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Nature's Cruelty: Sequel to Earth Shattering	By : Luckycharms Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 4870 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That right goes to the AMAZING JK Rowling. No profit is made off this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Prologue
- 2-Flight
- 3-News
- 4-Secrets
- 5-Fireworks
- 6-Broken
- 7-Zoo
- 8-Tremble
- 9-Danger
- 10-Loss
- 11-Cruelty
- 12-Hope
- 13-Epilogue
- 8
- 9
- 10
AN- Thank you all for sticking by me with my lack of chapter posts! I really apologize for the delay, I had major writers block on this chapter and didn’t know how to get everything that I wanted into this chapter. I also detoured and wrote a scene that won’t happen for another 2 chapters or so lol. Anyway, due to my neglect, I have written and extra-long 6k+ chapter for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 9- Danger
Wednesday, July 5th, 2006 03:11pm
"Steven," Draco began as calm as he could while slowly reaching for his wand "I need to you to get behind me, alright?"
"Why? What is-"
"DON'T…ask questions. Just get behind me. And move slowly." He stated; his eyes never leaving the six foot long Cobra that had yet to notice them.
Steven's face fell to worry as he began to follow Draco's instructions. Unfortunately though, his fear got the better of him and he moved a little too quickly. The Cobra's head snapped to them just as Draco reached out and moved Steven faster behind him. He drew his wand and pointed it at the snake while he began to slowly back away.
The King Cobra spat out a large hiss in defense as it lightly struck at air ahead of it to prove its dominance. Draco took another step back as his free arm shielded the boy behind him. As he went to cast Stupefy, his wand sparked, but nothing happened. He tried again before remembering that he still wore the band, limiting his magic.
He went to try the Flipendo jinx and surprisingly it worked. He didn't complain however as the snake flipped in the air and landed with a hard thud a few feet away. Problem was, all Draco ended up doing, was pissing the Cobra off more.
The Cobra let off a loud and daring hiss as it righted its self and looked at the perpetrator. Draco readied his wand once more, but before he could cast the charm to knock the snake back again, something caught in the corner of his eye, making him stop just as fast as he was about to start.
A four foot long red and black Kingsnake, was slithering up to the side of the Cobra; it struck fast and hard before the Cobra even had a chance to react. The two snakes began to fight each other as their fangs pierced through the others scales, with neither one of them gaining the upper hand.
While the two reptiles fought and tangled themselves together, Draco took one more step back before realizing that Steven was no longer behind him. Turning around to see where he went, he saw the boy wide eyed and slowly backing up towards the cage with shattered glass they hid beneath earlier. He heard a faint rattling noise, but he had no idea where it was coming from. It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of the sign next to the enclosure, that Draco realized where the rattling was coming from.
"STEVEN, NO!" he shouted in a panic as he reached out a hand to grab to young Slytherin.
The shouting broke the trance Steven was in as he watched the two snake battle each other to certain death, but it startled him at the same time; making him jump in shock. Steven backed up against the opening giving the animal inside its chance to strike.
Steven let out a loud scream as the Rattlesnake inside the enclosure bit him in his right shoulder. Draco reached out for the boy and quickly turned him to see the five foot snake still holding on tightly to the teen with its fangs. Thinking as quickly as he could, Draco dropped his wand, grabbed behind the head of the reptile, and squeezed hard. He then grabbed the exposed tail and as fast as he could began bending it up and backwards, causing the Rattlesnake enough pain to release its grip and let go.
Steven stumbled forward while Draco held on to the snake before throwing it as far back into the cage as possible. Turning back around, he picked up his wand before scooping Steven into his arms and carried him to the exit.
Happy that the exit was still intact and not blocked, Draco kicked the door open and quickly carried the boy outside into the fresh air. Steven was crying in pain and Draco knew he had to find a way to get the venom out as fast as he could. He only knew one spell that Snape taught him long ago, for incase he was ever bit by Nagini; but the spell only removes some of the venom, giving the victim extra time to find an antidote.
There was little time to decide how to handle things and he had to act fast. Setting the boy on the ground, Draco raised his wand and cast the spell to pull some of the venom out of Steven's shoulder.
"We need to get you some help!" Draco began in a panic as he stood up and looked around for anyone who could assist him.
