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Freedom Bound in Chains	By : TaintedSensibly Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 58477 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Harry Potter characters. I did not make money from this story.

Chapter List
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Mine
The boys had said goodbye to their Liam only yesterday, Remus still felt odd in his own skin, and Harry was a constant worry, the boy not doing well. He had no idea what to do about any of it, so when he felt the mirror vibrate, shrunk and stored in his wallet, he felt even more trapped.
Floo didn't work overseas – large bodies of water, especially running water, disrupted most magic. The mirrors were a testament to Dumbledore's ingenuity, but they took a massive amount of power, thus the professor only activated it monthly. So Remus knew there was no way he could get out of answering the summons. But what was he going to tell Dumbledore?
Excusing himself, he left the boys and went to his room. He spelled the door with a locking charm, and then he hung the nearly twelve inch mirror on the wall. As soon as Dumbledore's face came into focus, his smile melted into a frown.
“Remus, my boy! Are you well?”
Remus decided the best way to approach this was with a business-like manner. “I made contact with Harry and the boy he is with, but during the meet up, Scourers tranquilized and captured us. They held us prisoner for twenty-four hours.” His eyes shuttered, becoming cold. “We were not treated well.”
Dumbledore tilted his head so he could look over his half-moon glasses and make eye contact. “I am sorry to hear that, my boy,” he said gently. “How are the children? Is there anything I can do?”
“They were healed of the physical damage, but we are not quite recovered,” Remus answered truthfully, but he was not ready to talk about what he'd experienced in that basement. “The boys have a bond, Professor. The Asclepius says it's very powerful and trifold - magical, psychic, and spiritual - A type of twin-bond. Harry will not come without Draco, and considering Draco is an American Muggleborn, paperwork and things have to be completed and approved by President Smackhammer before Draco will be allowed to leave the country in my custody. I will keep you abreast of the progress over here, but I don't expect we will be returning within the next month.”
Dumbledore's frown deepened and his hand came into view as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I see. So the boy's name is Draco?”
“Draco Black, sir.”
Dumbledore observed him a moment longer before speaking. “Let me know if you need anything, my boy. You have Hogwarts' full support behind you.”
Remus ducked his head, hiding the mixed emotions the statement stirred. “Thank you, Professor.”
The mirror fogged and then the connection was lost.
“You are stalling your return?”
Remus spun so fast he almost toppled over as his still healing leg threatened to collapse.
President Smackhammer stood with his back to the door. How he had entered and spelled the door locked again all without Remus knowing was a mystery.
“Harry needs time,” Remus rasped, hands shaking from the fright. “England will be good for him, but it will also be complicated. He doesn't need complicated right now.”
The president gestured Remus to sit on the bed and he did so gratefully. “I approve. In fact, that is why I sought you out. The boys are physically well enough to leave the hospital. I'd like to suggest you three go on a brief retreat before returning to your country. Lusio Village is one of the few above ground, fully magical communities in North America, and I can promise it is very safe. I believe you will find the balance you seek there.”
It wasn't like Remus had a better idea. All he knew was that none of them were ready to face the Wizarding World just yet. Lusio sounded as good as anywhere, he supposed. “Thank you, sir.”
President Smackhammer gave him a nod of acknowledgement and left the room, saying, “I will make the arrangements.”
…
Draco stroked Harry's hair as the boy sat pressed against his side. They were eating dinner, sitting on their hospital bed with spelled trays. Harry ate silently, green eyes dark behind his glasses and his hair more limp than usual. He spoke if he must but as little as possible and only to Draco. He would go hours without making a sound if Draco didn't prompt him. He also refused to be separated from Draco. They went to the bathroom together, slept together, walked together – always within arm's reach.
Draco didn't mind per-say, but he was not happy with the near constant thrum of anxiety running through the bond. He didn't know how to fix it. He couldn't demand for Harry to trust that he was safe, that Draco would protect him. He had already broken that promise horribly. So where did that leave them?
The door opened and Draco watched Remus enter. Just like before, the man limped across the room and sat at the end of the bed.
Remus kept his eyes on his lap. He felt surprisingly ambiguous about returning home, and he hoped Draco didn't see it in his eyes. “I told Professor Dumbledore we will be held up here in America for at least another month. Let us get our breath back before we return to England, ya?”
