Chapter 17: The Talk

"OW! What the fuck?!" Draco snapped as he was woken harshly by a punch to the face. Draco looked around him and froze when he saw Harry flailing around desperately. The screams reached his ears a second later and he leapt into action. Draco straddled his mate to stop him from kicking and wrapped his arms tightly around Harry to avoid another punch.

"Harry! Harry, it's just a nightmare. Shhh, you're alright. I've got you." Draco tried to sooth his terrified mate. He rocked them gently and hummed a lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he was younger. Slowly Harry began to calm down and regain consciousness. Draco didn't stop rocking or humming until he heard his mate speaking.

"D-Draco?" Harry whimpered. Draco pulled back to look at the wet emerald eyes of his mate.

"You had a nightmare, Harry." He said softly and his heart clenched painfully at the heart-wrenching sobs that came from his mate.

"Please make them stop. I don't want to see them anymore. They scare me, Dominant!" Harry sobbed into his chest. Draco stroked his soft black hair and sighed.

"Will you tell me about your dreams? It might help." Draco spoke softly. Harry shook his head rapidly and Draco leaned away slightly to look at his face. "Harry I can't get them to go away and I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong!" Draco said, looking at Harry pleadingly. They stared at each other silently for a few minutes before Harry gave a small nod and pulled completely away. Draco frowned and reached for Harry only to freeze when the raven haired teen flinched away from him. 'Oh, Merlin. They must be worse than Sev said if he flinched from me. Gods I hope this doesn't make his dreams worse.' Draco thought desperately.

"Do you want anything, Harry? Tea or coffee or…something?" Draco asked softly in an attempt to make his submissive more comfortable.

"Tea would be great, I guess." Harry mumbled, not looking up from where his hands twisted nervously in the covers. Draco called for a house-elf and ordered Harry's favorite tea. The elf disappeared with a loud pop that made Harry jump and look around in fright. Draco silently cursed the house-elf and resolved to put a little bit of calming draught into Harry's tea.

The elf reappeared and Draco silently summoned a calming draught and poured some into both of their cups, mixing it in before he handed one to Harry. Harry sipped the tea lightly and sighed, his shoulders relaxing from their tense position as the potion started working. Draco was about to question him when Harry began to speak softly.

"I'm going to assume that Snape told you about our conversation and that's why you were allowed to come to me?" Harry asked almost silently.

"Yes. He was worried about you after you left and he told me some of what you've been dreaming. I know that you put up silencing spells at night." Harry looked up sharply at that and Draco nodded. "I wish you wouldn't do that. We don't share dreams anymore because we are together now but if I don't know you are having a nightmare I can't help you Harry." Draco said.

"I know and I'm sorry. I'm so used to it that I don't really think about it anymore, my magic just does it for me. I always got a beating at the Dursley's if I woke them and when I came here I didn't want to wake all of Gryffindor with my dreams and visions so I just kept doing it" Harry explained.

"I get that, Harry, but you know you don't have to do that with me, right?" Draco asked. Harry nodded hesitantly after taking another sip of tea.

"Old habits die hard, you know? But I'll try to stop." Harry sighed and Draco smiled slightly. They were making progress, however small it was.

"Now about these nightmares." Draco prompted.

"Yeah, they're a real pain in the arse to be truthful." Harry tried to joke weakly. "What all did Snape tell you about them?"

"He told me that you dream of Mother and Father calling you worthless, of him treating you like your cousin did and that you dream of me…of me…raping…you like that vile muggle uncle that I murdered." Draco answered in a whisper, forcing the last few words out between gritted teeth.

"So he pretty much just told you everything." Harry grumbled before rubbing his face tiredly. "Right, anymore of that calming draught that you slipped into my tea left?" Harry asked. Draco looked at him in surprise before grinning sheepishly.

"Guess I wasn't as stealthy as I thought." He chuckled as he handed Harry the potion vial.

"No, you were. I just know what it tastes like." Harry shrugged before downing the whole vial.

"Harry!" Draco exclaimed. "What did you take the whole thing for?"

"If we're going to have this conversation and you don't want me to get hysterical or hyperventilate or something else along those lines then I needed the entire potion, Draco." Harry spoke calmly in a detached voice.

"No, Harry. I didn't want to just talk about the nightmares, I wanted to help you work through the feelings connected to them." Draco said.