But the Zoo looked like a muggle bomb had gone off in it and became a complete ghost town. Not a soul was in sight and the exit was completely blocked off. The earth also split right through the gates, creating a huge mess that prevented them from leaving. He looked to the area they snuck in from earlier and saw the stadium they walked through, completely demolished. He was shocked the reptile house was still standing after seeing the destruction around him.
There was no way out and he had no idea how to help Steven anymore then he already did. Looking back down at the sobbing Slytherin, he suddenly had an idea.
"Dittany! We need to find you Dittany! It will remove the rest of the venom and heal your wound!" he ran his fingers through his hair and looked back around the obliterated zoo. "Where the fuck do I find an extremely rare plant?" he cursed aloud "Wait! Hermione might have some! She always has shite we never think we need! We have to find her!"
"How do you expect to find her in this place?" Steven asked through a whimper. "She could be anywhere right now."
"She was going to see the Lions and the Elephants with Jason. Maybe she is still in that area."
"It is unlikely. Besides, how do we even know…we have enough time…to find her before I die?" Steven questioned while slowly sitting up and wiping away the tears staining his face.
"YOU ARE NOT DYING!" Draco shouted as he turned around in anger.
Steven looked to be taken back at Draco's sudden anger and tilted his head in confusion.
Draco softened his features and turned back around to look at anything other than the boy who made him remember the last time he heard someone say they were dying.
"We need to find you Dittany." He calmly stated, trying to shake the memory of Hermione lying on the cold cement. "I will be damned if I let another person slip through my fingers."
"Okay, so let's go get it." Steven mentioned weakly.
"I have no idea where to find it! It is a rare plant."
"Great, this is how I die! Fifteen years old, bit by my bloody house mascot while trapped in a zoo that is falling apart on the edge of freaking North America, with an idol that has no idea where to fucking find Dittany! Which by the way, is called Origanum Dictamnus to muggles and only found wild on the mountainside and gorges of Crete, Greece; not be mistaken with Dictamnus Albus that is bitter and is toxic."
"How do you know that?" Draco asked, turning back around and raising a brow.
"Because I pay attention in potions class; also, I know how to read a brochure. It is protected by European law so it does not become extinct because it is so rare, but some muggle scientists have brought it over to America to study and help keep it from disappearing for good."
"Okay, but that doesn't tell us where to find any."
"Draco, come on. I know you are smart and I know you know that that plant grows in humid climates. Where in a zoo would you find a humid atmosphere?"
"The Rain Forest." He replied while trying to figure out how a teenager was out schooling him in the one subject he knew better than anyone.
"And how can this place keep humid temperatures at a constant state?"
"In an enclosed building but…" Draco paused for a moment as he began to put everything together. He felt pretty stupid for not thinking of it in the first place and a fifteen year old had to spell it out for him. In his defense, he was going through a lot and the only thing he was thinking about was finding his wife. "Bloody hell, the Aviary!" he shouted as he threw his hands in the air.
"We are so doomed." Steven whispered with a head shake. "It really took you that long to figure out?"
"You know, maybe if you would have just said where to find it in the first place, instead of giving me an origin lesson, we could have already been heading there." Draco retorted in aggravation. "Let's go, we don't have a lot of time!"
Draco quickly walked over to Steven and turned around so he could climb on to his back. Once he was settled, Draco made his way down Monkey Trail towards Scripps's Aviary.
On the way however, Draco could hear a faint whimper as the air began to fill with smoke. Steven coughed a few times as the smoke grew thicker and thicker and the whimper began to grow louder. Draco stopped walking as his whole body tensed up and flashes of the fight with Ron in the Parking Garage, began to bombard his mind.
"Draco? What is wrong?" Steven questioned as he looked around in his weaken state.
But Draco couldn't answer him. He just stood there frozen in place as the whimper echoed through his ears.
"Draco! Draco there is something crying in a fire over there!" Steven pointed to the right while also trying to shake Draco out of his daze. "Draco…MALFOY!" He screamed in his ear, finally snapping Draco back to reality.
"What?" Draco asked after shaking his head.
"Something is trapped over there!" He claimed while he once again pointed to the area where the fire was building.
"You can hear it too?" he asked calmly, still believing that his head was playing tricks on him again.
"What do you mean 'can I hear it too'? Of course I can hear it. We have to go help whatever it is! It could be a person!"
