Draco POV

AN- might split next chapter between both their POV's to get each side better (or something like that.) Thanks to everyone who's commented and saved this, it makes me so happy! Maybe 2 more chapters to go (if I'm planning it right lol)

He buried himself in his dorm, under his blanket, with little interaction except for classes then dorm and the people he saw was limited outside of classes with Neville and Granger showed up to say hi. He stayed there for 2 weeks. Draco's mind had continued its spiral.

He kissed Harry! Why did he kiss Harry?! He just went along with the flow. That's it.

But he knew that was a lie. His body didn't reject Harry. He sought out Harry. He...didn't feel regret or guilt for kissing him. His body accepted him.

His mind did.

Draco took a deep breath, steeling his mind.

He knew what he had to do.

Pup wasn't there. Hadn't been there since that week. A week.

He felt delusional! He-he'd been saving himself, his ability to love and everything for someone he knew at 7 years old and knew for a week.

He knew part of it was the fucking Claim. His body for some reason reacted unnaturally strong to one. He'd have to see if there were records on it. Or ask Professor Lupin. He was Claimed.

Draco sighed.

Harry had been there for years. Years of putting up with Draco at his worst and his most weak.

The Hogsmead trip would be soon. Maybe he could see if Harry wanted to go to some shops with him. He'd have to tell him. He'd have to tell Harry everything, about the thing with Pup and see if Harry wanted to still...Draco's heart raced in panic.

Maybe there was a chance Harry wouldn't hate him.

He already decided he didn't want anything to do with his family. He wasn't sure what he could do after school. He couldn't get far with his parents status in the way.

He snorted. Look at him. Already trying to get out.

But how could he? He'd have nowhere. Literally no where to go.

He laid there, thinking.

Draco felt his Claim itch. He bit his lip. Maybe if he crossed Pup out, he'd get over him.

He didn't need Pup now that he had others who cared. They weren't many, but for someone as lonely as Draco, they were more than enough.

As long as he did what he could to not lose them, he'd be all set!

He was pushed from his thoughts as a door opened.

Poking his head out of the large fluffy blanket, he sat up fast with his eyes wide.

"Professor! What are you doing here in the Slytherin dorms?"

Professor Lupin just fixed him a grin. "Neville let me in and threatened Blaise who threatened the others. Didn't realize how great it was having a person on the inside." He chuckled.

Draco gave him a look. "Why're you here?"

Lupin hummed. "Checking on you. I heard you kissed Harry."

He grinned at Draco's full face blush.

"H-how?" Draco squeaked. The answer had caught him off guard.

"Harry himself. So...care to tell me, what's going through your head? Your friends are worried, you've been quiet and stand off." Lupin sat on the edge of Draco's bed, the other not minding.

Draco sighed. "I guess a lot. I have to tell Harry about my old Claim, the one I've been protecting. This is so dumb! I don't want him to hate me and I'm not sure why."

To his surprise, Lupin let out a snort and a small chuckle. "That could never happen. Now, I'm a bit nosy, so what made you kiss him?"

Draco could see, Lupin was getting far too much amusement from this. But, he knew he had some questions for Lupin, so he can't very well take without giving. "Well...he defended me, then when I tried explaining why what he did was dumb-you know, typical Gryffindor things-he kissed my palm, then for some reason, pulled me close." Draco's gut was already clenching at the memory. "Then he nosed under my jaw. I don't even know why I let someone who isn't-isn't the one who did, to get so close. That's what I needed to ask you, actually. I'm very..:confused. Are some more...effected, I suppose, by Claims than others? I heard it's just a replacement for rings, or at least it was the opposite of that, but it effects me to my core. I get physically ill when just the option of another going over it comes up. But, Harry was right there and I accepted him. Kind of."

Draco fidgeted then, nervous. He was worried he'd be judged.

Lupin sighed, then hummed, but he continued to smile. "I think it might be a mix of things. But maybe you've found someone else, or what you thought you needed from your mate has changed with time. It could just be basic instincts. More importantly, though, Draco...what do you want it to be?"

Draco deadpanned. That was one long way around a "you must've changed" simple sentence. "So...what should I do?"

Lupin stood, making sure he had everything. "You were going to chat with him right?"

Draco nodded. "At the Hogsmead trip. I was gonna say then. I guess I just want it on neutral ground. Not in the school or the grounds."

Lupin smiled fondly. "Just remember why you're throwing away your self preservation. It'll be fine. I think he's more understanding than you give him credit for. Well, before your house Professors see me, I'll be off. Just remember, Draco." He stopped before opening the door. "Do what will make you happy."

Turns out he had to do his own research into Claims and how some could be effected.

There wasn't much on anything close to what Draco went through. Most of the time, Claims were just a soft way into your partners soul and rings replaced the meaning. So it was just an old school way of marriage that died out years before even their parents were born.

Though through one book, not one on Claims, but a history book, he learned Bear-types were highly regarded in ancient times so their magic became stronger. So much so there was possibility of them doing it wand free and those who were Claimed went through changes, the length of time depending on the magic strength and soul compatibility. Though that last one was speculation, there not being any evidence to support it.

There was a possibility, Pup was one, but no. Right?

It scared him how fuzzy his memory of what Pup looked like, was becoming. He sighed. He had things to weigh out.

The week after Lupin's visit had Draco going through a few days of fever and pain. He didn't know why, this time was a bit different. This time, the pain was worse and he saw the thin streams of magic that his father must've been talking about, that was leftover from Pup. The magic flickered. It was weak, but that was fine because Pup wasn't there to renew his bite.

It was the night before the trip and Draco was nervous. Not because of the talk. He came to terms his over thinking was just added stress he bundled together. He'd deal with Harry, then he'd deal with what to do about his family, whether that meant staying until he could leave, or risking whatever outside.

He was good with Law. For one he was a Slytherin and another, he'd argued with some of the best here and back at home. He'd have to wedge his way in somewhere. Even the bottom, if he chose to leave.

Or he could find something else. Again! For after he dealt with Harry.

He was standing in front of a mirror. He skipped dinner so he could be alone. He was in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

He had been thinking long and hard about his decision.

He gulped, his chest beating wildly and his breathing shallow. He was really going to do it.

If he wanted to be new, he had to rid himself of the past. He hoped he was making the right decision.

No more Claims.

His breath shuddered. He took another deep breath.

He hoped he was about to make the right choice. He wanted his decision to be with someone, not based on a bite.

Yes, it was a romantic thought, but after going through a great portion of it alone and feeling ill from anyone to come near it, he was resenting Claims.

Draco took one last big breath, placing his hand on the back of his neck, claws sinking deep into the flesh.

It was then or he'd chicken out.

He hoped he could cut deep enough, he still wasn't sure how deep Pup originally bit.

'Good bye, Pup. I tried, but I can't wait for you anymore.'

Draco ran his claws along his neck, through his Claim.

He gasped. His body trembled and he began to cry.

He just severed his tie to his first friend.

He passed out there on the icy cold tiles, hand covered in blood and his claws not having went deep enough, some of his Claim embedded in his spine, surrounded by magic protecting him and it from damage done by the force of which the Claim was had, tears dripping down his cheeks.