Keep Him Safe #4
Title: Keep Him Safe #4
Rating: R
Word Count: 2,500
Warnings: Violence
Summary: Finding Draco
Author's notes: I am such a bad person. God, I hope all you lovely people haven’t abandoned this series *whimpers* Anyway, I’m back now and hopefully, you will all forgive me for my long, long absence. This if as of course part of the Keep Him Safe verse and was written for JMDC’s April Challenge using the following list of words: discreet, honor, trust, luxury, scarlet. Got them all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Harry sighed and sifted an agitated hand through his hair as he watched Ron and Moody question a terrified looking third year. They had flooed straight into Hogwarts- Moody had outright forbidden apparition for fear of alerting the wolves. That left Hogwarts as the closest, most discreet location for their makeshift scout team.
They were in the Headmistress’ office now and Moody was bearing down on one of the wayward children who had been in the Forest tonight. Minerva McGonagall was seated behind her desk, watching the proceedings with a sharp and not altogether benevolent eye. She seemed somewhat torn between yelling at the student for breaking school rules and screaming at Moody for traumatising terrified children. Harry wasn’t particularly pleased either. Every second they spent here was one less second out of Draco’s life. Personally, he’d rather be out there tearing the forest apart with his bare hands.
“Miss Thorne, you are testing my patience,” Moody snapped. “And believe me, that’s a luxury you can’t afford.”
The girl sniffed and clutched at her scarlet robes. Her face was blotchy and tearstained and Harry felt a twang of sympathy despite himself. He wouldn’t want to deal with an angry Auror after having nearly been eaten alive either. “I d-didn’t do anything,” the girl mumbled. “Please. I...I just want to leave.”
“That’s really not an option,” Ron cut in sternly. “I don’t think you realise how much trouble you’re in, Miss. I’d consider it in your best interests to cooperate with us now.”
“Mr. Weasley, she is not a criminal!” Minerva snapped, standing up indignantly. “The girl is terrified and although I don’t condone her actions in any way, I will not have you interrogate her like that. And while we’re on the subject of leaving school property, if I had a Galleon for every time a certain trio of Gryffindors were somewhere they had no business being, let’s just say I’d be spending my retirement in a chateau South of France!”
She turned to glare meaningfully at the two younger men who had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. Moody was far less yielding. “For Merlin’s sake, does this look like a sodding school reunion? We have wolves running amok in the Forest, Minerva! This girl was there and I need her location. We don’t have time for mindless hysterics!”
“Are you calling me hysterical, Alastor?” the witch hissed dangerously. Ron cleared his throat and quickly made for the other end of the room. Harry groaned. This was definitely going downhill. The girl was whimpering and shaking now- about a hair’s breadth from actual hysterics- and he resolved to cut in before Moody did something that would end them all on the business end of an angry McGonagall’s wand.
“I’ll talk to her,” he volunteered firmly. He ignored Minerva’s huff of protest and Moody’s grumbling and approached the frightened child, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with wet, brown eyes and Harry cringed. He had never been good with sobbing girls. Draco had always handled the cryers on their rounds. He would have known how to handle this mess...
“Miss Thorne,” Harry tried, sitting down across from the girl. “Christine, is it? Can I call you Christine?”
She nodded tearfully and Harry smiled. “Thank you. Look, believe me, I understand that you’re very upset right now and I don’t want to make it worse for you. But you have to understand how serious this is. You could have been hurt- horribly so- and we just want to make sure that doesn’t happen to anyone. Please, just tell me where you were this evening. I promise it’s going to be okay.”
“I didn’t want to go,” she murmured, staring down at her hands. “I didn’t. It wasn’t even my idea. They dared us to...it wasn’t s-supposed to h-happen....”
She was breaking into sobs again and Harry hastened to intervene. “Hey, I trust you. I do. But you were there and I have to know where...”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she pleaded, looking around at them fretfully. “Please, don’t make me. It was so horrible. There were howls everywhere and we j-just ran. We didn’t even see them. We didn’t mean to...”
