A/N i apologize to everyone with a speech impediment for how i have written Harry, a brief explanation as to why: i had watched "IT" for the millionth time and said "WTF do i have to lose with this?"

I also apologize to anyone who reads this who doesn't like how I've portrayed Harry after his SA, Magic is trying to help him, add it to his own stubborn Gryffindor nature, and I am anticipating a lot of heat for it all.

Please don't read if anything mentioned above or below is triggering for you in any way.

TW: Rape, assault, abuse in many forms, nightmares, "Light Side" bashing, maulings, a horrible descriptive death or a few... you get the gist.

Disclaimer: i dont own anything except the OC's that pop up from time to time and the plot.

BTW: I've written, on average 2500 words a day for this chapter.

"Cedirc, NO!" a boy with jet black hair, bright green eyes and a slim, muscular frame shoots up from yet another nightmare, covered in a cold sweat, shaking. He hadn't even been back in this house two weeks and it's felt like an eternity with these nightmares.

"BOY!" a gruff sounding man screams into the night. The boy looks terrified and tries to shrink into himself as he hears the thudding and the unlocking of many locks once the thudding stops outside his door.

The door slams open to reveal a morbidly obese man with a walrus mustach in stripped pajamas, a wild look in his eyes, "U-Uncle, I-I'm so-sorry," the boy stutters out, "I-I just h-had a nigh-nightmare."

"And woke the whole bloody neighborhood, I bet!" the man snarls, "I have put up with your... your freakishness for too long! Now your freakiness is costing us all our sleep? Absolutely bloody not!"

The man walks over to the hamper partially filled with dirty clothes and pulls out a long sleeved shirt and starts ripping it at the seams as he walk over to the quivering boy.

Manhandling the boy, the large man ties the ripped shirt around his wrists and uses the large excess to tie him to the bedframe. The other portion of the ripped shirt is used to gag the boy.

The boy tried to fight off his uncle, but nothing worked. It was times like these that he longed for his cupboard under the stair, his bedroom until he got his letter from Hogwarts. How he longed for his pleas to the headmaster to stay at the school and not return here to be granted. His so called friends told him time and again that Dumbledore wouldn't send him back of it was really as bad as he claims. The only people who knew and did anything were the Weasley Twins, sending him care packages to treat his wounds, food and drink...

Right now, he was thankful that he had sent his owl, Hedwig, to the twins. He was sure that in this fit of rage that his uncle would kill her.

'Why am I not allowed to be loved and treated like everyone else? Why couldn't Sirius take me? Why wouldn't he listen to me?!'

Sirius had used the "Trust Dumbledore, he knows what he's doing," spiel, ignoring the abuses he was being told about. Eventually, he knew he was talking to the proverbial brick wall and the last bit of hope at life had been snuffed out.

"There that's better!" the walrus of a man says as he finishes tying the last knot, winded from his fighting nephew, "Tomorrow, after I've had a good night's rest and can think clearly, you will be punished most appropriately, Freak."

With that the man waddles back to bed, after locking all the locks and grumbling about why he bothers to house the little fucker.

The boy cries, any sound muffled by the ripped clothing in his mouth. Trying his damnedest to break free from the restraints, only serving to tire himself out. A very uneasy sleep takes him, this time, though, his nightmares are filled with his uncle and the punishment he will face in the morning.

Draco Malfoy was having a very pleasant dinner with his mother, father, and godfather. Tonight, at midnight, he would come into his magical inheritance and be able to locate his mate.

"Draco," said his father, "do you have any questions before the stroke of midnight?"

Draco looked at his father, a lean man with long bleach blonde hair and molten silver eyes. His father was known in the outside world as a cold and calculating man, but behind the doors of the manor or anywhere private, really, with his friends and family, he was warm and openly affectionate, "Will I be able to sense my mate without them being in the magical majority?" Draco asks, worry lacing his voice.

"Draco, the Malfoy family has been blessed with our offspring having gained their magical majority and their Veela inheritance a year before all others. We have always been fortunate to locate our mates the moment we wake, sometimes with help of their parent, so long as the person is alive, regardless of their age. There is no doubt in my mind that you will experience the same," his father responds kindly, having asked the very same question to his own father the night before his own 15th birthday.

"What if they reject me?" Draco asks, his voice sounding so small. Everyone who knows anything about Veela knows that if a Veela isn't accepted by their mate that they will die.

"Draco," his godfather starts, "everyone knows what an honor it is to be the destined mate of a Veela. They would have to be a bigger dunderhead than Potter to reject you."

Draco flinches, but nods. Veelas were creatures of love, they would do anything and everything for their mate. A Veela could not intentionally hurt their mate. There have been incidents of accidents happening when fights have broken out and a Veela had harmed their mates due to outside influences, but it was never directly the Veela's fault, "What about school?"

His mother spoke up this time, "By this time tomorrow we will have informed the headmaster of your inheritance and that private lodgings will have to be erected for either yourself or you and your mate. If they are not a student of Hogwarts, then we will figure out where to go from there, but until then, this is the plan of action."

Dinner was over and dessert served. After dessert, presents were handed to Draco, as tomorrow and some time thereafter there wouldn't be time or the mindset for the blonde. He received new potion equipment from Severus, new dress robes from his mother and a set of rings from his father.

"Why two rings, father?"

"One for you, Dragon, the other is the first courting gift for your mate. It serves as a way to communicate with one another while your bond is forming and you shall put them aside for your heir or heiress once you two can communicate telepathically like your mother and I can. This takes time to develope and until then, this will serve just as well."

Draco looked at the two rings, one black and one silver, both with a moonstone embedded on top, "They're beautiful."

After everything was said and done, the adults left for the parlor to discuss plans for tomorrow and Draco went off to bed.

Draco dressed in only loose silk sleep pants climbed into bed, his father had warned him about sleeping in a top, how his wings would emerge and shred it to pieces, so he decided it was better to not have anything on his torso. His father also told him that he wouldn't be able to retract his wings for about a week.

He fell into an uneasy sleep, anticipation making it hard to calm. His dreams filled with beautiful green eyes he'd only ever seen on one person.

Draco awoke sore. Sitting up was a challenge, because of it. Looking about his room, it was a complete disaster. You'd think a cutting curse had been added to a tornado jinx, "Mi-Miptsy," Draco said in a quiet voice, his throat raw.

"Yes, young master Draco, sir," a litte house elf, wearing a tea towel dress, popped in at the call of her name, "What is Miptsy to do for young master, sir?"

"W-Water," he manages, the elf nods and pops away before returning with a glass and pitcher of cold water. He drinks two glasses before addressing the elf again, "Thank you, what time is it?"

"It is being near 8 in the morning, young master, sir," the elf replies.

"Are my parents up?"

"Master Lucius is up, yes, young master, sir," the elf pauses, "Should Miptsy bring Master Lucius to you?"

"Yes, thank you."

The elf pops away and not long after, his father arrives, "Well, Draco," Lucius says as he enters the room, looking at the damage caused, "I can honestly say I had expected a mess, but I didn't expect to have to get a mason in here to fix the stone walls... Your mate must be very magically inclined. And speaking of mate, can you feel them?"

"Faintly, they're in an uneasy sleep though," he responds, flexing his body.

"Merlin," his father gasps.

"Father?"

"Dragon, your... your wings!" his father exclaims, the size of the wings is a tall tell sign of the power lurking between the fated couple, "I have never seen any as large outside the royal family and the court! Oh, son, they're astonishing! Goes to show that you're a dominant mate to a very gifted individual."

Draco gets up from his practically destroyed bed and looks in his shattered full length mirror. His father is right, they are large; an iridescent white with gold and silver tips. He looks at himself more closely in the mirror, he's grown at least a foot, his wings hit the floor and go over his head. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought he was part angel instead of Veela. His facial structure became more pronounced and his eye like Mercury. Draco had always fancied himself to be a good looking fella, but now... Well, there was no denying now, regardless of who you are and your sexuality, you would find this specimen to be gorgeous.

Suddenly, Draco felt fear and panic, his mate had woken up and his emotions were just screaming for help, "Father, my mate... something is wrong, very wrong!"

"Calm yourself, Dragon, you need to be calm to be able to track them."

Harry awoke with his hands still tied together and to the bedframe and his mouth still in its gag. He could hear his aunt Petunia talking to Dudley, he could smell the breakfast she was making that he wouldn't be permitted to have a bite of.

His senses go into overdrive upon hearing the words, "Dear, are you sure you want to take the day off and stay home, instead of joining me in the city?"

"Yes, Pet, Dudley has rugby practice and you need a break from the Freak. I'm going to see to it that he is rightly punished for last night's transgression."

"If you're sure, Vernon," she pauses, probably kissing his cheek, "Then Dudders and I are off! Have a good day, dear!"

"You too, Pet."

'Aunt Petunia, please don't leave me alone with him!' Harry tried to scream, tears streaming down his face as panic, fear and helplessness began to consume him.

Uncle Vernon's favorite punishment when left alone with Harry... 'I know Voldemort is a lunatic, but I wonder if he would go so far as Uncle Vernon...'

Harry hears the car doors slam, the roar of the engine and the tires leaving the driveway. Fear paralyzes him as he hears the thudding of Uncle Vernon's feet coming up the stairs. Hopelessness doubles down him upon hearing locks come undone. Bile tried to make its escape upon seeing his uncle in the doorway.

Harry watches as Vernon grabs his crotch and kneads the genitals under his pajama bottoms. Harry, rightfully, looks petrified, his eyes widening as his uncle licks his lips.

Harry starts to squirm, fighting against his restraints. Thinking back to the first time this happened, and all the times after, it never got easier and made him feel more like the freak they claimed he was, 'Please, someone, anyone, help me!' he chants, over an over as he thrashes, trying to break free from his binds so he can run far away from his abuser.

Vernon walks over, eyeing his nephew. He remembers all too well what it was like having the freak pleasure him for the first time and all the times after. Those beautiful green eyes and how much they emote. Harry's thrashing about only making the man hungrier for his pound of flesh.

Vernon grabs Harry's leg and pulls it towards him, "The more you misbehave, Freak, the worse this is going to be for you."

Harry stills, hearing the iciness of his uncle's voice. Whimpering as the man forcefully grabs at his genitals before stripping Harry of his pants and boxers. Despite Harry's mind trying to keep himself from feeling aroused, his body just won't listen!

"I knew you were a little faggot, Freak. I bet you put out for everyone in that freaky little school of yours," Vernon then removed his own clothing and climbed over his nephew, grabbing both their erect penises and rubbing them together. A long, deep moan could be heard mixing with a muffled, whimpering plea to stop.

Vernon lifts Harry's shirt to see his well toned body from playing that freak game of theirs. It always turned him on to see his tiny little frame, so feminine, but once he lost what little baby fat he had and it turned into lean muscle the Freak was hard to ignore.

Petunia wasn't one to put out, they hadn't had sex in so long. Her doctor told her and Vernon both that this was normal for older women going through menopause, but he felt that this was a copout. Vernon Dursley has needs, damnit! And who better than to relieve those needs than the Freak he was forced to house?

Vernon removes his grip on their genitals and climbs off Harry for a moment. Harry knows better than to think his uncle would stop there, especially since the man didn't finish. Vernon flips the boy over, showing a very pale, very tight ass.

Licking his lips before spreading Harry's ass cheeks apart, "You stay still, Freak, or else."

Harry tried to relax his body, knowing from past experiences that it would be worse if he was tense. He felt spit slide down his crack and he began to cry silently. Without warning, or any preparation, he felt his uncle at his entrance and then the big beefy man was inside him.

Harry couldn't stop himself from releasing his full blatter on the mattress beneath him as he screamed. Had the gag not been in his mouth, it would have been blood curdling and the whole neighborhood would think the worst, because the worst was absolutely happening inside this seemingly normal, cookie cutter house.

Vernon was not gentle, and he ignored the wetness from the boys urine on his knees. He planned on fucking the boy raw, until he would never be able to sit or move without thinking of Vernon's cock in his ass. So much tighter and fulfilling than Petunia's cunt. He looked down at his nephew's ass when it started feeling slick and he saw the blood lubricating his dick.

Vernon smiled. Listening to his nephew scream, cry and choke as he laid his claim. He bent down and grunted in Harry's ear, "No one will ever want you, Freak, not after I'm done with you."

CRACK!

Vernon looks to the source of the noise, his face turning purple, "What are you two doing here? Are you one of his freaky friends? Or are you one of the people he whores himself out to when he can't get any from me? What about you, sir? Did your boy tell you what a good lay he was and you wanted a turn?"

If Vernon Dursley heard the feral growls coming from the strangers, he made no acknowledgement of it. What he did acknowledge, though, was being forced off his nephew, thrown across the room and his head colliding with the wardrobe.

"Petrificus Totalus!" an older male voice said, seething.

The younger of the two went over to the weeping child, "Shhh, baby, shhh, that filthy muggle will never touch you again. I promise, I won't let anyone, ever, hurt you again. Shhh, Harry, I got you," Harry hears the words, but the pain is too great to comprehend the words spoken to him, "Harry, I'm going to remove your binds and then I'm going to get you out of here."

Harry feels his hands free from his restraints and immediately goes to remove his gag. He throws up the contents of his stomach onto the section of mattress that is closest to the wall. Remembering that there are strangers in the room he fights to pull his pants back up, a new stream of tears from embarrassment and pain from the swift action cause Harry to cry out.

Suddenly, he feels his pants over his hips, they get wet from the urine soaked mattress, but he refuses to turn and face the people who saved him, "Harry," he hears an angelic voice, calm and comforting, "I need to touch you," Harry noticably flinches, hard, "so we can disapparate to the manor, do you think you can hold my hand? Don't worry about your things, father will locate them and bring them along."

Not trusting his voice, Harry nods, holding up his hand for the stranger to grab. Hearing his glasses being taken from the nightstand, he waits, shaking, for the person to grab his hand and take him away.

"Father!" Draco screamed, his eyes flying open, tears freely falling for the first time since he was a small boy, when he felt his mate get violated. The initial, forced petting of his mate made his skin crawl and made him sick, but this... this... pain. The Veela within him was trying to rip him apart to get to their mate faster.

"Dragon, you need to focus and pinpoint where your mate is," Lucius replies sternly, worry and panic etched into his normally calm, rather arrogant features. Grabbing his son's hands, Lucius wills his magic to help his son pinpoint where his mate is.

'There!' Lucius found the child, having had years of practice and helped Draco's magic to feel it too.

They disapparated to a small room to a sickening scene. A fat lard of a muggle was raping Draco's mate. The muggle started talking amd then all hell breaks loose.

Draco rips the man from his mates abused form and his Veela is torn between taking his pound of flesh or comforting his mate. Thankfully, Lucius makes the decision for him once he paralyzes the whale of a man.

Draco speaks as calmly as he can to his mate. The Veela within him raging a storm within him about being a failure.

He hears his father talking in a hushed whisper to the paralyzed bastard, "I cannot wait to bring you in front of the Veela court where they will all want to slowly peel the skin off your body and slowly work their way down to your organs. Oh, yes, you'll be kept alive and awake for all of it after what you have done to that child. Just you wait, muggle."

Draco knows he would be well within his rights as a Veela to exact revenge and murder the ilk, but his father knows best right now, so he turns back to his poor mate. Relieved when Harry gives his permission to take his hand and get him away from this nightmare.

Before taking his mate's hand, Draco grabs his glasses from the nightstand, "Harry, I'm going to take your hand now," he says as calmly as he can muster. Regardless, Harry pulls away upon being touched, Draco's heart clenches.

"S-s-sor-ry," Harry's small voice shakes, not daring to look at Draco, but lifts his trembling hand and brings it back to touch Draco's.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Moitié," his heart breaking that his little mate would think that he should apologize, 'If anyone is going to be apologizing, it is everyone who failed my mate so.'

When Harry's hand finally finds Draco's, Draco gently, but firmly, grasps his mate's hand and brings them to the Manor. More importantly, Harry's room in the manor, right next door to Draco's, landing on the king sized, four poster bed. The room's decorated in lush greens and warm browns, like a perfect early summer day in the woods and meadows.

"Harry, I... I need to get my mother and my godfather in here to help heal you," Draco says carefully, "I-I'm going to call on a house elf to fetch them," Harry gives a nod before pulling his legs to his chest, winching painfully, whimpering as he wraps his free arm around them and putting his forehead on his knees. Their hands still held, Harry holding onto it like a lifeline, "Miptsy!"

"Welcome home, young master and young master's-"

"Quickly now, go fetched mother and Uncle Sev!" Harrys head snapped up, "They'll need medical supplies and potions!"

The fear in Miptsy's eyes as she looked between her master and his mate froze the poor creature for a moment, before nodding and snapping away.

Draco feels the fear radiating off his mate, it hits him like a boulder sized bludger, turning towards his mate, Draco saw realization hit his senses, "M-Malf-foy?"

Harry tries to pull his hand away, panic stricken, 'Voldemort's back and they're going to hand me over to him!'

"Moitié," Draco says, handing Harry his glasses, clearly knowing what is going through the other teen's mind, "We are not turning you over to the Dark Lord. I know that sounds hard to believe, but it's the truth. Now, why don't you let me dry your clothes?"

Harry snatches the glasses and puts them on, wondering why Draco Malfoy has the saddest expression on his face when releasing his hand, but, thankfully, the next moment his wet clothes feel dry, "Y-You-"

It was then that Draco's mother, Narcissa, and Severus Snape barged through the door, medical bags at the ready, "Mr. Potter, we need you to lie down and stay as still as you can while we run some scans," Narcissa says.

Snape sees the utmost fear in the boy's eyes, his body shaking, beginning to panic. There is no other warning to Potter's next move.

He quickly backs so far away from them that he falls off the bed with a thud and a cry. Snape puts his hand up to keep the Malfoys quiet and walks around the bed, "Mr. Potter, you will get back in this bed and you will do as instructed. No one here is going to hurt you. After we have done what we can to help you with your injuries, we all will answer any and all questions you have, but first we must get your injuries under control."

Severus knows that reaction all too well, 'How did I miss this? How did Minerva miss this? How could Albus miss this? What about that blasted mutt and the werewolf?! Damnit, Lily... I'm so sorry. How did we all miss this?'

He knows his tone was harsh and cold, and he will probably have to answer for it once this is settled, but Harry needs something familiar. This tone of mine is familiar.

Harry doesn't hesitate to get back in bed, fear consuming him, but at least Snape is consistent and he knows, well, at least he hopes he knows, that the professor would never... Harry swallows the bile back down his esophagus and forcibly pushes the thought from his mind.

Allowing the two adults to run their scans makes him self conscious and fidgety with his thoughts, 'Oh, no! If they do a comprehensive diagnostic they're going to see...!' Harry feels nauseous, but he doesn't dare move. 'They're going to see what I really am... a freak.'

Seeing Draco reach for him, before stopping himself and pulling his hand back, from the corner of his eye, he notices Draco's wings, 'Those weren't there at the end of term,' he muses.

Turning his head to get a better view of them, suddenly noticing that the blonde was topless, their eyes quickly meet and Harry's are captured by Draco's. Harry can't explain the warring emotions he sees in those molten Mercury eyes, all he knows is that he feels safer and calmer after looking into them.

In that moment, it hit Harry. He was in the library last year, reading in the middle of the night about Wizarding Families and inheritances. Harry had read about some magical families having creature blood and how at certain ages the blood would awaken. From what he read verses what he is looking at he guesses Draco is part Veela.

A Veela can never intentionally hurt their mate, he had read.

A Veela is a creature of love and will do anything for their mate.

It is considered a tremendous honor to be a Veela's mate. Their beauty, love and ferocious protective nature make them sought-after partners.

A Veela will court their mate as long as the mate sees fit. A Veela will not rush them.

A Veela requires regular physical contact, such as hand holding, with their mate while courting for reassurance that they are not being rejected.

There are several stages to complete the bond, not all of them explicitly expressed.

A Veela will die without their mate.

This last fact plays like a broken record in his mind. Draco would die without him, 'I... I'm his mate... That's why he came to save me... He and his Father came to save me. Not my friends, not Sirius or Remus, not Dumbledore... The Malfoy's came to rescue me... Can I look past these last few years? Can I give him a chance? What will my friends think? Are they really my friends...? Can I risk trusting someone again? If... If I don't, though, Draco dies... Literally because of me...'

Taking a slow, deep breath, Harry risks the ire of Snape, and potentially Draco's mother, to reach his hand out towards a shocked, but seemingly relieved, Draco. Draco slowly and deliberately puts his hand on top of Harry's small shaking one.

Draco gives Harry a watery smile, happy that his mate is allowing him this comfort. Not knowing if this is more for Harry or himself. Taking the hand and rubbing it gently, Draco commits the feeling to memory as Harry relaxes ever so slightly, closing his sad, terrified eyes.

The diagnostic spells are almost complete and soon the adults will be healing his mate. He wishes he could do more for his mate right now, but he cannot.

'How did every single one of his friends, his head of house and the headmaster miss this?!'

Oh, he would get answers. A Malfoy always takes their role of mate seriously, and the laws surrounding their mateship equally so.

During his musing the spells end and lengths and lengths of paper are conjured, earning gasps from both adults as they read. Harry closes his eyes tighter upon hearing the sounds and Draco closes his hand around the smaller boy's a little tighter.

Looking between his mother and Severus, it's clear things are worse than what Draco and his father witnessed. His mother has tears running down her face. Severus, on the other hand, looked murderous.

Neither adult says anything. They simply shared a glance, nod and get to work.

Nearing 2 hours of healing charms and potions before they have gotten Harry stable and healed as much as they felt comfortable doing. Thankfully, the bones didn't require vanishing and regrown completely, but several had to be rebroken and set correctly before healing them.

Harry stayed as still as he could until it was all over, "Alright, Mr. Potter, that's all we can do for you at this time," Severus states, tiredness lacing his voice.

"I-I'm s-sorry to hav-ve b-been a bur-burd-den, Pr-prof-fessor, L-Lady Ma-Malf-foy," Harry says, head down as he sits up, a little nauseous, his hand never leaving Draco's, 'Damned stutter!'

"Think nothing of it," Narcissa says in a relaxed, somewhat chipper tone, "Now, I don't know about you boys, but I could use some freshening up before Lucius returns and we have lunch," looking at Severus, she watches him mouth 'And a good stiff drink,' that she can't help but agree with, "Draco, please, show Mr. Potter to his private bathing chambers and allow him to freshen up."

"Yes, mother," Draco responds, deflating, the adrenaline he was feeling before now ebbing away now that his mate was safe, leaving him feeling exhausted.

"Rispa!" Narcissa calls, and a house elf in an oversized doily turned dress pops into the room.

"Mistress Narcissa calls Rispa?"

Narcissa smiles down at the house elf, "Yes, Rispa, this is Harry Potter, I am assigning you to him to be his personal elf while he is here. Do you understand?"

Harry's head lifts to examine the elf. Her warm brown eyes shining bright, a huge smile on her, "Oh, of course Mistress, thank you Mistress! What an honor being assigned to a guest of young master Draco's!" she squeals before collecting herself, Harry wonders why this makes her so happy, "Master Harry, sir, I be Rispa, it be an honor to be your elf while you reside in the Manor! Please, don't hesitate to call on Rispa for whatever you be needing or desire!"

