Lost Time (H/D, PG-13)
Title: Lost Time
Author: sesheta_66
Pairing: Harry Potter / Draco Malfoy
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: ~ 6,000 words
Prompt: Written for llightdarkness at slashfest: Harry/Draco - Draco sacrifices himself for Harry. NO, it's not a death!fic.
Summary: Just months after his father's release from Azkaban, Draco overhears Lucius plotting with some old acquaintances. No longer the child he was in school, Draco is not able to stand by and let things happen, and steps in to do the right thing.
Disclaimer: Characters and setting all belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No infringement is intended, and no money is being earned.
"Faster. Must move faster. Have to make it there on time." His breath was ragged, having run who knew how far through these woods. His chest was constricting, and the burning in his legs had turned into a dull ache, almost numb. Still, he kept running. "Have to get there. Have to make it. Can't be late."
What was Lucius thinking? He had only been released three months ago and already he had planned … He couldn't finish the thought, because it would make it all too real. Not that his situation right now wasn't real, but still. Nothing had happened yet. He hoped.
Eight o'clock. He didn't stop to check the time, but he knew he was early. He hadn't known how long it would take to get there without Apparating. But now his adrenaline had kicked in, along with his doubts. What if there had been a change of plans? What if he had shown up early?
He shook away that thought, refusing to believe that Lucius's plan would work. He hadn't had time to alert anyone - like they would have believed him anyway. He knew the Manor would have been monitored to detect any communications out, and he didn't fancy dying today. He would have laughed at the irony of that thought, considering what he was about to do.
Finally, he thought. There was light in the distance, so the cottage must be nearby. Knowing he couldn't use magic without being detected, he approached with caution, sure the sound of his pounding heart could be heard for miles. He could feel the tingle of the wards and was careful not to trigger them, to watch from a safe distance.
Once in position, he checked his watch. Seven forty nine. Eleven minutes to wait. Eleven minutes to stop the madness. To stop Lucius. To do what was right. It all came down to this. His whole life before had led to this moment, this place, this decision. Time, rushing by him in waves ever since he'd heard Lucius utter the words, now stood still. He saw flashes of his life as clearly as though they'd all just happened. For once he was sure this was the right thing to do.
He heard the unmistakable sound of Apparition cut through the silence, then saw a shadow approaching from the distance. He couldn't make out the figure from this far away in the dark, and he couldn't risk magic. He watched the shadow move towards the cottage, wand drawn, but knew from the gait that it wasn't him. His heart was racing again, unsure of how things would unfold.
He heard rustling in the trees off to his right, and froze on the spot, willing himself still, hoping his position and his black clothing and hat would keep him well-hidden. He watched the place where the noise had come from, but saw nothing, no one. Could it be? Without knowing who might be there, he couldn't risk speaking.
Then it happened. Just feet ahead of the rustling noise, the wards shimmered, and all hell broke loose. A loud alarm sounded from inside the cottage, and a dozen wizards came racing out. A cloak was dropped and Potter was revealed. Damn! If only he had said something while he was in the woods. But he hadn't known for sure it was him.
"Potter, it's a trap!" he called, but his voice couldn't be heard over the trilling of the alarm. Well, it was pretty clear he was only stating the obvious. And why the hell was Potter here alone, anyway? He should have had backup with him.
Draco watched in horror as spells went flying towards Potter, but Potter's wand, though moving, emitted no spells. Draco got out from behind his cover, casting Protego at Harry as he approached.
Draco had to pass through the wards before Potter could hear him. "Come on, Potter, I have to get you out of here!"
"But the meeting ..."
"It's a trap, Potter. It was all a set-up. I heard my father discussing it with his friends."
"So why didn't you tell someone? Why did you come here yourself? And wait! Why do you care?"
"I couldn't tell anyone," he answered as he pulled Harry towards the edge of the wards. "There wasn't time after I found out, and I couldn't use the Floo at my house. I had to come, or else ... well, I'm sure you can figure that out. And I don't know why I care; I just do." He grabbed the Invisibility Cloak and threw it over Harry.
"What about you? You need to come under here too!" Harry called.
"We're almost there, Potter. Besides, my father wouldn't kill me." It was the last thought he had as he felt the tingle of the wards as they passed through them, followed almost immediately by a searing pain as multiple curses hit him in the back. He collapsed in Potter's arms as everything went black.
~*~*~
"Is he going to be alright?" Harry felt the soft squeeze of a hand on his shoulder. Harry had Apparated directly to St Mungo's, an unconscious Malfoy in tow, the last image in his mind as he looked over his shoulder being a shock of blonde hair that could only have been Lucius Malfoy, wand aimed in their direction and a curse on his lips. The Healers had worked on Malfoy for the past hour and a half, and Harry had only just been allowed into the room where Malfoy appeared to be in a deep sleep. He had yet to regain consciousness, and the staff weren't sure if he ever would.
"They don't know, Hermione," Harry responded.
"What was he doing there?" she asked.
"He was trying to save me." Harry looked down at yet another person who had placed himself in danger to protect Harry. Seeing the pale form of Draco Malfoy looking so weak, frail and ... innocent, he wasn't any less troubled by the current situation than he had been about anyone else who had been hurt or killed protecting him in the past. His stomach lurched, and he did his best to calm it. "I don't know why, and now he's here and ..."
"Harry, it's not your fault."
"How can you say that? If I hadn't gone there --"
"But how were you to know? It was a standard tip, and you were investigating it."
"But I didn't bring back-up with me."
"Which you often don't. I'm sure many people know that about you, Harry."
"As soon as the alarm was triggered, I called for backup, but they didn't come."
"The charm didn't work inside the wards," Hermione explained. Seeing his confused look, she added, "Ron told me. He's heading up the investigation at the site, and he said that the wards were very complex, preventing outgoing communication of any kind."
"And Apparition."
"That too."
"And it seemed like my spells weren't working properly either."
"Yes, Ron mentioned that. From what they've discovered so far, it seems that the wards were keyed to your magical signature, preventing you in particular from casting spells. Ron's magic didn't work inside the wards either, but everyone else's did."
"But how is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing."
"Neither had anyone else, but I have a theory."
"Oh?" Of course she did. Count on Hermione to have a theory about pretty much anything. "What's that?"
"I think they must have had some of your blood, Harry."
"What?"
"I think it was blood magic. I can't be sure, and ... well, I'm going to have to leave to keep investigating it, but ... well it screams of Dark Magic, doesn't it? And if it was as easy as pinpointing someone's magical signature, I don't think this would be new. I think that someone has invented a new spell, and --"
"And if all they need is a bit of blood, this could be --"
"Disastrous." She looked gravely at Harry. "Any chance you could pinpoint who might have a sample of your blood?"
Harry laughed. It was a high-pitched, unnatural sound, and was completely without humour. "I'm an Auror, Hermione. I've been cut open so many times I've lost count. Anyone that's ever gotten away from a scene in which I got injured to the point of bleeding might have some of my blood at their disposal."
"Well, think about it, would you?" she asked. "I've got to get back to keep working on figuring out just how such a spell could work."
"Okay," he said, but just then a thought crossed his mind. "Wait, Hermione. I think there's a flaw in your theory." At her confused look, he added, "Otherwise, why else would my defensive spells have worked?"
