Title:Runaway Wizard 

Chapter:  12 /?

Word count: 8108

Rating:Mature

Disclaimer:Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.

Warnings:Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.

Parings:H/D eventually

Beta:50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah



Harry knew he was running on borrowed time. He was sick and getting worse every hour. He'd been fed, but not much and it was a foul-smelling, thick, greasy porridge that he vomited up more times than he kept it down. It made his stomach burn.

His fever was low-grade but debilitating, he had sweated it out twice but it came back again. He was now so thirsty that it felt like his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. He'd tried apparating out two more times but each time the punishment lasted longer until, now, it was almost as bad as a Cruciatus.

The worst thing, though, was that he wasn't given a chamber pot. He had to use the floor. He was waited on by a young house-elf who brought his food and whisked away the mess he had to make. He apologized to her the first time and asked for a chamber pot . He was told that he couldn't have one because his captors feared he'd smash it and use the shards as a weapon. It never occurred to anyone that some pots were made of metal.

Harry looked at the wall next to his bed. He'd been making a mark every morning, he could see the sun rise and set although it didn't shine in. It had been six days since he'd been brought here. He wondered if he was going to die here. He felt bad enough to do so.

Plopping down on the narrow, hard cot only made his side hurt more. He touched the hot, swollen area, half cut, half scrape, and tried again to heal it at least a bit. He needed his wand, which was on a small shelf beside the door, just out of his reach. He snarled softly. Whoever had done that was a sadist.

Harry got up and started pacing. He needed the exercise or he'd go crazy. After pacing the length of his chain for as long as he could, Harry lay back down on the cot and tried to sleep until lunch came. He felt cold, his feet were freezing and he was shivering again.

A soft pop sounded and the squeaky voice of Skezy announced, “Here is lunch. You eat it all.” She put the small tray down on the floor, there being no table for it, and flicked a hand to clean the 'loo corner'. Skezy looked at Harry for a moment. “You is cold? Skezy is getting you some socks. Where is your shoes?”

Harry shook his head. He'd woken up without shoes or belt, probably to keep him from hanging himself. “I don't know. Socks would be nice. And slippers, if you can find them.”

“Ok. You eat.” Skezy snapped her fingers and disappeared. She reappeared in time to take the tray away, leaving behind her a pair of thick socks, and what Harry privately referred to as old man slippers. The kind with no heels.

Harry knew he wasn't going to keep his lunch down in only a few minutes. First, the burning started, just below his breast bone. Then, the nausea, he vomited only a few minutes after that, and vomited again. He kept on until he felt like he'd tossed up the socks he was wearing. He finished up shaking and sweating, too weak to get back on the bed.

.

Draco settled in his favorite chair and opened the paper. It was late morning and he was already bored. Lucius had brought him home from Hogwarts for the remaining days of the term. After the last assault, it was just too dangerous for him to remain. He'd also complained to the rest of the board and they'd agreed that a private tutor was probably best. Draco had refused to tolerated the first one, he simpered his way through the first half hour of their lessons and Draco had thrown him out. He hated sycophants.

Now he was being tutored by Lucius himself. Draco had been a bit surprised to find that his father was much more capable than any tutor he'd ever had. He was actually enjoying History of the Magical World. And finding that Bins was not only boring but wrong.

Lucius stepped into the room just then, interrupting Draco's reading. “Draco, I just got a note from that fool in charge of the London residence. He's got Potter ... ahem ... Harry. He said the boy has been there a week. Idiot! I'm going there now to get Harry ... and fire ... what is his name?”

Draco said flatly, “If there's one hair disarranged on my brothers head ... mud.” A snap of fingers brought house-elves with their cloaks.

Lucius Side-alonged Draco as, technically, he wasn't allowed to Apparate until he had a license. They appeared in the foyer of the house and Lucius demanded the presence of his butler in a cold tone that made the house-elf shudder and pop out quickly.

Chauncy appeared at once and Lucius demanded to know where Harry was. Chauncy cringed obsequiously and announced, “I've got him safe. Right where you'd want him. This way.” He lead the way to the back stairs and Draco cringed visibly. This was really not good. The only places these stairs led to were the wine cellar and coal hole, and the thieves' room. A small cell used to keep thieves until the Aurors could come.

Draco got a good look at Lucius's face and stepped back a step. He looked coldly furious.

“Where is Harry? Is he in the wine cellar for some reason? I do hope he is.”

“Oh, no, sir. He's in the cell, just where he should be. I've been holding him ... to soften him up a bit. He'll be ready for whatever you want by now.”

Draco snorted. “I doubt that. He's ...” Draco shut up, one warning look from his father was enough to shut up a hippogriff.

Lucius turned on Chauncy and said in that silky smooth voice that meant real trouble, “I see. Am I to understand that you've put my ward, my foster son, in a cell like a common criminal? And, why, may I ask, did you feel moved to do that?”

