Talking mind — to — mind — she wondered what that was like, if it was frightening and invasive or comfortable and normal-seeming. It didn't seem to bother either Draco or Harry either, who turned to Ron and nodded. 'All right. You ready, Ginny?'
'Sure.' She threw a last glance at Draco, but he was looking down at his hands. 'I — '
'Darling!' It was Blaise, again, tossing the curtains aside. 'Malcolm's all right — isn't it wonderful? Of course he has no idea what happened to him, which is too frightful, but Madam Pomfrey says he'll likely get his memory back over time. In the meantime, she says he can't play in the rematch on Saturday…and what are you all still doing here?' She glared at the Gryffindors. 'Somewhere, I'm sure a little tiny kitty cat is stuck up a tree.
Why don't you go rescue it? Take all the time you like.'
'We were just going, not that it's any of your business,' Ron began edgily.
'Blaise, sweetheart,' put in Draco, his tone amused, and Ginny silently bit back a gagging noise — Draco calling someone sweetheart? Hermione looked similarly appalled. 'Could you do me a favor?'
Blaise sat down on the edge of the bed. 'Of course, anything.'
'Could you go ask Mark Nott if he'd mind suiting up and playing with us on Saturday? He's a fair flyer and we could really use him. I'd do it myself, but…' Draco made a sweeping gesture that encompassed the infirmary.
'Of course I can,' she said, leaned forward, and kissed him. 'I'll go right now,' and she bounced up to her feet, shooting a death glare at the Gryffindors. 'Honestly,' she said loudly. 'I understand you have to check on Draco for his mum, Harry, but did you need to bring your bodyguards?'
Harry looked deadpan. 'I couldn't help it,' he said, glancing from Hermione, to Ginny, to Ron. 'They're just so cute, bless their little cotton socks.'
'Run along now, Blaise,' said Ron. 'Or would you like me to take points from Slytherin?'
The Slytherin girl's eyes narrowed. 'You think that Head Boy badge makes you important, don't you, Ron,' Blaise said, in a purring sort of voice, reached out, and stroked her finger gently over the silver front of his badge. Ron, looking like a rabbit trapped in headlights, didn't move. 'Isn't that… sweet.'
She dropped her hand, smiled, and flounced away, her heels clicking on the stone floor. The infirmary door slammed behind her.
'Nice girlfriend you've got there, Malfoy,' said Ron acidly.
'Thanks,' said Draco. 'I made her myself.'
'See you later, Malfoy,' said Harry with finality, waved at Draco, and took hold of Ron's arm. 'We're off to practice.'
'And I'm off to class,' said Hermione, reaching to pick up her rucksack from the side of the bed.
'Actually,' Draco said quickly, 'could you stay for a second? There's something I wanted to ask you.'
'Oh,' said Hermione, and straightened up. 'I…' She glanced towards Harry, who nodded emphatically. 'Sure,' she said, and sat down in the chair by the bed. 'What did you want to ask me?'
Ginny pricked up her ears, trying to hear Draco's answer, but Ron and Harry had already started walking away, and she had no choice but to follow them. Glancing back, all she could see of Hermione and Draco was their shadows, thrown into sharp relief against the white curtains.
'Right,' Draco said without preamble, as soon as Harry and the others were out of earshot. 'Now that they've all gone, why don't you tell me what the hell is up with Weasley?'
Hermione blinked at him in surprise. 'Ron? What about him?'
Draco's lips curled into a disbelieving smile. 'You can't honestly say you didn't notice something odd about his behavior just now?'
Hermione shook her head. She tried to think. She'd been worried about Draco, and concentrating on him, also on Harry, since she'd been worried about him as well — he tended to get lightheaded when he skipped meals.
Ron…? 'No,' she said. 'But I'm sure you'll tell me.'
'Tell you what? That your redheaded sidekick is acting bizarrely? And you missed it? I suppose you've been having so much fun playing the exciting
'What On Earth Is Up With Harry' game that you've missed the even more exciting sequel, 'Bugger It, Something's Up With Ron As Well!''
'Well, what is wrong with him?' Hermione demanded, exasperated.
Draco looked smugly unconcerned. 'I wouldn't know. That's your job, isn't it? He's your friend.'
'How do you manage to say that as if it's an insult?'
'It isn't my fault if you choose to be all buddy-buddy with an overgrown gingery lummox who'd lose a battle of wits with a stuffed iguana.'
'You think I won't smack you just because you're in hospital, don't you?'
Hermione demanded calmly. 'Think again.'
She was gratified to see that Draco scooted back several inches. 'I've no idea what bee Weasley has in his bonnet,' Draco said. 'But I do know something's bothering him. None too surprising he wouldn't tell you, I suppose.'
'Ron tells me things!' Hermione snapped.
Draco's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Has he ever told you he resented Harry for being famous and getting all the attention?'
'No, but I know he did. I don't think he does anymore, by the way.'
'Has he ever told you that he resented you for having broken up with him, and then gone right over to
