Chapter 14 - Testing Waters

                                        

                                              
Published: Feb. 24, 2025
Artwork by: punkerlazar
Harry pulled out Draco's pajamas and left them on the bed, after he extracted himself from Malfoy's death grip. It was nearly morning, and he was starving, having eaten nothing yesterday. He had been so preoccupied with making Draco feel safe that he had neglected to eat anything. He quickly toasted some bread and mowed through it. He then made eggs and bacon for himself and Draco. He ate his as usual and put Draco's under stasis, and snuck quietly into his room to set the plate down.
Then Harry went to the den and put up the Silencing Charms that he had stupidly forgotten yesterday. He called Remus first to check in.
"Harry! I'm glad that you're okay. I heard that it was... different," Remus said, sounding worried.
"Hermione told you?" he asked, surprised.
"She needed more information and firecalled me last night," he said, nonchalantly.
Harry raised one eyebrow. Researching the binding mark shouldn't have necessitated a firecall to Remus. "And what did she ask?"
"A couple things," he said evasively.
"Remus..." he growled.
"Fine... shit, Harry. His bite mark? You're touching his bite mark?" he asked, looking worried.
"You said that...."
"I told you not to!"
"You said that it hurt if I grabbed him there and tried to control him. You said that you didn't mind it as much when Tonks or James touched you as long as they didn't mean you harm."
"Harry... I still didn't like it. It's a bond between his creator and him. It's... I don't know how to explain it, but you are controlling him, Harry! You're sending your emotions into him and he can't stop it, even if he wanted. And honestly, it's extremely difficult to overcome them."
Harry blushed. "He moves out of my hand if he wants clarity. I'm not ordering him or anything. It's just when he's upset. He wants me to do it... to bring him out of his spiral. He asked me to. He said that it felt like I was pulling Fenrir out of him."
Remus's eyes analyzed him and he frowned. "Harry... did... did he bite you at all? Even if he when it wasn't the full moon?"
"What? No. Why?"
Remus looked very uncertain. "Just don't and ween him off it. It's... just dangerous."
"Why?" Harry pressed. 
"It's...it just is. It probably is already too late for him."
"Too late for what?"
"Harry... just be careful please. He's vulnerable, and you're messing with things that you can't understand."
"What can't I understand!? Answer me, Remus!"
Remus shook his head. "He's naturally going to be drawn to you, Harry. You're making him want you and only you."
Harry's eyes widened. "You didn't say...."
"I didn't think I'd need to. What part of "livewire" to his emotions didn't you understand?"
"He said that I hadn't hijacked his emotions... that he liked it when I did that."
"Of course, he say that! After what the others did to him! He's basking in your attention, your positive emotions."
"Then what's the problem?"
Remus sighed. "A few things. Has Malfoy made a pass at you?"
"What? He was just... sexually tortured, Remus!"