She was there. His eyes were so heavy he couldn't open them, but he knew she was there, that it was her tiny hand holding his. He tried to squeeze her hand, not sure if she felt it. Her other hand reached up to brush his face.

"They're going to make me leave, Draco. Madam Pomfrey is not sure what is wrong with you yet and she is afraid you could be contagious. I don't think you're contagious, I think you just need a lot of chicken soup. Take care of yourself, because we need you."

She laid his hand down by his side. No. No, Luna come back. He wanted to reach for her, hell, he wanted to open his eyes and see her, but the darkness was dragging him back

It was so hot.

A cool hand touched his forehead and then jerked back.

"Poppy! This child is burning up!"

"About three more minutes before it's time for his next round of potions. I tell you, if they had left the poor fellow in Azkaban another day or two, he would have died."

There was the faint sound of the floo network connecting in another room and his father's voice calling "Madam Pomfrey!"

A sigh. "Minerva, would you please get that? His parents are calling on the floo every five minutes. Let them know there's no change."

"They should be here. I know Arthur and Kingsley are working on it. House arrest or no house arrest..." her voice trailed off.

Someone was rubbing his face and chest with a cool cloth. That felt so good.

She was here. Aw, hell they didn't give him any more of Potter's potion, did they? She was crowded against his side in the narrow cot, head on his shoulder, like that night in Azkaban. She kissed his nose. Her hand, instead of resting on his heart this time, was holding his, fingers intertwined. His other hand rested on her hip.

"I'm so glad you're better, Draco," she whispered. "I'm going to need you around."

It took every bit of strength he had, but he rolled onto his side and snuggled her against his chest, arms around her, tucking her head under his chin. He wished he had enough strength to carry this a little farther, because damn, Dream Luna had nice breasts.

"I love you Luna," he whispered.

He could feel her smile. "Of course you do."

"Hey mate," Neville, of course. "It seems rather crazy to be talking to you when you're out cold, but Madam Pomfrey said you might could hear us. We just wanted to let you know we were here, checking on you and all."

"Yeah, you gave us quite a fright, going down like that," Potter's voice said. "But at least you were here at Hogwarts where there's a hospital facility and not in Azkaban."

"Well, um, ok then," Neville spoke again. "We'll just be going now, and we'll check back in on you later."

He heard their footsteps walk away, and realized that Granger was speaking rather loudly to someone in the background.

"...see the shape he's in? Starved, dehydrated, eaten up with infection? He nearly died in Azkaban, and he was not guilty!"

"Hermione, why do you care? This is bloody Malfoy we're talking about!" The Weasel whined.

"Ronald, if I didn't want to see house elves suffer, do you think I want to see human beings treated like that, no matter who they are?"

He woke, not sure where or when he was. White. Lots of white. The hospital wing at Hogwarts. He heard soft snoring and looked to the side. His father was asleep on the next cot. He looked over to the other side, where his mother slept.

Something on the table by the bed caught his eye. A piece of parchment, folded into the shape of a three dimensional bird. He reached for it, but managed to knock a glass of water off the table instead.

Both of his parents sprung out of bed instantly and talked over one another.

"Son! You're awake! What do you need?"

"Draco, oh I love you baby! I've been so worried."

His mother sat on the edge of his cot and stroked his hair while his father went to find Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh, my baby."

"What happened?" his voice sounded strange, hoarse.

"How did you get that wound on your leg?" his mother asked.

No point in lying to her now. "It was cut on the shackles, the first night they brought me to Azkaban."

"The wound had gotten infected. The infection had gone into your bloodstream and spread through your system. And apparently it had been bleeding a good bit, because Madam Pomfrey said you were quite anemic. You've been unconcious for four days."

Madam Pomfrey bustled into the room. "Oh good." she felt his forehead. "No fever now. How do you feel Mr. Malfoy?"

He thought for a minute. "Tired. Weak."

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "That's to be expected. I'm going to bring some broth and some more Blood Replenishing Potion. Not too much of the broth right now, just a little every few hours. I know you're probably hungry but too much and it will just come right back."

His father grabbed the pillows from the other cots to prop him up while his mother fed him the broth. This was too freaking much. He took the utensil from her, but the first spoonful he tried to get for himself ended up on the blanket.

"Fuck," he muttered, then looked up at his mother. "Oops. Sorry."

Narcissa rolled her eyes. "You are so like your father sometimes."

Draco grudgingly gave the spoon back and let his mother finish feeding him. He looked at them, truly looked at them, and realized his father hadn't shaved and his mother was wearing absolutely no makeup.

"I'm going back to sleep now," he told them, faking heavy eyelids. "Why don't you two go wash up and get yourselves something to eat?"

"Are you sure, son? We're not going anywhere if you need us. Arthur Weasley made arrangements with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for us to remain here as long as you aren't well enough to come home." Lucius appeared to be checking him over for signs of distress.

"Arthur Weasley? I thought you two had hated each other since you were children." Draco asked, faking a yawn for good measure.

"He and I, shall we say, have found common ground on the subject of our families." his father looked somewhat embarassed.

"Really. I'm going back to sleep. There won't be much of anything you can do for me for a few hours."