Chauncy knew he was in trouble but he wasn't sure exactly why, until he heard the words 'ward' and 'foster'. Pure-bloods were very particular about lots of things but fostering was a really big one. “Um ... he was brought to me by two of the men you hired to find him. I paid them and locked him away for safe keeping, My Lord.”

Lucius snarled softly. “I'm not a lord. Show me my son. NOW!”

Draco blinked, a Malfoy never shouted, but Lucius was very near to doing so.

Chauncy cringed and hurried to lead them down to the small cell under the wine cellar. It was almost more than Draco could imagine. The soft 'Crucio' and scream made him jump.

He followed his father as he opened the door to the cell, just in time to see Harry disappear then reappear, screaming.

Lucius pointed his wand at Harry and snapped out a harsh 'Finite Incantatum' and Harry collapsed in a heap.

“What is going on? What happened?” Draco glared around as if some attacker might be hiding somewhere in the room.

“I'm not sure. Find his belongings and bring them.” Lucius picked Harry up and then realized that he was chained to the floor. “Release these from the ring.”

Draco tapped the end of the chain with his wand and murmured the release spell, one that only a Malfoy would know. “I'll get his things.”

Lucius nodded and apparated away to Malfoy Manor, scowling.

Draco took a moment to tell Chauncy to get out of the house before 'The' Malfoy returned, referring to his father in the old style. Chauncy nodded and crept away.

Draco called for the head house-elf and instructed him to make sure that Mr. Chauncy didn't leave with anything he shouldn't. The elf just nodded and popped out.

After searching the room and finding only the backpack and Harry's wand, Draco went home.

.

Lucius popped into the Manor and headed for the rooms he's set aside for Harry. His long strides were smooth but Harry moaned softly none the less. Lucius jerked his head at the attending house-elf who quickly turned down the bed. Lucius eased Harry onto the soft sheets and turned to pull off his shoes. When he realized that Harry was only wearing slippers and socks he sighed.

“Mimsey, you are responsible for Master Harry's clothing, find it and take care of it.”

Mimsey nodded and started wringing his hands. “I is doing that. As soon as Master Harry is comfortable. Yes?”

“Yes.” Lucius took hold of the chain and examined the cuff around Harry's ankle. He snarled softly when he realized exactly what Chauncy had done. This was not going to go well for any of them.

“What ... what are you going to do to me?”

Lucius would have jumped out of his skin if he didn't have such firm control over himself. Harry should have been unconscious, instead he was looking at Lucius with pain-filled green eyes.

“I'm going to see that you're taken proper care of. That man was supposed to tell me the second you were brought in, not chain you up in the cellars.” Lucius started pulling at Harry's filthy clothing. “Let me get these filthy rags off you. We'll get you a bath ...” Lucius looked up to see Harry wincing in pain as he was jostled by his efforts to disrobe him. “What? You're still in pain? How can this be, the usual punishment only lasts seconds?”

Harry whimpered softly then said, “I don't know. The first round lasted about an hour. It got worse every time I tried to apparate out. Please.”

“Please, what, Harry?” Lucius tapped the anklet and held it between his finger tips as he examined it. “Someone, possibly Chauncy has ... altered this. It was supposed to do no more than give a jolt to the offending party while returning them to confinement. This ...” He turned his eyes to Harry again and realized that he was not paying attention anymore, he was curled up in a miserable ball on the bed and doing his best not to writhe in pain. “Harry, I'm sorry. There's no way for me to reverse this. I'll give you a potion that will help a bit.”

Harry started to shake his head then moaned. “No, don't bother. I'm ok. I can manage. It's not as bad as Cruciatus, just lasts longer.”

Lucius blinked then glared. He had no idea that Harry was this strong, or so used to pain.

“You're surprisingly cooperative.”

“If you were going to kill me, you'd have done it by now. And, frankly, I feel so bad, I don't care.”

Lucius handed Harry a Knock-out potion and urged him to drink it. Harry didn't fight him, he just swallowed it with a resigned expression on his face. He was soon out cold.

Lucius was still contemplating Harry when Draco came in with his things.

“Father, that ... that ... bastard had Harry's wand on a shelf by the door. Just out of reach. It's ... outrageous. I ...” Draco stopped speaking as it was unbecoming a Malfoy to sputter.

“Exactly. I'll be sending him a visitor soon.” Lucius eyed Harry for a moment.

Draco wrinkled his nose. “Father, what is that smell?”

“Harry. He's filthy. I wonder how even he could manage to get that dirty in a few days.”

Draco shrugged. “I have no idea. What do we do about it? The smell is atrocious.”

“We, or rather, I wash him. Tell the house-elf to run a bath.”

Draco just went into the bath room and called Mimsey to come and run the bath. He fidgeted a bit then went back into the bedroom to see if he could help in some way. He saw that Lucius had handled the job himself. Harry was now naked and wrapped in a blanket. The pile of clothing on the floor exuded an almost solid odor.

