Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Draco took small, unsteady steps along the dark path as he attempted to wiggle from his captor’s tight grip for the fifth time. All he could see was darkness as the bag that had been shoved over his head remained tightly fastened. When he was pushed once again, he looked to his left, not knowing what his kidnapper looked like, but he knew it was an Alpha from the disgusting smell alone.

“You don’t have to be an asshole, wanker,” he said, expecting the snarl beside him. He rolled his eyes at the sound. Why did alphas always think they were so scary, showing their fangs and growling?

The stop was sudden, almost causing him to trip as his arms were let go, and he heard the sound of footsteps approaching before he was yanked down onto a seat and the bag was ripped off his head. He squinted into the dimly lit room with black walls and little else. The only thing inside was a large, black chair that looked more like a conjured shadow from the depths of purgatory. That wasn’t the scary part though. No, what really made his hands tighten on the seat and his breath hitch was the huge Alpha sitting on it.

“Long time no see, Malfoy. How have you been?” Harry had his legs crossed and a pleasant smile on his face as the guards stationed on both sides of him became as still as statues.

“Hm, it was a pleasant morning before you kidnapped me,” he replied, his hand gripping the plain wooden chair like a lifeline at the Alpha’s chuckle. It had been years since he had last seen the raven in person and like all alpha’s, puberty had turned him into a half-giant with sharp fangs and an asshole personality.

“Well, you see, I figured this was the only way we could have a proper meeting.” Harry snapped his fingers, the brown haired guard taking a white parchment from his back pockets and handing it to him. “Really wanted to discuss this new…entry of yours.”

“You know, most people send an owl.” Draco stared at the newspaper with last week’s publication date. The title said, ’Say No To Dark Lord, Potter.’ That had been a brilliant title at the moment, but now the blond was starting to regret it.

“We both know I’m not most people, Draco.” Harry stood up to his full six feet, five inches, making Draco tilt his head up, heart beating in the rhythm of a speeding train as the Alpha approached him with slow, steady steps.

Fuck! His mother may have been right and he was going to die because of this damn article. She would say ‘I told you so’ during his funeral with a well thought out lecture on how he was an idiot.

Draco leaned back when Harry hovered an inch away, the alpha held out the article with an expectant nod. Too terrified to do more than inch back, he wondered how long he could hold his breath and not blink.

“Well?” Harry motioned for him to take the article

When Draco took the paper with shaking hands, Harry went back to his seat and placed his hands on his lap with a smile.. “Go ahead.”

Draco looked down at the parchment in his hands, glancing at it before looking back at Harry. “Are you saying I can go?”

Harry laughed as though Draco had said the most comical thing. Well to be fair it was worth a shot and most likely better then the blond asking him what the fuck he was talking about. Go ahead and what exactly? Did he want him to rip up the article?

“Read it,” Harry said.

Draco blinked. “Read…it?”

Harry only smiled.

“I wrote it,” he said, trying his best to keep the tone neutral. Was the Gryffindor insinuating that he had a memory problem? It had only been a damn week. His annoyance flew right out the window when Harry snapped his fingers, and the guards came closer.

Draco’s head snapped back down as he began reading the article. “‘History that has been forgotten is destined to repeat itself within the wizarding world. The fact that we could allow one person to have absolute control over our wants, fears, and hopes is a travesty that will only bring everlasting tragedy for generations to come.” He took a deep breath and licked his lips, glancing up at Potter for a brief moment before continuing. “We first called Potter our Saviour, our Protector, and now our minister It seems we will very shortly call him our Dark Lord…look Potter I—,”

His mouth snapped closed at Harry’s raised palm. He glanced at the two goons once more.

“We have allowed Potter to use the excuse of fixing our world to spread corruption and fear among the population with rules that seem to pass because he commanded them to. We no longer have the option to choose, only to obey, but no one should ever have the right to take away our free will. If we do not want another war fought, more lives lost, and our freedom snuffed out, then say no to the Reelection of Minister Potter, or better yet, say no to Dark Lord Potter.”

He finished, lowering the paper on his lap.

There was a moment of silence, and then slow claps filled the room.

“Truly, such beautiful words, Malfoy. I felt so many emotions reading it that I had to hear it from the source!”

Draco glared at the amusement on the Alpha’s face, but didn’t dare reply.

“Say no to Dark Lord Potter! Brilliant!” He jumped out of the chair, laughing in a way that made shivers run down the blond.

“Seems you’re proving me right.” He was seething. He was one of the top journalists in the wizarding world! Who the bloody hell did Harry think he was mocking? Sure, he had the advantage at the moment, but still!

“Ah,” Harry wiggled his fingers. “Not yet, but that’s the plan. I honestly can’t believe I didn’t think about it before.”

“What are you talking about?” Draco couldn’t help the way his stomach clenched as a wave of foreboding went through him. The Alpha didn’t look entirely sane at the moment, and his words made no sense.

“Ah, well, you gave me a great idea. Why try to go around these peaky rules and change laws when I can simply crush people’s free will?”

“Yeah, been there, seen that, remember how that didn’t turn out so well?” Draco tried his best not to roll his eyes even as the room began filling up with the scent of a distressed omega. Harry breathed it in, closing his eyes for a moment before they opened to a deep blood red that had Draco gasping.

“Hm, but you see my dear omega, there are two components,” Harry said, lifting two fingers, “missing that will guarantee my success. One,” he took a step closer, making Draco want to scoot the chair back. “You will have no saviour, and two,” He took another step, getting right in front of Draco and leanedg in until their faces were inches apart. “That freedom you speak of? Well, you’re going to help me steal it.”

Draco snarled and slammed his forehead against Harry’s, the pain only bearable because of the wince from the Alpha. “Why the bloody hell would I help you?”

He could hear the guards move forward, but Harry stopped them with a look. He didn’t seem bothered by the blonde at all, keeping their foreheads together with a wide smile that showed off his razor-sharp fangs.“Oh? Did I accidentally word it as a choice? Don’t worry, I’m working on that.”

Draco showed off his own set of smaller, but just as sharp, fangs to the Alpha, who proceeded to wink at him. Fuck, Potter had turned into some lunatic over the years without anyone noticing, or perhaps it was more that no one wanted to see it. When a problem is shown, a solution needs to be discovered, but if you pretend the problem never existed, will…as they say, ignorance is bliss.

“You think Ron and Herm—,”

Draco yelled out as powerful hands yanked his hair and forced his head up to stare into eyes that were filled with so much rage he had to keep down the whimper that almost left his throat.

“It would be in your best interest not to mention those names around me, okay, Omega”

Draco could feel his pulse catch in between his lungs as he stared at Potter. His body may have been affected by the overwhelming scent of the Alpha, but his eyes did not waver. Voldemort had fucked him up no doubt, but he had also taught him an important lesson.

Never cower against those who oppose you.

Their stare off was one filled with tension as Harry looked for any type of submission, and Draco gave him none. With a smile, he let go of the blond locks and turned away from him with a measured breath.

“There are three rules you will follow here,” Harry said, snapping his fingers.

Draco jerked back when a wall of text started floating in mid air. The raven hadn’t used a spell or his wand. That conclusion was another unfortunate truth the blond now knew. Harry Potter could do wandless magic and it seems without effort.

“First rule, you shall never lie to me.”

The words started swirling around in rapid succession. Draco felt dizzy just staring at them. Without warning, they slammed into his chest, causing a choked gasp to leave his lips. His insides were burning, at least that’s what it felt like, as a pain like no other started spreading.

“Second, you shall follow my orders as long as I say please, Draco.”

The next words slammed into him even harder. He leaned forward as he clutched his chest and fell onto the cold floor. He wanted to scream, but even that was too much for him as tears gathered in the corner of his eyes. He had never felt such piercing pain before as the dark curse bound his heart tight.

“And third.” Harry approached him, lifting his head with eyes that were completely devoid of emotion. He wiped the one tear that managed to flow down the blonde’s cheeks. “ If I die, so do you.” With those final words, the curse was complete, a tiny thorned rose appearing like a tattoo on Draco’s chest.

He could feel the world getting fuzzy, feeling as though a part of his magic had been drained. The pain was beginning to subside quickly, much to Draco’s relief, but something else was replacing it.

Panic.

What the hell just happened? It was weird, but it’s as though he could feel the Alpha’s presence in the corner of his mind. “What did you do to me?” He croaked. Rough hands wrapped around his waist, lifting him in a bridal carry before he could struggle.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Harry murmured. Draco was plastered on a warm chest, Harry’s scent of wood after a rainy day intoxicating. He tried to think, focus his mind, but it was all becoming fuzzy as he was taken to an unknown destination.

Will power, unfortunately, wasn’t enough, and soon the blond lost the battle with darkness.

___xox___

Draco stared out of the wide, square window that had been cleaned so well that one would think if you leaned too far, one would fall ten stories down to their imminent demise. He couldn’t help glaring up at the sky, wondering if the gods were finding some kind of amusement at his expense. When he dreamed of being kidnapped by some damn Alpha, and thrown on a bed he did not mean this, plus he had grown out of such a ridiculous thought after puberty.

He had woken up what felt like hours ago on a satin sheet bed that overtook most of the room though the bed didn’t have much competition with only a small dingy desk in the corner, and a closet to the side. Trying the door had been futile, and he knew better than to look for his wand here. Without magic, he was as helpless as a Muggle, and that thought was not a pleasant one.

Draco rubbed his temple, the throbbing relentless as he glanced over to the water perched on the desk. Potter needed him, so he doubted the Gryffindor would poison him, but one could never be too sure Thissituation had left him unsure about a lot of things, but most of all Potter’s mental state. Still, the water almost looked too enticing for his dry throat, but he knew that if he drank each swallow would be painful and it would only get worse.

The sound of a knock had the blond jolting as he swivelled to the door that opened with a small creak. A female house elf strolled in with her hair tied in a tight bun and a simple white dress on. “Lord Potter is requesting your presence at dinner.” The message was simple and short as she waited at the door for him.

Draco’s glare was lethal as he approached the house elf, who remained as still as a statue. “Tell your lord the only place I will be going is straight to the ministry to report him.” The elf paused as though wanting to say something, but instead nodded her head, closing the door.

Did Potter seriously think he was just going to obey his command like some servant? If so, he had another thing coming! Draco looks around the room searching for any weapons he could use if the Alpha decided to come up himself. Sure, he would be at a disadvantage trying it the muggle way, but he wasn’t going to sit around waiting either. His eyes landed on the brown nightstand.

It would have to do.

He placed the cup of water on the ground, first testing the weight of the nightstand by attempting to lift it an inch. It was a slim thing, having only one drawer for storage and tiny legs that only reached Draco’s lower torso. He wouldn’t have trouble carrying it, but holding it up for long periods may prove to be difficult. He was far weaker than usual because of the recoil from the curse. With a grunt, he lifted it as high as he could, approaching the door and hiding off to the side. If he could catch Potter or whoever opened it by surprise, maybe he could make his escape.

A few minutes ticked by as the blond held his weapon on wobbly arms. He regretted ignoring the water now, as his throat gave a particular dry swallow that had his lungs on fire. It didn’t take long for his opportunity to come as he heard two soft knocks on the door. Draco took a deep breath, lifting the nightstand higher as the door opened, covering him fully. The same house elf walked in, her round eyes and round face very childlike as she assessed the room. She gasped, concluding it to be empty as her eyes frantically looked around.

Draco took a silent step forward . This was his moment to strike! That way he could make his escape—hopefully—without alerting anymore. Knocking the elf unconscious was the smart move, the best move. Even so, the blond couldn’t help but hesitate as he looked at the house elf’s back. After all, the door was wide open and he could just run out, so was not alerting Potter a good enough reason to harm her? He knew better than anyone how hard it was to resist orders from someone you deemed your lord.

Draco’s arms wobbled, hitting the door with a loud thud. His hesitation had cost him as the elf spun around, a gasp turning into a scream, when he threw the nightstand on the ground. It crashed at her feet as he ran out the door, his heart pounding.

“Mr. Malfoy! Wait!”

Like he would be stupid enough to do that. He didn’t bother with his surroundings, taking a right and running down the hallway looking for a door, any door that looked like an exit. He could hear more shouting in the distance that seemed to grow farther away as he blazed through.

He willed his legs to go even faster.

The wide expense of dark walls made the hallway feel like a never ending maze, the eerie portraits only affirming that statement when they came into view. He could hear footsteps behind him and the scent of Alphas, which meant they were already looking for him. Great.

He hid behind a black corridor when the footsteps got closer. Fuck! He needed to think of something now. He held his breath as the sound of voices reached him.

“Any sign of him?”

“No, but he has to be here somewhere.”

“The ward didn’t waver, so he’s not close to the exit.”

He peeked out of the column, looking at the guards in full black robes and masks. They all looked much bigger and taller than him, but being an omega usually guaranteed that most betas and Alphas would be. There was one thing they couldn’t beat him in though…

Speed.

As they approached his direction, he waited for them to pass, eyes on the last guard’s robe. He had his wand holstered on his side by some kind of belt. It seems they weren’t planning on using wands to subdue him. Perhaps he was being underestimated, because he was an omega. Or maybe it was because they knew he didn’t have his wand. Whatever it was, Draco was going to show them how wrong they were.

He dashed forward, the sound of his bare feet loud on the cold tiles. The guards turned around, hands already on their belts, but it was too late. Draco pulled out the ginger-haired guards’ wands, before pushing him forwards—as a shield—when the other guards yelled out “Stupify!” The guard in front of him yelled out, his body slamming back from the spell. Draco almost lost his balance at the dead weight, but he pushed him forward, the stunned auror going down face first.

As he dropped, Draco used the wand to yell out his own Stupify! in rapid succession. The other two both hit the ground simultaneously as Draco panted, his arms shaking. His magic was still recovering, but he was determined to push through.

He looked down at them, smirking. “Too easy.” He wouldn’t be able to revel in his victory long, as the sound of more footsteps grew closer. He looked down the hall, beginning to run forward, when his chest pulsed. Draco stifled his gasp as he clutched at the stabbing pain coming from the mark.

Running away already? Naughty Omega

He clutched at his head, gritting his teeth at Potter’s voice. Looking around, he didn’t spot the raven anywhere, but he had to be close.

The curse allows me to talk to you from anywhere, actually, it’s a perk.

Bloody hell, he could read his thoughts, too? Draco needed to leave now. He forced his feet forward, losing time as the guards seemed to be right behind him now.

“He’s over there!”

Shit! Draco glanced behind him, seeing one guard point a few feet away. He tried to go faster, stumbling when another piercing pain hit him. The mark just kept heating his chest, like a fire burning stronger each second.

While I enjoy the entertainment, I have a dinner in thirty minutes, so stay still, please, Draco.

Draco’s back jolted straight, his body frozen in an instant. It’s as if he was paralyzed, his wide eyes being the only thing that could move. What the fuck was going on? How could his body turn into some statue at Potter’s command? His eyes wavered as understanding dawned on him.

The guards arrived seconds later, surrounding him with wands pointed in every direction. One particular guard wearing a red mask instead of black, gestured for them to lower their wands. He couldn’t even speak as they got closer. A shadow of a tall figure appeared on the wall in front of him, before Harry came out of it. The guards paused immediately, bowing.

“Lord!” they all yelled out, looking at his feet.

Harry didn’t bother looking at them, His eyes only for Draco as he approached the blond with slow, steady steps as though he had all the time in the world. Draco’s heart was fighting to be free, as the scent of the Alpha took over his senses. He looked up at the smiling raven with shaky eyes.

“Speak, please Draco..

“Bloody merlin you—How…!”

Harry leaned toward him, his smile widening. “ Ah, you finally understand. Good boy,” he purred, his tone low, coaxing in Draco’s ears.

Draco wanted to run, scream, maybe both. But he couldn’t will himself to move. To even take a step. Potter had full control of his body. Not even he could conjure up a worse nightmare. “A demon bond.” he spat, the words alone making him feel nauseous.

“So smart, that’s why I picked you. I will become the ruler within this world, and you will help to make it come true, otherwise, till death do us part.”

“I’ll kill you,Potter!”

“Oh? I didn’t take you for a martyr.” He patted Draco’s Hair. “That title’s already taken, don’t you think?”

Draco begged the vomit to hit Harry’s perfectly tailored black suit, but it remained stuck in his throat, air becoming a struggle as he willed it back in his lungs. He would have no choice but to be Potter’s shadow until the deal was complete. “It’s suppose to be only possible willingly how—,”

Harry placed a finger to his lips stopping any further questions, but Draco wasn’t one to be silenced.

He opened his mouth, biting down hard.

Harry winced, his eyes flickering red for a brief moment. “Bad, Slytherin, bad.” His other hand gripped Draco’s cheeks, forcing him to loosen his fangs. The finger came out with a wet plop, blood dripping from the middle. “Now don’t pout, I can’t tell you all my secrets so soon.”

“Fuck you,” If he could lift a finger there would be only one for, Potter, no perhaps two, the other he could use to shove up his arrogant ass! Wait…why didn’t that sound right.

Harry chuckled, brushing a piece of hair from Draco’s face. “For someone so pretty, you’re awfully violent.”

Draco sneered. “Unfreeze me and I’ll show you how much more violent I can be.”

Right. He’d forgotten the Alpha could read his thoughts. Well, then, he’d just think of a hundred ways to kill the raven until one of them stuck. Let Potter enjoy the previews.

One day, Draco would make one of them real.

“Well that…disturbing.” Harry murmured.

He wanted to laugh, almost. This was what the raven considered disturbing? At least he had done something to mess the prick’s peace..

Harry pulled out a pocket watch and frowned. “Alright, no more reconnecting. Unfreeze,, but be a good boy and walk with me please, Draco.”

The magic surged through the blond, his body jerking forward onto Harry’s chest. His fist went flying towards the raven, but it stopped just an inch away.

He waggled a finger. “Now good boys don’t hit, do they.”

Harry turned away from him. The guards remained bowing, not daring to move without consent from their lord.

“Follow.”

As Harry began walking, Draco gritted his teeth as he willed his feet not to move forward. He could feel the magic growing stronger because of his resistance.”Fuck!” It forced him forward, running until he was in perfect pace with Potter. The guards followed behind him like a ten wizard army.

The blond could only glare at the raven, who gave him a wink as they strolled through the halls. His mind was a confusing mess of trying to remember facts he had read long ago about a demon bond and how the hell he was going to get out of it. When someone has access to every part of your soul, how do you fight it? He glanced at Potter, looking to see if the raven was reading his thoughts, but there was no reaction from him. His face was neutral, empty.

A groan was heard up ahead, the guards that had been stupefied waking up. It should have taken them at least an hour; his magic must be even more depleted than he first thought. Any icy chill went through him, his head throbbing.

Harry’s wand was out so quickly, the blond jumped as he yelled out, “Crucio.” The spell hits the guard in the center. His back jerked off the floor, a scream echoing through the walls. It seemed the yell was enough to fully wake up the rest, their eyes snapping open. The brown-haired male didn’t even glance at his companion writhing on the floor. He proceeded to kneel—a bit slow from the spell—head bowed as they approached.

Draco glanced at Harry, trying to understand why he would attack his men. Did he just enjoy it? The thought brought flashes of Voldemort and all the times he had been forced to watch his father and uncle bear the brunt of his anger.

“Don’t ever compare me to him, Draco.” Harry’s tone was different, colder, but it only made the resemblance that much stronger. Draco’s fist tightened, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it as they reached the guards. Harry’s face was back to a cold mask as he looked them over.

“What’s the one thing I hate the most?” He looked to the brown-haired guard, who was completely still, as the other continued to tremble on the floor.

“Disobedience, sir!”

“Ah, so you do understand. Crucio,” the spell hit this guard even harder, his body seizing as his screams pierced Draco’s ears.

“Silence or the next spell will do it for you, indefinitely.”

Immediately, the guard bit down on his lip hard. Blood trickled down his chin as he fought to stifle his whimpers. Draco hated to admit it, but the fear the raven instilled was… impressive. When had he started using methods like this? He was nothing like the proud, but tame, boy Draco remembered.

“That’s better.” His eyes landed on the last guard, a redhead who flinched at those cold green orbs. “You, number.”

“110, sir.”

Draco couldn’t help but focus on him. He had used his wand after all.

“110, repeat back to me my instructions this morning.”

The guard gulped. “Guard the mansion, sir, and under no circumstances are we to bring harm to Malfoy.” Draco’s eyes snapped to Harry. He’d ordered them not to hurt him?

“Was that all?” Harry now had the wand pointed at the redhead’s neck.

“No! No, Sir! You said absolutely no magic, but I—,”

“Crucio.”

The scream was sharp, but brief, as he remembered Harry’s earlier warning. His body did a disturbing dance, the spell crashing through him as he hit the ground. So this was the reason the raven was angry. He didn’t want them using magic on him. Now he understood why they had used stupify instead of a more physically damaging spell. It did make sense; any type of soul spell caused one’s magic to be vulnerable for a while afterwards. That’s why the ancient wizards used to find secluded spaces to meditate after such rituals. The knowledge just made him want to hit the raven even more, so he had ordered his men not to damage the new toy.

How kind.

It was even worse that he couldn’t help but stand there like a ‘good boy’ watching Potter torture someone simply because he had been ordered to ‘behave.’ It was such a vague order, yet he still somehow followed it. Weak rituals required more direct and blank instructions like a kindergartener just learning English, while more powerful ones required more power, but fewer structures and caveats in their usage. In simple words, he was fucked.

He locked eyes with Harry. Draco could have sworn the raven’s mouth twitched upward. Had it been a trick of the light?

Harry turned away from the bodies trembling on the marble floor. He surveyed the guards—all of them standing ever so still. They had been so silent, the blond had forgotten about them until now.

“Insubordination will not be tolerated; the punishment for that is simple. Make this be the last and only warning,” Harry held up a fine lock of blond hair between his fingers.

Draco’s hand flew to his head. When had he—

“If so much as a speck of hair is harmed on the omega’s head…” he stepped closer to the nearest guard, his voice barely above a whisper, but cold enough to chill the entire hallway. “You’ll realise too late that death might show mercy, but I don’t.”

Draco’s breath caught as the power around Harry stirred like a beast, eager to make good on its master’s threat.

The guards straightened themselves, some gulping as they bowed. “Yes, sir!” they said in unison.

For a moment, the omega could understand why someone might choose to willingly follow a madman. The intoxicating scent of the Alpha’s magic surrounded him, like a siren seducing him closer to such wild power, giving him false hope of absorbing it and tasting it until he had his fill. How could he be made to feel disgusted yet…enthralled at the same time.

“Dismissed.”

The guards gave one more bow before walking in the other direction, their footsteps echoing in the silence that followed their departure. What in the world could he even say after that? He couldn’t help feeling like all his threats would look like child’s play. Even with that knowledge, he couldn’t help but glare at the strand of hair in Harry’s hand.

Harry noticed his glare, holding out the hair to him with a grin. “Ah, school taught us that sharing is caring, Draco.”

The raven knew the perfect words to get under his skin.

He snatched the strand from Harry’s fingers. “They also taught us to keep our hands to ourselves, Potter.” Even if it looked childish, it was nice to give the illusion that he could at least take something back, but the truth of the matter is, he didn’t even own his hair any longer.

Harry grinned. “I’m only touching what belongs to me.”

“I don’t belong to you!”

“Oh?”

The flare came back so suddenly that Draco cried out as the pain stabbed at his chest.

“Your soul says differently.” He started walking, the blonde’s legs moving of their own accord, no matter how hard he tried to resist it.

“If something has to be taken by force, it’s not owned, but stolen, you prick.”

“Oh wow, quite poetic,” Harry said, amused. “Well, I suppose I align more with finders keepers, losers weepers.”

