Unmasked

Draco stirred very early the next morning, eyes blinking groggily as his surroundings came into focus. He grimaced as he became aware of the stiffness in his back—the cold unforgiveness of the floor supporting him. With a groan he turned his head to take in his surroundings, but instead his face got stuffed into a soft fabric. He gasped, jerking back.

The Gryffindor on the floor beside him groaned, scrunched his face up and then opened his eyes. The striking green bore into Draco as his mind whirled, trying to remember how he had gotten here and what had happened.

Harry pushed himself up into a sitting position. “Morning, Draco. Feeling better?”

Draco furrowed his brows, staring at Harry. Then his eyes widened, and he sucked a breath in in horror. “I am so sorry, Harry. I mean… I didn’t…”

Harry frowned. “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.”

“You shouldn’t of had to see me like that.”

“Well I did. And I’m glad I found you when I did.” Draco stared at the ground, not making eye contact with him. He frowned and reached out to tilt the blond’s chin up. “You know you can trust me.”

Draco nodded and Harry dropped his hand. “I just…” he started, hesitating before raising his eyes. “It’s embarrassing when I just… break down like that. But I can’t help it. And I hate it. I hate myselffor it.”

“You shouldn’t. It’s not your fault, Draco.”

“I know! I know… it’s just so frustrating. I feel helpless, sometimes. Like it will never stop. Sometimes its panic attacks, other times I get sick… it’s awful.”

Harry nodded slightly, not dropping the other boy’s gaze. “I’m always here for you, if you need it.”

“Thank you, Harry.” The boy paused, then laughed breathily. “Who would’ve thought, back in first year, or any time up until just after Christmas, that we’d be friends.”

Harry chuckled. “I guess we just never realized how much we have in common.”

Draco sighed. “I guess not. It’s sad, in a way. That we both have bad stuff to deal with. Abuse… Voldemort… it sucks. And we’re supposed to be on opposite sides of that, too. But I don’t think I can bring myself to be… Even though I’m being threatened and so are my parents. It’s not right. As much as I’ve been an arsehole in the past, what he wants is just sick. I can’t do it.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Easier said than done,” Draco chuckled. “I wish I could just say “no.””

“Why can’t you?”

“Because me and my family will be tortured and murdered?”

“Oh.”

Draco snorted. “That’s all you’ve got to say? Oh. Really Harry?”

“I’m sorry?”

Draco shook his head, smiling. “Forget it. That’s a discussion for another day.”

The two boys were silent for a moment, contemplating their situation. Finally, Harry looked up at Draco and spoke. “I’m really glad that you’re opening up to me.”

“I never thought I would, but well… here we are.”

“Yeah,” Harry smiled. “Are you, Pansy, and Blaise heading to Hogsmeade today?”

“Is that even a question?”

“Yes?”

“You’re not as bright as everyone says, Potter.”

“Hey!”

Draco laughed. “Of course we are. Are you, Ron, and Hermione going?”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure what the plan is exactly. I think Hermione might need a new quill and some ink. Ron always wants to go to Honeydukes and Zonko’s. I need some treats for Hedwig. We’ll probably be all over the village.”

“Alright,” Draco contemplated. “We might not hangout and Hogsmeade, but we should all have dinner tonight again.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Harry said, standing. He brushed his pants off and helped Draco to his feet. “I’ll see you later then.”

“See you.”

*

The trio started their trip with the standard haul from Honeydukes. Chocolate Frogs, sugar quills, licorice wands, and Bertie Bots were basically a given with the three of them. On the way to Zonko’s Hermione unwrapped one of her sugar quills and popped it in her mouth. The boys went crazy with all the gags in the shop while she just followed them around, both annoyed and mildly amused with the gadgets. She couldn’t help but think that Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes was still better—and she assumed the boys would agree.

Next they headed to the potions shop. Hermione and Harry both needed ingredients. Once they emerged, Ron and Hermione headed to the stationary shop while Harry went to find some treats for Hedwig. Once he emerged, Ron and Hermione were chatting animatedly outside the door. He smiled to himself while he waited for them to notice him. They were obviously in love with each other. He wondered how much longer it would take them to realize it for themselves.

With about an hour and a half left of their trip, the trio decided to end it at the Three Broomsticks with three Butterbeers. They slid into a booth near the back of the restaurant and were promptly greeted by a waitress.

“What can I get you three today?” She sang.

Ron smiled up at her, “Three butterbeers please.”

“Of course. They’ll be right out.”

For the next few minutes Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed their NEWTs and the upcoming assignment they had for potions. “You haven’t even started it?” Hermione chastised them both.

“It’s not due until tomorrow,” Harry defnded. “We can just do it tonight. It won’t take too long!”

“That’s what you always say,” she replied.

“Well,” piped up Ron. “It almost always works.”

“That’s not the point.”

Ron turned sideways to argue with her as the waitress appeared, setting down their drinks. He thanked her, then said, “What’s it matter, so long as we get it done?”