Lucius picked Harry up and carried him to the bathroom door. “Door, Draco, if you please.”

Draco couldn't understand how the door got closed but he obediently opened it so Lucius could carry Harry through into the warm chamber.

Lucius eased Harry onto his feet and tossed the now dirtied blanket on the floor. Mimsey whisked it away with a flick of one finger.

It didn't take long to get Harry into the tub, Lucius just lifted his feet over the edge and stood him in the warm water. Then he climbed in after. Draco had the presence of mind to wonder when he'd shed his shoes and robes. He was still wearing the rest of his clothing.

After easing Harry down to sit in the tub, Lucius settled behind him to keep him from sliding down and drowning. He picked up a wash cloth and started washing Harry, starting with his face. Harry scrunched his face up in obvious protest to the wet, soapy cloth.

“He's much too hot.” Lucius pressed his lips to Harry's forehead just above his eyebrow. “He's got a fever.”

Draco had turned his eyes away to preserve Harry's modesty and Draco's own, but now he looked back. “Why? Is he sick?”

Lucius gave him an irritated look. 'Obviously, he is. He wouldn't have a fever otherwise. I'll finish getting him cleaned up. You go floo the medi-wizard.”

“Yes, sir.” Draco headed out the door at a quick walk. He was going to go find that butler and hex him. Later.

Lucius continued to wash Harry, having the elf change the water twice. He noticed that Harry whimpered softly when his torso was washed but didn't think much of it, the filth in the water hid the blood. He thought Harry was just protesting being wrestled around, or perhaps the hex had given him a particularly nasty pain.

It took both Mimsey and Lucius to get Harry's hair washed along with another change of water. Lucius wrestled Harry's limp body out of the tub and carried him back into the bedroom.

“Draco, supervise getting him into some pyjamas, please. I need to change these wet things. I'll be right back.” Lucius strode out the door and disappeared down the hall, headed to his quarters and dry clothing, completely ignoring the fact that his fine woolen trousers were completely ruined.

Draco nodded, gazing at Harry where he lay on the bed. He was thinner than Draco ever remembered seeing him. And he had a spot of hectic color on each cheek that didn't bode well. Draco motioned to Mimsey and told him to fetch pajamas.

Mimsey popped out and back in a second later. “I is bringing good pyjamas from Master Lucius's closet. They is too big but they is doing until Master Harry gets his own things.” Mimsey eased the pajamas over Harry's feet and started to pull them up. A soft gasp made Draco move closer.

“What is it?”

Mimsey just pointed to the ugly, infected half gash, half scrape on Harry's side. “There. This is not good.”

Draco shuddered, the wound was oozing fluid and yellow-gray puss. It was red, swollen and hot looking. He sighed softly, trust Potter to neglect something like that. He told Mimsey to watch Harry while he Floo-ed the medi-wizard again. Mw Thomas said he'd be right there.

.

Lucius met the medi-wizard at the public floo in the huge main hall. He stepped through with a small black bag, one much bigger on the inside than the outside.

“Well, who is ill this time? I thought Narcissa was in France and Draco at school.” He doffed his soot cape and offered his hand to Lucius. Lucius took it and shook hands with the medi-wizard.

“Draco is home. There was some trouble over our ... change of attitude. It's neither one of them though, it's my ward. He's very ill. To make a long story short. He's been missing since Christmas break. I found him but he ran again. I have no idea what he's been doing with himself but he's not well at all. I want you to give him a good going over and heal him.”

Mw. Thomas gave Lucius a stunned look. “Bloody hell, Malfoy, don't tell me you've got Potter here.”

Lucius smirked and said suavely, “Very well, I won't. Come up stairs.”

So the medi-wizard followed Lucius up to the suite of rooms assigned to the newest member of the Malfoy family. He was greeted at the door by Draco who just pointed at his unconscious patient.

“He's got a bloody great gash in his side, and it's really infected.” Draco stepped aside, actually wringing his hands.

Mw. Thomas walked to the bed and took a good look at the wound. “Well, it's infected. And dirty. I see you made an effort to clean him up. He looks clean enough. But I'm going to have to lance that or it'll never heal. After I clear out the infection, I'll heal it, but if I heal it now I'll just seal the putrefaction in.” He carefully put his bag down on a small table and opened it. He fished around in it for a moment then came up with a bite stick and a shallow pan. “Lucius, if you will.”

Lucius stepped forward and settled on the bed, Draco joined him a moment later. “Draco, I don't ...”

Draco just held up a hand. “Father, you have no idea how strong, and stubborn he can be.”

“Very well. But, if you sick up, I'll be very disappointed.”

Draco glared for a second then bent to lay across Harry's legs.

Mw Thomas drew out his wand and began to chant, he chanted for a moment moving his wand up and down Harry's body. He stopped and set his wand aside for a moment to pick up a medical instrument instead. “I'll have to do this the old fashioned way. He's too weak and debilitated to manage any self-healing at all. Hold him tightly.”

