Healing Draco Malfoy

Chapter 28

Published: 9/1/2021

Harry was fuming. The meeting with the Ministry prosecutor was not going well, even he could see that. Harry had gone to Hermione's office for a night meeting, so they could organize the case for the upcoming trial. McGrath, apparently, had called in a lot of favors and obtained the quickest trial date that he could. The bastard knew that Draco refused to talk before his accident and correctly guessed that spending more time at the hospital was helping him recover. McGrath and his solicitor wanted to make sure that didn't change.

McGrath was going to be tried before the whole Wizengamot, who had issued out life sentences to the guards of Azkaban. So that was in their favor, as smaller panels were easier to sway on technicalities. Hermione was optimistic that McGrath would be convicted of the small things: criminal neglect, theft, reckless endangerment, conspiracy, fraud and a slew of others, but the big one... the attempted murder charge... was a long shot. Draco's statement was inadmissible unless it was spoken in open court, as there were no witnesses.

The Department of Magical Creature had found the house elf, but McGrath had already dismissed him before Draco was thrown out the window. The footprints and evidence on the windowsill were circumstantial. Hermione was quick to point out that there was nothing that showed they appeared before, during or after the "accident". McGrath had contended the evidence being admitted in and had submitted his reports of Draco's refusal to speak to and his general despondency. McGrath's barrister, Grayson Runcorn, also requested all of Draco's prison reports, as well as the recent Azkaban trials testimonies.

Hermione explained that the defense's case was that Draco was the "unfortunate victim of the Azkaban conspiracy" and was suicidal. Runcorn already had a few witnesses lined up, including one of Draco's abusers from Azkaban and some healers from St. Mungo's, not under privilege. She said that their argument was a simple one: McGrath didn't do this, Azkaban did. They were shoving it on Ernie, for not admitting Draco to the hospital the second he was released.

It was McGrath that got the house elf for him and checked on him every day. Supposedly, he reported his concerns, and they were ignored. There was no way to prove when the reports were actually submitted. Ernie had already left the country, following his substantial fine and termination. He couldn't defend himself or say what had or had not got reported. Nothing in the file was time-stamped. McGrath could have dumped them all on Ernie's desk the day the EMMT's were called, or he was telling the truth, and Ernie ignored the reports.

McGrath was smart enough to set up his alibi before he tried to get rid of Draco. He was just going to say that he only knew to report it and it was Ernie's job to send him to the hospital. In his arrest statement, McGrath said, "I hope that Mr. Malfoy got the mental health attention he needs to recover from the horrific abuse he suffered at the hands of the Azkaban guards". It made Harry sick when he read the Auror report and he wanted the man to pay for his callousness.

Hermione had explained something else that was now troubling him. None of the Azkaban victims had been released from prison, nor made statements in open court. All the evidence had been direct observation from stealth surveillance teams and confessions from the abusers. The Court and Ministry weren't interested in what the victims said, he realized, and Draco was still considered a Death Eater. The Wizengamot and Ministry prosecutor hadn't granted clemency to any of the prisoners of Azkaban, despite a few appeals. This was about shoving what happened under the rug and forget it.

The prosecutor, Kevin Bletchley, had no desire to shed more light on the extent of what Azkaban guards really did. Draco was direct evidence, an essentially free man. The rest of the victims were neatly tucked away in prison. This case was delving more into politics and ass-saving than Harry had ever wanted to see. Bletchley didn't even want him to testify and didn't even fight the entering of McGrath's reports into the court packet.

Hermione was currently voicing her frustration with the man, who was the one that had handled the Azkaban cases, too. Unfortunately, the power and prominence he had gained from those easy convictions had gone to his head and he was fighting Hermione's orders. She was nearly ready to chuck him, but a new prosecutor at this stage would send the wrong message. Harry could see immediately that Bletchley was a tool and he was a snob. He was almost goading Hermione into screaming at him. She suspected that he had his eyes set on a seat on the Wizengamot, instead of just the head Ministry prosecutor.

Bletchley puffed his chest and waved his hand dismissively at her when he spoke, "It just isn't going to happen. I say we just drop the attempted murder. The photo just proves...."

Hermione cut him off, angrily. "Depraved indifference? You can clearly see Malfoy breathing in the picture if you look hard enough! And it was morning, so even if McGrath didn't chuck him out the window, he left Draco there to die!"

"That's not attempted murder," he scoffed.

Hermione glared. "You will continue to go after him for the life sentence with your full effort, or be prepared to face the consequences, Kevin!"

