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Draco had been glaring angrily at the Gryffindor table for minutes. Harry Potter and Tom Riddle were eating dinner with Harry's friends as usual, and Tom's right hand rested naturally on Harry's left, stroking the back of his hand in small circles.
Draco would have loved to rush over immediately and violently pull Tom away from Harry. If he could also give him a bloody beating in the process, that would be a welcome side effect. He hated that pompous Slytherin more than anyone else. He hated him with his whole damned soul.
Of course, with his full head of black hair, pale skin, and aristocratic features, he was objectively very handsome. In addition, Tom was Head Boy and generally very popular. But that wasn't what Draco hated so much about him. It was Potter. He hated him because he was with Harry Potter. He was allowed to be with this beautiful boy he had desired for so long.
Draco had always held a certain fascination for Potter. Even in their first year, he wanted to be friends with him. Even before that, to be honest. The Potters were an influential family, and his father had instilled in him the importance of cultivating relationships with influential families.
Draco had been determined to do just that at the time. However, after he clumsily insulted Weasley's discarded robes—spoiled brat that he was back then—Potter flatly rejected the offered hand and left with Weasley instead. And that was the end of their budding friendship. Besides, Potter had also been sorted into Gryffindor. That embarrassment wouldn't have survived the friendship anyway, would it? Slytherins and Gryffindors weren't friends, everyone knew that.
Okay, apparently not everyone did. Tom Riddle, also a Slytherin, was friends with Harry Potter, and the two were inseparable.
***
Years ago, Tom had been personally rescued from an orphanage by Dumbledore. What no one knew was that Dumbledore had altered fate by taking the future Dark Lord as a baby from the past and giving him to Sirius and Remus Black as their foster child, who raised him as their own. All Tom had ever known was deep love, and the future had changed.
The Blacks were close friends with Lily and James Potter, and so Harry and Tom grew up together, inseparable since childhood. Consequently, it surprised no one when the two started dating in their fourth year. Now in their seventh year, they were still together, and not one cloud could darken their happiness. They were absolutely steadfast in their affection. Everyone knew that they planned to marry and move in together immediately after graduation.
Draco hated that the two were together. He had always felt an uncomfortably strong attraction to Potter. Of course, he had hidden it behind contempt and arrogant behavior. God forbid he should have humiliated himself like that and confessed his romantic feelings to Potter. Especially since they would have been unrequited anyway.
Things had gotten worse in seventh year, though. Draco had, of course, presented as an Alpha, as befitted a proper Malfoy heir. Riddle was an Alpha, too. Harry Potter, as the heir to the Potter family, should naturally have become an Alpha as well. Draco had been waiting for years for this to make his unwanted relationship with Riddle obsolete. If he couldn't have Potter, then no one else should either.
But Draco had to learn that the world was rather imperfect. Against all odds, Potter presented as an Omega. Male Omegas were extremely rare and therefore very precious. Naturally, he could no longer indulge his hopes that Riddle and Potter would break up. No, the relationship seemed more stable than ever.
Draco grimaced in disgust at the thought that Riddle would soon mark Potter and claim him as his Omega. It was customary to do that only after graduation.
***
He could smell Potter's Omega scent all the way to the Slytherin table. It smelled irresistibly of treacletart and freshly cut grass. No other Omega at school had this effect on him. His mere scent made Draco's mouth water.
Today the scent was particularly strong. Potter must be about to come into heat.
Draco shook off Pansy's attempts to talk to him and left the dining hall. He couldn't stand the smell any longer. He was probably about to come into rut himself, which made him even more irritable than usual.
Draco stood in the corridor and shook himself. He was so angry; he desperately needed to get away from there and distract himself before he exploded and did something he would regret. He decided to go to the Quidditch pitch. It was Saturday evening, and he could still fly for an hour or two before it got dark.
Flying would take his mind and body away from his misery. Exactly what he needed.
***
It was already dark before he returned to the locker room. Draco took off his clothes and went to the showers. Thick clouds of steam and the sound of running water greeted him. A brief surge of anger flared within him; he would have liked to have had the showers to himself. He pulled himself together, definitely close to his rut, so the slightest thing irritated him.
As he entered, an irresistible scent hit him. Potter must have had a similar idea and was now standing naked in the shower. Draco hadn't even noticed that he had moved toward the Gryffindor. He was now standing directly behind him, inhaling his scent deeply. Definitely in heat. A loud, deep growl came from Draco's chest. Startled, Potter turned around, stumbled back in a panic, and bumped against the shower wall.
