Chapter Fifteen

In the early hours of the morning Draco was torn from his sleep by a loud pounding noise. He threw on a robe and stumbled to the door, wand in hand. He checked the peep hole and was confused to see Ginny Weasley beating on the door with such ferocity that he honestly thought it might come off its hinges. He opened up and had to duck to avoid being hit as she swung again.

"What the hell, woman?! Are you drunk?!"

Ginny grabbed his arm, panting from the exertion. "St. Mungo's. Now." She then said the three words that brought his world crumbling down around him:

"Luna's been attacked."

The following series of events would forever remain a blur to Draco - apparating to St Mungo's with Ginny, racing through the hallways, entering the room and seeing Luna lying so very still, her pale face bruised and bloodied. He assumed something had happened at the Institute and he vaguely recalled asking which creature had done this to her. The one thing he would never forget was the sickening twist in his gut when he heard Ginny's answer.

"It wasn't an animal. At least not the kind you're thinking of." The youngest Weasley nearly spit the words out. "Three men forced their way into her flat and did this to her."

Draco's mind spun as he tried to take in her explanation. Luna and Ginny had gone for dinner then back to Luna's flat. Their conversation went on so late that Luna insisted her friend stay over and leave in the morning. Ginny was sleeping soundly when she was awakened by the sounds of a struggle. When she looked out she witnessed three men attacking Luna – two trying to hold her down and another trying to force her to drink something. Ginny began firing off hexes while at the same time summoning Harry. He arrived almost immediately with an entire team of aurors. They quickly overpowered the men but Luna collapsed and no one had been able to revive her. They rushed her to St. Mungo's and Ginny went to fetch Draco while Harry kept watch over their friend.

At the mention of Harry, Draco became aware the man was standing by the door. He flew across the room and grabbed the auror by the collar of his robe. "Who did this, Potter? Why? What..."

Harry placed his hand on Draco's chest. "Calm down, Malfoy, okay? We were still trying to figure it all out when I left the scene, but near as we can tell, Luna was targeted as some sort of… test subject. They wanted to force a potion on her so they could …"

Draco tightened his grip. "Who is 'they', Potter? What potion?!"

"The 'who' we are still working on." Harry tried to keep his voice calm. "The 'what' ...is liquid despair."

"Bloody hell!" He swallowed hard. "How much did they give her?" Harry hesitated and Draco pushed, "More or less than Dumbledore?!"

Harry averted his eyes. "The flagon they had contained at least as much, maybe more."

Draco felt his knees buckle and he staggered back onto the side of the bed, unable to breath properly. Harry grabbed him by the shoulders. "Malfoy...Malfoy..." Getting no response, he gave a firm shake and shouted, "Draco!"

Draco's eyes snapped into focus upon hearing his given name. Harry guided him into the chair nearest Luna's bed. "Listen to me. You have to remember that Albus drank it all willingly. Luna was fighting them, okay, so her exposure that way was limited. The problem is..."

Harry's hesitation frightened Draco more than anything else. "The problem is WHAT, Potter?"

Harry sighed. "The problem is that during the struggle her lip was cut so some of the potion got absorbed directly into her bloodstream. The bezaor the healers gave her when we arrived was enough to bring up what was in her stomach but the potion had already worked its way into her system. They've given her some dreamless sleep to help her cope with the pain and they are going to keep her under for a while as they try to flush this junk out but no one really knows how her body - or her mind - is going to respond."

Ginny stepped forward. "Will someone please explain to me what the hell this stuff is?"

Draco took Luna's hand and in a low voice said, "Liquid despair. One of the Dark Lord's nastier creations. It causes excruciating physical pain while removing all traces of hope from the person that consumes it. Makes them relive horrible experiences from their life and causes them to feel like there is no point in going on."

Harry nodded. "Dumbledore had to consume a batch to get to one of the horcruxes. He begged me to …" He looked at Ginny and Draco and decided against finishing that story. Instead he mumbled, "I-It was bad."

Ginny turned pale. "Well, what's the antidote?"

Harry shook his head. "That's the problem. There isn't one. We only know of two other humans that ever ingested this potion and they both died within a few hours due to other circumstances." He glanced at Draco and noted the anguish in the other man's eyes.

Before he could continue, another team of healers bustled in. They pushed everyone out of the way and set to work on the cuts and bruises Luna had sustained during the struggle as well as making sure that she was getting the proper amount of fluids.

While they were treating Luna, Molly Weasley arrived, having been alerted by Ron of the situation. Upon entering the room, Ginny's mother was immediately struck by Draco's appearance. He was pacing restlessly on bare feet, clad in only pajama bottoms and a dressing gown. His hair was sticking out in every direction and his eyes had a wild look about them. For a young man that had always cared a great deal about how he presented himself in public, she found the sight extremely unnerving.

As the healers were finishing up, Harry placed his hand on Draco's shoulder. "Go home and get some rest, Malfoy. We'll let you know if anything changes."

Draco whipped around and snarled, "Are you mad, Potter? Do you actually think for one single second that I am going to leave her after she's been attacked?"

"She'll be perfectly safe. I am placing an auror outside her door," Harry insisted.

Draco snapped, "Fine. The more the merrier. Still doesn't change the fact that I am not going anywhere until she wakes up and tells me otherwise."

Harry sighed. "Be reasonable, Malfoy."

