Kitten Heat

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/54330940.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Categories: F/M, M/M
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Hermione
Granger/Ron Weasley
Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Ron Weasley,
Hermione Granger, Rubeus Hagrid, Nymphadora Tonks, Luna
Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Tom Riddle
Additional Tags: Oblivious Harry Potter, Pining Draco Malfoy, Catboy Draco Malfoy,
Non-Traditional Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, wolfstar adopts harry
potter, Futuristic, alternative universe - mostly non-magical, Top Draco
Malfoy, Innocent Harry Potter, harry potter raises draco malfoy,
Emotionally Repressed Harry Potter, Fluff and Angst, Dystopia, tom
riddle is not voldemort but is still evil, Soul Bond, Alternate Universe -
Soulmates, Soulmates, Slow Burn Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Bottom
Harry, Interspecies Relationship(s), draco malfoy is raised by harry
potter, Draco Malfoy is Obsessed with Harry Potter, Minor Draco
Malfoy/Pansy Parkinson, Minor Luna Lovegood/Rolf Scamander, Minor
Hannah Abbott/Neville Longbottom, Angsty Draco Malfoy, POV
Alternating, Pet Draco Malfoy, Animal Death, Talking Animals, Dubious
Consent, Affectionate Draco Malfoy, Coming of Age, Extremely
Dubious Consent
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-03-08 Updated: 2024-03-31 Words: 69,515 Chapters:
4/?
 Kitten Heat
by Splashstorm

Summary

In a futuristic world, orphan Harry Potter attends Hogwarts and is raised by Sirius Black and
Remus Lupin. Living in a perfect society where all Mates are Ministry-picked, all forms of
touch are shunned, and babies are born artificially, 7 year old Harry's life takes a turn when
he secretly rescues catboy Draco as a kitten. 'Cats' are the world's last remaining sexual
deviants and are hunted.

As Harry grows older, his secret relationship with his overly affectionate pet Draco becomes
increasingly intimate, but Harry remains oblivious to Draco's romantic advances, viewing
him as nothing more than a pet and overly cuddly best friend. Harry's society leaves him
emotionally repressed, unaware of his own desires and feelings. However, when Draco goes
into heat, Harry's internal struggle intensifies, but he remains unable to recognize or confront
his own emotions. Lots of teeth rotting fluff and angst in store!

Notes

PSA: Feline heats in my fic are different from the usual canine heats in lots of omegaverse
fics. Keep that in mind going into the fic.

I post a new chapter weekly! Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an update!
meow :3
 Rescuing Draco

Modern day humans never held hands, kissed, or had sex. Children were born in Ministry-
approved labs through expertly modified embryos placed in advanced artificial wombs,
where they were nurtured and carefully monitored throughout their 9 month gestation
period. Once they reached a predetermined level of development, the children were safely
delivered from the artificial wombs, ready to begin their lives with their hand-picked
caretakers, also commonly known as 'parents'. Their parents were nothing more than best
friends to each other, wholly platonic partners in life. Gender was obsolete. The parents never
touched nor showed physical affection.

In his world, there was no such thing as intimacy-- sexual or otherwise. That sort of thing
was deeply frowned upon as unclean, unnecessary, and dangerous-- the spreader of terrifying
disease and death. It’d been so long since the world had lived like this that humans had long
since lost their deep-seated desire and ability to reproduce naturally. There were no
exceptions.

In this world, the “cats,” as they were known, were the last living humanoid species that still
harbored these ill desires. They were mostly wild and lived in the forests and hills. They were
skittish and known to keep to themselves the majority of the time. Civilized children grew up
knowing to stay away, since those blasted creatures were bound to be riddled with diseases
caught by reproducing so naturally as they did.
 ---

He will never forget that early spring morning when his godfather Sirius found an entire den
of cats by the river. The nest was hidden miles away in a secret cavern a few miles from the
mainstream river, found only due to his godfather’s Rottweilers whom he had taken out
walking that day. It was his duty to alert the townsfolk, and so he called in the village leaders,
and they led out a swarm of townsfolk down to the riverbank, where they immediately shot
the furiously hissing humanoid she-cat dead. Then they set fire to the feline nest as a means
of purification. Cats were perverted creatures, staining the sanctity of their little town with
their constant lust-filled screams. Every so often, when they came across an unlucky one who
unwittingly let themselves get caught, they were swiftly dealt with.

Little Harry watched from behind the legs of his other godfather Lupin. As he reached
forward to clutch at his godfather's trousers, the older man batted his young hand away.
“Harry, we do not touch other people!” That’s right, he remembered, ashamed and guilty. In
his fear, he had forgotten. Humans did not touch each other, in any way.

The mewls of the orphaned kittens grew stronger and rose into shrill terrified screeches as
they burned alive, but their cries were drowned out by the cruel laughter of the mob. The
townsfolk looked down on any creature that dared take pleasure in the defiling of their own
flesh. Sex was evil and made people do evil things in the name of lust. Modern day humans
had long conquered this deviant aspect of their loins. They knew sex had fueled countless
wars and death for many millennials until it was at long last conquered. It was, and had
always been, the enemy of the people.

After the spectacle was over, the mob began to slowly thin out until Harry stood alone,
watching the river. He could smell the godawful scent of charred feline meat, and he seemed
frozen. The event had scarred his young mind. Despite himself, he was awash in pity, and
still in shock. As he finally turned to leave, a tiny cry came up from the charred remains of
the den. Startled, he quickly looked around to check for any stragglers up the dirt path, sure
the noise hadn't originated from the den. Finding no one, the young boy made his way
carefully to where the sound was coming from. The noise led a little ways into the cave.
Sunlight barely hit, but he could make out what looked to be a pathetic heap of dark, dirty
matted fur.

A tiny kitten, by some miracle of the gods, had managed to escape the fire that had literally
cooked his littermates alive. He had ended up in the furthest reaches of the cave, thus
protected from the flames. The kitten continued mewing helplessly, its eyes screwed tight
with ashes littered in its dirty pelt.

Harry hesitated. He knew the sensible thing would be to leave it here to succumb to his fate,
but at the same time he felt that wasn’t right. After all, what had this small kitten done?
Surely not all cats had.. sex . Despite his better judgment, even at seven years of age, he felt
that was discriminatory. If raised right surrounded by purity, surely this kit could grow up to
be as asexual as the rest of them? If humans were able to conquer the desire for sex, it proved
doing so wasn't impossible. Harry’s heart went out to the kit. Anything was possible. He
couldn’t bring himself to just leave the baby there.

He looked around for anything to pick the kitten up in. The kitten was so tiny and could fit in
the palm of his hand. Regardless, humans did not touch other living things. After a futile
search, he could find nothing. Bracing himself, he gingerly picked the cat up with his
oversized sweater and carried it hurriedly back to his treehouse on his godfather’s land where
he lived.

Being so physically close to another living thing was torture, and he tried to repress his
feelings of discomfort by reminding himself that it was only a baby. He expertly climbed up
the treehouse steps. Once inside the humongous treehouse, he pressed a button and
immediately a blue portal opened up, dispensing multiple pre-warmed blankets. He wrapped
the kitten up in them and went to work heating up some leftover sweet oat milk he had saved
for later from breakfast that morning. He poured in a bit of agave and stirred it, then poured
the creamy liquid into a tiny bowl and set it in front of the baby cat.

It had opened its dark blue eyes, staring up at Harry with wonder. It couldn’t have been more
than a fortnight old. The baby dipped a miniature pink tongue into the milk and began to lap
ravenously. Harry watched it, mystified. The cat was so small and innocent. How could one
small kitten ever do anyone any harm?

After the kitten had had its fill, Harry wiped it down with a baby wipe to reveal lustrous snow
white fur, and Harry noticed it was a boy. He decided then to name him Draco, for like a
dragon, he had braved a fire unhurt, and he must've been extremely brave crawling away to
safety inside the flame-engulfed cave.

As the days passed, the kitten got stronger and healthier. What was troubling however, was
that he insisted on touch. He would rub against Harry with his tiny body, purring, or try to
climb into the young boy’s lap. Harry was shooing him off repeatedly throughout the day. He
felt bad every time, because the darn thing would then sulk away in a corner, his miniature
ears and whiskers drooped. Harry offered as much milk as he could, worried that Draco
wasn’t getting enough to drink. He had replaced the oat milk with synthetic cat milk he had
cooked up using the FoodFabulator.

The FoodFabulator was a nifty invention, blending top-notch food-making tech with a vast
culinary database. It had this super smart AI built in that could understand what you wanted,
just by talking to it. Alternatively, you might simply type in whatever dish you wanted to
create, including any specific preferences or dietary restrictions.

The device had a built-in inventory of common and exotic ingredients in various forms, from
fresh produce to spices and proteins. It not only had the capability to source and order
specific ingredients from anywhere in the world instantaneously, it could even create
ingredients through voice command alone. With this device, Harry was able to brew his own
feline milk. He felt a bit like a scientist, only he was aware this was much simpler.

After another fortnight, the kitten had transitioned to solids, but grew listless and depressed,
constantly attempting to touch Harry as he, in turn, always moved away. Concerned at the
baby's behavior, Harry looked up on his holographic Cognitive Nexus about cat care and
found only obscure information on the Inner Net (his godfather Sirius had told him it was
usually used by criminals).

His heart sank when he read that, apparently, in ancient experiments, kittens that were not
touched were much more likely to succumb to disease and depression. They did not fare
well. Worried, he went back to the treehouse that night and begrudgingly allowed the little
white cat to climb up onto his lap and fall asleep. After his kitten fell into a deep slumber,
Harry carefully disentangled the baby from his chest and crept quietly back to his late
parent’s house, where his godfathers now lived.

As the sun began to peek through the curtains of their sprawling estate mansion, Sirius gently
shook young Harry awake. The second grader stirred, rubbing his eyes sleepily as he sat up in
his bed. He’d just been dreaming of Draco.

"Morning, kiddo," Sirius said with a warm smile. Even though they didn’t touch each other,
all the same affection was palpable. "Time to get ready for school."
Harry gave a massive yawn and stretched, still half-asleep as he nodded in understanding.
"Okay, Sirius," he mumbled, his voice soft and muffled.

Sirius, like Lupin, was 28 years young. He was a tall, solid guy, good-looking with clean,
shiny black hair that always seemed to catch the light. He had cool gray eyes, and always
seemed to ooze a laid-back charm that Lupin, his Ministry-picked mate, seemed to like. But
of course Lupin liked it. The Ministry always chose exactly the Right One for all its citizens,
platonically compatible in every way. Sirius was a brilliant man, and Harry knew him to be
his father’s best mate. Sirius was always there for Harry, and Harry was never in want.

Meanwhile, in the sprawling kitchen, Lupin sat at the breakfast table, sipping his coffee as he
scanned the morning newspaper. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling
with the scent of pancakes cooking on the stove.

Lupin, Sirius’s mate (along with being an old classmate and also best friends with his dad),
was another tall man with light brown hair. He always managed to look rather shabby no
matter the occasion. Unlike the hot-headed Sirius, Lupin was kind and gentle, always a
thinker before jumping into dangerous situations. Lupin too, had always been kind to Harry,
and Harry loved him just as much as Sirius. Harry felt so lucky to have them both. There was
never a day he took them for granted. His life with his god-dads was just as happy as it could
have been had he had his real parents. With two loving ever-attentive dads, Harry was never
made to feel like an orphan. Sirius and Lupin had taken on the role of guardians for Harry
after the tragic loss of his parents when he was just a baby. Despite the challenges they faced,
they had created a loving and supportive family for Harry within the walls of Harry’s
inherited grand home. And as another day began in their high-tech society, they were
determined to give Harry the best upbringing they possibly could.

As they arrived at the entrance of Hogwarts elementary school, Sirius parked the hovercar in
the air, a few feet off the ground, and turned to Harry, who was bubbling with excitement for
another day ahead. Harry's confidence shone through as he chatted animatedly about his
plans with his friends.

"Alright, kiddo, have a great day," Sirius said with a smile.

Harry grinned. "You too, Sirius. I'll see you later." He hopped expertly out of the hovercar
and waved enthusiastically as he joined his classmates on the school grounds. Sirius watched
proudly as Harry disappeared into the bustling schoolyard, surrounded by friends and
laughter. Despite the challenges Harry had faced growing up without biological parents,
Sirius was grateful for the bond they shared and for their unconventional family. As he
zapped away from the school, Sirius couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for the confident
young boy Harry was becoming. James, if you could see him now.

In the second grade, Harry had a lot of friends, but he only had two best friends, one of whom
was a tall boy with a shock of red hair, big blue eyes, and freckles dotted across his face. His
name was Ron and he was Harry’s bestest best friend. Ron was goofy and loyal, and they had
clicked immediately. Harry secretly wondered if Ron would be his Chosen Mate. Ron didn’t
have much in the way of school smarts, but out of it he was… Yeah, he was fun! Harry didn’t
care about grades.

His other best friend was a girl with brown eyes and lots of bushy brown hair. She was a
know-it-all and her name was Hermione. She was super smart. The smartest second grader of
his school. Hermione was told she was already reading at the level of the highest grade in
their elementary school which was the 6th grade. She passed all her tests without barely even
studying. Unlike Ron, she was unfortunately a goody two-shoes. She was loyal though, a
quality Harry valued.

At school, Harry was a decent student. He was loud and outgoing, always having intellectual
discussions with the adults (well.. as intellectual as a seven year old can be). He was smart,
able to pick at holes in his teacher’s discussions. (Like, plot holes in books they were reading
that no one else noticed.) He was always the first to stick up for someone who was being
picked on. In short, Harry James Potter was a genuine leader.

Even so, Harry most certainly was not going to tell his friends about his new pet. No, Draco
would not be safe if people knew about his existence, that much was certain. He couldn't
shake the fear of what might happen if anyone found out. The way society looked at cats,
with pure unbidden rabid rage…. Harry couldn't bear the thought of his little friend being
subjected to that kind of cruelty once again.

So, he kept his secret close, cherishing the moments he could steal away to spend with his
newfound companion. Harry knew his friends wouldn't go to the treehouse to discover his
secret because for one, the treehouse was located in a remote and secluded part of the
sprawling estate. The area was surrounded by dense foliage and hidden from view, making it
difficult for anyone to stumble upon it accidentally.
But most importantly, Harry had always been secretive about his personal space, and his
friends respected his privacy, knowing that he valued his alone time to recharge and unwind.
They trusted Harry and didn't feel the need to invade his sanctuary, believing that if he
wanted to share something with them, he would do so in his own time and on his own terms.
It was no secret that he was an orphan, and he would sometimes catch pitying looks from
some adults. He wished they knew how happy he was with the parents he had!

As the days turned into weeks, and then months, Harry watched with pride as his little friend
began to grow and flourish. The once timid and frightened creature now walked with
confidence, his human features slowly starting to emerge as he found his place in the world.

Cats grew up very fast in the first year, and so by a few months, Draco had grown more
human-like and now looked like a human toddler with big white furry cat ears and a thick
white tail. Draco could change back into a cat form at will. He still insisted on being very
touchy and continued to rub himself against Harry and purr (he read that cats rubbed against
things as a way of saying “This is mine!”), or sleep next to Harry in one of the many rooms
of the large treehouse. And through it all, Harry remained by his side, a silent guardian and
steadfast friend, determined to protect him from the prejudice and ignorance that lurked
outside their safe haven.

—--

One rainy afternoon, Draco, the mischievous kitten, had managed to get himself into yet
another mess. Harry sighed as he found the little ball of fur covered in mud, looking up at
him with wide, innocent silver-blue eyes that hadn’t yet finished transitioning to their
permanent adult color. "Draco, what have you gotten yourself into now?" Harry muttered,
shaking his head in amusement as he scooped the muddy kitten into his arms. Harry had
realized with deep trepidation the second he saw him that Draco had far too much mud for
him to lick clean himself. Draco would require a bath .

Humans did not bathe each other-- instead there were machines specifically designed to bathe
a very young or very old person who could not bathe themselves. The machines certainly
didn’t work on cats, as they had different body parts. But more importantly, the machines
were specifically programmed to reject all cats. Their sexual urges were by itself considered
unclean and thus made all cats unclean by default. Harry knew he’d have to do the unpleasant
task of bathing Draco himself.
Despite being miles into the secluded wooded area of the estate, he couldn't help glancing
around furtively. Harry knew he couldn't risk being seen touching Draco, or even being near
Draco at all. With a resigned sigh, he carefully and hurriedly stuffed a disheveled and
annoyed Draco into his backpack and dashed up the steps into the treehouse. Even after
entering the grand bathroom of the treehouse, his heart was still pounding with the irrational
fear of being caught. In flashbacks he still saw the flames that licked hungrily at the cave
where Draco was found. He could still smell the flesh---

Setting Draco down in the sink, he turned on the water, its loud spray distracting him from
his thoughts. He adjusted the temperature to warm.

"Alright, Draco, time for a bath," Harry said softly, his voice tinged with worry. Draco
meowed angrily in protest as the water cascaded over his fur, but Harry only snickered, “You
did this to yourself, Drake,” as he gingerly worked to wash away the mud, careful to avoid as
much direct contact as he could. It was a delicate dance, but Harry was determined to get
Draco clean. Even so, his face was red hot with embarrassment and discomfort at this
prolonged touch. And as he dried off the now-clean kitten and returned him to his cozy bed,
Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. Despite the risks, he would do
whatever it took to protect Draco, his precious friend and companion.

He vowed never again with the uncomfortable bathing, but Draco, ever the adventurous
kitten, had a knack for finding trouble wherever he went. This time was no different. Merely
a week after the last bath, Harry sighed as he spotted Draco darting through the bushes, his
white fur now streaked with patches of dirt and leaves.

"Draco, what have you been up to?" Harry called out, a mixture of frustration and amusement
in his voice.

But Draco paid no attention, too engrossed in his exploration of the world around him.
Draco's curiosity had led him down a path he would soon regret. As he prowled through the
underbrush, his attention was caught by a strange, black and white creature ahead. Ignoring
Harry's frantic shouts to stay away, Draco crept closer, his curiosity overwhelming any sense
of caution.
And then it happened—the unmistakable sound of a skunk's warning, followed by a sharp
spray that enveloped Draco in a pungent cloud. "Draco, no!" Harry called out, knowing it
was too late. The damage was done, and now Draco was left with a scent that would linger
for days. Harry's heart sank as he watched from a distance, knowing that Draco's natural
instinct to investigate had led him into a mess he couldn't easily escape.

With a heavy sigh, Harry approached cautiously, his nose wrinkling at the overpowering
stench. He knew that another bath was in order, but this time, it would take more than just
soap and water to rid Draco of the skunk's potent odor. With a resigned shake of his head,
Harry followed the muddy trail Draco had left behind, knowing that another bath was
inevitable. As he caught up to the mischievous kitten, Harry couldn't help but smile at his
boundless energy and curiosity. Despite the extra work it would entail, he wouldn't trade
Draco's antics for anything in the world. With a gentle hand, he scooped up the muddy ball of
fur, already resigned to the task of giving him yet another bath.

Once safely back in the treehouse, Harry set about the task of de-skunking Draco, determined
to rid his furry friend of the pungent odor that clung to him like a stubborn shadow. With a
quick search through the shelves, Harry located a bottle of specialized skunk odor remover
that he had stashed away for emergencies just like this. Carefully, he poured a generous
amount into a basin of warm water, making sure once again, that he would avoid any direct
skin-to-skin contact with Draco.

"Alright, Draco, time for another bath," Harry said softly, trying to mask the revulsion he felt
at the lingering scent. Draco, now the cooperative companion, stood patiently as Harry
worked the solution through his fur, the strong smell gradually giving way to a more neutral
scent. Despite the unpleasant task, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as he watched
the skunk odor dissipate, replaced by the comforting scent of the treehouse and the warmth of
their bond.

Little Draco absolutely adored these warm bubble baths, his kittenish purrs filling the air as
he frolicked in the sudsy water, his youthful exuberance on full display. Harry couldn't help
but smile as he watched Draco's antics, the sight filling his heart with warmth and affection.
In those moments, as Draco basked in the bliss of the bath, Harry couldn't help but think that
there was something undeniably adorable about the way Draco's tiny little ears twitched and
his tail flicked with excitement. It was a thought that lingered in Harry's mind, sparking a
curiosity he couldn't quite shake.

Yet, even as he found himself admiring Draco's cuteness, Harry couldn't help but wonder if
anyone else shared his sentiment. In their society, where cats were hated and shot on sight, he
doubted that many people saw cats in the same light. It was a sad reality that Harry wished he
could change, but for now, he could only cherish these precious moments of innocence and
joy shared between himself and Draco.

Once Draco was clean and dry, Harry made a mental note to keep a closer eye on him in the
future, knowing that his curiosity had a way of getting him into trouble. But for now, as they
curled up together in the cozy confines of the treehouse, Harry couldn't help but feel grateful
for the adventures they shared, skunk encounters and all.

—--

Oftentimes he was plagued with nightmares.

‘ Cats will always be cats!’ Laughter.

Flames. The smell.

‘Just wait until he’s older..’ Harry saw silhouettes of the townsfolk, sneering at him, with eyes
as bottomless as the neighbor’s well.

Shrill cats yowling in pain.

Hissing.

‘You are a fool!’

More laughter.

Such cruel laughter.

 —--

Harry’s eyes snapped open, and he was breathless and trembling, his long black hair sticking
to his face. He had one of his nightmares again. Turning onto his side, he saw his (admittedly
adorable) kitten-boy asleep next to him in his cat form. Draco was a little older now. His
young face was peaceful with sleep, and one large ear twitched, but otherwise the kitten was
perfectly still.

Harry reached out and stroked his head gently. Harry was used to these touches now, as his
cat was exceedingly affectionate (unfortunately all cats were, according to the secret Inner
Net databases). He felt a strong irrational urge to kiss Draco’s forehead, and nearly held back,
until he remembered that this was his cat and he could do what he wanted without having to
face indignant judgment. A kiss was innocent, and Harry’s kitten wasn’t like humans that
would take it the wrong way. After all, Draco was but a baby kitten. Harry knew in his heart
that babies, even if they were cats, were innocent.

He leaned over and kissed Draco’s soft forehead, then his cheek. Draco was so warm and
smelled of kitten milk and sweet crumbs. He was wonderful, beautiful, and all Harry’s. He
knew now why the ancients used to keep cats as synthetic companions before they were
deemed too wicked to befriend and instead hunted. Eventually Harry was lulled peacefully
back to sleep by his pet’s steady breathing.

—--

He never knew about the heat.

2 years later…

As Harry turned nine, he began to spend more and more nights in the treehouse, much to the
curiosity of his godfathers. He made up excuses about wanting to enjoy the fresh air and
starry nights, but deep down, he knew the real reason: he couldn't bear to be away from
Draco. Their bond had grown stronger over the years, and Harry found himself longing for
Draco's presence each night as he slept alone. It started innocently enough, with Draco in cat
form seeking comfort in Harry's company during thunderstorms or nightmares (many of
which they both had). But soon enough, it became a nightly routine, with Draco curling up
beside Harry, seeking warmth and security in his embrace. Draco’s purr would be deafening
at times, and Harry didn’t really mind the feeling of his whiskers much anymore, even though
it tickled his nose at times.

At first, Harry felt a pang of guilt for harboring such feelings towards his pet. After all, they
were just friends, weren't they? But as the nights passed and Draco's presence became a
comforting constant in his life, Harry couldn't deny the truth: he had grown to love having
Draco by his side. But he knew this was normal. Synthetic companions were animals (be they
magical or not) that were kept solely as companions. They had dogs, horses, hyenas, bunnies,
parrots, ligers, ferrets, all kinds of natural creatures (ie. animals without powers). There were
other magical creatures as well, such as centaurs, unicorns, etc. that were kept as synthetic
companions. Synthetic companions were a big deal, and they were often treated as part of the
family if the companion was lucky.

Of course, none of the companions were ever touched with affectionate intent.

Begrudgingly, Harry admitted to himself that he kinda sorta enjoyed the intimacy of their
nightly ritual, the feeling of Draco's warm fur pressed against him as they slept. And as he
drifted off to sleep each night, surrounded by the quiet comfort of the treehouse and the
steady rhythm of Draco's breathing, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash
over him, grateful for the bond they shared.

Draco was sometimes in his humanoid catboy form. When he was, he was bigger than Harry.
His presence filled the space with a quiet strength, his taller frame slightly towering over
Harry's smaller stature. Despite the size difference, Draco's demeanor remained spit-fire but
gentle, a silent protector watching over Harry as he slept. Harry couldn't help but feel a sense
of security in Draco's presence, knowing that he was there to keep him safe throughout the
night.

Like the cat he was, Draco’s reflexes and agility were supreme. He could jump super high
and run really really fast. Draco was naturally strong without having to work out. Harry was a
bit jealous of his friend in that respect. Draco was also supremely intelligent. His eyes were
always knowing and alert.

As they lay curled up together in the cozy confines of the treehouse, Harry felt a bond
between them that went beyond words, a connection that defied explanation but felt
undeniably real. Together, they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's warmth and the
quiet comfort of their shared sanctuary. As the night stretched on, filled with the soft rustle
of leaves and the distant chirp of crickets, Harry knew that he was exactly where he
belonged: curled up with his closest friend, his loyal companion, his Draco.
 Revelations and Revelry
Chapter Summary

Harry and his friends enter Hogwarts High at last, while Draco becomes increasingly
flirtatious. Meanwhile, a dangerous threat looms on the horizon, threatening their
peaceful lives.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

5 years later

Harry was 14 when he entered Hogwarts High with Ron and Hermione. This was no ordinary
school. It was widely considered to be one of the best schools in the world by far, and
extremely popular, renowned for spitting out prodigies. Hogwarts High's stellar reputation
extended far and wide, drawing students from across the country and even beyond its
borders. Its halls echoed with the footsteps of future leaders, innovators, and trailblazers, all
eager to carve out their own paths to success.

The school's academic curriculum was unparalleled, with a rigorous course load designed to
challenge even the brightest minds. From advanced mathematics and cutting-edge science to
literature and the arts, Hogwarts High offered a comprehensive education that prepared
students for the challenges of the modern world. But it wasn't just academics that set
Hogwarts High apart. The school boasted state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including
well-equipped laboratories, a vast library stocked with thousands of books, and
extracurricular activities ranging from sports teams to debate clubs. Beyond its academic
offerings, Hogwarts High was also known for its vibrant and inclusive community. Students
from all walks of life came together to learn and grow, fostering a spirit of collaboration and
camaraderie that enriched the educational experience.

Year after year, Hogwarts High produced graduates who went on to achieve great things,
whether in academia, business, or the arts. Its alumni network was vast and influential, with
former students making their mark on the world in fields as diverse as politics, technology,
and entertainment.

For Harry and his classmates, attending Hogwarts High was more than just a chance to
receive a top-notch education—it was an opportunity to be part of something truly
extraordinary. As they embarked on their journey through the halls of the prestigious school,
they knew that they were destined for greatness, guided by the legacy of Hogwarts High and
the countless success stories that came before them.

As Harry stepped through the imposing gates for the first time, he couldn't help but feel a
sense of awe and excitement. The sprawling school campus sprawled out before him, a
bustling hive of activity as students hurried to and fro, eager to begin another day of learning
and discovery. The halls of the school were lined with lockers adorned with colorful posters
and graffiti, each one a testament to the vibrant personalities of the students who roamed the
corridors. The classrooms buzzed with energy as teachers led engaging lessons and students
eagerly participated in discussions and debates.

Despite the rigorous academic curriculum, Hogwarts High was also a place of camaraderie
and friendship. Harry quickly found himself surrounded by a diverse group of classmates,
each one bringing their own unique talents and perspectives to the table. Together, they
navigated the challenges of high school life, supporting each other through triumphs and
tribulations alike.

Having 50,000 students from all walks of life, the high school was much like a giant
university in and of itself. It had dorms for every student who needed them. What’s more,
tuition was free.

Because of so many students, the House sorting was not done in front of the whole school but
one-on-one. On the first day, students wore headsets of advanced neuroimaging technology.
Once sorted, the information of the chosen House went down into the student’s records on a
public database connected to the rest of the school. Upon entering the sorting chamber, each
student was fitted with a specialized headset equipped with brain sensors. The sensors
analyzed their brainwaves, mapping patterns of neural activity associated with various
personality traits and characteristics. Simultaneously, a sophisticated bio-tech nano artificial
intelligence system processed the data from the brain scans, using machine learning
algorithms to correctly identify and categorize the students into their respective Houses.
Drawing from billions of personality profiles and behavioral patterns, the AI was able to
accurately assess each student's traits and assign them to the House that best aligned with
their individual strengths and values.

The sorting process was seamless and efficient, eliminating the need for cumbersome
assessments or subjective judgments. Within seconds, the students received their permanent
House assignments. These were public record. This high-tech sorting method ensured that
each student was placed in a House where they could thrive and contribute positively to the
school community, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among the diverse student body.
What's more, Housing status was considered legally binding outside of school. All humans
were sorted at age 14. Houses were generally encouraged to mix (although most did not feel
like doing so) and multi-house households were encouraged.

Harry's heart pounded with anticipation as he stepped into the sorting chamber where 12,500
other wide-eyed freshman students had been ushered into. Harry’s mind was racing with
thoughts of which House he would be sorted into. The specialized headset snug against his
temples, he felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through him as the sensors began to
analyze his brainwaves. Beside him, Ron and Hermione sat, putting on their own headsets,
expressions mirroring his own mix of excitement and apprehension. Ron, who had gotten
impossibly taller, fidgeted with the hem of his uniform, while Hermione, with her wild hair
and large buck teeth, chewed nervously on her lower lip, her eyes darting around the
chamber. As the sorting process began, Harry couldn't help but steal glances at his two
friends, wondering where they would end up. He knew that whatever House they were sorted
into, they would remain friends, but there was a small part of him that hoped they would all
be together.

Moments later, the holographic screen in front of him flashed to life, displaying the results of
his sorting. Harry's heart skipped a beat as he read the words "Gryffindor" next to his name
and photo. A surge of glee coursed through him. "I'm in Gryffindor!" Harry exclaimed,
unable to contain his excitement as he turned to Ron and Hermione, his face splitting into a
wide grin. It really didn’t matter, since all the houses were equal, but it was the house of his
godparents and parents. Now he’d be following in their footsteps.

Ron's eyes widened in disbelief at his own house: also Gryffindor. A grin spread across his
freckled face. "No way! That's brilliant, Harry! We’re both in the same house!" he exclaimed.
Ron was enthralled. All his brothers were also Gryffindor. No sooner had he received his
results that Hermione's eyes sparkled with delight as she got her result… Gryffindor as well.

"I knew we'd be in Gryffindor! It's where we belong," she beamed, her voice filled with
pride. For Harry, it felt like destiny had led them all to this moment. And as he stood
surrounded by his friends, he knew that this was just the beginning of their adventures
together in the house of courage and bravery.

In the school's main entrance hall, a large banner proudly displayed the crests of Gryffindor,
Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, each representing a unique set of values and
characteristics. Throughout the year, students participated in various House competitions and
activities, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendly rivalry among the different Houses.
In the classrooms, students sat in designated House sections, adorned with banners and colors
representing their respective Houses. Teachers incorporated House points into their grading
system, rewarding students for academic excellence, leadership, and acts of kindness. Points
were often docked for failing to meet standards.

During school assemblies and events, students proudly displayed their House colors and
mascots, cheering on their fellow Housemates in competitions and sports games. House pride
ran deep within the school community, as students strive to uphold the values and traditions
of their chosen houses. Regardless of House, students at the high school embraced their
House identity with enthusiasm and pride, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the
school community. But Hogwarts High was not without its share of rivalries and tensions.
The competitive atmosphere fueled by the school's reputation for excellence sometimes led to
clashes between students vying for top honors and recognition. Yet, amidst the fierce
competition, Harry discovered true friendships and forged bonds that would last a lifetime.

As he embarked on his journey through Hogwarts High, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense
of excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. With each passing day, he
grew more determined to make the most of his time at the prestigious school, determined to
leave his mark on its storied halls and emerge as a true prodigy in his own right.

*̣̥☆· ̥‧❄‧̩̥·‧•̥̩̥ ‧·‧̩̥ ☃ ‧̩·̥ ‧•̥̩̥ ‧·‧̩̥❄‧· ̥̣☆*̣̥

Freshman high school: CHRISTMAS

The grand halls of the Potter mansion were adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and
festive decorations, casting a warm and inviting glow over the surroundings. Harry, Sirius,
and Lupin gathered together in the cozy sitting room, surrounded by the crackling warmth of
the fireplace and the scent of pine from the towering Christmas tree. They had just finished
their traditional gift giving and delectable Christmas family dinner. Harry had begun covertly
packing some PJs into a duffel bag and as he was headed towards the front door, Sirius
stopped him.

"So, Harry," Sirius said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Off to a Christmas sleepover, are
you?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Uh, yeah," he admitted, his voice
tinged with nervousness. "I promised some friends I'd stop by later." He felt bad about lying.
Well, he wasn't lying per se, but it was a half-truth. By friends he'd meant 'a friend.'

Lupin raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Always the social
butterfly, Harry," he remarked teasingly.

Harry chuckled nervously, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, well, you know
how it is," he said, his restless gaze flickering towards the window where he knew his
treehouse stood strong and silent in the distance. He was feeling antsy as he shifted foot to
foot.

Sirius and Lupin exchanged a glance, their lips twitching with suppressed amusement. "Of
course, Harry," Sirius said, his tone laced with mock seriousness. "We wouldn't want to keep
you from your holiday festivities."

As Harry hurriedly excused himself and made his way towards the door, a rush of excitement
surged through him at the thought of spending the rest of the night with Draco in their cozy
treehouse. Despite the little white lie he had just told, he couldn't wait to be reunited with his
beloved companion and begin their Christmas celebrations together.

The treehouse was adorned with twinkling rainbow Christmas lights, casting a warm and
festive glow over the room as Harry and Draco changed into their fluffy pajamas and bustled
about the kitchen, preparing to bake chocolate M&M cookies. Those were Draco’s favorite.
Classic Christmas tunes filled the air, adding to the merry atmosphere as they worked side by
side, occasionally singing along to their favorites.

"So, Draco, any secret ingredients you want to add to our cookies?" Harry teased, a
mischievous grin playing on his lips as he reached for the mixing bowl.

Draco shot him a playful glare, the hood of his pajamas slipping slightly over his eyes. "Only
if you promise not to mess up the recipe this time, Potter," he quipped, a hint of laughter in
his voice.

Harry feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart in mock indignation. "Hey now, I'll have
you know I'm an excellent baker," he protested, earning a skeptical look from Draco. "And
don't call me 'Potter'!"

Draco raised an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips. "An excellent baker, huh?" His tone
was dripping with amusement. "I seem to recall a certain incident involving burnt biscuits
last week. And as for the 'Potter' part, that is your name, is it not?"

Harry laughed, rolling his eyes. "Alright, alright, so maybe I'm not perfect," he conceded with
a grin. "But you have to admit, those biscuits had character. And yes, technically, 'Potter' is
my name, but coming from you, it just sounds too... formal."

Draco rolled his eyes right back, giving Harry a light shove, but there was a fondness in his
expression that belied his teasing. "Sure, Harry," he replied, his voice laced with affection.
"How did you ever manage without me?" As they worked, their banter flowed freely,
punctuated by bouts of laughter and gentle teasing. Draco's nimble fingers deftly measured
out ingredients, while Harry expertly stirred the batter, their movements synchronized as they
worked in tandem.

"Careful with those M&Ms, Draco, you're going to eat them all before we even get them in
the cookies," Harry whined.

Draco grinned, popping a handful of M&Ms into his mouth with a mischievous twinkle in his
eye. "Can't help it, they're too delicious to resist," he replied, his voice muffled by the candy.
As they slid the cookie dough onto baking sheets and popped them into the oven, the scent of
chocolate filled the air, mingling with the warm and comforting aroma of the Christmas
season. They leaned against the kitchen counter, watching through the oven door as the
cookies baked to golden perfection. With each passing minute, their anticipation grew, the
tantalizing aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air. And as they finally pulled the trays
from the oven, their faces lit up with delight, their mouths watering in anticipation of the
sweet treats before them. With a shared grin, they reached for the first batch of cookies, their
laughter mingling with the joy of the holiday season as they savored the simple pleasures of
baking together in their cozy treehouse retreat.

As Draco leaned in to grab another deliciously soft cookie, a small smudge of cookie dough
found its way onto his cheek, unnoticed by the catboy. Harry, however, couldn't help but
notice, his gaze drawn to the tiny speck of dough against Draco's smooth skin. Unable to
resist the urge, Harry reached out with gentle fingers, his touch light as he brushed the errant
dough from Draco's cheek. Draco blinked in surprise, turning to look at Harry with a curious
expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement as he noticed the
focused look on Harry's face.

Harry felt a warmth spread through him, a rush of affection swelling in his chest as he met
Draco's gaze. "You had a bit of dough on your cheek," he replied softly, a small smile playing
on his lips.

Draco's eyes softened, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, Harry," he
replied, his voice filled with warmth as he leaned his body affectionately into Harry’s. In that
simple moment, as they stood together in their cozy treehouse kitchen, surrounded by the
scent of freshly baked cookies and the soft glow of Christmas lights, Harry felt a sense of
contentment wash over him. With Draco by his side, even the simplest gestures held a magic
all their own, binding them together in a bond that was as sweet and enduring as the holiday
season itself.

As the snowflakes danced outside the window, seeming bigger and fluffier by the minute,
Harry and Draco nestled together on the couch, cocooned in their fluffy pajamas with hoods
pulled snugly over their heads. The crackling fireplace cast a warm glow across the room as
they snuggled close, the comforting heat warding off the winter chill. With steaming mugs of
hot cocoa cradled in their hands, adorned with candy canes and puffy oozing marshmallows
that bobbed playfully in the rich chocolatey depths, they played a favorite classic Christmas
movie. They slipped on headsets so that they felt as if they were actually inside the movie,
whilst simultaneously sitting on the couch together.

Draco's laughter filled the room as the fictional characters embarked on their whimsical
adventures, while Harry couldn't help but smile at the joy sparkling in his catboy's eyes.
Between scenes, they indulged in gingerbread men and the freshly baked Christmas cookies,
each bite a delicious explosion of sweetness and warmth. Harry absentmindedly reached for a
cookie and fed it to Draco, who accepted it with a grateful purr, his warm breath tickling
Harry's hand. The warmth of the cookie and the sweetness of the chocolate and M&M's filled
Draco's senses, eliciting a contented sigh from the catboy as he savored the treat and leaned
in even closer to the other boy. Wrapped up in each other's arms, with the soft glow of the
Christmas lights illuminating their cozy sanctuary, Harry and Draco shared a moment of pure
bliss, their hearts filled with love and gratitude for the simple joys of the holiday season and
the warmth of their shared companionship.

After the movie ended, Draco mischievously produced a sprig of mistletoe from his pocket
and held it above their heads, a playful glint in his eyes. Harry's cheeks flushed crimson as
Draco leaned in for a quick kiss, catching him off guard. Despite his flustered state, Harry
couldn't help but smile at Draco's antics. As Draco pulled away, Harry's heart fluttered with
affection, and for a moment, he was tempted to pull Draco into a tight hug. However, he
resisted the impulse, opting instead to play it cool and maintain his composure.

Draco smirked knowingly, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Caught you under the
mistletoe, Harry."

Harry chuckled nervously, his cheeks still tinged with a rosy hue. "You planned this, didn't
you?"

Draco's toothy grin widened. "Maybe I did. But you didn't seem to mind," he teased, leaning
in closer, whiskers grazing Harry's cheeks.

Harry's heart raced as he tried to calm himself down. "Well, it was just a quick kiss," he
mumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Draco chuckled, sensing Harry's unease. "Relax, Harry. It's Christmas," he said softly,
reaching out to gently squeeze Harry's hand.

Blushing, Harry decided to change the subject by striding under the Christmas tree and
eagerly handing Draco a neatly wrapped package, excitement dancing in his eyes. "Merry
Christmas, Draco," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

Draco's eyes lit up as he accepted the gift, his curiosity piqued. "Thanks, Harry," he replied,
his tone tinged with excitement. He carefully tore off the intricate wrapping paper to reveal a
cozy sweater with a goofy white blushing snow dragon adorned with Santa's hat in the front.
"Oh, Harry, it's perfect!" he exclaimed, mewing delightedly and pulling it out and admiring
the fabric. Draco rubbed his nose into the sweet-smelling sweater, his tail curling
contentedly.

Harry beamed with pride. "I saw it in the shop and thought of you," he confessed, feeling a
surge of happiness at Draco's reaction.

Draco grinned, his gaze softening with affection. "Thank you, Harry. I love it," he said
sincerely.

Harry felt a surge of gratitude for having Draco in his life. "You're welcome, Draco. I'm glad
you like it," he replied, his voice warm.

With a playful glint in his eyes, Draco reached for a small package hidden behind the couch.
"Now it's your turn," he teased, holding out the gift to Harry. This gift was even wrapped
more intricately than Harry's, if that was possible. Draco was always the best gift wrapper.
Harry has told Draco many times over the years that if not for being a cat, he could have
started his own private gift-wrapping business.

Eyes wide with excitement, Harry eagerly tore open the wrapping paper (with none of
Draco's earlier finesse) as Draco watched anxiously, his heart pounding as Harry revealed the
contents of the package. Inside was a beautifully crafted stuffed lion that was wearing a
lovely vest adorned with Gryffindor colors. This lion was made from Draco's own fur which
had obviously been dyed golden. It was a labor of love, evident in every stitch and detail.

Harry's astonishment was palpable as he carefully lifted the plush toy from its packaging,
running his fingers over the soft fur and marveling at the craftsmanship. "Draco, this is..
incredible," he whispered, eyes glistening with affection. "Thank you so much." Draco's
cheeks flushed with pleasure at Harry's reaction, his heart soaring at the knowledge that his
gift had been well-received. It was a token of his love, a tangible expression of the bond they
shared, and he couldn't have been happier to see Harry's delight.

As the night grew late and they were just finishing up their gingerbread houses, Draco stifled
a yawn, feeling the pleasant pull of sleep tugging at his eyelids. The constant warmth of the
fireplace wasn't helping. "I think it's time for bed," he murmured mid-yawn. His voice was
soft with exhaustion as he gave a big back cracking stretch.

Harry nodded, feeling the weariness in his own bones. "Yeah, I could use some sleep," he
agreed, stifling a yawn of his own. Glancing wistfully at their brilliant and delicious-looking
gingerbread homes, Harry added, "We can eat these tomorrow."

The boys made their way to the bathroom, where they each brushed their teeth much in a
daze of sleepiness. As they trudged along to the large bedroom in the now dimly-lit
treehouse, their steps slow and heavy with exhaustion, Harry and Draco found themselves
unconsciously reaching for each other's hands. Their fingers intertwined naturally, a silent
reassurance in the darkness of the night. The warmth of the fluffy blankets enveloped them as
they climbed into bed, their bodies instinctively seeking each other's heat to ward off the chill
of the now blizzard raging outside.

"Come on, let's get comfy," Draco said, his voice muffled against Harry's hair. Snuggled
close together, they melted into each other's embrace, the softness of the blankets cocooning
them in a comforting embrace. Harry chuckled softly, feeling a wave of warmth wash over
him at Draco's affectionate gesture. With a contented sigh, Harry nestled his head against
Draco’s chest as Draco shifted closer to Harry, wrapping his arms around him in a sleepy
embrace.

