Howl into the Night

Published: January 31st, 2025

Trigger warning: mentions of past abuse

It was two days before the full moon. His werewolf was getting more uneasy by the second. He was restless all night. Draco was nearly next to him when he woke up. Harry had a hard time getting out of bed without waking him up. He stood there a few minutes, watching Draco, seeing his unguarded face. He also got to see an unconscious Malfoy inch over immediately to Harry's spot on the bed, using his nose to track the scent. That explained why he kept getting closer.

Harry went down downstairs and fire-called Remus. "Busy?"

"No, not for you. What's going on?"

"I wanted to see the cage. Is it ready?" he asked.

"Yep, just finished the spells, not that they alone would keep him inside, but they'll help keep him from smashing into the bars a little. Keep him from injuring himself. Floo over, and I'll take you there."

"Gimmie a bit. I can't leave without telling him," he responded.

"I probably should tell him what to expect," Remus said. "Do you want me to come over?"

"No... he's too scared. He's afraid of all wolves... even himself, right now. You can't come over."

"We can talk over the floo... no smells involved."

Harry grimaced. "I'll ask, but it'll be later. Thanks, Remus."

He made breakfast and then took it upstairs. This time, Draco opened his eyes when he set the tray on the bed table.

"Morning, are you doing okay?"

Draco nodded. He was shaking, scared. Harry dropped to his knees and rubbed his back through the blankets.

"It's going to be okay. Are you worried about tomorrow? I'll be there, okay?"

He just nodded, again.

"Here's your breakfast. I... I need to go... look at... where we are going tomorrow."

Draco's eyes widened. "I don't want to go...."

"I figured. I'll go ahead, prep the area and clean it as best I can. But we'll have to go tomorrow... right?" Harry checked.

Draco took a shaky breath. "Yeah."

"Please eat. I'll go right to the shower when I get back... so stay in here."

Draco looked confused. "Lupin?"

"He needs to show me what to do. I have to make sure that we are safe. I'm sorry, but I have to do this."

"Okay... just..." Draco trailed off and rubbed his scarred wrists. "No ropes or chains... please."

Harry reached and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I'll never allow that."

Draco shyly turned away. "Thank you... really... for everything. I... wouldn't... I wouldn't have made it without you," Draco said and then buried his face into his pillow.

Harry petted him again, and said, "Yeah you would have. You're a survivor. I'll be back soon."

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you shower before you go, too?" Draco asked.

Harry blinked. "I can... why?"

"You... smell like me. He'll know... I don't want... that," he said, embarrassed.

Harry wasn't sure what he was talking about unless he was worried that Remus would think they were... together. "I will, okay? Just try to eat and rest? I know it's going to be hard for you."

Harry showered, changed his clothes and even cast the scent removal spell on himself before he flooed to Remus's.

"Wotcher, Harry. Remus is upstairs," Tonks said, holding Teddy. She was still weak from the battle, and hadn't gone back to work. They weren't sure how long it'd take to recover from the curse she was hit with. Blaise had cast a Protego, but the curse had gone through it. The healers said that she would have died, if it had hit her directly.

"Hullo, Tonks... there's Teddy," he said, and tickled his foot. The baby giggled and kicked his finger.

"How's Malfoy?" she asked.

"Recovering," he said, sadly. He knew that Draco was only starting to heal from what had happened.

"I was surprised that you took him in. I understand wanting to save him... but...."

"Who was going to take him, Tonks? The only family he has is your mum and you," he said, glaring at her.

She grimaced. "The Malfoys excommunicated us a long time ago."

"Like before Draco was even born?"

"Harry... he chose the dark side."

"Did he? I'd rather think that the dark side forced him into it."

Tonks shook her head. "He's got a mark, Harry."

"So do I," he grumbled. "Why'd you even go with us? To free him?"

"Because no one deserves that fate... nor did I want you to go alone. I also owe my life to Blaise Zabini... he pressed me to come."

Harry shook his head. "You can't imagine what he's been through. He put his fate into my hands, and I will protect him from everything. I will help him heal, and if you can't understand that, then I won't bother trying."

"Harry... I feel for him, I do, but... he's dangerous."

"Is Remus dangerous?"

She frowned. "I meant that he's a Death Eater."

