This is gonna sound like a stupid excuse, but...I forgot about this story! Sorry, won't happen again!
After Draco left, I am informed that I've been out for a day, to my shock. By dinner I feel fine, but of course Madam Pomfrey makes me stay the night. The next morning I quickly run up to the dormitory to change before heading to breakfast to meet Ron and Hermione.
I still am unsure of what to tell them. Clearly they will be worried about my absence, although they were informed that I was in the hospital, so my disappearance isn't a mystery at least. But what should I do about Draco? Should I mention his involvement at all?
"Oi mate!" Ron calls from the table, and I hurry over, nervous over what to say.
"Harry, what happened, we've been so worried, and the professors won't tell us anything!" Hermione looks at me with anticipation and I decide that now isn't the time to bring Draco up, they're too jumpy.
"I got into an accident, that's all. I tried out a new spell-"
"Harry!" Hermione interjects, "How could you-"
"All right, Potter?" A certain blond Slytherin came up to the table while we were talking, and is now smirking at me, "Heard you landed yourself in the hospital wing for two days because you slipped in the girls bathroom. Ran out of other ways to injure yourself? That desperate for pity? Probably the only way you can get any girls anyways."
I just gape back at him, not believing what he's saying. After what happened, I can't see how we're going back to this. I understand that a single incident can't erase years of hate, but after I offer to protect him and his family, it's unbelievable that he continues to throw insults at me. I try to respond, but can only stutter.
Finally I manage to clear my head enough to mutter, "Follow me," and start walking out of the hall. Ron calls after me, but I ignore him. Once we're out of hearing range of the Great Hall, I angrily respond to his snide remarks.
"I don't have to take what you did this way, you know. Something as unforgivable" I make sure to emphasize that word, "as what you did could get you in a lot of trouble. But I took it well, and even try to help, and you don't even acknowledge that?"
"Of course not! Because no one can know! Won't it seem odd if I suddenly stop insulting you?" That hadn't occurred to me, and then I remember my problem a few minutes earlier over what to tell Ron and Hermione.
"I guess you're right...but it just seems so weird..." Draco looks annoyed, and runs his hand through his hair distractedly when responding.
"Why? After six years, it should come naturally-"
"We can't just pretend it never happened-"
"Why not? Potter, I can't do what you want me to. I can't just switch sides. It won't work, I know it. It's better things go back to how they were before." He shakes slightly as he says this, but continues, "Just because we almost killed each other doesn't mean we're suddenly friends."
"First of all, I didn't do anything to you, it was only me who almost died. Also, I never said friends. But something happened, and more importantly, things are happening, right now. You and your whole family are in danger, and I know even you don't want all the things Voldemort wants. I want to help, please just let me!"
"Why do you want to help? Why, really? One more person won't make a difference in the war, you know." I bite my lip, and turn red, because I really don't know why. I answer honestly.
"I'm not sure...but, maybe it's because, well, after I saw you in the bathroom, in that...state" he flinches, but I continue slowly, "well, you just didn't seem like the person I hate... and even though you are, you're still different than I thought, and, well, I don't want to fight you anymore, I guess..." I trail off at the end, growing redder as he continues to stare at me. He eventually turns to leave, with me feeling slightly more hurt than I'd like to admit. But then he stops, and turns back around to face me.
"I'm sorry...about the almost killing you. And also about the insults...it's not what I want either." I smile a little, and as he's walking away I remember something and call to him.
"What did you tell Dumbledore when he asked you what happened? You gave a different story than I did."
"A tale for another time." As he turns the corner, I'm almost positive I hear him mutter, "Mine was better."
I promise the tale shall be told! Just...not this chapter :) Coming up will probably be more involved with Ron and Hermione and, well, plot! Please review!