Harry was a wizard that much was certain. His mom had been a muggle-born. His dad was a pureblood. Harry himself was a wizard. That was news he had been greeted with early on his eleventh birthday and he could say that he was rather glad that his life had given him this surprise.

Of course, he had no idea about half the stuff that regular wizards knew. He had grown up as a muggle after all. An unwanted and neglected muggle at that. He wished that people would remember this and actually tell him things. Especially tonight, all of the secrecy was driving him crazy.

Harry was told simply that his muggle family would be enough protection until his seventeenth birthday. The day before he came of age his muggle 'family' would have to leave town, and that was all Harry was told. He could only hope someone would tell him something tonight.

Dudley and he had made a sort of truce before they had left that morning under the protection of Kingsley and Tonks. They were going to try and get together the next summer. Assuming Dudley could escape from his overprotective mother. He grinned as he packed up his trunk and sighed at the empty room.

The only things he had from his life here were Dudley's disgusting old clothes that were still too big for him, broken toys, and the books he himself had worn through the past few summers. Everything was packed up, the worn books even finding a home tucked in the corner of his trunk.

His cupboard downstairs had been cleaned out hours ago. His birth certificate and few school papers that Petunia had kept were also hidden in his trunk. With no pictures to even hint that the raven haired teen had lived here- that was everything. Nothing left even had a trace of Harry Potter to mark it. Soon he would leave and he would never have to return.

All he had to do was wait. A minute until midnight someone was going to come pick him up. He had no idea who. Just that he was to be ready to go the instant the person appeared. Harry hoped it would be Remus but had a feeling that it was going to be one of the older Weasley boys.

He was betting it would be Charlie, as Bill was still nervous about being out under the moon's light. Which seemed ridiculous to the teen as he glanced out the window at the practically non-existent moon. The new moon itself was two days away, max. He still wished Remus would come. But Dumbledore refused.

Saying he was worried for Remus especially with his marriage and his child. Harry shrugged off the anger he still harbored for the Headmaster after the man had basically shut him out his fifth year. Maybe the older man knew something Harry didn't. Of course he was a portrait now, so really it wasn't much of a shock, the man could eavesdrop anywhere he wanted. Harry snorted, he was pretty sure the Headmaster had done that while he was alive as well.

11:55

Harry sat on his bed and watched as the clock numbers rolled ahead once more. Four more minutes and Harry would be out of the building. He would never have to live with his mother's family ever again. Harry moved one hand to absently rub between his shoulder blades as he thought about what was going to come next.

11:56

Harry would be able to live out his life in the wizarding world. Voldemort's time was coming to an end. Dumbledore had successfully planned his own death. Snape had killed him and run to Voldemort, more or less. However the old man had planned it out well enough that several of the key members of the Order were aware of his manipulations via letters sent after the fact.

Mad-Eye. Molly and Arthur. McGonagall. Remus. Himself, Ron, and Hermione. An Order of hundreds of contacts, a multitude of families, and dozens of spies and only eight people knew the truth. Nine if you counted Snape, but he had no idea the rest of them knew, so that was a bit of a grey area. Dumbledore didn't even really tell Ron and Hermione. He mentioned in his letter to Harry that the fewer people who knew the better. But there was no way he could keep something like that from his two friends.

11:57

Since Severus Snape had been behind Dumbledore's death, he was no longer mistrusted, although the Dark Lord had apparently been displeased with the fact he did it instead of Draco. The man, was once again Voldemort's right hand man. Severus Snape was to be the headmaster at Hogwarts this year. Even though McGonagall had put up one major fight.

Harry was not to go. Dumbledore was going to send others out to crush the remaining pieces of Voldemort's soul. By Christmas the wizarding population would have a reason to celebrate. Mostly because the entire wizarding world was in the dark. He groaned as the soreness prompted him to ease himself down so that he was lying of his back. It didn't help. He rolled over to his stomach.

