Draco was propped up in the hospital wing bed, patches of gauze on his still-bleeding scars. He had been here for a few hours already, and Madame Pomfrey had not been successful at stopping the crimson liquid.
When she first saw it, she gasped loudly, tears prickling her eyes. She quickly shook her head and got to work, as though she could shove that pain and sadness from her mind to get into healing mode.
Draco tried not to look her in the eyes. It was hard for him to see someone so affected by his pain. She actually cared... that was something he was not used to from older adults.
Harry was still here, of course. He held Draco's hand, especially when Madame Pomfrey tried something new and produced more pain instead of relief.
Harry rubbed little circles into Draco's hand, trying to soothe him.
"How long have you had this, Mr. Malfoy?" Pomfrey asked, dabbing the scars with some tincture she had brought over.
"For about a year. I.. got it during the beginning of the war last year." Draco's eyes flitted around, not wanting to give away too much.
"Who did it, dear? Maybe that will help us figure out how to heal it?"
Draco looked down, as if he was ashamed by something he did not do and did not cause.
"His aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, did that to him. Used some sort of enchanted dagger, right?"
Draco nodded, still not looking up.
"Poor boy. If she used a magical instrument, it may be a curse. I'll need to get the curse breakers in from the ministry straight away." Pomfrey flitted back over to her desk to send an owl, one to McGonagal and one to the ministry.
"No, that's not necessary is it? So I bleed a little bit every once in awhile, I think I'll be fine!" Draco attempted to stand up off the bed, but quickly fell backwards with pain.
"Mr. Malfoy, you are not to move from that bed, you understand me? It's a miracle you aren't dead already!" Pomfrey sent off her owls with a click of her mouth.
"Babe, please just stay put. I know it isn't comfortable and I know you are probably feeling embarrassed. But you shouldn't! Bellatrix is the nasty twat who did this to you. If she were still alive, I would have no greater pleasure than to torture her myself for what she's done to you, and everyone else."
"No greater pleasure, eh? So I guess I can stop fucking your ass then?" Draco smiled cheekily, making Harry blush all over his body.
"Are you crazy? Don't say that, she could hear you!"
Draco laughed, causing a harsh pain in his side. He slouched over, his eyes shut.
Harry scooted closer to the blonde, holding him in his arms. "Shh.. it's okay. It's going to be okay."
Draco's tears silently flowed down his face and onto his chest. He inhaled the familiar sugary/woodsy scent of Harry, willing himself to calm down.
"I'm sorry it hurts, Drac. But hopefully the curse-breakers will figure it out and we can get out of here, eh?"
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After a few hours, the curse-breakers finally arrived at the hospital wing, along with Professor McGonagal. Harry had to sit off to the side to get out of their way so they could work.
The curse-breakers, someone named Felix Erlander and someone named Bella Rochester, began their work. It seemed like a lot of prodding and poking, which elicited moans and cries from Draco.
'This is torture. How can I just sit here and listen to him in pain?'
It seemed like this went on for hours. They continued to work, almost silently. They must have worked together for a long time, allowing them to work together without much interaction.
McGonagal noticed how uncomfortable Harry was looking and insisted that he come with her outside for some fresh air.
Reluctantly, Harry obliged, needing a break.
"Harry, how are you doing dear? I had hoped that this year would be different for you. With a lot less.. danger and heartache."
"I'm... fine. I have to be, you know? There aren't many other options."
"Despite everything, I am glad to see you and Draco become friends. He has definitely changed for the better. He has been able to become the person we have always wanted him to be." McGonagal's eyes turned misty, looking out over the clouds.
"Yea, I'm glad for that too. He.. he is really important to me."
McGonagal smiled gently, patting him on the back.
"I'm sure they will find a cure. The curse breakers have been around for a very long time. There isn't much they haven't seen."
"Knowing Bellatrix, I'm sure it's going to be close to impossible. Even in death, she has to be the bitchiest, most awful person I've ever met. That includes Voldemort. Sorry.." Harry had a guilty expression on his face.
"Don't worry, Harry. We share much of the same feelings about that... person."
Harry smiled, glad for McGonagal's familiar comfort.
"I never really got the chance to formally thank you for everything that happened last year. During the war. All the support you gave me, and the rest of Hogwarts. We are indebted to you, Professor."
"My word, I could argue that we are mostly indebted to you, boy! Thank you as well."
Professor McGonagal smiled before pulling Harry into a bone-crushing hug.
No complaints from Harry though. McGonagal is incredibly important to him and always will be.
YOU ARE READING
Everything Remains
FanfictionHarry and the rest of his friends return to Hogwarts for the seventh and final year. After everything he has been through, after all of the fighting, loss, and heartache, maybe, just maybe, he can have a "normal" year at school. That's all he wants...