Just one punch, please, in the name of Merlin, let me punch him just once!

“Ah! That reminds me.” Harry turned around, and the guard was still unconscious on the floor. His wand was out in an instant, much to Draco’s surprise. “Avada K—”

Draco didn’t realise his hand was out, gripping Harry’s wrist with wide eyes. “What are you doing?”

Harry frowned, lifting an eyebrow. “Remove your hands, please, Draco.”

His hands tingled, fingers trying to uncurl as Draco gritted his teeth, his magic strained as it attempted to delay the order. “You were about to kill them?!”

“Wow, what a strong will. Remove your hands, please, Draco.” He repeated.

The rose flared hot, as his hands snapped back to his side.

Harry fixed his cuff with a sigh. “That’s a pretty dangerous thing to do. What need do I have to keep creatures that can’t follow simple orders alive?”

“Oh, so the whole ‘death shows mercy but I don’t was bullshit, huh.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing I say is bullshit. That was simply a promise to the others.”

“What the bloody hell makes them different?” Draco countered. He was no savior and never intended to be, but watching people get killed on some twisted ass order that he centers on made his blood run cold. Images of his parents being placed on death row, because the Dark Lord wished to turn him into a murderer, flashed in his eyes. Dark Lords were the same, all of them.

Harry’s eyes turned red. One moment they were standing in the middle of the hallway, the next, Draco was slammed against the wall, the sharp pain making him grit his teeth as Harry’s large callused hand wrapped around his neck. He was lifted to eye level, staring into blood-red eyes.

“I warned you, do not compare me to him.” He growled.

Draco tried to dislodge the large, callused hands impeding his airflow, but the Alpha’s grip was unrelenting. “I... I haven’t seen any difference,” he gasped.

Harry roared, the sound so loud the blond wasn’t sure his eardrums hadn’t been punctured. He glared at those red eyes, his legs like a wet noodle kicking in every direction as the grip increased. Fuck, he was strong. The pain was too much. The Alpha could snap his neck without much effort if he put in just a bit more pressure. Would he die like this? He couldn’t help the tiny whimper that left his lips, a sound he would have to blame on his omega side as real fear went through him.

Harry’s eyes flashed green, and his hands released Draco, the movement so sudden, the blonde crashed to the floor. He gasped, chest rattling through the harsh coughs that left him as he tried to intake air.

“Let’s get something straight here,” Harry said, standing over him. “This is not a democracy; what I say is law, and that’s final.”

He glared up at the Alpha, his body shaking.

“If I say jump, you ask how high. If I say kill, you say who? And if I say die, you say when. You’d be better off learning that quickly.”

Draco laughed, the action making his throat burn as another cough went through him. “Lies,” he croaked.

“Excuse me?”

He could see those eyes flickering again, the rage that filled the Alpha, swirling in the air. It tasted bitter.

“You know me, and yet you chose me.” Perhaps he was suicidal, but the blond couldn’t stop the words from leaving him. “You said I was going to help you rule the wizarding world, steal free will.”

Harry wore an expressionless mask.

He shook his head, using the wall to pull up. “A yes man can’t do that. You need me ’cause I don’t obey anyone.”

Harry laughed, placing a hand against the wall, pinning the blond in place. “You’re giving yourself too much credit. Maybe I just wanted someone to torture, and forcing you to help me was icing on the cake.”

“You’re lying,” Draco replied flatly, catching the twitch in Harry’s smile. “I’m the only one left who’s ever called you on your shit. I’m the only one you know who will never bow down to you.” It had clicked for him only moments ago, but if Harry wanted someone to just obey orders, he had plenty. He could get over half of the population to follow him right now, but he can’t guarantee everyone.

“All speculations.”

Draco smiled. “You said it yourself, if you die, so do I. It’s the same vice versa. No one goes through all that trouble for entertainment. You assessed the risk and realised you need me enough to outweigh them.”

Harry backed off, adjusting his collar, no longer sparing the blond a glance. “That’s enough! For your impertinence, you can eat dinner alone in your room tonight.”

Draco grinned as he continued watching the Alpha. It felt nice to finally be the one getting under the other’s skin, even if it took him getting choked to death. He did have years of experience as a rival after all—just had to get back into practice.

Harry looked down at his pocket watch. “You will remain silent, go to your room, and remain there until I say otherwise, please, Draco.” His tone held no trace of amusement this time. “Next time we meet, I expect you to stay in your place.”

Draco didn’t bother fighting it this time as his body jolted, feet obeying the command. He watched Harry snap his finger, his shadow against the opposite wall growing as he walked into it without a backwards glance.

He broke out into a wide smile as he headed towards his prison cell. Potter could deny it all he wanted, but the blond wasn’t an idiot. He knew he was right, and that knowledge itself was enough to make him even more determined to find a way out of this bond.

He wasn’t completely powerless here.

Chapter Text

“Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven.” Draco took a deep breath and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He stopped mid-pushup and rolled to his stomach, staring at the ceiling of the bedroom. It had been his prison cell for the past two weeks after Harry had sent him off.

He was drenched in sweat with sore muscles from his constant workout, but it still wasn’t enough. Being stuck in one space for long periods of time could make anyone feel restless and just a bit unhinged. The other day, he attempted a conversation with the house-elf…he needed to find a way out of here.

Without a clock in the room, he had no clue what time it was and only the rise and fall of the sun let him know that days were passing. The prick still didn’t bother giving him back his wand, even though he could have commanded him from using it.

Wanker.

There was a knock on the door. He didn’t bother to look, It was the same face everyday.

The house elf with those annoying shiny eyes, looked him over and took out a small bag from her apron pocket. It was a black satin pouch that seemed like the type to carry jewelry. Like there was any possibility of Harry sending him a necklace.

“What is this?” he asked, ignoring the outstretched hands.

“Lord Potter said to take them, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Yeah, that didn’t answer my question,” Draco turned away from the elf, and resumed his new circuit of pushups.

He ignored the slight flare on his chest, already getting used to the little hints of annoyance he felt from the raven. He had assumed the connection was one sided, but that wasn’t right. Some days he could feel random spikes of emotions from the Alpha, and other times out of boredom if he closed his eyes and searched, he sensed him. The Alpha was numb ninety percent of the time. It was…disturbing to say the least.

And here he thought he was the one in need of therapy.

The little tap on his shoulder made him pause. He glared at the elf who couldn’t seem to take a hint as she tried to hand him the pouch once again. “Go away.”

“Lord Potter said you must take these for your meeting later today.”

Draco rolled to his stomach, sitting up. “Meeting?”

“Yes.”

The burn of a good workout always cleared his mind and allowed him to get a hold of his emotions. Maybe that was why he could take a calm breath in the face of Potter’s audacity. “Hm, could you send dear Lord Potter a message back for me?”

The elf tilted her head, giving a hesitant nod. “Of course, Mr. Malfoy.”

Draco showed her a pearly white smile. “Great! Tell him to go fuck himself on his bloody stick.”

Her eyes widened, hands trembling as though he ordered a hit rather than send a slightly disrespectful message. “I.I.”

That’s right. Bloody house elf. They would rather kill themselves than show any type of disobedience to their lord. He held up a palm. No need to delegate his window as her suicide weapon.

“Never mind I can do it myself.”

Do you hear me you prick?

Silence stretched. Would Potter ignore him? It didn’t take long, but yet felt like eternity before that smug voice was in his head.

Hello there Draco, sweet of you to tell me good morning.

He glared at the wall, fingers twitching.

What the hell’s in it.

…….what are you referring to?

Fuck off, Potter.

Temper temper, Come eat and I’ll answer your question

There was an insult at the tip of his tongue, but he thought better of it. After the equivalent of being sent to his room, he’d been ignored for the better part of two weeks. Whether out of spite or as punishment didn’t matter. If Potter wanted the outcome to be the decline of his sanity, well…

It worked.

He couldn’t bear to stare at these same white walls any longer. Would coming down without too many complaints really make a difference?

He stood up and snatched the pouch from the house-elf’s hands.

Tell your house-elf to take me there, prick.

Within seconds she disappeared in front of him.

Where’s your manners Draco, her name is Susie.

Stop calling me by my first name.

Would you prefer Dragon? Omega? Blondie?Pretty?

Fuck you.

You would if I said, please.

Draco choked right in time for Susie to make her reappearance. She blinked at his flushed face, motioning for him to follow her out the door.

He knew the raven was just being an ass, why the hell would he want to…

“Are you alright? Mr. Malfoy?”

He shook his head, forcing the images out immediately. “Why the hell do you knock if you could just appear inside?”

“Those are the Lord’s instructions, Mr. Malfoy.”

Draco frowned as he followed Susie into the hall. Privacy wasn’t something to complain about and he would rather the elf not just appear inside the jail cell, but it was still unnerving. One moment he was treated like a prisoner, the next he was being provided privacy. He couldn’t make heads or tails of Potter’s intentions which means he had no idea how to act in most situations.

He let go of that train of thought. Throughout the years he realized the harder you try to find an answer, the easiest it is to miss. Relying on instinct and observation will keep him alive here.

The walk through the halls made him see the mansion a bit differently than before. Everything had been a blur when he tried to escape, but now?

He had to admit the manor had a creepy beauty to it.

It had a carefully crafted Victorian style with dark furniture pieces. The decor somehow managed to be gloomy and also elegant. Like an aristocrat resided there rather than a madman. All the paintings on the wall—and there were plenty— were of people whose faces he couldn’t recognize. They were oddly still like muggle paintings rather than the normal ones. He might’ve considered buying this land in the past, if he had known it existed. They reached the dining room faster than he anticipated, considering how enormous the place was.

Harry was seated on a chair that looked more like a throne with a perfectly tailored, red suit and his hair slicked back.. The newspaper he held covered half his face, but his eyes were laser focused on whatever drabble the daily prophet churned out.

The dining table, while a bit small—at the most six could fit— for the grandness of the room, was beautiful. Draco had never seen a black matte table made of marble. If Harry was the one who styled it—he very much doubted that—then he really should change careers to one of interior design.

“It’s rude to stare,” Harry said, placing the newspaper down.

Draco snapped back into reality, mask perfectly in place as he looked back at Harry.

That’s right.

He had almost forgotten where he was. This wasn’t some beautiful mansion he was taking a vacation in. This was his cage, a place he was being held in, unwillingly.

“Well If you’re just going to stand there…you’ll miss out on your breakfast. ” Harry tapped on a clear cup that seemed to be filled with something red. Did the raven think he would agree to drinking wine with the enemy? It was an absurd thought.

“Alright, Susie, you can take it away. Only good children get to drink.”

“I’m not a child,” Draco snarled, deciding to end his silence towards the pompous Gryffindor as the house-elf went around him and headed for the table.

Harry’s eyes meet his with a small twitch of his lips. “Who said I was talking to you?”

“Wait!” A high pitched voice rang out, startling him.

Draco’s body was pushed to the side as a little girl with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes ran past him. She wore a simple red shirt and black tights, halfway covered by long black boots. He has heard this joke before. An emo girl walked into the crazy Alpha’s lair and proceeded to get eaten. His mind tried to process the image as she yanked the bottle from Susie’s hand and held it tight against her chest.

“Apologize, Helsley.”

“I don’t want to.” She took a step back, clutching the bottle even tighter.

Harry’s eyes flashed red.

“I’m sorry, Susie!” Helsley squeaked, her bottom lip trembling.

“It’s okay.” She replied, looking at Harry.

“And?” Harry turned to him, waiting. The scene left him speechless. Why the hell was there some random kid with Harry Potter? Everyone would know if he birthed an heir so either she wasn’t his or he was very good at hiding it. He wasn’t expecting this, that’s for sure. It left him feeling…he wasn’t even sure what the hell the feeling was, but it wasn’t comfortable.

Helsley turned him as well, her glare was like a sharp knife going right for the vitals. “ Do I have to?”

“Yes,” Harry replied.

“Fine. I’m sorry for bumping into you.” She pulled the chair out sitting on it with a huff.

His eyes twitched. Was he also expected to also say ‘ it’s okay?’ like a lowly servant having to put up with a bratty princess to make ends meet.

“Come sit down, please, Draco.”

He jerked forward at the command, glaring as he took a seat besides the child.

“Why does some stranger have to eat with us?” If looks could kill he would already be having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with death.

You will not speak of our arrangement in any form around Helsley, please Draco.

Draco gritted his teeth as the magic coursed through him. So the child didn’t know that her….father was a deranged lunatic? How wonderful.

“He’s not a stranger, he’s my new assistant, Mr. Malfoy, so be nice.

She pouted, taking a sip of her bottle. She was obviously not happy to have someone intrude on their breakfast.

If you’re afraid of me telling your…child that you’re the big, bad monster under her bed, then why bring me down here?

I didn’t command you to come down here, Draco.

Draco had to work hard not to roll his eyes. Of course that’s what he got from that sentence.

“Is he a mute or something?” She looked him over as though assessing the competition.

“I can speak whenever I want to, brat,” Draco replied, his nose high in the air.

“Hey! He called me a brat!”

“Drink your blood, Helsley.”

Draco’s eyes snapped to the bottle in her hand. “Blood,” he repeated, as though checking his own ears.

Helsley grinned, her fangs popping out as she took another sip of her drink. Draco clutched the edge of the table, his fingers turning white as he watched the blood disappear in the bottle.

“You have a vampire child…”

His nose wrinkled as she wiped the blood from her lips.

“He can’t be my dad, stupid. He isn’t a vampire.”

“Helsley.” Harry warned.

Draco wanted to say that was even worse. Having some rogue, vampire child sitting right next to them on the table like it was perfectly normal was insanity at its finest.

“All will be explained in due time, but first we eat.” Right on cue, Susie appeared with two trays that had his stomach grumbling. She first placed an egg omelet with sausage and leafy greens on Harry’s side before giving him the same plate, but with toast instead of a sausage.

“How’d you know I don’t eat meat?” Draco couldn’t help but ask. Sure it was a subtle difference, but he had grown used to explaining his particular dislike for the texture. He would have remembered eating with Potter and there had never been any headlines talking about his food habits, not that he was aware of anyways.

“You’ll find in due time that I know everything.”

And there is nothing that you in particular could ever hide from me, Draco.

He stabbed a fork into the egg, feeling the Alpha’s eyes on him.

Helsley looked between them. “Well it’s nothing special. I don’t eat meat either but I mean I could always just take a bite—”

“No.” Harry cut a piece of his sausage and put it in his mouth ignoring the high pitch whine from the child. Draco never had much patience for children, especially the annoying ones like Helsey. She reminded him to stay far away from any Alpha attempting to breed.

Omega instincts be damned.

Harry chuckled.

Damn he’d heard that. And he didn’t seem offended either, Draco noticed. Just amused. Seriously, who was crazy enough to leave a child with him? They should be reported to, well whoever vampires reported to.

“I just want a bite! This blood is disgusting!” Helsley said, crossing her arms.

“You know human food makes you sick, and you enjoyed lamb blood last week so stop being a spoiled brat.”

She pushed the bottle away. “Well it’s not tasty anymore.”

“Fine.Susie will bring you something else in your room.”

“What? I don’t want to go.”

Draco almost laughed at Harry’s face. Seems he was more of a dad lord. If Harry had brought him down here as some power play then he had sadly underestimated the brilliance of a hindering child.

“Me and Mr.Malfoy, need to have a conversation alone, and you’re being insufferable.” His voice held no emotion as he continued to eat.

The silence made him flinch. Well wasn’t that a blunt statement to tell a child. He glanced over to Helsey who was now sitting still, her hands squeezing the bottle so tight little cracks was starting to form.

Well that couldn’t be good.

The room grew chilly and much to Draco’s surprise, Helsley’s eyes went red just like Harry’s tended to do. She jumped out of her seat pointing an accusatory finger at Harry.

“You’ve been gone for a week!” She hissed. “You promised I could eat breakfast with you today!” Her voice wobbled as she glanced over to Draco who was frozen stiff.

“Helsely, don’t you dare.”

“It’s his fault,” she said, her tone low.

She couldn’t mean him. Was she blind? How could any of this be his fault? He didn’t want to be kidnapped and stuck here with either of them. He wanted to deny the ridiculous allegation, but found that he couldn’t. His body was frozen as he stared into her eyes.

Vampire fear.

It was said to be a power that most vampires held over humans. If one looked into their eyes, it caused the body to be paralyzed. Awesome, so two lunatics could control him now. One a literal monster and the other…well no difference there.

“Helsley! Let. Him. Go.”

“He’s that omega you keep talking about to those stupid guards! He’s the reason you’re never here anymore! I hate him!”

Was he about to be done in by some bratty vampire? It wouldn’t be that much of a surprise considering his life so far. And of course this was going to be all Potter’s fault. Leave it to a Gryffindor to think about putting him before some needy monster child, who hasn’t even finished her first meal, yet. He would hunt the raven for centuries in the millennium.

“Helsley, I’m going to give you one last—”

She turned her head to the side and he went flying. His back slammed against the wall. As the pain seared through him all air rushed from his lungs. He’ll have to add that to his ‘painful shit that can happen to you list’ because Merlin did that bloody well hurt!

He was dimly aware of a hint of rage going through him. But it wasn’t his. No it was Potter’s. He looked up, vision seeing double as a loud scream pierced his ears on the other side of the table.

Harry was out of his seat, hands covering the child’s eyes as she continued screaming trying to wriggle out of his grip.

How in the world was Harry even holding her back? As a vampire she should technically have more strength then him and be faster. Yet, it seems she couldn’t get out of his grasp even if she wanted to.

“I thought you would be mature enough to sit with me as I dealt with business, seems I was wrong.” Harry growled, towards the crying child.

Maybe now would be a good time to attempt his second escape. Potter was distracted enough. But when he tried to get up his spine gave him a gentle reminder that it had just been pummeled.

Great so he was stuck here at the moment.

The scream was getting louder, sounding more like nails on a chalkboard than a child.

“I hate you! I hate you!” She was trying her hardest to bite him anywhere she could find.

“Oh, honestly.” Harry sighed, leaning forward and whispering something into her ears.

Helsley stilled, removing Harry’s hands from her eyes. Her tantrum seemed to be cut short, as they began conversing to each other in a low tone that Draco couldn’t discern no matter how much he tried. He was disappointed that he would have to pause his escape attempt, but that turned into unease when they both turned to look at him.

“Really? Him? But why.” She asked, pursing her lips.

He wasn’t an idiot. They were talking about him and whatever it was he was sure to be highly offended.

Harry went in front of her, his body covering Draco’s line of sight as he whispered something else in her ears.

“Okay that’s it,” Draco slammed his hand against the wall, gritting his teeth as he stood up. The sound paused their conversation, both dissecting him like some kind of science experiment.

“Hm, fine. I’ll accept it for now.” Helsley murmured.

“You will still be punished for using your powers. To your room.” He said, tone firm as he handed her the bottle.

“Whatever.” She took it from his hand, some of the blood dripping on the floor as she passed by Draco, smirking at the large dent she left on the wall.

Draco couldn’t help but look at it as well. The size explained his broken ribs and the sore spot behind his head. He’d never heard of a vampire using telekinesis. Hogwarts never had it in any of their lessons, which meant it wasn’t a well known fact to any wizard.

Harry’s jaw clenched as he watched her leave. When her body vanished from the hallway he yelled out for the elf who appeared immediately.

“Helsley is not allowed to play with Eric for the week. Take away all her books and bring the blood of her preference for dinner.”

“Yes sir.” She bowed and then vanished.

There was silence in the room as Harry adjusted his tie and sat back down.

“Finish your food, Draco. We have much to discuss.”

“Finish my food?” Draco spluttered, still rooted next to the wall.

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Well, it won’t finish itself.”

You—” Draco shook his head, in disbelief as Harry went back to eating. “I almost died by some vampire’s spawn and you want me to finish my meal?”

“The therapist says pre-teen years are the hardest.”

Draco took a wobbly step forward, his blood boiling the more he looked at the raven. “You think my life is some kinda bloody joke? Since when do wizards and vampires have breakfast together? As the minister, are you even allowed to have relations with a different species without the council’s approval?”

Sit down and finish your breakfast, please, Draco.”

He yelped as his body slammed down on to the chair Helsley had been occupying. The spell of course didn’t care for whatever bones he had broken during his flight in the air.

Harry’s eyes narrowed, assessing the blond over. “Tell me where it hurts.”

“Fucking everywhere, you wanker.” He winced as he began shoving food down his throat.

“Still your body, but you can speak, please Draco.”

He went still as the raven stood up and approached him. hands wrapped around his waist and lifted him off the chair with ease.

“Hey! what are you doing!” he yelped.

“Don’t be dense. I’m taking you to the infirmary.”

“I can bloody walk there myself!” He did not appreciate being held like some omega in distress, especially not by the likes of Potter, who got him in this fucked up situation in the first place. “Let me go!”

Harry ignored him as they went out into the hall. There were two guards he hadn’t seen before stationed next to the entrance of the dining room. They looked straight ahead, giving a bow as they walked past. Draco prayed to every deity in the universe that they would be the only one to see him like this. This would be the second time the stupid Alpha held him like some bride.

Harry took steady steps forward towards a wall that was lit only by a dim torchlight on the side. Draco looked forward in confusion as they approached. Was it just his imagination or did the shadow seem to flick and grow bigger the closer then got.

“What are you doing?”

“Shut up. Close your eyes.”

“Don’t tell me to–” He gasped as they walked through the wall. There was just darkness for a split second before they appeared inside a private clinic. He winced, shutting his eyes tight. His eyeballs were burning, the itching sensation crawling around his pupils with no way to be relieved since he was still frozen.

“I told you to close your eyes.”

“Fuck that feels so wrong,” Draco groaned as he blinked like a madman. What kinda spell allowed someone to pass through walls. He could see that it had something to do with shadows, but the blonde already knew that even if he asked, no answer would be given.

Through somewhat blurry eyes he could see that the clinic adorned the same decor as everywhere else in the mansion. With a few white hospital beds placed inches from each other. Harry dumped him on the one closest like a sack of potatoes before disappearing around a corner.

Draco’s eyes widened. “Hey wait! Unfreeze me!” But he wasn’t gone long, coming back with a vial in his hand.

His eyes fluttered in annoyance as Potter approached him with the green liquid.

“Healing potion, drink.” He pried Draco’s mouth open and slowly poured the liquid down, almost choking him in the process. The blond couldn’t help but think of dead toads and lavender as the unpleasant taste went down his throat.

Green eyes pierced him, perhaps more effective to keep him still then the bond itself. He was surrounded by the scent of trees and the feel of a silk suit teasing his arm, as his chin was held steady.

Only when the last drop disappeared did Harry lean back and command his body to move.

Draco sat up with a heavy cough. He clutched his stomach as the potion became active, the burn running through him like acid. “I’m not into pain, potter. I would have taken the bloody healing potion myself.”

He flinched when Harry’s hand shot out towards his neck, it made the raven hesitate a moment, before he pulled them back, eyes assessing Draco instead.

“All other injuries should be healed now so no excuses not to do your job.”

He glared at the statement, annoyed at his show of even a little fear. As he touched the skin around his neck, his body couldn’t help but remember the painful chokehold from weeks prior. He had woken the next morning with that area raw and pink. It had been purple this last week, but the same pain continued to linger. The most dreadful part was he was sure the Alpha hadn’t used his full strength. How had he noticed the injury through the black turtleneck? Was it the bond? Or his crazy observation skills.

Harry snapped his fingers, a book appearing on the bed beside him. It was red with gold designs that moved all over the cover and a big pair of white fangs dead center in the middle. The title read ‘New Bloodlings and Their Needs.’

Dread filled him as his lips parted to ask a plethora of questions, but Harry was already ahead of him.

