Chapter Text
Dracos smiling, holding Harry around the shoulders. They're folded against each other, gazing into the warm fireplace in front of them, on the fluffiest armchair. It's the Gryffindor common room and people are everywhere, laughing and playing around. It's cozy. There's no merpeople staring down at him with a sneer, or 3rd years hiding behind corners waiting to hex him. Harry's head is resting on the crook of Dracos neck. Draco couldn't be happier.
Draco sits up, hands shooting straight to his head, where the worst of the pain resides. He groans and casts a Tempus charm.7:34 AM. Normally Draco would just get ready and wait for a reasonable time to go to breakfast, but he's been promising himself that he would tell Narcissa the truth. Anxiously pulling on his clothes he sets up the fireplace ready to call her. He sits for a moment, then Narcissa’s head sits in the flames, and he straightens his back along with his cloak.
“Mother,”
“Yes? This was quite a spontaneous call, was it not?” She asks expectantly.
“I Apologize. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.”
“Don't be frivolous, you know I'm on house arrest.” She says offhandedly, giving him a look as if to say “Stop with the formalities.” Draco nods.
“I would like to make you aware of a certain situation I've been experiencing,” He says guiltily, trying not to fidget becoming arduous. Narcissa hums and Draco continues. “I'm sure you're aware of my being untruthful on the subject of mates. Well, I had the dream on my 18th birthday, and I've been having it every night since then, and horrible pains when I'm awake. They just started recently, I assume they are from consciously keeping myself away from my mate. I wanted to ask for a line of action.” Draco loosens up, finally becoming comfortable. He runs his hand through his hair and rests his chin on his fist.
“Draco, you know in order for me to help you I need to know who it is?” She raises her brow, seeming to feel his discomfort surrounding this mysterious person. He lets out a puff of air, preparing himself. He knows his mother loves him, but even he felt disappointed in himself when he found out who his mate was.
“Promise you won't be angry?” He gives his mother a hopeful look.
“Promises are for children who do not trust the people they confide in.” She gives her son an exasperated look, ready to help him already.
“Right. It's Harry.” Draco looks to the side, biting his lip, readying himself for a lecture.
“That's it? I thought you would say Pansy, I know she's your best friend, but she's horrid. Anyone who's lived with you for any amount of time could've guessed that. My dragon,” Draco giggles, relieved. “You know how mates are chosen, don't you?” He shakes his head ashamedly.
“Oh, so you didn't study Veelas when I told you to?” She asks him playfully as he sputters. “Nevermind that. Draco, a mate is chosen because you've fallen in love with someone your heart deems perfect for you. It isn't random, your Veela blood doesn't make you love someone, you do that on your own. Your heart just tells you when you're right in giving that love. So, I am not disappointed in you for falling in love with someone that can give you what you need,” She smiles sweetly, wishing she could hug him in that moment. Her mood quickly shifts though, ready to reprimand him.
“But I am disappointed in you for lying and hurting yourself even though you could've easily fixed the problem. I can't believe you think I would hate you for who you love, maybe your father would, but he's no Veela so he wouldn't understand, anyway.” She looks stern, and Draco’s surprised. Not ready for this lecture.
“All right, that's much better than what I thought it was. I didn't read on it because it scared me. Mother, the only problem is, even if he is perfect for me, we’ve hated each other since first year.” He whines towards the end, but quickly stops when he realizes how childlike he sounds.
“Obviously not for you if he's your mate. It doesn't matter anyway, I suggest you just tell him. From what you've told me in the past, it always seems to be you starting the fights. Maybe he doesn't dislike you as much as you think.” Draco lets out a huff, deciding he'll make a plan during breakfast.
“I've got to eat. Thank you for talking mother, I love you.”
“I love you too Draco, now if you would not mind, I quite fancy you not being single for the rest of your life. Go get your man.” Draco cuts off the call with a blush and a curse of embarrassment.
``
Immediately when sitting down at the Slytherin table, Draco informs Pansy of the conversation he just had.
“You're telling me, Your highly graceful mother, wants you to just outright tell him. No tact whatsoever!” Draco shushes her, swiftly reminding his best friend that there are many people around that could be listening. She frowns, not liking the forced silence.
“I know it sounds crazy, but maybe she's right.”
“Definitely not! It would be the quickest rejection in history.” She whisper shouts.
“What do you expect me to do then, Pans?” Draco raises his brow.
“Well first, you've got to tell him you're sorry, for like, everything. Then you have to ease him into a conversation about feelings, not necessarily romantic. Last, tell him what's been happenin. This is a strange situation and either way you have the disadvantage. Chances are you'll get rejected no matter what, all you can hope for is that he’ll at least be open-minded, then maybe you could worm your way into his heart.” She finishes with a long intake of breath, tired. Draco groans at his predicament. Especially since it's entirely his fault. He looks over towards the Gryffindor table, searching for a wild mane of black hair. He finds it and continues to talk to Pansy, still staring.
“Where should it happen then?”
