I Think I Like Him

12. The Dying Flame Of A Long-Standing Feud

Word count: 1844

______________________________

McGonagall sat at her desk, arms folded as she listened intently while Draco finished recounting the events from not twenty minutes before.

"And that's when I came here," he ended, rubbing his clammy palms on his trousers, only then realising how his breathing had gradually quickened throughout the story.

"And he remains in the hospital ward?" The Deputy Headmistress questioned, the look on her face implying she was still processing his words. He nodded vigorously, moving to the edge of his chair; ready to shoot up in an instant. He waited for his Professor to bound into action, run down the halls with him in tow, sending out patronuses to Dumbledore and Pomfrey on the way.

Draco was utterly stumped however, when McGonagall calmly pulled a piece of parchment towards her, and dipped a quill in ink. "Professor?" He was leaning forward on his chair, so much so that his chin wasn't far from her desk. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor McGonagall didn't look up, but instead began scratching on the parchment with her quill.

Draco opened his mouth, before closing it again. The Deputy shortly whipped the parchment from her desk, and enveloped it, standing up. Draco practically leaped to his feet, figuring this was the moment he had anticipated.

He turned, but instead of finding her at the door, she stood leaning out the window, an Eastern Screech owl on her arm with its leg obediently stretched out as McGonagall tied the envelope.

"Take this to Poppy," she murmured, shooing the small grey owl away. Draco's mouth hung open, as he stared at her, dumbstruck. She gave him a pointed look as she returned to her desk, "Is there something you wish to say, Mr. Malfoy?"

Mustering up the most polite tone he could gather, he nodded. "I just assumed that after my story, you would feel more obliged to make Potter's situation of a higher importance?"

She eyed him for a moment, "What you need to understand, is that Mr. Potter's problem will be easily reversed once Madam Promfrey returns, and I have just sent a letter so that she is informed for when she does"

"Forgive me, professor, but does that account for putting him through the current amount of pain and discomfort for the remainder of her absence?" He focused on keeping himself calm, as he knew a detention would do nothing in favour of his cause. Professor McGonagall tilted her head upwards and squinted, peering at Draco through her square spectacles, the wired rims placed firmly partway down her nose.

"As much as I sympathise with your concerns for Mr. Potter, calling back Madam Pomfrey would still take a whole day, and would leave her trip pointless, not including the loss of the medical supplies that require a specific environment in order to be of use." Draco was about to retaliate, but she interrupted him; "In addition, the pain reliving potions you mentioned seemed to do a splendid job in keeping Mr. Potter's pain levels down, so I fail to see the purpose of having Madam Pomfrey return"

"I just thought you would care more about Harry Potter of all people"

"Of course I care about Harry, as do I care a great deal about every pupil in this school, but there is nothing to be done about Harry's situation past what already has been done"

Draco slumped, too defeated to care about his posture and mannerisms any longer. "He needs more frequent doses, at the very least"

McGonagall sighed through her nose, and stared at Draco for a few seconds. "Well, as you seem to care so much about the well-being of Mr. Potter, I am allowing you to aid in caring for him for the remainder of Madam Pomfreys absence." Draco furrowed his brows, sitting up once more in a quick motion that made his platinum fringe fall just above his eyelashes. "What does that mean?"