Healing Draco Malfoy

Published: 5/21/2025

It was nearly Christmas when Blaise and Neville came back home for the school break, and Draco was glad they came back. He was happy to show them his improvement in walking. Both his official healer and muggle physical therapist said he could walk short distances without his cane. However, they stressed that if he went out, was standing up for a while or walking on unstable ground, he really needed a cane for support, though.

"Well... looks like Potter has been taking care of you," Blaise said, surly, after he hugged him.

"Don't tease, Blaise," Neville said, hugging Draco, too, which Draco still felt surprised by his kindness.

"I wasn't!"

"Yes, you were!"

Draco laughed. "I can handle it. Welcome home. I really appreciate you both giving me alone time with Harry."

"Yeah, of course, Blondie... but are you guys making use of it?" Blaise asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Blaise!" Neville chided.

Draco let out a breath of fake exhaustion and hoped Harry wouldn't be too upset with him, but he needed to talk to Blaise about it. "To an extent. We need to be careful and take it slow."

"Sounds like a good plan. We had to... go slow, too," Neville admitted.

"Not too slow, though, right?" Blaise said, smirking.

"Blaise! Sorry, Draco, he's a pain sometimes," Neville said, taking Draco's hand. "Did you and Harry make holiday plans, yet? You are welcome to come with us to my gran's house."

"No!" Draco said, quickly. He nearly shuddered at the idea of meeting his terrifying grandmother face-to-face. She was a Wizengamot Court member, and therefore both his condemner and avenger. "Umm... I mean, no thank you. Harry... and his friends, invited me to the Weasley home for Christmas night. We'll be spending Christmas morning at my Aunt Andy's house."

"Nice. So, you've seen her?" Blaise asked. He had known that the eldest Black daughter had been excommunicated from the Black and Malfoy families.

"Once. Harry and I went over there a few weeks ago. I met my cousin. He's a little spitfire. Never stopped talking. But she was really nice... considering. We're trying to... start over," Draco said, still unable to believe that people would so readily accept him into their lives after everything. Sure, he was damaged, but it didn't change what side of the war he was on.

"That's great!" Nevile said.

"How's Harry?" Blaise said, watching his every expression. Blaise was too damn perspective. He should have been a mind healer.

"Doing great, actually. He's been expanding his consulting to elderly care, and a new team was started at the hospital called Spell Development. They're trying to replicate his spells... cause he doesn't really say spells, just... kinda thinks them into existence."

Blaise's eyes lit up in surprise. "Wow, that's great for him."

"They also doubled his paycheck," Draco said, smiling. "Something about former hospital staff members assaulting and dosing him with illegal potions."

"He deserves it. But how is he?" Blaise asked in earnest.

"Better... he's doing better. It's hard for him to get close... after everything. We're trying, though. He... he has been sleeping over every night. We haven't... done anything," Draco said, lowering his eyes.

Neville suddenly decided to check on his plants outside. "Well, I need to make sure that the weeping lilies are alright. You two talk."

Blaise watched him leave with a smile, and they sat at the kitchen table. "And it's too slow... or too fast for you?"

"Slow... fast... it's scary. I don't know what to say most of the time. He... he made safe words for us."

"Smart. Very smart," Blaise said, thankfully not judging.

"I don't want to hurt him, though. He won't even take off his shirt."

Blaise grimaced. "Have you asked him? Or asked him why he won't?"

Draco met his eyes and shook his head.

"Give it a try, Dray."

"Don't call me, Dray," he mumbled, without bite. It was a childhood nickname that he hated. Blaise used it throughout school to push his buttons. He had actually forgotten that he didn't like the name. He was surprised he had just remembered that.

"Don't lie... you love it. Your dad hated it. But I never used it in front of him, again. It was something that was just for us. Unless Potter's been using it."

"He hasn't. I just remembered... being irritated and sad when you said it. My father tried to make me stop being your friend," he said, suddenly remembering that argument with his father.

Blaise looked shocked. "You... you didn't listen to him, though?"

"I almost did. He was pissed that I would be friends with someone who wasn't committed like Greg and Vince," Draco murmured, sad and glad that he remembered another part of his past that wasn't about Harry. Blaise was important to him, and he wanted the memories of his best friend back that he had forgotten, too.

"I'm sorry, Dray... Draco," Blaise said, grimacing.

"Prat... of course, you can call me Dray. You were right. I did love it. I loved denying that I loved it," Draco murmured, smiling.

"I'm glad," Blaise smiled.

