To Start Over

REALIZATION


“Malfoy, you can let go of me now,” Harry said.

Draco knew this was his mate, and he thought somewhere in the back of his mind that he recognized the voice, so he slowly opened his eyes. He was in shock, completely floored, as recognition and the implications of who his mate was hit him like a freight train. He quickly let go of Harry’s robes, being to stunned to do much else.
“Potter,” was his only reply as he walked back to his own cabin in a complete daze.
Harry looked at the back of Draco’s head as he walked off, shrugged his shoulders, and opened the door to rejoin Ron and Hermione.

When Draco arrived at his cabin, he opened the door walked in, sat in the corner and stared out the window, completely ignoring everyone else in the compartment. Pansy being annoyed that she was not getting any response from Draco got up from her seat and promptly sat herself in his lap.
“Draky, what’s wrong why are you ignoring me?” she whined.
“Get off, Parkinson and leave me alone I need to think,” he sneered as he pushed her arse onto the floor.

~Draco’s Reflections~

‘Potter is my mate. Are GodsGods seeking vengeance on me, are they trying to punish me, for the horrible way I’ve treated him in the past! What am I going to do, why him? Well he is beautiful. Those deep emerald green eyes, you could drown in them. What…what am I ng? ng? This is Potter. But he’s my mate; he is Harry now no longer Potter. His lips full and red, what will they look like all bruised and kissed, what will they taste like? He’s much smaller than me; maybe some of those rumors of neglect by his relatives are true. I’ll make them regret hurting my mate. What am I going to do he’s never going to except this, except me, he hates me!! Like I can blame him, I’ve been absolutely horrid to him for the past six years, and to his friends. He will not want me as a friend never mind a lifetime commitment. I could use my Veela charms to pull him in. No, that won’t be good I can’t make him want me he’d hate me even more. I’ve got to come up with a plan to… to win him over. I need to swallow my pride and apologize for, for everything. I’ll work on the friendship thing first, show him how sincere I am, get to know him, find out what he likes. Then I can work on seducing him, no I want more than just that I want his love. Oh Gods…what about my father, he’s tried to kill, what about Voldemort. I have to protect him. Father will understand, he knows I have to protect him. I need to owl father as soon as we arrive at Hogwarts. Well I wasn’t planning on joining Voldemort anyway, now I’ll just have to defeat him so he can’t get to Harry. Oh no, does Harry have a girlfriend, does he even like boys. Well I’ll have to find out, but I can’t worry about that now. What about the rest of the slytherins, I know no one has the Dark Mark yet, but some of them were planning on getting it after graduation. I’ll need to speak with Dumbledore immediately after the feast.’
Draco spent the rest of the train ride in quiet contemplation. He spoke to no one and they left him alone knowing that when he was in one of his moods it was better that way. They arrived at Hogwarts and departed from the train to be driven by the horseless carriages up to the school. All the while Draco was forming his plan of how he cold woo the love and attentions of one Harry J. Potter.

The feast was the same as any other year, a few new studein ein every house, not nearly as many as in the years before, due to the return of the Dark Lord. There was also Dumbledore introductory speech and the introduction of this years DADA teacher, one Remus Lupin. Then there was also the announcement of this year’s Head Girl, Hermione Granger, who else, and Head Boy, Draco Malfoy. Near the end of the feast as the prefects were readying to take the new first years to their perspective dorms, Draco approached the Teachers Table. He informed Snape and the Headmaster that he needed to speak with them tonight. He was given the password “Lemon Drops” and told to meet at the headmaster’s office in ½ hour. After informing his housemate he had business to attend to he left the Great Hall to write and send a letter to home.

Dear Father,

It is urgent that you come to Hogwarts this weekend, so I may inform you of important circumstances concerning my mate. I will not give any more information through correspondence. All will be made clear when we meet this weekend.
Regards
Your son,
Draco Malfoy


