Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 73 – Help

Published: June 1st, 2020

Happy belated bday to me! You'll never know what day it is! Wa ha ha ha!

Hollow, that's what Harry felt like. Broken. The blood had thankfully stopped pouring out of his nose as Ron half-carried him to the medical ward. Though Ron had admitted that he had thought about giving up, Harry knew he was the unstable one. He was shaking, trying to control his rapidly changing emotions that would randomly surge. Fuck, he stopped walking as another wave of raw emotions hit him and he had to hunch over. A chandelier nearby shattered.

"Harry... easy! Come on, mate. Look at me," Ron said, trying to grab his attention.

He was coming undone. "I can't," he said, letting out a rasping breath. He brought his spasming arms to his chest. He couldn't take this anymore. He had no fucking control over anything, now.

"Bloody hell. Maybe we should have waited to apologize to Smith," Ron muttered and Harry agreed.

He had not wanted to do it, but the looks of anger and disappointment were a bit much coming from Blaise and Draco. Ron even said that the prat deserved it and if Ron was the person pushing him to apologize to anyone, he really needed to do it. But he didn't realize how right Ron was until after Fawley tore him a new asshole. Smith had never seemed like a victim before that. He had been always a stuck up prick. He thought Zach was giving them the silent treatment and he just lashed out. He had just wanted to ask what his problem was, but his hand found Smith's neck and he saw red. It was so hard to let go of him, too.

But it wasn't just Smith. He hurt Ron, too. Who else did he hurt? What if he hurt Draco? Harry thought, horrified, and nearly stopped breathing. Ron called out to him, but his breaths were rough, quick and short. He backed into the hallway wall and slid down, unable to stand, struggling for air. His hands almost flailed about until Ron crotched down and took his hands. Harry tried to pull free and Ron held on, trying to help him.

"Calm down, Harry! I'm right here!" Ron was saying, but Harry couldn't hear him.

Ron was freaking out a little, having never seen him break down like this. Harry managed to dig in and kick the emotions down, finally getting control. His breathing slowly evened out and he somehow kept the tears down. He just needed to get back to Draco. He slowly got up and went to turn to go back to their tower, but Ron stopped him.

"No, we have to go see Madam Pomfrey. Your nose might be broken and I need to get checked out, too," Ron said, pushing him toward the medical ward.

"You're hurt?" Harry asked, more guilt flooding through him.

"I'm fine. It's nothing I can't handle. You're the one I'm worried about. So... what was that?" Ron asked.

"Nothing."

"Yeah," Ron said, looking down, uncertainly, if not a little dejected.

Harry's eyes watched him, carefully. He was hurting and not physically either. He almost seemed... hopeless. If there was one thing that made him snap out of things quickly, it was when his friends needed his help. Harry grabbed Ron and pulled him into a hug. Ron didn't expect it, but didn't push him away. He gripped him tightly, and Harry started taking slow, shaky breaths.

"I'm so sorry, Ron. I should have been there for you," Harry whispered, through watery eyes.

Ron sniffled a little. "Me, too. I missed you, Harry. You're my brother, too, ya know? And I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Harry said and pulled back to stare at Ron. "I... I just need to get back to Draco. He makes me feel better. I'm not so... lost."

"I understand, but do you want me to send him a Patronus? I can have him meet us at the infirmary?" Ron asked, putting his hand on his shoulder. He wanted him to go get his potions.

Harry shook his head. He didn't need Draco to worry. "No, we'll be quick. Don't let her keep me here, though. I need to get back."

"Okay. I'll stun her if I have to," Ron said, with some glee.

Harry gave him a look.

"I'm joking. Draco will come to you, if it comes down to it."

Harry nodded. "It's weird hearing you call him Draco."

"I got used to it. He's a decent bloke, once you get past the pointy face and snarky comments."

Harry gave Ron a smile. "I love him, Ron."

"I know. I know, Harry. You guys are great together... great for each other. Merlin... he's pretty messed up isn't he?"

"Yeah... we're working on it. Slowly."

"I'll help. In any way that I can, Harry," Ron promised.

"Well... it used to be just making sure people didn't hurt him, but they all got kicked out, other than the leader. You don't have any inkling on who he is?"

Ron shook his head. "No. He was short. I mean... I think it was a he. That Voice Potion... it could have been a girl. He or she was content to let Tracey interrogate me. I couldn't get a fix on who they were."

"Sucks," Harry grunted.

"We might have been able to pry the name out of Zach, but I don't think it's going to be possible, now."

Harry looked up. "You think he would have told us?"

"I don't know, but I don't picture pushing him anytime soon," Ron said, quietly.

"So, I bollocksed that up, too? Man, I'm such a sodding fuck-up," Harry muttered, despondently.

"You are not. It just seems that way. You saved the world already, Harry, and your boyfriend."

"But I left you to fend for yourself!"

"You had problems, too, Harry. You needed help, like I did. I don't blame you. I mean... now," Ron whispered awkwardly.

"Yeah... now. I was drunk all summer. An alcoholic drunk."

"Everyone copes in a different way, Harry."

"And my way was to drink every day and night," he admitted, fighting the urge to break down crying, again.

"Better than me, I just gave up."

Harry froze and looked at Ron. "I...."

"I didn't mean..." he sighed. "We went through a lot. I don't mean that I had it worse. You gave up in a different way. My mum cried a lot, dad worked, George shut down, Ginny trained and I gave up. Our friends handled it differently, too."

Harry nodded, but he wasn't sure he felt better. When Ron pulled into the infirmary, he was still crying a little, unable to keep it back. Madam Pomfrey was appalled when she saw them.

"Have you two been fighting!?" she hissed.

"No... umm... not exactly," Ron said.

"I hit Ron, cause... I was mad, but he didn't hit me," Harry muttered, wiping his tears away.

Madam Pomfrey looked at him, critically. "But your nose is broken."

"Someone else did it. Could you heal it?"

"Both of you sit down," she ordered and set to work checking their injuries.

She checked Ron first, healing his bruises with a salve. Hermione had fixed Ron's broken nose, earlier and she said that his ribs were only cracked. She healed them in a jiffy, then turned to Harry. He had broken a bone in his hand, too, from hitting Ron so hard. She mended that and his nose. But Harry didn't let her heal his black eye. He wanted the reminder.

"Well, I hope you worked out what you were fighting over," she huffed, wrapping his hand.

Harry just cried slightly and didn't say anything. Merlin's sodding panties, he wanted his emotions to stop fucking with him.

"Yeah. We did," Ron stated and then awkwardly asked, "...but we also came because... Madam Denkar said that you had a potion for me?".

She nodded. "I'm glad you came. I'll go get it."

Harry looked up as she walked away and said, quietly, "Can you get mine, too?"

She turned to him and he lowered his head, ashamed. She didn't say anything, but went into her office and came back with the potions. She handed them a vial and they drink it without complaint. Harry felt his emotions settle some, but they weren't completely under control. He looked at Ron, who was assessing his own emotions.

"And how are you feeling, Mr. Weasley? Did it help?"

"Umm... it's better? I think?"

"It's only a subtle change and we'll adjust it as we go, okay?" she said and Ron nodded. But then she turned to Harry and he knew another lecture was coming. "Well, do you want me to ask him to leave?"

Harry shook his head and Ron stared at him, tense.

"Harry... I need you to understand that you can't keep going on and off your potions. Your body isn't going to react well to that and it'll make it harder every time you do it. These potions were brewed for consistent, daily use! Randomly stopping them for a week will undo all the progress you have made. You're back to where you started, if not worse!" she scolded.

"I'm sorry... I didn't... want to... do it..." he stammered.

"Well, I'm sorry, isn't going to cut it. You're actually making it harder to come back from this... pain, Harry. Every time you relapse, it just gets that much harder to heal. Now, I will start you back on your regimen. You WILL come every day to see me, Harry. Your potion has to be stronger, too, and it hasn't had as much effect as before, that I can see. Hopefully, it's just because you're so... upset right, now, but it might require a stronger dose for a while."

Harry's shoulders dropped. He hadn't considered how much stopping would hurt him... and everyone around him.

"Harry... if you stop taking them, again. I won't let you start back up without Madam Denkar's approval. I've let you do this twice, now, without it. But if you can't handle it, I'm going to leave it up to her. This potion will only help you recover, I told you that you need to work on what caused it. But I don't want you to lose control of your emotions. The Mood-Lifters can help you if you take it... correctly. If you just want a one-time fix, I can just give you a Calming Draught when it gets too much. This potion I'm giving you is for daily use," she explained and then put her hands on her hip. "Now... are you going to start coming every day or do you want to just have one-time treatments with the Calming Draught?"

Harry grimaced. "You said that Calming Draught would... stop working after a while."

"Fairly quickly if it is used often. It's habit-forming and you will easily build a tolerance to it. Which is why I don't want to use that option. I'd probably limit what you can have to three times a week. Two preferably. It's a quick fix, but it only lasts so long."

Harry nodded, but didn't say anything. He knew he had to do something. She was asking for more than a surrender though, she was asking for a promise. He didn't know if he could keep that promise, though. He didn't know if he had that faith in himself, anymore. He already messed up in so many ways.

"Madam Pomfrey? Do I need to take mine every day, too?" Ron asked.

She turned to him, realizing that she hadn't explained his potions to him, and nodded. "Yes, you do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that. It's a daily potion allowance to help you feel better. With prolonged use, you will start to feel that way without the potion, but it takes time and mind-healing, too."

Ron nodded and looked at Harry. "Maybe me and Harry... can show up together every morning. So, we can make sure we take it... every day... for each other."

Harry looked at him. Ron was asking for help in taking his own potions, too. If he didn't push Ron, he might stop, too. It wouldn't just be his mental health at stake, now, if he stopped, again. He met Ron's eyes and he was waiting for an answer, like the matron was.

"You'll... help me with it?" Harry asked.

Ron half-smiled. "Yeah... and you'll help me with mine, too. I'm a stubborn idiot, remember? She told me to come weeks ago, but I... didn't want to admit that I needed help."

"Yeah... I know that feeling," Harry said, quietly and looked at Madam Pomfrey, who had a sly smile on her face, now. "Okay... I promise I'll start coming every morning and I'll make sure Ron comes, too, like he's going to make sure I get up and come here."

"I will do that," Ron promised.

"That's great boys! You can help each other and that's one of the most important things about recovery: asking for help!" she said, and sent them on their way, after a brief attempt of convincing Harry to stay.

They walked all the way to the portrait before Harry turned to Ron and said, "Thanks... I didn't know... if I could have done that... without you there."

"Same, Harry. I didn't think I deserved to be happy after everything that's happened," he said, sadness in his voice. "But let's get you back to Draco, okay?"

Harry's insides froze. What if Draco was mad at him? He hadn't been happy about what he had done and Harry swallowed. What if Draco wanted to be alone, again? Harry's breath got caught in his throat and Ron looked at him, worried. He was nearly broken, again. He couldn't be alone. He'd beg Draco if he had to.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked, his face lined with concern.

He just shook his head. He wasn't going to voice the panic that was building inside of him. He just had to see Draco. Ron gave the password and they entered the common room. The few people who were in there, froze when they saw him, as though worried he was going to snap again. He turned to the steps and climbed up, Ron walked behind him. Harry stopped at the door and lifted the charms. He was hesitant to turn the knob, but the door opened anyway, and Draco was there.

"Harry? What happened?" he gasped, thoroughly worried. "You took so long... I was about to go and find you."

Harry looked at his beautiful silver eyes for a second and then put his head into his chest, letting go of his tears. "I'm sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry."