Draco sighed. "Listen... I know you'll be busy and want to relax over this break with your... partner...."

"Draco... Neville and I came back for you. We have every school night to cuddle and... other things. What's wrong?"

"My memory... Carla's helped me... and I have my journal... but I just can't remember some things... and I was wondering if we could talk about school?"

Blaise put his hand on his shoulders. "Draco, I have fourteen days that are all yours, well thirteen, as I have relationship duties in the form of in-laws to attend to. We can talk every day while Potter is off saving babies or whatever he does."

Draco snorted. "Thanks... but I don't think he's even treated a baby... in the hospital, anyway. His niece and nephew always demand his attention."

Blaise laughed. "Do you still visit?"

"Yes, two nights a week, like Harry did before. I'm Unca Dray-co."

"Uncle, eh?" Blaise scoffed. "They ever come here?"

"No... I didn't want to be inconsiderate... this is your home, Blaise, and they're kids. For all I know, you and Neville have a sex room upstairs."

Blaise choked on nothing, and his skin darkened. Touche, Draco thought, but Blaise muttered, "No... we don't."

Draco smirked, proudly, glad he could pick on Blaise for once. "Sure, sure. The point is... I'm still a guest."

"A roommate, and I don't mind at all, Draco. Invite whoever you want over," Blaise said and hummed. "Well, actually... I do need to set things right with those two."

"Who?"

"Weasley... and well... Weasley-Granger."

"What?"

"Remember? I came to their home and spied on their conversation, very Slytherin-y? They practically threw me out of their house. Weasley was glaring at me when that Higgs-thing went down, and we didn't really talk during your birthday party, either. But I'll send an owl to see if they'd like to come over for dinner."

Draco nodded. "Have Neville do it. No one can stay mad at him."

"True. I'd rather Neville resume his relationship with them, even if it means apologizing. It was a big step for him to tell them... to come out... and it kinda got overshadowed by my presence."

"Your mission, you mean? I certainly won't mind them coming over. Weasley and I made peace to a limited extent. Talking to him is still hard, but I know he doesn't hold our school shit against me. Harry would probably like it, too. He goes over there in the mornings, a couple of days a week, to run with Weasley and then comes home to shower and massage me."

"Damn, Harry's active. Running?" Blaise huffed, like the activity was beneath him.

"He says it helps his mental health. Joel's muggle methods of mind healing."

"Huh... and you're an actual mind healer, now?" Blaise questioned, giving him a look.

"I told you that in many letters."

"No, I mean... will he... have you tried?"

Draco looked out the window. "We're not there yet. The thing about recovery is... it's self-driven, Blaise. We can't force him. He couldn't force me to do those exercises. I had to fight to move, to sit up... to walk... to talk...."

"And Potter doesn't want to fight?" Blaise surmised.

"He's not ready to face it," Draco murmured.

"Oh, I see. Is there anything...."

"No... I mean, time is what he needs. I understand his reluctance. If Joel hadn't needed to learn... I'm not sure I would be so... healed, either. He was the one who brought Carla to me... and she... she's helped dig deeper. Learn Legilimency, rather than just Occlumency and helped me confront rather than evade. And one day, I want to help Harry, and that was as much motivation as I needed."

"You became a mind healer for Harry?" his best friend concluded.

"Not just. It pushed me to get better, to heal my own wounds, and trust other people enough to see new patients. I'm... I'm going to apply to work at St. Mungo's... after the holidays. Just part-time, but it should make meeting Harry for lunch easier."

"I'm proud of you, Draco," Blaise said, looking very serious.

Draco met his eyes and teared up a little. "Thanks...."

"Come on, let's sit down in the den. We can talk about the good ol' days... though... I think that's a misnomer. I've never been happier than I am now."

Draco nodded in agreement and walked with him to the couch, unassisted.

****

"So..." Ron started, as Harry finally caught up to him at the end.

"So... what..." Harry replied, panting, as he slowed to a walk.

"Neville and... his boyfriend? invited me and my wife over for dinner. He said that the kids are welcome too," Ron said. It had certainly been a surprise. The owl had been for him, and he hadn't asked Hermione about it yet. Ron saw the play in that... and that Neville, and not Blaise, had sent it.

Harry took a drink of his water and evened out his breathing. He didn't look surprised. "Huh. Draco... mentioned it. Well... Blaise did. If you're worried about the kids... it's a beautiful property. Decently kid-safe."

"Why is he inviting all of us over?" he pressed, staring at Harry, who had never been good at lying.

