Disclaimer: I own nothing. JK Rowling's brilliant mind came up with it first. Only things I own are the plot and a few spells and illnesses that I made up.

Thanks to qnadia7 for helping edit this story!

Chapter 1: Hard News

Draco stood watching the rain fall down the window pane. Something about the rain gliding down the pane made him think back to when he was a child. He would sit for hours when his father would punish him for saying something wrong, watching the rain fall in patterns. He would watch as they each raced down and pooled on the sill. Now that he was older, it meant more. It meant sadness and pain. The news that he had just heard floored him, and hardly anything did these days. Not after everything that had happened.

"What can I do?" he asked the elderly Healer calmly but his desperation must have been obvious because the man gave him a pitying look.

"Only thing to do is see our head Healer in the new wing. They have what you need." The man said kindly.

"You know I hate going there." Draco spoke with disgust laced in his voice.

"Yes, I know, but there is nothing that can be done outside the hospital. If you change your mind, here is a card with the information you will need." The Healer put it on Draco's desk and floo'd out. "And Mr. Malfoy, I do hope you consider what is best for yourself," the Healer said with one final look in Draco's direction.

Draco continued to stare out over the grounds of Malfoy Manor. He did not want to leave his home. He hardly did after the war. What was there outside for him anyway? What was the point in it? He made his way to his desk and picked up the card.

He eyed it before tossing it aside. "No way am I going to let them help me." He took out parchment and his quill and began to write out his will.

Hermione sat in the kitchenette sipping a mug of hot coffee. Her day was about to start and she always made sure she had a bit of caffeine in her to keep her going.

"Healer Granger!" she heard her personal assistant calling her.

"Yes, Dilora?"

"There are some reports that Healer Vilance needs you to look over," the older lady said with a gentle smile in Hermione's direction.

"Thank you. I'll be in my office if anyone needs me." Hermione took the folder from the witch and entered her office. Her office was well kept, medium room. She had her own fireplace, bookshelves stocked with the newest medical books, muggle as well. She had a sofa and two lounge chairs to one side for her consultations with patients. Her desk was a large cherry stained oak. A few pictures sat across the front. Manila folders to one side, a muggle computer on the other.

Hermione worked at St. Mungo's in the new ward of Rare Magical Diseases. She was there only six months when it opened. She quickly jumped aboard when they asked for Healers. She began work there shortly after the war, slowly making her way up. She was now in her third year and had been made Head Healer of the ward. Her work was something she enjoyed doing. After the war, she began to notice a rise in new magical diseases. She began to read up on anything. She knew that she wanted to help cure her former friends, even enemies. She wanted to make her difference in the wizarding world, and helping rid it of diseases would be a start.

Hermione sat at her desk and looked over the reports. She made a few notes before sending them back.

"Healer Granger?"

"Yes, Dilora?"

"You have a new patient waiting on you."

"Alright."

She followed Dilora out into the hall. She took the chart and stood there in shock for a minute or two. Could it really be him? What's he doing here? Is he seriously ill? A million questions raced through her head and she pushed away the concern she felt bubbling up unexpectedly. She took a deep calming breath and reluctantly opened to door to see him, the one and only Draco Malfoy, sitting on one of the beds.

"Hello, Malfoy," she said, her voice sounding calmer than how she actually felt. Merlin Hermione, get a grip on yourself! You are a Healer and he is your patient, end of story! As long as he is your patient, anything that had ever happened between the two of you never happened!

"Hello, Granger." Draco looked up at her in surprise. He was expecting someone who must have been pretty tough to handle the Rare Magical Diseases division. Granger sure didn't look tough with her petite frame and warm brown eyes but she still had that powerful aura around her that made everyone around her treat her with respect.

Hermione held in her shock. Draco was not as he once was. He was paler, if possible, his face was sunk in a bit, and his eyes had dark bags under them. She cleared her throat as she walked to him.

"What seems to be the problem?" Hermione asked him professionally.

"I have a disease. I need help."

Hermione held back her snide remarks. She had to act professional, even if it was Draco Malfoy. "Alright then. Lay back; let me do a sweep over you."

Draco lay back on the exam table and Hermione swept her wand over him from head to toe. Once she was done, she pointed her wand at the wall and her examinations appeared.

"Oh my," she mumbled to herself while she studied the results. "Has anyone told you about this disease?" she asked as she turned back to face Draco.

He shook his head. "No. All they told me was that it would spread and it wasn't curable."

Hermione sighed before speaking. "Well, whoever told you was half wrong. Yes, it will spread, but it is curable depending on what stage you are in. You have what is called Danorma Metuclo Dermosis. Basically it starts with a curse. The curse doesn't necessarily have to be thrown by a wand. It can be said with wandless magic. It will affect the smallest part of the brain and gradually grow."

Draco had gotten up to stare out the window. "How much has it grown?"

"From what I can see, it is still contained in one area. If you start treatments now, we may can rid you of it, without them, it will grow until it starts pressing on the parts that control your functions."

Draco sighed. "How long do I have?"

"Judging by these results, around a year. You're still in Stage One. We can treat it, but we need to get started before you progress to Stage Two." Hermione stood behind Draco, watching his movement. She could tell by the stiff hold of his shoulders and his clenched fists that he was distressed. She thought about offering him words of comfort but decided against them. This is still Malfoy. He's just putting up with you because you are his Healer and nothing more.

He turned to face her. "What do the treatments consist of?"

"Radiation, blood treatments. Almost like muggle cancer treatments, except there is a potion that will help with keeping it solitary. Do know that you are the first case of this, it will need reading up on more."

"Okay. I'll figure out what to do." Draco grabbed his coat and walked out.

Hermione stood in her spot as he left. She gathered herself and walked to her office. She sat at her desk, head in her hands, wondering why she was feeling upset over Draco's news.

A/N: Well here is my new story! Hope all like it! Please review! Let me know what you think! Reviews make me happy! P.S. Yes, I deleted my other story, I seen it going nowhere! Thanks to all my lovely followers for sticking with me!