2. Potty about Potter

Ginny Weasley was walking down the darkening corridor that led to the Great Hall, humming. She was happier then she had been for ages. She had finally shaken of Dave and Chris, who were waiting in the Great Hall.

As she stepped up into the foyer she readied herself for the crowds in the Great Hall. She hadn't been to breakfast this morning, and she had eaten lunch with the house elves. To tell the truth, she was scared. It wasn't their reaction to her, because she just didn't care. It was more the fact that she couldn't connect with any of them. There was only one person in this whole school she could actually understand.

Glancing across the foyer, Ginny stopped dead. There, leaning on the tapestry of Santa Claus, was Harry. Of course, Ginny was over Harry, so that wasn't what was bothering her. What was, was the girl who was in his arms, who was giggling crazily. Ginny felt the tears burn in her eyes as she thought about how long she had been mooning over Harry, and how much of a waste of time she was. Ginny felt her knees give way and fell to the floor, suddenly not feeling like dinner at all. She watched as the couple hurried into the Great Hall and she felt her soul clawing for release.

Ginny got up unsteadily and made her way to the first floor bathrooms, totally unaware of the person following her. Draco had been heading towards dinner when he saw Ginny collapse and, without any reason at all, he went to help her. Of course, she got up before he got there, but Draco had the feeling she was going to do something stupid.

The door to the bathroom swung open and Ginny fell into the room before shuddering and looking around. Draco had no clue what she was looking for, but he followed her anyway. Standing in the shadows, Draco watched as Ginny gently smashed the window, and he grimaced as the glass fell to the ground. She could get hurt! He thought before realising what she was going to do.

Ginny picked up the largest piece of glass and, wrapping her small fingers around it, she exhaled carefully before placing the sharp bit of the glass against her wrist. She sobbed quietly as the bolt of pain shot through her body and she was mildly aware of the front of her robes being covered in her own blood. She felt her body convulse and she started taking shallow breaths.

Draco was horrified. Before he could process any information though, he had run out to where Ginny was standing and put an arm around her shoulders. Then he pulled his tie out of his pocket, where it had been sitting for sometime now, and quickly wrapped it tightly around the gash. Ginny was swaying dangerously and Draco felt her knees give way again. They stood together, for a few minutes, him cradling her head, and her sobbing uncontrollably into his shoulder. Then Draco realised, with a start that Ginny was still bleeding and would medical attention soon.

Draco bent down and put his arms under her legs before standing back up. She was very light, and she was almost unconscious. She whispered something to him before he silenced her by pushing his finger to her lips. Then Draco headed towards the Hospital Wing, where he knew Madame Pomfrey would be waiting. Carefully he hoisted Ginny up against his chest and tried to think of something else. But there was still one question that was lurking in his mind, that wouldn't leave him alone.

Why?

--

Madame Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, reading the new issue of Magical Maladies when she realised that something was wrong. She got up quickly and slid the double doors open to find a blood soaked Draco Malfoy carrying Ginny Weasley like a baby. She gasped loudly and ushered Draco towards the closest bed before running to her potions cupboard. Madame Pomfrey pushed Draco into the empty chair next to where Ginny's frail body was lying and she quickly addressed the situation. Then she grabbed the magical gauze and unwound Draco's tie from Ginny's wrist before nodding at him.

"Get that dark bottle there on the table, and pour just a smidge on to the.wound. Good boy. I noticed that you wrapped your tie around the wound. Not the best idea, but it did help to stop the bleeding. Might make a magical medicine student of you yet. Now open that door there, and grab that flask there. Now pour three glasses. Its just green tea boy, don't be afraid. Now, if you just want to sip that and I will go alert the headmaster."

Then, as she turned to leave she said warmly "You've done well young man. Have a bit of a rest now, you look all worn out. I will bring some warm food up from the feast for you."

Draco sighed and slowly sipped the tea while fingering the tie that was still in his hands. She looked so peaceful, just lying there. He took up the unharmed hand and noted that it was freezing. He rubbed the fingers and palm until it was warm. Then he tucked the sheets in and whispered a faint goodnight. As he was drifting on the edge of sleep, he would later swear that he heard a soft voice reply "Goodnight Draco. Thank you." Of course, he was so sleepy he couldn't be sure if he didn't dream it, or if Ginny was actually awake, all that time.