"We can't just go walking into a fire, Steve. Last time I did, two people died."
"But at least you helped! If you won't go then I will!" Steven claimed as he began to try and wiggle himself out of Draco's grasp.
"Okay, okay! I'll go! You stay here." Draco announced as he set the boy down.
"I'm not staying here. I can help."
"You are injured and have venom running through your veins! I am not risking you getting hurt by that fire!"
"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!" Steven shouted in anger, stunning Draco for a brief moment. "You can't tell me what to do!"
"You're right. You're lucky I'm not because if I was, your life would turn out to be just as miserable mine!"
Steven raised a brow as he looked at Draco in confusion. Draco let out a deep sigh and looked back at the fire billowing out of a habitat.
"Whatever!" Steven threw his hands in the air in frustration and pushed passed Draco to get to the enclosure.
Draco ran after the boy and grabbed his uninjured shoulder. Whipping him around, he stared into the teens eyes with determination and anger.
"Let's get something straight, Steve! I may not be your father, but at this moment I am your guardian; your life is in my hands, and until we get you back to Jason, you are my responsibility!" His eyes went dark as he lowered his voice and glared at the boy. "Trust me, I can be far scarier than your muggle father; I am an ex Death Eater who has seen more evil in the world than your brain can even comprehend. I have done more evil than that bloody tell-all book said, and when I tell you to do something, I expect you to listen. Do I make myself clear?"
"But-"
"NO! No but's, you stay out here, do you understand me?" Draco yelled in aggravation; reminding him so much of his own father. "You do not leave this fucking area unless your life is hanging in the balance! I expect you to be here when I get back, and then we are going to find you Dittany, and then my wife! I don't care if I have to find a way to stun you, you are staying put!"
Steven nodded his head in understanding as his face fell to mixture of shock and sadness, while Draco once again looked up at the fire, trying to calm himself down. Taking in a deep breath, he started towards the employee entrance and brought out his wand. Smoke began to file out of the door as soon it was opened, causing him to cough and wave his hand in front of his face.
Steven stared on in disappointment but lowered his head and backed up to rest on a bench a few feet away that wasn't destroyed.
Draco looked at the boy for a minute as he tried to find a way to trust that Steven would stay put. Realizing there was not a lot of time, he finally turned around and walked through the door. He lifted his shirt to cover his mouth and nose and began to crawl under the black smoke. He made his way further into the employee area, but as he crawled, Draco's hand touched something soft. He couldn't see two feet in front of him and he prayed to Salazar, he wasn't touching something that would bite him. Hesitantly, he moved his hand up the soft object before realizing the object, was a person. He reached his fingers up to the neck of the person to check for a pulse and when he didn't feel one, he lowered his head in defeat.
But the smoke was getting thicker and he knew he couldn't stay where he was. Knowing the person in front of him was a lost cause, he crawled over them and made his way to the door that separated him from inside of the enclosure. He stood up and looked through the large window next to the door to try and see if he could find what was crying.
However, he was not prepared for the sight he saw. The fire was larger than what he could see from the outside and it engulfed the trees inside with a burning ember. Moving his gaze down to the floor of the exhibit, Draco caught a glimpse of something small and scared. He realized then what habitat he was standing in front of.
A baby Bonobo sat crying next to a fallen tree and without thinking, Draco reached for the door knob; but the metal was severely hot to the touch and it made him pull his hand back in pain. He looked down and saw a key pad and realized he couldn't open the door the normal way if he wanted to. He also noted that the unlocking charm wasn't made for muggle keypads and blasting the thing open was out of the question since the band would most likely consider it terrorist activity.
So in desperation, he began to try and ram the door open with his shoulder, but in his rash decision making, he forgot to not use his right arm. He slammed hard into the steel plate as he tried to bust it down, and as soon as his arm made contact, he knew it was a mistake.
His shoulder seared in pain as it dislocated once again. He never thought he would know the true pain behind the injury because the last time he felt it, he was distracted by Hermione. Now that he was sort of clear headed, the pain felt immensely stronger.
He stumbled backwards as he held on to his arm and gritted his teeth. There was no time to try and fix it and he owed it to Steven to save the poor animal trapped inside the fire.
