All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. The storyline is mine.

Strange things are going on with Draco Malfoy. An unexpected and unwelcome Hermione Granger has been chasing him down blaming him for…something. He doesn't know what the appearances are about. To save his sanity he has to find out. Drama/Mystery. AU. OOC. T. Dramione. 2 chapters.

Story Note: Powerful Magic was supposed to be an entry for a challenge/competition but I mucked up the required parameters so I'm posting it as a regular story.

Powerful Magic: Chapter 1

For the third night in a row Draco sat bolt upright in his bed to find Hermione Granger standing at the bottom of his bed pointing her finger and accusing him of….. Draco didn't actually know what she was accusing him of because she never came right out with it. All she would say was it's your fault Malfoy. It's your fault.

Tonight had been different. Tonight the know it all Mudblood had come right up to the side of the bed, pointed a finger in his face and told him he needed to get his arse in gear because time was running out.

Draco jumped up and used his wand to turn on the light in his room. Like the two previous nights, he searched his room convinced Hermione had tracked him down all the way to Thailand where he'd taken up residence shortly after the war. He didn't care for Thailand, but for the time being, Thailand was where his mother and father insisted he stay.

Draco continued looking around the room. He checked the bathroom and the closet. As foolish as it seemed, Draco checked under the bed. Finding no sign of Hermione Granger, he sat on the side of his bed running his hands through his hair.

"What in bloody hell is going on? I'm going to have a discussion with my father. That bloody witch has put some kind of spell on me. He will have her arse for it. Filthy Mudblood."

Spitting his venom while pretending he was full of bravado hadn't done Draco any good. He still felt creepy shivers running down his back. Hermione Granger had broken into his rooms.

Draco was pissed off yet frightened at the same time. Not that he would tell that to his father. He was Draco Malfoy. Nothing was supposed to frighten him. Be that as it may. He sat up in bed for the balance of the night peering into every corner.

/*/

The first thing in the morning, Draco pulled out a quill and parchment to write his father. He wanted to move somewhere other than Thailand. Somewhere Granger's magic couldn't find him. He'd fix the bint. Perhaps his father would allow him to move to one his properties in…. Draco stopped writing in mid sentence. He wasn't a coward. If Hermione Granger was trying to get even with him for the things he'd done during the war, she would have to do a little better than scaring him in his bed. Throwing the quill and parchment aside, Draco made a decision. He was going back to London to set this bint straight. Hermione Granger might be a powerfully magic witch, but he was determined to beat her at her own game.

Something strange occurred to Draco. Granger had sounded frustrated. As crazy as it was, she had accosted him three nights in a row and three nights in a row nothing had come of it. He didn't know what she wanted. She was either mistaken or out of her mind. Knowing the Hermione Granger from Hogwarts, Draco was absolutely sure the witch would keep coming back until she got what she wanted. Additionally, he felt there was something more going on. Granger had seemed only strong enough to confront him, but not strong enough to throw any hexes or curses. If she had been strong enough, he probably would have been dragged back to London at the point of her wand by now. He had to get back to London to find out what this was all about.

On his own, Draco made portkey arrangements which would land him in London in a matter of days. His mother and father wouldn't be pleased, but he planned to stand by his decision without letting his parents know he was being driven from his hidey hole by Hermione Granger.

Draco had been right in one. His parents weren't pleased that he had chosen to come back to London. However, he was of age. So no matter how foolish they found his wishes. They would have to abide by them.

/*/

One of the first things Draco had done was make discreet inquiries about the whereabouts of the Mudblood. Draco caught himself the first time he thought that word. He was back in Britain. It wouldn't do for him to be throwing the word Mudblood around. If the truth be told, he didn't even like the word anymore. It was just one of those rubbish words which had been ingrained in him from birth. It wouldn't do at all. He wouldn't make discreet inquiries about the Mudblood. He would make discreet inquiries about Hermione Granger.

Draco soon found that finding out about Granger was easier said than done. There wasn't any news about her anywhere. Nothing in the papers or magazines and nary a hint of gossip. Draco laid out a fair few Galleons in his search for information about Hermione. But all those galleons hadn't garnered him much more than a scant whisper that she had decided to take some well deserved time away.