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry was no longer listening. He’s spotted a head of white-blond hair across the room. Draco was smiling at Pansy and Blaise, gesturing in Harry’s direction. They nodded, grabbing their coats and standing as he turned away from them. His smile morphed into a completely different expression, a fearful grimace accompanied by a visible gulp.

Harry furrowed his brows, watching as Draco disappeared into the men’s lavatory.

“Are you alright, Harry?”

Harry startled, turning to Hermione. “Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What were you staring at, mate?” Ron asked.

“Nothing, I was just thinking is all.”

“That doesn’t happened often,” Hermione teased.

“Ha-ha,” said Harry. He smiled after, yet his eyes once again glanced at the lavatory door. Something wasn’t right here.

About thirty minutes later, Ron was slurping the last bits of his Butterbeer and Hermione was pulling the coins to pay for them from her purse. Draco still hadn’t emerged. His eyes were back on the door.

“Harry,” said Hermione. “What are you looking at? You keep staring off behind us.”

His eyes flitted between Ron and Hermione. “You guys are going to think I’m nuts.”

Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron said, “Doubt it.” Harry gave him a look. “Not much you say can surprise us anymore.”

Harry went to object, but stopped himself. “Fair enough. Anyways… er, Draco went into the boys lavatory over half an hour ago and hasn’t come out. He looked… scared. And Pansy and Blaise already left. I’m worried.”

“Maybe he just wasn’t feeling well, Harry,” Hermione reasoned.

“I don’t know,” Harry frowned, staring at the door. “Something doesn’t feel right. You don’t think his father…”

Ron’s eyes widened. “That’s right! You can apparate here, can’t you!”

“Would he really risk doing it here?” Hermione said.

“Yes!” Both boys yelled, jumping up.

“Trust me,” Ron said. “Lucius really is that much of an asshole.”

Harry looked at Hermione, eyes pleading. “Something’s wrong, Hermione. I can feel it.”

She nodded, walking ahead of the two boys, wand up. “Let’s go.”

They strode towards the door, treading lighter as they got to it. Hermione looked back at them, then pushed it ever so slightly. It didn’t budge. “Alohomora.” The door pushed open slightly at her touch. Harry put a hand to his mouth to stifle his cursing as Hermione gasped. The long blond hair of Lucius Malfoy was visible through the crack. He was looking down, a nasty sneer on his face.

“You’re pathetic,” Lucius spat. “How can you call yourself my son, Draco? You’re just a disappointment.”

The three heard a sob tear from Draco’s throat, though they could not see him. Harry pushed on Hermione, begging her to let him through. She shook her head, holding up one finger. “We have to wait until he turns his back, Harry,” she whispered sympathetically. His eyes pleaded with her, and he pushed again as he heard a pained yelp erupt from the boy.

Draco groaned. “Stop.” He tried to sound assertive, but his voice broke. “Father. Stop. Please.”

“Begging won’t help you. You know full well you deserve this, Draco. Why can’t you just take it like a man? Do I need to use the cruciatus on you again?”

“No,” he sobbed. Harry shoved against Hermione, and they were now able to see the pair. Ron tried to hold him back. “No, please! Not that!”

“You’re lucky no one can hear your pitiful screams, son. It would be incredibly humiliating for me.”

“For you?” Draco hissed, his voice hoarse. “What about me? What about what you’re doing… to me?”

“What I’m doing?” Lucius laughed, stepping closer to his only child. The one he should love and cherish. The one he pummels for fun. Lucius stepped on some of Draco’s hair, then kicked him in the head hard enough to make him look the other direction. Hair was left dangling from Lucius’ boot, and Draco’s scalp was now stained red, among many other part of him. Draco screamed—Harry begged Hermione. “Think, Draco… Of all you’ve done to disappoint. To put shame on our family. You should be grateful.” He turned his back, pacing towards the opposite wall.

Hermione pushed the door open, and the three of them silently lined up to face Lucius when he turned.

“Never,” Draco cried. “F-fuck you. Fuck you, y-you, you bastard.”

Lucius whirled around, eyes fixed on his son. “What did you say to me?”

“He called you a bastard, you fucking asshole,” screamed Harry. “Leave him alone!”

Lucius’ head snapped up, wide as saucers. He dissapparated immediately.

The three of them rushed forwards towards the sobbing boy curled up on the floor. Harry and Hermione dropped to their knees beside him, while Ron stood slightly behind them. Draco was holding his ribs and bleeding in several places, mainly his scalp, nose, a spot on his shoulder, and a few places on his face, along with his bottom lip.

Harry ran his fingers though the portion of Draco’s hair not matted by blood, wiping some tears away with his other hand. He leaned close to the boys ear. “Shh… shh… it’s okay. It’s okay, Draco. He’s gone. You’re safe. You’re safe, I promise.”

Hermione was trying to get him to breathe properly, while Ron had knelt down to look at his ribs. He tried to pry Draco’s hands away, but to no avail. “I know it hurts, mate,” he said. “But I need to look at your ribs.”

“No,” he sobbed. “Don’t touch me!”

