Chapter 5

Flowers for Alpha

Harry went to the garden after breakfast. He asked Nagini to lead him out of the manor before returning to tell his father where Harry went.

It was a beautiful day. There was a perfect mixture of sunshine and clouds, and the Omega couldn't help but smile as he breathed the fresh air deeply. Even the air tasted different than from Surrey. It was magical, almost regal in a way. The grounds were more expansive than Harry realized as he walked around. There was a stone path towards the flowers thankfully, and Harry stopped when he came near the large garden. It truly was a rainbow of flowers, all organized by color and species. There were lovely roses of various shades just near him, along with tall hyacinths and hibiscus. Colorful tulips seemed to fill his eyes as carnations and hydrangea swayed in a soft breeze with lilies and chrysanthemums roaming all around. It was a beautiful sight and Harry wanted to spend as much as he could there, even if he was woefully improperly dressed, still wearing Dudley's clothing. The only blemishes in the beauty, in the Omega's opinion, were the numerous house-elves who were watering and tending the garden. Harry wanted to do that. He looked down at Nagini and asked, "Would the Malfoys be angry if I send the house-elves away? I want to tend to the garden myself. I never have seen some of these flowers in real life."

"You are Master's son!" Nagini said proudly. "I see no reason why you should be denied…"

Encouraged by her, Harry walked fully into the garden and looked around. "Um, excuse me!" He said loudly. "House-elves?"

The house-elves stopped and looked at Harry. The closest one wearing only a burlap sack with the Malfoy insignia on it said, "How can we be helping the young master?"

"You can all do um other stuff—or better yet take a break," Harry said, his cheeks growing red. "I want to tend to the garden for a bit."

Panic immediately flared in their eyes. "We cannot do that! Mistress Malfoy told us that we have to keep the garden clean!"

"And I'll do that," Harry insisted. "Just go and take a ten minute—maybe an hour break." The house-elves did not move. Instead, they all looked around in a mad panic. Harry recognized this and immediately yelled out, "This is an order for your Mistress' Master's son! Go take a break and no punishing of any kind! If you really hate it go tell Mrs. Malfoy and she'll tell you the same thing!"

The house-elves all cowered in fear before disappearing in loud snaps. Beside him, Nagini laughed as Harry picked up a dropped watering can. Smiling to himself, Harry went to the nearby bed of lilies. He got to his knees and examined the dirt and flowers before letting the watering can slowly sprinkle water. He moved slowly, wanting to make sure that everything got an even layer of water. "Did you know that these flowers have meanings?" He asked Nagini in English, looking down at the snake. "Like how roses are usually used for love or a daisy for innocence. Well, some flowers have different meanings based on their color."

"Then I wonder which flower would represent sending the house-elves away?" an amused voice said behind him. Harry jumped and turned to see the beautifully elegant Narcissa Malfoy standing over him. "Good day, young Harry," she said.

"M-Mrs. Malfoy, I'm sorry it's just that I wanted to tend to the garden and—"

"It is fine Harry," Mrs. Malfoy chuckled. "As we have said last night, you have free reign for as long as you stay. I just ask that you do not give our house-elves heart attacks while doing so."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Harry said a little meekly. "I didn't mean any harm."

"I'm sure you did not," Mrs. Malfoy smiled. She looked around for a second, "From the sounds of it, you must be very knowledgeable with flowers."

"I am," Harry nodded, "I love flowers! Gardening is the only chore I really enjoyed with the Dursleys."

"Yes, well, would you like to see my favorite flower?" Mrs. Malfoy smiled. Harry nodded. The older Omega walked forward, and Harry followed. She led him through the large garden towards the lake where on its edge was a full row of small white flowers with either a yellow or orange center. Harry recognized them immediately. "Narcissus?" he asked, looking at Mrs. Malfoy surprised.

"Yes, my name sake," Mrs. Malfoy chuckled. She took out her wand and knelt down. With a simple cut, she plucked a flower and stood fully, turning to Harry. "I assume you know what this means?" she asked.

Harry nodded. "Not good things," he frowned. "Selfishness and unrequited love."

"Exactly," Mrs. Malfoy said. "Such a beautiful flower but with such an ugly meaning. I cannot help but be drawn to it." She tapped her wand against the flower and let it float from her fingers, landing in the lake. "But I also see a sort of power in it. The flower in it's beauty challenging its beholder. In it's selfishness for beauty, the flower gains a strange sense of independence. At least that is what I like to think. Agree with me or not, for I do not care. What I do care, is what you will do with my son."

