Some Secrets Should Be Told

A/N-- Okkkkaaay, we are slowly coming to a wind-down I predict that there will be about 4 or 5 more chapters, if even. I just wanna say a few things and then we'll get to it.

Heidi191976--UHhhmmmmm they dooo figure it out, but not in this chapter and not how you think:P well, maybe, who knows haha. Annndd Draco like...reallly likes her so I really don't see anything like that happening, and if it does, it won't be written about. But I must say, Pansy *did* deserve it!!

Okkkaay, chapter 15 everyone!! ENJOY!

Shannon xoxox


Chapter 15: Sick
Draco's Point Of View

I leave Pansy in the alleyway and emerge to many students looking at me in shock. I close my eyes and shake my head, turning to take Granger back to the castle, but she's not there. I look at Blaise questioningly.

"She ran." Is all he says.

"Ran?" I ask, quirking an eyebrow and taking some bags from his hands.

"Yea, after you hit Pansy."

"How do you know I hit Pansy?"

"Everyone heard it, mate." I take a deep breath and close my eyes. We start walking quickly back towards the castle.

"She deserved it," I say.

"I totally agree with you," Blaise says, "But I think it was just more of a shock to everyone."

"She called my mother a slag," I say, my voice feeling heavy.

"I know. I heard. And she just yelled for the entire student population to hear about your dad kicking your arse last year, too."

I reach up slowly and rub my left eye, trailing my hand down to my cheek, shaking my head.

We walk quickly in silence all the way back to the castle. Blaise accompanies me to my Common Room so I don't have to struggle with all of the bags alone. Granger is lying on the couch, her right arm thrown over her eyes. Blaise puts his bags down, and whispers, "See ya," and backs out of the Portrait Hole.

I walk forward and sit near Granger’s feet. She slowly pulls her arm away and looks down at me.

"You hit her," she says quietly.

I nod, I don't want to try and deny it. "Yes, I did. She deserved it," I say.

Granger is glaring at me with a look I've never seen before. "You told me you and your dad get along," she says accusingly.

"We do."

"Well then why did he beat you up last year?"

I clench my jaw, my lips tightening. Granger must sense my emotions kicking in because she sits up and looks into my face. I can feel my nostrils start to flare, and I know that it never means anything good.

"I don't want to talk about that," I say, more harshly than I intend. She sits back, I reach out to stroke her face, and I'm almost shocked that she doesn't flinch away from me. Shocked, but relieved.

"I know hitting her was wrong, Granger. What she was saying was totally unacceptable. She called my mother a slag," I say, and I'm trying much too hard to keep my voice steady.

She nods. "Does it really matter what she says?" she asks.

"She yelled it out for everyone to hear, Granger. Totally unacceptable." I say the last two words slightly under my breath. I reach up and rub my eyes with my pointer finger and thumb.

"You were supposed to marry Pansy?" Hermione asks, and this time her voice is wavering.

"No," I say. "Well, our parents wanted us to, but I explained to my parents that I just could never force myself to deal with that every day of my life."

Granger nods again. Her hands are twisting in her lap, and she looks down at them. I reach forwards and grasp them gently.

"I'm sorry. I would never hit you, you know that right?" I ask, hoping to God that the answer is yes.

Granger nods, and a single tear drips down her face.

"Don't cry, Granger," I say and my voice catches momentarily.

She looks up at me, "I'm fine," she says. I reach forward and pull her into my arms.

"I'm sorry," I repeat, "Really sorry."

I move Granger off of the couch and lay down. I pull her down on top of me, her frame slightly between my legs, her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her and she snuggles into me. "I've never had moments like this with anyone," I reveal. Granger looks up at me with a light in her eye. "I really like it."

"I haven't either," she says.

"Not even with Finnegan?" I ask her.

"No," she says shortly. "Not with anyone."

I smile at that.

"I have to patrol tonight," she tells me, "I start at nine."

"Okay."

"Can I sleep with you again tonight?" she asks timidly.

"Of course you can," I answer.

"Not to--"

"I know, Granger."

"Right."

We lay on the couch together for a very long time. It's comforting to know that she will still let me touch her. I seriously expected her to tell me to get lost, that I scare her.

We get off of the couch and go for dinner at six o’clock, walking hand in hand. Unfortunately we can't sit together, so we go our separate ways. I watch her walk to her table and notice Potter is watching her closely. I can feel my rage building, but instead of acting on my childish urges, I go to my own table. Pansy avoids my gaze. Blaise is sitting there, so I take a seat beside him.

"How'd things go?" he asks me before putting a forkful of shepherd’s pie into his mouth.

"Surprisingly well. But Blaise, she asked me about last year..."

Blaise raises an eyebrow at me, chewing his food slowly.

"About my dad," I clarify.

"Well, did you tell her?" he asks, after swallowing.

"No," I say.

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

"Are you going to?"

"Sooner or later," I say, "Fucking Pansy." I glare down the table at her. She quickly looks away from me, focusing on her plate.

Blaise sniggers, "She's really upset with you."

