Sanctuary
a Harry Potter story
by midnight_angel_girl
I: Call to Duty
The rain pounded the windows as Remus Lupin looked outside. "I can't believe Dumbledore wants me to go out on a night like this," he grumbled, slipping on an invisibility cloak.
"Be safe." Ginny Weasley fretted, anxiously.
"I will. And Severus, I don't know what kind of shape he's going to be in when we get back, so have whatever you need ready."
"It should be me going." Snape snarled. "He is my godson, after all."
"Dumbledore said I was to go. I'm sure he has his reasons. And you know what you'll need better than Ginny or
I."Nodding, Snape turned on his heel and stalked to a back room where a makeshift potions lab had been set up.
"I'll get a room and some food ready." Ginny told Remus as he headed out into the storm.
II: Escape
Draco Malfoy ran as fast as he could through the driving rain. He had been hit with several curses as well as hit and kicked before he had managed to escape from the Deatheaters. He was in so much pain and knew they were closing in on him. He decided to risk splinching himself in his weakened state and apparated. While apparating, he felt someone else take control of him. He was too tired to fight it and went where it took him, praying it wasn't Deatheaters. He found himself in an unfamiliar woods. To weak to run any further, he collapsed, coughing harshly and painfully.
He stiffened as he heard footsteps approach and sensed someone next to him. He felt arms reach for him, and, weakly, tried to fight it off. Giving up after a few minutes, he felt someone gently scoop him into their arms. The smell of aftershave and soap was familiar and comforting, but he couldn't place it. "You're safe now, Draco." A voice told him softly as the invisibility cloak covered both of them. Lupin - Draco recognized the voice and relaxed, passing out.
III: Safe
Draco awoke several hours later in an unfamiliar bed. He remembered escaping from Deatheaters, and he thought he remembered Remus Lupin telling him he was safe. He felt a cool damp cloth being brushed against his forehead and opened his eyes to see Ginny Weasley.
"Weasel." His tone was not its usual mocking scorn, but rather one of surprise, and possibly, fear and concern. "You shouldn't be here with me. It's not safe." He paused and sneezed. "Heh-chushhoo, hiyeshhoo. Ow." he groaned.
"Bless you. It's alright. You're safe here. Fidelius Charm. Only 4 people know you're here, and 3 of us never leave, except Professor Lupin did when he went to get you. Dumbledore's the secret keeper; he's the one who got you to a place where Professor Lupin could get you."
"Who else is here?"
"Professor Snape. I should go get them. They'll be waiting to see you now that you're awake."
Draco nodded, cupping his hands over his nose. "Heyshoo, haysheoo, uhchushoo. Cad you brig sobe tissues?" he asked.
IV: Examination
Ginny went down to the living room where Snape and Lupin were reading/dozing on the couch. "Draco's awake." She said, loudly, taking the box of tissues from the end table.
"He is? Is he alert?" Snape asked.
"Yeah. I think he may have caught a cold from being in the rain. He's sneezing, and he seemed stuffed up when he was sleeping."
"He was coughing when I brought him in." Remus added.
"I'll look at him." Snape said, and the trio headed upstairs.
"Draco?" Ginny said, as they entered the room, so as not to startle him.
Sniffling he turned and looked at him, before sneezing again. "Huckshoo. Ow."
"Bless you." Remus said, as Ginny handed Draco the tissues.
"Thags." Draco blew his nose loudly several times.
"Let me look at you again." Snape told him, sitting on the bed next to him and pulling out his wand. "Examinus." He looked at the readout. "You're bones are healed, and the aftereffects of the curses are pretty much out of your system now. And you've got a cold. I don't have any pepper up right now, but I'll get in touch with Dumbledore in the morning and have him bring me the stuff to brew some. You'll have to just deal with for a couple days."
"Why does...ihhkschoo ....it hurts whed I cough or sdeeze."
"Your ribs are pretty bruised. I can't do anything to fix that. I have something for the pain and to help you sleep, if you want. I didn't want to give it to you before I know if you needed it."
"I'd like it. Uhchushh. "
"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Lupin asked.
"I'b dot hugry, but sobe tea would be dice."
Snape and Remus headed downstairs and returned a few minutes later with a cup of hot tea and a painkilling potion. Snape handed the potion to Draco. "It tastes nasty, but it'll help."
"I dod't thik I cad taste it right dow." Draco told him, slamming the potion and taking a drink of the tea. "I was wrog; it's awful. Thak you."
"Get some rest. We'll talk more in the morning."
"Ahchushhoo. Cad you stay with be?" he asked Snape.
"Yes." Snape conjured up a bed next to Draco's. "I'll be right here if you need anything.
"Just rest. You've been through a lot.." Remus told him, gently.
"Night, Draco." Ginny said, as he sneezed again.
"Hickshoo, arsheshh. "
"Bless you. We'll fill you in on more of what's going on in the morning." Snape said. "Weasley, bed." he ordered.
"I'll be going to be, too," Remus said. "If you need a hand with anything, wake me." he told Snape.
Snape nodded curtly as Draco sneezed. "Huchoo, herchoo. Sorry. I hope I do't keep you awake, Professor." he yawned.
"Don't worry about me. Go to sleep."
Draco closed his eyes as Snape laid down, and Remus and Ginny went to their own respective bedrooms.
characters belong to JKR
Weekly Hatching #34