Chapter 13 is here! Sorry it's taken so long everyone. This story is one that takes quite a bit of brain power to think about and plot out as I write, and I have been so busy with my final semester of uni and preparing for internship that I just haven't had the spare brain power needed to write this chapter well. Unfortunately, updates will be slow on this story over the next few months for that exact reason, but the story is never abandoned, and I will work on it when I get time and feel capable. I hope you enjoy.
Also, there is mentions of past abuse in this chapter.
I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 13
Harry found himself settling quite easily into life at Malfoy Manor, it actually surprised him how easily. He had been here a little over a week, but it was already starting to feel like home. He had taken to spending most mornings in the gardens with Narcissa, who welcomed him with open arms and a soft smile. They whiled away their time mostly in silence, hands buried in soil, but Harry found it soothing to his very soul, to spend time with someone who wants nothing and expects nothing of him except for the pleasure of his company. He quite often brought Herbert outside with him, his faithful plant would stretch out in the sun, its vines seeking out any prey nearby. He stopped noticing when the vines would become entangled in his hair, the touch comforting and welcome to his touch starved body.
While he spent time out in the gardens his soulmates would be enclosed in meetings with their Lord or else out on errands or missions for him. They were loathed to leave Harry unattended for even a moment, but Harry knew their lives couldn't stop for him, nor did he want them to. Rabastan had then tried to leave a guard with Harry to ensure his safety, but Narcissa had sent both brothers such a withering glare that they had quickly shut up. Harry had laughed himself silly at that and the brothers were so enraptured at seeing Harry happy that they didn't even mind that they were the butt of the joke.
Rabastan and Rodolphus had yet to bring up the idea of Harry seeing a healer. They were loathed to disturb the peace, as fragile as it was, but they knew it needed to happen sooner rather then later.
"Do you think it might be possible for me to visit Terence soon?" Harry asked one night over dinner. He had been pushing his chicken and salad around his plate and thinking about his friend. The entire table froze and looked at him.
Rodolphus looked momentarily confused. "Who's Terence?"
"Terence Higgs. His family owns an apothecary in Knockturn Alley."
"Ah," Draco said in realisation. "He's the one who's friends with Warrington and Flint. Slytherin. Few years older than Harry and I. He spoke to us that night at the Leaky Pickle."
Rodolphus nodded in understanding. "And why would you want to see him, Harry?"
Harry turned to look at his soulmate, carefully scanning his face to make sure everything was OK.
"Well, we became friends, of a sort while I lived in Knockturn Alley. I would hate to think of him worrying about me after my kidnapping by his friends." He spoke lightly but the whole table couldn't help but squirm at the reminder of how they had handled things.
"Does he know who you are?" Voldemort asked seriously.
"No" Harry said with a shake of his head. "He just knows me as Harry."
"Make sure you keep it that way. The fewer people who know your true identity and location the better."
Harry nodded in understanding; he knew the trouble that would be unleashed if that information were to get out.
"I suppose that would be OK," Voldemort said eventually, a thoughtful look on his face as he took a sip of wine.
Harry's face brightened at that.
"He is going no where without us" Rabastan said beside Harry.
Before anyone could respond Harry spoke up. He looked slightly nervous but no less defiant.
"If you insist on me having an escort, I actually think it would be better if Draco and Blaise came with me. They are of a similar age to Terence, and all were in Slytherin, it wouldn't be unusual for them to be seen visiting with him."
Voldemort looked at him suspiciously for a moment and Harry did his best to look innocent.
"I am not OK with this" Rabastan growled. "It isn't safe for Harry to go alone."
Harry turned soft eyes to his soulmate, truthfully, he didn't want to go without either of them, but he wanted the chance to talk to Terence without his soulmates present.
He reached out a hand and laid it on Rabastan's arm, calming him.
"I will not be alone; Draco and Blaise will be with me. Plus, remember I lived in Knockturn Alley on my own, I am capable of visiting a friend there."
But still his soulmates did not look happy. "I will be in my disguise, and I promise not to stay long."
Harry turned pleading green eyes on his soulmates, who crumpled quickly under the look.
"Fine" Rodolphus grumbled, "but I'm not happy about it."
