"Malfoy," you begin, in the silence.

You know he's listening, although his composure changes none.

"Why do you use a pen?"

-fumble-

"I mean, instead of a quill?"

Click.

He looks up at you, steel eyes almost amused in the harsh, white light of the hospital.

He holds out his pen to you—a peace offering?

While you examine, he explains.

It is hard, cold, smooth-

"I find it more convenient."

The writing point is vividly sharp and stained blue-

"More tasteful."

Wasn't there any warmth in his hands?

"You don't have to fill it constantly."

There aren't even any smudged fingerprints-

"Granger!"

You jump violently, the pen falling to the tile with a clatter. It rolls, for a moment.

Malfoy is leaning forward, watching you as though you are an extremely rare insect. "Are you experiencing any lightheadedness, dizziness? You've been staring at my pen for about five minutes."

Your fingers scrape lightly on the edge of an off-white tile as you slowly pick up the slim, cool rod. You notice a droplet of blue- blue? –ink has dripped onto a tile. Absentmindedly, you slide a fingertip through the miniscule circle, lifting it to inspect the stain on your skin. Blue.

"M-malfoy."

You realize you're trembling violently, and that Malfoy is pressing the silver-and-blue – blue! –earpiece on the side of his head.

His voice is so soothing in the next moment that you almost forget about the blue.

"Granger, I need you to take a deep breath. You need to be nice and calm for when you meet your new roommate in a few hours. Just take a deep breath. You're in St. Mungo's hospital, remember? Granger, tell me your middle name."

"J-jean."

A cold – blue water! – tear slips down your cheek.

He's nodding slowly, calmly, clipboard set aside, leaning forward on his knees, pale hands clasped.

"And what is my name?"

"Draco," you breathe out, involuntarily.

You had meant to say Malfoy. The realization tears you back to Earth with jarring speed. Even he is frozen momentarily by this seemingly obvious confession.

Eyes—wood and smoke, are tied together.

But by what? …Fire.

And for one tiny, miniscule moment, desire rampages through your senses. He would taste of ice, he looks so cold. Smell of snow. Feel of porcelain. Sound like wind, whipping furiously through canopies in swift, heavy breaths, the moaning of the branches accompanying it plunge for plunge-

The door flew open. You recoil in wild shock, he becomes a statue.

Two orderlies rush in, and it takes you a moment to realize he summoned them, with his silver earpiece.

One carries a tiny clear cup of simple calming draught, the other a clipboard and quill.

Quill. Not pen.

0o8o0

What? No.

Malfoy. Malfoy, not Draco.

I must be going crazy, you rationalize.

The irony of this is too much, and you pat the wall of the psychiatric ward with some fondness. Well, this is the place.

Someone's knocking on the open doorframe. "Hermione?"

You look up almost cautiously, but the people are unfamiliar, save for the frequent orderly standing behind two other people.

One of them is straight-cut and professional-looking, her black bob immaculate and her sternly-held left hand devoid of ring.

The other is small, delicate. The girl is wiry and paper-thin, her skin sun-kissed and red over her cheeks in a faint sunburn. Her hair fell long and dark over one shoulder, and her face was relatively plain, save for two large, dewy hazel eyes that were cooned by her day-old black eyeshadow, smeared slightly.

"This is Vicki," the professional woman stated. "She'll be your roommate."

Vicki gave a half-approximation of a smile, which you attempted to return.

Despite being so small, with her raccoon eyes and straight-shouldered repose, Vicki looked more than formidable.

"Vicki, this is Hermione."

"Hi," you say weakly.

She nods.

You cannot help but wonder, first-off, what problems she has.

0o8o0

Ooh! Sexual tension and new characters! Whoooooooo… oooo?

Okay, okay. I've reached an ultimatum here. If Chrissytingting is still the only person to review this chapter, I won't be posting another until someone else reviews.

I mean, c'mon. Show a little love. Not that I'm not SUPER grateful for all the favorites and alerts, but get off your asses and leave me a smiley face and a "I liked it."

Hehe. (:

And now that I've successfully ran off or offended the few fans I have, I bid you adieu, my lovelies. And please review! ;D

Lebewohl,

-E.v.

PS: A big thanks again to my sole reviewer, Chrissytingting. (: Love ya, Grippy.