"We can do that after the potion wears off. I'll be a sobbing, quivering mess by then." Harry said. Draco sighed but seeing no other way around it he nodded.

"Good. So my nightmare starts off…" Harry told Draco what he assumed he had told Sev and by the end of it Draco was pale and mentally cursing everyone, especially himself.

"Harry, I swear to you I would never force myself on you." Draco assured the younger teen.

"Maybe not intentionally but when your Veela instincts take over-"

"Not even then." Draco insisted.

"But the Veela in you-"

"Harry you can't think of me and the Veela as individuals. We aren't two separate beings in one body. I am the Veela and the Veela is me. We are one thing. For instance when I say my Veela doesn't like other people touching you too much I'm not referring to another entity inside my body. I'm referring to my instincts. My instincts make me rather possessive and protective of you. Only I should be able to touch you for any long length of time."

"So won't your instincts urge you to mate with me?" Harry asked confusion evident in his voice.

"Yes, eventually they will." Draco nodded in agreement.

"I can almost guarantee that I won't be ready." Harry whispered, looking down at the blanket bunched up in his lap.

"Harry I won't want to complete the mating bond until you're ready." You pretty much determine how fast our relationship progresses. I won't be able to do anything until you're ready for it." Draco explained. Harry looked up at him hopefully.

"You promise? Not until I'm good and ready?" Harry breathed.

"Not until you're good and ready." Draco agreed. "I promise, Harry." Draco immediately found himself with an armful of crying Harry.

"Oh, God! Oh, thank you. You don't know-was so worried- been scared so long- love you dominant!" Was all Draco could make out of Harry's gasping sobs.

"Not that I'm complaining because I like having you in my arms," Draco said, tightening his hold around Harry's waist, "but if you took that whole vial of potion then why are you crying?" Harry looked up at him in surprise and then let out a watery chuckle.

"Draco how long do you think we've been talking?" Harry asked as Draco wiped the tears from his face.

"I don't know, a few minutes?" Draco asked as he looked around. Harry chuckled again and snuggled closer.

"We've been up since around dawn, right?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, around that time. I know it was really early." Draco said as he laid them down, Harry practically draped across him like a blanket.

"Tempus." Harry whispered softly. Big red numbers floated above them and Draco gasped.

"It's ten? We've been talking that long?" Draco gasped. He felt Harry nod against his chest.

"And we still aren't done." Harry sighed.

"Thank, Merlin, it's Saturday." Draco grumbled before shifting on the bed. "Come on, submissive. I need to get you something to eat."

"Can't we just eat in bed? I've never had breakfast in bed before." Harry sighed wistfully. Draco hesitated before nodding.

"Of course, submissive. Whatever you desire you shall have." Draco decided and was surprised when Harry twisted around in his arms.

"Whatever I desire?" He asked, a mischievous glint in his emerald eyes.

"Whatever you desire." Draco agreed slowly.

"Even if I wanted chocolate cake for breakfast?" Harry tested.

"I'm sure I can indulge you just this once." Draco smiled lightly at his mate.

"And if I wanted a dog?"

"What breed?"

"If I wanted to travel for two years?"

"We'll have to wait until graduation but as soon as that's done we'll go wherever you want."

"And if I wanted…you?" Harry whispered.

"I am already yours." Draco said softly. Harry looked up at him, blushing an adorable pink, and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. Draco returned the light pressure before sweeping his tongue along Harry's bottom lip. Harry's mouth fell open almost instantly and Draco happily plunged his tongue into the warm crevice, licking at the roof of Harry's mouth and trailing his tongue across teeth before wrapping his tongue around Harry's. Harry whimpered and pressed closer, tongue playing happily with Draco's as his hands trailed across the strong chest underneath him. Draco rolled so Harry was under him and looked down at the man he would spend the rest of his life with.

"I love you." He breathed before lowering himself down and attaching his mouth to Harry's neck. Harry moaned and arched up into him as he left his mark on the delectable skin.

"Draco." Harry whined as he arched again. Draco groaned and thrust down, rubbing their erections together.

"Harry." He moaned. "Gods, you feel so good." Harry pulled him back down into a searing kiss as they grinded against each other. Draco was lost in a haze of passion and pleasure.

"Yes, yes Draco." Harry moaned, eyes closed and lips parted as he panted. Draco froze and scrambled off the bed, shaking his head to clear it of the lustful cloud he had fallen into.

