Here's chapter 4 everyone, hope you like it! I'll try to put in a chapter a day. If u review it you're my best friends!!

Chapter 4: Malfoy's Tears

Meanwhile in the Hospital Wing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting anxiously beside Victoria's bed. She had regained conciousness, but she was still very weak, not to mention sore. Madam Pomfrey had said that the cuts would not scar because of the potion she had used, and it would be about three days until Victoria was strong enough to come back to school. Victoria had woken up with a start, and the first question she asked was, "Where's Malfoy?"

"Being severely punished by Dumbledore at the moment," said Hermione grimly. "He's been in his office for over an hour now."

"Oh, how I'd like to punch him like you did Victoria," said Ron with a faraway look in his eyes. "I'd sure give him something to think about!"

"Well, all I can say is that I feel really guilty," said Harry sadly. "I mean, he hurt you while you were sticking up for me."

"Don't worry Harry," said Victoria evilly. "It was about time someone used brute force against that little rat!"

"Yeah, but it shouldn't have been you," he replied. "By rights it should be me lying there."

"Hey, I just introduced him to violence. You can properly kill him another time, you're stronger than me Harry!" Victoria said, and they all laughed.

At that moment, the door opened, and Madam Pomfrey cam in leading a very cut, bruised, and woebegone Draco Malfoy. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all immediately stopped talking and glared at him. "I'd like you three to step outside now," said Madam Pomfrey. "Malfoy has something he needs to say to Victoria."

The three of them walked out slowly, casting warning looks at Malfoy. Madam Pomfrey left too, leaving him to sit on the chair beside Victoria's bed.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" asked Victoria quietly.

"I…I needed to come to the Hospital Wing to get these cuts and bruises fixed," he said.

"That's not the only reason you're here, is it?"

"No," he sighed. "I also came to say…I'm sorry." He turned away. "I'm sorry for fighting with Potter, and I'm sorry for hurting you. I should have left you alone 'cause you're smaller than me."

Victoria sat up in bed, put her finger under his chin and slowly turned his face towards her. He was crying, for the second time that day. Great silent tears were pouring down his face, and his eyes showed pure sincerity, another first for Draco Malfoy. Victoria was touched.

"You're crying," she said softly. "I've never really seen a boy in tears before."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," Draco said.

Victoria pulled him into a silent hug. "It's fine Draco," she said, starting to cry herself. "I forgive you."

"Thanks," he said, and pulled her closer still. This time Victoria kissed Draco, only softly on the cheek. They smiled at each other, and Madam Pomfrey bustled in.

"Well, if you two have finished, I would like you, Mr. Malfoy, to come and lie down so I can fix those battle wounds of yours. "You'll have to spend the night here I'm afraid, and you can go back to school tomorrow."

"Can I say goodbye to the others first Madam Pomfrey?" asked Victoria.

"Yes, you may," she said, and let Harry, Ron, and Hermione in.

"What did you say to her?" said Harry to Malfoy, an undertone of pure hatred in his voice.

"That Potter is none of you're business," retorted Draco harshly.

"He didn't upset you though did he?" said Ron to Victoria.

"No, he didn't," she replied.

* * *

When Victoria and Malfoy came back to school, the whole place was in an anti-Malfoy uproar. Even some of the Slytherins were treating him strangely. People kept tripping him in the corridors, spilling ink on his work, insulting him very loudly when he walked past, and banging into him when he was not looking. He took all this on the chin though, but it did not stop him from passing snide remarks to Harry. For example:

"Hey Potter, what were you doing running off with you're tail between your legs and leaving you're little girlfriend to face me? Suddenly lost what little nerve you have?"

But Harry and Ron had one very powerful weapon that Malfoy could not retaliate against; "You hit a girl Malfoy. For shame, for shame, for shame." This would always send him off sulking.

His family was, of course, disappointed in him, but since Victoria was muggle-born, no Howler came to him at breakfast to the great annoyance of the Griffindor students.

"It just goes to show how prejudiced his family is towards muggle-borns," Ron said heatedly. "His dear old dad probably wouldn't have minded if he had finished Victoria off!"

Although the situation blew over in time, Malfoy would never really live it down. Teachers and students lost a lot of respect for him, but one did not.

"He apologised to me," Victoria reminded herself. "and he cried when he did." Malfoy's tears had meant a lot to her.

Sorry, the chapter's a bit short this time! Well, if you read and review I'll love you!