HOLY CRAP!!
I got soooo many reviews!! And I actually "achieved" my "goal" of over 100 reviews sooner than I expected…lol…
Thank you guys sooo much! I really appreciate these reviews, because they keep me going!!
Hmmm…I'm actually thinking about starting another D/H fic!! I mean, this is a Veela one, I have another one, "Beautiful Words", which portrays a weak Draco…I want to do one with a "tough" Draco!! WHEEE!! Lol.
BTW: I hope I don't bore anyone with these few chapters of…well…a "fluffy" kind of writing…blah…
Love Lots!!
~*~
Chapter 5 ~ Can'tDays passed. Time turned into sand through an hourglass. Weeks were brought on, one, two, and then three.
And Draco Malfoy was still waiting.
His friends had started to get worried. They now asked him constantly if they shouldn't just help him seduce Potter. He disagreed.
"No," he told them. "Don't."
Draco tried to act calm. He tried to keep the worry off his mind…his eyes…his heart…He tried, but couldn't. So that's why, when Pansy found him two days prior to the end of a month after his birthday, all alone on a Hogsmeade weekend, he wasn't acting like himself.
"Draco?" Pansy asked softly, hoping not to scare the pitiful form of the blonde, who was curled up in an armchair next to the fireplace, staring blankly out of the window. Draco made no sound, no move, nothing to show that he had even heard her.
"Draco?" Pansy tried again, her voice starting to sound anxious. "Draco darling, are you alright?"
"What?" Draco blinked, and turned, now pointing his blank gaze at Pansy. "Am I alright?"
Pansy waited, wanting to hear an "Of course I'm alright!" or at least something that sounded like the Draco she knew, but all she could see were empty gray orbs, looking almost expectantly at her.
Pansy gave a soft sigh, and murmured, "No, you're not…"
Then, determination lit up in her eyes, and she said, "Come on, Draco, let's go to Snape."
"No!" Draco suddenly seemed to come out of his trance, and his eyes came into focus. "You…you can't! Everyone…everyone would find out!"
Pansy couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Yes, Draco baby, obviously everyone would find out! But really, think about it, wouldn't they find out anyway? No matter what happens?"
"No…" Draco muttered, looking rather wild now. "No…please don't…"
Pansy's heart seemed to melt in pity at that. Poor, poor Draco, she thought sadly. But it's for his own good.
"I'm going," she said stubbornly, and turned to leave.
Panicking, Draco got out of his seat, and fell, flat on his face. Gingerly, he tried to lift himself up, weakly sat against the foot of the armchair, and gave a small sigh.
Pansy bit her bottom lip, looking rather worried. "Are…you alright, darling?" she asked, the second time in ten minutes.
"Yeah…" Draco muttered, his eyes starting to go out of focus again.
As if on cue, Blaise suddenly walked in with Theodore, laughing. However, their laughter stopped abruptly, when they caught sight of a white faced Draco, and a pallid faced Pansy.
"Wh – what's going on here?" Theodore asked, breaking the silence.
"What do you think?" Pansy asked crossly. "It's already been twenty-seven days since Draco's birthday! He only has two more days, and I don't think he's going to just stay healthy!"
Blaise and Theodore's faces also seemed to pale a considerable amount.
"But – but," Blaise stuttered. "We…we should tell someone!"
"You think I haven't figured that out?" Pansy asked coldly. "I suggested that! But Draco here doesn't want me to!"
"Why?" Blaise turned to Draco now, eyeing him quizzically.
"Don't…want…force…him…" Draco managed, closing his eyes feebly.
There was silence, while Blaise, Theodore, and Pansy eyed each other nervously, occasionally flicking their gaze back to the heavily breathing Draco.
"I'm going…" Pansy said softly.
Theodore and Blaise nodded.
"Go ahead," Theodore answered. "We…We'll get Draco more comfortable."
Pansy lingered one last worried gaze at Draco, and then turned and went out the common room.
"Alright…" Blaise said uncomfortably, "Let's get you into bed…"
~*~
"Professor Snape, sir…"
"Yes, Pansy? What is it?"