"No, he's not. They cut his mark off his arm, tortured him for two weeks and gave him to Greyback to play with. He chose me... chose the light," Harry said, forcifully. 

She looked at him and frowned. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure that I trust him... and he trusts me."

She grimaced. "Okay... I'm sorry. You know that my aunt tried to kill me and Remus, right?"

"Bellatrix tortured him, too. What's your point?" he growled.

Her shoulders dropped. "I just... I'm sorry. The Malfoys were always working against me."

"Lucius perhaps... Bellatrix was a Lestrange and a Black. Tonks... I know what it feels like to have family hate your existence. I was raised by people that hated me. I'm glad that they didn't kill me or torture me, but they sure didn't love me and actively wished harm upon me. Draco lived with his enemies. Narcissa didn't kill Lucius and Bellatrix on a whim. They hurt Draco. So stop holding him accountable for things he had no control over, or... you'll lose me forever," he threatened.

She looked shocked by that. "Forever?"

"He's not going anywhere. He's going to be in my life one way or another. So, get over it," Harry said, meeting her eyes.

She seemed uneasy, but nodded. Remus came downstairs. "Ready, Harry?"

"More than."

Remus led him outside and Apparated them to a wooded area. Harry could only see trees for miles. Remus released the protective charms, and a small log cabin appeared.

"It's the safest I have. I put Muggle Repelling Wards on it, so no one has come here in decades. Too far into the woods anyway. There's no fireplace, so don't forget your Warming Spells tomorrow," he said, then he showed him how to get past the wards and the outer ring of enchantments.

"Now, werewolves can break through wards, though. So don't think that this line will hold him coming in or out. The walls won't either. If he gets out... Apparate away, Harry," he warned.

Harry nodded and they went inside. There wasn't much in the way of furniture. A camp bed, table and two chairs. However, a large cage took up most of the room. Thich bars were on all four sides and the top. Harry could see the rod iron showing in the cement floor, too, from Remus's various attempts to escape. There was a sliding door on the cage, and it had several locks on it, keeping it soundly secure. Remus showed him how to lock and unlock each one.

"It's as secure as I can make it. Tonks has stayed with me here once, too. It was better for me, but after she became pregnant, I didn't want to risk it, again."

"Is there anything Draco will need before or after transforming?"

"Food and pain potions. Don't let him shift with clothes on. The wolf will shred them and eat them off. It's bad for the digestion. A pain potion will help take the edge off, at first, but the closer the moon is, the less effective it will be. It can be beyond painful. Console him. He will panic."

"I figured."

"When he shifts... don't be near him. Don't go near the cage. He will lunge at you, and those claws are deadly and won't heal with magic or potions. Don't pet him or try to test his docileness. Nor be offended that he doesn't settle down," Remus instructed.

"I got it."

"Do you? This is dangerous. So please be careful. Remember, the point of you being there is to draw his attention from hurting himself. Werewolves are driven by animalistic needs... the need to eat, drink, rut, and to take charge... to make a pack. That's why they bite and don't kill... or always kill, anyway. Malfoy... er... Draco... will subconsciously want a pack. Want to infect you. So, don't try anything, Harry. I could stay...."

"No! No, Remus. He's... terrified of wolves, even friendly ones. He needs time."

"This is going to be hard on him, then... if he hasn't come to terms with it all."

Harry nodded. "I got it. Anything else?"

Remus grimaced. "Well... you're here... as a human... and this is a werewolf reserve. The Ministry takes care to ward muggles away from it at the full moon. So, they'll smell you."

Harry looked at him. "And...?"

"The other wolves... they could break through the wards, if they tried hard enough."

"Can we make the wards stronger?"

"No. It's one of the reasons werewolves are so dangerous. They repel magic. That's why they're so hard to stun or curse. Wards are no different. It will stop them, but the magic will fail if they keep attacking it."

"Even Fidelius?"

"Probably not... hard to say. Willpower is what it takes to slip through a ward. Perseverance. It'll hurt, deter them. Plus... Fidelius only works on residences."

Harry grimaced. "What can I do?"

"If you draw in a very determined werewolf and they break through wards, you can Apparate away. Draco should be fine. It's nearly impossible to get through metal, even for werewolves."

