Harry Potter and The Beloved Incubus (BP4)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
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Adult ++
Chapters:
41
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120
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Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
41
Views:
21,708
Reviews:
120
Recommended:
0
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.
A Parent's Love
Chapter Number/Total: 29/40
Chapter Title: A Parent's Love
Words: 3029 Words
Macnair gestured for Draco to walk ahead of him, his wand trained on the blond. They walked down a short concrete hallway to the base of a set of stairs and then up to the top. They were apparently being held in the basement of a Muggle house.
"Try anything and I won't hesitate to kill you," Macnair reminded him, shoving him a couple times on the way.
Upstairs at the end of another short hallway was a bedroom door, which Macnair unlocked and shoved Draco through.
Narcissa's arms were bound together and to one of the bedposts, and her wrists were red and possibly even bleeding from pulling on the ropes. She was on her knees beside the bed, her long blonde hair obscuring her face, her head bowed. When the door was opened and Draco was pushed in, she slowly looked up, as if it were an effort, and immediately began sobbing, the skin around her blue eyes already swollen and red with previous tears.
Draco dropped to the floor beside her. "La mère, ce qui s'est produite?" he asked, pushing her hair off her face.
"English only," Macnair snapped at him.
Narcissa's chin shook as she squeezed her eyes shut, more tears flowing down her cheeks. She opened them again after a moment. "What has happened to you?" she asked, ignoring Draco's question. Her wide eyes fearfully took in the blood covering Draco's body and hands.
"I am uninjured," he said, glancing angrily at Macnair. "Vous êtes une grand-mère," he added.
Macnair cast the Cruciatus Curse then and Draco fell to the floor, writhing.
Narcissa's eyes had widened further at Draco's news, but then she screamed with her son, sounding as if she were in nearly as much pain as he was. "Stop!" she screamed. "Don't hurt him! Please stop!"
"Bitch," Macnair snapped at her, and then ended the curse.
Draco lay curled on the floor, gasping. He had forgotten how good at that curse Macnair was.
"So, Draco," Macnair said, leaning against the door. "Why are you covered in blood?"
Narcissa was pulling on the ropes binding her, trying to get to Draco. "Tell him nothing, Draco," she said, voice shaking with what seemed like effort. "Tell him nothing."
Macnair flicked his wand, casting, and it was Narcissa's turn to writhe under the curse.
If it weren't for Harry and Valen downstairs, Draco would have launched himself at the man then. He seethed with rage. "I swear I will kill you," he hissed. Macnair laughed, ending the curse after a few more seconds of watching Narcissa.
"Now, I asked a question," Macnair sneered. "Where did the blood come from?"
"I am not yours to command," Draco sneered.
Macnair's smile was frightening. "But you can be," he said and cast the Imperius Curse on Draco.
Draco could feel magic and he expected something powerful when the curse hit him. He was shocked to feel it slide off him like water on an oily surface. It simply didn't penetrate his own magical field. His eyes widened in surprise.
Macnair stared at him suspiciously. "Now tell me why there is blood on you and what is going on with Potter," he ordered.
Narcissa watched in fear, shaking with it. "Please, Draco, fight it," she whispered.
Draco smiled. It was a wicked smile most of his fellow Slytherins would have recognised from his days at school. "I don't have to," he purred. "I am immune."
Macnair turned purple with rage, casting Cruciatus on Draco and letting him lie there screaming.
Narcissa began screaming again too, and it was as if she would rip her hands off to get to Draco, distraught as the curse was continued.
"Convince him, Narcissa," Macnair snapped at her. "He cooperates or you all die."
Tears ran down Narcissa's face as she watched Draco scream and writhe. She trembled and continued to struggle. "They have a child!" she sobbed over the screams. "Please stop! They have a child!"
"Now?" Macnair asked, confused, and then he understood, the recognition showing in his face.
"Yes!" Narcissa yelled. "Stop!"
Macnair smiled and flicked his wand, ending the curse.
Draco was curled into a ball on the floor, panting. There was a bit of blood trickling out of his mouth where he had bitten himself while in pain.
