Changes of Life

Title: Changes of Life
Chapter: 7
Overall Rating: NC17
Pairing: Harry/Draco, Blaise/Seamus (on the side), others
A/N: hm… tell me what you think please? ^_^


IMPORTANT: Obviously my fanfic is AU now. So keep in mind, this takes place without what we all have read in the 6th book.

Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1


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“So what happened anyway?” Harry asked, now that he was out of the infirmary. Before he was released for lunch, Draco, Seamus, and Blaise had came to the infirmary. Turns out Madame Pomfrey wanted Harry watched for the next 24 hours to make sure he didn’t fall back into his coma, despite the spells and charms Pomfrey put on him, and the fact that he had waken from it extremely quickly.

“Well, you growled, then jumped out the window. Honestly, Harry, I didn’t know you were so into adrenaline rushes.”

Draco gave Blaise a small glare. “I found you pretty far out from the school, on the ground, unconscious. Seemed to have bumped your head pretty hard.” Draco finished. He wouldn’t tell Harry about him being depressed before the collision with the tree. Everything was pretty confusing lately.

“Oh.” Harry said softly.

“How did you get so far, and get out with anything less than death, anyway?” Blaise asked.

Harry was thinking about how to answer that without telling them about what he was, and remembering flying.

Fortunately, he was saved by Seamus who let out an “Oh!” and turned the volume up a little bit. Harry had let Seamus borrow his music cube, so apparently one of Seamus’ favorite songs came on. By then, they had reached the Great Hall, so Harry and Seamus let Blaise and Draco go in first, Draco mentioning this was the only meal of the day he didn’t eat just fruit.

Seamus was bobbing his head to the music, looking quite odd to anyone who passed by, and Harry found himself hungry. Not the kind of hunger that can be satisfied by regular food. He didn’t want Seamus around to see him chewing quite contently on a blood lollipop. So Harry just told Seamus that he wasn’t too hungry, and to go on in without him.

***

By the time DADA rolled around, everyone was talking with their friends, not expecting the teacher to be here again today, as still no one saw anyone new at the teacher table.

Harry chose to sit with Seamus, rather than anyone else he one day would have thought cared about him. Draco and Blaise were getting quite a few odd looks, as they were the only Slytherins in the class. There were, however, quite a bit of students that passed their owls to continue with DADA. Most of them being Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. There were only about 4 Hufflepuffs and Draco and Blaise were the only Slytherins.

Harry could overhear some of the things the others were saying. Most of them were very curious as to what they were doing here, but cautious, and didn’t want to ask. Draco looked bored, scanning over something in a book, and Blaise also ignored the others by writing something on a piece of parchment.

Seamus spoke up then. “It was like this yesterday, too. I hope the professor comes in today. It’s just a waste of our time if not, I think.” He glanced at Blaise.

The room was quite full, as all the houses were collected into this one class.

Harry saw some people glance at him, then away. Then again. No one talked about him though. Harry gave a quiet growl, low in his throat. Quiet enough to where Seamus could barely hear it. He was annoyed with the way everyone kept looking at him. Couldn’t they just mind their own damn business? It’s not like they even had to look in his direction as Harry and Seamus were sitting in the back row.

“Harry.” Seamus whispered to Harry, making Harry look at him. Seamus looked back, a look on his face as if he was trying to figure something out and read something off Harry at the same time. “What are you?”

Seamus’ question was not answered, however, when at that moment, a voice spoke up. Loud enough, but soft and delicate at the same time. It was a woman’s voice, no doubt. “Sorry I’m late.”

The entire class fell into silence as their eyes moved to look over the woman. Nothing could be seen of her, but a black cloak she wore. The hood was low so it shadowed over her facial features, to where no one could tell who it was.

She took her place behind the professor’s desk and spoke again. “Welcome class.”

Draco’s eyes went wide then, realization hitting him. He quickly covered it up, but not before letting out a soft groan. Blaise, who had been the only one to hear it, gave him a questioning look, but Draco just nodded towards the professor.

“Things will be a little different this year.” The professor spoke up again. “First of all…” She raised her wand, and all of the DADA books started to float and mingle over her desk. “There will be no text books.” The books burst into flames.

