An Empty Shell

Chapter 6

Draco's POV:

I woke to steady breathing. My head jerked up. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep.

I looked over at Harry and saw that he was back to staring at the wall. His chest was rising and falling steadily, and his hand was still wrapped in mine. Was I imagining it or was there a slight pressure in my palm?

"Harry. Sorry. When did I fall asleep?" I didn't expect an answer and, shocker, I didn't get one.

I looked over at the clock and saw that it was just now six in the morning. I rubbed my eyes, starting to feel a fraction of what Ron and Hermione had been going through. A day, six months, same thing, right?

I slowly stood and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "I'll be back in a bit," I said and gently untangled my hand from Harry's.

Untangled...did that mean he was holding on too?

I looked over at him and saw that he was still staring at the wall, but something was different. There seemed to be more...life. Yes. More life in his eyes. They still seemed hazy, but there was definitely something more in them.

I smiled, then walked over and wrapped him in a tight hug. He didn't respond in any way, but I felt happier than I had in ages. He is getting back to normal, right? He's acting better, that means he'll be okay, right?

"Good job," I whispered into his ear as I pulled away. He went back to looking at the wall, but I didn't care. I was happy. Hopeful.

I can't wait to tell Pansy-Pansy! Oh Merlin she'll be pissed as hell at me for leaving her here all night...assuming she didn't already leave...

"Bye ,Harry." I squeezed his hand, then bolted from the room, barely glancing at the still-unconscious Weasley on the bench.

I skidded to a halt in the waiting room doorway, then walked in normally. At least, I hoped it appeared normal. I was walking faster than I normally would, but it was a hospital, that was to be expected, right?

Hermione and Pansy were sitting on a bench together. Well, Hermione was laying. She had her head in Pansy's lap and Pansy was leaning against the back of the chair, her head laying at a right angle on her shoulder.

I tapped her arm, and she woke with a start. "Draco? What---" I held a finger to my lips, signaling for her to be quiet. I then pointed down to the unconscious Hermione, and Pansy nodded in understanding.

"I didn't mean to leave you here all night," I whispered. "I fell asleep, and---"

"Shut it. Look, I fell asleep too. We're even. And besides, I can't complain," Pansy whispered back, and I grinned.

"So things are going well?" 

She grinned at me and nodded, massaging her stiff neck. "Yup. We found loads to talk about." 

I didn't like the mischievous glint in her eye. "What did you talk about, Pansy?" 

She gave a small shrug, but with her I knew that that meant nothing good.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out later. Or never. I'm good with never."

"Pansy," I said, giving her an impatient look.

"Fine. We talked about how you have a major crush on Potter. But guess what she---"

"WHA-" Pansy covered my mouth with both of her hands before the word could fully escape my lips. Hermione stirred, but slowly relaxed and fell back asleep.

"Shut it. Yeah, we did. But guess what?" I raised my eyebrows. I had my mouth covered, so I couldn't exactly speak. "He likes you too. Apparently he talked about you nonstop." I felt my heart start to race. Was it true? Did Harry like me too?

It would explain why he seemed to respond to me of all people. Hermione had said he had barely moved and wouldn't eat. But with me he seemed more...alive, I guess? He seemed more in his right mind, anyway.

I shoved Pansy's hands away. "Why did you talk about that though?" I hissed. "Why couldn't you have just kept your mouth shut?"

Pansy rolled her eyes and leaned back, then started running her hands through Hermione's hair, expertly avoiding the knots and tangles.

"Because she needed something to take her mind off of Potter. She was starting to panic about him being all alone, thinking that Weasley had left him to go someplace." He did, but he left Harry with me. Shit! I forgot to get my wand back!

"I'll be right back. I forgot something." She shrugged, and I stood, then I hurried back towards the hallway where Harry's room was.

Ron was still passed out on the bench, and I knelt down beside him. For some reason, I didn't want to wake him up. Maybe I knew how desperately he needed the sleep? Great. Like it's not bad enough that you're getting along with Granger, but now you're worried for the Weasel?

Ron was on his side, and I slowly slipped my hand into his jacket and pulled out the two wooden sticks that had been in the pocket. I put his wand back, then stood and stared at him in amazement. I normally woke at the slightest sound, and yet he could sleep through someone rummaging through his pockets.

I rolled my eyes as I walked back to Harry's room and sat down. I took his hand and thought I felt a slight pressure in my own. I looked up, but his face was still blank. I returned my gaze back down and squeezed his hand.

"It will be alright, Harry," I said softly.