"Draco?"

"Yes, last night left an ill taste in all our mouths, Mr. Potter," Mrs. Malfoy said. "So I will ask you directly: Why do you hate my son?"

Harry did not answer immediately. Instead he looked at the flower floating in the lake. "I do not hate him," he said slowly. "At least, I don't think so. We annoy each other, that is for certain. He bullied my friends and me. But, I don't think I ever felt true hatred towards him."

"Then can you listen to a mother's suggestion?" Mrs. Malfoy asked. Harry nodded.

"Find a common ground," she said. "You two will be seeing a lot this week and from now on. It would be better, I think, if you two started over again."

Harry nodded and looked up, "Is it weird that I want that too?" he asked.

"No, it is perfectly normal," Mrs. Malfoy smiled. Harry nodded and blushed, "Can I ask you something, as another Omega?"

"What is it?" Mrs. Malfoy asked.

"I haven't been with anyone since Viktor," Harry said. "That's true. And I haven't… had those feelings or urges since. Even my heat went away to just a dull ache that I could have ignored. But last night, after our little fight, I felt it again." Harry's cheeks were blushing red, he did not dare look at Mrs. Malfoy as he heard himself confessing. "For the first time since Viktor, I made my own slick... Draco made me do that and I don't know what it means."

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and still did not look up. "Being an Omega is both a terrific thing, as well as a terribly dreadful thing at times," Mrs. Malfoy sighed. "I was lucky, I found my husband early. We dated through Hogwarts and were married as soon as we graduated. Others had to search high and low for their Alphas, some even resorting to settling for a Beta. I don't know what it means exactly, but if your relationship heads that way, I don't see any reason to stop it."

Harry tried to envision his life with Draco as his Alpha. They both were rich, and Draco certainly was attractive. But his pigheadedness and air of superiority were absolute turn offs. Along with the fact that they always bicker with each other. "Me and Draco," he said more to himself than to Mrs. Malfoy. "Huh." He looked up at her and said, "I'll think about it. In the meantime, can I go back to the garden?"

"Of course," Mrs. Malfoy nodded, and Harry left her.

Harry's mind kept on Draco as he worked. Thoughts and scenarios of how their lives would be as mated Alpha and Omega. Would they live here, in Malfoy Manor, or find their own home? How soon would it be until Harry was pregnant with their children? How many children does Draco even want? Harry himself wants as many as he can properly take care of or at least five. Or maybe six as an even split, three boys and three girls. It was a longtime fantasy of Harry's. Living peacefully surrounded by his children. He would be reading to them, chasing them, or teaching them how to play Quidditch. Maybe one of their younger ones would be tugging at Draco to get him to do something demeaning like giving a piggyback ride or, god help him, change a diaper! The thought of Draco Malfoy changing a baby's diaper was so ludicrous that Harry laughed out loud.

"Something funny?" a deep voice said, and Harry was casted into shadows. He looked up to see the tall body of Draco himself. Harry jumped and in the sunlight, gotten a proper look at his classmate. For one thing, he was larger than Harry remembered. A full head taller, if not a full six foot. He also apparently started working out. Draco's frame was wider than Harry's, which was a given since Harry was an Omega, but still Draco looked as though his body has developed a fantastic set of muscles from his second gender. Harry knew that being an Alpha started to give the men and women muscles, however it was up to the individual to develop it, and Draco was definitely doing that.

His hair was a darker blond than Harry remembered. It was neatly styled reaching his ears. It was Draco's eyes, however, that caused Harry to become speechless. Pure silver interrupted only by the black iris in his eyes. They stared at Harry not out of hatred, but curiosity.

"Well Harry?" he asked, now sounding amused as Harry blushed and sputtered.

"Nothing," Harry finally said. "Just thought of something funny, that's all."

"Hmm. Where are all the house-elves?" Draco asked. "Mother told me that you were in the gardens."

"I told them to go away," Harry said confidently. "I like tending gardens myself and, I thought your mother wouldn't mind." Draco chuckled.

"You're a strange one, Potter."

"Riddle," Harry said. "I'm still getting used to it myself but, my name."

"Sorry. Riddle."

"But you can keep calling me Harry," Harry said. "I like that. And I think we should, eh, start over again."

"Funny," Draco smirked. "I was about to say the same to you. Besides, it's not right to bully such a beautiful Omega."

