Chapter 3
Severus Snape paced back and forth in his office. It was nearly midnight and he had tried contacting Narcissa Malfoy via firecall for the past few nights. He had tried several of the Malfoy owned properties not seized by the Ministry. He then tried other places he knew Narcissa would go to should she have fled, such as his family home in Spinner's End. He had thought of every possible place she would go to, and was growing immensely frustrated. He was about to turn in for the night when he realized something.
"The Tonks Household" he said as he threw and handful of floo powder into the fireplace, and the face of Narcissa Malfoy appeared.
"Severus?" she gasped before sighing. "I should've known that you of all people would be the one to find me."
"Is that all you have to say?" Snape returned, his arms crossed over his chest.
"How is Draco?" Narcissa asked.
"Fragile and broken. He has developed a fear of abandonment" Snape began, gauging the woman's reaction. "He goes into panic when not with any of his friends and prolonged separation from Mr. Duskgem. Although, his fear is somehow forgotten when he's busy working or preoccupied with something else."
"Yes, I figured Alyssa and Stephen had taken Draco in the first night her owl arrived" Narcissa said with a sigh.
"Would you like to explain yourself?" Severus asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I couldn't stay, Severus. I would just be a reminder" Narcissa said, tears beginning to prick at her eyes. "A reminder of all those horrible events."
"Narcissa, you are one of the most intelligent women I know" Snape began. "That's why I cannot fathom why you thought it was in Draco's best interest to abandon him when he was recovering from the horrors of war, or why you would think that you'd just be a reminder of that war. You are the reason why Draco accepted the Dark Mark without question, why he accepted the task of murdering Dumbledore but more importantly, you are the reason why he is still alive. You thought you would be a reminder of darker times, but this was your opportunity to create better and happier memories. I can't make you come back, but you must know Draco loves you, he misses you, and he needs you."
They shared a look for a minute before Severus ended the firecall. Now, the Potions Master hoped Narcissa listened and understood everything he said. While he loathed to think about it, especially when it came to his godson's well-being, all Severus could do now was wait and hope.
Harry woke up earlier than usual and wondered why he couldn't go back to sleep, considering he'd been up 'til midnight last night. He walked out of his room was surprised to see Malfoy sitting on one of the couches alone, his nose in a book. There was a peaceful look about the entire scene, and Harry stared at the blonde for a while before coming back to his senses. He was about to summon a house-elf for some coffee, but realized it would be rude if he didn't ask the blonde if he wanted anything.
"Malfoy" he called but the blonde didn't acknowledge him.
"Malfoy" he called again but louder, and still got no response. Rolling his eyes, Harry summoned a house-elf and asked for a cup of coffee.
"Would that be all?" the house-elf asked
Harry sighed and walked over to the blonde, grabbing his shoulder and lightly shaking it "Malfoy, do you want anything?"
Draco looked up at him, and just as Harry thought he'd be insulted, the Slytherin's eyes suddenly widened with panic and started frantically looking around the room.
"Joseph, where is he?" Draco asked as he grabbed the front of Harry's shirt.
"Malfoy, calm down" Harry exclaimed as he tried to release himself from Draco's grip.
"Where's he gone? How long has it been?" Draco's eyes were getting glossy, and Harry could hear his breathing getting heavier. "He's left, hasn't he? Tell me Potter!"
"Of course he hasn't left, calm dow." Harry said, gripping the shorter male's shoulders, shocked at how much he was shaking.
"Then tell me where he's gone! When will he get back?!" Draco yelled, shocking Harry.
"I don't know" he replied and that was the wrong answer. Malfoy began to thrash and tears began to pour out of his eyes. Harry turned to the house-elf.
"Find Mr. Duskgem and bring him here, quickly!" he ordered and the house elf was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Draco, it's going to be alright" Harry said, trying to calm Draco down.
"No, it's not!" Draco spat, trying to release himself from Harry's grip. "He's left! He's gone, just like everyone else!"
