Recovery

Recovery - Chapter Seven


Draco looked nervously down the Slytherin table, over the plates of breakfast, and at the two conversing boys. Goyle and Crabbe had been whispering to each other and glancing at him for the past twenty minutes, and Draco was beyond freaked. Goyle had a look of determination on his face, while Crabbe seemed to be getting more and more nervous. It was a bit familiar to Draco. And then he remembered, they were talking like that the morning before... IT happened.

Eyes wide, Draco gulped down some pumpkin juice. He forced his face and posture to look normal. It wasn't like he should really worry, after all. There was no way they would try it again. No one is that stupid. Draco glanced back down at the two conspiring boys. Yet, Draco once thought they were idiots, and look where that got him. Draco sighed and looked back down at his eggs. He was just being parranoid. Nothing would happen.

Draco stole a glance at the head table, where Dumbledore and Snape were in a deep conversation. Draco frowned. Why was Dumbledore speaking with Snape, a Death Eater? A shiver went down his spine. Surely Dumbledore isn't just handing him over like that? No, he couldn't. With that thought, Draco looked over at the Gryffindor table. Ron wouldn't let him get hurt like that, anyway.

Wait a minute! Draco's eyes widened at his last thought and he quickly stuffed food into his mouth, hoping that will keep him from thinking it again. He did not just think that Ron would protect him. He's a Malfoy for crying out loud. And since when did it become 'Ron', anyway. It's Weasley. Draco nodded to himself in confirmation. 'Or Weasel when I feel like getting him flustered.' Snorting, Draco refused to meet the odd look Blaise Zabini was giving him.

Draco quickly finished his dinner, determined to keep any thoughts of Ron Weasley out of his mind. As he left the Great Hall, he discovered this was no easy feat. Everything seemed to remind him of the red-head. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

"That I do not know, Mr. Malfoy." A voice interupted his thoughts. Draco whirled around and came face to face with Albus Dumbledore. The old man smiled at him calmly, his eyes twinkling as usual.

"May I help you, sir?" Draco fought to keep his voice even and not let any aggitation in. It wasn't a good idea to upset the Headmaster, especially when he's doing him a favour.

"I have found a way to let you stay here for theistmistmas Holidays, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore told him. "I'll be sending your mother an owl this afternoon."

"My mother, sir?" Draco inquired.

"Yes. I thought it might be better that way, with your father being the main person your trying to escape." Dumbledore explained. "Will this be a problem, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No, sir." Draco said. He gave the Headmaster a small smile. Dumbledore looked startled at the gesture. "In fact, I think it's the preferable idea."

"Very well." Dumbledore slipped past him. "The matter shall be taken care of. Oh, and Draco?" Dumbledore turned half-way to look at him. "Remember, if there is anything you need to tell me, I'm here to listen. Okay?"

"Yes, sir." Draco replied. He watched Dumbledore leave the corridor before slumping against the wall. He let out a breath of relief, closing his eyes. He didn't hear the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. However, he did feel it when someone reached out and grabbed his wrists, pinning them to the wall next to his head. Draco's eyes flew open and he came face to face with Goyle. "What the fuck do you want? Get off me!"

"Draco, come now." Goyle said with a calm that Draco never before associated with the boy. Draco held his breath as Goyle pressed his massive body against his. Even under this minor torture, Draco still couldn't keep the amazement out of him mind. How could this be the blumbering idiot that acted as his body guard? Draco inwardly sighed as Goyle smirked. Needless to say, Goyle was a perfect Slytherin now that Draco thought of it.

"Leave me be, Goyle." Draco said, his voice resembling ice. "You don't want to create any trouble, would you?"

"Trouble!" Goyle laughed. "You didn't tell anyone about it last time, why would you do it this time?"

"Uh, Greg?" Crabbe's voice said uncertainly.

"Shut up, Vince." Goyle growled.

"Greg, I really think..." Crabbe's voice trailed off and Draco attempted to look over Goyle's shoulder, but the veiw was blocked.

"Now, Draco, where were we?" Goyle asked softly, his face coming closer to Draco's.

"I'd stop right there, if I were you." A threatening voice said. Draco watched, in shock, as a wand was pressed to Goyle's neck and Goyle stepped back, releasing his arms. Goyle glared at his captor. Ron sneered at the larger boy.

"What's it to you, Weasley?" Goyle asked, glancing past him to see Harry Potter pointing his wand at Crabbe. Goyle shifted, obviously trying to find a way out of this.

"It's a lot to me, actually." Ron's voice was low and deadly. Draco watched the look of pure hatred on Ron's face and was immediately upset with the fact that he was getting turned on by it. "Your going to collect what inteligence you have left, Goyle, and leave this hall and never look in Draco's direction again. Understand? Or do you need me to spell it out for you? Perhaps in a form of a hex?"

"This isn't over." Goyle growled at Draco before grabbing Crabbe's arms and dragging him away.

"Are you all right?" Harry asked, turning towards Draco. Draco stared at him, eyes wide. Did Harry just show basic concern for him? Draco blinked and came to the conclusion that he was halucinating this whole affair. "Hey, Malfoy? You okay?"

"Fine, Potter." Draco whispered his reply. "I should be going."

"Wait, Draco." Ron said, grabbing Draco's arm gently. Draco looked up at him and Ron smiled slightly. "If they bother you again, just tell me. Okay?"

"Right." Was Draco's reply, and the pale blonde headed down the corridor without looking back. Harry looked over at Ron, who was staring after the Slytherin.

"Okay, what was that all about?" Harry demanded.

"What do you mean?" Ron questioned.

"What I mean is, why are you calling him Draco? And what do you care if Goyle tries to beat up Malfoy? And why did you have to drag me out of a perfectly good breakfast to save his ass?" Harry inquired. Ron blushed and looked down at the ground.

"It's nothing, Harry." Ron mumbled.

"Nothing my arse." Harry replied.

"Hey, I'll talk to you later... I'm going to the library, okay?" Ron said. He quickly ran off, leaving a very confused Boy Who Lived in the hallway.