Eclipsed Fate | Drarry Soulmate AU

[ The Unseen Threat ]

Despite the recent confrontation with Nott and his followers, life at Hogwarts continued. Harry and Draco, now more determined than ever, delved deeper into the secrets of their Celestial Bond. They spent long hours in the Room of Requirement, practising spells and performing rituals to strengthen their connection. Their friends remained vigilant, always ready to defend them from any further attacks.

However, the escalating tension was palpable. Whispers and rumours circulated through the castle, and it became clear that not everyone was willing to accept the unusual alliance between the two former enemies.

One evening, as Harry and Draco were studying a particularly ancient scroll, Hermione burst into the Room of Requirement, her face flushed with urgency.

"Harry, Draco, you need to come with me. Now," she said, her voice trembling.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, immediately on edge.

Hermione glanced around nervously. "It's Nott. He's up to something. Luna overheard him talking about a plan to expose your bond to the entire school."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Expose it how?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "He's planning to use Veritaserum on you both during Potions class tomorrow. He wants to force you to confess everything in front of everyone."

Harry felt a surge of anger. "We can't let that happen. If he exposes our bond, it could put us all in danger."

Draco nodded, his jaw set. "We need to stop him."

Ron and Blaise, who had been standing guard outside, joined them. Pansy arrived shortly after, looking equally concerned.

"Alright," Harry said, looking around at his friends. "We need a plan. Hermione, can you brew an antidote for Veritaserum?"

Hermione nodded. "I can. But it will take time."

"We don't have much time," Draco said, thinking quickly. "We need a distraction. Something that will keep Nott occupied long enough for Hermione to finish the antidote."

Ron grinned. "Leave that to us. Blaise and I can create a diversion. We'll keep Nott and his cronies busy."

Harry looked at his friends, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Alright, let's do this. We'll meet back here in an hour."

As they dispersed to put their plan into action, Harry felt a strange mix of anxiety and determination. He knew the risks were high, but he also knew they had no choice. They had to protect their bond and each other.

In the dimly lit potions classroom, the next day, the atmosphere was tense. Harry and Draco sat at their usual spots, their eyes darting around the room. Nott and his group were seated nearby, casting furtive glances in their direction.

Professor Slughorn began the lesson, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. As he turned his back to the class to demonstrate a potion, Ron and Blaise sprang into action. They knocked over a cauldron, causing a thick, green smoke to fill the room.

Chaos erupted as students coughed and tried to clear the air. In the confusion, Hermione slipped a vial of antidote to Harry and Draco, who quickly drank it down. The antidote tasted bitter, but they knew it would protect them from the effects of the Veritaserum.

Just as the smoke began to clear, Nott approached Harry and Draco, a triumphant smirk on his face. He held out a vial of clear liquid. "Drink this, Potter, Malfoy. Let's hear the truth for once."

Harry feigned reluctance but took the vial, pretending to drink it. Draco did the same, their hearts pounding as they waited for the inevitable questions.

"Are you and Malfoy hiding something?" Nott demanded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Harry felt the familiar tug of Veritaserum, but the antidote held strong. "No, we're not hiding anything."

Nott's expression faltered, and he turned to Draco. "Is Potter your soulmate?"

Draco met Nott's gaze calmly. "No, he's not."

Nott's frustration was evident. He had expected the Veritaserum to reveal everything, but instead, it had failed. He glared at Harry and Draco, his hands clenched into fists.

"You think you're so clever," Nott hissed. "But this isn't over."

As Nott stormed off, Harry and Draco exchanged relieved glances. They had managed to outwit Nott, but they knew this was just the beginning. The threat was far from over, and they would need to stay vigilant.

After class, the group reconvened in the Room of Requirement. Harry looked at his friends, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie. "We did it. But we need to be ready for whatever comes next."

Hermione nodded. "We should continue our research. There might be more we can do to protect ourselves."

Draco agreed. "And we need to keep an eye on Nott. He won't give up easily."

As they settled into their familiar routine of research and practice, the room filled with a sense of purpose. They were more than just a group of friends; they were a team, united by a bond that was as powerful as it was mysterious.

Outside the safety of the Room of Requirement, the castle buzzed with speculation and uncertainty. But within its walls, Harry and Draco found strength in each other and in the friends who stood by their side.

The path ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face it together, determined to uncover the true nature of their Celestial Bond and the destiny it foretold.