Entranced (Draco Malfoy)

•twenty-three•

Professor Dumbledore stands before all of the Hogwarts students', his face grave. Normally there's a twinkle of light in his blue eyes, but no such light exists at this moment. He's careful to keep his face neutral, his eyes sweeping over every student in turn. 

"Students of Hogwarts," he says, voice hard as stone. "Last night, one of our very own was a hit with an extremely dangerous curse that almost killed her." Gasps echo across the Hall, whispers immediately breaking out. "The curse she was hit with is known as the Transmogrifian Torture curse. For those of you don't know, the Transmogrifian Torture curse is much like the petrification curse except that it, as in the name, tortures its victim. The curse can kill, and almost killed our student." 

"Who was it?" Ernie MacMillan asks bravely. 

Professor Dumbledore looks down at the ground before looking back up at the students, "Dove Taylor, a sixth year Hufflepuff." 

A slight scream rings out from the Hufflepuff table, all eyes going to Susan Bones, who already has tears in her eyes. Megan Jones hugs her, but she too, is shaking. Hannah Abbott puts her face in her hands, hiding her emotions from everyone. Draco Malfoy gets up without another word, running straight for the doors.

"Mister Malfoy," Professor Snape's voice booms through the Hall like a spell gone wrong. "Where are you going?" 

"I am going to my girlfriend," he says defiantly, his voice cracking slightly. "Why wasn't I already informed? Have her parents been notified?"

"Go ahead, Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore says gently. "Her parents are already up there expecting you."

Without a 'thank you' or any signs of even hearing the headmaster's response, Draco swings the door open, breaking into a run. A first year Hufflepuff begins to cry, Ernie MacMillan comforting him as best he can. Ernie tries to hide how effected he is by the news, but when he meets Megan's gaze, he knows he's failing. 

"Is she okay?" Hermione Granger manages to ask, her voice tight with unshed tears. "She didn't die, right?" 

"No, Miss. Granger, Miss. Taylor will live." Dumbledore's eyes narrow, and he re-addresses the Hall with an added vigor, "It has been deduced that a student is responsible for the near-murder of Dove Taylor." Everything goes silent in the Hall. No one dares to say anything, shock running through every one of them like a current. "An official from the Ministry is on their way here, and they will be launching a full investigation. If anyone has any information about what happened, why Miss. Taylor was out of her Common Room, who knew of the Transmogrifian Torture curse, or anything else that could help, go straight to your Head of House. Anyone who wishes to see Miss. Taylor is encouraged to keep your distance until further notice. Only her family is allowed to be with her at this moment until we figure out our assailant. Dismissed."

"Wait," Harry Potter calls, "If only family is allowed with her, then why is Malfoy allowed?" 

"He is her family, no?" Dumbledore deadpans. "No further questions. Classes are cancelled. I want everyone in their Common Rooms or with their Head of House or another professor." 

"Professor McGonagall," Harry says quietly, walking up to the high table, shame evident on his face. "I know why Dove was out of her Common Room."

Intrigued, Dumbledore turns around and sits next to the Transfiguration teacher, ready to hear Harry's story.

"Go on," Professor McGonagall encourages dryly. 

"We got into an argument," the sixth-year admits, voice low and raw. "I... She's changed, and I didn't like it, so I wanted to talk to her about it. She got angry after I said some rude things, and she left. I guess she was too upset to go back to her Common Room since she doesn't like to bother other people with her feelings."