Chapter 10

Approval

Harry was relieved to see a letter from his father. A hawk owl sent it to him in the middle of the night, knocking on his window with its beak until he woke up. The owl did not wait for a replay, dropping the letter in Harry's hand and flying away.

Sleepy and curious, Harry opened the letter with a yawn and read what his father wrote him.

Harrison,

I've followed your advice. Do not smirk smugly as you read this. After dealing with your aunt and uncle, I stayed to watch Dumbledore's dismay. He arrived with a rather beautiful Omega; you might know him. He and the Omega watched the fire burned and as I watched the fire in my puppy's eyes I felt a connection I have not felt since your father, Adrian. I found him in a bar, and we talked. We cheered and toasted both you and Harry Potter, and by the end of the night, he was mine. He's sleeping right now in my bed. Looking at him, he hasn't slept or ate properly for a long time. He slept the whole day away yesterday, which is why I am writing to you now instead of last night.

It is a marvel, really, at how poorly he seems to treat himself. His face is too gaunt, and it looks like he barely eats and sleeps. It is to be expected to an extent, he has lost his Alpha only a month ago, but this is too extreme. Years' worth of self-neglect. If I remember correctly, he is a werewolf, turned by Fenrir Greyback. He seemed to be fighting his urges monthly, which will normally cause stress, but this stress he has, it is much more than that. I fear that Dumbledore is causing my puppy massive unneeded stress. Because of that, I am going to ask you as a father to do something. Write to him, do not mention our relationship, or that he is seeing me, however, write to him, and see if your words can take away his stress bit by bit. I've told him to write you a letter, I hope that you receive it soon.

With that out of the way, I wish to congratulate you on your test results. If you are stuck on your career or having second doubts, then you can go to your Head of House and talk about it. If you truly wish to leave the Weasleys, I will come and get you. There is no barrier or shield strong enough to keep me from you. Speak to the snakes, they are always listening.

Lastly, are you sure about this ring that Dumbledore is wearing? The stone of the ring is black with a gold band. The stone has a strange carving. Think carefully Harry, for if it is true, then things are progressing much quicker than I assumed. Keep your wits about you Harry, and tread carefully.

Your Father

Harry read the letter over and over before grinning. From the sounds of it, his father decided to romance Lupin, even if he doesn't admit it aloud. Harry was glad. He was extremely worried about his old Defense teacher after Sirius's Death. It tore Harry apart, he couldn't comprehend what it did for Lupin, who lost his Alpha. He took his father's advice to heart; however, Harry's mind was mostly on Lupin and his wellbeing. He missed the man and hoped that he will write to Harry. For a moment, Harry thought that he should write first but decided against it. He did not want to scare the man. After all, his father told him that he didn't want Lupin to think that they are connected for now. So, with nothing else to do, Harry hid the letter in his trunk and fell asleep.

When he woke up a few hours later, it was to yelling. The voices were right outside his door, and Harry groaned as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He could recognize Ron's voice instantly, but it took a moment to hear who he was yelling to.

It was Hermione.

His door slammed open and both Alphas walked in. Harry couldn't tell what they were bickering about however he didn't exactly allow them to continue. He jumped out of bed and yelled, "Will you two stop it! Why are you guys yelling?"

The two stopped and blinked at him, surprised. "Harry, you yelled at us," Hermione said.

"Yeah, I know. Now tell me what exactly is going on!" Harry demanded.

Hermione still looked at him, shocked, before shaking it off. "It's nothing, really."

"Hermione thinks Malfoy is courting you because of You-Know-Who," Ron said.

"Ronald!"

"What? It's true that's what you think," Ron said.

"Yes, well—you can't just deny it, it's a possibility," Hermione said, her cheeks going pink. "How do we know that this isn't all a cruel ploy or trick to get Harry to lower his defenses?"

"It's not!" Harry said immediately, clutching his necklace. "Hermione I'm sorry but you have no idea what you are talking about."

This is Malfoy Harry, we all know what we are talking about," Hermione argued. "We don't know what he is planning! This could be just a long term prank of his to humiliate Harry even more!"

"You're wrong this isn't that," Ron said. "Look Hermione you're just being needlessly paranoid—"

"By looking out for my friend?" Hermione said. "He's an Omega Ron! You don't know because your family has been Beta for seven generations—"

"Don't bring my family into this! And your parents are muggles that have nothing to do with us!" Ron yelled.

"The point is Harry is an Omega, not to say he's not strong but he has a vulnerability—"

"Oh yeah we all saw that vulnerability when he fought against a dragon," Ron sneered.

