Mr. Potter,
Thank you for your prompt response to my numerous questions. I fear the minute details of this party are occupying my time more than is sensible or practical, and perhaps causing you to feel apprehensive in a way that you needn't be. I have little to occupy my time these days and have not hosted a festive gathering at the Manor in quite a long while, so I may be getting a little carried away. Do not trouble yourself Mr. Potter with thoughts of not fitting in or making an error in decorum; only close friends shall be in attendance, so please put your mind at ease.
It shall be a wonderful evening in which to celebrate your imminent bonding with my son. Lucius and I are both looking forward to it immensely.
Sincerely,
Narcissa Malfoy
"Yeah right." Harry snorted derisively, folding the letter in half and then feeding the large elegant eagle owl a treat before it took off through the window of their room.
"She doesn't even mention me," Draco scoffed incredulously as he stepped back, having read the letter over Harry's shoulder. "We both answered her inane questions about food and colour schemes."
Harry chuckled. "Don't pretend you don't care about that stuff Malfoy, you were much more invested in those answers than I was."
Draco smirked as he sat on the end of their bed and leaned back on his hands. "So, how many letters is that this week?"
Harry slid the letter onto their large desk situated under the window before turning to his mate with a grin. "Two a day," he said, taking a seat in the desk chair and propping his chin on the chair back, facing Draco. "You know, I do believe she's beginning to like me."
Draco laughed. "If there's one good thing to come out of all this party nonsense, it's that my mother is getting to know you a bit better."
Harry hid a pleased grin in the crook of his elbow. Truth be told, he was quite enjoying his owl post correspondence with Narcissa, it seemed she had taken her role as mother-in-law to heart and was trying to make him feel included and comfortable. Some of her letters even included little Omega tips, which were actually quite insightful, even if Draco did snicker and dismiss them as rubbish. Because of her letters, Harry also found he wasn't dreading the party quite so much.
Harry sighed and his smile faded as he remembered that his only two invited guests weren't invited any longer. He looked at Draco. "What am I supposed to do about Ron and Hermione? I can't stay cross with them forever, and Ron didn't even technically do anything wrong."
Draco breathed out through his nose and Harry knew he was trying to control an anger that was still simmering just below the surface at what Hermione had done that night at the pub.
"You do agree that not inviting them is the right thing to do though, right?" he finally replied evenly. "Having a suspicious Granger wandering around the Manor amongst a few others of my kind would be a disaster waiting to happen."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I agree. I just… I just know that she had good intentions at heart when she did what she did. The three of us have always watched out for each other, ever since first year. She's just a bit…"
"Ruthless?" Draco supplied with a sneer. "Meddlesome?"
Harry frowned in reproach then stood and walked over to his mate, grasping his chin in one hand and forcing his gaze up. "No - concerned," he corrected.
Draco narrowed his eyes then grabbed Harry's wrist and tugged him so that he fell forward into Draco's lap.
Harry couldn't help but smile grudgingly as he settled himself over his mate, straddling his lap and sliding his hands around Draco's neck. He sat back and looked into Draco's eyes. "Ron would still be coming to the party if he hadn't drunkenly snogged Hermione that same night," he said, disappointed about the timing of his two best friends finally getting together. "Now he feels as though he has to choose her side just because they're dating."
Draco snorted lightly. "Good luck to him."
Harry glared half-heartedly and Draco sighed, sliding his hands around from Harry's hips to cup his backside and firmly pull him up against him. Harry grunted in surprise but didn't move, feeling his cock thicken in his pants when he felt that his mate was already aroused beneath him.
"I promise not to hold a grudge against Granger - if she promises to take a step back and let you live your life without interfering. She has to acknowledge that you have me to look after you now and that you're in good hands," Draco stated with a smirk, brow arched, undulating his hips against Harry in hypnotic little rolls that were causing Harry's breath to hitch in his throat, despite his best intentions. "If there was something of great importance which you wished to discuss with her, then she needs to learn to wait for you to approach her instead of just jumping to conclusions."
"O-okay," Harry replied, embarrassed by the breathless quality of his voice but unable to control it as he pushed his hips forward, sparks of pleasure rocketing through his now fully hard prick. "That's all… all I can ask for…"
Draco smiled with satisfaction as Harry's eyes closed and his head tipped back, losing himself in the repetitive rocking motion.
"We're… going to be late…" Harry murmured, not sounding in the least concerned, but merely pointing out the fact that afternoon classes would be starting soon.
"This won't take long," Draco replied. He wrapped an arm around Harry's lower back and pulled him with him as he fell backwards onto the bed, Harry still straddling his strong thighs and pressing the length of his erection more firmly against Draco's.
Harry placed his hands on the bed on either side of his mate and ground down with a quiet moan. Every lunch this past week they'd spent together in their private rooms and, without fail, every time it had eventually dissolved into some sort of sexual activity.