"It's…it's Draco…"
"Yes?"
"His…his mate…"
"Yes?"
"Sir…it's…I don't know how to say it…"
"Ms. Parkinson, as the head of your house, I see no reason to be nervous. What is it?"
"Yes sir…well…Draco's mate…it…it's…Potter…"
"WHAT?"
"Yes sir…it's rather surprising…but…"
"Harry Potter?"
"Yes sir…and I suppose I really shouldn't have told you…but…but sir…Draco's dying!"
"Potter?"
"Yes!"
"Oh…oh yes…Potter…yes…we must…Harry Potter…must see Dumbledore…Potter… Good Heavens…"
~*~
The common room portrait swung open, and three pairs of legs walked hurriedly past the curious gazing students. The trio quickly went to the sixth-year boys' dormitory, and opened the door.
Theodore, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Sally-Anne, and Millicent were all standing, watching Draco. But, when they saw who had walked in, the six quickly backed away. Only Iris remained, her soft blue eyes gazing quietly at Draco, placing a cool cloth on his forehead.
"Ahem."
Iris looked up and suddenly realized who was there. She quickly stood up, muttering, "Professor Snape…Professor Dumbledore sir…"
Snape strode forward, and peered at Draco, who was neatly tucked under the Slytherin-colored blanket.
"Draco, how are you?" he asked, actually sounding warmer than usual, instead of his usual "dried ice" tone.
"Perfectly fine…" Draco said weakly, managing a small smile, and then, a coughing fit. A person would have leant over and patted Draco on the back, to help with the coughing, but as this was Severus Snape, he did no such thing. Instead, he waited until Draco was finished, before continuing.
"Mr. Malfoy…er…well, Pansy here has been telling Professor Dumbledore and I…about…about your mate…can you…will you clarify that?" Snape held his breath, hoping that perhaps, Draco might deny Potter being his mate, and tell him that Pansy had been pulling his leg all the time.
Draco gave a raspy sigh, and closed his eyes. "It…it's true, sir," he muttered. "It…it…my mate…it's Harry Potter…"
Snape let out his breath. "Are…are you positive, Draco? I mean…what if you made a mis-"
"Severus," Dumbledore interrupted. "As you should well know, all Veelas are very definite about their status'. They're surroundings, their enemies, and especially their mates. So I have no doubt in mind that Mr. Malfoy has found his mate, although…unusual…"
Snape glowered at this, but didn't say a word. He turned his dark, cold eyes back to Draco, and for an instant, one might have thought that he was showing concern, but of course, that just wasn't possible…
"Sir…" Snape turned around and found that Sally-Anne had stepped out of the huddled group.
"Yes, Ms. Perks?" Snape answered.
"Well, er…well, don't you suppose that we should…do something…so…so Draco's…er…condition doesn't worsen?"
Snape blinked.
"Yes…why you are absolutely correct, Sally-Anne," he said. "We- I must go see Potter…"
"Severus," Dumbledore began.
"Never mind it, Dumbledore," Snape interrupted distractedly. "I'll go now…"
"Severus!" Dumbledore said again, but he as already out the door.
Dumbledore sighed. Turning back to the group of Slytherins, he said, "Make sure you keep Mr. Malfoy comfortable." And with that, he, too, swept out of the room after Snape.
~*~
Zooming in and out of his teammates, he looked around through the light drizzle. Katie had told him that practice wouldn't end until he found the Snitch, so it was really up to him to make sure that everyone got inside before midnight, as it was ten o'clock already.
They had already been out for a few hours, as it had been raining hard before, making it nearly impossible to see anything. And now, dripping wet, Harry could also see out of the corner of his eye that the rest of the team (excluding Katie) were also trying to find the Snitch.
"Found it yet, Harry?" Ron yelled, as he dropped a slippery Quaffle from his hands.
"No!" he called back. "Not yet!"
