Harry stared down at the floor as he quietly walked up the staircase to his dorm room, unable to keep the tiny smile off his face. He was still full of the pleasant liquid warmth of Draco's goodnight kiss at the portrait hole, not to mention the wired after-effects of such an emotional evening. Draco's secret was nothing compared to the daunting task of trying to befriend Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy though.
Harry's smile widened as an image of Draco's Nundu form came to mind; something about the proud, handsome animal was so captivating and alluring and comforting all at once. He wasn't frightened or repulsed by this side of Draco at all, and he wondered if it was his exposure to Sirius in his Animagus form that made it so easy and natural for him to be completely okay with it.
Harry opened the dorm room door and headed for his waiting bed. He suddenly felt extraordinarily tired and wanted nothing more than to crawl between his soft flannel sheets and fall asleep - a part of him already itching to see Draco again in the morning.
"Where have you been then?"
Harry startled out of his thoughts and looked up. "Ron, what are you doing still awake?"
Ron was sitting cross-legged in his pyjamas in the centre of his bed, wand in hand, the glowing tip illuminating his face in the darkened room. "Waiting to make sure you weren't dead. Where did you go?"
Harry avoided his narrowed eyes as he began to get undressed next to his bed. "I told you I was meeting up with Draco."
"Yeah but you failed to mention the fact that you would be leaving school grounds."
Harry's eyes snapped up. "How did you…" he trailed off as he suddenly noticed a large familiar map unfolded across Ron's lap. "You were spying on me?"
"Why would you leave Hogwarts?" Ron asked, ignoring the question.
Harry roughly pulled on his pyjama bottoms, a hot prickle of irritation running under his skin. "Because I was meeting his parents, and as his father is currently under house-arrest, I can hardly meet them at Madam Puddifoot's now can I?" he snapped back.
Ron frowned. "You should've told us Harry, just in case something happened. Can you trust the Malfoys?"
Harry took a deep breath and tried to calm his hot temper, which felt hotter than usual at the disparaging remarks cast towards the Malfoys; who were now, in essence, his new family. "Yes Ron, I can trust them. I'm bonding with their son and will be producing heirs so they're not likely to murder me in my sleep now are they?"
Ron shuffled over to hang his legs off the side of the bed, leaning forward on his hands towards Harry as he buttoned up his top with jerky fingers. "Did you sleep with him?"
"Ron!" Harry exclaimed, whirling to face him. He glanced towards the other sleeping occupants of the room and quickly cast a wandless privacy spell. "That is none of your fucking business."
Ron had the decency to look slightly abashed. "It's just… er, you really reek of him. That's all. Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
Harry took a moment to climb into bed and under the covers while he tried to compose himself. He held out a hand for the Marauder's Map and Ron dutifully passed it over, looking at a loss now that he'd started the conversation. Harry sighed as he tucked his precious map into the bedside table and then folded his hands in his lap; he was much too tired for this conversation; a conversation in which he had to watch what he said and hide things from his best friend.
"It was fine Ron, I'm fine," he said, looking over. "It was really good to be able to talk without worrying about another student or professor catching us."
Ron nodded, looking slightly less worried. "So… his parents were… happy to see you?" he hedged.
Harry couldn't help but laugh hollowly as he shook his head. "No. Draco didn't even warn them that it was me who he was bringing back as his intended mate. Once they were over the shock, it… er, went a bit better. I think it'll be fine. Eventually."
Ron's mouth lifted up on one side as he looked back at him with amusement in his eyes. "Must've been strange though?"
"Being in the Manor or making nice with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy?" Harry asked, irritation giving way to reluctant amusement.
"Both," Ron snorted, causing Harry to smile.
"Yeah, it was. We weren't in… we were in different rooms, ones I hadn't seen before," Harry replied carefully. "I think Lucius will be the hard one to win over but…" he trailed off with a shrug then covered a huge, jaw-cracking yawn.
Ron sat back in his bed. "Looks like he wore you out," he teased with a raised brow. "I'll let you get some sleep."
Harry removed his glasses and set them aside before sliding down into his warm bedclothes and tucking his hands neatly under his pillow.
"Don't forget it's Hermione's birthday tomorrow," Ron reminded from his bed.
Harry opened his eyes. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I got her a book of course," he added with a sleepy grin.
"Me too," Ron chuckled.
Harry looked at the blurry outline of his friend, considering. "Do you care what the outcome is for her?" he finally asked curiously, because they'd never spoken about the awkward dance Ron and Hermione had been doing for the past eight years and he truly didn't know where Ron stood on the whole Omega versus Beta issue. Ron was from a pureblood family but they were the furthest thing from traditional.
"Er not really," Ron replied uncomfortably. "I came into my Alpha inheritance and I still uh, feel the same about her."
Harry smiled into his pillow. He was happy for his friends, especially now that he had someone to call his own as well. "Are you actually going to tell her that one day?"
"Fuck off," Ron retorted and Harry could hear the grin in his voice. "When are you going to tell Rita Skeeter that you're an Omega?"
Harry sighed and rolled onto his back. "I'm not telling that witch anything, but I guess starting tomorrow Draco and I will… stop hiding."
