Authors Note: I had this idea ages ago but didn't know how to end it nicely. I worked on it and added a bit every now and then but never felt satisfied qith the last sentence. In the end I decided that I won't give it an end in the traditional sense. Live doesn't end until one dies so this story of Harry and Draco could go on until they die. I just stop shortly after they got together so it won't be like rambling on. I might eventually add another chapter about wedding or a kid of theirs or even a marriage of their child. But I won't ramble on and won't just qrite it like everything interesting in their life is done before they are done öiving. So be warned, it has a strange ending and for those who didn't figure it out yet, this is slash. If you hate it, feel free to write a review to show that. I'm almost 40. I'm mature enough respect your opinion even if you can't respect mine.
Elf
Everyone in the magical world knows the name Harry James Potter. Everyone also knows that he is the boy who lives and soon everyone will know that he is the saviour, now that the war just ended with Voldemort's second and final fall. Only a few know that he was also an abused boy, unloved and uncared for by his muggle relatives. Even less know how hard the last year really was or that Ron had temporarily abandoned him. Apart from him just two people know what he had been doing during that year to permanently kill Voldemort. But there is still something no one knows about him. A secret he had kept from everyone, apart from those that couldn't tell a wizard or muggle, like Hedwig. A secret he never even shared with his closest friends.
His secret is that he isn't fully human.
For years he had developed abilities of something else and slowly changed. At first, he had no idea what had been going on.
It started nearly a year before he came to Hogwarts but it was so minor that he didn't even notice that it was this abnormal, even for a muggle. He had started to sense animals. Every animal. The spiders in his cupboard. The bugs and slugs in the garden along with the birds and once even a fox. He just slowly started to feel them when they were near. But he didn't just feel where they were. He sensed what they felt a little. Like a fleeting emotion fluttering through his mind and locating where it came from. It never stayed long though and since it usually was hunger, fear or loneliness he thought it was normal empathy since he understood those feelings. The happiness, safety and care he felt on occasion, like when a baby bird was fed by its mother, Harry blamed on wishful thinking. Nothing out of the norm. Nothing that was even real. He was just a keen observer and very empathetic towards animals. It was not even worth mentioning, right?
Turns out it was barely the start. Those feelings grew stronger over the course of about a year and by the time he went to Hogwarts he thought it was perfectly normal for a wizard. Probably the reason for all those magical pets to be so close to wizards. Much closer than normal pets to normal humans. Neville clearly just had as much trouble with this aspect of magic as he did with potions.
The first year was more than half way over before Harry got a fleeting picture of bacon along with hunger when Hedwig was next to him. Barely fazed, since he just chalked it up to further increase of natural and normal abilities, he just hands her some of his bacon getting a flash of his own image along with adoration and care. Happy he just patted her. The images got more often from different animals. Sometimes he reacts, sometimes he leaves it to the respective owner. Harry was fully convinced that Ron is the only on in their dorm who take as good care of his pet as Harry because his rat never tried to communicate with Harry in such a way.
He was half way through second year when he noticed that in rare cases, he heard whispered words from them in his head. Not sentences. Animals rarely think in words but those that live with humans do learn their words a little. Like Fawkes for example who told Harry "No fear." right before he burns. Not that it had helped his worries when it had burst into flames. And the chuckled "Told you!" from baby Fawkes, after Dumbledore explained it, had not been all that comforting either.
At the end of third year something new happened. It was a few days after Harry found out that Ron might not have been the best care taker and that talking to animals might be like parsel because clearly no one had noticed that Ron's rat just never communicated like an animal because it wasn't one.
One morning, where Harry luckily was the first one up, his ears had been pointy. Looking at the mirror he nearly freaked and wished it to return to normal and the next moment it was normal. He had looked at it in the mirror, confused about it. Wondering if it will turn back to be pointy, and in that moment, it did just that. Wanting it back to normal, it became normal. That was also the day Harry had decided that he had to do some research. There clearly was more to this than to being a parselmouth.
Research wasn't easy though. He didn't want to tell his friends just in case this was worse than parsel. Not that he didn't trust them, but if he spoke about it, they might be overheard. The best way to keep a secret was still to never tell anyone, not even his friends. He waited for the summer and carefully browsed flourish and blots at the start of the holidays going to London by muggle bus from his Aunt's and Uncle's place after sneaking out. The real problem wasn't getting there. The real problem was finding the right book. There were many books about many things and Harry had no idea where to start. Eventually he roamed the store and bought a few books about magical creatures in general, about magical beings in general and about interbreeding of races. And just to disguise his interest further he bought a book about potions ingredients from magical creatures and beings. Praying that something useful was in one of them.
He was covered with reading material until the end of the summer. And with the distractions even a little longer. Especially since he didn't dare to read them when anyone watched him.
Nothing in them helped, while every other week something else about him changed. Luckily, he could change it back and shift between looks. Sometimes the change was rather more change to an existing change. Like the ears getting pointier to the point of going nearly all the way up to the top of his head.
The triwizard tournament and research he did for that had taken its toll and he barely found time to read at night with his invisibility cloak to find out what the hell was going on.
He didn't succeed with his search for answers until a week after Cedric died. The nightmares about that finally giving him plenty of time to find the right book. A book about different elves. He should have thought about that sooner, especially with his ears.