"Malfoy, God, you scared me. What are you doing here so late?"
Draco didn't answer. All rational thought had left him. His body betrayed him, and the rut—triggered by the Omega's heat—broke forth. Like a madman, he lunged at Potter and sniffed at his bonding gland.
"You're in heat," he growled, pressing his considerable weight against Potter. His large cock was stiff and pressed into the small Omega's stomach. He grabbed Potter's arse. Potter's body was already reacting to the Alpha. He could smell it, and feel the slick running from his hole.
Harry panicked and tried to push Malfoy away, to escape. He had no chance against the larger, much stronger Alpha. "Malfoy, please don't. Please let me go!" he begged, crying.
Draco was completely out of his mind. He couldn't think straight anymore. His brain just kept repeating the same words.
knot
breed
mark
In a complete frenzy of instinct, he gripped the Omega even tighter, lifted him up, and thrust his cock into the wet opening. Ignoring Potter's panicked screams and unrestrained sobs, he fucked him with wild, hard thrusts. Again and again, he slid in and out until he felt his knot form as he came. At that moment, he bit into the gland, marking Harry as his Omega.
After a few minutes, he snapped out of his daze and looked at Harry properly for the first time. He was crying desperately, his whole body shaking with sobs. Shit. He had marked Riddle's Omega, maybe even impregnated him. Harry was his Omega now. Even though Harry didn't want him. Such a brutal act was absolutely taboo in society, but the law was clear. Barbaric as it was, Harry officially belonged to Draco now. The marking couldn't be undone.
Once the knot was gone, Draco scooped up the weeping Harry and carried him back to the locker room. He dried him off and dressed him. Harry endured it all with a blank stare, looking utterly broken.
***
Draco knew he was completely screwed. This should never have happened and would cause him hell. He shuddered at the mere thought of how his parents would react. He had disappointed them and discraced the Malfoy name.
He knew what he had to do and didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately went with Harry to the headmaster's office.
The next few hours were simply dreadful. All parents had to be summoned and informed about the situation. The Blacks and the Potters had made marriage contracts for their sons, which were now invalid. Likewise, the Malfoys had contracts with the Greengrasses. The reparations the Malfoys now had to pay to the affected families were substantial. The Daily Prophet would have a field day; there was no way to hide this scandal from the press.
But that was only the contractual/financial aspect. When Tom learned what had happened, he was furious and wanted to kill Malfoy. He had to be restrained by the Aurors who were called in, and his parents took him away. Until he had composed himself and was stable enough to recover, he had to leave the school. He could have killed Malfoy to free his Omega, but the punishment for murder was still Azkaban.
Lily and James would have liked to take Harry with them, but this was no longer possible. He belonged to Malfoy, and they had no legal recourse. After the medical examinations, Harry had to drink a contraceptive potion and was placed in Draco's care. Dumbledore had the house-elfes prepare shared quarters for the newly bonded mates, with two bedrooms. It was physically painful for a newly mated couple to be separated for too long. Over time, this would subside, and the closeness could be eased.
The Potters reluctantly said goodbye to their son, who was still unresponsive, and Draco carried him to the new chambers.
***
"Harry?" Draco asked him gently after laying him on his bed. It hadn't even occurred to him to call him Potter anymore; he was, after all, his Omega, his mate. They were magically bound, forever. "Harry, please, I'm so, so sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't know you'd be there. You were in heat, and my body immediately went into rut. I couldn't think straight. I wouldn't have done that to you intentionally." His voice broke, and he was truly distraught.
Harry didn't answer, turned to the wall, and curled up. Silent tears streamed down his cheeks. He longed so much for Tom, his true Alpha, the love of his life. At the same time, he felt so miserable for having these thoughts. His instincts told him to take care of his distraught Alpha and reassure him that everything was alright. Yet, he couldn't even bear the thought of touching Malfoy.
Draco tried to stroke Harry's back to comfort him. It pained him to see his Omega so unhappy. But instead of the normal reaction of leaning into the touch, Harry moved further towards the wall and hissed, "Don't touch me, Malfoy. Get out of my room."
Draco looked down at Harry, hurt. Something wasn't right. The bite should have severed all ties to Riddle and refocused them on Draco. Harry shouldn't be so withdrawn and devastated. Of course, it was normal for him to still be sad and perhaps even harbor some friendly feelings for Riddle. But his entire world should now revolve around Draco. Perhaps the binding magic needed a little more time to work on Harry; after all, the entire mating had been a traumatic experience for him. Reluctantly, Draco left the room and went to his own, determined to be patient with his Omega.
