Ayla Falloce navigated her way through the crowded train station, clutching a giant worn leather book to her chest. She dodged those around her with a grace that most envied her for. Her long blonde hair blew behind her in an enchanting mess of curls that caught the attention of strangers who had never seen her before and left them trying to catch a glimpse of her face before she disappeared within the hoard of people. But she paid them no mind, as she already had the one person whom she cared for attached at her hip. His tall and intimidating form stopped anyone from venturing close enough to make contact.
His large ring cladded hand gently rested on the small of her back, an anchor that she tied herself to so she would know that he was there. Even without the physical touch though, she could feel him through the special bond that they shared.
She could feel him in every crevice of her being whether he was right beside her or miles away. He was more than a boyfriend, a lover, or even a mate. They were soul bonded. If one of them were to die, it would be like trying to breathe in a cave with a limited amount of air. It would be suffocating, excruciating for both of them. So by her side, he remained, not that Ayla minded. It provided her with a sense of comfort so deep it would be hard to explain.
So when students made snide comments about Draco being her little puppy or vice versa, Ayla simply stayed quiet. She could try to explain to them the deep connection she and Draco shared, but it would be too great for anyone to understand unless they too shared a bond that great with someone else.
Finally, they made it to the entrance of the Hogwarts train. Ayla took his hand in her own and guided him onto the train and the sound of the overcrowded platform faded into a low buzz. The small witch guided them to their section in the back of the train, the route so familiar to her that she could have done it with her eyes closed.
Students, their classmates moved out of the duo's way when they approached, watching them float by gracefully both in awe and disgust. Even after four years of the two dating, they still couldn't understand why Ayla Falloce had chosen Draco Malfoy of all people to be with. Many had tried to change her mind by whispering in her ear who he was and what his family had done, but she had only responded with a sweet smile and some witty response that had shut them up immediately.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley stepped out of their compartment just in time to come face to face with the duo. Harry glared fiercely at them, to which Draco opened his mouth to tell him off, but a sharp pinch on his hand made him stop.
Ayla smiled sweetly at the Golden Trio, still clutching both her book and her lover's hand. "Hello Harry, Hermoine, Ronald. How was your summer?" Her voice, soft as bells rang through the train.
"Fine. And yours?" Short and gruff, as it usually was whenever she was accompanied by Draco which was almost always. If it bothered the little Hufflepuff she didn't show it, and instead, her smile widened.
"Fantastic. Draco taught me how to ice skate. He's quite good at it actually." Ayla giggled, glancing back at her mate with the smile that he adored. Draco rolled his steel eyes but pulled her closer to him, choosing to pay attention to his mate rather than his enemy in front of them.
The Golden Trio said nothing to this. "Well, we'll see you guys at the feast!" Ayla waved goodbye and dragged Draco along with her, waving at people as they left.
Ronald Weasley looked to Harry with a perplexed expression that was returned to him. "No matter how many times I see that, it will always creep me out. I don't know how she puts up with him."
Hermoine scoffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I've heard rumors that she's only dating him for his money. If you ask me, they're both vile people who will get what's coming to them." Nothing more was said as the Golden Trio went back into their compartment.
Ayla opened the door to the compartment that she and Draco had used since year one, choosing to sit in her usual spot near the window. She settled her back against the wall, making room for Draco to sit his back against her chest with his head leaned back against her shoulder. With one hand she opened her book while the other was used to gently card through Draco's hair. A smile quirked upon her lips when he began to purr quietly, a low baritone that rumbled between them.
Their peace was short-lived when Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, close friends to both Draco and Ayla shuffled into the compartment. Pansy took the seat across from Ayla while Blaise scooted in next to her.
"Hi, you guys!" Ayla exclaimed.
"Ayla! I missed you so much! How was your summer babes?" Pansy squealed and reached across to pull Ayla into a bone-crushing hug earning a few grumbles from Draco.
Ayla smiled widely, reaching down to press a long kiss to Draco's forehead before she answered her best friend. "It was fantastic! Draco took me to Germany and taught me how to ice skate. I'm terrible at it but it was so much fun! How was yours?"
Pansy began to explain her summer in great detail, the once quiet compartment now filled with giggles from the two girls and the low baritone of Draco's purring. As Ayla talked with Pansy and Blaise, she was brought back to when she had first met first Pansy and Blaise, and then the wonderful man that was her mate. She may have only been ten at the time, but she knew from the moment she met them that they would be lifelong friends and soulmates.
>>>
Young Ayla took a deep breath and clutched her father's hand tighter as they stepped out of the floo network and into Diagon Alley. "It's alright darling. There's nothing to be afraid of." Wolcott Falloce assured his ten-year-old daughter warmly.
Despite his assurances, Ayla could feel a pit of anxiousness pull harshly at her gut, but she was her father's daughter, so surely she could be brave as well. So she nodded in determination and followed him as he led them into the two-way crowd of witches and wizards. Ayla had never been to Diagon Alley before. She had grown up in the Americas and had just recently been moved to England after her mother had passed. It had been hard to lose her mother at such a young age, and she thanked Merlin above that her father was still with her.
