"I apologize, Father. I will try harder ne-" Harry's eyes widened as he stood completely still as Lucius' hand connected with Draco's cheek. He watched as Draco raised his hand to his face and turned to look at his father, his eyes showing his disbelief.
"No son of mine will do anything but the best!" Lucius roared as he raised his hand, about to strike again. Snapping out of his shock, Harry's blood started to boil, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint in the green pools, a malice growl escaping throw his curled lips as he jumped in front of Draco without thinking.
Harry inwardly smirked as he watched the older blonde stumble back away from him. Not a second later, Lucius grabbed a hold of himself and glared down at him.
"Vial animal! I knew it was a mistake having you here! Narcissa should never have agreed to such a thing!" Harry mentally snorted at him. And she never should have to deal with such an arse like you! Harry thought viciously.
Suddenly, before Harry knew what was happening, Lucius had pulled out his wand and aimed it at him, mumbling a spell that Harry couldn't hear.
As the spell flew towards him, Harry's eyes widened, his legs grounded to the floor. It hit his chest, forcing him back and into the wall behind him. A searing hot pain erupted throughout his back, causing him to cry out in pain before falling to the ground in a heap of fur. He shut his eyes tightly as the pain began to spread through his body, making him whimper.
It his haze Harry heard Draco yell his name, but couldn't seem to make his muscles work for a moment. When he was finally able to get to his feet, Harry heard Lucius talking to Draco again. He looked up and saw Lucius glaring at him before turning his attention back to Draco.
"Now, I will have to punish you." Harry's eyes widened as he watched Lucius raise his wand at Draco, a spell falling from his between his lips.
Draco!
~*~*~*~
Harry gasped as his eyes snapped open, his eyes wild as he looked around him, slowly realizing that he was back in Draco's room. Draco! A split second later he was on his feet, his eyes trying to spot the blonde wizard, but couldn't find him. Where is he? Is he hurt? What happened? The questions filtered through his head as he quickly walked around the room, trying to find any sign of the young Malfoy.
"Mr. Emerald!" Harry jumped and instantly spun around to find Tibby standing in the doorway, his wide eyes seeming to be even wider than normal. "You is awake! The Master will be most pleased!" Without another word said Tibby disappeared in a puff of smoke, the usual crack following after. Harry stared at the spot where the house-elf had been before he felt a small sting in his side.
Turning his head Harry was surprised to see bandages wrapped around half his body. He carefully sat down, trying not to disturb the wrappings around him. What happened? I don't remember anything after Lucius raised his wand. Everything after that is fuzzy. Harry's thoughts were cut off as he heard rushing footsteps coming down the hall towards the room. He looked up just in time to see Tibby, Draco, and Narcissa burst through the door.
Harry watched curiously, his head tilting to the side, as he watched Draco's expression flood with relief. A second later Harry found himself wrapped in a tight embrace, blonde hair blocking his vision.
"Thank god you're alright, Emerald." Draco whispered in the panther's ear as he tightened his arms around the large cat. Harry sat still for a moment, confused about the way Draco was acting, but soon relaxed. He barely noticed when he began to purr or when he pressed his muzzle into Draco's neck, giving it a comforting lick, trying to sooth the distressed teen.
When Draco pulled back Harry looked at him and noticed the unshed tears in his silver-blue eyes. Harry was taken aback by the many emotions swimming in his eyes, over-taken by the relief within them. He blinked as he watched as a single tear escape and roll down Draco's cheek. Leaning forward, Harry licked the tear away, nuzzling his cheek before pulling away.
"It is good to see you are well, Emerald. You have been resting for a day now." Harry's eyes widened as he looked up at Narcissa in disbelief as she stood behind Draco, smiling down at him. She knelt down next the two, raising her hand and running it through Harry's fur. "We were all quite worried about you." Narcissa then glanced at Draco, her smile turning into a small smirk. "Some of us more then others." Draco looked at his mother for a second, his eyes narrowing in warning before he turned back to Harry.
Harry felt a warm feeling coarse through his body and he stared at the two in front of him, a smile forming on his lips. He gave Narcissa a quick lick on her cheek as well, laughing inwardly as she smiled and scratched the back of his ear, making his purring become slightly louder. Narcissa withdrew her hand from Harry's head as she stood up.
"I must go and see how dinner is coming. I am very pleased to know you are well, Emerald." Narcissa then looked to Draco, a soft smile on her lips. "I will see you at dinner, my Dragon." Draco nodded his head as he stared up at her.
"Yes, Mother." With that said Narcissa turned and walked out of the room, Tibby following behind her. Draco then turned his attention back to the black panther, concern and relief within his eyes. He then glanced down at the bandages wrapped around the panther's body, wincing inwardly as he noticed a few were soaked slightly from the animals' blood. Draco looked back up into Emerald's eyes, sympathy evident in his own.
"I have to change your bandages." The blonde watched as Emerald blinked at him before glancing at his side, also noticing the blood stains. Harry inwardly cringed as he looked at them. He looked away as Draco stood up and walked into the bathroom, returning shortly after with a small box in his hands.