"Th-Thank y-you Risp-pa, an-and jus-just 'Ha-Harry' is fine, n-no ne-need for the 'Ma-Master' bus-busin-ness," Harry replied, wanting so desperately to control his stutter, but knows that today and tomorrow will be hard and that it'll taper off on its own. The finching, he knows, will take longer.

Rispa gives a knowing, sad smile and pops away, "Well, we will leave you to clean up and relax," Narcissa says with a small smile, "Draco will come fetch you in an hour or so for lunch in the Gardens. Until then, I want you to freshen up, relax and take your time."

"Y-Yes, m-ma-ma'am-m," Harry replies in a small voice, "b-but I-I do-don't h-have a-any oth-other c-clothes."

"Don't fret, child," Narcissa says in a warm, motherly voice, "I'm sure Draco has some clothes you can borrow for the moment and he can resize them to fit you. Tomorrow we will go and get you a new wardrobe and anything else you may need after Lucius returns with your things and we assess your belongings."

Harry's face flushed before going red, but nodded anyway. He felt sick, revolting... Like one of those beggars his uncle would complain about on the streets and would constantly say should just die if they couldn't be a productive member of society. Lucius Malfoy was going to see what little he had and... He shuddered at the thought of what the man would say when they came face to face.

'Merlin! ' Harry, feeling as though he died a little inside with this realization, 'He... He saw...'

Harry then feels Draco's hand grasp his in a comforting squeeze. Harry feels conflicting emotions from wanting to pull his hand away and not be touched and wanting to let the blonde in and allow him to comfort him. Harry closes his eyes, squeezes his hand in return and lets out a shaky breath, his stomach still threatening to make its lack of contents known to everyone around him.

Narcissa and Severus look between the two boys and have very similar thoughts, 'That boy has done so much alone, he deserves someone who will take care of him.'

The adults leave and Harry doesn't move until he hears the door latch, trying desperately to relax, he looking at Draco and his sad Mercury eyes, he voices his assumption after a long moment, "S-So, I-I ta-take it-t yo-your a-a Ve-Veela?" Draco's eyes widen, "Wh-Which wou-would me-mean I-I'm you-your ma-mat-te?"

Draco could weep hearing the small, sad voice coming from his little mate. Not trusting his voice, he simply nods. In the past, mates who had a history like Draco and Harry's... Well, the mate couldn't or wouldn't give the Veela a chance and were left to die. Draco would respect his mate's wish to not be with him, because a good Veela wants what is best for their mate and wants their mate to be with them willingly.

Harry keeps quiet for a moment, he was hoping Draco would talk and not stop for a few minutes so he could take his focus off his panicking body, "B-But y-yo-you're n-not six-sixte-teen ye-et...?" Harry's confusion was dripping in his small voice.

Draco's heart ached, he was so accustomed to the boy at school. The boy who called him out and fought the good fight. 'How, in all my obsessive behavior with him, did I miss the signs?'

"Dr-rac-co?" Harry's eyes begging for him to fucking talk!

"The Malfoy family," Draco started, startled by Harry's pleading voice calling him by his first name, barely managing to look his mate in those magnificent, now haunted Avada Kedavra Green eyes that he spent the last 4 years fighting with just so he could get close to the boy in front of him, "W-We have a tendency to get our magical inheritance a year early. No one knows why, but we do. My grandfather liked to say it was because we like to show off, be different, and not fit into the mold."

"A-And wh-when d-did yo-you re-realize I-I wa-was you-your ma-mate?" Harry asked, clearly Draco was hoping to not answer these question right now.

"Truly? When I woke up this morning, but I... I think I knew from the moment I met you in Madam Malkin's. When you rejected my hand, something... Snapped? I knew I wanted you to stay close and if I couldn't have you as a friend, I would cause fights with you... Just so you would look and talk to me," Draco sounds sheepish by the end of it, "One thing about us Malfoys is we have a problem apologizing and admitting we're wrong."

Harry snorted, but said nothing for a long moment, listening to Draco's voice helped him relax, "We-Well, i-if it-it's al-all th-the sa-same t-to-to y-you, d-d-do yo-you thi-think w-we ca-can sta-start ov-over?"

The way Draco's eyes lit up, one would have thought he was a five year old child being given the toy he had been begging and talking about all year for as a present, "I-I'd like that very, very much Harry. I hope I live up to your expectations and prove myself worthy of this opportunity."

Harry smiles while taking his hand away from Draco, who in turn frowns at the lost contact. Harry then lifted his hand, as one does when giving a handshake, "He-Hell-lo, I-I'm Ha-Harr-ry P-Po-Pott-ter, i-it's ni-nic-ce t-to me-meet y-you."

Draco stared between the hand and his mate, his heart soaring, 'He's really giving us a chance to start over,' reaching his hand to Harry's, "I'm Draco Malfoy, and the pleasure is all mine, Harry," the two hands meet, Harry has to force himself not to flinch violently, but the flinch is there nonetheless, and a warm feeling envelopes the two.

"Wh-Wha-t-t wa-as th-that-t?" Harry asks, relishing the warm feeling that has decided to settle in his chest.

Draco draws a shaky breath, he knows what this feeling is and is conflicted on how to tell Harry. Lying isn't an option, but he doesn't want to scare the boy away, "It... It's the first step of the bond, acceptance. It helps the Veela know that they can now freely start courting their mate."

"Ho-How l-lo-long d-does cour-courting t-take?" Harry asks, looking down, secretly getting a good look at the blonde's exposed torso, he knows that to complete the bond, he and Draco would have to... Well... And Harry didn't know how long Draco would wait for him before...

Tears formed in Harry's eyes, the warm feeling in his chest turning ice cold. He felt sick.

"Moitié, Harry, shhh, it's okay," Draco says soothingly, putting his other hand on top of the hand he was already holding as his mate tries to pull away, "I would never... Could never... Shhh, I will wait for you to be ready, Harry, I will court you until your dying breath and never fulfill the bonding if it meant staying by your side forever. You have given me a great gift of working to earn your trust, your friendship, and your loyalty. I won't jeopardize that. I know we have a lot of work to do for you to see I am not lying to you, that I will be the best mate to you, but I will do everything and anything to make you comfortable and happy and know you're loved," trying desperately to comfort his fragile mate without pulling him close and enveloping him in his arms and wings.

He knew the action would not go well.

Harry simply cried, his body shaking with suppressed sobs. He didn't like his body's and mind's reaction, he was acting like a... a... 'An abused child, a victim, someone who needs help to collect the shattered remains and grow back stronger and supported, someone who has been thrown away by everyone I thought cared about me,' his mind supplied for him.

How was he, a broken child, supposed to shoulder an adult's responsibility when all the adults in his life and in the Wizarding World are so incompetent?! Especially when everyone's attitudes towards him is enough to give him whiplash!

Harry continued to cry for a few more minutes before it tapers off, remembering Narcissa's words, "W-Why do-don't yo-you sh-show m-me t-to th-the b-bathr-ro-room, be-befor-ore yo-your mo-moth-ther c-comes ba-back-k b-beca-because we-e miss-missed her-er dead-deadli-line?"

Draco gives him a small, sad smile before standing, holding his hand out to help Harry off the bed. A good thing, too, because Harry's legs gave out beneath him, and Draco caught him with his seeker reflexes. Draco's left hand still holding Harry's and his right arm around his waist.

"Th-Thanks," Harry said breathlessly. Those conflicting emotions rising up with a passion and Harry felt bile coming up into his throat, 'Please, don't let me throw up all over him!'

"Anytime," Draco says, not wanting to release Harry, but knowing he must, "I'm sure you're still sore, so let's not try to rush in there," he said releasing Harry when he was sure the boy had control of his legs.

They slowly make their way to the bathroom and Draco showed Harry what the multitude of taps did to fill up the bathtub and where things were located, "I'm going to head to my room to freshen up and find some clothes for you to wear. Take your time, if you're not ready to leave the tub until dinner, that's okay too, just let Rispa know and she will tell mother and handle everything, okay?"

"I pr-prom-mise I-I wo-won't h-hid-de i-in th-the ba-bathr-room," Harry said, a blush on his cheeks, 'They'll really let me hide away until I'm ready?'

"I just want you to know that you don't have to come if you're not comfortable," Draco says, looking at his mate intently, "After the morning you had... No one would fault you for wanting some time alone."

'Ron and Hermione would be banging on the doors demanding I talk to them, even if I wasn't ready. This... is a nice change,' he tells himself.

"I'll come check on you when I'm done and see how you're feeling then," Draco continues, turning to leave the brunette alone, closing the large oak door of the bathroom to give his mate the knowledge that he wasn't going to attempt to spy on him while he is undressing.

Walking out of Harry's room he comes face to face with his mother and godfather, "How much did you two hear?"

"Everything," Severus responds, a grimace on his face.

"You did wonderfully, Dragon," Narcissa tells him, giving a watery smile, tears threatening to fall. She opens her arms and Draco steps into them, hugging his mother, tears falling from his eyes.

They stand there for a moment before separating, Severus clears his throat, "Well, I don't know about you, Cissa, but I need a stiff drink after reading that report. Shall we?"

"What was on the report?" Draco asks, looking between the two.

"Draco, you might be Mr. Potter's mate, but right now isn't the best time for you to know. This is Potter's private medical information and we are obligated and bound to keep it confidential. Your father will be informed, but that's because he gained custody of Mr. Potter through your mating bond, per Veela law and his lack of living parents. I'm sure he will tell you some of it with time," Severus said.

The all but dead look in Draco's eyes hearing this turned to fury, 'It was bad there. Harry won't ever know a day like that again.'

"I understand," he replies.

"You did right, Dragon," Narcissa coos, "After what he's been through, we're very fortunate he hadn't had a bout of hostile magic and attacked us. Now, go get washed up and find him something nice to wear, if he chooses to come join us."

Draco does as instructed and the adults head to the parlor.

The door to the parlor closes and Narcissa breaks down bawling. Never, not in her years as a healer in St. Mungos nor during the last war had she seen a medical scroll like Harry Potter's. Not even the Dark Lord had been so cruel, Voldemort never would have harmed a child so.

Thinking of Voldemort, he had changed. He wasn't the mad man he was before the night of the Potter murders. In these past weeks, he'd started to look and act... Dare she consider... Human.

"Severus," Narcissa's voice cracked, falling into her longtime friend, "H-How could someone do all that to a poor, sweet boy like Harry? He could have become an Obscurial, for Merlin's sake! How is he not dead?!"

Severus, for his part, couldn't believe how wrong he had been about Pott-... Harry. Lily's son. His Lily flower...

Had he just looked past the boy looking like his bully of a father, he knew he would have seen it. Hell, he was beyond certain that if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin, he would have known and had it handled first year. He had certain precautions for his Snakes that he implemented once he became Head of Slytherin House, things he desperately wanted when he was in school...

Severus was abused by his father, he had told them at school and they did nothing to help. Severus swore when he took the position that he would do everything in his power to help and protect his Snakes.

"I don't know, Cissa," he said, all too calmly, "Those muggles make my father look like father of the century."

Comprehensive Diagnostic of Harry James Potter, Age 14

Age 16 months: Food Poisoning. Untreated

Diaper Rash. Untreated

Genital Boils. Untreated

Staph Infection. Untreated

Water in Lungs. Untreated

Age 17 months: Bitten by Dog. Untreated

Age 18 months: ingested drain cleaner. Untreated

Scolding from Boiling Water: Untreated

Age 19 months: burned on the back of his neck with a fire poker. Untreated

Age 22 months: suffers pneumonia. Untreated

Age 28 months: suffers heat exhaustion. Untreated

Lacerations to the extremities: Untreated

Age 3 years: burned with scolding water. Untreated

Genitals and anus scrubbed with a copper wire. Untreated

Concussion. Untreated

Skull Fracture. Untreated

Broken Arm. Untreated

Sprained Ankle. Untreated

Broken Ribs. Untreated

Ingested Rat Poison. Untreated

Third Degree Burn on Palm. Untreated

And it just keeps getting worse, if one could believe it. Severus doesn't even want to think about some of the things that may not have shown up on the scan, because it didn't physically hurt him in some way... like servicing his uncle.

Severus shakes his head and consoles the weeping mother. Narcissa, despite her cold demeanor in public, has such a large heart. She loves children and seeing any sign of abuse cripples her and makes her want to adopt the child as her own.

Narcissa and Lucius had wanted a large family. Seven was the number they decided on. Then they got pregnant with Draco and Cissa almost died giving birth and her uterus had to be removed. They were devastated, but Lucius always said that he would always choose Narcissa over having a large family. They didn't want to risk regrowing her uterus and getting pregnant again just to having similar, or worse, results.

And this is how Lucius found them when he landed in the parlor with Harry's meager possessions. The man looked furious when he entered the room, scowling. He had just finished dropping the vile man off at the Veela Court dungeons, giving his memories to them, and collecting what he could find that belonged to the boy. It wasn't much.

The Court told him that they would detain the filth until Mr. Potter was ready to talk, or, at the very least, give his memories.

The scowl left his face immediately upon hearing his mate's sobs, "Severus, what happened?" concern flooding his voice.

Severus didn't say anything, just motions towards the scrolls on the coffee table. Lucius looks at them and his heart sinks, the look in his friend's eyes tells him it's beyond terrible.

Walking over and picking one up, Lucius is quickly sitting in an armchair and calling for 2 glasses of fire whiskey, "Make that three!" Narcissa says, calming down enough to separate from Severus and speak.

Lucius has the perfect pure blood mask schooled on his features, "Has Draco been informed?"

"Do you really want your child to read that right now and go ballistic?" Severus asks.

Lucius puts his head in his hands and groans, "Right... The Court is going to get the Aurors involved. A lot of heads are going to roll depending on Harry's memories and testimony."

"Well, gentlemen, we can talk more later, right now we need to get ready for lunch and see if Harry will be joining us," Narcissa says after casting a tempus charm. She pulls herself out of the chair and puts a pleasant look on her face and wills it into her eyes.

Narcissa Malfoy is a determined woman, and she will see that Harry Potter is never without a mother's love, or any love, again.

Harry got out of the tub and grabbed the fluffiest towel he'd ever had the pleasure of using. He takes his time drying off, feeling relieved that he was permitted to use the hot water and stay in as long as he wished. The Dursley's would only let him shower for 5 minutes and he was only allowed to use the cold water.

"Freaks don't get to use the hot water."

There was a soft knock on the bathroom door, causing Harry to jump and his immediate response was panic, "I-I'm so-sorry, I-I'm co-coming! I-I d-d-did-didn't m-me-mean t-to-to ta-take s-so-so l-lo-long!"

"Harry, Moitié, it's okay, you can take as long as you want," Draco calls through the door, "I just wanted to let you know that I have put some clothes on your bed if you wish to join us for lunch. There are two different options and even a pair of lounge clothes for bed. They're charmed to fit you," there was a pause, "I didn't know what you would prefer and you can go through my clothing, if these aren't to your liking..."

Draco cursed himself, he didn't mean to scare his mate. He was honest when he said he wouldn't move any faster than Harry was willing, but he felt like a bad mate. His Veela blood screamed for him to go, pull his mate close and shield him from the world.

He knows this is not his fault, and Draco swore that all the people responsible will be severely punished, but first he needed to be there for his little mate.

"O-ok-okay, I-I'm so-sorry, I-I'm su-sure wha-at you-you've pic-cked i-is fi-fine," Harry calls back, trying to get his breathing under control, a blush creeping up his neck, 'Draco isn't Uncle Vernon. I'm safe with him.'

"It's okay, Harry," Draco reassures, "I'm in the room directly to the right. Just knock when you're ready to go, or call Rispa and have her tell me you won't be joining us, okay?"

"Alr-Alri-ight," Harry walks on shaky legs to the door and listens closely until he hears the door close.

Still suspicious, he peaks into the room and sighs in relief to see that Draco isn't there. Still walking out with a towel wrapped around him, aware that a disillusionment charm or an invisibility cloak could be in effect right now, he walks over to the clothes that are laid out for him.

A forest green cotton turtleneck with black silk slacks, a yellow and blue silk button up top with blue corduroy bottoms, and a pair of matching grey lounge clothes.

Harry decided he wanted to be as covered as possible and put on the turtleneck and black bottoms. Harry swam in them at first, but soon they came to fit him comfortably. He found his trunk at the end of his bed and put on his shabby shoes without any socks and tried to calm his racing heart as he walked towards the door.

"I-I'm o-okay," Harry told himself, putting his shaking hand on the door handle, "Dam-Damnit Po-Pott-ter, yo-you're a-a Gr-Gryffind-dor! Y-y-you ca-can han-handle l-lun-lunch!"

But Harry didn't know if this was actually true. He put his forehead on the door and focused on his breathing. He can feel tears threatening to escape his tightly held eyelids.

After a few minutes, Harry manages to open the door and walk over to the room Draco indicated was his. Harry knocked on the door and then took several steps back.

He fought with himself, his body trembling, wondering if it was too late to run back to the room, so graciously given to him, and hide under the bed... or barricade himself in the bathroom, like he promised Draco he wouldn't.

Harry goes to move back when Draco opens his door and steps out. Draco is wearing an open back, charcoal grey shirt, black trousers, and black shoes. Harry attempts to calm his racing heart, 'I can do this.'

Draco, sensing Harry's inner turmoil, makes sure not to stare at his mate in properly fitted clothes. It was hard to resist. Forest green truly was an amazing color against his skin, "You look lovey, Harry," this statement causes, "Are you ready to head to the parlor for lunch?"

Harry's eyes darted back to the room he knew, for the time being, was safe enough. He takes a shaky breath, the blush that he had managed to get down creeps back up his neck and dusts his cheeks quickly, before taking in Draco's form once more, "Tha-thank y-you, Dra-Draco, yo-you lo-look ni-nice t-t-too... I-I thin-think s-so."

Draco looked longingly at Harry for a moment before collecting himself, "Just let me know if you want to go back to your room if you start to feel overwhelmed on the way there."

"Tha-Thank yo-you, bu-but I-I wi-ill b-be fi-ine, Gry-yffi-ind-dors ar-aren't af-afrai-aid o-of a-atte-attend-ding a-a me-meal," Harry responds, his trembling hands betraying this statement.

Draco looks at him slightly concerned and appraisingly, not wanting to scare his mate off if he was willing to at least attempt to make it to the gardens, "Okay, then, this way."

Draco walks with his hands in his pockets, he cannot trust himself not to try and touch his mate, "So, is the room to your liking?"

Harry ducked a little as Draco turned to him as they walk, "I-I've nev-never st-stayed in-n a-a be-bett-ter ro-room, tha-thank yo-you."

Draco smiled, pleased to hear it, but figures that they could have given Harry any room and he would have been content with it, "That makes me very happy to hear, Harry," taking a turn to the left, "The gardens are right down here."

Harry, who had been doing well to stay next to Draco, suddenly found himself feeling like his legs were moving through water, and forcing them to move forward was becoming harder as his heart rate starts to pick back up. His flight response settling in the pit of his stomach and his eyes slammed closed, attempting to get his body back under control.

'You will not run away, Potter! You're going to lunch and you're going to get your answers!' Harry wills this into every fiber of his being. He was no coward.

Draco turns to see why Harry was no longer at his side and plainly sees the boy struggling, the forming connection not needed. Not knowing what exactly possesses him to remove his hand from his pocket and extend it to Harry, he calmly waits to see what the brunette will do.

When Harry opens his eyes moments later, he is embarrassed to see Draco looking at him with his hand outstretched, offering support if he wants it.

'Would he think I'm weak if I took his hand?' Harry ponders, 'Ron most certainly would.'

"It's okay to need support, Harry, and it's okay to lean on others," Draco says in a hushed tone, his eyes full of care and empathy, "I'm here, and we can turn back and you can retire to your room if you want. No one will think any less of you, Harry."

Harry closes his eyes again and realizes he can't force himself to move forward, his heart clenches as he voices something he never thought he would ever admit aloud, "I-I do-don't wan-nt t-to b-be sca-scared, bu-but I-I am-m," he can't believe how small his voice sounds to his own ears, he wonders if Draco heard him.

He hears Draco take a step towards him and he flinches in anticipation for a smack to the head, or a punch to the gut for acting abnormal.

"Harry... you are in control here," Draco says calmly, "We'll do whatever makes you most comfortable."

Harry can feel the burn of more tears threatening to fall, opening his eyes to see Draco, standing half a meter away from him, giving him a reassuring smile and Draco's hand still offered to him.

Harry gives a small smile in return and lifts a shaky hand to meet the other boy's, flinching as he places his hand in the older boy's before setting his hand fully in it.

Draco keeps his calm, reassuring demeanor as he takes Harry's hand more fully in his own, but inside? His heart was soaring at his mate's willing touch and the trust he was putting in him.

Draco waits for Harry to make the first move, watching him look down and try to steady himself. It takes a few moments before he moves his right leg forward.

Draco's thumb rubs circles over Harry's quivering hand after giving the boy a reassuring squeeze. They continue down the short passage to the door that hides the garden.

Rod iron and tinted glass; the door was a work of art, displaying several fairy like creatures flying over a water lily. Draco opens the door and leads Harry through to the exquisitely trimmed and tamed garden. Narcissa, Lucius and Severus are all standing around the table conversing until they see both boys joining them. Not one of them commenting, nor in any way drawing attention to the entwined fingers.

"Harry, I'm so happy that you have joined us," Narcissa says with a smile, "What would you like to drink, dear? We have just about everything."

"Wa-water-er's fi-ine, ma-a'am-m," and suddenly a glass of ice water was on the table in front of them.

"Why don't we take a seat and, Harry, you can ask any and questions you may have?" Lucius asked, motioning to sit and taking the lead.

Draco gently guided Harry to a chair and sits next to him. Harry winces as he sits down, the professor and Lady Malfoy may have healed him, but the tissue was still incredibly tender. Their hands still clasped and the calming, distracting circle pattern being rubbed into Harry's hand, keeping him from having a panic attack.

Lunch appears with several house elves. Finger sandwiches, an assortment of fruits, salad with dressing on the side. Harry watches as everyone starts making their plates before getting a single sandwich, a few strawberries and a little bit of salad.

'I wonder how much food they'll let me eat,' he ponders, taking a bite of the turkey sandwich he picked up.

"So, Harry," Narcissa pipes up after Harry eats the food on his plate, her pleasant mask doesn't waver when watching him tentatively, stiffly reach for more and eat until he doesn't reach for more, polite smile on her lips and voice light, "how do you like your room? Is there anything we should add or change to better accommodate you?"

"Th-Than-nk yo-you, m-ma'a-am, it-it's lo-lovel-ly," Harry wishes he would stop stuttering.

"Mr. Potter, I do hate to beat around the bush, as they say, so I want to jump into it: do you have any questions for us?" Lucius asks after taking a sip from his tea cup.

Harry jumped at the sound of Mr. Malfoy's voice, not the cold, arrogant tone he had heard the other times he was around the patriarch, but calm and relaxed. Harry pondered on what questions they were waiting to hear, but only one question came to the forefront of his mind, "Ho-How l-lon-ng bef-fore I ha-ave to-to g-go ba-ba-ack-k t-to m-my fa-fam-mi-il-l-ly's-s-s?"