Lucius nodded and eased behind Harry on the bed. He grasped Harry's wrists, one in each hand then crossed his arms across Harry's chest, hugging him. It was as effective as a straight jacket. On the medi-wizard's request, he twisted Harry's torso a bit to make it easier to reach the wound.

Mw. Thomas grimaced then quickly cut through the remaining scab and into the puffy flesh, releasing a gush of blood and puss into the shallow dish. Harry cried out softly and surged against the restraining hands. He subsided quickly when Lucius whispered in his ear. Pressing on the enflamed flesh brought another cry and gush of foul matter.

Draco cringed internally, the smell was disgusting.

It was due to get more so quite soon. Mw. Thomas took up a strange spoon like implement and his wand. He used a spell to heat the cauterizing iron red hot then quickly ran it through Harry's open wound. Harry screamed. Draco bit his tongue to keep from echoing him. Even Lucius looked a bit green.

“Now all we have to do is wait out the punishment spell and I'll finish my diagnosis. I'd like to know where it came from, please.”

So Lucius explained about his former butler and his assumptions ending, “And so. But he hasn't cried out except for a whimper or two earlier. Has it worn off yet.”

“No.” The raw, hoarse sound startled them all. “It's still in effect. It doubled it's time every time I tried to escape.”

“And how many times did you try?” Mw. Thomas flicked his wand over Harry.

“Four. I hurt. Can you do anything?” Harry gave the medi-wizard a hopeful look.

“No, I'm truly sorry. Lucius?”

“I'll try. Perhaps I can ease the pain, but I don't think I can stop it.” He waved his wand over Harry who sighed and shuddered. “No?” Harry shook his head. “Did it ease any?” Harry nodded but kept his eyes shut.

While Lucius had been working the medi-wizard had been rummaging in his bag again. “Here. Healing Potion, Sleeping Draught, and a Nutrient Drink. Down the hatch.”

Harry eased himself up on one elbow and drank the potions with a shudder. He fell back and curled up on his uninjured side.

Draco wondered aloud at his attitude.

Harry opened one eye and mumbled, “If you wanted me dead, I would be. And you don't call a medi-wizard for someone you're going to torture. At least, I don't think you do. I'm sleeping now.” And with those words, he dozed off.

Lucius shook his head, “That boy's got nerve, you have to admit. Medi-wizard, if you would. Draco, please stay with him.”

Draco just nodded and settled in a chair.

.

“Well, what all is wrong with the boy?” Lucius rubbed his forehead fretfully. Potter, no, Harry, had always neglected himself, according to Draco. Now Lucius started putting things together in his mind, and he didn't like his addition much.

“Basically, not that much. Long term malnutrition, short term starvation, dehydration, infected wounds and pneumonia. I'll leave you some potions and have my best Brew Master make some specifically for him. They'll come tomorrow, I think. Or the day after. Make sure he has the red one every morning, the blue one with each meal and the yellow one in the evening. I'll be back in a week to check him over. Call me if you need to.” Mw. Thomas fished again in his bag and pulled out a rack of potions. “I should have done this earlier. My upset is no excuse.” He handed the rack to Lucius who handed it off to a house-elf. Mw. Thomas accepted the soot cape from the waiting house-elf and stepped into the fireplace. He dropped his floo powder and announced, “Thomas House.” in a firm voice. He disappeared in a flair of green fire.

Lucius turned and went back up the stairs to see how Harry was doing.

“My Dragon, is he sleeping or passed out?”

Draco shrugged then eased away from the bed when Harry moved restlessly.

“I think it's about half and half. His resistance to pain is astounding. I ... oh, you don't know this spell. Granger invented it. See?” Draco made a motion with his wand. “Dolor Modus” A bar appeared over Harry's head, it was mostly red. “The more red the more pain he's in. He should be screaming, but all he does is moan once in a while.”

Lucius sighed. “I'm not sure what to do for him. A potion won't do any good and knockout draughts are notorious for leaving the user worse off when they fade.”

Draco sighed too. “And Potter ... Harry is notorious too. For having bad reactions to the oddest things. I think it's best if we leave well enough alone.”

“You're probably right. But I don't like it. Family should help family.”

“I know. But feeling helpless around Potter is nothing new to me. He's the most annoying git imaginable.”

Lucius took the chair Draco had vacated. “You go rest. I'll sit with him for now. Come back at 3pm. We'll take it in turns to watch him until he wakes up.”

Draco walked to the door. “Very well. I'll be back at three. Shall I send up some tea?”

“Please.” Lucius settled back to watch Harry.

The boy was amazingly silent, almost as if he didn't believe he had the right to cry out. Or was afraid to do so.

Lucius finally had enough and offered Harry a sleeping draught which he accepted without complaint. It worked well enough and Harry fell into a light doze.