"Sounds good to me," Harry replied, yawning, and returning the hug with equal tenderness.
As they settled into bed, the softness of their fluffy pajamas providing comfort and warmth,
Harry felt a sense of peace wash over him. Harry could scarcely believe he'd ever used to live
without touching another person. This felt very nice. Very right. "I'm glad you're here,
Draco," he whispered, his words barely above a whisper.

Draco smiled sleepily, nuzzling closer to Harry. "Me too, Harry," he murmured, his voice
laced with contentment. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”

With their toes brushing and legs tangled, they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's
arms and surrounded by the soft glow of Christmas lights, oblivious to the raging blizzard
just outside. In that moment, all was right in their world, and nothing else mattered but the
warmth of their love and the comfort of their embrace.

*̣̥☆· ̥‧❄‧̩̥·‧•̥̩̥ ‧·‧̩̥ ☃ ‧̩·̥ ‧•̥̩̥ ‧·‧̩̥❄‧· ̥̣☆*̣̥

When Harry was a sophomore at 15, he and Ron tried out for Gryffindor’s Quidditch team.
Harry's heart raced with anticipation as he stepped onto the Quidditch pitch for tryouts, his
hands clammy with nerves. The air buzzed with excitement as students lined the sidelines,
eager to see who would make the cut. Ron stood beside him, his red hair tousled in the wind
as he nervously adjusted his gloves. "I can't believe we're actually trying out for the team,"
Ron muttered, his voice tinged with nervous energy. Harry nodded, his stomach churning
with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Yeah, it's pretty nerve-wracking," he admitted, glancing around at the other hopefuls
gathered on the pitch. As the tryouts got underway, Harry gave it his all, soaring through the
air on his Quidditch with precision and skill. He dove for the Quaffle, executed flawless
maneuvers, and blocked shots with lightning-fast reflexes. Despite his natural talent and
athleticism, Harry faced stiff competition from more experienced players, and fighting to
secure a spot on the team was no easy feat. But with grit and determination, Harry quickly
proved himself to be a valuable asset to the team, dazzling spectators with his lightning-fast
reflexes and skillful maneuvers. Ron, meanwhile, struggled to keep up, his movements
clumsy and uncoordinated. Despite his best efforts, he fumbled catches and missed
opportunities, his frustration and embarrassment mounting with each passing minute.

After what felt like an eternity, the tryouts came to an end, and the coaches gathered the
hopefuls to announce the team roster. Harry's heart pounded with anticipation as the names
were called out one by one. They were competing against hundreds of students who showed
up at the try-outs. "And our newest team member is... Harry Potter!" the team captain
exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. But there was awe in the way he’d said it. “Harry,
you have real talent. How would you feel about being a seeker?”

Harry’s breath caught in his throat. A seeker? “Are you sure, Wood?” he asked, his voice
tinged with disbelief. Seekers were roles normally reserved for upperclassmen. His father had
been one of the greatest seekers in Hogwarts High history. He had seen his dad’s golden
plaque encased in the hall leading up to the school’s gymnasium. Sirius and Lupin would go
on and on about his dad’s winning saves as the Seeker. Oliver Wood nodded emphatically, his
eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Absolutely, Harry! You've got the skill, the reflexes, and the determination. You're exactly
what our team needs to win the Quidditch Cup this year," he said, his tone unwavering.
Harry's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. Being offered the seeker position was a
dream come true, a chance to follow in his father's footsteps and make a name for himself on
the Quidditch pitch. But it was also a daunting responsibility, one that carried the weight of
Gryffindor's hopes and expectations.

"Thanks, Wood. I won't let you down," Harry said, his voice filled with determination as he
accepted the offer. He knew that this was his moment to shine, his opportunity to prove
himself as a true Gryffindor and lead his team to victory. And as he saluted Wood, a sense of
excitement and anticipation washed over him, propelling him forward into a new chapter of
his Hogwarts journey. Around him, his new teammates whooped and cheered noisily. Beside
him, Ron was going wild with joy for his friend, clapping and whooping perhaps the loudest
of all. Even so, Harry's heart went out to his best friend, knowing how much Ron had wanted
to make the team too. "Thanks, Ron," he said, his voice tinged with sympathy. "But hey,
maybe next year you'll make it."

Ron shrugged. "Yeah, maybe," he replied with a forced grin, though the disappointment was
evident in his eyes. "Or maybe I'll just stick to being the best spectator in the stands."

Harry gave Ron his full attention and said, "Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. Besides, we
can practice together, and with my expert coaching, I'm sure you'll make the team next year."
Everyone knew how good Harry was at teaching.

Ron's eyes brightened at Harry's words, a hint of hope flickering in them. "You really think
so?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and excitement.

"Absolutely," Harry affirmed with a reassuring smile. "We'll work on your moves, your
strategy, everything. By next year, you'll be unstoppable."

Ron grinned, a surge of determination coursing through him. "Alright, then. You've got
yourself a training partner, Harry," he declared.

Harry grinned, his resolve matching Ron's. "Deal," he replied with a determined nod. "We'll
make a great team, on and off the pitch." Turning back to his teammates, Harry couldn't help
but feel a surge of pride as he realized he had achieved his dream of becoming a member of
the school's Quidditch team, like his father before him. And as he soared through the sky on
his quidditch, he knew that this was just the beginning of his journey to Quidditch glory.

He was one of the seven members of Gryffindor. Quidditch took place in specially designed
arenas equipped with advanced technology and safety measures to ensure the thrill of the
game. The game featured two teams of seven players each, equipped with high-tech gear and
riding state-of-the-art flying sticks called Quidditches. These sleek, light-weight aerodynamic
sticks were powered by advanced propulsion systems, allowing players to soar through the
air at high speeds and perform exhilarating aerial maneuvers. The sticks had a special
technology that caused riders to feel cushioned whilst sitting atop. Teams competed to score
points by maneuvering a high-tech orb equipped with sensors and tracking devices to
enhance gameplay. Players had to use skill, strategy, and teamwork to outmaneuver their
opponents, dodging obstacles and navigating the fast-paced aerial environment. Each player
had a specific role on the team, with positions including attackers, defenders, and a
goalkeeper tasked with protecting their goalpost.
Quidditch was not without its dangers, as players had to contend with high-speed collisions,
mid-air jousting, and the risk of falling from great heights. To mitigate these risks, players
wore advanced safety gear at all times, including impact-resistant armor, helmet-mounted
cameras for real-time monitoring, and emergency parachutes for rapid descent in case of
emergencies. Despite the inherent dangers, Quidditch captivated audiences with its
breathtaking aerial acrobatics, fast-paced action, and heart-stopping moments of suspense.
With its blend of cutting-edge technology and high-flying excitement, Quidditch pushed the
boundaries of sports entertainment and offered students an unforgettable thrill ride in the sky.

Harry's journey to becoming the seeker was marked by determination, perseverance, and a
deep-rooted passion for the sport. From his first days on the team as the coveted position of
Seeker, Harry faced numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. But with the
unwavering support of his friends, including his godfathers Sirius and Lupin, Harry forged
ahead, determined to make a name for himself on the Quidditch pitch. As the seasons passed,
Harry's passion for Quidditch only grew stronger. He practically lived and breathed the sport.
It was a position that held a special significance for Harry, as he longed to follow in his
father’s footsteps and carry on his own legacy.

By the next school year, at 16, Harry was promoted as the new Captain of the team, to the joy
of everyone around him, but especially Ron and Hermione, his biggest supporters. It was a
moment of triumph for Harry, a validation of his skills and dedication to the sport he loved. It
was a responsibility that Harry embraced wholeheartedly, leading his team with courage, grit,
and a fierce determination to win. During matches, with his friends cheering him on from the
sidelines, Harry soared through the air with determination and focus, determined to prove
himself worthy of the Captain’s role. With each match, Harry honed his skills as a Seeker,
mastering the art of spotting the elusive Golden Snitch and leading his team to victory time
and time again.

His godfathers, Sirius and Lupin, were a constant presence in the stands, cheering him on
with pride and admiration as he soared through the sky. As Harry's reputation as a skilled
Seeker grew, so too did comparisons to his father, James. But Harry was determined to carve
out his own path and make a name for himself on the Quidditch pitch, and with each match,
he proved that he was more than capable of living up to his father's legacy. With his
godfathers and friends by his side, Harry led the Hogwarts High Quidditch team to victory
after victory, thrilling spectators with his daring maneuvers and unmatched skill as a seeker.
And as he soared through the air on his Quidditch, chasing the Golden Snitch with
determination and grace, Harry knew that he had truly come into his own in this exhilarating
sport he loved.

Despite Harry's success on the Quidditch pitch, he never forgot about his loyal companion,
Draco. Draco had grown up handsomely. Even though he was 9 years old, his cat genes made
him appear to be Harry's age, maybe even a bit older. At 9, Draco in catboy form, was
sporting ears that used to be one size too big, but now looked perfect on his head, and he had
a long, thick furry brilliant snowy white tail. His eyes lost the dark blue of kittenhood and
was now replaced with a very icy, brilliant silver - only the silver that a cat's eyes could
produce. Harry caught himself thinking proudly that his cat was absolutely gorgeous. Not that
he’s seen a lot of them, as they were often hunted, but Harry couldn’t help thinking that his
pet was quite possibly the best looking cat specimen around.
Times where Draco would strut around shirtless in the treehouse, Harry would have to catch
his breath at his cat's utter beauty. Draco's defined muscles were taut over his porcelain skin,
at times scarred from his skirmishes with neighboring cats. Despite being a cat, when in
catboy form, Draco had only a very light dusting of barely noticeable hair on his stomach and
pecs. Young as he still was, the power Draco exuded took Harry's breath away. Harry was the
premier star school jock and had the pristine body of one, with a splattering of dark hairs on
his defined pecs and then a line of hair tracing from the middle of his tummy trailing ever
downwards. Yet still, his muscles and abs were nothing compared to Draco's. It was quite
unfair, really. It was like comparing a powerful man with a tiger. The tiger would always be
stronger. All Draco had to do was exist and nature did the rest.

Harry had messy short black hair, always with a touch of wildness to it. He was a messy kid,
and his hair certainly showed it. Draco’s nearly white-blonde hair was always pristine and
somehow in place. He always displayed an air of haughty arrogance. He was good looking,
and boy did he know it. Harry figured it was the feline in him that caused him to be so sassy
and such a show-off.

Draco often requested only sleek, form-fitting clothes that accentuated his lithe physique,
with touches of elegance and sophistication reminiscent of his cat-like grace. As to Harry’s
exasperation, he’d refused to wear anything else. Harry meanwhile, was dressed usually in a
soft, relaxed t-shirt and sporty sweats. Where’d Draco learn to be so posh anyway? No one in
Harry’s contacts were particularly well-dressed, at least to the standard of Draco's.

"Draco, seriously, must you be so insufferably lavish all the time?" Harry grumbled, eyeing
Draco's impeccably tailored outfit and hair with a mixture of admiration and annoyance.

Draco smirked, a playful glint in his striking gray eyes. "Oh, Harry, you're just jealous
because I have style and you're stuck in your boring, basic wardrobe," he retorted, his tone
dripping with sarcasm.

Harry rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to flick a stray piece of lint off Draco's perfectly
pressed shirt. "I'll have you know that practicality trumps fashion any day," he shot back,
crossing his arms defiantly. He refused to have a cat judge his fashion choices.

"Practicality is just another word for boring," Draco groaned, his smirk widening into a
mischievous grin.

"Better boring than constantly fussing over every little detail like you do," Harry countered,
unable to suppress a smirk of his own.

Draco's teasing knew no bounds, especially when it came to Harry's choice of attire. With a
smirk playing on his lips, Draco never missed an opportunity to poke fun at Harry's laid-back
style. "Harry, do you ever own anything other than those worn-out t-shirts and joggers?"
Draco quipped over dinner, his tone dripping with mock concern. "You could use a little
refinement in your wardrobe, you know."

Harry rolled his eyes in response, brushing off Draco's comments with a nonchalant shrug.
"Why bother with fancy clothes when comfort and functionality is key?" he retorted, his
voice tinged with a hint of defiance. "I actually do things instead of just lying around the
house all day."

Draco frowned, looking offended. "I do not lie around all day. I patrol the territory daily,
y'know! I chase off strays."

And so, the arguing continued into the night, each jab exchanged with a mixture of affection
and rivalry. The banter was continuous, each barb exchanged with a mixture of affection and
exasperation. Despite their constant squabbling, Harry couldn't deny that he enjoyed these
daily moments of playful rivalry with Draco. Despite their obvious differences, Harry
couldn't help but appreciate Draco's teasing, knowing that it was just another way for them to
bond and grow closer as friends. And as they traded insults and quips, he couldn't help but
feel a sense of camaraderie that went beyond their differences. Draco, with his appearance
and charismatic charm, seemed oblivious to the effect he had on Harry. He flirted
shamelessly, his playful banter and suggestive remarks sending Harry's pulse racing for some
unknown reason.

After each Quidditch match, Harry excitedly recounted his adventures to Draco, regaling him
with tales of daring dives, close calls, and thrilling victories. Harry was able to pull his
memories up on a hologram for Draco to see for himself. Draco watched excitedly, his bright
eyes reflecting Harry's enthusiasm as he soaked in every movement. "That's amazing, Harry!"
Draco quipped excitedly, his voice tinged with pride and longing. "But you know, I could
have caught that Snitch in half the time!"

Harry chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Oh, sure, Draco," he retorted playfully. Although Harry
secretly thought that with Draco’s quick reflexes and supremely athletic ability, he just might
have. "Maybe next time you can come along and show me how it's done." At this note of
provocation, Draco pounced on Harry, who instinctively recoiled, his conditioned aversion to
touch kicking in. Draco's playful energy was contagious, though, and the cheeky kitten knew
it.

"Careful there, Draco," Harry warned, feeling himself growing flustered and feeling very hot
all of a sudden. He gently pushed him away. "Remember what I told you… Humans don’t
touch."

Harry knew that he himself didn't always keep this rule, but right about now, he suddenly felt
it was very necessary to remind Draco (and himself). He didn't feel comfortable being so
close to Draco sometimes. He'd feel a tightness in his belly and his face would grow very hot.
And so Harry continuously tried to impart this very important rule of society to Draco with
varying degrees of success. It didn't help that Harry actually very much enjoyed cuddling
with Draco....

Draco grinned mischievously, steel eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, don't worry, Harry,"
he replied, mockingly miming offense. "I wouldn't dream of breaking the rules... at least not
until you least expect it." He crouched, tail flicking behind him challengingly, as if daring
Harry to fight back. Harry only chuckled, shaking his head at Draco's antics. He never took
the bait.
Despite strict upbringing and the societal taboos surrounding physical contact, their
friendship remained strong, built on a foundation of trust, respect, and mutual understanding.
In the beginning, Draco complained that the no-touch thing was stupid and pointless, but
Harry remained steadfast in enforcing it the best he could. Despite Draco's protests, Harry
tried to stay firm, knowing that their society's strict taboo against physical contact was there
for a reason. He tried his best to teach Draco what he’d been taught and what he knew to be
true. Draco never listened, though, his affectionate nature always shining through despite the
restrictions. He would often try to sneak in a touch, whether it was a playful shove or a light
brush of their hands, earning him a scolding from Harry each time.

"Draco, we've been over this," Harry would say as he tried to be stern. "No touching,
remember?" But Draco could feel love vibrations coming off his person in waves. He could
sense Harry wanted it too, deep down, so why should he stop just because of how society
felt? Draco pouted in mock indignation, but there was always a twinkle in his eyes that
betrayed his true intentions. He knew the rules, of course, but that didn't stop him from
testing the boundaries whenever he could.

Their conversations were always filled with teasing, a constant reminder of the strong bond
they shared despite their differing views on societal norms. Even at Draco's young age, he
had a sharp wit and a mischievous streak that never failed to keep Harry on his toes. Harry
liked that about him. It made Draco interesting, and secretly Harry wouldn't have preferred
him any other way.

Beneath their bickering lay a deep and obvious love and affection for one another, a bond that
only grew stronger with each passing day. Harry cherished the moments he spent with Draco,
sharing his triumphs and failures alike as they navigated life's adventures together. Harry
couldn't help but appreciate Draco's unwavering affection, even if it had to be expressed in
unconventional ways. Harry couldn't help but feel grateful for Draco's presence in his life.
Even as they continued to jab insults and poke fun at one another, their bond grew stronger, a
testament to the unbreakable connection between a boy and his faithful companion.

One day, as Draco roamed Harry's property in his cat form, he couldn't help but notice the
distinct scent of another cat. This cat was clearly in heat and desperate to be mated. Her scent
was unmistakable, her demeanor unmistakably flirtatious as she sauntered closer, her
movements fluid and alluring. When she caught sight of him, she did a double take and began
yowling. Very, very loudly.

Draco’s fur bristled, his irritation growing with each shrill sound that pierced the air. He cast
a wary glance around and his instincts urged him to silence the feral cat before her noises
attracted unwanted attention. "Enough!" Draco hissed, his voice low and menacing as he
turned to face the she-cat. "I have no interest in your advances. Leave this place at once
before you get us found."

The feral cat recoiled at his sharp tone, her eyes widening in surprise at his sudden
aggression. But in a lust-daze, she quickly recovered herself. She was a she-cat, and here was
a perfectly intact tom who was clearly also in heat. No tom could resist a she-cat in heat.
Why was he pretending he didn’t want her?
"Come on, handsome," the feral cat purred, her voice thick with desire as she moved closer to
Draco. "Who do you think you're kidding? Don't play hard to get."

Draco's lip curled in disgust at her words, his patience wearing thin. "I want nothing to do
with you," he snapped tersely, his tone sharp and cutting. "Your advances are unwelcome and
unwanted. Leave me be."

But the feral cat persisted, undeterred by his rejection. "You can't resist me," she purred, her
voice growing more insistent. "I'll make it worth your while, I promise."

Draco's temper flared at her persistence, his patience reaching its limit. "I said no," he
snarled, his voice laced with anger. "Go find someone else to bother with your antics. I have
more important things to attend to than dealing with your insufferable behavior. Now get out
of here before I make you regret it." Her eyes widened as he unsheathed his claws. With a
final hiss of frustration, the bedraggled she-cat slunk away into the undergrowth, defeated by
Draco's unwavering resolve. And as Draco watched her disappear, he couldn't help but feel a
sense of satisfaction at having stood his ground against her unwanted advances. And as the
day fell silent once more, Draco breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he had managed to
avoid any unwanted complications.

His attention was already focused elsewhere. His heart belonged to someone else, someone
who filled his thoughts day and night, someone whose presence brought him more joy than
he ever thought possible. As Draco continued patrolling his territory, his pace was steady and
determined. He had no interest in indulging anyone’s flirtations, no desire to entertain the
idea of a fleeting romance with a stranger.

More and more she-cats in heat made their way to Draco. He began growing more tired of
them the more they came. Their attempts at seduction grew more intolerable with each
passing cat. Draco remained unmoved, his loyalty to his beloved unwavering even in the face
of temptation (if you could even call it that). The one who made him feel whole in a way no
one else ever could was seemingly out of his reach.

That night, as Draco in his catboy form once again curled up close to Harry, he felt a
frustrated, desperate sob bubbling just beneath the surface. His need was beginning to grow
incessantly. He felt himself burning up. As Draco gazed down upon 16-year-old Harry, he
couldn't help but marvel at the sight before him. Harry was so peaceful and strong, his
features softened in sleep. Draco wanted him, more than he wanted anything else, ever. Then
Harry stirred, his arms instinctively grabbing onto Draco in his sleep, and Draco found
himself being pulled in closer. He sighed as he felt Harry’s toned muscles pressing up against
his own so close. When Harry shifted his body, Draco whimpered as he felt Harry’s front
pressed up snugly against his own. His already hard dick began to leak, and was thankful
Harry was unconscious.

But as Draco's eyes lingered on Harry's sleeping form, a wave of familiar emotions washed
over him. He felt a stirring deep within his chest, a longing that he couldn't quite name but
felt with an intensity that took his breath away. It was a need, a hunger that seemed to
consume him from the inside out, growing more insistent with each passing moment. He had
always cared for Harry, of course, but this was different. This was something primal,
something raw and powerful that threatened to consume him entirely. And as Draco's need
continued to grow incessantly, he felt himself burning up from the inside out, consumed by a
desire that he couldn't ignore. He knew that he needed to tread carefully, to guard his heart
against the turmoil of his emotions. But in that moment, as he lay entwined with Harry in the
quiet solitude of the treehouse, Draco couldn't help but feel a sense of longing that he knew
would not be easily quenched.

He needed…

—--

One year later

By their senior year of high school, Ron and Hermione's relationship took an unexpected
turn. It was during a study session in the library that Hermione stumbled upon the Ministry's
report, tucked away in a dusty corner of the bookshelves. As she read through the findings,
her eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and
trepidation. "Ron, you need to see this," Hermione said, her voice barely above a whisper as
she passed the report to him.

Ron's brow furrowed in confusion as he scanned the document, his eyes widening in
realization as he absorbed the implications. "We're... Chosen Mates?" he gasped, a little too
loudly. His voice was tinged with disbelief, although he had always felt a special connection
with her. Despite telling Harry they were best friends, he'd always secretly felt more
intimately connected emotionally to Hermione. She always understood him more, despite
Harry and he having more similarities.

Hermione nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest as she met Ron's gaze. "It seems so," she
replied, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

For 17 year old Harry, the news came as a bittersweet reminder of the bond he once shared
(or thought he shared) with Ron. As he watched his two best friends grapple with the
revelation of their Chosen-Mate status, he couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the
connection he had lost. Harry couldn’t help feeling just a bit envious. He longed to find his
own Chosen Mate. He knew, whoever they were, he’d love them with every fiber of his
being. His thoughts were consumed by the mysteries of the future and the uncertainties that
lay ahead, especially the prospect of doing it Mate-less, as most of his classmates were
already getting notified through electronic OWLS of who their Mates were. He knew not
everyone had a Mate. Maybe he wasn’t meant to have one, was a sullen thought. However, as
Hermione so helpfully pointed out, it wasn’t the end of the year yet. His OWL notification
could come in any day now.
It never did.

—--

At the high school graduation ceremony, Hermione stood before her classmates, her heart
pounding with excitement and anticipation. As the valedictorian of her grade of 12,500
students, she had been chosen to deliver the commencement speech, a recognition of her
academic achievements and dedication to excellence. With confidence and poise, Hermione,
with her usual wild mess of hair now flat and neat, addressed the graduating class, her words
ringing out with clarity and conviction. She spoke of the challenges they had overcome, the
lessons they had learned, and the bonds of friendship that had sustained them through it all.

"And so, as we stand on the threshold of this new chapter in our lives, let us remember the
values that have guided us thus far: perseverance, integrity, and a thirst for knowledge,"
Hermione proclaimed, her voice strong and steady.

As she concluded her speech to thunderous applause, Hermione felt a surge of pride and
gratitude wash over her. She had worked tirelessly to achieve her academic goals, and now,
her hard work had paid off in the form of a full ride scholarship to Hogwarts University, the
most esteemed institution in the country. As she accepted her diploma and the accolades of
her peers, Hermione knew that the journey ahead would be filled with challenges and
opportunities. But with her determination, intelligence, and the unwavering support of her
life partner Ron, her friends, and family, she was ready to embark on the next chapter of her
life with confidence and optimism.

Due to the amount of students to get through, graduation was a 5 day affair. It was the third
day of graduation, and as Harry walked up to receive his award, the auditorium erupted in a
cacophony of cheers and applause, far louder and more enthusiastic than for any other
student. It was as if the entire school had come together to celebrate him, a testament to his
undeniable popularity among his peers. The sheer volume of noise was overwhelming and
deafening, and Harry couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in his chest. He glanced over at
his friends who were cheering him on with infectious enthusiasm, their voices blending
together in a chorus of support. It was moments like these that made all the hard work and
dedication he had put into his high school years worth it.

Hermione and Ron beamed up at him from the crowd, their faces alight with pride. They had
been there for him every step of the way, offering support and encouragement when he
needed it most. Harry couldn't have asked for better friends. Off to the side, Lupin and Sirius
were clapping very ecstatically, and Sirius's loud whooping could almost be heard above the
crowd. They had taken on the role of guardians for Harry after the tragic loss of his parents,
guiding him through the ups and downs of adolescence with unwavering love and support.
Harry knew he owed them everything.

But as Harry scanned the crowd, his heart couldn't help but ache for the absence of one
person, the one he admittedly cared for above all else: his Draco, with his shining silver eyes
and wonderful pink nose (when in cat form, obviously). Despite their differences and the
secrets they kept from the world, Draco had become an integral part of Harry's life, his
presence always felt, even in his absence.

As the ceremony came to a close and the celebrations began, Harry couldn't shake the feeling
of emptiness that gnawed at his heart. He wished Draco could be there with them, sharing in
their joy and reveling in their success. He knew he’d celebrate with Draco much later on in
the evening. Draco was pretty much nocturnal, after all.

On the fourth day of graduation ceremonies, the grand hall was packed with eager students
and proud families, including Ron Weasley's, who had come to witness his big moment. As
Ron made his way to the stage to receive his diploma, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of
excitement and nerves.

With a determined stride, Ron approached the podium, trying to maintain his composure in
front of the massive crowd of 12,500. But just as he reached out to grasp his diploma, he
stumbled over his own feet, nearly tripping in front of everyone. Hermione gasped and threw
a hand over her mouth. Harry winced.

The hall, too, erupted into a mixture of gasps and stifled laughter as Ron quickly regained his
balance, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Despite the mishap, he managed to maintain a
grin as he accepted his diploma, determined not to let a little stumble ruin his big day.

On the fifth day of graduation, after the last graduate walked off stage, there was a grand
celebration at the school for all the seniors who were embarking on the next chapter of their
lives. The spacious school fields were filled with a diverse array of guests, each one eager to
honor the accomplishments of the graduating class. Hagrid, all 12 feet of him, with an always
jovial demeanor and hearty laughter, welcomed guests at the entrance, his booming voice
echoing across the yard as he exchanged pleasantries with old friends and new acquaintances
alike.

The high school graduation party was in full swing, with guests mingling, music and laughter
filling the air. Hagrid and Newt found themselves deep in conversation near the refreshment
table, their voices animated as they discussed their shared passion for magical creatures.
Hagrid chuckled heartily, a twinkle in his eye as he shared a tale of his encounter with a
particularly mischievous hippogriff. "Yeh should've seen the look on me face when he bowed
back at me!" he exclaimed, his booming laughter drawing the attention of nearby guests.
Newt, looking no older than 35 years old, nodded in agreement, a fond smile playing on his
lips as he recalled his own encounters with magical beasts. "Ah, yes, the wonders of the
magical animal world never cease to amaze me," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with
excitement. Hagrid and Newt’s voices carried across the bustling yard (mainly Hagrid’s).

Then, "Hagrid, have you ever encountered a cat?" Newt inquired, his curiosity piqued as he
sipped on a cup of pumpkin juice.

Hagrid scratched his bushy beard thoughtfully, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Aye, I
'ave indeed! Fascinating creatures, they are. Got meself a few tales to tell about 'em," he
replied, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Harry, who had been hovering
nearby, cautiously approached the pair, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he was
treading on dangerous ground, but he couldn't resist the urge to join in the conversation.

"Um, yeah, cats are quite interesting," Harry interjected tentatively, his eyes darting
nervously between Hagrid and Newt. The men turned to look at Harry, their expressions a
mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Well now, Harry, what do yeh know about cats?" Hagrid asked, his voice tinged with
intrigue.

Harry hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "I, uh, may have had a...
encounter with one," he admitted reluctantly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Hagrid and Newt exchanged a glance, their interest piqued by Harry's revelation. "Well, well,
well, looks like we've got ourselves a secret keeper, eh?" Hagrid chuckled, laughing heartily.

As the conversation turned to tales of cats and their mysterious ways, Harry couldn't help but
feel a sense of relief wash over him. Despite the risks, it felt good to finally share a tiny bit of
his secret (even if a half-truth) with people who didn’t irrationally hate cats. Harry felt a
sense of safety and comfort in confiding in these two men about his encounters with the cats,
a feeling that eluded him when it came to sharing his secret with his best mates, Ron and
Hermione. Hagrid and Newt's deep understanding and appreciation for magical creatures
made him feel confident that they would approach the situation with empathy and
understanding. Having spent years working closely with a variety of magical beings, they
possessed a unique perspective that Ron and Hermione, who had little experience with such
creatures, lacked.

By contrast, his school friends, while loyal and supportive, were not as intimately familiar
with the intricacies of magical creatures. Harry worried that they might react with skepticism
or disbelief, or worse, view his encounters as a cause for concern or alarm. Harry felt an
immediate kinship with Hagrid and Newt, knowing that they shared his love and fascination
for the creatures that inhabited their world.

Hagrid, of course, had a deep love for all creatures. From the smallest garden gnome to the
mightiest Hippogriff, he treated each with the same level of care and respect. As he trudged
through the Forbidden Forest, his massive frame dwarfed by the towering trees, he couldn't
help but marvel at the beauty of nature surrounding him. Every rustle in the underbrush,
every call in the distance, was a symphony to his ears, a reminder of the wondrous diversity
of magical creatures that called the forest home.

Newt Scamander, likewise, had always felt a kinship with magical creatures. From the
mischievous Niffler to the majestic Thunderbird, each held a special place in his heart. For
Newt, there was no greater joy than being in the company of creatures, learning from them,
and advocating for their protection in a world that often misunderstood them. Being an
intellectual, he used his vast knowledge to publish a few books about why certain magical
creatures should be given a chance to live out their natural lives in peace. His most popular
book was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Although not banned, the Ministry saw
to it that it was rather restricted in its distribution due to its detailed information on magical
creatures.
Harry therefore trusted that they would respect his experiences and offer guidance and
support without question, making him feel safer and more at ease in sharing his encounter
with them, leaving out the part where he saved a kitten. As he recounted to the men what had
happened with Draco's family and the fire, he felt tears sting his eyes. Even after all this time,
it still felt traumatic to talk about it out loud. Newt and Hagrid's eyes widened in horror.
"Blimey, that's 'orrible, Harry," Hagrid rumbled, his voice tinged with sadness. "Poor
creatures, don't deserve that kind o' treatment."

Newt's expression grew somber, his deep empathy for magical creatures evident in his gentle
demeanor. "Such senseless destruction of life is truly heartbreaking," he remarked softly, his
eyes reflecting the pain of the news. "Every creature deserves to be treated with respect and
care." Still, Harry found he couldn’t bring himself to share any more than that. He was
terrified of losing Draco, should anyone find out.

He slipped away to find Ron and Hermione. He eventually found them dancing together.
"Join us!" Hermione waved him over, a brilliant smile on her face. Amidst the cheerful
chatter and laughter of the party, Ron and Hermione found themselves deep in conversation
with Harry, their voices blending seamlessly into the lively atmosphere.

"Can you believe we're finally done with high school?" Ron exclaimed, his face beaming
with excitement as he glanced around at the festive decorations. “I can't wait to start college
and study sports management. It's been my dream for ages, and I finally get to make it
happen." Ron’s enthusiasm was palpable. Harry nodded in agreement, his own excitement
mirroring Ron's. Although never having been the best Quidditch player, Ron had always been
a killer strategist. For one, he's never once lost in a game of chess in all the time Harry's
known him.

"That sounds amazing, Ron. I have no doubt you'll excel at it," he said, genuine pride evident
in his tone. Hermione voiced her support as well.

Ron beamed at his friends, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks, mates. I couldn't have done
it without your support." His voice was sincere.

"Speaking of college plans, I'm so excited to be majoring in political science," Hermione

blurted, her passion for learning evident in her words. It'd been her dream for most of high
school to delve into the complexities of government and society. As an activist, she wanted
the power to change unjust laws. What better way to do it than through politics? They needed
non-corrupt politicians, and Harry knew Hermione was exactly who the Ministry needed in
their ranks to set them straight.

A proud grin spread across Ron's face. "As always, you'll do great, Hermione. You'll thrive in
your major." His voice was filled with unbidden admiration. Turning to Harry, Ron asked,
"Have you finally decided on what you wanted to do? You’ve got the full ride to Hogwarts
University too."

Harry had gotten a full ride based on his Quidditch scholarship. Harry hesitated for a
moment. No. Enough hesitation. "Well, I've been thinking," Harry began, his voice steady
and sure now as he met Ron's bright blue gaze. "I think I want to pursue a career in teaching.
It's something I've always been passionate about, and I think I could make a real difference in
the lives of young students." As he explained, a sense of determination and resolve shone in
his eyes.

Ron nodded, smiling proudly. "That's brilliant, mate. I can't think of anyone better suited for
the job." His voice was filled with admiration.

Hermione's eyes lit up with approval as she listened to Harry's decision. "That's wonderful,
Harry," she said, her voice too, filled with genuine admiration. "I've always believed that you
have a gift for inspiring others and guiding them toward their full potential. Teaching is an
admirable profession, and I have no doubt that you'll excel at it." Her words were sincere,
reflecting her unwavering confidence in Harry's abilities. Harry felt a surge of gratitude for
his friends and their unwavering belief in him. As Harry shared his plans with his friends, he
felt a sense of excitement and purpose wash over him.

Teaching may not have been the path he had originally envisioned for himself, but now, it felt
like the perfect fit. And with Ron and Hermione by his side, supporting him every step of the
way, he knew that he was ready to embark on this new adventure with confidence and
enthusiasm. As they continued to discuss their aspirations and dreams for the future, they
couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the opportunities that lay
ahead. They knew that they were ready to tackle whatever challenges came their way.

"It feels surreal, doesn't it?” Hermione asked. “Four years of hard work, and now we're
finally moving on to the next chapter." There was a hint of nostalgia creeping into her voice.

Harry smiled warmly at his friends, feeling a swell of affection for the companions who had
stood by his side through thick and thin. "I couldn't have done it without you two," he said
earnestly.

Ron grinned back at Harry, a playful glint in his eyes. "Aw, mate, don't get all mushy on us
now," he teased.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's antics, but her smile softened as she looked at Harry. "He's
right, though. We've been through so much together, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Hermione's voice was filled with warmth and gratitude. As they continued to reminisce about
their time at high school and speculate about what the future might hold, Harry couldn't help
but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. In that moment, surrounded by the people he
loved most, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them
together, as friends and as family.

Meanwhile, across the yard, Fred and George Weasley (Ron’s older brothers who had
decided to crash the party) were up to their usual mischief, delighting guests with their
entertaining pranks and witty banter. As the twins plotted their next prank, Tonks sidled up to
her Chosen Mate with a playful grin. "Hey George, you think we could pull off that
disappearing cake trick again?" she chimed, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Fred's grin widened at the sight of Tonks joining their antics. "Absolutely, Tonks! But only if
we can convince Percy to take the first bite!" he whispered back, a mischievous twinkle in his
eye.
George nodded eagerly as he gave Tonks a flirty wink, his enthusiasm matching Fred's. "Oh,
that would be brilliant!" he exclaimed, already envisioning the chaos that would ensue. With
Tonks now part of their mischief-making trio, the twins were unstoppable. Together, they
entertained the guests with their clever pranks and infectious laughter, adding a spark of
excitement to the festivities. And as Molly and Arthur Weasley watched their older sons and
Tonks mingle with the crowd, their hearts swelled with pride at the sight of their children
embracing life with such joy and camaraderie.

Principal Dumbledore, along with Professors Snape, McGonagall, and Slughorn, former
teachers and mentors to many of the seniors, shared words of wisdom and encouragement
with the graduates, their presence a reminder of the impact they had made on their students'
lives.

Professor Snape, who was the same age as Harry's godfathers, stepped up, looking very
bored, and addressed the students, "As you stand here on the precipice of the real world, I
must admit, I have seen better groups of individuals gather for a purpose. Nevertheless,
despite your collective lack of promise, there may yet be hope for you to make something of
yourselves. Remember, the world beyond these walls is not forgiving of incompetence or
laziness. So go forth, and may your endeavors be marginally less disappointing than your
academic performance."

As Snape's words rang out with his signature blend of severity and dry wit, the students
exchanged amused glances, some stifling laughs behind their hands while others wore
expressions of resignation. Professor McGonagall, standing nearby, shook her head with a
bemused smile, accustomed to Snape's unique brand of encouragement. The students, though
entertained, couldn't help but feel a twinge of respect for the professor who had challenged
them to rise above mediocrity. Some vowed silently to prove him wrong, while others simply
shrugged it off, knowing Snape's words were as much a part of Hogwarts tradition as the
Sorting Hat itself.

Harry chuckled, a mixture of amusement and exasperation evident in his voice. "Classic
Snape," he remarked, exchanging a knowing glance with Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of fondness in her tone as she replied,
"Honestly, I don't know why we expected anything different."

Ron grinned, his expression one of mild disbelief. "Bloody hell, he never changes, does he?"
he said with a shake of his head. "Well, here's to surviving another year of Snape's wisdom."

As the evening settled into a comfortable rhythm by the bonfire, Dumbledore rose from his
seat, his presence commanding the attention of the gathered guests. With a twinkle in his eye
and a warm smile on his lips, he began to speak, his words carrying across the yard with the
weight of wisdom and experience.

"My dear friends, tonight we gather to celebrate not just the end of one chapter, but the
beginning of a new journey," Dumbledore began, his voice resonating with warmth and
sincerity. "For each of you, graduation marks a significant milestone, a testament to your hard
work, determination, and resilience." He paused, allowing his words to sink in before
continuing. "But let us not forget that this is not the end, but rather a new beginning. As you
step out into the world beyond the familiar high school walls, remember the lessons you have
learned, the friendships you have forged, and the dreams that have guided you thus far."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with pride as he surveyed the faces before him, each one filled
with hope and anticipation for the future. "You are the architects of your own destiny," he
declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "Embrace the challenges that lie ahead, for it is in
overcoming adversity that we discover our true strength and resilience." He paused once
more, his gaze lingering on each guest in turn. "And remember, my dear friends, that no
matter where your journey may lead you, you carry within you the light of hope and the
power of love," Dumbledore concluded, his words a beacon of inspiration and guidance for
all who listened. As the applause rang out and the festivities continued, Dumbledore's words
echoed in the hearts and minds of those present, serving as a reminder of the boundless
potential that lay within each and every one of them.

Professor Moody, ever vigilant and watchful, kept a close eye on the proceedings, ensuring
the safety and security of all in attendance as the sun began to wane. He, along with Professor
McGonagall, and Professor Lockhart, esteemed educators, mingled with the guests, their
conversations filled with laughter and reminiscence.

As Snape crossed paths with one of his former students at the high school graduation party,
he couldn't help but offer a rare, albeit subtle, display of warmth. "Ah, Miss Granger," Snape
greeted, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity as he acknowledged Hermione's presence.

Hermione raised an eyebrow in surprise at Snape's uncharacteristically relaxed demeanor.

"Professor Snape," she replied, a cautious smile playing on her lips.

Snape's lips quirked ever so slightly in response to Hermione's reaction. "I trust you have
been keeping up with your studies, even outside of the classroom," he remarked, his voice
laced with his usual sternness, albeit tempered by a hint of amusement.

Hermione nodded, her expression a mixture of respect and wariness. "Of course, Professor.
Education doesn't stop at graduation," she replied, her tone respectful but firm.

Snape's gaze softened momentarily as he regarded Hermione with a rare glimmer of

approval. "Indeed, Miss Granger. You have always been diligent in your pursuit of
knowledge," he acknowledged, a note of respect creeping into his voice. “That shall bode
very well for you in the future. You will do great things.”

Hermione couldn’t stop the blush creeping across her face. “Thank you Professor,” she said
again with a curt bow.

Cho Chang, Ginny Weasley (Ron's younger sister), Neville, and Luna (a Ravenclaw), dear
friends and schoolmates of Harry and the other seniors, laughed and danced together, their
bond stronger than ever as they celebrated their shared achievements.

Newt Scamander, with his gentle demeanor and passion for magical creatures, continued to
regale the crowd with tales of his adventures, captivating listeners with stories of the
wondrous creatures he had encountered.
Sirius and Lupin found themselves reminiscing about old times as they lounged in a secluded
corner of the party. They had just finished socializing with a bunch of their old classmates
who were now grown and had kids of their own. "Can you believe our little Harry is all
grown up now?" Sirius mused, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips as he glanced across the
yard at the graduates. Lupin chuckled softly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and
fondness.

"Time certainly flies, doesn't it? It feels like just yesterday we were teaching him how to ride
a bicycle," Lupin replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Sirius nodded in agreement, his
gaze lingering on Harry with a mixture of affection and admiration.

"He's turned into quite the remarkable young man. I couldn't be prouder of him," Sirius said,
his voice filled with genuine pride. Lupin smiled warmly at his old friend, a sense of
camaraderie and shared history between them.

"He's had his fair share of challenges, but he's always risen to the occasion. That's the mark
of a true Gryffindor," Lupin remarked, his tone reflecting his unwavering belief in Harry's
resilience. As they continued to chat about Harry and the adventures they had shared
together, Sirius and Lupin couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the bond that had
kept them together through thick and thin. Though their lives had been filled with trials and
tribulations, their friendship remained as strong as ever, a testament to the enduring power of
love and loyalty. Sirius's expression grew somber as he turned to Lupin, a hint of sadness in
his eyes.

"You know, Moony, I can't help but think about James and Lily, and how proud they would
be of Harry today," he began, his voice tinged with emotion.

Lupin's gaze softened with understanding as he nodded in agreement. "They would be over
the moon, Sirius. They always believed Harry would do great things, even when he was still
just an infant," he replied, his voice filled with reverence for their fallen friends.

Sirius swallowed hard, his throat tightening with unspoken grief. "It's not fair, Moony. They
never got to see him grow up, to witness all the incredible things he's accomplished," he
lamented, his voice thick with emotion. Harry had graduated as the best Quidditch player the
school had ever seen, surpassing even James.

Lupin held his Mate’s gaze. "I know, Sirius. But I believe they're watching over him, even
now. Their love will always be with him, guiding him and protecting him," he said, his tone
gentle but firm. As they shared a moment of silent reflection for their fallen friends, Sirius
and Lupin found solace in the knowledge that James and Lily's legacy lived on through their
son, Harry. Though they were gone, their love and sacrifice would never be forgotten, and
their spirit would continue to inspire and guide Harry on his journey throughout his life.

As the celebrations began dying down, Harry felt a restless energy stirring within him. He
eagerly parted ways, itching to get back to his treehouse, the place where his kitten was no
doubt resting, awaiting his return. Once home, Harry made his way through the familiar path
that led to the secluded hideaway. The evening air was cool and refreshing, a welcome
reprieve from the warmth of the crowded party. As he reached the bedroom, Harry's heart
skipped a beat at the sight of Draco waiting for him in catboy form, a soft smile playing on
Draco's lips. Despite his outward bravado, Draco's eyes held a hint of vulnerability, a silent
plea for understanding and acceptance. Of what, Harry wasn't sure.

"Hey, Draco," Harry greeted, his voice soft and tentative as he stepped into the dimly lit
interior of the treehouse.

"Hey, Harry," Draco purred, his tone warm and affectionate as he pulled Harry into a gentle
embrace.

Harry stiffened slightly at the display of affection, his heart pounding in his chest as he
struggled to maintain his composure. For some reason Draco's touch sent a shiver down his
spine, igniting a flurry of emotions that he couldn't quite decipher.

