Chapter Text
January 2012
Markus Jones looked at the two empty chairs in the therapy circle. The new people that were supposed to be joining them were late. He had no idea who they were. The medic that did the initial intake had forgotten to write down their names, so the only thing he had to go on was that the patient was a woman with a permanent injury on her left leg, and she had requested to bring a companion with her for support. He glanced at his watch—they were five minutes in the session already. It was time to start. "I am guessing our new members cannot—"
The door opened behind him. He sighed and turned to the newcomers. There was a man he didn't quite recognize, but felt he probably knew from somewhere. Unfortunately, before he could determine exactly where he had seen him before, he was wholly distracted by a familiar shock of red curly hair. She looked different dressed in a plain shirt and jeans, and she walked with a noticeable hobble, but as a life-long Holyhead Harpies fan, he had no trouble recognizing the ex-captain that got the Harpies into the European Cup for the first time: Ginny Weasley.
Merlin's beard. He nearly dropped his notebook. Ginny Weasley in the flesh. He was fanboying. Would it be weird if he asked for an autograph? Would it be—
"I told you I knew where the room was," said the man rather cheerfully, and Markus pulled himself together and shifted his focus back to the present.
Ginny Weasley snorted. "Right. That's why we walked in a circle at the east wing twice."
The man gave a sheepish laugh and shrugged. Markus took the opportunity to better look at the man. He had short platinum blond hair, tall but skinny, and he was wearing one of those expensive dress robes that St. Mungo's donors favored. Standing beside Ginny Weasley, the man looked like he was plucked from a different planet. Odd pair, he thought as he watched the duo take their respective seats.
Ginny Weasley looked up at him suddenly. Markus quickly looked away, embarrassed that he was caught staring. He collected himself, stood up, and cleared his throat. "Welcome. I'm Healer Markus Jones, facilitator of the therapy group, would you like to introduce yourself to our group?"
The man glanced over at Ginny Weasley. When she shook her head, he turned to the group, and said in a crisp aristocratic accent: "Hello, my name is Draco Malfoy."
Mumbling spread around the group as a few of the older members recognized the last name. Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy's son. Odd pair suddenly seemed like an understatement.
Draco Malfoy patiently waited until the voices died down. If he was bothered by the reaction, he did not show it.
"I'm an artist of sorts, Heafen enthusiast, tea drinker—" Ginny Weasley elbowed him and Draco Malfoy raised a single eyebrow. They shared a meaningful look, then, the man turned back to the group and finished his introduction in a more serious note. "I am here as the friend of Ginny Weasley to provide moral support. Happy to meet all of you."
Markus Jones was a professional therapist, but he was also a hopeless romantic, so while he didn't write down any notes speculating about the nature of their relationship, he was definitely thinking it. Not that it was any of his business, of course, but if anything could make a sensational bad boy-good girl love story, it would be a romance between a Weasley and a Malfoy—No. He forced his attention back to the room. Focus, Markus, focus.
"Hi, I, um, I am…" Ginny Weasley's voice cracked. Her panicked eyes darted instantly toward her companion.
Draco Malfoy gave her a nod and an encouraging smile, and Ginny Weasley visibly calmed. "I am Ginny Weasley, ex-Quidditch player, injured by a fateful attack all of you probably already know about. I am looking forward to discover who I am now and move onto the next chapter of my life with all of you."
She said the last bit very quickly and her face was flushed from embarrassment. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she never spoke to a crowd before. Then, her eyes darted back toward Draco Malfoy, who mouthed her good job with a brilliant grin.
Ginny Weasley grinned back.
They are not together, but something is definitely there, Markus Jones noted in dismay.
The hopelessly romantic part of him crackled in excitement as he compiled a mental list of different scenarios that could potentially nudge them toward the right direction…
Therapy first, Markus, he reminded himself. Right.
"Welcome to the therapy group," he said to the pair at last.