"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Harry took a deep breath and slowly released it, his mate's concerned gaze locked on his expression, probably searching for the tiniest flicker of doubt in order to keep Harry safely locked away in the Manor for another day or two.
It had been a wonderful few days with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company and allow his body and mind to heal. Harry had felt as though he'd been able to push the pause button and finally catch his breath. The time with Draco's parents had also improved his relationship with them, especially with Lucius, who clearly felt protective of his son's mate in a way Harry never would have thought possible given their history.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," he replied, trying to ignore the heavy weight of dread in his stomach. "Let's go."
Draco nodded and took his arm before Disapparating the two of them from the Manor and back to Hogwarts.
Returning to the 'scene of the crime' wasn't an issue because Hogwarts was the scene of many crimes for Harry, but he was definitely reluctant to return because it would also mean the return of all his troubles; namely what Ron and Hermione would have to say about the recent attack on him. He was sure they would somehow blame Draco and he really wasn't eager to suffer through that argument again. He was tired of defending his mate and his choices to his best friends; they were supposed to be pillars of support in his life, not the cause for added stress.
Draco slid an arm around his shoulders as they walked up the snowy track together in silence, Draco's thumb absently stroking over the claim mark on Harry's neck.
Harry's tense expression softened slightly at the gentle contact. His scar was healing nicely; it was still an angry-looking red but smooth to the touch. In another week or two he knew it would settle into a silvery-white sheen.
Harry leaned into his mate with a sigh, absently watching the tiny sporadic snowflakes fluttering down from the grey sky above as they approached the front of the school. He was just pondering what his Christmas plans might consist of this year when Draco suddenly jerked to a stop, a low growl emanating from his lips.
Harry followed his gaze to see Blaise Zabini striding down the wide stone steps towards them, wand in hand, dark brows drawn into a forceful glare.
Draco subtly placed his body in front of Harry as he withdrew his wand and watched his house-mate approach with narrowed eyes, posture rigid and uneasy.
Harry swallowed and allowed his mate to stand in front of him; knowing that Draco's Alpha and Nundu natures compelled protective responses like this, and without his wand, Harry probably wasn't much use if it came down to a fight anyway.
Blaise came to a stop in front of them, eyes flicking briefly to Harry before settling on Draco. "You've crossed the line this time Malfoy," he said with a hard unforgiving edge to his voice.
"What are you on about Zabini?" Draco drawled, tone light but body tensed for a fight.
"You allowed your mate - an extremely prized and sought-after male Omega - to go out alone and very nearly get killed!" Blaise spat accusingly.
Harry instantly felt his temper flare in defence. "He didn't know I'd left the castle," he snapped, taking a step out from behind his mate to stand shoulder to shoulder with Draco. "I snuck out on my own and told him I'd be in Gryffindor Tower. It wasn't his fault I was attacked - it was mine."
Blaise's eyes narrowed. "A decent Alpha would've known you'd left the castle because he would have claimed you ages ago!"
Harry's hands balled into fists as he tried to restrain himself from leaping at the impertinent Alpha. "I didn't want to be claimed," he retorted. "I was the one who made us wait until I felt ready - which had nothing to do with me not wanting to be with Draco and everything to do with me not being used to Alphas and Omegas." He raised his chin defiantly. "A detail which we have now rectified by the way."
Blaise blinked in surprise at the mark on Harry's neck but quickly regained his anger as he turned back to Draco. "Even so, you can't handle Harry on your own Malfoy. Admit it, you're not up to the challenge and you need another Alpha to pick up the slack."
Harry opened his mouth furiously. "That is fucking insulting Zabini - to both of us!"
Draco calmly sheathed his wand and crossed his arms over his chest. "It doesn't appear as though Harry is interested in your offer Blaise, and by continuing this line of discussion, you're only doing more harm than good."
Blaise seemed to pause at that, some of the anger fading from the taut lines of his body, and Harry suddenly realised why Draco hadn't said anything thus far; he'd been allowing Blaise to spout off and engage Harry's temper, placing himself firmly in Harry's bad books and demonstrating what an incompatible mate he would be for the Boy-Who-Lived.
Harry hid a smirk of amusement at his cunning Slytherin mate.