11:58

Less than a minute and everything would come true. Harry could be himself and everything would be fine. The plan was set. Harry needed to train for the next few months to get rid of his weaknesses and to hone his strengths. They were going to prepare him. Then in a covert mission he was going to sneak in under cover and destroy Voldemort. Or that was the plan anyway. He smirked a little trying to ignore the pain. They all had no idea. He groaned and sat up again.

11:59

Harry heard the crack of apparition and looked up to see Bill and Charlie standing in his room. He grinned and stood, he really was too good at predicting Dumbledore. Bill took his trunk with a bright smile and turned on one foot heading back to the Burrow presumably, apparently he really wasn't comfortable being out at night.

Harry placed his hand in Charlie's offered one. The older boy gave his hand a comforting squeeze and pulled the dark haired boy closer. With an arm wrapped around smaller shoulders he apparated them away. Harry watched as Hedwig flew from her perch on his window sill and off into the night, right as he disappeared.

30 seconds

Harry was free. Everything was coming together so nicely. Neatly. Nothing had gone wrong. Which was strange considering Harry had been involved. He closed his eyes as he felt the pain grow so that it crawled over his entire body.

20 seconds

Something was strange. Harry tried to ignore the pain in his body. Rippling, shooting aches that never stayed still long enough for Harry to ignore them. He straightened, he'd been through worse.

10 seconds

Harry let himself be embraced by Mrs. Weasley.

9 seconds

Clenched his teeth against the agonizing pain.

8 seconds

Harry hid the pain as he pulled back with a fake smile.

7 seconds

Ron was next clapping Harry on the back.

6 seconds

Harry couldn't hide the pain this time. Doubled over.

5 seconds

The pain forced out gust of air that came out as a shout.

4 seconds

Voices asking him if he was alright.

3 seconds

Begging him to answer. The ripples turned into waves of fire and ice.

2 seconds

Soothing his body as quickly as it burned. Swaying refusing to fall to the ground.

1 second

A moment of bliss. A single second. He started to straighten.

Midnight

Harry let out a yell filled with agony as his body was over-run with sensations. He felt his body collapse even as someone cast a spell to cushion the floor. Several panicked voices met his cry as he arched his back. As even more sensations confronted him. Morphing. Pulling. Tugging.

He felt as though his skin was melting off. Someone held his hands down. Another kept his head in place. He screeched loud and bright as his pain shifted. Growing more intense and diminishing. Moving to certain spots. Focusing all of the fire in his back. Drawing agony to his fingers and toes. Points of liquid pain in his jaw.

It was worse than the Unforgivable torture curse. Harry continued to yell even as his voice became rough. A new pain added to his throat. He felt pressure in his skull that focused behind his eyes and pressed against his scalp.

The pain grew again. All of it flooding back to focus in his chest where it pulsed. Harry whimpered at the feeling. No longer able to yell. His chest felt like it was going to explode. People around him waited in silence as Harry's body remained taut. His back no longer touching the floor. The pressure moved from his wrists and neck no longer holding him still.

Harry rolled to his side and managed one final ear-splitting scream as the pain exploded inside of his chest leaving what felt like an aching hole. The pain disappeared and Harry felt empty. A single word dropped from his lips in a nearly silent whisper as he felt spot of light dance behind his closed eyelids. A catch in someone's throat was the only response he heard before he blacked out.

12:01

(0,0)

McGonagall appeared with a tight lipped expression. She had come at a panicked floo call. Molly Weasley waking her with a patronus in one ear and her head in the fireplace. Not being able to understand the woman she had told her to step aside and had stepped through the flames with no hesitation. The cries woke the familiar portrait at Minerva's bedside, the man had walked from his frame appearing on the canvas in the Weasley living room. Both of them looked surprised by the sight that greeted them.

Harry Potter was curled up on his sides a large, feathered wing draped over his body. He had to guess at a dark color but could not be sure as they were covered in gunk from where they seemed to have exploded from Harry's shoulder blades.

