Chapter 32: Chapter 4: Not a basket of roses
The day he had been told he was an Origo, Draco had been happy. It set him apart from all the other pureblood children and made him more special than he already was. Being told that you had a dominant Origo gene was a sign of good breeding to most pureblood families, an indication that they were a step closer to their ancestors.
He had excitedly read up on the subject, but as soon as he saw how a transformed Origo looked like, he was dejected. They looked monstrous, almost demonic; he didn't want to end up like that when he reached his inheritance. But his parents reassured him that this 'transformation' would only take place when a submissive was involved, and that luckily enough none were born. So Draco was content in the knowledge that he wouldn't be turning into some hideous beast sometime soon...
Of course that was 'til he heard that 'Call'.
It tickled him; literally tickled him, and he felt like he was dancing on air. From then on he felt a rush of adrenaline, emotions he couldn't explain. The chase and the prize at the end-
Then his mind went blank.
He really couldn't remember what happened next, it was like he was trapped in some sort of dream, where only the sweet sound of a thumping heartbeat companioned him. It was... it was... actually quite nice.
Then he woke up, only to see the last person he ever expected to see.
"Malfoy!"
"Potter?!"
He was stunned, frozen, perplexed... well, you get the gist.
He noticed then his state of undress, okay the state that both of them were in, and then the additional appendages. Wings and horns to be precise...
That's when Draco realized something.
"You're a submissive?" he asked.
Harry, who was in an equally stunned position, gave a weak nod as a reply.
"Oh..." was all he could say while on the inside it felt like a part of him had died.
It was Potter! Harry bloody Potter! The boy-who-wouldn't-die-and-lived-to-annoy-him in his arms!
Normally the fact he had popped Potter's cherry would have him laughing, but this was not just a one night stand, or a pointless conquest. This was forever, they were practically married, and the fact that he was still here only proved that he had mated and consummated their bond. He looked down at his hands, and the position they were in. Right on the other teen's stomach; at least that would explain the heartbeat he was hearing. It was the sound of their unborn child.
Oh Merlin, a child!
He quickly removed his hands from Harry and tried to stand up, only his instincts wouldn't let him do so with a pregnant submissive on his lap.
Draco gritted his teeth together. "Move it Potter, I need some air."
Harry blinked; slowly he realised the compromising situation they were in and jumped away from Draco, not forgetting to snatch the blanket to cover himself with. Instantly he missed the warmth coming off the other teen, and immediately berated himself for thinking such thoughts about his 'enemy' (well technically not anymore). They stood like this for a while, a nervous silence hanging thickly in the air.
Draco sighed, he couldn't just ignore this, not that it wasn't something that could simply be ignored. So he took a deep breath to steady himself, and confronted the issue.
"Do you know what is happening right now?" he asked with a hard stare.
Harry gulped, and glanced towards the books. "Kinda... I just started reading up on it."
Draco nodded and relaxed; at least he wouldn't have to explain all of this, he didn't think he could anyway. It was just too awkward.
"Good, then you should know that nothing will change between us Potter, I still dislike you," he snapped.
Harry reeled back in shock; then again he shouldn't have expected the git to behave differently towards him. "Well- well it's not like I knew this was going to happen!"
The blonde snorted. "Even so... I'm still going to support you through that," he said, throwing a glance at Harry's stomach. The submissive felt self-conscious; he tightened his grip on the blanket and glared at the other.
"I am not as cruel as to abandon the next heir to my family line."
"Gee thanks," he muttered.
Draco frowned and sighed again. "Either way I have to go talk to my parents about this," he finished and tightened his own blankets around him before turning around to leave.
"WAIT!" Harry shouted. "You can't do that!"
The dominant stopped in his tracks and turned around to glare at the raven. "Why not?" he snarled.
"You mean except for the fact that your father is a Death Eater, and wants to kill me?" honestly he thought it was an obvious reason.
Draco frowned. "My father wouldn't do that, well at least not anymore," he added thoughtfully.
"And what makes you say that?"
Draco passed him a smirk. "Because you're family now," he said, turning towards the door again. "And family means everything to us Malfoy's."
Harry hoped he had misunderstood, did Malfoy just say 'family'; no, the blonde couldn't have been talking about it in 'that' way. Probably image wise, yeah that had to be it, after all how badly would their reputation be tarnished if their youngest son knocked up some guy, much less the boy who lived? Yeah, it had to be that.
The blonde dominant opened the door only to see someone waiting outside it. "Severus," Draco greeted the Potions master.
"Draco, good to see you awake."
"Have you told mother and father about this yet?" he asked.
"No I haven't, I thought it might be best if you did. I did however reassure them that you are safe and here." They both ignored a stunned Harry behind them; he couldn't believe how civilly they were talking to each other.
"You knew that this was Malfoy all along?!" he accused the older man.