Draco hadn't believed the whisper. There was something Granger blamed him for. There was something she wanted him to fix. How in bloody hell could he fix something if she wasn't around to tell him what it was. Fuck.

Draco knew his only recourse would be to approach Granger's friends which would be dangerous enough. Then letting her name come off his lips might provoke them to attack. Draco didn't want to be attacked. Neither did he want Hermione Granger turning up in his bedroom for the rest of his life.

After a few more discreet inquiries which had come to nothing, Draco Owled Harry Potter to request an appointment. Draco hoped Potter would direct him to Hermione. As far as consequences, he would have to take what came.

However, before Draco received a response from Harry, Hermione somehow managed to get into his bedroom in Malfoy Manor. She thanked him for coming home. Then quickly told him he'd better get to work or suffer her wrath.

That night, Draco had been bold enough to ask what was it she expected him to do. But Hermione was gone before he could get the words fully out of his mouth. That was also the night he began searching through the books in the Malfoy Library. He wanted to know what bit of magic allowed a witch to trespass through the strongest of wards.

/*/

Draco didn't find anything relative to the powerful magic needed to do the things Hermione was doing, but promised himself he would keep looking. Even the best promises sometimes go awry which is what happened when Draco received a message from Harry Potter. Harry would see him that afternoon at 2:00 pm.

/*/

Even though Draco was purported to be as welcome at the Ministry as any other citizen, Harry asked him to hand over his wand to prevent any trouble. Draco had not resisted. He presented his wand before taking the chair Harry pointed to. For several seconds, the atmosphere was heavy with unsaid words as the wizards glared at each other.

Harry broke the silence by asking Draco why he was there.

Knowing from that point on, he was in danger of being thrown bodily from the building or worse. Draco sat up straighter and revealed the reason for his visit.

Harry glared even more as he listened to Draco tell some bullshit story about Hermione. There was no way Hermione could or would go near Malfoy. Never mind turn up in his bedroom.

"Are you really going to sit there with a straight face and tell me Hermione Granger came to your rooms to threaten you? Are you fucking serious Malfoy? I took this appointment because you said it was important. Yet here I sit listening to fucking bullshit. Why don't you get the hell out of here before I forget I'm a Ministry employee and hex you good and proper. Leave now."

Draco remained in his seat. "I don't make jokes Potter nor would I be foolish enough to come here with nonsense. Hermione Granger believes I caused something and she wants me to fix it. I don't know what that thing is or I would attempt to fix it. If only to keep her from scaring the shit out of me."

Harry leaned back in the chair and stared at Draco. With his own ears he had just heard Draco Malfoy admit to being frightened. By Hermione Granger no less. The story didn't make sense, but Harry was intrigued. "I believe you may think you've seen Hermione. But that's just not possible."

Harry didn't quite know why, but decided he would let Malfoy see Hermione, if only to prove a point. Gesturing for Draco to follow him, Harry led Draco to the lifts. When they were outside the Ministry, Harry touched Draco on the arm and turned into Apparition.

/*/

Draco was gagging when they landed. He hated Side Along Apparition. "A warning next time Potter. Please."

A smirking Harry simply glanced at Draco and pointed a finger in the direction of an old storefront which reminded Draco of the entrance to St Mungo's.

"Just where are we Potter? It looks like the Scottish Highlands."

"That's because it is the Scottish Highlands. Follow me and be quiet."

Draco followed along quietly as Harry easily stepped through a boarded up door. Draco stepped in behind Harry to find himself in some kind of lab.

Harry stopped at a large desk, speaking so softly to the wizard Draco couldn't hear what was said. Without explanation, Harry handed Draco a badge which read visitor. Following Harry's lead, Draco affixed the badge to the front of his robes.

They took the lift to the fourth floor where Harry greeted the healer on duty. Obviously familiar with Harry, the wizard nodded and quickly glanced at Draco's badge.

