Chapter Five: Draco's Advocate.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape left the infirmary in silence. They had both been arguing vociferously to Profesor Dumbledore about what Neville had done to Draco. Goyle and Crabbe watched them go in silence as they waited outside for some word from Madame Pomfrey.
Penny Riven was in there, holding Draco's hand as he lay comatose in the bed. Albus dumbledore lay his hand upon her shoulder.
"He'll be fine. We were surprised that Neville could cause such a thing. I do not mind admitting, it did catch us off guard, but the Cruciatus spell is incredibly complex and the power in this casting was only enough to wind poor Draco."
"But why?" whispered Penny.
Albus gave Penny a sideways look. He realised that Penny was an intelligent young girl, but seemed to be under a great spell cast by Draco's dashing looks. So it was that Albus took several moments to compose his next few words.
"Young Draco here can sometimes be - well - impestous, shall we say? Forthright with his politics and always a brutally frank person. He can sometimes come across as being offensive as a result."
Penny turned to stare at Albus. "Hey! Draco did not deserve this! Wait until his father finds out! That Neville will get what he deserves then..."
"We have decided, after much debate, not to make a big thing of this after all."
"But!" squealed Penny.
"But nothing!" said Albus sternly. "Draco has been seen on numerous occasions taunting young Neville. This morning was the last straw for Neville..."
"But Neville must be punished! Draco would never actually hurt anyone! It's all just..."
"Miss Riven!" boomed Professor Dumbledore. Penny was shocked into silence. Dumbledore leaned closer until his face was scant inches from her own. "Neville heard today that his father has had a relapse and may not live to see the night. Draco chose an innopportune time to start a 'fun' bout of name-calling as Neville was in a mad rush to sort out a few things for the journey and get to see his father, perhaps for the last time. It was unfortunate that Neville could not contain his anger, and indeed we are going to fully investigate where on earth he learnt the Crucio spell from. But his outburst, even though being excessive, is understandable. Wouldn't you agree?"
Penny looked utterly defeated as her emotions u-turned inside her, allowing waves of sympathy to wash from Draco and towards poor Neville.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. "A few words of advice Penny. There is goodness in everyone's heart, but at what price are you willing to pay to reach it?"
Penny stood up. "Draco is more than worth it, sir." she stated with pride.
Albus Dumbledore hesitated, holding her fierce stare and nodded. "Very good Penny. Be strong. Draco will thank you for it in the long run." As he reached the door, he turned back and added "I see the scars around your throat have healed greatly.* I wish you well." And with that devastating remark was gone.
Penny turned numbly and stared thoughtfully at Draco's sleeping form for a long time. After an apparent eternity of aprehension, she resumed her vigil by his bed.
"No matter what, Draccy." she sniffed.
*
* See "Ginny and the Snaggle: The Long Still Night." as to why Penny is all upset. r/r. ta.
Of course, the hardcore supporters like Bythra, Paint and the wonderful *~*Ginny*~* already know this, so to you, and everyone else who's really encouraged me to keep on going, I give you all an extra big hug. [Love your work by the way!]
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape left the infirmary in silence. They had both been arguing vociferously to Profesor Dumbledore about what Neville had done to Draco. Goyle and Crabbe watched them go in silence as they waited outside for some word from Madame Pomfrey.
Penny Riven was in there, holding Draco's hand as he lay comatose in the bed. Albus dumbledore lay his hand upon her shoulder.
"He'll be fine. We were surprised that Neville could cause such a thing. I do not mind admitting, it did catch us off guard, but the Cruciatus spell is incredibly complex and the power in this casting was only enough to wind poor Draco."
"But why?" whispered Penny.
Albus gave Penny a sideways look. He realised that Penny was an intelligent young girl, but seemed to be under a great spell cast by Draco's dashing looks. So it was that Albus took several moments to compose his next few words.
"Young Draco here can sometimes be - well - impestous, shall we say? Forthright with his politics and always a brutally frank person. He can sometimes come across as being offensive as a result."
Penny turned to stare at Albus. "Hey! Draco did not deserve this! Wait until his father finds out! That Neville will get what he deserves then..."
"We have decided, after much debate, not to make a big thing of this after all."
"But!" squealed Penny.
"But nothing!" said Albus sternly. "Draco has been seen on numerous occasions taunting young Neville. This morning was the last straw for Neville..."
"But Neville must be punished! Draco would never actually hurt anyone! It's all just..."
"Miss Riven!" boomed Professor Dumbledore. Penny was shocked into silence. Dumbledore leaned closer until his face was scant inches from her own. "Neville heard today that his father has had a relapse and may not live to see the night. Draco chose an innopportune time to start a 'fun' bout of name-calling as Neville was in a mad rush to sort out a few things for the journey and get to see his father, perhaps for the last time. It was unfortunate that Neville could not contain his anger, and indeed we are going to fully investigate where on earth he learnt the Crucio spell from. But his outburst, even though being excessive, is understandable. Wouldn't you agree?"
Penny looked utterly defeated as her emotions u-turned inside her, allowing waves of sympathy to wash from Draco and towards poor Neville.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. "A few words of advice Penny. There is goodness in everyone's heart, but at what price are you willing to pay to reach it?"
Penny stood up. "Draco is more than worth it, sir." she stated with pride.
Albus Dumbledore hesitated, holding her fierce stare and nodded. "Very good Penny. Be strong. Draco will thank you for it in the long run." As he reached the door, he turned back and added "I see the scars around your throat have healed greatly.* I wish you well." And with that devastating remark was gone.
Penny turned numbly and stared thoughtfully at Draco's sleeping form for a long time. After an apparent eternity of aprehension, she resumed her vigil by his bed.
"No matter what, Draccy." she sniffed.
*
* See "Ginny and the Snaggle: The Long Still Night." as to why Penny is all upset. r/r. ta.
Of course, the hardcore supporters like Bythra, Paint and the wonderful *~*Ginny*~* already know this, so to you, and everyone else who's really encouraged me to keep on going, I give you all an extra big hug. [Love your work by the way!]