Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 49 - Limits, Part 1

Chapter 49 – Limits, Part 1

Published: 5/30/19

***TRIGGER WARNING*** mentions of sexual abuse, unequal relationships and non-consensual assault. Also sexual manipulation and control.

Blaise woke up, dazed from the potions Madam Pomfrey insisted that he continue to take. She refused to heal his spine, saying that it was still too damaged to be reconnected. At least his mother had forced her to give him back his arms. He wasn't nearly as defenseless. He was still seething after Tracey's visit, but he refused to admit that it unnerved him. She walked right in and touched him and he could do nothing about it. His reputation, strength and magical ability be damned. She could have done whatever she wanted. Shame went through him and he choked back some tears. He hated the feeling.

His eyes rested upon Neville, slumped in the chair next to him. His mouth was slightly open and he was drooling endearingly onto the hospital pillow he had stolen from another bed. Blaise smiled. Neville said he would watch over him, when his potions knocked him out. It was the only reason he willing drank the healing draughts. They left him weak and sleepy, but the pain was significantly less. It was still dark out the window and Draco and Theo would be down in a few hours. Neville would have to go, eventually. He couldn't sit at his bedside all day without someone noticing.

Neville eventually woke up and wiped his mouth. "You're awake. I'm sorry, I tried to stay up."

"You didn't have to stay up all night. I told you that," Blaise said, with a small smile.

"You were worried. You still are. You didn't want to take your potions last night."

"I don't like being groggy. It's annoying," he muttered, not meeting Neville's eyes. He was surprised that the Gryffindor could read him so easily.

"What happened? With your mother?" he asked.

"Nothing happened."

"Before I came in yesterday... you were so... on guard. Not just with her, but me, the headmistress and your friends."

"I was in pain," he said, flatly.

"For a Slytherin, you don't lie very good."

"I lie just fine," Blaise said, and looked back at him. "I just don't like lying to you."

Neville gave a half-smile and made to touch his hair, but stopped. Blaise wanted the contact, but it was against the rules that he had insisted on implementing for the remainder of his hospital stay. No touching, no flirting, no kissing and no lingering eye contact. They all were exceptionally difficult to resist, especially, the eye contact and flirting.

"Are you going to tell me what happened, then?" Neville pressed.

"No."

Neville sighed. "Why not?"

"Because... it would be a long and painful talk. I don't want to get that worked up right now."

"But you will tell me?"

"Sure, right after you rip out your heart and tell me your deepest, darkest secrets," Blaise spat, getting defensive.

"Oh Merlin, what happened?" Neville said, not at all concerned by his anger.

Blaise looked away. "Nothing."

"You've never gotten angry at me before. Someone hurt you. I don't need to know everything... but... at least tell me something."

Blaise lowered his head, feeling the burn of humiliation. He needed to start somewhere and take little steps. Neville wasn't asking for much. He had withheld the question all night, too. He deserved some open communication. Blaise's voice was quiet when he said, "Tracey came by."