Seeing Red

Chapter 10

'Repercussions '

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DISCLAIMER: Thou shall not steal…so I'm just borrowing without permission… don't sue me!

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Draco woke to the sounds of starchy linens rubbing against each other. At first, he didn't move… too busy trying to figure out why he felt like he's been sleeping upright in a chair, but the second he heard a soft whimper all of his memories flew back to him: Harry. Harry hurt. Hospital. PERCY.

With that thought Draco leapt up from the chair he had been sleeping in and rapidly moved over towards Harry.

Harry.

The small raven-haired boy was currently curling in on himself attempting to escape from the pain that was wreaking havoc all over his body, whimpering each time he stretched a newly healed wound.

Draco cautiously moved his hand out to touch his lovers shoulder, "Baby?" he asked softly.

Harry turned his head to face the Slytherin boys'. Draco nearly cried at the broken look Harry's emerald eyes held.

"D-Draco?" Harry's dry throat cracked. "Th-Thank you… for s-saving m-me… a-again." The raven-haired boy cracked a weak smile.

"Anytime baby… anytime. But be more careful from now on… you- you really scared me Harry."

"I was scared too Drake." The blonde wizard gently pulled Harry into his arms, kissing him gently on his temple.

"I love you baby." Draco whispered as Harry fell into an exhausted sleep.

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Two days later Harry was released from the Hospital Wing on Dumbledore's demand. Draco nearly laughed when the headmaster told Harry that the infirmary was too unguarded to be safe for him. So Monday morning Draco carried Harry back to their rooms and helped him get settled in… that when the first repercussions of the trauma Harry went through made themselves known.

Harry was lying on the couch near the fire finishing up some essays that he insisted he was going to do even though his professors didn't require it, when Draco, who was gathering a few books to do a bit of research, suddenly dropped a large tome fell from its resting place to the ground. The result was a loud reverberating crack which had Harry jumping up from the couch, curling in on himself and backing into a corner; whimpering…pleading not to be hit.

Draco knew right then that he would kill Percy Weasley even if it was the last thing he'd ever do.

Rushing over to the spot where Harry was trying to hide Draco gathered the struggling boy in his arms, holding him tightly and whispering into his ear.

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Harry's p.o.v.

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A loud slam echoed through my head sending me to my feet before I backed myself into a corner. I knew I had done it now. I closed my eyes to prepare myself for the pain I was sure I would feel. I knew that this was only a reflex for me but as soon as my eyelids shut I felt my body grow heavy and tired, my heart rate sped up, and my reflexes take over.

Flashes of Percy towering over me with whatever new toy he had flipped through my mind. I felt the pain of every single lash of the whip, my skin tearing when he used barbed wire to tie me down to the bed, blood running down my thighs after every brutal rape. Just when I thought my body would give out, a soothing presence washed over my body…bringing my mind back to reality.

Draco.

Draco was holding me in his arms, rubbing circles on my back whispering his love into my ear. I began to notice the warmth of the nearby fire, the stone underneath me, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla along with a sent so purely Draco that my mind finally registered that I was safe; safe in Draco's arms.

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Draco's p.o.v.

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I felt Harry begin to relax in my arms, his breathing evening out, his heart slowing down. It took only seconds to realize he had fallen asleep. I pulled back slightly to look down onto his angelic face. He had been through so much at such a young age. He deserves the world yet he only asks to be cared for… I leaned down to brush my lips across his. It was a promise. A promise to always be there for him, to care for him… even- even if I have to do something he doesn't particularly like.

I gathered my sleeping raven into my arms before bringing him upstairs and settling him into bed. I pulled the curtains closed, blocking out the afternoon sun. Kissing his lips a final time, I spelled off the lights and returned downstairs to finish up my research project.

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It was just past five in the evening when I heard a knock on the portrait door. A small charmed sheet of parchment framed up on the wall, directly next to the door had the name Master Severus Snape elegantly scrawled in calligraphy; notifying me that the professor was on the other side of the door.

I let the professor in before calling a house elf for some tea and sitting down near the fire place.

"So what can I do for you Professor Snape?" I questioned once the tea had arrived.

