Chapter 9

                                        

                                              
Published: 4/13/25
Harry woke up free of pain. He still had a cast on, but his muscles and bones were healed. He woke up before Malfoy and debated waking up the man. Harry tilted his head, staring at his "owner". His hair was a tangled mess from sleep, and Malfoy was curled up in the fetal position. He looked cute, but then his face scrunched up. He was shaking, now. 
Harry looked at him concerned, especially when Malfoy whimpered. Harry realized he was having a nightmare. Harry got up and licked his face several times. Malfoy jolted awake, spluttering indignantly.
"Dog!" he exclaimed, but his eyes were watery.
Malfoy wrapped his arms around Harry's neck and pulled him down to his chest. He hugged Harry very tightly. Harry was surprised but didn't fight him.
"Thank you!" Malfoy whispered and cried into Harry's fur for several minutes. Harry decided not to struggle. Malfoy seemed to need his presence.
"Merlin... I just want to forget it." 
Harry started to squirm when breathing became harder, and Malfoy let go. But Harry licked him, again, and Malfoy petted him back.
"Thanks for waking me up. Oh! Are you healed?" Malfoy asked and grabbed his wand. He flicked it over him and declared, "Looks healed. Let's get you outside and fed, and I'll figure out how to Vanish the cast." 
Malfoy carried him outside, hopefully for the last time, and brought him back in. He cooked eggs for both of them. Then Malfoy set him on the couch, used his ward and slowly Vanished the cast off. Harry instantly felt free. He jumped away from Malfoy and ran around the room excitedly.
"I guess you're feeling alright!"
Harry did some circles and then jumped up into Malfoy's arms, who groaned and fell back onto the couch.
"Easy, psycho dog," Draco drawled and sniffed him. "Guess what? It's bath time." 
Harry squirmed and tried to flee, but Malfoy already had his arms around him and carried him into the bathroom. He shut the door before he let go of him. Harry glared at him as Malfoy conjured warm water in the tub. Harry resisted getting into the water, but Malfoy had magic on his side. Harry floated gently into the air and lowered into the water. He thrashed and water got all over Malfoy, who sighed. He dried himself off and cast a water-repellent ward.
"Who knew baths were so dangerous? Come on, Boy. You smell and you had matted fur under that cast."
Harry growled complainingly but allowed Malfoy to rub him down with dog flea soap. Malfoy was careful when he cleared Harry's ears and eyes. It actually felt good to be rubbed down. He licked Malfoy's face again when he was within distance.
"Dog!" Malfoy spluttered but kept clearing him. He rinsed him off and emptied the tub, the muggle way, and rubbed him down with a towel. Harry whined in appreciation.
"Good, Boy! You're such a good boy!" Malfoy praised.
Harry wagged his tail under Malfoy's intention. After towel drying his face, Malfoy wrapped the towel around him and lifted him up out of the tub.
"Who's a good boy?" Draco praised, and Harry wagged his tail. "I'm not letting you into the house wet."
Malfoy carried him outside and set him down on the deck. As soon as Malfoy released him, Harry sprinted toward the grass, leaping off the steps several feet in the air. It twinged a bit when he landed, but he took off running, circling every tree within the yard in about a minute.
"Holy Merlin! I should call you Zoomie?" Malfoy praised, as Harry raced back to him. "Bloody hell, you're fast."
Harry barked happily a bit before running free in the yard, again. He was healed. He didn't have to stay. He didn't really want to leave, yet, but he loved his freedom. He settled for climbing any and all obstacles in the yard including the deck handrails. Malfoy watched in amazement when he nearly soared over his head. Harry came over to lick him, again.
"Holy Merlin! Are you sure you're not a bird?" Malfoy said as he petted Harry.
Harry dropped and rolled over for pets, and when Malfoy was done, he got up and chased his tail for Malfoy's amusement. He had healed him. 
When Malfoy crouched down, Harry licked his face and tackled him. He stood on his chest and licked him some more in thanks, though Malfoy was squirming to get free.
"Dog! Come on," he laughed as he half-heartedly pushed him off. Harry wasn't deterred and laid down on him. Malfoy grunted in shock, but stared at him in the eyes.
"You're a good boy, and you're welcome. I'm glad you feel better. I'm sorry I hit you, Boy. But I'm glad you're here. You are a gorgeous dog, do you know that?" Malfoy asked.
Harry wagged his tail. Damn right, he did. He licked Malfoy again in thanks and maybe in goodbye. As happy as he was here, he couldn't stay. He wanted to be free. To run free... to go where he wanted... hunt and steal food... he was a hunter, an Alpha dog. He loved getting into scraps with other dogs, and he was not ready to retire. Malfoy was friendly and considerate, but he was a free dog. But as Malfoy petted him, he couldn't just leave. 
Harry owed him for keeping him alive. Maybe, he should stay for a while. He wouldn't mind finding out about his friends. He doubted that Malfoy knew much, but it was worth it to stay for a bit. He could always escape later.