Disclaimer: Don't sue! The requisite statements are located in previous chapters
A/N: SLASH and officially MPREG now so don't read if that squicks you. My apologies for the brevity of the last chapter…oh yeah...is anyone out there available as a beta for another fic maybe? Oh and please review...I'm beginning to think that this is such a horrible and unwelcome story that no one wants to read it. Is my writing really that bad?
5.
The infirmary was a hive of activity over the next several hours as more and more of the injured trickled in. Healers from St. Mungo's were everywhere stabilising the wounded and caring for the injured. Many people were transferred to St. Mungo's for more serious injuries but through it all there was an excitement and joy in the air. Voldemort was defeated and the majority of the Death Eaters had been captured and were being held in special cells at the Ministry. Most of the werewolves and vampires fighting for Voldemort had been captured as well and the Dementors had been destroyed through the use of a powerful spell uncovered by Hermione and the Order's researchers.
Through all the commotion though Ron held his friend's hand and nearly seven hours later it was he who greeted the young hero when he finally woke.
"Rn?"
The red-head smiled, "Yeah mate it's me." He poured Harry a glass of water and helped him sip slowly as he sat up.
"Whrs Drco?"
Ron growled, "Don't ask me Harry, I don't know. I haven't seen him since I brought you here."
Harry frowned, "Sh-shd be hur…"
Ron wiped his hand over his face, "He should. He would if he really cared mate. I don't want to bring you down Harry so let's not talk about it. You saved us all. Voldemort's gone Harry, you did it! The war's over!"
Harry cleared his throat and smiled, "It's over?"
Ron answered that smile with one of his own, "It's over. You did well mate. We're finally free."
At that moment Hermione came barrelling around the curtained partition. "Ron! Harry! You're awake! Oh I'm so glad!" She hugged her friend gently and kissed her husband. "Can you believe it! Of course you can you were in the thick of it weren't you. I can hardly believe it. It's over! It's really over!"
Ron stood and swung his wife round then kissed her soundly, "It's over and our lives can really begin now Mione. We'll move into the house your parents bought and we can start a family…and…and…Oh Merlin, Mione I'm so happy!"
The young couple kissed again and Hermione buried her face in her husband's neck tears of joy flowing freely. Long moments later she looked over to her friend, the one who'd made such a future possible.
"Thank you Harry."
He smiled gently and settled back into the pillows of his bed, "You're welcome Mione, but it's not just me you should thank. It's Ron and Remus, and Moody and Dumbledore and Snape and Draco, all the Order, everyone who fought for this, who put themselves on the line for our victory."
He closed his eyes a moment then opened them slowly, "I'm tired guys. I think I'm going to sleep a bit more. But could you find Draco for me first? I-I want to see him before I kip off."
A look of utter disgust crossed Ron's face, "Everyone knows you're here Harry. If he didn't bother to come find you in the last couple of hours he probably couldn't be bothered or the slimy git managed to sneak away after all." He sighed, "I hate to say it mate but you're better off without that bas— OW! Mione!"
His hand flew to his stinging face as his wife lowered her open hand. "You shut it Ronald Weasley. You don't know what you're talking about and you've spouted the last bit of shite I'm willing to hear about Draco Malfoy!"
Ron goggled, "But Mione!"
His wife glared and wagged her finger, "Don't you 'but Mione' me Ron! I've hard just about enough of you bad-mouthing Draco. Especially now!"
Harry struggled a bit and sat up straighter, "Mione," he said softly, "what do you mean 'especially now'?
She turned to her best friend and sat in the chair her husband had vacated. Tears filled her eyes as she took his hand, "Draco is here Harry." She sighed, "He-he just can't come to you right now."
Emerald eyes cleared and filled with panic, "What do you mean? Why can't he come? Is he hurt? Why is he hurt? He was supposed to be here the whole time and safe!"
"Yeah did the ferret try to get to his Master or something," Ron piped in.
Hermione shot him a warning glare then turned back to Harry. "I-I don't know how to tell you…"
"NO! no! Hermione he's fine right? He's alive," Harry started to shake.
"Yes, he lives," came the calm voice of the matron. "Mrs. Weasley why don't you return. It will be some time yet and he's asked for you."
Hermione nodded and stood. "Behave yourself Ron," she warned as she departed past the curtained partition.
Madam Pomfrey handed a vial of pale violet liquid to her patient, "Drink this Mr. Potter."
"But-but Draco…I-I need…"
"You will drink that potion first Mr. Potter, I will not have you agitating yourself and setting back your recovery. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded meekly and downed the vial's contents quickly. He might not be in school any longer but Poppy Pomfrey was still a woman to be reckoned with.
A few moments later he felt the tell-tale tingle of cooling peace that indicated a strong Calming draught. He nodded to the matron that it had taken effect. "I'm better now. Will you tell me where Draco is?"
Poppy Pomfrey's eyes were sad and it frightened him, but what's worse she sat next to his bedside and took his hand in hers. "Harry," she began.
His eyes filled with tears, "You've never called me Harry. Is it really that bad?"
She smiled sadly, "There's a first time for everything Mr. Potter, and yes Harry it's bad." She sighed, "You remember the state Mr. Malfoy was in when he first came to the Order yes?"
Harry nodded.
"I believe I'd told everyone then that he'd suffered numerous internal injuries prior to the beating he received when he arrived at Grimmauld Place."
"Yes, but he recovered."
"That is true," she nodded, "He recovered as much as he was able, but while he'd been held captive…before his escape from Malfoy manor he'd been held under the Cruciatus curse numerous times for extended periods. You know that the Cruciatus causes many forms of damage."
Harry shook his head, "Draco's not mad. And the Cruciatus couldn't…it wouldn't take three years to effect him that way!"
"No it didn't take three years, the damage was immediate. Time has only exacerbated his condition."
"What condition?" he whispered hoarsely.
"Mr. Malfoy's heart was damaged excessively by the Cruciatus curse. He's been able to live a relatively healthy and active life because he's been very good about taking his restorative and healing potions regularly. Professor Snape has also developed a potent strengthening potion for the heart that has helped him immensely."
Harry brushed aside the hurt he felt that Draco hadn't confided in him as his brows furrowed in confusion, "I don't understand why is he ill then?"
The matron shook her head, "I'd hoped he had…obviously he didn't…"
"Poppy please! Tell me what's wrong!"
The matron frowned, "Calm yourself Harry. You'll do neither of you any good if you overtax yourself."
She sighed, "Shortly after you left to find the last Horcrux Mr. Malfoy came to me. He'd been feeling ill. We ran some tests and they came back positive for pregnancy."
Tbc...