Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

The Lion's Den

Happy Sunday, folks! and HAPPY CHRISTMAS! (in the story, at least).

Minor warnings for drug use and dubious consent surrounding said drugs. Warnings for mentions of miscarriage and pregnancy scares

Let me know what y'all think! and, as always...Enjoy!

The shower started running as Draco stood in the centre of the dining area. He was no longer smiling. The idea of being in a house full of Weasleys made him uneasy, to say the least. But he hadn't ever seen Harry so... ecstatic, before....

"We'll see," he murmured, eyeing the front door.

Abomination.

Draco took a bracing breath.

"Draco, you are not an abomination.... To love another person is to see the face of God."

Father Swain's voice had become something like a desperate defence in Draco's brain, trying to calm the intrusive thoughts whenever he got them, failing at least half of the time.

Sinner.

Monster.

Unsafe.

Draco's arms tensed. He glanced around the room. The tree was still shining bright. The blanket Draco had gotten Harry lay where they had sat, folded neatly.

Check your doors. God's Wrath knows what you've done.

Draco looked back at the door. He knew it was locked... He'd reinforced the lock fifty times while Harry had made breakfast for them. And yet...

What if I accidentally ended with it in the unlocked position?

Draco's nostrils flared. Just check the doors. Better to get it over with than stand here wrestling with my thoughts...

He could not force himself to stop until he checked it another twenty times.

They arrived at the Burrow approximately an hour later with Harry's bag full of Weasley presents. Draco tried not to show that he was petrified at the prospect of being thrown into the lion's den. Every time he turned to Harry, Harry would beam at him like a child who still thought Father Christmas was real. That, if nothing else, gave Draco a modicum of confidence that he was doing the right thing. Or, at least, Harry's smile convinced Draco that he wouldn't dare be the reason that Harry stopped smiling on Christmas.

Draco could hear the noise coming from inside the house as they approached the front door. Before they'd the chance to knock, Ginny swung the door open, Ron and Hermione hot on her tail.

"Finally, Harry! It only took you ages. I'm starved!" Ginny took him into a rough hug. Draco sidestepped her bustling movements, sending a tentative wave to Weasley and Hermione behind her. Ginny let go of the hug and offered Draco a wave. "Hey. I told you he'd bring you, didn't I? Happy Christmas, you two."

"Gin, let them in, it's freezing out! Happy Christmas, mate!" Weasley hugged Harry. He waved at Draco. "You too, Malfoy!"

"Hello, Draco, Harry," greeted Hermione. "Happy Christmas."

Then, less than a foot into the threshold, the matron Weasley stepped in front of them, pushing them both into an overcrowded hug. Draco tensed. Harry gave her a robust hug just as warm and welcoming as her own.

"Happy Christmas, Molly. Thanks for having us."

"Oh, nonsense! You're always welcome here, Harry dear!" Then she looked over at Draco, scanning for a moment as if searching for something. "You too, Draco," she said decisively at last. "You're just as welcome as Harry is, dear."