A/N: I edited the first chapter and also made slight changes. You might want to read that chapter first.
'I wonder if Cruciatus Curse feels like this', Ron thought as he moved his leg slightly to be more comfortable. Pain shot through the leg and he decided against it.
Cursing under his breath, Ron added black beetle parts to his cauldron. This should speed-up the potion. Merlin knows we don't have time.
As expected, the potion emitted a hiss and turned blood-red in colour. Two minutes and its done, Ron thought, leaning against the wall. He glanced at Harry, whose hopeful eyes were staring at him. Ron gave Harry a weak smile, who nodded in understanding and turned his attention to Hermione.
Ron sighed and looked up at the ceiling. How many times are we going to face these Death Eaters. It seems just yesterday when we faced them at the Ministry three months back. How i wish this war gets over soon.
"What do we add next?" someone asked, bringing Ron out of his musings.
Ron looked at the small group in front of him divided into various groups. They were making healing potions for the injured ones on the train … which were many. Currently the group of healers were working on that aspect and Ron and his group on potions.
"You are making Murtlap's essence?" the boy nodded, "Add the pickled Murtlap's tentacles now. Simmer it for a minute, stirring it clockwise continuously. Done."
Ron turned his attention to the blood-replenishing potion he was making. It was done.
"Is the potion ready?" a smooth voice questioned.
Having heard the voice volley insults at you for the last five years, it wasn't difficult to recognise the voice. What was difficult to digest was that he was the one who had helped Hermione. Well … as much as he could. At least there was hope that she would live.
Ron shook his head to clear it from the morbid thoughts. "It's ready."
"I will administer it to her," Malfoy said, "Chang was asking for Deflating Draught."
Ron nodded, giving a vial of blood-replenishing potion to Malfoy. He then issued relevant orders to a member of the group making the other mentioned potion before turning his attention to Hermione.
Hermione – lying beside Harry, pale and still, blood oozing out from abdomen. Ron was surprised that even after seeing Hermione in this condition he had been able to use his potions' genius to help in healing. Harry was distraught not only because she was his best friend but also because she had taken Bellatrix's curse which was meant for him. The only thing they, or better put Malfoy, could do was kind-of petrify her.
'At least blood is not flowing freely', Ron thought, watching Malfoy flick his wand, vanishing the contents of vial into, hopefully, Hermione's stomach. Maybe it was his wishful thinking or it was really happening, some colour returned to Hermione's cheeks.
Harry, himself a wreck, relaxed against the wall, meaning it wasn't just Ron's wishful thinking.
Seeing Hermione in slightly better condition, Ron let his thoughts wander to the pale blond. It hasn't been trust that had let Hermione let him help … just a desperate situation. But Ron had felt the truthfulness in his words. What could possible happen in the summers that Malfoy was acting differently?
His eyes followed Malfoy, who had now strolled towards another mystery – Allya. Not only had this girl faced the battle calmly and – though the idea is a bit disconcerting – coldly. No doubt the situation demanded it, but for Merlin's sake, she wounded a Death Eater with her dagger fatally. For all I know, he must be dead now. But it hadn't disturbed her a bit. And the accuracy and precision she had worked with. As if she is an expert. The only reason I can discard this line of thought is her incompetency with wand.
"We have done all we could," Chang announced as she entered the Head Boy/Girl carriage. "Only potions need to be administered. Are they done?"
Ron only looked at the groups in front of him, who replied in affirmation for him.
"Good," Change said tiredly, "Give me all." Spotting Malfoy, who was working on Allya at the moment, she said, "Work on Weasley after this. I will take care of the Prefect's carriage."
Malfoy nodded in response.
By Prefect's carriage she meant all the injured ones. This carriage had been turned into Potions lab. Since Harry, Hermione, Ron and Allya were in no condition to move, they were here.
"There all done," Malfoy said as he flicked his wand, "Your nose is still going to hurt. Couldn't heal it. Take the potion Weasley made after ten minutes. You lost a lot of blood. And keep your left arm steady. I have healed the wound but it can tear with slight movement."
"Thanks," Allya said.
Malfoy nodded in response and moved to Weasley.
"It's your turn," he intoned the moment he reached him.
Ron sighed. It was difficult to explain him. "Look Malfoy, you already tried stopping the blood flow. And I have taken blood replenishing potion. There's nothing more to help here."
"Mind if I try again?"
"It will not help."
"How do you know? It doesn't look like a Dark Curse."
"Trust me, I do know." He was getting irritated. "I'm not a dunderhead, you know."