Harry wasn't about to complain though; it was a brilliant way to spend their mid-day break. He only hoped it wasn't too obvious to his classmates or professors when he showed up to his post-lunch classes glowing and relaxed.
"Don't stop," Draco panted, gripping Harry's hips hard and encouraging his rutting motions.
"No…" Harry agreed in return, gasping, beginning to feel feverish with the sudden and desperate need to come; to shoot his seed in his pants along with his mate, without even taking off their clothes. He wanted it to be quick and dirty; he was hot with the thought of it. "So close…" he gasped before leaning forward and kissing Draco, hips frotting at a frantic pace as his tongue delved inside his mate's mouth.
Draco moaned into the kiss, opening his mouth and allowing his mate to take what he needed; to plunder his mouth in an almost punishing fashion as they thrust and gasped and moaned their combined pleasure.
Without breaking the kiss, Harry reached back and grabbed Draco's hands from off of his hips and pinned them to the bed on either side of his mate's blond head. Draco immediately arched up into him with a moan and Harry almost snarled with pleasure, body already reaching the peak and about to spiral out of his control as he thrust faster, losing all rhythm, skin flushing hotly, breath catching and holding.
"Want you to come first," Harry panted against Draco's lips before kissing his cheek and then moving across to gently nip at his ear.
"Harry…" Draco brokenly groaned and clenched his eyes shut, neck arching back, hands fisting beneath Harry's firm hold.
Harry watched with avid, unblinking green eyes; wanting to see his mate come undone beneath him. "Come for me Draco…" he breathed unsteadily. "Please. Want to see you come," he babbled. "I can't wait for you to claim me tomorrow, to make me yours. Want you to mark me and then come all over me..."
A loud moan broke through Draco's pressed lips as he came hard, expression twisted with intense pleasure and relief.
Harry drank in the sight for all of two seconds before he too was gripped by a powerful orgasm which tore through his body, head tipping back, eyes closing as he cried out, feeling his cock pulse wet and warm within his snug trousers.
Once every last tingle of pleasure and drop of fluid was milked from his prick, Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked down. Draco was gazing up at him with intense grey eyes and flushed cheeks, breath coming out in quiet huffs. Harry blinked at the look in Draco's eyes, something inside of him tightening at the sight; a sentiment that matched the one in his own heart was shining back at him.
Draco swallowed, gaze unwavering, and Harry instinctively released his hold on his mate's wrists as he stared back at him; waiting, expectant.
"What you do to me Potter…" Draco whispered in wonder, absently reaching up to straighten Harry's crooked glasses, fingers lingering in his dishevelled hair a moment before abruptly dropping away, gaze averting.
Harry smiled a little as he sat back, content in the knowledge that something had shifted within his mate, something that was transparently obvious but not quite ready to be shared or formed into words just yet, but it was there.
"That was different," Harry finally said, still smiling that little half-smile as Draco's gaze carefully flicked back to him. "We didn't even get our clothes off."
Draco's expression relaxed, whatever thoughts previously distracting him pushed aside as he focussed on his mate, trademark smirk pulling at his mouth.
Harry grinned and quickly leaned down to peck his mate on the lips before turning and climbing off of the bed. He plucked his wand from the bedside cabinet and quickly cast a cleaning charm over the pair of them; the uncomfortable, sticky feeling immediately vanishing.
"I really hope no one can tell what we get up to at lunch every day," Harry said as he slipped into his school robes, still with the Gryffindor insignia on it even though he wasn't technically living in Gryffindor Tower anymore, and slung his heavy book bag onto his shoulder.
"Course they do Potter," Draco replied simply as he slipped his Ancient Ruins text into his bag. "Your hair is even more atrocious than usual directly after lunch."
Harry rolled his eyes and waited for his mate to join him at the door before swinging it open and walking out into the empty corridor. "I wasn't the one on my back this time Malfoy," he countered.
Draco narrowed his eyes at him as he followed and Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as his mate's hand automatically shot to the back of his head to check his hair.
They made their way to the first floor and parted ways with a gentle touching of fingers and one last lingering look before Harry walked to Care of Magical Creatures on his own.
Harry shifted his bag up on his shoulder with a sigh, missing Ron's company as he walked through the open entrance doors, squinting a little at the muted winter sunshine sparkling off the fresh layer of snow on the ground. This would be his first opportunity to speak to Ron without Hermione around. Ron had been darting him little apologetic glances in the Great Hall all week, so he didn't think his friend was holding a grudge, even if his new girlfriend was.
"Hey Potter."
Harry looked up to see Blaise ascending the wide stone steps, obviously heading back into the school for Ancient Runes. "Oh… hi," he replied, growing a little weary of deflecting the Alpha's advances.
Blaise grinned and hugged his textbook to his chest as he stopped in front of him. "I'm looking forward to the party tomorrow night."
Harry stared. "You're invited?" he responded in surprise.
"Old friend of the family," Blaise said with a shrug, eyes gleaming cheerfully. "You'll have to save me a dance Harry."