“If you want privacy, the owlery, no one goes there in the morning or early evening. If you want aesthetics, the Garden or Astronomy tower.” She says the second bit dreamily, hinting for Draco to choose one of those options. Draco notices this, but chooses not to comment.
“I will meet him at the owlery so no one hears us. Also, if he decides to blow up on me, I won't have to deal with onlookers too.” Pansy cringes, disappointed, but knowing she won't change his mind.
“Whatever. You'll need to tell him.” Draco nods and pulls out a piece of paper. He writes a quick message, then walks outside of the Great Hall a few seconds after Harry and his friends. Walking opposite directions, Draco points his wand at the bird-shaped paper and whispers “Locomotor”. He takes a quick glance behind so he knows where to fly the thing. He commands it to do a few flips as it flies in front of Harry and then turns the corner, heading for Herbology.
``
Something's not right about this, Harry can't seem to shake the thought. Ever since the Malfoys trial over the summer, he's been trying to remind himself that Malfoy never wanted to be a death eater and that he's changed since being a child, but it's incredibly easy to fall into old habits, he decides. Immediately after seeing the familiar bird-shaped paper fly in front of him, he snatched it and read quickly, showing Hermione and Ron.
Meet me at the Owlery after classes ~~ D.
“What do you think it's about mate?” Ron asks, scrunching his face while reading. Harry shrugs.
“No idea, we haven't spoken since I gave him his wand. You don't think he'd try cursing me after all this do you?” Hermione faces both boys and stops walking.
“Of course not Harry! I can't believe you'd think he'd try cursing you, especially since you've saved each other's lives! He probably just wants to apologize.” She looks frazzled, shaking her head at Harry and Ron.
“Why're you shakin your head at me!?” Ron asks, offended.
“I know that if I don't discourage you too, both of you will run with the idea that he's plotting. Don't look at me like that Ron! It's happened before.” they walk again. Harry falls back slightly as Hermione takes Ron's hand and kisses his forehead, lifting the pout from his lips. Harry frowns a bit and shakes his head, disappointed in himself. He's elated for them, but he can't help wanting someone to love him too. Hermione looks back at Harry to ask him a question.
“So, are you going?”
“I guess.” He huffs.
``
Classes have ended, and Draco anxiously makes his way to the owlery. Apologizing has never been something he's good at. Even when he knows he's in the wrong, his pride stops him, reminds him that apologizing is not something a Malfoy should do. He feels bad, but that does nothing against the unprecedented hate he has for admitting he's wrong. He hypes himself up, bringing attention to the fact that if Harry reciprocates in the slightest, he might actually have a chance at being happy.
He sits for a minute, his nerves building again in the silence of being alone. He just can't shake the dread of being rejected, of feeling stupid and unwanted. He lifts his head and sees Harry suspiciously making his way up the stairs. Draco pushes off from the railing.
They make eye contact and stare for a bit. Each waiting for the other to say something first. Harry's eyes finally waver and he says.
“So, what did you want?” He's rolling on the souls of his feet.
“I’m sorry.” Draco says after a minute of hesitation, straightening his shoulders, and holding his chin high. Draco had apologized to Harry before. When Harry had given him his wand, he blurted out said apology, then swiftly walked away. Harry better realize the importance of him saying it twice.
“Pinky promise?” Harry holds out his pinky, smiling just a little.
“Excuse me?” Draco squints his eyes, raising a brow.
“You've said sorry before. If you’re saying it again, you must haven't have meant it the first time. So, pinky promise you mean it?”
“How childish Potter.” Contrary to his tone, he holds out his pinky, looking away. How cute can Harry get? Holding out his pinky as if he's 6 years old again. It's embarrassing how quickly Draco will do something so stupid if Harry wants it. Their pinkies intertwine, and Draco gets nervous. Harry's pinky is warm and fits in the crook of his perfectly. He lets go of Harry quickly, embarrassed just touching his finger makes him happy.
“You have something else to say.” Harry looks at Draco thoughtfully. When Draco has the chance, he keeps going. He never just leaves it at that. Draco huffs, he closes his eyes wanting to pretend he wasn't here. He can't though, he's a Malfoy and Malfoys aren't cowards. Draco snaps his eyes open and starts.
“I'm a Veela,” Draco resorts to insults to keep his nervousness in check, ”I know you don't know what that is Potter, so let me give you a rundown. I have a mate which just so happens to be you,” Draco leaves out the full truth,” So if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you let your brain comprehend that for a second before you say anything.” Harry's mouth opens agape.
“I thought you hated me?” Harry seems almost pleading. If he thinks real hard, he realizes he's never really hated Harry. At first, it was just jealousy towards the reputation he had. Then, anger for rejecting his friendship so quick. Rejection. Their entire relationship had started with rejection, and could just as easily end with it too. After that, it was a slow decline to a want. Wanting the smile Harry had for his friends to be aimed his way. Wanting the unnoticed touches he gave his peers to be for him.
“I just wanted your attention.” Draco is trying to stay calm and push the butterflies down, but Harry scoffs and he can feel his resolve dwindling.