Title: The Ties That Bind
Summary/ Warning: Dom/ Sub, HGRW, PPBZ, RLSB, NLDM, TNSB, NMLM, LVBL …and of course HPSS.
Authours Note: Don't kill me. My Drill Sergeants are doing that for you. I'm sorry for this chapter and the next, and the next… but you'll see.
p.s.: omg Ginny makes an appearance! (25 chapters into the fic…lol) -hides- don't kill me!
Chapter 25: Sleeping In
:Parseltongue:
"Conversational thoughts"
Private thoughts, shared memories
Thursday was uneventful- well, after Lunch. Transfigurations was tense, most of the students not understanding why McGonagall was in such a weird mood, and no one wanted to upset the Professor. Harry did what he could to help the class pass by smoothly for the older woman, but he could only control most of the Gryffindor's. The Slytherins were another matter entirely. But even they were not as bad as they could be, and after an hour and a half they were all more than ready to leave.
Harry felt bad for McGonagall- after all, it had been his idea for Severus to go to the Deputy Headmistress with the information. But he couldn't take the blame for that as well as the other things in his life, and after a quick chat with Severus he let the guilt slide away.
Not long after dinner Harry appeared in Severus' rooms, exhausted from dealing with his friends and his lack of sleep. His head had barely touched the pillow on the couch before he was asleep, and when Severus arrived he left the teen alone.
Harry struggled awake three hours later, wondering why his head felt like so much mush. Groaning as the light hit him he sat up, scrubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm as he did so. A low chuckle from across the room reached him, and he glared at Severus as the older man looked up from his book.
"Did we have a nice nap?" The Potions Master asked, eyes alight with humour. Harry stuck his tongue out at his mate, and levered his body off of the couch. Making his way to the bathroom, Harry began the task of feeling like a normal human being again. Washing his face, brushing his teeth, and changing out of his school robes helped a lot. When he was finished he walked back into the living room and sat next to Severus, stifling a yawn with his hand.
"What are you up to, Sev?" He asked, leaning his head against the Slytherin's warm shoulder and contemplating going back to sleep.
Severus marked his page before setting the book to the side, and wrapped an arm around Harry. "I was waiting for you to wake," he answered as Harry snuggled into him, "but you persisted in remaining unconscious." Harry snorted, and peered up at Severus through his lashes.
"Ha. If you wanted to speak to me, I would have been easy enough to wake."
"Then perhaps you must realise that I like watching you sleep." Harry glanced up at the Slytherin suspiciously, and Severus chuckled. "Usually you are bouncing from one thing to another, always wide awake and lively. To see you sound asleep was a change, and I did not wish to disturb you."
Harry shifted until he was more or less stretched out on top of Severus, nestled into the crook of the other man's arm before speaking. "Huh. Well, now that that's out of the way, let's go back to sleep." His eyes were closing even as he spoke, and Severus gently disengaged himself from the teen.
"Ah, no. I am an old man, and old men do not sleep on couches. They sleep in beds, and if their lovers wish to join them, they may." Severus made his way into the bedroom, smirking as he saw Harry collapse onto the couch and groan into the cushion.
Severus emerged from the bathroom after he had finished getting ready for bed, and smiled at the sight that met his eyes. Harry was sprawled across the sheets, dressed only in a loose pair of Severus' pajama's, sound asleep. Walking over to the edge of the bed, Severus levitated Harry's body, ignoring the annoyed grunt that escaped the awakened Gryffindor. Severus slipped under the covers, and held them open as he slowly lowered the teen. He arrayed the Gryffindor over him, letting the warm weight of the brunette settle on him.
Harry chuckled into Severus' neck, and the older man shrugged. "What did you expect, Potter? This way we are both comfortable, you inveterate bed hog." Harry murmured something unintelligible before falling back into sleep, and Severus smiled briefly. Cupping the back of Harry's neck in one hand and sliding the other under his own head and pillow Severus also slept.
Severus gasped as he woke, eyes shooting open wide and startled. His body shuddered in ecstasy as Harry sucked forcefully, and in another moment he exploded in pleasure. Harry emerged from beneath the covers with a huge grin on his face, gazing down on Severus as the older man shivered underneath him. Severus gathered the strength from somewhere to grip Harry's hair and drag the teen up the length of his body, bringing Harry up till they were face to face.
