Draco’s POV
I groaned as I tilted my head away from the light, my whole body screaming at me as I moved. With another pained groan I managed to open my eyes, wondering why my body was burning, not quite like it had during the holidays but the feeling wasn’t far behind.
“How do you feel?” A voice suddenly asked and I whipped my head to turn in the direction, immediately wishing I hadn’t as the overwhelming urge to be sick washed over me.
“What the hell happened? Why do I feel like shit?” I asked moodily.
“Pain potion is beside you.” Blaise motioned but he didn’t budge from his standing position.
I winced as I lifted myself into sitting position, reaching out to grasp the steaming goblet. In three gulps it was gone and I slumped back waiting for the relief to kick in.
“What happened?”
“You don’t remember?” He asked, his face blank as he stared me down.
“No… why?” I asked uneasily.
“Hermione Granger is your mate.”
“What did I do?” I asked in horror, my mind flashing through so many disturbing scenarios.
“Nothing… to her.” He muttered.
“Is the git awake ye- Oh good you’re up.” Theo spoke when he noticed me.
“What did I do?” I asked more aggressively, my pain diminishing by the second leaving me to move more freely. I frowned puzzled as they both took a step back and looked at me warily.
“Oh for Godric’s sake what?” I yelled.
“You attacked us when we tried to get you to let go of Granger. Forgive us for being overly cautious. We don’t want another trip to Mungo’s today.”
“I… I attacked you? Why?” I stuttered stunned.
“Because these two idiots grabbed hold of you while you were struggling with your Veela, then they were even more stupid and grabbed Miss Granger. Naturally your Veela saw it as a threat to your mate and got angry. I got there just in time before you did them any serious damage.” Snape drawled as he suddenly appeared in the room.
“Serious damage? Are you mental? I was almost disemboweled by a big black thing. You grew wings. Wings!” Theo cried as he pointed at me.
“Not to mention fangs and claws.” Blaise muttered before taking a step towards me.
“I mean no offense mate, I know you can’t help it and all but I never want to see THAT again for as long as I live.” Blaise chuckled as he gave me a crooked smile to let me know everything was okay.
“Sorry.”
“We were the idiots. Everything you told us about Veelas flew out the window. We just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to bite her suddenly. She was sort of pretty freaked out.” Theo laughed slightly amused.
“Where… where is she?” I asked slightly afraid of the answer. My gut told me she was safe but I needed to be sure.
“Over in the corner bed. We figured it was best to keep you separate, for now.” Snape said amended when he saw my panicked expression.
“Dumbledore has notified all the teachers and they have all been sworn to secrecy. I’ve notified your parents and they are relieved to know you’ve found your mate.” I gave him a deliberate look.
“I highly doubt my father is jumping for joy when you told him who she is, so my guess is you haven’t told them.” I snapped at him.
“I thought I’d leave that part up to you.” He muttered.
“Is she awake yet?” Blaise asked.
“No.” I answered before Snape could turn to check.
“Mr Malfoy, how are you feeling?” I looked up and nodded to Professor Dumbledore as he entered the infirmary and stopped at the end of my bed.
“Okay.”
“Your parents will be here by dinner tonight, I have the feeling they are worried about you.” He spoke, his blue eyes twinkling in amusement and I scowled.
“More like wanting to meet her.” I muttered.
“Yes speaking of Miss Granger, what do you plan on telling her when she wakes?”
“Me? Why me? She wouldn’t believe a word I say.” I panic.
“Perhaps.”
“Why can’t you tell her?” I ask as I flick my eyes back and forth between Snape and Dumbledore.
“Don’t you think you should be the one to tell her? Explain it to her? She’ll have questions.” Snape smirked as he rolled his eyes while Blaise and Theo snorted in amusement.
“I know.” I snapped. A low growl sounded as I screwed my eyes shut, the room immediately went deathly silent.
“Tell her. Don’t… Don’t let me near her. Please.” I pleaded as I finally opened my eyes.
“Very well.” Snape nodded.
Hermione’s POV
I refused to open my eyes as I curled deeper within my blankets. I felt content and I was in no rush to move. I had woken before my alarm for once and was going to take advantage of the lie in. Besides that the sun the streaming in the window was warm on my face.
Sun?
“Shit.” I panicked as flew into sitting position, wilding looking around as I took in an unfamiliar room.
