The Contract

Chapter Twenty One – Saint Mungo’s Season Pass





It was chaos at the Hospital. Remus arrived via Floo with a bloody hero in his arms. The Healers took him and raced into the inner portions of the hospital. Remus was left, panting to catch his breath, soaked in his Godson’s blood, in the waiting room.



’What else had happened to make Harry scream that way? Wasn’t he supposed to be healing himself by now? Where was Dobby? Why?’ Remus was screaming in his mind, even as his body shook with worry and exhaustion.



Seconds after they took Harry from him, the Weasley clan, Draco, and Severus made their way in to the hospital. Followed quickly by most of the Hogwart’s staff as well as Aurors. Madame Pomfrey, having been his primary healer for six years, was allowed entrance to the room.



After some time, Charlie came in from Romania. Bill came from France. Professor Dumbledore had sent Fawke’s to retrieve them when he was notified of the situation. The twins showed up a bit later with women on their arms and a scent of alcohol on their breath, which did not make their mum happy, no, not at all. They would be dealt with appropriately later.



Percy came in a bit later looking a bit sheepish. Percy approached his father and when he turned, he caught a face full of robes as Percy hugged him.



“I’m so sorry Father, please forgive me.” The redheaded, pompus, asinine child, Ministry Employee who had turned his back on his family asked for forgiveness. Looking at Molly, she burst into tears as well.



Pulling away from a stunned Arthur, Percy went to his mother’s open arms. The sounds broken up only when they paused to blow their noses. Tonight would just be one of those nights, Ron decided.



They spoke to Percy throughout the night. He apologized to each of them and told that he had gone to the Burrow tonight, in light of what Lucius had done, to see Draco. He had hoped to use it as an excuse for reconciliation. It had worked when he saw the clock and all the members of the family were either traveling or at the hospital. Not knowing what was happening, he had rushed there and was so relieved to see his parents, had led the floodgates of emotion come down.



Once everything was calm, the group sat. Someone had pulled Remus back for a moment and given him clean clothes. He returned, without answers to their questions. And the group sat. The Hospital Administrator finally moved them into a private waiting room. They were served dinner, had tea, and hot chocolate by elves who seemed content to help Harry Potter’s family any way they could.



Draco was standing apart from the group. His head ached from the break in the bond but felt almost as though he deserved the pain. Harry had not healed. He had left him alone for twenty four hours. Where was Dobby? Why hadn’t he taken care of Harry? Too many questions made for a painful time.



A hand reached his shoulder, it was Severus, “He will be fine Draco. Harry has actually been hurt much worse than this playing Quiddich…”



He broke of his comforting words when his chest was suddenly full of a sobbing Draco. Through the tears, Draco told him how he had admitted that he gave permission for Harry to be hurt that way. And how he had admitted it to the open air. And how he felt as though he had been struck by lightening when he revealed it. Now, none of it mattered. He was never going to be forgiven.



As the tears subsided, he was handed a handkerchief by a freckled hand. “Finished with your pity party yet, Malfoy?” Ron asked. “I sat with you last night as the Healers healed you. I know the truth. How could you have just chucked him away like that? I know you love him.” Ron’s tirade wanted to go on, but was interrupted by Hermione.



“You broke the bond, Draco?” He nodded. “You gave him up willingly?”



“It was that or have him in servitude to me when he hates me. I couldn’t have that. I couldn’t let him see how weak I am. I thought he was healed by now. I didn’t know!”

They let him cry again. His heart broken. When the door finally opened to reveal a Healer, he had calmed and Hermione promised that Harry would understand and they would stick by him no matter what.



The man stood in the doorway, holding the news of the great hero, Harry Potter. Clearing his throat, he asked who Draco was. Draco stood and walked to him. “He has asked that you not be allowed in to see him. I’m sorry, I cannot tell his family anything as long as you remain here.”



Weasleys are known to protect their own. They acknowledge hard times and love. They also have been through their share of both. It was unheard of to have every one of Arthur Weasley’s children stunned to silence. Draco nodded his head and pushed past the Healer.



When the door closed behind him, he spoke freely. “Mr. Potter has had severe blood loss, complicated by infected cuts and tears. Without going into details, he was hurt badly. Now, we know that Lucius Malfoy did this, and the Aurors have already taken the evidence needed. There will be no further questions.”



“When will we be able to take him home?” Mrs. Weasley asked.



His brow furrowed as he contemplated the answer. “I don’t know. No more than a month, I suppose. Even after his physical healing, he will need a bit of mind healing as well. He isn’t handling this very well, I am sorry. But you can visit, no more than two at a time for no more than a few minutes. The nurses will sort it out. He has two Aurors standing guard outside his room. They will remain there until he is released. I am sorry about this, but he will not be returning to Hogwart’s for a few weeks.”



Hermione and Ron stepped forward, “Sir, can we see him now?”



“No, he is resting. Give him a bit to come out of the anesthesia. Maybe within the hour.”



Nodding they retreated to their seats. “Are there any more questions?”



“When he is released, will he be expected to just return to school or will he need to come home for a bit?”



“We will have to assess that closer to time.” She nodded mutely. “If that is all, I have other patients.” Turning, he closed the door behind him.



Draco was waiting for him in the hall when the Healer came out. Looking at the gray eyes of the man he had just ejected from the room, he moved closer for a moment.

Pausing, the man said, “I really am sorry about that. I don’t have any choice but to respect my patient’s wishes in these matters.”



“Sir, can you tell me… is he… I mean…” his voice broke for a moment, “is he alright? Will he…?”



The Healer studied the blonde for a moment more. He was certain of what his patient had said.



”What happened?” He had asked



“Remus Lupin brought you in, we have been working most of the night. We were hoping you could tell us.” The nurse had said.



“I feel so cold, so alone.” He shivered and she covered him with a blanket.



“That’s just a combination of loss of blood and innocence, dear. It will be fine. We’ll get you right as rain. Your family and boyfriend are most adamant to see you. Seems to have been restrained a bit by your family, but wants to come in and see you.”



“Tell him I don’t want to see him. I don’t want him to know anything. Promise me that you won’t tell him anything about all of this. I hate him. He broke the bond…” Just before he passed out.



It had been some time before he came to again; the Healer was standing beside his bed. “I need to tell your family how you are. Do you still want your boyfriend to know anything?”



Harry nodded his agreement. Then caught himself as the words sunk in. “He didn’t do this to me, but he allowed it to happen, then he left me alone, and broke the…” The boy fell asleep again.



What had happened to this boy emotionally? Why was his boyfriend, who obviously loved him from what he could tell from the nurses’ viewpoint, going to be kept away?







It wasn’t for him to judge, just to take care of his patient. And when one’s patient was Harry Potter, he had to be extremely careful. Leaning in close, he whispered the only words Draco would need to know, “He was barely pregnant. Less than a few days is my guess, and I am sorry, but… he lost the baby.” Then straightening his robes, he walked down the hall to his next patient.



Draco’s eyes rolled into his head as he hit the floor with a resounding thud.