Time Heals All Wounds?

Chapter 20:

Severus rushed over in a billowing of robes and crouched before the two boys on the bed. The blonde had tear tracks down his face with Potter held tightly in his arms. Harry looked very pale and had a grey-blue hue to his skin. Without a second thought, the Potions Master opened Potter's mouth and poured the potion in. He then rubbed the boy's throat and caused the boy to swallow on reflex. Snape sat back and watched for any sign of movement from the child before him. There was nothing else that could be done until it became apparent whether or not the potion took effect. It was now a waiting game.

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The blonde couldn't take his eyes off the prone body that was tucked against his own. His Godfather had poured the potion down Harry's throat and now Draco couldn't take his eyes off the boy as he waited for some indication that he was okay. Time moved so slowly, it felt like they were suspended in treacle. Even long after he noticed Snape start to shuffle and fidget in his position, the blonde remained completely still with silver eyes roaming Harry's body in hopes of catching a sign of consciousness. However, Draco prided himself on his practicality and he knew that by now the odds were not looking good for Harry.

With a frustrated and depressed sigh, he slid his pale fingers through the inky mess that was Harry's hair. It never failed to surprise him just how soft the locks were and he loved to see how much the simple gesture relaxed Harry. Suddenly, a noise caught his attention and he jerked his head up to look at Snape. Snape, however, had his eyes on Harry. The blonde followed his gaze and his eyes widened in shock when he saw one of Harry's fingers twitch. He was moving! Harry was waking up!

Draco couldn't tear his eyes off the boy in his lap as he observed Harry come back to life. It wasn't with a dramatic arched back and gasp of air. It was subtle and if Draco hadn't been so close to the messy haired boy, he doubted he would have picked up on it. The first sign was the unsteady beat of Harry's heart that over the next hour and a half slowly grew steadier. As his heart beat levelled out, so did his breathing and by lunch time the next day, Harry had blinked his eyes open.

* * *

Over the coming weeks, Harry recovered remarkably well. By the End of Year Feast, he was back to his usual self which put Draco at ease. He might have to hand his Harry over to the Dursley's for the summer, but at least he knew that the raven-haired boy was as healthy as possible before hand.

They were currently sat at the Slytherin table as pudding appeared in place of the mostly empty dishes from the previous course. Draco chuckled as he watched Harry eye the treacle tarts that were beside the blonde's elbow. It both warmed and broke Draco's heart that Harry still felt he shouldn't have food when he wanted or needed it. The blonde merely reached over and placed one of the tarts on Harry's plate before he served himself a slice of apple pie. He heard a muttered "Thank you" from Harry as he carefully stuck his fork into the tart, a shy smile on his face.

Once everyone was finished eating and the food had disappeared, the headmaster stood and gave his final speech of the year. Draco wasn't listening to any of it though, because a few minutes in Harry climbed into his lap and curled up. Before long the dark-haired boy was fast asleep with his head tucked under the blonde's chin. Draco carded his fingers through the silky dark hair as Harry slept contentedly. How anyone could hurt someone this cute was beyond him, but there were some sick people in the world. He worried about Harry's safety while he was stuck in that hell hole all summer. There wasn't anything that he could do should something go wrong before school started back. They had talked about the upcoming summer for a few days now and Draco had all but demanded Harry to write him at least once a week so the blonde could at least ensure that Harry was alive. Should he not receive a letter, Hermione had agreed to check on him with the help of the Weasley twins. Draco was uneasy about including them in the plan, but Hermione and Harry both assured him that they were nothing like the other Weasley's he had encountered thus far. After much persuasion, the blonde caved and allowed it. Everyone felt more at ease knowing that Harry would not be completely on his own this summer including Harry. The Malfoy heir could tell how much this all meant to the outcast Gryffindor even if he never voiced it. Just knowing that there would be someone there to free him from the Dursley's should something happen had relaxed Harry greatly over the last few weeks of term. He had even spoken to a few of the quieter and friendlier looking Slytherin's recently and become closer to them which was celebrated by both himself and Hermione because they knew Harry didn't trust new people.