Chapter 3

Draco held up the glass in his hands and inspected it. It was filled with a disgusting, thick, brown and green liquid... It looked lumpy and... Ew. "Just what is in this, Severus?" he questioned his godfather.

The dark-haired man grimaced. "I don't think you want to know, Draco. Just drink it. Try to get down as quick as you can; it might help."

The younger blonde looked up at his father. "Do I really have to? Look at this!" He held the cup up before his father.

The man sighed. "We've discussed this already, Son. Now take it like a big boy and stop complaining."

Draco glared at him but lifted the cup up to his mouth. The smell that hit his nose watered his eyes. He closed them tightly and threw his head back, gulping the disgusting liquid down as fast as his tastebuds would allow. For a terrifying moment, he thought he would vomit the potion back up, but his dignity was saved...

Until his knees buckled.

"Woah!" he exclaimed, trying to catch himself.

Severus and his father laughed, the darker-haired of the two catching him and saving him from falling on the floor. "I see the potion is already working." He placed his godson in his wheelchair.

"Is this all that will happen to me? When will it wear off?" He tried desperately to move his legs, or even wiggle a toe; nothing happened.

Severus tapped his chin in thought. "Well, Draco, you'll experience dizzy spells, you may feel some pain every so often... You'll most likely black out once or twice... Hmm... What else did I add in there?" If he noticed Draco's hard Malfoy-glare, he paid it no mind. "I think you may have a few nosebleeds; basically, you'll appear sick for real. And the potion must be worked out of your system. Just like with anyone who's lost the ability to walk and they have the ability to get it back, you must work at it. It depends on how hard and determined you are to walk again; if you work hard and try, you'll be back to normal soon."

Draco groaned. "You hate me, don't you?"

The two adults laughed again. "It's time for school, Draco," Lucius said.

Is everyday in Washington going to be a living hell?

TLA

Jacob was practically bouncing on his feet as he stood outside the school building. It was the first time all year that he'd been on time to school; actually, he was early. He hated school, but now, school equalled Draco. Draco equalled worth it.

He didn't know what he was doing outside the school, waiting for Draco. They had only just met; the blonde wouldn't think he was being creepy would he? Should he just calm down and hide in the woods until later and then walk to the front of the school and "accidentally" meet Draco?

Just as his befuddled brain was going to start panicking, a faint whiff of something pleasant found his nose. It was Draco... And he was getting closer! Suddenly, the big boy's brain had nothing to say and all he could do was wait until he saw the pale body and blonde hair.

Draco had a hand over his mouth as his father pulled the car up in front of the Reservation school building. He sat in the back of the car as Severus, who had decided to ride along with them, climbed out of the passenger seat and went to help Draco from the car. He had an awful taste in his mouth and he feared that if he moved the hand from his face even the slightest bit, he would be sick.

The Potions master looked at the grimace on the boy's face. "Don't worry Draco, you shouldn't be sick so early in the morning." He situated Draco in his chair. "You will most likely get sick later though. I suggest you stay near a waste bin."

Draco nodded his head weakly and did not respond verbally. He didn't want anything coming out of his mouth right now... He looked up at as a shadow fell over him; it was Jacob Black!

He felt his cheeks heat up, but that was from the potion. It was from the potion!

Jacob looked down at his soon-to-be mate worriedly, then to the dark man that had helped him from the car. He had a rather large (yet not disgustingly so) nose and rather shiny black hair. His skin was pale, but not healthily pale like Draco's; this man needed some sunshine. This man also looked nothing like Draco, so who was he? Jake didn't know if he should ask Draco if he was alright or if he should ask who this strange man was...

A small voice solved the problem for him. "Hello Jacob Black. This is my Uncle Severus. Severus, Jacob Black."

Jake was slightly taken aback from the tiny voice that came from Draco's lips. Sure, they'd only talked for a short time before, but that voice wasn't right. Draco was sick, but his voice had been strong and sure. He felt a sudden sense of dread; had something gone wrong? Was Draco's sickness even worse now? Was it okay to ask even though they'd only met once before?

No, dammit! he cursed in his head. It wasn't okay; at least, it wasn't okay yet.

"Good morning, Sir," he replied, wanting to growl in frustration. Why did it have to take so long for him to show who he was and what he and Draco now were? It both saddened and angered him. He offered the dark man a smile before looking at Draco. His hand was covering his mouth. "You don't look very happy to see me," he teased lightly. It was the only (and least lame) thing he could think to say that didn't sound worried or 'soon'. 'Soon' as in fast for their barely-there friendship.

Draco moved his hand away from his face and sat it in his lap. He offered a smile to the large teen. "It's not you, it's me," he said.

"That old excuse?" Jacob returned with a smirk.

The blonde laughed slightly; he didn't feel as bad now. I wonder what happened... "I actually mean it. I took some new medicine this morning. I don't think it likes me."

Snape watched this exchange with curiousity. It was rare that he saw his godson laugh for anything outside of his family. And just why was this large boy so large? "Have a wonderful day Draco," he said, "Your father and I shall be on call if you need us." He turned away quickly and even though he wasn't wearing his long black cloaks, Draco swore he could still see where they would woosh around behind him.

The blonde looked up at Jacob; now that Severus was gone, he could say what he wanted to say. "What are you doing?" he questioned.

"I was waiting for you," Jacob replied.

"Why?"

