Chapter Text
(SKIP IF YOU WANT TO AVOID SPOILERS)
I was guided into a chair by Madam, the one on the right side of Draco’s bed. The privacy curtain brushed against my back and clung to my hair as I sat down. I ignored it in favour of studying how pale he looked. Paler than when he was stressed with all that Death Eater nonsense. With dark circles under his sunken in eyes, and ghostly chapped lips, I almost would’ve mistaken him for a corpse if I hadn’t known otherwise. I shuddered at the comparison. Vowing to pray heavily that such a thing wouldn’t come to pass the moment I had some time to myself.
“I’ll send the request form over to the Ministry, then answer any questions you have about the procedure.”, Strout thrusted her clipboard at me.
Handing me a quill to sign my name and legally consent to volunteering. The nib of the quill skittered across the page as I tried to get it done and over with as soon as possible. Her earlier words of Draco’s health potentially taking a turn replaying in my head like a broken record. Without a word she briskly left the room. I appreciated her pacing, she was taking this seriously. Draco was lucky that he ended up with a Healer that didn’t hold his forced foray into being a Death Eater against him. In the wrong hands he surely would’ve been left to rot. Footsteps and the scraping of a chair was all that marked the presence of my brother sitting beside me. He must’ve swiped a chair from somewhere in the room when I wasn’t looking.
“How are you feeling?”, he checked in with me.
I could feel his gaze burning holes through me as I kept my attention trained towards Draco.
“Nervous, anxious, afraid.”, I admitted with a small shrug.
“Of failing?”
“Of Draco dying.”
“You care about him.”
“And you don’t?”
“Touché.”, he chuckled.
It was a deep, throaty noise that barely had any humor to it.
“I knew you would’ve. Cared, I mean, about him. Being like this. You’ve always been kind like that, Mina.”
I finally turned to him.
“Is this supposed to be some sort of pep talk?”
He cracked a lopsided grin that I returned.
“You caught me there. Look, Mina, Malfoy wasn’t the most likable guy around.”
“I’ll say.”, I couldn’t help but snort.
A quip Red even seemed to appreciate back there if his snickering was any indication.
“And I know for a fact that a good lot of people would refuse to help.”
“Pretty vocally too.”
“Except you. I know for a fact you would’ve volunteered even if I hadn’t asked you to. Just like I know for a fact that you’re going to go in there, and do whatever it takes to wake him up.”, Harry nodded at the bed.
I glanced back that way. Taking in how frail and still such a vibrant person used to be.
“You really believe in me?”
“Always.”, my brother answered without hesitation.
Madam Strout flew into the room without preamble. I sagged in relief over how quick she was. Followed closely by two Assistant Healers. One had a bottle securely gripped in his hands. While the other held a neatly folded hospital robe.
“Luckily the Ministry was already expecting the forms today, and we were able to get it squared away rather quickly.”, Strout clapped her hands once.
Clearly looking pleased by the turn of events. She shooed Harry away with the flick of her wrists. He amusingly complied. Taking his borrowed chair with him to go hang around his chums by the round wooden table near the window. Weasley appeared to have already broken out a pocket edition of Wizarding Chess. I was surprised he’d be up for something so barbaric so soon. Perhaps Exploding Snap was too much of a hazard to have in the Janus Thickey Ward.
“Alright now Dear, stand up. I should’ve had you do this earlier, but I wasn’t sure we’d get approved this quickly. I’ll need you to go disinfect in the shower and change into a clean hospital robe before we get started. Mr. Malfoy’s immune system is too weak right now for you to be that close for three days without the proper precautions being taken.”, Madam chirped out as she corralled me over to a door in the corner of the room.
