Whisper

Chapter 6: Imaginary-Evanescence

Draco woke abruptly to Sissy shaking him awake on his couch in his office study.

"Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley wishes to speak to Master Malfoy," said Sissy.

Groaning Draco nodded an acknowledgement and the house-elf disappeared. After coming home and spending a respectable amount of time with Narcissa, Draco went back to his study to research what Lucius had told him and fell asleep on his couch.

Straightening his rumpled clothes and smoothing his hair as best as he could he tossed a bit of Floo into the fireplace.

"The Sanctuary," he ordered and Granger's head appeared.

"Oh, Malfoy, thank goodness," she said. "Harry is getting agitated."

Draco stared at her in surprise. "Agitated, why?"

"You didn't visit yesterday. He kept pointing at a picture of you he drew and I tried contacting you yesterday but you didn't answer. Ron told me you were at the Ministry doing research."

"I was…visiting a friend. He missed me?"

"Nearly tore the house down before we could calm him down. Your mother didn't answer either, but then we did get your office fire-place." Draco nodded. His mother never entered his office unless she needed something. "Are you all right, Malfoy? You look like you slept in your clothes."

"I did. I spent the night researching on a method that would help Potter."

Granger's eyes brightened. "Really? I would love to hear about it."

'I'm sure you would.' Draco nodded. "Just allow me some time to get ready and I'll come over."

Granger smiled. "That's all right, Malfoy. Harry will be so glad to see you. He's been unresponsive all day." And she left.

Draco took great care in getting ready and went to the Sanctuary. As soon as he stepped through the fireplace he was latched onto by Potter. Smiling Draco wrapped his arms around the raven haired man and patted his back gently.

"Hey, Harry," he said. "Sorry I couldn't come over yesterday. I was researching on helping you." Potter just smiled at him. "So how are you today?" Still smiling Potter stepped back, spread his arms and spun in a happy gesture, the pointed at Draco "I'm happy to see you too."

"Oh, Malfoy," said Granger. "I see you've had a warm welcome. When I told him you were coming he sat in front of the fireplace and I went to the kitchen to make a snack. I hope he didn't barrel into you."

"Unfortunately," said Draco smiling. "I brought the book I wanted to discuss with you."

"All right. It's my day off today and Ron should be back soon."

Draco nodded and turned to the stair case where he heard a shout. "Mr. Ma'voy!"

Draco looked up and smiled at Evangeline ran down to greet him. "I think you should start calling me Draco," he said. "Mr. Malfoy is my father's name."

Evangeline giggled. "And where is your father Mr.…I mean, Dwaco?"

Draco hesitated. How was he supposed to tell a three year old that his father was a murderer? As he looked into her eyes he could help but notice they looked familiar.

"He's gone away," he said.

"Will you see him again?"

Draco looked at her. "Not for a while." Evangeline looked sadly back at him.

"Harry!"

Draco turned to see Potter holding his head and screaming. He was attempting to claw at his eyes if Granger wasn't holding his hands. He was pushing away from all physical contact.

"I don't get it," said Granger. "He was fine a moment ago. This had never happened before!"

"Could it be something he remembered?"

"I don't know!"

"Daddy," cried Evangeline. "Stop hurting youse'v!"

"Winky!"

The house-elf appeared and handed a Calming Draught to Granger but she couldn't stop Potter from struggling. "Harry, please stop. We're trying to help you."

"Daddy!"

"Harry," called Draco ducking under a flying arm to grab the man and clutch his arms to Potter's side. "It's me. Malfoy. You know me. You trust me. Now listen to me. No one's going to hurt you."

At Draco's words Potter stopped struggling and looked at the blonde with a far away expression. He didn't really seem to see Draco even if Potter was looking straight at him. When his attempts to be released ceased it gave Granger enough time to inject the potion in his arm.

"Mal…foy," Potter said softly before fainting.

"What did he say," asked Granger in surprise.

"He said….my name."

Granger didn't say anything as Draco carried the raven haired man back into his room and Evangeline stayed behind to tend to her father. Not a few minutes later Weasley returned from work and Granger told him what happened.

"First word he spoke in months," said Weasley haltingly, "and it's Malfoy's name?!"

"Ron, I'm just happy he spoke at all," said Granger.

"What were you talking about before he started screaming," asked Weasley looking at Draco.

Draco shrugged. "Evangeline asked me about Lucius," he said. He saw both Granger and Weasley exchange a look. "What is it?"

"Probably nothing," said Granger. "Ron, Malfoy's found a procedure that may be able to help Harry."