Despite all the trouble he had caused, a deep sense of happiness crept into his chest. His dreams, cherished for years, had come true today. He had never dared to hope for it, but Harry Potter was now his... his forever.
***
After two days, Draco was more than worried. Harry's behavior hadn't changed at all. He just lay apathetically in bed, refusing food and water. He had only gotten up once, to drag himself to the toilet. He completely ignored Draco and didn't respond to his Alpha commands or the pheromones he released. It was as if he wasn't even there. Draco was utterly distraught and called Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey. They, too, seemed very concerned and took Harry and Draco to the hospital wing, where Harry underwent a thorough examination. No one could explain the Omega's behavior. Harry had to be fed artificially because he couldn't be persuaded to eat or drink. He continued to ignore his Alpha's direct commands, which shouldn't have been possible. An Omega always obeyed their Alpha, even if it went against their own wishes.
After a week in the hospital ward, Harry's behavior hadn't changed. His parents had been visiting him every day, and everyone was baffled. Experts from St. Mungo's were called in to investigate the phenomenon. They meticulously examined the bond between Alpha and Omega. It was active and complete, and their magical cores were connected. Everything was normal with Draco; only Harry wasn't reacting as he should have. He was physically bound to his Alpha and experienced pain whenever Draco was away for an extended period. But the emotional connection seemed to be either nonexistent or extremely weak. The love and obedience he should have felt for his Alpha were absent. Instead, he continued to yearn for Tom and called out for him repeatedly in his delirium. It was incredibly painful for everyone involved to witness. Draco, in particular, was suffering along with his Omega and was at the end of his rope.
***
Early in the morning, the infirmary was eerily quiet. Draco, unable to sleep, sat by the window, his gaze fixed blankly outside, when the door opened with a soft creak.
Dumbledore entered, followed by an elderly witch from St. Mungo's. In her arms she carried several dusty books, their covers crisscrossed with silver runes.
"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore began calmly, "we believe we have found a lead."
Draco jumped up immediately. "A lead? What's wrong with him? Why isn't our bond working properly?"
The healer placed the books on a table. "We've been searching through the old archives of binding magic. Very old records." She opened to a page whose parchment seemed brittle. "Here, a rare variation is mentioned. A so-called Enigma Omega."
Draco frowned. "I've never heard of that."
“Hardly anyone has,” Dumbledore replied gently. “Because apparently there hasn’t been a confirmed case for 85 years.”
The healer ran her finger over a faded drawing. "With an Enigma Omega, the marking alone isn't enough to form the soul bond. The instincts don't kick in automatically. The feelings... remain independent. This is indeed extremely unusual. According to the records, it's likely due to the magical core and only occurs with exceptionally powerful Omegas. As I said, we don't know of any living cases and will continue to search the archives to find out more."
Draco felt himself getting cold. "That means..."
“That means,” said Dumbledore quietly, “that Harry’s heart was not realigned through magic. The connection exists—physically, magically—but the emotional level has not developed, since Harry had already given his heart to an Alpha when you marked him.”
"Oh God," Draco exclaimed in despair, "does that mean I'm forever bound to an Omega who can never love me? Who will always reject me?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy. But this may indeed be a consequence of that extremely unfortunate bond. We can't say anything with certainty yet; we still know far too little about this Omega form or its implications for all of your futures. The Ministry has been contacted, and both the experts at St. Mungo's and the Unspeakables are investigating this case. At the moment, however, your Omega is suffering because his soul bonded Alpha, Mr. Riddle, is not with him. The situation is life-threatening. We strongly recommend allowing Mr. Riddle to see Harry. He needs both of his Alphas right now."
Draco growled loudly. The mere thought of letting another Alpha near his sick Omega filled him with rage. It felt utterly wrong.
Dumbledore sighed softly. "I can imagine this is difficult for you. Think about it, Mr. Malfoy. At the moment, we see no other option, and your Omega's life is at stake. We take our leave now."
Once Dumbledore and the mediwitch had left, Draco's anger subsided. He went to Harry's bed and sat down wearily beside his sleeping Omega. All the happiness he'd had just days before had gone up in smoke. He never would have imagined he could end up in such a situation. This was far worse than before, when he had only pined unhappily for Harry and suffered heartbreak. Now his entire being, his whole soul, belonged to an Omega who rejected him. Tears streamed silently down his cheeks as his heart broke.