Apparently, the physical changes weren't the end. Though physically he should be fully changed soon. From what he found out, one of his parents was a creature elf. An elf that can communicate with all kind of creatures. Which clearly explains his ability to understand creatures which usually develops before the physical change. He decided to try sending similar communications back and such call Hedwig or make her do things. Nothing bad but just to see if he can and soon found out that he could. Something he wished he had known when facing that Dragon. He had understood its emotions but not known how to communicate his own need to take a fake egg and leave it's own eggs in peace with her. That would have been really handy.
The next thing to change was the Aura sight and enhanced senses, just as the book had predicted and Harry was glad he had a warning about the last thing that came after, thanks to it. Every change up to that point was gradually, as it should be according to his book, everything but the very last one. Once all the changes were done, he was able to identify his mate the second he sees her or him. At the time he hoped that it would be Cho.
As it turned out, it wasn't. His Aura sight had started the summer after Cedric's death and developed parallel to his senses getting stronger. The enhanced sense of smell didn't turn out to be good when living with a bunch of occasionally messy boys in a dorm room.
Still he had kept everything a secret. Especially after Ron's first betrayal during the start of fourth year and the hatred from everyone during fifth. He just couldn't trust anyone enough. His decision to keep it secret was strengthened by the fact that, according to the book, his race often lives hidden with wizards and barely ever even knows who else around them is the same and that such the ministry can't know how many there are. For years they were even believed to be extinct until one changed to be able and use his full strength when his mate was in danger.
Harry had used some nights in the room of requirement to practise wandless magic and fighting when changed into his true form. He was physically and magically much faster and stronger that way.
The only thing that didn't fit perfectly with his changes and being a creature elf was his age and the time those changes took place. According to the book they start around the 18th birthday and end around 21 years of age. Apparently though the more power the elf has, the earlier the change starts and the longer it takes. The earliest recorded change started when the elf was about 14 and ended just after he turned 20. The latest known case starting around 21 and ending after a little over a year.
Noticing that only powerful ones see pictures from animals and that no one hears words Harry chalked it of as being a freak among freaks. He also developed a bit of trouble to stop seeing Auras while most need to focus to see it. Such he hopes to still have some time. Average time span is five years. Longest six. He started not three years sooner but seven years sooner. Such he assumes to need at least eight years and to have peace until his eighteen birthday. Sadly, he was wrong. He found his mate not too long ago on the run. Not surprisingly, it wasn't Cho. Something he was now actually glad about. But sadly it isn't Ginny either, obviously since he hadn't seen her on the run. Shockingly though it was a guy. And even more disturbing was the fact that he found him inside of Malfoy Manor.
Harry isn't an idiot though. His mate might have covered for him and such bought him time to escape but since there was no active help involved, Harry holds no illusions that Draco Malfoy could ever return his feelings. Which is a death sentence for his race. Average powered elves have five years to charm their mate or die. Stronger ones only three. Meaning, a freak like Harry is basically a walking corpse. He read that having a child with Draco could safe him. But would only grant him a life of longing. He refused to even think about the option, never mind beg Draco for it. He had decided to screw it all about the same second he knew who his mate was. He would off Voldemort to free his mate from his influence and die quietly without letting anyone know why he had died. He was only happy he could take his mate's wand during his escape in the vain hope he'd be left out of the fighting when he is short his wand. Sadly that hadn't worked. But at least Draco should be safe now that Voldemort is dead.
Harry knows he should be disturbed by the fact that Draco was his mate, but in reality, he started to see Draco Malfoy through the rose-coloured glasses of love. He was a part? Oh well not his fault that his father had raised him that way and Draco also has his good sides, and Draco had hidden that he recognised him. And Harry is sure he had. He's spoiled? It's not so bad if someone knows what he wants, is it? The list was endless and it summed up to Draco being the perfect young man. The only one Harry could ever love. Who cared about silly school rivalries in the face of true love anyway? A part of Harry even knew that if he could think without the mate bond he'd hate that he couldn't decide freely but mostly he thought that love at first sight or feelings in general weren't conscious decisions but just came on their own. This wasn't that different.
During the fire in the Room of Requirements, Harry even managed to get Ron in on saving Draco and his friend without letting anyone know how much it had meant to Harry to feel the other cling to him on the broom while saving him from the fire.
Harry just has to survive the trials for the captured death eaters, now that Voldemort is gone, and Harry will finally be able to leave all this shit behind and ask his parents in the afterlife which one is to blame for him growing up to become an elf with no knowledge at all. Not even Sirius had warned him meaning James clearly had not told him. He could have asked when he had the stone but the forest was full of death eaters. He didn't fancy being overheard.
The next days Harry tries to hide as much as he can from the press and the general public. He even avoids Ginny for two months before she breaks into his home to talk about their relationship. Harry had let her kiss him after his return to the school, mostly so no one would figure out that he even had a mate but dating her was not an option. So, he eventually, during her near hysterical rant about being sick of being avoided, Harry blurts out. "I'm gay!" after it shocked her into silence he goes on, "At least I think I might be. I do care about you. You are pretty and smart and funny and everything a guy could want and I do care about you which is why I dated you. I thought I loved you, I really did but you know, somethings" and here he slightly gestures to something between his legs "Just won't work the way it should while it used to work overtime after Quidditch in the showers with the guys. I didn't want it to be true though. I wasn't lying to you. I was lying to myself but I just can't anymore. You waited so long for me already. I can't keep going as I did. I can't do it to you. I'm sorry."
