Written for the Triwizard Tournament (Tarot Reading: Hanged Man – upright, The Devil – upright, The Moon – reversed), and Game of Life (Prompts: St. Mungo's, Rank, Blend).

Disclaimer: I don't own jack squid. Or anything that has to do with Harry Potter really.

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Draco had never been a fan of hospitals, didn't even like the wing Hogwarts had, so being cooped up this long in St. Mungo's was grating his nerves fiercely. But he had no choice in this matter.

Legs crossed on his white sheeted bed, Draco leaned back, resting on his elbows and pouted at the Healer and Wediwitch before him. They were chatting away about his condition, and he was growing more and more frustrated with every glance they gave him, and every scribble the man was writing in that stupid clipboard.

"His heart rate is fluctuating on a constant basis," he heard the Healer mutter, scribbling down on that pad. "Not enough to cause concern, but we'll need to pay attention to it."

"Is this common for people with his," the Mediwitch dared a glance at him, she seemed frightened, "disease."

Draco rolled his eyes. He understood the precaution being taken. But those kind of looks were beginning to bother him.

There was a great narrow-mindedness that came concerning the werewolf population. They were cast aside, sneered at and spat on, seen as less than people. It was no wonder so many of them had flocked to the Dark Lord. Compared to the way they'd been treated by a majority of the Wizarding world, the freedom Voldemort offered seemed like Paradise. And Draco was just beginning to experience it all.

"It's not a disease." The Healer corrected, he sounded almost like he was reading from a pamphlet. "It's a condition. No more a condition than anyone else here."

"A condition," the Mediwitch lowered her voice, but Draco still heard, "that could cause us serious harm. I mean he's a…"

If only she knew, Draco thought. If only that damn bimbo of a medical professional knew how he'd ended up with the set of teeth marks that ran from just below his elbow, to right above the notch of his wrist.

In the position he was in, Draco caught sight of the wound. It had healed considerably in the last week or so, but the bruising was still present. It was down to just a few small patches now, each a sickening shade of greenish black against his milky pale skin. The skin had begun to heal over from where the teeth had sunk in, but there would always be a mark from where the beast's jaw had torn at his skin.

"Not only is he a You-know-what," the Mediwitch started speaking harshly once more, "but a Death Eater as well. I saw the mark. That's got to be like, double the risk."

The irony of it all, was that the Dark Mark was still untouched on his underarm. It had faded a bit since the Dark Lords fall. It was no longer the pulsing black it had been, more of a murky tone now. But it didn't have a single scratch on it from his encounter that night. The teeth marks seemed to stop and start right along the border of it. That alone was enough to piss Draco off.

"Enough, Bella." The Healer hissed, eyes darting to Draco, and then away. The Mediwitch didn't speak again, and left soon after the Healer had given her a task. Draco was glad to see her gone.

The Healer turned to Draco, smiling as if the conversation hadn't been overheard. He stepped closer, patting a hand on the end of the bed. "Well, everything seems to be in order here."

Draco leaned forward, arms draped over his legs. He leveled a frown at the Healer. "When can I leave?"

"Not for a while I'm afraid." The Healer said. "There's still a few more test to be run, to make sure you are healing properly. And with the moon coming-"

"You wanna make sure I don't run off and eat someone." Draco dared a smirk.

The Healer looked unimpressed. "It will be your first transformation, and we just want to make sure you're ready. The last thing any of us want is you to hurt yourself, or-"

"Someone else." Draco finished. He knew what the guy meant. He thought of all the times he'd seen Fenrir transforming, all the people he'd hurt and murdered during the full moon. He remembered the time he'd spent working with the Order, and what Remus had gone through during the week of the full moon. It frightened him, what was coming within the next couple weeks. Not that's he'd ever mention that to anyone. But he understood the risk he presented, and hung his head.

The Healer noticed the change in the blonde's demeanor. He stepped forwards, placing a hand on his patient's shoulders. "I can assure you Mr. Malfoy that you are going to be quite alright. There's nothing to fear. You'll be out of here before you know it. Now, there was a group out in the waiting room for you, rowdy bunch they are. If they're still here, are you up for some company."

Draco glanced out the open door, and smirked. "Sure."

The Healer nodded, and left the room. Draco was alone in silence for a minute, before he made out the sets of footsteps rushing towards him. He sighed, still smiling, as the group entered the room.

"Wow Malfoy." Ron's voice held a chuckle as he was the first to enter. "Nice place you got here."

"I don't know." Zabini was next, plopping onto the end of the bed the moment he entered. "It's pretty rank. What have you been doing, shitting in the corner?"

"It's the cleaning products you git." Draco smacked the dark boys shoulder. He looked at the occupants of the room. Starting from the door, it was Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Blaise.

"Bold fashion choses." Ginny pulled at the collar of Draco's shirt. He looked down, grimacing at the white plaid shirt, and those ungodly blue pants. He hated hospital clothes.

"These are for you." Hermione set a small basket on the bedside table. He glanced into them, making out a few sweets, and some Weasley Wizard Wheezes toys.

