Harry stood beside Dumbledore at the entrance of Malfoy Manor, watching white peacocks strut across the neat, well-cut grass. The iron gates swung open without a sound.
"I trust you are well-rested?" Dumbledore walked beside him in deep purple robes adorned with silver stars. The old wizard's eyes tracked the movements of another peacock preening near an ornate fountain.
"Yes, Grandpa. The Flamels made sure I went to bed early." Harry adjusted the sleeve of his formal healing robes - white silk embroidered with silver thread. Nicolas and Perenelle had commissioned them specifically for his upcoming work at St. Mungo's, claiming proper attire helped set patients at ease.
The gravel path ran between trimmed green hedges leading to a big mansion up ahead. Harry walked closer, and he saw how carefully everything was kept up - from the perfectly shaped bushes to the clean, shiny windows. The whole place looked spotless.
A house elf appeared at the front doors with a soft pop. The creature bowed so low his long nose touched the ground. "Sir Dumbledore and Sir Harry Potter sir! Master and Mistress await you in the receiving room!" His eyes stayed fixed on the ground.
"Please let us in," Dumbledore said gently. The elf's ears quivered at being directly addressed as he hurried to open the heavy front doors.
The hall inside was very tall, with a black stone floor partly covered by fancy rugs. The people in the paintings on the walls watched them walk by, trying to hide their curiosity as they whispered to each other. Harry looked straight ahead, thinking about how Dumbledore had told him to stay calm and professional.
The house elf led them to tall double doors made of dark wood. He knocked twice, and the doors opened to reveal a bright room with high windows.
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy stood near an elegant fireplace, both wearing formal robes in deep green. Draco stood between them in black robes, trying hard not to cough.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Mr. Potter." Lucius stepped forward and gave a small bow. "Welcome to our home."
"Lord Malfoy." Dumbledore inclined his head. "Lady Malfoy."
Harry bowed as Perenelle had taught him. "Thank you for having us."
"Please, be seated." Narcissa gestured to the comfortable chairs arranged around a low table.
A different house elf appeared with a tray of tea and small cakes. Harry noticed how the elf's hands shook slightly as he set down the tray.
"Thank you," Harry said to the elf, meeting those huge eyes. "The tea smells wonderful."
The elf froze mid-motion, tea pot hovering above a cup. "Sir Harry Potter thanks Dobby?" His voice rose to a squeak. "Great Harry Potter is too kind to notice Dobby! Too good to speak to-"
"Dobby." Lucius' sharp voice cut through the elf's rising hysteria. "That will be all."
The elf vanished with a crack, leaving the teapot to finish pouring by itself. Harry felt something odd - among the constant stream of faith flowing toward him, a tiny portion felt different. More concentrated, more pure somehow. And it felt like it came from that house-elf...
"My apologies." Lucius' lips thinned. "Our house elf can be... excitable."
"No need to apologize," Harry said. "House elves deserve our thanks just like anyone else."
Draco stared up at Harry from his seat next to Narcissa, eyes wide. "You got really tall," he blurted out, then immediately looked down when his mother placed a hand on his shoulder.
Harry smiled at the boy. "I did. How are you feeling, Draco?"
A hacking cough interrupted whatever Draco tried to say. He pressed a handkerchief to his mouth, shoulders shaking with the effort to suppress it.
"Perhaps we should move somewhere more suitable?" Narcissa stood up, worry clear in her eyes despite her composed expression. "We've prepared a room upstairs."
"Of course." Dumbledore set down his untouched teacup. "Harry?"
They followed the Malfoys up a wide staircase to the second floor. The room they entered was bright and airy, with large windows letting in the morning sun. A comfortable-looking bed stood against one wall, and several chairs had been arranged nearby.
"Will this be sufficient?" Lucius asked, watching Harry examine the space.
"Yes, this will work well." Harry turned to Draco, who had started coughing again. "Would you like to sit on the bed? This might take a while."
Draco nodded, climbing onto the bed while trying to catch his breath. He looked even smaller against the large pillows, and Harry noticed dark circles under the boy's eyes.
"Have you been sleeping well?" Harry asked, pulling a chair close to the bed.
"Not really." Draco glanced at his parents before continuing. "The coughing gets worse at night."
Narcissa sat in another chair near the bed, while Lucius remained standing by the window. Dumbledore settled into an armchair near the door, pulling out a small bag.