"Draco? Draco what's wrong? Why'd you stop?" Harry panted.

"Harry we can't…I can't… After what you just told me I'm not sure you're ready for-"

"Damn it, Draco!" Harry snapped as he slid off the bed to stand before him. "How am I supposed to get over this if you won't even touch me?"

"I'm just trying to give you time to-"

"I don't need any more time! What I need is for you to quit pulling away from me." Harry pleaded. Draco shook his head.

"Harry, you don't understand!" Draco shouted.

"Fuck that, Draco! I understand perfectly." Harry said softly, backing away.

"Harry?" Draco asked softly.

"I'm sorry that I'm not…pure, that I'm dirty. Used. I can understand why you wouldn't want to touch someone else's trash. I won't…I won't ask for you to touch me if it makes you so disgust-"

"Shut. Up." Draco hissed as he grabbed Harry tightly and pressed him against the wall. "Shut the fuck up right now. Don't you dare ever speak about yourself like that ever again." Draco snarled, fury beating inside him.

"Draco? I don't understand?" Harry said in confusion.

"No, you don't!" Draco snapped before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He pressed his face against Harry's neck and breathed in his scent hoping it would calm him down.

"Draco?" Harry whispered.

"I want you, Harry." Draco whispered back in a strained voice, he pressed his body up against Harry's so he could feel exactly how much. "It seems like every time you touch me I just want to get you to a bed so I can fuck you." Harry gasped softly and thrust lightly against Draco who pressed back

"If you are absolutely sure that this is what you want," He thrust sharply against Harry. "Then I won't stop this time. If you're absolutely sure, Harry."

"Please, please! Want you, Dominant." Harry pleaded as he wrapped his arms tightly around Draco's neck.

Draco caught Harry's mouth in a smoldering kiss that left them both panting as he slowly rolled his hips, their erections sliding together to create delicious friction. Draco moaned when Harry began to lick and nibble down his neck and hissed when Harry bit down hard on his pulse point before soothing the bite with his tongue as Draco had done to him just moments before. Draco slid his hands down Harry's sides, over his stomach and to his waist where he gripped him tightly, pressing him closer for a second before continuing down to grip his thighs and lift him up. Harry wrapped his legs around Draco and they both moaned as the new position pressed them closer together.

"Yes!" Draco hissed as he snapped his hips forward, desperately seeking relief for his aching cock.

"Draco! Gods feels so good. Don't stop." Harry whimpered. Draco shook his head and attached his mouth to Harry's, their tongues fighting for dominance. "So close, so close." Harry gasped, tightening his legs around Draco's waist.

"That's it, Harry. Just let go. I've got you." Draco panted. He pressed his forehead against Harry's, eyes closed as they panted for each other.

"Yes, yes, yes! Gonna- Draco I'm-"

"Come for me, Submissive." Draco moaned.

"Dominant!" Harry screamed, body going rigid as he came, desperate whimpers escaping him as Draco continued to move against him. Watching Harry cum was enough to push Draco over the edge.

"Harry!" He moaned as he came, hips thrusting jerkily as he rode out his orgasm. He collapsed against Harry, pinning him against the wall until he could gather the strength to stumble to the bed. They curled around each other, sharing slow kisses as they came down from their orgasmic high.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked worriedly as he searched Harry's face for any signs of discomfort.

"Brilliant, actually. I didn't know it would feel so good. That was bloody amazing, Draco." Harry moaned as he pressed his face into Draco's chest. Draco laughed softly as he grabbed his wand to clean the stickiness in their pants.

"Glad you liked it. Now how about we get some sleep and when we next wake up we talk some more." Draco asked as he pulled the blanket over them. Harry nodded as he draped an arm and leg over Draco, nuzzling his neck gently before closing his eyes with a tired sigh.

"Love you, 'Co." Harry mumbled as he drifted to sleep.

"I love you too, 'Ry." Draco slurred as he followed his mate into unconsciousness.

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"Any newsss SSSeverusss?" The Dark Lord hissed as he stared down at his most loyal follower, next to Bellatrix of course. The psychotic woman bowed to his every whim, just as it should be.

"Yes, My Lord. Draco and the Potter brat have been spending a lot of time together recently. It turns out that Draco is a Veela and his mate is the brat." Severus said, head bowed low to avoid the piercing red eyes he could feel on him.

