Chapter 29 – Much ado about courtship
The group that had been at the Zabini's walked into the Hogwarts Entrance hall in complete silence. Without hesitating, they started up the stairs to Remus and Sirius' rooms while somehow managing to avoid the students in the over-crowded space. They were half way up the second staircase when a barrel of water fell onto Harry and Hermione. Everyone in the vicinity froze at the visible outburst of magic that came from the siblings.
In the blink of an eye, several tendrils of shadow exploded from the cat-eared teen while an orange flame exploded around both of them, drying the soaked teens. It wasn't long before everyone's jaw dropped when the shadows that had come alive due to Harry's anger curled back to him holding the silenced form of the resident poltergeist.
"So you are the one responsible for the wonton destruction in a place of Healing," Harry hissed causing Hermione, Remus and Sirius to move until their backs were pressed against the wall. "There are times and places for chaos and destruction and two places you DO NOT prank are the kitchen and places of Healing."
Peeves made an odd yelping noise as the shadows tightened around him and turned him until he was facing the wall.
"I was just going to ask a friend of mine to ward those two areas from you, but now I've changed my mind," Harry stated. "Due to your inability to control yourself and making me late for watching over kittens, you must be punished."
With that said one of the shadows flattened out at one end, took aim and hit the ghostly rear end of the prankster with a solid THWAK. For the first time in history, Hogwarts was silent.
"You DO NOT do anything to harm kittens!" Harry hissed as another Thwack sounded. "Pranks are supposed to be funny WITHOUT victimizing or damaging the target."
Another Thwack came and this time Peeves yelped softly.
"You caused the destruction of over half of the potions used to heal people, therefore endangering the lives of kitten for no reason bar for your own personal entertainment."
Another, harder, THWAK was heard as the shadow once again landed on Peeve's rear end.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Harry hissed as he maneuvered the shadows to bring the still shocked poltergeist to stand before him.
Peeves silently shook his head.
"You do realize he is a poltergeist right?" Lucius said as calmly as he could.
"So," Harry said with a scowl, "Poltergeist or not nothing gives him the right to endanger the lives of kittens. One of the potions he destroyed was a fever reducer made without willow bark. Not important to many people, but what if one of the kittens comes down with magic fever? It is vital that they get that potion immediately or they could lose their magic, but since HE destroyed the special order what will happen if a kitten with an allergy to willow bark is affected?"
Lucius paled. "The child would either die or lose their magic …"
"Which will leave them broken," Harry finished turning to the horrified Peeves, ignoring the crowd of teachers, students and ghosts.
"As punishment, you have to go to the Headmaster, the Matron of the Healing Hall and Professor Snape and verbally apologise to all of them for all the trouble you have caused. You WILL then spend the rest of this year HELPING the Professors. After this year, you can go back to being a pain-in-the-arse with three exceptions. One; you WILL stay away from the kitchen. Two; You WILL stay away from the Healing Hall and all areas potions are made and stored and three; You will NEVER, and I mean NEVER, target first years again."
Everyone in the room could tell that the petite demon was serious as every time he made an order, he punctuated it with another blow to the wriggling poltergeist's rear end with a shadow.
"Do you understand?"
Peeves let out a yelped "Yes" as he nodded his head as fast as he could.
"I will make sure he obeys," a slightly cold voice stated from one side of the room. The crowd from that section separated to allow the speaker to get through.
"Baron," Draco nodded in greeting from his place beside his Father and within arms' reach of his mate.
"Heir Malfoy," the spectre replied with a nod of his own before turning his attention back to the black-haired teen. "You have my word as a spirit of Hogwarts Young One."
"You had better," Harry stated coldly. "As benign spirits it is your duty to reduce the pestilence of those with less benign natures. If I hear of even one kitten being harmed due to something involving this … annoyance … You will be joining him in a live preview of the correct way to dissect a rodent – as one of the demonstration dummies."
