UnExpected

Chapter 24

It was quiet. So far, so good.

Sneaking into the room, Buffy looked out for Madam Pomfrey, but all seemed to be clear. The place was darkened by the night sky, which was definitely a plus when one was trying to sneak in unseen. She quickly moved past the empties and toward the farthest bed from the door.

And there he was.

Sleeping like a baby.

She pulled the curtain further until she was covered from view, and most of Draco was hidden that wasn't too suspicious. Pulling up a nearby chair as quietly as possible, she sat down and pulled out her wand, giving it a silent wave before placing it back in her pocket.

"Draco," she said gently as she shook him. "Draco."

She felt him stir beneath her fingers and watched him blink awake.

"Hi," he smiled groggily. "I was wondering when you'd get here."

"Well, I had to wait for your fan club to clear out now didn't I?"

"What can I say? I'm a popular man." He grinned as Buffy rolled her eyes.

"How are you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm okay. Pomfrey got me all patched up. I'll be out of here by morning."

"Good," she nodded. "What the HELL were you thinking?!"

The quick change of tone in her voice made Draco literally jump in surprise.

"Have you completely lost your mind?! What the hell was going on in that thick head of yours?!"

Draco shot up into a sitting position as he frantically tried to shush Buffy's loud voice.

"Don't shush me! No one can hear us. I put some sort of anti-snooping charm thing – anyway back to my point. What the hell is the matter with you?!"

At the sight of Draco's ashamed eyes looking down and away from her, Buffy took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

"Okay, good now," she said. "But seriously! What were you thinking?"

"I don't know," he grumbled as he threw himself back into the pillow. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Oh, yeah, brilliant."

"Hey, we'd just lost! And Potter's always strutting around like he's the greatest bloody wizard since Merlin. He deserved everything I said to him," he angrily spouted.

"Yeah and look at where that got you."

"The old Buffy would've supported me," he mumbled lowly, but she heard every word.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "Draco, look me in the eye and tell me that the old Buffy would've actually cheered you on."

With his arms crossed over his chest, he slowly met her gaze, and then quickly looked away. She was right. The old Buffy would've yelled at him just like the current one was doing. She would've done everything in her power to prevent his rant, because she knew this was where he would've exactly ended up.

"You goaded him," she said. "You pushed and pushed until he had no other choice but to kick your ass. You brought this on yourself."

"You're defending him?!" he outraged.

"No, he's an idiot, too," Buffy said. "You're both idiots with your heads so far up your bums you can smell last night's dinner. How many times have I told you to control your stupid temper?"