"Had a fun night?" Draco asked slyly. He stole a quick kiss to Harry's cheek and then flitted
away before Harry could bat him away.

"Yeah," Harry replied, his voice strained as he blushed. Why was he blushing? "You really
needed to stop doing that," Harry mumbled, heart pounding. He was sure Draco could hear it
too, what with his cat ears that can detect a tiptoeing mouse with ease.

"Doing what?" Draco asked, blinking slowly at him. Draco sat down next to Harry again,
leaning his body in. His voice was low, almost a whisper, sending a delicious shiver down
Harry's spine. "You know," Draco murmured, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "I'm just
being myself."

Harry swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. Draco's proximity was intoxicating,
his mere presence filling the air with an electric tension that Harry couldn't ignore. When did
his innocent kitten get so... well.. so this?

"Can't help it, can I?" Draco continued, his gaze locking with Harry's, dark and smoldering.
"Especially when you're around." Draco pounced on Harry with lightning speed and held his
arms down, purring erratically.

Harry squirmed beneath Draco's touch, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Draco's middle
was pressed against his own and he could feel something twitch? Harry was flushed. "You're
incorrigible," he managed to breathe out, his voice barely a whisper as he tried to steady his
racing pulse. "Now shove off!"

Draco's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he licked a stripe up Harry's cheek
affectionately before moving away. "Congratulations on your high school graduation, Harry."

Harry's breath hitched. "Thanks, brat." Draco shot him an arrogant smirk. Draco really was
something else.

After Harry and Draco brushed their teeth, Harry took a quick shower and got into his boxers
before sighing and turning to Draco. "C'mon, you know the drill."

Draco rolled his eyes and turned into his cat form for his bath. As the water cascaded down,
Harry carefully lathered soap onto Draco's fur, his hands moving gently over the sleek, soft
fur. Draco closed his eyes, leaning into Harry's touch, a contented purr vibrating through his
chest. Despite the societal stigma attached to cats like Draco, Harry didn't mind the extra
effort it took to ensure Draco stayed clean. To him, Draco was more than just a pet; he was a
beloved companion, deserving of all the care and attention Harry could provide. So, with
each stroke of his hand and each gentle rinse of water, Harry showed Draco just how much he
valued their bond, regardless of what others might think.

As the warm water washed away the suds, Harry helped Draco step out of the shower,
grabbing a fluffy towel to dry him off. Draco's catboy form emerged, sleek and graceful, as
he wrapped the towel around himself, water droplets glistening on his pale skin. Harry
handed Draco his favorite pair of boxers, a comfortable choice for the summer weather.
Despite the mundane task of bathing, there was a sense of intimacy in their routine, a quiet
moment shared between them that spoke volumes about their bond.

As Harry sank into the soft embrace of the bed at last, exhaustion tugging at his limbs, Draco
curled up behind him, his comforting presence like a warm embrace. With a contented sigh,
Harry felt Draco's arms wrap around him, pulling him close in a protective hold. The
rhythmic sound of Draco's purring filled the air, a soothing lullaby that calmed Harry's racing
thoughts. In the tranquil darkness of their shared space, they drifted into a peaceful sleep,
cocooned in each other's warmth.

—--

Over that summer right before college, Draco’s advances had begun growing more persistent
than ever before. He’d rub up against Harry in his cat form, curl up on Harry’s lap, lick his
face, his lips, his everything.

One morning, Harry awoke slowly to Draco’s familiar sweet scent all around him and birds
chirping in the air. He stretched blearily, a languid smile on his face. He was warm and felt
protected. Then with a jolt of shock, he realized that Draco was plastered on top of him, long
limbs tangled in the blankets. Harry could distinctively feel their hardness pressed up
together. With that realization, a surge of strange heat filled the pit of Harry’s stomach. Not
quite his stomach. The heat felt lower than that, but Harry was not going to delve into the
meaning of that right now.

"Draco, get off!" he exclaimed, pushing at Draco's shoulders in a futile attempt to dislodge
him. Draco, though lean, had at least 100 lbs on him, mainly due to sheer big cat muscle.

Draco blinked blearily, his eyes still half-closed with sleep. "What? I was comfortable," he
muttered, making no move to budge. Draco felt their hardness pressed together and thought
he quite liked it.

Harry huffed in frustration, his attempts to free himself only resulting in further
entanglement. And friction. Harry’s face turned red, as he flushed, biting back a whimper.
"Well, I'm not! Move, you big lump," he grumbled, squirming beneath Draco's weight. Draco
grinned, but finally relented, rolling off Harry with a theatrical groan.

"Fine, fine. But you're the one who's going to regret waking me up," he grumbled, shooting
Harry an irritated glare.

Harry rolled his eyes, suppressing a grin at Draco's melodramatic antics. "Oh, I'm shaking in
my boots," he retorted, struggling to extricate himself from the twisted sheets. As Harry
clumsily stood up, Draco’s eyes immediately went to his little problem. Or.. big little
problem.

“Want help with that, Harry?” Draco offered knowingly, as lust flooded his gaze. Draco felt
himself getting harder.

Harry had no idea what Draco was referring to and instead looked at the messy bed. “Huh?
No, I got it.” The young boy quickly fixed the bedsheets. Draco crossed over to stand behind
him. Harry’s scent was intoxicating. He was sure Harry hadn’t always smelled this good.

Harry, still quite oblivious to Draco's internal turmoil, hummed as he crossed over to the large
kitchen and began preparing breakfast. Again Draco dogged him, creeping up to stand behind
him yet again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Draco found it highly worrying that Harry was
so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed, but then again, he was as quiet as a, well, cat.
Harry's scent was filling Draco's senses with a heady rush of warmth and heat. Draco was
going a little bit dizzy with the scent.

The aroma of fresh fruits and spices filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of Draco's
fur and musky scent, which Harry found not half bad. He began singing a little tune to
himself as he chopped vegetables and sliced bread, lost in the rhythm of the morning routine,
as Draco sang cheerily along. Draco leaned against the countertop, watching Harry with
unabashed admiration. "You know Harry, for someone who claims to be a terrible cook,
you're not half bad," he remarked, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

Harry shot him a glare over his shoulder. "Hey, watch it, or you'll be the one making
breakfast next time," he warned.

“What? Can’t take a compliment?” Draco exclaimed indignantly. "And as if I'd ever subject
myself to that torture. I'd rather starve." He reached out to snag a piece of food from the bowl
on the counter.

Harry swatted his hand away with a laugh. "Just for that, you're on dish duty," he declared,
pointing to the sink piled high with dirty plates. "And you're not allowed to use the
dishwasher."

"You wouldn't dare," Draco protested, but he reached for the dish soap.

As they bickered and bantered, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, Harry
couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness for Draco, despite his exasperating behavior. In
their own quirky way, they had formed an unlikely bond, one that weathered even the most
absurd of situations.
 —--

Later that afternoon, Harry was at the park, hanging out with his friends. As they lounged on
the grass, the conversation turned to lighter topics, away from the pressures of post-
graduation plans. "You know, I read this fascinating article about magical creatures the other
day," Luna said dreamily, her mystical silvery eyes alight with excitement. "Did you know
that Crumple-Horned Snorkacks are actually native to Sweden?"

Ron raised an eyebrow, exchanging a bemused glance with Hermione. "I thought those were
just a figment of your imagination, Luna."

Luna shrugged. "Most people think so, but I'm convinced they're real. Rolf and I are planning
a trip to Sweden to find one next year."

Rolf was who the Ministry had matched Luna with. Like his older brother Newt, he was a
magizoologist and was a tall, lean man with a rugged yet handsome appearance. His features
were characterized by sharp angles, including a strong jawline and high cheekbones. He had
striking hazel eyes that seemed to hold a hint of mystery and intelligence, often twinkling
with curiosity or amusement. His hair was usually unkempt, falling in tousled waves around
his face, adding to his wild and adventurous aura. Exuding an air of adventure and intellect,
he was a perfectly obvious choice to complement Luna's unique and whimsical personality.
Rolf was always patient with Luna and very indulging. Their fondness for each other was
infectious.

Rolf chipped in now, his gleaming eyes alight with excitement. "Absolutely, it sounds like a
grand adventure," he exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "And who knows, maybe
we'll be the ones to finally prove the existence of the elusive Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Luna beamed at her Mate, her belief in their shared quest unwavering. "Exactly! It'll be an
expedition to remember," she declared, her liquid eyes sparkling with anticipation. As they
discussed their upcoming adventure with the group, Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of
envy at their boundless optimism and sense of adventure. He admired the way they
approached life with such fervor and determination, unafraid to chase after their dreams no
matter how unconventional they may seem. And as he listened to their plans unfold, Harry
couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement stirring within him too, wondering what other
fantastical creatures and mysteries awaited them on their journey.

Neville was nodding enthusiastically. "Count me and Hannah in! I've always wanted to see a
real-life Crumple-Horned Snorkack." Hannah, Neville's chosen Mate, smiled warmly, her
blue eyes sparkling with excitement. She leaned into him, her blonde hair waving in the cool
breeze.

"Absolutely! It sounds like an incredible adventure," Hannah agreed, her voice filled with
anticipation. Neville sat closer to her amicably. He looked extremely fond.
"We'll make a great team," he said.

Harry smiled at their enthusiasm, grateful for the chance to relax and enjoy each other's
company without the weight of the future hanging over their heads. As they delved into lively
discussions about magical creatures and fantastical adventures, Harry couldn't help but feel a
sense of contentment wash over him. In that moment, surrounded by his friends and their
boundless imagination, he knew that the future held endless possibilities.

Harry couldn't help but notice, not for the first time, that he was the sole mateless friend
among his close-knit group. As he watched Neville and Hannah exchange affectionate
glances, Luna and Rolf wrapped up in each others’ gazes, and Ron and Hermione sharing
knowing smiles, a pang of loneliness tugged at his heart. Despite their unwavering support
and camaraderie, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of being the odd one out, the one left
behind while everyone else moved forward in their lives. He forced a smile, pushing aside his
feelings of inadequacy as he joined in the conversation, masking his inner turmoil behind a
façade of cheerfulness. But deep down, Harry couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find
someone to share his life with, someone who understood him and accepted him for who he
was. And as he looked around at his happy, fulfilled friends, Harry couldn't help but feel a
sense of longing for something he feared he may never have.

---

Harry returned back to the treehouse and wrinkled his nose in disgust as a pungent scent
assaulted his senses, his annoyance growing with each lingering whiff of the foul odor.
"Draco, what on earth are you doing?" Harry exclaimed, his voice tinged with irritation as he
surveyed the scene before him. The unmistakable scent of cat urine filled the air, a stark
reminder of Draco's recent behaviors. Draco was spraying, marking his territory with a scent
that lingered in the air long after he had moved on. “Keep that spraying outside, please!”

Draco didn't feel bad about spraying; in fact, he relished the opportunity to mark Harry as his
own. As he in cat form lifted his leg against the corner of the room, he couldn't help but feel a
surge of possessiveness, a primal instinct driving him to claim Harry as his territory. The
sharp, acrid scent filled the air, mingling with the warm, comforting aroma of Harry's
presence, creating a heady mixture that sent a shiver of satisfaction down Draco's spine as he
purred wickedly. In Draco's mind, there was no doubt that Harry belonged to him, body and
soul, and he would stop at nothing to ensure that everyone knew it.

With a satisfied flick of his tail, Draco sauntered over to Harry's side, rubbing against his legs
in a silent declaration of ownership. Harry glanced down, sighing and offering Draco a fond
smile, oblivious to the possessive thoughts swirling in his feline companion's mind. Draco
couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment knowing that Harry was his, now and forever.

Harry ran his fingers through his messy hair. He was tired after a long day with his friends,
but his frustration melted into resignation as he struggled to find the right words to express
his displeasure. "You need to stop this, Draco," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for
argument. "Spraying is not acceptable behavior, and it's making a mess of everything." Harry
was muttering, frustration evident in his tone. He tapped his wristband and his hovercraft
began zooming into view. “I’ll be out again,” he told a disappointed Draco. “When I get
back, I’d better not see you make more of a mess!”

As he climbed into the hovercraft, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of exasperation that had
settled over him. Dealing with Draco's territorial tendencies was proving to be more
challenging than he had anticipated, and he knew he needed to find a solution before things
got even more out of hand. With a determined set to his jaw, Harry started the engine and set
off down the skies, a determined glint in his green eyes. He couldn't help but wonder what
had prompted Draco's sudden outburst. Was it a cry for attention? A manifestation of his
growing frustration? Or was there something deeper at play, something that Harry couldn't
quite put his finger on?

Harry soon returned with the deodorizing spray and went to work cleaning up. Whatever the
reason for this, one thing was certain: Harry was determined to get to the bottom of it and put
an end to Draco's spraying once and for all.

—--

In the middle of the night, he awoke with Draco in catboy form on top of him. Harry had
initially tried shoving him off, but Draco only pressed himself in closer. Harry was a bit
alarmed but tried not to show it. "Draco, for Merlin's sake!" Harry exclaimed, his voice laced
with exasperation as he tried to push Draco away. "Can't you give me some space for once?"

“Uh-uh,” came a pouting Draco. Then he whimpered and nuzzled Harry’s neck. Harry
realized he was sweating like crazy. Harry tried to get up but Draco shoved him back down.

“Drake, hey, you’re burning up!” Harry was very worried now. Draco was panting and
humping at Harry’s hip. Draco gasped in pain. Draco looked up at him with wide, pleading
eyes, a hint of sadness clouding his usually confident demeanor.

"I’m fine,” he lied. “I just want to be close to you." Harry caught the desperation in his voice.

“No, you need to take some medication. I think you have a fever,” Harry said. Harry went
and grabbed some medications for fevers. He tossed the bottle to Draco, who tossed it right
back.

“This won’t work,” Draco said dismissively. I need you, you idiot! Draco thought. But
eventually, just to placate Harry, Draco took two pills and sulked the rest of the next day.
Thankfully his heat wave passed, as it usually did. He had occasional flare-ups, times when
he'd feel very needy and horny, and then it'd slowly taper off.

As the days passed, Harry found himself falling for Draco's charms despite his better
judgment. There was something undeniably endearing about Draco's unwavering devotion,
something that tugged at Harry's heartstrings in a way he couldn't quite explain. Late-night
cuddling sessions became the norm, with Draco insisting on snuggling up to Harry even
when he protested. Forced proximity became a constant source of tension between them, their
bickering growing more frequent as they struggled to navigate their complicated feelings for
each other. And as the summer drew to a close, both Draco and Harry found themselves
grappling with emotions they couldn't fully comprehend. They were two sides of the same
coin, drawn together by a bond that defied logic and reason, yet plagued by doubts and
uncertainties that threatened to tear them apart.

—--

The college semester was in full swing. It was time for the quarter of the semester exams. As
18 year old Harry and his friends gathered in the cafeteria, the air buzzing with pre-exam
nerves, Harry leaned back in his chair, glancing around at his friends. "So, how's everyone
feeling about exams?" he asked, trying to break the tension.

Ron let out a groan, running a hand through his hair. "I can't believe I have to manage these
Quidditch tryouts and study for my sports management exam at the same time. It's mental!"

Hermione nodded sympathetically. "I know how you feel, Ron. I've been juggling political
science readings with grading papers for my teaching assistantship."

Tonks chimed in, her eyes alight with excitement. "I'm actually looking forward to my exams
for once. I've been studying like crazy for my NCA agent training, and I think I'm finally
starting to get the hang of it."

Luna nodded serenely. "I've been studying magical creatures non-stop. It's been fascinating,
really. Did you know that Moonlit Winged Unicorns have horns that emit a soft, iridescent
glow under the light of the full moon? It's believed to have magical healing properties, and
many wizards and witches seek out their horns for potions and remedies."

Rolf nodded eagerly, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Yes, and I've been studying their
habitats and behavior patterns. It's absolutely riveting stuff."

Neville sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just hope I don't mess up my herbology
exam. My professor's been drilling us on those plant classifications."

Ginny leaned forward, a determined look on her face. "I'm not worried about exams. I've
been training hard for Quidditch, and I'm ready to give it my all."

Cho, her Chosen Mate, nodded in agreement. "Same here. I've been practicing my spells for
the law enforcement exam, and I feel pretty confident."

Harry smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie among his friends. "Well, whatever happens,
we'll get through it together. And then we can celebrate the end of exams in style!"
 ---

It was mid-way through Harry’s first semester in Hogwarts University when Draco randomly
pulled Harry down onto his lap one morning. As Harry protested, Draco only held him closer
and rocked him in his arms desperately, mewing pitifully. “I miss you,” Draco whined, one
cat ear twitching. Draco began nibbling at Harry’s ear, his tail wrapping around Harry, and
Harry’s heart clenched even as he recoiled. What's worse was that in moments like these,
more and more Harry was beginning to notice his penis grow erect all on its own. He was
unsure what that was all about, but he knew that it was never sated. He felt Draco’s hardness
pressing against him too. It felt impossibly warm.

But he thought he knew what Draco was feeling when Draco said he missed him, because he
felt that too. During school, his thoughts were often unfocused as they were immersed in
thoughts of his cat. “I miss you too Draco,” Harry admitted truthfully, his voice tinged with
longing. "But if I don't get this degree, I won't have a job, and you won't be fed."

Draco let out a soft meow, nuzzling against Harry's hand as if to offer comfort. Harry smiled
weakly, feeling a pang of guilt at leaving Draco alone while he attended his classes. But he
knew that his education was essential for their future, and he was determined to do whatever
it took to provide for them both. His godfathers wouldn’t be around forever. They had always
planned to move out after he got his college degree and they were sure he no longer needed
them.

With a heavy heart, Harry reluctantly pulled away from Draco's comforting embrace and
headed out the door, knowing that their separation was necessary but wishing it weren't so.
As he made his way to the university, his thoughts lingered on Draco, his loyal companion
who always seemed to understand, even when words failed to express his feelings.

—--

As Harry made his way through the bustling corridors of Hogwarts University, the school
seemed to pulse with energy and activity as always. Spotting a familiar group gathered in the
courtyard, Harry quickened his pace, a smile spreading across his face as he approached.
"Hey, everyone!" he called out, waving enthusiastically.

The group, consisting of Ron, Hermione, Luna, Rolf, Neville, Hannah, Ginny, and Tonks,
turned to greet him. "Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "Good to see you, mate. You were supposed to
be here 30 minutes ago!"

Harry grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, Ron," he apologized, glancing
around at his friends. "Lost track of time."
Hermione frowned slightly, her brow furrowing with concern. "Everything alright, Harry?"
she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. Harry seemed to be doing this more often
nowadays..

Harry nodded quickly, offering a reassuring smile. "Yeah, just got caught up with something
at home," he said truthfully.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, but thankfully didn't press the issue. "Well, glad you could
finally make it," she said, her gaze lingering. "Let's catch up over lunch."

As they continued on their way, Harry felt a pang of guilt at keeping Draco a secret from his
friends. But for now, it was a burden he would have to bear alone, unwilling to risk exposing
Draco to the scrutiny of others. And as they walked together, Harry couldn't help but wonder
how much longer he could keep his beloved pet hidden from the rest of the world.

Harry easily fell into step with the group, exchanging pleasantries and catching up on each
other's lives. Hermione launched into an animated discussion about her latest research
project, while Luna recounted her recent expedition to study magical creatures in the Amazon
rainforest.

As they walked together, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging among his friends.
Despite the challenges of university life, he knew he could always count on their support and
camaraderie to see him through.

---

After school, as Harry made his way through the bustling streets of town with Ron and
Hermione, a sense of unease settled over him. Something didn't feel right. It was as if a
shadow had descended over the familiar surroundings, casting a pall of darkness over
everything. He couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked just around the corner, waiting to
strike. His senses were on high alert, every instinct screaming at him to be vigilant.

And then, as if on cue, he caught sight of a newspaper headline fluttering in the breeze. His
heart skipped a beat as he read the words printed in bold letters: "Serial Killer Strikes
Again?" His breath caught in his throat as he reached out to grab the newspaper, his hands
trembling slightly with a mixture of fear and apprehension. Ron and Hermione exchanged
concerned glances as they read over his shoulder, their expressions mirroring his own sense
of unease.

"Tom Riddle..." Hermione gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we thought he was
gone for good."

Harry nodded grimly, his mind racing with the implications of this new development. Tom
Riddle had murdered his parents 17 years ago, and he’d never been caught. Now he seemed
to have made a reappearance.
Seeing the man's face in the newspaper brought back a sudden jolt of long-forgotten
memories. Harry now remembered glimpses of his parents' murder, flooding back, fresh and
raw as if it had happened only yesterday.

The house was dark, all lights had been shut off. His 21 year old mother had hidden him even
as the mansion alarms were blaring off in all directions. She knew the police were on their
way, but feared they’d be too late. The love of her life had just been murdered. She saw James
laying in pieces, blood scarlet everywhere. Outside a thunderstorm was raging. When the
break-in happened, she was upstairs with Harry, about to tuck him in for the night. Now she
knew she was defenseless, and she could hear Riddle moving steadily up the steps to the
upstairs. She saw the only hiding place, a small secret door under the floors. She urged and
prayed to the gods her son would realize the gravity of the situation and not make a sound.
Harry was always so intuitive and scarcely cried, and tonight as he looked back at her with
wide knowing eyes, she knew he would be safe.

With one last kiss, she said to him, “Be good. Mommy and daddy love you.” Her voice
cracked. She hastily hid him under the floorboards.

He then heard footsteps he knew came from the strange man, then his mother’s screams. She
screamed and screamed, until she didn’t.

Within seconds after her last, he heard police sirens and then momentarily he was staring
into the face of Officer Black, his godfather, face contorted, wracked with grief.

Snapping himself out of his terrible memory, Harry grabbed the paper. He flipped through to
the main page and read:

Recent Murder Linked to Notorious Serial Killer

Authorities Suspect Tom Riddle's Return

In a shocking turn of events, the town of Hogsmeade was rocked by yet another grisly
murder, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking fears of a resurgence of
the notorious serial killer, Tom Riddle.

The victim, identified as Alaric Thornebrook was found brutally slain in his own home,
bearing all the hallmarks of Riddle's signature kills. Authorities were quick to connect the
dots, citing similarities to previous cases attributed to the elusive killer.

"We are treating this as a potential link to Tom Riddle," stated Chief Inspector Frank
Longbottom, of the Hogsmeade Police Department. "The method of the murder, as well as
certain symbolic elements found at the scene, bear a striking resemblance to Riddle's
previous crimes."

Residents of Hogsmeade are urged to remain vigilant and stay alert. Police warn against
traveling alone, especially at night. Please immediately report any suspicious activity to the
authorities as the hunt for Tom Riddle intensifies. With tensions running high and fear
gripping the town, the community is left wondering when, or if, the notorious serial killer
will strike again.

A chill ran down Harry's spine as he realized the implications. Tom Riddle was possibly back
in town, and he was more dangerous than ever. "We have to do something," Hermione
declared, her voice tinged with fear. "We can't let him get away with this."

Harry nodded in agreement, his jaw set in a firm line. He knew that they couldn't afford to
ignore the threat posed by Riddle any longer. With a steely resolve, he folded up the
newspaper and tucked it under his arm, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Together, they would track down Riddle and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all,
before more innocent lives were lost. He would personally hunt down Tom Riddle and bring
him to justice, no matter the cost.

Later that day, Harry stormed into lead detective Sirius Black's office, his fists clenched
tightly around the newspaper, expression one of barely contained fury. "Sirius!" he
exclaimed, his voice sharp with anger. "How could you keep this from me?"

Sirius looked up from his desk, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and concern at
Harry's sudden entrance. "Harry, what's wrong?" he asked, rising from his chair to approach
his godson.

"What's wrong ?" Harry echoed, his voice rising with each word. "What's wrong is that Tom
Riddle is back in town, and you didn't think to tell me about it!"

Sirius's brow furrowed in confusion as he reached out to take the newspaper from Harry's
trembling hands. As his eyes quickly scanned the headline, his expression darkened with
understanding as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. After a long moment, he finally
spoke. "I didn't want to worry you," Sirius admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "I thought
we had put Riddle behind us for good."

"Well, clearly we haven't," Harry retorted, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.
"And now people are dying because of it."

Sirius sighed heavily, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair in frustration. "I know,
Harry," he said softly. "But we're doing everything we can to stop him. Lupin's working with
the forensics team, and I'm working every angle I can to gather information on Riddle's
whereabouts."

Harry's expression softened slightly at Sirius's words, his anger giving way to a sense of grim
determination. "I want to help," he said firmly. "I want to be a part of this."

Sirius watched Harry's determined expression with a mix of concern and apprehension.
"Harry," he began, his voice laced with worry, "I appreciate your eagerness to help, but you
have to understand the risks involved. You're not trained for this kind of thing. You're just a
college kid in an education major, for crying out loud.
Harry's jaw tightened, but he met Sirius's gaze with unwavering determination. "I know I
don't have the skills or training like you and Lupin," he admitted, his voice steady, "but I can't
just sit back and do nothing while Riddle terrorizes the city. I’m 18 now, and he killed my
parents. I have to do something."

Sirius sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "No you don't. This is a
problem for the professionals, not some random college kids. And before you try to protest, I
know wherever you go, so do all your friends. I understand, Harry, why you'd want to help,"
he said softly, "but I can't be worrying about you when I have to focus on taking Tom Riddle
down. You and your friends will just get in the way. Riddle is dangerous, and we’ve seen
what he's more than capable of."

"I'll be careful, Sirius," Harry promised earnestly. "I'll stick to the sidelines, gather
information, do whatever I can to help without putting myself in harm's way."

Sirius studied Harry for a long moment, his expression conflicted. He knew he couldn't
dissuade Harry from helping, no matter how much he wanted to protect him. With a resigned
sigh, he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, Harry," he said finally, "but promise me you'll stay safe,
out of the line of fire. I already lost your father. I can't afford to lose you too."

Harry offered Sirius a small, grateful smile. "I promise," he said solemnly. "I won't take any
unnecessary risks. We'll stop Riddle together, I swear it."

---

As Harry and Draco lounged together in the comfort of their treehouse sanctuary, Harry's
fingers absentmindedly stroking Draco's fur, he decided to tell Draco. "Draco," Harry began,
his voice soft yet tinged with unease, "there's something I need to tell you . It's about Tom
Riddle."

Draco lifted his head, his ears perking up with interest as he regarded Harry with concern.
"What about him?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Harry took a deep breath, his gaze flickering with a mixture of sadness and determination.
"He's the reason my parents are gone," he explained, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's
the one who took them from me."

Draco's eyes widened in shock as he processed Harry's words, his heart aching at the pain
evident in his friend's voice. "I'm so sorry, Harry," he murmured, his voice filled with
sympathy.

Harry offered Draco a small, grateful smile, his fingers resuming their gentle strokes through
Draco's fur. "Thank you, Draco," he said softly. "I know it's dangerous, but I want to stop
him. I want to make sure no one else has to suffer like my parents did."
Draco's expression hardened with determination as he met Harry's gaze, his own resolve
solidifying in the face of his friend's determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you,
Harry," he vowed, his voice unwavering. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

Harry's heart swelled with gratitude at Draco's unwavering support, knowing that he had a
loyal friend by his side as he faced the darkness of his past. With Draco's comforting
presence beside him, Harry felt a renewed sense of hope that together, they could confront
the shadows of the past and emerge stronger than ever before.

A few weeks later, as Draco in cat form made his way through the dense foliage of the
woods, he remained acutely aware of every rustle of leaves beneath his paws. Now aware that
Tom Riddle was collecting victims again, his senses heightened as he scanned the shadows
for any sign of danger. Suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere nearby, causing Draco to freeze
in his tracks. His heart pounded in his chest as he strained to detect any movement amidst the
darkness, his instincts urging him to remain hidden from whatever lurked beyond the safety
of the trees. His nose caught an unfamiliar scent. It was sour and putrid, and smelled god-
awful. But as he cautiously peered through the tangled undergrowth, Draco caught sight of a
hunched figure moving stealthily through the shadows. His breath caught in his throat as he
recognized the man in the newspaper immediately. This was Tom Riddle.

Desperate to avoid detection, Draco pressed himself further into the foliage, willing himself
to blend seamlessly into the thick undergrowth. He knew that any misstep could spell
disaster, his every instinct urging him to remain hidden until the danger had passed. As
Riddle drew nearer, his eyes scanning the woods with an unsettling intensity, Draco held his
breath, praying that his concealment would be enough to evade detection. In the oppressive
silence of the woods, the only sound was the rapid thud of Draco's heart as he waited with
bated breath for Riddle to pass by, his very existence hanging in the balance. Where was
Riddle going?

In the dappled light of the woods, Draco watched with cautious determination as Tom Riddle
disappeared into the thick foliage ahead. His heart raced with a mixture of fear and resolve as
he made the decision to follow, his instincts urging him to not lose sight of Riddle. Stepping
lightly over fallen branches and navigating through the dense undergrowth, Draco moved
with the stealth of a predator on the hunt, his senses heightened as he closed in on Riddle's
trail. Trailing Riddle was easy due to him being a cat. His body was built for stealth. The
sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow
across the forest floor as Draco pressed on, his determination unwavering. They traveled for
quite a ways, but Draco was unrelenting. This was important. Draco's heart pounded in his
chest, his pulse quickening with each step closer to the truth. He knew the risks of
confronting Riddle alone, but the desire to protect Harry drove him forward, his every
instinct urging him to press on.

Finally, Draco reached the edge of a small clearing, his breath catching in his throat as he
caught sight of Riddle's secluded dwelling nestled among the trees. With a surge of
adrenaline, Draco steeled himself for what lay ahead, knowing that confronting Riddle would
be fraught with danger. But as he prepared to step into the clearing, Draco hesitated, his gaze
flickering with uncertainty. He knew that facing Riddle alone would be perilous, but he also
knew that this had to be done. With a determination, Draco steeled himself for the task ahead,
his resolve unshakeable as he prepared to confront the darkness that lurked within Riddle's
domain. As Draco cautiously observed from the shadows, a sinking feeling settled in the pit
of his stomach when he caught sight of the glint of a gun in Tom Riddle's coat pocket. His
heart raced with the realization that confronting Riddle alone would be a death sentence, and
he knew he couldn't risk his own life in pursuit of the truth, not if it meant he died and
Riddle’s hideout was never discovered.

With a sense of urgency, Draco committed the route to Riddle's secret dwelling to memory,
every detail etched into his mind with precision. He knew that returning to Harry with this
crucial information was their best chance at catching Riddle. Turning on his paws, Draco
swiftly retraced his steps through the woods, his mind racing with thoughts of Harry's safety
and the need to confront Riddle together. The weight of the knowledge he carried pressed
heavily on his shoulders, but Draco remained steadfast in his determination to protect his
friend at all costs. As he emerged from the woods and returned to the safety of their treehouse
sanctuary, Draco wasted no time in seeking out Harry, his words tumbling forth in a rush of
urgency as he relayed the details of his encounter with Riddle and the danger they now faced.

"Potter," Draco began, now in catboy form.

His boy was still fast asleep, sleeping in again on the weekends. But at Draco’s prodding,
Harry’s eyes popped open. “What? What’s going on?” Harry shot up in bed, alarmed.

Draco’s voice was urgent and he spoke fast. There was no time to waste as he recounted the
events in the woods in a rush of words. Draco knew that he couldn’t risk being seen, so
instead of leading Harry to the shed, he sketched a detailed map of the route to Riddle’s
dwelling.

“You need to let Sirius and the others know and confront Riddle together. He's armed, and it's
too dangerous to face him alone."

Harry listened intently, his brow furrowing with concern at the gravity of the situation. Harry
could see the urgency in his catboy’s silver eyes, knowing that Draco had taken a significant
risk by tailing Tom Riddle.

"Draco, you shouldn't have gone alone," Harry said, his voice filled with worry as he took the
detailed map from Draco's outstretched hand. "But thank you for this. I’ll let Sirius and the
others know right away."

Harry glanced down at the map, his mind already racing with plans to confront Riddle and
put an end to the threat once and for all. "You're right, we can't face him alone," Harry
continued, his voice resolute. "We'll gather everyone together and take him down together.
No one should have to face him alone."

With a determined nod at Draco, Harry folded the map and tucked it safely away, his mind
already turning to the task at hand. Together with his family and friends, they would confront
Riddle and put him in Azkaban for life.

As Harry approached Sirius and Lupin, his heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and
determination.
"Sirius, Lupin," Harry began, his voice steady as he relayed the fabricated tale of how he had
come to know the whereabouts of Riddle's secret dwelling. He spun a tale of chance
encounters and lucky breaks, weaving a web of half-truths and carefully constructed lies to
conceal Draco's involvement. Sirius listened intently, his brow furrowing with concern as he
processed Harry's words. Lupin, on the other hand, regarded Harry with a thoughtful
expression, a hint of suspicion flickering in his eyes. Harry could sense Lupin's suspicion,
knowing that his godfather was no stranger to detecting deception. Despite Sirius being the
detective, Lupin himself was unusually observant, possessing a remarkable knack for
intuiting the thoughts of those in his vicinity. Sometimes Harry felt irrationally like Lupin
could read minds.

As Harry finished his tale, Sirius nodded gravely, his expression grim. "We need to act
quickly," he said, his voice tinged with urgency. "If Riddle is armed and dangerous, we can't
afford to waste any time. I’ll call back up."

Sirius swiftly reached for his communicator, his fingers deftly dialing the emergency code.
With a sense of urgency in his voice, he called for backup, knowing that they couldn't
confront Riddle alone.

Lupin remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Harry with a probing intensity.
"Are you sure about this, Harry?" he asked, his tone gentle yet probing. "Something about
this doesn't quite add up."

Harry met Lupin's gaze head-on, his heart racing with a mixture of fear and determination.
"I'm sure," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. "We have to do
something, and we have to do it now."

With a shared nod of agreement, Sirius and Lupin turned to discuss their plan of action, their
minds already turning to the task at hand. Harry knew that the road ahead would be fraught
with danger, but with Sirius and Lupin by his side, he felt a renewed sense of determination
to confront Riddle and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all.

As officers, along with Harry, Sirius, Lupin, Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Neville arrived at
Riddle's shack, they were met with an eerie silence. The door hung open, swinging gently in
the breeze, but there was no sign of Riddle or any indication of his presence.

"What's going on here?" Sirius muttered, his brows furrowed with concern as he surveyed the
scene. "He was supposed to be here."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "It doesn't make sense," she said, her voice tinged with
frustration. "There's no way he could have just disappeared like this."

Luna glanced around, her eyes searching for any clue that might shed light on Riddle's
whereabouts. "Perhaps he sensed our approach and fled," she suggested, her voice dreamy
yet determined. But as they searched the shack and the surrounding area, it became
increasingly clear that Riddle was nowhere to be found. The officers exchanged glances, their
expressions filled with doubt and uncertainty.
"Are you sure you saw him here, Harry?" Ron asked, his tone skeptical as he turned to Harry
for answers.

Harry's jaw clenched with frustration as he met Ron's gaze. "I know what I saw," he insisted,
his voice firm despite the doubt that lingered in the air. "He was here, I'm sure of it."

As Harry stood before the skeptical officers, his heart pounded with frustration and fear. He
had led them to the shack where Draco had seen Tom, only to find it empty, with no sign of
the elusive figure. One of the officers, a stern-looking man with a furrowed brow, fixed Harry
with a suspicious glare. "Are you sure you saw someone here, son?" he questioned, his voice
laced with doubt.

Harry nodded vigorously, trusting Draco. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Yes, I
swear it! Tom Riddle was here, I saw him with my own eyes," he lied, desperation creeping
into his tone.

The other officer, a younger woman with a skeptical expression, exchanged a dubious glance
with her colleague. "It's hard to believe, kid. There's no evidence to support your story," she
remarked, folding her arms across her chest.

Harry's frustration boiled over, his voice rising with indignation. "But I'm telling the truth!
You have to believe me!" he pleaded, feeling the weight of disbelief pressing down on him.

Officer Frank Longbottom, Neville’s father, stepped forward, his expression sympathetic. "I
believe you, Harry," he said, his voice unwavering. "We may not have found him today, but
that doesn't mean he wasn't here. We'll keep looking, I promise." Harry felt a surge of
gratitude towards Frank, happy that the leading officer believed in him when others doubted.

“We believe him!” Sirius snapped, annoyed. “I know my godson and he does not tell lies.”
With a nod of thanks towards both Sirius, Harry turned back to the shack, his determination
renewed as he vowed to uncover the truth behind Riddle's disappearance, no matter what it
took.

The officers brought in search dogs, hoping to pick up Riddle's scent and track him down.
However, to their bewilderment, the dogs seemed unable to find any trace of him. Despite
scouring the area meticulously, the scent of Riddle remained elusive, leaving the officers
scratching their heads in frustration. It was as if Riddle had vanished into thin air, leaving
behind no trail for them to follow.

"He must've used some type of scent concealment," Harry growled through gritted teeth, his
frustration palpable. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of disappointment settle heavily
upon him. "I knew this had been too easy."

Sirius exchanged a troubled glance with Lupin, their brows furrowed in concern. "It's
possible," Sirius conceded, his tone grave. "But we can't let that stop us. We'll find him, one
way or another."

Lupin nodded in agreement, his expression determined. "Sirius is right," he said, his voice
steady despite the setback. "We can't afford to give up now. We'll just have to redouble our
efforts and keep searching. At least we’re closer now than before."

Neville stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as he met Harry's eyes. "We'll find him,
Harry," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "We won't rest until we do. He took my
mother as well."

Harry looked up with a jolt of surprise. He’d never known. “Neville.. I’m so sorry,” Harry
gasped.

Neville shrugged. “I don’t remember her. My dad was pretty broken up about it though. But
at least now we can catch him and make him pay for what he did to us and all the other
innocent victims he took.”

The group shared looks of renewed conviction. Ron said, his voice solemn yet resolute,
"Whatever it takes, we'll see this through together."

Hermione nodded in agreement, her determination matching that of her friends. "We won't let
him get away with this," she said, her voice firm. "We'll find Riddle and make him rot in
Azkaban."

—--

Harry's sullen mood upon his return to the treehouse was not lost on Draco. From his perch
on the windowsill, Draco in cat form watched as Harry entered, his shoulders slumped and
his expression dark with frustration. Sensing the tension in the air, Draco approached Harry
cautiously, his ears twitching with concern.

"What happened, Potter?" Draco mewed softly, his voice tinged with worry. He could see the
frustration etched on Harry's face, and it pained him to see his friend in such distress.

Harry let out a heavy sigh, sinking onto the couch with a defeated air. "Riddle got away," he
muttered, his tone heavy with disappointment. "We couldn't find him."

Draco's heart sank at the news, his own frustration mirroring Harry's. "I'm sorry, Potter," he
said sincerely, his voice filled with sympathy. "We'll find him, though. We won't give up."

Harry nodded, grateful for Draco's reassurance. Despite the setback, he knew he couldn't
afford to lose hope. With Draco by his side, he felt a glimmer of optimism that they would
eventually catch and detain Riddle, no matter how elusive he seemed.

Draco transformed into his humanoid form and pulled Harry easily onto his lap and held the
older boy in a comforting embrace, murmuring into his ear. “It’ll be alright, Harry,” he
murmured, purring. Draco hoped his touch would comfort Harry. Draco wrapped his long tail
on Harry’s arm. Unable to help himself, Harry was already relaxing instinctively into the
embrace of his childhood best friend and pet.
It was Draco that had found Tom Riddle in the first place. Draco that had always been with
him trying to cheer him up, albeit oftentimes inappropriately. But that could be forgiven, for
Harry knew it was not in a cat’s nature to know boundaries, nor respect them, apparently. But
as he looked into Draco’s eyes, so large, sweet, and guileless, he found he would never be
able to stay mad.

That night, under cover of darkness, Draco snaked a large strong arm around Harry and
covered Harry with his long, lean body. He was purring loudly, whiskers brushing Harry’s
face. Harry gave a relaxed whine, and then yawned like a child. He felt soo cozy in bed with
his handsome catboy. Harry loved his scent as well. Lately he hadn’t been able to get enough
of Draco’s new smell. Harry pushed his nose deep into Draco’s muscular chest and breathed
him in deeply. Draco watched knowingly, with his ever intelligent and calculating steel-
colored eyes. Eyes narrowed to slits, Draco began lapping at Harry’s neck feverishly, and
Harry batted him away, snickering. “Stop it, Drake, you little shit.”

Draco gave a toothy grin. “You know you love it, Potter” he countered, breathily. “You can’t
get enough of me every night, every day.” The tip of his tail twitched playfully as he licked
his lips.

Harry blushed scarlet, his heart racing with a mixture of embarrassment and something he
couldn't quite name. As he tried to come up with a retort, he couldn't shake the undeniable
truth in Draco's playful banter, stirring something unnamed deep within him. Instead, Harry
chuckled nervously, his cheeks still tinted with a rosy blush. "You wish, Draco," he muttered,
attempting to deflect Draco's teasing with a weak grin. Despite his attempt at nonchalance,
Harry couldn't deny the flutter of warmth that stirred in his chest at Draco's playful words,
leaving him flustered.

—--

"Alright, everyone," Sirius Black declared, his voice resolute as he addressed his comrades
gathered in the dimly lit room of 12 Grimmauld Place. "We all know what's at stake here.
Tom Riddle must be stopped, no matter the cost."

The room buzzed with anticipation as the group nodded in agreement. Lupin, his weary eyes
betraying the weight of past battles, spoke up next. "We need to act swiftly, but cautiously.
Riddle's influence runs deep, and we cannot afford any missteps."

Sirius, gaze steely with resolve, slammed his fist onto the table. "We'll split into teams," he
said. "Gather as much information as we can, and reconvene here to strategize."

Ron exchanged a determined glance with Hermione, their steady bond unbreakable in the
face of adversity. Neville Longbottom, his hands trembling with nervous energy, squared his
shoulders, and turned to Harry, vowed, "We won't let him slip a second time. We'll see this
through to the end." Harry nodded grimly in resolute agreement.
Luna Lovegood, her dreamy demeanor belying a fierce inner strength, offered a serene smile.
"The truth will reveal itself to those who seek it," she intoned cryptically. Sheriff Frank
Longbottom, who had witnessed first hand his wife’s murder, gripped his gun tightly, his jaw
set in grim determination. "We'll take him down. For all those who have fallen."

Severus Snape, his dark eyes glittering with hatred, remained silent. During Riddle’s reign of
terror, Snape had been his right hand man. That is, until Riddle murdered Snape’s chosen
Mate without realizing who she was to him. She had been a nameless woman in Riddle’s
eyes, just another victim. Instantly and unbeknownst to Riddle, Snape had switched
allegiances and began working to take Riddle down ever since.

Albus Dumbledore, the venerable Principal of Hogwarts, regarded the group with a serene
smile. "We have the strength and the courage to face this. As long as we trust one another, we
can get through anything."

Professor McGonagall, her stern facade masking a heart of gold, nodded approvingly in
agreement. "We’ve been through much worse and survived. We can do it again!"

Ron’s younger sister, Ginny Weasley, her fiery spirit undimmed by the dangers that lay
ahead, promised, "We'll make him pay for what he's done." Her older brothers Fred and
George, the mischievous twins with a penchant for chaos, exchanged a mischievous grin.
"Leave it to us," they chimed in unison. Fred said with an air of confidence, "This group’s got
all the Weasleys to join the fight. Riddle will regret ever having messed with us!"

Tonks, now a vivacious NCA in training, cracked her knuckles eagerly. "Let's show this
asshole what we're made of," she declared with a wink.

