Chapter Text
The Great Escape Round Four
Three Slytherins under one cloak, magic though it may be, were suffocating with awkwardness. Pansy wanted to lead without knowing which direction to travel. Zambini refused to stay in the back, trying to circle around the other two, under the cloak, without exposure or making noise. And Draco was struggling with over-protectiveness and possessiveness since the cloak was Harry’s and Harry, essentially (read: unofficially), was his.
Draco needed to keep Harry’s prize possession safe just as he felt the need to keep the boy safe. Added to all that, the bulk of the three silent nearly full-grown teenagers made maneuvering down the castle corridors tricky. Then there was the distance from the dungeons to the seventh story walk up on the other side of Hogwarts, their travel time took longer than previous two trips combined. Still, they arrived just after 5 a.m. with plenty of time to rest before entering the tunnels which lead to Hog’s Head Tavern.
Harry was a light bundle of “oomph” when he barreled into Draco with a complete lack of grace. His thin arms like bands under Draco’s armpits, cold nose pressed firmly into Draco’s sternum blatantly inhaling his scent. Luckily, Draco had enough grace for both and caught the smaller boy before any damage could occur.
The twins watched, narrow eyed, at their surrogate brother. “We could not…”
“Get him to rest.” They complained with weary eyes. Luna lifted her silver blonde head off a stoic Neville’s shoulder. The quiet boy smiled at their safe return before resuming a soft hum and an absent sort of vigilance.
“Good, we are all here.” She said with the mystery of the universe in her soft breathy voice. Only the three Slytherins eyed her with concern. Harry and the other Gryffindors had more experience with her enigmatic statements. Harry turned in Draco’s arms to regard Luna despondently.
“No harm will come to them.” She assured her friend. “Professor Snape takes his duties seriously.”
“And no one wants to cross McGonagall.” The twins said in unison. Harry nodded in agreement refusing to meet anyone’s eye. Draco lifted the stubborn chin with a pale finger, eyes boring into the lowered lids until finally, with great reluctance, Harry’s green orbs stared back. They were full of a swirling mess of emotions. Draco wished he had already mastered Legilimency. He wanted to push as hard and relentless as it took until he extracted each and every thought of the trembling young boy.
Instead, he leaned down, eyes wide open keeping Harry trapped. Draco kissed him sweetly, gently, with a curious tongue tracing the seam of Harry’s pouting lips. Surprise drowned out all the other emotions in the green depths, which then morphed to pleasure. His pale eyelids fluttered closed as he let out a small noise Draco could only identify as a moan.
More than pleased with the result, Draco lifted his head. “Come sit with me.” He demanded in a whisper, ignoring Pansy and Blaise as they cooed behind his back. He was also blatantly ignoring the giggling Loo… Luna and the Twins exchanging money. Surprisingly, Longbottom remained stoic and vigilant.
Harry, seemingly unaware of the other students, was focused solely on Draco’s smirking lips. It took no effort to lead the boy to the fire. Draco sat, pulling Harry down to lean against him. Draco debated giving him an early dose of the Unburdening. Unfortunately, there was nothing substantial to eat with the potion. Instead, he pressed a Nutrient vial into Harry’s uninjured hand. The Gryffindor kept silent though he did grimace at the taste.
“Good Boy.” Draco said quietly, enjoying the shudder that ran through Harry. He was positive the involuntary movement had nothing to do with the cold.
The eight students waited, mostly in silence until dawn crept unseen beyond the castle walls. The time stretched until all too soon the group went one by one into the tunnel. Harry lit the way, leading them in the dark and Draco wondered if this was what his new life would entail. Following Harry Potter into the unknown. He did not have time to dwell. The Portkey started buzzing just as the burst through to a sleepy Hog’s Head tavern. The morning light flittering in from the dirty windows highlighting the warped wooden floor in a dance of dust and sunlight.
Outside, the student’s stood as one circling Harry and Narcissa’s brooch. “Portus” Draco said through clenched teeth, bracing for what was about to come. The world spun into a jumble of chaos and noise and Harry as they hurtled through the air until they landed with cacophony of grunts and curses. Draco had kept a tight grip on his… on Harry, as to not let the fragile boy land on the ground. He took the impact of Harry’s body with renewed surprise by how little the other teenager weighed. Draco snuck in a quick hug before pulling Harry to his feet.
The manor loomed ahead, bold in white marble. Big and imposing. The wards were thick enough to distort the air like a wave of heat in the summer. Change was in the air but the safety and sanctity of the Malfoy Manor was beaconing him home.