The healers she brought with her milled about near Draco’s bed doing, something? I couldn’t tell what as I stepped into a small bathroom. The sink and cabinet was pressed next to the loo. Which in turn was pressed next to a shower with a vinyl white curtain. I wasted no time in pushing to the side. Madam hovered behind me as the pipes hummed and the shower head sputtered to life. Boy did I hope she didn’t intend to watch me shower to make sure I was cleaning myself properly. I glanced back at her, awkwardly. She pulled a few small vials from her pocket before handing them over to me. The glass felt cool in my naturally hot palms. I clutched them tightly, praying I wouldn’t drop any.
“The red one is for your hair, the blue one is for your body, and the green one should help with those curls.”, she winked at me before stepping out.
The door clicked shut behind her as I stood there blinking for a moment.
“Please tell me she meant the curls on my head.”, I whispered to myself before cautiously setting the bottles down in the hanging shower caddy.
I put my dirty clothes in the small hamper atop the lid of the toilet tank before stepping into the shower. I didn’t allow my mind the opportunity to wander, there wasn’t time for that. The goop inside the vials all smelt good. A rather clean but neutral enough scent. I used the red for my hair, and blue for my body as instructed. After a moment’s hesitation, I used the green for my hair at the end as well as my other source of ‘curls’. Just to be safe. Thankfully my hair didn’t feel weird or anything after washing it out. It was only after I was finished showering that I realized I didn’t have a towel with me. My eyes widened comically in panic. I didn’t want to drip water all over the floor, creeping to the door to poke my head out and ask for one, but what was the alternative? I jumped slightly at a knock on the door.
“Are you all done in there Dear? I heard the shower turn off!”, Strout called from the other side of the door.
Oh thank the good Lord!
“Yes! Do you happen to have a towel by any chance, and maybe some slippers?!”, I hollered back quite eagerly.
Now my feet and Draco didn’t have to risk the potential germs of the floor and whatnot. Strout was silent on the other end, until she came into the lavatory that is. I startled even though I was half expecting it. Peaking from around the curtain at her shyly with water dripping down my face, as she held a fluffy towel out to me. It was the same cool green as her robes. I awkwardly reached out for it while keeping the curtain tucked under my armpits. I must’ve been quite the sight as Madam giggled.
“I’ve been a healer for a long time Dear, and seen more than my fair share of bodies. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”, her reassurance fell on deaf ears as I hid behind the curtain to wipe off.
I was NOT going to be a part of those fair share of bodies, thank you very much.
“After you’re done I’ll dry your hair, and you can put on that robe I mentioned earlier.”
I suddenly felt rushed, even if I wasn’t intentionally. I scrubbed everywhere in a hurry. Just squeezing my hair with the towel a few times before handing it back. I traded her for the robes. Noting that they were similar enough to Muggle hospital gowns, minus the huge gaping slit at the back.
“God is good.”, I whispered as I slipped it over my head.
I didn’t want anyone seeing my bum.
“What was that Dear?”, Strout checked in with me.
My cheeks flushed slightly from being overheard.
“God is good!”, I repeated more firmly as I stepped out from behind the curtain.
Having gathered my hair to the side and holding the ends away from my robes, less they develop a wet patch on them. She smiled at me in good nature.
“God is good.”, Madam nodded along as she pulled her wand from her pocket and quick dried my hair.
Bending down to softly drop these rubber sandals at my feet. I quirked my brow at how un-wizard like they looked.
“Have you never seen bathing slippers before Dear?”, she sounded genuine as she asked.
“I have, Muggles use them, and not just for showering.”, I grinned.
Slipping them on my feet and giving my toes and experimental wiggle. Another nod was thrown my way as she quick dried my body, to be safe I suppose. It wouldn’t do to lay down with moist clothes for three days.
“Come now Dear, and I’ll explain the procedure to you and your friends.”, she hummed.
I obediently drifted behind her, feeling uncomfortable from the stares I was suddenly getting from everyone when we entered.
“Bloody hell!”, Weasley crooned as we drew near.
With a venomous look to her face Granger smacked the top of his head with the book she was reading. I cringed sympathetically at the loud conk sound it made. He dropped to the ground and rolled around, clutching his head in pain.
“What?”, I finally questioned after such a big fuss was made.
