Close Enough

Ch 55 Hell to Pay


We had found him, thank Merlin, but in an unknown condition. He was clothed, but obviously injured; plus he was alone and we had no idea who had done this to him. The aroma in the room told a story that made my chest ache and fists clench. Severus, being the good godfather that he is convinced me to wait until Madam Pomfrey could give us the story before I lost control completely; reminding me that I needed to assure the safety of my mate before I could even think about punishing those responsible for his condition.
I was forced to the outside of a set of privacy curtains around Harry’s bed while Madam Pomfrey preformed an examination. It pained me to stay where I was as the soft gasps, and ‘oh dears’ kept coming from the other side of the damnable barrier between me and my mate. After what seems to have been a slow eternity the curtain is pulled back again and I rush back to my seat at Harry’s side, gently taking his hand in mine before I look up at the nurse.
“What happened to him? Is he okay?” I ask, gently caressing the back of Harry’s hand with my fingertips.
“There was minimal damage, which I was able to repair, mostly in the forms of scratches and some bruising.” She said, regarding my mate with a soft, motherly gaze. “I was also able to detect the spells used on him, and remove all but one of them. He had been immobilized and silenced during the attack.”
“What were you not able to remove?” I look between the nurse and my mate.
“Who ever did this, knew Harry well enough to use a very powerful magic binding spell. Which unfortunately I will be unable to remove until Severus gets back with a few potions that I need.”
“Why can’t you remove it now? You of all people know what happens to him when he holds magic! He’s in pain…” I finish, looking at Harry again, “Is that why he won’t wake up?”
“I have a feeling so. And with the type of attack it was I don’t imagine he wants to be awake right now, he might be keeping himself asleep.”
“Why would you say that?” I ask, glaring at her, my fear of the answer coming out in anger.
“Mr. Malfoy, that is not my information to give. I must go prepare things for when Severus arrives.” The nurse turns to leave.
“Madam, I am his mate. That gives me every right to know what is going on with him, and what has happened to him. It gives me right to defend him, and protect him, and even take revenge for him. Now tell me what exactly happened!” I growl, low and threatening.
“Mr. Malfoy..” she turned back to look at me, and sighed softly, stepping closer. “Mr. Potter was assaulted by no less than four people, repeatedly, over the course of many hours. That combined with the fact that his powers were bound, I have a feeling he will be out for a while. Now if you will excuse me, I must get everything ready.” And with that the nurse left. From the time she left I merely stared down at Harry, tears slowly streaming down my cheeks.

The doors to the infirmary burst open some time later to reveal Severus Snape walking briskly into the slightly darkened room. His black robes billowing behind him as he strode down the ward toward Madam Pomfrey’s office. A brief knock on the door and an extremely brief conversation, lead to the pair stalking toward the bed on which my Harry still lies, motionless.
“Draco, go wait outside.” My godfather said when he made it to the side of Harry’s bed, as he set an assortment of potions on the table.
“No, I’m staying with Harry.” I said firmly, holding my mates hand tightly in both of my own. “He needs me.”
“Draco, he needs these potions and to wake up. You can return after.” Severus states quickly, as he finishes organizing the potions and looks up at me. “Go wait outside.”
“Severus, I am staying with him. He is my mate, and it is my duty to protect him. I was unable to do it before, but I am here now damnit! And I’m going to stay with him!” I snarled angrily. “I’m sure you understand that, Severus. Isn’t that why you sent your wife and child away, causing yourself years of pain and torment, to keep them safe? I shall stay, and there is nothing either of you can do about it!”
“Fine Draco. Stay.” My godfather growled, “But you must stay back, and not touch him until we are done, understood?” I growled at him, “Is that understood, you will stay back, and keep your hands away until we are finished. Is that understood?”
“Yes.” I hiss, bringing Harry’s hand to my mouth, planting a soft kiss on it before I set it back down and step away completely. “Fix him.”
“Just stay back, it’s for his safety as much as yours.” The nurse says as she passes to take the spot I just left next to Harry. I observe, pacing the end of Harry’s bed, as Severus and Pomfrey gently administer what seems to be a very precise mixture of potions very slowly down my mate’s throat. The gentle stroking of his throat from Madam Pomfrey causing him to swallow reflexively as each amount is introduced into his mouth.
“How long do they take to work Severus?” I heard Madam Pomfrey ask.
“It will take as long as it takes. The potions should combine to allow the built up power to slowly release and ease the pressure, so that when he wakes his body will not be overwhelmed by it.” Severus stated calmly before turning to me. “Draco, he should wake soon.”
“Thank you, Severus, Madam Pomfrey.” I say, quietly. “Are you finished? May I be near him now?” I look at my godfather, attempting to keep the pleading tone out of my voice.
“Yes, he should wake soon. When he does, make sure he takes this immediately.” Severus points toward the remaining potion left on the table. “He should take as much as he can.”
“Thank you, I will.” I move quickly back toward Harry’s side, pulling a chair close to his bed and perch myself on it, grasping his hand tightly in mine to wait.