He had never guessed that something like this might happen to Harry. Okay, he had a theory that it could have possibly happened but had no idea that I would have happened without warning. Then again the signs had been there but he had passed it off as something else entirely, he had hoped... Assumed that nothing would come of the information he withheld from the boy and his adopted family.

The entire family of red heads were watching him expectantly. He shook aside his shock and turned to look at them with a small smile and his familiar twinkle.

"It is no matter. Nothing to concern ourselves with. If you would not mind moving Harry to his room I will be back in the morning to explain everything to him and to each of you. He might not appreciate if you touch his wings, I suggest leaving them as they are." He waved his hand to them and walked from the frame, "Sleep well."

A step out of the fame, a small pop in his wake, and the headmaster was gone. Leaving a frantic Molly and her distressed family behind. He reappeared in his old office and cursed himself for being so foolish. He should have noticed the signs.

He should have accepted them for what they were. But, no. He had brushed them off. His entire plan could fall to ruin if something happened to Harry. Depending on who the boy was connected to- the entire plan could be in tatters at this very moment.

Dumbledore rubbed his hand over his face before stroking it down his white beard. He had no control over it now. If nothing else he could cast another charm on the boy. Something like this could only make the journey they were on harder.

Dumbledore sighed and returned to his chair. He went to sleep with a firm reminder to wake in four hours to do some research before he returned to the Burrow. There were some things that he needed to take care of first. But hopefully all of this could be a situation he created in his head. All of this was a worst-case scenario after all. There were sure to be some answers he could discover in the morning.

(0,0)

Harry woke to the cheery sound of birds singing and groaned. He hurt all over. It was the sort of soreness that makes sure you have to roll out of bed, unable to sit up because everything aches. He heard a whispered conversation going on downstairs and struggled to stand up straighter. Ran fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it.

He shrugged at the futile effort and pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt. One of the few shirts he owned that actually fit him. Although maybe not as well as he thought when the shirt proved to be a little tighter than he remembered.

He shut the door behind him and followed the voices towards the kitchen. It was only minutes later that he realized he had heard a whispered conversations from Ron's room near the top of the crooked house. That shouldn't have been possible. Harry shook it off and went to rub at his eyes. Only to realize that his glasses were not on his face. Harry frowned as he took in the old wooden steps with grain that he could quite clearly make out.

Deciding he was too tired to ask questions, Harry continued on his way. He was sore, stiff, tired, and confused. Meaning that by the time he walked into the kitchen he was down-right cranky and basically in a foul mood. When all of the whispers stopped upon his sudden appearance his mood went from bad to worse.

All of their eyes were on him and Harry found himself the center of attention once again. He was frustrated all the more by the fact that he now knew exactly what they all had been talking about.

Harry Potter was not one to appreciate it when his friends and adopted family talked about him behind his back. He decided to ignore them and silently took his seat at the table. His usual seat between Ron and Ginny, much to the two female Weasleys' intense pleasure. Harry shook his head, eventually he would tell them that he was not interested. But that was a fight to save until after the war was over.

When the silence became oppressive Harry gave in with a sigh and looked up at the family that were surrounding him. All of them were staring at the raven in their midst and Harry was flustered by all of the attention. He just wanted to go hide from all of it in his room. Harry ducked his head again without thinking about it.

Harry frowned instantly at his actions.

He never backed down from a challenge be it a Dursley, a Malfoy, or Voldemort himself. He took a deep breath and looked up again. This time he took in each face. Ron looked slightly horrified even as his eyes were brimming with curiosity. Fred and George were not bickering with each other like they usually did, instead staring at Harry with open mouths and slightly flushed cheeks. Charlie, who was here for no apparent reason, was giving him a calculating glance as he took in every part of Harry's face. Mr. Weasley looked frustrated and kept giving himself a firm shake and looking at his wife, before his eyes would drift back to Harry.

