SCREAM | DRACO MALFOY

chapter four

Against my protests, I was ushered as quickly as possible to the hospital wing. Penny didn't let go of me until I was lying down on the bed and her grip on my arm was so tight I was sure it would leave a bruise.

I didn't have the energy to talk. I honestly don't even know what I would say. I also was pretty sure that my vocal chords would be out of commission for the time being. My throat still throbbed and felt like I had swallowed a lump of burning coal. I didn't notice it before but my hands were bleeding from the wounds my nails had caused. I hadn't even realized I was clenching my fists.

I could hear perfectly now, but the words of those around me seemed to go in one ear and out the other. I could hear Madame Pomphrey speaking, her frown was prominent and I could tell that she was genuinely confused at what was happening. This is the first time I've seen that kind of look on her face.

Professor Flitwick arrived at some point. I had never been that close with my head of house but his concern was very much appreciated.

Penny was using a wet washcloth to wipe my face. She stroked it from my ear all the way down towards my chest. Every time she went to get more water, the water slowly started to become more pink. I reached my hand up to try and grab the towel from her, wanting to do something and not just having them fuss over me. Show them that I was okay. My hand was placed back in my lap.

Madame Pomphrey left at some point to get something from her office. Flitwick had moved away from my bedside although I could hear him talking with someone at the door. While Penny was busy at the wash basin I took the opportunity to look over towards the door.

Flitwick was speaking directly to him, but Professor Dumbledore didn't pay him a glance as he observed my condition. I could see Snape looming in the background and Professor McGonagall was there too. They all had looks of curiosity and confusion written on their faces.

Their heads turned to look down the hallway. Someone else must be coming. I didn't recognize who it was as they slid past the Professor's not slowing down at all until they got to my bedside.

I had never seen Cedric look so frightened. If I was in my right mind I would probably be a nervous wreck right now, but all I felt as I looked at him was fear. My hands started to clench again. Instead of digging my nails into my palms this time, I grabbed the sheets.

Cedric was talking to me. His voice was soft but it felt like he was screaming. My body started to shake. Penny grabbed my shoulders and I could hear Madame Pomphrey walking back towards us. She had a bottle in her hand and was hurrying to open it.

"No..." I managed to croak out. It felt like a thousand needles were trying to force their way down my throat. "No, no, no please..." I continued to say as she grabbed the side of my face and held the bottle to my lips.

She seemed to be trying to soothe me as I fought her. I can't go back to sleep. I can't go through that nightmare again. My head moved back and forth. From the corner of my eye I could see the Professor's approaching. Madame Pomphrey took out her wand. A small mumble under her breath left my entire body to go still.

She poured the potion into my open lips. It tasted vile, but I didn't have time to comprehend it as I fell into a deep sleep.

I could feel someone holding my hand, their clammy fingers gripped onto mine like if they let go I would float away. Even though I had regained consciousness, I couldn't seem to move. Most people say that this experience is terrifying, like they are trapped in a lifeless body. For some reason, I felt comfortable.

"She always has had nightmares but..." Penny started. "Never like this. This was..." She didn't finish. The silence in the room was heavy.

When I finally woke up it was the next day. Madame Pomphrey gave me another potion before I was sent on my way. I asked her if she was sure I was alright. She didn't give me the answer I wanted which was, "Oh yes, dear. It wasn't that big of a deal." Instead, she quickly pushed me out the door, telling me that Professor Dumbledore would speak with me about it at a later date.

I stumbled into the vacant hallway, my brain still foggy from my sleep although my head felt better aside from a slight ache. I checked the time and saw that it was almost time for my first class.

Herbology went by in a blur. Other than a few looks from a couple other of my housemates it was a lot like a normal class. Almost like nothing ever happened.

Professor Sprout did seem to be giving me a few worried glances every now and then. It looked like she wanted to say something whenever I passed her on my way out the door but her mouth stayed firmly shut.

Cedric was waiting for me at the entrance of the castle. I barely had time to speak before he pulled me in his arms. His embrace was strong but also gentle, like he was afraid of crushing me. I smiled into his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, pushing my face further into his neck. "Yeah, I'm okay." His body was tense although I felt him relax slightly at my words.

He reluctantly pulled away, examining my face. He looked pale. "You scared the hell out of me." I looked down. I couldn't stand to see the look of fear and sadness on his face.

He didn't ask me what happened and I let out a sigh of relief as he grabbed my hand and started to walk inside.

"Where's Penny?"

He shrugged. "I haven't seen her since yesterday." He didn't say it, but I could tell from his tone that Penny was most likely just as worried as he was. Although I loved Penny, I knew that she would bombard me with questions. I savored the moments I had with Cedric as he walked me to the dungeons for Potions class.

He seemed reluctant to letting me go. I also didn't want to leave his side but I gave him a small smile and promised to meet him at the Hufflepuff table for lunch. He didn't leave until I sat down at my table. I smiled once again at him as he walked away.

Draco had not yet arrived and checking my watch I saw that class did not start for another twenty minutes. I reached into my bag and took out my textbook, eager to distract myself with anything aside from my thoughts. It was insane that I was willingly wanting to read about the subject I hated so very much but I took it as an opportunity. Maybe I'll actually learn something.

I could feel the watchful gaze of Professor Snape on me as he emerged from his office. I didn't look up, but I could feel my knee start to bounce up and down due to my nerves. I remembered seeing him at the door of the hospital wing. If I looked up at this moment, he would probably be wearing the same gaze he had been then.

I read until the class started and despite my wishes of learning, I barley made it through a whole page. I sighed as I shut my book, realizing that today the lecture for the potion was over and now we were to watch as Professor Snape demonstrated the brewing process before we had to attempt tomorrow.

Draco slipped into the seat beside me just as the class began. I could feel him looking at me and immediately panicked at the thought of the incident leaving the confines of my house. I couldn't bear to have everyone in Hogwarts looking at me as if I was a freak.

He didn't question me as he got out his materials or throughout the entire lesson. Getting up to leave, I spared a glance at him and accidentally caught his gaze. He stopped slightly and opened his mouth to speak. I braced myself for his words. Instead, he turned on his heel and left the room.

I immediately thought back to Cedric's words from the other day.

Was Draco really treating me differently? Or is it all in my head?