Healing Draco Malfoy

Chapter 25

Published: May 24th, 2021

Harry was a mess for the rest of the day. He managed to get through his appointments and check on Joel, who was still apologizing every other sentence. Joel could see that he was scared, that Higgs had hit the mark. Draco had tried to calm him during lunch, too, but, at the end of the day, Higgs actually showed up on the floor.

"Oh, just checking up on my future patient," he proclaimed.

Harry was nearly ready to clock him himself, but realized that he was talking about Draco. He wanted to punch him even more now. Somehow, he refrained. Maybe he had grown up.

"He's still my patient," Harry hissed.

"That doesn't mean that I can't come to do an assessment? I can do Mind Healing while he's in your ward. He's a suicide risk... and you haven't put him in for a consultation, yet. That's almost neglect, Potter."

Harry took a deep breath in and realized that Draco's door was room, which was warded against Higgs anyway, but he was talking loud enough to be heard. "It's not going to happen, Higgs. I don't trust you. And I did come to you, but you said no. Remember?"

"I don't remember that. Are you sure you sent a request?"

Harry's shoulders tensed. "You aren't going in there."

"No, I'm required to check on him. I have a duty to help him," Higgs replied, echoing Harry's own words back to him. "You don't have the right to deny me access, Potter."

"This is my department, Higgs. You aren't allowed. I don't troll your floor."

"You belong on my floor," he hissed. "But let me pass or I'll...."

"What? Run to the board?" Harry muttered.

"Let's go see the boss, first," he replied. "I'm sure that she'll love to hear that you've been neglecting your patients."

"Watch it, Higgs."

They went to Head Healer Convaba's office. They argued for nearly an hour, where Harry explained that Higgs is just now doing this out of spite and not of a desire to help his patient. Higgs said that he had never been given an official request. Harry denied that an official request was necessary as he verbally asked for one, which Higgs had refused to help. She finally said enough and dismissed Higgs, stating that she would investigate. He walked out triumphantly.

Harry started to plead his case, again, when she interrupted him, "The last time I was in his room, he was mute. You should have gotten a consultation. He needs help."

"I swear I did try. Higgs told me to bugger off. He said that they can't use Legilimency on him. So, I've been the one easing his fears and making him feel comfortable enough to open up."

"You aren't a Mind Healer, Harry."

"No, but I can show compassion and dignity. I can help him emotionally without breaking into his mind. He just needed to understand that he was safe here... cause he's been through a lot," Harry whispered, lowering his head. "And you can trust that I will take care of my patients."

"I do, but Healer Higgs raises a valid point. He's a suicide risk... and on parole. It's a rule issue, you see. Well... will you object if I talked to Mr. Malfoy? Maybe I can find a grey area or better understand what is going on?"

Harry frowned. "Yeah, if he's up for it. I trust that you won't hurt him to spite me."

She raised an eyebrow. "You really think that Higgs would hurt a patient to hurt you?"

"Yeah, I think he would. If Higgs didn't hurt him directly, he'd do it with neglect or lying about his mental health. Right now, this is just him trying to lower your opinion of me. It's me that he's after, ma'am. We had another fight, which I'd rather not discuss. But after it, he came up to my ward, invaded my space, and then entered my comfort zone just to rattle me. He knows how to stress me." He looked down and tried to avoid shaking.

"Harry... if you need time...."

"I don't... not now."

She eyed him. "Alright, let's go talk to your patient."

Harry had no choice but to escort her to Draco's room.

***

Draco was ready when Harry knocked on his door and asked if he could handle the Head Healer coming in. He nodded. Joel had given him the whole rundown after Harry went to the head's office. A smartly-dressed witch entered and shut the door before Harry could come in after her. She sighed as she locked and warded the room against Harry. Decently powerful spells, he noted. One didn't become head healer without skill.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy. How are you?" she said, coming closer.

Draco didn't like the situation. But if Harry was worried about her hurting him, he wouldn't have willingly let her into the room. Of course, Harry couldn't really deny his boss. Draco understood power plays. He was a Slytherin, after all.

He put on his smooth voice. "Very well. Healer Potter hasn't had the time to do my exercises. But I must say, I heard that man yelling in the hall about me for the whole ward to hear. Do healers in your hospital normally yell out for all to hear about patient's medical information?"