"Well this Omega can still beat you in a duel," Harry said. "If I had my wand."

"Right, it's with your muggle relatives," Draco said, showing a clear distain. Harry nodded. "Yeah, but I'm escaping soon. Going to Ron's home."

"Weasley," Draco said stiffly.

"Yes," Harry nodded. "I'm sorry, by the way, to say that you were jealous of Ron."

"Don't be, I am," Draco said.

"You are?"

"Of course I am!" Draco said. "I bullied you away because I was being stupid, and I was angry that you chose Weasley over me! And now he's most likely an Alpha and—"

Harry giggled, interrupting Draco. "You don't need to worry about Ron that way if you are," he smiled. "Ron's an Alpha, most definitely, but he's also my best friend. There is no way I would want to even think about dating him!"

"You don't?" Draco said, not even attempting to hide his relief.

"No, so let's just start over and you get those thoughts out of your head," Harry said. An idea popped in his head as he couldn't find the right words. "In fact, I have a small gift for you, if um I can use your wand for a moment."

"Of course, yes," Draco said. He took his wand out, handing it to Harry. Harry thought that the older Alpha made sure their fingers touched. A shockwave pulsed through him, and Harry blushed as he closed his legs, thinking Don't you fucking dare.

He took Draco's wand looked around for the perfect flowers that will get his message across. First, he went to the roses, looking at the various colors and beautiful shades. "Did you know that flowers have meaning?" he asked Draco.

"No, I just thought they were pretty little things to give omegas," Draco shrugged. "That's why my father gave my mother this garden."

Harry shook his head, sighing, "Such a dunce," he muttered. "Ah!" He found yellow roses and used Draco's wand to cut a couple, adding a lavender rose as well. He added baby's breath before looking for another main flower. Draco watched him with his arms crossed as Harry went away from the roses and towards the tulips. It was harder finding black tulips, but Harry found them in the end, added a couple. He liked the contrast of the colors. The black went well in Harry's opinion against the yellow and lavender roses, as well as the white baby's breath. "One more," he said, going to the daffodils. He picked some, added a little more baby's breath to space the flowers out and turned to Draco. "I don't think I can find the words to describe my feelings accurately," he started, looking at the Alpha. "So, here." He handed Draco the flowers. "I hope that it works—for a price. I want you to apologize to me since I apologized to you."

"Of course Harry," Draco said, smiling as he received the gift. "Thank you, seriously. And I am sorry, so, so sorry for everything. Last night was atrocious of me, and I really want to make it up."

Harry smiled, "You're welcome," he said. "So, would you like to go for a walk? I think I'm done tending the flowers." Draco chuckled and nodded.

Harry gave Draco back his wand and again felt the strange shock through his body. The two walked out of the garden and decided to go around the lake.

.

Back in the manor, Lord Voldemort watched from a window as his son and the Malfoy heir strolled around. "Of course," he muttered. "I find my son only for him to find another." He shook his head and turned to face the men in the room. "Either way, we have business to attend to." Voldemort had his glamour on, looking as the monstrous dark lord that the world knew him as. His inner circle was in the room, watching their Lord carefully as the Dark Lord walked from the window. He looked around carefully, his eyes meeting each of the men as the combed through their thoughts. He stopped at Severus Snape, feeling his Occlumency barrier. He raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing. "Gentlemen, I have wonderful news today," he announced. "Something I thought long since gone has been found once more. This week is a week of celebration, for I have found my son."

He expected the reaction as his Death Eaters all shifted, fearful to mutter or even question him. "No applause? No congratulations? Is there no happiness in my followers that their Lord's family is reunited?"

The Death Eaters all jumped alive, and Yaxley spoke up. "Congratulations, my Lord. I am sure that we all are as excited for you in this happy time."

"Thank you," Voldemort said. "However our happiness is short lived as long as Dumbledore lives, and the Ministry is out of our control. With each day that passes that Dumbledore lives, and the Ministry is out of my grasps, my disappointment grows." He paused for a moment and looked around at them. "Severus, what news do you have on our old friend?"

Snape stood up. "Headmaster Dumbledore has had an accident recently. His wand arm is left in a fragile but stable state," he said carefully. "Other than that, he has plans to ask Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts."

"Slughorn?" Voldemort muttered. "Goyle, have we found him yet?"

"No, my lord," Goyle said. Voldemort silently casted the Cruciatus Curse on him. "Severus, continue," he commanded as Goyle screamed in pain.

