A/N: Sorry for last week I didn't update for I was busy and I went to my friend's jam... hehe =]
On with the chapter! By the way, I didn't get my goal for reviews, but since some are still reviewing, I decided to post.
*****
Snape staggered into the hospital wing, to see the headmaster, Potter and his friends, Tonks and Draco. He tried not to show his worry when he saw one of his students on the hospital bed, and instead, he shot Harry with a glare that can burn holes on him. Harry saw this and bowed his head, finding the floor suddenly very interesting.
"Severus?" the headmaster asked
"Headmaster, the Dark Mark, it wasn't the Dark Lord" Snape said, slightly out of breath
Harry and the other's head snapped up when they heard this, looking at Snape intently, waiting for him to explain. Snape sighed, he knew he had to break it to everyone soon enough, everyone including Draco.
"It was Lucius" he said lowly.
Silence, no one said anything. Tonks shifted her weight on her left knee, wringing her fingers together. The trio and the headmaster were still looking at Snape.
"So that means..." Ron started
"...Draco was beaten..." Hermione continued
"...By Lucius" Harry finished
They looked at Snape to confirm their theory. The Potion Master slowly nodded his head, looking at the unconscious figure on the bed. Tonks put her hand on her mouth, muffling a strangled gasp. The headmaster closed his eyes and sighed lowly, he then opened his eyes ones again, addressing the whole group.
"If by any chance, Mr. Malfoy ever awakes-" the headmaster started
"What do you mean by 'ever'?" Snape asked. The headmaster looked at him and said, "When he was found by Mr. Potter and he's friends, he had a massive head injury, which resulted a concussion, since he lost he's consciousness, there is a good chance that Mr. Malfoy would be in a coma, if he doesn't wake up in a the next hour or two"
"Then why didn't you 'Enervate' him!" Snape said angrily, looking at the said group, who all looked at the floor.
"Severus, I suggest that you don't blame Mr. Potter and his friends for this, instead be thankful, if they brought Mr. Malfoy here, a minute late, he would not be here right now" the headmaster patiently.
Snape grunted and crossed his arms, still glaring at the Gryffindors. The headmaster addressed the group once again.
"As I was saying, if by any chance, Mr. Malfoy wakes up, not knowing what happened to him, for I am quite positive that the damage my affect his memory, none of you, and I mean, none of you, would tell him that it was his father who did this to him. Do I make myself clear?"
The whole group nodded in understanding. Tonks went up to the headmaster and told him something that no one else can hear. The headmaster nodded and Tonks walked to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Well, I have to go now, but can I ask you a favor?" Tonks said
The group nodded and Tonks said, "I know Draco has been really mean and foul towards you all. I myself know that for a fact. The main reason that Draco acts like that is because of his father. I didn't know that Lucius is capable of hurting his own son, but now I know. Do you have any idea why Lucius did this to him?"
The Gryffindors shook their head, not really knowing where this conversation was heading.
"Well, my guess is, Draco declined his father's command to join the ranks of He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. Lucius is both cold hearted and short tempered. I think that Draco may have a some goodness deep inside him that is need to be dug out. You three, I think are going to be able to do that. Can you promise me that you will try your best to help Draco not turn to the side of the Dark?" Tonks finished
The group was hesitant at first. The Harry said, "We will try, and you must understand that it is not going to be easy, the things he told us in the past that made my life worst when it was already miserable can not be easily forgiven"
"And the things that he told about me and my family being filth because we are not as rich as other pureblooded families are still remembered by me and my siblings" Ron said
"The insults and name calling because of my heritage is still in the back of my head, and it could not easily be erased" Hermione said.
Tonks nodded in understanding. "Well, then please try your best. I must be off, I need to get back to the Ministry" she said, hugging Hermione and clapping the guys back. Then she made out the door, and out of sight.
The headmaster nodded to Snape and made his way to the door, Snape not far behind. He turned to the group. "Please watch Mr. Malfoy for a bit, then you can come down to dinner later on" the three nodded as the headmaster and their least favorite teacher's backs slowly retreated and disappeared out the door.
Hermione sighed and sat on one of the best. Harry and Ron joined her, Harry on the left and Ron on the side.
