Chapter 26
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it all belongs to JK Rowling…I'm merely an obsessed fan with ideas stuck in my head.
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Harry sat beside his sister's bedside the morning after the incident in the bathroom. She still hadn't woken. He was told that depending on the strength of the Cruciatus Curse, to be unconscious this long wasn't uncommon. He wished for his sister to wake desperately to tell him that her unsettling declaration of love for Draco Malfoy was nonsense. Draco Malfoy lay in the bed beside Leila's, with the curtains drawn. If Leila's love for him was really true, what did she see in him? There was no way in hell that he would ever trust Draco Malfoy, not ever. And especially not after he used an Unforgiveable on his sister! Then again, that Unforgiveable was meant for him.
"Leila, you need to wake up. You need to tell me what you said isn't true." Harry whispered.
Still, no sign came from Leila. She lay there with a pained expression on her face. Her breathing was still slightly ragged and shallow. Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair. His gaze immediately shot to Draco Malfoy peering around the curtain at Leila. Harry instantly narrowed his eyes and scowled.
"Stay the hell away from her Malfoy." Harry spat.
Draco didn't respond. He merely kept his eyes on Leila. Madam Pomfrey quickly bustled her way over.
"Back in bed, Mr. Malfoy." Madam Pomfrey demanded.
"How's Leila?" Draco asked.
"You don't deserve to know." Harry said icily.
"Don't deserve to know?" Draco sneered.
"You're the one that cursed her. It's your fault she's here." Harry shouted.
"I would never purposely curse Leila." Draco snarled.
"Just stay away from her. She's too good for the likes of you!" Harry hissed.
Harry could have sworn he heard Malfoy whisper "I know" but he was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey.
"Mr. Malfoy, you opened one of your wounds." Madam Pomfrey tutted.
"I don't even feel it." Draco mumbled.
Madam Pomfrey helped Draco back to his bed, where blood was beginning to seep through his white shirt. She turned to Harry.
"Mr. Potter, I understand that your sister is here; but I will not have you bothering my other patients. I'm going to have to ask you to leave and come back when you can control your temper."
Harry was about to argue her when Mrs. Malfoy entered the Hospital Wing. Harry quickly escaped and headed to find Hermione and Ron. Mrs. Malfoy glared icily as the boy who hurt her son, walked past her.
"Mrs. Malfoy, your son needs his rest. I'm going to call for Severus, who knows the proper counter curse. " Madam Pomfrey said.
"I'll be brief." Narcissa said curtly.
Madam Pomfrey nodded her head, pointed to the watch on her wrist, and walked away. Narcissa quickly peered around where she was standing to make sure no one besides Draco was in ear shot. The only person she noticed was Leila. Draco took notice to his mother looking at her.
"She's unconscious." Draco muttered.
Narcissa turned back toward her son and cast a silencing charm around them.
"What were you thinking, Draco?" Narcissa hissed.
"Mother." Draco sighed.
"Clearly you weren't thinking. This could jeopardize everything! You know what that means don't you?" Narcissa pressed.
"I know!" Draco argued.
"You could be expelled! Most grown wizards end up in Azkaban for the use of Unforgiveables. What if you're found out? You of all people should know what happens." Narcissa furthered.
"Don't talk about Father like that." Draco growled.
"I will not lose you too, Draco, especially over careless mistakes." Narcissa said.
"I'm not careless." Draco said folding his arms across his chest.
"Enlighten me as to how hitting Leila Potter with the Cruciatus curse in a Hogwarts bathroom isn't careless." Narcissa drawled.
"I didn't mean to hit her." Draco mumbled.
"Is there something you wish to tell me, Draco?" Narcissa asked.
"No, Mother." Draco mumbled.
Narcissa eyed her son. She could tell there was something he was keeping from her, but Professor Snape arrived before she could get more out of him. Narcissa quickly removed the silencing charm before Snape got to them.
"Severus." Narcissa nodded.
"Narcissa." Snape said.
Snape performed the counter curse once more over Draco. Draco's wound seamed back together and Madam Pomfrey poured some dittany one the wounds to reduce the scarring.
"He needs his rest now." Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly.
Narcissa nodded and moved closer to her son. She placed a kiss on his forehead and whispered in his ear.
"Don't let that Potter girl become a distraction."
Draco merely nodded as he watched his mother be escorted out by Professor Snape. His mother wouldn't understand what he had with Leila. He loved Leila, and Leila loved him back. He felt that it was almost hypocritical of her seeing as she was practically engaged to his father at his age. Draco looked to make sure Madam Pomfrey was not paying him any attention and moved to where Leila lay. She looked rather pale. He moved closer to her bedside placing her hand in his.