"I came to see how things are going. How Potter is adjusting and how you are adjusting to Potter."

I sighed, "Harry… had a… episode today." I proceeded to tell him the story and sip my tea. When I finished we both sat in silence until a gut wrenching scream pulled us from our thoughts.

Fearing the worst, Severus and I ran up the steps to the bedroom. We both noticed immediately that Harry was not on the bed or the floor. Racing around we quickly searched the room, my heart clenching a bit tighter every time I checked a place and didn't find Harry.

Reaching under the bed, my finger tips brushed something furry. Quickly I grabbed it and pulled it towards me. Severus spelled on the lights and moved over to where I sat staring in shock at the small winged kitten shaking in fear on my lap.

"A Hartellum." I heard Severus announce in a shocked voice. "Been extinct for centuries. How?"

Looking down at the small black kitten in my lap, wondering where it came from. However as soon as I took in its eyes I knew.

"Harry?" The kitten looked up at me before shifting back to human form. A raven-haired wizard now sat in my lap looking at me with the same startling green eyes.

"Drake?" He responded quietly, "I woke up and it was so dark… I was scared and I couldn't find you… and… and-"

"Shh, baby. It's alright. I was just downstairs talking to Professor Snape. I promise I won't ever go anywhere without telling you… I promise." Draco combed through Harry's wild hair using his fingers, hoping it would soothe the troubled teen. It did. And for the second time that day Draco Malfoy found himself with an armful of sleeping Harry.

The blonde wizard smiled down on his sleeping raven before putting the boy back on the bed and spelling all but one light off. Motioning Snape towards the sitting room they both went back downstairs to their now cold tea.

"You see Severus? I don't know what to do? Should I make him talk about his experience? Should I just hold him? Comfort him?" Malfoy questioned exasperation apparent on his face.

"This is exactly why I came to see you. Harry, right now, is in a fragile state of mind. I wouldn't be surprised if he's having flashbacks of his experience. Truthfully, in my opinion, I think you should try to carry on as normally as you can. If he has an… episode… as you called it, then comfort him. But I wouldn't coddle him. I don't think that's what he needs. As for making him talk about it, he may not be ready for you to know everything he's been through. It is possible that he feels ashamed of what happened or maybe he feels like he deserved it." The onyx-eyed professor replied calmly.

"So how do I find out? I mean he can't move on if he thinks he deserved it! I can't move on if he feels that way! And if he doesn't talk to me then who should he talk to? Hmm? His arsehole friends aren't exactly about to come running to his rescue!" The tension in Draco's body rose with every word until his arms were flying about as he ranted.

"Draco Malfoy, calm down. You aren't going to help Potter if you keep acting like that. What I do think you should do is have Harry talk to someone. I agree that he can't move on if he keeps everything pent up. Maybe McGonagall or Dumbledore will be willing…" Snape's voice trailed off as he thought about other candidates.

"Do you think maybe you could speak to him?" At the look of utter loathing on the Potions Master's face Draco continued quickly. "I mean you're the only one I really trust besides for Harry. And I know that you won't let Harry get off easy and blame himself. You'll actually help him… I don't think that Dumbledore or McGonagall will do that. Besides you're fully qualified to do so, I mean you have a muggle degree in psychology… neither Dumbledore or McGonagall have that. And do you really want Dumbledore helping Harry with matters of the mind… I mean the old coot can barely keep track of all his snitches let alone somebody else's…" Draco trailed off and gave his Professor a 'plllleeeeeeaaaaaaassssssssse?' look.

"Fine." Snape grunted out before gathering up his robe and storming out of Harry and Draco's rooms.

Draco smiled at the door before walking upstairs and climbing into bed with Harry.

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Sooo? What did you think? Sorry about the long delay but I've finally moved back to CT and went on my trip to Europe. It was soooooooooooooooo beautiful. I had such a great time. I swear as soon as I have the money I want to move to Salzburg. It was just…ugbgjbsauhg… there just aren't words to describe it! Yeah. BUT anywhoo, review! It makes me happy! Alrighty, toodles!

REVIEW…you know you want to!

-James