Draco's arms immediately enclosed around him and clenched him hard. "Harry? You didn't do anything that you need to apologize to me for! Everything's okay!" he exclaimed.

"He's been... all over the place," Ron muttered, behind him. "I figured he needed to get back to you and I think he's worried that you are mad at him.

"What? Harry, I'm not mad. We're okay!" Draco insisted and pulled him over to the bed.

Harry couldn't let go of him, even when Draco sat him down. He had to apologize, as much as he could. "I'm sorry."

"Shh... there's nothing to be sorry for," Draco said, rubbing his back.

"Did something happen with Fawley?" Blaise asked Ron.

"I... umm... kinda...."

"Just go get dinner with him, Blaise. Harry and I will stay here," Draco said, still holding on to him.

"Course, come on, guys," Blaise said, and the room emptied, though Harry didn't know who had been there.

Draco started to pull off his robes as soon as the door closed as he whispered reassurances. "Shhh... calm down. Everything's alright, Harry. I got you. I won't leave you. I'm right here. Just cry."

He did and it wouldn't stop. All the pent-up emotions over the last week... month... year... came out. He had nothing left to stop them. He didn't want to be alone anymore. He didn't want Draco to leave him, like his family had left him. He needed Draco, like he needed air to breathe. Draco was his future, the only thing that he had going for him. He grabbed his shirt and refused to let go. Draco just climbed into bed, fully dressed and pulled him into a tight embrace and didn't let go. He didn't ask him to eat, change or talk. He let him cry out the intense emotions that were going through him and find some slice of stability.

The others eventually returned, subdued and slipped into bed. Draco just whispered supportive words in his ear, until he eventually fell asleep out of exhaustion. When morning came, the tears had stopped. Draco's arms were still wrapped around him and his body was pressed against his back. Draco's legs entwined with his. He saw that Theo and Daphne had already showered and were dressed. Blaise was alone in his bed, but awake. When he felt light kisses on his head, he realized that Draco knew he was awake. He turned and looked up, in trepidation, into his boyfriend's soft eyes. He didn't see any anger, just concern and sorrow.

"Harry?" he whispered, as Draco's fingers traced his face. "Can you talk?"

He nodded, but that probably wasn't the response that Draco was hoping for. "Yeah... sorry."

"You don't have to keep apologizing, Harry. Aside from making me worry, you didn't upset me or hurt me. Okay?"

"I didn't have any control last week. I could have...."

"But you didn't," Draco said, firmly. "You never lost control with me. Just Ron and Smith. You apologized to them, right?"

"Umm... yeah..." he muttered, looking down, again. He hoped Draco's Silencing Charms were up.

"Then everything is okay. We got through it."

"I could have hurt you, though," Harry said, refusing to budge on that point.

"You didn't and I don't believe you would have. Even if you did, I would forgive you, as you have forgiven me. You're not perfect. You can make mistakes. You can get angry, and yell and scream at people. You don't have to apologize to me every time there's an air pocket in the wind. We're in this together. Salazar's nob, we've been here before. I mean I just lied to you about Ron and SAD. You forgave me. I tried to jump off the tower, remember? I wouldn't tell you who was hurting me or ask for help? You didn't hold it against me."

Harry flinched at the mention of the tower and glowered at the thought of Dawlish and Umbridge, but he nodded. "Yes... I always would forgive you. But I actually hurt someone... a few people. I can't be alone, Draco. I can't do it. I don't care how weak it makes me look, I need you. Please don't send me away... I'll do anything to make it up to you!"

"Please, don't think I'll ever give up on you, Harry. I won't send you away. I won't. I can't get through this crap without you, too, stupid prat! I know your soul and there is nothing that you could ever do that would make me cut you off completely. So, stop panicking. We have to be here for each other when we make mistakes and then have to forgive each other, no matter what. It's okay to let your temper out... sometimes... since we both have to work on the hard stuff. We have to talk about it and it's going to take some time."

Harry nodded. "I just... if I hurt you... I'd never... forgive myself."

"You didn't. Accidents happen, Harry. You're so careful with me. Even when I'm afraid... you make me feel safe. Even when the tables and chairs were flying and all windows shattered... all I wanted to do was hold you. Comfort you. Blaise pulled me back," Draco said, urgently.

"I might have...."

"Might. Maybe I could have calmed you down... and... I.... well... maybe I was intentionally riling you up, Harry. D-Did you think of that? I was making you angry... so you would talk to Weasley. I was manipulating you, again, and I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice laced with remorse.

Harry looked up. "I know you were. You don't have to apologize. You were blatantly doing it. I'm not a complete blockhead."

Draco smirked. "Only a little one, then?"

A reluctant smirk appeared on Harry's face. "Yeah."

Draco leaned in and kissed him. "It's all going to be okay, Harry. I promise. Things are getting better, I can feel it."

Harry looked up at Draco. He had never seen so much hope in the Slytherin before. He was starting to feel hopeful, too.

"You idiots going to get up?" Blaise grunted, lifting the privacy wards.

"Yeah," Draco muttered. "I'm going to the loo to wash up and change. Okay?"

Harry nodded. Daphne was still in the room. He just decided to just use the cleaning spells on his clothes and pulled his shoes and robes on. Theo and Daphne slipped out the door along with Neville, leaving him alone with Blaise. Harry didn't really like that. He just kept trying to tie his shoes and hoped he would leave him alone.

"You aren't very subtle are you?" Blaise muttered.

Harry sighed and looked up at the dark-skinned Slytherin, who was standing against the bedpost, again. "Go head. Yell at me," Harry spat.

"Why would I do that?" Blaise said, walking in front of Harry to lean against the wall.

"Because I messed with Fawley and Smith... because I lost control and blew up the common room... take your pick."

"Seems pointless to yell, if you know what you did was wrong," he muttered.

Harry looked at him, annoyed, now. He didn't need a scolding from Draco's best friend. "Well, what do you what then?" he growled. Apparently, his temper didn't really go away.

"To make sure you're alright, Potter, of course. I do consider you my friend and you've been hurting this past week," he said, quietly.

Harry's shoulders dropped and he regretted getting mad at the Slytherin. "I'm sorry... I'm... not really sure what's going on with me."

"Understandable."

"So, you aren't going to get mad about what happened... with Fawley?"

"Fawley can defend his own. Harry," Blaise declared, but looked him in the eyes. "I was protecting you last night. I was keeping him away from you. And yes, if you hadn't gone to see him, I would have convinced you to go. But I wasn't going to let anyone try to hurt you when you're that upset, already."

Harry looked at him and nodded. "Thanks... I guess."

"Are you going to leave Smith alone?"

Harry sighed. "Yeah. Happy?"

Blaise nodded. "Of course, I am. Fawley is my friend and I really don't enjoy picking sides."

"Well, he had it right. I was being a prick."

"Right or wrong, doesn't always mean everything, Harry," Blaise said, quietly.

"What?"

"You were wrong, but I have to protect you, idiot."

Harry gave him a look.

Blaise rolled his eyes. "You're Draco's. I have to protect him, hence I have to protect you. I can't pick Fawley over you, no matter how much I want to."

"No... I mean, yeah, you can."

"No, I can't. Draco, Theo and Neville are who I protect. They choose to love others, therefore I have to protect them."

Harry sighed. "It's not that black and white. You watched out for Hermione, don't you?"

"She's my friend, yes. I'm just saying... priorities. You will always come before Fawley. I wouldn't let him hurt you, because that would hurt Draco."

"I can't tell if you're just blindly loyal to Draco, or saying that I'm closer to you than Fawley."

"You're closer to me than Fawley," Blaise emphasized, his brown eyes. "You're my friend, too, and that doesn't mean I wouldn't give you an earful, Potter. I'll ask you nicely not to hurt my friends and their... partners, as I wouldn't hurt yours."

Harry nodded. "I'm sorry. I guess I really didn't... understand... the significance of your request. I won't... betray you, again."

Blaise nodded. "Thank you."

"And thanks for pulling Draco back last night, too."

"I assumed you wouldn't purposely hurt him, but with explosions and objects flying around...."

"Yeah... good point. What's taking him so long?" Harry asked, looking over his shoulder.

"About twenty locking charms," Blaise chuckled.

Harry looked at him and nodded. "Just to give me a talking to about Fawley?"

"Not just. I never pressed you about our duel."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Yeah?"

"Did Draco tell you to do that?" Blaise asked, directly.

"Do what?"

"Take my spell?"

Harry smiled. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Sure, sure. It was a big risk that I didn't bind you immediately. You said it was a lucky guess."

"Ha... well, either you would be shocked and worried that I was injured, or you would be a typical Slytherin and enjoy mocking your prey."

Blaise gave him a look. "Excuse me?"

Harry shrugged. "Voldemort... Umbridge... Lucius... Bellatrix... you all do love to talk and gloat. It's kinda what's saved my life a few times. The only time Voldemort didn't was in the forest at the end... then he gloated after he killed me. Pretty... predictable. But at least you looked genuinely worried about me."

Blaise shook his head. "You're something Potter, I'll give you that. I am honored to be your friend... Harry."

Harry stood up and said, "Likewise, Blaise," as he shook his hand.

"Think we should let him out?" Blaise asked.

"I guess. I kinda need him," Harry said, but then thought of something. "Wait... Blaise?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask... why did you take my blood?"

Blaise smirked.

"Don't get me wrong, I trust you and everything... just what possible use could you have for it?"

"I know you trust me, Potter," Blaise chuckled. "You let me take it. But there was something I needed to check."

"What?"

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Well, I wanted to make sure you were clean."

"Clean? You thought I was taking illicit potions?" Harry said, grimacing at that implication.

"No, Potter... I was checking your blood to make sure you don't have any diseases."

Harry jolted at that. "What?"

"I learned, eventually, how to check. I wasn't that concerned, but... you were living with muggles... for years," Blaise said, jokingly. "You don't have anything... and neither does Draco. I didn't think you idiots would think of checking yourself and you idiots are engaging in sexual activities."

Harry blushed and, as Blaise turned to open the bathroom door, he said, "Thanks... for checking."

"No problem, Potter. I want you two to be safe and I learned the hard way about checking. Summer of my fourth year... was not fun, let me assure you," Blaise said and released his wards.

Draco opened the door and looked at them. "Well, you didn't beat the crap out of each other, so that's good."

"Yeah, no moving furniture, either. Are you going to go with Blaise to Potions? I got to go take my potions and see Denkar."

"Probably..." Draco said and smirked. "But we don't have to schedule escorts anymore, Harry. SAD's gone and I'm not afraid of that short SAD leader getting me."

"Fine, I better go. Ron doesn't know the spells for the door," Harry said, as Draco hit him with some cleaning spells. "Thanks."

Ron was waiting for him in the common room, with Hermione, who glared at him as he came down. She was not happy about what had happened last night. Harry wasn't usually on the end of her ire, but Ron was almost giddy, because of it. She was getting mad for him. Harry was glad that he had come down.

"Morning! You know... I can't remember the last time we were together. I missed this," Ron said, and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Have you two really made up?" Hermione asked, again, still giving Harry the stink eye.

"We have. I'm sorry that we put you through that," Harry said.

Hermione threw out both of her arms, almost tearfully, and pulled them into a hug. "It's about time."

Harry patted her back and was glad to bring an end to her pain. "Sorry," Harry muttered as she let go.

"Yeah, me too. I hope I can make it up to you one day," Ron said, but then Hermione grabbed his cheeks and pulled him in for a searing kiss. Ron didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her and respond enthusiastically.

