Howl into the Night

Published: Jan 13, 2025

Draco awoke strapped to a bed. Not like that place. His arms were at his sides, and he was clearly at the hospital. He could tell that his body was healed, besides some residual aches. He was saved but not really. He went from one prison to another as he pulled on the restraints harder. A healer that smelled like bleach was next to him and shook her head at his silent request to be free.

"Death Eaters are being rounded up and kissed," she spat. "I don't know why we bothered healing you."

He looked away from her and toward the wall. There were other scents there as well... none very pleasant, but better than the camp. Tears came out. He just wanted the pain to be over. He tugged ineffectually on the restraints that were placed over his mangled, bandaged wrists.

The healer opened the door to leave, but she was stopped when an anxious voice demanded, "When can I see him?" It was Potter's voice.

Draco blinked. His last memories were hazy. He heard yelling and thought he heard Potter's voice, when the wolf was thrown off him. He just barely remembered Potter's green eyes, the clean, safe smell he brought, and the relief he felt before he passed out.

"I can't authorize...."

"To hell with authorization! I brought him here!" Potter's voice hissed.

"He's a Death Eater!" she hissed. "He's going to be arrested!"

"Not if I have anything to do about it! Now stand aside or you'll get where my authority comes from," Potter growled angrily.

She apparently didn't stop him, because Potter stormed in, though Draco didn't look at him directly. However, Potter snapped, "Why the fuck is he in restraints?!"

Draco trembled at his tone but kept looking at the wall. He did not want to be on Potter's bad side. He knew that. He always knew that. But it sounded like Potter wasn't mad at him.

"He's a Death Eater! What aren't you getting? He's a known criminal."

Potter vanished the cuffs. "I know a lot more than you do."

Draco immediately turned on his side and curled into the fetal position toward the wall. Tears were already threatening to come out.

"You're a horrible person to do that to him. You know what he's been through. Now, get out," Potter spat.

"He's one of them and deserves to die! See! Here's his Mark," she spat and grabbed his left arm, where there was a huge bandage covering it. They had sliced it off... or tried to.

Before Potter could do anything, Draco snarled, baring his teeth. Just like an animal... like a wolf. She jumped back in fear. Draco was surprised by his action, too. He pulled his arm back and turned away from the woman, confused.

Potter smirked. "Serves you right. Get out before I find your boss. You've broken any oath you've ever taken as a healer!"

She finally left, and Draco released some more tears. He didn't think he had any more left.

"Shhh... it's okay. I won't let her or anyone else hurt you, okay, Draco?" Potter said, in a much calmer voice.

Why was he here? Why did he save him? Draco trembled, his grey eyes finally looked up into Potter's blazing green ones. Shivers shot down his spine at what he saw... and smelt. Potter was nothing like the wolves or the brace of healers he had just faced, unconscious or not. The wolves smelled like blood, mud and shit... the healers... cleaning solutions. Potter was life... power... vibrancy. Strength. Draco could only look at him directly for so long before the feeling of the need to bar his neck in submission crept in.

What the fuck? Where did that come? He turned his head back down, confused again. A wolf thing? He didn't know how wolves really worked. He wasn't exactly expecting to be turned.

Potter's voice was gentle, though. "Draco? I'm sorry... I'm not going to leave you."

Draco didn't answer. He had no idea what was happening... has happened. Well... Draco knew the Mark had faded. The healer had called him a criminal. Was the war over? Was the Dark Lord really gone? And why... why... was Potter here? Why did he... rescue him? Why is he protecting him? Why would he?

He trembled and tears came out. He had shed so many since the full moon. Since Greyback took everything from him and more. Fuck... he was going to hunt him down. He had bitten him and marked him - a different mark than the Dark Lord's. Greyback said that he was his and he could always find him. Draco started breathing faster.

"Shh... calm down, Draco," Potter said and took his hand. "I won't let anyone hurt you, again."

Draco risked another glance at him. Potter was strong... and he had, most likely, defeated the Dark Lord. He believed that Potter could protect him... he just didn't believe Potter would. They were enemies... right? But the look in Potter's eyes didn't seem like they were. What the fuck? He was baffled.

"You look confused," Potter stated.

Draco nodded, slowly. "Why?" he said, his voice low. It still hurt from the screaming.

Potter frowned. "Why did you deny it was me at your house, Malfoy?"

Draco looked away. Truth be told, sometimes he wished he hadn't, but Potter was going to defeat the Dark Lord. There was a bloody prophecy spouting that fact. Potter had to live. The Dark Lord was Death.

"Draco? You knew it was me... and they said that... you let me have your wand, too."

Draco's eyes watered. They, the Death Eaters or whoever, told Potter what happened... and his permanent punishment. Greyback's bitch. He took a shaky breath.

"W-What h-happened? Is he... gone?" he whispered.

"He is. They both are."

Draco looked at him, confused.

"Wasn't sure you wanted me to say their names. Voldemort... and Greyback."

Draco did flinch at both their names, but his mouth dropped. "Greyback? He's... gone... really gone?" he whispered.

Potter nodded, solemnly. "I promise. I saw his body. He's definitely dead."