Harry positively beamed, leaning up to place a chaste kiss on first Rodolphus' cheek and then Rabastan's.
The brothers were struck dumb, and Harry's face positively flamed, it was the first time he'd initiated any kind of physical contact with them, let alone a kiss. Rabastan's mouth hung open and he gingerly reached up to touch the spot where Harry had kissed him.
A round of snickering broke out around the table, seeming to break the three out of their little bubble.
"Oh, are you two in trouble" Lucius laughed, Narcissa placed a hand over her mouth beside him as she attempted to hide her own amusement.
"Tomorrow seems as good a day as any" Voldemort put in.
As Harry entered the beautifully appointed parlour, he found his two soulmates particularly agitated. Rabastan was pacing the room, while Rodolphus glared out the window as though the rose bushes had done him a personal wrong. Harry had on his glamour and was dressed accordingly, but this only caused their looks to darken further.
Lucius, Draco and Blaise sat to the side of the room watching the proceedings with great amusement.
Harry tried to give the brothers a reassuring smile.
"I won't be gone long" he said lightly.
Rabastan looked like he was a second away from grabbing Harry and running from the room. Deciding it was better not to prolong this he turned to Draco and Blaise with a raised brow.
They stood and all three moved towards the fireplace. They were going to floo right into the Leaky Pickle, then walk up to Terence's family shop.
"Be safe" Rodolphus whispered into his ear as he pulled Harry into a gentle hug, while Rabastan continued to look as though he was chewing on a lemon.
With one final look Harry entered the swirling green flames.
He stepped out on the other side and smiled softly at the familiar sight of the Leaky Pickle. Draco and Blaise were waiting for him, they moved to stand on either side of him and Harry had to fight not to roll his eyes. He had survived the last 16 years of his life, a little trip to Knockturn Alley was nothing to worry over.
They made their way quickly through the alley until they reached their destination. Harry tried to convince Draco and Blaise to wait outside for him but alas they were having none of it.
"Uncle Rabastan and Rodolphus would kill us if we were to leave you alone" Draco said seriously.
"Oh, fine" Harry said with a huff as he pushed open the door and entered, Draco and Blaise right behind him.
Arnold looked up from where he was helping a customer.
"Be with you in a mo- Harry!" the ghost cried in relief. "We have been so worried about you! Where have you been? Terence has been beside himself. TERENCE!"
Harry jumped at the ghost's suddenly loud cry. A bang and some shuffling sounded from the back room before Terence walked out. The olders face lighting in joy as he spotted Harry and ran forward to embrace him.
"Oh Harry, it is so good to see you safe and well" He pushed back, gripping Harry's shoulder so he could get a better look at him. "I was so worried after I found out what happened. I never thought they would do something like that, you have to believe me" Terence said earnestly.
Harry smiled softly at his friend. "Of course, I believe you Terence, you are one of the kindest people I know."
Terence looked relieved. "I am no longer friends with Flint or Warrington. People who betray me so deeply are not worth my time."
Harry was shocked to hear that Terence had cast aside two of his best friends over him, Draco and Blaise shifted uncomfortably behind him.
"Oh Terence, I'm fine. You don't have to do that; I know how much you value their friendship."
Terence scowled at that. "I used to value their friendship, but no longer. They didn't know you would be fine when they took you but still, they did it anyway. Content to follow their Lords orders regardless of the consequences, I'm sure if he had asked them to do the same to me, they would have done it without question. Those are not the kind of people I want in my life."
Harry nodded in understanding. He would probably do the same thing if he was in Terence's position.
"I understand, it was a pretty shit thing to do but still, if you want to talk, I'm here for you."
Terence gave Harry a grateful smile.
"Now, how are you?" The older Slytherin asked briskly, running his eyes over Harry in concern.
"I'm well" Harry said with a smile. Before he explained in few details what had been happening to him over the past week and Terence did the same. Making Harry laugh with the latest escapades of the inhabitants of Knockturn Alley.
Draco and Blaise had drifted off and were looking around the shop while Harry and Terence spoke, and Arnold had gone back to assisting customers. When he thought that everyone was suitably engaged elsewhere, Harry leaned forward and quietly whispered to Terence.
"I was wondering if I might get some more of the healing potion that I had previously?"