"I don't think they did, Harry." She looked down at Draco's still form. "I think Draco saved you."
Another tight clenching in his gut threatened to overwhelm him again. "But why, Hermione? Why did he do it? He's not a trained Auror, and he knows what these people are like."
"I think he wanted to save you, but perhaps also save his father from going back to prison."
"Well, I can understand him not wanting his father to go back to prison, but me? Why would he care what happened to me? He hates me."
She once again looked down at the unconscious Draco. "The evidence would suggest otherwise, Harry."
~*~*~
"What did you do to him?" Pansy Parkinson's accusation echoed in the room as she launched herself at Harry. He was so shocked that all he could do was grasp her wrists to prevent her flailing arms and fists from making contact, all Auror training out the window.
"Nothing, Pansy," Harry said as he struggled to still her. "It wasn't me."
She stopped trying to hit him and fixed him with a glare. "Then what happened to him, and why are you here?"
"Pansy," Harry suggested, "why don't you sit down and I'll tell you everything I know?"
She walked over to the bed and looked down at her friend, tears threatening to fall. "He looks so ... so ...." She grasped Draco's hand. "Oh, Draco, what did you do?" The tears started to flow.
"He saved my life," Harry said, his voice cracking. Pansy looked up at him, and beneath her pained expression, he could tell she believed him.
"You stupid git," she said as she turned back to Draco. "I told you not to get involved. What were you thinking?"
Her words hit him like a punch. "You knew something was happening?"
She glared at Harry. "Draco suspected that his father was up to something, and he was worried about your safety."
"Why wouldn't he tell the Aurors or come to me?"
Pansy rolled her eyes at him. "Think about it, Potter. Surely not even you are that thick. His father just got out of prison, and one of the conditions of his release is not to associate with known followers of the Dark Lord. To say anything to anyone would have meant his father returning to Azkaban, possibly for the rest of his life."
"But --"
"But what, Potter? Would you have turned in your own father, simply based on your suspicions?"
"I," Harry began, but really didn't have an answer. "I don't know."
"Yes, well, he wanted to do the right thing, but he couldn't live with the guilt of his father's imprisonment, especially if it meant that his suspicions were wrong. Imagine that for a moment, Potter. Your father in prison for the rest of his days because you told the authorities that he spoke to some old acquaintances."
"When you put it that way ..."
"He told me he was going to watch Lucius," she said, fresh tears forming again. "But, damn it, he swore to me he wouldn't get involved. He said he'd call in the Aurors if he found out anything concrete." She turned to Draco. "You promised me, and now look at you!" she wailed.
"He didn't have time," Harry told her.
"What do you mean?"
"Something he said to me tonight. He said that he didn't have a chance to call anyone. He had to get to me before it was too late."
"That doesn't make sense," she reasoned.
"I know, but ... well, he was hit with some spells before he had the chance to explain."
"Is he going to be alright?" she asked.
"They don't know yet. They've treated him for the two spells they knew, but there's still one curse they haven't been able to figure out." Her pained expression did nothing to ease his guilt. Then he recalled when she'd first arrived. "Pansy, if you knew that Draco might have tried to step in, to help me, why is it that you thought I'd done something to him? You know, when you first arrived?"
"I thought maybe he ... and that you ...." She looked down at Draco and brushed some hair off his face. "Never mind."
"Pansy, I have no reason to hurt Draco. We may not be friends, but we put our differences behind us years ago, after the war."
"I know," she conceded.
"Then why? Why would you think I'd ever want to hurt him?"
"You'd better not, you know," she sad, giving Harry a pointed look. "Hurt him, I mean. Because you'd have me to answer to." She frowned at Harry then looked back at Draco's sleeping form.
Harry had the feeling that Pansy meant something more by that statement, but before he had a chance to inquire further, Draco's Healer entered the room.
"Visiting hours are over," she announced briskly. "I'll have to ask you to leave," she said to Pansy. "Auror Potter, will you be staying?" she asked Harry.
"Yes," he replied.
Bristling with fury, Pansy was about to interject something, but Harry put a hand on her arm. "Actually, Miss Parkinson has some valuable information concerning this case, so I was rather hoping you'd allow her to stay." He gave the Healer a broad smile. "It would help speed things along, you know, rather than having her come into the office." She smiled back at him. "But I assure you that we won't disturb Mr Malfoy. We all want him well again."
"Well, in that case, if it's for official business, and the health of our patient isn't at risk, I suppose that will be alright."
"Thank you," Harry said. "Have you been able to reach his family?"
The Healer's face fell. "No, I'm afraid not, Mr Potter. Miss Parkinson is the only one from your list we've been able to reach so far. Mr Zabini was out of town, but his assistant said that she'll reach him as soon as she can. We're still trying to contact the rest."
"Do keep trying, please," Harry pleaded. "I think it's important for him to have his family with him."
"Of course. Now, if the two of you will excuse me for a few minutes, I need to run some tests. Perhaps you could get yourselves a coffee?" She frowned as if rethinking her suggestion. "Oh, but of course you can't leave him," she said to Harry. Her meaning was quite clear.
"Oh, no, he's not a suspect," Harry was quick to correct. "In fact, Mr Malfoy saved my life tonight." The Healer's face softened as she looked at Draco. "I am here as much for his protection as for any information he might provide about what happened." At her concerned look, he added, "I'll ward the door while you're in here, to prevent anyone entering."
Her look of relief was obvious. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, although I don't really expect any trouble. I gather the people responsible for tonight's events won't want to be caught entering the hospital, but one can never be too safe."
She nodded. "I should be done in about fifteen minutes, then."
~*~*~
Blaise came by the next day and gave Harry a similar greeting to Pansy's, minus the physical assault.
"Satisfied, Potter?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"It's no secret you hate him." He motioned towards Draco.
"I don't hate him," Harry said in a defeated voice.
"Sure you don't."
"If you recall, I saved his life during the war."
"Oh, yes, of course," Blaise replied, putting on an artificial tone of reverence. "Far be it for anyone to forget that". Disdain dripped off his every word.
"That's not what I meant," Harry defended himself.
"Right."
"Look, Blaise, all I meant was that I didn't want Draco hurt or worse back then. Why would I want that now?"
"I don't know, Potter. You tell me."
"I don't want Draco hurt."
"You've a fine way of showing it!"
"I didn't do this to him."
"Oh, so you - Boy Who Lived to Become the Saviour Auror of the Year - just happened on by when he was like this?"
"Didn't Pansy tell you what happened?"
"No. I just got an urgent owl from my assistant saying that Draco was in hospital, and he was in bad shape. I haven't even spoken to Pansy yet."
"Draco saved my life."
"What?"
"He showed up - I don't know how or why - and he told me it was a trap and got me out of there. Before we could get through the wards to Apparate, he was hit."
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"How is he?" Blaise asked, looking again over at his friend.
"How does he look?" Harry replied.
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"Where are his parents?"
"The staff haven't been able to reach them." Harry motioned Blaise out of the room. He didn't want to have this discussion in front of Draco, in case he registered what they were saying.
"Surely --"
"Listen, Blaise, I need to tell you something." Harry spoke quietly and cast a Muffliato, so that no one would overhear them out in the hall. "Lucius was there."
"He was?"
"Yeah, and he knows that Draco was hurt."
"Are you sure?"
"I saw his face after the curses hit Draco. He knows."