Harry leaned even closer. “Hey… he’s not going to hurt you. He wants to see how bad you’re hurt, okay?” He brushed some hair out of the boy’s eyes, and Draco looked up at him, silver eyes pools of pain and tears. “Can you let Ron take a look? He’s not a healer, but he’s seen his Mum look at Fred and George’s ribs after pranks gone wrong. He can’t fix it, but he can tell how badly you’re hurt, okay?”

Draco nodded, lifting his arms. Ron pushed the boy’s jacket out of the way, and lifted his shirt. Draco’s arms immediately flew back to his abdomen. Hermione and Ron glanced up at Harry, brows raised. ‘He’s scared,’ Harry mouthed. “Draco, please? Ron’s not trying to hurt you.” He reached for the boys hands and pulled them away. Draco eventually gave in. Harry scooted to sit by the Draco’s face instead of the back of his head. He held the boys hands in his while Ron poked and prodded Draco’s chest. He yelped at a particularly painful spot, clenching his eyes shut, a few tears falling. “We’re almost done,” Harry whispered. “I promise we’re almost done. I’m so sorry, Draco. I’m sorry we couldn’t do anything sooner…”

“We had to wait for your Dad to turn his back, or he would’ve hexed us,” Hermione whispered. “It would’ve been worse on you then, too.”

“How much did you see?” Draco croaked, silver eyes trained on Harry’s.

Harry bit his lip. “I’m so sorry, Draco. I know you wanted to tell me when you were ready…”

“No one was supposed to know,” he said, voice trembling.

Harry brushed his thumbs over the boys hands. “It’s okay. It’s okay, Draco. We are here for you.”

“You weren’t supposed to find out this way, Harry,” he cried. “I trust you, but I wasn’t ready!”

Harry leaned close to his ear again. “Shh… it’s okay. You can still trust me. I’m right here. I’m here for you. I’m not leaving.”

Ron and Hermione looked at each other, then to Harry and Draco. They raised their eyebrows at each other.

Draco turned his face away from Harry, chest shaking as he cried. That only caused him more pain, resulting in him crying harder. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I can’t stop-p. I should be used to this…”

“No, you shouldn’t be,” Hermione said softly. “It’s okay to feel the pain. You shouldn’t be numb to it, Draco. Just hold on for one more minute, we’re gunna get you back to the castle. Ron?”

“Definitely some broken ribs. Lots of bruising. Gunna be hard to get him back without causing him pain.”

Hermione and Harry nodded curtly. Harry looked to Ron. “Can you help me stand him up and get him outside?”

Ron nodded and the boys tried to pick Draco up as gingerly as possible. It was still painful. He tried to hold back the tears and they hooked his arms around their necks, and their arms around his waist. They barely got him outside the door of the Three broomsticks before he gagged, then puked from the pain. Harry held him upright as he threw up onto the path. He glanced around for a teacher to help them, but there was no one around. The village was basically deserted.

Once the boy’s stomach was empty, Harry scooped him up in his arms. He cradled Draco to his chest to avoid as much bouncing as possible. He was shocked at how light he was… how scrawny. Ron and Hermione raised their brows. “It will be easier. The way we had him was straining his ribs too much. Let’s just go.”

Harry held Draco as close to him as he could as they took the winding path back to Hogwarts. He was trying desperately to get the Slytherin’s dazed and crippled body back to the castle without any more complications. Harry’s heart hurt as he looked down at the pain expression on the boy’s face. Tear racks stained his face, cutting through some blood. Some of both liquids was still trickling out. Draco was trembling, clearly traumatized.

Hermione hauls the front door open and holds it for Harry and Ron, then follows them inside. Some gasps follow the group as they stride down the corridors and skid around corners. A group of Slytherins are among the witnessing students. Pansy and Blaise step forwards, following the group. Pansy tugs on Hermione’s sleeve, a hand to her mouth.

“What happened?” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Lucius is a downright piece of shit,” Hermione spat. “And where were you? Both of you! Why’d you leave him?”

Tears flowed down Pansy’s cheeks. “He told us too! I was complaining I hadn’t started the potons assignment and neither had Blaise! He said he was going to head to the bathroom, then go sit with you three. I swear, Hermione. I didn’t know… Oh my God…”

“She’s telling the truth,” Blaise spoke up. “We had no idea his Father was in that bathroom.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Harry yelled. You guys go get McGonagall, and Snape. Dumbledore if you can. I don’t care, I have to get him to Madam Pomfrey.”

“It’s just broken ribs,” said Ron.

“He’s shaking like a leaf, Ron. He’s bleeding. He was puking from the pain and he’s still fucking crying and I don’t know what to do! What else am I supposed to do?”

“Sorry, mate… I didn’t realize.”

“I’m sorry… I just… I don’t know what to do. Hurry. Please!”

The group of students watched as Harry left, then turned to each other.

“Do you think?” Pansy started.

“Yep.” Ron finished.

“Oh boy.”

The four of them turned and ran to where they hoped they’d find who they needed, while Harry hurried carefully to the hospital wing. He found himself crying now, too. He hadn’t been able to help him… and he promised he’d keep him safe from his Father.

I’m so sorry, Draco. Please, hang in there.