Sirius had momentarily left the dining room, leaving Harry and Draco alone in the dim glow of candlelight. The warmth of the meal lingered in the air, but Draco seemed lost in thought, his fingers idly tracing patterns on the tablecloth.
Then, softly, like he wasn’t sure he should ask, Draco murmured, “What would you name our child?”
Harry, caught mid-thought, blinked. “Hm?”
Draco swallowed, looking down at his hands. “If we had a child… what would you want to name them?”
A grin spread across Harry’s face at the thought. "If it were a boy, I'd name him James. After my dad." His voice grew quieter, more thoughtful. "Or maybe Albus."
Draco nodded slowly, something unreadable flickering across his face—melancholy, maybe, or something softer. It wasn't fair that Harry lost his parents early, lost the warmth of a family. “And if it were a girl?”
"Lily," Harry said, without a second of hesitation.
Draco exhaled, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he leaned against Harry, resting his head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." he said after a moment.
Harry frowned and pulled away to look at Draco, jostling him in the process. "Why?"
Draco hesitated, his fingers idly tracing patterns against Harry’s sleeve. “Because it’s not fair,” he said finally, voice quieter than before. “You’re… you’re a good person, Harry. Probably the best person I’ve ever met.” He huffed a small, self-deprecating laugh. “And yet, you grew up with nothing. No parents, no proper childhood, nothing that you should’ve had. A person like you should be given all the luxuries in the world. And then there’s me.”
Harry tilted his head, watching him carefully. “What about you?”
Draco exhaled, his jaw tightening for a brief second. “I had everything. A family name. Wealth. A home where I never had to worry about my next meal. Yet, I—” He swallowed hard. “Yet, I turned out… like this.”
Harry blinked. “Like what?”
Draco let out a humorless chuckle. “You know exactly what I mean.”
Harry studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. “You turned out like someone who had to survive, just like me.”
Draco snorted, though there was no real bite to it. “That’s an awfully poetic way of putting it.”
Harry shrugged. “Doesn’t make it any less true.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was warm, quiet, and somewhere in the distance, they could hear the faint sound of Sirius shuffling around. Then, softly, Draco murmured, “You deserved better.”
Harry felt something tighten in his chest, something unspoken yet understood. He reached out, lacing their fingers together, squeezing just enough to ground them both. “So did you.”
Draco exhaled slowly, leaning into the touch. “I don’t know about that.”
“Well, I do,” Harry said firmly. Then, with a small, teasing grin, he added, “And I’m always right.”
Draco rolled his eyes, but his grip on Harry’s hand didn’t loosen. "Lily and James are beautiful names. Maybe our daughter would have your eyes."
Harry chuckled, the sound vibrating against Draco’s temple. “And what about you, love? What would you name our pups?”
Draco stiffened slightly, then turned his face away. “You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
Harry pulled back just enough to look at him properly. "No, no," he said quickly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of blond hair behind Draco’s ear. “Tell me.”
Draco hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Pureblood families use ancient names. But my mother… she’s originally from the Black family. And they tend to name their children after constellations. So, I was thinking…” His voice dropped just a little. "Maybe… Scorpius."
Harry tilted his head, considering. Then, with a solemn nod, he said, “Fitting of a Malfoy.” His lips twitched, teasing. “Don’t worry, I've always wanted a big family. I’ll give you plenty of pups to name. We’ll have James, Albus, Scorpius, and Lily running around in no time.”
Draco sat bolt upright, gaping at him. “Are you insane!?” he spluttered. “Four pups? Do you have any idea what that would do to my body? Have you heard of a refraction period?!”
Harry burst into laughter, wrapping an arm around Draco’s waist and pulling him close. "Guess I’ll have to take extra good care of you then, won’t I?"
Just as Draco was opening his mouth—probably to lecture Harry on the horrors of back-to-back pregnancies—Sirius strolled back into the room, eyeing them both with mild suspicion.
“What are you two whispering about?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Draco immediately sat up straighter, clearing his throat. "Nothing."
Harry, still grinning, leaned back in his chair. “Oh, just names for our future pups.”
Sirius choked on absolutely nothing. “Your what?”
Draco groaned, burying his face in his hands. “He means children,” he muttered.
Sirius blinked, then turned to Harry, looking utterly scandalized. “And exactly how many are you planning to have?”
Harry fought to keep a straight face. "Four."
"Four!?" Sirius reeled back like Harry had just slapped him. "Merlin's saggy left—four? Do you even know what that does to an Omega?"
Draco pointed at Sirius, looking triumphant. “Exactly!”
"You're not even twenty yet!" Sirius continued, gesturing wildly. "You haven't even gotten through your first year bonded, and you're already planning a small army?"
