The Power of a Wish
Chapter Two
*...* indicates empahsis on a word
'...' indicates thought
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
From last time:
The group sat in silence, each trying to come up with a solution to the question.
Suddenly, a loud pop was heard and something appeared on the coffee table in front of Harry. It was a brownish green with large ears. About ten tea cozys were on it's head and two different colored socks, one red the other yellow, adorned his feet.
"Dobby?"
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"Harry Potter?" The house elf turned its head to face the boy clad in a red sweater and brown glasses. A smile lighted up on its green face and it ran over and hugged Harry around the middle. "It's so wonderful to see you Harry Potter," Dobby cried, tightining his grip around Harry. "And look.... you brought your Wheezy! And Miss Hermione Granger! Tis a pleasure to see you all again!"
The house elf loosoned its grip on Harry and ran to hug Ron and Hermione. Hermione giggled but Ron only glared at the house elf. "Dobby," What the bloody hell are you doing here?"
The big brown eyes turned to face Ron. With a shake of its head Dobby said, "Dobby does not understand. Why should Dobby not be visiting Mistress and Young Master Malfoy?"
Ron made an exasparated snort. "Dobby, why would you want to come here? These people hurt you, enslaved you, and made you punish yourself!"
"Dobby means to say-"
Ron cut Dobby off. "Did they somehow force you to come back?"
"Dobby was not forced. Dobby comes here on his own free will."
"I think I get it." Everyone turned to Hermione who was calmly sipping her butterbeer. "Dobby, you only mentioned seeing the mistress and young master. Does Lucius know you are here?"
"No Miss Hermione, he doesn't."
"Why not?" questioned the brunette girl.
"Because he would kill Dobby! Dobby is only known to Master Draco and Mistress Narcissa!"
"Why are you calling them your masters? Aren't you free? I did give you that sock that Lucius gave you..."
Dobby let out a high pitched chuckle. "Master Draco and Mistress Narcissa are not Dobby's masters. They are Dobby's friends!"
"Uh.... come again? How are *you* friends with Malfoy? Look what he did to you!" exclaimed the second youngest Weasley.
"Master Draco did not hurt Dobby at all. At the manor we are best friends!"
"Care to explain Dobby? I'm quite interested on how you consider Malfoy a *friend*," said Harry, readjusting his glasses.
"Well.... when Master Draco was a child, I played with him all the time..." A smile came over Dobby's face, probably remembering those days.
"Dobby....?"
"Very sorry Sir..... When Master Draco got older Master Lucius started to get a bit.... violent. Whenever Master Draco did something wrong he would get punished. He often came to me for comfort when Mistress Narcissa was unavailable."
"Why was Malfoy punished?"
Well Miss, it was for various reasons. For not having the highest grades, for not becoming friends with Harry Potter, for failing in Master Lucius's eyes. Anyways, Dobby comes here to visit the mistress and young master. They are both close to Dobby's heart and Dobby does not wish to leave them alone with Master Lucius.... By the way, what is Harry Potter doing at Malfoy Manor?"
"Uh.... we just dropped by...."
"Wonderful! Are you friends of Master Draco's?"
"Not really...."
"Where is Master Draco and Mistress Narcissa? They were supposed to meet Dobby here today at this time. Mistress Narcissa even said she had some socks for Dobby...."
"Well Narcissa ran out of the room a few minutes before you got here. I think something happened..."
Dobby's eyes suddenly filled with worry. "Did Mistress open a locket before she left?"
"Yes she did, a pretty gold one," said Hermione. "Why?"
"That locket was given to her by Master Lucius before he turned so nasty. It was a wedding present and it will allow Mistress to see and hear Lucius when she opens the locket. She can also see things around Master Lucius. A very handy tool.... Dobby does believe that Master Lucius did something to Master Draco."
"I wonder what...."
"Dobby can assume Master Draco must have done something wrong. Dobby will leave now and come back later. Say hello to Mistress for me."
And then with a pop, Dobby was gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With light footsteps Narcissa came out of the wardrobe where she had been and knelt down next to the bed where her son lay. If you could call him a son. A monster would be a more fitting description.