"Ron you know that isn't what I meant," Hermione said. "Look, they're still dragging Harry's name through the mud still and—"

"Will both of you just shut up?" Harry groaned, annoyed. "I don't need either of you looking after me! Draco and I are in a courtship, big deal. There is nothing sinister or backstabbing going on here."

"But Harry you can't be sure," Hermione said, "Voldemort could have made Malfoy do this to get you to him."

"That's impossible Hermione, You—"

"RON!" Harry yelled. Both stopped and looked at Harry. His face was red with a fit of rushed anger. "Both of you get out now!" He demanded. "I'm getting dressed. Hermione—never second guess Draco, understand? I can handle myself."

Hermione looked as though she wanted to say something but refrained. Instead, she walked out. Ron hesitated, looking at Harry. "Are you going to tell her?" he asked.

"Out," Harry said. "I need to be alone—to think." Ron too looked as though he wanted to say something but remained silent. Looking like a hurt puppy, the Weasley left the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Harry sagged into his bed. He looked at the letter under his bed. They're my friends, they're my friends, he had to remind himself. We're all just going through a rough patch because of our second gender. Along with my dad's war. "I can't think about it," Harry said, shaking his head. He dressed as quickly as he could and made his way downstairs.

Hermione and Ginny refused to talk to him during breakfast, Ron just looked at everyone sheepishly. For the first time in his life, Harry wished that he were anywhere but the Burrow. His only relief was that as his father predicted, Lupin wrote him a quick letter apologizing for his silent behavior and hoping that Harry would not mind getting letters from him. Harry immediately replied positively and sent a separate thank-you letter to his father.

Harry did not know how he survived July. He did his best to pretend everything was normal. He played Quidditch with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, dueled Ron using only the most outlandish and silly spells they knew, and ate doubles of everything Mrs. Weasley cooked. His birthday passed without any fanfare. Draco sent him a present openly, which the Weasleys watched with some disdain as he opened it. It was a pair of pink robes that fitted him perfectly with a letter attached saying "You win. I saw this and regrettably, my first thoughts were of you. Please never wear them." For obvious reasons, Harry wore it for the rest of the day, and the day after.

His father's gift came later that night when everyone was asleep. It was a rough manuscript of the book he was working on. Attached was a note, "This is a copy, obviously I have the original and still working on it. It would behoove you to start studying the magic here just in case you need it. Remus is doing well; he just came back from your little party."

Harry looked at the manuscript. It was untitled and filled with his father's handwriting along with illustrations. Suddenly fully awake, Harry sat on his bed and leafed through the manuscript, taking an instant and deep interest into what his father was working on.

A few days later, Mrs. Weasley decided that they couldn't hold shopping for their school supplies off any longer. They could not get Ministry cars to drive them to Diagon Alley, so they were forced to travel by Floo. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went first followed by Hermione and Ginny followed by Ron and Harry.

The Leaky Cauldron was, for the first time Harry could remember, empty. They walked through the oddly empty pub into the back courtyard that led to Diagon Alley, which has changed. The colorful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these somber purple posters carried blown-up versions of security advice the Ministry of Magic has sent out on pamphlets over the summer that Harry never really read, but others bore moving black-and-white photographs of Death Eaters known to be on the loose. Windows were boarded up and a number of shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street. The nearest one, which had been erected outside Flourish and Blotts, under a striped, stained awning had a cardboard sign pinned to its front: Amulets: Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi.

Harry wondered what an Inferi was as they moved away. Shoppers stayed together in small groups, however as they walked by, Harry could feel their glares and dirty looks. None dared to approach Harry, however, their dirty looks shooting to the crowd he was with. Harry looked back at the shoppers when they passed and saw that they spat in his direction. Mrs. Weasley hated the idea of them separating, however Harry, Hermione, and Ron needed new school robes. She relented and allowed the three to walk by themselves to Madam Malkin's for new robes while she, Ginny, and Mr. Weasley went to Flourish and Blotts to get their school books.

Alone with the two Alphas, Harry glanced around as the dirty looks got more intense. "Whore," a woman muttered as they passed.

"What was that?" Ron sneered, stopping to turn at the woman.

"He's a lying whore," the woman said back. "He shouldn't be here—go away before I call the Aurors on you!"

"You little bitch I swear I'll—"

"Ron, stop it," Hermione said, "You're making a scene!"

"Aren't you angry?" Ron demanded. "She called Harry a whore!"