~Headmasters Office~

After Draco had owled his letter to his father, he headed directly to the headmasters office for the meeting that he had requested. He gave the password, ascended the stairs, knocked twice, and entered without waiting for a reply. Noticing that all concerned parties were available, Snape and Dumbledore, he immediately launched into his speech.
“As I’m sure you are aware headmaster I am of Veela decent and have just come into my inheritance over the summer holidays. I have discovered the Identity of my mate during our journey today on the train. I’m sure you are also aware of the implications and significance, of the bonding between a Veela and his mate. At this time I do not wish to reveal to the school my heritage, or to give the information to my mate. I believe I have a lot of work in front of me, to make things right so to speak, between my mate and myself first, before I reveal that information.” Draco stated with all the dignity he could muster.
“Mr. Malfoy, may I ask who your mate is?” said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling.
“Harry Potter, sir,” Draco replied.
“Are you sure Draco?” Snape gasped, showing how truly shocked he was.
“I’m positive Severus. And I need your help.”
Both the headmaster and Snape nodded their acceptance to the difficult situation.
“Draco I know as the months get closer to the spring you’ll feel the need to constantly be around your mate. Therefore I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the new arrangements for this years class schedule.” Dumbledore stated as he handed a copy of his and Harry’s schedule to the Veela. Draco noticed that he and his mate had all of the same classes with the exception that Draco had Arithmancy while Harry had Healing.
“I’ve also taken the liberty to give you your own suite of rooms, normally the head girl would be in the second bedroom with the two of you sharing a common room, but under the circumstances. It would seem to be more fitting for you to have the second room for your mate, when you’re ready to inform him of course.” said the Headmaster.
“I have owled my father that I wish to inform him in person, this weekend, the identity of my mate.” said Draco .
“Draco I’m sure you are aware of the threat that constantly surrounds your mates life,” said the wizened old man.
“I will lay down my life to protect him, what ever is necessary. I’m sure once I have informed my father of the identity of my mate, he’ll be willing to join the Order to help. He knows of my power and the significance of the shared power between a Veela and their mate, once the bonding has been completed. He would never do anything to harm me, so once everything is revealed he will not hesitate to give his assistance,” the Veela stated with reverence.
“I believe it is important that you are made aware of the Prophecy surrounding Harry and Voldemort.” stated Dumbledore. He handed a parchment to Draco.

~~The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…~~

“Oh god, I had no idea, I knew he wanted to kill him because of what happened when Harry was a baby…” Draco whispered, as a tear ran down his cheek.
“Voldemort knows there is a Prophecy, however he was unsuccessful in retrieving it from the department of mysteries 2 years ago. He knows not the specifics of it,” said Dumbledore sadly.
Silence surrounded the room, finally broken by Snapehat hat do you want me to do, I’m assuming you called me here for a reason. You have a plan?”
“I know you assign potions projects for your newt students, I know you usually let everyone pick their own partners. It would be helpful to my plans if you assigned partners, for the rest of the year, separate houses, Potter and myself. Maybe even suggest to Potter extra tutoring lessons twice a week; I know potions is not his best subject. It would give me a chance to spend time with him, form a friendship before we move on to something more, without having his interfering friends about. It will make it harder if they are always about pushing their own opinions on him instead of allowing him to decide for himself. It is going to be hard enough for me with all of the things I need to make up for.” Draco said somewhat defeated.

Draco paused thinking for a few moments before he said, “Headmaster, I will bring my father here first thing when he arrives. It would be quite useful if Harry somehow found out that my father had switched sides, not the reason why though, of course.”
“Of course, I think something can be arranged,” he replied stroking his long white beard.
“Thank you Headmaster, Severus, I appreciate your help. I’ll keep you informed as things progress.” Draco drawled getting some of his old arrogance back again. Knowing he had two very important people on his side. After he received their acknowledgement he turned and swept from the room.

~The First Day of Classes~

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at their house table in the Great Hall reviewing their schedules, to see what classes they had together this year.
“1st thing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Hermione and I have double Potions, then before lunch double Transfigurations, with both of you. After lunch is a double Defense class then a free period till dinner. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have Charms and Herbology in the morning and Healing in the afternoon. Hey, how come none of these classes say which house we are sharing them with?” Harry said.
“These are our Newt classes Harry, you only take classes with those who received the same ranking as you on their OWL’s, exceeds expectations. If some one received a lower grade they would not be allowed to be in the Newt class and would be in a remedial class. The Newt classes are much smaller because of that and so they are comprised of all 4 houses.” said Hermione, “But you would know that if you read, Hogwarts a History.”
“Well, I have everything but Potions, Herbology and Healing with you mate,” Ron said with a grin. “When did you sign up for Healing, I didn’t even know it was offered?” the red head asked.
“It was Dombledore’s idea, he said something about my mom taking it. Anyway we better get to Potions, Hermione if we don’t want to be late.” Harry said trying to change the subject; he hadn’t meant to tell anyone he was taking Healing, as far as he knew he was the only one taking the class. She nodded and the y headed out of the Great hall together on their way down into the dungeons. They sit together near the front of the Potions classroom waiting for Snape to arrive. Harry glanced around to see who all was taking this class, Hermione and himself, from Gryffindor. Malfoy, Zabini, and Parkinson from Slytherin. Also there were five seventh years from Ravenclaw, and two from Huffelpuff. Just as Harry had fied led looking over at the other students sharing this class Snape strode into the room.