The obnoxious twat rolled his eyes and walked toward the office door. He turned and spat, "I can't make evidence appear out of thin air. No witness, no crime. The chief warlock can throw it out without deliberation. Those are the facts, Madam Granger-Weasley, and don't threaten me."

Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously. "It wasn't a threat, but a promise. Get out."

He snorted derisively and left, but Harry gave her a look. "And you say I have a temper?"

"I have been dealing with that pompous prat for nearly two months straight... every day. I'm about to hex him!" she growled, letting her aggravation show.

Harry smirked. "That would be fun to see."

"Harry... that aside, he's right. Can you try again, tomorrow... to ask Draco?" she pressed.

Harry tightened up. He didn't want to do that, but he can see the evidence issues they had. "Okay... but I don't think that he's going to change his mind."

"Just try? We're starting soon and I got to prep the EMMTs, scene investigators and Susan Bones tomorrow, and then... well... Harry, Bletchley has a point... if there isn't enough evidence, then the chief warlock can and will throw it out. I want to get him on everything."

"I do, too. I'll ask," Harry whispered, lowering his head.

"Thanks... please get some sleep."

Harry rolled his eyes. Not likely going to happen with everything on his mind, but he hugged her and took her office floo home. He didn't want to be seen in the Ministry. He drank two glasses as a nightcap and eventually fell asleep, waking a few hours later. It was a little rough waking up and he took a sip of over-the-cauldron Pepper-Up Potion as a pick-me-up. He Apparated to the lobby and went to his office. He sighed, remembering that Joel was starting his exams today. He couldn't help him on those, so he would have to wait and see.

Harry headed to Draco's room, stopping just outside the door to build his confidence. He had begrudgingly kept Draco up-to-date since Hermione's visit a week or so ago. Draco pretended like it didn't matter, but Harry wasn't fooled, though. Draco could say whatever he wanted, but Harry could see and feel the tension. Draco was just as scared of McGrath as the guards of Azkaban. He didn't want to see any of them, again. He didn't want to be confronted by it all, again, and Harry didn't want him to go through it. But he also wanted the man convicted and sent away forever. What if, in ten years, McGrath gets out and confronts Draco?

Harry shuddered, let out a breath and opened the door. Draco was already doing his exercises when he arrived. Thankfully, after the weeks of exercises, the pain had largely subsided. It was still uncomfortable and enduring, but Harry had bent and massaged all the kinks and tears out. Draco was, in fact, healed. Now, it was training and reconditioning the weak muscles. He was getting closer to getting out of bed, but there were still a few weeks before he could even try to stand and longer to walk, heavily assisted.

Harry was so proud as he watched Draco lift the ten-pound weight over his head. He was building his triceps, crucial in getting his arms strong enough to lift his weight out of a seated position. Harry had been steadily increasing the length, reps and difficulty in all his exercises. He was a bit merciless in his strengthening regimen, and Draco had never managed to talk his way out of it or have an easy day. Harry pushed him hard and rewarded him with deep massages. If anything, it all took Draco's mind off the bad things.

Harry stepped inside. "Good Morning! Nice extension, Draco. Ready to try dips?"

Draco looked at him. "Like... condiments?"

Harry laughed. "Ah, no. Exercises. We'll start small, but you need to lift your upper body weight off the mattress. We can add more height as you progress, but it will help when you stand up. Your core isn't strong enough to get your body up without your arms helping."

Draco still looked at him puzzled, like he did every time Harry explained a new exercise.

"It's like when you adjust your position, just you're lifting higher."

Draco grimaced. "You mean put my hands at my side and shifting my weight?"

"Yep! But you're lifting your butt straight up."

He sighed but put his hands there without protest. Harry was very persuasive. Draco had only slid his weight around before and this would be a challenge for a little while. Draco slowly lifted, and grunted as the unused muscles tried to work. He managed to get some air under his butt, but could only hold it for a few seconds, before collapsing, out of breath.

"Very good, Draco!" Harry praised.

"You say that every time," Draco grumbled and looked away annoyed.

Harry could see that Draco's helplessness was wearing on him. Harry could understand that feeling. It had been years since Draco had the power to do these exercises and each one just reminded him of what he lost. Draco leaned back, unwilling to try anymore, and let out a breath of exhaustion. Harry took a seat in his rollie stool and grabbed Draco's hand. Half in comfort, half giving him a massage that Draco enjoyed so much. Draco groaned contently as Harry healed the aches from working out.

"Are you doing exercises while I'm not here?" Harry asked. It was morning, so Draco shouldn't be so bad.

"Just before you come... I want my morning massage."