Ron whistled as he deftly flicked off his Lumos. "There is going to be some serious backlash from you being with Lucius Malfoy's son. It's a good thing we have all the same classes tomorrow."
"Yeah…" Harry replied with a sleepy frown, already on the edge of drifting off. He pushed one hand out from under the covers and cancelled the privacy charm before promptly falling asleep.
. . . .
Harry grunted the next morning as someone shoved him in the shoulder in an attempt at tearing him from his very pleasant dream; which basically replayed the bed scene in Draco's room yesterday.
"What?!" he demanded tetchily, not even bothering to open his eyes as he pressed his face deeper into his pillow. It felt as though he'd only just fallen asleep, who on earth could be disturbing him already?
"Harry! Bloody hell," Ron swore under his breath before continuing in a much louder voice, "get up, you're going to be late for class!"
"Huh?" Harry dragged his eyes open as he lifted his head and stared fuzzily at Ron looming over him. "What are you talking about?"
"You missed breakfast and you made Malfoy talk to Hermione because he's worried about you and you have ten minutes to get to Potions."
Harry lifted his head and blinked owlishly, trying to wrap his brain around Ron's words, he felt heavy and slow with a threatening unconsciousness that just wanted to drag him back under. He dropped his head back onto his pillow and closed his eyes. "Go without me," he mumbled. "Too tired."
He could hear Ron hesitating, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Okay, if you're sure. I'll… I'll come get you after Potions, yeah?"
Harry mumbled something incoherent and didn't wait for a response before drifting off to sleep again.
An hour later, Harry was standing under a cold shower in a futile attempt at waking himself up. Ron had promised to bring him some hot coffee before DADA, which he really did not want to miss as it was his favourite subject and he really liked the new professor.
Harry rubbed at his face and groaned; he was still utterly shattered and couldn't figure out why. He hadn't been up that late and he didn't think his outing last night had exhausted him to this extent.
He reluctantly shut off the water and got out, quickly throwing on his uniform and then grabbing his bag and making his way down the stairs to the common room, rubbing at heavy eyelids that didn't seem to want to stay open.
"Harry, mate, here's your coffee."
"Thanks Ron." Harry gratefully took the hot cup of liquid caffeine from his friend and then fell into step beside him as they made their way out the portrait hole towards the DADA classroom on the main floor.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Ron asked, glancing at him. "I've never seen you so tired before. Are… are sure the Malfoys didn't…?"
Harry would've rolled his eyes if he'd had the energy. He gulped down some of his coffee, burning his tongue in the process. "Ouch, shit. No Ron, the Malfoys didn't poison me with some sort of… sleepy… poison thing," he said; sluggish and inarticulate. "If it makes you feel better, I didn't even eat or drink anything in their home."
"Spell," Ron muttered under his breath but Harry studiously ignored him.
He swallowed another large gulp of coffee and remembered something. "Hey, what did Hermione find out this morning?" he asked, suddenly recalling the significance of his friend's birthday.
Ron grinned. "Beta."
Harry smiled over the rim of his cheery red and gold Gryffindor cup. "That's what she wanted."
"Yup."
Harry flicked some spilt coffee from his thumb as the staircase suddenly moved beneath their feet. "Did Draco really talk to Hermione about me this morning?"
Ron rolled his eyes as he shifted his bag up on his shoulder. "Yeah, the git stared at our table all through breakfast - I don't even think he ate anything - and then he just got up and walked over to Hermione, demanding to know where you were."
Harry hid a smile in his cup but Ron caught it.
"Oh Merlin, you think that's cute, don't you?"
"No comment." Harry smirked. "Though you can shut your gob now about him having some sinister plot to murder me."
"No promises," Ron muttered as they walked towards the classroom door.
"What did Hermione tell him?"
"Just that you were tired and decided to have a late start," Ron replied with a shrug.
"And what did he say?"
"Oh for… Ask him yourself in about twenty seconds," Ron said with an exasperated sigh.
Harry smiled at his aggravation. "And did you tell Hermione that you were in love with her yet?" he needled. "Or shall I tell her for you in about twenty seconds?"
Ron shoved his shoulder with a friendly glare just before they rounded the corner and strode into the classroom.
Harry immediately sought out Draco as he entered the large room and was surprised to see the blond seated at Harry's usual table on the left-hand side of the room. He walked towards him with a slow smile stretching his lips, knowing that he really shouldn't have been that surprised.
Draco's features relaxed as soon as Harry made eye contact and Harry could visually see the tension leave his body upon confirmation of his mate's well-being.
"Hi," Harry said in greeting as he casually slid into the empty seat next to Draco. Ron took the seat next to Hermione across the aisle, staring distrustfully at Draco all the while. Some of the other eighth years noticed the change in seating arrangements as well and were openly staring at the bizarre spectacle of Harry Potter calmly taking a seat next to Draco Malfoy.
Draco's eyes tightened when he took in the shadows under Harry's eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked immediately, then lowered his voice. "Did last night… upset you?"
Harry smiled and placed his hand on Draco's thigh under the table. "No, nothing like that. I dunno, I guess I just didn't sleep very well."
"Are you sure?" Draco asked, grey eyes searching his expression intently.
"Yeah," Harry replied, glancing up at Professor Fischer as he entered the classroom, then looked back to Draco with a smile. "I'm sure."
