Chapter 18

                                        

                                              
Published: 5/10/25

The next day, Malfoy cooked eggs and bacon for him. He didn't bother to mix it into the kibble, and Harry wagged his tail appreciatively. Malfoy wouldn't let him eat after he finished, though. Harry could live with that. However, when Malfoy was ready to go to work, he guided him into the cage by his collar. He locked the cage door with his wand.
"You're not getting out this time," Malfoy declared with a smile.
Harry barked and howled until Malfoy left. It didn't matter what he did, the cage wouldn't break. He flipped it over, clawed and chewed, but Malfoy layered it in so many charms. Harry couldn't break out. He rammed the door over and over, but nothing worked.
Malfoy even layered the cage in Cushioning Charms so Harry didn't hurt himself. He barked angrily and didn't give up trying until he was utterly exhausted. He hated being in the cage. He absolutely hated being trapped. He was whining and trembling when he finally laid down, with his ears pressed down to his skull.
When Malfoy finally did come home, Harry was pissed at him. He refused to look at him.
"Well, looks like I won today!" Malfoy said, laughing, but the laughter died out. "What's wrong, boy?" 
He sounded concerned, but Harry didn't look at him. He stayed lying down as far as he could from the cage door.
"What? Are you mad at me? Come on, Potter. Don't be salty cause I beat you," he said, but was still trying to draw him out.
When he didn't respond, Malfoy tried to grab him by his back hips. Harry growled and scrambled back further against the back of the cage. He glared at Malfoy and then laid his head down. Malfoy tried to plead with him to come out. Harry was not going to forgive him so easily. Malfoy gave up and started on dinner. Harry was still angry and stayed in the cage despite the open door. An hour later, Malfoy brought a dish out.
Harry could smell it. Beef! He lifted his head, and his tail wagged. It ever smelled warm.
"Come here, boy," Malfoy said, so gently. "Come here. It's okay. I'm sorry you were stuck in there all day." 
Harry couldn't refuse such an offering, no matter how mad he was. He slowly came out. Malfoy set the bowl down near the door entrance and backed away. Harry slowly came out and ate it. He kept an eye on Malfoy, who sat down to eat his own meal.
When Harry was done, he wandered off to the back door and sat down. Malfoy got up, tried and failed to pet him, and let him out. 
"Go on... stop being in a strop."
Harry snorted at him and ran to the grass. Harry relieved himself against a tree and then stared at the fence. Maybe it was time. Harry looked at the house and then at the wall. Malfoy had just fed him a great dinner, but Harry didn't want to be in a cage any longer. 
I'm a free dog... not a house dog... Harry told himself.
He ran at full speed, launching up the fence to the top, gripping the top of the planks with his front paws and pulling himself over. He braced his fall as he dropped to the ground. It hurt a little, but he was fine. He ran... ran as fast as he could to escape to freedom.





Oh no! Harry escaped... the end. Just kidding!