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Chapter 5 - Breaking Point
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Draco knew he was dreaming. The darkness did not surround him, and the images before him were too black and white to be real. He spent a moment wondering where he might be, before he felt the ground beneath his feet and found himself standing in a long corridor.
At that very moment, there were suddenly handcuffs around his wrists, and two men standing on either side of him. He walked, his bare feet soundless across the cold floor. He couldn't feel the cold, but he just knew, like a memory ingrained in his mind.
Draco, unnerved, tried to turn and leave, but he quickly discovered that he couldn't. His body moved forward on its own accord no matter how hard he tried to resist. The moment he realized that, he found himself in front of a door. One man stepped forward and conducted an electronic body scan. The door slid open.
Draco stepped inside the room, chains clattering against the floor. Despite the highly polished exterior, the room proved to be less inviting. Indeed, it resembled a prison cell, with stone walls and a flat ceiling. A simple wooden table was set aside in the corner along with a chair, and a small bed was placed on the opposite side of the room.
His dreaming self trembled slightly as he gazed at the man lying on the bed, ankles and wrists shackled by long, heavy chains linked to the wall. The man wore a simple shirt and pants, the garment so white against his skin that he looked dead. Indeed, he might well be dead, for his eyes were devoid of emotions, his face scarred, hair thinning, lips dry and blue. One of his ears was missing, along with two of the fingers on his right hand, and Draco observed that a slab of skin from the man's neck was missing, the colorful skin tissue desperately trying to rebuild itself.
It took a while for his conscious self to realize that the man lying on the bed was his own father, Lucius Malfoy.
He barely knew how to react to this knowledge when his dream self sat down on the bed and took his father's hand, stroking the rough skin. Draco noticed that the skin there was also scarred, clumsily healing.
It was this moment that Draco could hear voices, echoing and breaking the eerie silence.
"Father," his dream self said, voice shaking. "Can you hear me?"
Draco was almost certain that his father would not respond, when Lucius opened his eyes, the movement seeming as if it took all his effort to do. "Draco," he croaked. Draco almost didn't recognize his voice.
"I'm here, father," he said, wiping the wispy strands of hair out of Lucius' face. "How are you?"
Lucius gripped his son's hand with his own handicapped one. His dream self bit his lip as emotions swelled in his eyes. "I'm dying, Draco," Lucius said hoarsely. "I'm dying."
Draco shook his head. "No you're not, you're fine ─"
"Listen, listen Draco," Lucius interrupted, "you must escape. I cannot carry on any longer, you must save yourself, Draco. Escape ─"
The two men, upon hearing such words, made their way toward Draco.
Lucius pulled Draco down, pressing his mouth against Draco's ear and whispering two words as the men clamped their hands around Draco's arms.
"Father, father," Draco sobbed as he struggled uselessly against the men's strong hold. Lucius' hand fell from his, yet he stared at Draco and told him to escape, escape, escape over and over again.
Then Lucius was given a shot in the arm. The man went limp before closing his eyes. Upon seeing this, Draco began to scream and thrash in earnest. The men pulled him out of the room, but he cried and yelled for his father as he dug his heels into the floor and reached for him.
The scream echoed loudly in the room, all the way out to the dark corridor, until the door slid close and Draco realized that he was screaming himself awake, the words his father had whispered ringing in his ears.
Harry Potter.
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The bedroom door burst open as a flustered Harry Potter rushed in, wand in hand.
His eyes darted around the room warily as he strode swiftly toward the bed. "Draco, Draco, wake up," Harry called him gently, shaking his shoulders. Draco, feeling the touch, started and grabbed Harry's hands as his eyes shot open.
"No," he whispered, eyes wide and glassy in panic. Harry noted with alarm that they were filled with unshed tears.
Harry sat down on the bed, figuring that with his hands held so tightly by Draco's small ones he might as well make himself comfortable. It didn't seem like he was going anywhere soon, anyway.
And he didn't want to. Harry bit his lip. The anguish in Draco's soft features was, for some unfathomable reason, making his heart ache.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, shifting closer to the blond.
Draco blinked, looking like a lost puppy as he gazed at Harry. "Harry?" he asked dazedly, his hands loosening around Harry's.
