Chapter 6
When lunch arrived, Draco said his goodbyes to his friends, turning away from them and heading to the Library. He didn’t have any more classes that day, and the next, all he had was Herbology.
Before Draco made his way to the entrance, he went to the fantasy section. He picked up a few average sized books that he had really enjoyed, three total.
After Madam Pince checked them out, he stopped in front of the entrance. He set the books at his feet.
He pulled the spines of the books in order, which had taken much work to memorize, stepping back as the bookcase slackened. He picked up his books, and pushed the curtain aside, entering. Behind him, me moved his hand in a circle and the bookcase solidified once again.
Hermione was sitting at the table, reading the same book she had been reading in Potions.
She smiled at him in greeting. “I see you’ve memorized the combination,” She said, and Draco blushed, shrugging. Her eyes flicked from the page she was currently reading to the books Draco was holding. “I wonder who those are for…” She trailed with a grin.
Draco blushed even darker, clearing his throat. “Um, Is Poppy in there with him now?” He asked, feeling even more embarrassed once he realized that he had used Madam Pomfrey’s first name. Hermione looked at him curiously, but answered him anyway.
“Yeah.” She looked at her watch. “Lunch should be appearing any-” Hermione stopped when three plates of roast chicken appeared before her. “Ah. Madame Pomfrey will be leaving in a moment.” The moment Hermione stopped speaking, Madame Pomfrey left the room.
“Hello Hermione, Draco,” She greeted, her eyes to the floor. “Just so the two of you are aware, Harry’s not doing so well at the moment.” Hermione took sharp intake of breath, and Draco frowned. “His wounds are getting worse, and we can’t give him the other wound healing pastes we usually use in normal cases; I attempted it last week, but the cuts widened, bruises worsened, and his skin cracked. He is in pain, and we can’t do much other than give him some pain reducing charms. They have made the pain substantially less, but it has not been eliminated. I’m sorry that I cannot do more for him.”
Hermione and Draco both shared a worried look. Draco spoke first. “It’s alright, Poppy. We know you are doing everything you can.” Madame Pomfrey gave a small smile, walking to the wall and exiting.
Once she disappeared, Draco and Hermione went into the room wordlessly, the tray of sandwiches in Hermione’s hands. As they entered, they both gasped. Harry looked beyond terrible. The were two chairs on either side of Harry’s bed were filled in an instant. Hermione sat the tray on the table, and Draco placed the books on the floor. Harry’s eyes were shut tightly, and he seemed to have no idea they were next to him.
Draco and Hermione gave each other scared looks. Not knowing what else to do, Draco gently grazed his fingers over Harry’s knuckles. Harry jumped, letting out a pained groan quickly after. He pried his eyes open, meeting Draco’s concerned gaze. His eyes were so swollen that they were almost closed. His glasses seemed to barely fit at the moment.
“Hey Draco.” Harry turned his head to the other side, seeing Hermione. “Hello ‘mione.” Hermione gave a worried smile in return.
“How are you feeling?” Hermione asked, her eyebrows pulled together. Harry shifted slightly, wincing.
“It hurts like hell.” He whispered. Draco frowned, moving to hold Harry’s hand. Harry squeezed it tightly.
“What have you been doing?” Draco asked. Harry swallowed.
“Nothing, really. Thinking, sitting, reading, screaming, you know. The usual stuff.” Harry forced out. Draco and Hermione stared at him, horrified. After a beat, Harry continued. “I’m bloody starving. Do you have any food?” He asked, looking around.
He looked directly at the table, but his eyes were unfocused. He didn’t see the tray. He looked to Hermione. “Is there food coming?” Harry asked. Draco and Hermione gave each other yet another worried look.
“Um, yes, just on the table.” Hermione said, her voice shaking. Harry nodded, trying to shift to a more apt position. Draco helped him move, handing him a plate once he was situated. Harry took a bite, letting out a noise of satisfaction. He devoured the chicken, barely breathing.
Draco and Hermione only picked at their food, barely eating.
Harry glanced at them often, noticing their silence. After Harry was finished, the three of them placed their plates on the table. There was another silence.
