“Um…no?” Harry tried, bracing himself for some sort of outburst. “She bought it this afternoon. Pure white and all. The first of its kind.” He winced and said very quickly, “Please don’t tell Hermione I told you.”

Like you know her so well, Harry thought, not quite maliciously but not good-humoredly either. He kept this thought to himself, and instead answered politely. “And why is that, sir?”

Harry made a non-committed sound. He wondered how long it would be before Ron and Hermione woke up, so he didn’t have to make small talk with his Professor anymore. Although, really, it wasn’t as bad as he would have thought. If someone had told him he’d be talking comfortably to Lucius Malfoy a month ago, he’d have cursed them the hell out of the room. Or at least booked them a ward at St. Mungo’s.

“So I heard you’ve agreed to give Hermione private lessons if the opportunity arises?” he said casually, changing the topic. 

“That was nice of you,” Harry said carefully. “I think she’d-”

Madam Pomfrey cut into their conversation without a hint of remorse. “Sirs, all three patients have awoken.”

Harry got to his feet right away. “They’re ok?”

“Perfectly alright,” Pomfrey said briskly. “You don’t doubt my magical skill, do you?”

“Of course not,” Harry reassured her. He followed her to the beds that held Ron and Hermione.

“Harry Potter!” Hermione’s shrill shriek was the first thing he heard. “How dare you knock me unconscious!”  

“Hermione, I-”

“And then you told Professor Malfoy about Lucius!” Harry looked horrified.

“You heard-”

“Damn straight I heard! You’ll be paying for that as soon as I can walk!”

Harry flinched. “Er, ok, then. I’ll just…be back soon, shall I?” He looked at Ron. “Good to see you awake,” he said, and then he hurried off out the Hospital Wing, not wanting to face an irate Hermione Granger.