Be aware. Rated M for language, romantic interludes and *Voldemort dark matter.*
Previously on Remnants of the Dark Lord 9: Up To Something
"I went to visit the portrait of Severus Snape today." Draco raised his eyebrows at his witch but did so with a look of admiration on his face. Who but Hermione Granger would have thought to go visit Severus?
Hermione continued to share. "Snape was his same surly self, but once he got over the fact we are dating, he became much more docile. I went over everything. He smiled twice while I was there. It was creepy. Your godfather wasn't surprised I have Morrigan blood. The good thing is, he knows John and admitted he is a strong enough wizard to perform the spell. He also advised me that John has been fascinated by witches with Morrigan blood since he was young and we should be careful. John could possibly do something to harm you to have me. Snape mentioned he believes John may be up to tricks because he hadn't mentioned deep sleep and wand movements. That's about everything."
Draco got up to pace the floor. "You should have let me hex Nickles. He'd think twice about messing us about if he had to pick his arse up off the floor."
Hermione held up her hand. "Professor Snape asked me to apologize for him. He hates that he invented the curse which has impacted your life so badly. He is very glad you are alive and never wanted any curse to be used on you. He explained how he was filled with self loathing for a long time after Voldemort used the curses on you and Theo."
Draco looked solemn.
"Look on the bright side. Professor Snape confirmed that everything is in order for the curse reversals. He stressed you should proceed cautiously, because Nickles might very well be up to something."
/
Chapter 10: Everything Down To John
Both Hermione and Draco had a restless night. For all their big talk from that morning about knickers and boxers, neither made a move to tear knickers or boxers off. They had been content to hold each other.
/**/
Thursday morning came quickly. Hermione and Draco were up, showered and dressed by 6:00 am. Draco was excited for this to be over, but he was nervous about the procedure.
He and Hermione had thought everything was under control until she visited Professor Hollis and discovered they had overlooked small bits. No matter how positive Draco had been while talking to Theo, he did have reservations about John Nickles. The wizard seemed more interested in Hermione than the application and result of the procedure. Draco felt John should get himself under control. He would be performing a dangerous procedure. Besides, Hermione was his witch and John Nickles should keep his mind off her altogether.
Draco didn't want to frighten Hermione but John Nickles lack of knowledge on the steps he had to take to cast the reversal had been disquieting to him as well. He didn't want this reversal mucked up due to some small thing being overlooked or for that matter any big thing being overlooked.
/*/
Hermione was reading back over the notes. This involved Draco. In Hermione's opinion it was a matter of life and death. One small slip could feasibly turn everything sideways. She was determined to monitor everything very closely, and she would have no problem hexing John if it looked like he was going off script. Hermione didn't have to wonder if she would be allowed in the room while John did the reversal. She would have to be in the room at least before the procedure. Otherwise, how would John put Draco at rest to perform the procedure. Hermione didn't want Draco to know she was almost in a panic because, as nervous as she was, she could only imagine what Draco was going through.
She had raised her voice at Draco when he sat down to eat some breakfast. "Maybe you shouldn't put anything heavy on your stomach."
"We are both nervous Hermione, but shouting at me won't change anything."
Hermione blushed. She had shouted at Draco but hadn't meant to. She was still extremely worried about some little thing throwing the entire procedure off. Something as small as eating breakfast if you shouldn't.
Hermione walked over to put her arms around Draco's neck and kissed him on the cheek. "I apologize. My nerves are so close to the surface I'm surprised they aren't showing. "
Draco put his hands on Hermione's arms. "I know exactly what you mean love. I'm a bundle of nerves as well."
/*/
At 7:15, Draco and Hermione shared a hug and a kiss before preparing to leave for St Mungos. Hermione wanted to get there early. She planned to check Draco's room and go over the steps with John. She was also going to place the mini cam as well. Even if nothing out of order happened during the reversal, the recording would be good for posterity. The recording might help other victim as well. Hermione knew that was a stretch, because most of Voldemort's test subjects were long dead.
Hermione paused for just a second. She knew Draco was strong, but she would not have believed anyone could survive a curse of this kind for this long. But Draco had. Now she hoped he could survive the cure. That was another thing Hermione hadn't thought about and maybe neither had Lucius or Voldemort. Maybe Draco's strength lay in that little part of him that was supposedly Veela. It was a funny thought to pop up in her mind at this time but it had. Hermione filed this bit of nonsense away for future use.
