Icarus Syndrome

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings: Draco and Harry get closer. The omega is a concept drawn from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Were-Hunter wolves. The Omega is the scapegoat for all troubles and the victim of abuse from all members of the pack. I wasn't sure if this happens in wolf packs and I didn't check. It seemed likely though and I apologize if I infringed on Kenyon's concept. It is unintentional. The concept of being unable to change basic nature comes from Fullmetal Alchemist and the idea of equivalency. “Go suck an elf” is an insult lifted from The 10th Kingdom by Katheryn Wesley.

Thank you, dear readers, for the hits, reviews, alerts and favorites. An author loves to know their work is appreciated. I am impressed so far by the amount of attention this has garnered so far. Please keep it up. Seriously, keep it! I love to read reviews!
-X-

Snape leaned against the door of Draco's private room. He took a few deep breaths and clenched his hands into fists, trying to stop shaking. When Potter had touched Draco's face, it seemed as though both of them just stopped existing. They wouldn't respond to anything. His helplessness then could only be compared to the helplessness of standing aside while people died at the Dark Lord's hand. He needed to be somewhere where he could come to terms with this.

-X-

Lucius smiled at Narcissa as she returned with a cool cloth. He wasn't able to experience the second half of the exchange as he was the first, but he could sense it. Potter proved to be everything Lucius had hoped. He was Draco's Guardian now, forever tied to his precious child.

Lucius thanked every star that he had chosen well. Narcissa was crying softly but she wasn't letting it slow her down. She let the cloth rest on his forehead and brushed his sweaty hair away from his brow. She cleared her face of tears and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“I must collect the apples soon. It will prove tricky but I cannot allow them to remain in the public now that they have served their purpose.” She whispered. “The aurors watching the Manor have reduced to only two. Our activities will be monitored less.”

“You'll leave in the morning?” He asked softly, eyes averted to the fire.

“Yes, my husband.” She said, and with a wave of her wand, she had enlarged the chaise lounge and curled up beside him. Lucius' hand took hers and they laid there until the light split the dawn.

-X-

“That's great, Professor!” Hermione said. The Headmaster just smiled at them and his eyes twinkled.

“I'm sure that they wouldn't mind a little company once lunch rolls around.” He said, cheerfully strolling away.

“I'm so happy, Ron.” Ron smiled broadly back at her.

“I can't wait to get up there. It feels like forever since we've seen Harry.” He said as they quickly made their way to Charms. They just had CoMC after this and they could run up to the Hospital Wing.

-X-

Harry yawned as he shifted, rubbing his cheek against his comfortable pillow. This had to have been the best rest of his entire life. He sighed happily, tightening his grip on his pillow. His pillow shuffled under him aggravatingly and he rolled further on top of it to keep it still.

“Potter, if you do not get your heavy arse off of me, I'll be forced to do something terrible.” He heard lowly threatened into his ear. He snorted.

“Liar.” He muttered. There wasn't anything remotely threatening in the area, not even anything remotely irritated, aggravated, upset or angry. In fact, the area was entirely warm, comfortable and happy, if a bit amused.

“Don't push me, Potter. I'll do it. You're heavy. Come on. Move.” He felt something shove at his shoulder and simply stayed in place, the motion not enough to budge him. He smiled a bit. “Prat.”

“I'm tired. Let me sleep.” He murmured back sleepily. “Please?”

He heard a very gusty sigh and then the pillow shifted back under him. He relaxed with a big breath and tightened his grip.

“Very well. If I must.”

“That's the ticket.”

“Shut up.”

“Stay still. Can't get comfortable.”

“Whatever.”

Harry fell back asleep with a deep contented yawn. Draco was such a softie.

-X-

Draco frowned down at Potter. He never knew Potter was such a touchy, grabby sleeper. He was wrapped around Draco like a creeper vine and held on with the same tenacity. Potter resumed the same deep breathing of earlier and Draco took the chance and threaded his free hand into Potter's thick hair again. He was tired too, but he just couldn't stay asleep.

He was the tiniest bit afraid that he'd wake up trapped in that curse magic again, but as he'd admitted to himself, he was sure that Potter would save him regardless. He had the feeling that Potter would stand between him and a fluffy kitten if he though for the briefest of moments that the kitten would harm him. He snorted softly at the absurd image, careful not to wake Potter. It was the very least he could do. Potter had braved the curse magic to protect him after all.

He ran his fingers through the dark hair, absently thinking of everything. He could see the stone lion and ferret curled up together on the floor. The books from earlier were stacked neatly on the bedside table and Scieran Malfoy's journal rested on top. He smiled bitterly and looked away before he could think about what this entire thing meant. Potter leaned into his hand, and Draco decided to concentrate on that instead.