His parents reluctantly agreed, making sure a bell was left within his reach so he could summon Madam Pomfrey and she could in turn summon them should he need anything. They fussed over him a little more, both kissing his forehead before they finally left.

Once they were out of sight, he reached again for the parchment bird. This time he managed to grab it. He turned it over in his hands. There were no markings on it, but it was very carefully and intricately folded.

There was a sharp crack in the background, as if someone had apparated. Odd, must be one of the house elves.

"Hello, Draco."

He nearly dropped the paper bird. Luna. Not now. He must look even worse than when they first dragged him out of Azkaban. At least he had tried to comb his hair then. Who knew what it must look like now.

He looked up to find her smiling in the doorway. She wore a white top and those muggle pants, (jeans, was that what Pansy called them?) with a daisy in her hair and of course, no shoes. She walked so gracefully she might as well have been floating.

"You like the crane." it wasn't a question, the way she said it.

"I've never seen anything like it," he answered, looking at it again.

"It's an origami crane. Muggles believe if you make a thousand of them, it will cure you of illness. But you didn't need a thousand. You only needed one. And I charmed it to let me know when you were awake."

"You made this?" he asked, gently placing it back on the table.

"Of course," she answered, sitting on the edge of his cot.

He had never seen her look more beautiful. She almost glowed, even in this room where everything was so glaringly white that most things looked dingy.

"I'm glad you're awake," she said softly, holding his hand. "I brought you a tonic. It will help to get your strength back."

He looked at the vial of green liquid she placed on the table beside the crane. "What is it?"

"Oh, green tea, cucumber, and thistleflit nectar."

"What is a thistleflit?" he knew he shouldn't ask, but he loved the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her imaginary creatures.

"They're tiny flying things that live in fallen logs. They make a nectar, much like bees make honey." she gave him the I've Got a Secret smile.

"Were you worried about me?" he should not ask that. He totally should not ask that.

"No."

See? Draco, you're an idiot.

His face must have shown his disappointment because she laughed softly.

"No, I wasn't worried about you because I knew you were going to be fine."

"Well that makes one of us," he drawled.

She leaned over and kissed his nose. "One of these days you're just going to have to learn to trust me. I know things"

"Luna, there won't be more days. There is no future for us." he hated saying the words, but he knew he had to.

"But you love me," she whispered, not upset in the slightest.

"I can't love you," he growled. "Everyone in my life gets hurt. I refuse to allow you to become a statistic."

"I'm here, and aware of the fact I could get hurt. I'm trusting you not to do so, after all that you've done to protect me." the smile started to slip from her face.

"That's why I'm hurting you now. Because it's a small hurt now. But if I allow this to continue, you'll be destroyed in the end, and I won't let that happen."

"You definitely need more chicken soup. Your head is full of bandenbruits."

"Chicken soup will not save the fucking world, Luna! Don't you understand? There is no future for us! I'm sorry. I should have thought about this before what happened in the cabin, but I was too selfish." he couldn't look at her. She was going to cry, and it would kill him.

"Do you want me to leave?" she asked softly.

"Yes, Luna, I think you should leave." he ground out, still refusing to look at her.

"Fine, Draco, I will go now because that's what you think you want. I won't come back. But I will wait for you to come to me." she stood, and he still refused to look at her.

"Luna, please," he sighed. "Go on with your life. Find someone who deserves you. Don't wait for me to come. I'm not going to."

"Yes, you will," she said softly.

He heard her footsteps moving away but he still didn't turn to look because he didn't want her to see the tears in his eyes.

"Oh, hello, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," he heard her say.

"Hello Luna, it's good to see you again, dear. You look wonderful."

Why did his mother always have to be so fucking polite?

"Are you leaving already?" his father asked. "I do hope you're not cutting your visit short because of us."

"No, it was time for me to leave," she answered, no trace of hurt in her voice. "I will see you soon."

A moment later there was a apparation crack again.

By the time his parents reached his bedside, he had composed himself.

"That Luna is a lovely young lady. And pureblood, too." his father looked at him expectantly.

Draco snorted. "I do NOT have a future with Luna Lovegood."

His mother narrowed her eyes and looked in the direction Luna had left. "Are you sure about that, Draco? Because I swear that girl looks..."

"MOTHER!" he almost shouted. "This subject is closed. I will not talk about it further."

Madam Pomfrey came in at that moment, effectively cutting off any argument on Narcissa's part.

"Here you go, dear. Time for your afternoon potions."

"Madam Pomfrey," he wondered aloud. "Why are the house elves apparating in and out up here?"

She reached over and felt him for a fever. "The house elves aren't even in the castle today, dear. Are you seeing house elves?" She looked a bit worried.

"No, I thought I heard them, but maybe I was dreaming." What the hell?

"Yes, I'm sure that must have been it. Being ill can give you absolutely mad dreams." she gathered up the empty vials and bustled back to wherever she came from.

By morning, he was no closer to an answer. Growling, he scrawled out a parchment.

Luna,

What was that? People cannot apparate and disapparate into and out of Hogwarts!

Draco

He asked his father to send the message by owl post. His father's eyes lit up when he saw the addressee, but he didn't say anything.

An hour later, her reply came by return owl.

I can.