obvious Malfoy was going to attend the party regardless of his condition.
Pomfrey might have clucked her tongue if it wasn't considered bad manners. It was a destructive thing sometimes, Slytherin pride. Nearly as bad as reckless Gyrffindor courage.
"Mr Malfoy, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on some sort of treatment. If not, I'll be forced to take this matter to Professor Snape."
That seemed to get his attention. When all else fails, it was a wise person who mentioned Snape to a stubborn Slytherin. "What do you suggest?" he whispered, through gritted teeth. His slate gray stare was cool, as always, but there was a hint of a challenge. He knew she was trying to offer him an outlet and was curious to see if she could deliver.
"A bath," Pomfrey declared, with authority. "If you won't let me look at you, then at least spend some time applying the salve before soaking in the bath for a bit. The analgesic in the balm works optimally with heat."
He stared at her. "Well, I'll just have to do that then."
"But Draco-" Pansy began
"You go on to the party, give them my apologies. They'll understand," he told Pansy. The change in his voice was quite remarkable. He was all melted butter and warm honey. The pain switch had apparently been flicked to the 'off' position.
Parkinson responded accordingly. She sighed. "If you really insist..."
"I do."
Ignoring Madam Pomfrey completely, Pansy gave him a final forlorn look, put the jar of balm gently in his right hand and took her leave. It was also obvious she was eager to return to the Common Room celebrations herself.
"Is this really for the bath or were you just being helpful?" Malfoy asked, unscrewing the cap, and sniffing at the balm tentatively. He tilted his head to the side and regarded Madam Pomfrey with an amused, indulgent expression.
At that moment, he looked that much like his father that Poppy had to resist taking a step back in alarm.
"It's my job to be helpful, young man," she replied, putting a chill into her voice. His particular brand of smoothness would not work on her. "And yes, that particular analgesic works best with applied heat. It's maker, Professor Snape, assures me of it."
"If Professor Snape made it, it must be the best," Malfoy commented dryly, screwing the cap back on. "Thank you." He stood up slowly, still looking like someone had jammed a metal rod up his left arm.
Madam Pomfrey stopped him when he was at the door. Merlin knew why she said it. Perhaps because it was the end of school of his schooling and the last time she would see him alone again for possibly forever. Or maybe it was because it simply needed to be said.
"You know, Draco, you don't always have to do what people expect you to do." He didn't look startled or angry at the question. Merely resigned. "If I did anything else, Madam Pomfrey, I think the world would spin off its axis."
**
Draco made his way to the one place he knew he would have enough privacy to collapse into an unmanly heap - the Prefects Bathroom.
Avoiding the Common Room meant avoiding well-meaning thumps on the back, hugs, handshakes, cheers and sly looks from girls too young to even contemplate following up on offers.
The pain in his shoulder was lessening slowly, but it still hurt to be moving. He felt every footstep, every stair and every time his heart sent a fresh surge of blood pumping up to the injured area. By the time he reached the fifth floor and approached the portrait of Boris the Bewildered, he wanted nothing more than to lie in a warm bath, shut his eyes and plot exacting revenge on the terribly unwise Donald Bligh.
"Swots goinon?" mumbled Boris. The Great Glove Dilemma was currently in its third century with no signs of abating.
"Nothing you crazy old bastard, go away."
"Hang on, you can't go in there," Boris informed.
"Why the hell not?"
"Coz there be someone in there."
There, resting on the door handle was the 'Do Not Disturb' sign. Just beyond the doors, Draco could just make out the sound of running water.
OH COME ON. Draco dropped his forehead against the door and closed his eyes. The blasted room just had to be occupied? Who on earth could be taking a bath now of all times! Every other normal student was basking in the post-victory glow with their classmates. Draco was about to take a lumbering step away from