Draco knelt down in front of Emerald, placing the box on the floor next to him. He opened the small box and pulled out a role of fresh bandages, placing them down beside him before he looked up at Emerald, slightly sadness and guilt reflecting in his eyes. Very carefully, Draco reached forward and began to un-wrap the bandages around Emerald's middle.
Harry watched closely as Draco's hand peeled away the wrappings around him. He blinked curiously as he felt a soft, caring feeling coming from the blonde. He looked up and stared at Draco's silver-blue eyes, noticing the guilt and regret shinning within them. Suddenly, Harry winced as he felt the bandages slightly pull at his wounds. He glanced down and cringed as he stared at the scabbed over cuts along his body.
What kind of spell was that? Harry thought to himself as Draco began to rub some kind of suave onto his wounds before he started to re-wrap them. Harry was shocked to think that if he didn't run into Draco when he did, what the spell would have done to the young blonde. He was even more shocked when he suddenly realized that Lucius had the intent to use it on his own son.
What kind of father would to do that to their own flesh and blood?
Harry was brought out of his thoughts as Draco began to place the new bandages around his wounds. He blinked and watched as the blonde carefully wrapped them, making sure they were tight enough, but not too tight.
Silence surrounded the two as Draco concentrated on what he was doing, whilst Harry was watching the blonde work. Soon enough Draco finished with the last wrapping and began to place everything back. When he closed the lid to the small box, he paused, his bangs hanging over his eyes, blocking them from Harry's view.
Harry stared with slight confusion as Draco sat in front of him, seemingly motionless. When the young teen finally moved, he raised his head and looked up at the animal in front of him. Harry was taken slightly aback as he stared into hard steel eyes. Determination, anger, guilt, regret, and sadness were evident within the blonde wizard's eyes. Harry was surprised to see so many emotions through the other's mask.
"I don't understand." Harry blinked at Draco, trying to figure out what he meant. But he didn't have to wait long as the blonde continued.
"I don't understand why you did it. Why did you push me out of the way? Why did you risk your life for mine? You had no idea what that spell was. He could have killed you." Draco stopped suddenly and closed his eyes. The thought of Emerald dying, for him, was too hard to think about or consider.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the vibrant green ones of his familiar. The panther seemed to understand what he was trying to say and stood up. Draco looked up at Emerald before the panther then leaned down and gave a soft, assuring lick to his cheek. Draco's eyes widened slightly as Emerald moved closer to him and pressed into him.
Draco sat still for a minute before reaching up and wrapping his arms around the black cat. His fingers dug into the soft fur, gripping onto it softly as he buried his face into the animals' neck. Neither knew how they sat there like that for, but everything seemed to fade away as they accepted the comfort the other was willing to give.
~*~*~
Later that night Harry was lying on his bed, staring out through the glass doors up at the stars, yesterday's incident running through his head, as Draco was fast sleep in his own bed. Different scenarios crossed through his mind, causing a headache to appear.
Just as Harry had closed his eyes, willing his headache to go away, he heard a faint sound coming from the direction on Draco's bed. Opening his eyes again, Harry glanced over at the blonde, watching him for a moment before looking away when nothing happened.
A few moments later Harry heard Draco move within his bed before the noise came again. Raising his head Harry stared at the blonde that was in the bed not far from his own before standing up. He silently made his way towards the blonde before moving around the bed so he was no looking at Draco's face.
He sat down and watched for a few minutes before he noticed that the other teen's brows were drawn together. Tilting his head to the side, Harry leaned in closer. It was then that he heard the same noise come from Draco from before.
Taking a closer look Harry also noticed that Draco's hands were gripping the bed sheets tightly, sweat lining his eyebrows, and his body trembling just slightly. Harry leaned back and stared at the other, his own brows furrowed. Is . . . is he having a nightmare? Draco then shifted in his sleep, curling further into himself.
"N-no . . . stop. E-Emerald." Harry blinked as Draco's eyes began to dart back and forth behind his eyelids. He's having a nightmare about yesterday? Harry sat still for a moment more before Draco shifted restlessly again. Sympathy gripped Harry's heart, knowing all too well what Draco was going through.
Hesitantly Harry stood up and moved closer to the bed. As he stood at the edge he paused a moment. As he stood there he debated if over what he was thinking, but as Draco shifted once again, his mind was quickly made for him.
Carefully, Harry jumped up onto the bed, trying not to stir Draco too much to wake him. He then moved to where he was on the other side of the bed, facing Draco's back. Crossing one paw over the other, Harry laid his head down on them, watching the blonde until his eyes began to grow heavy. Taking one last look at Draco, Harry let his eyes close. Within seconds he was fast asleep.
~*~*~
Harry groaned inwardly as he felt himself slowly come back to consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes and noticed that it was still dark outside. Sighing to himself Harry was just about to close his eyes once again, hoping to fall back asleep, when he felt something move against his side.
Curiously Harry raised his head and looked down at his left side. He blinked his eyes as he was met with the sight of the top of Draco's head, his face and hands buried into Harry's thick black fur.
Harry felt his features soften as he watched the blonde sleep before he lowered his head back onto his paws, closing his eyes and drifting back off to sleep.
TBC . . . .
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Well, here's the eighth chapter! I hope you've all enjoyed it!! Please review!!! Thank you so much for reading!!!
