Chapter 29

                                        

                                              
Published: 7/18/25
Harry woke up before Malfoy like usual, as he heard the morning birds more easily. He tilted his head as he examined his human. Malfoy tended to sleep in shorts, his chest on display as he had escaped his sheet and blanket at some point during the night. Harry dimly remembered it as Malfoy had woken him up, apparently too warm for his liking. It probably didn't help that Harry slept right beside him, but he couldn't help it. He'd always sleep next to another dog when he had a pack. He wasn't sure it was a dog thing or a lonely thing. 
He stared at Malfoy for a bit, debating getting up and going outside, but he didn't want to risk waking Malfoy. Harry also didn't like that Draco's face was scrunched up, and he was tense. He had seen Malfoy shake with tremors after he woke up. One morning, during that first week, Malfoy had woken up crying and wrapped his arms around him when Harry had woken him from a nightmare. Draco seemed to be plagued by them. Harry whined a little.
Draco never explained what he saw or dreamed about, but Harry suspected that Malfoy had nightmares nearly every day and just wasn't physically showing it. Sure, Malfoy perked up when he saw that he, Harry, was there, but he was quiet sometimes... his hands shook. The war still weighed on him, and Harry couldn't help but notice how isolated he was. He hoped to find out more when Blaise and Pansy come tomorrow. 
Yesterday, Draco had cleaned everything by hand, yet again. Harry sensed that the man didn't like to use magic. He didn't seem to do any spells that would make his own life easier, just ones for handling him. He had asked Blaise for spells instead of looking up ones, and there were no spellbooks or potion materials in the house that Harry could see. Harry wondered what had happened to break Malfoy so much about not using magic. Then again, Harry supposed that it was the same with him. He hadn't cast magic in five years.
His thoughts were broken when Malfoy started shaking more. Harry whined louder and got up to lick his face. Malfoy had seemed to appreciate being woken up the last time he was this time, though he jerked at the sudden contact. His eyes were wet with tears when he opened them. He gasped and took some deep breaths before his eyes found him. Harry whimpered, laid down next to him and dropped his head onto his chest, again. 
"Thanks, Potter," he whispered. "You're the best dog ever."
Harry tilted his head back and forth, the clear sign of curiosity. He wanted Malfoy to open up, to tell him what was hurting him. His human's grey eyes regarded him and he sighed. His hands petted his head, gently. It wasn't as bad as last time Harry had to wake him.
"I'm okay, boy," he murmured. His fingers ghosted over the scars.
Harry went still. His scar. The one that he had maimed Draco with. Was that the nightmare he kept having? He licked Draco's chest where the scar was and whined, as the thought almost hurt him. 
"Hey, stop. It's okay," Draco reassured him. 
Harry couldn't help but rest his head down on his scars. He'd never be able to take Draco's pain away. He whined and licked the scar, again.
Draco smiled. "Hey, come on, that tickles. It's-It's just a reminder, boy. Of... Potter... the real Potter... he saved everyone. He saved me. He took out the... bad man..." Draco trailed off, shivering.
Harry could tell that Draco's breathing was erratic. Though Voldemort had been gone for five years, Draco still couldn't say his name. Harry wasn't sure it was just fear of the name. It was avoidance. It was trauma. He whined louder and patted Draco gently with his paw, as he tried to lend him some support and stop him from spiraling. Draco forced a deep breath and focused on him.
"You'd be a good emotional support dog, Potter. It's hard, even after all this time. Blaise calls all this hiding, and maybe I am. I can't go back. Too many reminders... this..." Draco whispered and pressed the Sectumsepra scar, "...this... it helps me remember who won."
Harry lifted his head, tilting it. He felt some relief. His curse didn't... wasn't causing Draco pain. He nudged Draco's hand with his nose. Malfoy petted him, again. He wanted Draco to explain more. He wanted to understand. Draco's eyes watered as he looked at Harry and brought him forward to hug him. Harry moved closer and let him.
"They hurt me... a lot. For not... I didn't like it... them... him. He knew it. He... reveled in it. He... enjoyed terrorizing me, torturing me... and-and my parents didn't stop him."
Harry rubbed his head against Draco's in support. He had known that Draco had hated it, and he had felt Voldemort's enjoyment when he made Draco torture the other Death Eaters. The bastard was trying to break Draco's aversion, and come Easter Break, Draco wanted so badly to deny it was Harry. Even without being an Animagus, Harry could sense his absolute fear and desperation when Draco looked into his eyes and refused to say it was him.
Draco let go after a few minutes. Harry was practically on his chest. He rubbed his head against Draco and licked his cheek. Draco sighed but didn't resist his administrations. 
"You do like doing that. Thanks, Potter. Since you've been here... it's been... better...." Draco trailed off. "I've been alone too long. I can pretend when Blaise and Pansy come... but... there's no one else. I've just been... surviving... hiding really. No wizard would set foot in a muggle bank in the middle of rural England."
Bank? Harry had wondered what Malfoy did. And how Malfoy got a job... or credentials... or figured out how to live as a muggle. Even the Weasleys would have been so lost in the muggle world, and they appreciated muggles. Draco had been taught to scorn them. But Draco had fully embraced the no-mag life.
So many questions... that he could never ask. He just licked Malfoy's nose, more playfully this time and wagged his tail, excitedly. 
Malfoy smiled. "You little...."
Harry jumped off the bed and ran circuits around the island in the kitchen, through the open concept living area and back into Draco's bedroom a few times. Draco watched him for a bit and tried to chase and grab him, but Harry was faster. It definitely broke the mood.
Draco wasn't thinking about the bad times, and that's what Harry wanted.


Other than some PTSD for them both, I decided not to torture Harry and Draco in this 온라인카지노게임. Just figure I'd explain why Draco was still in the muggle world and didn't want to go back either.

Anyway... I'm alive! Sorry took a break after vacation. Been doing speedruns playing Majora's Mask and watching Star Trek and Yu-gi-oh the abridged series. Then watched Avatar... then read some Avatar fanfics. Zuko ones. Gosh I need a life.


Today's 온라인카지노게임 recommendation:
A Panther's Heart by FoxyQueen7264
In a world where wizards and witches can be soulbound to their familiars,  Harry gets caught in Animagus form during one summer vacation and is bonded to Draco as his familiar. Draco eventually realizes that his panther is none other than the missing Golden Boy. However, they both protect each other and enjoy their ever-growing bond. Mild triggers for Lucius hurting Draco.
/온라인카지노게임/211965611-a-panther%27s-heart
Also at A03 under Copper_Vixen