“Youanwalk,”Harryblurtsoutinstead,bywayofgreeting.
“Exellentobservationskills,Potter.Idostillhavemytwolegswithme.”
Harryflushesatthat.“But,Imean…Likeyourhand.”
“Idon’tspendtherestofmydaysstukinthewheelhairwaitingforthetimeSaintPotteromesbaktosaveme,youknow.”
Afshofhurtnesthroughhimwiththat.“Ididn’tmeanthat.”
“SurprisedIoulddoitwithoutyourhelp?”
“Malfoy.”
“Orsadthatyououldn’tshowoffyourheroomplexandtelltheworldhowyouhelpedanex-DeathEaterwalkagain?”
“Malfoy.”
Draoopenshismouthforhisretort.
Harryutshimoffbeforehereallystartstogoatit.“I’mhappytoseeyouuponyourfeetagain.”
Drao’smouthloses.HiseyeswidenandHarrywathes,amazedasDraoturnsawayandthetipsofhisearsolour.“Don’tthinksolittleofme.”
“I’mnot,”Harrysays,walkingoutofthebalonyandintothegarden.Therearebutterfliesflyingaround.Hedoesn’tknowifthey’rerealormagiked.“AtleastnowIdon’thavetopushyouaround.Youweregettingheavy.”
Draogresathim.“AreyousayingI’mgettingfat?!”
“Well,youhaven’treallybeenexerisingtely.”
Draoturns,onefootsteppinginfrontoftheother.“I’llhaveyouknow—!”Andthenhiskneesrumplefromunderhhim,andHarrythankswhatevergodisuptherethathestillhashisreflexesfromfightinginthewar.Heleapsin,athesDrao’sshoulders,butisknokedoffbanebythesuddenweight.
Heendsuphalfonthebushofarnationsandhalfongrass,Draosprawledoverhisp.
Tohissurprise,Draostartsughing.
Thesmalledgesofthebush’sbranhesdigpainfullyintohisskin,butDrao’sughterisontagious,espeiallywhenhelookssoopenandrexedlikethat.
“You’regonnahavetohelpmeup,Potter.Ian’tfeelmylegsanymore.”