When she let go, she stared at him. Almost worried and whispered, "Don't mess this up, please."

"I won't, Hermione... never, again," Ron said. "I don't want to ever see you in pain, again. I love you."

"Oh, Ron, you're a complete ass sometimes... but I love you, too!" she said and kissed him, again.

Ron laughed and Harry could tell that he wanted to stay with Hermione, or allow her to come, but he also knew that Ron didn't want Hermione to know how bad it had gotten with him. They really didn't have time to wait, either.

"Hermione?" Harry said and they looked at him. "Ron said he'd take me down every morning to get my potions."

Ron gave him a look of relief and Hermione looked pleased. "Did you?" she asked him.

Ron tried not to look surprised. "Yeah... I mean I wouldn't mind staying here with you, but... I did promise. It's important."

"Of course, it is! I'll see you both in Potions, okay?" she said and they both walked down toward the infirmary.

"Thanks, Harry," Ron said. "I'll tell her soon... but I'm not ready for that. To see the guilt and pity in her eyes... she's been through enough."

"I understand. I hated when she came over during the summer sometimes. I mean... I loved that she did, but she was seeing me at my lowest. She's strong though, Ron. She didn't break... even with everything going on. She still kicked my ass. Made me eat and change when she did come. Remember that she is the toughest out of us. She can take it," Harry told him.

Ron nodded, grimly. "I will tell her, once she decides what she is going to do for Christmas break. I don't want her thinking about it over break, or change her mind, if she wanted to go home to her parents. I promise that I'll tell her after... or before, if she wants to come home to the Burrow."

"Okay... I can understand that," Harry murmured.

"What about you? Are you going to come?"

Harry stopped and Ron faced him concerned. "I... will if you need me, but Draco's coming with me. I want to spend time with Teddy and Aunt Andy, too."

"No... you don't have to come just for me. You should spend time with them, all of them. But you'll come over for Christmas? And New Year's at least?"

"I would love, too. But... there are other people to ask, Ron. Draco... Aunt Andy, your mum. I don't even know if Blaise, Theo or Daph usually come."

"I think... she would like you guys to come. You're going to write mum, right? About you and Draco?"

"Yeah. I would have rather done it in person, but screw Skeeter for telling the world before we could."

"That bitch. You know they've been writing more about it, don't you?" Ron said, quietly.

"What?" Harry said, surprised. He didn't read the paper. None of them did, anymore.

"Not on the front page, but like in fifth year. Sliding the comments in random stories... a lot of homophobic articles and comments. They've been posting opinions from the readers that are calling for making... it illegal, again."

Harry jerked his head up. "They would?"

"Relax, it won't happen... probably won't happen. Hermione says that they would face severe sanctions from the International Confederation of Wizards and all their quidditch teams would be ejected from the World Quidditch League. Trust me, no one is going to try it, but that doesn't mean they aren't trying to make it more difficult for you. She said that "they" just want to erode your war hero status."

"Bet it's not hard."

"It is hard, Harry. I heard that they lost a lot of money trying to. Subscriptions have dropped... their adverts are done to nothing. I can't believe that they are stupid enough to keep doing it."

Harry lifted his head. "They are keeping them afloat. Trying to ride out the backlash against them."

"Who are they?"

"A conversion for another time. But getting back to the point, I want to come, if Draco will agree. He has to stay with me or his mum, technically. But she isn't an option anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Draco's mum... she left the country, supposedly."

"Supposedly? And why did she leave?" Ron asked, confused. He knew that Bill's and Aunt Andy's house was under a Fidelius Charm.

"She didn't tell us. Just that she had to find work. The Ministry took everything they had. She just said that the job was protected and safe, but she couldn't owl and didn't know when she would be back."

"Wow... I'm sorry. But that seems weird, doesn't it?" Ron said, surprised.

"Yeah, but she's gone and none of us know where she is."

"Sucks," Ron said and they started walking, again.

Madam Pomfrey could hardly contain her happiness that they came and was the nicest Harry had ever seen her. He drank his Mood-Lifter and felt even better than yesterday. He didn't want to feel that out of control, again. Ron looked about the same, but considering Hermione had just kissed him, Harry didn't expect him to be anything but. Madam Pomfrey wished them a great day and Ron walked with him down to classroom thirteen.

"Thanks for walking me down," Harry said, but sighed as he stared at the office door.

"No problem," Ron said and looked at the door "Hey... why don't I come with you?"

Harry looked at him, surprised. "Why?"

"Well... I need to see her today, too, and it might help to... you know...talk."

"I don't want to talk," Harry said, but backtracked when Ron frowned. "I mean to her. I don't trust her."

"Trust her? She doesn't take your wand or anything? Does she?"

"No... just... she might tell other people."

"Tell them what? I think everyone knows you're with Draco."

"About the war... my past," Harry grunted, looking at the floor.

"Harry... we do talk about you. Hermione talks about you. You're our family. She knows a lot, already," Ron said, his head down. "I mean... we don't talk about just you... we talk about us. I don't want to make you upset, again. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't..." Harry said, and sighed. "But... if you want to do this, together, then okay. I'll do it."

"Really?"

"I might not say anything," Harry said, somewhat regretting it. But Ron was in trouble and needed his help.

"That's fine!" Ron said, and Harry let out another deep breath before opening the office door.

***

Eirene was quite surprised when both Harry and Ron entered her office. There hadn't been any warning or sign that they had mended things, but she certainly was delighted that they were together.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise! Come in! There's more than enough room on the couch."

Harry did not look happy, and she guessed that Ron had told Harry about his depression. That was surely the only reason Harry would willingly allow him into a therapy session.

"Thanks... do you mind if I come today, with Harry?" Ron asked her.

"Of course, as long as he is fine with it," she asked looking at him.

Harry gave her a glare and nodded. He was sulking, but he had agreed. She would at least get to see his reactions, if not get him to talk. Harry lacked the patience to really shut her out. Ron would definitely facilitate conversation and convince Harry to open up.

"Can I ask what happened? You both have bruises? Was there a fight?"

When Harry didn't say anything, Ron said, "Yeah. I kinda trapped me and him in the common room, so we could talk."

"I take it that Harry didn't appreciate that?" she said, glancing at the disgruntled, black-haired teen.

"No. He was really mad at me," Ron said, and Harry let out a small grumble of annoyance.

"Are you sure you're alright having a group session, Harry?" she said, politely. She needed to nip his surly attitude in the butt. Harry was known to be very self-sacrificing and he wouldn't get in the way of helping his friends.

"It's fine."

"Well, you seemed upset. Ron needs to be able to talk openly. It's important when we are in these sessions. So, if you can't handle it, then...."

"I can handle anything!" Harry growled, his temper bubbling to the surface. Not as much as last week, where he almost seemed like he would actually attack her.

Ron gave a smirk, but didn't say anything. She leveled with the Chosen One. "Harry, are you here to help Ron and mend your relationship?"

Harry glared and couldn't find a way to dodge the question. He didn't want to answer.

"Because if you aren't... we can stop right, now. I won't have either of you hurt, because you're upset with this. Are you sure you want to continue?" she pressed, but Harry looked like he wasn't going to answer. "We aren't continuing until you agree."

"Yes," he sighed, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"Yes, we can talk about this? Ron might say things that you don't like or agree with. He has to be allowed to say those things, as you will be allowed to say things that he won't like. Talking about them will help identify the issues we need to discuss. Do you understand that?"

"Yeah," he grunted.

"Okay, then can you tell Ron why you didn't like what he just said?"

Harry looked confused.

"He said that you were mad at him and you gave a note of objection. Did he misinterpret that?"

Harry looked at Ron, who looked at the floor. He was scared. Scared that Harry would storm out and this was only a fluke. But Harry saw that, too.

"No... I was just annoyed because I don't want to talk to you about it!" Harry clarified.

Ron cleared his throat and said, "I can go, Harry, if you want. I didn't know that you didn't want to do this."

Harry dropped his arms. "No... I just..." he started and then run his fingers through his hair. "...I don't want to think about the hard stuff. She's gonna ask me why I started drinking and my nightmares... and fuck... I don't want to think about them!" Tears were in his eyes and he tried to wipe them away.

Ron started to say something and Eirene held up her hand. "I'm not going to say it won't come up, Harry... because there's a good chance it will. But it's going to be a while until we get that far. But I really want you to consider letting Ron understand what you were going through. Does he know what you dream about? Do you know what he has gone through?"

"I... no, I don't... he doesn't," Harry admitted.

"Do you want to understand? Because if this isn't something you want to work for... we can go back to private sessions until you are ready," she offered.

Ron stayed quiet, though he was still nervous. Harry looked at him and sighed, audibly. "I want to work on it... together," he said, sadness laced in his voice.

"Okay. We will go through this slowly, okay? Ron was just going to explain what happened... this weekend, I'm assuming. Is that alright?"

Harry nodded.

"We'll try to restrict our discussion to what happened, more than past events. But I'll ask you not to interrupt, Harry. If you have an objection, you can voice it when it's your turn to speak. Can you do that?"

"You don't have to treat me like a child!" he growled.

"I'll try not to, but I have to make this a safe place for everyone to talk. You and Ron. He won't be allowed to interrupt you. And if you can't accept the rules, then we can't do this in a group setting." She was careful not to say 'couple's counseling'.

Harry took a deep breath. "And how do I know that you aren't doing this strictly to get me to talk?"

Ron gave him a look and Harry crossed his arms defensively, again.

Eirene held out her hands. "You don't. Yes, I'm playing this situation to get you to open up... to help you get better, too. But do you really think the rules would be any different otherwise? You both need to understand each other's pain and forgive yourselves for what happened. You need to talk to do it. But he can't be afraid to talk to you, or we aren't going to get anywhere. So, if blaming me for using this situation makes you feel better... by all means, continue hating me for trying to help both of you."

Harry glowered. Eirene turned to Ron and asked, "Do you feel comfortable proceeding?"

"Yeah... I guess."

"You said that you locked Harry in the common room?"

"Yeah... after the game. Harry was pissed. Stuff happened and he didn't want to talk to anybody."

"What stuff?"

"Umm..." Ron looked at Harry, who was looking at the window, trying to mentally escape. "...in the locker room, he grabbed Smith by the throat. Fawley showed up in our dorm, demanding an apology, but Harry was mad."

Ron glanced again at Harry and Eirene had to say, "Go on. It's okay."

Ron slowly described the scene of what happened and what was said. Harry just maintained his stare without moving. When Ron got to the part about his suicidal thoughts, Harry closed his eyes, as though trying not to cry.

Eirene pretended not to notice and asked, "How did you feel when you told him that?"

"Umm... relieved... I guess. I never told anyone... or really admitted it. And happy... that he didn't... I mean he started talking to me."

"You started to say something... you were happy that he didn't do what?" she pressed.

Harry was alert, now. Tense.

"Throw it back into my face... I mean... that would've hurt... a lot," Ron finished quietly.

"And you were worried that he would do that?"

Ron hesitated before answering. He was avoiding looking at Harry. Group therapy can be difficult for them, but for conflict resolution, it was absolutely necessary. "I thought about it, sure. I didn't really think that he would do that. I was worried that it wouldn't be enough... for him to forgive me. So, I was afraid of that. It was kinda... my last hope."

She considered asking more about it, but she didn't want him to go deep that quickly. "How do you feel Harry reacted to it?"

"He was... surprised. He didn't know. And... then guilty."

"Were you surprised by his reaction?"

"No... I've known Harry for a long time. He's never been cruel. He cares... about his friends."