“One year,” he said, holding up a finger.

“For what exactly?” Draco continued looking at the book, but he refused to even touch it.

He pulled out a crumbled letter from the cuffs of his sleeves. The blond knew what it was immediately. Everyone who ever attended Hogwarts would recognize the red inked stamp.

“One year for Helsely to go to Hogwarts.”

The blond laughed or perhaps it was more of a choked cackle. “The council wouldn’t allow a vampire to attend.”

“They’re not. Helsley is also a wizard.”

“She’s a hybrid? I thought that wasn’t possible.”

“Wizards love to pick and choose what they deem possible.”

Draco hated agreeing with the man, but he wasn’t wrong on that count. His quest for knowledge had proven time and time again that the top never gave everything away to the public. Instead, the truths and secrets were held behind restricted books and the fear of dark magic.

“She needs to learn to control herself, and her..urges. You’ll help her with that and configure a potion to help with the bloodlust."

“That’s it,” He shoved the book onto the floor, right beside Harry’s feet and hopped off the bed. “Just because you’ve decided to lose all sense of reality doesn’t mean I have, Potter.” He looked around for his escape route as Harry picked up the book, his face still as empty and cold.

“Sapphire.”

Draco paused. “ What?”

“Sapphire is a pretty name. How did you choose it?”

His eyes tracked the raven as he leaned against the wall and swung the book back and forth. That name shouldn’t be known to anyone, and yet here Potter stood as it left his lips, so nonchalant compared to the blonde’s now chaotic mind.

There was no point in asking how he knew, but still, the blond couldn’t help it, “Who?”

Harry pushed off the wall and placed a hand on his shoulders. His breath was warm against his ears. “The only way secrets stay hidden is if all the other parties are dead, Dragon.”

He slapped the hand away as the impulse to punch the Gryffindor grew much too strong. “Who told you?”

Harry wriggled his fingers in front of him as though daring for it to be bitten off. “You’re asking the wrong questions here.”

“Oh due tell, Potter. What in the bloody hell should I be asking then?” He snapped.

“Well first, what do I want in order to conceal this…sensitive information.”

“So you’re blackmailing me? Why the stupid bond if you knew?” He asked, through gritted teeth. He couldn’t understand the Alpha’s end game here. None of his actions made sense other than the fact he seemed determined to make him stuck here.

He was going to be sick and the reason wasn’t because of the potion this time.

“It’s simple, really Dragon.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“The bond is to keep you chained physically,” He poked his chest, making Draco take a step back, “and your little underground organization? Well that will bond you mentally.” He said, tapping his temple.

He couldn’t hold it in anymore. His fist went flying towards the Alpha’s jaw.

It seems he had expected that reaction, because his hands were caught in a tight grip and shoved back against his chest.

“Tell me, Dragon. What would happen to all those magical creatures, if your secret potions stopped being delivered in the black markets? Would they die? Hm, most likely right?” He shook his head. ”Ah but that’s not what really matters is it? No no no, it’s your name. Would the Malfoys survive two generations of heirs tarnishing it. ”

He could feel the blood rushing through him like a blazing fire as Harry continued holding his hands. He couldn’t say anything at all. The raven was right, he couldn’t let his secret be discovered without risking his reputation. They wouldn’t survive it, not when it took so long for Draco to fix it.

“Severus was right, you really do take after your father.”

Harry leaned in, grinning wide. “And you take after yours as well. See how we have so many similarities? Both sons inherited traits from their daddy’s beyond the grave. It’s kinda romantic if you think about it.”

Draco snarled as the book was held out to him again.

“Now let’s try this again,” He said, forcefully taking the blond’s hand and placing the book on it. “You have one year to make Helsley school ready and make a potion that can counter her blood lust.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then those three years you spent on becoming a potion master and helping thousands of magical creatures live better lives go to waste. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what happens when they break the law, and your poor mother will have to figure it out while you’re stuck here.”

You’re a sick bastard, Potter.”

“No need to compliment me so soon, and besides I’m only allowing you to do what you love because I know you’re good at it. The council should have never denied your application as a Potions Professor.” He leaned away from the blond, smiling in satisfaction when he looked like he would stop resisting.

“I seem to remember you being a part of the vote to deny my application, asshole.”

“Ah, well I had my reasons. Plus it allowed you to grow unrestricted. Seems like I did you a favor.”

He moved away from the Alpha, refusing to look at him any longer. “ You’ve made your point. I would like to leave now.”

Harry took a deep breath. “Now there it is. You’re starting to learn obedience well, Dragon, I’m proud. You have two days and then the lessons start. The guards will escort you.”

He could feel the magic brimming in the air as the door opened in front of him, the sound of footsteps approaching the clinic.

“Oh, I almost forgot! Susie will send the pills up to your room. It’s your suppressant among other things, so be sure to take them.”

Draco stared straight ahead as the fire continued to grow stronger inside of him. He had always thought he hated Voldemort for forcing blood on his hands. He thought he hated his father for giving him up to the dark lord, the wizarding world for making a child see their own father become an empty shell and pass away in a hellhole, but as the rage continued swirling inside of him, he realized he could hate someone even more. Being stuck in this cage so thoroughly made his skin inch. Made him feel like a rabid animal just waiting to strike.

Potter may have won this battle, but no way in hell was he winning the war.

Chapter Text

TW: Mention of Prostitution.

Draco tapped his fingers on the worn brown desk as the clock chimed for the fifth time. While the room was polished to perfection, most of the furniture looked old and used. Someone must have taken a set from an old antique shop and placed them here this morning. The dusty desk and wobbly looking chairs attested to that. Why Potter hasn’t just transfigured them was a mystery. Perhaps the raven didn’t want him to be too comfortable, because he was a wanker and that’s what a wanker would do.

Convincing himself to leave the bed and complete his first day of ‘Vampires Spawn training’ had been hard, to say the least. Aside from the fear of dying because nothing was stopping the brat from snapping his neck, the real problem was the morality of it all. How could he help a vampire go to a school filled with children? It was like serving them up on a silver platter.

He sighed, his eyes fixed on the door. It wouldn’t be such a bad thing if she didn’t show up. Afterall, he wasn’t doing this willingly. Why should he care if she skipped out on a lesson? Or even all of the lessons. Either way, the Alpha hadn’t exactly been forthcoming about the lesson rubric.

The door creaked.

He straightened his back as it opened just an inch like the beginning of a nightmare where some beast was about to pounce. He first saw bushy, blonde hair and brown eyes as they peeked inside. Had he missed the hidden traps in the room? Or was the child being overly cautious? Either way he was tired of waiting.

He cleared his throat and motioned for her to come inside. The door opened another inch, but she remained just outside the door. What kind of game was this brat trying to play early in the goddamn morning? Just a few days ago she had thrown him against a wall and now she was some feeble little girl, scared of her first day in school? Utterly ridiculous.

“You’re late, Helsley.” He made sure his tone was firm rather than scolding as he stared at the child. Oddly enough, that seemed to give her courage to walk inside and glance around the room..

“I wanted to sleep in,” she said, taking her seat as though his time was not anything of importance.

“What you meant to say was: ‘Good Morning, Professor. Sorry I’m late.’” Sorry I tried to kill you. He wanted to sleep more too, but only one of them had actual free will in this annoying house. The bond pulsed against his chest in affirmation to his thoughts.

The brat rolled her eyes at him and blew the dust off the desk. It went straight to his face, making his nose tingle. Rude.

“Harry says lying isn’t a good trait to have, Professor Malfoy.” So, she was a smartass just like Potter.

How lovely.

“Tardiness isn’t a good one either.” He countered. “And why don’t you have a quill and parchment?”

Her eyes widened in shock as she looked around the room. Oh give me a break. She turned back to him with teary eyes. “I seem to have lost them, professor. Whatever shall I do?” If being an entertainer was her profession of choice, she sucked at it. But he knew she wasn’t trying to win an acting award, she just wanted to get under his skin. Unfortunately for her, Draco would play along.

“Is that so?” He pointed at the white bookshelf across from them, “That’s fine. Everything you could ever need was stocked this morning. Just in case you…forgot.” He smirked as her annoyed expression, glad that Potter’s meticulousness was being used against someone other than him.

“Whatever,” she muttered, leaving her seat to grab the items needed.

Potter was right—Merlin, how he hated when that happened—the child needed a desperate lesson on manners to say the least.

Oh, duh.

He smiled wide, which seemed to unsettle the child as she narrowed her eyes at him. Potter had said something about learning spells, but he was crazy to think Draco would give her even more of an advantage. If she was going to attend the school either way, he was just going to bullshit his way through the lessons.

Standing up, he picked up a piece of chalk before turning towards the chalkboard and writing ‘Manners 101’ in big, bold letters. It was a start and the brat really did need to learn some if she was going to last in Hogwarts.

“You can’t be serious.” She deadpanned, scowling at the board, which only lengthened his grin more.

“Let’s start with tone and word choices.” He began, only to pause as the board began to shake behind him. Oh great, less than ten minutes and the child’s temper was already showing. His eyes narrowed at her as he slowly placed the chalk down. “Is there a problem?”

“Harry said you were going to teach me magic, not some stupid lesson on manners.” Her tone made him gulp. It was low, something more of a growl than that of a little child, but still he couldn’t let her intimidate him. She had no respect for him after their first meeting and he couldn’t blame her for that, but in order for this whole plan to work, she would need to start looking at him as an authority figure.

“No. Potter said you needed to learn how to live in Hogwarts as a student. ” He retorted, keeping his voice levelled.

She slammed her hands on the table “What would manners have to—”

“Detention for talking back and twelve points from Slytherin for violence.” His statement was met with silence as the child stared at him in confusion. Ah right, she wouldn’t know what he was even talking about. “In Hogwarts, disrespect to a teacher equals consequences.”

He tried to hold in his smirk. It seems he had her full attention now. “Sure I could teach you all the basic spells to pull you ahead”- not in a million years. “But why would it matter if you won’t last inside the classroom with your attitude? At this rate, within one month you would either be expelled or the most hated in your house.”

“Why should I care what those little weaklings think of me?” She looked away, glaring at the ground. That told him all he needed to know. Sure, she wasn’t wrong about being stronger in terms of heritage, but everyone wanted to belong somewhere, especially a child amongst her peers. It was natural to crave being a part of the herd. That wasn’t something he couldn’t teach though, she would have to learn that lesson herself.

“Even so,” Draco said as he approached her. “Do you honestly think acting like some spoiled brat who can’t even greet her teacher properly would survive in such a prestigious school, better yet a little vampire girl, who should be drawing attention away from herself, instead of taking on the title of troublemaker?”

He paused at her desk waiting for her to look up. “Well?”

When she did, he had to keep the flinch at bay. Her eyes were red as she seemed to stare into his soul. Fuck. Maybe he had gone too far? Dying now would be annoying, but at least he could take Potter with him to the damn grave. He waited with bated breath to be thrown against another wall, but instead he just heard her say something so softly, he instinctively leaned in.

“What?”

“Is that what Harry thinks of me?” she repeated.

Draco opened his mouth to reply a resounding yes, but paused when he noticed her hands crunching the lower half of her shirt. Though her tone didn’t exactly give it away, it seems that thought bothered her. He really needed to find out exactly what their relationship was. Did he adopt her? She called him ‘Harry’ instead of dad, but yet, it seems she did care what the Alpha thought about her. Would thinking Potter thought badly of her attitude make her more malleable to learning?

He sighed, “No. He didn’t say that. And why does it matter to you? You don’t care what people think, right?”

“I.I don’t!”

He quirked a brow at the little flush that bloomed across her cheeks. Seems the brat at least had a cute side, though it only existed for Harry. Still, he could work with that.

He turned around not wanting her to see his devious grin. “Harry did tell me that he was sure you would pass all your lessons with flying colors, and he already has the Hogwarts letter in hand, “ he peeked at her. “Though I’m sure you’re already aware of that.” He waved it off like it wasn’t anything big.

“Wait, he already has the acceptance letter?!” she said, jumping out of the seat.

Oh, so he was correct in the assumption that Potter had hidden it from her. Perfect. “ Wellll,” he drawled, as though bored. “I mean, he figured you would pass these little lessons with flying colours. He had no doubt so I figured this would be easy but…”

“But what?”

Draco’s head tilted towards her, his eyes glancing at the chair before looking back up at her.

She immediately plopped down on the seat.

Smart girl.

He walked back to his desk, making sure to take his time. “As I was saying,” He tapped the chalkboard. “Manners is an essential part of Hogwarts, and every first year student practices it first at home.”

Well it wasn’t exactly a lie.

He had her full attention now, her eyes tracking every movement from him like an animal seeing humans for the first time. It was kinda creepy but also…endearing, in its own way.

“We’ll start with the basics on this topic: please and thank you.” He paused, crossing his arms. “Why aren’t you writing this down?”

She gasped, picking up her quill and quickly dipping it, her arms a flurry of motions as she wrote on the parchment.

“Oh, and ten points from Slytherin for standing up without permission.”

She paused, ready to retort, but one look from him shut her up. She nodded instead. “Sorry, Professor.”

Draco turned back, pleased.

Now the lessons could begin.

~~x0x~~

Harry leaned against the leather couch, letting his black suit stretch over the expanse of his chest. He took another sip of wine, keeping his eyes solely on the flushed omega that was practically drooling across from him. He took note of the subtle hints of strawberries and apples coming from the brunette. Most Alphas would enjoy the sweet scent—and the cute little brown haired kitten—that came along with it.

As for him.

Well, he preferred men with sharp lines and a wicked tongue, rather than little boys with delicate features and doe eyes.

Plus, sweets made his stomach ache.

He leaned forward, the blush deepening on the omega’s cheeks. “Seamus.” he purred, pushing a brown folder towards him.

“Yes Harr–I mean Minister Potter?” The omega stared at his lips for far longer than would be considered subtle, before looking down. “This is…um what exactly?”

“Do you not like alcohol on the job?" He asked instead, watching the boy nod his head as though in a trance.

“Yeah,” he breathed.

Harry stood up in a way that was slow and deliberate. “Pour yourself some wine.”

It took a moment, but his eyes widened as the realisation finally hit. “Oh! Right! ” He said, picking up the bottle with shaky hands.

Harry had to work hard not to roll his eyes at the little act. If only the omega knew how much evidence he had on him. Bribery, tampering with evidence, information tunneling. The boy was hired simply for the lords to keep their dirty little secrets hidden. Harry may have considered him a poor naive fool if he hadn’t slept his way into the position.

He couldn’t care less about what people did with their bodies, but Seamus in particular had been pretty cutthroat on his rise to the top, destroying marriages and blackmailing families until they had nothing left…not even their own lives. In a few months they would start reviewing Draco’s organisation SAPPHIRE, and cementing evidence against him. It would take them a full year before they brought it to the courts, but this little minx would already have sunk his teeth into Draco’s mother, causing her pre-mature demise.

He went behind the seated omega, and wrapped a hand around a tiny wrist as Seamus trembled like some lost kitten.

“Let me help you with that.” He pretended he didn’t hear the little whimper of “I’m fine,” as he insisted on pouring the wine to the brim.

“There we go,” he whispered. “Now drink.” Harry lowered his tone, his words having a subtle pressure to them. He watched Seamus pick it up, gulping the glass down in rapid succession. Hopefully, he could avoid any projectile vomiting. This was an expensive suit.

The now empty cup was slammed down on the table as Harry subtly snapped his hands to make the folder come closer to the omega. “As I was saying. This old case file got mixed up with the others in the Auror department.”

“Oh…”Seamus blinked at the folder before shaking his head as he opened it.

Harry made sure to lean closer, his chest hitting the smaller man’s back as he scanned the parchment.

“Yes, it’s named SAPPHIRE. I know you received it this morning.”

Seamus slammed the folder closed, not bothering to check for the little notary stamp by the head Auror. “ Um, it’s probably somewhere in my sorting drawer then. Just, just give me a moment.”

He jumped off the seat, practically running towards a plain white wall. He lifted his wand, pausing to glance over at Harry who looked down, running a hand through his hair. The omega turned back around, waving his wand in a particular shape before closing his eyes. His scent sharpened as it mingled with his magic in a way that had Harry’s mouth curling in disgust.

But through his revulsion, he managed to keep his eyes on the pattern, right before a black drawer appeared.

In the wizarding world, someone’s scent tied with their magical signature is the equivalent of a fingerprint to Muggles. Its uniqueness makes it an even better identifier. That’s why it was used as a password for most government officials and civilians alike to keep things locked away.

All types of folders were caught inside as they fluttered around like tiny birds.

“SAPPHIRE.” The omega said, giving Harry a little smile, as he waited for the drawer to open. Within seconds, a red folder was spat out into his waiting hands. “Found it!”

Harry straightened. “Good, now hand it over.”

“Of course,” Seamus replied, but his hands remained at his side. “You know,” he began. “You didn’t have to come here in person, Lord Potter.”

Harry leaned against the desk, watching the brunette’s sickly sweet expression. “I wanted to be sure the matter was dealt with.”

At Seamus’ quick nod, he attempted to grab the folder, but a dainty hand stopped him, curling around his own.

Harry looked over into green eyes, coyly staring at him.

“But Minister Potter, you know, well, I have to keep a record of everything that comes out of that cabinet, mistake or not, and get it approved by both you and the head Auror. ” He could see the hunger in those eyes as they trailed down his form.

So the omega had known about his intentions the moment he walked in here. That at least made things easier. “That’s correct,” He replied.

Seamus bit his bottom lip and fluttered his eyelashes. “Well, I suppose I can provide some…flexibility in the rules.” Hands trailed down his chest, stopping at the bulge in his pants.

Harry stared at him as though bored.

The omega pouted. “It’s been a while since you let me touch you. I miss it.”

He internally cursed death. Getting his full memories back had taken him far longer than necessary. Time—something he didn’t have much of—had been wasted by his lack of information. He had been a naive idiot, tricked during his rut, and now he would be paying for it. Not only did he need to delete the recordings and Pensieve of himself, but he also needed to retrieve a few videos of some individuals. It would be vital for the future.

He wrapped his hands around the brunette’s neck, the image of blonde hair and grey eyes flashing in his head for only a moment. Harry shoved the guilt down as his hands tightened. “What exactly do you want?”

Seamus’ lips jutted out, leaning in. “I suppose the rumours were true.”

He remained silent, letting the omega continue on his own violation.

“You’ve become so cold and…dangerous.” He purred, closing his eyes. “It must be so freeing to have that much power at your disposal.” There was a hint of bitterness in those words.

“What’s your point?”

The omega leaned in and licked a long strip against his collarbone, right near his glands. “I can’t help but want a little taste of it.”

Harry’s eyes flicked from red to green as he pushed the omega back by his throat. A little taste didn’t seem to be his style. “You’ve gotten your fill plenty of times before.”

The omega gave him a lazy smile. “Humans can be such greedy creatures. If you’ve ever been helpless and forced to serve those better than you, then strength and dominance can become an intoxicating thing. I only nibbled the cub, but now it’s a fully grown lion. I can’t help but be curious.”

“And if that curiosity gets you devoured?”

“Oh, all the more exciting,” he purred.

Hopefully, the omega remembered those words in the face of death. He discovered Seamus’ past somewhat years later after his passing. It had been a tragic one, getting passed around by his Muggle father, only to come to the wizarding world and realise your blood could make you even more powerless. It was no wonder he became the monster that would control the largest prostitution ring in all of Britain.

Harry couldn’t help but understand the want for power. For strength. If he hadn’t caused his mate so much pain, maybe he would have been useful.

“I could just make the folder disappear right now and obliviate you”

“Oh, but you know this building has safety measures for that.” He leaned toward him, tone low. “I’m very forgetful, Minister Potter. Just give me what I want, and that folder will cease to exist.” His hands went to the Alpha’s pants, slowly unzipping it.

Harry’s hands twitched to snap the omega’s neck. It would be so easy to do, to watch the life drain out of him, but he couldn’t. Now, unfortunately, wasn’t the time.

“We’ll start by putting that mouth of yours to better use.”

Seamus grinned and was already dropping to his knees as Harry tugged him against his crotch. Gripping the omega’s hair, he imagined grey eyes looking up at him instead, the smell of slick and lavender filling the air as pouty lips frequently hurling insults was used to make him cum instead.

“Open.”

Seamus’s eyes went wide as his cock sprang out. “Merlin, yes.”

He immediately followed the directions, opening his mouth as wide as he could.

Harry didn’t wait. He tugged his head forward, shoving himself down that eager throat in one smooth thrust. He grunted at the wet heat surrounding him, the omegas’ moans vibrating around his cock.

The pace was fast and rough, keeping the brunette’s head still as he plunged into that mouth.

Surveying the room was much easier now that the omega was distracted. He knew there were magical recordings and sound systems placed all around to collect Seamus’s blackmail material. Though he had deactivated most of them coming in, there was a strong one that had been woven with the Omega’s scent.

The spy had informed him that this one in particular would automatically transmit to a few other sources of the omega’s if his fear spiked any higher than a level two, which explained why he was so confident. He needed to protect both Narcissa and her son’s reputation so he couldn’t afford to be sloppy.

His feisty little dragon deserved a spanking for how careless he’s been. His cock twitched at the image, Seamus grinning as he continued slobbering all over his member.

The blond should have been more aware of the traitor amongst his little organization. Perhaps he hadn’t thought anyone would be an enemy since he was doing a good deed for the magical creatures, but unfortunately that’s not how the world worked. The council’s case would be rock solid, enough to give Draco the Dementor’s Kiss if they so wished, and even getting out of the death clutches wouldn’t save the Malfoys’ reputation, they would—they would use this to bury his title, permanently.

His fist tightened, pace becoming a blur of movement.

The omega choked as he tried to slow him down. When a whine left him, Harry pulled his face back. Staring down at the now disheveled looking man, Harry smirked and ignored the protest as he rammed his cock back in, twirling his hand at the same time and pointing up.

The room was now clogged with the scent of overly ripe berries, weaving with his magic to wrap around the hidden device. Harry let it surge for a second, the omega jumping at the feel of his power. He lowered his hands, tapping the folder behind him.

He closed his eyes, using them to see the content changing on the folder and all of Draco’s potions, people and data disappearing. As soon as he was done, he pulled back, letting the omega breath an intake of air.

Seamus coughed, trying to get his lungs working again. “Is something wrong?” He asked, looking up.

“I have to go,” Harry said, putting his member back inside with a grimace as the omega looked at him in surprise.

“Wait? What? But we didn’t-”

Harry frowned, silencing the brunette with a look. “I have more important business.”

There was a flicker of anger, but it was gone so quickly. Only someone observant would notice it. Seamus pouted at the statement, his puffy lips and dishevelled hair leaving no room for imagination of what just transpired.

He turned around, heading for the door. As he walked out of the office, he could hear Seamus yell after him. “But what about the folder?”

“Hold it for now.” He gave the omega a wicked smile before continuing forward. The seed had been planted and soon enough curiosity really would kill the cat.

Now time to go back to his Dragon.

~~x0x~~

Draco closed his eyes as the warm water hit his skin. Kids were so draining and the ones who sucked blood weren’t any different. He grimaced at the memory of Susie handing him the dreaded bottle for lunch. Helsley had thought it was hilarious to make a joke about human blood tasting sweeter as she stared at his neck.

What a little terror she was.

Still, Draco could admit through his fear that the child was funny and he had gotten revenge by taking another ten points for attempting—not succeeding—to intimidate her professor.

He frowned, soapy hands stopping at the feel of the rose against his chest. Throughout the day he could feel the pulse demanding his attention. He could have sworn for a moment his body had felt weird. Tingly and warm.