Harry just shrugged. "Gotta start somewhere."
"Pureblood families usually stop at one child, maybe they'd have two children just to ensure a spare," Sirius dragged a hand down his face. "That's what Regulus was in their eyes. Anyways, you sound like James. He used to talk about having an entire Quidditch team of kids, and look where that got him—one very stubborn, very reckless son."
Harry smirked. "Guess it runs in the family."
"Yes, he had you when he was only 20."
"20?" Draco gasped. "W-What?!"
Sirius grinned, clearly enjoying Draco’s reaction. “Yup. James and Lily had Harry young—barely out of Hogwarts. Thought they had all the time in the world.” His smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly masked it. “Guess that’s why James always talked about a whole Quidditch team of Potters. He figured if he started early, he’d have at least seven little brats running around by thirty.”
Harry snorted. “Not happening.”
Draco was still staring at Sirius, horrified. “20. That’s absurd. That’s barely old enough to process adult responsibilities, let alone care for a pup."
Sirius waved his hand absently. "Your father probably drilled you just enough that you're able to become a governess for a family of seven."
Draco scoffed, crossing his arms. “Seven? Don’t be ridiculous. I’d never let it get that far.”
Harry leaned in with a teasing smirk. “So four is still on the table, then?”
Draco turned to him so fast that his hair whipped over his shoulder. “Not. A. Chance.”
Sirius chuckled, pushing himself up from his seat. “Well, I’d say this has been a productive dinner. Pups and family planning.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Goodnight, Sirius.”
Sirius shot them a grin as he strolled toward the door. “Don’t stay up too late. And try not to start that litter just yet.”
Harry stood at the head of the table, rubbing his temples as he went over the plan for what felt like the hundredth time. “The Lestranges’ vault is at Gringotts, which means we’ll need Polyjuice potion and an escape route.”
Hermione nodded. “I’ve already started working on acquiring the hair samples. We’ll need to move quickly.”
Ron, sitting beside her, looked less enthused. “Right, well, let’s not forget the part where this is completely mental.”
Draco, sitting across from him, smirked. “Oh, please, Weasley. You lot have done worse. Trolls in the dungeon?”
"Ugh," Ron groaned. "How would we even get the hair from Bellatrix? That woman is mad, mad I tell you!"
Hermione shook her head. "Oh, Ron, it's simple actually," She said, ignoring the way Ron's eyes widened at her statement. "Draco's mother is at the manor with Bellatrix. If she could deliver us a sample or strand of her hair, it would be perfect. Just a letter from Draco would do."
"Bloody hell, how do you even think of these plans, 'Mione?"
Draco, who had been listening quietly, glanced at Hermione with something close to admiration. “She’s right. My mother would do it if I asked.”
Hermione finally looked up from her book, clearly pleased. “Of course she would. Narcissa Malfoy may be many things, but above all, she’s a mother. She’d do anything to keep you safe.”
Draco nodded slowly, considering her words. “You’re smarter than most of the people I grew up with,” he admitted, tilting his head. “Most of them wouldn’t think past force.”
Hermione blinked, caught off guard for just a moment, before her lips twitched. “That’s because they underestimate the power of intelligence,” she said simply.
Ron muttered, “Or the insanity of having a plan that actually makes sense.”
Harry just grinned. “So, we write to Narcissa.”
"Yes, I could do that. And when we go--"
"There's no we," Harry cut in. "You're staying."
Draco stiffened, his fingers curling against the table. “Excuse me?”
“I mean it,” Harry said firmly. “This is dangerous. If something goes wrong—”
“Oh, so now you care about danger?” Draco cut in, voice sharp. “Spare me the hero complex. I grew up around these people. I know how they think. You need me.”
Harry’s jaw tightened. “I’m not risking you.”
Draco opened his mouth, but before he could snap back, Hermione beat him to it.
“Harry,” she said, voice laced with frustration and disapproval. “You can’t just decide that for him.”
He turned to her, brows furrowing. “Of course I can! He’s mine.”
Hermione’s expression darkened. “He’s not your property.”
"You don't understand!"
"Harry," Hermione chided, clearly disappointed. "You are the last person I expected to speak in such a manner. At first, I let it slide because you were freshly bonded and unsettled. I thought that it was your instincts, and that it would die down. That's what the books said, Alpha instincts become more vulnerable, yet it is not an excuse. This is not okay!" She gestured to Draco. "Draco is a capable wizard, he's gone toe to toe with you in many duels. Just because he's an Omega, doesn't mean he's helpless!"
"I know that!" Harry stressed. "But Voldemort's set his eyes on him!"
The room fell silent. Even Ron looked awkwardly between them, unsure whether to step in.
