I'm actually really nervous about this chapter so... just be kind please.

Draco shifted slightly, burrowing further into the covers as he felt the crisp air touch his bare skin. He reached out an arm, feeling around blindly for his human pillow and sighed disappointedly when he didn't find it.

"It's time to wake up, Dray."

Draco groaned.

"Why?"

Harry smiled at his little mate, running a hand underneath the covers to graze his back.

"We need to go back to Hermione and Rem and Severus. Now that Ron is gone, we can get out of that tent."

"Huh?"

"I'll explain when we get back, yea?"

Draco nodded, removing the blanket from his head in order to slip on the shirt Harry handed him.

"Draco."

The blonde looked up, annoyed at the fact that his boxers were still on the floor.

"Yes?"

Harry sat on the bed, pulling Draco into his lap.

"My submissive, we have made it to the end of the first month in our courting. As tradition states, I am to offer you a gift as a symbol of my affections."

Draco bit his lip. He didn't think Harry would really go the traditional way with this, but he was happy he was.

Harry held out his palm, offering a platinum chain to the boy on his lap. He lifted it, showing off the snake design hanging from it.

"This is a portkey, and an amulet. It is both to keep you safe an to remind you of my love. If ever you are in danger, focus on this an think of me. You will be brought here. Do you accept this treasure?"

Draco nodded shakily.

Harry clasped the necklace around his neck, pressing a kiss to the collar bone.

"During the second month of this courting, we are to be completely open and honest. I will become more sensitive to your feelings than before, as will you to mine. This builds trust and understanding. Nothing is to be hidden. All important thoughts, or even unimportant thoughts, are to be shared. Do you accept this next challenge?"

Draco thought about it for a minute before smiling.

"My dominant, I accept the continuation of this courting, and I willingly consent to the next challenge we will face, as we will be stronger for it."

Harry gained a satisfied expression when Draco spoke the traditional words, proud of him for reading the few things 'Mione had about their kind.

"Now," Harry breathed, running his hands up and down Draco's thighs, "Did you sleep well?"

Draco shivered at the touch, feeling his groin stir in interest.

"Mmhhm."

Harry chuckled, nuzzling his ear.

"We need to go, pet."

HPDM

Harry strode into the tent, seeing Hermione on the couch with a familiar piece of 'spare parchment.'

"Whatcha got there?"

She jumped in surprise, clutching her chest.

"Don't do that Harry you frightened me!"

"Sorry, 'Mione."

The look on his face said that he wasn't sorry at all, and she snorted.

"Looking for somebody special?" Draco questioned, gesturing to the map, thankful that Harry had explained the complicated thing to him.

"Draco," Harry admonished, shaking his head no.

"Just Ginny."

Draco smirked.

"So another Weasley eh?"

"Draco, stop," Harry ordered, but Draco ignored him.

"Got a thing for hot tempers and freckles?"

"Draco," Harry snapped, "I told you to stop."

Hermione shrugged, used to teasing about her taste in companions.

"It's fine, Harry. How 'bout I go gather our things. We need to find a new location."

Harry scowled.

"I know where we're going. Go pack up."

Then he turned to his mate.

"I told you to stop, Draco."

Draco sighed.

"It was just a bit of fun, Harry. No big deal. Stop being so wound up."

Harry slapped his hand down on the sofa, narrowing his eyes at the boy.

"That doesn't matter. I told you no, and you ignored me."

Draco huffed, crossing his arms defensively.

"I didn't mean-"

"I know, but nonetheless, you did."

Harry frowned.

"You will have to face punishment tonight."

Draco looked up at him in shock.

"But Harry-"

"Go pack."

Draco's shoulders drooped in surrender, bracing himself for his first punishment. Harry had never had to do this to him before.

He walked to Hermione's room.

"I'm sorry for pressuring you."

She smiled.

"Don't bother. I'm only upset that I cannot protect her from where I am."

He snorted.

"I"m sure the Weaselette can protect herself."

She nodded in agreement, waving her wand to straighten the room.

He turned, surprised when he faced a pair of disappointed green eyes.

Belatedly, he realized how his last comment must've sounded to an outsider.

"Harry, I-"

"Save it," Harry frowned, "Gather your things."

HPDM

The manor was large and open, bigger even than the Malfoy's.

"Dobby! Kreacher!"

The two elves popped into existence.

"Dobby, take our bags. Kreacher, make lunch please."

Harry tensely gave them a brief tour of the manor, before guiding them outside.

Draco stiffened as the cool air reached him, feeling oddly unsafe in the open area.

He reached hesitantly for Harry's hand, flinching as it pulled away from him.

Not wanting anyone to see the tears that were building in his eyes, he ran back into the house.

Harry turned confused.

"What-"

"You pulled away," Remus snapped at him, "He was frightened and went to you, and you pulled away. I know that you're upset with him, but you can't let that get in the way of things."

Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

"Shite."

Hermione put a soothing hand on his elbow.

"Maybe you should just let him cool off for a bit."

He jerked his arm back.

"No. He's hurting. I'm going in there now. Don't interrupt us for anything less than death eaters at my doorstep, understood?"

Remus gave a sharp nod, watching as Harry followed Draco's path into the house.

Harry moved to their bedroom door, hearing Draco sniffling inside. He knocked softly before letting himself in.

