Heaven Restores You part 2
Author: occasusvenustas
Title: Heaven Restores You
Rating: R or NC 17 (ratings confuse me)
Summary: Post war, Remus is blind, Draco is insane, Harry is crippled and un-able to move and Severus is forever at his side. When Remus stumbles into Draco at St. Mungo's, he finds a bond between them that no one can explain. But loving Draco Malfoy is not easy, and as their forbidden love grows, a mystery is un-covered.
Category/Warnings: Romance, angst, sexual content, foul language, OOC-ness.
A/N:This is a WIP, and there is a side-story featuring SeverusxHarry on pheonixcore's LJ. This fic is Draco/Remus centric. I'm posting as many chapters into one post as I can fit, under seperate cuts. Hope you enjoy. Cheers!
Chapter 3
Remus woke to a gentle prodding and insistent whisper in his ear. "Lupin, up!"
Blinking, Remus felt a heavy, warm weight in his arms, and smelt something wholly unfamiliar. A momentary confusion settled over him until he remembered the events of the past twenty-four hours. With a yawn, Remus turned his head towards the voice. "Yes?"
There was a very light chuckle, followed by the very familiar voice of Severus Snape. "It's about damned time," he said in a very soft voice. "I've been standing here for at least twenty minutes."
Remus yawned again and felt strangely comforted by Draco's weight against his chest. "What time is it?"
"Nearly midnight," Severus whispered.
"Why are we whispering?" Remus hissed back.
Severus rolled his eyes, which Remus could practically hear, and crouched beside the bed. "Because, you stupid fool, we're trying to get you and Draco out of here without having you arrested or even put under suspicion."
Remus' eyebrows rose. "Indeed, so you've come up with a place for us to go?"
"I have... well actually Harry has," Severus said, a note of fondness colouring his voice. "He reminded me of our safe-house location in Siberia. Only Dumbledore knew of its existance, and considering he's dead now, I don't worry about the information leaking to those of higher power."
Remus nearly chuckled aloud. "So how do we get Draco and myself there safely and un-detected."
"That has proven more the complication than the house itself," Severus drawled, "but I believe we have a solution."
Remus waited and heard a rustle of robes as Severus dug in his pockets for something. Reaching over, Severus took Remus' hand and pressed a small, circular pendant on a chain into his palm. Remus fingered it for a moment, trying to gauge exactly what it was.
"It's... well it's something Harry and I invented, resembling a portkey in a way." Severus paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "You see, it's linked with another pendant and will take the wearer within ten feet of the other person."
Remus smiled. "So that's how you and Harry accomplished those missions during the war."
"Exactly," Severus said. "The plan now, is for you to leave the hospital and Apparate to the safe-house in Siberia. It will be taxing, but it can be done, believe me."
"Fair enough, but what about Draco?"
"He will activate his pendant and it will take him to your side... or close enough to it. It might be difficult but it can be done."
"And now comes the task of explaining this to Draco so he understands," Remus said worriedly.
Severus sighed. "Granger and I both believe that if you explain this to him, he will understand." With that, Severus placed the other pendant in Remus' hand. "They're different. You need to learn the feel of them so you don't get them confused."
Remus nodded and quickly learnt the touch of both pendants. There were obvious differences which made it easier for the werewolf to tell them apart. When he'd finished that, Remus slipped his pendant chain round his neck and tucked the small piece into his robes.
"The incantation to activate the pendant is Obviam Ire. It must be spoken whilst the pendant is pressed into the palm of your hand," Severus explained in hushed tones. "Now, I will give you a few moments to wake Draco and explain this to him. Then you and I will leave the hospital and Hermione will instruct Draco when it's time for him to go."
Remus frowned at the potential complications, but knew there wasn't another way. As loathe as he was to have Draco removed from his grasp, he knew if they could accomplish this, he would be able to keep Draco for much longer.
"Okay," Remus said after a moment.
"I shall wait outside," Severus said, and after a moment's hesitation, he reached out and ran his hand over Draco's blonde locks. "Take care of him wolf, or I shall make you pay."
Knowing the love Severus had for the blonde, Remus merely smiled and nodded. He said nothing until he heard the door shut and slowly he began to rouse the sleeping man.
"Draco," he whispered gently as he prodded the blonde. "Time to get up."
Draco gave a feeble groan and clutched tightly to the front of Remus' robes. A wash of affection flooded over the werewolf, and for a moment, Remus was speechless. Giving into his momentary instinct, Remus feathered kisses all along Draco's cheeks.
The blonde groaned at the attention and lifted his face, his grey eyes fluttering open. "Still not a dream," he whispered, his voice hoarse from sleep. "My fire-god, you still keep me warm."
Remus ran his hand gently over Draco's features, not really seeing him as he wanted to... not yet, anyway. "We are leaving here, Draco," Remus said, keeping his voice low. "We must go somewhere where we can't be found. If we don't, they will keep me from you."
Draco gave a violent twitch at those words and buried his face in Remus' neck. "I shall freeze with them, as I always did."
Remus nodded and cupped his hand around the back of Draco's neck. "Will you leave with me?"
"I'm afraid," Draco confessed, his voice muffled by the cloth, "but I will die without you."
And I will die if I can't have you , Remus thought, but kept it to himself. Instead, he pressed the pendant into Draco's hand. "We can't leave together, Draco. If we do, they will find us and take you far away from me. I need you to put this on, and after I leave, you must whisper the incantation, Obviam Ire, and it will take you to my side. Hermione will be here and she'll tell you exactly when to say it."
Draco glanced at the small circular gold piece and blinked owlishly. "I'll freeze if you aren't touching me," he said.
Remus put his palm against Draco's cheek. "You won't freeze, because I'll be waiting to warm you. And we'll be in a safe place where they can't touch us."
Draco frowned at the pendant and eventually gave a short nod. "If you promise," he said, sounding very much like a child.
Remus chuckled a little and pressed a soft kiss to Draco's forehead. "I promise, on my soul, that I will be waiting for you."
"Then I will do it."
Remus smiled and very carefully, extracted himself from Draco's arms. The blonde gave a violent shiver and wrapped his arms around his middle.
"Remus," he said in a voice so broken that Remus nearly burst into tears.
The werewolf leant across the bed and cupped Draco's face in his hands. "I will be waiting to warm you. Think of me and you won't be so cold."
Draco nodded and gave a small whimper when Remus stepped away. "Soon?"
"Yes," Remus said firmly, and before he couldn't bear to walk away, he left the room. Severus was waiting in the corridor and quickly moved to take Remus' elbow.
"Did everything work out?" Severus hissed.
Remus nodded. "That it did." He would have said more, but Hermione swiftly approached and took Remus' other arm.
"You'll have exactly twenty minutes to Apparate safely," she said softly. "Do you think you can do it?"
Remus nodded. "I'm certain of it." He quickly touched the pendant with the tip of his finger. "And I trust Draco will, as well."
"Good," she said, and suddenly leant forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You're going to save him. I have no idea how or why, but you are."
Remus smiled gently and grasped her shoulder. "Give my regards to Ron."
"I will," the bushy-haired woman answered with a smile. "Go now, and be swift."
Remus pulled away from the medi-witch, and on Snape's arm, made his way out of the Wizarding Hospital.
The pair quickly walked round the back, far enough away so that the noise of Apparition could not be heard. Severus quickly whispered instructions for Remus to reach the safe-house, and the werewolf activated his shadow-seer.
"Give Harry my love," Remus said gently as he grasped Severus' shoulder by way of farewell.
"I will," Severus said. "Perhaps we shall see you sooner than you think."
"I do hope so," Remus said. "I plan on continuing my job, though I am going to take a long and deserved holiday. You know where to reach me."
"I do," Severus said. With a last nod that was lost on the blind man, Severus stepped back and watched as Remus disappeared.
dbdbdb
With a loud crack, Remus landed in the soft snow. He felt momentarily lost, but the shadow-seer helped him orient himself. A large house loomed behind him and in the distance was nothing but trees. Knowing that it would be near impossible for Remus to find Draco ten feet away in the Siberian wilderness, the werewolf quickly entered the warm home.
Feeling heat, Remus realised that Severus must've had the house readied for their arrival. Remus was still worried, however, the shadow-seer didn't aid him as much as he would've liked in a new environment, so he took his time exploring.
Remus discovered the house was smaller than he thought. On the ground floor was a parlour, the kitchens and a lounge which had a door leading to the snowy outside. On the first floor was two bedrooms each with a bath and toilet, and further down the hall was a large library full of books.
Remus decided to wait in the parlour for Draco, unsure how far the blonde would go when he arrived. Minutes passed that seemed like an eternity, and just as Remus began to panic, a loud thump was heard near the foyer.
Dashing out of the room, Remus spotted the shadow of the blonde man crouched near the door.
Draco looked up at Remus with bleary grey eyes and shivered. "You're here? This is home?"
Remus nodded, dropped to his knees and opened his arms. "Home," he whispered.
Draco needed no more prompting and launched himself into the werewolf's arms. Remus held the blonde close to his chest, his fingers trailing up and down his naked arms, leaving a fiery heat in their wake.
Draco leant into the touch and clung to the front of Remus' robes and buried his face in Remus' neck. "I was frightened."
"I'm here now," Remus said soothingly, "as I promised."
