AN: Short chapter I know but unfortunately all the boring chapters contain the info needed for the rest of the story. Hope you enjoy it and more will be up within the next couple of days.
~~Chapter 4~~
Professors' Conversation
When Draco next awoke, he felt even worse than before. His head pounded as if someone was beating it with a sledgehammer. His throat felt closed and tight, and his eyes ached when even the dimmest of light touched them. He sighed in relief when someone placed a cool damp cloth over his eyes and a cool hand touched his forehead. Then he heard the voices of Professor Snape, Professor Dumbledore, and Madame Pomfrey speak quietly around him.
"His fever has shot up again," the nurse said gently. "But other than that, he's doing quite well. Most of his wounds have healed. The only wound that needs time to heal is his broken arm. Unfortunately, I am unable to heal it magically due to his illness. The potion could only make his illness worse."
"He still has along way to go though to heal mentally," Snape spoke gently from Draco's left side. "Perhaps, we told him too much too soon."
"Perhaps, Severus, but he need to know," Professor Dumbledore said. "I'm sure he had a lot of questions that needed to be answered. He needed the reassurance that he wasn't alone in the world." There was a pause of silence. "School will start next week and maybe Mr. Malfoy will feel better surrounded by friends and a sense of routine."
"I'm not so sure, Headmaster. Are the Slytherin dorms really safe for Draco? I personally wouldn't be surprise if Lucius has a price on Draco's head. Word will have no doubt spread about his turnaround," Snape said, worry evident in his voice.
"Maybe a extra room with his godfather will help him should he need it," Dumbledore said.
"Of course. I have a spare room across from mine that I already have furnished with a bed and desk. He will be able to decorate it as he pleases." Snape paused, thinking. "Albus, if the Slytherin dorms are as unkind as I suspect they will be, will Draco be able to stay with me?"
Draco sighed quietly and shifted slightly, no longer listening to the professors' conversation. He felt like such a burden, a waste of the professors' time and energy, He wanted nothing more that to die. The professor apparently finished because he heard the rustle of robes as Dumbledore vanished and a door shut as Madame Pomfrey went into her office. A gently hand felt his heated forehead and Draco knew it was Snape from the smell of herbs and potions on the hand.
Draco turned his head toward the cool hand and groaned. "Relax, Draco. Everything's going to be okay."
"Professor, what's going on?" Draco croaked.
"You started running a higher fever last night after our conversation." He paused. "Draco, how would you feel about having a room in my quarters in case you don't want to be in the dorms."
Draco thought for a moment before nodding. Like Snape, he had a feeling that the Slytherin dorms would not be welcoming him with open arms. It would be nice to have a room to hide away in.
"Okay. You can set it up as you like when you have a chance. Until then, you need to rest and relax. You still need to rest and recover from this illness and your arm. Sleep well."
He heard Snape move toward the door and he called out, "Professor, wait! Can you stay here while I fall asleep? Please." He added in a barely audible voice. "I-I don't w-want to be alone."
Snape smiled slightly and moved back toward the bed. Uncertainly, Snape reached for the boy's uninjured hand. His godson held his hand tightly as he fell asleep, feeling at peace."
TBC…