"You know I didn't mean to hit you; you have to know that I would never do that, at least not to you." Draco whispered. "I know Scarhead will never believe that, but I you must. You have to wake up, Leila. Just open those beautiful emerald eyes of yours and tell…tell….tell me that you love me. I need you."
Draco brushed away the one stray tear, and then heard the Hospital Wing doors open and froze.
"He should be sleeping, Miss Parkinson." Madam Pomfrey said.
"I need to see him." Pansy demanded.
"You can see him in a few hours." Madam Pomfrey said.
"But I want to see him now!" Pansy whined.
"Mr. Malfoy needs his rest." Madam Pomfrey argued.
Draco quickly moved back to his bed in case Madam Pomfrey or Pansy should come and check on him. No one came right away and Draco heard the sound of the door closing. He heard Madam Pomfrey muttering to herself about Pansy. He tried to focus on what she was saying, but sleep overtook him. He never even noticed when Harry came back to the Hospital Wing to check on Leila with Hermione.
"Let us hope that Miss Granger can help keep your temper under control." Madam Pomfrey said as Harry walked back in.
Harry muttered something under his breath and continued to where Leila lay. He sat in the chair he had occupied before, while Hermione sat on another.
"Why won't she wake?" Harry asked.
"Everyone reacts differently to the Cruciatus Curse. What exactly happened Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I already told you and Ron. Malfoy and I were dueling in the bathroom and Leila got his by his Cruciatus Curse." Harry snapped.
"What happened after that?" Hermione asked.
"I used that Sectumsempra curse on Malfoy and blood spurted everywhere." Harry said.
"And?" Hermione asked.
"She…she started crying and said that she loved him, Hermione." Harry sighed.
"So she finally told you." Hermione whispered.
"What do you mean finally?" Harry asked.
"Harry don't be mad, but I've known about Leila and Malfoy for a few months. Well, I've actually always been suspicious, but she finally told me a few months ago." Hermione said.
"You knew?" Harry hissed.
"Harry, please don't be mad." Hermione begged.
"How long have they been together?" Harry asked.
"I think that's a question for Leila to answer." Hermione said.
"She's a bit preoccupied at the moment." Harry said coldly.
"Harry, I'm going to give you some time to think about this; but you can't stay mad. We're going to need each other because times are only going to get darker." Hermione said.
Hermione stood up and left the Hospital Wing, leaving Harry thinking about his sister with Draco Malfoy. Leila of all people should know better! And Hermione, why did she keep this from him? He couldn't get the disturbing picture of Malfoy kissing his sister out of his head. He pulled at a chunk of his hair in frustration. He released his hair and rested his hand beside Leila's hand. When was this nightmare going to be over?
The Hospital Wing doors swung open again. Harry hoped it was Hermione coming to tell him that she was joking; but then again Hermione wasn't the type to pull his leg like that. The footsteps got closer and stopped. Harry looked up to find Pansy Parkinson glaring.
"What are you doing here?" Pansy hissed.
"Leila's my sister, in case you've forgotten." Harry hissed back.
"After what you did to Draco, you shouldn't be allowed anywhere near him. As for your sister, it's about time she got what she deserved." Pansy sneered.
"Got what she deserved?" Harry questioned.
"Draco cursing her, of course." Pansy said.
"Malfoy didn't mean to hit her." Harry said.
"Why do you think that?" Pansy asked icily.
"I don't think so, I know so. Malfoy…" Harry began.
Harry was interrupted by nails digging into his hand. His eyes widened, Leila's nails were digging into his hand. He looked to Leila who' eyelids were fluttering open. She was awake.
"What do you supposedly know Potter?" Pansy questioned.
Harry again looked to Leila, whose eyes were silently pleading with him to drop the conversation with Parkinson, and especially not say anything about her and Malfoy.
"Malfoy was trying to curse me. Leila was just trying to stop me from doing something stupid." Harry said.
Pansy rolled her eyes and walked away to Draco's bedside. Harry leaned closer to his sister.
"Leila?" Harry whispered.
"Wa...water." Leila said hoarsely.
Harry quickly stood up and poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the table beside Leila's bed. He handed Leila the glass, but she didn't get a firm grip on it, so he helped guide the glass to her mouth. When she was finished he set the glass back on the table.
"Harry." Leila whispered.
