I Don't Know You

A Confrontation

Draco sat there immobile for hours, before someone finally came and found him. It was some Ravenclaw second year. She stared blankly at him for a minute, almost looking like she was going to leave him and walk away. Luckily for Draco, she ran off screaming wildly "Someone's hurt! Someone's hurt!"

Madam Pomfrey arrived within moments, conjuring a stretcher to support his broken body. She had been shocked to see him in such a state.

"I've never once in your seven years here, seen you with a serious wound!" she had said, upon examining him through his blood soaked white shirt. "If you had been discovered earlier, I could have patched you up in a flash, but…"

Draco then proceeded to remind her, rather rudely, that it wasn't under his control whether he was found or not. She's so quick to blame me for everything. Probably a Gryffindor supporter.

So far she had not inquired about the manner of the injuries. He wouldn't tell anyway, that would only lead his situation from bad to worse.

He spent the rest of the day covered in the puss of some mysterious healing plant, staring at the painfully white ceiling. He was to spend the next few days there, mending his torn chest, various broken ribs and cracked jaw. Draco would have never guessed that Weasley had it in him. He supposed that when someone is angry enough, they can do extraordinary things.

He knew that he probably deserved what he got, meddling in their business like that. Draco had screwed up all three of their lives beyond repair.

And now it was apparent that Ron was indeed still deeply in love with Hermione. Finally, he could understand why.

He wasn't sure what he was going to do. He knew he had to do something. Everything was his fault. Apologize? Like that would do anything. It'd basically be asking for another beating. Deny the whole thing? Pretend he was joking? Hah! He would have to put on a pretty convincing show to get them to believe that one. No matter how he racked his brain, nothing he could possibly do seemed really satisfying enough. Their lives were changed, and there was no going back. Draco had never wished more in his life that they hadn't destroyed the stock of time turners…

But really, did he want to change this? Did he want to go back to a life with no Hermione? No. That life was meaningless. It was pointless to debate over it anyhow. What had happened, had happened.

When Draco was mid-thought, Harry Potter, of all people, entered the room. He approached Madam Pomfrey cautiously.

"I'm here… as a visitor."

"But the only person in here is- oh? Alright…" she said, not even trying to hide her expression of surprise. She had grown accustomed to the two as sworn enemies. Everyone had.

Potter came and stood next to Draco's bed, awkwardly. He threw Madam Pomfrey a meaningful glance, who promptly left the room for her office, but not before glaring at him suspiciously. For all she knew, Harry was there simply to damage him more.

"Are you…" he said quietly, not looking at Draco, "Are you really in love with her?"

Draco bowed his head, but nodded. Harry looked immensely hurt at this. Still Draco knew that Harry wanted answers. Why else would he be here?

"How did it happen? When?" he continued in the same solemn tone that a grieved person might use at a funeral.

Draco should have known they were bound to ask him these questions. "Well… I'm not sure. A while ago. Does it really matter?"

"Have you and Hermione had-"

"No, If you mean sex, no. But we had a few short moments that didn't last. I think it was mostly me. I honestly have no idea how she feels."

This was only half true. She had, after all, said that she was falling for him. But for all he knew, she despised him now. He wouldn't blame her.

"And you didn't bother to ask?" accused Harry.

"I didn't think it mattered… We kind of came to an agreement."

"What agreement?"

"That we shouldn't speak to each other again," he said, honestly.

"And did you keep to it?"

"Yes… So far. How's Ron?" Draco changed the subject, not wanting to go into further detail.

"Let's just say, not good. He's pretty broken up, but I'm not sure why. He seems to think you've spoiled her or something."

"Why would he think that?"

"Thinks she loves you back." Draco's ears perked up at this.

"What? Why? Has he talked to her?" he said a little too eagerly. Potter's eyebrows narrowed, suspicious that he should be so interested in this. It appeared that he was worried Draco might still try to be with her. Draco had no intention of that.

"Not that I know of," he took a deep breath, "Look. I'm gonna say this right out. I don't want you around Hermione any more."

Draco sighed. He had seen this coming. "You're acting like you're her father or something."

Harry ignored the comment. "You're disturbing her. She's changed."

"Maybe that's a good thing."

"No, it's not. You're confusing her. Whatever you think is best for her… Well, what I'm trying to say is, you don't know her. I do. Don't try and pretend you've known her for such a long time. You've barely talked to her until recently!" his volume rose, "I mean, I don't even get how this happened! And I don't want to know! I hate you! We all hate you. You hate us. That's the way it was! That's how I liked it! And now you've fucked everything up! Merlin, can't we just go back to the way things were?"

Draco just stared at Harry as he poured his feelings out. It was odd, but some of the very same thoughts had run through his head not long ago.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Harry gave him a cold look that silenced him.

"I shouldn't have come here."

"No, you shouldn't have."

They shared one more glance, and Potter stomped off, more frustrated than before.

(A/N: This was also kind of a filler chapter, but we'll start seeing a lot more action really soon. Everyone be sure to author alert me, so when my new fic comes out, you'll know first thing!)