Chapter 23 - Full Moon's Wane

                                        

                                              

Published: 4/20/2025
Artist: leilazayde
Happy Easter!

Like the last full moon, Draco was intent on getting as much physical contact with Harry as possible. This time, he was much more determined to be by his side. Draco had even followed him into the loo in the morning. Harry could see his pupils were larger when he watched him. Harry tried to do things that wouldn't increase the staring, but Draco was definitely affected by the moon's thrall. So, Harry had to carefully interact with him.
He didn't think that Draco would jump him if he did something wrong, but Draco might try to trap him and force a connection. His animal side was a lot more prevalent in the hours before the full moon. He even heard Draco growling as he watched him – the lustful kind. Harry pretended to ignore it, but he couldn't help but respond to the attention. Draco knew he did, too. 
Still, Harry wouldn't act on it or allow Draco to get out of hand. Draco wasn't in his right mind. He knew Draco's wolf had latched onto him, and he had no idea if he should press human-Draco about it. Certainly, he couldn't bring it up now, hours from the moon. He contented with moving slowly and not getting especially close to Draco. He tried reading a bit, and studiously ignored the trembling in Draco's hands, as though Draco was holding back his wolf with everything he had.
After dinner, Harry got him to drink his potions, and then he side-Apparated Draco to the bunker. Draco's demeanor changed immediately to scared. He whined as Harry put up the remaining wards left open for them. 
"Shh... it's going to come soon. I'll be right here, okay?"
Draco nodded, done with words. Harry guided him into the cell and held up the blanket he had brought. Draco nodded appreciatively. He dropped his clothes and accepted the blanket.
"Thanks, Harry. For everything. I'm sorry I'm...."
"Don't mention it."
"I'm sorry for the... staring and stuff..." he mumbled.
"It's the full moon, Draco. Everything is heightened, and you lose control. I don't blame you."
Draco was quiet for a while, except for gasps of pain as his body prepared to shift, regardless of the binding mark. Then he whispered, "Lupin stopped by once... while you were out...."
Harry looked at him. "What?"
"He wanted to tell me that my scent is calling wolves to me. The pack... wants me for my child."
"Don't worry. We'll protect you."
"But... Harry... I can live the rest of my life in hiding, but... my child can't," Draco whimpered as the pain brought him to his knees. "They're always going to be after him or her... to make them be a werewolf, if the child isn't one."
"I won't let anything happen to your child, and I won't trade anyone to them for peace. That camp wasn't fit for animals, much less humans."
Draco looked up at him, his eyes glowing. "I don't think we'll be able to stop them all."
"Watch me," Harry spat, though Draco's words were getting to him.
"The pack is huge and can make more wolves. All it takes is one to grab the child or me."
"We'll be careful," he said. 
Draco sobbed a bit before he dropped to the floor and screamed as the full moon rose higher on the horizon.
Once again, Harry watched him transform, or rather, slightly change. His nails, fangs and hair grew, the same as the last full moon. His muscles rippled like they wanted to change, but the binding mark held them in place. Wolf-Draco was still whimpering, and Harry decided to wait until it was necessary to call the blanket back. Draco's head lifted, and he smelled the air. He analyzed the room for threats, before locking eyes on him.