"I never said that," Malfoy retaliated, "Let me clean at least." He didn't wait for an answer though and started some wand movements.
Ron was too tired to oppose. His eyes were almost closed. How good it would be to sleep now. No pain. Suddenly he felt someone pushing something down his throat. Some horrible-tasting potion.
Ron opened his eyes and jerked the hand supporting him. "What th--"
"Drink this," Malfoy ordered. "Your fainting is not going to do any good. I don't understand why isn't any charm working."
"They are working," Ron mumbled, "just not hundred percent effectively."
Malfoy bent down to have a better look on the gash and fracture on Ron's right leg. Blood flow had reduced certainly, but it was still too much for his liking and Ron's good. The wound on Ron's shoulder blade was also in the similar condition. He was losing energy and blood fast. Merlin only knew about the pain. Seeing the pained expression on Ron's face, Malfoy concluded that pain killer potions also hadn't been very effective.
"Lie down," Malfoy ordered and helped him lie down. His work was complete. Merlin knew where from he had gotten the strength to brew the potions. Leave it the Golden Trio to place others before themselves. Granger taking curse for Potter, Weasley making potions for others even in dire pain and Potter not letting anyone else, less injured and less tired than him, hold Hermione's wound.
Malfoy sighed after conjuring a pillow for Ron, for he had received a head injury as well, the effects of which they couldn't diagnose. Any other time, the Golden Trio wouldn't have taken my help. It surprises me that they haven't refused as yet. Though what surprises me the most is the ease with which this red-head accepted my help.
Malfoy was still in his thoughts when he moved to Potter to finish his work. I know Granger accepted our assistance since she had no other choice. He simply said 'Potter' before he whispered few spells over him to clean him off blood from his temple and to heal the various cuts he had received all over his face and arms. Potter stayed still the whole time Malfoy worked on him, wand tight in his hand. Malfoy handed him a Strength giving potion before moving out of the carriage.
'That just proves how much Potter trusts me. Why, then Weasley was behaving differently. As if he knows for sure that I don't mean to harm anyone. How can he be so sure? Sure, he couldn't have forgotten our history. I wasn't expecting him to be so … well … accepting. Maybe he is too tired to notice', Draco concluded gloomly.
"What are saying, Albus?" Flitwick asked.
"Sure, you heard right?" Minerva questioned.
Albus Dumbledore raised his hand to stop the rally of questions. "You heard it right the first time. The Hogwarts Express was attacked. Our students succeeded in countering the attack and the train is on its way to Hogwarts. However, there are wounded students on the train and we should be prepared to take care of them."
"Who informed you?" Victor asked.
"Hedwig here," Albus pointed the snowy owl, "came to me with a note. I think the train should be here within two hours. So, I request all of you to help Poppy and reach Hogsmeade. Poppy," he turned to the medi-witch, "Floo to St. Mungo's if you need any more help. Hagrid, we will need more carriages. Make arrangements. All others help them, while I inform the Ministry of the attack."
The staff members scrambled out of their seats to follow the orders. "Severus, please stay back," Albus said.
The moment everyone filed out of the room and door was closed; Severus came out of the shadows.
"I wasn't planning on leaving to make some carriage or help Poppy. This attack is unexpected."
"I agree," Dumbledore said, staring at his finger tips, "But what perturbs me is why he didn't share the information with you.
"I have no idea," Severus said, "I wonder. There were Death Eater's children in that train as well. What might the Dark Lord be thinking?"
Clearly, Severus had no idea of the attack.
"Miss Granger has been hit with a curse of Bellatrix. Mr. Malfoy suspects it to be a dark curse."
"If it is a dark curse," Severus said, "she needs assistance soon."
"How would you like to go to the train?" Dumbledore asked Severus.
Severus narrowed his eyes at the old man. "Who said I am going?"
"Because there's no one else," Dumbledore said, as he stood up. He summoned a Firebolt and handed it over to Severus. "There's no other way," he said when Severus raised his eyebrows.
"Of course," Severus grumbled, "Can't let your Golden Trio be in any discomfort, now, can we?"
Before waiting for the Headmaster's reply, Severus jumped out of the window, Firebolt well in place.
Dumbledore watched Severus fly in the direction of Hogwarts Express. Patting Fawkes, Dumbledore murmured, "Young children don't deserve this. I hope Ministry wakes up soon from its slumber, otherwise who knows how many would lose their innocence."
A/N: This is not chaotic at all. Well, that's what i think and hopefully more to the point. If you have any questions, i will gladly answer them. Do review and comments, critics all are welcome.
Ciao.