Harry sighed and shifted his weight. "I don't think that's a good idea Blaise," he said with a touch of irritation. "And pushing me to change my mind is not going to suddenly endear you to me. In fact, I'd rather you didn't come to the party at all."
Blaise's confident smile didn't waver. "But if I don't show up then I won't be able to inform the Malfoys of my intentions towards you. It's just good manners to at least give them some warning."
"What?" Harry frowned, feeling his irritation swell into anger. "Why would you do that? There's no point, I've already told you - multiple times - that I don't want another Alpha."
Blaise shrugged, undeterred, the motion only adding to Harry's annoyance. "Draco might step down if I formally challenge him. Plus," he added with a playful smirk, "I want to see you all dressed up."
Harry pressed his lips together into a hard line, starting to think that Blaise would never be discouraged. "Why are you being so stubborn about this?" he demanded, his low tone full of warning.
Blaise's expression turned solemn for the first time, the playful sparkle in his eyes dimming. "Because I'm gay and attracted to you, and you're a male Omega, the only known male Omega in existence. Not to be too dramatic, but… you're my only hope for genuine happiness."
All of Harry's anger and irritation left his body with a sudden swoop of understanding. He didn't know what to say. He knew he wasn't going to change his mind, but could he really get angry with the man for chasing a chance at happiness that he would not otherwise attain if forced to bond with a female Omega?
Blaise smiled a little, expression clearing and a trace of his earlier bravado returning. "See you tomorrow," he said simply, an edge of determination in his tone, then walked past him and into the castle.
Harry stared after him a moment, lost in thought, then suddenly remembered where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. He turned and carefully jogged down the icy steps then sprinted across the frozen grounds in order to get to class on time, his bag banging uncomfortably against his hip as he reached down to steady it with one hand. The cold air burned in his lungs and stung his eyes as he ran, but if felt good; a distraction.
He ran and ran until he could no longer think about how unfair life was; about family tradition and Purebloods and carrying on the bloodline regardless of personal desires and wants and needs. How parents can disregard a child's happiness for their own ridiculous agenda. He supposed Draco was in the same position; deep down his parents were just as callous and relentless about tradition and bloodlines, only Draco was lucky enough to have been spared all that because of Harry.
"Glad to see you could join us Harry," Hagrid called out as he arrived, out of breath, joining the others at the paddock fence and dumping his bag to the ground.
Harry smiled in apology and purposefully stood next to Ron as Hagrid returned to the lesson, unbothered.
"Hey."
Harry turned to Ron at the quiet, unsure greeting and smiled a little. "Hey."
"You… you all right?" Ron asked, brow crinkling a little with worry, the expression warming Harry's heart and easing his anxiety over whether he was going to lose his best mate over Hermione's actions.
Harry smiled and nodded. "Yeah, just late. Zabini is a very persistent Alpha," he found himself disclosing.
Ron's eyes widened fractionally. "Did he touch you?"
"No, he didn't. He's just… verbally persistent. I feel bad for him really," he added quietly, glancing at Hagrid to ensure that he was still engrossed in his lecture before turning back to Ron. "I'm his only hope for not having to bond with a female."
Ron frowned disapprovingly. "Yeah but you already told him no, so he should just back off."
"What if you only had one chance to be with a female? Imagine being forced to have a sex with a male when it's not what you want?"
Comprehension dawned on Ron's face, his mouth making an 'oh' of understanding. "I guess I didn't think of it that way…"
"Yeah." Harry turned back to Hagrid. "So… how's Hermione?" he asked, a touch coolly.
Ron shifted, folding his arms on top of the wooden fence and leaning against it. "She's… embarrassed mostly, but also worried. Zabini was the one who told her that he was suspicious of Malfoy, which only made her even more anxious when you started acting really stressed out and distant. She loves you like a brother Harry and she can't help but be suspicious because of some of the things Malfoy has done in the past, not to mention his family's history with You-Know-Who."
Harry turned to him with a sigh. "I know she's worried but she can't… she can't interfere in my life like that. I don't need her to. I have Draco and despite what she, or anyone else may think, he treats me really well. I'm happy with him and I couldn't really ask for anything more from my mate. I love him," he said simply.
Ron nodded, taking it in stride, as though he'd already known. "I'll talk to her."
"The war is over," Harry added into the silence that followed, staring across the snow-covered paddock without really seeing it, thinking of all that had changed since the demise of Voldemort. "It's time we stop being mistrustful of people because of the past and move on. That was the point of it all, wasn't it?"
. . . .
Harry pushed through their bedroom door, hair windswept and cheeks pink from the icy air that had been sweeping through the quidditch stands for the past two hours. He and Draco had gone to watch the mid-day match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff (Hufflepuff taking the win at the last second for a surprising victory), and they were now back in their room to dress for the much-anticipated party that evening.
