Draco Malfoy, Broken

Fluff has arrived! It's a long chapter and sorry for switching between character POVs four times, but I wanted it from that person's prospective.

13 - Readjusting

The Wizengamot filed out quickly, the warlocks stiff from hours of testimony and deliberations. Draco sat froze as they all left, walking past him to the door. Professor McGonagall came over to see Potter.

"Thank you, Professor," Potter said and she waved him off.

"Nothing... it was nothing. I expect I will see you back as well, Mr. Potter?" she asked, sounding slightly victorious.

"If you'll have me," Potter joked. His old Head of House gave him her glare.

"Of course. I'll be expecting you on the first, Mr. Malfoy. You can expect my owl."

Draco didn't look at her, only nodded, still sitting in the accused chair.

"Mr. Malfoy, I was one of those who insisted upon you completing your education. It also may give you a chance to heal your wounds, if you are surrounded by friends, instead of cooped up with no one but your mother. I'm sorry if the sentence is harsh. But if you study and work hard, I have no doubt you will succeed.

"Thank you, Professor. I'm just..." Draco broke off. He had no answer.

"It's quite alright. We will get you squared away, if there are any issues."

"Thank you, again, Headmistress," Potter said, giving her a respectful nod as she walked out the door.

Draco looked back and the court was clear but for them, Granger and the Weasel. Draco still wouldn't look at either of them.

"You mean I have to deal with him for another year?" Weasel growled.

"Ron... can I meet you back at my place?" Potter asked.

"Without him? Sure," Weasley spat. Granger gave Potter a hug and pulled her not-boyfriend out of the courtroom.

Draco hesitantly looked up and Potter. He was smiling, again. "Come on. You're free."

He got up and slowly walked out into the hallway. "W-What now?"

Potter shrugged and nodded over his shoulder. Draco turned and his heart stopped. Narcissa Malfoy came toward him. He started shaking again, but it was in trepidation of seeing his mother, walking up to him. He shrunk down, lowering his head and his eyes. She would see how hurt he was... it would hurt her to look at him.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," Draco moaned dropping his head into her shoulder, though she was over a foot shorter.

She wrapped her arms around him and he was safe. His father and Voldemort couldn't hurt him, now. Her embrace was exactly the way he remembered. She loved him, for all his faults and for what he did.

"I'm sorry, mom," he repeated and she shushed him, squeezing him harder. "It was all my fault... they hurt you because...."

"Stop that!" she snapped. "I forgive you, I'll always forgive you. Oh, Draco, my poor precious angel, how you've suffered. I'm the one who's sorry. If I'd only been stronger... I would have left your father long before Voldemort. Forget everything. You're safe, my precious one."

Draco couldn't help but start sobbing like he was a baby. He just wanted his mother to hold him until everything was better, until he was fixed, but that wasn't going to happen.

Then he heard Longbottom call from the elevator, "Harry, the press is coming." Draco froze.

"Don't worry, I got it. Hold on," Potter said.

"What are you..." Draco started, but Potter wrapped his arms around both of them and Apparated. They landed in an unfamiliar apartment. Draco looked around, his eyes still watering. Potter released them.

"This is my place, Draco. The mansion was seized," his mother's soft voice breathed.

"Good. I don't ever want to see that place again," he growled. "Potter, how did you...."

"I don't know," Potter said, nonchalantly. "I noticed that I could Apparate into the Atrium and been pushing it more and more. Are you okay?"

Potter then put his hand on Draco's shoulder briefly, before letting it fall back to his side. Draco only tensed from the light contact. Draco forced himself to swallow. Was he okay? He had no idea. He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and gave a noncommittal shrug. He wouldn't look into the eyes of the Savior.

"Thank you, Harry. You don't know how much this means to me," his mother said, giving the Chosen One a hug.

"It wasn't a problem. Malfoy... are you going to be okay?" Potter asked, again in sincerity. He apparently did not trust his nonverbal response.

"I don't know. Everything is too much... I can't even think straight. But I'm home," he said, looking at his mother.

"It'll get better... clear up. Did you need anything Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Harry, you gave me my world back. He's all I wanted," she said, hugging Draco again, who couldn't help but cry into her shoulder, again.

"I'll be a floo away. Number 12, Grimmauld Place. I check in on you in a few days, okay?"

