Chapter 10
It was no surprise that Harry passed his physical. Grimble sat reading the results with a grimace. It was almost as if he was displeased to see Harry in good shape. Harry was used to his moods though. There were those within the ministry that thought Harry didn’t need to pay his dues before becoming head auror. He couldn’t convince his boss he wasn’t coming for his job.
“Well you’re off the desk.” Grimble said at last.
“Great.”
“Tell me about the case I sent you to review.”
“Well to be honest I can’t find anything out of the ordinary about her. She’s just a guard at a mid level prison. She is a loner though, doesn’t seem to be much in her life besides work.” Harry had poured through every piece of information on Morrie Solus. Originally Harry thought he must be missing something but the more he dug, the more boring he found her.
“There is one thing though…” Harry didn’t know if it was important enough to mention.
“Yes?”
“For the past eight months she has switched shifts. Always staying on the night shift in G block.”
“Is that important?” Grimble asked Harry the question he wasn’t sure of the answer to.
“Well,” Harry cleared his throat. “I checked the prison records and night shift has the least guards on duty, and G block is the least populated. To me it seems like the perfect shift for someone who had something…. Illicit… to do.”
“The incarceration review board had the same conclusion. They kicked the file over for us to investigate.” Grimble lit a cigar as he spoke.
“I don’t understand, they usually handle things internally.”
“Well the thing is there’s only one real prisoner of interest on that block, and they’ve decided they’d rather not be involved.”
“Who is it?” Harry wondered aloud.
“Lucius Malfoy.”
Harry’s brain went fuzzy for a moment at the name. Grimble continued with more details about the assignment but Harry could hardly pay attention.
“Anyways, the case is yours.” Grimble tapped the ashes into the air and they magically evaporated in little shimmers.
“What do they think he’s doing?”
“They’re best guess is attempting to contact his family. It’s almost impossible for anyone, even a guard, to slip in and out of a prison with more than a message.”
Harry nodded but couldn’t speak. He ran a hand across his stubbled face. Where would he even start?
“I’ll have what information we have sent to your desk.”
“Sir, if you would send it to my home. I think the fewer people who know about this, the better chance we have of containing whatever is happening.”
“You don’t want to bring Ron in?” Grimble was curious.
“Not yet.” Harry didn’t want anyone speculating about the Malfoy family till he had time to vet the suspicions himself. He wasn’t protecting Draco, he told himself, it was just smarter to wait.
“Very well. It’s your case.” Harry thanked him and nearly sprinted for the door. As he turned the knob Grimble gave him one last command.
“Oh Harry, talk to the Missus first. Make sure she knows the microscope is on.”
“Sure.” Harry swallowed and shut the door. He felt hot and a sweat broke out on his neck as he gathered his things to leave.
“Where are you off to?” Ron asked. He was sitting at his desk spinning a coin in his fingers.
“I’m on special assignment. Going to work from home a bit.”
“Why aren’t I on it with you?” He seemed put out.
“Oh they don’t even know if it’s even a real case yet. Can’t put both the best arurors on a dead end now can they?” Harry laughed nervously.
“No I guess not.” Ron smiled. “But if it turns into something you’ll tag me in first, right?”
“Ron if it turns into something I’ll forcefully drag you from your bed to help me.” Harry joked but he meant it. Ron nodded satisfied and Harry rushed to leave.
His thoughts spun as he walked. Were the Malfoy’s contacting Lucius in prison? Was there something going on? Harry tried to tell himself that sometimes families did speak to one another, contact itself wasn’t inherently bad. But, he reminded himself, good things didn’t need to be smuggled out. In a flash he burst through the air.
Standing on the front lawn he felt nauseous. He seemed to always be sick standing here. He walked to the door and knocked. The small house elf answered and looked at Harry with a slight panic. Last time he was at the house he was stomping about and yelling. He tried to be soft when he spoke to her.
“I’m here to see Mrs. Malfoy.”
“Come in.” She squeaked. Harry stepped in and stared at the ceiling.
“Harry, how wonderful to see you. I was just about to have lunch, will you join me?” Narcissa smiled as she spoke. Harry’s face fell as he looked at her. The mood in the foyer changed.
“You’re not here to visit.” She guessed.
