Carry On

Chapter 5

  I was in the graveyard that the portkey had taken Cedric and I to in fourth year. Suddenly, Cedric's body appeared at my feet, but it wasn't just his, it was everyone's. My parents, Remus, Sirius, even Hedwig was there. Though there weren't any physical marks marring their corpses, they were clearly void of life. They were far too pale, lips turning blue. Eyes, once lively, now dull. Suddenly, they all started to speak. There mouths opened, but barely moved.
  "You did this," they said, "you killed us. Freak." Then, Lord Voldemort himself walked towards me. He stepped over the bodies, kicking some as he went. He seemed to enjoy it, revel in the pain and death.
  "Potter, my my," he laughed. "You could have saved them. You could have helped. If only you had thrown away your pride, had given yourself up, accepted your fate sooner; then they would still be alive. It's your fault. You are to blame." He hissed. His eyes narrowing at the last words.
  "No! Stop! I didn't do this! I didn't kill them! You did!" I shouted, desperately  trying to keep my focus on the monster of a man before me, rather than the bodies of those I cared for at my feet. Suddenly the bodies shot up, looking almost like puppets on strings.
  "You killed us! You are to blame! You should have died!" They yelled in unison. They started to surround me, pressing closer and closer.
  "I'm sorry! Please! I'm sorry!" I screamed. Crouching low to the ground as they closed in, like vultures on a corpse. I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my fists. "I'm sorry!"
  I woke with a start, immediately feeling ill. I leaned over the side of the bed, losing what little of my breakfast I had been able to eat. I laid back down, memories of what had happened earlier slowly returning.
  I couldn't help but groan. The whole of Hogwarts probably knew about my episode in Defense by now. Joy. The Savior of the Wizarding World, the Chosen One, the Boy Who Lived; was afraid of his pig of an uncle.
  "Hello, Mr. Potter. It's about time you awakened, it's past dinner. Now, if you don't mind, why exactly did you not come to me sooner?" Madame Pomfery asked, clearly annoyed. I opened my mouth to say I didn't know what she was talking about, but she continued before I could. "Don't even think of trying to lie to me. I took off your glamour." I shot up from my relaxed position in the hospital bed, wincing slightly.
  "Has Hermione come to see me?" I asked, not really wanting to know the answer. I tensed as the Mediwitch nodded her head.
  "She did. Though, I didn't allow her in. Now, explain why you didn't come sooner, and why you were brought in by Mr. Malfoy. I was under the impression you two had a bit of a rivalry." She demanded. I relaxed slightly, relieved that at least Hermione hadn't seen me in such a state. Madame Pomfery raised an eyebrow expectantly. I sighed. No getting out of this one.
  "I didn't think it was important." I answered truthfully. I only now noticed the bandages covering my arms, legs, and torso.
  "Not important?" She asked incredulously. "Mr. Potter, when Mr. Malfoy brought you in, you had just had a panic attack. I thought it would only need a simple calming draught. Imagine my surprise when I cast a diagnostic spell, and found you barely alive! You are severely underweight, and are clearly suffering from sleep deprivation. You have cuts running up and down your arms, stomach, and your thighs! It's a miracle you were even alive!" She said. I couldn't meet her eyes. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. She glanced at me one more time before making her way to the entrance of the Hospital Wing.
  "Madame Pomfery, I came to see Potter." I heard someone say from the door. It wasn't Hermione, as it wasn't a feminine voice coming from there.
  "Mr. Malfoy, you know that you can't without his permission." I heard her reply, clearly about to shoo him away.
  "It's alright, Ma'am, he can come in." I called from my bed. I was shocked why he of all people would come, and my curiosity won over my caution. I saw the blonde walk in.
  "Potter. You really must train your Gryffindor friends in some self control. They have been harassing me about seeing you as soon as they discovered their inability to visit." He said, gasping slightly at my physical state, before covering it quickly with a smirk. "So, in order to preserve my sanity, I agreed to come and see how you are. Potter, how are you." He asked, one pale eyebrow raised.
  "Tell Hermione and the others I'm fine, but I still don't want them to come and see me. Does that satisfy you?" I asked. If I didn't know better, then I would think that the hesitant, border-line caring Malfoy from earlier was just a simple dream. He seemed to be back to his snarky self, for better or worse.
  "Good, then I'll be on my way." He turned on his heel and walked out of the Hospital Wing. As soon as he had left, Madame Pomfrey was back at my bedside.
  "Mr. Potter. We have certain treatments that we need to discuss." She said, leaving no room for argument.

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