Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 6-16: Poisoned

Months had gone by, and Desiree only found herself able to live with the fact that she still loved Draco. Against all reason she loved him. But she knew, in the back of her mind, that it wasn't right. She couldn't be with him because though he claimed that he loved her, that he loved her to the ends of the earth forever and always, he still cheated on her.

Aside from all of that, Desiree finally learned how to be happy on her own for the first time since she got together with Cedric. It felt nice to find joy within herself rather than from others. Desiree finally found the meaning of self-worth and what she knew she deserved. Not only that, she found a new passion in life. She found what she wanted to do after school. After reading some random book in the library one evening, Desiree stumbled across the art of healing. Turns out, healers are typically skilled potion makers, let alone their skill in other fields on magic. It seemed crazy to Desiree to say she wanted to be a healer, but at the same time, she felt like she was meant to be one. Her skill set fits perfectly for healing and to her, it sounded better than the crazy schedule at the Ministry. Now, she only strived to be one of the greatest healers.

"Okay, what do you say to you and I set up a way for Ginny and Harry to get together?" asked Hermione. She and Desiree were walking down the corridors on their way to classes.

"Hermione, you think the two of us would be the best bet for them? The girl that fancies someone in a relationship, though it's obvious he cares about you, and the girl that had one boyfriend die to end their relationship and the other just flat out cheat on her?" Desiree chuckled. Their situations weren't as funny as just the thought of them trying to meddle with Harry and Ginny.

"Well, when you put it that way," Hermione's eyes grew slightly wide before the girls laughed. They really didn't have the best luck in the love department.

"Guys, you have to come with me," Harry ran up to them urgently. His hair was a mess, his clothes wrinkled. It looked like he hadn't slept in ages.

"Harry? What's happened?" Hermione's face grew more worried by the second.

"It's Ron, he's been poisoned," Harry's eyes scanned each of theirs. Desiree could feel her eyes widen and her heart rate quicken.

"What? When?" Hermione's tone turned horrified, she quickly began running to the hospital wing.

"It happened last night," said Harry.

"Last night? LAST NIGHT? Why are you just telling us now?" she shouted at him.

"I wanted to make sure he was alright first. And, you two were asleep when it happened," said Harry. It made sense to Desiree why she hadn't known because she was down in her room sleeping. But Hermione, Harry should have told her.

"Harry, you could have woken us up! At least me!" Hermione shouted again. The anger she felt towards Harry was clear in her eyes. But, Desiree could tell it was more worry for Ron than it was anger at Harry failing to tell her.

"Harry, she's just worried about him. She's not mad at you. Though, that was a git move," Desiree looked to Harry reassuringly as they entered the Hospital Wing, her hand patted his shoulder as they did so.

Ron was lying unconscious in one of the middle beds. Ginny was already sitting by his side. How Ginny knew before Hermione, Desiree didn't know. But, that didn't matter right now. Ron's safety was what mattered.

"Oh god," a tear fell down Hermione's cheek, her hand grasped his as she sat. She wasn't trying to hide her feelings at this point.

"Madam Pomfrey said he should be fine since I was able to give him the antidote right away. She said he would just need rest," said Harry, sitting at Ginny's side. Desiree took a seat next to Hermione, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder as she did so.

"Quick thinking on you're part, Harry. You must very proud of your student Horace," said Dumbledore, walking to Ron's bed with McGonagall, Snape, and Slughorn.

"Oh, yes, yes, but I think we can agree that Potter's actions were heroic but the question is, why were they necessary?" asked McGonagall.

"Well, let's take a look. This appears to be a gift, Horace. Do you remember who gifted you this bottle?" Dumbledore asked, taking the bottle from Sluhorn's hand. "By the way, this possesses remarkable, subtle hints of liquorice and cherry, when not polluted with poison."

"Actually, I'd intended it as a gift myself," said Slughorn nervously. Delaney would have thought it odd for his behavior to be so nervous or giddy, but with the current climate, it made sense.

"To whom? I might ask," said Dumbledore as Snape began inspecting the poisoned bottle.

"To you, headmaster," Slughorn admitted reluctantly.

Desiree, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione's eyes met all at once. Why was Slughorn's gift to Dumbledore poisoned? Better yet, who poisoned it?

Desiree's eyes grew wide as she heard a familiar voice she grew to not like ring out, "Where is he? Where's my Won-Won? Has he been asking for me?"

Lavender Brown.

"What's she doing here?" Lavender asked looking at Hermione.

"I might ask you the same question," Hermione stood, clearly offended by Lavender's questioning of her presence.

"I happen to be his girlfriend," Lavender stepped forward towards Hermione. Desiree quickly stood from her chair to get between them. Though a fight would be entertaining, she knew Hermione would hater herself if Ron were to wake up to see her in a fight with Lavender.

"And I happen to be his. . . friend," said Hermione over Desiree's shoulder.

"Don't make me laugh. You haven't spoken since we returned from Holiday," Lavender snapped. "I suppose you want me to break up with him now that he's suddenly all interesting."

"He's been poisoned you daft, bimbo," Hermione scoffed. Desiree had to force herself to hold back a chuckle. Ginny seemed to be struggling with the same task as well. "And for the record, I've always found him interesting."

"There, see, he senses my presence," said Lavender, walking up to the bed as Ron began to stir. "Don't worry, Won-Won, I'm here. I'm here."

"Her-" his voice cut off. He was clearly trying to say a name. "Her. . . mione," he muttered again. Everyone else seemed puzzled as to who he was calling for his words were still slurring together. But, Desiree's eyes grew wide as she figured out who he was calling. "Hermione," he finally whispered.

Lavender quickly looked up to Hermione before running out of the room, breaking into sobs as she met the door.

"Oh, to be young and in love. Well, come everyone. Mr. Weasley is well cared for," said Dumbledore.

"It's about time, don't you think?" Ginny asked with a grin as the girls left the hospital wing.

Delaney turned to look back at Hermione, her hand still firmly grasped Ron's. "Tell me about it," she grinned.

Just as Desiree and Ginny walked out of the hospital wing, and a few paces down the corridor, Desiree saw Draco standing at the end. It looked as though he had been walking past the corridor and stopped when he heard Desiree's giggling. Desiree looked at him for a moment, her hand came up to touch the necklace he had given her fourth year. In the process, she felt the cold metal of her promise ring touch her chest. Though they had been separated for about three months now, Desiree could never bring herself to take them off. They gave her comfort.

Desiree let a soft grin leave her lips as she passed him. It was odd, though her grin only lasted a second, it seemed to ease some of the tensions surrounding Draco. What could possibly be weighing him down that much? Surely it wasn't losing Desiree, right?