“What did I tell you, the green one always works wonders on curls.”, Madam Strout grinned brightly.
I touched a hesitant hand to my head. Finding voluminous, defined curls radiating from my scalp instead of the frizzy unkept mess it usually is.
“Oh.”
“..OH.”, I repeated in mounting surprise and horror.
Under the revelation that The Boss Lady must’ve walloped Red over the noggin because he liked my hair. I felt my face warm despite myself. It was a weird thought, for a boy to like my hair of all things. Granger’s eagle eyed squint was punching a hole through me as I found something new to blush over. Draco’s bed had been magically expanded. There was a very obvious spot made for me at his left side. A new crisp pillow placed just next to his and the blanket pulled to the side.
“I’m sharing a bed with him?!”, I squeaked out of shock.
Immediately regretting it when Weasley pulled himself off the floor at the news, and Harry just about broke his neck to check with his own eyes the validity of my statement.
“Wot!?!”
“Is that really necessary—“
“Oh honestly, Ronald—“
“QUIET!”, I screeched as everyone fumbled over each other in speech.
Looking as sheepish as I could be at Madam for raising my voice. She seemed rather relieved that everyone shut up more than anything though.
“He’s in a coma, I’ll be under a potion, it’s nothing untoward. I was just, surprised.”, I brush off the protective concerns of my brother and whatever the heck Red’s indignant about.
“Well said, and they’ll be monitored closely by me and our staff to ensure a smooth procedure.”, Strout swiftly put the matter to rest.
Taking my elbow and gently guiding me towards the bed. That anxious feeling was back. I stiffly climbed onto the mattress. Cringing at the soft groan of the springs as I laid flat on my back. Pulling my hair out from under my neck where it was stuck to fan it out on my pillow. The ends hanging well off the edge of the bed. There was nothing I could do about that, so I ignored it as an assistant healer tucked me in with the blanket. I laid next to Draco, two inches apart. I was scared to get any closer. Unreasonably scared that his body would be hard and cold like a corpse, or that he’d suddenly awake and jump out of bed in disgust.
“Alright now.”, Strout clapped her hands once again as a healer handed off that bottle he was clutching for dear life earlier.
“This, is Socius Somnium. It allows for two or more people to share dreams for exactly three days. It starts working from the moment you take a sip, so it’s recommended use is right before bed. We’ll put you in a magically induced coma first, and then drip this into you and Mr. Malfoy’s mouths. According to the case studies, successful participants experienced several dreams within the allotted three days. Using the key words ‘wake up’, after building a significant amount of trust with the patient causes a shift in dreams until the patient is lucid and willing enough to wake. Now the potion HAS been tweaked over the years to boost lucidity in the drinkers upon immediate consumption, but it’s not guaranteed. The common report is that volunteers only gain lucidity at around the one-fourth mark. To counter that as much as possible of course you’ll be asleep the entire time Dear. At the end of the three days, whether Mr. Malfoy is awake or not, we WILL be taking you out of the induced coma. The Ministry’s only signed off on one attempt, and St. Mungo’s can’t spare additional staff for any longer than that. You’ll have one chance Dear, make it count. Do you have any questions?”
I stared long and hard at Madam. Doing my best to take everything in as she held the colour shifting, swirling potion. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was half a second away from a panic attack.
“So go in, get lucid, establish trust, ‘wake up’ until Draco wakes up?”, I breathe out.
Desperately trying to recap everything to myself and drill the knowledge into my head.
“Yes Dear, and we’ll pull you out after three days. Remember that.”, Madam Strout’s voice was stern as she made sure I understood the terms.
“Is there any way to keep track of the time? Will time pass the same in the dreams as here?”, I checked.
Hoping to get some magical dream wristwatch, or that the dreams will have the same day-night cycle as the real world. She shook her head.
“As magical as the circumstances are, the dreams are just that, dreams. Time doesn’t pass the same way when you’re asleep, does it?”
