The Healer- A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 12

"I am getting so bored." Penny complained from her bed. "This year really isn't as exciting as I thought it would be."

"What do you mean?" Greta asked, painting her toes with an enchanted bottle of purple nail polish.

"Katie Bell was cursed," Evelyn pointed out.

Penny rolled over so that her head was hanging off the side of her bed. "That happened weeks ago. Something new needs to happen."

"I'm rather okay with this year," Greta chirped. "I mean, things are going well with Robbie, so that's all fine by me."

"I wonder what Draco's been up to lately," Penny wondered aloud. I paused my reading as soon as I heard his name. But I didn't raise my head or give any indication that I was listening.

"I've barely seen him all year," Greta complained. I wanted to say, consider yourself lucky that you haven't. My mind reminded itself of the presence of the restricted book in my bag. After much time grappling with the decision, I forced myself to fetch the book two days ago, but only out of my own curiosity. I had read the Compendium of Toxins cover to cover. It was a nasty book filled with nasty poisons that could be used in all sorts of ways. Draco was definitely planning something, most likely to harm Harry Potter. Handing this book to him would give him all the information he would need in order to sneakily poison him. And today was the final day to deliver it to his dorm.

"Do you think Draco has someone he's been seeing?" Greta said suddenly. That piqued Penny's interest, as well as mine.

"That would explain why he hasn't been around lately..." she thought for a moment. "But who would it be?"

"Your sister, of course," Evelyn said.

"Not likely. She's been in a sour mood ever since the term started. She's got a wand up her ass, that one," Penny pouted.

Keeping my tone neutral, I suggested, "Perhaps he's just busy."

Penny looked at me. "So you've decided to join the conversation, huh Erica?" I flattened my lips. She said, "Funny how that always happens as soon as Draco is brought up."

I rolled my eyes. "Can't I state my opinion?" Digging for something to redirect the conversation from me, I offered, "Perhaps Draco is dating a 7th year."

"But why would he hide it?" Evelyn made a face.

Penny tapped a finger on her chin. "If he's hiding it, that means it's probably someone younger."

"Who?!" Greta demanded.

I set my book down somewhat forcefully. I spoke without bothering to filter my words. "You lot are tittering about nothing. Draco's love life is none of our business, and speculating is nothing more than half-formed gossip."

Penny, Evelyn and Greta looked at me with shock. This was the first time I had openly expressed my annoyance at their gossipping. Even though I had said what I really thought, I felt horrible. Before they could say something back, I decided to leave.

"...I'm sorry," I muttered. I grabbed my bag and slid into some shoes. "I'm going to the library."

Greta called after me, "Curfew starts in an hour-" but I closed the door without saying a word. I leaned against the wooden door for a moment, overhearing Penny say sourly, "What is her problem?"

I walked down the corridor in my jeans and long-sleeved shirt, pausing at the junction in the common room that separated the girls dorms from the boys dorms. I could go to the library and return the Compendium. Or, I could go down the corridor to my right, and hand the book to Draco.