My mouth is dry. I try to move, but find that it is difficult to do so. Suddenly it feels as though I am slammed back into my body, no longer floating above, and the pain comes back. I am aware of someone holding my hand, and the fact that I am no longer on the floor, however the events that lead to wherever I am now come flooding back to my senses.
“No…nonononononono…” I sit bolt upright and pull my body close into itself, wrenching my hand away from the ones holding it and pressing my back against the wall at the head of my bed. “Nononononono….” I shake my head slightly trying to make the images and sounds in my head go away. I bury my hands in my hair as I rock slightly, “Stop…. Just stop… please…” I can feel the tears running down my cheeks, and the pain in my scalp that my nails are causing, but I continue to rock.
I hear noises around me, but they are quieter than those of the memory, I don’t know why. Suddenly I feel hands on my shoulders and I freeze, before attempting to scramble back into the wall father, “No.. stop.. please…. Don’t…. please….” I hear myself whimper softly, still shaking my head. ‘It’s not real.’ I tell myself, ‘it’s not real.’ But somewhere I register Draco’s voice.
“Harry…. Harry… it’s just me… Harry?” I hear Draco’s voice saying to me, but it is quiet as though he is very far away. “Madam Pomfrey!!!” I hear him yell. I feel myself trembling.
“D’co..” I murmur, my face still pressed into my knees.
“Yes Harry, I’m right here. Right here.” He gently touches my arm and I pull away, nearly falling onto the ground; the bond sings with pain, fear and disappointment.


I looked at Harry, cringing away from my hand on his bed, ‘he’s afraid of touch.’ My mind realized and I pulled my hand away from him. As I try to calm him with words it doesn’t seem to work, I’m not even sure if he can hear me. He said my name a minute ago, but I don’t know if it was because he actually wanted to say it or it was part of the mindless babbling that he had been doing.
Finally Madam Pomfrey comes back into the room, and bustles over to Harry’s bed quickly, “What happened?”
“I don’t know, he came to and just sort of freaked out.”
“Hmm..” She turns to Harry, “Harry, I need you to take this potion.” When she received no answer or reaction of any kind she reached out a hand to touch him.
“I wouldn’t do that.” I said flatly.
“I assure you, Mr. Malfoy, I know how to do my job.” As her fingers came into contact with his arm I watched as my poor mate panicked and threw himself off of the bed onto the floor.
“I told you not to do that.” I said in a flat, dry tone. Quickly and with as little touching as possible I help/encourage Harry back onto his bed.
“Well that was an interesting reaction.”
“Yes, it seems he has a problem with touch right now.” I grumble, “Even mine.”
“Even yours?” she looks at me, astonished.
“Yes, even mine.” I smile softly, “Though, at least with mine he didn’t throw himself onto the floor.” She glares at me.
“See if you can’t use your powers of persuasion to get him to take his potion, eh?” the nurse asks me, “I must go contact Severus. He will want to be here.”
“Fine.” I sigh and turn toward Harry. “Don’t hate me later for this Harry, it’s for your own good.” I use the push at the bond slightly at the same time calling my Vampire forward, forcing my dominance into the bond as gently as I can. “Harry..” I begin in a slightly commanding tone, “you need to take the potion on the table. It will help you.” I watch as Harry’s body slowly, gracefully, obeys my not so subtle command, and keep pressing the bond until he drinks the whole vial full. “Good boy. Now lay down.” I hate this, it hurts knowing that Harry will be mad at me, but he needs this. “Sleep my love.” His emerald eyes first look at me then slowly flutter closed. I sigh and lean back in my chair, “There will be hell to pay for that. I just know it.”