Memories of Us

Chapter 8

Hermione Granger-Weasley placed a gentle hand on Draco's shoulder. The waiting room was still filled with reporters, the Weasley clan, Hermione, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and even Hagrid. Draco was feeling a bit crowded in the small area. He chastised himself for thinking it because he knew he should be happy that so many people were always here for him and Harry when it mattered. Though he also knew that with so many other well-loved faces waiting, he would not be the one they wanted to update on Harry's condition. Granger and Weasel would always be chosen first by the wizarding world.

He flinched at Granger's small form of contact. He'd been stuck in his mind thinking about all of the horrible outcomes. Harry's PTSD could be severely triggered. They could shift things and cause him to believe he was still in the war. He could forget happy memories with his friends. He could forget happy memories with Draco. He could forget his job. He could forget that Voldemort was defeated and think he's still out to get Harry. He could forget that he no longer lives with the Dursley's. He could forget the Dursley's altogether—not that that'd be terrible. He could completely forget his friends. He could completely forget that they had a kneazle named Snagrom who is terrified of rocking chairs. He could forget that he's not at Hogwarts anymore. He could forget that he and Ginny ended things. He could forget that he'd forgiven and even loves Draco. He could completely forget Draco. He could forget Draco.

He could forget Draco.

He

Could

Forget

Draco.

"Draco, sweetie," she comforted. "You need to breathe. In. . . Out . . . In. . . Out. . . Good, good. Just keep doing that, alright?" She took deep breaths along with him for a moment longer.

He hadn't noticed he'd been hyperventilating until Hermione helped him stop. Panic attacks weren't as common for Draco as they were for Harry at first, but now Harry's only happened once or twice a year while Draco would have at least one every few months or so. The two men bettered each other, especially in this aspect. They'd gone to Mind Healers together and helped each other heal wounds from their pasts.

He was breathing at a regular pace when Pansy slid beside him and Hermione gave them some time alone. He'd worked himself in a corner beside a small table. "Hiya. You look like you could use this." She handed him a coffee. "You know he's going to be fine, right?" He gave her an incredulous look, and she continued. "Come on, Draco! He's the Boy-Who-Lived. Fate isn't cruel enough to have him be the Boy-Who-Lived-Only-To-Die-or-Forget-It-During-A-Legilimency-Charm. Besides, even if this turns out shitty and he relapses or something, he'll be fine because you'll make sure of it. You always make sure of it." Pansy was easy to talk to because she never made Draco talk. They could stand side by side against the wall and sip shitty hospital coffee just like this.

"Merlin," Pansy continued after a moment, "you two are so annoyingly cute. From the second you two finally made it official you were all smiles and started doing everything together. You went through a honeymoon phase and just never left. You'd be together at Hogsmeade always touching. He'd have his arm around you. You'd have your hand on his thigh. You'd be sitting at the Three Broomsticks with him leaning against you while you played with his hair. You kept your head on his shoulder. Your eyes were always so happy. Really happy. You guys are still always touching. It's disgusting." She chuckled and shoved at his arm.

Draco couldn't help but laugh with Pansy. "Disgusting, huh? And we're not going to talk about you and Ginny? You two are painfully happy together." This was the first time Draco had felt anywhere near at ease since Harry had been admitted at St. Mungos. "You literally stare at each other. I'm not kidding. When she's talking or doing something, you stare. And alright, that's sweet. But she does it back! You guys are disgusting!"

He's not lying. Ginny and Pansy were disgustingly cute. They'd hated each other at first. Their first kiss was actually in the middle of an argument. "No way. We do not!"

"Pans, she's literally looking at us right now."

When Pansy looked over, Ginny half-smiled and asked a question with her eyes. Draco knew it was probably a subtle check-in on how he was doing, but he couldn't make himself grateful at the moment. Pansy nodded once in response and then smiled sheepishly to herself. "Ok maybe we're adorable."

"I'm going to step outside for some air. You're welcome to join me, but I do think that Zabini has had more of Mrs. Weasley than he can take. You might wanna go save him."

Maneuvering his way through the crowd was fairly miserable. Everyone gave him sympathetic glances or touches or asked if he was alright. Reporters attempted to get him to give an interview but stopped after Draco threatened to hex a couple of them.

Stepping outside was a relief. It was mid-afternoon. There was a small breeze. The leaves on the early autumn trees were just starting to change colors. The nearby tree line was mostly bright greens but spotted here and there with reddening leaves. It was a beautiful day outside, but so many people were spending it in an overcrowded waiting room. It was selfish of Draco to wish he were alone here. It was selfish of Draco to want everyone to leave. It was selfish of Draco to want to be the only one here when Harry woke up. It was all selfish. He knew it was selfish. He just wanted to be a little selfish.

He heard the door open behind him and flinched at the sudden noise. Hearing Pansy's voice eased the panic rising in him. "They're done. We can go see him. No more than 3 at a time in the room." She held the door open for him. Before she could even finish the word 'done', Draco had pushed past her and started to his room.

Harry was still asleep and breathing. This was a very good sign. Draco dropped into the same chair beside him and held his hand again. Not touching him was too painful in the moment. "Hey, baby," he spoke softly. He wasn't aware if Harry could hear him, but he also wasn't aware if he was talking for Harry's benefit or his own. "I'm still here. I'll still be here when you wake up. Thank you for staying with me."

Draco had just enough time to brush Harry's hair out of his closed eyes before Ron and Hermione entered the room. Hermione informed Draco that they apparently found some helpful information and would be able to wake him and give him a partial counter curse. Without knowing exactly every ingredient in the potion, the Healers couldn't compose an exact counter curse. Draco wasn't surprised to hear that Hermione was given updates rather than him. Ron spoke to Harry a little in hushed tones. All Draco could make out was the occasional "mate."

Over the next two hours Healers came in and out along with friends. Although most of those friends were more like family to Harry. Hagrid was Draco's personal favorite. Once he'd apologized for being a hellion of a student, he and Hagrid formed a bond unlike any of the others. Hagrid was always very honest with Draco. He was kind, but he'd always cut the crap with Draco. Mostly because he wasn't the best with his social cues.

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What did you think of chapter 8? It's kind of a chill chapter. Not much happened. But that's mostly just because we're almost done here. Things are going to come to a cutesy close in these next couple of chapters. Stick with us. Thanks!!