Ginny just turned and left and Harry is surprised when even Ron doesn't seem to know why they weren't together and had only been told by Ginny to stay bloody well out of it and to be nice to his friend.
The summer wasn't easy. Harry went to trial after trial after trial hoping that if he was there for many and spoke during many it wouldn't be too off to speak for Malfoy. Especially if he did for Miss Malfoy too and against Lucius Malfoy. He had considered to stay silent during the later for Draco's sake. But Draco hadn't gone to Voldemort when Lucius called, after Harry's presumed death. He only went for his mother. And speaking against Lucius might make it seem less like a favour to anyone in the family. He was glad that Draco himself honestly spoke of things that incremented his father further. Making it clear he wouldn't be mad at Harry for being honest against him. Harry also spoke for Snape. Surprised to learn that he had been able to cling to his life until he was found after the last battle. He needed weeks at Mungos but will return to Hogwarts as potions teacher.
Most students will repeat their last year and Harry has decided to go back too. Not to finish his NEWTS he has little hope to survive that long. But to be with people he cared about until it is over. And so, no one would know he expected to get sick when it's getting close.
By the time school starts he feels weaker already. Certain that he doesn't have much longer he is only going through the motions. Many assume him to have a post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD for short, no one guesses the truth.
It's the second week when his carefully constructed routine is interrupted. And who was to blame? Snape of course.
He kept Harry behind class one day. It was the last one for the day which meant Snape had way too much time to torture him. Harry tells his friends to go on and that he was tired and wanted to rest afterwards and would see them during dinner. He was always tired which they blamed on his presumed PTSD. Harry doubts he suffers from it. He feels free now that all this is over. So free that even the nightmares stopped. Maybe it's the knowledge that it's all over soon or that his mate is safe.
Wondering about it he doesn't notice the rest of the students leave or the door closing until Snape's hand slams on the table before him and wakes him up. "Welcome back Mister Potter. Do you think you are still able to follow a conversation or did the dark Lord kill too many brain cells?"
He knew it was an insult but Harry still grinned a little saying "Good one." Maybe he just likes the fact that Snape isn't coddling him because of his so-called PTSD, that or the fact that Snape helped him save everyone might be a reason too.
"Listen Mister Potter. I don't believe for a second that you are only suffering from PTSD. Laughing about my insult only confirmed it." Severus starts. "And I think I know what is going on."
"Please do enlighten me!" Harry drawls board and certain his Professor is wrong but he still wonders, since it sounds nearly like his most hatred Professor, dare he think it, cares.
"Stop me anytime Potter but I bet you recently noticed changes. Like sensing animals being close, or even sensing their feelings. You might even have experienced physical changes already." The Professor explains.
"No, really?" Harry asks sarcastically wondering why on earth Snape of all people knew about this. "I never would have noticed. What I really would like to know is how you noticed though."
Suddenly the other shifts. Ears getting pointy, arms and chest more muscular, legs elongate a bit and even his face suddenly looks more beautiful. His nose gets straightened and his eyes shine even though they are still black. His hair also gets longer and gains a healthier gloss instead if the greasy look he usually has.
It takes about five seconds before the word "Always" resonates in Harry's memory. The word Snape had said when talking about his love for Lily. That and the poor excuse of a life of longing by having a child with your mate cause Harry to groan and mentally curse the fates.
Certain that his life is officially messed up he's suddenly happy his mate hates his guts. At least it is an easy way out of the chaos.
Severus raises his eyebrows "I assume you have some questions."
"Who knows?" Harry asks "About you being what you are and being my father."
"You and me." Severus replies.
"And my mother?" Harry asks.
"Didn't have a glue." Severus grins smug. "Neither does James know though I guess he assumed the later."
"How on earth did that happen?" Harry asks confused.
"A spell of Bellatrix rendered James unable to reproduce. His, package, was working just fine but ineffective if you get what I'm saying." Severus pauses to see the boys reaction and then continues uninterrupted "He begged me to brew a potion that would help since Lily wanted a child and he feared to lose her. I refused a few times on principle and later explained I could only give him a potion that would result in a child that looked like his but be from someone else. James didn't like it but was desperate enough to take it if I gave an unbreakable vow to tell no one while James was alive."
"No wonder you are the head of Slytherin." Harry replies. "I don't think anyone is sneakier than you."
It's quiet for a moment before Snape's eyebrow rises and he asks "No questions about the changes or what we are?"
Harry turns too and summons the book to his hand with ease saying "Too late old man. I think I figured out what I need to know."
"Then you are prepared for the last changes?" Snape asks "I must say I'm surprised your physical changes are complete already."
"I'm prepared for everything coming." Harry replies calmly deciding that even though Snape will die if Harry does, he had looked calm enough when it seemed he'd die during the battle. He probably would be glad.
"Are you sure? The book doesn't know everything." Severus warns.
"Like what?" Harry asks curious if this could help.
"Like that a mate can have the same gender as yours or that you could carry a child if that's the case." Severus replies watching his son carefully. If the changes weren't distracting him, then something else was up.
