Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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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Jungle
It was an hour before sunrise and Remus was making his first cup of tea when the boys wandered into the kitchen. They'd gone up to bed as soon as they'd arrived at around four o'clock in the afternoon yesterday and never came down for dinner, so he wasn't surprised they were awake so early. Then his eyes caught on the red collar at Harry's throat.
Before Remus could really react, Harry gave him a shy smile. “Good morning.”
Surprised, Remus answered back, “Morning.”
He watched the small boy move gracefully around the kitchen while exploring cupboards and drawers. It didn't take long for Harry to find the spelled cold cabinet that served the same function as a refrigerator, the boy giving a surprised little gasp. It didn't hold him up long, however, and soon he was pulling things out to cook for breakfast.
Feeling eyes on him, Remus turned to see Draco, who had taken a seat at the kitchen table, watching him, his chin resting on his folded arms.
“Harry likes to cook,” the boy offered, still watching for something.
“Okay,” he said carefully and slowly sat in the chair across from him. Draco finally blinked, his eyes shifting to Harry, and Remus allowed himself to relax a little.
Harry hummed as he cooked, and he felt a pang as he remembered Lily doing the same when she was happy or content. Inexplicably, the air of defeat that had shrouded the boy was gone and his eyes were no longer a dark, dull green. Remus didn't understand what had caused such a drastic change so quickly, but he knew – as baffling as it was – that the collar was a part of it.
Harry wearing a collar, maybe even wanting one, was not a good thing, but Remus felt too numb to even think about going there right now. Honestly, after the Scourers a lot of things just didn't seem as important or urgent, and it was hard to be against something when, for the first time since he'd been reunited with Harry, the boy was smiling and at ease. Therefore, Remus sat silently instead of asking about it. He chose to bask in Harry's happy mood as the boy cooked instead, and in less than an hour, they had plates of scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage in front of them.
Remus watched thoughtfully as Draco tapped Harry's plate to get the boy to eat instead of just watching Remus and Draco do so. He also noticed the pleasure in Harry's eyes when Draco complimented the food and ate every bite. Remus couldn't help feeling warmed by the innocence of the scene.
The sun was beginning to rise, the sky flushing pink and orange, when they finished. Harry stood and took their dishes to the sink to be washed, and Remus prepared his second cup of tea. Draco returned to his slouched position with his chin sitting on his arms.
“Good morning, everyone!” Laila called cheerfully, stepping into the kitchen in a colorful blue and green polka-dot blouse and black jeans. Her feet were still bare. “I see we're a bunch of morning people.”
“Morning,” Harry said, shyly smiling. He quickly brought her a plate that had been warming in the oven and a cup of coffee as Remus and Draco greeted her. She took the plate with a smile and thanked Harry sincerely, praising his skills. Blushing fiercely, Harry went back to the dishes.
“So what's the plan for today?” Draco's asked, staring at Remus once again.
“I'm not sure there is one.” Remus looked to Laila questioningly.
“Each of you should have a short session everyday, but it's up to you three when.” She addressed Draco when she added, “I'd prefer it if we were alone during that time.”
Draco lifted his head, his posture going straight as he considered it. After only a moment, he answered, “After lunch, I'll go first, alone, but I'll be in the room for Harry's session.”
Remus winced as the blond very openly challenged her with his eyes, but Laila only nodded.
“Very well.” She looked to Remus. “When would you prefer our session?”
He sighed but knew better than to decline in front of the boys. He didn't want it to seem like that was an option. “I suppose the sooner the better.”
“I want to know more about England and magic,” Draco said casually, but his expression was far too intent for that to be true. Remus had a sudden premonition that Draco was going to be a very demanding student. “But first I think we'll go exploring. Ready, Harry?”
“Yes, Draco.” Harry dried his hands on a towel and hurried to the kitchen door, Draco close on his heels. They were both grinning in excitement.
“Be careful,” Remus called, but the boys were already gone.
Dark eyes suddenly fathomless, Laila asked gently, “Are you ready, Remus?”
Remus sighed again but nodded. “Let's take this to the living room, then, shall we?”
“Good idea,” she agreed and gently squeezed his shoulder before leading the way.
…
Draco guided them straight into the forest. It was mid-November, and the map Remus had showed him put Lusio on the other side of America from New York but about as high. It was colder here, but not by a huge amount. A long-sleeved t-shirt under heavy sweaters, jeans, and thick socks inside their sneakers was enough to keep them warm.
