Chapter 36: Questioning Their Actions

"Doubtful Draco. Doubtful." Albus says chuckling.

Draco settles down on the couch, waiting for Severus to come back. He decides to start doing some reading for defense for his summer homework. He is reading for about an hour before, Severus walks in.

"Hi Uncle Sev! How is Harry?"

"He's fine. Poppy is going to start weaning Harry off of the Dreamless Sleep today so he will be waking up later tonight."

"That's good isn't it?"

"Yes." Severus says in a heavy voice.

"You don't sound happy."

"I'm just worried, I don't know how he is going to be mentally."

"He'll be fine. He has you and Minerva and Albus. He has a bunch of people that care for him."

"I know… It is just going to set him back which is something that will be very hard on everyone."

"Yes, but it is also a part of growing, isn't it?"

"It is. Well, I am going to get some sleep."

"Sleep well. You need it."

"Oh and Draco?"

"Yes Sev?"

"Thank you for being so understanding. I know you aren't friends, but you have behaved very well and I thank you for that."

"Of course."

"If you would like, you could come with me when I go back to the Hospital Wing."

"I would like that. But would Harry be fine with it?"

"He will be fine."

"Alright then. But I won't go until you sleep."

"Very well. I will go get some sleep for a while. Stay out of trouble, and don't do anything stupid."

"I won't Sev, get some sleep so that we can go see Harry again." Draco says with amusement in his voice.

Severus gives a slight laugh at Draco's words. He doesn't comment on it, but the child is acting a lot like his father. Severus turns and walks into his bedroom. It doesn't take longer for him to fall asleep.

Draco continues to read his book. He reads for about 3 hours while Severus sleeps.

Draco was starting to get bored with reading his book. Luckily for him, Severus wakes up.

It takes only a moment for Severus to get in fresh clothes and leave his room.

Severus smiles slightly, at the sight of his godson curled up on his couch. He clears his throat and sees the relief cross the child's face. "You know you didn't have to read the entire time right? I just didn't want you burning down the quarters."

Draco gives Severus a smirk. "Who do you think I am? A Gryffindor? I wouldn't have burnt down your quarters. Singed a blanket or pillow perhaps, but I wouldn't have burnt everything."

Severus laughs. "That's a relief." He continued as an afterthought. "You are best off to not say that around Harry."

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

"I never said you were. Well, are you ready to go see Harry?"

"Yes sir. I am ready."

"Well let's go then."

"Alright. I am just going to put this book back in my trunk."

"Go ahead. I will be right here."

Draco doesn't respond, he just runs into his room and runs out. It takes him all of a minute to put the book back in its proper place. Severus smiles when he sees Draco run back into the room.

"You ready now?"

"Yes sir."

"Let's go then." Severus says simply. Draco nods with a slight smile of his own.

Severus and Draco start their trek to the Hospital Wing in silence. After a few minutes Severus breaks the silence. "How was your lunch with Albus?"

"It was fine. I mean it was kind of nice to have someone else to talk to."

Severus tries to ignore the pang of guilt at Draco's words. "I'm sorry. I know I haven't been giving you the attention that I should have been."

Draco ignores the voice in his head saying, 'make him feel guilty. Make him regret choosing Harry over him.'

"It's fine. I understand why you have been with Harry. He's needed your attention more than I have."

"Still doesn't make it right. Just because you are capable of being alone for long periods of time doesn't mean you should. For that, I apologize."

Draco doesn't respond verbally. He just nods, not trusting himself to speak. The worry of his uncle has caused an unexpected feeling of guilt from his actions. He forces the thoughts out of his mind, positive that the injuries aren't as bad as Harry is making them out to be.

The rest of the trip is travelled in a comfortable silence. Severus was unaware of the spiraling thoughts going through the child's mind. They reach the Hospital Wing doors and the silence is broken.

"Draco, Harry may very well be awake. I want you to promise me that you won't give him a hard time due to this. He is going to have a hard enough time without your ridicule. Alright?"

Draco nods silently.

"Verbal answer Draco. I need your word on this." Severus's voice was serious, so serious that Draco has never heard such a tone.

"Yes sir. I promise."

"Good boy. I'm sorry to be so short, but this is going to cause Harry to regress for a while."

"I understand sir."

"Let's go in then." Severus says, opening the door.

Draco steps in the ward and his eyes land on the bed that Harry occupies. He can't see any injuries but can see, even in sleep, that Harry is in pain.

Severus walks quickly to Harry's side and Draco follows sedately.

Once he is at Harry's bedside, he pales. The injuries are far worse than he expected. 'You caused this, you are the one that got Harry in this condition.'

Severus sees his godson's meek demeanor and knows that something is wrong. He turns to his father and says, "I'm going to talk with Draco, something is seriously wrong and I want to know what it is."

"Go ahead. I'll stay with Harry."

"Thank you."

"Of course Sev, just go."

"Come Draco, let's talk." Severus says turning towards the Hospital Wing doors. Draco just follows, glad to leave his injured classmate's side.

An/ HEY! I finally wrote a chapter! Who knew that was possible? All jokes aside, I do apologize that I have been MIA. I have and still am struggling with my mental health and it has taken a lot from me. The only thing I've wanted to do was draw and I don't really know why, and I didn't want to write when I didn't want to because I know I wouldn't be happy with what I came up with. So again, I am sorry but I must take care of myself before a stupid little Fanfic I've come up with.