What a Terrible Mess

Chapter 17

"Nothing. If you chose to be with me, it would be enough. Though, there are benefits for me as well, besides that," Draco said, remembering a passage he'd just been reading, "you draw power and strength from me and I from you- not take power from eachother but sort of share it I suppose. Together, our magic bonds and builds upon one another. Also, if you're very close- preferably physical contact, I will heal much faster than normal, even being a male Veela and we heal vey quickly anyway."

"The infirmary- you... I..."

"You saved my life, yes," Draco said, smiling genuinely, "that's not the first time either. I suspect, though I'm not sure, that's how I survived the Killing Curse. When you reached out and touched my wings, our magic melded before my life slipped away. Basically you kept me here, like the spell only grazed me. I think. I really don't know but that's the theory. I'm not willing to try it again to find out."

"I can say no though right? You can't make me do anything?"

"No, I cannot. I can protect you, I can love you unconditionally, make you more powerful, spoil you... I can do just about anything for you, Harry- but I cannot make you reciprocate the emotion. Don't worry though, even if you don't return my feelings for you- that's really okay. It's what I do. If not being with me is what you want, I'm pretty much required to give it to you."

"What happens *if* I ended up feeling the same way?"

"I don't know, I would be deliriously happy with it I suppose- feel whole. To me, you're like a missing piece. However, I would know if you didn't. We wouldn't bond properly, I wouldn't feel whole."

"How do we bond? If it comes to that?"

"Sex is usually the preferred method actually." Harry paled at that.

"Draco... have you done anything for me specifically yet, besides protecting me on the pitch? Have we connected in any way?"

"Yes, I have. I considered keeping this away from you, like a secret. That way you wouldn't feel the need to go all Boy Wonder and pity me- I don't want nor do I need your pity. Also, though I didn't realize why I was doing it at the time, I got you a gift of sorts."

"A gift?" Harry asked, obviously confused.

"Yes, I litterally was on the edge of Malfoy property when I ran back into the Manor to get it. Something just drove me to go back and look, I didn't even know it was there till I found it. I suppose I was feeding off you even then, not even having known who you were."

"You risked your damned life, to get me a gift?!" Harry asked, increduously, "are you insane?!"

"People have questioned my sanity," Draco laughed, "you'll have to forgive me Harry- it's a pretty big gift. Probably the reason Blaise and I didn't get here more quickly. It was sort of... hard to move. Don't get all upset on me either, I didn't know you were my mate, nor did I know that I was doing it for you. Not then anyway, though I believe I can recognize the signs now. I suppose I could have been doing it for everyone as well, but to be honest," Draco sat back at this, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly, "I don't really care what everyone else does."

"I don't want a bunch of gifts, Draco. I mean it."

"Don't give me that, I have money to burn quite litterally. I'll buy you something if I want, though I promise to try and take it easy. Unless, you're rejecting me? If you're rejecting me as a bondmate, and telling me you don't want me to- then okay, I won't."

"If you're going to insist on gifts, then take any money you're going to spend on me, Draco, and put it to good use. I don't really know if I'm rejecting you- I need time to think about this. It *is* a lot to take in."

"Fair enough, take as long as you need. It's harder for me to see it from your side Harry, it's a natural as breathing for me. I will understand if you say no. I do ask a few things though, if you don't mind." Draco said, glancing at the ground. Harry turned to face him, curious. What could he want that he didn't have or couldn't get besides Harry's love?

"Sure, what's up?"

"Just, let me protect you, okay? I know, you're a big brave Gryffindor- but if you're under attack- if your life is endanger, stay close to me, okay? Just stay close. I know who you are, I know you'll have to fight. Allow me to stand beside you and fight too. It will help calm the Veela in me."

"This is your world too, I can't stop you from fighting for it...just don't get killed because of me, okay Draco? Is that it?"

"I'll do my best. Also, touch me every now and then," Harry went bug eyed at this and his mouth fell open, "Oh, stop looking at me like that Harry. I'm not being sexual, and I won't unless you want me too. I mean, just touch me, physical contact. Put your hand on my arm, anything, it helps to heal me and I haven't recovered fully from being captured- or the Quidditch Pitch. It will keep the Veela calm too, I'm likely to overreact given my natural temper and the Veela temper, and I don't want to hurt anyone over some stupid tiff with you. I don't know that that would happen, but still."

Harry sat and thought about it a moment before nodding his consent and smiling. Then, his bright green eyes lit up like Draco had never seen. He stared at Harry, unable to do anything but focus on his eyes.