Narcissa wept, dropping her head in both failure and relief.
Draco was breathing deep, trying to pull his wits together. He hadn't heard anything except his own screaming during the curse. He managed to sit up, albeit after a couple attempts. "Mother?" he asked, wondering why Macnair looked smug now.
Narcissa shook her head, looking more pitiful than Draco had ever seen her. "I'm sorry, Draco," she said. "I'm sorry." Blood was definitely seeping from the ropes now as Narcissa lifted her head again, breathing very heavily. Her expression was one of such fury it was a wonder she didn't catch Macnair on fire with her gaze. "I'm under Imperius," she said. "Even now, and so you are right if you do not trust me. I don't even know if I can trust myself. Take everything I tell you to be what I believe is truth."
Draco turned cold eyes onto Macnair. "Release her," he said.
"Why would I do that?" Macnair answered. "She and I are going to be married."
Narcissa clenched her teeth tightly, ignoring what Macnair said. "He knows, Draco," she said, her voice shaking. "Do not let him play these games with you. He knows about the child."
"Shut up, bitch," Macnair snapped.
Draco hissed, rage at Macnair and fear for his family making him tremble with it. His hands clenched and he desperately wished he had the ability to do wandless magic.
"You bastard," Narcissa spat angrily at Macnair. "You know you can still get nothing without one of us. If you kill me, you kill me, but then you will need Draco. You need a Malfoy to have control of the child. And if you kill my son I will refuse to do anything for you."
Macnair looked about to cast Cruciatus again, when Draco interrupted him. "If you let Harry go, I will cooperate," he said. "And if you leave me alive, my mother will cooperate. In the meantime, I want my husband out of that cold basement."
Narcissa took a deep shaky breath, staring up at Macnair with hard eyes.
"I will let you live if you transfer ownership of your properties to me," Macnair told Draco.
Draco thought about that. He could transfer some of the accounts, but the Malfoy Manor would never accept anyone not of the Malfoy bloodline. "We would need to go to Gringotts," he lied. "So, I will need clean clothes."
Macnair seemed to consider and then nodded. "I will be right back," he said. "Remember, do anything and Potter goes right to the Dark Lord."
The man left then. Draco could hear him lock the door behind him. The minute the door closed, he turned to his mother. The bindings were magical, so he couldn't untie them without a wand.
"Draco, you must get out of here," she said, her voice shaking again. "I don't care what you do, but you must get out. You know how he can be if something goes wrong."
"I know," he said. "He was with Father when they came after us. But I can't leave here without Harry and our child. They are the most important things to me now." He loved his mother, but he hoped she understood that.
"Don't you dare come back for me if you get out," she demanded with tears in her eyes. "Don't you ever look for me again. For all I know this is a trap. He took me from where I was in hiding as I slept and then forced me to do the same to you. Give me your word that you won't try to find me."
"If you give me your word that you will put your grandson's needs ahead of both of ours," Draco replied.
She closed her eyes tightly and was silent for a short time. "I will," she said.
"Then I swear it," he agreed.
There was silence for several seconds before Narcissa opened her mouth to speak. "I'm not asking for forgiveness for the things I've ...." She let out another sob. "I do love you. I always have and I always will. I want you to know that. Whatever may happen, just know that."
Draco cupped his mother's cheek with one hand. "No need for apologies, Mother. And I love you, too."
She began crying again and pressed her face into his hand, laying a kiss on the palm.
Draco smiled softly. "I am in love, Mother, and now I am a father," he told her. "I think I am more like you than Father, though."
Narcissa smiled too. "I never thought you would be like your father," she whispered. "You are far more a man than he could have ever hoped to be. It is something I should have told you long ago."
Draco's breath caught at that and he wanted to cry. But he didn't dare let his guard down now. "Thank you," he said quietly.
She closed her eyes again. "Do not thank me, Draco. Live it, like I know you will, my selfish little dragon." She smiled again, though it contained great sadness.
