She had once thought they were perfect for each other. That they would grow old together. He would give her strength when she had none, like she had for him. Now, even if he needed her strength, she would have none to give. He had used her and tossed her aside like a piece of garbage. She had risked everything for him. Her job, her life, her dignity and if Malfoy had not been so generous, she was willing to give up her very freedom to save him. Because she loved him, she still loved him. Even though she knew she shouldn't. That it would only rub salt in the tender wound he had inflicted when he left.

Hermione laid across her bed, a sobbing heap of nothingness. Clutching to her chest the one thing that he had left her. She could smell his scent of firewood on his shirt. She would burst into tears, inhailing his fragerance between sobs. She willed the fabric to turn onto flesh, his flesh, to feel him touch her again. For him to be here comforting her, telling her that he would never leave her. That he would always be there for her, willing to do anything to keep her. But, it would appear she would not get her happily ever after. Her prince charming had left her to slumber forever while he climbed up a tower to meet another woman.

She couldn't figure out what hurt the most. His infidelity before he got sick, his leaving her after he got better or who all this had been with. Her best friend and collegie, Belle. The nurse she had trusted to care for him. Remembering that only made her feel worse. This had been her fault. She had practically lead her sheep into the wolf's hand. If only she had not assumed that they were perfect together, that they were inseperable, her and Ron would be eating dinner by a fire tonight. Life would still be perfect.

DRACO's POV

It had been nine months since Draco had heard from Granger. Since she had told him that Ron was doing better and that they could expect a full recovery. Certainly, he had to be completely better now. He paced in front of the information desk of the hosptial, waiting for the volunteer to return with the information he needed. Trying to keep his focus off trying to bed her, which was proving to be less and less difficult everytime the woman opened those rose colored lips. He couldn't imagine laying with the woman whose voice reminded him of a seagull in heat.

She saunted back, her hips swaying seductively. Draco contumplated the consquences of using a silencing spell on a muggle and decided it wasn't worth a good lay.

"I am sorry, Mr. Malfoy, but it would appear that Mr. Weasley has been discharged"She sqwalked.

Draco gritted his teeth "When?"

"I am not allowed to disclose that information"

"Then Doctor Granger, when is the next time she will be working. I really need to speak with her"He growled.

"Ms. Granger quit several months ago"

"WHAT?"He practically screamed.

The woman began to say something, but Draco didn't even listen to what she was saying. He could not believe the mudblood had double crossed him. He walked out of the hospital, partically cursing himself for not making an unbreakable vow and the other half thinking of all the wicked things he had instore for that backstabbing wench when he found her. IF he found her. Her and the blood-traitor could be anywhere and he didn't have a clue where to start looking.

HERMIONE's POV

The first day of work is always the hardest. She could hardly believe she was here. That she had finally finished enough training that she would be a healer. St. Mungo had accepted her with arms wide open, that is after she completed the courses that taught her all the spells she needed to know. They had been nothing short of impressed by her knowledge of muggle remidies and cures.

She knew as soon as she got use to being here, she would fit right in. She could start a new life, and try to forget about him. A year since he left her and it still stung like the day it happened. She wished there was some spell, or cure that would heal a broken heart, but any magic that would work was not worth the long term effects. She wanted to be able to love when he came back. Yes, she still hung on to that dream. That Ron would return on a valant steed, ready to pick up where they left off. Even if she was not sure where that was.

It had been a pretty exciting day, there had been an explosion in the first years potions class today and the whole staff had spent the day healing students with various results of a badly brewed potion. The students who had minor effects had spent part of her visit fawning on her. Telling her how wonderful it was to meet her. She felt some what like a celebrity, it was nice to be loved. Even if it was by an eleven year olds.

Finally, the long day was coming to a close. She headed to her locker to gather her things when she bumpd into another doctor.

"Oh, sorry"She muttered, before looking up at his face and locking eyes with his piercing blue eyes. The exact shade of Rons. She swallowed hard before blushing a bit.

"No, It is I who should be apologizing, just a little overloaded with patents right now, I should have been looking where I was going"He said offering her an elegant smile. He was gorgous, save for that blond hair, that if slicked back would remind her of Malfoy. He extended a hand out to her "Jack Harvest"

"Hermione Granger"She managed to stutter out.

"Ah, so the rumors are true. I thought I had heard something about the brilliant Granger working here. What I didn't hear was that she would be so pretty" He winked at her.