Draco let go of his mother to turn to face his enemy for nearly seven years, shaking. "Harry... I...."

"Don't worry about it. Get your strength up, Malfoy. You're going to need it. School starts in less than two weeks that is hardly enough time. But the circumstances couldn't be helped. It was that or five years on probation, which might have been easier, but I thought you'd want to put it all behind you quicker. I'll be back in a few days. Just try to readjust."

Draco swallowed, but before he could say anything, Potter waved them a goodbye and disappeared with a Crack!

Thank you, he thought.

"He's... amazing. I can't believe he did it... any of it. Oh Draco, come here," she said, pulling her son to the couch and letting him blubber and cry all over her.

He didn't care. If there was anyone he could let all his barriers down with, it was his mother. He didn't bother to hide how mentally fucked he was. She would know. She knew everything about him. He cried even more when he realized that they would soon be separated. They sat there on the couch all day and all night. She never complained or asked him to tell her anything. She just held him close to her.

***

Harry arrived back on Grimmauld Place, to find Ron and Hermione there, in a strained silence sitting at his table.

"Ron... thank you for today," Harry said, sitting down with to them.

"I figured if you were dumb enough to invite me and trust that I'd support you, then I had to back you, no matter how stupid you are. Even if it is Malfoy," Ron grunted, not at all willing to budge.

"Ron...." Hermione started.

"Hey, I called off the charges. I voted how you wanted. I'm not just going to forgive everything he's done to me over the last seven years. I'm over it."

"Doesn't sound like it," Harry muttered.

"But Ron... didn't you hear what his father did..." Hermione started.

"Yes, his father treated him like shit and he took it out on me, you and Harry!" he yelled, getting to his feet. "That's how I see it! Why can't you see that? Oh, his dad was a jerk. So was Harry's aunt and uncle and he didn't turn out to be a complete asshole. It's just a weak excuse for a kid that beats people up. He could have done a million things other than hurt everyone around him."

Harry sighed. He had hoped to get on good terms with Ron, but he could see that was going to be a work in progress. He stood up, too, making Hermione get up, trying to mediate. Her hands were up as though ready to push them further apart.

"Ron, this isn't over. He's coming back to Hogwarts and I'm going to watch out for him," Harry declared outright.

"What? Why? Haven't you done enough for that spoiled brat?"

"I won't leave him. He's traumatized."

"You're kidding, right?"

"I got him out. I'm responsible for him."

"You are not kidding," Ron said, obviously frustrated.

"No."

"And you?" Ron asked Hermione.

"I don't think I need you for this part, Hermione," Harry said, offering her an out.

"Hey!" Ron barked.

"Enough, I don't know what exactly you are asking, Ronald. I won't actively pursue a friendship with Malfoy, but I will help him, if he needs it. I'm not 'picking sides' in this. So stop dragging me into this or I'll hex you!" she growled and Ron blanched.

"Ron, I hope that you can forgive me. But I need to help him."

"Why can't you leave well enough alone, Harry? First, it's getting his Death Eater ass out of Azkaban, now it's holding his hand at school... how long are you going to look after the prat? Until he's married and as a blond-haired bastard of his own?"

"If need be. Did you really not pay attention? He's broken, Ron. He suffered more than anyone."

"Yeah, sure. He probably just exaggerated it."

"How do you exaggerate 63 Cruciatus Curses, Ron? They physically counted them. That's not even counting the daily torture the Death Eaters inflicted upon him," Harry spat.

"I-damnit, I still don't care. Why do you? He's free. Any perceived obligation you could possibly have is done. He did nothing in the years that we've known him to warrant this level of concern. He bullied, tricked, injured and tried to get us expelled how many times? Remember Buckbeak? Pretending to be dementors? That song he made up? Hexing us at every chance? Calling Hermione a m-"

"Alright! I got it," Harry growled, irritated. "We were kids, Ron."

"Forget and forgive, right? Fred is dead. His dad almost killed Ginny. He almost killed me! He let in Greyback who mauled Bill! Any of us could have died! Does that even matter to you? That he is capable of murder and you just got him off? He's playing you."

"What the long con? Yeah, right."

"What?"

"Nothing... I don't want us to fight anymore."

"Then give him up. You almost called him your...."

