Chapter 9: mental…

It hadn't been his most fun experience to tell them in detail what had transpired between Ron and him earlier that day. In fact, it was an experience he was certain he'd be able to live happily without.

Especially since madam Pomphrey was looking at him intently, obviously hanging onto every word he was saying as if the answer to Ron's predicament was hidden right there in his narration. Never mind him re- living the most embarrassing moment of his existence!

Madam Pomphrey had just frowned and retreated to her office… or whatever that little cubicle in the back was. It was almost time for supper by the time she came back out, looking like she got the answer to a million dollar question which had all three of them asking in unison: "what is it?"

She just walked to Ron, brushing her knuckles softly on his still damp forehead. Yes, as if we all haven't been doing just that for the past god- knows- how- long hours! His brain screamed. 'Too bad she can't hear you' the other part of his brain replied sarcastically... 'I can't believe you're both arguing in this situation!' another voice in his head said and he'd had enough then. 'Shut up!' he took control of his thought processes, clenching his teeth and grinding them together.

Unable to stand it any longer, he snapped out at madam Pomphrey, saying what Harry and Hermione both seem too flabbergasted to say... "How in the name of hell does you touching his forehead help? Because if it does, we've all been doing that for the past three or so hours."

She just looked at him indulgingly... Yes, indulgingly! - And slowly shook her head, looking across at them. "I don't think there is something wrong with Mr. Weasley" she says finally, causing a unanimous frown on their faces.

"Look at him!" Hermione exclaimed. "He doesn't look like there's nothing wrong with him! He looks dead."

"What I mean is there is nothing physiologically wrong with him."

Harry's frown deepened further. "And what... What exactly does that mean?"

"It means, whatever is happening to your friend, is not biological and obviously not curable by medicine. It's just a mental thing."

"Well, if it is a mental thing, how come we get to see it? Shouldn't he be like just disillusioned or something?" Draco asked, getting more confused by the hour.

"It depends... He obviously started thinking it, so his body started reacting in kind and the side effects are still happening because of the amount of assertion caused by his brain."

"This is all my fault" Draco whispered...

"It doesn't matter whose fault it is." Harry answered slowly. "Nothing matters right now more than getting Ron well again so how the hell do we stop a mental attack that is obviously not entirely mental before it stretches into something a lot worse?" He mumbles, almost to himself.

"I'm suggesting we shock him back to consciousness" Hermione contributed, earning her a nod from madam Pomphrey as she stretched her wand towards Ron, did the characteristic swish and flick and chanted out Enervate.

The power from her spell leaving it and hitting Ron right on, on his chest and the boy jolted up from his lifeless state on the bed, the suddenness of the movement causing them to jump back.

His feverish eyes settled on them, though it didn't seem to notice who they are, his skin gaining a little more colour before he fainted back onto the bedding, this time, his breathing evened out and his complexion not as pale as he was before...

They all let out relieved breaths they hadn't realized they'd been holding, Draco being close to his bed, touched his arm tentatively, feeling it getting a little warmer than before. He smiles slightly, sitting by Ron on the bed for a while while both Harry and Hermione fussed over their best friend, apparently overjoyed that he was well once more... Or at least, he was well on his way.

Madam Pomphrey, who had retreated to her small office after Ron 7 had woken up and she had ensured his comfort, walked back inside, this time, not with a confused look or a worried one like she had been wearing for the past hour but with her normal calm yet stern look that said... "Crisis averted and now I'm back to being your teacher"

They all straightened up when she cleared her throat and they looked at her. "now that your friend is well on his way to recovery, I will write you permission notes so you won't get into trouble with your teachers for missing classes however, I refuse to 8 condone you missing your supper as well as other school duties so you should immediately go to the great hall for your meals and come back her only when it's time for visits, am I clear?"

They nodded their heads... A little too agreeable for Draco's comfort. If he knew something at all about Harry Potter, it was that he hardly ever just accepts instructions especially where his friends are concerned. He'd know that, yes. After all those years he'd spent studying the boy.

Yet still, he said nothing, his fingers brushing slowly over Ron's knuckles as he walked out of the 9 room. Harry and Hermione followed after him, their hands joined and they seemed to retreat closer into themselves when they got out as if creating a boundary so Draco won't be able to cross. He understood that, walking briskly ahead of them till he got to the great hall, heading straight to the table for his food and this time, choosing to ignore the curious stares of his mates, even Pansy's though he was so tempted to punch something. Crabbe's face would be a good place to start, except Vincent, in all his years of knowing Draco, has learnt a few things...like not looking at him when he was obviously in a crappy mood.
Harry walked with Hermione at a slower pace, the relief they felt was very numbing. When they got to the doors of the great hall, Hermione whispered: "you know Draco is also going to be there when we visit him later, don't you?"

"I know. That's why we won't visit him tonight." Harry answered simply.

"What?" she asked incredulously, almost pulling her hand out of his, but Harry held on.

"At least, not where Madam Pomphrey is concerned." he added, lifting a brow slowly and waiting for her to catch on.

Her eyes lit up when she did. "The invisibility cloak. Should we go before or after visiting hours then?"

"We should go before... Your prefect rounds will be time consuming tonight because both Draco and Ron will be predisposed and I might hide under the cloak just to keep you company." he said with a wink.

She smiles broadly and leans in to kiss him, pulling back and opening the doors to the great hall and walking to their table for their food too, only person noticing 12 the mischievous look on their faces was

Draco and for some reason, knowing he had been right in his estimate made him smile to himself.
He was looking forward to seeing Ron tonight, and nothing at all could dampen the relief he felt at that moment.

A/N : well, this is the ninth chapter and I have decided to make it a 10 chapter fic so one more chapter to go.. Apologies if this seems a little shorter than normal. I still hope you enjoy it and take time to R&R ..
Luv you all... Muah!
:-*