Not that Harry resisted, or anything, but Severus didn't care. "What was that for?" He asked incredulously, and Harry's grin only widened.
"Hullo," he replied, husky voice only reminding the Potions Master of what he had been doing mere moments earlier. "Everyone deserves to wake up like that at least once…" Harry let the statement hang in the air for a moment, grinning wider as Severus sighed at him. "And speaking of, good morning, Severus."
"Good morning, you irrepressible brat." Harry snickered at this newest label, and snuggled into his mate. Severus allowed it for a moment before tapping the Gryffindor's shoulder and arching a brow. "And what time is it, Potter?" he asked pointedly, frowning as the teen just shrugged and buried his face into his mate's neck.
"We don't have to get up yet, Sev. I checked!" Harry's muffled indignation caused a smile to appear on Severus' face, even as he cast the Tempus himself. Flashing green lights proclaimed the hour as a quarter past six, and Severus chuckled slightly as the numbers faded.
"You are very lucky that your assertion is correct."
Harry raised his head enough to stare at Severus in consternation. After a moment, the Gryffindor re-settled his head. "I'll just pretend like I know what that means. For Merlin's Sake, Severus, sleep."
"Fine, fine," Severus grumbled, and shut his eyes as he felt Harry's lips curve against his neck. In moments, they were both asleep again.
Harry yawned as he sank onto the bench at breakfast, ignoring the humorous glance Hermione sent his way.
"God am I happy it's Friday," Harry muttered, grabbing a roll and smearing marmalade on it. Shoving it into his mouth, Harry moaned in bliss. Marmalade was freakin' ambrosia. Ron glanced up, startled, but immediately choked back a laugh when he saw Harry's happy face.
"Long night, eh mate?" Ron asked with a smile, and Harry paused in chewing long enough to stick his tongue out at the ginger. But his friend only laughed and shook his head at the brunette, wondering at the action. Seamus grinned at Dean, who groaned in annoyance but still turned to Harry.
"Hey, Harry." The other Gryffindor waited until the Golden Boy's attention was fully focused on him before continuing. "Since you rarely sleep in Haven any more, does this mean that you're spending all your time with your mate?" Harry swallowed and nodded suspiciously, raising a brow as Seamus began to giggle uncontrollably. Dean sighed. "Because Seamus thinks that with the amount of times you come to breakfast dead tired there will be little Potters running around soon enough."
Harry stared for a moment, then started to laugh. Before long he was full-out belly laughing, bent over the table and holding his stomach as he wiped mirthful tears from his eyes. "L-little P-Pot-ters!" he howled, clutching his sides even further and resting his forehead on the table as he did so. Seamus was laughing as well, pleased with the reaction though Dean was looking put-upon.
Ron and Hermione, knowing who Harry's mate was, were also chuckling, though not nearly as hard as Harry himself. The Gryffindor kept shaking his head and muttering "Little Potters," to himself, as though in disbelief. When he could finally speak again, Harry looked up at the Irishman and shook his head.
"I dunno, Seam," he said, his voice shaky from the laughter, "we're not really planning on children." The wicked grin that crossed Harry's face had Seamus' eyes widening, and Harry added evilly, "Little Thomas' seems more appropriate, no?"
Dean shook his head, eyes wide in horror. "No! No children till after school!" He turned to Seamus with a horrified expression growing on his face at the Irishman's dreamy countenance. "No, Seamus! Don't even think about it!"
The teen grinned. "Too late," he said simply, and Hermione, Ron, and Harry exploded in laughter at the look on Dean's face. Neville glanced up in confusion, jostled out of communication with Draco by the sound, and frowned at the three friends, wondering what on earth was going on to make them that crazy. But he just shrugged, and went back to his conversation, telling Draco, "They're all insane. I swear." Draco, of course, agreed.
The other Tables glanced over in similar confusion, though the rest of Gryffindor Table joined in on principle. Soon enough, though, the laughter died down and they went back to eating their breakfast, occasionally breaking out into chuckles at the distrustful looks Dean was sending his mate.
By the time breakfast finished they had all calmed down enough to be ready to face their classes, and with matching groans the six friends rose and began making their way to Potions.