Draco's lips twitched into a brief smile before he turned his attention to the Professor.
Harry gave his warm thigh a squeeze and then let go, knowing that his body would react inappropriately to touching Draco like that if he left his hand there much longer. He turned his attention to the front and tried to concentrate through his thick fog of exhaustion.
He really liked the new DADA Professor; he was an ex-Auror who had had to retire in his early thirties due to a permanent injury to his leg that left him unfit for duty but not for teaching. When Harry had heard about his background, he had expected a bitter man who resented the idea of teaching a bunch of teenagers instead of being an Auror, but he'd been proven wrong within in the first few minutes of his first class. Professor Fischer was intelligent and friendly and fairly shone with enthusiasm for the position.
"Alright eighth years," Professor Fischer began with a clap of the hands to garner their attention. "Today we shall be doing some practical work."
Harry blinked and would have brightened if he'd had the energy; he loved it when they got to actually perform the spells and curses rather than just learning the theoretical side of things. He withdrew his wand and idly played with it between his hands as he stared up at the Professor, wondering if he could secretly cast some sort of wake-up spell over himself without anyone noticing.
"If you don't stop that Potter, I shall be forced to do unthinkable things to you," Draco murmured out the side of his mouth.
Harry glanced down at his hands with a confused frown and suddenly realised that he'd been stroking his wand in quite a lewd manner without realising. "Get your head out of the gutter Malfoy," he shot back loftily, but quit his fidgeting nevertheless.
Draco smirked, eyes still locked on their Professor.
"Today we shall be learning a very valuable smokescreen spell that is quite convenient for escaping sticky situations," Professor Fischer continued, looking around with a smile. "Let's pair up and clear these tables to the side."
Harry looked to his mate with a grin.
"I can't be your dueling partner," Draco said instantly.
Harry frowned as they both stood to Banish their table to the vast sides of the classroom. "What? Why not?"
"Because it goes against my Alpha instincts as your mate," he replied agitatedly, pale fingers clenching around his wand in one hand.
"Huh…" Harry replied with interest as he covered a yawn with one hand. "I don't seem to have any such reservations."
"Because you're supposed to be able to force me away if you think I present a danger to you or our children," Draco replied matter-of-factly.
"Draco, would you like to be partners?"
Harry and Draco looked over to see Hermione standing before them, Ron at her side, as she smiled tentatively at Draco. She was obviously fully aware of the situation already or had overheard their brief exchange.
Harry looked to Draco to see how he would handle it. He was relieved when Draco merely nodded and thanked her for the offer. He supposed if he was expected to befriend Draco's parents then Draco would also be expected to befriend Ron and Hermione. Probably just as intimidating an undertaking for him as it was for Harry.
"I guess you're with me Harry," Ron said with a grin.
Harry began to smile back but ended up yawning instead.
"Gather round, gather round," Professor Fischer commanded from the centre of the cleared area as he withdrew his wand. All the eighth year students formed a semi-circle around him, wands at the ready, expressions eager. "The incantation for the smoke-screen spell is 'Fumos.' Try it together."
"Fumos," Harry enunciated clearly along with everyone else.
"Excellent," Professor Fischer beamed before raising his gleaming, chestnut brown wand. "Now I shall demonstrate the wand movement…"
Harry gave his head a shake and tried to concentrate on the graceful swooping movements of Professor Fischer's wrist and wand. The man always made everything look so easy. Luckily this spell had a fairly simple movement, obviously designed for a quick escape.
Harry joined in with everyone else to practice the precise action and felt confident, despite his fatigue, that he'd managed to replicate the Professor's movements, with perhaps just a little less finesse.
"Miss Greengrass, less jerky if you please," the Professor corrected as he wandered amongst them. "Begin with your wand raised up a little higher Mr. Longbottom. Alright good, let's pair up and find a space on the floor."
Harry followed Ron to a spot near the front of the room and stood opposite him, wand up and at the ready.
Professor Fischer hopped neatly onto the surface of his desk at the front of the room as though it were a raised platform. "I'd like everyone to try the spell first. On the count of three please: one-two-three!"
"Fumos!" Harry cast and was pleased to see a great purple cloud erupt from the end of his wand and fill the space between himself and Ron like an impenetrable wall of thick, coloured fog.
Professor Fischer cast a complicated spell to remove the mass of purple clouds, but it took a few minutes to dissipate enough for the class to see each other again. "Now, I'd like you to face your partner and choose one of you to attack with a Stinging Hex - only mild mind you - then shield the hex and cast the smoke screen spell. Practicing spells in succession is a much more realistic scenario and a valuable skill to have for anyone. Decide between the two of you who does what and begin when you're ready. Just do it once and then wait for me to clear the air before you switch. At your own pace everyone - proceed!"
"You want to do the smoke screen first?" Harry asked Ron as he turned to face him.
"Sure, but first I want to watch Hermione hex Malfoy."
Harry looked over his shoulder just in time to catch Hermione throwing a Stinging Hex Draco's way. The blond deflected it then smoothly cast the Fumos spell. Harry turned back to Ron who was grinning. He rolled his eyes and quickly threw out his own Stinging Hex, trying to catch Ron off-guard.