The door opened again and Macnair stood scowling at them. "Sweet," he sneered. "No time for this." He threw clothes onto the bed. "Put these on."
Narcissa laid one last kiss to Draco's hand before she righted herself and wiped her face blank.
***
Valen made a little noise and Harry smiled down at him, but he was scared, terrified. There was absolutely nothing he could do and he hated it. How were they supposed to get out of here? What on earth could Draco say to make Macnair let them go? And even if he did somehow strike up a deal, could Harry leave without him? He didn't feel like he could, despite the promise he had made.
A small droplet fell down onto Valen's face and Harry realised he was crying. He tried to stop it, knowing that he had to remain calm and in his right mind to protect his baby. He looked over at the water and bread, but he didn't think Valen could eat that. The water maybe ... but that wasn't anything that Harry could feed him and it was probably cold. Harry closed his eyes for a moment and let his head fall forward as he tried to think of something to do. He knew Valen was hungry but he didn't have anything for him.
He gritted his teeth, moved over and grabbed the bread, wondering if he could possibly chew it up thoroughly and then feed it to Valen. He bit a small piece off the loaf and tried to do just that but Valen spit it out. Harry groaned and tried again, but Valen wouldn't eat it and he started crying. Harry gasped and stared around the room like he was afraid someone would hear. "Shhh, Valen, shhh. It's okay. It's okay, shhh," he tried to hush him, rocking him slightly. It didn't help. He cried louder and Harry started to panic, the cries echoing in the room. Finally, hoping it would work, he positioned Valen at one of his nipples again and sighed in relief when the crying stopped and the baby started sucking.
Harry sat there, feeling tears coming again because the only thing he could give his son was his dry nipple to keep him from crying, and he knew that it wouldn't last long as there was only so long a baby could go without being fed. Harry let out a quiet sob and stared down at Valen's face, stroking it with his hand again. He looked down and Valen looked up at him, almost as if he were regarding him coolly. Such a Draco face. Harry let out a small, almost despairing laugh, petting the little bit of blond hair the baby had. He stared at him for several moments, petting his hair and skin as Valen sucked and Harry's eyes widened when he saw what looked like a little white bubble at the corner of Valen's mouth. He gasped quietly and pulled Valen away from his chest, amazed and very, very confused because there seemed to be - milk coming out of him. Valen made a few irritated little cries and Harry placed him back at the nipple quickly, his mouth hanging open. As he watched his baby miraculously drink from him - a man, a new small hope sprung up inside him. We'll be okay, he thought. I don't know how, but we'll be okay.
Harry heard a noise and the bolt was drawn back again. He went very still, covering Valen's head with the robe, staring at the door.
Draco came through the door -- dressed and looking cleaner than he had before. He took notice that his husband had eaten the bread. "We are leaving this room," he said calmly, setting a towel and some clothes down beside Harry and glancing back at Macnair in the doorway.
Harry let out a small sigh of relief when he saw Draco. "We are?" he asked, frowning.
Draco looked tense but he nodded. "You need to put these clothes on," he said. "I'll help you." He glanced down at the place where Valen was. "I can hold the cloak for you."
Harry nodded, looking intently into Draco's eyes as he moved Valen away from his nipple and wrapped the rest of the robe around him, praying that he wouldn't start crying.
Valen opened his mouth to cry but seemed too startled when Draco touched him, his mouth closing suddenly.
Harry tried to push himself up, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as he did. He grabbed the wall behind him for support, leaning on it heavily when he was finally to his feet.
Draco clutched Valen in the robe to his chest and dipped the towel in the water with his other hand, handing it to Harry. "There's blood on you, even your face," he said in a quiet voice.
Harry nodded and took the towel, wiping his face and hands before moving it to wipe gently at the still-sore closed wound on his belly. He wiped everywhere he saw blood, feeling cleaner at least, but still scared.
"Do you need help to dress?" Draco said, holding his hand out for support.
Harry glanced at the bundle in Draco's arms quickly. "I think I can manage," he said, and he tried to bend down and reach for the clothing but almost fell and had to grab Draco's arm. Scowling and grimacing from the pain, he picked the clothes up and straightened himself again, gritting his teeth.