He suddenly smiled sweetly at the shocked ghost.
"It was lovely to meet you Sir, enjoy your day."
He cheerfully bounced over to where he had spotted Luna, linked arms with her and happily skipped down the nearest walkway
Hermione, Sirius and Remus cautiously walked away from where they had tried plastering themselves as a section of Hogwarts' walls.
"You are very lucky Mr Poltergeist," Hermione said after a short period of silence.
Peeves glared at her, rubbing his tender flesh. "How does what just happened make me Lucky?"
"He treated you as if you were a young child who didn't know what the consequences for your actions were," she stated. "You got a spanking, a talking to and made to apologise. If he treated you as an adult your insides would be on the ground in a dungeon room as he tried various ways of killing you."
"He discovered one of the children he raised in the Orphanage had been kidnapped one day last year," Sirius stated before Peeves could open his mouth. "The men who did it worked for the gang Remus and I were investigating and brought the kid to the warehouse."
"Neither Sirius nor I were there," Remus stated, "or we would have stopped their plans."
"We were the first to get in the next morning and it's a good thing we were," Sirius continued. "The kid was sleeping in a bubble with his wounds covered and our sweet, innocent Harry was covered head to toe in blood, happily humming as he injected a special concoction of his own invention so the men wouldn't do something as disappointing as dying on him while he played."
"Don't let his nature fool you," Hermione stated firmly. "Yes, he is a submissive. Yes, he is sweet, innocent and completely dependent on his Dominant for strength, but he is also a DEMON. He only shows his demonic side when it comes to his position as a Healer and when the well-being of children comes under suspicion."
"We are just lucky enough that he is currently courting," Blaise added, his amusement evident, "and currently wants his own litter. It was just your luck Peeves that you got him with a prank when he was going to get ready to babysit my younger sisters while in a clucky phase."
The Baron chuckled softly and shook his head. "I admit the youngster has spirit. You have a most intreguing mate, Heir Malfoy."
Draco's eyes glazed over as he though over what he knew of his mate.
"You have no idea," he replied once his thoughts snapped back to the present, a gleam deep in his eye. "If I may beg pardon, I have prior plans for this afternoon. Harry and I will bring the girls here in time for you and Hermione to have dinner with your parents."
Blaise flushed slightly but smiled thankfully.
Draco nodded once, bowed politely to his parents and followed his mate's scent to the source, his thoughts on what he could do to reward his Kitten's actions. Seeing Peeves get a public dressing down and spanking was the best way to cheer up his day.
~~~Whydoestimemovesoslowlywhenitishot?~~~
Draco smiled softly as he watched his mate interact with Carla and Laynee outside the Zabini Manor. Since they had been later than they thought thanks to the incident with Peeves, they had taken the girls to a Café in Diagon Alley for an early afternoon tea before going to a nearby park in the mundane world to allow them to use up some of their nervous energy from that morning.
At the moment Harry was chasing after a giggling Laynee; who had snuck up on the teen while he had been focused on his tickle attack on Carla. Just as he was going to catch the youngest Zabini girl, Carla pounced and knocked him off his feet, allowing both girls to turn the tables on their attacker.
"There is no sound more precious than that of a child's laughter," a low female voice said from beside Draco, making him start guiltily. "And that young man is one of the best at getting it from them."
"You know Harry?" he asked, not removing his eyes from his mate.
"I do. I work for Arabella Figg," she replied. "It is good to see him so happy, even if the Orphanage does seem slightly darker without him and Hermione there."
Draco froze and a smile slowly formed on his lips. Without hesitation he nodded his head to the unknown woman and headed for his mate and two charges. He had plans to put in place and reservations to make.
~~~IneedtoreadlessandwritemoreIthink~~~
Hermione inhaled deeply as she faced the closed doors of Zabini Manor. A hand touched her shoulder and she bit back a yelp of surprise. Spinning, she came face-to-face with an amused Blaise.