"Harry, why don't you head into the castle and I'll meet you in McGonagall's office?" Draco suggested, turning to him.
Harry frowned. "Why? What are you doing?" he asked suspiciously, not wanting to leave Draco on his own.
"I would like to have a word with Blaise before I join you," he explained with a glance towards his wary house-mate.
"But we're not finished here," Blaise interrupted, a note of uncertainty creeping into his voice.
Draco straightened and faced Blaise with a stony expression. "Harry has no intention of accepting you, so he has nothing more to say and you cannot have anything more to add to this pointless conversation. You and I, on the other hand," he added with the hint of a threat, "need to resolve this matter once and for all. Without magic," he added, eyeing the way Blaise's wand hand had twitched by his side.
"What do you mean without magic?" Blaise scoffed, trying to regain some lost ground. "Are you proposing a fist fight Malfoy?"
Draco sneered. "No Zabini, we are going to have a civilised discussion like the good little Purebloods we are."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Harry spoke up, touching Draco's arm to get his attention.
Draco turned to him and his sneer relaxed into an affectionate smirk. "Of course, Zabini and I will be the very definition of gentlemen," he said, then raised his voice slightly, "particularly because he knows how much you detest violence and dominant Alpha behaviour."
Harry swallowed a snort of amusement and lifted up onto the balls of his feet to quickly kiss his mate on the lips. "Don't be long," he said, shooting Blaise a look of warning before continuing to the castle on his own.
He wasn't worried about Draco, he'd bested Blaise in a duel before if it came down to that, but he also suspected Blaise wouldn't really want to injure Harry's mate because it would only serve to push him further away from his goal of winning Harry's affections.
Harry ascended the wide stone steps, which were covered in a layer of soft powdery snow, and paused at the heavy oak doors, glancing back over his shoulder to check on Draco before heading inside.
His mate was watching him closely, ensuing that Harry made it safely into the school. Blaise was glancing between the two of them, shifting his weight from foot to foot, clearly unsettled.
Harry pushed through the doors, hoping Draco managed to get the Blaise matter resolved once and for all.
He removed his heavy winter cloak, another borrowed one from his mate, and hung it over one arm as he trekked the familiar path to the Headmistress' office to collect his wand. The password hadn't changed and he quickly stepped past the gargoyle and strode up the steep steps, careful to keep Draco's cloak from dragging over the dusty stones.
He knocked on the ancient wooden door at the top and waited for McGonagall to call him in before pushing through.
Harry hesitated just inside the doorway when he saw that the Headmistress wasn't alone. "Oh, sorry Professor, I can come- Hermione?" he said when he suddenly recognised the mane of frizzy hair over the top of the chair in front of McGonagall's desk.
She swivelled in her seat and Harry thought her expression was a tad guilty. "Hi Harry, uh… how are you?"
"Please take a seat Mr. Potter," McGonagall instructed, sitting tall and straight at her desk, expression sombre.
Harry frowned and slowly walked forward and took the empty seat next to Hermione, who was now studiously avoiding his gaze.
McGonagall folded her hands on top of her deep green ink blotter and peered at him over her spectacles. "Where is Mr. Malfoy?"
"Erm, he's just talking to Blaise for a minute, he'll be along shortly," Harry replied, nonplussed.
McGonagall nodded. "I wished to speak with you alone first in any case."
"What about?"
McGonagall cleared her throat before continuing. "Ms. Granger tells me that she has some concerns about your relationship with Mr. Malfoy."
Harry shouldn't have been surprised, he really shouldn't, but he was. He couldn't believe his friend had stooped so low as to run to the Headmistress behind his back.
"Her concerns are only speculation and based entirely on past prejudice Professor," Harry replied evenly, attempting to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"They're not!" Hermione insisted indignantly and Harry turned to stare at her. "Harry, you've been so different the past couple of months, and not just adjusting to becoming an Omega, but distancing yourself from Ron and I. You've been sad and upset, and sneaking off school grounds at night. Blaise Zabini has been suspicious of Malfoy for a long time - and now this sudden attack! You can't honestly sit there and tell me that everything is fine Harry Potter!" she finished censoriously.
