Blind Beauty
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
36
Views:
40,296
Reviews:
227
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
36
Views:
40,296
Reviews:
227
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Beast
Chapter Number/Total: 11/36
Chapter Title: The Beast
Words: 2771 Words
Harry was tied up on the floor again, the weight of another body pressing down against him. He struggled to get free, but the person wouldn't move, laughing mockingly into his ear. He was crying and screaming, but no one heard him. Suddenly the body was gone and he was flipped over, the ropes gone. He couldn't see a thing, but he heard screaming that wasn't his own. "Draco!" he cried, getting up and trying to save him. He ran and ran but the faster he ran, the more distant the screams became.
"Harry!" Ron was saying. "Mate, wake up!"
Harry groaned and rolled off the bed, not noticing how close to the edge he was. "Draco," he whimpered, feet tangled up in the sheets.
Ron's hands closed on his arms, trying to help him. "It's me. Ron," he said.
Harry went still in Ron's arms, eyes wide.
"You were having a nightmare," Ron said, still holding him.
All Harry could think about was what Lucius did to Draco right in front of him and on top of him. What Fenrir did to him right after he'd pushed him away. His stomach churned. "I'm going to be sick," he whispered.
"Can you make it to the loo?" Ron asked, trying to help him up.
Harry tried to get up, his body working on expelling everything he ate for dinner that night. He stumbled up and somehow made it to the door, running out and in the direction of the loo, but he couldn't remember exactly where to turn. He fell to his knees and threw up where he was, his sobs of frustration becoming apparent.
Ron was there beside him. "It's okay, mate, just let me help you," he said.
Harry leaned on him, sniffling as he used his shirt to wipe at his mouth. "I'm horrible," he muttered.
Ron got him up and led him to the bathroom. "No, you are not," he said. Harry heard the water run and then felt a cool cloth pressed to his face.
"I don't want to be a burden." He pressed his face against the cloth, feeling tired again.
"You're my best mate, and mates help each other," Ron said, pride in his voice.
Harry sniffled again, resting his head on Ron's shoulder. "I want to go back to bed," he said.
"Sure," Ron said, helping him.
"Can you use a cleaning charm on me?" he asked softly, walking slowly with him.
"Of course," Ron answered and Harry heard him cast the charm and then pause in the hall to cast it on the floor.
Once Harry was back in his bed, he curled up around his pillow, holding it close. "Do you think I'm mental, Ron?"
Ron sighed. "Hey, I am used to you having nightmares," he said.
"Not just the nightmares ... everything, Ron ...."
"I don't know, Harry," Ron said quietly. "People have thought you were barmy before and it turned out you were right. I just can't picture Malfoy risking his life for you or you asking him for help."
Harry turned over and away from Ron. "You think so, too," he whispered, biting his lip. He gripped his bare arm and began to scratch roughly like he had done before leaving the hospital. His skin became hot and sensitive, but he wanted more than that.
Harry heard Ron shift, and then felt hands close over his. "Harry, we've both seen a lot of things in the last seven years. Hell, even in the last year with the Horcruxes," he said. "I trust you. If you say Malfoy helped you, then he did."
Harry's hand stopped moving, the skin not broken. "Thanks, Ron," he mumbled. "I ... it means a lot to know someone ... believes me."
"Sure, mate," he said. "Always will."
***
Tonks and Remus showed up just after lunch. Harry and Ron were in the garden, having enjoyed eating outdoors in the fresh spring air.
"Wotcher, Harry, Ron," he heard and then, "Hi, Harry," before a hand clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hi, Tonks, Remus." He laughed, feeling relaxed even though he was still a bit mad at Remus for what he had done.
Remus sat down at the table beside him and Tonks settled across from Remus. "You are looking a lot better now, Harry," Remus said.
"I guess," he answered truthfully. He had no idea how he looked. For all he knew, he could've put his shirt on backwards.
