The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Memories

Dumbledore was furious. It was Harry's inheritance night, and he was locked out of his room. He had planned to burst in and watch, to know exactly what it would entail, but the little wizard had locked the door. All his plans were unraveling, and he didn't know how to fix them. He needed something big to make Harry stay by his side and follow orders, but the history between them was too complicated.

"But if he doesn't know about the history..." Dumbledore muttered to himself before chuckling and walking away from the closed door.

Meanwhile, Harry and Draco whispered to each other.

"Hey, Dray, what if we aren't mates?" Harry asked quietly.

"We have to be. I... I lo—" Draco's voice wavered as tears welled in his eyes.

"Shhh, Dray, me too," Harry replied, smiling affectionately, looking lovestruck.

Before they realized it, they leaned in, and Harry pressed a small kiss to Draco's lips as a quiet promise.

The moment was broken only by a small hiss from Harry.

"Harry, lie down!" Draco urged, fussing over him.

Harry chuckled but complied, lying down as Draco continued to comfort him.

After a long and exhausting night, the two woke with their arms wrapped around each other.

Snape entered and coughed to get their attention. Draco stirred in panic, trying to rise, but Harry, comfortable in their embrace, held him down.

"Harry, Snape is here!" Draco urged.

"So?" Harry said, "We're mates, love. I can feel it, and I am never letting you go for anyone. He can deal with it."

Snape chuckled softly. "Here are your potions to make you feel better, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded as Snape left.

"Come on, Har, take your potions. We have to get to breakfast," Draco whispered.

"Fiiinnneeee," Harry groaned. "Only because you asked."

Draco smiled as Harry drank the potions and stretched.

"Come on, lazy head. Breakfast awaits."

Harry chuckled, and Draco rolled his eyes before leaving to get ready himself.

Harry was ecstatic. He had found his mate and the love of his life. As he finished rinsing his hair, he debated whether to buy Draco a present or take him on a date. He decided to do both; Draco deserved it.

Dressed nicely in a casual white top, black ripped skinny jeans, and a dark green jacket, Harry whistled as he walked down the Hogwarts corridors, excited to see Draco again.

He didn't notice the shadow following him. Dumbledore, watching, seized the moment. When Harry passed, Dumbledore jumped out, casting Petrificus Totalus. Harry froze mid-step. Before hitting the floor, Dumbledore levitated him into the shadows and carried him to his office.

There, Dumbledore seated Harry on a couch and retrieved a book from his desk.

"Solvento, okay, okay, erases person, not memory, alters how you want, Elder Wand, okay," he muttered.

He looked at Harry and whispered, "It is the only way." Then he cast the spell.

Minutes later, after carefully altering Harry's memories, Dumbledore cast a sealing spell. He gently closed Harry's eyes, then pretended to wake him.

"Harry, my boy, are you okay?" Dumbledore asked, shaking him lightly.

"Dumbledore? What happened?" Harry asked groggily.