The next morning he had made a decision. He would allow Riddle to visit Harry. Even though his instincts screamed no and it would kill him, he had to do it for his Omega. He owed that to Harry.
***
Dumbledore was sitting at his desk researching when there was a knock at the door. "Come in, just come in," said the old headmaster.
The door opened with a thud as Sirius and Remus Black entered, their faces hard with worry. Tom followed closely behind. He looked pale and gaunt, his eyes red-rimmed.
“Professor,” said Tom without hesitation. “How is Harry?”
Dumbledore gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please. Have a seat."
Tom kept standing.
"I just want to know if he's still alive," he said quietly.
“He is alive,” Dumbledore replied calmly. “But his condition is very critical.”
A faint tremor ran through Tom's breath. Remus briefly placed a hand on his arm, a silent gesture of grounding, before Tom finally sat down.
Dumbledore clasped his hands in front of him. "I will be direct. Harry is showing signs of an extremely rare Omega variant. He is most likely a so-called Enigma Omega."
Remus frowned. "I only read about it once in an old manuscript. It was considered a misinterpretation."
“Apparently not,” Dumbledore replied gently.
Tom leaned forward. "What does this mean for him?"
“The Marking by Mr. Malfoy created a complete magical bond,” Dumbledore explained. “However, with an Enigma Omega, the emotional connection is not automatically formed by magic. Harry’s heart has not bonded with his Alpha… it continues to follow its own path.”
Tom's gaze flickered. "His own path...?"
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "You are his chosen Alpha, Mr. Riddle. Not by a mark, but by deep love and free choice."
A painful smile flickered across Tom's face.
"Then let me see him," he said gruffly. "If he needs me..."
“He needs you,” Dumbledore interrupted calmly. “But you must understand that you are not connected to him through a bond. Your influence is emotional, not instinctive.”
Sirius leaned forward. "So he's suffering because his body is bound to Malfoy... and his heart to Tom?"
“Exactly that,” Dumbledore confirmed quietly.
Remus closed his eyes briefly. "This must be tearing him apart..."
A heavy silence spread.
Tom slowly stood up. "I'm going to him. And if Malfoy..."
“No,” said Dumbledore firmly, his voice still calm but unyielding. “There must be no fight between you.”
Tom's gaze sharpened. "He raped him, marked him without his consent."
“Mr. Riddle, what you must understand is that Mr. Malfoy remains Harry’s bound and rightful Alpha. And any conflict between you,” Dumbledore continued, “only increases Harry’s suffering. I can only allow you to see him if you are able to control yourself.”
Remus placed a hand on Tom's shoulder. "Listen. This isn't about possessions, it's only about Harry."
Tom closed his eyes briefly. His fingers clenched, but he visibly forced himself to calm down. "I would never intentionally harm him."
“I know that,” said Dumbledore gently. “That’s why I ask for your word. No displays of dominance. No provocations. You go to him as someone who loves him – not as a rival alpha.”
Tom said nothing for a long time. Then he nodded slowly.
"If my presence helps him... I will hold back. I would do anything for Harry," he murmured.
Sirius looked at him appraisingly, then turned to Dumbledore. "And Malfoy? Will he accept Tom's presence?"
A faint smile appeared on Dumbledore's lips. "Mr. Malfoy himself asked for Mr. Riddle to see Harry. It is not easy for him."
Surprise flickered across Tom's face, followed by a silent, contradictory expression.
"He's really letting me see him..." he whispered.
“He chose Harry’s life,” Dumbledore replied. “Despite the unfortunate situation, Mr. Malfoy is very fond of Harry and deeply concerned for his well-being.”
Tom took a deep breath, as if gathering himself. "When can I see him?"
Dumbledore rose. "Now, the sooner the better."
***
Draco was standing on the doorstep of Madam Pomfrey's office with his parents when Tom entered the hospital wing. He hadn't dared to witness Harry's and Tom's reunion to close, not wanting to risk an attack on the other Alpha. However, he also couldn't stray too far, as their new bond wouldn't allow it.
Tom approached the bed. Harry's parents sat on the other side, smiling sadly at Tom. His beloved Harry looked so ill, emaciated and pale. "Harry, my darling," he said, taking Harry's hand in his. "My love, I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I shouldn't have let you go so close to your heat. I..." His voice broke, and he sobbed. He buried his face in Harry's neck and wept desperately. Then Tom felt a small hand stroking his head. He looked up, directly into Harry's large, green eyes.
