Harry Potter and The Bound Prince (BP1)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
37
Views:
50,953
Reviews:
155
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
37
Views:
50,953
Reviews:
155
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Blood, Sweat, Tears and What?
Chapter Number/Total: 11/37
Chapter Title: Blood, Sweat, Tears and What?
Words: 4616 Words
Harry and Ron hoisted Draco up and began walking with him again, Hermione following quickly behind. They must have looked very odd – three Gryffindors and a Slytherin.
They reached the hospital wing a bit more slowly than they normally would have, as Draco obviously didn't want to go. Harry could feel Draco's grip on him, and he tightened his own, hoping that it was comforting.
Madam Pomfrey gasped upon seeing them and hurriedly bustled forward to look at Draco's face.
"Put him down on that bed!" she said to Harry and Ron, not asking any other questions.
Draco felt them laying him on the bed, but at that point, nothing was very clear. The only thing that seemed clear to him at all was that he couldn't let go of Harry. His hand had slid down Harry's arm as they placed him but he gripped the other's boy's wrist. He felt like he was on a rough sea, the world grey and dark, tossing him about, and that grasp was the only thing keeping him from drowning.
Harry let Draco grasp his arm, knowing that Ron and Hermione probably thought it was very strange, but that wasn't his concern right then. He would have to make up some story later. He would probably have to make up some story as to why he'd known that Draco hadn't been eating, too.
Madam Pomfrey gave a quick glance at Draco's hand clutching Harry's wrist, her eyes widening. But then she focused on Draco, fussing about. "What happened?" she asked Harry.
Harry shot a quick glance at Ron and Hermione, who were both looking at him expectantly. "Erm, he was still sitting in class after it was over, and I wanted to ask him something, so I stayed after too and he just – passed out. I pulled him out into the corridor and Hermione Ennervated him, but he still didn't feel well, so we brought him up here." He cleared his throat. "I also know that he hasn't been eating."
Draco's state of consciousness at this point was dim at best. He was aware of Harry's skin under his hand and that there were sounds in the room, but he didn't even attempt to make them out. His eyes were closed and his breathing shallow and laboured.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and looked at the three Gryffindors. "You two: go on to class," she told Hermione and Ron.
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione silenced him with a look and a hand on his arm.
"All right, we'll go," she told Madam Pomfrey. "Harry," she said, looking at him as if she knew there was something he wasn't letting on
Harry nodded, knowing that it would be all she would need for the moment. Hermione nodded in return, pulled Ron to his feet, and led him out of the room.
Madam Pomfrey did some basic diagnostic charms to determine what kind of damage she was dealing with. She pulled several potions from a tray and narrowed her eyes at Harry. "Tell me the rest now," she said to him.
Harry gulped, not really sure if he should tell Pomfrey the whole thing. He sighed knowing that there was no way he was going to be able to get out of it, especially if the nurse pulled up Draco's shirt sleeve.
"He has to do something for – he's been going through some things, and I think that's why he hasn't been eating. He's also been sort of ... exerting ... himself the last few days," Harry tried to explain.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and began to administer two potions. But when she tried to get Draco to take one of them, he closed his mouth tightly, turning his head away.
Harry looked at Pomfrey and frowned. He bent low, very close to Draco's face. "Please take the potion, love," he pleaded very quietly so that Pomfrey wouldn't hear. "Please, just take the potion."
Draco's face sought Harry's like a plant bends to the sun. He pressed his cheek against the other boy's.
Harry let his eyes fall closed and brought the arm that Draco wasn't gripping up so that he could cup the side of Draco's face. "Draco, please," he begged again. "Please, please, please take the potion. Do it for me, please?"
"Yours," Draco whispered against his cheek.
Harry squeezed his eyes more tightly shut. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes, you're mine. Always." He felt like screaming. "Draco, please take the potion," he said a little louder.
"From you," Draco said, still not opening his eyes.
Harry quickly pulled himself away from Draco for just a moment. "He wants me to give it to him," he told Madam Pomfrey.
Wordlessly, she handed Harry the first potion and stood quietly considering the scene before her.
Harry took the vial and bent quickly over Draco again. "Here, Draco," he said, tipping it forward and taking care not to spill any.
Draco nearly choked on the vile liquid, but did his best to swallow. He grimaced and swallowed convulsively a few times.
Harry sighed with relief, stroking Draco's hair. "Thank you," he said, handing the bottle back to Madam Pomfrey. He sat back up and looked at her.
She handed Harry the second vial, taking the empty one from him.
He bent once again. "Here comes another one," he told Draco in warning before tipping the contents of this one down his throat as well. Once finished, he sat up again. "How many are there?" he asked, looking at Draco worriedly.
Draco groaned, coughing up a little of the potion this time. His grip on Harry would have been painful if he'd had any strength left.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and handed Harry a cloth. "I don't think he can handle any of the others at this point," she said.
Harry nodded, taking the cloth from Pomfrey and wiping Draco's face. "Is he okay? What do the potions do? Will he be able to get up soon?" he asked, looking at Madam Pomfrey like she held all the answers in the universe.
She sighed and looked up.
Professor Snape came into the room like a storm, robes billowing behind him. He sneered as his eyes fell on Harry, widening in shock at the sight of Draco. Draco looked ghastly, features gaunt and skin bone white. He sucked in his breath, turning to Madam Pomfrey. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, gesturing to both boys, managing to include both Draco's state and Harry's presence in the question.
Harry's eyes narrowed at the sight of Snape. Perfect, just what I need right now, he thought.