Harry vaguely noticed that the three females present were switching their confused glances between Harry and the red haired men. He cleared his throat and suddenly every eye was on him.

"Morning!" Harry said brightly to break the silence.

Nothing, not a peep from anyone as they all looked at him in something that seemed to be either shock or amazement. Although Ginny was frowning at him as though he had done something wrong. Harry decided that ignoring her would be best. There were more important things to focus on at the moment.

"What's for breakfast?"

It was like Harry sent off an explosion that had been in freeze frame. Everyone moved at once. Mrs. Weasley was hitting off her sons with a spoon as they rushed over to help her with breakfast. Harry watched as five minutes later the sons of the house were all sitting at the table with bruises on their hands. All of them were pouting. Mr. Weasley had a death grip on the table as if he was doing the best he could not to follow his sons example.

Harry opened his mouth to speak again and all eyes turned to him. Harry shut his mouth and dropped his eyes to the table. Hermione was flabbergasted as she looked over at everyone else. Ginny was still glaring at Harry as though he had done something wrong. Mrs. Weasley was frowning as she finished up the meal. The boys alternated staring at Harry and glaring at Ginny.

Ron reached out a hand and squeezed Harry's shoulder. Fred and George practically snarled at the movement. Harry flinched and Ron moved his arm around Harry entirely. It was supposed to be a comforting gesture but Harry felt decidedly uneasy.

Next thing he knew Ron was being pulled away from him and Charlie was taking his seat. Charlie moved as though to touch Harry and the younger boy panicked and slid out of his chair. Moving away from the table and closer to the entrance.

All eyes followed Harry's movement. Harry felt like a piece of prey and let out a small whimper. Hermione moved to stand in front of Harry and the boy accepted her as his shield gratefully. Fred and George started complaining loudly about Hermione hogging Harry. Ginny moved to stand next to Hermione and Harry jumped to hide further behind his brown haired friend.

Ginny glared at him all the more and began to pout. Eyes going wide and watery. Harry flinched at the sight, he hated tears. He was definitely confused as to what was going on. The Weasley family was always weird but this was bizarre for them.

He briefly considered that the twins were testing a new product, but theoretically they wouldn't have been affected... Finally, Mrs. Weasley called all of their attention back to the table. She dropped her usual egregious amounts of food onto the wood. Harry could smell the food.

He let out a small whine at the smell and startled himself with the sound. The next thing he knew everyone was crowding around him as they cooed over the cute noise. The noise and the proximity of everyone was uncomfortable to say the least. Harry found himself shrinking back against the wall.

Suddenly Harry's head cleared. It was over an instant as Harry woke up all at once. He was a wizard, he refused to be harassed by these people who were his family. Harry was seventeen years old. He could defend himself know.

Pushing back the idea of giving in to the need to cower, Harry stood tall. He felt through his pockets and realized that his wand was still upstairs. He cursed his stupidity. He was looking for other plans when Ginny reached out to touch him. The shock of it had Harry saying the first thing that came to his mind. He flung his hand out towards her smaller form.

"Stupefy!" The small red head was thrown backwards several feet until she hit a wall which she slid down unconscious.

"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley's shrill cry brought several pairs of eyes to her.

Harry backed up to the wall when the woman turned her eyes on Harry. Full of anger. Next thing Harry knew the red haired males were all standing in front of him and forming a makeshift barricade. Hermione moved closer to Harry.

This was the scene that one Albus Dumbledore walked into, appearing in the kitchen portrait that the Weasley's had created for a few relatives to visit. He nonchalantly rushed off his robes before turning to take in the family. He saw Harry against the wall and was worried instantly. He took in the rest of the picture with a critical eye.

Ginny was unconscious underneath him. Judging by Mrs. Weasley's death glare, Harry had done it. Very good. The other boys were protecting him, which was a little bit of a surprise. Hermione was standing right beside him so it looked as though he had already Chosen. Good.

