Hybrid Destiny

Chapter 19

September 1 finally arrived for Harry and Draco. This morning, they were rushing around frantically trying to get ready. It had been decided that they would go to King’s Cross Station and ride the Hogwart’s Express back to school to avoid any undue questions. Dumbledore had already arranged for a portkey that would take them directly to Platform 9 ¾. Neither Harry nor Draco was looking forward to this excursion in the least.

The day had not started out well. For one, they had slept late. They didn’t wake up until 9:15 and the portkey was set for 10:15. They had to rush through a shower, throw on some clothes, and get what they were taking to the train station ready. By the time they made it to Dumbledore’s office, they were severely short of breath from all of the running. Only Remus and Lucius would be accompanying Harry and Draco to Platform 9 ¾. They had to keep up appearances after all.

Landing at Platform 9 ¾, Harry staggered for balance and whined, “I hate portkeys. When do I get to test to apparate?”

“You haven’t taken the apparation test, yet?” asked Draco.

“No. You’re not eligible to take the test until you are 17. Do you remember what happened when I turned 17? And let’s not forget the subsequent days following said birthday,” said Harry irritably. He really hated portkeys.

“Right. We only left the school grounds once and that one time was a disaster,” said Draco.

“Exactly. Remus will you take me to get my apparation license sometime soon? Please?” asked Harry giving Remus his most lethal pleading face. Remus caved immediately.

“I’ll get permission from Dumbledore and arrange a time to take you to the Ministry of Magic for the test, okay?” said Remus.

“Thank you, Moony. I’m so glad you’re here to teach this year,” cried Harry before pouncing on Remus in excitement. Remus just laughed enjoying the seldom shown enthusiasm his pup was displaying.

Draco was just staring at the scene with a look of indulgence. He was just glad his elf was happy at the moment. He knew that feeling would soon change. “Come here, elf. We need to discuss some things before the other students arrive,” he said.

“What’s wrong, Draco? You look a little too serious for my peace of mind,” said Harry worriedly.

“How are we going to handle this? Are we just going to tell everyone up front that we are in a relationship or are we going to keep this secret for a while?” he asked seriously.

“I plan on being up front about this. I am not going to spend the entire school year sneaking around to be with you and if you think you are going to sleep in the Slytherin dorms just to keep up appearances, you have another think coming. I am not sleeping in that room by myself. I don’t sleep well when you’re not there,” said Harry vehemently.

“I wasn’t planning on sleeping in the Slytherin dorms. I know you have fewer nightmares when I’m there. I don’t think I could sleep at all anyway if I wasn’t sleeping with you,” said Draco soothingly. “I just wanted to make sure you were ready to let everyone know.”

“You act like I should be ashamed of you, Dray. I’m not ashamed to be with you. I feel rather lucky to be with someone who loves me, even if they’ve never actually said so,” hinted Harry. “Not everyone gets to be with the one they truly love.”

“Yes, elf. I actually do love you, though I’m still not quite sure how that happened,” said Draco.

“Well it happened because I am absolutely adorable and irresistible. Just ask Remus,” said Harry teasingly.

“Yeah, yeah. No need to that. I already know he would agree with that assessment. You have him wrapped around your little finger,” said Draco wryly. “Are you ready to brave the masses? It’s 10:40 and it will be positively crowded soon. It’s a good thing you put that glamour on before we left, right?”

“Right. I hate it when people stare at me but I’m kind of used to it by now. Of course, if I hadn’t put the glamour on, it would be like ten times worse,” said Harry.

They were standing on the platform talking quietly when they heard a shouted, “Harry.” They turned around to see Ron and Hermione running towards them. They obviously hadn’t caught sight of Draco, yet. It absurdly apparent when they did notice Harry’s companion; they froze in their tracks and looked at Harry like he’d lost his mind. Hermione bravely stepped forward, grabbed Harry’s arm, and dragged him away despite his and Draco’s protestations.

“What are you doing with Malfoy?” she hissed while glaring in Draco’s direction.

“I was having a conversation, Hermione. A conversation which you rudely interrupted I might add,” said Harry calmly.

“Why the hell would you want to talk to that no good, lying, little ferret?” asked Ron venomously.

“Because I spent the last month with him and we’ve become friends,” said Harry.

“What do you mean you spent the last month with him?” asked Hermione.

“I was taken to the school on my birthday. Lucius and Draco arrived the following day. We spent the last month together at the school. Self explanatory, see?” said Harry.

“What do you mean you’ve become friends?” asked Ron.

“Well, not exactly friends. I don’t think friendship really describes our relationship. I would say it was probably a little more than friendship,” said Harry.

“Please tell me that Malfoy is not your boyfriend. I didn’t even know you were gay,” said Ron.

“I’m not really gay. I just think love should be savoured no matter the sex. I also wouldn’t really call Malfoy my boyfriend; it’s a bit stronger than that,” said Harry quite seriously.

Why exactly were Lucius and Draco at the castle for a month anyway?” asked Hermione.

“Who cares, Hermione? Did you not just hear that Harry was basically in love with the ferret? That’s just disgusting,” said Ron viciously.

“Hush, Ron. I’m trying to get some answers from Harry,” said Hermione.

“Well, you can just talk all you like. I’m not going to stay here and listen about Draco bloody Malfoy and his murderous dad,” said Ron walking off in a huff.

“Hermione, we really need to get on the train. It’s almost 11:00. If you still want to talk, come find me after your prefect meeting,” said Harry walking towards the train.

“I’m Head Girl this year,” she said proudly.

“Congratulations, Hermione. The offer still stands, though,” he replied. “I have to find Draco, but I’ll see you later.”

