Chapter 5
*Welcome young masters*, the voice of the Sphinx said as Harry and Draco entered their new quarters. Both boys were pleased with the gentle, neutral color scheme. There was also two of everything: two bookshelves, desks, cupboards, even two sofas. Each set was different from the other side, but still complimented each other in their colors. Harry and Draco noticed their things in the middle of the common room and moved to unpack. Without the need to communicate, both boys gravitated towards a bedroom of their choosing.
Harry's rooms held the domination of blue over green. Since coming to Hogwarts, red was his favorite color, but it was quickly changing and he was not sure why. As Harry began to unpack his clothes, he wondered if Remus could come visit or if he would need to make the trip to the dungeons. Harry cringed at the thought of having to be in the presence of Snape. Especially now that the man had to know he had the Half-Blood Prince's potion book At the bottom of his trunk, Harry came across the mirror Sirius had given. His heart squeezed at the thought of his godfather and he wondered if the man would have been supportive of his bond with Draco Malfoy. Sure, while he was unconscious he saw Sirius, but he figured it was all in his head. He did almost die, so it was possible. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Harry gathered his books and other study materials and left his room to set up his desk. He wasn't sure what to feel when he saw that Draco was still in his room. Once his desk was to his satisfaction, Harry looked around the room once more. His gaze fixed between the fireplace and the painting, whose unnerving stare had settled on Harry. Having the need to talk to someone, Harry pulled his desk chair towards the painting guarding their rooms.
"Hello," Harry said nervously, unsure how to approach the foreboding creature.
Hello young Harry. it answered.
"You know my name?" Harry asked confused.
You believe I would agree to guard you if I did not know about yourself and your bondmate?
"It took me by surprise is all. I apologize," he looked down to his lap in embarrassment.
Apology accepted, young master. the Sphinx took a leisurely lick of its paw before looking back to the young wizard. What is it you wish to speak about?
"What is your name?" Harry asked nervously. He wasn't sure if the question was appropriate or if the Sphinx would answer.
You are the first to ask in a long time. The only other to ask was Madame Hufflepuff. I am called Branimir, Harry's eyes widened at the information given.. No one other than one from person from how long ago had asked this creature's name? He became saddened at that and remembered the lack of paintings near Branimir.
"Why are there no paintings near you?" Harry asked.
What do you know of Sphinx's?
"Not much really," Harry scratched at the back of his neck as a nervous habit. "They have been known as guardians and not granting access to someone who cannot answer their riddles."
A Sphinx can be quite malevolent and so others are wary around those of my kind, the paintings included. I am quite content with my solitude. Sphinx's are solitary creatures, but we take great pride in our duties.
"Oh, I wanted to thank you for allowing myself and Draco to stay here. It is an honor to have you as our guardian," Harry said in earnest. He really was thankful and he just hoped that Branimir did not take offense for thanking him in Draco's stead.
The Sphinx nodded his head in acknowledgement to the thanks. Is there something else on your mind young master?
"Um, yes," Harry looked down into his lap again and began to squirm a but. He was nervous that the Sphinx may laugh or refuse to answer his stupid question, but he didn't feel comfortable asking anyone else, even Remus. "What is a soul bond? A creature of your standing should know, right? I'm just really confused about this whole thing."
Of course, young Harry, and Branimir began telling Harry the basics of a soul bond, understanding that the boy would not know of one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry Potter. Harry Bloody Potter. He, Draco Lucius Malfoy was bonded to Harry Potter. Draco was siting on his bare bed, with nothing unpacked while he began having a small panic attack. He didn't know what to make of the situation. Was he meant to just accept it? Should he use it to follow his father's beliefs? Or should he do as Snape said and join the Light side through Potter? There were so many possibilities as to what would happen. The bad thing he could think of was that he and Potter were so different. The bond would not allow them to harm each other and would push for them to do what was in their best interest. And what was their best interest? Should they fight for the preservation of the old ways of their world or fight for the extreme equality that would bring muggle idealists? It was a fine line and it seemed that he and Potter were on opposite sides.
He had no one to turn to about this. His father was employed by the Dark Lord, his mother blindly following him, Snape obviously was a spy and was biased to save Draco, Dumbledore was out of the question, along with his newly found bondmate. If only he was in that dream again and could talk to his grandfather. The old man never believed in joining the Dark Lord, but believed in keeping the old ways.
His grandfather! There was a painting of him in the manor. Draco quickly called a house elf and asked the creature to bring the painting to his room. Normally paintings couldn't be removed from the manor, but being an heir and having your own house elf linked to your magic had its perks. While he waited for the painting, Draco hastily waved his wand at his things to be unpacked. He preferred unpacking by hand, but he didn't have the time for that and he couldn't have his grandfather see a messy, unpacked room. He was so focused, that Draco did not hear the house elf pop in with the painting.
"Draco?" came the sophisticated drawl and startled Draco. He turned around to find the painting hanging up on the wall. Gathering himself and smoothing down invisible wrinkles in his robes, Draco gave a small bow before straightening himself.
"Hello Grandfather."
"What am I doing here? This is Hogwarts correct?"
"Yes it is. I have found myself in a difficult predicament and am in need of counsel," Draco supplied vaguely.
"Oh?" Abraxes said with a raise of an eyebrow. "What do you need advisement on?"
"I have recently found myself in a soul bond," Draco said. He kept his eyes on his grandfather, but he could feel heat rising to his face.
"What kind and how?" Abraxes asked sharply.
"It has not fully established itself, but it will most likely begin with a Soul Brother bond. What happened is that my bondmate and I almost killed each other, but our blood and magic merged together to save us," Draco supplied, now looking downward in his shame.
"We will return to that issue, but I feel that is not what you need advisement on."
"You are correct Grandfather. Father expects me to use the bond to gain my bondmate's trust and present him to the Dark Lord. However, Uncle Severus has expressed his plea for me to join the Light side and use my bondmate as a safety net. But my bondmate and I are complete opposites and I am not sure if we could ever go to one side or another."
"And who is this mysterious bondmate? You have revealed it is male." Draco's face flushed once more when he realized that he did reveal Potter's gender. He knew of his grandfather's beliefs and was not sure how much trouble he would be in if for some unforeseeable reason that bond developed further than he wanted. "Draco, answer me."
"It is Harry Potter, sir."
"What?!" Abraxes shouted making Draco flinch.