Harry just sits board. He obviously had figured out that his mate could be male considering Draco was just that and it didn't matter that he could get a child from him despite it. He had already ruled out the option, somehow never even considering that males couldn't. Maybe part of him knew by instinct.
Severus watches thoughtfully. What teen, who had according to rumours been with girls wouldn't care to possibly be mated with a guy? Unless that option was out of the question because he already knew, who it was. "You already found your mate." He states certainly. "Who is she."
A low growl is heard from Harry. A clear warning. "My apologies." Severus grins "Who is he?"
"Not gay, not interested and none of your business." Harry replies calmly.
"You do realise that my life is on the line as well?" Severus tries to persuade his son. "He doesn't have to know if you think it would put pressure on him to help you and be wcfxzxith you. I'm sure I can get what I need using Slytherin means to get you his child without his knowledge."
"Do you know why I learned to cast a patronus powerful enough to get rid of hundreds of Dementors by the end of my third year?" Harry asks.
"Don't change the subject." Severus complains.
"Because if life sucks as much as mine there aren't many happy memories to choose from. I got through them quickly." Harry replies "And the way you looked at me after Nagini bit you, you get what I mean. You don't want to live any more than I do. You just want me to live." Harry gets up from his chair and takes his school bag to leave "I'm sorry old man. But I refuse to go on like this."
"What about your friends." Severus tries. "They'd want you to stay alive. They'd want you to keep going."
"Tough luck." Harry shrugs. "They have each other and as long as you keep your mouth shut, they won't even know that there was a way out for me. They'll think I got sick, be sad for a while and support each other through it."
"They'll miss you." Severus tries again but changes back when Harry changes back after reaching the door.
"They'll survive." He says and leaves not hearing his father's sighed words that he won't.
Severus keeps watching his son and tries to keep him after class each week only to get the same reply. "Just give it up already."
Barely a month passes before Harry starts falling asleep in class. At first the teachers ignore it, assuming his nightmares had kept him up. But after a month of watching it increase Harry is send to the hospital wing where he lies down in what feels like his own bed there and closes his eyes falling asleep again. Occasionally he is awake enough to hear Ron and Hermione talk by his bed side. Sometimes even McGonagall and Pomfrey talk about his condition. Which is how Harry finds out that the PTSD apparently isn't enough to explain it but a severe case of depression with it does the trick and so they found an excuse.
Ron and Hermione constantly talk about happy memories and Harry is glad to be reminded of fun moments between them.
He has no idea how much time passes before he hears a shuffling and his father's voice "It's past curfew, what are you doing here."
"I had to come." Draco whispers barely loud enough and if his hearing hadn't been as good as it is Harry would have missed it. "Please, the whole school is talking about him being depressed and getting worse. But Weasley and Greanger look so worried. Please, what is wrong with him?"
"He's dying." Severus replies honestly and Harry is surprised at the shocked gasp from Draco. "Madam Pomfrey says that it's a depression with the PTSD that makes him give up to the point that his own magic is subconsciously attacking him."
"Is there anything I can do?" Draco asks worriedly. "Anything at all?" Severus just shakes his head dejectedly. "There has to be something. I could do research or I don't know. There has to be something."
"You think I'd be here if there was?" Severus grumbles. "I'm trying to think of something to make him want to live but so far came up with nothing."
"You think he wants to die?" Draco asks sounding shocked.
"I fear so." Severus replies. "Which means unless you know some reason for him to live you can't do anything."
To Harry's surprise Draco sobs and hearing his mate sob, his anger about whoever or whatever made him sad causes a bolt of energy to rush through him and a low growl is heard from him. Quieter than last time where he was alone with Snape but loud enough for Draco and Snape to hear.
"Sorry, I should let him rest." Draco sobs.
"Wait." Severus says. He watches his son's still unmoving form before he puts his fingers to feel his pulls. He isn't sure but it feels slightly stronger than an hour ago. While Harry is surprised how warm Severus' hand is, not having been awake enough the last time he had done this, Severus looks at Draco ordering. "Take his hand."
"What?" Draco asks surprised.
"Just do it. Trust me." Severus begs.
Harry hears a shuffle before gentle and nearly burning hot fingers move along the back of his hand before they work their way into his hand, holding it tightly. "Professor." Draco whispers his voice heavy with tears. "His hand, it's so cold. Like he's already..." Another sob, "Don't let him die. Please, not him."
Severus feels the pulls get stronger but still just a tiny bit. Enough to confirm his suspicions though. Harry is awake, and Draco is his mate. It seems like despite Draco's obvious sadness; Harry doubts he has a chance. "Why?" Severus asks hoping to get the answer that could safe his precious son. Harry was right, Severus had no real interest to survive himself, but he'd do anything for his child with Lily. To keep the child Lily died for alive. That's how he had survived Nagini. His hope that his son could survive no matter what was happening. Albus had said that there was a chance and if that was the case this boy might need him. Even if only to explain the changes that probably already started considering Harry was powerful enough to fight Voldemort.
"I just don't want him dead." Draco replies sobbing.
"Bloody hell, Draco, tell me why. Tell him why!" Severus orders. "Please, trust me. I know you and I know more about Harry Potter than his closest friends do. If you want him to live, you have to tell him why you want it! And tc ell him the truth!"