"Relax 'Mione," he soothed as his hand returned to holding Carla's. "You have already met so there is no reason to be this jumpy."
"This is different," she said softly. "I have met them on a professional level. This is personal."
"You can't tell me that the girl who blows kisses at an annoyed snake demon without hesitation; who TALKS BACK TO the same annoyed demon, is nervous to meet an elf and a human?" he asked her incredulously.
Hermione flushed softly.
"That is also different. Tom is Tom and even if he hadn't approved of you it wouldn't have mattered since no matter how much the three of us wish it, he is not in a position to interrupt our bonding. Nicholas and Willa, however, have that right. Just because we are mates doesn't mean we will be able to bond if they don't approve."
"We wouldn't prevent Blaise from bonding with his mate," Nicholas said from the doorway. "Sure, we would if we suspected foul play such as potions and whatnot, but we have no reason to suspect that of you. He's personality hasn't changed since he met you and the Malfoy family doesn't see you as a threat to their vassals, so all that is left is to allow us to get to know you and vice versa. Now come in, diner is ready."
Hermione followed the older male with her head down so her hair hid her embarrassment. Beside her Blaise sighed; His Father had to learn to be more tactful in these situations. It was understandable that Hermione would react this way since so much had occurred for her these last few weeks and her life had been turned completely upside down.
He would deal with that part later. For now, he had to comfort his mate. … Or not, he thought as he witnessed his mother smack his father up the side of the head and apologise for his behaviour towards Hermione, stating that he was only male so he didn't know any different. Blaise paused for a moment to wonder if he should feel insulted for other males before pushing it to one side at the sound of Hermione's laughter. He could swallow his manly pride for once to listen to that sound.
~~~IswearI' ~~~
Remus watched with a small smile as he and Sirius watched Draco recite Romeo's monologue of his love for Juliet in soft French to a blushing Harry.
"Now that was smooth," Sirius whispered. "I don't know if I should be applauding him, taking notes or getting between the two and threatening Draco's balls if he even thinks of touching Harry."
"Take notes," Remus stated with a smirk, "You need new material."
The wolf in human form smirked wider when his companion choked on thin air. A victory was a victory after all, no matter how small.
~~~IneedtowritemoreLunafics~~~
"Will you do me the honour of allowing me to escort you to dinner this evening?" Draco whispered into Harry's ear after he gently kissed his mate's palm. "I feel as though I have been lax in courting you as of late."
Harry looked up at Draco and nodded with a soft smile, not trusting his voice.
Draco pressed a barely-there kiss to Harry's head then took several steps back. "I had better go prepare then. I will be back at six to pick you up. Don't wear anything too fancy okay?"
Harry nodded with a smile and, before he could talk himself out of it, he leapt forward and pressed his lips innocently to Draco's. After several heartbeats, he pulled back with a giddy giggle and vanished in a puff of shadow.
Draco put his fingers to his lips and smirked. He nodded politely to the two men watching them and walked out the door, mind racing with ideas.
~~~Harryisanaughtysneakykittyhehe~~~
"You and Harry seem to be very close," Willa stated between bites of her entrée. It had been decided by the Zabini Matriarch that meeting Hermione as her son's mate was worthy of a pretentious coursed meal. She was gifted with the girl's fond smile, knowing she had made the right choice with her opening comment.
"We are very close," Hermione said, smiling down at her soup – a rich, thick concoction full of meat and vegetable chunks. "My biological parents abandoned me at Mama Figg's Orphanage when I turned three and my demonic heritage revealed itself. A year later Sirius and Remus appeared with Harry, explaining that they will be visiting him when they could but they couldn't raise him due to starting a new investigation the following day."
She took another bite of soup and hummed softly in pleasure.
"They saw me and placed Harry beside me while they signed the papers stating that no-one was to adopt Harry without consulting them first and just as they said goodbye to him, Harry's demonic heritage came out. At first, I thought they were leaving him the same way my parents left me, but they smiled proudly and hugged him tight, telling him they were so proud of him and his Mama and Papa would be as well."