Dumbledore clapped his hands gaily and all eyes turned to him. Harry hid further behind Hermione as the brunette took this opportunity to start asking questions.

"Professor! I have no idea what is going on! Harry came downstairs this morning and everyone is acting crazy even though we already talked about acting like nothing had even happened last night! Of course that's pretty difficult seeing as even Harry would have noticed the changes-"

Harry blinked, "Wait. What happened last night?"

Dumbledore smiled at them both before focusing on the young wizard, "What do you remember from last night?"

"I was waiting for someone to come get me. Charlie and Bill showed up. I came here and Mrs. Weasley hugged me, then…" He frowned, "nothing."

"Do you remember being in quite a bit of pain?"

Harry bit his lip, "I thought that was one of my nightmares."

Dumbledore gave him an indulging smile, "I'm afraid not. You see it appears that there is some creature blood in you. I assumed that it was not going to appear in you seeing as your mother was a muggle-born, however you seem to avoid all of the rules."

Harry decided to focus on one thing at a time, "Creature blood?"

"There are many magical creatures out there and throughout the course of wizarding history many of them have found themselves partnered with wizards. Wizards were able to carry on traits of these creatures and you, my boy, were lucky enough to show the signs."

"Creature. I'm one of these creatures."

"Yes, Harry. The creatures are one of the reasons why purebloods have such strong magic as most of them have some creature blood in them. Many wizards with creature blood find-"

"Fascinating. If you don't mind…Can you tell me how this affects me now?!"

Dumbledore blinked before chuckling lightly, "Of course. You, my boy, are a Veela."

Harry waited for a moment but Dumbledore didn't continue, "And?"

"Like the Veela you will employ certain characteristics of either a dominant or a submissive counter-part. Judging by how you attacked Ms. Weasley I would believe dominant in your case."

"Please continue," Harry growled when the headmaster stopped again.

"You have an allure that will attract people who your creature sees as a potential mate. Depending on whether you are interested in their qualities or not. You will also pick a mate which will calm your allure and allow you to function normally among people. You will still be able to access it on occasion but it will have for small things as using the allure on an unwilling subject is thought of as a violation of self. As the dominant you will be able to impregnate your submissive easily and-"

"Wait. I have a few questions here." Dumbledore gave him an encouraging smile, "Let's start simple: Mate?"

"There is one person out there who is compatible to you in all ways and can suit your Veela side and your wizard half. Once a Veela meets their partner they grow close and the dominate partner takes control by courting the submissive."

"How do I find my mate?"

"Usually it is someone who you know and who is physically attractive to you. I've been told that they have a wonderful smell that overrides everything else. Of course, you probably already know that part."

Harry frowned, "How would I know that?"

"It appears to me you have already Chosen. Because of your obvious infatuation with Ms. Granger."

Harry and Hermione both jumped away- from each other, "Ew!"

Dumbledore frowned at their actions, "I do not see why this is such a bad thing for you two. You obviously get along well enough. Honestly be open to this change, it could bring wonderful things to you."

Harry suppressed a shudder, "I thought you said we had to be physically attracted to the mate?"

"Of course. But Ms. Granger is a rather attractive young lady. Pardon my saying so."

Harry just looked adorably confused, "Yeah, but she's a girl. This doesn't make any sense."

The entire room was silent as Harry realized what he said. Ron and Hermione both shared a grin and the twins looked beyond excited. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny (just waking up in her mother's arms) looked absolutely horrified. All the while the others were looking as though the world had just been explained to them.

"Oh, thank Merlin!" Harry gave a questioning glance in Ron's direction.

Hermione giggled and Harry looked to her for an explanation, "Harry, that's why all of the boys have been going crazy this morning!"

"What do you mean?"

"You're looking for a mate. That means that you are attracting everyone who could possibly be your mate. Ironically, your mate is the only person who will not be affected by your allure. Although from what I've read they will find your scent intoxicating."