"My friend," Harry finished, realizing the truth of what he said, again.

"Yes... he's not. He's desperate. He'll say and do anything to get out. He's a Slytherin."

"He's my friend, now," Harry declared and looked Ron in the eyes. "I won't abandon my friends."

"I mean that little to you?"

"You aren't asking me for help. You're asking me to throw him to the wolves. Can't you see that? Let it go, Ron. I'm not asking for much."

"You are," Ron seethed and looked at Hermione.

"Go ahead and say it, Ronald. Just like last time!" she snapped, tears ready to flow.

"No... don't do this!" Harry pleaded, separating them. He couldn't let her go through it, again. "I'll be fine, Hermione! Please! Just go with him."

"No, I'm going home to my parents, unless you want to say something?" she glared at Ron. He looked away. "You're such a child. Owl me when you've grown up. I'll talk to you soon, Harry," she said and disappeared with a Pop!

"Great," Ron sighed.

"You hurt her again and I swear...."

"My family comes first with me."

"I thought we were family."

"I thought we were too, but you wanted to help my family's sworn enemy. A Death Eater."

"Sworn enemy? Really? I'm sorry, Ron. Just don't take it out of her, please. She's my sister and she loves us both. She can't not help me. You know that."

"Yeah... I'll talk to her. Maybe tomorrow. If you change your mind, let me know."

"I understand," Harry said, hanging his head as Ron also Apparated.

He sunk into his chair and wrapped his arms over his head, planting it on the table in exasperation. Tears filled his eyes as he realized that he was alone. Hermione couldn't stay with him anymore, not without hurting her. He asked enough of her already. Those weeks without Ron when they were on the run were brutal on her. He couldn't allow her to be in that amount of pain, again.

A small Crack! told him that Kreacher had returned. "Master Harry, you want some dinner?"

"No thank you, Kreacher. I'm not hungry. I... Kreacher, I'm going back to school for another year. Do you want to stay here by yourself or come back to the school?"

"Oh no! Master Harry, I must come with you! You honor brave Master Regulus!" he said, bowing deeply.

"You don't have to come... it's a choice," he said, awkwardly.

"I choose to come with you! Besides I am a hero elf to the Hogwarts elves! We proudly fought to defeat the enemies of Master Regulus!" the old house elf declared.

"That you did. Thank you... I'm going to bed... wake me if anything..." he stopped.

He didn't bother finishing the sentence. Ron and Hermione were gone. He was alone. Kreacher was not the best conversationalist, being a neglected, elderly, self-enslaved, slightly demented house elf. He felt drained. He slowly pulled off his Wizengamot robes as he walked up the stairs and into his dead godfather's room. H etook a long swig out of the bottle of firewhiskey next to his bed. He curled up in his bed and let his nightmares have him.

***

Narcissa Malfoy didn't think she had any tears left. Her only child was in the fetal position on the floor, crying out against the memories that tormented him. He was awake, sobbing and unable to break out of the delusion. She held him, pleaded and begged him to snap out of his flashback, but he didn't. He was so afraid and there was nothing she could do. She felt as helpless as when it had happened right in front of her.

"Draco... my sweet... please...."

Draco did not answer. He shook violently, rocking back and forth with no sign that he would recover.

"Draco!" she said louder, but to no avail.

Her eyes, despite everything, still watered. She hugged him and tried to get him to return to her. She looked at the clock. It was time for work. She couldn't miss another day. She couldn't afford to get fired. She did not have marketable skills in muggle society. Even her fabricated resume and a little Confounding barely helped to get her the post. She had to support him now, too, and somehow pay tuition. She would have to go to Gringotts.

"Draco? Draco, honey... I have to go. I have to work. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry!" she said.

She wished she was better at her charms, but with her refurbished wand she got from a Knockturn Alley peddler wasn't very cooperative. She couldn't afford a new one, not that she had any desire to enter Ollivander's shop, again.

"Draco... I'll be back in a few hours. I'll be back as soon as I can," she whispered into his ear before getting up and changing. She cleaned up with her lackluster wand, before going to the doorway of Draco's room.

It had been three days since the trial and Draco hadn't shown any real signs of coming out of it. He would slowly eat and sometimes would talk to her, but he just started to cry whenever he got too far into a conversation. To say that she was terrified, was an understatement. She knew it was going to be bad, but her son was in so much pain... he wasn't ever going to be the same, again. Broken.