His whole body was caked with blood, some dry some still wet and drippimg. Bruises stood dark aginst the pale skin. Long snake like cuts covered his back on almost every inch of available space. His once silver blond hair now had blood sprinked throughout. His mouth was a thin tight line that showed he was in pain, his eyes squinted shut even in sleep.
"My baby...." Narcissa whisperd hoarsely, her breath catching in her throat as tears came to her eyes. No child, no human should have to go through such extreme pain in their life. And yet her son, her flesh and blood, went through it rountinly by his own father. The injustice of it all...
"Narcissa... What are you doing?"
Narcissa gasped and turned around to face her husband who had just entered the room. He had his wand drawn and pointed at her heart, a merciless look on his face. "Lucius, I was just going to-"
"To what Narcissa? Help him?"
She gave a small nod.
"Why should I allow you to do that? Give me a good reason."
Narcissa's mind raced. What answer would be sutiable to Lucius? "If you don't let me heal him, he'll die. And do you really want everyone to know that Draco died? It is the middle of the school year and if he didn't return Dumbledore would become suspicious. And if he died now, how would you explain the cuts and brusises? They can't heal when the person is dead."
"A valid point. Alright. You have ten minutes to fix him. Then I shall be back." Malfoy Senior swept out of Draco's room and the door slammed behind him.
Wasting no time, Narcissa ran back to the wardrobe and opened the hidden door. Urgently, she said, "I need you three to help me. Please...."
Hermione sprang up followed closely by Harry and Ron. "Of course we'll help. What do you need?"
A look of relief washed over Narcissa's face. She had been afraid they would decline seeing as they weren't exactly friends of Draco's. She knew she could heal Draco with her wand but with her wand in Lucius's possesion she couldn't do much. And these three couldn't use their wands because Lucius would sense magic from the magic wards and come right in.
"Hermione, run into the bathroom and get some hot water. Ron, you grab some clean rags and Harry, come with me."
The group exited through the wardrobe and ran off to their assigned places. Harry followed Narcissa to the bed where she immideately sat down and took the hand of the person lying on the covers. Harry blinked once. Twice, not believing that the broken and bloodied person was Malfoy.
Hermione ran in with the water followed by Ron. Narcissa took one of the rags and dipped it into the water which she then carefully used to start sponging off Draco's face. Harry and Ron, after a look from Narcissa, each picked up a rag and started to wash Draco off as well.
"Hermione, would you please go get Draco a set of clothes? Just some nice comfortable pants. They're all in that big dresser on your right."
The Gryffindor practically flew over and started to rummage threw the clothes, amazed at all the muggle articles. Decided, she pulled a pair of light grey cotton pants out and ran back to the bed.
After about a minute Harry broke the silence. "Uh.... Narcissa... why aren't we using our wands?"
"Because there are magic wards around the room. It would alert Lucius and he would know someone else was in here besides me, and that that person had a wand."
"Oh."
Minutes ticked by when another voice, this time Hermione spoke up. "Narcissa." The girl gestured to some dark bruises forming on Draco's upper chest. "I think he has some broken ribs."
Narcissa leaned over and touched one of the bruises gently and Draco groaned softly. "Yes, they are. Just work around them. We can't fix them like this."
In about ten minutes Draco had been wrapped in bandages around his whole back and front. His arms and legs were covered as well and he was dressed in the cotton pants Hermione had brought over.
"Now hurry you three. Back inside the room before Lucius finds you." The trio turned tail and ran back to the room, the wardrobe door closing just as Lucius entered the room.
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"Well now," drawled Lucius, "I see you've bandaged him up." He surveyed the scene of his mummified son with distaste.
"Yes I have."
Lucius stalked towards his wife and son. "Enverate," he said pointing the wand at Draco.
With a slight moan of pain, Draco's eyes opened and stared into his father's grey orbs. A sound, almost like a whimper escaped his lips.
"Shhh.... it's okay Draco...." said Narcissa as she glared at her husband over Draco.
"What's wrong Dragon?" said Lucius in a mocking voice. "Did I hurt you? Tell me you don't think that hurt so much. I could have made it *much* worse."