Harry walked over to his wardrobe to pull his clothes out for the night ahead, butterflies fluttering anxiously in his stomach for more than one reason.
"Are you going to do it now?" he asked without turning around, listening to Draco delve into his own wardrobe on the other side of the room. There was a pause and Harry glanced over his shoulder to see his mate looking at him speculatively. "What?"
Draco turned; his stylish ensemble draped carefully over one arm. "I spoke to my father and I think it would be best to do it after the party," he explained.
Harry frowned at him as he struggled gracelessly into his good black trousers. "Why?"
Draco walked over to the bed and laid his charcoal grey trousers and white button-up over it, staring down at the clothing critically. "Because," he replied distractedly. "The bite is a bit of an uncomfortable process." He finally glanced up and watched as Harry removed his t-shirt and donned his new deep blue button-up. "And the discomfort is supposed to last for a couple of days while your body adjusts. I wouldn't want you to be in pain all evening while simultaneously trying to make a good impression."
"And you thought I'd appreciate the gesture of goodwill?" Harry asked as he buttoned his shirt, tongue poking out between his lips as he concentrated on not missing a button-hole.
"Something like that," Draco murmured carefully, looking wary of his mate's response.
Harry glanced up and smiled crookedly, unable to help himself. "Yeah, all right - but I'm not putting it off until tomorrow. Tonight, okay?" Harry added firmly.
"If you wish."
Harry pulled some clean socks from his drawer and walked over to the desk chair where he'd set out his shoes and sat down. "You want to though, right?" he asked, tone a little too casual.
"Harry?"
"Hmm?" he replied, glancing up.
Draco levelled him with a look as he slid his arms into the sleeves of his white shirt. "What is it you want to know?"
Harry exhaled and stared at his feet as he slowly slipped on his soft black socks followed by his rarely worn good shoes. "I dunno, you seem… hesitant sometimes. And other times…"
"Really turned on by the idea?"
"Yeah." Harry placed his feet back on the floor and leaned sideways against the chair, gazing at his mate with questioning eyes.
Draco returned to buttoning his shirt, faintly discomfited. "I suppose I feel somewhat conflicted by it. I want to do it, it's such a powerfully innate part of my nature, but I also don't want to cause you pain." He paused and exhaled slowly as he absently checked his reflection in the mirror. "But then I picture another Alpha's gaze lingering on you a little too long and…" he trailed off with a shrug.
Harry nodded, Draco's words suddenly reminding him that he needed to tell his mate about Blaise. "Er, that reminds me…" he said, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden chair. "There's something I should probably tell you before the party."
"Yes?" Draco sat on the edge of the bed in order to carefully tie the laces of his smart Italian leather shoes.
Harry swallowed and fidgeted with the cuff of his new shirt, the material stiff between his fingertips. "Blaise er, Zabini, he's going to be there. Tonight."
"And?"
"Well, he… he kind of offered himself as a second Alpha to me. A while ago."
Draco's fingers froze in the midst of tying his laces, his entire body tensing.
Harry opened his mouth to speak then shut it as Draco straightened and focused on him with darkened eyes.
"When?" he bit out tersely, voice raspier than usual.
"Uh, right before I met with the Board the first time," Harry replied carefully, not sure why he felt as though he had to tread on eggshells but doing so none-the-less.
"What?" Draco's voice was low and severe and Harry had the distinct impression of a brewing storm. "Why the fuck didn't you say something? That was weeks ago."
Harry frowned, irritation spiking a little at his mate's censorious tone. "Because meeting the Board and then the inquiry, where your life was on the line, was more important, and I just kind of forgot about it."
"Until when? Until today? This morning?"
Harry straightened in his chair, feeling defensive. "Well no, he reminded me at the pub-"
"What?" Draco's eyes positively blazed. "He's approached you more than once? Why? Did you tell him you'd think about it?"
Harry glared, affronted. "Of course not, I told him no and he said he wasn't going to give up."
Draco stood, running an agitated hand through his white-blond hair. "Of course he isn't going to give up when you haven't been claimed yet. Fuck Potter, I can't believe you didn't tell me… Merlin, you've been alone with him…
Harry stood, indignant anger coursing through him. "What does it matter if I'm alone with him? I don't want him and I told him so. You're being ridiculous."
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say; Draco's hands immediately clenching into fists by his side as he faced him. "Is this why you're always putting off being claimed?"
"What?" Harry spluttered, outraged and incredulous all at once. "You're the one who's been delaying it!"
"And you're not exactly objecting," Draco exclaimed accusingly. "Having second thoughts?"
Harry gaped, wanting to slap some sense into his mate. "How can you… How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want him - or any other Alpha - before you believe it?" Harry retorted. "And, you said at the beginning of all this that I could add another Alpha for protection if I wanted to, so you're not allowed to be cross over the idea anyway."
Again, it was the wrong thing to say.
Draco's expression shuttered completely, gaze instantly turning icy. "So you are considering it."