“You’re in the infirmary Miss Granger.” Snape spoke as he looked down at me from the end of the bed.
“Infirmary?” I questioned as I racked my brains trying to remember how or why I was here.
“What do you remember of last night Miss Granger?” Professor Dumbledore asked as he suddenly appeared behind Snape.
“Um… I had rounds. I was…Malfoy.” I whispered as it all flooded back to me.
“Malfoy, Miss Granger?” Snape asked.
“I met with Malfoy for rounds but… he was acting weird. I don’t remember much after that. I think I fainted.”
“Miss Granger what do you know of Veelas?”
“Veelas Professor?” I asked confused.
“I assume you have studied them before?”
“Well yes but how does that-“
“Humor me.”
“Well they’re protective creatures.” I listed looking between professors.
“Yes they are indeed Miss Granger.” Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
“Forgive me Professor but I don’t understand what any of this has to do with why I’m here.” I all but snapped.
“Everything.” Snape and Dumbledore spoke in union.
“Miss Granger during the holidays it was brought to our attention, that is to say Professor Snape and I, that a Veela was awakening.”
“We offered his family our help during his transition period. As you might be aware from research transitioning into a Veela form is painful and exhausting.”
“Yes I have read that.” I agreed.
“This Veela, a student if you hadn’t already guessed, has been under careful supervision since returning to school. As you are probably also aware a Veela’s life goal is to find their mate.” Professor Dumbledore spoke quietly and I paled as I realized where this line of conversation was heading.
“Am… I mean am I…?”
“Yes Miss Granger.”
“That’s not possible.” I mutter in anger.
“No? Have you been out of sorts lately? Any random bursts of anger, confusion… sadness?” Professor Snape asked knowingly as I remained silent.
“Veela can feel everything their mate feels and vice versa when it comes to emotions.”
“But who-…Malfoy?” I breathed out in realization.
“That would be correct again Miss Granger.” Professor Snape smirked at me as it all started to sink in. For once I was utterly speechless.
“Are you sure?” I begged as nerves settled in my stomach.
“You’d think we’d all be here if I wasn’t?” A voice suddenly spoke from the other side of the room. Professor Dumbledore and professor Snape stepped aside revealing Malfoy standing over in the corner of the room. Blaise and Nott were standing near him, watching the two of us carefully.
“Tonight’s earlier events between Mr Malfoy, Mr Nott and Mr Zabini are enough proof Miss Granger.” I looked at Malfoy as he gazed back at me and I remembered how he had me backed against the wall. How his body covered mine before a loud screech sounded and everything had gone black.
“We know it’s probably a lot for you to take in all at once.” Professor Dumbledore spoke and I nodded once to confirm his thoughts.
I swallow as a sick feeling washes over me. The need to escape is suddenly overwhelming.
“Can I leave?” I ask quietly.
“Yes, I suspect you will want to think this all through thoroughly?”
“Yes.” I mutter.
“Ultimately Miss Granger there is nothing you can do. You are Mr Malfoy’s mate and he is yours. Fovever.” Professor Snape pointed out as I started to feel even more unwell. I also couldn’t help but notice how Malfoy watched my every move with a frown on his face.
“I just need to go.” I rushed out as I stood from the bed, picking up my wand from the bedside table.
A loud growl echoed through the room and I shivered at the sound.
“Easy Draco. She hasn’t rejected you, she just needs time to think. Isn’t that right Miss Granger?” Snape demanded and I nodded quickly as I watched Malfoy angrily pace the corner of the room like a caged tiger.
He studied me for a moment, an intense look on his face. I felt the urge to move towards him, to hug him- anything. I grit my teeth as I realized they weren’t my feelings but rather his.
“We’ll leave you now Miss Granger but should you have any questions you know where find us. Oh and Miss Granger, please keep this just between us and the teachers for now.” Dumbledore spoke as he left the room. I said nothing as I took a deep breath to calm down.
“Come Draco.” Snape spoke quietly as he waved his hand and suddenly Malfoy all but bolted from the room with Nott and Zabini not far behind him.
“He’ll stay away, for a little while at least, to let you think things through but Granger, he can’t stay away from you for long. Keep that in mind.” Snape muttered before he strode out the door and suddenly I was left by myself and my jumbled thoughts.