Harry nodded. "That's good... I'm proud of you, Draco."

Draco's grey eyes looked at his and emotions that Harry couldn't read went through them, but he didn't say anything. The sad look came back instead. Harry tugged his arm and Draco looked back at him. Recovering from long-term injuries carried their own mental weight. It was different when he was doing the healing, Draco had to do the rest and it was easy to give up.

"Draco... you're doing as best that you can. Better than most, with exercises like these. There's no instantaneous cure... it takes a while. But at this pace, it's just another few weeks, okay? I can up your potion regimen? If you want, but you'll have to eat more. Just don't think that it's not going fast enough. I know it's frustrating, but you're doing very well."

Draco nodded, somberly. "I know. I'm trying not to... think that way. But I just keep thinking about... the trial," he whispered, unable to hide a shiver of fear.

It was exactly what Harry feared would happen and no one believed him. Draco needed to recover, not be thinking about the guy who had nearly killed him and the people who had tortured him. He squeezed Draco's hand.

"It's going to be okay, Draco. Whatever happens at the trial."

"Granger wants me to testify."

"Draco... you don't have to," Harry said, to hell with what Hermione said.

"But she wants me to. She's been pressuring you, hasn't she?"

Harry grimaced, unable to deny it. His eyes went to Draco's face and his heart tightened. Draco could lie to himself and everyone else, but Harry knew. He wasn't ready to confront people. Azkaban broke him in a lot of ways. He needed time, which they didn't have. "Yes, but Draco... please don't worry about it. It's not worth what it will do to you."

"I don't want to... but...."

"No buts Draco. Hermione will take care of it, okay?"

"But if he gets off...."

"He won't. I promise."

Draco frowned. "You can't promise that."

Harry smiled. "I can promise anything. I got destiny on my side."

Draco gave him a look, but finally smiled. His eyes watered and he looked at Harry. "Thanks, Harry."

Harry nodded. He wasn't going to press him anymore. He didn't care what Hermione wanted. He was going to make sure that Draco didn't have to testify. He would do anything for Draco. He finished guiding him through his exercises and massaging his muscles before he went to his appointments. At lunch, he ate with just Draco as Joel was still downstairs in the testing rooms. The healer licensing exams took all day. Draco managed a full meal and was happier than when Harry first arrived that morning. He hated bringing him down, even a little, but it was necessary.

"Hey, Draco?"

Draco's grey eyes looked at him, waiting.

"I... I need you to sign something."

Draco grimaced and looked at the standard permission parchment Harry had gotten from Patient Records. Draco read it and looked at him for an explanation.

"For the case? I need... we need your permission to talk about your medical records and it can't be just... medical issues. They'll ask about everything and it will go into the Wizengamot's Court Records. Anyone could find out exactly what happened to you: read your scans, the Court transcripts and see memory vials of the case. It'll be in the papers....what happened to you. But if you don't want that... I'll understand."

Draco's searching eyes looked at him. "You need it?"

"Yes. We do. To try to get him... for it all. You won't have to testify and so... Hermione needs your permission to... put your medical file into record," Harry said. "But if you don't... want that... I'll understand and we'll try it a different way."

Draco looked at the form, again. His shoulders dropped and he met his eyes one last time before he nodded. "You'll have to steady my arm, Harry."

Harry came to his side and sent a Patronus through the wall to Natalie. She came and agreed to witness. Draco carefully signed the release and Harry couldn't be more proud of him.

"Thank you, Draco," Harry said, as Draco handed him the parchment that signed his right of confidentiality away.

"Anything for you, Harry," Draco responded, dryly.

Funny that had been exactly what Harry had thought when he came up with the new plan.

***

Joel breathed a sigh of relief as his last exam was over. His examiners had not taken it easy on him and docked him whenever they could, but they didn't catch him completely off guard. Harry had prepared him well for all his healing and diagnosing sections, and with Draco's expertise, he had blown the Mind Healing section out of the water.

Higgs had tried to make it as hard as possible. His "patient" had tried to resist him, actively, not like the passive way he should have. But Joel was able to force him to calm down, unequivocally ending the manufactured panic attack. Higgs eyebrows raised at that one. He wasn't stupid, by any means, and, as far as Higgs knew, Joel hadn't had any formal training.

Higgs had looked for evidence of cheating, but none could be found. Joel had passed his exams by the skin of his teeth, but he still had board review to get through. Higgs had failed him for his training in Mental Health, and Joel hadn't done well in a few other sections, too. Madam Bones hadn't been practically impressed with him, either.