Her eyebrows rose up and acknowledged the subtle threat of MMMB complaint. "No. It's not a common practice. I hear you are recovering nicely," she segued.

"I can move my arms and legs, again. I sit up on my own today, and the pain is largely gone. You can't imagine the difference I feel. I never thought that I would be able to move, again," he said and demonstrated his mobility.

"I'm glad to hear that, and you're right, I can't imagine what you have been going through. You had many serious injuries, and Healer Potter is the best at healing. No one can deny that, but there's some concern about you... emotional needs. I understand that you went through a trauma...."

"Trauma? That's a euphemism for it," he interrupted, rolling his eyes.

"I don't want to upset you," she said, backtracking.

"I didn't say I was upset," he said, locking eyes with her.

She frowned, analyzing him and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Safe."

"Just safe?"

Draco shrugged. "That's all that I really care about... emotionally."

She grimaced at his deflection. "Well, I need to ask you if you wanted to talk to a mind healer."

"Talk? Oh, they talk, now?" he growled, letting his anger show. "Here, I thought they just cast Legilimens on nonconsenting patients in extreme pain."

She grimaced. "No, but they...."

"But what? You have no idea the level of pain I was in. I didn't know who they were or what they were doing. But they tried to break through my last defenses. The ones in place to keep the pain from getting in."

"They were trying to help you."

"I didn't know that. I'm sure you read the papers and know what the guards at Azkaban were doing to us. I couldn't trust that they weren't trying to hurt me in a different way. I wasn't sure I was even here and not back there. The point is... I didn't consent."

She looked uneasy. "I understand your point...."

"Good. Now understand that I am a master Occlumens. If anyone tries to get into my head without my permission, they aren't going to like what happens. So, if that healer that was harassing Harry wants to give it a try, let him."

The head's eyebrows rose at his announcement. "Is it Harry?"

Draco mentally cursed his slip. "We see each other three to five times a day, and Harry is a first-name kind of a person. I'm not calling him Healer Potter, when he calls me Draco."

"You're friends, aren't you?" she probed.

"The man is helping me walk, again. I can move my hands without pain." He wiggled his fingers for effect. "He talks to me like I'm a person and is protective of me. He's my only friend."

She frowned. "He's also making a lot of your decisions for you."

"Yes. Because he's my healer. I trust him to take care of me when I can't take care of myself, and that trust is absolute. Of all the healers and wardens I met during my intake, none of them treated me like I was a person. It took a bit, but I understood everything that was happening. I heard the snipe comments that I should have just died, that I deserved more, and that I was gone. I wasn't. I was in defense mode.

"Harry saw that. He saw that I was scared, that I didn't trust anyone, and talked to me every day about... everything. He took away my pain and never said an unkind thing to me. He reached me and showed me it was safe... to talk, to look at people, to not be hurt. He saved me. He's the only reason that I'm functioning mentally or physically."

She nodded and glanced at the pile of magazines and books that Harry had brought in. "He takes good care of his patients. Harry is a remarkable individual. I did hear... that there was an incident earlier...."

"And you're asking me about it?"

"Neither one of my staff members would speak of it, so it would seem prudent to know what happened."

Draco snorted. "If there was an incident, I can assure you that Harry was not the aggressor. He was the victim... and the other person is hurting him, a lot." He met her eyes, and she grimaced.

"Harry... is special, in a lot of ways, but I need to make sure that your needs are being met."

"There's nothing that I am lacking. Physically, medically, emotionally and even legally... Harry ensures that I have everything I need. Now, apart from my afternoon exercises and dinner being delayed over this, I am content."

"I'm sorry. It'll just be a few more minutes. I have to make sure that...."

"What? I'm sane?"

She raised an eyebrow. "That immediate professional help isn't warranted."

"It isn't."

"Mr. Malfoy... the injuries that you suffered were... astounding, and your initial intake was... concerning."

Draco felt the anger start to rise in him, again. "Madam Healer... I was tortured for over six years. I wasn't about to let my guard down on a whim. If you think that blockhead mind healer can earn my trust, you're kidding yourself. I know him, too, if you didn't know that. Higgs was Seeker in my house before me. I didn't like him then, either. So, no to mind healing. I will hurt them if they try, not that they could get in. But if you need to satisfy his ego, send him around. I'll make sure he understands who the fuck I am. Lord-fucking-Voldemort couldn't get into my head. So, you do what you got to do."

