Chapter 2 - Waking Up

                                        

                                              
Published: Jan 13, 2025
Draco awoke strapped to a bed. Not like that place. His arms were at his sides, and he was clearly at the hospital. He could tell that his body was healed, besides some residual aches. He was saved but not really. He went from one prison to another as he pulled on the restraints harder. A healer that smelled like bleach was next to him and shook her head at his silent request to be free. 
"Death Eaters are being rounded up and kissed," she spat. "I don't know why we bothered healing you."
He looked away from her and toward the wall. There were other scents there as well... none very pleasant, but better than the camp. Tears came out. He just wanted the pain to be over. He tugged ineffectually on the restraints that were placed over his mangled, bandaged wrists. 
The healer opened the door to leave, but she was stopped when an anxious voice demanded, "When can I see him?" It was Potter's voice.
Draco blinked. His last memories were hazy. He heard yelling and thought he heard Potter's voice, when the wolf was thrown off him. He just barely remembered Potter's green eyes, the clean, safe smell he brought, and the relief he felt before he passed out.
"I can't authorize...."
"To hell with authorization! I brought him here!" Potter's voice hissed.
"He's a Death Eater!" she hissed. "He's going to be arrested!"
"Not if I have anything to do about it! Now stand aside or you'll get where my authority comes from," Potter growled angrily.
She apparently didn't stop him, because Potter stormed in, though Draco didn't look at him directly. However, Potter snapped, "Why the fuck is he in restraints?!"
Draco trembled at his tone but kept looking at the wall. He did not want to be on Potter's bad side. He knew that. He always knew that. But it sounded like Potter wasn't mad at him.
"He's a Death Eater! What aren't you getting? He's a known criminal."
Potter vanished the cuffs. "I know a lot more than you do."
Draco immediately turned on his side and curled into the fetal position toward the wall. Tears were already threatening to come out.
"You're a horrible person to do that to him. You know what he's been through. Now, get out," Potter spat.
"He's one of them and deserves to die! See! Here's his Mark," she spat and grabbed his left arm, where there was a huge bandage covering it. They had sliced it off... or tried to.
Before Potter could do anything, Draco snarled, baring his teeth. Just like an animal... like a wolf. She jumped back in fear. Draco was surprised by his action, too. He pulled his arm back and turned away from the woman, confused.
Potter smirked. "Serves you right. Get out before I find your boss. You've broken any oath you've ever taken as a healer!"
She finally left, and Draco released some more tears. He didn't think he had any more left.
"Shhh... it's okay. I won't let her or anyone else hurt you, okay, Draco?" Potter said, in a much calmer voice. 
Why was he here? Why did he save him? Draco trembled, his grey eyes finally looked up into Potter's blazing green ones. Shivers shot down his spine at what he saw... and smelt. Potter was nothing like the wolves or the brace of healers he had just faced, unconscious or not. The wolves smelled like blood, mud and shit... the healers... cleaning solutions. Potter was life... power... vibrancy. Strength. Draco could only look at him directly for so long before the feeling of the need to bar his neck in submission crept in.