Hermione also had one more reason for getting there a little early. She wanted to look directly into John's eyes. Somewhere Hermione had read that truth is in the eyes. She was positive she would recognize any sign of deceit in John.
/*/
While Draco was being signed in, Hermione had gone into the room to set up the mini cam. It was set to wide angle so the camera would pick all four corners of the room. She also set the sound setting to extra sensitive so it would clearly pick up everything that was said inside the room.
It was 7:40 before Draco was settled in his room.
John had come into the room at 7:50. Hermione had her chance to look into John's eyes as they went over his copy of the reversal step by step.
1. Two drops Elemental solution brew in each eye
2. Expositus caput (normal swish and flick)
3. Retexui memoria ingenero (Theodore Nott, Sr.) permaneo
(Proper wand movements)
4. Sopor dies duo - deep sleep for 2 days charm (circle, swish and flick)
Hermione became a little anxious because she thought she saw something in John's eyes. However, when she purposely stared into his eyes, they had been as clear as water. Hermione put it down to nerves.
The staff had moved a special chair into the room at 7:55. The chair had fixtures which would hold Draco's head steady while allowing movement across the rest of his body. Everything seemed to be in place. They were ready to go.
At 8:00 am sharp, John began the procedure. He had initially wanted Hermione to wait outside the room but Hermione refused. "Show me the wizard who will make me?"
John took that to mean he should move on and Hermione was staying in the room.
Hermione was being feisty. John liked that. He liked that a lot. What he wouldn't give to have her. He snapped his attention back to the matter at hand. They were ready to go.
/*/
John knew he had an innate duty to help all his patients. However, Draco Malfoy was a different matter. Draco had something…well someone John wanted. It wasn't as though John would be able to keep her if he got her, but he wanted Hermione Granger even if it was only once. He wanted to touch that skin. He wanted to feel the Morrigan vibrations under his hands. He had been studying the Morrigan for most of his life. He had waited a long time to get close to Morrigan blood. He had almost given up all hope of ever coming into close contact with a Morrigu until he met Hermione Granger. Now she was within touching distance.
John had a decision to make. He had led Draco and Hermione to believe he was less than competent for this reversal but he had studied with the best dark wizards. He knew exactly what was required of him. He just wanted to leave room for the possibility of error. With a slight twist of his wand, or a lowly murmured word, he could fix it so Malfoy never woke up. If that happened, he would be willing to help Hermione pick up the pieces of her life. John had downplayed it quite a bit, but he was well versed in certain dark things from front to back. John knew that some things could be changed with a whisper.
Hermione was watching him like a hawk. John had the impression Hermione expected him to get up to something. To have a go at Hermione, he just might.
/*/
John thought back. It had to be all of twenty years he had been running down tips and clues about the Morrigan. The closest he had gotten happened several years ago. He had tracked down a woman named Mary. Mary Granger. He had tried to get close to Mary, but she was married….and a muggle.
John met Mary at the muggle library. He had struck up a conversation with her and that's as far as it had gone. He accepted that conversation was as close as he would get to his elusive goal but it didn't mean he stopped trying. That little sliver of connection was all he had to hold on to. So he had.
He and Mary held many great conversations. She had no idea of the power she could wield. Mary was a straight forward, straight laced muggle. At the time he hadn't known Mary had a child. He didn't want to know about her personal life. He had only known she had Morrigan blood running through her veins and he wanted to be close to her.
One night, John's wants had overwhelmed him and he had gone a tad bit too far. Mary had been outraged at his behavior and that had been the last he'd seen of Mary Granger. After that, she had disappeared from the face of the earth. John had surreptitiously searched for her, but all his efforts had been in vain. She was gone.
After a fashion he had given up the search and settled back down to fantasizing about the next woman with Morrigan blood. Then Draco Malfoy had shown up on his door with Hermione Granger in tow. John Nickles had been interested in Draco's case, but he was more interested in Hermione. He was barely able to contain himself when he realized another woman with Morrigan blood had come into his life. He had become invigorated. Even the long dormant parts of his body had resurrected themselves. He had begun to feel certain things more acutely than he had in years.
/*/
Hermione had cleared her throat and brought him tumbling back to the present. He turned around to face her. "Are we ready?"
Hermione was holding Draco's hand. She looked at Draco and smiled. "We are ready Healer Nickles."
