Howl into the Night

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Artwork by: punkerlazar

Harry pulled out Draco's pajamas and left them on the bed, after he extracted himself from Malfoy's death grip. It was nearly morning, and he was starving, having eaten nothing yesterday. He had been so preoccupied with making Draco feel safe that he had neglected to eat anything. He quickly toasted some bread and mowed through it. He then made eggs and bacon for himself and Draco. He ate his as usual and put Draco's under stasis, and snuck quietly into his room to set the plate down.

Then Harry went to the den and put up the Silencing Charms that he had stupidly forgotten yesterday. He called Remus first to check in.

"Harry! I'm glad that you're okay. I heard that it was... different," Remus said, sounding worried.

"Hermione told you?" he asked, surprised.

"She needed more information and firecalled me last night," he said, nonchalantly.

Harry raised one eyebrow. Researching the binding mark shouldn't have necessitated a firecall to Remus. "And what did she ask?"

"A couple things," he said evasively.

"Remus..." he growled.

"Fine... shit, Harry. His bite mark? You're touching his bite mark?" he asked, looking worried.

"You said that...."

"I told you not to!"

"You said that it hurt if I grabbed him there and tried to control him. You said that you didn't mind it as much when Tonks or James touched you as long as they didn't mean you harm."

"Harry... I still didn't like it. It's a bond between his creator and him. It's... I don't know how to explain it, but you are controlling him, Harry! You're sending your emotions into him and he can't stop it, even if he wanted. And honestly, it's extremely difficult to overcome them."

Harry blushed. "He moves out of my hand if he wants clarity. I'm not ordering him or anything. It's just when he's upset. He wants me to do it... to bring him out of his spiral. He asked me to. He said that it felt like I was pulling Fenrir out of him."

Remus's eyes analyzed him and he frowned. "Harry... did... did he bite you at all? Even if he when it wasn't the full moon?"

"What? No. Why?"

Remus looked very uncertain. "Just don't and ween him off it. It's... just dangerous."

"Why?" Harry pressed.

"It's...it just is. It probably is already too late for him."

"Too late for what?"

"Harry... just be careful please. He's vulnerable, and you're messing with things that you can't understand."

"What can't I understand!? Answer me, Remus!"

Remus shook his head. "He's naturally going to be drawn to you, Harry. You're making him want you and only you."

Harry's eyes widened. "You didn't say...."

"I didn't think I'd need to. What part of "livewire" to his emotions didn't you understand?"

"He said that I hadn't hijacked his emotions... that he liked it when I did that."

"Of course, he say that! After what the others did to him! He's basking in your attention, your positive emotions."

"Then what's the problem?"

Remus sighed. "A few things. Has Malfoy made a pass at you?"

"What? He was just... sexually tortured, Remus!"

"Will he do anything you say?"

Harry swallowed, remembering how obedient wolf-Draco was. "Not anything. I won't take advantage of him."

"What you don't understand is that the wolf is different than Draco...and the wolf might take charge."

Harry remembered Draco when he smelled Remus on him, his nose pressed to his throat and the hint of his lips touching him. "I won't let him."

"You say that... but he's still vulnerable."

"And now you're raising this point?" Harry spat. "Who's more holier than I that you trust to take care of him? St. Mungo's threw him out!"

Remus shook his head. "I just don't want you stuck with him, forever."

"I'm not abandoning him, Remus. He begged me not to. Would you really throw someone out if they desperately needed you?"

"No... but... forget it. Nothing's going to happen," he muttered more to himself.

"Remus?"

"Hermione said that the wolves came?"

Harry wasn't happy about the conversation change but nodded. "Five or six? Tore through the wards."

Remus shook his head. "I wondered about there being a human in the woods. Though I'm surprised that it was that many."

"Remus... Draco said... it was Fenrir's pack."

The older werewolf gave him a look. "They wouldn't leave their territory... not unless they were taking over another pack. They wouldn't dare try right now. There are only lone wolves where that cabin was."

"Draco was sure."

"Well... oh shit... he's... pack," Remus said, paling. "He's their pack member, and you took him."

"What?"

"Harry... holy fuck... if the Alpha claims a pack member and the pack accepts him... then they can track Malfoy anywhere. Anyone that ever bit or tasted Malfoy can... find him."

Harry's mouth dropped. "Remus... you mean... forever?"

Remus nodded, somberly. "I'm not sure. Fenrir tried to find me a few times, hence another reason why I couldn't take you in pup. Why I always had to be careful what missions I went on. Fenrir could find me, but he was the only wolf as I wasn't a pack member. So, his pack couldn't spread out to find me, and I wasn't important enough back then. Worse... they still have Draco's scent back at their camp to use. His blood and... stuff."

Harry clenched his fists. "Why haven't I heard of this?"

"It's if the Alpha wants him back... and if he was a pack member, Harry. Pack dynamics don't always make sense to me, either. You've only ever heard about lone wolves, because they are what terrorizes communities, magical and muggle. They don't have an Alpha to keep them in check or a territory to protect."

