Sixth Year in the Life of Draco

Ella had been on the team for a good two weeks and they were extremely in tune with each other. They were ready for their first match tomorrow, which was against Hufflepuff. Draco had explained to them that he viewed this as a warm-up match. Hufflepuff wasn't the best house at Hogwarts and that was no secret. Still, he had worked them hard. Some days, Ella walked off the field out of breath and with aching muscles.

Draco didn't give anyone a break. Maybe he had listened to her this summer about training tactics at Durmstrang. Sometimes he came to her and Glen for advice on ways to improve on his skills. He was still very self-conscious about his abilities. Ella tried her hardest to convince him that he was the best Seeker at Hogwarts and that Harry Potter couldn't beat him if he had a club in his hand.

It was their second class of the day, Potions, and they were brewing a very toxic substance. It was used to melt warts off of flesh and was extremely hazardous if it came in contact with anything but that. This term, they were studying primitive potions and this one was from over one thousand years ago.

Ella sat next to Draco, working closely with him. This was a partner activity and she immediately had chosen him. While grinding the roots into powder, Ella shot a glare over at Hermione. They were sworn enemies now. If someone poured pumpkin juice over your head, you would be their enemy, too.

Hermione was working with another Gryffindor that Ella happened to like. Her name was Parvati Patil. They had been partners in a few of their other classes and seemed to get along pretty well when there were no other Gryffindors around. Right away Ella had noticed the bitter house rivalry. Slytherin seemed to be the enemy of just about every house and she understood why. There were some real jerks in Slytherin.

Absent mindedly, Ella scooted her roots into the cauldron. It all happened so fast that she didn't realize what she was doing. They only had about half the roots that they needed.

The substance turned a putrid green color and began to spew everywhere. Ella felt herself be pushed to the floor by a strong arm and covered with a cloak. Then, she heard Draco scream. Immediately, the cloak was pulled from her head and she knelt by his side when the potion had calmed down.

He was on the floor clutching his arm. Ella could see where the potion had touched his pale skin. Burns, blisters, boils, and raw flesh could be seen on his arm, cheek, and neck. She clasped her hands to her mouth and began to cry.

Professor Snape came running over to the group. Bending by Draco's side, he helped him to his feet. He needed to be taken to the hospital wing immediately or he may not have skin left when this potion did its job. Ella tried to go with him, but he held his hand up to her.

"Ms. Stone, I need to escort Mr. Malfoy by myself. You'll have to stay here with the rest of the class," he said. Ella opened her mouth to protest, but she knew it wouldn't work. The doors to the dungeon were slammed in her face and she fell to her knees.

She started shaking. It was her fault that the potion had lost control and hit him. Draco had pushed her out of the way and saved her rather than himself. She felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her shoulders. Looking up, she saw the soft brown eyes of Glen Rutherford. She leaned into his chest and cried.

"Glen, it's my fault!" she cried. He rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. The class was silent and watching them, but Ella didn't care. She was a horrible, terrible person and didn't deserve Glen's kindness.

"Ella, chill out, it was an honest mistake. He'll be fine, I promise," he said. Noticing that the class was watching them, he blushed. "Ella, let's go somewhere more private and talk about this."

He grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet. Ella couldn't feel her legs. They felt like jelly. She couldn't feel anything. The only thing she wanted right now was to go to the Hospital Wing and make sure that Draco was ok.

Glen led her out of the dungeon and up into the entrance hall. They sat on the bottom step of the staircase. Ella put her head in her hands, feeling nauseous. Soon, it became hard to breath. It was as if her airway was constricted. She began to rock back and forth, crying and gasping. Glen was worried and didn't know what to do.

"Ella? Ella, what's going on?" he said. She looked up at him, clutching her chest.

"I think I just had a panic attack..."

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah... yeah, I'm pretty sure," she said. Glen sighed, relieved. He didn't want two of his best friends in the hospital on the same day. He wanted to get up to the hospital wing as soon as possible so that Ella would see that Draco was fine. He glanced at a clock on the wall. They only had a few minutes until class got out. He put his arm back around Ella's shoulder.

"Oh my gosh, Glen. I just realized something," she said.

"What is that?"

"What about Quidditch tomorrow? We don't have a back-up Seeker trained!" Ella said, panicking. Glen seemed to have realized this too because he took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sure we'll find someone," he said, trying to comfort her. His voice quivered and Ella knew he was worried too. The bell rang, signaling that it was time for lunch and Ella immediately snapped her head up.

