Disclaimer: not mine... lather, rinse, repeat...
A/N: Longest chapter so far! I hope this helps give you an understanding into both Ron's reactions, and Draco's future actions. Again, really tried to keep them all in character. Hope I succeeded. Thanks to all those who continue to review. And annon- who ever you are... you're a gem. I cherish each and everyone who takes the time to review. It really does make my day.
14- Who Needs Enemies?
The slamming of the Infirmary door shattered the perfect calm that had settled upon the patients and visitors within the wing. Harry, still frozen in unconsciousness and anchored by Draco's grasp, twitched and restlessly moved his head. Shocked by the sound, Draco quickly cast a privacy ward around them both in hopes of deterring whomever it was that had decided to announce their presence so uncouthly. It would allow him to hear what was going on outside, but discouraged anyone unwelcome from taking a peek. Thankful that Pomfrey had thought it prudent to him, he gave a short nod to the woman as she bustled over to the intruders. With the noise dulled, Harry fell back into a fragile slumber.
His pointy features soften and eyes focused on his charge, Draco gave a sigh and leaned back in his seat. His ears perked up as Harry's name was shouted out. With a sneer and roll of the eyes, he once again wondered at the stupidity named Weasley. It seemed that the deplorable dunderheaded duo, as Severus called them on occasion, had finally worked out where Harry might be. Draco snorted. If it was him looking for the Gryffindor, the first place he checked would have been here. Known for his rather accident prone school career, Harry was more often than not confined to a bed under the watchful eye of Poppy. Which reminded the blond- he had some questions regarding her statements the night before about Harry's condition at the beginning of the year.
An outcry of anger pulled him from his musing and back to the drama unfolding just feet away from him.
"Where's Harry?" Ronald demanded loudly. "We need to talk, now."
The nerve of the boy was astounding, even if he was completely barmy challenging Poppy within her domain. "And you know this how, Mr. Weasley? Have you been sent here by a professor perhaps?" she questioned, a hard edge to her tone.
Hermione tugged insistingly at his arm, realizing the situation was less than friendly. Ron, on the other hand, was either oblivious, or simply foolhardy and pushed past the matron, scanning the room behind her. Draco could hear the stomping of his heavy feet and shook his head in disbelief.
"I know he's here, Hermione. He's always here." The disgust in Ron's tone was like a slap to Hermione's senses. What was going on with her crush? Granted, he hadn't been exactly wonderful lately, blowing hot then cold. Nevertheless, this sort of behavior was uncalled for.
"Ron..." she began, but he had little time or patience for her excuses.
"No, you said he was here. You said he wanted my sister. So we are going to have a talk, he and I. I'm going to set him straight."
Hermione rushed forward and grabbed his hand, jerking him to a halt. "Ronald Weasley. What has gotten into you? I didn't say anything about him being in the infirmary. And as for Gin, I still can't see why you're upset. But you can't talk to Madam Pomfrey like that," she chastised.
With a wrench of his arm, Ron pulled away from the bushy haired witch and continued his search for Harry. He wasn't sure why he felt so betrayed by the idea himself. Something tickled the back of his mind, something that spoke of irrationalities and supposed slights. It rankled him. He was tired of being left out of the loop, the limelight his friend wandered in. If Harry liked Ginny, shouldn't he have talked to Ron about it? Wasn't that what best friends were for? That was the whole point of the guys' night in the dorms. Harry was hardly ever around anymore, and when he was, he was too preoccupied with whatever to join in. He had kept secrets from them, dodged their questions continually.
And now he had the nerve to disappear and make them all worry. Had Harry given any thought as to how any of this was effecting his friends? Ron paused in his fruitless search with a scowl. Of all the beds occupied, none held Harry. Frustrated with his lack of results, he turned and pinned Hermione with a glare before directing his attention to Poppy.
"Was he here?" he asked simply.
Poppy drew herself up to her full height and narrowed her eyes, giving a look that rivaled Snape's own Death Glare. "Mr. Weasley, I neither have to, nor will disclose anything regarding Mr. Potter or anyone else who may or may not be here in the wing. Whether or not I have attended to him is none of your business. And I suggest you curb your tongue before you find yourself in detention with Professor Snape," she replied sharply. Ron made to retort but found Hermione's elbow planted into his ribs. He huffed and shot her a dark look.
"We're sorry, Madam Pomfrey. We are just worried about Harry. He hasn't been himself lately, and it seemed logical that he might end up here," Hermione said with a look of contrite appeal.
Poppy inclined her head in acceptance of the girl's apology, although she doubted her red headed companion shared in her sentiments. "Be that as it may, since neither of you appear to be suffering from an injury, I must ask you to leave. You have disturbed the peace and rest of my patients long enough. If you are truly concerned for Mr. Potter's well being, I suggest you ask one of your professors, or the Headmaster, perhaps." Inwardly she smirked, knowing Hermione would hound Dumbledore for answers tenaciously. Good, let the old man answer for his crimes.
Knowing she would get no further with the strict matron, Hermione dipped her head in acknowledgment and dragged the silently fuming Ron from the room. Seconds later, the curtains around Harry's bed twitch and Poppy's head appeared. She smiled exasperatedly at Draco.
"You can drop the ward now," she informed him. Draco waved his wand and raised one brow.
"That was... interesting," he intoned. Poppy pressed a hand to Harry's forehead, then looked over at his companion.
"No, it was typical. Harry really is the oddity in that group. He doesn't quite fit with their ideals, does he?"
Draco frowned and thought back over what he knew and had discerned over the past two days. "No," he agreed. "I'm beginning to understand what you have said about him."
Poppy smiled softly and tucked the blankets tightly around Harry's body. "At least someone does. He seems calmer than he did earlier. Did the incident disturb him in any way?"
"He moved around a bit when the Weasel first came in, but that charm you showed me did the trick. How long do you think he will be like this?"
"Another day, perhaps. His exhaustion is acute, and it will be a while even after he awakes before he is back to the Harry Potter we all know," she informed him.
"Or the one he wants everyone to see" Draco countered. He had to wonder if Harry would really recover completely from his ordeal, or if he was too broken to pretend any more. Poppy seemed to read his mind and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. It showed how much Harry had effect the blond boy when he simply sighed and bowed his head.
"Then we will be here for him, won't we?" Poppy replied. Draco's silence was answer enough. "Come. Lunch will be over soon. He will sleep for several more hours."
With another squeeze of Harry's hand, Draco rose and smoothed the wrinkles from his robe. He let his gaze linger for a moment longer on Harry's tired and drawn face. "I'
ll be back after dinner," he told the kindly woman.
She nodded her head. "Try not to worry too much. Harry's is and has always been a fighter. He'll make it through this. He just needs a little help."
"He'll get it too," Draco promised. With a wave of his hand, he left the enclosure, although Poppy was sure his mind was still on the broken young man laying there. Only time would tell how Harry's situation would effect everyone involved. A shiver went down her spine and she shook her head. Forces were at play here, forces that would change history, she felt certain.
Next Chapter: Harry wakes... and we find out what he has been up to this year. Severus' comes to some shocking conclusions... Just how far has Dumbledore fallen?