Draco breathed easier. "And... me? What's going to happen? The healer said...."

"Don't listen to what that healer said. Kingsley is Minister of Magic, now. He promised me that he'd pardon you of anything. I'll hold him to that."

Draco blinked and asked, again, "Why?"

"We're just kids, Draco. You didn't have a choice... obviously."

Draco blushed. Potter found him being fucked in the hut they chained him in after Greyback was summoned by his master. He knew that he was the pack bitch. The Omega, whatever that means.

"I also promised your mother," Potter continued.

Draco lifted his eyes. Mother. "Is she...?"

"She's alive and well," he started. But there was a tone.

"What is it?"

"She... umm... is under arrest... for... umm... torture and murder."

Draco's mouth dropped open. "What?" he whispered. He didn't believe it. "Who?" Did the Dark Lord make her hurt someone? he wondered.

"Umm... Greyback."

He took a deep breath and turned into his pillow to cry. His mother knew she had to do it... to save him. She loved him.

"I don't know what they'll do. The trials for the war and that haven't even started... and with what we found where you were... she's got a defense... kinda... I guess," Potter murmured.

Draco didn't look at him, again, and just cried into his pillow. His mother may face life in prison for him, but he was thankful. He knew he would never be able to sleep soundly if he was alive. Wolves don't forget.

"I'll testify at her trial, of course," Potter said and then reached out to pat his back.

Draco tensed at the touch at first, but hummed, relishing the feeling as Potter comforted him. Being closer, Draco could smell the finer scents better with his enhanced abilities. He could tell that he hadn't showered recently. Potter still smelt of the woods... and blood, his blood. Potter carried him here. He also had other blood on him... from the other wolves. Potter was known to use his fists. But there was something else. Something that was soothing.

Potter stopped moving and Draco opened his eyes. His nose was almost touching Potter's hand. Luckily, Potter seemed bemused.

"You were sniffing me," he stated.

Draco went red. "Sorry."

"It was just like with Fang. He always has to sniff me whenever I go to Hagrid's."

Draco glared. "I'm not a dog."

Harry held up his hands. "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. I'm sure it's... overwhelming for you."

"Overwhelming?" Draco growled, with some teeth. "I'm a bloody werewolf."

"I noticed," Potter shrugged, with a smile.

"I also spent over a month being interrogated, tortured, and oh... let's not forget publicly raped," he spat and pulled away from him. He pulled the covers up to his head, and the tears came out. He was crying now, unabashed, as the full weight of what he had gone through really hit him.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry," Potter said, and tried to touch him, but he flinched hard. "Okay, I won't touch you... shhh... I'm sorry. It's going to be okay."

"No, it's not!" he hissed and continued sobbing.

Potter stayed with him until he calmed down. St. Potter just went on about how everything was okay and life was all sunshine and rainbows. He was an ex-Death Eater, traitor and werewolf who was facing war trials. He sulked in silence for several hours until Granger and Weasley showed up. She tried to talk to him too, but he couldn't talk to anyone.

"This is from Kingsley," she declared.

Potter read it and smiled. "Some good news... and bad news. You're pardoned, Draco, but Malfoy Manor and your father's vaults were seized as evidence."

"The healers don't want him here, either. He's been released," Granger reported, glaring at the door on his behalf.

Draco froze, realizing that he was homeless, penniless and without his father's assistance.

"Don't worry... we'll figure it out, Draco. Thanks, guys," Potter said, and Granger and Weasley left.

Draco didn't know what to say. He was scared and alone. Weak. Where am I going to go? he thought, panic creeping in.

"I wanted... will you come home with me?" Potter stammered out.

Draco looked at him, surprised. "What?"

"Do you want to stay with me? It's somewhat covered by a Fidelius Charm. Hermione spent yesterday cleaning it out. I do have a house elf, but he's a bit off. But... if you want to come home with me... there are lots of rooms to pick from."

Draco met his eyes, again. Potter seemed sincere. He smelled it from him... anxious even. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, Draco," Potter said. "I want to keep you safe... help you... recover."

Draco was even more confused. "Why? I didn't out you. It's not the same as saving your life."

"What about giving me your wand?"

"I didn't exactly have a lot of time to make an active decision. I don't know if it was even a conscious decision."

"Vol-The Dark Lord seemed to think that."

"He was more hung up on the "I-didn't-want-him-to-win" part."

Harry nodded. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn't that the old saying?"

Draco grimaced. "Why are you doing this?"

"I've answered and...."

"You saved me. It makes us even. Opening your home up to me isn't necessary."

"It's not about the cosmic balance. You went through... a horrible time. I want to help, and your mother and Zabini asked me to help you."

Blaise? "What? Why?"

"They both helped us fight in the battle. Your mother helped me against Vol-the Dark Lord. She made me promise to keep you safe."

"You so owe her."

"I paid her back finding you. I want to help you. I want you to feel safe, again... to heal. I promise that I just want to help you."

Draco met his eyes, again. Potter meant it. He trembled at the thought. His voice broke a little. "I... I don't think I can walk... unassisted."

"I'll take care of you... I promise," he urged, and Draco nodded.

"Thank you... Potter."