Eleanor Snape- Book 4

A Step Closer

A few weeks went by and everything seemed to be going normally. Classes were just as boring as usual, and Uncle Severus was harder then ever on me over my Defense Against the Dark Arts work. Everything was normal. Flitwick had a couple more audition sessions that we had to be at.

I was just getting back from Arithmacy when I was stopped by a panicked looking Pansy.

"What is it?" Usually, I wouldn't care what Pansy was into, but she really seemed frazzled.

"Draco's been hurt!" She informed, quickly sliding some hair out of her face.

"How? What happened? Is he okay?" For some reason, I actually felt concerned. What did I care if Draco was hurt? It wasn't my problem.

"I don't know! I just found out! Please come with me to the Hospital Wing? I don't think I can go alone if he's..." She let the sentence hand in the air.

For the first time, Pansy looked weak, as if she was just going to burst into tears at any moment. Did she really care that much about Draco? Probably; I had at one time. If it were Vincent, I know I would most likely be much worse then she was. Sobbing already. And I wouldn't want to face it alone.

"I'll go with you." I awkwardly forced a smile. She looked kind of surprise, but relieved.

"Thank you." She looked down, avoiding eye contact as we started down the hall.

The journey was scarily quiet. We both felt extremely out of place, so it was weird to try to talk to each other. Tension was still high between us, although she hadn't pulled any tricks on me since last year. Pansy put her hand on the door.

"What do you think he'll be like?" She paused. "Do you think he'll be okay?"

"Obviously not, if he's here." I answered truthfully. That probably wasn't the best answer, but oh well. My mind flashed to his mission that I knew nothing about. Could this be the result of it?

"Elle," She snapped me from my thought. "Are you coming?" She was standing in the door way, holding the door open.

"Yeah." I shook my head. "Yeah, I was... just thinking." She eyed me with confusion, but then went on through. I followed her and let the door hang open.

Draco was laying in one of the beds, peacefully sleeping. He was propped up, but only a little bit; not to the point of sitting up. His shirt was unbuttoned, reveling a bright, red gash across his chest. I gasped. Only one thing would have caused that; Sectumsempre. So that meant who ever had the book was now using it, hurting people. Draco would know who did this to him, so he could tell me. I could stop this person before they harmed anyone else.

Pansy approached him and gently took his hand. His eyes weakly fluttered open.

"Are you okay?" Pansy softly asked. I uncomfortably shifted. It was odd to see this part of Pansy. So nice and caring and scared. It was a part of him I had never seen before.

"Yeah." He softly answered, which also surprised me. I was used to him complaining and wanting to be the center of attention. I guess when it came down to it, he had compassion deep town somewhere, and it only took a near death experience to bring it out.

"What happened?" Pansy had tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Draco swallowed.

"I can't remember." He pressed his lips together, leading me to believe that he was possible lying. How could he not remember?

"Oh..." Pansy leaned over and kissed him. He kissed her back, but then broke away to look around. Finally, he noticed me.

"Hi, Ellie." He greeted. My eyes instantly went over the gash. How did he survive?

"Hey..." I tried to stop starring. Who did this to him? I wanted to see if I was right about his untruthfulness, but I couldn't while Pansy was in the room. I would have to wait until she left, which could be a good amount of time.

"Why are you here?" He asked, his tone nicer then usual.

"I was just making sure you were okay." I leaned against the nightstand that was between his bed and another.

"Ok..." He knitted his brow in suspension, possibly thinking I was there for another reason. He would be right to think that. I needed to know who did this, and it probably showed on my face. I quickly tried to put on a poker face.

"Does it hurt?" Pansy stupidly asked. Of course it did!

"Yeah. Bad." Draco's eyes focused onto something out in the hallway where I had left the door open, making his eyes widen a little. Pansy didn't seem to notice, but kept babying him. I peeked over my shoulder to see what it was.

A pair of first years that I recognized as Slytherins were standing outside the door, looking in. They were the twins that had auditioned during the first try outs. When they noticed I was looking, the first one broke away and started down the hallway in a sprint, but the other one stayed put, staring right back. For a moment, we locked eyes. Something was odd about them. Something familiar. But was that possible? I didn't even know this girl.

Just when I was about to open my mouth to say something, she broke her gaze away, and ran down the hallway after her twin.