Chapter 13 – Supporting Draco

After the disaster with the attempt to turn ice back into water, Harry's training session had actually gone rather well. It was clear that he didn't possess the skill for it as he did for Fire or Air Magic, but he did have an impressive amount of power, if not precision. Severus assured him that this was often the case where Water Magic was concerned, due to its tempestuous and changeable nature, and that with practice it would no doubt improve.

Despite drenching him, Severus had in fact let Harry perform the Air Transference at the end of the session. It had been different to the previous time, though no less enjoyable. Harry had still felt completely elated afterward, but he felt more in control, stronger rather than spaced out. He felt the energy hum through his body, felt it mingling with his own, giving him power. It was a wonderfu and slightly odd feeling, and one that Harry revelled in. They returned to the dungeons later in the evening, Harry still on top of the world, Severus merely letting him get on with it as he regarded the boy with mild amusement.

Harry was sprawled out on the sofa, his head practically lolling over the edge, a funny kind of smile on his lips. Severus was sitting in one of the armchairs, sorting through several potions articles that had arrived for him that morning. "You'll fall off the sofa if you're not careful," he warned as Harry stretched like a cat.

"Mm, I doubt I'd notice," Harry replied, still revelling in the effects of the transference. "Honestly, you want to try this, it's bloody fantastic."

"As I've said before, one junkie in the family's enough," Severus returned. "Don't you have any work to do?"

"None that's going to get done tonight," Harry replied airily. "Why don't you stop working for once?"

"And do what instead pray tell?"

Harry shrugged and glanced over at the man, saying, "I don't know, whatever takes your fancy. Whatever that might be."

"You do witter on."

Harry grinned and replied, "It's part of my charm; don't deny it's an endearing quality."

Severus merely raised a sceptical eyebrow, but Harry noted that he hadn't argued or replied with some scathing remark, in fact it was rare these days that Severus said anything overly negative to him.

Harry returned to his relaxed position and sunk deeper down into the comfortable sofa, grateful, not for the first time, that Severus had such good taste in furniture. He was happily dozing off when a loud knock on the door roused him. He kept his eyes closed as he heard Severus move to answer it, and only opened them when he heard Severus say, "Mr Weasley, what are you doing here?"

"Ron?" Harry said, sitting up and peering over the back of the sofa at his friend.

"Hi Harry. Sorry to bother you Professor," said Ron as moved into the room as Severus stepped aside, "but there's been some bad news I'm afraid."

"What is it? What's wrong?" asked Harry, moving off the sofa and around to where Severus and Ron stood.

"It's Mr Malfoy. He's in St Mungo's, in a coma. He was attacked while on an assignment for the Order. Draco's getting ready to go the hospital, I said I'd come and tell you."

"Merlin, is Draco ok?"

"He's shaken, understandably. I think he's still in a state of shock to be honest. Will you tell Professor Dumbledore, sir?" Ron asked Severus, who nodded in response. "Thank you. I'm going to take Draco to the apparation point, his mother wants him there as soon as possible. I think he'd appreciate it if you were there too sir, I think he needs all the support he can get."

"Very well," Severus replied, "I'll go and speak to Dumbledore now; tell Draco I'll be at the hospital as soon as I'm able."

Ron returned to the dorm to find Draco sitting on the edge of his bed, a few belongings packed next to him. He looked worried and preoccupied and he was worrying his bottom lip with his teeth distractedly. Ron quietly walked over to him, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Time to go, Professor Snape's going to speak to Dumbledore and make his way to the hospital later."

Draco nodded and said, "Thank you for sorting it all."

"No problem. Are you ready?" Again Draco nodded and replied,

"As I'll ever be." He rose from the bed, only making a couple of steps before stopping him and saying, "Ron will you come with me?" Ron turned to face him and replied,

"I am coming with you."

"No, I mean to the hospital. Please, I can't face going on my own," Draco said, and Ron hated the waver he heard in boy's voice. He stepped closer to Draco and, placing a hand on his shoulder, replied,

"Of course I'll come if you need me."

"I do."

"Then I'll be there."

Ron took Draco to the apparation point just outside the castle and together they apparated to St Mungo's. They checked in at reception and were shown by a polite young medi-witch to Lucius Malfoy's private room. Draco's mother was sitting in an uncomfortable-looking chair by the man's bedside, and she rose when she saw the two boys enter the room, embracing her son and looking with some confusion at Ron, who uttered a polite, "Mrs Malfoy." She acknowledged him with an incline of her head, clearly not understanding the reason for his presence, but much too preoccupied to question it.