She looked up with a self-depreciating smile. "I remember feeling envious of him until both men ruffled my hair and told me that as the elder of us, they were looking at me to take care of their kitten for them, and then they left with a hug and kiss on the forehead for the both of us. It wasn't long before I became a member of their small family and I realised that Harry really did need someone to look after him."
"Have you ever tried to find your real family?" Carla asked with all the innocence of a small child.
Hermione chuckled and flicked the girl's nose playfully, ignoring the wince from Willa, Nicholas and Blaise.
"Harry, Remus and Sirius are my real family," she explained. "Blood means nothing when it comes to family. All that matters is the bond you have with them."
"Look at our family," Blaise cut in with a thankful smile at Hermione, seeing what she was doing. "I share blood with Mother, you, Laynee and the twins, but not Father correct?"
Both girls nodded, frowning in confusion.
"Yet I call Father 'Father' just like you and Laynee do, just as when he introduces us to people he works with, he introduces me as his son."
Both girls' eyes lit up with understanding, making everyone laugh softly as their bowls vanished.
"She has a point though," Willa said after the laughter tapered off. "Have you tried contacting your biological family?"
"I did once," Hermione admitted softly. "Harry and I ran into them by accident when we took the younger kids to the park one day. I have two younger sisters and a younger brother. They had one of my uncles with them. I had a moment of hope when, after they saw me, the Uncle said they had made a mistake in getting rid of me. It broke when he continued on to say I was pretty enough for my body to be sold to some of his clients who pay big money for exotic looking girls."
Platters of food appeared on the table in the horrified silence. No one dared move until Hermione let out an honest laugh.
"Harry attacked them, keeping them away from my siblings, accusing all three of them of paedophilia, slave trafficking and prostitution. It wasn't until the police got involved that he calmed enough to tell the Officer that they were looking at our charges and discussing about selling someone's body. It took a month before my parents were allowed to come and get my siblings from the Orphanage. Even then he threatened them to take better care of them since there was evidence of all three of them being harmed in one way or another."
She took a platter with a thankful smile and absent-mindedly served Carla and Laynee like Harry had at lunch.
"Nothing has made me laugh as much as the look on their faces when Harry told them the best thing they ever did as parents was decide to give me up because he wouldn't trust them to look after a Rubbish Dump before smiling and closing the door in their faces."
"I don't doubt it," Blaise said with laugh, "Not after what happened back at the school."
"What happened?" Nicholas asked as he began on the pasta dish in front of him. Blaise, with Hermione chiming in every now and then, proceeded to tell his family about the confrontation between the cat demon and the resident poltergeist of Hogwarts, successfully erasing everyone's darker thoughts concerning Hermine's past.
~~~Ineedteabutitistoohot~~~
Harry looked at the building before him in complete bemusement. He knew for a fact that the small café they were in front of wasn't anywhere in England, as evident by the sun hanging high in the sky.
"Where are we Draco?" he asked, hiding behind his dominant as his ears and tale flicked back and forth.
"The southern island of New Zealand," Draco answered with a smile. "We are having our first course here."
"First course?" Harry asked, tilting his head cutely.
"Yes. Dinner tonight has seven courses eaten over several hours and finished with either tea or coffee and a small sweet to nibble. The seventh years have one or two free days a month to ignore school in a bid to reduce the end of school stress caused by over worked students at exam time. I have one scheduled for tomorrow so I thought I would spoil you tonight and catch up on what I didn't finish today, tomorrow."
Harry buried his face into the area between Draco's shoulders and hugged his mate as tight as he could. "Thank you," he whispered, "You are too good for me."
Draco chuckled deeply. "Not true my kitten. If anything you are too good for me, but I'll be damned if I allow anyone else to touch you. You are MINE for the rest of eternity."
