Chapter Text
Harry was working late in the office. The old clock on wall showed 6 45. He was supposed to finish an hour ago, leave his signed documents for his secretary Wendy to deliver them Friday morning to Johnson and Keath and was supposed to go home no later than 6 o’clock. But he was still here, paperwork as always. He’s not gonna finish them all for sure. This was the last pile though.
He took the one from the top and scanned it through. A release paper from Azkaban for Draco Malfoy. He was surprised to see the familiar name. He looked through the papers. Malfoy was supposed to be released two days ago from Azkaban and was already supposed to be under Brown's parole. But Auror Brown was in Saint Mungo’s spell damage department. He was cursed badly and will be confined to bed for his stupidity no less than for two months.
That meant that aforementioned Draco Malfoy was still downstairs in the cells of the Auror Department and of course nobody wanted to do anything with him.
Harry as the Head Auror had to assign another person to deal with the unexpected situation. Malfoy had spent six months in Azkaban for the cursed objects trade and business with the wrong people. And now for the next six months he had to be under the supervision of an Auror, who will control his every step, what he eats and how he breathes, everything.
He could sign up Malcom for that or Ethan. Both were bad choices. Malcom didn’t give a shit about the new recovery program. Malfoy will end up back in Azkaban for another year with him just after a week. Ethan was a bulky guy that will beat the shit out of Malfoy, so he will probably end up dead or crippled for life with him.
Some people were good for getting the job done where violence was a priority, but here he needed a person who knew what compassion meant. Brown was a perfect candidate for that but guess what, he had almost every bone in his body broken, a severe concussion and on top of that an unknown spell was cursed at him. Luck was not on his side and it looked like it wasn’t on Potter’s side either.
Weasley and Delaver were on a case. Malfoy would probably slit his wrists if he was given to a Weasley. And Ron is a good friend, yes, but he will drive Harry crazy with all the Malfoy whining problem.
In other words the whole situation is a stalemate. Malfoy deserved a chance. Harry put the paper aside scanned and signed last reports, sign-ins for Level 1 and Level 2 Auror training and stamped them.
Finally, time to go home. Potter stood up, took his robe from the hanger, closed the drawers with a wave of a hand, he turned off the lights and left his office with the pile of documents and Malfoy’s paper on top. He left all of them except for the Malfoy's on Wendy’s table and headed through the long dark red corridor to the elevators. He still had one thing to deal with.
The elevator brought him to the minus four floor. It was always cold in here. Small stuffy rooms, long corridors, dimmed shimmering lights the smell of mold that’s how it felt to be down here. Plus constant dripping of water from one of the cells. This was not a good place, a place where bad interrogations were held if needed be, a place that had constant twenty four hour security and best wards in the whole Auror Department.
Today Jake Hauls was on parole. A tall lean man with short black hair and sharp eyes. He was sitting in front of a huge wall of screens drinking hot green tea, checking the footage and typing in some information.
“Hey, boss! You are running late today.”
“Hauls, yes, unfortunately it’s a bad habit of mine.”
“What brings you here, boss?”
“Release papers for Malfoy.”
“Oh, yes, Brown was supposed to pick him up two days ago for the program. What happened?”
“Mungo's happened. Brown will stay there for two more months, no less. Trying to parkour from the seventh floor while chasing a skilled dark art vigilant is not a good idea. Anyway, I am here to pick him up,” Harry handed him the paper.
“All looks good boss, go on, I will open the wards for you in a minute. I must say the Malfoy guy is barely breathing, thought, they gave him the calming drought or something stronger, a bit overdid it to be honest.”
“Hmm, not something I wanted to here. But Ok, thanks. See you in ten.”
Harry turned around and headed to the big steel door. The scanning wards let him through. The magic felt heavy and strong, an unwelcome touch of the low voltage electricity. His skin was prickling with it’s strength. Another long and gloomy corridor and at the end of it was Jake Dallahad, security level 2 Auror and his team.
“Hey, lads! A pick up today, nothing serious, you can relax.”
“Look who’s here, good to see you Head Auror!”
“Can’t say the same, Dallahad, I’d be so much happier if I didn’t see your ugly face at least for a month.”
Dallahad chuckled and shook hands with Harry. They knew each other for three years already, been through some bad situations.
“Left wing, Potter, go straight ahead, cell number eight on your left. Here’s your key.” He through it towards Potter and the Auror caught it easily.