“I understand that,” Harry cut in, his voice gentle but firm. “But there’s something you need to know. The only reason you’re still here is because my partner was out in the Forest tracking those wolves. He’s the reason they didn’t chase you down. He probably held back and fought them off and he didn’t...we don’t know if he...”
It was too painful to say. Harry took a deep breath and turned back to the girl, pleading silently with her. “I have to find him, Christine. I can’t leave him out there. Please. I’m asking you to help me. Please help me find him.”
The room was silent as a tomb. Christine stared around at all of them, her eyes wide and worried, but definitely less shaky. Harry locked his gaze on the young girl, waiting....praying...
“The Willow,” she whispered finally. “We went east from the Whomping Willow. We didn’t go too far before we heard the wolves. Then we ran back.”
“Weasley!” Moody snapped at once. “Get Jones and Carter and make a move. Potter and I will follow.”
Ron nodded and hurtled off. Minerva was already moving towards the door. “I’ll alert Poppy,” she explained as she swept out of the room.
“Thank you,” Harry said to the child. He nodded at Moody who was already heading off.
“Will you find him?”
Harry turned back to her and nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I’ll find him.”
I’m not coming back without him.
****
“Constant vigilance, Potter,” Moody growled, shifting carefully through the undergrowth. “You never know what could be lurking on the other side of that bush.”
Harry nodded tersely and followed. His personal safety was not exactly on his list of top priorities at the moment. All he really cared about was finding Draco and taking him home. Visions of his wounded partner were haunting his waking moments and Harry was actively resisting just charging into the woods. Leaves crunched under his boots as he prowled further into the woods. A full moon was out but it was hardly a comfort. Harry’s eyes flashed as he thought about the wolves. On Merlin’s honour, if they had harmed a hair on Draco’s head he’d…
A sudden rustling in the bushes alerted him and he turned around, wand clenched. Moody was next to him in seconds, eye swivelling angrily as he readied himself for battle. Harry’s breath came in shudders. A curse was almost on his lips when the bushes parted, revealing the figure.
“Merlin’s lacy knickers,” Moody muttered. He eyed the figure warily, his scarred face illuminated by the shimmering glow of silver.
Harry’s eyes widened and he gasped in sheer relief. He lowered his wand and practically flew towards the shimmering stag. “Take me to him,” he ordered. The stag inclined its head and took off gracefully, Harry charging behind it. He didn’t even look back to see if Moody was following or not.
****
Draco started to consciousness as a deep chill surrounded him. He shivered and reached out for his lone source of comfort, but the Patronus wasn’t there. The blond struggled to open his eyes. Through his hazy vision, he saw a silver blur cantering away from him. An implacable fear settled into his weary bones and he managed a hoarse cry. “Harry! Don’t…don’t leave me.”
The stag halted at once and leapt back towards him, leaning to nuzzle him reassuringly. Draco sighed as the warmth settled around him again. “Don’t go,” he pleaded. The stag nudged him again and stepped back. It stared at Draco with placid, apologetic eyes. And then it took off again, disappearing into the brush. Draco was too tired to protest again. The sudden sense of loss overwhelmed him.
Harry was gone. He was alone again.
Draco fought not to break down from the surge of panic that assailed him. His lingering sense of security had fled with the Patronus, leaving him shivering violently from the pain and the fear. The wolves. The wolves would come back for him. He had to get out of here. Find…find help…
Find…Harry…
His mangled leg flared in agony as he tried to stand, leaning against the oak. Draco hissed, gritting his teeth to keep from crying out. He couldn’t let them find him. He had to…
There was a sudden rustle in the bushes and Draco stiffened in alarm. His eyes widened and panic took over. The wolves. His vision swam and his head pounded but he fought to stay awake. The rustling was getting louder. They were approaching quickly. His frantic mind had all but shut down by now, and he was operating completely on instinct. He couldn’t let them take him. He couldn’t!
With every last shred of will power, Draco summoned his Animagus form. His body shifted and molded reluctantly into its lupine state and Draco staggered and nearly collapsed again. Shakily, he shifted himself on three legs and bared his teeth. If he was going down, he was going down fighting. Harry would expect that of him, at least.
