Harry stood frozen for a good few seconds before his body spurred into action.

"Draco!" Harry cried as he rushed towards him, falling on his knees before the boy.

He reached out a shaking hand to touch Draco's cold, pale cheek, but withdrew it quickly with a cry as a sharp bolt of electricity pierced his skin.

"No!" Draco cried, scrambling away from Harry, his eyes wide with fear. "Don't touch me! It hurts!"

"Draco..." Harry stated at his hand in horror, his voice barely above a whisper. "What's going on?"

Draco's teeth were chattering as he hauled himself into a sitting position, his back resting against a tree trunk behind him, looking sadly at Harry.

"You didn't know?" he asked, looking at Harry through bleary eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Harry responded, feeling the nausea resurface as he stared at Draco's pale face. He looked ghostly.

Draco let out a short, humourless laugh, shaking his head at the sheer ignorance that Harry possessed.

Draco sighed, wrapping what was left of his delicate wings around himself, attempting to bring some warmth into his body.

"Harry..." Draco whispered, tears in his eyes as he stared off into the distance. "Harry, do you know what happens when a Veriae's mate rejects him?"

A pit of dread began to rise in Harry's stomach as his eyes widened at Draco's words, the realisation of what Draco was saying hitting him at full force like a freight train.

There was a long silence before Harry spoke.

"I... I did this... didn't I?" Harry choked out, his voice barely a whisper as his own tears threatened to escape. "I did this to you!"

Draco nodded silently, still not looking at Harry and said, "Once a Veriae is rejected by their mate, they are destined to a long and painful suffering. They can't be touched by anyone, not even their mate... The pain is too much..." Draco trailed off, choking out the last words as his face grew paler and his body grew colder.

Harry felt like he was going to be sick. He'd just killed his boyfriend. Not intentionally of course, but he'd still done it just the same. Fuck! Why hadn't he listened to Hermione?! Why had he been such an asshole?

"Draco..." Harry whispered, trying to shuffle closer to his Veriae, but watched in horror as Draco recoiled away from his touch.

"Draco, please!" Harry despaired, not knowing what to do. "I'm so sorry!" He was freely crying now, his eyes begging Draco for... something. For what? He'd done this - this was his fault!

"It's okay, Harry," Draco whispered, his eyes finally meeting Harry's. Harry gasped as he noted the deep blue shade they flickered so minutely.

"I was prepared for this..." Draco continued, his voice wheezing from his chest as he felt the constraints in his throat tighten with every breath. "I knew that this might happen... But no matter what, I want you to know that I cherish every moment I spent with you, every moment I did my best to protect you. I fulfilled my duty as your Veriae to the very end... And no matter what, Harry..." Draco's voice was barely a whisper now, gasping for breath between his sentences.

"No matter what... I want you to know that I love you. I always have..." Draco's voice trailed off as his eyes began to flutter closed.

"Draco.. Draco!" Harry said sharply as he tried to get as near to the Veriae as possible without touching him. "Do not fall asleep on me now, do you hear me? I'm going to fix this! I'm going to fix my mistake and I'm going to make you better!" He cried desperately, tears spilling fast down his crest-fallen face.

Draco took a deep breath and forced his eyes open.

"Harry..." He croaked out. "There's no way to fix it... What's done is done. You need to let me go..."

"NO!" Harry yelled, so loudly that Draco's body jumped slightly. "No, I'm not..." his voice cracked. "I'm not letting you die! There must be a way! I love you, dammit!"

Draco stared up at Harry through half-lidded eyes.

"But..." Draco started, his body curling in on itself even more as he spoke raggedly. "You said that was a lie... You said... you never wanted to see me again..."

Harry felt a jolt of pain shoot through him as he remembered the painful words he'd spoken that day in the dungeons. He closed his eyes to the memory, bowing his head at what he'd done.

"I didn't mean it," The boy whispered, his eyes still closed. "I was angry, hurt, confused, I didn't mean what I said! I never wanted this to happen... I never wanted to see you hurt," he choked out. "I'm so sorry, Draco."

The blonde boy stared at him silently, tears rolling down his cheeks as his shivering worsened.

