Disclaimer: I don't own it.

In response to your queries. Did I give you the impression Ron was going to forgive Harry? I can't remember and I can't tell if I did. Just to let you know. I don't like Harry; I've never liked his character. He is not getting off easy. Believe me. There is still a lot more to come people. I hope that help's you out. Enjoy. You know I love you all for your nice reviews.

The Other Way

The rest of that day passed in a blur to me. I had visited Percy, explained everything the psychiatrist had told me to Ruth. I can vaguely remember telling Draco to eat around lunch time and getting him set up in his new room before Ruth told me to go home.

So home I went. I fell asleep almost immediately; my brain must have tired itself out trying to make sense of everything, of wondering why I hadn't seen it. Why he hadn't come to me if he felt that way. I could have tried to help him.

But Harry had always done things by himself, if you wanted to help him you had to push your way in. it was one of those things that was so infuriating about him.

I briefly wondered, through all this, when the Daily Prophet would get hold of the story, and what they would print.

The following morning I was up, dressed and in work early. Somewhere in my dreams I had made my decision. Yes, Harry was my friend, but for the moment Draco was my number one priority. I was going to help banish that lifeless look forever. And the first step to that was getting him a wand. If he had a wand he wouldn't feel so helpless. I could only hope he wouldn't hex me with it.

I arrived at the unit a lot earlier than I normally did, which seemed a good thing, because Ruth was looking flustered.

"Ronald!" she called when she saw me.

I sighed. "Yes Ruth?"

"Mr. Malfoy is refusing to eat, the food cart ladies have tried to convince him, both last night and this morning, and I don't think he slept at all last night. Go talk to him, I don't want to have to use the potions if I can avoid it."

The potions were sleeping draughts and appetite enhancers, we rarely used them, but sometimes they were necessary.

"I'll go see what I can do." I promised her.

"Thank you Ronald." She smiled.

I made my way to Draco's room and opened the door. His head snapped round to me, tense. Then he relaxed slightly and looked back at the bed.

"If you're waiting for that caviar you won't get it. All they serve here is cereal and bacon and eggs-if you're lucky." I took the chair beside the bed.

He didn't move, but I could have sworn I saw a smile, a brief one, but a smile.

"They tell me you haven't eaten since lunch yesterday, why?"

He shrugged, turning his head back to me, warily.

"You have to eat Draco. You're too thin, even for you." I said, reaching over, pretending I didn't see him flinch, I uncovered the breakfast. "Cereal and bacon and eggs. You're getting the royal treatment. I don't get that, and I work here." I smiled and lifted the fork.

It might work, he had eaten before when I had. "Do you mind?" I asked, gesturing to the plate. He shook his head. I lifted the plate over to me, making as if to start, then stopped. "Come on, you can't leave me to eat by myself like an idiot." I told him, pointing to the cereal. "Besides, if you eat that, and I eat this, then they won't try to force as much on you for lunch."

I wanted to ask why he seemed to need someone else's permission to eat, but I didn't. I could as him after I got him eating regularly again-that is, if he had ever eaten regularly.

He had only finished half the bowel, but I didn't push him to finish it.

"Draco, I need to ask you something."

He blinked owlishly at me and waited.

"When Harry took your wand-" he flinched at the memory. "When he did, did he keep it?"

Draco shook his head.

"What did he do with it?"

"Snapped it and burnt it." He said hoarsely, rubbing one hand as he spoke.

I watched him for a moment. "You tried to get it out of the fire, didn't you?"

He nodded.

"Draco. I was thinking I could take you out for a new wand. I could pick one myself, but it would be better if you were there. You don't have to. I realise you haven't been around many people for a long time…" I trailed off when I realised he was staring at me in shock and surprise, tears in his eyes.

I swallowed, completely knocked off track. "Em… well, yes, and… ahem…" I stopped. He looked away and I found it easier to think, seeing Draco with tears in his eyes was definitely very disconcerting for me. "Anyway I was wondering, did Harry use any of your money for anything?"

He shook his head, still not looking up at me.

"So you still have your own account?"

He nodded, reached inside the hospital robe and pulled out a key on a chain.

That was good, at least there would be no rigmarole over money. And he had more than enough to set himself up with when he was better.

"Good." I nodded, getting up. "You can give me your answer at lunch if you want to go get a wand."

I left him in the room, but as I closed the door I was almost positive I heard a very soft "thank you".

I went to convince Ruth to let me take him out to Diagon Ally tomorrow.

It's short, I know, I'm sorry. I'm working on it. More to come soon.

R&R and it will be faster.