For a nice warm day, it sure as hell felt like the warmth of the sun disappeared with that question. Severus nearly choked on his sandwich, Narcissa's face paled considerably, the vein in Lucius' neck visibly raised and Draco's hand grips his own a bit more tightly. Everyone had the same thought, 'He thinks he's going back?'

"Never," Lucius responds venomously, causing Harry to jump, "Never," He said again more calmly, an apologetic look on his face, "Not unless you want to go back."

'They... They're going to let me stay?'

As if reading his mind, Narcissa jumps in, "Harry, you are Draco's mate, and as long as you accept the bond between the two of you, you are a member of this family. And Malfoys protect their family, even if it means against the whole world."

"Bu-But Dum-Dumble-d-dore is-s m-my ma-mag-gic-c-cal guar-ardian, he-he'll-ll se-send-d m-me-e ba-back," Harry says, positive of what the old man with he twinklin eyes would say, "Li-Lik-ke h-he ha-has ev-ever-ry ye-year."

"Dumbledore knew of your treatment by those muggles?" Severus asked, shocked, 'That bastard knew what was happening to Lily's boy!'

Harry didn't say anything for a moment, "I-I tol-told hi-him it-t wa-was b-bad, bu-but-"

"You never told him the worst of it," Severus finished for him, pondering why he wouldn't have laid it all out for Dumbledore.

"Cor-correc-ect," Harry looked down at his lap, his appetite gone, "H-he kne-knew abo-about th-the be-beat-" he paused, his chest tightening, it was hard to breathe and tell them, but no one else had helped him and he was praying at this point that the Malfoy's would. If only for Draco's sake, "Th-the beat-tings, bu-but nev-never th-the, the..."

"And what did Albus say?" Lucius coaxed.

"Tha-That I-I sho-shoul-ld ju-just be-e a-a be-bett-tter bo-boy wh-whil-while I-I a-am-m in-n thei-their ca-are. The-Then I-I wo-ul-wouldn-n't b-be pun-punish-shed s-so mu-ch-ch o-or-r s-so sev-sever-rel-ly," more than a few stray tears escaped Harry's eyes as he remembers all the pleading, the bargaining, the "too childish actions of a person of Harry's age and social standing" as Dumbledore had phrased it once. Daring not to show too much, still upset he's reacting so badly now.

"Mr. Potter," Lucius started, his voice the epitomy of calm and collected, but he is seething within, "once Draco recognized you as his mate, due to your lack of living parents and the home you were in, your guardianship has been passed to me and Narcissa under Veela Law. Nothing, other than you denying the bond, can undo this.

"After Draco brought you here, I took your relative to the Veela Court. They are the leaders of the Veelas and they have detained him and are getting the Aurors involved. They viewed my memory of this morning," Harry's face paled considerably, "and they are furious on your behalf. They have requested an audience with you, when you're ready," Lucius added quickly, "They will make sure everyone who had a hand in your abuse is given punishment."

Harry's heart races, 'Strangers who had never met me are listening and trying to protect me? Why would they care so much when the people closest to me don't care?'

"Potter," Severus calls over, Draco growls lowly when Harry stiffens, "I know the two of us have never gotten along, and that is my fault, but I hope you can overlook our past and we can move forward. Turning a new leaf, as they say."

"Th-Then, ca-call m-me Ha-Harry, Prof-fesso-or," Harry nods.

"Then call me Severus when we aren't at school," the man nodded back, "But I need to know, did you tell the mutt and the werewolf about your... inadequate home life?" Severus didn't know how Harry would respond to hearing the plain truth of his home life or handle the question about his godfather and his friend, but a sugar coated version...?

"It-It wa-was li-lik-ke t-talk-talking t-to a-a bri-ick-k wa-wall," Harry whispers, knowing full well who the professor is talking about, not bothering to correct him or display any emotion regarding the rather derogatory, truthful terms, "Tr-Tru-us-st Dum-Dumbled-dor... Th-They w-wo-oul-l-ouldn't lis-listen whe-en I-I tri-ied tel-elling th-the-em th-the wor-worst of-f i-it."

Harry heard a glass shatter on the ground and he immediately got out of his chair and began cleaning it up as he would at the Dursley's. A trauma response that Draco swore he would break his mate out of, and he's sure there are plenty others he will have to break.

Narcissa hadn't meant for her hand to release her glass, but hearing that her cousin knew and had done nothing...

'Something isn't right here,' she thinks, horrified, before realizing that Harry is on the ground at her feet.

"Harry?" she questions, but he ignores her, "Harry, we have magic, and house elves," she says warmly, "Please stop before you cut yourself," a soft plea in her voice, she dare not move to touch him.

Harry paused and tensed, before placing the broken pieces back on the ground. He slowly moved back into his chair and made himself as small as possible.

"Reparo," Narcissa says, pointing her wand at the broken cup. The broken pieces put themselves together like a magnificent puzzle before sealing back together.

"Harry, I know with the abuse you have suffered there can be lasting mental scars," Lucius says calmly, "I want you to think about allowing me to find you a mind healer," Harry's ears perk up at the mention of a wizarding therapist, before scowling.

"Harry," Severus cuts in, "I, myself, suffered abuse as a child," pausing to make sure Harry was listening, "and it took a long time for me to seek out a mind healer, but I did and it's helped me let go and leave things in the past where they belong."

"Thank you, Severus," Lucius says pointedly, before turning back more warmly to Harry, "I'm just asking you to think about it. Now, I have some follow up questions regarding the things you've told us," Harry's face pales drastically, "but, we can wait a few days, no more than a week, to discuss them. It should be about a week and a half for the Aurors and Veela Court to collect the evidence they can without you, but it would be best to discuss them before we are set to meet with the Court and the Aurors."

Harry simply nods, he doesn't want to do this, but if it meant someone is finally offering a serious hand to help, who is he to turn that help away?

"Are there any other questions?" Severus asks.

"Wh-Wher-re's T-To-om-m?" Everyone, save Severus, looks confused.

"In Lestrange Manor," Severus responds, "I believe something happened during the ritual to bring him back that was... unexpected and unheard of."

"Wha-at d-do yo-you mea-mean?"

"He's... not the mad man he was before," Lucius says, looking at Severus, a silent conversation happening between them before he continues, "Severus believes that the protection given to you by your mother may have restored part of his humanity."

Harry pondered this and nodded, "Wh-Why wa-was I-I cho-chose-en to-to b-be Dr-Draco's mat-te?"

No one dares question the jumping of topics nor the lack of follow up.

"No one really knows how magic decides a destined mated pair, of any species," Draco says kindly, but a tad tense, "A Veela though, if you listen to the old stories, is the perfect match for a Veela always has something unique about them that sets them apart from the rest."

"Take Narcissa, my lovely mate, wife, and fantastic mother to Draco," Lucius says, taking his wife's left hand in his right, "the most brilliant, compassionate healer the world has to offer."

"He's biased," Narcissa says with a loving smile towards her husband, "If it wasn't for my healing skills, he'd look worse than Alastar Moody."

The idea makes Harry wince, wondering what they all had to endure during the last war, but a nagging question in his stomach needs to be addressed, "Wi-Will Dr-Drac-co di-die i-if w-we-e do-don-n't-t-t bo-ond-d ri-righ-ght-t aw-away-y?" Harry looks at his hands in his lap, "I-I'm-m no-not rej-rejec-cti-ting h-him, bu-but I-I-I..." he trails off, a tear drop dripping from his nose.

"Harry, I told you," Draco says confidently, sternly, yet gently, "As long as you're right here with me, I will be happy to stand with you. With or without completing the bond."

Draco only had eyes for Harry in this moment, but his parents and godfather smiled at the maturity of their charge and his promise to put his mate's need first. He will make the best mate for Harry. The bond has already started, as long as Harry doesn't reject the bond outright, Draco will be by his side forever.

Although, Lucius and Narcissa do want grandchildren, and lots of them, one day, to spoil rotten... but they wouldn't dare voice it any time soon.

Maybe after their seventh year, they will bring it up.

Harry wants to ask a hell of a lot more questions, but doesn't want to be a bother. He has time.

When he was with the Dursley's asking questions was asking for a beating. When at school, it was met with disappointment, exasperation or long winded lectures or a riddle.

Harry had realized pretty early on that he had to learn and get clarifications from reading more texts, which led to many nights in the library just reading. Those nights sometimes landed him going down the rabbit hole into other topics, he's sure he's read at more than half the library since first year. Not that he could apply his knowledge, in fear of Hermione being upset she wasn't getting the top most marks and not talking to him because of it again, or Ron feeling inadequate. Then the professors who wouldn't understand that he wasn't allowed to do the summer work who just thought he was lazy or stupid...

"I-I don-don't kn-know h-how t-to tha-thank yo-you fo-for re-rescu-uing m-me," he says, a blush creeping, "an-and hea-heal-lin-ng m-me an-nd le-lett-ting m-me st-sta-ay he-her-ere."

"Think nothing of it," Lucius says, "After all, you're family, and we take care of our family."

Harry remains quiet as the adults slowly begin talking about the shopping trip that will happen tomorrow, "And Harry, we need to leave first thing in the morning to Gringotts to check your vaults and make sure everything is in order," Lucius says.

"Vau-Vaults? I-I on-only ha-ave th-the on-ne tru-trust vau-vault fo-for sch-school."

Narcissa gives Harry a questioning stare, "Harry, you're a Potter, they have properties and businesses and treasures and so much more, like the Malfoys, the Longbottoms or the Blacks. Who told you you only had the Trust?"

"Hag-Hagri-id nev-never men-mentioned oth-other vau-vaults," Harry said, embarrassed by his stupidity, "I-I ju-just ass-assu-um-med..."

"Harry, as soon as you went to Gringotts for the first time, you should have started to receive bank statements," Lucius starts, "Are you telling us you never received one?"

Harry simply nodded, he knows that something isn't right, but doesn't know if he's the one who is in the wrong.

"Well, we will get that rectified posthaste," Lucius says a bit tightly, "I will write to the head of Gringotts and we will await his reply. Since we all seem to be done with lunch, Draco makes sure Harry is comfortable."

Harry gets up to start collecting the plates to remove them, but they magically disappear and Harry feels his cheeks heat up, 'How many times am I going to embarrass myself today?'

None of the adults mention Harry's behavior, they just go about leaving to whatever they were going to do until called upon or dinner was being served.

"We-ell, tha-that coul-could ha-ave go-one bet-t-ter," Harry groans, mostly to himself.

"Harry, it went about as well as anyone would expect, considering the shock you really haven't processed yet," Draco's soft voice carries on the wind to his mate, "No one expects this to be easy on you, especially after..."

Harry looks over at Draco, seeing those molten Mercury eyes so concerned for him. Harry isn't accustomed to seeing someone concerned for him. Pity? Sure, but no actual concern for him.

Save the twins. The twins cared.

"Would you like to see more of the Manor or do you want to go back to your room and relax?"

All he wants to do is go back to the room and hide, but then reality will set in and he may decide to never come back out, "Ho-how abo-bo-bout sho-show-win-ng m-me ar-aroun-nd?"

Draco's eyes light up, a smile on his lips, and he gets up quickly, causing the other boy to violently flinch and look down, like a puppy who peed on the carpet and knew a violent response was coming. Inwardly cursing himself, "I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't mean t-"

"No-no y-you-ou're o-ok-kay," Harry says, chastizing himself, his quickened heart rate pounding in his ears, 'I'm the one who's all messed up.'

Draco, sensing his mate's downward spiral, holds his hand out to him, "Harry, I'm very sorry for startling you, I got overly excited and got up too quickly because of it," Draco explains, " I'm here for you to lean on," his voice calm and collected, "You don't have to go through this alone any more. How about I show you one of my favorite places?"

Harry looks up and sees Draco's larger, slender hand outstretched towards him like a life line. Harry hates how hard it is to put his hand in the older boy's. Hates that he keeps flinching. Hates that he's stuttering. Hates that all he wants to do is run away like a first year Hufflepuff. Closing his eyes and taking a long, deep, shaky breath, Harry reaches out and puts his hand, after flinching again, in Draco's.

Harry is helped up and Draco doesn't let his hand go. Harry can't help but notice the difference in their hands. How soft the older boy's is verses how rough and calloused his own hand is. Draco's hand feels like a Lord's hand, and Harry the help. Feeling inadequate next to Draco.

"Moitié, what's wrong?" Draco asks, unable to hide the concern in his voice as he leads Harry, not towards the house, but further outside into the gardens.

"No-Noth-thin-ng, it-it's-s stu-stup-pi-id," Harry responds, walking slowly so he can look at and appreciate the plants and flowers in the garden.

"Stupid or not, I would like to hear it," Draco coaxes gently, before adding, "If you're willing to share, that is. I don't want you to feel pressured to talk to me if you don't want to... I mean," Draco rubs his free hand against the back of his head and neck, pausing to collect his thoughts before sighing, "Sorry, I... I just want to be good to you, Harry. I know I was a prat before... I just don't know what I'm doing, nor how to go about navigating all of... this. I'm sorry."

Harry liked this side of Draco, this one was at least honest, unsure of himself, yet trying, "I-I thi-ink yo-you're do-doing a-a p-prett-ty go-good jo-ob-b so-so fa-far," he says awkwardly, his cheeks dusting red, "I-It-t's no-not li-like I-I kno-know ho-how t-to d-d-do th-this-s ei-eith-the-er."

"Just..." Draco pauses, trying to articulate his feelings, "Let me know if I'm being too much," he says, before quickly adding, "or not enough. I won't always get it right, but I will always do my best to make things better."

Harry's blush creeps, deciding he would see what the blonde would say, "I-I wa-was thi-thinkin-ing ab-about-t ou-our ha-hand-ds," Draco turns a bit more fully towards Harry to show that he was paying rapt attention, "H-how the-they fe-feel wo-world-lds aw-away fr-from o-one ano-anoth-ther..."

"And yet," Draco adds, his own blush dusting his cheeks "your hand fits perfectly into mine, and I don't intend on ever letting go."

They continue to walk further into the gardens where Harry sees White Peacocks and fairies and many more magical creatures going about their routines, "I-it is-s bea-beaut-ti-f-ful," he breathes, looking over into the grounds.

Draco can't turn his eyes away from his mate as he thinks the same thing about Harry.

Lucius finishes the letter for the head of Gringotts and sends it out with his eagle owl. If his suspicions were correct, a goblin or more will be beheaded by their king by the start of business tomorrow.

Narcissa weeps as she finishes her own scathing letter to her cousin, not bothering to charm the paper to be waterproof or fix the smeared ink from where her tears landed.

Severus sits, drinking a stiff drink, contemplating how he was going to use the werewolf parts in potions, how things would go at school once term started and much, much more.

'Well, this summer will be an interesting one,' Severus muses, "Do you think the mutt will even open it?"

"I know something is wrong with him," Narcissa answers, "but Sirius will be curious to see what I have to say, and I'm hoping the old family charms will work. If they do work, the letter is to read the true letter, otherwise he'll only read things wishing him well in his life on the run and what not and then burst into flames."

"Your cousin was over the moon when he was given the honor of being Harry's godfather," Lucius remembers with humor, "Saw Cissa and I in the streets in Diagon and he ran up to tell her. Goofy grin and all."

"He's lucky he wasn't hexed," Severus says, imagining the interaction.

"We were too shocked that he thought to run over and tell us," Narcissa thinks back, "So I can't imagine him not listening when Harry mentioned the abuse, especially if he willingly told him the worst."

They can only imagine how Harry took Sirius' reaction.

The day continues to pass with the adults going over the plan for tomorrow and how to handle the storm that would surely come.

Severus was to go speak with Voldemort tomorrow and he would be with them the day after. Lucius and Narcissa were going to take the kids out and try their best to keep Harry out of the news for simply being with them, Merlin forbid if something were to happen.

It has occurred to Harry what would happen tomorrow with the Malfoys escorting him around, but that isn't something he is ready to think about. Not with Draco and him sitting on the ground under a large Birch next to a pond.

Draco has asked him to play 20 questions, as a way to get to know one another more, and they have long since forgotten what number question they were on. It started with stupid things, such as favorites and least favorites, moving on to their dreams and aspirations, you name it.

Harry didn't know when, but his stutter had died down some since they've sat here and gotten to know one another.

It's Draco's turn to ask a question and he's chewing his lip, a guilty look on his face, "H-Harry?"

"Y-yeah?" Harry asks, tilting his head. A million questions could have popped into the blonde's head that could illicit this hesitation.

"Do..." Draco let out a breath, "Do you think your friends will be okay with... this?"

'Us?' he whispers to himself.

Harry looks at the ground and lets out a sigh, "You kn-now? I tho-thought yo-you wer-re g-going to as-sk som-something e-easy, l-like if I wa-wanted k-kids...?" Harry continues to look down and misses the incredulous, yey hopeful look on Draco's face, "I-I don't-t know, min-nimum R-Ron wil-ill l-lose it-t, b-but Mion-ne migh-ight be oka-ay."

"I'm sorry," Draco says.

"Eh, I thin-nk our friend-dshi-ship may have run it's co-course af-after last yea-ear," Harry says, "At... at leas-st with R-Ron."

Draco senses something off, but brushes it aside, "So, about the kids question...?"

"Whoa, y-you still n-need to an-answer your o-own que-question," Harry says, a blush on his cheeks.

"I have no doubt that my friends won't have a problem with it, except, maybe, Pansy," Draco shudders, "I can't tell you how relieved I was to know for certain she wasn't my mate."

Harry laughs, when he is able to stop, "Ho-ow lon-ng hav-ve you know-wn you were-re g-gay?"

"Now look who's skipping answering the kid question... Anyway, I knew I could have a mate of either gender, so there wasn't ever a time where I had to figure it out," Draco responds with mirth, "And you?"

Harry gets quiet and looks at the sky, "Th-Third year, aft-ter the deme-entor got me on the tr-train," he started, "I star-arted havi-ing more detai-ailed nightm-mares about the night my paren-ents di-died. I had to st-start putting up silencing charms, as not to wake my dorm-mmat-tes. So when I was up I would go to the lib-library, bec-cause sleep became elu-elusive. I would-d get back to the dorm-mitory and Fr-red and, or G-George would be there waiting for m-me and they would t-take turns hold-ding me and listen-ning to me... They... They kep-pt the night-t-tmares away... They nev-ver, we never did anyth-thing, but I start-ted catch-ching myself look-king at blok-kes more than girls after a whi-while."

Draco was happy to know that he had such good friends in the Weasley Twins, but he was concerned about what Harry said about his nightmares, "Harry-"

Crack!

"Masters Draco and Master Harry," a male house elf in what could be considered a toddler's onesie pops in, "Mistress Narcissa asked Gibey to fetch yous both for dinner in the drawing room, if Master Harry is up for it, sweet Mistress added."

"Thank you, Gibey, you are dismissed," Draco tells the creature and when he pops off, "Do you think you are comfortable enough to have dinner with everyone?"

"I thin-nk I-I can m-manage," Harry gives a small smile.

Draco got up first and held out his hand once again for Harry and the two continued their questions until they reached where dinner was being served.

Dinner went on much smoother for Harry as the conversation flowed much more freely. Dinner consisted of a large London Broil, crispy smashed potatoes, brussel sprout salad and fresh sweet dinner rolls. Dessert was chocolate mousse with whipped cream and berries.

When dinner ended, and good nights were given due to the need for an early start, Draco took Harry back to his room and bid him goodnight.

So here sits Harry, dressed in the lounge clothes Draco had given him, reading a random book he found on the shelves, anxious and afraid of what awaits him when he does eventually turn in for the night.

Looking out the window and seeing the moon, clear and high, Harry decides to attempt some sleep.

Harry knew he was dreaming, but that didn't make this any better. He was tied, naked to his bedframe at the Dursley's, gagged. His friends, parents friends, professors surrounding him.

"What made you think any of us would care about a Freak like you," Ron said.

"Pup, it's for the best," Sirius chimed.

"Oh, Harry dear, I tried, CPS has closed you case," his second grade teacher, Ms. Hughly, apologized with tears in her eyes, "I've been let go, sweetie, you'll be getting a new teacher."

His primary school principal added, "Little liar, trying to cause problems for a good, respectable family."

The nice CPS lady who investigated chimed in, "There doesn't seem to be anything actually wrong here, unless having a perfectly cleaned house is a crime," she had laughed.

"Harry, I told you, you just need to act better," the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as he looked over Harry's body made him nauseous.

"You know Dumbledore wouldn't let you go back if it were really as bad as you claim, Harry," Hermione says with a smile.

"Mr. Potter, you will drop these silly complaints against your family," McGonagall stated sharply, "This is the safest place for you and no professor is willing to babysit you here at the castle all summer."

"Little brother-"

"Write us-

"We'll send-"

"What we-"

"Can," the twins ended together.

"Pup, it's okay, just write and I'll make sure they treat you right," Sirius voiced, unconcerned.

"It'll be okay, Harry, have faith," Remus says, a tired smile on his face.

Suddenly, the Malfoys were there, pushing their way through the other people, "There was nothing we could do, Dumbledore has people in his pocket," Narcissa had apologized, "Just stay strong until we can sort it out."

"Don't worry, we're working on getting you back, but until then, keep your head down," Lucius added.

"Why should we bother to get you out again? You're a sorry excuse of a mate! Why would I want a used whore like you, when I could have anyone?" Dream Draco sneered at him in the familiar way he would at school, and after having the day he had with him, it crushed Harry to the core to hear those words coming out of the blonde's mouth.

"FREAK! It's time for another punishment for your freakishness!" he heard Unce Vernon yell, feet pounding up the stairs. Harry started to panic as everyone there started to back away and get into bleachers to watch.

"Harry, come on, wake up," he heard a voice cut through, "Please, Moitié."

Uncle Vernon slams the door open, Harry can feel tears falling freely as he tries to break his bonds.

"Please, baby," the voice cuts in again, "It's just a nightmare, wake up. Shhh it's alright, come on," they coax sweetly, a growing panicked.

Uncle Vernon comes over with a hungry look and grabs Harry's groin-

Harry shoots up with a scream, tears flowing, heart racing, forgetting where he is when he sees he isn't in his room at the Dursley's.

"Oh, thank Merlin," Draco breathes, kneeling beside the bed.

Harry looks scared at Draco before moving over quickly afraid that his nightmare wasn't over, "I-I'm s-sor-ry! I-I'l-I'll b-b-be qu-qui-quiet! I-it-t-t wa-was-s a-a-a ni-night-t-tma-are! P-Pl-P-Ple-Pleas-s-se..."

Draco's heart clenched, he had felt Harry's distress and anguish and came to see what was the matter, "Moitié, it's okay," he starts, "We all have nightmares sometimes, there nothing to be sorry about. Shhh, I'm here, you're safe, Harry, always. I'm never going to hurt you, remember? Harry, shhh..."

Harry listens in disbelief as he pulls his legs up to his chin and starts to rock himself, flinching due to the tender muscles, "I-I do-don't-t kn-know wh-what t-to be-beli-ieve an-ay mo-more..." he whispers, choking on air, tears falling freely. Not daring to hide his face, in case he needes to dodge a hit.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia just loved being woken up in the middle of the night because of his screams, and showed their care by beating him across the skull.