Draco shrugged. Now that Liam was gone, it didn't really matter, did it? But Remus seemed relieved they weren't heading straight back to England. It was something Draco made note of. If England wasn't a good place for them, he'd make sure they never made that trip.
Remus gave a smile, eyes up now that the news had been given. “We leave in the morning. To a small, isolated village in California, I believe, where we'll be safe. We'll stay there for a time while we get everything ready for the move.”
Draco had no idea where California was. “Can I see a map?”
“Of course. Also, the Asclepius has recommended we take with us a mind-healer.” He tipped his head slightly in Harry's direction.
Draco hated that he wasn't enough to help Harry, but he wouldn't let his jealously and possessiveness prevent Harry from having what he needed to be well. Stiff and reluctant, he nodded his head, demanding, “I wanna interview the healer first.”
Remus looked surprised. “That's a good idea. I'll set it up.” He stood, still favoring his left leg and said, “Sleep well.”
Draco watched him go thoughtfully. Remus was a good resource. He was clearly on their side, but he was full of secrets. There were shadows in his eyes, more than what the Scourers had put there, and Draco didn't know how far they could really trust him.
“Draco?” Harry whispered, clutching at his sleeve.
“It's fine. Let's get some sleep.”
Sighing, he lay down and pulled Harry into his arms. The boy fell asleep quickly, but Draco couldn't rest. He had so much to figure out, and he wasn't sure how to go about it. It brought back the moist walls of the Hold and the numb endurance he'd cultivated as he barely survived, waiting for the right moment to escape. He'd go through that again if he had to, but Harry...
Whimpers rose beside him as Harry began to cry in his sleep. Draco rocked him, shushing his nightmare away. It took nearly an hour before the boy was sleeping peacefully once more. Heart heavy with nearly overwhelming responsibility, Draco stared through the darkness as he pet Harry's hair. He had to figure out a way to keep Harry safe, to make things good again, and it had to be soon. If the tension lasted much longer, he was afraid Harry was going to shatter and not even Draco would be able to save him.
…
The next morning Draco interviewed mind-healers. He went through ten before settling on the eleventh candidate. Laila Madison had a small waist, big hips and breasts, and white teeth in her dark face. Her hair hung in dreadlocks down her back to her waist with gold pieces and beads were threaded throughout. Her eyes were bright with intelligence and humor while also being soft with compassion. She wore a loose flowery blouse, faded jeans, and a battered pair of sneakers. She was definitely the brightest and most exotic of all the candidates.
“You'll do,” Draco declared, making her smile.
“Why, thank you, young sir,” she said playfully and winked at him. If there had been any condescension in her voice, she'd be gone, but there was an undercurrent of sincere respect in her playful tone. She looked at Harry who was still pressed close to Draco's side, and her face softened as did her voice. “I look forward to spending some time with you. Maybe I'll even teach you my secret cocoa recipe.”
Harry pressed his face shyly against Draco's shoulder.
Remus pushed himself off the wall he'd been leaning against and offered her his hand. “Thank you for joining us, Ms. Madison. We have the portkey ready whenever you are.”
“Please call me Laila. I'm not really the Miss type,” she said warmly, shaking his hand and then patting her purse. “I always try to be prepared, Mr. Lupin. I'm ready.”
“Just Remus is fine, Laila.” He took out a large key from the satchel he wore across his body. The key was about half as long as a ruler and made from tarnished brass. He looked to the boys. “This is a portkey. You have to touch it and then we'll be transported to Lusio Village.”
Draco's eyes went wide while Harry clutched even harder at the back of Draco's sweater. “Will it hurt?” Draco asked in response to Harry's – nervous fear.
“The most that will happen is that you feel a bit nauseous,” Remus reassured.
“I love portkeys,” Laila added. She placed two fingers firmly against the key and gave them a grin. “It's better than a rollercoaster.”
Draco had never been on a rollercoaster, but he did know people went on them for fun. Reaching behind him, he unhooked Harry's fingers from his sweater and held the boy's hand tightly, pulling him closer to the group. They'd been given some clothes that morning. They were their own, and a healer had informed them that their things had been removed from Liam's place. The rest would be waiting at Lusio.
Shaking his head and focusing on the now, Draco touched the key and jerked his head at Harry, telling him to do the same. Trembling, Harry obediently put his hand on the neck of the key. His wide, green eyes never left Draco's face.