She hoped that work would put her mind at ease and was about to walk out the door when a black owl flew in and deposited a letter. It was Harry's owl. She tore it open and it was a request for permission to stop by. She looked at the time and knew there was no way to wait for Adalynn to make it back in time. She copied down her work address and requested he meet her there in an hour or so. She attached to the waiting owl's leg and sent her back to her owner. Then she walked out the door, before her son's helplessness drew her back.

She arrived at the library in the nick of time, offering her apologies to her co-workers about being gone for so long. They said it was alright and she started sorting the returnables from the drop box. It was mind-numbing work. Check the title, call number and re-shelve it. She had to keep it together. She had to be strong. He was never going to get better if she broke down, too.

"Mrs. Malfoy?" Harry said, quietly, about an hour into her shift.

"Oh Harry, you came. I'm going on my break!" she called the head librarian, who nodded, unconcerned. "Follow me." She took him into a private study room.

"Is everything...."

"No it isn't! He's trapped... I mean in his mind. He screams at the night and hasn't stopped crying. I don't know what to do! He just keeps apologizing every time I talk to him! What can I do?" she said, despondently, tears pouring from her eyes.

Harry hugged her, like he did the first time he spoke to her. "I'm sorry. I don't really know. Just be there for..." he broke off.

She grimaced, knowing he realized that she had left him alone in the apartment. "I had to work... I need this...."

"Stop, you don't have to justify yourself. He's there alone?"

"Yes. But he couldn't answer... he wouldn't talk to me. I don't know if he knows where I went."

"I see," Harry said, hugging her, again.

"What kind of mother am I?" she moaned, more tears coming out. "I can't help him... I couldn't protect him."

"It's not your fault," Harry murmured gently into her ear. "You were trapped, too. He was trying to protect you."

"That just makes it worse. I'm his mother. It should be the other way around."

"I think it goes both ways. You both survived. It's about recovering, now."

"But how... I'm never seen him so... he's in so much pain."

"It won't be easy. But I'm here to help. That's why you asked me to come?"

"Please... Harry. I've asked so much of you... I owe you so much already, but I don't know what to do."

"It's okay. I am willing to help, especially after I've seen him. I'll stay with him... until you come home and when you have to go to work, again, if that's okay with you."

"Oh my Merlin! Thank you, Harry! I can't tell you how relieved I am." She squeezed him tighter.

"It's not a problem... I really have nothing else to do until school starts. I'm going to go straight there, unless there'll be a problem?"

"Oh no... please go. Thank you," she breathed.

"I'd better leave here to Apparate away, I don't need to confuse people."

Narcissa nodded. Harry opened the door and left out the library. She dabbed her eyes dry and went out to start working, again. She thought that she should take the chance and go to Gringotts before returning home. Harry might have promised to watch over Draco, but he might change his mind.

***

Harry landed in Narcissa Malfoy's apartment with a resounding Crack! and there was shouting all around him. His mouth dropped when he saw two muggle policemen, holding Malfoy, handcuffed, and looking positively alarmed by his sudden appearance. They let go of Malfoy, who dropped to the floor, and reached for their weapons. Harry was faster.

"Obliviate!" he yelled. The two muggles looked very confused, but their police training kicked in.

"You don't move! We are here to..." the poor memory-deprived officer started, but realized he had no idea.

Harry quickly Confounded them, for good measure, and said, "Officers, you're in the wrong apartment. It's the next floor down."

"Yeah, we should go... we were checking on..." the other officer also drew a blank.

"You were checking on the screaming!" a large, stocky man said, from the doorway. "Someone was screaming bloody murder!"

"Oh... that was the television."

"No, it wa-"

"Obliviate!" Potter whispered again and the man looked around confused.

"Sorry about the noise. We'll keep the TV down. Just hit the wrong button. It's just a misunderstanding."

"Well, it's important that everyone is okay. Do you need a report taken?" asked one of the policemen.

"I don't think so... what for?" the man at the door said.

"Well, have a good day, gentlemen," the officers said, leaving.

The portly man remained in the doorway, looking at them intently. He had keys in his hand and Harry narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not sure it's proper for you to be opening your tenant's doors."

