to you and went along blindly? Because you honestly can't tell me that at least one of you didn't see that what they said didn't add up. All of you can't be muggle borns, not knowing much about magic. You guys should know that it's impossible for me to wield enough magic to maintain control over people indefinitely! Yes the spells exist, but the power to keep them active would render me a squid!
"And if you had thought about it and yet said nothing, that makes you even worse because you were a coward, not standing against something you knew was wrong. I can't be friends with people like that. Hearsay made you act that way towards me. What prevents you from doing that again the next time you hear a rumour? I would never be able to trust you, and if I can't then a relationship with you is useless. I refuse to spend my time wondering whether your actions are genuine or bracing myself for the day you decide to turn against me. I can't deal with that and I won't!"
The last few words came out on a choke and within him he felt Draco seeking him out, no doubt sensing his wild emotions. He forced himself to calm enough to reassure him, letting him know that he was safe. That done, he saw the impact of his words. One girl was openly crying, held by another whose eyes sparkled with unshed tears. The rest of the group was looking anywhere except at him. It seemed that it was only now that they truly realised how much Harry had suffered, and now understood that their words meant little.
Not knowing what else to do, and wanting to be away from them and their melancholy, Harry made a last, ending statement. "Look, you're not bad people, I know that. But there's just to much between us. I'm just one person. You don't need my friendship."
His words seemed to have the opposite effect he had desired but he knew not how to change it. "Thanks for apologising anyway," he finished and before his guilt at their reactions could overwhelm him and prod him into accepting them simply to end their misery, he left, running past them without looking back...an action which would have broken his resolve completely.
He barrelled his way into his common room, freezing there when his eyes fell on Draco. The veela was near the fireplace, enjoying the heat, a serene expression on his face. His eyes were half-closed as he faced the flames. It made for a charming picture, but right now, Harry was not in the frame of mind to enjoy it, his need for comfort superseding everything else. He dropped heavily besides the veela, forcing his way into his arms and burying his head into the crock of his neck.
His actions roused the veela out of his drowsy state and as his arms automatically circled him and started rubbing his back, his sleepy voice asked. "Do you want to talk about it?"
It took Harry a second to decide. "Not yet," came his muffled voice. "Just hold me?" he requested.
"As long as you need," was the response as Draco shifted their position so that they were both comfortable.
But the comforting position proved to be too much for the veela who could not resist falling back into his drowsy state. He struggled against it, wanting to be ready for when Harry spoke. Harry felt it though and murmured to him. "Sleep Dray. I'm fine where I am."
"You sure?"
"I am. Sleep dominant," Harry bid, and the veela did just that.
To Harry it did not matter what state Draco was it. Awake or asleep his presence was there and that was what mattered. He gave him the strength necessary to process his emotions, identifying and dealing with all of his previous feelings. He couldn't decide what he should do about the first years though but was not too concerned. He knew Draco would help him with that once he awakened.
With that in mind, Harry mimicked his mate's actions, pushing away his thoughts as he relaxed and allowed himself to be enveloped by sleep.
Minerva McGonagall found it difficult to contain her mirth at her younger colleague's growls, especially when she saw a piece of the love-bite he had been striving diligently to hide. It was an amusing contrast.
"Only dunderheads would take that blasted old man at his word," Severus groused, crossing his arms and glaring at the oblivious students racing happily towards the gate.
Although Minerva quite agreed with him, she had long surrendered to the eccentrics of one Albus Dumbledore. It seemed though that Severus would not stop complaining anytime soon.
"I ought not waste my time marking and instead give all those on the list automatic fails!"
About to chastise him, the lioness stopped as she sighted a particular pair of students, one all but dragging the next through the gates. Obviously Severus had not a clue and she delighted herself by informing him.
"Ah, so I take it your godsons will be receiving their first fails?"
"What, of course not. They would never... WHAT!" he yelled as he followed Minerva's gaze. His eyes widened comically as he spotted the pair. "Where do they think they are going!" he demanded.
"To Hogsmeade...with the other dunderheads," she quipped, laughing at the dark look he shot her.
Deciding that it was best to leave him alone, the Transfiguration teacher dismissed herself, still chuckling at his incredulous face as she headed for her office, leaving a potions master muttering incessantly about setting a separate test just for his godsons, one that would make them regret ever hearing of the word Hogsmeade.
Draco's reluctance towards the trip ended the moment Harry turned to him with a bright smile. "Thank you Draco!" he chirped happily, his eyes sparkling madly.
Caught off-guard by his expression, the veela tripped and would have fallen if not for Harry's quick intervention.
"Are you okay Dray?" Harry asked worriedly, still holding on to the portion of the robe he had grabbed.
The teenager nodded shakily, even as he cursed himself for his impulsive responses. Harry had looked at him thus many times, so why was it now that he reacted so foolishly? His self-incriminating thoughts faded as his mate pressed closer to him, tiptoeing slightly to stare into his reddening face. A sad look crossed the younger boy's face.