Still holding his injury while riding through the pain, Draco turned back to the door and began to kick at it. It wasn't until the third try, that the steel plate gave way and swung open. More smoke began to fill the room as Draco held up his left arm to shield his face from the intense heat.
It was then that he remembered the bubble-head charm. He tried it quickly and thanked Merlin the band on his wrist didn't stop it from working. Sucking in a large breath, finally able to breathe, he made his way inside and looked around for the baby. He looked to the right as saw the Bonobo in state of panic as its head looked around the room. Its cries filled Draco's ears and it broke his heart to see the baby in such fear. Looking down at the tree, he realizes the fire was not the only reason the primate was crying. Both parents of the baby laid beneath the branches of the fallen tree, and unfortunately they weren't moving.
Rushing to the animal, Draco saw that the tree was not only pinning its parents down, but it was holding down the baby's leg as well. The baby Bonobo screeched in fear when he got closer to it, but he was determined to save the thing before they both suffer the consequences of fire.
Harnessing in inner Hermione, he dropped to his knees slowly and tilted his head.
"Hey there…little one," He began, clearing his throat as softly as he could while holding out his left hand to show he was not a threat. "It's okay…I…I want to help."
The baby looked at Draco in a perplexed state as it continued to cry the most heart wrenching cry he had ever heard. Inching closer, while moving his left hand back to support his dislocated arm, Draco continued to try and sooth the primate in the raging fire surrounding them.
"I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. I just want to help, okay?" he stated, hoping the thing could understand him, but knowing it was only going to react to the calmness he emitted, not his words. "I am going to lift the tree now, okay? He claimed as he reached out and tried to show the baby what he was going to do.
The baby Bonobo calmed slightly and Draco took it as a clear sign to continue. Without hesitation, he moved closer to the fallen tree and maneuvered his hand around its branches; all without taking his eyes off the baby as the fire scorched the area next to them.
Fixing him-self to be able to get a good hold with one hand, Draco began to lift the tree with everything he had. He let out a loud groan as he heaved the tree up and off all three primates. Tossing it to the side with a heavy breath, he looked back to the baby that moved to cry and lay at its mother's side.
The sight was unbearable and it made Draco tear up at the grief radiating the room. He knew the pain the baby felt all too well. He had not only lost Hermione once, but unbeknownst to her, he cried for days after his mother was sent to Azkaban. He lost so much last year, that the feeling the Bonobo was releasing, created a sorrow in him he wished to never feel again.
Doing his best to snap out of memory lane, Draco quickly moved to the primate's side and gently rested his hand on its back. It was smaller than he thought it would be and he felt his protective indicts start to kick in. He wanted to comfort the hairy animal and comfort it, he did.
Not really knowing what else to do, he turned the baby into his arm and cradled it for a moment as it cried into him. Once again, the action brought back the memory of his first time hugging Hermione as she sobbed into his neck back in his tower. However this time, the experience was more parental than affectionate.
Scooping the baby up into his good arm, he carried it from the fiery grave and out of the enclosure. Stepping out into the fresh air, he looked around for Steven and took notice that he was not on the bench he originally left him at. Panicking he looked around for the boy with the baby still in his arms, as he began to scour the area in hopes of finding him.
His eyes landed on the young Slytherin standing at a railing off to his right in front of the Gorilla enclosure, with his head hanging low. Letting out a sigh of relief, Draco made his way over to him.
"Why are you over here?" he asked with firmness, yet he kept his voice calm at the same time.
"I couldn't bear to look at that scene anymore." Steven replied with a weak crushed voice. "That fire got so big and I panicked and…" Steven stepped back from the bar and looked up at Draco with weary expression.
"What's wrong? What is it?"
Before Steven had a chance to answer, a huge explosion burst from the sanctuary, causing both boys to drop to their knees and cover their heads. Debris rained down on them in the form of leaves, metal, and wood; only missing them by inches. Once the fire retracted, Draco slowly looked up with his mouth hanging slightly open. He didn't really understand what could have caused the habitat to explode, but what he did know, was that he was extremely lucky to have made it out before it happened with him inside.
The exhibit was no longer standing. Its walls were crumbling to the ground as the fire and smoke rose higher into the air. Draco was in disbelief at the sight before him. He literally just walked out of the building only a minute ago.
"Draco," his head snapped back to Steven who was holding his stomach and looked like he was about to throw up. "I…I don't feel so good."