Harry felt such a sudden flash of anger he was surprised he hadn't let any unintentional magic slip out to strike at her. "I haven't been distancing myself from you and Ron, I've been trying to spend time alone with my mate to strengthen our bond and to get to know each other beyond just the sexual attraction that started all this," he said through gritted teeth. "And it's been a hugeadjustment becoming an Omega, no matter how inconsequential you think it is; it's completely changed my life and my future. I can't go out alone any time I feel like it, do you know how hard that is for me to accept?" he demanded, striving to keep the self-pity out of his voice. "It's not just people out to get my autograph anymore; they want to have sex with me and some will stop at nothing to get it - regardless of whether or not I give my consent!"
"I know," Hermione said quietly, pleadingly. "But Harry, this recent attack on you… they tried to kill you. That wasn't due to your Omega inheritance. What happened between you and Professor Fischer was due to you being in heat, but this… this was something entirely different. And where was Malfoy? Why wasn't he with you?"
Harry exhaled hard, hands tensing on the thick arms of the chair, fingers causing the worn fabric to squeak in protest. "We had a disagreement-"
"Ah ha!" Hermione cried, as though that proved everything.
"- about how Draco didn't want me around Blaise because of his offer to be a secondary Alpha to me," Harry continued, glaring at the interruption. "I have refused Blaise on more than one occasion so of course Zabini is going to try to discredit Draco any chance he gets; he's determined to be my Alpha." He turned to McGonagall. "I was out alone because Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were hosting a party in our honour and I still wanted to go, even though Blaise would be there. We argued and I told Draco I would be in Gryffindor Tower and I left and went to the party at the Manor instead. I was returning to Hogwarts around midnight and that's when I was attacked. It wasn't anyone's fault but my own. I have to accept that this is the way my life is now, and I can promise you that I will never do something like that again; it's selfish and I don't want Draco to suffer. He feels so guilty over what happened, as though it's his fault."
He turned back to Hermione, scarcely able to restrain his anger the more he thought about her accusing his mate of being in any way neglectful or abusive.
"You don't know Draco like I do, and you won't give him a chance because you're still suspicious of him from the war. I understand, because I didn't trust him either, but now that he is my mate," Harry emphasised severely, "you need to stop being instantly suspicious of everything he does or of anything that happens to me. I trust him so you should trust him too. He's done nothing wrong - unlike you I might add." He paused and Hermione's cheeks flushed pink and her eyes widened. She shook her head but Harry ignored her and turned back to the Headmistress. If Hermione wanted to play this game, then he would as well. "Hermione purposely got me drunk in order to interrogate me about my relationship with Draco, hoping I would let something slip."
McGonagall turned to Hermione, brow raised and lips pursed. "Is this true Ms. Granger?"
Hermione's expression crumpled a little as she nodded. "Yes," she replied. "I was just worried," she added, quietly defensive.
"And did you attempt to discuss your concerns with Mr. Potter before resorting to such behaviour?"
"Yes, but he wouldn't say anything!"
Harry frowned. "You mean I wouldn't say anything bad!"
"You're hiding something!" Hermione exclaimed obstinately.
"I'm not hiding anything!"
"All right - enough," McGonagall ordered, unclasping her hands and placing them palms down on the surface of her desk. "Mr. Potter, I can see that Mr. Malfoy has now officially claimed you by the mark on your neck."
Harry heard the sharp intake of breath from beside him but ignored it as he stared back at McGonagall. "Yes. I asked him to," he added so that Hermione couldn't twist his words again.
"And Mr. Malfoy treats you with the respect and care with which you deserve as his mate?"
Harry couldn't believe he had to reply to these ridiculous accusations, but he swallowed his irritation and replied as calmly and sincerely as he could, hoping that this would be the last time he would have to do so. "Yes, he loves me and considers me as not just his Omega but as a true mate, as an equal." He turned to Hermione with accusing eyes. "And yes we will have the odd disagreement, what couple doesn't? You and Ron are constantly at each other's throats but that doesn't mean you're not well-suited to be together."
"Yes, but he's not-"
"I think we have heard enough from you on the subject Ms. Granger," McGonagall interrupted. "Mr. Potter has given his word that Draco Malfoy is a perfectly capable and suitable mate, and as I have had the chance to witness them together, I will take his word that that is the truth, as I have seen nothing to contradict it as such. As there is no actual evidence of mistreatment, I must ask that you not approach me again with this matter and that you two work this out in private so as not to tarnish your last year at Hogwarts. You may leave Ms. Granger."
