In Pursuit of Lost Marbles, T, 22k
Tags: Established Relationship, Memory Loss, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Legillimency, Pensieves, Implied Sexual Content, Happy/Hopeful Ending
Every night after work, Healer Malfoy follows the same routine, beginning with a familiar flight of stairs that leads to the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's. With an air of professionalism, he introduces himself to Harry, his husband of seven years, when a memory curse makes Harry look at him like a stranger. He tries not to flinch when Harry calls him sir, but he smiles when bits of the old Harry emerge. Eventually, Draco leads Harry to the Pensieve where he shows him pieces of the life they've built together, what Harry will come home to, one day, when this is all over.
Then, Draco waits. He waits, and he hopes.
Draco slides his chair closer to the bed and places his hands on the footboard. “Because, Harry, in addition to bringing the memories from your friends and family, I also provide some of my own.”
Draco pinpoints the moment Harry understands his meaning in the way his eyebrows shift, in the puzzled twist of his lip.
Harry leans forward, wafting the hint of hospital-issued soap and shampoo with him. Draco wants to thread his fingers through his hair, to rub his thumb along his cracked lip.
“Yes, Harry. May I?” Draco offers his hand, and Harry, always trusting, accepts it without hesitation. He lines up their palms to show off the matching bands that each of them wears on their ring fingers. Harry’s is looser than usual, but it’s undeniable that the shiny silver rings are a matching set.
“Harry… Our seventh wedding anniversary is next month.”
An @hd-wireless fic claim. Huge thanks are in order for the lovely mods for making this fest happen and all of the effort put into individual posts, weekly lists, and promoting the hell out of all of these fab writers. And to @floydig, who challenged the crap out of me with this fic and was the best cheerleader & alpha reader anyone could ask for. Thanks also to @uphorie for the excellent beta work and your kind support. Y’all are just the best.