It was my turn to slowly shake my head. I tried not to let my disappointment shine through on my face.
“When the dream starts to fade and fizzle out, you’ll know the three days are up. If Mr. Malfoy wakes before then you’ll be jarred out of the coma as well.”, is the parting information I’m left with as Madam uncorks the potion bottle.
I lift my head slightly to take one last look at my brother and his friends. Who’ve come to stand on the other side of the bed. Silently providing their support without getting in the way.
“You can do this, Willa. You’ve always been the nicest to him out of all of us. Just, do more of that, and whatever it takes for him to trust you. You’ll have him up in no time.”, Harry grinned at me.
A sentiment I returned as Madam gently pushed my head back down onto the pillow, and her assistant— the one that was holding the robes earlier, waved his wand over me. A soft sea foam green light emanating from it as my lids grew heavy. They felt almost sticky, so I tried to shut them for a moment to roll my eyes in hopes of clearing the sensation. Suddenly, there was a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns exploding behind my eyes. I would’ve braced myself and clenched my teeth over the brightness of it all, but my body wasn’t cooperating. In fact I couldn’t feel my body at all, or really register anything but the overwhelming barrage of colours. After what felt like forever, the colours slowed and disappeared into the black.
I was in my shared dorm with Hermione. Ron and Harry lounging on her bed as she ranted on about rut cycles.
“Honestly, how female Alphas are expected to concentrate in class without the same strength suppressants as male Alphas during their ruts is completely preposterous!”, she snapped.
Pacing back and forth in front of her bed. Even from where I was standing I could smell how strongly she was scenting.
“Cool it, Mione. Before I have to crack open a window over here.”, I coughed out as I moved to open my bedside nightstand.
I spoke up, seeing as the boys wouldn’t otherwise. Betas, the pair of them. They’ll groan about Granger’s ranting later on outside of her presence, but right now they were all nods of agreement and attentiveness.
“I wouldn’t expect YOU to understand. Beta heats are the mildest out of all three classes.”, she sniffed as she turned her head pointedly away from me.
Too dismissive in her righteous fury to see how biting her statement was.
“Hey! I know you’re upset, but you don’t need to take things out on my sister.”, my brother’s tone was consolatory but still in my defense all the same.
I appreciated him taking the heat off me, as no one noticed my panic upon the realization that I was out of heat cycle suppressants.
“I need to go get more suppressants from Professor Snape.”, I distractedly called over as I all but darted out of the room.
“Why she doesn’t just go to Madam Pomfrey is beyond me.”, Red felt the need to comment as I left the dormitories.
I wasn’t the fastest, but I could be quick when properly prompted. Booking it out of the Gryffindor Common Room and heading straight for the Dungeons. Hermione was right, Beta heats were the mildest of all. Almost manageable without suppressants or a mate, but I wasn’t a Beta. Harry was, and being that he presented first, and we’re twins.. I let everyone assume. It was safer that way. If word got out that I was an unclaimed Omega.. I shuddered as I skidded to a stop in front of Professor Snape’s office. I got here rather quick didn’t I? For all that the Professor blustered and intimidated, he was an Omega too. A rather under the table bit of knowledge, that I became privy to under the circumstances. Omegas were the most uncommon class, and the most sought after. It was safer not to go around announcing it. That was why I went to him for suppressants. The Hospital Wing wasn’t the most private place for such delicate matters.
I pushed open the door to his office, fully expecting him to be sat there. Either brooding or grading papers with distain. Instead he was no where to be seen, but the room was by no means unoccupied. Draco whipped around, his wild eyes locking on mine. His hair was mused and his school robes crumpled. He looked a right mess as opposed to his usually tailored and crisp appearance. Oh wait.. My eyes bugged out of my skull as I was hit with realization that I was dreaming. Right, right. The coma. Trust, ‘wake up’, wake Draco up. I can— Draco was in front of me in an instant. Grabbing my arm with force and dragging me inside. I stumbled along as he yanked the door shut behind me, and pushed me away. As if my presence burned him.