"I'm here," Harry was surprised for a second at how tenderly he was speaking. He couldn't remember a time when he'd spoken kindly to anyone. This thought disturbed him slightly. "You alright?"
Draco's lips trembled, and in the next instance Harry found himself gathering the blond into his arms. Draco sobbed into his chest, the tremors wracking his delicate body. Harry waited until his tears had abated before pulling away a little. He pushed Draco's dampened hair away from his flushed face.
"Draco, are you okay?" he asked again, the worry he felt creeping into his voice.
Draco shook his head tiredly, body swaying. Harry hastily positioned him back onto the bed, tucking the blanket around him.
"Father…" Draco murmured sleepily, eyes already closing as sleep quickly reclaimed him.
Harry froze upon hearing the word. He wanted to question Draco, but the blond was already fast asleep.
Harry sighed. There went another piece of the puzzle that was Draco Malfoy. To be honest, the curiosity about the Draco's past was killing him. He was not patient, and he did not enjoy seeking answers, did not enjoy trying to solve enigmas.
However, it seemed like that was exactly what he was going to do if he wanted to find out anything about Draco.
Shaking his head, Harry stood up to leave. It came as a surprise when he realized that Draco had firmly taken one of his hands and was, from the looks of thing, not letting go anytime soon.
Harry smiled. The blond was fast asleep. He looked so young and defenseless that it almost hurt to look at him.
"What are you doing to me, Draco?" Harry said softly, before crawling into bed next to him, making sure to keep his distance.
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The phone ringing woke him up.
Cursing and hissing under his breath Harry blindly grabbed the phone on the bed stand next to him, already imagining a thousand ways to kill the caller.
"Potter's speaking," Harry growled into the phone, glancing over to Draco to see him still sound asleep. His irritation ebbed away a little at the serene image.
"Harry," a soft, high voice from the other line spoke breathlessly.
Harry's eyes widened. He quickly got off the bed. "Hermione?"
"I hope I haven't interrupted anything." She sounded smug and happy. Harry suddenly realized how much he missed her voice.
"No, no. Do you need something?"
"Nothing, really. I just wanted to tell you that we're all coming back to England tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? I thought you were going to be gone until New Year." Harry glanced at the clock. 7:00 AM. Hermione must have forgotten about the time difference.
"Yes, but Hawaii doesn't agree with Ron, it seems. He wants to be home with Molly for New Year, and so do the kids. It works out for the best, actually. I have some unfinished business at the Ministry to take care of."
"Working on holidays? Somehow I'm not surprised." Harry moved to the window and leaned back against the curtained glass. From where he was he could see Draco perfectly. His blond hair splayed across the white pillow like strands of silk. Harry thought of how it felt underneath his fingers and itched to run his hand through Draco's hair.
"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly pleased about it. But work is work." She sounded annoyed, but Harry knew she loved her job more than anything.
"Being an Unspeakable sure is tough, huh?"
There was a pause. "It's not bad." The tone of her voice carried finality in it. Harry didn't pursue the topic.
"I guess if that's all, then I'll see you when you get back," Harry said, smiling when Draco stirred in his bed.
"Alright, Harry. I'll see you the day after tomorrow, dinner, at my house. Ron won't be home. And you better look well, or else."
Harry laughed and walked toward the waking Draco. "I always do. I'll see you soon, Hermione."
"Right. Love you, Harry. Take care."
"Love you too, 'Mione. Say hi to the kids for me."
"I will. Bye."
Harry hung up, dropping the phone on the table as Draco opened his eyes.
"Good morning," Harry said good-naturedly.
Draco, still affected by the sleep, blinked at him confusedly. "Harry?" he said softly.
"How're you feeling?" Harry asked gently, touching his forehead. It was cool. "You were burning up yesterday."
"I feel fine," Draco replied politely, pushing himself up to a sitting position. Harry moved to help him. "What happened?"
It took Harry a while to realize what Draco was talking about. "Don't remember yesterday, huh?" Harry said. Draco shook his head ruefully. "Well, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I won." Harry grinned when Draco's face lighted up. "You'll be living with me from now on, if you want," Harry added.
"I'd like that," he said shyly, smiling at Harry endearingly. Illicit thoughts ran through Harry's mind.