There was another of those awkward silences where Harry was sure they were exchanging some kind of looks. "S' Harry," Tonks began, "I've been lookin' at a few things."
"And?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Now this is highly confidential," she said. "S' keep that in mind."
"Just go on, Tonks," Harry said, feeling anxious.
Remus sighed, but Tonks continued, "So our office was getting anonymous tips from inside Voldemort's stronghold for a while. Some of us thought it was Snape, but when he was killed, the messages kept coming anyway. So there was someone on our side in there. Someone who didn't claim credit when the place fell. We assumed whoever it was had died."
Harry nodded, leaning forward as if to tell her to go on.
"When you disappeared ...." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Well, you can imagine everybody was frantic. Then we got a message from the source saying you'd been captured and that we only had a day to get you out."
"Oh, were you trying to get me?" he asked softly.
"Of course we were," Remus nearly growled. "But how? The wards on that place were strong and we were throwin' a lot at them. We lost Moody and a lot of others trying."
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, feeling as though it were his fault.
"Yeah, well, it was inevitable in some ways," Remus sighed. "We had to go after him eventually."
"S' that's how we knew where you were." Tonks picked up again. "And how we were ready when the wards came down. I was in the first group to reach that room where you were. Harry, it was bad. A big firefight with Fenrir and those Death Eaters that hadn't run already."
"What about ... what was happening with Draco?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"Well, that's where things get ... confused," she said, her voice shaking a bit. "At first, no one even knew who it was. There was so much blood and he was ... well, it was a lot like what happened to Bill. Without his hair, we might not have been able to figure it out until he was conscious again."
Harry covered his face with his hands, knowing the entire thing was his fault. "Is he okay now?"
"Let her explain, Harry," Remus said, putting a hand on his arm.
"So, by the time he was conscious again, the other prisoners had already been interrogated. The Ministry already had the story of what had happened. They confronted him with it and he admitted it. There wasn't a need for a trial, Harry. He confessed. He didn't argue with what they said and they didn't really ask him any questions. So they sent him to Azkaban."
"Can I talk to him? I mean ... I know he confessed, but ... I need to talk to him," he said slowly.
"I'll see what I can do, Harry," Tonks said.
Remus cleared his throat. "So you think he sent the messages, Harry? Why?"
"He was the one who was in the room with me the entire time," he answered. "I didn't know it was him in the beginning, but I found out it was him ... and he was nice to me, I swear."
"I'm ... glad, Harry. Glad you felt you weren't alone in there," Remus said quietly.
Harry heard the hesitation in his voice. "He only did those things because he had to. If he didn't, he would've died. And ultimately, I would've died. So we worked together."
"If those messages were from him," Tonks said. "Maybe we could prove that. Combine that with your testimony and we might be able to do something."
Harry nodded. "Thank you. If there's anyone you should really send to Azkaban, it's his father," he murmured.
"We're lookin' for him, but he seems to have gone to ground," she said, sounding angry about it.
"Harry," Remus said, "Malfoy, I mean Draco, will have to also speak up. Recant his confession. They can't let him out unless he does that."
"Okay," he said, sighing. "If it gets him out ... that's fine."
***
Tonks Apparated them to the entrance of the prison. "Now, Harry," she said, "remember, the official reason we're here is to find out if he knows where his father is. I have to ask about that. But once we're in there, I can let you talk to him."
Harry nodded, feeling nervous about talking to Draco again. "Okay, I will."
She took Harry's arm and led him through the gates. They were stopped repeatedly and she had to show her credentials. The guards seemed awed by the presence of "The Harry Potter." Finally, they were standing in a room waiting.
"Is he here?" Harry asked.
There was the sound of the iron door being opened; it made a squeaking noise as the hinges moved. Harry heard the tread of heavy feet and then a sound like somebody dropping a sack of sand followed by a sharp gasp from Tonks.
"Draco?" he called out, biting his lip. "Tonks, is that him?"
