"Hey, Malfoy."
Hermione looked him up and down.
"Haven't you always hated Harry? Why did you save him?"
Malfoy glanced at the still-unconscious Harry and snorted.
"I wasn't trying to save him. He did testify for me and clear me of suspicion of murder, after all. This was just repaying that favor. I, Draco Malfoy, never owe anyone anything."
The students around him were all rather surprised to hear that.
They had never expected the perpetually arrogant Malfoy to say something like that.
For a moment, everyone thought much better of him.
In truth, there was another reason that even Malfoy himself hadn't realized.
Because of Hermione's presence, even Harry had begun to look much friendlier to him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dull explosions sounded one after another from every direction.
Patronuses of every shape and size swept back from the distance, trailing thick black vapor.
The vapor churned, revealing glimpses of the Dementors' mangled bodies struggling and dissolving inside the Patronuses.
It was quite a breathtaking sight.
Hermione nodded in satisfaction and waved her wand, recalling her "zoo army."
Just then, Madam Pomfrey hurried over, followed by several members of the Hospital Wing staff.
She spotted Harry and Malfoy lying on the ground at once and cried out.
"Quick, get them to the Hospital Wing!"
Madam Pomfrey directed the staff as they carefully lifted the two onto stretchers.
"Us too! We need checkups too!"
Ron, Neville, and Seamus limped over, speaking in unison.
Only then did Madam Pomfrey notice the three of them.
Her eyes widened.
All three had bruised, swollen faces, and all sorts of strange tools were dangling from their bodies.
Wrenches, pliers, hammers... they had the lot.
"How did this happen?"
Madam Pomfrey asked in astonishment.
Ron, Neville, and Seamus exchanged glances and said together, "Don't ask."