THE ELF PRINCE'S MATE
AUTHOR: fantasylover12001
RATING: R
DISCLAIMER: I don't own HP or any of it's characters. Just this AU plot of which I'm making no money off of. No matter how much I wish I was...
PAIRING: Draco/Harry
SUMMARY: The war starts up again showing Harry and his friends just how serious the war really is..
AUTHOR NOTES: Yes, this is seriously late. I would have had it up earlier this week but stuff came up, I had to move out my dorm, and when I finally finished typing it up my computer messed up the document somehow so I couldn't upload it. No, I didn't break my computer but I did call it several insulting names. So now, after several rewrites, here is chapter 10.
CHAPTER 10: THE WAR CONTINUES
Draco stared at his father as the king explained the situation to him gravely.
Voldemort had gained control over Ravenclaw's army. He was now marching them toward Hufflepuff country and destroying every settlement he came across on the way. Hufflepuff was mostly a pacifist country. It's royal family relied on negotiation to avoid conflicts and war. They had done their best to try and stay out of the rising conflict between Gryffindor and Slytherin. They sent soldiers to help Gryffindor but other then that tried to stay out of the war as much as possible. If Voldemort got to them they would be slaughtered.
"We're going to Hufflepuff's capital aren't we?" Draco asked gravely.
The King shook his head. "I am. You are to stay here."
Draco stared at his father in surprise. "What? But there's a war going on!"
"Exactly. More soldiers will be coming in. Some of whom have never fought a day in their life! I need someone to train them and then send them when we need them. I also need someone I trust to keep an eye on Fudge. Weasley's right, there is something suspicious about his behavior as of late. Besides, you and your mate have just begun the second stage of the bonding, now isn't a good time for you to leave."
The blonde blinked. The second stage of the bonding was becoming more intimate. Just kissing and becoming a little more physical. "How do you know Harry and I have begun the second stage?"
Lucius raised an eyebrow at him. "You have a love bite on your neck."
Draco glanced down and clamped a hand over the small mark at the junction of his neck and right shoulder. "Oh." He couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at knowing Harry had marked him. At least now it went both ways; he hadn't exactly kept his mouth from Harry's neck either.
His father rolled his eyes. "Get some sleep. We have a busy week ahead of us."
dmHPdm
FROM THE JOURNAL OF HARRY POTTER:
August 3rd,
You know, I had almost forgotten there was a war going on. I suppose I've been too busy with my job and well...this whole courting business to really pay attention to it. But it has still been going on and it's just about to get worse. Voldemort has apparently gained more troops from Ravenclaw and marching towards Hufflepuff.
I wonder how many more villages like mine he'll destroy on the way? How much more senseless killing will there have to be before this war is over? I just don't understand where all this hatred for humans he has came from. Yes, some of us are horrible. I'm not naive enough to think that all humans are good. But most are pretty decent folk who have probably never even been to Slytherin country in their lives. I guess I just don't understand things like out right hatred.. I'm not sure I want too.
The army is going to be leaving next Friday, Draco's father will be leaving with them. Is it selfish of me to say that I was relieved when Draco said he was going to be staying here for a little while longer? I just don't think I could handle the idea of him in battle. I know he can fight, hell I've seen him in action. But I just don't like it. He's not completely immune to death. I mean, look at how we met.
He'll have to go into battle sooner or later though. He didn't say it but I could see that thought in his eyes. Draco is a prince. A rather laid back one, but a prince nonetheless. His first duty is to protect his people and Draco takes duty very seriously. When he is pushed far enough, he'll go into battle.
So I'm going to savor our time together now. Because I don't know how long it'll last. When he does eventually go to fight I'm going to be right by his side. He'll forbid it of course because he's frightfully overprotective of me but I'll be there. No matter what he tries to do to make me stay behind.
Harry
dmHPdm
The next week was pure chaos in Draco's humble opinion.
He and his father had endless strategy meetings with Ron and the other generals of the war. He spent countless training sessions with the troops who were going with his father to make sure they were ready for the battle ahead. There were meetings with merchants to make sure supplies came through and even meetings with the council to keep them up to date on the progress.Draco was starting to feel like his whole life consisted of meetings.
The only peace he ever got was with his mate.
Harry was practically the only thing keeping him sane these days. When his duties were finally over he would often go to his mates quarters and tiredly lay his head on the other man's lap while Harry either read or wrote in his journal. When he was a little more awake the two often shared kisses ranging from soft and affectionate to hard and passionate. More often then not he would end up spending the night and the two would share Harry's bed like they had back in Surrey. Then he would wake up and have breakfast with Harry who would then send him off to his duties with a kiss.
As silly as it was he basked in these peaceful domestic moments he and Harry had. It took his mind off the war for just little while and let him pretend that everything was peaceful. That he and his mother weren't worried about Lucius going off into battle and that there wasn't a war going on.
The night before his father left had been the most tiring. He didn't bother to knock on Harry's door since his mate knew to expect him these days. Draco walked in smiled in greeting to the welcome Harry offered him and settled himself on the couch next to Harry and laid his head on the other man's lap.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Rough day?"
