52Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Draco's POV
Plums. He couldn't get it out of his head. He smelt like plums to Potter. He tried to remember everything Severus had taught him about scent association, but the only thing he could remember at the moment was that the better and more pleasant the smell, the more the creature inside you liked the person, and the more you disliked or hated someone the worse the smell was. His father always smelt like leather and burning wood, a strange combination to many, but it reminded Draco of home, and Severus smelt like a mix of herbs and flowers...and well his father.
Which now looking back, made him realize he should have known about their relationship years ago.
He sighed and ran his hand along the grass he was sitting on. Did him smelling like plums to Potter mean the other boy liked him? Or fuck, what if Potter hated plums? No, he thought, if he had he wouldn't have leaned in or followed him back to the room. He smiled, Potter, or at least part of Potter liked him. Was it as a friend? he wondered.
Then shook his head, he had more pressing things to worry about. He stood up and looked back at the castle, he had wandered farther than he should have, especially this late at night, but he had needed to clear his head, and the cat inside him wanted to be outside.
He started back, but a howl in the distance brought him to a stop. He tilted his head trying to pinpoint where the sound had came from. Another howl had him turning on his heel and looking behind him. He brought his cat forward, feeling his eyes change. He searched the tree line of the Forbidden forest trying to find the source. Another howl this one sounding more pained than the first two had him debating heading into the forest.
Something was hurt and with his leopard form not many things would dare attacking him. When a series of loud barks, a dog?,and a yelp filled the air, he moved forward. Cautious. As he moved slowly he tried to keep his ears aimed toward the noises coming from what sounded like a fight.
The forest was dark but the moonlight…
"Fuck," he cursed, dropping to the ground letting his feline take over. The only way Draco could explain the sensation to someone else was, it's like stretching. The kind of stretch were you have just woken up and your body needs to extend and release tension. Then afterwards you just feel better. Shifting into his leopard feels like that. Even the relief that comes when he finishes and finds four paws instead of two legs.
His bloodline carried a creature called a Lamassu. It was a basically large wild cat with wings. With the right amount of concentration he could take his cat form without his wings showing. Which is what he did now.
When he had first taken his leopard form, he had been embarrassed. He resembled a Snow leopard in both color and size, even his wings bore the telling spots, and his was smaller than his father's solid black form, but as he grew accustomed to it, he found he was faster and more agile than his father, and that worked perfect for him right now as he headed towards the pained howled in the distance.
He ran as fast as he could, because tonight was a full moon. Which meant the howling he could hear was from Lupin, and whatever was attacking the wolf had to be large or strong because not many creatures could take on a werewolf. He ran fast hoping he find them in time to help, Potter would be devastated if something happened to the wolf.
Again he heard barking, and it caused him to slow his steps, because why the bloody hell would there be a dog in the forest?
A sudden rushing sound aimed at him caused him to leap to the side as a black mass flew through the air and landed not far from him.
A dog. A very large one.
He slowly moved towards it as it whimpered. As his nose got close he was surprised to smell magic and human on the dog. He nudged the dog with his nose and the whimpering got worse. He didn't know how to help but the sound of hooves approaching had him turning his back to the wounded animal. He took a defensive stance, not entirely positive on why he felt the need to protect the canine. He lowered his head and growled low as a large stag came out of the trees.
When the stag stopped walking and looked behind him towards the black dog, he noticed a large gash along it's right side. Maybe this wasn't the threat? He thought, as the stag looked back at him and stomped it's hoof on the ground, angrily grunting at him. It appeared ready to charge. Or may it was a threat? He corrected, but the dog behind him whimpered and the stag's eyes darted to it. Draco realized, it was trying to protect the dog.
He slowly moved away. Keeping the hurt animal to his back and his eyes on the large stag, which limped towards the black dog. It leaned down and nudged it a couple times getting a series of whines and then a anger snap to its snout.
Draco wasn't given much time to wonder what the hell was going on because a loud roar sounded from nearby, followed by a yelp. More worried about Lupin then the strangeness of the stag and dog, he took off running.
As he ducked under a large branch, he came across the scene of Lupin's werewolf fighting something that looked like a huge bear. Only it was wrong. Its teeth were far too large and hung outside its mouth, crooked and misshapen. Even it's claws were longer than normal. They almost curled and appeared thicker and stronger than any bear Draco had seen or read about.
He watched as the bear swung its left paw at Lupin already injured side. The wolf, who tried to move out of the way, was to slow as the claws sank into his fur, the smell of copper hit the air, causing Draco to growl.
Both creatures froze. Lupin whimpered, thinking Draco was another threat and tried to back away. While the bear dropped onto four legs and charged at him.
Draco had never been in a fight before, at least not one in his animal form, but his father and Severus had made sure to teach him a few things. So, as the bear charged Draco held his ground, waiting until the last second before leaping to the side. The bear missed him by a hair and slammed into a nearby tree.
While it was stunned, Draco carefully worked his way over to Lupin. Keeping his head low, showing he wasn't a threat. The werewolf seemed unsure, but didn't attack him.