Weasley shrugged and sat down next to his wife. "Let's hear it," he said.

"It's called Delving," said Draco. "It was originally developed for comatose patients, but never sealed out as a treatment due to invasion of privacy." He opened the book and handed it to Granger, who would better understand the procedure.

"What does it do," asked Weasley.

"It's a little like Legilimency," explained Draco, "but Medi-Healers who have described the experience as being as one with the patient. Unlike Legilimency, they don't look at the person's memories. They look into their minds; actually interact with the person inside their subconscious. But it's highly dangerous."

"Dangerous, how?" asked Granger looking up from the book.

"There is a chance that the procedure may not succeed at all, or I may be trapped with Potter in his own nightmares."

"I just wish I know what was hurting him," said Weasley.

"I believe I may have figured that out as well," said Draco. After a heavy sigh he continued. "It's called the Nightmare Curse, but others of renamed it as the Dementor's Curse."

"I've never heard of it," said Granger.

"It's not in any book," said Draco. "Every pure-blood had heard of them."

Granger looked at Weasley who was looking pale faced at the name of the curse.

"It's an Unforgettable," said Weasley. "Its incantation never taught but the spell never forgotten."

"What does it do," asked Granger.

"Exactly as the name entails," said Draco. "The victims would go into immediate cataleptic/autistic state and experience the worst experiences of their lives. Why Potter isn't a vegetable right now is beyond me." Draco ignored the growl from Weasley as he continued. "A man named Murtagh McGregor modified it to attack randomly till it completely over whelms the victim. From what I can see of Potter, it works."

"What's the counter-curse," asked Granger.

"There isn't one," said Weasley sadly.

Granger looked toward her husband to Draco and back again. Then she looked down at the passage she was reading in the book. Draco knew what she was thinking about. She wondered if the danger to the procedure was worth the risk.

"No," she said. "No."

"Hermione," cautioned Weasley.

"No, Ron," said Granger. "Think of how Harry would feel if Malfoy got stuck in his mind. We'd have two autistic men to look after. I will not risk it."

"But think how it could help Harry," said Weasley. "He was willing to do risky stuff if it meant the outcome could help people."

"In case you haven't noticed, Ron, I'm not Harry!"

"Aunt Minie? Uncle Ron?"

All three looked over to the door way and there stood Evangeline, her stormy grey eyes looking around nervously.

"Oh, Eva," said Granger, getting up and going to the girl. But Evangeline back away.

"I heard," she said. "You don't want to help Daddy."

"Of course I do, honey," said Granger. "But Mr. Malfoy's way…."

"Will it work," asked the three year old, tears running down her face. "Dwaco helps my daddy. Dwaco helps me. Why do you hate Dwaco so much?"

"Now, Eva, we didn't say that…." started Weasley but he was cut off.

"You not have to," she said. "I hear it the way you spake to him. You no like Dwaco! He made Daddy laugh and spake. Why can't you like him and have Dwaco help Daddy?!"

"Eva," said Draco walking up and stood in front of the girl. "Your family and I….go a long way back before you and Harriet were born. We didn't like each other then and it's hard to work with someone you don't get along with."

"You hate Daddy too," she asked sniffling.

"At one time I did hate your father, but I saw that they were childish reasons and I am attempting to get over them. But I did promise you that I would help your father to the best of my ability and that's what I'm going to do."

Solemnly Evangeline nodded. "I believe you," she said and looked at her aunt and her uncle. "Please let him try."

Weasley and Granger looked at each other, as if conversing over what to do next. Finally Granger gave a heavy sigh.

"All right," she said. "What do we need to do?"

And so Draco made a list of items he needed. Evangeline went back to Potter's side with Harriet. Granger said some Muggle items may help in case of a long term treatment. Draco agreed.

"I ask one other thing," he said some time later. "I ask to be allowed to tell my mother, just my mother, who my patient is, in case the procedure proves to have failed and I became trapped in Potter's mind."

Both Weasleys looked at each other.

"We don't know," said Weasley after a while.

"She could tell the Prophet," said Granger.

"My mother isn't stupid enough to let slip what I have confided in her unless I ask her to," said Draco insulted.

Both Weasleys looked at each other and seemed to converse longer then usual on Draco's standards. He felt the intense battle of wills as each fought to win their silent argument. Finally Weasley sigh.

"Fine," he said. "But if she lets slip about Harry then I'll sue you."

"I have no doubt," said Draco.

After making sure the supplies were easily accessible without suspicion Draco stood up and went back up to Potter's room. Evangeline was standing over his bed, humming a song as she brushed his hair from his forehead, exploring the lightening shaped scar.

