Chapter 10 - Scent

                                        

                                              
Published: January 31st, 2025
Trigger warning: mentions of past abuse
It was two days before the full moon. His werewolf was getting more uneasy by the second. He was restless all night. Draco was nearly next to him when he woke up. Harry had a hard time getting out of bed without waking him up. He stood there a few minutes, watching Draco, seeing his unguarded face. He also got to see an unconscious Malfoy inch over immediately to Harry's spot on the bed, using his nose to track the scent. That explained why he kept getting closer.
Harry went down downstairs and fire-called Remus. "Busy?"
"No, not for you. What's going on?"
"I wanted to see the cage. Is it ready?" he asked.
"Yep, just finished the spells, not that they alone would keep him inside, but they'll help keep him from smashing into the bars a little. Keep him from injuring himself. Floo over, and I'll take you there."
"Gimmie a bit. I can't leave without telling him," he responded.
"I probably should tell him what to expect," Remus said. "Do you want me to come over?"
"No... he's too scared. He's afraid of all wolves... even himself, right now. You can't come over."
"We can talk over the floo... no smells involved."
Harry grimaced. "I'll ask, but it'll be later. Thanks, Remus."
He made breakfast and then took it upstairs. This time, Draco opened his eyes when he set the tray on the bed table.
"Morning, are you doing okay?"
Draco nodded. He was shaking, scared. Harry dropped to his knees and rubbed his back through the blankets.
"It's going to be okay. Are you worried about tomorrow? I'll be there, okay?"
He just nodded, again.
"Here's your breakfast. I... I need to go... look at... where we are going tomorrow."
Draco's eyes widened. "I don't want to go...."
"I figured. I'll go ahead, prep the area and clean it as best I can. But we'll have to go tomorrow... right?" Harry checked.
Draco took a shaky breath. "Yeah."
"Please eat. I'll go right to the shower when I get back... so stay in here."
Draco looked confused. "Lupin?"
"He needs to show me what to do. I have to make sure that we are safe. I'm sorry, but I have to do this."
"Okay... just..." Draco trailed off and rubbed his scarred wrists. "No ropes or chains... please."
Harry reached and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I'll never allow that."
Draco shyly turned away. "Thank you... really... for everything. I... wouldn't... I wouldn't have made it without you," Draco said and then buried his face into his pillow.
Harry petted him again, and said, "Yeah you would have. You're a survivor. I'll be back soon."
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you shower before you go, too?" Draco asked.
Harry blinked. "I can... why?"
"You... smell like me. He'll know... I don't want... that," he said, embarrassed.
Harry wasn't sure what he was talking about unless he was worried that Remus would think they were... together. "I will, okay? Just try to eat and rest? I know it's going to be hard for you."