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The Fallen Lion	By : AnonymousTigress Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 22455 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter. I do not gain any profit or benefits from writing fan fics of any kind. The only thing I own is any original characters you don’t recognize from Harry Potter.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Wendy Sparkman: Oh. No no no. Sorry to worry you. My youngest cat had a potty accident outside of the litter box. It wasn’t pretty.
CDGaymer: Ooh, you have no idea. Well, after you read the chapter you’ll know just how big that mistake will be.
djaddict: Yes, we do.
ChaosLady: Yep. Swimming in horse manure, she definitely is.
Marron: YESSSSS. That’s what I do. Wasn’t able to update yesterday, but wrote most of this chapter all in yesterday. New world record for me.
cullengal101: You know me. I like to throw in twists that no one is suspecting. Everyone expected affair. I don’t like to be too predictable.
Hmm: I typed that newest chapter all on Saturday and this new one all yesterday (Sunday). I’m glad you liked my explanation. I try my best to make things clear or uncloud things that aren’t clear. Yes, an abortion. I’m glad to hear I’ve motivated you. I look forward to keeping an eye out for some fiction.
starr: Get away…hmmm…read below.
Kittykat575: Ohhhh yesss.
Author’s Note: Hey, everyone! I wrote this chapter all yesterday and it is a long one, too. It’s my reward to all the wonderful readers and reviewers who have enjoyed my story and helped me along with its development. Plus I may not be updating for a while since I’m closing on the house on Wednesday and moving this weekend. And I’ll give you a HINT HINT for this chapter…No cliffhanger. Meant to post it this morning, but had an early morning meeting and had to chase out.

Chapter Twenty-One
Wait
Harry saw the movement out of the corner of his eye and just barely around Lucius’ arm. The judge had left, Lucius was answering Harry’s question and Mrs. McCullen was turned away. Ginny whipped her wand out and aimed it at an unsuspecting Lucius. The bright purple light zipped out of the end of the wand, heading straight for the blonde wizard’s back. Harry didn’t have time to think about casting a shield or throwing a curse in its path to send it flying away.
In a split second, Harry grabbed Lucius’ arm and jerked him hard. Spinning his body around, Harry used himself as a shield as the spell hit him square in the back. For a second, he felt nothing, but then an intense pain lit up his back. He felt his lawyer’s hand grasp his arm right before…
“AHHHH!”
Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley rushed in when they heard the blood-curdling scream from outside the doors. The sight they came upon was one they wouldn’t soon forget.
Lucius was knelt down on the ground holding Harry who was seizing uncontrollably and screaming. Drizel had her hands clasped over her mouth, staring at the sight in horror. Her wand still out, Ginny’s eyes were wide with shock and her bottom lip was shaking. Moody launched a curse at Ginny, but her quick Quidditch reflexes allowed her to touch a button on her robes and she portkeyed out before it could connect.
Kingsley ran to Harry’s side who was now loudly sobbing in Lucius’ arms. The Head Auror almost lost his lunch when he saw the reason for Harry’s screaming. From the doorway, neither he nor Moody could see what had happened to Harry.
The back of Harry’s shirt was no more and the skin on his back was ripped from the center out like strips of paper. Blood was streaming down his back like a river, making it difficult to see just how severe the damage was. Kingsley tried casting simple healing spells, but nothing was working. He quickly reached into his robes and pulled out a bright blue bandana. He shoved it into Lucius’ hand.
“Emergency portkey to St. Mungo’s. I’ll get Severus and Draco,” Kingsley said, shooting back up to his feet.
Lucius said nothing in response as he activated the portkey and the two of them disappeared. Shooting Drizel a warning glance, Moody limped over to Kingsley with a gruff sneer on his face.
“I’ll talk to the lawyer. Get over to Mungo’s. I’ll meet you there,” Moody told him.