Lucius watched as Harry slept, moving restlessly from time to time. His tea arrived and he sipped at the hot Earl Grey.

Three o'clock came and Draco tapped on the door.

Lucius looked up from his book and called softly, “Come in, quietly.”

The harsh croak from the bed made Lucius start and Draco smirk. “It's Ok, I'm awake.”

Lucius turned to give Harry a startled look. “Well, you shouldn't be. That potion should have kept you sleeping for another hour. How long have you been awake?”

“Not sure, a while. I still hurt so I was just ...laying here.”

“Enduring like a good little slave. Damn it, Harry, speak up and let us know what you need.” Draco advanced on the bed with a scowl on his face. Harry just glowered back. He collapsed onto the bed, letting his head drop onto the pillow. Lucius scowled at Draco who just shrugged. “It's true. Give him some more potion.”

Lucius shook his head. “We can't. One, it's not working properly and two, it's addictive. If we overdose him, it could cause other problems.”

Harry was barely conscious again, but he understood the word 'addictive'. “No more potion. I don't want it.” Then he was out again.

Draco produced a book from his pocket and settled in the chair. “I already ate, the elves have something ready for you in the small dining room. Four hours?”

“Yes. Watch him carefully, his fever is getting worse. When I come back it will be time for his potions again. I'll need you to stay and help me.”

“Very well.” Draco turned his attention to his book and Lucius left to eat and rest. He wondered how on earth that boy had managed to survive.

.

Lucius returned in four hours, fed, rested and ready to give Harry his potions. Harry had other ideas. He was completely out of it but combative. He spit the first potion all over. Draco commented that the taste alone was enough to make that happen.

Lucius slid into the bed with Harry, sitting behind him and grasping both thin wrists in one hand. He tipped Harry's head back with the other and Draco pried Harry's mouth open, dumped the potion in and clamped his free hand over his mouth. Harry swallowed under protest, squirming in Lucius's grip. They managed to get the next one down him as well, but Draco had to sit on his flailing legs to do it.

“Is it going to be like this every time?” Lucius felt shattered, he couldn't believe the strength hidden in that slender form. It was somewhat like wrestling an eel. He thought they had Harry confined but he always managed to get a hand, foot or his head free. He and Draco were both worn out again.

“Probably. I don't think Madam Pomfrey ever got a potion down him without the help of at least Weasley. I'm going to bed. Call me when it's time for his next dose. And ... I think his fever is worse.”

Lucius just nodded, the body in his grip was inferno hot. “I'll just stay here. He seems to relax ...” Just then Harry shifted and snuggled against Lucius's chest. Like a puppy seeking comfort from touch. “See? He relaxes when someone touches him. I'll just stay like this. Cover him, will you?”

Draco pulled the covers up over Harry, removed Lucius's boots, for which he was gratefully thanked then left.

Lucius settled himself, remembering when Draco had had Dragon Pox and he'd done the same thing for him. Harry nuzzled into his chest with a soft sigh, settling more comfortably and thankfully relieving the strain on Lucius's arms.

“Hush, child, sleep. You're safe here, whether you believe it or not. Shhh.”

Harry dozed and Lucius hummed softly. He wondered what lullabies Harry was used to hearing. Lucius dozed too, lulled by his own humming.

.

Harry dreamed. His ... someone ... was humming softly to him. He felt hot, sticky and very ill. The firm chest behind him vibrated in a comforting way and the arms around him were gently holding him. He relaxed completely for the first time in what felt like months.

Lucius sighed in his sleep. He subconsciously thought that Harry would wake if he moved, he was wrong but he stilled in his sleep anyway.

Harry woke slightly, once, then fell into a semi-comatose state brought on by illness, dehydration and starvation. He was a great deal more ill than anyone realized. His immune system, never the best, was totally suppressed by his exposure to cold, bad, then lack of, food, and stress. The fact that he'd been eating nothing but house-elf gruel for the last six days didn't help either.

Lucius woke to a sweat drenched chest and a very ill Harry. His fever had broken then spiked. Lucius snapped out an order to the house-elf on duty and headed for the bathroom, carrying Harry. He realized that Harry was much too light, what he'd at first taken for youthful slenderness he now realized was something else.

When he'd been washing Harry, he'd paid attention only to getting the dirt off him, now he took a good look. He didn't like what he saw one bit.

“Elf, get that tub full. Now. This fever has to come down.” He settled Harry on the thick cotton rug in front of the tub.

“Yes, master, I is doing it. Cold, or room temperature.”

“Room temperature first, you fool.”

The elf didn't object to being ridiculed, he didn't know much about sick wizards. He made sure  the water was the same temperature as the room and laid out towels.

Lucius stripped down to his pants this time and picked Harry up. He eased him into the water. Harry didn't twitch.

Lucius began to swab Harry with a wet cloth, dribbling the cool water over his neck and shoulders. Harry never moved at all.

“Get Draco.”

