THE ELF PRINCE'S MATE

AUTHOR: fantasylover12001

RATING: R

DISCLAIMER: I don't own HP. Just this AU verse and plot. For which I'm making no money off of. Even though I seriously wish I was ;frowns at bank account;

SUMMARY: Draco begins his courting and Harry isn't sure what to make of it and Ron and Hermione have their wedding, giving the human a glimpse into what the bond can be like.

PAIRING: Draco/Harry. Also has Ron/Hermione, Seamus/Dean, and other couples.

AUTHOR NOTES: Thank you all for the suggestions. While some of them I would've loved to do, it wouldn't have worked for the story itself. For instance I would've loved to have Draco and Harry go to a private place in a forest somewhere like some people suggested but it isn't really practical. For one the setting I've come up with has Hogwarts surrounded by fields. There is a city but it's quite a ways away and considering there is a war going on it's kind of dangerous to go out there without company and Draco wouldn't want to endanger his mate. If you're confused about what I'm describing, picture it like Rohan in the LotR movies only there's a huge castle with surrounding buildings instead of a village.

inumoon- hmm...the sword idea might work...I might incorporate that in sometime if the opportunity arises. Thanks for the ideas!

wraith- ;breaths a sigh of relief that no one hates the Snape/Pomfrey idea; I just wanted Snape to have someone and normally I pair him with Harry but this is a Draco/Harry fic so that wouldn't work. Most of the other standard Snape pairings I don't really like and Lupin is kind of dead so I couldn't pair those two up either. In other words Pomfrey was the only one who came to mind when I cast my head around for ideas about who could put up with Severus and who he wouldn't kill. Her name popped up for some reason...

Tinkering- thanks for the ideas but Draco doesn't really seem the type to spout poetry and I'm a bad poet anyway. The jewlery and cloths things work though as you can see.

V-queen- I like some of your ideas but I don't think they would work for what I have planned. I might try the tub idea later on though if I have the chance...Also this is ancient times so there aren't electric stuff like TVs. There will be cuddling though when Harry gets more used to Draco.

Jordon- Yes, Harry lived with Sirius and Remus a few years after his parents death but then they passed on. I explain it more in this part.

Ahja Reyn- Much as I love a jealous Draco most, if not all the elves pretty much know that Harry is now the Prince's mate and wouldn't dream of flirting with him, it's against protocal. Plus most of them have thier own mates to flirt with.

Lankan cutie- Thanks for the flowers idea I might try that out. As for the pet thing...he all ready has Hedwig and Firebolt, I don't think he needs another pet.

Skyla Gerdes- That just means that sometimes elfs complete the bond before they get married while other couples choose to wait until their wedding night. That was Draco's slightly subtle way of letting Harry know he had a choice of when they completed the bond (even though we all know he doesn't want to wait until the wedding night ;smirk;)

Raining elf- Sorry but Harry will not be turning into an elf. The only elf traits that Draco will pass on to him when the bond is complete is the ability to live long unless he is killed or poisoned in someway.

CHAPTER 8: THE WEDDING

Harry didn't feel any different the day after he decided to let Draco court him. He felt like he ought to but he didn't. He woke up like normal and went about what was becoming his normal routine: get dressed, eat breakfast in the kitchens with Seamus and Dean, go to work, visit Firebolt in the stables, go back to work, have lunch, work and then another break, and then after that do whatever he wanted.

After work he usually went over to the castle library to read. The mountains of books there amazed him and he soaked up all the information and stories with enthusiasm. More often then not, he ran into Hermione there and two would have pleasant chats. She had taken to telling him stories about Draco when he was younger and he found these quite enjoyable though he was sure the prince wouldn't appreciate Hermione telling him about the mischief he and Ron had gotten into when they were younger.

This went on for two days until he woke up one morning to a knock on his door as he got ready for work. Figuring it was Seamus or Dean there to bug him about being quicker he rolled his eyes and went to answer the door. He blinked in surprise when he saw the visitor was not either of them but a female servant in a plain black dress.