"Don't be stubborn," Draco sighed. “Use my hand to steady yourself.”
Harry let out a heavy sigh and after a few moments of trying to dress on his own, he grabbed Draco's arm, more scared of the fact that he couldn't even do this than aggravated by it. It took a few minutes and much stumbling, but Harry finally had the clothes on, panting a little after his efforts.
Draco gritted his teeth, watching Harry struggle to dress and wishing he could do more. Harry should have been at home, safe in his bed, complaining about the obnoxious Healing Potions Draco was making him drink. Once he was dressed, Draco held Valen to his chest and put his arm around Harry's waist, helping him walk.
Harry gripped Draco's shirt tightly, wondering where they were going and nervous about passing Macnair or being anywhere near him.
Draco walked his partner through the door, down the basement hall and to the stairs. "He can't make it up the steps," Draco said. "The wards keep me from Apparating."
"So carry him," Macnair sneered.
Harry's hand tightened on Draco's shirt and he pressed close to him, thinking that he would try with all his might to get up the stairs, but when he did press closer to Draco, his eyes widened and he frowned. Draco's body felt cold. With his heart beating quicker now, he found himself wondering, with dread, what time it was.
Valen was asleep; Draco could feel that. He pressed the bundle into his husband’s arms. Macnair already knew about the baby, but Draco didn't want Harry even more frightened by that fact than he already was. The sneer on the older man's face sent an additional shiver down his spine. His time was running out. Draco could feel his limbs like ice now.
Harry knew the fear was showing on his face, he couldn't hide it like Draco could, but he tried to as he took Valen from Draco. He held him to his chest again.
Draco looked at Macnair. "I am not sure I can carry him without a Lightening Charm," he said.
Macnair huffed at him. "Fuck, I'll take him then," he snapped.
Draco leaned into Harry. "He will drop the field to Apparate," he whispered.
Harry's eyes widened hugely and his breathing sped up. He shook his head no in tiny movements, holding onto Draco's shirt even tighter.
Draco frowned. "You can't walk, Harry," he said, emphasising. "You need to Apparate."
Harry closed his eyes, trying to keep from crying. He didn't know if he could do it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't leave Draco, not when he didn't know where they were, not when he was going cold.
Draco squeezed Harry’s arm and pushed him toward Macnair. "This is important, Harry," he said in a stern voice.
"Now, or go up the stairs," Macnair snapped.
Harry stared at Draco, nearly hyperventilating. He knew this would probably be their only chance, his only chance to save Valen. Valen. This didn't have anything to do with him and Draco. This was about getting their baby out. Looking into Draco's eyes, Harry could see that. He couldn't be selfish and jeopardise his baby's life because he didn't want to give up his husband. He nearly sobbed at that thought. Staring at Draco with tear-filled eyes, he took a step back from him, towards Macnair.
Draco nodded, smiling when he saw Harry understood.
"I love you," Harry mouthed, clutching Valen firmly to him and concentrating on his magic strongly for the third time.
"I love you," Draco responded, eyes soft and sad.
Harry forced himself to take that final step back from Draco, tears running down his cheeks. I'll find you, I promise, Harry thought inside his head, afraid to say it or even mouth it with Macnair standing there.
Draco took a deep breath and watched as Macnair stepped up to Harry.
Knowing that Draco would be able to tell when the wards were down, Harry's eyes never left his face. He stood, tense and ready with his magic crackling around him.
Draco felt the wards shift and nodded quickly when they did. "Go," he said.
Harry took a quick, deep breath and concentrated on the entrance hall of Malfoy Manor as hard as he could. With a crack that sounded far louder than it seemed like it should have, he was gone. He actually felt his legs try to stay put, but he managed not to splinch himself. He collapsed onto his back, eyes closed. He could hear Valen crying and he breathed a sigh of relief. He was passing out and it was strange because he knew that that was exactly what he was doing. He heard another crack and a squeaky gasp.
