Harry woke with a start trying to figure out what had disturbed his slumber. Then it happened again. He felt Draco's finger flex around his hand and Harry sat right up.

Draco's tube had been removed yesterday. He was responding well to the potions. His fever had finally broken and his body was beginning to function on its own again.

Harry had to remind himself to stay calm when he looked at his boyfriends sweet face and grey eyes were staring intently into his green ones.

"Draco?" Harry breathed hardly able to contain himself. He had woken up. All the hours of begging someone in the universe to bring him back to him, someone had listened.

"Water?" Was the only thing the hoarse voice was able to form. Harry jumped up from his seat and moved to the table by his bed. Harry poured him a fresh glass and moved to his bedside. He reached one hand and helped tip Draco's head bringing the glass to his chapped lips. Draco managed a few large gulps and Harry sets the glass down, wiping Draco's chin for him.

"Thank you." Draco manages lifting his hand to his throat rubbing it, trying to figure out what has it so tender.

"You had a tube down it. You've been here five days. You weren't breathing well on your own. They finally removed it yesterday." Harry sat in the seat next to the bed again finding tears starting to swim in his eyes blurring his vision.

"The infection from what the healer assumes was a dagger, it really messed you up. You were in rough shape." Harry picked up the little remote "I'm going to call your healer in here. To let them know you are finally awake. "

While it only took two minutes for the healer to arrive, Harry spent the entire time staring at Draco, who looked like he was trying to wrap his kind around everything that had happened over him the last two weeks. He could see Draco was fighting back tears, attempting to mask how he was really feeling.

The healer came in and noticed Draco was awake sitting up slightly in bed. "Glad to see you are awake Mr. Malfoy. My name is healer Janet Crane. Im going to run some basic diagnostic spells just to be sure you don't need anything immediate. As long as everything appears normal we can remove your IV. We are just using it to keep you hydrated at this point."

Draco eyes the older woman, her face wrinkling when she gave Him a gentle reassuring smile. When she picked up her wand to run the spells Draco flinched. "I know you are nervous Mr. Malfoy but I promise you, you are safe here in this room with me."

Draco closed his eyes focusing on his breathing ignoring both people in the room. 'I am smart, I am brave, I am enough.' He thought to himself over and over until the woman finished her exam.

"You have healed up almost perfectly Mr.Malfoy. Only a small scar on your arm from the weapon your attacker used. You will have to stay a day of observation to be sure, and I would like you to have an appointment with a mind healer before going. Even the strongest of men have lasting effects of what you went through. I know one of the best for cases like this. I'll have her stop tomorrow and you can meet her. Mr.Potter, I trust you understand he needs lots of rest. Please, keep the stress to a minimum. Especially if you want him to come home with you tomorrow. " The healer finished adding what was needed to Draco's charts and removed his IV carefully. "I'll let the nurses know they can send food in a little bit. " she gave the boys a soft smile before exiting the room.

"Home? I can go home?" Draco asked unsure he had heard her correctly. His voice came out tired and strained. He reached a shaky hand for the water, to which Harry jumped at to help him take a few more swallows.

"Yes Draco. You get to come home. Thanks to Hermione. I tried. Everyday. I was in Kingsleys office. Losing my mind. The second I saw they had hurt you, I went there, I practically destroyed his office the first time, my magic getting away from me. I was so mad, how could he just sit there and keep saying his hands were tied. He kept telling me there was no black and white. You were in a grey area he kept saying. It was all fucking nonsense. But Hermione, she knows about this stuff. That's what she does. Fights and advocates for those who can't for themselves. Caused and raised bloody hell over this. The whole ministry is upside down right now. Half the Auror department is on suspension, some already terminated. Azkaban is shut down Draco. Hermione got it shut down. Apparently, you weren't the only victim and some of the suspicious deaths in there, we swept under the rug because no one cared they were dark wizards. Hermione cared. There wasn't a guard there that wasn't abusing his or her power. "

Harry paused and saw Draco was watching him intently. Harry reached for his pale hand, and when he didn't pull back Harry laced his fingers smiling at the color contrast of their skins. He felt Draco squeeze his hand encouraging him to continue. He was looking at Harry with curious eyes. He needed to know if he was truly safe.

"She really had the whole prison shut down. Blew up the ministry's whole spot right in the paper. Headlines for days now. They split the prisoners up between France and Scotland for the time being. Some are here receiving medical care."

"My case?" Draco asked as Harry's thumb began stroking his hand. Dracos mind was going a mile a minute.

"Closed. Once Hermione started raising hell on the methods of integration used on you... that young Auror, Williams, he framed you. I guess Ron had been bitching about you at work, and everything that had happened in school. This is partly my fault, brining you to the burrow the first time set him off. Ron had let it slip that most of your belongings, we're in a secure vault inside the ministry. As war payment. He helped himself to a few items, learned your schedule and set you up. Ron... Ron's on suspension right now. For unorthodox interrogation methods and accessory to the abuse you endured. He saw you when they brought you up from the prison and did nothing. Hermione said she can't talk much about it. It's an active case going to trial but she mentioned that after the case she is planning to travel. I think he's going to serve time. Though what he really deserves is me to beat his ass the way they beat you. Hermione reminded me that you needed me here and not in jail. He knew this was happening to you. He stood here, in this room and pretended he had no idea. They all fucking knew this stuff was going on. Apparently it was this great big, don't tell Harry Potter secret while I was there. That dark wizards were getting what they deserved and they knew I would never be on board. In the months I was there, sure I roughed up some suspects, a rough grab maybe a good shake down. I never broke any skin or bones. That's for sure. Im not proud of it. But I had no idea how deep this went. How far they were taking it. I never stepped foot in the prison. I was always told there were trainees for that stuff. For transport. That who ever I needed would be brought to me. One more fucking thing in my life that I was kept in the dark about. "

Draco was staring up at the ceiling just taking it all in. "Im sorry. I know it's a lot. The healer just told me not to stress you out and here I am, doing the exact opposite." Harry stroked his hand some more. "Im so glad your okay Draco. I was ready to turn this world upside down. I need you... I love you." He said gently reaching up to touch Draco cheek.

The man flinched, the last time someone touched him like that, pain radiated into his chest.

Harrys paused his heart breaking at the sight. As if the man hadn't had enough trauma in his life, now this.

"Im sorry." Draco whispered embarrassed. He reached up taking the hand that was paused in the air. "I just... i need some time." He said gently.

"Draco, don't be sorry. Im not going anywhere. Im here to help you. Whatever you need. Whenever your ready. " Harry squeezed his hand. "Is it okay to alert the others your are awake? Blaise and Ginny have been here on and off, so I can eat and shower. Luna brought you all the flowers from the green houses. Neville couldn't visit with her, but he wished you a speedy recovery."

Draco turned his head and looked at Harry. The handsome man look worn and tired. He was disheveled from spending too much time sitting in the chair, sleeping next to Draco like that. "If it's okay Harry, I rather wait." He wasn't ready for the world. He wasn't ready for what would come when he left this bed.

"Of course Draco. Take whatever time you need." Harry watched as the man let go of his hand pulling the blankets up rolling away from him. He could hear the soft sobs from the broken man, and all he could do was sit there and listen, helpless.