Disclaimer: I do not own these lovely characters I’m playing with, ‘cept Dr. Morris.

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Cho groaned; she felt like her stomach was about to blow.

“Twenty-eight courses, Cho, by God, you’ve exceeded your last record by a full seven,” a light voice said from besides her. She twisted in the white hospital bed to see the speaker. A man with light graying brown hair and deep brown eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses stared at her wryly.

“Might I ask what unspeakable horror has prompted this near explosion of your gastronomical organs?”

“Dr. Morris!”

“Hullo Cho. How are you feeling?”

The Asian girl groaned, not bothering to sit up. “Like a giant balloon filled with sand. You think I’ll be ok?”

“Well, you’ll have some major indigestion for the next few days, sleepless night, I suppose. I recommend a lot of light foods, but then you probably know that already.” Cho’s boss set his clipboard on the bedside table. “Sweetheart, what were you trying to do? Tempt the sin of gluttony?”

“It’s called comfort eating,” Cho muttered sullenly. “Dennis broke up with me.”

Dr. Morris raised his eyebrows and sat back, interlacing his long, bony fingers.

“I don’t think I’ll ever understand how you women think. I thought you were on a diet gone wrong or something. And well, personally, Dennis was such a cad anyways, I’d say ‘good riddance’.”

“Why don’t you guys ever share this information?” Cho groaned, holding her stomach.

The doctor shrugged and stood up to leave. “It’s a guy thing,” he said solemnly, before straightening his tie and leaving the room. Cho lurched to the toilet that was curtained off and nearly collapsed into the bowl, headfirst. For a second, she stared uneasily at the pristine whiteness of the ceramic bowl, then leaned forward and vomited.

The acid burned at the back of her throat, and she couldn’t help but think how unhealthy it all was, not to mention disgusting, but since the sight of vomit made her retch even further, it was a long while before she could raise her face from the toilet.

Someone handed her a wet handkerchief, and she grabbed it, quickly wiping her face with it. While she was cleaning herself off, the person flushed the toilet and helped her stumble back to the hospital bed.

“Are you alright?” he asked in a dry voice. Cho stopped mid-wipe and scowled a bit.

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy, I’ll be fine,” she replied with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Good. Then I’ll just leave,” he said curtly, and turned.

Cho looked up at him, taking note that he had changed out of his chef’s uniform into casual khaki slacks, loafers and a long sleeved button up. Dammit, he looked immaculate.

“One question, Draco,” she called out as he was leaving. Draco turned and gave her a questioning glance. “What in the world are you doing here?” she asked, puzzled.

“Su needs to run the restaurant, and I was going to take an early leave anyways, so she made me accompany you to the hospital. Also, she was busy consulting her lawyer, just in case you decided to press charges,” he answered. Ouch, Cho thought, wincing a little.

“I wouldn’t- I’m sorry, truly,” Cho said sincerely. Draco just shrugged.

“As long as you aren’t going to die, and you aren’t going to sue us, then I don’t care one way or another.” Cho frowned.

“I was trying to be reassuring,” she said. Draco snorted.

“Reassuring as you hurl up all my lovely food? I don’t think so,” he replied.

“I’m sure at least some of it has been absorbed. So it’s not all gone to waste.”

“Actually, yes it has. You haven’t paid the bill yet,” Draco said thoughtfully.

Cho stared at him wide-eyed.

“Oh dear.”

“Indeed.”

“Well, you know, I’m so sick and everything, and, oh I feel horrible…maybe I should get some rest, and…?” Cho said, trying to sound faint and sick, slowly sinking into her pillow.

“We are holding your bill to you, Chang. Don’t even think about pulling a fast one.”

Dammit, Cho thought, sitting back up sullenly. Apparently that’s not going to work with him.

“Well, fine. But I’m still quite poor and I don’t think I’ll be able to pay all at once,” she said contritely, watching Draco bristle.

“Stupid woman. Don’t you know your limits? If you can’t pay off, you’re going to be washing dishes for a very long time,” Draco told her.

“Well, I suspected as much,” Cho grumped, pulling the blankets over her head.

“Cho!”

She sat up again as the door banged open and someone came skidding into the room.

“Know him?” Draco asked her.

“No.” Cho said flatly, sticking her tongue out at Dennis Creevey behind Draco’s back. “Go away Dennis. I don’t want to see you right now,” she said loudly.

“But Cho! What happened?” Dennis cried, zooming straight to her side and nearly trodding on Draco’s foot. “Dr. Murray-”

“Dr. Morris.”

“-called me and told me what happened. Why Cho? Why do you do this to yourself? I didn’t mean to hurt you so bad! Listen, I broke up with her, and I’m so sorry. Please forgive me, Cho! I-I-”

Draco coughed, a vein having popped out on his forehead. Dennis turned around and dropped Cho’s hands. She pulled them away quickly, disgusted and thankful for Draco’s interruption.

“Excuse me, are you Cho’s friend?” Dennis asked politely, staring suspiciously at him.

“No, I am not. But you stepped on my foot.”

“…I apologize then,” Dennis said curtly, and promptly turned back to Cho, who had been making faces at him when he wasn’t looking.

“Cho, is he bothering you?” Draco asked coolly, even though the vein throbbed with more energy.

“What? Who is this, Cho? Listen sir, this is none of your business! Will you please leave-”

“Is he?” Draco interrupted.

“Oh, Mr. Malfoy, it’s alright. I’m sure Mr. Creevey here will leave of his own accord sooner or later,” Cho replied, knowing full well the consequences of the words.

Dennis’ face suddenly drained of blood, and he turned around to gawp at Draco.

“Dr-Draco…Mal…foy?” he asked in wonder. As a reply, Draco grinned ferally at him. Dennis winced.

“Wh-what are you doing here? I’ll call the police!” he threatened, but his voice was shaking so bad, Cho could barely make out the words.

“Nonsense, Dennis. Mr. Malfoy here is perfectly harmless. I mean, he was acquitted, after all,” Cho said gleefully, watching Dennis’ face turn a peculiar shade of green. “Say, are you feeling all right? Your face as gone all queer and sort of olive-colored. Why don’t you go visit Dr. Schneider on the first floor? Draco, why don’t you accompany him, he looks as if he might pass out.”

“Certainly,” Draco said in a low voice. And then he smiled.

“No! I’m fine. I’m going now, I’m going, ah, Cho, I’m uh…I’m leaving now…” The younger man stumbled over his feet as he backpedaled to the door. He opened it, ducked behind it, and waved. Then he shut it, and ran.

Cho sighed.

“Times like these, your criminal background seems to be wonderfully useful,” Cho said happily, sitting back up and looking nothing like an invalid.

Draco rolled his eyes and also headed for the door.

“I’m glad someone appreciates it,” he said coldly, and left.

Oh, my, Cho thought, a hand lightly on her lips. Have I said something wrong?

~~!~~!~~!

Nah, I’m hungry. So I’m going to post this and run away now. Yay?

OoOoooO… Malfoy is being scary. Cho is being bloated. Dennis is being a goner. Will be. My bad.

Ha! Anyhooowell, later, all~

Review is much appreciated. Flames are acceptable. I read all and I try to work with them. [unless they’re utterly pointless]