More cuteness for you!
xx
Draco awoke in an unfamiliar bed with a pounding headache. He shifted his position, causing the arm wrapped around his waist to tighten. The previous day flooded back to him and he groaned inwardly. Harry had found him in the middle of a meltdown. Harry had seen him cry. Harry had seen him, the Heir to the Malfoy family, with tears and snot all down his face. Harry was now curled up in bed with him. Draco supressed a groan. The room didn't have windows and was too dark to see his watch so he cast a tempus charm. He was surprised to see it was 8 o'clock. Draco sighed and shifted again. Harry grumbled in his sleep and tensed his arm, locking him in place. Draco huffed. Of course Harry was clingy. He chose to ignore the fact he'd started it. He was very surprised Harry had let him and was still holding onto him.
Draco gave up trying to wriggle away and turned over instead. His stomach did a strange flip when he actually saw Harry, his brain finally acknowledging that it was actually real and not an elaborate dream. He huffed into the Gryffindor's chest. He was supposed to be forcing away his unfortunately growing crush on Harry, not encouraging it. But he was sad and his head hurt so it was okay this morning. He was angry with himself for even thinking about Harry that way but he was just too perfect. He was kind and understanding, funny and hard working. Draco glanced up at his relaxed face. Not to mention handsome. Draco closed his eyes and relaxed into the warmth of Harry. He wasn't looking forward to going back to reality so he was definitely going to enjoy this as much as possible.
Draco woke up an hour later to an empty bed. He grumbled and wrapped himself up in the duvet, feeling chilly without another body beside him. He looked around the room. Harry wasn't around and his clothes were gone. Some of the candles in the room had been lit, and the fire was slowly growing. Draco shuffled over to the fireplace, still wrapped in the duvet. He picked up his watch from the neatly folded pile of clothes on the floor. It was ten past nine. Draco sighed. He should be in Arithmancy.
Draco closed his eyes tiredly. His head was still pounding and his stomach muscles twinged when he moved. yesterday had been a painful whirlwind. He'd been struggling the moment he' apparated outside the manor. The manor had been thoroughly cleaned but he could still see the mess and blood in his mind. The thought that his childhood home had been ruined in the worst possible way was enough to bring tears to his eyes. His stomach clenched with fear around every corner, he was half expecting the Dark Lord or Nagini to be around them. He worked to steady his breathing and just focused on his mother. She was in her rooms, the healers forcing her to stay in bed. She looked weak and pale, seeming to have aged ten years since he last saw her. She gave him a weak smile.
"I'm fine, Draco, darling." He reached across the bed to hug her.
"What have the healers said?" she smiled tiredly.
"I have a virus that has caused pneumonia. Unfortunately, it's quite resilient to potions and spells. I'm getting better, though." Draco nodded.
"Can I get you anything?" She shook her head.
"Nonsense, Draco. We have house elves for that."
Draco had spent the afternoon with her, catching up and reading to her when she got too tired to sit up. He left her room to let her sleep and went straight to his room. He hadn't been there since he'd popped in just to collect his Hogwarts things after spending the summer at their holiday house. Before that, he'd only been there because he'd had to stay in England while the trials were taking place. He tried to settle back into the familiar and previously comforting room but it was hard. He quickly realised he didn't know the name of the current house elf. The old ones had either been killed, had escaped, or been so mentally disturbed they could never work again. The anxiety nausea in his stomach meant he couldn't eat anyway. He curled up under his soft bed and eventually fell into a fitful, nightmare filled sleep.
The next two days passed similarly. He kept a brave face for his mother but fell apart in his room. The worst moment was when he'd braved going into the great hall for supper. He'd taken one look at the long table and ended up on the floor, his body shaking violently and his vision blurred. He'd been rooted to the spot, crying into his hands as flashbacks took over his mind. He eventually calmed down enough to shuffle himself out of the room on his bottom. It took a further half an hour before he could stand and go back to his room.
Draco was suddenly dragged out of his thoughts by the door to the room opening. Harry smiled worriedly at him.
"I brought breakfast and got us excused from lessons today," he explained. "I also got a headache reliever from Madame Pomfrey. I'll make you some tea." Harry put the tray of food down in front of Draco and handed him the vial of potion.
"how did you know I needed this?" He asked, frowning. Harry smiled at him.
"I always got a terrible headache after crying too much." Draco watched Harry go to the kitchenette and start making tea. He eyed up the food in front of him. Moments later, Harry was sat beside him on the floor, passing him a cup. He didn't know how Harry knew he liked strong but sweet tea with a lot of milk but he made it perfectly. He took a sip and sighed when the tea warmed his body and relaxed him.
"How did you get us off lessons?" Draco asked, fear creeping into his stomach.
"I told Blaise to tell Professor McGonagall you were ill and I had the afternoon off anyway because I have a mind healer appointment so I just said I needed the morning off to prepare. Then I asked Madame Pomfrey for a headache reliver for later because I get headaches after mind healer appointments. It's okay, no one knows but Blaise and I."
"Thank you for doing all that for me. You need this, though," he tried to give the potion back. Harry pushed his hand away.
"I can get one from the mind healer if I need it." He shrugged one shoulder and pushed the breakfast tray closer to Draco. "You need to eat before you take the potion." Draco nodded and picked up a bowl of rice pudding. He was happy to see Harry had stayed away from dry or complicated food. Harry pushed a jar of raspberry jam towards him. Draco noticed he waited until he was sure he was going to eat before digging into his own breakfast. Draco smiled into his teacup. He was torn between resenting Harry seeing him cry and loving that he was being looked after because of it.
Draco swallowed the headache reliver and grimaced at the taste. He sighed happily when his headache faded away. Draco caught Harry smiling at him.
"thank you for looking after me. I'm sure you're loving it." Harry smiled and shook his head.
"I hate looking after people sometimes. I always had to be the strong one, the saviour. All I wanted was someone to look after me." Draco's face fell. "I don't mind looking after you though," Harry added hurriedly but Draco could tell he meant it.
"why me?" Harry shrugged a shoulder.
"I don't know. I like making sure you're happy." Draco's stomach fluttered and he felt his face warm up.
"Do you need anything?" Harry asked when they'd finished eating. "tea? A nap? A cuddle?" Draco blushed to the roots of his hair and nodded. Harry shuffled over and Draco lifted the duvet so he could cuddle in.
After Harry's back was beginning to get sore, he sat up straight and tugged the duvet from Draco, who glared at him. He sat cross legged and with less grace than he would have liked, pulled the frowning blond into his lap. Whilst he was taller, Draco's height was mostly legs and Harry's torso was longer so Draco could comfortably have his head under Harry's chin. Harry hoped Draco wouldn't think he was treating him like a child but apart from some shifting to get comfortable he didn't move. A few minutes later soft snuffling alerted Harry to the fact that Draco had fallen asleep on him. Harry accioed a book from the bookcase and settled down to read, one arm secured around the Slytherin.
xx
How are you liking this fic so far? I know they are a little out of character but Harry just couldn't see his friend upset and Draco is just so desperate for the support.