Tonks's grip on his arm tightened and she didn't answer immediately. "Stay where you are, Harry," she whispered. Aloud, she said, "Leave him to us."
There was a bark of laughter and then the sound of the guards leaving and the door closing again.
"Draco Malfoy?" she asked, sounding uncertain.
Harry heard a moan from the floor and felt Tonks draw her wand. "Ennervate," she cast.
"Draco," he whispered, shifting on his feet. He badly wanted to go over and hug him.
"Fuck," Draco sneered from the floor, raising his head to see who it was. Then he snarled, "What the hell is he doing here?"
He didn't sound exactly happy to see him, and Harry's face fell.
Tonks seemed to freeze, her hand on Harry's arm so tight it was painful. "Harry," she whispered, "this might'n't be such a good idea."
"I can hear you even from here," Draco snapped. "So no point whispering."
"No, I want to stay," he said firmly.
"Still blind?" Draco laughed harshly. "Well, that'll probably make it easier. Won't it, cousin?"
"I'm sorry, Draco," she said. "We didn't know."
"Make what easier?" he asked softly, moving forward.
Tonks held on to him. "No, Harry," she nearly sobbed, "don't go any closer."
"Yeah, Saint Potter, might get a scratch or something," Draco sneered.
"Draco, why are you acting like that?" Harry whispered, confused.
"Like what?" Draco huffed. "Like an animal put in a cage and left to die?"
"Like all you said before was a lie," he murmured.
"You mean like all you said was a lie," Draco growled. And it did sound like a growl, almost not human.
Harry pulled away from Tonks and quickly walked over, falling to his knees in front of Draco. "I didn't lie," he said.
Before he knew what hit him, Harry was slammed into the ground so hard his head smacked into the stone floor. He felt a body pressing him to the ground and something sharp against his neck. The smell was putrid and overwhelming.
"Let him go," Tonks yelled.
Harry cringed, feeling his eyes fill with tears from the impact. "Draco, I love you," he whispered.
"Kill me," Draco said, but he couldn't tell if he was answering Tonks or himself.
"It's my fault this happened," Harry said quietly. He bit his lip and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck, ignoring the smell and the possibility that he'd get killed. "Please ..." he pleaded.
"He's pretty when he begs," Draco snarled. "He did that when I raped him." Harry felt sharp claws digging into his throat but not yet breaking the skin.
Harry swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut. "Draco ... I know you're in there ... please listen to me ...."
"Malfoy, release him, or I will kill you," Tonks was yelling now and Harry could hear the guards coming at a run.
"Kill me, or I will rip his throat out," Draco answered her.
"Don't kill him!!" Harry leaned up in an effort to press his lips against Draco's, taking his last chance.
The hair under Harry's hands was long, matted and sticky. When he tried to kiss Draco, the other released him and rolled away. "Stupefy," Tonks cast and there was a lot of yelling by the guards about letting the prisoner threaten Harry Potter.
"No!" Harry cried, sitting up quickly. He crawled over to where Draco lay and wrapped an arm around him, pressing close. "Draco ... Draco ... Don't kill him."
Tonks was beside him then, trying to pull him back. "Harry, are you okay? Lemme see your neck. Did he break the skin?" she asked frantically.
"No ... no ...." He kept pulling away, curling himself up more against Draco. "Please ...." His grip tightened on his clothes as he became more hysterical.
"Calm down, Harry," Tonks said, touching his throat. "He's not cut," she told someone in the background. "They have to take him away now," she told him. "I had to Stupefy him."
"No, don't take him away ... I love him," Harry whimpered, not letting go of him. "I'll kill myself ...."
"Back up," Harry heard Tonks shouting at someone. "He's Harry-fucking-Potter and if he wants to talk to him then you'll fuckin' let him!" Harry heard the footsteps retreat but the door remained open. "Harry, they've left the room," she said. "Now, tell me what this is about. Don't you realise what's happened to him?"
