Blood Vengeance

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Published: 7/6/2022

Harry was dragging when morning came. He had a few naps, but Draco's spasms and shakes kept waking him up. The first shift healer was very surprised to find him there. He had a similar heated conversation about Draco being in restraints with her, where she completely rescinded the healer's directive. He also ensured that they put a security guard outside his room and some wards up. Harry did not like leaving him alone, but they needed the manpower. Fuck, he had so much to do.

"Draco?" he called. "I gotta go to...."

"Get the fuck out of here. I don't need you, Potter," Draco hissed, staring at the wall.

Well, he couldn't say that he was surprised. Draco was as prickly as a porcupine right, now. "I going, but there's a guard on duty. He's not an Auror, but we got to try to track down DEK and I need the bodies."

"I don't fucking care," he mumbled.

"I know. I was going to send a message to your mum... do you want me to pass on anything?"

Draco trembled and Harry could see a few tears fall. Draco didn't answer, though. Harry waited nearly a full minute before he asked him, again.

Draco finally said, in a more regulated tone, "Just tell her I said be safe... and I love you."

Harry's insides squirmed a bit, as Malfoy's pale, thin neck immediately went red as he realized his slip. He said, "I love you." You not her. Harry pretended like he hadn't noticed.

"I'll tell her. I'll try to dissuade her from coming, especially alone. I won't be back till late tonight. I'll leave instructions with the orderlies on how to contact me, if you need something."

"I won't."

"Yes... of course. But I don't know when I'll be done."

"I don't want you here."

"I know, Draco, but I'll come regardless. Please have the healers contact me if they try anything like restraints, again."

Draco tightened up and just stared at the wall, defensively.

"Take care, alright... and I'll try to get back as soon as possible," Harry said and finally left the room. He gave the staff instructions, sent a Patronus to Narcissa and Apparated to the Ministry. He luckily caught Mike and Terry before they left, and sat down his team in their case room. He spelled clear the board and wrote in big letters:

1. Diagon canvas – Terry & Mike

"Alright, guys. I wanted to get the team on the same page before you went out. Places to focus," Harry said, taking charge. He had been doing this all along even under Proudfoot, but now he was the official Lead. Of course, they never had much to go on before Malfoy was captured and nearly killed.

"Good idea," Terry said, in approval and Mike nodded.

"Ron already told you about Diagon, right?"

"Yeah, we figured we'd start at Gringotts and work our way to Eeylops."

Harry nodded. "That's a good baseline. Call on Mockridge for assistance if the goblins give ya any problems. Suggest that if they don't feel like cooperating, then they are complicit in covering up DEK's killings."

"Gotcha," Mike said, pulling out a notepad. Ron and Terry already had one out.

"We also got Slug & Jiggers to check out. Malfoy goes there. Ask them about the Healing Draught, too. Confirm which shop it came from and pull buy lists, if possible. It's not restricted, but shop owners have their own mental records. Press all the potion shops on the image and that they need to summon Auror assistance if he returns, immediately."