Draco snarled, preparing for his attacker to show himself.
****
The stag gave him one last look and disappeared in a flash of light. Harry registered a renewed sense of adrenalin as the magic coursed its way back into his body. Draco had to be around here somewhere. He could feel it.
Harry slashed his way through the foliage, grimacing as the branches struck back. Mercifully, he staggered out of the brush and into a clearing. He took a second to get his bearing before resuming his search.
“Draco. Draco, I’m here. Please be okay…please…”
His voice was shaky and pleading and suddenly, Harry felt a surge of dread at what he would find here. Where was Draco? What if he hadn’t made it in time? What if…
A low growl caught his attention and Harry whirled around. He whispered a quick Lumos and the clearing was immediately bathed in a dim, golden light. A flash of white caught his attention and Harry’s immediately found a set of familiar, silver eyes locked in on him.
“Draco,” he choked out, his whole being surging with relief. Harry managed a silent, fervent prayer of thanks as he took in the sight of the graceful, lupine form of his partner. Draco was here. He was alive! He almost took off running towards the wolf when it snarled and bared its teeth. Harry stumbled to a halt. The wolf arched at the abrupt movement and bristled threateningly, emitting another warning growl. It limped over to the tree and twitched its ears, watching Harry with wary apprehension.
“It’s me,” Harry whispered. “Draco, don’t you recognize me?”
The wolf snarled at him and swished its tail, backing away defensively. Harry watched helplessly. His gaze flickered to Draco’s wounded leg and he suppressed the urge to cry out in horror. Fuck, he’d been slaughtered. Harry stamped down his rage at the sight, forcing himself to think. There was too much blood loss and Draco was frenzied. He was reverting to his animal instincts. That’s why he didn’t recognize Harry. He thought he was a threat. Harry tried to ignore the stab of pain at the thought. He never should have agreed to let Draco go out here alone…
Shaking his head, he focused his efforts on calming the frantic animal.
“Its okay, Dray,” he whispered soothingly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’d never hurt you. You know that.”
The wolf gave him a half hearted growl and backed away again. Harry despaired. Draco needed help and fast. “Please come back to me,” he pleaded. “I’ll keep you safe. From now on, I’ll always keep you safe.”
Somewhere, somehow he must have touched a chord inside Draco because the wolf stopped snarling. He cocked his head and glowered at Harry. Seconds passed, feeling like ages. Draco watched Harry with keen, distrustful eyes, but kept perfectly still. Harry knelt on the ground slowly, extending his hand to prove that he meant no harm. Draco approached him at a painfully slow pace, cautiously limping forward. He whined as his weight shifted onto his mangled leg. Harry clenched his fists, willing himself to keep from running over to help. Draco needed to trust him. He couldn’t afford to scare him away.
The wolf halted, barely a hair’s breadth from him. There was a flash of recognition in those silver eyes and Draco whimpered piteously, apparently torn between taking off and staying with him. Harry murmured soothingly, reaching forward ever so slowly. His hand brushed the snowy nape carefully and he ran his palm over Draco’s trembling flank.
“It’s me,” he whispered. “It’s okay now. I’ve got you.”
It seemed like aeons had passed by the time Draco came close enough. Harry ran a careful hand down the wolf’s back, feeling the soft white fur under his fingers. The beautiful creature leaned forward and Harry emitted a soft gasp of relief as Draco whined and curled against him, seeking comfort and protection. His throat clenched and he had to will himself to remain calm.
“You have to change back, Draco,” he murmured.
The wolf whined in protest and Harry stroked him soothingly. “I know it hurts. But I’ll be right here with you. Come on, you can do this.”
He blinked at the flare of magic and his arms tightened instinctively around the wolf. He felt the lithe form twist and suddenly, Harry’s hands were on pale, smooth skin. Draco gazed up at him with weary, silver eyes. His blond hair was a tangled mess and his clothes were torn, tattered and soaked with blood. But he was alive. Harry held the pale, thin form tighter, fighting the need to just break down and sob with relief.