“See you in five. Send Casy to his work place for the personal belongings check out. Get the stuff ready.” Potter turned and went towards the corridor on the left side.
There were four or five people in the cells. Some waiting to sober up, some waiting for the interrogation, others for a one way ticket to Azkaban. Harry easily found the cell number 8.
Malfoy was sitting on a small bed in the corner like a statue, it was hard to say if he was breathing or not the boy was calm and silent he wasn't moving at all. The only light came from the corridor’s tiny lamp.
Potter took the key out of his pocket and opened the cell. Malfoy didn’t move at all he didn't show any signs of recognition it looked like he didn't even see Potter. Harry came closer.
“Malfoy, I’m here to pick you up under the Minister’s order we signed you up for the recovery program, you were supposed to be on the Brown’s parole but things changed. From today you will be under my direct supervision. Malfoy, can you hear me? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Malfoy was still sitting near the wall he didn't show any signs of recognition and was breathing lightly. His eyes were open but it didn’t look like he could actually see Harry. It looked like he was heavily sedated as it was even hard for him to stand up and walk.
“Malfoy can you hear me?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at Potter. His gaze was blank. It looked like he was in his own world. God. That will be very difficult. Harry leaned towards him and waved his hand in front of his eyes. Nothing. Completely spaced out.
“What am I supposed to do with you?”
Harry took him by his arm and helped him up.
“Can you stand, Malfoy, can you walk at all?”
Harry didn’t get any answer. Malfoy was actually standing though he definitely needed some effort to do that. Harry took off his robe and put it over Malfoy’s shoulders. He quickly fastened the laces around his neck, so it won’t fall down and would keep Malfoy warm.
Potter helped him walk out of the cell shut the door and together they went back to the exit. Malfoy was walking slow but it was already good that he was walking at all. He was so cold and he looked horrible. His clothes were damaged, the hair was long but so dirty and it lost completely its color. His skin was grayish and felt clammy to the touch. He was so thin you could easily see the blue lines of veins on his hands.
“Hey, Casey, here we are, do you have the things ready for us?”
“Yes, personal belongings item 1783.”
Casey handed him a plastic bag. There wasn’t much inside: Malfoy's wand, his heirloom ring and his wizard ID.
“Thank you, Casey, next time don't overdose our jailbirds.”
“You know it’s not us, boss, all questions to the Position department.”
“I sure will ask them those several questions, see you.”
Potter had to drag Malfoy through the labyrinths of the corridors until they finally reached the marble floors of apparation and fireplace point. They apparated and next moment were standing in Islington in front of the Grimmauld Houses 11 and 13. The said houses shoved at each other and the number 12 emerged as if out of nowhere.
In front of them was a worn set of steps and a battered door with a silver knocker in the shape of a serpent. Harry reached out with his magic and the dark house recognized the owner and easily let them through the complicated set of wards. The door opened with a creak and they were finally home.
Harry took of his shoes, helped Malfoy do the same and unfastened the robe, taking it of Malfoy. He lead him straight to the bathroom.
“Master, Potter, welcome back! Would you like Kreacher to serve dinner?”
“Yes, Kreacher, dinner in 20 minutes, something light, chicken soup will do. And get me a set of fresh towels, slippers and a bathrobe.”
“Yes, Master. Master has a guest, oh, sure, will be right back.”
In the bathroom Harry started the water, made sure the temperature was Ok.
“Hey, I want you to take a bath first, we need to get you clean, afterwards we’ll have dinner and you can go straight to bed. Alright?”
Malfoy was looking at him with dazed gray eyes. After a moment it seemed like he understood him and nodded.
Harry wasn’t sure how to do this. He helped Malfoy take off his ragged T-shirt, dirty trousers and underpants. He helped him step in the bathtub and helped him sit in the warm water already covered with white bubbles.
Draco was so pale he looked exhausted. Potter helped him wash the hair, scrubbing it good with the shampoo two times to get rid of all the dirt, it needed cutting but not today. He scrubbed his skin raw, neck, chest, arms and hands, his belly, and finishing with long skinny legs and feet. He gently washed his private parts, rough hands touching the soft skin of Malfoy’s dick and gently rubbing his asshole. All the time Potter was giving him small directions. “Close your eyes, chin up, give me your right hand, now left hand. Turn around. Good.”