"Harry, may I get on the bed with you?" Harry looks over at Draco, Draco can see a whirlwind of emotions deep within those green eyes. Fear, pain, concern, disbelief, longing, hope, need, anxiety are just a few that he can place, "You had said that the Weasley Twins could help keep the nightmares away, maybe I can too? Or I can just stay sitting here and you can hold my hand the rest of the night...?"

"I-I ne-need t-to go-o t-to th-the rest-t-roo-room, re-real f-fas-st," Harry says, looking away. Getting up on shaky legs, and after almost collapsing twice, he quickly goes to the restroom to collect himself.

Yes, he is running away, he needs to get away right now.

He puts cold water on a washcloth and pats his face and neck, his heart rate slowing back to normal as he takes his time locked away.

He desperately wants to be held, for Draco to chase his nightmares away, but he didn't want to be a bother. Feeling guilty enough that he brought the twins into his problems, 'They're just nightmares, Potter! Quit acting like a pussy!'

Relieving himself and washing his hands before heading back to bed, he was a bit surprised that Draco was still there, his forehead in his propped up hands.

"Dr-Drac-co?" Harry calls, gaining the boy's attention, feeling immensely guilty that his nightmare had woken the blonde, "I-I'm so-sorr-ry, y-you do-don't-t ha-ave t-to st-sta-ay."

"Harry, I want to stay and make sure you're okay," Draco puts a little force behind his words, before sighing, "Harry, if you don't want me to stay, I won't. I just need you to know that I'm here."

"I-I wan-nt yo-you t-to sta-ay," Harry says before he realizes it, "I-I j-jus-st h-hat-te fe-feelin-ing l-lik-ke a-a fi-firs-st ye-year Huf-Hufflep-puf-ff."

"Harry, everyone has nightmares," Draco starts, "It's okay to need and want support after having them. Just tell me what I can do to help you, I can't help unless you tell me how," Draco's voice sounds almost pleadingly.

Harry takes in a shaky breath, standing on the opposite side of the bed. Some of his instincts are telling him to make Draco leave, but more are screaming at him to let the blonde hold and comfort him.

"Pl..." Harry's breath is shaky, looking down, awaiting some snide remark, "Pl-plea-ease st-sta-ay."

"I'm here as long as you want me to be," Draco says, waiting for Harry to indicate what his next move should be.

"Y-yo-ou c-can ge-get i-in th-the bed a-and-d ge-get co-comf-for-ort-tab-ble," Harry says, his blush raging, his heart feels like it's about to beat out of his chest.

He remembers a nightmare he had as a small child and begging for someone to make the monsters go away... It only led to nighttime torment from his cousin and Uncle. His aunt was simply indifferent, huffing and walking away.

Draco moves slowly into the bed, Harry remains standing. Once Draco is comfortable, Harry climbs into bed, being mindful of Draco's wings, and curls into Draco's left side, his head on the cusp of the blonde's shoulder and his chest.

Draco covers them with the blanket.

"Yo-your he-heart-t's rac-cing," Harry comments, feeling Draco's arm wrap around him.

"I'm sure your heart is too," Draco whispers, a sad smile on his face. He had always dreamed about having his mate in his arms. Wishing it was because of any other reason right now, but happy he can give this comfort to his mate, "Do... Do you want to talk about it?"

Harry tentatively puts his hand on Draco's lower ribs, "Yo-you s-sen-nt m-me b-ba-back, a-an-nd ev-very-o-one wa-as go-goin-ng t-t-t-to w-wa-t-tch m-my-y u-un-c-cle d-d-do-o th-thin-ngs t-t-to m-me," Harry managed, tears falling freely as he nuzzled into Draco, he didn't want to talk about the words spoken in his dream. The things he had been told or implied or fears that they were thinking about him.

Draco pulls him closer and puts his free hand on top of Harry's. Harry flinches, but then hears... Growling? Or is this purring? Harry finds it comforting, regardless, and relaxes further into Draco's embrace.

"Moitié, you're never going back to that house, unless we go to burn the place down," Draco says, putting his nose in Harry's hair and nuzzling it softly. Memorizing his mate's scent: Like rich, aged leather and chocolates, with a hint of damp earth.

Harry stills and it takes him a few moments to relax, "Y-you m-mea-mean th-that?"

Draco rubs circles on Harry's hand, "I swear to you, Harry, they'll have to kill me before you're returned to that place with those horrible muggles."

Harry relaxes further and allows himself this one thing. Call him selfish, but he feels that he should be allowed what other people his age don't have to fight to have.

Feeling his mate drift off, Draco gets comfortable and follows suit. Draco's dreams, though, are filled with the screams of everyone he knows and assumes have hurt his mate so.

That is how Narcissa found them at daybreak. Harry curled into her son's side and Draco's head on his mate's. She summons a camera and takes a picture of the tender moment before casting a monitoring spell to let her know when they wake, shutting the door softly.

She wears a sweet smile as she walks into Lucius' office, "And where is Draco? I thought you were waking him so we could discuss-"

"Oh, don't be like that," Narcissa chastised, "Harry must have had a nightmare, because I caught them curled up in bed together."

Lucius, for his part, looks like he just sucked on a lemon in his shock, then his face relaxed into a smile, "That's a good sign. The only thing that troubles me is, is Harry forcing himself to move faster than he is really ready for," he shakes his head before summoning an elf and asking for coffee for himself and his wife her tea.

"That hadn't even crossed my mind," Narcissa says, her voice low and sad, "I hope not."

Lucius just hums in agreement, then tapping on the window draws their attention, "Ah, that must be Gringotts," he says, getting up.

The large eagle owl lands and outstretches its leg for Lucius to remove the letter, hoots and flies away when its task is completed.

Lord Lucius Malfoy of the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy,

Gringotts recognizes the shift in custody of one Heir Harry Potter of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, Friend to the Goblin Nation. We swear on all the gold and treasures in our possession that we are handling this embarrassment to the Goblin Nation and its dear friend swiftly and mercilessly.

A surface investigation has warranted a total audit of the Potter Vaults and we are bringing the goblin in charge of the vaults before our King as we speak. We are working quickly to rectify the transgressions against Heir Potter and taking heavy restitutions. We require Heir Potter to come see us to perform the duties the goblin last in charge of the vaults failed to perform on Heir Potter's first visit to our bank at age eleven. Please floo directly to my office at Heir Potter's earliest convenience to get these matters sorted.

We look forward to giving our sincerest apologies to Heir Potter, Friend of the Goblin Nation.

May your gold ever prosper,

Ironheart,

Head Goblin of Gringotts Bank, UK

"Everything okay, Lucius?" Narcissa asks.

"The goblins did a surface audit and found that the books aren't matching up. The goblin in charge of the Potter Vaults is going in front of the Goblin King. They require Harry's testimony in relation to the charges," Lucius reads the title given to Harry multiple times, "Cissa?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why would the head of Gringotts call Harry, 'Friend of the Goblin Nation'?"

"What?" Narcissa asks, shocked... "I don't know, dear, but it truly is an honor... They'll make sure the audit is done with a fine tooth comb and take interest when getting his things back!"

"Well, we best not keep them too long," Lucius says.

"Don't worry, I have a monitoring spell on them to let me know when they wake," she walks over to her husband, puts her cup on the desk and sits in his lap, arms around his neck, "You're a good man, Lucius Malfoy, and don't let anyone ever tell you different."

Lucius wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close, giving her a kiss, "You're the better of the two of us."

She smiles sweetly, then puts her head on her husband's shoulder, basking in the warmth that is Lucius.

Harry wakes feeling snug and safe. His hand held tight in another, his head rising and falling as it lay on a chest, an arm around his waist and feeling a weight on his head. He dare not move in case of waking his living pillow.

Harry breathes in Draco's scent: like the air in a meadow after a thunderstorm in spring, when all the wildflowers are in bloom.

Harry then becomes acutely aware that Draco is topless. Embarrassed, Harry tries to remove his hand, only for Draco to squeeze it softly. When he tried to wiggle out, Draco pulled him closer, "No, it's not time to get up yet, Moitié."

Suddenly, Harry starts to feel trapped and starts to breathe irregularly and a panic starts to kick in, Draco releases him instantly and Harry flies to the restroom, his stomach releasing what was left in from last night's dinner.

"Shit, Harry, I'm sorry!" Draco calls to him from the doorway, "I wasn't thinking!"

Once Harry gets control of his stomach, he goes to clean his mouth out, berating himself, "I-I d-don'-n't-t kn-know wh-what c-cam-me ov-ver m-me-e."

"Harry, you were..." Draco stops himself, his own breathing returning to normal, "I didn't respect your need to get away from me for some breathing room and you panicked. This was my fault, I was selfish, and I promise to do better. I'm so sorry."

Harry doesn't respond for a moment, rather surprised that Draco wasn't berating him or yelling at him over this, 'He didn't do any of that yesterday either.'

"Wh-Why a-are yo-you ap-p-pologi-gizing? I-I'm th-the o-one wh-who i-is mak-king a-an as-s-ss o-of the-thems-self," Harry asks, confused and sad.

Draco looks longingly and crushed, but keeps himself planted, "Moitié-"

"A-an-nd wh-hat d-does th-that wor-ord m-me-mean?" Harry starts feeling angry. An anger that doesn't deserve to be thrown at Draco. Angry that he couldn't act normal when he was so happy in those arms. Angry that the only people who seem to actively care were, just two days ago, considered the enemy. Angry that Draco kept calling him that word when he hasn't told him what it means, he could be calling him a 'stupid whore' for all he knows!

Then in storms the guilt. Guilt for not being strong enough. Guilt for accepting help and bringing people into his shitty little life. Guilt for not being a good mate to Draco. Guilt for being a good for nothing freak like his family had always told him he was that he fought so hard.

This reaction proves their claims right.

Tears start to form and fall, Harry sinks to the floor and pulls his knees to his chest.

Draco could feel the whirlwind of emotions and watched as a wind and a crackling of magic stirs around Harry. Draco has never seen a display of magic like this. His instincts tell him to get his mother or father, even Severus, but he caused this. He needs to be the one to fix it.

Walking towards Harry, the hair on his arms begin to rise from the electricity in the air. The closer he gets, the more magic seems to seep into the air, more wind and more cracking, 'He's trying to scare me off,' Draco concludes, 'All he has to do is channel the magic and he would be able to hurt me.'

Once Draco is a meter away from his mate, he gets down and sits cross legged on the floor, "Harry, Moitié means 'half' or 'other half'... I'm sorry if I offended you, it's something I've heard a lot of people in France call their significant others and I have always thought it was sweet and... I'm sorry."

Harry shakes out a sob and the wind dies down. The crackling in the air disappears. Suddenly he bolts towards Draco and tackles him, sobbing into his bare chest.

The wind is knocked out of Draco for a moment after impact, but immediately scoops his sobbing mate into his arms and rocks him. Whispering sweet nothings and promises everything and anything.

"I-I d-do-don't th-thin-ink I-I'm-m c-c-cu-t-t-t o-out-t t-to b-be y-yo-your-r m-m-mat-t-t-te," Harry sobs, "I-I-I'm-m br-brok-ken, D-D-D-Dra-ac-c-co."

"Shhh, Mo-Harry," Draco coaxes, rubbing his mate's back, soothingly, with his right hand, "You're not broken," his left hand cards through Harry's thick hair, "Just let me worry about being a good mate. You should only worry about helping me do what's best for you. I failed you this morning, but I promise I will make it up to you."

This is how Lucius finds them to ask them to get ready for breakfast and the day ahead. Giving his son a questioning look, Draco mouths, 'Later, be there soon,' to which his father nods curtly, turning and leaving.

It takes several minutes for Harry to cry his last tears for the moment, "I-I d-d-don't-t u-und-derst-stan-nd wh-why I g-got-t s-so-o an-angr-ry," he tells Draco, "I-I'm s-sor-ry."

Draco has a theory on why the nickname irked him so, but he tucks it away to examine later, "Harry, if it bothers you, I won't call you that name again," he whispers in his ear.

"N-no, I li-ike it," Harry says, and he does, "I d-do. I..." he sighs, trying to hide further into Draco's shoulder.

"Harry, you've had a lot to deal with from the events at school to the muggles to finding out you're a Veela mate to the guy you most hated in school," Draco soothes, "It's a miracle you're letting me hold you and comfort you at all... I had been expecting a lot of hexing thrown my way before your Gryffindor nature would kick in and you'd let me talk."

"I-I thou-ought you di-didn-n't kn-know I was you-our m-mate," Harry smiled, the thought appeared to be a logical response considering who the two of them are.

"Truly, I didn't, but I did imagine all this last year what would happen if I was mated to anyone at school, and that's what I gathered your response would probably be if I was mated to you," Draco said with a chuckle, "Why don't we get up and ready for todays outting, and see if mother and father are waiting with breakfast?"

The two get ready for the day in their own respective rooms, Draco grabbing the rings off his nightstand once finished and goes to collect Harry, "S-So, h-how l-lon-ng be-before y-you c-can ret-tract yo-your wi-ings?"

"Father said he would teach me how to retract them in a week's time," Draco replies, "Harry, be-" he takes a shaky breath, never in his life had he ever been so nervous, "before we head to breakfast, I have a gift for you. Your first courting gift, I mean," then he pulls out the box housing the rings and opens it.

Harry has an audible intake of breath, "Th-They're bea-eaut-tif-ful, Dr-Drac-co."

"They'll allow us to communicate telepathically as long as we wear them," Draco explains, "Majority of Veela mated pairs can communicate telepathically without the use of them, but that usually happens after bonding. Until you're ready, we can use these. They're charmed to fit any finger."

Harry shakily picks up both rings, one black and one silver, "Whi-Which wo-would y-you pref-fer?"

Draco smiled, happy that Harry was accepting the courtship ring, "I'm partial to the silver, myself, but if that is the one you prefer, I will happily take the black."

Harry handed the silver ring over to Draco and both boys put them on their left ring finger, "Ho-ow d-does the mag-gic-c wor-work? C-can w-we no long-ger ha-have a pri-private thought?"

"No, if you wish to speak to me via the rings, all you have to do is rub the moonstone and rub it again to cancel the enchantment," Draco says, "You should feel a slight tickle at the base of your skull and the first vertebrae."

Harry nods, enjoying the weight on his finger. Draco smiles and outstretchs his hand to Harry, who gingerly places his hand in Draco's, the flinch not nearly as bad as before, before they head off to meet the elder Malfoys.

Harry is dreading the storm that is coming when they go into the streets. Truthfully, he wasn't ready for the stares, the talk, what would end up in the paper, the letters from his friends and the order, the accusations... Who would see the rings and know what they are? Would this be all over the Daily Prophet because Rita Skeeter couldn't keep her nose out of anyone's business if it made for good gossip?

Harry fights to push those thoughts aside, focusing on the here and now. With the Malfoys. With Draco.

"You two are up late," Narcissa says, a smile playing on her lips, eyeing the ring on both boys, "Everything okay?"

"S-sor-ry, r-rough mo-morn-ning," Harry stutters out.

Narcissa gives a pointed 'you will be telling me about this when we get a moment alone' look at her son and politely smiles at Harry, "Think nothing of it, Harry, we all have hard mornings, some down right dreadful. I'm happy that you've come to join us to break your fast despite the start of today."

Everyone sitting in their same positions from yesterday as the food is brought out.

"Harry, I have received a letter from Gringotts regarding your vaults," Lucius states halfway through the meal, "They will be our first order of business, and depending on how long it takes we may have to postpone the shopping, but I'm sure Draco wouldn't mind you using his clothes until then."

"Y-yes s-sir," Harry says after swallowing his strawberry, "Wh-What-t wo-woul-ld m-mak-ke ou-our vis-sit-t t-to Gr-Gring-gotts s-so l-lon-ng?"

Lucius pinches the bridge of his nose, Harry inwardly cursed himself, waiting for the man to tell him how stupid he is, "Harry, I'm not going to lie to you, but the goblin in charge of your vaults has been taken to see the Goblin King for discrepancies in your books, not taking you into private chambers to explain your role as the last Potter and everything it entails, as well as doing several blood rituals to verify who you are and if you're under any spells, charms, enchantments or dark magic. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a lot of "red tape" as the muggles say. They did a surface audit and found the discrepancies and are doing a deeper audit now, taking back everything that is rightfully yours and taking restitution."

Harry's face paled, the gobin in charge of his vaults was facing beheading for embarrassing the Goblin Nation so, "A-All o-of th-this-s sh-shoul-ld ha-ave ha-ppe-ened w-with Ha-Hagrid t-tak-king m-me m-my fir-first t-time?"

"Yes," Lucius responds kindly, "and the crime is more severe, though, Harry, because of your title in the Goblin Nation. Tell me, how did you manage to become a friend of the Goblins?"

Harry's confused expression showcases just how little he is aware of the regard the title holds, "I-I bou-bought s-som-me b-book-ks o-on pret-t-ty m-muc-ch ev-everyth-thin-ng I th-thought-t mi-might-t be-e o-of im-mportan-nce a-and g-gob-blins w-were o-one of-f th-them bec-cause th-they r-run th-the b-ban-nk. U-Unc-cle Ver-Vernon al-always talk-ked hi-highly o-of ba-ank-kers, s-so I-I wa-want-ted t-to m-mak-ke su-sure I tr-reat-ted th-them wi-with re-respec-ct. S-So th-the n-nex-xt ti-ime I we-went i-in I g-gav-ve a-a resp-pect-table gr-greet-ting an-nd fa-fairwell a-an-nd so-soon I-I wa-as co-convers-sing wi-with th-the ma-majorit-ty o-of th-them an-nd th-they star-rted te-teach-ching m-me thei-their la-languag-ge wh-when I-I'm th-there."

The shock on every Malfoys face would have been paid handsomely by the Daily Prophet to be caught on camera.

"Harry, do you know how hard it is to garner the friendship of a Goblin, let alone the Nation?" Narcissa asks, incredulously, to which Harry shakes his head, "You, child, have very, very great allies in the financial world and they don't take kindly to dishonoring a person with the title of friend. I dare say restitutions could include the people signing over all their properties, wealth, businesses, even a child or two to come into your service."

Harry blushes, he hadn't realized treating goblins with respect and decency would mean so much to them. It goes to show how little the Wizarding World, at least here in the UK, thought of other magical beings.

"Well, the sooner we get there, the sooner it is over," Lucius says, taking control of the conversation, "Let's finish up and we will floo directly to Ironheart's office."

Harry's nerves get the best of him and he isn't able to eat anything more. This didn't go unnoticed by the Malfoys, but none of them want to bring it up and make Harry self-conscious.

"Harry," Draco asks as breakfast disappears, "are you familiar with the floo?"

He blushes, "Th-The o-onl-ly t-time I u-us-sed it-t I-I g-got-t a-a lit-t-tle los-st an-nd f-fell fl-lat o-on m-my fa-ace."

"No one went with you?" Narcissa asks tightly, "You should have a chaperone until you're comfortable going yourself."

"N-no, th-the Wea-Weasl-ley's l-let-t m-me g-go al-lone," Harry says, feeling like he said something wrong when he sees the dusting on Mrs. Malfoy's neck and it creeping up to her cheeks.

"Well, Harry, any one of us would be more than happy to escort you until you are confident to go alone," Narcissa says with a forced calm, her hand gesturing between herself and the two male Malfoys 'Incompetent oafs those Weasleys! Who knows where he could have ended up if he didn't step out when he did... I bet their precious daughter had an escort! The older ones wouldn't need it, but for Merlin's sake, a child without prior experience?'

Lucius wasn't fairing much better in his own mind, always finding the Weasley family incompetent, he couldn't believe the lack of care they had with young Harry in their custody, 'I believe reminding Arthur of the dangers of floo travel for inexperienced persons is in order.'

They make their way to the fireplace, "Harry, who would you prefer to take you through?"

"Who-Whomev-ver, I-I h-hat-te t-to b-be a both-bother," Harry's cheeks are dusted pink.

"I'll take him through, mother," Draco says, looking at his mother first and then to Harry, "As long as Harry doesn't object."

"N-No, th-that-t's f-fine," Harry says, his cheeks getting redder, "Th-Thank y-you, Drac-co."

Narcissa and Lucius smile at the two budding mates, "Alright then, I'll go first, then Draco and Harry, and Narcissa will follow after to make sure you boys don't get lost, okay? Alright," Lucius grabs a handful of floo powder and calls out "Ironheart's Office, Gringotts."

A burst of green fire and Lucius is gone.

"Harry, I'm going to need to hold your waist," Draco whispers, "Is that okay?"

Harry nods and, despite the warning, jumps when Draco's arm wraps around him. Draco waits a moment for Harry to relax into his hold, once that happens he follows his father's lead and both boys walk into the floo.

Harry presses closer to Draco as other open floos pass by, and Draco holds on to him just a little tighter. When they step out, Draco has a firm enough hold on him to keep him from tripping in front of Lucius or Ironheart.

"Ah, Heir Malfoy, Heir Potter," Ironheart says, "May your gold ever prosper."

"A-an-nd m-may y-yo-our en-n-n-nem-mies al-alwa-ays t-trem-tremble at-t yo-your m-might-t-t, M-Mas-st-ter Ir-ron-n-hear-heart-t-t," Harry responds in turn.

"Always the polite wizard, Heir Potter," Ironheart nods to him, disregarding the stutter.

The fire comes to life again and Narcissa walks through, "Good morning, Ironheart," she says with polite smile.

"Lady Malfoy," Ironheart greets as though he wasn't just talking kindly, for a goblin, to Harry, "Now, onto business? Or are we expecting anyone else?"

"N-No, Ma-Mast-ter Ir-Ironhear-heart, th-this is a-all," Harry replies to the head goblin.

"Well then, shall we? Heir Potter, if you would please take the seat closest to my desk," several comfortable chairs appear and everyone takes a seat, Harry at the forefront, "Now, if you would be so kind as to prick your middle finger on your right hand with this dagger and put three drops of blood on this parchment here," Ironheart puts a blank sheet of paper in front of Harry and hands over the dagger, "This will tell us you are who you claim to be, your lineage, and the Vaults you are entitled to."

Harry does as instructed and watches as his blood quickly turns into words on the parchment.

Harry James Potter, Age 14

Mother: Lily Potter nee Evans

Father: James Potter

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter (Blood) - Vaults 73, 84, 713

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin (Soul Ritual) - Vaults 8, 89, 427

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor (Blood) - Vaults 9, 65, 545

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Peverell (Blood) - Vaults 99, 216

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Emrys (Blood) - Vaults 1, 7, 13, 626

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Pendragon (Blood) - Vaults 2, 23, 616

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Fey (Blood) - Vaults 3, 48, 67

Marriage Contract: Draco Malfoy (Veela Mate - Magically Chosen) (In Effect)

Marriage Contract: Ginerva Weasley (Private Contract between Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley) (Cancelled)

"I can tell you for a fact that not all of those bloodlines came from your father, Harry," Lucius says, eyeing the parchment as Ironheart reads it aloud, not yet daring to mention the now cancelled marriage contract between his son's mate and the Weasley brat.

Draco is seething, the Veela within him wanting to break out of this place and hunt down the Headmaster, Molly Weasley and the Weaslette. Everyone in the bloody world was about to learn that Harry James Potter was his and his alone.

Harry can barely comprehend what was read to him and feels betrayed, Dumbledore had his entire life planned out... He wasn't even allowed to choose whom would make him happiest.

