Chapter 15 - Mystery Illness

                                        

                                              
Published: 2/27/2025

Draco woke up suddenly with an urge to vomit up his breakfast. He made it to the toilet on time and Harry followed. 
"Are you okay?"
"Fine," he said, spitting out a few remnants that got lodged in his throat. He didn't know what was going on, but he had thrown up twice before the full moon. He just thought it was his nerves.
"Well... we do have an appointment today for the healer, so maybe she can...."
"What? No! I don't want to see her," Draco snapped.
"Draco, she's a healer... your healer. I know that you are scared to leave, but she can help you get better. Plus, she's the one who could help figure out what potion they gave you."
"I don't want to!" he insisted. He couldn't really say why, but mainly he felt that he didn't want to expose himself to unknown people. Here, he was safe. He wasn't sure why he was adamant about hiding.
"Draco... I normally don't go against what you want, but you need to go to your appointment. She can help you, and make sure that you are healthy."
Draco growled in response.
"Draco... we are going. You need to have anything checked over and make sure everything is healing right."
"I don't want to talk about what happened anymore," he muttered and turned away.
"Draco... it's for your health."
"What if she... what if I... I don't want people to know I'm... anything," he muttered, discombobulated. 
"Shhh... she can't tell anyone. She's magically bound to keep your secrets, okay?"
Draco nodded. Harry led him back upstairs and said that he'd make some lunch if he was up for eating. He didn't want to do this, but he didn't want to fight with Harry either. Maybe the healer could help fix him... get the binding mark off. He got dressed and managed to eat a sandwich before Harry Apparated them to the clinic. 
Draco's senses went haywire with the smells again and growled, as he scanned the room for wolves.
"Hi, welcome back. I don't know how you keep smelling them through the wards, I do cast the charms," the receptionist said.
"It's okay... right, Draco?"
He just nodded and took hold of Harry's hand, but he wasn't going to let go. The healer asked him... well, technically, Harry, questions, and Harry explained the whole situation again. When the healer pulled out her wand, he growled, until Harry calmed him down. He didn't watch the healer as she checked his wounds and examined his brand. She was just as stumped as Hermione was about getting it off. She tried a few healer spells, but it seemed immune to magic. 
"I'm sorry... this is... I can refer it to a Curse Breaker I know and maybe...."
"No," he growled. He didn't want to be examined by any more people.
"Draco! I'm sorry, he's just scared."
He glared at Harry, who shrugged, apologetically.
"I'll leave your name out of it."
After a look from Harry, he muttered, "Fine."
"Okay... I want you to know that I just want to help you. I'm still getting some strange readings in your blood. You've got low iron and several other vitamins. You need to start taking a nutrient potion."
"Oh... I forgot. He threw up this morning."
She scanned him again, but Draco didn't look at her, seemingly confused by the results. "I'll run more tests on his blood."
"There's also... about the potion? What do you think it could be?"
"I honestly have no idea what it could have been. What did it do when you drank it?" she asked him. 
He looked at Harry, who came closer. "Draco? Can you tell me?"
He looked down and shook his head. He couldn't tell Harry that.
"It's okay. Can you try to do more tests?"
"I'll try, but it's been two moons. It could be gone," the healer took more blood and Harry took him home.
"Thank you for going. We need answers, though."
Draco nodded and muttered that he needed to sleep. Harry made him drink a healer-prescribed Nutrient Potion before he did. Stupid, caring Gryffindor. The git even woke him up for dinner, which didn't sit especially right. He spent the evening leaning against Harry and try not to look at the book about werewolves Harry was reading. He was relieved when Harry asked if he'd like to go bed. He couldn't handle the thought of willingly leaving the room Harry was in, especially at night.
Harry changed quickly on his side of the bed, but Draco wasn't considerate enough not to watch. Harry had definitely toned up since school days. Harry didn't dawdle, though, and slipped into bed. Draco quickly got in and slipped right over to his side, without waiting for the invite. He pressed his forehead against Harry's chest and snuggled in. He could smell the happy vibes that Harry put off when he did this. It was the best scent Draco ever smelled, and he wanted his scent on his skin. 
Draco realized that it was a scent he hadn't been able to identify. He hadn't smelled at the camp or even at the Weasley's. He basked in the smell and found that he loved it. He blinked and glanced at Harry, though his eyes were already closed. He was basking in it, too. 
Fondness... that's what Draco smelled. He rubbed his head against Harry again, trying to get more of the scent.