Chapter 11 - Fear

                                        

                                              
Published: 2/8/2025
Artwork by: leilazayde
Trigger warning: discussion of past assault, small flashbacks, degraduation
Draco awoke and noticed, for the first time, that Potter had remained in their bed. Probably because Draco was practically laying on him. He waited for the embarrassment to ooze in but it didn't. He was enjoying this. He liked being close to Potter and could barely believe he had offered it. Draco had quickly fallen asleep and probably would have slept longer, but he was starting to feel his insides shifting... preparing. The itchiness had begun. His skin was loose on him. 
Tonight was it... the full moon... and he didn't want to face the horrors of forced transformation, again. He remembered the fake Mad Eye's punishment. He remembered being forced into a smaller body, trapped, scared, and vulnerable. It was one of the most traumatic moments in his life, and it was going to happen, again, except worse. He was going to lose his mind, too. He wouldn't have any control over what he is.
"Draco?" Harry asked.
He didn't answer him.
"You're whimpering. Are you okay?" he asked.
Draco stopped. He hated being a werewolf with his emotional state on display. The wolves he had met never acted like him. Scared and whining like a beaten dog whenever stressed. Maybe that's what he was. He tried not to think of that night and what Greyback said. He tried to not think about anything that he had barked at him during the week they were together. It wasn't true... he wasn't... it couldn't be true. He tried to stop his thoughts and memories but it wasn't working. Whispers seeped in.
"Beg me, Omega. Beg me for it...."
"I can't wait to see you, big and swollen for me...."
He was losing his grip, but then Harry's hand caressed his bite mark. He whimpered again, melting under his touch as the memories faded away. He couldn't stop whining, though it was degraded. His wolf was crying and he looked up to find reassurance in his master's face. No... not his master... he wasn't his master, but what was he? His protector. He rubbed his face against his chest, trying to get as much of his scent as he could. Why?
"How are you doing, Draco?" Potter asked.
Draco turned his head to look at him but didn't answer. Not when his hand was still on him. Draco cuddled closer to Potter, wrapping his arms and legs around him. It felt so good to be next to him, to clutch him tightly. Potter sighed and continued rubbing his neck until Draco fell back asleep. He woke back up near noon when Potter moved.
"Sorry... I need the loo," he muttered, and seemed to have put it off as long as he could.
"Right... thanks," Draco said, as Potter hurried out the door.
Draco sat up and put his feet on the floor on Potter's side of the bed. His legs bounced anxiously as he scratched his arm, unable to stop himself. When Harry came back, he gave him a sad look and came over, kneeling in front of him on the floor. He took his hand.
"Hey, breathe. Calm down," he said.
Potter had to look up to look into his eyes. The position was so non-threatening, and Draco felt even more at ease.
"We knew this was coming, and I know you're scared right now. I'm going to be here all day with you, okay? So take some deep breaths."
Draco tried, but the fear wouldn't completely go away. He got his breathing under control and followed Potter down to the kitchen for a brunch. Moonlight was in seven hours. Potter made him eat everything, even though the food had no taste. Afterward, he tried to ask him what he wanted for dinner and even suggested bringing food overnight.