Chapter Text
** If you’d prefer to read the edited version and without font changes, click to. The Men Who Loved: Parts 1-4 **
Harry
Draco
Hermione
All other characters
Hidden under the safety and guise of his father’s invisibility cloak, Harry Potter stood in the doorway to the Great Hall of the only real home he’d ever known: Hogwarts Castle. It was over. The madman he’d been fighting for seven long years was finally dead. The war had ended, though the reality of it would take a while to fully sink in. In the meantime, chaos and pain had been left in its wake.
Noise flowed from the hall: crying, screaming and chatter, along with both stillness and constant motion surrounded him. His vision was blurry from fatigue, but he saw the Weasley’s, Ron and Hermione with them. He couldn’t bring himself to join them just yet. He couldn’t think straight. He needed sleep. Sleep, food and a shower were his next three priorities.
Harry turned toward Gryffindor tower and his bed. Still taking in the scene he had only just left, all he seemed to recall was one person in the middle of it. A tall, blonde headed boy helping distribute potions and heal those who were injured: Draco Malfoy. Perhaps it was the stark contrast he provided to the vision, what Harry thought was evil, present among those he loved as if he’d belonged there all along. That “evil” was helping, not hurting, when it mattered most. He’d consider it later. He was far too exhausted to hold a thought right then.
The next thing Harry remembered was waking in his bed and painfully rolling over finding a tray of food and water. He ate and drank as quickly as his sore, broken body would allow, before collapsing under the warm heat of the shower. Returning to bed with clean pajamas and clean sheets (house elves, he assumed), Harry was once again in a sound slumber.
When he first started to wake again, and the most recent events slowly began coming back to him, he wondered if it was real. Had he really defeated Riddle? Was it all truly over? He had no idea how long he’d slept to know how long it had been since he found himself victorious over the enemy. What he did know was that now was the start of a new time.
Pulling himself from the comfort of bed, Harry opened the note lying next to a fresh tray of food and drink. McGonagall wanted to see him. As much as he longed to crawl back under the covers, he knew he had to deal with the aftermath of it all. He finished eating, dressed leisurely and headed to the headmistress’s office.
“How are you Mr. Potter?”
“Headmistress, please, call me Harry.”
“Harry then.”
“I’m still quite tired. Thank you for the food that was delivered. It was much needed.”
“You are more than welcome. Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger have left a message for you that they are staying at The Burrow. They didn’t want to wake you, but to be sure you got the message. They requested you join them or owl them as soon as you can.”
“I will.”
“What are your plans now?”
“I haven’t thought much about it. I will likely return to Grimmauld Place until I sort it all out.”
“You will always have a place here, should you want it.”
“Thank you, ma’am. That’s very kind.”
“This is your home, Harry.” Harry’s heart warmed at her declaration and he nodded. “The ministry is determined to get to you soon, I’m afraid. I am unsure how much longer I’ll be able to hold them off.”
“If we schedule for this evening, will that be okay?
“It should. I’ll contact Minister Shacklebolt and follow up with you when I hear. I’ll have a house elf leave a note as an owl would wake you. With your permission, I’ll also send a house elf to Grimmauld Place ahead of your arrival with some food and fresh linens.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.”
“Harry, what you have done for the entire wizarding world is beyond anything which can be expressed. You have given safety, peace and hope among so many other things. We will forever be indebted to you for your sacrifice. You, Harry Potter, are a Gryffindor in the truest sense of the meaning.”
“I appreciate that, ma’am, but I did not do it alone.”
“No, I am aware. We are grateful to everyone who played a role. Now, before you head back to sleep, I do insist that you go straight to Madame Pomfrey.”
“But head-“
“I won’t take no for an answer here, Harry. I am sure you are just fine, but for my own piece of mind, I’d like her to check you over.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Harry really wanted to just sleep. The hospital wing was not where he wanted to be. However, he had promised the headmistress. So, Harry sat patiently on the edge of a bed as Madam Pomfrey tutted, considering all of his injuries.
“Mr. Potter, I simply cannot understand how you are getting by right now.”
“Oh, well, I’m in quite a bit of pain, actually. I just haven’t given my injuries much thought yet.”
The healer pursed her lips in frustration. “Of course, you haven’t.”
“Er, I’ve been a bit busy.”
“Yes, well, now we will fix you up. You have two broken bones, three pulled muscles and multiple cuts and bruises in addition to being severely dehydrated and malnourished.”
“I lived on the run for a while. We didn’t have proper food.”
“I have here some pain relieving, healing and nutritional potions for internal issues and an ointment for the external. You’ll need to follow them with this sleeping draught and sleep. When you wake, you may leave.”
“Madam Pomfrey, I need to meet with the headmistress and Kingsley this evening. I cannot sleep long.”
“No worries, Mr. Potter, at this dosing, you will only sleep three hours. You will be awake and as good as new in time for your meeting.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Now, take these and let’s get you to sleep.”
Waking from the three-hour sleep left Harry feeling like a new man. Most of the pain was gone. He still felt a bit weak and was far too skinny, but it wasn’t much different than times after he had been at the Dursleys.
