Chapter 27

                                        

                                              
Published: June 23, 2025
Draco pulled into the driveway a little after his usual time. He stopped at the market to pick up food for the week. He opened the garage and parked the car. He took a deep breath. He prayed that Potter hadn't escaped. He was fretting about it all day at work. His tracker wasn't showing his real-time location or anything. Just direction and general distance. It appeared that Potter had moved some, but not much. Maybe the yard was big enough?
He nervously opened the house door, and his fur monster almost mauled him with excited licking, pushing him backward into the car.
"Stop!" Draco laughed half-heartedly. He was glad he hadn't escaped. "I got to get the groceries in!"
Potter stopped his excessive licking and let him get off the car. Draco grabbed half the bags out of the boot and brought them to the kitchen. He turned around and realized that Potter had followed, carrying a bag.
"Thanks, boy," he said, petting Potter and taking the bag. 
Huh... Draco tried not to let it get to him, like he ignored what happened that morning. He went back out to the car and grabbed the last bunch. He turned, and Potter stared up at him, waiting to help. Draco took one of his bags and held the straps up for him to take. Potter did and wagged his tail happily as he led the way to the kitchen. Draco shut the boot and followed. Potter sat down and held the bag until Draco dropped his on the counter. 
"Good boy," Draco said, taking it back. 
He put everything away and prepared dinner, as it was getting late. Potter got hamburger and carrots today, which he whined excitedly as Draco put his dish on the floor before Draco had eaten. Ever the good dog, Potter still waited for Draco to say okay before he ate it up. Draco sat and ate his own dinner, regarding his fluffball. The dog always waited for Draco to say okay. Draco hadn't trained him, but who did?
This morning... this morning, Potter got his lunch out of the refrigerator. His Tupperware of last night's dinner. He almost always took one, but not a certain one. There were other containers in the fridge. Potter even got his shoes ready and his umbrella, which he had only taken maybe once since Potter came to live with him. It had rained today, but... how did Potter know that? He could believe that dogs could smell the rain. People could sense it, too, but how did the bloody dog know he'd want an umbrella?
It was so damned strange, he decided as he watched Potter lick his lips. His dog padded over and rubbed his leg against his leg, presumably in thanks, and trotted over to the couch to wait. He didn't beg. He rarely begged, at least since Draco stopped with the dog food. Draco finished and cleaned up. When he came over to the couch, Potter sat up to greet him. 
"Aww... you're such a good boy, staying in the yard. No more jumping over fences. I was so worried about you today, Potter," Draco told him as he petted Potter's head and scratched his ears. 
Potter whined happily, growling for more.
"More? More for the good boy?" he said, and ruffled his ears and scratched his neck. "I expected I'd have to spend the night trying to find you. I will always come for you... you know?" He lifted Potter's chin to look into his green-tinted eyes.
Potter whined and licked his hands. Draco continued to pet him, but stopped when he found some burrs. Potter's coat was thin, and there weren't many plant seedlings but there were definitely some. Draco grimaced and noted that Potter seemed a bit dirty, though it had rained. He wasn't sure where the burrs came from. Draco kept his yard trimmed of bushes. He just magically cleaned Potter with his wand and the couch.
"I was worried you'd trash the house with the rain. Thanks for not being a douche. Maybe you aren't really Potter's second life," Draco muttered, after he was done.
Woof! replied Potter the dog.
"Good boy. You behaved... so we'll keep the dog door... for now."
Potter wagged his tail and stood up to lick his face, as if he understood what he was saying. It... It is a coincidence, Draco told himself for the hundredth time. Potter licked him at every opportunity. He sighed and sat down. 
"Ready for Merlin reruns?"
Potter whined and laid down next to him against his leg, facing the telly. Also a coincidence. Draco clicked on the telly, and he... they... watched Merlin and other shows until it was bedtime. He just kept telling himself that he was not crazy.


One more day until vacation! Yay! Hocking hills, if anyone has been there. Probably done? Still got like 24 hours until I have a flight... and fly... and land. So... maybe another?



I've decided to post 온라인카지노게임 recommedations at the end of each chapter from now on. There's no rhyme or reason... probably not. I'll try to remember if they are "triggery". 
Today's 온라인카지노게임 recommendation:
The Secrets in the Telling - by Sakuri or Verayne - on 카지노후기, Fanfiction.net and A03
Sixth year AU - Lupin turns accidentally turns Draco into a werewolf, who's screwed now. Harry learns to be an Animagus and constantly "harasses" Draco. And it turns out... werewolves have mates.
You can get the A03 link if you click on my livejournal link on my bio. Almost all my faves are there. This one is in my 카지노후기 reading list too (jschulte fave list).