"And who'd you be?" he grunted. Harry could see food stains on the front of his shirt and had a ghastly odor.

"Friend of the family."

"Not living with the wench, are you?" he sneered.

"Excuse you? You want to say that, again?" Harry's voice darkened.

The muggle flinched, but got back into his nasty comments. "Hey, she lives for dirt cheap here. If there's someone else, she's coughing up more!"

Harry walked over to the man, who looked to be in his forties. The landlord backed out into the hall.

"You don't threaten me! I have to deal with assholes all..." he sneered, before Harry grabbed his shirt.

"I frighten you a lot. Now, get away from here. You ever set foot in this apartment, again, I'll report you. The tenant laws are very particular about thresholds."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Rent's past due. I'll evict her!"

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much is due?" Harry said. The man spat a number and Harry pulled out his wallet, for twice the amount. "It'll cover this and next month's rent. If you charge her anything else, I will string you up by your ears. Don't try me."

"Fine. Tell her rent is due in October."

"I will," Harry growled, slamming the door on the man's face.

He sighed and heard some struggling on the other side of the couch. Malfoy. He rounded the couch and saw that Malfoy was sitting on the floor, trying to get out of the handcuffs.

"What kind of magic is this?" he said, dryly, failing at getting his hands apart.

"It's not magic, it's... muggle," Harry said, and unlocked them with his wand. He hoped the muggle policeman wouldn't get in trouble for having lost them.

The Slytherin rubbed his wrists and looked at the silver handcuffs, now that he was free. He opened and closed them with a series of clicking noises and then went right around, again.

"They're called handcuffs. It's how muggles restrain other muggles instead of Incarcerous."

Malfoy looked at them confused, trying to figure out how they work. "Not magic? I couldn't get then to do this when they were on me."

"It only goes one way," Harry said, chuckling at his confusion. He sat down next to him.

"Thanks... for umm... everything," he said, throwing the cuffs away from him.

"Yeah. She didn't want to leave you. She had to work."

"Work? My mother shouldn't have to work."

"Well, she does. She had to pay fines instead of prison time. Your father's accounts were seized upon his conviction, too. War reparations."

The young heir nodded. "My family name really is dead."

"Not as long as you live, Malfoy. You can still make a name for yourself."

"Yeah right. I'm a Death Eater. I'll only be known by this," Malfoy said, rubbing his left arm.

The skull and serpent brand was faded but there. His breathing became shallow as he stared at the mark. Harry took his hand, which Malfoy immediately tried to pull away.

"Why do you always do that?" Malfoy said, still trying to get his hand free.

"It's the only time you really focus on me."

Malfoy stared at him and forgetting his hand was trapped. "And why do you want that?"

"So you don't think about the... other things."

"Other things..." Malfoy agreed and looked away.

"They said you were screaming," Harry asked, quietly, maintaining his hold on Malfoy's slender hand.

"Probably. I woke up when they started touching me and I didn't react very well. It didn't help that I couldn't..." Malfoy's jaw snapped shut.

"Say anything?" Harry provided. Malfoy nodded. "It's all handled. I'll put some Silencing Charms on the walls and your mom's door. She has to sleep sometime."

Malfoy looked at him and lowered his head. Harry squeezed his hand.

"Look at me. You're going to get through this. It's going to get better."

"How can you believe that?"

"Hey, I defeated Voldemort. I can believe anything!" Harry said, chuckling.

Malfoy smirked at him. "Prat."

"Yep. So, what do you want to do?" Harry asked.

"What?" Malfoy asked.

"Well, she's going to be gone for several hours. I told her I'd say here."

"I don't need a babysitter," he snapped and tried to wrench his hand away.

Harry, gripped it harder. "Of course you don't. Were you not almost arrested by muggle policemen when I arrived?"

Malfoy blushed. "Prat."

"Again, yep. How about making your mom dinner? She'd probably enjoy a nice meal."

"I don't know how to cook."

"Don't worry, I do. Let's go shopping," Harry said, finally letting go and standing up.

"Shopping? Where?" he said, suspiciously, also rising.

"The market. I think there's one about a block from here. Do you own muggle clothing?" Harry said, looking at him, still in his formal-wear pajamas and laughed. "I mean for going outside."