Ron deflected it in time with a shielding spell then cast Fumos, filling the space between them with thick purple smoke.
"Nice job!" Harry called out to him, coughing a little on the thick haze.
The room was getting a little warm with all the conjured clouds and body heat and Harry could feel his energy waning even further. He covered another yawn and blinked slowly as he waited for Professor Fischer to clear the air with a wave of his wand.
Harry barely resisted the urge to sit on the floor while he waited, then suddenly the Professor was calling for them to swap roles. He turned to face Ron and took up his dueling stance.
He suddenly remembered it would be Draco's turn to cast at Hermione and he began to turn to watch when he vaguely heard Ron cast the Stinging Hex. His sluggish reaction time was not up to the task of shielding the surprise attack in time and he was hit with the full force of the Stinging Hex in his side. He crumpled to the ground with a startled cry of pain.
Harry curled up on his side and breathed through the Stinging Hex as it slowly began to fade. It hadn't been that strong a cast but the shock of it had taken his breath away.
"Harry!"
Harry swallowed and cracked open his eyes to see Draco's anxious face swimming above him. His Alpha was on his knees next to him, hands gently grasping his shoulders. "I… I'm okay," he gasped, knowing he sounded anything but.
Draco smoothed Harry's dark hair back from his forehead as he stared into his eyes with concern, much to the shock of everyone else who had stopped to watch the scene unfold. There was a collective gasp as Draco suddenly turned a furious glare on Ron.
"That was supposed to be a mild hex Weasley!" he snarled and then before anyone could say a word, he'd raised his wand and cast a most-decidedly unmild Stinging Hex back at the gobsmacked Gryffindor.
Ron couldn't raise his wand in time and cried out as the hex hit him squarely in the chest, causing him to stumble and then pitch backwards onto the ground, dropping his wand in the process.
"Expelliarmus!" Professor Fischer deftly caught Draco's wand in his outstretched hand, a look of severe disapproval on his face. "Mr. Malfoy, you will see the Headmistress immediately. Attacking another student will not be tolerated, regardless of whether you think it was warranted or not."
Harry pushed himself into a sitting position, worried gaze on Draco as the Slytherin took a steadying breath and then nodded in assent. "Yes Professor," he replied deferentially as he got to his feet. He glanced uncertainly at Harry, clearly not wanting to leave him.
"I'm okay," Harry promised, relieved that Draco hadn't fully lost control and done something stupid and over reactive - like change into his Nundu form.
It looked like Draco wanted to say more but he finally nodded and turned to leave the room.
"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to help Mr. Weasley to the nurse?" Professor Fischer asked once Draco had left.
Harry looked at Ron, ashamed that he'd completely forgotten about his best friend sprawled out on the floor due to his mate's Stinging Hex.
"Of course Professor." Hermione hurried to Ron's side and helped him to his feet where he swayed unsteadily. Draco had clearly put a lot of force behind his spell in order for Ron to still be dazed by it.
Harry bit his lip and sent Ron an apologetic look as Hermione slung an arm around his shoulders and helped him from the room.
"Okay Mr. Potter, you're with me," Professor Fischer instructed, some of his cheery enthusiasm somewhat dimmed by the event. "Everyone else, please return to your positions and continue to practice."
Harry slowly got to his feet and followed Professor Fischer to his desk where they sat side by side, the Professor keeping an eye on the working students.
"Something you want to tell me Harry?" he asked without looking at him.
Harry swallowed. "Uh… it's not really Draco's fault sir." He turned to look at his Professor. "He's my mate."
Professor Fischer turned his steady blue gaze on him and quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he replied, then leaned in just a little to sniff at Harry. He leaned back, eyes widening slightly in surprise but still calm. "You're an Omega?"
Harry nodded and then covered another yawn under his Professor's scrutinizing gaze.
"You don't look well Harry," he concluded. "Why don't you sit here and rest a bit? I'll get you to help me put the desks right once class is over and we can chat then."
Harry nodded and rubbed at his eyes, which felt gritty and heavy under his smudged glasses.
Professor Fischer patted him on the shoulder then got up to slowly move around the duelling pairs, clearing away purple smoke every few minutes.
Harry watched the rest of the lesson through weary eyes, too tired to care that he was missing out on such a good class. He hoped Draco wasn't getting into too much trouble with McGonagall. He would most likely be called up to her office once class was over to confirm his side of the story, as well as to talk about his Omega status.
"You alright Harry?" Blaise Zabini asked, pausing in his duel to sidle over and check on him.
Harry smiled and nodded, trying not to yawn. "Yeah, it'll take more than a Stinging Hex to bring me down."
Blaise returned the smile, looking strangely relieved. "Hey Harry, do you -"
"Alright class." Professor Fischer clapped his hands once the last of the smoke was whisked away. "Thank you all very much for your attention and participation today. You've done well."
The class murmured their thanks as they gathered their bags and began to trail out the door, most of them casting curious looks Harry's way as they walked past.
Harry kept his head down, feigning interest in his scuffed trainers in order to avoid their inquisitive stares.
"You too Mr. Zabini," Professor Fischer chastised as Blaise lingered next to Harry. "Don't be late for your next class."