Suddenly, Harry's eyes caught sight of something gold…something glittering…the Snitch! He shot towards it…he could hear the Quidditch team whooping their thanks that they could finally be free…he reached out his hand…the Snitch was just a finger's length away…
Just then, a whistle sounded, and Harry, by instinct, turned. Katie was waving at from the ground, but he still hadn't caught the Snitch! Realizing this, he quickly turned around, looking madly, but it was nowhere to be found.
Harry could hear many people starting to grumble, and he felt a surge of annoyance toward Katie. Why did she have to blow that damn whistle at that time anyway?
He looked down and realized that Katie was now yelling at him to go down. She also seemed to be accompanied by two other people, however, Harry couldn't see who they were at the distance.
He flew down, and landed neatly. Only then, did he realize that he was facing Katie, along with Dumbledore and Snape.
"Ummm…what?" he asked tentatively, fully noticing a somber looking Dumbledore, and a Snape with actually less of a scowl that he usually gave Harry.
"Potter," Snape said. "We need to…er…borrow you from your practice…"
Katie turned to him, surprised. "But sir," she protested. "We need Harry for practice! I told everyone that we wouldn't stop until he caught the Snitch!"
Snape sneered. "Well," he answered. "I suppose you'd have to wait, won't you?"
"Ms. Bell," Dumbledore said. "We shall only need Mr. Potter for a maximum of thirty minutes. If you must, surely you can wait?"
Katie nodded, although looking unsatisfied. "Yes Professor," she mumbled.
"Now Potter," Snape said. "Follow us."
He and Dumbledore turned to leave, and Harry began to follow.
"Harry!" Katie called. "Don't forget to come back!"
"Er…Professor?" Harry asked, after they had stepped inside the building. "Er…what exactly do you need me for?"
"You'll see Potter…you'll see…" Snape muttered, but Dumbledore said, "Wait, Severus, we can't just lead Harry there without explaining anything!"
"But Dumbledore," Snape said. "We don't have much time!"
"We have enough time." Dumbledore insisted.
"But…" Snape objected.
"You cannot just force this onto Harry!" Dumbledore thundered. "As I have a meeting with Cornelius Fudge in ten minutes, it is up to you to explain, Severus."
"Fine…fine…" Snape sulked.
"Remember…do not force this onto Harry! He needs to make his own decisions." Then, turning to Harry, he said, "Harry, your next move will be a huge verdict in your life. Think carefully…"
Before Harry could reply, he had left for his office, leaving behind a very morose Snape and a very confused Harry.
After a few moments of silence in which Snape glared at the direction where Dumbledore had left, Harry cleared his throat.
"Er…professor?" he asked hesitantly.
Snape rounded on him. "What?" he snapped.
Keep my temper…keep my temper… Harry thought, and then, he looked up at Snape again. "Er…what exactly is all this about?"
Snape glared at him, and then began to speak. "I suppose I do need to explain things to you, as your puny little brain hasn't figured it out yet…As Dumbledore said, your next decision will affect your life in many ways."
He paused, as if not sure what to say next. And then, he cleared his throat and looked rather uncomfortable, which highly amused Harry. However, his next statement made the amusement lift rather nastily.
"Potter…" Snape began. "Are you…homosexual?"
Harry took a step back, staring at Snape as if he had never seen him before. "Wh-wh-what?" he exclaimed.
"Okay…" Snape said slowly. "Maybe not homosexual, but…bisexual, perhaps?"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Harry cried, still backing away in little steps.
"Language, Potter," Snape retorted, now looking rather pleased about the torture Harry was going through. "Answer my question."
"No!" Harry said roughly. Then, at Snape's raised eyebrows, he added, "I've never thought about it…"
"Well," Snape smirked. "You'd better start thinking…"
"Why?" Harry asked. "What does this have to do with anything?"
"You'll see…" Snape smirked again, and then started to leave. "Follow me…"
As they walked through the dark hallways, Harry's brain worked furiously. What in the name of Merlin did Snape mean when he asked if Harry was homosexual, or bisexual? And what was his business to ask anyway?
Harry was rather startled to suddenly find himself and Snape in front of the bare, clammy stone wall where he knew the Slytherin common room was located.