"But you waited so long to tell him? Not only months... but after he had attacked you and was trying to leave...?" she murmured, watching their reactions in this important part.

Ron shuddered and she could almost see his quasi-posturing disappear as his shoulders sank in surrender. "I-I didn't want him to know. I d-didn't w-want him to think I was w-weak."

Harry turned and almost interceded, but she held up her hand. "Are you mad that you had to tell him that for you to forgive him?"

"I... no. Maybe a little. I didn't want to tell... but I feel better... that I'm not alone."

She waited for a minute and then turned to Harry. "Harry... how did you feel before you saw Ron in the common room?"

Harry glowered at her and then glanced at Ron, who wasn't looking at him. Eirene didn't smile, but she knew that she had him. He would never balk on speaking after his best mate did.

"You were angry? The windows exploded? Were you mad?"

Harry nodded, still fighting it.

"Why were you mad?" she asked.

He took another deep breath and slowly released it. "Does it really matter, now?"

"You don't think your pain and anger matter because your friend revealed something upsetting?"

"Umm... yeah," Harry said.

"That isn't true. This isn't a game over who is hurting the most. This is about healing... both you and Ron. We would never get anywhere if we only went by those rules. What you went through matters... what you feel matters. There's always going to be someone who's had it worse, and their pain and fear don't cancel out yours. Now, truthfully... why were you mad?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't remember it all. It was... blinding, I had no control. When I looked at him... he was like... the source of everything... but he wasn't. I know that... knew that. He was... convenient."

Ron glanced at him and looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't.

"Convenient? Then you weren't mad at him?"

"No... I was, I guess," Harry replied, his head down. "For letting Draco get hurt, for... ignoring me all summer, for Hermione... but it was all a misunderstanding! I didn't consider what he was going through!"

"But that is what you felt then... and that all went away? You aren't upset anymore?"

"No."

Her eyes narrowed, but poking at it was best left for individual sessions. "Did Ron describe what happened accurately, Harry?"

He scowled at the use of his name like he didn't like that she used it. But he grimaced. "It was right. I hit him... a lot. He didn't even fight back."

"Do you remember how you were feeling?"

"Blind rage. I j-just wanted to hurt something. I was trying to stop, but I couldn't. I... was out of control. I could have hurt him... I mean more than I did," he said, his voice thick with remorse.

Ron seemed to want to talk, again, but she gave him a look.

"Harry, did you really want to hurt him?"

He shook his head. "I... just wanted... everything to be okay. I want Draco to be safe and Hermione to be happy, but I wouldn't forgive him. I can barely understand why I was mad."

"Well, something significant shifted in your relationship. You understand his motives... his actions, now. That has a clarifying effect on the situation. You needed that knowledge, so you could find closure... accept what happened and move on," she said and Harry gave her a look. "Harry, are you still mad that you spent the summer alone?"

"No," he said, immediately, though annoyed by it.

"Because Ron explained why. He revealed his pain and burden and you can empathize with him more than ever. You probably even consider that he understands your turmoil, too."

Harry looked away. "Yeah."

"Talking helped fix the rift between you two, is that fair to say?"

Harry glared at her, again, but nodded. Ron fidgeted, as though worried about this whole situation. She really needed them to understand each other, because they were both not willing to talk to each other. That was how everything started, she knew.

"Ron, how do you feel, now?"

"Okay," he mumbled.

"Okay, fine and alright are words that we say when we can't explain our feelings, or don't want to. What are your emotions, right now?"

Ron bit his lip and Harry was paying attention, now. "Worried... nervous... terrified."

"Of what? Talking about this summer?"

"No."

"Talking about what happened last night?"

Ron shook his head and would meet her eyes. After a few seconds, he said, "I'm worried that Harry will get mad, again. Or I'll say the wrong thing, and he'll stop... talking to me, again. I don't want to be alone, anymore."

Harry, again made to interject, and she didn't bother to stop him this time. "No! Ron... I won't get mad at you anymore! We can work through this... I won't leave you, again!"

"But you're upset being here and I could say something about Draco, you don't like. And you could walk out!" Ron said, finally looking at him. Eirene could see some tears in his eyes, his distress was obvious.

Harry's mouth dropped open and he closed it. Harry reached out and pulled him into a hug. "I won't. I promise! I can't guarantee I won't get mad, but I promise I'll never walk out of a session because of you. I keep what we talk about in here, okay? This can be a... place you and I can openly talk."

Ron let out a deep breath and gripped his best mate tightly. He definitely needed that. "Thanks, you seem so mad."

"I'm mad at her, not you. I also told you that I was mad at myself for... not believing in you," Harry whispered.

Ron slowly let go of Harry. "You don't have to do this, Harry. We can do it separately."

"I don't know if we can. We don't talk about it... about this kind of stuff. It's hard. I... I think it will help," Harry admitted, his head down.

"I don't want you to force your way through it, Harry. I'm not worth...."

"Yes, you are!" Harry yelled and Eirene almost intervened, but Ron didn't flinch, so she assumed he was used to Harry's outbursts. "You are worth it! I should've tried harder... I just had to ask. You tried to talk to me that one morning before I moved in with Draco and I exploded on you!"

"I might have deserved it.... I'm not exactly blameless, Harry. You saved my ass so many times. This goes both ways."

"You still tried. You still fucking noticed!" Harry spat, guilt lacing his words. "I didn't... I don't know what I'd do if something.... I'm so sorry. I should've... been there, like you've been there for me. I never had a friend before you. You taught me so much about what friends are... you gave me a real family, Ron! I would've starved my second year if you hadn't come to rescue me! Probably would have during Dudley's diet before the quidditch cup, too, if you all hadn't sent food. Not to mention the pond... I remember what the locket told you."

Eirene's eyes widened at this new information, which confirmed the abuse she had suspected during Harry's formative years. She wasn't sure what the locket meant.

"It was all... barking mad. I know that you wouldn't take Hermione from me, but... I was afraid. You're the hero."

"So are you, Ron! You know who she wants. You know who I want. Damn it... we didn't go through all that shit last year, for nothing. We did it together. We all took him down, Ron! You went through hell last year, too. It wasn't just me. You lost more than me," Harry said, wiping tears out of his eyes.

"Harry," Eirene said, interjecting into their quasi-argument. She didn't need Harry to spiral, either. "You can't measure something like that. You both lost a lot and everyone grieves differently. Don't rank pain and loss like that. Your pain is just as important as Ron's, you need to understand that."

"Whatever," Harry grunted, looking away from the both of them.

Eirene knew that they were pressed for time, but she needed Harry to get the weight off his chest. He was very much in distress, no matter how much he tried to hide it. "Harry... what did you first feel when Ron told you about his summer? He said you stopped in the middle of the room. What were you thinking?"

Harry started shaking and so did several things in the room. Ron looked at him concerned and almost took his hand, but she shook her head. Harry needed space. Physical comfort came after.

"Harry? Tell Ron what you felt," she said, bringing Ron into it.

More rattling. He rasped, "It doesn't matter. I fucked up. I almost... I felt guilty... I guess."

"It does matter, Harry. All your emotions matter. But guilt over what?"

"That I ignored him and... that I caused it all to happen."

"You might have ignored him, but you didn't know. You're not responsible for everything."

"YES I AM!" Harry shouted, making both Eirene and Ron jerk back. "I'm responsible for everything! Voldemort... he just wanted me! Everyone who died just got in the way of me and him! It was me he wanted! I started the battle when I came to Hogwarts! I almost got all my friends killed and got so many killed! I mean fifty people died at the Battle! Not to mention Sirius, Cedric, Fred, my parents... not to mention Teddy's! I'm the one who hurt my friends all summer! I'm the one who pulled Hermione into helping me. I left Ron alone just to start drinking! IT IS ALL MY FAULT!"

Harry buried his face in his hands and Ron stared at him, open-mouthed, and glanced at her first, not sure if he should say anything. But he slowly, without direction, reached out and put his hand on his shoulder. Eirene wanted him to initiate contact, now.

"Harry, mate... it isn't. None of it is! It might have been about you... but he... V-Voldemort..." Ron stuttered and Harry looked at him in shock. "...would have killed all of us with or without you there! My family are known blood traitors and Order members. Hermione is a muggleborn. They hated us. Harry... you couldn't stop him from doing that. It wasn't easy hunting down what we needed to kill him. It took time. No one blames you!"

"I blame me! Maybe not for getting rid of him quicker... or the people he killed... but Sirius? Cedric? Their deaths are on me. They are my mistakes. Even the battle... Carrow... I took off the invisibility cloak in the Ravenclaw Tower, Ron! That's why the battle started! All because I took it off!" Harry screamed

Ron shook his head. "Harry... anything could have happened. They were patrolling the school. They already thought you were time. But you had to face him eventually. Here at the school, we had a chance to defeat him and capture his followers! McGonagall, the order, the students... we needed that army! How were we ever going to get close enough to get him or the snake? Harry, it was worth it. It had to happen to end the war! It was the only way. Stop thinking that you were responsible. We all came voluntarily to help."

"I can't stop thinking about it, Ron. What if I had learned Occlumency? What if I hadn't asked Cedric to take the cup with me? What if I hadn't...."

"Stop! Harry, we can play these games all day, if you want. There are always different choices. What if you didn't keep the stone from Quirrell? What if you didn't kill the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets? What if you didn't learn how to cast a Patronus? What if you didn't stand and fight You-Know-Who..." Ron sighed. "...V-Voldemort in the graveyard? What if you hadn't seen my dad get bit by that snake? What if you hadn't shoved a fucking bezoar down my throat!? What if you hadn't saved Draco from the fiendfyre? What if you hadn't risked your life by letting Voldemort kill you! Or figuring out about the elder wand? Harry! You aren't a fucking miracle worker. You saved every one of us every year since I've known you... you can't win every time... every battle and save everyone."

Eirene's eyebrows raised and she waited for Harry to process this. Talking about what happened was the best way to treat his guilt, especially when he was talking to someone who survived it all with him.

"But... I didn't... couldn't save them..." Harry said, tears coming out.

Ron hugged him. "You saved everyone else, though. You're not perfect. You... we... did the best we could. Those people murdered our friends and family, Harry. We didn't make them do that."

Harry didn't say anything, but just nodded. The room was quiet except for the soft sniffling come from both of them.

When they separated, Ron patted Harry on the shoulder. "Come on mate... we are going to get through this. One day at a time. We can help each other."

Harry, wiping his eyes, murmured, "Okay."

"Alright... that was very good, boys. You just went through a lot of emotions. Do you think you can still go to class?" she asked and they nodded. "Very well. That was excellent progress, today, but we still need individual sessions. How about Monday, Wednesday and Friday you can come in together?"

Ron nodded, and Harry huffed and gave a curt look, but didn't dispute it. He wasn't happy about it, but he wouldn't refuse his friend. He still hated this whole process, but she felt he was going to start talking soon and that was the most important thing.

"Let's get you back to Draco," Ron said, and Harry gave him a smile as they got up.

"I'll let Professor Slughorn know you're late," she said and sent a message through the castle's inter-floo network.

Ron, at least, thanked her, but Harry was not ready for that. No doubt he saw her questions as an attack or a form of torture and, for some, it was. But to let that pain and confusion fester would be worse. They opened the door and Daphne was in the waiting room, confused as to why they had overrun. Harry always bolted as soon as he could. They didn't acknowledge each other and left. She poked her head.

"Come in. Sorry, for being late."