He made it to the headmistress’s office just in time for the meeting. It had gone well, he supposed. It was terribly long and redundant, but it was over. Kingsley thanked him for his service and offered him a spot as an Auror starting immediately. He’d think about it, but he’ll likely accept the offer. What else could he do but fight the bad guys?
Harry didn’t have anything to pack. He, Ron and Hermione hadn’t returned seventh year, so none of his things had been moved in. Hermione must have taken care of all their belongings from their time on the run. When he was sure Kingsley and his team had cleared out, he returned to the headmistress’s office.
“Oh, hello, Harry.”
“Hello, ma’am. May I use the floo in your office to leave? I hadn’t thought far enough ahead to ask earlier when we met.”
“Certainly, however, it will be a minute or so. Aurors are currently using it to floo the ministry. We are housing some of those who are accused of war crimes here in the castle and the specifics are still being discussed.”
“Are the Malfoy’s here in the castle?”
“Narcissa and Draco are here under confinement while the ministry makes arrangements. Lucius was sent to Azkaban due to the extreme level of crimes he’s accused of.”
“Where are they staying?”
“In the south wing. Why do you ask?”
“I have something I need to give Malf...er, Draco.”
“Can I be certain you will not be causing trouble?”
“No ma’am, nothing like that. The fighting and war have ended, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Very well, I will write down their location for you.“
“Thank you.”
Harry took his time getting to the Malfoy's room. He was in no hurry. He had nowhere to be ever again, in fact. Once there, he knocked and Narcissa Malfoy opened the door within seconds.
“Hello, Mrs. Malfoy, ma’am.”
“Mr. Potter, what can I do for you?”
“I’d like to speak to Draco, if I may.”
“What business do you have to discuss with my son?”
“I have something of his I’d like to return.”
“Come in then. I will call for him.”
It hadn’t been long when Draco appeared in the doorway and simply stared at Harry. Malfoy looked different. He still stood tall, but his back was more relaxed. The worry lines in his face were softer and his eyes less piercing, but Harry could see in them the fear they held that dreadful night, 6th year in the bathroom. The fear he saw now though, was not as anxious or desperate, but more one of…surrender?
“Hi. Er, I have this for you.”
Harry handed Malfoy the wand. “My wand.” Draco took the familiar hawthorn wand and ran his fingers over it reverently. “Isn’t this the wand you killed him with though?”
“It is.”
Draco looked uncertain for a minute before he asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would you give this back to me?”
“Because it’s yours. You should have it back.”
“I’m not allowed to cast magic right now.” Draco answered, almost to himself. “Do you think they’ll take it from me?”
“Oh,” Harry hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t know.”
“I fear when they move us, they will confiscate anything magical we have.”
“Well, I can keep it for you, if you like.”
Draco handed it over, hesitantly. “I suppose I don’t have a choice.”
“I’ll hold onto it until you’re able to have it back.”
“Will the ministry try to take it from you since it’s the one you used in the end?”
“No, I’ll hide it. They won’t get it from me.”
Harry turned to leave, but had another thought and turned back. “Hey, Malfoy..”
“Yes.”
“The war is over. I’m tired of fighting. What do you say we start over?”
Draco simply nodded before closing the door and turning back to his mother who sat comfortably in front of the fire.
“What did Mr. Potter have for you?”
“My wand.”
“How did he come to have your wand, Draco?
“When he was captured and brought to the manor, he took it from me.”
“I see. Where is it now?”
“He kept it.” Narcissa raised an eyebrow in question. “I asked him to. I assume they will confiscate anything magical we have in our possession when they come to escort us to the ministry. Leaving my wand with Potter will keep it out of their hands, I hope.”
“That was insightful on your part.”
“I suppose. Mother, what do you think will happen to us?”
“I am truly uncertain. I imagine we’ll be taken to the ministry’s holding until our trials.”
“What about Father?”
“I don’t have much hope for your father, I’m afraid. The ministry has done away with the Dementors, so he won’t be given the kiss. I don’t expect he’ll ever be released from Azkaban though.”
“What do you think of that?”
“That’s where he belongs. I’m horrible to say, but I wish he’d been locked away a long time ago. Draco, I’m sorry, I know he is your father.”
“He is, but I agree with you.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t have done more to protect you. I’m sorry I failed you.”
“Mother, you have not failed me. It was your love that likely saved me. Without you, I would have given up years ago. You are part of the reason I held on.”
“Oh, darling, I wish I agreed with you. I beg you to know and remember how very proud of you I am. You have shown strength beyond what your father ever has. You were determined and committed to doing what you had to do. My hope for you, Draco, is that you are able to heal and succeed. Whatever it means for you, I hope you find happiness. You deserve it.”
“Mother…”
“I also hope that someday, you’ll be able to forgive me. I’m not saying I deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you find it in your heart for me someday.”
“Mother, will I ever see you again once they take us?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know, darling.”
Narcissa Malfoy was not an affectionate woman. Draco could count on one hand the number of times she’d hugged him. In that moment, however, she reached out as a mother and hugged her son. Draco soaked in the warmth he felt from it and tried to tuck some of the feeling away for later. This may be the last time anyone ever touched him in comfort and love.