Not only that, but just an hour ago there had been a brief image of him on his knees, but Potter wouldn’t think...

Draco bit his bottom lip. I must be losing my mind.

He needed to get a grip. Sure, he never managed to get intimate with an Alpha, but he couldn’t be that desperate. Potter made it worse, always touching him for no reason. He should be focused on escaping.

He needed to get close enough to the vampire runt and have her inadvertently spill some things. She was a child so that part would be easy. Potter must have realised that this would be possible? Or perhaps he didn’t think Draco could manage it.

Wanker.

When Draco finished rinsing, he shut off the water and stepped out of the marble tub. Grabbing a towel off of the hook and wrapping it around his waist, he took the time to lean in front of the wide, square mirror above the sink.

His dark eye bags did not go well with his complexion. Some people could fall asleep anywhere, but Draco was not one of those people. Thankfully, his hair remained in tiptop shape, though he would need a cut soon with the way it was falling off his shoulders.

He opened the bathroom door, a scream leaving him at the sight of Potter sitting on his bed as though he owned it, okay, yes, he technically did, but that wasn’t the point.

Draco narrowed his eyes at the raven, adjusting his towel. The move seemed to capture Harry’s attention, his eyes trailing down the blond’s body in a way that made him feel like he wasn’t covered enough.

“Hello, Draco. I see you survived the first lesson,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Disappointed?”

His grip tightened as the Alpha stood up from the bed. The raven smelled off. There was a subtle smell of strawberries mingling with his scent in a way that made his nose tingle.

“Now why would I be disappointed to live another day?”

“I’m sure you would find a way to survive without me.” Draco retorted.

Harry paused, his eyes straying to the rose. “Don’t be so sure, Dragon.”

“Right, I’m done being your entertainment for the night, Potter.” He turned away from him, heading for the brown drawer he had forced Susie to bring in along with some clothes. “And stop calling me Dragon.”

Harry chuckled behind him. “Hesley was surprisingly…excited about the lesson tomorrow. You didn’t happen to find a way to replace her did you?”

He hated how his mouth twitched at the accusation. “I thought about it, but then I would be taking away such a wonderful nuisance for you.”

“She’s a brat, but never a nuisance.”

Draco glanced at him, surprised by the raven’s expression. Seems the sentiment went both ways. Helsley really was a weak spot for him and yet, he just offered her up to him without a care. He slammed the drawer closed holding on to some plain pajamas. “Get out, Potter.”

Harry assessed his face. “Suddenly, you’re angry. Why?"

He scoffed, throwing the clothes on the bed. “You must be really bored tonight.”

He yelped as a hand grabbed his wrist, forcing him to turn. Wide eyes met piercing green ones.

“So rude. I’m only trying to have a polite conversation. ”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to my kidnapper about placing a fucking vampire in a school filled with children,” he snapped, trying to push the Alpha with his other hand, but he didn’t budge.

Harry’s smile vanished, his expression turning cold. It was such a quick flip, he couldn’t help but go still. A sigh left the Alpha’s lips. “I’m taking precautions. You are one of them.”

He gave a dry laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “Precautions, mhm, sure. Got the body bags ready so she can clean up? A secret room for the people she’s going to turn? Ahh I see our lesson plan will convert her appetite into wanting cookies instead of blood, right?”

He looked up into that annoyingly handsome face. Potter was obviously amused, because children dying was so fucking funny. The Alpha still had a tight grip on his hand, almost like an afterthought and it didn’t seem to budge. Why was he so damn strong?

“Always so sarcastic, but it’s none of these things. I know for an absolute fact Helsley will not harm anyone, not as a vampire at least.” It was annoying how calm the raven seemed about the whole situation. What in the world could he do to make such a statement with full confidence?

“Right. Why am I even having this conversation with you? The fact that you’re even doing this proves you don’t give a fuck anyway. As long as it doesn’t affect you, who cares?” He gave another tug. “Let go of my wrist.”

Harry held on even tighter. “You run on too many assumptions. It’s been her dream since she could talk. Doesn’t every child deserve an education?”

He couldn’t understand why the raven refused to let this damn conversation go.

“Hogwarts is a school for wizards, not for vampires.”

“She is both, and last I checked there are no vampire schools or hybrid schools, the council has made sure of that.”

“Maybe for good reasons, Potter!”

Harry growled, his fingernails digging into the blond’s wrist as he leaned in. It was an unpleasant prickling sensation. “So what? Just cause she’s different, she doesn’t have the privilege to go to Hogwarts? To have any friends? Learn any magic? Just waste away in some tower hiding like a monster? Is that what you think of vampires, Draco?”

“Those differences make her dangerous.”

“We are all dangerous. We can kill with just the tip of our wands. Differences don’t make us brainless beasts. You think her being a vampire makes her some mindless monster?”

“She threw me against a wall! With her mind, Potter! Her mind!”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Because my answer means nothing!” he shrieked. “You can control me anyway you wish so why are you playing this pointless fucking game?”

It was silent for a moment and then a sigh left the Alpha’s lips. “Why did you skip dinner this evening?”

“What?” he said, jerking back. The change had been much too sudden.

“Food, Draco. Why didn’t you eat anything? I had Susie send a plate up for you and I was told you didn’t touch it.”

“ I just wasn’t hungry, asshole. Anything else?”

“You will make sure to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.”

He stared at Potter in disbelief. Why would the alpha care if he ate anything at all? Since when did a kidnapper care about their victims’ health?

“Kiss my arse,” he seethed.

That brought a smile to the Gryffindor’s lips. “ Maybe, if you’re a good boy.”

Draco’s face flushed as he finally managed to rip his hand away from Potter’s loosened grip. The action made him stumble and he almost fell backwards, but a hand around his waist caught him just in time. He squeaked as Potter pulled him flush against a hard chest. He would like his heart to take a deep breath now. Why did Potter have to choose when he was in a damn towel to be a menace?

“You need to be more careful.” His voice was deeper, the sound far too hypnotizing.

His hand stilled as fingers found him. Calloused hands were replaced with a smooth surface, making him look down.

He blinked.

It was his wand.

“I figured you should be awarded for today.”

“You really,” Draco began, the blood rushing through his ears. They both knew the wand wouldn’t be any use to him. Not in the way the omega wanted.

“You’re welcome?” Harry offered so Draco punched him. And it landed. He almost gasped out loud but refrained.

Harry’s head had snapped back, frozen in that position as though the hit had concurrently shocked him. The silence amplified the loud drips of blood that splattered on the tiled floor.

Draco gulped, taking a step back. “That’s what you get for being such a condescending prick. I told you to leave me alone and FYI, you can’t use something you stole as a bloody reward.” His shoulders stiffened when Harry’s eyes turned red, a low growl leaving his lips. He couldn’t take his eyes off the raven, whether from anticipation or self-preservation.

Harry lifted his head, wiping the blood from his split lips and licking them all while staring at him. “Such a strong punch for a tiny omega.”

“How about I make the next one stronger.”

The Alpha took a breath, lifting his hands in the air. “Alright, I surrender tonight, Dragon,” he said, heading for the door.

“Stop calling me that.”

“Get some beauty sleep, School starts early tomorrow.” The door closed with a soft click.

God, Potter was such a prick.

Chapter Text

Draco placed the parchment down on Helsley’s desk. She had a wide, confident smile that he was sure wouldn’t stay on her face long. His logical assumption was correct as a frown marred Helsley’s face when she finally looked down.

Her wide eyes and open mouth were so exaggerated that he nearly snorted. The pout was an expected one, but when she slammed her hands on the desk, Draco almost jumped…almost.

“I demand an explanation for this,” she cried out, as though a terrible injustice had been inflicted upon her. Such a drama queen

“Thirty points from Slytherin.” He used his wand to tap the parchment. “If you had taken the time to read it, you would’ve seen that I told you exactly why you failed at the very bottom, brat.”

He pretended not to see the flicker of red bleeding through those brown eyes. It had taken him about a week, but he was now at least sixty percent certain she wouldn’t kill him.

Helsley’s eyes scanned the parchment in rapid succession. “Aww.” Her shoulders slumped as she sat back down and slammed her head on the table. He couldn’t help but wince. That looked like it hurt.

“But I tried really hard,” she muttered, the words somewhat muffled by her mouth squished to the desk.

Draco almost wanted to ask her what ‘trying hard’ entailed, but she did look sincerely crushed, so perhaps he could be a bit…understanding this time around. He gently slid the parchment from under her face, grimacing at the wet dots now on it. “It’s one exam, brat.” His tone seemed to grab her attention this time around, her teary eyes making him feel tiny prickles of guilt.

Maybe his grading had been a bit…harsh, but when he was looking over the answers, he thought the child must have been messing with him. Why the hell did she think ‘take them to the dungeon’ was an appropriate answer!

“But I also failed all the homework and quizzes.” she whined.

“Well, that’s true you haven’t passed even one.” He said, holding the paper like it was a biohazard.

Another whine left Helsley, this one even longer than the last. It was like the mix between a dying songbird and an owl who smokes.

It was giving Draco a terrible headache. At this point, he would rather hear the screeching of nails on a chalkboard. “Alright, alright, please stop making those dreadful noises. Let’s go over it.

’First Question: You are in trouble with a professor because your friend lied and said that you did something you didn’t do. What would be the best way to handle the situation? And how did you answer?”He looked over to Helsley, whose eyes were currently on the ground.

“You torture them for the betrayal until they tell the truth then show the pensive of their memories, after their death, to prove your innocence.” she replied. “I’m not back talking to the professor, nor questioning their stupidity so I don’t understand.”

Yeah, Draco was starting to remember why he graded so harshly in the first place. “You…You really don’t see the problem here?”

Hesley’s lips trembled.

Oh Merlin, she really didn’t. It was a horrifying thought. What kind of life had the child been living for her to honestly think that torture was the correct answer? You know, what I don’t even want to know. While he did need Helsley to spill some of Potter’s secrets, having been with the child for weeks now, he could understand why she wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly.

Loneliness.

After the war, everything had fallen apart for the Malfoys, including whatever closeness they had left. He never had many friends and with the trials, the only people who he called such—Blaise and Pansy— had thought it best to be apart. He had just reconnected with Blaise before his grand kidnapping, but even that was more work than social.

Helsley—though she tried hard to hide it—was obviously starved for conversation with real people, and with Potter being gone most of the time, he had to wonder who she had even talked to, all eleven years of her life.

Potter really was such an asshole.

“Look, Hogwarts and just the wizarding world in general have rules. You can’t go around kill—,”

They both turned at the knock. Draco glanced at the clock near the door. “Susie is a bit early for lunch.” He murmured, but Helsley was already jumping out of her seat and running towards the entrance.

“Harry!”

Draco’s shoulders tensed at the sight of the raven, his gut clenching as he remained on the right side of the desk. It had been a few weeks since he had seen Potter in person. There were a few moments in between when the annoying Gryffindor told him to eat, but besides that, nothing.

The Alpha had prominent dark bags under his eyes and his hair —still wet from the shower— was pushed back into a ponytail. He had a silver cross on one ear with the rose tattoo just below it. Their eyes connected as Harry ruffled Helsley’s hair. He would prefer to just ignore the Gryffindor and hopefully he’d go away, but he was unfortunately trying to set an example.

“How are the lessons?” Harry asked, looking over to Draco. Was it the smirk that always made the Gryffindor extra punch worthy?

“Horrible.” Both Draco and Helsley said simultaneously, getting a chuckle out of the Alpha.

He could immediately tell the child was in full acting mode as she tugged Harry’s wrinkle free suit and gave the most outrageous puppy dog eyes. “Mr. Malfoy keeps failing me,” she said, pointing at him. Lucky for her, he wasn’t close enough to bite the finger off, but it was a close thing.

Draco crossed his arms and squinted, daring the Alpha to criticise him. He wasn’t above showing well deserved violence in front of a child. “I wouldn’t have to fail you if the answers were correct, brat.”

“And he keeps calling me a brat.”

That one got a full laugh from Harry, all wide lips and white teeth. Draco felt his breath catch. The Alpha had a beautiful smile that brightened his whole face, it showcased his rugged features perfectly. He shook his head trying to get rid of the ridiculous thoughts. So what if Potter was mildly attractive, that didn’t change the fact that he was a prick.

“Mr. Malfoy?”

He blinked as Harry’s voice finally registered. Damn, he must have gotten lost in his thoughts again. It was becoming a terrible habit, and Harry’s current smirk highlighted why. “What?”

“The assignment? What exactly does she keep failing? Charms? History of magic? Transfiguration?"

“Huh? We haven’t learned those things?” Helsley said, accusingly turning to him with a look that screamed why.

Draco picked up the parchment laying on the desk and held it out to her, enjoying the way her expression changed to one of embarrassment. “Well, show him what I’ve been failing you for.”

He waited for her to make the slow steps towards him as Harry looked between them.

“That’s…this doesn’t count.” she muttered, taking it from him and handing it to the Alpha.

“Oh?” Draco asked, "Should I go get the others?” he teased as Harry looked at the parchment.

“No.” she replied, looking at the ground.

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Harry’s face was so confused as he lowered the parchment that he wanted to make a Pensieve of it immediately.“Um, What exactly is this?”

Oh, how his eyes were just begging to roll. Set an example. Set an example!

“It’s the answer to your question, Potter. Manners,” he drawled, pointing at the board that had the word in bold. Funny how the Alpha could pick and choose when to be oblivious.

“Manners?” Harry repeated.

“Yes,” Helsley interjected, “Apparently no one can be sent to the dungeon.” She had her hands on her hips as though it was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard.

“Huh?”

“Right?! I mean, you send people to the dungeons all the time.”

Of course he did. He glared at Harry after that statement, watching the Alpha continue staring at Helsley like she was suddenly growing three heads.

“She is learning about Manners, Potter. It can’t be that hard to understand,” he said, watching the frown settle on the Alpha’s face.

You can’t be serious?

The voice in his head didn’t surprise him this time. He had unfortunately gotten used to it and knew for some reason the raven wouldn’t ask it in front of the child.

Do you think I would want to joke with you?

Draco that’s…Manners, seriously? What is she three?

No. Unfortunately, you let her pass that age without teaching anything!

That’s… What does manners have to do with her in Hogwarts?

You can’t be serious? He mocked, raising an eyebrow at the raven. Plus, you’re the one who said you wanted me to make her acceptable for school.

That’s not—

“What’s wrong with you guys?” Hesley asked, making both of their attentions snap towards her.

She was looking between them, probably wondering why they were just standing still like idiots, staring at each other.

Harry cleared his throat, handing her back the parchment. “Manners… that’s an interesting lesson plan.”

We will definitely be continuing this conversation later.

Fine by me, asshole.

If Potter had genuinely believed he would just teach the brat a bunch of spells and history lessons, then he was an absolute imbecile. She already had a whole species advantage, and he wanted to give her a magic one as well?

“Could you help me with the next exam?” She stuck out her bottom lip, not at all aware of the inner glares both he and Harry were giving to each other.

“Well…”

“Pleaseeeeeee, Harrry? Pleaseeeee.” She tugged at his black suit.

Draco smiled at the display. She knew how to wrap an Alpha under her thumb. At least Potter wouldn’t force him to give her love advice, the boys wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Fine.” Harry relented, gently removing her hands, not that he could salvage the wrinkles Helsley created.

“The lessons weren’t the only reason I came here. Did you forget what today is?”

“Today…” she murmured before her eyes lit up. “Wait, it’s already February?”

“The first yes.”

He scowled as they began another conversation. Glancing at the time it was already one o’clock. Was Potter just going to come and interrupt the whole day? Not that he cared.

“I can maybe floo call him again?” Her tone was hesitant as though a rejection was expected. He hadn’t thought the child knew anyone besides Potter, but her tone alone suggested it was far more than an acquaintance.

Harry ran a hand through his locks. “Actually, he insisted this year for you to attend, and his parents refused a meeting without adhering to his wishes.” he grumbled, his face not at all happy, even as Helsey started jumping up and down.

Draco scowled, tapping his fingers on the desk. Were they just going to pretend he was no longer there?

That seemed to garner Harry’s attention as he was once again watching him with that stupid smirk. “You will be attending as well.”

“Wait, wait, seriously, can I go?!” Helsley asked, stepping into his view.

Harry gave a reluctant nod, wincing at the squeal as Hesley started twirling around the classroom. “It’ll be good practice to see how you deal with others but remember to—.”

“Be careful and not reveal myself unless you give express permission. Yes, I know.”

“Cheeky.” He took out his pocket watch, grimacing at whatever time he saw. Leave it to the arrogant Alpha to ignore the damn clock on the wall.

Draco gave a loud cough, pausing the festivities. “Hello? I’m still here, Potter. I’ll go ahead and save you the trouble, I refuse. Great, glad we had this conversation.”

Hesley’s eyes widened as she snapped her head towards Harry. “Wow…”

What the hell was the brat so surprised about? She turned to him, slowly shaking her head. Truly an…interesting child.

Harry surprised him with a grin. “I was hoping you would say that.”

Hesley took a step away from him, going behind Harry as though she was expecting a duel at any moment.

He gritted his teeth already knowing what was coming at this point.

“You will attend this event tonight at 8:00pm and wear what I have provided for you, Draco please.”

“Huh?!” she said, her voice muffled at Harry’s back.

Draco’s hands tightened on the edge of the desk as the magic of the bond went through him. He wanted to say plenty of things, none of the child appropriate or even human appropriate, but he wasn’t fool enough to think it would do anything besides teach Hesley some new curse words.

A+ on Manners, Dragon.

He slammed his hand on the table as Harry walked out the door.

The silence was loud as Draco tried to take a deep breath through his nose. His fingers were really twitching to hit anything at the moment.

“I’ve never seen Harry say please and ignore a no. He must really not want you to quit.”

Draco looked at the child who was still, staring at the door. Though she still looked perplexed, he could practically feel the excitement radiating off her. It must be nice to be so excited at a simple event. Funny, he had taken his freewill for granted throughout the years, trying to keep his name in a positive light by making an appearance for anything and everything.

Now he didn’t get to choose.

“You know the last person who rejected an offer was supposed to be my teacher too! But he kind of got sent to the dungeon and then never seen again.” She said it like a simple gossip over tea and not a disturbing fact.

“And you’re telling me this because…” he drawled, watching the child lean on his table.

“It’s just,” She looked him over, making Draco want to fidget from the scrutiny. “Well, nevermind.” She shrugged, already starting to look bored. With Harry’s departure her excitement had fizzled out quicker than a small candle, but he still needed some answers to his questions.

“So, what’s this event that’s got you all,” He waved his hands in a circular motion. “Hufflepuffy.”

She tilted her head. “What is a Hufflepuffy?”

“Just answer the question, brat.” He tried to keep his tone neutral, as though he didn’t care about the answer either way, but Helsley was smart in some areas and from the way her smile widened, he knew she wasn’t going to give in so easily. Touche

“I don’t really remember, Professor.” She said, with a sly smile.

“Alright, fine, what do you want?” They didn’t have much time left, so Draco would allow her this win.

Helsley’s eyes twinkled like some villain as she looked back at the exam currently laying on her desk. Draco frowned at the thought of having to give her some fake grade. He did have some morals as a professor, even an unwilling one, but she surprised him inside by sticking up a finger. “Let me retake the exam, please.”

It was a reasonable request, and he had been planning on doing just that either way, but she didn’t need to know. “Deal,” he said, lips quivering at her silly little dance. “Now come on, what’s up with this event?”

She did one more twirl before facing him. “Well, it’s my friend Eric’s birthday today, and for once I can actually go and see him!”

“Wait, you have friends?” At her glare, he lifted a hand in surrender. “Not trying to tease you, I just never see you leave this place.” And that was the truth. Sure, he didn’t see her all the time, but he knew for a fact she was always within the protection of this mansion.

“Well, I have technically never seen him in person, but sometimes Harry lets me talk to him through the floor.”

“I…see.” He kept the pity out of his tone, knowing Healey would not appreciate it in the slightest.

“So it’s just some kids’ party?” But Harry had said something about needing a meeting with the parents so it couldn’t be that simple.

Helsley shook her head. She looked at the door for a second before getting closer to Draco. “Veelas.” She spoke it softly, but he heard it. So, Harry was meeting up with Veelas and most likely without the council’s approval either. But why exactly was the Alpha doing it was the question. It was a good reminder as to why he needed to leave this place. Potter was obviously playing some dangerous game of politics, and he knew sooner or later he would be thrust in the middle of it. He hadn’t been bonded just to be some babysitter; it was for something much bigger, but Potter refused to tell him. Perhaps the party wouldn’t be such a bad thing, he would at least be outside of the Alphas ward.

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, motioning for Helsley to go back to her seat. He could think about his escape later; right now, he just wanted to get this lesson over with

“If you want to pass the exam this time, we need to start with why violence is a disgusting Gryffindor trait.”

***

Draco glared at the offending garment hanging inside of the mini closet. Harry had wasted no time preparing his outfit, which meant this had been planned much earlier than he let on, or the Alpha was always prepared for everything. He was betting on the latter. Potter always seemed twenty steps ahead of everyone.

He gripped his wand, pointing at the two pieces. While he could admit that the dark tan of the suit and matching blazer looked like it came from an experienced designer, it still didn’t change the fact that he was forced to wear it. “Diffindo,” The magic flowed through him but stopped right at his chest. The bond severed it right before it reached his wand. Harry’s orders for him to wear it at eight kept him from destroying the damn thing.

Draco slammed the closet door shut before hurling his wand across the room with a scream. Being dressed like he was some child was even more humiliating than the captivity. He had thought about a possible escape earlier, but by the time he made it to his room, his brain had succumbed to the reality that escape was most likely not possible. Not in a room filled with people whom he knew nothing about and would want to make Potter happy. How was the Alpha even going to introduce him? Would he be paraded around like some omega pet? Just the thought had him wanting to throw something again.

He collapsed on the bed and threw the covers over his head. Was there any possible way to get out of this situation? He laughed at the thought. Right now, the Alpha would say some bullshit like ‘You could always beg, Dragon.’ He groaned into the pillow. Great, now he was getting used to the assholes replies. He shoved the covers off and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was mental torture to watch the time more. He had an hour left before the command activated. He could either accept it and just start getting ready on his terms—starting with a shower—or…well, really that was his only option. If he was going to be forced to go to the damn party, he wasn’t going to go looking like anything other than a dignified lord of his house. No, he would make sure he looked even better than Potter. Sure, the Alpha finally found a fashion sense consisting of black and blacker, but Clothing wasn’t the only thing that brought an outfit together.

With his mind made up, he ripped the covers off, stomping towards the bathroom. He opened the door, then paused at the doorway.

He let out a disbeliefing laugh.

Of bloody course.

The bathroom had been revamped to look more like a fashion pageant. Rows of jewellery littered the sink within a glass column. Different types of makeup hung up on the shelf beside it, and a row of ties was hung up where the towels had originally been. He picked up the plain, white parchment that was placed between the hand soaps. It read. ‘Enjoy.’ Draco ripped it up, throwing it into the trash can. Potter really was a meticulous bastard.

“Fine,” he said, through gritted teeth. “I’ll show you a taste of your own medicine, asshole.”

***

Harry leaned against the stairway, his hand playing with the watch in his pocket. He remained still, his full attention on the top of the staircase. In three more minutes, Draco would be forced to descend, and wearing the outfit he picked. The demon inside him growled in contentment at the knowledge, wanting to show itself in anticipation. He forced it back into its cage. It wasn’t time yet.

There was a tug on his black blazer. He glanced down at the tiny hands connected to his little, spoiled vampire. Susie had dressed her in a black ruffled dress with a white bow around the middle and red wedges that matched his dress shirt exactly. At the second tug, he grunted in acknowledgement. “Yes?” Harry already knew what Helsley was going to ask him but decided to humour her.

