Chapter Thirteen

Wednesday 2 September 1998

Draco

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is that my mate-pains are worse, and the second is that you are sad. Almost unbearably so. What's wrong, Alex?

You don't say anything, just whimper, and I can tell I'm not going to get a response out of you.

The third is that I feel... different. Even more submissive than normal. Like being around my mate, even in a dream, has enhanced my already timid and obedient nature.

"You're awake." It's Blaise. He must've stayed with me whilst I slept. I nod. Like you, I don't feel like talking. "It's almost dinner. Do you want to go down to the hall?" I shake my head no. "You sure? I don't want you cooped up here forever." For a second I think he's unhappy with me, and it terrifies me. I must look like it too, because he immediately comforts me. "Hey, it's okay. You haven't done anything wrong. Stay as long as you need, but only need, okay?" I nod my head yes. "Good sub." I let out a chirp, and blush at the sound.

"Mateo wants to hunt." Like birds of prey, which most Veela are related to, we need to hunt on a regular basis, particularly doms. "Do you mind if we catch something for you instead of grab something from the hall?" I shake my head no, I don't mind. "Okay. I'll be back in a while. Sure you don't want to come?" I nod, and he releases his wings and leaps out of the window.

I curl up in my makeshift nest, but I can't help but hate it. I didn't spend time on it, for one, and it's not the right shape at all. It's only made of my duvet and comforter as well, so only smells like me, when it should have something from everyone I care about. And a lot from my mate. It should scent more like him than me, and I hate that it doesn't. The worst thing, though, is that he's not in it. A nest is something to be shared, and alone it feels empty, making my mate-pains even worse, and making you even more upset.

Eventually I can't take it anymore and I need to get out. Not just of my 'nest', but of the dorm. It's suddenly become stifling in here.

I find myself in the library. There are a couple of people clearing up, but it's mostly empty. I keep my head down, so focused on not drawing attention to myself that I don't even notice I have until shadows are cast over the table. I look up, careful not to make eye contact, and recognise three seventh year Gryffindors.

I don't say anything, letting them speak first as a sign of respect they probably won't even recognise.

"Not so tough now, are you, you Death Eater piece of shit!" I wince, and you practically whither.

"Shouldn't be allowed to roam free after what you did. But I guess you're too pathetic to do anything now aren't you, submissive?"

"I..."

"Shut you mouth! You deserve to pay for what you and your family did!" I try to apologise, before realising he told me to be quiet. When he realises I'm not going to say anything, he punches me, and pain blossoms across my face. I rear back, trying to occupy as little space as possible, and involuntarily let out a loud whimper.

"Look how pathetic he is, can't even stand up for himself. Probably realised he fucking deserved it!"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" A new voice. The Gryffindors turn, revealing a dominant fire elf. He's a Hufflepuff from my year, the one Blaise spoke to on the train. I think his name is Macmillan. And he looks angry. His eyes are a flaming red and there's flames on the tips of his fingers.

"Teaching this piece of shit a lesson that he should've learnt a long time ago."

"Well, if you don't fuck off, I'll shove that lesson so far up your arse you'll taste it."

"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try." In one movement, Macmillan wraps his fist around the Gryffindor's neck and lifts him off the ground. The Gryffindor in question promptly starts struggling, clawing at Macmillan's hand, who refuses to let go. Knowing fire elves, that hand is probably scolding hot, and he'll have burn scars on his neck for years.

"Never, ever insult or hurt a sub, ever. Or you'll have me to answer to. Got it?" The Gryffindor makes a choking sound, which Macmillan apparently takes as confirmation, because he drops him and scowls as he and his friends scurries off.

The fire elf turns to me, eyes melting from anger into sympathy. He doesn't touch me, and I'm glad. I don't think I could handle a dom touching me right now; I'd probably end up falling at his feet.

"Are you alright?" I nod, not looking up, in case he's my mate, but he doesn't like that. "Look at me, Draco." My head lifts up of its own accord, and I make eye contact with the Hufflepuff. I breathe a sigh of relief; he's not my mate. He searches my eyes, for what I don't know, but apparently whatever he finds is satisfactory, as he nods.