The day passed in a blur for Harry, as high-energy as everyone was. When dinner rolled around Harry ate everything in front of him, laughing and joking with Seamus and Dean as the hour passed by. Hermione left early to study, and Ron followed behind mournfully, causing the others to wince in sympathy. Neville disappeared to the greenhouse, and Seamus and Dean wandered off to who-knew-where.
Harry grinned as he was left to himself, and began to casually walk the halls, sinking into Severus' comfortable mind as he did so. His mate was finishing up paperwork, and Harry chuckled at some of the man's exclamations.
'Gilly weed cannot make you float, dunderhead. It makes you breathe under water. T.' '"When one is under the influence of the Wolfsbane Potion, you cannot turn into-" oh for Merlin's Sake! Wolfsbane suppresses the animalistic side, it doesn't completely shut off the effects of the transformation!'
Harry grinned. Underneath the scornful appearance, Severus actually loved teaching. Though he was rude and crass and cruel and graded even Hermione so that she failed, when it came to a students actual grade he was surprisingly considerate. Harry shook his head at his mate's antics. The Potions Master had every student he'd ever taught in his head, their grades- real and class grades- and why he'd failed them in class and passed them on paper.
It was a lot of knowledge to hold onto, and Harry grinned again, in a proprietary way. Not that he'd ever let Severus see that, no- the man wasn't something to be owned, no matter what Dumbledunce and Volders thought. He was proud of his mate, and he was proud to be able to see into the mind of such an intelligent man.
It was with that thought in mind that Harry looked around the hallway he was in, checking for anyone who might have been following him. When he had made sure he was alone, he placed a hand on the wall, palm flat, and in seconds he was opening the door to Severus' quarters. Stepping through, he shut the door and left the hallway.
Ginny came around the corner, and frowned. It was a dead end, and there were no doors. Where had Harry gone? And how?
Severus glanced up disinterestedly as Harry appeared, and looked back down at his papers after Harry's hello kiss. The teen shed his shoes, jacket, and schoolbag and walked into the kitchen looking for something to drink. Finding the cold cabinet and opening it up, the Gryffindor frowned in thought. "Hey Sev. Want anything?"
"Humph. Stupid Hufflepuff. What Harry? Oh- no, thank you." A moment later the Potions Master was back to grading, and Harry chuckled in appreciation of his mate's sharp wit. It was always an experience when evening rolled around, and the man began to mark the weeks essays. Grabbing hold of the pitcher of water, Harry conjured two glasses, filled them, and made his way back into the living room. Setting one glass in front of Severus and holding onto one, he set the pitcher on the table and leaned back against the couch to watch the grading.
Severus ignored him, as was usual, and before too much time had passed he set aside the last paper and leaned back with a sigh. Harry handed Severus his still-untouched glass, and the Slytherin smiled in thanks before taking a sip. For a while they were silent, but then Severus stood and made his way into the bedroom. Harry followed, curious, and sat on the bed as Severus stripped out of his robes and pulled on a pair of soft bottoms.
Striding over to the bed and slipping under the covers, Severus raised a brow at the teen. "Change," he said, pointing at the closet and kicking Harry through the sheets. Harry hopped off the bed with a grin and a sharp "Yes sir!", pulling off the rest of his clothing as he went. In moments he was back, sliding under the covers as Severus shifted and got comfortable.
Harry yawned, all of his energy from earlier in the day leaving him as he finally settled down. Severus kept shifting, poking Harry and pushing him until he was satisfied with where Harry lay. The Gryffindor endured it all with good grace, and once Severus stopped moving he made himself as comfortable as possible in the position he was allowed.
Severus whispered, "Nox," and stared at the ceiling as the room went dark. After a minute, Harry blew out a sharp breath and chuckled.
"How do you feel about kids, Sev?" he asked, his voice light and joking as he spoke. Severus raised a brow, knowing Harry knew he had though he couldn't see it, and shrugged.
"I hate teenagers. Otherwise, I've never given it much thought." Severus frowned. "Why?" he asked suspiciously, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Harry laughed, and Severus smiled as he felt the rumble against his back. "No. I don't want children right away. Seamus was being a dick at breakfast, and made a crack about 'Little Potters' running around the school." Harry chuckled once more at the memory, and added, "And then, of course, I had to respond with 'Little Thomas'' and Dean was tortured by the idiot for the rest of breakfast."
