Blood Demon Curse

"Astoria was already at St Mungo's by now, with Madam Pomfrey staying with her." Eli offered no comfort, merely stated the truth.

Judging by the tense looks on Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall's faces, Astoria's condition was worse than he had imagined.

Daphne suddenly turned back and stared at Eli for a long while. Her expression was frighteningly grim, and the next moment, she ran out of the Hospital Wing.

From beginning to end, Draco never even lifted his head.

Eli pulled over a chair and sat down in front of him. He watched him for a while, and when Draco gave no response, he slapped him once.

"Don't look like that. Feeling sorry for yourself won't get anything done. Do you want to disappoint her too?"

Although Astoria had never said anything, and none of them had asked, Eli could guess that she had not joined Dumbledore's Army at first because of Draco, and that she had suddenly joined later for the same reason.

More than Lucius Malfoy, she wanted Draco to make a firm decision for himself.

She had always seemed gentle and considerate around Draco, thinking of him in everything. For her to force Draco's hand in this way must have taken an incredible amount of courage.

Draco understood that better than Eli did, and that was why he was so despondent now.

Draco swayed faintly but did not raise his head right away.

Eli could only frown. Was this really what Astoria wanted to see? Was it what any of them wanted to see?

If he could not even pull himself together now, how was he supposed to become a decisive Malfoy?

"Do you really not understand why Astoria put herself through this? Look at yourself. What part of you deserves her?"

Eli's words were harsher