Inevitability

Chapter 3
They stopped as soon as they saw us and I felt the panic in my body build at the sight of Malfoy, already not liking the look of this; especially the smirks on his and Snape’s face.

“Ah, Harry my boy. Please sit down.” Dumbledore said magnanimously as he flicked his wand and two more chairs appeared.

I sat down cautiously in the far chair, my back to the wall, keeping them all in sight.

“Well now Harry, what do you know about magical creatures and their mates?”

I felt my stomach drop out of my body, I really didn’t like the way this was going. I remained silent, hoping futilely that if I ignored this it would go away. I wasn’t as stupid as everyone thought; I was simply what they expected of me. Snape expected me to be horrible at potions and so I purposely sabotaged my own potions. I was supposed to be brave, kind and friendly to everyone else, so I played that despite how much it might make me hollow inside. I argued with the Slytherins, despite having no desire to. And for Ron and Hermione I pretended to share things with them, telling them about pointless teenager stuff and they were happy because they thought there were no secrets between us, that we were the best of friends. I encouraged all their fucked up views of me so that they wouldn’t look for something more, something they didn’t expect. And now after those few words I didn’t want to hear any more. I wanted to walk right out of that office, out of the castle if this was leading where I thought it was. The mere thought of what they were asking of me was unbearable. But I have done this for six years, so I will continue to play the reckless idiotic Golden-boy.

“Ummm, just what we learned in class, so not much really.”

“Well it’s a great honor to be chosen as someone’s mate. There is a powerful bond between mates that makes both members far more powerful once they have completed the bond. And of course the creature that has found and chosen their mate is highly protective of them.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! This could not be happening. And that damn fool’s eyes were twinkling. Not like I missed the reason for that ‘makes both members far more powerful.’ He just wants his weapon to be stronger so he can use me for more of his schemes.

And Protective? Oh yeah. I can see Malfoy being real protective of me, more like possessive, controlling and demanding. The only thing he wants is to use me as his bitch. If he even thinks about touching me I will remove his hands entirely, and if he doesn't stop looking at me like that I'm gonna stab his eyes out! All of them are bloody pricks. “This is great professor but I don’t see what it has to do with me. Look, I really have to get back to the dorms; I got this long potions essay I have to do.”

I felt the heat of Snape’s glare without even looking at him and struggled to hide my smirk. He was just too easy to get riled up.

“Ever the intellectual one Potter. If you had even a modicum of true intelligence you would know that we were telling you this simply because it does involve you!” He growled at me and I glared back as expected instead of laughing. Hey if they were going to do this to me, at least I could get some miniscule amount of something from it, and after the stunt Snape had pulled before I was gonna take every opportunity to be just as big a prick to him.

“I assure you professor; I’m not a magical creature. There’s been some mistake and I do have to go.” I said stupidly and got up to leave.

“You're mine Potter, my mate. So do what I tell you and sit down.” Malfoy growled his silver eyes glowing in anger.

I felt a shiver run down my spine but refused to back down to him. “I am not yours, nor your mate, and even if I was don’t you dare order me what to do.” I snarled back my eyes blazing in anger.

“You are mine, you have to do what I say!”

Unbelievable! I was right! Of course I was, I expected nothing less from Malfoy. “There is no way in hell that I would listen to you, and no way I would accept being your mate!” I shouted back.

“Gentlemen, both of you sit. Now!” Dumbledore snapped and after Malfoy sat I reluctantly followed. “Now.” Dumbledore said more gently. “Harry, it is a great honor to be the chosen mate of magical creature and has many advantages for you. As Mr. Malfoy is a vampire, once you have accepted him he will drink mainly from you. I have already had sleeping arrangements changed so that you will instead share one room together, secondly your classes will be changed to fit the schedule of Mr. Malfoy so that he can keep an eye on you, also...”

“No.” I said firmly standing once more. “Maybe you didn’t hear me sir. I will not be accepting him, I will not let him near me. I don’t care about the advantages or the suffering he might go through. Quite frankly he deserves it all and I’ll enjoy watching him suffer. If he’s smart he’ll choose someone else because I will have nothing to do with him.” As soon as the last word slipped from my mouth I hurried out of the room, hoping to successfully get free this time and far away from all three of them.

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I made my way swiftly back to the Gryffindor tower, my entire body shaking horribly, but I wasn't sure if it was from anger, disgust or fear.

I rushed through the common room, vaguely hearing the calls of my 'best friends' and rushed to my bed. My safe place, the place no one had hurt me, but they wanted me to leave it. They wanted me to share a room with Malfoy, probably the same bed. I don't think I could ever do that, ever let someone near enough for that, let alone someone who I completely didn't trust. But now this place wasn't safe anymore. I had thought the castle could be my home away from hell but now I wasn't safe here either (not that I had been really safe with Voldemort around).