"Let's go see him," she said, standing to her feet. Glen knew he wouldn't stand a chance if he suggested getting lunch first, so he caved in. Ella had never been to the hospital wing here before, so he would need to guide her there. He put his arm around her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure you want to see him right now? He probably doesn't look very good," he said. Ella sighed, knowing that seeing him in pain would cause her to break down. She thought about it for a moment. Glen was still waiting for her to make a decision. Finally, she nodded her head to show that she was ready to go. He squeezed her arm and he led her to the hospital.

It was a long walk to that part of the castle. Every few breaths, Ella would breathe in hard to keep herself going. Glen was walked patiently by her side. After fifteen long minutes of walking, they came to the right door and they stopped in front of it.

"Here we go. Are you sure you're ready for this?" Glen asked one more time. Ella looked into his soft brown eyes, so full of concern for her. She smiled.

"I think so," she said. He pushed the door open and they walked in together to find Madame Pomfrey, who was tending another patient. Ella was nervous. She hated hospitals ever since her disorder. She had spent most of a year in one and the smell of disinfectant and medicines definitely didn't bring back fond memories.

"Excuse me; we're looking for Draco Malfoy?" Glen said in a confident voice. Ella was glad he was with her. She knew that if she tried to speak, her voice would fail her.

"Are you Glen Rutherford and Ella Stone?" asked the nurse.

"Yes, we are."

"He was asking for you. Go right on back. He's behind the first curtain on your right," said Madame Pomfrey, gesturing to a curtained area at the back of the wing.

"Thank you, ma'am," said Glen. Ella stifled a laugh at his gentlemanliness. The nurse walked away and Glen turned his attention to her. "Let's go."

Slowly they walked down the hall to the curtain she had mentioned. Glen made a movement to open the curtain, but Ella grabbed his arm. He looked down at her and sighed.

"Ella, if we don't get it over with, we're going to miss lunch. It really can't be as bad as you think it is. The nurse here is a genius with healing. I wouldn't be so concerned," he said. Ella bit her lip and looked away from his gaze. She knew she didn't have to be so worried, but she was. If anything happened to him because of her...

"Glen? Ella? Is that you?" they heard a voice from the other side say. It sounded weak and dazed. Glen pulled the curtains aside and the sight that met Ella's eyes made her cry instantly.

Draco was lying in the hospital bed with bandages covering most of the left side of his face. His arm was wrapped in bandages as well and it was hard to recognize him. He was more pale than usual and his gray eyes were half closed. Ella rushed to his side and took his hand.

"Draco! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" she sobbed. "It's all my fault!" He lifted his head from the pillow and looked into her swollen eyes.

"Ella, it's ok, I think I should be fine. They can get rid of the scars once I heal," he said in a dramatic voice. He turned to Glen, who was leaning against the wall on the other side of the bed. "And you, Glen, my best friend..."

"Oh, shut up, you sap," said Glen. Ella was so shocked at his comment that she stopped crying.

"Glen! How can you be so rude?! This sweet boy is in pain! How can you be so mean?" she said with venom dripping from her voice. She glared at him.

"Ella, this "sweet boy" is the biggest drama-queen I have ever met in my life. He'll be fine. Don't waste your time," he said with a smile. Draco looked up at him.

"Gosh, Glen, ruin my cover... don't let this leak out, though. If the whole school found out, I won't get a break from my homework," he said. Ella looked down at him, shocked. She punched his shoulder.

"You little jerk! I have been sitting over here worried sick and you're telling me that it really doesn't hurt that bad?"

"Well, when you just punched me it did. I do have blisters and boils there still, you know," he said. Ella glared at him. Glen sighed and sat in the chair on his side of the bed. His gaze had turned serious.

"Draco, what are we going to do about tomorrow? You're the only Seeker we have," he said. Draco furrowed his brow, thinking hard. He had had an idea, but he wasn't sure if it would work. Still, it was worth a shot.

"I had an idea of someone, but I don't know if it would work," he said.

"Go on."

"Well, this person is extremely talented, but hasn't been conditioned for this position for a few years. I'm hoping she's willing to overcome her fears and give it another try," he said, turning his eyes to Ella. She turned white as a sheet.

"Draco, I think whatever they're giving you has gone to your head. I couldn't do it! You know I got moved from that position after my fall! How could I possibly go up to over one thousand feet? I get queasy at three-hundred!" she said, beginning to panic again. Draco took her hand.

"Ella, we don't have any other choice. Either we play without a Seeker and lose for sure, or you fill in and we have a shot. Just do this for me. I believe in you," he said. Ella softened and drew a breath.

"I'll screw up... I know I will..."

"No you won't, Ella. It's your bloody fault I'm here and it's your job to make it right," he said. Ella cringed. She knew he was just saying it to make her take the job, but she knew it was her fault and he didn't have to rub it in so harshly.

"Alright... I'll try my best."