Pain Hurts

Chapter 9

Harry was sitting in the Gryffindor common room with Ron and Hermione talking. Today was a Friday, and the three of them had planned to meet and hang out for a bit before the weekend started. Harry was torn, this past week had been hell; the weekend after they bonded had been joyous! They made love almost constantly for those two days barely stopping to eat or take care of other needs, Draco had even taught Harry how to retract and release his wings. Harry however hated retracting them, he told his mate that it cramped his wings and made his back feel stiff, the blonde had told him it would take time to get used to it but he too had felt the same way when he first started to retract them. Draco and Harry had been feeling the constant pain of being separated from a mate when they were separated from classes, so the classes they had together they made sure to run into each other, or be partners simply brushing their hands as if by accident. These little touches helped ease the pain of separation. Today however would be the longest they had gone without that relief seeing as they had no classes together and now Harry was in the tower with his friends.

So here Harry was, shifting in his seat constantly wanting nothing but to flee to his room and be buggered senseless by his mate as he felt pinpricks of pain throughout his entire body and the ache in his back begging for him to release his wings. But alas he had to maintain appearances. Ron had made his way to the bathroom leaving Hermione and Harry alone. Hermione smiled before quickly casting silencing charms around them so no one else would over hear what she was about to say. Harry looked at her confused.

"You've bonded to him haven't you?" She asked excitedly, she had watched her friend this past week, and to it was obvious something wasn't right. And the way he was acting around a certain Slytherin made things so much more clear to the smart witch. After a bit of time in the library she was sure she knew what the problem with Harry was. Harry looked shocked before sputtering uselessly trying to make up an excuse.

"Wha- I don't know what you mean" he protested, looking away from his friend.

"You know what I mean! It's Malfoy! He's your mate! And you two are bonded now! I can see it Harry you just want to leave to go to him don't you?" Hermione smiled at him excited to see him happy, Harry however looked like he was ready to get sick, scared that his friend would react badly or worse tell someone about it.

"H-How did you-?" Harry was panicking tears welling up in his eyes as he shook his head franticly. Hermione quickly became worried before she realized what had her friend so distressed.

"Oh god Harry! I won't tell anyone I swear! I just wanted you to know I'd cover for you if you ever needed it!" Hermione leaned over and went to grab his hand to comfort the boy before she caught herself, a newly bonded magical creature can't stand to touch anyone other than their mate for certain periods of time, and the teen before her looked like he was at his limit for today. Harry looked at her, trying to read her.

"You won't tell Dumbledore will you?" he asked skeptically. She shook her head.

"No, of course not Harry. But I would like to know why you've kept it from him." Harry sighed, curling up into himself. Hermione looked at him with concerned, mother like eyes, watching as he thought about how to best answer her question.

"He can't be trusted, not anymore 'Mione. I told you that already." Harry got a strange look on his face before his friend nodded at him, quickly getting rid of the charm that surrounded them. While she wanted to know why Dumbledore couldn't be trusted but she knew not to push Harry, lest he completely withdraw from her. Harry was grateful that Hermione always seemed to know what he needed. He had never told her but to Harry she was like the big sister he never had and it meant the world to him. He wanted to tell her about the headmaster, and about everything that was going on with him but it wasn't safe, she was in enough danger now that she knew about him and Draco.