Hermione opened her mouth and then thought better of it. With a huff, she rose from her chair and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Harry flopped back in his seat and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses with a sigh. He'd only been back in the castle for less than an hour and already he was exhausted.
McGonagall opened one of her desk drawers with a wave of her hand and withdrew Harry's wand from within.
"Thanks," Harry accepted gratefully as he took his wand from her outstretched hand, his new glasses dropping back into place on the bridge of his nose. Draco had conjured him a new pair since his old ones had gone missing during the attack.
McGonagall nodded. "And how are you feeling Harry?" she asked, her previously stern demeanour now replaced with her usual understated concern.
Harry sat back in his chair, rolling his wand between his hands with a frown. "I'm… all right. I wish the Aurors had caught the two men who attacked me; I don't like knowing that they're still out there. It seems unlikely that the Aurors will catch them now."
The Headmistress waved over a waiting tea service and poured a cup for herself and one for Harry.
"Believe me Mr. Potter, they will not stop until they find them."
"Because of who I am?" Harry replied disparagingly.
"Does it matter?"
Harry had to smile as he took the white and blue teacup from her; she had a point.
McGonagall sat back in her chair with her tea cupped in one hand. "Can you think of any reason why these men attacked you?"
Harry took a sip of the strong tea and tried not to grimace. "No," he finally said with a shake of his head. "I've been trying to come up with a reason and I can't. I dunno, maybe they're just trying to finish what Voldemort started."
The Headmistress nodded thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, that seems the likeliest motive."
"Either that or it was just utterly random and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Harry added with a shrug.
McGonagall snorted through her narrow nose, brows raised. "Nothing is by chance where you are concerned Mr. Potter."
Harry couldn't help but smile a little; that was a cynical statement but it was also the truth. He reached out and carefully spooned some sugar into his tea.
"I must admit, when I first heard that you and Mr. Malfoy were bonded, I had my doubts," she ruminated, tilting her head to one side and regarding him shrewdly. "But I can see how you balance each other. You've both had your struggles in life and have come out the better for it, and Mr. Malfoy has greatly impressed me with the way he has stood beside you, despite what the public, and even his parents, may have wanted."
Harry grinned at this assessment of his mate; he was proud of everything Draco had become as well.
McGonagall smirked. "And I can see from that pleased smile that you are happy with him."
Harry could feel his cheeks flushing but the grin stuck. "Yeah, I… I'm happy. Even his parents are treating me well."
"Glad to hear it, I doubt I would've believed that if it hadn't come from your own lips."
Harry laughed.
"And do not worry yourself over Ms. Granger," McGonagall continued. "She has become too accustomed to being your surrogate mother over the years and now that Mr. Malfoy has taken on the role of protector and closest confidante, I believe it's hard for her to let go. You three have had a lot of adventures together and she may be looking for a mystery to solve where there is none. The fact that this is your last year before going out into the real world may be on her mind more than she realises."
Harry nodded, knowing Hermione wouldn't get any sympathy from him after the way she'd behaved.
"Are you still thinking of becoming an Auror?"
Before Harry could reply, there was a light knock at the door.
"Enter!"
Harry nearly upset his tea at the barked command but he quickly recovered and turned to see Draco opening the door. He looked his mate over for any obvious signs of injury but could see nothing; Draco's expression was calm and unruffled.
Draco walked over and took a seat in Hermione's vacated chair, sliding it across the rough flagstone floor to bump up against Harry's.
Harry rolled his eyes at him but smiled, relieved to see that he was okay.
"Good morning Mr. Malfoy, glad you could join us," McGonagall greeted. "I was just asking Mr. Potter about his plans for next year."
Harry turned back to her, shifting in his chair uncomfortably. "Oh right, well… I was thinking of maybe not joining the Auror Department …"
"Oh?"
Harry set his empty cup down on the desk. "I… sort of don't want to chase Dark Wizards any more. I think I would appreciate a more…" he glanced briefly at Draco, "quiet life."
The corner of Draco's mouth curved up into a smile and his grey eyes warmed.
