Chapter 12
Disclaimer: If you still read these, then you can just go back to chapter 11 and read it there. K?





Harry awoke to the feel of soft sheets under him. He knew that he was in the Hospital Wing and that the voices he heard above and around him were that of Madam Pomfrey and Headmaster Dumbledore.

"What could have brought it on?" asked the wary voice of the old Headmaster.

There was a long silence, followed by a heavy sigh from Pomfrey. Then, "Repressed anger. The feeling that he could be doing more, but with everyone watching him like a hawk and the year starting out the way it did, he's had no chance to explore or find something to keep him busy. Then when Mister Malfoy confronted him and an argument broke out, he had a chance to vent and instinctively took the opportunity to free himself of it." There was a another, longer pause before the nurse spook again. "If Miss Porter hadn't stopped him when she had, Harry very well could have strangled Draco without even knowing it."

Harry turned his head the left, away from the voices and looked over toward the bed where Malfoy lay, listening to the elders talk. His neck was deep purple around the edges, just barely seen over the collar of his black robes. His pale eyes widened as the nurse said that Harry could have killed him. Harry's green eyes locked with Draco's and an understanding passed between them. They both knew that neither would talk about this again or let it happen again.

The thick curtain was pulled back and the headmaster stood there. "Well, boys," he said, slowly lowering himself down onto Harry's bed and turning his upper body so that he could see them both clearly. "Now that you've heard me and Madam Porfrey discuss it, what have you to say for yourselves about your behavior?"

Neither said anything, just stared at the headmaster. Finally, as Harry was opening his mouth to explain, Draco stated, "It was my fault, sir. I provoked Harry into fighting me. I was angry and looking for a reason to punch someone. I'm sorry."

Harry just stared, then laid back on his pillows and closed his eyes. "Well," the headmaster said above him, "has you know, Mr. Malfoy, fighting is not allowed and results in the expelling of the guilty party. But, because you came forward, I think that we can let this one slide. You both have gone through enough already tonight." With these words, Dumbledore stood and started for the door before turning and saying, "Oh and Draco," the silver-haired boy looked up at his name. "You have someone here to see you." The words were no sooner out of his mouth then the door was opened and a red haired girl ran into Draco's waiting arms.

It only took Harry a minute to link two and two together. There was only one girl at Hogwarts with that color red hair.

"Ginny?" he whispered.

A pair of soft brown eyes and a pair of hard cold ones looked over at him. Ginny gave a soft gasp before trying to remove herself from Draco's arm. He tightened his hold on her and watched Harry.

"Well," Draco sneered, "Are you going to sit there with your mouth wide open and catch flies, or are you going to start yelling.

Harry didn't answer; he was to shocked. His eyes turned toward little Ginny who was pink in the face and leaning against Draco, as if for support. He chocked out one word.

"Why?"