"Umm..." Malfoy thought.

"Ookey dokey. I'll be back," Harry said and disappeared from the flat.

He Apparated to his room and grabbed a black t-shirt, pullover and some jeans that should fit the skinny Slytherin. He immediately popped back to Malfoy, who hadn't moved an inch. Malfoy watched him apprehensively as he walked over, handing him the clothes.

"Alright these should fit."

"You want me to wear..." he began.

"I do. Go change. It gets busy the later we wait," Harry said and Malfoy grudgingly walked into the bathroom. "And no shower... I'm not waiting forever!"

"I do not take forever!" Malfoy growled.

"Yeah, sure you don't, princess. Only over an hour the other day and I don't even own mousse."

Malfoy gave him an incredulous look and mumbled under his breath, "I'm surprised you even know what that is," before he shut the bathroom door.

Harry smirked and went into the kitchen to see what was needed. He found a startling lack of food and basic supplies. He made a mental list and then stared at the bathroom door for another five minutes.

"What are you doing in there?" he called out.

"I'm fixing my hair. Sod off," he called through the door.

"Prissy git," Harry huffed.

"I heard that," Malfoy growled and opened the door wearing the shirt and jeans. "I'm ready."

"About time. Come on," Harry said, writing a note just in case Narcissa returned early.

Harry led Malfoy out the flat. He didn't have a key, so he locked it magically. They took the stairs and dropped out into the street. He was right, he saw a sign down the street a few blocks down. He pointed it out to Malfoy, who nodded. The walked side by side. Harry couldn't help but notice Malfoy staring at the most random things: sprinklers, bicycles and even the traffic lights.

"Is this your first time walking around muggles?" Harry asked, his smile growing.

"Y-Yeah," he said, nervously.

"This is going to be interesting. Come on, pureblood. The horrors of the midday rush await you."

Malfoy glared at him. Harry decided to point out things (motorcycles, mailboxes, street signs) and tell him what purpose they served. Malfoy grumbled with annoyance, but listened intently.

"That's a car," Harry said, pointing at a bug.

"I know what a car is, jerk," he growled, bumping his shoulder. Harry noted that Malfoy had no problem with physical contact, as long as he initiated it.

"What's that then?" Harry said, pointing to a fire hydrant.

Malfoy stared at it, dumbfounded, and Harry laughed, walking in the grocery store. He made Malfoy push the cart and started throwing things in it.

"How much food do we need for dinner?" he asked as the cart filled up

"Most people don't go to the grocers every day," Harry muttered. He doubted Malfoy really knew how much his mother was struggling, but he figured filling her pantry would be an easy way to relieve her stress. "What does your mom like to eat?"

"Good food."

"Something more specific, princess."

"Oranges," Malfoy said, frowning at something, spacing out. He had been doing well so far.

"A little too specific, but sure, chicken a l'orange sound good?" Harry said, bumping him.

"I guess. Sure," Malfoy muttered and looked at Harry, probably annoyed because he had touched him.

Harry led him through the rest of the store and filled the cart up. Malfoy did not provide much information on what to get, so Harry had to guess. He also got some microwavable dinners, even though she did not have one. He saw it at the library, though. The Slytherin just pushed the cart and eyed the increasing amount of people. Malfoy was very curiously looking at the belt conveyor at the checkout, but refrained from asking about it. After the cashier rang up and bagged everything, Harry pulled out his wallet and swiped his card.

"Is that money?" Malfoy asked, eyeing the plastic credit card in his hand.

"Nope, it's magic," Harry said, with a smile. The cashier gave the blond a weird look. "Thanks have a good day."

"You too, sir," the cashier said, automatically.

Harry pushed the cart out the door and to the road. As luck would have it, a cab just pulled up and he flagged it down. Harry loaded the groceries in the boot as Malfoy stared. Harry laughed to himself, but let Malfoy just watch him work.

"Get in the backseat," Harry said, shutting the trunk and going around to the opposite side.

Malfoy shuttered at the enclosed space and made the strangest face when the car started to roll forward. Harry pretended not to notice and gave the driver the address. The cabbie sighed as it was only two blocks away, but Harry had bought too much to carry, even if the Prince of Slytherin lowered himself by helping.

"Is this a private Knight Bus?" Malfoy asked, looking at the small car.