Harry didn't like the idea of trespassing wolves, nor leaving Draco to fend for himself if he left. He couldn't do that, but he was going to keep that to himself.

"Alright... I need to aerate this place. Make it a little calmer for Draco."

Remus gave him a look. "You really care about him, don't you?"

"When someone puts their absolute faith in you, it tends to make you just as loyal," he responded, eyeing the cage, again.

Remus was quiet for a bit, and Harry could feel his eyes on him. "I'll support you, Harry. In whatever happens. Please be careful, though," he finished, stepped out the door and Apparated away.

Harry wasn't sure what that meant, but he spelled the air clean and washed the floors, walls and ceiling clean and lemon-scented. He left and did the same outside, just in case. Then he Apparated to the front step.

He opened the door, walked in and yelled, "Draco! I'm going to the shower, okay?"

He was just considering that he should have aerated himself, too, when he made it to the bottom of the stairs. Draco was in the den and practically ran at him. Draco pressed him into the wall, pinning both of his hands to the wall at shoulder level. Harry didn't fight him, though he winced, surprised by the sudden attack.

"Draco?" he said, looking at Draco's pupil-blown eyes right in front of him.

Draco leaned in and put his nose straight into his neck. Harry's head was pushed back to the side and his neck was open. He could feel Draco's teeth just against his skin against his carotid artery. He didn't move, knowing that he was extremely vulnerable in this position.

"Draco?" he said, again.

Draco whined and pressed his body flush into his. Harry was even more uncomfortable. It was sexual... and at the same time, it wasn't. Draco wasn't humping him or anything. Remus's scent must have triggered a panic response, again. Intentionally or not, Draco had complete control over him now, and his arms were trapped so he couldn't rub his neck to calm him down. Nor could he overpower the werewolf. The week of meals and nutrient potions had given Draco much of his strength back.

"Come on... it's okay? It's Harry, remember? Draco?" he tried.

Nothing. Draco just kept on smelling his throat. Several minutes passed of him trying to reach Draco, but there was no response from his werewolf. Harry let him find comfort in his smell until he felt Draco's lips on his neck. He had to stop Draco from initiating that kind of... stuff.

"Draco! Release my hands, now!" Harry growled.

The anger helped. Draco let go of him immediately and backed into the banister of the stairs. He looked confused, scared and then horrified.

"I-I... what happened? Did I-Harry?" he mumbled, shaking. His eyes were wide and full of fear, and Harry wasn't sure whether in response to his anger or what Draco had just done. He was panicking.

Harry held up his hands. "Draco... calm down...."

That did not work as Draco dropped to his hands and knees and cried, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry master!"

"Stop calling me that!" he spat, but regretted it instantly, as Draco cringed lower to the floor. "Draco, I'm sorry. It's okay. Please get up."

"I don't know what's happening to me!" he cried, and as he wrapped his arms around his knees and began rocking back and forth.

Harry cast the Aerate Spell and then sat down on the floor next to him. Then Harry slowly pulled Draco into his lap to his chest. Draco curled into him, his fingers grabbed his shirt, and then he pressed his face into his chest and cried.

"It's the full moon... everything changes. The healer said that you'd get... different." Her exact words were "sexually active", which Harry did not want to use. "I'm sorry. I forgot to remove the scent from me... so it's my fault. Just breathe."

Draco cuddled closer and tears were still coming out. Remus was right that this was going to be hard on him. Harry reached up and gently touched the back of his neck. The shaking stopped, and he hummed contently as Harry essentially petted him. When he thought Draco was calm enough, they got up. He cast the scent removal spell again and, for good measure, showered, too. Draco was sitting at the table in the kitchen, wringing his hands, nervously.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Draco whispered, when he walked in.

"Draco, it's fine. No harm done."

Draco lowered his head. "When am I going to do something that makes you want to throw me out?"

Harry chuckled. "It'll take a lot."

"I just... couldn't stop myself at all. I smelled the other wolf on you and... just wanted to know that you were... there, I guess."

"It's almost the full moon. You needed reassurance," Harry said, and pulled out stuff for lunch.

Draco didn't look like he wanted to eat the sandwich, but Harry just gave him a look. It was important to eat all of his food. He quietly ate without protest. After lunch, they went to the den, where Draco sat on the couch subdued. Harry wasn't sure if it was just nerves or leftover embarrassment from pinning him to the wall. Harry walked over to the garden door and then thought, Why not?