Draco gave a very soft, very small smile as Remus lifted him like a child and carried him upstairs. As Remus entered the room he had picked out for them to share, Draco suddenly tensed and slipped out of the older man's arms.
"N-no Remus, please! Please, don't you see it. S-so un-even, not... not equal..." Draco began to hyperventilate, and un-sure what to do, Remus pulled out his wand and promptly vanished everything.
Draco immediately calmed and grabbed Remus' hand. "Sorry," he whispered, bowing his head.
Remus waved it off and grimaced as he felt the shadow-seer causing a fierce headache. Grabbing the charm, he quickly de-activated it and blinked against the sudden onslaught of total darkness. "What shall we do, Draco? You can tell me what to put in here, and I will."
Draco moved so that he was pressing his body against Remus and he sighed. "I just... it has to be even... I can't have the colours, the things will come if the colours aren't even," Draco babbled.
Remus did his best to wrap his mind round what Draco was suffering from. "Even... like all the same?" he asked carefully.
"The same," Draco repeated in a soft voice.
Remus found it delightful irony that all he could see was the same colour everywhere. With a deep breath, Remus conjured a black wardrobe, bed with black bed linens and a matching duvet. He refrained from conjuring anything else and then turned his face towards Draco. "Well enough?"
Draco gave a happy sigh. "Even... thank you. My fire-god."
Remus felt his face flush as he felt Draco's breath ghost over his skin. "I am no god, Draco, I assure you."
Draco chuckled. "The more you are here, the more of my mind I have. It lapses back into... into the darkness... but you are my anchor." It was the most coherent Draco had sounded since Remus had met him and it caused a large smile to break out over the werewolf's face.
"My Draco," he whispered, taking the younger man into a fierce hug.
Draco gave a large yawn and looked longingly towards the bed. "I'm tired," he said softly.
Remus chuckled and nodded. "As am I. What say you I conjure us pyjamas and dressing gowns and we can get into the bed."
"They are here already," Draco said, nodding towards the wardrobe which was propped open. Inside stood a multitude of black robes and in the drawers were several pairs of black pyjama bottoms.
Remus' sightless eyes widened. "Indeed? Shall I fetch us some?"
"Anything besides hospital gowns," Draco said, sounding more and more aware.
Remus grinned and quickly made his way to the wardrobe. After a bit of exploration, he found the pyjama bottoms and brought a pair to Draco.
Both men quickly shrugged out of their garb and changed into the flannel bottoms, feeling warm and comfortable. "Will you need a warming charm?" Remus asked, remembering all of what Hermione had told him.
"Not unless you leave," Draco said as he snaked inside the covers. Remus soon joined him, leaning up on his elbow. "Your eyes are like flames," Draco whispered suddenly.
Remus blinked and then smiled. Without a word, he brought his fingers to Draco's face and began to memorise his features in earnest. He brought his fingertips over his forehead, his nose, eyelids, down his cheeks and over his lips. He mapped out every scar, every blemish and found the man lying under him to be the most beautiful thing he'd ever beheld.
Draco melted into the touch and looked at Remus curiously. "You touch me as if you were blind," he said in a near whisper.
Remus frowned, then realised that Draco must not have figured it out. "I am blind," Remus answered carefully.
Draco gave a small gasp and sat up slightly. "I couldn't tell."
Remus shrugged. "In the final battle," he whispered.
Draco pressed his palm to Remus' face and closed his eyes. "You have perfection, all you see is equal... you carry the warmth."
Remus suddenly realised that Draco was right... at least in his eyes, and he smiled at fate throwing them together.
dbdbdb
As Remus drifted out of the haze of sleep, he was confronted with the sudden absence of Draco's comforting weight. In a moment of blind panic, Remus struggled to sit. "Draco?" he gasped.
He was immediately stilled, however, by a pair of soft, firm hands on his shoulders. "I'm here," Draco whispered gently as he looked into Remus' wide, un-seeing, amber eyes. "I was just trying something."
Remus took a couple of breaths, feeling rather foolish now, and he sat back against the headboard. "What kind of thing were you trying?" he asked after a moment.
Draco shrugged and snuggled up into Remus' arms. "I wanted to see if I could keep warm simply by looking at you."
Remus smiled. "And?"
Draco reached up and lightly trailed his fingers down Remus' cheek. "It worked. I also... I also had some memories."
Remus quirked an eyebrow. "Memories?"
"Yes," Draco said with a short nod. "So many memories are starting to... to creep through the fog."
"Dare I ask... is this is a bad thing, or a good thing?"
Draco gave a very small, throaty laugh. "Whist the memories aren't pleasant, knowing what happened is a good thing."
Remus shifted slightly, so that Draco's head was leaning on his shoulder. "You're more coherent," he commented carefully.
"I know, and it feels so strange, but I like it. I still have an... an itch, though."
"Itch?"
Draco sighed and nodded. "The thought of touching anything un-even or looking at something mismatched makes me feel very uneasy."
Remus chewed on his lip in thought for several moments. "Perhaps it's a lingering effect from... er, well, whatever it was that happened to you."
Draco took in a shuddering breath and nuzzled into Remus' neck. "That's still so foggy," he said, his voice muffled by Remus' skin. "I don't know exactly what happened. All I know is that there were... things... and they were so cold, and caused so much pain..." Draco trailed off with a small sob.
Remus felt his heart clench and he immediately wrapped his arms round Draco's thin frame. As Draco cried softly, Remus did nothing but run a comforting hand over his back, pausing to card his fingers through the blonde locks.
Eventually, Draco's tears ceased and he pulled away. "This didn't used to be me," Draco said softly.
Remus smiled a little morosely and took Draco's hand. "I know. I remember you well, Draco. You had such fire about you, something no one else could touch, and if your father weren't already dead, I would kill him for taking that away."
Draco's brows furrowed in confusion. "Dead?"
Remus could've smacked himself when he realised that obviously Draco wouldn't have known, and if he had been told, he wouldn't have understood. "Yes, both Lucius and Narcissa died."
Draco let this information sink in before giving a curt nod. "It was inevitable."
Remus thought there might be something Draco was not saying, but he wasn't going to push the blonde. Draco's recovery was still tentative, and there was a chance the blonde would have many slips back into madness before he recovered.
As Remus shifted, he felt the cold metal of the pendant Severus gave him against his chest and he fingered it. "We ought to take these off for now," he said softly. Reaching up, Remus un-did the clasp and coiled the chain in his palm.
Draco watched the werewolf carefully before reaching up to do the same. "Who gave us these?" he asked as he stared at the smooth gold in his palm.
"Severus," Remus said carefully.
Draco blinked in surprise at the name. "Severus. He's... he wasn't... I mean, he was friends with father and..."
Remus chuckled and shook his head. "No, he wasn't, not really. Severus was a spy for our side."
Draco nodded and then brought one knee to his chest, curling his arm around it limply. "I didn't chose a side," he whispered, leaning his cheek against the top of his knee. "I was just... just taken."
Remus reached out and ran his fingers through Draco's hair, quickly becoming addicted to the gesture. "And if you'd been given a choice?"
Draco sighed and gave a half-shrug. "Would that have mattered? Would it matter to you now?"
Remus frowned. Would it, he thought. No, it wouldn't . "No, but I admit I am curious."
"Be-before I was taken I was... unsure," Draco said softly.
Remus smiled softly. "Fair enough, Draco." Before he could say anything else, his stomach gave a loud rumble and he chuckled. "I think my body is telling me to eat."
"Is there food here?" Draco wondered. "Where are we, anyway?"
"This is a safe-house that Harry and Severus used during the war."
A flood of memories assaulted Draco's mind all at once, with the mention of Harry's name. It was almost painful, and Draco let out a small cry, his hands reaching up, clamping over his eyes.
Remus listened to Draco's distress in a near panic as he drew the blonde close to him. Rubbing his back soothingly, Remus leant down towards Draco's ear. "I'm sorry, it was something I said."
"P-potter," Draco said, his voice shaking. "He just... he and I..."
"Yes," Remus said gently, "but it was a very long time ago. Harry has changed and so have you."
"He and... Severus are... "
"They are," Remus confirmed with a nod. "Before the war, but after you disappeared."
Draco took all of that information in as he tried to calm his breathing. "Will I see them?"
"Eventually," Remus said. "Now about that breakfast?"
Draco let out the barest of laughs as he extracted himself from Remus' arms. Stepping out of the bed on shaking legs, Draco padded to the wardrobe where he extracted two identical dressing gowns. The house was warm enough, but there was a slight chill that came from being in the middle of a snowy wilderness.
Draco shrugged on his own gown and handed Remus the other. "I... I know this house has different colours and I think I can... look but when I think about it I feel this urge to panic and..."
Remus quieted Draco's ramblings with a soft kiss to the cheek. "You just tell me what to do, Draco, and I'll do it. I ought to use my charm, though."
Draco quirked an eyebrow as he watched Remus pull out the shadow-seer. "What is that?"
"Shadow-seer," Remus explained. "Aids me when I'm in a new place."
"You see... shadows with it?" Draco asked, looking into Remus' useless amber eyes.
"I do. It hurts my head, though, so I won't use it often whilst we're here. I do need to owl the Ministry, though, and inform them of my holiday."
This half-made sense to Draco, but instead of inquiring further, he simply nodded and took Remus' arm. The blonde sucked in a deep breath and prepared himself to face whatever was outside the bedroom.