With their resolve steeled and their hearts united, Harry and his allies set forth on their daring
mission, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in their quest to vanquish Tom
Riddle once and for all. Under the cloak of night, Harry and his companions ventured forth
into the labyrinthine streets of Diagon Alley, their senses alert for any sign of danger. Harry
couldn’t help wishing Draco was with him, but the rational part of his brain knew Draco was
safer away from the action.

As they approached a dimly lit alleyway, Sheriff Longbottom, his gun at the ready, motioned
for the group to halt. "We've got company," he whispered, his voice tense with apprehension.
Sure enough, a pair of cloaked figures emerged from the darkness, their hushed conversation
barely audible over the distant hum of the city. Harry motioned for his friends to spread out,
blending into the shadows as they listened intently.

"We must tread carefully," Lupin cautioned, his voice low and urgent. "Riddle's spies are
everywhere, and we cannot afford to be discovered."

Sirius nodded grimly, his jaw clenched in determination. "Agreed. Let's see what they're up
to."

Thankfully, before the stakeout, Hermione had reminded them all that sound enhancing ear
drops might come in handy. Now they were able to eavesdrop on the conversation without
being detected. As the cloaked figures drew nearer, snippets of their conversation floated
through the air.

"...patrols have been increased in the Forbidden Forest," one of them murmured, his voice
tinged with unease. "Riddle suspects someone may be snooping around."

The other figure nodded gravely. "We must remain vigilant. The Dark Lord's plans are
nearing fruition, and we cannot afford any slip-ups."

Draco, who was connected to Harry via sensors that allowed him to hear and see everything
Harry was experiencing, said to Harry, "I think I recognize that voice. It sounds like one of
the Slytherin prefects."

Harry's eyes narrowed. He wanted to ask how on earth Draco could know what a Slytherin
prefect sounded like, but decided against asking then. As he listened intently, his mind raced
with possibilities. "We need to find out what they're planning," he said quietly, his voice
tinged with urgency.

Tonks nodded in agreement, her expression steely with determination. "I'll tail them and see
where they lead. The rest of you, stay here and keep watch."

As Tonks melted into the shadows, the group waited with bated breath, their hearts pounding
with anticipation. With Tonk’s stealthy prowess, they were determined to uncover Riddle's
secrets. As Tonks trailed the cloaked figures through the winding streets of Diagon Alley, her
heart pounded with anticipation. Every rustle of leaves and whisper of wind sent a jolt of
adrenaline coursing through her veins. Finally, as the figures came to a stop in a secluded
corner, Tonks pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear their conversation.

"...the plan is set," one of the figures muttered, their voice low and menacing. "Hogwarts. We
strike the University next month, when the defenses are at their weakest."

Tonk’s blood ran cold as she realized the gravity of their words. Hogwarts University, the
bastion of global education, was in grave danger.

"We'll infiltrate the grounds under the cover of darkness," another voice chimed in, their tone
filled with malice. "The Dark Lord's orders are clear: no mercy, no survivors."

A chill swept through Tonks as she listened, her mind racing with the implications of their
sinister plot. She knew she had to act fast, to warn Harry and the others before it was too late.
Without hesitation, Tonks melted back into the shadows, her heart heavy with the weight of
the knowledge she carried. Racing against time, she hurried back to where her friends were
crouching in the shadows, her quiet steps quick and determined. Upon arrival, she found
Harry and the rest of the group gathered in tense anticipation. With a sense of urgency, she
relayed what she had heard, her voice shaking with emotion.

"The Death Eaters are back and they're planning to attack Hogwarts University," Tonks
declared, her voice filled with dread. "We need to prepare to defend the school."
 Harry's eyes widened in shock as he absorbed Tonk’s words. Without hesitation, Sirius and
Harry led the group back to Grimmauld place to come up with a new plan. Now they knew
they had to prepare the school for a coming battle. As they armed themselves for the fight
ahead, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over him. But he knew that with
courage and determination, they would stand united against the forces of darkness and protect
Hogwarts at all costs.

Chapter End Notes

As always, I will update weekly! Remember to subscribe so you don't miss it.
=^.^=

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 Unveiling Destiny: Clash at Hogwarts
Chapter Summary

The Battle of Hogwarts unfolds as Harry and his allies confront Tom Riddle and his
forces.

But mostly about how Draco goes into heat. Because this is a love story. Everything else
is fluff to their story.

Chapter Notes

PSA: Feline heats in my fic are different from the usual canine heats in lots of
omegaverse fics. Keep that in mind going into the fic.

As always, I will update weekly! Remember to subscribe so you don't miss it.
=^.^=

All comments welcome. <3

See the end of the chapter for more notes

After planning well into the night, at last the great Principal Dumbledore spoke, his imposing
presence commanding the attention of all present. "It's been a long night, my friends," he
said, his voice gentle yet firm. "We've made great strides in our planning, but we mustn't
forget the importance of rest." He said this with a yawn, which caused a ripple yawn effect
around the room.

He turned to Harry and the others, his eyes twinkling with great wisdom. "I suggest we
reconvene here tomorrow evening. We'll finalize the details of our plan and ensure that we
are all prepared for what lies ahead."

Harry nodded, a sense of relief washing over him at the prospect of a brief respite. "Thank
you, Professor," he said gratefully. "We'll be ready." With a reassuring smile, Dumbledore bid
them all goodnight, his presence a comforting beacon of hope in the darkness. As the group
dispersed, each making their way to their respective homes to rest and recharge for the night,
Harry couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that coursed through his veins.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new obstacles to overcome, but with the support of
his friends and allies, he knew that they would face them head-on, united in their quest to
vanquish the dark forces that threatened their school.

---

Gathered in the dimly lit room of 12 Grimmauld Place the following evening, Harry and his
group listened intently as Dumbledore outlined his daring plan. The weight of responsibility
hung heavy in the air as he spoke, his voice tinged with determination. "As you all know,"
Dumbledore began, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the assembled group, "we are
facing a formidable adversary in Tom Riddle and his gang of ruthless followers. Their
intentions to besiege Hogwarts University must be thwarted at all costs."

Alastor Moody, his good eye fixed on Dumbledore, nodded grimly in agreement. "We can't
let them take control of the school," he growled, his voice gruff with determination. "We need
a plan, and we need it fast."

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with resolve as he continued, "Indeed, Alastor. Our plan must be
swift and decisive. We cannot afford to underestimate Riddle's cunning or the danger he
poses."
Harry, sitting among his peers, felt a surge of adrenaline course through him. Despite his
youth, he was determined to do whatever it took to defend his school and his friends.

"We'll need to gather intelligence on Riddle's movements and strengths," Hermione

suggested, her brow furrowed in thought. "And we must fortify the school's defenses to
withstand any potential attacks."

Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with pride as he looked upon the brave faces of his students.
"Very well," he said, his tone firm. "Let us prepare ourselves for the battle ahead. Hogwarts
will not fall on our watch."

"How will we keep all the students safe?" Professor McGonagall fretted.

"That's where the NCA comes in," Sheriff Longbottom explained. "We coordinate with them.
When he makes his move, they'll be ready to swoop in and apprehend him."

Sirius had his fists clenched in determination. "I'll contact some old contacts in the Ministry,
see if we can get the ball rolling on the British Guard operation. We need to prepare for every
possible scenario," Sirius declared, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We
can't afford to underestimate them like we did last time."

Dumbledore added, "Students will be notified of the anticipated day of their assault. I trust
our esteemed educators to discern the prudence of students refraining from attending classes
during that week when the threat looms, in case the aggressors choose to act ahead of
schedule."

Professor McGonagall nodded thoughtfully, her expression grave. "I believe it would be
necessary to shut down the school that week. Safety must be our top priority. After all, most
students simply aren’t trained for combat. It would be ridiculous to expect any student to
fight. They are just children! Most students at the university are under 25. Leave it to law
enforcement.”

Harry, his expression grim, nodded in agreement, ignoring the fact that he, too, was only 18 –
smack in the middle of adolescence. 25 was when you were legally an adult, when the
Ministry said that the brain had finished most of its development. "We'll need to gather
intelligence, find out as much as we can about the Death Eaters' plans, their numbers, their
weapons. And alert other schools too, to be on the lookout,” Harry said.

Hermione, her brow furrowed in deep concentration, nodded in agreement. "We'll need to
fortify the defenses of Hogwarts, reinforce the security measures, and ensure that staff
members, as well as any student that chooses to fight, are trained to defend themselves.”

With the pieces of the plan falling into place, the group knew that they were embarking on
their most perilous mission yet. But with Principal Dumbledore, who had been a top military
sergeant in his youth, leading the charge and their unwavering determination fueling their
resolve, they were ready to confront Riddle head-on and bring an end to his nefarious
schemes once and for all.

With the knowledge that they had only one month until the planned attack, the urgency of
their mission weighed heavily on their minds. With a sense of purpose, that month, the group
set to work, each taking on a different task in preparation for the coming battle. Whether it
was training students in self-defense and weapon-use (Harry and Tonks were especially quick
studies and soon teaching others), strengthening the wards and security around Hogwarts
(mostly Hermione, top Ravenclaw students, and other Professors), or reaching out to
authorities for assistance (the MPS, NCA, military personnel), they knew that every action
they took brought them one step closer to victory.

As the days passed and the deadline drew nearer, tensions ran high, but Harry and his allies
remained steadfast in their resolve. With unity, determination, and a touch of ingenuity, they
were determined to secretly thwart the plans of the Death Eaters and protect Hogwarts
University from harm.

—--

Every day since learning of the plot, Draco worried incessantly, mostly due to the fact that he
knew he wouldn’t be able to ensure his best friend’s safety. As Harry returned to the
treehouse after a long day of preparations and planning, Draco's heart clenched with concern
at the sight of his friend's weary expression.
"Harry," Draco greeted softly, padding over in cat form to where Harry sat slumped on the
makeshift bed, his boy’s thoughts seemingly miles away.

Harry looked up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he met Draco's worried
gaze. "Hey, Draco," he greeted back, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Sorry, I didn't mean
to worry you."

Draco shook his head, his eyes filled with affection as he settled beside Harry, letting his tail
rest on the boy’s back and pressing close against his side. "You don't need to apologize,
Harry," he reassured him softly, nuzzling against Harry's shoulder. Harry welcomed the
closeness. It felt good after an exhaustive day to relax with his pet. Draco went on, "I just... I
hate feeling so helpless, knowing that I can't protect you from whatever's coming."

Harry couldn’t help reaching out, letting his fingers comb through Draco's soft ear fur as he
stroked him gently. "You've already done so much, Draco," he said earnestly, his gaze warm
with gratitude. "You've been by my side through everything, and I couldn't ask for a better
friend."

At this, Draco's heart could have broken. Friend. That word hurt. He pushed aside his
feelings, however, as a surge of affection flooded through him. "I'll always be here for you,
Harry," he vowed, his voice stern. "No matter what happens, I'll never leave your side."

Harry smiled sadly. He knew Draco wouldn’t be able to go with him. Not in this world where
everyone was so prejudiced against his species. It’d be too dangerous.

Draco pressed foreheads with Harry, taking in his scent. Draco loved Harry, and although
Harry never told him, he knew Harry loved him too… As long as Harry loved him, he could
do anything.

--—

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the campus of Hogwarts University, the air
was thick with tension and anticipation. All that week leading up to the expected attack, a
high-tech hologram system projected facades of students coming and going, designed to
make it appear that Hogwarts was bustling with activity as usual in order to deceive the
Death Eaters. A fair amount of students had stayed home, opting instead for remote learning.

In the now quiet corridors, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air as the remaining students
and faculty alike prepared for the inevitable confrontation. The usual chatter and laughter
were replaced by hushed whispers and nervous glances, as everyone braced themselves for
what was to come. Harry found it a bit eerie how empty the hallways were now.

Amongst the millions of Hogwarts students, a few brave souls had chosen to stay behind,
determined to defend their school and their friends against the looming threat. (A few were
more like, 10% of the total student population – which was 300,000 students with their
courageous parents each. Many of those parents had fought in the last war against Riddle as
well.) Their faces were set with grim determination as they made their final preparations,
knowing that the battle ahead would be fierce and unforgiving.

Within the hallowed halls of the school, Harry and his friends stood ready, their hearts
pounding with anticipation as they awaited the arrival of Tom Riddle and his gargantuan
army of Death Eaters. Each fighter was clad in state-of-the-art body armor. They knew that
they were as prepared as they could be for the battle that lay ahead.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the afternoon was shattered by the thunderous roar of engines, as
Riddle and his followers descended upon the school with a ferocity that sent shockwaves
through the air. The ground seemed to tremble with the sound of their onslaught. The many
thousands of Death Eaters, their faces twisted in malice, brandished assault weapons as they
prepared to storm the grounds of Hogwarts, their every movement a testament to their skill
and determination. During their time in hiding, Riddle and his Death Eaters had been covertly
honing their skills, all leading up to this pivotal moment, when they were poised to seize
control of the world.

But as they advanced, ready to unleash chaos and destruction upon the unsuspecting students,
they were met with an equally formidable force. Harry and his friends, their equally
impressive assault weapons at the ready and their resolve unyielding, stood firm against the
tide of darkness, their every movement a testament to their bravery and determination.

"Stand your ground!" Harry shouted above the din of battle, his voice ringing out with
authority as he rallied his comrades to his side. "We will not let them harm anyone else!
Riddle has to be stopped!"
Neville, his jaw set in grim determination, shouted, “THIS IS WAR!” as he unleashed a
barrage of bullets upon the advancing Death Eaters, his every movement a blur of motion as
he fought to protect his school and his friends.

Hermione, her brow furrowed in fierce concentration, finished setting up her intricate
protective grid right on time as the Death Eaters arrived. A blue light from the grid
immediately spanned around the school walls, and everywhere it touched, there was a clear
barrier, so that each attacking bullet bounced right off and hit the Death Eaters back one by
one. She leaped and whooped in triumph.

As the Death Eaters blew up the iron-clad school gates and entered the school grounds, at the
forefront of the Death Eaters was their leader, Tom Riddle. Up close, everyone could see that
Tom was a tall, admittedly handsome older man with pristine jet black hair and equally dark
eyes. He came blazing out of the ashes, no doubt clad in a bullet-proof armor himself. “Be
prepared to die!” he cried, black eyes alight with a hungry thirst.

Tonks flew out at him and threw a grenade, blowing it up in his face. Riddle cried out in fury,
falling backwards and catching himself on the school walls. His unprotected face, once quite
striking, was now shattered and warped beyond recognition, as his jaw hung slack.

“You dare challenge me? Lord Riddle?! ” he hissed as blood gurgled in his throat. He seemed
to choke on his blood for a beat before throwing out a vibrating electrified boomerang knife
at Tonks.

Tonks expertly dodged it with a speed rivaling the wind, her movements fluid and precise.
She smirked defiantly at Riddle's feeble attempt, her eyes glinting with determination.
"Challenge you? Nah, just showing you what happens when you mess with the wrong
crowd," she retorted, her voice dripping with unabashed confidence.

Tom Riddle's reaction to this was not one of surprise or anger, but rather a twisted amusement
that danced in the depths of his dark eyes. This child. How very foolish. He watched with a
chilling calmness as Tonks' defiance sparked a flicker of rebellion among the students
rallying against him. With a low, sinister chuckle, Riddle stepped forward, his gaze sweeping
over the scene with a calculating intensity. His lips curled into a cruel smile, tinged with a
hint of madness as he assessed the unfolding chaos with the detached demeanor of a predator
stalking its prey, even as blood continued to pour from his gaping face. The teeth still
clinging to his jaw were jutting outward.

"Ah," he purred, his voice carrying a sinister edge that sent shivers down the spines of those
who dared to stand against him. "Such audacity. It seems you have a spine after all. I can only
guess: Gryffindor?"

Tonks smirked, her eyes gleaming with defiance as she stepped forward, her bazooka at the
ready. "Wrong guess, Riddle," she retorted, her voice dripping with confidence. "I'm a
Hufflepuff through and through. And we're not afraid to stand up to bullies like you."

Riddle's lips curled into a sneer, his eyes narrowing with malice. "You dare defy me, little
Hufflepuff?" he hissed, the darkness in his tone sending chills down Tonks' spine. "You and
your friends are nothing compared to the power I wield."

Tonks stood her ground, her weapon steady in her hand. "We may not have your army,
Riddle, but we have something you'll never understand," she replied, her voice firm.
"Courage, loyalty, and the strength of friendship. And that's more than enough to defeat you."

Tom Riddle surveyed the gathered defenses, his gaze lingering on each combatant with a
chilling fascination. The thrill of the hunt pulsed through his veins, igniting a savage hunger
for dominance and control. At that moment, the rest of the Death Eaters burst through the
school walls, shouting and shooting at the students, their parents, and professors.

But the surprised Death Eaters were met with a force equally formidable to protect the
sanctity of the school and its inhabitants. Shouting and cursing of the Death Eaters echoed
through the corridors, mingling with the angry cries of students and the rest of the defenders
who were fighting back viciously. As the clash of wills escalated into a frenzied whirlwind of
violence, Tom Riddle's presence loomed over the chaos like a malevolent specter, his dark
laughter echoing through the halls of Hogwarts University as he reveled in the bloodshed and
chaos that surrounded him.

In a coordinated effort, law enforcement agencies, including the MPS, NCA, and military
personnel, swiftly mobilized to counter the impending threat. Alongside them fought the
stalwart soldiers of the British Guard, their presence a symbol of unwavering resolve in the
face of adversity. As the Death Eaters unleashed a barrage of bullets and flame throwers, the
defenders of the school responded with disciplined precision. Gunfire rang out in sharp
bursts, punctuated by the thunderous explosions of grenades and the whirring of helicopters
overhead. The clash of metal and the shouts of combatants reverberated throughout the
campus, creating a cacophony of chaos and defiance.

Amidst the battlefield, Harry fought bravely, eyes blazing with determination as he prepared
to face down the oncoming onslaught. With each heartbeat, he steeled himself for his
inevitable confrontation with Tom Riddle, knowing that the fate of the school and everyone
within its walls hung in the balance.

Suddenly, as the battle raged on, the military deployed their most formidable assets against
the tyrannical threat of Tom Riddle. Among them were the awe-inspiring magical creatures:
the military dragons, their massive forms casting shadows over the battlefield as they soared
through the skies with a fierce determination. Their giant wings could be heard flapping and
whooshing overheard. The Light dragons were majestic creatures, towering embodiments of
strength and power. Standing tall on muscular legs, they possessed sleek, streamlined bodies
adorned with glistening scales that shimmered in the sunlight. Their wings, expansive and
leathery, spanned great distances, allowing them to soar through the sky with effortless grace.

Each dragon bore unique markings and colorations, ranging from iridescent blues and greens
to fiery reds and oranges, creating a stunning display of natural beauty. Their eyes, sharp and
intelligent, gleamed with an otherworldly wisdom that belied their ferocious appearance.
Equipped with razor-sharp claws and formidable teeth, these dragons were fearsome
predators capable of unleashing devastating attacks upon their foes. Yet, they also exhibited a
remarkable level of discipline and loyalty, responding swiftly to the commands of their
human handlers with unwavering obedience.

Despite their immense size and power, the military dragons moved with a surprising agility
and grace, darting through the air with precision and finesse. Their movements were fluid and
calculated, reflecting years of rigorous training and conditioning to harness their formidable
abilities for the defense of humanity.

In battle, the dragons proved to be invaluable assets, raining down torrents of fire and fury
upon enemy forces with devastating accuracy. With each beat of their mighty wings and each
breath of searing red flames, they struck fear into the hearts of those who dared to oppose
them, ensuring victory for the side of righteousness and justice. The battlefield smelled like a
mixture of charred wood, burnt metal, and the acrid tang of magic lingering in the air. The
ground was littered with debris and scorched earth. Bodies of Death Eaters were sprawled
lifelessly on the grounds, charred and burnt to bits. The smell of burnt human meat reached
Harry’s nose, and he nearly gagged.

With a deafening roar, the dragons continued to unleash torrents of flame upon the enemy
ranks, incinerating everything in their path with relentless fury. The dragons’ fire was
magical and would only hurt those with evil intent, leaving the innocent spared. The searing
heat of their breath engulfed the Death Eaters, forcing them to scatter and retreat under the
onslaught of fire and destruction.

A malicious grin twisted Tom Riddle's features as he raised an ornate silver whistle to his
lips. His eyes glinted with wicked anticipation at the impending carnage. With a piercing
blow, the shrill summons cut through the chaos of the battlefield. At first, only the sounds of
clashing combatants filled the air. Then, a rumbling like distant thunder rolled across the
grounds. The earth began to tremble underfoot as the skies darkened with the shadows of
immense winged beasts converging on Hogwarts' walls. Riddle’s own dragons, with their
imposing forms, cast a shadow of dread over the battlefield.

These creatures, twisted and corrupted by their Master, bore little resemblance to their noble
counterparts fighting on the side of the Light. Tom Riddle's dragons were harbingers of
destruction– sinister creatures whose very presence instilled terror in all who beheld them.
Towering over the battlefield, they exuded an aura of malevolence and darkness, their ugly
forms twisted and contorted into grotesque shapes. These dragons bore the marks of
corruption and decay, their scales dulled and tarnished by the influence of their dark Master.
Their eyes, glowing with an ominous red light, radiated an aura of malice and cruelty,
reflecting the malevolent nature of Riddle himself.

Unlike their noble counterparts, Riddle's dragons moved with a predatory grace that bordered
on the supernatural. Their movements were swift and sinuous, their ragged wings slicing
through the air with a haunting whisper as they descended upon their foes like avatars of
doom. With each beat of their wings, Riddle's dragons unleashed torrents of black flames that
consumed everything in their path, leaving nothing but ash and despair in their wake. Their
roars reverberated across the battlefield like thunder, striking fear into the hearts of even the
bravest warriors.

Driven by an insatiable hunger for destruction, these dragons showed no mercy to their
enemies, tearing through ranks of soldiers and students alike with ruthless efficiency. Their
allegiance to Tom Riddle was absolute, their loyalty unwavering as they served as the
vanguard of his dark army, spreading chaos and devastation wherever they went.
Riddle threw his head back and laughed, a haunting and mirthless cackle. "You fools thought
you could defy me? Behold the price of your defiance!"

The battle for Hogwarts had entered its darkest hour, emblazoned in dragonfire and shadow.
Yet the stalwart few standing against Riddle's forces locked shields and squared their jaws,
determined to prevail against this unholy onslaught, no matter the cost. In the face of such
monstrous adversaries, the students knew that they faced a battle unlike any they had ever
encountered before. Only by summoning every ounce of their courage and resilience could
they hope to stand against the onslaught of Riddle's dragons and emerge victorious in the
struggle for the fate of the world.

With the dark dragons in the midst, long shadows cut across the battlefield as the clash
between light and dark dragons erupted into a fierce and chaotic spectacle. On one side, the
noble dragons of the military soared through the sky, their radiant forms illuminated by the
brilliant glow of the sun. With wings outstretched and claws bared, they met their adversaries
head-on, determined to defend their allies and protect the innocent from the forces of
darkness.

Opposing them were the twisted and malevolent dragons of Tom Riddle, their dark
silhouettes casting ominous shadows against the backdrop of the afternoon. With roars that
shook the earth and flames that burned with an unholy fury, they launched themselves into
the fray, eager to crush their enemies beneath claw and fang.

The clash of titans echoed across the battlefield as the two opposing forces collided with
devastating force. Lightning crackled in the sky as the dragons grappled with each other, their
bodies entwined in a deadly dance of death and destruction. With every swipe of claw and
snap of jaw, the dragons unleashed torrents of fire and ice, earth and wind, each element a
weapon in their arsenal as they fought for supremacy. The air crackled with magic as spells
and curses flew between these magical creatures, adding to the chaos and carnage of the
battle.

Amidst the chaos, Harry and Ron fought side by side, their weapons blazing as they
unleashed a barrage of bullets at the enemy. "We've got to hold them off, Ron!" Harry
shouted over the din of battle, his voice strained with effort.
"You can count on me, mate!" Ron replied, his face set in a determined grimace as he fired
round after round into the advancing horde. Bullets whizzed past their heads as they ducked
behind makeshift barricades, many half-melted, exchanging hurried glances as they sought to
stem the tide of darkness threatening to overwhelm them.

"We need to find Riddle!" Harry called out, his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle
as he scanned the chaos for any sign of their elusive foe. His green eyes blazed with
determination as he fired off another round of shots, each bullet a testament to his
unwavering resolve.

Ron nodded in agreement, his expression grim as he surveyed the battlefield. "He's got to be
around here somewhere," he replied, his grip tightening on his weapon as he prepared to face
whatever dangers lay ahead. Together, they pressed forward, narrowly avoiding a burst of
flame from one of the dark dragons, their footsteps echoing against the cold, hard ground as
they searched for their elusive quarry. With every passing moment, their determination only
grew stronger, fueled by the knowledge that the fate of their school hung in the balance.

As Harry and Ron pressed forward in their search for Riddle, they caught a glimpse of Luna,
Rolf, and Tonks running past them, their movements swift and purposeful. "Where are you
going?" Harry called out, his voice barely audible over the din of battle.

"We're heading to the eastern wing," Luna shouted back, her eyes bright with determination.
"There are reports of Death Eaters gathering there. We need to stop them!"

Rolf nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he adjusted the strap of his weapon.
"We'll cover you from the ground," he said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the chaos
surrounding them.

Tonks flashed them a quick grin before disappearing into the fray with her Mate George in
tow, her hair shimmering with every movement. "Stay safe, Harry, Ron," she called out, her
voice fading into the distance as she rejoined the fight. With a nod to each other, Harry and
Ron continued on their way, their resolve hardened by the knowledge that they were not
alone in their fight against the darkness.

As the pair made their way through the chaos, they caught sight of Neville and Fred locked in
battle with a group of Death Eaters. Bullets flew through the air as they fought fiercely, their
determination evident in every movement. Thank god for body armor , Harry thought. "Keep
it up, guys!" Ron shouted, his voice filled with encouragement as he fired off a round of shots
to cover their flank.

Neville flashed them a determined grin before unleashing a powerful grenade that sent a
group of Death Eaters flying backward. "We won't let them get away with this!" he called
out, his voice ringing with conviction. Beside him, Fred fought with equal ferocity, his face a
mask of determination as he expertly dodged incoming bullets and fired back with precision.

"Watch out!" Snape's voice cut through the chaos as he stepped in to assist. His dark eyes
gleamed with determination as he brandished the Quantum Resonance Disruptor, a weapon
of formidable power and precision. Ron and Harry and the rest of the students ducked their
heads as, with a swift motion, Professor Snape unleashed a torrent of quantum energy,
engulfing the enemy in a dazzling display of light and sound. The disruptor's effects were
immediate and devastating, scattering their foes like leaves in the wind.

With a nod of gratitude to the professor, Harry and Ron joined the fray, their resolve
strengthened by the sight of their friends fighting alongside them. Together, they would stand
against the darkness and protect Hogwarts at all costs.

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the school grounds, Harry's eyes narrowed as
he at last spotted Tom Riddle fleeing towards the neighboring woods. Even knowing it was
likely a trap, without hesitation, Harry broke away from Ron's side and darted after Riddle,
his heart pounding with adrenaline-fueled determination. The urgency of the situation fueled
his every step as he plunged into the dense foliage, his senses alert for any sign of danger.

--—

As the deafening crescendo of gunfire and roaring fighting dragons echoed through the air
behind him, Harry found himself in a desperate struggle for survival as bullets whizzed past
his head. Closing in on Tom Riddle, his gun poised to strike, Harry's heart pounded with fear
and adrenaline. But just then, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.

"Harry!"
Turning in surprise, Harry saw Sirius Black emerging from the smoke, his face set in a grim
mask of perseverance. Sirius was alert and uninjured. Without hesitation, Sirius joined
Harry's side, his gun at the ready as they pursued Riddle together. For Sirius, this was deeply
personal. Riddle had butchered his childhood best friend James and James’s wife in cold
blood. There was cold fury in Sirisus’s features. Of all the people at the battle, the one who
loved James the most was Sirius. Sirius had spent the most time with James, he had gotten to
know James the most, and had fought beside and laughed with James more than anyone else
ever had. He had seen James and loved him at his best and worst. A part of him had died
when James died. He would be the one to finish Riddle.

"17 years. We end this now," Sirius growled through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with a
fierce determination that mirrored Harry's own. With each passing moment, the tension
around them grew thicker, the air crackling with violence.

Suddenly, an extra loud bang of a gunshot shattered the silence, echoing through the air like a
thunderclap. Harry's heart lurched as he watched Sirius stagger back, a look of shock and
pain etched on his face as he clutched his stomach. Blood was pooling out from his hands.

"Sirius!" Harry cried out, his voice filled with horror as he rushed to his godfather’s side. He
spun around and saw the sadistic gaunt, bleeding face of Tom Riddle.

“Special body armor dissolving bullets for Sheriff Black ,” Riddle announced, eyes wide with
unrestrained sick glee as he began laughing maniacally.

Harry’s blood ran cold as he shot a few times at Riddle but the bullets bounced off Riddle’s
own body armor. Tom Riddle’s full attention was on Harry now, his snake-like eyes alight
with malice as he raised his gun once more at Harry’s face.

Panic surged through Harry as he realized that his own gun was now empty, its chamber
devoid of bullets. He’d been shooting at a lot of Death Eaters leading up to this point and
hadn’t had to reload. It was just his luck. Frantically, Harry fumbled with the ammunition, his
hands shaking as he tried to reload. But in his haste, he dropped the bullets, his fingers
suddenly deciding now to become clumsy and uncoordinated. Riddle shot his gun right out of
his hands and it landed 10 feet away. Harry cursed.
With a cruel smile on his face, Tom Riddle said, “I believe your parents were my last victims
before I went into hiding. Lily and James Potter, was it?”

“Keep their names out of your mouth!” Harry spat, enraged.

“Ah, yes, Lily was quite a beauty," he continued, seemingly lost in distant memories. "She
was supposed to be my girl . She was my brightest student. But she chose that half-wit James
in the end.” Riddle sniffed, as if bored. “Alas, she got what was coming.”

“You’re sick,” Harry gasped, shocked at this revelation that Riddle had been so obsessed with
his young mother.

“Tsk tsk, my boy. And to think, you could have been my son.” Riddle’s face grew thoughtful,
almost serene, as more blood bubbled and dripped from his cracked face. Harry thought that
Riddle ought to have perished from blood loss already, considering the significant amount he
had lost.

Riddle refocused his attention on Harry now, his face once again a mask of cool rage. “Your
father screamed like a little girl when he was getting hacked to bits with my axe,” Riddle
lied. “Quite pathetic really. Time for you to go the way of your weak father.”

Riddle took aim, his finger tightening on the trigger.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest as he braced himself for the inevitable, knowing that he
was defenseless against Riddle's expert aim. Riddle fired.

Simultaneously, a blur of movement caught Harry's eye. Out of the corner of his vision, he
saw a large white flash hurtling towards them like a streak of lightning, its massive form
cutting through the air with astonishing speed.

Before Harry could even comprehend what was happening, he saw, with a panic, that it was
Draco. A tiger-sized Draco. Draco threw himself in front of Harry, his large lithe body
intercepting the bullet meant for him. Time seemed to slow as Harry watched in abject horror,
his breath catching in his throat as Draco hit the ground, almost in slow-motion. A pained
yelp escaped his lips, along with a loud thud. Specks of dust flew in the air where Draco
landed.

"Draco!" Harry cried out, his voice choked with emotion. But he had no time to check on
Draco. He saw an astonished look of disgust contort Riddle’s face, but that was all the time
Harry needed. Adrenaline-filled, he rolled over to his gun and loaded the gun in record time
before he shot one bullet straight through Riddle’s head.

The look of shock seemed to have frozen on Riddle’s face for what seemed like an eternity,
before Riddle crumpled— impossibly slowly, to the ground, dead.

Harry immediately fell to the dirt, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. But he was so
shell-shocked he barely registered Lupin’s piercing cry as Lupin held Sirius in his arms.
“GET SIRIUS TO THE HOSPITAL!” Tonks was screaming.

All around him, sound seemed to be muted. He didn’t notice the battle still raging all around.
“TOM RIDDLE IS DEAD!” someone shouted.

Harry scrambled to Draco’s side, hands shaking so badly as he held Draco, who had now
shrunk back down to normal cat size. “No no no no FUCK !” he cursed obscenely. “Draco,
you stupid sod. Why?” Harry was sobbing now. Draco’s white pelt was red now, soaked with
blood, but to Harry’s immense relief, he was still breathing. Just barely. “Stay with me,
Draco, c’mon, stay with me.” He began sobbing again. “Drake, I– I, I love you, okay? Don’t
leave me. I love you.” He’d never once told Draco this, as he’d assumed Draco knew. Harry
didn’t care that snot was coming out of his nose now. He sobbed for what felt like an
impossibly long time.

Then someone hoisted him up by the arm. He flinched in shock, appearing to just now realize
where he was. It was Professor Snape.

“Potter,” Snape snapped, and his face looked severe. “Instead of blubbering like a fool, if you
really want to save that… thing , you must get it to a magical creature healer. Your
sentimentality is of no use here. Focus on what needs to be done." Snape had never looked so
disgusted in his whole life as he looked at the cat Harry was holding. The boy was actually
TOUCHING that cat. That thing . Snape couldn’t have looked more disgusted if Harry had
been clutching a giant maggot.

With a disdainful glare, Snape motioned for Harry to go, his impatience evident in every line
of his rigid posture. Harry nodded, wiping away his tears as he steeled himself for the task
ahead. Harry, still numb, jumped in his hovercraft and zapped through the air at supersonic
speed. He knew who would be the man for the job.

In record time, he was back at Hogwarts High, and landed right outside a familiar hut. He
blared his horn to signal his arrival, and a disheveled Hagrid came sprinting out, his eyes
wide with surprise.

"Harry! What's all this about, then?" Hagrid exclaimed, his voice tinged with concern as he
took in the sight of Harry's tear-stained face. Hagrid had known about the war over at
Hogwarts University, but he had not been expecting anyone to need his assistance. After all,
he was just one of many Care of Magical Creatures healers near the university.

"Draco's been hurt," Harry explained quickly, his voice tight with emotion. "He needs your
help, Hagrid. Please, you're the only one who can save him."

Hagrid's eyes widened in shock at the urgency in Harry's voice, but without hesitation, he
nodded. "Right, then. Lead the way, Harry."

With Draco but a tiny red ball of fur in Harry’s trembling hands, Harry and Hagrid rushed
back to the hut, their hearts pounding with a shared sense of determination. This hut was
Hadgrid’s impromptu clinic for healing all magical creatures.

If Hagrid was shocked at seeing Harry with a cat, he kept it to himself. In Hagrid's rustic hut,
the air was thick with urgency as Harry and Hagrid worked feverishly to tend to Draco's
gunshot wound. Hagrid's massive hands moved with surprising gentleness as he carefully
removed Draco's blood-stained fur, revealing the extent of the injury beneath.

With a grim determination etched upon his weathered features, Hagrid set to work cleaning
the wound, his movements precise and methodical as he applied antiseptic and bandages with
practiced skill. Despite the urgency of the situation, his touch was surprisingly delicate, a
testament to the care and compassion that he held for all creatures, magical or otherwise.
Hagrid had never been more thankful he was only allergic to non-magical cats.

Harry watched anxiously, his heart in his throat as he prayed for Draco's recovery. With each
passing moment, the tension in the room seemed to mount, the weight of his best friend's life
hanging heavy in the air. But as the night wore on and Hagrid continued to work tirelessly to
staunch the bleeding and dress the wound, a sense of hope began to stir within Harry's chest.
With each careful stitch and bandage applied, he dared to believe that Draco might just pull
through after all.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hagrid stepped back from his work, his face lined with
exhaustion but his eyes shining with determination. "There yeh go, that oughta do it," he said
gruffly, his voice tinged with relief, a tear escaping his weary and sweat-filled face.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he surveyed Hagrid's handiwork, a sense of gratitude

swelling within him. "Thank you, Hagrid," he said earnestly, his voice thick with emotion. "I
don't know what I would have done without you."

Hagrid merely grunted in response, his gaze fixed on Draco's still form. "Let's hope he pulls
through, eh?" he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. And as they waited anxiously for
any sign of improvement from Draco, Harry knew that they would do whatever it took to
ensure that his cat made a full recovery. "Bloody hell," Hagrid was muttering under his
breath, running a hand through his wild mane of hair. "Never thought we’d be in a situation
like this. Poor lad's been through a lot."

In the quiet confines of Hagrid's hut, the air was heavy with tension as Draco continued to lay
unconscious, his body still and pale against the rough-hewn bedding. Harry refused to leave
his side, his eyes fixed on Draco's face with unwavering determination. As they waited
anxiously for Draco to regain consciousness, tension hung thick in the air of Hagrid's cozy
cabin. Hagrid, his massive frame towering over them, paced back and forth with a furrowed
brow, his gruff voice filled with concern.

—--
Hermione, her brow creased with worry, glanced over at Hagrid. "Do you think he'll be
alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Ron was sitting next to her, clearly
uncomfortable with the whole cat situation.

Hagrid let out a heavy sigh, his expression troubled. "I 'ope so, Hermione. But it ain't just
Draco I'm worried about. It's what'll 'appen if word gets out 'bout 'im bein' a cat."

Harry, his jaw clenched with determination, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with resolve. "I
won't let anything happen to Draco," he vowed, his voice unwavering. "I’ll protect him, no
matter what. If anyone has an issue with it, they’ll have to do it over my dead body."

Hagrid nodded, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "Yer a good friend, Harry. All of yeh,"
he said gruffly, his voice thick with emotion.

As they continued to wait for Draco to stir, the weight of their secret hung heavy in the air. In
a world where cats were taboo, where anyone seen with them was deemed a deviant, they
knew that protecting Draco's true nature would be no easy task. But as they stood united in
their resolve, they were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead and keep their
friend safe at all costs.

After Riddle's demise, the world was left reeling from the chaos and destruction wrought by
the notorious serial killer and his legion of followers. As the dust settled and the smoke
cleared, law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to apprehend the remaining Death Eaters
who had escaped the carnage.

With the help of courageous students and professors who had fought valiantly alongside
them, authorities began the arduous task of rounding up those who had aligned themselves
with Riddle's twisted ideology. Through painstaking investigation, many of Riddle's
followers were brought to justice, facing the full extent of the Ministry's law for their heinous
crimes.

As for the evil dragons that had terrorized the skies, they vanished into the wilderness,
fleeing from the combined might of the Light dragons and human efforts to subdue them.
Though their presence still lingered in the collective memory of those who had witnessed
their devastation, the skies gradually cleared, no longer tainted by their ominous shadows.
In the wake of such tragedy and loss, communities came together to rebuild and heal,
drawing strength from the resilience and unity forged in the crucible of conflict. Though scars
remained, both seen and unseen, there was hope in the knowledge that the darkness had been
vanquished, and a new dawn awaited, promising a future free from the shadow of Tom
Riddle's malevolence.

All this, Harry barely processed. As the days passed, Harry watched anxiously as Draco's
condition slowly improved. With each passing hour, the color began to return to his little pink
nose, and his breathing grew steadier and more even. It was a small sign of progress, but to
Harry, it was a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Draco began to stir, his eyelids fluttering open to
reveal the vibrant silver of his eyes. Harry's heart leaped with joy at the sight of Draco's
awakening, his relief palpable in the air.

"Draco," Harry breathed, his voice thick with emotion as he reached out, as if to touch Draco.
"You're awake," he whispered.

Draco blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused as he took in his surroundings. "Harry?" he
mumbled, his groggy voice barely more than a whisper.

"Yes, it's me," Harry said softly, a wide smile spreading across his face. "You're going to be
okay, Draco. We're here for you."

Draco looked around in bewilderment at the sight of not just Harry, but a towering giant of a
man, a teenage girl with bushy brown hair, and a very tall skinny teen boy with a shock of red
hair. For a passing moment he panicked, but as he met Harry’s gaze, he immediately relaxed.
These particular humans must be safe. With that thought, he drifted back into a relaxed sleep.

With each passing moment, Draco's awareness returned, his strength slowly returning as he
began to sit up, albeit with some difficulty. Harry hovered nearby, offering support and
encouragement every step of the way. Harry was so gentle, so caring, so careful, as if afraid
he could break at any moment.
And as Draco regained consciousness and became more alert and began eating on his own,
Harry knew that they had turned a corner in their journey towards recovery. With time and
patience, Draco would heal, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead,
united in their bond of friendship and their unwavering determination to overcome adversity.

As Draco's condition steadily improved, Harry felt a weight lift from his shoulders. This
whole time, Harry had been distraught, unable to leave Draco for more than a few minutes at
a time. But now, he allowed himself to finally turn his attention to Sirius, who remained in
the hospital recovering from his own injuries. Harry decided to take a quick shower, brush his
teeth, and take a PureBreath Pro just for good measure.

With a sudden deep sense of guilt gnawing at him for having taken so long to visit, Harry
made his way to Sirius's bedside, his heart heavy with remorse. He continuously went over in
his head all the ways he could explain that the reason he took so long to see Sirius was
because he was at a cat’s bedside-- not just any cat's, but his cat's, bedside, without coming
off looking like a shitty godson… He thought with a pang of sadness that he would
understand if Sirius didn't forgive him. He’d told Ron and Hermione to let Sirius know about
Draco, but still. He was still beating himself up about it as he entered the hospital room.

Sirius looked up from his bed, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Took you long
enough, didn't it, Harry?" he quipped, his voice laced with amusement. Sirius's grey eyes
were as bright and lovely as ever. Even hurt, his face still looked as handsome as Harry
always remembered it.

However, Harry winced at his words, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up his
cheeks. "I'm sorry, Sirius," he said sheepishly, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I've been so
focused on Draco, I guess I lost track of time."

Sirius chuckled softly, his eyes betraying the deep affection he felt towards his godson. "It's
alright, pup," he said gently. "I understand. Besides, I heard about what happened with Draco.
Sounds like you've been keeping busy."

Harry's cheeks flushed even brighter at Sirius's teasing tone, but he couldn't help but feel a
swell of pride at the mention of Draco's recovery. "Yeah, well, someone had to look out for
him," he said modestly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Sirius's eyes softened as he regarded Harry, a fresh wave of affection washing over him.
"You've done well, Harry," he said quietly. "Both with Draco and with me. I couldn't ask for a
better godson."

Harry's heart swelled with gratitude at Sirius's words, a sense of warmth spreading through
him. "Thanks, Sirius," he said earnestly, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm just glad you're
okay. I was so scared when he shot through your body armor. I thought I'd lost another
parent."

Sirius chuckled. "No, you're not getting rid of me that easily."

As Harry settled into a chair beside Sirius's hospital bed, a fresh wave of relief washed over
him at the sight of his godfather's recovering form, and the fact that Sirius truly didn’t seem
to mind that he chose to stay with Draco. Sirius offered him a weary yet warm smile, his eyes
twinkling with mischief even in his weakened state.

“You've been acting the part of a good friend like usual. It’s not in your nature to leave a
friend alone, especially when that friend has no friends. It proves your good heart. Besides, I
heard about your little tangle with Riddle. Quite the heroics, I must say."

Harry's smile faltered slightly at the mention of Tom Riddle’s demise, the memory of their
final confrontation still fresh in his mind. "Yeah, it was... intense," he admitted, his voice
trailing off. He had never killed before, and even though he had killed Riddle purely out of
necessity, the original plan was supposed to be to bring him in alive.

