Close Enough

Ch 31 Family

Pansy and Blaise had made their way to Pansy’s room for some snogging, so Draco had retired to the common room alone. Draco was reclining on one of the sofas thinking, when the portrait hole opened and Cord entered. She smiled briefly in Draco’s direction before sitting in one of the chairs by the fire. They sat in a comfortable silence for a good five minutes before Draco had to say something, it was driving him crazy.
“Do you think she’ll say anything today?” Draco asked quietly.
“Can’t say for sure. She did promise to talk to him, but I have no idea when she will do it.” Cord smiled, “But if I know my girl, and I assure you I do, she will mention that you two need to talk, and get Har to agree.”
“So you think that she will make me do all the work?” he asked incredulously.
“As I said, don’t know.” Cord shrugged. “But I will tell you that when you freak him out, and it will freak him out, she will be here to talk to him about it for you.”
“You think he is going to freak out then?” Draco asked sadly.
“I can almost guarantee it. I know Harry pretty well, and I highly doubt that this is going to be something that he just accepts and moves on from.” She looked pointedly at Draco, “And from what I understand, you should know that about him. Harry is not one to believe that there is no way out of something, granted he hasn’t tried to worm out of the bond. I believe he might actually know better in this case.” She mused.
“So what you are trying to say is that he might freak out, but he will then talk to Cloe and we will work it out?” Draco asked confusedly.
“Something like that. What I’m actually saying is that IF he freaks out, Cloe will be able to help him work through his issues with it. And IF that happens, then yes you two will work it out. But it is possible that he could walk in here, you could talk, and everything would just be hunky-dory.” She shrugged again, “I really can’t be certain.”
The conversation lapsed at this point, Draco staring up at the ceiling, Cord gazing into the fire. The room was completely silent except for the soft crackle of the fire. Draco had high hopes that Cloe would be able to work some magic on making Harry understand. That she would be able to show Harry that he would not merely be a source of sustenance for his Vampire mate, but a completion to him. The drink that began the bond, was the most amazing experience Draco had ever had. The power the coursed through him during, and even after, was overwhelming to say the least. Draco now understood why Creatures needed their mate, because he felt as though he would not survive another minute without that feeling again. It was like heaven; powerful, pure, amazing. It was like a homecoming; finally being back in the place he belonged. It was like an invigorating orgasm; devastating, overpowering, and perfect. Draco could describe the feeling in a million different ways, but words didn’t seem to do the feeling justice.
Cord glanced over at Draco, smiling at the look on his face. He seemed lost in thought about something, so she didn’t speak, but the look on his face said that it was a good thought. She figured this meant Harry, or the bond in general. Cord remembered clearly the months between the beginning of the bonding and it’s completion, she recalled them as being very emotionally trying. The thought that Harry and Draco weren’t on great terms before they came into their respective inheritances, probably meant more emotions and feelings were at play in this bond than in a normal one. This thought made Cord chuckle softly to herself, Harry couldn’t even bond normally.

