Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

Hot Cocoa

Happy Sunday, wonderful readers! How are we all doing? Here is today's chapter! In case I haven't said it yet, we are rapidly approaching the climax of this story.

Warnings for panic attacks, terrible ethics, and typical pureblood nonsense.

Please let me know what y'all think! And, as always...Enjoy!

Harry knocked at the door stiffly, balancing the two large containers of soup in one arm. His heart threatened to climb up his throat from nerves as he awaited a response from the other side of the door. It was a gamble, he knew. What he had done to Draco was terrible and he would be lucky if Draco would ever speak to him again. Perhaps Draco wasn't even going to answer the door.

The door opened at that moment, revealing a stunned, wide-eyed Draco. Harry could not help the small, crooked smile that crawled onto his face. "Oh- hi! I, er... wasn't sure if you'd answer the door...." He held up the arm cradling the plastics. "I brought some soup! I-"

The top container promptly slipped from its precarious perch and tumbled to the ground, spattering chicken soup bits all across the threshold and into Draco's flat. "Oh! Sorry, Er-" He awkwardly tucked the remaining Tupperware under his arm and pulled out his wand. The mess was gone in an instant with a muttered scourgify. Draco hadn't even the time to fully react to it. Harry looked back up nervously to see Draco still staring at the floor, then at Harry, who was beginning to feel rather bashful. He rocked anxiously back and forth on the balls of his feet, hoping Draco wasn't about to kick him out.

Before Harry could register it, Draco's arms were wrapped tightly around his shoulders and Draco's face was buried into the crook of Harry's neck.

Harry's arms were around him then, too, tight and secure and absolutely melting with relief. As best he could, anyway, without dropping the remaining container of soup. He isn't upset. This is going to be okay... With wandless magic, he sent the remaining soup container floating into the flat and settled it onto the table behind Draco so that he could fully put his attention on holding him. Draco squeezed Harry, and Harry could feel their hearts beating wildly against each other's chests. Draco heaved in a great big breath. Harry shut his eyes, feeling all of the emotions from the last few days rising within him with alarming force.

"I'm sorry," he began, not caring that his voice was unsteady. He cleared his throat. "I never meant to hurt you. I... my magic just..." Harry faltered, momentarily overwhelmed. He hugged Draco tighter. "I'm so sorry... My therapist says it's trauma... it's- the accidental magic was from that- from... I never meant..." Harry whimpered. Draco hugged him tighter. Harry felt himself warmed by the affection in ways he hadn't expected. He let himself sink into it.

"I'm sorry," Draco argued. Harry could feel the vibrations of his muffled voice against his neck. It made shivers run down his spine. All he could think was I haven't lost him. He's right here. It's going to be alright with us. Things might just be alright with us.... "It was me," Draco continued. "I pushed you... I was scared and frantic, and you didn't deserve it... I'm sorry, Harry. Please forgive me..."

"You were scared," Harry countered, feeling tears threaten to choke him. "It's fine," he tried. "It's a lot. That book is a lot."

Feeling Draco's breath hitch, Harry brought his arms closer around Draco., Harry hoped it would be enough to comfort him as Draco began to cry.

"...It's okay," Harry continued. "You're okay... I was never cross with you." Draco shuddered again. The collar of Harry's shirt went damp from the tears, but he found that it did not bother him. Instead, he took comfort in that Draco was allowing him to be so close even after what happened the other day- the relief that Draco was not upset with him was beginning to settle like something warm in his chest.