Time Heals All Wounds?

Chapter 16

No matter how many times the blonde Heir had seen the Potions Master over the past thirteen years, it never got any less intimidating to stand in the man's towering presence. Especially when he literally had to look down at you. However, Draco kept his Malfoy Mask in place as he entered Severus's chambers and sat down on the chair he had vacated a few hours earlier.
"I hope you have come up with a solution to my...problem." Draco asked casually his eyebrow raised. Severus merely inclined his head once and took the seat across from Draco with the customary swirl of robes.

"I have indeed prepared...a solution. Unfortunately, I do not believe that you will be overjoyed with hat I have come up with. It is the best way though." The professor replied in his slow drawl.

"I do not much care what the process is as long as Harry is alive, unbeaten and away from those ghastly abusive Muggles that call themselves human beings."

"He will indeed be all of those things, I promise." He began with a somewhat sinister smile "for if he was not, I would not get my end of the bargain we have struck, now would I?" The young Slytherin smiled in back at the memory of the deal they had struck after Harry's situation had been described to the Head of Year.

"Good. So, what is this unsavoury plan of yours?" The blonde boy inquires curiously his hands calmly folded in his lap. However, internally he was panicked. He knew his godfather could be dark in his methods when need be.

"Give him this." From inside his robes be retrieved a small bottle filled with green-blue liquid. "It will imitate the symptoms of a Muggle disease and place him in a coma. It is easy enough to wake him again, so worry not." Snape assured when a sliver of worry breached his Mask. He couldn't bear the thought of the small framed boy being harmed by his hand. Unable to resist, he voiced his insecurities regarding the matter.

"Calm yourself young Malfoy! No harm will come to your beloved Gryffindor. This I swear. It imitates the symptoms and as it will appear to everyone that the Potter boy is deathly ill he will have to remain here. Crisis averted." Once finished, the Potions Master raised his eyebrow in challenge and Draco nodded his approval. As long as Harry didn't actually have to suffer.

Draco retrieved the bottle and stowed it in his pocket for safe keeping. He would give it to Harry tomorrow morning.

"Can it be mixed into a drink, or must it be taken straight?" It could be dangerous if it were administered incorrectly. However, as it turned out it did not matter. The potion could be taken in its current state or diluted as long as it consumed completely. Every. Last. Drop.

"That is very important, Draco. He must drink all of it at once. If Potter doesn't, the result will not be...pleasant. Not that the effects will be very savoury if he does take the potion." Draco paled slightly and nodded his understanding.

With that, Severus rose and showed the Slytherin out of his chambers with a promise to alert the man when the opportune time arose to complete their deal.
***

Draco awoke to a weight on his chest. Uneasy, he quickly opened his eyes and relaxed when he saw the familiar inky black hair spread across his pyjama clad chest. Relaxing into the mattress again and closed his eyes with a smile on his face. Harry trusted him enough to seek him out in sleep. When the Gryffindor was awake he did cling to Draco, but also remained distant. It warmed the blonde to think that Harry no longer curled away from him while they slept, but remained close instead.

After casting a Tempus a few minutes later, he slowly ran his fingers through the other boy's hair. Breakfast didn't begin for another hour and a half, so they had time. Draco was lost in thought about his conversation with his godfather last night when he felt Harry begin to stir and then tense.

"Hello Harry. Did you sleep well?" He whispered as not to startle the raven-haired boy any further. Even though Draco whispered and did not halt his ministrations, Harry still jumped.

"I'm s-sorry. I d-d-didn't mean to s-sleep on y-you. You c-could have j-just p-p-p-pushed m-me off. I'm s-sorry!" Harry whispered quickly and tried to get off Draco, but was prevented by the hand in his shoulder.

"Harry, look at me." He then tilted the boy's chin up so they were eye to eye. "If I had minded I would have woken you or moved from beneath you. Saying as I am still in this position I clearly did not mind. In fact, I am relieved that you trust me that much. You seem on edge when you are awake even though you stay as close to me as possible. This shows that you trust me and it means much more to me than you will ever realise." The blonde then stopped to brush the hair away from Harry's eyes. "Remember what I said? I am always here for you in whatever way you need me. I promise." He then pulled the other boy to his chest and hugged him.

"Th-thank you" it was barely a whisper, but Draco heard it and rubbed Harry's back gently in response ignoring the way the skin beneath the fabric of the top felt. Such a difference from the way his pale skin was. The thought made him sad. They were both still children and already Harry's back was permanently marred. All because of those disgusting Muggles. Speaking of.