“Fine. We’ll definitely talk. I’ll talk to Ron; see if I can get him to come with me. That may be a lost cause, though. You know how he is,” she said.

“Yeah, I know. I have a feeling I may have lost a friend today. I just hope I haven’t lost two,” said Harry quietly.

“Harry, of course I’m still your friend. I’m not just going to throw away our friendship just because I don’t particularly like you’re boyfriend. You’re too important to me for that to happen,” she said seriously.

“Thanks, Hermione. It’s definitely nice to hear that. I’ll see you later, yeah?” said Harry.

“Yeah,” said Hermione smiling as she went directly to the prefect department. Ron, Pansy, Draco, Ernie, Hannah, Terry, and Padma were already there. Ron was glaring daggers at Draco while Draco ignored him in favour of staring out the window. Pansy was also looking rather sullen. “Are we ready to begin?” And with that, the meeting started.

Draco was out the door as soon as the meeting was officially over. Ignoring the glares from Ron and screeches to wait from Pansy, Draco shot down the hall looking in doorways trying to find Harry. Seeing Draco search the compartments for his boyfriend was amusing to Hermione. She followed at a more sedate pace. When she reached the door Draco had entered she almost fainted from shock.

Harry was straddling Draco’s lap devouring his mouth. Draco was doing his fair share of devouring too. Hermione just dropped to an unoccupied seat weakly and couldn’t help but stare. They each were gorgeous in their own right, but together they just made a devastatingly attractive picture. When they showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, Hermione gave a loud whistle to break them apart.

“Hermione, when did you get here?” asked Harry. He hadn’t bothered to move from Draco’s lap and his head was currently resting on said boy’s chest comfortably.

“Right after Draco did, Harry. I must say you didn’t waste anytime in pouncing, did you?” said Hermione with a grin.

Harry just pouted before finally moving to sit beside Draco. He immediately cuddled into his side, though. “Don’t you have anything else you want to talk about?” he asked petulantly.

“Draco, why did you and your father spend the last month at the castle?” she asked immediately.

“Not that it really concerns you, but my father and I came to the castle for sanctuary from the Dark Lord,” he said.

“Why did you need sanctuary? Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t your father his right hand man?” she asked.

“Watching your wife being raped and murdered, as well as being told to turn his son over as bride has a way of changing a man’s mind,” he said mockingly.

“Oh no. I’m sorry about your mother. That’s awful,” she said in sympathy. “How did you and Harry get together?”

“If I tell you this, you have to swear not to tell another soul. This includes Ron, Hermione,” said Harry with utmost seriousness.

“I swear not tell anyone,” she said.

“You know I turned 17 and came into my inheritance, right?” he asked. At Hermione’s nod, he continued. “Well apparently my father wasn’t exactly a pureblood wizard as we previously thought. I came into an elfin inheritance; I’m apparently part royal elf.”

“Wow. Those are rare these days. They’re also the most powerful of the elfin races. Why don’t you have pointy ears, though?” she asked.

“The elfin inheritance was just part of it. I also came into a fae inheritance. I spelled a glamour on me before coming to Platform 9 ¾,” he said.

“I’m guessing with the way you tried to devour Malfoy, that he is your mate?” she asked.

“Yes. I do have to admit that I am profoundly grateful it was this Malfoy and not the elder Malfoy,” said Harry looking at Draco and smirking a bit.

“You and me both, elf,” said Draco dryly.

“You call him elf? That is so cute,” said Hermione grinning.

Before they could say anything else, the compartment door slammed open. Ron was standing in the doorway glaring at the occupants angrily. “What are you doing in here, Hermione?” he demanded.

“I’m talking to our friend Harry, Ron. Was there something you needed?” she said calmly.

“Why do you want to associate with filth like Malfoy? Apparently Harry’s gotten a little dirty since he’s dating the trash,” said Ron viciously.

Ron suddenly yelped as he was thrown into the wall outside the compartment. No one could tell what exactly had happened because no one had drawn their wands or said any spells. Only Harry and Draco really knew what happened. Harry had gotten so angry with the redhead, his elemental magic went a little wild and the wind threw him into the wall.

Draco just calmly stood and shut the door keeping the onlookers out. He turned to Harry and Hermione and said, “I don’t think he took it well.”

Fortunately the rest of the trip to the castle was basically uneventful. Neville, Luna, Seamus, and Dean came by to visit. They even managed to have a civil conversation with Draco and Hermione. Harry had fallen asleep cuddled by Draco.

Draco, Harry, and Hermione managed to avoid any other altercations with the irate Ron during the trip from Hogsmeade to the castle. Upon arriving to the sorting feast, the peace was once again shattered. Draco, Harry, and Hermione entered the Great Hall together before parting to go to their respective tables.

Draco was immediately berated by Pansy for consorting with goody-goody Gryffindors. Crabbe and Goyle were staring menacingly at him while Blaise was watching him curiously. Draco, on the other hand, continued to ignore his housemates until the sorting was over.

Harry was be similarly treated. Ginny was demanding why he was anywhere near Malfoy while Ron glared the whole time. Hermione was talking calmly trying to cool Ginny down. Harry was ignoring everyone but Hermione.

As soon as the feast ended, Harry quickly stood, pressed a note into Hermione’s hand, and stalked out the door. Looking at the paper in her hand, Hermione saw directions she assumed were to Harry’s quarters. With his inheritance, she really didn’t think Dumbledore would let him stay in the dorms, especially since he had a mate. Tucking the note in her pocket, she began rounding up the first years to lead them to Gryffindor tower.