52Chapter 39
Harry's Pov
The next time Harry woke up, he was in a very familiar place. The bright white of the floors and curtains around him made him wince just as much as the shouting he could hear just on the other side of said white curtain did.
"You can not just wake them up!" Madam Pomfrey scolded whoever she was talking to.
"I'm afraid we must." Harry had to bite down a groan at the headmasters voice.
"Madam, we need to know what happened to Harry Potter!" A voice that surely belonged to the Minister Rufus Scrimgeour. Harry had only met the man once, after the fight at the Ministry. He wasn't looking forward to another talk with the man. He spoke to Harry like he was an idiot child that didn't understand what was going on. It was infuriating.
"That boy has been missing for two months, and we find him chained to wall with the son of dark wizard." Scrimgeour said sounding disgusted.
"Let's not forget that it was an auror who was holding them." Snape's condescending tone made Harry grin.
"He will be dealt with," the Minister snapped, "but we must be able to question Harry." Harry rolled his eyes. Why wasn't anyone talking about questioning Draco? They have been chained up together, surely one of them was smart enough not to assume Draco was in on it? Harry had to stop himself for snorting, because well, Draco was in on it, just not the way these idiots assumed.
"You may speak to him once he is awake and ready," Madam Pomfrey told him.
"Now, now Poppy, surely you can see the importance of us speaking to Harry as soon as possible." Dumbledore tried to get her to change her mind. Harry wanted to cringe at the man's tone. How often had he bought that loving, caring, old man routine?
"Albus," the medwitch said with a sigh. "I really think he needs rest. Surely you can wait a few hours."
"Really don't think it matters," a frustrated Draco chastised them. "If your arguing woke me. It mostly likely woke him as well." Harry snorted. Which caused one of the adults to pull back his curtain. The four of them looked surprised to see him awake. Though only Snape and Promfrey seemed to look over him with concern.
While Promfrey started waving her wand over him whispering all matter of spells, Snape wandered over to another curtain and pushed it back. Draco was sitting up in his bed, glaring at all of the adults in the room. The glare mixed with his disheveled hair caused Harry to laugh. Which had the blonde turning his pissed off glare towards him. Not that it stopped Harry from laughing.
"Harry, my boy." His laughter died, "how are you feeling?" He turned his head towards the headmaster, careful not to meet the man's eye. Snape had warned them about the headmasters ability to read minds.
"Tired," he replied trying to force himself to relax. He needed the headmaster to believe he felt comfortable around him. But it was hard to get his body to listen to his mind, almost every part of him wanted to scoot back, put more space between him and the man he'd thought was his friend and ally since he was 11.
He saw the old man nodding, "understandable, my boy, you have been through quite an ordeal." A snort from Draco had the headmaster turning his gaze away from Harry. It was only for a second but it was enough for Harry to get his body under control. His shoulders lost some of their tension and he was able to lean back against the pillow. He wanted to send a grateful 'thank you' look to his mate but the Minster and Promfrey were still watching him.
"What happened?" He asked the medwitch before the headmaster could turn back and start questioning him.
"You don't remember?" She asked looking concerned.
"I remember, being in some man's cabin. He kept yelling at me and Draco about how it was our fault that people were dying. He kept saying I had failed to stop Voldermort." He took a small bit of pleasure at the Minister's shudder. "And he told Draco that he was just as guilty because his father was a suspected Death Eater. It didn't make any sense." Harry made sure to make his voice break, "It wasn't my fault and Draco isn't responsible for what the Death Eaters do. He isn't one." He lowered his eyes and tried not to grin when Promfrey started to fuss over him again.
"How did you get there?" The minster asked.
"I don't know. I remember walking in one of the hallways on the second floor, then nothing. When I woke up, I was chained to that wall, " He made a show of rubbing his wrist, "Draco was knocked out next to me."
"He took you from inside the school!" The Minster shouted. "Dumblerdore, you told us that was impossible. How the hell did someone get in and kidnap not only Harry Potter but another student as well!" Harry wanted to growl at the man. Another student? Really? Draco was sitting right there and the man couldn't be bothered with his name.