How many people had the same...he was loathe to call it a privilege but he supposed it was that...of touching Potter's hair? Probably very few. He let his mind wander around the subject of Potter as he stared down at the messy head resting on his stomach. The thin robes he'd stolen from the Ward were a little grimy and grass-stained but he couldn't move to replace them and there wasn't anything else to change into. Draco let his hand drift a little farther, cautiously touching Potter's warm forehead.

He heard Potter's breathing quicken and he stilled. Potter resumed deep breathing and he carefully moved his hand. His fingers encountered cracked and marred flesh and he saw the tip of his lightning bolt scar through the dark hair. He brushed it aside and let his fingers trace the blemish.

He had never seen the thing properly except in their fights but even then, it was nothing like seeing it up close. This tiny little thing, not even as long as his pointer finger, was the whole defining point of equals. This meager thing was the reason Potter had been able to defeat the Dark Lord. He ran his finger down the center groove, and stopped at the spot in the center of his forehead. Potter's eyebrows slashed across his brow, pulled down in a slight frown even as he was deep asleep. He let his finger run further down, straight down the bridge of Potter's nose. He remembered breaking this nose. It was still even very slightly off center, not enough to matter but noticeable to him.

He hesitated running his finger down any farther and dropped it away. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he met Potter's dark emerald green eyes.

“It's a bit hard to sleep with someone poking at my face.” He said, voice deep and thick with sleep. Draco blushed a bit and scrunched up his nose in disagreement.

“I was hardly poking you.” He sniffed, turning away. Potter hummed and Draco gave a cry of protest as his legs were squished under Potter's sudden weight. “Hey!”

“Maybe it wasn't poking...” He agreed and began to loosen his hold on both Draco's waist and his hand. He leaned on his elbows which were on either side of Draco's waist. Draco's eyes narrowed as he hovered over the blond and Draco flexed his fingers. He hadn't noticed how long they had been holding hands. Potter smirked up at him and raised his right hand. Draco followed it with his eyes until Potter brushed his hair away and began to trace a jagged mark on his forehead. It felt like Potter had Zeus' touch. He couldn't help but gasp.

“See? Could you sleep with that?” Potter said sounding smug. He continued to drag his fingers over Draco's face, making him close his eyes. He felt torn between throwing the hand away and turning his face into it...Wait!

“You were pretending to sleep, you sneaky bastard!” He said, pining Potter's dark eyes with a bright glare. Potter didn't even try to look repentant.

“A Slytherin trick. I thought you'd be impressed.”

“Prat.” Draco spat, resolutely turning away from Potter's eyes. He turned his nose up and pretended indifference.

“I can tell you aren't mad at me.” He heard whispered into his ear. When had Potter moved?! He opened one silver eye and stared at Potter from the corner of it.

“How?” He asked, careful to not show his interest. Potter's lips curled into a smile.

“I don't know. I can just feel it. Just like I can feel your magic. Just like I can see you glow.”

“Potter. You've cracked. I knew it would happen. Let's see if we can't get Pomfrey in here.” Draco said, making his voice sound weary and put upon. “I glow now? Really.”

“Yes.” Potter answered, cupping his hand around Draco's chin. Draco let him turn him and raised his eyebrow. “There's a silver glow around you. It's...”

Draco raised his hand, turning it this way and that. He couldn't see anything.

“Potter, you're lying to me.”

“No. You really glow...well, shine might be a better term for it...It's around you completely.” Potter said, earnestness making Draco more inclined to believe him. When Potter said things in that tone...One tended to believe him. Besides, Potter's hand on his chin was still making his entire body taunt and he couldn't suffer through much more. It made him nervous.

“I'll believe you.” The 'for now' was ignored by both parties. “You can let go any time, Potter.”

“Yeah.” Potter agreed, and Draco watched as his eyes got darker. “It's really...beautiful...”

Draco held himself still, heart racing. Should he stay still? Shove Potter off? Run away? Potter seemed entranced, staring at him with dark, dilated eyes. He could feel Potter's hand under his chin move back so it rested against his cheek and he swiped his fingers across, just under Draco's wide eye. Potter leaned closer; he was so close Draco could feel his breath hit his face when he exhaled. Draco inhaled sharply as Potter's nose brushed his own and his lips were inches away. Decision-time, Draco!

-X-

Harry carefully lowered his lips until they were touching Draco's softly. He let his eyes slip closed as he added a bit of pressure, trying his best to keep it a gentle and chaste kiss. Draco was responding like a frightened deer and he didn't want the boy terrified. His mind was heavy with sleep and drunk on the feelings and magic he could feel that were definitely not his own. He could feel everything Draco was feeling, every bit of magic that was once again restrained in his magical core.

