I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time but school was taking up my life. I've missed you all though! I'll try to post the next one soon. Read on, everyone!
"Bloody hell…" Ron groaned, as he hobbled down the magical staircases.
"What happened to you?" Harry asked, as he joined his best friend.
"Good morning, Harry. Ron…are you alright?" Hermione also asked, as she joined them.
"Ugh…Fred and George slipped me a Puking Pestel last night…" Ron managed to say. "I was puking all night long, and still feel bloody horrible," he moaned.
"I was wondering why you weren't at breakfast today," Hermione stated.
The trio were on their way to their first class, Care of Magical Creatures, taught by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, a dear old friend of theirs.
"I'm really excited to see what Hagrid has for us today," Harry said, enthusiastically.
"Watch," Ron interjected, "it's going to be another type of a blast-ended skrewt or something," he said, shaking a bit. "Those things give me nightmares."
"Oh Ronald," Hermione stated, annoyingly. "They weren't that bad…though, I kind of hope we don't ever have to touch them again."
"Wow, sounds like you really love them, Hermione," Harry said, sarcastically. "What happened to them being not so bad?" he said, with a smirk.
"Oh, shut up," she countered, with a small grin.
They finally made it to the front doors of the castle, and pushed them open, walking out into the courtyard. Harry went through first, followed by Hermione and then Ron, who was still swaying, but not as much.
"Anyways," Hermione went on, "I think what we'll be doing today is-" but she was interrupted.
"Draco," Harry interjected.
"What?" both Hermione and Ron said together.
They followed Harry's gaze to a heap of black robes on the ground, near one of the posts. The wearer had platinum blonde hair, a neat and pointed face, and silvery-blue eyes staring right at them, which they realized instantly was-
"Draco Malfoy," Hermione stated.
His face was contorted and all three knew he was in some sort of pain. Draco tried to get up, but his legs wouldn't allow him, so he fell back down, with a cry.
"Damn it!" Draco yelled. He held onto the stone post for support, breathing heavily.
It's bad enough the trio had to see him like this, let alone fall down, when he so desperately tried to stand.
Harry and Hermione, with no hesitation, ran over to the hurt Malfoy. Ron, however, stayed put, debating on whether or not to help.
The young Weasly kept thinking of all the terrible things Draco has said and did to the three of them…especially Hermione. Calling her mudblood like that, all the time, made him want to just hex him. Also, he's been absolutely horrible to Harry, making him feel worse about being the chosen one and how he has no parents, as well as to Ron, making fun of his financial situation.
These thoughts made him sneer and wished he actually was injured.
However, the good and moral side of Ron overpowered his anger. Maybe Malfoy really was hurt. Who is he to not help someone in need?
At last, he ran over, knowing that it might actually be serious, and it sure looked that way when he arrived.
Draco was bent over, clutching his chest, for it took a lot of energy out of him, when he tried to stand.
"Hermione," Harry said. "What, what do we do?"
She knelt down, trying to assess the boy's injuries, but Draco spat, "I'm fine. I don't need your help, you filthy little mudblood."
Man, was he angry, but more embarrassed than anything. He is Draco Malfoy. He should never show weakness like he is, now. This isn't right, not according to him, anyway.
He thought that insulting her was the best way to get rid of them.
But when he said that to Hermione, Ron almost lost it.
"Don't call her that!" Ron screamed, and went for Draco, but Harry held him back, until he calmed down.
Both Harry and Hermione saw a glint of fear in Draco's eyes, when Ron lashed out, but was just as quickly replaced with his common, emotionless, wall.
"Just go," he panted. "I'll be fine."
"No! We can't just leave you like this," Hermione began. "Harry, stay here and I'll-" but she was cut off, once again. This time it was another person. A certain ex-Potions master.
"What are you three doing-" Severus Snape began to say, but abruptly stopped, as he saw the scene unfold in front of him.
"What happened here?" Snape asked hurriedly. "Why are you out of the-"
"Never mind that!" Draco spat. "Just leave already!"
Severus looked a little taken aback, but then regained his composure.
"We have to get him back to the hospital wing, Professor," Hermione stated worriedly.
"I believe you're correct, Ms. Granger. I will escort him myself," the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher stated.
"I already told them I'm fine! I don't need their help and I certainly don't need yours!" the young Slytherin shouted.
But he immediately regretted yelling, for a coughing fit struck him, causing his throat to burn.
"Apparently not," Snape bluntly noted. "Now, do you want my help or not?"
Draco would have stubbornly answered 'no,' but his throat was sore and he did not want to injure it anymore…but as much as the Slytherin cared about his pride, his health had to come first.
In the end, Draco gave a small nod, averting the eyes of those around him, for a small circle of sixth years, heading to Care of Magical Creatures, formed around the scene.
"There is nothing to see here," the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher said sharply to the crowd, as Draco struggled to stand. "Go to your classes. This matter has been taken care of," he finished, while helping the boy to his feet.
"And that goes for you three as well," Snape sneered, as he gestured to the trio.
"But-" Hermione began to say, before she was cut off by Ron.
"Yes," Ron said, with contempt clearly in his voice. "We were just leaving. We never wanted to help you anyways, Malfoy," he spat, as he started leading his two best friends away.
Unfortunately for him, Draco was too weak, with his voice too swollen to come up with a reply. All he could do was narrow his eyes at the Weasly and sneer at the three, as they left to hurry to class.
"Come with me," Snape spoke, diverting Malfoy's attention from the trio to himself.
Draco obediently followed Snape to his office, avoiding the stares he was given, as he awkwardly, but quickly, limped behind the Professor.
I am so sorry I waited to post this chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed it! And yes, I know, Harry, Ron, and Hermione don't take Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid in "The Half Blood Prince," which is when this story is taking place, but I thought it would be nice to have it like that. I will try to update soon, and again, I'm sorry I'm so late!