Severus chuckled at the image, and nodded in comprehension. "That must be why Gryffindor Table was so rowdy this morning." Harry smirked. 'Rowdy' was one way of putting it, he supposed. In the following silence Harry listened to Severus' thoughts, each one concerning something else. It was actually rather fascinating, he readily admitted, to watch the man's train of thought take place.
But before too long they had both fallen asleep, their positions too comfortable and their bed too soft for anything else to happen.
Severus groaned as he woke up, grimacing as he called up the time. A part of him rebelled against waking up at seven o'clock on a Saturday morning, but Draco would be here in half an hour and he needed to get ready. Now, how to get out from under Harry without waking the Gryffindor…?
Severus unwrapped the arm from around his waist, removed the arm he had been using as a pillow, and replaced himself with an actual pillow. Harry murmured sleepily, but hugged the real pillow to his body and fell back asleep. Severus looked down at their legs and sighed, rubbing his forehead as he wondered how they had managed to get so tangled. He pulled his left leg free easily enough, but had to actually push Harry to the side of the bed to release his right.
Sliding out from under the covers, Severus resettled the covers around Harry before turning away and getting dressed. He frowned at his teaching robes before shaking his head and pulling a plain black jumper on to ward off the chill. He opened the door gently, not wanting to wake up the teenager, and walked into the living room, contemplating his mate.
Harry had been unusually tired these past few days, and Severus didn't know what had caused it. Oh, he knew the teen had stayed up all night on Wednesday, but that didn't explain Thursday and Friday, where the teen had been content to cuddle and talk rather than anything else. Not that Severus minded- he was a busy man and all the sex they had been having had taken its toll on him.
But he worried for the teen, though he didn't know what- if anything- was wrong.
But Draco was due in a quarter hour and he needed to get ready.
"Go away, Longbottom. I refuse to wake up at this ungodly hour of the morning."
Neville smiled slightly, and ran his hand through Draco's hair. The Slytherin purred in satisfaction, and pressed up against the Gryffindor, silently entreating him to continue. "You don't believe in God, Draco."
Draco huffed. "And that proves my point. Continue doing that and let me forget about my Godfather." Neville grinned, but pulled his hand away, causing Draco to glare at him.
"Longbottom." Draco said dangerously, eyes flashing in the dim light of their room.
Neville hid his grin immediately and replied just as seriously, "Malfoy." They stared at each other for a long moment before the blonde huffed and folded his arms, slouching into the pillow with an annoyed expression.
"I hate you," he stated, eyeing Neville through his lashes and pouting, "you evil git."
Neville dragged Draco over to him with a chuckle, and pressed a kiss to silky blonde hair. "Don't tell lies, darling. And you've got a few more minutes before you really have to do anything, so relax."
Neville sighed as Draco turned into a limp puddle of sleepy Slytherin in his arms, but refrained from saying anything. Draco knew how important this meeting was, so while he would- and did- complain loudly and often, he would be ready on time.
"Good morning, Draco." Severus raised a brow at the boys sulky face, and added, "Why are you unhappy?"
Draco flopped into the chair across from Severus' desk and crossed his arms. "That Longbottom is an evil git." Severus withheld a laugh at the sight his Godson made, and nodded in sympathy.
"Yes, as are most Gryffindor's. What about this particular time makes it any worse than normal?"
Draco frowned at Severus, sensing the laugh the Potions Master was holding in. "No reason," he said, but pouted as Neville laughed at him. "Just felt like saying it."
"Ah. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, your Father has informed me that the Dark Lord had planned for you to be Marked on Christmas." Draco's eyes widened, not only at the information but the enraged howl in the back of his head.
"Um, Sev," Draco began hesitantly, "You know I don't want it. And to be honest, I would never make a good Death Eater… or spy…" he trailed off as his Godfather nodded, and waited for the rest of what Severus had to say.
"This I know. That is why I am going to advise you to break off all communication with your parents."
Draco started, shocked, and Neville agreed. The Slytherin was in almost constant communication with his parents, his Mother most of all, and the cut-off of that steady stream of information would be a shock for the blonde. Severus nodded, and grimaced as he spoke again.
"And as much as it pains me to say this, it may be safer for you to publicly renounce your parents and change sides- though you were never actually for either."