"I can't tell you that. Maybe trying to make Draco comfortable to extend invitations? It's not really Draco's home. I'm sure he has some motive or intention behind it, but after all the time I spent with him, he seems genuinely a nice guy."

Harry seemed to be telling the truth, and so should he. "I ran a background check on him."

"Ron!" Harry chastised.

"It was after the bastard was skulking around my home. Highest marks on his Mastery boards for Defense against the Dark Arts... or rather Dark Arts. His mastery thesis was in the Department of Education's archives," Ron said. He had looked into the Black Widow, too, who had fled the country at war's end as Aurors put out a warrant for the circumstantial death of husband number seven.

"I think that's going a bit far, Ron."

"Hey... I'm paranoid about people who can accurately describe eviscerating spells being around my kids... and you," Ron said, looking at him, directly.

Harry sighed. "I still think it was going too far. Yeah... I'm gullible. I know that, but I'd rather be trusting than paranoid."

Ron backtracked. "You're not gullible, Harry. You see a lot more than most. Yeah, it's easy to forgive Draco now, but you saw him... his struggle... before he even went to prison. I couldn't let it go. I was even pissed at you for testifying."

Harry lowered his head. "I know you were, but you were grieving Fred, too. Draco could have been evil, too, and maybe I was naïve back then in thinking that he wasn't."

"No. Harry, he wasn't. You knew he wasn't. Harry... stop second-guessing yourself... I know why... you know why. That guy was evil, and maybe you missed signs... like the fake Mad-Eye. When people try to intentionally mislead you... it's not your fault. You can't doubt your instincts when someone genuinely needs help."

Harry was quiet and muttered, "And you investigated Blaise because?"

"We're talking about you, Harry. But yes... being an Auror has made me paranoid. I see threats and situations that I don't want to see. Sure, maybe I should go see the mind healer, again. But my instincts... after the Higgs, Draco's birthday party and the Reunion... say Zabini isn't bad. I will go... and I'm sure Hermione will agree to go, too, okay?"

"Try to be nice to him. He's just protective... sometimes to the expense of everyone else."

"Protective? I'm pretty sure he would have eviscerated Higgs after we found out that he tortured Neville's parents."

Harry nodded. "Yeah... he does embrace the darker response. But Neville really likes him. Blaise has defended Neville from his bigot relatives, and they seem to be in love."

"Yeah, yeah... play nice. We'll go. Are you going back, now?"

"Nah... I'll let Blaise and Draco catch up a bit more. Let's eat breakfast with the tykes."

"Sounds good. Pancake day!" Ron said and turned toward the house. "Oh... can you tell Hugo he can move back into his room?"

Harry stopped and so did Ron. "Oh... right... I didn't even think that I had been occupying his room this whole time. Damn... I'm sorry...."

"Stop. I told him two months ago to move back in, but Hugo was adamant that it was Unca Arry's room and he might bring Unca Draco home to stay. He and Rose have been the most cooperative than they've ever been. It's been so much easier. Forced cohabitation in the name of the mission. They do love their uncle."

"Their uncle, who doesn't give them enough time."

"I think they are satisfied every time you bring Unca Draco over to play Dragons and Wizards with them," Ron laughed.

They went inside to eat, and Ron made pancakes for everyone with chocolate smiley faces on them. Harry endured tickle attacks from kids, and then sat down with Hugo and Rose to thank them for letting him use Hugo's room while Ron watched. He explained that if he did come back to stay the night, he could use the couch.

"But what about Unca Draco?" Hugo whined.

"I think Unca-Uncle Draco likes his own bed, plus he does his morning exercises."

"Like you and Dad running?" Rose asked.

"Something like that. Remember when Draco was in a wheelchair?" Harry asked.

"Yeah?"

"Well, he can walk, now. It just takes time and physical therapy. I could barely run two months ago, and now I can catch your dad."

"You wish, Harry," Ron hooted.

"Yeah, yeah. But Draco is still healing, and he needs space. Kids... I am very happy I spent these last few months with you. I was hurt, too, and sometimes... you can't see the boo-boos. I needed to get better."

Rose hugged him, with tears in her eyes. "We were worried about you, Uncle Harry."

Hugo smashed into him, too. "Did Unca Draco fix you?"

Harry laughed. "He really helped, and so did you, too. Thank you," he said and kissed their heads. "Now, let's get Hugo's stuff where it belongs and have ice cream."

"ICE CREAM!" Hugo screamed.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted, annoyed, from her office down the hall.

