Kitsune no Yobi (狐の呼び)

Friday 17th September 99

Harry woke up drenched in sweat, but nothing could help him remember the nightmare he had. He put on his glasses and looked at the clock. 6:44AM. There was no use going back to sleep. He lazily headed to the bathroom for a deserved shower.

The sound of the dripping water helped him calm down a little. The water's warmth was comforting. Today was the day he would be bonded to Draco. In a way, he was excited. His affection for Draco had been reciprocated and this was a promise they would be together for a moment, if not forever. However, another part of him felt extremely guilty. Would Ginny really be okay with this? If not, what would he have done? Harry tried thinking about it, and the answer came to him quicker than he expected. He would bond with Draco. Even if she was against it. Because if he did not, then maybe Draco would die. And Harry did not want that. He did not want that at all. Yes, this situation had rushed things a little bit. Yes, Harry would have preferred to be able to take his time. But Sirius was right. They would have all the time later.

Finally relaxed, he got out of the shower and put in his uniform before checking the time again. 7:31AM. "Well, I'd better head to the Great Hall, breakfast just started." He sighed. His classes started at 9... What was he supposed to do until then?

An hour ago, Draco too had woken up after a nightmare. The same he had to go through every night. He had taken a long shower, bracing himself for the night to come. And his intrusive thoughts would not let him be.

He had chosen Harry as soon as he had known he needed to be bonded to someone, but Harry... Had not chosen this. Draco felt guilt making a knot in his stomach and punching his guts. Was he forcing him? He knew of course that Harry liked him, and that he liked Harry. But they were not a couple. They had acknowledged each other's feelings but had decided to take their time, but here he was, rushing things. "Stop overthinking, just ask him about it. If he's uncomfortable then I'll just wait."

He stayed curled up in his room's armchair until the clock indicated 7:30AM and he headed for breakfast. As he was walking down the stairs of their dorms, he heard footsteps behind him and turned back.

"Harry?"

"Good morning." He mumbled with a sleepy voice.

"Good morning." Draco answered with a smile. "Let's go get breakfast."

"Good idea."

"By the way..."

"Hm?"

"Are you... Sure? About tonight, I mean. Are you still okay with it?"

Harry frowned and stopped walking. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, we wanted to take our ti-"

"There won't be anytime left if you die during the kō... Kōki...?"

"Shinka."

"Yeah, that."

"And about Ginny..."

"I don't care anymore."

"What?"

"I mean, it's not that I don't care but... Your life is more important than anyone's opinion. Had she been against it, my decision would have stayed the same."

"Harry..." His eyes were full of tears.

He smiled at Draco and opened his arms. "Come here." As he squeezed him closer, he whispered: "We'll be alright, you'll see. Our bond will be the strongest Kitsunes have ever seen."

"Yeah," Draco's lips turned into a small grin, "it will."

The day went on like an usual Friday would, but Hermione, Ron and Pansy could feel the tension in the air. Tomorrow, many things would have changed. Slytherins and Gryffindor did not have common lessons today and the small group was only able to gather during meals. At dinner, the air was so heavy no one dared to speak.