"I'm happy to hear that," Harry giggled as his stomach rumbled in hunger, only to be answered by Draco's stomach.
Draco joined in his laughter and stepped to one side so he could wrap an arm around Harry's waist. "Let's go in Love," he smiled down at his flush-faced mate. "Today's first course is, or should be, smoked salmon parcels stuffed with cream cheese, herbs, extra smoked salmon and prawns served with lemon slices in sparkling water and toasted, sliced bread."
"It sounds wonderful," Harry admitted shyly as Draco lead him into the café. He smiled knowingly when Draco relaxed upon entering. The entire store was outfitted in shades of blue, green and yellow, bringing a vague feeling of summers at the beach.
"Young Mister Malfoy!" a loud, jovial voice boomed from the staff only area. "Fancy seeing you at this time of year!"
"This is Jeremy," Draco managed to say before he was caught up in what must have been meant to be a hug.
Harry inspected the man his mate had identified as 'Jeremy' with more than a little trepidation. The man was dark skinned, taller than Remus and wide enough across the shoulders that Harry was amazed he could fit through the normal-sized entrance way without turning sideways.
"What are you doing here?" the imposing man asked the blonde after he released him. "When I heard we had a reservation for two under Malfoy, I had thought I would be seeing your parents; or at least your father and a business associate."
"I'm in my last year now Jeremy," Draco said with a slight chuckle. "I can leave on the weekends, have one or two days a month I can do school-free things in and I have finished my schooling for several subjects already. I'm also courting at the moment so …" he trailed off meaningfully, hoping the over-excitable man would get the point.
An excited shriek came from the kitchen and an elderly woman ran out and hugged Draco to her, rambling in a tongue foreign to Harry, who was now watching in amusement.
"A courting!" she finally said in accented English. "A courting! Little blondie is courting! She had best be good for you," she said sternly, "we have never found a female worthy of you."
"Nor will you ever," Draco responded promptly. "Mama Rosita, may I present my mate, and soon-to-be bonded, Harry of the Shadow Cat Clan."
Both the woman and man turned to blink incredulously at the figure neither of them had noticed even though he had been there the entire time.
"Oh Draco, he is adorable!" Mama Rosita stated, dropping the blonde on his rear end, making Harry giggle softly.
Slowly, as to not startle the teen, the woman approached him and lowered herself until she was at his eye level.
"Hello pretty one," she crooned softly as she gently rubbed one of his ears. She smiled, completely enthralled when he started to purr in pleasure. "Has our little blondie been taking proper care of you?"
"Yes Ma'am," Harry answered with wide eyes. "He even made time so we could play with the Zabini Kittens."
He pouted slightly. "I want my own Kittens, but I'm not old enough yet so it is the best he can do until after my birthday."
Draco chuckled and wrapped his arms around Harry from behind, smiling lovingly at him when he relaxed completely into his chest.
"Can we have our table now Mama Rosita?" he asked, "We have reservations in Japan in forty-five minutes. It is a good thing we came early or our night wouldn't have worked out."
With those words from Draco both Rosita and Jeremy let out an exclamation and rushed into the back room, chased by Harry and Draco's combined laughter.
~~~Isitoddforanauthortobejealousofwhattheyhavetheircharactersdo?~~~
Blaise and Hermione watched Sirius pace with amusement. The man had started pacing at eight o'clock and it was now just before eleven o'clock.
"For crying out loud Sirius, calm down!" Remus exclaimed, antsy due to how close it was to the full moon. "Try to trust them for Merlin's sake!"
"But Rem," Sirius whined, "What if something went wrong? Dinner doesn't take this long!"
"It does when it is a courting gift," Lucius said from his spot from the fireplace. "Vampires are known for over compensating their courting. If you add Malfoy and Black genes to vampire instinct …" He shrugged, his point made.