He wanted to check as see how bad the Gryffindor's injuries were but the sound of the bear grunting and getting back to his feet had him spinning around, leaving his back unprotected from the hurt werewolf behind him. He prayed silently that the wolf understood he was a friend and didn't attack him.
Back on its feet, and rightfully pissed off the bear roared, causing the leaves on the trees close to it to quake. The large brown creatures eyes glowed a bright strange yellow as it dropped down and got ready to charge them again. Draco's heart pounded, he couldn't pull the same trick twice, not with Lupin hurt and bleeding behind him. No way the wolf would be able to move fast enough.
He'd have to fight.
He swallowed his fear and lowered his head.
He snarled at the bear, but before either of them could move, the bear was slammed into from the side, by the same stag from before. The impact sent the bear crashing to the ground an angered snarl coming from it, but before it could get back up, the large black dog appeared, sinking its teeth into the bears throat. The bear didn't get a chance to try and throw the dog off, because the dog snapped it's head to the side there was a ripping sound as the dog tore the bears throat out.
Draco was surprised by such violence from a dog. It had seemed so out of place with the other creatures in the forest but when the bears heart stopped, and the dog backed off looking a little smug, How the hell did a dog look smug? Draco decided it belonged here.
He shook his head, ignoring the weirdness of the creatures and the gruesome scene of the bear and turned to check on Lupin.
The wolf had lowered itself to the ground. He was panting heavily and licking at some of the smaller wounds, eyes on Draco. He didn't feel threatened, just like he was being studied. He wondered how much of the future professor hung around when the wolf was in control.
Whatever it was looking for it must have found, because the wolf dropped it's eyes, Draco let out a relieved breath.
Only to be startled when the damn dog brushed against his side. He growled low, a warning, because he was confused, the dog seemed to huff and rub against him again. Then he moved away and started nosing and licking the wolf. Lupin's wolf seemed to like this because it dropped it's head to the ground and relaxed, letting to dog check and clean its wounds. Next the stag moved, it stopped in front of him and lowered its head, a nod almost, then turned and joined the other two. It took him a second to get it, but when he did he was shocked, they had just thanked him. The dog and the stag, for helping Lupin. He watched them for a second before he felt a little weirded out.
Then he turned his back to the trio and rushed back towards the school.
And of course as he broke from the trees he saw Potter running into them. He growled at the Gryffindors stupidity and raced after him.
In hindsight, tackling the idiot, probably wasn't his smartest idea. Potter cried out and reached for his wand. Sending a stunning spell off behind him. While he was grateful Potter had missed he was also frustrated at the morons stupidity, he huffed at the other boy. Causing Potter's eyes to widen. He could feel Potter's arm twitch, probably getting ready to throw another hex at him, so he dropped his head and gently rubbed his check along the humans. The tender act surprised them both, Draco's cat purred and Potter froze. He did it again, enjoying the pleasant feeling he got from it and the way Potter's scent shifted, becoming lined with oranges and vanilla, Potter's submissive side showing. It was the first time Draco had caught the scent, and both him and his cat enjoyed it. Giving into temptation, he ran his tongue along the same cheek.
The body below him shivered, then green eyes locked on to his.
"Draco?" Potter muttered looking bewildered. In answer he ran his tongue across Potter's cheek again, this time not ending until he hit collarbone. The other boy let out a choked giggle, then winced.
"That's gross," Potter bitched, trying to wipe the spit away. If Draco has been human he would have laughed instead he tried to lick the other boy again. Potter groaned and tried to shove him off. "Get off."
It didn't work. He was heavier in this form, no way Potter could move him. The Gryffindor glared seeming to lose all playfulness from a second ago. "Get off. I have to find Remus." He shook his head.
"Dammit Malfoy!" the other boy cursed. "Get off!" Potter's hands were back shoving at him. Frustrated, Draco growled and lowered his head, nipping at Potter's shoulder.
Potter hissed, "Draco, I heard him, I think he's hurt." He could hear the pleading in the the other boys voice, but he couldn't let him go off into the forest. It was too dangerous. Even if he didn't know Remus was okay, he would have stopped him.
This time when Potter tried shoving and wiggling out from under him, he dropped almost all of his weight onto the submissive. "Please," Potter begged. "He could be really hurt."
Draco sighed, well kinda, more like blew air on to Potter's face, and shook his head. Then he licked the other boy's face again, trying to tell him Lupin was fine.
Potter's eyes widened and seemed to understand him. "He's okay?" Draco nodded.
Potter stopped fighting, and dropped his head and arms to the ground. Then he looked back at Draco, "What about…" he hesitated, "was there a stag or dog with him?" he whispered.
Draco nodded, and left his head tilted to the side, asking why?
"My dad." Potter whispered relaxing again, "and godfather."
Oh, Draco thought, now it all made sense.
"They're okay?"
Draco nodded again, lifting his weight off the black-haired boy. Then because he knew Potter, and had no doubt the idiot would still try and race off to check on his family. He took the sleeve of Potter's robe in his teeth and pulled.
He heard Potter sigh, but to his surprise the teen got to his feet and let Draco drag him back towards the castle.
Neither of them noticing the figure hidden in the shadows watching them.