"Because I think we could be good friends. Plus, you'll probably need a proper tour of the place, and I'm your guy." Jacob offered his mate a large smile, enjoying his little play on words. He was in fact, Draco's guy.

Draco felt some weird stirrings in his chest. Was the medicine messing with him some more? He sighed lightly. "If we're going to be friends," he said, "Then open the door for me." He hoped he hadn't sounded too stern; he was just so used to giving people orders. But the big teen smiled again and nodded enthusiastically.

Jake happily pulled the door of the school open and was still smiling as Draco wheeled himself inside the building. They could be friends! That was great! After 'friends' came 'best friends', and after that came 'more than friends', which was then preceded by 'lovers' which was the same thing as 'mates' which was short for 'soulmates'! They were moving along so quickly!

"You certainly are a smiley bloke in the mornings," Draco mumbled as he watched the smile remain on Jacob's face.

"Well," came the reply, "It's been a good morning so far; I have no tests scheduled for today, which is always a plus." And you're here... But he couldn't say that; not yet.

"Not an intellectual kind of guy?" Draco questioned, rolling himself through the doorway. Did his father un-magick his chair? It was harder to push then it should be.

Jacob laughed. "Not a test kind of guy," he replied. "I'm smarter then I look." He stepped through the door behind his frail mate. "How about a tour?"

"I don't think there's much to this school that I haven't already seen. It's incredibly small." His stomach gave a harsh lurch, and he feared he would empty what few contents were in it, but he was saved the humiliation. "Could we just... talk... I guess?"

Although he was worried, Jake lit up at the idea. "Okay," he said. This would be a great opportunity to get closer to the blonde! "What do you like to talk about?" he questioned, settling down on the floor beside the wheelchair. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have humbled himself so, but he could do it for Draco.

Draco felt his lips curl into a smirk as he replied, "Magic." He told the truth while in fact, not doing it at all. It's a slight comfort.

Jacob sat up a bit straighter. "I can talk about that!" he exclaimed happily. Wow, what an easy topic he was given. His family was riddled with old fairytales, some true of course, but Draco didn't know that! "I don't suppose you looked into the history of the Quilette Reservation before coming, did you?"

Draco gave him a look that clearly said 'No, I did not', but he quirked up a bit in interest. Jacob was practically giddy. He could tell Draco about himself when in fact, not tell him anything at all! Hell yes!

"Well," the large teen continued, "You're in luck, because my father has passed down all of it to me, and my family is riddled with mystery..." He did a funny little hand motion, like he was trying to cast a spell or something.

Draco rolled his silver eyes. "On with the story then!" he exclaimed, trying to keep the interest out of his voice. Was it possible that maybe his stay here wouldn't be an absolute magic-free hell? And besides that, he was feeling a bit better. Maybe Sev's concoction wouldn't have as bad an affect on him as he was warned.

Jacob laughed, a deep warm sound. "Sadly, we only have a short amount of time, so you can only have one story right now. I'll just give you the best one." He got on his knees to be closer to Draco's current height. "Many years ago," he began, using his story-telling voice, "A group of people... nomads, wandered through the Quilette territory. At their arrival and even after their passing, the Quilettes were not the same. You see, these nomads survived on the blood of human beings. They were cold and hard as steel; they had no purpose other then to kill the innocent. My people, descendents of the noble and majestic wolf, protector of the forrests, answered the call of these cold ones. Some of the bravest and strongest of the men in the Tribe could become the noble wolf, the only thing capable of tearing through cold flesh. They were able to protect the Tribe and all humans from these beasts that would see them dead."

Draco listened intently. What do we have here? Shapeshifters and cold ones... Cold ones? He was unfamiliar with that term... Wait. Cold skin, hard as steel, killers... Vampires! Well that was interesting. Were the vampires still around? That might be very promising.

"But, one hundred years ago, a group of cold ones came to town that weren't like the others. They lived off the blood of animals and refused to touch the humans. Their leader and the Quilette leader made a treaty. As long as no humans were bitten by them and as long as they never crossed the boundary of the Reservation, they would be left to live peacefully. It is said that this treaty remains today."

"Why?" Draco questioned, trying to play the enthralled listener to cover the fact that he actually was a tad bit enthralled.

"Because the cold ones are here, a few miles up the road."

RING

Jacob jumped to his feet. "That's the bell! Where's your first class?" he questioned, fully intending on making sure Draco got there safe and sound.

"I can get there myself," Draco replied, rolling his chair a bit. "Thanks for the story. I'd like to hear more about the vampires." It really was a struggle today to move his chair today. And his father wouldn't have un-magicked it, so was this the medicine? Loss of strentgh? Dammit.

But suddenly, the chair began moving on it's own. What the hell? And then, he noticed the heat behind him and shadow that fell over him. Jacob was helping him. He didn't want to be helped! He was. Not. Weak.

He was about to say so in a few harsh words, but Jacob looked down at him and smiled.

"I'm not helping you," he explained, seeing the pride in his imprint's eyes and guessing that the last thing Draco wanted was to be babied, "I'm just getting you out of my way."

Draco did not tear up at those words. He got something in his eyes, or the medicine was making his eyes watery. He looked straight ahead and mumbled where his first class was, trying to wipe the teary smile off his face.

Jacob smiled, glad he hadn't veered off course and glad that he had chosen to say the right words.