Her eyes widened at his declaration, and it took a few seconds to recover. "I-I don't believe that immediate counseling is needed, but I fear I must tell you that you have to clear mental health in order to get released from the hospital. It's a... well, it's because you're on parole."

Draco's eyes narrowed at that information, and he nodded.

"Harry didn't tell you," she stated.

"No," he admitted. "He likes to protect me from bad news. He wants me to focus on getting stronger. I'm sure that he was trying to fight it, too."

She nodded and sat down in Harry's rolly chair. "It's unusual that Harry has attached himself to a patient so much."

"I gather he hasn't had that many patients who have the damage I have."

She took a deep breath. "I... need to know... has he crossed a line?"

Draco put on a fake look of surprise. "Crossed a line? No. He's been the model of professionalism."

She raised an eyebrow.

"He has. He asks for permission to touch me. He waits until I gave consent to do anything. He's patient and hasn't broken privacy regulations, even to go after the ones that hurt me."

She nodded. "He spends every available second with you. You understand why I think your opinion of him is biased."

"Yes, and he spends that time flexing and stretching my muscles back to life and to heal me... emotionally. He talked to me. Told me about what he was doing. Told me about his niece and nephew. He provided that mind healing that Higgs should have done. Harry told me Higgs refused to talk to me... that all they want to do is go inside my head. I'm not letting down my guards for anyone I don't trust.

"Harry... I trust. And he got me to trust other people, too. He made me believe that I won't get sent back there. Do you understand the fear I have of going back? That fear would have crippled me for life, if Harry hadn't spent that extra time with me. I wouldn't be as... healed as I am now. I'm up, talking... responding. That's all because he cared enough to make sure that I am taken care of."

She nodded. "You speak well of him, and I do trust him... but is it possible that the lines are getting blurred?"

"Harry follows the rules to the nth degree. He panics about any impropriety. Even revealing my medical information. He wanted to go after the bastards since day one, but he respected my privacy. Let me give permission. He's so careful with me to the point of my frustration."

"I see. Anything... sexual?"

He glared at her until she looked away. "What makes you think either of us is gay?"

"I didn't mean to imply. If an accusation was made... I just want to be ready."

"Madam Healer... I just spent nearly six years being assaulted daily. You know that Harry has issues. Do you really think either of us is ready for that? If we were so inclined?"

She shook her head. "I don't. But I can see a... development of a relationship. Do you see a future relationship with him? I mean beyond the point of healer-patient."

Draco frowned. "We are... friends. I want him in my life. I'll need him in my life. But we aren't beyond that... yet."

"Thank you for being honest with me. It's because that you are so dependent on him that I worry, and so will an inquiry board if a complaint is raised. You need other support besides Harry. I'm... foreseeing an issue... being raised about you two. If there were others that spent time with you... it would help."

Draco nodded. She was trying to warn him. Higgs was becoming a problem.

"I also need you to understand that whilst you are a patient... there can't be anything between you... sexually."

"Yes. I know that, and there won't be."

"Good. I'm sure Harry knows, but I needed you to understand. Even after you leave, if something develops... there might be an inquiry. Do be careful. Harry can't lie worth anything."

"And you seem to be implying that we might... what?"

"I'm not implying anything. You are trapped here. He is the healer. There can't be anything but friendship. But honestly, Harry is more unstable than you are. At this point, I'm more afraid of Higgs getting him committed than you."

Draco was worried about that, too. Perhaps he needed to get a solicitor. "If Higgs wants to keep coming at us, I'd suggest he learn to keep his mouth shut about my and Harry's private medical information. Joel and Natalie were in the hallway, too. I'm sure others could have heard it."

The head healer's eyes narrowed. "Was that what their fight was about? Higgs revealing Harry's medical information?"

"Perhaps. Joel said that Higgs threatened to put him in a magic-proof room."

Her shoulders dropped. "I will do what I can. Is there anything you need?"

"Yeah, my healer to give me my healing potions and massage this cramp in my leg from his stupid stretching exercises."

She smiled a little and thanked him for his time. Draco felt that the head healer was on their side, but didn't have the clot to stop an inquiry if one came up. Harry came in after a few minutes and rushed to his side.

"I'm sorry about that. Are you okay?" he said, panicked.

