Kitsune no Yobi (狐の呼び)

Saturday 25th September 99

It had been a week that the happy little group was frolicking in the castle, studying together and having fun, completely forgetting about the troubles waiting for them around the corner. They had spent their last weekend celebrating Draco's change of name. The couple had thankfully been able to be apart on Monday and to go to their classes without feeling any pain.

Today was a rainy Saturday, they had spent the whole day studying in their common room, helping each other with the tremendous amount of homework they were stuck with. Of course, now that Autumn was finally there, the sun had decided to hide behind grey clouds which would not stop crying. Even the wind was howling, making the dull day utterly gloomy.

They had just finished their dinner and were now all focussed on their own little things: Pansy and Ron were playing Wizard's Chess while Hermione was reading and Harry and Draco were cuddling in a couch. They had gotten even closer during the last week, and everyone knew they were together as they could not stop with the PDA. However, no one had dared to say a thing. After all, they did not want to upset the 'Saviour of the Wizarding World'.

At 10, Draco decided to head to bed, announcing he felt a bit weak, and Harry followed him, wishing everyone a good night. Even though they were able to spend the night apart, they enjoyed sleeping together and as such had decided that they would do so in the weekend. It did not take long for them to get in bed. Even though Draco had not used his disillusionment charm today since he did not leave the common room, he was exhausted. Once in his pyjamas, he tumbled across the room and threw himself on the bed before snuggling under the covers. Harry laughed softly and got changed before joining him. As they were facing each other, he took Draco's hands and started blowing on them as to warm him up, and Draco's fluffy ears twitched.

"How are you feeling?" Harry murmured.

"Dreadful. I feel like I have no magic left..."

"But today you didn't-"

"Exactly."

"Do you think..."

Draco squeezed his hands and nodded, causing Harry to frown. He could not help but hope that his boyfriend was wrong.

"We'll need a good amount of rest," Draco smiled sadly, "sleep."

A knot formed in Harry's throat and he slowly nodded. He prayed all the gods he knew this was not his last moment with Draco, he prayed all the gods he knew he would not lose him tonight, and in his prayers, he fell asleep.

Harry abruptly woke up, gasping for air as the covers were strangling him. He looked around, Draco was wincing and groaning, curling up in the covers as he was trying to cope with the obvious pain. In a flash, Harry was alert and up, his wand steady and his glasses on his nose. He produced a Patronus, sending the stag to his dorm mates to ask them not to come in until dawn but to check on them first thing in the morning. He then casted a sound concealing charm and his attention got back to Draco. He struggled to get rid of the covers and sighed of relief when he saw Draco gasping for air. He hesitated for a moment. "Should I wake him up?" He could not remember what the book said. As Draco was still moaning and groaning from the pain, he took his hand, trying to send him as much strength and magic he could. Meanwhile, his second hand was shaking as he was leafing trough the old book. Of course, there were little information about the Ikō no Yoru and it took him way too long - in his opinion - to find the information he needed.

"A transitioning Kitsune must be awaken to be able to fuel his and his bonded's magic and power. Be cautious, awaking them abruptly might cause a confusion and be dangerous."

"Alright." Harry thought, taking a deep breath. "I'll just wake him up gently..." Trembling, he climbed on the bed and softly started shaking Draco, in vain. He was wincing and groaning, sweating from the pain and stirring in the bed in hope for relief. He decided to give it all out and, cupping his face, pressed their lips together. He tried to put as much magic and love as he could and when he finally moved away, he met cold grey eyes and rosy cheeks.