Snape gave him an indifferent stare, "Of course Potter; I am his Godfather, but you would have to be foolish not to notice."
An embarrassed blush formed on his face; it had taken him a while to recognize that it was the youngest Malfoy. Then again his excuse was that he was going through a life-changing experience here! In his ponder he forgot about Draco's and Snape's continuing conversation. That was 'til Draco started shouting his head off.
"I HAVE TO STAY HERE?!"
"Well what did you expect, that you could return home? It's too dangerous, especially for your... mate."
Draco growled in annoyance, he didn't want to stay in this stinking school for the rest of his holiday, at the same time though he couldn't risk being too far away from Potter. Their newly formed bond was much too fragile to allow much movement.
"Fine!" he spat.
"Good, now put some clothes on, Dumbledore wants to see you," he finished and walked outside of the room with a wave of his hand.
A popping sound was heard and a set of clothes appeared on the bed. Harry stared at them, and only one thought ran through is mind.
How was he meant to wear a shirt now? Not with these wings at least. He was about to ask the blonde only to see the dominant drop his blanket to pick up some jeans to wear. Harry turned away with a blush; did that guy have no decency?
"Are you getting dressed?" Draco asked, noticing that Harry still wasn't dressed.
"Er..." his blush deepened.
"Are you embarrassed Potter? You don't have anything I haven't already seen," he said with a smirk."
Harry tightened the blanket and spluttered in anger. "Get the hell out, Malfoy!" he shouted.
Draco chuckled and sauntered out of the room, although his instincts screamed at him not to. He couldn't show any weakness though, especially not towards Potter of all people. So he left the room but stayed just outside the door, keeping his senses alert. He heard shuffling and some huffing, before the sound of something tearing. It looked like Potter had tried to put a shirt one.
"Don't bother with the shirt Potty," he called out. "Hurry up, I want to get this over with."
He turned his head to see a pouting Harry exit the room with a torn shirt in hand; he chuckled and turned to walk down a hallway with confidence that his mate was following. The walk was in silence, not particularly awkward; they just didn't know what to talk about. Soon they reached the gargoyle statue, with Snape waiting in front of it.
He gave a curt nod towards them before turning to give the statue its password. The Gargoyle jumped aside and they went up the escalator-like spiral staircase 'til they came to a stop by the large double doors.
"Potter, the Headmaster wants to see you first in private." He said that last part more towards Draco than the raven.
Harry stared at the door and then without knocking entered. The headmaster was seated behind his desk, Fawkes the Phoenix perched beside him on his stand. He smiled towards Harry, blue eyes twinkling in amusement at the boy's skittish body. He gestured at the empty seat in front of the desk, and Harry sat down.
"I guess you have something to ask me?"
Harry frowned thoughtfully. "Did you know I was an Origo?"
The Headmaster leaned back in his chair. "No, if I had I wouldn't have left you with your muggle relatives. Origo, especially that of the submissive kind, need a 'special' kind of care."
"Then how-"
"I really am not at fault here Harry, most babies are tested. I guess that your parents didn't have a chance to before the attack, and I simply hadn't thought about it. At the time your safety was more important..."
'Yeah, look how safe I turned out.'
"But now there is another issue, your Uncle was severely injured during the attack by a dominant. They probably saw him as a threat towards you."
Harry gulped. "Is he alright?" he asked. Harry may not like Vernon, he'd just prefer that no one got hurt because of him anymore.
"On no he's fine, the staff at St. Mungo's have him all patched up, and modified his memory."
"I won't get charged with anything, will I?" he asked, distinctly remembering how stupidly strict the wizarding world could be, like that whole Dobby incident.
"No, no, when regarding magical creatures different rules must be followed."
Harry nodded in relief; he wouldn't be going Azkaban anytime soon. "So what happens now?" he asked.
"Well..." murmured the Headmaster. "Even though being an Origo is nothing new, precautions have to be taken. No one else in school can know what you are; also, rooming will have to change..."
"Rooming? Why?"
"Well it would seem a bit odd if you for example were suddenly sleeping in the Slytherin dorm; you and Mister Malfoy will have your own room away from everyone else, and then of course we have to make preparations for the upcoming pregnancy... but that can be sorted out another time," he added, noticing how pale the boy went.
"Don't worry Harry, everything will be fine," he said with a kind smile.
Yeah, like being attached to that git would make thing 'fine'.
~Meanwhile~
Draco was beyond agitated, what was taking them so long? What was so important that Ha-Potter had to go alone?
The blonde dominant knew this was just his instincts speaking, but the wait was driving him mad! If he wasn't let in soon he would break the damn door down.
"Something wrong Draco?" asked Snape. Now he may sound concerned, but that smug grin plastered on the Potion's Master's face only told how much he was enjoying watching Draco suffer. He loved watching the blonde fidget and lose control in such an un-Malfoyish manner. So the Potion's Master only got a growl as a reply.
