Hogwarts
~~~~~
We collapse in a heap on a stone floor. Silence reigns as I pick myself up, looking around.
The whole school stares back. We're in the Great Hall, and it's lunchtime.
"Leila," Harry whispers. He's still sitting on the floor with Draco out cold in his lap. Quickly I reach down and haul my brother off him.
"Miss Malfoy." Professor Dumbledore walks calmly down the centre aisle toward us. A slight smile shows through his beard.
"Professor. Mister Potter and I found Mister Malfoy."
He smiles wider. Pulling his wand from inside his robe, he flicks it and my twin floats up off the ground as if he is on an invisible stretcher. With a gesture to Harry and I to follow, the headmaster leaves the hall in the direction of the hospital wing, Draco hovering before him. Dobby has hidden himself.
Behind us, the rumour mill cranks into motion.
~~~~~
"Broken ribs, concussion, severe bruising and lacerations with a risk of infection," Madam Pomfrey's voice is tight with anger. "This boy has been beaten to within an inch of his life."
Harry and I sit either side of Draco on our own hospital beds. Draco is asleep, his skin pale beneath purple bruises and angry red cuts.
"I must say it is a good thing you rescued him when you did," Dumbledore admits. "But you still shouldn't have done it."
"Had the aurors searched already?" I ask.
"Yes. They couldn't find anything in the Manor itself or in the grounds."
"The door was under the grand staircase. I suspect only a Malfoy could have opened it, which meant Father, Draco or I. Not Mother."
"What makes you say that?"
"She would have freed him if she could."
I can tell from his face that he does not believe me. At this point I'm too tired to care.
"Both of you will receive detentions for deliberately disobeying school rules. And both Slytherin and Gryffindor house will receive fifty points each for your bravery. Provided of course that you never do it again."
"Yes Professor."
"Yes Professor."
"Now try to sleep. Madam Pomfrey, when Draco wakes please send for me."
"Yes Professor Dumbledore."
~~~~~
I awake from a bad dream, sitting bolt upright and staring blankly around the ward. Moonlight streams through the tall narrow windows, fractured by the uneven glass.
Beside me my twin lies stiff and motionless, his eyes open. I slip out of bed quietly, crossing to his side.
"Draco?" his hand, as I take it, is cold. Weakly he turns his head.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left. It was stupid."
For a moment I don't understand but then I remember the cat.
"I just wanted a day alone. One day. But there was a damn Portkey. When I went to my dorm to get my cloak I saw a parcel from Father that hadn't been there before. And when I went to pick it up it was a Portkey and I got taken home."
"You're safe here now. It's alright."
"You're a good liar, but a liar all the same."
I hold his hand in both of mine as if I can will him to heal. I wish he didn't have to suffer what he did. I wish Father had never laid a hand on him. I wish Father were dead.
"I have to get Madam Pomfrey - "
"No. Not now. Just let me sleep tonight."
"Alright brother," I turn to my own bed but he catches my hand and I turn back.
"It's cold," he whispers.
I smile in reply and slide in beside him, careful of his bruises and strapped ribs. Curled protectively around my twin, the squib keeps the pureblood warm. How very un-Slytherin.
~~~~~
Nothing has changed. When I walk the halls the other students stare or ignore me. I say hello to the paintings. In classes I almost always sit alone. I listen attentively and work diligently. At lunch I avoid the issue and visit Dobby, who is also being ignored. Poor little elf. He at least had friends to lose.
Harry grins and Ron nods, Hermione glares. I suppose I did encourage Harry to break a school rule.
My flying lesson comes without anything untoward occurring.
Until Professor Snape appears on the pitch.
"Malfoy, get down here."
I swoop low and swing off the broom easily. He doesn't know I've been practising smooth dismounts for an hour.
"Yes sir?"
"Do you know anything about Quidditch?"
"Uh, yes sir. A little."
"You do know your brother is the Slytherin seeker?"
"Yes sir."
"There is a match on Saturday, Slytherin versus Ravenclaw. He won't be ready to play in three days."
Personally, I doubt I'd be either.
"It's been decided you're to replace him."
"What?"
"Get practising Malfoy. Groves is a very competitive player."
"Groves?"
"Aisling Groves, the Ravenclaw seeker. I trust you'll at least recognise her on the day of the match." And then he sweeps away without a backward glance. Madam Hooch gives me a sympathetic look and begins to teach me how to play Quidditch.
~~~~~