"So why isn't he here?"
"Why do you think?"
"You don't mean --"
"I can't talk about an open case, Blaise, but I will say this. It's imperative that we find Lucius. If you know anything ... any way to reach him, let me or Ron know."
"Ron?"
"Weasley. He's heading up the investigation while I remain here."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks." He motioned inside the room. "Let's go back inside."
~*~*~
Two weeks had passed, and there was little sign of improvement. The two curses they had treated were no longer wreaking havoc with Draco's body, but the one curse, as yet still unidentified, hadn't let up.
The investigation had led to the arrest of one person three days later, whose information had led them to most of the others present that day. All but one other accomplice and Lucius Malfoy, who had disappeared with his wife.
A week later, the missing accomplice - or rather his body - was found in a dodgy hotel room down Knockturn Alley. Harry had no doubt that Lucius Malfoy was responsible. Prior Incantatum on each of their wands had confirmed Harry's worst fears. None of the wands they confiscated had cast the final spell. The curse that was killing Draco had been cast by his own father.
Harry, trusting Ron's and the rest of the team's ability to investigate, adamantly refused to leave the hospital for any longer than it took to get washed up and grab a bite to eat. The staff had brought a cot into the room for Harry to sleep on after the first night. Guilt coursed through his veins, and he was determined to be there if - no, when - Draco woke up. Meanwhile, Ron knew that Harry wanted to be notified the moment they found the senior Malfoy.
Both Pansy and Blaise had been back to visit, as had Gregory Goyle and Pansy's mother. But still no Lucius. Not that Harry was surprised. He was, however, surprised that Narcissa hadn't been by. He suspected that Lucius had whisked her away, and that she knew nothing about her son's condition. That was the only reason he could come up with.
The last time Pansy had visited, she had finally relented. Harry had asked her each time what she had meant that first night she'd visited Draco, but she wasn't to be persuaded to talk. However, when she saw the genuine look of concern on Harry's face as time went on, she finally broached the topic herself.
"Potter?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that first night, you were sure to tell the staff that Draco wasn't a suspect, and that you doubted anyone would try to attack him here. You're a star Auror, not to mention Harry bloody Potter. You could have anyone else assigned here to watch over him until he wakes up. Why is it you're here, every day, all day?"
"I don't know, Pansy. I suppose I feel responsible," he told her honestly. "He wouldn't be here if it weren't for me, and, well, I want - no, I need to be here when he wakes up."
"Hmm."
"What bothers me is Narcissa."
"What, that she's not here?"
"Yeah," he said thoughtfully. "She loves Draco so much, she'd risk her life for him. I can't imagine she knows what shape he's in, or she'd be here."
Pansy gave him a curious look. "How would you know that?"
"During the war, she risked her life for him," he explained. "Saved my life in the process." Her wide eyes told Harry that this was news to Pansy. "I take it Draco never told you?"
She looked down. "No, I'm afraid we didn't speak much right after the war. My family swept me out of the country for a few years. It took a while before Draco and I connected again. And we've never really talked about the war."
"Oh."
"Except he did tell me that you saved his life. Twice."
"Yeah, well ... Gryffindor and all that."
"I don't know. He was pretty adamant that your two Gryffindor mates were well on their way to saving their own skins when you insisted on saving Draco and Greg."
Harry could feel his face flush from embarrassment. He still hated being looked at as a hero. "I couldn't leave them to die."
She smiled at him and placed a hand on his arm. "Thank you."
He returned the smile. "My pleasure."
She walked over and took her customary seat by Draco's bed, pulling his hand into hers.
"You know," she said to her friend, "maybe you're not so crazy after all." She looked up at Harry and shot him a wicked grin, then turned back to Draco. "And you're right," she whispered. "He is hot."
What?! Harry couldn't have heard that right. He felt his face burn.
"You know, Harry has been here ever since he brought you in; he never leaves your side. In fact," she winked at Harry, "I had to threaten him with a combination Aguamenti and Scourgify before he agreed to go home to shower. Believe me, you would have done the same.
"I think he'd be good for you, Draco. You'd be good for each other. And I know now he would never willingly hurt you. I don't know why you never told him how you feel."
Harry's head was swimming. What was she going on about?
"So," she said as she patted Draco's hand, "you need to bring yourself back to us so you two can have a chance. You've wanted this for so long, Draco, you can't pass up the opportunity."
"Pansy," Harry said.
"I'll explain later," she told Harry as she began to update Draco on the latest gossip.
~*~*~
Harry hadn't realised that Draco thought of him that way. Sure, he'd had his own occasional fantasies about the blonde over the years, but hadn't put much stock in them. After all, there was no point pining over someone you could never have. But this new information put everything into a whole new perspective.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he kept asking Draco. When he'd thought about their numerous encounters over the years, however, Harry sensed that he might have missed some rather less-than-subtle hints. Well, no one had ever accused him of being perceptive in the relationship department.
"You know, I've thought about you ... about us, too. I just never thought ... and now you ... Draco, you have to wake up."
The next week passed painfully slowly. The curse had still not been deciphered, and a Curse Breaker had visited several times. They were baffled. There was nothing else for it; they had to find Lucius.
Then what? Harry thought. The bastard would do what he always did and somehow, someway, wriggle out of the tight spot he found himself in. Not this time, he'd promised Draco.
~*~*~
"Harry," Ron said, appearing at the doorway to Draco's room. Harry looked up and Ron nodded.
"I need to go, Pansy." He looked down at Draco's still unconscious form and drew strength from it. "I'll be back soon."
"I'll stay until you return."
"Thanks," he said with a smile.
As he joined Ron in the hall, his friend grinned wickedly. "He's all yours," is all he said.
They Apparated to an abandoned warehouse somewhere in Muggle London. Lucius was unconscious and bound, locked in a small room that was heavily warded.
"Rennervate," Harry said, a spare wand aimed at Lucius's chest. After all, it wouldn't do to trace any spells back to his wand. The older Malfoy immediately began thrashing in his bindings.
"How dare you!" he spat at Harry. "Untie me now, or it's your job, boy!"
Harry laughed so abruptly even Ron jumped back. "I. Don't. Think. So. Malfoy," he said, punctuating each word with a pause. "In fact, I may keep you here for a very long time."
Lucius laughed at that. "You would never do such a thing," he said. "The two of you, Gryffindors? Aurors? You wouldn't know how to break the rules!"
This time, both Harry and Ron laughed. "Apparently you didn't listen much to Snape and Draco over the years," Harry corrected him. "I'm all about breaking the rules."
"Yeah," Ron added, "especially when it gets scum like you off the street."
"You two will be fired and you'll be lucky not to spend a good long stint in Azkaban," Lucius warned them. "Aurors in prison. Now there's a lovely thought," he said dreamily.
"Oh, we won't be going to Azkaban," Harry assured him. "That's your home. You almost killed your own son, you heartless bastard. No, I rather think we'll just get what we came for, and send you back where you belong."
"What makes you think I will give you anything?"
"Frankly," Harry said, bringing his face within a breath of Lucius's, "I don't give a shit what you want to give me, and I don't plan on wasting any time asking. I'm just going to go straight for the sure thing; I'm going to take what I need."
Ron pulled out a large vial of Veritaserum, and Lucius's eyes went wide. "You can't ... I won't."
