Chapter Text
Malfoy had never gotten that answer to his question, but the other hadn't protested as he led them home.
It's hard, looking at Harry, trying to not feel as if he could've changed something. He had killed Dumbledore, what if everything could've been different, better if he didn't. He protected his family only in return for someone else to lose theirs.
The manor is quiet these days. Father and mother were taken to receive judgment from the court, Merlin knows how many weeks it'll take for the case to be begun with everything going on.
Draco had been cleared, since he had been taken into the fold as a child. However, apparently some mandatory check ups will be done. How irritating.
A lot of the responsibilities of the head of the house have begun falling onto his shoulders. It's been a learning curve even when he's been preparing for it his whole life. He's been doing everything from staff management to finances.
There's been a bill put out to the death eater families to pay, it's making a sinkhole in the manor's expenses. He might have to fire more staff soon.
Draco personally picks up the tray of food from the kitchen, giving a nod of acknowledgement to the people and house elves working.
Walking through the halls he's lived his whole life in feel different now. Different than when he was a wide eyed child trailing after his mother, different than when the dark lord had resided in the manor. It's calm, quiet. Too quiet.
He nudges the fine oak door open with his hip. The room is dim, light peeking in through the gap in the curtains. Draco sets the tray down on the night table. He draws the curtains open.
“It's already mid-day.” He turns to Harry, the boy sitting up, hair tussled. “Did you manage to get some sleep?”
Draco talks even though he's quite sure he won't be receiving an answer. It's been a few days and Harry seems to be sticking to his silence.
The savior doesn't too much these days, mostly sleeps, eats, stares out of a window in silence and sleeps more. Before the Slytherin might've called it pathetic. Now it's just.. he doesn't even really know what to call it.
Harry's eyes drift to the tray of food. “It's a spanish omelette, salad on the side, try to stomach at least some of it.” Draco nudges the tray closer. Slowly the brunette begins eating away at it.
Draco fills the silence with chatter, mostly just talking about what's happening. It looks like Harry is zoning out but oh well.
“They’re calling all the 7th years back to Hogwarts for half a year, apparently to finish our education with how messed up the curriculum became with the school in hands of death eaters.”
That seems to catch Harry's attention. They make eye contact for a few moments.
“The houses have also been broken apart. They still get sorted but the different classes and dormitories were creating too much alienation between the students, so they've just mixed all of the houses and then divided them into dorms. I'm not sure how to feel about it.”
There's some hope for a response, it's at least caught Harry's attention. Draco waits, hopes, but nothing. The Gryffindor continues the mundane motion of eating.
He sighs, gaze raking over the other. Harry's a mess, hair greasy and tangled from not washing or bushing it. There's dark eye bags sunken into his skin. Just a general mess.
He doesn't know how to help.
Draco opens the drawer of the nightstand, pulling out a hairbrush. “I'm going to brush your hair.” He isn't asking, Draco needs to do at least something unless he wishes to go insane with the guilt eating away at his insides.
Harry doesn't say anything as Draco moves to sit on the bed with him, beginning the tedious process of detangling and brushing out the hair. He knows it'll make it frizzy, but it's the best he's got right now. He brushes through the locks, trying to be gentle with all of the knots.
Never in the seven years of wishing Potter to be gone, did he think he'd up taking care of the other like this.
By the time he's done, Harry's finished with the food. Draco knows this is a little bit experimental but he casts a cleaning charm on Harry's hair “Scourgify..”, before tying it up with a ribbon.
“You should take a bath. I'll have the elves draw one for you.” Harry shakes his head. “I'm tired, not today.” He avoids eye contact.
Harry's voice is quiet, it cracks from all the tears and quiet. Draco hesitates before nodding. “Okay, not today.” At least he talked, suppose that's a win, after many days.
Draco gathers the dishes, moving towards the door to leave. “The weather is nice today, maybe you should take a walk.” He suggests.
Harry nods, but simply burrows back under the covers, seemingly no intention of getting up.