Eclipsed Fate | Drarry Soulmate AU

[ The Gathering Storm ]

The days following the ritual were a mixture of relief and tension. Though they had successfully strengthened and protected their Celestial Bond, Harry and Draco knew that Nott's attempt to disrupt them was a sign of things to come. The school was buzzing with speculation, and their group found themselves constantly on guard.

One morning, as they gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast, a hushed silence fell over the room. Harry looked up to see Headmistress McGonagall approaching the Gryffindor table, her expression grave.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, if I could have a word?" she said, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Harry and Draco exchanged worried glances but stood up and followed McGonagall to her office. Hermione, Ron, and the others watched them go, concern etched on their faces.

In McGonagall's office, the atmosphere was tense. The headmistress sat behind her desk, her eyes sharp and assessing.

"I've been made aware of some disturbing reports," she began, her voice steady but serious. "Students have reported unusual activities, and there are concerns about safety within the castle. I need to know exactly what is happening."

Harry took a deep breath and recounted the events of the past weeks—discovering the Celestial Bond, the attacks by Nott, and the recent ritual to protect the bond. Draco chimed in, providing additional details and emphasising the danger they faced.

When they finished, McGonagall was silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "This is indeed a grave situation. I understand the importance of your bond, but we must also ensure the safety of all students at Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "We understand, Professor. We'll do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe."

McGonagall's gaze softened slightly. "I trust you will. In the meantime, I will increase security measures around the castle and keep a close eye on Nott and his allies. But you must remain vigilant. The danger is far from over."

As Harry and Draco left McGonagall's office, they felt a renewed sense of urgency. They needed to find out more about their bond and the potential threats they faced. That evening, they gathered their friends in the Room of Requirement to discuss their next steps.

"We need more information," Hermione said, her brow furrowed. "There must be more about Celestial Bonds that we haven't discovered yet. Something that can help us understand why we're being targeted."

Luna, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "There are old legends about such bonds. Stories of ancient magic and powerful connections. Perhaps we should look beyond the usual sources."

Harry nodded. "Luna's right. We need to think outside the box. Maybe there are places or people we haven't considered."

Draco leaned forward, his expression determined. "There are magical archives and hidden libraries. Places where ancient knowledge is kept. We should start there."

Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement. "The Forbidden Section in the Hogwarts Library has some rare texts. And there's also the Black family library at Grimmauld Place. It might have something useful."

Ron grinned. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us. Let's split up and cover as much ground as we can."

Over the next few days, the group divided their efforts between the Forbidden Section and Grimmauld Place. Harry and Draco, accompanied by Ron and Blaise, ventured into the dark and dusty corners of the Black family library. Hermione, Luna, and Pansy focused on the Hogwarts Library, meticulously combing through the ancient texts.

One afternoon, as they sifted through a particularly old and fragile book, Harry came across a passage that caught his eye. "Draco, look at this."

Draco leaned over, reading the passage aloud. "The Celestial Bond, a rare and powerful connection, often marks those destined for great deeds. Such bonds are believed to be linked to ancient prophecies and significant magical events."

Harry's heart raced. "Prophecies? That sounds like something we should investigate."

Draco nodded. "We need to find out if there are any prophecies related to our bond. It could explain why Nott is so determined to break it."

Back at Hogwarts, Hermione and Luna made a discovery of their own. "There are references to a prophecy about a bond that would change the magical world," Hermione said, her eyes wide with excitement. "It's vague, but it mentions a great conflict and a need for unity."

Luna nodded. "And it talks about a place where the prophecy was recorded. The Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries."

Harry and Draco, informed of the discovery, realised the importance of their next move. "We need to go to the Ministry," Harry said, his voice resolute. "We have to find that prophecy."

Their friends agreed, though the risks were clear. The Ministry was heavily guarded, and their previous encounter in the Department of Mysteries had been fraught with danger.

The night before their planned excursion, Harry and Draco found themselves alone in the Room of Requirement, preparing for what lay ahead. The room was quiet, the only sound the crackling of a small fire in the hearth.

"Are you scared?" Draco asked, breaking the silence.

Harry looked at him, his green eyes reflecting the firelight. "A little. But we have to do this. We need to understand what's happening to us."

Draco nodded. "I know. And we will. Together."

As they stood there, the bond between them seemed to hum with energy, a reminder of the strength they drew from each other. They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready to face it, side by side.

The next day, under the cover of darkness, the group made their way to the Ministry of Magic. Disguised under the Invisibility Cloak and aided by Polyjuice Potion, they navigated the labyrinthine corridors until they reached the Hall of Prophecies.

Inside, the vast room was filled with shelves upon shelves of glowing orbs, each one containing a prophecy. Hermione and Luna led the way, using their research to locate the section where the prophecy about the Celestial Bond was kept.

Finally, they found it. Harry reached out and carefully took the glowing orb from the shelf. As he did, a voice echoed through the room, reciting the ancient prophecy.

"The bond of souls, marked by celestial light, will face great darkness and bring forth unity. In the time of turmoil, their strength will be tested, and their connection will be the key to a new dawn."

The prophecy ended, and the room fell silent. Harry and Draco exchanged a look, understanding the gravity of what they had just heard.

"We have a purpose," Harry said quietly. "This bond, it's meant to bring people together. To face whatever darkness is coming."

Draco nodded, his resolve firm. "And we'll do it. Together."

As they left the Ministry, the weight of the prophecy settled on their shoulders. They knew that their journey was far from over and that the challenges ahead would be great. But with the strength of their bond and the support of their friends, they were ready to face whatever the future held.

The gathering storm loomed on the horizon, but Harry and Draco were determined to stand against it, united by a connection that was as powerful as it was mysterious. Their destiny awaited, and they would meet it head-on, with courage and unwavering resolve.