A/N: Hey, this chapter contains a slight bit where I kind of forgot how the wands work in canon. I mean, I can't remember if, like, it's possible to lose your wand or forget it somewhere or something. It's not a big plot point. Also, don't worry. In the chapter after this one, Harry does something about Draco's leg wound. I just thought I'd specify on those things. Thanks so much for reading :)
Potter ran back to him. "You okay? You need some help?"
"Ow! Just sod off, Potter. I can deal with it," Draco snarled, embarrassed.
Potter rolled his eyes. "Just relax. Look, just let me take a look at it, all right? Do you think it's broken?"
Draco shook his head. His knee showed slightly from a new hole in his slacks. He rolled up his pant leg to his knee and stretched his leg out, examining the wound. A thick, ugly gash ran horizontally across his knee, dirt and grime coating the blood. It was already beginning to bruise. Potter kneeled down and looked at it. Though just his knee was exposed, Draco felt vulnerable.
"Damn, I think I forgot my wand in the dorm room," Potter said, biting his lip. He searched his schoolbag, but apparently found it only contained other, less useful items. "They tell you to carry it with you everywhere, but I left in such a rush. I'm always afraid I'll forget it somewhere anyway. I know that's dumb."
"Nah, I actually do that too. For you, it's dumb, since nobody would steal yours. My father had my name inscribed in marble and dragon blood on mine, though, so it's worth quite a bit. Not that my father couldn't simply buy me another one," Draco bragged. Potter stared at him blankly, seemingly unimpressed. Draco glared. Anyone in Slytherin would have been in awe. That was just one of the many reasons why Draco detested Potter. "Oh don't act like you're so above everything, Potter. You're so stuck up."
Potter laughed. "Okay, I'm used to hearing that from people, but I don't know if you should be calling someone else stuck up, Malfoy. No offense."
"Hey, I am not stuck up!"
Potter snickered. "Sorry, but yes you are. It's okay. I don't mind it. I've got my own flaws. I'm a paranoid idiot, who thinks he's gonna lose his wand everywhere." He smiled.
Draco rolled his eyes. "You're such a prick. Anyway, I didn't bring my wand either, but I'm okay. I can walk on it," Draco said.
"Well, I'm not your mother or anything, but you should definitely go to the hospital wing. You sure you're okay? It really is a pretty rough-looking cut," Potter said.
"I'm fine. I'm not worried about it."
Potter cocked his head slightly, studying the wound. "Well, you're not losing that much blood. I doubt the knee really contains any major arteries or anything. Still, it's a bit dirty. You don't want that getting infected. I'm not really familiar with many of the plants in this area, but if I could just find some Dittany... I can't remember what it looks like, though-"
"I'm fine. Honestly. Just sod off," Draco quickly responded. He still felt somewhat embarrassed.
Potter examined him again and smiled wryly. "You're like a cat that did something ungraceful. You ever see a cat, like, fall or something? They act all embarrassed and pissy about it." He laughed.
Once again, Draco found himself unable to be offended by Potter's teasing. He did pride himself on his cat-like qualities. He smirked. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he retorted weakly.
Draco stood, but wobbled a bit. "Take it easy," Potter said. He steadied him, then blushed, letting go.
Draco walked with a slight limp. He grimaced. "Fuck. I hate trees."
"Did you hit your head?"
"Screw you, Potter," Draco answered. That he was offended by.
Potter looked confused and ponderous, as if wondering what Draco was referring to. A look of understanding crossed his face. "No, I'm not insulting you. I'm just asking because you seemed a little unsteady on your feet. Besides, you've got a scrape on your forehead."
"Oh," Draco replied. He felt his forehead. Sure enough, there was a scrape there. He stared at the blood on his fingers.
"Don't worry, that won't scar your pretty face," Potter laughed softly. He sounded mocking, but genuine at the same time. "Madam Pomfrey'll be able to patch that right up. You won't have to deal with any lightening bolts or anything."
Draco laughed, again unsure of how to respond. It almost felt like he and Potter were... flirting. He blushed, opting to change the subject. "Shit, only I could go into the Forbidden Forest, and get my arse kicked by a fucking normal tree. I mean, the Whomping Willow, I get, but that was just ridiculous." Potter laughed and Draco realized that that was the first non-arrogant thing that he had said about himself.
Potter stopped laughing. "Aw, don't be so hard on yourself, Malfoy." Potter's voice sounded sincere and sympathetic . "You could barely even see that tree anyway. It's no big deal."
Draco blushed hotly. Potter left him feeling so damn confused. He had no idea how to react to anything he said anymore. "Well, I knew I shouldn't have left my wand back in the dorm room. Then again, this was just supposed to be a casual day at Hogsmeade."
"Oh yeah? What happened?"
Draco hesitated, careful not to be too trusting of Potter. "I got pissed off at Pansy for sullying my father's name."
Potter laughed lightly again. "See what I mean? Comically evil."
Draco chuckled. "Well what were you doing out here? If our buttons didn't get to you, why were you crying?"
"I wasn't crying," Potter said. He appeared to still be suspicious of Draco as well. "I was just kind of, you know, depressed."
"Well, okay, what were you 'depressed' about?"
"Nothing."
"Come on, Potter. What've you got to lose? The entire school hates you right now, and hell, even your best friend hates you."
Upon hearing Draco's last words, a pained look developed on Potter's face. Draco smirked. "Ah. I guess that's why you were crying. Your boyfriend leave you for another girl?"
"Just leave me alone, Malfoy," he whispered, speeding up again for the third time.