It is quiet for a moment and Harry starts to try to open his eyes to see Draco one last time. But he feels so week. Maybe he should just try to disappear into the darkness and block the sounds. Severus notices the pulls getting weaker and is about to say something more to make Draco speak before his son slips away from them.
Before Severus gets around to it Draco finally whispers "I love him. I've always loved him. I loved him when I first saw him. I loved him when he denied my friendship. I loved him when we fought. I just antagonised him because I wanted him to see me. To at least have him notice I'm alive. But I always loved him. He just doesn't love me."
Severus smiles. The more Draco spoke the stronger his son's pulls became. He's still week, but no longer dying. Severus sighs relieved "He'll live."
Draco looks surprised at him and asks. "He will? How? Why?"
Still weak Harry squeezes Draco's hand. He wants to see him. Wants to comfort him, to dry his tears. Wanting it so much he shifts instinctively. Draco gasps surprised when the hair gets longer, Harry's arm and torso become more muscular. His eyes open, a sparkling green like a sun shining through emeralds. His ears being pointy and going up so far. "I love you too." Harry whispers weakly before his body changes back and Harry's eyes drop closed again.
"Harry!" Draco calls out scared.
"He's fine. He just needs a bit of time to recover." Severus explains. "You saw what happened to him, the change."
"But what is going on?" Draco asks "Why is he sick? What is he?"
"It's up to him to tell you details." Severus says "But he had chosen to die instead of forcing his mate to stay close or any other alternative."
Draco stares at the young man on the bed and whispers "I'm his mate. Why didn't you tell me right away? I know he's too much of a god dammed martyr but how could you just let him die?"
"Because he refused to give me a name." Severus sighs. "I tried everything. I even suggested to him to get what is needed to get him a child of yours. It could have saved him and you didn't have to know it was yours."
"He is a Gryffindor." Draco deadpans "He would never do something that underhanded. When will he wake up?"
"I don't know." Severus sighs. "Depends on his strength and how close you'll stay. The more physical contact the better. Will you stay with him?"
Draco nods holding Harry's hand closer to kiss the back of Harry's freezing hand before he rubs it to warm it a little. "Of course."
"If you get tired, I'm sure he won't mind if you sneak into bed with him." Severus grins at Draco's blush. "He might even recover faster."
"I can't. Not without his permission." Draco mumbles "He'd get mad."
"He won't." Severus says and walks to the door to leave Draco and Harry alone. "He might be unhappy that you know if he wasn't conscious enough to remember everything that happened tonight and what you said, but he would be happy to have you close. Now good night and in case he doesn't remember that I was here, let him know when he wakes up."
Harry hears the door open and close before he hears Draco sigh. Warm, nearly burning fingers start to move along Harry's check. Slowly the heat in those fingers get less extreme. Sighing Harry smiles a little and drifts off into a deeper sleep until a shrill voice screeches "Malfoy, what the bloody hell are you doing? Get away from Harry."
Draco looks up sleepily. He had fallen asleep next to Harry. His head on Harry's bed and still holding his hand. "I'm here to help him so calm down."
"Like having you around could help with his depression." Ron growls. "Now get away from him."
"Ron." Harry mumbles "Shut up."
Draco just grins happily saying "See Weasley, he wants me here."
"Harry." Hermione cheers, ignoring the bickering boys "You're awake."
"Yeah." Harry says. "What day is it? And what time?"
"It's the 27th of November 8:45am." Hermione replies and Harry turns to Draco questioningly
"Could you translate for cute dunderheads?" Harry asks grinning cheekily.
"Friday nearly two weeks after you went to sleep just before classes start." Draco grins lovingly.
Harry turns back to his friends saying. "It's a long story why he's here. I can't have you miss classes because you have to help me catch up what I'm missing. I'll explain after classes, unless you Hermione can do something even I can't do and talk Ron into skipping lunch."
"I see what I can do." Hermione replies. "And you're really better? Everyone is worried you know."
"Then go tell them to stop worrying and send me sweets. I'm disappointed, usually when I wake up here my bed is surrounded with a year's supply. I didn't black out after Voldy so I'm running short."
Draco chuckles saying "I'll buy you all of hunydukes if you never scare me like this again."
"Sorry Draco." Harry sighs and looks at Ron and Hermione saying "If you see Professor Snape, tell him I remember what he did and thank him from me, for everything."
"Snape?" Ron asks "Did they give you a strange potion?"
"Don't be silly and I promise that I can explain everything." Harry promises. "Please just wait until later."
"Come on Ron." Hermione replies "Harry is right, we need to go to class and Harry probably needs rest."
"He slept for over a week how much more rest can he need." Ron grumbles and turns to Harry while Hermione drags him out. "But you are wrong Harry. You can make me skip lunch. I'll see you."
Ron is just out when Harry says "That sounded like a threat."
"I think it was." Draco sighs "For me."
"Just give it some time. He just needs to understand." Harry grins and shuffles as far from Draco in the bed as he can before he adds "Snape was right you know, and I'm cold. Would you mind warming me up a little?"
Draco beams happily at Harry and sits on the bed before he slips out of his shoes and lies down pulling Harry gently into his arms. He's still cold, but not as bad as the night before. "Draco?" Harry whispers after a while moving his fingers through Draco's soft blond hair. "Is this a dream? It feels like one. I'm not even sure if I'm still alive because I feel like I'm in heaven."