"Oh, I can," Harry said as he pried the man's mouth open and tilted his head back. "And you will. Petrificus Totalus."
Lucius's body went stiff and Harry poured the entire contents of the vial down his throat. His gag reflex couldn't help him as the potion slid down his throat with no resistance.
"There now," Harry purred and patted Lucius's cheek. "See how easy that was?" He waited until Lucius's eyes bore the familiar haze of someone under the potion's effect before ending the Body-Bind.
"Tell me the curse you used on Draco, and give me the counter-curse," Harry began.
Once he had ascertained the information that he needed to help Draco, Harry left Ron with Lucius. There was a lot more information that Ron could get from the man before the potion wore off. Of course, they couldn't use any of it against him right away, but they'd file it away for later. Once they were granted permission to search properties, they'd know exactly what to look for.
And they needed to get more information about the charm that had targeted Harry's and Ron's magic, preventing them from casting spells once through the wards. Hermione still hadn't been able to work it out. They also needed to know if Lucius was the only one who knew about it.
Ron had, quite conveniently, become a master of the Obliviate Charm. Harry was convinced he'd have given Lockhart a run for his money in his heyday. The thing that made Ron better than most was his uncanny ability to modify memories such that the people he cast the spell on had no indication of lost time or confusion at all. It came in handy whenever they needed to modify Muggles' minds at crime scenes, and it certainly was going to come in handy now. In situations like these, Harry was more than happy to let his Slytherin side come out and play. He grinned at the irony of letting it loose on this particular Slytherin.
When Harry arrived back at the hospital, he found Draco's Healer. "My partner discovered what he thinks may be the curse placed on Mr Malfoy. I am going to perform the counter-curse, but I believe it will take a bit of time to work through his system, and he will likely experience some pain. Would you be able to give him a potion to keep him asleep for, say, eight hours, enough time for the counter-curse to work? Maybe a pain potion as well?"
"Certainly, Mr Potter. Is there anything else? Any other side-effects of the counter spell that I should know?"
"Not that I'm aware of, but I would appreciate if you would remain on hand, just in case."
"Of course," she assured him.
Several hours later, Pansy had gone home to rest, planning to return the next day. Harry had cast the spell, and it seemed to be working. All of Draco's systems were improving, and thanks to the potions, he was resting soundly. Harry took Draco's hand in his as he lied down to sleep, having moved his cot to rest alongside Draco's bed. He told himself that it was just so he could feel when the other man finally awoke.
~*~*~
"Hey," Harry heard a cracked voice say as someone nudged his shoulder. "Wake up."
Harry opened his eyes to see grey ones staring back at him, looking confused.
"Draco?"
He watched as Draco's eyes blinked before him. He was awake. "Yeah."
"You're awake?" Harry asked, grinning with relief.
"Evidently," Draco replied, his voice raspy from lack of use. "And not only did you just call me Draco, but you're holding my hand," he said, raising an eyebrow in question and gently squeezing Harry's hand. "Did I miss something?"
"You're awake!" Harry cried. He leaned down and gave Draco a smack on the lips. "I have to go get your Healer." Harry went to leave the room, but Draco's grasp on his hand tightened.
"Not yet," Draco said as he gently pulled Harry back towards him.
"But, Draco --"
"Harry, I'm fine, but I need to know what happened." Harry looked at Draco and considered him for a moment. "But first I could use a glass of water."
Harry poured Draco some water, and went on to explain everything, up to the point of Lucius casting the spell that nearly killed Draco. He couldn't bring himself to say the words, at least not until he knew Draco was really alright. Draco listened intently.
"You don't need to hide it from me," he told Harry.
"What?" Harry asked, looking away, knowing he was never good at lying to anyone he cared about. And there was no question in his mind; he cared about Draco very much.
"My father's role in all of this."
"I realise you must not want him to go back to prison --"
"Fuck that! He made his choices, and if he didn't learn from them after repeated stints in Azkaban, why the hell should I care if he rots there?"
This revelation took Harry aback. "If you don't care what happens to your father, then why didn't you call the Aurors in as soon as you heard your dad's plan?"
"Well, at first I didn't know if it was typical Lucius posturing, so I needed something more concrete to go on than what I had heard. I knew that he would be able to detect the slightest heightened interest in his comings and goings, so I waited for some indication that he really had meant to go through with something."
"But you told Pansy --"
"I thought I'd better tell someone, just in case. Anyway, once I heard what he was planning, I had no chance to call. I knew the Manor would have been teeming with detection wards, and I'd be dead before I could finish a sentence."
"Oh. That makes sense, I suppose. But you could have taken a few minutes to send word once you got out of the Manor."
"Really? When would that have been?" Draco snapped. "While I was following my father to some unknown destination? Or perhaps once I figured out where the meet was going to be, not knowing how long it would take me to get there without Apparating? Or maybe once I got there, where there were probably similar wards in place? Or once I saw you, so that you'd be dead by the time anyone could arrive? That would rather have defeated the purpose, don't you think?" Draco was clearly irritated.
Harry squeezed Draco's hand, which he had not released through their entire conversation. "I didn't mean that you did anything wrong, Draco. I only meant that you took a big risk."
"Yeah, well, call it making up for past errors in judgement."
"It was more than that, and you know it."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Harry didn't miss the colouring of Draco's cheeks as he said that.
"Pansy told me ... well, that you have feelings for me."
"Pansy should keep her mouth shut."
"And she pointed out just how thick I am for not noticing before now, although I really don't know how I could have --"
"How long have I been here?" Draco interrupted, seemingly wanting a change in subject.
"Three weeks."
"You've been at my bedside for three weeks?"
"Mm hmm," Harry replied. "Well, except for trips home to shower and eat."
"For which I am surely grateful," Draco replied.
Harry laughed. Merlin, it was great to hear that snark again.
Draco lifted up their joined hands and gave Harry a questioning look. "I suspect I may not be the only one with feelings," he said.
Harry smiled and gave Draco's hand a squeeze. "I suspect you're right."
"Then go get my Healer, Potter, so I can get out of here." He dropped Harry's hand and made a shooing motion. "It seems we've got a lot of lost time to make up for."
Harry smiled and brought both his hands up to Draco's face, cupping his cheeks and leaning in. When their lips brushed together, it was soft and tender. He closed his eyes as contentment washed over him. He felt Draco's hand reach behind his head and pull him closer, deepening their kiss. Draco's tongue played over his lips and he opened his mouth to allow more contact. As their tongues explored new territory, Harry felt the weight of the last three weeks leave him, to be replaced with a pleasant tingling sensation from head to toe.
He reluctantly pulled back and looked down at Draco's flushed face, kiss-swollen lips and lust-filled eyes. He'd never seen a more tantalizing sight in all his life. Struggling to keep his body's reaction in check, he cleared his throat and stood up.
"I'll, ah, get your Healer then," Harry stammered.
Draco nodded. "Quickly, Potter. I'd like to get right on that making up for lost time business."
"Count on it," Harry said as he left the room.
Smiling to himself, Harry realized that in some strange, twisted way, he had Lucius Malfoy to thank for this. Oh, and thank him he would, Harry chuckled, imagining Lucius's face, behind the prison bars of Azkaban, as Harry told him that he and Draco were together. But Lucius could wait. As soon as Draco got released, Harry was looking forward to the promising business of making up for lost time.
