Shots in the Dark - Dramione

Wit

Malfoy,

I hope your mother is well, please let me know if you need anything.

H.G.

~*~

Draco shoved the letter in his pocket before sending his own to the family healer the following morning. When the healer arrived, Narcissa was checked thoroughly.

"A few bruises, but otherwise okay," Healer Wimberly said as Draco walked him back to the floo. "Her distress seems to have faded, and she is stable again."

Draco had added Wimberly to his staff about four years ago, when things with his mother had taken a turn for the worse. He trusted him and didn't shy from letting him know of his guilt, especially if it meant he could do something to help his mother.

"It's my fault," Draco told the healer. "I'd been away too long, left her with the elf. She got confused."

The healer pursed his lips in thought, "I must ask, Mr. Malfoy, because as you know I collaborate with Healer Rivington..."

Draco took a sharp inhale.

Rivington was Draco's mind healer, and it had been a long time since he had met with him. Going on two years, actually.

"I only mention it because you might find it helpful... as your mother's condition worsens, it would only make sense that there might be more pressure on you. It's a lot to manage," Wimberly stated.

"I'll send him an owl," Draco resolved.

After all, he was in no place to argue.

~*~

Draco sat in Healer Rivington's office a few days later, half of him grateful he was able to be worked in so soon, the other half of him annoyed for the same reason.

Draco hadn't followed up with the healer in some time, not because he didn't like the man or find the sessions helpful; in fact, he greatly respected the healer, particularly for his propensity to call Draco out on his shit. However, Draco went through bouts of avoiding the sessions typically because he had a tendency to rather like wallowing in his own despair... or at least pretend that he didn't have any.

"It's been a while," Healer Rivington said from his perch in an ancient leather chair.

"I'd say I've been busy, but you know that would be a lie," Draco answered.

"We've done too much good work for us to go back to pleasantries, I appreciate your honesty. It's normal to need a break from this sometimes... What brings you in today?"

"My mother is in a bad way," Draco said.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Worse than she was. I feel slightly responsible, I don't see her much."

"You still have your flat in London?"

"Yes."

"Are you... getting out any? Seeing anyone?" The healer asked, but Draco knew what he really meant; Are you drinking a lot again, having nightmares, being a recluse, talking to anyone that isn't an elf?

"No...well," Draco corrected, "not exactly."

"How do you mean?"

Draco sighed and ran a hand through the front of his hair. He knew he had to tell him, but in all his muttering to himself before he got there today he couldn't quite figure out the words.

"Have you heard about the new things they are doing regarding house elves? The welfare department and all of that?" Draco started.

Rivington raised an eyebrow before saying, "I read something about it in the Prophet a bit ago."