I groaned as I tilted my head away from the light, my whole body screaming at me as I moved. With another pained groan I managed to open my eyes, wondering why my body was burning, not quite like it had during the holidays but the feeling wasn’t far behind.
“How do you feel?” A voice suddenly asked and I whipped my head to turn in the direction, immediately wishing I hadn’t as the overwhelming urge to be sick washed over me.
“What the hell happened? Why do I feel like shit?” I asked moodily.
“Pain potion is beside you.” Blaise motioned but he didn’t budge from his standing position.
I winced as I lifted myself into sitting position, reaching out to grasp the steaming goblet. In three gulps it was gone and I slumped back waiting for the relief to kick in.
“What happened?”
“You don’t remember?” He asked, his face blank as he stared me down.
“No… why?” I asked uneasily.
“Hermione Granger is your mate.”
“What did I do?” I asked in horror, my mind flashing through so many disturbing scenarios.
“Nothing… to her.” He muttered.
“Is the git awake ye- Oh good you’re up.” Theo spoke when he noticed me.
“What did I do?” I asked more aggressively, my pain diminishing by the second leaving me to move more freely. I frowned puzzled as they both took a step back and looked at me warily.
“Oh for Godric’s sake what?” I yelled.
“You attacked us when we tried to get you to let go of Granger. Forgive us for being overly cautious. We don’t want another trip to Mungo’s today.”
“I… I attacked you? Why?” I stuttered stunned.
“Because these two idiots grabbed hold of you while you were struggling with your Veela, then they were even more stupid and grabbed Miss Granger. Naturally your Veela saw it as a threat to your mate and got angry. I got there just in time before you did them any serious damage.” Snape drawled as he suddenly appeared in the room.
“Serious damage? Are you mental? I was almost disemboweled by a big black thing. You grew wings. Wings!” Theo cried as he pointed at me.
“Not to mention fangs and claws.” Blaise muttered before taking a step towards me.
“I mean no offense mate, I know you can’t help it and all but I never want to see THAT again for as long as I live.” Blaise chuckled as he gave me a crooked smile to let me know everything was okay.
“Sorry.”
“We were the idiots. Everything you told us about Veelas flew out the window. We just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to bite her suddenly. She was sort of pretty freaked out.” Theo laughed slightly amused.
“Where… where is she?” I asked slightly afraid of the answer. My gut told me she was safe but I needed to be sure.
“Over in the corner bed. We figured it was best to keep you separate, for now.” Snape said amended when he saw my panicked expression.
“Dumbledore has notified all the teachers and they have all been sworn to secrecy. I’ve notified your parents and they are relieved to know you’ve found your mate.” I gave him a deliberate look.
“I highly doubt my father is jumping for joy when you told him who she is, so my guess is you haven’t told them.” I snapped at him.
“I thought I’d leave that part up to you.” He muttered.
“Is she awake yet?” Blaise asked.
“No.” I answered before Snape could turn to check.
“Mr Malfoy, how are you feeling?” I looked up and nodded to Professor Dumbledore as he entered the infirmary and stopped at the end of my bed.
“Okay.”
“Your parents will be here by dinner tonight, I have the feeling they are worried about you.” He spoke, his blue eyes twinkling in amusement and I scowled.
“More like wanting to meet her.” I muttered.
“Yes speaking of Miss Granger, what do you plan on telling her when she wakes?”
“Me? Why me? She wouldn’t believe a word I say.” I panic.
“Perhaps.”
“Why can’t you tell her?” I ask as I flick my eyes back and forth between Snape and Dumbledore.
“Don’t you think you should be the one to tell her? Explain it to her? She’ll have questions.” Snape smirked as he rolled his eyes while Blaise and Theo snorted in amusement.
“I know.” I snapped. A low growl sounded as I screwed my eyes shut, the room immediately went deathly silent.
“Tell her. Don’t… Don’t let me near her. Please.” I pleaded as I finally opened my eyes.
“Very well.” Snape nodded.
Hermione’s POV
I refused to open my eyes as I curled deeper within my blankets. I felt content and I was in no rush to move. I had woken before my alarm for once and was going to take advantage of the lie in. Besides that the sun the streaming in the window was warm on my face.
Sun?
“Shit.” I panicked as flew into sitting position, wilding looking around as I took in an unfamiliar room.