Draco stared at the Potions Master with wide eyes, having never contemplated such a course of action before. It was almost impossible for him to imagine a life where he didn't receive a letter from his Mother everyday, or something in the mail from either parent. Though the rest of the world only saw the cold exterior of the Malfoy Mask, family was the most important thing to them- to any Pureblood- and they never hesitated to express it in private.
"I…um- Sev?" Draco stuttered, at a loss for words. "You really think that's the best way?" Neville comforted the Slytherin as much as he could, but until he was there in person there was not much he could do. Severus nodded, not happy about the decision either, but convinced that it was the only way to do this. Lucius was more than ready to take the punishment that would be coming his way when his son spoke out against their Lord, but Draco didn't need to know that.
"Can- can I at least tell them why I'm doing it?" Draco asked, sounding far more composed than he really was. Severus nodded once more, thinking it best that Draco work this out on his own.
The Slytherin sat there, in shock, as he thought about life without his Mother's constant stream of witty remarks on politics, school, and life in general. Neville helped the Slytherin as much as he could, but he too would miss Mrs. Malfoy's letters. As strange as it was, Draco had told his parents of his bond with Neville, and though Lucius had been reluctant at first, Narcissa had talked him around. Now the letters were addressed as much to Neville as Draco, and Narcissa freely included the Gryffindor in everything, even going so far as to send him things in the mail- through Draco, of course.
And now they both had to cut her comforting presence out of their lives? It was a lot for Neville to handle, and he had only been family with Narcissa for two weeks. Draco was handling it well, the Gryffindor thought, though he knew that later the blonde would break down.
"Alright, Sev." Draco said suddenly, sitting up in his chair and nodding sharply. "I guess I'll do it today."
Severus smiled wanly at the teen, and stood from behind his desk. "I'm sorry to have to do this to you, Draco," he apologized, "But I don't want you joining the Dark Lord at all." He made as if to add something else, but Draco stood and walked over to him, wrapping his arms around his Godfather in a hug he desperately needed. Severus stopped, bit his lip, and returned it, laying his cheek against his Godson's hair and hugging back, hard.
He was the only family- besides his mate- that the blonde would have access to. Neville quieted his protective side with the same thoughts, and watched as the two hugged. Draco would need everyone's support if this was to work.
Harry yawned sleepily as he woke, and reached an arm out to Severus. But his hand connected with a cold pillow, and he cracked an eyelid in question. The bed was empty, and Harry frowned at the sight. Checking Severus' mind just enough to find out where he was, Harry flipped off the covers and stood, stifling another yawn before throwing on one of Severus' shirts and padding out of the room.
He rubbed at his eyes as he walked through the darkened rooms, wondering why Severus was in his office at eight in the morning on a Saturday. But he was tired, and groggy, and still stupid with sleep so he just nodded to Sscazzs and opened the office door to wish his mate good morning.
But what he saw woke him right up.
Before he had thought about it he had reacted, and Draco was thrown across the room as a wave of magic hit him. Severus reared back in shock, and stared at Harry as his mate entered to room, a furious expression on his face. Before Severus could think Harry was in the office and glaring at Draco, his body between the blonde and his mate.
He couldn't think past the rage that filled his mind, and all of Severus' efforts to catch his attention were in vain. Draco stared up at him in shock, half-deaf from the outraged roar that had erupted from behind his ears, and stupid from the suddenness of the attack.
"P-Potter?" he asked incredulously, "what the hell are you doing here?"
Harry growled, and the sound froze Draco in place. "Why are you here, blondie?" the teen snarled in return, unmoved by Severus' hand trying to yank him away.
Draco stared at Harry in a scared fascination, wondering where the Gryffindor had come from. And why he was wearing pajama's. And why he was pissed. But that all paled in comparison to the fact that he was scared out of his mind, and he could feel the magic rising in the office again.
As Harry went to strike at Draco again, the beast inside him making him forget that the blonde was a friend, a protective wall surged out of Draco and rose between the Slytherin and the enraged Gryffindor, and Harry's eyes narrowed in concentration. Draco gasped as he felt Neville's magic rush through his body, but thanked his mate feverishly as Potter's attack was stopped.
Neville entered the office, and scooped Draco up, lips drawn back in a snarl as he faced Harry, magic raised and ready to fight. Harry replied in kind, both too lost in their demons to pay attention to anything else. Severus yelled at Harry, and for a moment he got the Gryffindor's attention. But before he could say anything Neville threw a wall of magic at Severus, striking at Harry's weak point, and the Boy-Who-Lived howled in outrage. But Neville disappeared with Draco, and Harry's eyes slit in concentration as he tried to follow the pair with his magic.
