CHAPTER 8

The next few seconds can be appropriately describes as 'extreme discomfort.'

Both Hermione and Malfoy were frozen. Hermione stood dumbly, her mouth open and her hands gripping the curtains, shock inscribed on her face, whereas Malfoy stood beside the bed, in all his glory, his mouth hanging open.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of movement. Hermione whirled around, flinging her hands up around her eyes, and Malfoy struggled to untangle a sheet on the bed to wrap around himself. Still with her back turned to him, Hermione heard the sheet rustling furiously.

'Fuck you Granger.' Malfoy snapped. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?'

'Shut up Malfoy!' Hermione snapped back, without turning. 'What the hell do you think you're doing? You're supposed to be in bed, and more importantly, with your clothes on!'

Malfoy smirked, but since she had her back turned to him she didn't see. 'I don't remember asking you to come peeping into my cubicle.' he said.

Hermione scowled. 'I heard noises, and since Madam Pomfrey told me that everyone should be sleeping till tomorrow morning-.' she paused. 'So you didn't take your medicine.'

'What Pomfrey doesn't know won't hurt her.' Malfoy said, curtly. 'You can turn around now. There's no need to act like your facing a basilisk.'

'In the current circumstances, that would be welcome.' Hermione said, sadistically, letting her arms fall and turning around. Malfoy stood in front of her, a sheet strung across his hips toga-style. Hermione found herself looking at him with displeasure. He was looking even worse than usual- his flat, greasy hair and narrow body giving him the appearance of a drowned rat. He had circles under his eyes, and he had lost a bit too much weight. His body was narrow and spindly, and she decided that he hadn't been anywhere near food for a hundred years.

'So what are you doing here?' Malfoy asked, sitting down on the bed. 'In the Hospital Wing, I mean?'

'Harry got injured during Quidditch.' Hermione said, coldly. 'I'm got voted to stay here tonight.'

'Potter got injured at Quidditch? Anything serious?' he looked hopefully at her.

'No!' Hermione lashed out, furiously. 'He'd be perfectly fine if Zabini you're pathetic friend hadn't purposely collided into him!'

Malfoy appeared to digest this information. Finally, he said, 'I always thought Blaise had brains.'

Hermione drew herself up to her full height, which stood at a grand 5 foot 2. Malfoy, who towered somewhat impressibly over her, smirked.

'You Slytherins.' Hermione said, coldly, 'Are all the same. Sniveling, sneaky little brats!'

Malfoy shook his head. 'Really, Granger, you're being immature.'

'Shut up you white-headed fool.'

'Snappy.' Malfoy said, approvingly. 'very snappy. It's good to see seven years under my towering presence hasn't dampened your sarcasm.'

'You're presence isn't towering Malfoy. It's minute and inconsequential.'

'In front of you? I think not. Have you seen how short you are, Granger? You're what- three feet tall?'

Hermione glared at him. 'Shut up Malfoy.' she said, finally.

'Oooooh…witty and original.' Malfoy said, with a grin. 'Oh all right, I'll lay off you a bit. Sit down.'

Hermione, who had been about to make a haughty exit, paused. 'What?'

'I said sit down. It involves bending your knees, and-.'

'I know how to sit down! I was just wondering what caused you to labor under the delusion that I'd like to sit down with you.'

'To talk maybe.' Malfoy said, mildly.

'I don't want to talk to you either.'

'Come on Granger, there's no one else around and quite frankly I'm bored.'

'And naked.'

'That is a matter of no consequence.'

'I must get back to Harry,' Hermione said, stiffly. 'He-.'

'Has been rendered unconscious and is probably not at his conversational best.'

'There are better people to talk to than you.'

'Are you referring to that chair in the corner?'

'I meant that even a half-dead Harry is better than you!'

'Oh, so he's half dead is he?' Malfoy asked, with new interest. 'That sound's encouraging. Any chance of his slipping into a slow, but torturous coma?"

Hermione drew herself up stiffly. 'Goodbye Malfoy.'

Malfoy laughed. 'Oh come on Granger I was just joking. Sit down I'm in desperate need of company.'

Hermione was about to snap at him and depart when she paused. An idea struck her.

'All right!' she said, finally. 'I'll sit.'

'Good for you.' Malfoy said, politely.

Glaring at him, Hermione perched herself gingerly on the edge of the little chair in the cubicle.

'You don't need to sit like half your butt's being ravaged by septic nails, you know.' Malfoy said, conversationally. 'The whole chair's yours.'

With a stiff glance his way, Hermione adjusted herself on the seat. She scowled at him.

'Do you know how ugly you look when you do that?' Malfoy asked, politely.

Hermione wiped the scowl off quickly. 'You're a good person talking Malfoy! You look like a string bean!'

'Tell me is it static electricity that makes your hair stand up like that?'

'My hair's fine.' she said, hotly, smoothing it down.

'It reminds me of something. I can't put my finger on it. But honestly, if it wasn't for the hair and the scowl you could be much more passable. You have a decent face- nice eyes- you're a little thin though.'

'Malfoy, I-.'

'But your feet.' he grimaced. 'They're- well, small. What size are you three?"

'I don't see how my feet are any of your business/' Hermione snapped.

'I suppose they aren't.'

'They aren't. I don't like my appearance being commented on. NO DON'T SAY ANYTHING.'

Malfoy shut his mouth. 'You better watch it Granger, your voice is loud.'

'There's no one in the hospital wing right now. In fact…' she paused. 'May I know whether you were planning an- uh- escape just now?'

Malfoy cocked an eyebrow at her. 'You think I was slinking off.'

'It wouldn't be a first time would it?'

'Wounding, Granger, very wounding.'

'Well, how did you break you arm then?'

A sudden change came over his expression. His eye's darkened, his mouth twisted slightly. Hermione looked keenly on, hoping for any sign as to-

'I get it.' Malfoy said, abruptly. 'That's why you stayed. To pump me about where I was.'

Hermione looked a little taken aback. 'I-.'

'Don't lie, I know it wasn't for my winning personality.'

'Seriously Malfoy. You can just tell me, you know.'

'Why Granger?' Malfoy asked, with wide eyes. 'because we're such close friends and I always confide in you.'

'What about your arm?' Hermione asked, glancing at the sling. 'Ginny said that Madam Pomfrey can't heal it.'

'Who's Ginny?'

'Ginny Weasley.'

'Oh, the Weaslette. She's ugly.'

'No she's not!'

'Don't you think so? I know she's terribly popular but for god's sake have you seen her nose?'

Hermione breathed deeply, trying to balance her temper. 'It was Dark Magic, then, that did that to your arm?'

Malfoy face darkened slightly. 'yes.' he said, abruptly. 'But I'm not going to tell anyone, so I suggest you stop trying.'

Hermione flushed. 'I think you're being stupid.'

'Thank you Granger. I think you should get back to Potter now, he's probably pining for you.'

Hermione stood up, angrily. 'Fine.' she snapped. 'I'll go.'

'Please do. I'm tired and I want to go to sleep. And try not to peep into my cubicle next time.'

'Malfoy I'd prefer to see the Giant Squid's genitals to yours!'

Malfoy laughed softly. 'You know Granger. You're not all that bad.'