Chapter 18 - Revelations

                                        

                                              
Published: 3/26/2025

They woke up on the couch the next morning when another owl flew in and squawked indignantly while dropping a letter on Harry before flying out. Harry wasn't pleased about having been woken up.
"Ouch... my back. Another owl?" Harry grumbled, expecting it to have been from Lupin.
"It's from the healer," Draco whispered, obviously smelling the bird or the letter. That meant Draco knew Remus had sent the one that Harry burned last night. 
Harry opened it and read blurrily, "She said that she has a theory of what the potion was and why your test results are all over the place. She wants you to come see her."
Draco tensed and growled. "No."
Harry looked at him. He shouldn't have been surprised as Draco had refused to go every time so far. "Draco... we need to make sure you're okay."
"No," he said, shaking. Draco didn't want to talk about it, but this was his health.
Harry tried to say something, but Draco left the couch and went to the loo to prevent any discussion. He showered and took an exceedingly long time to get ready.
"Draco?" Harry called through the door. "Come on... we need to talk."
Draco sighed and opened the door, his eyes averted.  
"What's wrong? We need to know what happened," Harry tried.
"I don't want to know. I don't want to think about what they did," he muttered at the floor.
Harry sighed. "I know you don't. But she sounded worried... that you needed to come as soon as possible. You could need potions or treatment, Draco."
Draco walked past him and down the stairs. Perhaps he smelled the food that Harry had cooked while he was showering. It was in the kitchen, and Draco sat down and started eating. Harry sat down across from him.
"Draco... I know you've been through so much, but part of your recovery is making sure you are also physically healed."
"I don't... I can't...." 
"Draco...."
Knock, knock, knock. Came from the front door. Draco froze. Harry stood up, confused.
"My house is under Fidelius... only a certain few know how to get here," he explained, but still walked down the hall with his hand on his wand and opened the door.
"Harry, sorry to stop in on you," Remus said, and Harry swore. He knew that the breeze sent his smell through the house, and Draco could smell that he was here, if he couldn't hear him. He hoped it wouldn't be like last time. Draco could attack Remus.
"This is uncalled for Remus. He said no," Harry spat, not allowing him inside. "He needs time."
"I..." Remus started, but then clearly sniffed the air. His eyes widened. "Harry... is... that Malfoy's scent?"
Harry looked at him incredulously and thought he was smelling Draco on him, because Draco's scent was on him so much. 
"It's not any of your business, Remus. Draco was upset, and I can support him however I need...."
"I don't mean that... shit!" Remus interrupted and stepped through the doorway, pushing Harry's arm out of the way.
"Hey! Get out!" Harry said and started to raise his wand. However, Remus grabbed his wand hand and pressed him back into the wall. 
"Have you slept with Malfoy?" he growled.
"What! Get off me! I'm not doing anything sexual with Draco! What kind of person do you think I am!?" Harry said, offended.