"He'll be back, I promise" Harry reassured and as if on cue, the door swung open and Joseph ran in, closely followed by Hermione.
"Draco, I'm here" Joseph said, and the blonde immediately latched onto his housemate.
"I-I-I thought you'd gone and left me" Draco sobbed into his friend's robes.
"I'd never leave you, I've told you that" Joseph said as he rubbed the blonde's back comfortingly.
Hermione had run into the corridor leading to the boys' rooms and came back with a vial of Calming Draught. Draco drank the liquid, and his shaking ceased and his sobs quieted down, but he still clung onto the taller Slytherin. Harry didn't know what to think at this point; minutes ago, his former rival was looking for his housemate desperately, like a child who was lost, and now he was clinging onto said housemate, sobbing into the other's chest.
"I'm taking Draco to Madame Pomfrey" Joseph said as he stood, easily carrying the Draco in his arms. "Tell the headmistress what's happened and find another prefect to go into the Forest with you."
Hermione nodded and tugged at Joseph's robes before he left. "Can I tell Harry now?"
"Fine, but no one else can find out" he replied and left.
Draco lay on a hospital bed as Madame Pomfrey diagnosed him with a spell. Professors McGonagall and Snape were present, staring at the blonde with different expressions, but both equally concerned. Hermione and Harry also arrived a few minutes earlier after Hermione had explained Draco's condition, and Harry had gotten over his shock. As soon as Madame Pomfrey finished, Draco got up and sat on his Joseph's lap, and the sight made something in Harry's chest prick.
"Mr. Malfoy's stable, but you should get comfortable, Mr. Duskgem" The mediwitch said.
"Draco will return to normal by lunch" Joseph stated.
"As I take it, Mr. Potter is the cause of Draco's panic attack?" Snape drawled.
"Harry had no idea of Malfoy's condition" Hermione defended.
"Why did you even leave him alone?" Harry asked.
"We have duties to fulfil" Joseph returned. "And Draco loses track of time when he's focused on work or something else."
"Considering that, perhaps we should inform all the other eight years of Draco's condition" Hermione suggested.
"We not be arguing or or casting hexes, but there are still ill feelings towards us Slytherins, Draco especially" Joseph argued. "Someone might use it against him."
Hermione caught the glance the head boy sent her. She wanted to snap at him, but she knew all too well that Ron hasn't forgiven Draco, and that his emotions can easily get the better of him.
"Perhaps a compromise?" Minerva suggested, and all eyes turned to her. "We'll tell two people from each house. Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger will be the ones from Gryffindor to know."
Joseph agreed and he escorted back Draco to their dorm.
"So, we're decided" Hermione announced after breakfast. "From Hufflepuff, we'll tell Hannah and Susan and from Ravenclaw, we'll tell Luna and Michael."
"Don't you feel bad for not telling Ron?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded.
"I want to tell him, but it's not up to us who gets to know." Hermione replied. "But you know Ron; he always takes things too personally, he lets his emotions control him, and he hasn't quite forgiven Draco. I would absolutely trust him, but even if the chance is small, I don't him worsening Draco's condition."
Harry nodded, and Joseph took a seat across from him while Hermione told him who'd they inform.
"I suppose that'll do" he said with a nod. "We should also think of two people who we can acquaint with Draco, so they can calm him down, should this happen again."
"I'll do it" Harry said, making the other two look at him. "I honestly want to help Draco."
They eventually settled on Harry and Luna. Harry now followed the taller raven to his and Draco's room. They got there and Joseph took a seat next to the blonde, who moved closer to his friend. Harry sat on the bed opposite of them.
"Potter" Draco greeted.
"Malfoy" Harry returned. "Can you tell me everything about the Draught of Living Death?"
Draco slowly began talking about how the potion came to be created and for what purpose. As he went on, there was a sudden glint in his eyes, and Harry smiled. Seeing the shorter male so relaxed and talking about something he loved was a wonderful sight. He also noticed that the other Slytherin seemed more relaxed, and sent a small smile his way before asking Draco about more potions.