In the Eye's of the Enemy
The hospital ward was quite except for the soft sobs coming from Olivia. She was still shaking involuntary and her heart felt as if it was going to jump out of her chest. Madame Promfrey had offered her a sleeping potion but Olivia had refused it. She had even refused her own bed, taking instead a chair by James instead. The images of the past hour were replaying in her head. The most salient of these being Notts' unrelenting anger as he brought his arms down over james repeatedly. It had taken Nocturna and Donsler a few minutes to aprehend Notts' and even longer to hold Olivia back. As soon as she felt Notts was no longer a threat she imeditately threw herself beside James, who, by then, was so beaten he had lost consciousness. She turned back only once to see Donsler dragging Notts away, Olivia had never seen so much anger in a person's eyes before, it sent a chill down her back. At the hospital, Promfrey had given him a few remedies to restore his broken ribs and to help him relax. His face was still puffy and bruised and Olivia noticed that his breathing was shallow.
She stood up and soaked a towel in a green liquid Promfrey had brought that would reduce the swelling. Olivia dabbed it on James'face and asked herself again why this had happened. It couldn't have been mere jealousy that made Notts' so bestial, she knew there was something else. Everyone else was well aware of the ongoing fued between James and Notts' but could a simple teen rivarly lead to so much violence? She looked down at James again, at least now he was safe. Donsler had imediately escorted Notts to the headmaster's office, there was such a look of disgust on Nocturna's face as he walked passed her that she was sure he would be expelled. Olivia was still standing over James but as she watched Notts walk away she caught his sight one last time, the look in his eyes was that of a lunatics. A chill ran through her body and she struggled to keep the tears in her eyes, she had been right after all, the boy was not right.
After escorting Olivia into the hospital wing Nocturna asked what happened.As she replaid the scene her voice felt distant, as if she was speaking outside ofherself. Olivia explained that after waking up in the library, she made her way to the common room when she ran into Notts. Notts was in the middle of harassing her, while brandishing his wand, when James dissarmed him. She told her how Notts quickly began pelting James with violent spells that sent him across the floor. When at last, Olivia managed to dissarm him, he had restorted to using her fists. Nocturna offered to call her father, but after claiming that she was alright decided she could owl him in the morning, leaving instead to alert James' parents.
Olivia was well aware that upon hearing of their son's incident the Potter's would rush over to Hogwart's at once. That is why when the door opened a while later she was not surprised.
Harry Potter rushed over to James' side, followed by an attractive witch Olivia assumed was James' mother. "Oh, James!" she cried as she took hold of his hand. "My dearest." She kissed his head softly. Olivia stood back not wanting to disturb the scene transpiring before her, when she looked up. Her faced registered a look of confusion, she obviously hadn't been aware of her presence. Harry Potter on the other hand, had been watching her since the moment he had arrived. Olivia looked over at him and for a few seconds Harry's green eyes held hers, she stared back a little unnerved.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Potter, um, it's just that, well," she muttered.
"Don't worry dear, Madame Nocturna told us that someone had been with him." She looked down at her son. "Do you know what happened?"
Finding her footing Olivia recounted the details of the story. When she was done she looked up at Mr. Potter who was still looking at her with more than mild interest. She suddenly was aware that the Potter's probably wanted to be alone with their son, so she quickly added, "Listen, I don't have to be here anymore. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't alone I should probably go."
"No," Harry said. "I mean, you don't have to go. You can stay."
"Of course you can," said Mrs. Potter quitely. "I'm sorry dear, what is your name?"
"It's Olivia Malfoy, and thank you so much for letting me stay."
Mr. and Mrs. Potter stared at each other. Olivia could feel that there was something that they wanted to say. She noticed Mrs. Potter shake her head ever so slightly at her husband and take a seat by the bed. Harry looked over at Olivia and then back at his wife and then sat down as well. For a long time they just sat there, with only the sound of James' struggling breath. Madame Promfrey came in again to check on her patient and once again offered Olivia a bed. She refused it. Lost in thought once more she wanted to ask James parents something and almost as if reading her mind Harry spoke.
"I suppose you want to know why this happened."
"Well actually, sir, I do." She looked down at her hands as she spoke. "I just don't see how, Notts could be capable of this. To be honest, I never saw his feelings for me going any further than a simple crush." She didn't think a simple crush would cause someone to do something so violent. This is what she was trying to explain but it wasn't easy. "What he did tonight was so, awful."
Harry was listening intently. His eyes were focused on James and when he spoke again Olivia sensed anger in his voice. "Demitri's hatred for James had more to do with jealousy. Most of it had to do with his hatred towards me." Olivia looked up at him confused, Mrs. Potter, on the other hand, shook her head and sighed as if she knew all to well what Harry was about to say.
"You see a while back when during the second rise of Voldermort, a group of us brought down a bunch of his supporters. Most of them were sent to Azkaban, but a few of them, those that were willing to, met tragic ends. Notts Senior was one of his most loyal followers and when the time came, he gave his life for his master. I think Demitri Notts blames me for his father's death.
"And he took it out on James," Olivia glanced over at him, her face was hard. The thought of Notts seeking revenge for something that had happened way before his time made her sick. "I just don't see how someone could have so much hatred inside of them."