Shit, is he trying to kill me? Harry thought, feeling very warm. The shirt Harry had lent Draco was sliding off his shoulders, being at least two sizes larger, and since Harry didn't have any pants that fit Draco, the blond was currently unclothed waist down (but he did have some underwear on, thank god).
Don't think about it, Harry told himself firmly, but his body resisted this in very obvious ways.
"Come on, let's get you ready and we'll go shopping today," Harry said, standing up and facing away from Draco. The boner in his pants couldn't be any more apparent. Deep breaths, Harry, you don't want to freak him out.
When that didn't work, Harry figured he should just leave. "I'll go make some breakfast. Come out when you're ready." With that said, Harry marched out of the bed room, trying hard not to look at Draco in his physical state of being.
Draco cocked his head, watching Harry impassively as the man disappeared behind the doorway.
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Severus knocked on the door once and entered the house. It hadn't changed much since the war, except some paintings had been torn down and the place was completely empty saved for two. Severus walked upstairs, wincing at the creaking steps. It was too quiet, and too easy to hear the sound of his existence.
When he came to an old doorway, worn out by time despite the meticulous care it obviously received, Severus knocked and entered.
The room appeared to be a bedroom. It felt cozy and looked simple, with just a regular size bed and an old fireplace, along with a few furniture pieces.
Frowning, Severus moved over to the fireplace and took out his wand. With a few carefully chosen words he managed to light up the room with a warm fire.
"Where on earth is that house elf, leaving the room unattended like this?" Severus muttered, picking up a shirt lying on the floor.
It was at this moment that the door opened once again, admitting a familiar figure into the occupied room.
"Severus, is that you?"
Severus froze in his ministration. "Good afternoon, Remus," he replied and swiftly came over to Remus' side. "Let me help you sit down."
At this Remus gave a wry grin. "I'm blind, not incapable, you know." But he let Severus lead him to the chair in front of the fireplace, anyway.
Years after the war found Remus in a healthier state, despite his old and new wounds. Although his lycanthropy was not affecting him as seriously as it had before, he now had to deal with a more physical problem, being that he was blind.
This had proven to be difficult to cope with, despite his other sharpened senses. But at least now, Remus was not alone.
"Did you eat?" Severus asked sternly, spreading a blanket over Remus' legs for extra warmth and comfort. "Where is Winky when you need her?"
Remus chuckled. "She's off on some domestic errands for me, so don't sound so vicious. You don't want to scare her off again, do you?"
Severus just narrowed his eyes. "Is it my fault if she is not performing her job to the best of her ability? Besides, all I did was reminding her of her priorities."
"As well as frightening the poor creature to tears," Remus added lightly. "If you must insist on treating her so badly, then I am forced to tell you that it was I who ushered her out of the house in order to have some solitude. After your last visit, Winky has been so edgy that she has taken liberty to follow me around constantly in order to 'perform her job to the best of her ability'."
Severus wasn't sure if he should be pleased or annoyed by this new piece of information, so he opted to change the subject. "I actually have a purpose in coming here today." When all Remus did in acknowledgement to his statement was tilting his head slightly, Severus continued, "Do you by any chance remember a man named Augustus Pye?"
Remus blinked his eyes and stared at Severus inadvertently. "Pye? His name rings a bell, yes."
Severus wondered how he should present the story, and finally decided that he didn't know how to water it down. "He is the CEO of a Muggle research lab, although he is a wizard. I looked him up the other day and recovered some files regarding his past."
Remus nodded to indicate that he was listening. Severus took a deep breath. "I think Harry's in danger."
Remus tensed. Severus winced at that. It had been years since Harry had been in danger, and god knew what sort of troubles both he and Remus went through last time those words were uttered.
"Severus," Remus said slowly. "Tell me, does this have something to do with the Malfoys?"
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"Harry!"
Harry winced upon hearing his name.
"Chloe," he said, a frown forming on his face. A cheerful woman was coming toward him, her colorful and bright outfit glaring almost offensively at anyone looking.
"It's so rare to see you visiting my humble home," Chloe gushed adoringly, squeezing Harry in an invasive hug.