"Of course I'm angry but that doesn't mean we should just yell at everyone," Hermione said hotly.

Ron grumbled and gave the woman a death glare before walking on. Harry found he walked slower, and his hand kept going to his necklace, lifting it up so he could sense his Alpha. It was still strong with Draco's scent and it calmed him.

They made it to Madam Malkin's and walked in. "Hello," she greeted them cheerfully, "Here for new robes, dears?"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said. Madam Malkin's eyes fell on Harry. He could feel an intense hatred and stepped back. She smiled at the two Alphas, "Why don't you two dears go and wait in the back for my fittings? I only have two, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Ron shrugged.

"As for you," she said, looking at Harry. "I don't serve lying sluts Omegas here, get out!"

The three just stood there for a moment, shocked. Madam Malkin stood her ground, "You heard me, boy, I don't want your kind here, get out!"

"Seriously?" Hermione balked. "You can't do that."

"I can and I will, now leave," the shop owner said, glaring at Harry. Ron stepped forward, his wand out but Harry stopped him. "It's fine," he said, "we can get better robes elsewhere. Let's just go, it's not worth it."

"But Harry—"

"I said let's go," Harry said, having the final word. He stepped out of the shop, angry and irritated as Ron and Hermione followed. As they walked, Harry was relieved to hear a familiar voice.

"What's the matter, Potter? People not hero-worshipping you?"

"You have no idea how good it feels to hear your annoying voice," Harry sighed, spotting Draco. The Alpha just raised an eyebrow as he smirked.

"Annoying? Is that how you say lovely and sexy, my pet?" he chuckled. Harry rushed towards him, ignoring Hermione's protest as he reached and hugged Draco. Hermione hissed at Harry to be careful while Ron just stepped up to them. Draco saw him approach and growled in the back of his throat. Harry felt a submissive shiver and collapsed into him, nuzzling Harry's chest.

"Disgusting," a random wizard commented. Harry could smell that he was an Alpha. "You boys deserve better than that disgusting used whore."

"Shut up about my best friend!" Ron yelled.

"Don't you dare talk about my Omega like that," Draco roared. The Alpha man, surprised, jumped back before composing himself, sneering and spitting on the ground. "Have fun with it," he said and left.

"I ought to punch you for that!" Ron yelled back.

"Ron! Stop," Hermione said.

"You did nothing—you saw how they're treating Harry and you did nothing!" Ron yelled back.

"Because there's nothing we can do—look, just forget about it, okay, he didn't touch or hurt Harry, unlike Malfoy," Hermione said, giving Draco a heated look. The Alpha just held onto Harry tighter.

Harry turned in Draco's arms before patting his hands, silently telling him to release him. Draco refused. Harry looked up at Draco, annoyed, and forced him to let go before grabbing his hand to hold. "Hermione, please don't start," he said.

"Harry he can be dangerous," Hermione still argued. "We don't know what he is planning."

"He is planning nothing, look—" he grabbed Draco's right arm and pushed the sleeve up, revealing bare skin. "Both of you need to stop being so paranoid about me and Draco," he said. "I can handle myself—yeah what those idiots said to me hurt but you don't see me rushing to hit them do you? And I'm not exactly doing nothing either, Hermione." He glared at the two of them. "Madam Malkin won't give us robes because of me, however, if you want I'll take you to Twilfitt and get you robes there."

"Harry—that's too expensive," Hermione said.

"It'll be fine, I don't care," Harry shrugged. "Besides, I want to get Draco a matching set of pink robes," he grinned.

"No!" Draco said immediately, "I can suffer seeing you in pink, but I swear if you try to put me in pink—"

"Then pinkish," Harry said, rolling his eyes. He pulled Draco away, leaving Ron and Hermione to themselves.

The two Alphas watched him go, Hermione, frowning. "It's like he's a different person," she muttered. "How can he be so oblivious to the obvious risks Malfoy has?"

"Look I don't like that Harry's dating him either but I'm open for giving him a chance," Ron shrugged. "After everything Harry told me, I can understand why he is doing what he's doing."

Hermione looked at Ron, "What exactly did he tell you?" she asked.

Ron stopped, realizing what he just said. "Uhh oh you know, stuff—stuff that I think would be better if he told you himself." Hermione didn't look satisfied and shook her head. Harry almost forgot about Ron and Hermione as they went to the clothing store, spending as much time as he could with Draco.

In the end, he did not get Draco a pink robe, but he did find a dark purple robe that Draco thought was "acceptable." Draco stayed with them for the rest of the trip, the Weasleys oddly silent about his presence although Ginny did glare at him.