Epilogue
.
Author: sesheta_66
Pairing: Harry Potter / Draco Malfoy
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: ~ 6,000 words
Prompt: Written for llightdarkness at slashfest: Harry/Draco - Draco sacrifices himself for Harry. NO, it's not a death!fic.
Summary: Just months after his father's release from Azkaban, Draco overhears Lucius plotting with some old acquaintances. No longer the child he was in school, Draco is not able to stand by and let things happen, and steps in to do the right thing.
Disclaimer: Characters and setting all belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No infringement is intended, and no money is being earned.
"Faster. Must move faster. Have to make it there on time." His breath was ragged, having run who knew how far through these woods. His chest was constricting, and the burning in his legs had turned into a dull ache, almost numb. Still, he kept running. "Have to get there. Have to make it. Can't be late."
What was Lucius thinking? He had only been released three months ago and already he had planned … He couldn't finish the thought, because it would make it all too real. Not that his situation right now wasn't real, but still. Nothing had happened yet. He hoped.
Eight o'clock. He didn't stop to check the time, but he knew he was early. He hadn't known how long it would take to get there without Apparating. But now his adrenaline had kicked in, along with his doubts. What if there had been a change of plans? What if he had shown up early?
He shook away that thought, refusing to believe that Lucius's plan would work. He hadn't had time to alert anyone - like they would have believed him anyway. He knew the Manor would have been monitored to detect any communications out, and he didn't fancy dying today. He would have laughed at the irony of that thought, considering what he was about to do.
Finally, he thought. There was light in the distance, so the cottage must be nearby. Knowing he couldn't use magic without being detected, he approached with caution, sure the sound of his pounding heart could be heard for miles. He could feel the tingle of the wards and was careful not to trigger them, to watch from a safe distance.
Once in position, he checked his watch. Seven forty nine. Eleven minutes to wait. Eleven minutes to stop the madness. To stop Lucius. To do what was right. It all came down to this. His whole life before had led to this moment, this place, this decision. Time, rushing by him in waves ever since he'd heard Lucius utter the words, now stood still. He saw flashes of his life as clearly as though they'd all just happened. For once he was sure this was the right thing to do.
He heard the unmistakable sound of Apparition cut through the silence, then saw a shadow approaching from the distance. He couldn't make out the figure from this far away in the dark, and he couldn't risk magic. He watched the shadow move towards the cottage, wand drawn, but knew from the gait that it wasn't him. His heart was racing again, unsure of how things would unfold.
He heard rustling in the trees off to his right, and froze on the spot, willing himself still, hoping his position and his black clothing and hat would keep him well-hidden. He watched the place where the noise had come from, but saw nothing, no one. Could it be? Without knowing who might be there, he couldn't risk speaking.
Then it happened. Just feet ahead of the rustling noise, the wards shimmered, and all hell broke loose. A loud alarm sounded from inside the cottage, and a dozen wizards came racing out. A cloak was dropped and Potter was revealed. Damn! If only he had said something while he was in the woods. But he hadn't known for sure it was him.
"Potter, it's a trap!" he called, but his voice couldn't be heard over the trilling of the alarm. Well, it was pretty clear he was only stating the obvious. And why the hell was Potter here alone, anyway? He should have had backup with him.
Draco watched in horror as spells went flying towards Potter, but Potter's wand, though moving, emitted no spells. Draco got out from behind his cover, casting Protego at Harry as he approached.
Draco had to pass through the wards before Potter could hear him. "Come on, Potter, I have to get you out of here!"
"But the meeting ..."
"It's a trap, Potter. It was all a set-up. I heard my father discussing it with his friends."
"So why didn't you tell someone? Why did you come here yourself? And wait! Why do you care?"
"I couldn't tell anyone," he answered as he pulled Harry towards the edge of the wards. "There wasn't time after I found out, and I couldn't use the Floo at my house. I had to come, or else ... well, I'm sure you can figure that out. And I don't know why I care; I just do." He grabbed the Invisibility Cloak and threw it over Harry.
"What about you? You need to come under here too!" Harry called.
"We're almost there, Potter. Besides, my father wouldn't kill me." It was the last thought he had as he felt the tingle of the wards as they passed through them, followed almost immediately by a searing pain as multiple curses hit him in the back. He collapsed in Potter's arms as everything went black.
~*~*~
"Is he going to be alright?" Harry felt the soft squeeze of a hand on his shoulder. Harry had Apparated directly to St Mungo's, an unconscious Malfoy in tow, the last image in his mind as he looked over his shoulder being a shock of blonde hair that could only have been Lucius Malfoy, wand aimed in their direction and a curse on his lips. The Healers had worked on Malfoy for the past hour and a half, and Harry had only just been allowed into the room where Malfoy appeared to be in a deep sleep. He had yet to regain consciousness, and the staff weren't sure if he ever would.
"They don't know, Hermione," Harry responded.
"What was he doing there?" she asked.
"He was trying to save me." Harry looked down at yet another person who had placed himself in danger to protect Harry. Seeing the pale form of Draco Malfoy looking so weak, frail and ... innocent, he wasn't any less troubled by the current situation than he had been about anyone else who had been hurt or killed protecting him in the past. His stomach lurched, and he did his best to calm it. "I don't know why, and now he's here and ..."
"Harry, it's not your fault."
"How can you say that? If I hadn't gone there --"
"But how were you to know? It was a standard tip, and you were investigating it."
"But I didn't bring back-up with me."
"Which you often don't. I'm sure many people know that about you, Harry."
"As soon as the alarm was triggered, I called for backup, but they didn't come."
"The charm didn't work inside the wards," Hermione explained. Seeing his confused look, she added, "Ron told me. He's heading up the investigation at the site, and he said that the wards were very complex, preventing outgoing communication of any kind."
"And Apparition."
"That too."
"And it seemed like my spells weren't working properly either."
"Yes, Ron mentioned that. From what they've discovered so far, it seems that the wards were keyed to your magical signature, preventing you in particular from casting spells. Ron's magic didn't work inside the wards either, but everyone else's did."
"But how is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing."
"Neither had anyone else, but I have a theory."
"Oh?" Of course she did. Count on Hermione to have a theory about pretty much anything. "What's that?"
"I think they must have had some of your blood, Harry."
"What?"
"I think it was blood magic. I can't be sure, and ... well, I'm going to have to leave to keep investigating it, but ... well it screams of Dark Magic, doesn't it? And if it was as easy as pinpointing someone's magical signature, I don't think this would be new. I think that someone has invented a new spell, and --"
"And if all they need is a bit of blood, this could be --"
"Disastrous." She looked gravely at Harry. "Any chance you could pinpoint who might have a sample of your blood?"
Harry laughed. It was a high-pitched, unnatural sound, and was completely without humour. "I'm an Auror, Hermione. I've been cut open so many times I've lost count. Anyone that's ever gotten away from a scene in which I got injured to the point of bleeding might have some of my blood at their disposal."
"Well, think about it, would you?" she asked. "I've got to get back to keep working on figuring out just how such a spell could work."
"Okay," he said, but just then a thought crossed his mind. "Wait, Hermione. I think there's a flaw in your theory." At her confused look, he added, "Otherwise, why else would my defensive spells have worked?"
"I don't think they did, Harry." She looked down at Draco's still form. "I think Draco saved you."