“Are you out of your mind, Potter? Don’t just stand there with the door open! The last thing I need is for some Beta to wander past, un-suppressed.”, he hissed at me with a sneer.
“What—“, I couldn’t even find my footing before I was hit with it.
The most musky, heady, delicious scent that had my body producing slick at a rapid rate. My pupils dilated as I sniffed the air. That sniffing turned into gasping lungfulls as I leaned into him. He jolted back in alarm.
“Oh no, please tell me you’re not on your cycle too. The last thing I need is Potter’s Beta twin sis panting—“, his dramatic complaints were cut off as his energy went to fending off my sudden advances.
I was reaching for him, craning my neck and standing on my tippy toes. Whining as I failed to burry my head in the crook of his neck where his scent glands were. He looked a bit put out and frazzled by my behavior, but I didn’t have the self control to stop. In the fuzzy, back part of my head it registered that this wasn’t the point of me being here and I was losing the plot.
“Draco.”, I choked out.
Flush with need as the presence of an unclaimed Alpha mid rut kicked my own cycle into high gear. He firmly grabbed me by the shoulders, I was too weak to struggle out of his hold as I was slammed into the wall next to the door. My eyes rolled back and I moaned from the impact. My knickers fully soaking through with slick.
“Quit pawing at me like—“, his lips were pulled back in a snarl as he crowded me in a show of dominance.
His words dropped off abruptly as he sniffed the air. Having finally caught wind of my scent mixed with my slick. He went more still than a statue, his entire body locked ridged as his wide eyes appraised me. His pupils dilated. Suddenly groaning deeply as his head dropped into my shoulder. His nose rubbing my scent gland. I keened, my back arching as my head dropped to the side to give him more access.
“You’re an Omega, unclaimed, in heat.”, he sounded like he was on the verge of tears.
He bucked his groin against me, growling at how responsive I was. He was stiff, pulsing, and seemingly quite large in those trousers of his.
“I never thought I’d fine one, the way you lot hide yourselves.”, he snorted out.
Pulling himself together just enough to drag me away from Professor Snape’s office and the Dungeons. My head was still swimming with his strong presence. The urge to submit to him was overwhelming. It was a toss up between who had the stronger cycle, Alphas or Omegas. I was of the opinion it was the latter. I need to be filled, bred, immediately. That’s all I could focus on. The fact that this was a dream didn’t deter the urge at all. No matter how much I tried to remember that.
“Could you imagine if we didn’t? I’d have been forced into something by now.”, I retorted as we ascended further and further up into the castle.
I was still capable of speech, that was good. It helped that he wasn’t pressed up against me, filling my nose with his scent. I could just barely make out the fact that he was starting to leak pre fluid. I clung to the fact that this wasn’t my dream, this was HIS. I was interacting with the real Draco right now. If that thought didn’t chase the fog from my mind away nothing would. My face flushed deeply. Dear Lord, please tell me he won’t remember how pathetic I was when he wakes up! I wonder if he’s stiff while in his coma. You know, like a wet dream..
“I would’ve claimed you from the beginning if I had known. No one would’ve dared to lay a hand on what’s mine.”, he huffed out in indignation.
“You would’ve claimed me?”, my tone coloured with a pleased sort of surprise.
Was this what the real Draco thought? Or was this part of his weird A/B/O dream lore? Would he have been saying this to Granger if she had been the one to volunteer?
“Of course I would’ve. As if I deserve anything less than an Omega.”
He threw his head back like a thoroughbred horse. Ever the arrogant and cocky Heir he was. I had missed this part of him. Sure he was a git most of the time, but I much preferred that to when he was depressed and under Voldy’s payroll.
“Yeah? Think I’m good enough for such a strong Alpha like you?”, I found myself stroking his ego.
As expected he preened, that cocky smirk and self importance on display. He glanced over at me, tongue curled behind his teeth, and clearly chuffed.