Kingsley thanked his old comrade before flying out of the room. He used several back hallways and a secret lift to reach the Unspeakable Department in record timing. This was worse than when he found Harry after his suicide attempt. He only prayed the Healers could help the young wizard.
He was very fortunate that the Head Unspeakable had informed him Draco wasn’t out in the field or on a mission today. He found the blonde in the hall speaking with said boss. The older witch smiled when she saw Kingsley.
“Kingsley, I’m beginning to think you like it down here more than your own office,” she joked.
They were both taken by surprise when Kingsley snagged Draco’s arm roughly. He didn’t even pause as he pulled the wizard along with him. Draco’s boss shouted after him, demanding answers.
“I need Draco! I’ll explain later. He won’t be back today,” Kingsley quickly said as he dragged Draco down the hall.
“Kingsley! What the…Uggh?!” Draco stumbled as he was jerked into his office.
Kingsley slammed the door shut before casting silencing spells and swiftly moving over to the fireplace. Snatching up a handful of floo, he tossed it in and yelled for Severus. The Potions Master’s head appeared a moment later in the fire.
“There’s been an attack in the courtroom. I need you to come through,” Kingsley told him.
Draco’s eyes grew wide. He watched as Kingsley stepped back and Severus stepped through into his office. The two lovers turned to Kingsley, a million and a half questions on their mind.
“I’ll explain when we get there,” Kingsley snapped before either could ask a single question.

/……/

When they reached Spell Damage Unit on the Fourth Floor, they were informed that Healer Copperbottom was the Healer on Call currently helping Harry. This proved false when they found her in the hall talking to a nurse, instead of tending to their lover.
“Healer Copperbottom, how’s Harry?” Kingsley asked.
Healer Copperbottom grimaced.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know,” she replied.
Draco saw red.
“They told us you were caring for him!” Draco snapped.
Severus clamped a hand down on his shoulder and squeezed in warning. Draco’s mouth clicked shut in irritation. Healer Copperbottom shook her head.
“My husband is seeing to him. He’s the best in his field. Mr. Potter is in good hands,” she assured them.
Draco turned his head away, mumbling something in French. From his experience of hearing him and the blonde’s father speak in the language, Severus could tell it was unsavory language.
“Do you know what happened? What’s being done to help him?” Severus asked, a slightly more polite tone to his voice.
Kingsley had only been able to explain that Ginny had supposedly cast a spell and it had hit Harry in the back. The spell had done damage to his back. Simple healing spells Kingsley cast didn’t work. Healer Copperbottom’s expressive face was not very comforting in that regard.
“I won’t sugarcoat things, gentlemen. It’s not good. Mr. Potter took a nasty, deadly curse to the back. It dissolved his shirt & jacket and tore his skin open. It shredded apart skin and muscle. The Healers were able to stop the spell before it could do any more damage.”
Draco brought a hand up to his mouth to keep from gagging. Draco truly thought his younger lover had gotten the punishment he had been asking for since the day he had unwillingly injured him. It made him sick to his stomach. He could barely feel the squeeze of his elbow from his lover. Kingsley and Severus weren’t looking much better as they both paled. Healer Copperbottom led them to a small private waiting room where she explained what was being done to help Harry.
“They cancelled out the spell, but right now they’re working on stopping the bleeding. They’re also ensuring that the tissue, muscle, and skin can be repaired. It will be a slow process as we don’t want to worsen things for him,” Healer Copperbottom explained.
“Is he in pain?” Draco asked, quietly.
Healer Copperbottom had been hoping that none of them would ask, but she knew they would. Thankfully, her husband saved her from answering by appearing in the doorway. Having heard the question, he spoke. Unfortunately, he was a bit blunter than his wife.
“Harry is in excruciating pain. Anyone would be after enduring such a spell. We’ve stopped the bleeding and he’s been given the strongest pain-relieving potions available. Auror Shacklebolt, good to see you. Are you Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy?” Healer Copperbottom asked.
