Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 4 - The Visit

Harry arrived on the steps of what he considered the worst place on earth. He had absolutely no desire of ever stepping foot on this island, but he had to help Malfoy. He cast his Patronus, willing it to form a protective bubble around him and he walked through the gates. He was greeted by a stout, 30-year old man, who seemed very eager to see him.

"I come with Minister Shacklebolt's permission. I am here to see Draco Malfoy," he said, easily sliding into a mask of indifference.

"Of course, Mr. Potter. It is a tremendous honor to meet you at last! I believe you knew my sister Emmeline?"

"Vance?" Harry said, uncertainly.

"Yes. It was most tragic when she died."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"She died doing with she loved. I'm also your servant. Whatever you need, Sir."

Harry bristled at his words. Voldemort called his supporters servants. He would not. He didn't let his discomfort be known. There was something off about Mr. Vance, human guard in a prison filled with dementors.

"Thank you. Just an escort to Malfoy's cell, would be sufficient, he said, formally."

"Yes, right away. Going to interrogate him? I suspect he's ripe."

"Is he?" Harry asked forcing a calm voice.

"Sure. Tried to kill himself a week ago. But I got him on a nutrient potion. Not letting any of those jerk offs escape. They'll do their time without complaint."

"Is that so?" Harry asked, dark thoughts toward Mr. Vance forming.

"Oh, yeah. So, why are you are?"

"I'm here to ask him some questions."

"I see," Vance said and he gave Harry a look of concern, before leading him through the cold, dark prison. The dementors bounced ineffectively against the silvery essence of his protective bubble. Harry's force of will, sent a few running. He'd have none of them near him.

When they reached Malfoy's cell, the first thing Harry noticed was the dementor outside of his door, but he refrained from commenting. He didn't want to show his hand just, yet. It was far too early. He knew that all the high-risk security prisoners were on the highest floors. Draco was barely a medium-risk inmate. He didn't like where his thoughts were going.

Harry motioned for Vance to open the cell and the door creaked open. Draco Malfoy was on the floor, curled up in a ball. He was shivering, his hands wrapped around his chest. His eyes were clenched shut, in the throes of a nightmare. Harry could feel the rush of darkness flicker in the cell. His eyes turned to the dementor obviously inflicting his evil onto Malfoy. Harry pressed his bubble to expand and Malfoy's tremors subsided, though they didn't stop.

Harry looked at his rival with concern. Malfoy's usual blond hair, was dirty and unkempt. Nearly brown from discoloration. His pale skin, was loose around his bones, bruised and he had a half-healed cut over his eye. He wore thin-gray robes, that were thread-bear and dirty. He looked decimated. Tears were rolling out of the once proud, Slytherin's eyes. His mouth opened and shut, but no noise came out.

"Hey, get up, prisoner!" Vance yelled and Malfoy's eyes shot open in alarm. He saw Vance first, which Harry could see a flicker of fear in his dark grey eyes, but then Draco saw him. Faster than he would have thought the emaciated boy could have managed, Malfoy scrambled away from them to the corner of the room. His thin hands were boney claws gripping the wall for both support and trying to bury himself in the wall. His eyes were wide and his short-swallow breaths clearly showed he was afraid. And his eyes were locked on Harry.