"That other student," a cold angry voice said from the doorway, "happens to be my son, Minister, and I hope you are giving his kidnapping and imprisonment as much attention as the Boy Who Lived." Lucius Malfoy, was dressed impeccably, black slacks, a grey button up shirt under a long black coat, but it was the sneer he gave both the headmaster and Minster was truly impressive.
Malfoy then walked passed them towards his son. Only a second after Remus came rushing into the room. He didn't pay any attention to any of the others just rushed to Harry side and hugged him.
"Remy," Harry said wrapping his arms around his godfather.
"Alright," Promfrey said, "Minister, Headmaster, you have spoken to Harry. But I think right now him and Mister Malfoy need time with their family and rest. I must insist you two leave." Harry turned his head away from Remus to see the headmaster's face. He could see it, in the twitch of his eye and small frown, the man was not happy about being told to leave. But he gave the mediwitch a smile anyway.
"Well, it seems we have to go. But I leave you in the capable hands of Mister Lupin. Don't worry Harry, the man who took you has been arrested you're safe now." The man moved towards the door. Then with a dramatic pause he turned and gave Harry a huge smile, "Welcome back to Horgwats Harry." Then he was gone, the Minster following behind him.
Harry was grateful for Remus arms around him because while the headmaster had said it in a happy tone, the words felt more like a threat and it had caused him to shake.
"I will leave you men alone. But I asked to let them rest soon." Promfrey said before she disappeared into her office.
There seemed to be a collective sigh in the room once she was gone.
"That was fun," Draco muttered. Harry laughed while the adults all gave the younger blond the same look. Harry read it as behave. He chuckled when Draco noticed Remus giving him the same look as his father and godfather.
Draco frowned at the wolf and then looked at Harry, "That's just not fair." The Slytherin then sighed dropping back against his pillow. The dramatic display got a chuckle out of everyone.
"Mister Malfoy," Harry asked, a little nervous. He hadn't spoken to the man since they had come back, not outside of the letter he received about Miss Bones, and their conversations in the past were focused on him and Draco getting home. He wasn't sure how to deal with the adult version. The man looked at him with a raised brow, it reminded him of Draco.
"Can we move our beds?" Harry asked, hoping he wasn't blushing. He was embarrassed enough he almost hadn't asked. But there was a part of him that needed to be closer to Draco. He didn't think it was because he had gotten used to sleeping next to his mate, more that his creature didn't feel safe inside the school and wanted Draco as close as possible. Draco's father seemed to understand the request because he pulled out his wand and carefully moved Draco's bed next to Harry's.
He instantly reached his hand across the empty space of their beds and took Draco's hand. The comfort that came from that small touch had him closing his eyes and relaxing into the bed. He knew he would have to let go soon. They couldn't let anyone know they were together or that they were mates, at least not yet. But while it was just them they could hold hands.
Harry let himself drift off. The others seemed to be aware of what was happening because they started to whisper and soon Draco's voice faded out of the conversation. He assumed rightfully that the blonde was falling asleep too.
Some time later the sound of a door hitting a wall startled him awake, and from the jerk of their hands, Draco as well.
"What the hell?" Draco grumbled as they both looked towards the hospital wings doors.
"Harry!" Ron's voice screeched as the tall redhead quickly moved toward him. Hermione and Ginny behind him.
"Oh my, Harry!" Hermiione said rushing to grab his hand. "We were so worried." Harry had to admit she was good, she even had tears in her eyes.
"Why the hell are you so close to Malfoy?" Ron ranted, "Dirty ferret was probably in on it." It took so much willpower not to flinch at the words or snap at the redhead.
"Leave it Ron," he said. "He was a prisoner just as much as I was." His supposed friends all gave him a surprised look.
"Harry," Ginny asked quietly, "You're not friends with him now are you?" She looked a little green at the idea. Harry wanted to roll his eyes.
"Ginny, we were alone together for two months. Held prisoner by a nut job. We had to get over our rivalry, or we would have gone insane," he said gently trying to get the point across. Though he wondered what the point was, these three didn't care.
"But his a slytherin!" Ron shouted. This time Harry did flinch, from the volume, not the words. Had Ron always been so bloody loud?
"So?" Draco said with a sneer. Harry was surprised it had taken the blonde that long to speak up. He was even more surprised by the three adults sitting across the room just watching them.