Sirius opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted when he heard a soft giggle coming from the other side of the door. He was instantly quiet and shot a quick spell at the door so he could see and hear what was going on, ignoring the amused and slightly exasperated sounds from the other in the room.
~~~TrustSiriustobeavoyeur~~~
"I had a wonderful time tonight Draco," Harry said as Draco put him on the ground. "Thank you for the gift of your company."
"It was my pleasure," Draco said with an honest smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Would I be able to trouble you for a full day of your company on Saturday in two weeks' time?"
"You may and I will be honoured to spend a full day with you."
Draco beamed and bowed to his giggling mat with a flourish. "Until tomorrow lunch time My Dear."
He straightened and winked at the still giggling demon. Becoming serious, he stepped towards Harry and nuzzled his neck above where he had placed his claiming bite. "Breath deep," he breathed into his mate's skin.
"Fly high," Harry whispered his eyes half-closed in pleasure. "Sleep sweet."
Draco pulled back and placed a soft kiss on each of his mate's eyelids.
"With dreams of you, how can I do otherwise?"
With one last kiss to his mate's face, Draco knocked on the still closed door, smiled at his mate and vanished down the Hall.
~~~Itwasn'tme,Ipromise~~~
Inside the room, everyone bar a giggling Hermione watched Draco leave in shock.
"When did he become such a charmer?" Lucius asked Blaise, who was still watching in shock.
"He's always been able to charm the female professors," Blaise responded, "But he has never been like this."
It was at that moment that Harry shadowed into the room, only to look at the still shocked people in amusement.
"May I ask what you are doing?" he asked teasingly. "I would assume a game of Charades, but only one person needs to be the fish-out-of-water."
"They are just surprised by how charming your mate is Harry," Hermione giggled. "We need girl time so you can tell me EVERYTHING!"
Harry beamed at her and giggled softly himself. "I'll get the tea and you get the snacks?"
Both demons vanished in a flurry of giggles – Harry into Remus' kitchen and Hermione to the school kitchens; girl-time meant chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.
Blaise and Sirius were the first to shake off their shock.
"Did they just …?" Blaise asked.
"Yeah they did," Sirius blinked, "the little Imps."
"Who are the Imps?" Remus asked, ignoring the laughter of his inner beast.
"Harry and Hermione," Sirius clarified. "They completely ignored that we were here and vanished for 'girl-time'."
"They do realise that Harry is male, don't they?" Lucius asked.
"That's just a technicality," Hermione stated as she appeared in a flame from one of the candles on the coffee table. "Submissive males are treated like girls when it comes to certain things, so it is still girl-time regardless of what is between our legs."
Lucius chocked on his own tongue and blushed at the girl's words as said girl ignored him to say her farewells and sweet dreams to Blaise, Remus and Sirius.
"But I want to know what happened too!" Sirius whined.
"We can wait for tomorrow Sirius," Remus said, rubbing his temples. "Hermione wants to tell Harry about her night as well. They need time together just as much as they need time with their mates."
"But …"
"No Sirius! No buts!" Remus snarled, his eyes getting a feral gleam. "This is the price we pay for not being able to take him in after the accident. WE are not the ones with that bond; Hermione is. WE are in the place of uncles. I've accepted that, maybe you should start doing so as well."
Lucius, Sirius and Blaise blinked at the man in shock.
"Looks like I'm just in time," Severus stated from the doorway, a goblet of steaming potion in his hand. "Drink."
Remus reached for the goblet and downed the potion, gagging slightly at the taste.
"Narcissa and Bellatrix are in their quarters already so it is safe for you and The Mutt to head to the Manor," the potions master continued.
"I best be getting to bed myself," Blaise said. "Unlike Draco, I don't have a free day tomorrow."
Everyone said their farewells and the last thing Severus saw as he left the almost empty rooms was Remus pushing a pouting Sirius into the floo before yelling out the destination.
Severus shook his head at Sirius' behaviour; Merlin, Morgana and Mordred! Could the Mutt act any more like a child?
