If there was one thing that Harry Potter was truly talented at, it was fading into the background. He told himself this with the surety of long practice, as he allowed himself to be two and a half steps behind Granger and Malfoy, both of whom were a step behind Ron. He was not going to fall another half step behind. It would draw attention. No, he was going to be small, and quiet, and fade into the background. With luck, arriving last would mean that the Nurse would treat everyone else first.
He only needed a minute or two, he hoped, to fall apart.
But he couldn't do it now, not now, not now, not now. He said the same two words over again, until they had actually reached the infirmary.
In fact, he was so preoccupied with that, and not shaking, not crying, not anything, that he failed to notice the people in front of him stopping. With the rather unfortunate effect that he ran straight into them.
It would have been alright if it was just Granger, Harry thought wistfully, as she turned around - less hurt than questioning.
Malfoy wasn't hurt in the slightest, but was apt to take offense, and Harry realized that he really didn't blame him for that. "What was that for, Potter?" Malfoy snapped, and Harry realized that he most certainly did blame Malfoy for being slow on the uptake. He couldn't possibly be hiding his feelings that well, could he?
Harry squared his shoulders, leaning forward a bit as his right foot dropped back, and he was about to bring up his hands when the Nurse bustled over, saying sharply, "That will be enough of that, now, boys. You are in a clinic, and I will make you stay here until you can stop injuring each other if necessary."
The sheer amount of time it might take to teach Malfoy patience - or to persuade Harry Potter to actually act like himself, had Harry paling at the threat.
Judging by Malfoy's own bluish pallor, he had similar thoughts (what? Harry surely didn't know).*
"You," The nurse said pointing at Harry, "Over there." She pointed at the far side of the infirmary, and Harry Potter suppressed a relieved sigh. He was over there before he scarcely noticed he was moving, pulling the curtains shut and curling up in the bed as if he was catatonic, except that he was shaking.
*Didn't want to be forced to apologize, most likely.
[a/n: It's a lot better to be afraid after than during. All's I'm gonna say. Leave a review if you please.]