“Severus, this boy is very sick," Madam Pomfrey told the fuming Professor. "The last thing he needs is a whole mess of fuss from you." Harry wondered how she managed to say it without sounding impolite.
"The boy looks a lot worse than sick," Snape snapped, bending down to examine Draco. He was clearly shocked by what he saw. His eyes fell on Draco's hand clutching Harry, and then he looked up at the boy himself. "Mr Potter, exactly what are you doing here?" he asked.
Harry scowled. He didn't want to tell Snape a damn thing, but he knew he was going to have to. "I was there when he passed out, sir," he said angrily.
"And you are still here because?" Snape sneered.
Madam Pomfrey stepped forward. "He is assisting me," she answered.
Harry couldn't help but feel a tiny bit smug at her words, but it was not the time for that. He had stopped stroking Draco's hair when Snape had entered, and he was afraid to start again. He simply sat there, waiting for Madam Pomfrey's next instruction.
Professor Snape turned his attention on the woman. "What has happened to Draco?"
She frowned but seemed to shift gears with him. "He has collapsed from exhaustion and starvation. As far as I can tell, he hasn't eaten in at least a week, possibly more, and has been using spells and potions to keep himself going and to cover the evidence."
Harry frowned. He wanted to hit himself for not noticing what Draco had been doing sooner. He still wasn't sure what else to do, but he wasn't about to leave Draco's side.
Snape glared at Pomfrey. "And what are you doing about this?" he demanded.
Pomfrey frowned. "I have given him a couple Revitalising Potions. But the normal means of handling this have been made unusable by his overuse of a variety of potions and spells to cover the effects. The progression is already advanced. Even with the spells he used, I am surprised he was able to walk from the dorms, let alone attend a class."
Draco, you're such a stubborn fool, Harry thought to himself. "How long will it take for him to recover?" he asked Pomfrey, forehead lined with worry.
Both adults turned toward Harry as if they had forgotten he was there. They exchanged glances with each other and then Snape scowled and looked away. Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I know you are trying to take care of ... your friend. But his condition may be beyond what we can do anything about. Especially here at Hogwarts."
Harry's eyes widened. "What!" he asked incredulously. He hadn't been expecting that at all. "What is that supposed to mean? Where does he have to go then?"
A snort came from Snape's direction, but he continued to look the other way. Madam Pomfrey continued, "Well, normally we would contact his parents and probably encourage them to have him taken to St Mungo's, but that might not be possible anymore."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "What? Why?" he asked fearfully.
"Seriously, Mr Potter," Professor Snape sneered. "Have you forgotten his father's current whereabouts? He is in Azkaban, if you need a reminder."
Harry scowled heavily at Snape. "No, I haven't forgotten, sir." He turned back to Pomfrey. "What about his mother?"
"Missing," Snape said in one terse word.
Harry frowned. He hadn't known that. "Well, what are you going to do with him?" He looked back at Draco.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Snape again. He heaved an even greater sigh. "Since I am his godfather, it is up to me to decide what to do with him."
Harry's eyes widened and he looked up at Snape in disbelief." You're his godfather?" he asked incredulously.
Madam Pomfrey put a hand up as if to warn Harry against such outbursts, but Harry's outburst seemed to make Snape smile. "Yes, Mr Potter, I am," he said, turning to face Harry. "So would you mind telling me why you are here now, and what part in this you have played?"
Harry glared at Snape. "I already told you. I was there when he passed out," he said through clenched teeth. Snape would be Draco's godfather, it was just Harry's luck.
Snape narrowed his eyes, looking pointedly at Draco's hand on Harry. He shook his head. "Unless you want me to send you from this room this instant, you will tell me the truth. Potter, you may not care what happens to Draco, but I do."
Harry looked away from Snape; he could feel him trying to probe his mind. What was he supposed to do? He didn't know. What would happen if he told Snape the truth? Would Draco want him to tell the truth? Harry wished Draco was awake so he could say something about all this. His heart began beating frantically.
"Leave," Snape said in a quiet angry voice. "I need to focus on Draco, not you."
Harry winced, but it wasn't as if he hadn't been expecting that. He looked down at Draco's hand still attached to his wrist and sighed heavily. "I'm not leaving him," he said.
Snape stood on the opposite side of the bed from Harry, silent and glaring for another minute. He seemed to make some kind of decision, because then he sat down in a chair. "Mr Potter," he began quietly, "if we are to keep him alive, then I need to know more about the reason for his condition. I need you to tell me everything you can about what has been happening to him." Professor Snape sounded old and tired.
Harry hesitated, but then looked down at Draco again. What could he do? "He hasn't been eating at all," he began quietly, "and he has been sleeping, although I'm not sure how well." He cleared his throat a bit. "I know a lot about the reason he hasn't been eating or sleeping much," he said pointedly, hoping that Snape would get what he meant.
Snape looked up sharply and then gestured at Madam Pomfrey, who frowned heavily, but turned and walked out of the room. "I know he has been ... struggling," Snape said, "but I didn't know he would go to such extremes."
Harry nodded, amazed that he was actually having a conversation with Snape. "Does Professor Dumbledore know?" he asked seriously.
Snape frowned, but didn't answer the question. "How do you know so much about Draco, Mr Potter? What changed?"
Harry looked away. "I – I don't know. He just – he just told me. I don't think he had anyone to talk to about it." Harry knew how lame that sounded. As if Draco Malfoy would come to Harry Potter to tell him about a mission from Lord Voldemort for no apparent reason.
Snape grimaced, his slender fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath. "Mr Potter, this is getting us nowhere. We are both aware of the likelihood of Draco Malfoy confiding his troubles in you. It is very much in the low range, or at least that is what the entire school would think. So, I ask you again – what changed?" Snape reached over and picked up Draco's other hand, turning it over in his own and staring at it. He seemed shocked with its temperature.
