An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 24/24
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter
Additional Tags: Creature Fic, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, nundu, Angst, Romance, Dubious Consent, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Knotting, dark at times, but not really, Some fluffy moments too, Mpreg, Falling In Love, Omega Harry, Alpha Draco Malfoy, Drama, Claustrophobia, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Protective Draco Malfoy, Animagus, Christmas
In a world of Alphas and Omegas, Harry is surprised to discover that he is a rare male Omega. He assumes his pull towards Draco Malfoy is because the Slytherin is an Alpha, but there is more at play here than even Harry knows.
Draco noticed his discomfort and, without hesitation, unclasped his black cloak and held it out.
"Won't you get cold?" Harry asked uncertainly.
Draco shook his head and handed it over. "I don't tend to feel the cold."
Harry smiled gratefully as he lifted the expensive woollen garment and draped it around his shoulders. He was immediately infused with the warmth of Draco's lingering body-heat and the scent of the Alpha invaded his nostrils, making him want to sigh with contentment.
Harry hadn't realised that he'd actually closed his eyes in bliss until he opened them again to see Draco arching a questioning brow at him.
"Sorry," he mumbled, cheeks heating, "it smells like you."
Draco blinked, startled out of his mocking amusement.
Harry determinedly shoved away his self-consciousness in order to delve into what it was they needed to discuss. "How is it that you can… resist me, for lack of a better word, when the other two Alphas couldn't keep their hands off of me when we were alone?"
Draco swallowed and nodded, as though freely consenting to Harry's efforts at steering the conversation towards the crux of the matter. "Self-control?" he speculated.
"Really?" Harry replied with a sceptical frown. "So… are you employing self-control right now?"
As soon as the word was out of Draco's mouth, it occurred to Harry that Draco's inscrutable grey eyes had been fairly dilated for the entirety of their meeting, from the moment the door had shut behind him. The Slytherin had also been maintaining his distance up until he sat down, but still not close enough to accidentally make physical contact.
"What about you?" Draco asked stiffly, interrupting his musing. "What are you... feeling?"
Harry could tell Malfoy was uncomfortable with the line of questioning. "Full disclosure?"
"It means we just forget that we're having the most awkward conversation of all time and agree that no question is off-limits."
Instead of appearing deterred, Draco actually looked a little relieved. "Agreed," he nodded.
Harry exhaled and dropped his chin onto his knees, eyes on Draco. "I... What I'm feeling is so hard to describe. I guess I should start by saying that since my inheritance, I've only ever felt drawn to you. It's as you said before, I want to be with you all the time - and not just in a ‘one night stand’ sort of way.”
Draco nodded in understanding.
"Full disclosure," Harry muttered, steeling himself before continuing, "and I want… I have this desire for you to take care of me."
Draco's lips parted and his eyes flashed silver in the weak light.
"And maybe that doesn't sound strange to you but I've always been a fairly independent person and I've never wanted someone to watch over me before," Harry tried to explain.
Draco swallowed before replying. "That… that is like music to an Alpha's ears Potter."
"Huh?" Harry blinked, astonished. "Alphas want me to be like that?"
"If it's your natural reaction, yes," Draco confirmed. "An Alpha lives to take care of his mate, and if that mate longs for their Alpha's presence and protection…"
"It's like an Alpha's wet dream?"
Draco's lips twitched into a smile as he nodded. "That and their mate wishing to start a family."
Harry smiled as he absently rubbed his chin in the soft fabric of Draco's cloak; stirring the scent of the Alpha up into his nostrils with a tiny sigh of pleasure. "So I'm not completely failing at this Omega thing then?"
Draco smirked. "Do you ever fail at anything Potter?"
Harry laughed outright and it felt good. "I guess the next question is… now what?"
Draco's easy expression turned troubled and he hesitated before finally replying. "The proper way of things is for you to register with the Ministry as an Omega so that any enquiring Alpha is informed of your existence and given the opportunity to meet with you."
Harry held his gaze. "And the un-proper way of things?"