“Is it time yet?” She blew on her bangs, a huff leaving her as she fidgeted with her hair.

“It wasn’t two minutes ago, and it will not be for three more minutes.” He removed her hand, putting her bangs back into place. “Leave it alone, you look beautiful.”

He tried to pat her head, but it was smacked away as Helsley turned to face the opposite direction. “Don’t call me that.”

Harry tilted his head, trying to understand how he managed to make the child angry again. He always seemed to do that somehow, but he hadn’t been lying. She looked beautiful with her curly hair tamed just enough to be slicked back behind her ears, and her bangs highlighting her big brown eyes. She really takes after…He waved off the thought immediately. He needed to be focused tonight, and letting his mind slip even a little could make his Dragon catch wind of things he wasn’t ready for.

They both looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching the top of the spiral staircase. Harry stilled, commanding his demon to be patient. Time seemed like an executor, slowly lowering its sword to deliver the final blow. Thankfully, he had learned the art of patience, and when the blond rounded the corner, he was rewarded for his restraint.

Breathtaking.That’s the only accurate description he could give Draco as he descended the stairs with his aristocratic nose thrusted in the air. He couldn’t breathe, but that didn’t matter; it was no longer a need. No, he simply wished to keep his sight on the eternal omega before him.

Draco had outdone himself. His dragon always did when challenged. The tan suit was perfectly tailored to his body, as Harry knew it would be. It showed off his lithe form and muscles he must have worked hard for. He was still quite petite compared to Harry, but the omega gene guaranteed that. He had decided on slicking his hair back on one side behind the ear while another framed his face. Draco used one long gold chain for his earrings, which outlined the pale beauty of his neck, and black eyeliner to accentuate mesmerising grey eyes, currently staring at him with rage.

“Well? I’m here, Potter.”

Harry really should say something now, but his throat was learning how to function again.

“Wow.” Hesley breathed beside him. “You’re so pretty, Professor.” Her compliment made the omega preen, a wide smile taking over Draco’s face. Harry almost did something ridiculous like growl at the child. He knew Helsley wasn’t a threat, but his demon couldn’t decipher such things, only that someone was staring at what belonged to him.

“What’s wrong with you, Potter? You’re just standing there.” Draco smirked. “Jealous?”

Harry almost flinched at the comment, wondering if the omega had heard his thoughts, but his brain came online right on time. Draco must have thought he was jealous that the blond looked better than him. What a silly little dragon he was. He locked his neutral expression in place, a sly smile on his lips. “You’re gorgeous,” he purred, leaning in quick enough to take the blonde’s hand and kiss it, eyes locked on greys. He watched the small flush begin on the omega’s neck, rising to his face.

Draco ripped his hands away, seconds later, putting distance between him and going beside Helsley instead.

Harry chuckled. How cute. Draco had always been so perplexing. One minute he was bold, and the other he was shy. He never knew which one it would be, and wasn’t that the most entertaining thing?

“Can we get this over with?” Draco grumbled.

Hesley nodded her head in agreement, going on her pointy toes. “Yes, please,” she shook her head vigorously.

He took out his pocket watch. “We’ll be right on time. Helsley, you remember the rules?”

She nodded her head like a soldier did for a lieutenant, but that wasn’t enough for Harry.

“Tell me what they are.” At the beginning of a whine, his eyes narrowed at the child, making her mouth slam back shut. There could be no mistakes at this event, not even from a child.

She still rolled her eyes, repeating back the rules in monotone. “Do not mention anything about being a vampire. No biting. No throwing. No tantrums. And I will always keep the bow on me.

“Because?”

She sighed, crossing her arms. “Because it is my portkey, and if any emergencies shall occur, I am to use it to leave immediately…And my bloodlust is included in this… emergency. There was a snort behind her, the girl turning to stick her tongue out towards Draco.

Harry nodded in satisfaction at the answers before lifting a silver cross from his pocket. Alright, time to focus. The Alpha reigned in his thoughts as the omega approached him. This meeting would be crucial to putting his plan into effect, and he would not accept failure.

You will always stay within ten feet of me and never leave the building without my permission unless required to for your life, please, Draco.

He felt the command activate through the bond, Draco giving a small shiver as he glared daggers at Harry. Lifting the portkey into the air, he took hold of both of their hands and yelled. “Eserine Manor.”

Within seconds, they were whisked away.

Chapter Text

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose and tilted his head up as soon as they warped into a brightly lit residence. The turbulence in his stomach was a frustrating reminder of why he hated portkeys. He jerked at the feel of calloused fingers pushing his hands away, and his eyes snapped open, staring into green ones as Harry lifted a minty vial to his nose, waving it back and forth.

He wanted to push the annoying alpha away. Why did Potter always have to crowd him? But the nausea was dwindling, and Draco would rather not feel sick for the duration of this event. The natural scent of wood and rain that came from the alpha mingled with the vial’s scent, which helped even more. That fact made his blood boil. Did his body have some kind of Stockholm syndrome? No, it couldn’t be, he’d only heard of muggles getting such things…and wizards who used their hearts instead of their brains.

“Better?” Harry asked, his other hand rubbing at just the right spot on Draco’s lower abdomen. He couldn’t pinpoint when it’d been placed there, but the feeling made his stiff shoulders loosen. Fuck! Was he really one of those wizards? He now wanted to interrogate his mother about the possible collisions his head might have received throughout childhood.

“Draco?”

“What!” he snapped, preferring to glare at the ground rather than stare directly at the alpha’s intense eyes.

The chuckle made his fingers clench. If Harry was so amused, he could entertain him even more with a broken nose.

”I’ll take that as a yes,” Harry said, taking a step back as though reading his violent thoughts, which he technically could. While that knowledge would forever be irritating, he was thankful for the small distance. With the alpha no longer in his bubble, breathing was easier.

Damn Potter and damn his stylist! He needed to pull it together and restrain that omega in his head, who insisted on scenting his kidnapper. He made sure to look like every bloody species’ wet dream—not that it was hard—but he hadn’t been prepared for the recoil, especially the jet black hair gelled and slicked back, an illegal jawline and one gold cross earring.

But the biggest problem was that matte black suit, exquisitely tailored to Potter, the red dress shirt showcasing his chest like some indecent book from the depths of hell. Draco had nearly slipped coming down the stairs when he saw the alpha, but he avoided his humiliation with a well timed stumble. That’s why he never uttered a complaint about the ‘Malfoy’s tortured education’, as Blaise had kindly put it. It did come in handy at times.

“Can we go to the actual party now?” Helsley asked from behind him. Her tone was filled with impatience.

Draco looked over to her with a raised eyebrow. The child was clutching her bow tightly, eyes going in every direction. She wasn’t very good at hiding her nerves. He would have to add that into a lesson. It didn’t have anything to do with manners, but she couldn’t go around showing her emotions so plainly.

“One moment,” Harry replied, catching Draco’s attention once more. The Alpha seemed to be giving him a once over, making his skin tingle at the attention, out of unease, of course. “Are you okay now?” he asked.

The question caught him off guard.

He could admit Potter was helpful, bringing an anti-nausea potion in advance, but the alpha not wanting him puking on his associates’ expensive wardrobes didn’t mean he cared. “If I said no, would I be allowed to leave?”

“Yes.”

“Then No.”

“If you were being honest about it,” Harry finished, ignoring his quick reply.

Draco was ready to give a seething retort, but he hesitated at the sound of footsteps approaching. Harry’s amused expression had turned to one of cold indifference so quickly that it was jarring.

They all turned to see an older gentleman, dressed in a plain tuxedo, coming up the steps with one of those shopkeeper smiles. He bowed at them, keeping his eyes to the ground. “Evening, my name is Alexandro, the house manager. The Bianchi family is honoured by your presence, Lord Potter.” His tone was respectful, yet snobby. He had no scent, so he must be a beta. The Bianchi family. Where had he heard that name before?

Harry bowed. “The honour is mine. I brought Helsley, as requested.” He motioned for her to take a step forward.

Draco looked at the girl that was now treating her lip like some chewing toy. Helsley looked over to him with wide eyes that screamed ‘Help me.’ How was he supposed to do that? It’s not like he could do the introductions for her. In a few seconds, the silence would become awkward, but most of all, Draco would be seen as a terrible teacher.

That was unacceptable.

With limited options available, he held out his hand to her, giving a reassuring smile. That seemed to be the right option as she immediately took it. The touch, for some reason, gave her confidence as she bowed towards the man.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Helsley. Can I see Eric?”

Draco didn’t know whether to laugh or stare in horror. He glanced at Potter, whose face remained a cold mask with a subtle twitch of his lips.

Alexandro didn’t mind the curtness, smiling at the child much more warmly than the one Potter received. “Of course, would you like me to take you to him?” He directed the question at Harry, but Helsley was already nodding her head in rapid succession.

He clutched her hand tightly, just in case the child jumped on the poor man.

“She’ll introduce herself to the Lord and Lady of the house first,” Harry commanded, giving Helsley a look. They must have had the same thought.

Her lips were pursed in a tiny pout, but she thankfully remained silent on the matter.

“Of course,” Alexandro said, turning to Draco.

He gave a mirrored smile but chose not to bow. He wouldn’t tarnish the Malfoys’ reputation, but he couldn’t make this easy for Potter, either.

“Mr. Malfoy, a pleasure to have your attendance. The Bianchi family welcomes you wholeheartedly.”

Draco worked hard to keep his smile in place. Why did that sound so weird? As though he was being thanked for something, and there goes that name again. Bianchi Family.

That’s when it clicked. Bloody hell, they couldn’t be…

He discreetly looked at the lavish lounge painted in gold. It had decorations and art that even his father would’ve considered expensive. Fuck. On second look, the first vase that caught his eye wasn’t painted, it was real gold. He could tell. It sat next to a limited collection, white leather love seats, rumoured to seat King Arthur himself. Pansy had shown him it once, while in tears about someone purchasing it from whatever that museum was called. Harry brought him to one of the richest Veelas in the damn world.

The King and Queen.

Could wizards have heart attacks? He may find out soon.

Calm down.

What a ridiculous command. How the hell did you manage to get the Veelas’ Royalty to invite you? I thought they had a strong detest for all wizard kind.

He ignored the laughter in his head, knowing the Alpha wouldn’t answer. He gave the beta a closer inspection. He should have figured it out sooner. Draco squinted and saw the tiny particles of magic surrounding Alexandro’s face. So he was a Veela as well.

“I shall lead the way to the foyer. It is another entrance, but one must have a particular item to enter,” he said as three golden bracelets appeared in his hands. Those were real gold as well. He could see the king’s dragon side showing itself.

“May I?” Alexandro asked, looking at Draco’s wrist.

Draco calmed, giving him a nod of approval. It wasn’t per the alpha’s command. He just saw the perfect opportunity here. The king was powerful enough, and he had a horde of ancient magical books for one reason or another. He could find something to break the bond.

The beta attempted to reach for his wrist, but Harry disappeared from the corner of his eye. He blinked as the Alpha appeared in front of him. Draco’s view was blocked, but whatever Potter had on his face caused Alexandro to apologise.

“I wasn’t aware, Lord Potter. I ask for your forgiveness,” he said, taking a step back.

What the hell?

“Accepted,” Harry said, his voice rough, before he turned with the gold bracelet in hand.

Draco blinked as his wrist was grabbed and the bracelet placed before he could pull away. Seriously, what was the alpha’s damn obsession with touching him? He hated how the sensation always lingered wherever those fingers landed.

I wouldn’t say strong detest.

He was confused for a moment, but then his previous words came back to him just as the beta placed the bracelet on Helsley.

“Pretty,” she murmured, holding it up in the light.

They wished for our extinction through multiple articles. A wizard hasn’t been allowed to set foot in their kingdom for sixty-nine years.

“Please follow me.” Alexandro began his descent down the enormous hallway, with them a step behind. Chandeliers followed along the path in perfect symmetry. The lights were too bright and sparkly. His throbbing temples confirmed it. Draco preferred the silent elegance of Potter’s mansion. Showy was nice, but subtle showed elegance without the need for interpretation. That was more powerful to him.

Hmm. Well, the last visitors hadn’t been exactly respectful.

Draco rolled his eyes at Harry. The Alpha was looking straight ahead, eyes not wandering in the least, but he could feel the raven looking.

How. Did. You. Do. It

Be a good boy and you’ll find out for yourself.

He hated the way his cheeks warmed at the damn tone. Why did Potter have to sound so sultry saying these things? Was it some dumb Alpha bullshit to sound intimate when speaking with an omega? Fuck you, he thought, making sure Harry didn’t get the last word.

Besides their footsteps making light taps on the metallic floors, the loud dingle of Heslely’s bracelet could be heard. It was obnoxiously loud compared to anyone else’s. When Draco looked down, he could see why. She was swinging the damn thing, eyes fixated like a cat playing a game of ‘Where’s The Dot.’ He needed to update his ‘why no children list’ to include ‘noisy.

Draco coughed in her direction, continuing to follow Alexandro as they came upon a large double set of doors.

Helsley paused her annoying game and looked up with those big brown eyes. She leaned into him, tapping the side of his trousers. He raised a brow. She was probably going to apologize for having sudden amnesia when it came to his lessons.

“Should I ask Alexandro to get you some water? He seems nice enough.”

He stumbled. So now she had no trouble talking to the man? Children were such quirky creatures, and did she think that was a whisper? Her voice had both the beta and Potter turning to look at them.

“Apologies. We have arrived, and the bartender can get you a beverage of your choosing as soon as the doors open.

Add to list number forty-two: Cannot whisper to save their damn lives! No wonder parents died first during the witch trials.

“It’s fine, just a light cough,” Draco murmured, directing a glare to the vampire. She looked innocent, but he knew better.

“Understood. Please stand back and hold your bracelets up towards the red eye on top of the door.”

He looked up at the door, where eerie red eyes glowed down on them. Draco could feel the magic held within it, colors that reminded him of flame encasing the door. “So, what would happen if you weren’t invited and you tried to get past?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Alexandro gave him a wide smile, but now he had his glimmer off, sharp rows of razor teeth revealing his true form. “Your soul would be consumed by flames, Lord Malfoy.”

Well if that wasn’t nightmare inducing imagery.

“Shall we?” he asked, holding up his arms. Harry and Helsley followed suit, and then Draco a bit more reluctantly. The red eyes became even brighter and filled the space beneath their feet. He could feel the magic passing through, inspecting him from head to toe. It was not a pleasant feeling.

“Feels weird.” Helsley shivered beside him. Did she feel it more because of her nature? They were already sensitive creatures to magic so it would make sense.

The door finished its silent interrogation, deeming them worthy as it slowly opened with a loud creak.

“Wow,” Helsley breathed.

He had to agree with that statement.

He should have known that if the lounge was filled with priceless treasures then of course the main hall would consist of more.. Artifacts, both silver and gold,lined the walls in full display. Everything was decorated with pink, with statues of older veela’s being used as columns in between. The lights were dim, allowing the furniture to sparkle with whatever gloss they had been coated in.The party was in full motion with far too many people for Draco to count.There was a seven-foot tall tree of presents that hit the ceiling next to a huge table on the side with an assortment of colourful food, but, oddly enough, he couldn’t hear anything. Where was the sound? He saw the people’s mouths moving and others swaying, but he couldn’t hear any of it..

“Once you all step inside nothing can be heard from the other side. It helps everyone be comfortable.” Alexandro answered as though he already expected the question.

More like keeping loose tongues controlled.

And secrets within these walls, Harry added.

He peeked at the Alpha who was observing the celebration with a neutral gaze. Harry took the first step forward, Helsley right behind him. Draco took a deep breath before he went in beside them, the sound of a bubble popping as noise assaulted their ears. Little fingers gripped his hands as he got a closer look. He surprisingly recognized some of the ministry officials here, faces he was forced to interact with at one point or the other. So, Harry hadn’t been the only official invited.

Funny how this was supposed to be a kids celebration, yet he barely saw the little critters around.

Alexandro bowed. “I must take my leave and bring the other guests. The King and his Queen will be at the very end on the left. Please enjoy.”

Draco didn’t bother replying as the beta departed. People were starting to notice their entrance. He saw the horrid ogre approaching them first. Keeping the revulsion down was hard. Fudge had gotten even uglier throughout the years, his gut heavier than before and tiny sprinkles of grey hair surrounding his bald head.

Helsley's hand tightened its grip causing him to wince. Why did the child keep holding on to him?

“A monster is coming over here, Harry,” she said, looking at the raven with wide eyes. Draco smirked, perhaps he could let her hang off him a little longer.

“Stay close to Draco and no matter what, don’t interact with him,” Harry said, getting in front of them just in time for the rat to arrive. His new wife was with him, her childlike looks a disgusting combination next to the man. He could guess why she chose him, and that fact alone made him hold no respect for the woman. There simply wasn’t enough money in the world to bed that…thing.

“Minister Potter! I have to say I’m surprised to see you were invited as well,” Was Fudge’s first words, his tone more than a little mocking. He glanced over to Draco, beady eyes lingering far too long. God, he was going to puke.

Draco could only see the alpha’s back as he adjusted his stance, blocking his line of sight completely. Not being able to see the ugly Alpha was a relief, really.

“Hello, Cornelius. I’m here on official business. Since you’re retired, I suppose pleasure is your goal for tonight?” Harry replied, his tone equally as mocking as he gave a pointed look at the brunette omega hanging off his arm. She had the audacity to flush, before looking at the ground.

How funny—he didn’t think she could feel shame.

“I don’t like him,” Helsley whispered to Draco, to which he gave her a nod of approval. Smart girl.

He peeked from behind Potter in time to see the man flinch as Harry took a step forward and extended his hand. It was amusing how scared Fudge was of Harry. Everyone knew the former minister hadn’t handed over his position willingly. He had to wonder what exactly Potter threatened him with.

Fudge cleared his throat, taking the extended hand with a crooked smile. “I’m sad to see that it’s just you. How long has it been? Five years since your entourage’s... unfortunate end?”

Draco was the one who flinched this time as pain ran through him. Not his pain, but Potter’s. And rage. So much damn rage it was almost blinding, but no one could tell from the alpha’s expression as his smile remained pleasant.

“Yes, It’s been years now,” Harry replied,”Good to see your memory is still sharp.”

Fudge seemed to be in a bit of pain, his face twitching as Harry continued to grip his hand. “Ah, well yes, they are greatly missed. Um, I see you have some new people with you?” The man’s buggy eyes hit him once more like an annoying fly. “Is that you, Malfoy?”

“Fudge,” He deadpanned.

The man knew he didn’t like him, and after his father’s death he thankfully could keep his interactions short with the slimy alpha.

“I’m surprised to see you in Minister Potter’s company. I heard your rivalry could outmatch that of Salazar and Godric. Though I suppose, as with your father, one must always stick to those in power. I have to wonder how you two get along now.” His eyes trailed down Draco’s body, his implication clear to anyone watching. Draco glanced around the room. He saw some wizards had taken a step closer. They pretended to continue their festivities, but there was no denying the prying ears.

You will not reply to him, please Draco.

He gritted his teeth as the bond reacted. How stereotypical to be accused of sleeping around for power. Being an omega guaranteed such thoughts from others and Harry wouldn’t even let him defend himself?

Did you bring me here to be humiliated, Potter?

Fudge will be begging for your forgiveness by the end of the night, I promise.

Harry let go of the man’s hand abruptly, causing him to stumble back. “Considering the fact that I now own the Daily Prophet, it would only make sense for him to be here. And I would watch your words, Fudge. Certain rumours can be hard to control, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

Fudge’s eyes twitched. “Ah, apologies. I perhaps overstepped. My old age makes me talkative.”

What a load of bollocks. His words would only fuel the gossip, and coming from a hypocrite just made it worse. The man always had another omega on his arms, and the talks of his secret boytoys were more than true, especially with the hunger Draco could see plainly in the man’s eyes. His porcelain wife could apparently tell as well, judging by her glare.

“Understandable. Now, if you would excuse me, I should talk to the lord,” Harry said curtly. “Do enjoy the party, Cornelius. You only live once, right?”

Draco could understand the threat laced in the alpha’s words, but the previous minister didn’t seem to hear it, giving another crooked smile. Just how in the world had he remained in power so long? He was jerked from his thoughts at the tug on his trousers.

“Can we go now? I wanna see Eric,” Hesley whined, finally catching Fudge’s attention. But they were already walking away, being herded by Potter toward the bar with an assortment of drinks.

“He is probably with his parents. Helsley, you will come with me,” Harry replied.

Draco raised an eyebrow at him, still boiling from the interaction with the slimy git. “And do tell, Potter. What could this lovely omega do for you?” he grumbled.

Harry smirked at him, pointing to the bartender. “For now enjoy yourself, Dragon. I also brought you here as a thanks for managing to get me invited.”

What the hell was Potter talking about? The alpha was off his marbles. What did Draco have to do with a party he hadn’t even known existed. He already knew Potter wasn’t going to answer his cryptic bullshit, so he didn’t bother asking.

Draco turned away from them. For once he would follow Harry’s directions and head straight for the bar. Getting a little tipsy would do him good considering the bloody month he’s had.

The bartender was a short man—specifically veela—with his sharp teeth and glowing hair. Hw

“Just Vodka.” Draco said to the short man over the counter. He got a nod and a smile as the bartender started making his drink. He knew the Alpha wasn’t far considering the fact that he had been ordered to remain within six feet. Just that thought alone had him changing his order to two vodkas instead.

As he settled and looked around, he couldn’t help but think about his friend. Blaise would have enjoyed this place. The music was lively, free bar and plenty of omegas to go around. Draco on the other hand preferred his house, which was most likely littered with dust at the moment.

“Here you go, gorgeous.” The Bartender slid the drink his way with a flirty smile before attending to his other customers.

Draco immediately grabbed at the thing, gulping it down like juice. The burn was painful, but it was a means to an end. He wasn’t foolish enough to get tipsy amongst a group of politicians and journalists, but a man needed a bloody drink once in a while.

He never saw Potter drink much alcohol besides the occasional wine during breakfast. Which really was so barbarian, only savages drank while the sun was high in the air. He should feel more calm finally leaving that damn mansion so why instead did he feel so…unsettled. It was aggravating.

Draco took his second shot, slamming it down.

“Rough night?” A deep voice said, sliding to the stool beside him just as the burn settled.

He turned to the man, who seemed to have inherited the stereotypical Alpha height and muscle mass, but his blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair was quite starling. Draco couldn’t help but admit the man could outmatch the prettiest of omegas with that face.

“Not in the mood to socialize.” Was his curt reply, before he lifted a hand for another vodka.

There was silence for a moment and Draco assumed the conversation would end there, but apparently not as the made slide even closer to him. Oh great. The man was probably the ‘never been rejected type.’ Well, Draco never minded being the first.

“Fair enough. I’m already tired of this party myself. My father has been harping about it all damn month.”

That caught his attention, which was probably the man’s intention. So he was also the ‘bragging —type’ bloody hell couldn’t he catch a break? His father was probably some advisor or planner who liked to get his son ‘connected’ through these parties.

“Tough crowd huh.” The man said, making Draco roll his eyes as he turned to him.

“Look, whatever your name is–” He started.

“Matteo Bianica, nice to meet you.” The man held out his hand.

Draco stiffened as he stared at those perfect dimples. “As in, the eldest son of…”

Matteo waved it off as though he didn’t just introduce himself as the bloody prince. “ Eh, the old man hates taking pictures, so it’s whatever. You won’t get executed or anything,” He proceeded to laugh like it was some inside joke.