"Master Harry! Master Harry!"
Harry knew it was a house-elf. "Get help," he rasped, and then the world went black.
Chapter Title: A Parent's Love
Words: 3029 Words
Macnair gestured for Draco to walk ahead of him, his wand trained on the blond. They walked down a short concrete hallway to the base of a set of stairs and then up to the top. They were apparently being held in the basement of a Muggle house.
"Try anything and I won't hesitate to kill you," Macnair reminded him, shoving him a couple times on the way.
Upstairs at the end of another short hallway was a bedroom door, which Macnair unlocked and shoved Draco through.
Narcissa's arms were bound together and to one of the bedposts, and her wrists were red and possibly even bleeding from pulling on the ropes. She was on her knees beside the bed, her long blonde hair obscuring her face, her head bowed. When the door was opened and Draco was pushed in, she slowly looked up, as if it were an effort, and immediately began sobbing, the skin around her blue eyes already swollen and red with previous tears.
Draco dropped to the floor beside her. "La mère, ce qui s'est produite?" he asked, pushing her hair off her face.
"English only," Macnair snapped at him.
Narcissa's chin shook as she squeezed her eyes shut, more tears flowing down her cheeks. She opened them again after a moment. "What has happened to you?" she asked, ignoring Draco's question. Her wide eyes fearfully took in the blood covering Draco's body and hands.
"I am uninjured," he said, glancing angrily at Macnair. "Vous êtes une grand-mère," he added.
Macnair cast the Cruciatus Curse then and Draco fell to the floor, writhing.
Narcissa's eyes had widened further at Draco's news, but then she screamed with her son, sounding as if she were in nearly as much pain as he was. "Stop!" she screamed. "Don't hurt him! Please stop!"
"Bitch," Macnair snapped at her, and then ended the curse.
Draco lay curled on the floor, gasping. He had forgotten how good at that curse Macnair was.
"So, Draco," Macnair said, leaning against the door. "Why are you covered in blood?"
Narcissa was pulling on the ropes binding her, trying to get to Draco. "Tell him nothing, Draco," she said, voice shaking with what seemed like effort. "Tell him nothing."
Macnair flicked his wand, casting, and it was Narcissa's turn to writhe under the curse.
If it weren't for Harry and Valen downstairs, Draco would have launched himself at the man then. He seethed with rage. "I swear I will kill you," he hissed. Macnair laughed, ending the curse after a few more seconds of watching Narcissa.
"Now, I asked a question," Macnair sneered. "Where did the blood come from?"
"I am not yours to command," Draco sneered.
Macnair's smile was frightening. "But you can be," he said and cast the Imperius Curse on Draco.
Draco could feel magic and he expected something powerful when the curse hit him. He was shocked to feel it slide off him like water on an oily surface. It simply didn't penetrate his own magical field. His eyes widened in surprise.
Macnair stared at him suspiciously. "Now tell me why there is blood on you and what is going on with Potter," he ordered.
Narcissa watched in fear, shaking with it. "Please, Draco, fight it," she whispered.
Draco smiled. It was a wicked smile most of his fellow Slytherins would have recognised from his days at school. "I don't have to," he purred. "I am immune."
Macnair turned purple with rage, casting Cruciatus on Draco and letting him lie there screaming.
Narcissa began screaming again too, and it was as if she would rip her hands off to get to Draco, distraught as the curse was continued.
"Convince him, Narcissa," Macnair snapped at her. "He cooperates or you all die."
Tears ran down Narcissa's face as she watched Draco scream and writhe. She trembled and continued to struggle. "They have a child!" she sobbed over the screams. "Please stop! They have a child!"
"Now?" Macnair asked, confused, and then he understood, the recognition showing in his face.
"Yes!" Narcissa yelled. "Stop!"
Macnair smiled and flicked his wand, ending the curse.
Draco was curled into a ball on the floor, panting. There was a bit of blood trickling out of his mouth where he had bitten himself while in pain.
Narcissa wept, dropping her head in both failure and relief.