"Can I help you?" he asked in confusion. He didn't get maid service like a lot of the guests got. Since he was employed here he cleaned the suite of rooms he was given on his own.

The woman dipped and held out a package. "His highness wishes to give you this as a token of his affection."

It took Harry a few seconds to realize that she was talking about Draco. "Oh. Thank you."

The woman smiled at him and handed him the package, which he took warily, and then walked off.

Harry frowned down at the wrapped gift. He wasn't used to receiving gifts. The most gifts he ever got were the books on his shelf from Seamus and Dean on Christmas and his birthday. He put the gift on the table in the middle of the living room and read the card that was under the bow:

Harry,

You have no idea the amount of joy you brought me by accepting this bond. I know you've been invited to Ron and Hermione's wedding this weekend and I would like to give you this outfit to wear on the day. You can wear your own cloths if you wish and wear this some other time. I just wanted to give you something. I look forward to seeing you at the wedding.

Love,

Draco

'He's giving me cloths?' Harry thought in confusion. Not that he didn't appreciate the gesture. It saved him his first wages which had he had been planning to spend on a outfit for the wedding later today since he didn't have any nice clothes. He was about to open the box when loud knocks sounded from his door. Knowing immediately it was either Seamus or Dean he rolled his eyes.

"Come in, you git!" he said.

Just as he thought, Seamus and Dean barreled into the living room. Only this time they both held boxes similar to his.

"Oi, did you get one of these too?" Seamus asked, holding up the fancy tunic, tailored pants, and nice boots for Harry to see.

Harry nodded. "I was just about to open mine."

"Brilliant! Let's see!" the two friends dropped themselves on the couch and looked at him expectantly. Harry sighed at them and then opened the package. He stared at the contents in wonder. He had never owned any cloths as fine as this.

Inside was a bottle green velvet tunic with gold scroll embroidery along the edges. There was a black shirt to go under it along with crisp black pants to go with it. Nestled under the clothes were shiny brand new black boots with gold side buckles.

"You know, for a royal, he's got good taste," Seamus commented. Dean promptly smacked the back of his head.

"Ow! What? It was a compliment!"

dmHPdm

Draco had never felt so nervous as when he got ready for Ron and Hermione's wedding. He wasn't worried about his best man duties, that would be easy. What he was nervous about was that this would be the first time he would be able to talk to Harry since his mate accepted the bond.

He had driven Ron and Hermione mad that day with his worry over whether or not Harry would like his first gift. The two finally threw up their hands and made him drink to take his mind off of it. If there was one thing Elves knew how to do, it was how to drink and they had the various kinds of alcohol to prove it. Even Dwarves praised elves on their beer. Needless to say he had gotten dead drunk that night and cursed his two friends in the morning for his hangover. But as Ron pointed out: it took his mind off of Harry for awhile and the redhead didn't have to murder his best man.

Now he stood in front of the mirror adjusting his color and watched in the mirror as Ron, already dressed in his ceremony outfit, paced back and forth restlessly.

"Bloody hell, Ron, you're making me dizzy. Knock it off."

Ron glared at him. "I'm about to get married. I'll pace all I want."

"Come on, what is the big deal? You'll go out there and tell everyone what we all ready know: you two are madly in love and are bond mates. You two have already completed the bond, right?"

The redhead flushed. "Not exactly."

Draco blinked. "Really? The way you two act around each other I figured..."

Ron shrugged sheepishly. "Hermione wanted to wait. Mind you, we've come fairly close a few times when I had to go into battle but we managed to stop before really completing it."

The prince wrinkled his nose. "I really didn't want that much info, you could have just said you decided to wait."

"Oh shut it," Ron retorted.

Draco started to retort back but there was a knock on the door and Ron's father came in. He gave a bow to Draco and said, "Well, ready to go, Ron?"

