HERMIONE's POV
He was going to die without a donor. She had to remember that. That he was going to die. The only possible match would be impossible to gain. But, he was going to die. Asking this man would destroy her pride. But, he was going to die. She hated the man. But, the love of her life was going to DIE. Certainly asking Draco Malfoy for a donation would take every ounce of emotional energy she had left. But, Ron's life was on the line. Certainly, Malfoy would ask for something in return. But, Ron was worth whatever Malfoy put her through. Right?
That was what she kept telling herself as she straightened her skirt. Waiting for HIM to arrive. She was trying to stop her shaking nerves. Trying to convince herself that this was worth it. Of course it was worth it. It was Ron we were taking about. What was the worst that could happen? He could tell her "No". That had to be worse than whatever he wanted in return. Ron was worth talking to this man. Worth asking him to save her love. Ron would do the same for her, Right? She had to try, she had to ask him. That is if he actually decided to show up.
DRACO's POV
He had been watching her from the outside of the window for ten minutes. He was now five minutes late, despite his wanting to be early. He had been a bit surprised by the letter. That vague note that had left him with more questions that it did answers, but still peaked his curiousity. "Mr. Malfoy, I ask for an audence with you at the Leaky Cauldron on Saturday November 8th at 2pm. Thank you Hermione Granger" The words still reveriberated in his head. He was nervous. But, curious. He hadn't seen this woman since the war. Save for his dreams. Which usually came when he went into or even near the Drawing Room. A place he avoided like a plaugue. He swore he could still hear her screams reverberating out of that room. How much worse would these dreams become when he actually went to see the woman.
He had just convinced himself he would attend this morning. Due to the short notice he had not Owled her whether he planned to attend or not. He sighed, deciding if he didn't go in soon, she would leave. Figuring that he was a "No-show" He straightened his back, trying to make himself seem like he was more confident that he was. Trying to find that air of superiority that use to come so easily to him. He chuckled as he realized how much had changed since May 2nd 1997. How much he had lost on that day, and how much he had grown since. He plastered that infamous Malfoy smirk on his face and made his way inside. With a slight smile he took a seat across from her, throwing his feet on the table, crossing his arms over his chest he leaned back in the chair.
"What is it that you need?"He gloated, knowing that she would not have contacted him if she didn't need something. That was honestly the only time people would come to the Malfoys. Was when they needed something, usually money. Which surprised him. Didn't Potter have more than enough money to suppose care for her? She would definatly go to Potter before Malfoy if it was money. The thought both intrigued him as well as scared him. Certainly, the brightest witch of their age had landed a good job some where. But he couldn't for the life of him remember ever reading about her employment. Come to think about it, he couldn't remember seeing anything about her or the Weasel since shortly after the war. Just that they were an item. Maybe the Weasel was sucking her dry, ashamed she couldn't go to Potter. From everything Draco could remember, all Ronald ever did was rely on the mudblood. How Ironic? For a blood tratior, he certainly did expect a lot from Granger.
He could tell from the look he was getting from the girl, she was really broken. He watched as she gathered her thoughts picked up the pieces of her broken pride, and tried to keep herself calm. He was trying so hard to resist rubbing the way she was feeling in her face. He tried to remind himself that he was an adult, that this girl, no matter how infurating he found her, had yet to say or do anything to him that was worth heaping verbal abuse on her. Not yet anyway, any encounter he had ever had with this woman always ended in an immature little spat. He hoped both of them had grown up enough to have moved past their childhood rivalry and act like adults. He doubted it.