They walked aimlessly for about an hour. Draco couldn't get enough of the sweet air. It filled his lungs and made him feel like he was flying. The soft golden light filtering through the canopy and the silence were magical. The massive trees and beautiful ferns created a sheltering wall, while they traveled up and down the hilly slopes that were slick with fallen leaves and soft, dark earth. Flinging his arms wide, he spun in a circle, only to be tackled to the soft ground by a giggling Harry.
Draco lay unresisting on his back with Harry straddling his hips. “Ya know, it's been about a year since we met,” he said softly, reaching up and brushing Harry's hair off his face with a gentle hand.
Harry smiled down at him. “I feel different from then,” he admitted and touched the collar with gentle, reverent fingertips.
Draco sat up carefully – He didn't want to dislodge Harry – and wrapped his arms around him. “Me, too. I'm so happy I got you, Harry.”
Harry melted against him with a sigh – peace content love.
They sat like that for a long minute, Harry's legs folded on either side of Draco's hips, pressed tight front-to-front as Draco's legs bent slightly to cradle Harry's smaller body. They fit together so perfectly. Draco rested his cheek on Harry's soft, thick hair and just breathed in the peaceful moment.
“You think Liam's okay?”
Draco pulled back enough to look into Harry's eyes. “Ya mean 'cause of the mob?” When Harry nodded, – worry grief – flickering though the bond, Draco gave a reassuring smile. “Course he is. He knows how'ta take care of himself, plus he's got Jess and Drey. They'll knock sense into him if they have'ta. I know Liam didn't want to leave New York, but he knows better than to stick around. He'll go somewhere and make a fresh start.”
Harry gazed trustingly into Draco's eyes. “How come he couldn't come with us?”
“Well...” Draco pulled Harry in close, unable to look into Harry's sorrowful eyes, and rested his chin on the top his head again. “It's against the law for someone like Liam to be with us cause we're magical. And in England... There's Scourers there, but different. Here they're normal and hurt magical people, right? Well, in England, they're magical and hurt normal people. It's not safe. We couldn't hold up against Scourers, and we have magic! No way will Liam be able to protect himself against the Scourers who have magic. He's better off without us right now.” Heart aching, Draco added in a quiet voice. “Maybe... Maybe later, though. When we get stronger and older. Maybe we can find him again.”
There were other reasons, too, that Liam was better off away from them, but Draco didn't think it wasn't time yet to tell Harry about that. About the evil wizard that would be after them or about Harry's fame. They weren't even in England yet and their neighbor had known about Harry, had looked for the scar. Harry's mind was still fragile and healing; he didn't need to know. Not yet. Besides, Draco wanted a much better understanding of the situation before he tried to lay it out for Harry.
“Come on. Let's see if we can catch a fairy.” Draco gently pushed Harry off his lap and got to his feet, forcing a grin.
Harry smiled gamely back and chased after Draco as he ran off into the forest.
…
Remus felt wrung out. He'd thought he knew all his weaknesses. He hadn't. Laila had mercilessly made him face himself again and again. Normally, he'd run screaming with self-hatred as he was shown mistake after mistake, all due to his faulty self-perspective. He wasn't even allowed that. Laila made it very clear that he had all the tools he needed to be a strong, independent person. If he did anything less than face himself and get back on his feet, it was due to laziness and fear, not inability.
Needless to say, he felt scraped raw and weak. He'd retreated to the kitchen, abandoning Laila's implacable, compassionate stare. He'd stood, shaking and shaken, arms wrapped around his torso in the middle of the room, lost. He'd taken one step toward the door, heart beating fiercely in his chest, the urge to run run run screaming in his mind, when Draco and Harry tumbled into the kitchen.
They were dirt-smeared with leaves and twigs tangled in their hair. Large, childish smiles adorned their faces; their eyes were bright. They looked like happy kids for the first time since Remus had known them. It slowed his pulse and steadied his legs. Harry, slightly breathless and grinning, began to put together lunch. Draco, meanwhile, planted himself in front of him, eyes bright. He was as fierce as Remus had never been.
“That bad?” he asked, staring Remus down in spite of standing only a few inches taller than Remus's waist. He had to look up to hold Remus's gaze, but it was Remus who felt somehow smaller.