Draco, to his own surprise, felt a flicker of something warm in his chest. He wasn’t used to people advocating for him—at least, not people who weren’t trying to control him in a different way. Certainly not Granger, who he's spent years insulting.
“Granger's right,” he admitted at last, shifting his weight. “I can handle myself. And I won’t sit around doing nothing while the rest of you throw yourselves into danger. That’s my choice.”
Harry ran a hand through his hair, frustrated but unwilling to argue against both of them. “Draco—”
“No, Potter.” Draco cut him off, voice firm. “I’m not yours to lock away. You said it yourself, Voldemort has set his sights on me. That means I’m already in danger whether I sit at Grimmauld Place twiddling my thumbs or not. So I may as well do something about it.”
Hermione gave an approving nod. “Exactly. And you, Harry, have to stop acting like protecting him means keeping him in a cage.”
Harry sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before looking at Draco with something more like reluctant acceptance than frustration. "Alright," he said, voice firm. "If you’re so insistent on being part of this, then fine. But you’re not coming with us to hunt Horcruxes."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Then nothing has changed."
Harry crossed his arms. "You’ll stay at Hogwarts. Be our eyes and ears there. We need someone on the inside, someone who can keep track of what’s happening, with Snape, with—everything. You can do more for us there than you can trailing after me into Gringotts or Merlin knows where else."
Draco opened his mouth to argue but closed it. Harry had actually proposed an intelligent plan.
Hermione nodded, looking thoughtful. "That… actually makes sense."
Draco turned to her, scandalized. "You’re agreeing with him now?"
"It’s logical," Hermione said, undeterred. "You know the castle better than we do. You have connections we don’t, especially with other Slytherins. And if something happens at Hogwarts, we’ll need to know immediately. You can get messages to us."
"Hm,"
"Also!" Hermione exclaimed, eyes widening as she slammed her hand on the table. "You can help with the horcuxes. Ravenclaw's diadem and Hufflepuff's cup are in Hogwarts! You can work with Neville and Luna to find them."
Draco hesitated, chewing the inside of his cheek. He hated the idea of being left behind—but he also wasn’t an idiot. The moment Harry had brought up Gringotts, Draco knew how insane the plan was, and he knew that he would never be able to come. Sneaking into Bellatrix’s vault? That may be a death sentence for all of them.
"I’ll do my part, then," Draco said with a coolness he didn’t quite feel. His voice was steady, but his mind was already working on the details. "I'll work with them. . ."
Ron threw Draco a glance. "You sure about this, Malfoy?" he asked, voice a little rougher than usual. "You’re not exactly known for your... cooperation."
"...To a certain degree." Draco finished.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Knew it."
Draco smirked, but there was no real malice behind it. "Well, Weasley, you’d be surprised how well one can cooperate when it actually benefits them." He caught Hermione’s eye, and for a moment, there was something almost like a silent understanding between them. He might not have been the most... typical ally, but right now, in this twisted game they were all playing, he’d do what he could. "I am not as useless as you think."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smile that was far more strategic than it was friendly. "You’re not wrong, Draco. You’ve got the brains for it. That’s why we’ll need you to keep your ear to the ground. You’re good at playing the game, and if we’re going to outsmart the Death Eaters, we need someone on the inside who knows how to move between the lines."
Draco glanced at her, surprised by the praise. "And you, Granger," he said, his tone softer than usual, "you're the brains of this operation. Those 2 couldn't survive without you."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that. "Well, thank you," She gave him a sly look, clearly pleased with herself. "I’m glad you finally see it. Maybe I’ll even start teaching you some of my tricks."
Draco rolled his eyes, but there was an unfamiliar warmth in his chest, something like appreciation. "Let’s not get carried away."
Ron, who had been standing awkwardly by the door, finally spoke up. "You two really think you can pull this off? I mean, you’re basically running a covert operation at Hogwarts. There’s only so much we can do on our end, and we’re already stretched thin." He scratched the back of his neck. "No offense, but you’re both a bit... uh, you know—"
"Bossy?" Hermione offered helpfully, grinning.
"Yeah," Ron mumbled, clearly unsure how to phrase it.
Draco raised an eyebrow, the smirk coming back to his lips. "Weasley, when you’re working with professionals like Granger and myself, sometimes 'bossy' is exactly what’s needed."
Hermione chuckled, crossing her arms. "I wouldn’t call it bossy, Ron. Just... efficient."
"Right," Ron said dryly. "I’ll take your word for it. Just don’t get too carried away with all your strategizing."
Draco shot him a quick look, suddenly amused. "You’ll be fine, Weasley. Nothing your brain can worry about"
The group settled into an odd but comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts as they weighed the enormity of the task ahead. But in the back of Draco’s mind, he couldn’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this unexpected partnership with Granger—this odd alliance—might actually give them the edge they needed.