"Half-Veela" Snape said coolly, and the wall slid open. At Harry's confused look, he added, "In honor of our Mr. Malfoy, of course."
He led Harry up a hidden staircase amidst many wide-eyed on lookers. Then, they stopped at a door on the sixth level. Snape knocked on it, and they heard a voice say, "Come in."
Snape opened the door, and pushed Harry inside. There, he was greeted by more "wide-eyed" lookers, all looking thoroughly shocked.
"You…you actually brought him?" Parkinson asked, staring at Harry, then Snape.
"Of course," Snape said simply. "We don't want anything to happen, do we?"
"No…" Pansy said slowly. "But…but he actually agreed?"
"Well…" Snape answered slowly, a smirk starting to appear. "He doesn't exactly know what's going on…"
"In that case," Harry interrupted loudly. "Would someone mind actually telling me?"
At that point, someone started to cough weakly behind the Slytherin group. Sally-Anne immediately turned to comfort that someone, though Harry still couldn't see who it was.
"Awww…are you okay, Draco?" she asked.
Harry's mind reeled. Draco? As in Draco Malfoy? He was the one who was coughing so piteously…so…painfully?
As if to answer his unasked question, Snape said, "Yes, Potter. That was our Mr. Malfoy…weak…and…dying…"
It took a while for the words to actually sink into Harry. Dying? Malfoy?
"What?" he asked, looking totally bewildered. "Dying?"
Snape sighed. "Yes Potter," he answered. "Dying. As you should know, if you had done any research on Veelas, you would have found out that all typed of Veelas must find their mate. They each have only a month's time to find their mate before they…er…become extinct."
"But…but…" Harry said. "What exactly does this have to do with…me?"
Snape snorted. "Really Potter," he said. "After staying so close to Ms. Granger for five years, you would have thought that she had improved your mind a bit. Obviously not…"
Harry tried to think clearly. It was hard, as he could feel so many eyes upon him. Veelas had to find their mates…If they didn't in a month's time…they would die…Clearly, Malfoy hadn't found his mate yet, or he wouldn't be sounding so weak…they had invited Harry over…but…why? And Snape…Snape had asked him if he was gay…bisexual…
Harry's head snapped up.
"No…" he whispered. "You've got to be kidding me…"
"We wish," Nott said bitterly. "Believe me…"
Harry tried to laugh, but his throat was dry. "You're kidding…" he repeated. "What are you trying to do…make me believe that…that I'm Malfoy's…mate?"
"Potter," Iris Moon said sharply. "We're not trying to make you believe anything! This is real!"
Harry shook his head and forced a smile. "Right…" he muttered. "Why should I believe you? You're all Slytherins!"
"And what does that mean?" Iris asked furiously.
"Well…" Harry answered slowly. "I've lived around you guys long enough to know about all your nasty pranks."
"Well this isn't one!" Pansy shrieked.
"Why should I believe you?" Harry asked swiftly.
"Mr. Potter," Snape said grimly. "I think you should see Draco for yourself…"
The Slytherin crown moved to the side, and Harry now had a clear view of the bed. He cautiously moved forward until he was just a finger's length away from the cot, and peered down.
Draco Malfoy was under the covers; face seemingly more pallid than usual, eyes staring weakly ahead, as if out of focus, and lips parted slightly. Harry could actually hear him breathing, and it sounded rough…as if he had a hard time doing it.
However, when Harry began to edge closer, a curious thing began to happen. Draco started…to almost…glow. It wasn't like there was any bright light on him, but he seemed different…unlike the other Draco that was there moments before. He seemed…more at peace…restful. His eyes suddenly seemed to focus, and he glanced shyly up at Harry, who was still standing, looking over him.
"Hi…" he said softly, his voice still sounding chocked.
Harry's face was unreadable. It was as if he didn't know what to make of the situation…he was confused…confused, but without feeling.
"Hi…" he answered uneasily, as if not knowing what to say next. He pulled away slightly, to face the other Slytherins again. As he did so, they could see Draco's energy diminishing once more, pulling a dull, strength-taking mask over him.
"Potter…" Sally-Anne whispered.