"And why have I not heard of thisss before now?" The Dark Lord demanded.

"I only just found out about it when the Headmaster asked me to keep them apart. He doesn't want Potter anywhere near Draco. He fears that Draco will somehow manage to turn him dark." Severus snorted. "Potter is the epitome of Light, there is no way he would even consider it." The Dark Lord was silent for a few minutes as he contemplated this turn of events and how he could use it to his advantage. 'If I could get Potter to join me it would be a serious blow to the Light. Their own Savior turning against them would devastate them and they would hardly put up a fight afterwards. Yes, I must have him join me.'

"Ssseverusss, I want you to tell young Malfoy that he isss to attempt to get Potter to join our caussse. I will expect Potter here, ready to join me, by Chrissstmasss. Failure in thisss will resssult in very…sssevere punishment." The Dark Lord ordered. Severus nodded and bowed again before standing and turning to leave. "Oh, and Ssseverusss?" Severus turned questioningly towards his Master. "Crucio." Severus' screams filled the air as Voldemort laughed maliciously.

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"NO!" Harry screamed as he bolted upright in bed, flailing around in the dark. He struggled when he felt strong arms wrap around his chest until he could focus on the familiar voice whispering in his ear. Recognizing the voice as belonging to Draco he turned into the pale boy's chest as his shaking slowly calmed.

"Harry? Harry, what is it? Was it the nightmares?" Draco's voice was frantic as his hands swept up and down Harry's back, ran through his hair, brushed across his cheek.

"Vision. It was Voldemort." Harry mumbled into Draco's chest, ignoring the flinch at Voldemort's name.

"What? What do you mean?" Draco demanded as he pushed Harry back slightly so that he could cast a lumos and glare at him. Harry shrugged.

"Sometimes when I'm sleeping I kinda slip into his mind and I see Death Eater meetings or raids. I saw Nagini attack Mr. Weasley last year. Sometimes it's just his thoughts and sometimes I feel his emotions." Harry explained as he calmed down and slumped against Draco's strong chest marveling at the fact that they had managed to sleep the rest of the day away.

"And why the hell didn't I know this before now?" Draco snapped.

"It never came up in conversation!" Harry snapped back. "Like, what? You just want me to say, "Yeah, I love chocolate ice cream, quidittich and oh! I also have visions of Voldemort while I'm sleeping!'?"

"You still should have told me." Draco insisted.

"Well you didn't ask and it didn't come up. You know now so why are you getting on my case about it?" Harry asked.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I'm just worried about you. I don't like that you can see into the Dark Lord's mind. Who knows what you might see?" Draco sighed. Harry gasped and gripped Draco's arms tightly.

"Draco! I saw Snape! He had a meeting with Voldemort and he told him that you are a Veela and I'm your mate. Voldemort was mad that he wasn't informed sooner and Snape said he only just found out because Dumbledore has him trying to separate us, the old coot. So Voldemort wants Severus to tell you that you're supposed to sway me to Voldemort's side of the war and that he, Voldemort-"

"Merlin's pants, Harry! Would you please stop saying his name?" Draco hissed, looking paler than normal.

"No! I'm not going to call him by those stupid names that everybody else uses but I guess if it bothers you that much I can call him Tom." Harry said.

"Tom?" Draco looked at him in confusion.

"That's his real name. Tom Marvolo Riddle. Named after his muggle father. So I'll just call him Tom or Tommy, maybe Tommy Boy." Harry giggled softly as Draco shook his head incredulously.

"You're completely of your rocker." Draco chuckled.

"Completely so, I'm afraid. But I'll tell you a secret." Harry whispered as he stretched up to whisper in his dominant's ear. "All the best people are." Harry started giggling again as Draco just stared at him.

"Anyway!" Draco said loudly. "Was that all you saw?"

"Oh! Oh, no! I forgot! Snape was crucio'd! He's going to need some potions when he gets back." Harry said worriedly.

"Come on, then. We'll go wait in his rooms. That way we can get his potions and make him some tea. Make sure he actually gets some help." Draco said as he slid out from under Harry and stood up.

"Are you sure he won't mind?" Harry asked as he watched Draco move around the room collecting their robes and shoes.