Draco smiles gently and slowly leans closer to kiss him, giving him plenty of time to stop Draco. When Harry doesn't stop him Draco whispers against his lips "It's real, and I'll prove it." Their lips meet and Draco starts gently but eventually sucks Harry's bottom lip between his teeth and gently bites him. Just enough to hear a moan before he whispers "No pain in dreams, remember?" He gives him another gentle kiss before he adds "But you should rest."
"I don't need rest." Harry says "I need you."
The two keep cuddling and since that is also a very good cure for a presumed depression Poppy doesn't complain when she finds them like that. Draco is still there and still in Harry's bed kissing him when Ron and Hermione return during lunch.
"I told you, they must have given him a potion!" Ron says loudly seeing them.
"I think I should let you talk without me." Draco offers but looks worriedly at Harry "You'll be fine, won't you?"
"Of course." Harry replies.
"I'll be back soon." Draco replies giving him another gentle kiss.
"I'll miss you." Harry says while Draco leaves the room.
"Hermione can you brew something against a love potion?" Ron asks.
"It isn't a potion Ron." Harry says exasperated already. "I just love him. Is it that unlikely?"
"Yes!" both of his friends say.
Harry sighs but looks around asking "Where is Pomfrey? I don't want to be overheard."
Since he also eyes the door sceptically Hermione says "She's at lunch as is everyone else. Just tell us."
"Are you sure?" Harry asks "You know with Skeeter being a bug animagus I'm a little overcautious."
"I doubt she'd be hanging around here." Ron says.
"Considering that the wizarding world knows he's sick I wouldn't bet on it." Snape drawls from the door before he casts a spell and summons a bug. "Don't worry Harry. I checked last night if she was here too. But she wasn't around when I left. How much did you explain to Draco?"
"Nothing, I thought you might have." Harry replies "We were kind of busy."
"I'll watch the door while you talk." Severus says "And I'll make sure this bug hears nothing!"
"Thanks." Harry replies while Snape walks out.
"I know you trust him to have been on Dumbledore's side." Ron says "But what was that just now."
"Turns out James Potter couldn't have kids. Severus gave him a potion to help that my mom would conceive a child that at least looks like it's from him." Harry stars.
"And who is your father if you just look like it's James?" Hermione asks.
"Severus." Harry replies. "He's my dad. And he isn't fully human. He's a creature elf and would have died without a child from her or my mom loving him back."
It is quiet until Ron asks "What does it have to do with Malfoy."
"Ron please, use your brain. Draco is Harry's mate though according to the books Harry is a bit young to die from missing him." Hermione explains "Though since its Harry I'm not really all that surprised. I presume you can communicate with animals with pictures along with emotions?"
"Yes and those that are close to humans can occasionally use one or two words." Harry admits. "I started changing when I was ten."
"Ten? That is much sooner than average." Hermione replies.
"I know. Severus wanted to explain things after the war. Assuming that it started but not that it was over." Harry replies "When he figured out how far along I was, he wanted to help me with my mate but I refused, sure that nothing would ever make Draco Malfoy love me. I didn't even give Professor Snape a name but that is why he wanted me to stay behind after the lessons all the time. Last night Draco was worried because he noticed how worried you two were and sneaked in here while Snape was here." Harry yawns. "Seems like Snape noticed somethin' was changin' and while too weak to open eyes…" another long yawn. "did lis'en and growl 'bout som'thin'. Don't 'member what." Again he yawned "knew … got Draco to admit… loves me. That's…." yawn "start' to 'cover an' closer better."
Hermione frowns. Harry's speech was getting sluggish towards the end. She was about to ask if he was okay when Snape came in and took Harry's wrist. "Didn't you tell Mister Malfoy you'd be fine?"
"'m fine." Harry mumbles barely able to keep his eyes open.
Severus glowers and looks at Harry's friends before he says "Harry is too powerful and still too weak for a prolonged separation. He's deteriorating much faster than I thought. Get Draco and hurry."
Both rush off to find the blond and are about to split up when they see him lean against a wall just around the corner of the hospital wing. "You're done?" He asks sounding bored.
"Not really." Ron grumbles.
"But Harry needs you." Hermione explains.
Draco doesn't ask anything and just runs towards Harry finding him half asleep on his bed and Snape trying to talk to him to keep him awake. Draco gets to Harry to hold his hand right away. "Don't leave his side until the bond between you two is sealed. He's too powerful and deteriorates too fast."
"How do we seal it?" Draco asks his Professor.
"Harry should be able to figure that out." Snape replies and looks at Harry adding "After all, even his father managed that."
Harry frowns since it must mean that he himself was what had sealed it for Snape considering that he never got anything else from Lily. "Are you sure there is no other way to buy us some time? I am a little younger than normal in case you didn't notice."
"Sorry," Severus shrugs "I'm sure that once you're mostly recovered, you'll see there isn't."
"Why?" Draco asks. "What is it."
Harry blushes before he says "Nothing that can be done now. I'll explain when we're alone."