His wife stood up and left with soft well wishes to the wizards. Severus and Draco stood to greet the new Healer, who introduced himself as Healer Joshua Copperbottom.
“Is my father with Harry?” Draco asked.
Healer Copperbottom smiled. The older blonde wizard hadn’t left the younger wizard since arriving. Hell, he had threatened to sue the whole damn hospital if they didn’t alleviate Harry’s pain.
“As Mr. Potter’s legal representation, he has refused to leave his side. Your father actually managed to help with calming him when he started having a panic attack when we were working on him. He’s still by Mr. Potter’s side right now,” Healer Copperbottom explained.
“We would like to see him,” Severus said.
Healer Copperbottom sighed. He waved his hand to the side and led the group to Harry’s private room at the end of the hall. He stopped them just outside the room.
“I want to caution you before you go in. It’s not going to be a pretty sight,” Healer Copperbottom warned them.
Out of sight of both Kingsley and the Healer, Draco squeezed Severus’ hand. Severus gently squeezed back.
“What do you mean?” Draco asked.
“His back is still open.”
Despite the warning, the sight they found was still a terrifying one. Harry lay on his stomach with his head turned away from the doorway. His back was bright pink and sheets were down low to the waist for comfort. On the other side of the bed, Lucius sat by his side holding his hand.
“We can’t bandage his back right now while everything is repairing. As I said before, he’s heavily sedated and we’ve given him several strong pain-relieving potions. The next 48 hours is going to be a waiting process to see if the current cooling and healing charms placed on him can repair his back. We’re looking at alternative means while we monitor him. I’m not sure of your religious affiliation, but the time for hope is now,” the Healer explained.
“Thank you, Healer. May we sit with him?” Draco said.
Of course, the question wasn’t really a question. None of the wizards would be going anywhere now that they were with Harry. In any case, the Healer nodded. Once he left, they all moved quietly around the room. Severus went to Harry’s side to inspect the damage to his back for himself. Draco walked over to the other side to stand by his father. Kingsley stood at the foot of the bed.
“Lucius? I’m going to need your statement,” Kingsley gently prodded.
Lucius blinked and looked as though he were at a loss for words. Draco shot his older lover a worried look. He had never seen his father behave this way before. Not even with the death of his mother. That had been a different reaction, but just as strong as this one.
“The spell wasn’t meant for him,” Lucius stated.
Draco’s head snapped to his father so quick a jolt of pain zinged through his neck. He clutched the back of his neck with a grimace. Shooting Draco a sympathetic look, Kingsley asked the lawyer if he was sure. The wizard’s answer didn’t change.
“I was speaking with him. He asked me a question. I can’t recall what he asked now. I was partially blocking him from her when he grabbed my arm and pulled himself around to shield me.”
Lucius’ voice had changed into a low tone. The voice of a man reliving a nightmare from war. The curse had really shocked something deep inside him. Or was because the man – a child – had risked his life to save him? An ex-Death Eater. Severus could see the glassy eyes of his best friend as he relived the memory.
“The spell hit him and he collapsed into my arms. Screaming…bleeding. I’d never heard anything like it. Not even in all the years of …” Lucius paused. “Her face…I could tell she hadn’t been expecting that to happen.”
Lucius let out a dry chuckle while glancing down at the sleeping brunette.
“It must have been that saving people curse you’ve mentioned, Severus,” Lucius said.
Severus braved a smile when the older wizard glanced up at him.
“Yes. I imagine he would even throw himself in front of…her if the need arose,” Severus pointed out.
At the mention of the she-devil, steely gray rocketed back to the Head Auror. Kingsley did not like being on the receiving end of the look. Never had, never will.
“What’s being done to locate her?” Lucius demanded.
The Head Auror didn’t have answers for that, but luckily Moody decided to make an appearance. He limped into the room and nodded his head to Severus who simply nodded back.