"He's a werewolf, I know." Harry moved so that half of his body was on top of Draco's. "But I love him ...."
"Harry." Tonks was using that tone a person uses when they don't want to explain something. "He was mangled, like Bill. But he's a Death Eater. Remember how much treatment it took with Bill? How everyone was worried about contaminants? Draco didn't get any of that. They threw him in here. He's ...."
"He's what?" Harry whispered, rubbing his cheek against Draco's chest.
Tonks seemed at a loss for words. "Harry, you know I wouldn't have a problem with him being a werewolf," she explained. "You know how I feel about Remus. But Harry, this is a lot worse."
Harry started crying again, shaking his head. "I don't care," he said.
She crouched beside him, a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, I'm sorry," she said. "But if you could ... see, you wouldn't recognise him. It's like he's caught between one and the other. Not wolf. Not human."
"We were supposed to go flying after everything was over," Harry whispered finally, not wanting to believe her.
Tonks sat down on the stone beside him and took one of his hands, guiding it to feel one of Draco's hands. There was more hair than there should be and there were claws where there should be nails. "Can you feel that?" she said. "His teeth are changed too."
"But, there has to be something to do. Can't you try, Tonks?" he asked quietly.
"What d'you want, Harry?" she asked sadly.
"I want him," he replied honestly.
"Did you hear the way he talked about you? To you?" she asked.
"It's because you were here. If it were just the two of us, he wouldn't have said those things," Harry insisted.
She sat quietly for a minute. "Let me get him cleaned up and in some restraints," Tonks said. "Then I'll wake him and let you talk to him alone. But you've got to promise not to take risks like you did before."
"I promise," he agreed, running his fingers up and down Draco's chest. The fabric under his hands was thin, ripped and filthy. Underneath, he could feel the rib cage in sharp relief. Draco was thinner than ever before.
Harry slowly slipped away from him, his other hand reaching up to rub at the sore spot on the back of his head. It felt slightly wet, so he didn't move his hand away, hoping Tonks didn't notice. "You can go do that stuff. I'll wait here," he said.
Chapter Title: The Beast
Words: 2771 Words
Harry was tied up on the floor again, the weight of another body pressing down against him. He struggled to get free, but the person wouldn't move, laughing mockingly into his ear. He was crying and screaming, but no one heard him. Suddenly the body was gone and he was flipped over, the ropes gone. He couldn't see a thing, but he heard screaming that wasn't his own. "Draco!" he cried, getting up and trying to save him. He ran and ran but the faster he ran, the more distant the screams became.
"Harry!" Ron was saying. "Mate, wake up!"
Harry groaned and rolled off the bed, not noticing how close to the edge he was. "Draco," he whimpered, feet tangled up in the sheets.
Ron's hands closed on his arms, trying to help him. "It's me. Ron," he said.
Harry went still in Ron's arms, eyes wide.
"You were having a nightmare," Ron said, still holding him.
All Harry could think about was what Lucius did to Draco right in front of him and on top of him. What Fenrir did to him right after he'd pushed him away. His stomach churned. "I'm going to be sick," he whispered.
"Can you make it to the loo?" Ron asked, trying to help him up.
Harry tried to get up, his body working on expelling everything he ate for dinner that night. He stumbled up and somehow made it to the door, running out and in the direction of the loo, but he couldn't remember exactly where to turn. He fell to his knees and threw up where he was, his sobs of frustration becoming apparent.
Ron was there beside him. "It's okay, mate, just let me help you," he said.
Harry leaned on him, sniffling as he used his shirt to wipe at his mouth. "I'm horrible," he muttered.
Ron got him up and led him to the bathroom. "No, you are not," he said. Harry heard the water run and then felt a cool cloth pressed to his face.
"I don't want to be a burden." He pressed his face against the cloth, feeling tired again.
"You're my best mate, and mates help each other," Ron said, pride in his voice.
Harry sniffled again, resting his head on Ron's shoulder. "I want to go back to bed," he said.
