Healing Draco Malfoy

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Published 10/26/2020

Harry was a mess the whole next day. Draco didn't taunt him anymore, as though realizing how on edge he was. He held out his hand to massage for the end-of-day visit. Harry considered how compassionate and protective Draco seemed to be for him, and it made him happy, feel safe, despite Draco's immovable condition. He pattered on about nothing while he worked and, as Draco watched and listened attentively, Harry realized that he needed to find him some entertainment while he wasn't there.

He wandered down to his office and grabbed the Holyhead Harpies magazines Ginny sent him and brought them back to Draco. He put them on the table right next to him so that he could reach them.

"Sorry... it's all I have right now. I'm sorry I didn't think about it sooner."

Draco looked at him with a smile.

"I'll bring a whole collection of magazines tomorrow, and when you can handle holding books, I can bring those, too."

Draco smiled wider. "Thank you," he said, quietly, fingering the magazines.

"You're welcome, Draco. Sorry... they're about Ginny's team. She sends them to me for free."

But Draco grabbed one and opened it eagerly. Harry patted his head, glad to make him happy. He turned when there was a knock at the door.

"Healer Potter? It's time to go," Natalie said in a sing-song.

"I'm ready. You're taking us there, right? I don't know where it is."

"No, I'm going to pop home and grab my husband. Joel can take you, he knows where it is. Nearly choked himself when I told him that's where we were going. We really should take him out more, poor lad. Oh, I asked the restaurant for menus without prices... I hope you don't mind?"

"You can do that?" Harry asked and Draco snorted.

Natalie chuckled at them. "Yes... the nicer places. Ten minutes, Harry. Come on, say goodbye."

Harry sighed and said, "Goodnight, Draco."

Draco smirked and made the finger gesture, again, making Harry go red.

"Shut up, Malfoy."

Natalie thankfully hadn't seen it, but said, "You two have a bizarre relationship."

"He started it," he grunted and she laughed.

He followed her out of the room and, after they got Joel, the three of them went to the Apparation point. Natalie said that she'd see them soon and Apparated. Joel took his hand and pulled him along to Diagon Alley. He usually avoided coming here, except first thing in the morning, where the crowds were very thin. He shivered.

"You alright?" Joel asked.

"Yeah, just cold. Where is it?" Harry asked, and Joel pointed to the very obvious restaurant in front of them.

"Want to go in, then?"

"Yeah..." Harry said, better than the open. But when the maître de asked for the name on the reservation, Harry floundered and couldn't speak. He looked to Joel, who looked at him strangely.

"Natalie? It's a party of four."

"Oh... yes. I'll seat you both, now, while you wait for the rest of your party."

He followed Joel to the circular booth that the bench wraps around. Harry wasn't going to be trapped in the back, but Joel slid in without prompt and Harry sat on the end.