𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 8

Chapter Number/Total: 8/44
Chapter Title: To Chase Away the Dark

Draco strode down the cobbled street that was Diagon Alley. He was heading toward the Apothecary shop, needing to restock his potion ingredients. Then, as if out of nowhere, two men were beside him. They grabbed him, and he screamed, but it didn't matter. Their hands dragged him into the dark and began ripping the clothes from his body. He continued to scream and tried to fight them, only it didn't seem to be making any difference. They pulled, and ripped, and tore and laughed...

Harry shot up in bed, twisting wildly as he was woken from sleep. He groped for his wand before he had fully registered what was happening, but then dropped it as he realised Draco was struggling in the blankets. He turned over in bed, grasping the flailing body tightly in his arms. "Draco," he said firmly and loudly, while also trying to remain calm. "Draco, wake up."

"No, not again, never again!" Draco screamed, body arching off the bed and struggling in his lover's arms.

"Draco," Harry said a little louder, trying to avoid blows and kicks. "It's me. It's Harry. Wake up!"

Draco screamed out and then shuddered awake. He gasped and curled into a ball before he began to sob.

Harry slowly but tightly wrapped an arm over and around Draco's middle, panting from his efforts. "It's okay, baby," he hushed, his mouth against Draco's ear. "I'm right here."

Draco continued to sob, chest heaving as he tried to get control of himself. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Harry frowned. "Don't be. It's fine," he said quietly, moulding himself to Draco's back and still holding him tightly.

Draco rubbed a hand over his damp face and sniffled. "I keep waking you," he complained.

It was true. Draco did keep waking Harry up with his nightmares. "I don't mind," he assured.

Harry's body pressed against his back was comforting. Draco loved being comforted and petted like this. It was as if Harry's touch was magic that dispelled the dark memories. Draco turned his face, nuzzling the side of Harry's head.

Harry smiled a little, sighing quietly. "We good now?" he whispered.

Draco sighed too. He wanted it to be good, to be okay again. But what if the nightmares never stopped? At other times, they even blended with memories of Lord Voldemort. "Good with you," he answered.

Harry stroked Draco's hair with the hand resting over his head. He could tell that Draco had given him only half the answer, but he didn't want him to think about it, so he nodded, brushing lips across the blond's skin in a gentle kiss.

"Talk to me," Draco whispered. "Help me think of something else."

Harry felt an ache in his chest at those words. "I love you," he whispered back. "Love you more than anything. More than flying, even more than trying to catch you while flying." He smiled. "More than Quidditch. More than treacle tart. And any other of my favourite things. I love you more than all of it. More than anyone."

The blond smiled, laughing when Harry mentioned the dessert. He caressed Harry's hands and arms where they were wrapped around him. "More than anything," he repeated. "I ... I would like to fly again."

Harry continued to smile, lacing the fingers of one hand through Draco's. "Your wish is my command," he said teasingly, though he knew he would do whatever he could to make Draco's wish come true.

"Think you can still catch me?" Draco teased, smirking as he looked back at him.

Harry arched an eyebrow and stared at Draco for a few moments. "Oh, wait, you're serious, aren't you?" he said, then laughed quietly, pressing his lips to Draco's.