A mingle of cries and sounds of protest could be heard from a few of the students, some were smiling, others were just seeing where this was going. Hermione was especially upset, nearly in tears.

The books started to crumble from the fire, and pieces fell on the floor and desk. Then the desk started on fire. The professor didn’t even take one step back. She just stood there, and let it burn.

When every book and the desk were burned, and there was only a big pile of ashes on the floor, she made the ashes disappear. “Don’t worry. I will reimburse you for the books. As for the desk…” With a wave of her wand, a brand new mahogany desk took place where the old one used to be. “That’s better. See? No harm done.”

That last sentence seemed a little too cheerful.

“She’s had two lumps in her tea this morning.” Draco whispered out, quietly.

“Now, for my introduction.” She waived her wand again. “I have placed a silencing charm on every one of you. And no, you can’t take it off. I want you to hear me. First of all, unspoken magic will be one thing we will learn about, but before that, my introduction. I am…” She took off her hood and a collection of gasps could be heard as she said, “Narcissa Malfoy. You may call me Professor Malfoy, or better yet, Professor B, for reason I have no need in discussing. Some of you may be wondering why I have this job. Or even why I chose it? With the husband I have, don’t you think I would know some defensive spells not found in books? Why I chose this job, well, that really has no purpose to me telling you.”

Narcissa scanned the classroom, taking in the expression on each student’s face. She was pleased to find that most did not care too much that she would be their new professor. Her eyes landed on Harry, and a tingling in her hands could be felt. Odd… he couldn’t really… could he? Passing that thought away for now, she continued her scan.

When she was finished, she spoke again. “I will take the charm off now, but you will still give me your silence and attention. I expect most of you to know how to listen by now. Taking notes will be a good habit to get into for this class, as it is the only material thing you will have when receiving overnight work.”

Surprisingly, every eye stayed on Narcissa. Every student stayed quiet, listening to her. Harry heard Seamus snicker softly, and quietly, so that no one was supposed to hear him. But due to Harry’s increase in senses, he did. Harry gave him a questioning look before looking back at Draco’s mom. What exactly was going on here? How could she be a new professor? And… something was odd about her… different…

Narcissa had taken to walking around the class while she spoke. As she passed by Harry and Seamus’ table, Harry caught a scent unlike the normal wizard scent, and below the slight perfume she wore.

“Veela.” Harry suddenly hissed out quietly, so not even Seamus could hear him. He didn’t even recognize the scent, but obviously that’s what his instinct told him.

Narcissa, who was halfway back up to the front of the class, turned around, stopping in her speech. She walked back up to Harry and Seamus’ table. Then in a voice just above a whisper, she asked a question. “Do you have something to say, Mr. Potter?”

“No…” Harry replied, not much louder.

“Very well then.” She replied, moving back to the front of the class, continuing in her speech. It was a basic overview of the course for the year, and hints to what could make this year of DADA virtually hassle free.

As the end of the class drew near, Narcissa finished her speech and told Harry to stay after class. Harry went to the professor’s desk, while Seamus waited just a few feet away. Narcissa waited until practically everyone was gone. Blaise and Draco were standing between where they were seated and the door, Draco hesitant to leave, or wait to see what his mother was doing and talk with her.

“Draco, we can talk later. See me back here after supper. Finnegan, you may also leave.” Narcissa dismissed them.

“Harry is supposed to have someone with him at all times. Madame Pomfrey’s orders…” Seamus spoke up.

“Oh?” Narcissa said. “Very well, Zabini, stay here please.” She spoke just before Blaise and Draco left the room. Draco gave his mother a curious look before slipping the mask of his emotions back on and leaving the room. Seamus also left, but not without a look back at Harry and Blaise, as Blaise walked up to the front, and sat on one of the front tables.

“Zabini, I’m sure you can see from Potter’s aura that he is…”

“Not just a wizard… yes…” Blaise finished for her, glancing at Harry.

