"But... you also came down... without a shirt on. What's your excuse?"
                              
"I didn't want to feel overdressed?" he offered.
                              
Harry chuckled. "Really? Dressing to match, eh?"
                              
"I thought you were trying to impress me with your big Auror-training muscles."
                              
Harry leaned forward. "Did it work?"
                              
Draco went red, again, and let that be the answer. He just continued eating, and Harry didn't prod him anymore, thankfully. They quietly ate their meal. Gus was at his leg, wagging his forked tail.
                              
"I do have something serious to talk about..." Harry started and Draco felt chills down his back.
                              
"Yes?"
                              
"I thought I told you... I don't take kindly to people stealing my pups."
                              
His blush disappeared and fear replaced it. "I didn't take him!"
                              
"Well, he was in your bed all night," Harry said.
                              
"But he just came!"
                              
"He's sitting by you, right now. You stole him away from me!"
                              
"No! I didn't mean..." he started, but then saw Harry's smile. "Prat... stop giving me a heart attack."
                              
"More like a panic attack. But it looks like Gus bonded with you, and I heard you through the door talking to him."
                              
Draco blushed. "He's a cute pup."
                              
"I just want to make sure you treat him right," Harry asked.
                              
"Of course! I would never hurt him, either of them, Po-Harry. What do you take me for?"
                              
"You could consider them my krups and my responsibility. Neglect as bad as abuse."
                              
"Well, I won't. Do I need to feed him?" he asked, and Gus yipped.
                              
"They both have a krup-kibble feeder, but he needs attention and love. I just wanted to make sure you knew... s'all."
                              
"Okay. I wasn't trying to... bond with him. He just came right through the door, uninvited... both times! and hopped on my bed. I wasn't going to make him leave."
                              
"I'm glad you didn't. Gus has been competing for my attention with Shadow for long enough."
                              
Shadow barked at his name and hopped up on Harry's leg.
                              
"Are you begging? Krups aren't supposed to beg! But I give you some every time, so I can't really be mad at you, can I? My fluffy puppy!" Harry said, going full-baby voice on him and picking him off the floor. "Yeah, they're spoiled."
                              
"Gus is acting proper, aren't you, boy?" Draco said, looking down at his krup. Gus wagged his tail and tilted his head, as though trying to impress him. Draco couldn't even deny it. He felt the bond form. Krups were magical creatures and were capable of becoming familiars. He knew that Gus, despite everything, was, in fact, his krup and always would be. He frowned.
                              
"What's wrong?" Harry asked as he let Shadow clean his plate.
                              
"Other than that," he said, gesturing to the krup. "Harry... I didn't mean to... take him away from you."
                              
"First off. He's still here, not three feet from me. Second, you played no part in it. Krups choose their masters. I knew exactly when Shadow choose me. Gus... was more independent, but he was content with being near me and helping me with my nightmares. He loved being here with me, but not as much as he is when he claimed you. Draco... you'll have to take him with you... if you ever... move out."