“Harry,” Draco croaked. His hands shifted to Harry’s shirt, bunching around the fabric almost desperately. “Don’t go.”
“Never,” Harry whispered back.
Draco managed a tired smile and curled against him, wrapping his arms around his partner’s waist. “Knew you’d come,” he slurred.
“I’m going to get you out of this,” Harry promised fervently. “I’m taking you back. You’ll be okay soon. And when you’re better, I swear to Merlin, I’m going to kill you.”
Draco managed a weak chuckle. His body shivered against Harry. “Safe,” he sighed, blinking sleepily.
Harry’s eyes prickled and he couldn’t help himself. He leaned forward to brush his lips against Draco’s. It was a chaste kiss and it certainly shouldn’t have set every nerve in his body on fire, but Harry wasn’t surprised. It was Draco, after all.
“Yeah,” he managed, shifting the blond’s head to his shoulder. “I’m going to keep you safe, Draco. Hell, you’ll be lucky if I ever let you out of my sight again, you prat.”
Draco seemed perfectly agreeable to that announcement. He smirked against Harry’s neck and lolled on his shoulder. Harry hooked an arm around his knees and lifted him up carefully, faintly unnerved by how light Draco was. “Come on,” he murmured. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
He was halfway through the clearing when Moody barged through, scowling at him. “What part of no running into the bleeding forest alone are you lot having trouble understanding?” he ranted. “Damn it, Potter! You better have a damn good reason for …oh, you found him.”
Draco lifted his head off Harry’s shoulder and blinked dazedly at Moody. “Is…is that…”
"Stay down, soldier,” Moody replied gruffly. “You’re dreaming.”
Draco shrugged and slumped back against Harry, too tired to deal with this new development. The dark haired Auror managed a tired grin and nodded at Moody. Together, they started weaving their way out of the forest.
“I can conjure a stretcher for him, you know,” Moody offered, nodding at Draco.
“Its fine,” Harry replied, his grip tightening possessively against the blond in his arms. “I’ve got him.”
Chapter 5
Rating: R
Word Count: 2,500
Warnings: Violence
Summary: Finding Draco
Author's notes: I am such a bad person. God, I hope all you lovely people haven’t abandoned this series *whimpers* Anyway, I’m back now and hopefully, you will all forgive me for my long, long absence. This if as of course part of the Keep Him Safe verse and was written for JMDC’s April Challenge using the following list of words: discreet, honor, trust, luxury, scarlet. Got them all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Harry sighed and sifted an agitated hand through his hair as he watched Ron and Moody question a terrified looking third year. They had flooed straight into Hogwarts- Moody had outright forbidden apparition for fear of alerting the wolves. That left Hogwarts as the closest, most discreet location for their makeshift scout team.
They were in the Headmistress’ office now and Moody was bearing down on one of the wayward children who had been in the Forest tonight. Minerva McGonagall was seated behind her desk, watching the proceedings with a sharp and not altogether benevolent eye. She seemed somewhat torn between yelling at the student for breaking school rules and screaming at Moody for traumatising terrified children. Harry wasn’t particularly pleased either. Every second they spent here was one less second out of Draco’s life. Personally, he’d rather be out there tearing the forest apart with his bare hands.
“Miss Thorne, you are testing my patience,” Moody snapped. “And believe me, that’s a luxury you can’t afford.”
The girl sniffed and clutched at her scarlet robes. Her face was blotchy and tearstained and Harry felt a twang of sympathy despite himself. He wouldn’t want to deal with an angry Auror after having nearly been eaten alive either. “I d-didn’t do anything,” the girl mumbled. “Please. I...I just want to leave.”
“That’s really not an option,” Ron cut in sternly. “I don’t think you realise how much trouble you’re in, Miss. I’d consider it in your best interests to cooperate with us now.”
“Mr. Weasley, she is not a criminal!” Minerva snapped, standing up indignantly. “The girl is terrified and although I don’t condone her actions in any way, I will not have you interrogate her like that. And while we’re on the subject of leaving school property, if I had a Galleon for every time a certain trio of Gryffindors were somewhere they had no business being, let’s just say I’d be spending my retirement in a chateau South of France!”