"So far, it seems that Dumbledore has failed in finding Slughorn. He currently is planning on finding him along with dealing with the Potter boy," Severus said. "That is all."

"Is it?" Voldemort asked. He poked at Snape's mind once more, again finding a magical barrier that he could easily break but wouldn't. Not in front of everyone, at least. No, that joy is for him alone.

"Yes, my lord," Snape said, bowing stiffly before sitting.

"Malfoy, Travers, what do we know about our new Minister of Magic?" Voldemort asked.

Mr. Malfoy stood to answer. "Rufus Scrimgeour has more of a spine than Cornelius," he began. "He used to be the head of the Auror Department, making a name of himself as a harden veteran fighting and capturing numerous Dark Wizards. Most likely he will have a strong effort, going as far as arresting several civilians to make the Ministry look competent."

"That would work in our favor," Voldemort nodded. "What is his second gender?"

"Alpha, and very stubborn," Travers answered.

"Lucius, I want my influence to remain. Continue using your sources and look for more… suggestable officials to add into our ranks," Voldemort demanded. "We shall see how Scrimgeour plays for now."

"My lord, it might be that he might use Harry Potter," Travers said, "because of the prophecy."

"Yes, he very might well," Voldemort mused, hiding a small chuckle. "However any attempts will undoubtably fail. The boy has a hatred against our government after all."

"Don't see why though, Potter's supposedly a loose whore," Bellatrix Lestrange laughed. "I bet nobody would want to touch that little rut."

Voldemort did his best to hold in his anger. They all did not know that Harry was his son, however they will soon, and proper punishments will be held. Instead he just stared at Bellatrix for a long moment and could not help but smell her. The woman's obsession for him was obvious. She was one of three Omegas in his inner circle, and while the other two wore masking scents to hide their smell, Lestrange only puts on perfumes to amplify or compliment her pheromones. It was a rather disgusting display in the Dark Lord's opinion.

"What the newspapers and tabloids say about Potter is trivial," Voldemort said. "As long as the boy is by Dumbledore, he is powerful. However, we can deal with that problem on a later date. Lestranges, Malfoy, Yaxley. Stay."

The named Death Eaters stayed sitting as the others all left one by one, apparating away. Voldemort waited for a few more seconds before looking at the remaining Death Eaters. "Bellatrix, stand," he said. She did so quickly, smiling at Voldemort as she stepped in front of him. "Bow," he commanded. Bellatrix got to her knees with a flourish.

"My Lord," she said lovingly.

Voldemort sneered as the Cruciatus Curse hit Bellatrix. Her husband gasped as she fell to the ground screaming, her body contorting in pain, legs and arms bending in unnatural poses as the torture spell continued. Voldemort pushed every ounce of venomous hatred and ire he had inside him into the spell. The man growled and could feel his more animalistic side coming out as he continued to torture the woman who dared insult his son, only stopping when her screams died down. "Do not help her," he sneered at the two Lestrange men. "She needed to learn her lesson."

"What—what lesson was that, my lord?" Rabastan Lestrange asked fearfully. Voldemort stared at the man, his nose sniffing under his glamour. Beta, the Alpha sneered at the absence of any smell.

"The consequences of insulting my son," Voldemort said. "Yes, my son. Harry Potter, our greatest thorn in my side, is none other than my son whom I have lost sixteen years ago. He is outside right now in fact, having a stroll around the property." He stood up; his wand still pointed at Bellatrix Lestrange. "I will not allow any thoughts, actions, or words against him or his character. For any disrespect towards Harry Potter, is blatant and obvious disrespect towards your Lord." He knelt down and grabbed Bellatrix by her hair, pulling her face to meet his. "Do I make myself clear?" he asked, digging his wand into Bellatrix's throat.

"Yes, my lord," Bellatrix gasped.

"Good. You three are dismissed," Voldemort said, dropping Bellatrix's hair. He looked at Lucius and Yaxley. He waited until the Lestranges left before addressing Yaxley. "I need men to stake out a muggle home. My son was forced to live there for sixteen years by Dumbledore. He mentions always feeling weak while living there. Knowing the old man, he most likely added a charm to any and all barriers he placed on the house. The address is Number 4 Privet Drive in Surrey. I want results tomorrow by the latest or else."

"Yes, my lord," Yaxley said. He stood up and bowed before leaving.