Wolcott Falloce was what some would call a recluse but an exceptional father, one that Ayla adored with every piece of her heart. She aspired to be like him in every way and dedicated most of her time to reading every book he handed to her and learning every ounce of knowledge he graced her with. At the young age of ten, Ayla was already a very talented little witch with an extensive amount of knowledge and magical capability.
That was why they had come to Diagon Alley today. Ayla wanted to find some new books, as she had already read every single one in their small family library.
Her father held her hand as they merged into the traffic, colors, and sounds surrounding her as she took in everything the new place had to offer. They eventually veered off to the right to enter a small bookstore. The bells jangled when they stepped through the door, the old lady behind the desk shooting them a warm greeting.
"Wolcott! Why it's been ages! And who is this beautiful little thing?" The woman rushed over to give her father a hug, then knelt down to eye level with Ayla.
Ayla hid slightly behind her father's legs but wiggled her fingers in a small greeting while her cheeks flushed pink. Wolcott smiled adoringly down at his daughter and pushed her towards her old friend. "Lucinda, this is Ayla, my daughter. Ayla, this is Lucinda, one of my oldest friends."
Ayla squeaked when she was pulled into the lady's warm embrace. She waited for the painful spark that she usually got when somebody touched her, but she was pleasantly surprised when instead her magic seemed to accept Lucinda. Ayla peered up at her father and he sent a knowing smile back as if he knew that would happen.
"Lucinda won't hurt you, Ayla. Trust your magic. Now, why don't you go find some books while I catch up with Lucinda? Take as long as you want darling."
Ayla giggled and kissed Lucinda on the cheek before she ran off into the depths of the bookstore. She trailed her fingers over the edges of the books, waiting for one to connect with her magic. She picked up the ones that did, and soon she had an armful of books. The stack was so tall that she didn't see the people she bumped into. A squeal left her lips when she fell to the floor, all of her books scattered around her.
"Ow." A small groan was heard in front of her. Ayla peaked through her curtain of blonde hair to see a small girl with short black hair and green eyes on the floor.
"I-I'm so sorry! Oh my Merlin, are you okay?" Without even thinking about it Ayla rushed forwards to help the girl up, startling when her magic seemed to quickly accept the girl.
"Y-yes, I'm okay. That's a lot of books you got there." The girl helped Ayla pick up the fallen parchment, handing them carefully back to her.
"Thank you. Um, I'm Ayla Falloce, it's nice to meet you." Ayla smiled.
"I'm Pansy Parkinson! It's nice to meet you too!" Pansy giggled, her short hair bouncing with the movement.
"Pansy! Where did you go?" Two boys rounded the corner, one with dark skin and brown eyes, the other pale with hair as white as snow and steel grey eyes.
"Oh! Ayla, these are my friends Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Boys, this is Ayla Falloce."
Ayla smiled at them and nodded her head, locking eyes with Draco whose eyes had widened. An inhuman sound left his lips as he looked at her. "Mine." He growled.
>>>
Ayla looked down at Draco who was already looking at her, the shared memory they had just had bringing a smile forth on their lips. It was a personal favorite part of their bond, being able to communicate through their minds without the invasion of anyone else. It was Ayla's preferred method of communication, being able to tell Draco exactly what she was feeling without having to put it into words. Pansy and Blaise were talking quietly amongst themselves, Pansy leaning her head against Blaise's shoulder while he stroked her hair with a loving look in his eyes.
Ayla smiled at that. Blaise had come into his heritage early last year and was excited to find out that Pansy was indeed his mate, though Ayla had known that little part since the day her magic had met them both. Blaise was only half Veela, unlike Draco who was three-quarters Veela and an alpha on top of that.
Veela's were rare, most of them had died out a hundred years ago, but there were some pureblood families that still carried the gene, one of them being the Malfoy clan. The Malfoy clan was so pure in fact, that most of the males were Alpha Veela's. This meant that they were twice as possessive and twice as strong as normal Veela's. It was the reason why Draco was able to identify Ayla as his mate at such a young age.
That and the fact that Ayla's family came from a long line of powerful witches and wizards. But that little fact stayed between her and Draco.
Ayla leaned her head against the train window, her eyes following the Latin text of her book.
"Are you excited about quidditch this year Ayla?" Blaise asked.
"Yes! I'm hoping I make captain again this year." Ayla sighed, putting her book down and resting her hand on Draco's cheek. Her thumb traced circles on his soft skin absentmindedly.
"You will, you've made it every time since the third year," Pansy reassured.
"Yeah, and you'll kick Potter's butt again. I'm excited about that part." Blaise chuckled, joined in by Draco.
"That's because my girl's a badass." Draco retorted. Ayla simply smiled, amused by her friend's disdain towards the Golden Boy.
"Perhaps."
"Did you hear that Potter was spreading rumors about all of us being death eaters? I mean I'm not surprised but I didn't think he would throw Ayla into the mix as well." Pansy said.
Draco growled and sat up. "Potter needs to learn to mind his own damn business before I kill him." He pulled Ayla's small 5'4 frame onto his lap.
