He's been in there for three hours.

barely glances up from his Charms essay Three hours of silence from Draco Malfoy. That's either a scheme, a crisis, or a miracle.

frowns, tapping her chin I checked on him before breakfast. He told me to go away. dramatic pause He didn't even insult me.

Okay, that's concerning.

slowly Mate. What happened to you?

wheezes I think I'm dying.

You're not dying. You just look like you've been personally victimized by a pair of old socks.

I have a fever. My bones hurt. My magic keeps sparking. And I'm fairly certain I saw a small dragon in my wardrobe an hour ago.

Y/N. Where's Y/N? Someone get Y/N.

raises an eyebrow You've been able to function for sixteen years without her. I think you'll survive one morning.

instantly, with the gravity of a man delivering a eulogy No. No, I won't. Get her.

exchanges a look with Blaise The wizarding flu. Has to be. It hits harder when you've never had it before.

And it turns normally functional people into—

struggles upright, hair sticking up in seven different directions, eyes wildly searching the room I need her. I need her now. Why isn't she here? She should be here. She's always here. Where is she?

slowly Draco. It's nine in the morning. She's probably having breakfast.

sinks back into his pillows, utterly betrayed by the universe She's having breakfast. Without me. She's eating. And I'm dying. Alone. In the dark.

The curtains are open and it's actively sunny.

turns his face into the pillow Tell her I love her. Tell her I died thinking of her.

pinches the bridge of his nose I'm going to walk down to the Great Hall. And I'm going to fetch your girlfriend. And when I come back, you're going to take a potion, and you're going to stop acting like you're starring in a Victorian tragedy.

already half-asleep, muttering into the blanket Bring her. Bring her back. She belongs here. She belongs with me.

watches Blaise leave, then looks down at his dramatically deteriorating best friend You know, I've seen you face down Snape, Slughorn, and an entire gaggle of Gryffindors without flinching.

mumbling Those weren't her.