'I have Draco, now, and I've bloody well chosen him, you twinkling eyed git,' Harry curses.

If Narcissa wasn't ready to hex Molly Weasley before, she definitely was ready to hex the ever living daylights out of that sorry excuse of a mother now!

"Dear me, Heir Potter," the goblin says, his voice wavering, "I-I dare say that my king needs to be made aware of your lineage immediately after our meeting."

"B-But wh-hy d-does m-my lin-neage matt-ter right-t n-now, Mas-ster Ir-ronhear-rt?"

"Because, Heir Potter, some of these Ancient Houses have been thought to be extinct," Ironheart says, "Specifically Fey, Embrys and Pendragon. It was said that Merlin and Arthur had a child together and that Morgan Le Fey's own child wed, in secret, the child of Merlin and Arthur. The couple was said to have produced only one heir, as the mother and father, both, tragically passed protecting their child during a raid when the child was only months old. The babe was taken and no one knew what became of them."

Harry stares, mouth agape, "Th-That's..."

"That sounds like exactly like your story, Harry," Draco whispers, not that it matters, everyone heard him.

"Let's go back, please," Narcissa cuts in, "What Soul Ritual was performed on Harry to make him the Heir of Slytherin?"

Ironheart nods, "Yes, that bit of information is concerning, to say the least. Here, Heir Potter, if you would please slice down your right palm and place your hand," the goblin shuffles through his desk quickly to retrieve a specific parchment, "in the center and hold it there for a few moments, we will be able to see if there are any enchantments or curses upon you, as well as any pervious rituals you have undergone, and we should be able to see who performed them."

Harry once again did as instructed and the goblin kindly handed him a handkerchief for his wound. They wait with ample anticipation as words begin to form on the paper.

Harry Potter, Age 14

Soul Ritual - Horcrux, performed age 15 months, Soul: Tom Riddle, Caster: Albus Dumbledore, Undone, Soul Returned to Original Body

Magical Core Suppression - 70%, performed age 15 months, Caster: Albus Dumbledore

Intellectual Suppression - 80%, performed age 15 months, Caster: Albus Dumbledore

Natural Wandless Magic Talent -Suppressed

Natural Wordless Magic Talent - Suppressed

Natural Elemental Magic - All Elements - Suppressed

Natural Occlumency - Suppressed

Natural Legilimens - Suppressed

Impulse Control Suppression - 55%, performed age 11, Caster: Albus Dumbledore

Loyalty Boost - performed age 11, Subjects: Albus Dumbledore, Herminone Granger, Ronald Weasley, Caster: Albus Dumbledore

Loyalty Boost - performed age 12, Subjects: Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, Caster: Molly Weasley

The silence is deafening, "Wh-what-t-t? Th-That c-c-can't-t b-be ri-right," Harry's head was swimming, he felt lightheaded and a tad faint.

Ironheart looks murderous at the paper and puts it down slowly, "So, we have some options moving forward," he gives an evil smile, "A soul ritual performed is already bad enough to get the Aurors involved, but we can also play the long game on this and see just what other atrocities Albus Dumbledore has committed and what atrocities he will continue to do until we can figure out why this happened in the first place."

Harry barely registers what the goblin has just told him, a sudden, sickening revelation hits him. Every eye twinkle, everything that happened in school, maybe events outside of school, and so much more... It was all part of some sick and twisted game the old man was playing. What else had the man done, and why?

Then add Mrs. Weasley... Harry looked up to the woman, like an adopted mother. Why would she think she needed to cast anything on him? Were all of the Weasley's using him for their own means? Harry felt he had owed it to the Twins to give them his winnings after all the help and comfort they gave him last year... Was it all part of a bigger plan and they didn't actually care?

Harry was going to get his answers, and revenge, mark his words.

"If-f c-conf-front-ted n-ow, h-he wi-ill s-simp-ply t-twis-st it t-to f-f-fit h-his n-narrat-tive," Harry says knowingly, "o-or wor-rs-se, cl-claim the par-parchm-ment is a fr-fraud an-and at-attempt to t-turn pe-people's tr-trus-st away fr-from the gob-goblins."

"We goblins appreciate the concern Heir Potter shows our Nation," Ironheart comments, "We will collect data here on our end, but others will have to collect evidence of Albus' other transgressions."

"We will worry about that," Lucius says, coming out of his shock, "I will contact my solicitor and make arrangements."

"We will need to call in several curse breakers and goblins to remove the suppressions and the loyalty boosts," Ironheart says, "Preferably after our other business is concluded. We will have to make it so th suppression on your magical core is done gradually, as not to kill you or leave you a Squib. A seventy percent suppression is unheard of, but we should be able to get you mostly unblocked by time term starts again."

"What you're saying is Harry is only working with thirty percent of his magic?" Narcissa questions, disbelief shining in her features.

"Yes, Lady Malfoy," Ironheart says bitterly, "and it would be dangerous to give him complete access to his core immediately. Heir Potter, once you return to school, you will have to be careful when performing magic. Normally by this time you would have excellent control, but unfortunately that is not the case with the massive boost in power you're about to receive. You should also consider going back to the wand shop to have the maker see if your wand and you are still compatible."

Harry only nods, his mind going at top speed and even he can't keep up with his thoughts.

"Very good, now, back to more pleasant business," Ironheart praises, pressing his finger to a black stone, "Dragonfang, we are in need the ledgers for vaults..."

The meeting goes back to the goblin's pride and joy. All the vaults gold together, plus treasures, heirlooms, properties, businesses and the like... Harry Potter was the wealthiest person in the Wizarding World, several thousands times over the next richest family.

They discussed the discrepancies they originally found and how the traitor was being handled, Ironheart swore that he and his direct line would look after Harry's vaults and affairs from hereon out.

Collecting his family rings and all the keys to his vaults, Harry decides it is best not to take Dumbledore's control of the Potter Vaults away, as not to draw suspicion.

Calling in the Gringotts Curse Breakers, who are under an unbreakable bond to not discuss private matters regarding Gringotts clients and the necessary goblins, they take over an hour of complex chanting and movements to remove the suppressions and place a pacer on the release of Harry's magical core.

"By time term is back in session," a curse breaker who has striking blue eyes and honey brown hair says, "your core should be nearly completely released."

"Th-Thank-k yo-you, si-sir," Harry says to the man.

Bidding them fairwell at the end if their business, Ironheart makes a hasty trip to the Goblin King in hopes of stalling the execution of Griphook until Dumbledore can pay for all his crimes.

Oh yes, the Ironheart very much likes the way Heir Potter wishes to procede, 'He would have made for an impressive goblin.'

"I can't believe this," Draco says, seething, his arm wrapped around Harry's waist as they leave Gringotts.

Harry is exhausted, mentally and physically, it is nice to lean against Draco, his head on his shoulder, and have his support. Draco isn't complaining, oh no, the Veela blood is singing at the contact and its feeling that he has finally done something right for its mate.

"Hush, Dragon," his mother hisses, "Always an ear and an eye out in public."

Draco clams up immediately, momentarily forgetting himself and potentially putting his mate at risk.

"Harry Potter! Get away from those people this instant!" Molly Weasley screeches upon seeing Harry leave Gringotts with the Malfoys.

Harry flinches violently, the two elder Malfoys stepping in front of their son and future son-in-law, effectively shielding them from the Weasley Monarch's view. Draco pulls him closer, and his wings begin flexing, preparing to shield his mate with them, if needed.

People begin to stare.

"You, Mrs. Weasley, have no right to be screeching like a deranged banshee at my ward," Lucius responds cooly and loudly.

"Harry James Potter," she tries again, wondering why he hasn't come to her immediately, the Loyalty Boost she put on him should make it hard for him to resist, "you should come with us, where you'll be safe."

"Molly, calm down, you're causing a scene," Arthur tries to calm his wife, looking apologetically at the Malfoys and Harry.

"I wouldn't be causing a scene if they hadn't kidnapped him from his family's home!"

Whispers started flying. Harry saw Narcissa look back at him and mouth, 'I'm sorry, but we need to show part of our hand.'

Harry nods, feeling so terribly that he's caused the Malfoys so much trouble and he hasn't been with them long. Draco's arm around his waist leaves to card through his hair instead, attempting to calm his mate's fears.

"Well, it doesn't surprise me that your family, and the rest of the wizarding world, is misinformed, or merely not informed at all, on the most current events regarding Mr. Potter," Narcissa says loudly and all too calmly, facing the Weasleys, knowing a reporter or two is in the crowd, "But young Harry here is our son, Draco's Veela mate, and considering the abysmal living conditions he had at his so called family's home, the Veela Court had brought forth an investigation and Lucius and I have been granted full physical and magical custody. If Harry wishes to speak with you, he is free to do so, but he will be accompanied by a Malfoy or our Solicitor after this unprovoked behavior, for his own protection."

"Mrs. Weasley," Lucius adds himself seamlessly, "As you are aware, it is tradition for Veelas to not announce their mateships until the second phase of bonding is complete-"

Harry didn't know that, he touched the moonstone on his ring and felt a warm, tingling feeling at the nape of his neck, 'Draco, what is your father talking about?'

Draco jumped slightly, hearing his little mate in his head, but was elated that he felt comfortable enough to do so so early into , 'When... The second stage of bonding is "commitment". Normally, the non-Veela mate decides that courting is going well and they are willing to commit more fully to the mateship. Typically, this part of the bond is shown by the mate giving the Veela a... kiss. To formally announce it, you should be past the second stage.'

Harry feels himself get red in the face.

"- because we Veela are not ones to force ourselves on our mates and allow our mates to set the pace of courting and completing the bond. Heir Potter has accepted the bond with Draco, who has already presented his mate with the traditional first courting gift of the Veela. We are blessed that this young man, after the volatile school relationship they have had prior, has allowed Draco to court him and prove himself a worthy mate. As soon as the two move onto the next stage of courting, we will be sending out invitations to the courtship ball."

'Courtship ball?' Harry asks through the ring.

'Relax, Harry,' Draco cooes, his fingers rubbing his mate's hand reassuringly, 'The ball is a ways off and used not only for Veelas, but most Wizarding families to bring the families and allies together.'

'Won't this put your family at risk with Voldemort?' Harry asks, fearfully.

'Mother says something happened during the ritual that brought him back,' Draco states, 'If Mother and Father feel this is best, then we should trust their judgement.'

Harry just nods, feeling safe and reassured, 'Would people believe more in our mateship if we were past the initial acceptance stage?'

'People may be more inclind to leave us alone, yes, because until the second stage of the bond people may think they could steal you away from me. Prove that they're a better suitor or mate than me," Draco growls softly at the thought of someone else trying to court his mate. Then the thought of the cancelled marriage contract between the Weaslette and his mate came up and the growling got louder. His arm drops from his mate's neck to his waist once more. Draco looks as though he's trying his damnedest not to go attack the Weasley Matriarch.

Harry looks at Draco, his features displaying nothing, but Harry could sense the elder's distress and growing fury. Harry wants to calm him, and then comes his inner Gryffindor, 'Draco, look at me,' Draco acts as though he doesn't hear him, swimming in his thoughts, 'Please, Draco, I need you to look at me.'

Harry's plea wakes the Veela from his stewing and he looks at his Avada Kedavra green eyed mate. Harry flinches a little at the anger swirling in his Dominant's eyes, which quickly soften at the sight of his mate. Next thing Draco knows, both of Harry's trembling hands are on his face, pulling him down and a kiss meets his lips.

Draco opens his mouth to take an intake of breath, shocked by his mates actions, but then feels Harry's tongue touch his.

Draco knows only two things here and now: that he would never taste anything more delectable or exquisite as his mate, and that now that the second stage of the bond has happened no magic or force on this planet would be able to take him away from Draco.

The magic the pulses from the kiss hits everyone outside Gringotts and a warmth and love fills them. Narcissa and Lucius turn around quickly, wondering what, in the name of Merlin, bloody well happened just now. They are concerned when they see Harry's hands on Draco's face and Draco trying not to scare his mate by being too eager.

Narcissa went to say something, but Molly Weasley beat her to the punch.

"You disgusting little faggot!" Molly screeches as the two boys part, "And to think I let someone as disgusting as you into my home, around my children! Have you been whoring yourself out at school too? I wouldn't doubt it you perverted little shit! Your family should have done something to stamp that disgusting trait out of you! Your parents would be so ashamed and disown you, if they were alive! You fucking fag-"

"Molly!" Arthur exclaims, "What is wrong with you?! They'reVeela for Merlin's sake! Are you trying to get attacked?!"

The people in the crowd looks at Molly and starts taking steps away from her. Afraid of being caught between that Malfoys and their intended victim if they decide to attack. Many couldn't believe their ears that the Weasleys were against same sex couples! They also couldn't believe that they were telling Harry Potter that his parents would act as though their child being gay was enough to get him disowned! Let alone when their child's partner is Veela!

Many people knew James and Lily in life, and they knew they would be over the moon that their son has a mate that would always stand by him and treat him right.

Everyone watching is memorizing the interaction and wondering how this interaction will end.

"Unhand me, Arthur!' Molly seethes, but Arthur quickly sends a silencing and freezing charms at his wife and turns to face the Malfoys and the boy he has grown to love like a son.

"As the Patriarch of the Weasley family," Arthur tries to save face, save his family from being ostracized further, and this time, not because his family are known blood-traitors, "I am happy to see that Harry has accepted and is committed to the bond that Magic herself chose for him. I have loved Harry like a son since the moment I met him and I hope he and his mate can forgive this... interaction," the man's face is red from embarrassment and pleading, banking on Harry's kindness that he will let the two leave without calling on restitutions in any form. If Harry forgives them, the wizardin world wouldn't leave him and his offspring scrambling to rebuild connections.

'Harry, your response to Mr. Weasley is required,' Draco coaxes, 'but before you do, what brought that marvelous kiss on? I know you weren't ready to take the next step in our bonding.'

'You were growling and swimming in terrible thoughts,' Harry replies, his Gryffindor nature ebbing away to nerves, 'I just wanted to show you and everyone else that I have chosen to stand by you and be with you... I'm sorry.'

Harry feels both of Draco's arms snake around his waist as Harry turns to face a very shocked Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy and an awaiting crowd for him to speak to Mr. Weasley. Draco directly behind him, nose nestled in his mate's hair.

"I am deeply offended and saddened by your wife's actions in front of my mate, his family and the people just trying to go about their day here in Diagon Alley, Mr. Weasley. I have always thought of you and the other Weasleys as family, but I can see that, at least when it comes to Mrs. Weasley, that feeling and all the feelings surrounding it are conditional. Your youngest son has also shown similar conditional behavior, although I have yet to see it be expressed due to homophobia, but I guess I don't know your family as well as I thought I did and I'll know for certain once I see him. Here in the Wizarding World, being gay isn't taboo, it isn't perceived as wrong or abnormal as it is in the muggle world. Gay couples do produce heirs and continue their bloodlines without incident and some without needs of potions. I had previously questioned why your elder children have all but washed their hands of their parents, but I think I have a better understanding as to why now," Draco is amazed at his mate's little speech and his lack of stutter, "Where you are, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I will no longer be, outside formal engagements. Mr. Weasley due to your shock and immediate apology, I will let this incident go, but know, if it happens again, I will default to my mate to take charge of the situation, as is his right as my Dominant and as my mate. This is the only warning that will be given, so I suggest you take it as seriously as it's implied."

Arthur paled throughout the entirety of the little speech Harry gave and knew there was no way to refute Harry's claims about William and Charles. When Charlie left for Romania to be with his beloved Dragons, he had told the family that he was gay and Molly had lost her temper then too and disowned him as her son. Bill disowned his mother in response and walked out and neither have come back and neither have written them. Fred and George still get letters, but they burn up the minute Molly or him touch them and if they attempt to read over their shoulders, they only see profanity spewed towards them.

Ron and Ginny had sided with their mother with it all. There was nothing between the younger two and the eldest two in a long time.

Percy had always been Molly's pride and joy, but has kept his mother and father at broom's length since the incident with Charlie and Bill. He doesn't know if Percy receives correspondence from his elder brothers. He wouldn't be surprised if he has, Percy was always private and studious, he would be surprised if they hadn't found a way to communicate without owls.

It killed Arthur that this has happened and now the wizarding world knows he has a wife who is stupid enough to throw away her relationship with the hero of the wizarding world because of his sexuality. And if word gets out she tossed her son aside... Then the world will see him as spineless and useless as the Malfoy Patriarch usually claims at work.

Harry used that little speech to wash his hands of himself and his wife, not that he can blame the boy. What Molly said was unforgivable and Arthur had not done anything in time to correct the situation.

It was Charlie and Bill all over again and it seems as though some of his other children were going to follow them as well.

How did this happen? How had he been so blind to the horrible woman his wife was? Would his children ever be able to forgive him?

"Thank you, Harry, for your kindness, generosity and mercy. You have given me a lot to think about," Arthur says, seeing the crowd look to see his response, many of whom look as though they're just waiting for him to screw up the obvious de-escalation of the Veela's mate, "I do greatly apologize for my family ruining your lovely outing where you are very obviously furthering the bond between you and young Draco and forging a bond with your future in-laws. We will take our leave now," and with that, Arthur grabs his paralyzed wife and disapparates for the Weasley home, contemplting what else he has ignored and overlooked.

Narcissa and Lucius compose themselves and beckon their child and his mate forward and walking away as though nothing had happened, but they were conversing through their shared link about how to convince the boy not to give in to his Gryffindor nature where the bond is concerned and how they were going to make the Weasleys pay for their horrendous actions. While they agree they are happy that Harry was willing to move on to the next step in the bond, they're concerned about his mental health and what will happen when they are behind the walls of the Manor.

They make to the bottom of the Gringotts steps when an upper twenties, honey blonde man with bright blue eyes and a forest green fitted suit that leaves little to the imagination comes up to them and sticks out his hand, "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, young Mr. Malfoy and young Mr. Potter, pardon the interruption, but I'm Todd Sween and I'm a reporter from the World Pensive, a North American based paper. We're branching out to provide an international paper to keep everyone updated about our friends across the pond and the world. If you would be so kind as to sit for an interview at your earliest convenience, I would love to report on this event and anything else you have to offer," he twists his hand leisurely, producing a business card and handing it to Lucius, "I promise a better interview and reporting than you'd find in that rag, The Daily Prophet, including seeing the article before it's sent to my editors so you can confirm that I have written to your liking."

Lucius looks down at the card and back to the reporter, Todd, "We will discuss this further as a family once our business is settled for the day. In the meantime, I will give you permission, as long as Mr. Potter also agrees, for you to give an accurate and truthful reporting of what you've witnessed just now."

Todd looks over at Harry, "I-I l-look," Harry shakes his head a little to get himself back under control, "forward to reading about this incident at Malfoy Manor. Must I pay you for a subscription or-?"

Todd smiles brightly, "You can simply pay once the paper arrives, I hope I, at minimum, meet your expectations. I'll let you get back to your day," he walks away with a wave.

Lucius scowls at the other reporters who have run up now and leads his family away. Harry seems to deflate little by little with each step he takes away from the Gringotts steps, leaning more and more heavily on Draco.

Draco is seething, but refuses to let his mate see it. Harry was too kind, far too kind for the wrath Draco wanted to show the Weasleys, but had agreed that this particular fight was one Harry needed to fight alone.

His last time standing alone.

"What are we feeling for a late lunch?" Narcissa asks, looking back at her son and his mate, worry reflected in her eyes. Hoping Harry will be able to eat after what just transpired, the Weasleys being there as they left didn't help matters.

"How about Tutto's?" Lucius suggests.

"Tutto's sounds great, father," Draco says, "Is that alright, Harry?"

Harry blushed, he had walked past the place on Diagon Alley and always wanted to try it, but didn't know how the Weasleys would feel if Harry asked to stop in because it was pricey, "Th-that s-soun-nds l-lov-vely."

They walk up to the hostess, ask for a table for four in a private corner and are seated immediately.

Once seated, Narcissa orders a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and waters for the table as everyone looks over the menu, "Now, Harry, order whatever you like," she says.

Harry sees a lot that he wishes to try, but settles on their house gnocchi and a wedge salad.

They don't talk about the incident at lunch, only about what stores to head to for Harry to get everything he will need. First, every Malfoy agreed, was to get him a new wardrobe. Harry couldn't believe they were talking about taking him to no less than five stores for clothing and shoes!

"I'm sorry, but isn't five a bit excessive?" Harry asks.

"Harry, if I had it my way, you'd be seen at more than a dozen," Narcissa tells him, "But, alas, we don't have time for all of them today. Just the major ones for muggle attire, quidditch, potions, formal and daily robes, plus sleepwear."

Harry felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought, but agreed nonetheless. He would be getting copies of the receipts so he can pay them back for their generosity.

Draco's Veela blood was still high from his mate's kiss, and while Draco so desperately wanted to celebrate, he knew Harry wasn't ready for this step. He also knew that Harry wanted to protect him and his parents from the accusations and everything else that comes with it. Harry kissed him, initiated it even, because he felt forced to do so by that horrible Weasley woman.

'Please, let the bitch or her spawn slip up,' Draco prays.

He truly is blessed with a mate who wants to protect him. Draco swears that he will protect his mate as selflessly as his mate has shown himself to be. It saddened him greatly that their kiss was rushed like this and hated the thought that Harry would regret it later, when he had time to process it, but Draco has hope.

Eventually they leave the restaurant and go on to shopping. Harry is poked and prodded and measured every which way and soon leaves with more clothes and shoes than he has ever owned in his life, with more orders for specialty items on the way.

They take the Floo from the Leaky Cauldron back to the Manor and settle in to relax for the rest of the night after dinner in the garden.

Draco brings Harry to his room, "Would you like me to come in and we can relax together and talk? Or are you ready for some alone time?"

Harry fidgets a moment, "I think I'm going to go relax in the water for a while and we'll play the rest of it by ear?"

Draco smiles reassuringly, wanting to pull the boy close, but refrains, "Of course, Harry. I'm right in the next room, you go relax."

Harry walks into his room, removes the ring that Draco gave him and rushes into his bathroom. He starts the tub and begins to undress. The day rushes back to him and his whole body gets red with embarrassment and shaky from suppressed anxiety.

Harry thinks back to the kiss and those conflicting feelings bubble up and he feels like throwing up for vastly different reasons. He had wanted people to take his mateship seriously, but Draco was right, he absolutely was not ready to kiss him.

Harry feels his skin crawling, so he throws Draco's clothing from his body as fast as he can manage and climbs into the tub and begins crying as the water and bubbles engulf his small form. The kiss felt so right and then Mrs. Weasley called him a faggot, and now he hears his Uncle's voice saying all the horrible, derogatory things he would say when he was...

Harry can feel his Uncle's hands on his body, and he cries out. Suddenly, he has the urge to scrub his body with a ferocity that will hopefully get the feeling of his Uncle's hands off. His skin is turning red and raw and in some places the skin is broken and bleeding, and the next thing he knows, he has to pull himself out of the comforting tub and go throw up in the nearby toilet.

After the purge of his stomach he climbs back into the water, hiding his raw body, "R-Risp-pa?"

Crack!