Harry quickly turned back to McGonagall before his melting heart forced him to babble something embarrassingly saccharine. "Not that raising children will be quiet, I suppose."
The Headmistress couldn't help but chuckle and Harry glanced at Dumbledore's portrait over McGonagall's head to see the old wizard's blue eyes twinkling merrily in his direction.
Harry smiled.
"I believe you've earned the right to do whatever you please Mr. Potter," McGonagall finally replied, surprising him, her own eyes as close to twinkling as they would ever get as she looked back at him. "Are you well enough to attend class this morning Potter or would you like the day off before joining the masses again?"
"I think I'll be fine," Harry replied honestly, wishing to return to 'normal' as soon as possible.
"Good, our new Defence professor is starting today and it would be a shame for you to miss out on his first lesson."
"Oh?" Harry replied with interest. "Who is it?"
McGonagall smiled as she set down her tea and then rose from her chair. "If I told you that, then you would have an unfair advantage over the rest of your classmates."
Harry grinned. "I guess I'd better go to class then. I think I'll be fine - as long as Hermione keeps away from me."
Draco frowned, glancing between them. "What has Granger done now?" he asked, and though his tone was unchanging it was clearly a demand.
"The usual," Harry replied as he got to his feet with a yawn, "sticking her nose where it doesn't belong."
Draco stood and McGonagall held up a hand to halt him.
"Mr. Potter mentioned that Blaise Zabini offered himself as a secondary Alpha, and that Mr. Zabini has been somewhat… persistent in his pursuit of Mr. Potter. Is this true?"
Draco nodded sharply, eyes growing cold. "Yes, unfortunately."
"And were you or were you not just speaking with Mr. Zabini?" she asked.
"I was," Draco replied with a nod.
"And… you are both in one piece?" she enquired with a raised brow.
A hint of Draco's trademark smirk reappeared. "Yes, all limbs accounted for."
McGonagall nodded. "All right, you may go. If you need to leave the castle Mr. Potter, please have someone else with you at all times," she said firmly, gaze flicking to Draco.
"Yes Professor," Harry replied, only too willing to comply.
Harry slid his wand into the waistband of his trousers and clasped Draco's hand as they exited the cluttered circular office together.
As soon as they were out in the corridor, Harry interrogated him about his meeting with Blaise.
"Okay, what really happened?"
Draco smirked loftily as they made their way to their room to gather their books for class. "I simply explained the situation to him; that you abhor heavy-handed Alpha behaviour and people who completely disregard what you say and what you want, so he was going about winning your affections all wrong. I told him that you only desired one Alpha, but an extra set of eyes on you would be very beneficial right now, as your life was still in danger."
Harry stopped abruptly. "Wait, what?"
Draco slowed and glanced over his shoulder, smirk still firmly in place. "Oh yes, I fully intend to take advantage of the fact that he fancies you."
"By… making him think that he has a chance if he just pretends to be a good match for me?" Harry asked disbelievingly.
Draco walked back and took him by the hand, pulling him onwards. "I didn't actually tell him that you may change your mind, but you do need extra protection right now, so who am I to turn down such an offer?"
Harry shook his head. "So you don't have any problem with Blaise constantly following me around, thinking that he has a chance at being my Alpha?" he asked incredulously. He wasn't cross, per se, extra protection was a good idea, especially with Hermione not on speaking terms with him right now, but he didn't think Draco would be able to handle it.
"It will be trying," his mate admitted, "but I also don't plan on leaving your side except during our separate classes."
"Then why accept his help if you're going to be with me at all times anyway?" Harry asked before yawning, his jaw cracking with the force of it.
Draco's expression darkened. "Because if someone inside this school had anything to do with the attempt on your life, then the more ears listening out for condemning whispers the better."
Harry finally understood; this was about more than just extra protection; it was about finding the ones responsible by any means possible, even if it meant recruiting Blaise Zabini to the cause.
His Nundu mate wanted revenge and he wanted it as swiftly as possible.
"All right," Harry acquiesced without a fight. He was quickly learning when to protest and when to just let it go because it was something his Alpha needed to do.
If Draco was surprised by Harry's capitulation, he didn't show it.