The prince held back a snicker as Ron muttered, "Depends on your definition."

dmHPdm

The ceremony had been beautiful Harry had to admit. Hermione had looked radiant in a white gown with lace sleeves and a simple lace veil covering her long curly brown hair. Up at the alter Ron had looked like he was going to be sick but when he saw Hermione he just stared and managed to get through the wedding intact.

Harry had indeed worn the outfit Draco had given him and he was grateful that he had because he blended in with the crowd. The outfit he would have bought probably would have made him stand out. He, Seamus, and Dean sat near the back as the three of them hadn't really had time to get to know all the people gathered for the ceremony. Dean had introduced Harry and Seamus to his art master, a cheerful man who was delighted to finally meet his students' friends.

He had also met Poppy and her husband Severus who gave him and his friends a cool nod after he introduced them. Harry didn't really know what to make of Poppy's husband. He was usually cold to people but when he saw him with Poppy and their son he got an almost tender look on his face. According to Poppy he was a wonderful man. As he barely knew him, Harry took her word for it and tried not to be creeped out by the man's calculating gaze.

But other then them the three friends didn't know anyone there except the prince, bride and groom, and themselves of course. Seamus and Dean held hands boldly in during the vows and the crowd didn't even bat an eyelash. That was one thing about Hogwarts Harry liked. Everyone was extraordinarily open-minded and didn't care about silly things like race or men liking other men.

He couldn't help but sneak glances at Draco during the ceremony. The prince looked amazing in his dress tunic and pants. Though he was beginning to think the elf could never look horrible. Even when he had first woken up the elf looked gorgeous. The messed up blond hair and slight stubble on his jaw only made him seem sexy.

'How on earth did he wind up as my mate?' Harry thought to himself.

He was nothing special. Oh, he wasn't ugly by any means but he was hardly as gorgeous as Draco. Plus he was a nobody. His parents had owned a farm in Gryffindor until they were murdered by raiders who had ravaged the farms at the time. No one really knew how he had been missed by the raiders but by some miracle he had. He had been sent to his two godfathers, Sirius and Remus, after that.

He barely remembered them. But he did remember feeling safe and happy with them. Then an epidemic and struck through the town they lived in and Remus died. Though he barely remembered he had been told Sirius died not long after of both the illness and heartbreak at his lovers passing. Once again, he had somehow managed to not get sick.

With no where else to go, he was sent to his only remaining relatives: the Dursleys. Petunia had always hated her sister and held no love for her son. Both she and her husband had held him in contempt and made him do most of the chores around the house and barely feeding him while they doted on their fat whale of a son, Dudley.

Then one night, a little while after he turned fourteen his uncle had gotten drunk and had hit him. That had been the final straw. He left the next day leaving a letter and got a job. He stayed with Seamus until he could afford to build his own place. Then little by little he built a life of his own.

Then Draco showed up and turned his life upside down.

As if the prince sensed he was looking at him he turned his head his eyes met with Harry's who blushed and looked away. Since he stubbornly looked away he didn't see Draco smile softly at him.

The reception afterwards was full of drinking and dancing and merriment. Ron introduced Harry and his friends to his family and he felt dizzy looking at all the red hair. But he couldn't help but like the Weasley's. Ron was one of seven children. He had five older brothers and one younger sister all as different as can be. The oldest, Bill, was a code breaker for the King and the army. He and his wife Fleur were currently busy getting ready for their first child who was due to arrive in a month. Bill had a laid back personality and despite what his snake fang earring might make people think he was one of the most intelligent people Harry had ever met. He had spoken of codes and puzzles so rapidly that Harry felt a headache coming on.

Charlie was the second oldest and was horse trainer for the army. He had just married his mate Nymphadora Tonks, a clumsy likeable woman who demanded to be called Tonks because she hated her first name.

