Chapter 5: Salves and Setting Bones

Severus returned to his seat across the room. After an hours of awkward silence, he spoke, "I assume you won't want to be separated from Potter."

"I'll not leave him, Sev," Draco answered confidently, cradling the sleeping boy closer to his chest. Snape sighed and a look of confusion crossed his face. "What?" Draco snapped.

The conversation was interrupted, however, by Harry shaking again. Draco was ready this time, He straddled Harry, one knee on either side of his hips, and held his hands down beside his head. A moment later, Harry was covered in cuts, bruises, scrapes, scars and it looked like he had a few broken bones. "Holy shit," Draco breathed. He waited until the convulsing stopped to climb off of Harry. "Sev…" he said, turning to look at his godfather. Snape was staring back, shock plastered upon his face.

"Don't. Leave. Potter," he said and took off to his supply cabinet.

Draco cuddled Harry close, he was terrified. It appeared as though Harry had drifted back to sleep, his breathing was even at least. "Harry, I don't want to lose you," he whispered. Severus returned quickly, arms full of potions and salves. He set them on the coffee table in the center of the room.

"Help me strip him," Snape commanded. Draco nodded and helped him remove Harry's shirt and pants. They left his boxers on, assuming he would be embarrassed if he woke completely naked. Draco stared at the broken body in awe.

"Potter's so strong," he whispered. His fingers traced a cut on the other boy's collarbone. Severus had already gotten to work, smearing salves on him. Draco watched with intense fascination as cuts turned to scars and bruises yellowed. Snape set some of Harry's bones and secured them with slings and wraps. Harry's eyes opened as Severus was putting some salve on his right shoulder. He involuntarily cringed and tried to curl into a ball. Snape knelt beside him and spoke softly.

"You're safe here, Harry. I promise." Harry nodded, but didn't speak. He was still too shaken to speak. "Would you like to go sleep in a bed?" He nodded again. "I'm going to levitate you there, okay?" Nod. "Okay." Snape performed the spell and Harry hovered in the air beside him. Fear filled his eyes as he started moving slowly to an unknown destination. Draco was by his side in seconds.

"It's okay Harry. I promise," Draco whispered and took Potter's hand. He visibly relaxed. They made it to one of Snape's guest quarters and he gently lowered Harry into the bed. "I'll just be in the room next door if you need me," Draco told him as he tucked him in. Harry nodded and snuggled into the bed, sleep took him quickly. With a final glance, Severus and Draco left the sleeping boy. They returned to the library.

Draco took a seat on the couch, still warm from where Harry was laying. He reclined and put his feet up, making himself at home. Severus took his chair across the room. Both had calm, cool expressions, but their minds were racing. Snape was the first to speak. "What made you leave home?"

"Father cast Sectumsempra on me. It was my chest and I was really getting quite sick of them anyway," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Severus nodded and they were thrust back into silence.

"Why," Snape began softly but cleared his throat and started again, "Why did you go to Potter's house?"

"He sent me a note asking for my assistance. It had blood on it."

"You went because you knew it was dire?" He asked with a raise eyebrow.

"I went because I owed Potter for giving me money." He knew it was a lie and Snape did too, but neither spoke about it.

"Do you care about him?" He asked, after what looked like a bit of arguing with himself. A few minutes of silence passed and Severus didn't think he would get an answer, but Draco spoke up.

"Yes," he said slowly. Snape nodded, he didn't want to pressure Malfoy into disclosing anything else he didn't want to.

"I suppose your friendship makes sense," he said almost to himself. Draco silently agreed but worried about what would happen during school. Severus appeared to sense his apprehension. "Don't worry, you'll figure it out. Eventually."

"I guess there's a whole summer for that." After yet another silence, Draco spoke again. "I'm sorry for intruding like this. I wanted to get him away from there and I didn't know where to go myself. I couldn't stay at that dreadful hotel forever."

"It's quite alright, Draco, when I extended the invitation, I meant it. And Pot—Harry is more than welcome here too." The blonde raised an eyebrow at the use of Harry's name.

"Careful, Professor, people might catch on to your caring side." Snape scoffed and stood.

"Come on, off to bed with you," he said in an almost fatherly way. Draco stood and went into the room beside Harry's. Snape continued down the hall and disappeared into a room.

Draco stripped to his silk black boxers and climbed into the bed. The sheets were grey and cotton, but the high thread count made them feel silky. It was nice against Draco's back. The pillow cases matched the sheets and the comforter was midnight black. Harry's room had the same colour scheme and Draco wouldn't be surprised if Snape's did as well. This house felt like the dungeons. Stone floors and walls, it was a bit chilly away from the fireplace, but it felt like home to Draco. He fell asleep quickly but woke with a start after two hours. Draco had an awful nightmare. He sat up in bed; tears were streaming down his face, he was ashamed to show such weakness, even when there were none to judge him. He wiped his eyes and cheeks, laid back down and tried to sleep. The image of Harry convulsing kept coming to mind and he deiced to check on the boy to make sure he was alright.

Draco crept into the hallway, moonlight illuminated the way to Harry's door. It creaked a little when he opened it and he was scared he'd wake Potter. The boy was still sound asleep and Draco walked closer. He admired the way Harry's hair went every direction, being just as unruly as the boy to whom it belonged. But it always managed to look good on him. Just like his rule-breaking never really got him in bad trouble. The blanket had fallen to Harry's waist and Draco marveled at the other boy's body. It looked like glowing porcelain in the light of the moon. Before he knew way he was doing, Draco climbed into the bed and nestled himself next to Harry, his face pressed against Potter's ribcage. He inhaled his scent. It was masked beneath blood and other things, but he was able to pick it out. He moved as close as possible, so there was no room between them. Draco fell fast asleep pressed against Harry, and no more nightmares plagued him.