Harry yawned again, stumbling a little over his own feet. "All this talking has worn me out," he said wearily, "I don't know how I'm going to get through all of my classes today, the new professor is going to think I'm completely useless…"
Harry trailed off, eyes widening and heart suddenly leaping into his throat. He stopped walking abruptly, causing Draco to stop and look at him in concern.
"Harry?"
"What's the date today?" Harry asked in a rush.
"The… seventeenth, I believe."
Harry swallowed, trying to search out a familiar feeling or recognizable symptom deep within him.
"Harry, what is going on?" Draco demanded with a frown.
Harry looked at him. "I feel really tired… Like, reallytired."
Draco's grey eyes widened as comprehension dawned. "Is it because you're still recovering? It's two days early."
"I know," Harry replied, trying not to sound hysterical; he wasn't ready to go into heat again. "But Pomfrey said my cycle might be affected because of what happened last time… If I'm tired now then I'll probably go into heat tonight or tomorrow," he said slowly, trying to work it out without panicking.
Draco seemed to snap out of his shock and quickly took Harry by the hand. "All right, let's get you to our room."
Harry could feel his mate's tension through their joined hands; Draco clearly didn't want a repeat of the last time Harry went into heat.
"Our room?" Harry questioned, suddenly realising what Draco had said. "Why would we go there? I'll get pregnant."
Draco seemed to have a sudden coughing fit.
"We have that isolation room for you for this purpose, remember?" he finally managed to get out.
Harry instantly put on the brakes and stopped cold. "No," he rejected stridently, shaking his head. "I won't go in there."
"Why not?"
Harry swallowed and glanced around, but luckily they were still alone in the corridor. "I…erm, I don't like small spaces."
Draco scrutinised him intently, as though performing Legilimency. "Why do I think there's more to that statement than you're letting on?"
Harry felt an unrelenting sluggishness begin to creep over him, confirming his suspicions. He sighed. "Take me to the infirmary and I'll tell you."
Draco nodded, and, without another word, they began to make their way up to the hospital wing. They passed by other students on their way to class, and received some curious looks. Everyone knew of the attack on Harry by now, but no one approached them. The scowl on Draco's face was probably keeping even the bravest student at bay.
They met Madam Pomfrey just as she was coming out of her office.
"Good morning gentlemen, what can I do for you today?" she said in greeting, and then narrowed her eyes at Harry who was busily covering up another yawn. "How are you feeling Mr. Potter?"
"He's recovered from the attack but it seems he's now going into heat early," Draco answered wryly.
"Never a dull moment," the matron uttered under her breath as she immediately led the way over to the closest bed and sat Harry down.
She proceeded to check Harry over; peering into his eyes, checking his pulse, and then running a few diagnostic spells. Everything pointed to Harry indeed going into heat within the next twenty-four hours.
Harry greeted this news with a groan, even though he'd been expecting it.
Pomfrey readied the quarantine room while Harry stood near the doorway with Draco.
He didn't like the size of the infirmary's quarantine room either, but it was larger and brighter than the one attached to his and Draco's bedroom. It was definitely his preferred choice. He shuddered just thinking about locking himself away in that other tiny, dark room.
"Are you going to be okay?" Draco asked as Harry eyed the white sterile room beyond the open doorway with trepidation.
"Don't have much choice, do I?"
Draco looked up as Madam Pomfrey walked back out. "Could we put a window in the door?" he asked her.
"Whatever for?"
Draco glanced at Harry before replying, "so that we may communicate while he's in there."
"You will be going to class Mr. Malfoy," she replied as she waved her wand at a nearby cupboard and directed a few phials over to her free hand.
"No, I'm staying with Harry," he replied steadfastly. "He's not going through this alone."
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "You really shouldn't be anywhere near your mate while he's in heat Mr. Malfoy, it will not be easy on you either." She rubbed her temple and emitted another heavy sigh. "Fine, you may stay, but I cannot put a window in that door; Mr. Potter will not be fit to be seen if another student wanders in here."
"What about a vent or something?" Harry asked. "Just so we can talk?"
"A vent will allow your scent to come through…" she replied, eyeing Draco dubiously.
"He can handle it," Harry replied firmly. "He carried me here while I was in heat the last time."