"Sure," Ron said, helping him.
"Can you use a cleaning charm on me?" he asked softly, walking slowly with him.
"Of course," Ron answered and Harry heard him cast the charm and then pause in the hall to cast it on the floor.
Once Harry was back in his bed, he curled up around his pillow, holding it close. "Do you think I'm mental, Ron?"
Ron sighed. "Hey, I am used to you having nightmares," he said.
"Not just the nightmares ... everything, Ron ...."
"I don't know, Harry," Ron said quietly. "People have thought you were barmy before and it turned out you were right. I just can't picture Malfoy risking his life for you or you asking him for help."
Harry turned over and away from Ron. "You think so, too," he whispered, biting his lip. He gripped his bare arm and began to scratch roughly like he had done before leaving the hospital. His skin became hot and sensitive, but he wanted more than that.
Harry heard Ron shift, and then felt hands close over his. "Harry, we've both seen a lot of things in the last seven years. Hell, even in the last year with the Horcruxes," he said. "I trust you. If you say Malfoy helped you, then he did."
Harry's hand stopped moving, the skin not broken. "Thanks, Ron," he mumbled. "I ... it means a lot to know someone ... believes me."
"Sure, mate," he said. "Always will."
***
Tonks and Remus showed up just after lunch. Harry and Ron were in the garden, having enjoyed eating outdoors in the fresh spring air.
"Wotcher, Harry, Ron," he heard and then, "Hi, Harry," before a hand clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hi, Tonks, Remus." He laughed, feeling relaxed even though he was still a bit mad at Remus for what he had done.
Remus sat down at the table beside him and Tonks settled across from Remus. "You are looking a lot better now, Harry," Remus said.
"I guess," he answered truthfully. He had no idea how he looked. For all he knew, he could've put his shirt on backwards.
There was another of those awkward silences where Harry was sure they were exchanging some kind of looks. "S' Harry," Tonks began, "I've been lookin' at a few things."
"And?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Now this is highly confidential," she said. "S' keep that in mind."
"Just go on, Tonks," Harry said, feeling anxious.
Remus sighed, but Tonks continued, "So our office was getting anonymous tips from inside Voldemort's stronghold for a while. Some of us thought it was Snape, but when he was killed, the messages kept coming anyway. So there was someone on our side in there. Someone who didn't claim credit when the place fell. We assumed whoever it was had died."
Harry nodded, leaning forward as if to tell her to go on.
"When you disappeared ...." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Well, you can imagine everybody was frantic. Then we got a message from the source saying you'd been captured and that we only had a day to get you out."
"Oh, were you trying to get me?" he asked softly.
"Of course we were," Remus nearly growled. "But how? The wards on that place were strong and we were throwin' a lot at them. We lost Moody and a lot of others trying."
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, feeling as though it were his fault.
"Yeah, well, it was inevitable in some ways," Remus sighed. "We had to go after him eventually."
"S' that's how we knew where you were." Tonks picked up again. "And how we were ready when the wards came down. I was in the first group to reach that room where you were. Harry, it was bad. A big firefight with Fenrir and those Death Eaters that hadn't run already."
"What about ... what was happening with Draco?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"Well, that's where things get ... confused," she said, her voice shaking a bit. "At first, no one even knew who it was. There was so much blood and he was ... well, it was a lot like what happened to Bill. Without his hair, we might not have been able to figure it out until he was conscious again."
Harry covered his face with his hands, knowing the entire thing was his fault. "Is he okay now?"
"Let her explain, Harry," Remus said, putting a hand on his arm.
"So, by the time he was conscious again, the other prisoners had already been interrogated. The Ministry already had the story of what had happened. They confronted him with it and he admitted it. There wasn't a need for a trial, Harry. He confessed. He didn't argue with what they said and they didn't really ask him any questions. So they sent him to Azkaban."
