Commotion from beyond the study draws Draco from his post-work stupor. He emerges in the midst of a house elf scolding Neville Longbottom for arriving unannounced. Narcissa laughs softly from the opposite doorway. Draco chides his mother wordlessly before turning to address the eager elf.
"Hey, umm…" Damn it all, he's forgotten this one's name. He was trying so hard. "Elf." He says the word so strongly that the little creature jumps and turns on the spot, cowering in supplication. "Fuck. There's no need for all the drama. Neville can be here." The elf isn't moving, so Draco takes a deep breath, something he's been doing too much of lately, and steps toward him. "Stop this. I'm not going to hurt you. I just don't know your name."
"Master Draco sir," Tovo offers, "this one's name is Tad."
"Tad. Hopefully I'll remember that next time. You may go." He still hasn't looked up at Draco as he backs out of the room. "Mother, why didn't you help out our guest?"
"It was more fun to watch, darling."
"Of course it was. Neville, what can I do for you? Is everything okay with Hannah?"
"Hannah?" Neville echoes vacantly. "Oh! Yes, yes, she's lovely." His eyes go soft and drift for a moment before reconnecting with Draco's. "No, I was hoping to visit with Harry, if that's all right?" He fumbles with a small tin in one hand, not quite sure what to do with the other. After a minute, he shoves it in the pocket of his jumper.
"I'm not sure that's a great idea right now." Draco watches as the other man's shoulders slump. He squeezes the tin just a bit too tightly and it bows. "Let me take that for now." He can save whatever poor offering is inside until such a time when it can be inspected.
"Is he all right?" Neville asks.
"Let's go to my study. Mother, thank you as always for your presence."
"It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa's lips thin at the title, but she tilts her head to the boys all the same.
A non-verbal spell closes the door behind them and Neville casually leans back in one of the armchairs. He's been in this room many times, but rarely with such a somber tone. Draco takes his usual place behind the desk. There is a bottle of Ogden's on display. Neville nods toward it and Draco summons another glass. As the deep amber liquid cascades over the ice, Neville looks around.
"How is he, Draco?"
Draco pauses, letting the liquid settle.
"How much do you know about his and Ginny's relationship before the St. Mungo's visit?"
"I know it wasn't healthy, if that's what you mean. They'd been at each other for a long time. Always arguing. It was like something changed."
"When?" Draco questions.
"A year or so after the war. About the time Ginny moved in." Draco nods, running his finger along the edge of his glass.
"And what about Ginny? Anything unusual there?" Neville has the grace to blush.
"We don't… we didn't really talk about it."
"About what, Longbottom?" Weary eyes lift to meet steel grey.
"Her… problems. We don't talk about her problems," Neville stutters. Draco considers the impact of their avoidance.
"Neville, I'm going to be straight with you. Harry is fucked up. He didn't get this way yesterday. Unless I start getting some answers, even you aren't going to be able to help him." Neville leans back, a long swallow of whisky burning his throat, and closes his eyes.
"The drinking, the potions, the cheating. Using Harry's money for all of it."
"How long had it been going on?"
"Before she moved in."
"No wonder he's tried to kill himself." Draco says it off-handedly, not really meaning for Neville to hear.
"He WHAT?" Neville is on his feet, whisky glass fallen to the floor. Draco cleans up the liquid with an exasperated charm and waits for the pacing to begin. "What happened? When did it happen? Before or after? Why didn't I know? Did anyone know?" He looks about ready to spit out another question, but Draco holds up a hand. His mouth moves, but nothing comes out. He resumes his seat on the chair, elbows on his thighs and drops his head into his earth-stained fingers.
"He cuts himself. It happened here, after. I haven't told anyone. You shouldn't either." The implication is clear.
"So if I hadn't come here, I wouldn't know anything?" Neville's voice cracks with emotion.
"No."
"What are you doing for him, Draco? How is he getting any better here?"
"He's not with her. He's eating something, most of the time. He's got two more months. I'm not a fucking healer, Neville. He has to be seen again before they release him."
"So that's it? You're just going to let him rot in a guest room until the healer looks at him again?" It's Draco's turn to take a hard swallow. The whisky is warm, but he doesn't stay that way.
"Yes. No. I—" He fights with something Neville can't see or understand. "If he needs something, he can have it."
"He should probably see a mind healer, Draco." The blond swallows again and Neville knows that this is all the acknowledgment he will receive. "I should probably go."
"All right."
They get up and walk toward the hall. As it opens, Harry's unruly hair peeks around the wood of his door. His eyes are wide and the knuckles gripping the frame are pale.
"N-Neville?" he whispers.
"Harry."
"What are you doing here? Are you taking me home?"
"Oh. No, Harry. I'm sorry." Harry's eyes drop to the floor and Neville chances a step closer.
"How is Hannah?" The words are small, much as Harry is trying to be in the thin opening he creates into his space.
"She is wonderful! We are all excited about the sprog. It's a girl!" Neville blushes and Harry gasps.
"You're pregnant?" Harry asks. Draco smirks at this; Harry cocks his head and files it away for later.
"Yeah."
"Congratulations, Neville. You'll be a great dad."
"Thanks, Harry."
"Have you seen Ron or Hermione?" Neville looks to Draco, a silent ask for permission. When Draco shakes his head, Harry begins to open the door.
"Why can't he tell me anything? Is something wrong? Do they not want me for some other reason than I've gone crazy? I already know you didn't want me. I understand. I wouldn't want to deal with this, either."
"That's not it, Harry. I—" Before Neville can provoke Harry any further, Draco grabs Neville's upper arms and ushers him down the hall. Neville breaks loose and walks toward Harry. The other man is surprised, but holds his ground. "I love you Harry. We all miss you." Harry is wrapped in a warm hug, something he hasn't felt for a very long time and begins to cry. "Please get well, Harry." He watches as Draco escorts Neville down the stairs, whispering back and forth.
Harry makes it as far as the other side of the door before his legs give out. The tears come and they don't stop for many hours. When Tovo finds him there asleep, she clucks, but leaves food nearby in case he wakes. One little finger brushes away the locks of overgrown hair that have fallen in front of his eyes.