Draco looks worried but nods for now. Soon after Madam Pomfrey returns to see how her patient is doing and finally seeing him smile and laugh again while Draco is with him she decides to release him. Hopping that his new boyfriend will be enough to keep the depression at bay and that going out with him should be better than lying in a hospital bed all day. She still suggests to find a mind healer for the PTSD though and Harry promises to think about it but is still certain that it isn't needed. He walks out of the hospital wing and asks his mate what they should do now and they decide to go to the kitchen because it was long past lunchtime and neither had eaten.
They eat together there hardly talking in the presence of the many house elves but eventually when both are done Draco asks "Where can we talk about this? What Snape hinted and what I saw last night."
"The room of requirements should do nicely." Harry replies and both go towards it, still in silence, but it didn't feel uncomfortable and both smiled towards the other occasionally.
Once there Draco just asks "So you're a what?"
"Creature elf. Do you know anything about those?" Harry asks.
When Draco just shakes his head Harry starts explaining how Snape is his father, how that happened and how it had saved the older creature elf. After that Harry explains about him changing and even how it had been for him at the time and adds when that usually happens and normal limitations compared to his. After that he stops and just looks worriedly at Draco. Draco Looks thoughtful and then smiles asking "How handsome am I when you look at me with this Aura sight?"
Harry grins saying "I'd say magnificent fits it better. It's very different you know. Things lose their shape and objects are dull. I need to focus to see a wall. But I see past them I can see someone's Aura through a wall, it gets diluted and at some point it is diluted too much to see through but I can see Hagrid from here even though he's in the forest. Close to the edge though. Trees are harder to see through they have a week Aura. The Aura is colourful but not really readable because it all is mixed but a very dark colour indicates that something is wrong. Like if Hedwig is hungry there is a lot of dark green and I saw an owl with a broken wing that was a dark almost black, strongest by said wing but other colours are always mixed in. Despite changing I just know who it is I look at even all the spiders around have their individual identity though I can't really name them but I know when I saw the same one before and where as well as what she did."
"Awesome." Draco grins "That's handy when I look for someone."
Harry smiles a little unsure what to say and just kisses him again. The kissing soon turns heated, partly because Harry's instincts are screaming for more and Harry has a hard time not to rip Draco's very nice and expensive looking robes to shreds.
Draco seems just as eager until he stops the kissing breathing heavily he mumbles "As fun as it is to be constantly near you, I'd much rather know you are safe even if I get sick or something. So we should get this bond sealed. I just still don't know how. And what does it have to do with our age. Do we need to get married or what? Because I wouldn't mind."
Harry blushes and whispers "My real father is Snape and he wasn't exactly my mother's husband."
"Right, I didn't think of that. So what?" Draco asks almost disappointed.
"A child." Harry whispers "I'd need to have a child with you. But I am fine just being around you all the time so if you want to wait I can control my instincts. There is no…" Harry can't finish because Draco kisses him which effectively stops his rambling.
After an, in Harry's opinion, much too short kiss Draco stops saying "I'm not ruining my figure and I'm terrified of the pain, my mother always said giving birth is worse than a crucio, but if you don't mind going through that I certainly don't mind doing my part at all! And we'd be finished with Hogwarts before it's born so we could go to Snape to get the potion a wizard needs for that from him right now. Better quickly though or it'd be too late for right now though I doubt I'd mind more than one round."
"Creature elves don't need a potion." Harry just says and kisses him again. "And I really want you right now!"
No one saw Harry or Draco until the next morning. Ron and Hermione had been to see their Potions professor unsure if Harry was really safe with Malfoy to which the Professor replies that he is sure that he's sager with him than without and that they need some privacy to properly establish a stable enough bond to ensure they can be in a different room for a few hours or possibly more soon. After having been deteriorated as far as Harry had it will be fast again in a repetition. Meaning one hour apart could send him as far back as he was the previous night.
Hermione worriedly asks how long it would take since they have different lessons and that would be impossible right now it seems.
Severus kindly explains that it depends on luck and how much time they get to spend with each other alone. Meaning they should leave them alone and never ever question Draco s feelings in hearing range of Harry. That could always cause some despair even after the bond is stable.
Hermione is surprised to see Harry sit at the Gryffindor table next breakfast while Draco Malfoy is at the Slytherin table. "Are you okay?" She asks.
"Great. Starving, actually but other than that I'm really good. No worries." Harry replies before he asks Ron, who has the same schedule as Harry "What do we have first period?"
"Transfiguration." Ron replies "Malfoy isn't in it."
"Yeah I know. He was bragging about a free period." Harry grumbles "He's got Arithmancy after, what about us?"
"Free." Ron replies worriedly.
"That means you can't be together until lunch." Hermione looks thoughtful "Maybe Professor Snape can get you both out of lessons for a bit."
"Not necessary. I feel great. Never felt better." Harry grins.
"But Professor Snape said it go faster until it's stable." Hermione whispers "You might be out cold within an hour."
"Sure, but only if it weren't stable. Which it is." Harry shrugs and tries Hedwig who came despite not having any letters with her a bit of bacon "I'm good now Hermione. I can feel it, trust me."
"All right." Hermione sighs and looks thoughtful towards Malfoy saying "But maybe we should ask Malfoy to stay close so we can get him if needed."
"Don't." Harry shakes his head "I'm fine and he wants to do some research in the library."
