Ch. 19
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WARNING!
There is some mention of gore, it's very slight but it is there. If you don't like that kind of thing I suggest you skip past the warning at the beginning of that part and go on to the next one.
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Draco turned from the approaching gryffindor to stare at the two redheads of the group. He silently thanked Merlin that they were mostly hidden in the shade of the nearby quidditch stands.
"You two need to hide, quickly. Go farther under the bleachers and don't make a sound. Circle back around and act like you hate us when she gets here. Now!" Draco hissed when the twins hesitated. They scrambled up and slipped away just as Granger reached them.
"Harry, we need to talk." She said immediately, ignoring everyone else in favor of staring at the raven-haired teen.
"Granger, you need to fuck off." Harry retorted and Blaize snorted in amusement.
"This is serious. It's about Ron and Ginny and Dumble-"
"Leave." Harry cut her off coldly. She blinked at him in surprise.
"But-"
"Listen carefully to me Granger." Draco said slowly as if talking to a cognitively challenged child wearing earmuffs on the other side of a soundproof window. "You chose your lot. You turned your back on Harry and demeaned anything that you might have shared when you followed the orders of that twinkling eyed bastard. So you will leave. You will not approach Harry again, ever. If I find out you have I will have you tortured and-" A warm hand on his chest had him looking down into the emerald eyes of his mate.
"You're growling, Dominant and your eyes are pure silver." Harry said softly. He leaned against Draco's strong chest and Draco fought back a shiver of desire, skillfully ignoring the amused looks of his friends. "Calm down, now is not the time to be making threats."
"Does that mean we can threaten people later?" Draco asked, eyebrow raised incredulously. Harry grinned innocently up at him and Draco smirked. "Look who's slowly being corrupted. I'm so proud!" Draco chuckled. Granger cleared her throat and emerald eyes snapped to her, narrowing in contempt. The Weasley twins slowly walked up behind the oblivious female and opened their mouths to make a comment. Draco shook his head slightly and they returned to the shadows of the stands.
"Are you still here? Why are you still here? I swear I just told you to-"
"I have really important information that I know you'll want to hear so if you can stop acting so childish for just a second-"
"How dare you! I'm not-"
"Yes, you are! You won't even listen-"
"I'm not going to waste my time listening to anymore of your lies-"
"Dumbledore's plan to kill you isn't a lie!" Hermione snapped. "I overheard Ron and Ginny talking about it in the common room, they didn't see me in the armchair by the fire and I heard every word."
There was a stunned silence around the group now. Blaize and Pansy, who had been watching the arguing lions in amusement, stared at the bushy haired teen with cold calculation and Neville stared in horror. Draco's expression was blank except for the cold fury in his eyes and Harry looked unsurprised.
"Why are you telling me this, Granger. I thought you would be thrilled at the news. After all, if I'm dead," Draco closed his eyes in pain at the thought, "you, Ron and Ginny could split all my galleons between you. Isn't that what you want? It's why you became my friend, right? Dumbledore paid you to?" Harry sneered, underlying hurt in his voice. Draco wrapped his arms around his mate's slim waist, hugging him close.
"What are you talking about? Dumbledore never paid me to do anything. I mean, he would call me to his office and ask me about you. If I thought you were happy, if you were having nightmares, were you eating enough. He just wanted to make sure you were happy and healthy." Granger said. "Or that's what I thought."
"Oh, I'm sure. That's why he left me on a doorstep in the middle of the night to freeze. That's why he never had anyone check up on me. It all makes sense!" Harry's laugh was hollow. "What kid doesn't want to do all the chores in the house, cook every meal and never get any more than a stale piece of bread and some water? I'm sure anyone would love being forced to…to l-learn how to cor-r-rectly s-suck-" Draco shifted so he was kneeling in front of his sobbing mate. He cupped Harry's face with one hand, the other wrapping tightly around his waist.
"Shh, Emerald. He can't do anything to you anymore. I killed him, remember? He's dead, they all are. No one will ever hurt you like that again." Draco whispered as he slowly rocked Harry, drying his tears and offering words of comfort. He looked up to see Granger staring with wide, horrified eyes, her hands covering her mouth. He looked around at his friends and Longbottom and saw the same horror and fury that he could feel rushing through him echoed in their expressions. Draco looked back down at the silently sobbing boy in his arms and sighed. He lifted Harry, cradling him close to his chest and stood up.