"You have to keep calm Draco, your 'mate' will be fine."
"Don't say that word!" he snapped at the older man.
Severus knew he was toeing the boundary, so he let it go for now. "So how are you taking it?" he asked.
"How am I meant to take it? This is a bloody disaster, and now I'm stuck with Potter as a life partner!"
"I could imagine worse."
"Like what?"
"Going through that engagement with that Parkinson girl your mother was planning." He smirked and opened the door to the Office.
Draco made a gagging sound; okay so there could be worse things than Potter. Voldemort and Pansy were some of them. Still, it didn't have to mean he should be happy with this.
They entered the room; Snape went to stand behind Dumbledore, while Draco took the seat beside Harry.
"Well Mister Malfoy, I'm sure you understand what is going on?" Draco nodded. "Good, arrangements are being made about your accommodations, I'm guessing separate beds?" he asked with a hint of amusement. They both nodded vigorously.
"Good, of course this has to be kept a secret; no one outside of the Order must find out, especially not the Dark Lord. We will conceal your identities for now with a charm. There will be some changes to your lesson plan, but I don't think anything major. Oh, and here," he said, handing them two envelops. "Your OWL grades; you would have gotten them later, but to make these few adjustments some sacrifices have to be made."
Harry didn't know what Dumbledore meant by that, but Malfoy seemed to understand completely, so he just nodded.
"Excellent, your new rooms are ready and the House-elves have already brought your things there, just follow Professor Snape. Ah, and Harry I would wait a while before talking to the Weasley's," he finished with a smile.
Harry and Draco said their goodbyes to the Headmaster and followed Snape towards their room. Harry didn't recognize the area at all, there was much of Hogwarts he hadn't explored, but this part didn't seem like a place for students. There were no suits of armour lining the hallway; the portraits were not of people, but breathtaking scenery. It seemed more open, less crowded and welcoming.
Draco however knew exactly where this was. He couldn't help but go pale; this was the honeymoon area! Centuries ago, there would be a lot of young arranged marriages, and the school would accommodate those couples, and now he was going to live in one! Dumbledore had to be joking! He watched his Godfather angrily, that man was enjoying this way too much.
They came to a stop by a very tall portrait; it depicted a waterfall surrounded by a lush rainforest.
"Satus ut panton." (Origin to everything- I couldn't think of anything better)
The Portrait opened, and he turned towards them. "If you need anything... don't bother telling me." And with that he left.
Draco and Harry stared at each other before the blonde stepped inside with Harry following right behind. The lounge was a luxurious place with a bookshelf, a chocolate-brown love seat that a small coffee table sat in front of it, and beside it an overstuffed armchair. A large fireplace near the front door that had a white cashmere rug in front of it, and wide bay windows that let the bright sunlight through gave the room a look of lavishness. There were two doors, which Harry guessed led to their separate rooms. Harry walked towards the bookshelf and noticed that the books Dumbledore had lent him about the Origo were already there.
"I'm guessing this is my room," the blonde commented as he opened one of the doors.
It was Slytherin green, with silver fittings and a silky black bedspread. Harry wondered what his room looked like. He opened the other door; it was a lot warmer than Malfoy's room, with reds and gold, and luckily with an en-suite. At least they wouldn't have to share a bathroom; he didn't want to know how long Draco took to get ready. But he seemed like the type to spend his life in front of a mirror. His trunk was resting at the foot of his bed, but Harry didn't feel like unpacking; instead he decided to see what grades he got.
Suddenly his palms seemed unusually sweaty; he ripped the seal and took out the piece of paper and was amazed by what he saw. "I passed Potions?" he couldn't believe it. This had to be a mistake; maybe it was just Snape's presence that managed to unnerve him during lessons. Most of his other subjects he passed with an 'E', so he was bound to get the subjects he wanted to do. Excitedly he went out of the room, and saw Draco sitting on the couch looking over his own OWL's.
"Give me your paper, I need to look over it to see how we can manage."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked handing him the paper; it somehow irked him how civilly they were acting towards each other.
"Our bond doesn't let us move too far from each other, and since we don't share all the same subjects we'll have to make a few compromises. You passed Potion's? Hmm, you can't take the subject though."
"Why not?"
Draco gave him a disbelieving look. "You're pregnant Potter, and last time I heard Potion fumes aren't too good for expecting mothers. Not to mention if a cauldron were to explode what would happen then?"
"But I have to take it!"
"Why?" he asked, looking back over the papers.
"I'm trying to be an Auror!"
"Well you'll have to do something else then."
"Wait! Don't you need Potions as well? You can't stop me doing it if you need it as well!"
Draco became quiet and thoughtful; Potter was right. This was going to take a lot longer than first expected. He should have known that Potter wouldn't just lay down and let him make all the decisions.
"And I won't give up 'Care of Magical Creatures' either!" the raven piped up.
Draco sighed; this was going to take a while.