“Keep acting like that and you will be.”
We stopped in front of a wall, a door seemingly birthed from it’s stone in an instant.
“The Room Of Requirement?”, I looked to him for further instruction.
My head tilted to the side like a curious puppy. He let out another groan.
“You look so innocent like that, so soft.”, he panted out.
Pushing me towards the door. I opened it for us before he could lean over me to do so. Taking in the warm, fire lit bedroom we’d stepped into. The star of the room was clearly the four poster, queen sized, canopy bed. Set with the headboard against the wall, right in eye line of the door. It was the first thing you noticed upon stepping inside. He wasn’t at all subtle with his desires, the room picked up as much. I suddenly felt like I’d been doused with cold water. Draco wanted to— and with me! This was a dream but, it all felt real? I could see, feel, hear, touch, and with the experimental flick of my tongue around my mouth taste. This was as real of an experience as any.
“You weren’t kidding when you said claim.”, I breathed out.
Having not moved an inch from where I was stationed by the door. Draco on the other hand was already halfway to the bed. Stopping to turn on his heel to look at me with a quirked brow.
“Got cold feet all of a sudden, Darling?”, he teased.
Slightly less biting than usual. The term of endearment setting my heart a light as I struggled to remember why we shouldn’t.
“As mates?”, I checked.
Maybe if marriage was on the table it wouldn’t be so bad..
“We’ll do the ceremony first if you want.”
I found myself taking a step further. He smirked like a man who’d just won.
“Do you think I’m pretty?”, I found myself asking.
Was it right to ask while in a dream? While he was vulnerable to a degree? He wasn’t lucid, that’s for sure. I highly doubt he’d be trying to get me into bed otherwise. He nodded all too quickly. I wondered if he was just desperate to appease me.
“There’s room for improvement, sure, but you’ve got a nice face. Beautiful eyes, and I bet you’ve got a great body under those boxy school robes.”
He seemed sincere, honest. That was a better answer then I thought I’d get from him. I padded over to where he was. Tipped my head back to make eye contact with him.
“Start the ceremony then.”, I whispered.
He took my hands in his own.
“I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, in the eyes of our Lord God the Father; take thee, Willamina Lily Potter as my soul sworn mate.”
“I, Willamina Lily Potter, in the eyes of Lord God the Father; take thee, Draco Lucius Malfoy as my soul sworn mate.”
“To have.”
“And to hold.”
“In sickness.”
“And in health.”
“For better.”
“Or worse.”
“For richer.”
“Or poorer.”
“Til death.”
“Do us part.”
“Amen.”, we echoed in unison.
Sealing our union with a picture perfect kiss. It was chaste and only lasted for a few seconds. Yet when Draco pulled away I was dazed and breathless. Chest heaving and face flushed as I was overcome with a silly amount of giddiness, as well as a good hit of his scent. This was a dream, and I was supposed to do whatever it took for him to trust me. Becoming mates surely fell into that? I beamed at him as he took my hand and lead me to the bed.
Afterwards as we laid tangled together, under the sheets basking in the afterglow. Marveling at what it was like to make love and claim each other, I almost considered staying here. In this one dream, for as long as possible. Sure the A/B/O stuff was a bit odd, and primal, but how it felt to have Draco sink his teeth into me. Growling ‘mine’ into my neck as he rocked the bed.. I belonged and was wanted by someone so, perfect, pretty, unattainable. If he were awake he would’ve never— and here I am being selfish already. Draco’s dying, and here I am bemoaning that he doesn’t want to sleep with me in the real world. If he doesn’t wake up in time because I was too busy jumping his dream bones I’m pitching myself off the Astronomy Tower. With a deep sigh, I leaned back to look at him. My claim bite on his gorgeously creamy and slender neck still a bit pink.
“Baby?”, I tried out the term while I still could.
He purred like a big wild cat as he turned. His expression soft, satiated, and affectionate as he bent his head down to nuzzle me. My eyes stung.
“Wake up.”