Draco was very still as he kissed him and he didn't want that. He wanted Draco to respond, to feel like he was. He shifted his weight until he was on his knees between Draco's legs and brought his other hand up, feeling that warm shock as their skin touched. Draco gasped and he took advantage of the motion to make Draco respond to more than just his hands.

It was a very different experience from the sparse kisses he'd shared in the past. Draco wasn't some giddy girl who expected him to take the lead. As soon as he got Draco to respond, Draco pressed forward, fighting him for control of the kiss. Excitement spiked through him and he contented himself with pressing back, proving to both of them that he was still Draco's rival and not above fighting him for what he wanted.

-X-

Narcissa stared at the Aurors coolly as they stood on her step.

“Yes, gentlemen? How may I be of assistance? My husband is currently indisposed.” She said, baring her teeth in a false smile. The Aurors had the grace to quell their urge to flinch though she read it from their eyes easily.

“The Minister wishes to hold an audience with Lord Malfoy. He has been given two days to respond.” The taller one said with a no-nonsense tone. Narcissa nodded her head in one regal motion, like a crane dipping its head.

“My Lord Husband will meet the Minister upon that day. Is that all, gentlemen?”

“For now, Lady Malfoy. That is all for now.” They growled back at her as they moved to leave the wards. She watched them go and then allowed the house elf to shut the door. She began to make her way back to the master parlor. Lucius looked up at her as she entered and his face pinched as he moved to sit up. She rushed over to his side to assist him.

“Those wretched hounds of the Ministry are once again scratching at our door, dear husband. The minister himself had two of his finest personally come to inform you that he wishes to meet you two days hence. I informed them that you would attend.”

“Naturally. I would like to see his face now that he is beginning to become desperate. The mayhem you caused, while minor compared to the Dark Lord, it would have severely shaken the old codger.” Lucius smiled venomously. Narcissa looked both proud and coy.

“The Dark Lord never appreciated the subtleties. He was embarrassingly Gryffindorish, what with the marks, the declarations and signing each murder with that ugly little flourish.” She said, demurely taking the tea Lucius had painstakingly poured for her from his hand. He replaced the pot on the tray and sipped at his own brew, hiding a smirk.

“Impatient would be the more correct word, my wife.” She sniffed at him.

-X-

Severus relaxed into his chair. It felt like ages since he had last rested in the comfort of his own company. He was between classes at the moment and it seemed as though Dumbledore had not yet decided to slight him for rushing off without attending the Third Year Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff Potions class. Since he returned last night, his mind had been elsewhere. So far in fact, that he was allowing each class to have a study period instead of a practical lesson. He excused himself on the grounds that the last theory test was not up to par in any class and could use revising.

He still had a few more classes yet until he was free. It would keep his mind away from Draco's situation, at the least. A few hours could be afforded. They had a bit of time now and he no longer had to worry if Draco would fall from the ceiling, ripped by his father's curse into the lap of an enemy. No...Soon, he would no longer have to worry over Lucius.

-X-

Draco broke the sharp kiss, turning to the side to hide his face. He hadn't wanted to be tied to Potter and he was. That was bad but this! He wasn't some poor little wizard so thrown by his sexuality that he was starved for affection. He didn't pant at the feet of every bloke who gave him a second glance! What was he doing kissing Harry bloody Potter?! He felt Potter move in, trying to turn his face back but he slapped the hands away.

“Draco?”

“No. You don't want this. Hell, I don't want this. It's this stupid curse!” Draco said sharply.

“Oh, I see.” Potter sounded a bit angry. “Good enough to lay down my life for you, but not good enough to even warm your bed?”

“That's not it!” Draco hissed back. “You're not even gay! You're drunk or high or...something! You're not in your right mind!”

“What's your excuse then?” Potter shot back. “You kissed me back!”

“I was...I...”

“Exactly.” Potter was silent and then when he spoke again, his voice had gentled. “I'm not sure what I'm feeling.”

“Exactly.” Draco parroted back, feeling decisive. “You aren't sure. Have you ever even looked at a guy twice? You've probably never even thought that boys could do things together that only upstanding witches and wizards do together after marriage.”

“Hey! I'm not that stupid. I just never thought about it. It never mattered to me before.”

“Right. It shouldn't matter. Forget this happened, Potter. It'll be best that way.”

“You know, you can be quite the stubborn little shit when you want to be.” Draco turned back sharply to glare at the dark-haired boy and give him a well-deserved verbal lashing. Potter's insistent mouth over his stopped him in his tracks.