Pale, running a still shaking hand through his hair, Remus gave a weak smile. “It wasn't what I expected.”
The little boy met his eyes, expression cold. It was a challenge, pure and simple, and Remus felt something deep inside stir, but he had no chance to respond. Draco bounded past him as only a child can do and began to wash his hands at the sink. Harry had already done so before ever touching the food. The two boys chattered at each other while Draco washed up and then fell comfortably silent when Draco finished and took a seat at the table.
Remus had no idea what to make of any of it. He still felt shattered, but at least he no longer wanted to run out the door. Shaking his head, he took down glasses and filled them with milk. Harry finished the sandwiches and small salads, and together they brought the food to the table.
“Where's Laila?” Draco asked after taking a big bite. He smiled at Harry and ran a hand through his hair, making the little boy practically glow with happiness.
“She said she'd eat in the mess hall. She'll be back in time for your session,” Remus answered. He's eye caught once more on the red collar at Harry's throat.
He wondered what he could do about it, wondered if Laila would address it instead, and immediately recognized that for the weakness it was when before Laila he wouldn't have known, would have made excuses or rationalizations, for why it shouldn't be him to broach the topic.
Still, even knowing he was being weak by hoping someone else would handle it, he couldn't bring himself to talk about it. Miserable and trying to hide it, Remus ate, only speaking up to compliment Harry. It made him feel marginally better when Harry gave him a bright smile, green eyes happy behind his glasses.
Harry and Remus were cleaning up when Laila stepped into the kitchen through the side door. She looked perky and cheerful, her dreads falling neatly down her back and over her shoulders, her dark eyes bright, as if the morning session hadn't torn him apart. Remus avoided her eyes, staring into the sink with a dishrag in hand as Harry continued to wash.
“Ready, Draco?” he heard her ask.
He heard the scrape of a chair against the floor: Draco standing. “Sure,” the boy answered, fearless and unconcerned.
Remus lifted his head, catching and holding Laila's gaze. “Go easy on him,” he rasped.
She gave him a kind smile. “I'll go as easy as he needs,” she promised.
Harry had stopped washing and was looking around at them, his face creased in worry.
Draco stepped up to the boy and ruffled his hair. “Don't worry, Harry. I'm just gonna talk to Laila. She's here ta make sure we feel better after what happened. Isn't that right?”
Grey eyes pierced him and Remus flinched. “Yes,” he said weakly. “She's here to help.”
“But you already make me feel better, Draco,” Harry spoke, ignoring Remus, his eyes on Draco alone.
The blond gave a smile and kissed his cheek. “I'll always make you feel better,” he promised. “Laila is just gonna help is all. Okay?”
“Okay,” Harry gave in, trust written across his face for all to see.
Draco ruffled Harry's hair one more time and strode from the room. Laila gave them a saucy wink that had Harry giggling. Remus tried to shake off his worry, but he caught himself frowning. To distract himself, he glanced to the side to see Harry done washing the dishes and beginning to clean the counters.
“Do you want to hear a story while we work?” he asked without thinking.
Green eyes peered up at him, Lily's eyes. “What kind of story?”
“A magical one,” Remus answered with a nostalgic smile.
Harry, head tilted to the side curiously, said, “Okay.”
…
Shapes rose out of inky blackness. Things grew only a little less black as it did. Lush vegetation – trees, vines, bushes – seemed to lift out of the shadows. The darkness grew layered and deep. The rich smell of earth and rain seeped into her awareness. The soft, solid ground at her feet pressed up at her unyielding.
As she grew aware of her surroundings, she sensed life around her: insects, birds, small mammals. She watched as a spider hanging in a gorgeous and intricate web descend on a singing cricket stuck in the glistening strands. Birds thrashed in the bushes as they swooped on rabbits. Blood, warm and bright, soaked into the ground and flavored the air. Up along a tree branch a gorgeous green snake coiled around a small thrashing monkey who screamed for a brief moment before the snake squeezed and all sound cut off.
All around her was nature at it's most primal. Beautiful and uncompromising, life was fed by death and flourished. This was not the mind of a human child. It was the mind of a warrior, a predator. It was dangerous, and it reflected the mind of a dangerous person.