The man quickly pushed her away, and none too gently. "Get away from me," Harry growled.
The woman was undeterred. "How cold," she commented with a pout. "And to think, I was kind enough to be your personal dresser for the past…"
"Shut up," Harry snapped. The woman just didn't know when to stay quiet. "I have a favor to ask you today."
Chloe's eyes gleamed gleefully. "Oh ho, a favor, eh? You do know what I ask for in return, don't you?"
Harry glared her down. Chloe pouted. "Oh fine, but you can't blame a gal for trying."
Harry turned around and took Draco by the hand, smiling reassuringly. Draco, for his part, managed to return Harry's smile with one of his own. Truthfully, Draco did not feel very comfortable being in an unfamiliar environment. It made him jittery and nervous, not knowing what to expect, not knowing for certain where he was…
Harry squeezed Draco's hand kindly, easing his rising anxiety. "This is Chloe," Harry introduced, steering Draco to his side. Then he turned to Chloe. "This is Draco," his words were accompanied by a glare that clearly conveyed death threats should Chloe dare to do anything out of line.
The woman brushed aside Harry's visual threat and squealed upon seeing Draco. "Oh, my god, aren't you adorable!"
Alarmed at her open friendliness, Draco took a step back.
"Chloe," Harry warned.
Chloe frowned, ignoring Harry. "Hello Draco," she said kindly, sensing Draco's discomfort. "I'm Chloe Bell, a clothing designer." Bravely, she held out her hand.
Draco stared at it for a while, and then tentatively took the offered hand. Chloe smiled widely and ushered him inside into her personal shop. Harry followed when Draco turned and looked at him uncertainly.
"I need you to fashion a wardrobe for him," Harry said as they entered a beautiful, but simple room filled with light. Racks of clothes lined in rows and columns, divided by colors, seasons, and gender. Against the wall stood an enormous shelf full of accessories and on the other three walls were shelves stacked with shoes.
Chloe beamed happily. "It's been so long since I've had the pleasure of dressing someone so gorgeous. Oh, Draco, you are going to shine." To Harry she said, "Bugger off, Harry!"
Harry looked as if he had something to say, but he grudgingly sat down on a chair in front of the dressing room and watched Chloe throwing heap after heap of clothes into Draco's arms.
Five hours later, Chloe was beaming. "I'll have all your clothes delivered by next week, okay? Meanwhile, please make do with the stuff I managed to find on such short notice." Here she looked meaningfully at Harry, blaming him for putting her up to such an important task on such short notice.
"No, they're wonderful," Draco said hastily. "Thank you."
"Oh, you're such a darling," Chloe said. "Now that we're finished, Harry, you want to explain to me your sudden and homosexual, if not rather pedophilic, interest in such a bright young boy."
"Shut up, you transvestite," Harry glowered at her. "He's my age."
Not only did Chloe look shocked, but so did Draco.
"You're twenty two?"
"You're not a woman?"
They stared at each other a long while before Chloe burst out laughing. Draco gave a smile of his own.
"No Draco, I'm not a woman, but I am flattered that you thought so. Harry was never as kind." She gave Harry a mocked frown. "Although please don't tell anyone. It has always been such a misfortune to me that I was born into the wrong body."
Harry grumbled something that made Chloe glare at him. "F.Y.I., I like dressing like a woman. You're just jealous because you can't pull it off, macho man."
Draco giggled, which effectively stopped Harry from physically attacking Chloe. "Let's go get something to eat, Draco, then I'll have Crabbe take you home."
Draco nodded. "Bye, Chloe," Draco said.
"Bye, Draco. It was fun seeing you." After a brief pause, Chloe pulled Draco's hand and dropped a card there. "This is my business card. As a side job I run a small host club down town. If you ever get bored of him, come."
Harry snatched the card away from Draco. "Stay away from him!"
Chloe tsk-ed but grinned widely. "Good bye, darling! I'll be visiting you soon!"
Draco waved at her but Harry had already pulled him out of the door.
"I'm sorry if that creep scared you," Harry said, trying to keep the frown off his face.
"No, she was very nice." Draco smiled and Harry's heart melted. "I really like her."
Harry just grumbled in reply.
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Severus came over the next night to visit, but Harry was not home yet.