But Joel would have to wait until tomorrow to go before all the department heads, to find out if he was to be hired as a healer, sent back to training or tossed from the program. He might still be able to get a private license to heal but it was harder. He left the exam room and ran into Harry in the hallway. Merlin, he hadn't expected Harry to come down and be so close to Higgs, but Harry had always put his friends first. Self-sacrificing didn't even scratch the surface of Harry's psyche. It was part of Harry's core identity. He put everyone before himself... to his detriment.

"Hey, Harry. Thanks for coming, but let's go before...."

"Potter. Nice to see you out of your cubby hole," Higgs drawled, appearing out of nowhere.

Joel didn't like how Harry tensed up. He was stressed enough as it was, and his social anxiety was only getting worse. He didn't need Occlumency to tell him that.

"Your boy barely passed," the older man spat.

"I passed without demerits, Higgs," Joel snapped back, before Harry could say anything.

Higg's nostrils flared. "That's Healer Higgs to you, runt! You aren't a healer and you never will be one, if I have anything to say on it. I'm going to figure out how you cheated!"

"I didn't cheat."

"Really? How'd you pass the Mind Healing section? Tell me!"

"He doesn't have to tell you shit, Higgs. Go stuff yourself!" Harry growled.

Joel tried to push Harry toward the door, but Higgs swelled up and spat, "You can't protect him, Potter! You can't even protect yourself. He's getting tossed from the program for failing the Mind Healing internship and you... you're going to be my pet project. You're going to be my number one patient, Potter, and I'll never let you go."

Harry was shaking and Joel got between him and Higgs. "Back the fuck up, Higgs. You say one more word and I'll report you to the head for harassment. You're a fucking idiot to try this here!"

"Go 'head. I got tenure and friends in high places, boy. But when it comes down to it... Potter wouldn't pass any mental health exam and we all know it. He should be locked up!"

"There are other ways to heal someone, Higgs! I certainly won't be leaving him or anyone else in your hands if I can help it."

"You can't help it! Potter's going to snap. The lack of sleep... the alcoholism... the panic attacks... the hypersensitivity..." Higgs said, in a drawn-out voice, emphasizing each word while Harry flinched at each one. "You see, I'm neither blind nor stupid. The Chosen One belongs in my ward. He's going to crack."

Harry froze and just stared at the floor. It was on Joel to handle Higgs and he would. "Fuck you, Higgs. Not everyone who's having emotional difficulties needs to be committed, you wanker. Harry is doing fine without it and you... you're just trying to make it worse!"

Higgs smirked. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. Now, sod off." He pushed past him, guiding Harry along. They got to the lift and Harry got on. Thankfully, it was empty as most people had left for the day.

Harry faced the wall, again, trying to calm down. Joel was always so proud of him. He never completely lost it, which many would have under Higgs constant assault.

"Harry... breathe, alright? He's wrong... that's not going to happen. He's just trying to break you," Joel said, trying to reassure him.

"I'm already broken," Harry whispered.

Joel frowned. "No, you aren't. You're hurting. You are recovering. He's just trying to rattle you. Don't let him win, Harry."

Harry took another deep breath and nodded. "How were your exams?"

"I think they went decent. They took every point they could, though, but they couldn't fail me," Joel explained and then smiled. "I aced the Mind Healing section."

Harry turned and looked at him, with a smile. "Did you?"

"I can't wait to tell Draco."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure you did great, Joel."

"But you're worried, aren't you?" Joel whispered. Higgs was a bastard, but there was some truth to his threats. He was far from being approved to be a healer at St. Mungo's. Higgs did have a lot of friends and a compelling argument to send him back to training.

Harry took another deep breath and walked out of the lift down the hall. "Yes, but let's not worry about that."

"My board evaluation is tomorrow...."

"I know. Just... it's going to work out, okay?"

Joel lowered his head. Despite passing his exams, the feeling of failure was starting to sink in. He didn't think that there was a way to convince the hospital board to license him as a healer. But he had picked his mentor and he didn't regret it. Harry was the best healer he had ever known, even without his abilities, and was an even better friend.

"Come on, let's go tell Draco the good news," Harry said, trying to be positive, but a tremor couldn't escape his control.

Joel stepped forward and offered his hand to Harry. He looked nervous at the idea of contact, but took it anyway, glad for some support. Joel walked him down the empty hallway, holding his hand, until they made Draco's room, where he was sure the Slytherin would finish calming him down.

Still here! Just got a new job and been getting into the new routine! Maybe I'll get back to my every two-week updates? Wishful thinking though, lol. I still love writing, but stupid life keeps making me do other things.