"We can go back if you aren't feeling well," Harry offered softly. "I know you really didn't want to come today. Do you want to return?"
The offer surprised the veela. After the past few days of Harry subtly and not so subtly hinting at wanting to visit the village and accosting him in his bed the night before with the threat of writing their parents about Draco being mean to him, he had agreed albeit with great reluctance. And yet here, with them barely out of Hogwarts gates, Harry was willing to forgo the trip, simply out of a worry for him. That alone was enough to firm his resolve to make the day as enjoyable for the younger boy as possible.
"I just stumbled cub," he murmured, raising one of Harry's hands to his lips and kissing it softly. It gave him some satisfaction when the dark haired wizard blushed furiously, proving that he was not the only one who could be affected by the other's presence. "Let's have fun okay?"
Harry's flush increased as Draco's head came closer to rest against his for a few moments as he waited for his response. "Why was his heart beating faster?" Harry pondered as Draco tugged him gently into motion. And why was it, that when the veela bent over, he had seen flecks of silver in his normally blue gaze?
He did not have time to think about it in great detail though as the village loomed into view and his earlier excitement returned to him. Feeling mischievous, he pulled his hand free and ran off, turning to look at the veela over his shoulder. "Race you!" he called, then laughed when he heard a playful growl from his partner as he ran to catch up to him.
The last time they had been to the village they had primarily focussed on browsing through the shops, however, this time they chose to start with sightseeing instead. It was a quaint village with many hidden surprises if one knew where to look for it. At the edge of the town, a stream trickled in defiance of the cold weather. It made fore a scenic location and the pair promised to visit it in spring, perhaps even wading in it a bit, if the weather permitted.
They ventured around to other locations until the chilly air chased them indoors. Not far from the inn that most students favoured because of its butter-beer sat a smaller but classier establishment that Draco immediately gravitated towards. His mate's choice was reminiscent of their mother, Harry thought, knowing that Narcissa to would have chosen the more elegant setting over the rowdy atmosphere across the street. There was only one other Hogwarts couple in the place, snuggled away in a far corner.
Draco steered them to the loveseat near the fireplace after ordering self-refilling mugs of hot chocolate and marshmallows. Cradling the pleasantly warm mug, Harry lent his head against his veela's shoulder and sighed.
"Is that a happy sigh?" Draco's asked softly.
"Uh-huh," Harry murmured, staring into the fireplace. "It's nice to get away from the school for a bit. It does get tiresome."
"How so?" the veela pressed softly, never having heard a single complaint about the school from Harry.
The dark-haired boy shifted, suppressing the urge to bring his feet up under him. "I'm not sure. It's just that it gets repetitive don't you find? Breakfast, classes, lunch, classes, homework, dinner, studying. Its monotonous and I'm glad we can break away from the routine sometimes."
Not for the first time, Draco realised the sacrifice his mate was making for him. An eleven year old in the third year was an exceptional feat and the veela knew the pressure Harry was under to maintain high grades. He did not want anyone to doubt his ability to manage a workload that students older than him sometimes struggled to maintain. He could remember the debate they had overheard their parents having when the time for choosing subjects had come around.
They had been reluctant at first to allow Harry to take so many subjects, fearing that it would burden him, but the child himself had been adamant and managed the load surprisingly well. So it tore at Draco that Harry was starting to grow bored with it all. He would have to find a way to overcome that before Harry started slacking off or found less than conventional ways of amusing himself.
"You know that home schooling is still an option right?" Draco said eventually. "We'll be on our own schedule then, like in the holidays. You won't be bored that way."
"I know," Harry sighed after swallowing. "But then we won't see our friends as much."
"We could always go back to being day students."
"True," Harry agreed, but said nothing further, simply staring into the roaring fire.
Draco lent down to kiss the boy's forehead. "We'll talk about it some more another time okay?" he whispered into his ear. "Today's not for serious conversations."
A nod was the only response and for the next hour or so they remained in the shop, eating and conversing with each other.
Once warmed and filled, they went about shopping, gathering all the nick-knacks Harry had talked about. When it became obvious that Harry was shopping mainly for others, Draco slipped quietly out of the store for some moments to head into the next-door bookstore, ordering several new volumes for them that would be delivered directly to the school before returning.
"He didn't even notice you left," the plump shopkeeper informed him with a smile.
Draco shared an indulgent look with the woman, before propping himself up in a corner of the store to wait for Harry to come to him.
Their last stop for the day was at the sweet shop, where Draco was immediately relegated as the goods holder while Harry selected a variety of sweets for them to enjoy. The blonde crinkled his nose slightly at the every flavoured beans Harry enjoyed, while Harry returned the favour, mock-gagging at the Blood Pops the veela asked him to get for him. A few students also in the store giggled at their actions, earning an eye-roll from the veela and a slight blush from Harry.