“I’ve got half the Ministry out looking for that little twit. We’ll find her,” Mad-Eye Moody told him.
“How did she escape in the first place? There’s no floo or apparating possible in the courtrooms. You have to have the highest clearance to be able to do that and that bitch would never make that list,” Draco snapped.
Normally, Moody would have snapped at the boy for his tongue. However, his magical eye could see the threads of magic connecting him to Snape and Potter. The boy’s temper was understandable, given the horrible state of his younger lover. He would let it slide for now.
“The girl snitched an emergency portkey from her brother’s office. He’s on suspended leave now, Kingsley. It was a common emergency portkey that landed her outside the Ministry. From there, witnesses saw her apparate out. Her “lawyer” doesn’t know where she’s gone, but we’ve got her office and Weasley’s flat under surveillance, as well as the Burrow,” Moody reported, rolling his good eye at the mention of Drizel.
“Shacklebolt.”
Kingsley looked around Draco to the wizard’s father. The man’s face was set in a very dark look.
“Malfoy?”
“Find Judge Pesi and have a stay of continuation called. Weasley’s on the run and Potter is in no fit shape to attend court,” Lucius commanded.
“And if she should ask to see him?” Kingsley asked.
With silent permission from his son and best friend, Lucius told him to escort the judge to the hospital.
“Let her see for herself what a witch of Weasley’s caliber is capable of doing,” Lucius added.
Kingsley nodded. The two Aurors left to run the search for Ginny. After that, they settled in for the long wait. The 48 hours. The question on all their minds was…would Harry survive?

/……/

Hours 1…2…3
The first few hours were filled with silence. Lucius allowed Draco to sit down beside Harry while he wrote down his statement of the event. Severus spoke quietly with the Healer, finding out everything he possibly could.
The spell was a Dark spell. The spell was designed to strip the skin and muscles back until it reached the spine. Once it got to the spine, the spell was supposed to slowly and painfully dissolve the spine while shutting down internal organs. Thankfully, the Healers had recognized the spell and stopped it before it could do more severe damage. Damage where Harry wouldn’t have stood a chance. Healer Copperbottom couldn’t cast glamour charms to hide the appearance of his back, because it could cancel out the current spells helping him.
Healer Copperbottom provided him a list of potions and Severus had sent for Tippy to bring the potions (thankfully, they were ones he had stocked). He also had her bring Kasper to the hospital. The canine had been most upset. Whimpering quietly, he had sat down beside Draco and laid his head down in the blonde’s lap. Draco held Harry’s hand while gently petting Kasper’s head.
Hours 4…5…6
Severus contacted Albus to inform him they wouldn’t be joining him and Minerva for dinner that evening. At Severus’ request, Albus arrived at the hospital. For the first time in all the years that he had known the wizard, Severus felt as though Albus looked his age. He didn’t think that anything could shock the old wizard, but then again he had never thought a Gryffindor could be capable of casting such spells.
Albus and Lucius sat with Harry while Severus and Draco were forced out of the room to go eat. They wandered downstairs and ate in the hospital cafeteria. It wasn’t by will that they ate, but the silent agreement that Harry would be upset if they didn’t eat. Meanwhile, upstairs, Kasper kept a vigil on his human. He remained at Malfoy’s side since it was the side where he could see his human’s face.
Albus whispered soft words to Harry, telling him he was strong and he would overcome this. Harry didn’t stir in his rest. The Healer stopped by and checked on Harry. He administered the next dosage of potions. He didn’t say anything, but Albus and Lucius could easily tell the wizard was worried.
Over their lunch, Severus and Draco agreed that they would not contact anyone else at this moment. It would not do for Harry to be flooded with visitors and now was not the time to inform the Weasley’s. Not until Harry survived this.
He had to.