The boys took a seat round the other side of the bed on an equally uncomfortable double-seater, and Draco asked quietly, "How is he?"

"There's been no change," Narcissa replied, her voice wavering slightly. "The nurses have been very helpful and I've spoken with the Healer; he's been very circumspect about your father's condition, he won't say one way of another, only that we must wait. Has Severus been told?"

Draco nodded and replied, "Ron took care of everything."

Narcissa looked somewhat surprised, both by Draco's tone of apparent familiarity and affection, and by the fact that Ron had been involved, but she merely responded by saying, "Then I am grateful to you Mr Weasley."

"It was no trouble," Ron replied, "and please, call me Ron."

Narcissa gave a strained kind of smile and resumed watching over her husband, whose pale face was littered with bruises, to the point where he was almost unrecognisable. He was so still, unnaturally so, apart from the faint rise and fall of his chest, and it unsettled Ron to see the normally powerful man so impotent. He could only imagine how it must be affecting Draco. He looked across at the boy, who was staring at his father as if he couldn't believe what was in front of his eyes. He looked lost, afraid, and Ron was fighting the urge to wrap an arm around him and protect him somehow.

"He looks so helpless," Draco whispered after a long moment of silence and Narcissa simply nodded, saying,

"I know."

Draco looked as though his world had fallen apart and Ron wished he knew what to do to help him. Draco had never spoken of his relationship with his father, never really given any indication of how things were between them, but it seemed that he adored the man, and he was clearly terrified of losing him. Ron felt so useless and wished he knew what to say or do to help the blond, but he didn't have the first clue. He hoped that simply his presence was of some comfort.

They had been sitting quietly for some time when Severus and Harry arrived. Severus placed a gentle kiss on Narcissa's cheek and clasped Draco's hand, whilst Harry settled for polite but sympathetic nods to them both. "Tell me what happened," Severus instructed, as he and Harry took seats helpfully brought in by the polite young medi-witch.

Narcissa clasped her hands together and continued to look down at her husband. "He was on a reconnaissance mission, for the Order, and he was attacked. I don't know how many of them there were. He was left unconscious until his mission partner found him and brought him here. The Healer said that the next few days will be crucial."

"I'm so sorry Narcissa, but we must trust that he will make a full recovery." Narcissa nodded but it was clear that she could only focus on her husband. "I spoke with Professor Dumbledore; Draco is granted leave from school for as long as is needed. Mr Weasley, the headmaster has granted you permission to remain for the weekend, but you must be back in school by Monday. However, you will be allowed to return when you do not have classes."

Ron was rather surprised that he had been made provision for, but was grateful, for Draco's sake. "Thank you sir," he replied and Draco offered him a watery smile.

The next couple of hours were spent in relative silence, broken only by the occasional check in from the medi-witch, or a few questions from Severus or Draco. The blond had been remarkably withdrawn, and had sat, for the most part, with his arms wrapped tightly around himself, or constantly raking his hands through his hair. At one point Ron had actually reached out and stilled Draco's movements, smiling gently but showing the boy that he was concerned. Draco had simply patted Ron's hand and resumed gazing down at his father.

At midnight, Severus and Harry had left, once again offering their sympathies and assuring them that if they needed anything, they would be only too happy to help. Harry was thankful to leave; he was finally experiencing the comedown from his training session and all he wanted was his own bed, and possibly a cup of Severus' weird tea. After they'd apparated back, Draco turned to Ron and said, "You don't have to stay, you must be tired."

"I'm fine," Ron said firmly. "I'll stay for as long as you need me."

Draco smiled and said quietly, "Thank you."

It was late when Harry and Severus returned, and Harry was tired. He'd gone to bed with the intention of falling into a deep sleep, but when it came to it, he simply found it impossible to do so. When Severus retired an hour later, he found Harry sitting up in bed, still awake and staring blankly ahead.

"I thought you were tired," said Severus as he chucked his outer robe over the armchair.

"I was," Harry murmured, "couldn't sleep."

Severus turned around to face him, eyeing him closely, and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, shifting his eyes from Severus' scrutinising gaze. "I was...just thinking about Mr Malfoy," he replied quietly.

"Oh?" said Severus, leaning against the wardrobe as he undid his shirtsleeves. "And what exactly were you thinking?"

"I was just thinking how Death Eaters treat traitors; they gave Draco a pretty nasty beating, and now...Mr Malfoy's fighting for his life. I just can't help thinking..." he trailed off, again not meeting Severus' eyes.