He was surprised to see Draco opening the door for him. Draco didn't look any better. He was, however, not chucking anything at Severus' head, for which the man was grateful for.
"Good evening, Draco," Severus said pleasantly, knowing how cautious Draco was around strangers, even if he wasn't, technically, stranger.
"Hello," Draco said, staring wide-eyed at him.
After a while Severus asked, "May I come in?"
Draco moved out of the door to let Severus in. "Thank you."
"Harry's not home yet," Draco said.
"That is fine," Severus said, walking into the living room and sitting down. "I want to talk to you, anyway." He took out his wand and waved it once. A teapot, along with two companioning cups, materialized. "Tea?"
Draco looked fascinated as he took a seat opposite of Severus. "Please."
After they had both enjoyed their cup of hot tea, Severus gave Draco a slow, long look. "May I ask you a few questions?"
Draco looked reluctant, but he nodded. "I am not going to hurt you," Severus said dryly. "Don't be so wary, my dear boy, I used to be your teacher, after all." And your godfather, he wanted to say, but he knew that now was not the time. Draco had enough to adjust with without having another thing to worry about.
"Really?" Draco's eyes lighted up. "Harry told me we went to the same school together and learned magic. Did you teach us magic?"
"I taught you Potions for five years, before you disappeared," Severus replied. "Which leads me to my question, what exactly do you remember, Draco?"
"My parents." Something flickered in Draco's eyes, but in a moment it was gone.
"Do you remember Hogwarts at all?"
Draco thought about it, and shook his head. "It's a school of magic, isn't it?" As a second thought, Draco asked hopefully, "Can I do magic, too?"
Severus gave a deep frown. Draco didn't seem to remember anything that would trigger his memory of magic. "Of course. You were one of my best students. One of my best Potion maker." Then, quietly, "If you had not vanished during fifth year, I would have taken you on as my apprentice."
Draco was silent. He looked at his hands in wonderment, trying hard to remember things that he had no recollection of, things that couldn't have happened to him. He had never been able to do magic, he knew that. It was not possible, but Harry had done it, silently, and so did Goyle and Crabbe. He, however, seemed to have exhibited no magical ability.
Severus, as if hearing Draco's thoughts, said, "To cast spells, you require a wand. Perhaps I should bring you on a trip to Diagon Alley to purchase one."
Draco looked at him eagerly. Severus almost smiled. "Then that is set. I shall speak to Harry, and then we shall leave for Ollivander, the wand shop," Severus added, seeing Draco's confusion.
"Um," Draco eyed him questioningly.
"You can call me Severus."
"Severus, do you..." The words seemed to be stuck in his throat, but Draco forced them out in a rush. "Do you know my parents?"
It was not what he was expecting. Severus cleared his throat and answered, "Yes, I did. Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy."
"Can you... could you tell me about them?"
Severus smiled. "What do you want to know?"
At that Draco's face lit up. For next hour they sat and talked about a past Draco didn't remember. Draco listened in rapture as Severus recounted Lucius' days in Hogwarts, as Severus spoke about Narcissa crying about her body getting a bit bigger during her months of pregnancy and how Lucius had been more supportive than anyone had ever thought, believed, he would – could be.
Around ten o'clock Harry came back home, talking angrily into the phone.
"There is nothing else to do. She signed the papers. It's completely legal and fuck if she's going to back out now. Send a few men down to make sure she doesn't run. You know the drill. I want this done by the time I get to the office tomorrow."
Harry snapped his phone shut and glared at it like he was hoping it would go off in flame. Severus and Draco exchanged a look before Severus spoke up.
"Welcome home, Mr. Potter."
Harry turned to them as if they had just Apparated into his living room. "Severus." His eyes softened when he saw Draco. "Hey."
Draco smiled. "Hey."
"How was your day?" Harry asked, sitting down next to Draco.
Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "It was fine," Severus interrupted, despite knowing that the question was not directed at him. In return, Harry gave him a look full of daggers.
"I need to speak to you," Severus said as if oblivious to Harry's desire to be alone with Draco. "Now."
Harry looked as if he might argue, but Severus quelled that thought with a hard stare. Eventually Harry caved in. "Draco, do you mind?"