Draco was breathing deep, trying to pull his wits together. He hadn't heard anything except his own screaming during the curse. He managed to sit up, albeit after a couple attempts. "Mother?" he asked, wondering why Macnair looked smug now.
Narcissa shook her head, looking more pitiful than Draco had ever seen her. "I'm sorry, Draco," she said. "I'm sorry." Blood was definitely seeping from the ropes now as Narcissa lifted her head again, breathing very heavily. Her expression was one of such fury it was a wonder she didn't catch Macnair on fire with her gaze. "I'm under Imperius," she said. "Even now, and so you are right if you do not trust me. I don't even know if I can trust myself. Take everything I tell you to be what I believe is truth."
Draco turned cold eyes onto Macnair. "Release her," he said.
"Why would I do that?" Macnair answered. "She and I are going to be married."
Narcissa clenched her teeth tightly, ignoring what Macnair said. "He knows, Draco," she said, her voice shaking. "Do not let him play these games with you. He knows about the child."
"Shut up, bitch," Macnair snapped.
Draco hissed, rage at Macnair and fear for his family making him tremble with it. His hands clenched and he desperately wished he had the ability to do wandless magic.
"You bastard," Narcissa spat angrily at Macnair. "You know you can still get nothing without one of us. If you kill me, you kill me, but then you will need Draco. You need a Malfoy to have control of the child. And if you kill my son I will refuse to do anything for you."
Macnair looked about to cast Cruciatus again, when Draco interrupted him. "If you let Harry go, I will cooperate," he said. "And if you leave me alive, my mother will cooperate. In the meantime, I want my husband out of that cold basement."
Narcissa took a deep shaky breath, staring up at Macnair with hard eyes.
"I will let you live if you transfer ownership of your properties to me," Macnair told Draco.
Draco thought about that. He could transfer some of the accounts, but the Malfoy Manor would never accept anyone not of the Malfoy bloodline. "We would need to go to Gringotts," he lied. "So, I will need clean clothes."
Macnair seemed to consider and then nodded. "I will be right back," he said. "Remember, do anything and Potter goes right to the Dark Lord."
The man left then. Draco could hear him lock the door behind him. The minute the door closed, he turned to his mother. The bindings were magical, so he couldn't untie them without a wand.
"Draco, you must get out of here," she said, her voice shaking again. "I don't care what you do, but you must get out. You know how he can be if something goes wrong."
"I know," he said. "He was with Father when they came after us. But I can't leave here without Harry and our child. They are the most important things to me now." He loved his mother, but he hoped she understood that.
"Don't you dare come back for me if you get out," she demanded with tears in her eyes. "Don't you ever look for me again. For all I know this is a trap. He took me from where I was in hiding as I slept and then forced me to do the same to you. Give me your word that you won't try to find me."
"If you give me your word that you will put your grandson's needs ahead of both of ours," Draco replied.
She closed her eyes tightly and was silent for a short time. "I will," she said.
"Then I swear it," he agreed.
There was silence for several seconds before Narcissa opened her mouth to speak. "I'm not asking for forgiveness for the things I've ...." She let out another sob. "I do love you. I always have and I always will. I want you to know that. Whatever may happen, just know that."
Draco cupped his mother's cheek with one hand. "No need for apologies, Mother. And I love you, too."
She began crying again and pressed her face into his hand, laying a kiss on the palm.
Draco smiled softly. "I am in love, Mother, and now I am a father," he told her. "I think I am more like you than Father, though."
Narcissa smiled too. "I never thought you would be like your father," she whispered. "You are far more a man than he could have ever hoped to be. It is something I should have told you long ago."
Draco's breath caught at that and he wanted to cry. But he didn't dare let his guard down now. "Thank you," he said quietly.
She closed her eyes again. "Do not thank me, Draco. Live it, like I know you will, my selfish little dragon." She smiled again, though it contained great sadness.
The door opened again and Macnair stood scowling at them. "Sweet," he sneered. "No time for this." He threw clothes onto the bed. "Put these on."
