Chapter 6 UNCROSSABLE DISTANCE (2)

Draco looked coldly at the vigorous Boy Who Lived, all the cold and anxiety he had suffered all day turning to rage, and he began to spew out venom. "Attacked by dark magic? You seem animated than ever, yet it was the two girls who were injured. Hiding behind women in danger, aren't you?"

Potter and Weasley scowled at him, obviously wishing to beat him instantly. Hermione hastily held her friends back, and said in a tone even she herself felt uncanny, "Malfoy saved me..."

The two boys' eyes widened.

Hermione glanced at Draco, added hesitantly, "and the two warnings, they sounded like Malfoy's voice..."

With three pair of perplexed eyes looking in his direction, Draco raised his chin, adopting his most callous and arrogant manner, and drawled, "Had I seen clear it was you who were there, I wouldn't have taken the trouble. I only spotted a flash of green light, and thought you were Slytherins." He sneered, "It's hard to express how regretful I am now. I could have been left alone without you three filthy idiots."

"You...!"

"And you, Granger. I don't even realize that you itch so desperately-"he patted slightly on his robes where she had grasped, as if it was tainted with something disgusting, "-to throw yourself to my arms? I'm very sorry. Although I'm always generous with ladies, but a beaver is far beyond my forbearance. As I've said many times, don't infect me with your foul odor!"

Hermione flushed hotly in embarrassment, her eyes filled with tears. Potter and Weasley were to explode with fury and two wands nearly stabbed him on the chest.

"What? Are you attacking me, after I have just saved you?" Draco scoffed.

The wands froze. Draco stood up slowly, suppressing the sharp pain in his left arm, and under the killing glare of the trio stalked off against the coming crowds.

Well done. Draco congratulated himself. He did not give away his intention to them, but he had put himself to the limit. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, the thirst and sorrow in his heart might tear his shell of pride and present his bloody and scarred self to her.

His wounded arm could not be treated in the infirmary, unless he was to freak out the only Healer in school with the Dark Mark. It was not the time to return to school, so the way to Hogwarts was empty. Draco stumbled against the bitter wind, soaked to the skin by sleet and snow. The cold numbed not only his wounded arm, but his mind and soul.

What had brought him to this state? He climbed up a gentle hill and walked through the large front doors. The expense of snow on the ground was half frozen and dim grey, reaching as far as the edge of the Forbidden Forest where it met the cloudy and dim grey sky. Draco walked in the half-opened door of the castle, evading the hallways where most students usually passed by, not wanting his miserable image to be seen.

His long insistency of pedigree was already a joke, and he was no longer in any position to advocate the supremacy of pure blood. Accordingly, the pride drilled into him since his birth was in jeopardy as well. He stood alone in the dormitory. The ornate mirror hanging from the wardrobe reflected a drenched, dirty and dreadfully pale boy. Carefully Draco undressed and bared his left arm. It was badly swollen. On the forearm was a black skull with a snake protruding from its mouth, as if reminding him of the dignity wrecked by terror and power. A wry smile settled on the boy in the mirror. Perhaps the dignity of pure-bloods was only taken seriously by none but the pure-bloods themselves.

Draco single-handedly changed into his dressing-gown. Sitting on his bed, he tried to cure his wounds. After a series of Reparos the fractures and dislocation seemed to be healed, but the swelling did not subside. Draco pouted in frustration, his obstinacy conceding to grievance-when had he suffered like this for something thankless and got to hide and heal himself after being injured? Struggling to pacify his sour feelings and tremendous pressure on his chest, Draco furrowed his brow, and start to recall which spell reduced swelling when the dormitory door was pushed open.

He gave a start, immediately covered his left arm with sleeves, and then turned to find it was Snape who was standing at the door rather than Blaise. The Slytherin Head came in threateningly, held him by the left wrist, and rolled up the sleeves.

"I've told you to be cautious. Were you expelled-"

"It's not me."

"I hope you are telling the truth, for it was stupid and clumsy and you've been suspected- "

"Who would suspect me?" Draco interrupted, his mood worse and tone harsh,"It was I who saved Potter! If not so, how do you think my arm was injured, assailed by a troll?"

Squinting his eyes, Snape replied in a tone as if he suspected that Draco was a member of the Phoenix Order under Polyjuice Potion. "You saved Potter? From the explosion a moment ago?"

"Despised as I am of that so-called savior, and wishing he would die the next second, I remember that the Lord claimed that the boy was his and no one should touch him."

Having fixed his eyes on Draco for a few seconds, Snape produced a bottle of potion and put it on the bedside table. "Drink half of it and dab the remains on your wound, and your arm will heal up tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Next time you are doing something, discuss it with me first-"

"Why will I discuss with you?" Draco said adamantly and faced Snape's scathing glare without flinching, "This is my task after all. I don't need anyone's intervention!"

Snape's brow wrinkled like he was looking at an imbecile in Potions class. "I have to help you. I agreed to your father and promised to your mother. I even made an unbreakable Vow with your mother."

"I really appreciate your care and concern, Professor, but it's not necessary." Draco tilted his head and flashed his usual fake smile, not bothering to conceal the impatience in his tone. "Just wait and see how I send the old fool to the tomb."

Snape's eyes glittered and after a while he curled up his lips. "You were frightened to death when you accepted the task, but now sees your courage has increased dramatically. What changed you, Draco?"

Draco's smiled died. Feeling insulted, he glowered at Snape. "Are you insinuating that I was a coward?"

"Of course not, I am praising you for your growth... Now you need more rest. We will talk about it later."

Black robes swinging, Snape left in the same threatening matter as he came. Draco sat back on his bed for some time, and saw Blaise pop his head in at the door piteously.

"May I come in now? I'm freezing. Oh Draco, it's wise of you not to go to Hogsmeade..."

"Wise indeed, so I'm going to sleep now. Be quiet, Blaise."

It was really impetuous wisdom and stupid courage. I just allowed myself to choose a more bearable result-if I went there, I might reproach myself all my life; if I did not go, I must have kill myself in regret.

Settling himself in the soft bed, he was fast asleep.