Undesirable Mission – chapter 6

Harry had been at home for two days before he felt strong enough to face Malfoy. He Flooed to the Ministry and visited Kingsley Shacklebolt first. He found out that Malfoy hadn't been out of his lab in at least five days. Nobody seemed to know how he was coping. Harry was alarmed with worry as he started towards the Department of Mysteries. Images of Draco in different states of destruction flashed through his mind and he was almost scared to go in and see it for himself. Draco could be hurt, ill, devastated, in shock... maybe even dead for all he knew.

Harry almost ran the rest of the way to Draco's lab. It was locked, of course. He knocked, but got no answer. He knocked again, then pounded the door with force. It was then he heard a muffled answer through the door.

"Go away."

"Draco, it's me, Harry. Open the door, please."

"Go away," Draco repeated.

"No, I won't go away until you open the door. I need to see you're alright." Harry wasn't going to give up. "Now, open the damned door, Draco!"

"No. Go away. I don't want to see anyone."

"Please, Draco. Just let me see you're okay. Just for a minute, please."

A long silence. Draco didn't even answer him this time. That's when Harry lost it.

"God damnit, Draco. I'm coming in even if I have to blow the bloody door out of my way! Step aside!"

Before Harry could cast the blasting curse, the lock clicked and the door opened if only a fraction. Harry grabbed the door and yanked it open. Draco lost his balance and almost collapsed to the floor. Harry got a hold of him just in time and kept him upright.

"Merlin, you look awful. What have you been doing in here?"

Draco avoided his eyes, but Harry was having none of it. Draco looked exhausted, face ashen and dark circles under his eyes. His precious hair was hanging limply around his face, clothes were rumpled and he looked as if he was desperately in need of food, long hot bath and a week's worth of sleep. Harry lifted Draco's face gently with his hand, trying to look into his eyes, and after a brief resisting, Harry finally managed to see what he was looking for. He was shocked to see Draco's eyes so empty, almost dead, the beautiful silver colour faded to a dull grey. Harry couldn't help himself. He crushed Draco into his arms, hugging him fiercely.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Draco. I've got you now, I promise."

Suddenly Draco sighed and went limp in his arms, falling unconscious. Harry hesitated only a second before laying him down on the floor gently. Then he ran for help.

Draco got checked up at St. Mungo's and the healer explained that Draco simply needed some rest and nutrition. When Draco woke up, Harry didn't take no for an answer and soon Draco found himself at Harry's flat, tucked in bed and having a steamy bowl of soup in front of him. Draco was too tired to fight back and ate the soup slowly, barely able to keep the spoon in his hand. Harry kept him company, resisting the urge to ask Draco any of the million questions that tried to rush out of his mouth, and just let the conversation stay simple and comfortable. Draco wasn't talking much, just a single word here and there. As soon as he'd finished the food, he fell asleep and and didn't wake up until the next day.

Harry had time to think while Draco slept. He wondered if Draco's condition was due to the shock of what had happened in the Hanson case. Surrounded by death and danger was hard for even a seasoned Auror, let alone a researcher, who spent most of his days in the safety of his lab. What else might have caused his collapse? He really needed to talk to Draco, but not before he was better. He thought briefly if he should contact Draco's mother, but decided to talk about that with Draco first.

Draco woke up to the clattering sounds coming from the kitchen. He stretched languidly – wait, this wasn't his own bed, and the sounds from kitchen definitely didn't belong to his own flat. Where the hell was he? He couldn't remember anything about the last few days. Last thing he recalled was working diligently in his lab. Draco sat up abruptly, but had to lay back with a groan. His head ached terribly and the room spinned around making him feel nauseous.

Suddenly the bedroom door opened and a dark haired head poked inside.

"Good, you are awake. I'll have lunch ready in half an hour. I bet you are hungry." Harry Potter stepped inside the room and sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed his hand on Draco's forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Draco just stared at him. This must be Potter's flat and Potter's bed where he had slept. How did he end up in here? He tried to clear his throat to speak.

"P-Potter? Where am I? What happened?"

"I found you collapsed from exhaustion in your lab and after the healer at St. Mungo's checked you out, I brought you here. You just need some rest and good food and you'll be alright." Harry took Draco's hand into his own, and the touch felt so good to Draco.

"Are you up to a long hot bath before lunch or would you rather stay in bed and I'll bring your lunch to bed?" Harry asked gently.

"I... I'll try the bath first, if I can make it to the bathroom, that is." Draco decided wearily.

Harry helped him up and off the bed, supporting him as they walked slowly to the ensuite bathroom. There was a bath ready, Harry just heated the water enough to get it comfortably hot. When Harry tried to help him to undress the pyjamas – when had he put these pyjamas on, anyways, they weren't even his own! - Draco declined his help saying he could manage his bath by himself.

