Outnumbered And Unarmed

"I'm ready to leave.' Harry announced as Madam Pomfrey made her way towards him, to prove the fact he was fully dressed and sitting patiently upon his bed.

"What's that?" Pomfrey asked.

"I'm leaving.' Harry said and began heading for the door.

"Hold it right there."

"Why?" Harry demanded. "Is there anything physically wrong with me?"

"No." Pomfrey admitted.

"Then there's no reason for me to stay here, nightmares aren't enough of a reason to be rotting in the Hospital Wing." Harry said.

"But you're not well." Pomfrey said, glaring at him and placing her hands upon her hips.

Harry laughed. "Like anyone would be in my position. I've just relived all the hell in my life, would you be happy after that? No."

"You can't leave." Pomfrey said, finality in her voice.

"Will staying here make the pain go away? Will it allow me to accept what happened faster? No. It's better that I face this outside, not stuck in here with nothing but memories to relive."

Pomfrey was quiet. She nodded faintly and turned toward her office.

"Once you're out of here. We'll talk." Harry said as he passed Hermione. She just nodded.

"Why can't I leave?" She said watching as Pomfrey closed the door behind her as she entered her office.

"Who's stopping you?" Harry asked.

Hermione frowned, but didn't move. "Maybe it's for the best. You don't know what Myrtle might have loosen when she attacked me." Hermione said, smiling. "You'd better get my assignments for me. Ron's already turning in my homework."

Harry nodded. "I'll talk to you later." He said and headed out the door, without a backward glance.

XXX

"Going somewhere Potter?" A voice sneered as Harry was walking down the stairs toward the Great Hall.

Harry turned around and faced Draco. "Up early aren't you Malfoy?"

"I could say the same thing about you. Barely get out the Hospital Wing? Done with all your sobbing?" He smirked.

Harry shrugged, continuing down the stairs.

"Don't turn your back on me, Potter!" Snarled Draco.

Harry stopped and looked back. Draco stood upon the stairs, his wand drawn. "You're not worth it." Harry said. "You're spineless and you're pathetic."

"I owe you one, Potter. And I intend on collecting." Draco spat, he snapped his fingers and several figures appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Of course there was Crabbe and Goyle, but along with them was Nott. All looked ready for a fight.

"I see you've brought your courage." Harry said. A stab of fear coursed through him, he was unarmed and he was alone. "Don't want to face me alone, Malfoy? Scared?"

Draco only smiled. "You see that's the difference between you and I. You would try to fight me alone, but I have no such qualms about using help. You see there's only two thing's winning and losing." Draco said, twirling his wand in his hands. "I'm here to win, and of course there's the revenge part."

"It must make your father proud to know his son's a coward. That he can't face anyone alone. Against a mud blood no less." Harry said, taking a quick glance toward Draco's cronies as they slowly making their way up the stairs.

Draco didn't rise to the bait. "Mock me all you want, Potter. You'll be eating those words in a few minutes." Draco grinned.

Harry sprang up the stairs, flinging his bag at Draco and determined to tear that wand out of his hand. Draco was expecting the sudden rush, he sidestepped the bag and pointed his wand at Harry.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco cried. Harry grunted feeling the wind knocked out of him and losing his balance. He felt someone grab him from behind and a heavy punch to the side of the head. He grunted and there was a moment of darkness and he fell to the floor.

"Where's all the insults now, Potter?" Draco mocked as he walked up to Harry.

"You'll pay for this." Harry snarled and got kicked in the back.

"Unlikely." Draco said grinning. "Don't worry we won't kill you, you'll only wished we did." He pointed his wand at Harry's head. "Stupefy."