Now it was starting to make more sense as to why the bar seemed to have cleared out. Draco really would have to ask the gods specifically at which point in his life did he catch their attention. Someone had to be going out of their way to punish him.

He gave Matteo a small nod. He wasn’t a Veela anyway, so he didn’t need to be overly polite, and what did the man want with him anyways. “Well, enjoy. “ He went to get up, but the hand on his wrist made him freeze.

“Sorry.” Matteo quickly took his hands away, scratching his cheeks. “ Um. I just saw you come in with Lord Potter and I guess I assumed.”

Draco’s eyes narrowed. “What? That I was some escort you could have for the night?” He watched Matteo jerk back as though slapped.

“What?” He said, tone aghast. “ Oh god no I…I’m not into…I mean no I’m an Omega! Not that I mean of course Omegas could also um…”

Draco’s shoulders loosened as the man continued rumbling on. He tried to sniff him in a way that could go unnoticed, the scent of citrus hitting his nose. So he really was an omega. The man certainly didn’t look like it body wise.

“I really wasn’t—”

“I get it.” Draco hoped the man wasn’t going to have a damn seizure, with his luck, he would get blamed, and then execution wouldn’t be so far-fetched. “What exactly did you want then?”

He watched Matteo take a deep breath, motioning the bartender over. “Honestly, Potter is pretty chill, so I just thought you would be as well. I needed to get away from...” He waved at the party, giving a small smile.

The bartender bowed at them, his posture much more poised than before. “How can I serve you, my prince?”

“Surprise me and my friend here.”

Draco almost laughed at the look of barely contained horror on the short man’s face. From his short observation, the prince didn’t seem to be the asshole type. But still, he didn’t think the man knew that and was probably fearing for both his job and life at the moment.

The bartender gave a stiff nod and said “ Yes, sir.” Before he began mixing.

“That was cruel.” Draco said, smirking at the amused face beside him.

“ Well, I saw the way he was looking at you earlier. Against the rules to flirt at this event as staff. Sorry if he made you uncomfortable.”

Just how long had the prince been watching him exactly? Draco shrugged as two multicoloured drinks were placed between them. “He just complimented me. Didn’t notice him continuing to look, and I can handle myself, thanks.”

“I can see that now.” He relented. “Just you know, omegas gotta stick together, right?”

Besides his mother, Draco didn’t befriend many Omegas. Or perhaps, it was more that they tended to avoid him. In the pureblood world, everything was a competition, even romance, and Draco was arrogant enough to admit that no one dared compete with him in the looks department.

“Speaking of omegas, it looks like Eric finally found Hesley." He pointed to the far corner, where Draco looked to see Helsley holding hands with a child whose hair was the same strawberry blond as Matteo’s, but much shorter. She? No—he. Or maybe just ‘they’? The child wore a pink tutu dress with a golden crown on their head. He was being dragged forward by Hesley, Potter right behind them.

“Isn’t he such a cutie? What do you think about the dress? I’m the one who picked it out.”

Draco turned to the prince, who seemed to be assessing his reaction. Draco scoffed, looking away from him. Did he think he would care about the boy’s outfit? Only an idiot with too much time on their hands would mind something so inconsequential “Tell him to fire you and get a better stylist. I would pick a lighter pink to match his hair and the crown should have been silver. Thankfully, he is beautiful, or you’d ruin his pictures.”

That got a genuine laugh from Matteo, who had some of the people closer to them turning to look. The prince slapped his shoulders which freaking hurt before downing his drink. “Hey! Over here!” he screamed, waving at the trio.

Draco’s eyes caught Harry’s, who was looking him over in a way that made the omega turn back around, also downing his own drink. He hated how his body sometimes reacted to the damn Alpha, the bond now making itself known once again.

Missed me, Dragon?

Draco gripped the glass as Matteo continued ushering them forwards. I was hoping you would conveniently get lost… permanently.

If I did, how would I bring you your gift?

Draco turned to glare at the raven who was now only a few feet from him. He remembered his last gift, which had been his own wand that he could only use with permission. But Draco blinked instead as Harry stepped to the side and a woman in a flowy green dress came into view.

He had to be imagining it.

How was she here?

But there was no mistaking the black and white hair, nor the face similar to his own. His mother was right behind Harry, her eyes locking with his.

Surprise.

Chapter Text

Helsley glanced around the room as she continued to drag the pink-haired boy through the crowd. Oh, wait, Harry had said Eric’s hair was called strawberry blond. She turned to look at him. It looked pink to her, but Harry was never wrong. Other adults, maybe, but never her Harry.

Speaking of which, where was he? She had become distracted again by all the pretty colours in the room. The party was kind of boring, but Professor Malfoy said, ‘not everything needed to be told,’ and she didn’t want to hurt Eric's feelings.

“Helsley.”

She turned at the touch of her wrist, glancing up to the eyes of her guardian. He was frowning again. He tended to do that.

“I keep telling you to stay close to me.” He sighed, moving her—which in turn moved Eric—back to his side.

Her hands tightened on the little boy's arm. Was he going to make her leave now? Helsley had never been around so many people, and though they smelled weird, she didn’t want to go back to that boring mansion. The guards just stood still all the time, and she only ever saw her professor during classes or breakfast.

“Um, it kinda hurts,” Eric mumbled, his face contorted.

“Oh,” Helsley said, quickly letting go of his arm. Everyone was just so fragile. She had hoped Veelas were stronger, but they were just as weak as humans. Or maybe she was too strong.

“It’s okay,” he replied, continuing to stare at the ground. He was clutching his wrist. Great. Now it was all red and puffy. She had messed up again.

Helsley had promised not to hurt anyone, yet here she was hurting her only friend. Though, perhaps they were never friends. Eric had only said a few words to her the whole night, and she could smell the scent of fear on him. He was scared of her, flinching every time she spoke, moved, or breathed.

She glared at the boy. Who wanted to be friends with someone puny, weak, and weird smelling, brat anyway?! Peeking a glance at Harry, he seemed to be distracted by something across the room. That's good, at least he wouldn’t see her being bad again.

As they continued walking, she heard a yell from across the room. It sounded like Matteo, so she couldn’t help but go on her tippy toes trying to spot him. Helsley had only seen peeks of the prince during her floo calls. Stupid tall people. Why couldn’t they be shorter or bend down some more?

As they got closer to the voice, Helsley spotted Professor Malfoy. He was sitting at the bar, looking like a prince, next to Matteo, who was an actual prince. They both looked like pretty dolls, which was probably why so many people were staring that way. Well, they couldn’t have either one without Harry’s approval.

She smirked at the thought. Because of Harry, everyone would eventually wanna be her friend, and Eric will be so jealous! But if he begged a hundred times, maybe she would forgive him. Harry always said everyone deserved at least one more chance before death. Thankfully, this was Eric's first mistake. He was her first friend after all, she would be sad if she had to kill him.

“Mother?!”

Helsley blinked back to the present, her ears ringing. Oh, when had they stopped walking? And why was Professor Malfoy yelling again? He was always like that, especially with Harry. He didn’t seem to mind it, though. In fact, she couldn’t help but think her guardian liked it. His scent always got kinda sweet when Professor Malfoy did it. It was a bit weird. Who liked being yelled at? But maybe she was the weird one. If Harry liked it, then it must be a good thing.

A woman came into view, her dress all green and shiny. She was pretty for an old lady and seemed to have her full attention on Professor Malfoy.

The lady hugged Professor Malfoy, causing him to take a step back, but her teacher seemed more focused on Harry. He had those stabby eyes again. He always had them around her guardian. He told her she couldn’t just glare at people, but he could? Now, how was that fair? She would put a formal complaint forward for the next lesson.

Harry patted her head, the touch warm and heavy. “Why don’t you go play a little, enjoy yourself, but remember no—”

“Yes, yes, I know.” She removed his arms, but didn’t dare roll her eyes while Professor Malfoy was still around. That eyes-rolling lesson had been so boring, plus, it would be dreadful if they got stuck. Harry had said there wasn’t even a spell to fix that. Wizards needed to pull themselves together! I mean, come on! How could you make a killing curse before an eye-rolling one?

Fingers snapped in front of her. She blinked at Harry, who was gazing into her eyes, or maybe her soul. Harry took hold of her chin, lifting it. “You keep spacing. Did you drink more than one cup before dinner, Helsley?”

The lie left her lips instantly. “No?” She had. Three cups, really, but the ox blood had been delicious.

Harry frowned. “Helsley. What did I say about liars?”

She couldn’t help the way her lips trembled. “I have to go to the dungeon now?”

Harry’s eyes widened in front of her, his scent souring enough for some people to pause as they passed them.

It was even worse than she had thought. Wait…how many times had she lied this week? Shoot, definitely more than twice. That means her punishment would be even worse.“I have to…die?” she corrected.

Harry jerked back, his grip tightened, but she barely felt it. She was a strong girl.

“Merlin, Helsley no,” Harry whispered. “That's—those punishments are for others, never for you, understand?”

Helsley nodded her head. Right, of course. It would be harder to kill her, since she wasn’t human after all. How did you kill a vampire, anyway? Harry had to figure that out before she could be given her punishments. She hoped he never found them then.

Harry sighed, rubbing his temples. “Go have fun, okay, just stay close enough.”

“Okay,” Helsley mumbled. She never should’ve taken that stupid blood, but it helped her feel better for the party. Not that she had been scared or anything, just better to be prepared in case she needed to jump into battle with her guardian. Also, Professor Malfoy was pretty weak, so what if Harry needed help protecting him?

She tapped Eric on the shoulder so he would look at her. What was so interesting about the ground, anyway? “Wanna go look at the food?” She decided to extend the invitation just to be polite, but he would still need to beg for forgiveness.

“I’ll, um, just stay here with Matteo,” he said, eyes going right back to that damn ground. She wanted to turn the stupid thing into lava.

“Fine,” she snarled, getting a raised brow from Harry. Crossing her arms, she turned away from them and headed for the table, feeling the tears pricking her eyes. Helsley couldn’t let people remember her as a wailing baby.

So it was official. Eric just didn’t like her in person. Fine! Helsley was used to it. Her parents must not have liked her in person either, that's why they gave her to Harry. She knew they were wizards, so it made sense. They were so fragile, just like Eric, and she was just a monster. What if she had broken them? They had made the right choice, and Eric was making the same one, so she wasn’t mad or anything.

In all her books, the monster always ended up sad and alone, but Harry liked her, so maybe if she pretended not to be a monster, she wouldn’t have to be alone, too. First, she needed to learn to eat human food. She snuck a peek at Harry before shoving one of the cookies in her mouth.

Then promptly spit it out. Disgusting. Her stomach immediately let her know its discomfort. Drat, Harry was right again. She was getting a stomachache. But she hadn’t even swallowed. Pretending not to be a monster was going to be harder than she thought.

***

Draco took a step back to the bar counter as that familiar scent hit him. Oak and pine. He had missed it. It had been a month since he last saw his mother, and though most people wouldn’t consider that a long time, it had felt like an eternity to him.

She was the only blood he had left. The only one who understood him more than he understood himself. Draco had made a promise to protect her. And he had for years, until Potter came and ruined everything.

“Harry, have you been feeding my child?!”

His eyes snapped open, back to reality as he looked between them. “What the hell is going on?” Since when had his mother referred to Potter by his first name?

“Language, dear, let me take a look at you.” Delicate fingers held his face steady as blue eyes assessed him, before giving a nod in satisfaction. “Good, you can live another day.” She smiled back at Harry, but her words only served to deepen his confusion. His mother was being far too nice to his kidnapper.

He looked over to Harry, who was just staring with that constant unbothered expression. It was both annoying and unnerving. He knew without a doubt that the Gryffindor did something to her.

What's with the death glare? I thought you would be happy to see Mrs. Malfoy.

If you can’t understand why I’m upset, then you're even more of an imbecile than I thought.

“Draco, dear? Are you in shock? You’re so silent.” Draco looked back at her. The last time he had seen his mother with such a soft expression was right after the war, when all they had was each other as comfort. He never saw it again after the funeral.

They hadn’t been given the courtesy of seeing his body. The council had considered it merciful.

Hilarious.

The Malfoys’ request to see Lucius before his confinement had apparently been “arrogant”, but being provided his body was considered cruel? Anything other than that empty casket would have been better. His mind had replaced the absence with memories he wished would fade.

Draco gripped his mom's wrist, a move that had her giving him her full attention. “We need to talk…” He looked back at Harry, but the alpha was no longer there. When he looked around, the rest of them also disappeared. He hadn’t even noticed the trio moving. Looking around, Draco saw they didn’t go very far. The whole group was now standing near the food assortment, with Matteo taking little bites of a cookie as he smiled at whatever Potter had said.

But Harry paused, turning to look back at Draco with a wink.

I figured you would want some privacy. I can only give you ten minutes, Dragon.

Draco gritted his teeth. I will talk to my mother as long as I want, Potter!

“Did you take a potion too?”

He focused back on his mother, who had an eyebrow quirked at him. “ Mother, what are you talking about—wait, what do you mean by too?! Did you take a potion? Did Potter force you to—.”

She stopped his tirade with a finger on his lips. “Do calm down, love. Harry didn’t force me to do anything if that's your concern… well, I suppose there was one thing.”

Draco was ready to demand she tell him everything, but the woman knew him well. When Draco saw that look—the one where she was ready to throw a fit—he took the hint. “Why are you now calling him, Harry? What has he told you exactly?”

“No need to rehash the conversation. The most important thing is we need him to save this family, Draco.”

His eyes narrowed as he began inspecting his mother. “Is he blackmailing you? Did he bind you in some way?” Any skin shown was still unblemished, no marks, so it didn’t seem to be the case. However, her green dress was flowy and long; perhaps he couldn’t see it.

“I am here of my own free will, Dear. I would never let someone do such a thing. Do you take me for some incompetent witch?”

Draco tried not to flinch at the insult. His mother didn’t seem to know about the bond, but he still wanted to explain himself for some ridiculous reason! “He could be forcing you to say that! Mother, you do realise I’ve been kidnapped, right? Has Potter been feeding you lies?!”

She ignored the question, holding out her hand.

Draco stared at it before looking back up to his mother's contented expression. “I don’t understand?”

“Don’t be dense, love. Be a gentleman and dance with me.”

“Mother.”

“Shhh. You’ve always been such a chatty child. Dance with your mother, love, for now, I just want to enjoy being together with my son.” Something in her tone made Draco pause. Only he noticed the slight waver, but that was enough to end his resistance immediately. Narcissa had always been an expert at guilt-tripping.

Draco also understood his mother well. She wouldn’t keep him waiting long, but for now, she needed comfort in her own way. With a sigh, he allowed her to drag him to the dance floor, her dress swaying with the elegance befitting a Malfoy.

As they began swaying to the beat, his mother glanced over to the direction of Harry before swaying them both closer to where the music was playing the loudest. Draco wasn’t an idiot. He knew at the moment that was the only way their conversation could truly remain private.

She leaned into him. “How have you been, love?”

He allowed her smell to calm him. “I’ve been held captive for over a month. And for some inexplicable reason, I have the feeling you were aware of this.”

“That's correct, I am the one who told him your location, after all.”

The words made him pause. Draco thought it best to give his mother time to add in the ‘Just joking, dear,’ but it never came. Instead, her expression was a firm one. She was serious.

“Why?” Draco’s tone made her flinch, but he didn’t care. “What could Potter have possibly offered you?” He tried to ignore the little clench of pain he was feeling in that pesky organ. How could his mother make it sound so easy to hand him over?

The grip on his arm tightened as she forced him to continue his swaying once more. “Don’t give me that tone, Draco Malfoy. I did not betray you. Everything I do is for you. Has been for you, from the moment you were born.”

Draco frowned, choosing to look towards the crowd of people rather than Narissca. “Funny, I remember Father telling me the same thing right before I became a Death Eater.” He knew the words would hurt her, knew it had never been her choice, nor one she truly wanted for him.

“Don’t be a coward, dear.” Her hands were gentle as they turned his face back to hers. “Haven’t I taught you better? Always look the person in the eyes if you truly want the words to cut.”

Draco remained silent as she gave him a sad smile. “This is not the same. I regret the role I took, love. I’ll regret it for the rest of my life, and I know your father does as well.”

Draco shook his head. “ Don’t give me meaningless words, Mother. Father is dead, we will never know if he regrets any of his choices.”

She shook her head. “One thing I’m sure of is that your father loved you. Perhaps he wouldn’t regret the side he joined, but I know he regrets hurting you.” Something about her words threw him off, but he couldn’t put a finger on it. She sounded so certain, and perhaps it was how well she knew her husband, but he still couldn’t ignore his gut.

“Mother…what did Harry promise you?” It didn’t make any sense to him. His mother had been so ecstatic when he told her about the article he was writing about Potter. And now she was acting like some loyal follower to the alpha.

This time her smile was wide, eyes sparkling. “He promised to give us back all that we’ve lost. Everything love, we can all be together again.”

“We could all be together again?”

Draco couldn’t understand, and his mother must have seen it from his expression, because she leaned in once more and whispered, “Your father is alive, Draco. We will be reunited tonight.”

The world seemed to shrink on itself, with only his mother's face now in view. Draco couldn’t hear the music anymore, the sound fading as his mother's words kept repeating in his head.

This couldn’t be happening.

“Mother, that's not—”

“Don’t…Nothing's impossible,” she said, her eyes hard. “I always knew he was alive. I knew it the moment I stared into that unsightly casket. And I know you did too.

***

Harry flinched as the feeling of shock ran through him. Mrs. Malfoy must have told him the news. It was still a terrible idea, but she had insisted and wouldn’t have accepted the deal otherwise.

Still, he knew his dragon well. Draco wasn’t the type to believe in people's words. He needed to see it for himself, and Harry couldn’t guarantee tonight would go as planned. He wasn’t even sure he could save the elder Malfoy in time.

Harry sighed, looking over to Matteo, who was still rambling a mile a minute about his father's recent acts of paranoia. They had decided that the fewer people who knew about the plan, the better. Everything was going accordingly, but Harry still couldn’t stop the wave of anxiety that hit him. This was the first stage, and if he failed tonight, everything would repeat.

Mate, must protect. The demon growled as though Harry had proclaimed he would be running away. Did the stupid beast think he would abandon his dragon?

This time, he growled out loud, startling Matteo, his scent spiking. The faint pink on the prince's cheeks had enhanced his features even more. Some of the alphas paused, looking over to the poor boy like he was a juicy steak they wanted to take a bite of.

“I was a little lost in my thoughts,” Harry said, making sure to rub his scent on the omega's wrist in apology.

Matteo's face darkened as he looked down at his wrist, Harry's scent now mingling with his in a way that effectively warded off any Alpha that had gained the confidence to approach. “ Y- you didn’t have to do that,” he stammered.

“I do. I promised your mother after all.”

“Oh, right.” The prince continued looking down for a second before he cleared his throat, giving Harry a wide smile. “Thank you, Lord Harry.” His tone was soft and low, with only Harry hearing him throughout the crowd.

Harry simply gave a nod. That seemed to be enough for Matteo as he turned to Eric. His smile turned into a frown when he looked down at the boy.

Harry sighed, keeping his eyes on Eric as he exchanged a few words with his brother. It had been hard for him to give a detailed report on the boy's personality, but he was pretty sure this wasn’t it. It would be bad if someone noticed something amiss.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t focus on that at the moment. It seems his Dragon had formed his conclusions on the matter, and now he was storming this way. The omega's anger was bright and hot as it coursed through his skin.

“I’ll be right back, Matteo. Mind watching the kids for me?”

The prince blinked at him, but gave a nod of acknowledgement.

With that, Harry disappeared into the crowd just as he heard Draco arrive.

“Wait, Draco—” He could hear Matteo yell, but the prince's words were cut short. He must’ve seen the rage on the omega's face. If his dragon couldn’t even mask his expression from him, then he was truly furious.

Coward. Run from Mate.

Harry frowned at the demon's voice as he continued weaving through the crowd. I’m not running, demon.

Luckily, the king had given him a map of the mansion a few days prior. He could use it to his advantage. Harry kept his pace slow enough for Draco to follow without getting lost.

As soon as he spotted the door, he sped up, just enough to slip inside first. This is going to hurt, he thought, moments before the fist collided with his face, causing him to stumble to the ground.. If only Draco saw how sexy he looked doing this. Those passion-filled eyes were just begging to be redirected into more pleasurable things.

Draco straddled his hips, fists hammering down; Harry turned his face just enough to take the blows without breaking anything important. “A broken nose wouldn’t help with diplomacy, Draco.”

“I’ll seriously kill you.” Draco grabbed his collar, eyes burning. “Why the hell would you tell my mother that? You think this is some kind of joke?”

Harry caught his wrist, firm and steady now. “I wouldn’t play that kind of game with anyone. And it’s not a joke. It’s the truth.”

“I don’t have time for your bloody cryptic shit!” Draco hissed, practically nose to nose with him. “You made a mistake dragging her into this!”

“Draco.” Harry held his gaze, voice firm. “He’s alive.”

Heat coiled low when those eyes pinned him, but he shoved it down and held Draco’s gaze. His omega was fully on display, fangs out and snarling as the blond's eyes continued inspecting his soul.

“You know I’m telling the truth.”

“Shut up!” Draco shouted, shoving him back hard. He was shaking his head as though he wanted all the words, the memories to fall out of them. “Just stop talking,” he whispered.

The weight on top of him was warm and not at all heavy. He wanted so desperately to get up and hold the blond in his lap. Comfort him from all the hurt, all the pain. Say he was sorry for not protecting him, for not fighting harder to protect such a precious soul.

But this wasn’t the Draco of the future.

Harry still couldn’t tell Draco everything. The past was a fickle being, and anything could fracture it. He had to be careful, but maybe just this instance, he could give his dragon what he so desperately asked for.

The council lied to both you and Mrs. Malfoy.

Draco paused from above him and loosened the hold on his collar, finally listening.

Didn’t you find it weird how they were so adamant about the body?

Why? I don’t understand. He was already destined to die in there.

Exactly. There had to be something that only a person like Lucius, someone who not many people would miss, could give to them.

Draco’s eyes narrowed, the annoyance plain on his face. Right, he was being cryptic again. Harry sighed, pointing to the door. Soon, there is going to be an assassination attempt against the royals, and your father's sins will become yours.

English, Potter.

Lucius is here tonight. Polyjuiced. Along with others. They’ve been tasked with the assassination of the Veela Royals and Nobles tonight. And once it's over, the council will clean up loose ends.

Harry knew Draco would understand, but the blond was still boiling with rage. Would he have to endure another round of punching?

Even if what you're saying is true, and I still don’t believe you, then that means my father once again is going to screw this family over.

No. While I don’t like Lucius, I don’t believe he’s doing this of his own free will. You and I both know your father is no idiot. What would he have to gain?

Haven’t you heard, Potter? Eternal imprisonment with a sprinkle of dementors can do wonders for ruining the mind.

Harry was about to reply when the faintest whispers appeared in his head. They were thoughts that hid deep in the consciousness. Once that didn’t come from him, but was so strong that even he could listen in.

Why…why did he have to be alive? Why do I have to go through this again?

He was an idiot. It had taken him far too long to realise that anger was not directed towards him. Draco believed wholeheartedly that his father was alive; perhaps it was a misguided hope or a flawed logic, but it was there, and he knew. He had always had a tiny part of his brain that said ‘maybe’, and Harry simply confirmed it.

All that rage stemmed from guilt.

Guilt from a son who had wished his father gone.

He shouldn’t have done it. Harry knew this, but he couldn’t stop his hands from lifting and covering the omega's eyes. Calloused hands brushed against soft lashes as he became mesmerised by the slow rise and fall of the omega’s chest. He couldn’t stand to see hurt within them. How selfish was he to think about himself in these moments? Even so, he knew if he kept looking, memories he buried so deep would drown him too.

