And . . . then

And then . . .

Author: Ancient Will-o’-the-Wisp

Beta: Smart “serpensortia” She’s my lovely little . . . beta? There’s just no other word.

Warnings: This is a slash fic of Harry and Draco, so be warned and leave if you don’t want to read it . . . well and review if you do! No sex here just kissing.
They might be OOC as well and I’m sorry for that, really. I try my best . . . please don’t be mad at me. ;_;

Disclaimer: Nothing of this belongs to me except maybe the mistakes in the text. ^-^

Summery: In the final battle against Voldie Harry suddenly discovers his mate. But his mate has been grievously hurt. So . . . This is a story of Ancient Will-o’-the-Wisp.


A/N: I know, I know . . . I’m still working on all my other fics, promise! ^.^’ But this little one just needs to be written down. I hope I got the right emotions jammed into it.
The idea to it come to me when I was at work, rewriting shelf mark-labels and listening to music I never heard before and I still don’t know who sang it or which title it held. *sigh* ^.^ Have fun.

Harry looked around in sudden confusion. Something felt odd, out of place and just . . . not right.
Something smelled strange and his senses were whirling because of it. All his vampiristic abilities were in a mess and he could not see straight for a moment. This had never happened before and he blinked in bewilderment.

Normally no one would just stand were they were in the middle of a battlefield but Harry was not normal since . . . he really could not remember.

First, he was not normal because he was the-boy-who-lived with all the fame and problems. Then he had been bitten and had not had a chance to be normal anymore because now he was a vampire.

Dumbledore had pressed him to search for his mate because he would get stronger if he found it before the final battle. Sadly, he had not found it by now and was still Harry . . . vampire Harry, in the middle of the final battle with the Dark Lord everyone feared, who actually was already dead, and a horde of Death Eaters.

What the raven-haired teen had not mentioned to the old headmaster was that he gained a few skills as a vampire that he had trained and with them, he had defeated Voldemort. By now, the Dark Lord was dead, truly dead but no one knew it because with his death all his power and magic over people vanished as well. He was okay with it because he wished the world he would live on to be free of any other Death Eater who wanted to reclaim the throne of Voldemort.

He looked around again, silently without moving one muscle of his body. He just watched how everyone else was fighting hard to get rid of the danger that they had, had to learn to live with.

Hermione fought against a woman he never had seen before. Ron was right beside him, tackling Langstrain Senior to the ground and pointed his wand at him to end it. Neville fought with Bellatrix-the-bitch to take revenge for his parents. Somehow, Neville had gotten so much stronger since he had trained his abilities in their DA sessions and Harry was sure he would get Bellatrix down alone so he did not have to interference in their fight.

Seamus and Dean fought down Crabbe and Goyle Senior. Ginny hopped around and healed those, which needed help badly. They had found out in their sixth year that she was a gifted healer, with many abilities and she had trained them constantly. By now, she was almost better than Madame Pomfrey herself.

Remus fought alone with Greyback. Snape tried to keep the Dementors in order with the help of Lucius Malfoy. Draco fought on both sides, once he fired spells and hexes at remained Death Eaters then he turned and helped his father and godfather with the Dementors.

Strangely, the whole Malfoy family had come one a day into Dumbledore’s office and declared that they wanted to turn sides, that they wanted to help defeating Voldemort. At first of course,
no one was sure about their intentions of their change but they managed to proof their loyalty towards their side.

Somehow, everyone . . . almost everyone accepted them after this proof. However, it still confused him sometimes so he did not think about it very often. He shoved the thought of the Malfoy family into the back of his mind; it was not important right now. However, he could not help it and looked over to the blonde heir again.

Some Death Eater scum fired a hex at him but Draco had not noticed yet, he was too concentrating on the Dementors in front of them. Suddenly Harry felt like he was seeing everything in slow motion and watched with rising horror how the red beaming light of the hex flew towards the blonde who was not aware of it.

Something felt odd again. And then right before the spell hit home, something clicked in his head and he ‘knew’ he had to give everything to protect Draco of that hex. He needed to! He had no choice! He needed to keep “HIS” mate safe!

The raven-haired teen was just about to move when abruptly someone took his arm and yanked him away from his target. He jerked back in anger, a snarl on his lips but it was Ron who held him back.

“Let go of me! I don’t have time for that now!” he screamed in fear for his mate when he was taken away from him. “Don’t be stupid Harry! He isn’t worth even trying to help.” the redhead shouted back and tugged at his friend’s arm again.

Angry green eyes flashed into a furious red and his magic went berserk at the comment of his friend. How dare he . . . With an impulsive curse he pushed Ron out of his way and he ran straight to the blonde teen who needed his help badly.
However, it was too late. He had taken too long and now Draco was on the ground a huge wound in his back and blood spilt all around him. Harry could almost feel the agonising pain the blonde was in and shouted enraged. It only took a little moment and the responsible Death Eater was down, his life taken from him.