Harry got their rooms fixed and took them out for ice cream. Ron sat down with his wife and explained what had happened and his feelings on the matter. She agreed to write Neville back and accept the offer. A few days later, Ron, Hermione and the kids flooed over to Neville and Zabini's house, and they looked around in undeniable wonderment at what looked like the den.

"Wow! Our whole house can fit in this room!"

"Hugo!" Hermione said, embarrassed.

"Not quite, little man," Harry said from the couch, as the kids jumped on him.

"Welcome to our home," Zabini said, with sincere politeness as he entered the room. "Draco's changing, and Neville's just finishing setting the table to his grandmother's standards."

"I am not!" Neville said, coming in. "Hey guys!"

"Neville!" Hugo and Rose said and hugged him.

"It's great to see you, again! My Merlin! You both keep growing! You're about a foot taller!"

"We don't grow tha' much!" Hugo said, and Neville messed up his hair.

"How's those plants I gave you?"

"The winterlily is so beautiful!" Rose nearly screeched.

"I got berries on mine!" Hugo relied.

"And you don't eat them, right?" Neville checked.

"Right! No berry eating! I remember Unca Neville!" Hugo said, proudly.

"Mum put up a charm anyway."

"Well, I wasn't going to risk it," she said.

"A wise precaution," Zabini declared and Ron looked at him.

At the party, Ron and the kids had largely ignored Zabini, but the man stepped forward and knelt down. "Hey, Rose and Hugo, right? Do you remember me from the birthday party?"

Ron cleared his throat. "Kids, this is... Uncle Draco's friend, Blaise, and he's Neville's partner. He's going to be one of your professors at Hogwarts, like Neville is. Professor Zabini."

"You're a teacher, Professor?" Rose asked. Rose had started some preschool classes, and it was appropriate to address the instructor formally.

"Yep, but I don't think you need to call me professor. I'm not your teacher, yet. Neville says you call him by his first name, and it's okay to call me by mine, Blaise, if you want. I'm not too picky."

"Hello, Blaise. I'm Ms. Rose Ginevra Granger-Weasley, nice to meet you," Rose announced, offering her hand like he was the president. Zabini took it.

Ron had to refrain from laughing but couldn't help it when Hugo just said, "I'm Hugo!"

"That you are," Neville said, and messed up his hair.

"Hey!"

"Hay is for unicorns," Draco said, as he walked into the room wearing some light grey robes.

"Unca Draco!" Hugo yelled and pushed everyone out of the way to get to him.

Harry jumped up to help as Hugo tackled him. Luckily, they didn't crash to the floor.

"I got you!" Hugo said.

"Yep, you do..." Draco said, struggling to remain standing. Thankfully, he grabbed onto a cabinet to remain upright.

"Hugo! What have I told you about tackling Uncle Draco!" Hermione scolded.

"That he shouldn't do it," Rose answered, as she peeled her brother off him and then hugged Draco, too.

Ron had to smirk. But Neville offered to take them on a tour of their home. He showed them the den, office rooms, Draco's exercise room, another smaller den, a guestroom, Draco's room, and a large open concept dining room and kitchen. Damn, this was probably the nicest house Ron had been in... except a few Auror busts.

"Did you want to go upstairs?" Neville asked. "It's nothing but bedrooms, closets and bathrooms."

"No, I think we can skip it. You both have a wonderful home," Hermione said, as the kids complained about not going upstairs.

Harry and Draco sat on the couch, and Harry said, "You okay from that hit?"

"Yeah... thankfully, he's still a little guy," Draco said.

Hermione apologized again for Hugo's hugging attack. Then Neville said, "Do you want to see the grounds?"

"It's a bit cold," Hermione said, looking out the window, dubiously.

"Quick look at the greenhouse, then?" Neville suggested.

Hermione was curious enough to go, and Neville assured her it was safe for the kids. Neville led Hermione and the kids to the front door, while Harry and Draco said that they would stay in the den. Zabini announced that he was going to the kitchen to finish up dinner.

Ron decided it was his best chance and didn't leave with the group going to the greenhouse. He cast a Muffliato Charm at the den entrance and made his way toward the kitchen. Ron could see Zabini mixing something in the kitchen area, his back facing him. Ron walked toward him until he was to the island separating them.

"I wondered if you'd find me alone," Zabini muttered, and Ron wasn't surprised that he knew.

"Zabini," Ron acknowledged, as he turned to face him.