"Daddy is sleeping now," she said. "He always sleeps when I sing."

"You know how to sing?" asked Draco.

Evangeline nodded. "Aunt Minie taught me. So I can sing Daddy's lullaby, but I'm still learning." She closed her eyes sadly before looking at Draco. "Are you going to help Daddy?"

Draco nodded. "Soon. I will have to see my mother before I start."

"You know your mummy?" she asked. Draco nodded and she looked sadly at Potter. "I wish I knew my mummy. Daddy won't talk about her before he got sick."

"I'm sorry. I'll take you to visit my mother when this is over."

Evangeline looked at Draco in excitement as he made the statement. "Really," she said. "Can I, if Daddy says so?"

"Of course, and we'll bring your father with us. He and my mother would want to catch up."

Evangeline smiled and hugged Draco. Gently he picked her up and returned the hug.

'At least I know where she got her touchy-feely side,' he thought. After setting Evangeline back to her father and he left so the two could spend time together. Walking downstairs he saw Granger and Weasley waiting for him by the fireplace.

"We can have supplies by tomorrow," said Granger. "I have an uncle who works in a hospital. He can help me."

Draco nodded. "All right. I'll be back tomorrow after I finish a few papers."

Both nodded and Draco returned to Malfoy Mansion. Narcissa was in the sitting room embroidering a gift for Mrs. Zabini garden party.

"Oh, Draco, you're back early," she said when he entered. "You usually spend a whole day with your new patient."

"I haven't seen you in a while," said Draco. "I missed you."

Narcissa looked at her son once and set her embroidery hoop down. "All right, Draco," she said crossing her arms. "What's wrong?"

Draco did his best to feint surprise. "What makes you thing something's wrong?" he asked.

"Draco, I have bore you, gave birth to you, and practically raised you. I know when you want to tell me something but don't know if you can." She turned serious keeping her turquoise eyes on her son. "So tell me what's wrong?"

Sighing Draco sat in the seat in front of Narcissa. "It's about my new patient," he said. "I've been allowed to tell you who he is, and his condition, but you have to promise not to discuss it with anyone. In a Wizard's Oath."

Narcissa looked at him in surprise. "Draco, I know we've shared our secrets before but none we had became this serious."

"It is necessary for this one, after I tell you you'll understand why."

Narcissa glared at Draco before nodding. "Very well. I'll play with you game. I, Narcissa Black-Malfoy swear to never tell a soul of Mind-Healer Draco Malfoy's patient for as long as I live." As she spoke the words the same white glow had surrounded Draco surrounded Narcissa and bound her to the oath. "Now can you tell me the big secret?"

"My patient's name is Harry Potter."

Narcissa looked at Draco at first like he was joking, then in surprise. "You're not joking," she said. "Or you wouldn't have made me swear the Oath. Do you know what his condition is?"

"Yes. I believe it's the Nightmare Curse."

Narcissa's face had become ghostly pale. "The Dementor's Curse. I had hear it was last used during the war."

Draco nodded. "I as well. I am currently attempting to bring Potter out of his delusions."

"But there is no counter for that curse!"

"I have a theory, that if I enter Potter's mind I may be able to bring him out."

"But you're no Legilimens."

"I didn't say I would use Legilimency."

Narcissa searched her son's face, looking for the answer, before finding it.

"You're not going to Delve," she yelled.

"I have no choice, Mother," said Draco seriously. "I have an obligation to cure my patients any way I can. And I believe this is the only way."

"But you could be trapped in Potter's mind!"

"I know the consequences, Mother. Please, let me try. I believe I can do it." The look he gave Narcissa was so intense she cringed away from him. Sighing, Draco calmed his mind and emotions before he looked at his mother again, softer this time. "Please, Mother. He has a daughter."

"A daughter?"

"Evangeline. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Looks like him, except for her eyes."

Narcissa sighed and looked at her embroidery hoop. She knew what Draco was doing. He wanted Narcissa to pity Potter because she was also a parent, and she was a daughter. She knew what it was like to worry over a parent who was seriously ill and in deep trouble, and she knew what it was like being a parent and worrying about the health of your own child.

'He's as manipulative as his father,' she thought. 'Maybe more.'

"All right," she said. "You may try it."

To Be Continued

Author's Notes: In the next chapter Draco will Delve in Harry's mind. In there he'll meet two Original Characters. As I have stated in the beginning of chapter 1, Harry plays a minor role in this story, but he does play a small part. There will be Harry/Draco romance, and Draco/OC romance. If you wish to continue you are welcome to. If you wish to leave now, you may.