DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry to disappoint everyone but Harry is still in panther form. The familiar bond will be explained in chapter 6, as will several other important facts. When Harry is with Draco he will be Damian, thus he will think of himself as Damian. However, when we are reading from Harry's point of view it will be Harry whose talking/speaking.
Chapter 5 – Soft Paws, Sharp Claws
Draco had screamed and ranted for several minutes about proper bed manner etiquette before stomping past Damian and into the bathroom, slamming the heavy door behind him. The panther's emerald eyes seemed to twinkle in amusement as he stared at the bathroom door before hopping onto Draco's bed, making himself comfortable among the silken sheets. Draco's reaction had been priceless, Harry never seen him act anything less then grace incarnate; yet Draco had managed to roll out of the bed and land on the floor in a move akin to something Harry had watched Neville pull off. Come to think of it, he'd never seen the other wizard curse before either. It must have been a day of firsts he figured, before settling his head onto Draco's pillow.
Draco led Damian silently down the halls of Malfoy Manor, pausing briefly before opening the door to the Blue room. The room was bare except for the whips and weapons placed almost decoratively around the room. His father stood at the other side of the room, faithful familiar sitting obediently behind him.
"I'm very disappointed in you Draco." Thus stated Lucius began a silent glide up and down one of the walls until he stopped and carefully claimed a small crop from one of the wall brackets. Running the leather threw his fingers; he turned once again to face his son.
"You have danced around that beast for the past three days and have made no move or effort to begin training it. It takes discipline to make a good familiar." Flipping the crop neatly in his fingers he stalked towards his son, "If you're afraid to beat the animal, allow me to do it for you." Raising the weapon he began a downward sweep with it, freezing when Draco stepped in front of the crop.
"You will never strike Damian, Father. He is mine to protect and I will not allow you or anyone else to harm him." Draco stated simply, standing calmly in front of his father and staring into the depths of his pale eyes.
"So be it." The crack of leather upon skin sent Draco reeling as the crop struck him across the face. His father raised the weapon again but stopped at the sound of a low growl, turning carefully to face the panther that was beginning a creeping stalk towards him. Ears pressed flat to his skull, Damian stalked Lucius; tail flicking gently in the steady beat of a hunting cat.
Draco sat up slowly, feeling blood run from the wound on his face. For once in his life his father looked unsure, not knowing how to proceed with the situation. He flinched as his father raised the weapon again as if to bring it back down upon him, but cried out at the blur of black fur that struck his father, driving him back and away from Draco. The crop still clutched in his father's hand began its descent but hit the ground as needle sharp claws bit into his arm. Crying out, his father clutched the wound stumbling away from the snarling panther. A low growl had Draco jerking his head to look at the charging Timber wolf, who slammed into the side of the cat in an attempt to protect its master. A small brawl broke out between the pair until the wolf was sent yelping out the door with its tail between its legs. The cat once again began its stalking but froze when Lucius pulled his wand from beneath the robe he wore. Thoughtlessly he flung a spell in the direction of the pair.
Harry snarled in anger at the sight of the wand. To use it would be cheating and he knew Malfoy's weren't above cheating. The quick flick and shouted spell had him freezing for a moment before his mind screamed 'Protego'. Closing his eyes, he clutched the thought of the spell and concentrated all his magic into making it happen.
"Merlin's Balls!" The whisper issued softly from behind him as a hand came to rest lightly on his velvet flank. Both stared in stunned awe at the glowing shield before them; it glowed a deep blue that made seeing through it almost impossible. Turning his head slowly he rumbled in the direction of the shocked Malfoy senior. Harry snarled once more and swiped a paw in warning at Lucius who quickly whirled about and stormed out of the room in a fit of rage. Cocking his slender head, he looked at Draco who was starring at the shield in bemusement, blood slowly dripping off his chin onto the robes he wore. Pale eyes met emerald as a tentative hand rose and settled itself more firmly on the cats back.
"Good boy. Good Damian." Whispered Draco, running a soothing hand over the panther's hackles in an effort to sooth the mad cat. Harry stood silently for a minute beneath the gentle hands of Draco; before issuing a soft rumbling sound and bursting into loud rolling purrs, turning to push his head into the hand.
Draco limped from the blue room, left hand resting on Damian's back for support. His right hand clutching the side of his face in an effort to try and slow the blood that ran from the painful cut. As soon as he reached his room he headed straight to the bathroom. Turning on the taps, he filled the tub with a very expensive bubble bath that smelled strongly of vanilla. Without thought he shed his clothes and sank into the scalding water, ignoring the burning sensation rushing through his body. Sinking into the water up to his nose, he allowed the tears to slide down his cheeks, the salt burning as it encountered the slice on his cheek.
Harry peered into the bathroom, seeing that Draco was safely tucked in among the suds; he crept slowly into the bathroom. Thumping his head down on the edge of the tub he stared thoughtfully at the blonde. Perhaps Draco wasn't the perfect little deatheater everyone thought he was, he had never seen him act out in anyway. Through all the situations and incidents at school, Draco had fell in line neatly, casting insults and trading blows like the worst of Harry's enemies. Maybe everything wasn't perfect in Draco's life.
Harry dropped down to rest on the thick emerald mat next to the tub, Draco had promised to protect him from anyone. No person in his whole life had promised to protect him without thought or careful planning. Harry purred softly, resting his head on his forepaws, from now on he would protect Draco. He figured that Draco's situation was similar to his with the Dursley's; but worse, much worse. From now on, Harry thought angrily, anyone who tried to hurt Draco would deal with his fangs and claws.
A/N: Wow, I can't believe you're all enjoying it so much. I have to thank everybody for the wonderful reviews and suggestions. I'll try to keep it interesting and promise to update whenever possible.