Devotion

Chapter 6

"Oh my word, what happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she ushered us in. We were certainly a sight. Blood was dripping through my makeshift bandage onto Draco's robes, while I was gritting my teeth from the pain, fighting to not pass out.

"Quick, lay her down here," she ordered, and Draco gently did so, putting me on the hospital bed.

Madam Pomfrey quickly worked on mending the wound, and within a few minutes, the skin had closed, leaving just a long scar. My mouth dropped when I saw it, all suddenly fixed.

"I'm sorry it left a scar, I'm not quite talented enough with that spell to prevent that," she said, looking guilty.

"Are you kidding? This is amazing! A minute ago it was a bleeding mess, now it's working and everything!" I told her, and her face brightened into a smile at my words.

"Well, you're all healed now, so you're free to head to your classes. And please try to stay uninjured, I've already had to see you twice, and it's not even been a whole day."

"I'll try," I promised. She seemed satisfied with that and so she went to her office, leaving us free to go.

Draco held a hand out to help me up, but I said, "We should probably wait here for McGonagall."

"Oh yeah, I forgot she said she would come up here," he replied, and sat down in the seat by my bed.

"What was Granger so mad about? I only just got there at the end."

"At first it seemed like she was just mad about me sitting with Pansy, but I think it was more than that."

"And you would be quite right with that assessment, Miss Granger," added Professor McGonagall, her voice easily carrying through the large room.

"I-I am?"

"Yes, you are," she said, taking a seat on one of the beds. "Miss Granger—that is to say, your sister—has been dealing with quite a bit of stress recently, as you all have. But seeing you sitting with Miss Parkinson threw her over the edge. She lost control of her emotions, and also her magic, causing that spell to be shot at you. I don't believe she meant for it to happen."

"And you're letting it slide?!" Draco burst out.

"Calm yourself, Mr. Malfoy," she chastised, but he just glared at her. "Yes, just this once, I'm letting it slide. Everyone loses their temper at times. I assure you that if it happens again—"

"Evelyn could get seriously hurt! She got damn well close to it this time, you saw the blood! And she can't even use magic to defend herself!"

That stunned the woman for a moment. She glanced between us, clearly shocked that he already knew.

Finally, in a much quieter voice, she said, "Evelyn knew the risks when she came, Mr. Malfoy. I know it's dangerous. But that's something you have to accept.

I'm going to give Miss Granger a second chance, for everyone deserves that. Might I remind you that you are on yours. I'm still not sure if I should trust you yet, so don't push your luck," she said, and then started to walk out.

Right before the door, she remembered something, and turned around. "Oh yes, you should know there is a meeting tonight after dinner for all students affected by the law. Same room as before."

~

"Draco, go to your class, there's really no need to be here," I insisted, as the class was about to start.

The moment we walked in, Draco had gone to talk to a kind-looking professor, Professor Sprout. And when he came back, he said he was joining my class.

Currently, he was looking around at all the moving plants and the Golden Trio in the back, his body tense. "There is every need. I'm not risking it by leaving you by yourself and defenseless. I won't do it."

"But Draco, you're missing the classes you want to take. The ones with spells and things. I don't want to hold you back," I argued.

He turned to look at me, and gently took my hand. "You aren't holding me back. I can learn that stuff on my own time, it's not that important. What's important is protecting you."

"I'm not weak, I can handle myself. I don't need constant protection from you or anyone else," I said angrily, tugging my hand away from his and turning away from him to face the front.

"No, I know you don't, that came out wrong. I just can't risk losing you Evelyn, it would kill me."

"And why would it?" I asked, crossing my arms and turning to face him again. "You barely know me, and I'm sure the Ministry can find you a new wife."

He glared at me. "You don't want my help? Fine. Don't come running to me when you get hit with a stray spell." And with that, he grabbed his book bag and stormed out of the room, leaving me staring in his wake, stunned.

When I turned back to face the table, my sister came up to stand beside me. She put an arm over my shoulder, and muttered, "It's okay, sis, he's a prat. Just ignore him, you can come over with me and my friends."

My eyes narrowed as I faced her. "He is not a prat, he cares about me. We just had a bit of an argument, we'll get past it," I defended him.

She laughed. "Oh Evelyn, I hate to break to you, but he's the most cold-hearted person at this school. He doesn't care about anyone, certainly not you. He was probably just messing with you or something."

"Just shut up, Hermione, you don't know a thing about our relationship," I said, and picked up my book bag. I walked out, ignoring Professor Sprout calling me back.

Probably wasn't the best impression to make on the first day, but I could care less. There was no way I was listening to Hermione the rest of class.

Her words had cut me deeper than I let on. As I found my way back from the greenhouses to the castle, I knew I needed to hear the truth. I needed to find Draco.