She turned to glare meaningfully at the two younger men who had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. Moody was far less yielding. “For Merlin’s sake, does this look like a sodding school reunion? We have wolves running amok in the Forest, Minerva! This girl was there and I need her location. We don’t have time for mindless hysterics!”
“Are you calling me hysterical, Alastor?” the witch hissed dangerously. Ron cleared his throat and quickly made for the other end of the room. Harry groaned. This was definitely going downhill. The girl was whimpering and shaking now- about a hair’s breadth from actual hysterics- and he resolved to cut in before Moody did something that would end them all on the business end of an angry McGonagall’s wand.
“I’ll talk to her,” he volunteered firmly. He ignored Minerva’s huff of protest and Moody’s grumbling and approached the frightened child, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with wet, brown eyes and Harry cringed. He had never been good with sobbing girls. Draco had always handled the cryers on their rounds. He would have known how to handle this mess...
“Miss Thorne,” Harry tried, sitting down across from the girl. “Christine, is it? Can I call you Christine?”
She nodded tearfully and Harry smiled. “Thank you. Look, believe me, I understand that you’re very upset right now and I don’t want to make it worse for you. But you have to understand how serious this is. You could have been hurt- horribly so- and we just want to make sure that doesn’t happen to anyone. Please, just tell me where you were this evening. I promise it’s going to be okay.”
“I didn’t want to go,” she murmured, staring down at her hands. “I didn’t. It wasn’t even my idea. They dared us to...it wasn’t s-supposed to h-happen....”
She was breaking into sobs again and Harry hastened to intervene. “Hey, I trust you. I do. But you were there and I have to know where...”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she pleaded, looking around at them fretfully. “Please, don’t make me. It was so horrible. There were howls everywhere and we j-just ran. We didn’t even see them. We didn’t mean to...”
“I understand that,” Harry cut in, his voice gentle but firm. “But there’s something you need to know. The only reason you’re still here is because my partner was out in the Forest tracking those wolves. He’s the reason they didn’t chase you down. He probably held back and fought them off and he didn’t...we don’t know if he...”
It was too painful to say. Harry took a deep breath and turned back to the girl, pleading silently with her. “I have to find him, Christine. I can’t leave him out there. Please. I’m asking you to help me. Please help me find him.”
The room was silent as a tomb. Christine stared around at all of them, her eyes wide and worried, but definitely less shaky. Harry locked his gaze on the young girl, waiting....praying...
“The Willow,” she whispered finally. “We went east from the Whomping Willow. We didn’t go too far before we heard the wolves. Then we ran back.”
“Weasley!” Moody snapped at once. “Get Jones and Carter and make a move. Potter and I will follow.”
Ron nodded and hurtled off. Minerva was already moving towards the door. “I’ll alert Poppy,” she explained as she swept out of the room.
“Thank you,” Harry said to the child. He nodded at Moody who was already heading off.
“Will you find him?”
Harry turned back to her and nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I’ll find him.”
I’m not coming back without him.
****
“Constant vigilance, Potter,” Moody growled, shifting carefully through the undergrowth. “You never know what could be lurking on the other side of that bush.”
Harry nodded tersely and followed. His personal safety was not exactly on his list of top priorities at the moment. All he really cared about was finding Draco and taking him home. Visions of his wounded partner were haunting his waking moments and Harry was actively resisting just charging into the woods. Leaves crunched under his boots as he prowled further into the woods. A full moon was out but it was hardly a comfort. Harry’s eyes flashed as he thought about the wolves. On Merlin’s honour, if they had harmed a hair on Draco’s head he’d…
A sudden rustling in the bushes alerted him and he turned around, wand clenched. Moody was next to him in seconds, eye swivelling angrily as he readied himself for battle. Harry’s breath came in shudders. A curse was almost on his lips when the bushes parted, revealing the figure.
