Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

Everything Alright?

Happy Sunday wonderful Readers!

Here's a nice long chapter for you, featuring Harry, his brain, and his best friends.

As y'all may know, I strive for accuracy in my writing, and I have taken care to do as much research as possible for this story. However, if there is anything you feel is inaccurate, or that you have questions about, do not hesitate to reach out!

Please, let me know what you all think, and, as always... Enjoy!

"We're here to collect Draco Malfoy." Mordecai's voice was booming, to Harry. " He doesn't need to be here. He's our witness, not a suspect."

The auror stationed at the entrance to the holding cells nodded, rising from his seat to walk towards the door which led to the holding area. Harry moved to follow, but was a mere second behind. The click of the door shutting in his face was deafening.

"Hey!" He shouted. "We need to see him!"

"Stand back, Harry. He'll be brought out now," Kingsley said calmly. Harry'd forgotten that he was there. He narrowed his eyes at him, then back at the door. Then, without another thought, Harry sprung into action. Not caring that his entire team, his supervisor (former supervisor), and the bloody Minister of Magic were crowded around him, Harry pulled out his wand and sent a blasting curse at the door, nearly blowing it off its hinges. He barreled through the entrance before anyone could react, pushing Robards, who had tried to grab him by his sleeve, out of his way.

"This is reportable, Potter!" Harry ignored Robards, instead listening for the sound of the other auror's voice.

"You're cleared. Go home," he heard the Auror from the desk say. There was only a gargled, incomprehensible response.

Draco.

Harry turned a corner, picking up speed, eyes falling on the sight of the auror crouched over a figure on the floor. His heart threatened to burst through his ribcage.

Get away from him! Harry wanted to bellow, but pushed the energy into his churning limbs instead. Skidding on the knees of his uniform trousers, Harry shoved the auror aside. As soon as he laid eyes on Draco, his lungs seized..

Draco was curled up on the floor on his side, conscious, but looking as though he were hanging by a thread. Draco looked about ten times more pale than Harry had ever seen him. Harry hadn't thought that it was possible for Draco Malfoy to be this pale, save for finding him on the cusp of death all those months ago. Harry thought he looked somewhat close to that now. Draco turned his head slowly, to focus blearily on Harry. Trembling from head to foot, Draco was coated in a sheen of cold sweat that matted his hair to his head in damp clumps. Harry's heart dropped through his stomach. Incoherent, primal rage started to boil somewhere deep within him, but Harry stuffed it down as much as possible just as fast. There would be time for a reckoning later. Right now, his focus needed to be here and now, on Draco. And Draco was moving- slowly and disjointedly, but he was moving, trying to get himself up, Harry realized. Harry had half a mind to kill whoever let him get like this! Later, Harry swore to himself. He swooped down, trying to meet Draco's eyes.

"Draco? Can you hear me? I'm here now. We're going now. You're safe." Draco met his eyes then, brows furrowing. His lips moved but nothing more than a quiet sound of confusion came out. And his eyes...

Draco's usually bright eyes and clear gaze were glassy and unfocused as he blinked up at Harry in confusion. Harry was uncertain whether Draco was understanding much of anything at the moment.