Hours 7…8…9
Albus returned to the Hogwarts with the promise to return at another time. Lucius fell asleep in a nearby chair and Draco draped a blanket over his father. The two lovers sat on either side of their third lover, whispering softly to each other. They allowed Kasper to climb up on the bed. He was curled into an impossibly small ball by Harry’s feet.
Neither of the lovers could fall asleep. They couldn’t afford to. What if something happened and Harry needed them? Kingsley did stop by to check in, but he had no news to report. Ron was aware something had happened in court and Ginny had snagged one of his emergency portkeys, but that was all he knew. As an extra precaution, Ron and Hermione’s home was under watch as well since Ginny could go there.
Kingsley assured Draco that everything was fine with his boss. He was on approved leave until Draco was ready to come back. Draco thanked him for that. He hadn’t even given his job a second thought, despite wearing his Unspeakable robes. Kingsley left after that to check in with all the search teams.
Nearing the ninth hour, they had a surprise visitor. Lucius was shaken awake by his son and, once his vision cleared, he wished it hadn’t. Drizel McCullen was there. Lucius immediately stepped out in the hall with her. A few minutes later, Lucius returned with her by his side.
After the attack in the courtroom, Drizel had gone straight to her business partner and told him she was quitting the Potter v. Weasley case. When he protested, she told him he could find himself a new partner. She had moved her stuff out and secured her home from her ex-client gaining access. She had wanted to see Harry for herself to check in on him.
The witch nearly fell apart, but remained strong in front of them. Lucius offered to escort her home and she accepted. She never even questioned the presence of the two wizards at the injured man’s side. Or the canine.
Hours 10…11…12
Lucius went home to get rest and would return in the morning. An exhausted Draco fell asleep with his head resting gently on the pillow beside Harry’s. His hand still clutched his lover’s as they both slept on. Severus walked about the room, pacing and running potion formulas through his head.
It didn’t help.
Hours 13…14…15 (1:00 – 2:00 – 3:00A.M.)
One of the Healer nurses was checking on Harry when he suddenly began shaking. The nurse yelled for Healer Copperbottom. Draco woke up to the yelling and Kasper barking. He and Severus were forced to watch as Harry’s body seized up and he gasped in his sleep. Healer Copperbottom came bolting into the room. Between the two of them, they were able to help ease Harry through his seizure. After the brunette was still and resting again, Healer Copperbottom did a complete and thorough check of the brunette.
“What just happened?” Severus asked, when the Healer stepped away from the bed.
Draco stepped up to stand beside him. The same question was clear in his face.
“It’s only a minor seizure. His body was reacting to one of the spells we had cast. I have replaced it with a different spell and upped his potions dosages. He should be okay now,” Healer Copperbottom explained.
Draco flashed a concerned look at Severus.
“That’s…that’s a good thing, isn’t it? That he’s reacting to something?” Draco asked.
Healer Copperbottom nodded.
“It is a good sign that he is showing a reaction. It’s not a reaction we would prefer…but it is something.”
Hours 16…17…18
Draco couldn’t sleep after that. Severus managed to convince him to take Kasper out for a walk and to get him something to eat. After Draco left the room, Severus sat down beside Harry. He grasped his hand with one and threaded another hand through the shaggy dark hair.
“You are going to make it through this, Harry. You saved a man. Lucius is safe. Draco still has his father. I know you were protecting him because that’s what silly little lions love to do.”
Severus leaned down and placed a soft kiss to Harry’s closed eyelids.
“You’re not allowed to leave us, Harry. We’re not ready to let go. I know you’re in pain, little lion. But we’ll make this better. Rest.”
Draco soon returned and slid onto Severus’ lap. He slipped his hand under Harry’s so that he and Severus were both holding the same hand. He leaned his head on Severus’ shoulder.
“Tell me he’s going to be okay, Severus,” Draco muttered.
Severus wished he could.
Hours 19…20…21 (7:00 – 8:00 – 9:00A.M.)