John stepped over to Draco's right side explaining what he was going to do before he did it. "Two drops of Elemental Solution Brew in each eye. We will now wait the required twenty minutes for the solution to circulate."
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand and ran her fingers through his hair. Draco squeezed her hand in return. Not wanting to miss anything John was doing, Hermione kept her head on a swivel.
Twenty minutes later, John stepped back up beside Draco. "Everything appears to be in order. I will now proceed to the next step which will be done with a normal swish and flick. "Expositus caput."
Hermione held onto Draco's hand, but she took two steps back. Draco's head appeared to be opening but at the same time it appeared the same as it always had. Hermione would have panicked but she still had hold of Draco's hand and he couldn't see what was going on. She didn't want to panic him.
John fixed his wand in his hand. "The next part of the reversal calls for intricate wand movements. Retexui memoria ingenero (Theodore Nott, Sr.) permaneo."
Hermione thought she heard a sound. A crackling type of sound as though logs were burning. She looked at John, but his eyes were fixed on Draco's head. Draco's eyes were closed.
John took a deep breath and stepped back. "Everything appears to be in order. I am now proceeding to the next step which will be done with a normal swish and flick." "Clausus caput."
Like before, Draco's head seemed to move yet it hadn't moved. Hermione was not as surprised as she had been the first time. Hermione was an intelligent witch, but it had taken her both steps to realize there was no real opening and closing of the head. It was all semantics. Nothing really physically opened or closed. This was magic.
John stepped in front of Draco. "Open your eyes Draco. I need to check your responses."
Draco opened his eyes and stared straight ahead. "Please move your eyes to the left and then to the right then back to straight ahead. Do not try to move your head. Move the eyes only."
Draco did exactly as he was told. He moved his eyes to the left then to the right and back to straight.
John nodded. "Perfect. You may close your eyes Draco if it makes you feel more comfortable. We will be moving on to the last step. You will be put into what is known as dead sleep. Those parts of your body which need to be repaired will repair themselves. You've been an excellent patient Draco. Before I put you into the deep sleep, I'll need you to sit and relax for an additional ten minutes. This relaxation period is to insure that you move into the dead sleep phase as relaxed as possible."
/*/
At the end of ten minutes, John instructed Draco on the next step. "We will go through the eye responses one more time. Miss Granger and I will then help you move onto the bed. Try not to move your head."
John took Draco through the eye responses one more time. Another perfect. Hermione and John had taken one of Draco's arms when he got up from the chair. They helped him out of his robe and into bed.
Draco laid there on his back. Hermione sat down in a chair at the side of the bed and once again took Draco's hand. Hermione looked into the eyes of the wizard she loved. His eyes were telling a story. Hermione imagined Draco worried about falling into a nightmare if the reversal hadn't worked. She leaned over to kiss Draco on the mouth. He smiled.
John gave Hermione specific orders. "Even though Draco has been through the most trying parts of the procedure, we are not finished. You will need to let go of his hand and step back. I know it's hard with all that he's been through, but it has to be done."
Hermione let go of Draco's hand and stepped back. Draco's eyes followed her and he smiled again.
"Everything appears to be in order," said John. "I will now proceed to the final step which will be done with a circle, swish and flick movement of my wand. "Sopor dies duo."
Draco's eyes closed and within sixty seconds his breathing became so shallow Hermione stepped over to check if he was breathing.
John turned to look at Hermione. "Everything looks good. The reversal seems to have worked perfectly. Although deep sleep is different from normal sleep, I can reasonably conclude Draco has this beat. The nightmare has not appeared. Draco will wake Saturday morning at 10:00 am."
Hermione was thrilled. She clapped her hands together and thanked John.
John had the staff come in to remove the chair. He flicked his wand and the lights in the room went dim. "May I speak with you outside for a moment?" He asked Hermione.
Outside the room, John invited Hermione out to lunch which she declined. He had then asked Hermione to at least have tea with him. Hermione agreed to have a quick tea.
/*/
As they drank their tea, John wanted to explain the changes he had made to the reversal procedure. Hermione sat up straighter in her chair. She had questions about the reversal as well. She had wanted to wait for Draco to wake before she asked them. Perhaps she wouldn't have to wait. Perhaps John was going to tell her everything she wanted to know.