“Yes, well. That is why if there were to be one person here, I chose you. Now Potter, I can already tell by myself that you are not just a wizard. It has just been confirmed with your realization, quite suddenly, that I was a veela. I am, in fact, a veela. But the question is, what are *you* to know this of me?”

Harry was silent. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell her, or anyone for that matter of what he truly was…

“Or…” Narcissa spoke up at his silence. “Should I just have to ask Adrian?”

Harry gave a start at that. “A-Adrian? You know Adrian?”

“Yes. We’ve been friends for… as long as I can remember…” Narcissa said, thinking about something before quickly going back to the matter at hand.

*Shit* Harry thought. If they were friends, then no doubt Adrian would tell her. But what about Blaise finding out? Harry looked at Blaise, with a small glare, as if to say that he was serious and as a warning. “Swear to me, you won’t tell another living, or un-living, soul this.” After seeing Blaise nod, he turned to look back at Narcissa. “You can’t either, professor. Not even Dumbledore, not even Draco.”

Narcissa whispered a spell before saying “What’s said in this room, stays in this room, so the saying goes. Your secret is safe.”

Harry took a breath before speaking again. He had never told anyone this. “Turns out there’s more to my parents. My father was a vampire, my mother was a demon. I’ve inherited both.”

Blaise gasped, and looked at Harry, seeing that the aura fit with what Harry said. Narcissa had smiled slightly. “Interesting combination.” She said softly, before speaking at a normal level again. “Would you mind speaking with me one day about how it’s like? I’m sort of curious to know how the two blend.”

“Yeah…” Harry said.

“Well, it’s getting late, I shouldn’t keep you too long, and we’ll talk later. I’m sure dinner is still in progress.” Narcissa dismissed them, before getting up and going to her office behind the front wall.

“Wow.” Blaise said just before they left the room. “Hey, if you need someone to talk to, one that knows, I’m here, okay?” He didn’t really know what to say…

They walked to the Hall in silence and Harry walked in first, followed seconds after by Blaise, both looked annoyed that they were called back together after class.

Harry sat next to Seamus, and Seamus leaned over. “How was it?” He asked Harry.

“Not bad… though I don’t really feel like talking about it.”

“Okay.”

Harry was bored, and had no appetite. He poked at his food for a bit, letting his eyes wander over people in the Great Hall. His eyes landed on Draco, who was eating a peach now, and almost immediately, raised his eyes to look back at Harry. They stared at each other for a few seconds, before Seamus nudged Harry, causing Harry to look at Seamus.

“Don’t make things *too* obvious…”

Harry just shrugged and went back to looking over people. When his eyes passed Dumbledore, his eyes found the old wizard again, and chills went down his back, suddenly remembering what he saw before crashing into a tree.

More importantly, he remembered what he felt…

Suddenly standing up, Harry left the Great Hall, leaving both Seamus and Draco to watch in confusion.

Harry pushed past the doors. As soon as he was outside, he ran. He went straight for the tree he had crashed against, and took his ritual dagger out as he ran. He stopped just before the tree and stabbed the dagger in it with as much frustration as he felt. Gasping, he fell to the floor, and put his head in his hands, taking a few deep breaths.

When he lowered his hands, and looked at the ground, he saw a snake curled up at the base of the tree. Instantly recognizing it, he spoke. ^Tiamut?^

Tiamut opened its eyes and raised it‘s head, sniffing the air before turning it‘s gaze to Harry. ^Master? So you have come back to this place. I smelled your scent around here and stayed here for you.^

^Where did you go?^

^Adrian needed me for something. I am sorry, but it was a deal. He would give me to you but only after accomplishing something else. If you wish to know what it was, you have to ask Adrian yourself.^

Harry reached out to the tree and dragged his nails against the bark. ^What’s wrong with me?^

^What do you mean, master?^

Harry wrapped an arm around his waist, and laid the other over it. ^I feel cold…^

Tiamut slithered out of his coil and up Harry so that he was draped around the boy’s shoulders. ^Perhaps you should go back inside, though it’s rather warm out here…^

^I don’t know what’s wrong…^ Harry felt a tear escape one eye, taking him completely by shock. He bit his bottom lip hard and wiped the tear away, then licked at his lip, tasting his own blood.