"I have a right mind to rip their heads off. If you had been my mate... fuck, I don't know what I'd do. Is your mate in the castle?" I shake my head no, even though they probably are. "You want to head back to your common room?" I nod, hoping to Salazar that he'll take me. "Come on, then. I'm sure you don't want to be alone after that."

Say something. He'll think we're rude.

"Th-thank y-y-you." My voice is quiet, and it's probably only due to creature hearing that he hears me. He smiles down at me.

"You're welcome. Bastards deserved it, and more. Hurting a sub like that..." his eyes grow angry again, a fire beginning to burn in them.

"I d-deserved it." He growls, and I can't help but flinch.

"Sorry, but no, you don't. No one deserves to be bullied, especially subs." I nod, but I don't believe him. I don't want to object, though; what if bringing up my Death Eater status reminds him of how awful I was, and he gets angry and hurts me?

There's very few people in the halls, and I'm glad. I couldn't deal with the stares right now. And I don't want what happened in the library to happen again, ever.

I don't understand why they were so mean.

That's what I've been trying to tell you, 'Lex. Everyone hates me, but no one did anything because they were scared of me. And now they're not, so they can hurt me all they like. Do you understand?

But... but our mate can't hate us. We were made for them. They can't!

He probably will, Alex. I'm so sorry. But he'll hate me, and if he finds me he'll reject me.

I feel your understanding, and the intense sorrow that comes with it. Now you're even worse than before, and I feel even worse for having upset you. But it's the truth, and it's time you accepted it.

Eventually Macmillan and I reach the entrance to the common room.

"You sure you're okay?"

"F-fine." A lie. "Th-thank you. Again."

"The least I could do. I'll see you soon, Draco." He leaves, and I scurry back into my dorm. I curl up in my make-shift nest, trying to imagine it's adequate. Trying to picture my mate curled up with me, his arms around me and my head on his chest.

After a while, Blaise returns. His scent is different. It's lighter, sweeter. The scent of happiness. And it's mingled with another that seems to perfectly compliment Blaise's.

He's found his mate.

"Draco, guess what!" He's obviously over the moon, and I don't want to ruin that, so I don't tell him about my escapade to the library. I let him gush about his newly found mate- Neville Longbottom, of all people- and give me what he caught on his hunt, then go on to talk about how McGonagall wants to talk to all of us with creature inheritances.

"Do... do I have to come?" I really don't feel like leaving my 'nest' right now. I especially don't feel like leaving it to be in a room surrounded by dominants I don't know.

"Not if you feel like you can't. I can just tell you what she says, I'm sure she'll understand. Listen, Dray, I should get going, I've left Neville with Potter, but-"

"Potter?" I cut him off. "Harry Potter?"

"Do we know any other Potters?"

"Yeah, but... he has an inheritance?"

"Did you not see him go up this morning?"

"Wasn't paying attention. What is he?"

"A werewolf. A dom." Of course he fucking is. The one person who probably, understandably, hates me the most is in a prime position to... I don't know what. Hurt me, humiliate me, ruin me. Salazar, what the fuck am I meant to do? Unlike me, he was probably paying attention this morning, and saw me go up. Harry fucking Potter knows I'm a sub, and a pathetic, whimpering, scared one at that, and he's a dominant.

Blaise can see the fear in my eyes, or smells the change in my scent, because he says, "Potter won't abuse his dominance, if that's what you're scared of. You should have seen him, all he could talk about was you after he saw you run out of the hall this morning. 'Is Draco okay, have you seen Draco, how is he, do you think I should check on him?' Literally, he is one of the most obnoxiously chivalrous guys ever."

"He was worried about me?" You chirp happily at the thought of a dominant being concerned for me, us.

"Almost more than I was. He's different, Draco. He doesn't care about your past, all he knows is that you're a sub and it's his job to protect you. Trust me, aside from myself, he is the least likely to hurt you."

It reassured me somewhat, I no longer feel terrified at least, but I can't help but feel sceptical. I know for a fact that Potter hates me, and to be honest, I don't blame him. So why would he be worried about me? I just don't understand.

"I should get back. I don't like leaving my mate so long. I'll see you in a bit, okay? Shouldn't take too long."

"Bye."

And then he leaves, and I am alone.

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