Narcissa laid one last kiss to Draco's hand before she righted herself and wiped her face blank.
***
Valen made a little noise and Harry smiled down at him, but he was scared, terrified. There was absolutely nothing he could do and he hated it. How were they supposed to get out of here? What on earth could Draco say to make Macnair let them go? And even if he did somehow strike up a deal, could Harry leave without him? He didn't feel like he could, despite the promise he had made.
A small droplet fell down onto Valen's face and Harry realised he was crying. He tried to stop it, knowing that he had to remain calm and in his right mind to protect his baby. He looked over at the water and bread, but he didn't think Valen could eat that. The water maybe ... but that wasn't anything that Harry could feed him and it was probably cold. Harry closed his eyes for a moment and let his head fall forward as he tried to think of something to do. He knew Valen was hungry but he didn't have anything for him.
He gritted his teeth, moved over and grabbed the bread, wondering if he could possibly chew it up thoroughly and then feed it to Valen. He bit a small piece off the loaf and tried to do just that but Valen spit it out. Harry groaned and tried again, but Valen wouldn't eat it and he started crying. Harry gasped and stared around the room like he was afraid someone would hear. "Shhh, Valen, shhh. It's okay. It's okay, shhh," he tried to hush him, rocking him slightly. It didn't help. He cried louder and Harry started to panic, the cries echoing in the room. Finally, hoping it would work, he positioned Valen at one of his nipples again and sighed in relief when the crying stopped and the baby started sucking.
Harry sat there, feeling tears coming again because the only thing he could give his son was his dry nipple to keep him from crying, and he knew that it wouldn't last long as there was only so long a baby could go without being fed. Harry let out a quiet sob and stared down at Valen's face, stroking it with his hand again. He looked down and Valen looked up at him, almost as if he were regarding him coolly. Such a Draco face. Harry let out a small, almost despairing laugh, petting the little bit of blond hair the baby had. He stared at him for several moments, petting his hair and skin as Valen sucked and Harry's eyes widened when he saw what looked like a little white bubble at the corner of Valen's mouth. He gasped quietly and pulled Valen away from his chest, amazed and very, very confused because there seemed to be - milk coming out of him. Valen made a few irritated little cries and Harry placed him back at the nipple quickly, his mouth hanging open. As he watched his baby miraculously drink from him - a man, a new small hope sprung up inside him. We'll be okay, he thought. I don't know how, but we'll be okay.
Harry heard a noise and the bolt was drawn back again. He went very still, covering Valen's head with the robe, staring at the door.
Draco came through the door -- dressed and looking cleaner than he had before. He took notice that his husband had eaten the bread. "We are leaving this room," he said calmly, setting a towel and some clothes down beside Harry and glancing back at Macnair in the doorway.
Harry let out a small sigh of relief when he saw Draco. "We are?" he asked, frowning.
Draco looked tense but he nodded. "You need to put these clothes on," he said. "I'll help you." He glanced down at the place where Valen was. "I can hold the cloak for you."
Harry nodded, looking intently into Draco's eyes as he moved Valen away from his nipple and wrapped the rest of the robe around him, praying that he wouldn't start crying.
Valen opened his mouth to cry but seemed too startled when Draco touched him, his mouth closing suddenly.
Harry tried to push himself up, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as he did. He grabbed the wall behind him for support, leaning on it heavily when he was finally to his feet.
Draco clutched Valen in the robe to his chest and dipped the towel in the water with his other hand, handing it to Harry. "There's blood on you, even your face," he said in a quiet voice.
Harry nodded and took the towel, wiping his face and hands before moving it to wipe gently at the still-sore closed wound on his belly. He wiped everywhere he saw blood, feeling cleaner at least, but still scared.
"Do you need help to dress?" Draco said, holding his hand out for support.
Harry glanced at the bundle in Draco's arms quickly. "I think I can manage," he said, and he tried to bend down and reach for the clothing but almost fell and had to grab Draco's arm. Scowling and grimacing from the pain, he picked the clothes up and straightened himself again, gritting his teeth.
