Harry’s woken up by whimpers in the quiet night. As he gazes at the ceiling, it takes only a moment for him to register where the noises were coming from.
“Draco?” Harry whispers in the night as he reaches out and gently takes his squirming, sweating husband in his arms. Harry cups his face as he whispers his name again.
With a little more coaxing, Harry’s able to wake his lover from his night terrors. “Harry?” Draco whispers.
Harry hums his acknowledgment, “Are you okay, love?” Draco groans and buries his face into his pillow.
“I’ve been better, it’s the same one.” Harry frowns and caresses his hair lovingly as he shivers in his embrace. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Draco turns and lightly glares at Harry, “What’s there to talk about? It’s the same as usual, Dumbledore standing there with that disappointed look on his face while I’m there pointing my wand at him like a fool, that fear I felt crushing into me like it’s going to suffocate me.”
Draco laughs. shakes his head and rolls out of Harry’s embrace. He goes to the window overlooking the Forbidden Forest and says, “It’s like I’m still being punished for something I didn’t have the guts to do. I haven’t had a good nights sleep since that stupid article.”
Harry rose to join Draco by the window and asks, “That was months ago, Drac, why didn’t you tell me?”
“What good would it had done? We’re both too busy with students and grading to worry about lost sleep.” Harry gives Draco an exasperated look, “Your sleep is important and you know Dumbledore’s death was not your fault. He knew it was going to happen and Snape did it to protect you.”
Draco sneers, “Yes and look what happened to him.” Harry gives him a sad look and clasps Draco’s hand. “I have an idea, come with me?”
Draco narrows his eyes and asks, “Where?” Harry smiles and doesn’t say anything. He pulls Draco over to their warm robes and hands one to him. “Put this on.”
Draco crosses his arms, “Not until you tell me where.” Harry gives his best puppy eyes expression and asks, “Please?”
Draco wrinkles his nose, “Only if you never do that again.” Harry laughs and waits as Draco puts on his robe.
Harry leads Draco through winding halls and moving staircases until they reach the ground floor and they walk out on the Quidditch field. “The stars look bright tonight, don’t they?” Draco hums as he gazes at the sky.
Harry links their hands together and continues to lead him into the forest. “I hope you know where we’re going, Potter.” Draco snarks.
Harry chuckles and doesn’t say anything. After walking for a few minutes, they come across a clearing lit with moonlight and evening dew.
“Why are we—“ Draco begins but stops himself after spotting movement. Draco gasps inaudibly as he watches a herd of unicorns walking into the clearing. The beautiful and majestic creatures glitter in the moonlight and their delicate skin shine as they graze.
Harry tries to tug Draco to the herd but he stays put. “No way Harry!” Draco whisper-yells. “They’ll run as soon I start moving. They are pure creatures, they won’t accept me.”
“Yes, they will Drac. They know the good in you else they wouldn’t have come this close.” Harry let’s go of his hand and slowly walks up the leader of the herd. He brings his hand close and allows the animal to sniff him. The unicorn lowers its head into Harry’s and allows him to pet it.
Draco watches with startling envy. “They know me pretty well, I come here a lot for when I need to clear my head of the war.” Harry clarifies. “And I think they will like you if you give them the chance to, love.” Harry turns to look at Darco over his shoulder and beckons him closer.
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea. The good in me is shadowed by the bad things I’ve done Harry.” Harry shakes his head. “I’ve done bad things as well Draco, you know that. And yet, they still accept me. Come and see for yourself.” He gives Draco an encouraging smile.
Draco slowly approaches the herd and stops when the leader looks to him. There’s an instance of eye contact before Draco looks away, not wanting to challenge the unicorn. He stands still as it approaches him and nuzzles his head, blowing hot breath in his cheek.
Harry chuckles as Draco scrunches up his face, “That means they like you, love. Give him a pet.” Draco slowly reaches up and runs his hand down the unicorns neck whilst letting out a breath. Harry comes behind him and holds an arm around his waist while petting the unicorn as well.
“See, love, they like you. If they thought you were bad or evil, they wouldn’t be here right now.” Draco hums, mesmerized at being so close to the unicorn, and leans back against his husband.
They stay there petting different unicorns until the sun starts to kiss the horizon and the temperature starts to raise.
Dazed and tired, the couple makes it back to their quarters and slip back into bed for a couple more hours rest. But before they fall asleep, a sleepy exchange happens.
“You know, a simple ‘you’re not evil’ spiel would’ve done the trick Potter.” Draco smirks as he lays in his lovers arms.
Harry laughs gently, “When have I ever done things simple, Malfoy.” Draco’s hums and kisses the inside of Harry’s neck, “Point taken.”
Together, the couple falls to sleep and neither are plagued with memories of the past for a long time.