Hermione checked and all the books came with them. "I'll get started right away."
Draco nodded, gripping the Maledictions book tightly. "Let's check on Harry, though."
They went down the hall and found Ron and Harry in a chess match. Harry looked at Draco as soon as he came into the room, but then he returned to the game. Draco noted that the chess pieces were just normal, muggle ones. That was probably a good idea, as the magical ones tend to be annoying to players they don't know.
Harry's shaking hand moved the bishop to the middle of the board, taking Ron's knight. 
"Nice move, mate," Ron said, nodding.
"You're letting me win," Harry muttered.
"No, I'm not," Ron scoffed.
"You're good at this game. I remember."
"I haven't played in years, Harry. I'm rusty."
Harry smirked. "Liar."
"You're just doing so well," Ron said, holding his hands up.
"Ya huh," Harry said as Ron made his move.
Draco and Hermione watched them play and bicker back and forth until Harry forced a checkmate. Ron didn't make it obvious, but the game made Harry think. It was a great way to nurture Harry's mental strength after so long. It was almost night and day from his arrival: full sentences sometimes, less non-sensical mutterings and more eye contact, though for not very long.
"You let me win," Harry maintained.
"I wouldn't do that."
"Yes, you would... but thank you. It... was... fun," Harry murmured, like the word was strange. 
Draco was sure that Harry hadn't completed a game or any task really in years. The monkshood would have severely hampered his mental abilities. Draco probably will have to look at the damage the poison has done to Harry's system when they figure out how to remove the curse. 
"It was great, Harry," Ron said, smiling at his best mate. He had to hide the tears in his eyes.
Draco stepped forward to distract Harry. "How are you doing? Anything hurting?"
"Head hurts... but it's light," he said, and looked at his shaking hands. 
"Okay... it's almost dinner time. Do you think you can eat?"
Harry nodded. "I'm hungry... it's... weird."
Ron and Hermione looked surprised, but Draco just said, "I'm sure. Let's get your guests home so you can relax."
Draco moved aside so they could say goodbye. Ron got a goodbye, with eye contact and everything. Hermione moved closer and tried to see if Harry would let her hold his hand, again. He fidgeted but allowed it. Then he leaned forward, and one arm hugged her, putting his head into her shoulder. Her eyes widened in surprise, like a miracle had just happened.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"No... don't be sorry, Harry. I... I'm so happy right, now. You're doing so well," she said, crying. "We missed you so much."
"I hurt you and Ron. You... didn't give up on me."
"We couldn't, Harry," she said, patting his head. "You are our family. We stick together."
Harry hugged her for a long time before he let go and met her eyes. "Thank you."
She nodded. "We love you, Harry. It's going to work out."
Harry didn't respond and laid down, curled up into a ball. It was a lot of interaction for one day. Draco told him he'd be right back, and guided the two out to the hallway.
"Oh, my Merlin, Draco, that's... he's..." Hermione stammered.
Ron was crying harder. "He-He stayed present the whole match. He was making logical moves. He hasn't been able to do that since...."
"I know, but still give him time. Today was a lot for him. He needs space... time. The monkshood is out of his system, but he still has years of trauma to get through. Don't try to push him too hard."
"Of course," she said.
"Don't come every day... maybe every other day or every three days."
"You're right. We have research to do! Come on, Ron. We got to get to the post owl office before they close!" she said, and they left. 
"Thanks, Malfoy!" Ron called as they walked down the hall.
Draco went back in. The goblet was on the food table. Harry was staring at it.
"I'm not going to get better."
"You're trapped in a cycle, Harry. You have experienced so much pain and hardship throughout your life that it's hard to believe that there's a way out of the loop. You're cognizant enough to see that things are difficult. The world makes more sense. Your senses aren't going haywire... the hallucinations have stopped. Or am I wrong?"
"But it will come back...."
"It will... if you drink that goblet. It's a curse, Harry. One... that I will try to break, but you can resist it. You can tell yourself that losing my mind isn't worth the pain. There's nothing but pain and confusion in that goblet. No relief. Did you enjoy playing chess with Ron?"
Tears fell from Harry's eyes. "I could... I never could before. Everything was too loud... too much... I remembered how to play."
"You could do that all the time. You can talk to people... eat... sleep... like everyone else. We'll get you there, okay? But you have to fight, too. You can't drink that... or you'll lose yourself again."
"I... don't want to... it hurt... but I keep drinking it. I had to."
"I know, Harry. Magic can be used cruelly. The compulsion spell made you do it, and now... you can resist the urge to drink. I can try to stop you, but I promised I wouldn't hold you down. I know you can beat this without me making me."
"I'm too messed up. There's no way...."
"Harry... you're the toughest SOB I know. You haven't drank it yet. You can't let my bastard father win. He didn't win. He hurt you... he hurt me, but we will overcome it. We will survive on our own terms.
Harry stared at the goblet for a minute before he looked at Draco and nodded. Draco Vanished the flask. Harry breathed easier and even let Draco perform some scans. Harry was going through some withdrawal, but it was only minor irritation. He decided to risk a pain reliever and a Calming Draught. The monkshood was out of his system now, and he trusted Harry wouldn't drink it with him there. 
After Harry ate his dinner, he drank the potions. He breathed easier and looked at Draco with tears in his eyes. Relief was not only possible, it was happening. Harry probably hadn't felt so at ease in over five years.  It didn't take long for him to fall asleep. Draco tucked him in and pushed his bangs out of his eyes. Harry didn't move.
Draco sat down in a comfy chair he conjured and pulled out Malédictions Grecques Anciennes. They were going to crack the curse.




Updated by request by the one who helps show me my grammar and wording errors! AngelaDolomont