Draco snorted. "That's putting it mildly."
He felt a hand settle on his shoulder. "You're awful tense."
"Mmm..." he murmured softly, enjoying the feel of Harry's hand.
Then he was startled when Harry nudged him to sit up. "What?"
His mate grinned mischievously. "Turn around. I'm going to give you a massage."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes. It's something all healers have a little knowledge on."
The Prince frowned. "You haven't given massages to other patients before have you?" A pang of jealousy went through him as he pictured Harry touching another man's bare back.
Harry rolled his eyes. "No. It hasn't come up yet. Usually we only use it for physical therapy. Now, shirt off, and turn around."
Draco shrugged off his shirt and dutifully turned so his back faced Harry. He then pulled his blond braid to the front.
Calloused thumbs settled lightly on the base of his neck and made slow circular movements and went from there. Whoever had taught Harry this had taught him well because within minutes Draco was melting under the soft and slightly sensual touches. He couldn't help but moan appreciatively when those wonderful hands started to knead on his shoulders.
Finally when he couldn't take it anymore he reached behind him and took one of Harry's hands into his and turned around to face him. Harry smiled shyly at him. "Better?"
Instead of answering, Draco fastened his mouth over his mates hungrily.
dmHPdm
FROM THE JOURNAL OF HARRY POTTER:
August 8th
Today is the day Draco's father has to leave.
He's laying in bed next to me (Draco, not his father) and he looks so...childlike. His hair is loose and all around him like some sort of halo. His face is relaxed and not so serious like he tends to be. He just looks so sweet.
Of course he's hardly a child. The way he kissed me last night disproves that completely. He's also far too sexy to be a child. Especially when he doesn't have his shirt on.
Dear God, I did not just write that, did I?
Yes. I did.
Well, it's a good thing no one is going to read this journal I suppose.
Why is it I feel like some silly sixteen year old in whenever I'm around Draco? All he has to do is smile at me and my knees don't work properly. Even with this bloody war going on, I can't get him out of my head. Do you know that the day after we first kissed I was humming at work and didn't even know until Poppy pointed it out to me? ME! HUMMING! I never hum!
After that I talked to Seamus and Dean and told them that I think I'm in love with Draco.
Their reaction? Dean rolled his eyes and Seamus snorted and said, "Gee, Harry. Really?" in a very sarcastic voice.
I think from now on I'm going to go to Hermione about matters of the heart.
Of course Draco has no idea that I love him. Yet. I'll tell him eventually. Just not now. He's so busy and has other more important worries. When it's settled down I'll tell him. Though who knows, maybe with this bond he already knows.
Harry
dmHPdm
The mood was somber as the soldiers all said goodbye to their loved ones.
Harry watched the mates hold each other and suddenly felt the urge to cry at the sad scene. Especially when he saw Ron saying goodbye to Hermione. The two had just found out that Hermione was three weeks pregnant and now the redhead had to go to battle. It just wasn't right.
"He'll be fine," a voice came from behind him.
He started when he saw the King standing behind him in full armor garb, carrying his helmet under one of his arms. Draco's father nodded to the couple. "Mr. Weasley is too stubborn to die. I'm also going to make sure he returns in time to see his first child born."
Harry couldn't help but smile. "I'm sure Hermione will appreciate that."
The King snorted. "It's actually more for me, then for her. By then he'll have driven me to the brink of insanity no doubt. Sending him away will keep me from killing my best strategist."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at that. It was well known that while the King and Ron respected each other, they both had very different temperaments and opinions that often caused them to butt heads.
Draco's father looked at him for a few moments and then said, "I have a favor to ask of you Mr. Potter."
"Yes, sir?"
"My son, though he'll never admit it, can be a workaholic. I ask that you make sure he doesn't overtire himself."
Harry smiled and nodded. "I'll look after him sir. I promise."
"Look after who?" Draco asked as he came up behind them.
"I'm just asking your mate to make sure you stay out of trouble," the King smoothly.
Draco put his arm around Harry and rolled his eyes at his father. "I'm twenty-one years old, father. I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."
The King snorted. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response."
Before Draco could respond a horn sounded signaling all the soldiers to get ready to leave.
"Take care of yourself, Father," Draco said, shaking the King's hand.
Lucius nodded at his son and then held out his hand to Harry. "Harry."
The human blinked in surprise and then shook the king's hand, "Your Majesty."
As a healer Harry had seen many sad things in his life. He had seen mothers die in childbirth, children who died before reaching ten years old, and plagues. But watching the soldiers leave with Draco's father riding solemnly in the front somehow seemed to be the saddest thing he had seen.
AUTHORS NOTE: Oi. Not only did this take forever to get out but it's SHORT! I promise to have the next part up a LOT sooner. Hopefully it'll be longer too...
BOND NOTES, PART IV:
STAGES OF THE BOND:
STAGE ONE: sort of the getting to know you phase. Talking, spending time and whatnot.
STAGE TWO: physical part. Kissing, becoming a bit more intimate, etc.
STAGE THREE: completion of the bond.