"I forgive you, Harry. It's okay. But you need to let me go now... I'm sorry I can't be there to protect you anymore..." Draco choked out, holding himself tightly. "But you'll be okay, I know you will."

"No," Harry said quietly, but forcefully. "I'm not letting you die, I told you. There must be a way," he said, staring at Draco urgently.

Draco took a sharp breath and let out a small moan of pain and clutched his chest.

"There is only one way... you can undo this..." Draco wheezed, his eyes beginning to close. "But Harry... it's too dangerous. I can't let you risk your life to save mine..."

"I don't care! Tell me! TELL ME DAMMIT!" Harry yelled, almost shaking the boy in his urgency, but retracting his hands quickly when he remembered he couldn't touch Draco.

"Please..." Harry ran a hand over his face, eyes glistening with unshed tears in the soft moonlight.

"You need to..." Draco's voice was barely audible as his teeth chattered loudly. "You need to visit the Higher Up's."

Harry's eyes widened. "The Higher Ups? Who are-"

"They're the most important of the Veriaes..." Draco cut across him, struggling to get his words out. "They're like the Ministry, but for Veelas and Veriaes... they're the only ones who can help..."

"Where can I find them?" Harry asked immediately, already getting to his feet.

"Harry, don't, please... it's too dangerous... You need to let me go..." Draco said quietly.

Harry scoffed. "You told me you'd protect me, and now I'm doing the same for you. I'm returning the favour." Harry knelt again in front of Draco, his green eyes holding the blonde's desperately.

"Please let me help you. You know I'll be fine, I'm the boy who lived, remember?" He laughed quietly, trying to lighten the situation. "We can get out of this together..." Harry said, looking at Draco solemnly. "Just please let me do this."

Draco stared at him for ten agonisingly long seconds before finally nodded his head in resignation.

"Okay..." Draco wheezed. His hands had adopted a soft blue tinge. "They live in the woods... just a few miles off Hogwarts near the border... near a large waterfall."

Harry breathed out a thank you and gathered his wand from inside his robes.

"But Harry..." Draco breathed, holding out a hand towards his mate. "The Higher Ups won't help without a price... you must be prepared... please... be careful..."

Harry swallowed. He didn't know what sort of price these creatures would ask, but Harry had all the gold and silver in the world and he would exchange it if he had to. He would do anything.

"Harry..." Draco looked at him through half-lidded eyes as his head fell back against the tree behind him. "I don't have much time... you need to hurry..."

Harry leant in towards Draco, his breath ghosting the pale boy's cheek, almost touching but not quite.

"I love you, Draco. I'll be back soon," whispered the dark-haired boy as he got to his feet and ran as fast as he could across the bridge and through the vines.

"I love you too..." the reply was spoken brokenly as Draco's eyes fluttered closed, watching Harry's retreating back before him.

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"Harry, please, where are you going?!" Hermione's shrill voice rang through the Gryffindor common room as Harry gathered everything he needed; his broom, his invisibility cloak, his wand, and some gold and silver coins.

He'd decided flying would be the easiest option - he'd considered apparating but remembering the last time he'd attempted it, he wasn't sure he wanted a splinched leg again with a week in the hospital wing to follow.

"Hermione, I'm sorry I can't explain right now, I will when I get back!" Harry was hurriedly stuffing his wand into his pockets as he made his way to the common room door.

"It's about Draco, isn't it?" Hermione asked breathlessly following Harry through the portrait hole.

Harry nodded as the two of them rushed through the hallways of the school.

"I'll tell you everything once I'm back, then we'll have to tell Ron everything too," Harry said, sparing a glance at Hermione who nodded.

"Okay Harry, just..." Hermione started as the two made it into the school grounds. "Be careful."

"I will... And I'm sorry about earlier," Harry looked at Hermione sheepishly as he mounted his broom.

Hermione shook her head and gave her friend a wry smile. "No matter."

Giving Hermione one last hug, Harry drew his broom forward, placed his invisibility cloak over his shoulders and pushed off with every ounce of strength he had.

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The woods Harry found himself in were dark and twisted. The moon was at its height now, it must have been somewhere near two in the morning.

Harry hadn't slept a wink, not that he could have even if he wanted to - his mind was racing. Guilt, anger, pain, heartbreak, yearning were just some of what Harry could describe as the swirling pit in his stomach.

