Chapter 7 - Reassurances

                                        

                                              
Artwork by leilazayd
Published: Jan 19th, 2025
Trigger warning: References to sexual assault, "R" word, panic attacks, recovering
Potter had left a plate for him under a Statis Charm. Draco ate everything and brought the plate downstairs. Potter was angrily washing dishes if the bangs against the sink were any indication. Draco almost retreated in fear that he had done something, but Potter turned and spotted him.
"Draco! Sorry... just venting. You ate everything?"
Draco lowered his eyes and nodded, still unsure if Potter was mad at him. 
Potter came closer and took the plate out of his hand. Then he eased closer. Draco breathed in the sweet, soothing smell and relaxed. 
"I'm sorry if it seemed like I was mad at you, but I'm not, okay?" Potter whispered, and Draco met his eyes and verified he was calm.
"Sorry... I just...."
"You don't have to explain anything. Want to read some more books?"
Draco nodded.
"After you drink your potions, okay? You need your strength."
Draco frowned but obeyed. Nutrient Potions weren't tasteful. They spent the morning reading various books and ate lunch. Draco didn't like reading about werewolves, just like he didn't like talking about them.
"This isn't helping me understand anything," Draco muttered.
Potter sighed and closed the book he was reading. "They don't seem to be written by werewolves... just healers and hunters."
Draco shivered at the thought of hunters. Wolves had hunters, too. Like when he tried to run away. They stalked him for hours... letting him run... but then they caught him and broke his foot with a rock. Then they....
"Draco? Draco!" Potter yelled, but then he gently pressed into the bite mark.
Draco's eyes immediately focused on him, and he could breathe, again. 
"You, okay?" Potter asked, and he nodded. "Want to talk about it?"
Draco went to shake his head but stopped. "I... I... escaped... once... near the end. They hunted me down... hurt me."
Potter knelt at his knees and took his hand, rubbing the rope burn scars. "I'm sorry. I don't know... what things hurt you to hear."
"Everything does, Harry... just... please don't let me... please bring me out of it," he begged.
"I will, okay? We'll work on it," Potter... Harry... promised. "Do you want me to just read the books?"
Draco considered it. He knew Potter would hide things from him... but he also wouldn't have to think about wolves as much.
"There's another option, too," Potter started, and Draco looked at him. "Remus... he could come over and help explain things to...."
The last words faded as Draco went rigid and his breathing stopped. His panic went into overdrive, and he latched onto Potter, who was in front of him as if his life depended on it. He gripped him tightly around his arms and pressed his face into his chest. He couldn't hear what his master was saying.
"Please! Please don't give me to him! Please!" he said, desperately. "I'll do anything! I'll be good! Please!"
He could feel Potter trying to struggle out of his grip, but he only latched down harder.
"Draco, let go, now!" Harry ordered firmly, and Draco was compelled to let go, though he didn't want to. He went to his knees in between his legs.
"I'm sorry, master! Please don't give me to another wolf! I'll please you," he pleaded, his hands between them in supplication. He couldn't disobey. He was debating dropping to the floor and presenting himself.