"I'll catch up with you later Harry," Blaise said with a vaguely disappointed look and then he was gone.
Harry was too tired and preoccupied to wonder what the Slytherin was up to.
"Give me a hand Harry?" Professor Fischer asked once the room was empty of students, indicating the scattered tables around the perimeter.
Harry nodded and hopped off of the Professor's desk. As soon as his feet touched the stone floor, a wave of heat and dizziness suddenly washed over him and made him sway precariously on the spot. His wand dropped to the floor from nerveless fingers as he put a hand to his temple with a hushed moan.
"Harry?"
Harry kept his eyes closed and leaned on the desk. His body felt as though it were getting hotter and hotter, attempting to scorch him from the inside. A sweat broke out over his brow and his breathing sped up exponentially. He placed both hands palms down on the desk as his knees trembled and threatened to give out. His stomach turned over and then he shuddered as the heat gradually changed and morphed into something else; a kind of hot, feverish inertness.
"Harry…?"
He gasped out loud as a gentle hand tentatively touched his shoulder. His body instantly thrummed with arousal - there was no other word for it. He was hard in an instant, his body still hot and feverish but now with an overwhelming ache to lay back, open his legs and be taken.
He heard the indrawn breath and then suddenly a fit, firm body was pressed to his back and he moaned in relief as something hard pressed against his aching backside, which had begun to steadily leak some sort of fluid, dampening his pants. Harry pushed back against the welcome body behind him.
He wanted the feeling to end; this hot itchy arousal that was spurring him on to be filled with an Alpha's seed.
Insistent lips were pressed to the back of his neck and he clenched his splayed fingers on the wooden desk beneath his hands as he tipped his head forward in encouragement. A warm tongue began to lap at his flushed skin and Harry unconsciously pressed back again with a soft moan, seeking that wonderful pressure again. Frenzied hands suddenly dropped lower to unbutton his trousers and wrench them down over his hips.
Harry whimpered as hands were suddenly sliding all over his naked skin, stroking his erection and cupping his backside and squeezing. Eager fingers finally parted his cheeks and a single digit stroked over his leaking hole, sending an electrified current through Harry's entire body.
Harry inhaled deeply at the contact - and the scent that invaded his nostrils was all wrong.
He immediately stiffened and opened his eyes. Somewhere in the back of his mind, in a place that was still more human than Omega in heat, he knew with certainty that this wasn't the Alpha he craved.
This wasn't his Alpha.
This wasn't Draco.
Harry gasped as his mate's name finally permeated the fog in his brain. No! No, no, no, no, no…
"No!" Harry cried out as he straightened up and stepped sideways, away from unrelenting hands and lips. He couldn't get far with his trousers pooled around his ankles and he stumbled when the Alpha aggressively grabbed him once more and bent him forwards over the desk.
Harry grunted as the edge of the desk hit his hips hard enough to bruise and he was firmly forced down so that his face was pressed uncomfortably hard against the desk's lacquered surface, bare arse exposed. The Alpha kept one solid hand on the back of his neck, keeping Harry's face pressed to the desk, his glasses cutting painfully into the bridge of his nose and against his temple. The Alpha's free hand trailed over Harry's spine down to his arse and, without warning, a single finger suddenly breached his opening.
Harry cried out in shock, a spike of terror shooting through him. This Alpha wasn't like the young student Alphas he'd thrown off so far, this one was mature and intent on getting what he wanted, overwhelmed by the scent of an Omega in heat.
"Professor stop!" Harry shouted as loudly as he could. He then had to promptly shut his eyes as another wave of heat and dizziness swept over him, his body a confounding jumble of heat and arousal and fear. It was as though his body was at war with itself and the feeling of being torn apart was making him feel sick.
The finger suddenly withdrew and Harry's heart thundered in his chest when he heard the sound of a zipper being pulled down behind him. He tried to struggle but he was so weak and faint that he couldn't do much against the iron grip the domineering Alpha had over his anaemic body.
So he did the only thing he could think of and started to yell.
The hand on the back of his neck suddenly and forcefully pushed down, effectively stifling Harry's shouting as he cut off with a cry of pain. The urge to give in and just let the Alpha do what he wanted so that it would all be over faster was nearly overpowering, but Harry clenched his jaw and tried to force his pinned body into motion. He would not go down without a fight.
The outraged growl that reverberated throughout the nearly empty classroom startled Harry, and for a moment he thought it had come from the Professor, but the pressure on his neck suddenly let up and he was able to turn his head and open his eyes.
Relief flooded his body swift and instant when he spotted Draco standing in the open doorway, a fierce snarl on his face as he glared murderously at the Alpha laid out over his half-naked mate.
An involuntary whimper escaped Harry's lips at the sight and the sound seemed to spark his Alpha into action. Draco pelted into the room, directly towards the Professor.
Harry was quickly released and his knees gave way as he slid awkwardly to the floor. He leaned back against the desk with his arms curled protectively around drawn up knees. He could feel a trickle of blood running down the side of his nose from where his glasses had cut into the skin. He raised his head and distantly watched his mate tackle the young Professor to the flagstone floor.
