Chapter Two
New Outlooks

Harry adjusted his shirt and heaved his trunk into the baggage car. He wiped his hands on his jeans and walked into the train to join Ron and Hermione in their usual car. When he got there, Ron and Hermione were having another argument—this one seemed to be about whether or not they should help Harry find his mate.

"We could help somehow—"

"No we couldn't! Only Harry and his mate will know when they are together—"

"Don't act so smug, Ron, the only reason you know that is because I told you."

"Yeah? Well, then, perhaps you should listen to your own reasoning!"

"You guys," Harry interrupted, unwilling to listen to any more. "I don't need your help. So stop arguing, okay?"

They both looked contrite and mumbled apologies into the floor. Shaking his head, Harry went back to watching the countryside fly by out the window.

And then he caught his reflection.

And scowled.

"How come you guys never told me that I looked like such a dork?"

Hermione and Ron glanced guiltily at each other, a habit they seemed to be picking up since Harry's powers had emerged.

"Er…"

"Well…"

"Tch." Harry conjured up a pair of scissors. "It's easily fixed."

Five minutes, one transfiguration, and one cleaning spell later, Harry had a shorter, spikier haircut and tasteful, wire-rimmed glasses, which both suited him well.

"Much better." Harry turned to his friends and beamed. "Don't you think?"

"Wow, mate." Ron blinked in amazement.

"That's such an amazing difference, Harry!" Hermione beamed.

Harry looked smug. "Good."

"Where on earth did you learn how to do that?"

Suddenly the car door slammed open, and in strode Draco Malfoy, trailed closely by his two cronies, Dumb and Ditto.

"And how are the Weasel and Po…" The beginning of Draco's rehearsed spiel was forgotten as his eyes locked with Harry's. The smell of spring rain and lavender filled the room, and Harry lost focus on everything but Malfoy, and everything that was between them.

He gazed at first Crabbe, then Goyle, and told him with his eyes that they were all friends here, and they happily sat across from his friends as he stood, their eyes glazed over. Harry gazed again at Draco, but spoke to Ron and Hermione.

"I'll be back in a bit, you guys." And then he stalked forward, holding out a hand and slowly pressing Draco backwards through the door.

The door slid shut behind them, and then they were alone in the hall.

"P-Potter…" Draco said, trying to catch his scrambling thoughts. "W-what happened to you?"

"Oh, nothing much." Harry slid his hands onto Draco's shoulders and leaned closer. "Just some manifested veela blood is all…"

"Veela…" Draco breathed, awestruck. "No wonder…"

"And lucky me, it appears you're my mate. What do you say to that?" Harry nuzzled Draco's neck.

"Mate…your…wait, what?" Draco shoved Harry away. "I am NOT going to be your 'veela mate', Potter. I detest you!"

"Oh, but I'll be different now, Malfoy." Harry grinned mischievously, undaunted. "I'll be anything you want. Top, bottom, Master, slave…"

Draco flushed and backed away down the hall. "I-I…I need to go!" And without another word, Draco fled down the hall.

Harry pouted and crossed his arms childishly.

He had to wait for Draco?

Well, Draco had better hurry up.