"Oh... no problems, but they're talking, that has to be a good thing. Harry keeps making the room shake. It's a little disturbing at night."

"You all sleep in the same room?" she asked and Daphne grimaced and shook her head.

Slytherins. Eirene noted mentally. As fascinating as their internal command structure was, it was not healthy. It was based on survival and it had worked, when it was needed. But when the leader, arguably Blaise, decreed not to talk to her, they all followed suit, at least to a limited degree. Daphne was willing to talk about her own problems, but she was bound by that structure, and her own loyalty, not to talk about her friend's problems.

"How are you doing today?" she asked. Daphne had seemed agitated at their session last Wednesday, but didn't explain why.

Daphne burst into tears and was nearly inconsolable for their whole session. Eirene just hugged her, at her request, and kept asking her what was wrong. She ran out the door before their session was up. Merlin... she wondered what that was about. Daphne hadn't been this upset since she decided to owl her mother and got the letter back with "return to sender" on it. Her mother hadn't even opened it. Implacable bitch, Eirene thought. She could only offer her words of comfort that day.

Asher, a seventh-year Hufflepuff, whose mental state she could describe as "checked out", was after her. She couldn't sign off on his eval as he always was on potions. He had an early loss in his childhood and was from a broken home. Her efforts to get him to stop fell on deaf ears. He was a potions genius though, as she understood it. Capable of creating undetectable euphoria and instantaneous death if he had a mind to it. Horace lamented it was a shame that the boy was so... unreachable. Getting high on his own brews, instead of putting his natural talents to some use. She hoped that she might make some headway by the year's end.

Dean arrived after for his weekly session and things were going better with him. He was still very afraid of anyone finding out about his relationship with Seamus, who wanted to come out. He talked with her for a long time about the things his muggle family and friends had called him. He also seemed determined to find out about his father, too, which had prompted the whole situation with SADE and hurting Draco. Dean seemed horrified by what he had done and how far he had gone, but seemed to be making amends with the Slytherins.

After lunch, she began her afternoon sessions. Michael Corner had a short session before Ancient Runes started. It was more of a check-up. Michael said his relaxation exercises were working as well as his Sleeping Potions, which had a small amount of Dreamless Sleep in them. He was significantly calmer, but a little worked up after the match and Potter's subsequent blowout. Michael felt nervous around Harry and was questioning if he should remain on the team. He had apparently joined to help make up for what happened. Like mending things with Harry and Draco, but he wasn't sure. She suggested that he give it another shot, difficulties were to be expected at the first meet up and he needed to overcome his anxiety.

Ron was supposed to be after him, but as he came earlier, she had a rare free period. She sought out her extra assignment, which was to assess Zacharias Smith's mental condition. Unfortunately, the knowledge of last night's incident was told to her in session, so she couldn't bring it up. But Minerva had asked her to check on him after explaining what his claims had been during his expulsion hearing. The headmistress hadn't been pleased with everything that had happened and wanted her to decide if he needed to be pulled into mandatory counseling.

She knocked on the private staff wing room door of Keith Fawley. She waited almost a minute and knocked, again. Keith, or rather Fawley, as everyone seemed to call him, cracked the door.

"Yes?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Smith," she said.

"What makes you think he's here?" he retorted.

"Because he has hardly left your side in weeks."

"Last time I checked, you signed off on his mental health assessment," the burly seventh-year, Ravenclaw stated.

"It doesn't mean his situation hasn't changed. Look, we can play this game as long as you want. I can just summon him to my office at a different time... or you can let me in on your turf. Your choice... or his, really."

Fawley stared and then opened the door. Zach was on the far side of the room. His hair was a bit disheveled and he was still fixing his robes. She guessed that she had interrupted them.

"Hello, again, Zach. Is that still fine?"

"Sure. What do you want?" he asked, evenly.

Keith's reaction was interesting. Slightly confused. Oh, Zach was a skilled liar. He was either hiding his condition from his boyfriend and/or her. She half-wondered if the headmistress had been mistaken about her concerns, but she said that she had used Legilimency on him. Controlling his voice and facial expressions were one thing, controlling his mental defenses was another. But Eirene didn't want to be here all day. She needed to evaluation his emotional state and decide on a course of action.

"I have to say that you are proficient at hiding your emotions, Zach. You were very good at our first interview. Hardly any slip-ups, but the headmistress told me all about your meeting. Unless what you claimed was all a lie?"

"It wasn't a lie. I was tortured and mentally unhinged due to being on mind-altering potions and suffering from severe sleep deprivation. Now, I'm not on any potions and am sleeping quite well, now," Zach said, still unnervingly calm.

Had this been any other patient, she would have sent his boyfriend/bodyguard out. But Keith's reactions were interesting. From all reports, Zach was uncommunicative to the point of forced silence and refusing to speak. She had time to do her homework this time. She knew that this was not Zach's usual behavior.

"Indeed? You don't think that the issues which caused those things to happen need to be addressed?"

"If the headmistress told you about my expulsion hearing, she told you what things happened to cause my issues to start up," Zach said, still several feet away. He obviously didn't want her to come closer.

She had expected, with someone who was mentally unstable, for him to fidget more and avoid eye contact, but his blue eyes were staring at her. He was playing her, again.

"She mentioned you were still attacked?"

Zach tilted his head. "I've been attacked several times. Madam Pomfrey can confirm that."

"By your old dorm mates?"

Fawley shifted, but Zach didn't. Very controlled. Too controlled, actually. "It was minor injuries."

"Really? I was to understand that they nearly... forced themselves on you," she said, quietly.

"I think that was an over-exaggeration. Who told you that?" Zach asked, but his eyes starting to show a little panic.

She had never asked about possible sexual abuse so directly before, but Zach was being very... circumloquacious. She couldn't spend all day toying with him.

"You implied it. To the headmistress."

"I imply a lot of things. I don't appreciation being harassed about being assaulted," he said with a deliberate amount of accusation in his voice.

She had wondered how he had, at one point, lead the attacks on Draco. He could talk when it came to it, when he knew what they wanted, very skillfully. "I didn't appreciate being lied to."

"Lied to? I didn't lie," Smith said, with an air of fake honesty.

"You told me that you never had seen a mind healer before."

"I wasn't lying."

"Oh?"

"They were anything but healers. More like advisors and counselors. They were procured to help fix me."

She sighed, somewhat understanding his faulty logic. "Taught you how to lie and placate people like me?" she dared.

"How to say what people wanted to hear."

"Lie, in other words?"

"Not unnecessarily, but sometimes."

"Did you lie to the headmistress?" she asked.

"Maybe," Zach said.

Eirene straightened up. It was going as well as she expected. Zach was able enough to play these games all day. He must have had dozens of healers over the years. He wasn't going to be anything but trouble for her unless he wanted to change. But she had an ace in the hold. Fawley was in the room and from what she had seen, he was in charge of the relationship.

"Do you lie to your boyfriend?" she said, refraining from smirking.

Zach finally broke his game face and she saw the fear in his eyes. His eyes glanced at Keith leaning against the wall. He straightened up to enter their conversation in response.

"Ma'am, if you aren't going to play nicely, I'm going to ask you to leave," Keith growled.

"Oh... I'm sorry, did I misinterpret your relationship? There's only one bed," she said, in a fake apology, and looked back to Zach.

"No, you didn't," Zach said and Fawley raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.

"Then why did you not like my question? Do you lie to him?"

"No."

"Hmmm... now, about your father..." she started.

Zach clenched up defensively even more then when she had asked about Keith. "Yes?" his voice was strained.

"How does he feel about this?"

"I'm not stupid enough to tell him," Zach said and Fawley looked at him. He was really losing his hold, now. He looked away and brushed his hand through his hair. She saw bruises around his wrist and eyed the bedframe that had convenient tie-down points. A cock ring was on the bed table. They were definitely experimenting with riskier types of sex. She had to know if this was all consensual as Zach seemed emotionally compromised not too long ago.

"How do you feel about that, Keith?" she asked, looking at the head of their relationship.

Fawley lifted his head, angry. "Don't push me, healer. I'm not willing to play your games. You said you were here to see him."

"Yes, and decide if he needs help... or removal from this environment," she said, the threat in her voice.

Zach winced and his eyes widened. "No... I like it here!"

"Relax, Zach. She's still playing her game, trying to trip you up."

"I need to ascertain how he is doing. I'm very concerned about his living conditions," she said, noting that Zach's control was very much shaken. "I need to get him to talk about what happened to help him."

But Fawley stepped forward. "And I'm not impressed with your scare tactics of threatening our relationship to force him to comply."

"Keith... do you think that he needs mind healing?" she asked.

"That is not my choice to decide. It is his and I won't take it away from him," he growled. "I also prefer to be called Fawley and, if you continue to disrespect me on purpose, I will ask you to leave."

She nodded, now seeing for herself that Keith Fawley's reputation was richly earned. She returned to Zach, who relaxed to his nonchalant stance that he had used during their first meeting. "Do you still feel that you don't need sessions?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm not convinced. I wanted you to come to my office next Monday and we'll continue...."

"No," Fawley said, sternly and Zach looked relieved.

She turned to the Ravenclaw. "You can't decide that...."

"Zach decided it. You gave your blessing when you signed his form. Zach is invoking his right to confidentiality. You can't tell the headmistress he needs counseling."

"We discussed it, prior to my coming here. And Zach hadn't invoked it then."

"And you decided, before you talked to Zach, that he needed therapy?" he huffed.

"No, I didn't. I...."

"That's right, because giving a mental evaluation on hearsay and other people's observations isn't exactly the proper way, is it?"

She nodded, sensing that Fawley was just as skilled in handling people as Zach was. "I think that it is in Zach's best interest to have therapy sessions. You shouldn't be assisting him in refusing help, K-Fawley."

"I told him I'd never make him do anything that he doesn't want to do. He clearly has no desire to see you. You had your chance to evaluate him. You stamped the form. If you had doubts, or those doubts were overruled by the headmistress, then it's on you. But to show up now, after the damage is done, after the headmistress and her staff, fucked up, is a highly underhanded way to cover your butts! I would like you to leave, now."

Eirene had a sour taste in her mouth. "I'm not going to say that you are wrong. What happened to him is... unacceptable, but I do want to help him. I had a limited evaluation on him the first time and he wasn't exactly forthcoming."

"You're probably right, but you are acting under the directive of the headmistress. If Zach decides to change his mind, we will let you know."

She looked to Zach. "Is that what you want, Zach? I can help you."

"I'm fine where I am. Thank you for your concern," he said.

Fawley showed her the door. "And would appreciate you not coming to my room."

"I understand. I hope you both will change your mind. Bear in mind that I didn't sign off on your evaluation, Mr. Fawley."

"Good luck with that healer. I will also exercise my right of confidentiality," he said.

She nodded and left, gaining nothing from the interaction. She had hoped that Keith Fawley would have assisted her in getting Zach help, but he's staunchly defending his refusal. He must be pissed. She stewed in her failure until Theo came. Of course, he didn't say a word and just looked like he was going to break down every second. These sessions were pointless. He needed his friends, Blaise more specifically, to get him to talk. She was going to have enlist Blaise help.

Draco's session was next. She felt it best to keep the three Slytherins together. They all had a calming influence on each other. As soon as Theo saw Draco, he looked better and more when Daphne took him out the door. Eirene noted that she wasn't crying anymore.

"How are you today, Draco?"

