Draco sat in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace sipping a glass of firewhiskey, the same place he had been for almost two weeks since Harry left. After Draco found out about Harry taking the mission and learning that Andromeda didn't know anything more than anyone else did Draco had taken a chunk of accrued vacation time to avoid knocking the Ministers teeth out for offering Harry the mission to begin with.
Hermione still wasn't talking to him and Draco hadn't attempted to make amends. Quite frankly Draco didn't know what to do. If he had any idea what part of America to start looking in He would have left already to go find the man but since he didn't he decided on what he could do to make it up to his raven haired hero. By the time Harry returned home Draco vowed he would have custody of his daughter.
The blond haired man stretched downing the last of his drink and ran his hand across the rough stubble on his chin. He would start at the very top with Kingsley.
Draco arrived at the ministry and stormed into the ministers office unchecked by anyone. He half expected to be stopped and thrown out. What he didn't expect was Kingsley to look up at him relieved to see him.
"Thank Merlin Mr. Malfoy, I fire called your house and your elf said you had just left. I didn't want to bother you on vacation but this is rather important."
Draco held up a hand stopping the man in mid speech. "Sir, I mean no offense and I'm sure what you have to say is of the utmost importance but I have something to say first and you need to hear me out." Draco paused a moment and Kingsley nodded his head for Draco to continue. "I am appalled sir, by the treatment of our war heroes. One in particular being Harry Potter. He has saved the wizarding world more times than I can count and yet again recently you called upon him a quidditch player to save the world again. But yet he can't even get custody of his daughter. Does that seem right to you? I mean I don't have the greatest moral compass in the world but it's just wrong to keep him from her after everything he's done for us. Wouldn't you agree?" Draco finished his little speech with a hard look in his eyes and the minister swallowed with a gulp.
"Mr. Malfoy, I for one did not know Harry had a daughter and I will certainly do everything in my power to remedy the situation. However I think we need to get him home alive before anything else can occur."
Draco paled and sank into a chair in front of the ministers desk. "I. We. What?" He stuttered.
"The mission I sent Harry and the others on was a success but not without loss. We lost two good men and Harry was gravely injured I'm afraid. The medical facilities in America aren't up to taking care of his injuries I was calling you to request you travel with myself and a small team to retrieve the team we sent over there. Bring them back to Mungo's for proper care." Kingsley explained.
"What happened?" Draco whispered tears threatening to fall from behind closed lids.
"The curse he was hit with is unknown. Lestrange hit him just before he was able to take her down. It has caused severe nerve damage and muscle deterioration. Harry may be paralyzed if we don't get him back for proper medical attention."
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Draco jumped to his feet. "Let's go."
The small group arrived at the American equivalent of St. Mungo's and were quickly lead into a lift to take them to a lower level.
As Kingsley gave out orders a blond man who made Draco feel like he was looking into some sort of fun house mirror approached him.
"You must be Draco. Harry told me a lot about you. I'm Hunter." He introduced himself holding his hand out. Draco shook it wearily eying the man up and down. "I knew who you were because Harry said we could almost pass for twins. He asked me to give you this is anything happened." Hunter handed Draco a folded up note.
"Thanks." Draco rasped then cleared his throat. "Could I see him please?"
"Yeah sure he's right down here. He hasn't woken up since he arrived here maybe you being there will bring him around." Hunter lead the way down the hall.
"I don't know. We didn't exactly part on good terms." Draco sighed.
"I wouldn't be too concerned. He's rather smitten with you. Ignored every move I made on him. It's this one here." Hunter pointed at an open door and Draco stood there for a moment not sure rather he wanted to beat Hunter into a pulp or run to Harry's side. He chose the latter of the two. He didn't blame Hunter for falling for Harry's charm.
To Draco's surprise Hermione was already next to Harry's bed holding his hand talking softly.
"Hey Herms." Draco murmured.
"Draco, Thank Merlin you're here I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself Kingsley said he would get word to you. I came straight here."
Draco nodded and went to sit on Harry's other side taking his pale cold hand in between his own warm ones.
The mans eyes fluttered open and he looked around wildly confused.
"It's okay Harry. You did it the mission was a success we are going to take you home now." Draco soothed running the back of his hand down Harry's cheek. The green eyes closed again but Draco swore there was a bit of a smile on Harry's face.
A group came to move him and a temporary stasis was placed to make travel less uncomfortable. As Draco and Hermione walked out together Hermione sighed.
"Well, McGonagall has been trying to get him to teach DADA for years anyway."
Draco glared at her and she shrugged. "He might never be able to play quidditch again Draco. You've got to think about that."