Ayla stayed silent. She gently caressed Draco's arm that bears the Dark Mark and pulled down the fabric of his expensive suit to kiss the stained skin with her cold lips. Draco only held her tighter in response.
"How has the Dark Lord not found out about her yet? He searched our memories but said nothing about Ayla." Blaise whispered as if he was afraid someone would overhear him.
"That would be my doing." Ayla sighed. "I put a block on your memories that's triggered whenever someone looks through your mind. It hides any memories you have of me."
Blaise's mouth popped open in shock. "How-how is that even possible?"
Draco and Ayla shared a knowing look before the little witch shrugged. "You'll find out soon enough. It's too dangerous to tell you right now."
That seemed to cut any further conversation short. The rest of the train ride is filled with silence between everyone besides Draco and Ayla. She leans her head against Draco's shoulder, instead choosing to convey her thoughts through memories.
>>>
It was the summer after the Triwizard tournament. The wizarding world was still in shock about the news of the Dark Lord's return. Ayla laid out in the field behind her late father's house, staring up at the cloudy sky while her thoughts ran wild. She was waiting for Draco to come back from the meeting with his father. Although Lucius's allegiance had changed after he found out who his son's mate was, he still had to keep up appearances with the Dark Lord or risk losing his life along with his family. And now that Draco was of age, it was only a matter of time before he too would bear this responsibility.
Ayla sighed out into the sky. She wished her father were here to help her, but he had passed last year from a mortal illness called cancer. Ayla now lived with her cruel Aunt Evereth, who rarely let her out of the house. But Ayla was smart and knew how to slip under her wing undetected most of the time.
A loud crack followed by the tingly sensation that comes with her mate being close alerted Ayla that Draco was there. She picked her head up off the grass, watching him stride hurriedly over to her. He pulled her into his embrace the moment he reached her, the tension in his shoulders easing a little at the touch of his mate.
He rubbed his face into the crook of her neck, kissing the puckered scar of her mating mark to calm himself.
"Hello mate," Ayla whispered, knowing she was talking to his very anxious Veela side.
He only grumbled in response, shifting them so they were sitting on the ground with Ayla settled in his lap. It was moments like these that Ayla cherished the most. People may not understand what she and Draco have, but that didn't matter to her. She was the only one who could fully understand and calm him, and what they had was untouchable, even in the crumbling wizarding world.
"I have to pledge my allegiance to him by the end of fifth year. Father says there's no way around it." Draco mumbles, still buried in her neck.
Ayla frowned. Her hands came up to grab him by the cheeks and made him look at her. "I'm so sorry Draco. I promise it's going to be okay."
Tears leaked out of his grey eyes. "What if you get hurt. Merlin Ayla, I can't have that- I'd die if something happened-" He was cut off by her lips on his. He melts instantly, pulling her impossibly closer.
"Don't worry Draco. Nothing's going to happen to me." She wiggled her fingers, little sparks of her purple magic dancing between the appendages. It was a reminder of who she was and what she could do, what she had already done to ensure that both she and Draco would be safe amidst the war.
Draco said nothing and only held her tighter. They stayed there all day within each other's arms and tried to ignore the world that was crumbling down around them.
>>>
"I wish we could go back to that field." Draco's voice echoed through her mind.
Ayla hummed, kissing his neck. "We will after all of this is over." She sighed back.
The train soon came to a halt. "You guys go ahead. I have to take care of something." Draco said, his eyes flicking up to where they both knew that Potter was hiding. Blaise and Pansy left, Pansy complaining that she wanted Ayla to come with but left with her mate anyways.
Ayla shuffled off of her mate's lap and chose to sit on the small table in the compartment, once again opening her book to take in the words on the page. "Darling, are you sure you want to stay?" Ayla simply hummed in response, both of them knowing that she wouldn't leave the train without Draco by her side.
Draco smirked, then turned his wand towards the compartment above her head. "Petrificus Totalus." A loud thump echoed through the train as Harry was thrown onto the floor of the train. Draco walked over and took off the invisibility cloak that covered him.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you it's rude to eavesdrop Potter?"
"Oh yeah, she was dead before she could wipe the drool off your chin." Ayla rolled her eyes at the low blow but flipped the page of her book. She would swat her mate over the head later.
"This is for my father." A crack from Draco's foot connecting with Harry's nose then, "Have a nice train ride back to London." Ayla snapped her book shut and stood up. Draco made to grab her, but she gracefully ducked under his arm to go to Harry.
"Ayla what are you-"
"Quiet. You got your point across now let me do something."
Draco was quiet as he watched his mate lean down to once again reveal Harry.
"No hard feelings Harry, I just need to make sure Draco and I are safe." Ayla wordlessly pointed her wand at Harry and took his memories about what he overheard about her and Draco away. She then silently repaired his nose much to Draco's objections, then the duo left the train together.
"I don't see why you had to fix his nose, he bloody needed a makeover anyway," Draco grumbled. Ayla snorted and jumped on Draco's back as he carried them to the entrance of Hogwarts.
"Quit your pouting will ya? It's very unbecoming." Draco pinched her butt playfully. Ayla giggled, pressing a kiss to his right ear.