For an instant I debated leaving, but where would I go? I couldn't go back to the Dursleys, I had promised myself that I would never go back there again, that I had survived the last summer there and it was over. I could get money from Gringotts and find my own place, but I knew that was impossible. Dumbledore wouldn't let me escape him until I had done my job, and besides, after almost 7 years of schooling I didn't want to throw that all away, I wanted to graduate, prove that I was something more than this damn scar on my head.

I fell asleep with thousands of thoughts running through my head trying to find a way out of this, but the only thing I had decided was that I would try to avoid Malfoy and Snape... and Dumbledore... and anyone else who's involved in this scheme of theirs.

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When I woke the next morning I once more plastered on that fake smile and persona that I had for the last 6 years. It was still early so I had the showers to myself and relaxed in the monotony of my routine. When it was time for breakfast I headed down with Ron and Hermione on either side of me, refusing to look up and acknowledge anyone. Everything was going fine, I had successfully avoided Malfoy three times and Snape and Dumbledore each once.

It was almost dinner time and I was heading back to the castle with Ron, Dean and Seamus after flying around the pitch for an hour when we were stopped by Hermione who was blocking the entrance.

"Is it true Harry?" She asked, anger clear in her voice.

Oh shit. She had found out about the Malfoy thing and is pissed I didn't share with her and Ron. "Look 'Mione I didn't tell you because I'm not gonna let it happen."

"What happen?" Ron questioned from beside me.

"Nothing." I said quickly not wanting to have Ron explode right in front of the school. "I'll tell you in the common room."

"Draco Malfoy is a vampire and has chosen Harry as his mate but Harry has refused." Hermione butted in and I felt a flash of anger towards her.

"WHAT?!" Ron shouted causing more than one head to turn our way.

"I know Ron. But as I said, nothing is gonna happen, I refused him." I kept my voice calm trying to sooth the red-head.

"How could you?" Ron yelled at me, swerving around to star at me with shock and disgust on his face.

"What?" I asked, completely lost and confused.

"How could you deny someone their mate?! It's considered an honor Potter, only an idiot would turn someone down." Ron said, now full out glaring at me as I tried to ignore the sharp pain his words has cause my chest. "Not only will you be more powerful but you’ll have someone to protect you and who will never leave you!"

I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth together. I wanted to scream. Scream at the top of my lungs that I didn't want to be more powerful, I didn't want someone to touch me, to be with me forever and I sure as hell didn't want that person to be Malfoy! But it was caught in my throat, my brain was still trying to process the fact that Ron Weasley was mad at me for denying Draco Malfoy (his enemy!) the great 'honor' of being his mate. And judging by the look that Hermione was sending me, and the ones from the wizard-born near us, they were feeling the same way. I felt like I had stepped into an alternate reality, I was the bad guy? Malfoy was the victim? I stood there stunned, gapping like a fish and still in disbelief.

"You can talk to us when you're not being such an idiot." Hermione said, causing another twist in my chest, and then stormed off, Ron and Seamus following her and dragging a confused looking Dean.

I felt sick. I was going to throw up and held it in just long enough to walk around the side of the castle out of sight.

My friends? I might not have considered them my best friends, ones who I could truly trust, but I never thought...

My stomach rolled again and I put an arm against the castle wall as I heaved up everything from lunch and breakfast.

How?.... None of this made since. Why would they say that?

I moved far enough away so that I no longer smelled my breakfast and dropped to the ground. I must have sat on the ground unable to process a single thought for an hour when I felt it. Felt him. It was just a shadow a few feet away but I knew.

"Problems with the Golden Trio." He asked snidely and I wanted to kill him. He had done this, it was all his fault. I sprang up before I had even completed the thought and slammed my fist into his jaw. The power of the punch caused him to stumble back a few feet before he found his balance again. He looked up at me shocked and angry as he touched his jaw but all I felt was rage. I could feel my magic answering me, flickering at my fingertips and ready to defend me. He must have noticed as well because his look changed for a brief moment to one of fear.

"Get the fuck away from me Malfoy." I growled as more magic built around me causing the blades of grass to dance in the invisible waves.

For once Malfoy was smart. He didn't say a word but slowly backed away, not turning his back on me until he was a good 20 feet away and then hurrying up to the castle.

