Chapter 2

Draco struggles his way to consciousness, his body feeling heavy. He can tell he is lying on something soft, which is a drastic change to the hard stone floor of his father's basement. Trying to remember what happened before he passed out Draco jerks when a hand touches his arm. Eyes snapping open he jumps away from the blurry figure above him, scrambling back until he hits a wall of solid flesh. Arms wrap around him, comforting yet restraining at the same time. Turning his head Draco freezes, gazing into shining green eyes seated in a tan face topped by messy black hair. Memories hit him like a slap. This man saved him.

"Good Morning Draco, don't worry. This man is just a healer" Harry inclines his head towards the man that was leaning over him. Gently pushes Draco back into a reclining position, Harry gestures for the man to continue his ministration. The healer smiles kindly at the frightened young man looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Hello Draco, my name is Neville. It's nice to see you awake. Can you swallow this for me." Observing the look of abject horror on the boy's face as he holds up the dark blue nourishment potion Neville is quick to explain what it's for.

"This is just a nourishment potion Draco; you're severely malnourished and have sustained a large amount of injuries. Many of your bones have been broken and healed wrong, that's what this one is for" Neville holds up a hot pink potion. Draco looks at Harry for confirmation of this and at Harry's nod reaches out and shakily takes the first potion. Downing it he chokes and grimaces at the awful taste.

"Okay this one may cause some discomfort so here's a pain potion to take afterwards" Draco takes the pink potion from the healer and swallows it quickly. A tingly feeling travels across his body before ignites painful fires in certain spots. Curling in on himself in pain Draco grits his teeth. Harry grabs the last potion off of Neville and forcefully pulls Draco's chin up, pouring the potion down the blondes' throat. Harry watches in agitation as Draco chokes and swallows, lines of pain easing from the boys pale face. His own blood had removed all cuts and bruises from the boy's skin. Pressing a kiss on Draco's cheek Harry allows him to fall back in unconsciousness.

Pulling the blanket back up around Draco, Harry stands from the bed and beckons Neville to follow him from the room.

"I've healed him physically but torture leaves mental scars, it also concerns me that he didn't speak. Has he said anything to you?" Neville asks, writing information down in a file.

"No, he hasn't" Ron and Hermione approach, Narcissa Malfoy following them. Four guards surround her.

Planting himself in front of Draco's door and signalling for 2 of the guards to do the same, Harry regards the woman coolly.

"What are you doing here?" the question is abrupt and demands an answer.

"I am here to see my son" Narcissa replies stiffly.

"You have no right to call him that after letting your monster of a husband torture him. Draco is under my protection now" Harry growls, pushing back the urge to tear this woman apart.

"I did not have a choice" she says and then softens "Please, I'll tell you anything you want to know but let me see my son"

Harry regards her for a minute before making a decision.

"You will go with Mr Longbottom here and tell him everything, I will speak with Draco and ask for his input when he awakes before making a decision about you visiting" Harry orders. Neville steps forwards.

"Is your son mute?" the healer asks straight away, gaze trained solely on Narcissa.

"He used to speak as a child but hasn't spoken since he was 11, Lucius used crucio on him whenever he did"

"Thank you" Neville murmurs thoughtfully before turning to Harry "Encourage him to speak but do not push him, it will only make things worse. The safer he feels the sooner he will attempt to communicate"

Neville walks down the hall muttering to himself, gesturing for the guards to bring Narcissa to his chambers for more questions. Ron and Hermione are standing there still, gazing at him thoughtfully.

"You must be starving Harry, come eat" Hermione encourages softly. Shooting a look at the door and contemplating the burn in his veins Harry nods, turning to the guards.

"No one enters but me or Neville understand?" at their nod he continues "If he awakens alert me at once" turning he allows Ron and Hermione to lead him to the feeding rooms.