“Argh! Potter!” Draco said, twisting out of the kiss. “Damn it!”

“I have too looked twice at a boy. I'm always looking at you.” He said, carefully keeping his distance now. Draco hoped he was afraid of retaliation now that he forced yet another kiss on him. “I'm a little tired, a little hazy and I know I'll apologize for all this when I'm more lucid-”

“Don't choke on smart words, Potter.” Draco interrupted sullenly. Potter gave him a fond, exasperated look. If Draco were a cat, his back would be up and he would be spitting and hissing.

“I'm just saying that you're right.” Potter hand covered his mouth and Draco ignored the sizzle of magic as their skin touched. He settled for glaring. “We have to talk about this. I know the curse has me fixated on you, but I'm still myself. I'm not some drone obeying it. I'm perfectly aware of everything I'm doing.”

Draco rolled his eyes and Potter's hand slid away, until he ran his thumb across Draco's lower lip. Draco forced his body not to shudder under the light and tingling touch.

“I want to try...something...” Potter whispered, his thumb still on Draco's lip as he lowered that damnable mouth again. Draco's struggles were non-existent as his body just relaxed. Stupid Potter. He wasn't going to forget this behavior and once they were both in their right minds, he would rip him to shreds. Potter's lips once again covered his own and Draco let his eyes slip closed too.

Potter's tongue was suddenly in his mouth, questing and insistent. Draco let himself participate yet again, greedy now that he had a willing partner. How long ago had those hot kisses of Blaise's been? How long since he last had a partner as enthusiastic and thorough? Harry Potter had certainly studied because Draco refused to believe that he was naturally such a good kisser. Not after the rumors about Chang and the dreadful kiss.

Draco's mutinous fingers were in dark hair, body tingling as he touched back. Potter sighed into the kiss and Draco felt like smirking. Yeah. He was good. Potter broke away and simply sat there, breathing slightly off and staring into his eyes. It made him self-conscious. He looked away, eyes locked on the bare walls of the room. He felt Potter shift back down and the arms once again curled around his waist.

“Potter, are you serious?” He asked in disbelief.

“Very. I'm exhausted, Draco, and I suggest you sleep too. Or at least, keep your poking fingers to yourself.” Potter grumbled as he rested his head once again on Draco's stomach. Draco sighed and he supposed he could settle down for sleep. But...

“Potter?” He asked softly. He waited until he could see Potter's green eyes and continued. “If I get...stuck back in that place...”

“I'll protect you, Draco. I'll always protect you.” Potter promised, voice serious, somber and binding. Draco felt both the faint blush and the smile threatening to spill over his face and he quickly rested his head against his pillow.

“Right. St. Potter. Defender of helpless puppies everywhere.” He mumbled to hide his embarrassment.

“That's right.” Potter slurred and Draco let him drift off to sleep before closing his eyes and joining him.

-X-

“Do you think it'll be alright? I mean, Madam Pomfrey didn't say much...” Ron said nervously as Hermione made to open the door to Draco's private room.

“She would have sent us off if it wasn't fine, Ron. Just be quiet. They might be asleep.” She warned as she gently opened the door. She exhaled softly and ushered Ron inside, turning to close the door just as gently behind her. Ron sucked in a breath and Hermione turned back to the bed quickly.

They were asleep. Harry was curled around Draco like he was holding a favorite teddy bear and Draco, while not as demonstrative, had a hand tightly gripping Harry's shirt. Ron exhaled harshly and she took his hand quickly, holding it tight.

“Relax, Ron.” She said, moving forward to the simple chair beside the bed. She moved the one on the other side over next to hers with a simple levitation spell and urged Ron into it. “Don't jump to conclusions.”

“But it's the Ferret.” He whined, glaring at the pale boy's possessive hold on his best friend.

“Well, of course I am. I'm not exactly an elephant.” Both started as the little voice chipped in and their eyebrow's rose as a small stone creature moved over Draco's stomach, across Harry's shoulders and to the empty space in front of them.

“Hermione? Is that a-”

“Yes, Ron.” She said, beginning to get a grip over her surprise. “Er, hello. I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley. We're-”

“Harry's friends.” Came a deeper voice below them. Ron's mouth dropped open at the appearance of the stone lion. It tilted its head, blinking at them. “You were worried about him, weren't you?”

“Oh! Yes, we've been very worried.” Hermione said quickly, eyes darting between the two creatures. She elbowed Ron sharply.

“Yeah!” He quickly agreed. “What are you?”

“Ron!” Hermione hissed. The ferret chattered at her.