The elf just popped out and returned a few seconds later to tell Lucius that Draco was coming.

It didn't take Draco long to get there, his knock seemed very loud in the quiet of the bathroom.  Lucius called to Draco to enter and when he did Draco just stared for a moment.

“Father, what is it?” He decided that the sight of his father in nothing but underwear and Harry in pajama bottoms, sitting in a bathtub was just weird. And a bit disturbing.

“Harry's fever is too high. There are a few fever reducing draughts in the medicine cabinet in the still room, please go get all there is.”

“I'll be right back.” Draco hurried out the door, realizing with some disgust that the still room was in the basement under the kitchen, nearly all the way across the house. He hurried.

It didn't take him that long to return but to Lucius it seemed forever. Harry was shivering now even though he was wrapped in a blanket with a spell-warmed towel wrapped around his dripping hair. His fever wasn't breaking permanently, it would break, Harry would sweat, then the cycle began again.

Lucius was more worried than he cared to admit.

“Father, here are the draughts. But, I think we should call the medi-wizard again.”

“I believe you're right. I'll hold off on giving Harry any of this. I'll call Mw. Thomas and be right back.” But this was not to be. The second Lucius started to ease off the bed, Harry became agitated. He clutched at Lucius and managed to tangle his fingers in one sleeve. He refused to let go. “Well, this is interesting. You go call the medi-wizard, explain the situation to him and ask him to come back.”

Draco just turned and hurried out. His call to the medi-wizard brought him through the floo, dressed in pajamas and a dressing gown. It was late evening and he'd already gotten ready for bed. Being called out like this wasn't that unusual for him so he wasn't embarrassed to be in his house coat and slippers.

“How bad is it?”

“I don't know. Father is worried though.”

Draco let Mw. Thomas up to Harry's chambers.

“Lucius, what's going on?”

Lucius told the medi-wizard everything that he'd tried and how Harry's fever wouldn't break. Mw. Thomas nodded, “I see. The pneumonia is worse than I'd expected. I'll give you a draught for the fever. A common one isn't working so I'll have to give you a stronger one. And an immune system booster. If he can't eat, a common nutrient potion should do. He's just so debilitated that nothing's taking hold. How's his fluid intake?”

“Nil. He's still unconscious. I'm afraid to try to get him to drink. He might choke.”

“No! I'm afraid I didn't make myself plain. He's extremely dehydrated, he's got to drink.”

Lucius nodded then pressed his cheek against Harry's forehead. “He's so hot!”

“Fluids, potions, keep him covered. When he sweats, get him to drink more. If he has cravings when he wakes, humor him. Now. I'll leave these potions, along with the other's I've prescribed. I brought them through too. The brew master got them done in record time.”

Lucius motioned to Draco to take them, which he did and put them on the dresser. “I'll get his usual doses down him now. You can help, if you will.”

Mw. Thomas came forward to help Lucius give Harry his medicine and found out that Harry was a lot more dangerous than anyone could imagine. He fought like two devils, flailing and kicking, biting and scratching. Draco advanced to help as well and Mw. Thomas backed out of the way. He'd wait until Harry was properly restrained then administer the potion.

Draco eased onto Harry's legs and Lucius wrapped Harry in a restraining hug, Harry subsided at once. Mw. Thomas quickly opened Harry's mouth, dumped the potion in and clamped his hand over his mouth, holding his nose until Harry swallowed to breathe. It only took seconds to get the next potion down, but the third one took a while. Harry, unconscious or not, had figured out that, if he didn't open his mouth, no one could dump disgusting tasting fluids into it.

Lucius sighed. “Now what? I hate to force his mouth open, we might really hurt him.”

Draco thought for a moment. “Let me try.” Lucius just nodded at him to go ahead. “Harry, you have to take this. It's a potion to make you well. Come now, you want to be well don't you?” Draco's soft, coaxing tone succeeded better than anyone could have thought. Harry obediently opened his mouth and swallowed the potion. Draco fished in his pocket for something, finding it he pressed it to Harry's lips whispering softly, “Good, Harry, here. Chocolate. It'll take the taste away.” Harry allowed Draco to slip the morsel of chocolate between his lips and settled back against Lucius.

Mw. Thomas nodded his approval to Draco and announced that he was going home to bed, and that they were to wake him if there was any downturn in Harry's condition.

Draco saw the medi-wizard out.

.

Lucius woke at dawn to a soft moan and the realization that it was time for Harry to take more potions.

“Harry, are you awake?”

“Mmmmm, Ron, sleep. Go 'way.”

“Mr. Potter! Wake up!”

Harry started and looked around, bleary eyed and confused. “You have some potions to take. Are you awake enough to take them without choking?”

Harry eyed Lucius for a moment then dropped back on the bed. “Yeah. ... Um ... what the hell is going on? Why ... where ... fuck!”

“Language, boy. Here.” Lucius wondered if Harry would take the potion or turn stubborn and refuse.