"What?" he asked.
"Did…did you just see that? That…that effect you had on Draco…it's obvious you're his…his mate!"
Harry frowned slightly. He had felt something different…and looking at Malfoy…seeing him so…so weak-looking…it felt strange…
"How do I know…" he said slowly, as if weighing his words. "That you didn't…just put some kind of spell on him…to make him glow when I get near?"
Blaise Zabini gave an angry growl under his throat. "How thick are you?" he asked fiercely. "Why in the fucking world would we play some kind of trick anyway? You know perfectly well that Draco is indeed a half-Veela, as it had spread around the school. Obviously, he hasn't found his mate yet, or that's be everywhere too!"
Harry bit his bottom lip. As much as he hated admitting it, Zabini did have a point. He had heard nothing about Draco Malfoy's mate…until now…
"Okay…" he said. "So…let's say that I am his mate…what the hell am I supposed to do anyway?"
"Potter…" Snape said. "I take it that Ms. Granger has done nothing to help your vacant mind…"
But Iris interrupted him before he could go on with his speech.
"You have to kiss him," she said simply.
Harry looked horrified. "I…have…to…what?" he exclaimed.
"Kiss him…" Iris repeated. "In…at least…twenty-four hours and thirty minutes," she added, looking up from her watch."
"But…but…" Harry muttered, looking appalled. "But…I can't!"
"And why not?" Pansy asked angrily.
"Because…he's…he's Draco Malfoy!" Harry said. Then, before anyone could comment on that, he continued. "We've hated each other, for what, 6 years? And now…quite suddenly…you come up to me to say that I have to kiss him? I mean really…kiss my worst enemy! It's like…it's like…it's like drinking poison!"
"What do you mean, poison…?" Pansy snarled. "You don't know Draco at all! How dare you compare him to poison?"
Harry smirked. "We-ell…" He began. "First of all…I've been around Malfoy long enough to know that he's not exactly pleasant around me…so yes Parkinson, I do know him…even if it's not the way you do."
"Secondly," he continued. "I'm comparing him to poison, because that's exactly how you guys would compare me. Really…Parkinson…if someone like…Hermione needed you to kiss her, or she would die, would you?"
Pansy turned a shade of green. However, she answered, "Yes! I would! It would save a life, after all!"
Harry shook his head and muttered something that sounded strangely like, "Liar" under his breath.
"But that's not the point," Blaise said hurriedly. "The point is, if you don't kiss Draco soon, he's going to die! Look at him now!"
"Yeah," Sally-Anne chimed in. "Where's your "big" Gryffindor heart anyway? Aren't you always supposed to be honest, caring, and…brave? You're not scared to kiss Draco, are you Potter?"
Harry made a face. "Of course not!" he retorted. "I'm just disgusted!"
"You know, Potter…" Blaise said lazily. "Seeing that your in a room with a bunch of Slytherins, including Crabbe and Goyle, who would really love to hurt you…I'm really surprised that you even try to insult us, much less Draco!"
"You wouldn't hurt me, because that wouldn't be a very good thing to do to Malfoy…would it?" Harry answered, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Potter…" Blaise warned threateningly.
"Okay Potter," Snape quickly said. "Enough with your games. What is important right now is that you save Draco's life."
"But…" Harry protested.
"But nothing!" Snape snapped. "If you don't, Mr. Malfoy will surely die!"
Snape had obviously forgotten the warning Dumbledore had given him just about an hour ago.
"I…I can't…" Harry whispered, looking down at his feet.
"Why not?" Pansy growled.
"Yeah…" Sally-Anne added. "It's not hard! Just lean down and kiss him!"
Clearly, the Slytherin group had also forgotten about Draco's warning.
"I…I…" Harry started, but fell silent at the piercing stares he was being given.
"Do it…Potter…" Theodore growled. "Before Crabbe and Goyle have their turn at you…"
"Oh…alright…" Harry sulked angrily, sounding revolted. He turned back toward the seemingly sleeping half-Veela, and started to lean down.