Their last stop was Fred and George's shop. Compared to the gloomy environment of the rest of Diagon Alley, the joke shop was outlandish with bright colors and a large sign that blinked and read out "Why worry about You-Know-Who when you should be worried about You-No-Poo?"

"They'll be murdered in their sleep," Mrs. Weasley said, staring at the sign. Harry and Draco however, snickered and shared a knowing look. They walked in and Harry was shocked at how crowded it was! He couldn't get to the shelves which had boxes that piled high to the ceiling. The twins quickly found them and gave them a tour of the shop, not noticing or not caring that Draco was there, Harry could not say. The shop was too crowded to have a decent conversation, however by the end the twins shown him their real moneymaker, clothing that was enchanted with protective spells they learned from Harry.

Draco walked them back to the Leaky Cauldron, his hand possessively wrapped around Harry's waist. He glared at anyone who dared look at Harry funny. "Your father is growing mental," he whispered in Harry's ear, "I cannot wait for the day his own home is done so he can move there."

"What? Can't stand being with your In-law?" Harry whispered back.

"I rather not say," Draco whispered.

"Oi! Can you two stop it," Ginny snapped. Draco just chuckled.

"Why? Are you jealous, Weasley?" he said.

Ginny reached for her pocket, but Ron grabbed her hand, "Come on, Mum says we're going first," he said, and they entered the fireplace, disappearing in green flames. Hermione went next, giving Harry a disproving looking.

"Harry, you're next," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Okay," Harry nodded. He turned to Draco and smiled, "See you on the train?"

"Of course, be a good boy now," Draco chuckled. They kissed, Draco pulling Harry closer. "I'm happy you're still wearing my necklace, Omega," he breathed.

"Of course I am, I'm yours," Harry smiled, and he slipped away, going to the fireplace.

Nobody waited for him as he stepped out, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley only a second behind him. She had him sort out the schoolbooks as she immediately began cooking dinner. When he was done, Harry took his, Ron's, and Hermione's schoolbooks and looked for his friends. He found them outside and still felt that awkward tension between them. Ron sniffed and gave Harry a cheeky smile, "You reek of Malfoy even more now, mate," he said.

"That tends to happen when we kiss," Harry shrugged. "here are your books—and yours, Hermione."

"Thanks."

The three decided to put their books away immediately along with whatever odd tension between them to the side. They sat in Harry's room and talked the time away until it was time for dinner. Ginny sat as far away from Harry as she could, glancing at him oddly as he ate. Harry thought it was very odd and took a bite of his food. It was as good as ever. He had several helpings until his stomach had a frightening noise and a cold sweat suddenly broke out. He stood up quickly. "Sorry, excuse me," he muttered and ran to the bathroom. He barely made it before doubling over the toilet, coughing violently. A mixture of sick and blood vomited from his mouth and Harry felt lightheaded. Mrs. Weasley quickly found him.

"Oh no dear—are you alright?" she asked.

Harry replied by coughing again, fitting the toilet once more with sick. "Oh no—Arthur get a blanket—and make dry toast for Harry!" she yelled. She rubbed Harry's back soothingly as he continued to cough and vomit. "I'm sorry," he muttered in between, causing Mrs. Weasley to hush him gently.

He felt his stomach finally stopped and Mrs. Weasley helped him up so he could wash his mouth. A blanket was thrown over him, and he barely was able to finish the piece of dry toast he was given. Everyone thought that it would be best if he went to bed early.

The next day, Harry felt completely fine. He had no sickness or cold sweats, or any aches. He moved normally, ate normally, and was able to keep his breakfast and lunch down. However, when it was dinner time again he felt the same coldness and his stomach protested violently. He didn't want to cause a scene. He didn't want to vomit twice in two days, so he forced it all down, swallowing every cough as they came up. He ate less and only waited until they were all dismissed to go to the bathroom and vomit out the sick and blood. Ron found him and soothed his friend through it.

Hogwarts was only a few days away, and they passed the same. Ron kept finding him and rubbed his back, helping him through this strange illness. It wasn't until the day before they leave that Ron stopped Harry. "Don't eat that," he snapped.

"Ron, really," Mrs. Weasley said, "What are you doing? That is Harry's dinner."

Ron ignored her and lifted the plate, sniffing at it for a moment before frowning. He took a bite, earning a "RON!" from his mother. He quickly switched plates with Harry and continued eating. Harry watched, confused, but ate the food in front of him. Mrs. Weasley gave a frustrated groan but sat down.