Harry sighed in defeat. "Fine, we're ... together," he said, finding that he, strangely, wasn't embarrassed about it at all.
Snape's eyebrows raised. "Together?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Together as in we ... kiss each other and that ... stuff." Harry felt like a first-year, but it was odd to be discussing this with his teacher, especially his least favourite teacher, whom he loathed.
The professor closed his eyes and looked for a moment like he was in pain. He shook his head. "How long?" he asked quietly.
"Erm ... this would be the fourth day ..." Harry mumbled, clearing his throat oddly.
"Four days?" Snape shook his head again. "Children," he said with a sigh, as if talking to someone else. "Their whole world turned inside out in four days." He put his face into hands, groaning.
"I'm not a child," Harry said sharply. He crossed one arm over his stomach, as Draco was still holding onto his other one. "You still haven't said what you're going to do with him."
"I still haven't learned anything that will help him," Snape answered. He glanced toward the direction Pomfrey had gone. "Madam Pomfrey suggested that something had kept him alive for longer than would be expected.” Snape paused and looked at Harry as if studying him. "And the only thing that I know changed in that time, was you."
Harry frowned. "But I haven't done anything. He wouldn't let me ..." he said, confused. "Do you think I should try and do something?"
Snape sighed and closed his eyes again. "Where did this 'kissing and stuff' take place?"
"The Room of Requirement," Harry said slowly, wondering why on earth Snape wanted to know that.
Snape looked like he would rather lick cauldrons after Potions class than continue on this train of thought. He looked at Draco's hand again, which he seemed surprised to find he was still holding. "And just how much time have you two spent in there in the last four days?"
Harry blushed a little. "Er ... quite a bit of time," he said, looking anywhere but at Snape.
"Please tell me you haven't exchanged rings or any other types of binding promises?" he groaned.
Harry shook his head. "No, nothing like that," he said quickly. "Erm, sir, if you don’t mind me asking ... what does all this have to do with anything?"
Snape looked at the boy lying still and quiet in the bed. "What have you done, Draco?"
Harry frowned, feeling helpless again. Why was Snape asking him all these questions anyway? How was Harry supposed to know what the hell was going on? Why was he asking about rings and binding promises? ... Binding ... Harry's face shot up suddenly. "Sir?" he said. "I think maybe we did make a binding promise, but I'm not sure .…"
Snape's groan sounded like a man in serious pain. He glared at Harry. "Tell me exactly what you promised, what he promised, and under what conditions."
Harry flushed crimson. "I – erm – well, we were ... and I told him that he ... was mine ... and he agreed that he was mine .…" He gulped and chanced a glance at Snape.
Snape actually paled and gritted his teeth. "Was there ..." he took a breath, "an exchange of bodily fluids involved in this promise?"
If possible, Harry turned even redder. "Er ... yeah," he said in a whoosh of a breath. What did all this mean?
While, Harry's face grew redder, Snape's grew even paler. "Which fluids, Potter?"
Harry's eyes widened a bit. He couldn't look at Snape. "Semen, saliva ... and blood ..." he said quietly.
Snape released Draco's hand and stood abruptly. He began pacing the room, muttering under his breath. He looked furious. Finally he went to the window, looking out and breathing hard. After a bit, he said in a low dangerous tone, "Let me make sure I have it all from you, Potter. You and Draco, two relatively powerful but inexperienced wizards, exchanged vows making him 'yours' in a magically bound space, involving no less than three types of bodily fluids, and, I have to assume, sex. Am I missing anything here?"
Harry thought back to that moment, frowning. "I think that's it ..." he said slowly, and then he looked away from Snape again. "There were tears too ... if that matters," he mumbled.
Snape stood staring at Draco and back to Harry, then walked over and sat down carefully in the chair again. He seemed to have run out of anger or anything to say for that matter. He looked at Draco and shook his head again.
"Well, is that it?" Harry snapped loudly, suddenly angry. He didn't like that Snape didn't seem to have any answers for him. "What does this all mean? What am I supposed to do now?"
Draco moaned, thrashing his head as his hand around Harry's arm tightened.
Harry quickly looked down at Draco. "Draco?" he asked, getting very close to his face, bringing his hand up to grasp his chin.
Draco nuzzled Harry's hand but didn't wake. His hand relaxed, but he did not release Harry's wrist.
Harry groaned and looked up at Snape. "You have to do something," he said desperately. "There has to be something."
Snape was quiet, watching them. "He has something all right," he said, sighing. "He has you. You didn't, by chance, order him not to die?"
Harry rubbed his forehead. "I might have," he said, frustrated. "It's sort of hazy, but probably likely."
Snape hung his head, his chin resting on his chest and his hair obscuring his face. "Apparently, you have saved his life."
Harry's eyes widened. "I – I have?" he asked. "So, then what do I do now? Why is he like this?" Harry gestured at Draco's limp form.
"He is like this because even with ... what you two did ... there is only so long he can survive without food." Professor Snape seemed to have reverted to his teacher voice at this point. "And it will be important to ascertain exactly what the two of you promised. For now, at least, he is literally only alive because you won't let him die. The nature of your ... agreement ... seems to be that he, quite literally, belongs to you."
Harry just stared at Snape, mouth hanging slightly open. "He belongs to me?" he asked, eyes wide. He couldn't believe it. "How – how do we get him to wake up again?"
"You tell him to wake up, Potter," Snape hissed. "Don't you understand? He gave you the power to magically compel him!"