Once he was out of view I collapsed to my knees, exhausted by the control it had taken not to let loose my power. With the energy suddenly drained from my body I felt something else inside me break and a tear rolled down my face. What could I do? Malfoy wouldn't give up. Dumbledore wouldn't give up. And evidently the entire castle was on their side. I was alone again surrounded by people who were disgusted with me.

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I didn't go to dinner. I couldn’t handle the idea of all those faces looking at me in disgust. I went straight to my bed, locking the curtains, hoping to find comfort in my safe spot; but it didn't feel so safe anymore.

In the morning I tried to tell myself that nothing had changed. I got up, took my shower, got ready and started on some homework while I waited for everyone else to get ready. But once the others began to rise it was different. No one said a word to me, barely looking in my direction, and when they did all I could see was hate. Even Dean who had seemed like my last ally had evidently been informed about what a horrible monster I am. I felt like I was back at the Dursleys... I felt sick.

After that warm reception I left my homework and went down to breakfast. There weren't many people in the hall yet, but the reaction was the same from those who were there. I had only choked down a few bites of food when an owl landed next to me with a letter. I didn't read it, I didn't even touch it. I knew what it was, a summons to Dumbledore again, so without even acknowledging the bird I grabbed my stuff and left.

It was a potions day of course, since the world hated me, and I was reluctant to head down there early like sitting prey and so wandered the halls until the last possible second. When I did enter the classroom it was to see two seats remaining, the old falling apart desk in the back that nobody sat at, and a seat next to Malfoy. I headed to the desk in the back.

"Mr. Potter, you will find your seat next to Mr. Malfoy." Snape growled, banishing the desk I had been heading for. For a moment I contemplated leaving when I heard the door slam shut. I knew Snape to well, he would have put the most complex locks he knew on the door and I would just look like a fool trying to get out. Resigned I took me seat, sitting as far from Malfoy as possible and took out my notes, refusing to look at anyone.

The class wasn't as horrible as I imagined, Malfoy didn't throw me on the ground and everyone didn't help him. But he did touch me every chance he got, always with that pleased smirk on his face. We looked ridiculous, me standing basically at the side of the desk in my attempt to get away, and him in my seat leaving 3/4ths of the table open. When I added the last ingredient, leaning over the table to reach it, I felt his hand on my arse. I whirled around, my arm flying out to smack him across the face before jumping two feet away from him.

"Potter, 30 points from Gryffindor for hitting a student." Snape barked while my fellow Gryffindors glared at me!

I felt so sick, sick from the touch, sick from the memories...

Thankfully the class bell rang at that moment and the door swung open. I dashed forward and grabbed my bag before sprinting out of the room, not caring if I got no points for the potion we had completed, just wanting to get away.

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This went on for weeks, and everyday I felt more broken.

I couldn't escape the glares and the whispers around the school, and still Malfoy refused to pick a new mate.

I felt dead inside; I could barely think anymore or feel anything, too tired of the constant ache that had been squeezing my chest. I wanted to cry, but I had no more tears to give. No one was there for me, no one wanted to be around me... well unless you counted Malfoy who wanted to use me.

I pushed the thought away, reminding myself not to think or else I would be throwing up what little I had managed to eat under the glares of the entire school.

Everyday Malfoy taunted me, everyday the entire school berated me on my stupidity. I thought I could take it, as long as it kept Malfoy from touching me I could ignore everything... but I was breaking.

Everyday feeling more dead and thinking that wouldn't be such a bad idea, to turn what I felt into reality.

Every night I thought about it while I held the blade over my arm. I hadn't had to cut since the summer after Sirius died, but then I had come back to Hogwarts, where I had friends and family and didn't need to anymore. But now...

Should I give up my dreams of being normal, of owning a silly little muggle bookshop, just say a big 'fuck you' to the world and let them deal with Voldemort on their own?

But something kept holding me back. For the life of me I couldn't tell you what it was, but for some reason I couldn't make that long cut down my arm. So like every night I wrapped the bandage back up my arm, not using any spell to heal the cuts or take away the pain from the last thing I seemed to have any control over.

*****

The next day I was attacked.

Not by Slytherins like you most likely expected, but by Gryffindors, my... family.

I can't get their words out of my head as I lay in the hospital wing, my chest aches once more but I'm not sure if it's from the betrayal or the cracked ribs. The horrible pain from the cuts, bruises and broken bones still consumes my body and I know... I know that if it had been anyone else Madame Pomfrey would have given them a pain potion already.

"Ok." I whisper. My voice barely discernable through the pain and the fact that I haven't used it for the last 3 weeks.

"What was that Mr. Potter?" Madame Pomfrey asked distractedly, clear disinterest in her voice.

"Ok. I'll accept him." I whisper once more. And broken at last fall unconscious.

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