Blood Vengeance

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Malfoy's eyes didn't shut this time, but he looked a little groggy. "That's private, Potter."

Harry closed the file and set it aside, though he had read it already. "You're awake."

"Very astute. I guess your overgrown head hasn't been knocked around too much working in the Auror Department. You got a warrant to read that?"

"I found it," he mumbled, though it was the healer's mistake to give it to him. "And it's not prohibited if you aren't a suspect. DEK got away."

"That's why you're still here?" Malfoy growled. "You couldn't catch that fucker?"

"Sorry. I went after him, but he disappeared into a muggle crowd. I came back and noticed that you were still alive."

"Don't expect a fucking thank you. You didn't do me any favors."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "I wasn't, Draco."

Malfoy's neck cricked so fast to look at him, that Harry thought he heard it crack. He hissed, "Don't you dare fucking call me by my name like we're fucking mates. You don't need to be sensitive for my benefit. I don't want your sympathy and bullshit victim coddling. Get the fuck out!"

He turned away to look at the opposite wall. His fists were clenched as though he was trying to stop from shaking. But not from anger. Harry could recognize someone in absolute pain and misery when he saw them. Malfoy was wounded, and like an animal backed into a corner, his hackles were rising and he ready to bite anyone who tried to help him.

"I can't, D-Malfoy. Just calm down."

"Calm down? I am perfectly calm. I just want you to get-out-of-my-fucking-room!"

"I can't. DEK might come back. You're in danger."

"I want a different Auror. Send one of your lackeys to stand guard."

"I don't have lackeys."

"And I don't care what euphemism you call your minions. Assign a different Auror to my case."

"I don't have minions or subordinates. They don't let me even have my own cases. My lead ordered me to stay here... not that I wasn't going to anyway. I wanted to see if you're going to be okay."

"Don't expect me to feel sympathy that you're still being jerked around on a fucking leash. Some things never change, Potter. You verified that I'm fine, now stand in the hallway like the good dog you are!" Malfoy hissed, not looking at him.

Harry grimaced at that cut. "I need to ask who DEK is."

"No f'ing clue. Never seen him before in my life."

"He didn't look familiar at all?"

"Didn't you hear me?" Malfoy growled, still not looking at him.

"Yes, but we need to track him down unless you want to live under a rock the rest of your life!"

"I already live under a rock, Potter. He grabbed me the one time a month I leave my home."

"He could get more people. He killed Pansy."

"I heard. She was a bitch."

"Nott's dad?"

"Theo will be better off without him," Malfoy grunted.

"What if he goes after someone you do care about?"

"I don't care about anyone else!"

"Your mum?" Harry pressed.