Chapter 4
Remus was huddled under the duvet with a trembling Draco. They had not yet eaten, which Remus' stomach continued to remind him. Stepping out of the bedroom had been a difficult task, and by the time the pair had made it down the stairs, Draco was in hysterics. He had gone from semi-coherent conversation to garbled babbling.
Remus had managed to subdue the blonde with soft caresses, after which, he gathered the blonde into his arms and carried him back up to the safety of their bedroom where Draco had fallen asleep.
Now, Remus was starved, confused and hurting for the young man in his arms. He closed his eyes as the warmth of the sun played across his face from the small window, and he wondered what to do.
Draco would absolutely need to eat, as would Remus, but the older man could not leave the room. He had to call for help, there was no other choice. He still had yet to send his owl to the Ministry, and whist he enjoyed the touch comfort Draco gave him, he had to be able to move about.
"Draco," Remus whispered gently, "I need to get up."
Draco gave a feeble whimper and clung to Remus as if his life depended on it. "P-please," he begged, "don't leave me. So.. so cold."
Remus ran his fingers through Draco's hair gently, revelling in the soft feel of it. "I just need to firecall someone. You need to eat, as do I, and I still have to owl my job. I'm going to bring Severus here, and he can help us fix the house so it's even. You want it even, don't you?"
Draco bit his lip. "Mmhmm," he said, sounding so like a child.
Remus drew his hand down Draco's face, down his arm and twinned his fingers with the blonde's. "You won't be cold, Draco, because I will still be in the house. I am not leaving you, just leaving the room. I know it seems frightening, but I'm never going to leave you."
Draco sighed and then nodded, squeezing Remus' hand once more before letting go. "Okay," he said softly.
Remus let out a relieved breath and slid off the bed. Padding to the door, Remus paused with his hand on the knob. "I will be out of this room and the door will be closed, but if you need me, just call my name, okay? I will hear you and I will return."
"Okay," Draco said again.
With a soft smile, Remus walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. He paused a few paces away from the room and waited, listening for sounds of distress. When he heard none, the tawny-haired man made his way down the stairs and into the lounge where a fire was still roaring in the grate.
Remus drew his wand and pointed it at the flames. With a whispered spell, Remus opened a floo connection so he could contact Severus.
Making his way to the mantle, Remus felt along the stone until his fingers came in contact with the small pot of powder. With a soft smile, Remus tossed a pinch into the flames and called out, "Severus Snape." He knew the powder would seek out any fireplace that was nearest to the man and moments later, Severus' head appeared in the flames.
"In need of me so soon, Lupin?" Severus drawled, eyes full of mirth.
Remus chuckled and leant against the arm of the couch. "We had a small incident this morning."
"Indeed?" Severus inquired with a quirked brow. "What happened."
"Draco can't handle the house, apart from the bedroom, and even in there I had to vanish everything and turn the colours black."
Severus frowned. "Hermione was explaining everything about Draco's condition to me, but I don't see how I can help."
"The problem is, I can't see. Draco is barely coherent enough to explain to me what needs to be changed and I don't have the magical energy to vanish and re-conjure everything in this house. As it, Draco and I have yet to consume anything because I couldn't get to the kitchens."
"Where is he now?"
"Up in the bedroom. I don't know how long I can be away from him, but I was hoping you might come here and aid me in helping him."
Severus fell into silent thought for several moments. "I should be there within the next twenty minutes. I'm not going to floo, I don't want it to be traced. Go back to Draco and I will be there shortly."
Remus gave a curt not and waited for the telltale pop , signalling that Severus had gone. Closing the floo connection, Remus turned on his heel and walked back up the stairs, towards the bedroom.
Pausing outside the door, Remus leant in and listened. Nothing. Not a sound could be heard beyond the door and he grew slightly nervous. Remus pushed the door open, cursed the fact that he couldn't see what was happening, and stepped inside.
"Draco?" he asked hesitantly.
There was a very pregnant and anxious pause before, "It worked." Draco's voice was shaky, but better than it had been before.
Remus gave a small sigh of relief as his mouth set in a wide smile. Making his way to the bed, Remus slid across the top of the covers and opened his arms to recieve the blonde. Draco needed no prompting and launched himself at the older man.
A small chuckle escaped Remus as Draco's face buried in his neck. "What worked, Draco, thinking of me?"
"Mmhmm," Draco said softly. "I began to freeze but... but your memory kept me from falling into the darkness."
Remus carded his fingers through Draco's hair and sat back against the headboard. "Severus is on his way," he said after a moment.
Draco stiffened slightly and turned his face up to look at Remus. "Severus?"
Remus nodded. "He's going to help us fix the house so you can roam about. It won't do for you to keep in this room for the rest of our days. This is your safe house as well as mine, Draco, and you have to feel secure here."
Draco drew in a shuddering breath and chewed on his lip for several moments. "Severus and I... knew each other well."
"You did," Remus confirmed.
"And I have nothing to fear from him."
"You don't. He cares a great deal about you, perhaps as much as I do," Remus said with a laugh as he brought his palm to Draco's cheek.
Draco leant into the touch, turning his face to nuzzle his nose into Remus' hand. Placing a chaste kiss on Remus' palm, Draco looked into the werewolf's soft amber eyes. "It's all there, Remus, but it's all so foggy. I want to remember, but I fear things."
"I wish I could help you, Draco. I know you want to remember."
Draco pulled away from Remus and drew his knees to his chest. "There are things lurking in the shadows of my memories though... cold... painful... I don't know if I want them."
Remus felt tears prickle in his eyes at the pain colouring Draco's voice. "They can't hurt you," he whispered, un-able to make his voice any louder. "They can't touch you anymore, Draco, not whilst I am here."
Draco nodded and rested the side of his head on the top of his knees. "I do feel safe here, as safe as I possibly can."
"I hope it's enough," Remus said gently.
Draco let out a very soft chuckle and reached for Remus' hand. Pressing a kiss to each finger, Draco smiled, and it reached his eyes. "Anything you do Remus, is just enough."
dbdbdb
Hermione held the box of potions close to her chest as she quickly made her way up to the secured floor. After gaining clearance, the young medi-witch walked down towards Harry's room. The door was partly open and just as she was about to walk in, she heard a hushed, one-sided conversation.
"I know Harry, I'm well aware and you know me well enough to know I will be careful."
"..."
"Yes you cheeky little Gryffindor, and I will do my best."
"..."
"Draco isn't well, and I'm not sure how long it will take for him to recover. Remus has an idea, but I'm not sure how it will work."
"..."
"Oh you little brat! Of all the Gryffindor things to say..."
"..."
There was the familiar sound of a kiss being pressed to lips and then, "I do Harry, I love you with all of me."
Hermione sighed and raised her fist to knock on the door. There was a scuffling sound and suddenly the door was wrenched all the way open by a surly-looking Severus Snape. His eyes softened just a little as they fell on Hermione.
"Oh for the love of Merlin, I'm never to be rid of you damned Gryffindors," he snarked, closing the door behind her.
Hermione chuckled and walked over to Harry's side, bending down to kiss his forehead. His emerald eyes were wide and he wore an expression of mild amusement.
"I come bearing gifts," Hermione said when Severus approached.
Severus took the box and pulled the lid off, peering inside. "Calming potions?"
"And sleeping potions. They were the only ones to have a proper effect on Draco," she explained with a shrug. "I'm sure the staff will notice how many have gone missing but I don't care. Remus is going to need a bit of help, what with Draco's fits and all. This ought to help soothe Draco when things get too bad."
Severus smiled gently and shrunk the box, slipping it into his pocket. "I'm actually on my way there," he said in a very low voice. "Remus is in need of help."
"I thought he might be, I'm surprised he's lasted this long on his own."
"The connection is amazing," Severus said with a shrug. "I've not seen anything like it."
Hermione smiled softly and looked first at Harry, and then at Severus. "I have... just once."
Harry's grin widened and he turned his eyes to Severus. Black locked with green and a moment of love so intense that even Hermione could feel it, passed between the two of them. With a soft chuckle, Harry raised his hand and spelt something.
Severus leant down and pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's hand, and then one to his lips. "Yes and I shall love you for all of my days... hopefully that won't be long."
A throaty chuckle escaped Harry's lips and he rolled his eyes. Winking at Hermione, he turned back to Severus and spelt something else.
"He's wondering if you know what happened to Draco to make him like this."
Hermione shook her head sadly. "No one knows. When they found Draco, he was alone in the cell. He was injured badly, he's got scars all over his body. It looked like he'd been gutted even, and then stitched back together. He doesn't remember all of it, not the details anyway. There were three others that were found in the same dungeons but only one of those has survived."
"Who?" Severus asked with a frown, wondering why he'd not been informed.
"His name is Alexander Lestrange," Hermione said.
"Lestrange?" Severus all but shouted. "The Lestranges had a son?"
"Yes, apparently. We reckon Draco was in the cell for almost two years... and when Alexander was found, he was three... meaning there's a chance he was in the cell since he was just a baby."
Severus and Harry both sucked in a breath and Severus grabbed Harry's hand tightly. "Where is he now?"
"Here," Hermione said with a shrug. "No one wants him, you know. Orphaned child of two Death Eaters and so traumatised that he can't do anything for himself. He's my other patient... besides Draco."
"Are they looking for Draco?" Severus asked suddenly.
Hermione gave a bitter chuckle. "They think he's gone and off'd himself. They're 'looking' but they aren't looking."
Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Pathetic, the lot of them."
"Well it does help Draco and Remus," Hermione pointed out.
Severus nodded. "That's true." Peering at his watch, Severus sighed and pulled away from Harry. "I can't linger, Remus is waiting on me and I don't want this to take long."
Hermione stood and kissed Harry's cheek gently. "I'll see you soon. And Severus, please do take care."
"I always do," Severus commented with a smirk and watched as the medi-witch left the room.
With a last kiss on Harry's mouth, Severus walked out of the room and to the alley where he Apparated away.
dbdbdb
Remus had soothed Draco to the point of near-euphoria when a loud crack was heard, sounding through the entire house.
Draco gave a violent twitch and clung to Remus almost desperately. Knowing exactly what it was, Remus ran his hands up and down Draco's back. "It's only Severus, Draco. No one knows were here and no one can touch you, I promise."
Draco let out a short breath and nodded. "Okay."
Remus chuckled and attempted to pry the blonde off him. "I need to fetch him, love. I won't go far."
Draco gave a small whimper but complied, releasing Remus. Sitting with his back to the headboard, Draco drew his knees to his chest in a defencive position.
Remus took the opportunity and slid off the bed. Quickly switching his dressing gown for his outer robe, Remus walked to the bedroom door and opened it.
"Severus?" he called softly.
"I'll be right up," came Severus' voice, drifting from the parlour.
Remus left the door opened and walked back to the bed. Sitting on the edge, he reached out and found Draco's hand. "You have nothing to fear from him," he whispered.
"I know," Draco said softly, and fell into a tense silence.
A moment later, the black robed wizard stepped into the bedroom and looked at the couple coolly. "Lupin, Draco... how are you?" His voice was tense and un-sure.
Remus smiled. "Well enough, though starved. I would very much like to get started."
Knowing he had to win Draco's trust, Severus nodded and walked to the bed. Looking the blonde in the eyes, he extended his hand. "I'm happy to see you well, Draco," he said as kindly as he could manage.
Draco chewed on his lip and stared at Severus' slender, outstretched hand with very wide eyes. "I do feel better," Draco managed, though his voice was barely audible.
"You don't trust me," Severus said gently.
Draco looked almost apologetic, and shook his head. "Only Remus has not harmed me. He keeps me warm."
Severus withdrew his hand and smiled. "I know he does, Draco."
Draco looked at Severus' face and frowned. "I have memories... you seem different. Remus told me that you and Potter have love."
Severus' eyes widened and flickered over to Remus for a moment. "We do have love, a very deep love."
Draco cocked his head to the side and quirked a half-grin. "You smiled... you never smiled."
Severus nearly chuckled but refrained, not wanting to shock the younger man. "Blame Potter," he said, voice full of mirth, "that damned Gryffindor has done all sorts of things to me."
That did gain a laugh from Draco and very slowly, he un-curled his body. "He lived... through the battle."
"Barely," Severus said and sat at the edge of the bed. "He's in St. Mungo's."
"Where I was."
Severus nodded. "He can't move well, can't speak, but he's slowly recovering."
"Like me," Draco said and reached out for Remus.
At the blonde's touch, Remus moved further onto the bed and took Draco's hand in his. "Harry is physically worse off than you are, but his mind is still there."
"Mine just hides," Draco said with the barest of sighs.
Severus' eyes held a hint of sadness as they fixed on the couple's joined hands. "Draco, I'd like to help make this home yours. Will you let me?" He extended his hand again, and looked Draco in the eye.
After several long moments, Draco slowly reached out and took Severus' hand gently "You'll keep it safe for us? Even, equal... "
Not quite sure what this meant, Severus nodded in an attempt to pacify the blonde. "I shall do exactly what you ask of me Draco."
The blonde turned his face towards Remus and grinned. "Then we should try."
dbdbdb
Several hours later, Draco was curled up on the bed, sleeping with the aid of a potion. Severus had gone and now Remus was in the parlour, finally able to owl the Ministry. He decided on a two month holiday, knowing it was due, and knowing that no one would dare argue.
Once the letter had been sent, Remus curled up in a chair next to the fire, hot cup of tea in his hands. Leaning his head back against the chair, he let out a slow sigh. It was all so much. The feelings were almost overwhelmingly confusing. He'd never experienced anything like this and bonds rarely, if ever, occured like this.
Yet, he could feel it pulsing between him and Draco whenever they were near. He couldn't ignore his urges to take the blonde in his arms and pour as much love as he could manage into the simple gestures that Draco would allow.
"And it is love," Remus whispered aloud. "Who knew."
He had loved many in his day, James and Lily for one, Sirius had been another, and was still intensely painful to think about. Harry, of course, an even with the strange relationship they had, Severus. But nothing was as intense as how he felt for Draco. It wasn't pity, far from it in fact, but it was heart-clenching.
As these thoughts coursed through Remus, he realised there was no other place he wanted to be than in Draco's arms, even when the younger man was sleeping. Putting his teacup aside, Remus walked back upstairs and into the one place where he actually felt at home.
dbdbdb
It was morning when Draco finally awoke, and smiled when he found himself wrapped in Remus' warm arms.
Nuzzling into the older man's neck, Draco felt a wash of love flow over him, through him. He hadn't been sure that he would ever feel proper emotions again, but being in Remus' arms... he felt almost human again.
Turning to face the still-sleeping man, Draco took the opportunity to really look at Remus. There were scars all over his body, sprinkled over his pale arms. the crook of his neck. There was a large scar near his right eye and one downward over his lips. Draco peered at Remus' bare chest and saw what resembled claw marks. He was momentarily confused until the memory surfaced...
"He's a werewolf," Draco whispered to his three companions, a twisted kind of mirth colouring his tone.
The girl, Pansy Parkinson, gave a small gasp. "And they let him teach here?"
Draco nodded. "He's quit though, for fear of getting sacked. When father found out Dumbledore let a half-breed teach us... he was furious. You know how much hell he'd raise if that idiot continued the post."
Pansy smirked. "Well, good. Bet he was a Gryffindor too."
Draco snorted. "He was, according to Prof Snape. Bloody fools, the lot of them. They'll let any sort in that house."
Pansy clung to Draco's arm. "Which is why we're Slytherin."
"Let's go back to the common room," Goyle said suddenly and Crabbe grunted in agreement.
"Catch me up in a moment," Draco said, "I want to see him leave."
The three nodded and ambled off towards the dungeons. Draco, who was leaning against the side of the entrance door, crossed his arms as Prof Lupin walked by, trunk floating behind him.
The werewolf paused in the hall suddenly, and locked eyes with Draco. "Mr Malfoy, good day," he said softly.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Werewolf," he said, but for some strange reason, Draco couldn't speak with the venom he'd wanted to. Instead it came out as a bare whisper, with a hint of hidden affection that Draco suddenly hated himself for. Flushing, the blonde turned on his heel and stalked back down the hall, towards his common room. What he didn't see was the former professor watching his every step, until he disappeared round a corner.
Shaking his head at the memory, Draco touched the scars gently with the tips of his fingers. The soft touch caused the older man's eyes to flutter open and fix sightlessly over Draco's shoulder.
"It's morning?" Remus asked, his voice thick with sleep.
"Sun's out," Draco answered with a soft shrug. He continued to trace the scars until Remus stilled his hand, pressing Draco's over his heart.
"Have you been up long?"
"Not really," Draco said, feeling the swift pulsing under his fingers. "I was looking at you."
Remus flushed just a little and brought Draco's hand to his mouth. Pressing a kiss to each finger, Remus smiled. "What do you want to do today?"
"Anything, nothing," Draco answered with a shrug. "I'm warm here, safe. Just don't ever stop touching me."
Remus smiled gently and reached out. His fingertips brushed Draco's face again, taking him all in. This time, however, they didn't stop there. Remus brought his hands down, over Draco's small ears, across his neck, and slowly opened the blonde's pyjama top. As Remus' nimble fingers un-did the buttons, he trailed his hands across Draco's chest.
They sought out every scar, every marking, every strip of smooth flesh. Draco almost groaned, the heat in the touch almost overwhelming to him. His eyes slowly slid closed and he pressed his face into Remus' neck.
Remus paid the gesture no mind. Drawing his lower lip into his mouth, he leant up slightly and trailed his hands all over Draco. He was suddenly desperate to see all of the blonde, every inch of him and his fingers helped him do so.
Draco's arms were thin and long, a few sprinkling of scars near his shoulders. His hands were slender, the fingers delicate and the nails well groomed. His palms carried a few deeply etched lines and Remus smiled when he felt Draco curl his fingers round his hands.
Pulling away, Remus fingered the large, thick scar just below Draco's naval and bit back the urge to kiss it. He bypassed Draco's prick, afraid of what that might do if he gave into that urge, and continued down Draco's almost hairless legs. He finished at Draco's feet, smiling when he found that a finger being drawn along the bottom of his foot tickled the blonde.
When Remus returned to his original position, Draco launched himself at the werewolf and feathered kisses along Remus' cheeks. "You make me feel like I could catch on fire," Draco whispered next to Remus' ear.
Remus shivered as Draco's breath ghosted along the side of his face and he cupped Draco's cheeks in his hands. "Draco..." he whispered.
Draco closed his eyes and felt Remus' heated touch. "Remus," he whispered back.