"Tom...Oh God, Tom, you're here. I...I missed you so much. I love you so much." Harry also began to cry uncontrollably.
"Oh Harry, my love," sobbed Tom, "I missed you terribly too. I'm here now, darling. Everything will be alright." Tom lay down in Harry's bed and held him tightly in his arms.
Draco stood some distance away, held by his parents, and watched the reunion. He felt torn between the overwhelming urge to rush to the hospital bed and wrest the Omega from the enemy Alpha, and the fear for Harry and the guilt stirred within him by the obvious deep love between Harry and Riddle. He sighed deeply and let his parents pull him back into the office. Narcissa took him in her arms, and even Draco could no longer hold back his tears.
After a while, Madame Pomfrey arrived with a tray. "Mr. Potter, I've brought you some soup. You urgently need to start eating properly again. You need strength to get well."
Harry wasn't hungry, but Tom insisted he had to eat and fed his boyfriend. He couldn't refuse his true alpha's request anyway. After finishing the soup and drinking two large glasses of orange juice and a Pepper Up Potion, Harry leaned back, exhausted. He smiled happily at Tom and fell asleep against his chest.
***
Dumbledore had gathered everyone around Harry's bed. Healer Moira Whitlock explained that Harry was already feeling better now that his two Alphas were with him. However, further treatment would have to include soul healing and bonding magic. For this, the patient would have to be transferred to St. Mungo's. Hogwarts wasn't the right place for the continued therapy. It also wasn't foreseeable that the three students would be able to resume their studies anytime soon. It was agreed that the transfer would take place the following morning. Everyone would stay in the hospital wing that night. No one trusted the two Alphas to spend the night unsupervised.
Dumbledore had once again appealed to both Alphas' consciences, urging them to remain peaceful for Harry's sake, no matter the cost. Accordingly, the rule was established that both Alphas could only touch Harry with mutual permission. Otherwise, the risk of a bloody ending was too great. The nature of an Alpha, after all, could not be underestimated. Tom and Draco had agreed, albeit very reluctantly.
***
The next morning, everyone used Dumbledore's fireplace to reach the Floo Network arrival room at St. Mungo's. Dumbledore emerged from the fireplace first, closely followed by Madam Pomfrey and two healers who carefully stabilized Harry's suspended stretcher. The families appeared immediately behind them.
Lily Potter never left her son's side. Her fingers repeatedly stroked Harry's hand. James walked beside her, his face hard, his shoulders tense.
On the other side stood Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. Narcissa's gaze remained fixed on Draco, who looked pale and exhausted. Lucius was unusually reserved, but observed every movement with keen interest.
Another burst of green flame announced Tom's arrival. Then Remus followed, calm as ever, and placed his hand affectionately on Tom's shoulder. Sirius followed close behind.
Tom stopped when he saw Harry; he looked so small and miserable. His breath caught for a moment, but he pulled himself together and walked silently beside the suspended stretcher.
"Healing ward three," a healer said calmly. "Soul healing and bonding magic."
The group set off. The long, white corridors of St. Mungo's seemed sterile compared to Hogwarts' warm stone.
Draco walked along the edge of the group. The distance to Harry was small enough that the new bond didn't hurt him, but far enough so as not to provoke Tom. His hands trembled slightly until Narcissa gently took them in her arms.
"You're doing so well, my darling," she whispered almost inaudibly.
They finally reached a large room with tall windows. Three beds stood there, separated by floor-length curtains. Rune circles were embedded in the floor, pulsating faintly.
The healers lowered Harry's stretcher and carefully transferred him to the middle bed. The moment his feet touched the mattress, his breathing became calmer. A soft sigh escaped him, as if the magic of the room itself were soothing.
"Mr. Potter will remain here," explained Healer Whitlock. "We need both Alphas near him for stabilization."
A barely audible growl vibrated in Draco's chest. At the same time, Tom tensed beside Remus.
Dumbledore raised his hand in a calming gesture. "That's why we're all here. To find a way to help Harry."
"And what about them?" James asked sharply, pointing at the two young Alphas. "They tear each other apart as soon as they're alone."
Remus placed a hand on his arm, but his gaze remained fixed seriously on Tom.