"As you are aware, in the original curse some parts were done by potion but I chose to do them by spell. Let's just say in my younger days I gained access to certain documents. I studied and improved those documents. Instead of using some part potion and some part spell, I refined certain procedures into all spell. It just makes the procedure more efficient and easier to control. I thought I would inform you of this before you asked."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you John. I did wonder but I didn't want to get into anything until Draco woke. I was watching the procedure very closely. Had your use of spell rather than potion impacted Draco in any way, I would have taken measures."
John smiled at Hermione. "Of that I have no doubt. Draco is a very lucky wizard to have you as his witch."
"We are both very lucky to have each other." She replied quickly. Thanking John for the tea, Hermione stood to leave. Before she cold walk away, John reached out and took hold of her arm.
Whatever John had been about to say never left his mouth, because Hermione stopped him with a word. "Please remove your hand from my arm. I'm fairly certain you know how Draco feels about you touching me. Draco isn't awake to say anything, so I'll say it. Please don't touch me. I'm worried about Draco and therefore a little vulnerable, but I am not a witch you want to take liberties with. I'm very good with my wand. Do we understand each other?"
John had immediately pulled back his hand. "I meant no disrespect Hermione. I value your friendship. It was not my intention to offend you."
Hermione nodded and walked away growling under her breath about the wanker healer.
/*/
Hermione sat on the edge of Draco's bed. Then she sat in one of the chairs at the side of the bed. Then she had paced the room.
About 7:00 pm, Hermione ran her fingers through Draco's hair and kissed him on the lips. She had decided to go home to eat and let Harry and Theo know how things were going. Hermione left the mini cam in place. There wasn't any reason for her to leave it in place, but she had. She felt as though the cam would watch over Draco until she returned. She gave Draco one last kiss before heading out to Apparate home.
/*/
As soon as Hermione reached Draco's flat, she Owled Harry and Theo to give them an update on Draco. Fifteen minutes later, Harry came through the floo. Ten minutes after that, Theo came through the floo. They had come to spend some time with Hermione to keep her mind off Draco.
Hermione told them all about the reversal and the changes John had made to the procedure.
Harry was the first to question the changes wanting to know more about this healer who had more than a passing acquaintance with the dark arts.
Hermione told Harry everything she knew about John Nickles including his fascination with her. She shared Draco's anger at the liberties John tried to take with her as well.
Harry apologized in advance for being less than positive. "It doesn't seem as though Nickles was the best choice of wizards to perform a spell of that magnitude, especially on Draco. Why didn't you ask me? I can read just as good as the next wizard and the wand movements would probably have been second nature."
Harry nervously ran his hand through his hair.
Hermione immediately spoke up. "Theo and Draco discussed it at length and decided John Nickles would make a fine caster. I was hesitant, but as long as Draco was happy I was fine with his decision. I do know Draco didn't want anymore postponements. He was ready to get the thing over and done. There really wasn't time to search for another caster."
Theo nodded his head. "We did discuss it. As Hermione said, Draco wanted it done and over. Neither Draco nor myself even thought about a non-healer such as you Harry. I guess we can thank Merlin that everything went to plan."
A little shiver went through Hermione. "As far as we know, everything has gone to plan. That won't be proven until Draco wakes up in one piece and without nightmares. I have placed an undetectable mini cam in the room. I did it to have a record of the reversal but left it there because I want to have something watching over Draco while he is helpless."
Harry stood up. "Hermione? Why didn't you say something when we first came in? I can have my men stand duty for Draco. Why didn't you stay there?"
"I came home to eat and change. Then you gits showed up. I am going back."
'Let's get back to the hospital." Harry said. "I don't like Draco being there alone."
They all apparated to St Mungos and arrived en masse to check on their friend and loved one.
/*/
Harry was the last one into Draco's room. He had stopped to send a patronus to his team. He wanted volunteers to step away from the job to stand duty over Draco if necessary. Harry just made it to Draco's room before his entire team began showing up. Harry stuck his head into Draco's room and asked Hermione to step out. Hermione stepped out to greet the team. Most of them were Hogwarts graduates who knew Hermione and Draco.
Harry explained what he wanted done. "This is a favor to me. I'll need one of you to be here when Hermione can't. I have asked Hermione to give me at least thirty minutes notice before she has to leave Draco's side. That will give me time to notify one of you to get to St Mungos. This duty may not become necessary, but if you are needed I want you to be ready. You'll be excused from duty to be here. I'll need the names of those who want to participate."