Sirius's gaze softened as he regarded Harry with a mixture of pride and sympathy. "You did
well, Harry. You saved a lot of lives that day," he said earnestly, as if he knew what Harry
was thinking.

Harry could sense a certain heaviness suddenly emanating in the air, a weight that hung
between them like a silent specter. Sirius's gaze was distant, his thoughts seemingly far away
as he stared off into the distance.
"Sirius?" Harry ventured softly, breaking the silence that had settled over the room.

Sirius started slightly, as if rousing from a reverie, before turning his attention to Harry with a
small, wistful smile. "Sorry, Harry. Just lost in thought for a moment there."

Harry nodded in understanding, his curiosity piqued by the solemn expression on Sirius's
face. "Is everything okay?" he asked, his tone gentle with concern.

Sirius let out a heavy sigh, his gaze drifting to the window where shafts of golden sunlight
streamed through the glass. "It's just... I can't help but think about what might have been," he
admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

"What do you mean?" Harry inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Sirius hesitated for a moment before speaking, his words measured and thoughtful. "I mean...
I wish it had been me, Harry," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I had
been the one to take down Tom Riddle."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise at Sirius's admission, his heart aching with empathy for his
godfather's unspoken pain. "But why, Sirius?" he asked softly.

Sirius met Harry's gaze with a mixture of sadness and a sudden determination. "Because,
Harry," he said quietly, his voice tinged with regret, "I owed it to James. To Lily. To everyone
he hurt. I owed it to them to be the one to end it." He hesitated, as if unsure if he wanted to
disclose this last bit, but then decided there would never be a more fitting time than right
then. He felt after 17 years, Harry deserved to know the truth. Sirius met Harry's gaze with a
mixture of sadness and resolve.

"Because, Harry," he said quietly, and his voice cracked with regret as he forced himself to
continue. "I was the sheriff when the alarm went off from your parents' home, alerting to a
home invasion. The police had already been on high-alert because of Tom Riddle. I blame
myself for not getting there quicker. I wasn’t fast enough, and by the time I arrived… I-it
was.." He swallowed. “It was a bloodbath.” Sirius paused, to quickly wipe away a stray tear.
“I resigned shortly after that night. I was ashamed.”
Harry felt a lump form in his throat at Sirius's words, his heart heavy with emotion as he
listened to his godfather's confession. Sirius's voice was filled with a mixture of longing and
regret, his memories of Harry's parents etched with both joy and sorrow.

"James, your dad, I loved him like my own brother Harry. We used to do everything
together… At one point we were sure we would be chosen as Mates. But then your mother,
god, she was so beautiful... She came along, and James was head over heels for her, and the
Ministry agreed." Harry thought he detected a wistful note at the end there. Harry listened in
silence, his chest tight with emotion as Sirius spoke of his parents' love story, a tale that had
shaped his own life in ways he could never fully comprehend. He felt a pang of sadness for
the family he had lost, but also a deep sense of gratitude for the family he had gained in
Sirius and Lupin.

Sighing, Sirius looked into Harry’s eyes, his expression warm. “You are the spitting image of
your father, Harry. You even have his kind heart.” He smiled warmly. “But of course, you
have your mother’s eyes.”

Harry's breath caught in his throat at Sirius's words, his heart swelling with a bittersweet ache
as he thought of his teenage parents, so young and full of life, taken from him far too soon.
But in Sirius's gaze, Harry saw that he was a glimmer of hope, a reminder that their legacy
lived on in him.

Sirius smiled, but with deep everlasting sadness. “I knew I couldn't bring your father back,
but in his place, he left me you. So at 21 years old, Lupin and I raised you as our own. And
we have loved you as our own ever since. And we are so proud of you.” Then he continued
gently but sternly, “Never feel like you have to hide anything from us.” Harry had to avert his
gaze at this. “We’re your family, and we will always love you no matter what.”

Harry's heart swelled with love and gratitude at Sirius's words, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Thank you, Sirius," he whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for
everything. Thank you and Lupin both for always being there for me. Thank you for raising
me with such kindness and care my whole life.” Harry's voice trembled with emotion as he
continued, his gratitude pouring forth in waves of sincerity. "Thank you for never allowing
me to ever feel like an orphan." His voice broke, tears slipping down his cheeks, unchecked.
“I never had to endure watching other children enviously as they played with their parents
because you two fulfilled the role so wholly. I was always so proud every time I told people I
had two dads.”
Just then, he noticed Lupin in the doorway. He spun around, his heart catching in his throat at
the sight of his kind godfather, watching with a smile from the doorway. Had Lupin been
there this whole time? By the tears in his eyes, Lupin, the man who was always so gentle
towards all he came into contact with, had.

"Lupin," Harry choked out, his voice thick with emotion as he crossed the room to stand in
front of him. He refrained from an embrace, but never before had he wanted it more. "I didn't
know you were here."

Lupin smiled indulgently as tears streamed down his cheeks. "I wouldn't have missed this for
the world, Harry," he whispered, and Harry knew by ‘this’ he meant raising him. Lupin’s
voice was barely above a whisper when he said, "You're like a son to me, and I am so proud
of the man you've become."

Harry felt a rush of warmth and gratitude flood through him at Lupin's words, his heart
swelling with love for the man who had been both mentor and father figure to him for so
many years. In that moment, surrounded by the love and support of his makeshift family,
Harry knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would always have a home to return
to, filled with the love and acceptance of those who cared for him most. He knew in his heart
that Lupin and Sirius both were the perfect parents for him now, and they always would be.

--—

The Daily Prophet

Hogwarts Heroes: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger hailed as saviors in aftermath of
devastating battle

In the wake of the harrowing events that unfolded at Hogwarts University, the world mourns
the lives lost and celebrates the bravery of those who fought to defend their school against
the forces of darkness.

At the forefront of this monumental battle were two remarkable individuals whose courage
and quick thinking saved countless lives and struck a decisive blow against the most
notorious gang serial killer of our time.

University student and Gryffindor Harry Potter, a name synonymous with courage and
resilience, has emerged as an overnight celebrity following his pivotal role in delivering the
killing blow to the infamous serial killer, Tom Riddle. Eyewitness accounts recount the heart-
stopping moment when Potter, armed with unwavering determination and unparalleled skill,
faced off against Riddle in a showdown that will be remembered for generations to come.

But Harry was not alone in his valiant efforts to protect Hogwarts and its students. His fellow
classmate and Gryffindor Hermione Granger, known for her brilliant intellect and
unwavering loyalty, proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. It was
her quick thinking and ingenious use of protective high-tech gear that turned the tide of the
battle, causing bullets to bounce off her Kinetic Deflection Shield and ricochet back at the
Death Eaters, ultimately resulting in the demise of half of their ranks.

As the world watches and reels from the aftermath of this devastating conflict, Harry Potter
and Hermione Granger stand as beacons of hope and inspiration, their names forever etched
in the annals of history as heroes who refused to back down in the face of evil.

In the days and weeks to come, we honor their bravery and sacrifice, and vow to never forget
the price they paid to ensure the safety and security of our world.

The story was many pages long, going into depth about the heroics of Harry and Hermione.

In the weeks following the battle of Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione found themselves thrust
into the spotlight like never before. As news of their heroic deeds spread far and wide, they
became overnight celebrities, their faces plastered across newspapers and television screens,
their names whispered in awe and admiration by people everywhere. Harry felt it was unfair.
Sirius should have been mentioned, as well as Draco.

For Harry, who had always shied away from the limelight, the sudden attention was
overwhelming. Everywhere he went, he was met with stares and whispers, reporters
clamoring for interviews and fans seeking autographs. It was a far cry from the quiet life he
had once known, and he found himself longing for the simplicity of days gone by.

Hermione, ever the pragmatist, took the newfound fame in stride. She had always been
comfortable in the spotlight, her quick wit and sharp mind making her a natural leader and
spokesperson. Still, even she couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the relentless
scrutiny and constant demands on her time.

One evening, shortly after Sirius's recovery, as they all sat together in the treehouse that was
now open for his friends and family now that the secret of Draco was out, Harry and
Hermione found themselves reflecting on their newfound celebrity status. The room was
abuzz with chatter and laughter, the fire crackling merrily in the hearth as their friends
celebrated their victory and recovery. Everyone was there--all their friends, Newt, Alastor,
and even Snape (who had to be dragged there by Dumbledore).

"It's surreal, isn't it?" Harry mused to Hermione, running a hand through his unruly hair as he
glanced around the room. "I never imagined we'd become celebrities overnight."

Hermione nodded in agreement, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's certainly
been an adjustment," she admitted, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and
bemusement. "But I suppose it comes with the territory when you're the ones who helped
save the day."

"We weren't the only ones," Harry argued. "Sirius and Draco were very nearly fatally
wounded! Many more died trying to save others."

Hermione's smile softened, her gaze flickering with sadness. "You're right," she conceded,
her voice tinged with solemnity. "It's important to remember the sacrifices made by everyone,
not just those in the spotlight."

Harry nodded, his expression reflecting a somber acknowledgment of their shared

responsibility. "Absolutely," he agreed. "We owe it to them to carry on and make sure their
sacrifices weren't in vain." Even as he spoke the words, he couldn't shake the feeling of
unease that gnawed at him. "It just doesn't seem fair," he murmured, his thoughts turning to
Draco. "He was the true savior of the war, and they didn't even mention him. If it hadn't been
for Draco, I'd have died and Riddle would still be terrorizing the world."

Hermione nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting Harry's concern. "It's a shame," she
said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. "Cats have always been unfairly stigmatized in
our society. But maybe one day, Draco will help shift those views. He's proven himself to be
a true hero, and people will see that eventually."

Harry's heart swelled with gratitude for Hermione's understanding and optimism. "I hope so,"
he said, a note of determination in his voice. "Draco deserves to be recognized for his
bravery, just like anyone else.” After a short pause, he made up his mind and proclaimed, “In
fact, I’m going to Luna’s dad next thing tomorrow morning and will ask him to publish the
full truth about Draco in The Quibbler. People need to know the real hero of the story!"
Draco and Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at Harry's declaration. "Harry, are you sure
that's a good idea?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Draco lifted his head. "Um, Harry?!" His big eyes widened in shock.

Harry nodded firmly, his resolve unwavering. "Absolutely," he replied. "Draco, you deserve
the credit. It's the right thing to do. People need to see that cats aren’t awful creatures. They
can be brave and heroic too!" Harry nudged tiny cat Draco on his lap. Draco decided cat-
form would be easier for the humans to tolerate. Catboy form seemed too scandalous for
many.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Hermione's lips as she gazed at Harry, her admiration
for his loyalty and integrity shining through. "You're a true friend, Harry," she said softly. "I'll
stand by you every step of the way."

A strong voice interrupted them.

"Draco," Sirius said warmly, crossing over to the group with a firewhisky in hand. His voice
was filled with genuine appreciation as he said, "We just wanted to thank you properly for
what you did for Harry. You saved his life, and we'll always be grateful to you for that."

Lupin, close behind, nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the sincerity of his words. "Yes,
thank you, Draco," he added, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You showed
incredible courage and bravery, and we're lucky to have you as part of our family." At this,
Draco blinked in warm surprise. His heart fluttered at being considered part of the family.

"I- I don't know what to say," he stammered, to a gushing crowd. Everyone was beaming
down at him like he hung the stars.

"Yes, you risked everything to save Harry, and we'll never forget it," Hermione chimed in, her
voice filled with emotion. Harry reached out to stroke Draco's fur affectionately.
"You're a true hero, Draco," he said, his voice filled with pride. "I’m lucky to have you as my
friend."

Draco’s cheeks flushed with color at their praise, his usual confidence momentarily giving
way to a rare moment of humility. "It was nothing, really," he said modestly, though the
warmth in his eyes betrayed the depth of his gratitude and joy. To the others, he said
solemnly, "I would do anything for Harry. He means everything to me."

Everyone exchanged a knowing glance, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed
between Draco and Harry. They had noticed with surprise the ease at which Harry was
touching Draco. Harry seemed to be doing it without conscious thought. They may have been
an unconventional pair, but their love for each other was undeniable, a beacon of hope in a
world filled with darkness.

“I think it’s a great idea to go to my dad about Draco’s involvement,” Luna chimed in. She’d
been eavesdropping from the couch. “I’ll go with you tomorrow if you’d like.”

“Thanks Luna,” Harry replied, eyes bright. “I’d like that.”

As they settled in for friendly conversation, sharing stories and laughter late into the night, all
of Harry’s loved ones couldn't help but feel a sense of joy for the unexpected friendship that
had blossomed between themselves and Draco. In the end, it didn’t matter that Draco was a
cat. They were all just a big family, bound together by love and loyalty, and that was all that
truly mattered.

The following day, Harry and Luna made their way down to Xenophilius Lovegood's home, a
quaint cottage nestled among the trees. Luna's father greeted them warmly at the door, his
bright eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Harry, Luna, what brings you here today?" Xenophilius inquired, his voice tinged with
curiosity.
Luna stepped forward, her expression serene yet determined. "Dad, we have something
important to tell you," she began, her voice steady. "It's about Draco."

Xenophilius's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Draco? Who is that?" he asked, his interest
piqued.

Harry took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "Draco saved my life,"
he stated simply, his gaze unwavering as he met Xenophilius's gaze. “And he’s a cat… My
cat.”

Xenophilius's eyebrows nearly shot off his forehead in ghastly disbelief. "A cat ? Saving your
life?!" he asked, just to clarify. He was clearly horrified by the notion.

Luna nodded earnestly, her expression unwavering. "Yes, Dad. Draco is Harry's cat, but he's
much more than that. He's brave and loyal, and he risked his life to protect Harry," she
explained, her voice filled with conviction.

Xenophilius's eyes widened further in astonishment as he processed the information.

"Remarkable," he murmured, a sense of wonder creeping into his tone. "A cat with such
courage."

Harry nodded, a sense of pride swelling within him. "It's true, Mr. Lovegood. Draco may be a
cat, but he's proven himself to be a true hero," he affirmed, his voice resolute.

Luna nodded, her expression serene. "He was there at the Battle of Hogwarts. He jumped in
front of Tom Riddle’s bullet meant for Harry, and essentially saved the day," she explained,
her voice tinged with pride and love for the feline.

Xenophilius's expression softened with understanding. "I see," he murmured, his gaze
drifting to the floor as he contemplated the significance of Draco's actions.
After a moment of silence, he looked up, his eyes shining with adoration. "Thank you for
telling me, Harry, Luna. Draco may be a cat, but he's indeed proven himself to be a true
hero," he agreed warmly.

Harry smiled gratefully, a sense of relief washing over him. "Thank you, Mr. Lovegood. It
means a lot to us," he replied sincerely.

Luna's eyes sparkled with determination as she spoke up, her voice filled with conviction.
"Dad, we believe Draco's story deserves to be shared with the world. The bravery he
displayed shouldn't go unnoticed," she implored.

Xenophilius nodded thoughtfully, considering Luna's words. "You're right, Luna. Draco's
heroism deserves to be recognized." His gaze drifted to Harry. "I suppose you’ll want me to
write about it in The Quibbler. The truth must be told, no matter how unconventional it may
seem."

Harry's heart swelled with gratitude at Xenophilius's words. "Yes! Thank you, Mr. Lovegood.
Your support means a lot to us," he said, a sense of relief washing over him as a giant grin
broke across his face.

As they discussed the details of the article and how best to convey Draco's courageous act,
Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and optimism. With Luna and her father's help,
Draco's story would finally be shared with the world, inspiring others to see beyond
prejudices and appreciate the true bravery of all creatures, no matter their form.

As they bid Xenophilius farewell and made their way back home, Harry couldn't help but feel
a sense of hope and gratitude. With Luna's support and her father's understanding, he knew
that Draco's bravery would finally be acknowledged and celebrated, despite the stigmas that
surrounded his species.

By the next month, Harry eagerly bought a copy of The Quibbler.

Exclusive Quibbler Feature: The Truth: Heroic Feline Played Key Part in Stopping
Tom Riddle!
In a heart-stopping moment of bravery, Draco, the beloved secret feline companion of none
other than Harry James Potter, proved that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, even those
covered in fur. In a stunning turn of events, Draco leaped into action, quite literally, during
the heat of the battle at Hogwarts University.

Sources close to the Potter household reveal the harrowing tale of Draco's selfless act of
heroism. During a clandestine encounter with Tom Riddle, Draco fearlessly threw himself in
harm's way, intercepting a lethal projectile intended for none other than Harry Potter
himself. The bullet, aimed at Harry's very head, found an unexpected obstacle in the form of
Draco's steadfast courage, resulting in a grave injury to the valiant feline. By saving Potter's
life, Draco ensured the destruction of Tom Riddle at long last.

But Draco's bravery did not end there. Despite sustaining a serious stomach injury, Draco
endured weeks of painstaking recovery under the expert care of magical creature healer and
esteemed Hogwarts High Professor, Rubeus Hagrid. Through Hagrid's unwavering
dedication and tender ministrations, Draco slowly but surely regained his strength, a
testament to the resilience and spirit of these oft-misunderstood creatures.

This extraordinary tale serves as a poignant reminder of the true nature of cats, creatures too
often relegated to the sidelines of society's perception. In a world where prejudice and
misunderstanding run rampant, Draco's courageous deed sheds light on the inherent bravery
and loyalty of these remarkable creatures. It is our hope that by sharing Draco's story, we
can begin to reverse the tide of public perception, fostering a newfound understanding and
appreciation for the felines that enrich our world in ways both profound and unexpected.

Join us in celebrating Draco's heroic act and honoring the bond between boy and cat, a bond
forged in bravery and strengthened by unwavering loyalty. In the face of adversity, Draco
exemplified the very best of feline courage, proving once and for all that heroes truly do come
in all shapes and sizes, even those with whiskers and a penchant for napping in sunbeams.

The story was the main headline of the Quibbler and went on for a few pages, detailing all the
nitty gritty details of Draco's heroism. The public's response to Draco's courageous act was
nothing short of extraordinary. As news of his heroism spread like wildfire worldwide, Draco
found himself thrust into the spotlight, becoming the latest sensation to capture the hearts and
imaginations of folks far and wide.
Among Harry's friends, the excitement was palpable. Luna, Tonks, Ron, Hermione, and the
rest of the Gryffindor gang couldn't contain their enthusiasm as they discussed Draco's
newfound celebrity status. "Can you believe it?" Ron exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe.
"Draco's practically a household name now! Who would've thought our little furball would
become such a big deal?"

Hermione nodded fervently, a smile spreading across her face. "It's incredible, really. Draco's
story has touched so many people. It just goes to show that bravery knows no bounds,
regardless of species."

Even Sirius and Lupin, who now shared a special bond with Draco, couldn't help but express
their amazement at the turn of events. "I always knew Draco was something special," Sirius
remarked proudly, a twinkle in his eye. "But to see him become a bona fide celebrity? That's
something else entirely."

Lupin nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "He's certainly come
a long way. I couldn't be prouder of him."

And even Snape, despite his stoic demeanor and disdain for sentimentality, found himself
begrudgingly acknowledging Draco's newfound fame as he read the morning paper over a
cup of English breakfast tea. "Potter's mangy cat has certainly made a name for himself,"
Snape remarked dryly to himself, a hint of begrudging respect in his voice. "I suppose even
the most unlikely of heroes can capture the public's imagination."

As Draco basked in the adulation of his newfound fans, it was clear that his remarkable act of
bravery had touched the hearts of all who knew him, proving that even the smallest among us
can leave the biggest impact on the world.

—--

Harry was asleep in the treehouse and woke up with all of Draco in catboy form on top of
him, purring and rubbing on him. Draco’s body was strong and taut with muscles. Harry bit
back a whimper. Not again…… Harry felt very very hot….. He shut his eyes and tried to will
himself back to sleep. But then Draco bent down and licked Harry’s lips. Harry jolted as his
eyes flew open. And then Draco nibbled along his jawline and snaked his large slender hand
slowly under Harry’s t-shirt. Harry made a tiny squeak and Draco purred louder, then suckled
his neck.

Harry calmed down when he realized it was all some game for him. Cats were supposed to be
extremely playful, right? But then Draco’s hand made its way lower down his body, and,
alarmed, he grabbed Draco’s wrist and firmly told his cat, “ No. ” Games or not, there had to
be boundaries.

“You’re no fun,” Draco complained, and although Draco tried to seem unaffected, his cheeks
were flushed. Draco was whining now. Harry realized Draco was sweating profusely. He
stopped purring and whimpered instead, almost pouting, and leaned in to kiss his lips. Harry
held perfectly still, used to these kisses, since lip kisses were platonic (apparently ancients
used to occasionally lip kiss their children, depending on culture). Then his kitten (Draco
would always be his ‘kitten’) slipped off him, spooning him from behind instead.

Harry sighed, thankful Draco had relaxed. Harry leaned closer into his solid, warm embrace,
and never noticed the leaking hardness under Draco’s thin cotton pants.

—--

As Harry sat with his friends in the Gryffindor common room at University, he couldn't shake
the unease that had settled in his chest. Draco's overly affectionate behavior had been
weighing on his mind. He usually was extremely affectionate, but lately now after Tom
Riddle’s demise, he’d been more extreme than usual. He was unsure how to approach this
topic.

"Guys," Harry began tentatively, his voice low as he broached the subject. "I've been noticing
something... strange about Draco lately."

Luna looked up from her copy of The Quibbler, her silver eyes curious as she regarded Harry.
"Oh? What sort of strange?" she asked, her voice dreamy as ever.

Neville shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his brow furrowing in concern. "Yeah, I've noticed
it too," he admitted, his voice hesitant. "He's been more... touchy-feely, hasn't he?"
Tonks, ever the picture of nonchalance, shrugged her shoulders, her bubblegum pink hair
bobbing with the motion. "Well, you know Draco," she said with a smirk. "Always has been a
bit of a flirt." The stunned silence that followed her use of the word ‘flirt’ was palpable.

Harry nodded uneasily, but there was a tightness in his chest that refused to ease. "It's not just
that," he said quietly, his gaze drifting to the fire as he struggled to find the right words. "It's
like... he's always seeking out more physical contact nowadays. And it's making me
uncomfortable."

Luna's expression softened with understanding, her eyes filled with empathy. "Touch can be a
powerful thing for cats," she said gently, her voice soothing.

Luna, like her Hufflepuff mate Rolf, was majoring in Care of Magical Creatures. Even
though the studies of Cats weren’t until super late in her studies, she had reached out to her
brother-in-law-to-be Newt shortly after finding out about Draco and had studied up on them,
pouring over pages of the information Newt had collected over the years with a vigor only a
true Ravenclaw (or Hermione) could muster. "But it's important to respect boundaries and
consent," she finished.

Neville nodded in agreement, his features serious as he spoke. "If Draco's behavior is making
you uncomfortable, Harry, you should talk to him about it," he suggested, his tone earnest.
"Communication is key."

Tonks chimed in with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And if talking doesn't work,
you can always hex him," she joked, earning a small chuckle from Harry.

But beneath the lighthearted banter, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered
in the air. He knew he needed to confront Draco about his behavior, more severely than he
had been doing, for both their sakes.

—--
The strange advances (or confrontations, whatever they were), began to recur much more
often.

Harry was relaxed in the cozy living room of their treehouse, texting Ron about the Quidditch
match next week, when Draco in cat-form padded in, his ears twitching with curiosity.

"Hey, Harry," Draco meowed nonchalantly, rubbing against his leg.

"Hey, Draco," Harry greeted, setting his phone down. "How was your day out in the forest?"

Draco stretched his feline body, arching his back. "Eh, same old. Chasing squirrels, climbing
trees, you know the drill."

Harry chuckled, scratching Draco behind the ears. "Sounds like fun. Need any help with the
squirrels?"

Draco purred, leaning into Harry's touch. "Nah, I've got it covered. But I was thinking we
could order some food and watch a movie tonight?"

"Sounds perfect," Harry agreed, reaching for the remote. "As long as you promise not to hog
all the popcorn again."

Draco flicked his tail in amusement. "I'll make no promises, Harry. You know how much I
love popcorn. Especially with chocolate drizzle." Draco grinned.

Harry laughed, feeling grateful for these moments of peace and companionship. To think,
he’d almost lost Draco a second time. “Come here,” Harry said to Draco. Harry pulled Draco
who was still in cat form over to him and hugged him tightly. He felt his eyes welling up with
tears. He sniffed. “Don’t ever do that again.”

Draco looked at him, eyes wide. “Do what?”

"Risk your life so recklessly," Harry choked out, holding Draco's small cat form tightly to his
chest. "When that bullet came hurtling at me, you just... threw yourself right in its path
without a second thought."

Draco let out a soft meorr-w of protest, nuzzling against Harry's shirt defiantly. It was clear
he was not at all remorseful. "I know, I know," Harry gave a watery chuckle, running his
fingers through Draco's sleek fur. "Saving my stupid noble git of a life is practically your job
description at this point." He drew in a shuddering breath. "But I can't bear the thought of
losing you, Draco. Not again. You're more precious to me than you'll ever know."

Silver cat eyes blinked up at him, shining with an understanding that transcended Draco's
feline form. Harry felt calloused but gentle paws bat at the tears streaking his cheeks.

"We're quite the pair, aren't we?" Harry murmured thickly. "No matter what shadows rise
against us, we'll face them together. Just... please... try to stop taking killing bullets for me,
yeah?"

You wish, Potter... Draco's smug purr rumbled against Harry's chest in what Harry hoped was
an affirmative response. Holding his dearest protector close, Harry silently vowed he would
return the favor, always, no matter the cost.

Later that night, as they tuned into the movie, Draco was clearly not interested in the movie
at all. Rather, he kept fidgeting restlessly beside Harry. Concerned, Harry turned to Draco,
noticing the tension in his posture. "Is everything okay, Draco?" he asked quietly, his voice
filled with genuine concern.

Draco forced a small smile, but his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. "I'm fine, Harry," he
replied, though his voice lacked conviction. "Just not in the mood for a movie, I suppose."

Harry nodded understandingly, sensing that there was more to Draco's unease than he was
letting on. Draco in catboy form was leaning his entire weight onto Harry. He’d been like so
the whole movie, as if he couldn’t stand not touching Harry. Luna’s words ‘Touch can be a
powerful thing for cats’ flitted into his mind.
Harry sighed, smiling gently, and turned to Draco. He wrapped him in a big hug. “Does
someone need a cuddle?” he asked earnestly.

Draco melted into his hug, groaning. “Yes please,” he breathed, breathless. Draco clung onto
Harry and whimpered into his neck feverishly. His pale face was flushed pink.

Harry held him patiently, but now he knew something was definitely up. He set Draco down
in a laying down position on the couch and peeled himself away from Draco’s desperate,
needy arms.

“I’ll make you soup, yeah?” he suggested, hoping to provide some comfort to his suffering
friend. Draco's response was a plaintive whine, his fevered state robbing him of the ability to
form coherent words. Harry's heart went out to him as he hurried to the kitchen, determined
to do whatever he could to ease Draco's discomfort.

As he prepared the soup, his mind raced with worry, wondering what could be causing
Draco's sudden distress. But for now, all he could do was focus on being there for Draco,
offering him solace and support in his time of need.

Harry hurried to the kitchen, his mind racing with worry for Draco. As he approached the
sleek, futuristic FoodFabulator sitting on the countertop, he couldn't help but feel a sense of
relief. Quickly typing in ‘soup to ease cat fevers,’ Harry waited anxiously as the
FoodFabulator whirred to life, its screen displaying a list of ingredients and instructions. With
a few deft movements, Harry gathered the necessary herbs, vegetables, and broth that the
machine spit out.

As he chopped and diced, Harry couldn't shake the memories flooding his mind. Flashbacks
to when Draco was just a kitten, curled up in his arms, purring contentedly as Harry spoon-
fed him soup to ease his ailments on the odd occasions he had fallen ill from playing outside
too long in the cold. The bond they shared had only grown stronger over the years, and
seeing Draco in distress now tugged at Harry's heartstrings like never before.

With the soup ready, Harry carefully spooned it into a bowl, his hands trembling slightly with
emotion. Returning to the living room, he found Draco still lying prone on the couch, his
eyes half-closed in exhaustion. He was breathing heavily, his shirt now on the floor, exposing
his sweat glistening chest.

Harry’s heart stuttered at the sight as he sucked in a sharp intake of breath. After a beat, he
snapped out of it. "Hey, Draco," Harry said softly, his voice gentle as he offered the bowl of
soup. "I made this for you. It'll help you feel better."

Draco stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open as he caught sight of the steaming bowl. He
smelled the rich, savory aroma of the broth, tinged with hearty protein and fragrant herbs that
wafted soothingly into his senses. With a grateful nod, he accepted the spoonful of soup,
savoring the warmth and comfort it provided. As Harry watched Draco sip the soup, a sense
of peace washed over him. No matter what challenges they faced, they would always be there
for each other, just like they had been since Draco was a kitten. And as long as they had each
other, they could weather any storm.

After Draco finished the soup, Harry got up to go wash the dish and Draco, too, sprang to
life. He blocked Harry’s path, a defiant glint in his eyes. He was smirking a toothy grin,
seemingly all better now, and Harry thought he looked slightly predatory. Exasperated, Harry
said to him, “Here you are, I suppose,” and thrust the empty soup bowl at him. Draco looked
dumbfounded for a second, and then as if out of pure habit, took the proffered dish from
Harry wordlessly and strode stiffly to the kitchen sink and began washing and drying it
meticulously as Harry watched, smiling fondly. He admired how helpful Draco was being.
Trust the Fabulator to work its magic, even with Draco. Grinning, Harry turned to go, texting
Ron, "You won't believe what just happened with Draco..." He loved to gush about his cat
now that the secret was out.

Ever since Draco stopped being his big secret, Harry found himself obsessively talking about
him, unable to resist sharing little daily anecdotes with anyone who would listen. Whether it
was recounting Draco's mischievous antics or marveling at his athleticism, Harry couldn't
help but gush about his beloved cat.

And when it came to social media, Harry was unstoppable. His feeds were filled with
throwbacks of adorable pictures of Draco napping in his cat form, curled up in a cozy ball of
fur, or striking a pose in his catboy form, his silver eyes sparkling with mischief. And of
course, there were plenty of selfies featuring the two of them together, capturing their bond
and friendship for all to see. Every post garnered a flood of likes and comments from friends
and followers alike, who couldn't get enough of the cat hero Draco's charm and charisma.
And as Harry scrolled through the comments, a smile spread across his face, knowing that he
had found a new way to share his love for his feline friend with the world. There was the
occasional angry react to some posts, but Harry dismissed those. Haters were irrelevant.

—--

Despite a happy image on social media, back at school however, the atmosphere was tense as
Harry navigated the familiar halls of Hogwarts. Despite his efforts to maintain a sense of
normalcy, the weight of Draco’s new change in temperament loomed over Harry like a dark
cloud. More and more now Draco was becoming a bit… much. As he settled into his classes
and routines, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him.

It was no surprise when later that week, he received an OWL from the Ministry:

Subject: Ministry Inquiry Regarding Blood Samples

Dear Mr. Harry James Potter,

We hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out to request your assistance with the
white humanoid cat known as Draco in a matter of great importance to the Ministry.

As part of our standard procedures in ensuring the health and safety of all citizens, we are
conducting a routine examination that requires blood samples from individuals within the
community. Your cooperation in this matter is essential to our efforts.

We assure you that the process will be conducted with the utmost care and confidentiality.
The samples will be used solely for the purpose of medical analysis, and all information
obtained will be treated with the strictest confidentiality in accordance with Ministry
protocols.

We kindly request that you present Draco at the Ministry's Department of Magical Health at
your earliest convenience for the collection of the required blood samples. A designated
appointment time will be provided upon confirmation of your availability.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and assure you of our commitment to
upholding the rights and privacy of all individuals within the community.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Meredith Hawthorne

Department of Health

Ministry of Advanced Science and Technology

As Harry read the letter, he considered the situation, turning it over in his mind. A year ago,
he would never have believed the Ministry would ever find out about his kitten, least of all
request any DNA samples. He smiled. Now Draco was a hero. He couldn't deny the
importance of cooperating with the Ministry now.

"Alright," Harry said, looking at his friends who were crowded around him. "I shall arrange
for Draco to meet with them."

Hermione spoke up. "Harry, are you sure this is the right decision? We know how the
Ministry can be, especially when it comes to matters like this."

Taking Hermione’s concerns seriously, and especially considering the way Draco was now
behaving, Harry requested an early one on one appointment with Ministry officials without
Draco. After a few hours of back and forth, Harry stood his ground, adamant that Draco's
safety and comfort were paramount. With each argument he presented, he could sense the
officials beginning to relent, albeit reluctantly.

"I understand the necessity of the blood samples," Harry explained, "but Draco has a history
with Professor Hagrid. He trusts him, and he'll feel more at ease if the procedure is conducted
in a familiar environment." The Ministry officials exchanged glances, clearly hesitant to
deviate from their standard protocol. However, they trusted the Dumbledore-appointed
Professor Hagrid, and Harry's reasoning had no holes they could find, so after much
deliberation, they reluctantly agreed to Harry's proposal. With a sense of relief, Harry thanked
the officials for their understanding and cooperation. As he left the meeting, a weight lifted
from his shoulders, knowing that Draco would be more comfortable undergoing the
procedure at Hagrid's hut, surrounded by people who cared for him deeply.

As Harry and Draco made their way to Hagrid's hut via hovercraft, Draco's usual overly
affectionate behavior was on full display. He clung to Harry, nuzzling against him and
purring with a fervent intensity that bordered on possessive. Harry couldn't help but smile at
Draco's antics, grateful that the Ministry officials weren't witnessing this side of him. They
would have had him removed at once if they knew.

Upon arriving at Hagrid's hut, Harry led Draco inside, where Hagrid greeted them with his
customary warmth. However, Hagrid couldn't help but notice Draco's unusually affectionate
behavior, his keen eyes narrowing with concern. "Blimey, Harry," Hagrid said, scratching his
head in bemusement. "Yer friend there seems a bit... clingy, don't he?"

Harry chuckled nervously. "Yeah, he's just feeling a bit off today," Harry replied, his tone
casual as he tried to downplay Draco's behavior.

Hagrid frowned, his concern deepening as he observed Draco's actions. Draco was pulling
Harry onto his lap now. Hagrid scratched his head. Deep down, the Care of Magical
Creatures Professor knew what was causing Draco's behavior – the heat that came with his
feline nature. But despite himself, Hagrid was in denial, unwilling to acknowledge the truth
of Draco's condition. It was the very reason cats were so hated, and to poke at it and try to
stop it would be to shun the very nature of cats. This was merely a natural part of owning any
cat. Poor sods, Hadgrid thought, his heart heavy with empathy as he watched Harry and
Draco navigate the complexities of their unique bond.

Despite his reluctance to confront the truth, Hagrid couldn't shake the feeling of unease that
gnawed at him. He knew that sooner or later, they would have to confront the reality of
Draco's feline nature, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. But for now, all he could do
was offer his support and hope for the best.

Watching the two, he noticed with growing amazement that Harry was doing his part by
seeming to encourage the behavior. Harry was very indulging, and the admiration in the
teen’s eyes was apparent. However, instead of concern, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of
Hagrid’s mouth. A little love never hurt anyone, he thought to himself, finding solace in the
bond between Harry and Draco, no matter how unconventional it may be. He was mostly
glad Harry was taking Draco’s condition so well rather than shunning him.

With that, Hagrid continued with the blood sample procedure, his skilled hands working with
practiced precision. Despite his concerns, he was determined to do whatever it took to ensure
Draco's well-being, even if it meant facing the uncomfortable truth of his feline nature head-
on.

“Right, well, if yeh need anything else, just let me know," Hagrid said aloud after collecting
the sample. He would submit the confidential samples to the ministry himself. His voice
tinged with worry as he watched Draco cling to Harry with unwavering devotion. "And keep
an eye on him, Harry. If any concerns spring up, just give me a holler. I'll be right here."

And as Harry and Draco left Hagrid's hut, Hagrid couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for
the future, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, Harry and Draco would face
them together, as a family.

A few days later, Harry received another OWL from the Ministry.

Subject: Ministry Notification: Match Confirmation

Dear Mr. Harry James Potter,

It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform you that the blood samples collected from the
humanoid cat Draco have been analyzed, and a match has been confirmed. According to our
records, the humanoid cat Draco has been identified as the Chosen Mate of Mr. Harry James
Potter. This revelation carries profound implications for both individuals involved. The
connection between Chosen Mates is profound and sacred magic, entwined with the fabric of
fate and destiny, transcending mere science.

Although normally a cause for celebration, bonding with a cat is markedly different than
bonding with another human. Because Draco is a humanoid cat, this bond will likely result
in further complications. It is imperative that both you and Draco are fully aware of the
implications of this connection and are prepared to navigate them together. Being bonded to
a humanoid cat is a life-long curse. It comes chock-full of a unique blend of horror, beyond
comprehension in our modern world. Very few have been bonded to a cat in all of human
history. Yours is one of only 2 known others. Despite the obstacles, the bond between you and
Draco is undeniable, and it will require strength, courage, and unwavering support to
navigate the turbulent waters ahead.

While the path ahead may be uncertain, we trust that the strength of this bond will guide you
through whatever challenges may arise. We offer various resources to help you navigate your
relationship should you require it. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact Professor Rubeus Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures Healer or
Minister and Head Magizoologist Newt Scamander. These two individuals will know what
best to do and how to handle your humanoid cat safely and humanely. The Ministry wishes
you the best of luck.

Yours sincerely,

Meredith Hawthorne

Department of Health

Ministry of Advanced Science and Technology (MAST)

Harry read and reread the message in shock. No way. Harry couldn't believe what he was
reading. It suddenly dawned on him that the reason he hadn't had a match was because his
Match simply hadn’t been discovered by the Ministry. Draco’s DNA wasn’t yet in the system.
Until now. Harry's mind raced as he absorbed the weight of the revelation. The confirmation
of Draco as his Chosen Mate was a seismic shift in his understanding of the world. It was as
if fate had intervened, weaving their destinies together in a way he never could have
imagined.

But as the reality sank in, so did the gravity of the situation. The bond between them was not
just a matter of companionship; according to the Ministry, it carried with it a myriad of
complexities and challenges that Harry had never anticipated. The idea of being bonded to a
humanoid cat was both thrilling and terrifying, and he knew that navigating this uncharted
territory would require courage and resilience.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of hope. The letter offered resources and
support, reassuring Harry that he wouldn't have to face this journey alone. He knew one
thing: he wasn’t destined for loneliness after all. His heart felt like it was soaring as that
thought crossed his mind. But why was the Ministry so certain his relationship was doomed?

As Harry read the letter aloud to his friends, his voice was trembling with a mix of disbelief
and awe. Ron, Hermione, and the others listened in stunned silence, their expressions ranging
from confusion to concern. As the weight of the revelation settled over them, the room fell
into a hushed stillness.

At last, Luna spoke. "How fascinating! The universe works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? It
looks like there's a cosmic connection between you and Draco, Harry."

Tonks, her electrified hair shifting colors in excitement, chimed in, "Wow, Harry! That's
really brilliant news! Who would've thought Draco would turn out to be your Chosen Mate?"

Ron was still stunned. "Blimey, mate! A cat as your mate? That's mental!"

"Humanoid cat,” Harry corrected him, huffing. He still wasn't sure how he felt about this, but
deep down he found it all made sense. With Draco, there had always been a connection that,
try as he might, he could never shake. Despite the unexpected turn of events, he couldn't deny
the undeniable connection he felt with Draco. That he had always felt with Draco.

Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "It's certainly unexpected, but it's not unheard
of. The bond between Chosen Mates is a powerful and ancient phenomenon, and there have
been instances of cross-species Chosen Mates throughout history." Hermione, ever the
activist, continued on, her voice filled with conviction. "In fact, humans regularly form Mate
bonds with giants and centaurs all the time. It’s not as if they ever did anything untoward
together. Their babies were still conceived via artificial wombs like all the rest."

Everyone knew that was how Hagrid had been conceived. His mother was a 20 foot-tall
giant, while his father was a regular 6 foot man. But Harry felt a wave of heated
embarrassment cross over him at Hermione’s words. ‘It’s not as if they ever did anything
untoward together.’ Draco was far from the prim and proper Mates Hermione was speaking
of. He felt sick remembering how sensual Draco was.
She paused for a moment, her gaze steady as she met the eyes of her friends. "As someone
who stands against the oppression of all species, I believe it's important to challenge societal
norms and prejudices. The way society views cats is outdated and backward, and perhaps
with Draco, we are helping to change that perception."

Ron scratched his head, still struggling to wrap his mind around the concept. "But how does
it even work? How can a bond with a cat be as fulfilling as with another human?" Ron was
giving Harry a pitying look.

Harry caught his gaze and scowled. Harry sighed with a note of irritation, feeling the weight
of Ron's skepticism. "I know it's hard to understand, but it's not about what's conventional or
typical," he explained, trying to convey the depth of his feelings. "It's about the connection
we share, Ron. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before." He paused, searching for
the right words. "Draco... he's not just a cat to me. He's my soulmate, my confidant, my
everything."

Hermione shot Ron a pointed look, her expression one of astonished admonishment. "It's not
our place to judge, Ron," she chided gently. "Love knows no boundaries, and the everlasting
bond between Harry and Draco is no different. We should support them, no matter what form
that bond takes."

Neville shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his gaze darting between Harry and the letter.
"What does this mean for you, Harry?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. “Why was the
Ministry calling this a life curse?”

Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "I'm not sure," he admitted, his
voice quiet. "But whatever it is, I know I won't have to face it alone."

Ginny spoke up. "We're here for you, Harry," she said, her voice firm with conviction.
"Whatever happens, we'll face it together.” Harry felt a surge of gratitude wash over him at
Ginny’s words, a sense of validation and acceptance warming his heart. Harry now knew that
he and Draco could face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.

—--
As Harry hurried home, excitement bubbling within him, he couldn't wait to share the news
with Draco. He was certain that Draco would be pleased, even though he hadn't expected
such a revelation himself. However, when Harry finally arrived and shared the news with
Draco, his response was not quite what Harry had anticipated. Instead of surprise or elation,
Draco merely rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"I figured as much, Harry," Draco said, looking frustratingly smug. Harry could tell he was
trying but failing to sound unaffected. The thrill of the confirmation was evident in his bright
eyes and twitching whiskers. Draco drawled matter-of-factly, "I'm not as oblivious as you are,
you know." Harry blinked in surprise, taken aback by Draco's nonchalant reaction. He hadn't
expected Draco to be so... well, Draco about the whole situation.

"Right, of course," Harry replied, trying to hide his own amusement. Blushing, Harry
mumbled, "Well, I suppose we should have expected this, then."

Draco smirked, a hint of fondness shining in his eyes. "Indeed, Harry. Now, enough chatter.
Let's celebrate our cosmic connection with a cup of tea, shall we?" Draco liked times when
his heat wasn't overbearing. He could relax and just enjoy Harry. Draco grinned
mischievously as he settled onto the couch beside Harry, a playful glint now in his eyes. "So,
does this mean you're stuck with me now, Harry? Chosen Mate and all?"

Harry chuckled, meeting Draco's mischievous grin with a playful smirk of his own. "Looks
like it, Drake," he replied, his tone teasing. "You're officially stuck with me, for better or for
worse."

