Chapter Text
“It is okay, Draco don’t you understand. This was the first time you were really yourself when you drank my blood. It was something of an unknown, it will get better. It’s not going to be immediately, but it will get better. I think that once we are mated it will be even easier, as you will share your arousal with me, and I with you. It’s okay.”
Draco sniffled, “Are you sure, cause I was just an ass.”
Neville chuckled, “I am sure princess, I am sure.”
Days, weeks and then months. That is how long they have been traveling and Draco didn’t know if there was even an end in sight. It didn’t feel like they were getting any closer to the destination that they were severely trying to reach. An endless journey that was leading them in circles. How much longer would they have to travel? How much more could he take this, Draco didn’t know. At first, it was just moving with little sleep now, there was people, creatures after them. They had already encountered some and a few they barely escaped. The only thing that Draco could be grateful for was the fact that there hadn’t been another Blood Moon. In some ways they had gotten lucky.
One night they stop by a river that has a waterfall, the map tells them that they are close to the house, but it had told them this before. He wonders if this time they will actually find it. It’s while he is sleeping that a feeling of being watched jolt him awake.
Two crystal blue eyes stare out at him, they seem to be coming from the water. It sends a shiver down his spine and Draco doesn’t like the way that it makes him feel. Just as soon as he sees them, they are gone and that makes him feel even sicker. There is something out there, that is hunting them, and he doesn’t know what it is or where it is.
Draco tries to walk Neville, but his mate has been so tired lately all the traveling is starting to actually take a toll on him, and it would seem that at this point in time he has finally succumbed to the exhaustion. Draco’s heart rate increases rapidly, and he screams when something touches his shoulder whipping around to come face to face with the piercing eyes again and the body that is attached to it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Draco tries to take deep calming breaths; Neville doesn’t stir and that scares him. He looks back over his shoulder to his sleeping mate fear beginning to radiate off of him.
“He won’t wake, I put him to sleep. I could feel the exhaustion rolling off of him, don’t worry it won’t hurt him.”
Draco’s eyes snap back to the being in front of him, “Why… do you… do you want to kill me?”
She smiles at him softly, “No, I want you safe. As I said I am sorry for scaring you. I didn’t mean to wake you. My magic doesn’t seem to work on you all that well. My name is Fleur, I am a friend.”
“What are you, I’ve never seen someone like you before. You have… scales.”
“I am a Siren; I have the power to do well quite a lot. Being able to put others to sleep. Lure them to death, I can pretty much make anyone do whatever I want.”
Draco nods his head before clasping back next to Neville, “Do you live in the river?”
“Kinda, I am one of the guardians of the Longbottom estates. I can turn into a ‘mermaid’, but I don’t need water to survive.”
“Does… does that mean we found the house?”
She smiles at him, “Yes.”
“Go back to sleep, you are safe when you wake you will be home.”
Draco nods his head; he doesn’t know why he trusts her. He doesn’t know-how, and it could be a trap. Maybe it’s her magic he doesn’t know how but Draco finds himself lying back down this time curled up with Neville. His heart rate slowing and his mind drifting off to sleep. When he wakes again Draco is far more comfortable than he was when he fell asleep. His body is alert immediately and as he sits up and takes a look around, he realizes he is in a bedroom.
“Neville,” Draco calls out.
No one responds and Draco starts to panic stumbling out of the bed. Rushing to the door he yanks it open grateful that it isn’t locked. He is surprised to find a hall with many more doors all bedrooms. All furnished in luxury items. At the end of the hall, there seems to be a parlor. It takes him a while to navigate the maze of the house but finally he finds Neville. He is sitting at a desk, letters littering it. He seems lost in them, but Draco doesn’t care. He wraps his arms around him sinking his face into the junction of Neville’s neck.
He debates biting down but instead kisses it. Neville's hand reaches up and touches his, “Good morning, did you sleep well?”
“You scared me your ass, I woke up alone.”
Neville hums, “I am sorry about that. Fleur informed me that I had received several letters and that there is one that she thinks I need to read immediately. She is worried that something bad is going to happen, it would seem that Hermione had another premonition and needs our help.”
Draco swallows, “What did she see?”
“Percy is pregnant, and Oliver may be in danger of dying.”
Draco curls into Neville’s back, “what… what if we are too late… what if Percy loses the baby because we didn’t get the letter soon enough… Neville, what do we do?”
“I am going to go get them. But… I need to leave you.”
Draco whimpers, “We aren’t even bonded yet, Neville… I don’t want you to leave me again. Please, God, you have to stay here…”
“I know love, I know, and I think I can come up with a compromise, but you probably aren’t going to like it.”
Draco closes his eyes even tighter, “What?”
“We bond now, and then I leave. I get Percy and Oliver and bring them here. It’s going to be hell on both of us. A separation at the beginning of bonding is going to be painful but I am willing to do this if it means we can save Oliver and Percy and their unborn child. Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort for them?”
Draco takes a deep breath unfolding himself from Neville. Percy is his friend and so is Oliver, a baby being born into this world that is so full of darkness at this time is important. He could withstand the pain; he has already been through so much what’s a little more for the sake of those that he loves and cares about.
“Yes, okay let’s do it.”