“Not this time.” Harry wished he were. She led him to a small seating room and they sat facing each other in tufted chairs.
“What’s happened?” She asked when Harry had failed to speak.
“Nothing really….I just have to ask you some questions.”
“Okay.” She was guarded.
“Have you had any contact… with your husband.” Harry found the words hard to say. Narcissa looked around fearfully.
“Why? Is he… did he…. It’s supposed to be a very secure place….” She rambled, unable to breathe correctly.
“Nothing has happened to him. He’s still safe in prison.” Harry assured her. She relaxed.
“Well I’m happy he is still in prison… I don’t care whether or not he’s safe…”
Harry realized he had misunderstood her. She wasn’t worried for her husband in prison. She was worried he may have gotten out.
“Can I ask you, if it’s not too much to share, why you don’t want him released?” Harry was curious. The Malfoy family always seemed a very tight trio. Narcissa considered the question and then suddenly rose and closed the parlor doors.
“Do you know why Draco has trouble sleeping?”
“Cause of his nightmares?”
“His father was the nightmare maker.” As she spoke a lone tear slipped down her cheek. “He did everything he could to live up to an unattainable standard… to stay out from under his father’s hands, and keep them off of me as well.”
Harry remembered what Luna said, about it being the same. It had never occurred to him that Draco was trying to protect his mother and himself. He assumed he was misguided and arrogant, sure, but not this.
“So, if you had received communications from him…”
“I would tell you.” Narcissa looked honest. “I don’t want him within a hundred meters of myself or my son.”
“I understand. I’m sorry I had to ask.” Harry stood to leave.
“Harry, why do you ask me these things?”
“There’s been some interest in his prison from the ministry. I’m just ruling things out for them.” The lie didn’t persuade her.
“Do you have to tell Draco?”
“I have to ask him some things as well, yes.”
“If you can, try not to be out right… don’t let him know… about the ‘interest’.” She pleaded.
“I’ll do my best.”
“It’ll ruin him, Harry.” She held his hand and tried to compel him. “He’s only just recovering.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Harry promised.
Narcissa led him to the door and Harry hated to leave while she looked so undone.
“I’ll be fine.” She seemed to read his mind. Harry nodded and stepped out into the afternoon. It was raining now. Harry apparated home and stormed to his office. The boxes were waiting for him and he tore into them. Kreacher brought him lunch but Harry dismissed him. He was too angry to eat now. Images flashed in his mind and Harry heard Malfoy’s cries from the night when he had the nightmare on a loop in his mind. He fell hard into his chair and kicked the nearest box.
He worked the case for two days without leaving the house. The more he dug, the more suspicious things seemed. Although, there was nothing concrete anywhere in the stacks of paper. Harry rubbed his eyes and abandoned the task. He needed to clear his head. Locking the office door he headed to his room to change. He put on shoes and stretched in the foyer.
“I’m going for a run, Kreacher.” Harry shouted into the empty kitchen. Outside the day was dry and young. Harry started down the street with no particular direction in mind. As he pushed his body he fought to silence his mind.
Maybe he was wrong about the whole thing. Maybe the Morrie girl switched shifts so much out of compulsion. Maybe she liked the quiet nights while prisoners slept.
There was the other side of it though. If something was going on, and the Morrie girl was colluding with Lucious. Harry knew he was capable of unspeakable things and now, despite wanting to ignore his little feelings for Draco, he found himself promising to protect him.
His legs started to burn and he pushed harder. The strain forced all thoughts from his mind finally. He ran without thinking of anything but his heavy breathing. An hour later he had found his way back to his door. Inside he stripped his shirt off and wiped his face and neck.
“Kreacher,” Harry called roughly. “Could I bother you for water please?”
He coughed as he kicked off his shoes and climbed the stairs back to his office. He would prove there was nothing going on at the prison and put this whole thing behind him. There would be no case and no danger. Kreacher brought him a tall glass of water.
“Would Master Harry care for lunch?”
“Yes please.” Just then there was a loud banging as the door received a pounding knock. Kreacher disappeared and returned with a storming Malfoy in tow.
“Lunch for two please.” Harry said to Kreacher as he slunked from the room.
“I don’t need your help!” Malfoy shouted.