“Relax, young lady, we're not offended. I am the soul representative of Draco, advisor and confidant in the Room of Healing. This is Harry's soul advisor.” Hermione elbowed Ron again sharply and his laughter was abruptly drawn to a halt as he wheezed instead.

“The Room of Healing? Is that where they had disappeared to?”

“Oh yes. Draco's soul is in need of healing and because he and Harry are soul bound Harry was able to join him there.” The ferret said as it climbed down to the lion's mane. It perched itself carefully and blinked stone eyes at them. “It's a very special place. It was used by the Founders themselves and inside are mirrors created by the Great Warlock Merlin!”

Hermione just goggled and her mouth dropped open a bit. Jealousy began to rise in her but she cut it off. Draco went through a lot to enter that room, and experienced things she never wanted to even think about. It was typical Harry got pulled along. Part of the reason why she had wanted to be his friend was because of the things that happened to him. But, that reason had faded when she realized just how much he didn't want it and how much of those amazing things were deadly.

“If there's all that, then why were Harry and the Fer-” He stopped and quickly changed his mind. That creature might actually decide to take offense, and magical things weren't kind when offended. “Why were Harry and Draco there?”

“Draco's soul is becoming diseased. He needed to heal and Harry came to him when he was hurting.” The ferret shrugged. “They've been asleep for quite some time. Are you going to stay until they awake?”

“We don't have the time.” Hermione said shaking her head. “Classes are still running and we won't be excused from them.”

“Ah. We understand.” The lion said and it yawned widely, showing off sharp pointed teeth.

“We can tell them you stopped by.” The ferret piped up.

“We'll stop back by after class. If they aren't awake yet, we'll wake them then so they can eat.”

“That's acceptable.” The creatures agreed and Hermione smiled at them. She wanted to hold Harry's hand for a bit, anything to make sure that he was fine, but she didn't want to disturb them. They sat together for a while, watching as Draco and Harry slept and lost themselves in their own thoughts until Hermione's watch began to chime quietly.

-X-

“Professor Snape, can we speak to you?” He looked up to see the Parkinson heiress, both Crabbe and Goyle, and an indifferent Nott heir. He sighed and nodded, absently locking and warding the classroom. The Parkinson heiress smiled at him tightly and the boys fell in line behind her as she stopped in front of his desk.

“Yes, Ms. Parkinson? What is it you wish to speak with me about?” He said, instantly recognizing her as the ring leader of their little group. She took a confident breath and began.

“Draco hasn't been in the commons since the beginning of term. I understand as Head Boy that he has his own rooms, but his portrait has informed me that he hasn't been in his room for quite some time. We're really worried about him. Ever since his father disinherited him and that mess with Blaise-”

“We think he's hiding somewhere and the staff wants to keep it quiet.” Nott spoke up, coming to stand beside Parkinson. “They would have to tell you. You're his godfather. There's no way they wouldn't tell you.”

Snape sighed and contemplated what to do. The four of them were the only true friends Draco had out of the entire school. Blaise Zabini...had made it very clear why he was in Slytherin once Draco had no claim to the Malfoy name. He supposed that it hadn't helped Draco's mental health, but it was minor and insignificant compared to the fact that his father had just disowned him. What to do...

“Alright.” He said finally. “Wands out. You will each swear a Wizard's Oath not to disclose any of the information I am about to tell you without Draco's express permission.”

The four traded very nervous glances and drew out their wands without hesitation.

“Draco was cursed by Lucius. He is currently in the Hospital Wing.”

“Oh Merlin.” Parkinson said, wavering on her feet. Nott took her arm and Crabbe placed his hand against her shoulder. “Is he okay? What did he do?”

“Lucius has...tied Draco's soul to Potter's.” He said finally, unsure how many details he should distribute without Draco's permission. But it was necessary, as they would insist on seeing Draco and he could not deny them, and they would find Potter attached at his hip. Snape frowned at that thought and placed it firmly out of mind. Soul bonds...often had the tendency of becoming physical bonds. It was too much temptation to feel another's heart, emotions and magical core pulse in your own blood.

“Potter?!” Nott said, looking thunder-struck. “Why the hell would he tie him off to Potter?”

“I cannot give you details.” He said firmly. “That is Draco's secret and not mine to tell. If you wish to learn, you will ask him yourself.”

Parkinson gathered herself up, and Snape recognized the stance and immediately threw his hand up.

“You will wait until dinner. You will not even breathe on that floor until dinner has ended and you can make your way upstairs.”

Each looked short of staging a protest but he glared at them until they submitted.

“Good.” He waved his wand, disabling the wards and unlocking the door. “You are dismissed.”