====
Draco looked back once more before boarding he train back to Hogwarts. Harry already bid him farewell in Grimmauld Place after having an intimate session together. Sirius saw him off, accompanying him on the Platform as Padfoot instead of his actual form just to spite him.
Draco opened the compartment and quickly spotted Pansy and Blaise seated together. They both brightened when they saw him.
“Draco, darling,” she cooed, patting the seat beside her. “Come sit. We must catch up.”
Draco rolled his eyes fondly but obliged, barely getting settled before Pansy and Blaise leaned in towards him.
"So." Pansy said suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows. She wrapped her hands around him.
Draco raised an unimpressed brow. “So?”
"Oh, don't be coy." Blaise groaned, stretching his legs out lazily. “We know you stayed with Potter for the holidays. You disappeared for weeks. You expect us to believe you just played wizard’s chess the whole time?”
Draco schooled his features into a mask of pure disinterest. “I have no idea what you’re insinuating.”
Pansy raised her eyebrows. "Really Draco? Playing dumb. Hm, okay. Not a virgin anymore, are you?" She asked slyly, her voice growing louder with each word she spoke, ignoring Draco's panicked face. "Did he bend you over every day? Did you enjoy it? Oh, tell me, was he rough--"
“Pansy!” Draco slapped a hand over her mouth, his face flaming. “Merlin’s beard, would you shut up?!”
Pansy, undeterred, licked his palm until he yelped and snatched his hand away. She beamed. “I’ll take that as confirmation.”
Draco scowled, crossing his arms. “You lot are vultures.”
Blaise smirked. “And you’re glowing, by the way. Positively radiant. Mating does wonders.”
The laughter had barely died down when the compartment door slid open again. All three heads turned to see Luna Lovegood standing there, tilting her head as if she were contemplating whether or not to enter.
"Hello," she said dreamily. "Mind if I sit here? All the other compartments are quite full."
There was a pause—not an unfriendly one, just... a pause.
Draco, still reeling from the utter humiliation Pansy and Blaise had just subjected him to, opened his mouth, then closed it. Blaise glanced at Pansy. Pansy glanced at Blaise. Then, after a beat, Pansy patted the seat across from them.
"Sure," she said, flashing a charming smile. "Take a seat, Lovegood."
Luna did just that, setting her bag down and pulling out The Quibbler. "Thank you," she said simply, crossing one leg over the other.
There was another pause. Blaise shifted. Draco cleared his throat. Luna flipped a page of her magazine.
Draco, still flustered from everything, finally spoke, because the silence was oddly suffocating. "So, er… Lovegood," he started, smoothing out his robes. "How was your holiday?"
Luna blinked at him. "It was nice," she said lightly. "I went to Sweden to look for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks."
Another beat of silence.
"Right," Draco said, nodding slowly, not sure where to go from there.
Pansy leaned in, a smirk tugging at her lips. "And… did you find any?"
Luna turned a page of The Quibbler, unfazed. "No. But I did see a family of frost pixies. They were very kind. One of them told me I have a noble aura."
Pansy made a sound that was halfway between a scoff and a laugh but wisely kept any snark to herself.
Blaise, lounging as usual, studied Luna for a moment before speaking. "And you're... coming to sit with us?" He asked, as if the concept were entirely foreign. Not rude, just… curious.
Luna nodded serenely. "Of course. Draco's part of Harry’s pack now, and Harry is my friend. So, that makes us… acquaintances, at the very least. Moreso, Draco is my Pack Omega."
Draco stiffened instantly. "I beg your pardon?"
Pansy let out a delighted gasp, eyes practically sparkling with amusement.
Luna, for her part, simply blinked at Draco as if she had just stated something as obvious as the sky being blue. "You're Harry's Omega. And Harry is my friend. I'm the youngest. So that makes you my Pack Omega too."
Draco's mouth opened, then closed. Then opened again. "That is not how this works," he sputtered.
Luna tilted her head. "Isn't it?"
"I—no—Harry is my Alpha, not yours!" Draco continued, completely appalled.
"But Harry is my friend," Luna said, as though this explained everything. "And you’re his Omega. His pack is my pack. And besides, you’re not as mean as you pretend to be."
Blaise let out a snort. "Oh, I like her,"
Luna looked up and gave him a bright, beatific smile. "Thanks," she said. "And if you ever need me to scare someone for you, Draco, just let me know."
Draco sighed, rubbing his temples. "Brilliant. Just brilliant."
Luna smiled dreamily. "Yes, I think so too."
And with that, she went back to reading The Quibbler, while the rest of them sat there, not entirely sure what to do with the new dynamic that had just been added to their group.