"I'm really upset with her, so we're even. If she just could have kept her mouth shut, then I wouldn't be in this situation at all. I don't want Granger to know about all of that."

"Why not?" Blaise asks.

"Because I don't need her to... know how weak I am," I say, physically deflating in defeat.

"You're not weak," Blaise assures me.

"I hope not," I say, "Because Granger does not need a weak boyfriend."

"You're telling me," Blaise says, putting more food in his mouth.

When I'm finished eating I start towards the double doors with all intentions of sleep on my mind, but a hand on my shoulder stops me.

"A word, Mr. Malfoy."

I turn and look into Snape’s face. "Please just let me go to bed," I say, feeling extremely tired.

"After a quick word," Snape says, leading me out of the Great Hall and into a classroom nearby.

I close the door tightly behind me and turn to look at Snape.

"I've heard a few things today, Draco."

I say nothing.

"Firstly, why are you being seen with Hermione Granger?"

"Because she's my girlfriend," I answer.
"Yes, but why?"

"Because I like her" I answer again.

"I think you're missing my point. What's going on with her?" He asks me bluntly

"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't tell you that," I say

"All of the teachers are curious about her, Draco. Despite what you students think, we are very observant. If it's something dangerous, or against any rules, then you will be in trouble as well."

"I don't think it is us who would be in trouble, sir."

"So, something is happening?"

"I didn't say that," I say quickly, trying to backtrack.

"Yes, well, we'll find out."

"All the power to you," I say before I can stop myself.

Snape just gives me a stern look, "Is it true that you hit Pansy Parkinson this afternoon in Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, sir.," I say, looking down at my feet "I know it was wrong, but she deserved it."

"Just try and control your temper, Draco."

“If you could have heard the things she was saying… " I say, but don't elaborate.

"Please, indulge me."

Great, Snape never new about last year either.

"Never mind, sir." I say, "Can I please go to bed now?"

Snape steps aside, gesturing to the door. "Oh, and one more thing. Don't get caught with Granger in your bed," he says, and I walk away slowly.

****

I go into my Common Room and sit on the couch, my whole body is so tired. Even blinking takes energy. I shut my eyes and hear Granger come in a few minutes later.

"What did Snape want?" she asks, sitting beside me.

"Just asking some questions," I say weakly, realising that even talking is taking too much effort.

"Are you okay?" Granger asks, leaning forwards to peer into my half-closed eyes.

"I'm just so tired," I answer, swaying in my seat.

I see her eyebrows knit together and she gets up quickly, pulling my arm around her shoulders. I try and support myself on weak legs as Granger leads me up my staircase and into my room. She lays me on my bed and starts pulling off clothes. She pulls off my shoes, talking to me the entire time.

"You look like you're burning up," she starts and leans forwards unbuttoning my pants, "I'm going to get most of your clothes off and help you get under the blankets," she says, now working them down my legs; I can't even make myself help her. She pulls my pants off my feet, pulling my socks with them, "I'm going to get you a glass of water, and I'll come check on you an hour into my patrol." Now she's pulling my shirt gently over my head. She's showing me surprising strength; she reaches out and pulls me into a sitting position, pulling my blankets down on my side of the bed. She leaves me in my boxers. She swings my legs under the blankets, and I start to shiver uncontrollably. She pulls the blankets up to my chin, and this entire time I'm just going along with it, not able to move on my own at all.

Granger moves to the bathroom, and comes out with a glass of water. She puts it on my bedside table and leans towards me, stroking my hair.

"What happened? You were fine an hour ago."

I don't answer and can barely shrug my shoulders.

She looks torn about something, "What?" I croak out.

"I don't want to leave you here like this," she answers, looking at me sadly.

"Just go," I manage to tell her. "I'll be fine."

"Well, I'm only going to be gone two hours, but I will come and check on you halfway. Okay?"

I kind of nod.

She gives my hair one last stroke and leans down, placing a firm kiss on my lips. She gets up and walks away.

***

Everything is so weird. I can't move properly, but I can't make myself sleep either. I have no idea how long I've been laying here like this, sweating copiously, but shivering at the same time. It must not have been an hour yet, because Granger hasn't been back to check on me.

I feel childish, but I need her here. I can't handle this… I'm dieing!

I wait a little bit longer before realising this is too coincidental. Where the hell is Granger? I’m almost willing to bet that her two hours are up.

Making up my mind, I lift my heavy arm and throw the blankets off of me. I sit up, and stand with difficulty, then slowly make my way towards my staircase. I grab onto the rail and begin to make my way slowly down the stairs. My foot slips halfway and I miss a couple steps, my arm just barely holding on to the rail properly.

This is definitely more than the common cold or flu.

With great effort, I make my way to the Portrait Hole, seriously worrying about Granger now.

I step out into a corridor and begin my rather painful journey down the hall. My whole body feels like lead, and everything hurts. It hurts deep inside of my bones. I need to find Granger. I walk, not even really comprehending where I'm going.

"Granger?" I yell. I actually yell, at almost 11 at night, someone is bound to hear me.

Good.

"Granger!?" I yell again.

Nothing.