Draco shook his head. "I'll be in my room."
"This better be good," Harry said as soon as he heard the door to Draco's room close.
"I visited Remus today," Severus began.
"How is he?" Harry interrupted. Severus would have felt annoyed, but the worry on Harry's face mollified him.
"He's fine. Maybe if you just visit him, you won't be inquiring after his health every time I bring him up," Severus said. The lack of venom in his voice made Harry's stomach curl with guilt.
Harry pushed the feeling away. "So, why did you visit him?"
"Recall that Remus was a part of the werewolf pack during the war to spy for the Order."
Harry nodded, worry bubbling inside him. "I remember Dumbledore mentioning that was the reason Remus had access to many Dark Wizards' profiles, but what's that got to do with anything?"
Severus set his tea down and crossed his arms patiently. "I brought up the Pye problem with him, and he recognized the name." Severus paused for a second. If he believed that would heighten the sense of suspense, Harry thought wryly, then he was correct.
"Apparently, there's a very crucial reason why Draco was Pye's captive." Harry sat up on the edge of his seat, full of attention. "Our theory was correct: Pye's parents were murdered by Lucius Malfoy."
They both shared a knowing, serious look. The idea made sense. "So Pye took revenge by taking Draco," Harry surmised.
Severus shook his head. "Not quite. Pye was with his parents the night of the murder, but he disappeared afterward for half a year. Draco was taken out of school after fifth year because his father, by then, was identified as a Death Eater. I believe he was concerned for Draco's welfare, and therefore pulled him out of Hogwarts. Half a year later, around the time that Pye reappeared in England, this time as a rising scientist, Lucius defied the Dark Lord and disappeared along with his wife and son."
Harry's heart was beating quickly, mind racing to piece the information together. "So you're saying that Pye took them away? But how? If Lucius betrayed Voldemort then he must have packed up and run before anything could've happened–"
Severus nodded. "Or perhaps that was what we were led to believe." Harry raised a questioning eyebrow. "Remus told me that around that time, Lucius was acting very strange, as if he'd given up. Knowing Lucius, that's not possible."
"So what –?"
"My theory is that Lucius was under the Imperius. He had failed the Dark Lord at retrieving the prophecy, and from what I saw, he was determined to get back into the Dark Lord's good grace. Betraying him was not a strategic move to gain his trust."
Severus sipped his tea slowly, frowning at its lukewarm state. After he spelled the tea hot, he continued, "I believe that Pye had somehow gotten a hold of Lucius and used the Imperius Curse on him, so that after he betrayed the Dark Lord, it would not seem suspicious if he disappeared."
"People would assume that he'd fled from Voldemort's wrath," Harry concluded, nodding slowly. It made perfect sense. "And once he got Lucius, coming after his family was a piece of cake." Harry leaned back against the couch. "Un-fucking-believable."
"Well put," Severus commented. "But here's the thing, Harry. I don't think Pye's only after Draco."
"What do you mean?"
Severus took a deep breath, Remus's words echoing in his head. "He seems to be after you, as well."
Harry raised an eyebrow at that. "Me?"
Severus retrieved a manila folder from the folds of his cloak. Harry briefly wondered how many things the man had tucked underneath his clothing. "Here's what I was able to dig up from his past, and what little else the Ministry managed to gather from the spy."
Harry flipped through the folder, eyes widening and then narrowing as he took in the information. "Are you serious?" Harry managed through his shock and fury after he was finished.
"Well, you can't blame him for thinking so, can you?" Severus said wryly. "You haven't exactly been keeping up with your golden boy image all these years, you know."
"But that doesn't mean he can assume I'm diabolical." When Severus said nothing, Harry flushed. "I'm not! Look, just because my financial firm is a bit… above the law, it doesn't mean that I'll purposely break the law and use my magic to cover up my tracks. Well, not that much."
"It doesn't matter what you do," Severus interrupted dismissively. "All that matters is that Pye thinks you are powerful enough to keep the law out of your business, and perhaps powerful enough to help him with his scientific research."
"I'm not going to help him –"
"I'm not saying that you are," Severus said impatiently. "Don't you see? Pye knows you're not going to help him, but that doesn't mean he won't actively try to find out how you've become so powerful… magically."
