The Dragon's Kitten

36 - Parental Anxiety

~*~*Harry's POV*~*~

It was seriously hard and I was on edge most of the time. Spending my holiday running around in danger and having Scorpious was a lot. Even after Draco's sweet gesture of apology and the wonderful day we had I was still finding it really hard to get through everyday without Scorpious.

I wasn't sure if Draco could tell that I was struggling but he was a lot more careful with and around me. It almost felt like I was that scared, frustrated little kitten and I had to rely on him so I wouldn't get trampled. Don't get me wrong, I love Draco and I loved it when he gave me attention and treated me like gold.

I guess you could call it a fear of separation or something, but my nerves about being away from Scorpious were constantly through the roof. I was more angsty when letters were being flown in. Afraid Molly might send me one with bad news. I held my breath every single time until I knew I wasn't getting a letter.

"Harry? Love, what's going on?"

The owl landed in front of me and I found that I couldn't move. Draco's voice echoed in the back of my mind. I saw my hand reach out as I grabbed the letter. I didn't need to wonder who it was from since the owl had basically crashed into my plate. My mouth felt dry as I vaguely heard Ron complaining about his family owl not having a sense of direction.

My hand was encased in another and the letter was taken away from me. A few seconds later an arm wrapped around my waist as I was pulled closer to a body. I looked up and was met with silver eyes filled with concern. Draco was frowning out of confusion and I couldn't bring myself to explain.

"Love, talk to me please." Draco said softly.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing was coming out. If Draco didn't know I was struggling before I was pretty sure he knew now. The concern was evident on his face. I watched as he ripped open the letter and read through it. I found that I couldn't breathe the entire time.

"Mrs. Weasley is inviting Blaise, Pansy and I to stay for the holidays and wants to know if we wish to spend Christmas with our families as well. The letter was addressed to me." Draco said.

I could finally move and breathe. I wrapped my arms around Draco and awkwardly tried to bury my face in his shoulder. Draco sighed and shoved the letter into his pocket. He shifted a little and lifted me onto his lap before swinging his legs over the bench. I didn't want to let go of him and I was glad he wasn't asking me to. I heard him tell Blaise that we wouldn't be in class.

Draco secured my legs around his waist before he stood up and started to walk away. I was silently crying the entire time. In one moment I was seconds away from having my worst fear realized. In the next second Draco was saving me from that fear once again. I was no longer afraid or ashamed to admit when I had regressed and I didn't quite care if people figured it out.

Draco set me down on a bed and slowly pulled away from me. I immediately curled into a ball on my side. Something soft brushed my arm and I slowly lifted my head to see. Draco was sitting on the bed next to me holding a soft stuffed dragon in front of me. I took the dragon from him and he pulled me into his lap. He didn't say anything or ask me anything.

I rested against him as he ran his fingers through my hair. It didn't take very long for me to calm down and I sort of started to laugh. Draco kissed my forehead and smiled a little but still didn't speak. It was really just amazing to me.

"It's only been a year and you already know what's happening with me having to say anything." I looked up at him.

"Severus said it best. We pay so much attention to each other that we just know." Draco shrugged.

"I'm sorry for freaking out Dragon."

"You have nothing to apologize for Kitten. I'm just glad you're okay now." Draco smiled slightly.

"I thought the letter was for me. I thought Molly was telling me something bad happened to Scorpious." I sighed.

"Tell me about how he was born."

I sighed again and sat up holding the teddy tightly. "I ran into an issue trying to find one of the horcruxes. Some guys were chasing me and spells were getting thrown all over. I just barely managed to escape with my life. The place I ended up in was actually quite beautiful but I could tell something was wrong. I found a place nearby to hunker down and assess the damage. That's when I realized one of them had thrown a knife at me."

I hesitated before lifting the side of my shirt. I had made a point of not showing the scar to Draco up until this point. I didn't want him to hate me. Draco's hand reached forward and I backed away. His other hand quickly held me in place and his fingers brushed over the scar.

"What happened afterwards?" Draco asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tightened my grip on the teddy more. "I tried to carry on without touching the knife but it was nearly impossible. I eventually just pulled it out. I was prepared to die and even lose Scorpious. I woke up a few days later laying in a strange bed. Someone had found me and taken me to their home. Almost as soon as I woke up I was handed a bundle which I realized was a baby. Two months premature and a scar from where the knife had actually grazed him. The person who saved me also saved Scorpious."

Draco sighed and pulled me into him. I squirmed a little but he wouldn't let me go. I started crying again but it wasn't because he won't let me go. It was because of the memory and the fear that came with it. My memories from after Scorpious was born were probably worse and so was my fear.

"We have less than two weeks left Kitten. I could tell something was worrying you but I didn't know what so I couldn't fix it." Draco sighed and rested his head against mine. "I'll be here and I'll help you get through it okay."

I nodded my head slightly and he kissed my forehead. I was still crying even though I was kind of relieved that Draco wasn't angry or upset with me. I mean I basically admitted to accepting my death and the death of his child because of my decision to leave without him and put my life at risk.

"I know this is probably not the right time..." Draco paused. "Can we tell my parents about Scorpious during the holidays?"

"Why don't you ask them to join us for Christmas." I said surprisingly steady.

Draco nodded his head. All the crying had made me exhausted. I felt my eyes getting heavy as Draco combed his fingers through my hair. The last thing I remember was telling Draco that I loved him and him saying the same thing to me.

(1260 Words)