The mindhealer stepped into the center of the room. "These are perfectly valid concerns. We will be treating both Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Riddle with a special suppressant for the duration of their stay at the hospital. This suppresses the Alpha pheromones and simultaneously has a calming effect on Alphas. This should help you make the situation more bearable. Your instincts will be controlled, and you can approach this unusual and difficult situation with your common sense. There will still be rules. Anything that might upset Mr. Potter is to be avoided. Physical contact between the Alphas and Mr. Potter is only permitted with the consent of both Alphas and Mr. Potter. Please keep in mind at all times that any conflict will directly affect his condition. Mr. Potter's magical core has been significantly damaged and now needs time to regenerate. Please bear in mind that he could lose his magic completely or worse if further complications arise."
Tom nodded immediately, without taking his eyes off Harry.
Draco took a moment longer, then he too forced himself to give a curt nod.
Harry sighed and smiled reassuringly at Tom.
Then his gaze wandered on… to Draco.
A brief moment of tension hung in the air, so intense that even the adults held their breath. Harry didn't smile at Draco, but his gaze had also lost its hostility.
The parents moved closer together, each watchful in their own way over their children. Between them stood the two young Alphas, barely looking at each other – connected by the same Omega, who now lay peacefully in his bed, while the runes on the floor slowly began to glow brighter, absorbing their stabilizing healing magic.
***
The healing ward of St. Mungo's had its own rhythm. There were no loud footsteps, no hectic voices – only subdued light, calm colors, and the steadily pulsating runes in the floor, designed to stabilize Harry's magic.
The first few days consisted of sleep, potions, and cautious conversations. Harry was weak, but he began to eat on his own again. Tom usually sat to his left, speaking softly to him, while Draco kept a safe distance—close enough to maintain the bond, but far enough away not to exert any pressure. The Suppressants had helped both Alphas control themselves, and they had reached a tentative truce.
A few days later Tom sat in one of the quiet therapy rooms, his hands tightly clasped together, as if he were preventing himself from getting up and leaving. The warm light from the suspended lamps reflected in his dark eyes, which seemed unusually tired today.
“I’m scared,” he finally confessed quietly. “I just don’t know what to do. I can’t imagine my life without Harry. But having to share him with Malfoy?” His voice grew hoarse. “I don’t know if I can do it. Or if Malfoy can. How is that supposed to work?”
The mindhealer gave him time to let the words hang in the air. "Love is not a weakness, Mr. Riddle," she said gently. "But possessiveness can be. And right now, two things are fighting within you: your deep affection for Harry... and your alpha instinct. Do you think your love is strong enough to overcome this challenge? It is your decision, Mr. Riddle."
"You know, Harry and I have been together since the fourth year and have been close friends our whole lives. We've been betrothed for years. There was never any other option for me. Never... I'm not interested in other people on a romantic level. It was always just Harry. When Malfoy marked him and took him away from me, my whole world collapsed, as if my life's light had gone out. I don't think I can go on living without Harry."
Tom stared at his hands as he continued speaking. "When I saw him in this bed... so weak..." His voice broke briefly. "I would have done anything to get him out of there. But part of me still wants to punish Malfoy for it."
“That’s honest,” the healer said softly. “But tell me: What would happen if you gave in to that impulse?”
Tom remained silent for a long time. Finally, he closed his eyes. "Harry would feel it. He would suffer."
“Exactly.” mindhealer Whitlock nodded slightly. “An Enigma Omega is particularly sensitive to emotional extremes. Your anger affects him just as much as your affection.” A gentle smile appeared on her lips. “You don’t have to like Mr. Malfoy. But you could learn to see him as someone who also doesn’t want to lose Harry.”
Tom snorted softly, but the old sharpness was gone. "He looks at me as if I'm taking something away from him."
“And you’re looking at him as if he’s stolen something from you,” she replied calmly. “Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between.”
A long silence spread.
“Do you really think… that this can work?” Tom finally asked more quietly. “That we could live together like this?”
Whitlock didn't respond immediately. "I believe that unusual relationships require unusual solutions. But love doesn't grow from coercion. It grows from choices you make again and again. I believe that if you make the right choices, you can achieve anything."
“I will try,” he finally said quietly. “For him.”
***
All three boys had already attended several individual sessions with the mindhealer in the following week. In these sessions, they shared their existing knowledge so that everyone was on the same page. But above all, they were all able to talk about their pain, grief, and anger, which relieved a great deal of pressure and paved the way for the subsequent group therapy.
In the second week, the mindhealer invited them all into a round, welcoming therapy room. The walls were hung with soft, light-colored fabrics, there were plants in colorful pots everywhere, and in the center stood four comfortable armchairs arranged in a circle.
