"Will he be alright, Poppy?" Lupin asked, grasping Harry's limp hand.
"Don't touch him, Remus. He is badly injured. I am glad you thought to take his blood, it won't take so long this time." Madame Pomfrey bustled about the hospital wing, gathering tubes and needles, poultices and her wand.
Most of the cuts, bruises, and scratches were spelled away, but some of the deeper lacerations, like the claw tracks across his chest, and the puncture wounds, like the cavernous infected hole in his shoulder, will take several sessions to heal. And the life fluid will take several days to complete.
Lupin never left Harry's side as Madame Pomfrey did her magic, healing a very weakened boy. Once permitted, Remus took his hand and murmured sweet nothings and encouragements into his ear, much to the Medi-witch's disgruntlement.
Draco, however, was forced to return to class, only allocated time during visiting hours and with specific permission. Attempting to concentrate in Potions while Weasley and the Mudblood glared millions of needles his way aided nothing to his wits. On several occasions, her nearly added the incorrect ingredient, but discrete throat clearings and announcements on Snape's part saved the top Potions student from disaster.
"Mr. Malfoy, please remain after class, you have a detention to attend to." Snape spoke above the clatter of cleaning cauldrons and corking vials.
"Yes, sir."
Within moments, the classroom was empty, cauldrons spotless, vials lined and ready for inspection on the Potions Master's desk. Draco casually sauntered toward the Professor.
"What is wrong with you, Draco? You hardly have your head." Just like Snape to favor Slytherins, especially the top student in Potions.
"I am sorry, sir. I've been a bit distracted of late."
"Distracted indeed. Don't believe me ignorant. I know the reason you were on that mission. You cannot let him interfere with your Potions, Draco. Your work here is important. It's your seventh year…" Snape's voice faded into the background, Draco's mind already elsewhere. How was he doing? Was he able to wake yet? At strategic points in the one-sided conversation, Draco added nods and yeses. How were the wounds? And, did they still pain him?
Snape sighed. "When do you want to go, Draco?"
"Oh, yes…"
"Draco." Impatience flooded the professor's tones. No answer was forthcoming. "Draco!"
"Oh, sorry, sir."
"Now, before my Slytherin generosity runs dry," Snape stated irritably, "when do you want to go?"
"Go? Go. Oh, would tonight be acceptable?" The hope and excitement was in more than Draco's eyes, but in his voice as well.
"Tonight. After dinner. Nine O'clock. Ten minutes, Mr. Malfoy. That's all I'll be able to permit you, since you seem to have zoned out of my class and my detention." The professor fought vainly to keep the smile from his features.
"Thank you sir. I promise to behave in future."
* * * * *
Draco knocked lightly on the infirmary door and after several minutes gave his note to a rather flustered and tight-lipped Madame Pomfrey. Cautiously, he made his way to Harry's bed, where Lupin sat, holding his hand and sleeping in the chair. Both were resting peacefully in the starch white room and Draco was wont to disrupt the tranquility.
He moved inaudibly to Harry's other side, taking his unoccupied hand in his. Gripping it lightly, Draco began to whisper.
"Hullo, Harry." He caressed the warm yet limp palm. "I'm sorry, so sorry…"
Never in his life had Draco apologized to anyone. It was something he was taught never to do. Only his father had managed to wrench one from him, but Draco no longer had a father. Only Lucius who graciously donated his sperm.
Leaning forward, Draco hesitantly kissed Harry's forehead, brushing the insistent fringe from the boy's hidden eyes. His memory supplied the bright, glowing emerald orbs that would shine with his friends and family. And, at one time, himself.
His lips moved to both lids and settled on the pink mouth for a sweet and tender kiss. Pulling back, Draco memorized Harry's sleeping features, relaxed and peaceful. He ignored the lingering scrapes and bruises and swept the strong brow and straight nose, arched lips so soft and sweet to the touch. He almost permanently lost gazing at the angelic face, even from the respectful distance he hoped to gain.
His fingers delayed leaving the warmth of Harry's skin, and Draco trailed them down his cheek and neck. The pulse there was strong, so much stronger than all those days before. It had almost vanished forever, and Draco needed to be certain that would never happen again. The treacherous extensions flowed further down and breathlessly smoothed over his chest, he would spend the remainder of his breath gaining Harry by his side again. Silver eyes turned to the reposed face and Draco smiled warmly.
"What are you doing here?"
Startled, Draco gazed nakedly into Remus Lupin's hard stare.
"Get out."
"I have a -- "
"I don't care what you have. Get out."
"What's all the racket? Come, Mr. Malfoy. Out you go." Madame Pomfrey took Draco by the arm and dragged him from Harry's side, leaving a red and steaming Lupin looking after them.
"Madame Pomfrey," Draco tried to capture her attention. "Madame Pomfrey, how is he?"
Something in his eyes must have touched her heart because her hard features softened and she gave him a small smile. "He'll be fine. The wounds are healing nicely and he should be back in class within the next week. Now, out you go, Mr. Malfoy, and get some rest." She winked at him before closing the door and ending his last look on his lover's face.
* * * * *
"Headmaster, I'd like to keep Harry off Hogwarts grounds for a while, until he is fully recovered." Lupin boldly met the blue eyes before the foot of his ward's bed.
"I'm sorry, Remus. Harry needs to remain here. His seventh year has commenced without him, his friends are worried sick -- as I'm sure you can imagine, and he needs to complete his studies. You know he will be safe here -- the staff and I have placed more wards around the school since his kidnapping."