Another tight clenching in his gut threatened to overwhelm him again. "But why, Hermione? Why did he do it? He's not a trained Auror, and he knows what these people are like."
"I think he wanted to save you, but perhaps also save his father from going back to prison."
"Well, I can understand him not wanting his father to go back to prison, but me? Why would he care what happened to me? He hates me."
She once again looked down at the unconscious Draco. "The evidence would suggest otherwise, Harry."
~*~*~
"What did you do to him?" Pansy Parkinson's accusation echoed in the room as she launched herself at Harry. He was so shocked that all he could do was grasp her wrists to prevent her flailing arms and fists from making contact, all Auror training out the window.
"Nothing, Pansy," Harry said as he struggled to still her. "It wasn't me."
She stopped trying to hit him and fixed him with a glare. "Then what happened to him, and why are you here?"
"Pansy," Harry suggested, "why don't you sit down and I'll tell you everything I know?"
She walked over to the bed and looked down at her friend, tears threatening to fall. "He looks so ... so ...." She grasped Draco's hand. "Oh, Draco, what did you do?" The tears started to flow.
"He saved my life," Harry said, his voice cracking. Pansy looked up at him, and beneath her pained expression, he could tell she believed him.
"You stupid git," she said as she turned back to Draco. "I told you not to get involved. What were you thinking?"
Her words hit him like a punch. "You knew something was happening?"
She glared at Harry. "Draco suspected that his father was up to something, and he was worried about your safety."
"Why wouldn't he tell the Aurors or come to me?"
Pansy rolled her eyes at him. "Think about it, Potter. Surely not even you are that thick. His father just got out of prison, and one of the conditions of his release is not to associate with known followers of the Dark Lord. To say anything to anyone would have meant his father returning to Azkaban, possibly for the rest of his life."
"But --"
"But what, Potter? Would you have turned in your own father, simply based on your suspicions?"
"I," Harry began, but really didn't have an answer. "I don't know."
"Yes, well, he wanted to do the right thing, but he couldn't live with the guilt of his father's imprisonment, especially if it meant that his suspicions were wrong. Imagine that for a moment, Potter. Your father in prison for the rest of his days because you told the authorities that he spoke to some old acquaintances."
"When you put it that way ..."
"He told me he was going to watch Lucius," she said, fresh tears forming again. "But, damn it, he swore to me he wouldn't get involved. He said he'd call in the Aurors if he found out anything concrete." She turned to Draco. "You promised me, and now look at you!" she wailed.
"He didn't have time," Harry told her.
"What do you mean?"
"Something he said to me tonight. He said that he didn't have a chance to call anyone. He had to get to me before it was too late."
"That doesn't make sense," she reasoned.
"I know, but ... well, he was hit with some spells before he had the chance to explain."
"Is he going to be alright?" she asked.
"They don't know yet. They've treated him for the two spells they knew, but there's still one curse they haven't been able to figure out." Her pained expression did nothing to ease his guilt. Then he recalled when she'd first arrived. "Pansy, if you knew that Draco might have tried to step in, to help me, why is it that you thought I'd done something to him? You know, when you first arrived?"
"I thought maybe he ... and that you ...." She looked down at Draco and brushed some hair off his face. "Never mind."
"Pansy, I have no reason to hurt Draco. We may not be friends, but we put our differences behind us years ago, after the war."
"I know," she conceded.
"Then why? Why would you think I'd ever want to hurt him?"
"You'd better not, you know," she sad, giving Harry a pointed look. "Hurt him, I mean. Because you'd have me to answer to." She frowned at Harry then looked back at Draco's sleeping form.
Harry had the feeling that Pansy meant something more by that statement, but before he had a chance to inquire further, Draco's Healer entered the room.
"Visiting hours are over," she announced briskly. "I'll have to ask you to leave," she said to Pansy. "Auror Potter, will you be staying?" she asked Harry.
"Yes," he replied.
Bristling with fury, Pansy was about to interject something, but Harry put a hand on her arm. "Actually, Miss Parkinson has some valuable information concerning this case, so I was rather hoping you'd allow her to stay." He gave the Healer a broad smile. "It would help speed things along, you know, rather than having her come into the office." She smiled back at him. "But I assure you that we won't disturb Mr Malfoy. We all want him well again."
"Well, in that case, if it's for official business, and the health of our patient isn't at risk, I suppose that will be alright."
"Thank you," Harry said. "Have you been able to reach his family?"
The Healer's face fell. "No, I'm afraid not, Mr Potter. Miss Parkinson is the only one from your list we've been able to reach so far. Mr Zabini was out of town, but his assistant said that she'll reach him as soon as she can. We're still trying to contact the rest."
"Do keep trying, please," Harry pleaded. "I think it's important for him to have his family with him."
"Of course. Now, if the two of you will excuse me for a few minutes, I need to run some tests. Perhaps you could get yourselves a coffee?" She frowned as if rethinking her suggestion. "Oh, but of course you can't leave him," she said to Harry. Her meaning was quite clear.
"Oh, no, he's not a suspect," Harry was quick to correct. "In fact, Mr Malfoy saved my life tonight." The Healer's face softened as she looked at Draco. "I am here as much for his protection as for any information he might provide about what happened." At her concerned look, he added, "I'll ward the door while you're in here, to prevent anyone entering."
Her look of relief was obvious. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, although I don't really expect any trouble. I gather the people responsible for tonight's events won't want to be caught entering the hospital, but one can never be too safe."
She nodded. "I should be done in about fifteen minutes, then."
~*~*~
Blaise came by the next day and gave Harry a similar greeting to Pansy's, minus the physical assault.
"Satisfied, Potter?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"It's no secret you hate him." He motioned towards Draco.
"I don't hate him," Harry said in a defeated voice.
"Sure you don't."
"If you recall, I saved his life during the war."
"Oh, yes, of course," Blaise replied, putting on an artificial tone of reverence. "Far be it for anyone to forget that". Disdain dripped off his every word.
"That's not what I meant," Harry defended himself.
"Right."
"Look, Blaise, all I meant was that I didn't want Draco hurt or worse back then. Why would I want that now?"
"I don't know, Potter. You tell me."
"I don't want Draco hurt."
"You've a fine way of showing it!"
"I didn't do this to him."
"Oh, so you - Boy Who Lived to Become the Saviour Auror of the Year - just happened on by when he was like this?"
"Didn't Pansy tell you what happened?"
"No. I just got an urgent owl from my assistant saying that Draco was in hospital, and he was in bad shape. I haven't even spoken to Pansy yet."
"Draco saved my life."
"What?"
"He showed up - I don't know how or why - and he told me it was a trap and got me out of there. Before we could get through the wards to Apparate, he was hit."
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"How is he?" Blaise asked, looking again over at his friend.
"How does he look?" Harry replied.
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"Where are his parents?"
"The staff haven't been able to reach them." Harry motioned Blaise out of the room. He didn't want to have this discussion in front of Draco, in case he registered what they were saying.
"Surely --"
"Listen, Blaise, I need to tell you something." Harry spoke quietly and cast a Muffliato, so that no one would overhear them out in the hall. "Lucius was there."
"He was?"
"Yeah, and he knows that Draco was hurt."
"Are you sure?"
"I saw his face after the curses hit Draco. He knows."
"So why isn't he here?"