"Yes," Harry said, simply.

The cabbie looked up into the mirror at them. "Not from the city, eh?"

"Nope, he isn't," Harry said for Malfoy and got out when the driver reached the apartment building.

He loaded the bags into the entrance lobby of the building, paid the driver and Apparated everything upstairs when the coast was clear in two trips. Malfoy grabbed his hand on the second one.

"Yeah, it was too busy to Apparate from the store," Harry said, not wishing to get a letter from the Improper Use of Magic Office.

"I agree. There were a lot of muggles," Malfoy muttered, dropping into a kitchen chair.

"That wasn't that many. You should go there on a Sunday," Harry said and started putting everything away, then went on into prepping dinner.

"Why do you shop at the muggle store? There's a grocer in Diagon Alley."

"Do you want to go to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked, pointedly.

"Me? No. Everyone will...."

"Then why would I? You think they will let me shop in peace?" Harry grumbled, locating a cutting board.

"Oh... yeah," he said, thinking about it.

"Whenever I go... they... I just wear something with a hood, when I have to go there. That's why I bought the hoodie for you. It helps."

"Thanks... I... Potter, what are you doing here?" Malfoy stared at him, stunned.

"Making dinner, did you forget?" Harry said, smirking, pulling out the peeler.

"No... I mean...."

"I know what you mean. I said I'd stop by when I left you here. Your mom asked me to stay here."

"I don't ne-"

"Need a babysitter. Got it. But she's worried about you."

Malfoy banged his fist on the table, making Harry jump. "Damnit Potter... what are you doing here? Why? Stop dodging the question. You're making my mom and me dinner."

Harry stopping cutting carrots, but didn't turn around. "I have nothing else to do," he said flatly.

"Really? Nothing else?"

"No, I don't. Ron's not talking to me. I told Hermione to not come over, because of him. Neville and Luna have their own problems. I'm not really allowed to go to the Weasleys' right now, so what can I do? Go back to my abusive relatives? Go to parties? Get pissed every night? I didn't graduate, so I can't get a job... at least not without using my "Chosen One" status. So, no, I have nothing to do, other than sit in my empty house with my half-insane house elf and stare at the walls."

Malfoy said nothing to this.

"The least I could do is make sure you and your mom are okay. I can help, so I will."

"Thank y-"

"Don't mention it," Harry interjected and started to cut the vegetables, again.

"Why do you always cut me off when I star-"

"Because everyone thanks me. I've been listening to it for four damn months and I half want to hex people whenever they talk to me like they know me. Just be glad I'm not telling you to fuck off whenever you start in."

"But we do know each other... and I do owe you... for everything, Potter."

"As I owe you, Malfoy. My friends are my family and you saved them and me."

Harry yawned, his tiredness from several nights of troubled, restless sleep was wearing down on him. He scrapped the carrots into a pot to soften.

"You and Weasel... I mean Ron... you didn't... make up?" Malfoy asked, hesitantly.

"No. He said he wouldn't vote against me. He owed me that much, but things remain the same. I didn't want Hermione to be in the middle. She helped as much as she could, without Ron calling it off."

"I still think you're mental for helping me."

"I am. But I stand by my decision. He'll forgive me, eventually," Harry said, washing the chicken.

"Potter we were enemies. I have this fucking mark. I've insulted you, fought you since our first year. How the fuck do you... just... let it go?"

"You want to keep fighting?"

"No! I mean... you what forget and forgive?"

"Yep. It's easy."

Malfoy shook his head. "It's not that easy."

Harry turned around and wiped his hands off. "Do you still hate me for using Sectumsempra on you?"

Malfoy flinched and brought his hand to his chest.

"Hey... shit... sorry," Harry said, kneeling down in front of his seat. "I didn't mean to bring it up. But I really am sorry. I had no idea what that spell was."

"It's alright. It was painful as fuck. But I don't hate you...."

"See? Easy," Harry said, staring into his simmering grey eyes that stared back into his.

Malfoy analyzed him, his head tilted slightly. "Potter, when's the last time you slept?"

He sighed internally.    

Sorry for ending it here, it was almost 5700 words. 

Fluff will continue for several chapters! And surprise, Draco's not the only one who's broken.

If I'm really nice, I'll post another chapter before I go up north.