Stand By

    Harry cast another glance at his watch. It now read 10:02, exactly one minute since the last time he had checked it. He peered around the corner again. Malfoy was still standing just outside the classroom, hands clasped gracefully before him as he surveyed the hallway.

    Deciding it was now or never, Harry drew up his Gryffindor courage and stepped around the corner.

    “Potter,” Malfoy called, a hint of surprise in his voice, “You came.”

    “What, you thought I wouldn’t?” Harry asked angrily. “I, unlike you, have some respect for deals I make.” He stopped just before Malfoy, arms folded tight against his chest.

    Malfoy’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. Silence was heavy between the two. Harry waited for Malfoy to move, but the other boy remained still. When he finally could take no more, Harry sighed and stepped forward.

    “Well, let’s do this then,” Harry shrugged, throwing open the door and stepping into the empty classroom. Malfoy followed after a moment.

    “Are you sure? You just got out of the hospital wing,” Malfoy pointed out.

    “We agreed Monday. It’s Monday. I’m not going to try to get out of this,” Harry said firmly, a little annoyed. They had already had this discussion.

    “Alright. Ready then?” Malfoy asked, leaning casually against one wall.

    “I suppose. Where are the books?” Harry asked, glancing around the small classroom. Malfoy simply smirked, choosing not to answer.

    “Adstringo,” Malfoy said calmly. A flash of red light flew from the tip of his wand to Harry’s chest. He gasped as his chest seemed to constrict, pressing in on his lungs and making it agonizing to breathe. Black spots flashed before his eyes.

    “What…the hell?” Harry cried, falling to his knees painfully.

    “What did you think I meant by train you in the dark arts, Potter?”

    Gasping for air, Harry tried to glare at the blonde. “I thought…you meant…lessons…not…attacks.”

    Malfoy knelt beside him, brushing a strand of already sweat soaked hair from his face in an almost sweet gesture. “They aren’t attacks, Potter. This IS training. Because I assure you, when Voldemort has you again, one on one, he won’t waste time with jelly leg curses.”

    “So you’re…just…being…helpful.” It was still terribly painful to breath, and Malfoy didn’t seem eager to remove the curse.

    “Of course,” Malfoy nodded.

    Harry tried to focus on him as he continued talking, but there was a loud buzzing in his ears he could not ignore. It seemed to tear through his head. His stomach was swirling wildly, his head was pounding, and his chest seemed to be contracting with every breath.

    “Recite the ABC’s,” Malfoy commanded suddenly. Wide eyed, Harry looked up at the blonde in disbelief. “It’s to test your resistance,” he quickly explained.

    Mustering every ounce of strength left in his body, Harry began, “A…B…C…D...” With every letter, Malfoy’s gaze seemed to grow more intense. Harry felt himself trying to shrink from those silver eyes. “M…N…O” His chest was on fire, but still he went on. “X…Y…Z.”

    “Merlin…” Malfoy breathed, eyes wide.

    “What?” Harry asked, hand pressed against his chest.

    “It’s just…nobody makes it past E. They pass out.” Harry was surprised to find Malfoy was shaking slightly, staring in disbelief at Harry. He didn't even want to know why Malfoy knew that little trivia fact.

    “I…wish…I…would. Hurts…like…hell.”

    “I want to do some more tests. Let’s try counting. As high as you can go.” Harry shot a glare at the blonde, who simply watched Harry expectantly.     

    “1...2...3...4...5...6...7” After about 50, Harry began to feel lightheaded. “64...65...66...67”

    “Alright, stop!” Malfoy finally cried somewhere near 140. Harry did so, closing his eyes against the pain still sweeping throughout him. “Potter?” Malfoy asked and Harry felt him kneel beside him.

    “Still…awake,” Harry growled, opening his eyes to glare once more at Malfoy. “Enough…tests?”

    “I’d say so, yes.” Malfoy flicked his wand and Harry was released. Wonderful oxygen flowed into his lungs and he got lightheaded from the feeling. But the pain was still there.

    “I think you broke something. Hurts.” Harry swallowed hard as his chest began to throb madly.

    “I might have,” Malfoy smirked dismissively, “Shall I take you to Pomfrey?”

    “No. Just…never mind. It’s fine.” Harry forced himself to sit up, unable to stop the whimper of pain.

    “Potter,” Malfoy said softly.

    “What am I suppose to tell her? You accidentally cast a dark magic curse on me? Or perhaps I did it to myself?” Harry saw the realization hit Malfoy. “Just leave me. It’ll heal,” Harry sighed.

    “I didn’t think about that part,” Malfoy said in the most apologetic tone he could manage.

    Harry looked up in surprise. “It’s not your fault. I agreed to this.”

    Malfoy smiled softly, “Yeah, you did.”

    “Are there more lessons tonight or might I return to my room?” Harry asked. Malfoy gestured lightly towards the door. When Harry didn’t move, he turned to him curiously. “Um, perhaps, could you…” Harry trailed off nervously. “I can’t stand by myself. Get too dizzy when I move. Hurts, you know?”

    “Oh,” Malfoy said simply, before moving to help Harry stand. A slight flush colored Harry’s cheeks as he leaned heavily on the blonde. He waited for the teasing, but Malfoy was silent as they made their way to the common room.

    Malfoy gently lay Harry put on the common room couch before settling into a chair across from him.

    “Staying tonight?” Harry asked, wincing as he tried to get comfortable.

    Eyes unreadable, Malfoy turned to him. “Do you want me to?”

    “Yes,” Harry answered quickly, refusing to question his motive.

    “Very well,” Malfoy gave a short nod, “Do you need anything?”

    “I can’t…get…comfortable,” Harry groaned. His chest protested angrily as he tried to turn over. “Oww,” he moaned lightly.    

    “I can cast a softening charm on the couch. It might relieve some of the pressure on your ribs.” Harry nodded softly, his eyes drifting closed in pain. Malfoy muttered the curse, and a moment later Harry felt as if he was floating. He couldn’t even tell where the couch touched his body. “Did it work?” Malfoy asked, a hint of anxiousness in his voice.

    “Thank you.” Harry opened his eyes, flashing Malfoy a weary smile.     

    “Well, go on to sleep then.” Malfoy waved a hand at him.

    Yawning widely, Harry felt himself drifting off. A moment later, sleep claimed him and he drifted into the warm darkness.