Sweltering heat pressed against her skin as the jungle seemed to weigh wether she was predator or prey. Everywhere she looked the jungle grew wild and untamed, soaked in blood and lush with life, but there, almost hidden by ferns, she could see the bare beginnings of a path.
She pushed forward and felt gravity increase, trying to hold her at bay. She reached forward and gently pushed aside a fern blocking her view. As her eyes adjusted to the sudden flood of soft, golden light, Laila's breath caught at the sight before her.
A deep pool of crystal clear water sat surrounded by flowers of all colors and sizes. From soft blue-purple bell flowers to enormous orange bowl-shaped flowers and everything in between, they created a lush carpet and crawled up the trees that shaded and protected the glade from the carnage that surrounded it. The scene was as soft and gorgeous as any fairytale garden. Pure golden light trickled down from the thick canopy above giving everything in the clearing soft edges and a slight glow.
A small tinkling brook fed the pool, creating gentle ripples in the crystalline surface and a song as peaceful as any as she'd heard. A young deer lay on the bank, it's slender legs tucked underneath it's body. Cream spots doted the soft brown fur along its back indicating its young age. Sensing her presence, the gracefully angled head lifted as soft, round ears turned forward to capture any sound she made. Gentle, soulful eyes stared into her own and she could feel herself melting with love and adoration for this fragile, beautiful animal.
Before she could react, a pitch-black monster the size of a jungle cat exploded out of the bush and flew at her face. Claws and bloodied teeth rushed toward her as the creature – a blur of black snake scales and eyes, feline claws and ears, wolf head and teeth, venom pooling in the corners of the wide open mouth – gave a terrifying growling howl.
Screaming, scrambling backward, Laila fell and death instantly snapped closed around her throat.
…
“In a huge castle far from here, children go to learn magic. The castle is made from grey stone worn smooth by time. Huge round towers and high walls with windows glowing with light from within. It was here that four boys named Prongs, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Moony met for the first time.
They were very different from each other, but somehow became great friends. Prongs was confident and wealthy, Padfoot came from a very controlling family, but was too wild to be tamed. Wormtail seemed timid at first, but he had a wicked sense of humor, and Moony was sickly and bookish.
The first winter the four boys had together, the others learned that Moony did not do well with the cold. He was sick often and missed a lot of classes. Christmas morning, Moony was in a hospital bed in the school's clinic. He'd taken some medicine so he was deeply asleep. Prongs, Wormtail, and Padfoot crept into the room and began to create magic.
With the help of little elves, they brought in a huge tree and Wormtail decorated it with gold and red fairy lights. He charmed candles to float around the end of the branches so it sparkled and glowed with warmth. Padfoot cast a spell so it looked like it was snowing in the room but without the coldness. Each flake glittered silver and tickled if it landed on your skin. Prongs transfigured a wall so that it became a large brick fireplace. The fire inside shifted through all the deep jewel hues of blue, red, purple, and yellow. Warmth emanated from it, sinking deep into your bones and making you want to melt.
After work that took hours, they added their final touch. They filled the bottom of the tree with little gifts and cards from their classmates. All of this for Moony. When Moony woke up, it felt like he was transported to another world. They had practiced nearly nonstop all month to master those spells to make Christmas special for Moony.
They spent all of Christmas day in that magical room, laughing and telling stories. They ate chocolate that jumped around like frogs, opened gifts, and played a game called Exploding Snap. At the end, they all climbed into Moony's bed and fell asleep like a pile of puppies. It was then that those boys became Moony's family.”
…
Harry smiled as Draco strode into the kitchen. “Draco...”
Draco took his hand and looked to Remus who was sitting with Harry at the kitchen table, both with a cooling cup of tea. “We're gonna go play, but we'll be back before the sun sets for dinner.”
“Okay...” Remus said carefully.
Harry was sad to see Remus look so closed off and worried. He'd looked so happy and relaxed telling him the story about Christmas. Remus disappeared from his thoughts, however, when he noticed how damp and cool Draco's hand was. All his attention shifted to the blond.
Harry squeezed his hand and stepped forward so they were walking side-by-side. “Are you okay, Draco?” He looked paler than normal.
Draco slanted him a smile. “Yeah. Laila wan'ed ta get a feel for the shape of my mind and it was more weird than I expected. Don't worry 'bout it.”
“Will it hurt?” Harry asked worriedly.
“Nah. I think you'll be fine.”
