Disclaimer: I own nothing except plot and (at this stage) Xavier.
Chapter 9 – Friends?
Draco sat on his bed staring at Xavier's trunk. As brilliant as revenge had tasted he was beginning to have regrets about his plot. It had spun completely out of control. He never knew how much that photo of Gilderoy would affect him. After Xavier had been found in the bathroom he had been heavily sedated and according to rumour was now in hospital. Draco had never meant for it to go that far. He had only meant for Xavier to be talked to by Dumbledore. Draco hadn't realised just how tense the situation with Xavier was before he stepped in.
Now Draco was worried. Would Xavier tell on him or would he endure the hospital, Draco couldn't be sure. He hoped that he had given Xavier enough of a scare to make sure he didn't tell anyone. However he was sure that Xavier hated the hospital. 'I need to talk to him,' thought Draco, 'I can go in the guise of a concerned friend and they will surely let me talk to him. It's my fault he's in there, he doesn't deserve it. Even if he did kiss a mudblood no one deserves to be in hospital for something they didn't do. I will talk to Snape and see if I can go see Xavier as soon as possible.'
Hermione Granger felt out of place at St Mungo's. Even Xavier wasn't acting like normal. 'I just wish there was something I could do,' she murmured aloud as she strolled along the corridor.
'It's not your fault hun,' Hermione whipped around to see a tall man with brown hair, a weathered face and wizened eyes. His elderly, worn appearance was in stark contrast to the set of jet-black robes he wore. This man had an air of importance about him and Hermione was surprised she hadn't noticed him before.
'Huh?' was all she managed to stutter in her state of surprise.
'You are a friend of Xavier's correct?' seeing Hermione nodding he continued, 'Well it's not your fault. He's been in and out of hospitals since he lost a very close friend. If it's anyone's fault it's mine. I wasn't there for him during his grief. Either way just stick by him, Merlin knows he could use a good friend.'
'Er who are you?'
'Oh sorry, I'm Joseph Flamel, Xavier's father.'
'Well I doubt it's your fault either. Some people are just more prone to depression than others. And it's probably something really small that triggered it; I doubt being sorted into Slytherin helped either. I'm sure all he needs is some rest and someone to talk to. He'll be back to normal soon.'
'I sure hope you're right. I'm glad that he has you for a friend. He has had any friends since Gil. Those two were inseparable. I was hoping that he would find some new friends at Hogwarts away from the memories of the past. I'm glad that he has.'