“Portus,” Remus said firmly.
Draco gave a cry as they were pulled off their feet and flung through the air. It seemed to last forever and just a second at the same time. His stomach rose and fluttered as if he were falling, and suddenly he was flung down and sliding across the ground on a thin layer of mud.
Cold rain hit his face and he sat up, wiping it away from his eyes. Harry was a few feet from him, pushing up on his hands and knees. His whole front was coated in mud; half his face was plastered with the stuff. Remus was on his back, much like Draco, while Laila was on one knee, grinning in triumph from having escaped a fall.
“Draco...” Harry's eyes were wide as he tugged off his glasses. He was on both knees and held his hands out away from his body with a look of shock, mud dripping off them.
Draco pushed unsteadily to his feet and went to the boy's side. Their feet slid and slipped underneath them as Draco tried to get Harry up, and they both fell on their butts, making Remus smile and Laila laugh. Harry flinched and tried to hide from the attention, but Draco just ignored them. He used the front of his sweater to wipe the glasses clean and helped Harry wipe his face off, too. There was still dirt smeared across Harry's cheek and in his hair, but the majority of it slid off.
“Come on, boys,” Laila called, twisting her dreads into a ponytail. “We'll catch our death in this rain. I don't know about you, but it's cold out here.”
Harry's hand held firmly in his own, Draco took a good look around for the first time since their muddy landing. Massive trees larger around than a house surrounded them. The bark was a red-brown color and looked like it could peel off, like the cheese sticks Liam had bought once. Tilting his head back, he couldn't even begin to see the tops of the massive trees, the leaves a light green and feathery high above their heads.
Cold rain murmured and hissed as it fell gently through the leaves and hit the large ferns that covered the ground. It smelled like rain, green things, and rich dirt. Here and there he could see fallen trees, and a thick green carpet of moss coated them. Fog shrouded the forest, creating a dream-like aura. Draco could definitely believe they were in a magical place.
Suddenly, Harry gasped and pointed to the right. They all turned to see small golden lights lifting from the large, soft ferns growing all around them. The lights zipped and dipped lazily. Soon there were at least a dozen, and Draco thought he could hear the barely-there tinkle of tiny bells.
“Fairies,” Remus told them. “They're harmless as long as you don't let them form a circle around you or eat anything they give you. I suspect they're our guides to the village.” He took out his wand and cast an umbrella charm at all of them before drying their clothes.
“Thanks,” Draco said, surprised as no more rain fell on him. He looked up and saw the rain fall off a small invisible shield above his head.
Quietly, they followed the little lights, staying in a line as they made their way through the forest. Draco and Harry tried to look everywhere at once. Neither of them had really been in nature before. It was all so amazing.
Without much warning, they pushed through some bushes and found themselves in a large clearing. There were small, cute houses scattered about painted in sage greens, dark browns, and cream. Small dirt pathways ran here and there through emerald green grass. They were almost to the village center where there was a large wooden statue of a half bird, half lion – Remus called it a gryphon – when a woman in mountain boots, jeans, and a sweater came out on her porch.
“You must be Mr. Lupin!” she called with a smile. “I'm Cindy Hills! Come in. I'll be your neighbor while you're here.”
Remus glanced at Draco who gave him a shrug. The four of them trooped up to her porch and she clapped her hands with a look of concentration on her face. The mud and water suddenly fell away from them one at a time as she clapped her hands four times.
She smiled. “I hate sweeping. Best to prevent it from coming in at all!” Brushing her dark brown hair off her face, she held her door wide open. “The kitchen's to the right. Have a seat at the table and I'll make you hot tea. I heard you're from England, and I know how you folk love tea.”
The kitchen was done in white and yellow with red here and there. Draco looked around in interest before Harry's anxiety grabbed his attention. He was watching Cindy make the tea. Draco took his hand and gave it a warm squeeze.
* You can help out at our place, okay? *
Harry ducked his head,.
“I've been at Lusio for about a year now. It's really a great place,” she chatted. “I think you'll like it.”
“Thank you,” Remus offered as she passed him a steaming mug.
She gave him a big smile. “No problem.” She finished handing out everyone's tea. “I'm thinking of moving to a small town in Maine next month. There's a job out there at a magical museum. I've always loved art. A bit of a fanatic, really, and they need someone to organize the pieces and write a bit about each one.”