"Well, it was horrid conversing with you, Granger. You managed to ruin the first truly happy mood he's been in since I saved him. Congratulations. Let's never do this again and I hope you slip and fall off the moving staircase. Or the Astronomy Tower, I don't really care which." Draco said in a falsely cheerful voice before he carried his distraught mate back to the castle.
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Hermione watched as her friend 'Was he still her friend?' was carried to the castle in the arms of his school rival. When she turned back around a slim ebony wand was pointed right at her. She looked from the tip to the dark skinned Italian holding it and back.
"Good, we have your undivided attention." Blaize smirked coldly.
"Maybe now you will listen when we tell you to stay away from Draco and Potter." Pansy said from behind and to the right of Blaize, Neville standing to his left. "I've heard talk that you were the brightest witch of our generation, I don't believe it, of course, but if you have any intelligence you will not bother them again with your trivial apologies and useless information."
"Draco may not hurt you because he doesn't want to upset Potter but I have no such qualms and I can assure you that we Slytherins are far darker than you think. Upset him again and you will find out exactly why the rest of the school is so wary of us." Blaize threatened softly before he held out his arm to Pansy and escorted her back to the castle. Hermione turned wide eyes towards Neville and he shook his head.
"Don't look at me. You deserved it and I, personally, wouldn't mind helping them if you keep hurting him. He's been through enough, don't you think?" Neville murmured softly and turned to walk away, hands shoved into his pockets as he whistled softly.
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"I'm sorry." Harry whispered against Draco's neck, still wrapped up in the blond's arms. Draco had made his way quickly to their rooms and they were now curled around each other on the couch.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Draco whispered back.
"But I broke down and cried! And we were having fun and…I ruined it." Draco sighed and shifted on the couch so he was hovering over Harry.
"You. Ruined. Nothing. Do you understand? That overbearing bitch just couldn't keep her nose out of places she wasn't wanted. Harry you were doing so well. You were happy, for a while. You smiled and laughed." Draco dropped his head on the chest beneath him. "I hate her for taking that away from you." Harry pulled Draco down on top of him and smiled warmly.
"My hero." He breathed before leaning up and pressing his lips to Draco's. Draco returned the kiss pouring all the love and comfort and adoration he wanted to give Harry into it.
"I love you." Draco whispered when he pulled back. Harry blinked up at him, eyelashes still wet with tears and his expression uncertain.
"Draco, what my uncle did to me…it wasn't just…it was more than what you saw when you rescued me." Harry whispered looking everywhere but at the blond Veela. Draco stiffened.
"What?" He practically growled. Harry flinched and looked up fearfully.
"I'm sorry! I thought you would want to…but of course you don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry I'm so disgusting and I know-"
"Shut up, Potter." Draco sighed. He sat up, pulling Harry up with him until they were sitting side by side on the couch.
"Are you sure you want to talk about this? You begged me just this morning not to bring it up." Draco said slowly.
"Well, I already blurted out more than I meant to in front of the others. I can tell you about it in private, I think." Harry groaned in frustration and ran his hand through his hair. Draco rubbed his back soothingly.
"Harry you don't have to. I can wait until you finish with the pensieve memories. You don't have to tell me anything right now." Draco murmured. Harry smiled shakily up at him and rested his head on the older male's chest.
"Thank you." Harry sighed as his eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off in an exhausted sleep.
"Anything for you, Harry." Draco smiled fondly down at his mate and gently picked him up, moving him to the bedroom where he slowly laid him back down, covering him up and brushing black locks out of his face. Draco leaned down and kissed his forehead before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind him and storming out of their personal chambers. All of the anger he had been suppressing whipped around him like a whirlpool as he turned his attention to hunting down a certain fuzzy-headed Gryffindor girl.
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Severus sat in his chambers staring at the fire roaring in his fireplace. The same position he had been in after his godson had glared death at him while dragging his mate away. Severus sighed and poured himself a glass of whiskey, cupping it in both hands as he contemplated his position.
He needed to apologize to Harry first. He sipped his alcoholic beverage while he battled his guilt. Severus had not meant to snap at the teen but the stress from his meeting with the Dark Lord had shortened the already short level of patience that he had. Severus was also not used to having someone care for him. He had not known how to respond when the two had burst into his private chambers asking if he was hurt, had he taken any potions, poking and prodding at him as they tried to sniff out any hidden injuries. Severus was used to being alone, taking care of himself, much like his abused students.
"Damn it." Severus sighed. He would have to talk to Draco. He didn't know enough about the Potter heir to know what would smooth things over the best. Severus downed the rest of his whiskey then swept out of his room in search of his, no doubt furious, godson.
