"Malfoy, what are you doing here alone?"
I know that voice! Snape! He'll know what to do.
"Mister Malfoy?" he asked when I didn't reply right away.
"Professor Snape! I have a problem," I said right away, keeping my voice low so no one would hear. I heard Snape inch closer to me so I told him about my current situation. When I finished, I heard him gasp and everything was silent for a while.
"Come, boy. I might have the solution to your problem," he said. He grabbed my arm and pulled me somewhere. I was quite nervous when he started to walk too fast because I might trip on something or he could be leading me down the stairs. I nearly fell face-first when I realized he was leading me down a long flight of stairs. Mystomach made small lurches everytime I skipped a step.
I heard a door open and I was led inside a room. The door closed again and I could hear Snape utter a spell--probably to light the room or something. He was quite silent for a while. I heard the sond of bottles clanging and cupboards opening and closing. Finally, he approached me again and led me to one of the chairs. I must be in his private dungeons. By the sound of things, his potions were stored in here.
"Drink this. In a few minutes, you will able to see again. But I am afraid to tell you, it won't last long either. I will talk with Albus about your condition and he will do the rest from there....Really, boy, how on earth did that happen to you?" Snape said. I shrugged my shoulders and felt a small round bottle being pushed against my palm. I grasped it tightly and thought for a while. I hope Granger won't be spreading this around like it's some amusing Slytherin karma....I wonder what that girl's doing now.
I sighed and removed the cork. Is Snape watching me? Maybe I'm just a subject of some experiment of his.... I gulped down the potion and a cold feeling swept through my mouth. There was a slight bitter taste to it but I ignored that. When I opened my eyes, I can see again!
I turned
my head to Snape and he was beaming as though he discovered a potion to
remedy Avada Kedavra victims.
-----------------
"WHAT
THE FRIGGIN' HELL?!"
I woke up the next day to find that Snape's potion had left my system. I was back in the darkness. I heard a snore and someone mumbling something incoherent. I guess it's not completely morning yet. I realized it was a Saturday so no one would wake up early. What do I do now? I don't want to wake up Crabbe and Goyle for I know their stupidity would come shining even through my closed eyelids.
I decided to risk a walk outside. Anyway, it must still be before dawn. I don't hear the chatter of Slytherin girls downstairs either. I hurriedly got up and took my wand with me which was underneath my pillow. I felt my way around and after a minute, I found the door and let myself out.
I managed to make my way up the stairs leading from the entrance to our common room to the halls of Hogwarts. I heard no one and realization dawned on me on why I wanted to take a walk....I was preparing to go back to the dungeons when I heard footsteps coming closer. I don't know where I was so I have no idea who that person is.
"Malfoy? What are you doing outside at four in the morning?" Granger's bossy tone asked. Actually, she sounded quite amused.
"Oh well, you know...are you alone?" I asked. The last thing I want would be to know that she's with Potter or Weasley.
"Of course. The others are still sleeping. I happen to be patrolling early--make sure no one's sneaking around at such an hour," she said. "You can't see me, can you?"
What am I doing trying to have a civilized conversation with Granger? This is absurd! For all I know, she might be plotting something against me. Have your fun, Mudblood. I'll get even some other time.
"Whatever Granger, now would you put those Gryffindor stuff to use and help me get somewhere other than here? Or the infirmary? Snape's maybe?" I said. I didn't mean to sound too bossy like she did but that can't be helped, can it? I hear her walk closer to me and for a while, there was nothing. I cleared my throat so she'd say something at least. She could be staring at me right now, marveling my devilishly handsome face when I can't catch her. Too bad, I know the works of a woman's mind especially when I'm around.
"When you're done staring at me, Granger? You'll find I won't melt under your gaze...." I said in the most monotonous voice I had.
I feel her hit my arm and she huffed indignantly, "You're very narcisstic, aren't you Malfoy?" With that, she took me by my elbows and dragged me somewhere. "Professor Snape must still be sleeping and I don't know why you would want to see him and not Madam Pomfrey--"
"Her potion didn't work," I interrupted.
"Really? I think you should go see Professor Dumbledore. He's awake now, I've been there a few moments ago to tell him about the prefect meeting outcomes and for the upcoming Hogsmeade trip. Honestly, Malfoy, you should've gone straight to Dumbledore when Madam Pomfrey's potion wore off because he might be able to do something about that. I wonder why--"
"Granger," I interjected again. She stopped talking. She must've realized she was being a motormouth. She muttered a small apology and continued walking in silence. I heard her whisper something to a something and then something solid crashing down unto the floor. I jumped a bit. I hope she didn't notice.
"Come on, Malfoy," she pulled me again and the next thing I knew, I was in some kind of spiral staircase because I could feel the steps and we were revolving. Then it stopped. She pushed me out and here I was starting to get irritated. I am getting fed up being pushed and pulled around all the time. Can't they see that a blind person don't trust too well owing the circumstances? She pushed me again, probably because I was blocking her way when I didn't move.
"Would you mind not pushing me all the time? I kind of get the picture that you're trying to make me stumble over something....a little sensitivity, Granger."
She poked me at the side and said, "Professor Dumbledore, Malfoy has a problem."
Was she really serious when she said she was going to take me to Dumbledore? She poked me again and I turned my head to the right, knowing she was there, and glared at her even though I couldn't see. I just had to let her know I was getting really irritated.
After a few minutes of explaining what happened and everything (I left Snape out of the picture), I heard Dumbledore sigh.
"Professor, what do you think we should do? I mean, besides taking the medicine over and over again would be too much trouble. Is there some kind of permanent solution?" Granger asked. I was surprised. Why did she care all of a sudden? All I know is that she had repaid me when she took me back to that loony Mediwitch. We were equal in those terms now and I believe it all stopped there.
"I'm afraid I don't Miss Granger. For now, I advise Mister Malfoy to keep up with the potion Madam Pomfrey gave you. I will have Professor Snape research a better antidote," Dumbledore said.
What else can I do? Things were starting to get hopeless. Actually, I think the potion Snape gave me was the same one of Pomfrey's.
I nodded.