"Oh, Master Harry! Rispa was getting worried Rispa wasn't good elf for Master Harry, since Master Harry hasn't called while the others masters and mistress's elves have been called several times before now! What can Rispa be doing for Master Harry, sir?"

"S-Sorr-ry R-Ris-sp-pa, I-I'm n-not-t us-used t-to c-call-calling o-on h-hous-se el-elves," Harry apologizes, "Y-you-ur a-a g-good-d e-elf. D-do y-you th-thin-nk y-you ca-an g-get m-me s-some t-t-tea an-and-d so-someth-thing li-light t-to g-g-go wi-with it-t?"

"Absolutely, Master Harry, sir," Rispa exclaims, "Rispa will be back as soon as it being ready for Master Harry! Is there any special types of tea Master Harry would like?"

"N-No," Harry states, "Wh-Which-chev-ver y-you pr-pref-fer, I-I'm su-sure w-will b-be gre-eat."

"Rispa has never been asked what Rispa's likes!" the little elf squeals, "Rispa will make sure to makes it perfect for Master Harry, sir!" and with that, she pops off, the happiest look on her face.

Harry sighs and slips under the water, staying there until he can't hold his breath any longer, gasping a little as he comes up for air. He can't shake the feeling of his Uncle's hands, nor the words he spoke that Mrs. Weasley was able to solidify as fact in his mind.

Harry sits alone with his thoughts and his crawling skin, knees against his chest and head on his knees, until Rispa returns, "Here's being Master Harry's tea and linzer cookies, is there being anything else Rispa can be doing for Master Harry, sir?"

"N-No, th-than-nk y-you, Ri-Risp-pa," Harry takes the warm cup into his shaking hands as the elf gives a small bow before popping off. The crawling feeling eating away at his skin, feeling as though it is going deeper, straight to the bone.

Harry once again thinks back on the kiss he gave Draco, as the tea works to warm him from the inside. No, he doesn't regret kissing the blonde, but he does know that there is a shit storm coming...

He just hopes Draco won't abandon him when it gets here.

Harry continues to scrub his body as he drinks his tea and eats his treats, willing the crawling feeling away, wishing Draco was here to make this feeling stop.

He feels so alone and empty. He has to force himself out of the tub to keep himself from scrubbing further.

Draco hops into the bath to relax and has to force himself to stay here. He can feel his little mate struggling with himself after the events that happened today.

Still feeling the sensation of his mate on his lips and feeling the raging emotions from his mate in the other room, Draco doesn't know what to do. He wants to go comfort his mate, take any and all reservations and regret away by holding him close and never letting go, maybe a few kisses to his face and neck as he whispers sweet nothings.

Draco sighs and knows that isn't wise, but his blood is telling him that it is right and that Harry already accepted that type of treatment when he initiated the second stage of the bond.

But Draco knows better.

He feels his mates distress and panic even out and then a feeling of fear, followed by loss and an empty, lonely feeling. Draco wants nothing more than to take his little mate into his arms and whisper sweet nothings to him and prove to him that, no matter what comes next, he will always have Draco by his side.

Draco can't take sitting in the tub any longer and gets out to get into something comfortable for bed.

He writes to Blaise and Theo, telling them about his mate before its all over the paper tomorrow and a bare minimum of what his mate went through and asks for their help to keep him safe when he isn't around at school, as well as if they would be willing to come formally meet his mate when Harry gives his permission.

He sends his owl off to his friends right before he feels apprehension and doubt and then hears a knock on his door. He gets up quickly and rushes to the door, not wanting Harry to get too worked up.

Opening the door, Harry, wearing black, long sleeve, silk pajamas, is hugging himself tight, Draco doesn't have a moment to speak when Harry rushes and collides with his frame, wrapping his arms around the taller boy. Draco wraps his arms around Harry and leads him into his room as the boy openly sobs into his chest. He can feel a dampness to the boy.

Managing to get his mate onto his bed, he holds him close and whispers reassurances to the brunette. His mate's words are an incoherent mess, so Draco focuses on being there. The only word Draco hears clearly is "Sorry."

Eventually Harry's sobbing subside, tears still fall, but his breathing has evened out, "Harry, do you want to talk about it?"

Harry nuzzles his head into Draco's neck, his breath tickling the skin it dances along, "I-I f-felt-t-t-t h-hi-is ha-an-nds o-on m-m-me a-an-nd I-I st-star-rted scr-rubb-bing a-an-nd th-the f-fee-elin-ng k-kep-pt g-gett-ting d-dee-eper an-nd I-I st-start-ted bl-bleed-ding an-nd I-I wan-nte-ed t-to k-kee-ep sc-crub-bing, I-I ha-had t-to for-force mys-self t-to st-top an-nd it-t wa-as s-so ha-har-rd."

Draco is sure that if Harry could burrow into his skin, he would have by now. Holding his mate close, Draco's heart breaks at hearing Harry's suffering, "Harry, one day I will make sure you never feel that filthy muggles hands on you ever again, but we need to focus on you healing first. Can you tell me what exactly brought this on?"

Draco knew, of course, but Harry admitting it would go a lot further, "Mr-Mrs-rs. Weas-sl-ley s-sai-said so-ome of-f th-the sa-ame thi-ings m-my U-Unc-cle d-did, an-nd I-I us-sed t-to th-thin-nk o-of h-her s-so fo-ond-dly... An-nd th-then sh-she ment-tion-ned m-my p-pare-ent-ts," a new wave of sobs shake through him.

Draco runs his fingers through his mate's hair, "Shhh, Harry, nothing she said was true, you know that, right?" Harry nods into Draco's neck, "Harry, baby, it's okay, I'm not going to let anyone else hurt you, and I'm so so sorry I wasn't in your life the way you needed me before, but I promise I'm not going anywhere now."

Draco moves to lay down and Harry allows himself to be pulled down with him. He positions Harry to the side of him and makes sure they're both comfortable as he keeps a firm hold.

"P-pleas-se, Dr-Drac-co," Harry's small voice cracks, body trembling, pulling away to look into his mate's eyes, "I-I c-can f-feel hi-is ha-han-nds o-on m-me an-nd I-I f-feel s-so wr-wron-ng."

Draco takes a shaky breath and slowly starts running his free hand over Harry's free arm and then his ribs and back, then gingerly touches his torso, being mindful not to go further than his mate's belly button. His fingers trailing up Harry's neck and tracing his face and running his fingers through his hair and then back down.

Harry kept relaxing into Draco's touch and soon the crawling sensation went away. Draco stopped when he felt Harry go limp, he had fallen asleep.

Draco simply smiles at his sleeping mate, happy he was able to coax him into relaxation and sleep after the day he had. Grabbing the blanket from the other side of Harry and wrapping it around them, Draco allowed himself to kiss Harry on the forehead, "Sweet dreams, Moitié."

Lucius has just finished his last letter and sends them off to the entire Hogwarts Staff, the Headmaster, the Veela Court and every head on the board of governors for the school. Outlining every little detail about his son and his mate's needs while at the school and the legal rights a Veela has regarding their mate and how the only warning that should be needed to the school populous is that Draco is a Veela and Harry Potter is his mate and that the Veela will not take kindly to anyone interfering with the bond or his mate in general, and that Draco can and will kill anyone who he deems a threat to his mate.

Lucius laid out that Harry Potter had given the populace ample warning about his mate, which they will read about in the morning paper and not to bother considering that the boy's generosity and kindness will get anyone out of harms way, that Harry Potter will default to Draco, his Dominant, to handle things how he sees fit.

He left no wiggle room for Albus Dumbledore to step in and make Draco out to be the bad guy. He outlined every law, every decree between the Veela and Wizarding kind. Albus is powerless and cannot claim ignorance this time around.

Lucius made sure that he outlined everything, from the necessary accomodations to how they needed to be in the same classes to how they weren't to be separated, for example if one had detention that the other would be there as well and if a faculty member or the headmaster had to speak to one of the boys, the other must be present.

He would make sure his son and his mate had a smooth school year.

Sirius Black hears a tap tap tap on his window that wakes him from a dead sleep. Opening the window, he doesn't recognize the owl, but it could be his Pup's replacement since Hedwig is with the Weasley Twins.

Taking the letter from the Owl's beak, it hoots, flies to a post and settles in, "Well, I guess you're waiting for a reply, then?"

The owl hoots again before settling its head into its wing.

When he opens the letter, he is beyond shocked that it comes from one of his least favorite cousins, Narcissa Malfoy, "Merlin, what could that woman want?" he groans, but decides to read the letter to see what snarky bullshit she has to say.

What he had not expected was the first line being a Black family spell to lift any charms, curses, black magic, really anything that would alter the mind of a Black.

Dear cousin,

If you're reading this, then thank goodness the old family magic is still strong enough to break your trance. Otherwise, I'd have murdered you the next time we saw one another for what you have done, or should I say lack thereof(?), in regards to Harry Potter?

How dare you ignore the boy when he was telling you about his abuse? How dare you tell him to trust the man who knew he was being abused and kept sending him back? If you could read his medical reports, Sirius Orion Black, you would think our family Saints! I don't care what curse or charm or whatever you were under, you ignored him! Do you know what harm you have done to this sweet child?

Harry is Draco's mate, Sirius, and Harry has accepted the bond. My son couldn't have come into his inheritance a moment sooner! When he and Lucius arrived to explain things, do you know what they apparated into? Your, so called, Pup being RAPED, Sirius. By his filthy muggle Uncle! YOU sent him to that filthy home! YOU allowed this to happen!

The report is the worst I've ever seen, Sirius. Worse than I'm sure the majority of healers have ever seen. The first incident of abuse happened a month after he arrived in their care! And don't get me started on what I suspect isn't on the report! We are very lucky the boy isn't an Obscurus or DEAD!

I don't know if Harry will ever forgive you or Remus or anyone else for this. It's killing Draco, Lucius and myself that we didn't know sooner. Merlin, even Severus is hurting for the boy! We're very lucky that he is as kind and generous as he is, otherwise my son would be dying right now.

How sad is it, cousin, that Harry has told Albus, you, Remus and numerous other people that he trusted, but it took people he considered enemies just days before to help him? How far up Dumbledore's arse is everybody in that little order of his?

How could you ignore the person Lily and James trusted to you to care for in case of their deaths? He has a stutter, flinches, has behaviors that are obviously signs of abuse and conditioning. If you wish to read the report, you need to send Vera back to me with a bloody damn good apology letter to Harry.

If not, Harry is safe with me and mine and doesn't require your lackluster godfather services any longer. Lucius, Severus and I will take care of him from here on out, until he and Draco can go off on their own.

With coldest regards,

Narcissa Malfoy nee Black

Sirius reads the letter again and again and again, 'This... This isn't possible...'

He sees all the tear marks, the smudges, the fury in his cousin's writing. Narcissa is a great poker player, a fantastic liar, but he knows she could and would never make something this cruel up.

Sirius thinks back on his interactions with Harry, his last conversations... His heart aches and bile rises to his throat. Harry had told him and he just... brushed it off like Harry was a liar, a kid making up stories.

Why didn't he do something? Why didn't he listen?

Sirius is furious with himself, regardless of the enchantment, he should have followed up!

Sirius now stands, preparing to do something he never could have dreamed he would ever do since running away to the Potter Manor.

He is about to talk to his mother, and then go into the Black library and do actual research.

But first, he needs a quill, ink and parchment.

The morning comes and Harry wakes up not remembering going to sleep, but the warm arms surrounding him tell him he fell asleep while Draco chased the crawling sensation of his Uncle's hands away.

Harry feels a knot in his stomach, and buries himself back into Draco's side. He is pathetic.

"M-Moitié," Draco mumbles, putting his fingers into his mate's hair and carding through the locks, half asleep, "you best get used to waking up right here, so please stop feeling badly. I'm here to chase the things that scare you away and keep you safe. If only you knew how to sleep in," he finishes with a yawn, opening his eyes, "Good morning."

Draco takes his hand from Harry's hair, and once Harry moves to look in his eyes, caresses his face instead. Harry can see nothing but love and care in Draco's eyes.

Harry blushes, feeling himself lean into Draco's touch, how right it feels, craving more, "I-I'm so-sorr-ry f-for las-st ni-night."

Draco smiles, wondering when he'd be permitted to kiss his mate again, but not daring to push it, "You have no reason to be sorry," he reaffirms, "I like when you come to me for comfort and fall asleep in my arms, Mo-Harry," he catches himself, Harry may have let him get away with it when he first woke up, but he wasn't sure he could get away with it again while the brunette is awake.

"Dr-raco," Harry bites out, trying to control his stutter, "I-I... Y-You ca-an call m-me by tha-at nic-ckname, li-ike I sa-said, I'm n-not su-ure why it ma-ade me s-so angr-ry..." Harry looks down, unsure. He doesn't want to lie to Draco, but talking about things at the Dursley House is hard... Especially when many people have called him a liar.

"Moitié," Draco starts, concern in his voice, "I know you're not telling me the truth. There is a reason and I can't be a good mate if I don't understand. Tell me why does, did, the nickname cause you such distress?"

Harry doesn't look in Draco's eyes, focusing on where the blonde's hands are and the warm, "Be... Bec-cause my Unc-cle Vern-non's sist-ter. Sh-She wou-would speak-k Wel-Welsh an-nd woul-ld c-call m-me nas-sty thin-ngs, s-so..."

"So you assumed I was calling you similarly," Draco finishes for him, saddened to hear that his little one would think this. Not too surprised, but his Veela blood ran cold, wondering what exactly this woman has called his mate.

Harry feels ashamed, but nods nonetheless, "S-So, yea-ah. Ev-ver since I-I foun-nd out, I-I've nev-ver lik-ked for-reign word-ds dir-rected a-at me lik-ke th-that, with-thout knowin-ng wh-what they mea-ean."

"Well, we can start giving you some language lessons whenever you're feeling up to it? Even just a few words a week and I can teach you?"

Harry smiles, finally looking at his mate, "I-I'd real-lly lik-ke that, Draco."

Draco smiles, Harry's green eyes glow with happiness, his smile so radiant. His mate was so easy to please, Draco wonders what would happen if he gave him something he really desires.

They stay like this for awhile, until Harry needs to relieve his bladder. Both boys missing the warmth of the other. When Harry returns, Draco is sitting up, flexing his wings.

Harry gazes at them and wonders how they must feel. Without thinking, he strokes his right hand over the feathers.

"H-Harr-ry," Draco stutters out, suppressing a moan, shuddering, but making no move to get his wing away, "do-don't do that."

Harry was confused, removing his hand, "I-I'm sor-ry, they ju-just look-ked so sof-ft, I-I don-n't kn-know what came over me," he hadn't meant to do anything wrong, "Did I hurt you?"

Draco blushes, "No, you didn't hurt me. My wings are just really sensitive and... it felt a little too good," he admits.

Suddenly, Harry remembers reading about a Veela's wings and how their mate stroking it was a major turn on. His face red.

"I- Well- Ummm," Harry berated himself for not having something intelligent or witty to say, "Drac-co, I... I hon-nest-tly do-don't kn-know how t-to... I-I'm so-sor-rry?"

Draco snorted, getting himself back under control, "Are you asking or telling?"

Not that Draco could blame Harry for his response, he'd probably have the same reaction if he unknowingly found one of Harry's sweet spots.

"Both?"

"If you'd like to make it up to me, you could tell me one of your spots," Draco jokes.

Harry blushes, he knows Draco is joking, but also feels it is a fair ask. Grabbing Draco's hand before his nerve dies, he places it behind his head, puts Draco's thumb and middle finger just below his earlobes and presses firmly, but not painfully, causing Harry to moan.

'Draco Malfoy, you're either a genius, or a complete idiot,' Draco thinks to himself, realizing that his groin has started to get hard listening to his mate moan what he touched him just right.

Harry is thinking the exact same thing about himself. George had found this spot one early Saturday morning trying to get the boy up so they could go to breakfast and Harry had spent an extended time in the shower taking care of his erection. George got a kick out of it, and every so often "forgot" about that spot.

As far as Harry knows, George never told Fred, because Fred never hit that spot.

Draco dares to squeeze the spot again after Harry's hand leaves his and a shudder courses through him and another moan escapes him. He can feel the arousal coursing through his mate, which causes his own arousal to heighten.

Draco takes a breath and removes his hand from Harry's sweet spot and starts carding it through the younger's hair, "A-As fun as this is, Moitié," Draco says breathlessly, "We best get ready for the day."

Harry, thankful for the out, as his erection makes his pants uncomfortably tight, "Y-Yeah," he responds.

"You can use my bathing quarters, if you want," Draco offers.

"Y-you do-don't m-mind?"

"No, not at all," Draco responds, "And take your time, we won't run out of hot water."

Harry smiles at Draco before walking over to the blonde's private bathing chambers and closing the door.

Draco lays back down and crawls under the covers, exposing his long, erect cock. Lightly trailing his fingers over his shaft and head, Draco imagines what Harry's touch on his member will feel like when the time comes. Gripping his shaft and slowly pumping, he lets Harry's arousal egg him on.

Harry, for his part, couldn't get the shower turned on, nor his clothes off fast enough. Stepping under the showerhead, Harry lets his body relax a moment before gripping his own hard erection.

Harry starts slow, a light but firm grip as he pumps his hand. Thinking back on Draco's soft caresses last night as he chased his crawling skin away, and how he massaged his sweet spot. Harry groans as he massages his cock head with his palm, the precum lubricating his hand before he strokes his cock again.

His breath gets faster and his heartbeat more erratic as he lets his arousal consume him. Imagining what it would feel like to have Draco stroke his erection and touch his body without restrictions...

Draco, for his part, is just loving the waves of arousal that are coming off his mate and his Veela is just eating up that Draco is the cause of it. One day Harry won't need to take care of his needs by himself and the thought makes Draco purr as he feels his hips involuntarily buck into his hand.

Harry can feel his climax coming, so he indulges in the thought of Draco's mouth on his and their erections rubbing on one another, their hands exploring and memorizing the feel of one another's bodies and the sounds caressing different portions illicit.

Unbeknownst to Harry, he and Draco orgasm at the same time.

Harry quickly showers after he catches his breath and puts his night clothes back on so he can go to his room and change.

"How was your shower?" Draco asks, trying to keep himself from sounding like he knows what Harry was doing and got off from it.

"G-Good," Harry responds with a blush, "Ex-Exac-ctly wha-what I need-ded thi-is mor-morning."

"Good," Draco smiles, "Well you go get ready and I'll come grab you for breakfast once I'm ready, yeah?"

Harry finds it hard to look at the blonde after just masterbating to the thought of him, "O-Okay," Draco shows him to the door and once Harry is out, makes his way to the restroom to clean himself off and then get ready for the day.

Draco takes his time, heavily amused by his mate's shy demeanor.

Harry picks out a thin, fitted, long sleeve, button up shirt in an earthy brown color and green, almost black, pants and a pair of dark brown trainers.

Harry's face gets red again, thinking back on what he read about Veelas.They can feel their mate's emotions.

"O-Oh, fu-fuck m-me," Harry groans, realizing that Draco more likely than not felt Harry's emotions as he masturbated.

Nothing he could do about it now, but he was happy that Draco hadn't made fun of him or mentioned it outright.

Severus hadn't recognized his master when he saw him. Voldemort's face was human again, he was actually kind when speaking to Severus.

He has asked to meet with Harry face to face, he wants to poke the kids brain. Severus told him, as respectfully as he could, that that might be a problem considering him being Draco's mate and the multiple attempted killings of the boy.

Voldemort had laughed a, dare he say, warm, mirthful laugh, telling Severus to get it arranged and he will explain everything.

Severus knows he's in for a massive headache with Draco, Lucius and Narcissa, but he knows that Harry will jump head first into it.

Flooing into the elder Malfoy's study, he is greeted by the rich smell of Lucius' favorite coffee, "Lucius."

"Severus," the other man responds, not looking up from the papers on his desk, "Take a seat and call a house elf to get you a drink and or something to eat, I need to finish reading this headache of a letter from Albus about how it was unnecessary for me to send letters to all the staff regarding Draco and Harry's mateship. Wait until he realizes that I also sent letters to the other governors," Lucius groans.

Severus does just that, waiting for his friend to finish reading what appears to be a never ending piece of parchment. When Lucius finishes, Severus is ready to call for another cup of black coffee, "That bad, huh?"

"Claims I'm insulting his intelligence and how dare I insinuate that he would keep the two away from one another and don't I know he knows how to handle the situation..." Lucius looks about ten years older in this moment, rubbing his temples, "Oh, and how dare I remove Harry from his relatives and take away Dumbledore's guardianship of him and not to believe everything Harry says about his relatives, that I drastically overstepped, but that he won't fight it because of Veela Laws."

Severus just let his friend rant for a moment, before calling an elf to refill their cups, "So, before we get on to my meeting with the Dark Lord, how did it go at Gringotts?"

The look Lucius gives him sends ice down Severus' spine, "Lily Evans wasn't a muggle," Lucius states, eyeing his friend's reaction.

"What? Of course she was," Severus says, confused.

"I promise you, Severus, that if James Potter had the titles his son has, no one would have ever heard the end of it," Lucius starts, "The only other explanation is that they came from Lily."

"I don't understand..."

"Fey, Emrys, Pendragon," Lucius lists like he's naming off the different weather forecasts for the week, "Harry's the heir to all three. I'm willing to bet every last knut in the Malfoy Valuts that if we dig up Lily and place some of her essence on a ancestry parchment, we will see that she was the heiress to these lines."

"But, that would mean..." Severus is trying tp wrap his head around this, "Harry Potter is basically royalty."

"Yeah, but that's not the half of it, Sev," Severus looks at him bewildered, "He had a seventy percent block on his magic and an eighty percent block on his intelligence."

Severus couldn't believe it, "That's..." his heart sinks drastically, "Releasing his core could kill him."

"The goblins and curse breakers put a type of timed release, it'll open his core slowly," Lucius says, "As for his intelligence... They unlocked it in full and," Lucius pauses, "I don't know how to go about this one."

Severus gets this unreadable look, "You let me handle the intellectual part. I'll take him to the lab with Draco today and set them against one another. See if his inadequate performance in my class was due to the suppressant or if he really is terrible."

Lucius snickered, he has long heard how Harry hadn't inherited Lily's potion skills and he was as bad, if not worse, than James and Sirius.

"Well the boys should be getting up soon, but if Harry had another round of nightmares, it could be a fight getting him out of the room, like it was yesterday," Lucius says offhandedly, "So, get comfortable."

Draco puts on a steel silver button up on and slate pants with black trainers. Once he deems himself presentable, he goes to collect his mate, but not before calling on Gibey to get breakfast ready in the garden and inform his parents that they will be there soon, as well as asking the elf to prepare a private picnic on the pitch for him and his mate for later today.

When Harry opens the door Draco is breathless at the sight and he can't wait to formally start showing off his mate, "I'm so happy you weren't dressing appropriately before," Draco says without meaning to.

Harry gives him a questioning look, "I-I do-on't unders-stand..."

Draco doesn't understand how Harry can't see the night and day difference of his appearance now that he isn't wearing clothes that didn't suit him at all, sensing his mate is genuine in his confusion and not just being modest, "Harry, you're a handsome bloke, if you had been dressing like this before now, it wouldn't matter the house rivalries, every Slytherin girl and some of the guys would have been trying to jump your bones," he finishes and thn holds his hand out for the brunette

Harry blushes, taking Draco's hand, "I st-till don-n't underst-tand why tha-at matt-ters, bu-but than-nk you."