Draco's grin widened further, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, the horror," he
teased, leaning back against the cushions with a mock dramatic sigh. "But I suppose I'll just
have to suffer through it somehow." Draco sighed inwardly. If only Harry knew how true
those words were…

Harry laughed, nudging Draco's shoulder lightly. "Don't worry, I promise to make it worth
your while," he said, his voice tinged with affection.

The two boys stared at each other, melting into one another’s gaze. For a moment, time
seemed to slow to a stop and neither could breathe.
Draco's playful demeanor softened, a warmth spreading through him as he looked at Harry. "I
wouldn't have it any other way, Harry," he said softly, a genuine smile gracing his strawberry
pink lips. His human lips were the same shade as his cat lips. Cautiously, he scooted closer
and Harry refused to be intimidated. Harry sat perfectly still, holding his breath, as his catboy
rubbed himself on him, purring softly. Draco’s long tail wrapped around Harry’s waist. “I'm
happiest with you.” Draco’s silver eyes were wide and alluring, and Harry felt he could
drown. Harry could do nothing but stare into the depths of his eyes for a long moment, one
that stretched on and on.

“Shit Draco,” he finally breathed, breath caught in his throat, as he swallowed thickly. “Can
you stop doing that?”

“Doing what?” Draco’s smirk widened, but Harry felt Draco knew exactly what he was
doing. Blushing furiously, Harry turned his attention to the TV. Anything to distract from
Draco’s intoxicatingly alluring presence. Harry swallowed again. Hard.

As they settled in together on the couch and Harry soon relaxed again, Draco couldn't help
but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. Itching to be close once again, Draco pulled
his Mate in against his chest, clinging onto Harry’s smaller frame and taking in his
intoxicating scent, and sighed, breathing out contentedly. With the official mate bond, he
knew Harry and he were now equals as well as partners. As long as he had Harry, everything
would be alright.

—--

The next morning, Harry awoke sleepily to the distinct familiar feeling of a hardness pressing
in from Draco’s boxers. This was nothing new, but he still felt lingering feelings of
embarrassment. Especially this morning upon the realization that Draco’s hardness was
pressing against his own equally hard… thing. Harry immediately pulled away, but Draco
who was still half-asleep, crowded in on him, kissing and nipping at his face and neck
hungrily with his pointy canines. Harry let out an involuntary groan at this added friction as
he felt his dick jump. This will just not do, he thought, as he sprang hastily from their sheets,
hurriedly rushing to the bathroom. He willed his erection to go down as he splashed water on
his red face, breathing hard.
“H-harry?” came Draco’s confused voice, still muffled with sleep.

“I’m okay,” Harry called back. “Just need to brush my teeth and get ready for school.” He
heard Draco’s answering groan.

Draco was so hard. He ground his erection into the mattress. Surely this wasn’t sustainable?
He looked up at Harry with big wide innocent-looking eyes, his long white tail flicking
behind him lazily. Harry stared back at him, and Draco saw affection mirrored in his person’s
eyes. Draco began to purr erratically. He was punch drunk remembering how they were now
officially recognized Mates. Now Draco was feeling frisky. And horny. With one big stretch,
he got up lazily out of bed.

Harry gasped when he accidentally caught sight of the big tent in Draco’s underthings.
Blushing, Harry quickly averted his eyes. Draco raised an eyebrow, having noticed the
reaction, and he rolled his eyes inwardly. Harry was such a prude. In fact, that could be said
about all the rest of the humans. Humans were such prudes.

Draco could feel his erection stretching his thin boxers and managed to repress a smirk. He
padded quietly and slowly in his bare feet to Harry, who seemed to be just finishing up with
brushing. Draco came up behind him and set his arms on either side of his person, purring
quietly, a sly grin on his devilishly handsome face. In a velvety smooth voice, he murmured
into his ear, “Good morning, Harry.”

His words sent a shiver down Harry’s neck, and as Draco's arms enveloped Harry, his
presence sent a shiver down Harry's spine as well. The warmth of Draco's body against his
own, coupled with the soft purring reverberating through the air, stirred something yet
unknown deep within Harry.

Harry’s cheeks flushed crimson as he forced out a cheerful greeting in response, though his
voice wavered slightly under Draco's intense gaze. Draco pressed his erection softly against
Harry’s bum as Draco made a little low noise. A bit of a grunt? His erection had sent a jolt of
electricity through Harry's body, leaving him feeling dizzy and lightheaded. Harry’s face
went even more scarlet and he chewed nervously on his bottom lip. Harry felt faint. He was
awash in a frenzy of emotions. He just wanted to touch Draco, and keep touching him.
Instead he stood stiff as a statue, gripping the sink. His knuckles were turning white. His
heart was beating rapidly in his chest. Draco's ears twitched at this, but he said nothing.
Finally with a deep breath, Harry regained his composure and finished brushing. To Draco’s
slight annoyance, Harry gently jabbed him out of his way with an elbow. "Move it, you git!"

Draco blinked lazily down at him, his tail swishing in amusement as he remained firmly
planted. "Oh, am I in your way, Potter?" he purred.

Harry rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite himself. "You're
always in my way," he grumbled, but there was no real heat behind his words. “And don’t
call me that, you prat.” With an exasperated sigh, Harry gave Draco one final big shove,
sending him stumbling out of the bathroom with a yelp of surprise. "There, now stay out of
trouble," he teased, his laughter echoing in the air as he followed Draco out into the hallway.

As Harry busied himself with the morning routine, he couldn't shake the lingering sensation
of Draco's touch. And though he tried to push the thoughts aside, Harry knew that he couldn't
deny the undeniable pull he felt towards Draco, no matter how hard he tried. At least now
there was an explanation for it. Draco was his Chosen Mate. That explained why he wanted
to always be near Draco. But he refused to dwell on the other feelings that he had, the other
urges. He stamped those down.

Back with his friends, Harry found all he could do was gush about Draco. Despite the deep-
rooted taboo about touching that loomed over them all, Harry couldn't help but share little
anecdotes of Draco's unexpected displays of affection. "He's such a cheeky git," Harry
chuckled, recounting the moments when Draco would nuzzle against him like the oversized
cat he was, much to Harry's embarrassment and amusement.

Tonks grinned, her bubblegum pink hair bobbing as she listened intently. "Sounds like
Draco's really taken a liking to you, Harry," she remarked with a playful wink.

Luna nodded sagely, her silver eyes twinkling with insight. "It's not often you find someone
who sees the world the way Draco does," she observed, her voice dreamy as ever. "He's a
unique soul, to be sure."
Hermione's brow furrowed in thought, her mind already spinning with theories and
hypotheses. "I wonder if his affectionate behavior is a result of his cat-like instincts," she
mused, her tone thoughtful. "Or perhaps it's a manifestation of his deep-rooted emotional
connection to you, Harry."

Ron snorted in disbelief, his skepticism evident in the quirk of his eyebrow. "Mate, I still
can't believe your Mate is a cat," he said incredulously, perhaps for the hundredth time. This
earned him a playful bread roll tossed at his head from Hermione.

“Can you shut up with that?” Harry exclaimed, although he was laughing. Ron seemed to be
unable to let it go.

Neville, ever the peacemaker, chimed in with a smile. "Well, love knows no boundaries,
right?" he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "As long as you're happy, Harry, that's all that
matters."

As Harry entered the living room, he found Draco lounging on the couch, his feline features
highlighted by the soft glow of the fireplace. Draco's eyes sparkled mischievously as he
noticed Harry's presence, and a playful grin tugged at his lips.

"Hey, Harry," Draco purred, his voice low and sultry. "Care to join me?" Draco patted the
seat next to him. Harry's heart skipped a beat at the dangerously suggestive tone in Draco's
voice, his pulse quickening. Despite himself, he moved closer, unable to resist the magnetic
pull that always seemed to draw him towards Draco. Draco's gaze never wavered as Harry sat
gingerly beside him. The heat between them crackled like static electricity.

Without a word, Draco reached out, his long fingers trailing lightly along Harry's jawline,
sending shivers down his spine. Unable to resist any longer, Harry leaned in, wrapping Draco
up in an affectionate hug. The sensation of Draco’s warm body against Harry’s own was
explosive, igniting a firestorm of feeling that consumed them both.
Fervent cuddling ensued. Their cuddling grew more fervent, turning into a cuddle fight, each
touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through their bodies. In the heat of the moment, all
inhibitions melted away, and Harry found himself lost in Draco's embrace. Their bodies
moved together in perfect harmony as Draco finally rolled on top of Harry, triumphant, and
then he began to tickle Harry.

Harry yelped and tickled him back, laughing. Draco shoved Harry down into the couch
cushions and blew raspberries on Harry’s soft flat tummy, where a happy trail of thick fuzzy
dark hair was leading down to his nether regions. Harry was extremely annoyed that Draco
was so strong. Aside from the first few weeks of Draco's arrival, he could scarcely remember
the last time he was strong enough to overpower Draco to blow raspberries on his tummy.
But each touch drove Harry and Draco to new heights of ecstasy. Just being able to touch
each other so freely felt amazing.

As they finally broke apart, Harry was breathless and flushed with a strange unnamed desire
that this cuddle fight had apparently not satisfied. Even so, with Draco by his side, he felt
whole, complete in a way he always felt whenever he was with his cat. He sat staring at
Draco with a happy hum in his heart. Yes, platonic or not, this was definitely his Mate. Why
hadn’t he realized sooner? Something terrifying within was shouting at him. Urging him to
face a new, different truth. He shut it out.

—--

One warm afternoon, Harry and his friends were at the public Quidditch pitch, playing their
usual friendly Quidditch pickup game. They loved competing against neighboring teams, of
which there were always plenty.

Today for the first time, Harry would finally show Draco a long overdue lesson on how to fly.
He buzzed with anticipation as he led Draco onto the field. Harry blushed at how good Draco
looked in his Quidditch uniform. Draco's white-blonde locks peeked out from beneath the
helmet, tousled by the gentle breeze, adding to his rugged charm. Beneath the robe, he wore a
fitted jersey in a deep shade of scarlet, emblazoned with his name and number in bold silver
letters across the back. His pants, made from sturdy yet flexible material, hugged his legs
snugly. Harry couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Draco looked every bit the part of a
Gryffindor Quidditch player, ready to soar to new heights and prove himself on the field of
play. (He was sure Draco would’ve been sorted into his House.) The sun bathed everything in
a warm glow, adding to the excitement of the day.
"Alright, Draco, here's your Quidditch," Harry said, handing Draco a sleek racing flight stick.
"Just hold on tight and follow my lead. Cats are superb at balancing right?"

Draco eyed the flight stick with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, his cat-like instincts
tingling with anticipation. "Right," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Just like
balancing on a narrow ledge, right?"

Harry nodded, offering Draco a reassuring smile. "Exactly like that." His tone was filled with
confidence and affection. "You've got this, Draco. Trust yourself, and you'll soar."

Taking a deep breath, Draco tightened his grip on the Quidditch, steeling himself for the
exhilarating challenge ahead. Harry reassured him with a grin. "Just trust me and the
Quidditch. We'll take it slow."

As they took to the air, each on their own separate Quidditch stick, Draco's initial
apprehension melted away, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. With Harry guiding him, he
soon got the hang of flying and began to enjoy the thrill of the wind rushing past. Below
them, Harry's friends cheered them on, their voices blending with the roar of the crowd who
had gathered to watch the Savior cat learn to fly for the first time.

"Go, Draco, you've got this!" Ron shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

Hermione beamed proudly, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're a natural, Draco!"

Tonks whooped excitedly, her hair changing colors with each cheer. "Looking good up there,
boys!"

Luna watched with her usual dreamy expression, murmuring to Neville about the beauty of
flight and the magic of friendship.

Soon enough, a neighboring team approached Harry's group, and Harry recognized it as the
Hufflepuff team. Their exhilaratingly handsome captain Cedric stepped forward with a
confident grin.

"Hey there, Harry, Draco," he called out, with a courteous nod at Draco. "We'd love to
challenge you to a friendly match. What do you say?"

Harry exchanged a glance with his teammates, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. "We
accept your challenge," he replied with a grin. "Get ready for a game you won't forget!"

Harry and his friends played together often on the public Quidditch pitch. Ron was as always,
the Keeper, while Hermione and Luna’s great coordination and a knack for strategy made
them stellar Chasers. Neville and Tonks were Beaters, their strength in the game making
them great assets to the team. Harry now addressed the group’s newest member, his voice
filled with confidence and determination.

"Draco, I know you've just started flying today, but you're quick and agile, perfect for
weaving through the opposing team's defense as a Chaser.” Draco’s eyes gleamed proudly at
being assigned his new role.

Grinning, he nodded, “I won’t let our team down, Harry!”

The Quidditch pitch was alive with energy as a crowd began to gather. Harry and his team
faced off against their neighboring rivals. The air crackled with excitement, and the roar of
the crowd echoed across the stands.

"Alright, everyone, let's show them what we're made of!" Harry called out to his teammates,
his voice resolute as they mounted their Quidditches.

As the match began, the sky became a blur of movement and color, with players darting and
diving through the air. Ron soared through the air, blocking shot after shot as the opposing
team tried to score. Hermione and Luna worked in perfect harmony, passing the Quaffle back
and forth as they dodged Bludgers and aimed for the opposing team's hoops.
Meanwhile, Neville and Tonks unleashed a barrage of Bludgers, sending them hurtling
towards their opponents with precision and force. And high above them all, Harry streaked
through the air as the Seeker, his eyes scanning the sky for the elusive Golden Snitch. The
moment Harry saw the Snitch, he zoomed towards it at breakneck speed. Cedric had spotted
it at the same time.

"Watch out, Harry, they're gaining on you!" Draco shouted, his voice carrying over the wind
as he raced alongside Harry, his Quidditch stick cutting through the air with stellar speed and
grace.

"I see it, Draco, just a bit closer!" Harry called back, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he
chased after the glint of gold. The wind rushed past Harry's ears as he soared through the air,
his eyes fixed on the glint of gold ahead. Beside him, Cedric matched him move for move,
his determination evident in the set of his jaw.

"Come on, Harry, you've got this!" Draco's voice shouted in Harry's ear, his encouragement
spurring him on as they flew neck and neck with Cedric. Harry was not at all surprised that
Draco was able to keep up, even with all the twists and turns in the air. Harry gritted his teeth,
pushing himself to fly faster, his heart pounding with anticipation. The Golden Snitch
hovered just out of reach, tantalizingly close, yet maddeningly elusive.

Cedric shot him a competitive grin, his eyes alight with excitement as they raced through the
sky together. Harry felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, his focus narrowing
solely on the elusive prize ahead. With a burst of speed, Harry lunged forward, his fingers
inches away from the Golden Snitch. But Cedric was right there beside him, matching him
move for move as they vied for victory.

Both teams had stopped to watch their Seekers’ quest for the Golden Snitch. The crowd
cheered and gasped with each near miss and daring maneuver, the excitement building to a
fever pitch. Meanwhile, the crowd below erupted into cheers, their voices blending into a
cacophony of sound as Harry and Cedric continued their thrilling pursuit. It was a race to the
finish, with only one of them destined to emerge victorious. With a final burst of speed,
Harry stretched out his arm, his fingers brushing against the fluttering wings of the Golden
Snitch. In a split-second motion, he gasped as he finally closed his fist around the tiny,
elusive ball, his heart pounding with exhilaration at his victory.
The stadium erupted into deafening cheers as Harry pulled the Snitch close to his chest, a
victorious grin spreading across his face. He glanced over at Cedric, who offered him a
sportsmanlike nod of respect before flying back towards the ground.

"Harry, you did it!" Draco screamed wildly, way more ecstatic than what would normally be
expected, as he flew up to him and crashed into him with such a flamboyant hug that it nearly
knocked Harry off his broom. Harry laughed. His biggest fanboy was of course Draco. With a
beaming smile, Draco yelled, "I knew you could!"

As soon as he steadied himself, Harry held up the captured Snitch for all to see. "We did it,
Draco," he replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his teammates. "We make a pretty
good team."

As they flew back towards the ground, Harry couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at their
victory. As Harry descended to the ground, his teammates surrounded him, their faces
beaming with pride and excitement. "Harry, that was brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "I knew you
had it in you!"

Hermione approached next, her eyes shining with admiration. "As always, you were
incredible up there, Harry," she said, her voice filled with genuine awe.

Luna floated down gracefully, her dreamy smile never leaving her face. "The Nargles must
have been on our side today," she remarked cryptically.

Neville and Tonks landed beside them, both looking exhilarated by the match. "You were like
a blur out there, Harry," Neville commented, his tone filled with admiration.

Tonks nodded in agreement. "Yeah, mate, you really showed them who's boss," she said.

A wide grin spread across Draco’s face as he said, "I never doubted you for a second, Harry."
His eyes were sparkling with pride. "You're the best Seeker in the whole world!"
Harry laughed. "I wouldn't go quite that far." Harry smiled at his friends, feeling grateful for
their unwavering support. Together, they made a truly formidable team, whether in Quidditch
or up against someone like Tom Riddle. He was so lucky to have them all supporting him
every step of the way.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Harry and Draco had
just returned home to the treehouse when without warning, Draco’s eyes narrowed into slits
and he crowded Harry in against a wall, purring and whining. Draco was suddenly breathing
hard, and sweating profusely again. Fuck, Draco thought. It was happening again. He hated
that he couldn’t control it. It came on so suddenly. But why?

Harry became concerned. “Are you okay Draco? Should you get a checkup with Hagrid?”

Draco's movements became more frenzied, his body trembling with an uncontrollable urge.
"No," he gasped, his voice strained. "I'm fine, Harry. Just... just need to... to..."

Harry wasn’t sure he was comprehending. “Need to what? Anything, I’ll get it for you,”
Harry vowed solemnly.

Draco shot him a look of disbelief before keeling over and crying out in pain. He began to
shake uncontrollably. “I can’t be with you anymore,” he realized suddenly, in a pained
whisper.

The words slashed at Harry like a knife. “What are you talking about?” Harry demanded.

Harry would never understand. Could never understand. Draco’s veins were popping out
along his strong lean arms as he tried to steady himself.

Harry continued, "I don't understand."

You never do, thought Draco sadly. Draco's breaths came in ragged gasps, his body trembling
with suppressed pain as he struggled to compose himself. "I... I can't be with you anymore,"
he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, each word tinged with anguish. I love you so
much. And that’s why.

Harry felt a knot form in his stomach, a sense of dread washing over him at Draco's
confession. "But why?" he demanded, his voice cracking with emotion. "What's going on,
Draco? Talk to me."

Draco turned to face Harry, his eyes brimming with unshed tears as he reached out as if to
touch Harry's face, only to pull back at the last moment as if burned. "It was always there," he
confessed raspily. "Simmering beneath the surface. But then Tom Riddle came to town and I
was under so much stress worrying about you that I guess my body suppressed it. It knew
then wasn't the time, because I had to keep you safe instead. So my body put all its energy
into that and had nothing left for this.”

“What are you talking about?” Harry asked, incredulously.

“It's... it's too dangerous," he choked out, ignoring Harry’s question. His voice was thick with
emotion. "I can't control myself anymore. I might hurt you." A thought flitted into Harry’s
mind of how immensely powerful Draco was. He remembered how in the battle against
Riddle, Draco had transformed into a cat the size of a tiger to save his life.

Harry's heart ached at Draco's words, the weight of their shared history pressing down upon
them like a heavy burden. "I don't care about the danger," he insisted, his voice firm with
determination. "We'll figure this out together, Draco. I know you’d never hurt me, and I won't
let you push me away."

But Draco shook his head, his expression tortured as he turned away from Harry once more.
"You don't understand," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own
ragged breathing. "I can't risk hurting you. You mean too much to me."

And as Harry watched helplessly, he knew that no matter how much he pleaded and begged,
Draco had made up his mind. He was determined to protect Harry, even if it meant sacrificing
his own happiness in the process. But Harry refused to believe Draco would hurt him, no
matter how sick he was feeling. And as Draco's pained cries echoed through the room, Harry
felt a sense of concern grip his heart. He couldn’t bear for Draco to suffer alone.
"Please, Draco," Harry pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion as he reached out to touch
Draco's trembling form. Then he remembered the Ministry letter. He had resources. "Wait to
see what Hagrid says. He might have a solution, a way to help you."

Draco's shoulders shook with silent sobs, his resolve crumbling in the face of Harry's
heartfelt plea. "I don't know, Harry," he whispered, his voice thick with pain and uncertainty.
"I'm scared. Scared of what I might do to you."

Harry's heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in Draco's words. His own fear was all for
Draco’s safety. "I'm not scared," Harry said, his voice confident. "I know you would never
hurt me, not ever." Once again, unbidden, Harry saw flames and a tiny mewling dirty kitten
in the rubble. Harry flinched at the memory. In Harry’s eyes, Draco would always be that
innocent kitten, in need of his help. Not something to be feared. Not ever.

Draco realized then that Harry had no idea what was happening to him. He didn’t feel
comfortable voicing it. It had been a bit difficult for Draco when he first realized he was in
heat for the first time. But ultimately he couldn’t deny that was what it was. And he had
accepted it. He knew Harry wouldn’t be so accepting.

However, refocusing on Harry’s earlier words, a flicker of hope flitted across Draco's eyes,
ignited in the depths of his despair. "You really think Hagrid can help?" he asked, his voice
tentative. Hagrid was a compassionate magical creature healer. Perhaps Hagrid could give
him something to quell his heat.

Harry nodded, determination shining in his emerald eyes. "I do," he said firmly, his grip
tightening on Draco's hand. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

The rest of that night, Draco stayed in a different room from Harry. For the first time in years,
Harry slept alone. Harry missed the warmth of his best friend. He missed Draco’s fur and
even begrudgingly admitted that cuddling had always felt very nice.

Alone with his thoughts, Draco wrestled with his inner demons, the turmoil threatening to
consume him from within. He knew he couldn't continue to hide away, couldn't continue to
push Harry away, but the fear of hurting the one person who meant everything to him was
paralyzing. And as the hours ticked by, the darkness of the night stretching endlessly before
him, Draco found himself grappling with the harsh reality of his situation. He knew he
needed help, knew he couldn't face this alone. But whether he had the courage to reach out, to
admit his weakness and vulnerability, remained to be seen. He itched to go to Harry at once.

"Need to..." Draco's voice trailed off as he spoke to himself in a strained whisper as he
struggled to articulate his thoughts amidst the overwhelming sensations coursing through
him. His breathing was ragged, and he clutched at his bed sheets, his eyes wild with
desperation. Breath hitched, his body trembling with the effort to control the primal urges
surging within him, he fought off every urge to go to Harry and just… just take him.

With a pained expression, he choked out the words, "I need... I need..." But before he could
finish, a sudden wave of overwhelming desire swept over him, leaving him gasping for
breath, wholly unable to speak.

He realized he needed help RIGHT NOW. He gingerly hopped out of his window and fled for
the woods. He ran and ran, his mind clouded with desperation and desire. He needed to get
relief, to find some semblance of peace amidst the turmoil raging within him.

Soon enough, he encountered a sleek black she-cat with emerald green eyes. She was in heat
too. He could smell it. As he approached cautiously, a flicker of recognition sparked in his
mind. The resemblance to Harry was uncanny, and Draco couldn't help but find it strangely
amusing, even in his current state of distress.

But as he drew closer to the she-cat, his amusement quickly gave way to a raw, primal need.
He was in heat, and only one thought consumed his mind: he needed Harry. He needed the
warmth of his touch, the comfort of his presence, to ease the ache that gnawed at his insides.

But with Harry out of reach (Harry, whom he loved more than anything, Harry, who did not
want him in the way he wanted Harry and never would), Draco found himself willing to try
anything to find relief.

And so, with a sense of resignation, he approached the she-cat, his heart heavy with the
weight of his own desperation and desire (for Harry). Not that he’d remember, but he learned
her name was Pansy. Pansy just wanted a good fuck, so Draco gave it to her, reminding
himself of some sort of robot or machine. His heart wasn’t in it. There was no happy emotion
 during the act at all. Afterward, he just felt dirty. And ironically, he felt used. And not at all
sated. It had been completely pointless. Contributing nothing to his state of being.

He decided then that he’d return to Harry in the morning, but he couldn't be in the same
house. The sweet smell was overpowering. It made him want to do things to Harry, things
that Harry would not appreciate. Harry was so delicious. Harry was his.

Chapter End Notes

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=^.^=

All comments welcome. <3

 May Showers
Chapter Summary

Draco's heat is reaching boiling point. What will happen?

As always, feel free to stop reading at any point if you find yourself growing too
uncomfortable.
I apologize in advance.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

That morning, to Hagrid’s great surprise, Harry and Draco arrived at his hut, but in different
hovercrafts. Draco didn’t trust himself alone with Harry in a tiny enclosed space, a fact that
didn't go unnoticed by the observant half-giant.

As they entered Hagrid's hut, Draco's demeanor was noticeably tense, his usual friskiness
marred by the underlying unease caused by his heat. Hagrid couldn't help but notice the
subtle shifts in Draco's behavior, though he remained tactfully silent as he welcomed them
both graciously inside.

Hagrid didn’t really need to examine Draco at all, as all the symptoms were there. The hot
flashes, the obvious increased desire for intense intimacy as per Harry’s earlier OWL, as well
as the increased restlessness. But just for show, Hagrid gave Draco a thorough physical
examination.

Draco was breathing hard and looked to be in physical pain. He was sweating like he just ran
a marathon. His face was flushed. Draco kept flicking his eyes to Harry and back again.

Hagrid’s keen eyes took note of any subtle changes in the young teen’s demeanor. Draco, for
his part, shifted uncomfortably under Hagrid's scrutiny, his usual cool exterior betraying hints
of unease.
"How are ye there, Draco?" Hagrid asked gently, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine," Draco lied, voice taut.

Hagrid nodded understandingly before proceeding with the examination. He began by

checking Draco's temperature, feeling the warmth radiating from his skin. Then, he carefully
palpated Draco's abdomen, noting any signs of discomfort or tenderness. Despite being
clothed, it was clear to Hagrid that Draco’s penis was erect throughout the whole exam. There
was a wet spot where the tip was resting.

As he worked, Hagrid couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in Draco's behavior. The
way he shifted under Hagrid's touch, the slight flush to his cheeks – all pointed to something
more than just physical discomfort.

Hagrid reached a quick conclusion. With a furrowed brow, he turned to Harry, his expression
grave. "I reckon he's in heat, Harry," he said quietly, his voice heavy with concern. "Poor
lad's been strugglin', but we'll get him sorted, don't you worry."

The revelation came as a shock to Harry, though in hindsight, it explained much of Draco's
recent behavior. “So there’s a treatment for him then? How much is it?” Harry demanded to
know. He could pay, whatever the cost. His parents had left him a good fortune.

Hagrid's chuckle rumbled deep in his chest as he regarded Harry with a mixture of
amusement and sympathy. "Ah, Harry, yer a good lad, but there ain't no treatment for this,"
Hagrid explained gently, his voice tinged with regret. "The Mate Bond— especially where
cats be concerned, is ancient magic, and it can't be treated like a common ailment. The only
way for Draco to find relief is to mate with his Chosen Mate. In cats, they's drawn to the
scent of their Mates, an' their Mates are drawn to 'em by scent as well. This 'ere's why folks
reckon it's bad luck to be paired with a cat, see?”

Harry's heart sank at Hagrid's words, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his
shoulders. He had been hoping for a simple solution, a way to help Draco without resorting to
such drastic measures.
"So there's no other option?" Harry asked desperately, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hagrid shook his head solemnly. "’Fraid not, Harry. It's the way of things for cats. We can try
to make it as comfortable as possible for Draco, but ultimately, the Mate Bond must be
fulfilled."

“Does he need to make a baby? I can contact the Ministry right away and—”

“No, this has to be organic mating, I'm afraid. They gotta mate the ol' fashioned way. Y'see,
magical critters got their own set o' rules, they do, bless 'em.”

The reality of the situation hit Harry like a ton of bricks. There was no escaping it—Draco's
heat would have to be satisfied through natural means, and there was nothing Harry could do
to change that. “And it can’t be with someone else?” Harry knew he was grasping for straws
now, even though the idea of Draco mating with someone else was abhorrent to the fifth
degree. Whoever it was would be in essence raping little Draco. The idea that someone could
violate his kitten was disgusting. Harry shook with rage at just the mere thought.

“Nah, can't be lettin' someone else take on this burden. Only you, Harry. Yer his Chosen, see?
Means you got the strength for it.” Then, hesitantly and lowering his voice, “Maybe even
come to want it, deep down.” Hagrid gave Harry a pointed look.

Harry bit his lip and blushed. He could not meet Draco’s eyes. As he struggled to come to
terms with the harsh truth, a sense of helplessness washed over him, leaving him feeling
utterly defeated. The thought of Draco mating with him was terrifying, but the idea of leaving
Draco to suffer was even worse.

"I–I'll think of something else," Harry stammered, his voice wavering slightly as uncertainty
gnawed at him. The weight of the situation pressed down on him like a heavy stone, each
breath feeling more suffocating than the last.

Draco, who had been listening intently in silence, spoke up. "What else could you possibly
do, Harry?" he growled, his frustration evident in the tightness of his jaw and the furrow of
his brow. "I can't even be in the same room as you. I don't know if I could control myself. I
will hurt you."

Harry blinked at him, taken aback by the intensity of Draco's words. His heart ached at the
pain and desperation he saw in Draco's eyes. "I trust you," he said simply, his voice soft but
unwavering.

Draco looked dumbfounded, his eyes widening in disbelief. He was near tears, emotions
swirling chaotically within him. "Do you understand how unfair you're being?" he exclaimed,
his voice cracking with emotion. "You expect me to—," he broke off, his words catching in
his throat as he let out a short, bitter laugh. "You expect me to control myself around you all
the time? Harry, I've been in love with you since I was little. It's always been torture being
around you all the time. I shouldn't have to live like this."

Draco’s words were like a blow, a slap in the face. Harry hadn't realized the depth of his
Mate’s feelings, the agony he must’ve endured silently for so long. And as he looked into
Draco's tear-filled eyes, Harry knew that he couldn't ignore his own feelings. He loved Draco
too, of course he did… But was he in love with him? Harry loved Draco like Sirius loved
Lupin, or like how Ron loved Hermione…. Right? It was a deep and everlasting love, but no
one had ever said they were ‘in love.’ Being ‘in love’ was a cat thing…. Being ‘in love’ was
a dangerous and foolish thing to be. Harry wasn’t in love with Draco. He couldn’t be.

Silence settled over the hut like a heavy blanket, suffocating in its intensity. Hagrid shifted
uncomfortably, casting furtive glances between Harry and Draco, as if unsure of how to
navigate the tension that hung thick in the air. Even Fang, usually quick to fill any silence
with his booming bark, remained still, sensing the gravity of the conversation.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Harry found the courage to break the silence. "Hold
on… You're in love with me?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with a
vulnerability and dread he couldn't hide. He was hoping to clarify. He was hoping Draco
would correct him and say he simply misspoke. That Draco would take back his blasphemous
words.

To Harry's horror, Draco looked exasperated, his emotions swirling chaotically within him.
"Of course I'm in love with you, you daft git," he replied, his tone tinged with frustration and
a hint of desperation. "I thought that was painfully obvious."
Harry's heart skipped a beat at Draco's admission, his mind reeling with disbelief. He had
always known there was a deep connection between them, a bond that transcended friendship
(like brothers, Harry had always thought…), but to hear Draco speak the words out loud was
utterly terrifying. He had never thought he was in love with Draco. He had never thought
Draco was in love with him. Until now, this thought had never crossed his mind even once. It
was too incredulous.

"But... but what about everything that's happened between us?" Harry's voice trembled
slightly as he struggled to make sense of it all. His mind raced with memories of their
tumultuous relationship, the ups and downs that had defined their journey together.

"You saved my life when you jumped out in front of me," he reasoned, his words heavy with
the weight of gratitude and confusion. That act of selflessness had resonated deeply with
Harry, leaving an indelible mark on his heart. It was something a family member would do,
he reasoned, not someone who was in love. And yet, despite Draco's unwavering loyalty and
willingness to sacrifice for him, Harry couldn't shake the lingering doubts that now clouded
his mind.

It dawned on Draco then that Harry didn’t believe in falling in love. How could he, with the
world he grew up in and the species he was? Draco regarded Harry with a mixture of pity and
understanding, his own emotions mirroring Harry's inner turmoil.

"I did what anyone would have done, Harry," he replied quietly. "You mean everything to me,
and I couldn't bear to see anything happen to you." Harry's heart twisted at Draco's words, the
depth of Draco’s love shining through despite his attempts to downplay it. He had always
known that Draco cared for him deeply, but to hear it spoken aloud only served to deepen the
complexity of their relationship.

"But what about us, Draco?" Harry pressed, his voice pleading as he searched for answers.
"What does this mean for us?"

Draco hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as he struggled to find the right words. "I don't
know, Harry," he admitted, shrugging. "All I know is that I can't imagine my life without you
in it. I just want to be by your side."
“Then be by my side!” Harry cried. “I want nothing more than for you to always be with
me!”

Draco chuckled despite himself. “It’s not that simple, you twat. I want— need , more than
you’re comfortable giving. And I don’t want to put you in that situation where you feel like
you have to give it to me. I don’t want that and never have.”

Harry blinked. Draco was correct. He didn’t want to do those things with Draco…. Then
what was dormant in his memories rushed to the surface. He remembered in brief flashes—
his face, flushed, unable to move, flashes of soft white fur, large beguiling eyes, odd
fluttering sensations in his chest, the want low, simmering in his gut, the urge to run his hand
through Draco’s hair, to pull him closer, even closer in bed, his strangled little sounds in
reaction to–...But no, that was because he loved Draco.

Overwhelmed with frustration and emotion, Harry began crying. He wasn’t confused. Draco
was by his side in an instant, holding him, shushing him, and pressing little kisses to his head.
Harry grabbed ahold of Draco’s shirt and clung to him. Draco’s scent was so intoxicating,
Harry could drown in him. “I need…” Harry was blubbering.

“Yes?” Draco asked, gently.

“I need you,” Harry finished simply. “Forever. Don’t leave me, Draco. I can’t stand to be
apart.” Harry began to think that perhaps he had become just a bit obsessed with Draco.
Draco chuckled.

“Being apart from you is the only thing that could hurt me,” he told Harry, firmly.

"Okay," Harry said, breaking the heavy silence that hung between them like a suffocating
blanket. His words were hesitant, filled with a sense of resignation. "Because I love you,
Draco, I'll try."

Draco's heart lurched in his chest at Harry's promise, a mixture of emotions swirling within
him. He had hoped for so much more, yet Harry's words felt like a cruel reminder of the
barriers that still stood between them. Was he destined to be nothing more than Harry's pity-
fuck, a sloppy fix to alleviate Harry’s guilt and Mate obligations?

Draco stiffened, his resolve hardening as he struggled to contain the torrent of emotions
threatening to overwhelm him. "No," he said firmly, his voice tinged with a bitterness he
couldn’t hide. "I don't want you to feel obligated. It'd be a meaningless fuck for you, while
for me, it'd mean the world."

Both Harry and Hadgrid recoiled at the word ‘fuck’.

"But it wouldn't be meaningless!" Harry cried out desperately, his voice raw with emotion. "I
love you, Draco!"

“But you’re not IN love with me, right? I’m like a little brother to you? The little brother you
rescued from a fire when I was a baby. Apart from that, you really feel nothing for me?”
Draco found that hard to believe, but he knew it didn’t matter what he believed. His voice
was trembling and his eyes were wet and rimmed red.

In a rage, Harry lunged and shoved Draco with such force that Draco staggered in surprise
and keeled over in pain. “Shut up! NO ONE LOVES ANYONE IN ANY OTHER WAY,
YOU COMPLETE IDIOT OF A CAT!” Harry was screaming, tears streaming. “Why are you
like this? What did I do wrong in your infancy?!”

Draco had caught Harry when Harry shoved him, and Draco pushed him down into Hagrid’s
dirt floor. Draco had Harry’s trousers halfway down his pants before Hagrid went, “Nope!”
and plucked him up by the back of his shirt. Draco’s eyes were wild and confused, still
thrashing. Harry hurriedly scrambled into a sitting position, pulling his trousers back on, a
look of pure bewilderment on his face. Harry had no idea what Draco had been trying to do.

Both Harry and Draco were breathing hard. Draco was hard. Embarrassingly, so was Harry.
Physical proximity with Draco was all it took for Harry to get hard nowadays. Even just
Draco walking around shirtless in the summertime, his perfectly sculpted ivory chest
gleaming in the sun….
In the scuffle that lasted only a few seconds, all Harry knew was that he was being engulfed
by a very strong and lean Draco who was breathing hard and Harry had been flooded with
Draco’s intoxicating scent…. Then he felt a hardness pressing into him and he.. His face
flushed as he recounted the memory. After he felt Draco’s body leaving him and he sat up..,
he immediately felt empty and a strange yearning to have him back.

He hadn’t been aware of his body’s reaction until he had looked down and noticed with alarm
that he was indeed, painfully hard. Now, as he sat there, trying to conceal his arousal from the
prying eyes of the others, Harry couldn't help but feel a strange mix of shame and longing.
His body betrayed him in the most inconvenient of times, reacting to Draco's proximity with
a strange desire he couldn't ignore.

Hagrid's booming voice cut through the tension like a knife, his expression stern as he
addressed the two young men before him. "Now, you two," he rumbled, his tone brooking no
argument. "We ain't gonna be havin' none o' that nonsense in my hut. No fightin' Harry, and
certainly no... shenanigans." He threw Draco a pointed look.

Still being suspended in the air by Hagrid, a very humiliated Draco shouted, “Unhand me at
once you great oaf! I will take my leave.”

Thankfully Harry’s erection had shrunk down to a non-noticeable size. Shakily Harry got to
his feet. As he glanced over at the departing Draco, he saw confusion and embarrassment
etched on Draco’s face. Harry knew that they needed to find a way to move past their
differences and come to terms with their feelings. Because no matter how hard they tried to
deny it, the bond between them was undeniable, a force that refused to be ignored. And until
they could confront it head-on, they would remain trapped in a cycle of confusion and
longing, unable to find peace in each other's arms.

Earnestly thanking Hagrid for his time and patience that evening, Harry hurried on home
shortly after Draco's departure. Draco’s diagnosis was heavy on his mind, the unresolved
tension between them casting a shadow over his thoughts.

As he trudged through the darkened forest, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the stillness
of the night, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. He knew that
their relationship was far from perfect, fraught with obstacles and uncertainties that
threatened to tear them apart.
But as he reached the familiar clearing where his treehouse stood tall and proud, bathed in the
soft glow of the moonlight, Harry felt a glimmer of hope stir within him. Despite the
challenges they faced, he knew that he couldn't give up on Draco, not when their bond was
stronger than ever before.

With a determined set to his jaw, Harry climbed the ladder to his treehouse, the warmth of
home beckoning him forward. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it head-on, knowing
that as long as Draco was by his side, they could overcome anything that stood in their way.

Harry trudged into their bedroom, body heavy with exhaustion. He saw Draco in cat form,
curled in a small tight circle on top of the covers at the far corner of the bed. Harry brushed
his teeth, then changed into comfy pjs before getting into bed with Draco. Draco’s sweet
alluring scent in the room was overpowering. Harry knew Draco well enough to know he was
feigning sleep.

When Harry finally slipped into a fitful restless sleep of his own, the time was 4:28 AM. His
dreams were very explicit… He awoke to a wetness in his pants. Shocked, he quickly hurried
to the bathroom, scared he’d wet the bed by accident, but it wasn't pee. Whatever it was, it
was white and creamy. He quickly remembered how Draco would often have these as well.
He couldn’t really remember his dreams, just in flashes and glimpses, but it definitely
involved Draco doing some very… inappropriate things to Harry. Harry’s breath caught in
his throat as a whole scene came back to him. He felt like retching. Why on earth would he
dream something so vile?

Draco was nowhere to be seen.

As news of Draco's disappearance spread, Harry rallied his friends and family to join him in
the search. Together, they combed every inch of the surrounding area, scouring the forests
and villages for any sign of their missing feline friend.

Ron and Hermione stood by Harry's side, their unwavering support a source of strength in the
face of uncertainty. With determination in their hearts, they trudged through the wilderness,
calling out Draco's name in the hopes that he would hear them and return to them safely.
Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, and Alastor joined the search as well, their sharp eyes, quick wit,
wisdom, and experience proving invaluable as they scoured the countryside for any clue that
might lead them to Draco's whereabouts. Sirius employed every trick in his detective’s book
he could find. Lupin used his expertise in tracking and his familiarity with the terrain to assist
in the search for Draco, while Dumbledore and Alastor utilized their expertise and extensive
networks to gather information, probe Traces, and coordinate search parties, maximizing the
chances of locating the missing Draco.

However, each step forward did not seem to bring them any closer to Harry’s Mate.

Hagrid lent a hand also, his booming voice echoing through the forest as he called out to the
creatures of the wild, asking for their assistance in locating Draco. His knowledge of the land
proved invaluable, guiding them through the treacherous terrain with ease.

As the days turned into weeks, their search became more desperate, the weight of uncertainty
pressing down on them with each passing moment. But Harry refused to give up hope,
clinging to the belief that they would find Draco and bring him home where he belonged.
Harry could feel Draco was alive at least. He could still feel the Mate bond that connected the
two buzzing along strongly inside of him. That was the only thing that kept him going.

Harry spent his days and nights in deep anguish. He tossed and turned in his bed far more
than usual. He was unable to stop thinking about Draco and the look of despair in his eyes
during their last encounter in Hagrid’s hut. Harry had a strong unshakable urge to make
everything better for him, just as he had when Draco was a helpless kitten. He had agreed to
help. He didn’t know what more Draco would want.

Now in his dreams he saw their last encounter night after night on repeat. It was haunting
him. He’d wake up in cold sweats with a horrible feeling that something was very wrong. His
dreams had slowly become more and more worrisome. If Draco was in serious trouble and
Harry hadn’t been there, he knew he’d never be able to forgive himself.

As the weeks stretched into months, Draco's absence weighed heavily on Harry's mind,
casting a shadow over his every waking moment. Harry stopped eating and began losing
weight. He stopped attending Quidditch practices and missed matches. He refused to go out
with any friends. He started missing school. All he could do nowadays was search high and
low, using the latest high-tech gear money could buy to find his cat. Despite his best efforts to
remain optimistic, the lingering sense of unease gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the
void left by Draco's sudden disappearance. Harry would search to the ends of the earth for his
Mate if needed. Failure was not an option, even if the journey would be more isolating than
ever before.

At long last, after half a year of fruitless looking, in which Harry had stretched out his scope
nationwide and then globally to no avail, Sirius and Dumbledore sat down next to Harry at
the treehouse, their expressions grave.

"Harry, we need to talk to you," Dumbledore began, his gentle voice somber. “This is about
Draco.”

Harry's heart clenched at the mention of Draco's name. "What about him? Have you found
him? Is he hurt?" he asked, fear creeping in now due to the look on Dumbledore’s and
Sirius’s face.

Sirius sighed heavily, his gaze filled with sadness. "I'm afraid not, Harry," he replied, his tone
sober. "We've searched high and low, but there's been no sign of him."

Harry felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "But we can't just give up," he protested,
his voice tinged with desperation. "Draco's out there somewhere, and we have to find him."