Lucius arrived bright and early. It took a lot of convincing (i.e. threatening of bodily harm) to get the two Slytherins to go home. He urged them to eat a full meal, wash and change into fresh clothes. They only agreed if Kasper remained. Lucius saw no problem with that.
Tippy made them a meal big enough to feed a family of twenty. She made many of the things Harry enjoyed making. The two wizards appreciated the gesture and thanked her. After breakfast, they showered together. With the water running, they stood under the spray holding each other. They stayed that way until Draco finally reached out for the soap.
They washed each other with gentle hands and understanding nothing more than cleaning would take place. Both wanted to rush straight back to the hospital, but they knew they needed to take the time for themselves. They finished showering and changed into fresh, comfortable clothes before returning to St. Mungo’s.
Hours 22…23…24
Draco fell out of his chair when he heard a quiet whisper of, “Dray.” He bolted back up to his feet, thinking that Harry was awake. Sadly, he wasn’t. Harry was only calling out his name and “Sev” in feverish whispers. They whispered to him, assuring him they were there by his bedside.
He settled back down after Draco sprinkled his face with kisses. Then Severus did it to Draco to calm him down. Severus glanced over at a silent Lucius who had been watching from his seat. He raised an eyebrow at his best friend.
“I am not kissing you.”
Severus chuckled. Draco even cracked a small grin.
“Kiss me…and they’ll need a bed for you, old friend.”
The tension in the room broke as Lucius chuckled.
Hours 25…26…27 (1:00 – 2:00 – 3:00P.M.)
Mad-Eye Moody came by this time around. There had been many leads, but so far nothing had turned up. They found out that the Quidditch Team had fired her the morning before the trial day; they had found means to fire her on the spot and had done so. Arthur and Molly had been contacted by Ron who in turn had contacted Kingsley. They wanted to know what was going on.
Lucius shared a quiet conversation with the two lovers before speaking up.
“Tell them she’s been accused of a casting a curse with the intent of bodily harm with witness testimony and evidence. Explain to them that it is very serious.”
Moody nodded. He told them he or Kingsley would return if Ginny was brought in.
Hours 28…29…30
Judge Pesi stopped by. She took one look at Potter’s back and turned to Lucius.
“Send me copies of the medical report and your statement. Add the charge of Attempted Murder to your list, Prosecution Malfoy.”
Healer Copperbottom visited with an expert who checked over Harry’s back. Her news wasn’t very comforting to them.
“It’s not getting better, but it’s not getting worse.”
Hours 31…32…33 (7:00 – 8:00 – 9:00P.M.)
Lucius left and brought back dinner for himself, his son, best friend, and even Kasper. Albus came by and sat with them for a while. They informed him that there was no change and with 48 hours looming closer, things weren’t looking good. Albus would have offered the use of Fawkes’ tears, but the phoenix tears were already in one of the potions staving off the pain.
Hours 34…35…36
Harry seemed to filter between consciousness and unconsciousness. He murmured apologies to both his lovers and tried to roll onto his back. That had alarmed them into accidentally shouting at him. Reacting to the loud noise, Harry dissolved into sobs and whimpers. Healer Copperbottom was making his rounds when he heard them. He came in and gave Harry a small sedative. He cast a spell that helped clear Harry’s nasal passage and lungs to keep him from causing more distress.
“Mr. Potter? Harry? You need to stay on your stomach. Your back…your back is injured and you can’t lay on it,” Healer Copperbottom murmured to him a strong, clear voice.
None of them were sure Harry understood yet the small male did nod his head.
Hours 37…38…39 (1:00 – 2:00 – 3:00A.M.)
It was quiet. Harry slept. Draco tumbled in and out of sleep. Severus closed his eyes and rested, but refused to fall asleep. He wanted to be awake when Harry woke up.
If he woke up.
