Room 1: Things were slowly improving.

[dragonofgrey]

Another day, and Draco had slept fitfully off and on. The one dream he had of the woman Star was pleasant, and reassuring. Especially when he awoke in pain again. Miniver must have stepped away for a moment because he woke up to being alone in bed. Fresh pain flared from the stitches, and he tried to shift himself up to sit. It hurt a great deal to

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[ladyofmisery]

His dealings with the cards were not over yet. Moon. Ruin. Mary Anne, the Queen of Swords. Star. And now Misery.

Who is perched nearby, brown eyes staring at the young man lying in pain in his bed.

She'll wait for him to notice the crow in his room.

[dragonofgrey]

At first he thought Raven had shown up, but no, slightly different.

He eyed the bird curiously, still wincing some.

[ladyofmisery]

Different. Yes. Older. More aware.

"So you are once again conscious," she says. "The pain will go away in time."

[dragonofgrey]

"Yes... and it would go away faster if I could rely on potions, and not silly Muggle medicine," He grumped a little.

"Who are you?" He didn't think he was dreaming.

[ladyofmisery]

"They are doing everything they can with what they have to help you," she says a little crossly. "You might try showing a little gratitude in return."

But that's all part of the lesson in caring isn't it?

"I am of many names," the anger gone now; replaced with a kind of sympathy. "But you may call me 'Misery'. Most do."

[dragonofgrey]

Draco sighed, and sourly replied, "I know, just want to be out of bed and well again."

He eyed the bird, and studied her for a moment.

"So you're the other one? The fourth card that's been around?"

[ladyofmisery]

Something about the way he asks his question leaves her with the impression he's not too chuffed about her being here.

She's here anyways.

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Around but out of your sight though never out of your mind and certainly not out of your heart."

[dragonofgrey]

Not really, but he didn't have much choice right now.

Draco sighed, "Not exactly saying anything new yet, are you?"

[ladyofmisery]

"That's because you are still not doing anything new," she returns. "Despite your fight with Ruin and what drove you to such a foolish though admittedly valiant act you're still in your little ice cage."

She has to be human to physically smile but smiling with your voice can be done in any shape.

"Don't worry though. I'm here to keep you company until you break free of your unfeeling prison."

[dragonofgrey]

"I know... I'm trying. Star helped a little. I'm still trying," He said with a trace of his usual whine.

[ladyofmisery]

"Yes. Star has qualities we can all admire. Full of hope and inspiration to all who seek her out or are found by her."

The whinging isn't unnoticed but it does go unanswered. It's all a part of the learning curve. If they weren't having an effect on Draco he wouldn't be complaining now would he?

"But if you're to keep her in your sight you have to do a little walking."

[dragonofgrey]

"I know, all right? I'm on the sodding path, and have a direction to go."

[ladyofmisery]

"You sound like you'd rather jump off the path and not move any more.

Or perhaps go back to where you were because it's familiar even if unhealthy."

[dragonofgrey]

"It's just hard, all right? And yes, the old way's familiar."

[ladyofmisery]

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy," she says, her voice sad. "But where would you all be if you never did what was worth the doing?"

<...is there a small draft in the room?/i>

[dragonofgrey]

"I don't know? It's supposed to be worth it, right? I know I need to do this."

Draco then shivered a little, and gathered the blankets closer to himself.