He drained the water from the tub and turned on the shower, washing off the foam and dirt away. Next Potter spelled the scissors to cut the nails on both hands and feet. “Be careful with you fingers and toes, no unexpected movements, Ok?” He looked at Malfoy but didn’t get much of a reaction. After the bath and some good scrubbing he looked much better. His ribs were bruised though and he had some scratches over his body, his Dark Mark was covered with bruises and small cuts and scratches. Some of the skin looked badly inflamed. But other than that there wasn’t any serious damage done to his body. And that was good. Bruises and scratches can be dealt with.
The washing was done, Potter helped him get out of the bath, providing the support for his body and holding him tight, as both their hands were wet and slippery. His hands landed several times on his hips and his waist. He took one of the white towels and wrapped Malfoy up with the soft fabric.
“Open you mouth.” Harry ordered him and Malfoy simply obliged. Potter cast a spell for cleaning teeth, the one he usually did for Teddy. When he was done Draco spit the foam into the sink and Potter helped him rinse his mouth holding a cup of water to his chapped lips. After that he dried his hair with a wave of a hand, took the towel away and helped him put on a bath robe, fastening it in the front.
Bathing a grown up man wasn’t an easy task to do. Harry had to roll his sleeves up at the beginning of the ordeal but he still managed to get himself wet in the process. He also felt a bit uncomfortable. It’s not like you give a bath to a guy your own age every day. Of course he had to learn how to do that when Teddy was smaller. But that was long ago and that was different.
“Ok, all done! Let’s get some food in you.” Potter exhaled and dragged him out of the bathroom to the dining room. He helped him sit down. Kreacher has already served the table.
The room was warm because of the fire in the fireplace and bright candles on the walls and on the table. There were several plates on the table with chicken soup and some vegetables and fried rice. There was also a jug of cold pumpkin juice on the table.
Harry skipped lunch that day so he was very hungry and giving a bath to Malfoy was also a tiring process. He started eating but Malfoy couldn’t even pick up his spoon. Potter spelled the spoon to feed Draco. And the man started to slowly sip on the warm soup. Harry doubted that he had some food that day. And in Azkaban they definitely didn’t feed them well. He couldn’t give Malfoy some big amounts of food, it had to be something light and easy on the stomach.
Otherwise he will spend another 15 minutes in the bathroom with Malfoy puking his guts out.
They finished their dinner almost at the same time Draco even managed to get some pumpkin juice in him, which was good.
Potter stood up. “Thank you Kreacher, we are done here. You can clean up.”
“Yes, master.”
Harry helped Draco up. They walked together to the steps that led upstairs. It was definitely hard for Malfoy to go up the stairs so there was no other choice. Harry picked him up and used a partial levitation charm to make him lighter.
Draco unknowingly put his hand around Potter’s neck. He felt so warm and sleepy. His head fell cosily on Potter’s shoulder.
Potter brought him upstairs opened one of the doors this was Regulus Black’s bedroom. It looked nice and clean everything was in green colors, it definitely suited Malfoy.
Harry waved his hand opening the bedsheets, he put Malfoy in the middle of the bed.
“Kreacher, bring me the healing balm, please.”
Not a second later Kreacher appeared near the bed with a bottle in his hands.
“There you go, Master.” And he disappeared again, probably to finish the cleaning downstairs.
Harry opened the balm lid. It smelled good, like mint, freshly cut grass and herbs. The balm was cold to the touch. Harry unfastened Draco’s robe, dipped his fingers with the salve, and spread a general amount of it on his bruised ribs. His skin was so soft to the touch and no more freezingly cold.
He put his sleeve up next, to see the Dark Mark, and applied the salve to the inflamed cuts. Malfoy didn’t even flinch he was already asleep. Potter let the salve dry a bit and after that covered him with the bed sheets. Malfoy’s face was so peaceful. His hair was laying gently on the pillow.
Potter turned on the lamp on the bedside table, he didn’t want to leave Draco completely in the dark when he woke up. The fireplace was on as well so it was very warm in the room. He opened the window just a little bit for the fresh air and closed the heavy curtains.
Today was difficult yes but that was only the beginning. Tomorrow it will be even worse. Malfoy is not a person who will play easily. Harry had to think it through and find the best way how to deal with him. But for now it was already time to go to bed. He still had to take a quick shower himself.
“Kreacher, make sure he’s alright. Let me know when he wakes up. Bring a glass of water and leave it on the bedside table. Thank you.”
“Yes, Master. Glad to serve you and young Master Malfoy as well. Master Malfoy hasn’t been in this house for more than 20 years. I’m glad he’s back.”
“Yes, Kreacher, thank you. I'm glad he is back too.”