Salazar only knows what the visit cost him emotionally to stay in the hallway for that. He needed reassurance. "I'm fine, Harry. I can handle people. I can handle Higgs if he shows up. Take the wards down. As long as no one is coming to take me back to Azkaban, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry so much."

Harry hung his head. "You went inside your head for so long... I thought... I don't want that to happen again."

Draco frowned. It was time. "You don't need a wand to cast powerful spells?"

Harry shook his head. "The Patronus Charm is the hardest one I know. I can throw up Shield Charms and send stunners. Haven't had to do any dueling... since... then." He looked down.

"Look into my eyes," he ordered, and Harry did. "Now cast Legilmens."

Harry froze. "Draco... no!"

"Do it, Harry. I need to show you how to find me... if I get lost, again."

"But... what if... I see... bad stuff?" he mumbled.

"I don't let that stuff in. I'm in control right now. Please, Harry. Trust me."

Harry's shoulders dropped a little and he nodded. "This won't hurt you?"

"No... it will help me. I'll be able to know who you are, and you can talk to me," Draco said, quietly.

"Really?"

"Just do it, Harry. Don't be afraid."

Harry met his eyes and cast the spell. Draco felt Harry's conscious mind connect to his and took him to his safe place. The pitch, just like he told Harry. His dream Harry was already flying, but real Harry was next to him, standing on the ground. Just like it was outside at Hogwarts. The edges of the dream state were blurred, but it was clear enough. Beyond the pitch was the painful memories. Draco could make it be whatever he wanted. Unfortunately for that mind healer, he made it very unpleasant for her. 

He turned to the real Harry, still trying to understand where he was, and said, "You can find me in here, Harry. I can feel your mind. You aren't a part of my imagination. I'll sense that immediately."

"It really is like you said." Harry watched himself fly on his firebolt around the pitch.

"It is. This is where I go to escape it. You can always come and find me here. Convince me that it is safe. Sometimes... I miss our dream flights and don't want to leave. It's easy to hide here, away from the bad stuff."

He felt Harry's pain through the connection, at the mention of dark memories and looked at him. The sky darkened and the image shook despite Draco's control. Harry was reaching deeper into him, trying to connect more... to see everything. Draco was starting to realize that he couldn't hold him back. He wasn't even going to try. He could feel Harry's need.

Draco whispered, "Easy, Harry. You can't go further. Not without seeing the bad stuff and you'll take me with you."

Harry stopped and Draco could feel his horror and guilt immediately. "I'm sorry!"

"I know. You can feel my emotions, can't you?"

"Yeah?" he said, looking at him.

Draco wondered what Harry felt. Admiration, respect... maybe that part of him that loves him. "I can't lie to you in here. You will know if I'm afraid, hurting, or happy. Am I scared, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "You... trust me."

"I do. You can always find me. Now, I want you to trust me... and stop worrying about me. Tell me what is going on. With the case... with me... stop hiding things from me."

Harry lowered his head and, again, shame flowed through him. "I didn't want to lose you or hurt you."

"I know, but I'm strong, now. Higgs can't hurt me. The head healer can't hurt me and you won't either."

Harry watched his dream self whip through the stands, and Draco felt his curiosity. "Can you see into my head?"

"If I tried," Draco admitted.

He could feel Harry's discomfort and let Harry feel his warm, happy thoughts. "I would never do that, unless you were lost, too. I promise."

Harry's emotions went up and down, and he looked at him before settling on being resolute. "I trust you, too. You can come into my head, if I... got lost."

"Thank you, Harry. Now, believe that I will be alright."

"I'm trying... I... just can't lose you, Draco."

He could feel Harry's absolute misery and loneliness coming through their connection. He reached out, trying to calm him down and said, "It's okay, Harry. You won't lose me. You'll never lose me. I'm right here. You won't be alone anymore. We won't be alone, anymore."

Harry's emotions perked right up when he said "we". He believed him.

"It's time to go back. When you cast the spell, nothing else gets in."

Harry jerked and realized that there could be people watching them stare at each other and cut the magic. Draco blinked and the hospital ward came into focus. Harry looked for eavesdroppers, but then met his eyes.

"That was... intense."

"It was. Now... tell me what is going on. Ask me questions. You don't have to hide things."

Harry sighed and nodded. "After your massage... okay?"

"I'll hold you to that," Draco grunted, but his agitation went away immediately when Harry started in on his muscles.

Sorry! AT was going on and got two more days!