--

Feeling stiff Draco stretched his arms before remembering where he was. His eyes snapped open and focused on Ginny's sleeping form. He relaxed and watched as her chest moved slowly up and down. Then he looked around, only to find from the light streaming into the Hospital Wing that it was at least ten am. Swearing, he jumped up and, waving goodbye through the thick glass that separated Madame Pomfrey from the ward, left the ward at a run.

Draco reached the Slytherin dungeons in what must have been record time and he rushed into the seventh year boy's dorm. There he grabbed some parchment, a quill and an ink bottle. Then Draco quickly changed his robes to new fresh ones and ran a hand through his hair. He didn't have time to actually do it, so it would just annoy him all day, he was sure.

Then Draco took off to the Dungeons where he had Potions. It would be tough getting out of detention, especially since he didn't even have a note from Madame Pomfrey. Draco shrugged when he realised that this was just another hardship in his life. As if he didn't have enough.

Draco slowed his pace and braced himself before knocking on the old, wooden door. He heard Professor Snape's greasy voice bark out permission to enter and swallowed before squaring his shoulders. Draco could see Snape's eyes narrow when he entered, and sure enough, Snape quietly asked him where he had been.

Gulping, Draco made his way to the front of the room and noticed that Weasley looked as if all his Christmases had come at once. Draco smirked at him and quickly explained to Snape.

"I've been seeing a friend. They weren't feeling well and I was in the hospital wing. You can check with Madame Pomfrey if you want. She'll just tell you what you've just heard."

Draco could see Professor Snape battling with himself. Finally he contorted his face and barked at him to go to his place. Draco smirked at Weasley again and took his place beside Greg. Greg wasn't that smart, but what he did get, he knew well. Same went for Vincent. They made great friends because they didn't ask the awkward questions that could ruin a friendship.

Draco glanced up at the board and growled softly as he recognised the potion as the confusion potion, which was one of the hardest to do. He got to work though, and by the end of class he had a passable excuse for the potion. Draco smiled as he heard Snape berate Potter. (This isn't a game Potter! This could hurt someone if you spilt it! 10 points of Gryffindor for your clumsiness!) Then he placed the potion on Snape's desk and escaped. The rest of the day was a passing blur, with the exception of Arithmancy, when Draco was so wrapped up in concerning (he snorted at the thought of a Malfoy being concerned!) thoughts about Ginny that Professor Sinistra came over, 10 minutes after the class had been dismissed and told him to get out or take a detention. Draco fled the classroom and headed for the Slytherin Common Room, barely stopping to apologise to the First Year he knocked down.

When he reached the common room he tore through it, and collapsed on his bed. Then he noticed his best friend, Blaise Zambini, sitting on the edge of Goyle's bed. She smirked at him and waited for him to explain his actions. Then, when he didn't, Blaise nodded at him and began speaking.

"Ok, I've never seen you this worked up. What's up? Is it girl trouble? If it is, I can help you. Or is it school? If that's it, you'd have to get Granger's help." She snickered. "I can't think of anything else that would bother you."

"Its nothing Blaise. Don't worry." Draco said, not knowing that this would only provoke Blaise.

"Oh, it must be something good. You don't usually go quiet. What is it? Is it Weasel?"

Draco stared at Blaise so she knew that she was right. Blaise was silent, but Draco could tell she was trying to work it out. Finally, he was so bored of her silence that he whispered, so only she could hear "Ginny."

Blaise's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything. Instead, Draco chose to fill the silence.

"She slit her wrist.it was like she ripped out my heart, tore my soul to shreds. It was such a horrible feeling." Then Draco felt Blaise hug him and he leaned on her, for a whole minute. Then he pulled away and saw that she was battling with herself.

"Draco, I need to.listen. Can I trust you?" Her eyes were shimmering and Draco could tell this was important. He nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Well, see the thing is.I know. I was the girl kissing Harry. I'm really sorry, but I didn't know something like this would be the result. You have to believe me Draco, I swear I didn't know!"

Draco didn't say anything. On one hand, she had every right to kiss who ever she wanted. But on the other, this was the whole reason Ginny was chained in a bed with a needle in her arm replacing the blood she had lost. Finally he just looked up.

"So, you're potty for Potter? I should have guessed. Only you Blaise, only you." With that, Draco headed out of the room and to the Hospital Wing.