Draco holds it tenderly, "So, what do you want to do today?"

Harry gulps, "I-I don-n't ca-care, b-but I-I'd rath-ther not g-go bac-ck to Diag-gon Alley."

Draco hums in agreement, "Well, it's Friday and usually I go to brew potions with Uncle Sev."

"D-Do you th-think he'll l-let me jo-oin?" Harry asks, a bit sheepish, "I kn-know I'm ab-bysm-mal in pot-tions, but I'd lik-ke to g-get bet-tter... I hear-rd him o-once, und-der hi-his br-reath, say-ying it was a sh-shame th-that my m-mom's potions ab-abilities did-dn't pas-ss on to m-me."

"I don't know," Draco responds truthfully, "but I'm sure you can at least plead your case and if all else fails I'll use my special powers as his godson to get my way. Although it hasn't worked since I was, like, eight, so, I can't promise."

Harry started snickering at the thought of Severus Snape, the dungeon bat, doing things simply because a toddler sized Draco asked him to. It made for a more human image of the man, "I have a hard time imagining Sna-Severus bouncing you on his knee, making faces at you and talking in childish gibberish."

"Well, believe it Mr. Potter," Severus cuts in, walking behind Harry and Draco with Lucius towards the garden door, "I know the student body doesn't like me, but I do have a life outside my dungeon. As for you joining Draco and I today, I had decided before coming back to the Manor that you require tutoring and with two competent potioniers, a potions master and an apprentice at your disposal, I see no reason that you shouldn't take advantage of it. Today you and Draco will each brew an ancient potion that isn't taught in school and we will see if either of you blunder it."

When Severus finishes speaking, they have reached the door and each heading to their respective spots.

"Where's mother?" Draco asks.

"She's handling some early business is Knockturn Alley this morning," Lucius informs, "Nothing to concern yourselves with, just a... family matter that couldn't wait."

Harry gives him a questioning glance, the way the man spit out the word 'family' struck him the wrong way, but keeps his mouth shut. He wasn't really family and if Draco wasn't being given details, he wouldn't worry about it.

Severus, for his part, was very surprised that Harry didn't demand Lucius to explain, like he would have with any other adult he had witnessed him interact with.

Breakfast appears with an assortment of drinks and right as they were getting comfortable, four owls with newspapers arrived.

Harry groaned, the other occupants of the table look at him questioningly, seeing their expressions, he explains, "The front page is going to be of the Weasley incident from yesterday. Skeeter is going to have a field day about my parents and how I must have broken Hermione's heart, blah blah blah."

Two owls land in front of Lucius, while one owl each land in front of Harry and Severus. After paying the owls Severus switches seats and hands Draco his copy of the Daily Prophet so everyone can read at the same time.

To no one's surprise, the incident yesterday is on the front page of both papers.

"Prophet first?" Draco suggests and Lucius starts reading aloud.

The Wizarding Worlds Two Most Eligible Bachelors Taken, By One Another: Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter a Veela Pair

by Rita Skeeter

Yesterday, if you were in Diagon Alley near Gringotts around two o'clock, you would have witnessed the emergence of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, dressed in fine fitted clothes unlike what this reporter and many others have seen him in and dare I say if he had dressed like this before, Draco Malfoy may have had some competition for his ma, announcing their mateship. Although, it definitely was not how they had intended to tell the world. Oh, no. This reporter and many other witnesses saw Harry Potter perform the second stage of the bond during an altercation with a homophobic witch. And you'll never believe who!

Molly Weasley.

Yes, you read that correctly, Molly Weasley, the Matriarch of the Weasley Family, Wife of Ministry Worker and Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, Arthur Weasley. The Weasley family is regarded as blood traitors and looked down upon in pure blood circles. She first accused the Malfoy family of abducting Harry Potter from his family's home, followed with the Malfoy family's insistence that they rescued him from a less than savory home life.

Lucius Malfoy, and his wife, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, went on to explain the situation that the famed Veela Court has granted custody of Harry Potter to them under Decree 832 section 18 subsection 3 in the Veela-Wizarding agreement of 1132. And we all know, dear readers, that the Veela Court doesn't grant custody of underaged mates without serious cause. Maybe, we have been wrong all these years about Harry Potter's home life?

Harry Potter, in a moment of passion from a conversation happening behind the Malfoy Heads, took both hands to capture the Malfoy Heir's face and kissed him for everyone present to witness. The magical outflow is something only a true Veela pair can produce when the next stage of the bond has been formed. This reporter can only speak for herself, but I was very honored to be able to bear witness to the love that has obviously grown between the two.

It makes this reporter wonder if they hadn't been meeting in secret, dark corridors at school and that the rivalry between the two was simply an act to throw people off their trails.

After the two parted, Molly Weasley let her homophobia show as bright as the sun. Going so far as to tell Harry Potter that his deceased parents would disown him for being gay and how he probably contaminated her children with his perverted sexual nature.

Arthur Weasley, who was standing silent next to his wife, finally took action and silenced his wife and paralyzed her before grovelling for forgiveness.

Harry Potter, for his part, went on to let out some of the Weasley's family laundry about the eldest of the children washing their hands clean of them. I have yet to get a response from William Weasley, a curse breaker for Gringotts, or Charles Weasley, a dragon tamer in Romania, regarding Harry Potter's claims, but the moment I do, dear reader, you will know as well!

Harry Potter also informed Arthur Weasley, and made the warning for everyone to heed as well, that his kindness was not overflowing like everyone thought. That he will default to Draco Malfoy, his Dominant Veela Mate, from here on out when it comes to matters of disrespecting their partnership.

In more uplifting news, due to Harry Potter completing the second stage of the bond with Draco Malfoy, you may see an invitation to a formal courtship ball at Malfoy Manor in the near future, as promised by Lucius Malfoy. If tradition is followed, we should see invitations arrive around the winter holidays for the Winter Solstice.

For more on what is appropriate for such an occasion, if you are lucky enough to receive an invitation, please see page 6.

There is a huge picture of Harry kissing Draco on the steps of Gringotts, "You kn-know, that was-wasn't as bad as her usual gar-garbage," Harry states plainly.

"But still not actually informing the masses of anything useful," Severus sneers.

"How can you say this isn't bad? She commented on your clothing and gave people the idea to try and steal you from me," Draco seethed. Harry Potter is his damnit!

"Draco, calm yourself, no one is stupid enough to attempt to take your mate after the second stage of bonding has been completed, okay? Now then, onto the World Pensive," Lucius remarks, basically throwing the Daily Prophet onto the table.

Harry said nothing, but he knew that Lucius Malfoy was wrong. When it comes to Harry, the stupid seems to know no end when other people are involved, and he has no doubt that there is at least one person stupid enough to try. Harry also knew Rita's dirty little secret, but she couldn't not "report" on this.

Homophobia in the UK

by Todd Sween

In our efforts to keep our readers up to date regarding the world outside our borders, as well as expanding our audience, the World Pensive heads decided to send out reporters to see the day to day life of our friends, family and associates across the pond and the world. I was sent to our friends in the UK to learn what we can about their lives and struggles.

One such struggle I didn't expect while visiting was the blatant homophobia and disregard to Magic herself and her creature offsprings.

Harry Potter, son of the late James Potter and Lily Potter nee Evans, the only known survivor of the Killing Curse, when he was merely a babe at the time of his survival, has been the subject to such hardships and more at the hands of the wizarding people of the UK. The culprit behind some of it? Their so called news paper, The Daily Prophet, but this reporter is getting off topic, dear reader.

I observed Harry Potter leaving Gringotts UK with his Veela mate, Draco Malfoy, and Draco's parents: Lucius Malfoy, a wealthy Pureblood, and his wife and mate, acclaimed healer, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. I wouldn't have given the family a second thought if it wasn't for the screeching of a woman, I later learned, named Molly Weasley, housewife to one Arthur Weasley, a UK Ministry Employee and the Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department. The Weasley family, I learned from a source that wishes to remain anonymous, that in Pureblood circles, they are considered Blood Traitors and have been ostracized from Pureblood society.

Molly Weasley first demanded that Mr. Potter join her and her husband, Arthur, and when he didn't comply, she went on to accuse them of kidnapping, to which the Malfoy Lord and Lady quickly went to set the record straight. While not explicitly stating Decree 832 section 18 subsection 3 in the Veela-Wizarding agreement of 1132, it was heavily implied.

It makes this reporter sick thinking what must have happened at the home Harry Potter was residing in previously to make the Veela Court to assign custody to the Malfoy family.

As some of you may not know, a Veela couple can communicate telepathically, and it was obvious to this reporter that a private conversation was happening between the two mates and they were both trying to keep one another calm in turn as their emotions flared. It doesn't take a mind reader to know that this altercation between what appeared to be someone previously close to Mr. Potter and his mate's family was causing distress between the two boys and Mr. Potter kissed his mate, sealing the second bonding stage.

Whether it was rushed or not, this reporter cannot say, but Magic herself blessed everyone present in sharing in the warmth and love that is blossoming in their mateship. Normally, completing this stage is done after a courting period where the (normally) non-Veela mate has decided that they will, for lack of better terms, give up on finding other suitors and commit fully to the Veela. There have been very few recorded incidents over the course of time where a mate decided to not accept the Veela's mateship after courting has begun, but numerous more that have refused the mateship outright due to the Veela's reputation or relationship prior to coming into their inheritance. As some people I have spoken to after the altercation, have expressed, they are surprised that Mr. Potter accepted the courtship at all considering their explosive history, whereas others have said that they are happy that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy could sort it out like mature young men.

"Harry is a compassionate boy and always willing to give people second, or more, chances and forgive transgressions if the person has shown actual remorse," Pomona Sprout, Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, said, "I'm very pleased to see that Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy has let the past rest and that each will always have someone in their corner ready to fight for and defend them," when pressed for further comment, Professor Sprout claimed to need to continue shopping for her wide array of magical flora.

While the sentiment is sweet, it does appear that Harry Potter has his limits with his forgiveness and compassion, and the Weasley family learned that first hand. When Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy separated, a slew of homophobic rhetoric spewed out of the Molly Weasley's mouth, going so far as to tell Mr. Potter that his mother and father would be disgusted that he was gay and that he had contaminated his family with his perverted nature while visiting them in their home. Arthur Weasley seemed to be ripped out of whatever trance he was in and finally subdued his wife before she fell prey to the Veela's protective nature. Personally, having listening to the hateful things she had to say, I probably would have cheered due to there being one less homophobe in the world. Arthur Weasley apologized, but this event was too much for Harry Potter.

He stood, tall and proud, almost regal, as he addressed Arthur Weasley. Laying out the threat that he would default to Draco from hereon out to handle the disrespect of him and their relationship. Harry Potter also mentioned the Weasley Family and how the elder children, William 'Bill' Weasley, a Curse Breaker for Gringotts and Charles 'Charlie' Weasley, a Dragon Tamer for the Romanian Dragon Reserve, no longer contact their parents and Harry made very vailed assumptions, but this reporter had also jumped to the same conclusions.

I reached out to Bill and Charlie Weasley and they both kindly spoke to me, exclusively, so as long as I, "Got the facts right," as Bill had put it plainly.

"It doesn't come as a surprise," Charlie, second eldest of the Weasley children, of which there are 7, started, "[Molly] told me to go get eaten by one of my stupid dragons so I wouldn't disgrace her any longer when I came out to them before going to Romania... Most of my siblings were on my side, Bill even disowned her as his mother, it was brilliant! It's all a shame too, my younger brothers love Harry like he's blood, I know they won't abandon him because of our birth giver's views, but they're going to hear all types of crap at home. Harry's a great kid according to my younger twin brothers, who he gives his heart to isn't disgusting. What is disgusting, though, is someone using a person's dead parents against them."

"Yeah, [Molly] is a right piece of work," Bill, the eldest of the Weasley children, had said, "We got into a screaming match about her disowning Charlie and you should have seen her face when I chose Charlie over her. She's mental. Why my father stays with her, I haven't the faintest idea. Never understood her reasoning for hating gay couples... I've heard great things about Harry from my twin brothers, Gred and Forge (Fred and George, identical twins and the fourth and fifth children in the Weasley family), as well as at work when I come back to London. Do you know how hard it is to become friends with a goblin? Let alone gain the title of 'Friend of the Goblin Nation'? My parents are bloody stupid for picking this fight, especially in public."

Both elder Weasley children have given their full support of Harry and Draco's partnership and expressed hope that they will be able to give their congratulations in person, hoping that the ill feelings do not extend to them.

All other Weasley children are either underaged and couldn't talk to me without parental permission, which was not given, or was unavailable for comment due to a "busy work schedule and too late of notice to make the morning edition". Arthur and Molly Weasley refused to comment.

Harry Potter had also mentioned not being where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to be, possibly implying that businesses may have to choose whose business they would prefer and potentially having to take sides in the matter.

This reporter will keep digging, for I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems in the UK.

For a more detailed history on Goblins, Veelas and the Laws and Decrees, please see page 73.

For a more detailed history on Harry Potter and his survival of the Killing Curse, please see page 8.

There is a picture of Harry speaking to Mr. Weasley from the Gringotts steps with Draco at his back, a protective look on his face.

"Well," Lucius says, "That man definitely hit all the points. I dare say, if we were to give an interview from here on out, it should be with him."

They continued on with breakfast in silence. Harry stewing in his thoughts, wondering what school would be like this year after people have sat with this for the summer holidays.

Draco can feel his mate's unease, but isn't sure how to go about quelling it. He thinks back on the two articles and how Skeeter really was just a gossip columnist instead of a real reporter like she claims, regretting having talked to her last year during school.

"Father, I have a confession to make," Draco starts, gaining the table's attention, "I spoke to Rita Skeeter last year and was unkind regarding my mate," he looks sheepishly at Harry, "She's an illegal animagus, a beetle."

Lucius has a pink ting on his face, "Well, that makes a lot of her articles more understandable in how she had come by various things. I will inform the appropriate people and prepare our Solicitor should he be required."

Harry piped up then, "The reason I said it wa-wasn't as bad as her usual gar-garb-bage is because Mi-Mione manag-ged to trap her in her animag-gus form and kept her in a jar for awhile and had threat-tened exp-posing her if she didn't stop report-ting on me... But the whole alt-terc-cation yest-terday, I'm sure her bosses wouldn't ta-take no for an an-answer."

All other occupants of the table looked at Harry, who shrugs, getting another slice of whole grain toast and a spoonful of honey to smear on it. No one's willing to mention Harry's almost complete lack of stutter.

After breakfast Severus leads the boys to follow him to the Malfoy's Potion Lab and set to conjuring a chalkboard and taking his time writing the instructions as Draco shows Harry where everything is and getting their stations set with their tools and cauldrons.

"Today, I want to see what level you two are on," Severus starts, "Harry, I am hoping that with the intellectual suppression gone that you'll show some minimal improvement. So what do you both say to a little friendly competition?" both boys nod, "Good, whomever wins will get an advantage for the school year."

Draco smiles brightly, while Harry grimaces, "And what are we brewing today?" Harry asks.

"It's called the Heartsong Potion," Severus responds indifferently, "If brewed correctly, the drinker will glow a pale blue color while a song can be heard by all, expressing the innermost feelings of the drinker. The song is never set in stone, what your heart sings one day isn't what it will sing tomorrow, normally."

"And if brewed incorrectly?" Harry adds.

"Then the person will glow red and a sound of a Mermaid above ground with shriek until the 'song' is over. Instructions are on the board."

Harry and Draco both look at the board and are gobsmacked by the long list of ingredients and the carefully written instructions, "Sir, may I have a parchment and quill, so I can copy down the ingredients and instructions?"

"Is there something wrong with my writing?"

"N-N-No, s-si-ir, it-t's ju-jus-st h-har-rd-d t-to s-se-ee," Harry says with a blush, "I-I th-thin-nk I nee-ed t-to s-see an opt-tomitr-trist, b-but..."

Severus could smack himself, if the boy couldn't read his instructions that would explain some of his problems at school, "I will make a fire-call to a friend of mine and see if she can get you in after you've complete the potion," he says, copying the instructions onto some parchment for both Harry and Draco. Severus also noted the increase of his stutter when coming up to him to ask for something he needs.

Harry finds potions a lot easier now that he can read the instructions clearly. Collecting what he needs and getting straight to work.

While the boys work, Severus calls a muggle friend of his in Cokeworth to see if she has an opening to get Harry's eyes checked, wondering how long it's been since the boy got a new prescription. Luckily, Hannah Bibbs is available at 3, her last appointment of the day.

After hours, both Harry and Draco finish their potions, Severus is amazed that Harry's potion was a lighter shade of pink than Draco's, the correct shade. Both potions will pass, but Draco's will have a sour note or two in it.

"Alright, bottle up the potion in as many vials as you can get them into and be prepared to drink your potion. No need for you both to drink your own and the other person's, I don't want to listen to the same song over and over again if I can help it. Draco, you'll drink first after the room is cleaned."

The boys get to work bottling and straightening up. Once they are done, Draco, with a big smile, drinks his potion. Feeling as though he is covered with a warm blanket, he sees a pale blue light engulf him before hearing his song start.

(I'm Yours by Jason Mraz)

Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it

I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted

I fell right through the cracks

Now I'm trying to get back

Before the cool done run out

I'll be giving it my bestest

And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention

I reckon it's again my turn

To win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm yours

Hmm (hey, hey)

Well, open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and, damn, you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love

Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing

We're just one big family

And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm sure

There's no need to complicate

Our time is short

This is our fate, I'm yours

Do, do, do, do you, but do you, do you, do, do, but do you want to come on

Scooch on over closer, dear?

And I will nibble your ear

A-soo-da-ba-ba-ba-ba-bum

Whoa-oh-oh

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa-whoa-whoa

Uh-huh, mmm-hmm

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror

And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer

But my breath fogged up the glass

And so I drew a new face and I laughed

I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason

To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons

It's what we aim to do

Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won't hesitate)

Open up your plans and, damn, you're free (no more, no more)

And look into your heart, and you'll find (it cannot wait)

That the sky is yours (I'm sure)

So please don't, please don't, please don't (no need to complicate)

There's no need to complicate (our time is short)

'Cause our time is short (this is)

This, oh this, this is our fate (our fate)

I'm yours

Bra-bop-mm, da-bap-bop-mm-day

Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do, mm-mm-mm-mm (hey, hey)

Oh, I'm yours

Oh, I'm yours

Oh, whoa, baby, do you believe I'm yours?

You best believe, you best believe I'm yours, mmm-hmm

Harry for his part is blushing a lovely shade of pink listening to Draco's song. Wondering what his song would sound like.

Severus just knew it would be some sappy love song, and assumes Harry's will be similar and prepares to need an anti-nausea potion, "Draco, that was good, but not excellent, there were parts where the music was out of tune, but still considered a product that could sell."

Draco is disappointed that his potion wasn't perfect and goes about the instructions to see where he went wrong. Cursing himself for missing the little detail of stirring it once clockwise for every fifth counterclockwise stir.

Harry drinks his potion, feeling a warm sensation take over as his skin begins to glow, the song starting.

(All I've Ever Known from Hadestown)

I was alone so long

I didn't even know that I was lonely

Out in the cold so long

I didn't even know that I was cold

Turned my collar to the wind

This is how it's always been

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

But now I wanna hold you too

You take me in your arms

And suddenly there's sunlight all around me

Everything bright and warm

And shining like it never did before

And for a moment I forget

Just how dark and cold it gets

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

But now I wanna hold you

Now I wanna hold you

Hold you close

I don't wanna ever have to let you go

Now I wanna hold you, hold you tight

I don't wanna go back to the lonely life

I don't know how or why

Who am I that I should get to hold you?

But when I saw you all alone against the sky

It's like I'd known you all along

I knew you before we met

And I don't even know you yet

All I know's you're someone I have always known

All I know's you're someone I have always known

And I don't even know you

Now I wanna hold you, hold you close

I don't wanna ever have to let you go

Suddenly the sunlight, bright and warm

Suddenly I'm holding the world in my arms

Say that you'll hold me forever

Say that the wind won't change on us

Say that we'll stay with each other

And it will always be like this

I'm gonna hold you forever

The wind will never change on us

Long as we stay with each other

Then it will always be like this

Harry doesn't know where that song came from, but it felt true to him. Draco couldn't stop staring at him, and fighting the urge to embrace his mate and tell him exactly what he thinks of his song.

Severus could hear the ache in Harry's song, the plea to be seen and heard and loved, Severus knows that feeling all too well.

"Well, Harry, I hate to admit it, but your potion abilities truly have improved, but I won't attribute that to the intelligence suppressant, but rather your inability to read the instructions from the board. Although, I have to wonder if at some point you were simply not wanting to offend your fellow Gryffindors and simply weren't trying as hard," the wide eyes tell Severus enough that he is on the right tract, "We have a little over an hour before we have to meet with my friend in Cokeworth for your eye exam, and I want an explanation."

Harry looks down sheepishly, "Th-The only subject I'm allowed to be better at than Hermione is Defense Against the Dark Arts, because she doesn't know how to get out of her head to perform the practical. The first time I got a better grade than her in Transfiguration after becoming friends, she stopped talking to me until the next test when I dumbed myself down and she said the last test must have been a fluke. I didn't want to lose my friend, and she prides herself with being the best academically..."

Severus looks at Harry like he grew a second head, changed color and grew tentacles, "Harry Potter, if you do not strive to be the best in every class this year, I will tell every teacher to assign you detentions and extra homework and precisely why. You can say goodbye to playing Quidditch, because you will be in the library or our classrooms every moment you think you have 'free'. Additionally Draco will have to join you a majority of the time, and I know he would rather spend his leisure time doing something other than additional schoolwork."

Harry doesn't know what scares him more; Severus Snape when he didn't care about him and hated him, or Severus Snape when he does care. The look on Severus' face tells him to be much more frightened when he cares, "Y-Yes, si-sir."

Draco looks at his mate and godfather in amusement, he could sense Harry's fear, but he also senses relief and... comfort? As though he's happy that someone told him he shouldn't be holding himself back, but rather having people try to catch up with him.

Like a real parent would.

Draco's heart clenches, wondering what Harry would have been like if his parents were still alive and pushed him to do his best. Would the late Potters have told him to drop his so called friends because they are toxic?

Severus goes on about his expectations of brewing this summer and, if they do well, he will take them to collect hard to find potion ingredients.

Soon they take the Floo to Spinners End, casting a disillusionment charm on Draco's wings, and Harry goes to his optometrist appointment.

Ms. Bibbs is a nice woman and conducts herself appropriately. Once the appointment is over, the glasses are ordered and she hands Harry a donated pair that is closer to his prescription strength, does she speak more freely, "So, you're Lily Evan's boy, huh? No use trying to deny it, you have her eyes."

"You... You kn-knew my mu-mu-mum?" Harry asks, he knows more about his dad than his mum, eager to hear about her.