Draco's curiosity was getting the better of him. Hermione Granger working in some out of the way lab just didn't make sense. Draco thought he remembered her being touted as a top Auror. Obviously things had changed.

Draco's mind was pulled off Hermione's profession as it landed on what he could expect when he met her face to face. She might try to curse him for old times sake. Then Harry stopped at door 419 which looked to Draco to be a patient's room.

What was this all about?

Harry pushed open the door calling out. "Visitors."

Draco who was directly behind Harry couldn't see who Harry was speaking to. All he could see was a small figure lying as still as death in a sea of white sheets.

Harry turned to look Draco in the face as he walked over to touch the patient's face and smooth down her unruly hair. "So tell me again Malfoy how Hermione Granger is using powerful magic to enter your home to threaten you. Hermione has been very ill for over a year. It's just been in the last week that her body began to fail. The healers have done all they can. All they can do now is keep her comfortable."

Draco couldn't believe what Harry was saying. This witch had come to him four times which was impossible if she had been ill all this time. Draco couldn't take his eyes off the tiny, deathly pale witch in the bed. "Do you mind if I ask what happened? The last I heard she was in top form earning all kind of accolades from the Minister."

"Hermione was her own worst enemy," said Harry sadly. "Most of our team along with other friends recognized the changes in her. But anytime anyone asked after her health, she would brush off their concern telling them she felt fine. Then came several incidents where she couldn't hold up her end of a mission. Even then Hermione wouldn't admit she was ill, blaming her inability to perform on long hours and not eating right. There came a point where I had to put her on limited duty which pissed her off to no end. It nearly came down to wands that day. I think she knew she was sick, but was too stubborn to admit it. A month ago she got so sick she had to be hospitalized. She was adamant about not going to St Mungo's where anyone could gawk at her in her weakened state. So she settled on this out of the way place. It may not look it, but it is the most cutting edge medical facility in Great Britain. Much further ahead than St Mungo's. The healers have no idea what caused this. They know something is interfering with her lungs. There are unknown growths in the lining which covers the lungs. Their treatments and potions haven't helped and Hermione is losing ground. It is now down to end of life treatment."

Although it sounded silly to his own ears. Draco remarked it had been exactly a week ago Hermione first came to his rooms.

"Enough about her coming to your rooms Malfoy," growled Harry. "You do see Hermione lying there barely breathing and unable to move. If a witch is sneaking into your rooms, it isn't Hermione."

"I'm not trying to be obstinate Potter. It was Granger. She was in my room last night. She thanked me for coming back to Britain and ended by telling me I'd better fix things or suffer her wrath. We may never have been friends, but I don't want to see her die. I just don't know what to fix. I'm stymied. Would you mind if I stay with her for a bit?"

Although he was surprised, Harry agreed. "Because I know you cannot do her any harm, I'll allow you to stay. I promise that you can sit here all afternoon Malfoy, but Hermione will not recognize you and she will not speak. It is good of you to offer to keep her company. Keep your badge with you. I'll advise the staff you will be here for a while."

Reaching into his robes, Harry pulled out Draco's wand and handed it to him before leaving the room.

"Thank you Potter." Draco mumbled softly to the closed door.

/*/

Draco couldn't believe this. Hermione Granger was dying and no one knew why. In this climate after the war, most people wouldn't say the words, Voldemort, Dark Wizards or Dark Magic out loud. No one wanted to be shunned or find themselves locked up in Azkaban. However, that is exactly where Draco's mind had gone. Dark Magic.

Draco leaned back and closed his eyes. He was thinking nonsense. Harry Potter and his friends must surely have checked if this illness was something brought on by a hex, curse or spell from the war. Perhaps, so much time had passed since the end of the war, no one thought to look back. Additionally, Hermione had hidden her illness for so long it would have been even harder to connect her illness with something war related.

Draco wasn't one of her friends. He knew there were all sorts of curses and spells that could have been thrown at her during the war and not manifest themselves until months or even years later. His Aunt Bellatrix used to call them the Dying On Their Feet curses. Once these particular spells were cast, the receiver could walk around not knowing they had been cursed and were dying on their feet. Draco knew Harry would not care to hear his opinion, but he would at least have to try.