It was all too much. "I can tell him to do whatever I want and he has to do it?" Harry asked, unbelieving. He looked at Draco again, wondering if all it really would take would be for him to tell him to wake up.
Snape glared at Potter. "Yes," he snapped, clearly very angry.
Harry stared at Snape for a few seconds longer and then turned to face Draco again. "Draco, wake up," he said helplessly, still not entirely convinced that it would work at all.
Draco groaned, slowly opening his eyes and blinking. He felt stretched and empty. He saw Harry and smiled weakly.
Harry's mouth fell open completely and he let out one weak laugh. "Draco?" he asked, stroking his hair.
"Harry." Draco's voice was weak and raspy. "What happened?"
Harry smiled, feeling more relieved than he could ever remember feeling. "Erm ... it's a bit of a long story ..." he began.
Snape huffed. "Which can wait until he is stronger, Potter."
Draco's eyes widened at the sound of Snape's voice, and he looked in horror to find him sitting there.
Harry looked over at Snape and nodded, actually agreeing with the man.
Snape stood. "I have classes to teach. You are excused today, Potter, although not from the homework. I will inform the Headmaster of ... the nature of the emergency." He nodded to Draco and turned, leaving the room quickly.
Harry took in a large breath and let it out slowly. "Are you all right?" he asked, getting up from his knees to sit on the edge of Draco's bed.
Draco starred after Snape for a moment, frowning. He looked back at Harry, confused. "He knows?"
Harry swallowed. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I had to tell him."
"I knew I should have stayed in the Room of Requirement," Draco said with a sigh, secretly wondering what would happen to the body of someone if they were to die there.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Erm ... you wouldn't have died anyway ..." he said slowly. "I said you couldn't ... or something like that."
Draco snorted. "Yeah, and I always do what I'm told," he said sarcastically.
Harry bit his lip. "Erm, Draco, you wouldn't have died .... You have to do what I tell you ...." He flushed a bit.
Draco frowned. "I know you don't want to believe this, but I am going to die. If not now, then soon."
"No, Draco, you don't understand," Harry said lacing his fingers through Draco's. "You literally have to do what I tell you."
Draco raised one eyebrow. "Nice try, but it doesn't work like that."
Harry rubbed at his forehead for a moment, stressed beyond belief. "Fine," he said, "if you don't believe me, I'll prove it." He thought for a moment of something to tell Draco to do. "Put your finger in your mouth," he said simply.
Draco found himself doing it before he really even had a chance to reply. His eyes widened and then narrowed. "Wha'?" he mumbled around his finger.
"You can take it out now," Harry said sheepishly. "I sort of ... own you ..." he said, wincing.
Draco removed his finger, staring perplexedly at the wet digit and then at Harry. "How did you do that?" His eyes narrowed. "That was like Imperio.'"
"No," Harry said quickly, putting his hands up in defence. "I'm not even holding my wand. It's just ... remember last night?"
Draco smirked a bit. "Yes."
Harry couldn't help a smug little smile of his own, but then it was back to business. "Well, apparently, according to Snape, we made a binding promise when you told me that you belonged to me .… I think he said it had something to do with the fact that there were multiple bodily fluids involved and sex, but he wasn't exactly clear .... In short, I own you now ... I suppose."
The variety of facial expressions that crossed Draco's face at that point would have been comical under other circumstances. "We ... Snape ... you told him ... binding ... oh, fuck," he sputtered.
"Yeah," Harry said, wincing again. "I had to, Draco. Ron and I took you up here and then he just – showed up! What was I supposed to do?"
Draco was still trying to process this. "You told Snape ... bodily fluids ... details. Not Ron too?"
"Oh, God, no," Harry said, shaking his head. "Ron would be in that bed next to you if he knew what was going on. I only told Snape, although I think Hermione might suspect something, but probably not the extent of what's actually going on."
Draco winced. "Please don't put the image of the Weasel in bed with me in my mind."
Harry had to laugh at that, though it sounded more like a weird bird call. "So, what do we do?" he asked.
Draco thought for a minute, and then sighed. "A binding promise is a form of blood magic," he said, thinking aloud.
"Yeah ..." said Harry, waiting for more.
Draco was thinking furiously about what he knew. This was the sort of stuff he learned at home, not at Hogwarts. "Two people exchange vows, bodily fluids and magic. It is a bit like the Unbreakable Vow."
Harry frowned. "If that's true ... then what did we vow besides ... me owning you ... and you not dying?"
Draco was dizzy and it was hard to remember the details. "I promised to be yours," he said softly, looking up at Harry.
"Yeah, I remember," Harry said with a small smile. "This is all so complicated," he said, rubbing his forehead again. "What does it all mean? You can't die or else you die? That doesn't even make any sense." He paused. "Unless ... I would die too ...?"
"I think it would be like ...." Draco winced. "Like the spell that binds house-elves. They have to obey to the best of their ability. We will have to research it."
"Oh," Harry said, his eyebrows raised. Draco Malfoy was like his house-elf? Bloody fucking hell.
Draco realised he should've been upset right then, but he still felt so very tired. "Can I sleep now?" he asked.
Harry looked at Draco with a slight frown. "I think you should eat something before you do any sleeping," he said seriously.
Draco looked at Harry. "You could end this all right now, you know. All you have to do is order me to die. Or even just let me die."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Nice try, but I'm going to have to go with a no on that one," he said firmly.
Draco nodded, not really surprised. "You haven't ordered me to eat yet, but I will."
Harry smiled, happy that he wasn't even going to have to force Draco to eat. He wished they were in the Room of Requirement so that a plate of food would simply appear, but they weren't, so Harry had to go off and get Madam Pomfrey to get Draco and himself something to eat.
