Through The Fire

Year Five: Part Five

Harry was having a difficult time focusing. The Wolf Pack was in the Room of Requirement, practicing new spells. Harry was so distracted that he'd managed to get hit by two stunners and a jelly-legs hex. It was usually much harder to hit Harry. Draco swiftly pulled him away from the dueling pairs. He knew that Harry was preoccupied with thoughts of the horcrux and the ritual. Draco was nervous as well. But they had to be able to continue on.

"Harry, it's not safe to duel if you're not going to pay attention," Draco chided. "I know you're worried, but you're going to get hurt."

"I can't help it," Harry murmured. "It's a big deal."

"I agree," Draco responded calmly. "But worrying doesn't help. It won't fix anything. It only makes you a hazard during training."

"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly.

"Why doubt you work with the pups for a little while," Draco suggested, smoothing down Harry's rumpled shirt. "It'll make you feel better." He gave Harry a little push toward their youngest members. They were less likely to cause his boyfriend permanent damage.

Harry walked around the corner to where the pups were working with Blaise. They were safely hidden from stray spells from the older students and had room to work on their own spells.

"Taking over?" Blaise asked cheerfully.

"Yes," Harry replied, unable to stop his smile when the pups cheered. Blaise offered a wink and moved back to the older students.

A first year Hufflepuff, a new recruit, hurried forward and hugged Harry excitedly. "What are you going to teach us Alpha?" she asked eagerly.

Harry smiled indulgently. He could feel himself relaxing already. "What would you like to know?" he asked. He laughed when they all answered at once.

An hour later, Draco found Harry sitting on the floor with the pups gathered around him. He had apparently given up on teaching and was telling the young ones stories about his past adventures. The younger students were listening to Harry with rapt attention, crowding close.

"Lazing about I see," Draco teased.

"Alpha," a few of the pups greeted happily.

Draco lowered himself onto the floor, smiling when Ben pulled Draco to move closer to their little huddle. He loved the pups. He didn't think it was a paternal feeling exactly, but there was definitely a familial sort of love and protectiveness. At that moment, it was less important for the young ones to learn all the advanced magic that the others were working on. Right now, Draco just wanted for the pups to trust their Alphas to look after them.

"Did you all finish your homework?" Draco asked, ruffling Ben's hair fondly. He smiled when a few of them looked guilty. "Which class?" he asked in fond exasperation.

"Potions," Ben admitted sheepishly.

Draco grinned. "Well, you need to go down to dinner," he said. "But after that, if you like, Harry and I can help you with your potions essays." Harry nodded his acceptance of the suggestion, favoring Draco with a sweet smile.

The pups caught the look. "Are you in love?" a second year Ravenclaw girl asked abruptly. The others looked between Draco and Harry with interest.

Draco looked down, a blush staining his cheeks. He supposed that offering a little trust in return would be worthwhile. He glanced at Harry to see that he was smiling. "We are," Draco said softly. He glanced around at the grins on the pups' faces. "But it's a secret right now. Professor Malfoy wouldn't approve of it."

"We won't tell anyone," a Slytherin named Graham said. "You're our Alphas. The Pack is family."

"Of course it is," Harry agreed with a smile. "We all look after each other. That's why we're here. And we appreciate you protecting our secret. Draco and I just want to be together." He draped one arm over the shoulders of a second year Gryffindor as she pressed against his side.