“Draco! I’m home!” Harry let the door slam behind him while he shrugged his jacket off. There was silence and he frowned slightly. Hanging his jacket on the hook and locking the door he called again.
“Draco!” There was a faint sound coming from the bathroom. Quickly toeing his shoes off he hurried to the bathroom and knocked on the door. “Draco sweetheart?” There was a muffled choked noise from inside and he tried the doorknob, frowning again when he realized it was locked.
“Draco, I need you to open the door. Can you do that?” There was a soft whimper but the door remained locked. “Alright baby, I’m going to kick the door in.” He took a step back and aimed a sharp kick right next to the doorknob. The door swung open and hit the other wall with a bang.
Draco was slumped against the wall, eyes glazed over, and blood flowing from large slashes down his arms into a puddle on the floor. He made a small whining noise when he saw Harry but remained still.
“Draco, fuck.” He dropped to his knees next to Draco and pulled out his wand, quickly flicking it over the wounds. They stitched themselves up as Harry scooped Draco into his arms, carrying him to the bedroom. He made a small noise of protest but Harry just pressed a kiss to his forehead and shushed him gently.
“It's alright, I've got you.” Laying him on the bed, he quickly pulled off the bloody clothes and replaced them with a soft jumper. Voice raspy, Draco finally managed to speak.
“‘M sorry.” Harry brushed a few strands of hair off his face and tucked them behind his ear, hand cupping his cheek for a moment before climbing into bed next to him.
“You don't have to be sorry.” He pulled Draco close to his chest. “Please, don't be.”
“I didn't mean to.” Harry sighed softly and Draco seemed to take it the wrong way as he let out a small sob. “I promise. You have to believe me.”
“Hey, hey, I didn't say I didn't believe you.”
“I… I don't want to.” Harry shushed him gently.
“I know. I know you don't. And I know you didn't mean to. And merlin…” He paused, pulling him even closer. “Merlin, I wish I could fix it for you. I wish I could make you all better.” Draco squirmed slightly, getting more comfortable in Harry's arms. It took a long while but eventually Draco drifted off, and Harry finally let the fear process, crying silently into Draco's hair.
- - -
Draco woke to the sound of voices in the living room. Shakily slipping out of bed he walked to the door, listening against it.
“Mione, I'm sorry I didn't come in today.”
“You had a meeting with the embassy! Listen, you get a lot of wiggle room as “the chosen one” and “savior” and what have you but it still doesn't make my job of telling reporters and international agents that, as Minister Of Magic and best friend of the person they want to interview, I haven't the faintest clue where he is.” Draco bit his lip, he had forgotten about Harry's meeting and knowing he missed it because he was busy babying him made him feel awful.
“Listen, I don't know what you want me to do. I couldn't make it and that's that. What's done is done.” There was a loud sigh and the sound of someone sitting heavily on the couch.
“Now I have officials from other countries at my throat screaming about disrespect and all my officials mad that now the Ministry looks bad.” Tears slipped down Dracos cheeks. Harry was in trouble because of him. Not only that but Hermione, who he had grown to respect greatly, was up to her neck in angry officials. Silently he opened the door and peeked outside. Harry was leaning against a wall, massaging his temples and Hermionie was on the couch, head in her hands.
“I'm sorry. I can make a statement apologizing.” Hermione let out a half laugh.
“Unless you come up with one hell of a reason to be missing from something planned months in advance then it's not going to be helpful.” Harry glanced up and saw Draco standing in the doorway.
“Oh I'm sorry love did we wake you up?” Hermione turned and Draco saw her face go through several emotions, confusion, concern, realization, then back to concern. He knew he must look like a mess. The jumper fell to mid thigh and, thankfully, covered his arms, which he was certain were scarred underneath, his eyes puffy and red, and hair almost as unkempt as Harry's.
“Oh.” As Harry hurried over and wrapped him in a hug she stood. “I'll head back to the Ministry, see what I can do.” Draco looked over at her.
“I'm sorry.” She waved a hand dismissively.
“Don't be sorry. If anything I'm sorry for intruding.” She quickly made her way out the front door, disaperating in the yard. Once she was gone he looked up at Harry.
“I'm sorry.” He hushed him quietly.
“It's alright, you have nothing to be sorry for sweetheart.”
“You missed your meeting.”
“And you're more important. The meeting can be rescheduled or they can just get over it. You are the most important thing in my life and that means you always come first.” Draco was crying again, leaning against Harry as he held him.
“Come on sweetheart, let's get you cleaned up and then I have some breakfast. How does that sound?” Draco nodded gratefully.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
- - -
An owl came in through the kitchen window right after lunch with a letter and rolled up Daily Prophet attached to its leg. Draco looked up curiously as Harry opened the letter, then unrolled the newspaper. He started laughing immediately after and handed them both to Draco.
The letter was in Hermionie's script and read simply.
I hope you're both doing alright, I hope you enjoy this.
-H
Glancing at the title of the Daily Prophet Draco nearly choked.
Minister Of Magic Tells International Officials to “Politely Piss Off”