Harry stared at Severus, suddenly realizing what the man was implying. Unwanted memories resurfaced in his mind, unbidden and horribly painful. Harry squashed them down and gave Severus a cool look. "He can try, at the expense of his life." His smile was nasty and deadly. "I've kept the wizarding world away from my secret for the past three years. I'm not going to let some power-hungry, mad scientist screw me over now."
Severus seemed to be struggling with what he wanted to say, something Harry found disconcerting because Severus never struggled when it came to words. "It might be too late," he eventually said. "He might have already gotten to you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Draco." Harry looked a mixture between horrified and confused. Severus took a deep breath. "I'm saying that Pye might have placed Draco in your care as a spy."
Harry's throat constricted. He suddenly couldn't breathe, suddenly remembering the way those men had bowed to him before slithering back into the shadow the night he found Draco. Draco who had changed so entirely he was barely recognizable anymore. Draco who was delicate and sweet and sincere and so goddamned heartbreakingly gorgeous that Harry never wanted to let him go. It made sense to him, if Pye had meant for Draco to be this way so he could strip Harry off his guard, to worm his way into Harry's heart so he could break it.
Severus and Harry gave a violent start at the sudden noise, turning toward the direction of Draco's bedroom.
Draco was screaming.
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Draco was in the bathroom, collapsed with his upper body outside of the tub full of water. His fingers were scrabbling at the carpet and his neck, eyes wide as he screamed and screamed.
Harry rushed in and pulled him out of the bath, feeling the man tremble violently in his arms as he clawed at Harry's chest. "Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked, panicked.
"Hurt," Draco whimpered, taking deep gulps of air as if it would prevent another scream from tearing out of his throat. Harry took both his hands in a hard grip and Draco moaned. "It hurts, Harry. Help…"
Harry turned and looked at Severus helplessly. "What's wrong with him?" He all but yelled.
"His body must be acting up," Severus said briskly, crouching down and taking a hold of Draco's face. He looked flushed and blank, as if he was fading away. "You told me the experiments done on him caused side-effects. I think this is one of them."
"Pain is one of them?"
Severus ignored him, feeling for Draco's pulse. It wasn't just fast, it was erratic, as if his heart's pacemaker wasn't working properly. This was no normal pain. Draco needed something more than a potion.
"Where's your Calming Draught?" Severus asked, looking around the bathroom.
Harry summoned it with a wave of his hand and uncorked the vial. "Draco, swallow," Harry said, alarmed when the potion only dripped down Draco's mouth. The blond stared at him with wide eyes, pupils dilating and going transparent.
"Come now," Severus said impatiently, tilting Draco's chin back and murmuring a spell. Draco swallowed convulsively. Slowly, he quieted down and began breathing normally. "Triggered his swallow reflex," Severus explained. "Take him to bed."
Harry lifted Draco bodily into his arms and made way to his bedroom. Once he'd set Draco down, Severus took out his wand and began casting spells at Draco. Harry watched him warily, listening to his low voice forming words as if he was pressed for time, and then finally, Severus extracted a little of Draco's blood.
"I'll have some potions sent to you tomorrow morning. He'll still be in pain, but if he loses control, just give him a Calming Draught."
"Thanks, Severus," Harry said, leading him to the front door.
"No need, I'll Apparate from here," Severus said. "Take care."
Before Harry could reply, the man had already disappeared.
Harry turned back to Draco, surprised when the man reached for his hand. "Draco," Harry said, his face turning into a frown at the temperature of the held hand. "Draco, you're on fire. What the -?"
"Potter," Draco gasped, eyes wide as he took in deep, ragged breaths. Harry was utterly frozen to the spot by the way he said Potter, almost as if… "Potter, you have to fuck me – fuck me now."
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To be continued
Chapter 6 - Reversed
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A/N: Thank you so much to my awesome beta, CuriousDreamWeaver. You are doubtlessly the most reliable and patient beta I've ever known - gives you much loves -
Thank you to my readers, for putting up with me and my slow, slow updates. You guys are the best.
And because this chapter ends in a rather compromising cliffhanger, I can safely tell you that the next chapter will be out within a month time. Meanwhile, enjoy your holidays!