And Remus knew right then he would never belong in another place.
Title: Heaven Restores You
Rating: R or NC 17 (ratings confuse me)
Summary: Post war, Remus is blind, Draco is insane, Harry is crippled and un-able to move and Severus is forever at his side. When Remus stumbles into Draco at St. Mungo's, he finds a bond between them that no one can explain. But loving Draco Malfoy is not easy, and as their forbidden love grows, a mystery is un-covered.
Category/Warnings: Romance, angst, sexual content, foul language, OOC-ness.
A/N:This is a WIP, and there is a side-story featuring SeverusxHarry on pheonixcore's LJ. This fic is Draco/Remus centric. I'm posting as many chapters into one post as I can fit, under seperate cuts. Hope you enjoy. Cheers!
Chapter 3
Remus woke to a gentle prodding and insistent whisper in his ear. "Lupin, up!"
Blinking, Remus felt a heavy, warm weight in his arms, and smelt something wholly unfamiliar. A momentary confusion settled over him until he remembered the events of the past twenty-four hours. With a yawn, Remus turned his head towards the voice. "Yes?"
There was a very light chuckle, followed by the very familiar voice of Severus Snape. "It's about damned time," he said in a very soft voice. "I've been standing here for at least twenty minutes."
Remus yawned again and felt strangely comforted by Draco's weight against his chest. "What time is it?"
"Nearly midnight," Severus whispered.
"Why are we whispering?" Remus hissed back.
Severus rolled his eyes, which Remus could practically hear, and crouched beside the bed. "Because, you stupid fool, we're trying to get you and Draco out of here without having you arrested or even put under suspicion."
Remus' eyebrows rose. "Indeed, so you've come up with a place for us to go?"
"I have... well actually Harry has," Severus said, a note of fondness colouring his voice. "He reminded me of our safe-house location in Siberia. Only Dumbledore knew of its existance, and considering he's dead now, I don't worry about the information leaking to those of higher power."
Remus nearly chuckled aloud. "So how do we get Draco and myself there safely and un-detected."
"That has proven more the complication than the house itself," Severus drawled, "but I believe we have a solution."
Remus waited and heard a rustle of robes as Severus dug in his pockets for something. Reaching over, Severus took Remus' hand and pressed a small, circular pendant on a chain into his palm. Remus fingered it for a moment, trying to gauge exactly what it was.
"It's... well it's something Harry and I invented, resembling a portkey in a way." Severus paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "You see, it's linked with another pendant and will take the wearer within ten feet of the other person."
Remus smiled. "So that's how you and Harry accomplished those missions during the war."
"Exactly," Severus said. "The plan now, is for you to leave the hospital and Apparate to the safe-house in Siberia. It will be taxing, but it can be done, believe me."
"Fair enough, but what about Draco?"
"He will activate his pendant and it will take him to your side... or close enough to it. It might be difficult but it can be done."
"And now comes the task of explaining this to Draco so he understands," Remus said worriedly.
Severus sighed. "Granger and I both believe that if you explain this to him, he will understand." With that, Severus placed the other pendant in Remus' hand. "They're different. You need to learn the feel of them so you don't get them confused."
Remus nodded and quickly learnt the touch of both pendants. There were obvious differences which made it easier for the werewolf to tell them apart. When he'd finished that, Remus slipped his pendant chain round his neck and tucked the small piece into his robes.
"The incantation to activate the pendant is Obviam Ire. It must be spoken whilst the pendant is pressed into the palm of your hand," Severus explained in hushed tones. "Now, I will give you a few moments to wake Draco and explain this to him. Then you and I will leave the hospital and Hermione will instruct Draco when it's time for him to go."
Remus frowned at the potential complications, but knew there wasn't another way. As loathe as he was to have Draco removed from his grasp, he knew if they could accomplish this, he would be able to keep Draco for much longer.
"Okay," Remus said after a moment.
"I shall wait outside," Severus said, and after a moment's hesitation, he reached out and ran his hand over Draco's blonde locks. "Take care of him wolf, or I shall make you pay."
Knowing the love Severus had for the blonde, Remus merely smiled and nodded. He said nothing until he heard the door shut and slowly he began to rouse the sleeping man.
"Draco," he whispered gently as he prodded the blonde. "Time to get up."
Draco gave a feeble groan and clutched tightly to the front of Remus' robes. A wash of affection flooded over the werewolf, and for a moment, Remus was speechless. Giving into his momentary instinct, Remus feathered kisses all along Draco's cheeks.
The blonde groaned at the attention and lifted his face, his grey eyes fluttering open. "Still not a dream," he whispered, his voice hoarse from sleep. "My fire-god, you still keep me warm."
Remus ran his hand gently over Draco's features, not really seeing him as he wanted to... not yet, anyway. "We are leaving here, Draco," Remus said, keeping his voice low. "We must go somewhere where we can't be found. If we don't, they will keep me from you."
Draco gave a violent twitch at those words and buried his face in Remus' neck. "I shall freeze with them, as I always did."
Remus nodded and cupped his hand around the back of Draco's neck. "Will you leave with me?"
"I'm afraid," Draco confessed, his voice muffled by the cloth, "but I will die without you."
And I will die if I can't have you , Remus thought, but kept it to himself. Instead, he pressed the pendant into Draco's hand. "We can't leave together, Draco. If we do, they will find us and take you far away from me. I need you to put this on, and after I leave, you must whisper the incantation, Obviam Ire, and it will take you to my side. Hermione will be here and she'll tell you exactly when to say it."
Draco glanced at the small circular gold piece and blinked owlishly. "I'll freeze if you aren't touching me," he said.
Remus put his palm against Draco's cheek. "You won't freeze, because I'll be waiting to warm you. And we'll be in a safe place where they can't touch us."
Draco frowned at the pendant and eventually gave a short nod. "If you promise," he said, sounding very much like a child.
Remus chuckled a little and pressed a soft kiss to Draco's forehead. "I promise, on my soul, that I will be waiting for you."
"Then I will do it."
Remus smiled and very carefully, extracted himself from Draco's arms. The blonde gave a violent shiver and wrapped his arms around his middle.
"Remus," he said in a voice so broken that Remus nearly burst into tears.
The werewolf leant across the bed and cupped Draco's face in his hands. "I will be waiting to warm you. Think of me and you won't be so cold."
Draco nodded and gave a small whimper when Remus stepped away. "Soon?"
"Yes," Remus said firmly, and before he couldn't bear to walk away, he left the room. Severus was waiting in the corridor and quickly moved to take Remus' elbow.
"Did everything work out?" Severus hissed.
Remus nodded. "That it did." He would have said more, but Hermione swiftly approached and took Remus' other arm.
"You'll have exactly twenty minutes to Apparate safely," she said softly. "Do you think you can do it?"
Remus nodded. "I'm certain of it." He quickly touched the pendant with the tip of his finger. "And I trust Draco will, as well."
"Good," she said, and suddenly leant forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You're going to save him. I have no idea how or why, but you are."
Remus smiled gently and grasped her shoulder. "Give my regards to Ron."
"I will," the bushy-haired woman answered with a smile. "Go now, and be swift."
Remus pulled away from the medi-witch, and on Snape's arm, made his way out of the Wizarding Hospital.
The pair quickly walked round the back, far enough away so that the noise of Apparition could not be heard. Severus quickly whispered instructions for Remus to reach the safe-house, and the werewolf activated his shadow-seer.
"Give Harry my love," Remus said gently as he grasped Severus' shoulder by way of farewell.
"I will," Severus said. "Perhaps we shall see you sooner than you think."
"I do hope so," Remus said. "I plan on continuing my job, though I am going to take a long and deserved holiday. You know where to reach me."
"I do," Severus said. With a last nod that was lost on the blind man, Severus stepped back and watched as Remus disappeared.
dbdbdb
With a loud crack, Remus landed in the soft snow. He felt momentarily lost, but the shadow-seer helped him orient himself. A large house loomed behind him and in the distance was nothing but trees. Knowing that it would be near impossible for Remus to find Draco ten feet away in the Siberian wilderness, the werewolf quickly entered the warm home.
Feeling heat, Remus realised that Severus must've had the house readied for their arrival. Remus was still worried, however, the shadow-seer didn't aid him as much as he would've liked in a new environment, so he took his time exploring.
Remus discovered the house was smaller than he thought. On the ground floor was a parlour, the kitchens and a lounge which had a door leading to the snowy outside. On the first floor was two bedrooms each with a bath and toilet, and further down the hall was a large library full of books.
Remus decided to wait in the parlour for Draco, unsure how far the blonde would go when he arrived. Minutes passed that seemed like an eternity, and just as Remus began to panic, a loud thump was heard near the foyer.
Dashing out of the room, Remus spotted the shadow of the blonde man crouched near the door.
Draco looked up at Remus with bleary grey eyes and shivered. "You're here? This is home?"
Remus nodded, dropped to his knees and opened his arms. "Home," he whispered.
Draco needed no more prompting and launched himself into the werewolf's arms. Remus held the blonde close to his chest, his fingers trailing up and down his naked arms, leaving a fiery heat in their wake.
Draco leant into the touch and clung to the front of Remus' robes and buried his face in Remus' neck. "I was frightened."
"I'm here now," Remus said soothingly, "as I promised."
Draco gave a very soft, very small smile as Remus lifted him like a child and carried him upstairs. As Remus entered the room he had picked out for them to share, Draco suddenly tensed and slipped out of the older man's arms.