Chapter Title: Blood, Sweat, Tears and What?
Words: 4616 Words
Harry and Ron hoisted Draco up and began walking with him again, Hermione following quickly behind. They must have looked very odd – three Gryffindors and a Slytherin.
They reached the hospital wing a bit more slowly than they normally would have, as Draco obviously didn't want to go. Harry could feel Draco's grip on him, and he tightened his own, hoping that it was comforting.
Madam Pomfrey gasped upon seeing them and hurriedly bustled forward to look at Draco's face.
"Put him down on that bed!" she said to Harry and Ron, not asking any other questions.
Draco felt them laying him on the bed, but at that point, nothing was very clear. The only thing that seemed clear to him at all was that he couldn't let go of Harry. His hand had slid down Harry's arm as they placed him but he gripped the other's boy's wrist. He felt like he was on a rough sea, the world grey and dark, tossing him about, and that grasp was the only thing keeping him from drowning.
Harry let Draco grasp his arm, knowing that Ron and Hermione probably thought it was very strange, but that wasn't his concern right then. He would have to make up some story later. He would probably have to make up some story as to why he'd known that Draco hadn't been eating, too.
Madam Pomfrey gave a quick glance at Draco's hand clutching Harry's wrist, her eyes widening. But then she focused on Draco, fussing about. "What happened?" she asked Harry.
Harry shot a quick glance at Ron and Hermione, who were both looking at him expectantly. "Erm, he was still sitting in class after it was over, and I wanted to ask him something, so I stayed after too and he just – passed out. I pulled him out into the corridor and Hermione Ennervated him, but he still didn't feel well, so we brought him up here." He cleared his throat. "I also know that he hasn't been eating."
Draco's state of consciousness at this point was dim at best. He was aware of Harry's skin under his hand and that there were sounds in the room, but he didn't even attempt to make them out. His eyes were closed and his breathing shallow and laboured.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and looked at the three Gryffindors. "You two: go on to class," she told Hermione and Ron.
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione silenced him with a look and a hand on his arm.
"All right, we'll go," she told Madam Pomfrey. "Harry," she said, looking at him as if she knew there was something he wasn't letting on
Harry nodded, knowing that it would be all she would need for the moment. Hermione nodded in return, pulled Ron to his feet, and led him out of the room.
Madam Pomfrey did some basic diagnostic charms to determine what kind of damage she was dealing with. She pulled several potions from a tray and narrowed her eyes at Harry. "Tell me the rest now," she said to him.
Harry gulped, not really sure if he should tell Pomfrey the whole thing. He sighed knowing that there was no way he was going to be able to get out of it, especially if the nurse pulled up Draco's shirt sleeve.
"He has to do something for – he's been going through some things, and I think that's why he hasn't been eating. He's also been sort of ... exerting ... himself the last few days," Harry tried to explain.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and began to administer two potions. But when she tried to get Draco to take one of them, he closed his mouth tightly, turning his head away.
Harry looked at Pomfrey and frowned. He bent low, very close to Draco's face. "Please take the potion, love," he pleaded very quietly so that Pomfrey wouldn't hear. "Please, just take the potion."
Draco's face sought Harry's like a plant bends to the sun. He pressed his cheek against the other boy's.
Harry let his eyes fall closed and brought the arm that Draco wasn't gripping up so that he could cup the side of Draco's face. "Draco, please," he begged again. "Please, please, please take the potion. Do it for me, please?"
"Yours," Draco whispered against his cheek.
Harry squeezed his eyes more tightly shut. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes, you're mine. Always." He felt like screaming. "Draco, please take the potion," he said a little louder.
"From you," Draco said, still not opening his eyes.
Harry quickly pulled himself away from Draco for just a moment. "He wants me to give it to him," he told Madam Pomfrey.
Wordlessly, she handed Harry the first potion and stood quietly considering the scene before her.
Harry took the vial and bent quickly over Draco again. "Here, Draco," he said, tipping it forward and taking care not to spill any.
Draco nearly choked on the vile liquid, but did his best to swallow. He grimaced and swallowed convulsively a few times.
Harry sighed with relief, stroking Draco's hair. "Thank you," he said, handing the bottle back to Madam Pomfrey. He sat back up and looked at her.
She handed Harry the second vial, taking the empty one from him.
He bent once again. "Here comes another one," he told Draco in warning before tipping the contents of this one down his throat as well. Once finished, he sat up again. "How many are there?" he asked, looking at Draco worriedly.
Draco groaned, coughing up a little of the potion this time. His grip on Harry would have been painful if he'd had any strength left.
Madam Pomfrey frowned and handed Harry a cloth. "I don't think he can handle any of the others at this point," she said.
Harry nodded, taking the cloth from Pomfrey and wiping Draco's face. "Is he okay? What do the potions do? Will he be able to get up soon?" he asked, looking at Madam Pomfrey like she held all the answers in the universe.
She sighed and looked up.
Professor Snape came into the room like a storm, robes billowing behind him. He sneered as his eyes fell on Harry, widening in shock at the sight of Draco. Draco looked ghastly, features gaunt and skin bone white. He sucked in his breath, turning to Madam Pomfrey. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, gesturing to both boys, managing to include both Draco's state and Harry's presence in the question.
Harry's eyes narrowed at the sight of Snape. Perfect, just what I need right now, he thought.
“Severus, this boy is very sick," Madam Pomfrey told the fuming Professor. "The last thing he needs is a whole mess of fuss from you." Harry wondered how she managed to say it without sounding impolite.