Another tiny whimper escaped from Draco as Lucius moved closer.
Lucius looked down disdainly at his son. "So know you act as though you fear me? I think I need to teach you a lesson for letting you know that next time I want something, you'll give it to me. Enticia."
At once ropes pulled Draco's wrists together and his ankles together and fastened them securely, the ankled to the foot board and the wrists to the head board. "Sweet dreams My Dragon." Lucius chuckled and walked away, out the door towards his private study.
"Mother I..."
"Hush Draco, just rest. Close your eyes and sleep." She gently brushed his bangs out of his eyes and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead. "Sleep Draco.... sleep..."
He closed his eyes obiedently and allowed himself to be taken away in pain and thus fell into an uneasy sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The trio were all sitting quietly when they heard someone, Narcissa, enter the room. "I think it would be best if you stay the night here. Lucius is already angry enough. I wouldn't want to risk all of you being caught by him when you try to floo back."
"Narcissa, what happened to Malfoy?" asked Harry, actual concern sparkling in his emerald green eyes.
"Lucius was.... upset with Draco. His favorite way to punish Draco is torture. He says it helps to relieve himself."
"Does he hit you?" Harry's voice now held a dark menancing threat behind it if she was to say the wrong answer.
She sighed. "Not really. When Draco isn't home I sometimes get pushed around a bit but otherwise he doesn't dare hurt me. I can't cover everything with robes like Draco can and I have a low immune system so I can't take a concealment potion."
It was quiet for several minutes except for the crackling of the fire.
"Oh my goodness! Look at the time! It's already eleven! Bed now!"
The trio nodded and Hermione curled up on the couch, Harry and Ron taking the floor. Narcissa passed around several blankets and dimmed down the lights. "Good night Harry. Ron. Hermione."
In chorus the trio answered, "Good night Narcissa."
The older woman smiled and slipped through the door and went over to Draco's bed one last time for the night. "Sleep well Draco...." She then crossed the room and closed Draco's door softly behind her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry awoke first, feeling incredibly sore and stiff. He reached over and pulled on his glasses and surveyed the room and its occupants. Hermione was curled up like a cat on the couch, a content smile on her face. Ron had the blankets thrown off and his mouth wide open, a dribble of drool dropping down his chin.
A loud rumbling noise startled Harry and he immideately pulled out his wand, even though he knew he couldn't use it. And then he laughed. That grumble was his stomach. The again, he hadn't eaten since the day before at lunch.
A quick tap sounded on the door and Narcissa entered carrying a plate full of pancakes, fresh fruit, eggs, and bacon. "Good morning Harry," she said, placing the tray on the table.
"Good morning Narcissa."
"Aren't those two up yet?"
"Nope, but Ron will be very shortly, just watch." A few seconds later Ron's nose twitched and he breathed in a deep breath of the breakfast smell. Then sitting up he crawled towards the tray and started to pile it into his mouth. Harry lauhed at the bewildered expression on Narcissa's face. "Food is like an alarm clock for Ron. He'll do anything for it too."
Hermione woke up shortly afterwards, after being hit with a pillow from Ron. She got ready to go back to sleep when Harry warned her if she was to do that Ron would eat all of the breakfast and she wouldn't have any. So reluctantly, Hermione rose from the nice comfy couch and plopped herself down in fron of the food.
"I have a favor to ask all of you." Narcissa looked at them nervously. "I have to go into town for some things and I was wondering if you would be willing to watch Draco while I was gone. I understand if you don't want to...."
"Of course we'll watch him." The two Gryffindor boys looked at their friend in amazement. She was *willingly* ready to help the enemy? But then again, he didn't look like an enemy yesterday. He looked like a hurt boy who just wanted to be cared for.
"Thank you so much! I'm eternally in your debt."
Hermione and the boys blushed. "It's not that big a deal."
