Sorry I didn't post these past two days, life got in the way. Hope you enjoy this chapter! For disclaimer, see chapter 1.

Chapter 5: Discoveries

"Okay mister, what is going on? You've been more withdrawn than usual lately and now you're completely out of it! Have been since DADA class! What on earth is wrong with you?!" Harry sighed as Hermione went off on him as soon as the other Gryffindors had left the common room. Ron looked just as concerned as she did, so he was going to be no help getting him out of this one. Oh well, the (relative) peace was nice while it lasted.

"Fine, fine, calm down. I'll tell you what's been doing on, but you have to promise me that this does not leave the three of us." Harry stressed, looking them both dead in the eyes. Ron and Hermione nodded quickly in agreement, and he started talking.

"Okay, so you know how Snape told us all that stuff about mates today?" His two best friends nodded, and he saw a light turn on in Hermione's eyes. So she figured it out already, huh? But Harry continued speaking for Ron's sake.

"Well I've been having certain…dreams since my birthday. Dreams that Snape happened to mention during his lecture. So I think I'm the mate of a person with a creature inheritance. And IthinkthatitmaybeSnapeandMalfoy." Harry rushed out the last part, but Hermione still caught it somehow. She gasped – obviously she hadn't figured out that part – but Ron just looked confused. Hermione translated since Harry had his head in his hands, more embarrassed than he had ever been in his life.

Suddenly he heard the noise of something heavy being dropped on the ground. Looking up, Harry discovered that Ron had not only fallen out of his seat looking horrified, but had also knocked his head on the nearby table and was now cradling the back of his head while Hermione struggled to find her wand. A second later she did and cast a minor healing charm on him to stop the pain, before whipping back around to stare at Harry again in shock.

"Why on earth do you think you're mated to those two?!" She said, sounding strangely high-pitched. Ron was still staring at him in a stupor, and Harry wondered if the boy's brain would ever work right again. He sighed deeply.

"Well the dreams are one thing. I can't remember much from them, but there are definitely two people and they most certainly male." Harry said, his face bright red. "Then there's the whole wanting-to-hurt-Seamus-because-he-insulted-Malfoy thing. Then there's the fact that when Malfoy calmed down Snape, that little cooing noise he made turned me into a pile of goo. Plus I've caught both of them looking at me today! They usually ignore me to their very best abilities! Even if I did make sort of a truce with them." He ranted, pacing by the end of his spiel. Hermione and Ron still looked stunned, but Hermione seemed to be starting to get her head back.

"Wait, you got angry at Seamus when he insulted Malfoy? Why?" Ron asked, finally coming back to himself. Harry sighed again. Looks like this was going to be a longer night than he thought.

"The only reason I can think of is because I'm his mate and I'm instinctively protective of him. Which also probably means I'm dominant over him, but that's a different thing altogether." He said, plopping down in his seat once more.

"This would lead one to believe that you are indeed their other mate. You have to go talk to them, Harry. They at least can tell you if what you're thinking is true or not. Professor Snape said that creatures know by scent, right? So they must know already if you are indeed their mate. But why haven't they approached you already?" Hermione asked, looking confused. Well, at least they were taking this better than expected. Then again, after him coming out as gay to them, this shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

"I don't know, maybe because we've spent all of school fighting and both relationships are based on hate? What would you do if you suddenly found out you were mated to someone you spent most of your time torturing?" Harry replied bitterly, glaring down at his hands. Hermione nodded absently.

"You have a point. But you still need to talk to them, Harry. Find out if it really is them and go from there. Who knows, maybe you'll be happy with them. You'll never know for sure unless you communicate." Hermione said in her mother hen voice, while Ron looked at her like she was crazy.

"Talk to the two biggest bastards at the school? What is he going to say? 'Hey I just thought maybe I was mated to you, can you be a little bit nicer to me?' I don't think that's going to work, 'Mione." Ron said, voicing Harry's doubts exactly. Hermione snorted.

"Well we're all adults here and he's going to have to face them sometime. He can't just ignore the pull, he has to either accept it or deny it, or it will drive him mad!"

"I'm already am going mad." Harry muttered, looking out the window. Hermione sighed.

"You have to speak to them; the sooner the better. I suggest you go to Snape's rooms tomorrow evening and tell them what's going on. Even if they aren't your mates, they can help. Now I'm going to bed – both of you should get some sleep too." She said before gathering her things and heading up to her dorm. Ron and Harry looked at each other, wondering what could turn their world upside down next.

SSXHPXDM

The next day was a long one for Draco. He and Severus had spent most of the night talking and working before finally going to bed around 2 in the morning. He was exhausted and worried – especially about the whole Potter debacle. And speaking of the devil, here he comes now.

Draco was trudging down the hallway towards transfiguration when Potter passed by. His scent enveloped Draco, making him feel warm and safe, just like Severus' did. But this was unwanted comfort, and Draco still didn't know what to do about the whole situation. He let out a breath of air as he passed by a group of fourth years muttering to each other.

"Look at that wanker, just walking around like he owns the place. I'm amazed he ever defeated You-Know-Who. Bet he cheated somehow. Pussy." He heard one of the boys say, and whipped around so fast those watching only saw a blur.

The next thing he knew he was leaping towards the students, wings out and claws extended, wanting to rip their hearts out and present them to his mate on a silver platter. But said mate was suddenly there, pulling him away and into an embrace that made him go limp and retract his long nails. He breathed deeply, relishing in the smell that was uniquely Harry, and laid his forehead on the young man's shoulder, letting out the softest of purrs. He heard Harry's voice, but couldn't understand what he was saying for a moment. When he repeated himself, though, Draco did catch it.

"What on earth did they say that upset you so?" Draco pulled back quickly, folding his wings into his back and looking at the nearest wall with rapt attention. He muttered in response, but Harry didn't hear him. "What was that?"

"I said they insulted you." Draco said just as softly, and saw surprise dawn on the other boy's face. Then he heard the snap of sweeping robes and turned to Severus, who had just passed into the hallway, looking somewhere between worried and livid. He bowed his head slightly in submission. Severus nodded in return, and then sneered at the other students who had stuck around to see what played out.

"Everyone to your classes, don't make me have to tell you again." He snarled, then snatched up Draco's wrist and pulled him along after him before they vanished down the nearest staircase.

SSXHPXDM

Hope you enjoyed, please review! Next chapter should be up tomorrow.