Sorry for the wait I was moving house and lost my new laptop in the confusion, obviously I've found it again and here's the next chapter for ya
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"I'm not going to do anything I promise, just relax Harry," he sighed, resting his head on the back of Harry's neck, he was surprised when Harry rolled over and looked at him directly
"I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to make you angry . . ." he started but was silenced by the small smile on Draco's face
"Forget about it," he smiled, then leaning forward he tucked his head under Harry's as he curled up closer to him and allowed the sleep he'd been evading for days to overtake him, Harry quickly followed
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The next morning Harry awoke alone, he was unsure whether the previous day had been a dream and nothing more but as he opened his eyes his doubts were crushed as he noted that the sheets covering him were a deep blue colour and the walls were pure stone, as he turned his head to the left he noticed three paintings on the wall but pushed his curiosity aside as he tried to sit up
He managed without too much discomfort and looked around the room, he noticed a small table beside the bed and feeling around on it for a few seconds found his glasses and placed them on his nose, as the room came into a clearer focus he looked in more detail than before, the room was slightly larger than his in the castle, the bed placed in the middle of the far wall opposite the door, a small pair of glass doors led off to the balcony to his right, curtained off by silver curtains
The room was mostly bare; no furniture apart from the bed and a small chair beside the bed, no carpets or tapestries, and again his eyes fell on the paintings, noting that they were off one woman and two men, all blonde
Frowning as his curiosity got the better of him he decided he wanted a closer look, so slowly moving his legs he placed them over the side of the bed and onto the floor, he hissed in discomfort as his feet met the cold stone of the floors but didn't flinch away from it, taking a deep breath he quickly stood
Only to fall back onto the bed as his legs gave way half way through the motion, his head span and stomach lurched dangerously, eyes wide he took several deep breaths to calm himself, a hand across his stomach in the hopes it would calm it. When he felt more in control of his body he once again attempted to stand, slower this time
The second attempt was a success and he allowed himself a small smile as he stood straight, glee turned once again to curiosity as he slowly began his trek towards the wall containing the portraits, his brows furrowed in thought as he neared the first of the paintings, this of the woman, she had straight blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a pale complexion and her expression seemed as if there was something that smelled terrible within the room, her nose was slightly scrunched and she had a frown of distaste upon her face
Harry admitted to himself she was beautiful but the expression did nothing for her, his eyes were drawn to the small plaque beneath the picture and leaning closer he read the small inscription
Narcissa Malfoy
Faithful Wife and Loving Mother
Dearly Missed
Harry looked from the inscription back to her face in sympathy, his mind reeling, 'This must be Draco's Mother' he thought in shock, he gave the picture one last glance before he turned and approached the next picture, the first of the two males, he had a pale pointed face, cold grey eyes and pale blonde hair, he had a small glare upon his face almost as if he was sneering at whoever painted the picture
Again Harry's eyes were drawn to the inscription below the painting, this one read;
Lucius Malfoy
Devoted Husband and Eventual Father
Always Remembered
"This must be Draco's father," he murmured aloud, not hearing the approaching footsteps outside the room as he approached the final painting, this held a boy who appeared the same age as him with pale, white blonde hair and the same cold grey eyes as the portrait Lucius, he also had the same pointed face, all in all the portrait seemed familiar to Harry and a small glance at the inscription below confirmed his suspicions
Draco Malfoy
Loyal Son and Successor
May he find true happiness
As Harry looked back up at the picture the door to the room slammed open, banging against the wall loudly before being forcefully shut as well, Harry spun around quickly with a gasp, the spin disorienting him and sending him crashing to the floor
His gaze focused upon the pale beast stood in the doorway looking directly at him, a fierce glow to his eyes
"What are you doing out of bed? You're still not fully healed," he growled as he stalked over to the shivering boy who sat against the wall, as he neared him he noticed under which portrait he was sat and a snarl was torn from his throat at the sight of it
"Why are you looking at these? WHY!?" he growled, noticing Harry flinch at the level of his voice, he reached down and grasped his arms and yanked him to his feet, and leaning forward until they were nose to nose
"Answer me," he growled angrily, he saw Harry flinch again as he avoided his gaze
"I-I was curious, I saw the pictures from the bed and wanted a closer look. I'm sorry, I - I was going to return to the bed when I'd looked, I promise," Harry answered a faint quiver of fear lacing his voice, he felt Draco's hands tighten on his arms and scrunched his eyes tight as he flinched again, his brain thinking pain would surely follow
Draco saw this and his eyes widened in shock as he realized what Harry must be thinking, he immediately released his grip on Harry's arms and took a couple of steps back, his brief anger dissipating to be replaced with guilt
"Harry I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I would never hurt you," he apologized, watching as Harry slowly relaxed and opened his eyes, green connecting with grey
"I know that, my body just assumes that if you shout or growl at me then next I'll get hit, I should be apologizing," he said sadly
Draco took a step forward and reached out a comforting hand only for Harry to flinch away from his touch, taking back his hand he turned away from him to face the bed
"I suggest you return to the bed Harry, I do not wish to have to explain to your mother why you're out of bed," he advised before beginning to head for the door out again, but was stopped by a hand on his arm, freezing he turned to see Harry blushing and looking towards their feet
