A new begining - 5

He dragged his other leg forward to meet the first, holding his hand out in front of him for balance. His knees buckled, however, and he crashed to the floor with a grunt.

"Bugger it all, Harry!" Ron shouted, entering the room just as Harry hit the floor. "What are you trying to do to yourself, and why are you doing it on my watch? Hermione and Ginny are going to kill me."

He bent down and wrapped his arms around Harry's torso, hoisting him back to his feet. Harry's entire body was shaking madly, and he had to lean heavily on Ron, which only increased his irritation.

"I just wanted to walk across the floor," he snapped, panting, "and I don't want any help to do it."

"Well, you're just going to have to swallow that Short-Snout-sized pride and suck it up because you do need help," Ron said grumbling. He slung Harry's good arm over his shoulder but instead of turning back for the bed, he proceeded slowly toward the wall.

Harry's irritation fizzled. He was very glad Ron and not one of the girls had found him on the floor.

"I'm sick of that bed," he mumbled, hanging his head. His legs were shaking so badly he could feel his knees knocking together.

"I know you are," Ron said quietly. They'd reached the wall, but Ron was now supporting Harry's full weight. "Are you going to continue being a pillock about walking, or can I Levitate you back to the bed?"

"You're not Levitating me," Harry said, snorting. "I've seen your Levitation Charms, remember?"

Ron grinned. "Better be nice to me, mate. I'm not one of the girls – I'd really drop you."

Harry chuckled, hating the exhaustion fighting to claim him.

"Accio Hover Chair," Ron said.

A floating cushioned-chair appeared in the doorway. Harry thought it resembled something that belonged in a pool. Ron lifted him up and plopped him onto the chair. Using his wand to direct it, he turned the chair around, and they moved into the corridor.

"We're leaving?" Harry asked, both excited and alarmed. He'd desperately wanted out of that room, but he knew the reporters had been hovering. He really didn't want to deal with any of them yet. In the quietness of his room, he could deny the reality of everything that had happened for a little while longer.

"We're not going far," Ron said. "There're only a few patients in this section, and you have to go through a security check to get here. I thought you wanted out."

"I do!" Harry said eagerly, his tiredness rapidly replaced by open curiosity. Ron pushed him from the lushness of the Minister's Suite into the cold, antiseptic hallway. Even magic couldn't erase the sterile feel of a hospital. "Who else do they have hidden here?"

"Malfoy's in that room," Ron said, nodding toward the closed door next to Harry's. "I hear he's been talking loads of rubbish about the deplorable conditions. You know Malfoy."

"I want to talk to him," Harry said.

"Don't do that to yourself, Harry. Wait until you're fully recovered," Ron said, scowling.

"I'm fine," Harry replied.

"Sure you are," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Still, he stopped the Hover Chair and knocked on the door before pushing it open. "Oi, Malfoy! Believe it or not, you've got visitors."

Draco was lying in bed in a much smaller and less lavish room than the one Harry was using. Harry felt heat creeping up his neck, and he was eternally grateful that Malfoy didn't know about the difference…or maybe he did. It was certainly something Ron would enjoy lording over him.