Each member of his team left their name. They nodded at Hermione and wished Draco well before heading back to their duties.
Hermione hugged Harry and thanked him for his help. They both went back into Draco's room. Hermione went back to sorting the clothes she had brought with her. She didn't have any intention of leaving Draco's side unless she had to.
Theo and Harry quietly discussed Theo's situation. Theo asked if Harry would cast for him when all this was done.
"Won't Draco be pissed off? He chose a wanker healer over Hero Harry Potter." Cheeked Harry. They all laughed at Harry's joke.
Harry and Theo left St Mungos about 3:00 in the morning with Harry leaving a reminder. "Don't forget to give me at least thirty minutes notice if you have to leave."
Hermione assured her best friend she'd remember.
/*/
After Harry and Theo left, Hermione spelled the bed wider, changed into her pajamas and climbed in beside Draco. Several hours later, she woke in confusion. It felt as though Draco had touched her. She looked at Draco but he was still in deep sleep. Hermione had chastised herself for being silly and laid back down.
Hermione was again puzzled when she woke up to find the covers by her knees and her pajama top askew. It was a fleeting thing and quickly left Hermione's mind. She kissed Draco on the mouth and went to take a shower and get dressed. She wanted to be clothed when John stopped by to check on Draco.
As Hermione stepped out of the shower she got a really creepy feeling something was wrong. She hurriedly wrapped herself in a towel and peeked out at Draco. Everything looked fine. Hermione shivered a bit, closed the bathroom door and proceeded to get dressed.
/*/
At 10:00 am, Theo popped in with breakfast. He and Hermione talked while they ate. Hermione mentioned the creepy feeling about something being wrong with Draco. They laughed as she explained stepping out of the bathroom in the altogether to check on him.
Hermione did not mention the state of her pajamas or her covers being at her knees. She had pushed those things to the back of her mind.
Theo had frowned as Hermione related her creepy feeling. He had looked around the room also feeling a bit uneasy.
Draco slept on.
"I hope you, Harry and Draco will keep watch over me when I'm in dead sleep." Theo cheeked to Hermione, "I want to wake up to my friends standing about cheering me on.
Theo left about noon telling Hermione he'd return later on.
Hermione had brought several books with her, so she climbed into the bed next to Draco to read.
/*/
John stopped by around 1:30. He checked on Draco and addressed Hermione. "I hope I didn't cross any lines with you yesterday. It wasn't my intention. It's just that your blood calls to me. I'm not a wizard who is trying to insert myself between you and Draco. I'm a wizard who is fascinated by the Morrigan. I have been fascinated by your blood for most of my life and I will continue to be fascinated for the rest of my life. Please don't think badly of me."
Hermione looked at the healer. "There's no problem as long as you realize I do not have any interest in being your guinea pig."
John nodded.
Hermione went back to reading while John checked on his patient. All the while he checked Draco, John had rampant thoughts running through his head. He had said what was necessary to put Hermione at ease. Of course her blood called to him. She was Morrigan. Of course he was trying to insert himself between her and Draco. He had waited for a witch like her for half his life. Of course his fascination with her would remain steadfast. He didn't want Hermione to be his guinea pig. He wanted her to be his witch. Somehow, some way he wanted her to be by his side. John knew it was a tall order having Hermione by his side, but he wouldn't give up until she was by his side or he was dead. He didn't plan to give up on having a Morrigan witch. He had learned to be patient, and he had learned to be whatever the moment called for. For now, he would continue to be the healer who cured Draco Malfoy. For now.
John had tried to engage her in conversation, but Hermione had the measure of him. She answered in monosyllables and kept her head in her book.
Hermione had been glad when Harry walked into the room at 1:45. She introduced John to Harry. Harry had not been impressed, and had been Auror cordial. Harry talked to John giving him the once over at the same time. John left the room five minutes after Harry arrived, telling Hermione he would check back later.
/*/
Hermione repeated for Harry what she had told Theo earlier. She mentioned the creepy feeling about something being wrong with Draco as well.
Harry was a wizard who paid attention to creepy feelings. "Intuition has kept us alive on more than one occasion Hermione. Don't be so fast to discount it. I'll be staying here tonight to keep you company. If you need to get out of here for a while, go do it. Otherwise, we will be right here together."
Hermione did want to get out for a bit to stretch her legs. "I'm going home to check on things. I'm going to check on Draco's flat as well." Waving bye, she headed out.