“Merlin’s lacy knickers,” Moody muttered. He eyed the figure warily, his scarred face illuminated by the shimmering glow of silver.
Harry’s eyes widened and he gasped in sheer relief. He lowered his wand and practically flew towards the shimmering stag. “Take me to him,” he ordered. The stag inclined its head and took off gracefully, Harry charging behind it. He didn’t even look back to see if Moody was following or not.
****
Draco started to consciousness as a deep chill surrounded him. He shivered and reached out for his lone source of comfort, but the Patronus wasn’t there. The blond struggled to open his eyes. Through his hazy vision, he saw a silver blur cantering away from him. An implacable fear settled into his weary bones and he managed a hoarse cry. “Harry! Don’t…don’t leave me.”
The stag halted at once and leapt back towards him, leaning to nuzzle him reassuringly. Draco sighed as the warmth settled around him again. “Don’t go,” he pleaded. The stag nudged him again and stepped back. It stared at Draco with placid, apologetic eyes. And then it took off again, disappearing into the brush. Draco was too tired to protest again. The sudden sense of loss overwhelmed him.
Harry was gone. He was alone again.
Draco fought not to break down from the surge of panic that assailed him. His lingering sense of security had fled with the Patronus, leaving him shivering violently from the pain and the fear. The wolves. The wolves would come back for him. He had to get out of here. Find…find help…
Find…Harry…
His mangled leg flared in agony as he tried to stand, leaning against the oak. Draco hissed, gritting his teeth to keep from crying out. He couldn’t let them find him. He had to…
There was a sudden rustle in the bushes and Draco stiffened in alarm. His eyes widened and panic took over. The wolves. His vision swam and his head pounded but he fought to stay awake. The rustling was getting louder. They were approaching quickly. His frantic mind had all but shut down by now, and he was operating completely on instinct. He couldn’t let them take him. He couldn’t!
With every last shred of will power, Draco summoned his Animagus form. His body shifted and molded reluctantly into its lupine state and Draco staggered and nearly collapsed again. Shakily, he shifted himself on three legs and bared his teeth. If he was going down, he was going down fighting. Harry would expect that of him, at least.
Draco snarled, preparing for his attacker to show himself.
****
The stag gave him one last look and disappeared in a flash of light. Harry registered a renewed sense of adrenalin as the magic coursed its way back into his body. Draco had to be around here somewhere. He could feel it.
Harry slashed his way through the foliage, grimacing as the branches struck back. Mercifully, he staggered out of the brush and into a clearing. He took a second to get his bearing before resuming his search.
“Draco. Draco, I’m here. Please be okay…please…”
His voice was shaky and pleading and suddenly, Harry felt a surge of dread at what he would find here. Where was Draco? What if he hadn’t made it in time? What if…
A low growl caught his attention and Harry whirled around. He whispered a quick Lumos and the clearing was immediately bathed in a dim, golden light. A flash of white caught his attention and Harry’s immediately found a set of familiar, silver eyes locked in on him.
“Draco,” he choked out, his whole being surging with relief. Harry managed a silent, fervent prayer of thanks as he took in the sight of the graceful, lupine form of his partner. Draco was here. He was alive! He almost took off running towards the wolf when it snarled and bared its teeth. Harry stumbled to a halt. The wolf arched at the abrupt movement and bristled threateningly, emitting another warning growl. It limped over to the tree and twitched its ears, watching Harry with wary apprehension.
“It’s me,” Harry whispered. “Draco, don’t you recognize me?”
The wolf snarled at him and swished its tail, backing away defensively. Harry watched helplessly. His gaze flickered to Draco’s wounded leg and he suppressed the urge to cry out in horror. Fuck, he’d been slaughtered. Harry stamped down his rage at the sight, forcing himself to think. There was too much blood loss and Draco was frenzied. He was reverting to his animal instincts. That’s why he didn’t recognize Harry. He thought he was a threat. Harry tried to ignore the stab of pain at the thought. He never should have agreed to let Draco go out here alone…
Shaking his head, he focused his efforts on calming the frantic animal.
“Its okay, Dray,” he whispered soothingly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’d never hurt you. You know that.”