"Oh yes, dear, sweet Lily," Ms. Bibbs reminisces fondly, "Her and I were great friends growing up, your aunt too. Such a shame they fell out after your mum got that scholarship to that boarding school of hers, because Petunia wasn't allowed to attend. It was lucky she had Severus to go with her, although his mother paid for his attendance outright. You know, your mom and Severus were inseparable when they were young? Most of us had bet they would end up together considering how smitten they seemed," Harry hears Severus grumble, but Ms. Bibbs pays him no mind, simply winks at Harry before continuing, "Yeah, they had a falling out when they were, what was it, fifteen? Sixteen? Lily was so upset about it, we wrote frequently then, you see, said something about boys and their pride, and how he insulted her and some other people and she couldn't let it slide any longer. She had self respect and had to keep her boundaries and all that. Honestly, if Severus hadn't done whatever he did, I'd bet my license that your last name would be Snape instead of Potter," she laughs at the end, before going solemn, "Shame she and her husband, what was his name... Jack? Jake? James! James, sorry dear, I only met him twice, once at their backyard wedding at your grandparents house and at your grandparents funeral, he wasn't at the baby shower that your grandparents hosted though, and I mean no disrespect. It's a shame they passed on, but I'm happy to see Lily living on through you," she ends with a smile, a tear trickling down her face, "Oh, look at the time! Here I am babbling on and on and keeping you from this lovely weather! Oh, please make sure to come visit me again and I'll tell you all about your mum when I knew her over tea and cakes!" she then half-heartedly glares at Severus, "And you best make sure it happens, Severus Snape, or I swear by everything good in this world that I will burn your little cottage down and not care if you're in it!"

Severus, for his part, looked shocked. He didn't realize that Hannah knew so much or felt this strongly about seeing Lily's child, "Not that I care if you burn the place down, Hannah, but I will bring Harry back to see you, only if he wishes."

Harry, speaking before thinking, "I'd lo-love to hear about my mu-mum. Aunt Pet-t-tunia never t-talked about her and most people from where they're fro-from only talk about my d-dad and any m-ment-tion of her is like a footnote," his excited tone turning sad by the end.

Severus' eyebrows would have been to his hairline if it was physically possible, 'He knows nothing of Lily?' It makes his heart ache knowing this.

Draco watches the interaction, keeping his ears perked up. He doesn't understand the contraptions or why the machine blew in his mate's eyes and made him jump. What Draco does understand is that his mate wants to see this muggle again and is eager to hear about his late mother more.

"One last thing, Harry," Ms. Bibbs stops him as he stands, "Who is this quiet, striking young man? He's been ever so patient during all this."

Draco stands up and sticks his hand out, ever the Pureblood, "Draco Malfoy, ma'am."

"He's m-my..." Harry pauses, a dusty red color settles in his cheeks, not knowing how to say it, they hadn't talked about what this was, "Drac-co's my boyfr-frie-end, Ms. Bib-bbs."

A pit forms in Draco's stomach when his feels that his mate was embarrassed saying this, 'Why is he embarrassed?'

"Oh, and very polite too," she beams, "Your mother would be thrilled to know you found someone that makes you happy, Harry. Now, off with you lot! Severus, I'll call you when his glasses are in. Don't take too long to come visit!"

They leave and make it back to Malfoy Manor, Severus undoes the disillusionment charm before going to locate Lucius to hand over the prescription, while the boys wander outside in the fresh air after using the loo, at which time Draco called Gibey and informed him to get the picnic set as well as getting his and Harry's brooms and the Quidditch balls out for them as well, as they would be heading to the pitch.

They are walking side by side towards the Malfoy Quidditch pitch.

"Harry," Draco starts, apprehensively, "why were you so embarrassed to call me your boyfriend in front of that muggle woman?"

Harry looks at Draco, not understanding, then realization hits, "O-Oh Dr-Drac-co, I'm so-sorry, real-lly, w-we just... We just had-dn't talk-ked about how we would de-define our relat-tionshi-ship right now if som-meone asks an-nd... I did-dn't kn-know how you would li-like it being voi-voiced like tha-at."

Draco senses his mate's honesty and his anxiety over the situation and relaxes, "I... I thought you were embarrassed... of me."

Harry looks at Draco like he's insane, "Drac-co Malf-foy," Harry says, reaching for his mate, "if eith-ther of us got the shor-ort end of the st-stick in our ma-ateshi-ip, it's you. Bl-Blim-mey, how-how many ti-times hav-ve you ma-ade fun of m-me for being unab-ble to walk stra-straight? Or-Or my inab-bility to sp-s-speak cl-clear-early?" Harry grabs Draco's wrist, holding Draco in place, a smile on his lips "I co-ould nev-ver be emb-barras-ssed of you."

Draco can't believe Harry reached for him and grabbed him without flinching, let alone looking back at his bullying of the brunette with an almost fond smile. Harry gets closer and, using his free hand, puts it behind Draco's head and pulls him down to his level, giving the blonde a kiss.

Harry doesn't realize it, but Draco really needed this kiss. Draco pulls Harry close to him, picking him up so the brunette is now kissing Draco from above. When he had felt his mate's apprehension and embarrassment, his Veela blood started a downward spiral and was doubting if Harry had really accepted him. Draco can feel tears falling from his eyes, happy his mate was here, with him, acting like the stupid Gryffindor he's always been.

Harry's hands grip Draco's hair, deepening the kiss, his heart racing. Not knowing why he felt he needed to kiss Draco then and there, but he knew he had to. He wanted to. Draco is able to chase his fears, doubts and nightmares away, and Harry figures he can do the same for his Dominant.

It's hard for Draco to put his mate down and pull away, but he does before Harry can have a panic attack. The brunette sees the tear marks and wipes them away before putting his hand in Draco's and pulling him back towards the pitch, their original destination.

Harry and Draco don't say another word for awhile, enjoying the sound of the breeze and the creatures around them. Draco took over leading Harry after some time, not wanting his mate to see his determined face.

Upon reaching the pitch, Harry gasps, he'd played with Ron and his brothers before, but that was in an area where they couldn't really fly or play. Here? It was like being at the pitch at school, "Whoa, th-this is am-amaz-zing... So you've ha-had this place to pr-pract-tice, I did-dn't, so h-how in Mer-rlin's na-ame have I kept be-eat-ting yo-you?"

Draco doesn't know how to react to this, he can feel his mate's mirth at the comment and his slight jealousy, quickly deciding to push his luck, "I don't know, Potter, do you think you can beat me when I have home advantage?"

Turning towards the blonde, Harry looks bewildered at Draco referring to him as 'Potter', but sees the joking nature in his eyes as he nods his head to the right. Harry sees his and Draco's brooms and a chest that he assumes has Quidditch balls within it. Harry's face lights up, "Oh, yo-you're on Ma-alf-foy."

"Want to make it interesting?" Draco asks.

"Ho-How s-so?" Harry feels his stomach coil, there's a million ways this could go.

"If I catch the Snitch before you do," Draco starts, "I get to take you out on a proper date."

"An-nd if-f I cat-tch the Sn-Snit-itch, you have to c-come on a da-ate with me doing som-methin-ng mug-ggle," Harry says, sounding confident, a determined look on his face.

Draco wants to protest, but he started it so he couldn't back down, not exactly liking the idea of a muggle date, "I think I can live with those terms."

They walk over to the box and their brooms. Draco releases the Snitch and both boys mount their brooms before heading up into the air.

Harry takes a moment to appreciate the feeling of weightlessness, ease, and freedom he's always feels while on a broom. Lazily flying around as he searches for the Snitch, enjoying the wind in his hair.

Draco watches his mate for a moment, Harry always was a different person in the air. He hated to admit it, but he was always so envious of his mate's ability to fly, how he seemed to become one with his broom... Now, though, he knew that Harry was so different up here because he had a momentary reprieve from his problems on the ground.

Taking his eyes off Harry, Draco begins looking for the Snitch as well, hoping that he spots it before Harry and can get close before his mate realizes it.

Draco, looking behind him, sees that signature glitter of gold hovering above the ground by the north entrance to the pitch, and Draco races off.

Harry, noticing Draco's movement, turns to follow, pushing his Firebolt to move more swiftly.

Harry sees the Snitch take to the sky and fly towards the eastern goal posts and changes course. Now in the lead for the little magic ball.

Right before Harry can grab the ball, it shoots up towards the clouds. Harry races, Draco at his tail, that familiar exhilarating feeling.

The Snitch does a dive and the boys are right behind. Draco and Harry are neck and neck now, Harry looks over and remembers second year, and how much he wanted to beat the blonde next to him, but this time... This time he wouldn't mind losing, but he's not about to make it easy for Draco.

Harry pushes his broom a little faster as the Snitch nears the ground. Draco tries shouting at his mate that it was too close and to pull up, but Harry had done this before, multiple times.

The Snitch glides to the left as Harry pulls his broom up to be level with the ground, his feet brushing the top of the neatly trimmed grass, his body level with his broom. The Snitch pulls up against the walls of the pitch and Harry just needs a bit more speed, or slightly longer arms.

Draco flies towards the snitch as the wall disappears into clear air and catches it by millimeters to Harry, flying to it at an angle.

Draco, with the Snitch in his hand smiles brightly at his mate as they both slow down to a hover, "Don't you ever do that to me again," Draco chastises, "I thought we were going to need to call mother when you didn't pull up!"

Harry felt heat rise to his cheeks, "Yo-You've se-seen m-me do it at sch-chool ple-enty."

Draco blinks at him, mouth open like a trout, before grimacing, "Doesn't change the fact you almost gave me a heart attack."

Harry smiles sheepishly, before remembering the terms of their game and groaning, "Co-come on, be-best t-two ou-out of th-thr-ree?"

Draco smirks, he can feel the apprehension and nerves of his mate, "Oh, and why's that? I won fair and square and you agreed outright about going on a proper date. Plus it's not like people haven't already read about us, so that should alleviate some pressure."

"Y-you don-on't und-derst-dtan-nd," Harry presses, "Peo-People wi-will b-be loo-look-king ou-out f-for u-us an-an-n-nd..." not wanting another altercation like the one with the Weasley family.

Draco's smirk falters as his mate looks away from him, flying close to him, Snitch still in his hand. "Moitié, let's land and we can have a proper talk about things, yeah?"

Harry and Draco land and Harry is surprised to see a picnic all laid out for the two of them with a plethora of options before him, "H-How-?"

"I had the house elves set it up for when our little game ended," Draco says, dismounting and laying his broom on the ground.

Harry dismounts and smiles a small, sheepish smile, 'If this is a date, Draco hit the bludger out of the pitch... It's perfect.'

Draco sits and Harry follows, sitting across from one another, Draco can feel how happy this has made his little mate and tucks the image of his mate's expression into his most precious memories, "Harry... why exactly are you apprehensive about going on a proper date with me?"

Harry sighs, looking down, "Af-fter Mr-Mrs. Weas-sl-ley... I-I ju-jus-st don-n't wan-nt t-to c-caus-se yo-you m-more prob-blem-ms."

Draco can feel the despair in his mate, everyone in school knew how much Harry had cared for the Weasley family, "Harry," he starts and moves closer to his mate, "that woman isn't part of the majority. If anything, people will come up and bless our mateship because Magic herself put us together for a reason," Draco puts his arm around Harry, who flinches at the touch, but doesn't back away, "And, if anyone were to dare come and act the way Mrs. Weasley did, has a deathwish. Please, trust me when I say I will take on the entire world alone to make sure you're happy and safe," by the end, Harry is leaning on Draco, a few tears making their way onto Draco's shirt, "So, what do you say to a proper date so I can show off my boyfriend and mate?"

Harry blushes, happy to know that Draco is in his corner and that he wasn't in this alone, "O-kay, wh-what d-do yo-you ha-ave in min-nd?"

Draco smiles fondly, putting his nose in his mate's hair, causing his little mate to jump a little, before settling closer, allowing the elder to nuzzle into the younger's hair, "You'll see."

Harry allows himself to enjoy the warmth of his mate, "I... I tr-trus-st yo-you."

Draco smiles more broadly into his mate's hair, "You should eat, you haven't eaten much since you've been here."

Harry blushes, then his stomach growls and his blush deepens. Draco chuckles, pulling himself away from his mate, just slightly, to grab a strawberry and holding it to his mate's mouth.

"I-I ca-can fee-eed mys-self, yo-you kn-know," Harry's face is about as red as the strawberry being offered to him.

"Yeah, but," Draco bends over to have his mouth next to Harry's ear, and whispers "this is more fun."

Harry's heartbeat, he swears, can be heard from across the pitch. Draco's breath against his skin and being so close brings goosebumps to his skin, an exhilarating feeling coursing through him.

"Yo-you're su-such an as-ss," Harry says, trying and failing to grab the strawberry from Draco's hand and contemplating whether or not to just take from the bowl of strawberries, but ultimately decides just to give in to Draco's harmless antics the next time he places the strawberry in front of his mouth.

Draco laughs as he keeps the strawberry away, feeling the amusement and mild frustration from his mate, before he feels resignation and watches as Harry finally bites into the offered strawberry.

Draco wants to make a witty response to being called an ass, but doesn't want to risk it. It's only been three days and Harry has been doing great, better than great actually, and it worries him. Harry shouldn't be doing this well, but Draco will take it while it lasts.

Harry can sense the shift in Draco, but doesn't mention it. They're finishing their dinner, moving onto the mini cakes, and enjoying one another's company when owl after owl arrives with letters, one of which being Hedwig.

Harry is startled by the influx, not recognizing some of the birds. He knows Hedwig, Hermione's bird, the Weasley Family's owl, Remus', but there are so many!

"Looks like people have something to say after today's paper," Draco says, beginning to untie the letters from all the owls.

Harry follows suit, thankful he doesn't see the bright red parchment that indicates a Howler.

After untying them, Harry and Draco set to sort through the ones of people they know and people they don't, "M-Merl-lin."

"On the upside, not many are from complete strangers," Draco says.

"We-Well le-et's g-get thr-rough i-it," Harry says, feeling nauseous from nerves.

Draco curses the timing, but at least Harry ate before they started arriving.

"This one's from my friend Blaise," Draco opens it, knowing Blaise will be relaxed about it all, being gay himself and having a thing for a Gryffindor who has really become quite a looker compared to first year.

'Draco,

You just had to go and grab yourself Harry Potter didn't you? Not bad, not bad at all, my friend. Maybe we could come together sometime in the near future so he can put in a good word for me with his better looking Gryffindork friend. I'm kidding, I'm kidding... kinda, don't bite my head off!

I'm very happy for you, Dray, and you know I will always stand by you and help you, and your mate, however I can.

Send your little lion my regards,

Blaise Zambini

PS. Did the Weasley woman really do all those things that Skeeter woman wrote about? If so, I'm very surprised you and your father didn't attack her. Also, nice picture in the paper.'

"Yo-you know, I don-don't rea-eally kn-know what to s-say, bu-ut I'm ha-happy yo-your frie-end is sup-pport-tive," relieved that Draco didn't lose this friend because of him, "Th-This i-is fr-rom... Fleur Delacour? Huh..."

'Harry Potter,

Let me congratulate you on being a Veela's mate. It has made my sister rather upset, though, as she is quite smitten after you saved her, but she too will have her own mate one day and will understand. Afterall, I don't know if you remember me telling Ollivander about my wand core being my Veela grandmother's hair, but I want you to know that I understand.

I want you to know that you and your mate have my and my mate's full support. We haven't announced it to anyone yet, Harry, but my mate is William Weasley and he has accepted the bond! We have talked it over and if it comes between inviting you or William's family, we would be most honored if you and your mate would attend over William's family.

If you have any questions you're not comfortable asking your mate or his family, or just want to talk some things through, know I'm always here to answer anything you have to ask and talk about whatever you need.

Your friend,

Fleur'

Draco growled a little at the end, "While I can't say I enjoy the last part of her little letter, I understand if you want or need to talk about this whole Veela business with someone you knew before we knew you're my mate."

Harry nods, setting the letter down, happy to know that he could rely on information from a rather unbiased person if he needed to talk about something.

Draco groans, "This is from Pansy," Harry gives him a puzzled look, "Don't take anything she says in here to heart, Harry, she's had it in her head since we were small that she was going to be my mate," Harry chuckles as Draco dramatically faux gags at the thought.

'Drackipoo!

How could you pick that Potter git over me? He has no class, no intelligence, no sense of style... I mean really Dracky! What's so special about him? What does he have that I don't have? I can't believe this!

And how low class of him to kiss you and have it all over the front page! I bet he paid to have that happen! I bet he's simply using you to make up for the fact he's a damned half-blood!

Merlin, how distraught your parents must be!

Don't you worry, though, I will find a way to fix all of this.

-Pansy'

Draco is seething by the end of it, while Harry simply looks dumbfounded, "Sh-She's me-ment-tal."

"She's going to be dead," Draco hisses, pulling Harry towards him and practically putting him in his lap, "What does my mate have that she doesn't? Oh... that's a long list and I will definitely spell it out for her."

Harry blushes, "Yo-ou shoul-ld spe-pell it ou-ut for me t-too, bec-cause I've as-sked mys-self sim-milarly."

Draco puts his mouth close to Harry's ear, "I'll tell you everyday for the rest of your life and in death exactly how you're better than anyone and everyone else. The list is getting longer each day, though."

A shiver runs down Harry's spine, a smile on his face, "L-Let's ge-et thr-rough these first," he says, before his heart sinks, "Th-This is fro-from R-R-Ro-on."

'Fag,

Have you been jacking off to me when you came over and stayed with my family? Or any of my brothers? You disgust me! I bet you've been sneaking behind my back to be with your faggot Malfoy all these years too!

Ginny has been crying non-stop since she saw the post! How could you do this to her?! You knew she likes you! You just strung her along so you can break her heart!

I'll get you back for making a fool of me and my family.

Mark my words, Potter, you and that Faggot Malfoy too.'

Draco's growling turns to purring when he feels Harry's suppressed sobs, pulling his mate close. Harry had chosen Ron over him first year and now...

"He... He w-was my fir-firs-st frie-end ev-ver," Harry whispers, Draco slowly rocking him.

"Shhh, it's okay, he's an idiot if he can't be happy that you're happy," Draco says, not wanting to say something that could make Harry push him away right now, "Why don't we move on to the other letters?"

"Y-yeah."

'Draco,

I'm so happy to see that your wish has come true, as in Pansy not being your mate. Thank goodness it's Potter, because if I had to listen to one more tirade about him, I was going to tell you to go relieve some tension you hold towards the lad! I mean, really, Draco, you were talking and obsessing about him for years, so it's only fitting that he is your mate. Now it's not so creepy and stalkerish.

I can't wait to meet him, officially, and get to know the person behind the rumors and the scar. Let me know when I can floo on by.

Your friend,

Theo

PS. Saw the paper before I sent this, that Harry Potter has nerves of steel kissing you for the first time in front of everyone, especially during what I assume was a terrifying moment for everyone involved. Kudos to him.'

'Little brother in all but blood,

Draco better be good to you, or he'll be pranked everyday for the rest of his life! Speaking of pranks, that money you gave us has paid for a storefront and a lot of product ingredients! We plan on opening doors the first day of summer after this term, our parents be damned!

Good on you for what you did in the Alley! Dad's been cold to mum and even asked us how we would feel if they divorced! It wasn't his kid that she disowned that gave him the push, but his image at work! Then what was written in the other paper! Brilliant, simply brilliant.

And don't worry about Molly, Ronald or Ginny, their stupidity is being well documented and revenge plans are in motion!

It's a shame, though, that you're with Draco. We thought we had a chance... Kidding, kidding, don't want to be attacked by a possessive Veela!

Yours Truly,

Greg and Forge'

'Harry,

Congratulations on your mateship to the Veela Malfoy. Please write if anyone gives you grief for it, we have several gay and Veela mates on the Bulgarian team, and all of us will come to defend you and your mate.

It was a shame to read what happened in The World Pensive, but you spoke well, Harry.

Do let us know when your mateship ball is, the whole team would like to come and meet the man who bested me in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Also, you and any guests have permanent reserved seats in our Quidditch Stadium and tickets to the World Cup every time we return.

Your friend,

Viktor Krum

PS I remember your schoolmates talking about how good you are at Quidditch, we will have to see how good you are compared to me when we meet next.'

'Harry,

Just... I have no words Harry. I... I don't know how to feel about all this. It's not that you being gay is the issue, but after everything Malfoy said and has done to me in the past... I just need some time to come to terms with it, is all.

But, wow, Malfoy... Draco's a Veela. If anyone deserves to be a Veela's mate, Harry, it's you. I have asked my parents to take me to Diagon Alley to get some more intensive books on them, as I only know the basics.

Ron owled me about what happened in Diagon with his mother and father, Harry, and let me tell you, I am not impressed. I told him that he and his parents to buggar off and that I refused to be friends with someone who was against gay couples. I'm cutting him off, not just for you, but for me too. After last term, Harry, I can't be Ron's friend any longer.

You're still my friend, Harry, you'll always be my friend. Just give me time in regards to Draco. I'm sure he will be good to and for you.

Love you always,

-Mione

PS. I'm going to murder or ruin Rita Skeeter one day, but I'll give her a pass on this one.'

Harry let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding when reading Hermione's letter. He had hoped this would be her reaction.

"I'll make sure to apologize and more to your friend," Draco says into his mate's head.

Harry just nods, moving onto the next letter, this one from... Harry hands the letter over, trembling, for Draco to read. After reading the first line, Draco growls before reading on.

'Hey Pup,

I know you want to burn this letter, rip it apart, put it away and forget about it, but I hope you'll at least read it. It's more than I deserve to have you read this, but I have to try.

I was under a curse or potion that made me disregard your pain and asks to take you away from your mother's sister and her family. You tried and tried and I simply ignored you. It took my cousin, Narcissa, writing to me and, thankfully, my curiosity getting the best of me and she was able to use an old Black family spell to lift whatever I was under. Hell, the enchantment was so bad I even went to talk to the portrait of my dead mother after it was lifted to poke her brain on the matter!

I'm so sorry, Pup. I know I can't ever make up for or excuse my actions, and I deserve Azkaban for everything I have done and didn't do in regards to you. Merlin, I hope you read this...

As for Narcissa's son, Draco... He better do a better job at loving and protecting you than I have. Being a Veela mate is no joke, Harry, and you deserve all of what a Veela can give you. The only issue I have with your mateship is that your parents aren't here to see you two and your bond grow.

Oh, how happy Lily would be to know that you were mated to a being of love. James would have a heart attack having Lucius and Narcissa as in-laws, but he would be happy to not have to worry about your happiness moving forward. They would tell you to accept the bond, but move at your own pace, telling you not to make them grandparents too soon.

I'm meeting with Narcissa after I send this off, Harry. I hope to come out of this reunion in one piece, no more than two, but at least I hope I'm still alive after. She already loves you, Harry, so I'm at getting a minimum of a few hexes and a good lecture, maybe some physical violence... Nothing less than I deserve after how I treated you, Pup.

-Padfoot'

Harry turns and sobs into Draco's shoulder as the blonde finishes reading. Even if Sirius was being honest about the enchantments, Harry doesn't know how he can forgive him when he had him go back to the Dursley household.

Draco holds his mate and allows him to cry. The whirlwind of emotions coming from his mate... Draco never imagined someone could feel so deeply, but considering the betrayal.

The sun has set and after Harry stops shaking, they call Gibey and Rispa to take them back to their respective rooms to change into night clothes. Draco goes to Harry's room this night and they curl up like they had the night before and drift off to sleep.