Instead of that, Harry sniffed the potion carefully, examined it then swallowed it with a shudder.

“It’s not poisonous, I promise. And, if you remember, I never break a promise.”

“Yeah. But, the way these things taste, they ought to be poisonous. Gimmie.” Harry held out his hand for the next potion.

Lucius frowned at Harry's 'Gimmie' but refrained from comment. He handed Harry the next potion, Harry examined it the same way as he had the first one then downed it. The third potion went the way of the first two then Harry's limited strength gave out and he collapsed onto the bed again.

“I feel like I could just die. How sick am I?”

“Very. Pneumonia, and I'd really like to know how you got that. And dehydration, starvation, malnutrition and who knows what else we'll discover when you get rid of the major symptoms. Sleep.”

“Yeah, and I want to know ...”

Harry got a slightly confused look on his face. Lucius just assured him that all his questions would be answered when he felt better and could pay attention. He eased Harry down in the bed until he looked comfortable, covered him, told him to ring the little bell at his bedside if he needed anything and went away.

.

Albus Dumbledore was worried, very much so. Harry Potter was still missing. Draco Malfoy had to be sent home due to the entire House of Slytherin hexing him, not to mention beating him up. And Severus Snape was in a snit. This was not a good thing as he tended to take it out on the Gryffindor students and the parents were complaining. He'd spoken to him but all he'd done was snarl, “I've had it. I've taught those ungrateful brats for years and what do I get? Pranks in potions, against my own godson. And it doesn't help that Granger and Weasley, yes, Weasley have been escorting him. Bah! Enough!” and he'd left in a high dudgeon.

Yes, things were not going well at all, and the fact that one of his major sources of financing had dried up didn't help.

Harry now had a guardian, Dumbledore couldn't find out who though. He'd have to find out and make sure that the couple understood that Harry mustn't be interfered with. His training was essential to the war effort. He would have to floo around and find out who they were.

.

Severus Snape was indeed in a snit. His house had let him down badly and Voldemort had a nasty way of punishing him at the worst times imaginable. It usually happened between the hours of one and three in the morning or at supper.

He turned a small bottle in his hand and decided that he was going to be taking a small dose of Dreamless Sleep for the next three nights. He had to get some real sleep in, he was beginning to have real problems staying awake during his supervision of detentions and study hall.

A chirp from his small portable floo let him know that someone was calling him. He wasn't supposed to have a floo here in Hogwarts but he wasn't about to let a 300 year old rule keep him from his work.

“Yes?”

“Severus, Mw. Thomas here. I have some potions that I need made. The client is very highly placed and very well off. Couldn't hurt to do this one.”

Severus thought about it for a moment. “You know I need to make a name for myself. This job isn't going to last past Voldemort's demise. But things are a bit difficult just now. Perhaps next time?”

“It's for a child.” Dr. Thomas's voice took on a pleading note.

“For a child, I'll do it. Send me the particulars.” A roll of parchment emerged from the miniature fire pan. “I have some of these on hand, I'll send them at once. I'll begin to brew more immediately, you'll have them as soon as I can brew them. Two days at most.”

“Thank you, Severus. I'll see that you don't suffer when the time comes.”

“I trust so, Thomas, I truly do. Good-bye.” The green flames snuffed out.

Severus unrolled the parchment and started to read. He settled at his desk and started making notes. He was going to have to brew one of the potions every week to make sure that it was fresh and potent so he might as well just brew them all at the same time.

.

Ron owled his parents everything Hermione could tell him about Muggle London and any place Harry might be hiding. He was past scared and into terrified. Hermione, Seamus and another Muggleborn from Ravenclaw had told stories that raised the hair on his arms and actually made some of the younger Gryffindor students cry.

Hermione was short tempered and took it out on everyone around her. The other Gryffindors were avoiding her nearly as much as they had third year when she was using a time turner to keep up with her classes.

After sending off the owl, Ron headed back to the Gryffindor Common room. He ran into a Slytherin fourth year who sneered at him and started around him. Ron could never tell exactly what it was about the boy that sent his temper off, but he completely lost it and hexed the boy with a Bat-bogey Hex that sent him, weeping and wailing, to the Hospital Wing. And earned him three hours of detention, thankfully it was with Professor Sprout. Filch was completely out of hand and Dumbledore didn't seem to care.

.

Harry woke, hot and sticky, and realized that he was laying on someone. Someone who was gently running their fingers through his bangs. It felt really good.

“Mmmm, nice.” The stroking stopped. “Oh, who?” Harry levered himself up and turned to look right into the blue-grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy. He started but was kept from falling off the bed by a strong arm that encircled his shoulders.

“Easy there. How do you feel?”

“Terrible. What am I doing here?” Harry eased off Lucius's chest and managed to get to the middle of the bed. “Why ... oh! I ... remember. Or did I dream. Did you ... are you?”