"The boy looks a lot worse than sick," Snape snapped, bending down to examine Draco. He was clearly shocked by what he saw. His eyes fell on Draco's hand clutching Harry, and then he looked up at the boy himself. "Mr Potter, exactly what are you doing here?" he asked.
Harry scowled. He didn't want to tell Snape a damn thing, but he knew he was going to have to. "I was there when he passed out, sir," he said angrily.
"And you are still here because?" Snape sneered.
Madam Pomfrey stepped forward. "He is assisting me," she answered.
Harry couldn't help but feel a tiny bit smug at her words, but it was not the time for that. He had stopped stroking Draco's hair when Snape had entered, and he was afraid to start again. He simply sat there, waiting for Madam Pomfrey's next instruction.
Professor Snape turned his attention on the woman. "What has happened to Draco?"
She frowned but seemed to shift gears with him. "He has collapsed from exhaustion and starvation. As far as I can tell, he hasn't eaten in at least a week, possibly more, and has been using spells and potions to keep himself going and to cover the evidence."
Harry frowned. He wanted to hit himself for not noticing what Draco had been doing sooner. He still wasn't sure what else to do, but he wasn't about to leave Draco's side.
Snape glared at Pomfrey. "And what are you doing about this?" he demanded.
Pomfrey frowned. "I have given him a couple Revitalising Potions. But the normal means of handling this have been made unusable by his overuse of a variety of potions and spells to cover the effects. The progression is already advanced. Even with the spells he used, I am surprised he was able to walk from the dorms, let alone attend a class."
Draco, you're such a stubborn fool, Harry thought to himself. "How long will it take for him to recover?" he asked Pomfrey, forehead lined with worry.
Both adults turned toward Harry as if they had forgotten he was there. They exchanged glances with each other and then Snape scowled and looked away. Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I know you are trying to take care of ... your friend. But his condition may be beyond what we can do anything about. Especially here at Hogwarts."
Harry's eyes widened. "What!" he asked incredulously. He hadn't been expecting that at all. "What is that supposed to mean? Where does he have to go then?"
A snort came from Snape's direction, but he continued to look the other way. Madam Pomfrey continued, "Well, normally we would contact his parents and probably encourage them to have him taken to St Mungo's, but that might not be possible anymore."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "What? Why?" he asked fearfully.
"Seriously, Mr Potter," Professor Snape sneered. "Have you forgotten his father's current whereabouts? He is in Azkaban, if you need a reminder."
Harry scowled heavily at Snape. "No, I haven't forgotten, sir." He turned back to Pomfrey. "What about his mother?"
"Missing," Snape said in one terse word.
Harry frowned. He hadn't known that. "Well, what are you going to do with him?" He looked back at Draco.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Snape again. He heaved an even greater sigh. "Since I am his godfather, it is up to me to decide what to do with him."
Harry's eyes widened and he looked up at Snape in disbelief." You're his godfather?" he asked incredulously.
Madam Pomfrey put a hand up as if to warn Harry against such outbursts, but Harry's outburst seemed to make Snape smile. "Yes, Mr Potter, I am," he said, turning to face Harry. "So would you mind telling me why you are here now, and what part in this you have played?"
Harry glared at Snape. "I already told you. I was there when he passed out," he said through clenched teeth. Snape would be Draco's godfather, it was just Harry's luck.
Snape narrowed his eyes, looking pointedly at Draco's hand on Harry. He shook his head. "Unless you want me to send you from this room this instant, you will tell me the truth. Potter, you may not care what happens to Draco, but I do."
Harry looked away from Snape; he could feel him trying to probe his mind. What was he supposed to do? He didn't know. What would happen if he told Snape the truth? Would Draco want him to tell the truth? Harry wished Draco was awake so he could say something about all this. His heart began beating frantically.
"Leave," Snape said in a quiet angry voice. "I need to focus on Draco, not you."
Harry winced, but it wasn't as if he hadn't been expecting that. He looked down at Draco's hand still attached to his wrist and sighed heavily. "I'm not leaving him," he said.
Snape stood on the opposite side of the bed from Harry, silent and glaring for another minute. He seemed to make some kind of decision, because then he sat down in a chair. "Mr Potter," he began quietly, "if we are to keep him alive, then I need to know more about the reason for his condition. I need you to tell me everything you can about what has been happening to him." Professor Snape sounded old and tired.
Harry hesitated, but then looked down at Draco again. What could he do? "He hasn't been eating at all," he began quietly, "and he has been sleeping, although I'm not sure how well." He cleared his throat a bit. "I know a lot about the reason he hasn't been eating or sleeping much," he said pointedly, hoping that Snape would get what he meant.
Snape looked up sharply and then gestured at Madam Pomfrey, who frowned heavily, but turned and walked out of the room. "I know he has been ... struggling," Snape said, "but I didn't know he would go to such extremes."
Harry nodded, amazed that he was actually having a conversation with Snape. "Does Professor Dumbledore know?" he asked seriously.
Snape frowned, but didn't answer the question. "How do you know so much about Draco, Mr Potter? What changed?"
Harry looked away. "I – I don't know. He just – he just told me. I don't think he had anyone to talk to about it." Harry knew how lame that sounded. As if Draco Malfoy would come to Harry Potter to tell him about a mission from Lord Voldemort for no apparent reason.
Snape grimaced, his slender fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath. "Mr Potter, this is getting us nowhere. We are both aware of the likelihood of Draco Malfoy confiding his troubles in you. It is very much in the low range, or at least that is what the entire school would think. So, I ask you again – what changed?" Snape reached over and picked up Draco's other hand, turning it over in his own and staring at it. He seemed shocked with its temperature.