“Today we are holding your first group session, gentlemen,” Healer Whitlock explained calmly. “Just the three of you. Your parents will take the opportunity to enjoy the amenities of our cafeteria,”she said with a friendly smile.
Harry sat down first. Tom to his right and Draco to his left. "Before we begin," the healer said gently, "I'd like to make something clear. This won't be a pleasant conversation, and we're going to be completely honest with each other. What happened to you in the shower, Mr. Potter... wasn't a planned attack."
Harry jerked his head up.
Draco looked down at the floor in shame. Tom barely reacted; his tension was only visible in his tightly clenched jaw.
The healer opened a book whose pages were filled with notes. "I have the Ministry's investigation report here. Both Mr. Potter's and Mr. Malfoy's memories were thoroughly examined and analyzed in the Auror Office. A deliberate act can be ruled out with 100 percent certainty. Several very unfavorable factors converged here. Both men believed they would be alone in the locker room that evening. Mr. Potter was in heat, triggering Mr. Malfoy's imminent rut. Mr. Malfoy has been in love with Mr. Potter for years, and an Alpha who has suppressed strong feelings for an Omega for years reacts even more intensely during their heat. This surge of instinct severely limits decision-making, especially for young and inexperienced Alphas like Mr. Malfoy, who has never experienced a rut or a heat with an Omega before. Unfortunately, there are many similar cases where the Alphas acted no differently. I would even go so far as to say that very few Alphas in the same situation would have been able to keep full control — but that does not lessen the responsibility for what happened.
A soft exhalation went through the room. Tom remained silent, but his shoulders sank slightly.
Draco stared at his hands, which were trembling slightly. "I... didn't mean to," he said hoarsely. "I'm so incredibly sorry. Yes, I was jealous of Riddle, and I admit I have strong feelings for Harry. But Harry..." Draco looked into his eyes pleadingly, "...I never meant to hurt you, please, you have to believe me." His voice broke. "I didn't even know you'd be there. And when I smelled you... it was like a blackout, I wasn't myself anymore. I know, this isn't a adequate apology for what i did to you...and your partner. I really wish I could undo it."
Harry's gaze softened the tiniest bit, although the sadness remained.
Tom remained silent for a long time. Then he said quietly, "I wanted to kill you, sometimes i still want to."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"I know," Draco whispered. "And perhaps I deserved it; I wouldn't have acted any differently in your place."
"No." Harry's voice was weak but firm. Both Alphas immediately looked at him.
He took a deep breath. "What happened... destroyed my life. But it destroyed both of you, too." His fingers clenched together. "I don't want to hate Malfoy, and I don't want you to hate each other, now that I'm obviously bound to both of you." He looked at Draco "Malfoy, i don't love you and i never wanted to bond with you. I have no idea how to handle this situation, but i will try."
Tom slowly turned to Draco. For the first time in days, their eyes met without an open growl.
“I hate what happened,” Tom said calmly. “But I…” It was extremely difficult for Tom to say the words, “I see that you care for Harry, and I see that you’re suffering too. I know now… that you didn’t hurt him on purpose. I’m grateful that you allowed me to be here with you. I know you had the right to refuse.”
Draco's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry," he said softly. "For everything."
Harry hesitantly held out his hand. For a moment, Draco looked at Tom, who slowly nodded. Then Draco carefully took Harry's hand.
Tom watched the scene, his jaw tense. When Draco nodded as well, he finally placed his hand over Harry's other.
For a brief moment, a silent equilibrium was established. The runes in the ground shone brighter, as if reacting to their shared proximity.
"Very good," murmured the healer. "We've made an important start in mutual understanding today. Now, I'd like to talk to you about the consequences of binding magic..."
***
In total, another four weeks passed at St. Mungo's. Harry had by then physically recovered, and his magical core had almost completely healed.
Besides medical treatments, the main task consisted of regular individual and group therapy sessions. The two Alphas and the Omega had to learn a lot about their instincts and their new bonds. They had received confirmation from the Ministry that there was no way to break the bond between Draco and Harry. All three now understood that they had to build a life together. The only one who could have left was Tom. But since Harry likely wouldn't have survived, this option wasn't even up for discussion for any of them.
In one of their recent sessions, they had all decided to relax the rules about physical contact. Draco and Tom were now allowed to touch Harry without mutual permission, which worked quite well. The healer had even encouraged them to test their boundaries. Since both Alphas were still under the calming suppressant, it was now even possible for Tom and Harry to kiss in front of Draco without any problems.