Grey eyes searched his face intently. "The… un-proper way of things is to just give in to your urges and settle for the first Alpha that piques your interest."
Harry could feel the atmosphere in the room change as it thickened with a heavy, expectant tension that wasn't altogether unpleasant. "I think I prefer the second option," he replied, mouth suddenly dry and heart pounding wildly in his chest. "If you're interested."
Harry held his breath, feeling horribly exposed as he laid everything out and waited for a response. Yes Draco had his faults; he concealed his emotions, was relentlessly condescending, sarcastic, and was a bit of a ponce. But he was also intelligent, challenging, interesting, didn't pander to Harry's celebrity, and, truth be told, was rather easy on the eyes.
If they could just reconcile their past history, Harry didn't think he could find a more perfect match.
Draco's eyes, which had been positively blazing moments before, suddenly dimmed as he dropped his gaze to the floor, a slight frown creasing his brow.
Sharp and immediate disappointment filled Harry as he nodded mutely and pushed himself to his feet. He wasn't in the mood to hang around to hear the reasons why Draco didn’t want to pursue him as his mate.
Draco swiftly stood up as Harry unclasped the borrowed cloak from around his shoulders and held it out to him.
"Harry, wait," he said at once, ignoring the extended cloak in front of him.
"It's okay," Harry said, forcing a smile. "I just wanted to make sure you knew all the facts before rejecting me."
"No!" Draco exclaimed fiercely, reaching out with one hand to clamp around Harry's arm. "I'm not rejecting you. I want you. Very much," he said bluntly, breathlessly. "In fact, I was planning on approaching you until the idea of a love potion was put into my head. Beta or not, it was beginning to not matter to me anymore Potter. Now that I know you're an Omega and it isn't some sort of trick… I can't… there's just no way that I can let you walk away."
Harry's eyes widened as his heart soared with sudden joy - then immediately sunk like a lead weight. "There's a 'but' though, isn't there?"
Draco's gaze was penetrating as he stared back at him. "There is, however, it has nothing to do with me being uninterested you." He took a step closer, directly into Harry's personal space.
Harry had to tilt his head back to maintain eye contact. The urge to step back to keep some distance - and a clear head - was exceedingly strong, but he managed to resist as he waited expectantly for an explanation.
"There's something you don't know about me that you need to before consenting to be my mate."
Harry felt a shiver run through his body at the title and unconsciously swayed a little towards the Alpha.
"What is it?" he asked roughly. A part of him suspected he'd agree to anything Draco said in that moment.
"I can't tell you here," he replied and Harry had never seen the Slytherin look so grave. "Tomorrow, away from the school."
Draco's gaze flicked about the room before returning to rest on Harry's questioning expression. "Someone may hear; this castle has eyes and ears everywhere."
Harry raised his brow, a tingle of apprehension suddenly running down his spine. "Is this thing something that will affect my decision?"
Draco's expression didn't change but Harry saw the brief flash of sorrow in his eyes. "It may," was all he said.
Harry frowned at the mysterious sadness he detected deep inside the blond. Without pausing to think about it, he slowly raised a tentative hand to slide trembling fingers across Draco's cheek. His thumb came to rest along one pale cheekbone as he cupped his face and stared intently into grey eyes; trying to discover the Slytherin's secrets and reassure him all at the same time.
Draco closed his eyes briefly and leaned into the touch before mirroring Harry's action by sliding a warm hand across the chilled skin of Harry's cheek. His hand continued sliding backwards into thick unruly hair and moulded firmly to the back of Harry's head.
Harry swallowed and allowed the Alpha to guide him forward, green eyes dropping to stare transfixed as Draco ran a pink tongue over dry lips, and then his eyes fluttered shut as those lips suddenly brushed against his own. It was just a light pressing of lips but it still sent shudders through Harry's body and made his stomach clench with want.
Harry carelessly dropped the cloak to the floor as Draco’s other arm wound its way around his waist and pulled him close. Draco tentatively deepened the kiss but he needn't have worried; Harry was only too happy to comply as he submitted completely.
