Realizations and Revelations
Harry's POV
"rry! Arry! HARRY!"
Harry flinched as the loud sound of someone yelling reached his ears. Instinctively, he threw his arms up to protect his face. The lights dimmed slightly, and Harry opened his eyes. He looked around trying to make out where he was. Why was everything so blurry? Where were his glasses? Gentle hands placed his frames onto his face, and everything cleared up. Harry blinked as he looked around once more, this time noticing the people surrounding him. He was; still, it seemed, in the ritual room where he had fainted.
Theodore Nott held out a water bottle to his lips, and Harry chugged it gratefully. Once he had drunk is fill, Harry sat up and took a quick gauge of his surroundings.
"W-what happened? Where-what is going on?" he turned to Theo.
"You are still in the ritual room my lord" Theo responded bowing his head slightly.
Harry flinched, "w-why did you-why would you? What?"
Theo chuckled then covered his mouth "forgive me for the disrespect my lord."
Harry frowned "Why would you call me-I don't understand?" he sighed defeated.
There was a soft sigh from the far corner of the room. Harry's head snapped towards the sound, Draco looked (well not really looked, but whatever) at Harry,
"They call you that because it is what is required of the high-ranked members of the Slytherin house, Master" his voice was soft and controlled, no emotion showing through his voice.
Harry was instantly aware of everything "y-you, called me, but I'm not, your master!"
Draco giggled, "Forgive me for my disrespect Master, but during the ritual, you claimed me as yours by accepting the protection clause."
Harry sighed "did I really?" he shook his head when he heard a sniffle, he looked at Draco who was whimpering and crying.
"Y-you don't w-want me! I-I told you so Theo! Why did you force me through this rejection?"
Harry gasped "Oh no. No Draco, Dragon no!" quickly moving to Draco, Harry wrapped his arms around his waist. Draco settled himself, sobbing into Harry's arms. Kissing the top of Draco's head, Harry gently shushed his now... what was he anyway?
Harry looked down at Draco "What are you to me now? What did the spell make you to me?"
Draco shrugged, "Well... it made me yours; that's the only way to describe what I am now."
He sighed and cuddled into Harry's chest.
Frowning, Harry nodded. "Alright then, very well. That still doesn't tell me why the others call me my lord" he muttered into Draco's hair.
Draco sighed as though exasperated with Harry, "I am- no sorry Master the title is yours now- I was the king of Slytherin. They all previously addressed me as my lord. Now they must do so for you, because, in becoming my protector, you, have become the new king of Slytherin by right of magical law."
Harry sighed "I have? Alright, but I see no reason for you to not rule at my side Dragon. You will retain the title of Queen. Can I do that?"
He received no response from a flabbergasted Draco who had no idea what to say in response to such a declaration.
"I-It is unheard of Master, b-but you may, of course, do as you please! I-I never thought that I'd have the honor of ruling by my Master's side!"
Frowning Harry turned to Draco, "please don't call me Master if you don't have to Dragon. I care for you deeply, and I'd much rather be called Harry by you than Master or Lord."
He felt Draco nod against his chest and sighed in relief.
"Well Dragon, it seems you have your work cut out for yourself. As it is, I am Gryffindor, surrounded by people who will harass me into staying by their side as long as possible, but on top of that, I am essentially incapable of learning if what most adults in my life say is true."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, before realizing what he had given away.
Draco POV
Draco froze as he heard Ma-Harry say those words.
"H-harry? Who says that you are incapable of learning? My lead squad will hunt them down." his voice had gained an edge to it, but Harry shushed him.
"No Draco, darling, thank you for your thoughts, but I highly doubt you would want to send your squad after your head of house now do you?"
Draco fell silent and sighed "we will inform him of the change in dynamics my lord" came from Draco's right-hand side.
Theodore? He sought to recognize the voice. The owner of the voice moved closer to them, and Draco moved his head in an attempt to locate the real direction of the person moving in. Gentle hands took his chin and changed directions just slightly, and Draco smiled and squeezed Harry's hand in thanks. Kissing the top of Draco's head, Harry gently stroked his hip as the person approached.
"When informed of the dynamic change, Professor Snape will obey the rules of the house of Slytherin set by Salazar Slytherin himself. He will not disrespect you any longer anywhere. He will be required to respect you two-fold because you are the soon-to-be head of house Malfoy, which he is married into, and whose family motto is, family comes first. And second, you have become the king of Slytherin and thus rule his house and those within it. "
Draco felt Harry nod against his head and looked up to where he thought Harry was.
"Harry? What's wrong? What are you thinking?" feeling through the bond Harry's restless thoughts and gently tugging on the line that connected them.
Harry sighed and kissed Draco's head "nothing much Dragon, just, well, it will seem weird if he doesn't disrespect me in classes. Is there any way for it to be okay for him to do so?"
Draco nodded "of course Harry; you have to tell him that it is okay and you won't take offense for his disrespect. Oh, and it might also be prudent for you to inform him that he is not required to apologize for any disrespect shown during classes."
Harry nodded and hugged Draco "Thank you, darling. Now, I need time to relax and let everything sink in. If there is somewhere I can rest that would not be in the Gryffindor common room, because Merlin knows how little rest I'll get in there."
Draco nodded "We will take you to my dorms, the king suite. I shall move to the queen-"
"No. You will stay with me. I want you here, and to be able to help you should something go wrong."
Draco sighed and cuddled into Harry's warmth, "Very well, as you wish Harry."
He let out a soft squeak (though if you ask him, he will deny it) as Harry picked him up.
"Theodore, show me to Draco and my rooms please."
"Of course my lord, if you'll follow me." He lead them out of the ritual room.