Before Draco had time to react, Steven's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground in a faint. Cursing himself, Draco set the baby Bonobo down and crouched next to the teen. He placed his good hand on his forehead and felt a hot fever brewing beneath his soot covered skin. An unnerving presence engulfed the Slytherin Prince as he tried to figure out how to now carry Steven the rest of the way to Aviary.
Taking out his wand, he first removed the bubble-head charm from his face and then cast the levitating charm; thanking Merlin and Salazar, that the band let him preform the spell. Lifting the boy up he began to walk at a fast pace toward the giant Bird Cage; but not before realizing that the baby Bonobo clung to his left leg in desperation.
Rolling his eyes, Draco ignored the animal on his leg and continued on his way. The Aviary wasn't in ruins like he thought it would be when he arrived in front of it a few minutes later. He expected it to be in shambles, but it was perfectly fine standing tall with only a few cracks radiating up the employee building. Other than the cracks, it looked to have been untouched.
Be that as it may, he wasn't taking any chances and cautiously walked up to the employee door. The baby had climbed up his uninjured arm during the race to the Aviary and sat on his shoulder in a tremble. Still ignoring the thing that wouldn't leave his side, he lowered Steven to the ground before turning back to face the door. Whispering the unlocking charm, the door opened and Draco once again levitated Steven behind him.
The smell of the faux rain forest filled Draco's nostrils with warmth while the humid temperature enveloped around him.
He looked around the room for a place to lay the teen. After shifting some debris away with his foot, he set the boy down on the floor. Double checking to make sure he was still breathing and alive, he stood back up and went to remove the Bonobo from arm.
But the baby grabbed a hold of his hair and refused to get off him.
"Get off me you little ankle biter!" he yelled, but the primate only held on tighter. "You insufferable little shite; ugh fine, but at least let go of my hair!"
To his surprise the baby loosened its grip on his hair and instead wrapped its arms around his neck. Rolling his eyes Draco moved to the door and realized there was another key pad that required entry. Turning around he scanned the room for something to help him break the door open, when his eyes landed on desk sitting in the corner.
He made his way over to start checking drawers when he saw a flash of something shine in the corner of his eye. Glancing over, Draco saw a small card sitting on the surface of the desk. He picked it up by the lanyard and read the words written on the front.
"Senior Employee Accesses Card…Well that was easy."
Turning back around he made his way over to the door and scanned the card to get in. Walking in, the humidity hit him hard in the face, but he knew he couldn't be bothered by it. He grabbed a hold of his injured right arm to support it and began running through the Aviary looking for the rare plant he so desperately needed. The birds sang and chirped as he ran; creating a very tropical environment and making him feel more and more like he was actually in a rain forest. But Draco didn't have time to admire the beauty with in the Aviary; he needed Dittany and he needed it now.
As he continued to run down the metal pathway, he quickly stopped and back tracked slightly when he saw the plant resting near some birds. He recognized the birds to be Metallic Starlings and thought them to be relatively friendly.
Ignoring the signs that said to not lean over the railing, Draco hopped the rail and landed on his feet about six feet below the platform. Readjusting himself and making sure the baby was okay, he rushed to the plant; however he stopped abruptly when a swarm of Starlings flew in front of him.
The small black birds surrounded the Dittany like they were protecting it and there had to be at least a flock of thirty or more, chatting away in front of him.
"Scram!" he shouted as he waved his left hand at them; still holding on to his wand. But the birds didn't move, nor did they seem fazed by his shouting.
Draco looked around them for the plant he needed and realized why the birds were acting out of the ordinary. He assumed some of the nests during the quake fell from the tree tops and landed on the forest floor. The birds were simply protecting what eggs they had left.
Throwing his head back in frustration, Draco tried to think of something, anything, he could do to get the birds to move for just a moment and let him pass, but in the rush of everything, there was only one thing he could think of.
Raising his arm back out in front of him, Draco spoke the levitation charm and lifted the nests in the air. The birds went into a crazed state; flapping their wings and squawking at him, but he ignored the cries for him to put the eggs down and continued to lift their babies. He set them gently off to the side, away from where he needed to go and watched as the Starlings flew over to the nest to make sure they were okay.