~~~It' ~~~
Harry stared at his reflection in the mirror, wondering where the fortnight had gone. He jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Calm down Kitten, it's just me," Hermione stated softly. "What's on your mind?"
"Where has the time gone Rinie?" he asked softly. "It feels as though I was telling you about my date with Draco just last night. How can it be Saturday morning already?"
Hermione giggled softly when Harry mentioned his date with Draco before smiling in understanding. "I know how you feel," she murmured as she straitened his shirt slightly. "It feels as though time has flown since we got here. Neither of us has stepped foot in the library since we got here, which is very not like us."
"I never really believed Mama Figg and Tom when they said that everything would change when we found a mate," Harry admitted. "Life seems so much brighter now; so much fuller."
"It does," Hermione agreed with a fond smile, "And if I was to run into you now, if I wasn't here that is, I wouldn't recognise you as my littermate. You have grown so much since we got here. I can't even remember the last time you changed into your animal form in fear."
"I haven't found much to be fearful of," Harry admitted. "I don't feel like a kitten anymore. I'm a little scared that the next time we see Tom he won't recognise me."
"He will Harry," Hermione bought the younger male to her chest n a sisterly hug. "He may not believe his eyes or want to believe that you have grown so much while he wasn't looking, but he will know who you are and he will still love you the same as he does now. We are family kitten: You, me, Tom, Sirius and Remus. Nothing will ever change that."
Harry exhaled in relief and noticeably relaxed.
Hermione gave an understanding smile and one last tight squeeze before letting him go.
"What are your plans for today?" she asked. "Has Draco given away any hints for what you are doing?
Harry gave a half-pout, half-scowl at his sister's reflection as he set about washing his face and brushing his teeth.
"No he hasn't," he stated after spitting out a mouthful of foam. "All I know is that I'm to wear comfortable, casual clothing that I don't mind getting messed up and to take a hat just in case. It's so confusing! Sometimes he acts as though he is a prince, sparing no thought of spending over two hundred pounds for a meal for two people – minus drinks – and other times he acts as though nothing could make him happier than to sit on his knees on the dirt floor of a hut eating skewers of fried grasshoppers, grubs and scorpions."
"At least you know life with him will never be dull," Hermione pointed out, doing her best to hold in her laughter. "And don't forget you enjoyed it as much as he did. You were always more open-minded than I was when it came to eating traditional foods of other cultures."
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Harry tried to scowl but his lips twitched every now and then, giving away his own hidden laughter. "How do I know what he really likes? What if he prefers luxury but is toning it down to more run-of-the-mill things I'm used to? Or the reverse; What if he really likes the simple things in life but feels compelled to shower me in luxury as he courts me?"
"Oh Kitten," Hermione cooed, "It's possible that your Draco likes the finer things in life just as much as he appreciates the simple things in life. People don't have to like one or the other, they can like both. In fact, I would be worried if he was only focused on one or the other."
"Really?"
Hermione smiled and nodded.
"Now that is over, let's go downstairs for breakfast. I think Remus said he is letting Sirius help him."
"I'll grab a case of stomach soothers and a few Toxin leeches," Harry stated with complete seriousness.
"OI!" Sirius yelled, revealing that he had been listening at the door. Remus' laughter from the kitchen revealed that he had guessed what had been said with surprising accuracy. This thought was proven as soon as the two teens ran into the dining room, followed closely by an irate Sirius.
"There is a place in the centre of the table for the potions," Remus greeted as he walked into the room with a large tray holding several platters piled high with food ranging from a simple bread to fruit to fried bacon and sausage.
"Not you too Remus!" Sirius exclaimed as the door opened to reveal the usual breakfast crowd and Luna.
Harry rubbed his nose against Draco's in greeting before glomping the blond girl. "I didn't know you were coming for breakfast Luna."