"N-no Remus, please! Please, don't you see it. S-so un-even, not... not equal..." Draco began to hyperventilate, and un-sure what to do, Remus pulled out his wand and promptly vanished everything.
Draco immediately calmed and grabbed Remus' hand. "Sorry," he whispered, bowing his head.
Remus waved it off and grimaced as he felt the shadow-seer causing a fierce headache. Grabbing the charm, he quickly de-activated it and blinked against the sudden onslaught of total darkness. "What shall we do, Draco? You can tell me what to put in here, and I will."
Draco moved so that he was pressing his body against Remus and he sighed. "I just... it has to be even... I can't have the colours, the things will come if the colours aren't even," Draco babbled.
Remus did his best to wrap his mind round what Draco was suffering from. "Even... like all the same?" he asked carefully.
"The same," Draco repeated in a soft voice.
Remus found it delightful irony that all he could see was the same colour everywhere. With a deep breath, Remus conjured a black wardrobe, bed with black bed linens and a matching duvet. He refrained from conjuring anything else and then turned his face towards Draco. "Well enough?"
Draco gave a happy sigh. "Even... thank you. My fire-god."
Remus felt his face flush as he felt Draco's breath ghost over his skin. "I am no god, Draco, I assure you."
Draco chuckled. "The more you are here, the more of my mind I have. It lapses back into... into the darkness... but you are my anchor." It was the most coherent Draco had sounded since Remus had met him and it caused a large smile to break out over the werewolf's face.
"My Draco," he whispered, taking the younger man into a fierce hug.
Draco gave a large yawn and looked longingly towards the bed. "I'm tired," he said softly.
Remus chuckled and nodded. "As am I. What say you I conjure us pyjamas and dressing gowns and we can get into the bed."
"They are here already," Draco said, nodding towards the wardrobe which was propped open. Inside stood a multitude of black robes and in the drawers were several pairs of black pyjama bottoms.
Remus' sightless eyes widened. "Indeed? Shall I fetch us some?"
"Anything besides hospital gowns," Draco said, sounding more and more aware.
Remus grinned and quickly made his way to the wardrobe. After a bit of exploration, he found the pyjama bottoms and brought a pair to Draco.
Both men quickly shrugged out of their garb and changed into the flannel bottoms, feeling warm and comfortable. "Will you need a warming charm?" Remus asked, remembering all of what Hermione had told him.
"Not unless you leave," Draco said as he snaked inside the covers. Remus soon joined him, leaning up on his elbow. "Your eyes are like flames," Draco whispered suddenly.
Remus blinked and then smiled. Without a word, he brought his fingers to Draco's face and began to memorise his features in earnest. He brought his fingertips over his forehead, his nose, eyelids, down his cheeks and over his lips. He mapped out every scar, every blemish and found the man lying under him to be the most beautiful thing he'd ever beheld.
Draco melted into the touch and looked at Remus curiously. "You touch me as if you were blind," he said in a near whisper.
Remus frowned, then realised that Draco must not have figured it out. "I am blind," Remus answered carefully.
Draco gave a small gasp and sat up slightly. "I couldn't tell."
Remus shrugged. "In the final battle," he whispered.
Draco pressed his palm to Remus' face and closed his eyes. "You have perfection, all you see is equal... you carry the warmth."
Remus suddenly realised that Draco was right... at least in his eyes, and he smiled at fate throwing them together.
dbdbdb
As Remus drifted out of the haze of sleep, he was confronted with the sudden absence of Draco's comforting weight. In a moment of blind panic, Remus struggled to sit. "Draco?" he gasped.
He was immediately stilled, however, by a pair of soft, firm hands on his shoulders. "I'm here," Draco whispered gently as he looked into Remus' wide, un-seeing, amber eyes. "I was just trying something."
Remus took a couple of breaths, feeling rather foolish now, and he sat back against the headboard. "What kind of thing were you trying?" he asked after a moment.
Draco shrugged and snuggled up into Remus' arms. "I wanted to see if I could keep warm simply by looking at you."
Remus smiled. "And?"
Draco reached up and lightly trailed his fingers down Remus' cheek. "It worked. I also... I also had some memories."
Remus quirked an eyebrow. "Memories?"
"Yes," Draco said with a short nod. "So many memories are starting to... to creep through the fog."
"Dare I ask... is this is a bad thing, or a good thing?"
Draco gave a very small, throaty laugh. "Whist the memories aren't pleasant, knowing what happened is a good thing."
Remus shifted slightly, so that Draco's head was leaning on his shoulder. "You're more coherent," he commented carefully.
"I know, and it feels so strange, but I like it. I still have an... an itch, though."
"Itch?"
Draco sighed and nodded. "The thought of touching anything un-even or looking at something mismatched makes me feel very uneasy."
Remus chewed on his lip in thought for several moments. "Perhaps it's a lingering effect from... er, well, whatever it was that happened to you."
Draco took in a shuddering breath and nuzzled into Remus' neck. "That's still so foggy," he said, his voice muffled by Remus' skin. "I don't know exactly what happened. All I know is that there were... things... and they were so cold, and caused so much pain..." Draco trailed off with a small sob.
Remus felt his heart clench and he immediately wrapped his arms round Draco's thin frame. As Draco cried softly, Remus did nothing but run a comforting hand over his back, pausing to card his fingers through the blonde locks.
Eventually, Draco's tears ceased and he pulled away. "This didn't used to be me," Draco said softly.
Remus smiled a little morosely and took Draco's hand. "I know. I remember you well, Draco. You had such fire about you, something no one else could touch, and if your father weren't already dead, I would kill him for taking that away."
Draco's brows furrowed in confusion. "Dead?"
Remus could've smacked himself when he realised that obviously Draco wouldn't have known, and if he had been told, he wouldn't have understood. "Yes, both Lucius and Narcissa died."
Draco let this information sink in before giving a curt nod. "It was inevitable."
Remus thought there might be something Draco was not saying, but he wasn't going to push the blonde. Draco's recovery was still tentative, and there was a chance the blonde would have many slips back into madness before he recovered.
As Remus shifted, he felt the cold metal of the pendant Severus gave him against his chest and he fingered it. "We ought to take these off for now," he said softly. Reaching up, Remus un-did the clasp and coiled the chain in his palm.
Draco watched the werewolf carefully before reaching up to do the same. "Who gave us these?" he asked as he stared at the smooth gold in his palm.
"Severus," Remus said carefully.
Draco blinked in surprise at the name. "Severus. He's... he wasn't... I mean, he was friends with father and..."
Remus chuckled and shook his head. "No, he wasn't, not really. Severus was a spy for our side."
Draco nodded and then brought one knee to his chest, curling his arm around it limply. "I didn't chose a side," he whispered, leaning his cheek against the top of his knee. "I was just... just taken."
Remus reached out and ran his fingers through Draco's hair, quickly becoming addicted to the gesture. "And if you'd been given a choice?"
Draco sighed and gave a half-shrug. "Would that have mattered? Would it matter to you now?"
Remus frowned. Would it, he thought. No, it wouldn't . "No, but I admit I am curious."
"Be-before I was taken I was... unsure," Draco said softly.
Remus smiled softly. "Fair enough, Draco." Before he could say anything else, his stomach gave a loud rumble and he chuckled. "I think my body is telling me to eat."
"Is there food here?" Draco wondered. "Where are we, anyway?"
"This is a safe-house that Harry and Severus used during the war."
A flood of memories assaulted Draco's mind all at once, with the mention of Harry's name. It was almost painful, and Draco let out a small cry, his hands reaching up, clamping over his eyes.
Remus listened to Draco's distress in a near panic as he drew the blonde close to him. Rubbing his back soothingly, Remus leant down towards Draco's ear. "I'm sorry, it was something I said."
"P-potter," Draco said, his voice shaking. "He just... he and I..."
"Yes," Remus said gently, "but it was a very long time ago. Harry has changed and so have you."
"He and... Severus are... "
"They are," Remus confirmed with a nod. "Before the war, but after you disappeared."
Draco took all of that information in as he tried to calm his breathing. "Will I see them?"
"Eventually," Remus said. "Now about that breakfast?"
Draco let out the barest of laughs as he extracted himself from Remus' arms. Stepping out of the bed on shaking legs, Draco padded to the wardrobe where he extracted two identical dressing gowns. The house was warm enough, but there was a slight chill that came from being in the middle of a snowy wilderness.
Draco shrugged on his own gown and handed Remus the other. "I... I know this house has different colours and I think I can... look but when I think about it I feel this urge to panic and..."
Remus quieted Draco's ramblings with a soft kiss to the cheek. "You just tell me what to do, Draco, and I'll do it. I ought to use my charm, though."
Draco quirked an eyebrow as he watched Remus pull out the shadow-seer. "What is that?"
"Shadow-seer," Remus explained. "Aids me when I'm in a new place."
"You see... shadows with it?" Draco asked, looking into Remus' useless amber eyes.
"I do. It hurts my head, though, so I won't use it often whilst we're here. I do need to owl the Ministry, though, and inform them of my holiday."
This half-made sense to Draco, but instead of inquiring further, he simply nodded and took Remus' arm. The blonde sucked in a deep breath and prepared himself to face whatever was outside the bedroom.