Softly he tugged at Draco’s body and tried his best to heal him but he knew little to nothing about healing. He had failed his mate, just discovered and already failed him.

“Ginny!” he cried out at the top of his lungs and held the light body close to him.


************************

Harry felt lost. It was as if there was a hole in his heart as if he had lost something or someone precious to him. Silently he looked at the blonde in his hospital bed and noticed how pale the boy really was but maybe it was just because he still was weak and had not woken up by now.

Of course, Ginny had come when he had cried after her for help. She had done her best with everything she had within her at that moment but had said that he needed to be send to St. Mungus quickly for better medical aid otherwise the Malfoy heir would die fast out here.

This had been the second pang in his heart that day and he had gathered the pale blonde in his arms carefully and apparated straight into the wizarding hospital. They had taken him away from him and had ordered him to stay outside. He had protested, wanted to make sure his mate would be okay but it was no help there. Harry was forced to follow their strict advice and wait until he was allowed inside again.

During this time, he felt numb and his heart had arched to be near the other teen so badly that he had almost lost. He had not been able to think clearly with his foggy mind and self-accusation.

When they come out of the emergence room some time later, they had said that it had been good that he had come so quickly because the boy hadn’t had much time left but they had been able to stabilize him. Now it would only take time until he would wake again, when his body had restored his magical energy completely.

Harry sat by his side and watched over him the whole time. He still held all guilt and mourned over it silently. Now he knew who his mate was but why had he not seen it before now? He had only one answer to that and it did not stop him from blaming himself. Maybe it was his fault because he had not trusted the blonde completely and had pushed all thoughts away from him, which held the other teen in them.

But why? When he looked at him now, when he was like this, he felt miserable and tired but when he had laughed, Harry himself had been somewhat happy too. So why had he not allowed any thoughts of the boy in his mind. He knew that there always had been tension between them . . . in whatever kind it could be. Even other people had been aware of that.

No one had been able to get so, under his skin as Draco could. And no one had been able to tease Draco out of his trained indifference and coldness, only he had held this power over him. He just should have noticed it before!

Hermione had said when she had visited him that mostly it was like this. Almost everyone had to almost loose something or someone dear to notice what he or she really meant to him or her. That it was normal and he should not blame himself for Draco’s condition now.

But he did! He blamed himself for it and it felt right! Because would he have seen it before he would not have left his side for long to be able to protect him and keep him safe.

But, he knew now that it was too late to think about that any longer. He could not change the past but he could change their future and he would! That was the only thing sure right now. He would not let their past dislike for them come up again!

*********************

With a little, almost unnoticeable shudder the blonde awoke softly. Slowly he opened his blurry eyes and waited until his head would did not hurt so much anymore. His back hurts a bit but it was not that bad, only a soft twinge that would go away in time he hoped.

He mumbled something he could not make out and let his head fall to the felt side were he noticed another face right before his own. Confused Draco blinked shortly until a gentle smile come to his lips. Harry Potter was seated into a chair by his bedside. The teen had fallen asleep with his head leaned on his pillow for a little comfort.

Softly he mumbled something again and turned to the right side to look if there was another person as well. He was right. Pansy set on his bed and petted his hand, which he had not noticed until now and cried soundlessly as she watched him.

“Pansy.” he said almost unnoticed and shook his head slightly. His voice was hoarse and he felt like he needed a bit water to soothe the arching in his throat a little. She seemed to understand him and quietly left his side to return a moment later with a tiny mug of water.

Still crying she helped him up to take a sip and seated herself again beside him on the hospital bed. “It’s about time you wake up again.” was the first she said in a tight voice because of her crying. “You had kept your time.”

The blonde smiled slowly at her and understood that she and Blaise had been worried of him.
He opened his mouth to ask why Potter was here but she shook her head and silenced him every time he tried to speak.

“He brought you here; he lifted you in his arms, brought you here, and hasn’t left your side for more than a few minutes. He was worried about you too; Granger and Longbottom are as well. I know it sounds strange but . . . Harry somehow holds you dear to him and they understand that. Weasley tried to hold him back when he tried to reach you to help or take the curse himself . . . I don’t know. However, Weasley died because of it. I saw it… Harry’s eyes flashed a ruby red and Weasley fell to the ground and did not move again. Harry,” she motioned towards the raven-haired teen on his other side, “didn’t look back at him once. He was completely focused on you and he was devastated when he saw the amount of blood you had lost.”

She was silent for a while and watched the understanding come to his face slowly. Her own voice was hoarse itself now and she took his mug for a second time but this time to smooth the hurt in her own throat.

“You know, we visited you often and believe me here when I tell you that you were out cold for over a week, but everytime he thought we wouldn’t hear him he mumbled just one sentence towards you or to himself . . . I really don’t know why.

‘Everything, but not Draco! Everything, but not Draco!’ repeatedly.

“You’re important to him so be nice when he wakes again.” She smiled tenderly at him and kissed his cheek as a goodbye. Without another word, she left him with Harry Potter still sleeping beside him.

