Chapter 7

                                        

                                              
Published: 6/16/25

Draco wasn't there when Harry woke up, but his alert ward sounded and he hurried to the room. Harry was staring at the cup.
"Harry?"
"It came."
"It did. You remember what I said about it reappearing? You don't have to drink it, okay?"
Harry just stared but then looked up at him. "Make it... go...."
Draco subtly raised his wand, and the goblet vanished. Harry was getting better and better with every hour it wasn't in his system. His mental ticks were less, and his shaking was diminished. However, one drink might wreck that progress. He told Laura to keep the monkshood counter accessible in case it happened as the bezoar was severely deteriorated. 
"I'm sorry, I was working on paperwork. How was the visit? How do you feel?"
"Calm... they're... better... happy... without me...."
"Not without you. They're happy because you're doing so much better. They were very stressed out caring for you... because it hurt them. But they are happy only because you are doing better."
"I hurt them."
"You didn't, Harry."
"They're sad because of me. They gave up everything for me."
"Because you're worth fighting for... Harry. I won't give up on you either, okay? Just don't give up. That's what they wouldn't... what I couldn't handle... what would hurt us. You're going to get better... feel better. Cause remember... I'm amazing and I can do anything."
Harry glared but nodded. "Yeah... but... I can't... I can't live like this. Reality comes and goes."
"Gimme some time, Harry. Look how much better you are... you feel better, don't you?"
Harry nodded. "Please... I don't want to be... I don't want to be like that... trapped. Please."
"I won't let that happen. There are going to be ups and downs and setbacks, but I will be here. We will get through that, okay?"
Harry nodded and he slowly extended his hand out. Draco slowly brought his hand forward, palm up. Harry touched his hand, his fingers trailing across his skin. Draco knew that touching was very difficult after everything he'd been through. He let Harry enjoy the moment, but Laura came in with his dinner, and Harry, thankfully, ate most of it. Eating had been an issue, according to his charts.
After lunch, Laura knocked again on Harry's door. She said that his guardians were back. Harry looked at him. 
"Hey, I was expecting them. Will you be okay, if I go talk to them?" Draco said.
"I'll stay with you, Harry. No touching, like I promised," Laura said.
Harry nodded and looked away, unhappy. Draco thanked her and walked out. Granger and Weasley did not wait in his office but out in the hallway. He looked to Granger. 
"Any luck?" he dared to say. Cracking a five-year-old curse would be extremely difficult without his father's books.
"Yes. The Minister got the answer straight away. Malfoy Manor was not... impounded. He said that due to your actions, he stripped all lands and wealth from your dad and gave everything to you as the heir, though about half of the funds were put into a trust for Harry's care, when it became clear he was... damaged. I knew we were getting a government stipend, but I didn't know it came from your money."
"My father's money, Granger. I make enough to live comfortably and then some. If I'd known I had assets, I probably would have donated them."
Weasley looked at him, disbelieving.