“How was potions?” Harry asked, causing the other two to jump.
“It was alright. We made pepper-ups.” Hermione answered. Harry made a noise of distaste.
“That’s dull. You lot could have brewed that when you were four years old,” Hermione and Draco murmured their agreements. Harry watched them, confused. After staring for awhile, he seemed to realize what had them so worried. “I’m fine,” He paused. Hermione stared at him sternly. “Okay, actually, not really.” Hermione and Draco shared another look. Harry was at a loss for words; it seemed that he had no idea how to reassure the two in front of him.
“I’m sure you know, Harry, but you are not fine.” Hermione shook her head, holding it in her hands. Draco frowned again, grasping Harry’s hand a bit tighter.
“It could still get better,” Harry tried weakly.
“But we can’t be sure. They don’t even understand the sickness, let alone the symptoms,” Hermione said, sounding scared. Harry looked down. Hermione was breathing fast, and she seemed very overwhelmed. “I-I’ll be right back. I just… I’ll be back.” Hermione left the room.
Draco and Harry stared after her for a few moments.
Draco moved his gaze to Harry, slowly examining his face. Harry eventually noticed Draco’s eyes on him. Their eyes met.
“She’s worried,” Draco said. Harry gave a small nod of understanding. “We both are.” Draco massaged random patterns into Harry’s hand. Harry sighed, and shut his eyes. He relaxed back into the pillows.
“I know, Draco. I’m worried too,” Harry said in a small voice. Draco watched Harry’s face. “I don’t know what’s even happening, and I don’t know if I’ll-” Harry’s voice cracked, and Draco hushed him.
“I know, I know,” Draco repeated as tears formed in Harry’s shut eyes. Draco thought of something to say, trying to choke back his emotions. “It’s frightening, but you have to keep hoping, Harry.” Harry squeezed his eyes further shut, sighing.
“It’s hard,” Harry whispered. Draco understood. It must be difficult enough having a painful disease that nobody understands, but even harder if everyone is afraid that you won’t live through it. Draco nodded, even though Harry’s eyes weren’t open to see.
Draco had a terrible urge to wrap his arms around Harry in a hug, but he did not want to hurt him, so he refrained.
“I’d hug you,” Draco blurted before he could stop himself. Harry’s eyes slowly opened widely. Harry took a deep breath, raising his arms slightly. His face was contorted in pain, but he still beckoned Draco closer. Deciding that he shouldn’t let Harry suffer, Draco leaned in to hug him.
Harry’s arms draped over Draco’s back, while Draco’s arms framed Harry’s sides; Draco did not want to slip his arms underneath Harry’s body, it would most likely be extremely painful for him.
Harry took a shaky breath in, his nose buried between Draco’s neck and shoulder. Draco rested all of his weight on his arms, but still had his chest touching every possible part of Harry’s. Draco moved one of his hands to Harry’s messier than normal hair, gently playing with it. Harry sighed again, enjoying the soothing feeling.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this,” Draco murmured. Harry gave something resembling a shrug.
Someone then entered through the door, Draco slowly separated from Harry, keeping one hand locked in his. It was Madame Pomfrey. She was flanked by two very serious looking healers; one man, and one woman.
Madame Pomfrey quickly explained. “We have an idea. We have contacted many acclaimed potion masters, and we have decided that our best option right now in reducing both pain and injuries is by combining a healing paste with an anti-inflammatory powder we have here. We have done small pieces of testing, and we believe that things will improve. ”
Draco and Hermione, who had entered behind the three healers, shared a hesitant look. The unknown woman healer noticed this and spoke. “I know you must be worried about him, but in the worst case the wounds will widen further, but the combination we have considered will most likely prevent that. There is little chance the condition will worsen. There won’t be any increase in pain.” Draco and Hermione looked to each other again, still reluctant.
Madame Pomfrey gave the two apologetic smiles. Draco stole a glance at Harry. He looked scared, but not overly so. Draco attempted his best comforting smile. Harry gave him a pathetic attempt in return.
Draco gently squeezed Harry’s hand, then released it. Draco stood up, mumbling a goodbye. Hermione shut the door behind them.