In the spring, Granger joins the growing number of students who have been Petrified. She lies utterly still on a bed in the hospital wing, her eyes open and glassy.
"Mr. Malfoy! You're not to be traveling through the castle without an escort," Madam Pomfrey reprimands. "And visiting hours ended at ten!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. I just wanted -"
But Draco isn't entirely sure what he wanted. He isn't sure what he felt, other than an undeniable urge to see Granger. Maybe to prove to himself she's only Petrified, not dead.
"The Mandrakes will be ready soon?" he asks.
Madam Pomfrey's expression softens. "Yes, dear, any day now," she says. "But that doesn't mean it's safe for you to go wandering around alone at night. I'll have to send for you Head of House to take you back to the dungeons."
"For Snape? No, Madam Pomfrey, please. Please, could you -"
Draco's panicked eyes flicker over the Petrified girl, and suddenly the matron understand. Hermione Granger is a Muggle-born witch. And Severus Snape and the boy's father, Lucius Malfoy, are friends.
"Could you get Professor McGonagall instead?" Draco begs. "That'd be okay since she's Deputy Headmistress, wouldn't it?"
Madam Pomfrey nods. "Of course, dear."