Harry

"There you are!"

I see a flash of red and gold and then Ginny is in my arms. She is hugging me so hard, I swear my ribs will crack if she doesn't loosen her grip.

"Congratulations on getting married," I gasp, hugging her back.

"I haven't seen you in ages! I thought for sure you wouldn't make it!"

"Gin... I can't breathe." She lets me go and I frown faintly. "I did RSVP."

"But Anthony didn't. You go everywhere together." Ginny rolls her eyes. She doesn't like Anthony. She hasn't since I started dating him.

I suppose that's to be expected. Anthony does take up a lot of my time. He likes to be first in my life. He doesn't like it when I hang out with friends or ex-girlfriends... which means, every time I hang out with Gin, he gets upset.

Ginny and I never got back together after the war. She started dating Luna the day I defeated Voldemort. It stung a bit, but I was happy for them. I still am. We were in the middle of searching for the dead and wounded, when Luna caught sight of Ginny. She ran right into her arms, making Ginny fall over, and then kissed her right in front of everyone. It was actually really sweet.

For some reason, Anthony is jealous of Gin, I think. I've only been dating him for five months and I guess Ginny intimidates him. He said it's because I'm bisexual and it's hard to trust bi men. I don't understand it. I just try to appease him.

Anthony is the only one who has actually wanted to be with me since the war... at least, for an extended length of time. The press and publicity drive most of my love interests off... and it's been lonely without someone to come home to. I don't want to jeopardize that.

Ginny wanted me to be in her wedding party, but with my job, it was impossible. I work as a healer in St. Mungos. I just finished my training last month. When I'm not working, Anthony takes up most of my time. I feel guilty about it. Ron and Hermione will be getting married soon too, and I don't think Anthony will be okay with me taking on best man duties for Ron either.

"He's just... in a bit of a bad mood. He still thinks we're going to elope."

"I literally just married Luna! Harry, doesn't Anthony seem..." she trails off.

"Ginny, I'm happy with him." I really don't want to argue with her on her wedding day, so I change the subject. "Your bouquets are beautiful."

Ginny shoots me a Look™, but seems to decide it's not worth arguing with me right now. "Thank you. Narcissa made them with flowers from her garden. They're enchanted to never wilt."

I stare at her. I knew Luna and Malfoy were close, which I still don't understand, but I had no idea they were that close. I guess I should have realized it. Malfoy was her best man... and they're dancing together right now.

I watch as Luna and Malfoy take turns spinning the other around. She's talking happily about something. I wonder if it's about some strange creature that likes wedding cake that only she knows about. I miss hearing about the creatures that only she knows.

Malfoy chuckles and ruffles her blonde hair. I've never seen him like this before. A small part of me feels resentful that he can dance and laugh so freely... but then, I'm the reason why he can.

When Malfoy was sent to Azkaban, Luna stormed into my house and demanded I appeal to the ministry. Really, I didn't want to at first. I was exhausted from attending his mother's trial and keeping her out of Azkaban. I owed her a life debt. Malfoy though... I just never wanted to see the git ever again. I still don't. I do love Luna though, so I decided to help. Besides... Malfoy is a tosser, but he's not evil. He did refuse to identify me to his father that one time... and he threw me a wand during the fight with Voldemort.

It took three months appealing to the ministry for them to let Malfoy out. He was released into Luna's care and under house arrest for six months. I didn't see her much after that. I've only seen Malfoy from a distance.

Ginny is saying something, but all of my focus is on Malfoy and Luna. They've stopped dancing. Malfoy looks pale. He is staring at something on the ground. I follow his gaze and see a snake slithering across the dance floor, straight at Malfoy and Luna. Malfoy's hand flies to his chest. Luna is shouting.

He crumples and Luna keeps him from crashing to the floor. My body reacts before my mind does. I run across the room, a hiss building in my throat.

"Stop! Don't hurt him," I demand in Parseltongue, surprising myself. I haven't spoken in Parseltongue since the war. I didn't know I could still do it.

The snake stops, turning its head toward me. Ginny is hot on my heels and pulls her wand out of her gold and white dress robes. She vanishes the snake and looks murderously around the room. I don't have time to try to figure out who conjured the snake.

I spin on my heel and move to Malfoy's side. He's white as a sheet, lying in Luna's arms. His hand is still clutching at his chest.

"P-Potion," he rasps.

Luna shouts something and Pansy Parkinson is there. She is holding a vial in her hand.

Parkinson pours the potion into his mouth as I pull out my wand and start running through diagnostic spells. His heart rate is out of control.

"He needs to go to St. Mungos. Now."

Draco Malfoy is lying in a hospital cot, sleeping, when I walk into his room. I'm in my healer robes. I never thought I would be treating my school rival... I never thought I would actually be this worried about him.

Narcissa, Luna, and Parkinson all stand when I step inside. Ginny is curled up in an armchair in the corner. They're all still in their dress robes.

"How is he?" Narcissa asks as Luna puts a hand on her arm.

"His heart is enlarged," I say as gently as I can. "Its a complication from his atrial fibrillation."

Narcissa blanches. Luna guides her to sit down on the bed next to Malfoy's feet.

"Deep breaths, Mother." Luna hugs Narcissa.

I force down my confusion at hearing that. I need to remain professional. Malfoy is my patient. Parkinson moves closer to me.

"What is he at risk for now? What can we do to help him? This is something that can be treated, right?" she demands, her hands on her hips. "You're the fucking chosen one! You saved the whole world! Save him!"

She doesn't give me a chance to respond. She grabs my robes and starts shaking me so hard my glasses nearly fall off. Ginny grabs her arm seconds later and forces her to let go of me.

"Manhandling his healer is not going to help Draco," she says darkly.

"There is a lot to go over. I understand that you are worried about him, but rest assured, I will treat him to the best of my abilities." I fix my glasses.

"That doesn't count for much, Potter." Parkinson sneers. "It's not like you were the brightest in our year."

"That would be me, actually," Hermione says curtly, coming into the room. "Harry and I trained together. He's very efficient at his job."

I sigh heavily. This bickering won't help Malfoy. I move passed Parkinson and Ginny. I have a potion to give the blond ferret. It should help keep his heart from getting any worse.

I have to use a spell to administer it so I don't wake him. Everyone is being too noisy and there's not enough space in this room for them. Malfoy is stirring.

"Everyone, get out. You'll wake him up and he needs rest. You can bicker in the waiting room," I order irritably, keeping my tone low.

It takes a few moments, but eventually I have room cleared. Even Narcissa left with Luna. I think they're getting tea to calm their nerves.

I glance down at my patient. He seems to be having a nightmare. I summon a draught for dreamless sleep. He needs to get a good night of sleep to heal.

I wonder what his nightmares are about. He's lived such a privileged life, I can't imagine a cause for nightmares. I know Voldemort threatened him before, but I can't see anyone actually hurting Malfoy. Except me.

The thought makes me uncomfortable. I avoid thinking about the time I nearly killed him. I bury the memory now.

I administer the potion with magic and watch as his face smooths out. He stops twitching. As I watch, the color starts to come back to his face.

He looks kind of... nice. I've never seen Malfoy sleep before. His face is untroubled and peaceful. He isn't snarking or trying to hex me. He's... almost cute.

I blink and shake that thought out of my head. I need tea... or something stronger if I'm thinking Draco Malfoy is cute. My shift is nearly over. Maybe Anthony will agree to go The Leaky Cauldron for some firewhiskey.

Notes:

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