Chapter 6 – Unwelcome Truths
"Before I'd even had a chance to acknowledge the arrival of Professor Dumbledore and Moony properly, Professor McGonagall had literally leapt across the room in two bounds and was in the Head teacher's arms.
"There, there. It's ok Tabby. I'm right here." He whispered and ran a hand across her back. She seemed to calm somewhat in his presence despite the fact that Malfoy was mumbling under his breath about something. Dumbledore looked up at us and then round to Snape. He started to talk without further encouragement the words tumbling out of his mouth as if barely controlled.
"I, I went to look for him. Luscious, that is. After he'd stormed out of the staff room I'd assumed he'd go back to his room and crashed but when I went to check on him about a half hour ago he wasn't there. Didn't look like he had been since before dinner. I wasn't sure he was in a fit state to look after himself properly so I figured I better go look for him. I tried a couple of places but then figured I'd go see if he'd turned up in the tower yet. He was in the corridor outside the Great hall – I only found him by chance really. Heard him more than anything else. He was cussing under his breath…something about 'stupid Gryffindor wenches' and 'woman not knowing they're places'" At least he had the decency to look abashed at his friends words. "I think he was looking for this" Snape held out Malfoy's wand "left it in his room." He added absently. "Anyway he kept saying stuff about memory charms and how it should have been so simple. It didn't take a genius to figure who he was talking about. So I thought I better come and see what kind of a mess he had made." He trailed off towards the end. If it had been anybody but Serverus Snape I would have said that he was in shock. Dumbledore nodded a little, I think he was acknowledging his honesty which to tell the truth I was surprised by.
"Well, let me through then!" Came Madame Pomfrey's voice from the doorway. Snape moved Malfoy's bulk a little, as he was now back at his original state of awareness, and let her and Padfoot through. If she was as shocked as the rest of us she didn't let it deter her.
"Minerva?" She asked quietly obviously looking to Professor Dumbledore for an answer.
"Right here." He answered quietly. I think it's the first time I've seen the sparkle form his eyes disappear so completely. They exchanged a look with each other.
"I'm no vet Albus." She whispered as she carefully made a cursory inspection of 'Tabby'. I'm sure it wasn't meant for my ears but I heard it anyway. "Well, I'm certainly not going to be able to do anything here." She said loud enough for us all to hear. "Let's get her to the hospital wing. I would also suggest," She said turning to Snape. "That you take you're friend back to his bed and let him sleep that off. He's going to have one hell of a hangover when he wakes up." There wasn't exactly malice in her voice but the usual caring tone was absent.
"Professor?" Snape asked. Again he nodded.
"I would appreciate it if you could ensure that Mr Malfoy was in my office at ten o'clock tomorrow morning." This time it was Snape who nodded. He tried to turn Malfoy but he wasn't cooperating and after a second he pulled out his wand and said "Mobilus corpus" and floated his mentor's body out of the room.
"Gentlemen, Miss Evans. I would suggest that you return to your common room now." Padfoot made as if to protest but Dumbledore continued. "I will be sure to keep you as informed as I can. Now…" He didn't need to say anything else. We all made for the door in silence. We must have been half way back before I noticed Lilly's shoulders shaking silently in front of me. I wrapped an arm around her and we all stopped there in the middle of the deserted corridor. I pulled her closer for a minute and left my arm around her when we made our way to the portrait hole. I guess when it swung shut it was like we had permission to give up hiding what we were feeling. It's been at least an hour now and no one seems to be showing any signs of going up to bed. I get the feeling that none of us wants to be alone right now and well…I don't know what will happen in the morning and we really don't have any choice but to wait and see. So I guess that's what I'll do – wait and see."
None of them moved. It was as if they didn't even dare to breathe, that if no one said anything then the spell would remain unbroken and they wouldn't have to think of what they had heard. Harry lent forward and closed the diary. He didn't know about the others but he needed some time to let it sink in. Ron cleared his throat.
"Did your dad just say what I think he did?" He asked quietly. "I mean does that mean that Malfoy's father well…" He didn't get to finish his sentence though.
"That bastard!" Hermione interrupted knocking her sewing to the floor as she stood shaking with rage. Harry jumped at the unusual outburst. "That total, complete and utter Bastard." Something occurred to Harry though as he watched her vent her frustration.
"We don't know what happened." The other two just turned and looked at him. "We don't know what happened and we don't know who's to blame."
"Like hell we don't!" Hermione hissed at him. "Even Snape said it – 'It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.' Luscious-bloody-Malfoy got slashed and then went to take what was 'rightfully his' from a 'bloody Gryffindor wench'!" By the time she was finished there were tears streaming down her cheeks and Harry wasn't sure she'd stay upright for much longer on her own. Bother he and Ron up to her and cautiously went up to her and when she made no protest, wrapped their arms around her.
"I agree," He said quietly after a few minutes. "In all likelihood that's exactly what happened and I guess we'll find out soon enough but at the moment we're jumping to conclusions. It felt strange to be the voice of reason; Harry was usually the emotional impassioned one. The other two seemed to take in what he said and agree with it as neither voice protested. By unspoken consensus the three of them settled down into the sofa the boys either side of Hermione. The silence was unbroken for along while, apart from the occasional sniff. This time it was Ron to interrupt their thoughts,
"If what we think happened, really did happen," He began. "How come we've never heard about it before?"
"I'm not sure, but I guess it's not the kind of thing you're going to publicise. I mean," Hermione continued. "If I were Professor McGonagall, I certainly wouldn't want all my students to know about it." She quietly wiped her eyes with her hanky before looking up at Ron and then Harry.
"But, I mean, he's a public figure – everyone knows who Luscious Malfoy is. He has influence. Surely that wouldn't be the case if he had a conviction behind him?"
A/N – sorry this took so long. All things pain and medication related got in the way. Hopefully it wont be so long next time. Thanks for all your reviews and please keep them coming –
Thanks
Linz