*
Draco could feel something stir up…some sort of energy…power…it fulfilled him…but he needed more…He had been feeling so worn-out…so drained…but this was better…much better…
*
Harry could sense it again…something was happening to Malfoy…he seemed to light up…to just…stand out…Harry had never felt anything like this…never seen anything like this…
He stared intently at first, wondering why the hell he was doing this. Oh…right…he thought. They're threatening you…
Then, he heard someone whispering, "Hurry up!" But still…he stared…not being able to take his eyes off this curious sight…
Suddenly, he felt hands on his back, giving him a push downwards. He slipped and reached his hands out to steady himself, and unexpectedly found his lips on Malfoy's.
He stayed in that position for some time, too shocked to move, or to do anything really. Malfoy wasn't exactly "responding", but Harry knew that it was just probably because he was too weak to move. Just as abruptly as he was shocked, he suddenly realized what was happening. He quickly tore his lips away from Draco's, and backed away swiftly toward the door, hoping not to get caught and placed back.
Only was he halfway to the exit did he comprehend that no one was chasing him…hell…no one even knew he was gone! As Harry turned, he saw that everyone was crowded beside Draco's bed, looking anxiously at him.
"Why isn't it working?" Pansy asked fearfully.
"Maybe…maybe it takes time?" Iris suggested nervously.
"No…" Snape muttered. "The connection is supposed to happen right away! This…this…" Suddenly, his head snapped up, and he looked straight at Harry. "Potter!" he snapped. "Get over here this instant."
Harry had no choice but to obey. He was nervous, though that was unexplainable. He had kissed Malfoy, after all…what more did they want?
"Potter…" Snape said slowly, glaring at him. "When you kissed Draco here…did you do it…willingly?"
"W – Willingly?" Harry asked. "Er…what do you mean by that…sir?"
"I mean," Snape said, firing up. "Did you want to kiss Mr. Malfoy?"
"Well…" Harry answered uncomfortably. "No…"
"WHAT?" Snape thundered, sounding rather angry.
"Well…you didn't say anything about wanting to…" Harry replied boldly. "And besides, I told you! How am I suppose to even kiss him when I don't want to? I only did because Iris pushed me…"
Snape looked as mad as Hell. "Well…" he hissed. "Kiss him again! And this time…want to!"
Harry seemed aghast. "NO!" he exclaimed. "It was bad enough kissing him at all…and now…you want me to do it again?"
"YES!" Snape snapped. "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ANYTHING, POTTER? HE'LL DIE IF YOU DON'T!!!"
"No," Harry repeated stubbornly. "I can't."
With a roar of fury, Snape grabbed Harry by the neck of his robes with surprising strength. He half-lifted, half-dragged him toward the dormitory door, and wrenched it open. It was then and there, when Harry heard a small voice, as if mustering up all its energy and strength, say, "No…please…don't…h – h - hurt him…Don't hurt…Harry…"
Before he could hear anything else, much less comprehend the words, Snape had hauled Harry out of the dormitory, and into the common room. It was late now, so there was no one there except for a few cats.
Snape got Harry to the portrait opening, and opened it. Then, he shoved Harry out, and made to close it. Suddenly, he stopped, and looked back down on Harry."
"Mr. Potter…" he said with a sneering voice, although it seemed to have lost it's touch. "I thought that you'd like to know that Mr. Malfoy has only…24 more hours until his time ends…all because of you…"
And with that, he slammed the portrait in Harry's face.
~*~
WHEW! Finally got this chappie up!!
Hmmm…I've been thinking…and maybe I will just turn this into an angsty fic…you know? Like…maybe I'll make it so that Draco dies, and Harry begins to regret not "wanting to"…you know? Hmmm…
To any of you who want sneak peeks for this story, or any story, really, or, if you're not a user on fanfiction.net, and you want to know when I update…etc., you can visit my livejournal!! As I have JUST found out that a website html doesn't show up on stories, you'll have to go to my profile to find it!! SORRIES!! It's on my webpage thingie…
Anyhoo…REVIEW PLEASE!!
(WOW!! Can you believe that ^up there, I didn't say "LOL" ONCE??!!)