Dumbledore sighed. "I know you want to believe that, Harry, but the truth is, if Draco ran
away of his own accord, there's nothing anyone can do about it," he said gently. “Draco has
always been wiley. He’s surely found a way to ward himself against the location devices
we’ve been using. He doesn’t want to be found. Even if we found him, you’d have to capture
him as if he were a wild animal and hold him here against his will. You and I both know we
owe him more than that.”

Harry's heart shattered at the words. He had held out hope for so long, clinging to the belief
that Draco would return to him. But now, faced with the harsh reality of Sirius’s words, he
felt utterly lost and alone. Deep down, Harry had known it all already, but he had to hope.
Because if he didn’t hope, he may as well be dead.
Tears welled up in Harry's eyes as he realized that he may never see Draco again. He couldn't
bear the thought of facing the future without Draco. How could Draco leave him like this?
And in that moment, his world came crashing down around him. The mere idea of life
without his Mate by his side sent him spiraling into a full-blown panic attack.

He gasped for air, his chest constricting with each ragged breath, as if the weight of the world
was pressing down on him. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating him with their
oppressive presence. His heart pounded erratically in his chest, its frantic rhythm echoing the
turmoil raging within him. Harry's vision blurred as tears streamed down his cheeks, his body
trembling uncontrollably with each sob that wracked his frame.

Every fiber of his being ached with a deep, overwhelming sense of loss and despair. It felt as
though a piece of him had been torn away, leaving behind a raw, gaping wound that refused
to heal. He clutched at his chest, the pain both physical and emotional threatening to consume
him whole. The thought of Draco slipping away from him, of never feeling his touch or
hearing his voice again, filled Harry with a profound sense of emptiness and anguish.

He curled into himself, seeking refuge from the storm of emotions raging inside him, but
finding none. His mind raced with thoughts of all the moments they had shared, the laughter
and the tears, the joy and the sorrow. Each memory felt like a dagger to his heart, reopening
old wounds and deepening the ache of longing within him.

And as the waves of grief crashed over him, Harry surrendered to the overwhelming tide,
allowing himself to be swept away by the torrent of emotion. He cried out, a raw, primal
sound of anguish and despair, echoing through the room as he mourned the loss of the one
person who had come to mean everything to him.

The two older men could only watch with a heavy heart as Harry struggled, his own sense of
helplessness mirroring the turmoil written across Harry's face. They longed to reach out, to
offer some solace to the grieving child in his time of need, but they knew that such a gesture
would only serve to deepen Harry's distress. Instead, they sat beside him, silent sentinels in
the storm, their presence a silent reassurance to Harry that he was not completely alone.

As Harry's cries echoed through the room, they knew that Harry needed space, needed time
to confront his pain and come to terms with the depth of his loss. So, they remained by
Harry's side, a silent witness to his anguish, offering what little comfort they could in the
form of his unwavering presence. Sirius and Dumbledore vowed to stand by Harry's side, to
weather the tempest together, no matter how fierce the winds may blow.

Sirius sighed, his expression pained. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I know how much you love him."

Harry ached for the comfort of Draco’s embrace. "How...how am I supposed to go on without
him? He's everything to me. My whole world." His voice broke on the last words, anguish
contorting his features.

Dumbledore met Harry's gaze, his own eyes suspiciously bright with unshed tears. "I know it
feels impossibly hard right now. Like your heart has been ripped out,” Dumbledore’s voice
was thick with emotion, as if the old man was speaking from experience. With a jolt, Harry
recalled Dumbledore’s late Mate, Grindelwald. Sadness ran down Harry’s spine, more grief
now for what Dumbledore must’ve had to endure when his Mate lost his life.

“But you have to keep hope alive, even if it's just a tiny flicker," Dumbledore continued,
speaking softly, trying to convey reassurance. "Draco loves you, with every fiber of his being.
Wherever he is, I know a part of him longs to come back to you. Don't give up on him… or
on yourself."

Harry wrapped his arms tightly around himself, trying to draw strength from Dumbledore’s
words. Deep down, he knew his previous Headmaster was right. With a shuddering breath,
Harry nodded, the first sparks of determination rekindling in his eyes despite the lingering
anguish. He had to keep that hope burning, and knew he’d wait for the rest of his life for
Draco’s return.

As the men took in Harry's unkempt appearance and hollow eyes, Sirius said in a fatherly
tone, "And Harry, another thing. You can't keep going on like this. Skipping classes, not
eating, avoiding your friends..."

Sirius hesitated, clearly struggling with how to phrase his next words carefully. "I know
you're devastated over Draco's disappearance. Believe me, I want nothing more than for him
to return back to you. But you're letting this consume you in an unhealthy way."
Sirius held up a hand as Harry opened his mouth to protest. "Your friends are worried sick
about you. And frankly, so are Lupin and I. Draco wouldn't want to see you like this -
withdrawing from everything and everyone who cares about you."

Dumbledore’s voice took on a gentler tone. "We are not saying to give up hope, but you have
to take care of yourself as well. Otherwise you'll be no good to Draco if— when he does
return to you, my boy."

Harry flinched at the older men’s words, hating how they rang true. He knew his self-
destructive spiral wasn't helping anything, but he couldn't seem to find his way out of the pit
of despair. Every day without Draco felt like an empty, aching void.

But the thought of Draco witnessing his current state filled Harry with shame. Sirius was
right - Draco would be devastated to see him like this. Slowly, Harry gave a small nod of
acknowledgment.

"You're right… I know you're right," he rasped out. "It's just… so bloody hard. Without
him...."

Sirius simply said, "I know, pup. But you're stronger than this darkness. And you're not alone
in this fight."

A few days later, Harry took their advice and agreed to go hang with Ron at his house. The
familiar comfort of their friendship eased the tension that had been weighing on his mind. As
they lounged in Ron's room, surrounded by the remnants of their shared adventures, Harry
couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and fondness wash over him as he looked at
their old childhood photos framed over Ron’s desk.

There was one with Ron, Hermione, and Harry right smack in the middle. The three were
laughing and wet. They all looked to be about 8 and Hermione was in a modest blue and
white striped one-piece swimming suit. Her usual bushy hair was flattened and dripping wet
over her shoulders. Ron was in an oversized red swimming trunk with Harry right next to
him in his own neon green swim trunk adorned with tiny shark prints. Ron was holding onto
a nifty blue and white surfing board.
That was the first day they’d all learned how to surf successfully. They’d been so proud and
Arthur, Ron’s dad, had been only too eager to snap this photo commemorating his son’s first
successful surfing. Arthur was a professional surfer and he’d always longed for one of his
kids to get into the sport as well. None of Ron’s older brothers were interested. Harry smiled
at this picture. He briefly imagined teaching Draco how to surf. Draco would catch up so fast
and look quite good doing it too…..

"I've been meaning to ask you something, Ron," Harry began after an hour or two of catching
up. His voice was hesitant as he broached the topic that had been on his mind for so long.
"How are you and Hermione doing?"

Ron's eyes lit up at the mention of his Mate’s name, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his
lips. "Oh, we're great actually," he replied, his tone filled with warmth and affection. "No
complaints here, mate."

Harry couldn't help but feel a surge of relief at Ron's words, genuinely pleased to hear that his
two friends were doing well. Despite the complexities of their relationship, Ron and
Hermione had always shared a deep bond, one that Harry admired and respected.

"That's great to hear," Harry said sincerely, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I've been
wondering... do you ever feel... you know, aroused when you're with Hermione?"

Ron's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his expression caught off guard by the unexpected
inquiry. He paused for a moment, as if too shocked by the highly inappropriate question to
give an immediate response. Finally, "Err... no, mate." His cheeks flushed slightly with
embarrassment. "I mean, she's Hermione , you know? She's always been like a sister to me."

Harry nodded, his own cheeks coloring with embarrassment as he realized the awkwardness
of his question. "Right, yeah," he muttered, trying to shake off the discomfort that settled
over them. "Sorry, I just... never mind." Ron gave him a look, then a moment later, deciding
everything was fine, reached for more of the chips he and Harry had been sharing before
hopping onto a new topic.

But even as he tried to brush off what Ron had said about his feelings for Hermione (or lack
thereof), Harry couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered in the back of his mind. As he
glanced over at Ron, he couldn't help but wonder if his experience with love and desire were
more complicated than he had realized. Still, he decided he needed to ask around to
confirm…

That afternoon, “How do you know when you’re in love with someone, versus just love them
like a brother?” he asked Sirius tentatively.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?” He looked cautiously suspicious.

“No reason!” Harry exclaimed a little too quickly, flushed red. He didn’t like the now
scrutinizing look Sirius was giving him.

“Ummm.. You see…” Sirius was clearly very, very, very uncomfortable. “Why don’t you ask
Lupin, eh?” he suggested quickly, well aware he was throwing his poor unsuspecting Mate
under the bus.

So later that evening when Lupin came home from the lab, Harry rounded on him with the
same question. Lupin’s eyes were round with shock, then replaced with his usual wise and
knowing look. “Harry, when you’re in love with someone, it means you are aroused by them.
Versus loving someone like family, where the idea of any arousal is repulsive.”

“Oh,” said Harry, clearly shocked. But he felt he needed more clarification. “And by aroused
you mean…?” Some small part of him already knew the answer to this.

Lupin blanched. He was in shock that his godson would need him to spell this out. He wasn’t
altogether too comfortable with saying it. Where was Sirius? Lupin made to glance around
nervously, but Sirius had pointedly made it his mission to miss dinner this evening. Lupin
frowned. He had half a mind to just write it down, but no, that was quite a very Slytherin
thing to do. It was beneath him. Turning almost as red as Harry and summoning all the old
Gryffindor courage of his youth, he cleared his throat a little too loudly to be entirely
appropriate (he couldn’t help it, it was the nerves) and said tersely, “Sexually.”

“Oh.” Harry was rapidly turning pale now, as if stricken.

After a beat, Lupin pressed, “Could this question be about…?”

Harry sighed heavily. “Draco’s been getting to me.. Even though he’s not here. I can’t help
thinking that perhaps…” Harry trailed off. “He needed more of me.”

“I see.” Lupin looked solemn. “You should never feel obligated to do anything you’re
uncomfortable with, Harry.”

Later that night, as Harry lay awake in bed thinking about Draco, who he was sure would
eventually return because it was unheard of for Chosen Mates to permanently stay away
voluntarily , his thoughts swirled with confusion and uncertainty.

For once, finally, he at last knew how he felt about his Mate. Lupin had confirmed that he
was in fact, ‘in love’ with his best friend. Draco's own feelings were abundantly clear. But the
thought of ever admitting it aloud to Draco terrified him, like stepping into the unknown
abyss of vulnerability.

Draco's unwavering love and affection would only intensify Harry's internal struggle. How
would he confess his own feelings when he couldn't even comprehend them himself? The
truth lay dormant within him, buried beneath layers of doubt and apprehension. Yet, with
each passing moment, the realization grew stronger, gnawing at the edges of his
consciousness like a persistent whisper.

But Harry wasn't ready to confront it, not yet. And so, he would remain silent, even if his
heart was heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. In the quiet darkness of the
night, Harry grappled with his emotions, no longer in denial of them, but he knew he’d be too
afraid to voice them out loud to the one person who needed to hear them most. He knew it
was cowardly of him. Maybe he was a Slytherin after all.

Plus, it’d just be awkward . After all this time, to just.. have natural sex with Draco? Draco,
whom he’s consciously considered his little kitten/child and even adopted brother/best friend
his whole life…. Draco, being his Chosen, naturally filled so many different roles in his life.
Even now as his Mate… whom he was… oh god. Harry hated to admit it even to himself.
Who he was in love with. Yet he couldn’t deny that just thinking it caused a rush of blood to
go rushing to his nether regions. Harry felt tears welling up again. His feelings were stupid.
Draco’s feelings were stupid. Why couldn’t cats just be like everyone else? Why all this
falling-in-love silliness? Why couldn’t Draco be normal ?

6 months later

The gentle rustle of autumn leaves outside provided a soothing backdrop to 19 year old
Harry's somber thoughts as he sat in his bedroom, lost in his own world of melancholy. It’d
been a whole year since Draco’s disappearance. His mind was still consumed by thoughts of
Draco, his absence casting a shadow over every moment of Harry's day.

Harry had taken his godfather’s advice and reluctantly let his friends back into his life. His
godfathers had urged him to move back into the house with them, as they feared his
continued isolation. Sirius and Lupin were both taking turns cooking for Harry in an attempt
to get him to eat. They made sure he ate all 2 meals at home. His friends made him finish his
lunches at school. It was quite a coordinated team effort on all their parts to make sure Harry
was fed. Harry forced himself to attend all his classes. He told himself if he were to flunk out
now, he wouldn’t be able to get a good job to care for Draco once Draco returned. For surely
return he would! He loves me..

Today, Harry was momentarily back at his treehouse. Call it habit. He decided to read a book,
and his favorite reading spot was the hammock in the treehouse. As he settled himself on the
hammock, he was hit with memories of drinking warmed apple cider with Draco on lazy fall
evenings by the fire. Draco had been lazing on the hammock in his humanoid cat form, his
tail swishing lazily behind him.

The memories came flooding back in rich detail. The aroma of the mulled cider filled Harry's
nostrils - the crisp, tart scent of fresh apples mingled with the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon,
cloves, and a hint of orange zest. He could almost taste the beverage on his lips, slightly
sweetened but still maintaining the vibrancy of the juicy apples.

Draco would often shift into his lithe feline form, stretching out languorously on the swaying
hammock beside Harry. His sleek pure snow-white fur would catch the flickering firelight as
he purred contentedly, nuzzling his face into Harry's side to breathe in the comforting scent of
the cider.

Harry smiled wistfully, remembering a different memory, of how he would sit cuddled up
next to humanoid-cat Draco as they both sipped their drinks in companionable silence, when
all felt right with the world. A slight chill in the autumn air only made the warmed cider even
more appealing and cozy. Those tranquil evenings in their sanctuary had been a welcome
respite from the stresses of the world. Just the two of them, enjoying each other's company
without a care, the spiced cider smells and Draco's rumbling purrs lulling them into a state of
blissful relaxation, where they’d retire for the night in each other’s arms. He should’ve
suspected then that Draco was his Mate. But that possibility had been the furthest thing from
his mind.

Harry sighed, hugging the memory close as he opened his book. He knew he would forever
associate the scent of mulled apple cider with the comforting familiarity of Draco's presence
on those perfect fall nights.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sound of a door being cracked loudly open.
Harry's head snapped up in shock as none other than Draco stumbled into the room, his
breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Draco?" Harry exclaimed, leaping to his feet in alarm. "What's happened? Are you okay?"
Harry rushed forward to meet him, but Draco wasn’t Draco. His face was contorted in agony
and he was breathing hard. With a pang, Harry saw that Draco was skinnier and more gaunt-
looking than he’d ever seen him, like wherever he’d been, he hadn't been getting enough to
eat.

“No! Harry, stay away!” Draco was crying in agony. Draco felt that he wasn’t in control. All
he could do was follow the scent. It was maddening. And here it had led him straight back
home.

Straight back to Harry.

Draco's eyes darted around the room, his expression one of confusion and disorientation. "I...
I don't know how I got here," he explained, his voice shaky. "One moment I was wandering
outside, and the next... I found myself here."
But Harry refused to listen. He was overjoyed and flung himself unthinkingly on Draco in a
brilliant hug. Draco’s reaction was instantaneous. The larger male gave a small pained whine
as he threw Harry onto the floor and crouched over him. Draco was panting as he nipped at
Harry’s face, seeking the other boy’s mouth. But after the past six months, knowing what he
knew, Harry was ready. He steeled himself.

Finding his mouth, Draco began kissing hungrily and Harry was instantly seeing stars. Harry
bit back a moan. Draco had never put his tongue in Harry’s mouth before, but now he shoved
it in, laving it with hot, wet furious kisses. Draco was moaning obscenely into the kisses, like
he had been drowning and the kisses were oxygen.

Underneath Draco’s strong body, with his tongue in his mouth, Harry was more turned on
than ever before in his life. Harry let out his own tiny needy whimpers.

“Home, home, Harry ,” Draco was panting in between kisses, and whining, “I need…”

Harry cried out. This felt.. This felt good. Draco sloppily took off his shirt, even with hands
clumsy with fever. Suddenly panicked, Harry tried squeezing out from under him, but Draco
sat on Harry’s smaller pelvis and began to remove his own pants now that he had gotten rid
of his shirt.

“Draco, off..” Harry protested, voice thinning with fear. He is not about to undress on top of
me ! Draco got out of his trousers so now he was completely naked.

Harry scrambled away from him and quickly leaped to his feet. Draco’s dark eyes were wild
looking as he approached Harry, looking more predatory than Harry had ever seen him in his
life. His always-neat hair looked a mess. His eyes were now dark cat-like slits, and when he
spoke, it came out strained. "I need…" he cried out. His plea sounded desperate and breathy.

Suddenly, the adolescent cat-boy, despite being 7 years younger, looked a lot older than
Harry, and terrifying. Draco, although not terribly taller than Harry, was much more sculpted
and built thanks to his feline genes. Draco was as powerful as any big cat. Now, he began to
circle Harry as if Harry were a tasty piece of fresh kill. Harry could do nothing but shake. He
could actually hear his own heart beating.
“Draco–..”Harry’s gaze locked onto Draco’s taut, sinewy chest and sculpted arms, revealing
the unmistakable physique of a supremely athletic individual—a true apex predator. Even
among his feline peers, Harry knew Draco was the undisputed King. Harry had witnessed the
swiftness with which he dispatched rival tomcats who dared to approach their domain.
Despite his youth, Draco’s great prowess was a formidable presence, leaving Harry acutely
aware that he was utterly defenseless should Draco ever choose to target him.

Harry was frozen in fear now, and he could feel Draco slowly coming up behind him. Harry
was shaking. He knew he’d never outrun Draco. And even if he could do something, he knew
he could never bring himself to hurt his cat. His Mate. Harry was utterly at Draco’s mercy.
Harry cared about Draco too much to risk injuring him. He had not saved this kitten just to be
his end.

As Draco came up right behind Harry, Harry could hear his ragged breathing in his ear as he
pressed his wet barbed erection right against Harry’s clothed backside. And Harry felt a
familiar feeling of need inside him, despite himself. Without warning, Draco slipped his
fingers inside the front of Harry’s trousers and began to slowly feel him. "So hard," Draco
mumbled, sighing affectionately, as he licked a tiny stripe down Harry’s neck. Draco’s voice
was thick with lust. Harry cried out in shock and tried to run, but Draco yanked him back
against his bare chest. Draco seemed like he could not get enough of Harry’s scent as he kept
breathing him in and groaning.

“Draco..” Harry began. “Don’t do this. Please Draco. It’s me .”

Draco spun Harry around to face him and looked into his eyes. “I know,” Draco growled,
almost sadly. “It’s you . My Mate.” Draco cupped Harry’s face in his hands and stared at him
with wonder in his clear glittering eyes. “My beautiful, stunning, wonderful, sweet,
courageous Harry..”

Harry clutched Draco’s hands.“Then you’ll know I don’t want to do this.. Draco, not yet…..”
Harry’s lips were trembling as he said, “Draco, I love you.”

Draco sucked in a breath. “I know.” Draco gripped Harry and yanked him aggressively
towards himself until their fronts were flushed against each other’s. Draco was kissing Harry
again, breathlessly. Harry began kissing back. This felt amazing . Glorious. How had they
gone this long without kissing like this? He’d missed Draco so much. And this felt so right .
Harry didn’t even notice how hard he was and that his hardness was rubbing against Draco’s
pricked member. Harry whimpered helplessly. He felt like he was drowning in Draco. His
eyes were half-lidden with lust.

Draco began moving them, still kissing, to the bed. Draco lowered Harry down onto the bed,
but then suddenly Harry began to cry. He felt trapped. He didn’t want to have sex, but he
knew he’d have to in order to fulfill Draco’s needs. Once Draco noticed the tears, he blinked
and his eyes seemed to clear.

Harry was breathing hard, and Draco’s heart stuttered. Harry’s tears felt like someone ripping
out Draco's heart. It should have been impossible so near his Mate while he was in full-blown
heat, but Draco brushed his cheeks to Harry’s and let out a low, shuddering breath. “I
shouldn’t be here.”

He got up to leave.

“No!” Harry grabbed Draco’s arm suddenly. Harry had missed Draco so much. Now that his
Mate was here, the hole Harry had been feeling seemed to be filled so wholly. If he left
now…

“I-I’ve been doing some thinking…. And I think I’m… I’m ready,” Harry said weakly, like
he was trying to convince himself.

Draco took in a sharp breath as he shot Harry a look of disbelief. “Ready?” he asked,
bewildered. “What for? A tea party with Riddle?”

“I’m ready for you. You and me.” Harry was looking at the floor, his cheeks red.

Draco bit back a sigh. “I don’t want to make you do something you’re uncomfortable with
doing. I don’t want to make you mate with me if you see me as a littermate or brother.”
Draco’s reply was terse.
Harry looked up at this. “I… I don’t.”

Draco threw his hands up in frustration. “If I recall correctly, when I asked if you loved me
like a little brother, your exact words were ‘no one loves anyone in any other way, you
complete idiot of a cat.’ Did you change your mind?”

Embarrassment flashed on Harry’s face. “I-I’ve talked to Ron and Lupin. And… I suppose…
you-do-turn-me-on .” He said the last part in a mad rush.

Draco caught it though and gasped at the admission, before composing himself. “Of course I
do. I can always smell your arousal. But you don’t want to have sex.” He spoke terribly
calmly, grey eyes flat.

Harry covered his face with his hands. He could just die with embarrassment. Of course
Draco could smell his arousal. Draco could probably hear his heart beating too. Draco once
again felt like he wasn’t in control of his own body as he moved slowly until he was right in
front of Harry. He gently took Harry’s hands. He kissed Harry’s hands tenderly. “C’mere,” he
said, voice trembling with his heat. He tried to fight his instincts, but just as how he’d numbly
followed Harry’s scent back home, now he unthinkingly led Harry to their bed. Harry
followed. “I can make you feel good,” Draco purred, tossing Harry a promising smile.

“I know,” Harry admitted reluctantly. Harry knew his body wanted Draco. All of Draco.
Draco sat and pulled Harry into his lap. Slowly, Draco leaned his face into Harry’s, and their
lips were so close, a mere breath away. Draco was staring at him with so much desire. Harry
had to swallow and avert his gaze. Harry was sure he too reflected Draco's own desire in his
eyes. Harry licked his lips and swallowed again, hard.

Harry decided to be brave. He put up his hands and slowly drew Draco closer. He kissed
Draco’s nose tenderly, recounting all the times he did so when Draco was a mere kitten. Oh,
how easy things used to be. Draco blushed. Harry moved to kissing Draco tenderly on the
forehead. Then he sucked kisses all along Draco’s face. Draco whined blissfully, tail-tip
curling. Finally, Harry reached his mouth. His sweet, sweet mouth. Draco’s usual strawberry
pink lips were bitten red. Harry placed an equally gentle kiss there. Draco moaned, opening
his mouth, and his hands went up Harry’s back. “I need this so bad,” Draco said between
kisses, sighing, as he breathed in his Mate’s addictingly sweet scent.
Harry’s eyes were half-lidden with lust. He could feel Draco’s erection pressing incessantly
into him. Harry moaned when he felt Draco’s erection twitch. Harry was soaking Draco’s
thigh with slick. Draco looked down, stunned. “Y-you’re leaking,” he stammered in shock.
“Why are you leaking?”

Harry looked down bewildered. “I am?” he asked. “I-I don’t know… But I’m burning up,
Draco. So hot Draco, I’m so hot,” Harry cried, whimpering into Draco’s warm neck.
Goosebumps covered him. “Need t-to… take off,” and Harry was fumbling with his shirt. To
Draco’s utter amazement, Harry, too, was glistening with sweat. And all Draco could think
was why hasn’t anyone mentioned Harry’s heat too? Were humans supposed to be able to be
in heat at all? Then it dawned on him. Only True Mates of cats. Draco broke into a happy
grin.

“I can help you,” Draco told him gently, although his voice was trembling as he fought the
still pressing instinctual need to just take Harry. Every instinct was telling him to just do it.
Instead, Harry nodded and so Draco guided his shirt off with shaky hands, trying to keep his
composure. He shocked himself with the gentleness with how he managed it.

And indeed Harry’s chest was glistening with sweat. His hair was stuck to his face. The
moment the pesky shirt was off, Harry hugged Draco tight as if he was afraid to let go. As if
by letting go, Draco might leave again and not return.

“I missed you,” Harry cried into Draco’s chest. “And I l-love you..,” Harry mumbled quietly
in a pitiful whine. “Don't ever leave me again.”

Draco groaned. “I love you too, Harry, so much.” Draco sucked Harry’s jaw, then sucked
purple bruises into his lovely neck, leaving bright purple hickeys. “It’s been killing me to be
away so long. I promise you this time I will stay for as long as you want me.”

Harry let out a tiny cry, clutching at Draco’s shoulders and hair. Draco covered Harry’s neck
with hickeys, then worked his way down Harry’s chest, biting and sucking hickeys
everywhere his mouth went. Draco nipped a nipple. Harry whimpered and cried out breathily.
“That feels amazing,” Harry admitted, voice strangled.

Draco grinned, his own cock dribbling onto the mattress. He looked up with mischievous
eyes. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” His long tail flicked happily behind him.
Harry groaned into his arm. “Please.”

Draco smirked. “Please what?”

“Just don't stop..”

Draco purred loudly as he kissed and sucked down Harry’s taut abs, then began undoing
Harry’s pants. Harry yelped in surprise at this. Draco looked up, gauging Harry’s reaction. “Is
this okay?” he asked, voice cautious.

Harry paused for a second, then nodded. Might as well. It’s now or never, right? But also,
Harry wanted this. He knew he did. How could he not? Only Draco could make him feel like
this.

Draco’s face was flushed with his heat. Draco watched intently with hyper focus as he
removed Harry’s trousers. And as he did, Harry’s long erection sprang up for both to see. It
was a bright scarlet pink and throbbing. From it wafted the most lovely delicious scent that
made Draco’s mouth immediately water. Draco stared at it hungrily.

“May I taste you, Harry?” Draco whispered reverently, voice thick with barely contained lust.
His breath ran along Harry’s now angry dark red and leaking cockhead. Harry shivered,
despite himself.

“W-what do you mean?” Harry had never heard such a question posed under such contexts.
How odd.

Draco chuckled. “Can I… kiss you here?” And he pointed at Harry’s throbbing member.
Harry’s eyes widened as a sweat droplet fell from his eyebrow to his chest.
“Why would you want to?” His voice quivered and his face was flushed. His eyelids
drooped. He was still feeling too hot. Harry kicked off the rest of his pants. Draco straddled
Harry’s lap and kissed his mouth again, humming into it and groaning, whimpering a little.

“Because I want to kiss…..” Draco licked Harry’s lips. “All of you.” Draco purred and let out
a tiny “ mew ,” and Harry moaned, and cursed out loud.

Harry blushed violently. He looked down and saw Draco peering up at him with his usual
large expressive eyes, pupils blown so wide with lust that he looked as if he was tripping on
MDMA, face flushed. Harry thought about how Draco was the boy whom he’s loved since
the moment he had rescued him from that fire—which felt like a lifetime ago. He thought
about all the late-night cuddles and tiny kisses Draco would often steal that made his insides
squirm with heat.

He felt a fresh wave of arousal hit him like a freight train. Harry whimpered. Another bead of
his precum dripped onto the floor, which didn’t go unheard by Draco’s ever-sensitive cat
ears. Draco licked his lips, waiting. He tried to appear as patient as possible, but inside he
was absolutely shrieking. This was maddening. Harry was maddening .

“Okay.” It came out a tiny timid whisper.

Draco’s mouth was on it in an instant. Harry yelped and clutched fiercely at Draco’s hair.
Harry was flooded with unimaginable pleasure. What was this? Draco swirled his tongue
expertly on Harry’s penis head while his other hand went to work pumping Harry's base, and
Harry felt like releasing something right there, but he was unable to. He squirmed, and a
strange heat coiled deep in his belly. Draco then took Harry deep in his throat, and Harry
swore he felt himself hitting the back of Draco’s throat. Draco licked, and sucked, and sucked
some more. Harry’s eyes rolled to the back of his head in bliss. He let out loud moans and
whimpers. He felt like he was floating.

“I need..” Harry gasped, lust mixed with shame. Draco nodded in understanding.

“I know you do,” he said breathily, looking up. “Me too.” Harry grimaced and pulled Draco
in close. Their bodies were emanating heat. Harry whined restlessly.
Harry couldn’t stop thinking about how good Draco looked, crouched over him. His gray
eyes glinting silver like always. Draco had always been a looker. His muscles were defined
and even sweating he looked so nice. Harry thought he was quite attracted to his Mate
indeed.

“Do you want to cuddle first?” Harry asked tentatively.

Draco blanched. But all he said was, “Will it scratch your need?”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe,” he grinned.

So Draco lay on top of Harry and wrapped strong arms around him. They breathed in each
others’ scents greedily. Soon enough the mattress was soaked with Harry’s slick and Draco’s
precum.

Draco couldn’t help himself and began humping his dick on Harry’s rock-hard penis. Harry
immediately latched onto Draco’s neck to keep from moaning as he started to slowly grind
back. His head was numb with bliss. Merlin, why did this feel so good? But no matter how
long they humped, neither was able to climax. “I need..” Harry moaned, frustratedly.

Draco groaned, explaining (quite patiently), “You need my cock.” He continued, moaning,
“Inside you.”

Harry felt a chill run down his spine. It was a chill of arousal at the words. Harry moaned,
feeling defeated. Draco caught the feeling of defeat in his Mate’s tone and he hated himself
for saying this, but he gently told Harry, “You don’t have to. We can stop for today. Would
you like to stop?”

Tears spilled over Harry’s eyes as he nodded. Draco got off him immediately and held his
face in his hands. “Harry?” Draco was alarmed. “Why are you crying?”
“I couldn’t do it…” Harry cried. “I.. I wanted to so badly.” And he blushed redder still. “I felt
so hot and just wanted to stop feeling so hot.” Draco pressed tiny kisses along Harry’s face.
Every cell in Harry’s body was screaming at him to let Draco put himself inside him, but
there was a blockage he couldn’t quite overcome. Harry suddenly seemed to notice his slick
again for the first time and quietly gasped as he felt the sticky spunk with his fingertips.

Draco’s breath hitched. “Your heat,” he commented unnecessarily as he caught Harry’s hand,
and sensually sucked it up. Draco let out a shuddering obscene moan. “Fuck me, Harry, I
shouldn’t have done that,” he admonished himself, suddenly turned on far more than he was
before. Draco was visibly shaking with desire.

Harry recoiled from the profanity and shock of remembering he was also in heat, and then
said apologetically, “I’ve been trying.” At this, Draco kissed him and Draco let out a
desperate, short-lived sob.

“We can try again, some other time, yeah?” Draco suggested after he had calmed down, voice
taut. Like he really really would prefer it was now, but he wouldn’t push it.

Harry nodded gratefully, and he felt so much love and appreciation for his Mate’s
overwhelming patience. He interlocked their fingers, then flung himself on top of Draco
affectionately like he would always used to do….. And popped right onto his barbed dick.
Harry cried out in shock, and then Draco was giving a guttural moan and thrusting up
helplessly into his ass and kissing him and thrusting even harder, and it was all instinctual. He
thrust with abandon, his cock lost and buried deep in the boy he loved.

The barbs on Draco’s dick were soft and flexible, and so provided very nice friction for
Harry’s weeping anus. Harry for his part, was in ecstasy, pure bliss. All hesitation gone out
the window the second Draco gave his first thrust. Harry’s body was glowing with his need
and want and desire, to be right here on Draco’s member. Harry was sobbing with want as he
babbled nonsensically. “D-don’t stop, Drake–!” He broke off in a loud moan as he began
screaming in pleasure. His entire fire felt like it was lit on fire. The most pleasurable fire
imaginable.

Everything was a blur. Just two bodies, heat waves rolling off both, Harry’s sweet slick scent
in the air, Draco’s huffs and groans and little mews. Draco licked Harry’s neck, nibbled his
jawline, while Harry wrapped his legs around Draco’s waist, urging him to go harder, faster,
and little “Don’t stop, keep going” cries that punctuated the air. Draco’s barbed penis was
hitting Harry’s prostate again and again, and Harry’s moans flew non-stop as Harry began
blubbering. “Don’t stop, never stop fucking me, i want you inside me all the time– please
yes! Just like that! Draco !” Harry was so lost in pleasure, his heat taking hold of him
fiercely. Everywhere Draco touched felt like electricity running pleasurable jolts through his
skin— throughout his entire body. Harry never wanted this to end. Harry was shaking with
lust and never-ending arousal.

Then Draco abruptly pulled away, watching Harry writhe on his dick in amazement. Draco
could scarcely believe he was awake and this wasn’t just some fever dream brought on by his
heat. He licked his lips and then, suddenly anguished, asked, “You okay, Harry?” Now Draco
was wracked with guilt. He had to check to make sure Harry really wanted this. “I know you
said you wanted to try again some other-–”

Harry’s green eyes were gleaming liquid and bright, too aroused to be annoyed that Draco
had pulled out. “Yes I’m fine Draco!! Don’t stop, Draco, please, please finish in me .” Harry’s
desperate voice was higher pitched than usual. He basically squeaked out the last part,
reminding Draco overwhelmingly of a cute little mouse.

Draco paused for just a quick moment to consider this turn of events, stunned. Then a bright
grin spread on his face. “I love you,” he whispered, groaning. He engulfed Harry’s mouth
once again in a hungry kiss and impaled him on his cock, not once looking away. Harry
caught his gaze and the two stared wonderingly into each other’s eyes as Draco thrust, his
powerful muscles rippling and porcelain chest gleaming with sweat. A lot of huffing and
grunts and tiny moans of pleasure ensued.

Harry shifted onto his hands and knees for more control, and as Draco fucked him, Draco
stuck his fingers into Harry’s mouth. Harry sucked, moaning obscenely as Harry thrust
backward in tune with his Mate. Draco, as he fucked Harry, mumbled, “You feel so good,
Harry, so tight around my cock,” before letting out a moan. Draco broke off into a strangled
sob of arousal. Never had he ever thought he’d be so lucky to be in this position with Harry,
the love of his life. He kept staring at Harry’s sweat-glistening back, still disbelieving. Harry
looked so utterly perfect. And Harry was actually on his dick. Moaning, squirming in utter
pleasure. On his, Draco’s, dick. Draco felt another overwhelming wave of love and affection
wash over him for his Mate.

Finally, after what felt much too soon, Draco felt his balls tighten and he groaned, “I’m close,
Harry.” Draco nibbled at Harry’s jaw hungrily.
Harry nodded, whimpering, “Me too.” Harry shifted position again so that he and Draco were
face to face. He wanted — needed— to see Draco’s face when he came.

In a strained lust-filled voice, Draco huffed, “Do you want me to pull out?” Draco wanted to
ask again just in case Harry had changed his mind. But he knew that if he did, their Mate
bond wouldn’t be fully complete.

Harry vehemently shook his head. “No, I want all of you inside.” It had taken so long to get
to this point, Harry knew. But he also knew it was inevitable. As each other’s destined
Chosen Mates, being built specifically for each other, he’d always want Draco inside. All of
Draco’s. Every last drop. At this thought, he let out another shuddering groan. How did
Draco feel so good ? Fuck.

Moaning with more arousal than ever before, and latching instinctively onto Harry’s neck,
Draco gave one last thrust before crying out with a deep guttural groan of pure bliss, and
releasing copious amounts of cum inside Harry. Harry’s orgasm hit at the exact same time.
Delicious blood oozed down Harry’s neck as Harry cried out in bliss, and as Draco for his
part, spurted and kept going, on and on, until he’d released what felt like an ungodly amount
of spunk inside Harry. Draco didn't stop coming for 5 minutes straight. Harry’s wracked sobs
of arousal pierced the air as he too, released all his cum onto Draco’s stomach. The pair
shook and trembled as they orgasmed together, shaking. Both were delirious with pleasure.
After Draco finished, he lay limp on Harry, exhausted, but at long last, sated .

Harry could feel a strange magical buzzing around them. Opening his eyes, he saw green and
red static electricity thrumming around them, glittering. Draco too, stared at the light,
mesmerized.

The light danced in hues of vibrant green and fiery red, crackling with a mystical energy that
seemed to pulsate and hum around Harry and Draco. It created an otherworldly aura, casting
a mesmerizing glow that enveloped them both. As they gazed at the dazzling spectacle, they
felt an inexplicable sense of wonder and fascination, as if they were witnessing something
beyond the ordinary realms of existence.

“Shit, Harry, what’s happening?”

“I don’t know. Do you think it’s because we had natural sex? Must be because you’re a
magical creature,” Harry mused aloud.

Draco snorted. “Or because I’m such a good fuck.”

Harry shoved him playfully. “You wish.” But his eyes were alight, still shimmering with love
for his catboy.

Draco chuckled, eyes gleaming. Then a realization struck him. “Our Mate bond has been
sealed.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “Oh!”

Draco continued, “Sucks for human mates. They’ll never experience this.”

“Yeah.” Harry suddenly felt so lucky to have a cat as a Mate. Without Draco, he would have
never discovered the magical power of natural sex. And it didn’t feel evil at all. “Does this
happen with all cat sex?” Harry wondered aloud.

Draco immediately thought back to his mating with Pansy and said curtly, “No. I think they
have to be your Soul Mate.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s like a Chosen Mate, but not by the Ministry. By the stars. The Universe.” Draco glanced
at Harry, whiskers twitching. “We’re Soul Mates.”

“How do you know so much?” Harry wanted to know. Draco was always so wise.
“I talk to other cats when I’m not fighting them off,” Draco grinned. “Cats are steeped in all
the sexual lores that you humans like to pretend don’t exist.”

“Oh.” Harry’s eyes were curious. “You’ll have to catch me up on that sometime.”

“Yeah.” Draco’s eyes were half-lidden, as he was still in his post-coital bliss. But then,
suddenly catching sight of Harry’s neck, Draco stilled.

“Shit, I'm sorry, Harry," he cried, alarmed. "I got carried away in the moment. I didn't mean
to bite you so hard. Are you okay?"

Harry knew that Draco’s love bite would definitely leave a mark. In fact, he kinda didn’t
want it to go away. Not ever. He chuckled and said dismissively, “I don’t mind. Now
everyone will know I’m yours.” Harry liked the sting of the bite.

“I assure you, I won’t let it happen again,” Draco fretted, licking at it with his healing saliva.

“But I like your love bite,” Harry said petulantly. “I want you to keep giving them.”

Draco’s eyes softened, a hand on Harry’s neck. “I don’t want to hurt you though.”

“I was built for you, so pretty sure my neck was built to withstand cat love bites, don’t you
think?” Harry had read about this sexual feline behavior during the year Draco was gone.

Draco mulled this over. Cat love bites were a natural thing that all cats did to each other
during orgasm…. “I suppose,” he replied, grinning.

“That was good,” Harry confirmed, still a little breathless. Harry was grinning ear to ear. His
heart felt lighter than ever.
“So good,” Draco agreed. “And now I get to properly show you all the ways I’ve always
wanted to love you.” His voice softened, and a happiness that Harry had never seen before
was alight in his silver eyes. It was one of pure unadulterated joy.

Like a child, Harry laughed gleefully and confirmed, “You’re stuck with me now.” Harry
hugged Draco, tousling his already messy sex hair. For once Draco wasn’t even mad.

No, because he was finally getting the boy he’s always loved, but had been so sure would
never be his, not truly. Draco knew without a shadow of a doubt that nothing could ever
really be that bad again, as long as Harry loved him the way he loved Harry. As long as Harry
was in his life, his life would be an amazing one.

With Draco's return, Harry's heart felt lighter than it had in his entire life. He wasted no time
in spreading the news of Draco's safe return to their friends and family, each reaction a
testament to the relief and joy that filled the air.

Harry realized with a bit of amusement that most people didn’t realize what the mark on his
neck was. Most had assumed it was a strange bruise. It was quickly healing due to Draco’s
healing saliva, and so all signs of it being punctured were gone.

Sirius and Lupin were overjoyed to hear of his return, as Draco was like a second son to them
now.

Lupin and Sirius stood side by side, their expressions a mix of relief and concern as they
watched Draco return after his year-long absence. Lupin's eyes held a fatherly warmth, while
Sirius wore a protective glint in his gaze.

"Draco," Lupin exclaimed, his tone a blend of surprise and relief. "Merlin's beard, it's truly
you. We feared the worst."
Sirius nodded in agreement, his features softening with genuine affection. "We were worried
sick about you, pup. It's good to see you back."

Draco met their gazes, feeling a surge of gratitude for the men who had become like
grandfathers to him. "I'm sorry for causing worry, Remus, Sirius," he said softly, his voice
tinged with genuine remorse. "I never meant to cause anyone any concern. But I'm back now,
and I'm safe. That's what matters, right?"

Sirius shook his head up and down. "Yes, you're here now, and that's all that matters," he said
reassuringly. "We'll talk more later. For now, let's focus on getting you settled back in."

Lupin narrowed his eyes as he took in Draco's gaunt appearance, concern etched into his
features. "You're looking a bit worse for wear, son," he remarked, his voice laced with worry.

Draco offered a weak smile, trying to brush off their concern. "Just a bit under the weather,
that's all," he replied, though the strain was evident in his voice.

Lupin smiled comfortingly. "We'll make sure you get some rest and a good meal," he assured
him. "You're safe now, Draco. Let's focus on taking care of you."

They exchanged a knowing glance as Harry recounted the tale of Draco's ordeal, their
expressions a mixture of relief and understanding. Though they may not have fully
comprehended the intricacies of Draco's condition, they recognized the depth of the bond
between him and Harry, and they were grateful for his safe return.

Dumbledore's reaction to Draco's sudden return after a year missing was a mixture of relief
and concern. Relief that Draco was safe and back among them, but concern for what he might
have endured during his absence. He approached Draco with a calm yet inquisitive
expression, his eyes reflecting both warmth and wisdom as he welcomed him back.

"Draco, my boy, it's good to see you returned safely," he said, his voice carrying a hint of
relief.
Draco met Dumbledore's gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "Thank you,
Professor," he replied, his tone guarded yet appreciative. "It's... been quite the journey."

Dumbledore nodded understandingly. "I can imagine. But fear not, you are among friends
here. If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to ask."

Draco offered a faint smile, grateful for Dumbledore's words of reassurance. "I appreciate
that, sir. Thank you."

Hermione's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Draco, her relief palpable. She had
feared the worst during his year-long absence, and she was grateful beyond words to have
him back by their side. Ron's reaction was one of unabashed relief, his face breaking into a
wide grin as he saw Draco.

"Mate, you had us worried sick!" Ron exclaimed, a mixture of affection and relief. He had
been Harry's loyal friend through thick and thin as Harry was coping with his missing Mate,
and seeing Draco safe and sound brought a sense of relief that he couldn't quite put into
words.

Neville's reaction was more subdued, but equally as earnest. "I'm glad you're back, Draco,"
he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. Luna's reaction was characteristically
whimsical, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and delight as she greeted Draco
with a gentle smile. "I'm so glad you're back, Draco," she said softly, her voice tinged with a
hint of wonder.

Luna regarded the pair with her intelligent eyes, and when her knowing gaze lingered a little
too long on Harry’s lovebite, a light pink flush crept over him, turning redder the longer she
stared. "Er, I got a bruise…" he mumbled, slapping his hand against the mark.