He shrugged, leaning back in the couch, but never fully relaxing. He was slightly more communicative than Theo, but only just. He was looking a lot better. He was eating consistently and appeared to be sleeping well. His eyes weren't red from crying and he sat straighter, more... confident. He was healing from the recent abuses, but underneath it all was the darkness. The abuse, the rape, the war. He would shut down if she even brushed against those topics. He didn't think he could talk about what happened. None of them did.

Even bringing up his inability to use Defense Against the Dark Arts spells produced an immediate negative reaction.

"Don't... please..." he begged, immediately. The fear never really left him.

"Please... let me help you," she pleaded, but it was useless. He wouldn't tell her. He wouldn't go any deeper than that.

Draco left, his head cowed, at the end of their session. He was no closer to opening up than Theo was. But the one who she really needed to talk to was Blaise. Her last appointment in a long grueling day. Blaise arrived promptly ten minutes after his last class. He sat down, looking as exhausted as she did. Minerva had punished him by giving him extra work on top of his schooling and his teaching. Though Ron and Harry hadn't really mentioned Blaise, she was sure that he had played a minor role in what happened last night. No doubt he had calmed down Draco.

"How are you doing?" she asked, as it was the simplest way to open a meeting.

He grunted. Though he didn't really open up, he would interact with her to a very limited extent. Blaise was particular in only talking if she was going to talk and only revealing the barest of facts about himself. He was happy, though, she could tell and seemed to be fidgeting with his finger, though she didn't see anything there.

"That wasn't very forthcoming," she accused, dropping into a banter-like conversation, which Blaise responded to better.

"I didn't feel like answering. I have things on my mind."

"Would you care to elaborate?"

"You had Potter and Weasley this morning, you should know," he said, briskly.

"Perhaps... would you care to tell me how you were involved?"

"I wasn't."

"You brought it up, though," she stated.

"There was the fallout to worry about, but Draco's doing alright, now. Harry calmed down... surprisingly."

"As he been upset during the week, too?"

"Yeah. Idiot wasn't taking his potions. They will work... won't they?" he asked.

"They should," she said, remaining as neutral as possible. "But if they aren't going to work if the person taking them isn't addressing the root cause of everything."

Blaise humphed and didn't add anything to that.

"Can I ask you about Zach?" she asked, suddenly.

"No."

"No? Why?"

"You asked a question and I answered," he sneered.

"But the fact that you refused, is rather interesting."

"The fact that you are interested in talking about him, means that you know exactly what's going on and I don't need to clarify anything."

"I don't know why you are persisting with it," she said, watching him as he leaned his head back in a stretch.

"You've seen him?" he said, exhausted.

"I couldn't really answer that, could I?"

"I'll take that as a yes. He deserved it when he got it and he doesn't deserve it anymore. Actions and consequences. He crossed the line and felt the backlash. It wasn't supposed to hurt him that much."

"He deserved it because he hurt you?"

"And Draco."

"But you punished him after he hurt you though. Which is different. You've never gone after someone so directly, before."

"It was public, healer."

"And that matters more to you, then?"

"You know who my mother is. She wouldn't suffer an insult like that to slide," Blaise said, his head high.

Eirene thought on her response. "I heard something from someone... they said that you threatened Zach that you would kill him if he ever touched your friends? Is that correct?"

"Yeah... I could imagine I would say that," Blaise said, unequivocally.

"Then... when pressed about why you didn't add yourself into that list, you said something along the lines that you didn't care, though they would regret it."

"If I killed everybody that touched me, I would amass quite a body count. What's your point?"

"It's been years since I first saw you... and you are nowhere near admitting what people have done to you."

Blaise's dark eyes glared at her and she had to force herself not to react. She had to admit that Blaise could be scary when it came down to it.

His voice was controlled. "We've been getting along so far... you're digging a bit deep, aren't you?"

"I was just pointing out that you actually took revenge in this incident... and are letting it continue on after the problem was neutralized."

"If it becomes an issue, I will remove it."

"So, did you cast it out of revenge, or your mother's reputation?"

Blaise crossed his arms in deflection. "Are you afraid of my mother?"

"Yes," Eirene answered, without hesitating.

"Yet, you're working with her?"

"I often have to help with people with... dark backgrounds. I've treated criminals and their victims, at the same time. Killers, rapists and torturers... and on the other side, traumatized men and women, mentally unstable individuals and of course, abused children."

Blaise stared at her, but didn't answer, immediately. She was waiting for him to decide if he was going to talk. "I didn't do it for her, or just for me. He also attacked Theo and Daphne. It was getting out of hand. I wanted to get them to stop and it did work, to a limited extent."

"I understand. Your friends are your family and you feel it's your obligation to protect them, Blaise."

Blaise ignored her and confessed, "I left it on because of it, though."

Eirene tilted her head. Getting that confession was something of an accomplishment on her part. It was the first time Blaise had really opened up without being prompted.

"Are we done?" he asked, gruffly.

Blaise often wanted to escape as soon as he felt he revealed too much. She frowned. She hated doing this. They were making headway... definite progress. But she was captured in an Anti-Apparation Charm with Theo and Draco's session. She had to follow Minerva's suggestion. Blaise could get the other two to open up and she needed his help to do that, especially since he was the leader.

"Blaise... I need your help."

"Help?"

"Yes... with your friends."

"Theo?" he asked.

"And Draco."

Blaise looked unsure. "I know I need to be there for Theo... but Draco...."

"He won't open up at all. He thinks that he can't, that he'll slip further into his memories. He won't acknowledge what happened to him."

"And you think that I can get that out of him any easier? We don't exactly talk about that kind of stuff," he pointed out.

"Exactly. None of you do. It's not healthy. You all keep silent about what happened and refuse to discuss it. One of you is going to have to break and open up, and it needs to be you, Blaise."

"Why me?" he hissed.

"Because you're the strongest... and they both love and respect you. You can get them to open up."

Blaise grimaced and his eyes looked down. She could almost feel how cold he had gotten. What little light that had been in his eyes, dimmed. This would hurt him, but he wouldn't refuse. Not for them.

"Fine," he said and stood up.

"I'll let Draco know to come at our usual time on Wednesday, then?"

Blaise didn't say another word and left out the door. She sighed. She already regretted doing it, though it would help Draco and Theo. She could only hope Blaise would be okay after. He'd been hurt so much and there was only so much a soul could take. This would be on her if it didn't work. She rubbed her eyes exhausted at the stress of the day. She hadn't had this many patients before and they all were extremely tricky to work with. Minerva really needed another healer to help with the load and the conflict of interests. She shouldn't be treating Blaise at the same time as the others. But she locked her office and went down to dinner.

***

Harry waited outside of Bill's classroom at nine. Draco was at his special lessons. When the door opened, Draco was almost sweating from exertion and sitting in a desk chair. Harry came in and asked what had happened. Bill had made him conjure creature after creature and then Vanish them, too, all wandlessly.

"He's doing great... I really want to try directed spells, though," Bill said.

Draco shook his head. "Professor... I don't want to risk it. If anything happened...."

"Draco," Bill said, kneeling to level with him. "Nothing will happen. You are allowed to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts. You have permission from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister, himself. They can't punish you for learning."

"But...."

"No buts Draco. You can practice your magic. You just have to believe it."

"I don't," Draco said and then mumbled. "It's not just that."

Bill tilted his head and Harry remained very still. Draco didn't offer up information so easily. "What is it?"

"I... wasn't allowed... to fight back," Draco whispered and Bill took his hand, encouraging him. "They would torture me... and if I resisted, they would make it hurt more."

Bill hugged him and Draco buried his face in his chest. "Draco... I'm so sorry. They should not have done that to you... what they did was beyond cruel."

Draco gripped him tightly. "It was my father... and my aunt, usually. I-I couldn't do anything."

"I know and I'm sorry. There was nothing you could do but survive. And you did that Draco. They didn't kill your spirit... and take away who you are. You're still kind and compassionate," Bill assured him.

Draco slowly let go and shook his head. He didn't want to believe it and he locked eyes with Harry, pleadingly to help him.

"We should get going, Bill. It was a long weekend," Harry said and Draco looked relieved.

"I bet," Bill said, and turned to look at him as Draco grabbed his bag. "Ron stopped by earlier. He was happy. I'm glad you two worked it out."

"Yeah... me, too," Harry said and lowered his head. "Did he tell you what happened?"

"No... but maybe you can tomorrow," Bill murmured and they said goodbye.

Draco was quiet on the walk back. He usually was on therapy days. He only went three days a week, right before Blaise's sessions. Harry stopped at the portrait door.

"Draco, is everything okay?"

"Yeah... I just can't, Harry. I can't do it. I don't remember how."

Harry knew that he was talking about using spells, again. He stepped closer and hugged him. "Draco... you'll remember how to do it. You fought at the battle, remember? You're not broken. You saved Luna, you saved Ginny... you took out that giant and you dueled Goyle. You can do it, Draco."

Draco cried into his shoulder. "I don't know how I did that. I don't know if that d-dementor took it out or the memory spells. I'm still scared. It's all I can remember. I don't want people to hurt me anymore."

Harry rubbed his back. "We'll figure it out, Draco. Don't cry."

"Sorry. I'm sorry I'm so weak, especially when you were upset this morning," Draco said, lifting back a little to look at him.

"Draco... you don't have to apologize for being... upset. And you're not weak... or we both are, cause I was hardly able to walk last night. I needed help, too. We take turns taking care of each other, remember? That's what you said this morning," Harry said, and pushed his longer hair away from his face.

"Yeah," Draco muttered.

"Come on... let's get you up to the room. Maybe I can help you feel better?" Harry said.

Draco cracked a smile. "You just want to get into my robes, don't you?"

"You caught me. I'm the sex fiend. How about a long, torturous blow job?"

"From you?" Draco queried with a smile.

"Unless you have another boyfriend willing to do it."

"No... just you, prat."

Harry smiled. Even after all this time, they still called each other names. "Come on, git. I need to get those robes off you."

"Take me to the tower, oh hero, and ravish me," Draco drawled.

Harry couldn't stop laughing. It was completely different from this morning when he was spilling his guts out to Madam Denkar and Ron. He thought that he would be messed up after, but he felt strangely... tranquil. Ron's presence... his words had helped so much. He didn't seem as much of a screw-up with him there. Hermione was happy because they were getting along and everyone around them seemed less on edge that he was going to lose it, again. He only saw Smith once in the hallway, but he promptly turned and went down a different hallway. There wasn't much he could do to fix that.

Harry took Draco's hand, knowing he could help him feel better. "Oh, I will... Dray." He felt his tongue go lax. This will be interesting.

His boyfriend rolled his eyes and gave the password to Joan. They walked through the common room, taking note that Theo and Daphne were cuddled up together on the couch by the fire. Blaise and Neville were on patrol. The room was theirs. Draco got them in and relocked the door.

"You're technicality at my mercy, now," Draco said, but Harry smirked and slowly pushed him against the wall.

His lips attacked Draco before he could get another word in. He had promised to ravish him, after all. He slowly pushed Draco's robes off and let them fall. He played with his trousers blindly, as they snogged. Draco's hands were running through his hair, pulling him closer. He finally undid the button and they fell to the floor, too. Harry stopped kissing him to look into his eyes for permission to go further. Draco nodded and Harry slid his boxers down and then lifted his shirt over his head. He smiled before starting to kiss Draco's chest hard enough to leave hickies.

"Fuck! Salazar's cum... you weren't kidding about torturing me! At least take your clothes off, so I can touch you!" Draco insisted.

Harry stopped and smirked as he held out his arms, waiting.

Draco snorted. "Making me work to unwrap you? I thought you were going to take care of me?" As he started to take Harry's clothes off.