"Yes?" Severus pressed gently.

Harry threw the bedcovers aside vigorously and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sat for a moment with his back to Severus, his arms braced on the bed. Eventually he pushed himself up and walked slowly around the bed until he was resting against one of the bedposts, leaning his head against the cool wood. He looked across at Severus, took a deep breath and said, "I was just thinking about what they might do to you."

"To me?" Severus asked, surprised that the boy should have been pondering him at all, let alone that he should be concerning himself about his safety. "You have no need to worry about that," he assured him.

"Don't I?" said Harry seriously. "You've seen what they've done to people they consider traitors, and you easily fall into that category. You were high up in the Death Eater ranks," Harry said earnestly, moving a little closer, "you held a privileged position, you were trusted and you betrayed that trust, they will seek revenge for it," he insisted, his large, green eyes worried and sincere behind the oversized glasses. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Severus shifted and pushed himself off the wardrobe, closing the distance between himself and Harry. "Nothing will," he said firmly. "I know how to take care of myself, I've had plenty of experience saving my own skin, believe me." An idea dawned on him and although it hurt him slightly to entertain it, he considered likely the boy might share it. "You needn't worry, if anything happens to me provision will be made for you where Aldrington's concerned."

Harry's expression changed; his face darkened and he frowned deeply. He took a step back and said quietly, "Is that what you think of me? That I'd only be concerned for someone out of worry for myself? Did it ever occur to you that I might actually care what happens to you?" He moved away and grabbed his pillows from his side of the bed then moved swiftly across to the door.

"Where are you going?" asked Severus, taken aback by Harry's strong reaction.

"I'm sleeping on the sofa. I don't much fancy the idea of sharing a bed with someone who has such a low opinion of me." And with that he stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

Ron returned from the bathroom to find that Narcissa had fallen asleep in the rather uncomfortable-looking chair she had been perched in. He wasn't surprised, the poor woman had been fighting off sleep all night, and obviously the emotions of the day must have finally overwhelmed her. Draco, however, was still wide awake, sitting on the two-seater he and Ron had shared all night, his legs pulled up to his chest, his chin resting on his knees. Ron moved to stand in front of the blond and said gently, "Drake? Draco can I get you something? A tea or coffee perhaps?"

The blond looked up at him, dark circles under his eyes that were bloodshot and tired. He shook his head and replied, "No, no I can't face anything at the moment. Just...sit with me?" he asked, and he held his hand out to the red-head. Ron paused for a moment then took the proffered hand and took his seat next to Draco, closer than before. "I just feel so helpless Ron," he said after a few minutes. "There's nothing I can do for him, I'm useless."

"You're here," Ron told him firmly, "that's what matters. You're here for him and you'll be here when he wakes up."

"If he wakes up," Draco corrected bitterly.

"When," Ron insisted.

"I've never seen him so powerless. I can't stand it," Draco practically whispered, unconsciously leaning into Ron's side, their hands still tightly clasped together. "I've never been so scared in my entire life and I hate it. I just wish I knew what I'm supposed to do," he said with a sigh, leaning his head against Ron's chest.

Without thinking, Ron transferred Draco's hand to his right and carefully slung his left arm round the blond's shoulders, tucking him tightly into his side. The two boys sat in companionable silence, Ron happy that he could offer some comfort, that he was helping Draco in some way. "It's the waiting that's so awful," said Draco, his free hand coming up to play with the buttons on Ron's shirt. "I wish they'd give us some answers."

"I'm sure they will when there are answers to be given," Ron replied softly, winding one of Draco's blond locks round his finger.

"Oh Ron, what if – "

"No Drake, you can't think like that, you'll drive yourself mad. You have to believe that he'll come through it, that he'll be ok. Don't start thinking about what ifs."

"You're right," Draco sighed and nestled closer to Ron. "I'm glad you're here," he said quietly.

"So am I."

And although Draco tried to keep his eyes open, although he was determined to for his father's sake, the warmth emanating from Ron's strong body, the soothing motion of Ron's hand moving up and down his arm, and the gentle rise and fall of Ron's chest beneath him all conspired against him. At around 4 o' clock in the morning, he finally fell asleep, Ron still holding him tightly to his side.

Severus had had rather a sleepless night. It was the first time in weeks that he'd had his bed to himself and all he'd been able to do was stare at the empty space next to him. It was frustrating to know that the wretched boy was only next door and yet he seemed miles away. He wished he knew what had upset the boy so, or what he could do to reconcile the situation. Harry's final words had been resonating in his head all night – "I don't much fancy the idea of sharing a bed with someone who has such a low opinion of me".