"I wasn't going to since you said you are going out today, but I got a letter from Daddy last night. He said to tell you and the Headmaster 'thank you' for the recipe book you collaborated for him to use when he has human company. He had a meeting last night and he made the chicken pasta soup and it was a hit."
"Oh, that is great to hear Luna!" Hermione exclaimed as Harry hugged her with a cheer. "What are your plans for the weekend?"
"I have some homework to do and some reading for class," Luna said as she took a seat with everyone else at the dining table. "Now that I have Harry showing me why amounts of ingredients matter, as well as the preparation of said ingredients, I am finding it easier to prevent some of my potions from being so bad."
"You are indeed doing much better in my class," Severus said calmly. "With the first year potions I've been having your year re-brewing, yours have been the most improved; especially in potency."
Luna beamed at the normally dour man and took a mouthful of her breakfast … and almost immediately turned a pale green as the taste hit her tongue.
Severus laughed himself to tears as Sirius pouted while Hermione yelled at him after taking a small taste of the same item Luna had and Harry guided Luna into the bathroom so she could spit out the offending mouthful without appearing to be rude.
~~~PoorLunaandpoorSirius,Iseemtolovetormentinghimso~~~
Harry giggled softly as Draco placed a gentle kiss to the back of his hand once again in reassurance. As soon as the two of them had left the wards of the school, Draco had placed a blindfold over his mate's eyes. He had then pulled him into a tight hug and apparated the two of them away.
"We are almost there Kitten," Draco whispered before placing a soft kiss to Harry's temple. "Can you stay right here so I can make sure everything is set up?"
A surge of mischief hit Harry unexpectedly.
"Right here?" he asked.
"Yes, right here," Draco responded.
"Not here?" Harry took a step to the right then jumped backwards, "Or here?"
Draco chuckled and captured his mate, planting a soft kiss on his nose as he placed him back where he was.
"No, not there or anywhere else. Just right there."
"Why right here?"
"Because right here, I can do this," Draco placed a quick kiss onto Harry's neck before sinking his fangs into the same spot. He took a few sips before whispering a healing charm, "Without anyone seeing."
"That's a good reason," Harry mumbled softly, blinking dazedly from the immense feeling of belonging that threatened to take over him.
Draco chuckled and pressed a soft kiss to his mate's temple and vanished to ensure his surprise was, indeed, ready.
Harry wasn't sure how long he had waited for Draco to return, but he still hadn't shaken his mind free of the slight thrall he had fallen into when he did return.
Draco chuckled again at the sight of his mate and placed soft kisses across his cheeks and nose until he gave a full body shudder as he came back to Earth.
"Are you ready Love?" Draco asked softly.
Harry nodded and held out a hand for the blonde to hold while guiding him.
Draco placed an open-mouthed kiss to Harry's palm before wrapping the appendage around his own arm. The walked in silence for a few moments until Harry's ears twitched, picking up a familiar sound. While he was trying to place it, a shrieked, "Harry!" made him jump before a rush of small tanks ran over to him, causing for both him and Draco to land on the ground.
Harry felt Draco untying the blindfold around his eyes as he attempted to calm his racing heart. When the fabric was removed, Harry blinked and was pulled to his feet by a medium-sized, soft brown blob. Draco was suddenly behind him once again, slipping a pair of sunglasses over his sensitive eyes.
Once his eyes stopped streaming, Harry opened them and promptly felt his jaw drop. Before him stood everyone for the Orphanage – including the elderly Arabella Figg.
"Surprise Kitten," Draco whispered, "I hope you enjoy your day with them."
Harry closed his mouth and took a step towards the congregation before turning and pressing a closed mouth kiss to Draco's lips.
"I'm so glad you are mine," he whispered while panting softly, eyes glazed over once again, this time with unshed tears of gratitude.
The younger teen blinked rapidly until he could see properly and then vanished in the direction of the oldest person in the area.
Draco watched after him with a small smile on his lips.
