Duty Calls

6th September. (Chapter 5 - 'Consequences')

- Draco's Story -

The dream was hideous. Pansy Parkinson was down on one knee proposing to me and my parents were smiling and clapping in the background. I kept yelling for her to go away and leave me alone but my father conjured chains and linked the two of us together. He started roaring with laughter and said.

"Now my son and his fiancé will be together forever. The future of the Malfoy dynasty is assured!" Pansy had started pulling at my arm, trying to drag me through what was obviously my bedroom door.

"No, no, leave me alone! I am NOT going through that door with you!" I yelled, but Pansy kept laughing and pulling me harder, the chain rattling ominously with every movement. I struggled violently against the bonds, determined not to succumb but Pansy's voice kept intruding on my efforts to free myself. There was another voice too, a strangely familiar one, squeaky and insistent.

"Wake up, Draco Malfoy, wake up! You is not listening to Dobby! Professor Dumbledore is wanting to see you in his office in 10 minutes and you is not allowed to greet the headmaster in your underwear!" My eyes flew open and registered the ugly face of our old house-elf, just inches from my own. He was tugging at my arm and looking agitated. I yanked myself out of his grip and sat up in bed.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Get out of here you little toad!" Rather than obey me, the elf merely ignored me and proceeded to rip the bedclothes from my grasp, pulling them right off me and dumping them on the floor. I shivered as the cold air made contact with my skin.

"Draco Malfoy is just being lazy and stubborn. He must get dressed immediately! Professor Dumbledore has sent Dobby to bring him to his office at once and that is what Dobby must do! Draco Malfoy is a big, lazy oaf but he must hurry or Professor Dumbledore will be angry."

I looked up at the clock and registered that it was in fact 8.30 a.m., not as early as I'd first thought. I had overslept. I swung my legs out of bed and reached for my clothes, dragging them on hurriedly.

"What does Dumbledore want me for that's so urgent? And what's with this new attitude from you? Whatever happened to 'Yes, Master Draco' and 'No, Master Draco'?" Instead of looking scared, the elf's face split into a wide grin.

"Dobby does not have to be nice to Draco Malfoy anymore because Master Lucius gave Dobby Harry Potter's smelly sock and now Dobby is free! Dobby is surprised that Draco Malfoy does not remember that. Dobby can say what he likes because he works for wages. Dobby is allowed to say that Draco Malfoy is a sullen, spoilt little brat and he does not even have to punish himself." He finished, obviously thrilled. I had finished dressing while the stupid little git was talking and was heading towards the door, him at my heels, when a thought occurred to me.

"Being as Dumbledore wants to see me so urgently, I suppose that means he wants Granger there as well? Have you gone and dragged her out of bed yet or are you letting her sleep in for as long as possible?" To my surprise, his face registered sadness.

"Hermione Granger will not be coming to see Professor Dumbledore because she is in the hospital wing."

"What's wrong with her? Whatever it is, I hope it's fatal!" The elf looked angry.

"Draco Malfoy must NOT say things like that! Hermione Granger is not sick, she is broken!" Once again, I was confused.

"What do you mean she's 'broken'? How can she be broken?" He shook his head.

"Dobby is not telling you because Dobby doesn't think it is any of your business! Now Draco Malfoy should stop asking Dobby questions and get to Professor Dumbledore's office at once!" With that, he hurried away, leaving me to continue alone.

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September 6th.

-Hermione's Story -

I knew as soon as I woke up that my cheekbone was fractured. I was unable to open my mouth more than an inch without extreme agony. Crossing to the mirror, I was horrified to see the condition my face was in. Both my lip and my cheek were swollen almost beyond recognition and I could barely see out of my right eye.

I had so hoped to wake up and find that it had all been a bad dream but the mirror confirmed the worst. Ron had hit me. One of the people I loved most in the world had hit me. The pain of that knowledge was worse than the reality of the wounds.

I re - lived our argument in my mind, still unable to take it in. Ron actually believed I was CHEATING on him? With Draco Malfoy! I had always known that Ron had a jealous nature - his attitude towards some of Harry's more impressive feats was proof enough of that - but I had never known him to accuse someone of something without proof. This was so totally ridiculous; it was impossible to comprehend. Surely he must KNOW that the last person I would EVER be attracted to was Draco Malfoy! A person who hated us all beyond measure, a person who was a proud and open supporter of Voldemort. A person, who had stood and laughed last year as Death Eaters, his own father among them, tortured and killed over a hundred of his fellow students and staff during the attack on the castle. Ron was just not THINKING. His jealousy had made him lose his sense of reason.

I knew that I had no choice but to go to Madam Pomfrey. Healing wounds is not one of my strong points. I also knew that she would ask a lot of questions and that I would have to answer them. Nobody would believe that my injuries were the result of an accident. As I suspected, she was horrified.