"Weasley, if you want to be so formal. Harry and I managed to let go of our surnames. What would you like to discuss? Do you need an official apology from me, then? I'm sorry. I didn't plan on going to your home for the express purpose of spying on you. You were talking so loud about what happened. We... or rather, Neville had asked to come, because I needed answers and we weren't going to explain me over a letter. Draco was worried. I was worried. So, I apologize for eavesdropping, if that's what you're after."

"No, I wasn't... or maybe I was. Harry trusts you, and Neville, I think, is in love with you. McGonagall, the General of Hogwarts, let you on her staff. I can let it go... accept it."

Zabini's voice darkened. "Can you? Grace me with mercy of your forgiveness? I remember what you said when you saw it was me in your house. More pissed that it was me rather than the spying. I know my reputation, Auror. Another dark, cold-blooded killer, right? That was my mother. She moved to Italy with her eighth husband. It wasn't her blood money that paid for this house. It was my father's, left in a trust for me. He was the only one who outwitted her."

"I didn't say that I forgave you. I said I accepted it. And you're right... you do have a reputation... or rather, your mother does. It was hard to see you past her deeds. I apologize for jumping to conclusions when you came into my home without my knowledge. Did you sense the number of wards I have on my house? I'm a bit paranoid. That's my family out there, Harry included... and probably Draco, too. I didn't come here to fight," Ron said, trying to be amicable.

Zabini started chopping vegetables. "No... you're not the hothead I remember from school."

"And you're not the prideful git that had half the girls in our class swooning."

"And half the boys," Zabini added, wryly.

"Yeah, so... I owe you another apology. I... ran a background check on you."

"Before or after the invite?"

"Before. It was after you came to my house. You were a threat. I analyze threats. So, I'm sorry for... looking into you," Ron apologized.

Zabini... Blaise was quiet and defensive. Hurt, like any other normal human. Ron could see that underneath Blaise's hostility was a very lonely and hurt guy.

"I am sorry... sorry that I judged you based on my memories of Hogwarts that were admittedly rough at times. And if all that shit hadn't happened to Draco, that would have been my first reaction to seeing him in my house without invite. But I did get to know him, and I'm starting to get to know you, too. First impressions are a bitch to overcome, but I'm willing to work toward overcoming them, Blaise," Ron said, trying to make peace.

"Are you?" Blaise scoffed, nonplussed.

"I brought my kids here. I trust you. That's the best peace offering I can offer. Did I misunderstand the intention of your invitation? I surmised that you wanted to bury the hatchet, as the muggle saying goes? So, friends?" Ron said, as he offered his hand.

"Friends, Ron," Blaise agreed, taking his hand.

As they shook hands, Ron said, "Besides... I have a feeling we'll end up as the best man at those two idiots' wedding. We probably will need to cooperate and plot to make sure they don't do stupid things."

Blaise let go and sighed, "They do do stupid things. I am very good at plotting... the true Slytherin I am."

"Are you? How's the plot for proposing to Neville going?"

Blaise jerked his head up and glared, but then his expression softened. "Sorry... it's just... I haven't done it yet. I-I didn't think he'd stay this long."

Ron leaned forward, making eye contact. "Blaise... he's head over heels for ya. Don't drag it out anymore, mate."

"Yeah... I was thinking Christmas," Blaise admitted.

"It sounds wonderful. Do it before you go to his gran's. It'll be a wonderful Christmas present."

"Thanks, Weasley. You won't ment-"

"I won't tell a soul. I mean... unless my wife demands to know. Can't deny her anything, right?"

"Right," Blaise said, as the front door opened and Neville, Hermione and the kids came back in.

Ron lifted the Muffliato and assumed no one noticed. The rest of the night went smoothly, and Ron made the effort to talk to his new friend... and offered suggestions on getting Draco and Harry closer together. Blaise asked if Ron and Hermione would be interested in coming to a New Year's Eve party. They gladly accepted. Harry and Draco seemed pleased that they had started getting along and made suggestions of who to invite, too.

Ron was glad that they settled things. Blaise was a great friend to have, just like Draco was.

So there's actually a deleted scene from this chapter. I rarely delete more than a few sentences. What I write is what you get... but... with all the different stories I was writing, I kinda mixed up that Blaise and Neville were home for Christmas break and not summer break. So swimming and walking around the grounds is not happening in December. So I'm going to post it in my prompts, 온라인카지노게임 ideas work, if you're interested. Maybe I'll find a 온라인카지노게임 to put it in. It's not very long, as I realized my mistake quickly.

Anyway, kinda needed to sow the back stories a bit. Ron gets a second chapter and we get to see Blaise's softness.