"I won't let that happen." Draco shook his head thinking about the generations of resources hidden away in Malfoy Manor's library.
"It may be the best thing for him." Hermione sighed.
"Best for him? Or what everyone thinks is best? Have you stopped to consider rather it would make him happy?" Draco snapped storming away from the girl.
After a week of searching through dusty old tomes in Malfoy library and getting no sleep Draco was still no closer to finding a cure for Harry. The medi - witches and wizards at the hospital had run out of options and Harry's condition had gotten so bad they had put him in stasis again until they could figure something out. Molly Weasley was the mans power of attorney and though she had so far refused to allow the stasis spell to be lifted Draco didn't know how long he had to find an answer.
He was sitting in the library with his head in his hands when he remembered the letter Hunter had given him.
Hoping only for hope Draco ran up the stairs into his room collecting the letter from his nightstand he sat down in front of the fire to read it.
My Dearest Draco,
We have found the Deatheaters hiding place. Bellatrix Lestrange is leading them. I know she is your aunt so I want to apologize ahead of time for the death of a family member. She took Sirius Black away from me, my one chance at a normal life and I am sorry but that is unforgivable. I do not know what the out come of this confrontation will be so I felt the need to write this letter to you. I have a few more things to apologize for it seems.
Firstly, I'm sorry for reacting the way I did to your answer, it's just that you are so good for Lexi and me. I know I rushed into things and if time is what you need please take all the time the world has to offer. I will wait.
I've learned over these past few weeks that even if I wanted to live without you. I couldn't. Hunter helped me to see that and that leads me to apology number two. This one is far more unforgivable than the first.
Hunter reminded me of you from the very beginning one night we went out to the bar and had a few drinks. When he tried to kiss me, I didn't attempt to stop him. We made it as far as the bedroom before I made myself realize he wasn't you and I couldn't go any farther with him but it is still cheating in my eyes and I am disgusted by myself.
My only hope is that you can find it in your heart to forgive me and to hope that I get to see your face again to tell you all of this in person.
If I don't make it please make sure Lexi knows I love her and if it isn't too much to ask love her like your own. I'm sure Andromeda would welcome you into their lives.
All of my love,
Harry,
Draco sniffed and wiped his eyes before standing with a renewed strength and headed back to the library. It wasn't until late that night when he was half heartedly skimming through pages half asleep that something caught his attention. The book was in Latin but the potion described within looked like the solution to their problems. He marked the page and grabbed his cloak practically jumping into the fireplace.
Harry's head physician luckily read Latin and as he read over the potion he shook his head. "This is exactly what we need. But I don't know anyone talented enough to brew it."
"I can brew it Dr. Franklin." Draco almost whispered.
"You would be taking Mr. Potter's life into your hands, is that something you are willing to do?" Dr. Franklin asked seriously.
"Yes sir. I love him." Draco replied quietly.
"Very well then. We can set you up in a private lab with all the ingredients you need then. We should start immediately. Will you require any assistance?" Dr. Franklin asked.
"No sir." Draco shook his head. He wanted to do this alone and the potion would be difficult enough without distractions.
The potion took a full twenty four hours to brew and Draco watched it vigilantly only resting in between steps with a very loud alarm set to alert him when it was time for the next ingredient. In the end the potion was the exact shade of sky blue described in the text but he was still nervous.
Hermione had contacted Harry's friends and Andromeda to let them know what they were going to try so they could all come to see him in case the potion failed.
Draco had to make his way through the waiting room full of Quidditch players who all glared at him as if to say. 'if he dies its on you.' as if he wasn't nervous enough already. Andromeda was exiting Harry's room as Draco approached with a teary eyed Lexi.
As soon as the little girl saw him her hair turned blond and she reached out for him. "Daddy Dray!" She exclaimed jumping into his arms. "They said you were going to try and make Daddy better."
"I'm going to do my very best sweet heart." Draco replied swallowing the lump in his throat kissing the girls forehead. "Be a good girl now and go with Grandma I will come see you soon okay?"
Lexi kissed his cheek and allowed him to put her down where she grabbed Andromeda's hand.
"You're doing a very brave thing Draco. More than most of us would be willing to do." Andromeda gave him a one armed hug and left with Lexi.
Draco took a deep breath and entered the room where Dr. Franklin was waiting with Hermione, Victor and Ron were waiting. Victor shook his hand on his way out and Ron sneered at him. "Don't screw this up Ferret." He snarled.
Hermione of course stayed behind while the Doctor lifted the stasis charm and they forced the potion down the unconscious mans throat.
From there all they could do was wait...