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~~Chapter 2~~
Awake and Information
Draco slept for three days, giving Madame Pomfrey some more time to heal more cuts. However, many cuts would have to heal the slow way. His fever dropped to a less alarming 102*F. The nurse had to add two more blankets because Draco was frequently shivering as if cold though he burned with fever, and was often curled into a ball to get warmer.
Snape was often found sitting beside the student, usually reading or offering the ill boy comfort when nightmares appeared or he grew restless. Draco seemed to calm with these comforts with his mentor nearby and usually slept soundly when Snape was near.
Midway through the fourth day, Draco began to awaken. Snape was, as usual, reading beside the boy's bed when Draco first opened his eyes. He reached his bandaged right hand to his eyes to wipe away the sleep. He groaned as the rough fabric of the brace hurt his eyes worse. Gently, Snape pulled Draco's hand away from his eyes. The teenager visibly tensed and forced his eyes opened.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Malfoy," the professor said, his tone quiet and reassuring.
Draco smiled painfully and forced himself into a sitting position before cradling his broken wrist close to his stomach. He eyed his mentor warily.
"P-p-professor, where an I? W-w-what happened?" His voice was hoarse and shook.
Snape frowned, worried. "Do you- what do you remember, Draco?"
The ill boy looked thoughtful for a moment, trying to put pieces together through the haze that clouded his mind. "I remember pain, a-and being cold, I threw up. That's all. I-I can't remember anything else?"
Snape nodded. "Draco, you are at Hogwarts. One of your house-elves came to alert Professor Dumbledore after they were certain that your parents had vanished and were not coming back. It appears that after Lucius beat you, he put very strong magic on your…cell and they couldn't open it to help you," Snape paused, looking at Draco who had gone even paler and was shaking. "Draco?"
"I-I remember. He beat me after I refused to join the Death Eaters a-an-and h-he…" Draco trailed off, close to tears. "Then he threw me in that cell and t-then I heard him laughing and then nothing."
Snape nodded and sighed. "Professor Dumbledore sent me to retrieve you and I brought you here." He paused. "There's one more thing, Draco. After we brought you here, some Aurors found your mother's body. Apparently, your father doesn't want company."
Draco focused his eyes on his teacher. "H-how long have I been here?" He didn't want to think about what his teacher had just told him.
"Three days," Snape answered soothingly. "Madame Pomfrey managed to heal a lot of your wounds but some she could not including your wrist due to your fever." He motioned to the arm the younger boy still cradled. Draco looked down, just now noticing that his arm was in a brace. He slumped exhaustedly back to his pillows, closing his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Draco. I know this is a lot to take in."
"I don't feel so good," was all Draco could mutter.
"Hmm, I'm not surprised," Snape said putting a hand to the boy's hot forehead. "You were, unfortunately in that cell for two weeks before the house-elves decided it was safe to retrieve you. You were cold, wet, and shaking badly when I found you. Your wounds were badly infected which is why Madame Pomfrey couldn't heal you completely. You been pretty ill."
Silence came over the room as Draco thought over what Snape had just told him. His mother was dead, his father missing. He had no home, no family. Although, it wasn't like his family had been loving or caring but they had still been his family. His mother often ignored him and his father abused him, Unwillingly, tears came to Draco's eyes and he closed them tightly. He heard the clinking of bottle hitting glass.
"Draco?" Professor Snape spoke gently. "Here take this. It will help you sleep."
Draco opened his eyes and took the Dreamless Sleep Potion. He was asleep within moments.
TBC…