The wolf gave him a half hearted growl and backed away again. Harry despaired. Draco needed help and fast. “Please come back to me,” he pleaded. “I’ll keep you safe. From now on, I’ll always keep you safe.”
Somewhere, somehow he must have touched a chord inside Draco because the wolf stopped snarling. He cocked his head and glowered at Harry. Seconds passed, feeling like ages. Draco watched Harry with keen, distrustful eyes, but kept perfectly still. Harry knelt on the ground slowly, extending his hand to prove that he meant no harm. Draco approached him at a painfully slow pace, cautiously limping forward. He whined as his weight shifted onto his mangled leg. Harry clenched his fists, willing himself to keep from running over to help. Draco needed to trust him. He couldn’t afford to scare him away.
The wolf halted, barely a hair’s breadth from him. There was a flash of recognition in those silver eyes and Draco whimpered piteously, apparently torn between taking off and staying with him. Harry murmured soothingly, reaching forward ever so slowly. His hand brushed the snowy nape carefully and he ran his palm over Draco’s trembling flank.
“It’s me,” he whispered. “It’s okay now. I’ve got you.”
It seemed like aeons had passed by the time Draco came close enough. Harry ran a careful hand down the wolf’s back, feeling the soft white fur under his fingers. The beautiful creature leaned forward and Harry emitted a soft gasp of relief as Draco whined and curled against him, seeking comfort and protection. His throat clenched and he had to will himself to remain calm.
“You have to change back, Draco,” he murmured.
The wolf whined in protest and Harry stroked him soothingly. “I know it hurts. But I’ll be right here with you. Come on, you can do this.”
He blinked at the flare of magic and his arms tightened instinctively around the wolf. He felt the lithe form twist and suddenly, Harry’s hands were on pale, smooth skin. Draco gazed up at him with weary, silver eyes. His blond hair was a tangled mess and his clothes were torn, tattered and soaked with blood. But he was alive. Harry held the pale, thin form tighter, fighting the need to just break down and sob with relief.
“Harry,” Draco croaked. His hands shifted to Harry’s shirt, bunching around the fabric almost desperately. “Don’t go.”
“Never,” Harry whispered back.
Draco managed a tired smile and curled against him, wrapping his arms around his partner’s waist. “Knew you’d come,” he slurred.
“I’m going to get you out of this,” Harry promised fervently. “I’m taking you back. You’ll be okay soon. And when you’re better, I swear to Merlin, I’m going to kill you.”
Draco managed a weak chuckle. His body shivered against Harry. “Safe,” he sighed, blinking sleepily.
Harry’s eyes prickled and he couldn’t help himself. He leaned forward to brush his lips against Draco’s. It was a chaste kiss and it certainly shouldn’t have set every nerve in his body on fire, but Harry wasn’t surprised. It was Draco, after all.
“Yeah,” he managed, shifting the blond’s head to his shoulder. “I’m going to keep you safe, Draco. Hell, you’ll be lucky if I ever let you out of my sight again, you prat.”
Draco seemed perfectly agreeable to that announcement. He smirked against Harry’s neck and lolled on his shoulder. Harry hooked an arm around his knees and lifted him up carefully, faintly unnerved by how light Draco was. “Come on,” he murmured. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
He was halfway through the clearing when Moody barged through, scowling at him. “What part of no running into the bleeding forest alone are you lot having trouble understanding?” he ranted. “Damn it, Potter! You better have a damn good reason for …oh, you found him.”
Draco lifted his head off Harry’s shoulder and blinked dazedly at Moody. “Is…is that…”
"Stay down, soldier,” Moody replied gruffly. “You’re dreaming.”
Draco shrugged and slumped back against Harry, too tired to deal with this new development. The dark haired Auror managed a tired grin and nodded at Moody. Together, they started weaving their way out of the forest.
“I can conjure a stretcher for him, you know,” Moody offered, nodding at Draco.
“Its fine,” Harry replied, his grip tightening possessively against the blond in his arms. “I’ve got him.”
Chapter 5