Chapter Twenty – Seven: Draco
Draco couldn't believe he was doing this.
He was on his hands and knees, crawling behind Harry and Hermione. They were leading him downstairs to the room where Zabini was waiting.
His heart was hammering so strongly in his chest, he thought it might break his ribs.
It'll save Zabini the trouble if he gets his hands on me again …
'Draco?' Harry asked softly. 'Look at me.'
Draco looked up slowly, looking at Harry's left shoulder.
'Look at me.' Harry repeated, his voice low. Draco complied, meeting Harry's green eyes.
'Are you OK?' Harry asked. Draco nodded once, swallowing. Harry shook his head. 'Draco, you need to tell me if you're OK.'
'I'm OK.' Draco took a deep, fortifying breath. I have to be. Otherwise, this won't work.
Harry gazed at Draco a few seconds longer, before finally bending to plant a kiss to Draco's forehead.
'Remember, everyone's here for you. Tell me your safeword one last time.'
'Red vines.' Draco said, a small smile quirking his lips. Harry breathed a deep sigh and pressed his forehead to Draco's.
'I hate to interrupt,' Hermione said gently, 'but we need to get in there.'
Harry nodded and straightened, Draco dropped his gaze and took a deep breath through his nose, relaxing his back. Hermione and Harry exchanged a few words that Draco didn't quite catch, while Hermione altered her appearance. Draco heard her take a deep breath and mutter something quietly before she opened the door.
'Mistress Beth!' Draco heard Zabini exclaim before the door closed firmly behind Hermione. Draco could feel Harry's nervous energy, but Harry wasn't betraying anything outright.
Draco was mildly surprised when Harry placed one hand on the back of Draco's head, his thumb brushing soothingly against Draco's hair.
I wonder if he's doing that to soothe me or himself? Either way, I'm not complaining.
'Master Harry!' a breathless Selene flounced up the hallway, falling to her knees before Harry.
No grace to her movements at all. She's like a baby animal learning to walk.
'You requested me?' Selene asked.
'Yes, Selene.' Harry's voice had that tone to it – the one that demanded no questions be asked and sent shivers down Draco's back … right to his cock. Draco had to shut his eyes briefly so he could concentrate and calm himself. Harry was mid-sentence when he opened them again.
'-up on Draco. Will you help us?'
'Of course I will, Master Harry. What do you need me to do?' Selene asked, her voice calm.
'You're going to go in, and just be yourself. I want to you act, and react, however you feel.' Harry said. There was a few moments of quiet, with none of them moving except for Harry's thumb on Draco's head.
'Y- you want me to misbehave, Master Harry?' Selene asked hesitantly.
'Yes, Selene.'
'Oh.' Selene said quietly. She remained quiet for a few moments before she spoke again, albeit with more strength in her voice.
'If it'll help you, Master Harry, I will.'
'Good girl.' Harry said proudly.
Spoiled brat. Draco thought sulkily.
Selene made a noise like a self-satisfied purr in the back of her throat and Draco tried to quench the roil of jealously in his stomach.
'Now, go in there, Selene, Mistress Beth is waiting for you.'
'Yes, Master Harry!' Selene exclaimed, leaping up and out of Draco's line of sight. Draco heard her knock on the door and walk in without waiting for anyone to let her enter.