Chapter 4
Remus was huddled under the duvet with a trembling Draco. They had not yet eaten, which Remus' stomach continued to remind him. Stepping out of the bedroom had been a difficult task, and by the time the pair had made it down the stairs, Draco was in hysterics. He had gone from semi-coherent conversation to garbled babbling.
Remus had managed to subdue the blonde with soft caresses, after which, he gathered the blonde into his arms and carried him back up to the safety of their bedroom where Draco had fallen asleep.
Now, Remus was starved, confused and hurting for the young man in his arms. He closed his eyes as the warmth of the sun played across his face from the small window, and he wondered what to do.
Draco would absolutely need to eat, as would Remus, but the older man could not leave the room. He had to call for help, there was no other choice. He still had yet to send his owl to the Ministry, and whist he enjoyed the touch comfort Draco gave him, he had to be able to move about.
"Draco," Remus whispered gently, "I need to get up."
Draco gave a feeble whimper and clung to Remus as if his life depended on it. "P-please," he begged, "don't leave me. So.. so cold."
Remus ran his fingers through Draco's hair gently, revelling in the soft feel of it. "I just need to firecall someone. You need to eat, as do I, and I still have to owl my job. I'm going to bring Severus here, and he can help us fix the house so it's even. You want it even, don't you?"
Draco bit his lip. "Mmhmm," he said, sounding so like a child.
Remus drew his hand down Draco's face, down his arm and twinned his fingers with the blonde's. "You won't be cold, Draco, because I will still be in the house. I am not leaving you, just leaving the room. I know it seems frightening, but I'm never going to leave you."
Draco sighed and then nodded, squeezing Remus' hand once more before letting go. "Okay," he said softly.
Remus let out a relieved breath and slid off the bed. Padding to the door, Remus paused with his hand on the knob. "I will be out of this room and the door will be closed, but if you need me, just call my name, okay? I will hear you and I will return."
"Okay," Draco said again.
With a soft smile, Remus walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. He paused a few paces away from the room and waited, listening for sounds of distress. When he heard none, the tawny-haired man made his way down the stairs and into the lounge where a fire was still roaring in the grate.
Remus drew his wand and pointed it at the flames. With a whispered spell, Remus opened a floo connection so he could contact Severus.
Making his way to the mantle, Remus felt along the stone until his fingers came in contact with the small pot of powder. With a soft smile, Remus tossed a pinch into the flames and called out, "Severus Snape." He knew the powder would seek out any fireplace that was nearest to the man and moments later, Severus' head appeared in the flames.
"In need of me so soon, Lupin?" Severus drawled, eyes full of mirth.
Remus chuckled and leant against the arm of the couch. "We had a small incident this morning."
"Indeed?" Severus inquired with a quirked brow. "What happened."
"Draco can't handle the house, apart from the bedroom, and even in there I had to vanish everything and turn the colours black."
Severus frowned. "Hermione was explaining everything about Draco's condition to me, but I don't see how I can help."
"The problem is, I can't see. Draco is barely coherent enough to explain to me what needs to be changed and I don't have the magical energy to vanish and re-conjure everything in this house. As it, Draco and I have yet to consume anything because I couldn't get to the kitchens."
"Where is he now?"
"Up in the bedroom. I don't know how long I can be away from him, but I was hoping you might come here and aid me in helping him."
Severus fell into silent thought for several moments. "I should be there within the next twenty minutes. I'm not going to floo, I don't want it to be traced. Go back to Draco and I will be there shortly."
Remus gave a curt not and waited for the telltale pop , signalling that Severus had gone. Closing the floo connection, Remus turned on his heel and walked back up the stairs, towards the bedroom.
Pausing outside the door, Remus leant in and listened. Nothing. Not a sound could be heard beyond the door and he grew slightly nervous. Remus pushed the door open, cursed the fact that he couldn't see what was happening, and stepped inside.
"Draco?" he asked hesitantly.
There was a very pregnant and anxious pause before, "It worked." Draco's voice was shaky, but better than it had been before.
Remus gave a small sigh of relief as his mouth set in a wide smile. Making his way to the bed, Remus slid across the top of the covers and opened his arms to recieve the blonde. Draco needed no prompting and launched himself at the older man.
A small chuckle escaped Remus as Draco's face buried in his neck. "What worked, Draco, thinking of me?"
"Mmhmm," Draco said softly. "I began to freeze but... but your memory kept me from falling into the darkness."
Remus carded his fingers through Draco's hair and sat back against the headboard. "Severus is on his way," he said after a moment.
Draco stiffened slightly and turned his face up to look at Remus. "Severus?"
Remus nodded. "He's going to help us fix the house so you can roam about. It won't do for you to keep in this room for the rest of our days. This is your safe house as well as mine, Draco, and you have to feel secure here."
Draco drew in a shuddering breath and chewed on his lip for several moments. "Severus and I... knew each other well."
"You did," Remus confirmed.
"And I have nothing to fear from him."
"You don't. He cares a great deal about you, perhaps as much as I do," Remus said with a laugh as he brought his palm to Draco's cheek.
Draco leant into the touch, turning his face to nuzzle his nose into Remus' hand. Placing a chaste kiss on Remus' palm, Draco looked into the werewolf's soft amber eyes. "It's all there, Remus, but it's all so foggy. I want to remember, but I fear things."
"I wish I could help you, Draco. I know you want to remember."
Draco pulled away from Remus and drew his knees to his chest. "There are things lurking in the shadows of my memories though... cold... painful... I don't know if I want them."
Remus felt tears prickle in his eyes at the pain colouring Draco's voice. "They can't hurt you," he whispered, un-able to make his voice any louder. "They can't touch you anymore, Draco, not whilst I am here."
Draco nodded and rested the side of his head on the top of his knees. "I do feel safe here, as safe as I possibly can."
"I hope it's enough," Remus said gently.
Draco let out a very soft chuckle and reached for Remus' hand. Pressing a kiss to each finger, Draco smiled, and it reached his eyes. "Anything you do Remus, is just enough."
dbdbdb
Hermione held the box of potions close to her chest as she quickly made her way up to the secured floor. After gaining clearance, the young medi-witch walked down towards Harry's room. The door was partly open and just as she was about to walk in, she heard a hushed, one-sided conversation.
"I know Harry, I'm well aware and you know me well enough to know I will be careful."
"..."
"Yes you cheeky little Gryffindor, and I will do my best."
"..."
"Draco isn't well, and I'm not sure how long it will take for him to recover. Remus has an idea, but I'm not sure how it will work."
"..."
"Oh you little brat! Of all the Gryffindor things to say..."
"..."
There was the familiar sound of a kiss being pressed to lips and then, "I do Harry, I love you with all of me."
Hermione sighed and raised her fist to knock on the door. There was a scuffling sound and suddenly the door was wrenched all the way open by a surly-looking Severus Snape. His eyes softened just a little as they fell on Hermione.
"Oh for the love of Merlin, I'm never to be rid of you damned Gryffindors," he snarked, closing the door behind her.
Hermione chuckled and walked over to Harry's side, bending down to kiss his forehead. His emerald eyes were wide and he wore an expression of mild amusement.
"I come bearing gifts," Hermione said when Severus approached.
Severus took the box and pulled the lid off, peering inside. "Calming potions?"
"And sleeping potions. They were the only ones to have a proper effect on Draco," she explained with a shrug. "I'm sure the staff will notice how many have gone missing but I don't care. Remus is going to need a bit of help, what with Draco's fits and all. This ought to help soothe Draco when things get too bad."
Severus smiled gently and shrunk the box, slipping it into his pocket. "I'm actually on my way there," he said in a very low voice. "Remus is in need of help."
"I thought he might be, I'm surprised he's lasted this long on his own."
"The connection is amazing," Severus said with a shrug. "I've not seen anything like it."
Hermione smiled softly and looked first at Harry, and then at Severus. "I have... just once."
Harry's grin widened and he turned his eyes to Severus. Black locked with green and a moment of love so intense that even Hermione could feel it, passed between the two of them. With a soft chuckle, Harry raised his hand and spelt something.
Severus leant down and pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's hand, and then one to his lips. "Yes and I shall love you for all of my days... hopefully that won't be long."
A throaty chuckle escaped Harry's lips and he rolled his eyes. Winking at Hermione, he turned back to Severus and spelt something else.
"He's wondering if you know what happened to Draco to make him like this."
Hermione shook her head sadly. "No one knows. When they found Draco, he was alone in the cell. He was injured badly, he's got scars all over his body. It looked like he'd been gutted even, and then stitched back together. He doesn't remember all of it, not the details anyway. There were three others that were found in the same dungeons but only one of those has survived."
"Who?" Severus asked with a frown, wondering why he'd not been informed.
"His name is Alexander Lestrange," Hermione said.
"Lestrange?" Severus all but shouted. "The Lestranges had a son?"
"Yes, apparently. We reckon Draco was in the cell for almost two years... and when Alexander was found, he was three... meaning there's a chance he was in the cell since he was just a baby."
Severus and Harry both sucked in a breath and Severus grabbed Harry's hand tightly. "Where is he now?"
"Here," Hermione said with a shrug. "No one wants him, you know. Orphaned child of two Death Eaters and so traumatised that he can't do anything for himself. He's my other patient... besides Draco."
"Are they looking for Draco?" Severus asked suddenly.
Hermione gave a bitter chuckle. "They think he's gone and off'd himself. They're 'looking' but they aren't looking."
Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Pathetic, the lot of them."
"Well it does help Draco and Remus," Hermione pointed out.
Severus nodded. "That's true." Peering at his watch, Severus sighed and pulled away from Harry. "I can't linger, Remus is waiting on me and I don't want this to take long."
Hermione stood and kissed Harry's cheek gently. "I'll see you soon. And Severus, please do take care."
"I always do," Severus commented with a smirk and watched as the medi-witch left the room.
With a last kiss on Harry's mouth, Severus walked out of the room and to the alley where he Apparated away.
dbdbdb
Remus had soothed Draco to the point of near-euphoria when a loud crack was heard, sounding through the entire house.
Draco gave a violent twitch and clung to Remus almost desperately. Knowing exactly what it was, Remus ran his hands up and down Draco's back. "It's only Severus, Draco. No one knows were here and no one can touch you, I promise."
Draco let out a short breath and nodded. "Okay."
Remus chuckled and attempted to pry the blonde off him. "I need to fetch him, love. I won't go far."
Draco gave a small whimper but complied, releasing Remus. Sitting with his back to the headboard, Draco drew his knees to his chest in a defencive position.
Remus took the opportunity and slid off the bed. Quickly switching his dressing gown for his outer robe, Remus walked to the bedroom door and opened it.
"Severus?" he called softly.
"I'll be right up," came Severus' voice, drifting from the parlour.
Remus left the door opened and walked back to the bed. Sitting on the edge, he reached out and found Draco's hand. "You have nothing to fear from him," he whispered.
"I know," Draco said softly, and fell into a tense silence.
A moment later, the black robed wizard stepped into the bedroom and looked at the couple coolly. "Lupin, Draco... how are you?" His voice was tense and un-sure.
Remus smiled. "Well enough, though starved. I would very much like to get started."
Knowing he had to win Draco's trust, Severus nodded and walked to the bed. Looking the blonde in the eyes, he extended his hand. "I'm happy to see you well, Draco," he said as kindly as he could manage.
Draco chewed on his lip and stared at Severus' slender, outstretched hand with very wide eyes. "I do feel better," Draco managed, though his voice was barely audible.
"You don't trust me," Severus said gently.
Draco looked almost apologetic, and shook his head. "Only Remus has not harmed me. He keeps me warm."
Severus withdrew his hand and smiled. "I know he does, Draco."
Draco looked at Severus' face and frowned. "I have memories... you seem different. Remus told me that you and Potter have love."
Severus' eyes widened and flickered over to Remus for a moment. "We do have love, a very deep love."
Draco cocked his head to the side and quirked a half-grin. "You smiled... you never smiled."
Severus nearly chuckled but refrained, not wanting to shock the younger man. "Blame Potter," he said, voice full of mirth, "that damned Gryffindor has done all sorts of things to me."
That did gain a laugh from Draco and very slowly, he un-curled his body. "He lived... through the battle."
"Barely," Severus said and sat at the edge of the bed. "He's in St. Mungo's."
"Where I was."
Severus nodded. "He can't move well, can't speak, but he's slowly recovering."
"Like me," Draco said and reached out for Remus.
At the blonde's touch, Remus moved further onto the bed and took Draco's hand in his. "Harry is physically worse off than you are, but his mind is still there."
"Mine just hides," Draco said with the barest of sighs.
Severus' eyes held a hint of sadness as they fixed on the couple's joined hands. "Draco, I'd like to help make this home yours. Will you let me?" He extended his hand again, and looked Draco in the eye.
After several long moments, Draco slowly reached out and took Severus' hand gently "You'll keep it safe for us? Even, equal... "
Not quite sure what this meant, Severus nodded in an attempt to pacify the blonde. "I shall do exactly what you ask of me Draco."
The blonde turned his face towards Remus and grinned. "Then we should try."
dbdbdb
Several hours later, Draco was curled up on the bed, sleeping with the aid of a potion. Severus had gone and now Remus was in the parlour, finally able to owl the Ministry. He decided on a two month holiday, knowing it was due, and knowing that no one would dare argue.
Once the letter had been sent, Remus curled up in a chair next to the fire, hot cup of tea in his hands. Leaning his head back against the chair, he let out a slow sigh. It was all so much. The feelings were almost overwhelmingly confusing. He'd never experienced anything like this and bonds rarely, if ever, occured like this.
Yet, he could feel it pulsing between him and Draco whenever they were near. He couldn't ignore his urges to take the blonde in his arms and pour as much love as he could manage into the simple gestures that Draco would allow.
"And it is love," Remus whispered aloud. "Who knew."
He had loved many in his day, James and Lily for one, Sirius had been another, and was still intensely painful to think about. Harry, of course, an even with the strange relationship they had, Severus. But nothing was as intense as how he felt for Draco. It wasn't pity, far from it in fact, but it was heart-clenching.
As these thoughts coursed through Remus, he realised there was no other place he wanted to be than in Draco's arms, even when the younger man was sleeping. Putting his teacup aside, Remus walked back upstairs and into the one place where he actually felt at home.
dbdbdb
It was morning when Draco finally awoke, and smiled when he found himself wrapped in Remus' warm arms.
Nuzzling into the older man's neck, Draco felt a wash of love flow over him, through him. He hadn't been sure that he would ever feel proper emotions again, but being in Remus' arms... he felt almost human again.
Turning to face the still-sleeping man, Draco took the opportunity to really look at Remus. There were scars all over his body, sprinkled over his pale arms. the crook of his neck. There was a large scar near his right eye and one downward over his lips. Draco peered at Remus' bare chest and saw what resembled claw marks. He was momentarily confused until the memory surfaced...
"He's a werewolf," Draco whispered to his three companions, a twisted kind of mirth colouring his tone.
The girl, Pansy Parkinson, gave a small gasp. "And they let him teach here?"
Draco nodded. "He's quit though, for fear of getting sacked. When father found out Dumbledore let a half-breed teach us... he was furious. You know how much hell he'd raise if that idiot continued the post."
Pansy smirked. "Well, good. Bet he was a Gryffindor too."
Draco snorted. "He was, according to Prof Snape. Bloody fools, the lot of them. They'll let any sort in that house."
Pansy clung to Draco's arm. "Which is why we're Slytherin."
"Let's go back to the common room," Goyle said suddenly and Crabbe grunted in agreement.
"Catch me up in a moment," Draco said, "I want to see him leave."
The three nodded and ambled off towards the dungeons. Draco, who was leaning against the side of the entrance door, crossed his arms as Prof Lupin walked by, trunk floating behind him.
The werewolf paused in the hall suddenly, and locked eyes with Draco. "Mr Malfoy, good day," he said softly.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Werewolf," he said, but for some strange reason, Draco couldn't speak with the venom he'd wanted to. Instead it came out as a bare whisper, with a hint of hidden affection that Draco suddenly hated himself for. Flushing, the blonde turned on his heel and stalked back down the hall, towards his common room. What he didn't see was the former professor watching his every step, until he disappeared round a corner.
Shaking his head at the memory, Draco touched the scars gently with the tips of his fingers. The soft touch caused the older man's eyes to flutter open and fix sightlessly over Draco's shoulder.
"It's morning?" Remus asked, his voice thick with sleep.
"Sun's out," Draco answered with a soft shrug. He continued to trace the scars until Remus stilled his hand, pressing Draco's over his heart.
"Have you been up long?"
"Not really," Draco said, feeling the swift pulsing under his fingers. "I was looking at you."
Remus flushed just a little and brought Draco's hand to his mouth. Pressing a kiss to each finger, Remus smiled. "What do you want to do today?"
"Anything, nothing," Draco answered with a shrug. "I'm warm here, safe. Just don't ever stop touching me."
Remus smiled gently and reached out. His fingertips brushed Draco's face again, taking him all in. This time, however, they didn't stop there. Remus brought his hands down, over Draco's small ears, across his neck, and slowly opened the blonde's pyjama top. As Remus' nimble fingers un-did the buttons, he trailed his hands across Draco's chest.
They sought out every scar, every marking, every strip of smooth flesh. Draco almost groaned, the heat in the touch almost overwhelming to him. His eyes slowly slid closed and he pressed his face into Remus' neck.
Remus paid the gesture no mind. Drawing his lower lip into his mouth, he leant up slightly and trailed his hands all over Draco. He was suddenly desperate to see all of the blonde, every inch of him and his fingers helped him do so.
Draco's arms were thin and long, a few sprinkling of scars near his shoulders. His hands were slender, the fingers delicate and the nails well groomed. His palms carried a few deeply etched lines and Remus smiled when he felt Draco curl his fingers round his hands.
Pulling away, Remus fingered the large, thick scar just below Draco's naval and bit back the urge to kiss it. He bypassed Draco's prick, afraid of what that might do if he gave into that urge, and continued down Draco's almost hairless legs. He finished at Draco's feet, smiling when he found that a finger being drawn along the bottom of his foot tickled the blonde.
When Remus returned to his original position, Draco launched himself at the werewolf and feathered kisses along Remus' cheeks. "You make me feel like I could catch on fire," Draco whispered next to Remus' ear.
Remus shivered as Draco's breath ghosted along the side of his face and he cupped Draco's cheeks in his hands. "Draco..." he whispered.
Draco closed his eyes and felt Remus' heated touch. "Remus," he whispered back.
And Remus knew right then he would never belong in another place.