Chapter One: Healer
"Sir," a voice said softly. He turned to the noise, fists clenching against the smooth fabric of his slacks. The older man sounded tentative, careful. Nervous. At once, Draco knew what was going to be said. What couldn't be done.
He didn't reply, and the seconds stretched painfully. Draco's face was cool and unconcerned, revealing nothing. Give or take a few seconds, and the healer would start talking. It was always like that. Even now, the response would be the same. Like before. For now, he would enjoy the silence, the new emptiness that surrounded his life.
Now. The healer coughed, moved a few steps away. Draco knew. "Mr. Malfoy, there's nothing I can do. We knew it was possible, probable. It was too strong. This was bound to happen, don't you see?"
"No, I don't see." Draco said coldly. He turned away from the healer, putting his back to the man.
The man sighed, and with a barely concealed smirk he heard the man slap his head, as if that could jolt out the foolishness in his words. There was nothing to be done, however, for the damage had most surely been done.
"Please, Mr. Malfoy… Lord Malfoy?"
"Lord." Draco didn't turn back to face Healer Lavrel. What was the point? The worthless man could speak to his back or not speak at all.
"Lord Malfoy," Lavrel corrected, voice and confidence wavering. "I treated you. It could be a lot worse – if you hadn't apparated directly here, I'm afraid it was very possible you might have lost your hearing as well, or your sense of taste. You had a… sensory overload. Your body couldn't handle the curse."
"Do you think I don't know?" the blonde exclaimed. "Do you think I thought I would come out unscathed? But this…" he trailed off, his outstreached hand falling to his side. "Leave me."
"Sir?" the startled man asked.
"I said, leave. Go!" Draco turned around, glaring at the man. He heard Lavrel take a hurried step out of reach.
"But, Lord Malfoy, you need assistance. A dog, perhaps, or – "
"I don't need a bloody dog, you fool!" he shouted, pointing his wand at the healer. "I told you to leave me alone!"
"You need rest, though – "
"I'm fine," Draco said icily. "I'm perfectly healthy, and have no need of your services. As you said. You can't do anything about it, so why are you still loitering about?"
"Sir, I'm not 'loitering about', I swear." Healer Lavrel choked out. "I cannot cure you, but you still need care. A lot as changed."
"You're right about that! A bloody lot has changed, if you haven't noticed, you half-wit idiot! What's happened to magic, for God's sake? Just – wave your wand or something, I don't care! What good are you if you can't cure me?"
The healer spoke in a quiet voice. "I'll just… be leaving, then? The butler will show me out," Lavrel edged to the door, away from the wand's tip.
"Bring him in here when you've finished, Lavrel." Draco stared straight ahead, stony blue eyes wide and unblinking.
"Yes, sir." The man scurried out of the room, and the younger man let his arm droop, tucking the wand back into its holster strapped to his arm. When he heard the door snap shut, he sighed.
Then, Draco Malfoy felt his way towards his chair. When he felt his slender fingers graze over the cool wooden frame, he gingerly lowered himself down onto the chair, feeling the reassuring arms on either side of him. He bowed his head, feeling unshed tears of anger, hate, and hopelessness well in his unseeing eyes.
Now, before people start hiding knives behind their backs, listen: I will continue my other fics. I hope. But I really like this idea. So I'm writing it. Hell, even if I never write another chapter, at least this idea is out and appealing. This is Draco/Ginny, everyone. As usual.