There were only twelve nights left. Then he would go leaving her alone. Alone in the world which was cruel and selfish. Harry and Ron were and so was Draco going to be. The cruel world had kept her alive and was probably going to do so and was taking all her loved ones away from her. She lost Ron who died saving her in the battle and Harry too in the war. She couldn't bear to lose Draco now. But that is what the healer told her, and him. He wouldn't live more than the twelfth night from then. He was perfectly fit according to her but she knew that he wasn't. Even the healers were baffled to know that he was having a disease like that. They said, it was very uncommon in Europe, it was an American disease. He worked in the department of games his last that day. He was supposed to resign as he wanted to do something in the last days of his life which he had not done in his 21 year long life till then. Hermione remained in her flat and wept continuously she was granted leave from her work after hearing about Draco's disease. He was really going to go away leaving her alone.

It was four in the afternoon then. She had got no more time to cry as it was time for Draco to return from work and she had to leave for his flat that moment if she wanted to do anything for him. He had puckzia a disease whose cure was not yet known even in America. Because of it a person dies on an assigned day and not even the highest levels of protection could curb that. Because of it she was going to lose Draco twelve nights later. It did not make him feel ill because it was a curse disease.

Hermione hurriedly apparated to Draco's flat and it looked like a tornado had passed through it. All his books were piled upon the ground; there were broken plates, remains of rotting spaghetti and ruins of what used to be a beautiful statue. Then she found Draco in a corner writing something in a small notebook which surely was a diary. And he was writing it with so much of concentration that he did not even notice her. When asked he said that it was a will in which he left Hermione all his possessions except for a ring which he left for Blaise Zabini his only friend who was still alive. She wished to know about the ring but he changed the topic.

"Were you crying?" "No" was the simple answer of Draco.

"Don't lie Draco we have been friends for years now and I can't understand how you manage to try to hide anything from me at all, surely I do not have any ability to do so anymore."

"Okay, okay I was crying but little as compared to the amount others would cry if they knew suddenly that they were going to die some weeks later and they had a whole fucking loads of things they want to do before they die! Wouldn't you react if this happened to you?"

"No! I think no. now that I've lost all my dear ones and am going to lose you I would rather feel delighted if I were to die."

"Hermione," "yes" "just shut up" "what happened?"

"Do you know why I was crying? It was all because of you. I had been thinking all the time what you would do after I died. It would be so selfish to die. Like potter and weasel" Draco was sorry that he said that because he hated to see Hermione crying and even at the slightest mention of harry and Ron her eyes would dampen and she would start crying uncontrollably. He couldn't imagine how she would manage after his death. Would she kill herself slowly? He wanted to live. He was indeed very happy with Hermione but he had to leave her. He had got no choice.

"I will not cry today. How much will I cry for the dead? I have to save my energy, my courage and I promise I will save you. I literally promise Draco Malfoy."

"I am going to die Hermione and no one can save me. It is no use promising the broken promise. I am sorry and I don't want to die but I will. He tried to hide his tears but Hermione saw them."

"No you are not! I know there is no cure for puckzia but I will find it." "Hermione you know," he sighed. "Now that I am going to die I understand the value of every little laugh and all tears that blessed my cheek and….."

"Stop being poetic now. We've got only eleven days and twelve nights to go which is not a large amount of time to find the cure of an unknown disease I my opinion so…."

"Hermione"

"... We can start right now..."

"….Hermione"

"…we start with north America okay"

"Shut up! I want to do a few things before I die and I have made a huge list. We do those in daylight okay?" "Okay then I go and find your cure at night" "Stop being sarcastic Hermione granger. See the list here…"it is here

The week before death

7. I want to day tour Australia.

"WHAT! That is an impossible line you've written there Mr. Malfoy. It takes a day to reach Australia"

"Hermione. Are you a witch or not?" "Yes sorry about that. I forgot about apparition."

6. I want to visit my parents' graves in N. America.

"Yes sure we are sure to find your cure there." "Maybe"

5. I want to be a Hogwarts student for a day again.

"That is awesome. Neville can help me with your cure and visiting Hogwarts is one of my last wishes too" "I know"

4. I want to dye my hair brown.

"Draco, have you gone completely mad?" "I know it is a bit stupid but it is one of my last wishes as I never really was a fan of blonde hair." "You know Draco you can remain as you are everyone will like you the same git rather than good formal brown haired gentleman."

3. I want to be muggle for a day.

"So you do not want your father's soul to rest in peace right?" "Practically, yes." she managed to giggle a bit at this and a faint smile came on Draco's face.

2. I want to lose my voice.

"Why would a person want to do that and how do you think that is possible artificially?" "I do not know it is like all my colds were cured by magic and..." "You never lost your voice? You are really filthy spoilt Draco." He was laughing at this and she displayed all her teeth in a broad grin but was really puzzled how to make him lose his voice.

1. I want to spend all my twelve nights and days and all my moments of life with you Hermione.

"Sure it is the same for me. I do not want to go even inches away from you till I find your cure.''

And then she hugged him tightly and did not want to ever leave him, ever.