"Draco?"

The small blonde was curled up in the corner of the room, his head buried between his knees.

Harry closed the door and rushed to him, kneeling down.

"Draco? Baby, are you okay?"

He didn't answer, and Harry lifted him up into his arms sitting himself down with him on his lap.

"Draco. You need to talk to me, pet."

Draco let out a broken sob, shaking in Harry's lap.

"You- You don't wa-want me any mo-re."

Harry tightened his hold on the boy, pulling him in close to his chest.

"Of course I still want you, Dray."

He summoned a calming draught, coaxing him to lift his head so Harry could give it to him.

"Drink up, Dragon. You need it."

When the potion settled in him, the sobs died down, leaving Draco to silently cry on his mates shoulder.

"Draco," Harry whispered, "I am not, and will never be, so angry with you as to not want you as my mate. I love you, okay?"

Draco shook his head.

"You- You didn't want me. You don't-"

"I love you," Harry whispered, pressing light kisses Draco's tear stained face, "I love you, I love you. Nothing is going to change that. Nothing. I made a mistake. After telling you you were going to be punished, I should have let it go. I let my irritation get in the way of my duties as your Dominant, and I shouldn't have done that. No matter what happens, I am supposed to always be there for you. I failed at that. I am so sorry, Dray."

Draco shoved his head into the crook of Harry's neck.

"It's okay. I ignored you. I was being a bad submissive."

"No, no, Draco. You weren't. You made a mistake, and you will be punished for it, but that is inevitable. You are in no way a bad submissive. You're everything I could possibly desire in a mate, you understand?"

Draco sniffed.

"So- you don't want somebody else."

Harry rocked them side to side, pressing a kiss to his temple.

"I could never want another. You are mine forever."

Draco calmed down some, but did not leave Harry's lap, choosing instead to stay curled into his Dominant.

"You need a safe word."

Draco turned so that he was sitting sideways instead of straddling Harry.

"What?"

"A safe word. A word you can use when you need us to stop. You will be punished tonight, I cannot let your first punishment to be forgotten, no matter the circumstances. You need a word in case in becomes to much for you at any given time."

Draco nuzzled at Harry's neck.

"I trust you."

Harry sighed.

"I know, baby, but you need one. I don't expect this first punishment to hurt terribly, but you may need a break if it becomes too much emotionally, or sometime in the future. How about the color system?"

Draco nodded.

"Okay, what is that?"

Harry smiled at his innocence, petting his hair.

"Green means to continue on, yellow means to slow down, maybe take a breather, and red means to stop all together. I ask that you not abuse the system, but that you remember that these words are here for you to use at any time, whether it be in play or punishment okay?"

Draco nodded again.

"Okay."

"Now," Harry took a deep breath, "Are you ready? Would you like to do it now or tonight?"

Draco bit his lip.

"Will it hurt?"

Harry's eyes softened, "It won't feel good, pet, but you know I would never hurt you."

Draco stood on unsteady legs.

"Alright."

Harry stood, caressing Draco's chin.

"Strip."

Draco bit his lip in nervousness, but stripped out of his clothes, nearly tripping on his trousers.

Harry gripped his hips to steady him, stroking his sides.

"Calm down, love."

"Wha-What are you gonna do?"

Harry guided him over to the bed, sitting down before patting his knee.

"You need to bend over."

Draco's eyes widened.

"You're going to spank me? Are you serious?"

"Draco," Harry raised a calming hand, "You know I have to punish you somehow, and we are not far enough along for me to do it with sex or anything else. This is the simplest way, and the quickest. I think for your first punishment, we will have only five, and with my bare hand."

Draco nodded, hesitantly bending over Harry's knee, feeling exposed to Harry's gaze.

Harry ran a hand down his back softly, before bringing his hand down with a thwack.

Draco gasped, feeling the sting of tears on his eyes. It didn't really hurt per-say, but he hated knowing that he had pushed Harry to this.

Thwack.

He had disappointed his mate for the first time.

Thwack.

Draco sniffed, burying his head in Harry's lap.

Thwack.

He tightened his grip on Harry's pants, squeezing his eyes shut to block the onslaught of tears again.

Thwack.

He continued to lay there, feeling Harry's hand rubbing soft circles onto his stinging globes.

"It's over, sweetheart. See? That wasn't so bad."

Draco nodded, still not moving from his spot.

Harry lifted him up, setting him upright onto his lap as his wiped the water from his cheeks.

"You did so good, baby. So good. You did well, okay? And now it's over. All is forgiven."

Draco cuddled into Harry.

"You are feeling more dependent now because of the second month of the bond, and because this is your first punishment. Don't worry, you'll be back to the snappy Draco I love soon enough."

"Do you not love this Draco? Is it because-"

"No, Dray. I love all of you. I love you when your submissive, but I also love you when your my little spitfire. I mean it. I love you."

Draco smiled.

"I love you too."

Harry stroked his back again before settling down on the bed.

"I think we need a little nap, huh?"

Draco was already asleep.

I know. I'm sorry if the punishment thing is a bit much, but I felt like it was needed. It won't be common, it's just something that further shows Harry's Dominance.

Draco will be more himself soon, and you will see why he has been so dependent in the next few chapters.

Now... How about that HG/GW? Thoughts?