"So many things happening" Hermione said suddenly
"You can say that again" Harry said
"So many things happening" Ron said again, grinning at Harry
Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry laughed slowly at Ron's poor attempt to be funny. Sometimes Ron can be so corny.
"First Yurin, now Malfoy" Ron said
"And we have to help them both" Hermione said
"And it is not going to be easy" Harry said
They all nodded, agreeing with each other. Yurin needs to be more open to people and be more sociable. Malfoy needs help for what he's father did to him. Both aren't going to be easy for they are sure that both of them will not welcome the trio's attempts of having their trust.
Then, a moan was heard on one of the beds. They all turned around to see Malfoy, waking up.
"Ron, go to Madam Promfrey and tell her what's happening" Hermione said as she walked to Draco's bed.
Draco's eyes slowly opened, squinting at the bright light of the room. He turned his head to find Potter and his friends. He tried to sit up, but he winced as his ribs erupted with pain. He saw Granger slowly push him down the bed.
"Malfoy, do remember what happened?" Granger asked
Draco rocked his brains, trying to remember what happened to him. He remembered pain, only pain. He tried to remember who did this to him. All he sees is a shadow. All these thinking is making his head hurt. He's focus blurred and swirled as he's heard erupted with blinding pain. He moaned as he grabbed the sides of his head.
"Don't remember, h-hurts" he managed to gasp out as he tried to block out the pain in his head. He closed his eyes and opened it again, turning to Hermione and Harry.
Hermione turned to Harry. "Please call Madam Promfrey, I'll try to calm him down" Harry nodded and sprinted to the matron's office. She sat beside Malfoy, taking one of his hands, held it, and whispered comforting words.
"Shhhh, Malfoy, shhh, help is coming, just calm down, don't fall asleep, stay awake, just hang on" Hermione continued saying this words as Draco moaned because of the pain. Another flash of pain pierced his head, he's eyes tightened shut with pain and he unconsciously tightened his grip of Hermione's hand. She winced but didn't pull away.
The matron arrived, with Harry and Ron behind her. Ron looked at Hermione's hand, but didn't say anything, and so did Harry. Madam Promfrey took one of the potions and brought it up to Draco.
"Miss Granger, help me please" the matron said, as she put the vial in front of Draco's nose, causing the Slytherin to turn his head.
"Come on, Malfoy, drink it, it will lessen the pain" Hermione said soothingly
Hearing this, Draco turned his head, and opened his mouth slightly. The matron poured the potion in his mouth. Draco gagged and choked nearly gagging the potion out, but the matron covered his mouth to prevent him to as Hermione massaged his throat to help him swallow.
Draco settled down and relaxed his eyes glazed over. The matron and Hermione let go of Draco's hand.
"Mr. Malfoy, you can sleep now would you like a dreamless potion?" Madam Promfrey asked Draco.
Draco nodded and the matron went to get it. He turned to Hermione and said, "Thanks" his voice hoarse. Hermione nodded as Draco turned his head to the other side, facing away from them. The matron came back and made Draco drink the potion. After he did, he's eyes drooped and slowly shut, letting him fall to a dreamless slumber.
"Thank you for your help, you may now go to dinner, I will inform the headmaster later" the matron told the trio.
Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded and made their way out the wing. They got to the Great Hall to see that dinner just barely started and Hermione saw Yurin once again sitting on the end of the table. Hermione nodded to the boys and approached Yurin as Harry and Ron continued their way to the near front of the table.
"Hello Yurin" Hermione said
Yurin looked up at Hermione. "Oh, Hello"
"So do you want to come and eat with us now?" Hermione asked
"Sure" Yurin answered
Hermione and Yurin stood up and went to where Harry and Ron were sitting. Ron was already eating like it was feeding time at the zoo, while Harry was looking at him, shaking his head.
They settled down, said their hello's and continued to eat. After they made their way to the Gryffindor Tower. They bid each other goodnight and the girls went to their common room while the guys went to theirs'. Yurin went to her bed and and change her clothes as Hermione did the same. Then they went settled to bed to sleep. One having a nice peaceful slumber, while the other disturbed by visions, she doesn't understand.
*****
There you go! Please review!
