This Town ⇢ Draco Malfoy

FOUR

F O U R

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy sat beside their son's bed, watching him sleep peacefully. What little color he had in his face was gone, his already thin frame almost skeletal. It's been one month since the quidditch incident, Draco falling into a coma immediately after it. There was brain and nerve damage to his right side, rendering him most likely unable to move well on that side for a while. Some nurses said it was best he was asleep, others said it could kill him.

His Jane Doe rarely left his side, only to return to school for work. She was there every night, working on her school work in her invisible state. Lucius and Narcissa didn't even notice her there, both wrapped in their own thoughts over their son. Lucius was furious, Narcissa was concerned and afraid.

Magic had been able to heal some of the damages, but magic can't heal all. Permanent damage is, well, permanent. Physical therapy could most definitely heal him, but magic couldn't. Nothing was quite alright.

~~~~~~~~~~

Yet another week passed before Draco awoke. He felt weak, yet couldn't go back to sleep. Narcissa had been overwhelmed, sobbing that her boy was alive and gonna be well. Jane Doe sat in the corner, still invisible, smiling as wide as possible.

Narcissa left to calm down, leaving Draco nearly alone with Lucius. At first, Lucius said nothing. He just took in son's thin, frail appearance. Fading scars covered his face and body, most covered by a paper thin gown and hospital blanket.

"Hmmm, Draco." Lucius sneered, sitting beside his only son. "You lost the weight I wanted you to. Your posture will be off though and your form will no longer be composed. I told you Draco, I told you. Playing some petty sport of all things. You are a Malfoy, a Malfoy. You destroy our good family name."

Lucius stood up, pressing his cane into Draco's right rib cage. Draco winced, his left arm flailing to try and push the cane off. His right arm was still too weak to move well since he had only just woke. Lucius smiled at his son's determination, almost impressed by it.

"Lucius." Narcissa stated, walking back into the room. He looked over, removing his cane from Draco's side and striding out. Draco gasped for breath, his eyes wide with fear and pain.

"Mother, don't bother. I know." Draco said, unable to really say more. Narcissa nodded, holding his right hand. Fear settled in in Draco, his nerves seeming dead. He couldn't feel anything anymore in his hand.

"Draco, I love you. I do. I'm going to go after your father so you can have some time with your thoughts." Narcissa told him, quickly kissing his forehead before leaving. Draco immediately sat up, using pillows to help his body stay up.

He could move his right foot as well as toes, but he couldn't feel sensation. The same went for his right arm and hand. Heart sinking to his toes, Draco poked at his right hand with his left. There wasn't any feeling, not even pressure.

Weeping softly, thinking of all the things he would no longer be able to do, Draco rolled to his side and buried his face in his pillow. He had near full mobility of the right half of his body, just not feel it. Silence consumed him as his sobs became completely inaudible, not even his breathing broke the sound barrier.

"You know," A voice started to say, his bed indenting on his left side. "This doesn't dull your sheer handsomeness."

Draco smirked slightly, figuring out how to dim the lights so the girl could take off whatever magic she used to conceal herself. He recognized the voice immediately as Jane Doe. "Oh does it now?"

"You can still smirk, I say that's a plus. Always will help. I saw what your father did... I think I know why you play the guitar and play well." She informed him, removing the magic usually used to hide herself. Draco could see the outline of a girl, but no specific details.

"I can't feel anything, I probably won't be able to play until I regain feeling." Draco told her, reaching his left hand to hold hers. She allowed him to hesitantly, afraid he would be scared of her.

He could feel bumps and scars on her hand, curious as to what happened. Draco didn't know anyone like that, not that he could remember. The damn persona he had to keep dulled his observation skills of those around him.

"Well, no matter what, I'll help." She told him, adjusting herself on his bed. "Draco, would you like to meet face to face?..."

His breath was taken away, happiness actually swelling through his body. As tired as he now was, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with real happiness. "I-I'd love to, when?" Draco stumbled, smiling wider than he ever thought he could.

"When you're back at Hogwarts. Early March? That's what I heard the nurses say. Two weeks. Um, I'm kinda.. I'll explain later. Draco, I need to go. I won't be able to visit again. I'm sorry." She rushed, the sound of her cloak rustling startling Draco. His smile faded as he realized he would be stuck with his parents and nurses for the next two weeks.

"Wait, where?" Draco asked, barely getting an answer before she disappeared and the lights turned on.

"You'll see."