Draco ran to Hagrid's hut just as a patronus is being cast. The silvery shape of a golden retriever darts passed him on its way to the school. Greg is crouched over the limp form of Hagrid, casting diagnostic spells and looking grim.
Theo is hovering with one hand in his pocket and the other grasping his wand.
"Oh my god." Draco runs over, "What happened? Where's Potter? Where's Macmillan? Whose patronus did I run past?"
Simon catches up to Draco, panting, "You're too fast... what happened?"
"Go inside." Draco points to the castle, "Do not argue with me. Find Snape and tell him what you saw." Draco glares at the Hufflepuff, watching him sprint back to the castle, "Honestly, tell me what happened, and who's bloody patronus that was."
"That's mine." Greg frowns, "I don't think I can conjure a stretcher strong enough for Hagrid, but he needs the infirmary now."
"Since when can you cast a patronus?" Draco demands, "What if we all cast at the same time? It should be strong enough if we work together."
"We should save our magic." Theo mumbles.
"We need to get him to the hospital." Greg argues, "He's hurt."
"You sent a message to Pomfrey." Theo snaps.
"Yeah, and I wait to send another one until she hears it. We need help now. Can you send a patronus?"
"You know I can't." Theo starts pacing.
"Then the three of us conjure a stretcher and quit bitching at each other. We'd be on our way to the school by now. Oh my god, it's not rocket science!" Draco pulls his wand.
"What's that?" Greg asks.
"I don't know." Draco yanks Theo towards them, "It's something Potter says when he thinks people are being daft, which you two are. We're not talking about this anymore, we're getting that giant oaf to the infirmary. Then we're finding Potter and Macmillan to find out what the fuck is going on."
"We need to conserve our magic." Theo tries again, "Dray, trust me."
"I do trust you, Nott." Draco pulls Greg to his feet, "But you have no idea how pissed Potter will be if I left this lummox to suffer while we could do something. It won't strain our magic, we're not firsties. Oh my god, the man is bleeding out and we're arguing like a bunch of spoiled prats."
"He's right." Greg nudges Theo.
"I'm right too." Theo joins them as they conjure a stretcher big enough and strong enough to carry Hagrid to the hospital.
"I never said you weren't." Greg snaps.
"I'm missing something." Draco frowns, "What's wrong?"
"Help us get him inside and we'll explain everything." Greg points his wand at Hagrid, lifting him onto the stretcher. He understands Theo's concern about conserving their magic as he breaks out in a sweat trying to lift the half-giant. He'll be drained by the end of the night.
The three of them hurry to the castle, meeting Ernie walking back with a bottle sticking out of his pocket.
"What happened?" Ernie looks around, "Where's Harry?"
"What do you mean, 'where's Harry'?" Draco frowns, "He was with you."
"No, he stayed with Hagrid after the funeral while I took Mrs. Norris and the kneazle kittens to my room." He looks down at his watch, "I've been gone maybe 25 minutes. What happened, where's Harry?"
YOU ARE READING
Uncomfortable Truths
FanfictionHogwarts 8th year. This story is a slice of life, showing them grow out of the roles they were placed in while battling the ghosts of their past. Dealing, often poorly, with what life throws at them. Learning to be teenagers instead of soldiers. Ver...
