Chapter 14

"MONTHS? This has been going on for MONTHS and you didn't see fit to tell anyone?" Snape growled, pacing.

Blaise didn't even flinch. He hadn't told them what Draco DID with his nights, but if the abuse he'd been putting his body through recently was what was causing his continued unconsciousness, they needed to know. "He swore me to secrecy. Besides, at least it wasn't anything drastic... I have been trying to encourage him to take care of himself on my own. I was afraid if I told and people started watching him he would find some other, much worse way to hurt himself and at that point he'd hardly be likely to tell me so I could try to stop it!"

"Why would he be so intent on hurting himself?" Snape asked, turning and eyeing Blaise shrewdly.

Blaise looked at him for a long moment, then looked over at Dumbledore and McGonagall. He sighed and dropped his eyes. "His father sent him a letter this past summer saying he's to get his Dark Mark on his next birthday." McGonagall gasped, covering her mouth and staring in shock, the others remained silent, looking grim, "He'd rather die on his own terms than face that." Blaise admitted, staring at the floor. Draco was probably going to curse him into the ground when he woke, but he could think of no other way to save his friend.

"Well, he's a bit malnourished, that's easy to see..." Pomfrey said thoughtfully, "But I can't see how he could have survived this long if it has really been as bad as all that."

Blaise shifted uneasily, carefully not meeting any of their eyes. That was something he definitely didn't want to go into.

After a moment, Snape stepped up close to Blaise's chair, glaring down at him. "I do have a fairly decent stock of Veritaserum, Mr. Zabini. Are you going to tell us whatever it is that you are hiding, or shall I go fetch it?"

Blaise swallowed, staring intently at the floor. He took a deep breath and let it out laboriously. "He's possessed..." He finally said softly.

"What did you say?" Snape asked carefully, his eyes narrowing.

Blaise looked up at him, speaking in a loud, clear voice. "He's possessed. He has a spirit in him. It's keeping him alive. Has been for quite a while now. I spoke to it earlier today. He seems to like it. It seems to like him."

Snape was looking down at him in open shock. "Possessed? How could you let THAT go without telling anyone?" He growled.

Blaise's eyes flashed in anger. "I didn't know until just before the match today! And even if I did, I probably wouldn't have told! There's no need to overreact..."

"Overreact?" Snape hissed, "You'd rather leave your 'friend' in the clutches of some unknown ghost? Merlin knows what it might be doing to his mind!"

"Leave him alone!" Ginny said suddenly. Everyone looked over, having forgotten she was even there. She had perched herself on the side of Draco's bed, and was holding one of his hands in hers.

Snape sneered at her, "I have no intention of hurting Mr. Zabini, but we need to know what we're dealing with." He said impatiently.

"I was talking about Darien! He's done nothing but good for Draco!"

They all looked at her in surprise. "You know about this spirit Miss Weasley?" McGonagall asked in surprise.

"Of course I do! They saved that Ravenclaw boy! Darien Malfoy is the kindest, gentlest soul that has ever graced these grounds, and if you plan on trying to exorcising him then you can plan on doing it over my dead body!" She said, her cheeks flush and her eyes flashing.

Madam Pomfrey looked over at her sternly, "Just because you've taken a fancy to some shade doesn't mean we can just let it take over..."

"The spirit will remain." Dumbledore said softly.

They all turned and looked at him. Even Ginny was shocked.

Dumbledore clasped his hands before him, looking serene as always, but there was something in his eyes when he looked at Draco, his eyes then shifting to study Ginny intently. "It is his only means of survival at the moment. If, when Draco is better, he asks for the spirit to be removed we will consider it at that time."

"But Headmaster..." Madam Pomfrey said, looking over Draco with trepidation.

"This is not open for debate. They shall remain together." Dumbledore said firmly.

"Very well." Pomfrey said with a sigh. She looked around, "Well, time to clear out you lot. The patient needs quiet to rest properly!"

Snape saw the worried look Ginny cast down at Draco, her grasp on his hand tightening. He eyed her for a moment, then cleared his throat. She looked up, "It occurs to me that I have not yet assigned your punishment, Miss Weasley." He said sternly.

She sighed, but didn't protest, awaiting the worst.

"For your rash actions, I charge you with looking after Mr. Malfoy until he has recovered. Madam Pomfrey hardly has the time to dote on him constantly, and he can be quite demanding, and I must say, rather annoying when he is unwell. It should help teach you patience and restraint." he said with a little smirk.

Ginny looked up at him, eyes widening as she carefully stifled the smile that tried to spring to her face.

"Yes professor." She said demurely.

"Headmaster..." Pomfrey implored, "I can't have students just loitering about..."

Dumbledore gave her a genial smile, "I'm afraid I did give Severus complete autonomy in her punishment. I daresay she won't get in your way. And would you be so kind as to look after her hands?"

Ginny looked down at her hands. She had been so worried about Draco, she hadn't noticed the bruising that covered her swelling knuckles from where her fists had hit Harry, hadn't even notice the aching pain in them until it was brought to her attention. She didn't object when Pomfrey hurried over and began examining her hands gingerly.