As soon as the Professor was no longer touching him, the heat and arousal and ache returned full force, perhaps made worse by the appearance of his mate. Harry could feel his body beginning to tremble and his arms tightened around his shins, feeling oddly detached from the scene unfolding in front of him.
A blast of magic suddenly swept into the room and pulled the two hostile Alphas apart, throwing them to opposite sides of the room and holding them there.
Harry blinked and looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway, wand held aloft in a steady hand which was pointed directly at the two Alphas. She motioned with her free hand and the classroom door promptly swung closed behind her.
Harry swallowed and absently attempted to cover himself as he looked up at the Headmistress. "Professor, it's not… it's not Draco's fault," he said weakly, head spinning. He felt as though he was on the edge of passing out but knew he needed to speak up before his Alpha was unfairly punished.
She turned sympathetic eyes on Harry as she lowered her wand. "I know Mr. Potter," she said with her usual calm stoicism.
Harry met her gaze and knew Draco was safe. He closed his eyes and allowed the tug of unconsciousness to pull him under as everything went dark.
. . . .
Harry's eyes snapped open, his mate's name still on his lips as he suddenly came awake with a shout. He blinked and realised he was in a strange white room and not in one of the usual infirmary beds, though the air still had the same powerful antiseptic smell as the hospital wing.
Harry slowly sat up and looked around. The room was tiny and looked more like a white painted cell rather than a hospital room. He could feel his chest beginning to tighten a little as his latent claustrophobia set in, but before he had to resort to counting backwards from ten there came the sound of sharp rapping from the door.
The handle turned and opened inwards, and Harry felt the air rush back into his lungs as the door opened to the outside world and Madam Pomfrey appeared in her starched white uniform.
"Mr. Potter," she said as she took a few steps into the room and withdrew her wand. "How are you feeling?"
Harry licked his lips and swallowed; a million answers to that question swirling around in his head but not really feeling up to talking about the vast majority of them. "Tired. And thirsty," he finally replied, settling on the simplest two.
The nurse quickly conjured a paper cup full of water and placed it into his hand. "Here you are dear."
Harry drank the cool liquid gratefully as she raised her wand and began to perform some non-invasive diagnostic tests. She deftly refilled the cup when Harry finished it then smoothly returned to her casting; Harry's skin glowing various shades of white and gold as she skillfully ran through each assessment.
She finally stopped and slipped her wand back into its sheath at her thick-set waist before leaning over to open his eyes wide and peer into them with a concentrated frown.
"You should have come straight to me at the beginning of term Mr. Potter," she said crisply as she looked him over. "Any Omega should directly report to the Ministry upon discovery of their status and the Ministry would have notified me prior to your return to Hogwarts. I realise male Omegas are extremely rare and you probably didn't want the added publicity, but I could have taken the proper precautions for you to avoid what happened today."
Harry avoided her disapproving gaze as she straightened up and dug his glasses out of her apron pocket for him. He slipped them into place, absently noticing that the cut on his nose had been healed.
"Now, Mr. Potter," she continued seriously, hands folding in front of her. "Your heat has terminated early due to elevated stress levels."
Harry frowned, feeling a tiny ache of sadness at her words and he wasn't even sure why. "Really? I… I didn't know that could happen. How long have I been here?"
"About two hours."
Harry nodded as the events of earlier began to flood back in and fill his head with suddenly urgent questions. "Where's Draco? What happened to Professor Fischer?"
Madam Pomfrey held up a hand to stay his questions. "Slow down Mr. Potter. The Headmistress would like to see you in her office once you're dressed. I believe Mr. Malfoy is with her."
Harry threw back the thin sheet covering his pyjama-clad body. He suddenly needed to see Draco straight away; he wanted the reassuring touch and scent of his mate so much that it ached. "Where are my clothes?"
Madam Pomfrey turned and removed a neat pile of clothing from the top of the small chest of white drawers and handed them over. "Mr. Weasley brought these for you."
"Ron knows?" Harry asked as he took the clean clothes from her.
"He was still here when you were brought in by Mr. Malfoy."
"Draco brought me in?" Harry replied in surprise as he began to tug on his socks.
Madam Pomfrey nodded before moving towards the door. She turned and glanced back at him, seeming to hesitate before asking, "Is Draco Malfoy really your chosen mate?"
Harry looked up as he slid on his other sock. "Yeah, he is. Mental, right?"
Madam Pomfrey smiled for the first time. "Not necessarily Mr. Potter. Come to my office when you're ready and I'll take you to the Headmistress' office."
Harry changed as fast as he could before making his way to the nurse's small, cluttered office near the entrance to the infirmary. His body was still weak and exhausted, and his legs felt like jelly, so he was glad of Madam Pomfrey's presence as she helped him walk the long distance to Professor McGonagall's office.
The two made their way up the spiralling staircase and Madam Pomfrey knocked on the door, Harry shifting his weight from foot to foot as he waited impatiently.
"Come in," McGonagall's voice rang out from within and Madam Pomfrey opened the curved, wooden door.
Harry hurriedly pushed past her and, before he could get a proper look in, suddenly had an armful of tall, blond Alpha.
"Harry…" Draco breathed, burying his face in Harry's hair and inhaling deeply, arms wrapped tightly around him.