He felt guilty for what he'd done to Draco, anger at himself for letting it happen, pain at the thought of Draco's nearly lifeless body, heartbreak at the thought of them being apart forever, and a yearning for the once beautiful, peaceful love they had so fleetingly shared.

But a new feeling of determination surrounded Harry as he stepped carefully through the trees, clutching his invisibility cloak tightly around him. He knew he could do this. He knew he could save Draco.

Harry had flown for a few miles before spotting the huge waterfall Draco had told him about, ducking silently into the trees and stopping just before it.

Now, the moon cast its glow onto the forest floor, illuminating the clearing in front of him.

Harry looked around, expecting to see someone, anyone, but no one was there. Just the stillness of the night merged with the sound of rushing water behind him.

Harry swallowed and cleared his throat, removing his cloak. He could do this.

"Hello?"

Harry mentally kicked himself for sounding so scared. He hadn't intended for his voice to come out that way, but he must've felt stronger than he really was.

He coughed and tried again, clearer and louder this time.

"Hello? I'm looking for... the Higher Ups... Are you here?"

Harry glanced around, met with only the same silence as before.

Just as Harry was about to call out again, a rustle from the bushes behind him made him jump, and he whipped around, wand trained on the spot where it had come from.

"Harry Potter. We meet at last."

A man walked out from behind the bushes, tall and dark-haired. He wore long black, flowing robes down to his ankles. He looked elegant and regal. Harry gasped as he noted the giant wings spread eagle like from behind the man, fierce and black. He was looking at Harry with a glint in his eye.

"There's no need for that," The Veriae gestured to Harry's wand, still pointed at him. "It's not necessary. We are not going to harm you."

"Are you..." Harry swallowed, looking at the Veriae carefully, lowering his wand just slightly. "Are you one of the Higher Ups?"

"Yes, indeed. One of many, in fact." The Veriae gestured behind Harry as at least a dozen others, all with the same stark black wings, surrounded the clearing.

Harry returned his attention to the Veriae in front of him.

"It is not often we get visitors, my boy, so naturally... I assume you are here to undo the magic that surrounds you, am I correct?" The Veriae raised an eyebrow at Harry and stepped a foot closer.

Harry cleared his throat, his heart beating fast.

"I- I... Yes... I made a mistake... And I was hoping you would be able to help me fix it."

He heard a couple of sniggers from behind him but kept his eyes on the Veriae in front of him. He was smiling ever so slightly, a glint just visible in his eye.

"And what, Harry, is this mistake that you wish to fix?"

"I..." Harry hung his head in shame. Here he was, speaking to the heads of the Veriae and Veela race, begging for their help after practically killing Draco. What on earth was he doing?

"I rejected my Veriae," Harry mumbled, not looking into the eyes ahead of him. "I was angry and I didn't mean to and-" He stopped as he caught himself blabbering.

"He told me to come here," Harry started again, taking a deep breath. "I have coins, I'll do anything-" Harry turned out his pockets to show the winged creatures before him. "Just please don't let him die. Please reverse the magic!"

The Veriae before him let out a sudden, harsh laugh, any soft exterior he might have had had now vanished.

"You expect us to help you? After you made the mistake of rejecting your Veriae?" The creature spat out a laugh. Harry could hear the rest of them behind him whispering amongst themselves.

"You expect us to undo the suffering you caused, with some measly old coins?" The Veriae shook his head, chuckling.

Harry looked down at the coins in his hand, gulping silently as the Veriae continued; "Do you know what an honour it is to be the mate of a Veriae? How rare and precious such a fate is? How dare you come here, asking of aid from us when you've treated our kind like a practical joke!" The wings before Harry ruffled in anger.

"Please! I- I'll do anything! I didn't want to hurt him, I didn't mean to!" Harry cried and forced back tears. He didn't think this would be  so difficult.

"I didn't know what would happen! Please! I... I love him," Harry choked on sobs, trying to stay collected.

Silence fell over the clearing. The Veriae before Harry was silent, surveying him from a height with piercing eyes.

"You say you'll do anything for your Veriae? Anything to undo the magic?" The man spoke carefully, his eyes not leaving Harry for a second, holding him captive.