"No!" Harry exclaimed vehemently, sliding his hand into his hair and clenching the strands in agitation. "I'm just pointing out… Oh for fuck's sake, Blaise isn't a threat to you."
"No, he isn't, because you're not going anywhere near him again."
Harry stiffened, feeling his exasperation teeter on the edge of defiant recalcitrance. "What do you mean?" he asked evenly, forcing a calm into his tone that he didn't remotely feel.
Draco sat on the edge of the bed and began to rip through his laces before roughly pulling his shoes off and throwing them to the floor.
"What are you doing?"
His mate started on the buttons of his white shirt next. "We're not going."
Harry stared, disbelieving. "Are you serious? We can't notgo; this party is for us. Your mother would be so upset."
"I'll send her an owl with our apologies."
Harry walked over to stand in front of him, watching as Draco unbuttoned his shirt with fingers that were still trembling with anger. "I'm not missing this party just because you're having a jealous Alpha meltdown. Your mother put too much effort into it and is looking forward to it too much for us to do this to her. What does it matter if Blaise is there? You'll be with me the whole time."
Draco paused in his jerky movements and looked up at Harry with a scowl. "I don't want you anywhere near him again, especially at a party with alcohol and lots of people; I could lose sight of you."
"And what?" Harry snapped scathingly. "I'll forget all about you and let him fuck me up against the wall?"
Draco's eyes flared and Harry knew he'd crossed a line - but then so had his mate. Who was he to order Harry around? To act like Harry had no free will, like he was just some slutty Omega who couldn't resist an Alpha's charms.
"If he gets you alone-"
"What?" Harry interrupted furiously. "What will happen? I've already proven that I can say no when I want to."
"Yes but do you want to? Perhaps Blaise is different; you invited him to Hogsmeade once upon a time."
Harry clenched his jaw and glared at his mate. He could see that there was no winning this argument with the temperamental idiot. "You're being a complete wanker about this, you know that right?"
Draco narrowed his eyes. "We're not going and that's final Potter."
Harry stared at him, fuming, a million responses running through his head. "Fine," he eventually bit out.
He spun on his heel and stormed over to his wardrobe where he began tossing clothes onto the floor.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm not sleeping here tonight," Harry replied shortly, fury strangling his voice. He strode into the ensuite and grabbed his toothbrush.
Draco stood, watching him with narrowed eyes as he returned and threw his things into an overnight bag. "Where are you going then?"
"Gryffindor Tower," Harry spat back, turning to face him. "I'll stay with the girls if it will make you feel better, but I'm not staying here in this room with you when you're being such a controlling prick."
Draco's expression tightened and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine."
Harry straightened his shoulders and lifted his bag. "Fine."
He turned and walked to the door, feeling Draco's silent gaze on him the whole way. Without a backwards glance, Harry wrenched the door open and threw it shut behind him, making it rattle on its hinges, before striding angrily down the empty corridor. He knew he was acting ridiculously petulant now too but he was too infuriated to care.
He collapsed against the wall the next corridor over, breathing hard and dropping his bag to the ground. He couldn't believe the fucking audacity of Draco ordering him not to go simply because he didn't think Harry was capable of controlling himself. After all their conversations about having an equal partnership, he couldn't believe Draco would do this to him; play the Alpha card and act as though he were in charge, like he was the one responsible for making all of their joint decisions like some sort of mateship dictator.
Harry scowled and kicked the wall behind him in anger. This was exactly what he was afraid of when his Omega inheritance was confirmed, that he would feel out of control and prohibited from making his own choices and decisions in life.
"Right," Harry muttered determinedly, straightening up from the wall.
He tossed his bag into an alcove, close enough to the third floor corridor that no one would probably find it, then turned and swiftly walked to the stairs and made his way down to the entrance hall, heart pounding in his ears. Without pausing to second-guess his decision, he pushed through the heavy oak doors and out into the cold evening air.
He cursed the fact that he didn't have his winter cloak with him, but at least he had his wand.
Harry picked up his pace and jogged all the way down the snow-covered drive to the gates unimpeded. As soon as he was outside the Hogwart's grounds, he Disapparated with a grimly resolute expression on his face; he was not going to disappoint Narcissa after all of their friendly ice-breaking letters over the past week, in which she mentioned how much she was looking forward to this evening, and he was not going to miss out on getting to know the Malfoy family's close friends either.
This night was important in making Harry feel accepted and comfortable with Draco's family, and if Draco couldn't see that then he could just stay behind and sulk on his own.
. . . .
"Good evening Mr. Potter."
Harry smiled, pushing aside his foul mood in order to enjoy the night. "Hullo Mrs. Malfoy," he greeted the regal woman reservedly, wondering if the warm tone of her letters was any indication of how she would now act with him in person.
She stepped back to let him pass into the entrance foyer of Malfoy Manor. She didn't smile but her pale blue eyes sparkled with a warm greeting as she kissed him on the cheek and pulled back to look him over properly.