"Tell me it isn't true Leila." Harry whispered back.
"It hurts." Leila said with clenched teeth, gripping her side.
"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey." Harry said.
Harry quickly ran to get Madam Pomfrey. Madam Pomfrey bustled to where Leila laid, tears streaming down her face in pain. Madam Pomfrey demanded that both Harry and Pansy leave the Hospital Wing immediately. Pansy refused to leave until Madam Pomfrey threatened detention and then left in a huff. Harry walked out slowly and waited outside to be let back in.
"Miss Potter where does it hurt?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"My side." Leila cried.
Madam Pomfrey rolled Leila onto her other side to examine where the pain was. It appeared that a shard of mirror was lodged in her side and a rib was broken. Madam Pomfrey quickly set to work removing the shard and mending the rib. When she was done, Leila looked paler than a ghost and her hair was matted to her head.
"I apologize for not doing something sooner. I didn't want to take the risk of something worse happening to you." Madam Pomfrey said.
"I understand." Leila said quietly.
"I should go inform the Headmaster of your condition." Madam Pomfrey said.
"Wait! How long have I…" Leila began.
"You were brought here last night. If you're having any troubles don't be afraid to ask for help and no overexerting yourself, Miss Potter. I'm having enough troubles with Mr. Malfoy." Madam Pomfrey said.
Leila nodded and Madam Pomfrey walked away. Leila wondered how Draco was doing, but was interrupted by Harry walking back in.
"Feeling better?" Harry asked.
"I suppose." Leila said.
"We need to talk." Harry said.
"Harry, I'm not up to it right now. I'm really tired." Leila said.
"You've been sleeping all day." Harry said.
"And I just got a shard of mirror removed from my side and a broken rib mended." Leila said.
Harry walked to leave, but turned toward Leila.
"Just tell me one thing; tell me what you said last night isn't true." Harry said.
"Tell you what isn't true?" Leila asked.
"Tell me that you being in love with Malfoy isn't true." Harry said.
"I can't." Leila sighed.
The look on Harry's face was one of hurt, disgust, and disappointment. Leila couldn't recall ever receiving that look from her brother. It was always the two of them against the world, they normally didn't keep secrets. At least they didn't keep them until Draco. Harry walked away leaving Leila with tears streaming down her face. She cried herself to sleep before Madam Pomfrey could even give her a Dreamless Sleep potion.
When Leila awoke, the Hospital Wing was covered in darkness and voices were talking low. Leila focused on the voices.
"You honestly feel that wise, Headmaster." A voice growled.
"I do, Severus. Young Mr. Malfoy will not be expelled; he is far safer here for the time being." Dumbledore said.
"Safer? Considering Potter sent him here, I'm not so sure." Snape spat.
"I'm not excusing what Harry did; but he didn't know what the spell would do." Dumbledore said.
"Then he should have been smart enough to know not to use it." Snape growled.
"I agree, Severus; but what's done is done." Dumbledore spoke.
"And what about Leila's role in all this?' Snape asked.
"What exactly are you questioning about her?" Dumbledore asked.
"Why was she in the bathroom? I can only guess that she was siding with her brother." Snape said.
"I don't believe that to be the case." Dumbledore said.
"And why not? Don't tell me you're back on your love theory again." Snape sneered.
"Do you not believe it possible, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course not, she's a Potter and he's a Malfoy. They're as different as light and dark." Severus spat.
"I happen to remember a young red-headed Gryffindor girl who befriended a certain Slytherin…" Dumbledore began.
"I don't want to hear of it. Besides, this is different." Severus said.
By this point Leila had gotten out of bed and peered from behind the curtains to better listen to Dumbledore and Snape.
"Love changes a person Severus, you know that." Dumbledore said.
"And you're so sure that Leila Potter and Draco Malfoy are in love?" Snape asked.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Dumbledore smiled.
Professor Snape quickly looked to the place where Leila stood. Leila gasped at being caught and threw her hands over her mouth in horror.
"Eavesdropping, Potter? I should take points…" Snape began.
"Severus, she didn't mean any harm." Dumbledore said.
"I do." Leila began. "I love him."
"Then what were you doing in the bathroom?" Snape asked.
"Trying to stop my brother and my…my boyfriend from hexing each other." Leila said.
"And why should I believe you?" Snape questioned.
Leila thought for a moment and fumbled for her necklace with Draco's ring. She unhooked the necklace and removed the ring and handed it to Professor Snape.
"You don't have to believe me, but I wouldn't wear the ring of someone I didn't love." Leila said.