Harry relaxed, knowing Draco was almost always right.
“What were you and Remus talkin' about?”
They were in the forest now, and Harry realized they were heading toward the special tree they'd found that was hallow on the inside. There was a hole just big enough to crawl into. The tree was so big that the inside was almost half the size of the house they were staying in. They'd picked ferns and made a soft little bed and Draco had promised they'd keep working on it until it was the perfect hideaway.
“He told me about a magic castle and four boys who go to school there and it was Christmas! Do you think we can have a Christmas, Draco?” Harry asked, excited and nervous at once. On one hand, he didn't deserve Christmas. On the other, Draco definitely did.
“Tell me about it and we'll see.” Draco gave him a warm smile.
Harry felt his nerves slide away. Draco would know if it was okay to have Christmas, so he excitedly told him the story Remus had told him.
…
Remus found Laila nearly unconscious, lying in the middle of the living room floor. He tapped her cheeks, making her groan painfully. He had her halfway sitting up when she turned and vomited on the rug. Remus had no idea what had happened. He carefully got her into the bathroom and began to clean the floor, his mind racing as he imagined what had gone wrong. He heard her vomit twice more before staggering back into the living room.
Remus helped support her weight, concerned that her dark skin looked more grey than black. “What can I do?” he asked.
“Kitchen. Coffee. Scotch,” she answered, voice a rasp. An hour and two spiked coffee's later, she had color back in her face and her hands had stopped shaking. “That boy... His mind attacked mine. He didn't do it on purpose; it was pure reflex. He's a very powerful child.”
“So you didn't see anything?” Remus felt a confused mix of disappointment and relief. He wanted to understand Draco, but he was also terrified of the idea of looking into the boy's mind.
“I saw,” Laila contradicted. Her dark eyes held his own and there was a haunted cast to them. “I usually keep such things confidential, but I feel it important you understand a little of what I saw.”
Remus swallowed.
“That boy... He has a warrior's mind... Brutal reality where the strong thrive and the weak get consumed is what has shaped the boy's mind... But he has thrived in those conditions. He is among the strong... You could say Draco is extremely practical, a realist, but it is more than that. Murder, violence, and sacrifice is his norm. He wouldn't even bat an eye. There would be no hesitation. Survival is his goal, and he is good at it... In a child that young... It is frankly terrifying... He's capable of very dangerous and criminal things; rules will ever only be a guideline to him, not anything he feels compelled to obey. The opinions of others matter not at all... I would recommend drugs and residency in a mental hospital until his ruthless, borderline sociopathic mindset became blunted. ”
Head pounding with too much blood, Remus weakly asked, “But...?”
Laila sighed and slumped across the tabletop, laying her head on the hard surface. “All that bloody-mindedness... It was wrapped around something beautiful and gentle...” She sighed again. “I've never seen a mind capable of such warmth and devotion, such self-sacrifice. He's carved out a piece of his very soul for Harry... I saw it as a glen made out of gentleness, love, and goodness; a place for Harry to reside in safety and peace. It is this that is the core of Draco's mind. His entire being is focused on Harry's happiness and wellbeing. I can't put into words how beautiful it was. I've been in hundreds of minds, seen the love between parent and child, between lovers, and I thought I knew what beauty was... I have never seen anything as breathtaking as Draco's perfect devotion.”
Remus couldn't help smiling. Draco was an amazing kid. He'd been through horrific things, seen horrific things, and the fact that he had such love in his heart made it all the more beautiful. “So what now?”
Laila pulled herself up off the table and sat with another sigh. “It is because he was raised as a sex slave that he does not understand the way normal society functions or social rules, or even why they are important. I will explain the why, focusing on Harry's need to have a healthy, normal life, and that will make Draco a good student. I'm going to teach him basic psychology and societal rules so he can better take care of Harry. This should also make him safe to be around others.”
Remus nodded his head. “I'll help in any way I can.”
“Draco lacks empathy for people in general. He only cares about people if they are useful to him.” She gave him a warm smile. “You are the complete opposite. You care very much about others, what they think and feel. You put yourself second. Try and teach Draco that mindset, teach him about the rewards for caring and being a part of a community.”
Remus had no idea how she expected him to do that, but he turned his mind to the problem. Whatever the boys needed from him, he would do his very best to provide.
Chapter end.
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Freedom Bound in Chains