Harry woke early, shuffling out from under a sleepy Draco to begin his day.
He looked down on his lithe form, bringing the blanket up to cover him.
"Harry?"
He leaned down, pressing a light kiss to his temple.
"Go to sleep, Draco. You need it. I'm going to go get ready for today, alright?"
Draco nodded sleepily, burrowing further into his pillow.
The boy-who-lived took a deep breath, grabbing his moleskin pouch from it's place in his bedside drawer before heading downstairs.
He stopped outside Hermione's room, taking a peek in to check on her.
She was laying down with the map inches from her fingertips, sleeping unsoundly.
He frowned, stepping in to brush the curly hair from her forehead.
"Mmm?"
"Hey, Hermione."
Her big brown eyes blinked open, still a bit foggy from sleep.
"What is it?" she asked, "Is something wrong?"
He shook his head, calming her with a hand on her shoulder.
"I was just checking in on you. Are you alright?"
She nodded.
"I'm fine, Harry. I promised I'd stick with you until the end."
He sighed.
"'Mione, I have Remus and Draco, and sometimes Severus. Maybe it would be best if you went back."
She scowled, pushing him away.
"Excuse me? And where would I go? Home? My parents are in Australia. Hogwarts? They're hunting mudbloods!"
"Don't say-"
"Mudbloods! I'll say whatever the bloody hell I want."
He looked at her in surprise before shaking himself from his shock.
"To the Room of Requirement. I think you should set up a little safe house in there for the kids that are in danger there. You can get together our D.A, and start training again."
She looked at him confusedly.
"So I wouldn't be shoved away from the war? I would be helping?"
He nodded surely.
"Yes."
She turned thoughtful.
"Look," he said, "Step one in the mission for the cup is today, and afterwards two horcruxes will be destroyed. I think the diadem is at Hogwarts, I just don't know where. If you're at Hogwarts, you can spread the word that I'm alive, and train people. I want the students prepared for the war that is coming their way."
She nodded decidedly.
"Okay. After we get the cup."
He smiled.
"Of course, you're a key part of this."
HPDM
Harry sifted through the bag, pulling out seemingly random vials and setting them on the table.
Draco padded in, sliding in next to Harry on the couch.
He sat a foot away, eyeing the space between them contemplatively.
"Dragon?"
He jerked up.
"Yes?"
Harry smiled, pulling Draco to him by the waist.
"Come on over here, love."
Draco nuzzled his neck happily.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. You're always welcome, Dray."
He nodded, looking down at the vials littering the wood.
"What's that?"
Harry continued searching, pulling a final bottle out.
"Aha!" he exclaimed, "Of course. It was at the bottom."
Draco cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Why didn't you just summon it?"
Harry paused for a second before laughing to himself.
"Oh hush, enough of your cheek."
Draco nodded abashedly, averting his eyes to the floor.
"Yes, Harry."
Harry dropped his vial, turning quickly to his mate.
"No, Draco!" He nearly shouted, pulling him to his chest. "I was just playing with you, love. I wasn't admonishing you! How are you feeling?"
Draco looked at him confusedly.
"Um, fine?"
Harry gave an exasperated sigh, cutting it short when he caught sight of Draco's apologetic look.
"Fuck."
Harry set his things to the side and lifted Draco into his lap.
"I love you."
Draco smiled, burrowing into Harry's neck.
"Love you, too."
Harry rocked them softly, holding him close.
"Tell me when you feel a bit more... free."
Draco scrunched his eyebrows in thought.
"What do you mean?"
"The bond feels strained right now because of the stress we're under and because of our argument it feels rejected. Your submissive nature is showing itself, making you subconsciously try to get me to fulfill your need."
Draco nodded, though he didn't really understand.
"How will this help?"
"We're strengthening the bond by being close. You'll feel a loosening, in a way, a lack of tenseness in your muscles. It proves to the connection that we are not rejecting our bond. I should've expected this after last night, and bathed you or given you a massage. Because of this mission however, this will have to do."
Draco sighed.
"You're welcome to share a bath with me."
Harry laughed.
"One time, Myrtle offered to let me share her toilet if I died."
Draco tensed, the urge to show his dominant that he was a better choice pressing in on him.
Harry cursed.
"Shite, Draco. I'm sorry. I love you. You're perfect."
The tightness in his chest soothed, though the worry did not.
"Will it always be like this?"
Harry frowned.
"No, pet. It won't. Once the bond solidifies, it won't need to be reassured every time we argue."
They remained silent after that, Harry picking out a select few vials before putting the rest away, leaving out the lock as well.
HPDM
"Harry? Must I really wear this? It's ghastly!"
Harry stifled a laugh, feeling Draco's smirk against his neck.
"Shut up, Ferret," Hermione snarked.
Harry narrowed his eyes at her, swallowing his growl.
"Sorry, Harry. I didn't realize the bond was still sensitive."
"It's not, but the second stage of the bond makes me more protective. I feel more angry than I expected though, for that little jibe."
"I apologize, Draco."
He nodded.
"S'all good, Herm. Harry's the only one that's getting offended."
"Hush, pet."
Draco nodded quietly and Harry sighed.
"I don't know why it's like this, Dray. I shouldn't have to assert my dominance like this, and you shouldn't be so obedient. When this is done, I swear I'll fix it."
"I trust you."
A small voice in Harry's mind whispered that he didn't, but Harry didn't let his doubt show, unsure of it's origin. Of course Draco trusted him. Why would he not?
Unworthy
"Let's go on to the next step. Drink up, 'Mione."
They all took gulps of the potion, shivering at the way it slid down.
"Ugh. Awful, but not near as bad as Goyle."
Draco, who was now some random muggle, raised his eyebrows.
"When did you taste essence of Goyle?"
"2nd year, I'll tell you the story another time."
Hermione pulled out her necklace from her bodice, holding it out for everyone to touch.
"Ew. Why-"
"Shut up, Harry, and just take it."
They all grabbed on just before the familiar pull at their bellybutton took them away.
A/N
So, any guesses at the extra submissiveness of Draco?
Who is Hermione dressed as?
What about Harry?
Explanations and Gringotts trip in the next chapter!