Harry nodded, not daring to speak.

"There is only one way to undo the magic which binds us, and the price is not your ordinary coins, boy; To restore a life, another must be taken. That is the balance of nature."

Harry drew a shaky breath.

"So... you're saying that-"

"Yes, Harry Potter," The Veriae's voice was barely above a whisper. "Once the decision has been made to reject the Veriae, the mate only has one option if they wish to undo the harm they caused. They must restore the balance."

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Draco lay still against the soft bark of the tree, his breath rattling in his lungs. He knew he didn't have long. He barely remembered the last thing he said to Harry as the boy left. He just hoped he was okay.

Grey eyes fluttered open as the early morning sun rose high above the trees where he lay. It was morning. Harry still wasn't back.

Draco swallowed as he moved stiffly, shuffling his position. He looked down at his hands - they were sallow and bony. His long, thin fingers looked eerie, almost as if they weren't his own. He didn't feel like himself.

Draco inhaled deeply before spluttering as he noticed a flash of red robes just ahead of him. Relief flooded through him as he realised who it was.

"Harry..." Draco could barely speak as the seconds ticked by, marking his ultimate death. "You're here..."

Draco watched, not able to move a muscle as Harry rushed towards him, calling out his name. He dropped to his knees in front of Draco, a look of dread passing over his face.

Draco didn't expect anything less. He must've looked awful. He'd noticed all the shed feathers littering the ground around him. He felt completely and utterly hopeless.

"You... made it back..." Draco whispered as Harry fished in his cloak for something.

"Yes," Harry replied. Draco didn't miss his fingers trembling as he retrieved a small vial from his cloak. "I brought you something."

Draco looked at the vial in Harry's fingers, not making a move to reach for it.

"What is it?" Draco asked, looking up at Harry.

"It's a vial of Veriae blood. From the Higher Ups. They mixed a spell in it or something, I don't really know what they did to it..." Harry said in a rush, not looking into Draco's eyes.

Draco watched Harry with narrowed eyes, his breath becoming more laboured.

"They just gave this to you...?" He asked, trying to gauge Harry's reaction.

Harry swallowed but nodded, still holding the vial.

"You need to drink it. It'll heal you, make you all better," Harry tried to sound convincing but knew Draco would see through it.

Draco was still watching him disbelievingly.

"Draco, please!" Harry rushed, pulling the stopper out of the vial. "You need to drink, we don't have long!" He glanced up as the sun shone above the mountain range behind them.

Harry kneeled closer to Draco, being careful not to touch him.

"Harry..." Draco wheezed, taking the vial from Harry's outstretched hand. "What... What was the price you had to pay?"

Harry visibly gulped but shook his head. "It doesn't matter, it's not important now." Harry held the vial at the bottom, careful not to touch Draco's fingers as he pushed it carefully towards Draco's lips.

"Harry... tell me..."

"Not now," Harry said firmly. "It doesn't matter, it's not important. All that matters right now is you. Please... just trust me."

Draco's eyes met Harry's and he could see the desperation laced within them. Harry loved him, he could tell. So much, in fact, he went all the way to fetch the very thing that would make him better. He trusted Harry. He knew Harry wouldn't lie to him.

"Please, Draco. Drink it."

Draco swallowed, and nodded, feeling his last breaths leave his lungs as he stiffly tipped the contents of the vial into his mouth with the help of Harry, the blood trickling down his throat.

Almost at an instant, Draco could feel immediate warmth spread through his lungs, across his chest, as if his body was regenerating, coming back to life. He felt the colour flow to his cheeks, felt the cool air seep into his lungs.

Draco took a deep breath as he watched Harry, who was smiling, tears shining in his eyes.

"Harry..." Draco said, still weak and dizzy from the effects of the blood. "Tell me... What price did you have to pay? Please... I need to know."

Harry looked down into his lap, his smile gone from his face. He didn't look at Draco as he whispered; "The Higher Ups said that to restore a life, another must be taken in its place; the balance of nature must be restored."

Harry looked at Draco with a sad smile, tears glistening in his green eyes.

"To save your life Draco, they had to take another. In order to save you... I took your place."