"Don't be stubborn," Draco sighed. “Use my hand to steady yourself.”
Harry let out a heavy sigh and after a few moments of trying to dress on his own, he grabbed Draco's arm, more scared of the fact that he couldn't even do this than aggravated by it. It took a few minutes and much stumbling, but Harry finally had the clothes on, panting a little after his efforts.
Draco gritted his teeth, watching Harry struggle to dress and wishing he could do more. Harry should have been at home, safe in his bed, complaining about the obnoxious Healing Potions Draco was making him drink. Once he was dressed, Draco held Valen to his chest and put his arm around Harry's waist, helping him walk.
Harry gripped Draco's shirt tightly, wondering where they were going and nervous about passing Macnair or being anywhere near him.
Draco walked his partner through the door, down the basement hall and to the stairs. "He can't make it up the steps," Draco said. "The wards keep me from Apparating."
"So carry him," Macnair sneered.
Harry's hand tightened on Draco's shirt and he pressed close to him, thinking that he would try with all his might to get up the stairs, but when he did press closer to Draco, his eyes widened and he frowned. Draco's body felt cold. With his heart beating quicker now, he found himself wondering, with dread, what time it was.
Valen was asleep; Draco could feel that. He pressed the bundle into his husband’s arms. Macnair already knew about the baby, but Draco didn't want Harry even more frightened by that fact than he already was. The sneer on the older man's face sent an additional shiver down his spine. His time was running out. Draco could feel his limbs like ice now.
Harry knew the fear was showing on his face, he couldn't hide it like Draco could, but he tried to as he took Valen from Draco. He held him to his chest again.
Draco looked at Macnair. "I am not sure I can carry him without a Lightening Charm," he said.
Macnair huffed at him. "Fuck, I'll take him then," he snapped.
Draco leaned into Harry. "He will drop the field to Apparate," he whispered.
Harry's eyes widened hugely and his breathing sped up. He shook his head no in tiny movements, holding onto Draco's shirt even tighter.
Draco frowned. "You can't walk, Harry," he said, emphasising. "You need to Apparate."
Harry closed his eyes, trying to keep from crying. He didn't know if he could do it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't leave Draco, not when he didn't know where they were, not when he was going cold.
Draco squeezed Harry’s arm and pushed him toward Macnair. "This is important, Harry," he said in a stern voice.
"Now, or go up the stairs," Macnair snapped.
Harry stared at Draco, nearly hyperventilating. He knew this would probably be their only chance, his only chance to save Valen. Valen. This didn't have anything to do with him and Draco. This was about getting their baby out. Looking into Draco's eyes, Harry could see that. He couldn't be selfish and jeopardise his baby's life because he didn't want to give up his husband. He nearly sobbed at that thought. Staring at Draco with tear-filled eyes, he took a step back from him, towards Macnair.
Draco nodded, smiling when he saw Harry understood.
"I love you," Harry mouthed, clutching Valen firmly to him and concentrating on his magic strongly for the third time.
"I love you," Draco responded, eyes soft and sad.
Harry forced himself to take that final step back from Draco, tears running down his cheeks. I'll find you, I promise, Harry thought inside his head, afraid to say it or even mouth it with Macnair standing there.
Draco took a deep breath and watched as Macnair stepped up to Harry.
Knowing that Draco would be able to tell when the wards were down, Harry's eyes never left his face. He stood, tense and ready with his magic crackling around him.
Draco felt the wards shift and nodded quickly when they did. "Go," he said.
Harry took a quick, deep breath and concentrated on the entrance hall of Malfoy Manor as hard as he could. With a crack that sounded far louder than it seemed like it should have, he was gone. He actually felt his legs try to stay put, but he managed not to splinch himself. He collapsed onto his back, eyes closed. He could hear Valen crying and he breathed a sigh of relief. He was passing out and it was strange because he knew that that was exactly what he was doing. He heard another crack and a squeaky gasp.
"Master Harry! Master Harry!"
Harry knew it was a house-elf. "Get help," he rasped, and then the world went black.