Harry sighed in defeat. "Fine, we're ... together," he said, finding that he, strangely, wasn't embarrassed about it at all.
Snape's eyebrows raised. "Together?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Together as in we ... kiss each other and that ... stuff." Harry felt like a first-year, but it was odd to be discussing this with his teacher, especially his least favourite teacher, whom he loathed.
The professor closed his eyes and looked for a moment like he was in pain. He shook his head. "How long?" he asked quietly.
"Erm ... this would be the fourth day ..." Harry mumbled, clearing his throat oddly.
"Four days?" Snape shook his head again. "Children," he said with a sigh, as if talking to someone else. "Their whole world turned inside out in four days." He put his face into hands, groaning.
"I'm not a child," Harry said sharply. He crossed one arm over his stomach, as Draco was still holding onto his other one. "You still haven't said what you're going to do with him."
"I still haven't learned anything that will help him," Snape answered. He glanced toward the direction Pomfrey had gone. "Madam Pomfrey suggested that something had kept him alive for longer than would be expected.” Snape paused and looked at Harry as if studying him. "And the only thing that I know changed in that time, was you."
Harry frowned. "But I haven't done anything. He wouldn't let me ..." he said, confused. "Do you think I should try and do something?"
Snape sighed and closed his eyes again. "Where did this 'kissing and stuff' take place?"
"The Room of Requirement," Harry said slowly, wondering why on earth Snape wanted to know that.
Snape looked like he would rather lick cauldrons after Potions class than continue on this train of thought. He looked at Draco's hand again, which he seemed surprised to find he was still holding. "And just how much time have you two spent in there in the last four days?"
Harry blushed a little. "Er ... quite a bit of time," he said, looking anywhere but at Snape.
"Please tell me you haven't exchanged rings or any other types of binding promises?" he groaned.
Harry shook his head. "No, nothing like that," he said quickly. "Erm, sir, if you don’t mind me asking ... what does all this have to do with anything?"
Snape looked at the boy lying still and quiet in the bed. "What have you done, Draco?"
Harry frowned, feeling helpless again. Why was Snape asking him all these questions anyway? How was Harry supposed to know what the hell was going on? Why was he asking about rings and binding promises? ... Binding ... Harry's face shot up suddenly. "Sir?" he said. "I think maybe we did make a binding promise, but I'm not sure .…"
Snape's groan sounded like a man in serious pain. He glared at Harry. "Tell me exactly what you promised, what he promised, and under what conditions."
Harry flushed crimson. "I – erm – well, we were ... and I told him that he ... was mine ... and he agreed that he was mine .…" He gulped and chanced a glance at Snape.
Snape actually paled and gritted his teeth. "Was there ..." he took a breath, "an exchange of bodily fluids involved in this promise?"
If possible, Harry turned even redder. "Er ... yeah," he said in a whoosh of a breath. What did all this mean?
While, Harry's face grew redder, Snape's grew even paler. "Which fluids, Potter?"
Harry's eyes widened a bit. He couldn't look at Snape. "Semen, saliva ... and blood ..." he said quietly.
Snape released Draco's hand and stood abruptly. He began pacing the room, muttering under his breath. He looked furious. Finally he went to the window, looking out and breathing hard. After a bit, he said in a low dangerous tone, "Let me make sure I have it all from you, Potter. You and Draco, two relatively powerful but inexperienced wizards, exchanged vows making him 'yours' in a magically bound space, involving no less than three types of bodily fluids, and, I have to assume, sex. Am I missing anything here?"
Harry thought back to that moment, frowning. "I think that's it ..." he said slowly, and then he looked away from Snape again. "There were tears too ... if that matters," he mumbled.
Snape stood staring at Draco and back to Harry, then walked over and sat down carefully in the chair again. He seemed to have run out of anger or anything to say for that matter. He looked at Draco and shook his head again.
"Well, is that it?" Harry snapped loudly, suddenly angry. He didn't like that Snape didn't seem to have any answers for him. "What does this all mean? What am I supposed to do now?"
Draco moaned, thrashing his head as his hand around Harry's arm tightened.
Harry quickly looked down at Draco. "Draco?" he asked, getting very close to his face, bringing his hand up to grasp his chin.
Draco nuzzled Harry's hand but didn't wake. His hand relaxed, but he did not release Harry's wrist.
Harry groaned and looked up at Snape. "You have to do something," he said desperately. "There has to be something."
Snape was quiet, watching them. "He has something all right," he said, sighing. "He has you. You didn't, by chance, order him not to die?"
Harry rubbed his forehead. "I might have," he said, frustrated. "It's sort of hazy, but probably likely."
Snape hung his head, his chin resting on his chest and his hair obscuring his face. "Apparently, you have saved his life."
Harry's eyes widened. "I – I have?" he asked. "So, then what do I do now? Why is he like this?" Harry gestured at Draco's limp form.
"He is like this because even with ... what you two did ... there is only so long he can survive without food." Professor Snape seemed to have reverted to his teacher voice at this point. "And it will be important to ascertain exactly what the two of you promised. For now, at least, he is literally only alive because you won't let him die. The nature of your ... agreement ... seems to be that he, quite literally, belongs to you."
Harry just stared at Snape, mouth hanging slightly open. "He belongs to me?" he asked, eyes wide. He couldn't believe it. "How – how do we get him to wake up again?"
"You tell him to wake up, Potter," Snape hissed. "Don't you understand? He gave you the power to magically compel him!"
It was all too much. "I can tell him to do whatever I want and he has to do it?" Harry asked, unbelieving. He looked at Draco again, wondering if all it really would take would be for him to tell him to wake up.