"You look very dashing Mr. Potter, if somewhat out of breath," she observed with a raised brow, very reminiscent of her son. "Where is Draco?" she asked, as though reading his thoughts.
"Er, he's not coming."
"Really?" Narcissa replied in surprise, glancing up as Lucius joined them. He took his wife's hand, gaze sliding over Harry without a smile or even a hello. "Draco isn't coming darling."
Lucius turned to look suspiciously down at Harry. "Oh? And why is that Mr. Potter?"
Harry lifted his chin and decided to go with the truth. "He didn't think I should be anywhere near Blaise Zabini because he offered himself to me as a secondary Alpha. I told Blaise I wasn't interested but Draco still argued against coming, so he stayed behind and I came on my own."
"He let you attend unaccompanied with an interested Alpha present?" Lucius asked, eyes narrowing doubtfully.
"No," Harry replied directly. "He doesn't know I'm here."
There was a brief pause in which Lucius' mouth turned down into a disapproving frown whilst a tiny smirk twitched at the corner of Narcissa's lips. She stepped forward in her beautiful pale blue and silver dress robes and slipped an arm through Harry's before leading him away towards the ballroom.
Harry felt his anxiety ease as Lucius fell into step behind them without another word.
"You are a treasure Mr. Potter," Narcissa drawled, quietly amused, as they ascended the stairs together. "Draco is in good hands."
Harry blinked at her, startled. He had thought that Draco's parents would disapprove of his headstrong and nonconformist behaviour. "Really?"
Narcissa emitted a tinkly little laugh of delight, one hand going to her chest. "Yes Mr. Potter, you are just what Draco needs."
Harry smiled, catching her eye and feeling an odd sort of intimate camaraderie with Draco's mum. He was instantly glad that he'd come despite his intransigent mate.
Harry could hear voices down the hall and realised that it must be later than he'd thought, they had planned on arriving prior to any of the guests, but clearly he was not the first to arrive.
"A few people were quite eager to meet you," Narcissa whispered aside in explanation. She squeezed his arm and led him through the doorway into the gleaming golden ballroom, the same room from his first Board meeting, but this time the atmosphere was decidedly less hostile.
Harry squinted a little at the sudden influx of flickering candle-light after the dimly lit corridors. His eyes quickly adjusted and he took in the meandering house-elves holding trays of food and drink, as well as about a dozen witches and wizards in formal clothing.
He nearly started when a small girl suddenly squealed and ran over, black party shoes click-clacking on the shiny flooring and red dress robes streaming out behind her.
Harry instantly relaxed as he recognised the young Nundu clan member. He just couldn't remember her name…
"Harry Potter!" she exclaimed with a huge grin. "You're here! Remember me?"
Harry couldn't help but smile. "Of course I do."
"Gemma, you mustn't run."
Harry glanced up to see the same friendly grandfather hobbling to keep up.
"Please forgive her Mr. Potter, she's a little star-struck around you," he apologised. He reached out with one gnarled hand and shook Harry's, his grip surprisingly strong for his age. "Stuart Goodfellow, pleased to see you again Mr. Potter."
"I'm glad you're here," Harry said with a smile, turning to Gemma to include her in the sentiment as well. "It's good to see some friendly faces. You'll have to save me a dance later," he said to her with a conspiratorial wink.
Gemma blushed as she nodded her head, glossy curls bouncing.
"But be warned, I'll probably step on your toes," Harry added in a faux whisper, causing her to giggle.
"You should dance with my mother too," Gemma said, smiling. "My father isn't here tonight, he had to work."
"Gemma dear, I don't think your mother is in a fit state to be dancing," Stuart said gently, smiling down at her with obvious fondness.
"Oh… I guess not," she conceded with a bemused frown.
"Which one is your mother?" Harry asked curiously.
Gemma instantly turned and scanned the room of about a dozen people. "There!" she cried, pointing at the short, pretty witch speaking with Hugh Sloan.
Harry swallowed. "Your mum is… is Sophie McDougal?" he asked, remembering quite vividly the pregnant Board member who was not the friendliest of women.
Gemma turned back and nodded her head proudly.
"Come Mr. Potter, we must move on," Narcissa politely interrupted. He'd almost forgotten she was even there. It appeared that Lucius had already left him to his own devices and wandered off amongst the guests.
Harry smiled at his two new acquaintances before slipping away with Narcissa.
"You seem to have a way with children Mr. Potter," Narcissa commented quietly.
Harry smiled, taking the words as a compliment. "I'm just practicing for later," he quipped.
Narcissa's gaze was warm as she turned to him, hand tightening on his forearm for a moment. "I would be lying if I said that I was not looking forward to being a grandmother Mr. Potter, as well as seeing my son, my only child, become a father." She paused and looked away, gently steering him towards a long table laden with food. "I am sorry if Draco is behaving poorly at the moment, having a mate is still new to him. I hope whatever foolishness he may have done or said, that you will not hold it against him."
