Chapter 12 - Full Moon's Light

                                        

                                              
Published: Feb. 12, 2025
Harry watched in half-horror and half-amazement at Draco's quasi-transformation. Draco hadn't lied. He hadn't really transformed. He wasn't a wolf. He was mostly human, and the only changes were a slight hair growth over his body, new razor-sharp claws and pronounced canines. The scar on his shoulder was almost red in color, as though it alone was preventing the change. It must be.
Draco was no longer screaming or howling in pain. He was whimpering, a very dog-like whimper, and still on the floor. Harry hadn't Summoned the blanket yet. The slight hair growth would not cover anything, but he knew he had to. He couldn't let Draco eat it. he pulled out his wand and quietly performed the charm. The blanket came right to him, slipping past the bars.
Draco reared up and snarled at the sudden moment, scanning the room for threats. His eyes were a vibrant silver that shot back and forth across the room. Draco was crouched on his feet and hands like a dog. His expression was frightened like his heckles were raised. His back was arched upward slightly, defensive. His nose was sniffing like crazy, and after a few minutes, Draco decided he wasn't a threat. He still eyed him and paced back and forth in the cage without getting closer.
Harry slowly sat in the chair and tried not to stare at Draco. He was naked and everything was showing. It felt wrong to look without Draco's permission, though Draco had a great body. Eventually, Draco the wolf smelled every part of the cage, evidently reassuring himself that he was alone. He scratched at some rust-colored spots and even marked the back wall. Harry tried not to laugh. Draco wasn't himself... he was a wolf. 
The wolf came to the front of the cage and sat down. He was looking right at Harry and whined softly, putting his long-clawed hand on the bar crossbeam. There was no hostility in his expression. Harry had to stay where he was. Remus warned him not to get close. Draco was still a werewolf. Remus said that the wolf wanted a have a pack... wanted to infect him. He couldn't test Draco the wolf's restraint.
However, Draco wasn't accepting that. The whining grew louder... and more insistent. He paced, lunged at the bars, and tried to get through to him. Draco's claws were carving out lines in the metal bars. Harry was unable to relax or ignore it. The whines were like cries of pain and desperation. It was hurting him to ignore the wolf's pleas for...attention? Like an abandoned puppy, trapped just out of reach, pleading for pets and scratches.
Harry just wanted to comfort him. The wolf was base animal instincts... food, shelter, safety... and security. Comfort... Draco was pleading... begging for it. Harry couldn't risk going to him, could he? Draco was very much able to hurt him... by clawing or biting him. He kept away, in his chair, as he decided not to taunt Draco with moving or getting closer. He hoped that Draco would calm down... but he was wrong.
After hours of whining, Draco was on his stomach, pressing his face painfully into the bars. His hands were both through the bars, clawing desperately toward him. His whimpers were quieter but no less sorrowful. He wanted him... comfort. He sounded so pitiful that Harry felt his soul was being raked over the coals. He tried to use words to support him, but they didn't seem to work. However, when he saw tears coming out of Draco's eyes, he couldn't stay there anymore.
He stood up and Draco immediately perked up and sat up, too. Harry slowly walked toward the cage. He had promised Draco that he would take care of him, but he didn't know how. He came up to the bars and looked down at Draco, still sitting, squatting really, on the floor, with his knees bent painfully into his chest. His hands were on the floor, and his bright, silver eyes were watching him. 
"Hey, Draco... calm down, okay? I'm right here," he said, trying again to calm him with words. 
Draco gave a soft, pleading whine and leaned forward to put his chin on the bars.