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Dumbledore groaned, blinking blearily as he rolled onto his back. He tried to sit up and quickly decided that that was a horrid idea when his head throbbed painfully. Groaning again he pulled out his wand and pointed to his temples, sighing when the pain alleviated. Dumbledore stood slowly and looked around in surprise at the wreckage that had once been his office.
"Now how did this happen?" He mused as he waved his wand in a grand arch across the room. Items began to weld back together as he stared around for some kind of clue. It wasn't until he saw Fawkes' bird stand, still broken into pieces that he remembered what happened.
"Fawkes!" He gasped searching desperately for the bond that connected them as master and familiar. It was gone. Dumbledore sank slowly into his chair behind his desk as he stared blankly down at the many official documents that still needed his attention.
Fawkes had severed their bond. He had left him. Phoenixes only bonded with Light wizards. So if a Phoenix rejects or leaves you, what does that mean?
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Fawkes appeared in a soft glow of light in the darkened bedroom. He flew around the room three times setting up his own protection before he settled gently on the bed next to the deeply sleep body cocooned in blankets and sheets. The body began to twist and turn, soft whimpers of fright and pain coming from the unconscious form. Fawkes trilled soothingly and the figure settled down, a soft sigh of content falling from their lips. Fawkes chirped happily and was pleased when the person gave a soft smile. He would watch over this person while they slept and when they awoke Fawkes would instigate a bond. The young one would need his assistance after all.
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Warning. This is the small gore part.
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Draco stood at the entrance to the library looking around at all of the study tables until he found who he was looking for. He stalked forward, expression coldly furious.
"Granger, just the mudblood I was looking for." Draco said coolly as he slid into a chair across from her. She looked up at him with wide eyes and a pale face.
"Malfoy, I-"
"Shut up!" He hissed, narrowing his eyes at her. "Did I say you could talk? I am going to speak and you are going to shut your mouth and listen." Draco glared at her silently for a moment before he straightened in his chair and folded his hands on the table.
"Now, today my mate woke up from a horrid nightmare, I'm sure you know all about those and the awful visions he has, had a traumatizing conversation about his abuse and neglect at the hands of his family, and felt threatened by a man he thought he could trust because of the insecurities that have been ingrained in him since he was one. All of that in the span of a few hours. After all that I thought to myself 'Harry could really use some relaxing time with his friends, maybe fly around and forget things for a while' and it worked. For all of three hours because some over-bearing self-important mudblood decided to barge in where she was most definitely not wanted. If you speak I will not hesitate to hex you unconscious!" Draco hissed when Granger opened her mouth indignantly.
"Do you see what I'm trying to say, Granger? You ruined the little bit of happiness he managed to scare up since I saved him from that Hell you called his home. I love Harry. He is my mate, my submissive. Mine to have and mine to protect." Draco spoke venomously. "I do not take too kindly to people hurting him. Not physically, not emotionally. And when someone does it is up to me to set things straight and make sure it never happens again. Do you know what I did to his uncle when I caught him?" Draco asked softly. Hermione shook her head, trembling slightly and paler than she had been when he arrived. Draco allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction before he chuckled darkly.
"I pulled him off of Harry and ripped of his cock. I figured he wouldn't be needing it anymore after I killed him so why not?" Granger choked as she stared at him in horror. "I had half transformed when I barged in on him raping my mate so I was able to use my claws to tear into his stomach and I yanked. It was actually extremely unpleasant, the sensation of someone's guts spilling onto your hand. After that I tore out his eyes, broke every bone in his hands, broke his neck, dismembered him and shoved him in a bathtub." Granger was a sick green and she was gagging violently.
"W-why would y-you do that to a p-person?" She sobbed softly, staring at him in fear. Draco stood slowly, braced his hands on the table and leaned over until he was right in her face.
"He raped my mate, Granger. Multiple times since he was just a child. He wasn't a person, he was a monster and I was not about to just let him go free because as long as he was alive Harry would have been forced to go back because of your beloved," Draco sneered the word, "Headmaster. He hurt him, Granger. And now he won't be able to ever again." Draco leaned back and pushed his chair back in. He took a deep breath and smiled politely at her.
"Have a nice day, Granger." He said pleasantly as he turned and strolled out of the library, smirking darkly. Granger was smart, he knew, now she would think twice, hell she'll think it over five times ask a friend and then debate the pros and cons, before bothering his mate. Feeling completely satisfied with himself he ambled down the hallways, eager to return to his sleeping submissive.
