CHAPTER 2

As soon as Draco landed in the atrium, the alarm went off. Everyone panicked and started looking in all directions for the intruder. Five to six aurors arrived armed with their wands. Ron held up his hands to quieten the chaos and told the aurors that it was just a suspect he had brought along for one of the cases and he wants the identity of the suspect to remain a secret. The aurors gave him wary looks but allowed him to pass. Draco quietly followed. They soon reached the DMLE on level two, passed the set of heavy oak doors and entered the Auror Department. Ron nodded politely to a few red-robed aurors in the cubicles who happened to glance his way and reached the end of the hall. A plain brown door was marked "HARRY POTTER". He knocked and entered.

"Harry, thank god you are here. I thought you would have left to investigate the Bradshaw's case." , said Ron with obvious relief on his face.

Harry was sitting at his desk, peering at a few case files. Draco saw that Potter still looked the same. With the same unruly, jet black hair, emerald eyes and the stupid scar. He just looked a little mature, which was to be expected.

"Hey mate, I was just leaving. What happened? You look frazzled." asked Potter.

"I have someone with me here."

Harry peered over Ron's shoulder with curiosity. "Who?"

As soon as Ron cancelled the disillusionment charm and Draco appeared, Harry stood up with lightning speed with his wand drawn, pointing it at Draco.

"What is he doing here!?"

"Harry, put down your wand. He means no harm." said Weasley.

"How do you know that and how do I believe that? Did you even bother getting his wand before bringing him here?" Potter asked , eyeing Draco with disdain.

Weasley had the ability to look abashed. He quickly changed his expression and said "That's not really necessary, Harry. He has told me everything and doesn't mean to attack anyone here."

"That's all very good but I still don't trust him. Give me your wand , Malfoy."

"Harry-" began Weasley, but before he can say anything else,

"I said give me your wand!" Potter snapped.

Draco hastily withdrew his wand from his cloak pocket and threw it towards Potter which he caught with his seeker reflexes. "Now, tell me what is your business here." It was more of a statement than a question. Draco didn't want to start all over again , so he looked at Weasley for help and Ron complied. He told Potter everything, from Draco's circumstances to his meeting with Astoria, their marriage, Scorpius' birth, the accident and Scorpius' sickness.

Hearing everything Potter asked one question which brought all of Draco's hope crumbling down.

"And why should we help him? I'd say he deserved what he got."

Draco stared at Potter. He couldn't believe Harry Potter was saying this. The same Harry Potter who wore his heart on his sleeve and wouldn't think twice before risking his own life to save that of a stray cat's.

"Harry, what's wrong with you?! Isn't it enough that Malfoy had suffered so much to pay for all his mistakes that you want him to continue to suffer?" Weasley said with a bewildered look. He was clearly upset from Potter's attitude.

"He knows that we will take pity on him with his 'oh so tragic tale' and he's just making use of our kind-heartedness, Ron. Don't you see? He's just manipulating us with his pitiful status and exploiting our hospitable tendencies!"

"And what do you think he will gain from that?"

"Oh I don't know. We should ask him that , don't you think?"

"Harry, you're just-"

"It's ok , Weasley. I'll just go." Draco broke in. He couldn't stay there anymore. Not when it was clear that he wasn't going to get any help. With great difficulty he had brought himself to ask for help, swallowing his pride. He knew pride won't get him anything and Potter had just mocked his status. He knew it was his fault Potter doesn't trust him but that doesn't decrease the dejected feeling that was developing in his gut.

"Malfoy-" Weasley started to say something but he didn't want to hear it. He didn't have the time for that. If he wasn't getting any help from them then he will have to do something else. Scorpius was in a serious condition and he will have to do something. But what? He had already tried everything before approaching the Golden Trio. No, he couldn't lose Scorpius. His poor Scorp. He will go to St. Mungo's and grovel on their feet to get his son treated. He will lick each and every healer's boots if he had to, but he won't let his son die.

Draco ran from the Ministry not caring that people were giving him wary looks. They were sneering and spitting at him. He was used to the contempt and scorn by now. He used the floo to reach St. Mungo's and as soon as he reached there , he was spotted by a mediwitch .

"We told you we are not going to help you, Malfoy. Why are you here again? Leave, before I call the security." she said.

"Just let me speak to a healer." pleaded Draco.

"I told you we cannot help scum like you, now just go away-"

Draco pushed her away and ran towards a couple of healers who had just come into the reception area "Please just take a look at my son. If you can just diagnose what the problem is you don't even have to keep him here, I'll take him home but tell me what the treatment is. I don't even know what disease he has contracted-"

"Mr. Malfoy, will you refrain from behaving like this. This a hospital and such behaviour will not be tolerated here. You are causing a commotion and disturbing other patients-"

"If you people had agreed to see my son , I wouldn't have had to resort to such measures. Aren't you healers supposed to treat everyone? Didn't you take an oath to heal everyone without any discrimination?" By this point, Draco's voice had raised several decibels. He couldn't contain his anger.

"You have no right to teach me my job , Mr. Malfoy. Now please leave before I-"

"Before you what? Throw me out? That's the best you can do , isn't it? My son is ill and he deserves treatment, you hypocrites. You don't deserve to be a healer" spat Draco.

The healer's face turned red with anger." Security, take him away!" she screeched and Draco was grabbed by two hefty guards and literally thrown outside the hospital. He stood up and soon was hit by dizziness. He remembered he hadn't eaten for two days and was feeling very weak. He managed to walk a few paces without falling but his vision was darkening and he leaned against a wall by the side of the road and slowly slid down. He felt someone touching his arm before darkness enveloped him.

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