Harry smiled and shook his head. "Of course not, we're both still adjusting, and I know I'm not the easiest person to live with either."
"I would say that I am sure he will be calm and collected when you return home, but I have a feeling he will not be appreciative of your little disappearing act tonight."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle. "Technically he doesn't even know that I'm outside the school, I told him that I would be staying the night in Gryffindor Tower."
Narcissa smirked as they stopped near the food and she delicately selected what looked like a smoked salmon canape. "Then he needn't know you were even here."
Harry grinned and began to fill a plate with a selection of delicious smelling food. It was all rather fancy but looked edible enough, and he was famished.
"Harry, good to see you again."
Harry looked up and smiled at Hugh Sloan who was extending a hand towards him. Harry shifted his plate to his left hand and shook the Board Chair's hand in greeting. "You too Mr. Sloan."
"Please call me Hugh," he replied jovially. "I'm still so pleased that everything worked out for you and young Malfoy." He paused to glance around, puzzled. "Where is Draco this evening? I haven't seen him yet."
Narcissa politely excused herself as a group of guests entered the room.
"He isn't feeling well," Harry replied carefully, avoiding Hugh's gaze as he reached for some more food to load onto his already crowded plate.
"Oh, that's a shame," he replied sympathetically. "Well pass on my good wishes to him - to the both of you. I believe you two will be a wonderful match and a credit to us all."
Harry knew he was speaking of the Nundu clan as he said this and Harry nodded in acknowledgment, touched. "Thank you."
"Harry! You made it old chap."
Harry felt his stomach clench as Blaise sauntered up to them with a grin. He was dressed in a black and white suit that Harry begrudgingly had to admit looked quite fetching on the tall, dark Alpha.
"Hullo Blaise," Harry replied wanly before stuffing some food into his mouth to avoid further conversation with the prat.
"Well I'll leave you gentlemen to it," Hugh said with a departing smile, plucking a glass of champagne off the table before turning away.
Harry's eyes widened in alarm but his mouth was too full to protest the Board Chair's departure. He didn't want to be alone with bloody Zabini. Despite everything that he and Draco had argued about, it still felt like a betrayal to his mate to be speaking with him.
"Where's Draco?" Blaise asked nonchalantly before taking a sip of his drink, dark eyes watching Harry intently.
Harry swallowed, gaze skittering around the room a moment before reluctantly returning to rest on Blaise's face. "He isn't here," he finally answered, unwillingly.
"Oh?" Blaise asked with interest. "Why not?"
"He wasn't feeling well," Harry said with a little more conviction, not wanting Blaise to get any ideas.
Blaise stepped up to the table and leaned in to reach for some food, at the same time leaning in towards Harry to quietly whisper, "now why don't I believe you Potter?"
Harry bristled and took a step back, frowning at him.
Blaise chuckled and held up a hand in defeat. He selected another cracker laden with something green and turned back to Harry. "Is it safe for you to be here on your own though?" he asked, sounding legitimately concerned, but Harry was fed up. He couldn't help but blame Blaise for his fight with Draco, however unfair that may be. And so what if Harry was the only male Omega around, it didn't mean he was fair game forever.
"The only menace here is you Zabini," Harry retorted.
Blaise seemed to find that amusing and grinned back at him impudently.
"Mr. Potter, your presence is required."
Harry looked up and was never so relieved to see Lucius Malfoy in his life. "Of course. Excuse me Blaise."
Blaise looked as though he was about to say something but Harry quickly set his plate down and followed Draco's father into the crowd.
Lucius led him to the opposite side of the large room before suddenly stopping and turning to him, causing Harry to nearly stumble right into him, unprepared.
Lucius gazed at him dispassionately. "You looked uncomfortable Mr. Potter."
Harry frowned in confusion, and then his expression suddenly cleared. "You… you took me away from him on purpose?"
Lucius swallowed, clearly ill at ease. "Yes, my son is not here to safeguard you so, I feel it is my… duty," he responded stiffly, not quite making eye contact.
Harry's brows nearly rose into his hairline in amazement. "I… thank you I guess. I mean, thank you." He paused and felt he should say more, something to ingratiate himself with his aloof father-in-law. "Just so you know, I have no intention of accepting Blaise Zabini's offer, or any other Alpha's. I don't know if it would bother you if I was to accept another Alpha or not, as I'm not used to Alpha family dynamics, but I thought that you should know that you needn't worry. Just in case you were. Worried, that is," he trailed off clumsily, hoping that at least the sincerity of his words shone through.
Lucius finally met his gaze and gave a short nod of acknowledgement before stalking off without another word.
Harry rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips; he was going to make Lucius like him or die trying.
He glanced back towards the table to see if his plate of food was still there, and to see if Blaise was gone so that he could safely return to his abandoned meal. It appeared the Alpha had moved on so Harry swiftly made for the table once more.
