p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Harry, come on. Enough with this childish nonsense. I don't know what's been going on with the two of you, but its obvious that you care. And that that man needs you. You've got to go." Hermione waved an arm toward the fireplace, meaning for them to floo over to the hospital. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Why is that again? You heard him, 'Mione. He doesn't WANT me there. He doesn't need my help, and I'm done giving it. I'm so sick of always having to be there for everyone, having to be the one to save people. He doesn't deserve it. I never asked for this, Hermione." Harry stood abruptly and begun pacing, running both hands through his messy dark hair. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And you think he did ask for this? What, because his father's a deatheater that was murdered in prison? Because he was a terrified kid that let himself get swept away by his father's influence? I hated him too, but Harry, don't you think he's paid his price? You said it yourself at his trial." Her hand came down hard on the desk in front of her as she stood abruptly. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""He's asking for you, Harry! They can't sedate him because of the way the medication is reacting to magic right now. It's like cruciatus without a break and he's ASKING for you! If you don't go, Harry, I don't think- would you really just leave him to suffer?" Hermione was in front of him now, eyes shining with tears and face twisted in an almost-snarl. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Harry huffed and let his shoulders slump. All the fight he had left was gone with that breath. If Hermione was fighting this hard for the git, was this hurt by his reluctance, it must be important. Wordlessly he stepped up to the fireplace and took hold of a handful of floo powder. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""St. Mungo's." He said, throwing the powder down one second and stepping out of a fireplace in someone's office the next. It didn't take long to find Draco's room. He'd memorized the way, walking the halls for the past week, hoping to her something without having to go in./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Draco was curled on his side facing the door, face streaked with blood and tear tracks, scrunched in a clear show of agony. He was the palest Harry had ever seen, and was trembling violently. His lips were moving slightly, but Harry couldn't make out anything he might be saying./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"A mediwitch was casting cleaning charms and another was bringing in a fresh set of blankets. Pansy was rinsing a rag in a basin by the bed. When she looked up, he was met with an unexpectedly warm smile. "Good. Thank Merlin, you're here." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Her smile faded to something darker he hadn't seen from her before. "He just started to settle, don't fight with him right now, Potter. He was asking for you, you know. Do better." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"She spread a couple warm blankets over the blond man, tucking them under the now clean basin he was clutching and pressed the cool cloth against his neck. She bent down, speaking softly near his cheek. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm going for a bit, Draco dear. Harry's here now." She gave his cheek a tender kiss before disappearing somewhere./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Harry stepped up and tentatively put a hand on the man's, squeezing gently. Grey eyes opened slowly and Harry felt a lump in his throat as the man struggled to focus on Harry through his pain./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Hey." Harry swallowed hard, chest suddenly feeling tight at the desperate look Draco gave him, hand turning in his and squeezing. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"His other hand slid up from bony shoulder to sharp jaw when Draco's eyes suddenly welled with tears. He stroked the man's cheek, voice going even softer. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Shh, you're alright, mate. You're gonna be okay. Draco, you're having a severe reaction. Something with the muggle medicine and the potion for your magic. It's not supposed to be like this. They're stopping the medication now and switching it tomorrow, if you're better." Draco let out a ragged sob, face suddenly crumbling back into one of anguish./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He'd held out for so long and Harry felt himself wanting to shield him from the pain, from the anxiety and humiliation. Harry knew that the man was embarrassed to be seen this way. He shifted to sitting on the edge of the bed and Draco reached for him, burying his face in Harry's chest. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Draco sobbed hard for a while, but it didn't take long for the tears to slow to sniffles and then for his breathing to even out. The meds, if they'd given him any, must have finally started working and Draco had fallen into a much needed sleep. Against his chest. He had to have been given something, right? It couldn't have just been that Harry was there. Draco didn't even like him./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Whatever the reason, they were here now. And it seemed like they'd be here for a while. So Harry settled himself more comfortably, enlarging the bed a bit so that they could both rest, Harry curled protectively around the man./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Though he felt ashamed admitting it, Harry couldn't remember a time that he had slept as well as he had that night with Draco clinging to him./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Why is that again? You heard him, 'Mione. He doesn't WANT me there. He doesn't need my help, and I'm done giving it. I'm so sick of always having to be there for everyone, having to be the one to save people. He doesn't deserve it. I never asked for this, Hermione." Harry stood abruptly and begun pacing, running both hands through his messy dark hair. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And you think he did ask for this? What, because his father's a deatheater that was murdered in prison? Because he was a terrified kid that let himself get swept away by his father's influence? I hated him too, but Harry, don't you think he's paid his price? You said it yourself at his trial." Her hand came down hard on the desk in front of her as she stood abruptly. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""He's asking for you, Harry! They can't sedate him because of the way the medication is reacting to magic right now. It's like cruciatus without a break and he's ASKING for you! If you don't go, Harry, I don't think- would you really just leave him to suffer?" Hermione was in front of him now, eyes shining with tears and face twisted in an almost-snarl. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Harry huffed and let his shoulders slump. All the fight he had left was gone with that breath. If Hermione was fighting this hard for the git, was this hurt by his reluctance, it must be important. Wordlessly he stepped up to the fireplace and took hold of a handful of floo powder. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""St. Mungo's." He said, throwing the powder down one second and stepping out of a fireplace in someone's office the next. It didn't take long to find Draco's room. He'd memorized the way, walking the halls for the past week, hoping to her something without having to go in./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Draco was curled on his side facing the door, face streaked with blood and tear tracks, scrunched in a clear show of agony. He was the palest Harry had ever seen, and was trembling violently. His lips were moving slightly, but Harry couldn't make out anything he might be saying./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"A mediwitch was casting cleaning charms and another was bringing in a fresh set of blankets. Pansy was rinsing a rag in a basin by the bed. When she looked up, he was met with an unexpectedly warm smile. "Good. Thank Merlin, you're here." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Her smile faded to something darker he hadn't seen from her before. "He just started to settle, don't fight with him right now, Potter. He was asking for you, you know. Do better." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"She spread a couple warm blankets over the blond man, tucking them under the now clean basin he was clutching and pressed the cool cloth against his neck. She bent down, speaking softly near his cheek. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm going for a bit, Draco dear. Harry's here now." She gave his cheek a tender kiss before disappearing somewhere./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Harry stepped up and tentatively put a hand on the man's, squeezing gently. Grey eyes opened slowly and Harry felt a lump in his throat as the man struggled to focus on Harry through his pain./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Hey." Harry swallowed hard, chest suddenly feeling tight at the desperate look Draco gave him, hand turning in his and squeezing. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"His other hand slid up from bony shoulder to sharp jaw when Draco's eyes suddenly welled with tears. He stroked the man's cheek, voice going even softer. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Shh, you're alright, mate. You're gonna be okay. Draco, you're having a severe reaction. Something with the muggle medicine and the potion for your magic. It's not supposed to be like this. They're stopping the medication now and switching it tomorrow, if you're better." Draco let out a ragged sob, face suddenly crumbling back into one of anguish./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He'd held out for so long and Harry felt himself wanting to shield him from the pain, from the anxiety and humiliation. Harry knew that the man was embarrassed to be seen this way. He shifted to sitting on the edge of the bed and Draco reached for him, burying his face in Harry's chest. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Draco sobbed hard for a while, but it didn't take long for the tears to slow to sniffles and then for his breathing to even out. The meds, if they'd given him any, must have finally started working and Draco had fallen into a much needed sleep. Against his chest. He had to have been given something, right? It couldn't have just been that Harry was there. Draco didn't even like him./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Whatever the reason, they were here now. And it seemed like they'd be here for a while. So Harry settled himself more comfortably, enlarging the bed a bit so that they could both rest, Harry curled protectively around the man./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Though he felt ashamed admitting it, Harry couldn't remember a time that he had slept as well as he had that night with Draco clinging to him./p