"Why do you think?"
"You don't mean --"
"I can't talk about an open case, Blaise, but I will say this. It's imperative that we find Lucius. If you know anything ... any way to reach him, let me or Ron know."
"Ron?"
"Weasley. He's heading up the investigation while I remain here."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks." He motioned inside the room. "Let's go back inside."
~*~*~
Two weeks had passed, and there was little sign of improvement. The two curses they had treated were no longer wreaking havoc with Draco's body, but the one curse, as yet still unidentified, hadn't let up.
The investigation had led to the arrest of one person three days later, whose information had led them to most of the others present that day. All but one other accomplice and Lucius Malfoy, who had disappeared with his wife.
A week later, the missing accomplice - or rather his body - was found in a dodgy hotel room down Knockturn Alley. Harry had no doubt that Lucius Malfoy was responsible. Prior Incantatum on each of their wands had confirmed Harry's worst fears. None of the wands they confiscated had cast the final spell. The curse that was killing Draco had been cast by his own father.
Harry, trusting Ron's and the rest of the team's ability to investigate, adamantly refused to leave the hospital for any longer than it took to get washed up and grab a bite to eat. The staff had brought a cot into the room for Harry to sleep on after the first night. Guilt coursed through his veins, and he was determined to be there if - no, when - Draco woke up. Meanwhile, Ron knew that Harry wanted to be notified the moment they found the senior Malfoy.
Both Pansy and Blaise had been back to visit, as had Gregory Goyle and Pansy's mother. But still no Lucius. Not that Harry was surprised. He was, however, surprised that Narcissa hadn't been by. He suspected that Lucius had whisked her away, and that she knew nothing about her son's condition. That was the only reason he could come up with.
The last time Pansy had visited, she had finally relented. Harry had asked her each time what she had meant that first night she'd visited Draco, but she wasn't to be persuaded to talk. However, when she saw the genuine look of concern on Harry's face as time went on, she finally broached the topic herself.
"Potter?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that first night, you were sure to tell the staff that Draco wasn't a suspect, and that you doubted anyone would try to attack him here. You're a star Auror, not to mention Harry bloody Potter. You could have anyone else assigned here to watch over him until he wakes up. Why is it you're here, every day, all day?"
"I don't know, Pansy. I suppose I feel responsible," he told her honestly. "He wouldn't be here if it weren't for me, and, well, I want - no, I need to be here when he wakes up."
"Hmm."
"What bothers me is Narcissa."
"What, that she's not here?"
"Yeah," he said thoughtfully. "She loves Draco so much, she'd risk her life for him. I can't imagine she knows what shape he's in, or she'd be here."
Pansy gave him a curious look. "How would you know that?"
"During the war, she risked her life for him," he explained. "Saved my life in the process." Her wide eyes told Harry that this was news to Pansy. "I take it Draco never told you?"
She looked down. "No, I'm afraid we didn't speak much right after the war. My family swept me out of the country for a few years. It took a while before Draco and I connected again. And we've never really talked about the war."
"Oh."
"Except he did tell me that you saved his life. Twice."
"Yeah, well ... Gryffindor and all that."
"I don't know. He was pretty adamant that your two Gryffindor mates were well on their way to saving their own skins when you insisted on saving Draco and Greg."
Harry could feel his face flush from embarrassment. He still hated being looked at as a hero. "I couldn't leave them to die."
She smiled at him and placed a hand on his arm. "Thank you."
He returned the smile. "My pleasure."
She walked over and took her customary seat by Draco's bed, pulling his hand into hers.
"You know," she said to her friend, "maybe you're not so crazy after all." She looked up at Harry and shot him a wicked grin, then turned back to Draco. "And you're right," she whispered. "He is hot."
What?! Harry couldn't have heard that right. He felt his face burn.
"You know, Harry has been here ever since he brought you in; he never leaves your side. In fact," she winked at Harry, "I had to threaten him with a combination Aguamenti and Scourgify before he agreed to go home to shower. Believe me, you would have done the same.
"I think he'd be good for you, Draco. You'd be good for each other. And I know now he would never willingly hurt you. I don't know why you never told him how you feel."
Harry's head was swimming. What was she going on about?
"So," she said as she patted Draco's hand, "you need to bring yourself back to us so you two can have a chance. You've wanted this for so long, Draco, you can't pass up the opportunity."
"Pansy," Harry said.
"I'll explain later," she told Harry as she began to update Draco on the latest gossip.
~*~*~
Harry hadn't realised that Draco thought of him that way. Sure, he'd had his own occasional fantasies about the blonde over the years, but hadn't put much stock in them. After all, there was no point pining over someone you could never have. But this new information put everything into a whole new perspective.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he kept asking Draco. When he'd thought about their numerous encounters over the years, however, Harry sensed that he might have missed some rather less-than-subtle hints. Well, no one had ever accused him of being perceptive in the relationship department.
"You know, I've thought about you ... about us, too. I just never thought ... and now you ... Draco, you have to wake up."
The next week passed painfully slowly. The curse had still not been deciphered, and a Curse Breaker had visited several times. They were baffled. There was nothing else for it; they had to find Lucius.
Then what? Harry thought. The bastard would do what he always did and somehow, someway, wriggle out of the tight spot he found himself in. Not this time, he'd promised Draco.
~*~*~
"Harry," Ron said, appearing at the doorway to Draco's room. Harry looked up and Ron nodded.
"I need to go, Pansy." He looked down at Draco's still unconscious form and drew strength from it. "I'll be back soon."
"I'll stay until you return."
"Thanks," he said with a smile.
As he joined Ron in the hall, his friend grinned wickedly. "He's all yours," is all he said.
They Apparated to an abandoned warehouse somewhere in Muggle London. Lucius was unconscious and bound, locked in a small room that was heavily warded.
"Rennervate," Harry said, a spare wand aimed at Lucius's chest. After all, it wouldn't do to trace any spells back to his wand. The older Malfoy immediately began thrashing in his bindings.
"How dare you!" he spat at Harry. "Untie me now, or it's your job, boy!"
Harry laughed so abruptly even Ron jumped back. "I. Don't. Think. So. Malfoy," he said, punctuating each word with a pause. "In fact, I may keep you here for a very long time."
Lucius laughed at that. "You would never do such a thing," he said. "The two of you, Gryffindors? Aurors? You wouldn't know how to break the rules!"
This time, both Harry and Ron laughed. "Apparently you didn't listen much to Snape and Draco over the years," Harry corrected him. "I'm all about breaking the rules."
"Yeah," Ron added, "especially when it gets scum like you off the street."
"You two will be fired and you'll be lucky not to spend a good long stint in Azkaban," Lucius warned them. "Aurors in prison. Now there's a lovely thought," he said dreamily.
"Oh, we won't be going to Azkaban," Harry assured him. "That's your home. You almost killed your own son, you heartless bastard. No, I rather think we'll just get what we came for, and send you back where you belong."
"What makes you think I will give you anything?"
"Frankly," Harry said, bringing his face within a breath of Lucius's, "I don't give a shit what you want to give me, and I don't plan on wasting any time asking. I'm just going to go straight for the sure thing; I'm going to take what I need."
Ron pulled out a large vial of Veritaserum, and Lucius's eyes went wide. "You can't ... I won't."