“We can get you a key if it’ll make barging in here and yelling easier for you.” Harry ignored him.
“I mean it Potter. I’m no charity case.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Harry stood and walked to the door. Malfoy stopped yelling and Harry hoped that the sight of him shirtless and sweaty had caused the silence. Draco’s ears pricked red when he stepped near.
“I have to shower and unless you plan on joining me, I’ll see you in a few minutes for lunch.” Harry’s voice was still hoarse from running. Malfoy said nothing as Harry disappeared to his bedroom.
In the shower Harry felt absolutely stupid. Why did he just do that? What had overcome him? He pounded his head against the tile. He had to get rid of this crush once and for all. But deep inside he knew he didn’t want to. What harm could a little flirting do? If Draco was going to be here yelling at Harry all the time, Harry might as well try to enjoy it. You’re hopeless, he thought.
He dried and dressed. Waiting for him at the kitchen table was a flustered Malfoy.
“Now, what have I done this time?” Harry said sitting.
“The ministry has offered me a position.”
“To do what?” Harry’s surprise must’ve seemed genuine to Malfoy because his demeanor changed.
“You didn’t know?” Harry shook his head. “They want me to come work in the infirmary, vice chair of traumatic and reoccurring injury.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s….. amazing.” Draco frowned. “You didn’t tell them I healed you?”
“No, did they mention it?”
“They had quite a detailed report…they said I had been internally recommended.” Malfoy was suspicious.
“Well it must’ve been Hermione, she’s the only other one who knew.” Harry concluded.
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either.” Harry shrugged. Kreacher brought them warm sandwiches and Harry ate. Malfoy picked at his plate and Harry could tell something was spinning in his mind.
“Will you take it?” Harry asked to break Draco from his thoughts.
“I don’t know…”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Harry took a long drink and waited for the answer.
“I never imagined coming back here.”
“Well I say you take it. You can stay with your mom until things get settled. You said yourself , "It's amazing.”
“No, I can’t… I’ve been at the Manor about as long as I can…” Draco looked tired as he spoke. Harry imagined he slept even less when at home.
“Stay here.” Harry blurted out. Malfoy looked at him in disbelief.
“With you?” Draco choked.
“Well no, I mean technically yes… but no.” Harry rambled and Draco looked as confused as Harry felt.
“Just… Come with me.” Harry stood and walked upstairs. What are you doing?! He screamed at himself, but he didn’t stop.
He turned left and walked past the office to the end of the hall. The end of the hall was two overlapping walls which gave the illusion of one solid wall, between them was a hidden set of stairs. Draco looked at Harry nervously before following him up the narrow steps. Harry opened a heavy wooden door at the top and the pair stepped into the suite.
It was the largest room in the whole house, a huge square suite with double aspect windows on either side. To the left in front of one of the massive windows sat a hulking claw foot tub on deep blue tiles. To its left and right were an enclosed shower room and toilet. In the middle of the room was a sitting area framed by three large couches facing a fireplace. On the far side there was a massive desk with the other window set behind it. On either side of the alcove walls were floor to ceiling built in bookcases. The bed, which sat on the far side of the door, was made from the same dark wood as the desk and built-ins. Draco ran his hand across the back of one of the dusty couches.
“I can get it cleaned up.” Harry had only been in this room once before. It felt too big for him, too open. He preferred to be tucked in tightly by his house.
“I couldn’t…” Draco whispered but Harry thought he looked very much like he wanted to stay.
“You have your own flugh,” Harry pointed to the fireplace. “So you don’t have to come downstairs at all.”
“I can’t.” Malfoy decided.
“Just think about it.”
“Who’d want to live with you?” Draco spat. “Besides I came here to tell you to stay out of my life, not entangle you within it.”
“Alright then.” Harry laughed. He used to get upset by Draco’s mood swings, now he couldn’t help but find them funny. He seemed to Harry more like a disgruntled toddler than a seriously angry man.
Frustrated Malfoy cursed and stomped from the room back down the stairs. Harry followed him but stopped at his office door to return to work. Draco stopped when Harry did and stared at him.
“You know where the door is.” Harry said and went to his desk.
“Let me know about that key!” Harry called as Malfoy raged down the stairs.