/*/
Hermione checked on her flat first. Everything was as it should be. Then she had gone to Draco's flat. Everything had been fine there as well. She poured a glass of wine and sat back on the couch. She missed Draco. She wanted to feel his hands on her. His mouth on her. She wanted him awake and cured. Hermione put down her glass of wine to wrap her arms around herself. She was counting down the hours. Draco would be back in her arms in less than eighteen hours. She finished her wine and went to lie down on the bed she and Draco had last shared.
Hermione slept for two hours, and was a bit disoriented when she woke. She wondered why she was not in bed with Draco. It had taken several minutes for Hermione to come to her senses and remember she had come home to check on the flats. She got out of bed to rummage through the closet. She got jeans and a jumper and went to take a shower. Again while she was in the shower she got the creepy feeling that something was wrong with Draco. Even though common sense told her Harry was at St Mungos with Draco, Hermione hurried to get back to her wizard.
/*/
Harry was dozing off in a chair when Hermione arrived back to the room. She tiptoed over to kiss Draco on the lips and brush her fingers through his hair.
Harry stirred when she passed in front of him. "Everything okay on the home front then?"
"Right as rain Harry."
Harry stood up and looked at his wonder wizard watch. "Not long now Hermione. Draco will be awake in hours."
Hermione smiled at her brother. "Not soon enough for me."
"I'm going to check in at the Ministry and to check if Leanne is home yet. If I don't get back tonight, I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow. See you later." He hugged Hermione and left.
Theo and Blaise stopped in for a short visit with Theo promising to be back at 10:00 am.
Hermione got her book and settled down to read. Twenty minutes later she was sleep. She was startled awake when she felt Draco touching her. She gave a little moan until she realized she was day dreaming. The whole thing left Hermione feeling a little embarrassed. The dream had made her wet. She wanted Draco so bad she could almost feel him.
Hermione leaned over to kiss her wizard. "I can't wait love. I'll be glad when you wake so I won't have to dream."
/*/
It was only 7:00 am. There were still three hours to go. Hermione got out of bed and had just come out of the bathroom after cleaning herself when John Nickles knocked at the door. She was dressed so she invited him in.
John had a look in his eye Hermione didn't like and had looked away. When she looked back, John looked like John. He didn't have any kind of look in his eye. He was just John. Hermione thought she was making too much of John Nickles. He was just a healer. Nothing more.
John had bid Hermione good morning and gone about checking on Draco.
For want of anything else to say Hermione asked. "Is everything looking the way it should?"
"Everything looks perfect." John answered. "We'll know for sure in two hours. Good luck to us all."
Hermione nodded and settled herself in a chair. John had resumed checking Draco. He lifted Draco's eyelids, checked his pulse and lifted his covers. Hermione didn't understand why John had to lift the covers, but made no comment.
/*/
At 9:30 and 9:45 respectively, Harry and Theo arrived.
This time, Harry had brought breakfast. He handed it to Hermione. "I knew you wouldn't leave Draco's side to take time to eat, so I brought you breakfast."
"I'm too nervous to eat Harry. I'll eat when Draco wakes up. We'll eat together."
At 10:00 am sharp, Draco's eyes opened. He took a very deep breath and muttered. "Shite. My head feels like it's on fire."
John stepped forward urging Draco to remain still for a few minutes more. Draco laid there with his eyes closed taking deep breaths.
"Try sitting up now." John said after a few minutes. "Do it slowly."
Draco sat up slowly and looked around the room. He greeted Harry and Theo. When he got to Hermione, he quipped. "What are you doing here Granger? Corner let you off the leash then?"
Hermione thought Draco was joking until he made a strange statement. "I'm getting up to use the loo. Unless you want to explain to Corner how you happened to see me naked, you might want to leave this minute Granger. I believe Astoria may still be in town Theo. Find her and get her over here. I'm needy."
"Whatever you're playing at Malfoy is not funny."
In all seriousness, Draco turned to Harry. "What are you on about Potter? What's not funny?"
Harry grabbed Hermione's arm as she made to walk to Draco. "Wait a bit Hermione."
Hermione stopped in her tracks and stood there.
Harry turned to John Nickles. "Does this look like everything is fine? Malfoy doesn't seem to remember that he and Hermione are in a relationship. That's pretty fucking far from fine. Do something and do it fast."