He repeated the process on a few more eggs before his path was clear and he could safely get to the Dittany. One Starling however, was not happy with him and stood its ground in front of him. It squawked angrily at him and hopped around like it wanted to attack.
Before he could raise his wand again and move the bird, the baby Bonobo leapt off his shoulder and began screaming in a high pitched yelp at the small feathered friend. To say Draco was shocked was an understatement. The primate continued to create a noise that terrified even him as it swung its arms in the air like a crazed lunatic. The bird realized then that it was out matched and quickly flew away to join the others. The baby calmed down before looking back to Draco with a proud expression. It began to pick at its ear before it turned back around and ran towards the Dittany.
Raising a brow, Draco shook his head and began to follow. Once he got in front of the rare endangered plant he crouched down and admired the beauty of the pinkish flower. He studied it for a moment, trying to find the best way to extract what he needed without damaging the rest of the stem.
Once he figured it out, he ripped at the flower where he knew it would not harm it and quickly put the leaves into his pocket. He turned around and started back to the platform; the baby Bonobo racing behind him as he ran as fast as he could back to Steven.
The boy laid pale and white as a ghost on the floor, his breathing was heavy, and sweat began to form in ringlets across his forehead. Not wanting to waste any more time, Draco kneeled at the boy's side and brought out the Dittany. There was no time to extract its essence and the only sure fire way he knew to get the plant to work without a potion was to have Steven eat the thing.
But the boy was unconscious and in no shape to ingest anything. He had to wake him up.
Draco set the plant down and began to lightly tap at the teen's cheek, but it didn't do any good.
"Steven!" he began "Steven I need you to wake up, fight the venom and wake up!"
Still nothing, so Draco did the only thing he knew might work and for some reason, he didn't think to try early. He brought out his wand again and pointed it at the small Slytherin.
"Aguamenti!"
A jet of clear clean water burst from the tip of his wand and splashed directly into Steven's face. The boy jerked awake in his weakened state and tried to lift a hand to block the stream of water hitting him. Draco quickly ended the spell and set his wand down. He picked the Dittany back up and began to shove it into Steven mouth before he could pass out again.
Steven fought at the action, not really knowing what was going on, but Draco held his ground and forced the plant further in his mouth. He then pushed the boys jaw shut and yelled at him to chew. Steven's face contorted at the taste, but he followed direction and started chewing.
He swallowed hard before taking in a deep breath and passed back out again. Knowing he should be okay for now and he needed time for the flower to do its work, Draco then focused on how he was going to pop his shoulder back into place. The longer it was out of place, the worse the healing was going to be. He kicked at some debris before lying down and put his arms out to the side of him.
Closing his eyes, Draco recalled every raspy faint breath Hermione took as she tried to explain how to fix his arm the first time in his tower. Taking in a deep breath, he clenched his eyes and prepared for the pain of lifting his arm in the air. He did the same thing he did before and he reached for the back of his left shoulder. He then released a large agonizing cry when he felt his right shoulder pop back into place.
With his eyes still closed, he held on to his forearm until the pain began to subside. He felt a very small hand begin to pet his forehead and his eyes shot open in a panic. He looked up and saw the baby Bonobo weeping slightly as it pet him; almost as if it was trying to comfort him. He let off a small laugh and faintly smiled up at the small creature. He didn't much like the thing, but he thought it was sort of cute and it seemed to be growing on him.
Draco laid there for another fifteen minutes or so as he gathered his strength to begin moving again. He heard a soft moan next to him and he quickly turned his head to the left. Steven was waking up and he already looked ten times better. His skin color was coming back to normal and his breathing was no longer labored. Draco smiled when the boy turned his head groggily to look at him.
"What…" Steven swallowed "What happened? Why am I wet?"
Draco let out a light chuckle as he turned his head to look back up at the ceiling.
"Let's just say…It has been a hell of a day." He turned his head back to Steven "Are you okay? Can you walk?"
Steven sat up and looked around before nodding his head. Draco looked back to the ceiling before he too sat up with a large groan. He then stood up and made his way over to help the teen stand as well. They began to make their way out of the Aviary and down the long broken path to the lion enclosure. Luckily for them, they didn't run into any more problems. The trek was not easy though and they found many dead bodies scattered all over. He wished Steven didn't have to see them, but there was nothing he could do to stop it from happening.