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Severus was still searching for his elusive godson when twin flames popped up in his path.
"Weasley's whatever you are thinking of doing you will cease and go find another victim." Severus sneered. The twins just grinned impishly at him.
"Now, now Professor," The one to his right started.
"What makes you think-," The other continued.
"-that we are"
"-planning anything?"
"We just wanted-"
"-to talk." They smirked up at him and he sighed.
"I do not believe you and even if I did I am rather busy and do not have time for trivial pleasantries so I will just be on my way." Severus said as he tried to sidestep the twin horrors.
"Wait! You haven't heard what we wanted to say! That's quite rude, wouldn't you say, George?" Fred looked to his brother who nodded solemnly.
"Incredibly rude, dear Fred. It won't take but a minute of your time, Professor and it is important." George said in the most serious voice Severus had ever heard him use. Severus was surprised by how much their odd seriousness bothered him. The twins should always be laughing, joking and pranking. They should most definitely not be looking up at him with such worried and nervous expressions.
"Fine." Severus snapped pushing away the odd feelings for inspection when he was alone. "What is it you want to converse about?" The twins shared a nervous look with each other before turning back to him. Fred opened his mouth to speak, gaped at him for a moment and then closed his mouth turning pleadingly to his brother who just repeated his actions.
"Well that was very informing. Thank you for wasting approximately five minutes of my time. I will see you in class." Severus sneered as he swept around them and continued his search for a certain blond Veela.
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Fred and George watched as the potions master swept down the hall, black cloak swirling formidably around him.
"Well that went well." Fred sighed. George leaned against his twins sadly.
"We can't even get up the courage to ask him. What kind of Gryffindors are we?" George groaned as he buried his face into his brother's neck. Fred wrapped his arms around his twin comfortingly.
"We can do it. We just need a little more time is all." Fred tried to sound optimistic.
"We don't have a lot of time left, Freddie. We need a grounder before we turn twenty and we're seventeen now." George said, leaning back to look his brother in the face.
"Hey!" Fred cupped George's face and kissed him gently, mapping out his mouth with his tongue until his twin was melted against him, moaning softly. "We'll be fine George. I won't let anything bad happen to you okay?" Fred kissed his brother again before letting him go and pulling him along.
"Now, we're done pitying ourselves and it's time to make a plan. We have a potions master to seduce." The twins cackled mischievously as they made their way to Gryffindor tower.
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Voldemort sat upon his throne and looked down on the blond kneeling before him.
"Ah, Lucciusss. I have a tassk for you." Voldemort hissed.
"Whatever you need, my Lord, I will be happy to do." Lucius intoned, pushing away the feeling of disgust he felt having to kneel before the psychotic man.
"I have ordered Sseveruss to tell your ssson he iss to turn Potter away from the Light. I want you to invite them home for the weekendsss and holidays for the ressst of the year. You are to teach him the dark artsss and make sssure he isss ready to join me come sssummer." Voldemort commanded.
"Yes, my Lord. I will happily follow your orders without fail." Lucius responded submissively.
"And just ssso you realize how important thisss task iss…CRUCIO!" Lucius' scream echoed around the room, mixing with the maniacal laughter of his torturer.
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Neville shifted in his bed where he had collapsed after the disastrous meeting with Harry. Neville was surprisingly exhauster. He was studying harder than ever so he would be able to help Harry whenever he needed it and defending Harry against the rest of his house was taking its toll. The sound of feet stomping up the staircase to the sixth year boy's dorm had Neville groaning in defeat.
He knew he wouldn't be getting any more sleep, not that he really wanted to go back to his nightmare, once the others came in so he pushed himself up into a sitting position and rubbed his face. The door slammed open and Ron, Dean and Seamus strolled in laughing loudly. Ron turned to look at him and his mouth dropped open in surprise, the other two following his actions when they turned to stare at him as well.
"What the actual fuck?" Ron shouted, pointing to something over his shoulder. Neville turned around slowly and gasped in awe.
"How did a phoenix get in here?"
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Okay before you guys ask any questions about the Twins/Severus thing I'll explain. In my story twins are pretty much the same soul, just split into two bodies. Twins get a magical boost on their twentieth birthday. A grounder is a mate that twins choose to help them ground their magic and emotions. If twins don't have a grounder already chosen to help them on their birthday they will not be able to survive the influx of magic. They don't have to be bonded with their grounder before their birthday but they must bond within the year afterwards or their magic will turn inwards and they will slowly descend into madness.
If you still don't understand or you have any questions feel free to pm me.