Snape glared at Potter. "Yes," he snapped, clearly very angry.
Harry stared at Snape for a few seconds longer and then turned to face Draco again. "Draco, wake up," he said helplessly, still not entirely convinced that it would work at all.
Draco groaned, slowly opening his eyes and blinking. He felt stretched and empty. He saw Harry and smiled weakly.
Harry's mouth fell open completely and he let out one weak laugh. "Draco?" he asked, stroking his hair.
"Harry." Draco's voice was weak and raspy. "What happened?"
Harry smiled, feeling more relieved than he could ever remember feeling. "Erm ... it's a bit of a long story ..." he began.
Snape huffed. "Which can wait until he is stronger, Potter."
Draco's eyes widened at the sound of Snape's voice, and he looked in horror to find him sitting there.
Harry looked over at Snape and nodded, actually agreeing with the man.
Snape stood. "I have classes to teach. You are excused today, Potter, although not from the homework. I will inform the Headmaster of ... the nature of the emergency." He nodded to Draco and turned, leaving the room quickly.
Harry took in a large breath and let it out slowly. "Are you all right?" he asked, getting up from his knees to sit on the edge of Draco's bed.
Draco starred after Snape for a moment, frowning. He looked back at Harry, confused. "He knows?"
Harry swallowed. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I had to tell him."
"I knew I should have stayed in the Room of Requirement," Draco said with a sigh, secretly wondering what would happen to the body of someone if they were to die there.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Erm ... you wouldn't have died anyway ..." he said slowly. "I said you couldn't ... or something like that."
Draco snorted. "Yeah, and I always do what I'm told," he said sarcastically.
Harry bit his lip. "Erm, Draco, you wouldn't have died .... You have to do what I tell you ...." He flushed a bit.
Draco frowned. "I know you don't want to believe this, but I am going to die. If not now, then soon."
"No, Draco, you don't understand," Harry said lacing his fingers through Draco's. "You literally have to do what I tell you."
Draco raised one eyebrow. "Nice try, but it doesn't work like that."
Harry rubbed at his forehead for a moment, stressed beyond belief. "Fine," he said, "if you don't believe me, I'll prove it." He thought for a moment of something to tell Draco to do. "Put your finger in your mouth," he said simply.
Draco found himself doing it before he really even had a chance to reply. His eyes widened and then narrowed. "Wha'?" he mumbled around his finger.
"You can take it out now," Harry said sheepishly. "I sort of ... own you ..." he said, wincing.
Draco removed his finger, staring perplexedly at the wet digit and then at Harry. "How did you do that?" His eyes narrowed. "That was like Imperio.'"
"No," Harry said quickly, putting his hands up in defence. "I'm not even holding my wand. It's just ... remember last night?"
Draco smirked a bit. "Yes."
Harry couldn't help a smug little smile of his own, but then it was back to business. "Well, apparently, according to Snape, we made a binding promise when you told me that you belonged to me .… I think he said it had something to do with the fact that there were multiple bodily fluids involved and sex, but he wasn't exactly clear .... In short, I own you now ... I suppose."
The variety of facial expressions that crossed Draco's face at that point would have been comical under other circumstances. "We ... Snape ... you told him ... binding ... oh, fuck," he sputtered.
"Yeah," Harry said, wincing again. "I had to, Draco. Ron and I took you up here and then he just – showed up! What was I supposed to do?"
Draco was still trying to process this. "You told Snape ... bodily fluids ... details. Not Ron too?"
"Oh, God, no," Harry said, shaking his head. "Ron would be in that bed next to you if he knew what was going on. I only told Snape, although I think Hermione might suspect something, but probably not the extent of what's actually going on."
Draco winced. "Please don't put the image of the Weasel in bed with me in my mind."
Harry had to laugh at that, though it sounded more like a weird bird call. "So, what do we do?" he asked.
Draco thought for a minute, and then sighed. "A binding promise is a form of blood magic," he said, thinking aloud.
"Yeah ..." said Harry, waiting for more.
Draco was thinking furiously about what he knew. This was the sort of stuff he learned at home, not at Hogwarts. "Two people exchange vows, bodily fluids and magic. It is a bit like the Unbreakable Vow."
Harry frowned. "If that's true ... then what did we vow besides ... me owning you ... and you not dying?"
Draco was dizzy and it was hard to remember the details. "I promised to be yours," he said softly, looking up at Harry.
"Yeah, I remember," Harry said with a small smile. "This is all so complicated," he said, rubbing his forehead again. "What does it all mean? You can't die or else you die? That doesn't even make any sense." He paused. "Unless ... I would die too ...?"
"I think it would be like ...." Draco winced. "Like the spell that binds house-elves. They have to obey to the best of their ability. We will have to research it."
"Oh," Harry said, his eyebrows raised. Draco Malfoy was like his house-elf? Bloody fucking hell.
Draco realised he should've been upset right then, but he still felt so very tired. "Can I sleep now?" he asked.
Harry looked at Draco with a slight frown. "I think you should eat something before you do any sleeping," he said seriously.
Draco looked at Harry. "You could end this all right now, you know. All you have to do is order me to die. Or even just let me die."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Nice try, but I'm going to have to go with a no on that one," he said firmly.
Draco nodded, not really surprised. "You haven't ordered me to eat yet, but I will."
Harry smiled, happy that he wasn't even going to have to force Draco to eat. He wished they were in the Room of Requirement so that a plate of food would simply appear, but they weren't, so Harry had to go off and get Madam Pomfrey to get Draco and himself something to eat.