Snape examined the ring between his fingers.
"You can try it on his hand if you don't believe me." Leila said.
Snape handed the ring back to Leila and she returned it to her necklace.
"Five points from Slytherin for eavesdropping Potter." Snape said curtly.
Leila knew the conversation was over as Snape billowed away with Professor Dumbledore. What she didn't know was whether Professor Snape believed her or not. Leila walked to where Draco lay as the moonlight shone upon his face. Draco was fast asleep, so Leila could only assume that Madam Pomfrey had given him a Dreamless Sleep potion. She reached her hand to his pale face. He looked so thin and his skin unnaturally pale. Leila wanted to do nothing more than to be in his arms and be reminded of his love. She picked up his hand and placed a kiss on it.
"Leila?" Draco asked rousing from his sleep.
"I'm right here, Draco." Leila said squeezing his hand.
"I…I…I'm s…s…sorry." Draco stammered.
"I know you are." Leila whispered.
"I wasn't aiming for you, I swear it." Draco said.
"I know, love. But I'm not particularly fond that you wanted to use an Unforgiveable on my brother though. " Leila said.
"I would never curse you." Draco said.
Draco sat up and motioned for Leila to sit beside him. Leila checked to make sure no one was watching and sat beside Draco. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him, taking notice to the bandages across his chest. Leila lightly traced the bandages.
"Does it hurt?" Leila asked.
"Not now. You?" Draco sighed.
"Not now." Leila said cuddling closer to Draco.
"I love you." Draco said kissing Leila's forehead.
"Why?" Leila asked.
"Don't you believe me?" Draco asked slightly offended.
"I do; I just want to hear why you love me." Leila whispered.
"Where do I begin?" Draco said in a low voice.
"Wherever you want." Leila chuckled.
"To begin with you get me, you see me for me." Draco said.
"And not as the person you want people to see. Why don't you let others see this side of you?" Leila asked.
"I just can't." Draco said.
"Why not?" Leila asked.
"I'm a Malfoy." Draco said.
"And I'm a Potter. It's only a name, Draco." Leila said.
"It's more than that." Draco said.
"How so?" Leila asked.
"It just is." Draco sighed.
"Why else do you love me?" Leila asked trying to reduce the tension.
Draco tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes.
"Because. You're. An. Excellent. Kisser." Draco said kissing her between every word.
"Are you trying to smooth talk me, Draco Malfoy?" Leila giggled.
"Is it working?" Draco smirked.
"What do you think?" Leila asked.
Draco kissed Leila again, but the couple was interrupted by footsteps from Madam Pomfrey. Leila quickly jumped off Draco's bed. She could tell Draco was frustrated, so she quickly kissed him and tiptoed back to her bed.
Leila was released from the Hospital Wing the next day, while Madam Pomfrey was determined to keep Draco for a few extra days since he kept reopening one of his wounds and Madam Pomfrey wasn't familiar with the curse used on him. Leila found Hermione waiting for her outside the Hospital Wing.
"Where's Harry?" Leila asked.
"He's busy with Ron." Hermione said.
"Busy, right." Leila scoffed.
"He's mad right now, but he'll get over it." Hermione said.
"You haven't said anything to Ron or anyone have you?" Leila asked.
"I haven't said anything, but I really think you should tell..." Hermione began.
"Good, it's staying that way for now." Leila said.
Leila headed up the stairs for the Gryffindor common room. She knew her brother was hiding out in there, and she was bound and determined to speak with him.
"The Slytherin common room isn't this direction." Hermione commented.
"We're not going there; you're taking me to talk with my brother." Leila said.
"You just got released from the hospital." Hermione argued.
"I need to talk with Harry." Leila said.
"Maybe you should just give Ginny time to smooth things over. He would do anything for her." Hermione suggested.
"I don't need her to smooth things over. He's my brother and we've always been there for each other; things shouldn't be any different this time. I don't need his girlfriend to smooth things over. We've always worked things out before." Leila said.
"Leila, I'm not so sure about this…" Hermione began.
"Either you let me in or I'll get the password from a first year." Leila threatened.
"Fine, fine, I'll let you in." Hermione gave in.
When they reached the Gryffindor common room, Hermione gave the password and the two girls walked in. Most people were surprised to see Leila Potter strolling through the Gryffindor common room, but she quickly made her way to the staircase and then to the sixth year boys' dormitory. She found Harry with Ron playing Wizard's Chess.
"Ron, please leave, I need to talk with Harry, alone." Leila said.