Dumbledore cut in with an indulgent grin in Hermione's direction, "You should be able to pull your allure in so that it doesn't affect the people around you as much."

Harry frowned, "How?"

"I suggest visualizing yourself pulling it back from others, focus it into yourself."

Harry closed his eyes, but no difference. His eyes fluttered open and even Dumbledore seemed to be distracted by the brilliant emerald orbs that blinked at him in confusion. A little frown creased Harry's forehead.

"I don't think it worked…"

Hermione looked at the enchanted boys around him and had to agree. She moved between Harry and the boys and felt the way Harry seemed to just move with her. It caused her to pause as she searched through all of the information she had read on Veelas. Harry would never had hidden behind Hermione before today. She blinked as she realized what that could possibly mean.

"Professor?" Dumbledore turned to look at the bright witch, "I thought that a dominant Veela's allure was meant to only occur when the Veela desired it to."

"Of course."

Dumbledore didn't seem to notice Hermione's meaning, "Harry's is affecting every male, even though it's clearly upsetting him. Doesn't that mean…?"

Dumbledore thought through everything and frowned, "Well that certainly would cause a problem."

"What would?" Harry pouted but immediately stepped back as the expression cause the boys to step forward in an effort to console him.

"It appears that I may have been wrong about you're inheritance being one of dominant nature. I had assumed that you would be a dominant due to your actions against Miss Weasley. However I have been wrong before."

"So you're saying I'm the submissive partner. Alright. I guess that means I'm not all controlling, right?" No response, Hermione frowning at his word choice and Dumbledore appearing oblivious, "Sorry, Mione-What's the difference between a dominant and a submissive?"

Dumbledore merely smiled as Hermione took it upon herself to answer, "Well, obviously the allures are different, but there are some personality differences too. A dominant is larger and more aggressive and generally is in charge of a relationship. Whereas a submissive is smaller in size and usually only aggressive when defending their mate or their kits. Basically a dominant is supposed to protect and take care of the submissive."

"I don't need anyone to protect me. I've done just fine on my own."

"Of course you have." She gave him a comforting smile, "It's just a Veela thing, along with the physical beauty. And the allure, as I'm sure you can remember at the World Cup and Fleur. Not to mention right this moment. I'm sure you'll get used to it in time."

"Don't patronize me, Hermione."

"I'm not Harry. Just think of the possibilities, of course your mate is likely to be less powerful than you, with your abilities. You'll likely have to defend them, just be careful about it, Veela's can be touchy about that subject and…"

Hermione trailed off as Harry started to shake. She backed up as she watched Harry try to control his temper. All of the sudden Harry's face contorted in pain as new muscles twisted in his back. Two wings came out in a single motion and made a sort of cocoon around Harry's shaking body.

The wings themselves were objects of beauty. The feathers focused on a silver gleam, the tips looking as though they had been dipped in black ink that became blue, sometimes green as the light brushed against them.

"Harry?"

Hermione stepped forward again. Harry's wings moved back slightly so that the boy could see Hermione. Hermione felt her throat catch as she looked at her friend. His eyes were the same piercing green but sat above a mouth spread in a snarl, lips pulled back to reveal sharp fangs.

Hermione slid back to Ron's embrace as the boy appeared behind her. The rest of the room stared at the teen in shock. When he had come downstairs that morning it had been easy enough to recognize the physical changes. The teen had sharpened cheek bones and larger eyes, his hair had grown slightly longer. His chest expanded and his sleek muscles more defined.

Now however it was completely different. Red lips spread around sharp fangs were the focus of his new features. Beyond that, his hair had grown even longer, reaching just past his shoulder. His fingers were now tipped with claws and the bare feet were similarly equipped.

Standing before them was the prime example of feral beauty.