Percy was a bit uptight in Harry's opinion but he was all right even if he did work for the council. It was also clear from the way he looked at his mate, Penelope that he was deeply in love. Then there were Fred and George, a pair of twins who came up with ideas for the King on how to spy on Lord Voldemort. It was a perfect job for two tricksters at heart. Fred was currently in the middle of courting his mate, Angelina Johnson and George was being courted by his mate, Lee Jordon.

Ron's younger sister was quite talkative and as formidable as her mother. All of the brothers seemed to have a agreement among themselves not to piss her off because they didn't tease her a lot like Harry had seen a lot of brothers do to their sisters during his years as a healer. She had yet to find her mate according to her family. It was probably just as well for her mate because he or she would have to deal with her protective older brothers.

When the dancing started Harry quickly stole away to the back gardens. If there was one thing he was awful at, it was dancing. He had also never really done well in large gatherings like this anyway, they made him nervous and uncomfortable. It was a relief to get away for awhile.

The gardens had quickly become one of his favorite places in the large castle. They were quiet and there were several places for privacy to curl up and read. He went to his favorite bench and sat down with a sigh.

"You certainly do like these gardens, don't you?" a voice came from behind him.

Harry started and turned to see Draco standing a little ways behind him with an amused smile on his face.

"I really wish you'd stop that," Harry muttered as he sat back down.

"Sorry, elves have quiet feet," the prince said apologetically and then sat down next to him on the bench.

The two sat in silence for a little while until Harry finally said, "Um...thank you for the clothes. You really didn't have to send me any though."

"Gifts are a part of courting, Harry. So yes, I did."

"Oh." Harry wasn't sure what to say to that.

Draco glanced at him. "You're uncomfortable with this."

"No. It's not that. I'm just not used to receiving gifts." Harry didn't understand why he felt the need to reassure the Prince that he was comfortable, he just did.

The Prince smiled. "Well, I suggest you get used to it. I plan on giving you a lot more gifts. As a matter of fact, I have one for you right now that I'd like to give you."

Harry blinked in surprise as Draco reached into an inside pocket on his tunic and drew out a something. He took one of Harry's hands and gently pressed the object into his palm and then let go. When Harry opened his hand he stared at the necklace in surprise. It was a simple gold chain with a gold rectangular flat pendent hanging on it. Etched into the pendent was a intricate circular spiral design similar to some rose windows that he'd seen in some churches. On the back were a few runes that he didn't recognize.

"Those runes are protection spells. I asked Dumbledore to make it for you. A shield will automatically spring up if someone tries to attack you," Draco explained.

"Thank you," Harry whispered, not really knowing what else to say as he looked at it. He went to put it on but Draco took it from his hands.

"Here, let me," the prince said softly. He moved behind Harry and brought the chain around his neck to fasten. Harry couldn't help but shiver slightly as he felt calloused fingers brush the base of his neck.

When Draco finished fastening the pendent a song started from inside and Harry was startled when the Prince asked him to dance.

Harry blinked. "Um...I'm not very good."

The elf shrugged. "I'll be the judge of that."

He hesitated and then stood up. The Prince drew him closer, placing a hand on the small of his back and held his other hand gently. He then started to lead them in a slow dance which Harry was grateful for because he was no good at those fast moving dances with complicated moves that he had seen the elves do.

He was normally a very awkward dancer mostly because he wasn't used to being that close to anyone. But Draco made him feel at ease, almost content. As he rested his head on one of Draco's strong shoulders he couldn't help but think that maybe this mate thing wouldn't be so bad.

AUTHOR NOTES: I know, this is way late. Real life stuff came up including schoolwork, a big project for my Residential I class, the fact that I currently have a soar throat and cold, and I discovered the Candy Bar dolls on the net and have become addicted. Plus I wrote the beginning part and decided to rewrite it because I didn't like it. I apologize for the delay, the next part will be up much faster, I promise. Also, no bond notes for this part, I'm still working on them ;hangs head in shame;