"Oh Miss Granger, this is absolutely DREADFUL! I can't believe that Mr. Weasley would DO such a thing!" I knew how she felt, I had trouble believing it myself, and I was the one carrying the scars which proved that he had.

"Professor Dumbledore must be informed at once!" I had tried to protest but she had shushed me immediately. "Don't be silly, child! We can't have students running around punching each other! And Mr. Weasley a 7th year and a PREFECT!" She had said all this while casting a complicated Healing Charm, which immediately made my breaks and bruises disappear. As I left the hospital wing, physically if not emotionally intact, I knew that Ron was going to be in serious trouble and that there was a very strong possibility that he would be expelled.

About half an hour after returning to my room, a house-elf brought the following note from Dumbledore.

Miss Granger,

Madam Pomfrey has told me what transpired between you and Mr. Weasley. I hope you are feeling better. I would like you to come to my office at 9.00 this morning for a short meeting.

Until then,
Albus Dumbledore.

I knew it was about Ron. I also knew that it was going to be awful and that Malfoy would be there, gloating all over his pointed face.

When I arrived, just before 9, Malfoy was already in attendance, as were Professors McGonagall and Snape. McGonagall looked extremely angry while Snape had an expression like a cat that had swallowed a canary. As for Malfoy, the huge grin he flashed in my direction was evidence enough that he had been told what had happened. I loathed him more than ever at that point. Professor Dumbledore smiled kindly when I walked in.

"Ah, there you are Miss Granger, thank you for coming." His expression suddenly changed to one of great seriousness. "We are all aware of the events of last evening. I have brought you here to inform you of the current situation." I tried hard to keep my heart from thumping but it wasn't possible, this was too important. Dumbledore continued.

"In matters such as this where a student is deliberately injured by another, there is only one course of action open to me." I held my breath. "The student in question, in this case, Mr. Weasley, must be expelled from the school immediately." Malfoy looked as though Christmas had just come early but, to my astonishment, Dumbledore spoke sharply to him.

"This is NO laughing matter, Mr. Malfoy! While we are all well aware of the animosity that exists between you and Mr. Weasley, both on and off the Quidditch field, I expect a far more mature attitude from our head boy. I hope I make myself QUITE clear!" Malfoy looked suitably taken aback. I tentatively raised my hand. Dumbledore looked at me gently. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, I know that what Ron did was wrong but does he really have to be expelled? I mean it's his last year and his parents will be absolutely devastated if he is thrown out. He's hoping to work for the Ministry after Hogwarts and if he doesn't do his N.E.W.T.S., he'll have no hope of getting a job there." Snape spoke before Dumbledore could answer.

"Perhaps Mr. Weasley should have thought of the consequences of his actions before doing what he did," he said silkily. Dumbledore looked at me enquiringly.

"Are you suggesting an alternative punishment, Miss Granger?" I wasn't sure how to answer so I said nothing. It was McGonagall who spoke.

"While I am absolutely appalled at Mr. Weasley's behaviour, I have to agree with Miss Granger that to expel him now would almost certainly ruin his chances of a suitable career. Headmaster, might we not find another form of punishment with a slightly less devastating effect? Particularly in view of the fact that Miss Granger, as the victim, is concerned for his welfare?" Malfoy looked crestfallen and Snape made to protest but Dumbledore held up his hand.

"You're quite right, Professor McGonagall, Mr. Weasley's future does indeed depend on his finishing his education and if Miss Granger agrees, I think a slightly more lenient approach is called for." He took a deep breath. "Therefore, I propose that we suspend Mr. Weasley until after Christmas but ensure that he has enough study material to keep him busy at home. Furthermore, he is to be stripped of the captaincy of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and will return his prefect's badge forthwith." It was the most I could hope for, even though I knew Ron would be heartbroken at the loss of two things that mattered so much to him. I smiled slightly at Dumbledore. "Thank you, Professor." He smiled in return. "No, thank YOU Miss Granger. Mr. Weasley is very lucky to have you in his corner." He turned back to the others.

"There is one more item of business. As Mr. Weasley will no longer be a prefect or Quidditch captain, we need to appoint replacements. I propose Mr. Potter be offered both vacancies. Do we all agree?" Everyone nodded, although I noticed that Snape did so reluctantly. Even Malfoy inclined his head, probably sensing that it would be futile to protest, as it was clear that Harry was the obvious choice and arguing against it would just appear petty. Dumbledore smiled.

"Right then, that's settled. Thank you all for coming." As I left the office, I realised just how fortunate Ron was to still be a student at Hogwarts and I hoped he was grateful for the fact that it was Dumbledore and not Snape who was in charge. With these thoughts occupying my mind, I didn't realise, until thinking about it much later, that Malfoy had actually held the door opened for me as we left....

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