Luna laughed softly, a twinkle in her silvery eyes. “Oh, it’s quite alright, Harry. Bruises can
be quite fascinating,” she said dreamily, adjusting her radish earrings. “They tell stories, you
know. Stories of love, of adventure, of mystery. Perhaps yours has a tale to tell as well.”
Tonks raised an intrigued eyebrow, her eyes flickering with understanding as she glanced at
Luna, who wore a serene expression, her knowledge evident in her calm demeanor. "Well,
well," Tonks murmured, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Looks like someone's been up to
mischief."

Draco, who had been listening with a smug grin, couldn't resist interjecting, "Guilty as
charged." His eyes danced mischievously as he leaned closer to Harry, who shot him a
flustered glare in return.

Luna nodded sagely, her ethereal gaze fixed on Harry's neck. "Indeed," she said softly, her
voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Tonks couldn't help but continue, "A lovebite from a catboy is quite the mark of affection."

Ron, who had been distractedly twirling his pen between his fingers, finally glanced up at the
conversation with a puzzled expression. "What's all this about bruises and lovebites?" he
asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

Hermione, her eyes widening in realization, turned to Neville, who had been quietly
observing the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Did you know about
this?" she whispered, her voice tinged with shock.

Neville shrugged nonchalantly, a small smile playing on his lips as he dodged the question.
"Well, Luna's always had an interesting perspective on things," he remarked, his tone light
and airy. "And Tonks… Well, she's Tonks."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief, her mind racing with newfound understanding. "I can't
believe I didn't see it before," she murmured, more to herself than to Neville.

Ron, still looking thoroughly perplexed, leaned in closer, eager to catch up on the
conversation. "What's going on?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Harry fidgeted uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gazes of his friends, feeling the heat rise
in his cheeks as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation. "Um, well, you see..." he
stammered, his words trailing off as he searched desperately for a way to deflect their
attention.

Draco, sensing Harry's discomfort, leaned in closer, his lips curling into a mischievous smirk.
"It's nothing, really," he interjected smoothly, his tone casual as he shot Harry a knowing
glance. "Just a little mark of affection, isn't it, Harry?"

Harry's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red at Draco's words, his embarrassment
palpable as he attempted to play down the significance of the lovebite. "Yeah, uh, just a... a
bruise," he mumbled awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with his friends as he shifted
uncomfortably in his seat.

Tonks arched an eyebrow skeptically, her lips twitching with suppressed amusement. "A
bruise, huh?" she remarked, her tone teasing as she exchanged a knowing look with Luna.
"Well, whatever you say, Harry."

Hermione, catching onto the underlying tension in the air, decided to change the subject,
sparing Harry further embarrassment. "So, um, did anyone hear about the new gym teacher?"
she asked, her voice casual as she steered the conversation in a different direction.

The most touching reaction came from Hagrid. Hagrid's eyes welled up with tears the
moment he saw Harry approaching the hut with Draco, hand in hand.

"Draco!" Hagrid bellowed, his shocked voice booming across his yard as he rushed over, his
immense towering frame rumbling with every step. Before Draco could react, Hagrid
engulfed him in a bone-crushing hug, lifting the slender young teen clear off the ground.

"Blimey, Draco! Yeh nearly gave us all heart attacks, disappearin' like that!" Hagrid
exclaimed, his bushy beard damp with relieved tears. He set Draco back down.
Then, unable to contain his turbulent emotions any longer, Hagrid drew back and let out a
boisterous laugh. "Aww, here now..." With surprising tenderness despite his gargantuan size,
he clapped Draco squarely on the back with his free hand.

The friendly slap contained far more force than Hagrid likely intended. Draco grunted, his
knees nearly buckling from the impact as he stumbled forward a couple steps. If it had been
anyone else, they’d have gone flying.

"Easy there, you great muddy oaf!" Draco chided affectionately with a wince, finally finding
his voice. Draco found himself melting into a happy smile as he steadied himself. He’d
missed the half-giant, whom he’d come to consider a good friend.

Hagrid simply beamed down at him, his beetle-black eyes shining with unbridled affection.
"Don' you ever go missin' like that again! Give us all a good reason ter celebrate yeh bein'
back!"

He moved to embrace Draco again, clearly intending to bestow more of his uniquely bone-
crushing displays of love and relief. This time, Draco was ready and hugged back
affectionately. The pair’s joy at being reunited was evident in every word and gesture. Hagrid
chuckled deeply, his eyes twinkling with a knowing glint as he surveyed the pair.

Draco recounted what happened to him in his time away. The pair skirted around the ensuing
Mate bonding. Hagrid chuckled deeply, his booming laughter echoing through the cozy cabin
as he listened to Draco's tale. "Well, well, ain't that a story," he rumbled, his eyes twinkling
with a knowing glint as he surveyed the pair. "Yer certainly had yer share o' adventures,
Draco."

Draco nodded, his expression a mixture of amusement and discomfort as he recounted the
events of his time away. "Yeah, it's been quite the journey," he admitted, his gaze flickering
briefly to Harry before returning to Hagrid. "But I managed to make it through, thanks to
Harry."

Harry shifted uneasily in his seat, his cheeks flushing as Hagrid's gaze lingered on the
lovebite adorning his neck. "Um, yeah," he mumbled awkwardly, avoiding Hagrid's
inquisitive stare. "We, uh, we did what we had to do."

Hagrid's eyes twinkled knowingly as he observed the subtle exchange between the two boys.
Despite their attempts to skirt around the topic, the truth was written plainly on Harry’s neck.

"Well, ain't love a funny thing," he remarked with a hearty chuckle, his voice laced with
warmth and understanding. "Glad to see you two back safe and sound, anyway."

As the pair began setting off for home, with a wide grin, his invitation filled with genuine
warmth and hospitality, Hagrid boomed, 'Yeh two make quite the pair, don't ya? Yeh're
welcome to visit Fang an' me anytime, y'hear? We'll be waitin' fer ya, ready to share a cuppa
and some good company." With a hearty wave, the two were gone.

As Hagrid tended his garden, he was filled with a sense of reassurance that everything was as
it should be. For in the end, Hagrid knew that love had a way of overcoming even the greatest
of obstacles, and he was glad to see that Harry and Draco had found their way back to each
other. He knew what had truly transpired between the two. He knew they had completed and
sealed their magic Mate Bond.

That night, Harry moved back to the treehouse. As Harry curled himself into a sleepy Draco,
he couldn't help but feel pure bliss and joy at his life. "We're so lucky," he said, nuzzling his
face into the crook of Draco's neck.

Draco's ear twitched at the contact, and he let out a soft rumbling purr. "No, I'm so lucky.
You're the purrfect mate anyone could want."

Harry chuckled sleepily. "Was that a cat pun? Seriously?" He gave Draco's side a playful
poke.

"Maybe," Draco murmured, cracking one eye open with a smirk. "What're you going to do
about it, Golden Boy?"
"This." Harry leaned over and peppered Draco's face with a flurry of feather-light kisses,
eliciting a string of protesting grumbles from his mate. He’d missed this so, so much.

"Harry… Stopppp..." Draco groaned between laughs, trying half-heartedly to squirm away.
"I'm too knackered for your cheekiness tonight." Draco did sound truly exhausted. He’d just
been back that day, after all.

"Aww, is the little kitty all tuckered out?" Harry teased, finally relenting and allowing Draco
to settle back against him.

Draco fixed him with a flat look, grinning. "Watch it, Harry. This kitty still has claws."
Despite his grumble, he shifted closer, tangling their legs lovingly together and purring
deeply.

Smiling softly, Harry pressed a tender kiss to Draco's forehead. "I missed you, you
insufferable prat."

"Missed you more, you menace," Draco murmured, the last traces of a smirk fading as sleep
finally started to claim him.

Wrapped in each other's embrace, the two drifted off into peaceful slumber, Draco's rumbling
purrs the sweetest lullaby Harry could've asked for. In that moment, basking in their hard-
won happiness together, all was truly right in the world.

6 years later…

MARCH

At 25, all of Harry’s friends had graduated college and quickly secured great jobs.

Ron, armed with his Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, was the first to graduate at 21.
He soared into the professional world with unparalleled determination and passion. Securing
a prestigious position as a high-profile sports consultant for Quidditch, Ron's career trajectory
skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. With his innate understanding of the game coupled
with his strategic prowess, he swiftly became a force to be reckoned with in the realm of
sports management. His remarkable success paved the way for innovative approaches and
groundbreaking strategies, revolutionizing the Quidditch industry and earning him
widespread acclaim and recognition. As Ron navigated the exhilarating challenges of his
early career, his unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment propelled him towards
even greater accomplishments, setting him up for a legacy as one of the most influential
figures in the world of Quidditch.

With her unwavering determination and exceptional intellect, at 23, Tonks emerged from her
studies next with a Master's degree in NCA (National Crime Agency) Agent Training. Armed
with extensive knowledge and specialized skills, she embarked on a thrilling journey as an
NCA agent, ready to confront the challenges of the criminal underworld head-on. From high-
stakes investigations to daring undercover operations, Tonks proved herself to be an
invaluable asset to the agency. Her keen instincts, resourcefulness, and fearless resolve
earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable agents in the field, despite her youth.
With each mission she undertook, Tonks demonstrated unparalleled dedication and
unwavering commitment to upholding justice and protecting the innocent. It was clear that
with her remarkable achievements and unwavering bravery, she would soon rise to the top as
amongst the best of the best.

Now, the graduating class of Harry’s friends with PhDs consisted of Hermione, Luna,
Neville, and himself.

Hermione, adorned in her graduation gown and cap, stood tall and proud at the podium,
addressing the gathered crowd with eloquence and passion. As the valedictorian once again,
she delivered another stirring speech that inspired hope and determination in her fellow
graduates.

After receiving her Ph.D. in Political Science, Hermione wasted no time in making her mark
on the world. With her unparalleled intelligence and dedication, she swiftly secured a
prestigious position in the field of politics, leveraging her expertise and strong voice to enact
meaningful change on a global scale. An issue she was especially passionate about was the
lack of laws regarding the treatment and protection of cats. In their perfect society, no
animals were harmed. Eating animals back in ancient times with a thing called farm factories
had brought on devastating climate change and nearly destroyed the world. The world was
forced to change in order to survive. Now every creature of human or near human
intelligence ate plants and didn't need to eat others. Thus, no animals were ever harmed by
humans. The only exception to this were cats due to their deviant natures.
Cats had to be eradicated. Since non-humanoid cats and humanoid ones were
indistinguishable, all domestic cats were shot on sight just to be on the safe side. Hermione
knew this would be the fighting cause of her life and accepted that she may work tirelessly
for change and yet die having had little impact in the grand scheme of things. But she knew
that if she was able to just pass even one law for the protection of cats, it would have been
worth it. Hermione worked hard to advocate for them constantly.

Following Luna's graduation, she embarked on a fulfilling career path, securing a coveted
position at a prestigious reserve for magical creatures. Here, amidst the tranquil beauty of the
natural world, Luna devoted herself to the care and healing of the creatures that roamed the
enchanted lands. With a gentle touch and a soothing voice, Luna tended to the injured and
ailing, using her knowledge of magical remedies and ancient healing techniques to bring
comfort to those in need. As an advocate for their well-being, she tirelessly championed their
cause, striving to ensure that they were treated with the respect and dignity they deserved.

After years of dedicated study and research, Neville had finally solidified his expertise in the
realm of plant sciences. With his profound understanding of flora, Neville embarked on a
fulfilling career path as a botanist professor at Hogwarts University. His passion for plants,
coupled with his innate talent for teaching, made him a beloved figure among students and
colleagues alike. Through engaging lectures, hands-on experiments, and field trips to the
Forbidden Forest, Neville inspired countless young minds to explore the wonders of botany
and cultivate a deep appreciation for the natural world. His groundbreaking research and
innovative teaching methods earned him widespread recognition and acclaim within the
academic community. As he nurtured the next generation of botanists, Neville's legacy
continued to flourish, leaving an enduring impact on the study of plants at Hogwarts and
beyond.

After completing his doctoral studies in Ethics, Harry found himself joining Neville at
Hogwarts University. As colleagues, their shared passion for academia and ethical discourse
forged a deep bond between them, strengthening their friendship with each passing day.
Harry's profound insights and compassionate approach to teaching earned him the respect and
admiration of both students and colleagues alike. Alongside Neville, he played a pivotal role
in shaping the ethical landscape of Hogwarts University, fostering a community dedicated to
principles of justice, compassion, and integrity. As they navigated the challenges of academia
together, Harry and Neville's partnership flourished, creating a lasting legacy of ethical
leadership and academic excellence.

As Harry stepped into his role as the new Ethics professor at Hogwarts University, a sense of
purpose and fulfillment had enveloped him. With each lecture, he sought to inspire his
students to engage deeply with questions of morality, justice, and integrity. Drawing from his
own experiences and philosophical insights, Harry crafted compelling lessons that challenged
conventional thinking and encouraged ethical reflection. His genuine passion for ethical
inquiry ignited a spark in his students, fostering lively discussions and critical analysis of
contemporary ethical issues. With a blend of empathy and intellectual rigor, Harry guided his
students on a journey of moral discovery, empowering them to make informed decisions and
take ethical action in their lives. As his reputation grew, so too did his impact on the
Hogwarts community, shaping a new generation of thoughtful and principled leaders. With
unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence, Harry embraced his role as a
steward of ethical education, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who
passed through his classroom.

After Harry obtained his teaching job, Lupin and Sirius, as promised, moved out to their own
little place— 12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius had proclaimed loudly that it was good to go back
home to the childhood house he’d grown up in where he'd lived with his late parents and
younger brother. “Happy memories,” he’d said pleasantly, although there was a hint of
sarcasm that only Lupin caught.

“We’ll make new ones, don’t you worry,” said Lupin with a teasing smile and a
wink. Although a little bittersweet, they said that Harry and Draco were practically married
now and deserved their own house, rather than living in a secluded treehouse full-time. Harry
thought it was sad, but he knew they had a point. He’d always known this day would come.

Draco wanted to contribute to the household finances too, but Harry was adamant. “Draco,
no. I’ve always told you I would get a job for the both of us,” he said with a smiling face.
“After all, you can’t really expect universities to allow cats.” Draco was 18 now and would've
been a freshman in college had he been at all educated.

Draco looked at Harry with stubborn determination in his eyes. "I know, but I want to help
too," he insisted, his voice tinged with sincerity. "We're a team, Harry, and I want to pull my
weight." He reached out to gently grasp Harry's hand, his familiar touch warm and
reassuring. "Besides, I've been reading up on modeling, and I think I could be good at it. It's
something I want to try."

Harry blinked at him. Draco was undeniably striking, his features almost unnaturally perfect.
"Alright," Harry finally relented after a beat, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "If
that's what you want to do, we'll give it a shot. But promise me you'll be careful, alright?" He
squeezed Draco's hand gently, silently conveying his support.

Draco grinned, his eyes alight with excitement. "Don't worry, Harry. I'll be fine," he assured,
his tone confident. "Besides, I'm not just any cat. I'm Draco, celebrity catboy extraordinaire!"

Harry chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Alright, Draco. Just remember to stick to the plan
and be safe," he said, his voice tinged with concern. "And if anything goes wrong, you send
me a Signal immediately, all right?"

Draco nodded, his expression softening. "I know, Harry, you know I always send you Signals
whenever I need to. Thanks," he replied sincerely, giving Harry's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"But don't worry. I've got this."

And Draco did get it! Draco, despite being a cat, managed to land numerous high profile
modeling gigs primarily because of his status as a global celebrity, but almost in equal
measure due to his stunning good looks and natural affinity for the camera. Despite his
unconventional nature as a humanoid cat, his popularity soared, and he found himself raking
in substantial amounts of money. His fame skyrocketed as he graced the covers of magazines
globally. Despite initial skepticism from some quarters, Draco quickly proved himself to be a
top notch model, effortlessly showcasing the latest styles and trends. With his newfound
success, Draco became even more of a household name, solidifying his status as a fashion
icon.

With the two Mates all set with their careers, they were quite content. Everything in their
lives was going well. Despite being out of school now, Harry and Draco both still saw their
friends and family regularly. Between Harry and Draco, their relationship was even sweeter
than before, now that they were openly allowed to touch each other, guilt-free. They had sex
every day, but much more whenever Harry was in heat. His heats hit twice a year— once in
the fall, and then again during the springtime. During his heats, both he and Draco were
utterly insatiable.

One spring evening, as Harry sat around the crackling bonfire next to Draco and their friends,
enjoying the warmth of the flames against the cool night air, an unexpected heat suddenly
washed over him. His heart raced, and he felt a familiar trembling in his limbs.
Draco's nostrils flared as the unmistakable scent of Harry's heat filled the air, sending a
primal urge coursing through his veins. His gaze locked onto Harry, his eyes darkening with
desire as he fought to suppress the familiar overwhelming urge to mate. Every fiber of his
being screamed to claim Harry as his own, to succumb to the primal instinct driving him
forward.

Draco addressed their friends tautly. "Sorry, everyone, but Harry's not feeling well. We need
to head back."

One look at Harry, who was shaking and crouching down, and they all understood
immediately. Collectively everyone wished Harry well, and then Draco and Harry were in the
hovercraft and were gone.

As soon as the door of the hovercraft sealed shut behind them, Harry and Draco were
consumed by their overpowering urge. Their gazes locked, and without a word, they flew
themselves at each other, hands roaming eagerly, lips colliding hungrily, and the confined
space only served to amplify the intensity of their desire. Time seemed to stand still as they
lost themselves in each other, the heat of the moment igniting a fire that burned hotter than
ever before.

Within two seconds both were stark naked, and Draco was panting and groaning as he
mounted Harry from behind. Harry cried out, his hands scrabbling on the walls of the
hovercraft. “Draco-Draco-Draco..!” Harry was shouting his mate’s name incessantly and
whining.

“Fuck!” Draco growled, as another wave of arousal hit him. Draco was shaking with his
overwhelming need. Every heat felt the same. Like fucking his person was the only thing that
mattered in the entire fucking world. And god, he loved it. He gripped Harry up against his
chest and sucked on his wonderful neck. He licked and nibbled his way down Harry’s
muscular back, catching his teeth on Harry’s shoulder blade. Harry was sobbing from his
arousal.

“BREED ME!” Harry lamented loudly, suddenly impatient.

Draco grimaced, and shot back, “What do you think I've been doing?!” as he shoved Harry
lightly against the walls of the craft.

In doing so, for the first time, he realized that they were home already. The hovercraft
conveniently hovered directly outside their windows, so Draco yanked Harry around the
waist and pulled his Mate, still annoyed and fussing, into the house. They began kissing
roughly, Harry’s kisses harsh and bruising.

Their frantic movements carried them inside, where they stumbled against furniture in their
haste to get to the bed. Draco's hands roamed possessively over Harry's trembling form, each
touch igniting a spark of desire that fueled their urgency. The air crackled with tension as
they moved in a desperate dance of passion, their bodies pressed together in a fierce embrace.
With every kiss, every caress, they sought to quench the fire burning within them, consumed
by a primal need that drove them closer together with each passing moment.

Harry was like a spitting wild animal, however, as he yanked Draco closer and kissed his
Mate breathlessly, almost violently. Draco’s feline ears pressed back against his head. Clearly
Harry’s aggressiveness hurt his feelings, and Harry, even in his heat, took note of this as he
peppered Draco’s face with soothing apologetic kisses. “Love you Draco,” he breathed. “Just
fuck me now .”

Draco let out a whine of assent as he shoved Harry onto the bed and climbed on top, before
hurriedly thrusting himself deep inside his Mate again, bottoming out. Harry groaned loudly,
toes curling in bliss as he wrapped his legs around Draco’s back.

Draco set a punishing pace, wanting to quench his own heat as well as Harry’s. He wanted to
take Harry and keep taking and taking him. Draco moaned loudly into Harry’s neck, burying
his face in Harry. Harry turned his head and caught Draco’s mouth in a gentler kiss now. Heat
was still emanating from both of them. The heat was not yet sated.

Draco slowed his pace and with each thrust, he slowly dragged his penis in, running the barbs
up Harry’s rectum, sending shocks of electricity through them both. He hit Harry’s prostate
hard, making Harry jolt with uncontained immeasurable pleasure, each thrust hard enough to
inch Harry’s body further up the bed just a bit. Draco did this over and over again, until Harry
had to put up a hand to press against the headboard to prevent his head from hitting it. Their
panting kept getting harder as the pleasure continued to build, little tiny moans escaping both
males. Draco let out occasional tiny mewls. The bed was soaked with Harry’s sweet slick.
Finally, towards the very end, Draco’s thrusts became erratic again as he neared orgasm.
Right as he climaxed, Draco clamped down on Harry’s neck as Harry screamed in ecstasy as
he, too, came. Once again, blood from Harry’s punctured neck splattered over the sheets,
darkening the soft neutral blue comforter with a dark red. Harry, moaning and still shaking,
curled himself up against his Mate, whining, as Draco instinctively got to work licking the
neck wound with his saliva.

They did this day after day until the heat subsided. A usual heat would last two blissful,
hectic weeks. During these heats, Harry called into work, citing Draco’s health issues.
Draco’s image to the public was of a sickly person who often was bedridden for 2 weeks
twice a year. The general public understood that Draco had to be attended to 24/7 by his Mate
and no one else. No one but their closest friends and family could know about their heats. If
people were to know, it’d only seek to drive home the point that cats were indeed deviant
animals, deserving of all the usual persecution.

MAY

The days seemed to blur together as Harry dragged Draco along as they ventured out to every
restaurant in town, sampling dishes from all corners of the culinary world. Harry's
enthusiasm was infectious, and soon their friends joined in, making it a daily ritual to explore
new flavors and cuisines.

"Another day, another feast," Harry declared with a grin, scanning the menu of yet another
restaurant they had yet to conquer.

Draco chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I must admit, Harry, your appetite is quite
impressive," he remarked, a playful smirk playing on his lips. "But I won't complain about
indulging in some gourmet delights."

Ron laughed. "Mate, I don't know where you put it all," he joked, marveling at the sheer
volume of food Harry was consuming in one sitting. “And I thought I ate a lot.”
"I swear, Harry, you have the appetite of a Hippogriff," Draco teased, nudging Harry gently
with his elbow.

Hermione shook her head in amazement, but couldn't hide her smile. "Well, at least we're
getting to try some new dishes," she remarked, her eyes gleaming with excitement at the
prospect of another culinary adventure.

Neville nodded in agreement, already eyeing the dessert menu with anticipation. "I've yet to
see Harry turn down a meal," he chuckled, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their food.

Tonks grinned mischievously, leaning in to whisper to Sirius and Lupin. "I think Harry's got a
bottomless pit for a stomach," she joked, earning a chuckle from the two older men.

Hagrid beamed proudly, delighted to see Harry enjoying his meals so much. "There's nothin'
like good food to lift the spirits," he declared, raising his glass in a toast to their gastronomic
escapades. “What seems to be the occasion?”

Harry chuckled, his fork poised mid-air as he savored another mouthful of delicious food.
"No occasion, Hagrid," he replied with a grin. "Just wanted to hang out and enjoy some good
company and even better food."

Lupin nodded in agreement, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Indeed," he added.
"Sometimes, good company and good food are all you need to brighten the day."

Dumbledore chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched. "Ah, the joys
of youth," he remarked, a fond smile playing on his lips. "To experience the world through
the palate is a delightful pursuit indeed."

Hagrid's eyes twinkled with understanding as he raised his glass once more. "Ain't that the
truth," he boomed, his voice echoing through the cozy space. "Here's to good food, good
friends, and good times!"
Luna nodded dreamily, her eyes alight with curiosity as she examined the menu. "Food has a
way of bringing people together," she mused, a serene smile gracing her lips. "It's like a form
of magic in itself."

One frisky morning, Harry rolled on top of Draco as they kissed, just enjoying each other’s
company like usual. Draco, as he was nibbling on one of Harry’s nipples, commented, “Is it
me, or are your tits getting bigger?”

Harry scoffed, batting Draco away. Draco chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy circles on Harry's
chest. "I'm serious, Harry," he said, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "They
seem pinker and larger than usual."

Harry's cheeks flushed pink as he swatted Draco's hand away, a mixture of embarrassment
and amusement dancing in his eyes. "Stop teasing me," he chided, though there was a hint of
a smile on his lips. "You know it's just your imagination."

Draco laughed, pulling Harry closer. "Maybe," he conceded, pressing a tender kiss to Harry's
lips. "But I like it."

Harry grinned into the kiss. “Now how about some pancakes?”

“Chocolate pancakes?”

“Toss in some strawberries and it’s a deal!”

Draco had spent hours in the kitchen, meticulously preparing his best dish for Harry. With a
flourish, he presented the masterpiece: a vibrant paella, bursting with colorful vegetables,
fragrant saffron, and perfectly cooked rice.

"Ta-da! Dinner is served," Draco announced, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he set the
steaming dish on the table.

Harry's response was less enthusiastic than Draco had hoped for. He picked at the paella with
his fork, his appetite seemingly absent.

"Is everything alright, Harry?" Draco asked, concern creeping into his voice. "You barely
touched your food."

Harry forced a smile, pushing the food around his plate. "It's not that, Draco. It's just... I'm
not very hungry tonight."

Draco's heart sank at the disappointment evident in Harry's voice. He had poured his heart
and soul into preparing the meal, hoping to impress his mate with his culinary skills.

"I understand," Draco replied, masking his disappointment with a forced cheerfulness.
"Perhaps you'll have more appetite later. I'll just leave it here if you change your mind."

As Draco retreated to the kitchen, Harry's gaze lingered on the abandoned paella. Guilt
gnawed at him as he realized he had hurt Draco's feelings. He resolved to make it up to him
somehow, knowing that Draco's efforts deserved more appreciation than he had shown.

With a guilty sigh, Harry pushed himself up from the table, determined to rectify his mistake.
He made his way to the kitchen, finding Draco standing by the stove, his back turned as he
focused on stirring a simmering pot.

"Draco," Harry began, his voice tentative as he approached. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt
your feelings. Your paella looks amazing, and I really appreciate all the effort you put into it."
Draco turned to face him, his expression softening at Harry's words. "It's okay, Harry," he
replied, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I understand if you're not hungry
right now. But I'll save some for later, just in case."

Harry felt a rush of gratitude wash over him as he realized how lucky he was to have Draco
in his life. "Thank you, Draco," he said, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around him in
a tight embrace. "You're the best."

Draco returned the hug, his warmth enveloping Harry in a comforting embrace. "Anytime,
love," he purred, pressing a gentle kiss to Harry's forehead. "I'm always here for you."

Over the next few days, Harry's sudden surge of affection caught Draco off guard. It was as if
a switch had been flipped, and Harry couldn't seem to get enough of him. He was constantly
seeking out Draco's touch, showering him with kisses and cuddles at every opportunity.

Draco couldn't deny that he enjoyed the attention, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease
that accompanied Harry's behavior. It was unlike him to be so clingy, almost desperate for
affection. Draco couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden change in Harry. He
knew it wasn't his heat, as it had just ended not too long ago, and he didn't detect the telltale
scent that usually accompanied such behavior.

Despite his confusion, Draco found himself reciprocating Harry's affection, unable to resist
the pull of their bond. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off,
and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Harry woke up early one morning and just felt weak. He lay in bed, his breathing heavy and
labored, his chest rising and falling with each panting breath. The room felt oppressively
warm, yet he couldn't shake the chill that seemed to permeate his bones. He clung to Draco's
hand, seeking reassurance in the comforting touch of his mate.

"Draco," Harry gasped, his voice strained with discomfort. "I-I don't feel right. Something's
wrong."
Draco started at his touch. Harry’s hand was so cold and clammy. Draco quickly reached for
the blanket, pulling it higher over Harry's trembling form. "Let me get you some water," he
said, his voice gentle yet urgent. "You might just be dehydrated."

But even as the words left his mouth, a wave of fresh concern washed over Draco. In all his
years with Harry, Harry had seldom fallen ill. Was it the flu? And if it was, was it contagious?
He found that he’d rather catch the flu than abandon his Mate in his time of ill health.

Harry nodded weakly, his brow furrowed in pain as another wave of discomfort washed over
him. "Okay," he murmured, his sickly voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Draco."

Draco pressed a reassuring kiss to Harry's forehead before hurrying to fetch a glass of water.
As he returned to Harry's side, he handed him the glass, watching anxiously as Harry took a
few sips.

"Feeling any better?" Draco asked, his voice still laced with concern.

Harry shook his head, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Not really," he admitted, his gaze
pleading with Draco for answers. But none came, because Draco was a lot of things, but a
doctor he was not.

Draco's heart ached at the sight of Harry's distress. "It's okay," he said softly, squeezing
Harry's hand. "We'll figure this out together, I promise." Draco's concerned gaze met Harry's,
his expression filled with worry. "Shh, love, it's going to be okay," he murmured soothingly,
gently stroking Harry's sweaty hair. "You're just not feeling well. It happens. We'll get
through this together."

Harry nodded weakly, his brow furrowed in pain as another wave of discomfort washed over
him. He winced at the unexpected sensation of precum from his penis tip, his cheeks flushing
with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don't know what's happening
to me."

Draco's grip on Harry's hand tightened reassuringly. "You don't have to apologize, Harry," he
said softly. "We'll figure this out. Just focus on resting, okay? I'll be right here with you."

“But you have to get to work.”

“Fuck work,” Draco said. “I’ll just call in and tell them my Mate is bedridden. They’ll
understand. I’m not leaving you in this state.”

Harry chuckled. “I can still walk and take care of myself.”

“Like hell you will.” Draco looked defiant. Harry rolled his eyes, knowing there was no point
in fighting him when he got like this. This was part of what was so endearing about little
Draco. Harry reached out a hand and patted Draco’s head out of habit.

“I love you,” Harry told him with an endearing smile.

Draco purred softly. “I know. I love you too, Harry.” Then he licked Harry’s hand with his
sandpaper tongue.

Draco turned on some soothing music, flipped a switch that immediately sealed off all light
from the outside curtains, and turned on some soothing pale blue light to create a more
relaxed atmosphere. He fluffed up the pillows behind Harry's back and tucked the blankets
snugly around him. Then, he placed a tray of Harry's favorite snacks on the bedside table,
hoping to tempt his appetite.

Harry's earlier marked loss of appetite persisted, leaving him weak and weary as the days
stretched on. His usual zest for food vanished, replaced by a nagging sense of unease that
lingered in the pit of his relatively flat stomach. Draco hovered anxiously nearby, a constant
presence at Harry's side.
"Come on, Harry," he urged gently, after day three of minimal food. He was now offering a
tray of carefully prepared meals. "You need to eat something. It'll help you feel better."

But Harry could only manage a weak shake of his head, his appetite stubbornly absent. "I
can't," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... can't." Harry lay there,
panting open-mouthed and sweating.

Draco sighed softly, his worry deepening with each passing hour. "Harry, you must have the
flu. The flu can last up to seven days. You need to keep your strength up," he insisted, his
tone gentle but firm. "I'll make you something light, okay? Just try to take a few bites."

Harry nodded faintly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he wrestled with his own discomfort.
He knew Draco was right, but the thought of food made his stomach churn. Still, he forced
himself to take a few small bites, the taste unfamiliar and unsatisfying against his dulled
senses.

Draco watched him closely, his concern etched into the lines of his face. "How are you
feeling?" he asked, his voice laced with mounting concern. Harry didn’t seem to be getting
any better as the days stretched on. Draco had given him some flu medicine, but that didn’t
ease his symptoms.

Harry shrugged weakly, unable to summon the energy for a coherent response. "Just... tired,"
he managed at last, his words tinged with frustration. Then suddenly Harry's breaths came in
shallow gasps, his body wracked with sudden waves of pain that seemed to radiate from his
lower abdomen. He clutched at the sheets, his knuckles white with the effort of bearing the
unexpected agony.

Draco’s eyes widened with alarm. "Harry, what's wrong?" he demanded, his voice tinged
with panic as he took in Harry's pained expression.

Harry shook his head, his mind swimming with confusion and fear. "I don't know," he
gasped, his words punctuated by sharp twinges of pain. "My stomach, it hurts, Draco... it
hurts."
Draco's brow furrowed with concern as he helped Harry into a more comfortable position. So
not the flu, Draco thought, concern spiraling into full-blown panic. Maybe the stomach flu?
Admittedly Draco had little knowledge of human ailments. "Try to breathe, Harry," he urged
desperately, his hands gentle as he guided Harry through shallow breaths. "We'll figure this
out together, I promise. I’ll Signal for a doctor."

But even as Draco spoke, Harry’s pain intensified, each contraction tearing through Harry's
body with relentless force. Harry cried out, the sound raw and anguished as he struggled to
cope with the overwhelming sensation. Draco's heart clenched with helplessness as he
watched Harry suffer, his own anxiety mounting with each passing moment. I don’t know shit
about stomach flus, Draco thought, annoyed at himself. As Harry's cries echoed through the
room, Draco reached out a gentle hand to brush a lock of sweat-dampened hair away from
Harry's forehead, his touch tender and comforting. "Shh, Harry, I'm here," he murmured
softly, his voice a soothing balm in the midst of Harry's distress. He longed to ease Harry's
pain, to banish the shadows of illness that lingered in the room.

Harry gasped as another wave of pain rippled through his body, his grip tightening on Draco's
hand. "Draco," he choked out, his voice strained with agony. "Something's happening. It
hurts."

Draco's eyes widened in alarm as he watched Harry's distress. "Hang in there, Harry," he said,
his voice trembling with concern, still unsure what was wrong. "I'm Signaling a doctor." With
a click of his wristband, Draco initiated the call for medical assistance, his fingers trembling
slightly with urgency. He prayed for a swift response, his heart pounding in his chest as he
turned back to Harry, who lay curled up in discomfort. He knew now that he'd initiated the
call, a medic from NovaMed Center would be arriving promptly. He'd said his Mate was
having convulsions.

As Harry's cries echoed in the room, a knot of worry tightened in Draco's stomach. He longed
to ease Harry's pain, to whisk away the agony that wracked his body. But all he could do was
stand by helplessly, his gaze fixed on Harry's anguished form, each cry tearing at his heart.

"It hurts, Draco... it hurts."

"Hang on, Harry, a doctor is coming very soon," he assured him, his voice filled with
determination. "They'll figure this out. We'll get through this together."

Suddenly, Harry cried out in shock as a sudden rush of fluid sent him into a frenzy of panic.
"What's happening?" he cried, his voice shrill with fear. Did he just cum? As Harry's
contractions intensified, his body wracked with waves of pain, he clutched desperately at the
sheets beneath him, his knuckles turning white with the effort. With each agonizing surge, he
felt as though his body was being torn apart from the inside out. Suddenly, a sharp, searing
pain shot through him, and Harry's cry of shock echoed through the room. He flung the
blankets off his trembling body, his eyes wide with disbelief and fear as he felt something
strange happening within him.

With a burst of pressure, a translucent sac was briefly visible at the tip of his now engorged
penis tip, before it ruptured, sending a rush of clear fluid cascading onto the bed. Harry's
breath caught in his throat as he faintly realized what was happening, his mind reeling with
disbelief. Draco's eyes widened too with a jolt of realization.

Suddenly, Harry's body convulsed again. “Harry..." Draco started, but his words trailed off as
he saw the water bag emerge. "Harry, your water..." he started, but his words trailed off as the
bag burst, splashing fluid across the bed. “You're giving birth," he stammered, mind reeling
with disbelief.

As Harry continued to labor, his painfully stretched out penis hole and lower abdomen
wracked with intense contractions, Draco hovered anxiously by his side, offering words of
encouragement and support. With each agonizing push, Harry felt as though his penis hole
was being stretched to its limit, the pain radiating through every fiber of his being.

Then, with a series of powerful contractions, both Harry and Draco watched in astonishment
as the tiny jet-black creature was slowly pushed out into the world, its tiny, squirming form
emerging from Harry's body, encased in a translucent sac.

"Oh Merlin," Draco breathed, his trembling voice barely above a whisper and full of emotion
as he reached out a reverent hand, his hands shaking slightly with nerves, to carefully tear
open the sac and free the newborn kitten, which he automatically began cleaning up with his
prickly cat tongue and then cradled the tiny, wriggling creature in his hands.
Looking back at Harry, still pushing, he said, "You're doing amazing. Just a little more, love."

Gritting his teeth against the waves of pain, Harry nodded weakly, his breaths coming in
short, ragged gasps. "I can do this," he muttered, determination flickering in his eyes as he
prepared for the next push.

"Yes, you can, love. Your body was made for this, my sweet," murmured Draco
encouragingly.

For the next few minutes, the room was filled with a tense silence broken only by Harry's
labored breathing and the occasional cry of pain. And then, finally, after what felt like an
eternity but was really just five minutes, the second kitten, a pristine white bundle of fur also
enclosed in a sac, emerged to join its sibling in the world.

This time it was Harry that took the second kitten into his hands, carefully ripping apart the
sac with exhausted hands. As the amniotic fluid splashed on the bed, Draco reached for the
second kitten, trading the black one for the white. “I’m the one with the tongue, dear,” he
explained with a smirk.

Harry nodded weakly, a tired smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Right, of course," he
replied hoarsely, handing the second kitten over to Draco with a mixture of relief and
gratitude.

Draco chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with affection as he cradled the white newborn in
his arms. "Don't worry, love," he said gently, looking up at Harry, his tone soothing. "I've got
this. You’ve done more than enough." With now practiced ease, Draco leaned in and began to
delicately lick the squirming kitten clean, his movements precise and methodical. Harry
watched in awe, his heart swelling with love and admiration for his partner.

Then Harry looked down at the black kitten squirming and mewling, crying out for milk.
Harry couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in his own body. His teats had swelled and
grown noticeably larger during the labor, as if the act of giving birth had triggered a sudden
and automatic physiological change within his body. Hesitantly, Harry brought the baby to
his chest, guiding him towards his enlarged teat.
Feeling a surge of oxytocin as the kitten began to suckle, Harry's initial hesitation melted
away, replaced by a sense of warmth and contentment. He watched in awe as his newborn
son nursed eagerly, his heart swelling with love and pride.

As the last traces of the birthing sac were removed from the younger son, revealing the tiny,
squirming bundle beneath, Draco glanced up at Harry with a soft smile. "There we go," he
said softly, his voice filled with pride. "All clean and ready to meet the world.” Draco
collected the amniotic sacs and offered them to Harry. “Eat. It’ll give you strength.”

Harry hesitated, eyeing the sacs with uncertainty. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice
wavering slightly.

Draco nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Absolutely. It's nutrient-rich and will help
replenish your energy."

Reluctantly, Harry took one of the sacs, holding it gingerly in his hand. "Okay, if you say so,"
he replied, steeling himself before taking a cautious bite.

As Harry tentatively bit into the sac, he was surprised by the burst of flavor that flooded his
mouth. It was unlike anything he had ever tasted before – a mix of sweetness and earthiness
that danced on his taste buds. Despite his initial hesitation, he found himself taking another
bite, savoring the unique sensation.

Draco watched Harry's reaction with a satisfied smile, pleased to see him enjoying the meal.
"See? Not bad, right?" he remarked, encouragingly.

Harry nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it's actually quite... interesting," he
admitted, taking another bite of the sac. As he chewed, he could feel a warmth spreading
through his body, invigorating him with newfound energy. Harry finished both sacs quickly.

At Harry’s outstretched hand, Draco gently transferred his lookalike son to Harry. Harry
carefully cradled the second kit in his arms, bringing him close to his chest just like he had
with the black one. As the white kitten latched onto his teat, Harry felt a wave of tenderness
wash over him, his heart overflowing with love for his precious sons.
Exhausted and overwhelmed, Harry collapsed back onto the bed, his body trembling with
exertion and emotion. Beside him, Draco watched in awe, his heart swelling with love and
wonder at the incredible sight before him. As the cries of their newborns filled the room,
Harry and Draco exchanged a bewildered glance, their hearts overflowing with awe and
wonder at the miracle unfolding before them. "They're beautiful, Harry," he murmured, his
voice thick with emotion. "Just like their father."

As Harry cradled the black kitten in his arms, a surge of emotion swept through him.
"Albus," he whispered softly, his voice trembling with reverence. "We'll call him Albus, after
Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore is a kind and wise leader, always fighting for
what's right. I hope our eldest son will inherit his wisdom and courage."

Draco's eyes shimmered with pride and affection as he gazed at the white kitten nursing on
his Mate. "Scorpius," he murmured, the name rolling off his tongue with a sense of
reverence. "He shall be Scorpius, like the constellation. Bright and shining, just like him."
Draco approached, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears as he looked upon the scene before
him. He placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, his touch reassuring and filled with
warmth. "You did amazing, Harry," he murmured softly, his voice filled with pride and
admiration.

Harry smiled, a mixture of exhaustion and contentment etched across his features. "Thank
you, Draco," he said, voice tinged with emotion. "For everything."

Draco returned Harry's smile, his own expression reflecting a blend of relief and affection.
"You don't need to thank me, love," he replied softly, his voice tender. "I'll always be here for
you, no matter what."

Harry's gaze softened as he reached out to clasp Draco's hand, the simple gesture conveying
more gratitude than words ever could. "I know," he replied, his heart swelling with love for
the catboy — his catboy— who had stood by his side through every trial and triumph.

Together, they sat in quiet reverence, marveling at the miracle of new life cradled in Harry’s
arms. As they watched over their newborn kittens, Harry and Draco knew that their bond had
only grown stronger through the challenges they had faced together. And as they looked to
the future, they were filled with hope and joy, knowing that whatever lay ahead, they would
face it together, as a family.

Then, a loud rapping at the front door broke the moment. "Must be the doctor now," Draco
said, hurrying to go answer. As Draco opened the front door, he found the medic nurse
Narcissa standing outside.

"Narcissa," Draco greeted, trying to appear composed despite his flushed cheeks. "Thank you
for coming so quickly."

Narcissa arched an eyebrow, her gaze sharp as she glanced past Draco into the house. "Is
everything alright, Draco?" she inquired, her tone tinged with concern.

Draco forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, false alarm, I'm afraid," he replied smoothly. "Harry
just had a moment of discomfort, but he's feeling better now."

Narcissa studied Draco for a moment longer, her expression unreadable, before nodding
slowly. "Very well," she said, her voice softening. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to
call."

"Of course, thank you, Narcissa," Draco replied gratefully, stepping back to allow her to
leave.

As Narcissa departed, Draco closed the door behind her, his heart still racing with the close
call. He knew, now more than ever, that the existence of their kittens must be kept a closely
guarded secret. The world was not ready for such a revelation, and the safety of their family
depended on maintaining their privacy. Returning to Harry and the kits, Draco made a silent
vow to protect their little family, no matter the cost. Together, they would navigate the
complexities of parenthood and keep their precious kittens safe from all harm.
Chapter End Notes

-Harry's birth was loosely based on the birthing process of female hyenas who give birth
through pseudo-penises.

-His stomach wasn't showing because the two kittens together were the size of
essentially pancakes.

-The men from the Aka tribe do in fact, breastfeed their infants with flat chests.

-And lastly, Draco couldn't detect the unborn kits because the sac that enveloped them
possessed magical properties, much like the kits themselves. As part of its protective
nature, the sac ensured their presence remained undetected as a safeguarding measure.

Hope this chapter wasn't too traumatizing!! Thank you for reading, if you got this far.
The next chapter will be out next week! Subscribe to stay updated! I love reading every
comment but may not respond if the comment is asking questions related to the future
plotline. ^^;
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