Slowly the blonde turned his head again this time with a thoughtful expression in his eyes. Did he really? Again, he shook his head he would wait what would happen when the teen beside him would wake up. He wanted to move and touch the other one, wanted him to wake up and talk . . . but . . . he wanted to watch him sleep too and felt confused but pleased the same time. So he remained silent and looked at Harry Potter’s face for maybe the first time.

He noticed that his features were sharper since he had become a vampire, his eyes too but that he already had known. Still he was mesmerized when he looked into them for too long. He had never understood why but suddenly it was not important anymore. His nose was straight and his mouth thin but it looked soft. His hair was as untamed as ever and fell around his face like a lion’s mane but it looked soft too and he wanted to touch it as well.

The raven-haired teen stirred softly and opened his sharp eyes immediately, already fully awake. Draco gulped and tried to look away but his own grey orbs were bound to his emerald ones. “What are you doing here?” he asked quietly and still could not look away.

Harry smiled softly and rose from the bed. He watched Draco’s slight discomfort and a tiny smirk played on his lips while he looked at the other boy. “I was watching over you.” he explained shortly and kept looking at him, watching how the blonde shifted under the covers in his unease. “You scared me.” he suddenly whispered with a serious tone and troubled orbs.

Then the blonde’s eyes were on him once again with just a bit confusion in them but it seemed he did not dare to say something. “When I was hexed?” Draco pressed the words through his lips, his throat unexpectedly dry and he blinked when he heard his voice shaking vaguely.

Harry only nodded and looked closely at the blonde before him. He could make out the little smile on his lips and the confused contentedness in his eyes easily and smiled calmly at him. Then Draco’s gaze softened and a grateful smile came to his mouth. “Thank you.”

The raven-haired one nodded again and a peaceful silent washed over them while they watched each other confidentially trying to figure out what the other might think or say next.

“You belong to me now.” Harry said and broke through the blonde’s thoughts when he mentioned the subject that concerned him the most right now. He smirked playfully when Draco only lifted an eyebrow and said, “Do I?”

“I saved your life.” the emerald-eyed one nodded quietly.

“That you did.” Draco smirked back, enjoying the little game the other teen wanted to play, with swirling happiness in his grey orbs.

They locked eyes again, emerald meeting silver.

“Do you want to belong to me?” Harry asked quietly, no emotion shown in his green orbs while he watched the other boy for any sign of denial. Then he furrowed his brows, somehow this had sounded wrong but he found no other words to describe it any better.

Draco watched his blankets as if they were the most interesting thing he knew, deep in thoughts for a moment. Did he? Was he okay with it?

“Strangely . . . yes.” he replied in a soft tone, his voice almost unheard but he didn’t look up; he just couldn’t right now with a gentle pink on his cheeks.

The raven-haired teen smirked to himself and slowly leaned forward, his hands by Draco’s side and his face only mere inches away from the other boy’s.

Then the blonde looked up a bit startled because of Harry’s sudden closeness and his cheeks reddened even more. He watched the other teen, noticed the swirling in his deep green eyes, felt his hot breath on his cheek and saw the little smirk on his lips. Unknown warmth flew through him and butterflies troubled his stomach. With a tiny sigh, he leaned into the other teen and touched their lips together for only a soft moment and broke away again. Not as far enough to bring some distance between them only so he could still feel Harry’s moist breath on his mouth. His eyelids fluttered and he took a deep breath. It had only been a little kiss; like a child gave his parents . . . or a bit different . . . but it still had quite an impact on him.

He felt Harry’s short breath and then was gently pushed backwards so he lay on his bed again waiting, wondering what would happen next. Then the other one’s lips were back on his, Harry now standing beside the bed and leaning over him. He let him dominate the kiss, was too heated in this short time to even think of anything else.

Harry deepened their touch a little, let their breaths mingle together and softly nibbled on the other boy’s lips when he heard Draco’s almost silent whimper in the back of his throat. Lovingly he stroked his bottom lip with his tongue until the blonde opened his mouth only a tiny bit and let their tongues touch each other for the first time.

However, it was not enough, he wanted more and so Harry slipped his tongue into the blonde’s mouth tenderly touched their tongues together again; let them taste each other until Draco backed away in a sudden feeling of shyness.

He chuckled softly and then moaned quietly when Draco nibbled on his lips and pulled him closer, let his fingers stroke through the raven locks of his and seemed to be amazed with its softness.
He deepened their kiss even more, was now almost on top of the other boy to let their bodies touch completely when . . .

Suddenly the door banged open and an annoyed good-looking mediwizard stormed through it with a horde of giggling nurses behind him.


A/N: Ho, ho, ho . . . I’m done with it! ^.^ I know it’s a short one and most things are more or less kept unimportant but . . . you know. ^-^’
At the moment, I have no internet I think I used my quiet time well, even if it still has many mistakes.
Regardless of this please review and tell me what you think. ^_^