"I am aware, it's just that Harry needs a break from everything and especially the …. particulars. He needs time to recuperate."
The professor smiled, but his eyes were stern. "My apologies, but it cannot be done. I would like nothing more than to give Harry a recess from reality, but he cannot escape the future. He needs school and training more than ever, Remus." The logic of this statement proved difficult to retaliate.
"But he's suffering. Has been for years. Why can't we give him some time to escape that and regain his normal balance?" But Remus Lupin was not one to give up.
"Alright. But under two conditions." A smile crept onto the Headmaster's face, putting the younger man on his guard.
"And those are…"
"One, you must remain at Hogwarts. I'll provide you with Balin's Tower next to the Astronomy Tower. No one on the staff, excepting myself, will know you are there."
"Yes, I can concur with that. And the second?"
"Harry's friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, will hold the password as well -- "
"That's fine." But Dumbledore went on as if there was no interruption.
"-- As well as Draco Malfoy."
"What? No, sir, you cannot expect me to -- "
"That is the offer, Remus. That or Harry can remain in Gryffindor Tower under the scrutiny of all -- "
"Yes, sir, yes. I'll take the offer. Thank you." Remus put up his hand in the defensive position.
"No, thank you." The eyes twinkled dangerously bright.
* * * * *
Slowly, very slowly, Harry began to move, rolling and stretching slightly. Groggily, he opened his eyes to the smiling faces of Remus, Ron, and Hermione.
"Hey, mate." Ron had a drugged smile on his lips.
"Hullo, Ron."
"How are you feeling?" Of course, Hermione would not defer from the task at hand.
"Better." Harry gave her a weak smile; he hated lying through his teeth, literally, and especially to his friends, but what he was supposed to say…
"Good. I've brought you last week's notes and homework, Harry. You can't fall behind if you still want to go to Auror Training."
"Good ole 'Mione. Never gets off track." Harry's laugh turned into a flemmy cough.
"Of course not. And McGonogall has been really tough on work lately. She even took points -- "
"Hermione, I'm sure Harry doesn't care about Ravenclaw. Or House Points. Or work."
"Don't talk to me like that. Ronald Weasley. If I hadn't helped you these past days, you'd be back in Sixth year." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Ron, who looked rather sheepish and pink.
"You don't know what it's been like without you, mate. Hermione's been terribly bossy, a nightmare."
A hand connected with the back of Ron's head. "Stop talking nonsense, besides Harry's sleeping. And don't you even think about waking him, Ron."
The two best friends sat at the side of the bed, discussing away almost noiselessly. One would think they were together, with snogging sessions in the Astronomy Tower and everything; but they were just really close friends -- like brother and sister. There was a time when Ron would have ravished her, but he quickly grew from the temptation when he realized it was like his relationship with Ginny.
Lupin sat back quietly, gazing at Harry's reposed form and every so often glancing at the two whispering at his side. He recalled a time much like now, a few years back, with different people by the bedside and a different Potter claimed by white. It was so much more peaceful then, not too many cares for the lives of sixteen-year-olds, especially Marauders and their girlfriends.
Remus suddenly cleared his throat to capture the chatty individuals, or was it to push back overwhelming sensations? "Harry is moving to another place tomorrow. Somewhere secret, to recover. And catch up," Remus hastily added at Hermione's open mouth. "You will be informed of the location and password at that time, and it goes without saying this is to be kept private." He stared intently at the two, one nodding in understanding and the other examining Harry.
"Will anyone else know?" Hermione's soft whisper caressed the air between them, her gaze never leaving the sleeping boy.
"Yes. One other." Something more than anger tinged his words and muddled his face.
"Who?" Ron couldn't keep the curiosity in the bag.
"Draco Malfoy."
"What? Why? What's he got to do with any of this?" The red-head almost shot up in disbelief.
"Everything, but I cannot be the one to tell you, for it is Harry's duty. With this, and Harry's nature, it may be quite some time before you hear anything, but don't push him. It is his secret to give." Remus sighed and gazed upon the flawless features in repose. "Now, I believe it is time to return to class. Out you go. Tomorrow you can visit him again, in the confines of his new 'home.'"
Hermione gave Harry's limp hand one last squeeze before the pair of Gryffindors reluctantly left the Hospital Wing.
Remus grazed his fingers across his chin in a pondering gesture -- how to keep that blasted thing away from Harry. Damn Dumbledore and his conditions, but what could he do? The other option seemed just as dangerous. Leaving Harry to the vultures called teenagers. His fingers moved from his chin to his luggage-carrying eyes, rubbing softly, pondering more on the delicate situation at hand. Weighing each possibility, pro, con -- until his mind blanked and he drifted to sleep.
Draco would know the password. Could come visit him. Remus even said. Remus was never known to lie, and Harry wasn't about to begin to suspect he would. His heart tore in two between anguish and anticipation while the weight about his throat grew. Did he want to see Draco? Would Draco come?
Would Draco care?
For all Harry loved, he could answer that last. No. And that answered the second. No. Draco didn't care, he probably didn't notice and he is most likely happy Harry hasn't been around.
No, Draco would be completely returned to the Malfoy of old, all memories forgotten, lost in the sea of time drifting to the bottom sands to be coated in moss. Harry, however, relished these memories, but for the sake of living he couldn't replay them ever again.
He must forget.
And in this moment, pretending to be asleep, listening to Remus' soft snores, Harry made a pact with himself. He would first never again relive the joyous moments of love, and second, regard Draco as Malfoy, the arrogant git of years past.