Chapter 15
Harry woke up screaming. He looked down at the black ribbons that wove their way around his chest and arms. He tried to wipe them off but that made the pain worse. A cold hand touched his face and a cup was suddenly against his lips.
“Drink. It will help.” Harry couldn’t make himself see who was speaking. He drank and fought to keep his eyes open. A blur of blonde hair was all he could see before he slipped away.
……………………………
He woke again. Everything was hot. He couldn’t move his body, not even to raise his eyelids. He heard hushed voices.
“The ministry has questions.”
“I’m busy.”
“You’re only going to make things worse for yourself.”
“I’ll talk when he wakes up.”
Harry wanted to hear more but he felt a familiar pull. Something was grabbing his consciousness and taking it away.
………………………….…
He could open his eyes again. The pain still beat against his skin but Harry wasn’t focused on that. Someone was singing. He found the strength to roll his head just enough to see them.
“Who’s gonna drive you home…” Hermione sang slowly as she twisted hair in her hands.
“Tonight.” Harry sang weakly with her.
“Harry!” She jumped in surprise. He managed a smile before his eyes closed again.
“Harry?” Hermione called again as Harry sank involuntarily back to sleep.
………………………….…
Harry sat straight up in a jerk that left him wincing from the pain. Nighttime poured through the giant windows, only dispelled by the flames of light flickering from the fireplace. At his side Malfoy was sleeping in a chair, his head resting against the mattress next to Harry’s leg. His mind felt foggy and loopy. Harry giggled.
Am I dreaming?
Harry lifted his arm slowly and looked at the thick black scab. Carefully he touched it. It was smooth and almost silky. Mostly it was ever so painful. He looked down at Malfoy. His eyelids had that purplish hue Harry came to recognize as a sign of Draco’s sleep deficit. He wanted to reach over and touch the violet stain and, for once, he let himself give in to the temptation.
He touched Draco’s check bone lightly, giggling at himself once more. The skin was cold and soft. Underneath Harry’s touch Malfoy stirred and lifted his head. The movement had shifted Harry’s hand and he was now cupping Malfoy’s cheek.
“You’re awake.” Draco said sleepily.
“Mmhmm.” The answer hummed in Harry’s throat.
“Good.” Malfoy sat up and removed himself from Harry’s touch. He rubbed his eyes, deepening the color there.
“You look tired. Are you alright?”
“You get hexed and you’re worried about me not sleeping?” Draco scoffed.
“Mmhmm.” Harry smiled but it was interrupted by a yawn.
“You should rest more.” Malfoy rubbed his eyes again and stood.
“Join me.” Harry said lazily.
“You’re high on the meds.”
“Mmm-mmm” Harry disagreed, laying back down and patting the bed next to him. Draco shook his head and began walking away.
“I guess we’re getting up then.” Harry tried to stand but he felt dizzy. Malfoy caught him from falling and returned him to bed. Harry grabbed his hands as he pulled the blanket up.
“Join me.” Harry repeated. “I promise to rest.”
Malfoy sighed and went to the free side of the bed. He laid down and pushed his body to the edge as far away from Harry as possible.
“I’m only staying until you fall asleep.” Draco warned. Harry ignored him and rolled onto his side with his hands flat under his face as if they were praying. He winced as he moved, making Draco’s face twist in concern.
“We should get a dog.” Harry giggled again, making Draco roll his eyes.
“Go to sleep Harry.”
“Mmmm say it again.”
“Go to sleep.”
“No, no my name. You never say it.” Harry’s eyes closed despite his eager insistence to look across the bed. The sheets and soft pillows once again began calling to Harry to sleep.
“Harry.” Draco whispered.
“Mmmmmmm….” Harry drifted back to sleep.
……………………………
Harry woke up before Draco and laid still, watching him. They hadn’t moved at all and Draco was teetering on the edge of the bed. His eyes weren’t stained purple anymore. Harry felt like an idiot for the way he had acted. Sure, the medicine was mostly to blame but still he had been the one to ask Malfoy into bed.
“Master Harry.”
Harry and Draco both jumped at Kreacher’s voice. Draco fell from the bed as Harry rolled over to face the house elf. He could hear Malfoy cursing from the floor.
“Master Harry, Mrs. Malfoy is here.”
“I’m not feeling up to guests.”
“Kreacher told her this.”
“Alright I’m coming.” Harry groaned as stood. He looked around for clothes but couldn’t find any. He couldn’t go downstairs in his boxers.
Wait, who undressed me? Harry thought.
“Get back in bed.” Draco barked. He had risen from the floor and headed after Kreacher.
“I can manage.” Harry kept looking for clothes. He saw a robe on the shower room door.
“She can’t see you like this.” Draco was straightening his clothes.
“I’m going to get the robe.” Harry pointed as he walked. The steps were hard to take.
“You’re not going!” Draco exploded. Harry gave him a confused look and kept creeping towards the robe.
“She can’t see these marks on you, she knows-“ Draco’s voice was softer and he moved to block Harry. “Please, just stay here.”
“Okay.” The sad look on Draco’s face made Harry give up. Malfoy left the room and closed the door behind him, locking it. Harry rolled his eyes. What first year student didn’t know Alohomora?
Harry had made it to the shower room door in his quest for the robe and decided now to continue on in. The water was nice and the warmth made Harry’s muscles feel better. He wrapped the robe around him and tied it. He stuffed his hands inside the monogrammed pockets and walked to the window.
Below he could see the tiny garden. Someone had paved it long ago and no grass grew there. Harry missed the rolling hills from the countryside. Things grew there, Harry felt he had room to do so too. He thought back over Draco’s words.
What did Narcissa know?
The door opened again and closed. Harry turned from the window.
“She apologizes for disturbing you.”
“What does your mum know?”
“What?” Draco tried to pretend he didn’t understand.
“You said she couldn’t see the marks because she would know? Know what? What made them?”
“Not now Potter.” Draco sat at his desk.
“It was your father’s hex, wasn't it? That’s how you knew what to do.” Harry assembled the information. “You didn’t want her to see because you thought it might scare her.”
“What else?” Draco slammed his hands on his desk and stood. “Come on, you know it all. Tell me, what else?”
“That’s why the ministry has questions for you, isn't it?” Harry spoke calmly.
“I don’t have anything to do with it, with him.”
“I know that.” Harry promised.
“They want to know what I know about it but I can’t…I’ve never talked about it… to anyone.”
“We don’t have to talk. Just give me the memory.” Harry thought maybe this would be easier.
“I don’t know.”
“Just show me, I’ll pass on what’s important and keep the rest to myself.”
Draco sat back down at his desk. The minutes passed and Harry’s legs were beginning to burn under his weight.
“You have to trust someone, just this once let it be me.” Harry pleaded softly. Draco opened a drawer and pulled out an empty vial. With his wand he pulled a memory from his mind and placed it inside. He walked to Harry and dropped it carefully into his hand. He looked scared and Harry didn’t know what else to say. Harry decided the best thing to do was get it done as quickly as possible. He stepped into the flugh and with a flash was gone.