Short Change Hero

Chapter 7: Where to Start

Chapter Seven

Madness in Me

"Just one spark,

Is all it takes,

I tried so hard,

But it all goes up in flames,

Tried to get,

But all I got,

Was more insanity,

I can't get away..."

Madness in Me by Skillet

Saturday September 21st, 1996

Almost midnight- Hallway next to Hospital Wing

With his back pressing into the cool wall of stone behind him, Draco huffed, looking around to make sure they were alone while adjusting Granger in his arms. The rush of cinnamon made him slightly dizzy, causing him to swallow thickly and shake his head in order to keep thinking. Staring just down the hall from the Hospital Wing, he contemplated his choices, only thinking of the ones that would lead to less attention, but also giving him a hint as to who had attacked the two of them while on patrols.

Ignoring the stupid smell of Granger, he thought about one of his choices, which was to bring her inside to make sure she was not badly hurt, but that choice would also end in having to explain what exactly happened to Madam Pomfrey. Explaining what really happened was not an option for him if he wanted to figure out who attacked them, and the attacker, which Draco assumed was a girl, was obviously there to attack him, not Granger.

If his assumption were correct, that would mean it was someone who knew exactly where he was, and that 'she' possibly knew about his task as well as him being a death eater. Saying that this could potentially be a problem for Draco was a gross understatement, and it was rather worrisome to say the least. He paused that thought about the attacker, sighed taking three diminutive steps in the direction of the hospital wing, then stopped again.

Thinking about the other choice he had, healmost smirked to himself, the thought of putting Granger down upon the ground near a wall or something, and leave her there, if asked he could say he left her outside the prefect's room after the patrols. Even if she were to talk about what she saw, or attempt to explain the attack in any way, he could play it off saying he has no idea what she on about.

Looking around once more, he decided the latter was indeed his best option, and then bent down to gently place her upon the cold stone floor, as he noted her dress robes were definitely askew. Looking upon her still features, he blinked twice, noticing the small freckles dusted upon the pale smooth skin of her somewhat defined cheeks and across her nose. It was obvious Granger had a definite distinctive beauty about her, not that he would ever say it aloud, or let himself to think of it again, but it was still true nonetheless.

With one last look, he stood, fixing his robes, looking around once more to make sure no one was watching him, and then started towards the dungeons needing sleep rather badly. Walking away from Granger as quickly as he could, he pointed his wand muttering a dim lumos to light his way. Ignoring the paintings telling him to put the light out, he turned the corner fallowing the stairs downwards, and could not help but feel a little off, almost guilty.

'It was my best option to find out who was after me, and why...' He thought to himself, fallowing the corridor down towards the Slytherin's common room while attempting to convince himself that it was for the best.

Stopping once in front of the opening of the common rooms, he mumbled the password, walking inside then in the direction of his room, he stopped when he realized he was not alone. Looking to his right, Draco saw none other than Blaise Zabini, sitting upon a black leather couch with a look of certain curiosity aimed at him.