CHAPTER 23
The Great Hall was the same as before, except for one change. There were five tables for the teachers, where previously there had been only four.
"Malra." Said Hermione. As Fred and George looked bewildered, Ginny gave an explanatory whisper. "The lady who looked after Draco last night."
Rowena stood up. "Good Morning, my children. Did you have a good night's sleep?" Turning to the girls she said, "Hope last night's events weren't too fatiguing. I trust you slept soundly afterwards?"
Hermione and Ginny nodded.
Harry was the first to voice the question that was in everyone's mind. "How is Draco?" he asked.
Rowena smiled. "He is well, my child. Indeed he will be well enough to descend to The Great Hall for breakfast when the term starts."
"May we see him now?" Hermione asked.
"I fear not." Said Malra. "He has been given a sleeping draught and it would be best if he is not disturbed."
"Wait patiently. You will be seeing him in a few days." Said Helga.
"Could you tell us what is the matter with him?" asked Ginny.
"Not yet, I'm afraid." Said Godric gesturing them to be seated. "You see, we ourselves are hard put to define the exact nature of his suffering. I think you, child", he said looking at Ginny, "heard me saying that both the Imperius curse and the Cruciatus curse had been cast on him."
Ginny blushed and looked down wondering if she was to be accused of eavesdropping. But no accusations came.
"We don't know who it was that did that hateful deed. The combined effect of both the curses would have been disastrous indeed, if it weren't for the illusory potion, which combated and helped reduce their harmful effects to a certain extent."
The twins gave a startled gasp. "You mean the potion actually helped save his life?" asked Fred incredulously.
"The allied effects of both the harmful curses would have been harmful, but not hazardous enough to endanger his life." Said Godric, smiling. "But the potion certainly has helped. Mr.Malfoy will be in perfect health in a few days, whereas if it hadn't been for the potion he would have been bed-ridden for at least a week."
("Which goes to show," said the twins later, "Never underestimate the power of Gred and Forge!")
"But Professor Gryffindor, if you don't know who cast the unforgivable curses on Draco, don't you think we are all in danger?" asked Hermione. "The same person may come back and cast it on all of us!"
"Now, you children enjoy your breakfast and don't worry your little heads about anything." Said Helga kindly. "We will see to it that all of you are well-protected and nobody enters the Castle."
And with that they had to be content, not knowing that The Great Four had underestimated the power of the person who had cast the curse and that Draco was even then at Death's door.
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He was in a Grey barren land, which seemed to stretch for miles without any other living thing being visible and where no breath of air stirred. Draco looked up but could see neither the sky nor the sun, nor even the clouds. He seemed to be surrounded by a grey mist.
To his surprise, Draco found that all his pain and unease had vanished. His mind was no longer troubled by thoughts of Voldemort or Slytherin and what he would say to them. He felt free, no worried troubled him. Just as he was wondering if this was heaven, he heard a faint voice echoing throughout the land. It seemed to be whispering his name.
"Draco.. Come! Come to us!"
He felt suddenly cold and shivered, though there was no wind blowing. The voice came again, but now it was stronger as if a dozen people were adding their pleas to it.
"Draco! Come! Follow it..Follow the voice!"
Hardly aware of what he was doing Draco turned blindly and began following the unseen voice which beckoned him. His mind was in a fog. He only knew one thing and that was to get to the voice.
Stumbling and panting for breath he ran and ran, until he came to a river. A river it is called, though it was not water that flowed through it. Draco saw that the liquid which flowed through it, gurgling and foaming was vivid crimson and he knew that it was blood.
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