Severus didn't have a 'low opinion' of the boy, he hadn't done for some time, and he thought Harry was aware of that. As for sharing a bed with someone who thought ill of him, well Harry had been doing that since the start of their 'marriage', a time when Severus' opinion of him had been a good deal more than low, and it hadn't bothered him so much then. So then why now? The boy was such a jumble of emotions, it was hard to tell what mood he would be in from one day to the next.

Severus rested his head on the headboard, puzzling through the mystery that was Harry Potter. He had naturally assumed that Harry was worried about him for his own safety – if anything were to happen to him then Harry would of course fall prey to Aldrington. Why wouldn't he think that Harry's concern for him had been rooted in concern for himself? What reason had he been given to think otherwise? If only Harry would just come out and say what was bothering him, have it all in the open, but oh no, he had to behave like a petulant child and go storming off, leaving them both miserable.

Deciding that he couldn't very well berate Harry for behaving like a child and then behave like one himself, he got out of bed and prepared himself to go and face the boy, whatever mood he might be in. When he entered the living room, Harry was folding up the blankets and piling the pillows on the edge of the sofa. He'd obviously been awake for a while; on the table was a mug with the remnants of coffee left in it and it looked as though he'd done some tidying, his usual habit to revert to when he was upset.

"Are you going somewhere?" asked Severus as Harry collected his outer cloak from the rack.

"To the hospital," he replied tersely, not meeting Severus' eyes as he took his used coffee cup into the kitchen and washed it out. "Draco needs his friends around him at the moment," he said, drying the cup and shoving it back in the cupboard.

"I didn't realise you counted Draco as a friend," Severus replied.

Harry turned to face him, clearly still upset and said, with barely contained anger, "Why? Am I incapable of changing my opinions about people? I'm bigoted as well as selfish am I?" he asked, his face stony.

"I didn't mean that," Severus replied with a sigh, "I just didn't realise the two of you had become friends, that's all. I think he'll really appreciate you being there."

"Well at least someone will appreciate my presence," Harry groused, moving out of the kitchen and throwing his robe around his shoulders. "I had nothing better to do at five this morning, so I set your potions lab up and prepared all the ingredients for the things you make on a Sunday," he said, taking one last check in the mirror and smoothing down his hair, though to no end, it was just as messy as ever.

"Oh...thank you," Severus said, surprised at the boy's thoughtfulness.

"I just needed something to do," Harry replied, determined that the man wouldn't mistake his actions for kindness. "I'm off. I'll see you later," he said, and left without looking back.

Ron was pleased, and rather touched, to see that Harry had returned the next morning, and Draco was also gratified to see that Harry cared enough to be with him at such a difficult time. Harry was polite and courteous to Narcissa and she responded likewise, although it was clear she was exhausted and preoccupied.

After an hour or so, Ron murmured something to Draco who smiled and nodded, and Ron turned to Harry, saying, "Fancy going to hunt down some coffee mate?"

"Definitely," Harry replied, and the two moved off to the doorway, Ron stopping and saying,

"Can I get you anything Mrs Malfoy?"

"Oh no dear thank you. Perhaps later," she replied with a wan smile.

Ron nodded and he and Harry left on their quest for caffeine. Ron felt that perhaps Draco and his mother needed some time on their own without his presence. Besides, he'd been awake for most of the night, and had only managed sparse moments of sleep; he was in desperate need of something to give him a boost. He and Harry chatted companionably on their journey, although he couldn't help but feel that Harry was somewhat subdued.

They finally found the so-called restaurant and sat down with two mugs of strong coffee, grateful for its reinvigorating warmth. They sat in silence for a little while, comfortable in each other's company, but Ron had something on his mind, and it wasn't long before he was looking across at his friend, saying, "Harry can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course," Harry replied, curious to know what it was that had rendered his friend so serious.

"Well it's...it's a little bit awkward," said Ron, now finding it difficult to articulate what was troubling him, though he had the opportunity. "It's Draco," he said quietly.

"Draco? What about him?"

"Me and Draco," Ron elaborated, lowering his eyes from Harry's.

"I'm sorry, I don't follow," Harry replied, confused.

Ron sighed and fiddled with the handle on his coffee cup for want of something to distract himself. "Things are...I don't know, changing between me and Draco. I don't really understand it, but I know it's happening. At first...I just felt bad for him because he was so alone and he'd been through so much, so I don't know, I just sort of took it upon myself to be his friend. I started to like him and we spent a lot of time together…and now..."