"Can I talk to him? I mean ... I know he confessed, but ... I need to talk to him," he said slowly.
"I'll see what I can do, Harry," Tonks said.
Remus cleared his throat. "So you think he sent the messages, Harry? Why?"
"He was the one who was in the room with me the entire time," he answered. "I didn't know it was him in the beginning, but I found out it was him ... and he was nice to me, I swear."
"I'm ... glad, Harry. Glad you felt you weren't alone in there," Remus said quietly.
Harry heard the hesitation in his voice. "He only did those things because he had to. If he didn't, he would've died. And ultimately, I would've died. So we worked together."
"If those messages were from him," Tonks said. "Maybe we could prove that. Combine that with your testimony and we might be able to do something."
Harry nodded. "Thank you. If there's anyone you should really send to Azkaban, it's his father," he murmured.
"We're lookin' for him, but he seems to have gone to ground," she said, sounding angry about it.
"Harry," Remus said, "Malfoy, I mean Draco, will have to also speak up. Recant his confession. They can't let him out unless he does that."
"Okay," he said, sighing. "If it gets him out ... that's fine."
***
Tonks Apparated them to the entrance of the prison. "Now, Harry," she said, "remember, the official reason we're here is to find out if he knows where his father is. I have to ask about that. But once we're in there, I can let you talk to him."
Harry nodded, feeling nervous about talking to Draco again. "Okay, I will."
She took Harry's arm and led him through the gates. They were stopped repeatedly and she had to show her credentials. The guards seemed awed by the presence of "The Harry Potter." Finally, they were standing in a room waiting.
"Is he here?" Harry asked.
There was the sound of the iron door being opened; it made a squeaking noise as the hinges moved. Harry heard the tread of heavy feet and then a sound like somebody dropping a sack of sand followed by a sharp gasp from Tonks.
"Draco?" he called out, biting his lip. "Tonks, is that him?"
Tonks's grip on his arm tightened and she didn't answer immediately. "Stay where you are, Harry," she whispered. Aloud, she said, "Leave him to us."
There was a bark of laughter and then the sound of the guards leaving and the door closing again.
"Draco Malfoy?" she asked, sounding uncertain.
Harry heard a moan from the floor and felt Tonks draw her wand. "Ennervate," she cast.
"Draco," he whispered, shifting on his feet. He badly wanted to go over and hug him.
"Fuck," Draco sneered from the floor, raising his head to see who it was. Then he snarled, "What the hell is he doing here?"
He didn't sound exactly happy to see him, and Harry's face fell.
Tonks seemed to freeze, her hand on Harry's arm so tight it was painful. "Harry," she whispered, "this might'n't be such a good idea."
"I can hear you even from here," Draco snapped. "So no point whispering."
"No, I want to stay," he said firmly.
"Still blind?" Draco laughed harshly. "Well, that'll probably make it easier. Won't it, cousin?"
"I'm sorry, Draco," she said. "We didn't know."
"Make what easier?" he asked softly, moving forward.
Tonks held on to him. "No, Harry," she nearly sobbed, "don't go any closer."
"Yeah, Saint Potter, might get a scratch or something," Draco sneered.
"Draco, why are you acting like that?" Harry whispered, confused.
"Like what?" Draco huffed. "Like an animal put in a cage and left to die?"
"Like all you said before was a lie," he murmured.
"You mean like all you said was a lie," Draco growled. And it did sound like a growl, almost not human.
Harry pulled away from Tonks and quickly walked over, falling to his knees in front of Draco. "I didn't lie," he said.
Before he knew what hit him, Harry was slammed into the ground so hard his head smacked into the stone floor. He felt a body pressing him to the ground and something sharp against his neck. The smell was putrid and overwhelming.
"Let him go," Tonks yelled.
Harry cringed, feeling his eyes fill with tears from the impact. "Draco, I love you," he whispered.
"Kill me," Draco said, but he couldn't tell if he was answering Tonks or himself.