Surprisingly, Harry didn't feel sick as he ate. There was no cold sweats or violent rumblings inside him, just the delicious cooking of Mrs. Weasley. When he finished his plate, Mrs. Weasley immediately stood up, "Would you like some more, Harry?"

"No thank you," Harry said, deciding not to push himself. "I'm full."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You looked as though you can have a little more."

"He said no mum," Ron said rudely.

"Ron that is no way of talking to your mother," Mr. Weasley said.

Ron scoffed and said nothing. He looked at Harry than his mother before saying, "I'm done too. Harry, can you come here for a moment?"

Mrs. Weasley watched them leave, giving them both a look as though they were overreacting. Ron groaned as they went into Harry's room and Harry couldn't help but blush as the Alpha's scent started to override everything around him. It was stronger than ever before, and he could see a tent forming in his pants. "Ron?"

"One second," Ron said, groaning. "I knew that stuff smelled funny and familiar, Fred and George used to slip it in their food too." He moved to the window and immediately opened it, gulping in the fresh air from outside. His scent filtered out and both boys groaned and blushed as the semi-heat faded away. Ron turned to Harry, "Are you feeling alright?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah," Harry said, still confused. "Ron, what was just that?"

Ron frowned. "Didn't want to believe it but I think mum's spiking your food. Fred and George used to do it, to get them stronger, you know, but to think mum would do it to you!"

"Spiking my food—what? What are you talking about?" Harry demanded.

Ron growled angrily and grabbed his head, trying to find some way to let out his anger and frustration. He went with punching Harry's bed before falling on it. He looked at Harry and spoke with a seriousness that Harry never saw before. "She's putting this thing called 'Alpha Protein' into your food. It's this potion that only Alphas can use normally. As you saw, it made my scent overpowering and made me feel incredibly horny. If a Beta has it, they feel stronger for a bit, yeah, but the crash is hard on them. However if an Omega constantly eats it, bad things happen. First, you get really sick like you have. The potion has been damaging your womb, Harry. If you kept drinking it you'll have Alpha-like qualities as long as you drink it but, you won't be able to have kids, and even worse, you might die."

A/N: Time to self-promote shamelessly. Did you know I'm writing a Harry/Draco that *isn't* rated M? I know, scandalous! It is called The Slytherin Prince and please give it a try if you have the time.

Love Faith Embers: Happy you enjoy, and Remus won't learn about Harry and Tom for a few months, not until Christmas.

Wolfgal2001: I update every Thursday.

Perry: I mean my name comes from the Mad Hatter and the Riddler, and I've kept it for almost 10 years now so uhhh maybe? Who knows.

Meroku: I'm happy you're loving my story! As for Ron's date, in this story Blaise is an Alpha, sorry. However there will be obvious tension between Ron and Draco later on, so don't you worry about that. I mean I always thought Crabbe and Goyle a couple too. Himbo bears who are perfect for each other. As for Theo, well guess who he's with. This will be one of my last fanfictions so I'm going with "fuck it everyone is gay!" I'm happy you're going to give Tom/Remus a try, and straight up no to Snape. I hate him.

Simon Mountney: Ahh okay, and I totally get what you mean. I try to keep it to lingo that people use during the 90s and stuff, however I'm at a disadvantage in that we got a grown woman looking back at the 90s when she was writing it when she was an adult in the 90s so... I do my best in that regard. I lived through the later half of the 90s but like I was a tiny baby during it XD. Also there's just some moments when a character, usually a teen, needs to say fuck. TL;DR I try my best to keep it coherent but there will be times when I mess up and just never catch it.

AnnaMerteuil: wow disappoint lmao. I didn't say it would be a fleshed out lime! Just a tease. As for who I'll put together next! Uhh my notes literally says "Ron/IDK"

Angelbear1: I'm happy you are enjoying Harry's future new dads!

Porschia Johnson: I update every Thursday however if I get far ahead on chapters, I update twice a week too!

Roslyntheraven: Wow I am deeply honored! I hope to live up to it!

Mizzrazz72: Very lucky *wink*

WereBunny87: Thank you so much I'm happy to oblige.

Janessa Wolf-Soul: I would like to start by saying I have never written Harry's name as Hadrian. That is not his name. He is Harry to everyone, and only Voldemort calls him Harrison. That said, thank you for your comments.

Rori Potter: Well you never saw it coming and now it's here! How are they going to develop? Not telling.

Amb6675: thank you.