"Um, w - would you stay here, with me please? I - I don't want to be alone again," he asked nervously, glancing up briefly to see Draco frown in thought, Harry bit his lip nervously as he waited for an answer but his smile almost lit up the room when Draco slowly nodded, even Draco was helpless to respond and gave a small smile of his own in return
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Several hours later Lily walked into the room to find them both asleep again, Draco sat against the headboard a book beside him lying open and Harry asleep in his lap, a hand unconsciously gripping the pale trousers the beast wore
Smiling she thought against waking them but the scrunching of Draco's face prevented that thought from continuing, his grey eyes blinked sleepily before settling upon Lily's face to which they narrowed in confusion
"Mrs. Potter?" he asked quietly, only to be shushed by a hand against his mouth
"I'd prefer Lily, please, Mrs. Potter makes me sound so old. I just came to check up on Harry, he hasn't left the bed has he?" she asked kindly
Draco was torn, should he tell her that he'd found Harry out of bed and then had scared him with his anger, or should he lie and say he hadn't. Deciding on his answer he opened his mouth to respond but a small voice, layered with sleep answered for him
"I'm sorry mother, I woke up alone and decided to look around the room, I got out of bed and wandered around but my legs gave way, if it wasn't for Draco returning at that point I may have been there on the floor for some time. But he helped me back into bed and we began reading, I'm sorry for leaving my bed," Harry replied sleepily, opening one eye and gazing up at his mother from his position in Draco's lap
Lily smiled with a small sigh, "Oh Harry, whatever shall we do with you. Well be grateful Draco found you, if it had been me you'd have been made to eat lettuce soup until you were better," she grinned at the look of disgust on his face at the mention of the soup. "That was another reason for me coming in here, if you're hungry and if you feel up to it, would you like to join us for dinner in the Great Hall? You as well Draco,"
They both nodded in agreement to their hunger before Draco spoke
"Actually I think it'd be best if we ate up here, Harry's had an eventful couple of days, I think he could do with a few more hours in bed, however I'll help you bring the food up, it's the least I can do," he said respectfully while gently removing himself from Harry's grasp and standing from the bed, not noticing Harry's upset at losing his warmth
Harry frowned as Draco moved away from him, losing his body warmth and finding himself wanting to keep Draco beside him, but shook that thought away quickly, still frowning he burrowed himself under the still warm covers and ignored the amused glance from his mother
"Draco, you go on ahead I just need to speak with Harry for a moment," Lily said, a small smile upon her face as Draco nodded and left the room, the smile was still on her face when she turned to Harry's still form in the bed. "How are you feeling today, Harry?"
"Tired, hungry and cold," was the muffled reply
"And how are you and Lord Draco doing?" she asked with a smile as she watched Harry slowly sit up and turn to face her
"Well, um, we're doing alright, you know you'd probably be better asking Draco how he is than asking me . . . mum," he blushed, looking down at his hands, not noticing the smile that bloomed on her face at his words
"All right dear I'll ask him later, now as another question how is your stomach, has the wound healed properly?"
Harry smiled and nodded, even going so far as to lift his shirt and show her his scar free stomach to prove his point
"All right then son, I'll go help Lord Draco bring your food up since he's insistent on you staying in bed," she grinned back as she rose and left the room with a wave, Harry lay back into the bed and curled up under the covers to wait
As he glanced towards the doors to the balcony on his right he noticed a faint silvery glow behind the curtains on one side but again was brought from his musings by a voice
"Young Master Potter, it's a pleasure to finally meet the man who has ensnared the heart of my son so quickly," drawled a male voice, turning his head so fast his vision blurred slightly he was greeted by the ghostly apparition's of the two adults in the portraits, the male, who he remembered was Lucius, had spoken
"Umm, it's a pleasure to meet you too, sir," Harry managed with a small nod as well since he was still lying down on the bed
"Indeed, what is your heritage boy? Who were your parents?" he glared at Harry, a visible sneer evident on his face
"Lily and James Potter; May I ask why you're asking me this sir?" Harry frowned in confusion but was shaken out when Lucius' face twisted to one of rage and fury
"My son will not consort with an Animagi child, if I could visit him I would tell him so, but that wretched wizards curse prevents me from being anywhere near my son, so disposing of you is my best option," he growled as his spectral form stalked towards the bed, but before he could get close enough he suddenly vanished as well as the woman behind him as the door opened and Draco walked back in
Harry feeling insecure sat up slowly and stayed looking down at his hands as he spoke, "Draco, does it matter if I'm the son of Animagi to you?" he asked quietly, thinking over what Lucius had said in his mind, Draco looked at him a small frown upon his face as he thought
"I suppose if I had been younger and had not met you, then it would have mattered, my parents had taught me that all Animagi were savage beasts of the forests. But, now that I have met you and your family, I can't seem to make it matter anymore. In fact I should be the one asking you if me being like this mattered," he said with a small smile, Harry's head shot up eyes wide
"No, I think you're fine the way you are," he said quickly with a blush. "I want to thank you for helping me in the forest, Krum's a dangerous man and he proved that I'm sure, so thank you for saving me from him, again," Harry smiled happily, Draco gave a small smile back
"He won't hurt you again Harry, that I can promise," he nodded before continuing to the bed and setting the tray beside Harry, Lily entered after a couple of minutes with another tray and they sat and ate together, while sharing stories of themselves when they were younger
A bond had formed between the Beast and Harry, hopefully it will grow quickly as three rooms away a pure silver rose stood inside a glass case and shed its first petal, it fell slowly to the stand below where it withered and turned to dust once out of the silvery glow around the flower
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Sorry for the wait, the next chapter should be around soon
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