Just as suddenly as it had come, the teen's anger vanished. Wings folding gently against his back eventually disappearing from sight. Still large green eyes blinked at them in shock as the teen shook his head. The teen frowned at the faces before him and opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm sorry, Mione."

The girl nodded still shaky after her experience, "It's alright, Harry. Do you mind telling me what made you so angry? I don't want to upset you again…"

The obvious tremor in her voice shocked the Gryffindor to his core, "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm really sorry." The girl shrugged but still didn't approach him, "I think it was about the things you were saying about my mate. Whoever he is. When you said that he was weak it… let's just say I wasn't very happy about it."

"I didn't say they were weak, Harry. I just meant-"

Ron gently cut her off, his eyes firmly on her and avoiding the sight of his best friend, "With creature blood as close to the surface as it is in Harry right now, the finer details are not exactly something he cares about."

Hermione nodded, "I guess that makes sense."

"Ron? Do you know a lot about this creature stuff?"

The red head shrugged, still not looking at Harry, "More than 'Mione does, probably. I read up on it growing up as a preparation in case I Inherited. Then I did some more research on Veelas once Bill and Fleur got together. Although that was mostly because of Mum's pestering. No one wants to accidentally offend a Veela at their wedding, we're doing our best to make it as easy as possible for Bill."

"So you can help me figure this all out?"

"Sure, mate- I mean Harry."

Harry was glad Ron changed his wording, the use of the word mate had made Harry exceedingly uncomfortable. And judging by the wary looks between the Weasley family, they were well aware of that. It was probably a Veela thing then.

"Excellent, now that this is finished, I shall go call on Minerva and ask her to join us."

The portrait disappeared and Harry frowned at the man who was still controlling everything from beyond the grave. Seriously, did he have to stick his nose into everything?

Before Harry could say any of his thoughts, McGonagall came in. The new Veela decided that would probably be a good thing, it wouldn't be good to criticize Dumbledore in a room of some of his most faithful supporters. He would just bide his time and follow along.

"Albus said that you wished to see me?"

Molly frowned, "It's always a pleasure, Minerva. But I'm afraid I am as in the dark as you are at the moment."

That was when the empty portrait was once again filled by the Headmaster. He smiled at everyone and gave a friendly nod of his head.

"I apologize for the misleading statement. I only meant that we would need to see you to discuss Harry's housing at Hogwarts this year."

And the room broke into chaos.

Everyone was talking, some shouting, a few tears shed, and everyone dying to get their point across. Harry frowned at the commotion and leaned against the wall watching everything, the only silent voice in the room. It was nearly twenty minutes before the room quieted enough for Dumbledore to regain the attention of its occupants.

"I'm afraid it is necessary, despite our reluctance to send Mr. Potter into such a dangerous situation. His mate most likely lies within the walls of Hogwarts, or will come to him at Hogwarts. As that is where he has spent the majority of his magical life."

"Albus. I'm afraid that I need a little more information than that."

Harry spoke up for the first time, "I came into my inheritance last night, Professor. I'm a submissive Veela and I need to find my mate. Theoretically I've already met them. Which means they are more than likely at Hogwarts, seeing as it's not one of the Weasley's and I have never spent much time with anyone else."

"I do not see why we need to put you in danger just for you to find a partner."

It was Ron who spoke, "Coming into your inheritance is kind of the start of a countdown. Depending on how strong Harry is, and his mate, depends on how much time they have. With Harry being as strong as he is, he'll have a powerful mate, which means they may have six months."

Harry blinked at this new information, "What would happen if I hadn't met my mate? And what if the Veela weren't powerful?"

Ron looked at his oldest friend, "Really, most Veela's have potential mates. A Veela without a potential mate, won't go through their Inheritance until they meet a potential mate. Fleur went through hers after the Triwizard tournament when she went to Gringotts."

He looked around and saw no one else was going to answer the other question for him.