With a long groan Draco laid in the bath tub and tried to get his aching muscles to relax in the hot and deliciously scented bath. His mind didn't relax though, and his thoughts raced around what had happened during the week. If the circumstances had been different, he'd have been happy to enjoy the bath while waiting for Harry to make him lunch. Draco realized that he'd had a crush on Harry for a long time and he had hoped that Harry would feel the same way, if not more, for him, but after Harry's rejection his hopes had irrevocably crashed down.

Draco felt ashamed about how he had behaved in front of Harry lately, how embarrassingly weak and stupid he had been, babbling incoherently in one moment and bloody crying in the next. No wonder Harry didn't want him. He was a Malfoy, damnit, and Malfoys never cried or babbled, and never showed any weakness. Draco was desperately trying to find a dignified way to get out of this situation without causing more damage to the Malfoy name and reputation. Damage control, that was the only way to save face.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Are you okay in there? I'm bringing your lunch to the bedroom, so when you're ready, there's a bathrobe for you on the stool next to the bath tub. I'll get you some clean clothes," Harry said through the door.

"I'll be out in a minute," Draco answered him curtly.

Carefully he got out of the bath tub and wrapped the fluffy bathrobe tightly around himself. Then he slowly exited the bathroom and found Potter standing in the middle of the bedroom with a tray in his hands. Draco had to admit, the food smelled really good and he realized how hungry he actually was. Avoiding any glances towards Harry he laid back on the bed and leaned against the headboard. Harry pulled the covers over Draco and put the tray on his lap.
He looked at Draco searchingly.

"Are you sure you are alright, Draco?" he asked.

"I'm fine, just hungry and tired. The food smells good."

"Yeah, my lasagna is pretty good, I've been told," Harry grinned.

Draco just ducked his head and started to eat. It was good. Although anything would be good when he was starving, for that matter. He ate quickly and with a simple "Thank you" handed the tray back to Potter. Harry just raised his eyebrows, muttered "You're welcome" and left the room.

Draco drifted back to sleep and this time didn't wake up until morning light filtered through the curtains.

Draco let himself wake up slowly, giving himself time to feel if he was fine enough for leaving. He looked around and noticed a pile of clothes on the chair, but the clothes didn't seem to be his own. He got off the bed carefully and was relieved to see he didn't feel so dizzy anymore. He checked the clothes – they were definitely Potter's clothes – and started to look for his own. He found them inside the wardrobe, cleaned and in his usual immaculate state. His wand was there too. He got dressed and slowly started to look for his way out of Potter's flat.

He got as far as past the living room door when he heard a sound in the kitchen on the other side of the hallway. Suddenly Potter showed up on the doorway and took Draco by surprise.

"Draco? Good morning, did you sleep well? I'm making some breakfast. Would you like a cup of tea first? Or coffee?

Draco stood frozen in the hallway, having no idea what to say. Harry stepped in front of him and touched his arm. Draco instinctively took a step back and Harry frowned.

"Draco, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I... I have to go see my mother, she must be worried by now," Draco tried desperately keep his voice stable.

"Your mother knows you are fine. Kingsley owled her that you took a few days off after the case, so she's not worried."

"Listen, Potter, thank you for taking care of me, I really appreciate it, but I have to go now. Goodbye." Draco tried to move around Potter, but Potter blocked his way.

"Don't go, Draco. Talk to me. This isn't you, I know something's wrong. What is it?"

"How would you know if this is me or not, Potter?" Draco was trying to keep his cool facade even though he was starting to tremble.

"I've seen you, remember? At the party, at the pub, at the dinner. I liked how you were then, I liked to see you being so friendly, teasing me, flirting with me. Where did that go?"

Draco didn't answer, just stood there stiffly and avoided Harry's gaze. He couldn't do this right now. He just had to get out of here, but his feet were rooted to the floor.

"Come on, Draco, let's have a cup of tea and talk about this."

Numbly Draco let Harry lead him to the kitchen where a small dining table was already set for two. Harry poured a cup of tea for both of them and sat across Draco at the table.

"Draco, what is it? Is it me? Is it something I did?" Harry tried to reach Draco's hand with his own, but Draco jerked it back and tried desperately to clear his mind.

"No, it's not you, it's me this time. I... Never mind. It was my mistake and I apologize. Now, if you'll excuse me. " Draco rigidly stood up and made to leave, but Harry jumped right after him and spun him around by his arm.

"Don't you dare to leave until we have talked this out! You better tell me clearly, what's going on! No more riddles, Draco!" Harry shouted desperately.

"Take your hands off me, Potter. I'm leaving," Draco said coldly and tried to shake Harry's hand off. Harry clung to him stubbornly.

"No, we are going to clear this up right now, Draco," Harry insisted.

"Fine! Let's do it your way so you can have your entertainment! I made a mistake, okay? I thought we had something going on between us, but you obviously didn't. So tell me, Potter, is it that I'm not good enough for you or was it all just an act to please the Ministry and the press?" Draco cried out helplessly.

"What?" Harry's expression was dumbfounded.

tbc