Terence's face turned dark his eyes flashing to Draco and Blaise. Without hesitation and before Harry could think to stop him, he stormed over to the pair; wand raised in anger.
"Who has hurt him!" He hissed in Draco's face pointing back at Harry.
Draco and Blaise looked shocked, both instinctively reaching for their own wands and Harry felt himself reach for his. This was escalating quickly.
"No!" Harry cried. "Every- Everything is fine, just forget I said anything!"
"I will not!" Terence snarled. "You would not be asking me for a healing potion if you were not injured, you would also not be trying to keep the request hidden from these two if they weren't at least somewhat to blame."
Draco's fair brows pulled down in confusion, his own expression turning dark as he turned to look at Harry.
"You're injured?"
"No, no I'm fine. Just forget I said anything." Harry said quickly, wanting to have this over with before things worsened.
Terence could see the honest surprise in Draco's face.
"You are not fine if you are asking for a healing potion" Blaise said shrewdly. "Is this why you didn't want Uncles to come? You didn't want them to find out you are hurt."
Harry huffed in despair. It looked like they weren't going to drop it.
"Thank you, Terence, for bringing this to our attention" Blaise said seriously. "We will take whatever potions Harry was attempting to buy from you."
Terence looked torn for a moment before nodding in acquiescence.
"Harry, I wish for you to owl me tomorrow and let me know how you're getting on. Please come back and visit soon."
"I will" Harry agreed quietly, scuffing his feet along the ground as he avoided Blaise and Draco's gaze.
He felt anxiety twist in his stomach. He knew Draco and Blaise were going to tell Rabastan and Rodolphus now, would they be angry at him? Disgusted with him for being so used by muggles. He had thought the wounds on his back had completely healed but some had been torn and irritated with the kidnapping ordeal and they simply were not healing again on their own.
Blaise took the bag of potions and together he and Draco nearly frog-marched Harry back to the Leaky Pickle and through the floo.
He stumbled out the other side and immediately his eyes sank to the floor. He was pulled into a gentle hug by two sets of firm arms.
A large hand gripped his chin and tilted his head up to place a kiss on his forehead.
Draco and Blaise soon followed after and Rabastan and Rodolphus tensed at the serious looks on the teenagers faces.
Lucius and Voldemort rose from where they had been seated and made their way over to the group.
"What's wrong?" Lucius asked. "Did you encounter some trouble?"
"We did" Draco said gravely. "Though not the kind you are probably thinking of."
"Harry, do you wish to explain?" Draco asked, but Harry just continued looking forlornly at the floor. Rabastan's eyes darted from Harry and back to Draco before he pulled the necklace off his mate and hugged the smaller figure to his side.
"Well, someone better start explaining, and soon" Voldemort said calmly, but there was an underlying tension to his words that had Blaise speaking up.
"When we were visiting Terence, Harry tried to acquire healing potions without us finding out. He is injured but has told no one. Luckily, Terence thought we were the ones who had harmed him and tried to accost us in the shop, otherwise we may not have found out."
All eyes swung to look at Harry and he felt himself burrow further into Rabastan's side.
"You're injured Harry?" Rodolphus asked, he longed to rip his small soulmate from his brothers' arms and check him over, but he knew Harry would not appreciate that.
Harry just rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Honestly, it's nothing. I knew you'd overreact, so I didn't want to worry you. It's just an old injury that doesn't want to heal, a few potions and I will be good as new in no time."
"Would you at least show us, so that we can make sure that it is not infected?" Lucius asked calmly, he knew a thing or two about the healing arts. The oldest Malfoy could tell everyone was longing to ask how the only Potter had been hurt, but now was not the time for questions.
Harry hesitated. He didn't want to show them his scars, his injuries, what would they think of him then. But he knew the chances of him leaving the room without someone checking him over was next to zero. It actually warmed his chest a little that he was so cared about, and that small warmth gave him the courage to nod.
He stepped away from Rabastan and turned his back, reaching shaking hands up to the now two big robes. It was enough to undo the fastenings and slowly he let the navy-blue robes drop down his back. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he clutched the robes up high so that only his back was exposed. Even though he had not looked at it for a little while, he knew how horrible his back must look. Oh, his soul mates must be disgusted with him. He felt tears well up in his eyes at the thought. He closed his eyes to hold back the tears as he waited for someone to say something.
