A Visit to the Hospital Wing
Dusk had set upon the castle, lengthening shadows and blanketing the world in the grey hues of night. Despite the darkness outside, the Gryffindor dormitories felt like a warm hug of cosy blankets and quiet breathing. The last embers of lanterns casting a golden glow upon the sleeping faces of Hermione’s classmates. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, silvery glow across the room but Hermione was wide awake. Her eyes were glowing, reflecting the embers of a dying fire from the hearth as her gaze flitted to the clock; 10:15pm. The moon hung full in the sky amongst glistening stars and the world was stilled. She slowly crept out of her bed – careful not to let the rustle of duvets and quiet footsteps wake the rest. In times like this she felt blessed for Harry’s lack of curiosity – because when she asked for his invisibility cloak he said yes without hesitation and when she had mentioned something about imported hair products, he asked no more questions. She grabbed her wand and the cloak that lay ready on the end of the bed before scurrying out of the dormitory. Her feet pattered on the cold stair case as she hastened down toward the common room swirling the cloak around her to protect against the cold of the castle and prying eyes. She cast a glance around the empty room before exiting Gryffindor tower taking care not to alert the Fat Lady to her presence. She flitted down the stairs, the flickering torches that lined the walls cast eerie shadows on the stone floors making Hermoine nervous at the idea of happening upon someone lurking in a shadowy corridor. It was silent apart from the gentle grinding of the moving staircases and soft snoring from the portraits looming from the walls above. She hadn’t been out alone in the castle after hours before – she had always had Harry and Ron with her – this made her nervous.
Hermione crossed over staircases making her way to the south wing of the castle – ever vigilant of the castles creaks and scuttling of creatures in the dark . She hurried down a large airy corridor until she reached it, gleaming copper turned grey in the dim light. The Unicorn statue stood proudly over the bubbling fountain below, the double doors of the hospital wing standing ajar just beyond it. A wave of calm washed over Hermione, she had made it.
She slipped through the open door into the Hospital wing and flitted down the long hall to the only occupied bed. Hermione stood at the end of Malfoys bed as he slept soundly. Oddly enough she thought his pale features looked almost angelic in the moonlight. His blond hair shined a gilded silver, and his angular features stood out more prominently in the gentle expression he held as he slept. He was quite handsome she thought that is without his ghastly personality.
“Muffliato” she whispered before removing the cloak and reaching down to shake Draco’s shoulder gently.
He started awake with a shout – eyes wild with shock.
“Shhhhhh!” Hermione said desperately, “It’s me Hermione. Malfoy, I needed to speak with you.”
“Could you not have done that tomorrow better yet sent me an owl I could ignore?" He spat clutching his heart dramatically and shuffling up in the bed to reveal the cast and sling adorning his other arm. “What? Have you come here to finish off what that beast started?”
Hermione rolled her eyes at him, “Why would you think that? As I said, I wanted to speck with you Malfoy – or did Buckbeak remove your brain with that scratch?”
He chuckled weakly wincing slightly at the movement, “That’s what that oaf named the damned Hippogriff is it? I’m sharp as ever I’ll have you know, you’re just not the most expected visitor – especially since you’re breaking the rules to do so, goody-Granger-two-shoes. How did you even get here without being see-”
“Never mind that! Malfoy, listen to me!” Hermione pleaded her eyes searching his imploringly.
“Fine, I’m listening - what’s got you into such a sorry state?” His eyes narrowed at her gaze as he folded his good arm over his lap defensively.
Hermione took a breath, steeling her resolve “Please don’t tell your father about Buckbeak – you know it would ruin Hagrid’s career, please I am begging you, if you haven’t already don’t complain to him about Buckbe- the Hippogriff.”
Malfoy raised an eyebrow “Why would I care what happens to a mere grounds keeper playing at being teacher. He endangered my life! Who knows what that foul beast was capable of.”
“You owe me one, for potions class. And I’ll owe you a favour, help with study, homework just say the word and I’ll help you – you have my word.” She said through gritted teeth, the idea of having to help Malfoy of all people was nauseating but it was better than the alternative.
“Why would I want help from yo-” He stopped his insult in its tracks as his eyes flicked over to the bedside locker and back to her. “Actually, there is something you can do for me – open that top drawer and I’ll explain.”
Hermione did as she was asked, pulling open the drawer to see a small familiar notebook.
“That’s my – where did – what?!” she exclaimed in shock at the arithmancy notebook with her name sitting neatly in the drawer.
Malfoy scoffed loudly “Careful Granger or you’ll wake up the whole castle. I borrowed it on your first day – I was planning on giving it back or leaving it in the dung heap of the owlery for you to find. But it turned out rather useful, and the only thing more useful than this is the person who wrote it.” He grinned – a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Professor Vector is an awful cow, and I’d much rather skive off her lessons than sit under her disdainful eye – so my preposition is this; teach me the curriculum in my own time, tell me when to come in for tests and I’ll refrain from having my father permanently remove the birdy and the oaf from the grounds. Do we have a deal, Granger?”
Hermione tucked the book into the belt of her nighty angrily and looked at the blond boy with a stern expression. This would be a pain but luckily, she had nothing but time thanks to McGonagall. Her hand went instinctively to touch the chain around her neck but instead she put out her hand to Malfoy. “Shake on it, I want your word you’ll hold up your end of the bargain if I’m going to do this.”
Draco hesitated slightly, a look of distain danced over his features before he gingerly shook her hand. “It’s a deal then.”