Lucius eased out of the bed and made sure that Harry was covered. “Don't distress yourself. I swear I will do you no harm. Wizards Oath. Satisfied?”

Harry examined Lucius's face carefully then nodded. “Yes. Ron told me about a Wizards Oath. But don't you have to do something with your wand?”

Lucius gave Harry the first genuine smile he'd ever seen on the man's face. “Only if I was still fifteen. Rest. You have potions in ten minutes. If you feel up to it, I'll explain more. But we have to be sure that you're not going to have a relapse. Lay back down.”

“Um ... ok. But you really need to do some serious explaining.” Harry settled more comfortably in his bed, watching Lucius carefully.

Lucius gazed serenely back. “Explanations will come. I promise. But not until you're well. Potions.” Harry stared at the pocket watch Lucius had produced from his vest. “Draco will be here in two minutes.”

“How can you be so sure? Um ... I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious.”

Lucius nodded. “Of course. Take a look.” He unfastened the watch from it's special fastening in his vest and handed it to Harry.

Harry pressed on the stem and smiled as the cover popped open, inside the watch were the usual hands to tell the time but there were also three other hands. The delicate golden hands had names engraved on them in neat Spencerian script, one with Draco's name, one with Narcissa's and one with his. Draco's pointed to 'in transit', his pointed to 'gravely ill' and Narcissa's pointed to “Isle de Fraises'. He blinked, his name was in Lucius's watch?

Harry handed the watch back without comment, but he got a funny feeling in his chest, sort of warm.

“Draco will be bringing your potions. I want you to drink them all. Then there will be a small treat.”

Harry wondered at that until Draco entered the room with three vials of potion. He came over to the bed and handed one to Harry. Harry looked at him for a moment then looked at the potion. He remembered vaguely, checking out the potions once before so he forbore to do that again. He upended the potion into his mouth, swallowed and suppressed a shudder, three times. Draco tucked the vials into a pocket and smirked slightly.

“Draco ... attitude.” Draco stopped smirking and nodded. “Now, Harry, I promised you a treat and here it is.” Lucius produced a small box from somewhere. Harry opened it and looked inside, it contained two chocolate truffles.

“Thank you.” Harry gave Lucius a somewhat dazzled smile. “My favorites.” Harry ate the chocolates, taking his time. Lucius settled in the chair nearest the bed and Draco lounged on the foot. Harry glanced up from his enjoyment of the confections, feeling their eyes on him.

“Do I have chocolate on my face?”

Draco answered. “No, I was just wondering how you really are. How do you feel?”

Harry finished off his treat and slumped back on his pillows. “Hot, sticky, stuffy and ...” He stopped to cough harshly. “Generally gross. I think ... I think I nearly died.”

Lucius started, he'd hoped Harry wouldn't remember. “You nearly did. Your fever was so high that you were delirious. But I was very proud to see that, no matter how sick you got, you checked the potions before you took them. Are you still thirsty? You should be. It was the devil of a job to get you to drink potions, never mind anything else. The doctor said that you should drink lots of fluids. So, what kind of juice do you like?”

Harry glanced up from where he was picking at the hem of the sheet. “Orange juice. And cranberry.”

“Orange juice?” Draco's forehead furrowed in puzzlement. “What kind of orange juice? Pumpkin juice is orange. And so is ... um ... mango?”

Harry glared at Draco for a second then realized that Draco wasn't making fun of him, he really couldn't figure it out.

“No, the juice of oranges. I like it and it's supposed to be really good for colds and stuff.”

Lucius just nodded to the hovering house-elf who popped out quickly.

“If you want the juice of oranges, that's what you will have. And ... Cranberries. Are you sure? It's very bitter.”

Harry thought about that for a moment. “The only kind I've ever had was cranberry cocktail. Aunt Petunia got it at Tescos. I liked it, but no one else did. I only had it the one time. If it's a lot of trouble forget it. I'll do fine with whatever you give me.”

Just then the elf popped back in with a silver tray on which it carried an ice pitcher of orange juice and a glass. Harry looked at the pitcher with interest, it was tall and slender with a strange design. The top had a small attached container that looked like a huge test tube. It was filled with ice. Harry decided that it was a very clever way to keep the juice cold without diluting it. He drank a glass straight down and accepted another to sip.

“Oh, that's good. I was really thirsty. I still don't feel really good, but ... I think I'll survive.”

“I'm delighted to hear you say so.” Lucius nodded to Draco who eased off the bed, careful to avoid shaking it. “You stay here please. I need to clean up and have something to eat.”

Draco just nodded and settled in the chair that his father had vacated. “You should take a nap too. You've been up all night with Harry.”

Harry absorbed this without expression. He was in a situation that he'd never expected and between being so ill and very off balance, he was keeping his own council with a vengeance.

What was going on? What did the Malfoys want? Why were they being nice to him? Would Lucius keep his sworn oath? He was going to find out. Whether he wanted to or not.

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