Hours 40…41…42
Kasper was insistent and pulled Severus out of the room to take him out. Despite his sleepy state, it occurred to him that the damn canine could take himself out. However, he found it comforting to walk along a trail with him. It got his mind off of everything that was going on. Got his mind off the thought…
That his younger love could be leaving this world…in the next six hours.
Hours 43…44…45
In the forty-fourth hour, Harry experienced another seizure. This one was far worse. It was so violent he threw himself off the bed and into Severus’ arms. The windows in the room shattered, sending glass flying everywhere. Between the two of them, Severus and Draco tried to keep him from further injuring himself. The Healers came rushing in and had to shoo both out of the room.
They stood out in the hall when Lucius returned. Unable to control himself, Draco threw himself into his father’s arms and cried. Lucius hugged his son close and offered silent comfort to his old friend. He rocked his son back and forth in his arms. It had been a long time since he had comforted his son, but he still remembered what worked for him.
Draco was effectively calmed down until an hour later when Healer Copperbottom stepped out and delivered the bad news.
“Harry is getting worse. You might want to prepare to say your goodbyes.”
Draco broke out in fresh tears. Severus didn’t even realize he was crying himself until he caught a glimpse of himself in the hallway windows. They were losing him.
And there wasn’t a damn thing they could do.
Hours 46…47…48 (10:00 – 11:00A.M. – 12:00P.M.)
Word had leaked out from St. Mungo’s and it quickly spread through Diagon Alley. Witches and wizards all around the wizarding world soon learned of the whereabouts of the former boy who lived.
Hidden away in St. Mungo’s, Harry Potter was in severe critical condition, so severe that he was on Death’s door. No one knew what the cause was. The rumors ranged from vengeful Death Eaters cursing him to a genetic disease that was discovered too late. The press flooded the lobby but none were allowed past a certain point. That allowed for a lone cloaked figure to slip through unnoticed.
Her hood up and head down, Ginny quickly made her way upstairs to the Spell Damage floor. She checked the first two private rooms she knew of, but didn’t find Harry in either one of them. She hid around the corner when she saw a Healer speaking with Malfoy Senior outside the private room around the corner she stood at. She eavesdropped while the two spoke in hushed tones.
“You’re certain there is nothing else that can be done?” Malfoy whispered.
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Malfoy. I have done all I can. I’ve made him as comfortable as possible. It’ll be a miracle if he survives through the next few hours,” the Healer said.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Malfoy replied, after a short pause.
Ginny brought a hand up to her mouth and turned away. The curse hadn’t been meant for Harry. No matter how pissed she was at him, she wouldn’t cast such spells at him. The curse had been for Malfoy. He should be the one dying. She waited until she heard the two walking away to peek her head around the corner.
She snuck her head in the room and was grateful to find only the lone figure lay out on the bed. The room was almost completely dark with the only light streaming in from the hall. She closed the door and cast a Lumos. She held her wand up as she carefully made her way to the bedside. Harry was covered up with the bedsheet with only his dark-colored hair sticking out at the top.
“Harry? Harry, are you awake? I’m…I’m so sorry. I…” her voice wavered as she stopped a foot away from the bed.
Without warning, Ginny cried out when a fist came out and knocked hard against her wrist. Her wand clattered away to the ground, throwing the room into darkness as the Lumos cancelled out. Both her wrists were snagged in a tight grip. She jerked her head back when a Lumos blinded her in the face. The wand jabbed under her chin, keeping her head up. Once the spots disappeared, she was able to make out the face glaring into hers.
“Malfoy?!” she gasped.
He smirked as he stood up from the bed, reminding her of their height difference. She glared up at him.
“Hello, Weaslette. What a pleasant surprise,” Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
She snarled angrily at him.
“Let go of me! Where is Harry?”
Draco chuckled.
“You mean the man who threw himself in front of a curse for my father? The curse that you cast? You could have killed my father. You think we’re going to let you anywhere near him? You’re dreaming,” Draco said, ending with a sneer.
Ginny jerked her head back and spat in his face. The piece of watery spit hit his cheekbone.