"Lemon drop, anyone?" He offered the bag around with a smile. "They do wonders for the nerves."
"No thank you, Headmaster." Lucius turned from the window. "How long will this process take?"
"That depends on how deep the curse has settled." Harry placed his hand near Draco's chest, not quite touching. "May I?"
Draco nodded, and Harry closed his eyes to refine divine energy through his Hun soul and start pouring it in. Right away, Harry could tell that the curse seemed to have spread through Draco's lungs over the past four years, making breathing harder each year. Harry could sense how it had become deeply attached to both the tissue itself, and his soul.
"This will take longer than usual," Harry said, opening his eyes. "The curse has had time to really settle in. We might need several breaks."
"Whatever is necessary." Narcissa leaned forward slightly. "Will it hurt?"
"No, but it might feel strange." Harry smiled at Draco. "Like breathing mint-flavored air, maybe. Just try to relax and breathe normally."
"Speaking of breathing exercises," Dumbledore spoke up, "I hear the gardens of Japan are particularly lovely this time of year, Lucius. Have you visited recently?"
While Lucius and Dumbledore discussed Japanese gardens, Harry focused on healing Draco. He let Soul Resonance Mist spread through the room, carrying gentle emotions that made everyone feel more at ease. Four spheres of silver-white Albedo flame appeared around Draco, revealing more and more of the imperfections in the curse.
"Not last year," Lucius answered Dumbledore. "The Ministry has kept me quite busy with the new trade regulations."
"Ah yes, the restrictions on imported potions ingredients." Dumbledore nodded. "I find myself wondering if-"
A small rattling breath from Draco interrupted him. Harry paused his work, watching the boy catch his breath.
"Water?" Narcissa already had a glass ready.
"No, I'm okay." Draco took a deep breath. "It feels a bit different now. Better."
Harry smiled, and couldn't help but be surprised at the increase in potency of his divine energy when refined through Dobby's concentrated faith. If he had more of this kind of faith, he'd probably be able to heal Draco within one minute. "We're making good progress. Ready to continue?"
"Yeah." Draco settled back against the pillows. "Will I be able to fly again after this?"
"Draco," Narcissa started, but Harry cut in.
"Of course. You'll be able to do whatever you want." Harry resumed his work, adding a touch more Soul Resonance Mist to keep everyone calm. "Do you like Quidditch?"
"Yes! I want to be a Seeker," Draco said eagerly. "Father says I can try out for the house team when I go to Hogwarts."
Harry felt virtue energy stir in his dantian as he continued healing. The activated energy started slowly flowing through his meridians, and he blinked in surprise when he discovered that his divine energy felt just a bit stronger. "Which house do you think you'll be in?"
"Slytherin, of course." Draco puffed up with pride, then deflated as another cough came. This one was lighter than before.
Narcissa leaned forward, but stopped mid-motion. She blinked, staring at something behind Harry's head. A faint shimmer of light caught the corner of Harry's eye - his halo showing itself for a short moment while he kept painting around the curse with divine energy.
"Almost halfway done," Harry said, pretending not to notice Narcissa's reaction. The virtue energy continued building steadily, and now that he paid attention, he could see that his Soul Resonance Mist was also a bit more effective from the way Narcissa blinked drowsily. The four Albedo flames grew brighter.
"The trade regulations have been particularly strict regarding Asian imports," Lucius continued his conversation with Dumbledore, though his eyes kept darting to his son. "The Japanese Ministry insists on-"
"Father?" Draco interrupted, taking a deep breath. "I can breathe better already!"
Lucius stopped mid-sentence, all pretense of casual conversation forgotten. He stepped closer to the bed, hands gripping the wooden footboard. "Draco?"
"Look!" Draco took another deep breath, then another. "No coughing!" His voice cracked with excitement as he breathed deeply again and again.
Narcissa reached for Draco's hand with trembling fingers. "My dragon..." She pressed her other hand to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mother, I can breathe!" Draco bounced on the bed, face flushed with joy. A small laugh bubbled up from his chest - clear and free of any rattling. The sound made Narcissa's tears spill over.
Harry kept working, the virtue energy flowing stronger now as he witnessed the family's raw emotions. The curse was almost gone, just a few tendrils left to unravel. The Albedo flames pulsed with increased intensity, and Harry's halo flickered more visibly.
Lucius stepped around the bed to stand beside his wife, one hand gripping the back of her chair. The mask of aristocratic indifference crumbled as he watched Draco take deep, untroubled breaths.
