Testing the bond
As the train rumbled steadily along the tracks, Draco and Harry sat pressed together, their bodies instinctively seeking warmth and reassurance. But a question loomed over them—one they couldn’t ignore forever.
"I think it would be best to know what we’re getting ourselves into before stepping off this train," Harry said, a trace of worry creeping into his voice.
Draco hummed in agreement. "Alright, let’s test this out." With a controlled elegance, he stood from his seat, separating himself from Harry for the first time since they had found each other.
The emptiness hit instantly. It wasn’t a sharp, physical pain, but a deep, unsettling hollowness—like something had been scooped out of his chest. Each step away made it worse, a growing sense of guilt and loneliness gnawing at him. His instincts screamed at him to turn back, to close the distance. He clenched his jaw and forced himself forward, glancing at Harry. The other boy didn’t look much better, his fingers twitching against his robes, as if resisting the urge to reach out. But Draco noticed something—it was easier to bear when he could still see him.
"How do you feel?" Draco asked, trying to sound unaffected.
Harry managed a sarcastic smirk, his voice laced with dry humor. "Like I want to punch you for suggesting this," he replied, but the truth was, the unease was still there. "But it’s bearable."
Draco frowned, considering the real problem. "What if we’re not in the same room?" he asked, his voice quieter, more serious. They were bound to be separated at some point—different dormitories, different schedules. What would happen then?
Harry stood up as though to follow, but his body faltered, a strange hesitation gripping him. He was about to close the gap, instinctively wanting to stop Draco from going further, to stay close to him. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay put. "Go on," he said, trying for nonchalance, but the slight waver in his voice betrayed him.
Draco hesitated for only a moment before turning toward the door. The moment he stepped out and the door slid shut behind him, his stomach twisted violently. A cold sweat broke across his skin, his body reacting as if he had been physically struck. He felt nauseous—lightheaded. He could breathe, but each breath felt thin, unsatisfying. It was manageable… for now. But an hour of this? Two? He wasn’t sure how long he could last before the weight of it became unbearable.
Students in the corridor turned their heads toward him, eyes drawn to him with an intensity that made his skin prickle. He knew what was happening. Without his mate near, his Veela allure was flaring, desperate to draw Harry back to him. He felt exposed, a prize on display. Disgust crawled up his spine.
Well, that was unacceptable.
With a swift turn, he yanked the door open and strode back inside, barely keeping himself from lunging toward Harry. The moment he crossed the threshold, the scent of his mate flooded his senses, dizzying and overwhelming. His Veela instincts surged, urging him to do anything—anything—to ensure Harry never left his side again.
Draco clenched his fists. "Alright," he said through gritted teeth. "That was a disaster."
Harry looked just as shaken, though he tried to cover it with a forced smirk. "What happened? Couldn’t bear to be away from me for more than a minute?"
Draco scoffed. "Please, Potter. I could have lasted at least thirty seconds."
Harry huffed a laugh before growing serious again. "But that was bad," he admitted. "If just being outside the door felt like that... What happens when we’re in separate dorms?"
Draco ran a hand through his hair, frustration and unease warring in his expression. "We’ll have to talk to the professors," he said reluctantly. "There’s no way we can do this every night."
Harry shifted closer again, their bodies naturally drawn together. "And when we do separate, my Veela—" he exhaled, "—it’s like it’s trying to force me to seduce you back." His lips twisted in discomfort.
Draco’s mouth pulled into a wry smirk. "How tragic for you," he said dryly. "I, for one, don’t see the issue."
Harry shot him a glare, but there was no heat behind it. "Malfoy, focus."
Draco exhaled, the weight of the situation settling in. "We need a plan."
And for once, Harry couldn’t agree more.