"Eh wall."

"Prat. One of these days, you're going to regret activating the Taboo."

"Nau tadu," he tried to say, but gave up as Draco removed the last bit of his clothes for him.

He went back to his oral assault of his creamy, perfect skin as Draco's fingers kneaded into him. He was beautiful... and tasted... marvelous. Harry could do this all night... all day, forever. This was his happy ever after. Being with Draco, was his dream, his future. He never wanted anything so bad as he wanted it to come true. A home together... raising Teddy and healing each other from their war wounds. That hope was what kept him going sometimes.

Harry licked and sucked every part of Draco's chest, making him squirm and writhe. He swore plenty and tried to get him to go lower. Draco's member was plump and hard, aching for relief. Harry went lower, but avoided touching it.

Draco groaned and started to plead. "Come on, Harry! Please!"

Harry sucked on his V line a little before licking his tip, ever so gently. Draco nearly screamed, before he started urging Harry to fully take him. Harry did, enveloping his large cock with his mouth. Draco almost squealed and Harry was smiling as he slowly took him all in. It was hard, but he had been going further each time he did this. His gag reflux had been slowly squashed. But he stopped as he felt Draco hit the back of his throat and he didn't do more, just let it set on his weakened tongue.

"Harry?"

He chuckled in response. Draco moaned, his fingers threading through Harry's hair, trying to encourage him to suck. He never thought he'd be in the position to wind up Draco with his mouth around his cock, but here he was. And he wasn't going to give in easily.

"Harry! You prat... please!"

Harry looked up into Draco's eyes and slowly pulled off him. Draco swore and thrusted ever so slightly, trying to get that friction he so desperately wanted. Harry liked it, but he didn't want to give in so easily. He pulled out completely and just looked up at Draco.

"I'm sorry... just... keep going?" he begged.

Harry smirked and licked his head, again, earning another unmanly shriek from his boyfriend. He licked it again, and then started to lick his shaft, slowly, as to fully unravel Draco's restraint. He was determined to torture him with pleasure... not pain. That would always be his goal. Draco was a quivering mess, by the time he stopped licking. He was nearly ready to come without the suction. Harry didn't want that. He sat back on his heels and waited for Draco to come back from the edge.

"What the hell, Harry?" he growled, and Harry smiled in response. "You are going to do it or do I have to finish?"

Harry wasn't going to allow that. He stood up, and slowly took Draco's hands. His grey eyes narrowed, more annoyed than anything else. Harry pulled him off the wall and onto the bed. He scooted to the pillows and Harry slowly climbed onto him. Their lips meet and Draco tried to connect their pricks, together, but Harry lifted higher. When Draco's hand went to his member, Harry gently pinned it to the bed. Draco could still free it, if he wanted. He knew not to hold Draco down, but just softly reminding him that he wasn't allowed to cheat.

"Nao," he slurred and Draco growled in frustration.

Harry went down his chest, again. Sucking and gently biting. He toyed with his nipples, until Draco was almost writhing for release.

"Haarrrry..." he shrieked. "Please...."

Harry looked upward from Draco's belly button and smiled. "Ou... 'ou... 'afe!"

"Prat, I don't want to play "guess what Harry is saying"!"

Harry popped up to his knees, planting them in between his legs and under Draco's thighs, against his butt, spreading Draco open. Their dicks were almost touching. The movement surprised Draco, who was staring at Harry, waiting for his next move. A next step that that Harry wouldn't take, but he would get Draco to understand him. Taboo or not. Draco needed to believe it.

"Ou..." he said, pointing at Draco.

"Me?" Draco guessed.

Harry nodded. "A-ff!" But Draco looked at him, confused. Harry tried, again. "Shh... aaa...fff...."

"Safe?" he said, grimacing.

Harry again nodded. "Wee-it... ma... ma-eh." He pointed to himself.

"I'm safe with you?" Draco whispered and Harry grinned. Draco returned it. "Thank you. I do... feel safe. I always do with you. But I need release. Can you please stop torturing me?"

Harry shrugged and made his way lower, kissing his delectable hips as Harry slid his knees back. His hands went to fondling the sensitive skin of Draco's thigh, getting more moans out of his boyfriend. His lips went further down, bypassing his cock to suck inner parts of Draco's groin. That really got Draco writhing, again, and his cock was dripping with precum. A soft lick of the head got Draco to jerk in surprise, it was so sensitive. Harry almost put is mouth on it, while Draco watched, impatiently, but pulled away to taunt him a little more.

Draco's legs suddenly lifted up and wrapped around Harry's back shoulders and locking his ankles behind him. Harry was nearly pushed straight into Draco's cock as a result. It was inches from his face. Harry looked at Draco surprised and tried to muscle his way out of the hold, but Draco's long legs were strong to keep him there trapped, staring at Draco's lovely prick right in front of his face.

"Well, I could let you out... when I get tired... or I could release you... for a price," Draco drawled, squeezing his chest tighter. "I got all the patience in the world now, Potter."

Harry looked at him a little shocked. Draco was proudly smiling, waiting for him to respond. Harry nodded in acknowledgment of his victory. He leaned a little forward and took in Draco's cock, again. He had to slip through Draco's strong muscles a little more to take him all in, but Draco let him do it. He didn't let go this time, and slid up and down his shaft as Draco watched him, still letting out happy moans. Harry finally went deep, again and felt Draco clenching up. He pulled back slightly and swallowed it all.

Draco's legs immediately let go and Harry sprawled out on Draco's hips, exhausted and spent, too. His own hand had been wanking while he sucked. Draco pulled him up next to him and threw the sheet over them after cleaning his mess. He kissed Harry and pulled him in tight, against his body.

"You shouldn't poke a snake, Harry. We tend to fight back... when someone pushes the right buttons."

Harry looked at him, a little dazed from his orgasm. That was kinda the point. If Draco could believe he controlled Harry in the bedroom, he could do it anytime. He didn't care about who was in charge. He just wanted Draco to be happy. He could only nod, as talking was really annoying.

"Thank you... for helping me see that..." Draco said, as though realizing the same thing. "I love you, prat."

"I wruvf 'ou taow," he slurred.

"I know."

They both fell asleep and barely woke up when the others came in. Harry hadn't slept so long in a long time, and he finally woke up without a nightmare. It had been a while and he was enjoying the blissful relief of dream-free sleep.

"Morning honey," Draco said, kissing him.

"No... I don't want to wake up!" Harry muttered, still half-asleep.

"Still not a morning person, eh? Come on... get up!" Draco said, playfully slapping his butt through the sheets.

Harry considered attacking him with kisses, but a flash of light landed in the room. Harry rolled over out of bed, grabbed glasses and summoned his wand from his robes.

The cat Patronus said, "Mr. Potter, please report to my office, immediately!", then faded away.

Harry grimaced, wondering what that was about but Blaise snickered, "Not that we don't appreciate the show Potter, but there are other people who live in this room."

"What?" he said, as Draco wrapped their sheet around his naked body.

"Really, Harry?" he sighed.

"That was sexy, Potter... but you're making Theo jealous," Daphne laughed.

"No, he's not," Theo responded.

"Sorry. I just expect things to attack me," Harry mumbled, embarrassed.

"It's okay," Draco said.

"You guys do share a room, you know? You could sleep in boxers," Blaise stated.

Before Harry could responded, Draco muttered, "But I don't like to."

"I bet you don't," Theo chuckled, already dressed.

"Well, you can't ignore the headmistress. Hurry up!" Draco said, turning to him.

He walked to the other side of the bed and grabbed his clothes, changing under the sheet. Draco hit him with the cleaning spells and got his bag for him. "Thanks," he said, as he opened the door.

Draco nodded and asked, "You want me to come?"

"Yes," Theo muttered.

Draco gave him a look and Harry said, "No. I'll send my own Patronus if I need anything. I see if Ron wants to walk me to the ward and get my potions quickly. Maybe I'll get out of having to go to therapy today."

Ron, thankfully, was ready to go and they got their potions before Harry left to go to McGonagall's Office. He climbed the steps and opened the door.

"Sorry, I had to stop at the infirmary..." Harry said, as he took in the occupants of the room. Three goblins were there, two he recognized: the head security goblin, Mr. Arkok, and the verifier, Mr. Warax. He didn't recognize the last one. The headmistress looked annoyed, though.

"Mr. Arkok and Mr. Warax, how good to see you, again," Harry said, giving them a bow. "I apologize. I don't think we've met... Mister?"

"No, we wouldn't. I am Liquidator Takcal," the third goblin said, brusquely.

Harry gave him a bow, nonetheless. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Takcal."

The goblin had a bewildered look on his face like no one had ever been courteous before.

"I'm sorry? Was there something wrong with my accounts? Last time I checked... everything was in hand?" Harry asked, wondering what would have brought a "liquidator" to Hogwarts after him. The only thing he could think that happened was the house was mortgaged somehow before he had gotten it. Dumbledore hadn't said anything when he told him it was his.

"Ahh... no... nothing is wrong with your accounts," Takcal said, still bemused.

"Then... what do I owe this visit? Do I need to make restitution for the dragon thing? Mr. Arkok didn't mention anything the last couple of times I've seen him."

The three goblins looked at him and Arkok smiled. "No, Mr. Potter. We did not seek damages for that incident."

"Oh, I can pay... if it's necessary. For the damages, not the dragon."

"I don't think that will be necessary, but I will convey that to Head Goblin Ragnok," Takcal said and then gave a look to the headmistress as though debating on dismissing her, but thought the better of it. "To business, then. I regret to inform you that a writ of fieri facias has been levied against property in your possession."

"I... what? Sorry, what's fieri facias?

"It's a judgment of seizure, Harry," Professor McGonagall explained.

"Oh... I umm... defaulted on something?" he asked.

"Not exactly," Liquidator Takcal said. "Items in your residence had a lien placed on them and the debt has been called in, as the rightful owner defaulted on the loan. If you paid for the items, you will have to recoup your losses on your own. But we are owed the items in your possession and have come to get you to release the wards on your house."

Harry blinked. "I'm sorry, Mr. Takcal. I haven't bought anything besides some food and maybe some kitchen tools. What are you talking about? Was this a debt I inherited?"

"No, you procured the items on August 31 this year," the liquidator informed him. "We are not supposed to reveal the name of the defaulter, directly."

"That... was the day before school started. I didn't buy... oh... Draco asked me to put his stuff in my attic for safekeeping. This is Draco Malfoy's debt?" Harry asked.

The goblin hesitated, but said, "No. The lien was placed by the owner of the items."

"But they were Draco's?" he asked.

"Harry, goblins believe that the head of the family owns all items within their family," the headmistress said, quietly.

Harry jolted at that. "Lucius? But he's...."

"Soulless and legally non-compos mentis," Professor McGonagall stated, but frowned. "No, Narcissa Malfoy is the head of the family and I think we found the answer to why she left her sister's. They have already tried to get a refund for Mr. Malfoy's tuition, which I declined to give as well as Mr. Malfoy's school trunk."

"But she left to work... she said," Harry said, and looked to the liquidator. "You haven't received any payment? She said she was working, again."

Takcal looked to the other two and Arkok nodded. "She surrendered herself to our Recuperation Department and is working off her debt at a work camp. In the meantime, her property is being seized to mitigate the debt and recoup our losses and lower her work debt."

Harry's mouth popped open. He could be imagining it... but it sounded like Narcissa was placed in some kind of indentured servitude. That was why she was safe, but couldn't write.

"How?" was the only thing he could respond to.