"I'm sure. He'll appreciate the effort. He hasn't always had someone to watch out for him. He'll be touched." Draco assured him and Harry nodded as he finally got out of bed. Draco helped him into his robes, neither of them bothering to change out of their clothes from yesterday. Harry knelt down to put on his shoes as Draco grabbed their wands. Harry stood and gratefully took his wand when it was passed over.

"Ready?" Draco asked. Harry nodded and took his dominants hand as they left their rooms and headed to Snape's.

"I just hope he's okay. He's really not that much of a git, you know?" Harry said fretfully.

"I know, Harry. Me too." Draco said softly as he wrapped his arm around Harry's waist.

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Severus stumbled across Hogwarts grounds, heading towards the school. He could feel himself starting to shake from the prolonged use of the cruciatus curse and he prayed that he managed to make it to his rooms without passing out and making a fool of himself. He reached the doors to the castle and forced them open, panting from the effort. He shuffled down the dark hallway, heading to his beloved dungeons when Dumbledore appeared out of the shadows.

"Severus, my dear boy. Thank Merlin you came back alright." Dumbledore said jovially, eyes sparkling infuriatingly. Severus just glared at the headmaster and continued on his path without speaking.

"Severus, I'm afraid I must ask you to come to my office immediately to inform me of the nature of your meeting with Tom." Dumbledore said in false remorse.

"I am going to my chambers, taking my potions and passing out in my bed for the rest of the night. You will have to wait until I am recovered, Headmaster." Severus ground out before stalking down into the dungeons.

Severus made it to his portrait and quietly said the password, practically falling into his room.

"Severus!" A concerned voice called out as he fell to his knees, his strength finally giving out. Severus looked up to see a blondish blob hovering next to a blackish blob.

"Nngh." He groaned before he gave up fighting of the darkness hovering around the edge of his vision, succumbing to unconsciousness.

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"Oh no!" Harry cried as he leapt forward to catch the falling potions master. "Draco, what do we do?"

"Go down that through the second door over there. That's his bedroom. Place him in bed; I'll get the potions he needs. We'll feed them to him and make him comfortable." Draco said pointing to the room in question.

Harry nodded as he cast a hovering charm on the man and floated him gently into the bedroom and onto the soft mattress. Harry covered him with the comforter; made sure his pillows supported his head correctly and pulled of his shoes before Draco came in with a potions bag. Draco immediately pulled out three potions and spelled them into his godfather's stomach.

"What do those do?" Harry asked.

"One is for pain relief, one is to repair the muscles that most likely tore as he was tortured and the other was some dreamless sleep. He looks exhausted so I gave him a big enough dose to keep him sleeping until the afternoon." Draco said, gazing worriedly down at his godfather.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, Draco." Harry said reassuringly as he wrapped his arms around Draco's waist in a show of support.

"I hope so." Draco said. He pulled Harry silently out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. "Let's go back to bed. We'll check on him again at lunch." Harry nodded and allowed Draco to lead them back to their rooms where they shrugged off their robes, finally changed into pajamas, and collapsed back in bed.

"Harry?" Draco whispered.

"Yeah?" Harry whispered back, laying his head on Draco's chest, right above his heart.

"You will tell me about this connection with him in the morning." Draco said, deliberately not making it a question.

"Okay."

"And we'll be talking about your nightmares some more."

"Okay."

"And you will tell me-"

"Okay, Draco! I'll tell you everything tomorrow!"

"…Harry?"

A sigh of exasperation.

"What?"

"I want you to take this dreamless sleep." Draco summoned a vial and handed it to Harry, watching as he swallowed it down with a grimace.

"…Harry?"

"…Hmm…" Harry groaned sleepily.

"How often do you have these…visions?"

"Draco?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Shut up."

"Good night, Harry." A pillow smacked Draco in the face and he chuckled silently. "Yes, I love you too."

"Good night, Dray. I love you." A few seconds later Draco felt Harry relax against him as his breathing deepend and evened out. He smiled slightly, pressed a kiss to the dark unruly hair of his mate and closed his eyes, slipping into a peaceful sleep.

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A shout out to whoever can guess the movie quote! Sorry it's been so long but I have good news for everybody! I finished my physical therapy so I should have loads more free time to write. I'll try to start getting out a chapter a week now. I guess that's it. All that's left is for you to leave a pretty little review for me. Think of it as an early Christmas present or a very late birthday present. Or maybe even a 'you are so great so I'm doing something nice for you' present. Whatever floats your goat! 'Kay, bye now!