"Ow was de-ention wif Umbridge, then 'Arry?" asked Ron through a mouthful of roast beef, "'Ey, Tawny, whah wer' 'ou?"
Tawny blushed slightly and said, "With Harry."
"Dat ol' bat gave 'ou de-ention, too?" asked Ron.
"No," said Harry, "she came to help me out."
Ron looked to Tawny's hand and uttered a low "ohhh..."
"Well, I think Harry's perfectly capable of taking care of himself, Tawny," said Hermione frowning, "After all, he has been in tighter situations than Umbridge's detention."
Harry moved his hand to Tawny's and said rather matter-of-factly, "Well, I didn't see you helping me there."
"I was obeying school rules. I don't sneak into detention to get my hand scarred up for no reason."
"Yeah, you wouldn't, would you, Hermione?" Harry said coldly, "School rules are far too important to save your friend from a few slices on the hand, I suppose?"
"That's not what I meant and you bloody well know it." Hermione hissed.
"Oh, isn't it? 'I don't get my hand scarred up for no reason'? Am I no reason, now?" Harry said heatedly.
"Harry, what she did was not only unnecessary, but it was against the rules. As a prefect, I am entitled to report this to Professor Dumbledore."
"Oh, come off it, Hermione! You're just angry because she was the one who helped me for once!"
Harry's face suddenly broke into a grin.
"Or maybe it's because Tawny and I are going to the dance together."
"Honestly, Harry. Where do you get off being so full of yourself?"
"I reckon it's true, Hermione," snickered Ron, "I think you're angry with Tawny because you fancy Harry."
Hermione gave an unconvincing snort of laughter.
Harry glowered. "Oh, no, Ron. That couldn't possibly be the problem. Hermione would never like me."
"Oh, Harry, stop being so self-absorbed!"
"I'd like to know what your problem is! Ever since Tawny arrived here you've been a complete git."
"I'm being a git? All you do is spend time with her. You haven't even been doing your homework."
"You pay attention to when I do my homework?" Harry said incredulously, and then turned to Tawny, "Do you want to leave, Tawny?"
Tawny nodded and waved at Ron, who was pouring a ladleful of custard onto his plate.
Harry wrapped his arm around Tawny's shoulders as they walked and said, "it's all right, Tawny, Hermione's always been a bit... overbearing."
"I'm really sorry about this, Harry. I don't want you guys fighting because of what I did," said Tawny, who was staring down at her shifting feet. A blond boy with two underlings at his sides appeared and smirked at Harry.
"Oh, look here. I see Potter's got himself a little girlfriend," Malfoy said scornfully to his thuggish bodyguards.
"And I see you don't, Malfoy. Who're you going to the Muggle Sock Hop with, then?"
"Pansy Parkinson, if you must know. Now if you'll excuse me, Potter..." said Malfoy as he shoved Harry out of the way, causing him to pin Tawny to the wall.
"Ouch! Sorry, Tawny. Did your hand – oh no." Harry said, alarmed.
"What's wrong?" Tawny asked Harry.
"Tawny..." said Harry, pointing at Tawny's hand.
Tawny looked down at the bandages on her hand, which were now saturated with blood. A small scream escaped Tawny's mouth, and she backed up against the wall, eyes wide with shock.
"Y-you didn't even feel that?" Harry stammered, ever-so-lightly raising Tawny's bandaged and bleeding hand.
"Oh, God..." Tawny gasped with deep breaths of distress.
Harry placed his hand on the small of Tawny's back and walked her to the infirmary, leaving a dripping blood trail along the way.