Alone with Lucius, Voldemort finally dispelled his glamour. "I want to show you something," he said, showing some amusement. He walked to the window and scanned the grounds for a few seconds before finding his son once more. He was still by the lake, this time laying down by its edge with Draco laying next to him as they stare at the sky. Mr. Malfoy appeared next to him and looked down.

"It seems our sons are getting along," he noted.

"Indeed, a bit too close for friends, from my view," Voldemort said, "their hands are touching."

Mr. Malfoy frowned as he leaned closer to get a better look. Harry and Draco where holding hands as they laid on the grass. "Indeed they are," Mr. Malfoy said. He glanced at his lord. "Should I discourage this?"

"No, we shall see how this develops," the Dark Lord said. "If it builds to something, then we will make sure everything is orderly." He watched them for a moment more before turning to Lucius, "I will be killing the muggles Harry was forced to be with after he leaves with Dumbledore on the 12th. I require you to make it look like a random attack on muggles in general. Make it so that if Dumbledore questions it, it will look like he saved his precious Potter, and I've obtained the location from Severus. In fact… I will have Severus come here again tomorrow. I feel like celebrating with him."

"Of course, my lord," Mr. Malfoy bowed, "as for the rest of today?"

"It is barely the afternoon," Voldemort hummed, "and my son is in desperate need of clothing. I think I will go out with him, and your son too if required."

"Understood, my lord," Mr. Malfoy nodded. Voldemort waited until the man left before turning away from the window. He returned to his own room, which was sparsely decorated with only the essentials, and changed to go out.

It amused Voldemort immensely at how easy it was for him to slip into the populous unknown. They all knew him as a hideous monster. That was what he looked like during the First War, and what he looked like as he invaded the Ministry for that fake prophecy. So it was easy for the handsome Alpha to walk around unnoticed.

He chose a dark suit with black pants and emerald shirt, over which he wore a black waistcoat. Liking his appearance, he decided to add a pocket watch into his waistcoat pocket and left his room. The Dark Lord found his son still lazing with the Malfoy heir by the lake. He stood in front of them, his shadow blocking the sun. "Good afternoon," he said a little harshly.

"My Lord!" Draco jumped up, immediately letting go of Harry's hand. "I can explain!"

"Harry, we are off to buy you some proper clothes," Voldemort said, looking at his son. "I have sent a member of my inner circle to see why it is that you feel weak at the Dursleys. While we wait, I have figured to finally get you clothing that actually fit you so that we can burn those muggle's clothes."

"Oh, okay," Harry said, getting to his feet. He looked at Draco. "Um, we'll talk when we get back?"

"No, he is coming with us," Tom said in a businesslike manner, leaving no room for arguments. "Hold tightly onto me Harry," he instructed. "Malfoy." Harry grabbed his father's hand, squeezing as tight as he could while Draco was more hesitant to touch the Dark Lord. He held onto the Dark Lord shoulder and, with a half-step, the three disappeared from the grounds.

A/N: Yeah I got nothing witty to say, thank you for reading and please review. I'm still considering who, if any, I'll romance Voldemort with.

DZ2: A lot of people are indeed suggesting Severus, which I'm mostly ehh against. Never liked the dude. As for Adrian, that would be interesting. I can see how Voldemort would have to use his Horcruxes in a way if it were possible to bring back Harry's birth-dad.

The Wolf's Knight: To answer your questions in any particular order, I am opposed to crossovers, and the only OC I will have for this story will be Adrian. Ships that I am opposed to is Voldemort/Severus and Voldemort/Bellatrix. Anyone else is open book (and I do mean anyone hell even the Weasley Twins or maybe even, say, Remus). And I am so sorry that I am so opposed to your favorite character lmao.

Philosophie88: You are right, Adrian is on the dead side. In fact next time we are going to learn a little more about him as Harry and Daddymort bond. Severus Snape is the usual pairing I can find (I actually did look through AO3 for ships) and while I guess I can do it, my heart won't be in it. Snape is just too obsessed with Lily Potter in my opinion. Falling for someone on the Light Side might be fun and bringing that poor Omega over to his would be fun to explore.

TrinityWhitemoon: Ooooh David Tennant! Interesting. Thanks, I'll consider them all!

WereBunny87: Thank you very much I am so happy that you're enjoying this!

Porschia Johnson: Maybe next time.

Rori Potter: Is 4 days soon enough? Because I'm doing my best to get farther ahead to justify updating twice a week lol.

MoonRose13: Thanks for loving, and thank you for your suggestion!