"The weaker Veelas… It's a strange spectrum it involves magical ability, Veela strength, health, and even age. But the point is, the weaker the Veela the more time they have. Fleur's family is mostly Veela, but they're not the strongest, she could have another year or so if Bill hadn't fallen for her as he did."

"So because I magically strong, a strong Veela, and healthy I have to find my mate sooner. How on earth does that make any sense?!" Harry's rant was accompanied with claws and fangs.

Eyes watched him nervously as he paced back and forth. It took Harry several long moments to realize he was overreacting. He took a deep breath and looked back at Ron.

"Do you know why?"

Ron swallowed, "It's to protect the Veelas. If you're too powerful and you don't have a check to balance you, things get dangerous. You need someone to balance your core, balance your power. If you don't-you either go crazy or you magic basically fizzes. And with how strong you are…I don't think you would make it without your core."

Harry blinked, "So it's go to Hogwarts and risk possibly getting handed over to Voldemort and dying, or I stay here and either go crazy or die without my mate. I'm not really fond of either of those options."

"Which is why we are going to discuss safety precautions for you at Hogwarts. Minerva?"

The woman looked uncharacteristically flustered. Harry couldn't blame her, it was a lot to take in and everyone was just sharing more and more. Even Harry had a little more preparation than she got.

"We'll need to arrange a personal guard. He won't be allowed to be on his own, we'll tighten restrictions, and Harry will not be allowed to leave the Hogwarts grounds. No portkeys, apparition, or brooms off the grounds will be allowed either. And Mr. Potter shall be banned from leaving via house elf magic as well."

"We probably should have the same restrictions, Professor. Maybe not the guard but being on the grounds and maybe we can leave with a guard, but the house elf magic should apply to us as well. If we get in trouble I doubt Harry will be able to restrain his saving people tendencies." Hermione spoke for the first time in nearly an hour.

Everyone laughed and the tension disappeared.

"Do not treat this lightly, Mr. Potter. Your life is hanging in the balance here."

Dumbledore's words rang true and disrupted the light air in the room. Harry scowled and turned to the portrait.

"My life has hung in the balance from time I was eleven years old. I need to find something to laugh at, and if that's my own inability to stay out of trouble, I'll embrace that. Now if you don't mind I'll talk to Professors McGonagall and Snape before I start school. In the meantime I will be fine on my own."

"I suggest doing it now, my boy. You don't want to risk something happening before you get to school."

"Nothing will happen, remember? That's why I'm here despite my request to stay with Professor Snape or at Grimmauld by myself."

"We need to protect you. And we need to protect your mate. My boy-"

"My mate can take care of himself. And I'm not your boy. Goodbye Headmaster."

Harry waved his hand and the painting was emptied of its occupant.

Molly Weasley seemed personally offended by Harry's actions, "Harry. You do not treat people that way. The Headmaster did a lot for you and this world in life and now in death he continues to take care of you. You will not insult him again."

"He insulted me and my mate. I do not have to show him respect if he's going to take advantage of it. I'm going to bed."

Before Molly could respond, Harry moved out of the room and up the many stairs to Ron's room. He heard the whispered arguments going on in the kitchen but blocked the words. He really did need to sleep. It was probably the Inheritance and his recent transformation. It may not be even noon yet, but Harry was going to sleep anyway.

A single wave of his wand later and the teen was ready for bed. He was really going to enjoy being able to use magic now that he could without complications. Maybe everything would make sense when he woke up.

He snorted as he pulled the blankets over himself. No one had even wished him happy birthday.

Just as a friendly note, Dumbledore is dead in this fic. Snape killed him in the astronomy tower at the end of Harry's sixth year just like in the books. That's basically where the cannon version gets dumped and redone. The Dumbledore in this version is a portrait who is just as controlling now as he was in life. Anything that gets confusing, let me know and I'll try to fix it. Votes for continuing?

All updates on how my writing is going and small side ficlets will be posted on my Facebook page. Just search for DanniCat