HERMIONE's POV
She couldn't believe what a pompus little prat the man was acting like. She knew that nothing has changed with him, but why would it. He was still the spoiled rich boy she remembered from school. But, this was not school, this was real life. If she were to hex him, she doubted he would except her request. She could stand this git for Ron, for his health, no his life. This was the only way he would survive and still have his magic. Why did he have to be so stubborn. If he would only let her tell his family he might get the Bone Marrow Transplant he needed and get to keep his magic. As his girlfriend, she wanted to tell his family. But, as a health care professional, she could not disclose any infomation. Unfortunatly, as he boss had reminded her, he was her patent first and her boyfriend second. That if she couldn't put her personal life aside and help Ron like any else, that she didn't need to be caring for him. Which would mean that she wouldn't get to know anything about what was going on with him.
She looked Malfoy in the eyes "I need a favor from you"
He raised an eyebrow "I gathered. No one asks to see me unless they need something. Especially you"
At least he realized how hard this was for her. She sighed trying to figure out how to word what she needed to say. How to make all these raging emotions come together to make one solid sentence without her bursting into tears. "The situation is this. Ronald is in need of a donation"
"A donation? Seriously, is he that pathtic that he can not ask for money himself?!"the Blond asked outraged.
"He is on his death bed you twit"She snarled at him, angry that she had to resort to saying it like that.
Hermione had never thought it was possible for Draco to turn whiter than he already was. He practially fell out of his chair before he sat up straight to look at her. "So you are talking about a medical donation?"
She nodded "You see the situation is this"She said trying to use her doctors voice, trying to make it sound like she was telling a parent their child had cancer and not her childhood nemsis that her boyfriend was dying " Ronald has something called Congenital neutropenia, he is in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. To save his life I need someone who is a match with him"
"I faguely remember the Weasley's breed like Rabbits, certainly there is someone in his over bred family who would be a positive match?"Draco asked still a little taken back by the news.
"You see that is the problem, I am his doctor, he has asked that none of his family be notified. If I want a donation from them, I would have to tell them what is going on. Which Ron doesn't want. I would be breaking doctor-patent confidentiality"She explained
"How are you not breaking your little contract by telling me, certainly he would rather his family told than me?"Draco insisted
"I am looking for a match to get a donor, that I am allowed to do, despite who you are, you are not family...directly"
"There is no other match?"Draco growled. The idea of saving Weasels life, did not exactly thrill him, he now wished she was asking for money.
"There is, but there is a complication, if he were to take a transplant from any of the other donors we have found he would be risking his magic. Taking a donation from a muggle could cause him to lose his magic, that is not a risk I am willing to take. Not yet anyway"
"And they say there is no difference between muggles and wizards"Draco laughed "There is no other wizard who could fulfill these needs that are not Weasley's?"
Ignoring that comment, she continued. She would have plenty of time to clear that up later."It would take too long to check, and Ron has been given such a short time already. Taking that much time, could make the transplant pointless. He could be gone before we found another donor. Please Malfoy, I am willing to do anything"She hung her head trying to swallow her tears.
DRACO's POV
Don't cry, it will make it harder for me to tell you no. He sighed, as he considered all the information that he had just recieved. She was willing to do anything. ANYTHING. It made his mind wander to all the wrong places. There were so many things he could do, but one thing hung in his mind more than anything. He ran his hand through his hair before nodding "I will do it"
The look of shock on Hermione's face almost made Draco laugh. "At what cost?"
"I want to put your specific talents to good use"he said trying to make her think that this was going to be a lot worse than what he intended it to be. She wanted to think of him as the devil, what was encouraging it going to harm. If anything he got a good laugh out of it.
"What is that suppose to mean?"She asked glaring at him through narrowed eyes.
"I am in need of your skills a medical professional"He said her profession as if talking to a toddler who had playing doctor "It seems like a pretty even swap. I heal your friend, you heal mine"
"Just who is this friend?"She eyed him suspitiously.
"That information is confidental, until after I complete my end of the deal"
Author's Note: I am not sure if I am going to continue this. I have more to it, but I am not sure if it is worth continuing. Tell me what you think, I already have another chapter written, I just don't want to waste my time on a poorly written fanfiction. So shoot me a PM or leave a review and I will continue. If you think it is worth it.
-Loch