"That's not so far from Transfiguration." Ron shrugs. "And if we go there after Harry maybe sees him before he's off to his lesson."
Half way through Harry chuckles quietly and McGonagall doesn't notice because everyone practises a spell so he can whisper "Draco is worried too. He's just outside the door."
"How did the bond stable that fast? Snape said he couldn't say how long it takes. Just that giving you some privacy would help." Hermione wonders.
"'Considering that having a child is the only way to stable the bond that certainly helped." Harry grins while both his friends turn beed red. "And I could feel the bond to our child since I woke up so I guess don't have to wait for it to be born."
"Why does he worry then?" Ron asks still Red.
"'Would you know Hermione got pregnant the next morning? He's worried I'm wrong I guess. But I really do feel great. Better than ever before."
"Just out of curiosity, when did you know he was your mate?" Hermione whispers.
"Last year. Right before he didn't tell his Aunt who I am." Harry replies.
"And when did you start to feel bad?"
"A bit right before the last fight but really just before school started. I was getting so exhausted from everything. I just wanted to sleep all the time. In the end I could barely get up to go to class and only because I kept thinking I might get to see him just this one more time." Harry replies "In the end I constantly fell asleep. Guess you noticed that part though."
"Everyone did." Ron mumbles "Everyone was worried."
"I feel really good now though. Like I said, never been better." Harry looks towards the left side of the door again and chuckles "I guess Snape trusts my judgment. He's sending Draco back towards the library."
"Or he feels it to. If a child could stable it, and you can feel it, maybe a grandchild is similar." Hermione wonders "You should ask him."
"And then I'll tell you before you'll die of curiosity." Harry grins at her. She just smiles back but doesn't reply. McGonagall gets closer and they don't have a chance to talk for the rest of the lesson.
Towards the end Hermione notices Harry look towards the wall left of the door again with an amused grin and such she isn't at all surprised to see Malfoy there when they leave the room. The shocked mumble after Harry kisses him is amusing though. Seems like no one had noticed them slip into the great hall that morning together and such so far no one knew they are dating. That kiss along with the way word spreads at that school should ensure everyone knows within the hour. A flash from Collin makes Hermione certain it will be in the prophet the next morning too.
"How are you?" Draco asks worriedly after the kiss.
"Great. I told you, no need to worry. And I bet Professor Snape told you as much when he passed here earlier." Harry whispers.
Draco shivers hearing his whispered voice "Yeah but still. You have no idea how I scared I was when you were in the Hospital wing. Do you have any idea how cold you were already. For a second I thought you were already dead. I just don't want to see you like that again."
Draco barely made it to class and was just gone and Harry and his friends half way to the library when Zabini walks closer asking "Do I need to see a mind healer or did I really see you kiss Draco?"
"You don't need a mind healer." Harry grins "And he's one he'll of a kisser."
"Halleluja. Thank you Potter, we Slytherins owe you one." Zabini sighs.
"Why?" Ron asks confused before Harry gets a chance to say anything.
"Because it means we might never have to suffer his Potter withdrawl again. Last year was the worst, he couldn't even see you here. Sixth year was the best, he was just annoying us with his bragging that you were watching him and believed him to be important. Fifth year was okay once he was in the squad and could annoy you to get attention. The worst he ever did on Potter withdrawal was stay up an entire night making those Potter stinks buttons while mumbling 'How dare he forget me over one lousy tournament. And why would he look at Krum. Bloody idiot looks like he groomed himself in the dark.' And so on. My personal favourite of those mumblings was 'I'll make him notice me, with this he'll never dorget me again. I'll be his biggest enimy and he'll never forget that.' Then Patkinson who was getting Malfoy withdrawal said 'You really think you can beat the dark Lord who killed his parents with those buttons?'" Blaize chuckles from the memory and Hermione and Ron grin as well "Draco's glare at her was epic. I swear he was trying to transform into a Basilisk."
Harry just glowers "Does Parkinson still fancy him?"
"Jealous?" Zabini teases.
"Yes." Harry just admits "Now tell me or run before I get you."
"Chill." Zabini grins "Theo got her eventually during the last year. Draco was such an insufferable brat only a moron would still have wanted him. Theo and Pansy are even engaged and want to marry next summer."
"A summer wedding. That sounds nice." Harry muses.
"Don't give Draco ideas." Zabini grins "He bought engagement rings in Hogsmead the first time he could go there without his dad knowing. Insisting he'll get you eventually. Boy was delusional, or so we thought. So how dud he manage to get to you eventually?"
"My rotten luck." Ron just sighs.
Hermione chuckles "Oh come on. I'm sure you'll survive your best friend dating Malfoy."
"I'm a Weasley, he's a Molfoy and if this goes on I'll be best man on his wedding. For the other groom of course but still. I'll be at his wedding." Ron groans before he glowers at Zabini "And it's your fault, you gave Harry that idea."
"Yeah but already has rings so I should let him ask." Harry muses "What do you think Ron, will it be enough of a hint to say that Nott and Parkinson certainly have a good idea with a summer wedding? And don't worry if you really don't want to come I'll ask Hermione instead. I would prefer both of you there though."
"Of course I'll be there when you marry. Even if it's with bloody Malfoy." Ron sighs. "Still don't get how I could have such rotten luck."