Slytherin's Touch

Chapter 6: The Malfoys

A/N - Before I start this chapter, I just wanna say this. The Room Of Requirements was first mentioned in the Yule Ball, which was in December, the picking of Champions happened on the Eve of Halloween, October. I don't think it would make much sense if any of the teachers would just randomly say to Harley that the ROR exists for no reason. 

I just don't want any of you to be disappointed that you won't be seeing ROR for a while. You can also look this up if you don't believe me.

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Inside the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey was having a cup of tea as she was just beginning her day with an empty Wing. There was not a single student in the Healing Ward so she decided to have a late start, choosing to start her day with a cup of tea.

Suddenly as she was just about to taking her first sip of tea, the doors were slammed open by Draco Malfoy carrying an unconscious Harleyn Potter in his arms. Madam Pomfrey coughed, spitting the tea back into the cup as she places it down. "Set her on the bed!"

She wipes off any remains of tea from her lips before rushing to their side with her wand in hand. "What happened to her?"

"Our cauldron exploded in front of her," Draco says taking a step back, "Is she going to be okay?"

"I don't know that yet Mr. Malfoy" She recites the needed spells to scan her injuries. "Please step outside Mr. Malfoy, I'm going to need to strip her of her clothing see the full extent of her injuries"

Draco nods, he takes a final look at Harley before leaving the room, closing the door shut behind him. After hearing the doors click, Madam Pomfrey casts a spell on it to ensure it was locked and another spell on Harley to strip down to her undergarments.

She gasped as she saw the scars on the student's body. "Dear Merlin"

Meanwhile at the other side of the school "What do you mean you don't want a further investigation on this?!" Professor Snape snapped, just a few minutes ago as he was investigating the cause of the explosion, Dumbledore had arrived and instead of calling for an investigation, he dismissed Severus' accusation of foul play.

Headmaster Dumbledore signed, "Severus, you of all people know things like this can happen when ingredients are added incorrectly" He explained calmly as curious Gryffindor students peaked through the door.

"I know that Albus, however, my godson was the one helping Ms. Potter with the potion and you and I both know that he does not make mistakes in measuring ingredients" Professor Snape hissed, giving the nosy Gryffindors a look before continuing.

"I believe that someone tampered with their potion, so I suggest you announce a formal investigation in this incident so we can further-"

"No!" Headmaster Dumbledore snapped, cutting him off. "We will not waste our time calling an investigation for this minuscule incident and this will be the last time that we will ever speak about this, do I make myself clear?"

Professor Snape narrows his eyes at him, "Fine" He spat before reaching over to the door and yanking it open. "Class dismissed, now get out of my classroom!" He roared out, watching as the students hurried out of the classroom.

"50 points from Gryffindor! Next time learn to mind your business" He hissed, entering his classroom and slamming the door shut behind him.

"Wretched old goat" Professor Snape sighed, rubbing his forehead as a headache made itself known.

As he continued to massage his forehead, his eyes drifted to the small floo network he had installed in his classroom in case of an emergency. It wasn't as big as the one he had in his living quarters but it would do for cases like this.

Professor Snape pulls open his drawer, taking a pinch of floo powder and throwing it inside the floo network "Narcissa, are you there?"

After a moment a familiar voice replies to him, "Severus? How unusual for you to call at this time, is something wrong?"

Professor Snape's eyes wander to the first row of seats where the explosion happened "I need you and Lucius to come to Hogwarts, it's about Draco"

There was a pause before, "We're on our way, I assume we will be entering through the floo network in your living quarters in Hogwarts, yes?"

"Of course, I'm meet you there" Severus ends the fire-call and immediately heads to his living quarters in Dungeons. Once he arrives, he immediately opens his floo network, and not a moment later, Narcissa Malfoy steps out of the fireplace followed by her husband, Lucius Malfoy shortly after.

"So what was it about Draco you wanted to speak about, Severus?"

Severus nods, gesturing to his couch, "Please sit down because this also involves Ms. Potter" The Malfoys shared a look before sitting down, what did their son do now involving Ms. Potter?

As Severus began to converse with the Malfoys, Madam Pomfrey stared horrified at the scars that littered Harley's body. And after inspecting each scar, she estimated that the oldest scar, besides the one on her forehead, was at least 10 years old.

After making a mental note to report this to the Headmaster, she began to treat Harley's wounds. Casting a spell to heal her injuries and giving her a blood replenishing potion for the blood loss. She makes a final check on her injuries before dressing her back in her clothes.

Madam Pomfrey points her wand at the door and removes the spell on the door, allowing Draco to reenter the room. The Malfoy immediately rushes to her side "Is she going to be alright?"

The healer nods, returning to her seat behind behind her desk. "Well she only had few cuts, not that deep, so don't worry she'll be fine, just make sure she lays off of stress, Merlin knows she needs it" She replies, leaving her discovery hidden, it wasn't her story to tell.

Draco lets out a sigh of relief, "That's good, Madam Pomfrey do you mind if I stay here for a while, just until she wakes up"

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips, looking at his with curiosity written all over her face but nod. "Of course, it would also be wonderful if you could keep her company for the day, just to keep her away from trouble and don't worry I'll write you an excuse from class"

Draco nods, "Thank you" He says before moving to the bed across Harley, he couldn't help but think about the events earlier that day. Specifically about what happened in Potions, why did their cauldron explode?

He was sure his measurements were correct, in fact, he even made sure to double-check. So why-? Suddenly the doors of the Healing Ward were slammed open, snapping Draco out of his thoughts.

It was his parents, what were they doing here? Draco sits up from the bed and greets them "Mother, father"

"Draco" His mother calls him, looking him up and down. Her eyes landing on the crimson that stained his vest. "Why do you have blood on your clothes?"

"It's Har-Potter's" Draco lets out a cough to mask his mistake, but unfortunately his slip-up didn't go unnoticed to his parents.

Lucius and Narcissa shared a look, was this the change that Severus had mentioned earlier? "I assume the reason why you have her blood on your clothes is because you brought her here, correct?" Narcissa asked, she waits for his answer before continuing.

"Then why are you still here when you still have class?"

Draco looks away, almost ashamed to meet their eyes. "Because I didn't want to leave her"

Narcissa shared another look with her husband before turning her attention to her son. "You like her don't you?"

This time Draco doesn't answer, confirming their fear.

~~~~~

First Published: July 16, 2019
Edited: August 5, 2022