Chapter 4: Please Help Him

Draco woke first, he was on his back with Harry nestled against his chest. He hoped that meant Harry was sleeping and not still unconscious. Malfoy reached his arm around Potter and pulled him closer, the black hair tickled his face but he didn't care. Harry was safe. When did I start caring about Har—Potter?! When I saw him in the grocery and he offered me muggle money. He answered his own question. That doesn't explain why it feels so natural to have him snuggled against me. His thoughts were interrupted when Harry started screaming. "Harry," Draco whispered. "Harry, wake up, please, please wake up. It's just a dream. It's okay."

"What is the meaning of this?" A cool voice asked from behind Draco.

"Professor, please, Harry won't wake, he's having a nightmare and I don't know what to do. Please help him!"

The sheer agony in his Godson's voice made him drop to his knees and gently shake the boy. "Potter, wake up. Potter!" Harry's fist collided with Snape's nose, an audible snap echoed through the air. "Dammit. Harry wake up, please." Blood dripped down Snape's face and onto Harry's shirt.

"You just punched Snape in the face, Harry," Draco whispered in his ear. Harry's eyes shot open and he found himself staring at his potions master. Both were speechless. Severus stood and cast a spell on his nose, setting it back in place and stopping the bleeding. "Are you alright?" Draco asked.

"I'm fine," Snape replied bitterly. Malfoy continued to stare at Harry who turned away from the other two and retched. It was just bile and blood but he continued dry heaving for a full minute. Draco crossed the space between them and knelt beside Harry, rubbing his back. The kindness stunned Harry, but he was grateful for the human contact.

"Are you okay?" He asked him softly. A small shake of Harry's head was the only reply he received. "Can you help him?" Draco asked Severus.

"I can try," he said slowly. "Bring him to the house." He stalked away, leaving Draco alone with Harry.

"Can you walk?" Another head shake. "Can you speak?" Head shake. Draco picked Harry up, cradling him to his chest, he carried him into Snape's house and set him on a leather sofa in the library. Once he was sure Harry was secure, Draco went off to find Severus. He located him in his potion supply closet.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on, Draco?" Snape asked after the blonde had stood beside him for a few minutes.

"Things got bad at home, Sev."

"That doesn't explain Potter in my house," he said simply. Severus had a vague idea of what went on at the Malfoy's and though he hated it, he couldn't say anything. He simply prepared Draco as best he could for the abuse he knew he'd receive.

"I believe that's more his story to tell, sir." Severus raised an eyebrow and Draco sighed. "I ran away and ended up in his town. He helped me out by giving me a bit of muggle money to get food. Then he took it back to my hotel with me… I extended the offer to run away and come here. He took it. I am not at liberty to divulge his reasons." This appeared to be enough because Snape was collecting vials he figured he would need. Potter appeared to be extremely emaciated.

They made their way back to where Harry was laying. Snape set the vials on a wooden end table beside the sofa Harry was on. "When he wakes, I want you to give him—" Harry started shivering. It wasn't the least bit cold but Draco grabbed a blanket from the corner, Severus stopped him before he put it on the other boy. Harry's shaking got worse, his body was contorting itself into what looked like incredibly painful positions. The light in the room was incredibly dim and Snape brightened it just in time to see Potter lose control of his bladder. He writhed as he pissed himself, making things far messier than necessary. The convulsing continued for another few minutes. Finally he was still. Fortunately, Harry was able to keep his glamours up.

His voice came out softly and choked. "I'm sorry," he whispered and started crying. Severus was frozen in shock, but Draco crossed the room and sat on the edge of the couch, not caring that his pants were getting wet. He pulled Harry into his arms and stroked his back while he cried.

"It's okay. It's okay," He repeated, making small circles on his back. He felt the need to protect Harry no matter what.

"Where…. Are … We?" He asked between sobs.

Draco debated lying to him but decided against it. "Snape's manor."

"He's going to kill me," Harry whispered, realizing that he'd just relieved himself on what appeared to be an incredibly expensive leather couch. His crying intensified and he missed the next spoken sentence.

"No he isn't," the potions master repeated from across the room. Harry leaned further into Draco's embrace, trying to melt into him. Terror coursed through him, making him cry harder.

"Harry, Sev said he isn't going to kill you. But you have to take one of these potions. Uh, which one?" Draco asked Severus. He crossed the room and handed the blonde a vial. Draco held it out to Harry who reached for it with a shaking hand. "Maybe I should just do it?" Draco offered. Harry nodded and allowed him to pour the potion down his throat. They did this for the rest of them. When there were no more vials, Snape took a seat on the other side of the room, facing Harry.

"What happened?" Severus asked with genuine concern. Harry, who was still in Draco's arms, started hyperventilating.

"Please…. Don't …. Hurt… Me," he begged between breaths.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Why would you think that?" He spoke gently, afraid of causing Harry any more pain or fear. Snape had a flashback to his own childhood. He too was abused and cursed himself for not seeing any of the signs in Harry earlier.

"Can I tell him, Harry?" Draco interjected.

Harry shook his head and spoke. He didn't want to appear weaker than he already was. "M-my relatives. T-t-they beat me a-a-a lot at home. And I t-t-thought I was going t-t-to d-d-die this time." His words were stuttered and disjointed from fear and the crying. "But D-D-Draco was there to help. H-h-he almost got there in time."

"Almost? What did they do to you?" Severus pressed. Draco shot him a look, begging him to shut up, but he'd already spoken.

"Vernon uses belts and …. Anything he can get his hands on. Sometimes he just hits me with his fists. This time was different though," Harry paused to try to stop the fear from seeping back into his voice, "He hit me hard, in the back. He did it once before and I had the same reaction." It seemed as though Harry had forgotten what he'd done until that moment. He broke eye contact with his potions master and looked at the floor. A puddle had formed beneath the couch and it just further embarrassed him. His cheeks reddened. "I'm sorry," he said again, without looking up.

"Harry, I'm not mad about the couch. It wasn't your fault. What did they do to you when this happened this first time?"

"They did what they always do. They beat me. I was in the living room when it happened and ruined a good rug." He involuntarily flinched. "It might happened again," he warned softly. "I'm so sorry," Harry said again, pressing his face into Draco's chest. Draco stroked his back until he fell asleep.

Severus walked over quietly. "Scourgify," he whispered. The mess was gone.

"Thank you," Draco whispered softly, not wanting to disturb Harry.

"What are you two?" He asked, gesturing to Draco.

"I have no idea," he answered honestly, looking down at the beautiful boy in his arms.