"That is true," she assented with a nod. "All right, I'll create a small vent. Mr. Malfoy, you may place a bed here by the door and stay for the duration - however if I deem your presence to be harmful to Mr. Potter, or if your behaviour is in any way unseemly, then I will ask you to leave. By force if necessary."
"Of course," Draco instantly agreed.
Harry smiled in relief, glad that he wouldn't have to go through this alone.
Draco used his wand to slide one of the empty beds over to the door while Pomfrey gave Harry some instructions on the potions she was leaving in the room for him; one of them was a mild Calming Draught and the other was a Cooling Potion, meant to keep his core temperature at a more comfortable level. She created a small metal vent in the bottom half of the door, with about six slats the width of a finger, and then waited with crossed arms to ensure that Harry actually went into the room. Alone.
Draco glared at her and Harry would have laughed if he hadn't been so nervous. He walked over and demanded a hug from his tall Alpha, distracting him from his glowering.
Draco quickly wrapped his arms around him and lowered his face into Harry's wild hair, inhaling his scent and causing pleasant shivers to run down Harry's spine. Draco dropped his head even lower and pressed his lips to the claiming mark.
Harry had to bite his lip to keep from moaning out loud. Merlin, that claiming mark was sensitive.
"You'll be fine," Draco murmured for his ears only. "I'll be right here the whole time."
Harry smiled and closed his eyes as he tightened his arms around his mate. How could Hermione ever question whether or not Draco cared for him?
"I love you," Harry murmured before pressing a warm kiss to the side of Draco's neck. He pulled back and smirked up at him. "Don't do anything unseemly."
Draco snorted. "Don't make me."
"All right, off with you," Madam Pomfrey interrupted impatiently. "I haven't got all day."
Draco pressed one more lingering kiss to Harry's lips before reluctantly stepping back, fingers entangled with his mate's until the very last second and then falling away.
Harry sighed and walked into his new home for the next couple of days. He hoped his heat would only last for twenty-four hours, but he'd read that some Omega heats can last up to three days.
Madam Pomfrey closed the door and locked it with a wave of her wand.
Harry took a deep breath and eyed the glossy black cord hanging next to the door. It was for emergencies only; if Harry pulled the cord then Madam Pomfrey would instantly be notified and come to unlock the door. Harry had relinquished his wand to the matron for safe-keeping and he suddenly felt very vulnerable without it.
He exhaled slowly and decided to change into the clean pyjamas that were neatly folded on the end of the bed. Once dressed, he walked back over to the door and sat down, leaning sideways against it and tracing the metal vent with his finger.
"Harry?"
Harry smiled tiredly and stuck the tip of his finger through the slat. "Yeah?"
Strange though it was, the barely there touch of his mate's finger to his was instantly calming.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Harry replied honestly, tipping his head sideways to rest against the door, idly watching his hand pressed to the cool surface of the vent. "I'll probably fall asleep soon."
He heard a slight shuffling, as though Draco was getting more comfortable on his side of the door.
"That's good, perhaps you'll just sleep through it?"
Harry smiled a little, eyes falling closed. "That would be nice."
There was a soft chuckle through the vent. "You're very cute when you're sleepy."
"Am not," Harry protested half-heartedly.
"Are you all right in there? It's a… a small space."
Harry opened his eyes and nudged his finger against Draco's. "Yeah, it's okay, much better than the one in our rooms. And... and it really helps that you're here."
Harry's finger was lightly bumped in return and he smiled.
"So are you going to tell me what your claustrophobia stems from? Is it… was it something to do with the war?"
Harry blinked and suddenly felt a little more alert; they'd never really talked about the war much since they got together, not about individual experiences anyway. Just sort of general things. Safer things.
"Er… not the war, no," Harry finally replied hesitantly. He'd brushed off his time with the Dursley's when talking to Draco about them before, mostly because he really didn't want to admit that he'd had an abusive childhood. It was a hard thing to admit, even to himself, and for some reason he also found it embarrassing.
Yet, in that moment, he found that he suddenly wantedDraco to know the truth. His mate should know everything about him, especially the lingering trauma of growing up with a family who didn't want him and of having never felt loved.
"Remember when I told you that my Muggle relatives weren't very nice to me?"
"Hated you, I believe were your words," came the dispassionate reply.