"Thanks." He reached in, grabbing out a pack of jelly beans. He opened the book, popping a few into his mouth.

"Everyone sends best wishes, and hope for a speedy get out." Harry said, reaching forward and snagging a few of Draco's jellybeans. He gave a weak protest, but offered up the box for everyone - he'd never really been a fan of the candy. The box passed around, and easy conversation was quickly fallen into.

Draco was always amazed with how relaxed he had become around the Gryffindor lot, and they around him. He imagined that after spending so long working alongside them to bring down the Death Eater reign, a friendship of sorts was inevitable. He had just never expected it to be as enjoyable as it was.

The time they had together flew by quickly, and before any of them were really ready, the group was being rushed out for the night.

-oOo-

Draco was left alone to the silence once more. That was what he hated the most. In the silence he was left alone to his thoughts, and more frightening, to his nightmares. It was in the shadows that he could still make out the prowling form of his attacker. The wheels of the food cart outside his room were the growls on an incoming beast.

Beast.

That was the word so many used when talking of him. Like he was some kind of monster now. Granted, he'd been raised to think similar things about those in his situation, but now that he was on the receiving end, he realized just how cruel it was. He knew why people thought as they did. He himself had been exposed to the wickedness that could come with the curse. More often than he'd ever want to experience again, Draco had been forced to watch Greyback and his pack tear into innocent families. He could still hear their screams.

But it wasn't always wickedness.

Remus had strangely become a father-figure for Draco over the time he'd spent with the Order. The former teacher had taken him in the moment he'd offered them his assistance. Draco could never thank him enough for welcoming him in. When he'd been bitten, Remus had been the first thing he'd seen when he woke up. The elder wolf had been at his bedside the moment he'd been coherent enough to do so.

It had been Remus who'd suggested he take St. Mungo's up on their werewolf wing. He told him that he himself had been taken there upon being bitten, and despite their mutterings, the hospital could help him much better than Remus could. Draco didn't believe that at first. He trusted Remus. He didn't trust these people.

And with good right, as he'd come in to make sure the wound was healing correctly and not becoming infected, only to be committed for the rest of the month. So, just a week after the end of the Second Wizarding World, and where was Draco, but under surveillance in the hospital? He had to admit, it could be worst. He could have been in Azkaban.

Draco had to smirk at that dilemma. The look on the Aurors face had been priceless. It seemed that even when St. Potter explained the situation, they still had doubts. Draco Malfoy, poster boy for Blood Supremacy, branded Death Eater, having turned to the side of good. It almost was too much for them to believe. Had Draco not lived through it himself, he probably wouldn't have.

Out in the hall, he could hear the chatter of workers passing by. They sounded so happy, so carefree, like there was nothing to weigh them down. Draco hated it. He couldn't even shut his eyes in the dark, without the demons making their way into his mind. It was tiring, almost too much to take.

For a moment, he wondered if he could just slip out of the hospital. If he was quick he could blend into the rest of the hospital goers roaming about during the last hours before light was out. Of course, Draco wasn't granted that freedom. He was a danger after all, needed to stay in his room unless supervised.

It was enough to make Draco sick.

He closed his eyes, wiggling deeper into the pillow. It smelled of cleaning potions and lint. As he breathed in, he rolled over on his back. The smell was rank, and he was already tired of it.

-oOo-

When he woke, it was to a glimmer of light through the window blinds, and Remus. He was instantly reminded of whenever he'd first been bitten, nearly two weeks now. The former teacher was smiling at him, looking a tad healthier than he had during the war, but still a bit shaggy. Draco guessed that came with the curse. He himself was starting to sprout a bit of facial hair. He'd have to shave soon – if the hospital ever trusted him with a razor.

"Morning." Remus spoke. He set down the book he'd been reading, Draco caught the name Shelley, and smirked at the choice.

"It that any good?" Draco nodded his head. He sat up, grimacing at the pressure he put on his arm. It still stung. The pain was forgotten as he noticed the once more ugly attire he was wearing.

"Fantastic. I've read most of it the last few days. Can't seem to put it down." Remus said. "Got a chapter or two left. How are you feeling?"

"Remind me why I'm here again?" Draco asked. He noticed the tray of food on his side table; a piece of toast, some scrambled egg, and an apple. He made a motion towards it. Remus assisted, picking it up and placing it on Draco's lap. "Thanks."

"They can help," said Remus. "They know what they're doing."

Draco took a bit of the eggs, ignoring the smell and taste. They too smelled of cleaning potions. "You know more. I mean after all, you've gone through it."

"Yes I did." Remus answered. "And I promise that I will be right by your side with this, but you'll need more than just me."

"How's Teddy." Draco changed the subject.

Remus picked up on the tactic, but went along. "He's good. Tonks is with him now. He's getting big. He's looking forward to his cousin coming home."

"I'd be back sooner if these people just let me leave." Draco answered harshly.

Remus sighed. Leaning forward, he placed a hand on the blonde's knee. "Draco. You've spent the last few years of your life fighting in this war. You've done so much to help everyone. You've sacrificed, you've given up more than anyone should have. And now, now is time for you to rest a bit. And this hospital will help with that."