“You’re in the infirmary Miss Granger.” Snape spoke as he looked down at me from the end of the bed.
“Infirmary?” I questioned as I racked my brains trying to remember how or why I was here.
“What do you remember of last night Miss Granger?” Professor Dumbledore asked as he suddenly appeared behind Snape.
“Um… I had rounds. I was…Malfoy.” I whispered as it all flooded back to me.
“Malfoy, Miss Granger?” Snape asked.
“I met with Malfoy for rounds but… he was acting weird. I don’t remember much after that. I think I fainted.”
“Miss Granger what do you know of Veelas?”
“Veelas Professor?” I asked confused.
“I assume you have studied them before?”
“Well yes but how does that-“
“Humor me.”
“Well they’re protective creatures.” I listed looking between professors.
“Yes they are indeed Miss Granger.” Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
“Forgive me Professor but I don’t understand what any of this has to do with why I’m here.” I all but snapped.
“Everything.” Snape and Dumbledore spoke in union.
“Miss Granger during the holidays it was brought to our attention, that is to say Professor Snape and I, that a Veela was awakening.”
“We offered his family our help during his transition period. As you might be aware from research transitioning into a Veela form is painful and exhausting.”
“Yes I have read that.” I agreed.
“This Veela, a student if you hadn’t already guessed, has been under careful supervision since returning to school. As you are probably also aware a Veela’s life goal is to find their mate.” Professor Dumbledore spoke quietly and I paled as I realized where this line of conversation was heading.
“Am… I mean am I…?”
“Yes Miss Granger.”
“That’s not possible.” I mutter in anger.
“No? Have you been out of sorts lately? Any random bursts of anger, confusion… sadness?” Professor Snape asked knowingly as I remained silent.
“Veela can feel everything their mate feels and vice versa when it comes to emotions.”
“But who-…Malfoy?” I breathed out in realization.
“That would be correct again Miss Granger.” Professor Snape smirked at me as it all started to sink in. For once I was utterly speechless.
“Are you sure?” I begged as nerves settled in my stomach.
“You’d think we’d all be here if I wasn’t?” A voice suddenly spoke from the other side of the room. Professor Dumbledore and professor Snape stepped aside revealing Malfoy standing over in the corner of the room. Blaise and Nott were standing near him, watching the two of us carefully.
“Tonight’s earlier events between Mr Malfoy, Mr Nott and Mr Zabini are enough proof Miss Granger.” I looked at Malfoy as he gazed back at me and I remembered how he had me backed against the wall. How his body covered mine before a loud screech sounded and everything had gone black.
“We know it’s probably a lot for you to take in all at once.” Professor Dumbledore spoke and I nodded once to confirm his thoughts.
I swallow as a sick feeling washes over me. The need to escape is suddenly overwhelming.
“Can I leave?” I ask quietly.
“Yes, I suspect you will want to think this all through thoroughly?”
“Yes.” I mutter.
“Ultimately Miss Granger there is nothing you can do. You are Mr Malfoy’s mate and he is yours. Fovever.” Professor Snape pointed out as I started to feel even more unwell. I also couldn’t help but notice how Malfoy watched my every move with a frown on his face.
“I just need to go.” I rushed out as I stood from the bed, picking up my wand from the bedside table.
A loud growl echoed through the room and I shivered at the sound.
“Easy Draco. She hasn’t rejected you, she just needs time to think. Isn’t that right Miss Granger?” Snape demanded and I nodded quickly as I watched Malfoy angrily pace the corner of the room like a caged tiger.
He studied me for a moment, an intense look on his face. I felt the urge to move towards him, to hug him- anything. I grit my teeth as I realized they weren’t my feelings but rather his.
“We’ll leave you now Miss Granger but should you have any questions you know where find us. Oh and Miss Granger, please keep this just between us and the teachers for now.” Dumbledore spoke as he left the room. I said nothing as I took a deep breath to calm down.
“Come Draco.” Snape spoke quietly as he waved his hand and suddenly Malfoy all but bolted from the room with Nott and Zabini not far behind him.
“He’ll stay away, for a little while at least, to let you think things through but Granger, he can’t stay away from you for long. Keep that in mind.” Snape muttered before he strode out the door and suddenly I was left by myself and my jumbled thoughts.