They trudged out, Parkinson in the lead and her face frozen in an icy mask. For a brief moment, he pitied the fools unaware in the Commons but he couldn't spare them much sympathy. He was certain that Zabini would be suffering under many curses and become the newest omega well before dinner.

-X-

“You.” She hissed as his face filled with terror. He glanced around the common room, but the rest of the Slytherins were keeping their distance and watching the proceedings with cool interest. Pansy had become the somewhat de-facto leader of Slytherin until their Head Boy could be located. Draco's disappearance had everyone on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Draco's disinheritance hadn't really lost him any ground and it was hardly the only thing keeping them in line. Draco was their Prince, their own “Golden Boy.” He ruled without question.

“You had once only survived retribution at my hand because Draco pardoned you on the grounds of ignorance. Your blatant stupidity was once the only thing that had kept your neck from the guillotine. Now, the Prince has been taken from us and I am left in charge. I will risk his displeasure.” She snarled as she drew her wand.

Blaise tried to flee, but Greg and Vince caught his arms and forced him to kneel before her. Nott stood at her side, his own wand ready as he cast the petrification spell. Blaise's look of manic fear was not quelled and only doubled as Pansy laid her wand to his chest. Her spell was silent. Blaise's scream was caught in his stationary throat. Nott disabled the spell and Blaise's cry echoed through the Commons. He slumped forward, until Greg and Vince were the only things keeping him from the floor.

From Pansy's wand, thin spidery writing curled across his chest. “O-M-E-G-A” The surrounding crowd broke out into tittering whispers and Pansy turned to face them.

“Vengeance claimed in name of the Slytherin Prince. The Omega has been cast from the fold. So mote it be.” She finished with a sure, commanding tone.

“So mote it be.” The assembled echoed back to her. Their gazes fell on the blubbering Blaise as Vince and Greg let him fall to the ground. There had not been an omega in Slytherin House since the Lord Malfoy's grandfather. As the Exile of Slytherin, Blaise would not be acknowledged, any social ties he claimed would be destroyed, any influence he would have had after Hogwarts was virtually nonexistent. The mark would fade. In time.

Pansy stood beside Draco's chair, the throne he had claimed in the Commons. It sat next to the fire, putting him in everyone's sight. The large fireplace, shaped as a wide-mouthed viper, cast him in the perfect light. Pansy could still see him there, eyebrow lifted, mask of cool indifference carefully in place as he instructed the lower years on their conduct, now that the war was over.

She stepped on Blaise's hand as she strode back to her dorm. The resulting sob brought a cruel smirk to her own lips. She saved the tears for the privacy of her dorm.

-X-

Harry came awake some time later. He cast a wandless tempus spell, seeing that dinner would soon be served. He stretched as he rose, carefully unwinding his arms from about Draco and gently removing Draco's possessive hands from his wrinkled button-down. Draco's lips twisted in a frown and he made a few discontent mutters but he raised his arms to hold his pillow. His thighs rubbed against Harry's legs as he shifted and Harry had to catch his breath.

Shit. He was so hard-up now. His mind didn't even linger over the fact that Draco was definitely a boy. All his mind seemed concerned about was the gentle starlight glow about Draco's pale face. Harry was fairly certain that he was the only one seeing it. It made him feel possessive and greedy. He knew something about Draco, saw him in a light no one else ever would, literally. And when they touched...He shivered as he remembered the electrifying sensation of Draco's fingers over his face and scar...his lips.

Harry lifted himself off the bed, cool air touching him now that he wasn't intertwined with Draco. He rubbed at his arms briefly as he dropped into the chair beside the bed.

“Harry?” He looked up at the ferret, seeing it balanced on the lion's head.

“Yeah, uh...” He looked it over, realizing that he hadn't yet referred to either creature by a name. “What do I call you? I can't keep calling you two Ferret and Lion.”

“Those names are fine. We truly do not have ones.” The lion answered. “That aside, your friends were by earlier. They will return after dinner, they said. They were worried about you.”

Harry grimaced as he realized he hadn't seen Ron or Hermione in some time. He waited for the guilt he'd normally feel for blowing off his best friends, but it never came. He couldn't really regret being at Draco's side.

“The second exchange, or whatever Snape called it, is over. There's only supposed to be one more. I...really can't escape him, can I?”

“Do you wish to? Look deep inside yourself, Harry. Find the truth.” The ferret said, climbing from the lion's mane to Draco's side. “The Curse cannot change your basic nature.”

That's...Harry sat back and began to think. Magic really couldn't change basic nature, McGonagall taught as much in Transfiguration. It was quite impossible to turn water into bread. Hermione had remarked that nearly everything had the element carbon in it, that's why it was possible to turn a rock into a number of things. Water didn't and couldn't become any of that. It could become mist and rain and ice and clouds, but not a pebble. Magic couldn't change water's basic nature.

