Chapter Thirteen
Third Person POV
Draco made his way to the Headmaster's office. After how well things had gone with Taylor, he decided he wanted to tell her what he was and who she was to him. After how much they talked while in Hogsmeade, he found she was probably one of the most understand people he'd ever met. He wanted, needed, her to know. Spending practically the whole day with her had shown him how much he craved being near her, how his heart soared when she smiled and laughed, how much he needed and wanted to see her look at him the way she had today while they were out.
He knew, or at least really hoped, she'd be open minded about the situation she was being thrown into unbeknownst. He knew the law would be on his side if he decided to 'take things into his own hands', but he knew he'd never be able to forgive himself if he forced her into anything. That's why he opted to do things on her terms.
"Are you sure this is wise, Draco?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the young man in front of him skeptically. Draco rolled his eyes at the old man and nodded.
"I've already spoken with my mother and I've decided that this is what I want to do." he said, not wanting to listen to the Headmaster try and tell him how to handle his situation. Dumbledore seemed to understand that Draco was adamant and decided to change questions.
"How do you plan on handling the...mating situation?" he asked, needing to know how to arrange things for the two.
Draco took a calming breath and forced himself to relax. He really didn't want to talk about that with his teacher. Especially one he didn't particularly like. "Her innocence practically rolls off of her in waves. I'm not about to push her into anything she's not ready for. When the mating does happen, it'll be when she's ready. Then and only then." Draco said, his voice firm and Dumbledore nodded in understanding.
"We'll set things into motion tomorrow." he said, opening one of his desk drawers and pulling out a back leather book and placed it on his desk. Draco didn't need to ask what it was. He already knew since he'd read the book back to front several times after coming into his inheritance.
"I don't want to be here when you tell her. I don't want to put too much pressure on her at once. Let her know that I'll be down by the black lake if she wants to talk with me." Draco said. He didn't want to be there when she found out because he didn't want to see her completely reject him. If she stayed away from him, never talked to him again, it might be easier for him. He knew that wasn't true, but he could hope. He knew if she rejected him, he'd die of heart break.
Without another word, Draco stood from his chair and left the office, needing time to think of what to say if she came to him tomorrow.
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Taylor's POV
When I woke up on Sunday, something felt odd. I couldn't tell what it was, but something felt off. It wasn't until I got an owl at breakfast with a letter from Professor Dumbledore asking me to meet him in his office after breakfast that I began to panic. "I wonder what it could be." Ginny commented, taking the curt letter from me and rereading it.
"I hope it's nothing serious." Harry said, noticing the scared look on my face. The first thing that came to my mind was my parents. What if something had happened? What if one of them was dead? Both? How would I be able to handle that?
"I'm sure it's nothing terrible." Heromine said, glaring at Harry after his comment. I didn't answer any of them. Leaving my barely touched breakfast, I made my way to the Headmaster's office as quickly as possible. There was no way I'd be able to eat until I found out what he wanted to talk about. I quickly rapped on the Headmaster's door and waited impatiently for him to call for me to enter.
"Come in." I heard called and I quickly opened the door and stepped inside.
"Are my parents alright?" I blurted out just as Dumbledore was getting ready to greet me. The elder wizard chuckled and held his hands up to stop me from saying anything more.
"Your parents are fine, my dear. Please, come sit. There's something I'd like to discuss with you." he said and just as I walked over to sit in the seat opposite of him, someone else knocked on the door. They didn't, however, wait for an answer and just walked in. I wasn't too surprised to see that it was Professor Snape. "Ah, Severus, I was hoping you'd show up soon." Dumbledore said and the DADA profession nodded to the two of us. "Now, Ms. Hawkins, did you learn anything about Veela's at Timberwood in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" he asked after look to the other man.
"They sort of put all the humanoids in one unit. But we learned that they are very beautiful, they can turn into harpie-like creatures when angry, and they are magically seductive. Why?" I answered, trying to remember what they'd taught us in the short lesson, my curiosity peeked.
"Well, those are all true, but they left out quite a lot. Severus, would you mind taking over?" Dumbledore said, looking to the younger man.
"Veela also have a special type of magic that doesn't require a wand, but not much in know about it. Veela hair is a magical substance that can be used as a core for a wand. They say if a single hair is plucked from their head, they will die or disfigure, though it is possible that the hair can be obtained if it has fallen out. Male Veela are extremely rare and there is little information on the males. It is known that when they choose their mate, they become extremely protective and aggressive towards others if they believe their mate is in any type of danger. They come into their inheritance when they turn seventeen, but they don't start experiencing the true effects of their inheritance till their mate turns seventeen." Snape explained and I was more than confused.
"This is all really interesting, Professor, but I don't understand what relevance any of this is. I mean, you don't normally hear about Veela in everyday conversation. They're just not part of the norm of everyday life." I said, hoping to get some answers.
"I believe a blunt approach would be best here, Headmaster." Snape said, confusing me even more and Dumbledore nodded.
"Ms. Hawkins, Mr. Malfoy is a Veela. He came into his inheritance on June 5th, last year, but started experiencing it on June 22nd, this year." Dumbledore said and I felt my heart stop. That had to be a coincidence. There was no way this was what I thought it was. It couldn't be. It just...couldn't.
"This is some kind of joke, right?" I asked, after a few moments of complete silence.
"I'm afraid not, Ms. Hawkins. You are, in fact, Mr. Malfoy's mate. You should also know he is very nervous about all of this. He's terrified that you won't accept him and that you'll think less of him because of his heritage." Snape said, causing me to come out of my shocked state.
"He wanted me to give this to you and," Dumbledore added, leaning forward and offering me a small black leather book. "if you wanted to speak with him, he said he would be down by the black lake. I highly suggest reading that book carefully. It will tell you everything you need to know in far more detail than Professor Snape or myself could. It is, after all, a Black family heir loom of sorts."
I leaned forward and took the book, the leather feeling worn and soft in my hands. "Am I free to go?" I whispered after swallowing, never taking my eyes off the book in my hands.
"Of course." Dumbledore said softly and I stood up from my chair, leaving the office quickly.
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Third Person POV
"How do you think she took it?" Snape asked after the young woman left the office, his eyes lingering on the door before turning to the Headmaster.
"I believe it's a big surprise and shock for her, but I believe she took it better than we could have hoped. Given time, though, I think she'll learn to see this as a blessing more than anything." the old man chuckled, standing from his chair. "Come, Severus, have tea with me." he added, smiling to the younger man.
A/N: I hope you all appreciate how quickly I got this chapter finished. My research paper is due in 2 weeks and I've only just started my rough draft and I need to get my interview done by next week, but I needed to get this chapter written because I didn't want to forget the things I wanted to put in this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. I'd love to hear from all of you.