Harry blinked. "You're saying that packs are good?"

Remus shrugged. "I can't say that for certain. The random muggle attacks always are less where packs are. They will... capture new members... but they won't wander far without the Alpha's direction. Lone wolves have no master and only follow their instincts. That's why they are so dangerous. They want food and to create a pack for both companionship and protection."

"Draco wasn't dangerous. He wasn't aggressive at all."

Remus jerked his head up and his eyes narrowed. "You went closer to him, didn't you? Harry, he could have...."

"He didn't. He even licked my hand, when I pushed away the intruders."

He paled and shouted, "You were that close!"

"And he didn't bite me!" Harry growled back.

"Still! Wait... that's not possible. No human should be able to come close to a werewolf," Remus said, staring at him, and his eyes widened. He sat down on his couch and shook his head.

Harry watched his reaction, curiously. "Remus? What? What is it?"

"Nothing... it's crazy. I want to see Malfoy," Remus declared.

"No... he gets freaked out every time I mention you."

"It's important, Harry. We can use the Floo, if we must."

"I don't think he'll go for that. Remus... just tell me," Harry pressed.

"No... I need to talk to Malfoy. He... he needs to know."

Harry glared. "I don't like that you're hiding things from me."

"Don't prevent this. It's important, and he has to understand, Harry."

"Alright, I'll ask Draco... if there is something he needs to know... then he should. I'll let you know."

Remus bid him goodbye. He firecalled Hermione to ask her about Raulf and that the wolves were from Fenrir's pack. She seemed surprised and said that she would check if Raulf had escaped or was released for some reason. Harry thanked her and waved away the connection.

He went upstairs to find that Draco had actually woken up, ate breakfast and put in some clothes. Harry didn't feel embarrassed by the fact that Draco had been pressed against him all night with only a throw blanket covering him. Harry was starting to feel like he might like guys, too. He had found Draco's body very enticing while he was a wolf. He tried not to think about it, as Draco could smell his mood changes immediately.

Draco immediately turned to him with his eyebrow raised. "You smelled irritated when you came in, and now you smell...."

"Sorry," Harry interrupted, not wanting to hear what he smelled like. "I was talking to... Remus."

As predicted, Draco curled his lip back. "And?"

"He... said a lot of things... worrying things. He wants to floo call you. No smell or direct contact. He said that it was important... but if you're not ready...."

"I'm not."

"Okay."

"What else did he say? You were mad about that."

Harry sighed. "It'll make you... upset."

"I'm already upset."

"Come on," Harry said, taking his plate and leading him downstairs. After he put the plate in the sink, they went to the couch. "Draco, he had a theory... of why the pack came."

Draco watched him, alert.

"The pack... can track you... because you were one of them. They have your scent and...."

"...will hunt me down until they catch me," Draco finished in a monotone. His eyes went vacant, and he was trembling. "They... s-said that... when... they caught me. That I could never run away... that I was theirs...."

Tears fell from his eyes and he moved closer to him, putting his nose on his neck. Harry didn't care. It was what Draco needed, and he was happy to give it. After a few minutes, Draco put his head against his chest, his face red with embarrassment.

"They're never going to let me go," Draco whispered.

"Maybe we can... make them stop. Hermione's looking into the ones that got arrested."

"It won't work. They want me back."

Harry's chest was rumbling. "I won't let them. I'll protect you."

Draco stopped shaking and looked relieved. He rubbed his face against Harry's chest again. "Harry... I can't thank you enough. I'm sorry for... making it so dangerous for you."

Harry snorted. "I live for danger."

Draco sighed. "Anything else?"

"Both Hermione and Remus said that I should stop touching your bite mark."

Draco tensed up. "Please... it's the only thing that makes me feel... calm."

"Yeah... but... he's says that you'll do... anything I want if I... ask, because I keep touching this."

"I... don't believe that. I mean... sure, if you really put the force of mind through the link, but you wouldn't do that. I trust you. I told you no to talking to... Lupin, right?"

"You did."

"You could make me... but you wouldn't, would you?" Draco said, pressing into him.

"No, I would never."

"See... trust. That's why... you smell so good to me. I can trust you. Harry... I don't think I would have never been able to function at all again. Walk, talk... or even look people in the eye. I wasn't kidding when I said that what you are doing is taking him out of me. I don't feel... weak... helpless... or subservient to you. I feel... stronger. You're making me feel that way. They're wrong. It's only when people abuse it that it hurts my wolf."

Harry smelt a little sad still, but there was a tint of happiness. "It's really helping you?"

"It is... you are. I didn't think I could ever be normal again. You gave that back to me. Harry... maybe you didn't understand what I was telling you last night, but they... broke me. Every time you touch that spot... I feel better... more healed."

"Okay... okay... Draco. I need to make sure. He... really was adamant that it was wrong."

"It's wrong for him, because he's not broken."

Harry sighed. "Do... do you want to talk about... your magic?"