Dumbledore waved his wand at the screens, dissolving the Silencing and Unperturbable spells. Snape pulled one of the screens aside. A large group of Slytherins was waiting there, all looking worried. There were a number of Gryffindors gathered protectively around Harry's bed, guarding him against the irate Slytherins, but they looked to be doing it out of principle. Even Harry's usual steadfast supporters didn't appear to be entirely on his side on this one.

Dumbledore raised his hands to quiet the concerned inquiries. "Mr. Malfoy is resting comfortably. He has not regained consciousness as of yet, but we are confident he will recover. For now, he needs rest and quiet. You may see him for a few minutes if you wish, but then I must ask you to return to your dormitories."

There was disgruntled muttering, but they quickly started streaming past the teachers to gather around Draco's bed.

Pomfrey healing Ginny's hands didn't pass their attention either.

"Remind me never to make you go spare like that." Pansy said with a mischievous smirk.

Ginny's eyes shot up, but there was no malice in Pansy's statement. Ginny then noticed that a great many of the Slytherins were looking at her with what was unmistakably respect.

Pansy chuckled, seeing Ginny's surprise. "Some may question his judgment in picking a Gryffindor... but you're not all bad..." She said, her eyes wandering over to where Ron was carefully picking his way through the crowd of Slytherins towards them. She shifted her head to the side subtly and the crowd parted before him.

He blinked in surprise, then made his way forward, his cheeks coloring brightly. His eyes darted around at the gathered Slytherins nervously before settling on Ginny. "How's he doing?" he asked, eyeing Pomfrey's wand as it waved over Ginny's hands.

"He'll be doing much better when I can get some potions down his throat... but that won't be an easy task unless he wakes." Pomfrey said, finishing up with Ginny, looking down at Draco speculatively.

"Um.... are you done with them both then?" He asked hesitantly.

Pomfrey sighed, "Done as much as I can for now." She said, nodding.

"Ok... because... um... they sent me to see if you could look at Harry now... his nose started bleeding pretty bad and he's conked out..."

Pomfrey sighed and got up, making her way off towards Harry's bed, muttering darkly to herself.

Ron looked over, noting Ginny's firm grasp on Draco's hand. A look of understanding passed between them and he let out a little sigh, looking down at the unconscious boy that he had hated for so long.

Pansy folded her arms across her chest, eyeing Ron. "So... worried about Potter were you?"

"They sent me." Ron said distractedly.

Pansy let out a bark of laughter, snapping his attention back on her. "And why would they send YOU?" She asked, her eyes glinting merrily.

Ron blushed again, casting his eyes down and ruffling his fingers through his hair, obviously embarrassed, "They... figured I'd be the most likely to make it through alive..." He admitted.

The Slytherins all snickered.

"They were probably right..." Pansy said mirthfully when the laughter had died down a bit. "It was damn decent of you to tell the truth. It couldn't have been easy."

Ron let out a deep sigh. "I stand by what I said before... what Harry did was wrong... even HE has to know that, whether he'll admit it or not..." He said, his eyes drifting over to Blaise.

Blaise had been silent through the entire exchange, staring fixedly at Draco from his chair at his side. His hand was resting on Draco's hand, but he hadn't taken it in his, not wanting to jar the still injured shoulder. Now that he was alone with his housemates he'd dropped his calm facade. He looked up at Ron, and Ron could see the fear and pain etched so clearly in his eyes. Ron couldn't help himself... he stepped forward, putting his hand on Blaise's shoulder. Blaise immediately rose and wrapped his arms around Ron, holding on as if his life depended on it.

Ron held him close, gently stroking his hair and kissing his cheek comfortingly as Blaise broke down and cried against his shoulder.

Pansy glanced over at the others. "Budge up." She whispered softly. They all immediately made sure that they completely obscured the view of the other Gryffindors. Ron glanced over at them, remembering for the first time that they had an audience. They all had little knowing smiles on their faces. He was surprised when he saw nothing but open acceptance on their faces... He was sure the Gryffindors would have been quite shocked and appalled by such a thing.

He stared at them, holding Blaise tighter. He couldn't understand it... he was surrounded by all the people that had teased and tormented him since he had arrived at Hogwarts... and yet he suddenly felt more accepted and at ease than he had since he first realized that he was different...

He turned his head, looking over at Ginny. She had a little smile on her face. He looked at Draco, then glanced down at Blaise. It was official... if their parents found out, they were going to go absolutely NUTTERS!

Curiously, he couldn't seem to bring himself to care at the moment...

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A/N - no, I didn't intend to Harry bash (figuratively speaking), and I apologize to all the Harry lovers out there, but just trust me that it's necessary for the story... and... well, I will apologize in advance, because it WILL get worse before it gets better! So please don't flame me (Though if you are a true Harry lover, you may wish to soon)!

Oh, and hurrah! I have over 100 reviews now! :)