"Draco? Do you want to go outside with me?"

Draco froze up like he was hit with Perfectus Totalus. "What?"

"Outside? In the garden? No trees or woods. Just bushes, weeds, and muggle noises."

Draco looked uncertain. "I don't think...."

"Come on, Draco. It'll be a small step."

Draco debated it internally for a few minutes before getting up and walking over to the door.

"It'll be fine," Harry nudged.

Draco motioned for him to exit first, wanting him to test to the water. He slowly exited, letting the sunlight hit him and breathed in the air. His nose twitched, but he didn't appear to smell anything alarming.

"See? It's nice."

"The city smells like shit," Draco grunted.

Harry laughed. "It does. It's different enough, though? Right?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," he mumbled.

Harry went about pulling weeds out and breaking branches. Draco just silently watched him. He did peruse the yard, but he seemed better. Harry gathered everything in a pile and realized that Draco had been staring at him, intently. However, he looked away when Harry noticed him and then blushed. Harry pretended not to notice. The healer said that his sexual drive would be more active. It wasn't the first time Harry wondered if the Slytherin Prince liked guys.

He set about tending the whole garden and had a large pile. He was aware that Draco's eyes followed him. Harry wasn't perturbed. There was no point in making Draco awkward by confronting him. His body was going through massive changes, and he was bound to be confused by it. Plus, if he was having an increased libido, then it could easily trigger a flashback to his recent trauma. Harry didn't want him to be scared.

After all the weeds were pulled, he walked over to Draco, who had sat down, and said, "Well... I'm all done. Want to stay out here for a bit and get some sun?"

"I burn rather easily," Draco muttered, shrugging.

"I can look for some sunscreen?" he offered.

"What pray-Salazar is sunscreen?"

Harry laughed. "A muggle balm for protecting against sunburn."

Draco gave him a look. "No thanks. I'd rather not try out muggle brews."

Harry laughed. "Alright, let's go in and relax."

Draco looked at the pile. "Are you going to leave it there?"

"I'll vanish it later."

Draco gave a quizzical look. "Why later?"

"Cause... well... you... and wands?" Harry finished, awkwardly.

Draco's eyes watered a little and he nodded. "Thank you. Thank you for being... so caring, Harry."

"It's nothing. Come on... let's get in before you burn."

Draco snorted, but got up and went inside with him. They moped around the house and ate a quiet dinner. Harry snuck out and vanished the pile while Draco was in the shower. Harry moved Draco's whole dresser into his room as well. Draco seemed pleased when he found it moved, judging by the grin he gave him. However, Harry noticed that he was trembling, slightly. He fidgeted more and couldn't keep eye contact.

As Harry got into bed and turned off the light, Draco got in on the other side. Harry could sense that Draco was nervous. He seemed quiet, well, quieter. He was scared, staring at the ceiling like it was about to collapse in on him.

"It's going to work out, Draco," Harry whispered. "It's okay to be scared...."

"No, it's not," he shot back, and let out a sob. He seemed to be mad about it.

"Draco... it's completely fine to cry and be worried. I've done it. It's a healthy way to process."

He snorted and wiped the tears away. "Yeah, healthy."

Harry didn't know what to say. Draco was shaking and upset. He needed comfort, and it looked as though he didn't know how to ask for it. Harry knew two things that seemed to put the werewolf at ease: touching his neck and letting Draco smell him. Harry remembered Draco's nose buried into his neck, sniffing for reassurance earlier. Draco, subconsciously or not, relaxed so much more when he could smell him directly.

"Come here," he whispered. "Roll over to my side, next to me."

"What?" Draco said, surprised, and then asked, "Really?"

Harry looked at him in the dark. "Yeah...come here. You'll feel better."

Draco was hesitant at first, but then came right over. He snuggled up right into his side, and put his head on his shoulder. Draco's nose pressed firmly against his skin. One of Draco's arms was clinging possessively across his body, hugging him tightly. Harry looked at Draco fondly as his fretting had decreased significantly. He smiled, finding that he liked this, liked being this for Draco. He had never felt more... at home... this was home. Him and Draco.