So, the bond between Harry and Draco had to have already existed. He could remember laying his eyes on Draco for the first time, the pale, thin boy looking at him with curiosity. It still blew his mind that Draco didn't recognize him, but then, so many people only knew him by his scar. He winced as he recalled what Draco had to have seen. A malnourished, nervous and frightened boy, cast suddenly into a world where strangers spoke his name with reverence and all strove to touch him. It spoke a lot that Draco, someone who had been instructed to only make friends with proper children, would reach out and try to be friendly, at least his father's version of friendly. Draco was the first one to reach out to him when he was just Harry. Whatever bond there was between them had to have started then.

The animosity between them only seemed to fuel the bond too. Draco was the only person he truly couldn't keep his cool around. Draco was the only one who could inspire him to act. Harry was just as certain that he was the only one that ever roused Draco to fiery rage and out from his icy mask.

So, the fact was that Harry and Draco had always been centered around one another. The magic couldn't change the nature of this. Harry realized that more of his focus now centered around Draco. It was that simple. In fact, it was like there was a manual in his mind. The starlight around Draco couldn't be duplicated. He would always be able to see the true Draco, without a Metamorphagus, Polyjuice or glamor able to fool him. Touch so Draco would always know it was him, unable to be fooled. Shared magic and emotion so that he may be able to help in all things.

This bond would only become permanent after the final exchange. He might as well consider it permanent though, as there was no way to end the curse now, excepting death. If Draco or Lucius faltered in the final step, or himself, he supposed, as there was no idea to know what the final exchange had detailed as Scieran Malfoy obviously died that day, then the bond would end with all of their deaths. The journal was blank after Scieran's last entry, except for the seal of the Malfoy coat of arms and the initials E.M. at the bottom. He supposed the man's son read it after his death.

Alright, so it was permanent and centered his entire focus around Draco. Not really things he was upset about. He hadn't really had any past loves that he could lament over. Ginny and Cho were sparks of young love. Sure, it was wonderful while it lasted and it was something he'd always remember. But...what was it he felt for Draco? It was insistent, wild and wonderful. He wasn't sure if it was love, but he'd never felt anything like this. Of course, he'd never been soul bound to another person before so that argument hadn't much weight.

Draco groaned a bit and rolled. Harry smiled at him and stretched out. He hated the idea of being tied to Draco just because he didn't like being bound. He hated being pushed into things without his consent and he especially hated it when he was forced into things without being asked. But, he thought as he stared at Draco's sleeping form, would he have agreed to this if Lucius had ever asked? Would he have agreed if Draco had asked? Focus and interest on the boy aside, he had spent a large portion of his life hating him. That hate had chilled to dislike but never disinterest. He still had scouted the hall for Draco's face, seated at the head of the Slytherin table.

He supposed he could live with this. He could ask Hermione to research soul bonds for him, just to find out what could be expected. A physical relationship with Draco, while not something he had dreamed about, was easily welcome. His previous arguments about Draco's gender just seemed so...petty when all he could feel was Draco's magical core pulsating against his own and Draco's heartbeat in pace with his own. Of course, he'd have to convince the boy in question that he wasn't opposed, as Draco seemed to leech onto the fact that Harry was...had been straight.

He hadn't been lying when he told Draco he was the only boy he'd ever really looked at. Draco had all the perfect proportions that came with years of selective breeding and he'd turned out flawless. It was easy to be envious of Draco's well-toned body when one was struggling through awkward post-puberty growth. Many Gryffindors and a few Hufflepuffs groused over Draco's easy transition, but when their heights surpassed his, it lessened some. Draco wasn't the shortest boy their age, but he wasn't the tallest. He was also the most perfectly put-together male in Hogwarts and hadn't been afraid to flaunt what he had.

Draco's fitness aside, he supposed that Draco wasn't going to be as receptive. Draco's body was permanently scarred now, but it was beautiful in its own right. They were faint, but very vivid against his pale body. His self-confidence in himself would be greatly bruised. Add that to the fact that they were both caught up in this great mess of a curse and the possibility of death looming in the future, any ardor between them would be cool and near non-existent. But...He looked over Draco's beautifully pale and peaceful face. It wouldn't matter to him, as long as he could be near Draco.

-X-

Draco sighed as he came awake, his mind feeling slow and fuzzy. Potter wasn't sprawled over him anymore but curled up in a chair, staring at him hungrily with dark green eyes.

“Potter, you creep. Don't just sit there and watch me sleep.” He hissed, feeling more awake as Potter's lips curled into a smile.

