Close Enough

Ch 24 Powerful Potions

(Harry POV)
What just happened? I don’t understand what the bloody hell just happened. I mean, I remember being outside with the twins, I remembering sparing and winning, but what the hell just happened? I am so confused. How did I end up in here? And why does my neck hurt?
I can see Severus in the hall, I can see that he is speaking to Draco, he looks livid. I don’t understand what he has to be mad about, or why he would be angry at Draco, he never gets angry at Draco. Not once in all of the years of school has he even punished Draco for doing something against the rules, so what has him looking so angry now?
And why does Draco keep looking at me like that? He keeps taking these looks past Severus, right at me, why? This can’t have something to do with me can it? I didn’t do anything.
I woke up this morning, got out of bed, met with the twins… and now I’m here. I can’t remember, did something happen between then and now? Why can’t I remember what happened!! Why don’t I remember walking here? Why do I feel like Draco is upset with me… wait… how do I know that Draco is upset with me? Why would I just know that??
I remember waking up with Draco in my bed… I remember feeling comfortable, and he smelled so good… I remember feeling pain when I moved away from him… I remember him holding me… Oh my gods… Draco is my mate. That’s what’s going on, but why is Sev mad about it? Why is he so upset? Draco and I were starting to get along, we will be able to work this out, I hope. Maybe he can learn to love me.


(normal POV)

Severus entered the room closing the door behind him, brow furrowed, a frown clearly written on his face, “How are you feeling Harry?” he asked concernedly as he perched next to the raven haired young man. “Do you feel any ill effects from the potion? It was nearly twice the normal dose…” Harry turned slightly clouded eyes on him, then blinked a couple of times before responding.
“No, I feel okay. Confused, but fine.” Harry said with a small smile. “Why were you angry with Draco? I saw you talking to him in the hall.”
“What do you remember from before I entered the room?” Severus asked in a hard voice. Harry’s eyes unfocused and he looked off to a spot on the floor and then back at Severus again.
“The last thing I remember was sparing out by the lake… I can’t even remember coming inside… the next I remember was you giving me a potion. Why? What happened? What don’t I remember?” Harry asked worriedly.
“You don’t remember coming back inside, are you sure?” Harry shook his head. “Well that would be because Mr. Malfoy felt the need to come retrieve you and bring you back inside for a little… chat.” Harry looked off again, eyebrows knitted together, concentrating, trying to remember anything while Severus spoke. “Do you remember what transpired between the two of you this morning?”
“Yes.” Harry answered weakly.
“And that would be…” Severus lead.
“That I discovered that he and I are mates.” Harry responded in a whisper.
“That is correct. And being as the fact that he is your mate, your dominant mate, he felt that your leaving without permission was disrespectful. This caused his instincts to drive him to come collect you, so that he could show his proper dominance over you.” Severus reached out and gently touched Harry’s already bruising arm, Harry flinched and looked at the spot Severus had touched. “Draco used the bond to subdue you, and his strength over you to bring you inside. Once inside.” Severus touched the healed bite on Harry’s neck, “Once you had both returned to your quarters, he used his Creature magic to assert his power over you.” Harry’s hand went quickly to his neck when Severus touched it, looking at the man with wide eyes.
“What does that mean, he used his Creature magic? What did he do to me?” Harry asked, sounding more scared then he would have liked.
“It means that he used his pull as a Vampire, the Bond, and his strength to make you more compliant, and then took your blood.” Severus sighed and looked at the door, where he knew Draco was still standing just on the other side. “In doing so, his asking and your consenting, you two have now completed the first stage of completing the bond.”
Unconsciously Harry rubbed at the side of his neck again, staring unfocused at the floor by his feet as he and Severus sat for a long minute in complete silence. “I don’t even remember it…” Harry muttered under his breath, before falling back into silence again. A heavy sigh ended the silence and Harry spoke again, in a soft, sad tone, “Sev, I think I want to be alone for a while.” Looking up at the closed door, Harry could feel that Draco was just on the other side. “Do you think, you could….” Harry’s voice faded.
Severus smiled, knowingly, “Yes, Harry, I will keep him occupied. I apologize I’m not sure for how long, he won’t like to be separated from you at this point.” Harry nodded slightly. “But the potion will be good through tomorrow morning, then you should come collect a fresh supply for the week. Now that you have begun the process, you’ll need the stronger dose to keep yourself in check.” When Harry nodded again, Severus left without another word.


(Draco’s POV)

What does he mean beyond the bond? That’s all there needs to be, the bond tells me I need him, thus I need him. I don’t need to know anything beyond that! I need him, I want him, I have him.
How dare he tell me what to do anyway! I mean, who does he think he is to tell me what I should or should not do with my mate! He is mine!! I can do what I wish with him, nature gave him to me.
Nature, what a blessing. How quickly he came to me. How beautiful he smells. It’s amazing. Now that he is aware of the bond, I can feel it so much more powerfully now. It is telling me to have him, to claim him. That he should always be near me, and only me. Why can’t Severus understand that! Why does he want to keep us apart!?
Why did he close the door? Now I can’t even see Harry. I can feel him though. He is fine. But I want to see him. What could they possibly be talking about for this long! What is taking so long!?! How dare he keep us apart like this!
I can feel that Harry is sad now. Why is Severus making him sad! Oh I can’t wait until he comes out here, how dare he make my mate sad! He is happy when he is with me, he told me so. He purrs and clutches to me as if I am what is keeping him alive, and if he lets go he will surely die. I make him happy. My presence, my scent, my power being near him makes him happy.


(normal POV)

Severus opened the door, sweeping into the hall to find Draco reclining against the wall directly outside. At the moment the door was opened, Draco pushed off the wall and moved to enter the room, until Severus grabbed his arm tightly restraining him, and closed the door behind himself blocking the boys entrance. Draco struggled, trying to pull from the mans grasp.
“Let me go.” Draco growled.
“He needs time alone.” Severus stated pulling Draco down the hall with him toward the common room. Once there he pushed Draco down to sit on the sofa, pressing a vial into his hand. “Drink this.” Draco went to protest, but Severus continued in an authoritative tone, “Drink it and you can go see Harry.” At the mention of his mate, Draco uncorked the vial and downed the contents, moments later his head hit the back of the sofa. Severus maneuvered the now sleeping boy into a more comfortable position muttering, “Well I got you a few hours of peace Harry, but when he wakes he is going to be one upset Malfoy.” With one final glance at his godson, Severus swept from the common room back into the castle.