Once Upon A Time (A Drarry FanFiction Collection)

Chapter Six

   Before him stood a young man of what looked like his own age. He was dressed simply in a white cloth, draped over one shoulder and collected into a short skirt at his waist. His skin was creamy like milk, dazzling even in the gloom of the room, and his face as beautiful as any prince Harry had ever seen. But that was not what had given him pause. For the man had golden white hair, shining in the small amount of light coming from the window. It had been pulled behind his head into a plait...a plait that carried on and on until it finished in Harry's own hands.

"Did I just climb up your hair?" he asked, utterly perplexed. He had never seen such a thing in his whole life.

The young man smiled shyly. "It seemed like the best idea, considering you were in trouble. I – I watched you run from the dogs from afar, and did not wish for you to be eaten."

"Nor I," Harry agreed, and got to his feet, brushing his hands and marvelling at the man's gorgeous hair once more. "Is that how you usually let your visitors in?"

The man smiled again, but this time it was with sadness, and Harry's heart gave a twinge of pain. Surely someone so beautiful could not be unhappy?

"I do not have many visitors other than my master, and he has the only key to the lock." He looked at Harry with eyes he could now see were a brilliant silver, and a shiver ran up Harry's spine. He was starting to think his lovely new companion was not entirely human. "He only comes once a week to leave food and collects his wears. He does not speak much to me, other than to call me his pretty bird."

Harry didn't like the sound of that. "Your master?" he asked. "Are you a prisoner here?"

The man moved closer, and looked out the window. The view of the kingdom was quite magnificent from here, and Harry took it in with him. "I am Veela, do you know what that is?" Harry shook his head, and the man picked his long plait up in his hands. "Our hair contains potent magic, and until we are Unfurled, grows extraordinarily fast. My master stole me as a babe from my parents, to keep me from transitioning, and sells my hair for great profit." He turned to Harry, and tried to smile, but could not quite manage it. "I fear I shall never become a true Veela, and will remain here all my days."

Harry blinked. "But that's awful," he cried. "Why don't you escape?"

"As long as I am still Furled, I am cursed to stay within these walls," he said, then seemed to rally his spirits. "But enough of my woes, stranger. I do not wish to burden you. When the danger has passed, I will help lower you back down again. Until them, may I ask your name?"

"Your woes are no burden to me," Harry assured him. "You may call me Harry, and in return I would ask the favour of your name, and the details of this curse. Surely there must be a way to break it?"

The man smiled, genuinely this time, and turned back into the room. It was sparsely furnished, with a straw bed for sleeping, the table and chairs that they now moved to sit at, and a small stove for cooking. One wall was lined with books, and Harry was relieved to see the man's master had not been so cruel as to deny him that luxury.

"It is good to meet you Harry," the man said. "My name is Draco. And yes, I discovered the curse's undoing many years ago, but sadly it has done me no good thus far."

Harry felt a thrill of hope. He had never been so enchanted to meet anyone in his whole life, and if he could free this man and become better acquainted with him, he surely could not be happier. "Do tell," he urged, pulling his chair closer to where Draco sat. "Perhaps I can help you?"

Draco looked at his hands in his lap. "Alas," he said. "Only love's first kiss can set me free. It is how my people Unfurl and become true Veela. Then, I could escape this life." He looked up at Harry, and laughed. It was one of the most beautiful sounds Harry had ever heard, like a song straight to his heart. "Unfortunately, the adventures who have scaled these walls before were disappointed not to find a female, and were disinclined to help me."

"Oh," said Harry, thinking what fools they must have been.

"I bear them no ill will," Draco said quickly, silver eyes full of concern. "Love cannot be forced. I just wish one day I might be lucky, and the right kind of adventurer might come to call."

He blushed, and turned his face from Harry. "You wish for a female also – a girl?" he asked, hope fading.

Draco looked to the window wistfully. "No," he said. "I would very much prefer a male, but such a thing is rare. I would be extremely fortunate indeed to find love, even were I not confined to this tower."

Harry's heart raced once more, and reached out to take Draco's hand. "And all it takes is one kiss? The first of a new love?"

Draco considered him, surprise lining his features. "Yes," he said softly.