Chapter 6

                                        

                                              
Published: 3/31/25
"There you go, boy," Malfoy said as he shut the door. He went to the driver's door, got in, and took off. 
Harry listened, half in awe and horror, at Malfoy singing muggle songs and driving a bloody car. Holy Dumbledore! 
Malfoy even kept checking on him in the rearview mirror. "Hey, no judging my singing. It's not like you can you sing any better!" he said, laughing at his own joke.
Harry rolled his eyes and looked out the window. He wondered if Malfoy was married. He could have kids for all he knew. When they started passing corn, Harry realized they were passing where he had been hit. The deer had won that round.
Malfoy pulled into a private driveway and drove past some trees until they reached an open area with a house in the middle. There were trees all around it, so there were no direct views of the house outside the property. Magic usage? 
Malfoy parked in his garage and got out. "Well, home sweet home... umm... dog. I guess I need to think of a name. Spot?"
Harry barred his teeth. 
Malfoy laughed, as he lifted him out and carried him inside." I guess not that." 
Malfoy's home was certainly posh. Tan wood floors with white trimming, chrome-trimmed furniture, glass tables with inlay designs. Geez. But the couches look plush and soft. 
Hmm... not a bad vacation to have while I recuperate, Harry thought as Malfoy set him down on the floor.
"Okay? Good boy. Let's get you some food, Buddy?" 
Harry snorted. Draco seemed to find it funny, though got a silver bowl out, and dumped some kibble. He looked at it unimpressed but still dropped it on the floor in front of Harry. 
Harry just growled, and Malfoy laughed. "I'd growl if I had to eat that, too. It's the only dog food I have."
Harry pushed the bowl away violently. No way.
Malfoy sighed, "How about some slightly stale Cheerios?" 
He dumped the cereal into the bowl, and Harry acquiesced as he had little choice in the matter.
"I'll buy some different chow, tomorrow."
Harry was not going to eat that either. He was stubborn. Malfoy got to making his own meal, which, surprisingly, was on the hub. He looked like a muggle.
Harry wasn't sure what to make of it. Malfoy was a wizard, a pureblood at that. What was he doing here in a muggle house, driving a muggle car and living like a muggle? His probation had to be up. Harry vaguely remembered getting healed after he got plastered by Malfoy. He obviously hadn't learned decent healing spells, bastard.
Harry's nose twitched as he smelled the meat searing. Begging for good food wasn't too good for him. When Malfoy sat down, Harry limped over, sat next to him and set his head on Malfoy's lap.
"Hey, there," Malfoy said and petted him.
Harry whined for effect.
"Begging is a little beneath you, isn't it? Go on! Go lay down over there, and I might give you some." 
He decided to listen. Woe be it to Malfoy if he lies. He hobbled over to where his bowl was and slowly laid down like he was in pain.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were laying it on a little thick," Malfoy chuckled to himself.
Harry didn't stare but rested a bit as he waited for Malfoy to finish. Malfoy came over with his plate.
"Maybe you aren't a stray. But you listened, didn't you?"
Harry whined hopefully and waited for Malfoy to scrape his plate off. He didn't want to risk it being withheld, again, and didn't try to lunge at it.
"Good boy, Go head," Malfoy praised.
Harry got up and licked his face, earning a 'hey' from Malfoy, before he ate the food. Pork, potatoes and green beans. It was good. Harry licked his lips after, and Malfoy set a water bowl down, too. Harry drank some, unashamed. Malfoy hid he drugs in some cheese balls and fed those to him, too. Harry would have eaten them regardless, but cheese was good, too.
"Let's go outside for a bit. I'll have to carry you down the steps," he explained, as he gently lifted him.
Harry whined as it did hurt, but Malfoy even apologized. He opened the door wandlessly, took him down the patio steps and set him gently in the grass. Malfoy conjured a collar and put it on his neck. Harry didn't resist, though he wasn't sure he liked it.
"Alright, don't run off or I'll tie you up," Malfoy said, and stood up looking at the trees. "I had to read a book to get these spells."
Malfoy then conjured wooden plank poles into the ground one at a time all along the treeline in the backyard. It was a huge yard, almost a full quidditch field long. Harry tilted his head, appraisingly, as Malfoy worked. He strengthened the cross beans and the base. If Harry recognised the spell correctly, Malfoy was hardening them so that Harry could break through them to escape. Challenge accepted. The fence was as tall as Malfoy was. 
Malfoy finished the whole yard in about an hour. He came over and said, "I haven't seen you walk yet. Come on. You need to go to the bathroom before we go in."
Harry made a show of going and marking a tree before limping back.
"Are you sure you don't need to poop?"
Harry tilted his head in response. Draco waited another five and then picked him up to bring him into the house. He set him onto the couch.
"Just in time for Merlin," Malfoy said and turned on the telly. Harry watched, interested in both the TV and Malfoy's reaction. 
After the show, Draco seemed to channel flip for a bit and then announced it was time for bed. He pulled a couch cushion into the laundry room, and then he carried him and set him on it.
Draco stood up. "Well, goodnight.... umm... I guess you need a name. We'll figure it out tomorrow."
He shut the door. Hell No! Harry whined and barked.
"Hey! Quiet!"
Harry barked, again, and gave a shrieking whine for several minutes until Malfoy opened the door.
"Dog! I can't trust you in the house yet!" Malfoy yelled.
Harry sat and whined.
"Oh... fine..." Malfoy acquiesced and picked him up again. He carried Harry into his bed and set him down. "Okay? Don't steal the blankets, dog."
Harry whined happily and licked him when he got in. 
"Yeah, okay! Enough with the face washes!" 
Malfoy laid down and pulled the blankets over him. "Goodnight, pooch." He turned off the light and settled in to sleep.
"By the way, if you pee in my bed, dog, you'll never be allowed in it, again" Malfoy threatened. 
Duly noted, Harry thought and spread out on the vanilla-and-honey-smelling bed.