"Oh, I can," Harry said as he pried the man's mouth open and tilted his head back. "And you will. Petrificus Totalus."
Lucius's body went stiff and Harry poured the entire contents of the vial down his throat. His gag reflex couldn't help him as the potion slid down his throat with no resistance.
"There now," Harry purred and patted Lucius's cheek. "See how easy that was?" He waited until Lucius's eyes bore the familiar haze of someone under the potion's effect before ending the Body-Bind.
"Tell me the curse you used on Draco, and give me the counter-curse," Harry began.
Once he had ascertained the information that he needed to help Draco, Harry left Ron with Lucius. There was a lot more information that Ron could get from the man before the potion wore off. Of course, they couldn't use any of it against him right away, but they'd file it away for later. Once they were granted permission to search properties, they'd know exactly what to look for.
And they needed to get more information about the charm that had targeted Harry's and Ron's magic, preventing them from casting spells once through the wards. Hermione still hadn't been able to work it out. They also needed to know if Lucius was the only one who knew about it.
Ron had, quite conveniently, become a master of the Obliviate Charm. Harry was convinced he'd have given Lockhart a run for his money in his heyday. The thing that made Ron better than most was his uncanny ability to modify memories such that the people he cast the spell on had no indication of lost time or confusion at all. It came in handy whenever they needed to modify Muggles' minds at crime scenes, and it certainly was going to come in handy now. In situations like these, Harry was more than happy to let his Slytherin side come out and play. He grinned at the irony of letting it loose on this particular Slytherin.
When Harry arrived back at the hospital, he found Draco's Healer. "My partner discovered what he thinks may be the curse placed on Mr Malfoy. I am going to perform the counter-curse, but I believe it will take a bit of time to work through his system, and he will likely experience some pain. Would you be able to give him a potion to keep him asleep for, say, eight hours, enough time for the counter-curse to work? Maybe a pain potion as well?"
"Certainly, Mr Potter. Is there anything else? Any other side-effects of the counter spell that I should know?"
"Not that I'm aware of, but I would appreciate if you would remain on hand, just in case."
"Of course," she assured him.
Several hours later, Pansy had gone home to rest, planning to return the next day. Harry had cast the spell, and it seemed to be working. All of Draco's systems were improving, and thanks to the potions, he was resting soundly. Harry took Draco's hand in his as he lied down to sleep, having moved his cot to rest alongside Draco's bed. He told himself that it was just so he could feel when the other man finally awoke.
~*~*~
"Hey," Harry heard a cracked voice say as someone nudged his shoulder. "Wake up."
Harry opened his eyes to see grey ones staring back at him, looking confused.
"Draco?"
He watched as Draco's eyes blinked before him. He was awake. "Yeah."
"You're awake?" Harry asked, grinning with relief.
"Evidently," Draco replied, his voice raspy from lack of use. "And not only did you just call me Draco, but you're holding my hand," he said, raising an eyebrow in question and gently squeezing Harry's hand. "Did I miss something?"
"You're awake!" Harry cried. He leaned down and gave Draco a smack on the lips. "I have to go get your Healer." Harry went to leave the room, but Draco's grasp on his hand tightened.
"Not yet," Draco said as he gently pulled Harry back towards him.
"But, Draco --"
"Harry, I'm fine, but I need to know what happened." Harry looked at Draco and considered him for a moment. "But first I could use a glass of water."
Harry poured Draco some water, and went on to explain everything, up to the point of Lucius casting the spell that nearly killed Draco. He couldn't bring himself to say the words, at least not until he knew Draco was really alright. Draco listened intently.
"You don't need to hide it from me," he told Harry.
"What?" Harry asked, looking away, knowing he was never good at lying to anyone he cared about. And there was no question in his mind; he cared about Draco very much.
"My father's role in all of this."
"I realise you must not want him to go back to prison --"
"Fuck that! He made his choices, and if he didn't learn from them after repeated stints in Azkaban, why the hell should I care if he rots there?"
This revelation took Harry aback. "If you don't care what happens to your father, then why didn't you call the Aurors in as soon as you heard your dad's plan?"
"Well, at first I didn't know if it was typical Lucius posturing, so I needed something more concrete to go on than what I had heard. I knew that he would be able to detect the slightest heightened interest in his comings and goings, so I waited for some indication that he really had meant to go through with something."
"But you told Pansy --"
"I thought I'd better tell someone, just in case. Anyway, once I heard what he was planning, I had no chance to call. I knew the Manor would have been teeming with detection wards, and I'd be dead before I could finish a sentence."
"Oh. That makes sense, I suppose. But you could have taken a few minutes to send word once you got out of the Manor."
"Really? When would that have been?" Draco snapped. "While I was following my father to some unknown destination? Or perhaps once I figured out where the meet was going to be, not knowing how long it would take me to get there without Apparating? Or maybe once I got there, where there were probably similar wards in place? Or once I saw you, so that you'd be dead by the time anyone could arrive? That would rather have defeated the purpose, don't you think?" Draco was clearly irritated.
Harry squeezed Draco's hand, which he had not released through their entire conversation. "I didn't mean that you did anything wrong, Draco. I only meant that you took a big risk."
"Yeah, well, call it making up for past errors in judgement."
"It was more than that, and you know it."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Harry didn't miss the colouring of Draco's cheeks as he said that.
"Pansy told me ... well, that you have feelings for me."
"Pansy should keep her mouth shut."
"And she pointed out just how thick I am for not noticing before now, although I really don't know how I could have --"
"How long have I been here?" Draco interrupted, seemingly wanting a change in subject.
"Three weeks."
"You've been at my bedside for three weeks?"
"Mm hmm," Harry replied. "Well, except for trips home to shower and eat."
"For which I am surely grateful," Draco replied.
Harry laughed. Merlin, it was great to hear that snark again.
Draco lifted up their joined hands and gave Harry a questioning look. "I suspect I may not be the only one with feelings," he said.
Harry smiled and gave Draco's hand a squeeze. "I suspect you're right."
"Then go get my Healer, Potter, so I can get out of here." He dropped Harry's hand and made a shooing motion. "It seems we've got a lot of lost time to make up for."
Harry smiled and brought both his hands up to Draco's face, cupping his cheeks and leaning in. When their lips brushed together, it was soft and tender. He closed his eyes as contentment washed over him. He felt Draco's hand reach behind his head and pull him closer, deepening their kiss. Draco's tongue played over his lips and he opened his mouth to allow more contact. As their tongues explored new territory, Harry felt the weight of the last three weeks leave him, to be replaced with a pleasant tingling sensation from head to toe.
He reluctantly pulled back and looked down at Draco's flushed face, kiss-swollen lips and lust-filled eyes. He'd never seen a more tantalizing sight in all his life. Struggling to keep his body's reaction in check, he cleared his throat and stood up.
"I'll, ah, get your Healer then," Harry stammered.
Draco nodded. "Quickly, Potter. I'd like to get right on that making up for lost time business."
"Count on it," Harry said as he left the room.
Smiling to himself, Harry realized that in some strange, twisted way, he had Lucius Malfoy to thank for this. Oh, and thank him he would, Harry chuckled, imagining Lucius's face, behind the prison bars of Azkaban, as Harry told him that he and Draco were together. But Lucius could wait. As soon as Draco got released, Harry was looking forward to the promising business of making up for lost time.
Epilogue
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