*Discontinued* No Longer

Infirmary

Lucius Malfoy**

He was sitting in the library with Tom at Malfoy Manor when the message appeared out of a puff of flame and landed on his lap. Lucius was currently basking in the relief of being cut off from his witch of a wife and too happy to be concerned about its contents.

Still though, what if it was about Draco? He opened the letter and read it over quickly. It was short, to the point, and in Severus's distinctive hand. There were also a few dots, like he'd spilled a few drops of water on it.

As soon as he'd read it through, he felt his stomach go cold with fear, ran over to grab Tom's hand, and pulled him over to the fireplace, pulling the other man into the green flames of floo transport as he shouted, "Infirmary, Hogwarts!"

His mate, his love, the one who he'd been waiting for his entire life, the one he'd been petrified of before he met, was dying. Lucius could clearly remember the first encounters he'd had with Era, and remembered how relieved and happy he'd been, how Era had immediately put him at ease, all loving and gentle. He'd accepted Lucius, and even more important, Draco as well. He believed that since the moment he saw Era's face, he loved him.

Era, his mate, was so powerful, it seemed impossible that he could ever be hurt. But then he'd seen the vulnerability of the man's heart, how sensitive and caring he was, and knew that he could be hurt emotionally when he'd reacted to Severus's rejection. Remembered still more the terrible realization that Era wasn't invincible when he'd died.

And yet, he'd come back. Some how, Era had come back from death. But he was also Harry. The sweetest, most darling child he'd ever met. Not bratty and loveable like Draco, but wise and adorable, and somehow the same powerful being as Era, only in a much more fragile sugar shell.

Upon bursting into the infirmary, he ran to the boy's bedside, tears already streaming down his face. Harry was so vulnerable, lying there, tiny body mostly exposed and vining with black marks. His ribs and collar bone were painfully visible, and his slim white throat had bruises on it.

He saw Poppy using some sort of device on the child, and he prayed that Lady Magic would save his mate, his love, his Era from death. After all, wasn't this his true form?

Tom was asking desperately, "What happened? Is he alright? Will he be okay?" but got no response.

Madam Pomfrey was too focused on whatever she was doing with the black device in her hand. Lucius had been watching the progression of the black lines since he'd entered the room, and could see that they were slowing down some, but he didn't think it was enough.

A loud knock sounded on the door, and Poppy said distractedly, "Someone has to get that. If someone's in trouble, they need to be let in immediately, but I put the infirmary into operation lockdown so I wouldn't get distracted."

Tom, who Lucius could tell was desperate to do something, anything, sprang towards the door. That was good, because he thought that if he took his eyes off of Harry for even an instant, the child would die.

"I'm here to see Harry," a very familiar voice said, causing Lucius's tears to fall even faster.

This time though, the tears weren't from sadness.

"Era!" He shouted, running to the door and embracing his mate in shock, he pulled back and said confused and awed, "Why are you here? How are you here?"

"I heard about what happened to Harry, and had to come and offer my assistance."

"Well you better work quickly," Lucius anxiously said sotto voce, "The blackness is about to reach your heart, and I know nothing good will happen if it does."