I continue my slow trek down corridors, and up staircases. I make it about halfway up a staircase before my legs give and I fall down a fair few steps. I'm hurting much more than before, but where the hell is Granger? I sit on the top of the fourth or fifth staircase I've managed to climb, and I actually start crying. I'm scared. I'll admit it, I'm really scared. I don't know what's wrong with me, my whole body is just in so much pain, and I've never had more trouble trying to get anywhere. I have never, in my entire life, experienced anything like this. For a while in my room, I couldn't move at all, I could just lay there and think. I'm also scared because I know it's way past Granger’s patrol time, and I haven't seen her. What's happening to her? She would either be out here, patrolling and hearing me shouting, or she would have made her way back, realised I wasn't in my room anymore, and then be looking for me.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and I'm startled beyond anything. I look back and see Weasley's little sister there. I don't know her name.

"What are you doing?" She asks me, her eyebrows raised.

"I'm sick," I croak out, "really sick, and I can't find Granger."

She's looking at me in concern. "Well, our Common Room is right over there, and I could hear you shouting."

I nod, doesn't she get it? I need help, now.

"Where was Hermione tonight?" she asks.

"Patrol," I manage to say.

"Oh, well so was my brother. Let’s go find them."

My heart stops, and slowly starts beating again. I'm looking at the girl in horror.

"What?" she asks.

"Your brother? Like Ron Weasley?" I ask, my voice stronger for a moment.

"Yes, I'm Ginny," she says, reaching out a hand.

"No," I groan out, trying to stand.

"What?" she asks.

"Not your brother," I say, and I start shaking uncontrollably, making it very hard for me to support myself.

"You're really sick, I think we should go to the Hospital Wing," she suggests.

"No," I groan again, "We've got to find them, please, help me."

"Of course I'll help you," she says, grabbing me with a surprisingly strong grip at my elbow, and helping me walk.

"You realise that you're only wearing boxers right?" she asks me.

I shrug. I really don't care right now.

"So what's the big deal?" she asks, "About Hermione being with Ron?"

"You may just find out," I pant out between chattering teeth.

Our progress is slow, but I am beginning to hear a noise in the distance.

"Do you hear that?" Ginny asks me.

I nod, trying to quicken my pace.

We turn the corner, and there they are. As far as I can tell at first glance, nothing too drastic has happened, yet. But it is definitely about to happen. Granger is pinned down onto the floor, Weasley between her legs, and Potter holding her arms above her head. Ginny lets out a startled gasp, and I make a noise low in my throat.

"Get off of her," I groan at them, shivering again.

Potter quickly retreats and Weasley turns and looks at me, frozen in his position. They both look lost, and very unsure of what to do. Potter stands back and looks at me; I sense that he is taking in my sickness.

Something clicks, "You did this to me," I half whisper to him.

He gives me a look of complete confusion. "Did what?"

I groan, ignoring his complete ignorance and wishing I could just help Granger. I shuffle forwards and grab onto Weasley’s robes, they slip out of my weak grasp easily. That's when Ginny moves forwards and pulls Weasley back hard, by his hair. I look up to see Potter shocked by my large display of weakness.

"What are you doing?" Ginny shrieks at Weasley, looking down at the bloodied Granger on the floor. Obviously they decided that she can revert back to using Glamour Charms.

I look over and see Potter glaring at me hatefully, his face still covered in yellowish bruises from last weekend. Next thing I know, I'm on the ground with Potter above me, him punching every part of me that he can reach. There is no way I can protect myself, so I just raise my arms and try to cover my face. Potters punches are not doing anything to help me. My body was already screaming at me for walking, never mind getting beat up.

Potter flies back off of me with great force, and Granger is standing there with her wand ready. She reaches out and helps pick me up.

"God, Malfoy. You're sick, we need to get you to the hospital wing," she says like she wasn't just about to be raped on the floor.

"No," I moan, "Just bed."

"Okay, Let’s go to bed then," she says, dismissing everything around us.

"Thanks, Ginny," she says, smiling at the girl, the smile doesn't reach her eyes. I quickly look at Ginny and nod to her, she looks so shocked and confused. Poor girl.

Granger basically drags me back to our Common Room. "Jesus, Malfoy, what's wrong with you? What did Potter do to you?" she grunts at me about five times on the way back. I don't answer. I don't have an answer.

She pulls me inside the Portrait Hole, and pushes me up the stairs. She lays me down in bed and makes sure I'm comfortable. Granger goes and puts cold water in my glass, even though it was untouched, and then comes back.

"Can I still sleep in here?" she asks.

"Please," I almost beg, not wanting to be alone.

She goes to her room and puts on her pyjamas, and stops to try and clean herself up a little bit in the bathroom. She then comes back into my room quickly. She lies beside me and pulls me into her arms, shushing me and trying to help me keep calm.

"You can explain everything to me tomorrow," she says.

"Same for you," I reply. "I think I'm dying,"

"You are not dying, you're just sick. Go to sleep."

I nod.

"I think I love you," I say quietly before closing my eyes. I hear Granger gasp quietly, but she holds onto me tighter.