"Whatever you need to say to me, you say in front of Ron." Harry said coldly.
"Ron, please?" Leila pleaded.
"I think I'm gonna stay out of this one, mate." Ron said.
Ron stood up and left the room, where Hermione was waiting for him. Harry glared at his sister and then quickly gazed up at the ceiling.
"I get that you don't want to see me; but I'm going to make you listen to me." Leila said.
"What could you possibly have to say that I would want to hear? I already know that you're in love with the one guy I hate the most." Harry hissed.
"I didn't mean for it to happen, Harry." Leila pleaded.
"He's a bad guy, Leila. Malfoy's a Death Eater!" Harry shouted.
"You don't know that! Besides, he's different with me." Leila argued.
"How long have you been seeing Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"I've been seeing Draco since September." Leila said calmly.
"September! You've been lying to me for that long!" Harry questioned.
"I haven't been lying to you!" Leila pleaded.
"No, you just haven't been completely honest with me." Harry said.
"And I'm sorry about that. I was scared you wouldn't understand, which by the way you're acting, I was right." Leila said.
"Why now, Leila? He's been after you for how many years now? You've always said that you would never give into him." Harry said.
"Something changed. I don't know what; but something changed." Leila said.
"Obviously something changed. I don't know if I can trust you anymore." Harry said coldly.
"You've got to be kidding me! Why can't you trust me?' Leila asked.
"You could be feeding Malfoy information." Harry argued.
"I would never do that to you Harry. You're my brother! Besides, we don't talk about you; you're a rather sore spot for the both of us. " Leila retorted.
"Then it looks like you know what side to pick." Harry said.
"What do you mean picking sides?" Leila questioned.
"I mean you're going to have to choose a side Leila." Harry said.
"As in you or him?" Leila questioned.
"Yes. Either you're for me or you're for him. There's no having both." Harry said.
"This isn't fair, Harry." Leila said stomping her foot.
"This is more than fair. It should be an easy decision for you, because he's a Death Eater!" Harry yelled.
"I love him Harry. I'm in love with him!" Leila shouted.
"If that's your decision, then I don't want to see you." Harry said.
"What if I told you I didn't want you dating Ginny, would you listen to me?" Leila asked.
"Ginny's your friend. Malfoy is and never will be my friend." Harry said.
"Harry." Leila sighed.
"I know that you've had guy problems since Cedric, but I never thought you'd sink so low as a piece of scum like Malfoy." Harry scoffed.
"Don't bring up Cedric." Leila hissed.
"You couldn't have picked anyone else, but you picked Malfoy. You disgust me." Harry spat.
"I can see that you're upset, so we'll finish this discussion some other time." Leila said.
"Don't even bother talking to me again, unless Malfoy is no longer a part of your life." Harry hissed.
"Fine!" Leila yelled.
"Fine!" Harry shouted back.
Leila glared at her brother and slammed the door on her way out. She could feel the tears stinging at her eyes. What was she going to do? She had always supported Harry; but he couldn't support her this one time? She walked down the stairs and made her way to the Gryffindor common room, where she found Hermione, Ron, and Ginny waiting for her.
"I don't want to talk about it." Leila said.
"Don't want to talk about what?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Ron asked.
"Like I said, I don't want to talk about it." Leila said.
Leila looked to Hermione, who forced a smile, which wasn't returned. Leila shook her head and headed out of the Gryffindor common room, down to the dungeons. She made her way to the Slytherin common room. If she thought the Slytherins hated her before, she was mistaken. The looks she received walking through the common room were terrifying. It seemed like the entire House was taking sides on the issue, and apparently they were taking Draco's side.
"What the hell did Malfoy do to you, Potter?" Daphne sneered.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Leila said through gritted teeth.
"But what I do know is that Malfoy's in the Hospital Wing after something happened with you, your idiot brother, and Malfoy." Daphne snapped.
"Maybe if we were friends I would tell you." Leila said stomping off.
Leila walked into her room and decided to focus on her homework, but she couldn't focus on it in her room, so she hurried to the library. Leila couldn't focus on her homework there either. Her thoughts were plagued by Harry and Draco, and being forced to choose a side. She knew she would side against Voldemort, but she wasn't completely sold that Draco belonged to Voldemort. Leila's mind could comprehend how someone like Draco could completely make himself void of all emotions and be a Death Eater. She knew he couldn't because he was capable of love, but making Harry realize that was next to impossible. Leila stayed in the library until it closed and then slowly headed back to the common room for what was bound to be a long night.