Harry encircled Draco's slim waist as the door clicked shut behind them and allowed his mate's scent to fill him up, calming the panic that had felt permanent from the moment he'd regained consciousness. He pressed his face into Draco's neck and closed his eyes.
"I know you're not alright but… how are you?" Draco murmured so that only Harry could hear; the two completely ignoring for the moment the silent Headmistress seated behind them at her desk.
Harry exhaled, thankful that it wasn't too shaky. "Better now that you're here," he admitted just as quietly. "My… my heat ended early because of what happened," he added.
Draco pulled back to look at him. "I know."
Harry could sense that his mate wanted to say more but his grey eyes held a promise of later and Harry nodded in acknowledgment of the silent promise.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and the two finally turned to face her, arms still loosely wrapped around each other. "Please take a seat gentlemen," she said, indicating the two armchairs fronting her large desk. The flowered armchairs were new additions to the office since Dumbledore's time and looked oddly out of place with the masculine feel of the rest of the space.
Harry kept ahold of Draco's hand as they each took a seat, Draco having to slide his chair closer in order to maintain contact. Harry would have been embarrassed if the need for touch in that moment hadn't been so dire. He knew Draco probably felt the same way; the Slytherin was not one for public displays of emotion.
The Headmistress folded her hands on top of the desk and peered at Harry over her square spectacles. "Firstly, how are you Mr. Potter?" she asked gently, concern etched in the lines around her eyes.
"I'm okay," Harry replied with a shrug, not really knowing what else to say, he'd hardly had time to process it himself. Draco gave his hand a light squeeze.
"If you need to speak with someone, a Professional," she continued, eyes nearly piercing him with their intensity, "then please let me know and I can arrange for someone from St. Mungo's to meet with you."
Harry's eyes widened in alarm. "Uh no, I… I don't think that will be necessary."
"Very well, if you change your mind please let me know, or you can always contact them on your own time. I will say no more about it." She stopped and reached for the waiting cup of tea next to her elbow, her gaze taking in the pair of them as she sipped. "I suppose I do not need to ask this question after witnessing the pair of you together and after my discussion with Mr. Malfoy, but humour an old woman," she said, resting her cup in one hand. "Harry, is Mr. Malfoy your chosen mate?"
"Yeah - yes," Harry replied instantly.
McGonagall nodded, obviously confirming what Draco had most likely already told her.
"Professor?" Harry spoke up. "Is… is Professor Fischer okay? It really wasn't his fault…"
The Headmistress' eyes instantly hardened and she set her cup back down with a loud clink. "Yes, he has recovered from the frenzy he found himself in. Mr. Potter, while the Professor's Alpha instincts took over because of your heat pheromones, he has still committed a heinous act against a student and has thus been informed that he must leave Hogwarts immediately."
Harry's lips parted in shock and then a wave of self-loathing quickly washed over him. "But… but Professor that's not fair. He's a brilliant teacher and he loves his job, you can't sack him!"
"Mr. Potter, if Mr. Malfoy had not sensed your distress and come to your aid, Professor Fischer would have most certainly succeeded in raping you. He cannot in good conscience be allowed to remain here and continue to teach. Rest assured that he is not out on the street though; he will be accepting a transfer to Beauxbatons."
Harry sat back in his chair, feeling dreadful for being the cause of Professor Fischer's departure. He didn't blame him at all; it was just terrible timing for his heat to start then, combined with the unfortunate fact that Harry didn't know how to recognise the signs of an impending heat cycle.
"But-"
"Harry, do you really think you could sit in class with Professor Fischer instructing you after everything that's happened?" Draco interrupted quietly, turning to face him. "Do you think I could sit in class with the two of you in the same room again?"
Harry looked at his mate and tried to picture it. He knew instantly that Draco was right, there was no way he could act normally in Professor Fischer's presence again, not as flashes of images from earlier suddenly assaulted him.; snap-shots of being pinned down, unable to move, an intrusive finger breaching him, hot breath on the back of his neck, and the terrifying sound of a zipper being pulled down…
Harry shuddered in revulsion and quickly tried to hide his reaction but the squeeze to his hand let him know that he wasn't fooling anyone.
McGonagall picked up her teacup once more, seeming satisfied, and took a sip of the fragrant liquid. "Harry, I know you detest the Ministry so I will not push you to inform them of your Omega status, but they will find out eventually."
Harry sighed and firmly pushed aside the disturbing images from earlier in order to concentrate. Truthfully he never wanted to think about it again. "I know. It doesn't matter I guess. As long as they also know that I already have a mate and that I don't want any other Alphas contacting me."
McGonagall surveyed him over the rim of her steaming cup. "Mr. Malfoy has informed me that you have not been officially claimed as of yet."
Harry felt his face heat. "Er no, I guess not. I… I don't really… I don't know that I'm all that comfortable with the whole… biting thing."
The Headmistress' lips twitched minutely and Harry refused to look at Draco, knowing the Slytherin would most likely be smirking in amusement at his naiveté too.
"I'm not afraid of the pain," Harry explained defensively. "I just don't like the idea of being claimed. It's archaic and… and a little insulting. And I've read that the Omega doesn't bite his Alpha to claim him in return so… so it's sexist too! Well, not really sexist in our situation since we're the same sex but you know what I mean."