The sweet shop owner was calculating their total when a mild frown marred Harry's face. Before Draco could question him, the child hurried to a far shelf and returned with a large parcel of mixed sweets, adding it to the pile with some hesitancy.
"Whom are those for?" Draco asked curiously, picking up the package and noting that they were not the sort the mates usually favoured. "Luna and Ginny?"
"Um...no-one," Harry hedged before throwing him a pleading look that begged him not to ask further.
A bit perplexed Draco acquiescenced, trying to deduce on his own for whom it was. Eventually as they left the shop, he thought of a possible person, or rather group, given the size of the bag. Looking down to the lion walking quietly besides him, Draco nodded slightly. If he was correct, he knew just whom the sweets would find themselves to.
The following day found them in Harry's bedroom, books and parchment strewn about them as they quizzed each other on their subject material. History of Magic was the only sore point for Harry seeing as he had paid scant attention to their ghostly teacher. The veela fetched his notes after giving the boy a smack on the bum. Harry pouted as he rubbed at the spot, sticking his tongue out at the teenager's turned back. It wasn't his fault Binns was so boring!
"Cub, that exam's our first!" Draco grumbled as he dropped down besides him. "And put away that lower lip. What I give you is nothing compared to what mama and papa will do should you fail a subject."
Harry had to agree, knowing that it would not please them if he failed because of slacking off and not because of him not understanding the material. For the next two hours, Draco lectured him on the coursework, testing him along the way to make sure he was comprehended it. And the veela mate did for his mate's teaching methods was a lot more sound than the ghost in Harry's opinion. After testing him, Draco was satisfied that he at least knew enough to pass, although they would review it again after dinner and early the next morning to ensure that Harry could manage his usual E.
After they ate, Draco flooed to his godfather's quarters for a few minutes to retrieve something he had forgotted. Seizing the opportunity, Harry summoned Dobby who appeared with a wide smile on his face.
"What is Master Harry needing?" he asked cheerfully.
"Speak properly Dobby," the boy chided while he enlarged the sweet parcel.
"What do you need Master Harry," the elf corrected.
"Much better," Harry praised. "I need you to give this to the lion first years. They should be in the Tower."
Accepting the package the elf frowned. "Those students harassed Master Harry."
"I know but they apologised and well, I kinda don't want any hard feelings between us."
"Master Harry..."
"Please Dobby?" Harry pleaded, bending so that they were at eye-level. "It would make me very happy. You don't even have to say anything, just give it to them."
"Does Master Draco approve?"
"Master Draco will understand Dobby. He knows that I spoke to them. It's partly why I want to do this. Even though I don't think I could be close friends with them, everyone deserves a second chance don't they?"
After a moment, the elf nodded. "Dobby will do as you ask Master Harry. Good day."
"Bye Dobby, and thank you!" he said as the elf left with a crack. Relieved that the veela had yet to return, Harry returned to where he had sat, acting as if he had never moved.
Outside his bedroom door, Draco leaned against the wall, arms folded as he listened to the hushed conversation within. A rueful smile graced his face at Harry's pleas. He understood the elf's reasoning. Why send a gift to people who had made you miserable? But at the end of the day, that was his mate. A kind-hearted, easy-trusting person willing to forgive those who had wronged him. As he masked his expression into one of indifference as he walked into the room, the veela just hoped that that attribute would not lead his mate into trouble someday.
The houseelf's entering crack, startled a group of first years, crowded near the fireplace with their texts around them.
"Master Harry asked me to deliver this," the creature said without preamble, passing over the parcel to one student. "Good day to you."
Staring at the package in Brussels' hand, no one noticed the elf leave. Master Harry? There was only one student in the school whom they were affiliated with that possessed such a name.
"Potter?" a witch asked hesitantly, moving closer. "Do you think its from him?"
"I doubt," another answered. "Not after what he told us."
"There's a note," Brussels interupted, drawing their attention to him. Setting aside the package for now, he carefully unfolded it before scanning its contents, his eyes widening.
"Well?" a wizard demanded, shaking him. "Is it from Potter? What does it say?"
"Come on, read it!"
"O-okay," the twelve year old agreed, voice slightly shaken in his disbelief.
Everyone makes mistakes but everyone deserves a second chance. I can't promise to forget, but I can forgive. Maybe the new year can bring new beginnings.
Harry
Silence reigned for several seconds as the impact of the small note hit them. Finally one of the lions crowed, "He forgives us!" before hugging the witch besides him.
It triggered a chain reaction as the first years laughed and congratulated each other. He hadn't accepted their hand of friendship but at least there was a promise for change in the future. That he was willing to overlook their terrible actions to him took a burden of their chests, leaving them with nothing but elation. Eventually calming, they returned to their studies after dividing the sweets among themselves and munching on them as they worked.
The bag and note were given a special place of honour on the table near them and more than once, one of them could be caught watching it and smiling. Michael Brussels was one of them and as he looked at the simply bag, he couldn't help but murmur, "Thanks Potter," before turning away.