Draco walked over to Hermione's bed and reflected on their history. They had hated each other for so long. It had all been down to blood and what he'd been taught. Purebloods were better than anyone. Mudbloods counted for nothing. Gazing down at the dying witch, Draco realized if this had happened to him he too would be lying in a bed dying. Having pure blood wouldn't do anything to save him. Fucking stupid beliefs.

Draco reached down to push a bit of hair out of Hermione's face and noticed her lips were severely parched. Stepping outside the room, Draco looked around for a healer. He needed to find out if he could give Hermione some water. The healer he found gave Draco some moistened sponges that could be rubbed across Hermione's lips while cautioning Draco that a drink of water could possibly have choked Hermione to death. Draco was petrified he had almost made an error which would have had dire consequences. The last thing he wanted to do was cause the death of his former enemy. Voldemort was gone. Draco didn't want to cause the death of anyone.

Draco gently rubbed the moistened sponges across Hermione's lips and was surprised to see her tongue flick out to capture the moisture. He was still sitting on the side of the bed when the door opened and Harry Potter entered the room.

/*/

Harry was brought up short. He never expected to find Draco Malfoy still at Hermione's side. "It's 7:30 in the evening Malfoy. Have you been here all this time? What's that you have in your hand?" Asked Harry, hurrying around to see what it was. Seeing the moistened sponges, Harry reached out and grabbed the lot. "I've been doing this for her. I'll take these."

"Well you weren't here Potter and her lips looked quite parched. I did what needed to be done."

"Well I'm here now. I'll do it. You can leave Malfoy. You have your answer. Powerful witch or not. Hermione Granger could not have left this room."

Draco thought about mentioning dark magic spells to Harry, but had been deterred by the scowl on Harry's face. Draco thought it would be more advantageous if he did a bit more research before opening his mouth. The last thing he wanted was to offer his opinion without supporting documentation to have the information tossed aside as rubbish. And probably get hexed in the bargain.

"I'll leave now Potter. I'll keep Granger's secret as well. I'm hoping you'll see your way clear to let me visit her again. Even if she doesn't know I'm here, I'd be happy to keep her company."

Harry turned on Draco with a low growl. "Why would I do that Malfoy? You have been absolved. You didn't do anything to Hermione and she did not come to you accusing you of anything. Why not just go about your business and let her …..?"

Although the healers had made it clear that Hermione's death was imminent. Harry could not bring himself to use the word die in conjunction with Hermione's name.

Not wanting to inflame Harry any further, Draco replied in an even voice. "If that's what the healers have declared, then why would it be an issue if I sit with her? You may not want to admit it or acknowledge it, but Hermione wants me to do something for her. I have to figure out what it is."

"Do you hear yourself? You do know you sound mad Malfoy. I can't deny it would be nice for Hermione to have company when I can't be here. Thank you for stepping up. The healers will be coming in at different points to affix her breathing machine. So don't be surprised."

With a panicked look on his face Draco faced Harry. "What? A breathing machine? A Muggle device?"

"Yes Malfoy. A Muggle device. It is helping to keep her alive. I neglected to mention Hermione can only breathe on her own for a certain amount of time. Therefore, the machine has to be brought in at different points during the day to assist her breathing. I'll sit with her now. You may leave."

Draco put his hand on the door handle without opening it. "Whether you believe it or not Potter. There are things in the magical world which defy explanation. Goodnight."

Draco left the room without waiting for a response.

Harry turned to Hermione. Even though she couldn't respond, he spoke to her. "Can you believe it Hermione? Draco Malfoy seems to have turned into a human being."

With unshed tears welling up in the corner of his eyes, Harry picked up one of the moistened sponges. As he reached over, several tears splashed down on his hand. The wizard who was strong enough to best Voldemort was helpless. All he could do was watch as the Gryffindor Princess lived the last few days of her life.

Then Harry rubbed another moistened sponge across the parched lips of his best friend.