“How dare you let him leave without following! He could have fallen back into his--” Draco’s angry words, and running, were cut short at seeing Harry.

Seamus also seeing Harry, took a sigh of relief that he had not fallen back into his coma and Draco’s anger could be stopped for now.

However, seeing the state of Harry wasn’t exactly one of the best things either. Draco eyed the snake around Harry’s shoulders warily as he made his way slowly to Harry. “Harry?” He asked.

Harry looked at Draco, before looking back down at the ground again. Harry looked extremely pale, and he was shivering.

Then Harry caught it. A scent he had smelled before. Slightly different, but it made sense now. “Draco… you’re a veela.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

“I…” Draco started in surprise, but stopped himself. It was silent for a while before Draco spoke again. “Yes… how did you know?”

“Your smell…” Harry said before he could stop himself.

“What? My smell?”

“Yeah. Every creature has their own smell. It tells them apart from others who… well, I’m sure you’d know, you’d be able to smell them too, right?”

“Not exactly…”

“Help me, Draco. The snake… won’t bite… my pet…”

Draco reached out and touched Harry’s arm, surprised to find it as cold as ice. Eyes widening slightly, he turned Harry to face him, and put a hand on each of Harry’s arms. The boy looked like he was about to feint. “Harry, don’t pass out. Stay with me, okay.” He spoke running his hands up and down the cold arms for frictional heat.

Harry just nodded and leaned into Draco. “So cold…”

“I know, Harry…” Draco said, removing his hands and unclasped his school robe, taking it off and wrapping it around Harry before taking the boy into his arms for body heat . It was indeed warm out, and this would normally be a hot position if it weren’t for Harry’s ice cold body.

Draco looked up from Harry and saw that Seamus was no longer with them.

“Do you know who your mate is? Or is that ‘veela’s have mates’ thing just a rumor?” Harry whispered.

Draco paused for a bit before answering, “It’s not just a rumor, and… yes, I know who my mate is…”

“She’s very lucky…” Harry said even quieter, though Draco had heard it. And now he could start to feel wetness on his neck. Was Harry… crying?

“Are you okay?” Draco asked.

Harry pulled back from Draco, getting very upset. “No, I’m not okay! And it’s ever since I saw *him*! I don’t know what the fuck’s going on! I don’t know what’s wrong, I don’t know what’s happening to me!” He was crying harder now. “And now I can’t even stop these damned tears!” He started shaking now and closed his eyes tightly, but that only led to memories of his past resurfacing.

Times when he had cried weren’t taken very well. His uncle loved to make him cry since he was little. Played it like some sort of sport or game. And when Harry did break and cry, he was abused very badly because of it. So he tried teaching himself to control his tears, and had gotten very good at it over time, though the better he got at it, the worse things his uncle did.

Draco pulled Harry back into his arms and stroked his back. Overcome by what he wanted to say, he let the words out without thinking twice. “Shh, Harry, it’s okay. I’m here now, I won’t let anyone hurt you, its okay, we’ll figure out what’s wrong, everything will be okay.”

Harry was calming down considerably now feeling the comforting embrace of Draco and the words he was saying.

“You won’t ever have to go back to that uncle of yours, I’ll make sure of it.”

“How did you know about that?” Harry asked, surprised now, he never actually said anything about his uncle.

Draco thought for a bit as to how to go about answering that when he just sighed. “My mate isn’t a girl… after all, you’re quite obviously a guy.”

“Wha--”

But before Harry could say anything, Draco was speaking again. “But don’t feel like you’re forced into anything. You’re not. If you don’t choose me, it’ll be okay, I can still live, you don’t have to be with me if you don’t want to, don’t feel forced. Do what you want.”

Harry paused, taking this all in. So maybe mates did work both ways then? “I want you…” Harry said quietly, leaning back into Draco. “But first I want whatever’s wrong with me to be fixed.”

Draco was silent. Shocked. Did Harry just say…

“I got Madame Pomfrey…” Seamus said, sounding out of breath as a bustled Pomfrey came up.


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Okay... *hopes for more reviews*

Next chapter out as soon as I can