Draco Malfoy's First Love

Chapter Nine: The Fight

Ron's anger was equal to that of a rampaging werewolf. He could kill Malfoy for what he'd done. No, not with a wand--he'd like to do it with his bear hands. Ron smiled an evil twisted grin. Yes, that would be pure pleasure.

Ron slowed his pace as he drew closer to the Slytherin common room. He remembered where it was surprisingly well, considering he hadn't been in it since his second year. Ron decided to wait outside the common room, and ambush Malfoy as he came out or went in. Unfortunately, he didn't hear the soft footsteps behind him, but he did hear the drawling voice whisper in his ear, "Looking for something, Weasley?"

Ron nearly jumped back in surprise when he heard Malfoy's voice. Then he whirled around and saw the sneer on Malfoy's pale face. "What, did you loose a precious Knut, or are you just plain nuts..."

CRACK!

Ron hit Malfoy right in the jaw. He hoped sincerely that it was now broken. His rival staggered back, and finally resumed his balance. A fine line of blood was oozing down from his lower lip.

"What the hell was that for, Weasley?"

Ron then attacked. He jumped forward onto Malfoy so quickly that Malfoy didn't have time to react. They fell to the cold stone floor. Ron was severely beating Malfoy with a series of well-placed punches. Malfoy groaned with agony as Ron finally got up, panting and gasping for breath.

"Ron!"

Ron turned around to see where the voice was coming from. Hermione was racing towards the two of them. "What have you done?" she screamed. Harry was running up behind her. "I don't believe you," she continued, "I'm sitting there telling you my problems and the next minute you're running down to the dungeons to kill Malfoy. I can fight my own battles, Ron. I'm not a child...and I'm not yours to fight for," she added.

"So that's what this is about, huh?" Malfoy had finally gotten up. He was clutching his knee in pain; he had fallen on it hard. A lump was visible on his head, and a black eye was beginning to form. The blood on his lip was smeared and beginning to dry. "Weasley came down here to protect his precious little Granger. I never knew you cared so much, Weasley. Don't worry, though," he continued, "I won't go after your precious Granger anymore. I think I've had enough of being slapped and spit on by her, not to mention having the crap beat out of me by you. Good day." Malfoy brushed passed Harry, who was now comforting Hermione, and up the staircase, presumably to the hospital wing.

Ron was still shaking with adrenaline as he turned and faced the remaining pair. Hermione was looking at Ron, and he couldn't tell if she was more shocked or angry.

"Ron, what were you thinking?" she yelled.

"Hermione..."

"Do you know what could have happened?" she continued, "You could have killed Malfoy! You also could have hurt yourself. You're as good as expelled," she sighed, "Malfoy's father is on the Board of Governors for the school. One word to him that you beat up his son, and you're as good as done at Hogwarts!"

"Malfoy won't press charges, he could have easily done the..."

"Ron, listen," Hermione's voice softened, "he can and he will."

Ron turned to Harry. Harry nodded--a gesture that indicated he fully agreed with Hermione. "Herm's right Ron," he muttered, "don't put anything past Malfoy. You didn't just hurt him physically, but you also hurt his pride."

"That egotistical son of a..."

"RON!" Hermione and Harry shouted at the same time. "You're best bet," Harry continued, "is to go and apologize."

"There's no way on earth that I'm going to say I'm sorry to that little prat!"

Hermione winked at Harry, "Ok," she sighed dramatically, "I guess I'll have to go up to the hospital wing and find some way of convincing..."

"Okay, okay!" Ron interrupted. It was so easy to persuade a jealous boy, Hermione thought. He's sweet to stand up for me, too.

As Ron finally marched up the stairs and out of sight, Hermione was consumed by a fit of giggles. It was the happiest Harry had seen her all afternoon. "Hermione," he asked, "are you okay?"

"Yes," she surpressed her laughter to speak to Harry, "I just thought I'd never see the day where Ron would stand up to Malfoy for the first time, and then apologize to him after." She dissolved into giggles again.

Harry smiled; it was good to have the old Hermione back.

* * *

Ron was hesitant on entering the Hospital Wing. Finally he walked through the doors and looked around. Madame Pomfrey was bustling about beside a bed. Ron could only hear voices and see shadows, for a heavy screen for privacy blocked the bed.

Ron cleared his throat as a sign he was in the room. Madame Pomfrey came out from behind the screen and asked, "Yes, what do you want?" she was always in a cranky mood when being removed from a patient's bedside.

"Um, I just came to talk to Malfoy about a uhh..." he faltered, "a Potions assignment."

"Mr. Weasley, my patient, cannot be disturbed right now. He has just been trampled by a hippogriff down by the Forest and it is my job to take care of him."

"He what?" Ron looked startled at what Madame Pomfrey just told him.

"Madame Pomfrey," said a drawling voice from behind the curtain, "tell Weasley I'll give him five minutes of my time."

"Very well, young Malfoy," she sighed, "But--just--five--minutes, you hear? I'll be back."

She hustled away to a back storage room, and Ron tiptoed around the screen to see Malfoy on the bed. It took all the will power Ron possessed not to laugh at the sight of him. Malfoy had a bandage around his head, and a funny green goo around his swollen eye. His knee was in a sling and looked like the loose ligament of a puppet with his calf hanging down from it.

"What kind of crack pot story did you feed Madame Pomfrey?" Ron finally managed to ask. "There are no wild hippogriffs on the school grounds and you know it."

"Yeah, but she doesn't know that," Malfoy smirked, "she spends so much time caring for patients that she doesn't know what goes on outside the Hospital walls. Besides, Weasley, I thought you would be happy that I didn't give you away."

"I am," said Ron grudgingly, "and thanks."

"You're welcome," said Malfoy with a sneer. He liked being in control of Ron's future at Hogwarts. After all, this injury didn't bother him much, but if Ron bothered him at a later date, he could just threaten expulsion and shut Ron up.

Malfoy moved to sit up more, then grasped his head in pain. "You're not a bad shot, Weasley. You did manage to give me a concussion."

"Did you really kiss Hermione?" Ron blurted out.

"Yes," said Malfoy, I bet you're jealous, Weasley, he thought to himself.

"Why?"

"None of your damn business, that's why." Malfoy snapped. "But don't worry," he added softly, "I won't bug her anymore."

Ron turned to go out the door.

"Unless she wants me too."