Chapter 60

                                        

                                              
Chapter 60
Published: July 31st, 2023
Harry couldn't take his eyes off Draco. He watched his every step and every movement. Blaise and Neville were at his side, clearly on guard duty. He almost had a flashback to their school days when Crabbe and Goyle were protecting him, but Harry shook out that vision. Harry knew that Draco had gone to live with them, but seeing Neville standing right next to Draco in a clearly defensive stance was strange. Harry was worried about the reception that Draco would receive, as the crowd near Draco stopped and looked. The shock at his appearance was clear on their faces. 
Harry was about to walk over and help him out, but then the Slytherins started stepping forward to greet him. Harry didn't know all of them but saw some old Slytherin quidditch players, Vasily, Millicent and Montague, in the mix. Draco hadn't exactly been popular outside of Slytherin, but the recent gossip and stories would have softened the ire that Draco would have received. Harry knew that for him, the minute Draco came to his ward, all their past was forgotten and forgiven.
Draco had an air of politeness as he greeted each one with a handshake as a receiving line formed from their former classmates from all four houses. Professors even stopped by to greet him as though he was a celebrity in his own right. Harry watched Draco seamlessly talk to people, something he couldn't easily do without long hours of practice. It was embarrassing to have less confidence than someone who had just spent six years being brutally tortured.
"You're staring, Harry," Hermione warned.
He looked away, blushing. "Sorry."
"I know, Harry, but people will notice," she said and came closer to tell him about the band playing, as though she knew he had no idea. He took several deep breaths. Draco was here... he would come to talk to him. He knew that. He ran through the breathing exercises Joel gave him, just in time for some more well-wishers to greet him. He handled them well, though he was distracted.
"He's going to the tables," Ron suddenly announced, and Harry whipped his head around.
Draco was walking. Sure he had a cane... a maroon cane... but he was walking better than he had ever seen him. Barely limping, as though the cane was just a prop. Harry grimaced as he assessed his every step. There was no way Draco had healed that fast. His coordination was spotty at best when he left. Harry didn't see any signs of pain on his face, but he knew that didn't mean anything. Draco's pain threshold was extremely high. 
Insecurity ran through him. Had Draco found a better healer than him? He looked away briefly, trying to keep the tears. Was he really an incompetent healer, too? He always had been so confident in his skills.
"He's just letting everyone get used to him, Harry," Ron explained quietly and met his eyes.
Harry breathed deeply. Patience, he told himself, but his nerves were stretched thin. He tried not to watch him and instead acted like the musicians were entertaining. He didn't know who they were, but they played a wide assortment of song types. He gave it as long as he could before glancing back at Draco, who had sat down with Blaise, Neville, Theodore Nott and another girl that Harry didn't recognize. 
More people stopped at his table... the Patils, Susan, Hannah, and Michael Corner, but it was quieting down. Seamus and Dean actually sat at his table for a bit, as did Harper and Joel, and Joel leaned forward to tell Draco something, probably where he was. His heart skipped a few beats, and he tried to calm down.
Draco lifted his head and located him, their eyes meeting for the first time in a month. Shivers jolted down his spine, and he looked away, unable to look back. The uncertainty and doubt were gnawing at him. What was he doing here? Draco didn't... wouldn't want someone as broken as him. He was a wreck... and Draco was whole again. Walking and talking like he didn't need any help... like Harry did. Maybe he should leave. He took a small step forward.