The Potter's were staring at her with interest, Olivia overcome with the stress of the nights events finally decided to take Madame Promfrey's offer and excused herself to one of the nearest bed. She was asleep before her head touched the pillow and even Mr. and Mrs. Potters frantic whispers did not rouse her from her slumber.
The next morning Olivia was awoken by Pomfrey and a tray of breakfast at the foot of her bed. She wasn't the least bit hungry but she drew up a bit of toast and a glass of juice anyway she glanced over at James' bed and noticed it was empty.
"Madame Promfrey is he gone?" she asked. She assumed that Mr. and Mrs. Potter would take their son home since the holidays were just around the corner but she hadn't expected them to leave so soon.
"Oh yes dear," she answered as she arranged the sheets in the next bed. " Young Mr. Potter woke up feeling a little better this morning so they decided to take him home. I say, a little care from his family might do him a world of good. And you dear? Are you feeling alright?"
Olivia looked down at her arms. She still had bruises from where Notts had grabbed her and her chest still felt a little raw, but beside that, she had nothing to complain about. "Yes," she told Promfrey. "I feel fine."
Madame Promfrey stopped in the middle of fluffing a pillow and looked at Olivia. It was almost as if she was thinking that no one would be okay after going through what she had been through. "Madame Nocturna has excused you from your lessons today," she said as she continued on to the next bed. "You're more than welcomed to stay here or you can return to your common room."
"Thank you," Olivia said gratefully. She was sure that by now some of the kids would have heard about the situation and she did not want to face the stares in class. She figured that other Slytherin who had been with Notts would have told his whole year what had happened. It was also certain that he would make out Notts to be a hero of sort a thought that made Olivia cringe.
She was considering going back to sleep when the door to the rest ward opened. It was a few seconds before she recognized the silvery blonde head of her father making his way to her bed. Unable to contain her emotions, Olivia leaped out of her bed and jumped into her father's waiting arms. The dreadful events from the previous night came flooding out in the form of sobs which were directed into her father's chest. He patted her head lightly and waited until she was calm before he spoke.
"I apparated into Hogsmead as soon as I received the letter this morning," he told her. Olivia sensed him struggling to keep his voice light. "Why didn't you owl me last night?"
"I'm sorry Daddy," she told him keeping her head against his shoulders. "I didn't want you to worry, besides I'm alright."
In that moment Madame Promfrey returned to her bed. When she caught sight of Olivia's father her brows furrowed together as if contemplating but it was quickly replaced with a smile. "Mr. Malfoy," she said. "It's wonderful to see you."
"Hello Madame Promfrey," he responded. He too was smiling but Olivia noticed it was a bit strained. "If you don't mind I think I'll be taking Olivia home with me. If you could just tell me where to find Headmaster Mezlormork so I can make the necessary arrangements.
Madame Promfrey agreed to escort Draco to the Headmaster while Olivia went to her room to gather her things. She was a little relieved at the thought of being able to go home early, at least this way she could avoid having to relive the details for those who were sure to ask. Back in her dormitory she did not run into Leslie of Sylvia, she suspected they were still in lessons. Feeling a bit sad at not being able to say goodbye to them she packed up her trunk and made her way out of the common room. A little while later she found her father holding Mozart's cage accompanied by the Headmaster. Aside from the meals she spent in the Great Hall she had not really managed a personal relationship with Mezlormork so the situation was a little bit odd.
"I can't begin to express the regret I feel for what happened to you and Mr. Potter," he told her. His voice was relatively softer than what she was used to but he retained his cool disposition. "I will be explaining your absence to all of your professors and do not worry," he added noticing the panicked expression that crossed Olivia's face, "you will be excused from the rest of your assignments."
Turning his attention to her father Mezlormork continued, "You will be happy to learn, Mr. Malfoy, that your daughter is in perfect standing in all of her subjects. She happens to be the favorite of quite a number of her professors." He smiled at Olivia as both he and her father stared at her.
Embarassed by the praise she was receiving from the Headmaster Olivia turned her attention to the students making their way down the hall. She soon caught sight of Leslie and Sylvia. When they saw her they waved and hurried over to her.
"Olivia," Leslie began, "are you alright? What happened?"
Smiling Olivia was about to begin telling her two friends about the recent events when Mezlormork interrupted her.
"Perhaps Miss Malfoy," he said smiling, "that story can be explained in detail some other time. Right now you and your father should begin making your way home. I'm sure Miss Bradley and Miss Summs will understand." It was more of a demand than a request and Olivia knew better than to disobey. She bit her lip and smiled apoligeticaly to her friends.
Leticia and Sylvia looked from Olivia to her father and then to Mezlormork it hit them that perhaps it wasn't an appropriate time to hear the story. After a quick goodbye with promises of letters and visits Olivia Draco made their way out of the castle accompanied buy the Headmaster. At the exit nearest to the Village of Hogsmead they said another round of goodbyes and made their way to the Three Broomsticks where Olivia and her father were to floo home.
A/N: I finished this chapter for another sight so I decided to updated here as well. I finally got one review. Please please please tell me what you think.