The Lion and the Serpent

In the morning, Draco watched quietly as Harry dressed for work, and packed a pile of books and scrolls into his worn-out shoulder-bag.



“You talked in your sleep last night,” Draco said suddenly.



Harry's back stiffened for a moment. “Do I want to know what I said?”



Draco's thin lips formed a mischievous smile, as he sat up. “Hmmm, let's see.. you said you wanted to tie me up with Slytherin scarves, and lick my nipples, and shower me with rose petals...”



“Thank goodness for that,” Harry said dryly. “At least I didn't embarrass myself in some hideous way.”



Draco fell backwards on the bed and laughed out loud. Harry chuckled as well, and threw the bag over his shoulder, ready to head out.



“Wait,” Draco said. “I have a request.”



“Forget it, snake-boy. No petals.”



“I want to take the collar off,” Draco said seriously. Harry stared at him, his eyes narrowing slightly.



“Why?”



Draco shrugged. He found it difficult to explain, but suddenly he didn't think he needed it anymore. The other students had left him alone within a few days of figuring out that he now belonged to Harry Potter to deal with. Draco was no longer in danger of hurting himself, either. As for the bond, he quite unexpectedly, had a powerful urge to try and be obedient on his own, without a perpetual reminder around his neck.



The bond deepens when there's attachment.



Harry walked up to him, stood over him, as Draco still lying on his back in the bed. Quickly, Harry's finger hooked into the ring at the front of the collar and pulled him up. Draco surrendered, allowing himself to be lifted off the bed, the collar pressing harshly against the back of his neck. With a low dangerous chuckle, Harry shook his head and released him.



“I don't know, Draco. I kind of like having it on you. Gives me a decided advantage in pushing you around.”



“You could always just drag me around by the hair,” Draco said helpfully.



“Don't tempt me,” Harry warned, and then, with a deep sigh, unlocked the collar. Draco's hands went to his neck, exploring his newfound freedom.



He opened his mouth to thank Harry, but Harry stopped him, by placing his hand on Draco's shoulder.



“Stay out of trouble,” Harry growled. “Carry your wand with you at all times. Don't wander around. Stick to the library, the dining hall, and the quarters. Infirmary if you need it. If you need me, find me.”



Draco glanced at Harry cautiously, and Harry frowned sensing his question.



“You may visit Miss Cain if you like,” he said reluctantly. “However, beginning tomorrow, in order to earn the privilege of your visit on any given day, she needs to attend all of her classes. Including mine. You may convey that message to her. I will not have her loitering, and getting into more mischief.”



He left quickly, and Draco stayed behind. He placed the collar on the table and gazed at it. The dull metal collar, with two rings, one in front, one in the back, the embodiment of unyielding protection that was somehow both intimate and impersonal.



Draco took out his wand and pointed to it.



“Revealio,” he said, and the stream of information flowed into his mind.



It acted by responding to Draco's thoughts, and the thoughts of people around him. It tapped into the owner's magic and formed a protective barrier against deadly self-harm, physical attacks, and spells, hexes, but the protection was only as strong as the owner's magic. And of course, it didn't protect against accidents, or against the Unforgivables... but still, it looked like a powerful enough tool.



Maybe powerful enough to use in a battle? Draco thought absently. An entire army of Harry Potter's bond-slaves, protected by his magic from all harm but the Unforgivables... In his mind, he could already hear Hermione's indignant voice, No, Harry, absolutely not! You are NOT creating an army of human thralls to fight Voldemort...



Draco smirked. He found it both amusing and reassuring that somehow, even after the shadows had moved in, and the poison of Voldemort's essence had permeated the world, Hermione somehow managed to remain her old self, the usual annoying, self-righteous, painfully ethical know-it-all.



Slowly, Draco wrapped his scarf around his neck, concealing the absence of the collar. He walked out of the quarters and headed to the Slytherin dormitory. He knocked on Calixa's door.



“Go away,” he heard her say.



“It's just me,” he told her.



“I know.”



He walked away, without saying another word. Part of him wanted to go back and beg to talk to her. Another part of him wanted her to run after him, looking for him. But then, given the events of the past few weeks, perhaps it was better to just be left alone, he reasoned tiredly.



Absently, he strolled through a deserted hallway towards the library - and walked right into the hands of two tall, stout Gryffindor students.



“What do we have here?” one of them laughed cheerily, tugging on Draco's scarf, unfurling it. “No collar today? Just as we thought when we saw you walk out his quarters, all bundled up.”



Draco's hand instantly flew to draw his wand, but the other student grabbed his wrists and held him in place.



“Get his wand. Snap it,” he ordered, and a minute later, Draco's heart sank as he heard a sickening sharp sound of his wand breaking. He opened his mouth to shout for help, but then the Silencio spell was cast, and his scream came out noiseless.



“We are going on a little journey,” one of them said. They laughed together unpleasantly.



Draco struggled silently, but the grip on his wrists was unbreakable.



“Apparate,” one of the students said, and Draco felt the familiar squeezing sensation that preceded being pushed through to another location. And just as he felt himself being displaced from the Hogwarts hallway, he heard running footsteps behind him. Someone's body slammed into his back hard; small, cold hands latching onto him.



“I got you,” he heard Calixa's voice. “Won't let you...”



Her arms wrapped around him, she pulled with all her might, trying to wrench him out of the invisible vortex, and out of the hands of his abductors. But it was too late.



They were both pulled in, both Draco and Calixa, who did not let go of him for a moment.