“That sounds like a mighty fine job,” Laila said supportively.
“Right?” Cindy gave a little laugh. “I'm excited, but nervous, too, you know? Lusio is so amazing. It'll be hard to leave. It's so peaceful here. Anyway, they prepared the house next door for you, like I said. There's no real schedules here. You just do what you feel like. They have little activities and stuff of course, if you feel like joining. Like bracelet making or dance. It's kinda like being at camp. Oh! And theirs morning class for kids so they don't get behind on their school work.” She turned her smile on Draco and Harry. “Listen to me prattle on. I didn't even let you introduce yourself!”
“Draco Black,” Draco offered and tilted his head toward his boy. “Harry Potter.”
Cindy's mouth fell open and she stared at Harry's forehead as if she could see through his bangs. “Is he really?” she squeaked.
Harry stared at the table, refusing to look anyone in the face, and Draco glared at her warningly as he put a protective around the his boy's shoulders.
“You can call me Remus,” Remus offered, breaking the tension and grabbing Cindy's attention.
Laila caught on and added her own boisterous voice. “And I'm Laila Madison. It's a pleasure, Cindy Hills.”
“Well!” Cindy finally pulled her eyes off of Harry, but she kept sending him little glances as she talked to the adults. “I've been watching for you, but when the rain started, I got distracted trying to get my cat inside. She's a silly little thing. Sorry I didn't meet you at the clearing. Anyway, I have your house keys here.” She got up and bustled to a drawer, opening it and pulling out a key ring. It had a large four-leaf-clover hanging from it. “Here you go. If you need anything, please let me know. Oh! In the village center is a board that posts all the activities if you're interested. Also, there's a mess hall if you want to eat with others for dinner, but your other meals you'll have to work out for yourself.”
“We'll keep that in mind. Thank you again,” Remus said politely and pushed to his feet. Draco and Harry moved to his side.
“Oh! I'm sure you're anxious to get settled in.” She blushed and tried to catch Harry's eyes. “Sorry for keeping you. Here, let me show you the way.” Cindy darted out the kitchen door and they had to hurry to follow her.
They went down a side path lined in short dark green bushes and soon came to a pale cream house with blue trim. Remus used the key to open the back door and they found themselves in a nearly identical kitchen, except this one was painted white with blue accents here and there.
Draco left Remus and Laila with Cindy. Towing Harry by the hand, he moved down a short hallway that opened into a living room. Creams walls, brown furniture, and dark green carpet - the room had a natural feel that echoed the forest that surrounded them. Two big couches sat around a fireplace. Art pieces decorated the walls but had no people in them, instead depicting animals in natural scenes.
Draco headed for the stairs. Harry was trembling and he was anxious to figure out why.
There was a bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs. Harry's anxiety spiked when they stepped into the bigger one, so Draco chose the smaller one for them. It was done in white and soft peach. It reminded Draco painfully of Brendon, but he forced that down. He sat Harry on the bed and knelt in front of him.
“Talk to me,” Draco ordered, voice low. He stared up into Harry's flushed face, hating to see the boy's cheeks wet with tears.
“Draco...” Harry whimpered and tried to look away.
Draco reached up and forced Harry's face back around to stare into his eyes. “Tell me, Harry. Now.”
“A-aunt and U-uncle... They lived... in a house like this...” he whispered – self-hate anxiety despair.
“Did they?” Draco said thoughtfully, absorbing Harry's emotions. “Well, you aren't that boy anymore.”
- disbelief pain confusion – Harry's tears fell faster and he reached for Draco, but Draco pulled away, standing. Harry stared up at him desperately.
“Are you mine, Harry?” Draco asked softly, sincerely. “Do you still want to be mine?”
“Yes, Draco!” - desperation fear need - “Yours!” But then his emotions took a weird swing and the boy curled in on himself, leaning away from Draco. Draco grit his teeth and forced himself to hold still to hear Harry's words. “But... I'm bad... evil...”
Insanity began to tickle against Draco's mind and he did the only thing he could. He slapped Harry across the face. The boy gasped, falling sideways on the bed. Draco leaned forward and pushed the boy onto his back. Lifting his hand, he pressed his palm against Harry's throat. The boy went limp – hope – surging up the bond.
“No, Harry. No.”