"Harry... Narcissa knew exactly what she was signing up for when she took the loan. Goblins always get their due. It's been their practice for centuries, but she should be debt-free when she comes out of it. Can you tell us how long?" the headmistress asked.

"It will vary as we shall have to appraise and sell the items we seize to get a final figure. I should say no more than a few months," Warax said and Takcal gave him a look.

"We are not supposed to tell the particulars of a debt to...."

"I'm not surrendering anything," Harry declared.

The three goblins looked at him and scowled. "Mr. Potter, you have to...."

"I told Draco that I would keep those items safe," he paused for effect. "...but I will pay the outstanding debt against Narcissa Malfoy."

They looked more mollified, but Arkok said, "But this isn't your debt."

"No, but she's my family, now, and I want to help her. Will her debt bankrupt me?" he asked.

The Verifier shook his head. "No, Mr. Potter, not at all."

"Then I give permission to garnish my vaults for the amount owed. I want all her items seized to be returned to my house, Number 12 Grimmauld Place."

"All?" the liquidator queried.

"Unless I'm going to be in the hole doing it... all."

The goblin seemed very pleased with that and Warax and Arkok were staring at him impressed. "This is a nice gesture, Mr. Potter."

"She's important to me and she saved my life. She was one of the reasons I was able to defeat Voldemort. I owe her," he said, tears forming in his eyes, for the woman who had held him like a son. The goblins stared, a little astonished, if anything else. "I-I would like to retrieve her from the... work camp. Would you allow that?"

"For you, Mr. Potter... I will have Arkok take you there. We didn't know that she was adopted into your family, Sir. Should we redirect any legal and financial matters of the Malfoy name to you, then?"

Harry grimaced and looked to the headmistress on how to answer. She nodded. "Yes. If circumstances change, we can discuss it then."

"Very well, Warax?" Takcal said and the verifier stepped forward with a Blood Quill for him to sign the parchment releasing his funds and permission to buy her items back."

"The penalty cost for the collection will be waved," Warax said, and then offered him to sign the allegiance form of the Malfoy name to his.

"Please let me know of anything that comes up with Narcissa or Draco Malfoy," he pleaded.

"We will. Arkok can take you to Work Camp Five. It has been a pleasure in working with you, Mr. Potter," Takcal said, giving him a bow and disappeared in the Floo.

Warax gave him a low bow and bid him farewell, too, and left. Harry looked at Professor McGonagall who said that she would release him from class and charged the goblin to protect her student. Arkok gave her a bow and gave him the address. Harry jumped in the floo and came out in a lobby area with a security desk manned by goblins. Arkok greeted them briefly and guided them outside to the excavation site.

Arkok cleared his throat. "It's a mining venture. Very safe. We take pride in protecting our workforce and ensure no danger will befall them. Eight hours a day, with meal breaks and individual rooms. "Most are allowed to keep their wands, as long as they weren't forcibly seized for collection. But there are some placed in hard labor, if they are troublesome."

"I see," Harry said, neutrally, though he didn't care for it. He could tell that they weren't in England anymore. The climate was almost tropical. He already wanted to remove his robes from the heat.

"You did a great thing... today," Arkok said.

"Freeing someone?"

"That... and you impressed the liquidator," the goblin said, as they started to walk toward the mine entrance.

"It was an unintended result, I assure you. I just want her back."

Arkok walked next to him and tutted. "We know. But you didn't haggle, deny or threaten us. With your position... you could have easily leveraged it against us. Wizards and witches notoriously try to avoid paying their debts to us."

"That isn't right. They took out the loan, and then don't want to pay it back? That's stealing!"

"Indeed, but they have the Ministry on their side. You could have filed for a reprieve, like many do, and get granted a reprieve."

"Sorry, I don't know the underhand tricks to get out of paying and, even if I did, I wouldn't, unless there was something underhanded about the loan itself. But Gringotts has always been direct and fair with me, so I think she knew what a default would be."

Arkok nodded. "She did. But tell, me, Mr. Potter, do you always bow when you meet someone?"

Harry tilted his head. "No. I just always thought... that it was more respectful. Goblins seem to value respect, honor and manners. I have a high opinion of your kind and I try to show my consideration of that."

"You don't think that wizards are more powerful?" he asked, looking up at him.

"Of course not. That's what Voldemort thought. We shouldn't think that he liked was good," Harry said as they entered the mining area. "Besides, I've met enough crappy humans in my life."

Arkok met with the mine supervisor and they conversed in Gobbledegook for a minute before the goblins lead them down a tunnel. He saw many humans. Some using wands to extract minerals, where others were using tools and lifting rocks with their backs. He thought he saw Mundungus Fletcher, but didn't care. Dung had stolen a bunch of Sirius's stuff. They walked for nearly ten minutes, before Harry heard his name being shouted.

"Harry! Harry Potter! It's you! You've come to save me!" a man cried, abandoning his pickax and walking toward him.

Harry tensed, wondering who was addressing him, and preparing for an attack. "Sorry?"

"Harry! It's Ludo!" the exhausted man said, aghast that he didn't know.

"Bagman?"

"Yes! Harry! You have to get me out of here!" he pleaded.

"I thought the Ministry got you out of debt?" Harry said, trying to remember what Fred and George had told him all those years ago.

"Well... yeah, they did. But I got into a spot of trouble and had to take out another loan," he admitted.

"And you defaulted, again?" Harry said, shaking his head.

"Well, the Ministry doesn't pay that well and I was sure the Cannons were going to win! It was a sure thing!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Sounds like a gambling problem, Ludo. Well, tough shit. You made your bed and you have to lay down in it, like we all do."

"But I'm in here for five years!" he cried as two security goblins closed in on him, as he had stopped.

"Five years? How much did you bet?" Harry said, dumbfounded.

"He evaded capture and damaged a lot of equipment during an escape attempt. He works in the mine, now. Hard labor," the supervisor goblin explained. "Back to work!"

"Harry! We're friends... can you help me out?" he shrieked as the goblins grabbed him.

"We aren't friends! You tried to cheat the goblins in the Triwizard Tournament by helping me under the table to win!" Harry sneered and the goblins glared at Bagman.

"I was desperate!"

"You obviously didn't learn anything from it. You crawled right back in the hole you dug after the Ministry just pulled you out of it. Gringotts didn't get their money back, did they?"

"The Ministry said I didn't have to pay it! It was all legal, Harry."

"I highly doubt it. I might be able to sympathize with you, except that I know you were a spy for Voldemort in the first war."

Ludo paled. "I didn't know! Rockwood was a friend. I didn't really support the Dark Lord!"

"The Dark Lord, eh? Not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? I also heard from a little bird that you tipped Runcorn that Dirk Cresswell wasn't a pureblood, since you were in Gryffindor together at school."

All the goblins looked at Ludo, who was shaking and not denying it.

"He died, Bagman. Along with another goblin he was on the run with. Five years... isn't long enough. By the way... when you do get out, I'd run, if I were you. Because I'll be waiting for that day."

Ludo, aghast, scampered off back to his pickax and the four goblins were now staring at him, gobsmacked.

"So... hard time, right?" Harry mused.

"The hardest we got... legally-speaking. Dirk was a friend of the goblins, did you know?"

"Not officially. I know he worked with you... I saw him and the other goblins not long before they were caught."

"It's good to know how they passed. Gornuk was my... cousin, you would call him," Arkok explained.

"I'm sorry. Griphook and Dean Thomas were the only ones who survived the attack."

"Hmm... my thanks," he said with a bow and Harry returned it, getting more looks from the camp goblins. They continued further down into the mine.

"Can I ask why Gringotts loaned him more money?" he asked, curiously.

Arkok chuckled. "A niffler can't stop taking shiny things, Mr. Potter."

Harry gave him a look of confusion and said, "What do you mean?"

"Meaning... we knew he'd default and we weren't going to let him escape this time."

Harry laughed. "I understand. Gringotts was willing to incur the debt, just to have honor satisfied?"

"Essentially," the goblin said. "Goblins get their due, Mr. Potter, and we aren't afraid to take losses to get it."

"I think I learned a lot about how Gringotts works today," Harry stated and they entered a small examination area.

It was well lit, relatively clean, and Narcissa was examining something under a magnifying lenses and using her wand to clean it. She was wearing a simple blue tunic and pants that the other workers were wearing. She wasn't as dirty as the miners, but he refused to let her remain here for another hour.

"Narcissa," Harry said, softly and her shoulders tensed up.

She looked both horrified and upset that he had come. "Harry... how did you find out? You weren't supposed to know!"

She glared at Arkok and Harry said, "They came to claim Draco's possessions. They were in your apartment when you signed for the loan."

Her hand went to her mouth in dismay and tears came out. "You shouldn't have come! You shouldn't have to see me here. You have to go."

"I came to get you. Your debt is paid."

She looked at him, surprised, and turned back to her work. "No! I refuse. This was my mess."

"I refuse to ask for my money back or leave you here. You are free."

She started crying and Harry closed the distance and hugged her, like she had hugged him in her apartment.

"Come on... Aunt Andy and Teddy need you. Draco needs you! And I need you, too," Harry said and she pulled back to look into his eyes. "I've been through the wringer these past months. Drinking, almost getting my soul removed, punching people for no reason, blowing stuff up.... I need help. Someone to talk to... to help me understand it. I know you don't want my help to get out of here. I know you can get out of this on your own... but I'm asking you to come back home. Watch out for my godson and help my great aunt, who misses you so much. I want you to be there for Christmas when I bring Draco home to unwrap presents with us."

Narcissa's eyes were filled with tears when she finally nodded and embraced him, again. "Okay, Harry. I will. Thank you... for coming for me."

"You're close enough to be my mum, now. I could never leave you here, nor could I not tell Draco. He'd swim through fire to help save you and he'd be a wreck, if he didn't."

"I didn't want you or him to know... I... I didn't think about Draco's stuff."

"Well, I'm glad you didn't. Let's get you out of here. Do you have anything in your room?"

"No... they took everything, when I arrived," she said and they followed Arkok back to the floo lobby. At the security desk, another goblin brought a box, which turned out to be the clothes she wore when she surrendered to the goblins. They lifted the bindings on her wand and she used the changing room. Narcissa looked like her normal, beautiful self, again.

"Thank you, Mr. Arkok. You've been very helpful," Harry said, giving the goblin another low bow and waited for the goblin to return it.

"You've shown a great respect for all goblins, today, Mr. Potter. The liquidator will not forget that and neither will I. The items you requested will be delivered as soon as possible," he stated.

Harry gave another bow to the security goblins, who still were confused, but bowed back. Narcissa went through the floo first and he followed her home.

Sorry for the long wait! It's been a kinda blah month. Been sleeping really weird. Chapter was a little rough to type up, cause of how I wanted the direction to go with the therapy and Harry/Draco dialogue. Should be smoother, now. Sorry, if it was a bit emotional/descriptive based this time. I didn't spend much time editing either.

***Hey, all my readers... some of the stories from an author I like were taken off every platform I looked. Two in particular, What Goes Around and Too Pretty for Durmstang by HarleyD or Tuckerpuppy. I'm all for authors deciding to take down their work or not, but... yeah, it doesn't mean I don't want it. So, if anyone has a copy or has tracked it down, please PM me! It's for my own personal reading. I do have Rough on You from HarleyD downloaded, so if you want it, let me know. I'll give you a shoutout and even take a personal request for a plot development or a drarry one-shot for the first one who finds them. I just figured you all are decently good at hunting down drarry stories since you're reading mine. But thanks if you try looking for me!***

Until next time, dear readers!