Severus stared as the situation got out of control, mind blanking as he wondered what the fuck was happening. In moments Draco was on the floor and Harry was attacking again when the protective wall appeared. Seconds later Neville arrived, and Severus looked between the two feral teens as the fight escalated. He couldn't recognise either of them-their faces were drawn into furious snarls and their eyes shone blood red.
Neville flicked a hand at Severus, and the Potions Master flinched as Harry howled, the sound horrible to hear. But then Neville was gone and Harry's eyes had narrowed, and Severus finally got a hold of himself.
The whole thing had taken less than a minute.
Raising a hand, he smacked his mate as hard as he could across the face, as yelling and yanking hadn't worked. Harry's head snapped around, and he glanced back at Severus, an astonished expression crossing his face. Severus took advantage of the moment, and grabbed Harry's chin to keep the teen's attention fixed on him.
"What is wrong with you!?" Severus shouted, glad that there were silencing spells on the office or every other teacher would be here right now. "Why did you do that?"
Harry stared at Severus, mind not processing why his mate was angry with him. He'd done what he was supposed to, right? He'd saved his mate from the blonde's affections, and then he'd shielded him during the battle. Why was Severus angry? Harry shook his head at Severus, not understanding.
Severus released Harry's chin and grabbed his shoulders, shaking the Gryffindor as hard as he could. "He's my Godson! He's allowed to hug me! I'm allowed to hug him! If you'd looked deep enough or waited long enough you would know that!" Harry stared at Severus, the bellowed words slowly sinking in.
He started to shake in reaction, and Severus let go of him as though he were too disgusting to touch. "Get out."
Harry stared. The toneless words smashed through the fog of rage and sleep and fear and the demon that had risen inside of him until they hit his soul. He started to shake his head, not knowing why Severus would say such a thing when Harry had been doing what he was supposed to.
Severus repeated himself as he turned away from the Gryffindor, not wanting to see Harry's uncomprehending expression and shattered ruby eyes. "Out."
"W-why?" Harry managed as a little bit of him died, and stared at Severus' back, begging the Slytherin to turn around and let him explain.
Severus turned around, but it was not to let the teen speak. "You attacked my Godson, Harry! Dammit! There was no reason to! He was not hurting me, he was not going to poison me by his touch, he needed reassurance and I was giving it to him!" He stared at Harry's tortured eyes and lifted his hands, searching for the words that wouldn't come to him.
"Out, Harry. Get out."
"But, Severus-"
"God-damn-it, Potter! Leave! I don't want you here anymore. I don't want to see you outside of class. I want nothing more to do with you- with someone who would attack an innocent student for no reason."
Harry shook as each word hit him, and backed up slowly. He shook his head as the words began to echo inside of his skull, telling him that he wasn't wanted, wasn't needed. He hadn't done the right thing. He had failed his mate. He wasn't worthy of Severus.
The words followed him as he began to walk, one trembling leg in front of the other, out of Severus' office.
Left foot in front of right foot. Failure.
Right foot. Worthless.
Left. Unworthy.
Hermione glanced up from her magazine as the door to Haven opened, and smiled in welcome as she saw Neville. But the smile died an abrupt death as she saw the rest of the Gryffindor, and his burden. Standing she made as if to go to Draco, but the resounding growl rolled through the room and stopped her- and everyone else.
Blaise glanced up in shock, Pansy as well, as the sound faded. The colour drained from their faces when they saw Neville, but they stayed as they were, still, and Neville ignored them. He paced over to his and Draco's couch, and sat, drawing Draco closer to him and wrapping him in his arms. Hermione began to make her way over to the couch, the room silent as Pansy, Blaise, and Ron watched, stricken.
"Neville," Hermione said softly, remembering from her research the best way to talk to a another Dominant in the grip of the beast, "I can help him." Neville's growl was low but it echoed, and Draco gripped his mate's shirt and hoisted himself closer as it sounded. Hermione stopped as those blood-red eyes pinned her and held her hands apart, dropping her wand to the ground.