It was all he could say. He didn't know how to stop the darkness from consuming them. He knew Harry needed something, but he didn't know what. Draco was panting, furious at himself for not having the answer that Harry needed. He glared down into the boy's tear-stained face.
Harry actually pressed up slightly against his hand, making him cut off Harry's air. Draco hissed quietly and leaned more of his weight down. Harry's face flushed red, his mouth gaped, but his eyes remained bright with need.
“Mine,” Draco said, voice quiet but hard as steel. “You. Are. Mine.”
Something caught his eye. The closet door was open a crack and he saw a familiar backpack. Suddenly, he smiled. He pressed even harder with his hand, making Harry's body arch against him for a moment before Draco let him go. Harry lay limp, coughing as he tried to gasp in air.
“I want you to close your eyes, Harry.”
Harry obeyed, flushed and sweaty.
“Now I want ya ta'think real loud in your head, I belong to Draco. Keep thinking it 'til I tell ya to stop.”
Harry did as he was told, shouting in his mind: I belong to Draco!
At first, he felt unworthy. I belong to Draco! Draco who was strong and beautiful, who was so smart. I belong to Draco! The more he said it, Harry suddenly felt something change. I belong to Draco! He remembered all the times Draco had needed him. To heal him, to hold him. I belong to Draco! It was his job to take care of Draco. I belong to Draco! He would make Harry more than he was. He would make Harry better. I belong to Draco! He would give Harry purpose and make him useful.
Slowly, Draco came into focus in his mind's eye. Soft blond hair tucked behind his ears, bright grey eyes, pale skin and pink lips. He was naked in Harry's mind. The scars on his chest giving his skin new texture. He was strong and powerful. It made Harry feel warm to imagine those grey eyes going silver and pinning him with that intense look Draco got.
“Who do ya belong to?”
“Draco,” Harry said with certainty, still staring into the imagined Draco's eyes.
“Open your eyes.”
Draco was kneeling over him, knees on either side of Harry's body. His eyes were silver and intense, just like in Harry's mind, and they stared down deep into Harry's soul. “I belong to Draco,” he said without thinking.
Draco grinned and Harry felt his stomach flutter at the utter happiness on the blond's face. “Yes.”
“I belong to Draco,” he said again, breathlessly.
“Good boy,” Draco purred and bent down to lay a gentle kiss on his lips.
Harry whimpered.
“Again,” Draco whispered, breath ghosting over his face.
“I belong to Draco.” - This time it was said like a prayer and tears filled his eyes.
Draco kissed him deeper this time. “Yes. You do. Forever. For always. Mine.”
“Yes,” Harry gasped tearfully, joy singing in his heart. “Yours.”
Something touched Harry's neck. Harry's eyes went wide and he held his breath. It was slightly rough but soft, too. It slid around his throat and he heard a soft clink, felt a tug, and then it was pulled snug against his skin... A collar, his collar. It was as if the world clicked back into focus and Harry could truly breathe at last.
Draco's tongue thrust into his mouth, and Harry gave a cry from deep in his gut, his heart racing in his chest. He flung his arms around Draco, his whole body shuddering as the dam inside his chest finally broke. The tangled mess in his head finally began to unravel as Draco sucked, and licked, and kissed him as if he were going to swallow Harry whole.
Harry poured everything he was down the bond and into that kiss – joy grief trust love fear doubt submission need self-hatred – He felt like he was flying even as Draco's body pressed him firmly down. I belong to Draco! I belong to Draco! He thought it again and again, each time it made him feel more free, more human. It felt like days they lay there kissing as Harry cried everything out, but really it wasn't longer than an hour. The tears finally came to a stop as he fell asleep curled up against Draco's body, a smile gracing his lips.
Draco lay on his side facing him, petting Harry's hair. He felt too energized to sleep. The euphoric rush of Harry giving up everything still sang in his blood. He gently ran his fingers through the boy's hair only to come to a stop as his fingers hit the thick red collar at the back of Harry's neck. Draco felt warm with the knowledge that Harry needed to be his just as much as Draco needed Harry. He cupped his hand over the collar on Harry's throat and slid down to lay a kiss on it.
“I love you, Harry,” he whispered, eyes brightening to silver. “I'll do better. I promise.”
Chapter end.
A/N: Okay. Things are a little rocky still. :(
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Freedom Bound in Chains