He ushered him along the best he could and they both took turns holding the baby Bonobo on their shoulders. The baby at first seemed weary and hesitant to go to Steven, but eventually it warmed up to him and allowed the boy to hold it; cheering the Slytherin teen up tremendously.
The duo stopped when they got back to the Norther Frontier area, but instead of going inside they continued along the path, passing the Mountain Lion den.
"Where is the lion?" Steven asked as he walked up to the glass.
"What? What do you mean?" Draco asked, stopping in his tracks.
"The Mountain Lion…it's not there. And the habitat looks intact."
"Maybe it's hiding or lying behind a rock and you can't see it." Draco suggested as he turned to look through the viewing glass.
"No Draco, it's not there."
Draco's heart dropped, but he was determined to think of any possible reason as to why a perfectly intact exhibit didn't harbor the animal it was supposed to.
"Maybe it's in the back or not on display because it's not in this zoo yet?"
"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?"
"Both." He stated with a shaky voice.
The boys both stared at the glass for a few more minutes before pressing onward towards the Elephant enclosure.
"Thank you by the way." Steven announced while the duo continued to walk.
"For what?"
"For saving my life. I owe you big time."
"You don't owe me anything."
"A life for a life, I owe you; whether either of us like it or not."
The two Slytherin continued on their path, but had to find another way into the exhibit. The original path was blocked by large debris and they both knew it would take too long to clear. So they made their way through Panda Canyon and back to Park Way.
"Hey Steven?" Draco questioned as he stopped walking and waited for the boy to turn around.
"Yeah?"
"I…I'm sorry for yelling at you back at the Monkey exhibit."
"No worries. I am sure I would have just slowed everything down anyway." he replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Still, I shouldn't have yelled."
"Draco?" Steven took a step forward and removed his hands from his pockets. "I know you were scared. You had every right to be. I'm not mad, I sort have deserved it." He paused for a moment to kick at a rock sitting in front of him. "You know, you have cared more for me today than anyone but Jason has in my life. You even saved and accepted the fur ball on your shoulder. My…my parents are still a little scared of me and don't treat me like they used to, even though I have never given them a reason to fear me…I am still their son…You and Jason are all I have right now and if we never see each other again after this, I want you to know how grateful I am for you not only saving me today, but treating me like a normal person."
"I didn't really do much."
"Pshh, really?" he asked with an eye roll "Draco, I know you were just as scared as I was, if not more; you did everything you could to save my life. And not that my opinion really matters, but…I think you will make a really good father."
Draco relaxed his shoulders and lightly smirked at the fifteen year old in front of him. It was then that he realized he needed to hear the words come from someone else's mouth. It wasn't that he didn't believe Hermione when she told him, or even when he tried to tell himself that he could possibly be better than his own father. It was the fact that a teenage boy, who barely knew him, was telling him he was a good guy; someone worthy of being a parent.
Steven shocked him even more when he took a few more steps forward and closed the gap between them. He looked up at Draco with a small smile before wrapping his arms around him and hugged him.
Draco stood there for a brief moment in a state of disbelief, before he lifted his left hand and placed it on the boys back. He then gently moved his hand further across his shoulders and tightened the hug. A large smile began to form on his lips as he held on to the teen. He had never hugged anyone but Hermione and his mother in his life. He didn't think he could feel anymore happy than he did in that moment. And he had the new Slytherin Prince to thank for it.
"Thank you." He whispered into the boy's hair.
Steven released his hold on him and took a step back with a large smile.
"Come on, let's go find our family."
The boys continued off down the trail and turned left at the cross road. However, Draco's heart stopped when a dead grizzly bear lay in the path before them. He reached up an arm to stop Steven, since he was not even paying attention and watched in horror as his eyes rose. His gaze landed on Hermione about one hundred feet in front on him, covered in blood, and face to face with a very large, very angry looking Lion.
Thinking as fast as he could in his terrified state, he grabbed Steven's arm and drug him into some bushes.
"Stay here!" he whispered with all seriousness before removing the Bonobo from his shoulder and handed it to Steven.
He rushed back to the path and watched in horror as Hermione reached out a hand to touch the giant feline.
"HERMIONE NO!" He screamed out to her, but she either didn't hear him, or she wasn't listening.
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Nature's Cruelty: Sequel to Earth Shattering