Cheers, Potter.

You were having a moment.

Draco's POV

I was crying in front of Harry bloody Potter. And if that wasn't mortifying enough, I was clinging onto him for dear life. I stayed, shattered and miserable, in his arms for what felt like seconds but (judging by the ache in my arms that were grasping the back of his hoodie) was definitely longer. The moment I realised what I was doing, I instinctively shuddered but then very quickly realised it was comforting, I liked being held by him. Well, I didn't know if he was a necessary component for this to be comforting but knowing that someone was simply there was... lovely, I allowed myself to think.

Feeling my eyes begin to dry up, and realising it had started to get awkward, I let go once and looked towards Connie, not sure I could ever look my classmate in the eye again.

The little girl was wrapped in the simple white sheets, the contrast of the bland and bleached pallor of them was the only proof that she had any colour to her cheeks at all. With her head on the overstuffed pillow and her arms tucked tightly to her sides, she looked unfeasibly small, fragile even, which was a word I'd not associated with her before. I felt awful. I felt like I'd done this to her.

Madam Pomfrey must have sensed my anguish and came wandering over with a concoction of some sort and gave me a reassuring smile, "She'll be okay, dear. She just needs some rest," she put a gentle hand on my shoulder and handed me the potion, encouraging me to drink it. I didn't recognise it by the smell or look of it, but I trusted the Matron.

It made me relax, the tension bled from my shoulders, my head stopped spinning and I began breathing a little easier. Her reassurance had helped too, and I nodded my appreciation. Soon though, Ginny came bounding in with an angry look on her face.

"McGonagall is looking for you, blondie." She expelled, no illusion of pleasantries in her tone.

I looked back at Potter for clarification but he'd donned his regular 'I-only-understand-the-bare-minimum-of-what-is-happening' look, which as you'd imagine, was incredibly encouraging.

I sighed and asked,"Can you stay with her?" and sounded far too vulnerable for comfort. He nodded without a word and sat at her bedside.

The headmistress was waiting for me on the other side of the door, a thunderous look on her face and began walking when she saw me. I followed wordlessly, a sentiment she mirrored the whole way to her office. When she did speak, however, it made me miss the silence.

"Mr Malfoy," she began calmly, "I trusted you to be on your best behaviour when I brought you back into this school. You have disappointed me."

"I know, I just couldn't let –"

"You are aware that duelling on school grounds is punishable by expulsion, yes?"

"Yes, Professor." I braced for the final blow, clenching my teeth and already writing the letter breaking the news to my Mother in my head.

"Mr Malfoy, you know that I want the best for you, and I know that you are doing your utmost to remain top of your classes and stay away from trouble."

"But?" I asked hesitantly.

"But trouble doesn't seem to want to stay away from you." She explained with a solemn expression, looking down at her desk, "I'm not the only one with faith in you, young man, but there are a lot of other people just waiting for you to make a mistake.

I've managed to sweep this particular incident under the rug given that Miss Snyde threw the first spell, you never used a spell that would seriously injure your opponent, and you were the one intended for the almost fatal jinx, but you may not be as lucky again. Merlin knows that the young lady who ended up in a hospital bed today didn't share in your fortune."