Draco immediately curled up and pressed his nose to his skin again. "What's there to talk about? I was marked again without my permission. I'm not even a wizard anymore. Granger isn't going to find anything. I'm a muggle... a werewolf muggle...."

"I'm sorry. That was a long time ago, maybe we could find something?"

"I doubt it. Greyback was certain that it would hold," he seethed.

Harry rubbed his back and Draco took a deep breath. "We will still try."

He petted Draco for a long time, letting Draco ride out his emotions. But then Draco said, "You know... I'm really defenseless now... even more than before."

"Draco...."

"If you didn't want to stay saddled with a traumatized, werewolf, no-maj, I'd understand."

"I don't mind at all."

"What about... when you find a wife? Have children?" Draco muttered, not meeting his eyes. "Weren't you and girl Weasley a thing?"

Harry sighed. "We were. We aren't anymore. She... likes Luna. They're together."

"They smelled like it," he murmured.

Harry wasn't surprised by that revelation. "I'm not interested in... meeting people or dating. Sure... I'd like kids, but... honestly... I'm to... messed up to ask someone to join with me. I... I like spending time with you... even through the bad times."

Harry waited, with bated breath, for Draco to respond to that. Draco nuzzled his chest again, and Harry hoped that was a good sign but wasn't going to say anything until Draco responded.

Finally, Draco turned his grey eyes toward his and murmured, "I like being with you, too. It's not just that you... smell safe. I've never had anyone care about my feelings as much as you have. Even my mum doesn't understand me like you do."

Harry smiled. "I don't understand everything, Draco. I understand what pain is like... and loss... and I can... empathize with what you have gone through. It's not pity I feel, and I hope you know that."

"I know that... I can smell you. Merlin... the smell you sometimes put off."

"Umm... sorry?"

"What? No... it's... nice... pleasant. When you're with me... you're so... content and happy. I kinda already knew... my wolf knows. I think that's why... it wouldn't hurt you. One of the reasons, anyway."

"One of?"

"I don't... it's hard to put into words and... I don't think I can," Draco said, curling up more into his chest defensively.

"Okay, you don't have to tell me," Harry said, easily. Draco had gotten a lot of words out today, but Harry swallowed nervously when he remembered that Draco could smell literally any emotion he had.

"What's wrong?"

Example 1. "You can smell... every emotion I have? Like any random one?"

Draco shrugged. "Some are easier than others. Some are so fleeting that I couldn't get a clear scent... and some emotions I haven't figured out yet."

Harry suddenly realized that Draco might have smelled his attraction to him and blushed.

Draco's nose twitched, and he looked at him. "That would be shame. Harry, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I don't normally bring it up. I can't tell you how many things I smelled at the Weasley house. Blackmail material galore... not that I would."

"I... just don't want you to feel... uncomfortable," he muttered. It wasn't often he looked or thought of Draco... like that, but he knew that Draco could smell his arousal when he did.

"Why would... oh..." Draco broke off awkwardly. "Why would I mind? Besides... I really only smelled it when I was practically prancing around naked in a cage."

Harry was surprised that Draco was so calm about it. "I'm sorry. I tried not to look or...."

"It's alright. After the smelling the cardinal urges and emotions of the pack... your small scent changes aren't much of a shock. Their smell was so bitter and... cruel. You just stop the emotion whenever it starts. You don't use it to ramp up my fear."

"Oh... I didn't want to... upset you... by thinking about it, but you are... so beautiful," Harry stammered, testing the waters.

Draco gave him a look. "Thanks? Are you... nevermind... it's too personal to ask."

Harry wanted to hear the question. "It's not too personal. Your head is on my chest, sniffing my skin. It can't get more personal."

Draco snorted but, after a minute, asked, "Do you... like guys?"

Harry tried not to get excited, but he doubted that he was successful. "I think I do. It was always so hard... talking to girls. What about you, Draco? Can I ask...?"

"I... never liked girls."

Harry felt even happier, but didn't let his emotions get out of hand. "Okay."

They didn't say anything for a long time, until Draco murmured, "How can you say that I'm... beautiful. I'm covered in ugly scars."

Harry laughed quietly. "Do you think I'm ugly?"

"What? No... you're... very nice," he mumbled.

"You do see the scars, don't you?" Harry said, and Draco leaned up.

His eyes trailed across Harry's marked face, to his chest, where there were several large scars, and then to his arms, which also had many smaller ones. "Oh."

"Draco... these are marks that we survived. I don't want you to think that me, of all people, see them as bad or ugly. I don't like what you had to endure... but I don't find them... ugly."

"Thanks," Draco whispered and rubbed his face against his chest, again.

Harry found that amusing, and gently rubbed the back of Draco's neck. His werewolf practically purred and arched up to meet his head as he petted him. He focused on sending more positive emotions through their connection, and Draco whined approvingly.

"How about a nap?" Harry said as he tipped over and spread his legs across the couch. Draco snuggled in up against his side and draped his body halfway across him. Harry rubbed his neck until he fell asleep.