"And now what?" asked Harry, although he had a faint idea where Ron was going with his rambling explanation.

"And now," Ron said slowly, "now I think I'm starting to have feelings for him...beyond friendship I mean," he said quietly, the tip of his ears starting to flush pink.

"Oh...oh," Harry replied, a little unsure as to what he was supposed to say. He wasn't entirely surprised; he'd been watching the relationship between the two evolve for the last couple of months and it was clear that something was happening, that was obvious even to Harry's limited sensitivity.

"Oh Merlin Harry, you're not completely freaked out are you?" Ron asked, paling slightly.

"Freaked out? Why on earth would I be?" asked Harry, puzzled.

"Well...because...because we're both boys," Ron muttered.

Harry couldn't help himself, he burst out laughing and replied between giggles, "In case it had escaped your notice, I'm married to a man!"

"Yeah but not through choice! It's not like anything actually...happens between the two of you. But...it doesn't bother you then that I have feelings for him?" Ron asked nervously.

"Oh Ron I wouldn't give a tinker's curse if you had feelings for a horn-rimmed toad, not if you were happy. And I hate to dampen your little revelation, but it's been obvious for a while that something's happening between the two of you." At Ron's look of surprise, Harry emitted a small chuckle and said, "Come on, even I'm not that dense! But, the question is what are you going to do about it?"

Ron sighed and slumped forward onto the table and mumbled miserably, "I don't know. I don't even know if he feels the same way. He could very well just see me as a friend and nothing more. I don't want to ruin what we already have, it would be like losing you!"

"Well don't worry, I'm not in love with you!" Harry giggled, narrowly avoiding the kick Ron sent his way.

"Very helpful," Ron grumbled. "Seriously though, what am I going to do? I spend every waking moment with him, it's getting more and more difficult to keep it to myself. I'm stuck."

Harry sipped at his coffee and leant back in his chair, looking closely at his friend. "Right now, all you can do is be there for him. This is an awful time for him and he needs you, but when it's over, maybe you could...test the waters. You're going to make yourself miserable if you do nothing, and if it's any comfort to you, I think he feels the same way."

"Really?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Oh Ron," Harry said affectionately, "are you blind? When all this started you were the only one he would talk to or be near to, and you're still the only one he wants to spend any time with. I'd be willing to put money on the fact that he feels exactly the same way you do."

Ron smiled and said, "I hope so. Merlin I can't believe I just had this conversation with you. I've been agonising over this for days! Anyway, enough of my problems, what's wrong with you?"

Harry frowned and replied, "What do you mean?"

"You've been in a strange mood ever since you got here, plus you arrived alone and not with Snape, so I'm guessing whatever's wrong has something to do with him."

Harry sighed and shook his head, raking a hand through his hair and saying, "Let's go for a walk and I'll tell you all about it."

They made their way outside to the beautiful hospital grounds where several of the patients were convalescing and enjoying the fresh air. They sat down on a bench dedicated to some upstanding member of the medical community and Harry told Ron all about what had happened with Severus the previous night. He told him how he had genuinely tried to voice his concerns about Severus' safety, only for the man to turn around and insult him by accusing him of immense self-interest. Harry brought his legs up underneath him and explained how angry he'd felt about the whole thing, how hurt that Severus would think so little of him.

Ron listened in silence, nodding at the appropriate intervals, then eventually said, "Well I think he was bang out of order. I mean, to insinuate that all you'd care about is saving your own skin is completely unfair. No wonder you were so put out."

Harry nodded, glad that he had someone to tell him he was justified in his anger and that he hadn't overreacted to Severus' rather uncharitable opinion of him. "I don't know, it just really got to me. I slept on the sofa last night, I couldn't stand to be in the same room as him."

Harry pushed himself up from the bench in frustration and took a few steps forward, toeing the grass irritably. "I was actually worried about the bastard, worried about what might happen to him. I don't want to see him end up here, I don't want him to get hurt. But apparently I can only feel that way if I'm looking out for my own interests!"

"Well as much as I appreciate you being here, it's not going to get sorted if you don't speak to each other."

AN: I just had to make them have an argument! It's been long overdue and there's so much tension between them that it had to come out somewhere.

Thank you all so much for the continued support and wonderful reviews I've received. So many of you have added me or the story to favourite and alert lists and I appreciate it greatly; I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments as well, so please, drop me a review from time to time and let me know what you think.

My usual beta is taking some time away this weekend so a big thank you to mrscakeakajane for looking over this chapter for me and making sure it's not full of typos!