I gasped when I heard him say that. He was blind? But how did that happen? I cast a worried glance at Madam Pomfrey and she looked back at me with her eyebrows furrowed in doubt.
"Mr. Malfoy, I admit you fooled me for a minute but I must suggest you stop this nonsense. There is nothing wrong with your eyes--I gave you proper medication and--"
"Madam Pomfrey, I am not fooling around! I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING!"
I studied Malfoy's face and by the looks of it, his glassy eyes contained no luster at all. It was as though they weren't alive. I noticed he was turning red in the face as he continued yelling that he couldn't see anything while Madam Pomfrey insisted he just needed some rest.
Malfoy closed his eyes. For a moment, I thought I saw them turn glossy. There were wrinkles on his forehead, as though it pained him to close his eyes. He sat up and buried his face in his hands. Was he crying?
"I firmly believe there is still nothing wrong with you, Mr. Malfoy. I'm sure I checked before I gave you anything. What could possibly make you lose your sight? Remember you still have classes tomorrow and you must go back to your dormitory."
He leaned back on the headboard and sighed, all the while never opening his eyes.
"All right. I admit, I was just joking. You caught me! Wow, you're really a great nurse, Madam Pomfrey. I think I should go now. I still have that Potions assignment to attend to. It's due on Friday," he said nonchalantly.
Was he really playing around? Madam Pomfrey placed her hands on her hips as she muttered, "Well, Mr. Malfoy, there was certainly no need of that!"
Malfoy was now struggling to get out of bed, putting on his shoes in a very messy manner. He didn't even tie the shoe laces. Madam Pomfrey went in her office, still muttering about time-wasters. I was quite unsure about Malfoy's predicament. I really thought he lost his sight.
"Hey, Malfoy, that's--"
He had walked right into the door and hit his head. He muttered a small "Ow" and then very slowly swaggered a few paces to the left, using his hand to guide him so he would be in front of the exit.
"You can go back to where you came from now, Granger. I can walk to the dungeons by myself, thanks. I mean, I'm not blind or anything," he said coldly.
I'm not so sure about that....
I glanced back at Madam Pomfrey. She was busy tidying her desk from papers that she didn't notice Malfoy bump into the door. I looked back at the exit and saw Malfoy wasn't there anymore. I decided to check on him, in case he really was blind. What else could make him bump into the door like that? Or was he just playing a joke on me?
I turned a corner and I almost tripped on someone who was huddled on the ground.
"Malfoy?" I whispered to myself. He didn't seem to hear me. I don't think he even noticed me.
I crouched down and took a look at his face. His eyes were open but it seems like he didn't see me. I waved my arms in front of his face. No reaction.
"Oh my goodness, are you really blind?" I exclaimed. He heard me that time. He glanced up, thinking I was standing.
"What do you think, Granger?" he asked, still looking up.
"I'll get Madam Pomfrey, you wait here--" I turned to leave for the infirmary but a hand caught my robes and pulled me back. Malfoy was keeping a tight grip on my robes and he hung his head low.
"She won't believe you. She thinks she's some kind of perfect nurse and doesn't listen to anyone's complaints. I mean, even though she's nurse, she doesn't have the body and she can't tell what's hurting you--"
"What are you blabbing on about, Malfoy? This is serious! You're blind and you have to go to the hospital wing," I said. I was getting quite annoyed at his slow response. "Don't make me drag you, Malfoy."
"And then what? You're going to share my unfortunate accident to Potter and Weasley? No thanks, Granger. I should think twice about letting you help me," he said, letting go of my robes. He buried his face in his hands again and this time, I could see he was shaking. "I don't want to be blind. It's not exactly the best feeling when people laugh at you....especially Gryffindors."
His voice was shaky. It's obvious he's crying. What made him think I'd lower myself and laugh at other's misfortune? That's not Hermione Granger and he doesn't deserve this! Problem is, he's too stuborn to let others help him.
"Why did you stop that Bludger?" I ask.
"I don't know. Reflexes, I guess."
He's not being entirely truthful but that got him to look up. He was wiping the tears in his eyes and hiding his red face under his cloak.
"Okay....so if you saved me then let me help you. It's the least I can do. Come on, Malfoy. What've you got to lose?" I offered my hand which I forgot he won't notice.
"My reputation."
What? Slytherin pride? I've got to knock some sense into this git!
"Which weighs heavier in your balance: your reputation or your sight? Come on, I don't have all day," I told him. He sighed and then stood up. I grabbed his hand (he flinched a bit) and pulled him towards the hospital wing.
After we turned a corner, he stepped a bit closer to me and spoke in a whisper, "If someone passes by, let go of my hand." I grunted as if to say yes. Why does he have to be so immature? If I were him and he was the one holding my hand, helping me get to the hospital wing so his sight could be restored then I wouldn't care if any Gryffindor or Slytherin saw us walking together. Either way, he'd still let go of my hand and leave me there to save his "reputation".
He took his time gliding through the halls. I guess he just doesn't trust me enough. I think he thinks I'm leading him towards some staircase and let him fall or something. What amazed me was the iron grip on my hand. Boy is he nervous!
"Here we are," I announced, pulling the door open. I warned him to walk straight or he'll bump right into the door again. I noticed his ears went red at that part.
"Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, back so soon?" Madam Pomfrey emerged from the office, eyeing us curiously. I forgot to let go of his hand and immediately did so when I realized that. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Madam Pomfrey, he really is blind," I said, leading Malfoy towards one of the empty beds. He sat down on it and waited patiently. His eyes were open but unmoving. Madam Pomfrey bustled over and stared at him. He seemed to stare back but there was no reaction.
"Oh my! Why didn't I see it before?" she exclaimed and ran to her office to get something. Malfoy was about to loudly supply a rude answer to her 'Why didn't I see it before?' but I quickly kicked him in the shins so he just muttered it under his breath.
Madam Pomfrey came back seconds later with a very small brown bottle in her hands. She uncorked it whilst mumbling about how Malfoy never said anything about his problem earlier. I watched how Malfoy's lips twitched and the inceasant mumbling. I could catch words like "stupid", "self-centered", "insensitive nurse".
"Here, drink all this and refrain from taking anything other than water for a while until your vision starts to return. I should say a couple of hours from now....Honestly, I don't know how that happened to you....dangerous sport, Quidditch! When will students learn...." she stomped off, continuing her sermon.
Malfoy placed the empty bottle down on the bed beside him and closed his eyes. When he opened them, everything was still black. "Wonderful, I still can't see."
"It takes time, Malfoy. I think you should stay here for the meantime....can't risk you going out there in that condition," I said. Obediently, he lay down on the bed "staring" up at the ceiling.
"You really won't tell Potter, will you?" he asked.
"No, I won't. Don't worry," I told him. He smiled. He actually smiled! He looks cute when he does that--it made me forget he's evil inside. All I see is the innocent, helpless boy. "I wish you'd smile more often. You look cute," the words came spilling from my mouth before I could stop them.
He closed his eyes and instead of smirking or frowning, he beamed, "Do I?"
He sounds sincere enough....I don't think he's still so full of himself.
"Yeah, you do," I replied.
"Don't I always?"
"Sure, whatever you say," I said and turned for the door. I still have homework to do and I don't think Snape will believe me if I told him I didn't do it because I was looking after his favorite student in the infirmary. "I'm going now, Malfoy. See you later, I guess."
He didn't say anything. I look back at him and found that he was sleeping. I smiled....now he looks like an angel--a fallen angel. I quietly made my exit, wishing he'd be okay when he wakes up.