It felt so good to get some attention from a man. It had been so long since she had any kind of conversation with the opposite sex, that she almost felt like she was talking to a new breed of human. "Well, I wish there was something I could do to help lighten that case load a little"

So what if she was taking on one more patent before she was going home, that would at least make her look good in front of this god.

"I am afraid there isn't, I got one of the worse cases of those kids and hopsital policy is that once I start on a case, the only way I can give it to someone else is change of shift. I am pretty sure you are already off" He sighed

"Well, I could take one of the other cases off your hands. I am fine staying behind a little while. We are a team here after all"Hermione all but insisted.

"Uh, yeah. Let me look"He said shuffling through a couple of the files in his arm, Hermione watched as his lightening blue eyes scanned the papers "Here is one you can help me with. It should be fairly simple. Just a confusion hex. Should only take you a few minutes"

Hermione nodded, smiling at him.

"Well, I better get back to that kid, thanks. Hermione"He said giving Hermione a wink before walking off.

"No problem, Jack"She smiled watching him walk away.

Her smile was quickly replaced by a scowl upon reading the name of the file she was given 'Draco Malfoy'

NARISSA's POV

'Confundo' Draco saw it coming at him, but unlike every other spell this man had tried to shoot at him, this one hit him square in the chest. He felt his mind warp, his vision blurred and he could no longer remember who he was, much less what he had been doing. He began to aimless wander around, unsure of where he was going, or even what he was doing.

Narissa found her son wandering about, he looked lost. "Draco? Honey?"

Draco didn't even respond to his name. Worried for her sons welfare she flashed them to St. Mungo's, fearing that he had been cursed by dark magic.

He was quickly taken to a examining room, where both Narissa and Draco waited to be seen by a professional. In the mean time Draco began to study random objects in the room, as if they were fogien to him. Narissa fought all inclination to start freaking out as she watched her son play with different things that decorated the room. He acted like a child who had been just taken to a museum for the first time rather than a sensible adult. Her worries increased when the nurse came in to check on them. She was gorgous, and normally her son would be taken with her, but instead he didn't even pay her a glance.

"The doctor will be in a few minutes"The nurse said after taking Draco's vitals.

Narissa nodded and the nurse left. Regretting leaving her son to deal with his father alone.

"Draco, please sit down"She said walking over to him to stop him from getting into a drawer.

She heard the door open behind her, she turned and saw a woman walk in.

"Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy" The doctor said as she came in, not looking up from the chart. "Mr. Malfoy, please have a seat"

Narissa lead her son to the bed.

Hermione walked over to Draco looking him in the eyes. Draco eyes continued to dart around the room as if watching a fly. She took out her wand, light the tip and waved it in Draco's face. At first Draco seemed almost frightened of the illumination, but fear soon turned to interest, and almost wonder.

"It would seem your son has been hit by the Confundus Charm. I will have the nurse bring him a potion that should cure it, it's effects should be immediate. If that does not work, we shall run so more tests."She said to Narissa. Narissa gave her a slight nod.

"Thank you, doctor"Narissa said walking over to shake Hermiones hand. Hermione heistated before taking her and hand shaking it firmly.

Narissa released her grip , looking down at their hands as they pulled away. It was then she noticed the "MU" on Hermione's arm. She looked up at Granger in shock.

Hermione gave her a slight smile before leaving. Narissa knew that the girl had always done well, but never expected her to become a healer, let alone agree to take this case, knowing who she was healing. She shook her head and sat next to Draco.

A few minutes later the nurse came in with the potion Hermione had prescribed. It took both Narissa and the nurse to force a confused Draco to drink the potion. After ten minutes Draco had drank all the contents of the vile, and Draco began to snap out of it. Narissa heart lept when Draco caddishly began to flirt with the nurse.

The nurse blushed "I will let the healer know that he is going to be fine, and come back with the discharge papers"

"Mother, that woman smelled wonderful, vanilla"Draco sighed, almost like he was in love.

Narissa smiled, the nurse was very beautiful. She was so glad to have Draco back.

After Draco signed the discharge papers, Narissa mentioned that he might want to ask the nurse on a date.

"Mother, it wasn't her. It was the one with the light"

Narissa blinked, but didn't say anything. All she could do was hope it was a side effect of the potion.

THANKs for all the Great Review. I decided to go ahead and post the next chapter. I have a lot planned for this. So, you are more than welcome t come along for the ride. Reviews would be appreciated, I would love both praise and criticism, because it will help me as a writer!

Thanks Again- Loch Monarch