Behind him though those assembled had all but lost their voices.
It took Rodolphus close to a minute for his brain to process what he was seeing. Harry was so skinny; he knew that his soulmate was malnourished, but it was still a shock to see just how thin he was. But even that wasn't enough to distract to much from the criss crossing of scars that littered his beloveds back. He had never seen anything like it. There must be a dozens, some thin and some thick, some looked old, while others were barely healed and there running down the right side, from shoulder blade to hip was a particularly deep cut that was red and inflamed and weeping slightly. His brain completely blanked as he just stared at the sight before him.
A throat cleared and Harry's whispered "well?" Shook Rodolphus from his stupor. His shock quickly replaced by anger, no not anger…rage. Rage at whoever had dared to hurt Harry this way. His fists clenched and his wand let out a shower of red sparks, fuelled by his emotions. Rabastan beside him looked no better, dark brows furrowed, his lip curled up in a snarl as hands reached out as though to grab Harry.
"Who did this to you?" Rabastan asked, his voice dark and menacing and Harry couldn't help the small step he took back. He had never seen his soulmates like this before.
"M-My family. They don't like me very much." Harry said quietly, eyes focused back on the floor. He jumped in fright when a spell flew across the room, blowing up what was no doubt a beautiful antique table. He looked around to find Rodolphus, breathing hard, wand still raised. Harry felt a shiver of fear run down his spine.
"Rabastan! Rodolphus! Calm down or get the hell out! You're not helping anyone, let alone Harry by carrying on like this." Voldemort said contemptuously, his dark eyes flashing.
Rabastan cast a quick look at Harry to find that Harry did seem unsettled by their anger. He wasn't surprised, especially after seeing the clear evidence of what he had been through. It was a concerted effort to push all that anger deep down inside, to be drawn on at a later date, but for now both brothers let it go.
"Forgive us Harry" Rabastan whispered. "We didn't mean to frighten you" Rodolphus continued.
Harry gave a shaky nod, he hadn't been truly afraid and he was amazed at how much he had come to trust Rabastan and Rodolphus after so short a time.
"Lucius, will you please floo for healer Jones to come and attend to Harry. Take Draco and Blaise with you" Voldemort said raising an eyebrow when Draco opened his mouth as if to protest. The blonde took the hint, leaving without a word, though his eyes stayed locked on Harry until the door shut behind him.
"Dae" Voldemort called, "can you please bring us some tea."
The little house elf appeared then disappeared with a small crack, arriving back with a pot of tea and several mugs.
"Harry, why don't you pull your robes back on and take a seat, while we wait" Voldemort said calmly, handing Harry a cup of tea as he straightened out his clothes and took the closest chair, his soulmates sitting on either side of him.
"I'm really OK" Harry said exasperatedly. "It's barely a scratch." Really what's all the fuss about, I've had much worse injuries than this one, he thought to himself. Thankfully, Harry was smart enough not to voice those words aloud.
Voldemort just hummed noncommittally.
There was a knock at the door and Healer Jones entered, no sign of Lucius, Draco or Blaise behind him. He bowed respectfully to Voldemort before making his way towards Harry.
Harry noted the healer was quite young, maybe early 30's with short blonde hair and soft hazel eyes. He had an open honest face and Harry could see right away why he would make a good healer.
"Hello Harry, I'm Healer Jones. Lucius has just been telling me a little about what's been happening. He thought it best that you be examined by a healer. Is that OK with you?"
Harry looked at the healer in surprise. They were actually giving him a choice? He thought for a second about declining and had to fight back a grin at the reaction that would get.
"OK" Harry said, and Healer Jones smiled warmly at him.
"Great." With a wave of his wand, he transformed a nearby chair into a suitable bed. "Hop on up."
Harry climbed up onto the bed, trepidation twisting in his stomach.
Rabastan and Rodolphus hovered around him, like worried mother hens. Harry smiled at them fondly and reached out a hand to give Rabastan's had a squeeze in comfort, they looked more upset that Harry himself.
"OK now Harry, I'm just going to cast a few spells that will give me some information on your overall wellbeing. As well as any injuries or illnesses you've suffered or are currently suffering."
