Time Heals All Wounds?

Chapter 11

Harry wished he had stayed at the lake. This would have never happened if they had skipped class and stayed against the tree.

The class had gathered in a clearing near Hagrid's hut whispering amongst each other. Harry had walked over and stood against Hermione. He was reluctant to leave Draco's side after the time that they had spent together and how the blonde had cared for him. However, Draco gave him a small reassuring smile when they made eye contact causing Harry to release a sigh of relief. At least Draco wasn't mad at him. Suddenly, Hagrid appeared with a string of what looked to be dead ferrets around his neck. Trailing behind the giant, was a creature that Harry had never seen before. It was a beautiful cross of bird and horse. Hagrid began to speak, but Harry wasn't listening. He was mesmerised. The sun broke through the trees and glinted off of the beast's large grey feathers accenting the highlights of green, purple and blue that they held. Do to his focus on the feathers and his attempt to memorise all the detail he could, Harry failed to notice that everyone else in his class had taken several steps back.

Harry jumped when a large hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Excellent, 'arry! So glad that you are willin' to come an' meet 'im." Harry could only look up at the tall man in confusion as he was led closer to the beast.

"Now, as I were sa'in earlier, Buckbeak is a very proud creature. So, if you stand there an' bow," Harry did as he was told "good, good. If he likes ya, he will bow back." Everyone waited silently for the creature to bow back, but nothing happened. It just looked at Harry's bent figure with it's beak in the air. Then out of nowhere, it reared up. Harry was suddenly pushed out of the way and all he saw as he hit the ground was a flash of platinum hair. Then there was a sickening crack. It echoed through the clearing and everyone was silent as they stared at the scene before them. Draco had pushed Harry out of the way. Draco had willingly gotten hurt in place of Harry. No one other than Hermione had ever done that for him before. After he had gathered his barings from hitting his head, he dashed over to Draco who was clutching his arm to his chest.

"D-d-dr-dra-aco? I-I-I'm s-s-sor-rry. I-is y-y-yo-your a-a-arm h-hurt b-b-ad? I-it's a-a-all m-my f-f-f-fa-fau-fault." Harry was nearly sobbing at the look of pure agony on the blonde's usually passive face. This was all his fault. He should have pushed Draco back, or backed up so Buckbeak couldn't hit him. He was so stupid. Everything was his fault. He was so stupid and Draco had gotten hurt because of it. Someone who had actually cared about him and believed him when he said his relatives abused him.

Everything was becoming blurry because of his tears and black spots danced across his vision. A large splodge approached and picked Draco up and then retreated. Harry's panic increased and he began to hyperventilate until a gentle voice came from beside him.

"Harry, honey, you need to take some deep breaths. You are starting to hyperventilate. Draco is okay, Harry. Hagrid has taken him to the Hospital Wing so his arm can be healed. He is okay, Harry. I promise, it was a clean break. It will be all healed by the end of the day. This isn't your fault. He saved you, Harry. If Buckbeak had landed on you he could have snapped your spine. Everything will be okay. I promise." Hermione sat beside him on the ground and spoke in a calm and quiet voice that slowly clamed Harry. After a few minutes, Harry began to breathe easier and was able to stand up. He had to get to Draco. He had to apologise, to make sure he was okay, make sure the blonde didn't hate him.

* * *

Harry was banned from the Hospital Wing until further notice after he had tried to check on Draco for the fifth time. Madame Pomfrey had stood in front of his bed with her hands on her hips. She didn't say anything, just pointed for him to leave. With a sigh, the boy lowered his head and left the room dejected.