Chapter 27 - Confrontations

                                        

                                              
Published: 5/23/25
The days passed by easier, now. Harry noticed that Draco was getting more comfortable with his presence and didn't avoid him as much. Harry could still smell that underlying fear and nervousness, but Draco didn't avoid him now. They talked occasionally, and Draco somewhat responded.
It was only a week until the full moon, and they were still coming to terms with what Harry had done. Remus tried to talk to him or Draco, but Harry wasn't answering the floo or owls. He didn't want to hear the older man's condemnation. He refused to go to the Weasleys for the same reason. But with the full moon so close, Ron and Hermione showed up on his front step and knocked loudly.
"Harry!" Hermione called. "Stop avoiding us!"
Harry sighed, walked down and opened the door. "I'm not avoiding you."
"What the bloody hell else do you call it when you don't answer our owls?" Ron asked.
"Are you worried that we won't treat you the same?" Hermione demanded to know, looking cross.
"No! I just... I'm adjusting," Harry said, looking at the ground.
"Or do you just not want us to hassle you about getting bitten?" Hermione said, pointedly.
"Cause we aren't gonna do that," Ron finished.
Harry looked at them. He wondered if they practiced it. "Great... thanks... umm... come in." He led them down the hall and into the den. Draco was there but didn't acknowledge them.
"Harry, did you go see the doctor?"
"No... why?"
"To make sure that your bite healed? That there aren't any other issues? That Draco is doing okay?" Hermione rattled off.
"I'm fine," Draco muttered and crossed his arms petulantly. 
"Draco... you are... carrying," she said, gently.
"Leave him alone. Our next appointment is after the full moon," Harry defended him. Even from across the room, he could smell Draco's discomfort with the conversation.
"Mione, leave it. Draco and Harry have it handled," Ron interjected.
"Fine. We found a new place. It's on an island off the coast. We think it might throw them off. Remus and I have been refitting it, just in case."
Draco looked up, now alert, and he smelled nervous. Harry wasn't sure about why. Remus? Or just talking about the new site? The full moon? 
"Oh... good. It's gonna be like the last one?"
"Similar. We want to give you and Draco his privacy, so there will be an inner room in the bunker. You both can shift without an audience. Ron and I will be on the outer ward."
"I will come in if necessary so that Hermione won't see your naked butts," Ron explained.
"Sounds acceptable," Harry said, looking at Draco.
"Are there... umm... separate cells for Harry and me?" Draco murmured, apprehension now turning to fear.
"Yes! Two cells with thick bars," Hermione assured him.
Relief scented the air. So, that was what he was worried about, Harry thought.
Draco leaned back and nodded. "Thanks."
"No problem. Ron's going to lay down muggle wolf traps, too. We don't want to take chances, so we'll set as many wards and traps as possible. However, if we have to retreat... we might come into the inner room... and then we'll have to Apparate if they get too close."