"Almost done," Harry murmured, focusing on the last remnants of the curse. One final surge of divine energy, strengthened by the steady flow of virtue, completed the 'painting', and the last remnants of the curse was utterly surrounded and purged.
Harry lowered his hands, smiling at Draco. "There. All gone."
Draco jumped up and threw himself at his mother, wrapping his arms around her neck. "Mother! Father! Listen!" He took an exaggerated breath, then let it out with a laugh. Narcissa pulled him close, pressing her face into his hair.
Lucius reached out and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder, squeezing gently. His other hand still gripped the chair, knuckles white with tension.
"I believe," Dumbledore spoke softly from his corner, "this calls for celebration rather than trade discussions."
A weak chuckle escaped Lucius. "Indeed, Headmaster." He turned to Harry, voice rough with emotion. "Mr. Potter... how can we possibly..."
"No need for payment," Harry said, and felt virtue energy surge at his Charity. The light behind his head brightened for a moment, making Narcissa blink rapidly. "Being able to help was enough."
"But surely-" Lucius started.
"Thank you!" Draco interrupted, pulling away from his mother to look at Harry with bright eyes. "Can I really go flying now?"
"Not today," Narcissa said quickly, wiping tears from her cheeks. "You need rest first."
"But Mother-"
"Your mother is right," Lucius said, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Perhaps tomorrow, if you behave."
Harry stood up, and dismissed both the Albedo flame spheres and the Soul Resonance Mist. The virtue energy too settled back into his dantian, leaving a warm sensation behind. "Make sure to take deep breaths regularly for the next few days. It should help your lungs adjust."
"Mr. Potter." Narcissa rose from her chair, still holding Draco's hand. "Whatever you say about payment, House Malfoy owes you a debt. You've given us back our son's health."
"Lady Malfoy, seeing Draco breathe freely is all the payment I need." Harry smiled as virtue energy stirred once more, making the air around him feel lighter. "But I appreciate the sentiment."
"Well said," Dumbledore stood up from his chair. "Perhaps we should let young Draco rest?"
"Can't I show Harry the gardens first?" Draco asked, a bright smile on his face. "Please?"
"Another time," Lucius placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Mr. Potter has other appointments today, I'm sure."
Harry nodded. "I start at St. Mungo's next week. But maybe I could visit sometime?"
"Of course." Narcissa smoothed Draco's hair. "You'll always be welcome here."
They made their way back downstairs, Draco chattering excitedly about all the things he wanted to do now that he could breathe properly. When they reached the entrance hall, Harry caught a glimpse of Dobby peeking around a corner. The elf's eyes were filled with such reverence that Harry felt a new surge of concentrated faith once more.
"Mr. Potter." Lucius extended his hand. "Thank you for giving our son his life back."
Harry shook Lucius' hand. "You're welcome, Lord Malfoy."
After final goodbyes and a enthusiastic wave from Draco, Harry and Dumbledore walked back down the gravel path toward the gates. The white peacocks watched them pass, and Harry could still feel Dobby's concentrated faith flowing toward him.
"Grandpa," Harry said once they were past the gates. "I noticed something interesting about the faith I receive."
"Oh?" Dumbledore's eyebrows raised. "Do tell."
"Most of it feels normal, like what I'm used to. But there's recently been this small portion that feels more... concentrated? And today, I felt an even stronger kind from the house-elf Dobby." Harry kicked a loose stone on the path. "It seems that the more someone… worships me, the stronger the faith is."
Dumbledore stopped walking, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "And this concentrated faith helped with the healing?"
"Yes." Harry thought back to the moment he refined Dobby's faith. "The divine energy became more potent. And when virtue energy started flowing..." He paused, remembering the warm sensation. "Everything worked better. Even the Soul Resonance Mist became a bit more effective."
"I noticed." Dumbledore smiled. "Lady Malfoy could barely keep her eyes open near the end. And speaking of noticeable things, your halo appeared quite a few times."
"I know." Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Today it was mostly Charity, I think. And maybe a bit of Justice, since the curse wasn't Draco's fault."
"Indeed." Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Ready to return?"
Harry nodded, taking one last look at Malfoy Manor. The morning sun made the windows gleam, and somewhere inside, a little boy was taking deep, happy breaths for the first time in years.
Dumbledore's hand tightened slightly, and with a soft crack, they disappeared.