When the portrait hole opened Cord and Draco both looked up, expecting to see Cloe and Harry. However it was Justin returning to the dorm for the night. He smiled, said a polite goodnight, and headed to his room quickly. Cord looked at her watch and sighed.
“They should be back soon, we’re supposed to go see Severus tonight. I’m going to introduce Cloe to him.” As she finished this sentence the portrait hole opened again, and Blaise stepped through it, looking at Cord.
“Why would you do that, she doesn’t go to school here. Why would she need to meet the potions master?” Blaise asked, dropping his bag behind the sofa Draco was relaxing on.
“Iz, that is not our place to explain.” Draco shot a quick glance at Cord who nodded. “You’ll have to ask your sister when you see her.”
“Ask me what?” came the cheery voice of Cloe from just inside the portrait hold. Once inside she spotted Blaise, “Little brother.” She said with a smile, embracing him tightly. Harry followed her into the common room, smiling at her as she hugged Blaise as though she was trying to squeeze all of the air right out of him. “I’ve missed you.” Cloe said as she released him from her arms.
“I’ve missed you too, Cloe.” Blaise said with a smile. “It is good to see you.”
“Now what is it that you wanted to ask me?” Cloe asked as she watched Harry sit on the floor next to Cord’s chair, resting his head on the armrest, where Cord began running her fingers through his long raven locks.
“Oh… I was just wondering why Cord would say that she was going to introduce you to Professor Snape. I mean, you don’t go to school here, so why would you need to know the potions master?” Blaise asked looking at his sister curiously. His look turned to one of even further curiosity when Cloe laughed.
“Oh, my little brother, it is simple really. Your Professor Snape, is Cord’s father. And she is introducing me, because I am her bonded.” Cloe finished with a fond smile at Cord.
“But you don’t have any Creature blood in you, how is that possible!?” Blaise asked, sounding scandalized.
“Bee, calm down. No I have no Creature blood in me, but you don’t have to in order to be someone’s bonded.” Blaise looked slightly more calm.
“Does dad know?” Cloe’s expression darkened.
“No, father is not aware. I would appreciate it if you would not tell him.”
“Does your mum know?” Cloe frowned deeply now.
“No, brother, she doesn’t. You are officially the only member of my family that knows.” A small smile pulled at her lips when she added, “except Harry that is.” All eyes now turned to the half asleep Harry, whose eyes were closed, head still resting on Cord’s chair, while Cord continued to slowly pet him.
“What do you mean? He is not related to us.” Blaise indicated Harry. “How can you call him family??” he asked sounding shocked.
“I can call him family, Bee, because he is.” Cloe proceeded to move across the room, sit directly in front of Cord’s chair leaning back, placing a hand on top of Harry’s the rest on the floor in-between them. “He is as much my family as anyone else. I love him as though he was blood, would protect him with my life, and desire nothing more of him then for him to be happy in life. With all of those things, he is my family.” Cloe concluded, gently rubbing her thumb across Harry’s hand.
Draco watched the whole scene unfold not knowing what to do. It was like being in the room while two people had an argument around you, and it had absolutely nothing to do with you, but there you were. He listened carefully as Cloe explained how Harry was her family, now truly appreciating the fact that Cloe and Harry definitely had a special bond. When she finished her speech, her eyes were focused on Blaise, who stood directly behind where Draco sat. Her gaze was unwavering, as though she was trying to convince her brother to understand just by looking at him. When Draco finally looked from Cloe up to Blaise, it seemed to have worked, because he was smiling.
“You know it’s a small world right? I mean, your friend and my friend, ending up being mates. Hell Harry even knowing you is beyond my comprehension.” Blaise yawned deeply. “I think I must be heading off to bed. Good night all. Cloe can we chat more tomorrow?”
“Of course we can. Tell your girlfriend that you two have plans tomorrow night, you’re going to come out with me.” Here Cloe glanced at the now deeply sleeping Harry, ‘he’s so cute’ was all she could think, and added, “Draco, you are invited too. Harry was going to ask you, but it seems that he was tired too.”
“Alright, I’ll let Pan know in the morning. Night.” Blaise said before heading down the hall to the room he shared with Justin. Cord still petting Harry with her right hand, brought her left up and rested it on Cloe’s shoulder.
“Well that went well.” She said softly, squeezing Cloe’s shoulder.
“Yea it did.” Cloe looked over at Draco, finding him looking at the trio before him with an odd expression on his face. “You will come tomorrow, won’t you?” she asked him. Draco shook his head slightly before smiling and nodding.
“Of course. I just wish Harry could have asked me.” His voice was slightly sad.
“Well to be fair, he’ll probably ask you in the morning. I merely wanted to make sure that you didn’t make other plans.” Cloe smiled at him before leaning her head back and looking up at Cord, “We should go, love, your dad is waiting.” When Cord nodded, Cloe stood turning to face her bonded. “I think our little friend needs to be put to bed.” Cloe declared with a smile, turning to Draco. “Do you think you could escort Harry to his bed, we really need to get going.”
“Of course I can.” Draco said with a grin. He stood and walked towards his mate, “It would be my pleasure.” Draco stooped, took Harry up gingerly in his arms, yet again noticing how light Harry felt. “Good night, ladies.” Once he was in Draco’s arms, Harry snuggled close into the blondes chest with a soft contented sigh. Draco felt like jumping for joy, he had his mate in his arms yet again, and it felt fabulous.
Cloe and Cord watched Draco carry Harry down the hall and disappear into their room, closing the door behind them. The two girls remained looking down the hall, half expecting to hear Harry screaming at any moment. However when the screaming didn’t come, the girls smiled, took each other’s hand and left to meet Severus in his chambers.