"It's my fault this happened," Harry said quietly. He bit his lip and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck, ignoring the smell and the possibility that he'd get killed. "Please ..." he pleaded.
"He's pretty when he begs," Draco snarled. "He did that when I raped him." Harry felt sharp claws digging into his throat but not yet breaking the skin.
Harry swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut. "Draco ... I know you're in there ... please listen to me ...."
"Malfoy, release him, or I will kill you," Tonks was yelling now and Harry could hear the guards coming at a run.
"Kill me, or I will rip his throat out," Draco answered her.
"Don't kill him!!" Harry leaned up in an effort to press his lips against Draco's, taking his last chance.
The hair under Harry's hands was long, matted and sticky. When he tried to kiss Draco, the other released him and rolled away. "Stupefy," Tonks cast and there was a lot of yelling by the guards about letting the prisoner threaten Harry Potter.
"No!" Harry cried, sitting up quickly. He crawled over to where Draco lay and wrapped an arm around him, pressing close. "Draco ... Draco ... Don't kill him."
Tonks was beside him then, trying to pull him back. "Harry, are you okay? Lemme see your neck. Did he break the skin?" she asked frantically.
"No ... no ...." He kept pulling away, curling himself up more against Draco. "Please ...." His grip tightened on his clothes as he became more hysterical.
"Calm down, Harry," Tonks said, touching his throat. "He's not cut," she told someone in the background. "They have to take him away now," she told him. "I had to Stupefy him."
"No, don't take him away ... I love him," Harry whimpered, not letting go of him. "I'll kill myself ...."
"Back up," Harry heard Tonks shouting at someone. "He's Harry-fucking-Potter and if he wants to talk to him then you'll fuckin' let him!" Harry heard the footsteps retreat but the door remained open. "Harry, they've left the room," she said. "Now, tell me what this is about. Don't you realise what's happened to him?"
"He's a werewolf, I know." Harry moved so that half of his body was on top of Draco's. "But I love him ...."
"Harry." Tonks was using that tone a person uses when they don't want to explain something. "He was mangled, like Bill. But he's a Death Eater. Remember how much treatment it took with Bill? How everyone was worried about contaminants? Draco didn't get any of that. They threw him in here. He's ...."
"He's what?" Harry whispered, rubbing his cheek against Draco's chest.
Tonks seemed at a loss for words. "Harry, you know I wouldn't have a problem with him being a werewolf," she explained. "You know how I feel about Remus. But Harry, this is a lot worse."
Harry started crying again, shaking his head. "I don't care," he said.
She crouched beside him, a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, I'm sorry," she said. "But if you could ... see, you wouldn't recognise him. It's like he's caught between one and the other. Not wolf. Not human."
"We were supposed to go flying after everything was over," Harry whispered finally, not wanting to believe her.
Tonks sat down on the stone beside him and took one of his hands, guiding it to feel one of Draco's hands. There was more hair than there should be and there were claws where there should be nails. "Can you feel that?" she said. "His teeth are changed too."
"But, there has to be something to do. Can't you try, Tonks?" he asked quietly.
"What d'you want, Harry?" she asked sadly.
"I want him," he replied honestly.
"Did you hear the way he talked about you? To you?" she asked.
"It's because you were here. If it were just the two of us, he wouldn't have said those things," Harry insisted.
She sat quietly for a minute. "Let me get him cleaned up and in some restraints," Tonks said. "Then I'll wake him and let you talk to him alone. But you've got to promise not to take risks like you did before."
"I promise," he agreed, running his fingers up and down Draco's chest. The fabric under his hands was thin, ripped and filthy. Underneath, he could feel the rib cage in sharp relief. Draco was thinner than ever before.
Harry slowly slipped away from him, his other hand reaching up to rub at the sore spot on the back of his head. It felt slightly wet, so he didn't move his hand away, hoping Tonks didn't notice. "You can go do that stuff. I'll wait here," he said.