Lucius would never believe in that kind of freedom, Dragon. And no matter how much of a prejudiced fool he is, he would never willingly aid the people who caged him.

“Right, of course, pettiness would be my father's main motivation,” Draco grumbled, removing Harry’s hand like it had personally offended him, yet Harry couldn’t help but notice the omega hadn’t complained about the touch.

He was also sitting perfectly perched on top of him like it was the most natural thing in the world. His demon was huffing and puffing like some damn witch in heat, but Harry refused to let it out. Nothing would ruin this moment, not his treacherous hands that kept itching to touch Draco more, nor his beastly half that wanted to do more than touch.

A scream tore through the music. Harry’s face went blank. One hand slid to the small of Draco’s back, the other hooked under his thigh, and in a single pull, he stood, taking Draco with him. Instinct answered first; Draco’s knees locked at Harry’s waist, a quiet breath breaking against his mouth.

“P-Potter.”

“The real event just started,” he purred against Draco’s throat. His dragon always bit that pretty lip when he was flustered. What cruel timing.

“I need to go.” His palms settled on Draco’s hips, easing him down, heat lingering where his hands had been. He snapped his fingers. Shadows pooled across the wall like ink finding home.

“Stay here.”

Harry stepped into the dark.

He knew his dragon wouldn’t listen.

***

Chapter Text

Harry appeared in the middle of the room and winced at the loud shriek.

“The prince! They stabbed the prince!” Her elegant red gown marked her as nobility, and that expression conveyed shock and disbelief. The council had chosen their actors well.

The crowd parted and formed a circle around the older prince. As Harry got closer, he stepped on the blood staining the floor. It came out of the boy’s abdomen in waves.

“Eric! Please hang in there! Someone call the king and queen!” Matteo held the prince in his arms as he shouted the order. Harry watched as the eyes of the little prince glazed over as the life drained out of him with each passing second.

“It was him! He’s the one who did it!” The same actress screeched as she pointed at the figure lying on top of the broken buffet table. It had split in half with the force of the throw, and in front of the man was Helsley, staring with red eyes.

She had her own crowd now gathered nearby, whispering amongst themselves. ‘Monster’ and ‘vampire’ rippled through the crowd as they stared at her, but she paid them no mind as she kept her attention fixed on the would-be murderer.

Harry turned away from the Matteo and Eric, walking over to Helsley. It wouldn’t be good if she outright killed the man. He appeared in front of her, the unconscious body hidden behind him. “Helsley, what happened?” He kept his tone level with the girl, trying to keep her calm.

She wasn’t new to the dark sides of this world, he’d made sure of that. It was a mistake in the past that he refused to repeat, but this was her first time witnessing an assassination.

“He—” She shook her head and pointed an accusatory finger at the wizard. “He stabbed Eric with a knife! I’ll kill him.”

Harry flinched. On second thought, perhaps he’d gone a bit too far in not shielding her.

“You can’t kill him, Helsley. Understand?”

“But why? He hurt Eric ... and... and...” Her body was shaking now. “He’s dying…I can hear his heartbeat fading,” she whispered, her hands clenched.

Harry patted her head, causing Helsley to jerk in surprise. “I know. Watch over him for me. I need to go see Matteo.”

Without waiting for confirmation, he moved back to the middle of the dance floor. Matteo stayed silent as Eric’s eyes slid shut.

Harry bent down gently, tilting the prince’s face to look at him.

“Matteo.”

“He’s not breathing.” The boy’s words were so soft that Harry almost didn’t hear them and the alpha nodded before leaning in.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the prince even as he felt stares pricking at him from behind.

Matteo’s watery eyes brimmed with despair as he nodded, breath ragged, as he clutched his brother’s limp body. “Please.”

The words weren’t exactly directed towards him; no, it was to any hero or any god that would be willing to listen, to look in and be a saviour.

It had been cruel to keep him in the dark.

“Good, if you want to save your brother, then you need to follow my directions exactly.”

***

Draco stared at the wall Potter had disappeared into. How the hell did the Alpha do that? But wasn’t that just one of the mysteries out of a million?

The heat from Harry’s touch remained on his skin like a pesky afterthought. Draco knew the beating of his heart was abnormal, something was wrong with him, but exactly what?

Come back.

Draco frowned. It had always been easy for him to ignore his omega. Biology didn’t make them beasts; it just made being human so much harder, but lately, the omega thoughts had been more insistent. Were the suppressants no longer seemed to be working as effectively?

Alpha.

Draco slammed his hand against the wall Harry had just walked through. How ridiculous. His omega must have truly lost its mind, but now wasn’t the time. He needed to make sure his mother was okay.

And if what Potter said was true?

His stomach clenched at the thought, but somehow he knew it was true. Still, he hadn’t been commanded to remain here. Shoving the door open, he ran towards the main room where the party was taking place. It was a straight path back—he’d just followed Potter this way.

The silence was wrong. Where music and chatter had filled the halls before, now there was nothing. He reached the inside within seconds. A crowd was already gathered around the buffet table, and Draco couldn’t see anything outside the circle, so he got closer. He pushed through until he came upon Harry, the Alpha holding Matteo in his arms as the prince clutched Eric against his chest.

Merlin.

It was a terrible picture, and the metallic scent of blood made his previous dinner want to come back up. Did this mean Potter had failed? The alpha acted like he would stop this, and yet…green eyes connected with his, but nothing was said.

the side doors slammed open with a resounding boom. Draco turned in that direction just as the guards stormed in.

“Move back!” They screamed towards the guests, who were already moving away. Draco was ready to do the same, but a hand tugged him.

Draco looked down into red eyes as Helsley pointed towards the buffet table. “Harry said not to let that man get away, but I think he’s waking up.”

He blinked at her before focusing back on the broken table. The man lying there must have been the assassin. Could it be his father? His shoulders tensed at the thought.

“Could you keep his body down with your… abilities?” He asked her, ignoring the pang of guilt that hit him. He’d been cursing that skill just a few weeks ago, and now he was making her use it.

Helsley gave a nod as she kept her eyes on the man. “I can, but it’s hard.”

“Okay, signal me if you get tired.”

He was sure he heard the child say something else as he walked away, but right now he needed to figure out what the hell Harry was doing.

“Oh, there you are, Dear. I was looking for you.” Narcissa wrapped her hands around his arm, checking the room like a child looking for their present. It was disturbing how happy the woman was as a child lay on the ground dying…or already dead.

“Mother,” he replied curtly. He wouldn’t forget the fact that she had practically traded him off without a second thought.

“It started just as Harry said,” she whispered to him as the guards began covering the exits. He could no longer see the alpha as a wall of spears formed around the prince.

“It seems it has. I should go and see what’s happening,” he murmured.

Her grip tightened around his arm. “Don’t be silly, just let Harry handle it. The more we stay out of it, the better.”

He grit his teeth, glaring at the woman who birthed him. Had she always been so self-centred? Perhaps it was more of a Malfoy trait than he realised. “If what Potter says is true, then we would owe him a debt that I’m not sure we could repay. You do realise that, right, Mother?”

Narcissa scoffed as she looked at the crowd. “How ridiculous. You think he isn’t getting anything out of this? He’s no different than any other wizard, or alpha, for that matter.”

“What does that mean?” His omega was baring its teeth at the women as though it was the one being insulted. Why the hell did it care about what his mother had to say about Potter? The guy was an arsehole after all, and Draco had said much worse things about him.

“Don’t be naive, my love. I can see it in his eyes every time he looks at you. If you would just take the time to really see Potter, you would be just as inclined to stay away,” she said, her tone filled with disgust.

“Well, I could have stayed away if someone didn’t deliver me to him,” he spat, but Narcissa just waved it off.

“I’m just warning you the same way I did your father all those years ago. Alphas are never to be trusted, no matter how civilised they appear to be.”

Draco raised a brow as his eyes locked on Potter who was now speaking to the guards and gesturing towards the food table. “That’s not something you have to tell me. I’m no child, and Potter has never been civilised.” He almost jerked when the alpha tilted his head. For a second, he’d assumed those eyes would focus on him.

“I can feel it. He’s not like the others, Draco. Something about his smell is far more primal than it should be. Even this crowd of veelas and wizards go out of their way to avoid him. If you would just stop using such high dosage suppressants like the doctor suggested years ago,” she drawled, “ you would sense it as well.”

Draco wrinkled his nose. Smelling an alpha’s scent on a daily basis? Absolutely not.

“Enough of your nagging, mother. I’m no dunce and I understand what you’re implying.” Of course, she couldn’t help but assume he was some weak, naive omega. Whether it was beta, alpha, or even omega they all thought the same. “I can handle myself, now excuse me.” He removed her arm, ignoring the frown gracing her lips as he began to walk forward.

His pace quickened in case his mother wanted to force some more ‘warnings’ down his throat, but didn’t get too far before his path was blocked. The tall guard looked down on him, baring his teeth.

“The crowd stays back, omega.”

Alpha then. They really were all the same. This guard looked like he was constipated, but surely the imbecile thought it made him look frightening. “I’m with Potter.”

The man’s eyes narrowed at him but Draco stood his ground. He wouldn’t be intimidated so easily.

“Stay,” he commanded before disappearing within the barrier.

The area may have been hidden, but he could see a faint shimmer around it. It was an illusion barrier rather than a shield one then. Draco had never been the type who followed orders. The irony of his bond with Harry was not lost on him. He almost took a step past it, but the guard appeared and motioned him inside.

Walking through the disillusioned barrier, he surveyed the scene. A pink-haired woman, wearing the most dazzling black gown, had her arms clasped to her side. She stood beside an imposing brown haired male, wearing a matching black suit and white tie. The endless number of jewels on their body confirmed his suspicions. They were the King and Queen. They must have snuck in earlier. They were speaking to a shorter Veela woman as she frantically gestured between the prince and the assassin.

But where had Potter run off to? The Alpha allowed him inside, but he was nowhere to be seen. A jolt went through him as a cold hand slid around his waist. Draco kept his body still as he turned to the side to look at Potter’s face.

“You’re not the best at following directions, are you, Dragon?” he murmured into his ear.

Draco turned his eyes back to the royals. They whispered to Matteo, who kept his brother in a tight hold. It really was a terrible crime scene. His lips pressed together when he glanced over to Helsley, who kept her back to the scene. “You knew what was going to happen and yet…I don’t understand you, Potter.”

“Well, I was a bit distracted, but the plans are going as expected,” Harry replied, his tone far too neutral.

“This!” Draco hissed, pointing at Eric’s pale body. “This is considered going as planned?”

Harry tilted his head, looking down. “Yes? Are you upset?”Draco finally shoved the alpha’s hands off his waist and took a step away from him.

“You’re quite the psychopath.” He couldn’t stand the little chuckle he received from Harry before too quick for his liking, Harry’s hands were on him again, and he was turned back around in the direction of the King and Queen.

“If you do as I ask, then everything will be explained at the end of the night, Dragon. Now you’re going to follow my directions and play the part of my assistant properly, please, Draco.” He jerked at the command, the bond activating immediately.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Draco seethed, but before he knew it, they were already approaching the King and Queen.

“Minister Potter! How could this happen? My Son!” The King yelled, his body shaking as the queen remained still, her eyes glued to the ground. Harry bowed his head so deep that Draco wasn’t sure if the Alpha could come back up on his own.

“I didn’t think someone could get through the door, your highness. On behalf of the wizarding world, I give my condolences.” The words were meant to be heartfelt, but Draco couldn’t help but hear the emptiness in them. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one, because Matteo was standing up at that moment, giving Harry a glare that could kill.

“Did you know something?” he asked, his teeth growing sharper as he looked between both him and Potter.

“Matteo!” The king warned, those brown eyes flashing enough to make the prince’s mouth snap shut. Such accusations coming from a prince could be dangerous for both parties involved. Harry remained silent as he looked at the blood now clashing with the prince’s suit, which had once been a beautiful blue.

“I assure you, I have nothing to do with this, but I will of course assist.” Draco understood the implication of Harry’s words and based on everyone’s stoic expression, they did as well.

“Matteo.” The queen finally spoke, looking at her son and holding out her hands. “Come. We will go to the infirmary and get you checked out while the guards—” Her voice wavered as she took a deep breath. “While the guards grab the body.”

“Mother, I can’t! We… We can’t just leave him?”

Draco looked away from them, opting to look at the body. For some reason it was far easier to stare at someone lifeless than people grieving. He knew he was a bystander who had no business hearing this conversation. What the hell was Harry planning with him exactly?

“Listen to your mother, Matteo. Please.” The king placed a gentle hand on the prince’s hair, his eyes apologetic from his earlier tone. “Please,” he repeated. That seemed to be enough as Matteo sagged, nodding his head. Right on cue the guard came up from behind them, giving a short bow.

The king cleared his throat, giving the guard a nod. “Take him.”

“Yes, sir.” The prince and Queen disappeared through the barrier as other guards worked together to configure a stretcher to place the corpse in. It wasn’t long before they were also stepping outside the barrier when the King turned to Harry. His expression was devoid of any emotion for a brief moment before going back to a look of concern. Draco narrowed his eyes at this.

“Ms. Relisia is a part of the noble house of Venticini. She’s one of the witnesses who seemed to be closest when the events occurred,” the king said.

“Is that so? Any others?” Harry replied, looking over to the woman.

Draco looked in that direction as well. The woman in question was standing beside the guards with a grim look.

The king sighed, tapping his golden cane on the ground. “One more, just a Baron over there near the side. “He saw my son’s body go down, but they both say everything happened too quickly. I just don’t understand why the house of Exhavior would do this. It makes no sense, they’ve been the most loyal for centuries.”

“So you’ve already figured out the identity of the man who attacked?”

“Yes. I know all the nobles’ magic signatures. Helps keep them in line if they know their actions can’t be hidden.”

Well, that didn’t seem to stop this one.

He flinched at the little tap on his thigh. Did the alpha just…

“I see. Thankfully, the murderer can be interrogated on the matter,” Harry said, crossing his arms as though in thought. “But I also have to wonder why the little prince of all things. It would be Matteo who would ascend the throne.”

Draco couldn’t help but nod at the statement. None of it makes sense. Why not kill both of the princes if they had the opportunity? That would leave the seat of the ruler open, with the king having no children.

Wait.

His history professor had once told him, ‘there are two ways for a noble house to come into power. Either all the royals died, ending the bloodline, which left the throne open or…’

His eyes widened.

“Your highness,” Draco began.

Already figured it out, have you?

Draco paused as the king turned those intense brown eyes to him.

“Ah, yes, Draco, how rude of me. “ Harry began, “This is my assistant, Draco Lucius Malfoy. The one you’ve requested to meet.

He withheld glaring in front of the king, instead giving a bow as a Malfoy should. If you knew the full plan, why didn’t you tell them, asshole?

Who said I didn’t?

You couldn’t have! That would mean…

Harry threw him to the ground, just as a flash of green went past his head, hitting the king in the chest. Draco tried to get air in his lungs as his body fell beside him.

All hell seemed to break loose as screams and yells filled the room. He quickly scrambled to his feet, looking around for Helsley as Harry yelled out Stupify in rapid succession.

“She’s in the corner,” Harry said, pushing him in that direction. He almost stumbled at the alpha’s strength, but caught himself in time as he ran towards another set of long buffet tables in the opposite direction. Spells flew over him as the veela guards used their own set of magic against the intruders. A guard ahead of him transformed into a winged beast with his head now that of a red bird. He flew up into the ceiling before diving down towards a wizard on the left.

Someone yelled Defendo behind him.

Draco ducked and rolled as the spell passed him, hitting another veela in the shoulder. They both stumbled, but he righted himself and pumped his legs, sprinting across the room. He spotted the table at the end with a little lock of black hair poking from under it. He dove under, hissing when his shoulders hit the side of the legs. Draco tried to lift his head but it remained squished to the floor. He was being held down by some invisible force.

“Helsley?” he said, mouth partly muffled by the tile. There was some shuffling before wide brown eyes met his.

“Professor?” Helsley whispered.

“Why didn’t you use your portkey?” He hissed, tone coming out harsher than he meant it to. The child already looked like she had been on the verge of tears and now he was sure they were about to come out. Bloody hell.

“I..I, but Eric and then Harry.” Her voice was almost drowned out by the chaos currently going on beside them, but he heard it and understood. Helsleymay decide to stay in her little castle for eternity after this. Had that been Potter’s intention all along? That arsehole. Draco shook his head.

“Potter will be fine. You need to go, now.” He grabbed the bow on her dress. “Password.” At her silence, his eyes narrowed.

“Helsley, now’s not the time to be a brat, we need—”

They both turned as the table cover was pulled up. Draco had his wand out, not that he could really use it. But only one person owned those intense green eyes. Both Helsley’s arm and bow were grabbed so quickly he barely had time to react as Harry yelled out.

“Vampire.”—Because of course that was the damn password—pushing her in with a glare that stopped any protest she could have had.

“Vampire? Seriously, Potter?”

Harry frowned as he looked at the spot Helsley had just been. “It was supposed to be something short and easy and that would be used immediately. I don’t understand why that child’s so stubborn.”

“You really need to read a book on children,” Draco scoffed, coming out from behind the table and looking around. The fight was still going, but the veelas seemed to be winning the battle as more wizard bodies laid on the ground.

“We need to get to the queen,” Harry said, grabbing his hands.

“But the king,” he said, looking for the body but it was nowhere to be seen as he was dragged towards one of the doors. He turned to Harry, who was shaking his head.

“He’ll be fine.”

“Fine?!” Draco spluttered. Had Potter not seen the colour of the spell or did he take Draco for an idiot.

A yell came from behind him.

He noticed the assassin too late. The sharp dagger nicked his already throbbing shoulder just as Harry shoved him against his chest. Harry’s foot shot out to kick the assassin in the ribs, and the wizard flew backwards through the air before slamming into one of the statues, cracking it. Draco’s eyes widened as he stared openmouthed at the statue. How was Potter that fucking strong?

“Sorry, I got distracted, Draco” Harry said, glaring at his shoulder. Pain was now coursing through him as blood began appearing on the suit.

“I’m fine,” he said, hesitating before a tiny “thank you,” left him.

Harry continued to look at the wound as though it had personally offended him. Draco hated how he was forced to remain still against the alpha’s chest, but he really didn’t have a choice. Harry’s grip was too strong, and he was embarrassingly weak in comparison.

“We gotta go, I know where your father is,” Harry murmured, his lips far too close to his own.

Draco quickly looked away before his eyes snapped back to Potter. “Did you just say—?”

Harry nodded, dragging him forward once more. He kicked the door to the hallway open as Draco tried to remember how to breathe. It was one thing to hear it, but was he really about to see his father? Alive and well. Well, perhaps not well, considering the fact that he was being mind-controlled, but still! He wasn’t prepared, he needed to go–

But he couldn’t go. It was his father! Of course he needed to see him. To help him, right? Bloody hell, his heart was racing, he could feel it thumping under his skin. The alpha stopped. Turning to him.

“You’re panicking.” Draco laughed hysterically. It was such a blunt statement. So right on the nose. Leave it to Potter to state the obvious so directly with that face of his.

“Getting told your dead father is alive but is being used as a puppet, tends to do that to people.”

“Do you want to save him?” Harry asked, his tone neutral, and as though Draco actually had a choice. Like the right to decide whether someone lived or died was of no consequence to him. Why did the alpha continue to shock him? He should have been used to it by now. Potter obviously was not the same Gryffindor he remembered, but still. To so casually suggest damnation, as though he would support it and not judge Draco, for being such a disgusting human being.

Or even worse, a terrible son.

Draco jolted at the touch to his wrist, Potter assessing him in ways that made him feel off, like he wasn’t in his own body.

“Whatever you want, Dragon. If that’s your wish, then …”

So ridiculous and so utterly confusing, yet the words sounded sincere coming from the alpha. What exactly did Potter want from him? How could he, one moment, make him feel like a caged rabbit and the next as free as a bird? Draco hated it.

“Shut up, Potter. Let’s go.” He continued forward down the hall. Harry was still clutching him, but remained silent at his decision. Yes, he had wished it plenty of times before, sometimes he meant it and other times he didn’t, but still, none of that mattered. He had the unfortunate curse of loving his dad.

“Um. Draco.”

“What?!”

Harry pointed at a white door. One veela guard was positioned in front of it, with a long spear and a nasty mug of a face. “We’re here.”

“Oh.” Draco faltered. His few seconds of bravery went out the window. CLINIC was carved on the side of the door, and as they got closer, the guard’s eyes narrowed at them.

“No one can enter.” The guard stated as they approached.

Harry smiled right before he slammed the veela’s face on the door. His head bounced like a rubber doll before he hit the ground. Leave it to a Gryffindor to choose the hit first, ask questions later. He looked down at the guard whose face started to change, morphing into different looking people.

“Bloody hell, the guards were polyjuiced?”

“Not exactly. They just have an illusion charm on their faces. Their spellwork is terrible though. I could see it a mile away.” Harry shrugged as he slowly opened the door, and motioned for Draco to stay back.

“No need to brag,” he whispered at the alpha, his hands shaking as he tried to take a peek. For a clinic, it sure looked dark and gloomy.

“No need to be a fly on the wall.” Harry looked around the room, while his other hand remained on the door, blocking Draco from going in. Like he would willingly do that. Who in their right mind would walk into such an obvious trap?

A dagger flew past.

Harry stepped to the side just as it embedded itself into the wall.

The silence was much more tense this time. A man appeared from the shadows, the hallway light showing a lithe body and dazed eyes. He ran towards the alpha with a black dagger raised high in the air.

Draco’s legs moved on instinct.

He intercepted, punching the wizard’s face with such force that the man took a few steps back. Bloody hell, his knuckles hurt.

Harry’s expression didn’t change as he pulled the dagger out, inspecting it. “Right. No spells. Well, that makes things much easier.”

“Anti-ward?” he asked, eyes widening as hands appeared beside Harry’s neck. Draco tried to warn him, but the alpha was already leaning back, and driving his knee upward. The wizard yelped and held his groin as he fell.

“Yes.” Harry bent down and shoved the groaning wizard on his side. He took the dagger from the man’s ankle, now holding two in his hands. “Your one-on-one plan doesn’t seem to be working,” the idiot taunted the shadows and Draco rolled his eyes. He had begun to forget that the alpha was still stupidly brave.

“Take three steps to the side, then duck, please, Draco.” His back tingled as he moved to follow the command. A wizard yelled out as he fell from the ceiling, falling to the ground, right where Draco had been standing. He crouched just as a dagger swung over his head.

A strand of hair fell in front of him just as Harry threw his dagger straight ahead. The wizard screamed behind him as Draco ran towards the alpha.

“You didn’t have to command it, prick.” His heart pounded as he got behind Potter.

“Would you have listened like a good boy?”

No, he wouldn’t have, but the cocky alpha didn’t need to know that. Harry’s annoyingly broad back took away his view as he stepped forward with his remaining dagger held up.

Draco took a peek and wished he hadn’t. The assassins were unfortunately following Potter’s stupid advice, coming out of the shadows all at once. “See? Now you’ve provoked them.”

“Good. We can end this quickly.” Harry rushed forward and began to show off. He had always known Potter could fight, but damn it! Knowing and seeing were completely different. The alpha was bloody good. He moved like a deadly ballerina.

Sexy bastard..

Merlin. He needed to focus. Draco glanced around, inspecting each corner of the room. The light outside the hallway was bright enough to shine faintly within the centre of the room, but the corners were still far too dark for his peace of mind.