"Let me lay down the care instructions. Do *not* move him. Just try to make him comfortable and try to ease his pain. If you hear Lucius coming.... run for your life. And try not to let Draco know who you are, Okay? "
"Alright Narcissa. We won't let you down," said Harry. And then much to his surprise she kissed him on the cheek and pulled him into a hug. Hermione and Ron got the same treatment, both boys blushing like mad when she left.
After the trio finished breakfast they all trooped into the main room and over to the bed. "When did this happen?" gasped Hermione, indicating the ropes that bound Draco securely. Harry shook his head.
All three sat down on the floor next to the bed, content just to watch Draco breathe. Hermione felt her heart go out to him. No wonder he was such a prat at school with a family life like this. He probably had to tease them on his father's orders. Then again, maybe not. But he was always so mean and cold to everyone because that was the way he was raised. To be a minituare version of his father.
An hour passed and nothing special happened. Draco lay unmoving, although evry few minutes he would make a low noise like the sound of a wounded animal. Until the famous trio heard Draco's bedroom door slam open. So they ran to the nearest hiding place; under the bed.
Lucius stomped across the floor and paused not even 6 inches from where Harry's hand was. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Draco. "Enverate."
A soft moan sounded above the trio's heads.
"Are you up now Dragon? Good...." The soft thump of Lucius's wand dropping to the nightstand resonated around the room. Lucius brought forth his hand and traced Draco's jawline with a gentleness that he normally didn't let other know he posessed. "Dragon, why did you make me do this to you? It hurts me more then it hurts you..." Ron had to stiffle a snort.
"What? Nothing to say? Well, how about this?" Lucius formed his hand into a fist and slammed it into Draco's broken ribs. Draco couldn't help himslef, a howl of pain burst fourth. Hermione curled up under the bed and covered her ears. She'd heard enough.
A few more yells from Draco and all was silent. Harry, who could see what was going on above by tilting his head up, saw Lucius ball his hand once more and strike down. But the punch never connected. Draco had somehow managed to get one leg looses from his vonds and had just kneed his father in the stomach... hard.
"Why you...." Lucius's eyes shone with a fury and he started to attack the defenseless boy, after securing his foot once more. "Answer me Dragon," he said, pausing the beating, "Why won't you join?"
"Haven't I told you why enough times?" Draco's voice was surprisingly clear and full of hatred for Lucius. "I don't want to be a Death Eater. They kill, destroy, and hurt. And not to be rude, but I already see enough of that at home, thank you very much." He then smirked.
Lucius slapped Draco across the face. "I've had enough of your tounge for one day. I'll deal with you later." He pulled himself away from the bed, scooped up his wand and exited the room.
"You say whatever makes you feel better Father," muttered Draco. "I'll *never* be like you." Then his eyes closed softly and he once again allowed himself to be washed away by the pain.
After the trio was certain Draco was asleep, they came out of their hiding place and surveyed the damge Lucius had done this time. Several of the wounds had reopened and new bruises covered his flesh.
"Let's get to wok," said Hermione quietly. Each started to rebandage Draco and when they heard the door open without warning, all immideately reached for their wands.
Narcissa held up her hands in a surrender gesture. "It's just me," she said with a laugh. Then her voice grew serious. "How is he?"
"Not well," spoke Hermione. "Lucius was in here a few minutes ago...."
"I see..." said Narcissa, a tone of regret in her voice. "All of you, hurry and grab your robes and follow me. You need to leave."
The trio ran back into the hidden room, pulled on their robes and followed Narcissa cautiously down the upstairs hallway. She led them down a flight of stairs and through several hallways that weren't as grand as the rest of the house. She stopped outside a large wooden door and pulled it open to reveal a kitchen with house elves working at every available counter.
Narcissa crossed the room towards a gigantic fireplace and held out a jar that contained floo powder. "Floo to The Three Broomsticks and then walk back up to Hogwarts, hurry."
All three reached in and grabbed a pinch of the green powder. "Thank you so much Narcissa," said Hermione smiling at the woman.
"No trouble at all. Now all of you take care."
Harry nodded and stepped into the fireplace. He threw down his powder and yelled, "The Three Broomsticks!" Hermione and Ron followed suit.
"Safe journey, all of you," whispered Narcissa. "Take care...."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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