The relationship between Draco and Harry was a completely different problem. Harry knew that his other Alpha also needed closeness, it was just so incredibly difficult for him. He had talked to Tom about it, while Draco was in his therapy.
"Tom, i just don't know what to do. It's such a mess. I feel the obligation to care for Malfoy because of that blasted bond...but i don't want to, i don't love him. I don't know if i ever could. I love you so much, Darling, you are the love of my life. The whole situation is so fucked up. It feels like cheating for me. I feel like cheating on you with Malfoy and i feel like cheating on Malfoy with you. I... hate all of this."
Harry sobbed and Tom pulled him to his chest, stroking his back lovingly.
"I know, love. I know. It's ok, nothing of this is your fault. You are doing nothing wrong. We will find a way. I would do anything for you, absolutely anything. You know, i tought i lost you...for good...the feeling of having lost you was the worst thing i have ever felt in my life. As painful this situation is right now, i am so deeply grateful that i am allowed to continue to be a part of your life. If that means you...we... have to build a relationship with Malfoy too, it will be ok for me. It will be hard but i want us to be happy, love. And i could never be happy without you." Tom sighed and kissed Harry's forehead.
"You know, I can still kill him. We'll run away. We could find a place in the world without a magical community and disappear forever... "
Harry laughed wetly. "Tempting, but we'd miss our families so much. I don't want to leave everything behind and always be on the run. And despite everything, Malfoy didn't deserve to die. Thanks, darling, for cheering me up. I feel much better now."
Harry pulled Tom's head towards him and placed his lips on Tom's. They exchanged a long, tender French kiss, both happy that their love remained unbroken.
***
At the suggestion of mindhealer Whitlock, they started having Harry alternate nights in either Tom's or Draco's bed - without sex, of course. It was a real ordeal for everyone, but after a while, they got used to it. The Alphas learned patience and compromise, and Harry learned to allow closeness with Draco.
When Harry woke up one morning and, still half asleep, automatically gave Draco a good morning kiss, Draco could hardly believe his luck. Maybe everything would turn out all right after all...
***
4 years later
Draco left the Ministry and wearily rubbed his eyes as the green flames of the Floo Network flickered around him. A moment later, he stepped out of the fireplace of their house—warm light, soft laughter, and the familiar scent of tea and something sweet greeted him immediately.
"I'm home," he called out automatically.
“In the living room!” came Tom’s voice back, calm and deep.
Draco laid down his coat and briefcase, and a small bundle of energy bounced against his legs. A blond-haired child with unruly curls clung to him and looked up at him with large green eyes.
“Daddy!” it squealed with delight.
An involuntary smile crept onto his face. "Hey, little whirlwind," he murmured, picking up the child. "Have you been good?"
“No,” said Tom dryly from the sofa, without looking up from his files. A faint grin twitched around his lips. Leaning against him, Harry sat wrapped in a soft blanket, looking at Draco with that familiar, warm gaze that had changed so much over the years.
"Welcome home," Harry said quietly.
Draco stepped closer, still holding their child. Tom reached out and briefly touched Draco's wrist – a small, natural gesture that would have been unthinkable years before. The old tension hadn't disappeared completely, but it had changed and only surfaced rarely now.
Draco sat down next to Harry and leaned in. The kiss that followed was gentle and natural. Draco lovingly stroked Harry's growing belly. It wouldn't be long now. Soon they would have their second child. Harry sighed happily, enjoying the closeness of his Alphas.
The living room was filled with small traces of their life together. Toys were scattered on the carpet, a stack of Ministry files lay next to a half-read book, and on the wall hung a moving photograph of three young men cautiously glancing at each other – taken shortly after their release from St. Mungo's. There was also a picture from their graduation and next to it was a more recent picture: three adults, a child in Harry's arms, all laughing.
"How was your day, darling?" Harry asked softly.
“Long,” Draco replied. Their son immediately climbed over him and Harry and settled on Tom's lap and hugged his father tightly.
Tom gave the child a kiss on his cheek and glanced briefly at Draco. "You look tired, Dray."
“I am.” Draco leaned his head against Harry’s shoulder. “You know how it is, Mr. Undersecretary,” he winked at Tom. “But it’s all better when I‘m at home.”
Harry's fingers absently stroked his hair. "We can have dinner right away, I've put everything under stasis."
A soft, warm silence settled over them. Outside, dusk was beginning to fall.
Harry looked back and forth between his two Alphas, a faint smile on his lips.
Tom took his hand and Draco placed his own hand over it.