Taking a breath, he pressed himself against the wall and began moving. Hopefully, Potter was keeping them all preoccupied; otherwise, he was fucked. He hated to admit it, but he wasn’t the best fighter, and any additional assassin hiding in the corners wouldn’t break a sweat bringing him down.

Still, they needed the advantage of light at the moment. His hands tapped the side of the walls as he continued moving with light steps. Come on, it had to be here somewhere. His hands grazed a little nub. There! He flicked it.

His eyes stung. He squeezed them shut as the room was flooded with light.

The silence was unnerving. Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Harry’s frown. The alpha had his hands up in the air as the wizards drew closer to him.

“Drop the dagger, Potter.” Fuck. He knew that squeaky voice anywhere.

Besides him was a rat, who smelled like dying vermin, and had a red vial in his shaky hands. Draco glared at Fudge, his hands frozen on the light switch.

“I won’t ask again.” The vial got closer to his neck.

The dagger clattered on the ground as the Assassins shoved Potter to the floor.

What the hell is that? Please don’t say acid. Merlin, anything but acid. I’ll take anything else over acid.

A bomb, Dragon. Now stay very still.

I’ll take the damn acid!

Potter’s head was pressed to the ground as the assassin glared. The wizard had a nasty cut down the side of his neck, no doubt inflicted by the alpha now on the ground.

Fudge shoved him back. He grimaced at the hands holding his forearm. The alpha’s touch felt so slimy that he could feel the bile rise from his throat.

“Now that’s much better.” Fudge grinned. “You’ve been quite the annoyance tonight, Potter.” He waved the potion back and forth, using his head to motion the wizards even closer to the alpha.

“You don’t have to do this, Fudge. That potion would kill you, too,” Harry grunted, as more pressure was applied to his head.

“You take me for a fool, Potter?! Where are they?” Fudge yelled, his grip even more painful.

He glared at those hands. Did he have a sign on his head that said, ‘Come and manhandle him?’ So stereotypical of an alpha.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cornelius,” Harry replied.

Fudge laughed, giving him a mucky smile with crooked teeth. “You’ve always underestimated me, Potter.” He was shoved against the wall, and a dagger was placed against his neck. It trailed down to his collarbone, making him hold in his breath. “ Once I’m done with your omega, let’s see if you can continue remaining calm with that cocky mouth of yours.”

Draco nodded at Fudge’s words. He hated agreeing with the rat bastard, but Harry really was annoyingly cocky. “Wait!” Draco yelled, his nose scrunching up. “I’m not his bloody omega!”

Fudge paused.

The assassin’s face, which was hidden by a mask, showed his wide eyes as Harry lifted his head against his hands by force. “ Please, Dragon. Not in front of the enemies. How can I show face?”

“Even the sluts are ashamed of you, Potter.” Fudge leaned his head forward, sniffing him. If the rat wanted vomit all over him, he could come even closer. “I can smell the alpha all over you. A liar and a whore. How unbecoming.”

Draco hated the way he felt the blood rushing to his face. Had everyone smelled Potter on him this whole time? Maybe his mother was right about the suppressants.

“Doesn’t mean I’m fucking him, you slimy bastard.” The smack across his cheek wasn’t surprising, but it still stung.

“Where are they, Potter?” Fudge said through gritted teeth. Draco shivered as the warmth seemed to get sucked from the room. He gulped as the lights started flickering, Harry’s red gaze directed at Fudge. He looked calm, but it certainly didn’t look playful anymore.

“Cornelius. Since you’ve just lost that right hand, I would suggest you keep the other one in check,” Harry said, his tone low.

Merlin. Was the alpha upset because he was hit?

“You think to order me?!” Fudge’s hand was shaky as the dagger nicked a corner of his neck. He hissed as a drip of red appeared.

Draco gagged as the air became thick with the scent of aggressive alphas. It was so intense that not even his suppressants could filter it out. His inner omega curled up, shivering as it tried to hide in the farthest corner of his mind.

Harry seemed to be winning the smell contest as Fudge’s body started downright trembling.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hold in his breath as his legs wobbled.

“How could—” Fudge’s voice wavered before a gasp left him.

Draco opened his eyes in time to see Harry appear in front of Fudge, his fist slamming into the rat bastard’s face with a satisfying crack and causing him to let go of Draco.

Harry’s other hand grabbed the arm holding the bomb and pulled it clean off.

Holy fuck.

Fudge screamed so loud his ears rang, but he couldn’t even focus on the rat writhing on the floor, because Potter was holding the alpha’s damn arm as blood gushed out. It was absolutely disgusting and downright terrifying.

Draco gulped, his mouth glued shut as Harry kicked Fudge into the wall.

Fudge jerked with a whimper, holding his stomach with one hand. “P-please…W-wait.” The pain must have made it hard for the rat to talk, not that it mattered to Harry, as he continued to kick the man repeatedly in the same spot and Draco couldn’t speak as he watched.

Damn. Potter was a monster when mad; he didn’t even seem to notice the bomb still held on Fudge’s detached hands, completely focused on kicking the shit out of the older alpha.

One of the assassins seemed to snap out of his daze, rushing forward like an idiot, only to be slammed back with a backwards kick from Harry. Then the alpha just continued hitting the rat without pause. Red-hot lava coursed through the bond. He was going to kill him.

Draco looked at the rest of the frozen assassins staring at Harry like he was the villain, which honestly wasn’t exactly wrong. Fudge was already a pathetic heap on the floor.

His omega was still hiding away like the coward they were, but he couldn’t let this continue. They needed answers from the rat after all. He forced through the instincts, gritting his teeth and willing his body to move forward. He kicked out his foot just as Harry’s was about to land on another one of Fudge’s internal organs. Potter’s leg immediately stopped before it could hit Draco’s.

“You can’t kill him right now.” Red eyes whipped to him, their blood thirsty stare making him pause. A pause that only lasted for a second before Draco slapped him.. He rolled his eyes at the growl that left the alpha, pointing down to the body. “ Now’s not the time for you to compare dicks. A dead man can’t answer questions, and we need answers.”

Harry looked down at the rat and then back to Draco, his smirk already back in place.

“Oh, right,” he said sheepishly. He bent down, yanking Fudge up by his neck. As he was lifted, Draco’s nose wrinkled at the smell that was oozing from the rat. He saw the moist spot right on Fudge’s groin before looking down to the yellow fluid staining the ground.

“Ew?” The alpha had pissed himself and the smell told him everything he needed to know about Fudge’s water intake.

“Did I scare you, Cornelius? Sometimes it’s a little hard to control myself.”

Well, if that wasn’t the understatement of the year.

“Now tell me, where are the royals?”

“P-potter You can’t kill me! The council w-w-w-.” Harry lifted him even higher with a disturbing smile on his face. The rat was red, trying to get air with one arm, but Draco knew the alpha wouldn’t budge

“Shall we test how loyal the council is to you right now?”

“Wait! Wait! Please Potter! You don’t have to do this! I can help you become even more power–” Harry’s grip tightened on the rat’s neck. Fudge’s eyes bugged out as he started wheezing. When the man started going limp, Draco tapped Harry.

“Seriously, Potter, you’re dreadful at this.”

“Usually I only have to ask once,” Harry murmured, lessening his grip. Fudge heaved in a breath. “Where are they?”

“When, when I was told the king died, I..I had the guards take them hostage, but then I realised the queen was an impostor and had them brought to the dungeon to interrogate.”

“So he did die?! Wait, the queen’s a what?” He asked, glaring at Harry.

The alpha slammed Fudge against the wall once more, before turning his head to Draco.

“Would you really believe the ogre instead of me?”

Draco glanced at Fudge, who seemed to be either unconscious or playing dead. “Don’t take that tone with me, Potter. It’s your own damn fault for never explaining where exactly the king is, if not the cold, hard floor I last saw his body slam down on.”

“You have no patience,” Harry deadpanned, leaning his face towards him.

The world seemed to fuzz for a moment as he swayed. “I..” he cleared his throat, feeling like something was lodged in his throat. “Don’t. Don’t try—.”

Fingers gripped his jaw, forced him to look up.

“Your pupils.” Harry turned back to Fudge and slammed his head against the wall. “What did you do?”

“Nothing! I…I!”

“Hey! Wait! The queen’s a what?!” Draco shook his head as the world started tilting.

Harry growled, hitting the back of Fudge’s neck with a side hand. The man instantly stilled.

He jumped, the world going back to focus as the assassins started groaning, clutching their heads before falling to the ground. Harry didn’t spare them a glance as he threw Fudge on the ground like trash, before pulling Draco towards him. “Fudge’s magic finally wore off.”

“Hey!” Draco yelled, wriggling from the alpha’s grip as he started unbuttoning his vest with those rough hands. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“You smell wrong.”

“Excuse me? What are you, a damn mutt!? Stop it!” He kicked out his legs, feeling no guilt at the alpha’s wince.

“Poison,” Harry growled, as he ripped off his suit and snatched off the dress shirt. It all happened so quickly, Draco yelped, covering his chest.The alpha proceeded to turn him to the side, looking at the cut he had received earlier. He could now feel a burning sensation coming from the wound. When he finally looked down, all he could see was the large red bump on his shoulder.

“Merlin.” As though the wound was excited to get some attention, it flared like tiny little nettles, pricking the area. Harry lifted him in a princess carry and squished him against his chest. “You need to stop moving.”

Draco blinked rapidly as his vision doubled. “I don’t feel so good.”

“Shh. I don’t know how the poison works. Best for you to stay still.” He stepped over Fudge and placed him down on the closest bed.

The sheets were cold against his skin, but it helped him focus. “We don’t have time for this, Potter. Just leave me and go help the royals. Go help my father. I can figure it out myself.” Merlin, I just may die. “You can’t waste time trying to figure out an antidote.” How the hell am I going to find an antidote in time?”

“Did you forget I could read your mind?” Harry placed a finger on his lips to shush him.

“Fuck you, wanker,” he replied, cursing that damn bond. Harry chuckled before his face turned serious.

“I’ve never needed magic to read that complex brain of yours. No matter what, you will always take top priority, Dragon.” His fingers slid over the inflamed area, the touch causing little tingles in their wake.

“You…” he trailed off. Draco desperately wanted to blame the wound for being so docile and that he didn’t have a reply to such a statement. The alpha said it with such conviction, and not at all teasing. It was baffling to both his body and mind, if the thrumming of his heart was anything to go by.

There was a faint scent of pines and woods that continued trailing past his nose. He knew it was Potters as he had gotten a brief sniff of it previously, but now it was going right into his nose and down his lungs. It was nice. No. Amazing.. The perfect scent to have in your home, on your clothes and even beneath your skin.

“I’m sorry,” the alpha whispered, pushing a lock of his hair to the side.

“For what?” he replied in a trance as those hands travelled higher until they touched the bond mark on his neck. His face was so close now, only an inch apart, with pink lips that looked much too soft. He couldn’t help but touch them; they felt just as soft as they looked.

“Dragon.” Harry’s voice was lower. It made Draco shiver as he just for a moment imagined the alpha lying on top of him as he said it, as their cocks—The rumbling growl made him gasp as his eyes snapped up to Harry’s face.

The alpha’s fangs were out as his red eyes trailed down Draco’s torso in a slow appraisal. “You sure do pick the worst time to seduce me,” he husked. That’s when his brain decided to come back online as he pushed Harry away, earning a chuckle for his poor attempt, as the alpha didn’t even budge.

“That’s–I’m doing no such thing, you bastard! Stop crowding me!” His face was warm, and even with his shirt off, he felt much too hot. But he couldn’t, wouldn’t talk about what the hell just happened.

Seduce him? How utterly ridiculous. The flush got even worse as the Alpha gave him a smug smile.

“The poison must be overwriting the suppressants.” He swiped at the wound with a green, sticky-looking substance that he must have conjured. He flinched at the cold sensation as the pain lessened. “There. That should slow down the effect until we get the antidote.”

“You seem oddly prepared for someone who didn’t know about the poison.”

“Do I?”

Draco slapped the alpha’s chest as realisation hit. “You knew they had poison!”

“Well, perhaps I had an inkling. Didn’t have absolute proof, and you were never supposed to get hit. I may have overestimated myself,” he grumbled, tracing the wound with those stupid hands that seemed to carry magic. That could be the only explanation he had for the tingles they left on his skin. Looking at the unconscious wizards lying on the ground was far more comfortable than staring into those enticing green eyes. He coughed, crossing his arms.

“Well, don’t expect a thanks from me. It’s your fault I’m even in this mess, Potter.” He glared at the laughing alpha, shoving him again. This time, Harry took a step back, allowing some space between them. His shoulders shagged. It was easier to breathe now that the alpha’s scent wasn’t holding him in a tight grip. That’s why, even against doctors’ orders, he refused to stop taking those suppressants. It was annoying how a damn scent could fry his perfect control in an instant.

And what gave Potter the right to smell that good anyway! Such a Prick.

They turned towards the door, footsteps coming closer at an alarming speed. Ten veela guards rushed in, spears pointed forward as they noticed the unconscious wizards lying on the ground.

“Seems the cavalry is here,” Harry whispered, before holding up his hand in a peaceful gesture when the spears were now pointed towards them.

Draco looked at the idiotic alpha before slowly mimicking his actions as they approached. One guard with brown hair and matching eyes stepped forward, his figure bulky and tall.

“Minister Potter.” He glanced over at Draco, giving him a formal nod before focusing his attention back on the alpha. “Has the blood been to your taste this evening, Lord Potter?”

Draco’s face scrunched up, glancing at Potter with a raised brow. What the hell is he talking about? You drink blood?!

That–Just know it’s a code. I’m sure I don’t need to say more. Harry smiled, giving a short bow. “I had a preference for A, but yet found O- to be quite pleasing.”

Draco stood up straighter on the hospital bed. Each had a pleasant smile on their face, but he couldn’t help but want to take cover in case weapons started being thrown.

“I see.” The guard lowered his spear, but the rest kept theirs pointed. “Still as confident as ever, huh, Pup. Mind telling me why those bastards are lying on the ground dead?”

“Confidence is a made-up emotion humans created to be lazy. I don’t need such delusions, and I may have miscalculated Fudge’s intelligence. He figured it out far too soon, but I made sure he didn’t die.”

Draco scoffed. What utter bollocks. The alpha was definitely going to kill the rat a few moments ago.The brown-haired veela laughed, leaning against the wall right beside Fudge’s limp form.

“Still just a cub, yet you talk like an ancestor. Anyway, I did my task for tonight, but you’ve been lacking. Didn’t think your omega could be so…” Brown eyes made contact with Draco’s, trailing down to the rumpled sheets. “Distracting.”

Draco glared at the man, hating the slight heat on his cheeks. Why did everyone keep just assuming things?

“Don’t talk about him like he’s not in the room.”

Draco turned to Harry with wide eyes. The alpha had a frown on his face as he stared down the guard, who continued to lean casually against the wall. He hated the warmth coursing through him at those words.

“I don’t need you to defend me, Potter.” He hadn’t meant for his words to come out soft, nor for the little twitch of the Potter’s lips to make him want to punch the alpha and smile at him at the same time.

“I meant no offence, just had to double-check it was you.” The guard nodded his head towards the others, who lowered their spears and started leaving the room one by one.

“I take that to mean the test of yours is over?” Harry grumbled, taking a seat on the edge of the bed like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. They spoke much too casually to have only met today. Something about the guard seemed so familiar, but he just couldn’t put a finger on it.

“I really did mean no offence, cutie.” The guard took a step back at Harry’s growl. “Hopefully, you’ll forgive me.”

Draco sneered at the man and his cheeky smile. He didn’t look all that apologetic, but he wasn’t a child about to pout. “Why would I care about your words?“

“Ohhh, sassy. I see why you like the brat,” The guard replied, wriggling his eyebrows at Harry.

Draco slammed his hand on the bed. “You’re obviously some kind of informant, so inform!”

“Smart too.”

“Enough. Why are you stalling?” Harry sighed.

The guard paused, and his smirk fell, which immediately made Draco’s shoulders tense. He knew better than anyone what a pause meant.

Always bad news.

“Well… We may have a slight…problem?”

Harry stood, the quick shift in weight causing Draco to tilt to one side. “What happened?” he asked, ignoring Draco’s very pointed glare.

“Well, we have two problems, you see. First of all, the youngest prince has gone missing.”

“The real one?”

“Really?”

“Right. Continue.”

“The second issue—” The guard paused as Draco lifted a palm.

“This whole talking in riddles is getting real old. First of all, did you just ask if it was the real one? The prince who is supposed to be dead has gone missing? Someone better explain to me what in all of Merlin is going on, or I’ll just go and figure it out myself!” He shouted, nostrils flared. Both Harry and the guard glanced at each other before the guard shook his head, taking a step back.

“I’ll leave that one to you, pup. It is a little rude to leave the cutie in the dark, ah, sorry, I mean him leaving you in the dark,” he said, addressing Draco directly.

“I was going to tell him,” Harry mumbled to the guard with a cold glare before turning to Draco. “I really was, but the plan could have been ruined if you knew too much, Dragon.”

“I don’t care about what I’m sure is some stupid reasoning. Just give me the bloody short version.”

“Man, you know what, Draco, I’ve changed my mind. You’re not like a Malfoy at all. Actual got some backbone,” the guard grinned.

“Enough,” Harry growled. The alpha’s reaction was enough to confirm Draco’s suspicion.

“You seem oddly familiar with the wizarding world for a veela. Who are you really?”

“Now’s not the time. You want to know the plan, don’t you?” Harry said, his tone teasing.

Draco continued his stare off with the grinning guard before exhaling a breath.

“Whatever. On with it.”

“It’s pretty simple, really. Me, The King, and The Queen, already knew Fudge’s plan and how it was going to play out from the very beginning—”

“How did you even find out about the pl—?”

Harry placed a finger on his lips. “No interruptions.”

The little chuckle in the corner of the room had Draco gritting his teeth, but he would not show the stupid guard any attention. “Fine. Continue,” he said, swatting the finger away.

“You, being the genius that you are, had already figured it out earlier. The council elected Fudge to derive a plan that would leave only Matteo as the ruling heir. Then they planned to use him as a puppet.” At Draco’s furrowed brows, Harry shook his head. “Not in the way you’re thinking. They weren’t going to use magic, the high courts would notice as soon as Matteo walked in, no, they were going to use politics and grief, which, as you well know, doesn’t mix very well.”

Draco gasped, slowly shaking his head as understanding dawned. “They wanted him to start a war?”

“Yes, and not just any war. A multispecies one, where he’ll be known as the instigator. That’s why they attacked the vampires eleven years ago. That’s why they had what looked like a noble veela, stabbing the prince. It would look like infighting and other species banding together, but they knew Matteo would figure it out sooner or later and when he does…”

“No one would believe him. It would look like he just started a war. Merlin. But why? Why go through all that trouble?”

“Why do most nations ever go so far, cutie. More power,” the guard seethed. “That’s all this stupid world is about. We’ve always been too cowardly to have a real influence outside our world, outside the ministry. Pureblood ideologies could only go so far; our bloodline is dying because we are too stubborn to co-mingle, and yet those council members convinced themselves that they should be on top of the world. That it’s the others’ fault for our shortcomings. Utter bullshit.”

Draco blinked at the guard shuffling back and forth. “Who are you again?”

“Not important.” They both replied simultaneously.

Draco rolled his eyes.

“So the idiots in our government want to start a bloody war, fantastic. And why are they so sure they would win? Also how exactly do I tie into this? And what is the plan to make this not happen? So far it seems like it’s going exactly how they wanted.”

“So many questions,” Harry said, chuckling. “This isn’t something they planned for a few months, Dragon. Since before Tom Riddle became Voldemort, this was in the works, unfortunately, the council has managed to get the different countries together to make it happen, along with some spying. Remember the business of yours ‘SAPPHIRE?’

“Oh, you mean the one you used to blackmail me with, along with my mother?” Draco snapped.

“So dramatic. I didn’t threaten you, just persuaded you a little bit.”

“Dramatic?! oh…Dracooo, the question is, what do I want in order for this… sensitive information to remain hidden? Ohhhh, would the Malfoys survive two generations of heirs tarnishing it?” Draco mocked, his jaw tightening as he remembered the alpha’s earlier words.

“To be fair. That does sound like blackmail.” The guard began.

“Stay out of it!” Draco yelled.

“Not helping,” Harry sighed at the same time. “The council was going to use it to say that you were the one who helped those veelas massacre the Royals.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Draco jumped off the hospital bed. “I just don’t follow the stupid rule of only making potions for wizards, which doesn’t make me a bloody traitor. Those assholes. I studied for years, particularly in biology, and then those imbeciles tell me I’m limited to one fucking species.” His fist curled as his body heated up. “Those council members can so fuck themselves on a bloody stick.”

Draco turned, glaring at the two pairs of eyes watching him. “What?!” He asked, hands on his hips. Harry’s filthy grin startled him, another type of heat taking over.

“Your smell is quite intoxicating when you’re angry.” Harry purred, coming closer by crawling onto the bed.

He took the first thing nearby, a plain white pillow and flung it, hitting the alpha squarely in the face. “Stay away from me! And don’t you dare sniff me, prick.”

“You sniffed me quite thoroughly earlier, so it’s only fair, Dragon. Plus, you’ve been hiding your scent with those darn suppressants and soaps for weeks now.” Harry continued to come closer, the smile never leaving that annoyingly sculptured face of his.

Draco’s face turned beet red. It seemed to be happening more frequently now. “I did not! And what I do with my body has nothing to..to. Stop coming closer!” The alpha was already only a few inches away from him now.

“Hey! Why did your eyes turn red just now?” Draco spluttered. “ Potter! Potter!” He paused, when that darn scent hit his nose. Merlin, it was far too intoxicating. He closed his eyes as it entered him, swallowing it like it was a luxurious meal straight from the French restaurants he used to frequent with his father. He hadn’t even realised he was leaning in until the alpha’s face was right in front of him.

A hand appeared between them, along with a chuckle. Draco just froze as Harry growled at the offending appendage.

“Children, children. There will be plenty of time for mating rituals later. Cutie, you really shouldn’t go around smelling like that in front of a pack of wolves.”

Draco fumbled. He had no words; had he really just been about to? What the hell was wrong with him?

“The poison seems to have sucked up the suppressants,” Harry grumbled, moving away. He looked away from Draco, staring at the ground for a few minutes before taking a deep breath. “Anyways, to simplify matters, the council was going to use the Malfoys to say that the veelas have been using you guys as spies, and your business was a way to do it. Malfoy was going to be shown attempting to assassinate Fudge to cement that.”

“Bloody hell. They really thought of everything.”

“Yes, they did. Much more than even we understand,” the guard growled.

“So then what exactly is this plan?”

“It’s simple really. We basically used the council’s own plan against them. The reason the plan worked before was because no one knew the assassins were polyjuiced and controlled. I used my own people to polyjuice themselves as the royals instead in order to set up a trap.”

“Wait, so… The king.”

“Exactly.” Harry nodded. “None of the royals were actually here. They remained in a separate chamber that night and watched from a distance, using their own devices to record everything that’s happened here. In the end making the council think they were actually dead is the plan, but.”

“Somehow that rat figured it out.”

“Speaking of which.” The guard began staring right at Draco. “ I guess now’s the perfect time to mention that Matteo went after his brother and managed to get caught in the dungeon where the others are. Someone else knew the others were fake and may have figured out he was the real one and took him hostage.”

Harry looked over to him as well. He could feel his stomach clenching as the alpha pinched his temples with another sigh.

“Let me guess. Blond hair and grey eyes.”

Draco’s hands fisted the sheets as his stomach started doing jumping jacks. Please don’t say it. Pleaseeeee for all of Merlin don’t say—

“Yup. Malfoy just woke up from the curse and he’s a bit…upset.”