Draco poked a finger hard into Harry's chest. "You want reason? Fine. I want assurances. Can you, right now, make an oath that she is completely safe?" He punctuated each question with a jab. "Can you promise me there is no one still out there looking to hurt her? Can you swear that you are 100% certain that everyone involved in her attack is locked up behind bars in Azkaban, never to see the light of day again?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Well...no. No, I can't make any of those promises right now."

Draco's voice hardened. "Okay, so answer me this. If it was the woman you love," He motioned towards Ginny. "If it was her lying in that bed - would you stroll off and leave someone else to look after her?"

Harry slowly shook his head. "No. No, I wouldn't."

"Right." Draco pulled a chair close to the bed and dropped into it. "Then here I stay. " He turned his back on everyone else and gave his full attention to Luna, holding her hand and gently stroking her arm.

Molly stood in the back of the room, taking it all in. The children had been telling her of the growing bond between Draco and Luna and she had to admit that she been one of the many that had questions after seeing them together at Xeno's funeral.

She blushed at the memory of the unkind things she said about Draco upon returning home from the wake. Arthur had let her go on for a bit before reminding her that Draco was the same age as Ron. Her husband then asked her to consider how their youngest son would have fared if he had been raised with Lucius as a father and forced to navigate the choices Draco had been faced with.

"After all Molly," Arthur said, "Weren't you the one who kept pointing out that they were just children?"

He was right, of course. They had been children, all of them. In her eyes they weren't much more than children now. Children that had been forced to grow up far too fast and experience things that no one, no matter their age, should have ever endured. Children that, in many ways, never had a childhood at all.

Molly then recalled the attack on her husband and she recognized the look on Draco's face. She knew he would not be moved and that no one should try to force him. It was quite clear that if Luna were still in danger that no one would protect her more fiercely than the young man currently at her bedside.

Realizing it was pointless to try and convince Draco to go, Harry went back to the ministry to check on the investigation. Molly took that opportunity to insist her daughter accompany her to the cafeteria for a bite to eat. As they were leaving the room, Ginny stopped and stared at Luna. She gripped the door handle and turned her attention to Draco.

"Luna has been my friend since we were little girls, Draco. She is the closest thing I have in this world to a sister." Her eyes flashed with anger. "So if there is anything left of these bastards once you get finished, then I would very much like a piece of them as well."

Draco gave her a terse nod but Ginny could tell by his expression that it had been a futile request. Even a brief look at his face made one thing abundantly clear - there would be nothing left of the men that hurt Luna once Draco got hold of them.

xoxoxo

Not two hours later, Draco was stunned to find Molly Weasley standing in the doorway once more, this time holding a bundle out towards him. "I knew you wouldn't leave so I went through my boys' things and brought you a couple of shirts, a jumper, a pair of trousers and some socks. I didn't know your shoe size but I thought the slippers would suffice until you can get home for your own things." Draco's astonished silence lasted for almost a full minute and the woman began to look uncomfortable. "I know they are not of the quality you're used to…"

Draco came to his senses and rose from his chair. "No! I mean, it's not that. I mean…" He took the parcel and bowed. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. This is very much appreciated." He held the clothing tight and asked, "C-Could I impose upon you to stay with her for a moment while I change?"

Molly's expression softened. "It's no imposition at all, Draco. Take your time." Seeing him hesitate, she added, "I won't leave her, I promise."

Draco ducked into the attached bath where he quickly dressed, splashed some cold water on his face and ran his fingers through his hair. When he emerged Mrs. Weasley was adjusting Luna's pillows and bed sheets, speaking to her in a soft voice. "There, dear. That should be more comfortable for you. Don't want you to be sore when you wake up now, do we?" The older woman looked at Draco. "Feel a bit better now?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Draco resumed his spot next to the bedside and took Luna's hand in his.

Molly pulled up another chair and sat beside him. "Any more word on her condition?"

Draco shook his head, his eyes never leaving Luna's face. Molly wavered then reached up and removed the crystal pendant she was wearing. She held it out to Draco. "Here, lad. Luna gave this to me after my son died." Her voice trembled. "She placed it around my neck at his funeral and said that the stone had properties that would provide peace and comfort. Maybe it will help her now."

Draco hesitated. "Are you sure...?"

Molly nodded. "She needs it more than I do at the moment."

Draco took the necklace and gently opened Luna's hand. He placed the crystal in the center of her palm and wrapped the chain around her fingers. He closed her hand around the stone and pressed his lips to her wrist. He clasped her hand in his and stared hard into her face, hoping for some sort of reaction. He held his breath but nothing changed. He slumped back into his chair.

Molly rested her hand on his forearm. "You really love her, don't you, dear?"

Draco nodded as a tear rolled down his face. On instinct, Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a maternal embrace. "Poor boy. I know how you feel. When it was my Arthur in here, I thought my heart would shatter. But it will be alright. You'll see. She'll wake up soon and be as right as rain."

She stood and patted his cheek. "I'll leave you alone now. Be sure to take care of yourself as well. You are no good to her if you collapse from exhaustion, understand?" She started towards the door. "And if her condition changes or you need anything - anything at all - you contact us immediately. Promise?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I promise."

Molly smiled. "I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of contacting Andromeda. One of us will stop by in a while to check on you and make sure that you get a hot breakfast. Keep your strength up."

As she went to leave, Draco called after her, "Mrs. Weasley…"

The woman looked back and said, "Don't worry, Draco. If you want to keep this quiet, I won't tell anyone that we..."

Draco quietly interrupted her. "No, ma'am…What I wanted to say was thank you. Thank you very much. For everything."

Molly fought back a tear. "You're most welcome, Draco." She closed the door behind her and cried all the way home.