Without missing a beat Snape started right in on his speech, “This year, you will be learning only the most advanced potions. If you have made it to this class, it is because you have earned your place here. I will accept no failed potions, if you brew a potion incorrectly, you will come back on your own time to attempt it again, until it is correct. For every incorrect potion, you will hand in an essay as to why it was incorrect. This year everyone will work with a partner that I have pre-selected. Each semester you and your partner will choose two potion projects from a list of a possible 100 potions. After researching, with your partner, and submitting your essay, you will concoct the potion together. The submitted essays will need to include, your potion, ingredients, steps to brewing, uses, effects, antidotes, side effects, benefits, and what the consistency, color and taste of the finished product should be. At the end of each semester you will be tested on any of a possible 24 potions all of which will be listed at the end of this week. After you find out who your partner is, the two of you shall decide your two potions for this semester from the list on my desk. Sign your names by the potions that you have selected, only one team per potion. Class time will be spent learning and brewing the antidotes for each of the 24 potions. Your partners are as follows,” he paused looking around the classroom with a smirk on his face and glint in his eyes. “Abbott and Granger, Parkinson and Turpin, Zabini and Boot, Malfoy and Potter…” “What is everyone waiting for an invitation, change seats now!”

Harry looked over at Draco, seeing that he clearly had no intentions of moving, he got up, received a look of sympathy from Hermione, and crossed the room to sit beside the blonde slytherin.
“Malfoy,” Harry said dryly, not wanting to start any type of confrontation, seeing as how he had to work with him the whole year.
“Potter, I already have a copy of the list potions to choose from,” Draco drawled. “Why don’t we each choose one, I’ve already circled my choice.”
Harry scanned the list, only recognizing three out of the possible 100. Not wanting Draco to think he was completely incompetent he chose, the Wolfsbane potion, one of the three he recognized. He circled the potion and handed the paper back to Draco. The blonde Veela looked at the potion Harry had selected, knowing it was one of the most difficult on the list, and started to ask if the other boy was sure. He thought better of it, and kept his mouth shut not wanting to start off on the wrong foot.
“I’ll go sign our names up on Professor Snape’s sheet then,” Draco drawled, and headed up to the front of the classroom. He returned after putting r nar names by their selections.
“So Malfoy, what was the one that you selected?” Harry asked hesitantly, hoping against hope that the other teen would not act arrogant towards him, as was his habit to do.
“Ivisabila potion, it’s a temporary invisibility potion.” Draco stated simply. “When do you want to meet to work on our projects, Potter?”
“I don’t know, I have a free period every day starting at three.” Harry stated.
“OK, so do I, let’s meet in the library today, at three.”
After everyone had signed their names on the potion selection sheet, the remainder of the class was spent with Snape reviewing last year. At the end of class Snape asked Harry to remain.
“Potter, if you want to pass this class, I suggest you ask Mr. Malfoy, for his assistance, he is my best student, and judge from your results from last year, you need the help, especially if your career choice is still that of an auror. Malfoy is an excellent tutor he has helped many students in the past. I dare say he won’t have much of an objection, he is your partner after all, and your grades are somewhat dependant on the other.” Snape said rather kindly.
Snape started to soften towards Harry by the end of sixth year, between working on Occlumency together and Harry’s apology for looking in Snape’s pensive. Harry had admitted to Snape his disgust of his father’s actions towards the potions teacher, when they had been attending school together. Snape by no means favored the boy, but he was no longer quite as nasty as he had been in the past.
“I’ll take that into consideration professor. Was there anything else?” Harry asked.
“No you may head to your next class.”

Harry made it to transfiguration just in time to grab a seat by Ron and Hermione. Evidently Hermione had already informed Ron who Harry’s potions partner was. He no sooner sat in his chair, when Ron expressed his opinion of Harry having to work with such a spineless git. Offering to hex him for his friend if he caused him any trouble.
Harry however was not paying much attention, he was instead pondering over the fact that Malfoy had not even insulted him once during their entire class together.