"Harry!"
Harry tore his gaze away from the delicious cuisine with a sigh, quickly brightening though when he spotted Gemma standing next to him, arms behind her back, smiling shyly up at him.
"It must be time for our dance," Harry concluded, deciphering her bashfully expectant expression.
The small girl nodded and took his hand when he held it out to her.
Harry spent the next hour dancing with Gemma, laughing and tripping over his own feet as she stood on top of them and tried to guide him through proper dance steps. It was messy and uncoordinated, and Harry was almost glad that Draco wasn't there to see it because the pretentious Pureblood side of him would have been mortified.
When he was too tired to dance anymore, Harry stopped and spoke to some of the other guests, quickly growing more comfortable. Most of the guests were friendly enough, and even Sophie McDougal, Gemma's mum, thanked him for humouring her daughter and dancing with her. She even smiled at him and called him 'kind.'
Harry refused to dance with anyone else though, it just didn't feel right and no one pushed him. Even Blaise kept his distance the remainder of the evening, though he seemed to be constantly watching him from afar. Harry pointedly ignored him.
He purposefully didn't drink anything with alcohol in it the entire evening in order to keep his wits about him, as well as to not make a fool of himself. He was eventually able to eat his fill, and stood by the table conversing with Purebloods and clan members alike. Now that he was here, it was startlingly easy to keep the secret that he'd always irrationally feared would just slip out.
He noted that all of the guests were aristocratic Purebloods yet seemed easier to get along with than his father-in-law; the only one sporting a stern expression all night.
It was nearly midnight by the time Harry felt like he'd had enough and was too tired to remain a minute longer.
He found Narcissa standing next to her husband with her head resting lightly on his shoulder, a faintly pleased smile on her face as she surveyed the crowd of guests in her home.
"Thank you, for everything," he enthused with a grateful smile after telling them that he was leaving. "I had a really good time."
"Imagine that," Narcissa replied with a tiny smirk as she lifted her head, eyes dancing. She had clearly enjoyed acting the hostess; it seemed to lift her spirits and added a vivacious sparkle to her that Harry had never seen before. It was probably how she was before the war, the effervescent woman that Draco had grown up with; hosting glittering parties with posh guest lists and lively music filling his family home.
While Harry was still not that keen on sophisticated parties, he was sure he would have preferred that to his childhood with the Dursley's.
"I shall accompany you back to Hogwarts Mr. Potter," Lucius interjected formally.
Harry could see that Lucius was exhausted and he didn't want to trouble him with something so unnecessary.
Not that he would ever admit it out loud, but he also didn't want to be alone with the intimidating man. He wasn't quite ready for that.
"I'm okay, my friend Ron is meeting me at the gates," Harry lied smoothly. "Really, I'll be fine," he insisted at Lucius' dubious expression.
"Thank you for coming, despite Draco's absence," Narcissa said, slipping an arm around her husband's waist.
Harry smiled. "Yeah, I missed him," he admitted. "Might not spend the night in Gryffindor Tower after all," he added.
Narcissa smiled knowingly at him while Lucius frowned in bewilderment.
"Goodnight," Harry said, glancing between them. "And thanks again."
"Goodnight Mr. Potter."
Harry turned and made his way through the remaining guests, waving at a few of them and bidding them goodnight. All in all, the night had been a smashing success, he thought proudly, suddenly floating on a high of relief that it had gone so well - and also that it was now over.
He walked down the stairs and thanked the house-elves who held open the front doors for him. He shivered as the icy air suddenly swept right through him.
"Mr. Potter."
Harry turned to see Lucius striding towards him, a winter cloak folded carefully over one arm.
"Please use this, my wife noticed that you did not have the proper attire upon your arrival and she does not wish you to get cold on your journey home."
Harry smiled, feeling a warm glow fill him as he carefully took the garment. "Thank you," he accepted gratefully. He slipped into the warm cloak and inhaled deeply. "It's Draco's, isn't it?" he asked, recognising the scent.
Lucius nodded and Harry could've sworn he saw a flash of warm pride in his pale eyes. Lucius turned and strode back towards the stairs; back straight and blond hair a smooth curtain over his shoulder-blades.
Harry smiled after him a moment, suspecting that maybe he was growing on the man. Maybe.
Harry grinned to himself and walked out into the night, wrapped up in the warm woollen cloak and surrounded by the scent of his mate. He really was missing him. Hopefully Draco would be a little more receptive when he saw him and a little less controlled by his illogical Alpha emotions.
The night was clear and he could see millions of stars above Wiltshire as he slowly walked to the end of the gravel drive and past the large Manor gates.
He took a moment to inhale the night air into his lungs, relishing the fresh crispness of the outdoors after the warm ballroom. He exhaled on a smile and then promptly Disapparated with a loud crack.
Two large men walked out from the shadows on the outskirts of the gates and followed right behind him with two violent cracks of Disapparation.