Neville narrowed his eyes at the action, but the growl ended, and Hermione stepped a little closer. "Just let me take a look to make sure he's alright," she offered, and held her breath as the other Gryffindor considered it. Minutes passed as Neville thought, the beast in him resisting but the slowly re-surfacing Gryffindor wanting the more skilled teen to check and make sure his mate was really alright.
With a slight nod, Neville relaxed, and Hermione sighed in relief and walked the remaining steps to the couch with slow, steady steps. The other teens sat frozen where they were, watching the sight with wide and incredulous eyes. Hermione reached Draco and slowly stretched a hand out to the blonde, watching Neville's eyes. The red flared up again and she froze, waiting for Neville to regain control.
Another minute passed before the Gryffindor breathed out an unsteady breath, and nodded. Hermione lightly touched Draco's shoulder, blessing the fact that she had studied with Madame Pomfrey for an entire year. Casting a few diagnostic spells under her breath, Hermione heaved a sigh of relief as the diagrams of Draco's body rose. Her eyes showed her relief, and she let the spells fade as she took her hand off Draco.
"He's fine," she assured the Gryffindor, who relaxed, "he's just in shock. You should give him chocolate and a hot bath." Neville nodded, and the last few sparks of red began to fade from his eyes as she stepped further away. Hermione exchanged a wide-eyed look with the others in the room as Neville stood and began to carry his precious burden to their bathroom.
The door to Haven opened again, and Hermione tensed, wondering what was going to happen this time. But when Harry stumbled into the room and leaned against the door unsteadily, no one was prepared for what happened. Neville's outraged shriek echoed through the room but Harry didn't move, and in seconds he was thrown against the far wall by Neville's magic.
But the Gryffindor didn't respond, and Hermione cast "Protego!" over the brunette as Neville tried to attack again. "Help me!" She yelled in the direction of the others who were too astonished to have done anything. Pansy whipped around first, and cast a shield around Neville that nullified his magic. Ron added his strength to Hermione's shield, as Blaise did to Pansy.
"Stop, Neville!" Hermione yelled, but nothing was getting through to the teen. His face was contorted in rage as he tried to get through Pansy and Blaise's wall, and Hermione searched for anything she could say to get the Gryffindor's attention. And she found it.
"You're scaring Draco!" Neville froze, and glanced down at the shivering, sobbing teen in his arms with a terrified expression on his face. He forgot about Harry, forgot about the others and cradled the blonde gently, wiping the tears away and whispering apologies in Draco's ear.
Hermione sighed, and turned back to Harry, just in time to stop his fall. Ron grabbed Harry and Hermione let go of the levitation spell, turning to Pansy and Blaise with a horrified expression. Neville walked to his bedroom, all thoughts of everything other than his mate thrown out of his mind. The door slammed behind him, and all of the teenagers felt the magic locks click into place.
Ron glanced up at Hermione, helpless, and shook his head. "I don't know what's wrong with him," he said as the others came over. "He keeps mumbling, but I can't make it out."
Hermione pulled Harry out of Ron's grasp and her mate gratefully gave up his friend. He knew Hermione would be able to make everything better. Hermione cradled Harry carefully, and broken emerald eyes seemed to come alive a little as she called his name. She gasped at the hand-print bruising his cheek, and as Pansy and Blaise gathered around, offering Hermione their support, everyone watched as Harry grabbed Hermione's hand.
"…hates me…" Harry's voice was broken, and Hermione glanced up at the others.
"Neville?" Blaise mouthed, brow furrowing. Hermione shook her head, not knowing who Harry was talking about. The teen turned and buried his face in Hermione's neck, and a horrible suspicion filled her mind as she felt the scalding tears on her skin.
"… not worthy… made me leave… he doesn't love me anymore…" Harry was sobbing into Hermione's neck, knowing only that she had always cared about him and wasn't going to tell him to 'leave' or 'get out'. Pansy's eyes widened at the words, and she exchanged an appalled glance with Hermione.
"Oh my god," Pansy whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, and Blaise looked over at her in confusion, along with Ron, as Hermione stroked Harry's back through the black silk shirt. Seeing their expressions, she gestured to Harry. "I think his mate rejected him."
The boys gasped at the words, and all three turned back to the sight of Harry Potter, Hope of the Wizarding World, sobbing uncontrollably in Hermione Grangers arms.
… unworthy… despicable… undesirable… foolish… worthless… insignificant… useless…