"I can't rest in here." Draco didn't look up as he spoke. "I don't like hospitals."

"Who does?" Remus leaned back in his chair. "You remember what I told you, right after Greyback bit you?"

"Ya."

"What was that?"

Draco looked up, frowning at the question. "A beast doesn't know it's a beast. A monster behaves without causes. But it's the conscious of men that makes them men."

Remus smiled. "You're only twenty one, twenty two almost. You've got your whole life ahead of you. This hospital, it's only a fraction of the future you've got ahead of you. So take a rest, enjoy it while you can. Think of it as a sabbatical. Because once you're out of here, I doubt you'll be given many moments to breathe. Teddy's already asking for you. And it's not just him. Andromeda and Molly are already planning a big welcome home of sorts. So just, take it slow, and know that whatever happens, no matter if you are here in this hospital, or home with me and Tonks, that we all love you, and will be with you at every moment we can."

Remus reached out, taking Draco's hand and squeezing it. Once more, he was frightened of being left alone in that hospital. He knew they weren't keeping him here out of fear of what he could do, or horror at what he had become, but because this was the best place to be. The place where he could take it all one step at a time. Where he could ride out that first transformation without fear of accidently hurting someone.

Draco looked up, smirking slightly at the retired teacher. "The food here still sucks."

The next few hours were spent with Remus. The two left the room for a large portion of that time, walking around the open courtyard in the center of the hospital. Tonks showed up with Teddy, and as always, Draco was a little reluctant to hold the child. Not because he didn't care for the growing toddler, but because he was scared he'd end up hurting him. They all thought he was being crazy, especially the rambunctious toddler who kept climbing in his lap.

Draco welcomed the sense of normalcy.

It was at the end of visiting hours that Draco wanted the day to restart. Tonks had left a while ago to put Teddy to bed, leaving him with just Remus. The two were once more in the hospital room, Draco perched on the bed, and Remus leaning against the footrest.

"At the end of the week," Remus spoke, "the Healers said they'd start you up on Wolfsbane. I know how much you like potions, so I snagged a favor with the potions division, and they agreed to teach you. It'll do good to keep yourself busy, and your mind off the coming moon. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, and I think Harry and the group said they'd be here again as well."

"Do any of you have lives?"

Remus chuckled. "Yes. But we thought you could enjoy some company. Until then," Remus moved around to the front of the bed. He picked up the book he'd brought and handed it to Draco. "Something for you to read in your free time."

Draco took the book, rubbing a finger over the cover. "I thought you said you were reading it. Last chapter or two?"

"I'll finish it once you're done." Remus smiled, grabbing his coat and slipping it on. "I know how quickly you read. Good night, Draco. Try to get some sleep."

"Night Remus." Draco nodded in return. He was surprised whenever the elder wolf leaned down, and embraced him in a warm hug. Draco returned the embrace. Whenever Remus pulled away and left, a shiver of cold ran down him. He shock it off, knowing it was just his fright on what was to come.

Never the less, he didn't sleep that night. By time Remus would visit the following day, Draco would have already finished the book he'd left. Twice.

-oOo-

The night of the full moon had been relieving to say the least. Draco had been a ball of nerves leading up to it. He'd had to keep busy. If there wasn't a visitor for him, he was down in the potions division, either brewing Wolfsbane or some other project they put in front of him. Needless to say, he'd found a job with them once he was released in a few days. It was something he was looking forward to.

But tonight, his only focus was on the moon peaked high in the sky. Remus wanted to be there for him, but the hospital had protocols, and they all agreed that it was for the best he stay away. The first night could always be the worst, and even with the potions, there was still a risk for backfire. Having the presence of another wolf could prove either helpful, or harmful, depending on how he took to the potion.

So he was alone. That scared him more than anything. But then he'd begun to change. It hurt more than he could ever describe. His bones snapping, reshaping under thickening skin. It was all a blur really. One moment he was sitting on the bed, the next he found himself hunched over, panting.

When he looked into the mirror, he'd marveled at what he saw. His eyes were shimmering balls of storm clouds. The fur on his body was a frosty white, softened blonde patches dotting throughout. He was rather small for a werewolf, and for a moment he was a bit disappointed.

But he was coherent. He knew who he was, what he was, and when he snarled into the mirror, he felt a weight lift off his shoulder. Of course, in the back of his mind he could feel the animalistic desire to run free coursing through his bones. The desire to sink his teeth into something, to hunt and kill, nipped at him whenever he started to grow too relaxed. But more or less, he could control himself, and that was enough for him.

His fear and anxiety wasn't as crushing as it had been in the weeks leading up to now. It was almost liberating, and he finally understood why Greyback's pack had been so excited about the up and coming moon.

Of course, the transformation was painful as could be, and he knew that should he ever slip, he could cause serious harm to those he loved. But he was beginning to understand that this condition wasn't the death sentence he had always seen it as.

Curling up in the center of his bed, scowling at the pungent aroma of cleaning products, Draco let out a content growl. He soon feel asleep in that position, the first full nights rest he'd had since Greyback had sunk his teeth into his arm.