Chapter 9
"Did you hear?" Pansy asks. "Hear what, Pans?" Draco questions. He just returned to their dorm after a three hour study session with Luna in the library. All he wants is a nice shower and a nap. Most of his time has been spent watching Theo, Potter, and Granger. They were definitely up to something, he just hadn't figured it out yet.
"Potter's got detention for sending a group of sixth years to the infirmary," Pansy smirked. Draco stopped trying to undo his tie to turn and look at her, "You're actually joking. No way he would defend a Slytherin that much. Except Greengrass, of course."
"No mate, it's true. Heard it myself from Headmistress as she was talking to Flitwick about it," Blaise stated, emerging from the bathroom. "I don't know what's gotten into him, but as long as we're safe I couldn't really care." Draco rolled his eyes, of course Blaise wouldn't care.
'Potter is up to something,' Draco thought. "What's he playing at? It's not like he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart," he grumbled. "He is definitely up to something. Bloody Gryffindor can't go a day without trying to save someone." Blaise and Pansy shared a look, "Oh no. Please do not develop another Potter obsession. This is our last year, can't we just have peace from 'Did you see Potter today?'."
"'Potter looks like he's hiding something.' Or 'Think this will piss off Potter?'" Blaise snorted, "C'mon mate. Don't have a repeat of fourth year. You followed him around all year thinking he was up to something."
Draco huffed, "But he was up to something! I found out about his secret relationship with Greengrass didn't I?" It was Pansy's turn to huff, "What? You think that they're all secretly in love or something?" Draco snapped his head up, "That's it!" Blaise groaned, "ugh, no! She was kidding Draco. Remember what we agreed on. Keep our heads down and our mouths shut. We're almost done with this semester."
"Well, I'm going to find out what's going on. They're hiding something," Draco stated. He was determined to prove that he was right. A Malfoy was never wrong, after all.
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"Potter!" Harry heard someone shout down the corridor. He was racing towards the infirmary to pick up Teddy and he was already late. 'Pomfrey's going to kill me' He thought. Groaning, he turned around to see who wanted his attention, "Malfoy?"
"Yes, 'Malfoy'. What's gotten into you!" Draco demanded. Harry looked at him confused, "What are you on about? I don't have time for games. Just get to the point." Draco rolled his eyes, "Why are you protecting the Slytherin's?"
Harry just shook his head, "Always looking for the ulterior motive, huh?" Of course it seemed suspicious. Harry spent years fighting with Draco, and many of the other Slytherin's as well. Was it really so hard to believe that he wanted things to be different? For things to be better than they were before? "I don't have to answer to you. I have reasons for why I'm protecting the Slytherin House."
Draco watched him. He knew him better than Potter thought he did. He spent the past seven years watching him. Studying him, looking for anything that Draco could use against him in an argument. This answer simply wouldn't do. Potter might be a good person, but he didn't always do things out of the goodness of his heart. Draco wasn't an idiot; he simply wanted the truth. He knew that the only way to get answers would to piss Potter off, "Don't give me this secrecy nonsense. Why is Theodore Nott stuck up your ass? Oh, my apologies. Nott-Potter. Didn't peg you for the type to cheat, but I guess we all have our dirty little secrets. That why you're standing up for us? For your girlfriend? Or is it because of your husband?"
That's all it took for Harry to throw Draco against the wall and hold him by his robes, "Theo is my brother you idiot. And whatever is going on between Astoria and I is our business. Stay out of it. Just accept my help and get over it. I'm warning you, Malfoy." With one last glare, Harry released Draco's robes and turned to walk away. He was now twenty minutes late and Pomfrey would have his head if he took any longer.
"Finally, some truth from the Chosen One. I'll gladly just ask Astoria myself, since we were technically engaged before," Draco smirked. Harry's steps came to a halt as he clenched his fists and tried to calm down, "The key word is 'were'. You're no longer engaged, and as I said. It's our business. One more word about Astoria or Theo, and I will put you on your ass. Final warning."
"Pity. She would have made a lovely Malfoy. My father rather adored her. I guess just another pureblood ruined by someone unlike our kind," Draco stated rather smugly. He knew that would set Potter over the edge, even if he didn't actually believe it himself. All he wanted was an answer. Before Draco could comprehend what was happening, Potter swung his fist.
Draco pulled out his wand ready to stun him if need be. He wouldn't fight back, he was actually tired of fighting. All he wanted was the truth, why couldn't Potter just tell him? Harry rushed forward again, trying to land a punch somewhere. Before he could, Draco muttered, "Stupefy" and Harry was face down on the ground.
"That was excessive, don't you think? Just tell me why you're protecting us and I'll leave you alone," Draco said, twisting the tip of his wand against his finger. He was rather bored of this conversation already, but wasn't willing to give in.
"Mister Malfoy! What do you think you're doing!?!" McGonagall cried, turning the corner. Draco spun towards her, muttering the counter-curse underneath his breath before answering, "Nothing, Headmistress. Just helping dear old Potter here. He seems to have tripped!" Harry jumped up, putting a fake smile on, "Sorry Headmistress. We all know how clumsy I can be." McGonagall gave him a look, "Someone heard yelling, I don't suppose they were just imagining things?"
Draco smiled, "Ah, yes. Potter and I got into a bit of a tiff but things are all better now. Eh, Potter?" Harry turned towards Draco, who had his hand out to shake, "Yeah, sure. If that's all, Headmistress. I'm running a tad late for a meeting with a professor." Draco took note in the way Potter stared at McGonagall, as well as the look of understanding on McGonagall's face. "Yes, yes of course. Off you go, Mister Potter. And Mister Malfoy, I assume you can find your way back to your dormitory on your own?" Draco nodded in defeat before walking away.
'Well that was a bust.'
△⃒⃘
"He's so infuriating!" Harry groaned as he paced the room. After collecting Teddy and promising Madam Pomfrey he would help her organize her potions on Saturday to make up for being late, he ran back to his dorm and told Theo and Hermione what happened.
It's been two hours and all he's been able to do is talk about how much Malfoy annoys him.