"Well, as part of their 'hating me and treating me like rubbish' regime, they put me in the cupboard under the stairs and called it my bedroom until the age of twelve. They also locked me in there whenever they didn't wish to be bothered with my presence or felt I'd done something wrong, like not ironing their clothing to perfection. Sometimes I even went a day or two without eating…" Harry's breathing hitched and he clamped down on the bitter wave of anger and self-pity. He paused and took a steadying breath. "So, I have a bit of a claustrophobia thing - mostly because I would spend my time locked in there terrified that my uncle was about to throw open the door and beat me within an inch of my life."
Harry stopped speaking, his chest rising and falling too rapidly, heart pounding. He'd said too much… why had he said that?
There was silence on the other side of the door.
Harry closed his eyes and counted, he was not going to panic in here. Not now.
If only Draco would fucking say something…
Harry stopped counting and opened his eyes at the sudden stroke of Draco's fingertip against his own; solid and reassuring.
"Salazer, I wish I could open this fucking door."
Harry half-sobbed, half-laughed; Draco was angry and frustrated and wanted to get to him. Harry's heart soared as he pressed his fingertip back against his mate's. Draco wasn't disgusted with him or deterred from being with him because of his past or his odd mental issues. Not that he truly believed he would be put off by something like that, but sometimes his heart just wasn't as rational as his mind.
"I really really want to destroy those Muggles."
Harry snorted, feeling lighter. "Get in line." He paused and then frowned. "But… don't really do anything to them. They're not worth going to Azkaban for Draco."
"I'm going to assume that these Muggles of yours are extraordinarily uptight and would be most displeased if, say, their much hated and unwelcome nephew, came waltzing up to their door holding hands with his strikingly handsome gay lover. Am I right?"
Harry laughed, the door rattling with the force of his shaking shoulders. "Yes, they would be mortified."
"Perfect. It's decided then."
Harry laughed and shook his head. Merlin, he loved that man. Especially because he knew Draco was being perfectly serious.
"You're going to be a great father," Harry said derisively. "I can see it now, teaching the little buggers every sly trick and haughty expression in the book."
"I'm sure some your noble, self-sacrificing ways will pass on to at least one or two of them," was the smug reply.
Harry smiled; he would never tell Draco this, but, he loved picturing their future children. His smile faded as he suddenly remembered his earlier concerns.
"Do you think…" He had to stop and try again. "Do you think our children will be targeted?"
"What do you mean?" Draco asked, sounding concerned.
Harry yawned, his lethargy washing over him in a sudden wave. "It just seems like both of us are constantly targeted because of who we are. What if… what if our children are made to suffer because of who their parents are?"
He heard a soft sigh on the other side of the door before Draco spoke again. "I think that's just something we're going to have to be aware of and talk to them about," he replied.
Harry was surprised that he so readily agreed, he'd thought Draco would just try to gloss over it and tell him not to worry.
"You don't… resent that about me, do you?"
Harry frowned as he tiredly rested his head against the door again. "Resent what?"
"For… you know, being a Malfoy and an ex Death Eater. You wouldn't worry about your children being targeted if you were bonded to, say, some quiet Hufflepuff boy no one'd ever heard of."
Harry closed his eyes and curled a little tighter against the door, as though he could feel his mate's strong, warm body against him. "I think they would still be picked on and bullied with just the Potter name attached to them," he replied. "I don't think the Malfoy name is going to make it worse; it might actually help in keeping some people at a distance." He sighed. "There will always be people out there who wished the other side had won and who would love to accomplish what Voldemort was unable to. I don't think it matters what side you were on during the war because there will always be two sides."
There was a lengthy pause and then, "maybe we should move to Australia?"
Harry smiled and he could feel his mind growing fuzzy and slow. "Okay, Australia it is. Running away from your problems is always… the best course… of… action," he finished around another yawn.
"Don't fall asleep on the floor Potter," Draco ordered gently. "Why don't you get into bed? I'll be right here in my very own comfortable hospital-issued bed."
Harry snorted in amusement, half-asleep. He forced his eyes open and dragged his sorry arse up off of the floor and over to his own narrow bed. He flopped down onto the squeaky mattress and lay on his stomach, arms curling around the pillow and holding it tight as he quickly drifted off, safe in the knowledge that his mate was just on the other side of the door.