Harry nodded in understanding as Healer Jones waved his wand. Harry felt as though he had sunk into a warm bath as the spells washed over him. It felt similar to the tests that Madame Pomfrey ran on his frequent trips to the hospital wing. As the warm feeling faded Harry felt a large hand grip his shoulder and another take his hand.
A minute later a scroll appeared in front of Healer Jones, who reached out a hand and unwrapping it began to read.
Harry watched as the healer's gaze darkened the more he read. Rodolphus twitched beside him, and Voldemort raised an eyebrow as the scrolled just kept on going.
With a deep sigh the healer handed the scroll to Voldemort, who took it and made his away across the room to read.
"Alright Harry, I've just read through the results of your scan, and, well they aren't great."
Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise, while his soulmates tensed beside him.
"You- you've got severe scaring, your body is fighting several infections, you have broken bones that haven't healed properly, as well as damage to tendons in your right leg that must be causing you immense pain. My main concern is your malnourishment. You have been malnourished for most of your life and this has caused a severe depletion in many essential nutrients that your body needs to survive."
"He hardly eats anything" Rabastan put in and Harry shot him a sharp glare.
"It seems he has hardly eaten anything for most of his life and his body has gotten used to the minimal sustenance, but – "here healer Jones let out a deep sigh. "To be frank Harry, you are wasting away. If you don't do something soon you wont live to see your 20th birthday."
Harry was completely dumbfounded. He knew he didn't eat much but it didn't seem unusual to him, he had never eaten much, thanks to the Dursleys not feeding him most of his life, he had had to adapt.
"We'll do whatever we need to, to help Harry get better" Rabastan said, his voice gravelly from fear and anger. "Won't we Dolph?" Rodolphus nodded his head seriously beside him. "Anything."
"Harry needs to want to get better though" Healer Jones' eyes bored into Harry's. "Do you want to get better Harry?"
Rabastan and Rodolphus glared at him, as though he might actually consider saying no.
"I do, of course I do. I- I'm just used to eating so little that I didn't view it as a problem."
"Well, it is, a major one." Healer Jones said sternly. "But we can right it. You will have to be on a strict diet as well as taking nutrition potions. You will also need a variety of other potions to begin to mend the other damage to your body. I will also need to remove the damaged bones and they will need to be regrown- a most unpleasant experience. But we can do that at a later date, when you're feeling more up to it."
Harry's nose scrunched up at the memory of regrowing bones during his second year, "Oh, skelegrow, I know it. Tastes awful and it bloody stings."
Rabastan and Rodolphus shared a dark look over Harry's head.
"I will need to stop by weekly and go over some exercises with Harry to assist in rebuilding his strength and ensure that he remains on target."
Harry was slightly dazed at the information overload. If he was so ill, why was it never picked up when he was at the hospital wing at Hogwarts?
Healer Jones rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a small jar. "This will need to be rubbed into the open wound on his back, to assist in healing. He is too weak for his body to fight off the infection and heal on its own."
Rabastan reached out a hand and took the jar, nodding seriously.
"After it's healed, I will supply you with another that will minimise the state of the scars on his back and anywhere else he may wish to use it."
The healer reached back into his bag and pulled out two more potion bottles.
"Harry, you will need to take one of these tonight and one in the morning to help with healing your back. I will come back tomorrow with a full schedule of potions, ointments, exercises and dietary requirements that you will need to follow."
"Right" Harry said distractedly. "Sounds good."
"I think it would be best if Harry were taken to bed, the ointment applied and fed a small nutritional snack. He needs to rest if his body is to effectively fight off the infection."
Harry's brow furrowed and he opened his mouth to argue, he didn't need to rest, he felt just fine!
"We'll take him to bed and ensure he stays there" Rabastan said with a small smirk and Harry felt his cheeks heat. Well maybe staying in bed wouldn't be so bad, if his soul mates were there to keep him company. He had very much been enjoying having them close, it could be a chance to talk and get to know each other better.
As though reading his mind Rodolphus spoke, gently running his hand through Harry's messy locks, "I think we have a few things that need to be discussed."
Harry gulped at the implication but nodded, he supposed they did.