"Harry. Yesterday, Hermione told me that you received a letter from your family about the holidays." At the mention of those people Harry instantly become coiled like a spring. "I am not going to tell you that you should go home. Quite the opposite. I have a plan that will mean you are unable to travel home for the Christmas holidays and will have to stay at school." Harry brightened at this news and pulled away from him slightly.

"W-what would I h-have to d-do?" He whispered his eyes full of hope. Draco Summoned the bottle in response and handed it to him.

"Drink this. It will make it appear that you have some sort of Muggle disease and will have to remain in the Hospital Wing. You will feel like you have the flu, but will seem like much worse. The symptoms will present gradually, so it is best if you take it now." Harry nodded and took the bottle from Draco's hand.

"W-w-what w-w-w-will I h-have?" Harry asked the bottle frozen half way to his lips. Draco wracked his brain. What was it that Severus had said?

"Some kind of fever with an added lung problem. Scarf fever? Red fever? I can't quite remember." He gave Harry an apologetic smile and saw that the boy had an amused smile on his face.

"Sc-c-carlet fev-ver. I have h-h-had it before." Then without any hesitation Harry tipped the content of the bottle into his mouth and swallowed with a slight grimace.

"Well," Draco said breaking the silence that had defended between them "now we wait." Harry just nodded in response.

***

Half way through Potions the following week Harry grabbed Draco's arm looking terrified.

"C-can't.....br-r-reathe." shit. Draco had been monitoring Harry's symptoms over the last week and so far, nothing too bad had happened. Looking at the boy now, he was sweaty and his face had gone very red and shivers wracked his frame. From his place beside Harry, he could hear the rattling and wheezing of the boy's lungs trying to take in oxygen. He needed to get Severus. Right now.

The Potions Master was quickly summoned over and appeared to see the issue instantly.

"Mr. Potter, you seem to be somewhat unwell. I suggest you make your way to the Hospital Wing instantly. You are no use here while this unwell no one wants to worry about you being more incompetent than usual. Mr. Malfoy, please ensure that he reaches the Hospital Wing and is seen to by Madame Pomfrey." When neither boy moved instantly he sighed dramatically "Well? What are you waiting for? A private escort? Go!" Harry flinched at the tone as well as the raised voice and scurried out of the classroom. Draco was quick to follow and help Harry to the Hospital Wing.

By the time they reached the large wooden doors, the blonde was supporting most of Harry's weight as the boy was barely conscious. The Mediwitch gasped in shock when she saw Draco drag Harry into the room and immediately sprang into action gesturing for the blonde to lay the boy on an empty bed. Once comfortable, she scanned and found that he had Scarlet Fever and severe mucus build up in his lungs. The potion had worked. However, by the look of it, it may have worked a bit better than he had planned.
------

There was fire burning across his skin. It trailed a path from his neck to his ankle and nothing Madame Pomfrey did seemed to stop it. Harry's throat hurt too much to speak any more so all that anyone heard from him was a quiet whimper when the pain got too bad. Draco spent every moment that he wasn't in class in the Hospital Wing beside him. Even when he had tried to tell the blonde he didn't have to stay, Draco had just raised his eyebrow and snorted before he sat down in the chair beside the bed. The only good thing to come from this stupid situation was that Draco was right. He couldn't go home for the holidays. He had to stay in this bed under the strict supervision of Madame Pomfrey until further notice. Harry smiled to himself as the fire on his skin overcame him and everything went dark.

***

The day that the pupils left for their Christmas holidays finally arrived. Draco came to see him all wrapped up in a thick cloak to his him goodbye. Harry smiled and wished him a Happy Christmas and hoped that he enjoyed his time at home. Inside however, he was distraught. His condition had not improved during his stay with Madame Pomfrey. His skin was still covered in horrible red rashes and it was difficult for the raven-haired boy to stay awake for long periods of time. He had been hooked up to breathing apparatus a few times over the last couple of weeks. Through it all, the Slytherin was by his side and provided what comfort he could. Now he was on his own and that terrified him. Harry was brave though. He had survived by himself before and he could do it again. Might as well get used to it for when Draco decides he isn't worth the effort anymore.

"I will be back before you know it, love. I got you a gift. Nothing big, don't worry. Just something I thought you would like. I know you have been here for the past couple of weeks, so don't worry about not having anything to give me. I didn't expect anything in return either way." Harry smiled in thanks for his gift and placed it on the bed beside him. "Well, I best be off. Don't want to miss the train. I will see you when I get back.

Harry barely restrained the sob that tried to make its way out. He would be strong and survive on his own; just as he always had. There is no way it could be anywhere near as bad as being at home with Vernon. With a sigh, he closed his eyes. At least the Mediwitch wouldn't bother him if she thought he was asleep.