Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 75 - Strides and Setbacks

Chapter 75 – Strides and Setbacks

Published: August 21, 2020

I got a motorcycle! Isn't it awesome! 1200 Iron. I'm living on the edge! Also, driving on the freeway is like riding a rolling coaster... for miles.

***TRIGGER WARNING*** minor flashback, assault references and some disassociation

Draco was anxious to end their conversation as quickly as possible. Blaise had gone pretty deep into his past, and he needed to make sure that he was okay. He stared at the door, ready to bolt after him.

"Draco... I know that you want to leave, but did you understand what he was trying to say?" Madam Denkar asked, leaning forward to catch his attention.

"Yeah-Yeah, I do. But I need to check on him," he rushed.

"I'm sorry, but I need you to stay here," she insisted.

"But he's upset. He did that just for me!"

"Yes, he did. He made that sacrifice to help you. Do you think you can try to talk to me, now? We can take it very slowly, at a pace you feel comfortable."

Draco was getting frustrated. "Can we do this later?"

Madam Denkar frowned. "Draco... I think he needs some space. He left without letting you say anything for a reason."

"Because he's upset! He shouldn't have had to do that," he huffed, guilt flooding through him.

"No, but he cares about you and wants you to get better. Help you see that you could talk to me."

"It wasn't... he didn't need to...."

"You weren't talking to me, Draco. But do you think that you can actually try it?" Madam Denkar pressed, again.

Draco lowered his head, but hesitantly nodded. It was risky. The pit could really take him, again. She was going to make him talk about it... but Blaise... he had done that for him, and Draco knew that he'd do it, again. They weren't going to let him stay quiet, anymore. He let out a shiver.

"Draco, I know you are scared... that you might have a mental setback... a break... like what happened before I came here. I can't say that it won't happen... because it might get rough. But like Blaise said... if you don't get it treated or figure out how to manage it... you will eventually slip back. Repression is not a good coping mechanism. I can teach you how to handle your breaks."

Draco nodded meekly. Just brief flashes of the Dark Lord... or Fenrir and Rabastan were enough to cripple him. He could get locked in his head, again, and he would. Theo would have to come in and rescue him... but he would be hurt. They were right. It was a question of when. He needed help to get through this.

His voice was small when he asked, "You... can make it stop?"

Madam Denkar gave a sigh of relief. "Yes, Draco. I can. I can help you stop it from destroying you. If you keep ignoring it, those bad things will keep a stranglehold over you. That's why you couldn't escape last time. You don't know how to stop the episodes. I can help you manage it, and we can slowly talk about the bad memories in a safe environment. You won't be alone when we go through it."

Draco didn't want any of it and lowered his head. He wanted to get out of there, now. "Can I leave?"

She grimaced. "Yes, but don't push Blaise too much, please. That was a little intense for him."

But Draco left without another word. He almost ran into Harry outside of the door and went out into the hallway. He didn't see Blaise, anywhere.

"Draco?"