“I don’t give a damn about your father! He’s running my reputation into the ground. I’ve lost my job because of him,” Ginny growled.
Draco cast a nonverbal cleaning spell on his face while simultaneously maintaining the Lumos spell.
“You did that all yourself. And now my father will be adding another charge to the list. One that will see you yet in Azkaban,” Draco told her.
Ginny’s face drained of all color. Her bottom lip quivered as she took in the serious look on the blonde’s face.
“…M-Murder?” she stuttered.
Draco paused long enough for her to start shaking and the feeling of dread to set in.
“No. It’ll be two charges of attempted murder. You should be grateful Harry’s still alive. Even, if by some Merlin forsaken miracle, you managed to avoid Azkaban…there would be no safe place for you to go. The entire wizarding world would shut you out for killing the Savior.”
Tears started streaming down her face. Draco wasn’t sure if they were from sorrow or frustration. Quite possibly both.
“Harry threw that life away after the war. He never wanted to be the Savior. Just Harry,” Ginny told him.
Draco shook his head.
“That may be so, but the world owes him a great debt and they will not soon forget that.”
With a great sigh, Draco released her. She collapsed to her knees. Her tears, real or not, did nothing to assuage him of his anger. He stepped around her, taking the time to swipe her wand from the ground and tossed it to a corner of the room.
“She’s all yours, Kingsley.”
Kingsley stepped out from the corner of the room as he pocketed Ginny’s wand. He strolled over to her and reached down to grasp her upper arm, pulling her to her feet.
“Ginerva Weasley, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Harry James Potter and Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. You have-…”
Ginny jerked her head over her shoulder. She watched as Draco retreated out the door.
“Malfoy! Where is he?! Where’s Harry?! Malfoy! MALFOY!”

/……/

“Hey, sleepy lion.”
Harry blinked his pink-tinted eyes up as a kiss was bestowed on top of his head. He smiled weakly up at the blonde.
“Hey, Dray,” Harry murmured in a quiet voice.
Draco smiled as he sat down on the bed beside Harry. The smaller wizard was still lying on his stomach, but his back was finally bandaged. Draco reached down to pull the light sheet back up for him.
“Where…Sev?” Harry murmured.
Draco reached out to take his hand in his grasp. He gave it a firm squeeze.
“He’s downstairs talking with the Healer. They’re setting up a schedule for his home visits and Severus is making sure he has the ingredients to brew your potions. He’s contacting a colleague that’ll help him with it. Hey? We caught her, Harry. She can’t hurt anyone anymore.”
Harry closed his eyes with a deep, soulful sigh. He opened them back up while he squeezed Draco’s hand.
“Good. …ius?”
Even with the quiet tone and mumbling of words, Draco understood what Harry was asking. He gave a small chuckle.
“My father’s doing well. The curse never touched him. You caught it all, babe. We can’t thank you enough. Thanks to you, I don’t have to bury my father. I love you, Harry.”
Harry’s lips moved, but no sound came up. It was okay, though, because Draco knew what Harry was telling him. He reached out to stroke Harry’s cheek with the back of his other hand as he leaned down to press his forehead against his head.
“Rest, Harry. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
Harry closed his eyes and fell asleep to the feeling of his hair being stroked. Draco was careful when he leaned down and gently hugged the brunette. It worked.
The plan had worked. Gossip had reached Weasley and she had taken the bait. Once Copperbottom had Harry stable for travel, they had transferred him to home for private care. Draco had glamoured his hair and lay down in wait. A special spell on the hallway had been cast to alert them if Ginny came.
Draco laid down beside his lover, pulling him so he could rest his weak head on his chest. As soon as Draco’s head hit the pillow, he was joining Harry in a deep state of sleep.
End of Chapter Twenty-One
Wait
A/N: Hope y'all liked the 48 hours with the way I wrote it.
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The Fallen Lion