Chapter 71

                                        

                                              
Published: 4/9/25
A month later, Harry woke up snuggling with Draco. He took in a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of Draco in his arms. He kissed his neck, and Draco opened it up more.
"Morning."
"It is... we got to get moving. I have to get to work."
"Yeah, me, too," Draco said, laughing, as he turned and reached up to run his fingers through Harry's hair.
"Yeah... how's it going?" Harry asked.
Draco was now a fully licensed mind healer. It had taken a bit of convincing to certify him, with no NEWT scores or completion of school certificate. But after a few weeks of gnashing... the InternationalHealers Conclave and subsequently, the MMMB, finally gave him a license to practice mind healing. He hadn't, however, applied to work at St. Mungos. Harry hadn't pressed him on it. It was one thing to be certified, and another to work with patients and deal with new people and stresses. Harry wasn't going to push him faster to what he was ready for.
"Carla's convinced me to start working on real patients today. I mean... ones that aren't seen by her first."
Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "That's a big step." 
Draco nodded. "I'm nervous, but I think it will be okay." 
"Of course, it will be. You're the best damn mind healer they've ever seen. You blew those evaluators' minds with your control."
"It still doesn't translate to helping people."
"It does because you know your own mind. You're going to do great. Just breathe and remember... they want help. They're not there to hurt you."
Draco grimaced. "Perhaps. I'm still a former Death Eater. Someone may come looking for trouble."
Harry nodded and hugged him close. "Listen, I can't promise you that it won't. A patient attacked me once. But... try to remember that most people won't do that. Most people are good... and just want to be helped. But if you're nervous... we can make a panic button or something for you, in case you need Carla's help."
Draco smiled. "You and your muggle ideas."
They had recently watched Lucky Number Slevin on the telly Harry had installed in Blaise's living room. Draco was dubious about it, but Harry said he could remove it without an issue. So, it wasn't permanently installed. Draco agreed that Blaise and Neville should watch it a bit, and see what craziness they were missing out on.
"I just want you to feel safe."
"Thanks... I just need to get used to this... before I try... without Carla. I mean, I have to handle things without her stepping in."
Harry nodded. He understood that. "So... you were serious about coming to work at St. Mungo's, then?"
"I was. I am. I want to be near you and Joel. Besides, Joel is really overworked right now."
"I wasn't sure if you made that up on go," Harry said.
"No... I have plans," Draco said, turning to kiss him.
"Hey! No more scheming!" Harry joked, kissing him. 
"I never promised that," Draco scoffed. 
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. "Time to get moving." 
He got up, pulled his trousers on, and wordlessly freshened his clothes for work. While he had been willing to shuck his trousers off, he hadn't been willing to take his shirt off yet. Harry still had a lot of scars, ones that were magically inflicted. Draco always watched him get in and out of bed, so there was no hiding it. In Germany, it had been a bit awkward when Draco wanted to try out the jacuzzi. Harry had refused to get in, but helped Draco into it in his trunks.