Chapter 7

                                        

                                              
Chapter 7
                              
Published 10/4/3020
                              
Harry stayed with Draco for nearly an hour trying to get him to calm down, before he called Natalie to bring him a Sleeping Draught. He was getting severely agitated in his bound state, and Harry didn't need him to panic and start thrashing. When his terrified eyes closed, Harry reluctantly left. Joel and Natalie were outside of his door, sitting on the floor. Both quickly got to their feet and were staring at him expectantly.
                              
"Harry, are you alright?" she said.
                              
"Of course, thank you. You didn't have to wait."
                              
Natalie looked guilty. "I'm sorry... I didn't think that he was that bad."
                              
"That's why you can't bring your own feelings to the table, you don't know. You don't have any idea what he's been through."
                              
Joel nodded, though, over the past few weeks, he had been the least judgmental.
                              
"I updated the wards. She won't be able to enter his room."
                              
"Thank you," Harry said. "I do need to go yell at her boss and my friends."
                              
"Just be careful, okay? People won't understand," Natalie warned.
                              
"What won't they understand about harassing a bound and injured patient in the hospital? I don't give a flying shit about what he's done. He could be Lord-fucking-Voldemort and wouldn't care. He's in pain and deserves fair, proper and compassionate care."
                              
Joel nodded and Natalie backtracked, "I just meant... people are stupid. I was stupid. I'm sorry."
                              
"Do better then. It's all I ask."
                              
"Is... Is what she said about you true?" Natalie asked, staring at him.
                              
"You call me Auror Potter enough, I thought you knew."
                              
"I... just thought you had a change of heart."
                              
"You could call it that, but I wasn't going to risk other people's lives by trying to keep doing it," he said.
                              
"I'm sorry... if it seemed like I was mocking you, Harry," she said.
                              
"You said it with affection, I can tell the difference. Most people don't know exactly what happened. Percy probably told her."
                              
"You don't even keep your wand on you?" Joel asked, quietly, but amazed.
                              
"It's not necessary, Joel. I don't need a wand to cast spells."
                              
Natalie shook her head. "You really are amazing, Harry. I won't tell anyone what she said."
                              
"Me neither, sir."
                              
"Call me, Harry, Joel. I'm nothing more than a healer."
                              
They both looked at him, and Natalie shook her head. "You're more than that. What you can do... the war... you saved so many people...."
                              
Harry cringed inwardly at the mention of the war. He could feel the numbness spreading as she continued. His whiskey was calling him. Joel reached out and put a hand on her to stop. He was a smart kid. He paid attention to the visual cues.
                              
"I have people to yell at, okay?" he said and wandered to his fireplace.
                              
Ernie went from white to red during his rant. Harry let him have it. From improper training to having emotionally and verbally abusive officers assigned to parolees still in the hospital. Ernie promised a better probation officer for Draco, and Harry snapped that they better know their fucking job this time. He left and wasn't willing to floo Hermione and Ron. He sent a letter to both of them, with a few choice words about what the fuck Percy was telling his girlfriend.