“But you looked so precious asleep.” He said jokingly. Draco scowled.

“Go suck an elf, Potter.” He said glancing around the room. He smiled appreciatively as a door appeared, and Draco crawled out from the warmth in the bed. “I'm going to be in there. You stay out here and if I even see your shadow in my private room, I'll hex you so hard you'll be out cold for three days.” He threatened cheerfully. He heard Potter snort and chose to ignore it. These hospital private rooms were almost as nicely furnished as the Prefects' Bath.

He locked the door manually and cast a lock charm on the door wandlessly. He was surprised and pleased that it obeyed smoothly. He'd felt so grungy waking up and he definitely needed to be out of Potter's sight. It was weird that he was so...intent on him. Even if it was the curse making him that way, it unnerved Draco horribly. But he could take time to forget about it now, push it aside to stew with the curse and his father's impending death. Draco glanced at the clean Slytherin uniform folded neatly on the hamper and the shower stall with the frosted glass.

He stared at the mirror above the sink. He could see the faint lines along his neck and the edge of his face as they tapered off. He grimaced. This would be the first time he truly would see the effect of the curse on his body. It made him more than a little nervous. He stripped off the borrowed uniform and let it fall in a pile on the ground. House elf magic whisked it away as it hit the ground and Draco reached inside the shower stall to turn on the water.

Draco groaned as he climbed inside and stood under the hot spray. It felt so good to finally be clean and warm. There was a variety of product along the shelf inside and he spent a long time, washing and re-washing his hair and body with just about everything. The smells permeated the air and he let himself relax in the thick mists of water. His hair was nearly white thanks to the water but still had that pretty silver sheen that claimed him a blood Malfoy. He could feel the raised edges of the scars across his back, down the backs of his legs, shoulders, neck and partly down his arms.

He could only imagine what kind of freak he looked like. Potter's small little scar was such a petty little thing and he gave him such hell about it. This...was a canvas of flesh, brutalized and ugly. He must be truly hideous.

No. He didn't have time to think about this. He had bigger things to be worried about than his sorry scarred ass. His father's impending death. Potter's unnatural fixation on him. Life after his father's death. What kind of life would that be? What would he have left of his life after his father was ripped away? Stupid Potter would probably try to comfort him and tell him about everything he had in his life.

Draco stepped out of the shower, grabbing the white towel and drying himself off. He half-expected the scars to hurt as he pressed on them. The used towel vanished as he tossed it on the ground and he grabbed the uniform and began to pull it on. It didn't take long, as he had long conditioned himself to be able to do this unconsciously. He straightened his tie, buttoned his cuffs and folded the hem of his pant leg so it draped a certain way over his slightly heeled boots. He was digging through the cabinet, trying to find gel or a ribbon when he heard the alarm on his door trigger.

“Potter, I'm nearly out. Be a little patient, you git.” He said loudly, shoving past a variety of lotions, creams and potion bottles. This was ridiculous. The house elves always stocked the cabinets with his hair care products when he stayed the night.

“Draco! Listen. I didn't get to say it earlier but-”

“If you're trying to woo me through a door, I will lash you with a whip spell, Potter.”

“Kinky.” Potter said flatly. Draco kicked to door. “No, you prat. Ron and Hermione were by earlier and they'll show up some time after dinner. I thought I'd warn you while there was still a barrier between us.”

“St. Potter, the Cowardly Lion.” He said moodily.

“I heard that.”

“Stuff it, Scarface.” He shot back, tossing a jar of lotion at the door. It clattered to the ground as the door swept open. Draco's mouth dropped open in stun and he quickly tried to mask it. Potter leaned against the frame and raised his eyebrow. “Resorted to copying me, Potter?”

“Temper tantrum. Mature.” He said evenly, looking at the spilled mess on the ground. Draco sneered.

“How did you get that door open?” Potter's brows rose in amusement.

“I can feel your magic inside me. It likes me. All I had to do was touch the knob.” Potter shrugged and Draco was moments away from strangling him. With his hair loose and long, he felt more vulnerable. He looked at Potter nervously as the boy entered the room, stepping over the mess and extending his fist. He stared as Potter unfurled a Slytherin green ribbon and offered it with a smile.

“You generally carry ribbon about, Potter?” He asked as he tried to decide if he should take it or not. Potter smiled, Draco chose it ignore that, and took Draco's hand. He forced his fingers around the thin strip.

“You left it, you prat. I thought you'd like it back.” He fluttered his fingers and the mess cleaned itself and the jar jumped into his hand. He placed it on the counter, gave Draco another satisfied smile and left the bathroom, shutting the door as he went. Draco couldn't decide what just happened.