"Sooo," Ron drew out the word, "we don't want a filthy slytherin as a friend." The boy crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Draco. Harry shot Remus a pleading look. His godfather went to stand but Snape's hand caught his arm and held him down. Harry shot the man a look. Not happy about him not letting Remus rescue him.
"Tell him Harry," Ron said, pulling Harry's attention back to him.
"Tell him what, Ron?" He asked looking at his friend in the eye.
"That we don't want him as a friend." Ron said looking bewildered that Harry hadn't just agreed with him.
"Ron, he is my friend," Harry said. He had to fight against smiling at the appalled look on Ron and Hermione faces. Ginny looked more confused than offended, he figured it would come when she saw he meant it.
"Harry," Hermione said gently, "you have just been through some traumatic, maybe it's best that you take some time and think about things before doing anything drastic."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "How is being friends with Draco drastic?" He asked, and cringed when Ron shouted, "Draco?!."
"Harry, mate, you called him Draco?!" Ron's face was as red as his hair as he screamed at Harry.
Harry sighed, "He. Is. My. Friend." He said slowly, "Of course I call him Draco."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks. Harry could tell they were trying to figure out what to do. He would bet the headmaster hadn't ever planned on him and Draco being friends and it seemed his two little pawns where thrown.
"Okay, Harry," Hermione said. "We understand." Ron scoffed but didn't argue with her.
"Well now that that is settled, perhaps you three would like to return to your dorm rooms?" Snape said surprising the hell out of the three students standing at Harry's side.
Harry saw Ron's mouth open, probably to say something stupid but Hermione elbowed him.
"Yes Sir," she said grabbing the two others and dragging them out of the door.
"Weasel is bloody loud," Draco complained. Harry looked over at him and grinned, "I don't know how I never noticed that before."
"You two need to go back to bed. Poppy said you should be able to go back to class tomorrow. She has forced enough potions down your throats that your bodies are healthy again. Though you might have some side effects from all the potions, weakness, dizziness, and shaking, make sure to come to me and not her if you do. Remus and I have convinced her that you can speak to us about what you went through, if you need someone to talk to. However I'm sure the headmaster's insisting and insurances are what really pushed her to agree," Snape said.
"Does that mean you're staying here?" He asked his godfather. The wolf smiled, "Yep. Lucius as well. At least for a few days. There is no way the headmaster could demand we leave, not after what you two have been through."
"Thank Merlin." Draco sighed, before adding "Wake us up before anyone comes in?" Harry saw the elder Malfoy nod. Then Draco reached across the bed and pulled Harry towards him.
"If this is the last night, I can sleep next to you, for a while, I want you close," his mate muttered and Harry turned his head enough to press a kiss on the blonde's cheek. He wasn't sure why he did it, other than he wanted too. Draco let out a short breath clearly surprised and then before Harry could turn away, a hand was on his chin, holding his head in place. They locked eyes staring at each other for a moment.
When Draco leaned in and pressed his lips against Harry's. Harry's heart skipped and he couldn't stop the pleased sound that came out. At first it was short and unsure, like they were testing if this was okay. Then Harry pressed firmly needing more. He heard Draco moan and the blond shifted his body so that he was half on top of Harry, pressing against him.
A chuckle and a cough broke them apart. Harry felt his face burn and buried it in Draco's chest. The blonde on top of him growled and Harry had to pull back to look at his mate. Draco's eyes had shifted to his cat and he was glaring at his father, godfather, and Remus.
"Draco," he said gently, pulling his mate's attention back to him. "Its okay. We," he blushed again, "we were getting a bit carried away." Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then with his eyes closed, he leaned in towards Harry's throat and inhaled his scent. After a second the blonde pulled away and dropped down on the bed next to him, face first.
"Sorry," he muttered into his blankets.
"It's understandable," Lucius said, "just be more careful from now on."
"Yes, father," Harry's mate said and he was sure the blonde was only hiding his face in the bed because he was as embarrassed as Harry was. Rolling on to his side, Harry threw his arm over the blonde and pulled at him until Draco rolled onto his back. Harry moved to lay his head on his mate's chest, getting as comfortable as he could. Ignoring the adults in the room, he closed his eyes, letting Draco's heartbeat comfort him. It didn't take long for him to drift back to sleep.