Harry chanced a glance at Draco and, instead of being met with a smirk, his mate was steadfastly looking at McGonagall, a trace of discontent in his grey eyes.
"I'll think about it though," Harry swiftly added, not wanting to upset his mate, not after everything he'd done for him that day. The fact that a claim mark would help ward off other Alphas was certainly a benefit that he couldn't argue with. It was just all so confusing; his human side at odds with his Omega side.
"I'm not here to discuss the minute details of your relationship Mr. Potter; I simply wish to ensure that you are aware of how a mateship works between an Alpha and Omega. Being raised by Muggles as you have been, I know your knowledge may be limited compared with Mr. Malfoy's, and I realise some things may not seem as 'normal' to you."
Harry nodded, relieved that she understood.
"You are now aware of when your heat cycle will occur every month," McGonagall continued efficiently, "so I expect you to take the proper precautions during that time. You may miss your classes and use the isolation room in the infirmary for the duration if you wish. We have a few female Omegas here that have already arranged their schedules with Madam Pomfrey. You are the first Omega here to have already selected a mate though, so I must insist that you are removed from Mr. Malfoy's presence during this time. It would be irresponsible for me to allow you to spend your heat together and possibly end up with a pregnancy before you've finished your education."
"Yes Professor," Harry replied with a nod. He had no intention of ending up pregnant at eighteen either.
The Headmistress set down her now empty teacup and sat back in her chair with a creak of ancient wood, tugging her tartan shawl around her bony shoulders despite the warmth of the crackling fire in the large grate located beneath the vast collection of moving portraits. "I believe the student gossips have already been hard at work spreading the rather astounding news that Harry Potter is an Omega and that Draco Malfoy is his mate, so brace yourselves; I hope you're prepared for what this news may bring upon you - from both sides."
Harry looked to Draco and was relieved when the Slytherin finally made eye contact with him again. His mate looked resolute and determined and his eyes visibly softened when Harry looked at him. He turned back to the Headmistress and knew the same stubborn, determined look was on his own face.
She observed them both with what could only be described as fond exasperation. "If you have any trouble or if anything else happens to you Mr. Potter, please alert me straight away."
"Yes Professor," Harry promptly assented.
"And Mr. Malfoy, thank you again for your quick action today," she added, turning to Draco. "It's good to see that Harry has an Alpha that just may be up to the challenge of being his mate."
Draco smirked and Harry could tell that they'd had quite the conversation while he'd been unconscious. He wondered what else they'd spoken about without him around.
"That's all for now," Professor McGonagall said, straightening in her chair in a clearly dismissive gesture. "Keep me advised of any changes or odd behaviour from other students or professors. I shall make a short announcement with regards to Professor Fischer's transfer without divulging the details of what transpired. I will find a replacement as quickly as I can and classes will hopefully resume shortly. Good day gentlemen."
"Uh Professor?" Harry said as he and Draco stood. "I've had two erm, encounters with other Alphas - both students - when alone with them and… it doesn't seem like the female Omegas have this problem."
"Who were they?" she asked with a frown.
Harry glanced at Draco, who was listening closely, before replying. "I'd rather not say," he said. He didn't want McGonagall to know that one of them was Dean since she might accuse Draco of being the one who attacked him, and he didn't want to tell her Anthony's name since Draco didn't know that one and he wanted to keep it that way.
"I see," she replied pensively. "Well, most unclaimed Omegas will avoid being alone in the company of an Alpha. That's just good sense, is it not Mr. Potter?"
Harry nodded, feeling distinctly foolish. There was no way he was going to mention taking the scent masking potions to excess now.
"Thank you Professor," Draco inserted smoothly as he pulled on Harry's hand and led him from the room, clearly ready to leave.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief once they were out in the empty corridor together. "That was awkward," he surmised over the noise of the stone gargoyle grinding to a close next to them. "What?" he asked when he turned to see Draco staring at him rather intensely.
"Come on." Draco turned and began to drag Harry along behind him.
"Where are we going?"
Draco glanced over his shoulder at him, eyes gleaming silver in the flickering torch light. "To our room."
"Our room?" Harry repeated in confusion. "Do you mean the Room of Requirement?"
"No, McGonagall has seen fit to allocate a spare set of bedchambers for the two of us to share."
Harry's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Draco rolled his eyes at his mate's incredulous expression. "You're such a prude Potter, she knows what we will be getting up to behind closed doors, so she's decided to keep us away from prying eyes. Plus, it'll be safer for you to be living away from those Gryffindor Alphas."
"I still can't believe it," Harry said, amazed.
"I also told her that you only wanted the one mate and I'm fairly certain that that romantic notion is what completely swayed her into giving us our own shag room."
Harry's stride faltered and he blanched at Draco's words.
Draco stopped to face him, eyes tightening in concern. He took in Harry's paled face and the shameful expression that he was attempting to hide and then gently pulled on his hand to get them moving again. "Come on," he said softly.
Harry followed silently, a sense of dread coming over him. He didn't want what happened to affect him, he didn't want to be weak or have it change his desire for Draco. Professor Fischer hadn't even succeeded in actually raping him, he should be fine.
Harry hoped it wouldn't scar him for life; he had enough of those already.